Why has the UK's productivity lagged behind that of its major Article

Why has the UK's productivity lagged behind that of its major competitors and what can be done to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the UK economy - Article Example A person such as the Exchequer Gordon Brown’s UK Chancellor, in his speeches, productivity is his main theme. However, despite the fact that UK is lagging, it is far much at the forefront in terms of labor and capital markets structural amendments. To come up to the analysis that UK’s productivity is low, examination of the economy’s six sectors took place and the results indicated that it’s true that output was low. Those sectors examined are; car production, retailing software, telecoms, food processing and hotels. McKinsey Global Institute a global most highly regarded management consulting firm is the one that conducted the research regarding the matter. UK should address several issues to increase its output. One of the major concerns is increasing expenditure to boost high levels of research and development and reducing diversion of resources towards the public sector which is less productive. It is vital for the state to increase its level of investment despite the fact that the Crash of Lehman Brothers led damaged the country’s economy in the year 2008 because many other firms held off from investing in the modern, most efficient technology and processes. Businesses should enhance their levels of innovation, come up with good labor relations, improve their technology usage and adopt modern technology to ensure that businesses stay for long in their field. The government should come up with extra reforms in its business regulations in order to boost investment thus increasing productivity of the

Islam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Islam - Essay Example Sufis are not an ethnic or religious group. Sufism is a mystical movement in the Islamic world. The group was formed to counterweigh the increasing worldliness in the Muslim empire. The group was important in fighting rigid legalism in the orthodox religious leadership. Sufism searches for the direct mystical knowledge of divine love and knowledge. The group seeks to progress beyond mere intellectual knowledge into mystical experiences. Sufism has an important role in the formation of Muslim societies through educating masses and channeling their emotions. They are also important in that they have converted new regions into Islam. There are five pillar of Islam. The first pillar of Islam is the profession of faith. Muslims recite the creed as a way of bearing witness in the union of the faith. The creed is the profound statement that expresses a Muslim’s acceptance and absolute commitment to the Islamic faith. Prayer is the second pillar of Islam. The faith insists that the in dividual must have direct relationship with God. Salah can be performed alone. However, it is considered meritorious to perform Salah with a group. It is also permissible to pray at home and work. It is preferable to perform the Salah in a mosque. Zakat The third arm is almsgiving. The social responsibility is viewed as a divine duty in the Islamic service. Zakat prescribes the payment of the fixed proportions of the possessions of Muslims for the welfare of the less fortunate and the entire community (Ibrahim, 1997). The equivalent of 2.5 percent of a Muslim’s net worth should fall under this pillar in terms of commitment to the faith. This excludes family expenses and obligations. Sawm Fasting in the month of Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam. The fast is ordained in the Holy Quran. During the fast, Muslims seek a deeper perception of divine issues and personal worship. The fast is an act of self-control and heightened sensitivity to the needy. After the fast, Eid ul-Fi tr festival is held to celebrate the end of the fast. Hajj This is the pilgrimage to Makkah. This is the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith. Hajj is a once in a lifetime duty which is considered to be the peak of the religious faith (Ibrahim, 1997). In performing Hajj, pilgrims follow the orders of the ritual from Prophet Muhammad as performed in the last pilgrimage. 3. Contrast contemporary Sunni and Shiite Muslims. Shia and Sunni are two branches in the Islamic faith. The differences between the groups is said to have stemmed from political struggles which emerged after the death of Prophet Muhammad. Shin is said to have originated from Egypt and Morocco while Sunnis are said to have emerged from Saudi Arabia. While the Shiites are about 120 million in number, Sunnis are estimated to have a population of about 1.2 billion. Shiites have Imams, Ayatollah ul uzma, Allama and Mujtahid as part of their clergy (BBC, 2009). The Sunnis have Mullahs and Caliphs only. Shiites b elieve that their teachings originated from the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and they hold that his son-in-law, Ali, became his successor. Unlike the Shiites, the Sunnis believe that that prophet Muhammad was succeeded by his close friend Abu Bakr. Shiites believe

Valuation of Nonlisted Companies in Emerging Markets Essay

Valuation of Nonlisted Companies in Emerging Markets - Essay Example Rapid changes are taking place in the economies of these countries and they provide a wonderful ground for investors to reap huge benefits. When compared to the developed world, the return on investment in these economies is higher and faster, as the rate of industrialization and growth in niche sectors is rapid. While we talk of investment, we have to distinguish between investment in listed companies and non-listed companies in these emerging economies. There is a difference in the way investments and returns are made in listed and non-listed companies. While listed companies are governed by stringent rules dictated by the respective governments, non-listed companies enjoy a certain degree of autonomy in their operations. There is a difference in the valuations of these non listed companies as compared to the listed companies. It is very important to critically examine the valuations of these non-listed companies in emerging markets, before a foreign or even a domestic investor puts in his capital. In the International Experts Meeting on Corporate Governance of non Listed Companies, held in Istanbul, Turkey on 19-29 April, 2005, a large number of policy makers, business leaders and other experts deliberated on the issues of corporate governance of non listed companies, namely different ownerships, sourcing of capital, transparency requirements, professional management and the role of the policy makers in ensuring the above-mentioned factors. This meeting was organized by the OECD and had participants from 36 countries1.The group concluded that there was a need for better corporate governance, meeting compliances, increase in size and capital ploughed in, transparency and working towards shareholders' benefit in non listed companies in the emerging markets to help the economy which, in many case was dependent on the success of these family-owned entities. In another study conducted in Chile, it was found that in some case, there is a conflict of interests between controlling and minority stakeholders. Pyramids seem to be an effective way of separating cash from controlling rights. This is an effective way for economic groups to exercise control over productive assets and to establish internal capital mechanisms that can compensate for poorly developed formal markets. However, establishment of pyramids could be detrimental to the market value of companies and to the economy of the country as well2. Research Process After reviewing the available literature, it seems logical to go about the research process by undertaking a study of non- listed companies in emerging markets, the main examples being China, India, Russia, Brazil. This would represent almost the majority of the developing world. A relative analysis of company ownership, cost of capital, cost of resources, market valuations, professional management, corporate governance and popularity on the local and international stock markets could be carried out. Two cases per country: one of a listed company and another of a non-listed company could be compared and the discussions and results arrived at. A study of each country's policies in the area of listed and non-listed companies would also have to be undertaken, and the need for improvement/change in

Ethical And critical Thinking Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethical And critical Thinking - Research Paper Example He was of the view that due to more guns being carried around on the streets, there is more danger present. Therefore, atleast certain gun control measures would be needed for security purposes. This point of view was backed up by the death of 32 people shot dead on the Virgina Tech campus on April 16, 2007. (Carpenter) Eventhough this article was structured in a way that adds more authenticity to it by using several direct quotes, it lacks analysis and the evaluation from the writer’s own perspective. She could’ve used facts to prove a view point. One fact could have been that the Brady Bill and the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 have resulted in the decrease in violent crimes (40 Reasons Guns Should be Banned). The flow of ideas in the article could have been smoother and Amanda Carpenter could have used more facts and statistics to back up her comparisons of Obama with Hillary Clinton. Amanda B. Carpenter has great credibility to her name. A coloumnist for The Washington Times, as well as an author, blogger and commentator, she has vast experience and knowledge about political and cultural issues. Writing for a renowned paper such as Washington Times and with no allegations towards her for being biased, the article can be labelled as credible and authentic. This article, opposes the viewpoint of Obama and talks about why it is a must for all citizens to carry concealed weapons. The author, Benjamin Shapiro, adopts a very sarcastic and manipulative style of writing in his article. He starts off talking about a case in which the 27 year old Alan Senitt was killed in a rape attempt on his female companion. He then moves on to discuss how every individal has the right to protect himself. (Shapiro) Benjamin Shapiro wrote the article in a very interesting and an attention grabbing way. The start of the article talks about violence and death which is a great start for an article to grab the attention of the

Pen-3 Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Pen-3 Model - Essay Example PEN 3 Model Culture is defined as a set of beliefs, behaviors, objects and others that are common to a group of people (Schaefer, 2009). Cultural aspects also include religion, language, values, laws, norms and the like. It is learned by the people by imitating the elders and/or enforcement by means of stigma and praises inside the society. Because of this, it is logical to say that culture can also affect health, as the health of an individual is also affected by culture and in turn also affects the health of the society. The health of the society is vital and it should be assessed regularly to monitor the needs of the people. A healthy population is a healthy civilization. Some diseases, like AIDS, are spread because of behavior. AIDS is transmitted by having unprotected sex or by using soiled needles contaminated by the HIV in medical procedures. These are all controllable and the spread can actually be contained when the people can just adjust their behavior. Behavior, like promi scuity, is an aspect of culture. Therefore, a disease that is spread by culture can also be corrected by culture. The sub-Saharan territory in Africa has the largest population of people with AIDS. The adult prevalence of AIDS in the 2005 was at 5.0% and it continues to grow (UNAIDS).

POL2000 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WK 5 ASSIGNMENT Coursework

POL2000 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WK 5 ASSIGNMENT - Coursework Example 214). Elections that take place halfway between head of state elections are referred to as midterm elections. These elections, for instance, the ones that took place in 2006 and 2010, select 1/3 of the United States governing body, every House of Representative affiliate, various governors, additional nationwide officeholder’s, as well as state representatives by ballot. Countless local selections for affiliates of the city council and mayors take place in the spring of years that are odd-numbered. Registration, turnout, and mobilization affect a rise in voting. Registration is a legal requirement for voter registration that came about arose because of a rejoinder to concerns concerning voting abuses; however, it also puts voting off. Voter registration prerequisite substantially have an effect on voting rates (Magleby, Light, & Nemacheck, 2011, pp. 224-225). Turnout is the voting-age public percentage that cast their ballots. Turnout is higher within general elections compared to primary selections and higher within primary elections compared to special elections. Turnout is also higher within presidential universal elections compared to midterm universal elections, and sky-scraping in presidential principal elections compared to midterm primary elections. Voter turnout is moreover higher in elections within which federal office aspirants are on the opinion poll than in national voting in years when no centralized contests exist (Magleby, Light, & Nemacheck, 2011, pp. 226). Mobilization is another circumstance that affects an increase in voting because in a country as uniformly divided in politics as the USA is currently, candidates ought to also marshal their most dedicated followers, or their â€Å"base†. This reaffirms their sustenance for concerns or groups that are important to the base. The communication volume within competitive elections and battlefield states in current elections has been astonishing (Magleby, Light, &

Determination Essay Example for Free

Determination Essay In â€Å"The Glass Castle† we see many different possibilities pertaining to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. We see the father, Rex and one of the daughters, Maureen, who fall victim to Maslow. Then there’s Jeanette and the mother, Rose Mary who have both seemed to achieve self-actualization regardless of their hardships. Traditionally, Maslow’s Hierarchy is thought to be achieved by working up from the bottom of the pyramid to get to the top. However, in â€Å"The Glass Castle† this is not particularly true. All the characters mentioned in this essay lacked safety and security, love and belonging, and psychological needs at some point during the novel. How they handled this though varies. â€Å"The Glass Castle† gives you a different view on this topic altogether. We see that whether or not Maslow’s Hierarchy is achieved, depends solely on the individual themselves. The character we most clearly see represent Maslow is the father, Rex Walls. Throughout the book we see Rex battle alcohol addiction and struggle to provide for his family. When the family moves to Welch we learn that Rex was probably abused as a child which leads us to believe this is the source of his alcohol addiction. Since Rex never achieved the safety, and love and belonging chunks of Maslow, he was never able to reach his full potential. He always spoke of dreams, but never had determination to back them up. â€Å"But since we couldn’t afford to pay the town’s trash-collection fee, our garbage was really piling up. One day Dad told us to dump it in the hole. â€Å"But that’s for the Glass Castle,† I said. â€Å"It’s a temporary measure,† Dad told me.† (Walls 155). By seeing his dreams fall through, we can assume Rex never achieved self-actualization. Rex is never able to let his demons from his past go, causing him to never reac h his full potential. Another character we see never reach their full potential, is Maureen. Like her father Maureen is not able to let go of her past. Maureen was often neglected as a child, lacking the love and belonging needs of Maslow. â€Å"Afterward, I called Brian. â€Å"Do you think Maureen’s on drugs?† I asked. â€Å"If she’s not, she should be,† he said. â€Å"She’s gone nuts.† (Walls 275) Not soon after, the mother kicks Maureen out, and Maureen ends up stabbing her. Maureen is sent to a mental institution for a year then takes off to California. Unlike her father and sister Jeanette shows us that it is capable to reach your full potential regardless of what you have gone through. Even through the hardships of her childhood Jeanette is set on moving to New York with Lori and becoming a reporter. By putting her past aside she is able to achieve this and finally reaches her full potential. â€Å"I still went into the office in the city once a week, but this was where John and I lived and worked, our home—the first house I’d ever owned. Mom and Lori admired the wide planked floorboards, the big fireplaces, and the ceiling beams made from locust posts, with gouge marks from the ax that had felled them.† Unlike any of the houses she lived in as a child, her current home goes above and beyond. If you compare Jeannette to her sister Maureen it’s clear that becoming all that you can be depends solely on yourself. Maureen went through the same experiences as Jeanette, yet Jeanette is the one who decides to do something with her life, while Maureen continues to let her life be the same as it always was. The last character we see achieve self-actualization is the mother, Rose Mary. Throughout the book Rose Mary is constantly picking out positive from the negative. In the beginning of the book we learn that Jeanette tries to help her mother since her mother is homeless on the streets of New York, but her mother denies it. â€Å"I’d tried to help them countless times, but dad would insist they didn’t need anything, and mom would ask for something silly, like a perfume atomizer or a membership in a health club. They said they were living the way they wanted to.†(Walls 4) Rose Mary seems to be comfortable with her lifestyle and is still content with it at the end of the book. â€Å"After we sat down for dinner, mom told us her good news. She had been a squatter for almost fifteen years, the city had finally decided to sell the apartments to her and the squatters for one dollar apiece.†(Walls 288) Even though Rose Mary isn’t living in luxury, she is happ y. And to be happy with where you’re at in life is basically achieving self-actualization. Throughout the four examples I provided it’s clear that you are the writer to your own destiny. It’s about personal strength. The stronger a person you are, the more determined you are to make something of yourself. Unfortunately for Maureen’s’ case, she was too reliant on other people to be able to depend on herself. She was never able to break away and do something with her life, the same goes for her father. Rex did at least try to make his children’s’ life better than his own as a child, but he let his alcohol addiction get in the way of giving his kids, and himself the best life possible. Jeanette and Rose Mary however both managed to become happy, regardless. The Walls family most certainly did not have a perfect life, and they’ve been through more than some of us could possibly imagine, but the majority of them turned out pretty well, and that itself is a huge achievement. To me personally, it seems determination is the key to following Maslow’s Hierarchy. To move up the pyramid you need to be determined, without determination you settle for what little you get, just like Maureen and Rex. The determination to be happy and the determination to do better for yourself is what will make the dream of self-actualization become possible. This however, depends on the person you are, and the outlook you have on life.