This paper reviews the article "JapaneseIndustrialFinance at the Close of the 19th Century: Trade Credit and Financial Intermediation" by Y. Miwa and M. Ramseyer.
Abstract The paper discusses Japan's economic development at the turn of the 19th century with respect to an article published by Miwa and Ramseyer entitled, "JapaneseIndustrialFinance at the Close of the 19th Century: Trade Credit and Financial Intermediation." The paper is of the opinion that the article is useful and largely successful at supporting the authors' points. The paper points out, however, that the article is prefaced with an over abundance of historical data that is, at best, only partially relevant from a historical perspective.
From the Paper "This article discusses several issues relevant to the Japanese economic experience during the late 19th century as it relates to financial revolutions that anticipate rapid economic growth. The observation is made that Japan did experience such a financial upheaval but that it was not artificially inspired but rather the natural by-product of private investor demands for greater financial infrastructures. Additionally, the authors observe that while securities existed in tandem with traditional bank credit structures, trade credit was largely relied upon in order to raise capital for ongoing industrial expansion."
Tags: economic, growth, bank, credit, capital, expansion, silk, industry
Abstract This paper reviews the "Fortune Magazine" article "The Not-so-friendly Skies of Europe" This article was about the European Union's decision to add additional environmental regulations to the airline industry. The reviewer argues that these regulations came at a bad time for the airline industry, and gives examples in the paper. The reviewer also gives a critique of some of the EU's economic policies and how they affect the US, and specifically the travel industry.
Outline:
Article Summary
Analysis
Works Cited
From the Paper " Although the EU in the popular and academic press is often debated in terms of its negative or positive effect as a homogenizing influence upon its member states, which has resulted in the banning of once popular regional products like French raw milk cheese, the alternation of traditional schedules such as the elimination of the customary siesta taken in Greece and Spain, and the capping of state aid to what the EU believes should be privately run industries like airlines, such new emissions regulations indicate how the behemoth economic entity known as the EU can also affect American industries at home, through its regulatory influence and its sheer size. The EU is not simply posing a competing threat for American industry, but its different views on regulation will have an impact upon America economic health, whether Americans like this or not."
Abstract This paper examines the Japanese culture and its relationship to banking. The characteristics of Japanese banking are outlined, and two socio-economic constructs, known as the "zaibatsu" and "keiretsu", are discussed. These socio-economic constructs illustrate strong historical links between banks and industry in Japan. The differences between Japanese and Western capitalism are explained.
From the Paper "Several years ago, researchers began investigating the relationship between Japanese Capitalism and Western Capitalism. Johnson (1993) pointed out that the differences between the two types of Capitalism are profound and point to changing and evolving theories of economics. This dichotomy of attitudes is the result, suggests Johnson, of many factors, most predominant of which was a certain blindness on the part of the West to acknowledge that Japanese capitalism was indeed different from the laissez-faire construct of the West (Aoki, 1988)."
This in-depth paper a provides a benchmark pertaining to the careers of bank managers in Pakistan, while also delving into the banking industry in the Islamic run country.
Abstract This well-researched paper examines Pakistan's evolving and constantly developing banking industry from the 1940s and up the present. The writer of this paper supplies in-depth insight into the pressures as well as the numerous financial and cultural demands and expectations currently facing bank managers in both the private and public banking sectors. This paper analyzes Pakistan's political history and its resulting impact on the country's banking industry. The writer of this paper delves into Pakistan's socio-political culture which greatly affects the vision, goals and leadership style of the country's bank managers. This paper also contains various financial tables, lists and illustrated graphs pertaining to this particular topic.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Political and Financial History Intertwined
Effect on Pakistani Bank Managers
Cautionary Tales
The Opposite Side of the Coin
Pakistani Banking Structure
Pakistani Banking: Recent Past
Upsetting Events in Pakistan's Banking History vis-a'-vis Managers
The Best Bank
Other Banks
Challenges for Managers in the Banking Industry Current Initiatives
Literature Review Summary
Statement of Research Question
Methodology
Findings
Manager One: NBP Managers
Manager Two: New Hire from Lahore Business School
Manager Three: Year 2000 Graduate of a Business College in Germany
Manager Four: Islamic Bank Manager
Manager Five: Graduate of Irish Business College
Manager Six: Recently Promoted Manager at a Local Branch in the Capital
Manager Seven: Human Resources Manager at the Islamic Bank
Manager Eight: Temporary Branch Manager in Small Town
Manager Nine: Former Bank Employee, Government Bank
Manager Ten: Graduate of Lahore Business College (2)
Bank Manager Career Themes
Discussion
Conclusion
Appendix A: Islamic Modes of Financing Appendix B: Recent Listing of Banks Operating in Pakistan
Appendix C: Questions for Bank Manager Interviews and Process
Appendix D: Recommendations by Mehmood-Ul-Hassan Khan
References
From the Paper "The best way to determine what the future might hold is to understand the past and the present, and add to that the changes seen by experts on the horizon. Therefore, constructing the history of Pakistani banking forms a major part of the current research; outlining contemporaneous changes and decisions regarding Pakistani banking made by its most senior officials is also important to understanding the influences on bank manager career tracks and attitudes. In addition, an extensive literature review of those factors that generally contribute t manager career orientation in any business will help understand the Pakistani bank managers' positions. Interviews with at least a few current Pakistani bank managers will display the attitudes they currently hold, and provide insight into what they expect in the future and what would make them more or less career-oriented."
Tags:finance, islam, banking, private, public, political, labor, muslim, economy, international
Abstract This paper offers a personal discussion on obtaining a degree and a career in finance. It explores the career options, the pitfalls and the areas in which specific tasks are performed in the industry.
From the Paper "I am currently working on my AA degree. Once I have received my AA degree, I plan to transfer immediately to a four year college to earn a bachelor's degree in finance. I have already done research on finance as a major to make certain that I have taken both the required and the recommended classes as a part of my AA degree program. I learned that the School of Business at the college I want to attend is currently impacted ..."
Tags:finance, accounting, career, finance major, job options, controller, treasurer, college degree, earning potential, career path, CFO, Vice President of Finance
Abstract This paper focuses on two chapters from Brett De Bary's translation of 'Origins of Modern Japanese Literature' by Karatani Kojin. This paper introduces a distinctively Japanese regard for landscape in relation to literature, and discusses what Kojin referred to as the 'discovery of Interiority'. The paper reviews these chapters as they are a helpful introduction to other trends in modern Japanese literature before the rise of militarism.The rise in militarism heralded the War in the Pacific that brought the destruction of the Japanese'modern' order as it is known.
From the Paper "Foreign influence of the later 19th century inspired reflection on Japanese literature hitherto shaped by Confucian/Chinese literary culture. Several reformers appeared, esp. Soseki of early 20th century to inspire a strongly Japanese expression; focus on landscape as background for human activity, and conveying of human psychology. Expression then delayed by rise of Japanese militarism in 1920s and 1930s; much of what we understand, now, did not surface strongly till after 1949. Mainly course material references."
Abstract This paper explains that the Canadian mortgage industry is one that closely mirrors its US counterpart, albeit on a smaller scale. The paper then explains how these industries also differ in that the risk to a Canadian in a stagnant or even shrinking economy faced by inflation issues is much greater than in the US because of the greater tax burden in the Canadian market. In contrast to Canada, the US mortgage industry and consumers have the benefit of an economy that exhibits greater diversification and a lower overall tax rate that allows its consumers to absorb a greater economic downturn.
Abstract This paper critically reviews "Picture Brides" by Tomoko Makabe, a Japanese woman living in Canada, who became fascinated by the fact that women would go overseas to marry men they did not know. The author of this paper feels that, while the book is interesting to read, a person aware of Japan's 19th and 20th century history, and the longer story of the Japanese in North America will find little that is so 'amazing' in the experience of the five women informing Makabe's work.
From the Paper "Also, the phenomenon to which Makabe gave her attention involved a range of factors to which she seems not to have given ample thought led by the extreme gaps in Japanese social classes in the 19th and 20th centuries. Young women choosing to marry abroad, as ever, were often people with few or no alternative prospects. Makabe seems not to have considered a number of factors of the kind. For instance, a somewhat irritating aspect of Picture Brides is the author's repeated reference to how courageous the picture brides were, in a manner showing that the author has failed to imagine the turn of the 20th century and the courage that all men and women without prospects in Japan, or anywhere else, needed in order to simply survive. Makabe's informants had come to Canada as picture brides in the 1920s, by which time many Japanese women had undertaken the same sorts of journeys, going to join a settled and working man of whom their families were apt to know little or nothing. In addition to traditional family methods of locating spouses, brokers were often involved, a woman taking some risk as ever in terms of how her husband across the world turned out to be but she went abroad with the approval of her family having settled a daughter and sometimes expecting remittance funds.
As an Oral History volume, Picture Brides would be better if the author had managed a shorter introduction on herself and tried for a briefer introduction to 100 years of Japanese in Canada. More weight should have been placed on events in Japan in the later 19th and early 20th centuries that made becoming a picture bride of appeal. For instance, Makabe notes that the women were from village backgrounds and notes how a newly industrializing Japan had few waged opportunities for women that most could not work beyond the home. She seems not to see either that as elsewhere in Asia, marriage was a necessity for poorer families, and that embarking across the world as a picture bride could solve various family problems. Becoming a picture bride was probably more strategic or simply straightforward than courageous or heroic. One gains the impression that the author was fairly sheltered or had not reflected on social reality of the time in either Japan or Canada when beginning research with the assistance of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario."
Abstract This paper presents a case study of the Honda company in Europe. More specifically, in an effort to ascertain whether or not changes are required to ensure the future profitability of the company in the European market, this paper compares Honda's corporate strategy in Europe directly with other automakers' strategies in Europe. Whereas other studies have focused their efforts on other major auto companies, such as Toyota and GM, this study focuses on Honda and Japanese corporate strategy in the European market.
From the Paper "The Japanese production system has been characterized as flexible, focusing on "lean production" which is why many automakers are interested in gleaning as much information as possible about Japanese strategic management practices (Womack, et. al, 1990). The Japanese production system does not focus on traditional mass production methods, but rather uses a "system of flexible production that is numerically controlled, reprogrammable machines capable of adapting movements to many different tasks" (Chapman et. al, 1995). In addition, worker in Japan are managed and trained in a flexible manner, learning to perform many different jobs instead of specializing in simply one (Chapman et. al, 1995). Production is usually organized in such a manner that "just in time" delivery or assembly is available, which "reduces the need for large inventories and floor space to accommodate it" (Chapman, et. al, 1995, p. 2)."
Abstract A strategic analysis of Wal-mart and its emergence as the biggest company in the world. The paper looks at the overall industry (scope, structure, dynamics and attractiveness), the competitors in the market (strategic groupings, firm rivalry, future competition) and ties everything together with a comprehensive report on Wal-mart (market position, strategy gap, organizational model, company performance).
Table of Contents:
Industry Analysis
Industry Scope
Products
Customers
Geography
Industry Structure
Industry Dynamics
Consolidation
In-Store Services
Internet Groceries
Industry Attractiveness
Competitor Analysis
Competitor Grouping
By Definition
By Strategy
Firm Rivalry And Future Competition
Internal Factors
External Factors
Company Analysis
Market Position
Organization / Structure
Corporate Strategy
Company Performance
Company Recommendations
Figures
Reference List
From the Paper "The food retail industry is a massive industry that reaches into every home in America. The industry is characterized by significant economies of scale, complex distribution networks, and razor-thin margins. As a very mature industry, firms seek out any opportunity for differentiation to gain competitive advantages. With high capital investment and other barriers to entry, newcomers are not likely to succeed in the industry. In the future, we will continue to see the addition of value-added services to the traditional retail formats and increased consolidation as the industry leaders struggle to grab market share."
Abstract The writer of this paper analyzes the ongoing debates regarding the effects of fossil fuel emissions on the environment. This paper focuses on the role of the airline industry, which is a major contributor to this growing problem. This paper details the cause and effects of CO2 and NOx emissions, derived from the aviation industry and its resulting impact on the environment. This paper provides relevant insight into various aspects of the aviation industry, including the individual companies, aircraft manufacturers and ground support industries. This paper details the findings of the 2003 Rolls Royce environmental report, which stressed the need for immediate changes in the industry. The report emphasized the need to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This paper discusses what measures have been taken by carriers and manufacturers to control emission levels and reduce pollution. This paper delves into the business practices of various companies, including JetBlue, which currently utilizes some of the most fuel efficient aircrafts available. This paper examines and details the new breakthrough technologies, that are proven successful in substantially reducing air pollution levels. This paper also contains an illustrative graph, citing toxic emission levels, relevant to this particular topic.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Fossil Fuels and Efficiency
Aviation and the Ozone Layer and Acid Rain
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "Another area for improvement in regard to fuel efficiency and reduced pollution in the aviation industry comes down to how carriers use airports for landing, loading and getting the plains back in the air. "Large airlines use a hub-and-spoke model in which flights are clustered around peak flying times at a few major airports. Low-cost carriers, such as Southwest Airlines, JetBlue Airways and AirTran Airways, do not use hub airports. Instead, they fly "point-to-point," which means they adjust their schedules and routes frequently to keep airplanes flying longer with the maximum number of passengers. The hub-and-spoke model is the most convenient for passengers, but the "point-to-point" system can bring in the most money on shorter routes. The hub and spoke model used by the major airlines for example has been the industry standard for many years because of the advantage of providing a broad geographic umbrella."
Abstract The paper looks at the 1994 "The New World of Microenterprise Finance", which discusses the issue of building healthy financial institutions for the poor throughout the developing world. It examines each article and analyzes the various strategies suggested to finance these microbusinesses. The innovative ideas presented are discussed.
From the Paper " The New World of Microenterprise Finance, edited by Maria Otero and Elisabeth Rhyne, is a collection of critical articles on the subject of microenterprise development, with a particular focus on various strategies to finance these microbusinesses in a range of contexts throughout the developing world. Beginning with a general description and analysis of the microenterprise concept in theory and practice, this review will proceed to examine in critical detail the range of contributions in this collection."
Abstract This paper reviews the requirements for health care finance and accounting. The paper describes the financial environment within which healthcare financial administrators perform their functions, such as accounting, financial planning, budgeting and financial control. The paper also examines the effect of growth of the managed care sector.
Tags: Accounting, health care, managed care, finance
Abstract This paper discusses the novels of prolific Japanese author Natsume Soseki, which offer an interesting expose into life during the era of Emperor Meiji ,as well as a first hand account of the education system of that time. The paper summarizes the information that Soseki provides about Emperor Meiji and the reforms he implemented, which emphasized both nationalism and the integration of foreign ideals. The paper also points out that Soseki's novels reveal that, though change was afoot in Tokyo and intellectual thought was advancing, many of the traditional Japanese ideals still held fast amongst city and country folk alike.
Abstract This paper examines the commercial banking industry and presents the statistical facts of several financial services firms. The paper discusses Citigroup, Inc., Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, Wachovia, and Wells Fargo. The paper describes how applications of new technology have radically transformed the financial services industry.
From the Paper "In 2003, Citigroup, Inc. was the world's largest financial services firm. It sold $94,713 million by December at annual growth rate of 2.3% (Caione 2004) and netted profits at $ 17,853 at an annual rate of 16.9%. With its numerous subsidiaries, Citigroup offers banking loans, asset management, insurance, investment bank and virtually every other retail and corporate financial service conceivable through its more than 3,000 bank branches and finance offices in the US and Canada and 1,500 other locations in close to 100 other countries worldwide (Caione)."
