Canset crotec Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Canset crotec - Essay Example He has performed all over the world in some of the most famous orchestras. Lucia Lin started playing at a young age which the Chicago Symphony orchestra. This is one of the most famous American orchestras. The violist, Steven Ansell plays with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Michael. Michael Reynalds started with the Muir Quartet, 33 years of playing with the same group. Mendelssohns Quartet in A minor, Op 13 is one of 6 quartets that he wrote in his life time. Mendelssohn lived from 1809 to 1847. This particular quartet was written in 1827. It was written in the typical late classical style. The colors of the piece are romantic. The quartet does not end with a finale but with a question mark . The textures are like a quartet. He wrote this one the year Beethoven died. He was only 18 years old There is a classical style with 4 movements. The tempo starts with an adagio and goes to an allegro to an andante and finishes with an adagio. Within the four movements, there are many variations. The first movements starts slowly and the last ends slowly which is with a romantic flair. He is ending on a question mark. Beethovens influence is highly heard. The Dvorak Double Bass Quintet added a Bass instrument to the quartet. "This is one of Dvorak earlier and unknown of pieces" as spoken by the bass player when he explained more about the piece. We never learn his name. The cello becomes freer as he is no longer obliged to be accompany the other instruments. He becomes a soloist. There are times the cellist plays with the first violinist as a duet in the first movement. This is really interesting for a quintet, the viola and the bass start with a 5 note theme that is repeated throughout the whole first movement, either in the 5 note theme or harmony or variations of rhythm. Antoin Dvorak wrote this piece later in his career 1876. It is more in the classical quartet style of 4 movements than Mendelssohn but the orchestration is

No Longer at Ease Essay Example for Free

No Longer at Ease Essay From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia No Longer at Ease is a 1960 novel by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. It is the story of an Igbo (also spelled Ibo) man, Obi Okonkwo, who leaves his village for a British education and a Job in the Nigerian colonial civil service, but who struggles to adapt to a Western lifestyle and ends up taking a bribe. The novel is the sequel to Achebes Things Fall Apart, which concerned the struggle of Obi Okonkwos grandfather Okonkwo against the changes brought by the English. Novels title The books title comes from the closing lines of T. S. Eliots poem, The Journey of the Magi: We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, With an alien people clutching their gods. I should be glad of another death. Plot summary The novel opens with the trial of Obi Okonkwo on a charge of accepting a bribe. It then Jumps back in time to a point before his departure for England and works its way forward to describe how Obi ended up on trial. The members of the Umuofia Progressive Union (UPIJ), a group of Ibo men who have left their villages to live in ajor Nigerian cities, have taken up a collection to send Obi to England to study law, in the hope that he will return to help his people navigate British colonial society. But once there, Obi switches his major to English and meets Clara Okeke for the first time during a dance. Obi returns to Nigeria after four years of studies and lives in Lagos with his friend Joseph. He takes a Job with the Scholarship Board and is almost immediately offered a bribe by a man who is trying to obtain a scholarship for his little sister. When Obi indignantly rejects the offer, he is visited by the girl herself ho implies that she will bribe him with sexual favors for the scholarship, another offer Obi rejects. At the same time, Obi is developing a romantic relationship with Clara Okeke, a Nigerian woman who eventually reveals that she is an osu, an outcast by her descendants, meaning that Obi can not marry her under the traditional ways of the Igbo people of Nigeria. While he remains intent on marrying Clara, even his Christian father opposes it, although reluctantly due to his desire to progress and eschew the heathen customs of pre-colonial Nigeria. His mother begs him on her eathbed not to marry Clara until after her death, threatening to kill herself if Obi disobeys. When Obi informs Clara of these events, Clara breaks the engagement and intimates that she is pregnant. Obi arranges an abortion, which Clara reluctantly undergoes, but she suffers complications and refuses to see Obi afterwards. All the while, Obi sinks deeper into financial trouble, in part due to poor planning on his end, in part due to the need to repay his loan to the I-JPLJ and to pay for his siblings educations, and in part due to the cost of the illegal abortion. After hearing of his mothers death, Obi sinks into a deep depression, and refuses to go home for the funeral. When he recovers, he begins to accept bribes in a reluctant acknowledgement that it is the way of his world. The novel closes as Obi takes a bribe and tells himselt that it is the last one ne will take, only to discover that the bribe was part of a sting operation. He is arrested, bringing us up to the events that opened the story. Themes Though set several decades after Things Fall Apart, No Longer at Ease continues any of the themes from Achebes first novel. Here, the clash between European culture and traditional culture has become entrenched during the long period of colonial rule. Obi struggles to balance the demands of his family and village for monetary support while simultaneously keeping up with the materialism of Western culture. Furthermore, Achebe depicts a family continuity between Ogbuefi Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart and his grandson Obi Okonkwo in No Longer at Ease. Both men are confrontational, speak their minds, and have some self-destructive endencies. However, this aggressive streak manifests itself in different ways.

An Analysis Of The Global Automotive Industry

An Analysis Of The Global Automotive Industry The car industry is one of the largest and most profitable industries in the world and is epitomized by the innovative ideas of Henry Ford. Since then the industry has evolved in almost every aspect. The industry has experienced its lows and highs, the 2009 economic downturn being the pivotal point in its history. The industry is essentially an oligopolistic market, which means competitive advantage is the vital objective for all firms. Recent trends have witnessed large firms shifting to regions where costs are low and vertical integration is possible. Most of the lead firms are almost completely vertically integrated and this absorbs most of their profit margins. Firms must also consider the key drivers of change such as revised environmental and technological requirements. Due to the region-centric dispersion of production there is always a risk of poor operations management in certain regions. Organizations are now encouraging their major suppliers to set shop in these emerging m arkets. This leads to a high level of dependence on suppliers who are benefiting from the sharp increase in outsourcing. Customers needs and wants have also changed, with safety and technology on top of their list. The rising costs in fuel and the impending threats of global warming have created a new segment for alternative energy vehicles. Analysis of these macro economic factors leads to a conclusion that the car industry is far from its saturation point and there is still potential for growth in many regions. Table of Contents Introduction The automotive industry is an ever-evolving industry that has experienced both, spurts of rapid growth and unforeseen decline in sales (Molnar, 2009). This is largely due to the fact that the automobile industry shares certain similarities with other large industries, such as the electrical and apparel industries where foreign direct investment (FDI), global production and international trade are significant influences (T.J. Sturgeon et al., 2009). This industry is principally an oligopolistic market; therefore competitive advantage is a key strategic objective for all major players in the industry (Williamson et al., 2004). Based on statistical data the current major players in the industry are Toyota (Japan), General Motors (USA), Volkswagen group (Germany) and Ford (USA) (Datamonitor, 2011)(See Figure 1). Apart from the current big four there are several other lead firms from Japan, USA and Germany, whose domination was heightened due to several mergers and acquisitions and equity based alliances. (T.J. Sturgeon et al., 2009). Since the automobile industry is largely homogenous, there are common trends in the market that directly or indirectly affect most organizations (Williamson et al., 2004). Great potential for growth has been identified in markets like India, Brazil and China due to the availability of low cost skilled labor. This encourages an increased flow of FDI into such countries and facilitates trade liberalization through World Trade Organization (WTO) (T.J. Sturgeon et al., 2009). Along with Global integration organizations are also integrating themselves regionally due to dispersion of final assembly plants in various countries (Molnar, 2009). Another changing attribute in the industry is the alteration of the supply chain due to higher technical dependence on the suppliers. In contrast to the tier based supply chain, now suppliers are vertically integrating to handle complex subsystems (Molnar, 2009). This report focuses on the various macro-environmental factors that affect the car industry currently. Factors such as supplier bargaining power, economical integrations, and political and technological aspects are the key drivers, which are affecting the car industry. The report analyses the trends in the industry from the past, and future expectations, focusing mainly on companies such as Ford, GM, Volkswagen, and Toyota, and justifies how the industry can expect growth in the future. Market Trends The automotive industry has experienced structural changes, from mass production techniques in the 1920s to lean production methods in the 1980s (Wayman, 2007). A groundbreaking concept introduced by Toyota called the just in time Strategy (Beasley, 1950) changed the face of car manufacturing. Similarly Ford introduced the standardization method (Fordism) that revolutionized the method of manufacturing in all industries. Over time the industry experienced a transition from standardization to modern concepts such as just in time and lean production. Emphasis then shifted to branding and sales, as competition got fierce, leading to focus on company operations and marketing (Data monitor, 2011). The slowdown at the end of the first decade of the 21st century affected the banking sector and the stock market thus indirectly affecting the automobile industry. In this recession, costs in the industry increased due to an increase in the cost of the raw materials. As shown in the following graph, the sector most affected was premium cars (Luxury cars). As stated by Pwc. on autofacts.com (2011), Much of the recession was rooted in the white-collar financial service professions, which account for a large percentage of the sectors consumers. This caused an unforeseen dip in the production level of premium cars and had a ripple effect on the on the economies of Europe and Asia Pacific. (Autofacts 2011) As illustrated above the fall in production during the recession can further be explained by analyzing the level of contribution by these strategic groups towards the world production of cars (by value). The United States (US) has been a dominant force in contributing towards the worlds production of passenger cars, with 37.80% of the worlds automotive production in the year 2007. However, negative economic conditions meant production decreased drastically from 30.70% in 2008 to 15.70% in 2009. This free-fall in production shows how susceptible demand for new cars and the auto industry are to economic conditions. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/07/26/business/26euauto-graphic/26euauto-graphic-articleInline.jpg The recession in the US not only affected the domestic market but also affected other major economies. Europe, closely interlinked with the American economy, was one of the first to experience the effects. The recessions magnitude was evident with the fall in production in Europe in 2010, decreasing to 29.70% from 35% in 2009. Although Europe has experienced fluctuations in production, on average it has been reasonably stable compared to the US and the rest of the world. In 2012 estimates by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association predict that sales of passenger cars will decrease by 3 million to 12.4 million. Actual sales of passenger cars have been decreasing since 2008. Sergio Marchionne chief executive of both Chrysler and Fiat commented saying, Ive never seen it this bad, (New York Times 2012). Asia pacifics production has grown at a stable rate averaging 27.92%. Although the region was affected by the global recession it limited the fall in production to 6.4%. After 2009 it experienced a boost in growth for the following two years taking levels close to the 2008 high. Through these years of volatility the automotive industry has had to trim the fat by cutting payrolls and closing underperforming facilities. As well as dealing with these difficult economic trends manufacturers have to be conscious about legal factors and social factors like global warming. Most companies have introduced products consider the environment, which has a positive effect on sales and brand image. These costly additions linked with bad economic conditions have in some ways encouraged greenfield ventures and outsourcing the production of parts and labor in low cost areas like Thailand and other parts of Asia. Macro-economic Analysis PESTLE Analysis The macro environment of the car industry is extensive. Companies need to identify the key drivers of change in order to build scenarios to help them achieve their strategic objectives (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2008). Changing macro-economic conditions force companies to alter their strategies in order to sustain and increase their market share. The economic crisis that the industry suffered in 2009 played a major role in shaping the industry into its current state (T.J. Sturgeon and Biesebroeck, 2010). As stated by Sturgeon, Biesebroeck and Gereffi (2008), the automotive industry is neither fully global, consisting of a set of linked, specialized clusters, nor tied to the narrow geography of nation states or specific localities. However, in recent times the industry has become more region-centric, as companies have set up production and assembly closer to point of sale in order to take advantage of economies of scale and lower labor costs that are available in these emerging markets (Humphrey and Memedovic, 2003). Emerging markets in the car industry are attracting lead firms due to rapid sales growth in these regions (Datamonitor, 2011). In China, lead firms are adopting cautious localization and aggressive localization strategies to reduce their variable costs so that they can compete efficiently in the region (T.J. Sturgeon and Biesebroeck, 2010). The rapid growth of the Chinese car market can largely be attributed to its liberal policies towards joint ventures, as highlighted by the joint venture that formed the Shanghai Volkswagen Automobile Co. which dominated the market for 10 years (Molnar, 2009). Another rapidly growing market is Brazil, which is projected to be the worlds sixth largest car manufacturer in 2013. High import taxes ensure that companies are forced to manufacture locally. Another unique aspect of the Brazilian industry is its dependence on the ethanol industry that fuels almost all cars in this region. The government supports this industry as it employs over a million pe ople and also protects the car industry from the flux of oil prices (Matthew Symonds, 2008). One of toughest challenges for the automobile industry in current times is adhering to the latest technological and environmental norms. The emphasis on incorporating cutting edge technology in cars is evident in KPMGs (2012) survey that shows us the recent demand for mobile connectivity and built in technology (See Figure 3). In order to meet the consumer demands for technological improvements companies are turning to new technology suppliers. This is a strategic risk for companies, as the lack of transparency in the supply chain could lead to environmental disasters, such as the catastrophes in Japan and Thailand in 2011 (KPMG, 2012). Improved fuel efficiency and lighter cars are two factors that are desired by consumers and legislators alike, however the required resources like aluminum cannot be used due to stringent environmental laws (KPMG, 2012). China has set a good example by investing US$15 billion in a market determined to utilize technology to reduce the environmental dam age inflicted by fuel emissions (KPMG, 2012). The automobile industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world. Manufacturers need to follow the safety and environmental regulations of the respective regions they are based in. This becomes difficult due to the current trend of outsourcing most of the cars parts. Every company has to adhere to the environmental norms and therefore strive to reduce emissions from their products. There is no room for error as any breach of legal regulations jeopardizes the companys business strategy Porters 5 Forces Suppliers Suppliers bargaining power is increased when there are a few producers dominating supply (Mintzberg, H. 2002). Despite the automotive industry manufacturers concentrated firm structure, since the early 1990s bargaining power has shifted from the industries automotive manufacturers to their suppliers. This is because of the creation of global suppliers which have taken on more extensive roles in the areas of design, production and FDI (Sturgeon et al, 2009). These globally dominant suppliers are favored by manufacturers who expect and encourage them to be present near their plants and in emerging areas of growth (Molnar, 2009). New projects are no longer seen as an opportunity to expand globally instead, a supplier must have a global base in place to even make a bid, (Sturgeon et al, 2009). Suppliers such as Bosch and ZF are becoming involved in manufacturing and assembly, assembling important sections of vehicles before passing them on to manufacturers (Molnar, 2009). Increased outsourcing and the bundling of more value chain activities make these firms larger and more powerful (Sturgeon et al, 2009). The larger firms achieve economies of scale and scope, making it cheaper to design and produce many components creating high entry barriers (Molnar, 2009). This is concentrating the industry, which in turn is also increasing suppliers bargaining power. Buyers Buyer power can be high if buyers are concentrated, there are low switching costs, or there is buyer competition threat (Johnson, 2011). From the consumer perspective there are definitely low switching costs as switching from VW to Ford costs nothing but the price of the car. End customers generally have no bargaining power because they are individuals who purchase directly from the manufacturer through franchised distribution systems. Only large car rental or leasing companies can gain discount (Molnar, 2009). Substitute Cars do not have a direct substitute threatening sales in the industry. Substitutes like public transport are available but they do not share the same benefits, mainly price and door-to-door transport, that cars do (Molnar, 2009). Bicycles and motorbikes do however offer this benefit and are often considered substitutes. They are not however perfect substitutes, as they do not meet the same comfort, carriage and experience needs, that are a unique selling point for different varieties of automobile. A growing concern that consumers would switch to these substitutes during the global recession was the price of fuel. Despite spikes in the price of oil which provides 97% of transportation fuel, there has been a large increase in demand for passenger cars (Molnar, 2009). This can be attributed to improvement in mileage per gallon and the convenience of having a personal vehicle. It also distinguishes price from performance and that in the case of a car, a lot of people, seek value more than price. Competitor analysis Rivalry between competitors occurs when competitors are numerous or are roughly equal in size or value (Mintzberg, H. 2002). The battle for market share is usually very costly and industries exhibiting these traits usually have low profit margins. The auto industry however is considered to be an oligopoly, which minimizes the effects of price based competition (Molnar, 2009). Firms try to position themselves as luxury brands (Ferrari) or low cost fuel efficient brands (Toyota) to corner a market segment. However some firms like Mercedes, by introducing the Smart car, target a wider demographic. This however, goes against the product life cycle pattern in which differentiation is supposed to decline as the business becomes more mature (Mintzberg, H. 2002). There is some differentiation between vehicles price, quality and status, a vehicle is perishable and there are no (to very low in the case of finance) switching costs. The aforementioned factors, according to Mintzberg (2002), create a strong temptation to cut prices which intensifies rivalry. A strategy firms use to avoid price based competition is to offer rebates, 0% financing, long term warranties and no money down. These finance options help lure in customers but also pressurize profit margins and break even projections (Molnar, 2009). Marketing innovations can raise brand identification or help differentiate the product (Mintzberg, H. 2002). Threat of new entrants: Heavy investment is required by companies looking to enter the automobile industry. Economies of scale are sort after by the new entrants; however the current players have reached large-scale production levels (Gerry Johnson et al., 2011). Most brands have a rich history, helping them build their branding, as brand equity is a big seller (Molnar, 2009). Ford was established in 1903 and GM began in 1908 and they are world renowned (MarketLine, 2012). Firms need to invest heavily in research and development in order to match their competitors technical and design prowess in area such as energy conservation (Molnar, 2009). New entrants may struggle to build their network with suppliers as the automotive industry has an extremely concentrated firm structure (Sturgeon et al., 2009). The global recession made it easier for the larger firms to acquire and integrate horizontally as well as vertically, opening more retail and franchise distribution locations. The recent global meltdown has led to customers switching brands in order to look for low-priced or high performance cars. For example, the Tata Nano was an instant hit in India upon launch; since it was a low price car. The A6 from Audi also got high appreciation for its performance and quality. The existing players in the market would adapt these features and come up with their own designs, hence increasing competition. Daewoo founded in 1967, could not survive and was dismantled in 1999 by the Korean government. Indian Tata motors entered the passenger vehicle market, in 1998 through aggressive acquisitions of foreign brands but could not penetrate the US or EU markets (Molnar, 2009). One of the most crucial barriers to new entrants is legislation and government policies. Restraints such as patent protection regulate the market and have an impact on new companies, if they do not have any unique ideas (Gerry Johnson et al., 2011). Policies regarding FDI and FII affect companies going global and entering new markets. Regional integration such as NAFTA, EU, makes trade and foreign investments simpler and convenient for such companies. Conclusion The current economic crisis has accelerated deep structural change in the automotive industry, setting the stage for sustainable growth (Deloitte, 2009). There are huge potential gains and room for growth in emerging markets, particularly in Asia, mainly in China and India. Countries with high importing costs will experience a decline in domestic capacity as the lead firms continue to set up their manufacturing centers in these emerging markets. The regional trading blocs (e.g., NAFTA, European Union, ASEAN, and Mercosur) are expected to grow and drive regional production as firms look to shift to lower cost regions. Another lucrative opportunity for the organizations is the increase in demand for new cutting edge technologies in cars. This convergence leads to the creation of new business models that include alliances with companies from other industries that provide new technology (Deloitte, 2009). The rising prices of crude oil indicated a continuous and gradual increase in fuel prices over the next 4 years (Moming Zhou, 2008). This is an opportunity for the lead firms to grow by investing more resources in alternative energy products (Hybrid cars), at a time where consumers are looking to switch to more environment friendly cars (See Figure. 2). This is a perfect time to capture this market when treaties like the Kyoto Protocol (Molnar, 2009) call for a collective effort to battle global warming. In conclusion, it can be determined that the global car industry continues to attract consumers to differentiated products. However, firms must make the right strategic decisions, to reduce the absorption of their profits by their vertically integration strategies. Existing companies must adopt a strategy of sustainable growth to ensure their survival in this industry. Bibliography Book JOHNSON, G., SCHOLES, K., WHITTINGTON, R. (2008). Exploring corporate strategy. Harlow, Financial Times Prentice Hall. JOHNSON, G., SCHOLES, K., JOHNSON, G., WHITTINGTON, R. (2011). Exploring strategy. Harlow, Financial Times Prentice Hall. MINTZBERG, H., QUINN, J. B. (1991). The strategy process: concepts, contexts, cases. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice Hall. Report Pwc (2011) 2011 Automotive Review. [report] Autofacts ProQuest (2012) Thailand Emerges as Global Hub for Fuel Efficient and Environment Friendly Car Manufacturing. [report] ProQuest. KPMG (2012) Global automotive executive survey. [report] KPMG. p. 4-57 DATAMONITOR (2005) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2006) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2007) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2008) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2009) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2010) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2012) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2011) Global Automative Retail. [report] MarketLine (2005) Global Automative Retail. Website People.brunel.ac.uk (1950) Just-in-time. [online] Available at: http://people.brunel.ac.uk/~mastjjb/jeb/or/jit.html [Accessed: 10 Nov 2012]. EWING, J. (2012) Europes Auto Industry Has Reached Day of Reckoning NYTimes.com. [online] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/business/global/europes-auto-industry-has-reached-day-of-reckoning.html?pagewanted=all_r=0 [Accessed: 10 Nov 2012]. deloitte (2009) [online] Available at: http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-Global/Local%20Assets/Documents/A%20New%20Era_Online_final.pdf [Accessed: 11 Nov 2012]. Articles Dannenberg, J. and Kleinhans, C. (2007) The Coming Age of Collaboration in the Automotive Industry. p.88-94. Datamonitor (2011) Global Automobiles. [report] Datamonitor p.1-37. Molnar, E. (2009) Strategic Management in the ailing automobile industry. Sturgeon, T. et al. (2009) Globalisation of the automobile industry: main features and trends. International journal of technoligocial learning, innovation and development, 2. Sturgeon, T. and Biesebroeck, J. (2010) Effects of the crisis on automotive industry in developing countries: A global value chain perspective. Sturgeon, T. et al. (2008) Value chains, networks, and clusters: Reframing the global automotive industry.Journal of economic geography, 8 (3). p.297-321 Humphrey, J. and Memedovic, O. (2003) The global automotive industry value chain: what prospects for upgrading by developing countries. Magazine Symonds, M. (2008) A global love affair: A special report on cars in Emrging markets. The Economist, Iss. 8606. Online Newspaper Zhou, M. (2008) Gasoline could hit $7 a gallon in four years: CIBC. The Wall Street Journal, [online] 24th April. Available at: http://articles.marketwatch.com/2008-04-24/news/30787082_1_crude-supplies-natural-gas-oil-supply [Accessed: 11 Nov 2012].

The Atmosphere of Macbeth is Not Wholly Bad :: Macbeth essays

The Atmosphere of Macbeth is Not Wholly Bad      Ã‚   Shakespeare's Macbeth has a sinister cast over it for obvious reasons, but are there redeeming features which partially offset the plurality of negative dimensions?    D. F. Bratchell in Shakespearean Tragedy record's Charles Lamb's consideration of   Macbeth's atmosphere as essential to the purpose of the play:    For Lamb the essence of the tragedy in Macbeth lies in the poetically suggested atmosphere of horror and evil impulse, readily seized upon by the imagination of the perceptive reader, whereas stage representation concentrates the mind on the action. (133-34) Roger Warren comments in Shakespeare Survey 30 , regarding Trervor Nunn's direction of Macbeth at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1974-75, on opposing imagery used to support the opposing atmospheres of purity and black magic:    Much of the approach and detail was carried over, particularly the clash between religious purity and black magic. Purity was embodied by Duncan, very infirm (in 1974 he was blind), dressed in white and accompanied by church organ music, set against the black magic of the witches, who even chanted 'Double, double to the Dies Irae. (283)    L.C. Knights in the essay "Macbeth" mentions equivocation, unreality and unnaturalness in the play - contributors to an atmosphere that may not be very realistic:    The equivocal nature of temptation, the commerce with phantoms consequent upon false choice, the resulting sense of unreality ("nothing is, but what is not"), which has yet such power to "smother" vital function, the unnaturalness of evil ("against the use of nature"), and the relation between disintegration in the individual ("my single state of man") and disorder in the larger social organism - all these are major themes of the play which are mirrored in the speech under consideration. (94)    Charles Lamb in On the Tragedies of Shakespeare comments on the atmosphere surrounding the play:    The state of sublime emotion into which we are elevated by those images of night and horror which Macbeth is made to utter, that solemn prelude with which he entertains the time till the bell shall strike which is to call him to murder Duncan, - when we no longer read it in a book, when we have given up that vantage-ground of abstraction which reading possesses over seing, and come to see a man in his bodily shape before our eyes actually preparing to commit a muder, if the acting be true and impressive as I have witnessed it in Mr.

Expenditures and Revenues Matrix and Summary Essay

Budgets are significant in the budget formulation process. Budgeting as a tool is the make-up of public policy (Smith & Lynch, 2004). Budgets exist at all levels of government, local, state, and federal. When describing revenue sources in public budgeting, it is important to describe the source of revenue, the source of the funding, importance of informed financial decisions, financial analysis tools used, and organizational financial analysis alternatives (University of Phoenix, 2012). What is a Budget? A budget is a plan of allocation of resources to accomplish and organizations’ objectives and goals for a specific amount of time (Ganapati, n.d.). The budget gives a detailed analysis of how an organization will spend and receive money in a fiscal period. Why is a Budget Required? Accountability and prioritization are two reasons for a budget requirement. Accountability refers to the taxation of the public, which means that the government cannot tax more than required for government purposes (Ganapati, n.d.). Prioritization refers to allocating funds and resources to areas that require priority over another area (Ganapati, n.d.). Public Budgets There are different budget cycles at the local, state, and federal levels; however, the major components of any budget, regardless of government level are revenues and expenditures. Revenues Revenues are funds raised through various entities. â€Å"Revenue estimation is very important in local and state government, particularly in the planning and analysis phase because elected leaders must balance their budgets† (Smith & Lynch, 2004, p. 47). Federal Government Revenues Granted, the federal government collects the most amount of tax, state and local governments have more options on taxing. For example, the federal government taxes individual and corporate taxes, manufacturing taxes, social security tax (Federal Insurance Contributions Act, FICA), estate or inheritance tax, and borrowings such as treasury bonds. State Government Revenues State government also receives money through tax revenues as well as other entities. State governments receive money through intergovernmental transfers, individual and corporate taxes, sales taxes, fuel taxes, estate and inheritance taxes, special taxes on items such as alcohol and tobacco, lottery, state bonds, and licenses. Examples of states receiving taxes on licensing include motor vehicles, hunting and fishing, firearms, motor vehicle operators, public utilities. Local Government Revenues Like the federal and state governments, local governments of cities and counties also receive revenues through intergovernmental transfers, local taxes of property and sales tax, local bonds, school districts, businesses, and water management. Local governments differ in review and deciding of budgets. Many local budgets use line item for expenditures and revenues. Expenditures Expenditures are funds for spending on specific programs or capital projects. Expenditures include public programs, capital projects, debt servicing, and administration. Public programs can be education programs, welfare programs, medical programs, environmental programs, and housing programs. Capital projects include construction and reconstruction of highways, sewage, water, utilities, and building costs. Administration includes city and county employees. Decision-Making Managers and administrators today must prepare to make difficult financial decisions. Analytical tools and processes are important in decision-making, planning, control, and analysis of financial budgets. Managers must identify potential financial problems and formulate alternatives (American Management Association, n.d.). Financial Decisions Financial decisions vary depending on size of the organization, needs of the organization, location of the organization, financing options available to the firm (American Management Association, n.d.). Analysis Tools Techniques in financial analysis are significant in the financing and budgeting of an organization include long-term and short-term planning, security of costs and benefits, investment decisions, financing decisions, and dividend policies (American Management Association, n.d.). Conclusion Most budget approaches involve time, planning, decision-making, analysis, accountability, and prioritization at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Two major components at each level are revenues and expenditures, which is how each level of government earns and spends money. References American Management Association. (n.d.). Financial decision-making. Retrieved from http://www.flexstudy.com/catalog/schpdf.cfm?coursenum=96088 City of Milwaukee. (2012). Retrieved from http://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/User/crystali/2012budget/2012proposedbook.pdf U.S. Department of Justice. (2012). Federal Bureau of Investigation financial report fiscal year 2011. Retrieved from http://www.justice.gov/oig/reports/2012/a1216.pdf Ganapati, N. (n.d.). Budgeting. Retrieved from http://www2.fiu.edu/~ganapati/3003/budget.html Smith, R. W.; and Lynch, T.D. (2004). Public budgeting in America, (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson/Prentice Hall. University of Phoenix. (2012). Course design guide. Retrieved from University of Phoenix, AJS522 – Finance and Budgeting in Justice and Security Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. (2010). Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Retrieved from http://dpi.state.wi.us/pb/pdf/combinedfair.pdf

Balance Redox Reaction Essay Example

Balance Redox Reaction Essay Example Balance Redox Reaction Essay Balance Redox Reaction Essay How to Balance Redox Equations Redox equations are often so complex that fiddling with coefficients to balance chemical equations doesn’t always work well. Chemists have developed an alternative method (in addition to the oxidation number method) that is called the ion-electron (half-reaction) method. In the ion-electron method, the unbalanced redox equation is converted to the ionic equation and then broken down into two half-reactions - oxidation and reduction. Each of these half-reactions is balanced separately and then combined to give the balanced ionic equation. Finally, the spectator ions are put into the balanced ionic equation, converting the reaction back to the molecular form. It’s important to follow the steps precisely and in the order listed. Otherwise, you may not be successful in balancing redox equations. The example below shows you how to use the ion-electron method to balance this redox equation: Follow these steps: 1. Convert the unbalanced redox reaction to the ionic form. In this reaction, you show the nitric acid in the ionic form, because it’s a strong acid. Copper(II) nitrate is soluble (indicated by (aq)), so it’s shown in its ionic form. Because NO(g) and water are molecular compounds, they remain shown in the molecular form: 2. If necessary, assign oxidation numbers and then write two half-reactions (oxidation and reduction) showing the chemical species that have had their oxidation numbers changed. In some cases, it’s easy to tell what has been oxidized and reduced; but in other cases, it isn’t as easy. Start by going through the example reaction and assigning oxidation numbers. You can then use the chemical species that have had their oxidation numbers changed to write your unbalanced half-reactions: Copper changed its oxidation number (from 0 to 2) and so has nitrogen (from –2 to +2). Your unbalanced half-reactions are: 3. Balance all atoms, with the exception of oxygen and hydrogen. It’s a good idea to wait until the end to balance hydrogen and oxygen atoms, so always balance the other atoms first. You can balance them by fiddling with the coefficients. (You can’t change subscripts; you can only add coefficients. ) However, in this particular case, both the copper and nitrogen atoms already balance, with one each on both sides: 4. Balance the oxygen atoms. How you balance these atoms depends on whether you’re dealing with acid or basic solutions: * In acid solutions, take the number of oxygen atoms needed and add that same number of water molecules to the side that needs oxygen. * In basic solutions, add to the side that needs oxygen for every oxygen atom that is needed. Then, to the other side of the equation, add half as many water molecules as anions used. The example equation is in acidic conditions. There’s nothing to do on the half-reaction involving the copper, because there are no oxygen atoms present. But you do need to balance the oxygen atoms in the second half-reaction: 1. Balance the hydrogen atoms. Again, how you balance these atoms depends on whether you’re dealing with acid or basic solutions: * In acid solutions, take the number of hydrogen atoms needed and add that same number of to the side that needs hydrogen. * In basic solutions, add one water molecule to the side that needs hydrogen for every hydrogen atom that’s needed. Then, to the other side of the equation, add as many anions as water molecules used. The example equation is in acidic conditions. You need to balance the hydrogen atoms in the second half-reaction: 2. Balance the ionic charge on each half-reaction by adding electrons. The electrons should end up on opposite sides of the equation in the two half-reactions. Remember that you’re using ionic charge, not oxidation numbers. Oxidation: Reduction: 3. Balance electron loss with electron gain between the two half-reactions. The electrons that are lost in the oxidation half-reaction are the same electrons that are gained in the reduction half-reaction. The number of electrons lost and gained must be the same. But Step 6 shows a loss of 2 electrons and a gain of 3. So you must adjust the numbers using appropriate multipliers for both half-reactions. In this case, you have to find the lowest common denominator between 2 and 3. It’s 6, so multiply the first half-reaction by 3 and the second half-reaction by 2. 4. Add the two half-reactions together and cancel anything common to both sides. The electrons should always cancel (the number of electrons should be the same on both sides). 5. Convert the equation back to the molecular form by adding the spectator ions. If it’s necessary to add spectator ions to one side of the equation, add the same number to the other side of the equation. 6. Check to make sure that all the atoms are balanced, all the charges are balanced (if working with an ionic equation at the beginning), and all the coefficients are in the lowest whole-number ratio. Reactions that take place in base are just as Read more: dummies. com/how-to/content/how-to-balance-redox-equations. html#ixzz1SAYBH2vl