Ethical and Environmental Requirements Essay

Since all the nations understand the effects of the fossil fuel there need to take a practical step towards solving this problem. This is a very expensive undertaking because many nations had already invested in fossil fuel extraction. In order to preserve the natural environment, all the countries are supposed to come to an agreement and reduce the dependence on oil as a form of energy because it causes more destruction to the environment and also leads to depletion of resource because it cannot be recycled or replaced at the rate at which it is being utilized (Littell 2005). This calls fro the investment in the energy sources that are considered ethical, environmental friendly and also addressing the social issues. The use of biomass has been suggested as the most effective alternative to the use of fossil fuel. The renewable energy sources are not a substitute to the fossils energies per se because they may cause other adverse effects like ion the case of palm oil in Netherlands; this was discovered to be more dangerous than the fossil fuels because of the scientific evidence, which showed that it caused more destruction to the environment (Littell 2005). The use of bio fuel also revealed that the methane gas which would be released was just as harmful as carbon dioxide from fossil fuel. On the other hand, the use of bio fuel from the food stuff would not be economical because, it would utilize most of the land which could otherwise be used for agriculture while at the same time the whole grain harvest for instance in the united states, converting it to manufacture oil would only yield up to 16% of the total fuel needs, in the Latin America, the growing of sugar cane as supported by the US lead to destruction of forests making it obvious that the large scale investment in to the bio fuel would create competition for land (food crops, forest and bio fuel plantation) and the result would be food shortage and increased prices of the important necessity (Jackson 2006). Most countries are likely to become depended on foreign energy. Many of the developing nations will not be able to afford the technology involved in the production of the bio fuel or other alternatives that are considered ethical and environmental friendly. This is because the technology is relatively new and maybe very costly (Newton 2003). The developed countries may have the capital to invest but lack the land and these calls for cooperation between governments though some may be seen as exploitation. For instance the sugar cane plantation in Argentina meant to produce ethanol, the project was backed by the United States who wanted to use it for production of bio fuel hence clearing large pieces of land and reducing land for food crop production. The volumes produced by the project were meant for Argentina’s domestic use and led to increased prices of sugar and practically led to cultivation of one crop (sugarcane) seen by the thousands of hectares covered by sugar cane fields. This could be a serious tragedy of crop letdown waiting to take place. The result of the investment in the bio fuel could be worse if the bio fuel campaign to substitute petroleum oil with bio fuel is enacted (Jackson 2006). Most countries consider energy conservation as a fundamental part of government projects that the world uses to decrease their carbon release track record. The major problem of investing in bio fuel that has not been fully addressed is that, lack of skills and innovative technology in the field could create a culture of mono-cropping, and as a consequence, retail prices of common commodities would greatly increase. The U. S target of using the Latin America for the growth of bio fuel quota in order to maintain their uneconomical way of living was seen as a different type of the United States of America’s imperialism of the area. Most of the developing countries are bound to be adversely affected by the changes. The conventional traditions and cultures in most countries have been seen to emphasize so much on food crop cultivation. People have so much respect for their food crops that the long lasting campaign by the developed countries has been unable to suppress their love for food crop cultivation compared to cash crops for fuel (Newton 2003). Though the investment in bio fuel is an attractive venture, it is very expensive for the developing nations because it calls for investment into new technology from scratch. It has been predicted that implementing the bio fuel plan may leave a common person 30% poorer and therefore unable to deal with the problem in the current economic situation (Mintzer 1992). These conclusions are based on the argument that new technology is expensive plus the fact that more farm land would be required for cash crop farming to produce raw material for bio fuel like the sugar cane, oil plants and bio gas animal ranches. It estimated that involvement in bio fuel production would cost over $ 553 Trillion. The decision to take the necessary steps towards solving the inevitable climate crisis of global warming was very critical. The issues of global warming on the other hand presented a challenging opportunity for research, technology innovation and entrepreneur investment (Newton et al 2005). Global warming has presents an equilibrium situation. People do not take into account all the facts around the subject and hence consider the problem on wrong postulations. In order to save the world, the cost should not be an issue because the benefits are very obvious. However the threat to food security is the major concern because food is a necessity. The use of electricity in homes as an alternative to carbon gas fuels is very efficient and most ethical and environmental friendly energy source as there are no emissions into the atmosphere and also there is little environmental destruction (Campbell & Reece 2005). Conclusion The use of alternative energy which is ethical and environmental friendly became a concern because of global warming effects and depletion of sources. The accompanying price increase also pushes for the need of alternatives with high efficiency especially in the automotive industry. The ethical and environmental friendly has created more room for technology industry to develop hybrid vehicles and other machinery to use bio fuel and electric automotive to use electricity. Other power sources include flywheels, fuel cells and ultra-capacitors. Biomass and hydrogen being low carbon emitters are not workable alternatives to fossil fuel. Nuclear power and carbon capture and storage also present low carbon alternative though not the best solution. References Al Gore. (2006). An inconvenient truth. Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What we Can Do about it. Rodale Berger J. J (1998). Charging Ahead.The Business of Renewable Energy and what it Means for America. University of California Press Campbell N. A & Reece J. B (2005) Biology. Pearson. Benjamin Cummings Jackson R. M (2006). Annual Editions: Global Issues. Global Issues 06/07. McGraw-Hill Higher Education Littell M. (2005). Science. Integrated Course 2. McDougal Littell Mintzer I. M (1992). Confronting Climate Change. Risks, Implications and Responses. Stockholm Environment Institute. Cambridge University Press Newton L. H (2003). Ethics and Sustainability. Sustainable Development and the Moral Life. Prentice Hall Newton L. H Dillingham C. K & Choly (2005). Watersheds 4. Ten Cases in Environmental Ethics. Thomson Wadsworth

Thea Astley’s It’s raining in mango

A literary text often acts as a reflection of the society of the time in which it was written. The particular value systems or ideologies of the characters and character groups represented in the text inform the reader of those characters' cultural identities. In Thea Astley's it's raining in mango, the author offers many representations of cultural identity. Through the story of the Laffey's, Astley provides an alternative to the mainstream society's representation of cultural identity and challenges traditional beliefs regarding Australia. It's raining in mango is set in Australia, and follows the story of the Laffey family from 1860 to 1980. The characters endure some of the major events in Australia's history, such as the gold rush of the 1860s, the depression, both World Wars, and the horrific treatment of the Aboriginal population. From these events came the ‘Australian identity'; what mainstream society believed to be the traits and characteristics unique to the ‘typical' Australian. From the First World War sprung the legend of the heroic ANZAC, and Australians were regarded as the resilient ‘battler' with a strong sense of humour and laid-back attitude. Camaraderie and mateship were highly valued. The patriarchal ideologies of the society meant that women were expected to be submissive, and function solely in the domestic sphere, while men were the providers and â€Å"bread-winners†. Aboriginals and other minority groups were marginalised or silenced. The value systems and ideologies that inform the representation of mainstream Australian society's cultural identity are represented in Astley's text by characters such as the diggers, who believe that the Aboriginal people are â€Å"not human† and the pub owner â€Å"who hated blacks, but loved their pay checks†. Other characters who represent the patriarchal values of the society are the priests with whom Jessica Olive and Connie conflict with. However, the strongest representation of the values and ideologies of this society are reflected through the police, the figures of authority who find it â€Å"in order to blame a blackskin. The easy way out†. All these characters, along with the men looking for work during the Depression, reflect the values and ideologies of mainstream society, which inform representations of the cultural identity of Australians. However, through the Laffey family and other character groups, Astley offers an alternative representation of cultural identity. The women in Astley's text offer an alternative to the cultural identity of women in mainstream society. Unlike the women represented in the ideologies of this patriarchal society, the female characters in mango display strength and independence. Jessica Olive begins as the passive, submissive wife and mother idealised by mainstream society, however moves to challenge this notion after Cornelius leaves and she is left to become the â€Å"manageress extraordinaire†. She shows strength, passion and determination when facing hardships, or challenges to her values from characters such as the boarder at her hotel, and Father Madigan. Connie also proves her independence and strength of character throughout the text. As a child in a convent, Connie has difficulty suppressing her sexuality â€Å"and for one silly week she flattened her gently erupting breasts with a broad ribbon band†, and then as an adult she goes on to become a strong, self-reliant single mother. Connie, like Jessica Olive, displays passion and determination when she conflicts with another priest, Father Rassini. Mag is another character whose values and beliefs give an alternative to the mainstream notion of cultural identity. When she hides Nelly and her baby from the authorities, Mag displays courage and defiance, and the fact that she speaks for George, her husband, reflects power and strength of character. The prostitutes in the text also show very strong independence and courage, and their value systems and ideologies inform a representation of cultural identity that challenges the identity ascribed to prostitutes by mainstream society. The value systems and beliefs of the female characters in this text create a very different representation of women's cultural identity in Australia than that ascribed to women by the mainstream patriarchal society of the novel. They create a new cultural identity for women, that of the strong, independent woman. These women have a very strong connection to the land, and place family at the centre of their value system, as do most of the main characters in the text. The centralisation of family in the story of the Laffey's is very important in the construction of an alternative cultural identity. Unlike the characters that represent mainstream society, whose families are not mentioned, the Laffey's have a strong, profound bond. They represent values and attitudes similar to those found in Aboriginal culture, those of respect for, and reliance on, the family. Connie recognises that â€Å"only the family as she knows it has cohesion, provides a core†. She understands the unbreakable bond between her family throughout the centuries, and the fact that they are inextricably linked to each other by the knowledge that they are Laffey's. The bond between Connie and Will reminds the reader of the importance of family in a time when many families were being ripped apart by the tragedy of the Second World War. For the main characters, the family home in Mango is their place of return, a place to come back to for sanctuary and security. This emphasis on strong family values informs the reader of a cultural identity that is very different to the one offered by mainstream society, in the text. Along with a strong family connection, the main characters also have a strong connection to the land. While the settlers in the text saw the land as something to be battled with, the Laffey's learnt to harmonise with the land, and see it as something to be protected. Reever represents the values of the Laffey family through his acting out as a conservationist, and Clytie and Harry's struggle to save their farm during the Depression displays their concern for the land. It is this connection to the family and the land, similar to Aboriginal values, that sets the Laffey family's representation of cultural identity apart from that of mainstream society. The value system and ideologies of the Aboriginal characters, and other characters, inform the reader of the cultural identity of the Aboriginal people. The mainstream society of the text views Aborigines as savage, â€Å"no-hoper(s), river-tribe layabout(s)†. This view is clearly expressed throughout the text; by the diggers who callously slaughter the â€Å"blackskins†, the pub owner, the police, and especially by the gang in the bar who beat Billy and his family. The Aboriginal population is marginalised by mainstream society. However, Astley, by privileging the point of view of some of the Aboriginal characters, and creating main characters who sympathise with, and share some beliefs and values with the Aboriginal people, has created a cultural identity that is different from that of mainstream's society's beliefs. Aboriginal culture places great emphasis on the unity of the family, and this value is evident in Astley's text. Nelly is willing to run, and risk being hunted down, to keep her child, and Billy's first concern is his father when they are attacked in a bar. The very strong Aboriginal connection to the land is also evident in it's raining in mango. The way the land is described by the Aboriginal characters is beautiful and serene, with it's â€Å"hill(s), grey scrub against blue, the long grasses dry before the big rains†, and shows an understanding of the nature of the earth. Bidiggi automatically reaches for the earth to comfort him when his tribe is slaughtered, hiding in the water grass and falling asleep under a paperbark. These Aboriginal notions of family, and their connection to the land, provide a representation of cultural identity. The attitudes of other characters also affect the representation of Aboriginal cultural identity in this text. The Laffey family, who are centralised in the text, sympathise with the plight of the Aboriginal people. Cornelius is fired because he writes an article exposing the shocking treatment of Aboriginal people, the child George believes that Aborigines are just the same as white people, Mag and George protect Nelly and her baby, and Will tries to help Billy in the bar brawl. Because these characters are all centralised, and the reader is encouraged to agree with their values and attitudes, the reader is positioned to see the Aboriginal people as humanised, which provides an alternative representation of cultural identity to that offered by mainstream society. Other character groups are also represented in it's raining in mango, and their value systems and ideologies inform the reader of their cultural identity. These groups are the soldiers, the hippies, and the cult members. The myth of the resilient, laid-back Australian soldier is destroyed in Astley's text, and replaced instead with the image of a shattered, broken man, plagued by what he has seen. Will's experience of the war, and how he deals with it, are not the same as the romanticised identity created by main stream society. Will is instead constantly disturbed by the horrific images of his experiences at the front, and though awarded for bravery, he throws the medal in the rubbish because he does not believe that he deserved it. Thus, through Will's reaction to the war, Astley again offers an alternative to the cultural identity created by mainstream society. The hippies are represented as lazy, careless, and free. They believe in love, peace, and freedom, and regularly smoke marijuana. The hippies don't have real names, and they are constructed as drifters, travelling and moving whenever the mood seizes them. The values and ideologies of the hippies create their cultural identity, however their attitudes and actions are hypocritical, and position the reader to question the validity of the hippies' cultural identity. The members of the cult are constructed as surreal, surrounded by a blue haze. The reader sees them through the point of view of Connie, and the odd characters are almost satirised. Astley uses the cult to make another attack on institutionalised religion, suggesting that they are no better than the Father Madigans or Father Rassinis of the world, as they place their absolute faith in the intangible. Their inability to act in an emergency, such as when Connie saves the drowned man, highlights the ineffectiveness of their beliefs. The cult members' representation of cultural identity is informed through their value systems and ideologies, and is used by Astley to comment on the ineffectiveness of having faith solely in the divine, and no faith in self. In Thea Astley's it's raining in mango, the author has revealed several representations of cultural identity. She has revealed the cultural identities created by the mainstream society of the text, and then offered alternatives to these assumptions through the story of the Laffey family and other surrounding characters. The value systems and ideologies of these characters are what create the cultural identities for these groups.

Literature Review & Project Specification Essay

Literature Review & Project Specification - Essay Example To date there are very few routes in the Internet that support fully ATM-based backbone transmission, fast routers, QoS (Quality of Service) services and/or un-congested bandwidth resources. Yet VOIP is already being used. VOIP can be viewed as an opportunistic parasite on the existing telephone system. This view will be further borne out as we examine other opportunities that have been seized by VOIP vendors. Circuit systems are not well suited for packetised data communications of the type that is generated by Internet services such as Web page retrieval. That is because a circuit-based network is not well suited for exchanges between rapidly changing endpoints. A fundamental limitation of a circuit-based network is that each user can connect to only one endpoint at a time. That is, by arrangement with the central office (by dialling a telephone number) the switch will be programmed to move every package of data you send from your conveyor belt to one other outgoing conveyor belt. There is no mechanism in this situation for individual packages to receive special treatment! Project Specification - Telephone or mobile is a technology that almost everyone uses in the home, at work or on the move. Traditionally, telephone is a simple one-to-one or one to many communication technology but it is now offered with enhancements that include video, chat, file passing and file sharing where suppliers are attempting to present a complete communication environment over mobile or landline. Due to his there is always a chance of misuse of communication via toll fraud. Toll fraud might be combated in several ways: user training, detection schemes, regular monitoring of internal extensions and issuing a personal authorization code for every employee according to the requirement and only then any long distance call be matured. Sending bills regularly to the employee and ensuring payment for the calls made for personal use. Intention - Educates on toll fraud and helps in its prevention. Project Title - Toll Fraud -Preventive Measures Project Topic Area Overview - Toll fraud and long distance calls abuse are the unauthenticated or illegal use of long distance telephone services offered by the legitimate companies. "They include not only those who steal authorization codes and use or sell them to others, but also any University employee who uses the University's long distance system for purposes other than official business" (ITS, 2006). It is against the rules and regulations of any legitimate telecom company to charge personal telephone calls to a company or some University account either by illegally using company's or University telephone authorization codes and company's or University credit cards. Their corresponding employers strictly subject this kind of unauthorized use of company's or University telephone system for toll calls to legal and disciplinary action. "Protect your company's internal telephone directory. Restrict use to employees only. Adopt strict distribution controls and penalties for failure to comply with the privacy requirements of your company. When finished with the directories, have them shredded" (Times Warner Telecom, 2006). According to Chen (2006) modern telephone system is "a newly defined protocol which supports all users but also is compatible with the current technology;

Company Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Company Law - Essay Example   Explanations of the options available to John with reference to relevant statutory provisions and case law On the initiative undertaken by John with regards to changing the legal formality of the business, there are a number of options available; I would advise him to incorporate his business since it will offer him a number of advantages relating to returns and management of the business. Incorporation entails the aspect of registering a business entity under the companies’ Act where it runs its activities as a separate legal entity in which the owner is free from the liabilities of the business. The following are the benefits attached to incorporation of a business: a. The business once registered as a separate entity i.e. as a company, it acquires independent corporate existence features, upon these features, the owner is distinct from the company and therefore cannot bear any liability of the company or be compelled to pay any debt owed by the entity.1 b. The business once registered will start living its own legal life upon which all the liabilities which John in his earlier sole proprietorship, would to bear as an entrepreneur. He will be protected by having limited liabilities in that only the charges for shares and capital he will incur after which his personal property, is safeguarded from any liability the company may suffer. c. A company has a characteristic of perpetual existence and under this feature cannot end unless under the provided legal mechanisms. Once he registers his business as a company, it has ability to never die as the death of the owner cannot affect the existence of the company.2 d. The company once registered, is required to be run by professionals and proper management will be achieved unlike other modes of running business activities. e. Unlike in his current business organisation, a company once registered under the Act t acquires the ability to own separate property in that, it can hold the property in its own name and this deters any other persons even its directors, from claiming the company’s assets. f. Also, with the ability to transfer the shares of the company, there is a room to raise more capital further facilitating the aspect of increasing production by expanding business activities. g. The aspect of incorporation also attracts numerous merits of taxations. This achievement of saving taxes is done through for instance, leasing company’s property from which one reduce the amount of tax paid since the holders of such leases are to pay property taxes. This advantage has been well developed in our jurisprudence such as in the case of Macaura V Northern Assurance ltd, whereby in this case the claimant who had the majority shareholding of the company had gone to court to claim for compensation from an insurance company upon the fire tragedy which burnt all the company properties, their honourable justices were of the opinion that the companies properties belong to the company and not the holder of the large number shares and only the company through its agents can claim this compensation. This position clearly outlines the fact that the properties of the company are safeguarded as those of the company and in case of any damage on them still the members of the company cannot be held liable of the same. h. By creation of an independent corporate existence, the owner will be able to keep a private and confidential identity away from that of business.3 i. Also when he

Organizational Change and Development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Organizational Change and Development - Essay Example Argument The proposed research builds on the assumption that organizational change is the concept with no clear boundaries and draws on a number of traditions and social science disciplines (Hughes 2006). The complexity of the organizational change phenomenon justifies the presence of multiple change management perspectives. Interpretation of the issue That organizational change is interpreted in a number of ways is a well-known fact. Much has been written and said about the various perspectives on organizational change and change management. The organizational change process is extremely complex. Generally, organizations apply to change, with the goal to transform and, consequentially, adapt to environmental changes (Stacey 1995). Organizational change is always rational and intentional (Stacey 1995). Most organization theories explain and confirm the variability of organizational characteristics (Hannan & Freeman 1994). The multitude of organizational change perspectives can be int erpreted from a number of viewpoints. The causes and anticipated consequences of organizational change greatly affect organization attitudes to change. Environmental variables and the disciplines on which organizational change frameworks build matter a lot. The issue in question should be interpreted through the prism of the organizations’ values, missions, and performance principles. ...II. Organizational change perspectives – a view from the bottom: identifying the causes and drivers of organizational change. III. The process of organizational change – how and why different organizations implement change. IV. Organizational change resources – different perspectives on organizational change as a reflection of resource availabilities and constraints. V. Organizational change and outcomes – why organizations introduce change and what they seek to achieve. The proposed research assumes that the complexity of the organizational change phenomenon and p rimarily responsible for the multitude of perspectives on change in organizations. This is why each and every aspect of organizational change, from causes to anticipated consequences, should be considered. First, the essence and implications of the organizational change phenomenon should be clarified. Second, different perspectives on the causes and drivers of organizational change will need to be explained, followed by the analysis of the organizational change processes and anticipated outcomes. In many instances, the multiple theories of change reflect the diversity of modes and ways to shape our understanding of the world (Grieves 2010). Grieves (2010) lists several important perspectives on organizational change: structural-functional, multiple constituencies, organizational development perspective, and critical theory of change. The proposed essay will rely on these and other perspectives, to produce a coherent vision of the organizational reality.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Frank Lloyd Wright's Hanna House - Essay Example Architects have delivered their inputs towards achieving tremendous structures that do not only offer purpose, but also meet the expectations placed on the outlook of the structure. Architects have applied the principles used to achieve stability in a structure, and incorporated them with design principles that uphold design. Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959 was an architect who applied the required components in his designs to achieve a consistency required to create an identity in his designs. The American architect and Interior designer based his concepts in designing structures that incorporated human comfort with the environmental features. His philosophy, later appreciated as organic architecture led to the advancement of a school of technique identified today as Usonian style (Twombly 270). He applied the concept in the early 30s in times when economic recession was at its peak to apply affordable materials to apply his skill. His structures were based on the need to deliver social tran sformation that humanity had learnt to appreciate. Of his famous structures stand the Hanna House situated at Stanford University in San Francisco. The design of the structure was unique because it was amongst the first structures that he completed and lacked rectangular forms. This paper highlights Frank Lloyd’s Hanna House in San Francisco with the concepts he applied its completion and significance. Concepts and style applied The Usonian house concept applied in the Hanna House had distinctive features that could be related to the structure (Wright, Mumford, Pfiffer and Wojtowicz 188). These structures were erected on gridded concrete with sandwich walls containing layers of wood pieces and building papers, contrary to the framed walls. The outstanding feature was flat roofs, mostly devoid of basements. An additional feature within the structures included small kitchen spaces situated to be adjoining the dining. Hanna House situated at the Stanford University has gained a reference to the Honeycomb building. This name was generated due to its outstanding features that employed hexagonal unit adapted by Wright from his octagonal building style. Purpose, contents and materials used The construction of the building began in 1937, and it saw its expansion in the next 25 years. The hexagonal design it applied gave a plan featuring six sided angled at 120-degrees to integrate the house with its setting witnessed in a sloping typographic form. Wright had designed the premise for Paul Hanna and Jean, his wife who had been famous educators at the university (Quinan 242). The design that he had initially created was meant to be accommodated in flat terrain that failed to meet its target. The structure of the building and he design incorporated in its completion led to the identity of its architect, Wright into a renowned American architect, and the building’s rank raised to be a National Historic Landmark. The distinction by Wright to develop a structur e that included a peculiar setting to deter from the recognized rectangular plan (Langmead 218). This had come at a time when the concept alter the dimension of the structure and incorporate stability that would ensure a unique building completion. The applied material to complete the structure was witnessed in the wooden finish that Hanna house depicted. Wright had applied the term Wooden House to call his invention, but the material applied on close inspection included red brick incorporated with

Social work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Social work - Essay Example This gives the indication that even if the objective for equal educational opportunity to everyone is greatly supported by the values held sociologists, there is need to indulge in professional commitment as well as record accomplishment. It is therefore important to face these challenges by way of equipping educational social workers with basic knowledge on African American experiences as well as equipping urban schools which are considered to have massive enrolments of black students. It is very important to ensure improvement in policy making and leadership toward educational reforms especially in urban schools. Research indicates that policymaking in regard to educational reform is a variable missing especially when focusing on school social work discussion. This therefore creates the need for school social work to take responsibility so as to initiate various contracts based on major policy decisions. Social workers need to largely participate in public policy forum related to education reform. School choices play a major role in educational reforms with main focus on schools in urban cities. Therefore, development of various school choice issues is perceived to change the function and structure of existing urban school. School choices can be through school vouchers that are considered to be an issue of equality in education whereby a state or federal educational funding is directly issued to those families that are underprivileged and would like to enroll in private schools. Educational social workers can engage in organizing various community forums to bring both school personnel and organizers together to discuss key reforms needed in the education system. Also, research plays an important role in policymaking educational reforms with main focus on black culture in the educational system. Through research, many researchers have identified critical issues within the African American

Sony Reels from Multiple Hacker Attacks Case Study

Sony Reels from Multiple Hacker Attacks - Case Study Example This act of stealing an individual’s private and personal information and then impersonating them is referred to as the criminal act of identity theft (Easttom, 2011). But there is a lack of customers who have reported that their identities have been stolen due to the Sony debacle. This writing will focus on several questions related to the case. The writing focuses on the issue of losses that Sony has already realized and Sony might be facing in the coming years. These losses are both a monetary and non-monetary in nature. These losses include the monetary loss of $171 million that Sony expects to lose as a result of the series of hacking activities that have been carried out against them. These losses even include the loss of market share in the market of online gaming and other online transactions (Conn, 2002). These losses even include the effort and money that Sony will have to invest in order to get back on track. The writing even focuses on Sony Company’s responsibility towards the safeguarding of the information of its prestigious clients and the measures that Sony could have taken in order to protect the customers and the actions it will have to implement in future to save their business from hackers. Sony could have taken various measures in or der to protect its customers these measures includes the hiring of White Hat Hackers who are hackers employed for the purpose of securing computer systems from the vulnerability of hacking (Wilhelm, 2013). The writing further focuses on measures that need to be taken in order to deter professional hackers from indulging in the future.

Module 3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Module 3 - Assignment Example The last part of the paper will try to compare and contrast Tesco’s approach to inclusion and diversity with the key conclusions drawn by Bendick, Egan, & Lanier (2011) in their study. In the above mentioned study, Bendick, Egan, and Lanier (2011) mainly focus on investigating the claim that that employee diversity equips businesses to deal with diverse customers. Basically, Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 granted broad, enforceable rights to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, religion, sex or national origin in a bid to end workplace discrimination. This move heralded the new dispensation in the practice of human resources management called diversity. Whilst all workplace inequities have not been completely removed, major strides have been made in this particular section to address issues related to employment discrimination on the basis of race, colour, creed and belief. Thus, the authors of the above mentioned research argue that empl oyers should provide equal employment opportunity in a bid to create a â€Å"business case for diversity.† The authors argue that workforce diversity can advance business objectives that are mainly related to issues of productivity and profitability in the organization. Which are basic tenets of any business. This brings us to the claim by the authors that employee diversity equips businesses to deal with diverse customers. According to the study, a diverse workforce offers access to a broader pool of potential employees, enables the organization to relate to diverse customers and it helps in creating a more productive work force. The authors make some of the key conclusions in their study and some of them are discussed below. They suggest that inclusion is the basic tenet that can lead to success of workplace diversity. This entails that the needs and interests of the employees are taken into account in as far as the operations of the organization is concerned. This helps to create share and mutual understanding among all the stakeholders involved in the operations of a particular organization. This can also significantly help to appeal to the interests of many customers who may be attracted to buy the products offered by the organization. The other key conclusion made by the authors of the above mentioned study posits to the effect that many companies often hire employees from different backgrounds due to the fact that they represent the tastes, sensibilities and interests of a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds. This is very important since it helps to attract sales from the operations of the organization which in turn translates into profitability. However, contrary to the key findings of a study by Syed & Kramar (2010) entitled ‘What is the Australian model for managing cultural diversity?’ it can be observed that the â€Å"legal framework in Australia places only limited obligations on organisations to manage cultural dive rsity.† As such, many organizations often lag behind in as far as diversity and inclusivity in the operations of the organization are concerned. According to this study, it can be observed that unless cultural diversity is tackled at multiple levels, managing diversity in the workplace may prove unrealistic unless concerted efforts are put by the government and organizations that specialise in different

Write your own topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Write your own topic - Essay Example This refers to either a path or a method of doing things. This refers to the idealness that Confucius expects of the world. This may refer to a benevolent, peaceful, and culturally distinguished living place. Similarly, it describes an ideal government that should manage the welfare of individuals. Confucius holds a moral ideal that every individual should pursue. When every person in a community pursues such an ideal, this eventually reflect in other spheres of life. Confucius’ text informs the members of a community to improve their character and properly shape their thoughts. In the end, members of a community can cure the rot that exists in their economic, social, and political systems. Confucius writes at the backdrop of a dysfunctional society that suppresses its individuals. This forms his foundation for forming an ideal that individuals should pursue. When individuals pursue this ideal, they help create harmony in the society. Harmony refers to aspects such as the clearing of class differences and the elimination of suppression through

E-trading Case Essay Example for Free

E-trading Case Essay Introduction Perhaps nowhere else is the impact of the Internet felt as much as in the service sector. The Internet has opened new channels for service delivery, shortened turnaround limes and offered unprecedented convenience to consumers. The financial services have leveraged the Internet and exploited its many benefits. E-trading is the financial service most amenable to E-enablement. It has already witnessed a meteoric growth in the United States and is staging a similar show in other economies.   E-trading offers tremendous benefits to the investors and will probably expand the market itself. This paper discusses issues of E-trading, its evolution and key characteristics. Then it examines scope of E-trading, significant players and groups involved in. After that discussion about benefits of E-trading, either for users or for brokers, technology and security issues related to this industry. And finally some insight in future of E-trading is presented. Evolution of the Industry The first ever ECN, Instinet, founded in 1969, was a means for brokerages lo display bid and ask prices for stock in North America and abroad. It was first used by institutions to transact with each other, but today ii also includes a select group of smaller brokerages. However, e-brokerage, or offering Internet transactions to clients, was pioneered in the by E*Trade securities (FreeTrade), one of the firs of all-electronic brokerages, which first started operations and offered online investing services through America Online and CompuServe and launched its own website, www.etrade.com, in 1996. The first E-trade was conducted on E*trade on July 11, 1983 and since that time has changed the way the world invests. Charles Schwab, now the largest in the US with 7 million on-line accounts and $1 trillion under management via the Internet, also launched its online trading venture in 1996. In January 2005, Charles Schwab clients executed an average of 300,000 electronic trades every working day. (www.aboutschwab.com) There are now more than 130 millions on-line brokerage firms in the US (Exhibit 1) offering E-trading services to consumers, who can be physically located anywhere on Earth. Today, about half of transactions made by US retail investors are done through the Internet. In fact, there is a range of websites on which one can not only trade stocks online but also buy and sell futures and options. According to International Data Corp the number of US households using online brokerage to meet their financial needs has grown from the 2000 figure of over 7 million to 19 million in 2004, with over $2.5 trillion of assets managed online. (Tower Group Research) Online brokerage in the US grew out of the discount brokerage industry and has fundamentally changed the retail brokerage industry. Online trading developed as a low-cost self-service approach to equity investing. Rather than paying high commissions that are typical of full service brokerage firms, investors could place trades directly at a fraction of the usual commission costs. In addition, online trading was more efficient and less costly than telephone trading a common channel used by discount firms. As a result, online brokers began competing on cost. (Colkin Cuneo) Exhibit 1 Online commission prices that started at between US$25 and $30 per trade have been cut significantly over the years. Currently, average online commission price per trade hovers around $12-15, and some deep discount firms offer trades as low as $5. A few firms—American Express, Free Trade, Com1 (a subsidiary of AmeriTrade), and most recently, thefinanciatcafe.com—have even introduced free online trading. (thefinancialcafe.com) The online commission pricing battle demonstrates the commoditization of online transactions. Initially, price may have been a differentiating factor, but currently, price alone is not sufficient for attracting and retaining individual investors (excluding the day-trading segment). Online brokerage firms must seek to provide greater services and support to clients. The number of US online brokerage accounts continues to grow consistently. After an initial period of astounding growth, the number of online brokerage accounts is still steadily increasing. (Tower Group Research) E-trading Scope The term E-trading stands for trading in equity or debt instruments on the exchange through an Electronic Communication Network (ECN). Although online trading strictly refers only to the electronic execution of trade, an ecosystem of E-trading has three dimensions: Electronic execution of the trade Payment for the transaction through a payment gateway Transfer of shares in electronic form. There have been three distinct phases of development of E-trading. These are: Phase 1: The open-outcry system with the transactions taking place manually in the ring Phase 2: The electronic system, enabling brokers to place orders online Phase 3: The E-trading system, empowering customers to transact online. The mechanics of the E-trading system begin with the user logging onto the ECN through the Internet. The user then accesses his E-trading account with the help of a password. The user is now connected directly with the exchange and any transactions would be instantaneous and irrevocable. The user also has access to real-time price movements of various scrips and other contextual information to assist him in his decision. An integrated E-trading system consists of not only a transaction enabler but also a payment gateway for funds transfer and a d-mat account for transfer of stocks. Such a service enables smooth, convenient and transparent operations. E-trading model is based on the proposition that a service which does not require sophisticated skills, is standardized, has a wide geographic spread of clients and a high number (statistic) of clients who use the service very frequently (scope) and whose automatable processes account for a high proportion of costs (savings), offers the best potential for E-enablement. Using this framework, it becomes clear which financial services are amenable to E-enablement (Colkin Cuneo): Corporate banking: The corporate banking industry involves understanding client needs, analysis of the project proposal, evaluation of various alternatives and finally recommendation of a suitable alternative. The task involves high-level skills, is not highly standardized and not amenable to automation. The number of clients per entity, i.e. the corporate customers, of a bank is limited, though the geographic spread may be diverse. The frequency of transactions is also limited. Thus, corporate banking does not seem to be amenable to E-enablement. Investment banking: For the reasons cited above, investment banking, like corporate banking, does not appear a suitable subject for E-enablement. Retail banking: The retail banking industry comprising credit-cards, management of savings accounts etc. is characterized by a large number of clients spread geographically utilizing a simple, repeatable and standardized service. For servicing the customer specialized-skills are not required and automatable processes comprise a significant proportion of the overall costs of service. Using the framework, it appears that retail banking would be highly amenable to E-enablement. Stock trading: A stockbroker collates orders from various customers and executes the same through a trading terminal. Customers typically place orders through the telephone and a representative of the broker executes the order on behalf of the client on the trading terminal. The skill-set used by the representative is not highly specialized as the action being considered is only the execution of the order and not client advisory. While other processes such as risk monitoring, exposure monitoring and client monitoring are also involved, they are typically automated for effectiveness. Thus, the broker acts purely as a manual interface between the client and the exchange. The task performed by the broker is simple, standardized and easily repeatable. Given that the frequency of transactions by the customers is at least moderate if not high, there is a significant scope for reduction in overall costs through automation. The geographic span of the clients is also widespread. All these characteristics make trading highly amenable to E-enablement. (Berber) Significant Players and Groups Involved OnlinÐ µ invÐ µsting bÐ µgan in thÐ µ US and is a big businÐ µss thÐ µrÐ µ. In thÐ µ first quartÐ µr of 2004, thÐ µrÐ µ wÐ µrÐ µ approximatÐ µly 25 million onlinÐ µ invÐ µstors with ovÐ µr US $ 4 trillion in assÐ µts. In yÐ µar 2002, 14 million onlinÐ µ invÐ µstors with an assÐ µt basÐ µ of US $ 700 Billion were activÐ µ. ThÐ µ markÐ µt lÐ µadÐ µrs arÐ µ a mixturÐ µ of full sÐ µrvicÐ µ firms (DLJ DirÐ µct, Morgan StanlÐ µy DÐ µan WittÐ µr, DiscovÐ µr), wÐ µll-Ð µstablishÐ µd discount brokÐ µrs (FidÐ µlity and CharlÐ µs Schwab) and nÐ µw on-linÐ µ spÐ µcialist firms (Е*TradÐ µ). MarkÐ µt SharÐ µs, in tÐ µrms of onlinÐ µ trading volumÐ µs, arÐ µ such that just 9 on-linÐ µ brokÐ µrs havÐ µ 86 pÐ µr cÐ µnt of thÐ µ markÐ µt sharÐ µ. Individual InvÐ µstors havÐ µ to opÐ µn an account with a firm bÐ µforÐ µ commÐ µncing trading and thÐ µ minimum account opÐ µning balancÐ µ rangÐ µs from US $ 500 (with Jack WhitÐ µ and Company) to US $ 10,000 (with Wall StrÐ µÃ µt AccÐ µss, IntÐ µrnÐ µt Trading Com and J B Oxford). (Tower Group) AnothÐ µr important fÐ µaturÐ µ that attracts on-linÐ µ invÐ µstors is thÐ µ frÐ µÃ µ rÐ µsÐ µarch providÐ µd by thÐ µ on-linÐ µ firms. PrÐ µviously this was availablÐ µ only to largÐ µ institutional invÐ µstors. In addition to fundamÐ µntal information about stocks, bonds and mutual funds sophisticatÐ µd tools likÐ µ tÐ µchnical analysis rÐ µports and charts arÐ µ also availablÐ µ for frÐ µÃ µ. SomÐ µ of thÐ µsÐ µ arÐ µ also customizablÐ µ, Ð µithÐ µr fully or partly. ThÐ µ problÐ µm for invÐ µstors is onÐ µ of information ovÐ µrload and how to absorb all thÐ µ information providÐ µd as wÐ µll as analyzÐ µ and act upon it. RÐ µcognizing this nÐ µÃ µd somÐ µ firms havÐ µ takÐ µn concrÐ µtÐ µ stÐ µps to summarizÐ µ and focus thÐ µ information to mÐ µÃ µt with individual rÐ µquirÐ µmÐ µnts. PricÐ µ alÐ µrts arÐ µ a standard fÐ µaturÐ µ with most brokÐ µrs. (Berber) ThÐ µ nÐ µw on-linÐ µ brokÐ µrs do not havÐ µ any lÐ µgacy systÐ µms and in spitÐ µ of making hÐ µavy invÐ µstmÐ µnts in tÐ µchnology (which is thÐ µ backbonÐ µ of any on-linÐ µ trading systÐ µm) havÐ µ vÐ µry low transaction costs, typically about lÐ µss than 10% of full sÐ µrvicÐ µ brokÐ µrs cost.   ThÐ µ Ð µxisting discount brokÐ µrs likÐ µ CharlÐ µs Schwab who startÐ µd offÐ µring on-linÐ µ trading did so by Ð µstablishing a sÐ µparatÐ µ division for Е-trading rathÐ µr than risk thÐ µ wholÐ µ organization. ThÐ µ main worry for thÐ µsÐ µ brokÐ µragÐ µs has bÐ µÃ µn thÐ µ rÐ µlations and businÐ µss prospÐ µcts of thÐ µir Ð µxisting salÐ µs forcÐ µ of brokÐ µrs. (www.aboutschwab.com) Benefits of E-trading Switching over to E-trading results in several benefits, both to the user and to the broker. Benefits to Users Lower transaction costs: Typical brokerage-rates in India are in the range 1.0-1.5%, whereas the rates for E-trading are as low as 0.1 %. E-trading brings down costs of not only the execution of the transaction but also the transfer of securities. In physical purchase of securities, the stamp duty rates are 0.5% of the value of the shares. With dematerialization of securities, the stamp duly charges are not applicable, in the US, brokerage costs before E-trading was introduced were as high as 7%, and have now come down to about 1%.(Colkin Cuneo) Transparency: E-trading empowers the customer to transact directly on the stock exchange. It delayers the process thereby improving transparency. The user does not need to rely on the brokers word-of-mouth or transaction slips for confirmation of the price at which his trade was conducted. Convenience: Online trading is available at the click of a button » making it much more convenient for the customer to trade. Also, with limit based orders being allowed, customers can place their orders even during the non-trading hours, which are executed at the earliest trading possibility. Procedural benefits: Unlike the earlier scenario, where the customers had to physically go to the broker to complete the formalities of trade i.e. payment/receipt of shares, involving procedural hassles, under the E-trading paradigm, these procedures are done away with. The entire cycle-of-trade i.e. placing the order, transfer of funds and transfer of securities trade is done electronically. Benefits to Online Brokers Easier risk management: Offline brokers collect margins from their clients and establish limits for trading based on the same. This may result in a situation where the broker would have to collect funds after the execution of the trade, exposing the broker to client credit-risk. However, under the online mechanism, the system would first check the status of funds available with the client in his bank account and only then allow the trade to take place. This reduces the exposure of the broker to client-risk. Greater business potential: The new paradigm of E-trading, which allows simple, convenient and transparent transactions may encourage more participants to trade. It is expected that the introduction of E-trading will expand the market itself resulting in better business for brokers. Lower staff costs: Automation of the processes, resulting in reduced requirement of manpower, offers significant cost-savings to the brokers. Technology and Security Issues Technology companies have developed online transaction processing (OLTP) applications that allow real time transaction execution. An extension of the OLTP transaction is the Straight-through Processing technology that allows an application to directly interface with the central system of any market place, without any manual intervention. Straight-through processing technology permits financial software products to directly interact with the stock exchange system by communicating with the exchange market structures. (odysseytec.com) The cycle of E-trading has to pass through three layers: The Client Interface Layer: the front-end The Middle Layer: risk management systems that access data from banks and depository participants (DP), calculate client exposure at that instant, and give the Go/No go advice to the trade. †¢ The End Layer: the back-end, where the accounting modules, pay in/pay out schedules, etc, operate. From a technical perspective, there are three key success factors for E-trading: Scalability and robustness of the trading system: The fundamental difference between the Internet as a transaction medium and the conventional closed user group network is that the Net is a universal platform providing concurrent access to infinite users at any given point in time. Consequently, it becomes imperative for any Net-based application to have a prove capability for scalability and robustness, which ensures the ability to handle and process requests from multiple users at any given point in time. Bandwidth optimization: The application software should demonstrate intelligence in optimizing the available bandwidth by deploying advanced technologies such as streaming. Integration with third party systems: On the Net, with information feeds available from multiple. points, it is prudent to deploy applications that are built on open architecture methodology for interfacing with third party systems. Security Any system to be successful should provide security, reliability and confidentiality of data. This can be achieved through the use of encryption technology before the online trading begins. The exchange must ensure that records maintained in electronic form by the broker are not susceptible to manipulation, and adequate back-ups and storage are available. The security features demanded by regulatory authorities include a unique user identification number and passwords that can be renewed from time to time to prevent hacking by outsiders. The major security requirements of e-broking1 are: Trusted means of authentication over open networks Confidentiality of the transaction Means to ensure integrity of data in transit Means to ensure ruin-repudiation of payment or its receipt. Various security models are adopted to secure e-broking transactions. The commonly employed security models in e-Broking are: passwords. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), Kerberos, Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), and Custom Implementations. (Odyssey Technologies) Future of E-trading Industry Exchanges across the globe are exploring an alliance that will create a 24-hour global equity market. The NYSE and exchanges from three main time zones—Australia, Tokyo and Hong Kong in the Asia-Pacific; Sao Paulo, Mexico and Toronto in the Americas; and Euronext, the combined Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris exchanges in Europe—plan to form a trading mechanism that will allow trading of the worlds global companies. Each of the partnering markets will retain its brand and form a platform to allow companies with worldwide demand to experience 24-hour trading of their shares. This is expected to lead to a better price discovery on a global basis. (Marlin) The proposed Global Equity Market (GEM) link the trading systems of each exchange to provide a global market structure based on the principles of transparency, self-regulation and agency-auction price discovery. (Angel)   This high-tech linkup of auction markets will create a global pool of liquidity, facilitate global price discovery and provide investors with better access to global stocks. The GEM will address investors appetite for big-capitalized stocks by providing them easier access to stocks not currently available on their local Stock Exchange. The market capitalization of the companies listed on the participating exchanges is expected It) exceed $20 trillion, representing more than 60 percent of the worlds market capitalization. Like the 24-hour Forex market and its electronic network SWIFT, the GEM will have an Electronic Communication Network (ECN), thereby realizing the ultimate potential of E-trading.   (Marlin) Nowadays, the structure of commercial finance is about to change dramatically. In place of the traditional bank-centered model, where institutions call the shots about who gets loans and who carries risk, we are going to see dominant players in their supply chain (companies such as Hewlett Packard or General Electric) use E-trading tools to drive the provision of financial services in the future. Today, companies like HP, GE, GM, and FedEx already exert tremendous influence on their trading partners. Their expressed and inferred capital goods requirements drive billions of dollars in marketing, sales, investment, and product decisions by their global business partners. (Macauley) Emerging E-trading environments will provide an ideal vehicle for investors to get access to transactions at the point of salethrough independent E-trading platforms or direct access to legacy enterprise systems. Their development will drive a major revolution in working capital financing in the United States, and that the funding vehicle is securitization. And there is also belief that the runway to securitization of commercial assets is shorter than one might expect. Securitization is a proven financial technology that is used to fund trillions of dollars of credit card, mortgage, auto loan, and a variety of specialty consumer loans each year. It provides the lowest cost, is the most efficient vehicle for funding large pools of financial assets, and, with modest enhancements, can be adapted to the E-trading environment. With small equity charges, high liquidity, low processing costs, and capital markets pricing, it presents a compelling opportunity for E-traders. (Berber) Today a few triple-A companies like GE are able to fund their own working capital requirements through their captive commercial paper conduits, and finance companies frequently fund their deal flow through third-party conduits (and a thick layer of equity capital). (Kelly) But to do so, there is need to solve several complex problems such as standard risk scoring, transaction capture, and back office processing services. Major initiatives are underway to solve eachand winners will innovatively combine them to create this new marketplace. Ultimately, it expected to see hundreds of billions in capital liberated from de-levered balance sheets of enterprises around the world. Bibliography Macauley, John T. The End of CI Lending. ABA Banking Journal, Vol. 93, 2001 Colkin, Cuneo.   E-trading Hangs On. InformationWeek, Issue 918, (12 Sep 2002):43. Kelly, Susan. The Rocky Road to Corporate E-trading. Treasury Risk Management, Vol. 11 Issue 9, (Oct 2001):55 Berber, Philip. From SOES to E-SOS: The Rise of E-trading, The Fall of Exchanges. Securities Industry News, , Vol. 12 Issue 15, (04 Oct 2000):3 Marlin, Steven. NYSE Aims at E-trading. InformationWeek, Issue 1001, (8 Sep 2004):22 Tower Group Research: Online Brokerage Becoming the Norm: Discount and Full Service Brokers Seek New Ways to Differentiate, July 2004 New York Stock Exchange., The Formation of a Global Equity Market, July 2002 www.nyse.com/content/articles Angel, James J, Consolidation in Global Equity Market, An Historical Perspective, 1998 Odyssey Technologies, PKI for E-broking, www.odysseytec.com E*Trade Website   www.etrade.com Schwab Charles Company Website http://www.aboutschwab.com/schwabcorp/history.html FreeTrade by AmeriTrade Website www.freetrade.com The Financial Cafe.com Website www.thefinancialcafe.com

Impact of Instagram on Social Networks

Impact of Instagram on Social Networks How Instagram makes us sociable Introduction The world has really transformed in terms of technology. Technology is the only thing that changes at a very fast rate. Every day we wake up to a new innovation of technology and ideas. Technology through internet has managed to bring the world together in terms of communication. Despite the varying time zones in different parts of the world, Internet has paved way for Social networks that are turning be a vital field for advertising and creating awareness among people. The internet is a branch of technology where there is loads of traffic. Internet has now become a necessity and has managed to globalize the universe and make it as a small village where people interact freely despite the location and time of the specific region. It has as well given rise to several social networks that allow people to stay connected and in touch at any time of their convenience. Some of the well-known social networks include Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. These social platforms have allowed busines s people to advertise their companies as well as the products being marketed. This research paper will focus on how Instagram has managed to make people more sociable. The previous notion was that social networks are responsible of making people lonely and create an ambience of loneliness. It will shade more light on how Instagram brings people’s social life into one stage where each and every individual is required to register an account with so as to be given the unique credentials for logging in and interact with other subscribers. Businesses are now turning to social Medias to advertise and promote their sales. This is because of the ever increasing social traffic which is always present regardless of the time or the place of business. Instagram has remarkable improved social exposure and this research paper will conclude on its importance based on purely facts and figures. Thesis The Research topic that this paper is going to investigate in detail is whether Instagram as a Social network has managed to make people more sociable rather than lonely. My stand on the above argument is that I personally believe and completely agree to the fact that Instagram has truly managed to make people more social as compared to before the beginning of social networks. In order to second my stand in opinion, we will use a demonstrative example trying to campaign for an election contestant who is vying for an elective sit. This will put us in a position able to compare the different forms of campaign and establish the one which managed to reach the most number of people. For my research, I will employ Instagram as one of the trending social networks to establish whether it is making people to be more social rather than lonely. Before putting keen emphasize to the example above we can simply ask ourselves as to why businesses are also targeting the social population as a potential field for advertisement. This is just a way of proving that Instagram (one of the social networks) has made people more sociable and has improved communications. Loneliness on the other hand can be defined as being isolated from the other members of the population and still not in a position to keep in touch with them. A lonely person is one who cannot keep in touch and communicate with others at free will. How can Instagram promote loneliness from our definition of the word itself? Instagram has managed to allow people keep in touch hence my support for the Research topic. Literature Review Social network has been essential in changing the internet from a space widely known for broadcast of information or transmission to a place where users are involved in creating and generating their own personal content. This ranges from short films on You Tube to Facebook updates. This is then followed by the process of signposting their networks to the other contents created by other users (Beer, 2008: Thelwell, 2009). For literature purposes, there is a very clear attention on the extent to which social media has become transformative through the way that users keep in touch with one another. Evidences from several sources around that could be found with less difficulty show that campaigning and influencing is the most effectively done activity through people’s already existing social relationships (Alinsky, 1971; Freire, 1970). Despite the fact that all social media platforms play a major role in this, there is a general sense in which social networks have increasingly bec ome powerful. The masses that can be reached within a given short period of time via social networks are overwhelming. One post with no duplicate of exactly the same information can be viewed and followed by thousands if not millions at a blink of a second. Most of the already existing social networks were initially established on the basis of a more tailored proposition rather than merely creating an online space where people with common interest could interact freely. My space, for instance, is a social network which was initially started with the sole purpose of enabling aspiring music artistes to share and publicize their own piece of work with other likeminded people among the society. (Pace, 2006). Facebook started as a mere service for students in a U.S university which gradually broadened their service to other non U.S universities and this is even before making the platform accessible to everybody (Kirkpatrick, 2010). This is how social networks simply start and end up being a populated platform with millions of users all over the world. Social network sites provide new audience for civic engagement and for political participation. This facilitates information sharing and brings together networks through actions such as utilizing email, networking practices and user generated content (Montgomery 2007;Vromen 2007;2008). Research studies in Saudi Arabia have shown that 38% of 17-19 year olds employ Social networks (Instagram) for both political and civic engagement (Smith et al. 2009). Political leaders are using Instagram to post images of peace that advocate for peaceful coexistence. The many followers the politician has in Instagram media platform will be able to see what their leader is promoting and even leave a comment if they wish to. Moreover, the followers can get the images from the Politician’s profile and put it as their own so as to spread the message. This is just a simple example of how Instagram has enabled leaders in Saudi Arabia to campaign within a short period of time. For the young generation who do not think through their participation in either civic or issue-based functions as â€Å"political† in the institution or traditional sense, Social networks are used to connect the individuals who have similar interests about their own projects (Collin, 2010). Young people are coming up with new participatory communities which are by and for their peers. (Harris 2008:489; Boyd 2007:13-14). In addition, services and organizations are increasingly observing social networking practices as the succeeding step towards youth participation in community and government decision making (Collin 2010). Despite the fact that there are still queries as to the extent to which social networks function as virtual public spheres, fostering deliberation and enabling direct participation (Vromen.2008). However, the network for communicating information and numerous point of view â€Å"Public sphere† permits the recognition of creative digital expression through the social networks as civic engagement (Burgess, et. al,2006).There is a vast body of academic work on social networks and technology at large which take into consideration the creative, performativity and participatory dimensions of the current digital practices. The general usage of social media can simply be described as the collective media creation and sharing on a legitimately large scale. This includes social network services as well as other participatory activities like news blogs. The rapid up take of both social media and social network services by the young people indicate a very important shift in young generation’s use if internet mainly for information and entertainment as one way of communication. The young generation is made of â€Å"producers† who actively produce as well as consume media (Bruns 2008). The participatory media ambience enables the young to take part in creative content production. This also empowers them with brand new means of creating as well as sustaining connections among themselves. As a result, Social network platforms have resulted into new discussions on how to conceptualize and advocate for what has come to be termed as cyber citizenship (Bennett, 1998, 2003: Coleman, 2005). Research Methodology As mentioned earlier on in this research paper, I will use a politician social network campaign program via Instagram to establish the power of the social platform in terms of moving masses within a short period of time. I will visit colleges and higher institutions of learning and promote students to register accounts with Instagram. This on the other hand will simplify my work because I expect only few students if any who will not be having accounts with Instagram. I will then advise all the students to follow the Politian’s account so that they can be able to be informed about the Politian updates in his process of campaigning. I will collect my data for analysis by counting the number of likes and dislikes for each and every update the politician makes. The number of likes will give me a rough idea before the actual data analysis whether the social platform is in support with the campaign trend or not. Reading through the comments left behind by the followers will help me to conclude the factual side of support or critic from the public. The advantage of this methodology is that it comes at no extra cost to the students since opening an Instagram account is predominantly free and there is free access to internet services in campuses. I will collect all the data throughout the campaign period and code it statistically and appropriately while observing all the statistical hypotheses. In collaboration with the election contestant, I will pose some questions that call for discussions among the respondents (students on Instagram). This will create a thread of comments and opinions from the online traffic generated. I will then read through each individual comment and take it as the opinion from the respective person. Depending on the number of opinions and comments that I will get, I will decide on picking a representative sample of the entire online Instagram traffic. This sample will be free from biasness and will be selected using a statistical formula called â€Å"Fishers et. al†. I will base on factors such as age, gender and level of education to ensure that I come up with a good representative sample of the entire school Instagram accounts. . (Raatma, L. 2010) I will employ systematic random sampling technique to allocate my sample. This will be because of some factors that I find necessary to be observed. These factors will ensure that the selected sample is a true representation of the population at large and inferences drawn from it will be descriptive and informative about the population. I will ensure accuracy of the data by designing self-explanatory research questions that can be easily answered by the online Instagram users. (Raatma, L. 2010) I will analyze the data using one of the statistical software’s namely S.P.S.S. (Statistical Package for Social Scientists). I will compare the levels of campaign awareness from different Medias of communication with the sample data I will get. These other Medias of communications can be via bill boards advertising, television news and radio. To get information on previous voting exercises, I will go through secondary data and reports that are available in file. I will analyze the data through diagrams such as pie charts, bar graphs and line graphs. References Andrews, L. B. (2012). I know who you are and I saw what you did: social networks and the death of privacy. New York: Free Press. Barnes, J. A. (1972). Social networks. Reading, Mass.: [Addison-Wesley Pub. Co.]. Barnett, G. A. (2011). Encyclopedia of social networks. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage. Buskens, V. W. (2002). Social networks and trust. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers. Gottlieb, B. H. (1981). Social networks and social support. Beverly Hills, Calif.: Sage Publications. Kilduff, M., Tsai, W. (2003). Social networks and organizations. London: SAGE. Lin, N. (2001). Social capital a theory of social structure and action. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Maguire, L. (1983). Understanding social networks. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications. Raatma, L. (2010). Social networks. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Cherry Lake Pub..

Not For Profit Organizations Prepare Financial Statement Accounting Essay

Not For Profit Organizations Prepare Financial Statement Accounting Essay Contributions are the primary revenue to a Not-for-profit organization. Because of the fundamental accounting of NFPO is different with profit-oriented companies, NFPO has its own accounting method for recognizing contributions. There are two methods of recording contributions are restricted fund method and deferral method. The objective of paper is to identify which method should be used. The restricted fund method recognizes restricted contributions as revenue when they are received. The deferral method recognizes restricted contributions until related expenses are incurred in future period. The paper will illustrate an example to compare the difference between the two methods, analyze the effects on financial statements and advantages and disadvantages of each method. The timing treatment restricted donation is primary difference among two methods. The advantages of deferral method is reduces noise from timing mismatch between when expenses are incurred and when revenues are recog nized. The matching helps avoid misstating cost for a period. It better evaluate the actual performance of organization. And deferral method can help the organization to develop an accounting plan extends beyond the current period which more rational use the contributions. But under the deferral method, it is not clearly presents information regarding how the organization manages the restricted contributions. And deferral of external restricted contributions to a liability may be confusing to the basic users. The restricted fund method will give a different result than deferral method. Restricted fund method is more clearly to present the information regarding restricted contributions how to use. Another advantage is the restricted funds method increasing comparability between current year and previous years in one organization. This is seen as both advantage and disadvantage in the same time. Because of an organization chooses which restricted funds to report, it lack comparability between with two organizations. Choosing an appropriate accounting method is important for nonprofit. It can attract more donations to support organization activities. Organizations should seek the help of professionals to assist it in implementing its accounts. 2.0 Introduction Contributions are the primary revenue to a Not-for-Profit Organization (NFPO). Because the NFPO has characteristics which difference with the for-Profit Organization, its accounting method of recording contributions has own standards in Part III of CICA Handbook-Accounting section. NFPO is required to use the restricted fund method or the deferral method of recording contributions. The purpose of this report is to identify which accounting method should be used to record contributions when Not-for-Profit organization prepares the financial statements. The report will illustrate an example to compare the different between the two methods, analyze the effects on financial statements and advantages and disadvantages of each method. This report is significance because adoption of different accounting method will affect result of financial statement presented. Financial statements are important communication information about NFPO to members, contributors and creditors. Financial statemen ts satisfy their and others interested needs, like the financial condition of organizations and how the management has discharged its stewardship responsibility to those that have provided resources to the organizations, especially important as resources are contributed for specific purposes and management is accountable for the appropriate utilization of such resources. The study is limited to Not-for-Profit Organization. The potentially benefit from this report is for all Not-for-Profit organizations. CICA states that many not-for-profits are subject to reporting requirements such as the production of audited statements or mandatory reporting to funders. (Improved Annual Reporting by Not-for-Profit Organizations.p4) Thus, effective financial report help build an organizations reputation. They can make a support, and can be a key means of reaching new partners and volunteers. 3.0 Background Although the not-for-profit organization applies a separate set of accounting standards in Part III of the CICA Handbook, the Accounting Standards Board (AcSB) emphasizes that the accounting standards for not-for-profit are not a stand-alone set of standard, there should be no differences in accounting between profit-oriented enterprises and non-for-profit organizations when the circumstances and transaction are the some. (CICA. Handbook) In 2008, the AcSB invited not-for-profit organizations to comment on a proposal that would see them use the same system of financial reporting that publicly traded corporations would soon be using. Some respondents opposed change the rules governing the way they report their financial information. When you try to put charitable organizations in the same realm as publicly traded organizations it becomes a challenge because the users of the financial statements have very different needs than a shareholder would have. said Michael Herrea, interim treas urer for the Anglican Church of Canada. If the church was required to use IFRS, Mr. Herrera said it would greatly increase the amount of financial reporting required; the additional information generated would be of no benefit to end users. According to comments received, the AcSB adopted a free choice of the accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations in Part III or IFRSs in Part I of the Handbook. Let us assume that non-for-profit organizations apply Part III of Handbook, which requires recording contributions should adopt restricted fund method or deferral method. 4.0 Definition Not-for-profit organizations have three types of contributions to report: unrestricted contributions, restricted contributions and endowment contributions. Following I will discuss that how three types of contributions are accounted for under the restricted fund method and the deferral method. 4.1 Deferral Method Under the deferred method, unrestricted contributions are automatically recorded as revenue when they are received. Restricted contributions are recorded as revenue until the related expense as been incurred in the future. Endowment contributions are recognized as direct increases in net assets, which are shown in the statement of changes in net assets. Especially, restricted contributions for the purchase of depreciable capital assets are deferred; the revenue is realized as the asset is being amortized. Non-depreciable capital assets, like land, are recognized as increase in net assets. 4.2 Restricted Fund Method The restricted fund method requires the entity must have a general fund and at least one restricted fund. The Unrestricted contributions and investment income are recorded as revenue in general fund. Restricted contributions are recognized as revenue if a restricted fund has been established for that purpose. If no related fund has been established, restricted contributions are treated the same way under the deferred method in general fund. 5.0 Comparison on Deferral Method and Restricted fund Method The primary difference among two methods is timing treatment restricted contributions. This affects the amount of liabilities and revenues reported. There is an example details a NFPO using deferral method and restricted fund method of recording contributions separately blow. The ABC Company is a not-for-profit training organization, funded through an agreement with the Province of AB. ABCs purpose is to provide accounting training program to all accountants in Alberta. ABC received $100,000 from the Province to establish the Princess Royal Scholarship endowment. This amount was invested in debt securities, which generated the $50,000 of investment income. The investment income is restricted for use to provide annual scholarships. $900,000 received from a wealthy and grateful benefactor on Jan 1, 2012 the beginning of its fiscal year. He requested that the money was to be used for purchasing and maintaining a property to house the administrative offices and operating facility. At the July 1, the following item were purchased in cash: Land $400,000; operating facility $300,000, it estimated life of 20 years. At the November 21, a donor contributes $10,000, without restriction for the operation of ABC. $ 25,000 of investment income paid out for Scholarship. In addition, ABC spent $16,000 for the year on maintenance costs for the operating facility. Donations Deferral Method Restricted Fund Method Presentation One fund one general fund; one capital fund; one endowment fund Scholarship As net asset Recognized as revenue in endowment fund Facility Included in deferred contribution; Recognized as revenue until facility expense incurred Recognized as revenue in capital fund Amortization Start to amortize deferred contribution Included in capital fund Interest earned on endowment Included in deferred contribution; Recognized as revenue until scholarships paid out Recognized as revenue in endowment fund Land As net asset As asset in capital fund 6.0 What are the effects on Financial Statements? Primarily the nonprofit organization must produce three important annual financial statements: the statement of financial position, the statement of operation, and the statement of cash flow. Kelly Bourgeois conclude that each component of a nonprofit organizations existence, like organizations programs or projects, is dependent on the organizations financial feasibility. Financial feasibly is accounted for through primarily those three financial statements. One of the principle differences in nonprofit financial statements compared to for-profit entities is the objective of a nonprofit is to realize its socially desirable goals and objectives for the community it serves, rather than to realize a net profit (2003. P16). According to analysis above, financial statements are showed blow. 6.1 Deferral Method ABC The Statement of Operation For the year ended December 31, 2012 Revenue Contributions 58,500 Expense Maintenance expense 16,000 Amortization 7,500 Scholarship 25,000 48,500 Excess revenues over expenses 10,000 ABC Statement of Changes in Net Assets For the year ended December 31, 2012 Unrestricted Investment in Restricted for Total Funds Capital Assets Endowment Net assets at the Beginning of the year - Add: Excess revenues Over expenses 10,000 10,000 Investment in Land 400,000 400,000 Endowment 100,000 100,000 Net assets at end of year 10,000 400,000 100,000 510,000 ABC Statement of Financial Position For the year ended December 31, 2012 Assets Cash and investment 319,000 Capital assets Land 400,000 Operating facility 300,000 Accumulated amortization (7,500) 692,500 1011,500 Liabilities Deferred contributions 501,500 Net assets Invested in capital assets 400,000 Restricted for endowment 100,000 Unrestricted net assets 10,000 510,000 1011,500 6.2 Restricted Fund Method If the ABC adopts the restricted fund method of recording contributions, the different format and results of financial statements will be presented than the deferral method. ABC Statement of Operation For the year ended of December 31, 2012 General Capital Endowment Total Fund Fund Fund Revenues Contributions 10,000 900,000 100,000 1010,000 Interest income 50,000 50,000 Expenses Maintenance 16,000 16,000 Amortization 7,500 7,500 Scholarship 25,000 25,000 Excess of revenues Over expenses 10,000 876,500 125,000 1011,500 ABC Statement of Position For the year ended of December 31, 2012 General Capital Endowment Total Fund Fund Fund Assets Cash and investment 10,000 184,000 125,000 319,000 Capital assets Land 400,000 400,000 Operating facility 300,000 300,000 Accumulated amortization (7,500) (7,500) 10,000 876,500 125,000 1,011,500 Liabilities Deferred contributions Fund balances Invested in capital assets 692,500 692,500 Externally restricted 184,000 184,000 Endowment 125,000 125,000 Unrestricted 10,000 10,000 10,000 876,500 125,000 1,011,500 (Fund balance=Asset-Liability) Under the deferral method, interest is recognized as an increase in the contribution revenue on the statement of operation as scholarship paid out. The operating facility is capitalized and amortization is recorded as expense. The amount of the restricted contribution recognized as revenue for the year is equal to the corresponding expenses incurred. The revenue over expense $10,000 which is unrestricted contribution received. The amount of the contribution not used at the end of the year is recorded as an increase in the liabilities deferred contributions on the statement of position. The deferred contributions decrease when the related revenues are recognized. Land and endowment are recorded as increase in net asset. Under the restricted fund method, the contributions are classified to general fund, capital fund and endowment fund. Each fund has a self-balancing separately. The Contributions and interest earned are immediately recognized as revenues in the corresponding fund. Any e xpenditure related to that fund is deducted from the balance. In this case, using the restricted fund method of recording contributions is better than using the deferral method. Because the restricted fund method is more clearly shows the ABC how to spend the restricted contributions. The restricted fund method makes ABC easy to report activity to its members, donators, and also to any government entity that is charged with the responsibility of overseeing its operation. 7.0 Advantages and Disadvantages Before identify which accounting method should be used of recording contributions for nonprofit, it is necessary to know the advantages and disadvantages of the restricted fund method and the deferral method. In terms of the ABC example this means that two methods would give different results of financial statements. 7.1 Deferral Method Under the deferral method, the recorded deferred contributions are transferred to the income statement as revenue when corresponding expenses been incurred. The contribution revenue is matched to the related expenses in the same accounting period. 7.1.1 Advantages For an accounting perspective, using the deferral method means the contribution revenues expected during a specific accounting period are directly matched to the anticipated expenses during this period. This helps the organization to develop an accounting plan extends beyond the current period which more rational use the contributions. Secondly, the deferral method reduces noise from timing mismatch between when expenses are incurred and when revenues are recognized. The matching helps avoid misstating cost for a period. The mention above, the objective of nonprofit financial statements is assessing whether the organization is achieving its objectives at the lowest possible cost. The deferral method can avoid misstating, for instance, avoid result in understated cost. Thus, it better evaluate the actual performance of organization. 7.1.2 Disadvantages Along with the benefits of the deferral method, there are several disadvantages need to be aware of. Using the deferral method the results of the unrestricted and restricted contributions are combined, and organization-wide totals are presented in the each of the financial statement. The restricted contributions remain unfulfilled are accumulated as deferred contribution. The organizations excess of revenue over expenses for the period represents the increase in resources that are not restricted to cover specific expenses of a future period (Cynthia L. Orr. 1996. P4). Thus, it is not clearly presents information regarding how the organization manages the restricted contributions. Another disadvantage is the restrictions are deferred and not reported until used. Deferral of external restricted contributions to a liability may be confusing to the basic users. 7.2 Restricted Fund Method As mentioned above that the fund accounting must be set up if a nonprofit adopts the restricted fund method. The organization would choose which restricted funds to report, and all similar contributions would be treated in the same manner. 7.2.1Advantages Using fund accounting system to record contributions can help to ensure that organizations use their resources in accordance with the stipulations donors; granting agencies and governing boards impose. Fund accounting segregates the account balances related to its purpose and keeps these funds from mingling with the other accounts of the organization. This ensures that the assets assigned to each fund remain available for the purpose of that fund. And the restricted fund method keeps the organization accountable to the donors who support the organization. Each donor wants to see the nonprofit serve the individuals who need its assistance. When the nonprofit organization issues its financial statements at the end of the year, the contributors can review the performance of each fund. The financial statements identify the money received for each fund and how the organization distributes those funds (Kathy Adams Mclntosh). Thus, the restricted fund method is more clearly to present the i nformation of restrictions. Secondly, choosing the restricted funds to report and treating similar contributions in same manner consistently that is increase comparability between current year and previous years in one organization. This is seen as both advantage and disadvantage in the same time. 7.2.2Disadvantages Because of an organization chooses which restricted funds to report, it lack comparability between with two organizations. Because of this choice, two organizations following the restricted fund method may each report similar kinds of restricted contributions differently. For example, one organization may present contributions restricted for purchasing equipment in a separate restricted capital fund. Another organization may not report a separate capital fund. It results in lacking comparability on similar contributions of two organizations. 8.0 Recommendation Which accounting method is best? This is a matter of what the entity wants to communicate in the financial statements. The best system is a system that gives the members of an organization control over its financial health and portrays this health through their records.(Kelly Bourgeo. June, 2003. p16). So the executive director and board of nonprofit should assess the financial health thought that, the financial statements should be easily comprehensible so that any person taking the time to read them will understand the financial picture; they should be concise and they should clearly show the relationship among the each transaction without confusing detail involving transfers (Kelly Bourgeo. P17). First, I recommend that using fund accounting. Because the fund accounting approach is more clearly presents information regarding how the restrictions are distribution and spent. And it can be effective, especially when accounting reports must be sent to more than one government agency. For example, if a charity receives an endowment for the childcare program, a contribution restricted to support homeless shelter and a grant for providing meals to stray pets, each of these programs is to fall into the jurisdiction of a different government agency. So by creating funds for each program, it is provide each monitoring agency with an accounting of what has been done with the donations received to support each program (Malcolm Tatum. 2012). The organizations determine an appropriate accounting method should determine who the uses of the financial statements will be and what their needs. For a nonprofit, it receives recurring restricted contributions, so donors will be one of the major users. In my opinion, the restricted fund method is better than deferral method. Because the restricted fund method provides donors with simply but robust information on how their contributions are be used. It let users clearly to understand the financial pictures. And it reflects a more accurate accrual basis of revenue recognition for the funds presented than the deferral method. The deferral method may be confusing to users because of recording restricted contributions as a liability. Each method has advantages and disadvantages separately for its use. So organizations should seek the help of professionals to assist it in implementing its accounts. 9.0 Conclusion The not-for-profit organization is required to choose either the restricted fund method or the deferral method of recording contributions when it prepares financial statements. According to analysis above, the timing restriction treatment is the primary cause for some of the more significant reporting and recognition differences. Using the restricted fund method, the restricted contributions are recognized as revenue when they are received. It more clearly presents the information of restrictions for the funds presented. The deferral method recognizes contributions until they are spent. The matching principle helps avoid misstating cost for a period. It better evaluate the actual performance of organization. But it may be confusing to basic users because of deferred restricted contributions as a liability. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. The choice depends on the financial reporting objective and on the motivations of organizations manager. The accounting method, on ce selected, all received contributions must been applied that method consistently. The accounting policy seems be changed if the organization changes its method. There is not required to, I recommend that nonprofit uses fund-based structure. If no such fund has been established, restricted contributions are treated the same way as under the deferred contribution method. Choosing an appropriate revenue recognition policy is important. The organizations should seek the help of professionals to assist it in implementing its accounts.

Cocaine Essay -- essays research papers

My report is on the drug cocaine. I will tell mainly how it affects the body and nervous system. I also have included where Cocaine comes from to help understand exactly what we’re talking about, and to clear up any misunderstanding about the drug. Cocaine is both a central nervous system stimulant and an anesthetic. It is found in the leaves of the coca plant. The traditional method of coca use is to chew the leaves, producing a mild stimulation. Outside of South America it is generally used in it’s more refined and extracted forms, either powder cocaine, or freebase cocaine and makes a much stronger effect than chewing the leaves. The term "Crack" is alternately used to refer to street quality freebase cocaine, or to refer to the product of a particular manufacturing process, which uses sodium bicarbonate rather than a flammable solvent. Powdered cocaine is mostly snorted and crack or freebase cocaine is generally smoked. Smoking freebase cocaine causes a strong, short-lived peak of about 3-5 minutes, while snorting cocaine provides a lower high with major effects lasting closer to 30 minutes. The Mental facts of Cocaine vary with dose and the tolerance of the user. It increases alertness, wakefulness, elevates the mood, mild to high degree of euphoria, increases athletic performance, decreases fatigue, clearer thinking, increases concentration, increases energy, increased irritability, insomnia, restlessness. With high doses someone may exhibit a pattern of psychosis with confused and disorganized behavior, irritability, fear, paranoia, hallucinations, may become extremely antisocial and aggressive. Physically, it increases heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. It also increases the blood pressure, temperature, pulse, and the respetory system. It dilates the pupils, decreases sleep and appetite, gives you seizures, strokes, heart attacks, and may even cause death. Cocaine comes from the Cocoa plant that mostly grows in South America. Long ago, Inca Indians would chew the leaves to get a mild, but long-lasting stimulation. Chewing the leaves produces no â€Å"high.† Coca is consumed by chewing the leaves with a pinch of lime. Prior to adding the lime, the leaves are chewed to moisten and break them, as well as remove the stalks and strings. Then the... ...ith too little dopamine. As a result, the user suddenly feels sad and depressed. As a result, the user quickly goes for another dose. A lot of people will do almost anything to get cocaine if they are in fact addicted because the drug is so powerful. Another bad thing about this drug is that it often takes more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect, which leads to overdoses. Surprisingly, a lot of Cocaine addicts are football players, weather they are in High School or the NFL. This is true because some football players take the drug so that they get a boost of energy that cocaine gives you. When you are on cocaine, you are basically a machine. You do things that you wouldn’t normally do, just because you can. Sometimes people do things as stupid as racing there dogs as in one story I’ve heard. Why did they do it? They did it because they could. In conclusion, the effect that cocaine has on the body is incredibly powerful. What people have done is taken a small, useful, and almost harmless plant, and transformed it into a problem in today’s society. The plant in South America that was used to relieve hunger, was not meant to be used as such a powerful stimulant. .