Abstract
This paper contrasts the classical economic thinking with current actual economic occurrences. Classically, economics suggests the central bank of the United States, the Federal Reserve Bank, should raise the rate of interest to cool down a potentially overheated economy that may spiral into inflation, and lower the rate of interest to encourage spending amongst thrifty consumers who are saving when recession looms upon the horizon during an economic slow-down. However, the paper states that this is not the case in reality. The paper demonstrates that the Fed's own lack of confidence in its predictions highlights the difficulty of predicting the complex array of forces that affect the economy. Some examples mentioned include, consumer optimism, natural and political forces, and other areas beyond the Fed's immediate control, which must come into play when the Fed sets the rate of interest. The paper suggests that the Fed may want to be more cautious in creating monetary policy for the economy, because it can affect many lives in doing so. However, it asserts that the Fed's influence is only likely to increase rather than decrease in the future, and all consumers can do is attempt to alter their buying and borrowing habits in light of their own predictions of the Fed chairman's behavior.

From the Paper
"Today, the Fed has held the key interest rate steady at 5.25 percent for 'just over a year' and seems unlikely to raise rats in the future ('Public affects inflation,' AP Wire, 2007). But although it has defended its recent policy, the Fed admits that its decisions are never a science, and it weights the potential accuracy of forecasts in light of consumer psychology. The current chairman Ben Bernanke said this means that the Fed cannot ignore the threat of inflation anymore than it can ignore indebted consumers who are worried about the effect of high interest rates upon their monthly budget. 'If investors, consumers and businesses feel confident that the Fed will keep prices stable...they may be less inclined to act in ways that could aggravate inflation,' because 'these groups may be less inclined in such circumstances to worry that inflation will eat away at investments and paychecks, and might feel better about longer-term financial planning' ('Public affects inflation,' AP Wire, 2007). In short, consumers living off of their assets, like retirees, may be more willing to spend more freely if they feel those assets are not in jeopardy."

Tags:forces, classical, economics, consumers, confidence, policy

Abstract
This paper discusses the need to develop innovative adjustments, refunds and returns policies to encourage new customers and customer loyalty in the retail industry. The author includes the online retail industry in this discussion and looks at the initial challenges this e-commerce format of retail business faces. The paper also examines the challenges within the retail sector with respect to the handling of merchandise adjustments, refunds and returns as well as provides an analysis of solutions that are most effective within the concrete retail stores and online environments.

From the Paper
"This was a large hurdle for e-commerce businesses, as the initial connotations associated with the Internet were rather dismal. Individuals expected to run into hustlers and con artists over the Internet, and thus were fearful of sending out personal details to make purchases. Included in this problem was the issue of how to securely deal with online transactions, since it was a while before security certificates became an easily accessible commodity for e-commerce websites. Despite this, the industry developed solutions, and customers did being to flow, quite heavily, through the doors of the cyberspace shopping Mecca!"

Tags:retail industry, internet, online shopping, customer service

Abstract
This paper will first briefly cover structural adjustments in terms of meanings, aims, problems, and context, positive and negative results. This paper will then look at India and focus upon the visions of development and the realities of the structural adjustments made by P.M. Rao; namely, his economic reforms which opened India to the international market. These reforms, carried out by Finance Minister M. Singh transformed the economic structure of India and have resulted in ubiquitous social, ideological and political changes.

From the Paper
"THE PROCESS OF AGING: ADJUSTMENTS REQUIRED
TO ASSURE CONTINUED WELL-BEING

Introduction
This research examines the process of aging. The focus of this examination is on the life adjustments required by individuals as they age in order to assure or at least enhance the probability of continued well-being.

The Aging Process
All life-stage theories of human development are concerned with the aging process (Heikkinen, 1993, pp. 269-277). Within this context, three types of aging are involved. Biological aging refers to the manner in which the body functions over time, while psychological aging involves the individual's perceptions of the aging process, and social aging reflects the ways ..."

From the Paper
"This research examines Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 16, Prior Period Adjustments. Of particular interest in this examination are the reasons prompting the development of Statement No. 16, the provisions of Statement No. 16, and the key issues addressed by the FASB in the development of Statement No. 16, including a consideration of arguments pro and con on the issues addressed.
In the mid-1970s, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Committee on SEC Regulations requested that the FASB consider the criteria for prior period adjustments, as those criteria were stated in APB Opinion No. 9, Reporting the Results of Operations, and provide further guidelines for the application of such criteria.1 APB Opinion No. 9 stated, among other things, that prior period adjustments were limited to the..."

Abstract
In recent years, it has become obvious that the countries of Africa are not getting any better financially in spite of structural adjustment programs (SAP) and IMF programs. In fact, unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy continue to rise. Immortality is on the rise, with many children not living to see their fifth birthday. This paper looks at why Africa's people live in poverty in spite of its large number of natural resources and attempts to provide insight into ways that can assist it into becoming more self-sufficient.
Outline
Introduction
Commencement of Problem
Summary of Projected Solution
Effects of the SAPs
Overview of Structural Adjustment Programs
Description of SAPs and IMF Programs
Objectives of SAPs
Effects of SAPs on the Economy
Key Issues of the Program
Program Focus
Potential for Success
Effects on Domestic Economy
Disadvantages
Structural Adjustment Effects in Africa
Overview
Conditionality
Effects on African Economy
Credibility of SAPs
Privatization
Potential for Success
Key Issues
Performance Management
Description
Working Under SAPs
Impact on Trade Unions
Effects of SAPs
Possible Solutions
Labor Laws
Impact on Trade Unions
Role of Trade/Labor Unions
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The continent of Africa has been plagued by debt since it gained its independence from Europe, and the majority of those debts are owed to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Even though these organizations have only been officially in existence since their conception in 1944, the conditions of the IMF and World Bank existed long before that time. As of 2004, Africa's debts to the IMF and World Bank stood at over $300 billion, and it is unlikely that that number is representative of revenues lost to Europe and America since those monies have increased poverty rather than being beneficial to Africa. Every year a total of $15 billion is transferred from the poorest countries in Africa and other places in the world to the richest countries through interest payments."

Tags:bank, debt, financial, fund, global, hipc, interest, international, markets, monetary, poverty, rates, relief, structural, unemployment, world

Abstract
In this article, the writer examines the controversial issues using the rational examination of ideas based on logic and current research instead of emotions. This paper focuses on proponent's arguments and oppositional argument's of using Quality Adjusted Life Years or QALYs when deciding how healthcare resources should be allocated. Both sides of the issue are presented. The term Quality Adjusted Life Years is first defined by the World Health Organization. The researcher then presents both sides of the issue, offering a synopsis of the proponent's side and opponent's side of the QALY issue. Following this a summary of opinions and declarations is offered for review and discussion.

Outline:
Introduction
Proponents
Opposition
Conclusions
References

From the Paper
" The purpose of QALY is primarily to decide how healthcare resources should be allocated. The use of QALY for example, may help determine which patients are eligible for participation in quality clinical trials. From a health insurance perspective, quality adjusted life years may impact the calculation of cost for a person or their family. In fact, health insurance companies have long relied on similar calculations to decide what premium participants may pay. They base their analysis on factors much like QALY including the individual's projected lifespan, current health and medical history. These elements are all used to decide how much insurance an individual will qualify for (based on their life expectancy and health). While even this process is controversial for some, by and large it is widely accepted as a tool for measuring how much insurance can or cannot be offered an individual. "

Tags:patients, doctors, function, symptoms

Abstract
This paper discusses structural adjustment policies (SAPs), which are those policies that the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have put forward over many years to developing nations. The paper particularly discusses the problems with these policies and how they have negatively affected developing nations. The paper then proposes solutions to the problems that have been created by these policies.

Table of Contents:
Thesis
Explanation Of Structural Adjustment
What Is The World Bank's Impact
Pros/Cons
Conclusion

From the Paper
"On the subject of Africa, the WB, and structural adjustment programs, an article in the Journal of Asian and African Studies (Gibson 2004) asserts that it is "now generally accepted in African studies" that the 20-plus years that Africa has been under the dictates of structural adjustment "...has been a devastating failure." Not only have the WB policies "failed," Gibson writes, but indeed the continent of Africa has "moved from 'crisis' to 'tragedy.'" And what is the reason for this reported slide into tragedy? From the WB's perspective, Gibson explains, Africa's economic performance has been poor; African "elites" and "government patronage" have drained the nations in Africa of the resources that the WB has tried to provide, in the view of the WB. The promises of security, health, and education, made by the WB when the loans were approved, "can no longer be met," Gibson goes on."

Tags:Africa, monetary, IMF, WB, globalization

Abstract
Structural Adjustment Policies are economic policies which countries must follow in order to qualify for international loans. This paper examines structural adjustment policies as applied to contemporary Africa and the extent to which these policies may or may not be relevant. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular Malawi, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Botswana, are cited as useful case-studies in evaluating the programs. It also analyzes the effects of these policies on health, education, transportation, national budgets and devaluation.

From the Paper
"From the late 1970s and into the 1980s, there have been a great many arguments concerning the introduction of structural adjustment policies in African territories. In essence, when one speaks of an on-going debate about the relevance of structural adjustment policies, one speaks to the fact that structural adjustment policies had both positive and negative effects on African countries, such as Gambia, Lesotho, Malawi, Uganda, Cote d Ivoire, Zaire, Ghana and Zambia, as well as most of Sub-Saharan Africa collectively. By extension, therefore, the debate proceeds as to whether structural adjustment policies were substantively or inherently ineffective, since most of the people suffering under such programmes were the poor and the disadvantaged, a great portion of them being women. Other main arguments concern the fact that by the professed stabilization or restructuring of economies, adjustment policies stressed cuts in expenditure and the reduction of subsidies as well as limited public sector involvement that often augured well for education programmes. The reduction in expenditure on health programmes also caused health risks in the form of the deprivation of Africans of needed facilities and medicines, for example, for diseases such as HIV/AIDS."

Tags:aids, development, economic, health, poverty, globalization, imf, world, bank

Abstract
The paper examines structural adjustment as applied to the Caribbean and specifically to Jamaica. It shows how structural adjustment polices created severe strain on the Jamaican economy during the fifteen years of their implementation and operationalization. In particular, it evaluates the implications on levels of poverty and the negative social effects, such as increased unemployment, fall in real wages, income, investment and social standards which came about as a direct result of the implementation.

From the Paper
"The problem of poverty cannot be explained using the simple argument of failed public sector enterprises or balance of payment crises. Rather, believe it or not, transactions between the IMF, World Bank and Jamaica created dependency relations, which further depleted economic, social and infra-structural resources in the economy. Hence, poverty increased because these multilateral agencies carried conditionalities for repayment of loans."

Tags:bank, micro, macro, economic, stability, imf, loan, repayment