The hydraulic energy

IntroductionThe potency of utilizing a KERS on a bike to hive away hydraulic energy can be achieved utilizing a device such as a hydraulic collector. In a hydraulic collector the possible energy is stored in the signifier of a tight gas or spring, which is used to exercise a force against a comparatively incompressible fluid. Collectors store energy when the hydraulic system force per unit area is greater than the collector force per unit area and releases hydraulic energy in the opposite instance. By hive awaying and supplying hydraulic energy, collectors can be used as a primary power beginning for a KERS. Collectors are of course dynamic devices ; intending they function when constellation alterations, for illustration, valves opening and shutting. Collectors respond quickly to constellation alterations, and about outright for gas collectors. They are normally used in concurrence with a pump/motor in a hydraulic circuit. A hydraulic system using an collector can utilize a smaller fluid pump since the collector shops energy from the pump during low demand periods. The pump does n't necessitate to be so big to get by with extremes of demand, therefore the supply circuit can react more rapidly to any impermanent demand and to smooth pulsings. There are four types of collector: vesica, stop vesica, Piston ( spring or gas controlled ) , and metal bellows. Depending on the application, the pick of most suited is based on the needed velocity of collector response, weight, dependability and cost. Compressed gas collectors are the most normally used type since they by and large have the faster dynamic response and are most dependable. Collectors with seals will by and large hold the lowest dependability as there is the possible for leaks. Pressurised gas collectors take advantage of the fact, that the gas is compressible. The possible to hive away energy and the affect of the collector is dictated by its overall volume and pre-charge of the gas. The pre-charge is the force per unit area of the gas in the collector when there is no hydraulic fluid within the collector. Too high of a pre-charge force per unit area, reduces the fluid volume capacity, and limits the maximal sum of hydraulic energy that will be available to the system. A gas collector has a gas pre-charge, which is less than the nominal hydraulic system force per unit area. When hydraulic fluid enters the collector, the gas is compressed to the nominal system force per unit area, which is in an equilibrium place and corresponds to the maximal sum of energy that can be stored. As system hydraulic force per unit area beads, the gas will spread out coercing hydraulic fluid back into the system. Most gas collectors are bladder type, made up of a vas divided into two volumes, by a flexible membrane. Within the vesica, N is stored under high force per unit area, which is an efficient and safe medium since the ability of gas to hive away energy additions exponentially as force per unit area rises and because of its inert belongingss. As fluid from the hydraulic circuit, enters the vas ( under system force per unit area ) and impinges against the vesica, the gas is compressed leting energy to be stored. The release of energy when required is achieved via conventional valve agreement.Use of hydraulic KERS commerciallyThere are, a figure of emerging systems that allow the operators of vehicles to cut down both fuel ingestion and unwanted emanations, specifically to vehicles that are capable to changeless stop-start operations, like for illustration coachs, decline aggregation vehicles ( RCV ) . Changeless stop-start operations, such as braking in big vehicles, produce considerable kinetic energy, which is wasted as heat. Capturing this energy utilizing conventional hydraulic engineering enables it to be stored and so returned to the vehicle systems. The possible utilizations are non merely limited to help subsequent acceleration ( cut downing the energy required from the engine ) , but can potentially power accessory equipment. For illustration, RCVs can utilize stored energy to drive the hydraulic garbage compacting and packing mechanisms. This enables a important decrease of engine velocities and runing noise [ 10 ] .Hydraulic Power Train TechnologyHybrid hydraulic power-train engineering usually incorporates a hydraulic system runing analogue to the IC engine to portion the undertaking of powering the vehicle. Although other agreements are possible ( in series ) , the simplest is where the conventional vehicle transmittal and driveline constituents are replaced by a hydr o-mechanical transmittal, a system that works likewise to a hydrostatic CVT. In which the end product shaft from the vehicle ‘s engine is used to drive a hydraulic pump that in bend supplies pressure to hydrostatic motors ; these are so connected via a pitching mechanism to the vehicle power-train to drive the wheels [ 10 ] . These motors so, under braking, act as pumps to bear down collectors, where energy is stored before being released back to the power-train, conveying torsion to the driveshaft and impeling the vehicle. Fig depicts the capturing and releasing of energy in a hydraulic circuit.Examples of Commercial Hydraulic KERSThere are two commercial merchandises of hydraulic intercrossed KERS on today ‘s market and both are implemented on bringing vehicles and decline truck applications. These are Parker Energy Recovery System [ 6 ] , and Eaton Hydraulic Launch Assistâ„ ¢ ( HLA ® ) [ 7 ] .Prototype testing proposes typically regenerative braking capableness c aptures about 70 % of the KE produced during braking, minimising the burden on the engine, and assisting to cut down fuel ingestion [ 9 ] . The hydrostatic motors, when moving as pumps during vehicle braking, besides help to decelerate the vehicle down by bring oning retarding force on the revolving drive-train ; a characteristic that helps to cut down brake wear [ 9 ] by more than 50 % [ 8 ] . Generally these systems operate at a maximal force per unit area of 5,000 PSI [ 9 ] . The intercrossed engineerings are controlled by specialised systems that are activated upon braking. The controls prevent service brake application until merely before a complete halt. They besides monitor if the energy stored in the collector falls below a preset degree, upon which the vehicle engine can be used to supply auxiliary power. However, on vehicles with frequent stop-start rhythms, this is rarely required as even soft braking is sufficient to keep the stored energy at high degrees. The HLA ® has two manners of operation, â€Å" Economy Mode † and â€Å" Performance Mode † . When the operating in â€Å" Economy Mode † , the energy stored in the collector during braking is used entirely to ab initio speed up the vehicle. Once the collector has emptied, the engine will get down to execute the acceleration. This procedure consequences in increased fuel economic system of 30 % and provides increased acceleration of 2 % [ 7 ] . Economy manner allows for upper limit fuel nest eggs & A ; maximal exhaust emanation decreases of 20 % to 30 % [ 7 ] . In Performance Mode, acceleration is created by both the energy stored in the collector and the engine. Once the collector has emptied, the engine is wholly responsible for acceleration.While a 17 % addition in fuel economic system is possible, the greatest benefit is an increased acceleration of 26 % [ 7 ] . The benefits of intercrossed solution are legion ; reduced emanations, increased brake life, and better fuel economic system. The engineering besides allows the possibility to cut down the size of the vehicle engine as this can be sized for extremum velocities, instead than for low-end torsion.Application of Hydraulic KERS to a BicycleA squad of technology pupils from the University of Michigan [ 1 ] undertook a undertaking to utilize a hydro-pneumatic regenerative braking system on a bike. It was a renovation of a heavier old effort to do a working paradigm to suit within a 29 † forepart wheel ( fig ) . They use a 0.5 liter collector and believed this to be sufficient in hive awaying the needed energy at a maximal on the job system force per unit area of 5000psi. It ‘s weighed an impractical 13kg about every bit much as a motorcycle and is its major drawback, its weight can be accounted for by its separate high and low collectors, separate hydraulic pump and motor and it s comparatively big mounting bracket.CalculationsThey failed to prove and therefore supply conclusive consequences for the public presentation features of their paradigm, but alternatively prescribed its cardinal public presentation parametric quantities via theoretical computations. In the same manner and based on the same computations the undermentioned subdivision outlines the public presentation of a hydro-pneumatic KERS.Storage CapacityFirst for a hydraulic system to be implemented the storage of fluid must be addressed, the capacity must be determined and force per unit areas needed to hive away the kinetic energy. The combined mass of bicycler and bike ( 90kg ) braking from 32km/h ( 20mph ) has 2880kJ of kinetic energy. Parker [ 5 ] ( industry of collector and motors ) rates the ACP series collectors at max force per unit area 5000psi, if presuming ideal gas jurisprudence:BrakingA hydraulic KERS must utilize a hydraulic motor to supply plenty torsion to run the bike every bit good as supplying adequate resistive torsion to be an effectual brake. If the bike going at 32km/h ( 20mph ) on 0.66m ( 26inch ) diameter wheels, which spins the motor at 4632rpm through the 18:1 gear ratio of the pump cogwheel train, so this corresponds to 4.52Nm of torsion at 3000psi ( fig ) . This translates to a braking torsion of about 81.36Nm applied to the chief cogwheel due to the 18:1 cogwheel ratio.EstablishingOn release of force per unit area, a to the full charged 5000psi collector generates 7.57Nm of torsions ( fig ) . The 14:1 gear ratio of the motor gear train applies a 105 Nm torsion to the chief bike bunch cogwheel. 7.57Nm corresponds to around 800rpm from motors torque rpm curve ( fig ) , which turns the chief cogwheel at around 57rpm due to the 14:1 cogwheel ratio. This is an initial velocity of 8km/h ( 5mph ) which will increase as force per unit area is expended.AdvantagesIn many applications, particularly those where high power densenesss are required, hydro-p neumatic systems offer a more efficient option to system driven by electric motors. The engineering can be used to capture and reassign high degrees of energy highly rapidly compared with likewise sized electric systems, which by and large require long periods over which batteries have to be charged. They are besides likely to hold a longer runing life than battery-powered systems.DisadvantagesThe chief disadvantage of a hydro-pneumatic KERS would be its weight, which is attributed to by weight of hydraulic fluid, collector stuff ( steel ) , and the fact that in application it would be necessary to hold separate high and low force per unit area collectors. Equally good as potentially necessitating separate hydraulic pump and motor. In hydro-pneumatic systems when the gas is non charged by the hydraulic fluid and therefore non hive awaying energy, the fluid can be considered dead weight. If implemented on a bike to be used as a KERS, this would be counterproductive. Last hydro-pneumatic systems are limited where consistent degrees of power are required for drawn-out periods at near changeless velocities, such as long-distance cruising.DecisionThe major consideration when utilizing hydro-pneumatic collector for hive awaying the energy whilst braking, is of class the loss of pressurized gas in a certain collector. It is a failure critical to safety when it plays such an of import function as braking. It is evident the hydraulic collector needed for a KERS, does non hold an overly big capacity ( pre-charged to 3200psi ) , in order to let go of adequate energy to impel a motorcycle to 32km/h ( 20mph ) . Furthermore, a hydraulic motor can bring forth 81.36Nm braking torsion which makes it an effectual brake. However based on the weight of the paradigm ( 13kg ) from the University of Michigan, it is impractical to utilize a hydro-pneumatic engineering, as it stands presently, for a bike KERS.

Fulfilling our Potential Essay

The different Definitions of education are misinterpreted in different ways, but there are still ways that you can interpret what you think the definition is on education. Education is to be able to find your own path. To have a high school diploma or to have a college degree, education is to be successful in your life in whatever way that is. Trying to define education is like trying to define why the sky is the color it is or why the grass is green, there is no accurate definition of education to me. Education can mean more than one thing having a college degree but also can mean not having a college degree. Being educated to me means to be successful in your life, just because you do not have a college degree doesn’t mean you will not go far in your life or make a good amount of money. People make it seem as if you don’t have a decent degree you will just work at a fast food restaurant. If someone were to ask me what it meant to be educated I wouldn’t be able to give them an answer. My mother Julie, went to the University Of Arkansas were she had completed law school. After completing law school she got a job at JB Hunt being a contract attorney. My father Carlos, who only has a high school diploma but works for a company called South Western Energy and is a company man for two rigs out in Pennsylvania where he is very successful in what he does. I don’t think you have to have a college diploma to be the most educated person around. Do I think you would make more amount of money in certain professions? Yes. Society makes it out to be that you must be admitted to a college to be educated, but really how educated do you have to be, to be admitted into a college. Back in the day it was a lot harder to get into a college, now-a-days you can score a fourteen through a sixteen and easily get into a college and just have to do remediation classes. Being tested for an ACT, SAT, Standardized test to me doesn’t show how educated you really are. Teachers teach you for the chapter they are covering than they either expect you to continue to remember what they taught you or you forget it. On the standardized test or the A T or SAT there is information that you were taught in younger grades or that you haven’t been taught yet. So technically it really isn’t showing how educated a person may really be. Life its self-offers you an education. This lesson of education is more a hard learning education. ‘The best way to predict your future is to create It.’- Abraham Lincoln. You are not taught in school how to balance a check book, how to cook, how to pay taxes, or how to do major things in the real world. Sooner or later you will get to the point that you will graduate for high school, get your GED or even drop out, but there will come a time that you will leave your parents’ house, which then you will have to find your own path in the real world. Unless you were taught by your parents or other adults how to balance a check book, how to cook, how to pay taxes, or how to do things in the real world you won’t be an educated person on how to go about life. In life there will be times that you will come to points in life that will you will see how educated you are, or when there is times that you need to speak up or when you need to go ahead and back off from the situation. People are different and learn in many different ways some faster than others and some who remember everything easily or some who forget stuff by the time class is over. Being knowledgeable in one subject and not in the other is that consider too make someone less knowledgeable or less comprehensive than another person. When going through college to earn a degree depending on what we want to major in we aren’t taught certain subjects. When majoring in anything in the medical field you aren’t taught any type of histories because you don’t need to know it. When you want to become a history major you aren’t taught any sciences because you don’t and won’t need them. If someone was to walk up to someone and try and have a conversation with them about a certain subject or ask them for some type of help on a certain subject but the other person isn’t able to have a conversation back because they aren’t taught that subject or haven’t been taught that subject does that make them any less educated than the person asking for help. There will always be some one that is always smarter or believes to be smarter than you, but really how can you tell how smart someone is. Being successful to me is a huge part of being educated. When knowing people who have a good degree and do not do anything with their degree and make bad choices in their life and not care what anyone thinks isn’t a successful and well educated person. When you are living on the streets and have a good degree you could go and find a job even if it means starting at a fast food restaurant and working your way to the top to get a job for what your degree is. It may take time but no reason to just sit around and waste a well-educated mind as society would say. There may be as many definitions as there are defines, but it is important for people to have a clear understand of education in order to be able to define it to other people on what your beliefs are and what it means to be a well-educated person. Lincoln, Abraham. â€Å"Education Quotes – Edgalaxy.† Edgalaxy. Techzoo, 2009-2013. Web. 17 Sept. 2013.

Analogy of Poetry Essay

The poem There Is Another Sky by Emily Dickinson was a poem written for her brother Austin. Emily uses nature to explain the message she is trying to provide for him. The poem provides a hopeful and positive feeling. The poem is full of optimism and inspiration. The pint of the poem is to provide encouragement and offer guidance. The lines â€Å"Here is a brighter garden† and â€Å"And there is another sunshine† demonstrate the optimism she is trying to portray. There are no stanzas or major events in the poem. The order that the aspects of nature are presented in provides. The last few lines of the poem further enhance the message. The poem ends with an open invitation for Austin to leave his gloomy state. Dickinson shows a sincere concern while providing inspiration for both the readers and her brother. She describes a utopia throughout the poem and uses words to describe a better place such as serene, fair, brighter, and unfading. The title there is another sky provides the since that there is an alternative option instead of a consistent negative outlook on life. There is a change in tone after the dash. Before the dash Dickinson states that there is a negative place and recognizes that everything in life doesn’t always work in your favor. She also uses â€Å"there is† creating distance. After the dash Dickinson implies that there in fact is another sky. She uses â€Å"here is† which implies that she can provide a better situation. Knowing that the poem is for her brother almost obligates you to feel sympathy for him and makes her message even stronger. Overall, Emily is trying to say that entering a new mind set and believing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel can provide you with a new attitude.

An Example of Success In A Competitive Market Research Paper

An Example of Success In A Competitive Market - Research Paper Example In order for us to answer this question, it is imperative for us to have a clear knowledge about the challenges that face a firm in a competitive market. Things like competition, changes and ramification; these are the factors that stand as a challenge to any firm, new or old. Strategic plans and business techniques of different leaders and companies worldwide have been questioned due to the advent of the transformed competitive landscape. Changes in technology, the reorganization of industries due to internationalization as well as the growing environmental awareness recently are just some of the changes that need response to all firms. The ramification or complexity on the business operations occurred as a result of environmental concerns. Different industries, most especially the manufacturing industry, reformed their packaging, toxic waste management and greater drive for the recycling of materials. Solutions to these challenges are often quite simple and common sense. First, solutions would always start at the tail end of a determined problem. Because of the inevitable surge of technological revolution, coping up with the changing time is the best solution. There were revamping and restructuring of business models by the institution of new development in technologies in operations. Second, due to the technological advancements, dire political issues, and economic developments, it creates ramification within a certain market. Also, because of internationalization, the degree of communications and centralized operation has become more complex; hence, companies started to outsource their functions and the erection of relational allies that created virtual assembly. Lastly, as what I have mentioned, the market is overpopulated with firms of duplicating services incrementing the level of competition. Added to that is the entry of new markets in global setting, imposing a menace that cannot be discounted.

History and theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

History and theory - Essay Example Las Vegas and Dubai represent two hot points in the global tourism map. These two desert cities have grown from dusty outposts to globally known tourist destinations over a short period of time. Las Vegas is globally recognised as the entertainment capital of the world and this tourist destination is prominent for its casino hotels and related entertainment activities. Dubai is also a famous global destination that attracts visitors on the strength of wonderful shopping experiences and other ancient and modern attractions. Despite political, economical, social, and environmental differences, Las Vegas and Dubai uphold prominent positions as the most attractive tourist destinations of the world, for these two cities   have notably contributed to their home countries’ GDP even in the midst of the recent   global financial crisis.  This paper will evaluate the tourism sector of Las Vegas and Dubai and explore further scope of tourism development in these cities. Overview of tourism in Las Vegas and Dubai Las Vegas witnessed unprecedented positive changes in its tourism industry throughout the second half of the 20th century. During this time, this city was one of a few global tourist destinations that offered entertainments like casino gambling. ... The proliferation of the gaming industry over the last few decades forced Las Vegas tourism sector to strengthen its market position. In spite of these challenges, Las Vegas still remains to be a hot choice for tourists across the globe. Official data indicate that 39,727,022 people visited Las Vegas in 2012 (Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority). While analyzing the latest financial reports, it seems that the region’s tourism sector has begun to recover from the global financial crisis. According to the financial data released by the Gaming Control Board, the city’s revenues on the Strip increased by 3.6% to reach $580.7 million in October 2012 as compared to the revenues realized in the same period a year ago (Higgins 2012). In addition, the region’s tourism industry produced nearly 16,000 jobs in leisure and hospitality sectors since the worst of the recent global recession in November 2009 (Rossi 2011). Stratosphere, the tallest observation tower in th e Western US, is one of the major attractions of Las Vegas. It offers spectacular views and amusement rides like SkyJump, Insanity, Big Shot, and X-Scream (Las Vegas Sun). The fountains at Bellagio is another well known attraction of the Las Vegas Strip. The dancing waters choreographed to popular music greatly amuse visitors. Another prominent attraction is Las Vegas Strip’s Fashion Show Mall, one of the largest enclosed malls in the United States. It contains many stores, restaurants, seven flagship department stores, fashion runway, and other facilities. The city’s 3.9-mile Monorail system gives a wonderful transport experience to visitors. This Monorail system is the only privately owned public

Event this week Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Event this week - Assignment Example The context of the article is relevant to the past years when oil prices rose to unexpected levels, leading to low productivity and high cost of goods. This is also relevant to the dwindling Russian economy after the US influenced the price cuts to impose sanctions on the country. However, most industries are shutting down production for maintenance purposes, which reduces the oil demand across the American States. The implication for a broader international development is that the producing countries are crying foul because the reduction in prices will affect their market shares. This is because of the increasing American reserves that take advantage of the fall in prices to store additional oil. For instance, Saudi Arabia expresses fear that the reduced demand will affect future market shares and productions. The contents of the article relate to the course because it analyses the implication of reducing oil prices to economies that depend on its sales. This is evident through the effect of the prices on workers, global economies and industrial production. As a result, the concept of demand and price is clearly

The importance of family through crises Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The importance of family through crises - Essay Example Her Graphic novel Persepolis brings out a clear picture of the revolutions that took place in Iran when she was young and how it had negative impact to the population. During the revolution the populations experienced inhuman treatment and torture from the shah regime. As a result, majority of the people lost their lives in their own mother land due to ruthless treatment and persecution that was the order of the day. The narrator of the novel is much interested in history of Iran and what might have led to the persistent wars and struggles. In this case she much concentrates on the revolutions and the main agents of the revolutions. At her tender age, she does not understand the reason why the Iranian women put on veil and the reason why her country does not permit the adoption of western cultures and ideas. This comes at a time whereby the government demands each and every female head should put on a veil as a sign of respect to the Islamic culture (Satrapi, 2007) The story depicts the character trait of people who surround her. For instance, her mother is portrayed as a good advocate for the rights of women and the guardian of the revolution. Through the crises she join strong forces to ban the forcefully imposition of women to put on veil. As an activist she clearly understands her rights and in this case she does not allow to be intimidated by the Islamic laws. Marjane father is portrayed as a caring father. He stands out as a strong contender of the freedom of individuals supporting his family all through. He respects the decisions made by her daughter and promotes her liberty. As the story continues we learn that even though Marjane father comes out to be liberal, she points out that he did not have much influence to her life. In this case she owns much to her uncle and her grandmother. Marjane grandmother is also a caring woman as depicted throughout in the novel. The novel depicts several crises that revolve around Iranian community. Throughout the cris es Marjane family is able to stand up and defend their rights. Her close relation with her parents created in her the ability to air out her voice in tough circumstances. Her ideas and concepts about religion are shaped up by her parents who even give her the freedom to freely participate in social activities with her friends. She attends a school where there is separation of sexes in the essence that girls and boys are not allowed to mingle freely as this is against the Islamic faith. Her parents turn out to be great supporters of liberty and education this is evidently seen when they send their daughter to go and study abroad even after she is expelled from her home school. They place much emphasizes on the importance of education throughout Marijane life, his further supports her idea of marriage even though he knew it was not going to work. In this case they give her liberty to make her own decision so as to learn from her own experience. The family in this concept comes out as a source of comfort and support throughout the life of the narrator. This support is very essential in the sense that it gives an individual the ability to know how to address and deal with conflict. The family has molded her in such a way that she can stand up and defend her rights. In the novel it is depicted that her values clash with the values of the society. For instance, she has a own rules, wears chains to school and even smoke all these are against Iranian religion and culture. Her

Mueller-Lehmkuhl GmbH Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Mueller-Lehmkuhl GmbH - Case Study Example The present research has identified that the Mueller-Lehmkhul production process for instance consists of machining and tooling departments which are mainly set aside for producing attaching machines. The other step involves prototyping and designing for the attaching machines. Additionally, there is purchase of the required parts consisting of engines and motors which are cast to the specifications according to a local iron casting enterprise. The next step involves wielding followed by the process of assembling. Testing is also very crucial as it sets apart value added products from the non-value added products before they are sold. The fastener production process is characterized by three core steps that include-stamping, assembly and finishing. The existing cost system can be referred to as activity based costing or ABC which uses a number of mixes of volume based activities and other activities that are non-volume based. The activity based costing takes into account the fact tha t there are changes in technology and production methods and that there is a high rate of new products emerging into the market that has resulted in a change in overheads like IT and quality control. The ABC approach is able to allocate these overheads in a more accurate manner by classifying overheads into groups that are influenced by homogenous activities. The groups are called cost pools while the activities that drive the costs are known as cost drivers.

Draft spatial framework for Perth and Peel Case Study

Draft spatial framework for Perth and Peel - Case Study Example According to John Day, Western Australian Minister of Planning, â€Å"Directions 2031 reconfirms the themes identified in previous strategic plans, which were to better use existing infrastructure and provide for a more sustainable city.† Sustainability is defined as meeting the triple bottom-line of economic growth, environmental health and quality of life. This more sustainable city will require â€Å"328,000 more dwellings to accommodate an additional 556,000 residents† as the population rises from 1.66 million to 2.2 million by 2031, Day writes. The region of Perth and Peel will have to grow in population while also becoming more compact and more sustainable. Gary Prattley, Chairman of the Western Australian Planning Commission says, â€Å"its purpose is to spatially define how we think the city should grow, identify structural changes necessary to support that growth, and identify planning and policy priorities for implementation.† The draft spatial framework is to include a concept of how we think the city should grow, the policies and plans to support that growth, and practical steps toward implementation. Prattleys Vision Statement contains a precise outline of the history of urban planning in the Perth and Peel Region. â€Å"Western Australia has an enviable history of metropolitan planning starting with the adoption of the Stephenson-Hepburn plan in 1955. The Corridor Plan followed in 1970, Metroplan in 1990 and Network City in 2004.† These first three urban planning documents â€Å"focused primarily on the identification of new urban growth areas to cope with rapid population expansion,† according to Directions 2031. They were from the era of suburbanisation and urban sprawl. They tried to guide the growth of the urban and suburban area. However, beginning with the Network City plan in 2004 a major shift in urban planning emerged. The Network City document is subtitled, A Milestone

Do performance management systems in organisations lead to improvement Essay

Do performance management systems in organisations lead to improvement - Essay Example Performance management systems make use of the fact that performance is increased on the part of all concerned and there is no shortfall as concerns to commitment, dedication and devotion when at work. The performance management systems can ensure the right people for getting the bonuses, incentives and so on as well as point out the ones who have fallen short on the company’s expectations over a period of time. This would help in giving them rewards and incentives which will eventually make one and all happy at the end. Also this will continue their desire to achieve more and more within a specified period of time and thus come into the good books of the company. In return, they can be given all these rewards so that they could be encouraged in line with their work attitudes. Moreover, the people who lag behind with regards to their work schedules and dedication levels will stand up and take notice and thus would want to be counted as the effective and efficient ones within the company as well. The role of organizations in the maintenance of these systems is also very paramount. The role played by the organizations in advancing their performance management systems is immense since a lot of the population depends on them for their needs and wants. This is met in a fair manner courtesy the E-government initiative adopted by several different companies and organizations. All such innovations which help and facilitate the related process must indeed be given thumbs up since these try to solve the miseries of the people and it is because of these people that the performance management systems are put into place originally. This further pinpoints the fact that the deployment of an efficient performance management system policy within the organization would indeed help it to essentially tackle its internal issues in a better and more effective manner possible. There is a lot of growth potential for the sales force to be automated in the

Hybrid electric vehicle Essay Example for Free

Hybrid electric vehicle Essay Americans today do not realize that hybrid cars are not cost efficient to buy. This is caused by many factors, many having to do with price of production and gas prices. The cost of production for many hybrid cars is too high causing the car to be to expensive for consumers to buy. They end up paying so much more for a car that promises to save them money. These cars turn end up not fulfilling that promise and leaving people short on cash. It is true that a hybrid car will save money at the pump, but not enough to cover the cost of buying and maintaining the car itself. Gas prices are another reason why these cars arent worth it. The prices of gas today are around 3 dollars which is nearing a record high. Even with prices this high, people will not save enough money with less gas consumption to cover the extra costs of owning such a high maintenance and highly complex car. The math works out that spending more on a hybrid car over a similar small car will end up costing the owner more money. The only way to make the car cost efficient would be to own it for an abnormally long period of time, which most people do not do. Many people are not willing to pay this extra money on a car that is supposed to be good for the environment, but some people do. Hybrid cars are better for the environment because they produce less greenhouse gasses. These are the emissions that specifically hurt the layers of the atmosphere and are among other emissions that are bad for our earth. Hybrid cars burn less fuel and they burn it cleaner, so they produce less exhaust that can potentially cause smog in cities like Chicago, or that can hurt the atmospheric layers such as the ozone layer that so many people talk about being in danger. To some people, the extra cost of owning one of these vehicles is worth helping the environment, but to most it is not. People want fast cars that are fun to drive and that get decent gas mileage. Or a mom might want a van that can haul a lot of people and weight and still get decent gas mileage. A dad would want a truck that can pull a heavy load and do the heavy duty work and wouldnt care about gas mileage. All of these are reasons why people dont want a small, meek, gas sipping hybrid. The first thing that makes most people shy away from buying a hybrid car is the price tag. They see that extra five or six thousand dollars and they say, NO! People want a durable car that gets good gas mileage and has room for a family and that is safe. All of these features can be purchased on a regular car that costs much less than a hybrid. The perfect example for this is the Honda Civic. This car comes in many trim levels, one for each type of consumer, minus the person looking for the truck. The Civic Sedan, a four door car with room for five people, starts at 15k and is the perfect car for a small family. This car gets 30mpg city and 40mpg highway which is very good by todays standards. The Civic Hybrid, the same size as the Civic Sedan, costs 22k, thats 7 thousand more, and gets an increase of only 19mpg city and 11mpg highway. This means that they would not save enough money on gas to cover the 7k increase in price in under 10 years. Since the car gets better gas mileage, one would go to the pump less, but not enough to save that much money. The third is the Civic Si, this is the sporty version of the Civic that only comes with a manual transmission and is very quick. This car costs 21k, one thousand less than the hybrid. It is much faster is only has two doors. This car gets 23mpg city and 32mpg highway, not much worse than the Civic Sedan or hybrid, and is much faster and more fun. Why would a student pay one thousand dollars more for a car that is slower and more boring when the mileage increase isnt that much, they wouldnt. People want fun cars that get the job done and the Civic does that with great gas mileage and a low price, without having to be a hybrid car. Another example of this concept is the Toyota Camry. This is the best selling family sized sedan in the United States. This car comes in many trim levels but the ones we will look at are the base Camry and the base Camry Hybrid. For 2007 this car got a gorgeous remodel as well as a new engine in the base Camry and they added the Hybrid model. The base Toyota Camry costs 18k and has many features needed for a small family to fit in the car along with a lot of luggage. Do not be confused though, this car can be seen driving down the road pimped out with 20 (thats really big) rims and banging sound systems by college guys. It can also be seen with pick stickers and fuzzy dice in the window being driven by a couple college girls on the way to the beach. This is a very pretty, versatile car. The base Camry gets 24mpg city and 34 mpg highway. This is very good for a full sized car and will get the owner a long distance before having to refill the tank. The Camry Hybrid costs a pretty penny, but some say its worth it. This car gets 16mpg more city and 4mpg more highway than the base Camry. The huge gain in city mileage is due to the way Toyota makes their hybrid cars. They have the ability to switch fully from electric to gas power whereas the Honda Hybrid drive train can only go from minimal usage of each, but never fully switches. Toyotas is called Hybrid Synergy Drive and uses the electric engine most when accelerating and charges the batter when braking. The braking actually charges the battery more than the gas engine, so the car is able to shine when driving around the city because of the constant starting and stopping, the car uses almost fully the electric engine. This is why the Toyota Camry Hybrid gets such good gas mileage in the city. Lets face it though, a car that big wont be found driving around the city, most people will be office executives taking long drives from offices to home or to customers and they will not benefit as much. The Camry Hybrid only gains 4mpg over the base Camry on the highway so many people do not agree with spending eight thousand dollars more for the hybrid. This is definitely not cost efficient for the owner. People will like the 18k price of the base Camry because it comes with so many standard options and is ready to fulfill any soccer moms fantasy. When talking about Hybrid cars, there is one that stands above the rest in durability, functionality, style, price, and ability to save gas. That car is the Toyota Prius. This car could be the only argument one could make against this paper. It costs 22k and it does not come with a non hybrid counterpart. This car does cost more than say, a Corolla, but it has more room than a Corolla, and slightly less room than a Camry. It is in a class of its own and its only close competitor is the Honda Insight. The Prius is able to get 60mpg city and 51mpg highway. This is the best mpg rating of any production car and it actually is selling. You can see a Toyota Prius on just about any trip that you take and it does have unique styling that always turns heads. Although it costs more, the mpg rating of this car are almost double that of the nearest non hybrid competitor making it almost worth the extra price tag. However, the cost of maintaining such a highly complex car is greater than that of the base Civic or Corolla and will end up costing more. The Honda Insight, the other close competitor, costs 21k and gets 60mpg city and 66mpg highway. Those numbers were only the estimated numbers and consumers found them to be too high and actually got less mileage than that. Also, Honda doesnt make this car anymore so a customer would only be able to buy it used. These cars all shown, people will not save money on buying a hybrid car. The gas prices right now are not high enough to allow people to save money at the pump if they own a hybrid car. They will get better gas mileage and they will go to the pump less but they are only saving a small amount of money each year. If somebody spends 30 dollars every two weeks on gas in a regular car, that would cost them about 780 dollars a year. A hybrid car could probably go an extra week without needing gas so that would cost them 520 dollars a year on gas. They would be saving a mere 260 dollars a year on gas. If the hybrid car costs 7k more, then they would need to have the car for about 26 years to cover the extra cost of the car. No way would somebody own a car for that long this day and age. That is only covering the cost of the actually sticker price and not the extra costs of owning the vehicle, like fixing it and stuff, which would have to be done since the car would need to get fixed in the 26 year period. Many websites do a calculation of the cars which would be the lowest true cost to own. One website listed the Prius and the Camry Hybrid under their list of cars costing around 25k that would be the lowest true cost to own. This is excluding how long one would own the car for and how high the gas prices are. Also they did not list any hybrid under the coupes which are lowest cost to own and they dont say customer reviews on how fun these cars are to drive. The fact is that most people do no see it necessary to buy a car that costs so much more when they could get a car for less money that will cost them less money in the long run. People also want fun cars that will cost the same, but be much more fun to drive, even though they arent amazing at gas mileage, they still succeed in getting decent gas mileage, so people buy them. Also the hybrid drive train is not good for hauling heavy loads that is why there arent many pickup truck hybrids out there if any. Hybrid cars may cost more causing people to shy away from buying them, but they are better for the environment. People dont realize that driving a car can be the largest form of pollution. We drive by a paper mill and see all the smoke coming out of the stacks and say to ourselves how bad that must be for the air. Meanwhile we are sitting in a car, that when grouped up with many cars, is much worse than the thing we are complaining about. Pollution from cars causes smog, which deteriorates the ozone layers closest to us. This can cause for major extremes of hot and cold in the seasons. The atmosphere helps moderate the temperatures on earth by holding in heat during the winter and shielding out heat during the summer. Big cities have problems with smog which is a constant haze in the air caused by so many cars in one place emitting gasses bad for the environment. Cars also have toxins in their exhaust that can cause acid rain or global warming, and even cause cancer in some people. The water supply on earth is never growing or shrinking, the water we have is all that we get. When there is acid rain, that water has to go somewhere and may sometimes end up in drinking water or people who have wells might take showers in it. This is how it can cause cancer in as many as 1,500 people a year. There are many bad gasses that come from motor vehicles, but the three main ones are hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. Hydrocarbons react with nitrogen. The best times for this to happen are in the summer when there is lots of sunlight and really high temperatures. This reaction causes something called ground level ozone. This is a type of gas that is supposed to be in the atmosphere but is in our breathing air. This can cause many things such as eye irritation, wheezing, and even permanent lung damage. Nitrogen Oxides also cause the formation of ground level ozone and are major factors in causing acid rain and water pollution. Finally, carbon monoxide, which is an odorless and invisible gas, causes a slowing of oxygen in the bloodstream which can impair ones senses and cause permanent mental damage. Cars are responsible for around 90 percent of the carbon monoxide in the air in most urban areas. All of these gasses can be reduced by driving a hybrid car, but the best way to reduce them is public transportation. Studies show that a person who uses mass transit, such as buses or subways, for a year, instead of driving to work, can keep about 9. 1 lbs of hydrocarbons, 62. 5 lbs or carbon monoxides, and 4. 9 lbs of nitrogen oxides from being put into the air (Emissions). Other ways of reducing pollution from cars in the air are things such as driving at steady speeds, buying newer cars that have fewer bad emissions, keeping your car in good running condition, or even not topping off at the pump. People can help the environment by buying a hybrid car, but that isnt the best way. Using public transportation or even riding a bike if possible, would do a lot more good, and save somebody a lot of money. By using public transportation and by carpooling, people can save an estimated three thousand dollars a year (Emissions). Other numbers show that idling and stop and go traffic alone use 753 millions of gallons of gasoline per year (Emissions). People dont realize how much better it would be to just use public transportation. Instead, we want to go on our own schedules and have the freedom to go where we want when we want, and that costs money and causes pollution. The cost of a hybrid car over a regular car is too much. People will not buy a hybrid car when they can get a vehicle with very good gas mileage for much less money. They can get all the bells and whistles of a hybrid but spend around seven thousand less. Teenagers dont want a slow gas sipping car, they want a fast car with a loud exhaust. They cant get this from a hybrid car so they wouldnt spend the money to buy a slow hybrid when they could have a fast sports car. A dad needs his truck to haul stuff around and hybrid cars dont offer that. The mom needs the van to have a safe car for her family that can fit them and their luggage. The cost of gas prices right now is not nearly high enough to benefit the consumer who owns a hybrid car. There is some small benefit, about 300 dollars a year, but that would take 20 years to equal just the increased price of owning a hybrid, not to mention the added costs of the upkeep of such a complex car. People want the lowest price with the best package, and hybrid cars dont offer that. While they do offer benefits to the environment, people dont realize how important the environment is and they wont spend the extra money for benefits they wont see in their lifetime. Overall the hybrid car is not worth buying because the cost is just too great. Not only is it not worth it, but people are not buying them enough to make a difference to the environment anyways, further diminishing their value. Hybrid cars are not worth buying right now and will not be for many years to come.

Critical Thinking Essay Example for Free

Critical Thinking Essay 1. Is it wrong to kill someone in self-defense? I think that ultimately it’s wrong to kill anyone no matter the situation. Do I understand killing someone in self- defense? Yes I do, if you are at your home and someone breaks and enters into your home and your safety and family’s safety is jeopardized I feel that a person should protect themselves at all costs no matter what. It’s not against the law for an individual to bear arms, unless they are a felon. But I believe that no person should not react if there life is at risk. 2. Should people be given equal opportunities, regardless of race, religion, or gender? Yes I do believe that no matter race, gender, or religion, everyone deserves a fair chance at success. Whether it’s applying for school, jobs, etc. I don’t think that these things can affect the way and individual works! I do believe in equal opportunity! 3. Is it wrong to ridicule someone, even if you believe it’s in good fun? Yes I do believe it’s wrong to ridicule someone even if it’s fun to you, it may not be fun to the person you ridicule. What’s funny to you can be very hurtful to the next person; you don’t know what the person your ridiculing has been through or what they are going through. I have seen and heard of people being ridiculed by someone and they have actually taken drastic measures as far as committing suicide or have gone on a killing spree. Killing the ones that have ridiculed them or put them through a lot allowing people to ridicule them. It’s easy for one to look at someone’s misfortunes and tease them and make fun of them. Just because you want to make yourself feel better. I think that people that do this are unhappy with their life, that they have to make other’s feel bad about there’s. It’s not right and it’s not fair.

Uzbekistan Business Opportunities

Uzbekistan Business Opportunities Topic: Discuss the business environment of International business opportunities in the given country and its economic indicators. Explore and elaborate if there is any bilateral trade agreement with India. INTRODUCTION Country Name : THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN Republic of Uzbekistan is the largest country in the region and occupies a specific geographical and geopolitical position in Central Asia abundant with natural and human resources. Uzbekistan consists of 12 provinces and Autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan. Independence and sovereignty of the Republic of Uzbekistan was proclaimed on August 31, 1991 in Tashkent. Geography Location: Central Asia, north of Afghanistan. Access to sea: Country is encircled by land. Note: border passes through Aral Sea (420 km. of seaside of Aral sea). Neighbours: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Coordinates: 41 00 N, 64 00 E Area: total 447,400 sq. km.; land 425,400 sq. km.; water 22,000 sq. km. Currency Since July 1st, 1994 Soum the national currency has been introduced as a unique lawful payment mean on territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan. 1 Soum = 100 tiyn. Notes are in denominations of Soum 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 3 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 tiyn. BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT Basic Business Environment 1. Small and Private Business It is the most dynamically developing sector of the economy, and stimulated due to several state reforms effective from the end of 1998 with a view of supporting of small and private business. In particular: reduction of inspections by state bodies, unified tax for carrying out of small business, liberalization of a cash turnover and conditions of crediting of domestic and foreign financial institutions. In the earlier years of the independence the share of turnover of small and private businesses in the countrys GNP made approximately 1% in comparison to the year of 2002 the parameter was 35%. Small and private businesses contribute to the reduction of unemployment by job creation in the country. Foreign credits and attracted investments directed by the GOU for stimulation of small and private business are repaid in due time under the favorable tax conditions and the optimized mechanism of sales of output on export by the enterprises of small and private business. 2. Import Substitution The main purpose of import substitution, per se an instrument of currency exchange regulation, is to reduce unreasonable import of the goods similarly produced in the republic and direct the flow of released monetary resources for the development of a domestic production and an increase of the application of hi-tech. effective from 1996. The changes that were introduced in 1996 to the legislation that regulated the currency flow can be one of the examples of the simplification and flexibility of the currency exchange regulation. Besides, the currency fund derived form sales of automobiles, agricultural equipments, flour and sales of other several liquid goods on foreign markets has allowed to provide currency self-recoupment of enterprises using in manufacture of imported raw materials, materials and component. It is necessary to note that currency earnings of enterprises derived due to sales on export sufficiently directs to a profit markup and an enterprise development, workflow au tomation, labor stimulation and an improvement of a current infrastructure. 3. Economic Growth and Inflation One of the factors constraining the economic growth and the stability of any country is inflation. However, the GOU as a consequence of number economic reforms has achieved real decrease in inflation rate. According to the official statistical data, the inflation rate was more than 26.0% in 2001, but because of the favorable economic conditions, the datum has decreased by 6.8% in 2006. According to bases of economy, the growth of GDP also depends on the exchange rate used for converting national currency into a foreign currency. In this respect the GOU has created the steady mechanism of the free currency convertibility by means of several Currency funds and stock exchanges. The exchange rate is periodically fixed by the Central Bank of Uzbekistan, allowing free and independent convertibility of any currency of the world. The analysis of the trend of GDP shows stable growth and significant budget surplus of Uzbekistan. At the 4.0% GDP growth the budget deficit of the country was 0.8% of GDP in 2002. The liberal approach of the GOU to the development of sectors of economy resulted in achievement of GDP growth over 7.0% with the budget surplus by 0.5 % in 2006. The major factors of the economic growth have become the increase of the volume of industrial production and the agriculture by 10.8% and 6.2% respectively. According to statistical data, by the end of 2006 the average real wages in Uzbekistan accounted for UZS 185,000 or nearly USD 150, that 5 times exceeds the datum of 2001 and 2002. 4. Balance of Payments (BOP) As a result of implementing of number significant reforms by the GOU directed to liberalization of a national economy as a whole, the volume of currency reserves by the end of 2002 was increased by 167.9% and has made about USD 4.7 bn in comparison to those of past period. Due to the implemented protection policy of interests of domestic manufacturers, the import of the goods similarly produced in Uzbekistan was reduced by 38.0%. The export of goods correspondingly increased on average by 23.0%. Moreover, the share of cotton fiber decreased by 17% in the export volume of the country, the rest of the export accounts for machines and equipments, fruit-and-vegetable manufacturing and processing, construction materials, agricultural equipment, electro-technical products and others. The control system of the external debt of the country in 1999-2006 has been stable and less moderate. Furthermore, the external debt rate has been at the rate of 20.6% of GDP in 1999 towards 22.8% in 2006. The critical ratio was marked in 2003 when the parameter made about 40.0% of GDP. Hence, investments into any sector or region of the country today can be considered guaranteed to the development and repayment in time, due to constant growth of priority macroeconomic parameters. The main investors of the country have been such companies as Gazprom, Lukoil, Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Itochu, Nestle, Coca-Cola Bottles, Vimm-Bill-Dann, SIEMENS, ZEROMAX, MTS, Vimpelkom, BAT, Marubeni, Samsung, ABN Amro Bank, Kanebo Silk, KOC, IRANSADERAT and etc. 5. Currency Convertibility With a view of strengthening of currency balance of the country in Uzbekistan there were sometimes restrictions on converting of UZS into a foreign currency. Additionally, the Republic of Uzbekistan has joined to the Article VIII of the Agreement of the IMF in 2003 and these restrictions have been removed. Today, converting is regulated by specific decisions of the GOU and instructions of the CBU. The incomes of the foreign investor derived in Uzbekistan can be re-invested on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan or used by any different way at discretion of a foreign investor. Foreign investors are guaranteed for free transfer of cash resources in a foreign currency into Uzbekistan and from there without any restrictions under condition of tax payments and other mandatory payments in accordance with Uzbek legislation. 6. Priority Sectors of Economy Agriculture The main and leading sector of economy is the agriculture (about 40.0% of GDP). Basic manufacturing of the sector is cotton-fiber, wheat, and fruit-and-vegetable products. Favorable weather conditions have determined the corresponding regional distribution of the basic export-oriented products of the agricultural industry of the country. For example, vegetables, fruit, melons and gourds are raised basically in Namangan, Fargona, Andijon and Samarqand provinces, rice and other cereals in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Khorazm province, meet and dairy products and tanning materials mainly are produced in Bukhoro, Surkhondaryo and Qashqadaryo provinces, wine and other alcoholic products are produced in Tashkent, Andijon provinces and the Republic of Karakalpakstan, tobacco products are produced in Tashkent and Samarqand provinces.  · Light industry One of the priority directions in the development of an export policy of Uzbekistan is the development of light industry, basic exports are cotton yarn, silk and silk products, cotton severe fabrics, knitted cloth, garments, and etc. The sector is characterized not only by the opportunity of a quick return of investments, but also by cheap labor force, the availability of raw materials, and the developed infrastructure. It is also necessary to note that Uzbekistan is one of the largest manufacturer of cotton, silk, and astrakhan fur in the world. The country is on the fourth place in the world in volumes and quality of manufacture of cotton and the second place in volumes of cotton fiber export. There are more than 200 large enterprises and associations, a network of branches, the modeling centers of clothes and jersey, a design bureau, a network of firm trade, and etc in the Uzbek light industry. Due to re-equipment of manufacturing by modern equipments the Program of Quality Improvement and Increase in volumes of production, expansion of assortments, the organization engaged in processing of cotton fiber on the basis of attracting both local and foreign investments by creation of JVs is realized. The followings are the mainstreams of the development of the sector: Spinning manufacture updating of plants of not-spindle spinning on the basis of modern equipment; Weaving manufacture implementing of automatic winding machines, warp drawing-in machines, replacement of weaving looms by modern shuttleless weaving machine; Dyeing manufacture implementing of new equipments with the electronic control and regulation of processes.  · Heavy Industry Uzbekistan has rich spectrum of the natural resources, the developed mountain and oil-and-gas industries. The country is rich in inexhaustible natural resources, including oil, gas, uranium, gold, copper, aluminium, iron ores and others. Uzbekistan heavy industry is represented by the developed and complex spheres of aircraft construction, motor industry, a network of the enterprises producing agricultural machines and equipment, cable conductor products, tools and parts for a railway transportation and etc. Uzbekistan is known also for reserves and extraction of precious and rare-earth metals gold, silver, uranium, and etc. In volumes of manufacture of gold the country is on the second place in the CIS, the eighth in the world and the fifth in per capita production. Quality of the Uzbek gold meets high world standards. The significant stocks of copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, tungsten, lithium, not-metallurgical raw materials (kaolin, fluoric and feldspar, quartz sand, phosphorites, etc.) exist in the country. They serve for manufacture of mineral fertilizers, porcelain-faience products and other production, competitive in domestic and foreign markets. The country has strategic mineral resources of raw materials: oil and gas, ores of ferrous, nonferrous and precious metals. In addition, the total potential of mineral resources of the country is estimated to be USD 3.3 trln. From entrails of the country minerals for the sum of 95.5 bln are derived annually, thus, the annual growth of reserves makes about USD 6-7 bln. TRANSPORTATION NETWORK Development of transport communications between the states from ancient times was one of the basic ways for unification of nations, development of economy, mutual enrichment of cultures and, finally, made a significant impact on peaceful and harmonious development of mankind in its strides forward. The territory of present Uzbekistan lies at the heart of The Great Silk Road and precisely the shortest transport corridors from Europe to Asia passed through this route. Situated in the centre of the region, Uzbekistan is objectively said to play a vital role of geopolitical bridge in relations between the countries of the West and East. Utilization of Uzbekistans geographical location on crossroads between the West and East, and also the North and South of the Euro-Asian continent, opens an opportunity for many countries of the Euro-Asian continent to access the overland continuous and safe transport communication. Having the developed networks of railways and highways, a complex of the international airports, the airways which pass the territory of the country in latitudinal and longitudinal directions for international and, first of all, transit transportations, Uzbekistan possesses huge transport potential and is capable to utilize national transit resources for ensuring the Euro-Asian communications and meet the demands of the country in transportations of passengers and cargoes in all kinds of transport. In questions of attraction of transit cargoes, the international transport terminals and the centers of logistics should be given special emphasis. These centers should coordinate activity of various types of transports which are rather important in the conditions of the countries of the Central Asia with no access to the sea. Accordingly, the logistical centers should be established alongside the main transit corridors, and also on borders between the states of the region and, in effect, fulfill the functions of so-called dry ports. The International logistics center being projected now in Tashkent is unique in Central Asia and should serve as transshipment and transit-transfer base for all kinds of cargoes on regional transport corridors. Transport infrastructure Modernization and development of transport infrastructure, construction of new transport corridors are the important section of attraction of investments. All types of transport have been developed in the republic. Today the length of railways comprises 6,5 thousands km. Density of railway network in the republic is the highest in the Central Asia. Automobile transport plays significant role in shipment of cargoes and passengers. During years of reforms over 43,5 thd. km. of highways were constructed and put into operation, 97% of them have a hard covering. The Uzbekistan Railways existing network of railways and roads connects the most remote regions and uninhabited areas of the country to major centers, providing access to international transport systems and basic natural mineral and raw materials resources in the country. The country has prioritized its international system of transportation creating reliable short distance transport lines, providing access to the neighboring countries and the rest of the world. The railway line passing through Tedgen Serahs Meshhed, an integrated part of the Trans Asian line connecting Beijing and Istanbul is in operation. Since 2000 this line is to transport goods in both directions totaling 6-8 million tons and possibly doubling this capacity. Transportation along this corridor provides Uzbekistan with additional foreign trade relations with Eastern countries of the Asia-Pacific Ocean regions, West Turkey and some European countries. An import contribution towards the development to transportation in the country is the TRASECA Project implemented by the TACIS Program (European Community Technical Assistance for the CIS), which provides for the construction of the Trans-Caucases main line passing through the Central Asian countries of Azerbaijan, Georgia and the Black Sea ports. In addition to building a new railway, Uzbekistan takes part in the project to construct a road connecting Andijan, Osh, Irkeshtam and Kashgar. This road will provide access to China and Pakistan. The road will continue through Bukhara, Seraks, Meshhed, Teheran, Termez, Heart, Kandagar and Karachi, providing access to the Indian Ocean. This corridor makes the distance to EEC countries 3 times shorter. The establishment and strengthening of these trans-continental main-lines provide favorable conditions for foreign economic relations for Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries. The expansion of transit passenger and cargo transportation connects Uzbekistan to Asian-Pasific Ocean region countries such as India and China and Near East countries such Turkey as well as Europe. These so-called â€Å"new routes† practically coincide with the routes of the Great Silk Road. These routes provide opportunities to develop regular tourist and cultural relations with numerous countries of the world as it did so long ago. At the countrys expense, 2 large strategically important main lines between Navoi, Uchkuduk, Sultanoizdag and Nukus were built totaling a length of 342 km. Another line was built connecting Guzar, Baysun, Kumkurgan with a total length of 233 km. These new projects will provide access to some of the richest natural mineral resources in the country, decrease transportation expenses inside the country and provide access to sea ports and international destinations. UZBEKISTAN AIRWAYS† NAC Uzbekistan Airways is the state airline of Uzbekistan, which provides aviation needs for the national economy. Uzbekistan Airways National Air Company (NAC) was founded on January 28, 1992 in accordance with a Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov. Today, the Uzbekistan Airways is the leading carrier in the Central Asian region. Uzbekistan Airways keeps a sound position on the international market and provides high quality competitive services. During the years of operation our company has been awarded the International fund for Aviation Safety Diploma and a Certificate from Airports International Association and Euromarket-2000. The scheduled flights fly to more than forty cities of the world including America, Europe, Middle East, Southeast, Central Asia and the CIS. Uzbekistan Airways continues to establish long-term and reliable business contacts, to increase the number of countries where its aircraft flies to and to improve its services. It makes the company one of the worlds dynamic airlines. Domestic Routes. In domestic TASHKENT is the hub of airlines. International Routes. Uzbekistan by Air. Flights to Uzbekistan. Airlines in Uzbekistan. Foreign Uzbek Airlines Uzbekiston Havo Yullary (Uzbekistan Airways) Aeroflot, Asiana Airlines, Domodedovo Airlines, Indian Airlines, Airlines of Kuban, Malaysia Airlines, Pulkovo Airlines, Samara Airlines, S7 Airlines, Transaero Airlines, Turkish Airlines LAW STATISTICS Dynamic of the main macroeconomics indicators of the Republic of Uzbekistan (in % to the previous year) 1. GDP Analysis During the years 2002-2004 the GDP has been increasing but in 2005-2006 the growth has decline. 2. INFLATION Analysis The inflation rate has been declining since 2001 to 2004 but there is a little increase in 2005, 7,8 which has not affected much the economy then in 2001. 3. STATE BUDGET (incomes, expenses, deficit, in % to GDP) Analysis Income and expense have a direct relationship. From 1998 state income and expense has been declining due to less proficiency, certain attention is required for improvement. Export structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan Analysis Cotton fibre is the main item of export as its export has been increasing over the years from 2002-2006. whereas items of foodstuff has also show an increment ,almost all the items have shown an increment which is good for the countrys economy, as it will bring more foreign exchange. Import structure of the Republic of Uzbekistan Analysis Import of machines equipments has been increased over the years whereas other items of import needs to be controlled. Trade turnover with a number of countries being the leading partners of the Republic of Uzbekistan Foreign countries Analysis Trade with Turkey, China and Iran has shown an increment from approximately 520-720 ,420-700, and 450-650 million US dollars , which is tremendous but trade with other countries such as Singapore and France needs to be improved. CIS countries Analysis Trade with Kazakhstan has shown a little improvement as compared to other countries as such Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Tajikistan. Trade with these countries needs to be improves for better flow of trade as well as maintaining good relation with neighbouring countries FOREIGN INVESTMENTS More than 20 billions US dollars of foreign investments have been attracted in the economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, including 5 billions during the last 3 years. Uzbekistan is one of the developing economies with so many business prospects. As due to its stable govt policies which has made it possible. The volume of direct foreign investments into the economy of Uzbekistan has increased in 24% and made up more than 1.2 billions dollars in 2006. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN UZBEKISTAN Uzbekistans independence has been recognized by 160 states. On March 2, 1992 Uzbekistan became a full-fledged member of the United Nations. Also, the Republic is a member of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and several other prestigious international organizations. The Republic of Uzbekistan was one of the first Soviet Republics to declare independence, adopt its own Constitution, and introduce a presidency and democratic parliament. Five years ago no one could have predicted that Uzbekistan would become one of the most dynamic and progressive among all the former Soviet Republics. It has the best investment opportunities today. Uzbekistan is the only state, among, the post-Soviet countries that has increased its oil and gas production in recent years (indeed it has doubled oil production) to ensure its own energy self-sufficiency. In 1995, growth in the extraction of oil and gas condensate increased to 37.5%, and natural gas production grew by 2.9%. Another impressive result is that Uzbekistan has increased its self-sufficiency in grains; its output rose to over 3 million tons, and according to some estimates in 1996, the Republic may achieve 4.5 million tons of harvested grain. Real privatization in Uzbekistan has been dramatic, but has not been accompanied by economic disorder and social discontent as elsewhere. The private sector in the economy now produces 44 % of the industrial production and 97% of agricultural production. The non-state sector consumes 44% of total capital investments and employs 64% of the labor force. More than 250 representative offices of foreign companies and banks are in Uzbekistan. The United Nations, the World Bank, IMF, and many other international organizations have opened their headquarters in Tashkent. Over 2000 joint ventures are registered in the Republic. Foreign investments of over $3 billion have been made in Uzbekistan. Moreover, the Republic fulfills all of its obligations on foreign credit repayments without default and is generally regarded as an excellent credit risk-taker. Main reasons for Uzbekistans success The central reason is that, unlike leaders of the many other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries, the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, has shown exceptional intuition and has created an extraordinary degree of domestic and foreign confidence in Uzbekistan. Consequently the realization of his strategy for transition to a free market economy, in which he has taken into account the peculiarities of the Republic and the experiences of other countries, showed that it was the right choice. He and his advisors have found a unique middle ground between painful shock therapy and backsliding into an economic decline. The five basic principles which have minimized the pain of transition and have already initiated dynamic growth, are: supremacy of economics over politics   the state as the major reformer and guarantor of economic transformation supremacy of law in all spheres of activities for both state and society powerful social policy consistent and stage-by-stage accomplishments economic reforms Thus, Uzbekistan has transformed from a society driven by ideology to a pragmatic country aimed at attracting businesses and incurring high levels of domestic and foreign investment. During the transition, the Uzbek Government has actually accelerated infrastructure development, in contrast to many other CIS countries. A second factor is that since the first steps of independence, an array of necessary laws and regulations have been adopted. In a remarkably short period of time, standard and legal frameworks have been created. During the past five years, laws and regulations in virtually all main areas of the formation of the market economy have been passed. These include laws On Foreign Economic Activity and On Foreign Investments and Guarantees of Foreign Investors Activity. These and other laws and standard regulations provide many privileges, benefits, and guarantees for foreign investors. For example: There are particular taxation privileges for profits reinvested in the broadening and modernization of production. The enterprises with 50% participation of foreign capital, and which produce consumer goods, are free from the obligatory sale of foreign currency to the Central Bank for up to 5 years from the date of their registration. The enterprises with 30% participation of foreign capital, and which specialize in the production of various agricultural, consumer, and industrial products (except the mining industry) are granted a two year grace period for profit taxation. The given grace period can be prolonged for up to 5 years for projects, which included into investment program of the Republic of Uzbekistan. For enterprises with 30% participation of foreign capital, the rate of the tax on income is reduced from 18% to 10%. A third reason for Uzbekistans achievements is the realization of an open door policy, which has been a top priority of general economic policy. Structural reorganization, overcoming the economys one-sided orientation toward raw-material production, and producing export-oriented and import-substituting products are the priorities in the external economic and investment policy. Priority areas for investment include the following: mining and metallurgical production and expansion of extraction and processing of non-ferrous and ferrous metals drilling, processing, and transportation of oil and gas advanced processing of cotton, agricultural raw materials and products, including fruit, vegetables and grain production development of transportation and telecommunications engine production, including automobile, aircraft and agricultural machinery manufacturing production of building materials development of the tourism industry environmental protection industries A fourth factor is that the priority in the economic reform has been given to the creation of the market infrastructure and the development of small businesses. In recent years, Uzbekistan has witnessed the creation of the Republican Stock-Exchange Center, regional stock market, and private stock and securities trading offer. Private business growth has also accelerated. In 1995, more than 4,000 joint stock companies were registered in Uzbekistan. Also, in 1995 and in the first quarter of 1996 more than 75,000 small enterprises were registered. BILATERAL TRADE AGRREMENT Uzbekistan has engaged in bilateral, economic cooperation and double taxation with many countries, including the United States, China, Korea, Great Britain, Russia, India and others. In order to reduce the cost of attracting foreign investments to Uzbekistan and diminish the risks of foreign investors, Uzbekistan joined the Washington Convention of 1964 and the Seoul Convention of 1964. In addition, the national insurance company, Uzbekinvest, was established to cover political and commercial risks. Uzbekinvest and the National Bank of External Economic Activity joined with the American Financial Group, AIG, Inc. to establish joint insurance companies to: * cover political risks (its headquarters is in London) and * cover commercial risks (its head office is in Tashkent). As a result, the UzDaewoo-Auto Project (with the South Korean conglomerate Daewoo), which amounts to $700 million, is one of the largest projects with direct foreign investment participation on a 50:50 basis. The assembly plant in the Andijan region came on-line in April 1996 and has a production capacity of 200,000 cars annually. Another large single investment of the CIS is the Zarafshan Newmont Gold Mining Project (over $229 million) with Denver-based Newmont Mining Corporation. Also Lonro company recently created a joint venture in Uzbekistan and has invested in a gold-mining branch worth $250 million. In addition, British American Tobacco has a tobacco joint venture with the State and plans to invest a total of $232 million. All of these companies came to Uzbekistan because they were convinced of the desirable business climate in Uzbekistan. During his recent visit to the United States and meeting in Denver with American businessmen, the President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, said that Uzbekistan has an excellent system of privileges and guarantees for foreign investors. With his decree on additional measures to encourage the creation of enterprises with foreign investments and their activity from June 1, 1996, foreign investment enterprises that produce export-oriented and import-substituted products received additional benefits, such as: *  · They shall be granted the right to receive a tax credit for the development of production; that is, they shall be granted a deferment for a period of up to two years for their profit tax, value added tax and land tax payments into the budget. *  · Enterprises with a share of foreign capital in the authorized capital of not less than 500,000 US dollars, shall be exempt from the payment of property tax. As additional proof the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has eighteen projects operating in Uzbekistan with a total value of $520 million. This is the second largest amount in the investment portfolio of the CIS, after Russia. Also, the World Bank chose Uzbekistan as its first investment in an agro-industry project in the CIS. In short, Uzbekistan stands clearly, as one of the most exciting emerging markets. It enjoys a popular, stable government, a highly skilled labor force, and virtually no violent crime. President Karimovs government is efficient, pragmatic, and pro-business. Thus, the foreign investors become interested in Uzbekistan, because: (a)  · Historically its territory was a cultural and economic center of a vast empire that stretched across Central Asia into India and Iran, and had a key post in the overland trade route between China and the West. As such, Uzbeks have an historical trading culture; (b)  · Large markets such as Chi

Emily Dickinson’s Because I Could Not Stop For Death Essay -- Because

Emily Dickinson’s â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death† is a remarkable masterpiece that exercises thought between the known and the unknown. Critics call Emily Dickinson’s poem a masterpiece with strange â€Å"haunting power.† In Dickinson’s poem, â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death,† there is much impression in the tone, in symbols, and in the use of imagery that exudes creativity. One might undoubtedly agree to an eerie, haunting, if not frightening, tone in Dickinson’s poem. Dickinson uses controlling adjectives—â€Å"slowly† and â€Å"passed†Ã¢â‚¬â€to create a tone that seems rather placid. For example, â€Å"We slowly drove—He knew no haste / †¦We passed the School †¦ / We passed the Setting Sun—,† sets a slow, quiet, calm, and dreamy atmosphere (5, 9, 11, 12). â€Å"One thing that impresses us,† one author wrote, â€Å"is the remarkable placidity, or composure, of its tone† (Greenberg 128). The tone in Dickinson’s poem will put its readers’ ideas on a unifying track heading towards a boggling atmosphere. Dickinson’s masterpiece lives on complex ideas that are evoked through symbols, which carry her readers through her poem. Besides the literal significance of —the â€Å"School,† â€Å"Gazing Grain,† â€Å"Setting Sun,† and the â€Å"Ring†Ã¢â‚¬â€much is gathered to complete the poem’s central idea. Emily brought to light the mysteriousness of life’s cycle. Ungraspable to many, the cycle of one’s life, as symbolized by Dickinson, has three stages and then a final stage of eternity. These three stages are recognized by Mary N. ...

Psychic ability :: essays papers

Psychic ability Abstract The purpose of this study was to prove that the human mind has telepathic ability. To prove this, the subjects were asked to guess the suit of each card from a standard playing deck. The subjects were tested in a cozy, quiet environment inside their house. The first data recorded were the percentage of cards the subjects would randomly guess right. There are 52 cards in a deck and thirteen of each suit, so that would give someone a 13 out of 52 chance of merely guessing right or one-fourth. During the test, the subjects were instructed to take time and concentrate before giving an answer. The idea was that if the subject concentrated hard enough, the suit of the card would be revealed by the psychic ability of the mind. The results of the study showed that telepathic ability just might be a reality Psychic ability has been a subject that has interested me every since I saw the movie Maverick. In the movie, the main character, played by Mel Gibson, believes that if he thinks of a card and concentrates hard enough then he will draw that card. He starts out thinking of the card he needs. The character played by Gibson thinks long and hard to the point of almost exhaustion. He then draws the card, hoping that the card he is thinkin g of will be the card he draws. It never quite works out for him because I believe that he is not concentrating hard enough. At the end of the movie, however, when he is in the finals of a poker tournament, he tries it again. This time, his mind is in the zone, and it works. I have never been one to believe in telepathy, but one time I tried to give it a chance. One time, I was home alone and extremely bored, so I decided to try out what I had learned from Maverick. I was alone in my room, and I sat and thought about the ace of spades for what seemed like fifteen minutes. Concentrating and thinking only of the ace of spades, I drew a card and held it so I couldn’t see it. I said to myself, over and over again, this is the ace of spades.

Richard Wilbur Essay -- Biography

â€Å"It is true that the poet does not directly address his neighbors; but he does address a great congress of persons who dwell at the back of his mind, a congress of all those who have taught him and whom he has admired; that constitute his ideal audience and his better self† (â€Å"Richard Wilbur†, National Book Foundation). Richard Wilbur spoke this famous quote at his National Book Award speech in 1957. Many of the events in Wilbur’s life transitioned to his acceptance of this award, but he did not know what direction his life was going in at the time. From the events in his early childhood learning how to write from his maternal grandfather and great-grandfather, to his later becoming a World War II veteran and getting a degree from Harvard University, and everything in-between, Richard Wilbur spent the rest of his life creating a breathtaking assortment of poems which largely connected to his early life. Richard Wilbur’s birth and early life led to his first spark of interest in writing at a young age when he met his grandfather and great-grandfather. He was born on March 1st, 1921 in New York City, New York (Haralson 759). Richard lived in North Caldwell, New Jersey for the rest of his pastoral childhood with his middle-class family (Gioia). They resided on a large property and they did not have many neighbors (Gioia). He enjoyed wandering off to random places on the property with his brothers, and he enjoyed the nature, which inspired some of his later poetry (Gioia).Wilbur’s maternal grandfather and his great-grandfather were both editors and Wilbur began to acquire a love for journalism stronger than his love for painting like his father (â€Å"Richard Wilbur†, Poetry Foundation). He enjoyed the company of his grandfather and gre... ...people think more about the life in which they live everyday. His poems connected to his life, e.g. the poems about nature in The Beautiful Changes connected to his life on a large property and its connections to his time on the battlefield. Wilbur closed out his National Book Award acceptance speech by saying: â€Å"Writing poetry, then, is an unsocial way of manufacturing a thoroughly social product. Because he must shield his poetry in its creation, the poet, more than other writers, will write without recognition. And because his product is not in great demand, he is likely to look on honors and distinctions with the feigned indifference of the wallflower. Yet of course he is pleased when recognition comes; for what better proof is there that for some people poetry is still a useful and necessary thing -- like a shoe† (â€Å"Richard Wilbur†, National Book Foundation). Richard Wilbur Essay -- Biography â€Å"It is true that the poet does not directly address his neighbors; but he does address a great congress of persons who dwell at the back of his mind, a congress of all those who have taught him and whom he has admired; that constitute his ideal audience and his better self† (â€Å"Richard Wilbur†, National Book Foundation). Richard Wilbur spoke this famous quote at his National Book Award speech in 1957. Many of the events in Wilbur’s life transitioned to his acceptance of this award, but he did not know what direction his life was going in at the time. From the events in his early childhood learning how to write from his maternal grandfather and great-grandfather, to his later becoming a World War II veteran and getting a degree from Harvard University, and everything in-between, Richard Wilbur spent the rest of his life creating a breathtaking assortment of poems which largely connected to his early life. Richard Wilbur’s birth and early life led to his first spark of interest in writing at a young age when he met his grandfather and great-grandfather. He was born on March 1st, 1921 in New York City, New York (Haralson 759). Richard lived in North Caldwell, New Jersey for the rest of his pastoral childhood with his middle-class family (Gioia). They resided on a large property and they did not have many neighbors (Gioia). He enjoyed wandering off to random places on the property with his brothers, and he enjoyed the nature, which inspired some of his later poetry (Gioia).Wilbur’s maternal grandfather and his great-grandfather were both editors and Wilbur began to acquire a love for journalism stronger than his love for painting like his father (â€Å"Richard Wilbur†, Poetry Foundation). He enjoyed the company of his grandfather and gre... ...people think more about the life in which they live everyday. His poems connected to his life, e.g. the poems about nature in The Beautiful Changes connected to his life on a large property and its connections to his time on the battlefield. Wilbur closed out his National Book Award acceptance speech by saying: â€Å"Writing poetry, then, is an unsocial way of manufacturing a thoroughly social product. Because he must shield his poetry in its creation, the poet, more than other writers, will write without recognition. And because his product is not in great demand, he is likely to look on honors and distinctions with the feigned indifference of the wallflower. Yet of course he is pleased when recognition comes; for what better proof is there that for some people poetry is still a useful and necessary thing -- like a shoe† (â€Å"Richard Wilbur†, National Book Foundation).

Facility Planning

To provide patients with quality health care services, it is important to improve health care facilities and build new facilities to accommodate the growing population. Community or facility need for the building or renovation An emergency room is an area in a hospital that provides treatment to patients with acute illness, trauma and other medical emergencies. Harlan Medical Center provided emergency care to 25,000 patients last year. This makes the facility the most experienced and busiest hospital in the area. To accommodate the growing demand of services I have decided to renovate the department. Renovating the emergency room will make a huge difference in terms of capacity for serving the community. Type of population you are serving HMC emergency department will provide quality health care services to every individual in the community. The new renovations will services the residents of Harlan, and the resident of all the surrounding counties with the population of more than 250,000. As mentioned before the emergency department provides patients with rapid treatment for sudden illnesses or trauma. The patients are made up of different races, genders and ages. Description of the facility that you have selected The proposed renovations to the new emergency room will be greatly beneficial and invaluable to the medical center. Making the renovations should not only improve treatment times but should also attract new patients to the facility. The first renovation would be the addition of 22 new private treatment rooms. These rooms will be used for patients with more serious injuries as they will be treated as VIP (very important person) guests. For some people a trip to the ER is unnerving in itself. However, if having a private room can provide a sense of calm and ease nerves, then having a private room is exactly what the patient should get. The second improvement will be the addition of 16 general treatment rooms. These treatment rooms will be geared toward patients with less serious injuries. The goal of these rooms will be to turn them over within two hours or less to keep patient census low and discharges steady. A third improvement that will help keep discharges steady will be the addition of 2 â€Å"fast-track† rooms for rapid medical evaluation. The concept â€Å"fast-track† is just what it means; fast service. The fast track rooms will be for treatment of acute illnesses such as stitches and nose bleeds, etc. The goal of the â€Å"fast-track† rooms will be to diagnose and treat the patients with minor injuries within an hour or less. However, by doing this will allow for acute treatments to be handled swiftly and more in depth cases to be handled accordingly. There will be multiple dedicated staff working in each area of the new ER. Finally, the last addition to complete the new renovation will be two new trauma rooms. This addition will allow for multiple serious cases to be treated and transported into the facility that might otherwise be treated elsewhere. Shorter wait times along with faster discharge ratios should definitely entice new patients to come to the facility and generate new revenue. Conclusion Emergency department are the busiest departments in a medical center. To cut back on wait time for patients a renovation needed to take place. With all the new addition to the emergency department patients wait time will be shorter and rapid discharge ratios will keep patients coming back. We all know the saying first impressions are everything and the same holds true with emergency departments.

Corporate Social Responsibility in India Essay

The basic principle of the sustainable development and Corporate Social Responsibility is the combination of needs important both from the point of view of an institution, as well as a group of entities operating in its environment (employees, shareholders, stakeholders, borrowers, local society) within its business policy. Thus, the goal of a contemporary organisation should be to maximise its shareholders’ value satisfying, at the same time, expectations of other stakeholders (stakeholders’ value) by integrating economic, social and environmental operations. There are many factors that make us interested in Corporate Social Responsibility 2: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ New problems and expectations of citizens, customers, public authorities and investors in the context of globalisation and significant industrial changes; Social criteria have bigger and bigger influence on investment decisions made by units and institutions playing both the role of consumers as well as investors; Bigger and bigger care for damages caused to natural environment by business activities; Transparency of business activities supported by media and IT technologies. Corporate Social Responsibility principles, as well as the quality of information in their web sites and annual reports, the main sources of knowledge about the company for potential investors, counterparties and local communities. In the near future, we should also expect that as a result of the globalisation of financial markets, Polish listed companies will meet investors that are more aware of Corporate Social Responsibility and consumers that invest and co-operate better with companies supporting environmental and social development. The analysis of awareness rates and progress in implementing the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility in the sector of Polish companies covered all joint stock companies listed in the Warsaw Stock Exchange4, excluding listed banks (covered in the analysis of the banking sector) and national investment funds. Results of the study are based on information disclosed and presented in web sites and annual reports of the analysed companies and they refer to the following aspects: †¢ †¢ †¢ reporting on Corporate Governance principles adopted by the company, including audit rules; reporting on the company’s environmental policy, reporting on the company’s social policy. The study covered possibilities of an access for investors, local communities, potential business partners to the information about the company’s financial standing, and strategies in progress. The principles for reporting on Corporate Governance were stipulated in the resolution of the Stock Exchange Council of October 16, 2002 (58/952/2002) on best practice in public companies in 2002. Pursuant to this document, companies were obliged to publish and deliver, by July 1, 2003, their first statement confirming their will to observe the newly introduced rules. The study carried out by the Institute shows that over 90 percent of companies publish their reports on incorporating (adopting) principles of Corporate Governance in their business strategies. However, we have to point out that the quality and availability of the information presented in web sites and in annual reports of companies for potential investors and society is relatively low. 4 The analysis was carried out from August – October 2003. 5 The Gdansk Institiute for Market Economics Among the listed companies under the study, only 40 percent disclose and publish detailed information about the structure of their Corporate Governance, and mostly in web sites, where companies present the information about the composition and structure of their management board (74. 4 %) and the composition and structure of their supervisory board (62. 2 %). Chart 1. 1. 1 Do domestic companies publish detailed information about the structure of their supervisory bodies? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Board structure Supervisory board structure Responsibilities of board member Definition of independence 25,6% 37,8% 51,7% 87,2% 99,4% 99,4% 74,4% 62,2% 48,3% 12,8% 0,6% Any supervisory board Commities 0,6% Individuals responsible for implementation, oversight and audit of economic, social and environmental policies YES NO Source: Own study based on research carried out by the Gdansk Institute for Market Economics. The Institute’s studies on the companies’ informing about the structure and responsibilities of their main bodies in charge of Corporate Governance also show that: †¢ domestic listed companies have not appointed persons in charge of implementing and supervising their policy related to Corporate Social Responsibility, yet (only 0. 6%), †¢ companies usually do not disclose the information about the existing committees at their supervisory boards. Potential investors and business partners willing to establish co-operation with a given entrepreneur want to know external auditors analysing the company’s financial statements and know whether they are reliable. 6 The Gdansk Institiute for Market Economics The Institute’s study shows that 88 percent of domestic public companies presents information related to their audit policy in their web sites. The companies usually give procedures for selecting external auditors, principles for rotation (changes) of external auditors and point out that external auditors are independent of the company. Nevertheless, in Poland, companies still do not present statements on audit costs and costs of other services performed by auditors. The Institute’s analysis also shows that most listed companies under the study (86. %) have undertaken to respect such shareholders’ rights specified in the Best Practice like: †¢ †¢ right to express their opinion and make motions to the company’s management board; right to see minutes and reports from previous meetings (usually available to the shareholders at the company’s office); †¢ publishing information on future General Shareholders Meetings and their agenda. Chart 1. 1. 2 Do domestic companies publish information about audit, shareholders’ rights, implemented principles of their Code of Business Conduct / Code of Ethics? 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 12,8% 13,3% 98,9% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 87,2% 86,7% 1,1% 0% Does the Company disclose audit related Does the company disclose its policy on information? shareholder rights? Does the company disclose and report on its internal Code of Business Conduct/ Code of Ethics? YES NO Source: Own study based on research carried out by the Gdansk Institute for Market Economics. Assessing the awareness and progress in implementing the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility by Polish listed companies, it is worth underlining that still a small percentage of companies has developed and adopted the Code of Ethics and the Code of Business Conduct, 7 The Gdansk Institiute for Market Economics where the companies define, for example, principles for social, environmental policy, issues related to the protection of human rights, employment policy. The managements have to guarantee that the Code of Business Conduct is effectively implemented, monitored and improved. Therefore, the European Commission promotes companies which adopt and implement the Codes of Business Conduct prepared by international corporations. In the opinion of the European Commission, the Code of Business Conduct should 5: †¢ Be based on guidelines of the Convention of the International Labour Organisation, defined in the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work from 1998 and OECD’s guidelines for international companies related to social partners and their stakeholders; †¢ †¢ †¢ Incorporate mechanisms required to assess and verify the Code implemented; Involve social partners and other groups of stakeholders influencing the company’s operations in the dialog about the shape of the Code; Expand the experience related to best practice in European companies. The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility also assumes that the company should purposefully get involved in environmental protection. The study shows that domestic listed companies do not find it purposeful to present information about actions taken to protect t e natural environment. On the one hand, it h results f rom the fact that the companies are not aware of potential benefits they could obtain, according to the assumptions of Corporate Social Responsibility, for example if their environmental actions are positively perceived by their stakeholders. The research carried out by the Market and Opinion Research International (MORI) under the CSR Europe campaign on the sample of 12 thousand citizens representing 12 countries shows that around 70 percent of consumers buying a product or a service take into account the level which a given producer is involved in social and environmental activity to. At the same time, every fifth consumer is ready to pay more for goods produced by a socially responsible company. On the other hand, the lack of information about environmental actions taken by the companies results from relatively low financial expenses borne by these companies for environmental purposes.