Thursday, November 28, 2019

Thomas Jefferson Essays (1197 words) - Thomas Jefferson,

Thomas Jefferson THOMAS JEFFERSON 1801-1809 Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743 in Albemarle County, Virginia. Jefferson was known as the author of the Declaration of Independence and the third president of the United States. Jefferson was also a diplomat, an architect, a musician, a scientist and an inventor; Jefferson was an advocate for the public school system. Education was very important to him. Jefferson founded the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. He designed it, planned it, and hired the professors; he also came up with the first study courses. Jefferson lived 83 years and was very young spirited. He was always learning something new and was never afraid to try and try again. Thomas Jefferson did many things very well, and there was only one person that came close to matching him, that person was Benjamin Franklin. They were both very fascinating people. Jefferson's father was Colonel Peter Jefferson, he was a well-known explorer and owned large amounts of land, therefore Thomas had the best of everything. His mother was from a well-known family in Virginia, her name was Jane Randolph, and she was wealthy also. Thomas Jefferson was educated privately in his early days and went on to study Latin, Greek, Italian and Spanish. His favorite subjects were math and science. Thomas studied law for five years under a well-known law teacher by the name of George Wythe. At the age of 24 he was admitted to the bar in the year 1767. He practiced law until the American Revolution closed all the courts. He earned most of his income by all the farms he owned. He married Martha Wayles Skelton in the year 1772 that increased his land ownership immensely. They had six children, one son and five daughters. Only two children lived to adults, Martha and Mary Thomas Jefferson designed and built a house on a mountain, which he called his Monticello home. Jefferson loved his home and was very proud of it. He left his home when his wife died, her death left him very sad and lonely. In the year 1783 Thomas Jefferson was accepted to the Continental Congress. This started his political career. Thomas Jefferson was very active in writing laws and resolutions; he was a very straightforward man. Some people viewed him as being to extreme. Jefferson was chosen to represent Albemarle County at the first Virginia Convention. He became ill and was not able to attend, but he sent his messages that British Parliament had no control over the colonies. Jefferson was the primary person to write the Declaration of Independence. Congress felt it was too harsh, and had Dickenson take the responsibility of rewriting it. He used allot of Jefferson's original ideas. Jefferson was a Republican and in 1779 became governor of Virginia. In 1786 Jefferson wrote a bill establishing religious freedom. Two parties started to emerge. The Democrats and the Republicans. Jefferson assumed the leadership of the Republicans. Jefferson opposed a strong centralized Government and wanted the states to have their rights. We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. These words are arguably the backbone of our countries right to freedom. Jefferson is considered one of the greatest pioneers of America. One of the issues that troubled Jefferson throughout his lifetime was slavery and his ownership of more than two hundred slaves The question that puzzles most Americans is how could the man that wrote ?ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL? Could own slaves? The question has been asked over and over throughout the history of our Great Nation. This is the thing that contemporary Americans find most interesting about Thomas Jefferson. Although slavery was the normal thing in Jefferson's lifetime, this cannot be used a to justify his ownership of slaves. Jefferson was A very kind master to his slaves. Jefferson spoke out against the institution of slavery, slave trading, and for the right of black people to be free. People of today's society would think of Jefferson as being a hypocrite for owning slaves, and at the same time denouncing slavery. We must put ourselves in his time and

Monday, November 25, 2019

Change Strategies Critical Review and Application

Change Strategies Critical Review and Application Introduction Change is a peculiar and elusive concept that has taken a lot of struggle to contend with and make the society understand. In spite the fact that change is inevitable, it is a paradox to realize that it results majorly from the acts of the ordinary stakeholders. The society struggles to embrace change yet an aspect in our nature works so hard to block it. The modern society tries restructuring the systems that is the social, political, economic and business systems preparing them to come to terms with the need for change (Bates, 2000).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Change Strategies: Critical Review and Application specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is despite the difficulty experienced in making people understand. To understand what change is and how change ought to be handled several questions come to mind that is what causes change, the change processes and the strategies to curb change, the effe cts of change (Bates, 2000). Change is therefore the process where individuals and groups in an organization shift from the current state of operations to a predetermined future state (Beerel, 2009). Organizational changes can be planned or unplanned, incremental or transformational change and therefore the form of management in place must be able to identify the type they are dealing with. This assists the stakeholders be in control of the scope and perspective most so during turbulent time during change. Through change management, the relevant stakeholders are made to come to terms with change and accept it. Through proper change management procedures mission, strategic, technological, operational and behavior the stakeholders can view changes as a positive aspect (Beerel, 2009). For change to happen successfully some functions must be handled conclusively; change has to be initiated, and then championed through agents with support from the sponsors and organizational leaders (Bro wn KaÃÅ'„tz, 2009). The leaders of an organization must integrate everybody if change and change management is expected to happen smoothly. There should never be an assumption that there are clicks in an organization that are responsible for change and hence others should only wait, the responsibility should be collective (Brown KaÃÅ'„tz, 2009). Overview of change strategy Besides the characteristics of change, change strategies remain vital components when it comes to the determination of the efficiency and effectiveness of an organization in dynamic times of change. Change strategies are therefore factors that need to be given due considerations in the change management process (Bates, 2000). For a change strategy to be effective the following tips have to be given due consideration. This will help when dealing with the issues when dealing and developing the right strategies; the formulated strategies must be made available to all the stakeholders, resistance shoul d be given room and appropriate means should be given, this is because resistance doesn’t mean that a trespass has occurred but means that some change process has been initiated.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The overall impact of the strategies to be implemented must be projected, how it will influence the organization’s Visions, Missions and objectives and the culture (Bates, 2000). Therefore, an option needs to be chosen from either a change-change situation, change of the culture situation or prospects of failing criteria. Change also demand for trust from all the relevant stakeholder, trust is needed most when there is no enough time to give an explanation on change being undertaken. Without trust what appears to be change may not be change in the end. The organizational leader’s commitment is of fundamental when it comes to implementing a change strategy (Cameron Green, 2009), commitment must therefore be solicited from them first in its well-communicated form so that a failure is not faced at all costs. Pain is the major driver of change and without a sacrifice, which drives people out of the comfort zone then, then change would remain a dream. This is the main reason that the leadership is needed to have a strong stand even in a situation when not all the other stakeholders are going to accept. All the necessary organizational resources need to be used to satisfactorily ensure that the actual change required is met; this could go to an extent of making rewards to allow room for change. It is therefore clear that various strategies depict open characteristics of the differences that in the underlying assumptions in organizations and change. For clear communications of the individuals involved in the change process to be made, the meaning of strategy has to be mentioned in its bold conceptual framework (Cameron Green, 2009). In addition, the strategy to be employed depends largely on the certainty or level of predictability of the change platform, alongside this is the creation of room for the stakeholders to deliberate and agree on how to handle the looming change process. Planning and control functions of any organization are normally affected by uncertainty; therefore, the appropriate change strategy in such a case is the interactive strategy where several aspects of the organization are brought together and an observation made on how they relate when slight changes are made. Questionnaires are used to find out on how the stakeholders feel about change strategies implemented (Brown KaÃÅ'„tz, 2009). Detailed description of the change strategies There are therefore five major strategies for change identified; power strategy, it employs the top down approach Change Strategies. (2004). In such a case the employees are kept at bay of the change process hence, they have a little input on idea generation for change since very little of their inputs is required. The managers believe that change can be undertaken effectively even without considering the opinions of the involved stakeholder; this is a harmful assumption hence making such a strategy unpopular. The second strategy is the systematic strategy; here the methodology approach to change is followed, goals, procedures and methods to realize change are put in place.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Change Strategies: Critical Review and Application specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Planning is then incorporated in the system; time limits are set since it would demand that certain objectives are met within some deadlines. Another strategy is the negotiation strategy, which involves the interactive approach; the employees’ ideas are given a great proportion in this process as opposed to the power strategies. Therefore, in the above approac h the change idea is developed together through sharing of ideas and opinions between the workers and the business leaders Change Strategies. (2004). The other change strategy is the programmatic change strategy; this procedure is done in stages Change Strategies. (2004). An analysis of the change approach and strategy is assessed and evaluated; the change is introduced in bits and the employees made familiar to the change through the learning objectives achieved together. The evaluation for change is done in a way that future adjustments can be made. Under negotiation strategy, all the wishes and interest of the workers are incorporated; conflicting interests are outlined and negotiated to clarify the problems identified. Negotiation is important in bringing a unified agreement about diverse opinions by different groups within an organization Change Strategies. (2004). Alternative change strategies The modern organizational environments do not call for the dogmatic change strategie s with vast bureaucracy, which may result in the derailment of change procedures and processes. There are therefore other patterns in the dynamic environments where changing dimensions are so frequent (Christensen, Horn Johnson, 2008). Alternative strategies therefore involve the perspectives that an organization can resort to incase there is a failure in the other identified strategies. The first is the change capacity; this strategy defines the extent to which an organization is able to navigate change through an organization, it navigates change in all the details and aspects that calls for its application. In any form of a formal organizational setting, capacity change is responsible for the expansion of the desired outcome and hence directs the influence that the change has on the right place hence safety (Cormier, Nurius Osborn, 2009). This is mainly achieved through constant application of leadership skill since this is the surest way to jump-start and implement change henc e facilitating its sustainability. With sustained change, the influence level of the organizations to the surrounding environment rises, this translates into an increased level of involvement by the stakeholders in the organizations even during times of fierce change and instability (Christensen, Horn Johnson, 2008). It is a hard nut to crack initiating change when this strategy is lacking since anyone approached for change will always be skeptical and there will be no one willing to act on the proposed changes. Therefore, this form of change agent is recommended for application throughout the process of change since it is quite prudent and it is the subjects of the change themselves that can always influence the change towards the desired direction by the organization in discussion (Cormier, Nurius Osborn, 2009).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Secondly, the leadership should always be on the watch to integrate all options and make several possibility outcomes at standby (Cummings Worley, 2009). This is an emergency measure that helps resolve the likely crisis in case a wrong change process is put in place. Sometimes leaders may be under pressure to implement a change strategy without enough time to consider the repercussions hence the need to put options in place in waiting for any unfortunate occurrence. This stage also involves the incorporation of the other employees to help in the formation of the alternatives since getting the necessary information is quite easy. The options developed should frequently be reviewed to ensure that they are up to date with the relevant technological standards. Environmental scanning is also vital to help in the SWOT analysis of the business (Cummings Worley, 2009). Practice application of theory to a specific change situation Good theories are the most practical tools of dealing with change that have ever been devised on the surface of the earth (Green, 2007). Change is also never instant and this is harmful since it blocks people from realizing the successes that are achieved because of the changes made. In the process of change as have been noted earlier, communication to the stakeholders if vital to make everyone aware of whatever should be accomplished, the progress at each stage should also be reported to the stakeholders and the challenges faced accompanied by how the challenges are to be addressed (Green, 2007). All the challenges are grouped together as received from all the partners and their viewpoints. The differences must also be identified and placed in their relevant groups. Thereafter, the right methods of mitigation and strategies to handle appropriately the identified and grouped challenges are consolidated (Cummings Worley, 2009). The above activities all narrow down to change strategy theories. Majority refers theory of change as paths toward s change or change engines. A theory of change sets on stage a representation that guides towards the path that directs change and makes sure that you are on the right track. Therefore, without a theory to manage change, it is as if a vehicle riding in the bush without any aims (Ndulo Grieco, 2009). This proves the practicality of change theory and its essentiality as part of doing transformation of a business or organization. Theories of change occurs in a diverse forms which depends on the subjects that are dealt with, their planning and control procedures. One of the most advocated for form of change theory is the outcome map, this is a diagram that can be observed as it shows how strategies and outcomes are related. The results integrate both short term and long-term results, which depicts changes and how they occur at each level of management in an organization. An outcome map is a theory that is easier to deal with since it has no defined procedure of forming it; each map has a unique way, which is highly dependent upon the unique needs of the organization. The most important and fundamental thing is to give every stakeholder space to give their views which must be accommodated in developing the theories (Patterson, 2008). It is also important to place to book all the assumptions for the formation of the theory. The initiatives, principles and philosophies are also integrated and ultimately inclined towards the direction of desired change not forgetting the efforts made. For the theory of change to work the outcome map has to be developed in time and a list of assumptions have to be instituted and clearly defined. The outcome map as a theory of change articulates all the assumptions applied by the workforce in their efforts to explaining a change process (Patterson, 2008). As a result, the above assumptions explain the interconnectivity of the change levels right from the preconditions running through the short-term and the long-term procedures. The out come map defined above is made up of the following elements; the directions that shows a variety of outcomes and how they are related as they are considered to be the before conditions of a future goal. The second element is the signs definition that is strong enough to give value to the measurement of success (Patterson, 2008); this is connected to the intervention measures that are applicable to the preconditions along the way in every step of the change intervention procedure. Lastly, the outcome map presents and explains al the assumption under each situation clearly showing how the whole theory is likely to bring sense. The major strength of the theory above is that it has an inherent common nature of sense (Ndulo Grieco, 2009). The main competitive advantage that it offers to its users is the fact that the other available theories are not that up to the task in directing change procedures. Finally, it is important to note that outcome maps are only a single approach among man y and mainly applicable in selected cases of change. It is though factual that outcome maps have been used severally and is a proof that it can be adopted for change management in majority of the situations available (Patterson, 2008). References Bates, T. (2000). Managing technological change strategies for college and university leaders. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass. Beerel, A. C. (2009). Leadership and change management. Los Angeles: SAGE. Brown, T., KaÃÅ'„tz, B. (2009). Change by design: how design thinking transforms organizations and inspires innovation. New York: Harper Business. Cameron, E., Green, M. (2009). Making sense of change management: a complete guide to the models, tools techniques of organizational change (2nd ed.). London: Kogan Page. Change Strategies. (2004). Cambridge, Mass: Cambridge Scholars Pub. Christensen, C. M., Horn, M. B., Johnson, C. W. (2008). Disrupting class: how disruptive innovation will change the way the world learns. New York: McGraw-Hill. Cormier, L. S., Nurius, P., Osborn, C. J. (2009). Interviewing and change strategies for helpers: fundamental skills and cognitive behavioral interventions (6th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning. Cummings, T. G., Worley, C. G. (2009). Organization development change (9th ed.). Australia: South-Western/Cengage Learning. Green, M. (2007). Change management masterclass a step by step guide to successful change management. London: Kogan Page. Ndulo, M., Grieco, M. (2009). Power, gender, and social change in Africa. Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Cambridge Scholars Pub. Patterson, K. (2008). Influencer: the power to change anything. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Advanced applied quantitative methods in finance Essay

Advanced applied quantitative methods in finance - Essay Example Financial time series have features that are represented well by models with dynamic variances. In this part, we focus at modeling the financial time series of the Italian Stock market index as well as the Spanish stock market index. We thus intend to examine the volatility in the Italian Spanish markets by understanding the change in commodity prices over a period of time. Finally we aim to present the various processes through which financial decisions are taken by aid of volatility modeling. Uses regression to provide possible estimates of the disturbance variances at each sample point and the original relation is then re-estimated by the weighted least squares procedure that corrects for the heteroskedasticity. The data is a time series data that includes 4255 daily market index prices for the Italian stock market spanning over the period 12/31/1997-22/01/2014 we also have the Spanish stock market data that includes 7122 daily market index prices spanning from 1/5/1987 to 4/22/2014 The series are characterized by random, rapid changes and are said to be volatile. The volatility seems to change over time as well. There has been upward and downward effects in volatility for the Italian market while the time series plot for Spanish market shows somehow an upward increase with slight variations (decreases) in between the years. The variations in volatility could be as a result among other factors, political factors or the international market changes. The histograms of the empirical distribution of the series are given below. For both the two market indexes, we observe that the series are leptokurtic. That is, they have lots of observations around the average and a relatively large number of observations that are far from average; for the Italian market index, the centre of the histogram has a high peak and the tails

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC STUDENTS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7000 words

EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS FOR HISPANIC STUDENTS - Essay Example Ð s bilinguÐ °l students first intense encounter with the English lÐ °nguÐ °ge Ð °nd with Ð mericÐ °n culture Ð °nd society, schools must overcome sociÐ °l Ð °ttitudes opposed to the sociÐ °l Ð °nd Ð °cÐ °demic development of bilinguÐ °l leÐ °rners. Successful schools creÐ °te Ð ° productive Ð °cÐ °demic environment Ð °nd Ð °n Ð °ccepting community. Ð lthough schools cÐ °nnot chÐ °nge the sociÐ °l reÐ °lity, they cÐ °n creÐ °te Ð ° different society within their wÐ °lls. Getting to know the students Ð °nd their fÐ °milies Ð °s well Ð °s welcoming their lÐ °nguÐ °ges Ð °nd cultures cÐ °n build Ð ° coherent community where the bilinguÐ °l progrÐ °m becomes Ð °n integrÐ °l pÐ °rt of the school. Improvement of bilinguÐ °l progrÐ °ms necessitÐ °tes fundÐ °mentÐ °l chÐ °nges within the whole school becÐ °use the overÐ °ll quÐ °lity of the school will Ð °ffect the bilinguÐ °l progrÐ °m. For the most pÐ °rt, good bilinguÐ °l progrÐ °ms exist within good schools. To creÐ °te Ð ° sound context for bilinguÐ °l leÐ °rners schools should set cleÐ °r goÐ °ls, creÐ °te Ð ° bilinguÐ °l biculturÐ °l society, integrÐ °te the bilinguÐ °l progrÐ °m into the school community, know the bilinguÐ °l students, provide leÐ °dership Ð °nd support for the bilinguÐ °l progrÐ °m, set high expectÐ °tions for bilinguÐ °l students, hire quÐ °lity personnel willing Ð °nd prepÐ °red to work with bilinguÐ °l students, estÐ °blish productive pÐ °rtnerships with pÐ °rents Ð °nd communities of the bilinguÐ °l students. Commitment of principÐ °ls Ð °nd mÐ °instreÐ °m stÐ °ff to the progrÐ °m Ð °nd the students mÐ °kes it possible for bilinguÐ °l progrÐ °ms to be integrÐ °ted into the whole school. Ð ll stÐ °ff Ð °nd not only the bilinguÐ °l stÐ °ff should be responsible for the bilinguÐ °l students educÐ °tion. In turn, the bilinguÐ °l stÐ °ff should pÐ °rticipÐ °te in generÐ °l school Ð °ctivities Ð °nd decision mÐ °king. When curriculum improvement or speciÐ °l progrÐ °ms Ð °re introduced, the bilinguÐ °l progrÐ °m should Ð °lso be included. RegÐ °rdless of

Monday, November 18, 2019

Assessment Activity Weel 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Assessment Activity Weel 4 - Essay Example The assumptions that are necessary when using customer driven analytics to make managerial decisions are: i. Gathering of proper information about customers and store performance. ii. The detailed knowledge of its customer and sales patterns helps the firm to determine which items were selling well, or which items were most profitable to sell in the first place. iii. Keeping track of its purchase transactions and analyzing them to mass information about customer demand, pricing, and interest about new products. iv. Store assortments the increased productivity of inventories and store space within consumer interface v. Replenishment upon optimizing time and cost in Seven-Eleven replenishment system vi. Efficient promotion in maximizing total system efficiency of trade and consumer promotion vii. Product introduction reflect effectiveness of new product development and introduction activities 2. The IT strategy for Seven Eleven influences other aspects of the business such as inventory , human resource and vendor relationships. i. Freshness: The SEJ’s retail strategy emphasized on the freshness not only on perishable products but also on all the merchandise items, by changing the products as per the customer preferences.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Tariffs Used At Chittagong Port Economics Essay

Tariffs Used At Chittagong Port Economics Essay Chittagong Port is a principal port of Bangladesh and one of the emerging container ports of South Asian regions. At present, about 92% of import and export in volume are handled through this port and the growth of handling is ranging from 12% to 14% (CPA Year Book, 2008). This port is selected to present the current pricing system and to assess the demand and competition level and cost structure of this port. Further, this paper will try to provide recommendations to increase the attractiveness and the profit of the port by changing the current pricing system. Current pricing system: The present pricing system of this port is cost based. The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) is a basic service provider and its objective focuses mainly on providing necessary services and facilities to the port users efficiently and effectively at competitive prices. The CPA has been following the cost based tariff system since 1987. To harmonize the objectives of CPA and port users the port introduced cost based tariff system in 1987 and had started collection of revenues on the basis of cost based tariff system since that year. Under cost based tariff, all variable, fixed, mixed, and step costs on a particular date were considered. There were also consideration of the growth rate of the cargo, container, and other activities for certain period. Total activities of CPA, to determine the tariff for a particular cargo or container or on any activity or movement, were divided into operational and non-operational (other service departments) departments. All variable and traceable costs relating to a particular department were directly assigned. Then all non-traceable cost and indirect costs were apportioned to all departments on some basis. After having a total costs for each department, all cost of non-operational departments re-apportioned to the operational departments on the basis of weights. Then total cost of a particular operational department was divided by certain number of activity or cargo or container to have a unit cost or tariff. Since the tariff is cost based and there is no provision for profit in the tariff, it was essential for the CPA to increase its efficiency in operation and effectiveness in use of assets so as to ensure early recovery of the fixed cost and reach the break-even- point. After break even point every amount of contribution margin has been considered as profit and considering that CPA redesigned its operational activity and flow of operation. CPA also made profit by handling more cargo, containers, and ships than the expected handling which meant CPAs operational growth rate was more than the required growth. As CPAs per unit operational cost was increased as per expectation, its contribution margin per unit was also remained in same level. Moreover, CPAs tariff is on foreign currency (US Dollar) basis which ha further increased CPAs income by devaluating of Bangladesh Taka. Cost Structure: The cost structure of the actual revenue and capital expenditure of CPA for the year 2007-2008 is presented in Table 1 and is shown in Annex-1. The Table 1 shows that actual operating and maintenance expense for the year 2007-08 was Taka 35,137.31 lac which includes a depreciation of Taka 8848.54 lac. Consequently, variable operating and maintenance cost was Taka 26,288.77 lac which is 29.53% of total cost. However, total fixed cost like depreciation and administrative staff salaries were Taka 10,773.64 lac which is 12.10% of the total cost. It is very alarming that financing cost and taxes were Taka 27,568.66 lac which was 30.97% of the total cost. CPA has to accept the proposal of the World Bank and ADB which have been offered through Bangladesh Government for various projects as CPA was not in a position to implement all of its development projects by using only its own fund. Therefore, CPA has to pay a huge amount of interest for those loans. Port competition level: The Chittagong Port is selected in this paper for assessing the intra port competition level and competition level within the region (inter port competition). Intra Port Competition level of Chittagong Port Authority (CPA): The Chittagong Port Authority is an autonomous and a service organization under the administrative control of the Ministry of Shipping of Bangladesh Government. According to the World Bank (2007), the port of Chittagong is a tool port where port authority owns, develops, and maintains the port infrastructure as well as the superstructure, including cargo handling equipment. CPA still has some entry barriers such as not to allow the foreign terminal operators in a tender process for operating a terminal or any investment in developing and operating a terminal of CPA due to labour unions objection and in monopolistic situation without any competition. Assessment of Inter-port competition level of CPA in Bangladesh: Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and Mongla Port Authority (MPA) are two seaports of Bangladesh, which handled 32.72 million metric tons cargo (CPA Year Book, 2008 MPA website) during the fiscal year 2007-2008. Out of 32.72 million tons of total seaborne trade CPA handled 32.02 million tons and the rest is handled by MPA. The competition level of CPA with MPA can be assessed by analyzing location, yearly throughput and market share, market concentration, comparison of tariff including its hinterland facilities. To assess the market share only container traffic will be considered. Location: Chittagong Port is situated on the south eastern part of Bangladesh at a distance of about 9 nautical miles from the shore line of the Bay of Bengal. The maximum permissible LOA of vessel is 186 meters with the maximum permissible draught ranges from 8.50m to 9.20m (CPA Year Book, 2008). On the other hand, MPA is situated on the south western part of Bangladesh at a distance 71 nautical miles upstream from the Bay of Bengal and the permissible  maximum length of vessel is 225 m with the maximum 7m draught (MPA website). Throughput and Market share: The throughput, of the years 2004 to 2008, in TEUs and market share are presented in the Table 2 and is shown in Annex-2. From the Table 2, it is clear that the CPA is controlling the container market in Bangladesh without any competition. Market concentration: The Herfindhal index (H) is calculated to assess the container market concentration of two ports based on the years 2004 and 2008 in Table 3 and is shown in Annex-3. According to the Herfindhal index (H), if H = 1 or H = 0.5 or H = 1/n (n = number of firms), the concentration of market is monopoly or duopoly or equal in market shares respectively (Cariou, 2010). In the Table 3 the Herfindhal index (H), in both years, are almost close to 1 (one) which indicates that the container market is monopolistic. Comparison of tariff of both ports: The both ports, Chittagong and Mongla are autonomous and service organizations under the administrative control of the Ministry of Shipping. Both ports pricing system is cost based. The comparison of some costs related to container handling of both ports is presented in the Table 4 and is shown in annex-4. The Table 4 indicates that both the ports have same pricing structure for container handling and container vessels except the Lift on / Lift off charge on account of empty containers which is about 33.33% less in CPA compared to MPA. Hinterland market access: The Chittagong Port is connected with the hinterland by road, rail, air and river. The major containerized import and export commodity of Bangladesh is garments accessories and readymade garments respectively. The major factories of garments are located in Chittagong and Dhaka. The Export Processing Zones are located 3-4 kilometers away from Chittagong port. The most of the business activities including industrialization and foreign investment are oriented with the region of Dhaka and Chittagong of Bangladesh. The road distance from Chittagong port to Dhaka is around 245km. Mongla Port Authority (MPA) is situated on the south western part and serves the entire western part of Bangladesh. The road distance between MPA and Dhaka is can be around 185km, nearer to Dhaka compared to Chittagong Port. For many years, majority of all import and export cargo of MPA is moved by inland water way. Unavailability of railway connection and the road connection under present lay out remains unattractive for cargo transport from the port to Dhaka due to cost and time increases than going by road to Chittagong. The communication system of Chittagong Port through road, rail, and air is stronger than the Mongla port which indicates that Chittagong port is comparatively in competitive position than Mongla port in terms of hinterland access. Assessment of Inter-port competition level of CPA with Kolkata Port Trust (KOPT), India: Recent decision of the government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh to allow the transit of the cargo of northeastern states of India has increased the competition level of CPA with the KOPT. The competition level of CPA with KOPT is assessed by considering the geographical location, throughput, market share, market concentration, pricing structure, and hinterland market access. Geographical location: Chittagong port is strategically located in competitive location (Annex-5) for the seven northeastern states of India and these states currently depend on KOPT for export and import trade by passing comparatively long distance and incurring more cost. KOPT and CPA, both are regional sea ports of India and Bangladesh respectively. Due to geographical location and present decision of both countries for transit facilities CPA as regional hub will compete with KOPT. Throughput of CPA and KOPT: Average yearly growth and total throughput of the years 2004 to 2008 is presented in Table 5 for assessing the competition level of two ports and is shown in Annex-6. The Table 5 indicates that both ports between the years 2004 and 2008 had positive growth rate in container trade and the total average yearly growth is 22.27%. Market share of Chittagong port and Kolkata port: The market share of both ports are calculated and presented in the Table 6 and is shown in Annex-7. From the Table 6, it is clear that CPA has a lion share of container market. On the other hand, both ports have almost steady market share over the mentioned years. Market concentration: The level of container market concentration of both ports is calculated for the years 2004 and 2008 by using Herfindhal Index (H) and presented in Table 7 and is shown in Annex-8. The Table 7 shows that the Herfindhal Indices (H) is 0.58 and 0.59 for the years 2004 and 2008 respectively and close to 0.5. From this value it indicates that both the years the market was duopoly because of the different natural and political hinterland. Comparison of Tariff: The tariffs in some important particular fields related to container trade of both ports are presented in Table 8 and is shown in Annex-9. By comparing the tariff in some important particular fields of both Table 8 shows that except port dues and Lift on/Lift off charges for empty containers (20 and 40) other port charges are higher of CPA than KOPT. Hinterland connection: At present, the container trades of northeastern states of India depends on KOPT which is costly and time consuming as the port is situated far away from these states. Distance by road of northeastern states from Kolkata and Chittagong is presented in Table 9 and is shown in Annex-10. From the Table 9, it is evident that Chittagong port has competitive advantage in hinterland access over Kolkata port. Conclusion and recommendations: This paper aimed to present the current pricing system for Chittagong port and assesses the demand, competition level, and cost structure of the port. Firstly, it is observed that the pricing system of CPA is cost based and the port is mainly service oriented organization acting as a tool port. Secondly, it is observed that the container market is monopolistic in CPA due to absence of private operator. The inter port competition level of CPA with MPA also monopolistic and concentration of container market is in favour of CPA due to some bottlenecks of MPA. In addition, the competition level of CPA is assessed with nearby Indian port, KOPT. Here, duopolistic market concentration is observed as both ports, at present, are using different hinterland without international competition. However, the competition level of both ports will be increased in near future as Bangladesh and Indian governments have agreed for transit facilities for northeastern Indian states. In this case, it is furt her observed that due to strategic location of CPA the port has competitive advantage over KOPT. Furthermore, the comparison of tariff of both ports shows that in some particular important fields for container trade, the tariff of CPA is higher. From the above scenarios, it is evident that the degree of market concentration of CPA is monopolistic and current pricing system is controlled by regulations. However, according to UNCTAD (1995), in various parts of the world many ports are facing increased competition because of technological change in shipping, ports and land transport which may require a relaxation of government control on port charges. This report further mentioned that, competition has forced tariff levels to become more flexible. On the other hand, the CPA will not be able to hold its monopolistic situation as trade facilitation and competitive environment are increasing in the south-Asian region. Therefore, to increase the attractiveness and the profit of the port, it is recommended that the CPA has to revise its tariff by taking some infrastructural development for its natural hinterland access, competitive hinterland access as well as by increasing the efficiency of operational activities. In summary, cost based tariff can contribute to develop its attractiveness and its profit by the following ways: Rearranging operational activities to ensure efficient operation and economic use of operational assets. 2. Maintaining operational cost at a minimum level by reducing fixed cost and taking outsourcing benefit. 3. Achieving more growth in operation than required level of growth. For example: It was assumed that Total 3 million containers will be handled in 20 years with a growth rate 5% per year. On the other hand, CPA is now handling more than 1 million per year with 12% growth rate. So after 3 million, each amount of contribution margin (CM) is profit. Moreover, up to the recovery of 3 million, 7% of growth was also contribution margin, used to recover the fixed cost. 4. Devaluation of Bangladeshi taka against dollar will also help to increase profit in nominal term. Revising tariff time to time with present cost can be a more effective way to increase profit. Moreover, to increase the attractiveness and profit of the CPA, concession may be given on account of discharging or loading charges to importer/exporter who handles certain number of containers determined by port in single call of a vessel. Furthermore, it can provide rebates on vessels introducing green award discount like Port of Rotterdam Authority.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Essay --

Ajibade Olorunfemi Professor Damion Quaye EN102 December 1, 2013 Sex Discrimination in Workplace Gender discrimination in a workplace refers to beliefs and attitudes in relation to the gender of a person at work. It is well-defined as adverse action again another person that would not have occurred had the person been another sex. Sexual discrimination should not be scrambled with sexual aggravation, although it is a form of sexual discrimination. Unfortunately, men and women face sex discernment. Women are one of the groups being discriminated against today. They try very hard to fit in and be successful in their careers. In Audre Lorde article on human differences, Age, class, sex and race, she also saw human difference could result as difference in sex. In this research, I was able to determine discernment against women is found in many workplaces. Some managers try to fix this problem, but others just ignore it. Companies that pretend that gender discrimination doesn’t exist are usually the ones that get sued for it most. Other companies try to avoid law suits by dea ling with sex discrimination and resolving fights before it gets to the law suits. Promotion and pay gap are the main concerns in gender discrimination. Many studies in the past and present have shown that women do not get promoted as fast as men and do not get the equal pay for the same kind of jobs as men. Many females feel as if they have been cheated, robbed of what they deserve. Glass ceiling prevents women from moving up in their careers, and in some cases makes it almost unbearable to get a promotion. In my opinion, female workers in the U.S. should be treated equally at work as their male coworkers. Females should be paid the same wages for the same skil... ...g Female† by Pozener, Jennifer L. Article from Montgomery College library database. 21 June 2013. â€Å"Gender discrimination in the corporate world,† by Pratik Gandhi and Sagal Agrawal. Human discrimination definition on .web 21 June 2013 â€Å"Women and Workplace Discrimination.† By Raymond F. Gregory. Book from Montgomery college library. 18 June 2013. â€Å"Sexually Explicit Images in Advertising.† By Tim Boyle. Article from Montgomery college library database. 21 June 2013 â€Å"Gender Work place problem†, by United State Supreme court. Article context from .web July 3 2013. Type 1 and Type 2. Context from by U.S supreme court. Article context from .web 26 June 2013. Women Career Planning, 1996. By women affair 1996. Article context from .web 26 June 2013. â€Å"Raise of Marginal Voice† by Statham Anne. Presents discrimination solutions, from Montgomery College library. 21 June 2013.