Abstract This is a short paper reviewing the June 2005 web posting to the Guidant.com website highlighting Medicare's payment system to hospitals for inpatient and outpatient services and Medicare's Resource Based Relative Value Unit payment system to physicians. The article is divided into 5 major sections plus a well designed diagram and the paper follows the same topical outline.
From the Paper "Medicare, Medicaid and various governmental or public health insurances are continually under scrutiny and revision with current plans for revision looking at the Japanese model of paying a physician: paying physicians and hospitals based on keeping individuals well. Medicare is one of the most widely discussed and most frequently revised plans. "
Abstract This paper explains that the existence of a union within a team culture can be detrimental to promoting the fundamental concepts of self-directed teamwork. The author points out that, while it would seem that the political problems could possibly be overcome as trust builds over time, the basic problems are the seniority provisions of collective bargaining agreements versus the basic concepts of self-directed teamwork. The paper states that, as long as the seniority rules with respect to job promotions and craft boundaries continue to exist, unionized companies will never be able to fully realize the benefits of a self-directed team-based work force and, if not corrected, unionized companies will continue to pay out huge production bonuses but only get a fraction of the pay off.
Table of Contents
Terms Defined
The Issue of Union Seniority versus Team Culture
Union Politics
Conclusion
From the Paper "In the 1980's, while American manufacturing companies were utilizing organizational charts and multi-layered management personnel, foreign countries were restructuring their organizations to be streamlined, flexible, and responsive to customer needs. Consequently, American manufacturers lost a significant amount of business to the foreign markets. Many of the foreign manufacturers were practicing the principle that each employee had unused potential and that all organizations could run leaner by encouraging greater levels of employee participation. Manufacturers began to realize that to meet the demand for shorter delivery time and higher customer satisfaction, employees at the lower levels would have to become more responsible for the outcome of the product."
Abstract This essay answers the question of whether we live in a society dominated by other directed people. It suggests that we do live in an other directed society. The film 'Fight Club' is used in conjunction with arguments made by academics to prove this central argument.
From the Paper "Sociologists, anthropologists, political scientists and a whole range of other researchers have been struggling with the question of what type of society we live in. Many of these researchers have taken a special interest on what informs and motivates individuals. In particular many of these researchers are interested in whether society is being dominated by other directed people."
Abstract This paper addresses foreign direct investment in India. It discusses laws and regulations, pros and cons from the legal side, restrictions on FDO, and advantages or disadvantages of building a plant in India to manufacture scooters.
From the Paper "According to an essay published on the Government of India's Ministry of Finance website in recognition of the importance of Foreign Direct Investment FDI in stimulating economic growth, the government of India has been reforming laws ..."
Tags: FDI, foreign direct investment, india, free trade, protectionism, taxation, government intervention
Abstract This paper explains the way direct relationship investments are established. The author points out the effects of globalization and the emergence of new trade relationships to economics. The paper relates FDI patterns and major trends.
From the Paper "The International Monetary Fund (IMF) defines foreign direct investment (FDI) as a category of international investment, reflecting the objective of a resident in one economy, the direct investor, obtaining a lasting interest in an enterprise resident in another economy, the direct investment enterprise. The lasting interest implies that a long-term relationship between the parties is desirable and that there will be significant degree of influence by the investor on the management of the enterprise. A direct investment relationship is established when the direct investor ..."
Tags: foreign direct investment, developing nations
This paper examines the advantages and disadvantages of the legacy payment method which is currently the most widely used form of payment, aside from the direct use of cash.
Abstract This paper explores the various legacy purchase methods currently available which include credit cards, checks and online purchasing, which have basically done away with the need for actual cash. This paper details the various benefits to purchasing items and conducting business by way of a legacy payment method. This paper examines the numerous types of transactions that can be done with the use of a credit card including renting a car, hotel reservations, online and phone purchases. The writer of this paper also delves into the drawbacks of this particular payment method including the risk of exposing personal and financial information to third parties, when paying by credit card. This paper discusses the numerous problems that can arise when making purchases online where personal information is often vulnerable to exposure and unauthorized access. This paper also delves into the various technologies now available which help protect personal and sensitive information from being stolen which include the implementation of encrypted and secure websites.
Table of Contents:
Advantages
Disadvantages
Bibliography
From the Paper "One of the most critical issues that exist in the use of legacy payment methods in a networked environment, such as the credit card, is how secured are the financial and personal information of the credit card users. Especially when used online, where information is oftentimes vulnerable to threats and unauthorized access, there is a high possibility that credit card information may not be secured. This thus is causing great concerns for consumers. One of the processes when using credit cards in an online trading activity is the transmission of credit card numbers. If the server or web site that handles the information exchange between the consumer and the receiver is susceptible to unauthorized access, there is a chance that the credit card information may be stolen and used by another person for his own personal transactions."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of electronic payment methods and outlines the relative advantages of electronic payment methods both for customer service and increased profitability. The main features of electronic payment cards, which include credit cards, virtual credit cards, debit cards, and charge cards, are described, and the main characteristics of successful e-payment methods are outlined. The recent successes of PayPal and VeriSign are outlined, and the author's personal interest in the subject is discussed.
Outline
Electronic Payment Methods
Main Features of Electronic Payment Methods
Electronic Payment Methods, PayPal and VeriSign
Personal Interest in Electronic Payment Methods
Additional Information on Electronic Payment Methods
From the Paper "Successful e-payment methods share a number of characteristics. These are: independence, interoperability and portability, security, anonymity, divisibility, ease of use, and transaction fees. Independence refers to the ability of e-commerce methods to operate without installing specialized software. Those e-commerce methods that do not require specialized hardware or software are more likely to be successful. Interoperability and portability refers to the ability of forms of e-commerce to interlink with other enterprise applications and systems. Security is an important consideration that encompasses the safety of the transfer and the chance of the transfer being intercepted. Anonymity is a characteristic of cash payments, where payment cannot be traced back to the buyer."
This paper discusses and analyzes the United States balance of payments, an overall statement of all economic transactions between the U.S. and all other countries over a year's time.
Abstract This paper analyzes line-by-line the tables that represent the Balance of Payments and show the amount of money received from other parts of the world and the amount spent abroad. The author concludes that the recession of 2001 had only a marginal impact on the trade deficit, mostly because the rest of the world had weakened along with the U.S..
Table of Content
Introduction
Item Analysis
Current Account
Capital Account
What the Balance of Payments Says About the Economy
Balance of Payments in 2000 and 2001
Year 2000
Balance of Payments Data -- 2000 and 2001($millions)
Comparison of U.S. Balance of Payments Current Account Data Line 18-38
Comparison of U.S. Balance of Payments Data Capital Account
Analysis
From the Paper "Basically, the first section of the balance of payments is made up of a current balance, which summarizes imports and exports; net income on investments, such as payments of profits and interest on debt; and transfers between individuals. The second section represents a capital balance of payments that records investments and loans, including those made by multinationals and banks. U.S. Exports include all goods or services produced in the U.S. and sold to other countries in the international market. U.S. Imports are goods or services produced in other countries and sold in the United States. An increase in U.S. receipts (such as an increase in U.S. exports) will lead to increased demand for dollars and an increased supply of foreign currency on foreign exchange markets."
Abstract Mobile payment is paying for goods or services with a mobile device such as a phone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or other such device. They can be used in a variety of payment scenarios. Typical usage entails the user electing to make a mobile payment, being connected to a server via the mobile device to perform authentication and authorization and subsequently being presented with confirmation of the completed transaction. The paper focuses on Secure Mobile Payment Service (SEMOPS), a project for developing a secure, universal electronic payment service, which allows real time payment transactions independently of the type and value of the purchase.
From the Paper "The service concept follows a whole new approach in electronic commerce, as it is built on the credit push concept. Having selected the required goods the customer receives certain transaction related data from the merchant. Customers do not provide any sensitive data to the merchant during the payment process; therefore they can practically remain anonymous. Having received the necessary transaction details, the customer prepares and signs a payment request and forwards it to his or her own payment processor. If the necessary funds are available, the merchant receives a payment notification, which is a kind of guarantee from its own payment processor."
Abstract This paper analyzes Scotland's macroeconomic environment for consideration of foreign direct investment (FDI) by Canon Ltd. It discusses the labor pool, as well as the role of the trade unions. The paper then analyzes the make-up of the government in Scotland and its relevant policies. After analyzing these, and many other issues, it discusses whether it would be a good decision to build a Canon Copiers manufacturing plant in Scotland.
Table of Contents:
History
Canon Copiers
Language
Culture
Labour Pool
What the Government is Doing to Upgrade its Labor Pool
Workforce Skills
Unions
Government and Politics
Infrastructure
Energy
Transportation
Distance from Market
Scotland and the European Union
Currency and Banking
Balance of Payments Trading Partners
Resources
Analysis
From the Paper "In deciding whether to invest in a certain country for FDI you must take into consideration the macro environment of that country. You must take into consideration cost/tax factors, demand factors, strategic factors, regulatory/economic factors as well as sociopolitical factors. Obviously not all of these factors will be of equal importance, but depend on the type of firm as well as the goals of that firm. These factors will help you determine if the location is suitable to invest in. You may expand on advantages and disadvantages compare the two and decide if your will be successful. If you do decide to invest the company in the location any disadvantages must be minimized to create greater success."
Tags: infrastructure, labor, unions, sociopolitical, development
Abstract This paper presents a brief explanation of what a country's balance of payments is and the main elements of the balance of payments. The paper discusses the links between a country's balance of payments and its rate of economic growth, as well as the links between a country's balance of payments and the exchange rate of its currency. The paper analyzes the main reasons for the United States' balance of payments deficits over the past five years and examines the effects of these deficits upon the economy.
From the Paper "Currently, the U.S. in 2004 maintains a deficit in merchandise trade and the absence of strong net investment income inflows, a current account deficit. This has occurred for some time, but before these deficits were of not much concern, as they were theoretically and comfortably offset by the current account surpluses, such as the purchase of U.S. assets by foreign individuals and institutions. The result was such that net flow of receipts and payments was in balance, allowing for statistical discrepancy, without the need to any type of official transfers. (Ruby, 1999) But concern in light of the continuation of this state of affairs, combined with a weakened U.S. dollar has grown and the widening deficit reveals US continued and more sustained reliance on foreign cash than previously thought. (J Hughes, Financial Times, 15 September 2004) "
Abstract This paper explains that electronic banking, also known as electronic fund transfer or EFT, uses the computer and electronic technology instead of traditional checks and other paper transactions. The author points out that electronic payment systems, in comparison to tradition labor-intense systems, require human intervention only in specific problem cases thus saving the companies and their consumers time and money; however, customer self-service, through electronic payment systems, does not reduce costs if customers do not use it as an alternative to the traditional paper method. The paper relates that electronic commerce in developing countries permit better access to information and marketing opportunities but also have negative aspects such as delays and questionable security.
Table of Contents
Electronic Fund Transfer
Electronic Payment System
Global Electronic Payment Systems and E-Commerce
Electronic Payment Systems in Developing Countries
From the Paper "At present, business organizations, consumers and government agencies throughout the world take advantage of payment technologies to send and receive funds (Kushawara 2003). Consumers pay their taxes and make other payments electronically; governments receive these taxes and distribute refunds also electronically; and enterprises put these modern technological tools to move payments and other funds. Electronic business payments have proved valuable in saving money, improving efficiency and helping deliver better returns to shareholders. With these benefits, organizations are better able to use their financial and human resource on more important or critical objectives and activities than on processes that need to be automated."
Abstract This paper discusses the various payment methods across the United States. These payment methods consist of paper currency, checks, traveler's checks, debit cards, credit cards and newer payment methods. The newer payment methods are typified by PayPal which is clearly becoming a widely used and accepted form of payment beyond its original use related solely to eBay purchases.
From the Paper "Payment methods have evolved over time with and at the same pace as advances in technology. While physical currency is under no threat of disappearing in the near to mid-term, the changing buy and consumption habits of the United States' consumers is moving in tandem with evolving payment methods in a manner that makes physical currency seem less relevant. Some researchers describe this dynamic in the following manner: "All consumption activity has increasingly become technologically mediated over the past few decades. The shopping experience has been transformed by its technological infrastructure" (Lally, 2002, p.117). Increasingly, this technological mediation in the consumption experience is currency and payment related. No longer is cash considered king and many of the once cutting edge payment methods available to consumers are now considered quaint or archaic."
Abstract The paper discusses the prospective payment system developed as a quality comparison tool in order to address the increasing costs generated from the Medicare system. The paper relates that the federal government introduced the prospective payment plan into the Medicare system and that under this system, hospitals are paid a pre-determined rate for each Medicare admission.The paper then discusses the effectiveness of the payment system and highlights the strengths and weaknesses. The paper concludes that the prospective payment system has withstood the test of 22 years and its strengths and weaknesses will continue to be debated but according to government standards, it has been an effective system.
Outline:
Introduction
Effectiveness of Prospective Payment Strengths
Weaknesses
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Prospective Payment System is a way for spending to be curbed within the private sector (Tieman, 2003). Hospitals and healthcare facilities are given incentive to be efficient and cost-effective (Coulam and Gaumer, 1991). When the Prospective Payment System was implemented, there were strongly held expectations among promoters and skeptics (Coulam and Gaumer, 1991). Promoters of the policy hoped that payment reduction would be matched by lower levels of spending through a reduction in lengths of stay, a reduction in the intensity of care, and therefore, more efficient hospital operations. "
