Abstract The paper shows that bank interest rates have been steadily decreasing since the September 11th attack on America and that the attack caused the business failures of major corporations, such as World Com and Enron. It discusses that one of the areas that are going stronger then ever is the real estate industry and many homeowners are taking the option to refinance their homes. The paper shows that banks and financial institutions are not in favor of this procedure as a homeowner who refinances his house may lower his monthly payments several hundred dollars - banks are making significantly less money on the lowered monthly payments through refinances. The purpose of the essay is to discuss how the lowered interest rates are affecting the housing industry.
From the Paper "House sales are running a record high this year, according to Reaser, chief economist of Bank of America. The refinancing of mortgages is supporting a major portion of the economy that is surviving and thriving. At the present time, refinancing is showing no signs of slowing down; in fact it is steadily increasing. People are putting the extra money into home improvements and buying new cars, another low interest financing option."
Abstract The paper looks at changes that have occured in the past year, as well as changes which are underway, which are likely to affect the current economical situation in America. Among incidents from the past year, the paper looks at the continuing decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the NASDAQ, increasing unemployment, rising corporate accounting scandals and the ongoing aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Future problems foreseen to impact the economy are the laying off of thousands of workers from big companies and their loss of health and pension security.
From the Paper "Several events have occurred or will soon be resolved that likely will affect the economy in 2003. First, the rapid, sharp, and seemingly unrelentless decline in the United States stock markets over the past two and one-half years has wiped away more than $678 billion of retiree wealth according to an estimate based on the University of Michigan's Health and Retirement Study. Likewise, employees who had received stock options as part of their compensation have found that their options have either drastically lessened in value or become totally worthless. Another effect of the bear market of the past two and one-half years is that many high profile and well-respected companies such as American Express, General Electric, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Lucent, Motorola, Oracle, and others have laid off tens and hundreds of thousands of employees, resulting in an increase in the nation's unemployment rate."
Examines the declining rolls of organized labor in America, discussing possible reasons for this decline and assessing the possibility of regaining membership in the future.
675 words (approx. 2.7 pages), 4 sources, 1993, $ 23.95
From the Paper "Labor unions have been losing power in American society for some time, and a smaller and smaller percentage of workers are members of labor unions today than has been true in many decades. Some analysts see these changes as temporary, part of the ongoing back-and-forth shifts in power in the workplace, while others see them as permanent and as indicating a major change in the workplace of the future. If unions are going to be less and less important, what might replace them?
There are many reasons for the lessening of union power, but economic changes are considered the most important reason. The economic structures of the past created a certain antagonism between management and labor even as each needed the other. In the current climate, increased cooperation is the rule, with workers and managers alike finding ways of empowering the ..."
The subject of this review is Robert Keohane's book, After Hegemony. The review will discuss some of the points made by Keohane in his book and the strengths and weaknesses of the book. It will also take into account some of the criticisms of the book by other reviewers and place the ideas proposed in the book in the context of events which have occurred since its publication.
Published in 1984, After Hegemony attempts to explain the influence of the United States in world affairs after 1945, particularly focusing upon the reasons for the decline in American influence since the 1970s and the state of international cooperation in the post-hegemonic era. In doing so, Robert Keohane connects international political influence with economic ..."
From the Paper "This research examines an application of the statistical procedures of correlation and regression analysis. The initial part of the examination describes correlation and regression procedures, and illustrates the use of the procedures in an application. Following the description and illustration, the accuracy and appropriateness of the application is discussed.
Description of the Procedure, and An Illustration of the Use of the Procedure in An Application
Correlation and regression procedures are described in this section. This description is followed by an illustration of the use of the procedures in an application."
Abstract This paper offers an overview of some aspects of globalization and aims to identify ways in which globalization can actually assist as opposed to hinder struggling, under-developed countries. Additionally, this paper explores some of the issues in the open debate on globalization among international organizations, governmental institutions and the academic world; in terms of the political, economical, environmental and social effects of globalization. The paper concludes with an overall evaluation of globalization.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Global Opportunity
Global Concerns
Conclusion
From the Paper "There is little doubt that globalization offers expansive opportunities for truly worldwide development but these opportunities are not advancing evenly (imf.org). Some countries are becoming integrated into the global economy more quickly than are others (imf.org). Countries that have been able to integrate are seeing expeditious growth and reduced poverty while those that have not integrated are suffering ill affects (imf.org). For example, in the 1970s and 1980s when many countries in Latin America followed inward-oriented policies, their economies stagnated or declined, poverty increased and high inflation became the norm (imf.org). As this region changed its policies toward more global ones, their situation began to improve (imf.org). Similar transformations need to be undertaken in other countries especially failing ones (imf.org). Encouraging the global trend, not reversing it, is the best and quickest course for promoting growth, development and poverty reduction (imf.org)."
Abstract This essay covers the basic terminology for economics including marginal cost, opportunity cost, sunk or fixed cost, microeconomics, macroeconomics, and other terms relating to the principles of economics. It also briefly explains what it is that economists do.
From the Paper ""Economics is the study of how people choose to use their scarce and limited resources to produce, exchange, and consume goods and services in an attempt to satisfy their unlimited wants" (McEachern, p. 15). Many Americans spend a large part of their lives participating in economic activities. Purchasing a new home, vehicle, television, stereo, etc. are examples of an economic activity."
Abstract A large increase in rates could deter new investment and signal a slowdown for the booming economy; nevertheless, the government may persist in raising the rates. This paper looks closely at the various effects this rise will have on the market, employment, and investment.
From the Paper "To combat inflation, the Fed adjusts the Federal Funds rate and the discount rates to tighten the money supply. This is the rate of interest the Fed charges major financial institutions. When the Fed increases the prime rate, this signals a rise in other interest rates. Long-term interest rates are affected more by the expectations of investors; if they believe inflation will rise in the future, they will demand a higher return on their fixed income investments, causing long-term interest rates to rise. Inflation triggers further rises in interest rates because lenders want to be compensated for inflation when they lend money. The greater the rate of inflation, the faster real purchasing power decreases."
Abstract This paper examines the various functions of HRM. Issues examined include the overall importance of PM in strategic HRM, the rationale for implementing PM, the advantages, disadvantages, tasks and goals of PM and the relevance of PM in the specific environment created by hospitals. The literature examined demonstrates that performance management has evolved as one of the critical tasks of human resource management in this particular work setting.
OUTLINE
Introduction and Purpose
Description of Performance Management (PM)
Role of Human Resources Management (HRM) in PM
Purpose of Study: Centered in Hospital
PM and Quality
Standards of JCAHO
Goals of PM in Hospitals
PM in Hospitals and Health Care
Standards and Scope
Purpose and Goals
A Blueprint for PM in Hospitals
Issues in Hospital HRM/PM
Role of HRM
Appraisals
Education
Rewards/Incentives
PM. HRM. Training and IT
Information Technologies (IT) and their Impact
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
Patient Care
Deficits and Challenges
Summary and Conclusions
Restatement of HRM Role
References
From the Paper "Performance Management (PM) is a system composed of an orderly series of programs designed to define, measure, and improve organizational performance (Katz & Green, 1997). It is a system developed to ensure compliance with requirements, that is, that staff are in compliance with written standards. PM uses the tools of statistical process control to form the basis for decisions about change. It incorporates the processes of performance awareness, performance measurement, and performance improvement.
Successful PM requires the creation, maintenance, use, and evaluations of mechanisms to define and revise standards and to inform those affected by the standards about them (Katz & Green, 1997). It requires the judicious deployment of fiscal, human, and material resources. It speaks directly to issues related to quality and such traditional quality-oriented tasks as quality assurance, quality control, and continuous quality improvement (CQI). In such disparate settings as sales organizations, hospitals, automobile and other manufacturing facilities, and schools, PM is a vital element of a cross-sectional, organization-wide strategy for coping with uncertainty, managing change, and "growing" an organization while satisfying client and customer needs (Skinner & Mabey, 1997)."
Abstract An analysis of the merger that took place between two car companies, Chrysler in the U.S.A. and Daimler-Benz in Germany. This paper looks at the concept of mergers and acquisitions generally, before using this specific example that took place to analyse the entire operation. The writer includes a look at the two companies at the time of the merger, the automobile industry in general, an analysis of the merger which took place and a review of its effects and results.
From the Paper "In addition to manufacturing automobiles and light trucks, Chrysler also sold defense-related products to the American military. It divested its Gulfstream Aerospace (a manufacturer of corporate jets) in the early 1990s, and in 1997, received more than 96 percent of its revenues and 87 percent of its profits from its automotive sales (Levy, 1998, p. 532). Daimler-Benz, on the other hand, participated not only in the automotive industry, but also in aerospace, defense product and space systems. The company was also a significant participant in the Airbus consortium."
Abstract This paper provides a brief summary of this famous work written in 1848 by Marx and Engels. It explains how the authors describe the process by which humanity has become divided into two distinct and opposing social classes: the proletariat (the property-less working class) and the bourgeoisie(the property-owning class). It shows that Marx and Engels argue that the relationship between the classes has become agitated beyond repair, laying the foundation for an inevitable proletarian revolution.
From the Paper ""The Communist Manifesto" opens with the assertion that "The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles"(p. 57). From this, the essence of the Manifesto is derived. Marx and Engels present humanity as divided most distinctly along lines of social class. As the world has traversed into modernity, the nature of this distinction has simplified. By the mid-19th century, Marx and Engels believed that the breakdown of society between the oppressed and the oppressors was bi-polar, symbolized in the antagonistic existence of "two great classes directly facing each other: bourgeoisie and proletariat"(p. 59). "
Abstract This paper will discuss the pros and cons of the Cuban embargo in Cuba set against Cuba by the United States, by analyzing the different economic results of this conflict, we will find out whom benefits from the embargo and who does not. The many different problems that both countries face, as a result of the boycott, will be explained in this paper and revealed.
Abstract An analysis of the current budget deficit and its causes--a slow economy, tremendous spending on the Iraq war and tax cuts. The paper also addresses the economic effect of a deficit on the economy and the desirable and adverse effects caused by a deficit. This essay concludes that spending would be more productive if directed to structural elements of the economy.
From the Paper "Budget deficits occur when government expenditure is greater than revenue, forcing the government to borrow to meet its requirements. There are many potential economic effects of a deficit; the most apparent is an expansionary effect on the economy caused by injections of money being greater than withdrawals. Fiscal policy, among many other mechanisms is used to manipulate the economy. However, budget deficits should be used as to not adversely affect the economy. The federal budget deficit set the new record of $374 billion in 2003, doubling last year's efforts (Fram). The record deficit has been caused by the slow economy, tremendous spending on the Iraq war and tax cuts for the rich. This indicates that the great America does not know how to balance the checkbook, and certainly does not know how to spend wisely."
Abstract The paper discusses the reasons why interest is prohibited in the religion of Islam and how it is better, in some way, from interest-based financial institutions. It then provides facts and figures supporting the growth of Islamic banks. The paper explains that the main points are the reasons for the prohibition of interest and their evil effects on society based on Islamic principles.
From the Paper "Need car finance for either a new or used car" We can accept people with or without previous credit problems. With rates as low as 6.9% APR (Annual percentage rate) there has never been a better time to use an Easy Loan to buy a holiday home, get a new car or simply pay off your existing debts,? says an advertisement on the MSN website. Who doesn"t need banking services" At different instances in our lives, we need banking services for various purposes: to finance new business ventures, buy a house, to buy a car, facilitate capital investment, undertake trading activities, and to offer a safe place for savings. However, whether interest should be charged on the loans or deposits is what differentiates Islamic Interest-free banks from the Western Banks. Islam forbids Muslims from dealings involving interest, not profit though (will be discussed later). But, in this modern world in which almost all the financial institutions are interest based, what option it leaves for the Muslims? Should they deny what their religion strictly forbids? Why are they strictly ordered to abstain from the method of financial dealings that the whole world has adopted? Why not they put efforts to introduce Islamic interest-free Banking in the western world which has dominated the entire globe? If that happens, are there any chances of success? Well, there are. Islamic interest-free banking can be a success and might prove even more beneficial to the financial institutions and the economy of the Western world than the current system of interest-based banking."
Abstract The paper provides an overview of recent research on the economic and labor impact of offshoring IT services to low-cost destinations. The research identifies key determinants, recent trends, occupations affected, magnitude, and benefits of offshoring to the U.S economy. The analysis indicates that the current wave of offshoring involves IT services threatens mainly white-collar occupations in the low-income group, but is counterbalanced by job creation in the high-income sectors. The research argues that the jobs lost to offshoring are a negligible percentage; on the other hand, the reduction in costs of IT services due to offshoring will increase labor productivity, job creation, boost Gross Domestic Product, and further strengthen the U.S. economy.
Table of Contents
Abstract
1 Background
2 Definition of Terms
3 Determinants of Offshore Outsourcing
4 Outsourcing and Productivity
5 Protectionist Measures
6 Conclusion
References
From the Paper "Traditionally, cost reduction has been the overwhelming motivation and perceived payback for outsourcing. While offshore outsourcing is not new (companies have been offshoring manufacturing for many years and reaping significant cost and productivity improvements), the offshoring of business processes is still in its infancy. In the past, outsourcing has often been used tactically, as a rapid and often short-term solution to a particular need or problem, which did not form part of an overall business strategy. The experience of manufacturing illustrated that when it is possible to do things cheaper elsewhere in the world, the work will migrate there. With the relentless pursuit of the lowest global costs, offshoring is getting institutionalized in many companies. So much that firms might resort to a strategic use of outsourcing by working with one or more suppliers in order to effect a significant improvement in business performance. This enables the firm to focus on those products that lie closest to the company's core capability set and consider jettisoning the rest. "
