A study of why Norway did so much better than UK and Greece in the Dissertation

A study of why Norway did so much better than UK and Greece in the financial crisis - Dissertation Example It is obvious though that government economic policy does shape the quantitative results as can be determined from the GNP and GDP. Because of this, the global financial crisis also highlighted the different approaches that governments employ in managing the economies of their respective countries. The experiences of Norway and Greece expose the fundamental differences in government’s type of leadership in the economic sphere, particularly in finance. While many countries, including the economic powers reeled in the midst of recession, Norway’s economy grew stronger by almost 3 percent while its government enjoyed an 11 percent surplus budget (Thomas 2009). Greece’s economy, on the other hand, started to plummet at the onset of global financial crisis. While Norway, despite its relatively robust economic policies, managed to institute reforms to cushion the impact of the recession, Greece continues to experience worsening social turmoil brought about by the crisi s. The Greek government gets a huge part of the blame as it failed in the area of financial management. According to the Global Financial Integrity analyst Dev Kar, â€Å"over the past decade ending 2009, Greece lost an estimated US$160 billion in unrecorded transfers through its balance of payments† (2010). This extremely blatant example of economic mismanagement is just one of the major factors that have caused the current financial crisis in the Mediterranean country. Further explications of the reasons why Norway fared much better than Greece during the global financial crisis would be presented in this literature review. The development of Norway’s economy took a long and tedious process before it achieved its current healthy conditions. While the uncertainties plagued the country in the decades and centuries before, it has been able to sustain its growth since the 1970s. There were times since the mid-1970s when the growth rate slowed but, compared to the respect ive economies of its European neighbours, Norway’s steady development has been considered as unprecedented. Ola Honningdal Grytten of the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration points out that there are three major factors that contributed to the economic growth of the country, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries. Grytten identifies these as the country’s richness when it comes to natural resources, its skilled labour force, and its willingness to make use of the latest technology for productive endeavours (2010). In his article, Grytten acknowledges that government policies play a very important role in the maximisation of the said assets. For a long time, since the years of the economy’s rapid development, Norway was led by the Labour party. The Labour-dominated government initiated countercyclical policies which resulted in deindustrialization in the 1970s, a process which many economists, was regressive in essence. Countercyclical policies include the imposition of heavy taxes on business to generate funds for the government, particularly for its welfare programmes. During those times, the country was on the path of becoming one of the most advanced welfare states in Europe. Grytten’

Deforestation as an Environmental Problem Assignment

Deforestation as an Environmental Problem - Assignment Example The aim of the discourse, therefore, is to provide a short report on the subject of deforestation by: (1) providing a brief summary the problem; (2) by outlining its causes; and finally, (3) analyzing some possible solutions to the problem. Brief Summary of the Problem Deforestation is defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as referring â€Å"to change of land cover with depletion of tree crown cover to less than 10 percent. Changes within the forest class (e.g. from closed to open forest) which negatively affect the stand or site and, in particular, lower the production capacity, are termed forest degradation† (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2000, p. 1). Deforestation is regarded as an environmental problem for the reasons that cutting of trees or depletion of forests and woodlands leave insufficient numbers of trees which have been proven to store vast amounts of carbon needed to prevent continued global warming. Also, due to clearing activities in forest s and agricultural areas, the burning of trees emit substantial carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which is deemed contributory to the green house effect (Oracle Think Quest n.d.). Likewise, trees also have natural abilities to aborb water, if vast amounts of trees are uprooted and cut, the deforested region is therefore prone to floods or extreme dryness, causing further destruction of lives (human, animals and plants). Concurrently, trees and forests have been revealed to function as ways for conserving biological diversity where various flora and fauna have survived in their natural habitat. Deforestation through natural (storms, blizzard, eathquakes) and human induced activities disrupt and contribute to the loss of biodiveristy which eventually leads to extinction of endanged species. Cause of Deforestation As revealed, the causes of deforestation are varied; ranging from finding other alternative uses for the land for planting, grazing animals, being used as residential areas d ue to population expansion, being allocated as roads, subdivisions, and even for logging (Oracle Think Quest, n.d.). As deduced, deforestation is caused by human activities to satisfy diverse human needs. According to the FAO Key Findings Report on Global Forest Assessment in 2010, â€Å"deforestation – mainly the conversion of tropical forests to agricultural land – shows signs of decreasing in several countries but continues at a high rate in others. Around 13 million hectares of forest were converted to other uses or lost through natural causes each year in the last decade compared to 16 million hectares per year in the 1990s† (FAO, 2010, p. 3). Possible Solutions At the onset, one could analyze that the solution to this dilemma is straightforward: to replant trees and to stop cutting those that are still currently surviving. However, to implement this, those identified to be authorized to maintain, monitor and restrict cutting and focus on preservation and c onservation must design strategies and plans for management and governance through policies and regulations. As disclosed by FAO (2010), â€Å"80% of the world’s forests are publicly owned, but ownership and management of forests by communities, individuals and private companies is on the rise†

Time Management Essay Example for Free

Time Management Essay Surveying †¢ pre-reading †¢ previewing assignment †¢ Big pictures overview of main ideas and themes †¢ Skim table of contents, preface, chapter elements Question †¢Step 1: Ask yourself what you know about the topic Summarize what you already know about topic †¢Step 2 : Write questions linked to chapter headings Examine chapter headings and write down any questions about headings on piece of paper or in margins for book. Read †¢After surveying and questioning, retain what you read. Focus on the key points of your survey – boldface type, raised headings, chapter objectives and summary. oFocus on your Q-stage questions – Read with purpose of answering the â€Å"questions† written in the margin of book or separate piece of paper. Write down or highlight ideas related to your questions. oMark up your text, and take text notes – Write notes in margin or separate paper, circle ideas, highlight key points that you want to study for exams. oCreate text tabs – Place plastic index tabs or adhesive notes at the start of different chapters to flip back and forth with ease. Find Main Idea Search for topic of paragraph – Topic of paragraph is not the same as main idea, it is broad subject being discussed – President Barack Obama, hate crimes on campus, or the Internet. oIdentify the aspect of the topic that is the paragraph’s focus – If general topic is President Barack Obama, the author may focus on different aspects of that topic, such as health-care policies, first African American president, or public speaking talent. Find what the author wants you to know about that aspect; this is the main idea – The main idea of a paragraph on President Obama as a public speaker may be: President Obama is a charismatic speaker who uses his oratorical skills to encourage the American people in times of crisis. Prioritize Reading Assignments Ask what is important to remember Is the information stressed in headings, charts, tables, captions, key terms, and definitions? Is the information a definition, a crucial concept, an example, an explanation of a variety or type, or a critical relationship or comparison? Did your instructor stress the information in class? Is it in syllabus, does your assignment ask you to focus on something specific? Recite †¢Once you finish reading a topic, stop and answer the questions raised in the Q-stage of SQ3R even if you already did it during the reading phase, do it again with the purpose of learning and committing the material to memory. †¢Recite each answer aloud, silently speak the answers to yourself, â€Å"teach† the answers to another person, or write it down. Review †¢Review immediately and periodically in the days and weeks after you read the chapter to help you learn and memorize material and prepare for exams. †¢Some helpful reviewing techniques: Reread notes and summarize from memory Review and summarize in writing the text sections you highlighted or bracketed. Try to condense the material so that you can focus on key ideas Answer the end-of-chapter review, discussion, and application questions Recite concepts to self, or record/playback on digital recorder Flash cards with word/concept on one side with definition on other side Quiz self with questions raised in Q-stage Discuss concepts with classmate/study group Ask instructor about difficult material. Terms to remember Scanning – rapid reading in search of specific information. Concentration – focusing on one topic at a time and avoiding distractions so you can learn material

Case Analysis: Tescos Steering Wheel

Case Analysis: Tescos Steering Wheel In early 90s Tesco faced a stiff competition from various other retailers in the industry and thus its revenues showed a downfall. At that point Tesco could not differentiate itself from the other  competitors. Later under the leadership of then CEO Ian Mac Laurin it went through an image makeover, and acquired other retailing outlets like William Low; with which it reached just up to the sustenance mark. Later Terry took over as the CEO of the Company and aimed to make the company value driven Tesco in early 70s had acquired a lot of other  retailer companies but faced a problem of integrating them, more over Tesco stores were small and ill equipped. The company only focused on price where as  the goods available at the stores were perceived to be of mediocre quality, but with rising income customers looked forward to expensive and luxury merchandise.  Answering to this change Tesco closed some of its outlets to concentrate to give stores a better  facility. It also started off the revamp of its a product portfolio. It launched a price reduction campaigns so as to counter the threat from competitors. Also it centralized its distribution system and its own label  for food products.  Tesco developed its own brand labels targeted at different target sector. Tesco value for low income customers, Tesco brand for medium range products and Tesco finest for high end products. It also came up with special ranges like Tesco organics, Tesco whole foods and Tesco kids. The Tesco Way Tesco doesnt want one leader. We want thousands of leaders who take initiative to execute the strategy. ´ This is the statement made by Sir Terry Leahy, CEO of Tesco Tesco came up with the concept of The Tesco Way ´. They aimed at improving its competitive position in the market by becoming more customer focused and concentrated on differentiating itself from other retailers through the services it provided. Tesco had principles like  Better for Customers, Simpler for  Staff and Cheaper for  Operations. To make this goal a reality, in the early 1990s, Tesco went through a process to clarify its mission, values, and strategy. Tesco communicated its new strategy to its employees via a steering wheel, ´ a simple symbol and metaphor for a tool intended to drive performance and help employees navigate into the future. The Tesco steering wheel has four 90 degree arcs, representing the four BSC areas of focus: financial, customer, operations, and employee performance. With the community arc added recently. Every store gets a monthly steering wheel update, a summary of its metrics within each of the four arcs, so that all employees in Tescos mu ltiple regions and formats get feedback on their performance. Tesco supplements its steering wheel report with shopping lists ´ that capture key elements of the strategy in simple forms that employees can follow in their everyday activities. The steering wheel has helped the company stay focused on its strategy even as it experienced rapid growth over the past two decades. Balanced scorecard or in Tescos case the steering wheel provides the perfect base to the company for designing future strategies. It gives the current data and becomes the ideal predictors which is  important for  predicting future trends and thus formulate  strategies. It communicates strategy-aligned goals and manages strategic performance. It monitors progress and measures success. The organizations core purpose to create value for our  customers and to earn their lifetime loyalty ´ has been delivered on a clear and simple strategy of long-term growth. Tescos values and priorities (concerning customers, staff, business, and compliance issues) are embedded in the steering wheel through appropriate KPIs. These values pervade operations and are instrumental in securing staff commitment to the steering wheel. It is arguable that by embedding its values in the steering wheel, Tesco transformed its balanced scorecard from a management framework to a cohesive living strategy. The Tesco Steering Wheel evolves from, and is the route to fulfilling, the retailers core purpose to create value for customers to earn their lifetime loyalty and long-term goals. It organizes and defines the four core elements of Tescos business, those that together define the business. If faithfully adhered to, the  Tesco thinking goes, these elements will inevitably lead to the realization of the companys long-term goals and, through them, its core purpose. So it is that in each Tesco store, department and support facility is posted a corporate steering wheel, out of sight of the customers but in plain view of each staffer. Alongside each of the 15directions and admonitions within the circle  is a  coloured dot green for  acceptable performance, yellow for borderline performance, red for unacceptable performance which is updated, and can change, weekly. The scorecard is for the store, the job, and the individual. It gives one the ability, simply by  looking, to measure the performance of that  particular entity-and what aspects of that performance need to be improved. Some ways of calculating these basic factors are: Operations We try to get it right the first time- The difference between Predicted inventory and actual inventory. No excess stocks. We delivery  constantly  everyday- Regular deliveries and no miss. The stores receiving adequate and right stock in right condition. We always save time and money- Reduced wastage No repetition of steps in a process. People An interesting job- Retention (lowering of attrition) Absenteeism Audit and surveys focusing on indirect questions to know the employees interest levels.(using a 4 or 6  point scale to avoid average marking).   An opportunity to get on- Training levels achieved by the employees. Percentage of employees trained. No. of employees working loyally for how many years Customers I can get what I want- Regular customer surveys. Complain cells. Surprise checks. The prices are good- Competitor analysis Customer feedback Finance Maximization of profits- Calculating operating profit ratio, return on total assets, net profit ratio and return of capital employed and compare them with last year. Benefits of the balanced scorecard used at Tesco: Add to the Balanced Scorecards priority areas to reflect your organizations core aims and values. Converts strategy into an effective governance mechanism. Ensures alignment of all employees to the companys strategic vision. Provides holistic and balanced view of the health and performance of the organization.   Increased transparency and better communication   Simplify strategic aims by creating a visual summary and a shopping list of daily strategic to-dos. Make them applicable to peoples everyday work. Promotion from within then you have a deep understanding of strategy throughout the organization   Helps keep check on strategic aims against customer needs and preferences. Challenges:   Co ordination across multiple functions.

Judaism vs. Christianity :: Compare Contrast Comparison Essays

Judaism vs. Christianity Judaism and Christianity developed on the basis obeying God, on adherence to his rules and intentions and their faithful fulfillment. Since the fulfillment of God’s will is a duty of a Jewish or Christian person, both religions fall into the rule-deontological category. In Judaism, God is seen as having a contractual relationship with the Jewish people where they must obey his holy laws in return for their status of the chosen people. God rewards or punishes Jewish people based on whether they obey or disobey his will. In parts of the Old Testament, however, God does show mercy or forgiveness, and in later interpretations God’s laws such as the Ten Commandments are followed not only out of loyalty to God but also because of their high moral character. In Christianity, the emphasis is placed on love of God rather than on obeying his will. People must believe that God is merciful and loves them as well. As a reflection of God’s love, people must also love other people (and the whole humanity in general) and forgive their enemies. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus endorses agape, or selfless love (in contrast to eros, or possessive love), which consists of dedication to another person’s good, even at the expense of our own good and happiness. People should practice peace and nonviolence, return good for evil and love for suffering (â€Å"turn the other cheek†). This leads to a special conception of justice, called the â€Å"divine justice†, which is based on giving a person what he or she needs rather than deserves (e.g., in case of a crime, redemption rather getting even). Even though agapeistic love is certainly a noble ideal, it is unstable equilibrium and an easy victim of the â€Å"prisoner’s dilemma,† in which the best alternative for a group of people is not the best alternative for each person in the group. Judaism vs. Christianity :: Compare Contrast Comparison Essays Judaism vs. Christianity Judaism and Christianity developed on the basis obeying God, on adherence to his rules and intentions and their faithful fulfillment. Since the fulfillment of God’s will is a duty of a Jewish or Christian person, both religions fall into the rule-deontological category. In Judaism, God is seen as having a contractual relationship with the Jewish people where they must obey his holy laws in return for their status of the chosen people. God rewards or punishes Jewish people based on whether they obey or disobey his will. In parts of the Old Testament, however, God does show mercy or forgiveness, and in later interpretations God’s laws such as the Ten Commandments are followed not only out of loyalty to God but also because of their high moral character. In Christianity, the emphasis is placed on love of God rather than on obeying his will. People must believe that God is merciful and loves them as well. As a reflection of God’s love, people must also love other people (and the whole humanity in general) and forgive their enemies. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus endorses agape, or selfless love (in contrast to eros, or possessive love), which consists of dedication to another person’s good, even at the expense of our own good and happiness. People should practice peace and nonviolence, return good for evil and love for suffering (â€Å"turn the other cheek†). This leads to a special conception of justice, called the â€Å"divine justice†, which is based on giving a person what he or she needs rather than deserves (e.g., in case of a crime, redemption rather getting even). Even though agapeistic love is certainly a noble ideal, it is unstable equilibrium and an easy victim of the â€Å"prisoner’s dilemma,† in which the best alternative for a group of people is not the best alternative for each person in the group.

The Theme Of Death In Poems Essays -- essays research papers

The Theme of Death in Poems Death is a common theme in many poems. It is viewed so differently to everyone. In the poems, "Because I could not stop for Death," "First Death in Nova Scotia," and "War is kind" death is presented by each narrator as something different. To one it is a kind gentle stranger while to another it is a cold cruel being. A kind gentleman stranger personifies death in, "Because I could not stop for Death." The narrator of the poem is a busy person, with little time, and definitely no time to die. Her carriage driver, which is death, arrives to take her into immortality. Death isn't hasty, he doesn't take her quickly. He drives her past things that the narrator had not taken the time to notice in a while. The narrator watched as he drives her past a school, where children are playing, and then on they go past fields. She sees the sun go down, and the carriage driver past the sun, but she realizes they weren't passing the sun, it was passing them; time was passing by, past her life. Her life has now past her by, and she is arriving at her final destination, which was her grave, yet she describes it as her house. In the end she is looking back, and sees how centuries have passed, yet she isn't passing by anymore, and to her this hundred years seems as no time at all. Finally she accepts her death, and is able to pass into eternity. To her death wasn't har...

Referring to Examples, Discuss the Factors

There are many different factors that can cause power to shift between superpowers over time such as: resources, population, and economics, military and cultural. Superpowers are define as: the capacity to project dominating power and influence anyway in the world, sometimes in more than one region of the globe at a time. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the British Empire was the biggest global superpower. The British became a superpower during this time due to colonial rule. From colonisation they gained economically from the cheap raw materials. Maintaining colonial rule depended on military power.But when Britain started to decolonise its Empires they lost the title of a superpower. This was due to : economic decline, Britain had overspent on war efforts and after WW2 was showing serious signs of economic ‘slowdown’. Also loss of military influence after the war. Moreover many colonies fought for the allies with their own independent armies. One by one afte r the war, for a range of reasons most of the colonies became indepent. So with this example we can see that the cause of power to shift was due to the war and the economic pressure it put on the British to lose its superpower statues.So we can see from British Empire, that was once a giant empire with vast areas of huge armies and thriving economies. However they lost their power of being a superpower due to economic problems and war. We can already see that economics and military have a large impact towards maintaining superpower. Military helps them keep control of their power against uprising and economic helps them pay for the military. So when Britain become in debt due to ww2 it lost all its power. By 1900, the USA had taken over from Britain as the worlds largest economy.By 1940, it was the worlds largest manufacturer of industrial and consumer good. Also the US military dominates global arms and defence spending. We can see how power had shifted between Britain now to the U S due to, Britain’s economic problems that caused it to loses its colonies and US with its high economy which caused the power to shift. China is an example of an emerging superpower; its economy has doubled in size every eight years since 1980. Since 2000, China has been the largest recipient of overseas investment, and now foreign-owned companies . 0% of the world trade since 2004 has been as a result of Chinas industrialisation. So here we can see that China has developed due to industrialisation, which has increased its power. China use to be a low-income country, so we can see from a low-income country to an emerging superpower how powers can shift over time due to many factors that influence the world. However even though China is an emerging superpower, it has come with some cost to the environment for example China has 16 of the top 20 most air-polluted cities in the world. The polluted air was blamed for over 4000 000 premature deaths in 2003.Russia re-emerging as a global power, due to its natural gas and is the second largest oil producer after Saudi Arabia. Due to Chinese and Indian economies have led huge demand for energy and increased global energy prices. Russia now sees itself as an energy superpower. So we can see that Russia is trying to emerge as a superpower with the increasing need for energy. This can have an affect in changing superpower, for example the USA depends largely on Russia for its energy and if Russia stops supplying it to the US they will have problems, which many lead them into not being a superpower anymore.Power shifts between superpowers over time due to so many different reasons, such as cultural imperialism, industrialisation, military power, colonise, economics. If we look at Britain as an example, after the Second World War it lost it title as a superpower, because of the economic strain the war caused and loss of its military power. Or superpowers can change due to development in a county and their global inf luence such as China. Superpowers can shift over time, because some countries develop and take over old superpowers, China is emerging fast so we could see a change in superpower between China and America.