To what extent is children's well-being a priority in modern western Essay

To what extent is children's well-being a priority in modern western societies - Essay Example Threats to children’s well-being in the US Childhood obesity To date, many nutrition and behavior-based interventions have been made both within the home and the school but have achieved very little, if any, success in preventing the overweight or obesity in children. Presently, children in the US experience sobering rates of obesity. â€Å"In 2009–2010, 16.9% of U.S. children and adolescents were obese† (Ogden et al., 2012, p. 2). The obese children in the US face different kinds of health complications including heart disease in the very early years of their life. Causes of childhood obesity in the US The main factors linked with the increased risk of obesity in children particularly in the stage of infancy include but are not limited to excessive weight gain in women during pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy, lesser duration of breast-feeding, and lesser than required sleep of the children during infancy. These exposures are the major risk factors to children ’s well-being in the US because they occur during the early stages of development of children and thus regulate the energy balance in them in the long run. These factors specifically influence the hypothalamic circuits’ development which regulates the weight, the endocrine pancreatic function, changes in the lean body mass’s proportion to the fat body mass, and also several other metabolic programming cycles. In light of the aforementioned factors of risk of increased tendency of the children to become overweight or obese, programs or campaigns meant to prevent obesity in the children should specifically influence the earliest stages of development of the children so that the children develop right habits right from the very start of their life and can easily sustain them during the subsequent stages of development. The vulnerability of the children in the US to obesity can be reduced by designing interventions that help reduce excessive gain of weight as well a s smoking during the pregnancy in women, increase the breast-feeding’s duration for the children, and provide the children with more sleep in the stage of infancy. Programs to ensure children’s well-being in the US The Let’s Move Campaign In the US, children’s wellbeing as always been a priority, yet objective measures could not be taken since the efforts made have largely been experiments that have not yielded very fruitful results. However, the present government of the US has taken the issue of childhood wellbeing quite seriously and some very effective measures have been taken in this regard. For example, one of the campaigns for the prevention of childhood obesity have been started by the First Lady Michelle Obama on 9 February 2010 with the name â€Å"Let’s Move† (letsmove.gov, n.d.). The Let’s Move campaign proposes several practicable measures against the sedentary lifestyle of all communities in the US in general and the chil dren and especially the infants in particular since a considerable population of children in the US become obese right from the first two years of their life and accordingly, all complexities and health risks of obesity in children ensue. The main antiobesity strategies of the Let’s Move campaign are directed at empowering the consumers of the food products as well as the parents. To achieve

The Need for Variance Analysis Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Need for Variance Analysis - Term Paper Example Baker and Baker (2014) define variance as "The difference between standard and actual prices and quantities" (p. 201), and variance analysis as "Analysis of these differences" (p. 201). Variance analysis underscores or brings attention to deviations from what was initially intended. It is only after deviations have been identified that adequate and effective decisions can be made by the individuals in management positions (Baker and Baker, 2014). According to Berger (2011), lack of conducting a variance analysis may prompt leaders to overlook areas causing these deviations and hence fail to make relevant decisions. For variance analysis to be performed, a prior formulation of standards ought to be conducted, for instance, budgetary targets (Baker and Baker, 2014). This shows that variance analysis drives managers and other leaders to set targets or standards in advance. Decision making goes hand-in-hand with accountability in that individuals overseeing areas proved by the variance a nalysis to be causing the variations are answerable. Therefore, departmental heads are forced to make effective decisions and implement relevant strategies that forces them to operate within the budget (Berger, 2011). In the case study, new procedures for discharging patients have been implemented. A variance analysis conducted after six months showed that costs were running 25 percent higher than was expected. After conducting the variance and proving that there is actually a deviation from the budget by 25 percent, the next step would be to identify the causes of the deviation (Berger, 2011). There are many areas that may cause the deviation, for instance, extended working hours that increase the cost of labor. After identifying the cause of the deviation, then my next step would be to evaluate action plans under implementation to determine their effectiveness and investigate how they can be improved (Berger, 2011). If the action plans

Regulatory Responses to Short Selling

Regulatory Responses to Short Selling Abstract It is commonly believed that secondary market prices is not just a sideshow because they contain information that facilitates the efficient allocation of resources. The feedback loop to a real investment decisions allows a short seller to make a profit even in the absence of a fundamental information. This paper analyzes the regulation of manipulative short selling is to impose a cost on short sales. Through setting the short selling cost at an appropriate level, regulators may be able to drive the uninformed speculator, but not the negatively informed speculator, out of the market, and, thus improve the investment efficiency. One of the most fundamental roles of prices is to facilitate the efficient allocation of scarce resouces (Hayek, 1945). A financial market is a place where many speculators with different pieces of infomation meet to trade, attempting to profit from their information. Prices aggregate there diverse pieces of information and ultimately reflect an accurate assessment of firm value. Real decision makers (such as managers, capital providers, directors, customers, regulators, employees, etc.) will learn from this information and use it to guide their decisions, in turn affecting firm cash flows and values (Baumol 1965). In an efficient market, at any point in time market prices of securities provide accurate signals for resource allocation; that is, firms can make production-investment decisions according to stock price (Fama Miller 1972). Unlike the traditional models where prices only reflect expected cash flows, in the new models that incorporate feedback effect prices both affect and reflect firm cash flow. The feedback effect can explain this by two ways, several papers in the literature generate related implication based on models with exogenous feedback, i.e., where firm value or firms investment decison is assumed to be mechanically tied to the price (Khanna Sonti 2004 and Ozdenoren Yuan 2008). However, our focus here is on models that exhibit endogenous feedback, i.e, via learning or incentives. The latter one is through which financail markets may have real effects is by affecting a decision makers incentives to take real decisions, this is most relevant for firm managers, whose compensation is tied to the firms share price, in some sense is a way to discourage â€Å"agency problem†. Particularly, the former one is what we interested here, real decision makers learn from stock price and use it to aff ect real decision. The theoretical research on financial markets traditionally treats the real side of the firm as exogenous. Milgrom Stokey (1982) consider that if cash flows are exogenous, the only way to generate trade is to introduce noise traders in the model. Grossman Stiglitz (1980); Hellwig (1980) developed rational expectations equilibrium models of financial market, in which prices preform a well-articulated role in conveying information from the informed to the uninformed. Kyle (1985) developed a model that is closer to a game-theoretic approch, where the equilibrium concept is similar to the Bayesian-Nash Equilibrium, the information of speculator gets partially reflected in the stock price. However, Fishman Hagerty (1992); Leland (1992); Khanna, Slezak Bradley (1994); and Bernhardt, Hollifield Hughson (1995) present models where different types of speculators-insiders and outsiders-trade on their information, in these models, real decison makers learn from price, but, there is a confl ict between limiting insider trading reduces price efficiency and encouraging outsider trading reduces adverse selection. Similarly, Boot Thakor (1997) and Subrahmanyam Titman (1999) use the feedback effect to rationalize a firms choice to issue publicly traded securities, rather than receving private financing (e.g., from a bank). The traditional view of financial market is stock price has no real effect, thus speculator cannot manipulate stock price to get profit. It is often hard to generate manipulation as an equilibrium phenomennon, given that price impact will cause a manpulator to sell at a low price and buy at a high price and hence lose money overall (Jarrow 1992). Goldstein Guembel (2008) consider a model where the manager of firm learns from the stock price about the profitability of an investment project, thus, manipulation arise as an equilibrium phenomenon. Even the speculator has no information, she can drriven the price down to make the manager belive that there exist negative information, and led to cancel the investment, thus, she can get profit from her short position. Edmans, Goldstein Jiang (2014) extent their model to show that informed speculators are less likely to trade on bad news rather than good news. Consider a speculator who has negative information, if she short sell to lower th e stock price, the manager will learn from it to take corrective action such as reducing investment, downsizing the firm makes it efficient and improve the firms fundamental value, but this reducing the profitability of speculators short position. Thus, the informed speculator must consider this and refrain her short selling in the first place. The feedback effect has also some empirical supports. Luo (2005) show the companies seem to learn from the market during MA. Companies are more likely to learn in pre-agreement deals than in agreement deals. Companies are more likely to learn in non-high-tech deals than in high-tech deals. Smaller bidders are more likely to learn than are larger bidders. Kau, Linck Rubin (2008) extend his analysis and show that such learning is more likely when governance mechanisms are in place to reduce the agency problem between manager and the shareholders. Chen, Goldstein Jiang (2007) show that the sensitivity of investment to price is stronger when there is more private information incorporate into price. Our paper is continue the research question raised by Goldstein Guembel (2008), they provid an asymmetric model to explaine the uninformed speculator can manipulate the stock price to make profit and they suggest by impose a cost on short sales may eliminate this phenomenon, but they didnt anaysis the impact of short selling cost. Conditional the speculator being uninformed, the speculator can make profit for two reasons. First, he knows that the market will not improve the allocation of resources. Thus, he can sell at a price that is higher than the expected value. Second, the speculator can profit by establishing a short position in the stock and subsequently driving down the firms stock price by further short sales. In our analysis of short selling cost can deter the second sources of the uninformed speculators profit. The remainder of the paper is structured as follows. Section 2 gives a brief summary of regulatory response to short selling during the financial crises of 2007-2009 and the European sovereign debt crisis of 2011. Section 3 present the model set-up. Section 4 we derive the benchmark equilibrium when absent the feedback. Section 5 derive the equilibrium when the feedback present. Section 6 concludes. All proofs are in the Appendix. 2 Recent regulatory response to short selling As a result of the financial market turmoil in 2008, the SEC and a number of international financial market regulators put in effect a number of new rules regarding short selling. In July the SEC issued an emergency order banning so-called â€Å"naked† short sellingIn a naked short-sale transaction, the short seller does not borrow the share before entering the short position. In our model, we can consider the short selling cost is zero is a naked short-sale. in the securities of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and primary dealers at commercial and investment banks. In total 18 stocks were included in the ban, which took effect on Monday July 21 and was in effect until August 12. On September 19 2008, the SEC banned all short selling of stocks of financial companies. This much broader ban initially included a total of 799 firms, and more firms were added to this list over time. In a statement regarding the ban, SEC Chairman Christopher Cox said, â€Å"The Commission is committed to using every weapon in its arsenal to combat market manipulation that threatens investors and capital markets. The emergency order temporarily banning short selling of financial stocks will restore equilibrium to markets. This action, which would not be necessary in a well-functioning market, is temporary in nature and part of the comprehensive set of steps being taken by the Federal Reserve, the Treasury, and the Congress.† This broad ban of all short selling in financial institutions was initially set to expire on October 2, but was extended until Wednesday October 9, i.e., three days after the emergency legislation (the bailout package) was passed. In addition to measures taken by the SEC, a number of international financial regulators also acted in response to short selling. On September 21 2008, Australia temporarily banned all forms of short selling, with only market makers in options markets allowed to take covered short positions to hedge. In Great Britain, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) enacted a moratorium on short selling of 29 financial institutions from September 18 2008 until January 16 2009. Also Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and Canada banned short selling of some financial stocks, while France, the Netherlands and Belgium banned naked short selling of financial companies. International restrictions on short selling of financial stocks reappeared in 2011. In August of 2011, market regulators in France, Spain, Italy and Belgium imposed temporary restrictions on the short selling of certain financial stocks as European banks came under increasing pressure as part of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. For example, both Spain and Italy imposed a temporary bans on new short positions, or increases in existing short positions, for a number of financial shares. France temporarily restricted short selling for 11 companies, including Axa, BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole. On August 26, France, Italy and Spain extended their temporary bans on short selling until at least the end of September. Of course, measures against short selling are not exclusive to these recent episodes. In response to the market crash of 1929, the SEC enacted the uptick rule, which restricts traders from selling short on a downtick. In 1940, legislation was passed that banned mutual funds from short selling. Both of these restriction were in effect until 2007. Going back even further in time, the UK banned short selling in the 1630s in response to the Dutch tulip mania. We revisit the model in Goldstein Guembel (2008). Consider an economy with four dates tin{0,1,2,3} and a firm whose stock is traded in the financial market. The firms manager needs to take an investment decision. In t=0 , a risk-neutral speculator may learn private information about the state of the world omega that determines the profitability of the firms investment opportunity. Trading in the financial market occurs in t=1 and t=2. The speculator may suffers a short selling cost c;(c>0) when he short sales. In addition to the speculator, two other types of agents participate in the financial market: noise traders whose trades are unrelated to the realization of omega and a risk-neutral market maker. The latter collects the orders from the speculator and the noise traders and sets a price at which he executes the order out of his inventory. The information of the speculator may get reflected in the price via the trading process. In t=3, the managers takes the investment decision, which may be affected by the stock price realizations. Finally, all uncertainty is realized and pay-offs are made. Suppose that the firm has an investment opportunity that requires a fixed investment at the amount of K. There are two possible states omegain{l,h} that occur with equal probabilities. Firm valueTo simplifier the model, we do not include the assets in place in the expressions for the value of the firm, even including it will not affect our analysis. can be expressed as a function V(omega,k) of the underlying state omega and the investment decision kin{0,K}: There is one speculator in the model. In t=0, with probability alpha, the speculator receives a perfectly informative private signal sin{l,h} regarding the state of the world omega. With probability 1-alpha he receives no signal, which we denote as s=phi. There are two trading dates : t=1,2. In each trading date, the speculator submits orders u_{t}in{-1,0,1} to a market maker. There is a exogenous noise trader who submits orders n_{t}={-1,0,1} with equal probabilities. The market maker only observes total order flow Q_{t}=n_{t}+u_{t}, and therefore possible order flows are Q_{t}={-2,-1,0,1,2}. Moreover, it is assumed that a market maker faces Bertrand competition and thus sets the price for an asset equal to its expected value, given his information set: p_{1}(Q_{1})=E[Vmid Q_{1}] and p_{2}(Q_{1},Q_{2})=E[Vmid Q_{1},Q_{2}]. In our model, the price is a function of total order flows, thus, to ease the exposition, we assume that the speculator observes Q_{1}, and therefore can directly condition his t=2 trade on Q_{1} instead of p_{1}. Similarly, the firm manager observes Q_{1} and Q_{2} , and may use them in his investment decision. The equilibrium concept we use is the Perfect Bayesian Nash equilibrium. Here, it is defined as follows: †¢ A trading strategy by the speculator {u_{1}(s) and {u_{2}(s,Q_{1},u_{1})} that maximizes his expected pay-off, given the price-setting rule, the strategy of the manager, and the information he has at the time he makes the trade; †¢ An investment strategy by the firm that maximizes expected firm value given all other strategies; †¢ A price-setting strategy by the market maker {p_{1}(Q_{1}) and p_{2}(Q_{1},Q_{2})} that allows him to break even in expectation, given all other strategies; †¢ The firm and the market maker use Bayes rule in order to update their beliefs from the orders they observe in the financial market; †¢ All agents have rational expectations in the sense that each players belief about the other players strategies is correct in equilibrium. As a benchmark, we consider in this section there is no feedback from the financial market to the firms investment decision. We assume the firm manager known well the state of the world, and, thus, the investment decision in t=3 is not affect by the trading outcomes in the financial market in t=1 and t=2. For the speculator, if s=h , he knows that the firms value is V^{+}; if s=l, he knows that the firm value is 0; and if s=phi, he knows the expected firm value is frac{V^{+}}{2} . The market maker also starts with the expectation that the firm value is frac{V^{+}}{2} and updates this expectation after each round of trade. There exists multiple equilibria with no-feedback game when we impose the short selling cost c in t=1. Because there is no feedback and from the proof of Proposition 1., the short selling cost only affect to negatively informed speculator, in order to simplifier the model, we dont impose short selling cost at t=2 . If we impose short selling cost at t=2, we must distinguish not trade or sells in t=1 and buy in t=1 (see the feedback game). . For brevity, we do not develop a particular equilibrium here. The following lemma characterizes the strategy of the positively informed speculator in any equilibrium of the no-feedback game. Building on this lemma, the next proposition establishes an important result regarding the strategy of negatively informed speculator and uninformed speculator, which is the focus of this paper. The trading strategy is rather intuitive. The short selling cost does not affect positively informed speculators trading behavior, since he know the firm value is V^{+} and the firm manager does not learn any information from the stock prices, thus, it is a game only between speculator and the market maker, in the case his information was not revealed to the market maker, the positively speculator will not choose sells in t=1 and t=2. For the positively informed speculator, the only thing is try to hide his information to the market maker, otherwise, the price will equal to the true value of the firm V^{+} and he makes zero profit. The trading strategies are also rather intuitive. For the uninformed speculator, trading in t=1 without information generates losses because buying (selling) pushes the price up (down), so that the expected price is higher (lower) than the unconditional expected firm value. The uninformed speculator does not have the informational advantage over the market maker in t=1, and thus cannot make a profit if he is trading. He may choose trade in t=2 when the market maker set the price is not equal frac{V^{+}}{2}, in this case, he have the informational advantage, he knows each agents trading orders in t=1 and his own trading order in t=2. For the negatively informed speculator, if short selling cost is not too high, he may choose mixes the trading strategies like positively informed speculator in order to hide his information to the market maker; if the short selling cost is too high, he always get negative transaction profit in t=1, in this case, he would like not trade in t=1. In the no-feedback game, the short selling cost actually does not affect the trading behavior of the positively informed speculator and the uninformed speculator, it can only affect to the negatively informed speculator. It is worth noting that in the next section with feedback , the short selling cost will affect not only the negatively informed speculator, but also the uninformed speculator.

West Side Story Essay -- essays research papers

In 1961, West Side Story, a filmed version of the hit Broadway musical that was inspired by William Shakespeare’s "Romeo and Juliet," was released to viewers, who just could not resist the energy and excitement of the movie. Thirty-eight years later, viewers, like myself, still cannot resist it. I had never seen the film, which was directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, before, but I had always wondered why people loved this multi award-winning movie so much. After viewing the film, I think that it deserved the ten Academy Awards that it won because it has withstood the test of time and it truly is a remarkable film. It still has the same flair and ability to lure the viewer into the plot as it did when it was first shown in theaters. I think that it truly is one of the best pictures of this century because it offers entertainment and an important lesson about hate as well.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  West Side Story is primarily a social statement with a touching love story surrounding the social aspect of the film. West Side Story has three main themes, love, tragedy, and justice, which are brought to light throughout the course of the movie. The plot of the film involves two race-based gangs fighting to rule the same strip of street on the West Side of New York City in the late 1950’s. The film teaches a valuable lesson; a lesson about how hate can kill a person and destroy the lives of his or her loved ones. The Jets, a white gang of teenagers led by Riff, and the Sharks, the Puerto Ri...

Individualism versus Collectivism Essay

The concepts of individualism and collectivism apply to the description of societies and individuals within the society. Cultures vary in their levels of individualism/ collectivism while individuals within these specific cultures vary on the same dimension. Idiocentric and allocentric are constructs that are very important in differentiating consistent variations of an individual’s attitudes, beliefs, self-definition, normative behavior and self-definition. Individualism is termed as the person’s level of idiocentric while collectivism is the person’s level of allocentric (Udehn, 2001). Idiocentric individuals emphasize more on their own goals and needs over those of the group to which they belong. They are much independent and self-reliant. On the other hand, allocentric individuals tend to be more cooperative, interdependent and they also have a stronger desire to partner with others. In addition allocentric and idiocentric individuals differ in their source of intimacy and companionship to satisfy their several needs and to strengthen their self-esteem. For instance, idiocentric obtains their social support from peers and best friends while allocentrics obtain their social support from their parents. Individuals with allocentric tendencies have fewer daily but more in-depth discussions than individuals with idiocentric tendencies. People who express more allocentric or idiocentric tendencies vary in various ways. For instance, the people who tend to be more allocentric have good reliability and inter-correlation thus showing convergent validity. They are characterized with three main aspects which include individual to group goals, in-group as extension of the self and in-group identity. Individuals who are more idiocentric mainly use equity and need in distributing rewards. Individuals who are more allocentric mainly emphasize on the values of cooperation, fairness and honesty while individuals who are more idiocentric put much emphasis on values of comfortable life, competition, pleasure and social recognition. Persons who are allocentric receive much and better quality social support while those who are more idiocentric are usually higher in achievement motivation, alienation and greater loneliness. The difference between collective and individualist cultures is mainly based on self. In collectivist cultures, the self is more linked to in-group memberships while in individualist cultures; self-concept is obtained from independently groups which are based on the varying characteristics and contributions of the individual. In collectivists’ cultures, there is high adherence to the goals of the in-group and to in-group values and also the maintaining of in-group harmony (Lee & Kelly 1996). In individualistic societies, the aims and the goals of a particular individual are more important and less significance is attached to in-group harmony. Nevertheless, individualism is mainly based on Western cultures while collectivism is related with Eastern cultures. Collectivistic cultures have lower rates of suicide, psychopathology and relatively higher marital satisfaction than individualistic cultures. I consider myself to be idiocentric. This is because I always concentrate on my own goals and achievement over those of the other people and I carry out my tasks independently. I normally display a different tendency towards the allocentric. For instance, in making purchase of luxury brands, I purchase goods for my own sake pleasures ad interests while the allocentric purchase the luxury brands only with an aim of seeking social recognition (McCarthy, 2005). As a result of these differences, conflict and misunderstanding emerges. This is because as a personally motivated consumer, I will purchase the luxury brands for self-interests while on the other hand an allocentric individual who is socially motivated will make the purchase of luxury brands with an aim of seeking social recognition.

Invasion of Privacy by Employee Monitoring Essay

Employee monitoring has been a serious controversial issue in the modern workplaces besides its necessity. There are many technological surveillance methods are being used today, and it does not only monitor the quantity of work but the quality. Many employers believe that the monitoring helps to increase productivity and customer service activity and control and keep the business in an ideal, stable shape. They sometimes use it to determine one’s promotions and pay decisions as well as to reinforce disciplinary actions. However, what about employee’s privacy? Do employers think that the current monitoring situation is really fair to their employees? Lots of employers use different types of monitoring methods including computer monitoring, video surveillance, investigators, undercover operatives, spying, eavesdropping, wiretapping, and electronic mail and voice mail. All these methods are derived from high technology have made it so easy for those who are monitoring to overstep the boundaries from business information to private information. Many computer programs allow employers to access and monitor employee’s activities such as e-mail communication, keyboard activity, and website visiting history. A frequently debated issue is whether an employer has the right to read and check employee e-mail and voice messages. One recent survey shows that more than 73% of companies search or read employee files, e-mail messages, web connections, and other networking communication technology (Shelly & Vermaat, 2011, p. 590). Another data shows 25% of them have fired employees for misusing communication technology. The problem is that currently, there is no privacy laws exist relating to employee e-mail even though several lawsuits have been filed for many years against employers because many people believe that such internal employee communications should be private. (Slobovnik and Stuart 144-160) Another method of surveillance that is commonly used in a workplace is video recording. This is the most effective form of monitoring yet. However, there are restrictions regarding the legality of using this form. It is defined as illegal if there is audible recording along with the images in the tape. Employees must know that they are being recorded, and most of all, images should not be taken in any undesignated area such as restrooms. In fact, there are some benefits from video surveillance, including increased safety on the job, deter employees from stealing, promote good behavior, and can be used as evidence of a crime. However, video surveillance also can create a false sense of security and a decrease in morale. Imagine if someone is watching where you go and what you do. You might think as if this is not a human workplace but more like a prison. It is absolutely a privacy invasion for employees. The most recent invention of technological surveillance is a Smartcard. One statistic says that 53% of U. S. companies are using Smartcard, and the numbers are increasing rapidly. It simply controls employees’ physical activities within the company; it allows company to track every personal activity from using cell phones to visiting information. Invasion of privacy is a growing concern among employees. â€Å"Electronic monitoring without informing employees that it is taking place is no different than spying. Monitoring is a supervisory tool, not a tool for employee surveillance (CSE, 2006). Monitoring is a simple way of invading employee’s privacy. For example, computer data banks, telephone and video monitoring, active badges, and other monitoring techniques make the private lives of workers easier to delve into without detection (Mishra, J. M; Crampton, S. M 1998). Employers can maintain the productivity and accuracy of their employees without invading their personal lives by using motivation methods. Punishments should be followed for those who break the company’s policy. However, employers also have to protect their employees’ right as a human being.

The Catcher in the Rye Summary

'The Catcher in the Rye' Summary J.D. Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye follows the young protagonist Holden Caulfield, who narrates a three-day stint after being kicked out of prep school sometime in the 1950s.  Holden decides to leave before the end of the semester and travel to Manhattan, where he spends his time wandering the city and trying to connect with old friends and family. Chapters 1-7 Holden begins his story the day he leaves Pencey Prep, the all-boys boarding school he attends in Pennsylvania. It’s Saturday, and there’s a football game against Saxon Hill. Holden decides to go see his history teacher Mr. Spencer instead of watching the game. Mr. Spencer tries to talk some sense into Holden, who is being expelled for flunking nearly all of his classes. Holden decides that Mr. Spencer will never understand his point of view and returns to the dorms. Back in his room, Holden is interrupted by Robert Ackley, who lives next door. Ackley is rather unpopular, and Holden expresses annoyance at Ackley’s unhygienic personal habits. Stradlater, Holden’s popular roommate, is getting ready for a date. Holden thinks Stradlater is a â€Å"phony, and he is displeased that Stradlaters date is Jane Gallagher. Jane is an old friend of Holdens, and he knows that Stradlater is a womanizer who wont treat her with respect. Stradlater asks Holden to do his homework assignment for him. Holden acquiesces, and after he goes out for hamburgers and pinball with Ackley and his friend Mal Brossard, he goes back to the dorm to write. Holden writes the essay about his younger brother Allies baseball glove. Holden reveals that Allie died of leukemia in 1946, and Holden is wrapped up in memories of Allie during the writing process. When Stradlater returns to the dorms, he reads the essay and gets mad at Holden for straying from the assignments instructions. Holden asks whether he slept with Jane, but Stradlater wont answer, and Holden becomes so angry that he punches him. Stradlater pins Holden to the ground and gives him a bloody nose in retaliation. Holden decides to leave school early and head to New York City. He sells his typewriter for some extra money. Between that sum and the amount his grandmother sent him, he figures he has more than enough money to last him for a couple of days. Chapters 8-14 On the train, Holden meets the mother of Ernest Morrow, a student Holden calls the biggest bastard at school.  Holden tells the woman that his name is Rudolf Schmidt and makes up a story about how shy, modest, and popular Ernest is. Once they arrive in New York, Holden says goodbye to Mrs. Morrow and takes a taxi to Edmont Hotel. On the way, he becomes preoccupied with the whereabouts of the Central Park ducks during wintertime. He asks the driver, but the question only seems to annoy him. At the hotel, Holden thinks about phoning Jane, but instead ends up going to the bar and trying to buy a drink. He dances with three tourist women. He finds their eagerness to spot celebrities pathetic and sad, but ultimately falls half in love with one of the women because of how well she dances. When the women leave, Holden starts thinking about Jane again. He decides to head to Ernie’s, a popular spot for prep-school and college-age kids. He runs into Lillian Simmons, who used to date his older brother D.B. She invites him to sit with her, but he finds her pretentious, so he he leaves and walks back to his hotel. The hotels elevator operator, Maurice, offers to send a prostitute named Sunny to Holdens room for five dollars. Holden agrees, but when the woman arrives, he becomes uncomfortable and changes his mind. He sees how young and nervous she is and tells her that he just wants to talk. Sunny tells Holden that her visit costs ten dollars instead of five. Holden refuses to pay the extra money. Maurice and Sunny return together to beat Holden up and take the money. Chapters 15-19 The next day, Holden calls a former girlfriend named Sally to schedule a date, then heads to a sandwich bar for breakfast. At the sandwich bar, he talks to two nuns about their work and the books hes reading for school. Holden enjoys their company and donates ten dollars for their collection. He then leaves to go meet up with Sally. During his the walk, Holden buys a record called Little Shirley Beans for his younger sister Phoebe, knowing that she will love it. At the play, Holden expresses how much he hates the phoniness of plays and movies. Sally, however, loves the matinee. Holden grows increasingly annoyed when Sally runs into an old friend and carries on a loud conversation with him about various acquaintances. Then Holden and Sally leave and go ice-skating in Central Park, mainly because Sally loves the skating costume she gets to wear. After ice skating, Holden urges Sally to run away with him and live in a cabin in the woods in New England. Sally refuses, seemingly panicked by Holdens behavior, and the two get into a fight. Holden calls her a pain in the ass, and Sally gets so upset that they part ways on terrible terms. Holden tries to call Jane again, but hangs up when she doesn’t answer. He goes to see a movie, hating how cheesy it is, before going to see an old classmate of his named Carl Luce. They meet up at the Wicker Bar. Holden makes too many inappropriate jokes, and their conversation sours quickly. After Luce leaves, Holden remains at the bar and gets very drunk. Chapters 20-26 Holden calls Sally late at night to make amends, but her mother answers the phone and Sally gets on the line only to tell him to go home. He takes a walk in Central Park, where he accidentally breaks the record he bought for Phoebe. Holden decides to go home to visit her. He is careful to sneak into her room to avoid being detected by his parents, who still think he’s at school and do not know about his expulsion. Holden loves talking with Phoebe, but when she finds out that he’s been expelled, she grows angry with him. Phoebe asks Holden if he likes anything, and he can’t think of anything other than this boy, James Castle, who fell out a window at school and died. He tells Phoebe that he likes Allie, and she retorts that Allie is dead. Holden tells Phoebe that he fantasizes about being the catcher in the rye. He envisions a group of children running around in a field of rye at the edge of the cliff, and pictures himself catching the children and saving them from falling over the edge- effectively preventing them from losing their innocence. Holden leaves when his parents return from a party. He rings up his old English teacher, Mr. Antolini, who lives in the city and teaches English at NYU. Mr. Antolini tries to give Holden life advice, and warns him about caring too much about the wrong things so as to not be able to function in society. He and his wife set up the couch for Holden to spend the night on. Holden is woken up by Mr. Antolini patting his head and becomes so uncomfortable that he leaves. He ends up sleeping at Grand Central Station and spends the next day wandering around Fifth Avenue. Holden fantasizes about leaving the city and pretending to be a deaf-mute so that he can work as a gas station attendee out West and never interact with anyone. He visits Phoebe’s school and leaves a note asking her to meet him at the museum to say goodbye for good. While at the school, Holden notices an expletive scribbled on the wall. He grows angry thinking about the innocent children who will see the word and learn its meaning. He tries to rub it off, but its permanent. Phoebe meets Holden at the museum as he requested. She has a suitcase with her, and she tells Holden that she wants to run away with him. Holden refuses and Phoebe gets so angry that she won’t walk next to him. They go the Central Park Zoo. Holden tells Phoebe he will stay, and he buys her a ticket for the carousel. He experiences overwhelming happiness as he watches her ride the carousel. Holden ends the story by alluding to the time that has lapsed since the events in the novel. He says that he got sick, has been visiting with a psychoanalyst, and is going to start a new school in September. Holden ends the novel by expressing how much he misses his old classmates and others in his life.

SHC 23 L01 Assessment 2015 Essay

SHC 23 L01 Assessment 2015 Essay SHC 23 L01 Assessment 2015 Essay Level 2 Certificate for the children and young people’s workforce SHC 23 Introduction to equality and inclusion in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings ASSESSMENT BOOK Name of Student CACHE PIN CACHE Level 2/3 Certificate/Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce Learner Achievement Log Record of Assessment Cycle Purpose: an on-going record of planning and feedback between Assessor and learner Learner Name CACHE PIN Unique Learner Number Assessor Name Planned Activities: Unit Assessment Criteria LO1 Understand the importance of diversity equality and inclusion. Explain what is meant by Diversity Equality Inclusion discrimination Describe ways in which discrimination may deliberately or inadvertently occur in the work setting Explain how practices that support equality and inclusion reduce the likelihood of discrimination. SHC 33 1.1 1.2 1.3 Due Date Assessor Initial & Date Learner Initial & Date Feedback: Date Assessor Initial & Date Learner Initial & Date SHC 33 Promoting equality and inclusion Task 1 criteria 1.1 Explain briefly what is meant by the terms equality, diversity, inclusion and Discrimination. Write your answers in the boxes below, using examples in practice to support your answers. Diversity Diversity concept means each individual is unique and recognize our individual differences, these can be along the dimension of race, ethnicity gender, sexual orientation and even religious beliefs. So it is important to respect every one and accept all of us are different. For example; when we find out English is the second language for a child; we can help her / him with more explanation. Equality Equality basically means access or provision of equal opportunities to everyone regardless of gender, race, ability, age, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. Equality is about making sure people are treated fairly and given fair chances. Equality is not about treating everyone in the same way, but it recognises that their needs are met in different ways. For example; when we have a child on a wheelchair in a setting, we have to assess her/his needs the same as other children, like provide suitable toilet or lift. Inclusion Inclusion is about equal opportunities for all pupils, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment and background. Children and their families must be fully included in the setting. Working towards inclusion involves striving to remove barriers that may be preventing children and families feeling that they can belong to the setting and participate in it. For example; when we have children from different countries or cultures in a setting we can celebrate their different festivals, in this way all children are included so they don’t feel that they are been left out. Discrimination Discrimination is the unequal treatment of individuals, usually on the basis of gender, race, age, religion or disability. It means one person, or a group of persons, being treated less favourably than another because their race, colour, religion, culture and etc. For examples; a black child is refused entry to the school because of wearing his hairstyle in cornrows. For a number of Afro-Caribbeans for whom cutting their hair and wearing it in cornrows is a matter of their cultural background. Criteria 1.2 Describe ways in which discrimination may deliberately or inadvertently occur in the work setting, giving an example of each Direct Discrimination When you treat someone unfairly or differently just because they belong to a particular group of people, it is called direct discrimination. For example; A school refuses a child ‘application to go to that school because he has a disability and the school does not want any disabled children. A pupil with dyslexia is told she cannot have her teacher ‘lesson notes, and she should take notes during lessons like everyone else. A further

CapitalimSocialism Essay Research Paper There are many

Capitalim-Socialism Essay, Research Paper There are many different economic systems that reside in someway throughout the universe today like capitalist economy and socialism. Here in the United States, we live in a assorted economic system? ? one in which private endeavor and governmental engagement coexist? . Presently Americans? lives are centered on the person, harmonizing to Adam Smith. At the same clip, the authorities controls many facets of American? s lives. In order to make up ones mind which economic system I sided with, I realized I must understand what each system stands for. Socialism is the belief that wealth should be distributed every bit among people. Although this sounds like a great manner for all people to be affluent, I have a job with their non being a wages for those who work hard and have an outstanding imaginativeness. Socialism rejects private ownership and competition for net income. I think these are things that persons need to do themselves more productive in the concern universe today. I believe that competition for net income helps an person to endeavor for greater personal accomplishments. On the other manus, I like the fact that socialism emphasizes cooperation and societal duty. Capitalism is merely the antonym: it is centered more around the people and their achievements. It is based on private ownership, where as socialism dismisses it. Capitalism allows people to work to bring forth their ain economic value. I believe that people should be rewarded for their difficult work, and socialism doesn? t allow much room to make so. Capitalism, or the free endeavor system, lets persons set up and run their ain concerns. It was noted that the? United States depends on the energy and thrust of 1000s of single capitalists? . After this spot of research, I would hold to hold with both Paul Johnson and Adam Smith. Johnson said capitalist economy provides the best economic construction and Smith was the 1 to state that in doing everyone wealthy, the state will go affluent excessively. I wholly agree that each person is entitled to his or her ain free belongings and free will, which is granted by capitalist economy. I wish we could populate in a capitalist economic system with a socialist medical specialty system. I don? T think it? s carnival that merely because one individual has more money than another, they have a better opportunity to have medical aid. The idea of a kid acquiring turned off from a surgery that could salvage their life because they are hapless interruptions my bosom. So, if there was a manner to unite the medical ways in socialism with the profitable ways of capitalist economy I think there could be a really strong economic system.

Southern Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Southern Society - Essay Example It was the most important cash crop; it generated the highest income out of the trade. For instance, its value was  £766,000 while that of indigo was  £113,0002. The use of tobacco as one of the trade items in the Colonial Era was also as a result of the provision of cheap labor by the slaves. However, the volatility of its prices influenced planters into diversifying their slave plantations. Rice plantations were established in 1700s with the goal of making profits3. Its growth was also facilitated by good soils and climatic conditions. The commodity value of rice was approximately  £312,000. The fertile soils, good climate, as well as the availability of cheap labor from the slaves, enhanced the introduction of the large-scale production of cotton in 1800s in Southern Colonies. The production of cotton was aimed at making a profit and not for personal use. Sugarcane is also one of the trade items of the Colonial Era in the Southern society that was introduced in 1800s. Large scale production of sugarcane in plantations was also as a result of good soil, good climatic conditions, and provision of cheap labor by the slaves. The planters grew sugar as a cash crop to generate profit. Indigo was also one of the trade items that were best suited to the South. Indigo plantations were introduced in 1700s with the aim of making a

Is there a gender equality in Afghanistan, and have they empower women Research Paper

Is there a gender equality in Afghanistan, and have they empower women and give them the chance to represent the afghan society - Research Paper Example The HDI of Afghanistan as of 2014 is 0.468. The country became independent on 19th August 1919.The population of Afghanistan is 31,108,744 as of 2014. This includes approximately 2.6 million refugees who still live in neighboring areas like Iran and Pakistan. The only city in the country which has a pop0ltuon of more than one million is the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul. Afghanistan is one of the poorest, least developed and most impoverished nations in the world. Throughput the history of Afghanistan, gender inequality has persisted in almost all segments of the Afghan society. The afghan women have experienced major oppression and violence that have resulted in the women of the country becoming oppressed and dominated beings in the country. The processes of oppression in the Afghan culture are deeply rooted and penetrate into the lives of the women in Afghanistan. As a result of all these practices and factors, the women in Afghanistan have started having very low level of self-consciousness have also internalized their images in the society as propagated by their male counterparts. The challenges that are inherent to the problem of gender inequality in Afghanistan are twofold in nature. On one side, the male counterparts of the society consider that the oppression and violence done against the women counterparts of the society are justified as per the socio cultural norms that have been practiced in the Afghan society in the traditional formats. In contrast, the women of the country have become oppressed by these episodes of violence and discriminations because the attitude and behaviors associated with subordination and suppression and being dominated are deeply entrenched in the cultural and social systems of Afghanistan. Thus, the extensive control of the male entities in the society on the woman and the existence of patriarchal arrangements in the rural and urban areas of the country have led to the men of Afghanistan

Social Security's role in our society and public administration Essay

Social Security's role in our society and public administration - Essay Example This Civil War Pension program provided benefits to war veterans with disabilities, in addition, widows and orphans could receive pensions equal to the amount paid to veterans. Starting with the year 1906 old age has become the main qualification for the benefits payment. Thus, by the year 1960 the following groups of people were receiving benefits: Civil War veterans, survivors with disabilities, and the old-aged. Later, these programs would become known as Social Security. In particular, four major demographic changes led to the emergence of Social Security in the early 1930s: the Industrial Revolution, the urbanization of America, the disappearance of the extended family and the market increase in life expectancy. Also, as a result of an Agricultural Revolution the majority of self-employed workers were transformed into industrial working class. When primary income comes from wages, economic security is threatened by recessions, layoffs and business failures, factors that employees have no control over. Industrialization has led to city growth and by 1930 half of the population was living in cities. The trend towards urbanization resulted in the disappearance of the extended family. This was due to large families living in the same residence. The major advantage of an extended family was that when one member became too old too work, the other members assumed responsibility for his well-being. Urbanization limited this kind of support and many old peo ple appeared behind the line of poverty. Finally, due to improved healthcare and sanitation Americans began to live significantly longer. The net result from these demographic changes was that Americans were older, more industrial and fewer people lived in extended families. The existing provisions of economic security were becoming increasingly fragile. The Social Security programs adopted in late 1935 relied on the concept of social insurance common in Europe at that time. The initial aim of the Social Security system was to shift the responsibility for economic security to the governmental institutions. In the late 19th century several European and Latin American states already had some form of the social insurance campaigns. The major points of the American Social Security included old age assistance, unemployment insurance, aid to dependent children and grants to the states to provide medical care (Tanner, 2004). The section on old-age benefits is what people think about Social Security today. Although the American social insurance program has been initiated much later, it was relatively successful compared to the other systems. For example, in the book "Relief and Social Security" Meriam notes the following: " . . . social insurance and the allied services, as they exist today, are conducted by a complex of disconnected adminis trative organs, proceeding on different principles, doing invaluable service but at a cost in money and trouble and anomalous treatment of identical problems for which there is no justification. In a system of social security better on the whole than can be found in almost any other country there are serious deficiencies which call for remedy" (Meriam, 1946, p. 2). Meriam talks about the American Social Security Act of 1935 as one of the most successful. Particularly, she outlines four major benefits this act has offered (Meriam, 1946, p. 16-19): The creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps by the national government

Marine engineering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Marine engineering - Essay Example This actuator C is the one that controls the forming operation labeled as (1) in the diagram. In order to return the actuator C to its normal position, solenoid C- is operated through a Normally Opened Contact (R1). However, on its way back through the cylinder, actuator C comes into close proximity of sensor TC- which leads to operation of actuator labeled D under the effect of solenoid D+. The actuator D is used to control forming operation (2). Another normally opened contact (R2) is then used to return actuator D back to its normal position under the effect of solenoid D-. Later on, when the sensor TD- has been activated, actuator B is returned to its original position by the effect of solenoid B-. Meanwhile, sensor TB- is activated by the actuator B which leads to operation of actuator A, which returns to normal position, through effect of solenoid A-. This effectively summarizes the working of the

Determine the value of knowledge as a competitive weapon to modern Essay

Determine the value of knowledge as a competitive weapon to modern organisations - Essay Example nt position in this as they are the real â€Å"knowledge producers† and hence any new knowledge that a company looks for is produced courtesy through these people. (Rocca, 1992) Competitive success is basically commanded by the companys capability to harness and indeed develop new forms of knowledge, gained either by observation or by experience attained, which can be called as assets that in turn create the required â€Å"core competencies† of the said organization. While these competencies do exist in many forms, learning on the part of a particular company plays a pivotal role, which eventually ventures into other resources of knowledge to generate high-class and exceptional showing from the company’s employees. (Dunn, 2001) Core competencies, which usually flow out of a company, provide characteristic benefits to both the customers as well as any other individuals attached with it. These are generally espied as being the foundation of forming a competitive advantage within the said company. It is quite true that there is a host of ways in which new knowledge within a company is facilitated within its ranks. The need here is to classify the m with respect to their importance, which include the cultural infrastructure can be changed within a company so as to gather some proportion to the fact of the actual remains that have to be taken care of in the company and in its employees’ minds. It demands idealization and disclosure of everlasting knowledge that is created over a certain period of time. This usually requires basic changes to already set cultural notions in companies and more so in the minds of their employees. (Fahy, 1996) Also operational infrastructure is changed through human resources organizational practices that are managed and received by the employees and other people in a different way altogether. A basic revamp of a knowledge-centered company is required here, which would involve the job ladders, compensations, work locales and command and

Social Security's role in our society and public administration Essay

Social Security's role in our society and public administration - Essay Example This Civil War Pension program provided benefits to war veterans with disabilities, in addition, widows and orphans could receive pensions equal to the amount paid to veterans. Starting with the year 1906 old age has become the main qualification for the benefits payment. Thus, by the year 1960 the following groups of people were receiving benefits: Civil War veterans, survivors with disabilities, and the old-aged. Later, these programs would become known as Social Security. In particular, four major demographic changes led to the emergence of Social Security in the early 1930s: the Industrial Revolution, the urbanization of America, the disappearance of the extended family and the market increase in life expectancy. Also, as a result of an Agricultural Revolution the majority of self-employed workers were transformed into industrial working class. When primary income comes from wages, economic security is threatened by recessions, layoffs and business failures, factors that employees have no control over. Industrialization has led to city growth and by 1930 half of the population was living in cities. The trend towards urbanization resulted in the disappearance of the extended family. This was due to large families living in the same residence. The major advantage of an extended family was that when one member became too old too work, the other members assumed responsibility for his well-being. Urbanization limited this kind of support and many old peo ple appeared behind the line of poverty. Finally, due to improved healthcare and sanitation Americans began to live significantly longer. The net result from these demographic changes was that Americans were older, more industrial and fewer people lived in extended families. The existing provisions of economic security were becoming increasingly fragile. The Social Security programs adopted in late 1935 relied on the concept of social insurance common in Europe at that time. The initial aim of the Social Security system was to shift the responsibility for economic security to the governmental institutions. In the late 19th century several European and Latin American states already had some form of the social insurance campaigns. The major points of the American Social Security included old age assistance, unemployment insurance, aid to dependent children and grants to the states to provide medical care (Tanner, 2004). The section on old-age benefits is what people think about Social Security today. Although the American social insurance program has been initiated much later, it was relatively successful compared to the other systems. For example, in the book "Relief and Social Security" Meriam notes the following: " . . . social insurance and the allied services, as they exist today, are conducted by a complex of disconnected adminis trative organs, proceeding on different principles, doing invaluable service but at a cost in money and trouble and anomalous treatment of identical problems for which there is no justification. In a system of social security better on the whole than can be found in almost any other country there are serious deficiencies which call for remedy" (Meriam, 1946, p. 2). Meriam talks about the American Social Security Act of 1935 as one of the most successful. Particularly, she outlines four major benefits this act has offered (Meriam, 1946, p. 16-19): The creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps by the national government

Determine the value of knowledge as a competitive weapon to modern Essay

Determine the value of knowledge as a competitive weapon to modern organisations - Essay Example nt position in this as they are the real â€Å"knowledge producers† and hence any new knowledge that a company looks for is produced courtesy through these people. (Rocca, 1992) Competitive success is basically commanded by the companys capability to harness and indeed develop new forms of knowledge, gained either by observation or by experience attained, which can be called as assets that in turn create the required â€Å"core competencies† of the said organization. While these competencies do exist in many forms, learning on the part of a particular company plays a pivotal role, which eventually ventures into other resources of knowledge to generate high-class and exceptional showing from the company’s employees. (Dunn, 2001) Core competencies, which usually flow out of a company, provide characteristic benefits to both the customers as well as any other individuals attached with it. These are generally espied as being the foundation of forming a competitive advantage within the said company. It is quite true that there is a host of ways in which new knowledge within a company is facilitated within its ranks. The need here is to classify the m with respect to their importance, which include the cultural infrastructure can be changed within a company so as to gather some proportion to the fact of the actual remains that have to be taken care of in the company and in its employees’ minds. It demands idealization and disclosure of everlasting knowledge that is created over a certain period of time. This usually requires basic changes to already set cultural notions in companies and more so in the minds of their employees. (Fahy, 1996) Also operational infrastructure is changed through human resources organizational practices that are managed and received by the employees and other people in a different way altogether. A basic revamp of a knowledge-centered company is required here, which would involve the job ladders, compensations, work locales and command and

Country Risk Analysis-China Essay Example for Free

Country Risk Analysis-China Essay With the development of economic globalization, foreign direct investment (FDI) is increasingly being recognized as an important factor in the economic development of countries. Although FDI began centuries ago, the biggest growth has occurred in recent years. This growth resulted from several factors, particularly the more receptive attitude of governments to investment inflows, the process of privatization, and the growing interdependence of the world economy. Team B will perform a country risk analysis to ensure that endeavors of investing into the Chinese markets are warranted. Initial ScreeningGreater China has been one of the most dynamic areas in the world economy. With the entry of the China into the World Trade Organization, Chinas financial markets emerge on the frontier of economic reform and openness. Financial services also provide the most exciting foreign business opportunities in China. However, the recent Asian financial crisis illuminates the problems in Chinas state-run enterprises and an ill-functioning banking system. This paper is looking for the business opportunity of financial services industry in China. It will begin from the review of the emerging economies to explain why the specific region was chose. The research of this paper also includes business analysis in China, a review of profitable industry, the business entry strategy and its functional areas operate in China. At the end, the future strategy and the recommendations will be discussed for the further steps in this investment. Potentials/FDILooking at the environmental factors of China, the economic development it has undergone in the past 15 years is of increasing interest to marketers. It has developed and continues to grow into a great trading partner. If this growth pattern continues, China will someday have significant economic influence on the world. One reason China could have a particularly large effect is due to the number of Chinese citizens. China supports over 1.29 billion people and this number is increasing by .93%. If the standard of living persists and income levels rise, it would be possible to accept the Chinese as potential consumers that would unlock a huge market  of individuals. The massive population has been a burden on China because the economy, as it stands now, cannot bear to support such a number of citizens. The government is trying to gain control of this problem by limiting the number of children to one per household, with exceptions to ethnic minorities and those living in rural areas. Other countries are offering their services to attempt to control the birthrate by showing the government that population control can be managed without a coercive and involuntary approach. The government has been losing its authority due to political changes and popular resistance that make population standards difficult to maintain. Therefore, some projections still approximate that 1.6 billion will make up Chinas population by the year 2025. Countries wishing to take advantage of Chinas emerging opportunities are investing a large amount of time, effort and money in order to access such a vast market. These possibilities were made possible when China started its reform in 1978, opening its doors to foreign investments and trade. This changed a self-reliant central economy into a mixed economy that combined state owned enterprises and private businesses. China could now allow individual citizens to have different amounts of incomes. The results have changed China dramatically making it the fastest growing economy for 15 years. When the reforms began in 1978, 60 percent of the population earned less than $1 a day. Since the reform, GDP has grown steadily by an average of 9 percent. In the year 2000, GDP grew by 8 percent. Currently, per capita is equivalent to $3600 and as the economy continues to expand the purchasing power of individuals will increase as well. The new economic reform policy intends to reduce central planning and increase business autonomy and spread income. Many problems still exist, despite the success of the policy and rapid economic growth. There is a movement for more privatization of some State Owned Enterprises because many remain unprofitable. In the year 2000, 46.5% of the SOEs were running at a loss. These problems stem from the socialist system that is still in place under their Constitution. Under the Chinese Constitution, it is the  responsibility of the government to manage the economy by means of production quotas and price setting. This apparent contradiction between the reform policy and the Constitution (1982) seem to work against each other. China will never succeed at full potential unless it retires the Marxist views and embraces a market directed system. Economic IndicatorsChinas economic growth remains quite high due to the large investments from the United States and Europe. The labor sector has a competitive edge with the rest of the globe now, where outsourcing of work to China is a priority among the large corporations. The Second Screening tries to look at more specific types of economic indicators to determine the risk and safety for a foreign company to invest in China, a country that has a communist government. According to the World Economic Forum, China has moved up from 33 to 39 in their 2002-2003 Growth Competitive Index while the IMD has mainland China listed as number 12. Summary data can be accessed below.In terms of trade surplus, there are fluctuations all the time due to the business cycle. Not all cycles of goods and services in China fall into predictable patternsChinas trade surplus in March fell to $6.9 billion, well below forecasts and down sharply from Februarys $23.7 billion surplus, reports AP. It was not clear whether the drop in March was the result of government efforts or would have a lasting impact.(www.metrics2.com)http://www.metrics2.com/blog/economic_indicators/Inflation is something that remains as long as prices keep going up, and there are no controls of prices. The Chinese communist government does have strict controls over the Chinese currency. Its central bank controls the overall balance of payments within the country when dealing with foreign investors, as the United States. Chinas consumer price index (CPI) rose 5.3 percent year-on-year in July, mainly due to the lagging effect of price hikes at the end of 2003 and one-time factors, said the monthly report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Thursday. The July inflation rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the 5 percent rise in June, making it the second  consecutive month that Chinas inflation exceeded 5 percent. Currency ConvertibilityCurrency in China is called the Renminbi and although it tries to be strictly controlled by the Chinese government, the currency competes on the world currency market just like the American dollar and the Euro. The currency is tied to the economic health of the country in terms of balance of payments. Sometimes this is difficult to understand because of the globalized world economies today, where every country deals in all of the worlds currencies. International corporation for example can pay for goods and services in any form of currency. The official currency of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) is Renminbi (meaning in Chinese: peoples currency). The Peoples Bank of China, the PRCs monetary authority, issues the Chinese currency. The official ISO 4217 abbreviation of Chinas currency is CNY, but it is also abbreviated as RMB. Colloquially, the Chinese currency is also called Yuan and Kuai.(www.danwei.org)Gross Domestic ProductChina is likely to declare itself the worlds fourth largest economy next week, having leapfrogged Italy, France and Britain, after a widely expected revision of its annual gross domestic product figures. Economists say the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which is due to release part of the results of its first national economic census on December 20, is likely to put a much bigger figure on the size of Chinas services sector. Political and Legal barriers to doing business in ChinaThe Peoples Republic of China is a dichotomy of cultures and lifestyles. While maintaining the culture of an old world, there is a marked representation of Western culture all over the larger cities in the country. However, anyone wishing to do business in China will have to know and understand both cultures, and all the legal and political implications involved in doing creating a successful presence in China. In China, the first step in doing business is to have a legal framework to operate your business. You need a legitimate platform to launch your business venture. It is not advisable to use proxy or another Chinese company to conduct business in China (www.seve.gr). While the most obvious barriers to doing business in China include tariffs and other financial  limitations, there are some non-tariff barriers that could inhibit a business from doing business in China. Entry BarriersGovernments often provide trade consultations and administrative guidance to companies to facilitate implementation of their respective industrial policies. In some countries the role of government may take the form of a caretaker, coordinator and leader providing guidance, coordination and arbitration. In order to achieve these goals, governments use such tactics as licensing, foreign exchange allocations and quotas. These tactics could interfere with free trade and become a barrier to market entry (www.foxweb.marist.edu). Profit Remittance BarriersFinancial controls may take the form of exchange controls, multiple exchange rates, and prior import deposits, as well as credit restrictions and profit remittance restrictions. Exchange controls limit the amount of currency that can be taken abroad. Such controls limit the amount of currency an importer can obtain to pay for the goods purchased. It also limits the amount of currency an exporter receives for goods sold and the length of time it can hold the currency (www.foxweb.marist.edu). Prior to 2005, most businesses in China were state-owned and it was virtually impossible for non-state businesses to enter the Chinese market. However, in 2005, China lifted trade barriers that would allow private businesses to invest in the infrastructure, industry and utilities of China. Although the government has displayed support for the development of non-state economy in recent years, there are still barriers to the development of the private sector especially in the power and oil industries. Even in Shanghai where the private economy booms, the non-state business often faces many limits from various industries (www.English.peopledaily.com). Cultural IssuesChinas estimated population for 2007 is greater than 1,321,800,000 with a relatively small cohort. (CIA, 2007) The median age  in China is 33.2 (32.7 male and 33.7 female). Exhibit 1 (CIA, 2007)Life expectancy is estimated at 72.88 years. Seven out of every 1,000 people die each year. Infant mortality rate is 22.12 per every 1,000 births (20.01 male and 24.47 female). (CIA, 2007). The Chinese ethnic population is 91.9% Han Chinese; while the remaining 8.1% is made up of Zhuang, Uygur, Hui, Yi, Tibetan, Miao, Manchu, Mongol, Buyi, Korean, and other. Exhibit 2 (Cyborlink, n.d.)Culturally, China ranks highest in long-term orientation. This dimension indicates a societys time perspective and an attitude of preserving; that is, overcoming obstacles with time, if not with will and strength. (Cyborlink, n.d.) Geert Hofstede has conducted many cultural analyses and ranked China the lowest in Asia in regards to individualism. This is thought to be in part to an emphasis on a Collectivist society by Communist rule. Culturally, the Chinese are close and committed to family and relationships and loyalty is considered very important. Hofstede also noted that China ranks 80 in regards to power distance; while the rest of Asia averages 60 and the rest of the world averages 50. This is indicative of a high level of inequality of power and wealth within the society. This condition is not necessarily forced up the population, but rather accepted by the society as their cultural heritage. (Cyborlink, n.d.) In regard religions, China is an atheistic society (94%); while only three to four percent are Taoist, Buddhist, or Christian, and one to two percent are Muslim. Education in China is very important. Two years before the dawn of the 21st Century the Chinese government proposed an ambitious plan intended to expand university enrollment to ensure a greater output of professional and specialized graduates. (Cyborlink, n.d.) The governments goal is to develop an elite of world-class universities. Today, 90.9% of the Chinese population is literate; however, only 85.5% of Chinese females are literate compared to 95.1% of Chinese males are literate. The 2006 estimated Chinese labor force consisted of 798 million people with  an official unemployment rate of 4.2% for urban areas. Unemployment and underemployment rates for rural areas are considerably higher. According to the 2006 labor estimates, 45% of the labor force was involved in agriculture; 24% industry; and 31% services. Exhibit 3 (CIA, 2007)Competitive forcesNumber, size and financial strengthWith this being a relatively new product idea there is very little competition. That is not to say that there is no competition. Similar software exists however it does not take into account the end user. Most fashion software is for the designer more so than the consumer. Our software allows people put in there body type and shape and then see how clothes would look on you before you ever step foot in a store. Market shareWith a very small number of competitors is allows for firms to have very large shares of the market. We understand that being brand new we will not be able to have the entire market, however within the first three months we expect to grow it by a factor three. This is very ambitious but we feel with our strategic partnerships and quality product we should be the market leader within the first 18 months. Marketing strategiesOur marketing strategy will be to associate our self with an established fashion label(s). We will use there good name to help promote our product as a product extension of the clothes. DistributionWe will distribute our products through online stores as well as their contemporary bricks and mortar counterpart. We feel this is the best over all solution to get the product into the hands of as many people as possible. The competition utilizes the internet as well as physical stores as well so we must do both as well. Modes of entryAs for the mode of entry, we have decided that because of the bureaucratic red tape associated with doing business in china it would be most beneficial if we combined our efforts with an already established clothing company. That way we would not have to launch a completely new company however just branch out as a different product line to an existing  brand. We will probably use price skimming as this type of software will be aimed at consumers who are willing to pay a premium for fashion. Also they might perceive a lower price as a lower quality product. An alternative mode of entry could be if we sold our software to multiple clothing makers and allow them to use the software as a tool. This also would eliminate some of the governmental procedures. This solution would also get the product out and into more users. The products of this industry are services, it is extremely important to build good relationship with customer and build customer loyalty in long term. This issue is currently managed by the group successfully. The only challenge is to keep the standard when entering the China market. In the highly competitive business atmosphere currently occurring in China, there is a large shortage of qualified employees. Many companies are eager to attract as many skilled professionals as possible, especially in financial services industry. Local business giants realize the urgency and magnitude of their needs. Besides the great number of expatiate executives, management-training companies in Shanghai have mushroomed to several thousand to provide the management talent. In conclusion, with the speed up of world economic integration process and the gradual opening of financial market after Chinas entry into WTO, China financial services sector will have to face more powerful competition and challenges from overseas intruders. China will be stepping up infrastructure development and offering equal opportunities to both the foreign banks and the domestics. It also is a greater opportunity for WF to take a step in sharing the market. References China lifts barriers of private business into monopolized industries. (2005). Retrieved April 21, 2007 from http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200501/20/eng20050120_171269.htmlCIA. (2007, April). China. Retrieved April 19, 2007, from The World Fact Book:https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.htmlCyborlink. (n.d.). China. Retrieved April 19, 2007, from International Business

Corporate Social Responsibility Environmental Disclosures Philosophy Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility Environmental Disclosures Philosophy Essay In many nations debates over current global issues such as climate change and poverty are sites of educational, social and political conflict. This paper explores the academic attempt made by Human Development (HD) model, to address Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) environmental disclosures in annual reports. Also this essay seeks to examine the impact of the notion of social contract and legitimacy upon corporate responsibility and Environmental Disclosure Policies. Discussion then shifts to an ecocentric critic on Marx and an ecofeminism critic on Frankfurt school on ecological crisis. As a way forward, an ecocentric outlook is introduced. The paper ends with conclusion. Introduction There is a growing understanding that the current crisis we face is both ecological and social furthermore the global challenges of poverty, that are foreseen to grow in many ways through Climate Change demand constructive, innovative and forward looking approaches between development sectors (World Bank, 2003). In recent years, there has been a proliferation of corporate social and environmental disclosures in business practice (Coles and Murphy, 1999). This study goes further than accepting the achievements in voluntary environmental disclosures in (CSR) annual reports, into actual commitment by the industrialized world in tackling environmental degradation. It critically evaluates the impact of mainstream notion of social contract and legitimacy in (HD) literature upon corporate responsibility disclosure policies theoretical arguments a way forward, an ecocentric perspective is introduced, one that draws leading an ecologically informed philosophy of internal relatedness to narro w the gap between (CSR) environmental disclosures and actual commitment to environmental protection. Description of a New Sustainability view Ever since the Bruntland Commission introduced the concept of Sustainable Development in its seminal report, Our Common Future, (UN, 1987). Governments and their development partners at the national, regional and international level have struggled to operationalize the concept of sustainability in development policies, programs and plans (World Bank, 2003). Part of the reason for this struggle is because sustainability is a highly complex concept that over time has come to mean different things to different people (Pepper, 1996). Sustainability actually describes several different approaches as well these approaches carry with them different visions of society and different political commitments to action (Pepper, 1996). Although, the sustainability defining roots come largely from environmental-economic fields (Constanza et al, 1992) the concept of Sustainable Development incorporated other aspects questioning justice, poverty, inequality, and peoples aspiration for a better life, only to mention a few (Naess, 1990). As a result, cultural, technological, ethical ambits have been most recently introduced in various innovative ways to better picture a multidimensional and integrated perception of the sustainability notion in an attempt to achieve progressively, what has called; a public relation response between business sectors and environmental organizations (Coles and Murphy, 1999). Like many critical theorists, we are strengthening corporate responsibility as fact that must be taken into account when talking of people and their environment, not only on the things that affect them but also on things on which they have an effect (Naess, 1999). Under this idea, sustainability has been recently define d in Human Development model with rather different and new terms and further characterizations demonstrating levels of interaction between business sectors and nature originating thoughts from many authors; such as Coles and Murphy, 1999), who has for instance defined it as: a proactive environmental management. CSR- Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in (HD) has emerged largely since the 1950s, but its origins in the UK can be traced back to nineteenth century and early twentieth century philanthropists, many of whom left a lasting legacy; for instance, William Cadbury, who became a leading philanthropist as a result of successful business endeavors at the turn of the twentieth century (the William Cadbury Trust). Since then Businesses sectors has been engage in (CSR) for diverse reasons, driven by economic, ethical and other considerations. The conception of (CSR) is closely related to the conception of the social accountability in Human Development (Coles and Murphy, 1999). It is evident in this post-modern world that the business (CSR) annual reports have moved away from narrow financial disclosures to the disclosure of a number of broader social issues for a larger audience on a voluntary basis ranging from information about employees, political and charitable donations, environment pollution, social audit and other social information (Coles and Murphy, 1999). Perhaps this is one of the attempts to building what literature now describes as social accountability in Human Development (Coles and Murphy, 1999). The (CSR) annual reports are already advancing future concern for peoples ´ welfare foreseen as a long run problematic issue, but certainly is not yet questioning environmental havoc as one key aspect to analyse within. Most recently though, UNDP ´s Human Development notion began to question the fact that yet through elaborated definition and examination (CSR) is not really focusing enough on people and environment. Defining CSR eco-social unsustainability Defining current patterns of (CSR) and corporations as eco-social unsustainability is one way of making transparent human-nature connections (Williams, 1980). One needs to question the reasons for a sudden increase in these broader disclosures. Some may argue that such procedures on the part of the preparers of corporate annual reports may be nothing but a giant public relations campaign. From a more critical perspective the above may be seen as celebrations by environmentalists and researchers in sustainability. As Coles and Marphy, (1999) point out (CSR) Annual report of corporations these days are filled with information that celebrate successful social accountability actions but negative consequences of their actions such as externalities from pollution as costs to the society are never highlighted, thereby silencing injustices. The difference between voluntary environmental disclosure practices and the actual tackling or commitments to environmental performance of corporations cannot go unaddressed for long. A study by Perlo-Freeman in Nigeria (2002) reports a significant negative relation between sustainable development performance and Shell (CSR) annual reports. The findings support the argument that companies with worst environmental performance records (highest levels of toxic releases) provide most extensive environmental disclosure. Given the widespread variation in social and environmental disclosure, it is not surprising that a number of narrow, human-centred overlapping theories of such disclosure have evolved (for example, social contract, legitimacy theory, stakeholder theory and progressive market) (Pepper, 1996). We argue that a (CSR) approach thorough ecocentric theory on environmental issues is capable of providing a more comprehensive theoretical framework to the (HD) current ecological cris is. A Critique of Social Accountability Mainstream Theoretical Arguments Mainstream theoretical arguments for environmental in (CSR) comprise the Social Contract Theory approach and Legitimacy Theory. Social Contract Theory approach is the base of managerialist school of thought in addiction Social Contract Theory hypothesizes that the foundation stone of morality are uniform social accords that best serve the interests of those who make the agreements. Legitimacy Theory is closely related to the conception of the social contract. The theory posits that businesses are bound by the social contract in which the firms agree to perform various socially desired actions in return for approval of its objectives and other rewards, and this ultimately guarantees its continued existence (Guthrie and Parker, 1989). Legitimacy theory is essentially a systems-oriented theory, i.e. organisations are viewed as components of the larger social environment within which it exists (Dowling and Pfeffer, 1975). As this paper demonstrates these approaches favour an anthropocent ric (CSR) stance and concur with the arguments of the critical school in relation to the limitations of such approaches. Critique of Social Contract Theory approach Firstly, it is evident that the traditional (CSR) model, although dependent upon a range of conventions, has restricted itself to a dominant principle: value of goods and services also non human perception (Ormerod, 1994). This attitude is in line with the concepts of objectivity and profit that enhance shareholders and creditors welfare. They are seen as the primary users in the managerialist model, their needs are known (wealth maximisation), and are paramount, and the needs of other users are secondary. This observation, from an ecocentric (CSR) environmental perspective, ignores the information of the environment impact furthermore is just an ideological cloak to protect corporations. With this line of argument, (CSR) under the managerialist approach becomes important only if it affects the survival and continuity of an enterprise. Critique of Legitimacy theoretical arguments Legitimacy Theory is closely related to the conception of the social contract. The theory posits that businesses are bound by the social contract in which the firms agree to perform various socially desired actions in return for approval of its objectives and other rewards, and this ultimately guarantees its continued existence (Guthrie and Parker, 1989). This theoretical arguments for environmental (CSR) are ineffective according to the eco-socialists school (Pepper, 1996), largely due to the fact that social responsibility and profitability are at odds as a result of the neoclassical economics foundation on which the social accountability model is based. In spite of severe criticisms, legitimacy theorists defends their thought by questioning whether progress could be made under the critical approach by think that is possible to somehow reconcile the destructive tendencies in neoclassical, capitalist economics with radical sustainable development (Pepper, 1996). They state that while it is acknowledged that present practices (CSR) are far from perfect, one must work within the system and slowly refine it to be reflective of social and environmental issues rather than completely accepting or completely rejecting current systems which have been widely accepted for centuries as a decision useful tool in (HD) paradigm (Pepper 1996). Ecophilosophical point of view of Social Accountability From an ecophilosophical (HD) point of view, the most fundamental division in eco-social theory is between those who adopt an anthropocentric perspective and those who adopt a nonanthropocentric (ecocentric) perspective (Pepper, 1996). The distinction could be best understood as representing a spectrum of thought rather than separate and distinct positions. The first approach focuses on human freeing and fulfillment in an ecologically sustainable society, while the second examines the notion of emancipation in a broader context emancipation that also recognises the moral standing of the nonhuman world (Dobson, 1990). We are of the view that an ecocentric philosophical orientation provides the most comprehensive, promising and distinctive framework to study todays environmental problems. This is not to claim that ecocentrism would solve all our environmental social responsibility problems. Instead, emphasis is on providing sufficient details of an alternative model that could improve the present practice of (CSR) for the environment and provide a basis for a sustainable future in Human Development. An Ecocentric Critique of Marxism In this section we present an ecocentric challenge to Marxism and the critical theory of the Frankfurt School. A complete overview of these works remains beyond the scope of this paper, and only key ideas/issues in ecological context have been considered. Pepper (1996) argues that literature is far from clear about the extent to which Marxian analysis can be said to be compatible with or at conflict with environmentalism. Marx focused on capital, labour, surplus value, class conflicts and so on, and this placed him closer to liberal economics than to environmentalism (Pepper 1996). As for Marx, environmental problems, like social problems are traced directly to the exploitative dynamics of capitalism and solution to such problems require revolutionary transformation of the relations of production (Pepper, 1996). Marx was only marginally concerned with environmental degradation with no systematic theory of humanitys relationship to nature. The dominant sense in which Marx characterised nature was as a medium for human labour (Mellor, 1992). The above arguments seek to demonstrate that an ecocentric perspective on environment cannot be wrested out of Marxism without seriously distorting Marxs own theoretical concepts. Social Ecofeminism Critique of Frankfurt School The critical theory of the Frankfurt School is not a single doctrine or a unified worldview. Sharp differences have existed for long time among critical theorists at the Frankfurt School, as evidenced by the increasingly heterogeneous nature of their works. The first generation of Frankfurt theorists focused on different levels and dimensions of domination and exploitation through critique of instrumental reason, which also included critical examination of the relationship between humanity and nature (Mellor, 1992). First, early Frankfurt Schools critical discourse was pessimistic in outlook towards nature romanticism and was increasingly preoccupied with theory instead of practice. Secondly, a more fundamental explanation lies in the way critical theory developed in the hands of Habermas, who has, by and large, focused on social and political rather than personal aspects, thereby marginalizing green movement (Warren, 1990). Critical scholars in corporate responsibility have drawn up on Marxist and Habermasian themes to think and act about environmental (HD) pathways. Yet to date, critical theory has not had a major direct bearing in shaping the theory and practice of the green movement, except in indirect ways (Pepper, 1996). An Ecocentrism Critique of Frankfurt School There are two other problematic aspects of Frankfurt Schools theses that deserve attention. One is that it separates and privileges good life for humans concerning the emancipation of nonhuman world. And the other is the claim that we know nature, through science and technology ignore the reality of biological and ecological (Mellor, 1992) only insofar as we can control it, thus legitimising continued exploitation of the nonhuman world. In this way Frankfurt Schools endorses rather than challenges dominant anthropocentric prejudices towards the nonhuman world. As Eckersley (1992) argued that according to Habermas schema, a norm is considered right if it is achieved via a consensus reached between truthful and rational human agents. Thus the principal objection to Habermas social and political theory has been that it is human-centred, insisting that the emancipation of human relations need not depend upon the emancipation of nature. Alternative Ecocentric Arguments for (CSR) Environment There is no intention on our part to offer a detailed proposal on what an ecocentric corporate responsibility might look like as this will amount to putting the cart before the horse. Instead, we argue in support of a broad, thoroughgoing framework, sensitive to both human and nonhuman world, and one that seeks emancipation which will provide a better and more meaningful theoretical basis for environmental (CSR) and related environmental disclosures. Anthropocentricism and ecocentricism represent two opposing poles on a continuum, with different orientations towards nature, and major streams of modern environmentalism fall between these poles. It is argued that this classification enables an evaluation with regard to the kind and degree of anthropocentricism or ecocentricism that is manifest in green political discourses. Eckersley (1992) discusses at least four positions (resource conservation, human welfare ecology, preservationism, animal liberation and ecocentricism) on the continuum, moving from an economistic and instrumental environmental ethic towards a comprehensive and holistic environmental ethic (Pepper, 1996). The latter conforms to key ecocentric beliefs that recognise human and non-human interests, present and future within a more encompassing framework for human development. Ecocentrism draws upon an ecologically informed philosophy of internal relatedness that advocates that all organisms are not only interrelated with their environment, but also constituted by those environmental interrelationships. Ontologically, under this perspective, the world is an intrinsically dynamic, interconnected web of relations in which there is no absolutely discrete entities and no absolute dividing lines between the living and the nonliving, the animate and the inanimate or the human and the nonhuman (Eckersley, 1992). Ecocentric theorists emphasise on the absence of any rigid and absolute dividing line between humans and nonhumans to point out the logical inconsistency in anthropocentric models that justify exclusive moral considerations of humans and their superiority (for example, language skills, reasoning skills and technological skills). Some may argue that there are countless things that nonhumans do better (see for example, Fox, 1990) and to single out special attributes of human simply tantamount to human prejudice. To criticise ecocentric orientations as anti-science, ecocentric theorists have pointed out how new scientific discoveries have served to challenge long standing anthropocentric prejudices (Eckersley, 1992), and further argue that the philosophical premises of ecocentrism are actually more consistent with modern science than the premises of anthropocentrism. The concept of internal relatedness upon which ecocentrism stands, equally applies to relations among humans, in a biological, psychological, and social sense. In other words, we are all constituted by our interrelationships between other humans, and our economic, political and cultural affiliations (Eckersley, 1992). Since birth, humans are constituted by, and co evolves within the context of such relations and cannot be separated from them. Based on this social interactionist model, which is not new in social sciences, humans are neither completely passive and determined nor completely autonomous and self-determining, rather, are relatively autonomous beings, who by their knowledge, thought and action help constitute the very relations that determine who they are ( Anderson, 1996). Further, it needs to be pointed out that ecocentric theorists are not against the central value of autonomy as depicted in Western (CSR) political thought; they are concerned with the revision of the notion to incorporate into it, a broader ecological framework a framework that incorporates individuals and social aspects in a more encompassing way. Eckersley (1992) argues that while the liberal idea of autonomy as independence from others can be seen as philosophically misguided, socialists tend to adopt a more relational model of self, but both are deeply embedded in anthropocentrism. The ecocentric reformulation of autonomy at no stage implies that the boundary between the self and others is removed, it rather seeks to emphasise the soft and flexible nature of line between them. Ecocentric foundation requires psychological maturity and involves a sensitive mediation between ones individual self and the larger whole with a view to having a sense of competent agency in the world (Ec kersley, 1992). On the contrary, the quest of radical independence from others or power over others leads to an objectification of others, and a denial of their own modes of relative autonomy or subjectivity. What is new and adds strength to an ecocentric perspective is that it extends the notion of autonomy to a broader and more encompassing pattern of layered interrelationships that extend beyond personal and societal relations to include relations with the rest of the biotic community (Pepper, 1996). In this way the nonhuman world is not posited in the background but recognised as having their relative autonomy and their own modes of being. Zimmerman (1988) made this comment: the paradigm of internal relations lets us view ourselves as manifestations of a complex universe; we are not apart but are moments in the open-ended, novelty-producing process of cosmic evolution. Some critiques are cynical of ecocentrism, as it interprets nature selectively, something that is essentially h armonious, kindly and benign, providing and all too convenient framework for human relations (Eckersley, 1992). But there is no need to depict the nature as such, and to judge the nonhuman world by human standards, we will invariably find it wanting, for nonhuman nature knows no human ethics, it simply is (Livingston, 1981, Eckersley, 1992). Conclusion While voluntary environmental disclosures in corporate annual reports throughout the world are on rise, we have argued that these disclosures do not provide sufficient grounds for celebrations. One needs to go deeper and examine the silences in those successful stories in order to understand better the motives for such disclosures and more so, the extent to which corporations are actually tackling the environmental problems. It is the actual commitment to environmental performance that matters the most, for (HD) and (CSR) disclosure of such information will fall into its appropriate place when the former is taken care of. In seeking emancipation an existential attitude of mutuality needs to be adopted simply because ones personal fulfillment is inextricably tied up with that of others. The gap between voluntary environmental disclosures in corporate annual reports and lack of firm decisive actions to protect environmental by the industralised world will continue, as long as environme ntal philosophical enquiry favours human interests over the interests of the nonhuman world. Theoretical contexts: Anderson, E.N. (1996) The disenchanted: religion as ecological control, and its modern fate and A summary, and some suggestions. Extracts from Ecologies of the heart, pp. 161-179. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0 19 509010 1 Birch, C and Cobb, B. Jr. (1981) The liberation of life: from the cell to the community, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Coles, D. and Murphy, K. (1999) Social accountability: a new approach to business.Extract from Sustainable Development International, pp. 17-20. ISSN 1 466 4739 Costanza,et al (1992) Goals, agenda and policy recommendations for ecological economics, in Costanza, R. (ed.) Ecological Economics: the science and management of sustainability, New York: Columbia University Press. Dobson, A. (1990) Green Political Thought, London: Unwin Hyman, second edition 1995. Dowling, J. and Pfeffer, J. (1975). Organizational Legitimacy: Social Values and Organizational Behaviour. Pacific Sociological Review. Vol. 18 (1). pp. 122-136. Eckersley, R. (1992) Environmentalism and political theory: towards an ecocentric approach, State University of New York Press, New York. Fox, W. (1990) Towards a transpersonal ecology: developing new foundations for environmentalism, Shambhala, Boston. Guthrie, J. Parker, L.D; (1990) Corporate Social Disclosure Practice : a Comparative International Analysis Advances in Public Interest Accounting, Vol. 3, pp. 159-175 Habermas, J. (1981) New social movements, Telos, Vol. 49, pp. 33 37. Livingston, J. (1981) The fallacy of wildlife conservation, McClelland and Stewart, Toronto. Mellor, M. (1992) Dilemmas of essentialism and materialism. Capitalism, Nature, Socialism, 3(2), 43-62. Naess, A. (1990) Sustainable development and deep ecology . Extract from Engel, J. R. and Engel, J. G. (eds) Ethics of Environment and Development, pp. 87-96. Belhaven Press. ISBN 1 85293 251 1 Ormerod, P. (1994) I see, said the blind man, Independent on Sunday, 13 March, 21, extract from The Death of Economics, London: Faber and Faber. Pepper, D. (1996) Radical materialism: changing the economic base. In Modern Environmentalism: An introduction, pp. 301-305. Routledge. ISBN 0 415 05745 0 Perlo-Freeman, S. (2002) Militarism and Sustainability. A paper for the Education for Sustainability conference, November. The World Bank (2003). Extract from The world development reporter 2003: Global problems and local concerns, pp. 162-173. Oxford University Press ISBN 0 8213 5150 8 Warren, K. (1990) The power and the promise of ecological feminism, Environmental Ethics, 12, 125-46. Williams, R. (1980) Ideas of nature. Extract from Problems in Materialism and Culture, pp. 67-85. Verso. ISBN 0 86091 028 8 Zimmerman, M. (1988) Quantum theory, intrinsic value, and panentheism, Environmental Ethics, 10, pp. 3 30.