Abstract This paper discuses the many facets of human capital strategy and its effect on organizations including methodologies for diagnosing an organization's human capital situation by using balanced scorecards, human capital modeling, benchmarking and metrics. The author reviews a human capital strategy for Wal-Mart as a hypothetical example demonstrating how the strategy, methodology and approach must be tailored to an individual organization. The paper presents best practice cases as a source of knowledge and expertise and stresses that human capital strategy is a must in today's organizations.
From the Paper "Human resources (HR )departments are undergoing a transformation in this century from entities that viewed people as being a cost to the organization to entities that recognize people as an asset to the organization."
Tags: human capital, human resources, strategy, methodology, approach, organizations, diversity, employee, retention, management, talent management, human capital management, human capital measurement, Ron Heifetz, Donald Laurie, balanced scorecard, HR, human c
Abstract This policy paper analyzes the capital murder statute in Texas and discusses the existence of particular problems concerning two aspects of the manner in which capital punishment is administered: the definition of capital murder and the ways in which capital murder cases are administered. With respect to the multi-part series of articles published in the Houston Chronicle regarding the use of capital punishment in Harris County, this paper briefly touches on several examples of significant problems surrounding the way capital punishment is administered there.
From the Paper "Capital punishment is a highly contentious issue in the realm of law enforcement. In any discussion of the death penalty, the state of Texas tends to be a primary focus due to the fact that Texas carries out far more executions than any other American state. "
Abstract This document examines the character of venture capital firms in general and in particular on venture capital methods for determining investment targets. The paper concludes that while there are several universally applied criteria, venture capital firms apply them in varying amounts according to the culture and investment preferences of the individual firm. Additionally, the paper examines the venture capital market in China in relation to the Chinese IT industry.
Abstract This paper provides a brief history of the venture capital business in the U.S., showing how it has been associated with technological enterprise from the very beginning. The writer explains how venture capital funding works by procuring financing through finding investors who are seeking to invest money in non-stock ventures that are more risky but have a much higher potential reward yield. Since venture capitalists review venture requests on a case-by-case basis, the presentation of the request is the most essential consideration in venture capital acquisition. Keeping the presentation simple and to the point is key to obtaining venture capital.
From the Paper "As far as companies backed by venture capitalists, the first modern venture capital startup is thought to have been Fairchild Conductor in 1959, supported by Ventrock Associates. Before World War II, venture capital endeavors were considered to be the domain of wealthy families and wealthy business interests. A significant precursor to the venture capital it industry was the 1958 Business Investment Act, which enabled the government's Small Business Association to provide financing resources and guidance for small businesses looking to start up, thereby giving the American everyman the opportunity to start their own business, regardless of social or economic class. In effect, this gave rise to the modern American ideal of the small business owner."
Abstract An essay that illustrates the connection and the perpetuation of heterosexuality via capitalism; how capitalism reinforces people to be heterosexually-minded and, essentially, continue the flow of capital by keeping the family system intact; thus, it is the generation money by "reproductive organs".
From the Paper "Is there a parallel link between capitalism and heterosexuality? Is the fact that, coming from a family and essentially having a heterosexual, reproductive inclinations eventually tied to the work force of capitalist enterprise? Considering Angels in America: Perestroika I will attempt to reveal how heterosexuality has been appropriated as a tool for capitalism. This will be done by analyzing the processes and the development of concepts of 'homosexuality', 'queerness' 'heterosexuality' and 'capitalism'. First, I will inquire into the history of homosexuality and heterosexuality and then, I will continue with contemporary reflections on how these ideas are described in current literary circles. For the conclusion, I will propose a parallelism between capitalism and heterosexuality which are complimentary to each other both for social order and for the perpetuation of capital industry."
Abstract This paper discusses the relationship between imperialism and capitalism from the time of the Spanish Empire to the present. The author describes both forces--capitalism and imperialism--and argues that imperialism is the monopoly stage of capitalism. The paper relates the purpose of Spanish imperialism and how the forms of imperialism have changed over time.
From the Paper "For many world scholars, the form of slavery, begun by the English in the seventeenth century and continued into the nineteenth century by the Americans, is merely the most naked form of imperialism. It is the domination of an oppressor ..."
Abstract This paper discusses the context for the current struggle between labor and capital, known as globalized capitalism. It discusses the stage of capitalism predicted by Marx and discusses this according to conflict theory. The paper also analyzes the situation from the point of view of the dominant class, as well as the oppressed worker.
From the Paper " Review Essay on "Modern Times, Ancient Hours" Introduction The context for the current struggle between labor and capital is globalized capitalism. While the capitalist dominant class regards this as the phase of mature capitalism, the oppressed worker perceives it as capitalism at fever pitch and out of control in its perfect alignment with globalization. Normally, the experience of work is presented in localized North American terms. Basso (2003), however, is concerned with international trends, and especially with trends in Eastern Europe after the fall of socialism. He points out the complex pathology in society: the paradoxical coexistence of unemployment with overwork."
Abstract This essay argues, as Weber contends in his book "The Spirit of Capitalism", that modern Western capitalism is rooted not in materialist culture but rather Protestant spiritual culture. As is seen, the importance of this argument is that this cultural origin defines the core characteristics of modern Western capitalism and supplies much of its dynamic character and energy.
From the Paper "Weber and "The Spirit of Capitalism" Max Weber, in "The Spirit of Capitalism," addresses the theme of the cultural origins and parameters of what we understand as "capitalism" in the modern context. In "The Spirit of Capitalism" Weber is careful from the outset to define the parameters of his debate."
Abstract This paper explores the relationship between race and capital punishment. Specifically the researcher explores the racial differences in attitudes toward capital punishment, focusing on juvenile opinions. The paper examines factors affecting views on capital punishment, arguments for and against, attitudes towards the death penalty and provides a review of the literature used in the paper.
Outline:
Introduction
Literature
What Predicts Death Penalty Support?
Arguments For and Against Death Penalty
Public Opinion and Attitudes
Death Penalty Attitudes of the Offender
Death Penalty Attitudes of Juveniles
Summary of the Literature
Discussion
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Attitudes among juveniles regarding capital punishment are just as heated and challenging as they are among adults. While few studies directly explore the relationship between the death penalty and juveniles, there are reports provided by some empirical researchers suggesting by and large, the juvenile population is just as divided as the American people are on the issue. As noted in the introduction, the Death Penalty Information Center (2006) suggests at least 50% of all adults support the death penalty. However, the same group when offered other alternatives including the alternative of life without parole are likely to change their minds and their opinions of the death penalty. In ancient times, most people unequivocally supported the death penalty, as there were few resources available to conduct elaborate or even minimal burials to individuals that had committed crimes (Bedau & Cassell, 2004)."
Abstract This paper examines how in Marx's "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844," one of his earlier and more philosophical works, he introduces the concept of alienation, the process by which the laborer becomes estranged from his work, his people, and himself. It also looks at how later, in "Capital", a more materially and empirically based text, Marx describes the process by which the capitalist slowly exploits and destroys the laborer and how he makes no mention of alienation, instead offering straight-forward economic facts about the capitalist system and its effect on the laborer. Through an examination of the two texts, the paper explains that the ideas explored in "Capital" coincide perfectly with those of "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844" and that Marx's description of the plight of the laborer in "Capital" is the material expression of his earlier, more philosophical concept of alienation.
From the Paper "In "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844," Marx posits that inherent within the capitalist system is the estrangement of laborers from their work. For the more they produce, the less material substance is available for their consumption (71). Marx does not explain why this is the case, but presents it as an economic given on which he bases much of his argument. He claims that "with the increasing value of the world of things proceeds in direct proportion the devaluation of the world of men" (71). One is not yet certain why this is true economically, but the statement rings true intuitively (philosophically), for one would guess that a society that is overly concerned with material goods cares less for individual well-being. From these facts proceeds the concept of alienation, in which laborers are estranged from their object of labor. "
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of the value of a corporation's intellectual capital. The paper discusses the impact the intellectual capital has on the success of the company and how it should be managed.
From the Paper " The industrial age is over. Welcome to the world of knowledge and knowledge transformation. More and more companies are packaging and selling knowledge and information ? and not products. What determines the solvency and the ability of a company to compete in the global economy is the value of its intellectual or knowledge capital. Knowledge has become the body of what we make, do, buy, and sell. Therefore, it is knowledge, not land, physical labor, or machines that are the capital assets required to create corporate wealth. No longer can investors and creditors review the financial statements of an organization and the "hard assets" therein to determine corporate wealth and corporate solvency. Traditional financial analysis tools taught in accounting and finance textbooks do not measure the most valuable assets of an organization. Intellectual capital is the new wealth of organizations. The most challenging and important economic task of businesses in the twentieth-first century is their ability to manage intellectual capital ? "identifying it, developing it, storing it, packaging and selling it, and sharing it" (Stewart, 1998). "
Abstract The merits of capitalism have been debated for decades. This paper discusses yet another book by a Cambridge economist Noreena Hertz on the effects of global capitalism upon democracy and related social perspectives.
Abstract This paper examines the sociological arguments for and against capital punishment policy in the United States. It looks at capital punishment as proportionate justice and as a divisive issue in the United States.
Tags:capital punishment, death penalty, sociology, conflict theory, interactionist theory, amnesty, human rights
Abstract This paper lists the venture capital firms that remain active in 2004 despite substantial losses in 1999-2003 including contact names, addresses, phone numbers and Web addresses. The author includes financial performance where available. The paper states that such data were not available for privately owned venture capital companies.
From the Paper "This research identifies venture capital firms that continue as viable entities in early ... but which experienced substantial losses on one or more of their investments during the ..."
Abstract This paper discusses venture capital as an investment strategy and as an element in portfolio management, noting that venture capital involves making investments in relatively unproven and high-risk enterprises, and it is generally expected that such an investment will yield a greater return than other types of investment. The paper shows that venture capitalists are also much more involved in the management of the business after making the investment, such as becoming members of the board of directors.
From the Paper "Venture capital is a form of investment in start-ups of one type or another, and such investments are exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Private placement investments can be made by individuals, by institutional investors, or by other businesses, but a particular type of private placement involves the provision of funds and other resources by one or more professional venture capitalists. Venture capital involves making investments in relatively unproven and high-risk enterprises, and it is generally expected that such an investment will yield a greater return than other types of investment. Venture capitalists are also much more involved in the management of the business after making the investment, such as becoming members of the board of directors: Although a venture capital investor may be a single individual, most venture capitalists are organized as a limited partnership."
