Managerial Organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managerial Organization - Essay Example The paper would discuss the myriad aspects of Enron that led to its failure. Brief summary of the case Enron Enron was a major American firm in the areas of energy and related products that had a global presence. Enron was founded in 1985 through merger of Houston Natural Gas and Internorth, the two major natural gas pipeline companies. In 2000, it was named ‘America’s Most Innovative Company’ by Fortune magazine (Fox, 2004). But in 2001, it was found that institutionalized fraud was behind the projected financial condition that was escalated to deceive public through imaginary transactions. The manipulated accounts and audit reports gave it market credibility which was exploited by the corporate to borrow capital from financial institutes. Its stock plummeted to nearly zero and it emerged as the major financial scam that shook foundation of corporate America. Situation analysis Enron was a high revenue gas pipeline company that had a niche market in America. The deregulation in the gas prices allowed Enron to be more flexible in its arrangement with producers and pipelines. It was allowed it to pursue its diversification strategy and entered into other areas like electricity power, fiber optics, coal, steel, paper and pulp. Its foray into international market was offset by undertaking projects in construction and management of energy facilities across the globe. Indeed, its exponential growth was very impressive that influenced the capital market. It exploited its expertise in physical logistics to evolve a complex network of risky trading business. The volatile market, deregulated gas prices and transport infrastructure to deliver the gas were vital risk areas that required huge funding, government alliances, expertise in areas that were virgin to it. The political risks in developing economies like India and China also emerged as critical issue that could jeopardize its projected success rate in developing effective energy capacity. Most importantly, the wide network of complex system of gas trading provided it with huge leeway to maneuver accounts. The long term contracts required future prediction of prices and short term contracts allowed it to manipulate prices. Both were risks that were managed by accounting systems through contrived earnings and balance sheet that was inflated and designed to influence the capital market (Healy and Palepu, 2003). There was lack of transparency and control which facilitated massive corporate fraud and corrupt practices in the higher hierarchy leading to its failure. Another crucial issue was its strategic decisions that were based on high ambitions of exploiting opportunities in emerging economies without analyzing its internal strengths, vis-a-vis expertise in different areas where it had diversified and the accounting system that required complex transactions of long term contracts in volatile market. Analysis of factors leading to its failure Organizational culture is a vita l factor that promotes defined code of behaviour amongst the workers to inculcate sense of stability and desired motivation for improved outcome. Mullins (2007) believes that it emphasizes behavioural regularities, which is distinct in its language, custom and traditions and the way workforce reacts to the situations. Enron’s higher hierarchy in human resource not only lacked leadership initiatives but was also unethical in

Into the Woods with Nathanial Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown Essay

Into the Woods with Nathanial Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown - Essay Example The name Faith fits the personality of Goodman Brown’s wife. With the perfection of her character, Faith symbolizes the inner strength of Goodman Brown, his devotion and loyalty. When Brown finally grasped the reality that he has lost his Faith he lays down his value system and accepts the nature that steers individuals to wickedness. Without his wife Faith, he witnesses the threatening backwoods surrounding him with its dreadful hums and noises. However, as the storyteller emphasizes, â€Å"he was himself the chief horror of the scene, and shrank not from its other horrors† (Hawthorne 1992, 30). Without Faith, he himself is the malevolence he has been attempting to oppose, and he grips the power, although fleetingly, and grants it control over his consciousness. Once in the woods, Brown witnessed all the wicked things that a devoted Puritan should not be witnessing, like the evil transformation of the supposedly ‘good’ people in their community such as Goo dy Cloyse, Deacon Gookin, and even his wife Faith. Brown, in my opinion, takes such a night’s journey to test his Faith, Belief, and Conviction.

The impact of import tariff on Vietnam’s automobile sector

The impact of import tariff on Vietnam’s automobile sector Automobile industry plays a vital role in the development process of any countries in the world. Automobile industry has a significant multiplier impact on the development of a country and a driver of economic growth because of its forward and backward linkages with some crucial sectors of the economy structure (Nag, Banerjee, Chatterjee, 2007). Specially, with Vietnam- a developing country, this industrys development helps Vietnam in achieving the goal Industrialization modernization and encouraging the countrys growth. By openness policies, Vietnamese auto industry is a leading industry to develop other industries such as the chemical industry, metal, and electronics. According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Chuan, the minister of industry (2003) said that: If we develop and try to obtain localization rate of 30%, after 10 years, the automobile industry creates approximately $250 million with 10.000 workers, equally the value of export rice of many million farmers. It can be said that the automobile industry is one of the most vital sectors to upgrade the Vietnam position in the world. However, the Vietnamese automobile industry is still quite young. Before the period 1990s, the Vietnams automobile operated according to the governments plans, most of cars were imported, the domestic manufactures worked basically on simply repairing that imported cars ; The auto industry has existed since 1986, when Vietnam conducted openness policies- the DOI MOI restructuring process began. The Vietnams automobile industry has begun to dramatically growth; it resulted from benefits from the open policy and a range of incentive activities of the government. Beside, calling for foreign investment, the government had preferential policies to attract investment. It made Vietnamese auto market became more heated; many foreign investors came to Vietnam to research and plan investment projects. However, at that time Vietnam, due to the economic sanctions that the US placed on Vietnam, most of automobile manufactures of the US, Japan, and the Europe limited in having investment divisions. As the result, they used to indirectly invest through Asia companies. Although having many difficulties and obstacles, this period was a vital foundation to form Vietnamese auto assembler companies. The year 1991, when the US deployed the embargo against Vietnam, remarked an important step in relationship between Vietnam and the US. It was also a crucial incentive to develop Vietnams auto industry and following that a range of leading join venture manufactures set up such as Ford, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz in Vietnam. So by the end of 1990s, there were up to 11 JVs in Vietnam. The existing of these famous brand names, it reflects clearly that Vietnam is a potential market. Besides, these beginning success are derived from suitable policies of policymakers. Consequently, the Vietnams auto market obtains an admirable growth speed. Since 2003 the Vietnamese automakers have developed dramatically when the government approved the strategy of Vietnamese automobile industry development to the year 2010, vision 2020 in which encouraged all economic sectors participating in the automobile industry and eagerly accelerated state-owned automakers. In 1990s the majority of market share appro ximately 90% belonged to the production of the join venture manufactures, whereas a tiny rate was those of the Vietnamese companies. However, there was a sharply change in terms of the domestic market share between them, the domestic manufactures increased significantly their sales volume and accounted for 43% of the total sales in 2007 (Report on investment in automobile, 2007). To help the domestic automobile industry having a sustainable position in the domestic market, from that to able to penetrate into foreign market, Vietnam conducted some protection measures. In the first period, tariff including non- tariff and tariff imposed on imported cars with high rate, so tariff barriers and non tariff protected effectively the infant auto industry. Actually, it created a huge difference between imported cars and assembled cars in the country in terms of price. However, the strict protectionism made the imported cars price in Vietnam is much higher than other countries. For example, a new car named Ford -Taurus was imported in the Vietnamese market higher approximately 300% than in the US (Baston, 1998). Evenly, a car assembled in Vietnam is more expensive than the same one in the US due to only there is a small number domestic manufactures investing seriously in production to improve their competitive abilities, while the most ones operate at simple assembling level (Nguyen, 2007). It creates an unfair situation for the Vietnamese consumers as they have to pay a much higher price. Applying strict barriers is essential way to protect and force the development of this leading industry, but do its impacts really positive and effective? The answer is current situation in Vietnam, many domestic assembled companies and joint venture companies do not many exchanges to improve localization rate and competitive abilities with imported cars. Due to these companies depend too much on these protection tools from the government and take them becoming a comparative advantage. Actually, it is a worry issue with the Vietnams auto industry when integrating into the globalization market, all barriers will be eliminated. I.2-Research focus The price of a imported car in Vietnam is contributed by many restrictions from government rules such as value added tax, special consumption tax and import tax, which causes the amount of money for a car in Vietnam that is much higher than other countries. Imposing high tariff rate not only brings huge revenue for State budget, consumption orientation for social but also affect strongly domestic market. Specially imposing high import tax makes the price of an imported car increase, which is disadvantage for foreign companies in competition with local ones. Clearly, most local manufactures want the high import rate to gain more profit and market share. This is an unfair treatment and it is also eliminated in the short time, because one of the most important regulations in free trade wherein all barriers are removed on trade among members. (Dominick Salvatore, 2007, p340). However, clearly it may be a useful way to protect an infant industry as the Vietnams auto industry to have necessary time to prepare it to be able to overcome difficulties and challenges in the beginning period from the other developed competitors. A major focus of this research will concentrate on impact of import tariff imposing on completed car up until recently; including challenges to the Vietnamese car as tariff come down to 0% in 2018. What motives to change tariff before 2007, which is the period Vietnam was not a member of the World Organization Trade (WTO)? What positive and negative impacts is the auto gained from imposing import tariff? To gain a deeper understanding of these issues prevailing in the industry, two main activities need to be considered: a review of relevant literature to ascertain current research findings to exam the forces that are driving to impose tariff and including potential challenges the industry faced in the short next time; and empirical data collection on changes in the volume and value of imported and domestic completed car and the overall views of some economics on the industry in imposing import tariff, also difficulties as the tariff is coming down to 0% in 2018. I.3-Significance of the study Automobile industry plays a vital role in the development of Vietnamese economy. An opening economy and special integrating The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a great chance for quick penetrating with the world economy for Vietnam. Also, it creates plentiful of opportunities for Vietnams auto industry such as attracting foreign investment and technology to improve comparative abilities not only in Vietnam but also in other markets. However, beside a range of these benefits, by opening the market, it causes increasing imported commodities which are difficulties for domestic economy. Therefore, imposing and applying imported rules that accord to commitments are necessary. A study The impact of import tariff on Vietnams car sector is significant to provide basic information in terms of the relationship between import tariff and its impacts through a specific case. Moreover, it is helpful for making strategy plans for the automatic sector in the future. Specially, being a member of WTO creates not only opportunities but also challenges. Firstly, Vietnam has to implement a range of commitments with the role of a member; that is eliminating restriction barriers. Car sector is not an exception. According to commitments with WTO, CEPT, AFTA and ACFTA, Vietnam has to reduce import tariff with imported cars and the time to apply the rules shorten. For example, in terms of completed import car, from now to 2013, Vietnam has to reduce the rate of tax from 83% to 60% and it is 0% in the year 2018 and at that time the domestic industry will have to compete for market share by itself ability without any support. Currently, it can be that the mainly advantage of bo th car produced and assembled in Vietnam is price which is affected mostly by tax. Therefore, as the tariff is coming down, the price of imported car will really much cheaper than domestic car. It will be a huge challenge for Vietnamese car that does not create comparative advantage in terms of neither quality nor price. This raises the question of whether the Vietnamese car industry can survive. A significant decrease in the short time may be a disadvantage for domestic companies. Therefore, to improve competitive ability, all of local companies need to have specific development plan to win in the home market. I.4-Overall research aim and individual research objectives The overall aim of this study is to have a deeper understanding of the impact of import tariffs on Vietnams auto industry in particular. However, in order to understand the role of import tariffs in the industry, it is necessary to gain an insight into the forces driving the imposition import tariffs. Therefore two main research vehicles that needed to clarify the issues of this research: a in-depth review of relevant literature and the collection and analysis of empirical figure. The details of the research strategy and the data collection techniques to be required to gain the empirical data are presented in the Research Methods section. Specifically, the objectives of this research are to: 1, Identify the meaning, motives for applying import tariff and the forces driving chances to the import tariff. 2, Examine the effects of applying import tariff on completed imported cars and domestic car volume in Vietnams automobile industry. 3, Evaluate the challenges faced as the tariff come down to 0% in 2018. 4, Compare the recommendations and views of some economics. The first objective- on import tariff drivers will attempt to answer the questions: What is import tariff? Why have to impose import tariff? What is the role of import tariff in the development process of each industry? Next, objective 2 the role of import tariff in the Vietnams auto industry- provides opportunity to gain meaning insight the effects of import tariff in specific context. The objective 3 on difficulties may be faced in the future of the Vietnamese auto- will give some indication of how much the industry will be challenged, as the tariff comes down to 0% in 2018 according to the signed commitments. Finally, the objective 4 formulating recommendations in the impact of import tariff in the industry as a result from review of literature and analyzing empirical data. The next chapter the literature review- examines literature pertinent to the objectives of this study, beginning with an investigation of what is meant by the term import tariff. II Literature review II.1 Introduction This Literature Review will examine the main issues the motives for applying import tariff in all commodities in general and in the auto industry in Vietnam in particular. The literature review of this research concentrates on objective 1 (the second and third objectives will be analyzed though the empirical data collection, while the final objective is derived as a result of the outcomes of the other objectives.) 1, Identify the meaning, motives for applying import tariff and the forces driving changing of import tariff. 2, Examine the effects of applying import tariff on new imported car and domestic car volume in Vietnams automobile industry. 3, Evaluate the challenges faced as the tariff come down to 0% in 2018. 4, Formulate the recommendations and views of some economics. By investigating the above literature, a deeper insight will be stimulated in the study. The strategic forces pushing impose import tax in general and in the Vietnams auto sector in specific. Though this part, a critical comprehension of key issues will be clarified. In the first instance, a worth starting point is to define the terms of import tariff and infant industry, from that to explore main issues of this research. II.2 Defining tariff and infant industry A tariff is a tax or duty levied on the traded commodity as it crosses a national boundary. (Dominick Salvatore, 2007, p.248). Tax is one of the restrictions that are imposed on trade among countries in the world. The rate of tariff may be an obstacle or incentive way for coping with the nations trade. Tax policy plays an important position in car section, clearly it influents both internal and external car firms. For example a change in import tariff affects not only directly on the imported cars but also indirectly on the domestic cars. Due to a crucial role of tax, so Viet Nam also has suitable changes to contribute in the development of this section. Infant industry argument the argument that temporary trade protection is needed to set up an industry and to protect it during its infancy against competition from more established and efficient foreign firms. (Dominick Salvatore, 2007,p) The use of tariff policy as a potential retaliatory weapon against foreign countries has been observed both historically (Perry, 1955) In small open economy, the imposition of an import tariff has little effect on the world price of the commodity. In general, a tariff attracts resources to the protected sector and shifts demand away from foreign goods. The tariff, however, not only drivers up the relative price of the commodity in question, it also raises revenue (Caves and Jonkes, 1985) The persistence of tariff is very important issue mainly for political economy reason (Baldwin, 1985; Dales, 1966) Critics of protection maintain that temporary protection designed as a relief for ailing industries or an incubator for infant industry will quickly become a permanent fixture in the economy. Automobile policy in some countries Mexico As other countries, the automobile industry plays a crucial role in Mexicos industrialization strategy and is one of the key sectors to contribute the development process. To compete with foreign manufactures and have enough time to mature its domestic companies, the Mexican government also has some particular policies to protect this important sector. Initial, the government declared an Automobile Decree that is the formal implementation of these programs to regulate production, sales and imports of vehicles and auto parts. The aims of these activities were to encourage local automobile manufactures operations. The development of Mexicos automobile industry divided into four phases. Firstly, the period of time before 1962 as the Automobile Decree issued, the main activities of Mexicos auto industry was assemble auto parts with less than 20 percent of domestic factors and most vehicles being imported into Mexico. Secondly, the period of time from 1962-1976: import substitution, at that time the Automobile Decree was stipulated. The content of this Decree banned importation of vehicles of completely knocked down kits (CKDs), of engines, and of many major automobile parts. Beside, another important point of this Decree was requirements such as about the ratio of localization on vehicle assembled in Mexico, in specific, it must reach 60 percent local valued added, and a 40 percent limit on foreign ownership of auto parts plants. With a range of strict regulations, they created a tightly protected domestic market. However, it caused international competitive that was not exist in the Mexican market. This leaded to negative results such as poorer quality vehicles and higher production cost than foreign competitors. Thirdly, the period of time from 1977 to 1989: Toward international competitive through trade protection and export promotion. The main aim of this phase was to support export. It require at least 50 percent of the foreign exchange requirement of terminal firms to protect automobile parts manufactures, value- added requirement were tightened and foreign firm remained excluded from majority ownership. Due to strict rules, automobile companies had to modernize their Mexican plants to apply these conditions. They had to have decisions to restructure for up to date technology, new building plants. Moreover, the workers had chances to improve their skills, qualified to control modern plants. With clear objectives, Mexico became one of the big competitive exporters. Lastly, the beginning of trade liberalization period, in December 1989, the Decree for the Modernization and Promotion of the Auto Industry authorized imports of new vehicles for the first time since 1962. The open up the automobile parts markets in many significant ways. However, at that time it can be said that the Mexican automobile industry had certain position not only in the domestic market but also in the outside markets. Thus, the decree opened up the automobile market only brought new opportunities for the Mexican companies to broaden distribution network. Specially, when Mexico integrated into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) including three countries Mexico, Canada and the United State, even though most protected barriers on imports of new cars to Mexico were removed or reduced significantly, the regional trade expanded enormously, a range of giant manufactures such as Honda, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Toyota located in Mexico to supply its plants in the US. From the development of the Mexican automobile industry, one of the most outstanding points in the policies of Mexico is requirement domestic content and value added in each production, also the ratio of localization of all enterprises. Essentially, the value added requirement became a function of domestic sales and imports of finished vehicles (Fernandez, 1994). Thailand With flexibility and suitable internal and external policies in each period of the development progress, the Thai automobile industry overcame many challenges and difficulties in the early time to achieve many successes and become the leading automaker in ASEAN. The Thai automobile industry dated in the early 1960s. At that time, in order to attract foreign investors to set up their operations in Thailand, the government had some incentive policies that remarked many manufacture from the US, Japan and Europe located their factories in the country. However, from incentive rules to establishment plants, the number of entrants and inefficient import depended assembly operation soared which caused trade deficit and difficulties to gain economies of scale (Fujita, 2000). In response, the government accepted a new policy aimed at progressive localization of auto production. In 1971, the automobile Development Committee announced a policy requiring progressive increases in localization ratio to 25 percent for passenger cars and 201 percent for commercial cars by 1975. These regulations had positive replies in the early period for example many join venture companies started to invest in Thailand and Thai firms also became actively improvement their operations. However, the strict localization ratios created competition between locally assemble cars and imported CBU automobiles. Beside the size of the market seem to be small compared to the number of the existence plants in Thailand. Consequence, an import ban on the CBU passenger cars, an increasing import tariff on CKD kit from 50 percent to 80 percent were imposed to reduce these pressures. In terms of the local contents requirement, the government decided for raise from 25 percent in 1978 to 50 percent 1983, but due to the economic recession in 1980s, the government banned setting up new enterprises and reduced the localization ratio to 45 percent in stead of 50 percent according to the requirement in 1978. Continuously, the first oil crisis and political instability caused the automobile industry in Thailand faced difficulties during the period from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s. Many foreign manufactures had to withdraw from the Thai market such as Ford, Fiat, and Gene ral Motor. However, the Thai economy significant recovered in the early 1990s with a range of positive changes in the general economy, also with liberalization policies in the auto industry in particular. In order to strengthen the international competitiveness of the industry by increasing competitions between local enterprises and decrease domestic car prices, in 1991, the government removed the ban on import of CBU passenger cars, simultaneously, drastic reducing duties in most imported car categories. This led to the prices gap between imported and domestically assembled and produced cars getting narrow. When the Thai automobile industry had particular comparative abilities, the Thai policymakers started to promote export orientation for the automobile industry in the year 1993. It can be said that this is important strategy remarked a new development phase of Thailands automobile industry, replaced previous policies which always targeted at the domestic market. Thus, the Thai government had an exclusive program called The Automobile Industry Export Promotion Project to achieve the given goals. A range of activities and new were implemented to attract more foreign investors also improve the ability of local enterprises through incentive policies such as exemption from import for auto parts and corporate income tax. Brazil The vehicle sales in Brazil were about US 3.1 million in 2009 and it expects raise to US 3.4 million in 2010 in prediction. With the drastic growing, the emerging market, age of coming forecasted may pass Germany to become the worlds fourth largest market. Brazil is a typical example for a huge development from an infant industry. Among factors contributing to create a high position of Brazils auto industry can not mention to the role of state policies. The modern Brazilian auto sector traced back to 1956 (Sharpiro, 1996). The government establishes a five-year plan to protect local parts companies. Beside, attracting foreign investment, technology and creating connections to complementary sector, the auto industry was identified as a leading sector in a broad import-substituting industrialization push. The approaches applied were restrict imports and force transportation automobile companies to choose between a banding the Brazilian market or producing vehicles with 90-95 percent Brazilian made content within five years. Evenly, the timing will be set by increasing barriers to entry if the entrant wants to delay its investment; in addition to the cost for exit market will be quite high as well. Actually, this was the strictest measures of Brazil to protect the domestic market. The industry, however, gained many positive improvements; transnational corporations had to upgrade their operations from simply assembling to full manufactu re. This led to develop of other supportive productions in Brazil. Not only offering strict regulations but the Brazilian also had financial incentive measure to stimulate all enterprises such as extensive subsidies to reduce the cost capital investment and guaranteed a return even if profit did not materialize. The 1960s marked a period of an instability economy and labor unrest in Brazil. The industry was affected heavily, with original eleven firms reduce to eight in 1968, many weak companies that did not have enough financial capability had to close. However, in the late 1960s also remarked recovery strongly of the Brazilian economy, specially, in the auto sector with the GDP up to 20% compared to 10% of the economy. Evenly, the production capacity could not keep track with rising demand, so many local enterprises started have plans to broaden investment. Once again, because of outside factors influent to development orientation of the industry, particularly changing international conditions. To balance foreign exchange, the auto industry was expected towards export as a solution for this context. Exporting, it means that the Brazilian had both opportunities and challenges from expanding the market. Clearly, there had to face strong foreign competitors such as Japan companies famous with low cost and high quality productions. In order to survive, the Brazilian automakers decided world car strategies, that allowed them can increase the volume and reduce the cost by economies of scale. When overcame these obstacles, global market would become to a benefits due to opening to new doors. Beside, the government also had particular activities to promote exporting progress though the Special Fiscal Benefits in 1972 including tax exemption on imported machinery, equipment and other parts, and waived federal and state value- added taxes on exports. In exchange, firms had to commit to long term export contracts and comply with minimum domestic content requirement (85 percent). Beside, the firms were also allowed to import a certain number of parts and component that had banned before. One of the most outstanding of the policies imposed in Brazils auto sector that was obligation the auto transnational automakers to produce cars and component for export in Brazil. For example, Fiat which until then had no presence in Brazil was allowed to enter the domestic car market only in exchange for exporting 155.000 engines. Actually with strict disciplines, they helped local enterprises including auto parts and supportive ones have more chances to develop not only in the domestic market but also the world market. However, the Brazilian automobile industry was really close for imported manufacture that went back with the trend of global integration. Therefore, in the 1990s, Brazils President decided to open the market to imported cars for the first time since the 1950s. This led to some chances in previous policies to harmonies with current context. For example, the ratio of local content decreased from 90 percent to 70 percent and the time to introduce new model to loosen protection measure also to offer flexible condition for domestic companies to compete with foreign competitors. Beside, the stimulating from the government, the companies themselves had specific activities to improve their comparative abilities such as modernizing plants in terms of technology, management to cut cost. II.3 Conclusion These are three typical examples for success developments. Even though, each the industries have different in terms of time and conditions in each countries. Clearly, all of them had to experience a difficult period in the early time. The countries had different measures at that time to protect infant industry. One of the useful tool is import duties beside other regulations. III- The effects of applying import tariff on completed imported cars in Vietnams automobile industry. According to Vietnam autos Report Q4-2010 New Market Report Published by Press Office stated that: Fluctuating tariffs are still a factor in Vietnams 12th position out of 14 markets in BMIs Business Environment Ratings for the autos sector in Asia Pacific. The highest score is for market risk, which stands at 85.0. Its country risk score has also risen from 49.8 to 51.5, taking its total score for risks to realization of returns up to 68.2. Vietnam is still a country we would expect to see climb the ratings in the future, particularly if its vehicle tariff policy becomes more consistent. Currently, a new imported car to Vietnam has to subject to three taxes that are import duty, excise tax, and value added tax. For example a new 5 seats car imported to Vietnam, the price itself has to added to three taxes import duty, excise duty and value added tax with the rate are 83 %, 50% and 10% respectively. Clearly, these taxes are important factors decided to how high in terms of price of a car is sold in Vietnam. Among three kinds of duties on cars, import tariffs have the highest rate. Moreover, it is an exclusive difference between domestic assembled or produced cars and imported cars. Thus, in order to find out reasons influent on imported cars that have indirectly impact on local cars, it is crucial to investigate the trend of import duties in Vietnam. III.1-The current condition of the Vietnams automobile industry The Vietnams automobile industry had more than two decades of prevailing and developing, it is so far in the early stage of an infant industry and just limits at simple automobile assembling (Nguyen, 2007). Source: VAMA Figure 1: The sales of local enterprises and the volume imported new car Advantage Vietnam is a new emerging and potential market and production base on for automobile products due to its dramatic economic growth and bid population of more than 84 million with low car ownership rate and possibility to grow as manufacture with good and bid labor forces. (Nguyen.2007) Joining in and taking advantages from liberalization brings about benefits of market expansion, technology transfer, labor division. Disadvantage -The size of market: The automobile industry needs to have very big initial investment capital for Equipment, factories, technology, RD and so on. Thus, it is difficult for them to reduce production cost, make profit and reinvest in productions if sales volume exceeds 300.000 units a year (Takayasu, 1998, p22) According to Vietnams Business environment Survey belonging activities of the Consulate General in December 2010, one of the problems is Vietnamese infrastructure including soft and hard. soft infrastructure: labor and legal basis_ Director of international financial corporation( IFC) Simon Andrew state that 50% enterprises do not want broaden their operations and one of the reasons is that the level of labor. Accor him, Vietnam can not win in global game if only based on cheap labor resources hard infrastructure : physical infrastructure- lack and slowness accor to America Chamber III.2 Vietnamese government policy toward the automobile industry Taxation policy is the main tool of policy makers in management of the automobile industry. It has direct effect on decision of business and production of the automobile makers. III.3- The effects of import tariff on Vietnamese automobile industry Source: The general department tax Figure 2: Timeline for Vietnamese new imported car duty Taxation policy is the main tool of policy makers in management of the aut

Visual Arts and the Internet Essay -- Computers Media Technology Essay

Visual Arts and the Internet I have selected the area of visual arts to give examples of websites that I have found exploring the impact of new technologies. Artist’s influence from technology has allowed them the freedom to expand their mediums in which they work with, exhibit their work world wide, collaborate with other artists and discover new concepts with scientists. Artists’ are always looking for something new and different, the best possible way to communicate their ideas. Cynthia Beth Rubin is an artist who is interested in how in all of us there are embedded cultural traditions merging and colliding. She feels she has benefited from new technology, â€Å"New technology has expanded my visual vocabulary, and all of my work, both video and still imagery, is now produced through the computer†¦echoing the ambiguity of memory, the computer is the instrument for allowing some images to sing, some to come forward as clear images, others to fall back into barely representational dreams of textures and colours.† (http://www.cbrubin.net/statement.html) Artists are experimenting with using arising technology in an original way. Working with new media and collaborating with other artists. David Galbraith and Teresa Seemann â€Å"†¦have developed an interplay between their work in the visual arts, experimental music, and performance. Using the model of collaborations, links, and connections found in electronic and experimental music, the exhibition examines how increased accessibility to advanced technology is directly influencing the content and context of contemporary art and culture†¦ increased access to advanced technology has allowed artists to experience a "do-it-yourself" freedom and to embrace cultural production that is not... ...ve/issuethmbs/newsletters/MayJune97/article2.html Exhibition History, retrieved September 13th, 2004, from http://www.newmuseum.org/more_exh_waveform.php Extra Ear –  ¼ Scale, the Tissue Culture & Art in Collaboration with Stelarc, retrieved September 13th, 2004, from http://www.tca.uwa.edu.au/extra/extra_ear.html Landscape, Earth, Body, Being, Space and Time in the Immersive Virtual Environments Osmose and Ephà ©mà ¨re, Women, Art, and Technology, Malloy, J. ed. London, England: The MIT Press (2003), pp. 322-337, illus, retrieved September 14th, 2004, from http://www.immersence.com/ Ten Dreams of Technology, Dietz, S. published in Leonardo, Vol. 35 Number 5 (2002) pp. 509-513, retrieved September 14th, 2004, from http://www.immersence.com/index.html  ¼ Scale ear, retrieved September 13th, 2004, from http://www.sterlarc.va.com.au/quarterear/index.html

Internet Gaming Addiction Essay

â€Å"So, how was your weekend? † one worker asks another. â€Å"It was amazing,† the other responds, â€Å"My girlfriend and I found a spot on the top of a small hill and talked as we watched the sun set. Then we went to a bar and watched a local entertainer, we had a couple of drinks and spent the night meeting all sorts of interesting people. † â€Å"That sounds nice,† the first worker replies, â€Å"Which bar did you go to? † â€Å"It was a cantina on the planet Corellia. The entertainer was really helpful. We then took my new star-cruiser to join with a group of people who were off to fight the Rancor. That took a really long time, and we had to return to the cantina in shifts in order to use the entertainer to heal, but we finally took the monster down. I got quite a bit of experience for that one. (This is such a great shocker, illustrating the difference between real life and a game and the way the two blur in many people’s minds! ) Man what a busy weekend. That was only part of the first night,† the second worker explains. He is visibly excited, and continues to explain more events in detail, all of which of the game. â€Å"Wait a minute,† the first worker interrupts, â€Å"You mean that you watched the sunset with your girlfriend in a game? † â€Å"Of course,† responds the second, â€Å"She is a Rodian bounty hunter from the planet Tatooine . I think she lives in Brazil in real life. Anyway†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He resumes his story where he was prior to the interruption, detailing the events of his entire weekend. The majority of his weekend it seems has been spent playing a popular on-line computer game based on the Star Wars universe. The exchange above is a small illustration of a steadily growing population of people whose social experiences and interactions take place almost exclusively on the internet, inside virtual game worlds. The widespread availability and use of the internet has allowed people access to communication with anyone else on the planet. As with any other powerful tool however, its use is prone to abuse. Numerous studies have been performed on the addictive nature of the internet and some of its uses and applications. â€Å"Surfing† on the internet, chat rooms and messaging services, and Multi User Domains all have documented cases of addiction that display many of the negative aspects associated with substance abuse, minus chemical dependency. (This shows great use of fact to cement your point of view, rather than quoting widespread opinion. ) Video games like the ones mentioned above, commonly referred to as MMORPG’s or Massive Multi-player On-line Role Playing Games, are hugely popular and are one of the newest forms of on-line interaction prone to habitual use. (Good statement, but maybe a good place for a new paragraph to help follow along? ) What was once thought of as a harmless past-time may be more dangerous than many realize. (Good use of shocking language. ) The reasons behind the addictive behavior these kinds of games can induce lie in the rewarding social experiences and sense of accomplishment offered to otherwise introverted people, a sense of anonymity or alternate identity that serves to boost self esteem, and they seem to offer escape from the often depressing everyday life the addicted individuals feel they are trapped inside. (This is a good statement, but how do you know? Is this opinion, or something that’s been quoted? ) Multi User Domains, commonly referred to as MUD’s, are text based fantasy realms that play like an interactive novel and are populated by user created characters. As these characters, players complete quests, fight â€Å"monsters†, and collect weapons and items in order to become wealthier and stronger. With the advent of 3D graphics and larger servers, this type of medium expanded and improved, providing a much richer environment and the ability to support many more users at one time. These games came to be called MMORPG’s and have become exceedingly popular because they offer much more variety and detail, offering the same level of open ended game play that evolves as much as the characters the players create. For example World of Warcraft, a hugely popular MMORPG, just gained its 10 millionth subscriber as of 2008. This is roughly half of the population of Australia. These games run continuously and are accessible by people from all over the world, making them change and grow all the time. This, along with the experience accrual and monetary system keeps players playing longer and more frequently, as they are constantly being rewarded for their dedication. Peer pressure from other players may also play a role in increased playing time, as the forming of groups is often encouraged and sometimes necessary to accomplish the more advanced goals. These types of games have a much higher rate of addiction and abuse than do video games that are not of the dynamic multi-player variety. In a study performed by Peter Wiemer-Hastings, PhD, and Brian D. Ng, M. S. published in the CyberPsychology and Behavior journal, they found that the majority of the players of non-MMORPG played an average of 1-6 hours per week. The majority of the players of MMORPG are on the other hand played on an average of 11-40 hours per week, and 11% of those studied played 40 hours or more per week. The players of MMORPG’s also had tendencies of playing for long stretches, up to 8 hours at a time, and had reported losing sleep because of their playing habits. The study also asked a series of questions regarding the social behaviors of the two distinct groups of players. The answers indicated that â€Å"MMORPG users would rather spend time in the game than with friends, have more fun with in-game friends than people they know, found it easier to converse with people while in-game, did not find social relationships as important, and felt happier when in the game than anywhere else. † (Wiemer-Hastings and Ng) Playing habits with this level of dedication, especially when approaching the 40 hour dedication level, is almost certain to have negative impacts on the person’s personal life. Playing games this frequently is akin to working a full time job. This leaves little time for other activities or social interactions, especially when the dedicated player has an actual full time job or is a full time student. This can lead to an increasingly fractured personal social life and many who are introverted or less confident may begin to seek the entirety of their social outlets in a virtual world. These types of introverted people often find the anonymity and alternate identity appealing, as it offers them an escape. It gives them the ability to be anyone they wish for the time that they are playing, often times consuming much of the players’ real lives. Another popular game that shares many common themes and ideas with the MMORPG type of games, Second Life, is a 3D virtual world populated by players who create alternate identities to socialize with online. The player creates the way he or she would like to appear in the game, can purchase land and houses for their character to reside, and are free to do in the game world as they wish. Characters can shop and socialize as they would in the real world, all safely behind an alternate identity. Mediums such as these may be useful, as many institutions have begun experimenting with using them in group sessions and for distance instruction, as it can prove to be a more personal means of communication than traditional distance learning techniques. However, people who may struggle with traditional social interaction or who have a low self esteem may begin to find this type of interaction to be a complete substitute. This can lead to habitual and addictive use which may lead to the same problems in the individual’s everyday life that are often seen with the addiction to the MMORPG’s. (What problems, specifically? Do marriages end? Are jobs lost? This sounds a little vague and leaves me feeling like the argument is a little shaky. ) Many who have become to be dependent on their on-line social life may begin to lie to loved or become defensive about their frequency of use. One study indicated that marriage and dating relationships were effected the greatest when addictive computer game usage is present. â€Å"Dependents neglected their spouses in place of rendezvous with electronic lovers, leaving no quality time for their marriages. Finally, Dependents continued to emotionally and socially withdraw from their marriages, exerting more effort to maintain recently discovered on-line relationships. † (Young) The study also found that â€Å"Despite the negative consequences reported among Dependents, 54% had no desire to cut down the amount of time they spent on-line. † (Young) This lack of a desire to change this habitual behavior serves to illustrate the level of dedication and addiction possible in the use of these avenues of entertainment. As the addiction begins to involve larger portions of an individual’s life, damaging their professional and romantic relationships, often times depression can result. This brings us to the third possible cause for gaming addiction, escapism. The nature of these types of games present the player with the ability to play a character as close to or as far away from their own personality type and gender as they choose. They are given the ability to reinvent themselves entirely, to live out their every fantasy. As the players progress through the game, accomplishing quests and gaining experience points, they are receiving a sense of accomplishment. Individuals who have trouble approaching the opposite sex in their real lives can do so with the confidence that anonymity gives them. It may also give individuals who are depressed a reprieve from what they dislike about their lives. The more time the player spends in the game, the more this behavior is reinforced. As the playing time increases, the issues in their daily lives worsen until most of the players waking hours are spent hiding in the virtual world. As previously mentioned, these MMORPG style games excel at creating a believable and enjoyable fantasy world. There are games that cater many different genres and the developers have gone to great lengths to ensure that all personality types and playing styles have options to keep gamers enticed. The incremental increases to stature and abilities within the game serve to keep interest level high. The developers are continuously developing more quests and new game areas to explore, ensuring that the players will always have more to come back to. What was once seen as a harmless past-time may become the next focus of support group therapy. Review This is an excellent and well thought out argument pointing out the fact that online gaming has begun to steadily replace reality for many people. The author supports most of their arguments with facts gleaned from studies, and there is little to no feeling of personal preference here. The only areas where the information seems to draw from personal experience rather than supported fact are the reasons and the potential results behind large quantities of gaming. Otherwise, this argument is very well written and well supported. Works Cited Wiemer-Hastings, Peter and Brian D. Ng. â€Å"Addiction to the Internet and Online Gaming. † CyberPsychology and Behavior 8. 2 (2005): 110-113. Young, Kimberly S. â€Å"Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Clinical Disorder. † CyberPsychology and Behavior 1. 3 (1996): 237-244.

Tobacco tax

Tobacco tax: good for health, government finances Tobacco use kills over 5 million people each year and is the largest single preventable cause of premature death. l Tobacco is very costly to society through high costs to treat tobacco-induced disease or through loss of productivity as a result of the premature deaths. But governments have a tool to combat the costs of tobacco use † tobacco taxation.Higher tobacco prices decrease consumption and encourage people to quit Increasing the price of tobacco products Is the single most effective way to reduce consumption-2 Ralslng prices discourages uptake of tobacco se by young people and motivates people to quit tobacco use, while raising government revenues. 3 Numerous studies in high income countries have shown that a 10% increase in cigarette price decreases consumption by about 4%. 4 Available data indicate that consumption in low and middle income countries is even more responsive to price.For example, the estimated decreases w ould be about 5. 5% in China, 5. 2% in Mexico and 5. 4% in South Africa. 5,6,7 For tobacco products other than manufactured cigarettes, studies are comparatively rare, although similar effects have been found. 8 Price (SA rand) Packs 100 25 Real Cigarette prices (2008 base) Packs sold per capita 15 10 5 20 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2009 Year Inflation-adjusted cigarette prices and cigarette consumption, South Africa, 1980-2009 Higher tobacco prices save lives Decreasing consumption would translate into lives saved.The World Bank has estimated that tax increases to raise the price of cigarettes by 10% would: 00 Cut the number of smokers in the world by 42 million † 38 million of them in low to middle income countries; 00 Save 10 million lives † 9 million of them in low to middle income countries. 9 PHOTO: WBB Trust WWW. NCDALLIANCE. ORG How many lives could tobacco tax increases save? Recent economic analyses for countries with large numbers of smokers found that: in China: in Russia: Increasing tax from 40% to 68% of the retail price would: Increasing tax from 37% to 70% Increasing tax from 33% to 70% OOGenerate IJS$16. billion a year in additional tax revenue OOGenerate IJS$6. 5 billion a year in OOGenerate IJS$4. 9 billion a year in OOHelp 54. 6 million smokers to quit OOHelp 10 million smokers to quit OOHelp 5. 4 million smokers to quit oosave 13. 7 million lives12 OOSave 3. 5 million lives OOSave 1. 3 million lives14 Tobacco and poverty Those living on lower incomes are more likely to smoke, and policy makers are sometimes concerned that increasing tobacco tax will penalise people who are already living in reduced circumstances.But it is important to note that poorer smokers are also the most price sensitive † in other words, they are the most likely to quit or reduce their consumption of tobacco when taxes are increased. This has been confirmed in multiple studies. For example, when tobacco excise was increased in South Africa over s everal years in the mid to late 1990s, the largest reductions in smoking prevalence were seen among young people and low-income earners. When smokers quit, their families benefit in two ways: through improved health and through improved finances † money previously spent on tobacco products can be spent on food, education and other necessities. If policy makers are concerned about the economic impact of tobacco tax increases on low-income smokers who do not reduce their consumption, they can invest part of the added tobacco tax revenue in social spending. 13 In addition to savings to the public sector, business can also benefit from a healthier workforce, with lower absenteeism and fewer losses of skilled workers through early retirement due to illness or early death.A cost-benefit analysis in the I-JK showed that a 5% tobacco tax increase over the rate of inflation would increase government tax revenues by over IJS$814 million a year and result in wider economic benefits of ov er $440 million per year in the first five years of the policy. 18 Tobacco use is the one risk factor common to the main groups of NCDs. Accelerated implementation of the FCTC is an essential way to tackle NCDs and save lives. 1 World Health Organization (2009) WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic 2008.Geneva: World Health Organization. 2 World Health Organization (2004) Building blocks for tobacco control: a handbook. Geneva: World Health Organization. 3 Jha P Chaloupka F. (1999) Curbing the epidemic: governments and the economics of tobacco control. Washington, DC: World Bank. 4 World Health Organization (2010) WHO technical manual on tobacco tax administration. Geneva: World Health Organization. 5 Hu T-w, Mao Z, Shi J, Chen W (2008) Tobacco taxation and its potential impact in China.Paris: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease. Tobacco tax increases benefit the economy Governments benefit directly from tobacco tax increases. Increased revenue can pay for tobacco control interventions, combating infectious isease or other priority national programmes. Countries with efficient tax systems have benefitted from substantial tax increases.

Elizabeth Film Questions Essay Example

Elizabeth Film Questions Essay Example Elizabeth Film Questions Essay Elizabeth Film Questions Essay Elizabeth’s clip was really complicated. particularly for a lady swayer. Her’s was a clip when the adult females were regarded to be inferior to the work forces. Monarchy was ever about the King. and the Queen was merely regarded as the carrier of the boy. Elizabeth was able to reflect above the remainder by stating them that adult females besides had the capablenesss that work forces had. As a swayer. the rational capablenesss and will to take are needed. Bing a adult male or a adult female is merely a frontage that may be given by people all throughout. Elizabeth’s alone manner slightly gave me the thought that life is so based on the perceptual experience of people. All should be regarded every bit. and that opportunities should be given to others who have non tasted success. Furthermore. Elizabeth neer showed any mark of failing during her reign. and I believe that this is something that others should larn to follow. Decisions in the work force are non ever based on the emotions of people. but on what is right and appropriate. I besides believe that is merely proper for all to populate an unfastened head so that letdowns may be avoided. 9. Elizabeth decided to go married to her occupation. What are the pros and cons of such a pick? Perpetrating wholly to a specific occupation is something that people should larn to take earnestly. At a immature age. Elizabeth decided to go married to her occupation as Queen of England. For this. she had to go forth her personal life behind. and had to prioritise the public assistance of her people above anyone else. Unlike other adult females. Elizabeth executed a ardent bosom that was far different from other adult females her age. As the queen. she led her ground forces during the Golden Age. while the adult females stayed place to provide to the demands of the kids. The pride and award that would come with such action is unreplaceable with any amount of money ; nevertheless. traveling place entirely is another unjust consequence. Since she opted non to get married. she was left entirely with no 1 to turn to in times of griefs. She had to decide her questions entirely. and had to be strong when she was experiencing lowly. 12. If you were queen or male monarch of your organisation what would you make? Make you believe it’s easy to be a sovereign or a Chief executive officer? Why or why non? If I were King. I would choose for a authorities where freedom exists. I do non desire my people to be afraid by my mere presence. nor would they be hindered from aerating their sentiments to me and my authorities. In add-on to this. I besides want to harness a state where love and peace exists. and where others would be happy by the simple things in life. However. I besides want to set a bound on the sort of openness that may be between the authorities and the people. I deem it necessary so that the people would larn to pattern an honest and simple life. Personally. I believe that both places are rather hard to carry through in their ain small ways. However. I would choose to be a CEO than be a King of a land. Work as a Chief executive officer is merely stray to the jobs that may be experienced by a company. as compared to the legion jobs that may be placed on the caput of the King. Each determination that is made by the CEO is geared towards the success and betterment of the company entirely. but may turn the other manner around when placed in the incorrect set of custodies. Regardless of such hindrances. I believe that people should larn to maintain an unfastened head for alteration in order to carry through everything in a more positive note. May it be a King or a Chief executive officer. what is of import is the fact that as swayer. I may be able to carry through my responsibilities geared towards the turbulence of life.