The World's Most Ethical Companies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

The World's Most Ethical Companies - Essay Example Blue Shield was begun in 1939 by the Medical Association of California. It is based at San Francisco, California. It is one of the most seasoned medical coverage organizations and has over 3.5 million individuals and roughly 65,000 doctors (Richards, 2010). The organization has built up a few wellbeing plans. The primary ones are singular wellbeing plans and family wellbeing plans as a portion of its items, as it offers to the network. The primary reason for the organization is to guarantee quality arrangement of human services administrations and successful costs great for the network. These exceptional intentions cause the organization to exceed expectations in addressing the necessities of the shoppers, its way to deal with the earth, and general worker treatment. 2. Decide in any event two (2) manners by which the picked organization acts in an ethically mindful manner toward every one of the accompanying: a. Consumersâ b. The earth c. Representatives 2.0 Ethical Behaviors rehea rsed by the organization towards the Environment The organization needs to create to be a dependable human services foundation. This has been characterized by its help of the network improvement and duty in dealing with its shoppers, who are essentially enlisted individuals. The exertion put forth in this defense is striving to be socially dependable. This incorporates decreasing the ecological contamination, reusing of material squanders and arrangement of composite administrations as clarified beneath. 2.0.1 Reducing ecological contamination This is one of the crucial advances taken by the organization. It targets keeping up great wellbeing in the encompassing network, just as the entire condition. Blue Shield has confidence in a sound situation as a basic commitment to the prosperity of the individuals of California. Contamination has been decreased by checking air toxins that originate from the Bay Area remembering treatment of synthetic squanders and dumping items for a safe an d condition benevolent way (Reece, 2004). These toxins are ventured to convey substances that make asthma state of the influenced patients more regrettable. It is in the company’s mission not to just observe beneficial exercises yet additionally to fortify and ensure both the network and condition. 2.1.1 Providing Recycling and Compost Services This has been one of the organization objectives in its goal to keep up a solid situation. The organization reuses a few materials that are naturally unpleasant yet reusable. Things, for example, plastics, bottles, and utilized jars and paper are reused. These materials are from the company’s yields, yet additionally those by the network conveyed to the organization through an outsider. Moreover, to guarantee a perfect domain, there is a push to utilize recyclable products by Blue Shield. The materials can disintegrate, henceforth contributing as significant supplements to the dirt. The organization has additionally utilized the administrations of a seller, who takes IT materials for reusing (Reece, 2004) 2.1 Ethical Behaviors of the Company towards Customers The organization administration to clients is clarified in their objectives, which state clear adherence to finish and palatable support of its shoppers while guaranteeing quality and reasonable medicinal services. High client consistency standard and capacity to have rehash customers are the measures through which the organization uses to check the viability of moral conduct and Blue Shield has understood the clients are fulfilled. Furthermore, the representatives commanded with the duty to serve and deal with clients and take care of

Strategies of Inventory Administration

Methodologies of Inventory Administration AQuestion 1: Answer: Presentation Stock administration is a trademark bit of your business that you surely would lean toward not to play with. The going with are some typical stock administration techniques passed on by relationship alongside their inventoryâ holding costs and potential advantages. Youd undoubtedly require a blend of different methodologies for the best methodology for your business This stock administration strategy gets rid of the expense of holding inventoryâ all around. At the point when you have an outsourcing understanding, you can explicitly trade customer solicitations and shipment focal points to your creator or distributer, who at that point dispatches the product direct to your customers. Thusly you dont need to keep items in stock , find the opportunity to get a good deal on candid inventoryâ costs, and bit of leeway from a positive pay cycle. A method like outsourcing where the two procedures preclude the necessity for dispersion focuses or work costs and perils required with inventoryâ dealing with, cross-docking is where moving toward semi-trailer trucks or railroad cars void materials explicitly onto outbound trucks, trailers, or rail cars with close to zero stock heaping in the center. (stock administration) Kinds of stock Management Each business incorporates of their inventoryâ of organization, the material that they offer available to be purchased and some other significant material that is realy significant for maintaining their business. For keeping up independent venture there is less need of stock than huge business. Missing the mark on items suggests you will be not able to deal with request, while having too much various product infers your money is tied up in inventoryâ that you can not offer. Crude Materials This kind of inventoryâ comprises any product used as a piece of the gathering system, for instance, parts use to collect a finished thing. Crude materials may comprise finished product or materials. For example, for a squeezed orange association, oranges, sugar and added substances are crude materials; while for a PC maker, chips, circuit sheets and diodes are crude materials. Stock things may be named crude materials if the affiliation has gotten them from an outside association, or on the off chance that they are used to make segments. Work-in-Process Work-in-process inventoryâ things are those materials and parts that are holding up to be made into something different. These may comprise mostly gathered things that are holding up to be done. Work-in-process inventoryâ things may comprise finished product that have not yet been stuffed and checked on, and likewise crude materials that have moved from ability to a preassembly zone. For example, in a squeezed orange association, the oranges may come into a limit zone, where they are crude items, yet once they have been moved out of the limit go and onto the successive development framework for pressing, they get the chance to be work-in-process stock . In a little association, work-in-process merchandise may be taken care of in a similar region as crude materials and finished items. Completed Goods Completed goodsâ are any things that are set up to be shipped out or sold explicitly to customers, including to wholesalers and retailers. Finished items may hold up in a limit zone or on a shop floor. If the proportion of inventoryâ of Finished merchandise increment faster that the proportion of crude items and work-in-process items, at that point creation may need to ease off until progressively finished product are sold. In a couple of associations, stock are prohibited in the finished items inventoryâ until they are sold. For example, in associations where items are made to arrange.(types-stock association) Requesting, holding, and need costs make up the three standard orders of stock related costs. These groupings extensively separate the a wide scope of inventoryâ costs that exist, and underneath we will recognize and portray a couple of instances of the various sorts of cost in each class. (- stock requesting holding-and-lack costs) Requesting costs Requesting costs, alsoâ called arrangement costs, are fundamentally costs gained each time you present a solicitation. Delineations include: Administrative costs of getting ready purchase orders There are such a large number of sort of administrative expenses, for instance, receipt planning, accounting, and correspondence costs. Cost of discovering suppliers and helping orders Costs spent on these will presumably conflicting, yet they are indispensable expenses for the business. Transportation costs The costs of moving the product to the dissemination place or store. These costs are exceptionally factor across various businesses and things. Tolerating costs These incorporate costs of emptying products at the appropriation place, and exploring the product to guarantee they are the correct things and free of defectss. Cost of electronic data exchangeâ These are frameworks utilized by enormous associations and especially retailers, which grant mentioning process costs to be altogetherâ reduced. Holding costs As known called conveying costs, these are costs required with taking care of inventoryâ before it is sold. Inventoryâ financing costs This comprises everything related to the speculation made in stock , including costs like enthusiasm on working capital. Financing costs can be mind boggling depending upon the business. Opportunity cost of the money put into inventoryâ This is found by figuring in the lost alternatives of tying money up in stock , for instance, placing assets into term stores or basic resources. Extra room costs These are costs related to where the inventoryâ is put away, and will change by territory. There will be simply the expense of the storeroom, or lease portions on the off chance that it isn't guaranteed. By then there are office protection costs like lighting, warming, and ventilation. Inventoryâ administrations costs This comprises the expense of the physical treatment of the items, and insurance, security, and IT hardware, and applications if these are used. Costs related to inventoryâ control and cycle checking are further cases. Inventoryâ chance costs A significant expense is shrinkage, which is the loss of things between purchasing from the supplier and last arrangement due to any number of reasons: theft, vender coercion, dispatching botches, hurt in movement or limit. The other central case is outdated quality, which is the expense of items going past their usage by dates, or for the most part getting the chance to be particularly out of date. (stock expenses) Deficiency Costs These costs, moreover got stock - out costs, happen when associations get the opportunity to be particularly out of inventoryâ for no good reason. Upset creation When the business incorporates conveying stock and what's more contribution them, a lack will mean the business should pay for things like sit still pros and mechanical office overhead, despite when nothing is being made. Emergencyâ shipments For retailers, stock - outs could mean paying extra to get a shipment on schedule, or developing suppliers. Customer dependability and reputation These costs are hard to pinpoint, yet there are decidedly misfortunes to these when customers can not get their needed thing or organization on schedule. (stock expense) Monetary Order Quantity:â Economic request amount is the degree of stock that constrains the level stock holding costs and mentioning costs. It is one of the most prepared customary age arranging models. The structure used to choose this solicitation sum is in any case called Wilson EOQ Model or Wilson Formula. The model was created by F. W. Harris in 1913. However simultaneously R. H. Wilson, a specialist who associated it broadly, is given affirmation for his exactly on schedule start to finish examination of the model. EOQ is fundamentally an accounting condition that chooses when the blend of solicitation costs and stock passing on costs are the scarcest. The result is the most reasonable add up to mastermind. In gaining this is known as the solicitation sum, in collecting it is known as the age part gauge. The fundamental Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) formula is according to the accompanying: EOQ can be controlled by applying the accompanying regularly utilized formula:(models-of-stock administration) Q = 2UxP/S Where: Q = Economic Ordering Quantity (EOQ) U = Quantity bought in a year or month P = Cost of putting in a request S = Annual or month to month cost of capacity of one unit known as conveying cost. Let us represent this with a fanciful model: Let us expect the accompanying information for a firm: Yearly prerequisites 800 units Requesting Cost (per request) Rs. 50 Conveying Cost (per unit) Rs. 100 Presently, utilizing the EOQ equation, EOQ amount will be as per the following: EOQ = 2 x 800 x 50/2 = 80,000/2 = 40,000 = 200 Units Yearly USAGE Expressed in units, this is generally the least complex bit of the condition. Firm can simply use its guage yearly use data for computational purposes. Conveying COST Also called Holding Cost, conveying cost is the cost related with having stock accessible. It is fundamentally comprised of the costs related with the stock venture and capacity cost. With the ultimate objective of the EOQ calculation, if the expense doesn't change dependent on the measure of stock accessible it should not be remembered for conveying cost. In the EOQ formula, passing on cost is addressed as the yearly expense per typical near to stock unit. Least Maximum Technique: The base greatest system is routinely used as a piece of relationship with manual stock control structures. The base sum notwithstanding the perfect bundle measure., an interest is begun when a withdrawal decreases the stock underneath the base l

Best Reissued Classics in the UK

Best Reissued Classics in the UK With the holiday season right around the corner, you must be looking for ideas for those near and dear who are book lovers. This list of newly reissued classics from around the world will take care of your gifting woes. Featuring stunning designs and sumptuous tales, these books are a treasure inside and out. The new VINTAGE Japanese Classics series is a stunning collection of masterpieces, the perfect place to start reading contemporary Japanese fiction. You can find out more about these five books here ????????https://t.co/IbeCtVnSMR pic.twitter.com/SUh6WHU0XV VINTAGE Books (@vintagebooks) October 23, 2019 Vintage Classic Japanese Series This series feature five masterpieces of Japanese fiction in gorgeous new gift editions. The titles in this series include The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa, Out by Natsuo Kirino, The Makioka Sisters by Junichiro Tanizaki and The Sailor Who Fell from Grace With the Sea by Yukio Mishima. If like me, you are a die-hard fan of Japanese literature or you are just looking to expand your literary horizons, then you absolutely need this stunning series for your collection. Penguin European Writers Isabel Wall, Vikings editor behind the rediscovered classics, said the idea behind this series was to promote literature in translation to British readers The writers featured in this collection hail from Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Sweden, introduced by renowned English writers. The current series features the following titles: Death in Spring by Merce Rodoreda, introduced by Colm Toibin The Beautiful Summer by Cesare Pavese, introduced by Elizabeth Strout The Lady and the Little Fox Fur by Violette Leduc, introduced by Deborah Levy The Train Was On Time by Heinrich Boll, introduced by Anna Funder A Moth to a Flame by Stig Dagerman, introduced by Siri Hustvedt The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton by Edith Wharton (Virago modern classics) This stunning designer hardback from the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature is a must-have for fans of Gothic fiction. In these powerful and elegant tales, Edith Wharton evokes moods of disquiet and darkness within her own era. In icy new England a fearsome double foreshadows the fate of a rich young man; a married farmer is bewitched by a dead girl; a ghostly bell saves a woman’s reputation. Brittany conjures ancient cruelties, Dorset witnesses a retrospective haunting and a New York club cushions an elderly aesthete as he tells of the ghastly eyes haunting his nights. With a new introduction by Kelly Link, the stories in this book include: The Lady’s Maid’s Bell; The Eyes; Afterward; Kerfol; The Triumph of Night: Miss Mary Pask; Bewitched; Mr Jones; Pomegranate Seed; The Looking Glass; All Souls’. Gayl Jones (Virago Modern Classics) Corregidora is a lost masterpiece of African American literature and is a Virago Modern Classics lead title for 2019. When it was first published in 1975, Corregidora was hailed a masterpiece by acclaimed writers including James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison and John Updike. Considered as one of the most significant 20th century works of African-American literature, this is a powerful portrait of the trauma of slavery through the life of a Kentucky blues singer. Now it is being published in the UK with two of Jones’s later novels, Eva’s Man  and  The Healing. Matchbooks Classics (4th Estate) The idea behind this eye-popping quirky collection is quite innovative. In the mid-20th century, the matchbox industry was booming. Companies had to stand out, so they began commissioning designers and illustrators to create tiny works of graphic art for their labels. Despite its limitations, this small canvas allowed for some big ideas. These micro-masterpieces serve as the inspiration for our new 4th Estate Matchbook Classics series. The ten books in the series â€" novels, memoirs and one very unusual biography â€" are some of the best loved and most admired that 4th estate have published over the years. Titles include: Empire of the Sun  by J.G. Ballard The Diving Bell and the Butterfly  by Jean-Dominique Bauby Blue Flower  by Penelope Fitzgerald The Corrections  by Jonathan Franzen A Place of Greater Safety  by Hilary Mantel Stuart: A Life Backwards  by Alexander Masters Americanah  by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie The Things They Carried  by Tim O’Brien The Shipping News  by Annie Proulx Bad Blood  by Lorna Sage Elizabeth Hardwick Reissues (Faber) Faber has published two iconic books by the celebrated American essayist and novelist Elizabeth Hardwick, whom Joyce Carol Oates compare to Virginia Woolf. The reissues feature striking cover designs and new forewords by Eimear McBride and Deborah Levy championing Hardwick’s writing. Seduction and Betrayal is a sophisticated and radical collection of essays exploring feminism and literature. This book paints a brilliant portrait of the presence of women in literature from Brontë sisters, Ibsens women, Don Giovanni to Virginia Woolf, Sylvia Plath, and Zelda Fitzgerald. Sleepless Nights is a melancholic portrayal of a woman looking back at her life. Blending autofiction and prose poetry, this reads like an intimate look into a vibrant life.

Gender Double Standards - 1530 Words

Gender Double Standards According to Christian doctrine: In the Beginning, God created man and woman. In older times, before Christ, women and men were designated roles in the Holy Bible. Men were expected to be the head of the household, while women were expected to be the body. This means that men were to produce for their families while women are to run the family. Now years later, although society has much changed, there is still an unspoken expectation that should be reached by both sexes. Although women and men have fought for things, such as women rights and equality- there is a double standard that exists between the two genders. Some have argued whether the lifestyle of a man versus a woman is harder (Chrisler). In those arguments, both parties have valid points. Many of the points refer to the gender double standard and expectation that both genders are expected to maintain. Many of these â€Å"expectations† occur in adolescent years of the individual (Axinn). In Jamaica Kincaid’s sh ort story â€Å"Girl† I do believe that society also played a role in the expectations of this mother’s idea of femininity. This story was written in the early 1980’s. Around this time frame, women were coming up in society. They were moving into professional and managerial jobs during this time frame. There was a 27% increase in working women during the 1980s (Bock). Due to gender double standards and the expectations of femininity, it is harder to be a woman than to be a man. I also think thatShow MoreRelatedGender Inequality And Gender Double Standards1777 Words   |  8 Pagesculturally molded gender roles. Double standards concepts that are considered passable employed by one group of people but are deemed inadmissible by when employed by another group. We all know that there is innumerable gender double standards that exist it is an issue that everyone has faced or had to deal with being male or female. In society it is often to see that one set of stan dards does not pertain to or viewed the same way for women as it does to men inversely. Double standards are a way of exudingRead MoreGender Double Standards Essay1705 Words   |  7 Pagessociety, one starts to see many cracks and loopholes where one set of standards does not apply the same way for men as it does to women, and vice versa. One of the main and most discussed double standards when it comes to gender is the fact that men are praised for being promiscuous, while women are put down and called names. This double standard goes way back in the societal memory. Evolutionary psychologists suggest that these gender differences have resulted from males’ and females’ different reproductiveRead MoreGender Double Standards For Children2339 Words   |  10 PagesGender Double Standards for Children in Parenting According to an analysis done by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, for every ten U.S. google search requests about males being overweight, there are seventeen searches about girls being overweight, but in reality, boys are nine percent more probable to being overweight than girls (Gonchar). There are countless kinds of gender double standards in society, including the standards parents hold their children to. It is no secret that parents dream for theirRead MoreThe Sexual Double Standard : Gender Roles1526 Words   |  7 Pages150 Fall 2014 Ho Lot Of Stigma: The Sexual Double Standard Gender roles are social constructs that defines what sort of behaviors are acceptable for men or women. These rigid expectations teach people through socialization that we should think, speak, dress, and be a certain way depending on which gender we are. When we are young we learn the behaviors that are socially appropriate for males and females; these behaviors are often based on gender stereotypes. For example, women are expected toRead MoreGender Masculinity And Sexual Double Standards1795 Words   |  8 Pagesto the social archetypes of gender which you are bombarded with from birth. ‘Traditional’ gender stereotypes have remained consistent over many years, and, despite a rise in awareness and the challenge to these social norms, gender stereotypes raise issues with body image, labelling and genderfication. Both genders are subject to these stereotypes, where they are expected not only to accept them, but act within them, which is where we find the sexual double standards faced by sportspersons in theRead MoreGender Double Standards For The Past Millenniums And Morrison1685 Words   |  7 Pagesaround men for the past millenniums and Morrison depicts these gender double standards in Song of Solomon. She establishes the norms that women were subjected to and the social pressures that forced them to act, behave, and even live in a certain manner. Throughout the novel, Morrison continually describes Milkman s perspective toward the women that are involved in his life and it reiterates how society during this time neglected gender equality. We are able to see and be submerged into how his motherRead MoreDouble Standard of Masculinity in Gender Role Socialization2574 Words   |  11 Pagestheir mother or father, the fated words, Little boys dont cry, issue forth. Children internalize parental messages regarding gender at an early age, with awareness of adult sex role differences being found in two-year-old children. One study found that childr en at two and a half years of age use gender stereotypes in negotiating their world and are likely to generalize gender stereotypes to a variety of activities, objects, and occupations (Witt 1997). This legitimization teaches males that boys andRead More Double Standard Of Masculinity In Gender Role Socialization Essay2420 Words   |  10 Pagesfather, the fated words, quot;Little boys dont cryquot;, issue forth. Children internalize parental messages regarding gender at an early age, with awareness of adult sex role differences being found in two-year-old children. One study found that children at two and a half years of age use gender stereotypes in negotiating their world and are likely to generalize gender stereotypes to a variety of activities, objects, and occupations (Witt 1997). This legitimization teaches males that boys andRead MoreA Double Standard1688 Words   |  7 PagesSEXUAL DOUBLE STANDARD . Society is known to treat men and women differently despite the equality that is supposed to exist between the sexes. While sexism and gender sensitivity was at its worst during the early eras, it still exists nowadays because of what is known as the double standard mentality. In the poem ‘Double Standard’ Harper presents various examples of this double standard mentality that exists in the late 1800’s. The poem focuses on sexual double standard which is more appropriatelyRead MorePop Culture Of Double Standards1532 Words   |  7 PagesProfessor Baer English 5A 16 November 2015 Pop Culture of Double Standards As we all know, pop culture, or also known as popular culture, is the current mainstreams of a given culture in a time period in which ideas, perspectives, attitudes, images, and other phenomena affects the culture. In the 21st century, there are many pop cultures that are in the mainstream. One of the current mainstreams I chose for pop culture is double standards. I find this mainstream really interesting because even in

America s Involvement During Ww2 - 1013 Words

America s involvement in WW2 had major changes which helped shape the America we live in today. From 1939 through 1945 there were many changes in the economic, cultural, and political arenas. Some of these changes were the television becoming very popular, FDR tried to keep America neutral, America entered the war because of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The war did have a lasting effect on the culture of the time. Everyone was involved one way or another and everyone wanted peace. One major political change was the twilight of FDR’s New Deal. Economic changes started to occur during 1939. FDR has determined to keep the United States neutral and not fight in the war. In November of 1939 President Roosevelt signed the Neutrality Act. This Act allowed America to stay neutral, but allowed them to still assist the Allies with supplies, such as arms and other aid. During the war industrial production was naturally increased to produce supplies for the troops. Conversion was a major key to the American economy in 1940-1942. industries changed from consumer product to military product. Conversion started slowly due to company owners being afraid of losing customers. One for the union labor leaders Walter Reuther, of the United Auto Workers labor union, Suggested the major automakers convert to aircraft production. At first it was rejected by car-company executives and many federal officials, the Reuther Plan effectively called the public’s attention to America’s laggingShow MoreRelatedAmericas Involvement in Vie tnam Essay example827 Words   |  4 PagesAmericas Involvement in Vietnam From the early 1800’s up until 1931 Vietnam was controlled by France, Frances rule was then ended as they were forced to pull out of Vietnam due to the start of WW2, France left a ‘puppet ruler’ named Emperor Bao Dai. This left Vietnam vulnerable to invasion which was an opportunity Japan could not refuse and took advantage of Vietnam’s situation by invading. This sparked the return of a well known Vietnamese communist, Ho Chi MinhRead MoreMichelle Cortines . Ap Us History. Mr. Murray. 22 March,778 Words   |  4 PagesMichelle Cortines AP US History Mr. Murray 22 March, 2017 Were Franklin’s Administration s’ Responses Effective? The Great Depression was an event in history which no one saw coming. Franklin D. Roosevelt was left with the mess Herbert Hoover started during his presidency. The stock market crash was the beginning of a chain reaction of inadequate events. So what was the Stock Market Crash? The Stock Market Crash was a time where there was a high unemployment rate. Having gone through severe unemploymentRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War2014 Words   |  9 Pagesresonated throughout the late 20th century was the result of post-WW2 ideologies as well as reactions founded in those ideologies. One notable reaction to these ideologies was the US’ involvement in the Korean War beginning in 1950. Its involvement was the result of the post-WW2 fear of the spread of communism and its subsequent need to halt the North Korean invasion of South Korea. This was the first military action of the US during the Cold War and yet, although being a salient event for the US,Read MoreWhat Are The Major Econom ic Problems That Have Plagued Latin America?889 Words   |  4 Pages1. What are the major economic problems that have plagued Latin America in the 20th century? During the 20th century Latin America went through a change after the U.S made the clam to directly defend Latin America. This caused a sudden trade switch from the Europe nation to the U.S. With this trade switch we start to see a big gap between the lower and upper class. With this gap the poor gets poorer and the rich become Carlos Slim. Carlos Slim was the world’s richest person form 2010-2013 and isRead MoreThe Reasons For Australia s Involvement During The Vietnam War1207 Words   |  5 PagesAssess the main reasons for Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. After gaining independence from France in 1954, by the leadership of Ho Chin Min, Vietnam was posed with the task of creating a political faction. Due to the country’s diverse political views Vietnam was temporally split in two (at the 17th parallel). The north side was lead by Ho Chi Minh, a popular leader allied with communist China. Having freed the people of Vietnam from French occupation, many Vietminh supported his everyRead MoreJeannette Rankin Biography Essay1619 Words   |  7 Pages The United States Congress and its Government were designed to keep America and it’s citizens alive and satisfied. Created by men, and only men, it upheld what our founding fathers wished for our country. Congress, until around 1914, consisted of men and their opinions for the country. One would know that men have been there since day one and are still there today. But one would not commonly know is how and when a woman decided to make a change in the times and stand up for her be liefs. She wasRead MoreU.s. Involvement During Wwii1484 Words   |  6 PagesU.S Involvement in WWII Throughout American history the U.S has tried to stay out of national disputes but sometimes it is necessary for them to take action. In all the wars ever fought in the world only two have been fought on U.S soil and one of the wars was between our own country(Civil War). The U.S is mainly a neutral country but if something happens they are not afraid to fight back. After the Japanese bombings on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7,1941 the U.S began to take part in the warRead More Flannery OConnors A Good Man is Hard To Find Essay1144 Words   |  5 Pageshave resulted from Flannery O’Connor’s religious upbringing as well as the state of the nation at the time. During much of the 1930’s and 1940’s, the United States was a fairly isolated nation. While much of Europe and rest of the world were waging war against Germany, the United States kept a fairly pacifist stance and refrained from military involvement (World War II: Isolationist America). Many citizens in the United States feared an intrusion from outside forces, especially after the attackRead MoreThe Major Economic Problems That Have Plagued Latin America1497 Words   |  6 Pages1. What are the major economic problems that have plagued Latin America in the 20th century? During the 20th century Latin America went through a change after the U.S made the clam to directly defend Latin America. This caused a sudden trade switch from the Europe nation to the U.S. With this trade switch we start to see a big gap between the lower and upper class. With this gap the poor gets poorer and the rich become Carlos Slim. Carlos Slim was the world’s richest person form 2010-2013 and isRead MoreHistory of the Shanghai International Settlement2018 Words   |  8 Pagesinternational trade. Shanghai International Settlement was first originally established as a purely British settlement. It is among the original five treaty ports established by then under the terms of the Treaty of Nanking during the end of the first opium war in 1842. Involvement of American as well as French followed, and their settlement were majorly drawn out to the north and south of the British settlement, (Shaw, Norman Douglas, 2005). Later there was creation of united municipal council that

What is Truly Happening with Free Essay Samples Business

What is Truly Happening with Free Essay Samples Business The Downside Risk of Free Essay Samples Business Students may access study materials from various sources both physically and on the internet. Quite frequently, they have a hard time dealing with business research topics. A student may visit the library and with the assistance of the attendant find the company environment study material they want. Many students have a tendency to find examples of business research topics on the web. The Pain of Free Essay Samples Business When doing this, you'll get an unbelievable expertise in writing. Writing Peak was among the pioneers within the field of academic writing assistance. Most students think that it is the lack of desire to complete assignments that results in the using of writing services. The Fundamentals of Free Essay Samples Business Revealed Your paragraphs do not connect one another's meaning in addition to the whole thought of your essay might be incomprehensib le. Possessing good essay examples provides the reader an in-depth and on-the-court idea about what a well structured and coherent essay appears like. The topic is the thing that crowns your essay. Perhaps the most typical problem that students have, when they're assigned an essay, is they aren't even certain how to start. Scholarship essays are a severe issue. It is essential that we shine in the span of our essay. An essay outline is a set of ideas and ideas related to the subject issue. Our normal essay examples are free while our custom essays can be obtained at fair rates. The Most Popular Free Essay Samples Business In addition, there are simply no limits for downloads! Without knowing good essay making, your probability of going into an excellent college are slim. The world owes a whole lot from you. As a consequence, you get an excellent deal of free time and completed homework. The Downside Risk of Free Essay Samples Business No paper written for one more client is used for a different customer. While it has set up long term objectives and mechanisms to fulfill its clients, it has failed to deal with their immediate requirements and concerns. At precisely the same time, individuals under bankrupt individual will be expected to cover high interest rates since they try to rebuild th eir credit score. Among the financial facets, there are such variables as rate of inflation and the degree of domestic rates of interest that may help determine the success of the tiny neighborhood organization. Accountability was restricted to a few. Even if you discover some topic, you probably ought to customize it heavily to allow it to be suitable for your assignment requirements. The 30-Second Trick for Free Essay Samples Business A reader ought to be able to identify with your essay by reading the title you select for your paper. There are essentials in every single sort of essay you must take note. To structure an essay, you have to simply stick to the above mentioned format. Imagine the standard of writing you'll receive from a low-cost essay writing service. Essay writing examples in doc format like the ones given may help lead you in writing a great composition. You may share with your writer the sort of sources they ought to use in the paper. On our website, you are going to come across competent essay writers who will assist you with your assignments whatever they may be. Business management is vital for me because I have a good desire to successfully manage people and company projects, and to create effective business-related policies. The organization is going to have an internet shop too. Our company model is dependent on your loyalty and confidence in us, which explains why we will never let you down! Attractive website is crucial for practically any fashion company since it forms customers' perceptions. The Free Essay Samples Business Game Small shops usually easily adapt to change, due to the character of the little business (as there 's no enormous organizational structure that's so difficult to change). The sphere of physical therapy is growing, and with my skills in marketing, I aspire to grow the native Ridgeview services across the planet. To begin with, you need to use business intelligence study material to comprehend the idea of the course you're handling. For organizational culture to be managed in successful fashion, careful evaluation of the alterations to make is vital.

Stock trak free essay sample

Looking back the investment scenario, I notice my client who is a 35-year-old, unmarried childless male with $150,000 income and $50000 savings per year. Since his risk aversion is characterized as moderate, the portfolio ought to be â€Å"moderate† correspondingly. The first fundamental investment decision is Assets Allocation. Since that the assets allocation is the most important determinant of portfolio returns, before investment, I made a primary allocation: 35%-40% equity (including ETF), 30%-35% mutual funds and bunds, 10%-15% options and futures, 15%-20% cash. When it comes into reality, I found it is hard to exactly follow the assets allocation planed at the beginning, since the market trends is hard to predict with high uncertainty, the financial market might has a big difference with we expected at the planning period. In that case, according to the market trends I expected, I changed a little in my portfolio allocation within a small range. The second investment decision is Securities Selection. At the beginning, with little knowledge about the stock market, I made some irrationally invests, because I didn’t follow closely to the financial news of the companies and market, therefore, I often missed the best time to buy and sell and the portfolio value steadily declined at the first a few weeks. From this experience, I realized that the significant roles of investing rationally. Making every rational decision is extremely hard, because it is difficult to predict the future performance of the stocks, because the stock market follows the random walk and there is a high uncertainty of the future returns. The stock price is not only affected by internal reasons such as the performance and revenue of the company, it also can be affected by many different outside factors such as the economic trends, demand or new policy, which can instantly manipulate the up and down of stock prices regardless of the internal causes. Hence, to perform well in the portfolio, it is not only essential to apply appropriate investment strategies, but analyzing current market trends is also significant. Recent financial reports and current news, they are the important barometer of the stock price. From then on, by following closely to the current event and analyzing the financial report, I’m more familiar with the stock market and less irrationally than before. Furthermore, since Stock Trak Simulation was a short-term investing project with moderate-risk investors. I decided to choose some stocks which provide above-average return and whose prices have the potential to increase from different industries. Via analyzing P/E Ratio, I chose some value stocks which are equities with generally lower P/E ratio than average (the average P/E ratio of the SP 500 a year ago is 17. 21) i. e. value stocks. And the Betas of the stocks should be relatively moderate. Considering that my portfolio market value ranks in second place (2/27) with the 9. 25% return and total equity was $547,597. 39. At the first glance, I would assume that I were pretty successful and used the money well. However, there were many dips and recessions in my portfolio. For example, the market value was as low as $466,516. 75 on March 7 and as high as $562,585. 34 on March 14. Moreover, since the irrational investments I made at the beginning had a massive negative impact on my portfolio and lost a large amount of portfolio due to lack of diversification. As the portfolio value graph shows, it dropped steeply from March 5 until March 7, I did more research and thought clearly before buy or sell any stocks, from then on, with the bloom of the stock market, the portfolio value increased sharply to peak value $562,585. 34 on March 14 finally mitigating fluctuated until the project closed. The following are some specific examples in this simulation: Ford Motor Co. (F), Modine Manufacturing Company (MOD), Schlumberger Limited (SLB) When I looked at a piece of news from The New York Times on Feb 22 which tells that The Obama administration, seeking to promote domestic manufacturing, proposed Wednesday to offset new tax breaks for manufactures by raising taxes on a wide range of other company,2 I expected the prices would go up because of the tax benefits to manufacturer firms. However, the information given can sometimes be misleading and obvious choices based upon such information may not always be what I expected it to be. I invested a huge amount of money on manufacturer and related industries’ stocks, such as: Ford Motor Co. (F), Modine Manufacturing Company (MOD), and Schlumberger Limited (SLB) when I thought they would have a bright future due to the new proposal. Considering the high percentage of the manufacturing companies stocks in my portfolio, obviously, I didn’t well diversified my portfolio, which really hurt the total value because those stocks were supposed to be stable but ended up doing the opposite . From this experience, I learned how important the well-diversified portfolio is. Given the principle of diversification, holding the huge number of stocks in portfolio is not well-diversified, whose minimum average annual standard deviation is roughly 19. 2%, which due to the Nondiversifiable risk. In that case, I diversified as best as I can by investing in stocks, ETF, mutual funds and derivatives from different areas to mitigate the risk. Liz Claiborne Inc. (LIZ), Apple Inc. (AAPL), MagnaChip Semiconductor Corporation (MX), The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BK) and Fomento Econ (FMX) Once I changed my strategy to combine technical analysis and fundamental analysis, I based tractions on basic technical analysis chart via yahoofinance. com, using some indicators such as Relative Strength Index (RSI) and Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), analyzing Moving Average and Exponential Moving Average (EMA) from chart. Relative Strength Index (RSI) RSI is an indicator that compares the magnitude of recent gains to recent losses in an attempt to determine overbought and oversold conditions of an asset, which ranges from 0 to 100. An asset is deem to be overbought once the RSI approaches the 70 level, meaning that it may be getting overvalues and is a good signal for assets pullback. Likewise, if the RSI approaches 30, it is an indication that the asset may be getting oversold and therefore likely to become undervalued. 3 Generally, if the RSI rises above 30 it is considered bullish for the stock. Conversely, if the RSI falls below 70, it is a bearish signal. Liz Claiborne Inc. (LIZ), Apple Inc. (AAPL), MagnaChip Semiconductor Corporation (MX), The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BK) and Fomento Econ (FMX) examples are how I learned from RSI analysis. More specifically, it showed that in March 22, the RSI of LIZ reached 40 for a brief moment to considered bullish, and I purchased the LIZ around $11. 80 and sold them at $13. 41 on April 17, and the RSI stands roughly 50 recently. Moreover, the company expects to see some improvement in Juicy business with the introduction of the new merchandise in the spring collection. The value line estimate the LIZ will earn about $0. 15 a share in 2012. 4 The RSI of the stocks which I have mentioned before are all above 30 and the results came out well so far. Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) MACD is one of the simplest and most reliable indicators available. It uses 26-days EMA and 12-day EMA, which are lagging indicators. A nine-day EMA of the MACD, called the â€Å"signal line†, is then plotted on top of the MACD, functioning as a trigger for buy and sell signals. Generally, when the MACD falls below the signal line, it is a bearish signal, which indicates that it may be time to sell. Conversely, when the MACD rises above the signal line, the indicator gives a bullish signal, which suggests that the price of the asset is likely t experience upward momentum. 5 The AAPL example above is how I learned about the MACD analysis. It tells that in March 7, MACD rose above the signal line, giving a bullish signal, I bought the AAPL at $534. 14 and sold at $583. 92 on March 16, it turns out that I gain a lot from AAPL, but still I sold them too early. Diversification Option Analyzing that the AAPL price would increase in the near future, I purchased the call options to diversify my portfolio. And I knew this project is a learning tool, which let all the students be familiar with the all kinds of securities, I was not afraid to make mistakes and try different securities. The result turned out pretty well that I gained approximately 183% from AAPL1217C540. (Purchased at $14. 15 and sold at $41. 88) Mutual Funds Given the low interest rate, it is not a wise decision to purchase bonds, so I turned to mutual funds to diversify my portfolio. I bought Delaware Pooled Trust the Cap Growth Equity (DPLGX) and Columbia Strategic Income A (COSIX). The DPLGX belongs to large growth funds, which is ranked four-star by Morningstar Rating with Year-to-Date return 16. 08% and 0. 22% Yield. The COSIX is a Multisector Bond with medium interest rate sensitivity and low credit quality, which ranks three-star by Morning Rating with 3. 76% Year-to-Date and 5. 17% Yield. What I found from mutual funds is that it not as volatility as stocks, which effectively decrease the risk of the portfolio. The value of mutual funds I bought often go up when whole stock market is bearish and decline when stock market is bullish. With the help of the mutual funds, my portfolio returns fluctuated slightly around 9% to 11% though the return of the mutual funds around -2%. ETF Since there was such volatility in the stock market and my overall return was over 10%, I start to invest in low risk securities, such as Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI), which are large Blend Exchange Trade Fund bases on total stock market. Portfolio Performance Analysis My overall return is 9. 25%, which is over average and is over performance comparing to the SP 500 1. 98% during the same period. The sharp ratio is 1. 84 a little above the average, which is a risk-adjusted measure to determine reward per unit of risk. Obviously, the higher the sharp ratio, the better the portfolio’s risk- adjusted performance. Summary By managing the portfolio, I have acquired a lot new knowledge of investment strategies and become more familiar with the trade market. Firstly, the proper assets allocation is so important that we have to pay more attention to it and make securities selection in term of the horizon, income level, risk toleration, and returns in the future of investors. Secondly, analyzing the historical data and financial report, paying close attention to the related current new and market trends, using RSI, MACD and EMA indictors to examine the performance of the securities, being familiar with investment strategies and making rational decisions help investors to manage the portfolio. Thirdly, ignoring common judgment errors, such as loss aversion, regret aversion and sunk cost fallacy.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street Book Analysis

A Random Walk Down Wall Street Book Analysis A Random Walk Down Wall Street Book Analysis Essay A Random Walk Down Wall Street Book Analysis Essay The book A Random Walk Down Wall Street offers an insight into stock investment with the author aiming at providing an appropriate advice for investors. The book has had ten editions since it was first published in 1973 by Burton G. Malkiel. The author’s main idea is to portray markets as partly efficient and to prove that investors can make appropriate individual investment decisions without the indulgence of financial experts. A Random Walk Down Wall Street Literary Analysis According to the author, the basic secret of investing is committing to stock investment in the long term or diversifying investments in case of short-term investments. The author justifies his assertions by using historical testimonies and expounding on them by using personal experiences. The book has four sections with respective chapters that elaborate on various concepts of investing. The book report will provide the author’s main idea and the insights gained. An analysis will show that Malkiel’s book offers an avenue that allows investors to make sound investment decisions by balancing their investment expectations with options available to them. Part One: Stocks and their Value This part entails the first four chapters that introduce the reader to the world of investments. The part mainly discusses concepts of asset valuation by using theoretical foundations. The author mainly uses the firm-foundation theory and the castle-in-the-air theory to expound on asset valuation. The first chapter is â€Å"Firm Foundations and Castles in the Air† and it offers an introduction to investments. It explains that the firm foundation theory argues that an investor should make investments on the basis of the actual value of the proposed investment. The author uses a real-life example that a person wishing to invest in Coke should base the investment decision on the product’s parent company, the Coca-Cola Corporation. The castle-in-the-air theory asserts that an investor should make investments as a response to actions of the masses. For this reason, the theory argues that an investor usually makes more returns by following the majority who invests based on cu rrent trends or based on the foundations of a firm. The chapter concludes that both theories are right in different investment situations. The explanations of the author of the two theories offer a background for the author to critique them in the following chapters. The second chapter â€Å"The Madness of Crowds† explains historical financial occurrences that prove that actions of the masses have significant investment repercussions. Examples of such occurrences include the Tulip-Bulb Craze, the South Sea Bubble, and the tulipomania. In the three instances, the market expanded in a speedy way and led to the overvaluation of assets. After some time, values of the assets returned to their normal valuation after one or a couple of years. A graphical analysis of the three instances showed that by the end of the overvaluation hype the values of the assets returned to the same values as before the hype. The chapter portrays that investors who just follow the masses blindly tend to lose heavily in the market. The inability of investors to resist the urge of the masses makes them vulnerable to adversities of the market. Chapter three explains the stock valuation between the 1960s and the 1990s. The chapter offers a continuation of the craze that the market experiences. The author uses various examples in the stock market to expound on the modern version of the extremity of markets. He expounds on the multiples of price earnings that formed the base of stock trading at the time. The author also expounds on the roles of underwriters in the issuance of new securities, especially their roles in misleading investors. The misleading happened despite investors having access to the guidelines offered by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. For instance, the stocks in the 1980s were overvalued. The scenario confirms the assertion of the author in the second chapter that such situations continue to recur. Another example offered by the author is the obsession of investors with blue chip companies in the 1970s. By 1980, the values of the stocks had returned to their normal prices. The cases sh ow how firms often manipulate information to increase their value so that they can attract investors. The author concludes that manipulation is inevitable because even though organizations such as the SEC provide the guidelines, they can do nothing to prevent investors from parting with their money. By offering real examples and enlightening historical occurrences, the author remains authoritative and ensures that the reader grasps the real impacts of the masses in making investment decisions. Chapter four explains the internet bubble that sufficed in the late 1990s. The author argues that the public’s obsession with the internet was fuelled by other bubbles similar to the historical ones covered in the previous chapters. For instance, the author cited the IPO mania that prompted the bubble in the 1960s. Similar instances could be seen in the internet era. The main message of the author is that people tend not to learn from past experiences. After the rise of the internet, small investors gained a platform for investments and firms gained a platform for competing with larger firms. Moreover, people became more interconnected. Due to the excitement of the availability of a new platform of trading, people engaged in stock trading by the use of brokerage firms. As a result of overcrowding, people lost money due to the eventual overvaluation and the return to normal prices. In fact, only brokers benefited. This part highlights significant historical influences of the mass mentality on investments. The main point of the author is that markets remain perfect. The assertion means that even if an imperfection comes up, the market will find a way to go back to its normal status. One of the pieces of advice one gets from the part is that investors need to combine both their intellect and curiosity to succeed in investments. The influence of crown activities was also enlightening. The provision of historical examples that led to the overvaluation of assets enables the reader to grasp the author’s main idea. The examples show that an emotional approach without much consideration towards stock investments can be detrimental for investors in the long run. One of the interesting insights from the examples that the author offers is that investors never seemed to learn. All through the 1960s to the late 1990s, economic bubbles would always recur. There would be some hype created that would i n turn entice people to spend more money on stocks. The hype occurred even after authorities such as the SEC warned investors. The above cases remind me of the 2007/2008 economic depression. The scenario was caused by a similar bubble, only that this time it was a housing bubble. The decade ending in 2006 saw prices of houses drastically rise, thus prompting homeowners to refinance their homes due to the availability of adjustable-rate mortgages extended by lenders. Due to the availability of mortgages, people could access loans at interest rates lower than market rates. However, after 2006 people could not refinance their loans because house prices started falling and interest rates rose at the same time. In effect, financial institutions could not recover their loans extended. The situation kick-started the depression that had adverse effects on investors. The situation in 2007/2008 shows that the market has not yet learned about adverse impacts of following the multitude blindly. Part Two: How the Pros Play the Biggest Game in Town This part makes up the next three chapters. The chapters mainly deal with fundamental and technical analysis techniques. Chapter five tries to expound on the extent of the efficiency of the market. It focuses on the elaboration of the technical and fundamental analysis of financial markets. Technical analysis entails studying trends in market prices of assets and then applying historical trends to predict their future prices. The method uses tools such as trend lines and charts. Fundamental analysis entails analysis of the condition of a business by examining its financial records, the market in which the business operates, and the competition. The chapter does not go into much detail about the theories with the next three chapters serving this purpose. The sixth chapter expounds on the technical analysis concept. The author asserts that technical analysis concentrates on identifying correlations. For this reason, the author seems to discredit the technique by arguing that testing the data of stock prices over time does not necessarily lead to the correct prediction of the stock prices. The author cites that the above aspect of the technique makes it spurious. He even uses a humorous example of finding a correlation in the average hemline length in fashion. He uses the example to explain that looking solely at the charts robs off one’s opportunity to see the broader picture, meaning that there would be a high probability of poor judgment. The author also touches on the random walk theory and states that the theory employs random measures to process random data. He goes on to compare the theory with a humorous example of the use of coin flips to determine future prices of stocks. The author uses more humorous examples to disre gard the theory and the technical analysis because of the theory limitation. Chapter seven concentrates on the fundamental analysis concept. Malkiel seems to support the fundamental analysis. The support, as he argues, arises because the concept bases itself on logical judgment when admitting data for consideration. Another reason the author prefers the fundamental analysis is that the technical analysis only focuses on the stock price, while the fundamental analysis focuses on the worth of the stock. Despite the support for the theory, the author finds it weak as well. The author provides situations where fundamental analysis can have flaws. The examples include random events such as the 9/11 attacks, the consideration of flawed data from firms, and poor analysis. The author also asserts that financial experts are no better than investors. He states that they only have an edge because they can access more information from companies. The author’s information on stock valuation is very insightful. Although I had some knowledge of the two techniques of stock valuation, I had not deeply analyzed them to an extent of identifying their weaknesses. However, the author’s argument convinced me of the flaws of the systems. I enjoyed humorous examples offered because it was a light way of learning about the techniques. The part of the book also offers a lot of lessons when it comes to stock trading. The first lesson is that one should purchase stocks if their expected growth of earnings is above the market average. Moreover, prospected growth should entail a period of more than five years. The second lesson is that it is too risky to purchase multiple stocks whose prospected future growth has been discounted. The last and the most significant lesson is that an investor should consider whether an asset possesses the likelihood of attracting masses to invest in them. The last lesson means that logic is the key when considering a stock purchase. Another interesting conclusion from the understanding is that I have come to question the roles of financial advisors in aiding investors making investment decisions. The author cites that the only difference between them and investors is that they have more information. Prior to reading the book, I viewed experts as a haven and the best avenue for investors to make right investment decisions. After reading this part of the book, I realized that experts might not be significantly different from investors. I find great sense in the claim because some of the historical bubbles came up since investors had more trust in experts than in the authorities. However, despite gaining the knowledge, I partly disagree with the author’s claim because the fa ct that experts have needed information means that they are in a better position to make sound decisions. Part 3: The New Investment Technology This part entails the next three chapters of the book. The section concentrates on the modern portfolio theory that entails combining assets with different risk levels to create a positive returns diversified portfolio. Harry Markowitz came up with the theory in the 1950s, making him win the 1990 Nobel Prize. Chapter eight introduces the modern portfolio theory by asserting that it is essential for investors to diverse their investments and at the same time minimize their risks to obtain positive returns. According to the author, the risk of an asset is a significant determinant of the nature of returns. It is worth noting that the standard deviation of the stock is usually the measure of risks. The author cites that risks are inevitable irrespective of the nature of diversification. The argument of the author portrays that he partly agrees with the theory. Chapter nine expounds on the theory by explaining ideas highlighted in chapter eight. The outstanding addition to the previous chapter’s ideas is introduction of the beta factor. The author introduces the factor while explaining the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). On the basis of the model, the author argues that investors should avoid diversifiable risks because they do not have premiums. The author also argues that an investor should attain more returns by investing in high-risk assets. However, the risk should be systematic. The premium aspect leads to the introduction of the beta factor. The author explains that the beta factor explains how a stock behaves in the stock market. Specifically, it measures volatility of an asset as compared to the whole market. On the one hand, theoretical application indicates that the price of a stock with a higher beta value will rise at a higher rate than other stocks in case of a bull period. On the other hand, its price will decrease at a higher rate in case of a bear market. However, after introducing the beta concept, the author takes an unprecedented stand by claiming that beta is not a sufficient measure of the relationship between the risk and returns. Chapter ten introduces the concept of behavioral finance. The concept entails application of human cognitive and emotional concepts in making investment decisions. The author argues that behavioral traits such as being overconfident and overreacting often have an influence on investors’ decisions. After explaining the concept, the author concludes that most choices based on personal biases do not reap intended rewards in the long run. Malkiel argues that the common sense aspect of personal biases has a chance of providing a logical judgment on investments that may prove fruitful. Some of the common sense ideas include inner motivation of investors to resist investing in pricey assets in the long run and the desire to avoid overtrading. Another possible aspect of common sense is that an investor should only get rid of stocks that portray a trend of losing value. Chapter eleven entails the author providing a summary of his opinions given in previous chapters. Some of the assertions include that the market is fairly efficient and in most instances corrects discrepancies when they occur. The main attraction point is the author’s use of Benjamin Graham’s argument that investors should always invest in the long-term value stocks. The author does not seem to endorse the Graham’s argument and he goes to the extent of justifying his position. He asserts that in the long run the trends of growth and value stocks do not run parallel to market trends. However, he partly endorses the Graham’s argument by stating that value stocks often tend to perform better during extremities such as bubble and economic depression. After reading the part, I gained more information on the importance of beta. However, after the author providing a lot of information about its importance in determining the risk of an investment, it was surprising for the author to disagree with the beta factor. The author argues that particular differences in the stocks make beta more ineffective. Despite the surprise, I appreciated his insight because it provided a platform for me to read more about the relationship between beta and risk and returns. On the concept of behavioral finance, I have come across real applications of the author’s argument that personal biases affect individual investment decisions. The inner thought that there is an opportunity to make money can urge an individual to make rash decisions. Moreover, the thought of a possible loss can influence similar decisions. The significance of personal biases in investing has led to the creation of various notions in the modern investment world. Some investors have the tendency to disregard the efficient market hypothesis and endorse unproven beliefs. An example is the January effect when people tended to think that stocks perform well in January. Despite their unproven status, beliefs may make an investor invest heavily during the month. In effect, such an investor may end up experiencing losses. Part Four: A Practical Guide for Random Walkers and Other Investors This part aims at giving the reader an insight into the practical side of investing. The part also offers advice to investors by affording them strategies that they can use to choose their investment portfolio. Chapter twelve offers investors advice on how to start an investment venture. The author encourages stock investors to ensure that they have emergency funds available in case their investment decisions lead to losses. Moreover, the author argues that investors should consider investing in â€Å"insurance† investments such as bonds and real estate investments. He argues that ordinary shares and real estate investments provide a viable option for investment. He concludes with the assertion that prior research is vital for investors in coming up with the best portfolio. Chapter thirteen mainly deals with the author’s opinion on the better choice between stocks and bonds. The author argues that an investor should not entirely rely on the past performance of a stock to predict its future performance. However, he states that the past performance partially influences its future value. The author believes that investing in stock in the long run offers more returns than in bonds due to the elimination of risks. Moreover, he asserts that investing in stocks in the long run may provide the needed safety to fight inflation. However, Malkiel insists that the period cannot be shorter than a decade. He states that a shorter period than a decade is too random and investors do not have a choice but to invest in risky stocks. The assertion means that investors who intend to venture into the short-term investments have to choose between risks and adopt the one that they feel comfortable to carry. Chapter fourteen entails the author insisting that investors willing to commit their resources for more than a decade should commit themselves to stocks. He also insists that it would be better for short-term investors to concentrate on a diversified portfolio that include bonds. The author also advises short-term investors to consider retaining some of their resources as cash to cover any case of emergency. The chapter offers guidance on how investors can approach the market. Despite offering the above options, Malkiel encourages investors to venture into long-term investments. He advises investors to consider venturing into long-term stocks as a way of saving a retirement fund. Chapter fifteen is the last one in the section and the entire book. Apart from providing a summary of the book, it goes into the specifics of investing. The author argues that an investor does not have to perform an extremely detailed analysis to make an investment analysis. Instead, the author encourages investors to venture into an index fund. He encourages investors intending to purchase individual stocks to venture for the long term instead of trading them. Moreover, he asserts that investors should concentrate on stocks that have a record of good performance. Concerning managed funds, the author has reservations about them. He asserts that they may not be an advisable option because they may have misleading information. The also advises investors to purchase stocks that create positive stories about their potential to improve their value. After reading the last part of the book, I came to get the picture of intentions of the author. The first intention is to prove that the market efficiency hypothesis offers a realistic guidance in the stock market. The second aim was to reconcile market efficiency and perceptions of the market towards economic bubbles. The last aim of the author was to identify various ways of analyzing the stock market, highlight their weaknesses, and apply lessons from their weaknesses in offering investment advice to investors. The fourth part culminates his aims by combining strengths of different investments theories and techniques and avoiding their weaknesses to come up with a hybrid investment decision-making guideline. In conclusion, investors ought to read the Malkiel’s text. The book is organized in well-thought sections that cover aspects that entail financing progressively. Reading all the parts enriches a reader with information necessary in making appropriate investment decisions. The author came up with investment theories and techniques and highlighted their roles in investments. He aimed at offering the best financial advice. It is undeniable that the author believes in a partly efficient market and he justifies it by giving out real-life historical examples. The book has a lot of lessons for all investors. The main lesson is that an investor should have the courage to make investment decisions instead of relying solely on financial experts. Moreover, investors should apply logic in the decision-making. With the author analyzing crucial investment theories and concepts and then offering their critique, his aim is to communicate that none of them is efficient. For this reason, a hybrid way of the approach that entails picking strengths of the theories and techniques would be the preferable way to approach investments. Personally, I have learned that caution is the key to approaching investments. Moreover, I have learned that over-ambition or moving along with the crowds can be detrimental in some instances. I have also learned that having long-term investments is a preferable way of saving in the long run. The book also teaches that if an investor chooses to invest for a short-term period of fewer than ten years risks are inevitable. For this reason, diversification is the key. Due to the above lessons, investors, whether they believe in the efficiency or the market or not, need to read the book to expand their investment knowledge.

buy custom Cost Minimization Algorithm essay

buy custom Cost Minimization Algorithm essay To ensure that the web services provided are efficient and cost effective, the QoS has to be implemented so as to derive an algorithm with lower and upper limits. Given that S represents the number of inquiries made into the system at any given time t, then the total number of service requests inquired at any given time t, becomes SRt. From this, it can be deduced that the cost of the service, Cs, is given by; Cs = SRt S Since the main goal is to achieve the highest service exploitation at the least cost possible, let Es be the service exploitation and SA be the number of stops reached for every request made. Thus the service exploitation, Es is given by; Es= SAt S From these, the algorithm for the competence of the services, Cs can be derived as; SC = Es = SAt Cs SRt Now since the main objective is to reach as many stops as possible while maintaining the service at a low cost, a conscience should be reached between ES and CS. assuming that the total number of stops is N and that all the stops in the clusters are reachable, then two clusters can be described as 2/3N and 1/3N. Thus when one service request is made, the service competence becomes; 1/3N 2/3N =N/2 Consequently, assuming that there are G (t) groups at any time t, then service competence can be redefined as; SC = Es = SAt Cs SRt Meanwhile, SRt should be maintained at levels that less than or equal to G (t). Analysis Idyllically, in any ad-hoc network that has N number of stops and G (t) groups at any given time t, then there must exists a perfect clustering algorithm that is accurate enough to classify all stops into groups. When one stop is chosen as the representative stop for every group for the purpose of an acclimatizing service, then SC and Cs can be redefined as; SC = SAt and Cs = G (t) G (t) In the case that all the stops are able to reach the representative stops in their respective groups at a time t0, then SAt0 =S, and SC = SAt0 = SA/C (t0) G (t0) This therefore becomes the maximum value of service achieved. However, this may not always be the case since an expected probability that some stops in the same cluster may not be reachable from the service request may exist. This dissertation is intended to be completed in fifteen weeks. The first three weeks will be for making notes on all the research done pertaining to the study as well as identifying the appropriate web services and platforms that will be used for the experiment. A draft will then be made from these notes and the findings. The following three weeks will comprise of further research and preparation of a second draft based on the first research and the results drawn from the experiment. The next seven weeks will be allocated for completion of research and preparation of a final draft. And finally, the last two weeks will be set aside for completion and binding of the final dissertation for presentation. Since the data stored comes in many forms, resides in numerous devices and is accessed by many users, there is no single solution to the protection of this data. The solution is multi-phased just as the problem is therefore appropriate policies should be defined, enforced and monitored so as to ensure maximum data protection. Since it has been discovered from the research that most of the search results are below standard and as a result they do not successfully meet the users requirements. So as to ensure that the search results meet the standards of the users, the current technology used in searching should be improved. Appropriate schema for automatic data classification should be invented so as to enable automatic classification of data into searchable categories. This will not only improve the search but the accuracy of the results as well. Unstructured data that has not been accessed for long periods of time should be deleted from the dynamic databases so as to create more spac e for active data. For as much as new technologies are invented to ensure quality protection of unstructured data, individuals should also be educated on the risks of storing their data in unsecured databases. Governments should impose new policies on privacy of data so as to ensure that data stored in the cloud is well protected. Data protection should be both in transportation and at rest. But before this is put into consideration, apposite tools have to be development so as to determine what the current abilities are e.g. whether they can deliver as expected or they can only work on restricted cases. Data should be categorized in a manner that it will be simple and efficient to locate and search. The eminence of internet-based and rich media applications has led to the sudden growth of unstructured data, formless data that includes PDF files, slide decks, videos, web pages, images, MP4 and Mp3 files and word documents among others, that in turn require secure and more reliable storage and retrieval solutions. Even though several researches have been done, sufficient research has not been conducted on the scalability and dependability of web services. The objectives of this thesis include; the determination of a Confidentiality Integrity Availability (CIA) assurance model as well as to come up with a new algorithm that is scalable for the minimization of web service cost using the Service Level Agreement (SLA) and the Quality of Service (QoS). All the objectives have successful been met; service competence has been obtained while maintaining minimum cost of exploitation. Buy custom Cost Minimization Algorithm essay

15 summaries Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

15 summaries - Assignment Example As such, people need to embrace strife, misery, and folly as harbingers that foster a greater good. Author Voltaire Francois discusses ignorance, philosophy, as well as self-conceit of humanity in his essay â€Å"Micromegas.† In this essay, the author undertakes a satirical exploration in his research about the philosophy principles paraded by humanity, alongside their ignorance and self-conceit towards various aspects of life. Author Voltaire Francois discusses through a satirical approach government corruption, religious doctrines, as well as the injustices and folly perpetrated by the French society in his essay â€Å"The Huron.† In this essay, he explores the above concepts through disusing the story of one man from the tribe of Huron transported to Paris city. Author Voltaire Francois discusses in his essay â€Å"The man of Forty Crowns,† the author Voltaire discusses the various concepts of a crown, and how monarchial hereditariness passes on power from one generation to another. He asserts that some poor leadership traits may sometimes pass on from one lineage to the next during such practices Author Voltaire Francois discusses in â€Å"The Sage and the Atheist,† Voltaire explores the different perspectives of religion and the effect that each has on the belief, faith, and religious practices of an individual, and an entire community at large. A sage is a holy person, while an atheist does not believe in the existence of any supernatural powers controlling the lives and doings of men. Author Voltaire Francois discusses in â€Å"The World as it goes,† Voltaire discusses the vision of Babuoc. In this excerpt, the author explores how the King commissioned his faithful servant, Babuoc to go and visit a far away country in Persia then bring back a report on the under dealings within the city, using his spirit of discernment, as well as the power to inspire confidence. Author Voltaire Francois discusses in â€Å"the study of nature,† Voltaire asserts

Arauco Case study Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Arauco Case study - Research Paper Example The overall contribution made by the new proposed pulp manufacturing facility will result into the expansion of the production capacity of the firm by more than 3 millions. This increase in capacity will therefore make the firm one of the leading manufacturers of pulp in the world in terms of overall production capacity. With an estimated investment of $1 Billion, the new project is estimated to produce sales of $350million per year. Since the overall estimated economic life of the plant would be 30 to 40 years therefore overall revenues will be equal to $14.00 Billions over the period of 40 years thus contributing significantly to the value of the firm. Though no specific discount rate is given however, given the sales generating capacity of the proposed project suggest that it will add significant value to the firm and firm’s shareholders will gain value from the proposed investment. Any organization willing to make its strategic move therefore has to look into its core comp etencies and must examine its core strengths. In past firms have made forward integration moves however, such moves proved fatal because of the integrated nature of the process. (Hitt, Ireland and Hoskisson). Suppressed demand for paper can seriously damage the profitability of the pulp business also because of the integrated nature of both the processes. It therefore becomes more critical to look into those aspects of the strategy where they can offer an insight into the ability of the firm to actually utilize its existing strengths in more effective manner rather than spending its energies on the development of new set of skills and competencies in order to compete in a market which has remained relatively untapped by the firm. Firm’s decision to move away from Pulp only could also be the direct result of its decision to diversify the business in other segments. Though the firm has expanded into related businesses however, diversifying from pulp business can be mostly a res ult of capitalizing on firm’s core competencies in manufacturing pulp at relatively low cost. It is also important to understand that the pulp sales of the firm have increased over the period of time suggesting that due to high demand and better cost efficiency, firm is able to sell its pulp products at relatively premium prices in the market. Such acceptability in the export markets therefore indicates that the firm has already established itself in international market in this segment of the business. Pulp is used for just 50% of the paper manufacturing therefore firm will have to acquire new set of skills and efficiency with which to use other remaining material and ingredients to produce better quality and low cost products. This would therefore invariably put the firm on a new learning curve thus slowing down its progress to become the market leader in the business. Recommendations Firm derives its competitive advantage from its low cost production and market reputation in the international market. Since firm is already backward integrated with access to high quality wood to manufacture pulp and other allied products therefore it is recommended that the firm should take the decision of horizontal expansion rather than engaging into forward integration. The proposed move will increase the production capacity of the firm by large

Interracial Marriages Amongst African Immigrants In Hungary Sociology Essay

Interracial Marriages Amongst African Immigrants In Hungary Sociology Essay In many countries throughout the world, marriage is primarily an agreement between two families. An alliance through marriage between two successful families can enhance the power, prestige and well being of all the members in that family. Interracial marriage is a potential venue where both partners can enrich their world-view depending on ones value and ability to accommodate cultural difference. The extent to which interracial marriages are accepted in our global society is a function of the cultural parameters within which these dynamics occur. It is apparent that the figurative shrinking of our globe seems to represent conditions that allow opportunity for the number of intercultural marriages to expand. This paper seeks to provide an overview of interracial marriages, taking into consideration, its reasons, evolutionary historic nature and its importance to African immigrants. History of Interracial Marriages Before discussing how historical changes have influenced interracial relationships, it is imperative to examine how relationships have evolved throughout history. During Medieval times, the families of would be couple arranged their marriage. Much of society placed emphasis on wealth and land ownership. People did not often marry outside of their class. Therefore, it was the role of family to find a suitable partner to make the transition into matrimony (Amt, 1993:77). Also, love was not a factor in the decision making process (Stritof, 2001). In the middle Ages, marriage was seen as a sacrament. Therefore, the transition into marriage was made in order to prevent sin and to procreate as the Bible dictates (Shahar, 1983:15). However, during colonial times, the role of the family was altered. The transition into marriage shifted from the parents control to the individuals control. In spite of this shift, though, the family did still largely influence whom the individual chose to marry . Children were guided and taught on how to choose the most suitable partner. During this time, romance became part of the marriage interest; it was an opportunity to love (Wilkins, 1998:502). Interracial relationships are historically determined. Interracial marriage started in the United State of America. Laws against interracial marriages date back to 1661. These laws were enacted to prevent whites from marrying outside their race. Individuals who married cross-culturally could be arrested (Schwalbe, 2001:23). These laws were not limited to African Americans, for example in Arizona whites and Native Americans were prohibited from marrying each other, on the other hand, in Montana whites could not marry Asian Americans (Schwartz, 2000:114).Similarly, in colonial Mexico, sexuality, marriage, and superstitious love and fertility rituals were subject to control by the Spanish inquisition (Stoler, 1989:134). Moran (2001:29), argued that anti-miscegenation laws established racial boundaries, racial purity, contained ambiguity, and preserved public recognition of sexual decency. Bardaglio (1999) holds that the anti-miscegenation law sought not so much to eliminate interracial sexual contact as to channel them. The main purpose of this law was to keep the black and white race apart. And it is for this reason that Stoler (1994:199) argued that the mà ©tissage (mixed blood) was conceived as a dangerous source of subversion, it was seen as a threat to white prestige, an embodiment of European degeneration and moral decay and represented, not only the dangers of foreign enemies at national borders, but the more pressing affront for European nation-states. This is what the German philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1962:149) so aptly defined as undermining the essence of the nation, and its interior frontiers. Therefore, sexual meanings and intimacy are social and cultural constructs which are the main forces conditioning human relationships. It is in this light that, Zelizer in Purchase of Intimacy (2005:1) holds that taboo against romantic affaire in workplace and sex for hire both rests on the twinned belief that intimacy corrupts the economy and economy c orrupt intimacy, intermarriage should be forbidden. In addition to the above, Roger (1990:315), holds that the United States is the only country in the New world which has carried its law against interracial marriage from its colonial period into its national one. In this light, Garrison questioned the states right to interfere with the private realm of marriage and he argued that marriage is not a province, and does not belong to the power of legislative assembly, therefore it is a wrong approach for the republican government to decide on the complexional affinity of those who choose to be united together in wedlock, and it may as rationally decree that corpulent and lean, tall and short, strong and weak persons shall not be married to each other as that there must be an agreement in the complexion of the parties ( cf Washington 1986:84). The right to select ones mate is one of the most ancient, most sacred of individual rights, and when the state interferes in this, except in the case of the mentally unfit, it but adds humour to the witticism (Roger, 1988:80) However, in 1967, the Supreme Court Case Loving v. Virginia declared laws against interracial marriages as unconstitutional (Schwalbe, 2001). This allowed individuals to explore other relationship opportunities and thus the rise of interracial marriages. These laws limited the pool of eligible mates and the transition into marriage was directly affected. These laws displayed the views of society; therefore, individuals wishing to make transition into marriage often followed these laws in order to gain societys approval and to avoid adversity. Reason for interracial Marriages As seen above, interracial relationship during the colonial era was considered a taboo or an abominable practice. Association with a European, talk less of marriage or dating a European woman was perceived as a challenge to European supremacy. Europeans regulated social conduct between races, so as to maintain racial purity. In spite of these regulatory mechanisms that were put in place, African immigrants still engaged in interracial marriages. The reasons for interracial marriages among immigrants vary from one person to another. For example, in some cases, the criteria for citizenship acquisition vary considerably between European states. Within the E U., the minimum residency; before aliens are eligible to apply for citizenship varies from three (Belgium), eight (Hungary) and ten (Austria and Hungary) years (Babcock, 2006:12-23).Some states requires shorter periods for applicants from states with whom they have cultural or historic ties. There are also variations in the requirements that states impose on those wishing to become their citizens. This is both natural and permissible. But, those requirements are nonetheless framed by moral considerations, which define their scope and limit (Caren, 1989:13-49).Many states exclude third country nationals from significant social and economic benefits such as employment benefits and health insurance, even if they have lived in their new state for several years. Citizenship, therefore, if only for instrumental reasons, is clearly a status worth having. But it is als o an intrinsically valuable status position, important as it signifies a persons equality under the law, full civic inclusion and ultimately immunity from deportation. As result, third country nationals have adopted various mechanisms to remain within EU member states. Examples of these mechanisms include commodification of sexuality, finding a shelter, or a job (in the formal or informal economy or as family labour), achieve legal status based on marriage terms (e.g. arranged or contract marriages). For instance, irregular immigrants attempt to legalise their residence with the help of various strategies. For most, illegal migrants apprehended by the authorities, entering the asylum process is the major form of legalising their stay in Hungary. In 1999, there were 11,500 asylum applications, with 5,100 submitted by citizens of former Yugoslavia and 6,000 by non Europeans. Thus, Hungary is primarily a transit country for asylum. Economic condition prevailing in Hungary can offer only a partial explanation to this phenomenon. Another equally important factor is the lengthy asylum procedures, and scarce opportunities for integration. For these reason, asylum seekers generally seeks protection elsewhere, many in other member countries of the E.U. Therefore, the most common reason for terminating an asylum procedure is that the applicant disappears (Ejalu, 2008). Similarly, Bledsoe and Sow (2008), carried out a study in Germany, and they argued that, Cameroonians in Germany, engaged in interracial relationship in order to maintain family reunification. Cameroonian women, who stay in Germany, are often those who gain residence rights by bearing a child for a German man, who is willing to recognise the child officially, irrespective of any long term paternal obligations. Using the German Federal Statistical office figures on the children of unmarried parents, Fleisher found that, in 2004, although there were about twice as many Cameroonian men than women in Germany, many more were born to Cameroonian women, than to Cameroonian men, that is, an equivalent of 240: 92, respectively. Among married partners, 49 children born to parents who were both Cameroonians but 169 were born to a Cameroonian and German conjugal pair. Again, there were considerably more, proportionately, children born to a Cameroonian German marriages who were born to Cameroonia n women and their German husbands, than Cameroonian men and their German wives. In addition to the above, for Cameroonian men, the pathway to legal residence in Germany is entirely different. Most German women who strike up relationships with Cameroonian men are substantially older than their partners, and are unwilling or unable to have a child. As well, the likelihood of becoming a parent of a German child, independently of its mother, is almost out of question, for a Cameroonian man. Claiming residence by producing a German child is thus much rarer for a Cameroonian man, than a woman from Cameroon. For a Cameroon man, without a job, the best route to acquire residence, is contracting and sustaining marriage with a German woman for at least three year, after which he can obtain residence, although authorities continue to exert surveillance, and may investigates cases of divorces after years. Fleisher found that, in 2004, there were 163 bi-national marriages between a Cameroonian and a German in Germany, most of them Cameroonian men marrying German women-but ju st six marriages between Cameroonian men and women. The further complexity is that, many Cameroonian men desire children and want to return home eventually. Confronted with the logic of singularity on which family reunification rules of marriage rest, some men quietly retain marriage with a woman back home by which they have borne children, or ask their families members to find a wife, whom they visit periodically before their final return. This is because, a Cameroonian man may come to see marriage to a German woman as a temporary necessity and look to Cameroon for his main family future, he may come to see traditional or at least Cameroonian marriages as the base, and formal marriage in the west as the temporary distortion. (Fleischer,2003). African immigrants may feel inferior due to a mental, physical, social handicap and enter an interracial relationship after determing that acceptance will be found only outside of a culture of birth. A marriage based on this motive may be consciously considered to be a second best or stand-in marriage interracial may be an act of aggression toward another race. Deviance and revenge by one partner can humiliate the in-law. They will either complement this need by feeling personally inferior or angry and rebellious against parents, culture and society (Blau, 1977:31). Leon (1984), suggests that idealism may be a motive ofliberal marrying inter-culturally. Identification with the underdog, an inferiority complex, rebellion, and rescue could be an outgrowth of this idealism. Importance of Interracial Marriages. Throughout history, the structure of interracial relationships has seen a drastic evolution. What once was seen as non-normative and forbidden practice is now seen as common. Specifically speaking, there has been an increase in heterogamous, cross-cultural, relationships. This rise in interracial relationships can be attributed to the reversal of anti-miscegenation laws, the lack of potential mates, the breakdown of segregation, immigration and advancements in technology. These changes in romantic relationships and the transition to marriage have allowed people to explore alternative lifestyles and relationships. Noticeably, interracial romantic relationships and marriages have become commonplace. According to Schwartz (2000:17) an increase in interracial marriages is as a result of immigration, increases the chances of meeting people from different racial backgrounds. For instance, the United States of America is considered a melting pot. The U.S.A. has many different races enmeshed into one society (Schwartz, 2007:23). This has allowed African immigrants to have many different types of romantic relationships/interracial marriages. Immigration has effected the transition into marriage by providing mates from many different backgrounds. Also, immigration has affected many peoples views on marriage by introducing people to new cultures. Interracial marriages among African immigrant is advantageous because it is seem as a gate way to integration and assimilation especially on the part on those immigrants who are being excluded from their societies The degree of social control and the institutionalised discrimination is a function of existing relationships between the majority(host country and minority. An increase in the number of primarily relationship (indicated by interracial marriage) between these groups signals a dissolutions of discriminatory and subordinating practices and less incumbered entrance of minority into social institution of the majority group (Gordon, 1964:35). On the other hand, interracial marriages may indicate a weakening of ethnic cohesion and a loss of highly value ethnic culture (Murguia, 1982). Beaumont (1958[1835]:245), suggests that intermarriages are certainly the best, if not the unique, means of fusing the white and the black races. They are also the most obvious index of equality. While the U.S court of 1873 considered interracial marriages as immoral, others saw it as a cultural betrayal .Opponents of interracial dating contend that those who date or marry outside of their race are betraying their families and abandoning their cultural heritage. Many African immigrants believe interracial marriage erodes the solidarity of the African community. Lawrence Otis Graham feels that interracial marriage undermines [African] ability to introduce our children to black role models who accept their racial identity with pride. Graham also fears that biracial children will turn their backs on their black heritage when they discover that it is easier to live as a white person (cf Sollors, 2000:23-58). On the other hand, proponents of interracial relationships contend that interracial romance is a step towards eliminating racial hatred. According to Mitali Perkins (2007:50), Where exploitation and anger have separated the races in society, an interracial family called by God is a compelling example of the gospel of reconciliation. Yvette Walker believes that Racism . . . will have to be bred out. We cant make policies to change it. And certainly, in an interracial relationship the children are raised in a climate of tolerance. She and others contend that the rising incidence of interracial children will eventually lead to a society where race will no longer matter because everyone will blend into one race, the human race. More importantly, assert many supporters of interracial relationships, colour should not matter when it comes to love. They echo Martin Luther King Jr.s famous sentiment that people should be judged not by the colour of their skin but by the content of their characterà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (cf Perkins 2007:206) African immigrants believe that interracial marriages offer the best opportunities for couples and professionals to experience, learn, develop, and educate themselves. Empowerment traits for interracial marriage and intimacy are core ingredients in promoting positive relationships in order that each of the couples families might work towards achieving optimal interracial satisfaction and simultaneously cope with external forces such as nationality, community, family, and individual. (McFadden, 2002:220). In the past, African immigrants were considered as inferior, Buirj (1993:176-179) argued that immigrants are lazy, incompetent, and inefficient because they lack both the cultural and symbolic capital. Michele Lamont (2000) recapitulates the negative feeling toward immigrants and reflects the continuing availability of cultural repertoires stressing the moral failure of immigrants. In the view of historian David Kennedy, in United States on the one hand à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦immigrants were judged to be noble soulsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦whose talents and genius and love of liberty account for the magnificent American character. On the other handà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ [they] were thought to be degraded, freeloading louts, a blight on the national character and a drain on the economyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦(cf Lamont, 2000:105). Scientific opinion at present tends to admit that an African immigrant is not inferior in any essential character of mind; and is approximately equal to other races in his ability to acquire culture (Du Bois, 1899). Despite the long-entrenched, labels to racially categorise African population in history, a trend has emerged towards a more fluid view of racial identification. Schacht and Knox (2000:279) argued that due to an interracial marriage/dating relationship amongst immigrants, there has been a gradual, if not, socially recognised shift in how immigrants are perceived. They have gained recognition. Moreover, interracial relationships are a step toward a more integrated and egalitarian society. For example, the future of Africans belongs to the person who is the product of many different cultures. Through interracial marriage, different cultures will develop their unique identities and come together in harmony. Benefits of interracial marriages would be that an African [immigrant] child would learn more tolerance and respect towards all races. Such children may be open to new ideas, and less hostile regarding ones religious creed or nationality. Many wars are fought over both religion and patriotic fanaticism, and a child of mixed background is not going to really purely identify with either one of the other racial background, thus, the child is less susceptible to being nationalistic to a fanatical degree. (Innocent, Sirefman, 1992). However, interracial marriages enable Africans immigrants to acquire citizenship and to engage in the political affairs of the host country. It is therefore a gateway for immigrants with citizenship status to shape and influence decisions at the national level. Thus, immigrants often view citizenship as crucial for the future prosperity of their children and their immediate relatives. The possibility of reuniting with family members is the major reason for acquiring citizenship. Citizenship also carries with it status and prestige among extended family members in the country of origin. Immigrants who have naturalised tell stories about how parents and relatives at home in Africa boast about their accomplishments. Praise and accolades are given to those who have become citizens (Arthur, 2000:24) Citizenship in other word, affects the shift in the cultural identities of immigrants (Afolabi, Falola, 2008: 49). Furthermore, interracial marriage is seen as strategic for integration and a form of assimilation. Park and Burgess (1969:735) define assimilation as a process of interpenetration and fusion in which person and groups acquire the memories, sentiments and aptitude of other groups and by sharing their experience and history, are incorporated with them in a common life the process of interpenetration is arguably best examplied in intermarriage which is often seen as the final step in the assimilation process. For African immigrants, it is a gate way to better life. Intermarriage is a clear signal that minority groups have adopted the cultural patterns of the host or majority population, such as its language and customs. On the other hand, during the assimilation process, African immigrants tend to lose their distinctive characteristics as they pass through the stages of assimilation, eventually intermarrying with the majority population (Alba 2003; Gordon 1964: 89) Theoretical Framework Using the status exchange theory (Merton, 1941, Davis, 1941), I have argued that interracial marriages would frequently involve an exchange of status characteristics. Highly educated Africa immigrants would trade their educational status in order to reap the benefits associated with the racial status of a potential white spouse. Similarly, whites with low levels of education would trade their racial status for the educational status of a potential black spouse. Consequently, a black-white marriage is likely to involve a black spouse with greater education than the white spouse because these types of individuals would each have something to gain from the union. Interracial marriages involving white spouses with greater education than their black spouses would be much less likely because blacks would have nothing to offer their potential white spouse in return for the white spouse marrying down in terms of race. Both Merton and Davis believed that this process of status exchange was ap plicable only to black male-white female unions because a black mans educational background would be more closely tied to future potential earnings and prestige than would a black womans education. Lacking empirical data to confirm this hypothesis, Merton provided the framework for a future test of the theory. According to Merton, the correct procedure would be to compare the relative frequency of three types of interracial marriage: educationally homogamous unions (Group A), unions in which the white member marries upward (white hyper- gamy) in terms of education (Group B), and unions in which the white member marries downward (white hypogamy) in terms of education (Group C).2 Group B should be the most common type because it involves the expected exchange of status characteristics, and Group C should be the least common type. Numerous scholars have since shown that this test fails because most interracial marriages are educationally homogamous. Individuals have a strong tendency to marry partners of a similar educational background, and this tendency has been increasing over the last half-century (Schwartz and Mare 2005). Thus, to some extend educational status is not the only means used by African immigrants to engaged in interracial relationship but the desire to acquired integration t hrough various means such as citizenship and resident permit is another reason for interracial marriages as already highlighted above. To conclude, in spite some of the miscegenation laws put in placed in the past, the desire to acquired citizenship, resident permits are reason of the that have pushed Africans immigrants to engaged interracial marriages, in order to reap the benefits of the host country in which they find themselves.