The Ethics of Hacking

Introduction Modifying computer hardware and software with an objective other than the original purpose of the creator constitutes computer hacking. In computer networking, hacking also means manipulating network connections.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Ethics of Hacking specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Most computer hackers are self-taught, but they possess expert-level skills in a number of programming languages. Although a considerable number of hackers are driven by ulterior motives, many use their skills to solve problems. Some corporations hire hackers to join their technical staff. Their job is to find vulnerabilities in the company’s security system for patch-up before hackers with ulterior motives discover the flaws and exploit them (Computer Hacking, n.d.). Hacking skills can, therefore, be employed to prevent computer related crimes such as identity theft. Although hacking cam be used fo r good, the term is nowadays associated with malicious attacks on the web and other networks. Hackers use scripts which are used to manipulate data in a network connection to gain desired information. There are many ready scripts available online that can be used by inexperienced hackers. Experienced hackers can modify the scripts to come up with new methods of attacking network connections. While hacking can be wrong in many instances, it is still helpful. The big question is whether doing what can be considered wrong by parties such as corporations is still ethical when the very actions help other people, especially the consumers. History of hacking Early hackers as we understand them today can be traced to 1960s. They were primarily computer experts only interested in modifying programs to make them work better. In the majority of cases, the modifications developed by them were better than existing systems. UNIX operating system was a hack product by Dennis Ritchie and Keith Thom son (Computer Hacking and Ethics, n.d.).Advertising Looking for essay on computer science? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In 1970, a new type of hacker called â€Å"phreakers† emerged who targeted telephone systems exclusively. They exploited the switching network of the telephone system to make long distance calls for free. 1980s was the turning point in the history of hacking. Introduction of personal computers led to the increase in the number of hackers as well as hacker targets were widened. Use of modems expanded hackers reach to include a lot of people. During this time, hacker’s philosophy changed from benign exploration to the pursuit for personal gain. This emerging breed of hackers consisted of young people who were not satisfied with the old hacker philosophy of freedom and technology. Beginning 1990s, a new type of hackers, who were different from earlier hackers, emerged and was bent on using their knowledge to achieve criminal ends (The Ethics of Hacking | Jonathan Zdziarski’s Domain, n.d.). They were involved in acts such as pirating and distributing proprietary software, virus, games, etc. Hackers even formed online gangs whose mission was to stealing sensitive and other classified information. This new development led to passage of laws that related to hacking. One such law was passed in 1986. The law criminalized tampering with a computer with the intention to acquire other people’s personal information. Hacking and cracking To most people, what they know as hacking is in fact cracking. Cracking is used to describe attacks on a computer network for selfish or malicious goals. Hacking applies to network manipulation for useful purposes. The two terms are, however, used interchangeably by many people outside the world of academia.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Ethics of Hacking specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/pa ge Learn More Common hacking techniques Hackers exploit weaknesses in a system which includes the following: Poor configuration of web servers Poor security controls Bugs in software Default password Poor choice password Other than use of scripts in hackings, unauthorized access of computer remotely can be done using computer worms and denial of service (DoS) attacks (Computer Hacking and Ethics, n.d.). Poor configuration and security control enable hackers to connect using unsecured WAPs. Complexity of software systems makes it impossible for developers to predict or simulate how the software would behave if the source code was slightly modified. A gifted hacker can get interesting results by interfering with source code. Reasons for ethical hacking Hacking has in recent years become a big problem. Big corporations and government facilities have borne the brunt of these attacks. All these cases, the motive of attackers was to steal information for personal gain. Et hical hacking has developed as a method of defense against hacking. Ethical hackers are security specialists who use hacking skills to discover vulnerabilities for patching before they are exposed and exploited by unethical hackers (Mathew, 2003). Many big corporations, government facilities, and educational institutions hold important information which if compromised, would lead to either loss of money, reputation, or important security information. As a result, considering the stakes, organizations are willing to go the whole hog to protect their data. As more and more corporations adopt IT as an integral part of their operation, ethical hacking will become even more important (Computer Hacking and Ethics, n.d.). Besides, it is projected that cyber attacks will continue to increase in the near future. Corporations nowadays have to contend with scrutiny emanating from regulatory procedures and fear for scandals, such as the Enron debacle (Harper, 2011). As a result, protecting info rmation assets is considered important and most corporations take proactive steps to institute protective measures. Maintaining confidentiality is, therefore, of paramount importance.Advertising Looking for essay on computer science? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In a world where attacks can occur anytime, the skills of an ethical hacker can be very useful. The Ethics of hacking In the early years of telephony, companies such as ATT were making huge profits by overcharging consumers for calls and related equipments. Through legislation, if was, for instance, illegal to plug in an equipment not made by ATT. This gave the company monopoly and perpetuated its dominance into the market. Nowadays, it may not be possible for corporations to maintain huge profits through draconian laws. Abnormal profits can still be maintained through use of Digital Rights Management (DRM). Using DRM, companies can lock out features to stifle competition. Hacking such devices helps in accessing locked features and keep manufacturers in check. In 1960s, ATT used legislation to prevent third parties from plugging in equipment other than their own into the phone jacks. Had the company used technology instead, people would have, in all probability, hacked phone jacks t o allow third party connections. Looking back, such kind of hacking could have enabled people to make calls at a cheaper price, but back then, their actions could have been unacceptable to ATT, as they would be losing revenue. In such a scenario, the ethical question is this: between the hacker and the company overcharging consumers, who is wrong and who is right? The hacker would have helped customers from exploitation, but such actions appear immoral. The Digital Millennium Act allows consumers to: Unlock their phones Fix vulnerabilities Undertake technical research This has solved the ethical dilemma about whether hacking to solve a technical problem exposing the user to danger is morally right. The government allows corporations to lock devices but also to unlock as long as the intention is good. Companies normally lock mobile devices to a certain network and sell the same at subsidized cost. This way, companies sell more units and also earn revenues from service contracts. Et hical hacking is close to investigative journalism. An ethical hacker posses technical skills to alter the function of a system, but has the discipline to so for morally right reasons. This hacker does more than just seek for the truth; he also takes action to correct wrongs or vulnerabilities. The ethical challenge is to differentiate between theft of services and corporate greed. A good example of corporate greed is where a phone manufacturer may, for example, disable a function and later charge customers to reactivate it. Considering increase in corporate greed, ethics of hacking demands that limitations that the manufacturer of a device may impose be completely justified. If that is not the case, a hacker perhaps has the right to re-enable such features that were disabled with the intention of exploiting the customer. The important question a hacker has to consider before hacking is whether a corporation is gaining by providing certain functionality or by restricting it. If this question cannot be answered, it is impossible to determine who is stealing from whom. Hackers are important because what they do expose technical details that others can use to make similar or better products. In doing so, they are helping maintain healthy competition which capitalism depends to remain healthy. As earlier noted, hacking can of course help improve devices. When apple iphone was released in 2007, it was an instant hit on the market. The hacking community started to work on it to expand the functionality of the device so that third party applications can install and run. After a short period of time, hacker community developed a compiler and many applications to run on iphones. The ability of iphone to be modified to accept third party applications has boosted sales iphone further. Later developments by Apple to play catch-up with the application developer community have been belated. What hackers did with iphone helped consumers and led to development much free softw are. Apple also benefitted because sales of their phones increased. In the case of apple, the act of hacking benefitted all parties. Hackers using the first iphones released in 2007 were able to identify glaring security vulnerabilities and immediately fixed them. The company was able to develop future versions that were more secure compared to the first iphone released in 2007. Although hacking in the case of Iphone made everybody happy, the question still remains whether doing so was ethical. End-user-agreements forbid acts aimed at tampering with the software of the device the customer is purchasing. Going by that agreement, hacking is therefore unethical. However, a more pertinent question that also arises is who owns the device. Is it the owner of the phone or the buyer? The two types of hackers (White Black) Black-hat hackers gain authorized access to a system to either steal data or do other illegal acts. White-hat hackers, on the other hand, use their hacking skills usefull y (Himma, 2007). They find security loopholes so that they can be patched up before they can be exploited for evil purposes. Conclusion Hacking to steal information or deface websites in criminal. However, hacking has other useful purposes. Many hackers lack the skills to damage network systems in a major way. Engaging an ethical hacker can help seal holes to stop low level attacks. But hacking is more complex than that. It’s used to develop third party applications for phones such as iphones. Ethics of hacking concerns itself with hacking that apparently benefits consumers, but manufacturers do not seem to harm manufacturers. References Computer Hacking. (n.d.). College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Web. Computer Hacking and Ethics. (n.d.). Computer Science Division | EECS at UC Berkeley. Retrieved from https://people.eecs.berkeley.edu/~bh/hackers.html Harper, A. (2011). Gray hat hacking: the ethical hacker’s handbook (3rd ed.). New Y ork: McGraw-Hill. Himma, K. E. (2007). Internet security: hacking, counterhacking, and society. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Mathew, T. (2003). Ethical hacking: student courseware. S.l.: OSB Publisher. The Ethics of Hacking | Jonathan Zdziarski’s Domain. (n.d.). Jonathan Zdziarski’s Domain | Scientist and occasional hacker. Author and occasional theologian. I invent stuff and wail on bass guitar. Twitter: @JZdziarski. Retrieved from http://www.zdziarski.com/blog/?p=33 This essay on The Ethics of Hacking was written and submitted by user Haylee Michael to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Assumption of Risk

Assumption of Risk: Who is to Blame For Our Actions The doctrine of "assumption of risk" clearly defines the responsibility of all voluntary actions taken on by individuals, independent of the inherent risk or danger involved with such actions. Are we only to assume responsibility for the positive outcomes of our actions, without also accepting the negative outcomes as well? Most individuals only claim responsibility in cases in which they are fully responsible for their actions. Living within a country which houses a large amount of private enterprise, we often find ourselves relying on outside help. In many occasions we, the individual seeking assistance, hold the power to choose which avenue of help will be taken. In these cases in which we have the choice, should we not also be held responsible for the outcomes of our decisions, especially in cases in which we have been pre-warned about any inherent risks or dangers? For example, When we take it upon ourselves to drive on a private road, smoke cigarettes, work for a mining company, or fly on a discount airline at our own volition, do we tacitly consent to take responsibility for any outcome these actions may hold? The "assumption of risk" doctrine seems to ignore the fundamental obligation of entities to ensure their natural goals. The distinguishing factor in deciding responsibility in faultless cases which call on the "assumption of risk" doctrine is the control held by individuals after the situation has begun. In accordance, companies such as discount airlines and cigarette companies must take on the responsibility of completing their duties, while individuals who chose to work in a mine or drive on a private road must accept the responsibility of their actions to do so. All airlines hold the responsibility of transporting their customers from a point of origin to a previously designated destination. The person who agrees to buy a discount... Free Essays on Assumption of Risk Free Essays on Assumption of Risk Assumption of Risk: Who is to Blame For Our Actions The doctrine of "assumption of risk" clearly defines the responsibility of all voluntary actions taken on by individuals, independent of the inherent risk or danger involved with such actions. Are we only to assume responsibility for the positive outcomes of our actions, without also accepting the negative outcomes as well? Most individuals only claim responsibility in cases in which they are fully responsible for their actions. Living within a country which houses a large amount of private enterprise, we often find ourselves relying on outside help. In many occasions we, the individual seeking assistance, hold the power to choose which avenue of help will be taken. In these cases in which we have the choice, should we not also be held responsible for the outcomes of our decisions, especially in cases in which we have been pre-warned about any inherent risks or dangers? For example, When we take it upon ourselves to drive on a private road, smoke cigarettes, work for a mining company, or fly on a discount airline at our own volition, do we tacitly consent to take responsibility for any outcome these actions may hold? The "assumption of risk" doctrine seems to ignore the fundamental obligation of entities to ensure their natural goals. The distinguishing factor in deciding responsibility in faultless cases which call on the "assumption of risk" doctrine is the control held by individuals after the situation has begun. In accordance, companies such as discount airlines and cigarette companies must take on the responsibility of completing their duties, while individuals who chose to work in a mine or drive on a private road must accept the responsibility of their actions to do so. All airlines hold the responsibility of transporting their customers from a point of origin to a previously designated destination. The person who agrees to buy a discount...

The Body Ritual Among the Nacirema Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Body Ritual Among the Nacirema - Case Study Example In contemporary American culture the festival of Halloween appears to be derived from the pagan traditions of Samhain, although Halloween is based on Christian beliefs. From observing the customs related to Samhain, the roots, core features and stereotypical concepts associated with Halloween become evident. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the Celtic festival of ‘Samhain’, and examine its rituals and symbolism in relation to Halloween. According to Ohogain (2003), the influence of the Celts is far more extensive than is indicated by its fragmented survival beyond the fringes of western Europe. This culture which had been once been considered a highly significant one, continues to remain as a vital component of European civilization and heritage from east to west. Among the Celts, the feast of Samhain involved stock-taking, and reorganizing communities for the winter months which included the arranging of quarters for traveling warriors and r eligious teachers. Samhain also denoted a period of supernatural intensity, when darkness and decay prevailed, emerging from the ancient mounds of the countryside, known as sidh. For protection against these spirits, the Irish built large, symbolically life-sustaining bonfires, and appealed to the gods for help by means of â€Å"animal and perhaps even human sacrifice†... Of the two great doorways of the Celtic year, Samhain on November 1st was more important than Beltane on May 1st, since it marked the beginning of a completely new cycle; similar to the Celtic day which begins at night. â€Å"The most magically potent time of this festival is November Eve, the night of October 31st† (Freeman, 1999), known today as Halloween. Samhain marked took place between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. Halloween is derived from All Hallow Even, or the eve of All Saints Day, 1st November. Together with All Souls Day on the 2nd November, the Christian calendar assigns the festival â€Å"for honoring the saints and the newly departed† (Rogers, 2003, p.22), and in past centuries for praying for souls in purgatory. Samhain distinguished the first day of winter, â€Å"when the herders led the cattle and sheep down from their summer hillside pastures to the shelter of stable and byre† (Freeman, 1999). All the harvest should be gathered i n by this time, of barley, apples, turnips, wheat and oats; with the beginning of November the faeries were believed to destroy any remaining crops or plants. Peat and wood for winter fires were stocked up close to the hearth. â€Å"It was a joyous time of family reunion, when all members of the household worked together baking, salting meat, and making preserves for the winter feasts to come (Freeman, 1999). Samhain was the major feast of the year; and everyone gathered together for the â€Å"Feast of Tara†, when the royal seat of the High King as the heart of the sacred land, and the creator of the new year was celebrated. Every household in the country put out their hearth fires, and waited for the Druids to light the new fire of the year. At Samhain the gods came

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Foreign Direct Investment in Singapore

Foreign Direct Investment in Singapore Chapter 1: Introduction Singapore was a commercial trading centre in the early 19th century and today it has since attained a remarkable transformation into one of the most globally integrated economies in the world, achieving total mechanism and service trading performing triple or more its gross national product and inward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock index among the developing market. Foreign direct investment (FDI) has an exceptional and emerging role internationally. It acquired the primary role in both theoretically and practically, which can be observed in different economic, social, cultural, political, finance, and technological dimensions of the world. Objective of Study The objective of this project is to study into the national strategies adopted by Singapore, so far, focusing on their nature and outcomes. A critical assessment will be made on the current challenges ahead, and appropriate strategic options identified. Singapore, to a large extend has relied on foreign MNCs to drive its own industrialization and growth. What is beyond doubt is that Singapores unique ability to attract and retain FDI has undoubtedly been a key ingredient of its economic success. Therefore, it is worthwhile to investigate the determinants of Singapores FDI inflows. Scope of Study In this paper, we examine the interrelations among the variables FDI, the entry modes, the benefits and costs, government policies and the liberalization of FDI. The study of the relationship addresses a few points: Mainly, how dependent is Singapore on FDI? How are the imports and exports of MNCs affecting Singapores FDI inflows? What are the factors being driven by the shift of FDI towards services? What is the main driving force of FDI? Is there a contribution and/or positive link between higher GDP and FDI? Does trade liberalization foster FDI in emerging countries/markets? The overall objective of the study is to determine the efforts that Singapore makes to attract inward FDI, the successful and unsuccessful outcomes and the future developments of FDI in Singapore. The remainder of the study is organized as follows: In Chapter 2, the trends, source, patterns and forms of FDI is being introduced. Chapter 3 explains the reasons why firms choose foreign direct investment instead of exporting, the trade barriers involved and the other forms of entry modes. In Chapter 4, the connection between Singapore and FDI is being analyzed. Chapter 5 presents the benefits and costs of FDI while Chapter 6 briefly discusses the economic growth in the different industrial sectors and how the culture of Singapore affects inwards FDI. In Chapter 7, it describes government intervention and its policies. Chapter 8 involves the discussion of the liberalization of FDI and MAI. And lastly, Chapter 9 comprehends the findings of the future developments of FDI in Singapore and Chapter 10 ends the study with conclusions. Methodology This project is based on secondary research. Data were extracted and researched from various sources from the internet, report findings, ebooks, ejournals, newspapers, textbooks, and databases from the National Library. The actual figures of the FDI are applied to the project to act as evidence. The research is mainly focused in Singapore to highlight the attractiveness of this country and why is it a popular FDI destination. Limitation of study With respect to the analysis and data, there were some limitations that might affect the accuracy of the study The limited data on the impact of liberalization on Singapore, examples of recent FDI in Singapore, statistical information about the forms and type of entry strategies that FDI or local companies adopted, made this research time consuming and challenging. Chapter 2: Theories of FDI Forms of FDI In recent years, the internationalisation of firms has assumed two new features. First, firms increasingly enter foreign markets by acquiring a local producer also known as merger acquisition. Secondly, opening a new subsidiary also known as greenfield investment. Researches suggest that the majority of cross border investments take place in the form of mergers and acquisitions rather than greenfield investments. It is estimated that about 40- 80% of all FDI inflows were in the form of MAs simply because many firms prefer to acquire existing assets which are quicker to execute than Greenfield investments as they are an establishment of a wholly new operation. Also, the outstanding fact that the modern business worlds market evolves rapidly hence firms opt for the easier and perhaps the less risky option- to acquire desired assets than to build them from scratch. Desired assets could include brand name, customer loyalty, trademarks/patents, distribution systems, etc. Typically, firms adopt this approach as means of making a quick entry into a market or establishing a market presence. For instance, in 2000, cement manufacturer, CEMEX acquire Southland to enter the into U.S growing construction market. Lastly, firms believe that through MAs it enables an increase in the efficiency of an acquired unit by transferring capital, technology, management skills, etc. like how CEMEX transferred its technological know how to Southland after the acquisition. The shift towards Services FDI is increasing shifting away from manufacturing and extractive industries and towards services. As service industries were largely national, are becoming transnational recently. The shift to services is being driven by: the general move in many developed countries towards service as the composition of FDI in services have changed, it is mainly concentrated on trade and financial services. In addition, the fact that many services need to be produced where they are consumed. There is also a liberalization of policies governing FDI in services. Lastly, the rise of internet based global telecommunications networks. For instance, Dells call answering centres are located in India. The services sector has been the bulwark of the economy, providing stability and contributing significantly to GDP growth. Figure 2.1 shows that the services sector accounted for about two-thirds of real GDP growth in the 1990s. Further studies also showed that the global FDI stock in the services sector had more than quadrupled during the period 1990-2002. As a result of more rapid growth in this sector than in the other sectors, services accounted for about 60% of the global stock of inward FDI in 2002, compared to less than 50% a decade earlier. Services now account for the largest share of the inward FDI stock in many countries, and Foreign-affiliate service providers play an important role in a growing number of services. Most service FDI has been domestic-market seeking, in such traditional services as finance, tourism and trading, or in industries that have only recently opened up to the private sector, such as electricity, water or telecommunications. Employment in services has also been much less vulnerable to cyclical economic fluctuations than employment in manufacturing. During periods of economic slowdown as shown in Figure 2.2, manufacturing employment fell by an average of 5% in contrast to the employment growth of 3% in the services sector. While in 1996, employment in manufacturing grew only 2% as compared to 5% in services. Realizing the importance, the government takes measures to ensure world-class standards of service excellence and leadership, such as introducing schemes, activities, programmes and even institutes aimed at enhancing service levels, capabilities, mindsets and leadership. Examples include the Singapore Service Star, the Excellent Service Award (EXSA), Go The Extra Mile for Service (GEMS), Public Service for the 21st Century movement (PS21), The Institute of Service Excellence at SMU (ISES) and Certified Service Professional programme by WDA. Gradual development over time has garnered its interdependence involving the manufacturing sector. In the long run, manufacturing and services group will replicate each other and allow firms to share the development of new knowledge-based products. However, many countries have difficulty quantifying FDI flows in services sectors. Determining trade in services is complicated given that services are not traded at a distinct entry or exit points, but rather across four modes of supply. While quantifying investment in services presents further challenges due to the complex nature of FDI definitions. While FDI in services remains more restricted, both developed and developing countries have taken steps to open up their service industries. In fact, starting from a higher level of restrictiveness, developing countries tended to liberalize their service industries at an even more rapid pace than developed countries over the past decade. The competitive impact of FDI entry on service supply conditions depend considerably on initial conditions in a host country, especially the level of economic and service development, market structure of service and the regulatory framework. Entry strategy and strategic alliances Any firm contemplating foreign expansion must first struggle with the issue of which foreign market to enter, when (late or early entry) and on what scale to enter (large or small scale entry) and lastly, which entry mode to use. Basic entry decisions are ultimately based on the assessment of a nations long run growth and profit potential. It is noted that the attractiveness of a country as a political market for an international business depends on balancing the benefits, costs and risks. Benefits include the ability to leverage products and competencies- both technological and management know-how, realizing location economies, and experience effects. Costs include trade barriers, transportation costs, import quotas, tariffs, etc. While the risks involve are political and economic risks. All of these are associated with doing business in that country. Other factors like the size of the market, the present wealth of consumers (purchasing power) and the likely future wealth of consumers are dependent upon economic growth rates. For example, India which is relatively poor is growing rapidly. Economies which are well developed, with relatively low inflation rates and private sector debts have an advantage over those without. Taking Singapores education system as an example- It is a big part of Singapores economic development strategy which attracted and encouraged many international educational establishments. Alternatively, weak economic growth in Indonesia is evidently a far less attractive market. Once firms have decided to enter a foreign market, they have to choose the best mode of entry. Firms can use six different modes to enter foreign markets: Exporting, being a temporary strategy is like a stepping stone in the international expansion process for most firms. In the past, Seagate was a well know example which concentrated its manufacturing operations in one location enables it to move down the experience curve and achieve location economies. However, Singapore has recently taken this approach to a higher level as the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) collaborates with Hangzhou Xihu (Westlake) to export Singapores expertise in Hospitality and Tourism. Turnkey projects, are popular because firms can continue with normal business operations while the contractor handle the time consuming and resource intensive projects for a foreign client. Singapore shipyard is reputable for handling sophisticated turnkey projects regardless of is complex requirements and other considerations. This industry is well known in the economic development for the last 40 years and will continue to play the critical role in our economy in order to achieve the goal for Singapore to become a leading international maritime link. Another example would be Sitra Holdings (International) Limited, the international producer of integrated wood based products and turnkey services, secured several turnkey design and build contracts in November 2009. Amongst these contracts, the single largest contract is worth S$3.24 million at the Marina Bay precinct. Licensing, enables a firm to gain access into new markets otherwise inaccessible, hence to facilitate the growth of licensing activities in Singapore with additional focus on brand licensing, character licensing and know-how licensing, the Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA) aims to encourage the adoption of licensing as a growth strategy by producing a report to raise the awareness of how licensing can translate to income stream for companies. Franchising, in Singapore has grown tremendously and is a preferred strategy for SMEs, as it involves minimal investment and staff, thus reducing costs. Local entrepreneurs have successfully made their mark internationally through franchising like BreadTalk, Charles Keith, and OSIM. Larger companies can also make use of the networks of their established franchise partners to grow globally. Joint ventures enable firms to share the benefit of the work process from a local subsidiarys knowledge of the host country such as the competitors, culture, political and business systems and access to greater resources including staff specialized in technology, finance, and so on. In November 2009, QATARQatar Petroleum International (QPI) and Shell Eastern Petroleum Pte Ltd have sealed agreements in which QPI takes stakes in two Shell Chemicals joint ventures in Singapore. The deal, to be completed in December, Shell will sell its existing shareholdings in two companies to a new joint venture called QPI and Shell Petrochemicals (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Establishing new wholly owned subsidiaries would be best adopted by firms pursuing the global and transnational strategies, for instance, Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited invested approximately S$900 million in Fraser Neave Limited (FN) through its wholly-owned subsidiary Seletar Investments Pte Ltd1 in December 2006. The investment would represent approximately 15 per cent of the total shares outstanding of FN on a fully-diluted basis. This investment marks Temaseks most substantial investment in the food and beverage space in recent years. Chapter 3: Country Focus political economy and cultural factors of Singapore Political and economic systems of Singapore The Government of Singapore (GOS) is substantially consigned to maintaining an open economy and taking a leadership role strategize Singapores future economic development. The government do so by adopting a free enterprise, open door policy to attract foreign investors from all types of services sector involving finance, business, tourism, telecommunication and consultancy services. As such, Singapore has exports hitting 186% of 2008 GDP. While Singapores stock of foreign direct investment (FDI) increased by 23.4% from $370.5 billion in 2006 to $457.0 billion in 2007. United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and Japan were the top sources of FDI in Singapore. Evidently, the high FDI index reflects Singapores role as a manufacturing base for foreign multinationals (MNCs) and as a financial, transportation, logistics, and trading hub. Also, with high real growth rate and low inflation played a great role in shaping the Singapore economy. Singapore is one of the most enterprising and dynamic economies in the world. In this section, we compare Singapores recent trade performance with its performance in past crises, namely the 1997-1998 Asian Financial Crisis where many countries and industries were affected by the deep fall of exports during the recession and the 2001-2002 Dot-Com Bust where IT industries around the world were affected by the large scale cancellation of electronic orders due to the over-investments by IT firms. In 2008 till present, Singapore is experiencing a slow down in the economy due to the US subprime crisis. The main issue is that the US Subprime Market is generating an extension of recessions in some economies and accelerating global recession in a way. Thus, Singapores total output of the country has decreased and the export of electronics goods has reduced significantly. Differences in culture The difference between international and domestic business is that countries are different. In this section, we will explore how differences in culture across and within countries can affect international business. The culture of a nation is the values that are shared among a group of people living together. While it is possible for a nation/state to have a uniform culture, this is not always the case. Multiple cultures can exist, and cultures can also cut across national borders. Taking Singapore as an example, where it is a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society with the residential population in Singapore 75% are ethnic Chinese, 17% ethnic Malays, 7% ethnic Indians and a small category of `Others. Therefore foreign direct investors and managers need an understanding of the culture or cultures prevail in the countries where they do business in or intend to. Culture, society, and the nation state International business is different from national business because countries and societies are different. Societies differ because their cultures vary. Their cultures vary because of profound differences in social structure, religion, language, education, economic and political philosophies. 2 important implications flow from these differences: The first is the need to develop cross- cultural literacy. There is a need not only to appreciate that cultural difference exist, but also to appreciate what such difference mean for international business. Therefore, one of the biggest dangers comforting a company is the danger of being ill-informed. Being ill-informed about the practices of another culture, any business is likely to fail. Doing business in different cultures requires adaption to embrace all aspects of an international firms operations in a foreign country. For instance, the way in which discussions are organized, the welfare of employees, the structure of a firm, the manner in which is the product is being promoted, the tenor of relations between the management and labour, and so on, are all sensitive to cultural differences. To overcome the danger of being ill-informed, the solution is for international business to consider employing local citizens to help them do business in a particular culture, while ensuring h ome-country executives work along side and understand the differences in culture and how it affects their business. With the incorporation of large western MNCs, the Singapore work culture is a unique interaction of Asian and Western cultural exchanges. Where large western MNCs often exhibit predominantly western-style work culture, a greater influence of traditional Asian culture exists. Local firms are mainly influenced by cultural characteristics: collectivism, high power distance and high-uncertainty avoidance. Additionally, among the differences between US and Singapores working culture, local jargon is only one of the many. There are several other differences that are mainly caused by different circumstances and cultural values of the two nations. The bottom line is what works in one culture may not work in another. A simple example illustrates how important cross cultural literacy can be. According to my lecturer, Mr. Rowland Sam, with his many years of experiences has shared with us how the Chinese in China who tend to be informal in nature, does not mix business and pleasure. The Chinese perceives their lunch/ tea breaks as an important factor in the lives as when it is lunch/ tea time, they would stop all work for that. Initially, Mr. Sam was taken aback as they have not finished their respective jobs or meet the deadline, but they would still go for their breaks. He then finally concluded that the breaks were the only time workers get to drink, eat and enjoy themselves after a long days work. A second implication centres on the connection between culture and national competitive advantage. Fundamentally, the value systems and norms of a country influence the costs of doing business in that country which in turn influences the ability of firms to establish a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. For instance, the choice of countries in which to locate production facilities and do business; It makes little sense to base production facilities that require skilled expertise to operate, in a country where education is so poor, the pool of skilled and educated workers are unavailable, the degree of stratification of class is high and there are more than 2 linguistic groups. But as important as culture is, it is probably less important than economic, political and legal systems in explaining differential economic growth between nations. Cultural differences are significant, but we should not overemphasize their importance in the economic sphere. Other implications Besides transferring of management and technological know-how, FDI also has the capabilities to bring environmental and social benefits to host countrys economies. However, there is a danger or probability that foreign owned enterprises would use FDI to export productions or equipments that are prohibited in their home countries due to their regulations and policies. Host countries that are keen on attracting FDI are especially prone to fall into this trap where the government would risk lowering or freezing regulatory standards. For example, MNEs moving equipments that considered to be environmentally unsuitable in their home country, to their subsidiaries in developing countries. The sort of environmental risk associated with FDI is being reflected. Additionally, some micro-oriented problems such as the distributional changes and the need for industrial restructuring in the host economy, increases costs and inconveniences to the people. Fortunately, these problems can be salvaged when appropriate practices are pursued towards flexibility, couple with macroeconomic stability and the implementation on adequate legal and regulatory frameworks. Not to mention that using FDI, the presence of financially strong foreign enterprises may not be sufficient to assist economic development when domestic legal, competition and environmental frameworks are weak or weakly enforced. Finally, like official development aid, FDI cannot be the foundation for solving poor countries development problems. With an average of 15% of capital formation in developing countries, FDI acts a complement to domestic fixed capital rather than a primary source of finance. Likewise, while FDI may contribute significantly to human capital formation, the transfer of state-of-the-art technologies, enterprise restructuring and increased competition, it is the host country authorities that must undertake basic efforts to raise education levels, invest in infrastructure and improve the health of domestic business sectors. The link between FDI inflows and accessibility of government information In this section, we will find out to what extend does government information contribute to investors decision making and how does it influence FDI decision making. Firstly, with governments information, the quality of investors knowledge of the performance, operations and functions of companies in the target market can be further enhanced for better understanding, which enforces rules of equity and resource utilization, and promotes competition. Secondly, by providing information, the government contributes data and perspectives on how investment projects can be best commenced and managed as foreign investors are able to obtain sufficient information from host governments in order to make informed decisions and meet obligations and commitments. Generally, it also helps build the countrys image. However, it is still possible for a country to receive lower FDI than its potential if it has a generally negative image, despite having a good resource base and strong economic fundamentals, taking Indonesia for instance. Apparently, a countrys image does affect investors perception and investment inflows. Hence it is a legitimate practice to use specialized and general forms of government information in order to build an affirmative image of a country. Also, reduces uncertainty about changes in policies and administrative practices in the business environment in the near future. Finally, the accessibility of government information increases transparency of transactions, however there may be some concerns. Both the host country and investors may want to have access to information concerning each other as part of its policy-making processes and for regulatory purposes. The main objective of transparency with relation to FDI is to limit circumvention, boost the predictability and stability of the investment relationship, monitor performance and evasion of obligations by covert or indirect means. Certain country characteristics are quote as attracting FDI, including substantial macroeconomic policy management, political freedom and stability, physical security, reliable legal frameworks, an open trading environment, competent institutions, and no or low corruption. Regulatory regimes based on transparency, predictability, and fairness is also important. But the potency of these conditions is dependent of the accessibility of information, especially government information, because foreign direct investors are affected by market failures due to their lack of adequate information due partly to geographical asymmetry of information accessibility (Portes and Rey, 2000). Chapter 4: FDI strategy Background to Singapores FDI strategy Singapores assertive efforts to attain FDI for more support of its economic strategy have enabled the country to develop into a basis for multinational corporations (MNCs). Singapores investment promotion agency, the Economic Development Board (EDB), focuses on obtaining major investments in highly valued services and/or manufacturing activities, deepening its industrial and export structure, using selective interventions to capture cross-industry externalities and move away from labour intensive to capital-skill and technology-intensive activities, by acquiring and upgrading the modern technologies in highly internalized forms. This strategy allowed the country to concentrate in specific phases in the production process, depriving from the flow of innovation and investing lesser in its own innovative effort. Singapores FDI policies were based on liberal entry and ownership conditions, easy access to expatriate skills and generous incentives for the activities that it was seeking to promote. The EDB was mainly set up to synchronize policy, offer incentives to lead foreign investors into targeted activities, acquire and construct industrial estates to attract MNCs. The public sector played an important role in launching and promoting activities selected by the government, acting as a catalyst to private investment or entering areas that were to risky for the private sector. Often it was the efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility of government response that gave Singapore the edge over competing host countries. The importance of inward FDI to Singapore FDI has played a crucial role through the years in accelerating the economic development in Singapore. Being a small country with no natural resources, Singapore had depended on leading international companies not only in bringing in capital funds to broaden her economic base, but also in upgrading the technology and skill content of her industries. Since FDI is one way that Singapore can tap foreign technology, therefore a substantial amount of capital is required to help generate GDP. Furthermore, exchange rate will also play a role in determining GDP. A slow appreciation of the currency will increase the confidence of those who are investing in Singapore and help to attract more investment. The Singapore dollar appreciation will also curb imported inflation. The importance of FDI in Singapore is reflected in the countrys ratio of inward FDI stock to GDP: at 72%, the ratio is the highest in the world. That importance is also reflected in the fact that 90% of value added in Singapores electronics industry (remarkable growth in exports and income) is accounted for by foreign investors, and that FDI accounts for fully two-thirds of equity capital in the countrys manufacturing sector. In addition, Singapores productivity increased fastest in those industries in which FDI was concentrated. The rank correlation coefficients between increases in value added per worker and increases in FDI share and FDI level were .62 and .45. Moreover, because foreign direct investors profits and outward remittances have tended to move in close tandem with the general performance of Singapores economy and the health of its balance of payments, while the economic risk taking function is also borne by those investors, time and again Singapores exceptional reliance on FDI has effectively cushioned its economy from the balance of payments and debt crises that have hurt many other developing economies. Host Country policies FDI is attracted to Singapore mainly due to Singapores favourable investment climate and strategic geographical location. Some other reasons include non-fiscal advantages, Singapores small domestic market combined with no tariffs on most imports and low corporate tax rates have made Singapore into a popular low-risk high-return FDI destination. In general, corporate taxes, or taxes imposed on corporate income, is an important determinant of MNCs location decisions, just as individual income tax rates is an important determinant of where a person decides to work and live. Theoretically, other things equal, MNCs would prefer countries with lower corporate tax rates over countries with higher rates. Furthermore, a wide range of new incentives have been added over the years to promote FDI inflows. Burdensome regulations and performance requirements for FDI can offset a generous package of tax incentives. However, in Singapores case, the restrictions and regulations governing both the entry and operation of foreign enterprises and personnel are minimal. Overall, foreign investors are subject to the same government regulations as local investors, and both have a lot of freedom in pursuing their profit objectives. In addition to the general absence of performance requirements, Singapore has also signed a large number of avoidance of double taxation agreements, which mutually protect countries for a specific time against war and non-commercial risks of expropriation and nationalization. The four areas of Singapores government regulations in different areas relevant to foreign investors are the foreign exchange regime, equity ownership, performance requirements and human resources. First, the foreign exchange regime is highly liberal and freely allows repatriation of capital and remittance of profits, dividends, interests, royalty payments and technical licensing fees, as well as the free importation of goods and services for consumption, investment and production purposes. Second, foreign participation is permitted in most sectors of the economy except for some limitations in the monetary sector, areas of trained and skilled personnel. However, 100% foreign equity ownership is readily permitted. Third, there are no perform

Differences and Similarities of Short Stories :: The Withered Arm The Red Room Essays

Differences and Similarities of Short Stories In this essay I will be comparing the differences and similarities of four short stories I have read, , 'The Signalman', The Red Room', 'The Man with the Twisted Lip' and 'The Withered Arm' also I will be looking at how the writers have created an atmosphere. The four stories are all of mystery and try to keep the reader gripped until the end, all have areas in which there is suspense. In 'The Signalman' Charles Dickens keeps the reader in suspense because when the ghost visits the signal man you don't really know who the haunting warning is for. In 'The Red Room' H.G. Wells keeps the reader in suspense because when the ghost is sighted it is never really described. In 'The Man with the Twisted Lip' Arthur Conan Doyle keeps the reader in suspense by not actually telling if it is a murder on just disappearance. Also in 'The Withered Arm' Thomas Hardy keeps the reader in suspense because you find out who Gertrude catches the rash from. Each writer had a setting and different historical background 'The Signal Man' was written in 1866 by Charles Dickens, the surroundings for his story was an old railway station with old steam trains. The Man with the Twisted Lip' written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was written in 1860. This story was one of many Sherlock Holmes tales which display aspects of life in the last decade of Victorians reign. 'The Red Room' by H.G Wells was a Gothic horror story, which had traditional scenery at a castle (Loraine castle). 'The Red Room' was written in 1894, H.G Wells makes it obvious how ancient and old fashioned everything in the castle was. 'The Withered Arm' by Thomas Hardy was written in 1865 and located in Wessex, around Dorchester which Thomas Hardy calls Caster bridge the county town of Dorset where most of his stories were set. 'The Signalman' by Charles Dickens was set at an old rail way station, with steam trains. The idea of a signal box in the countryside and being manually operated, gives a sense of historical background for today's readers. 'The Man with the Twisted Lip' by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was set in the streets of East London. A few years before the story was written a famous sequential killer 'Jack the Ripper' murdered people on the very same streets where the story was based on in the story it said "An endless succession of sombre and deserted streets. This gives the effect that the streets are frightening and vicious. 'The Red Room' by H.G Wells is a Gothic Horror story set in a

Global Warming: Confronting the Realities of Climate Change Essay

Sea level rise is accelerating. The number oflarge wildfires is growing. Dangerous heat waves are becoming more common. Extreme storm events are increasing in many areas. More severe droughts are occurring in others. These are just some of the consequences of global warming, which are already having significant and harmful effects on our health, our environment, and our communities. Unless we take immediate action to address global warming, these consequences will continue to intensify, grow ever more costly, and increasingly affect the entire planet – including you, your community, and your family. GLOBAL WARMING IS HAPPENING NOW. The planet’s temperature is rising. The trend is clear and unmistakable. Every one of the past 37 years has been warmer than the 20th century average. The 12 warmest years on record have all occurred since 1998. 2012 was the hottest year ever recorded for the contiguous United States. Globally, the average surface temperature has increased more than one degree Fahrenheit since the late 1800s. Most of that increase has occurred over just the past three decades. WE ARE THE CAUSE. We are overloading our atmosphere with carbon dioxide, which traps heat and steadily drives up the planet’s temperature. Where does all this carbon come from? The fossil fuels we burn for energy – coal, natural gas, and oil – plus the loss of forests due to deforestation, especially in the tropics. THE SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE IS CLEAR. Within the scientific community, there is no debate: An overwhelming majority of climate scientists agree that global warming is happening and that human activity is the primary cause. This broad consensus – and the extensive scientific evidence that supports it – is often downplayed or distorted by a small but vocal minority of special interests that have a vested interest in delaying action on climate change. WE HAVE A CHOICE. We can act now to reduce our carbon emissions, slow the pace of global warming, and pass on a safer, healthier world to our children. Or we can choose to do nothing, continue pumping massive amounts of carbon into an already overloaded atmosphere, and suffer the increasingly costly consequences. At UCS, we believe the choice is clear: WE MUST TAKE STEPS NOW TO REDUCE OUR GLOBAL WARMING EMISSIONS. TOGETHER WE CAN TACKLE GLOBAL WARMING. We have the practical solutions and technologies at hand to substantially reduce our emissions, create a clean energy economy, and establish the United States as a global leader in innovation.

Biography of James Monroe, Fifth U.S. President

Biography of James Monroe, Fifth U.S. President James Monroe (April 28, 1758–July 4, 1831) was the fifth president of the United States. He fought with distinction in the American Revolution and served in the cabinets of Presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison before winning the presidency. He is best remembered for creating the Monroe Doctrine, a key tenet of United States foreign policy, which warned European nations against intervening in the Western Hemisphere.  He was a staunch anti-Federalist. Fast Facts: James Monroe Known For:  Statesman, diplomat, founding father, the fifth president of the United StatesBorn:  April 28, 1758 in Westmoreland County, VirginiaParents: Spence Monroe and Elizabeth JonesDied:  July 4, 1831 in New York, New YorkEducation: Campbelltown Academy, the College of William and MaryPublished Works:  The Writings of James MonroeOffices Held: Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, member of the Continental Congress, U.S. senator, minister to France, governor of Virginia, minister to Britain, secretary of state, secretary of war, president of the United StatesSpouse: Elizabeth KortrightChildren: Eliza and Maria HesterNotable Quote: Never did a government commence under auspices so favorable, nor ever was success so complete. If we look to the history of other nations, ancient or modern, we find no example of a growth so rapid, so gigantic, of a people so prosperous and happy.   Early Life and Education James Monroe was born on April 28, 1758, and grew up in Virginia. He was the son of Spence Monroe, a  well-off planter and carpenter, and Elizabeth Jones, who was well educated for her time. His mother died before 1774, and his father died soon after when James was 16. Monroe inherited his fathers estate. He studied at Campbelltown Academy and then went to the College of William and Mary. He dropped out to join the Continental Army and fight in the American Revolution. Military Service Monroe served in the Continental Army from 1776–1778 and rose to the rank of major. He was aide-de-camp to Lord Stirling during the winter at Valley Forge. After an attack by enemy fire, Monroe suffered a severed artery and lived the rest of his life with a musket ball ​lodged beneath his skin. Monroe also acted as a scout during the Battle of Monmouth. He resigned in 1778 and returned to Virginia, where Governor Thomas Jefferson made him Military Commissioner of Virginia.   Political Career Before the Presidency From 1780–1783, Monroe studied law under Thomas Jefferson. Their friendship was the springboard for Monroes swiftly rising political career. From 1782–1783, he was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. He then became a delegate to the Continental Congress (1783–1786). In 1786, Monroe married  Elizabeth Kortright. They had two daughters together,  Eliza and Maria Hester, and a son who died in infancy. Monroe left politics briefly to practice law, but he returned to become a U.S. senator and served from 1790–1794. He had a short tenure in France as a minister (1794–1796) and then was recalled by Washington. He was elected Virginia governor (1799–1800; 1811). President Jefferson sent him to France in 1803 to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase, a key achievement of his life. He then became minister to Britain (1803–1807). In President Madisons cabinet, Monroe served as secretary of state (1811–1817) while concurrently holding the post of secretary of war from 1814–1815, the only person in U.S. history to have served both offices at the same time. Election of 1816 Monroe was the presidential choice of both Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. His vice president was Daniel D. Tompkins. The Federalists ran Rufus King. There was very little support for the Federalists, and Monroe won 183 out of 217 electoral votes. His victory marked the death knell for the Federalist Party. First Term of Presidency James Monroes administration was known as the Era of Good Feelings. The economy was booming and the War of 1812 had been declared a victory. The Federalists posed little opposition in the first election and none in the second, so no real partisan politics existed. During his time in office, Monroe had to contend with the First Seminole War (1817–1818), when Seminole Indians and escaped slaves raided Georgia from Spanish Florida. Monroe sent  Andrew Jackson  to rectify the situation. Despite being told not to invade Spanish-held Florida, Jackson did and deposed the military governor. This eventually led to the Adams-Onis Treaty (1819) where Spain ceded Florida to the United States. It also left all of Texas under Spanish control. In 1819, America entered its first economic depression (at that time called a Panic). This lasted until 1821. Monroe made some moves to try and alleviate the effects of the depression. In 1820, The Missouri Compromise admitted Missouri into the Union as a slave state and Maine as a free state. It also provided that the rest of the  Louisiana Purchase  above latitude 36 degrees 30 minutes was to be free. Re-Election in 1820 and Second Term Despite the depression, Monroe ran unopposed in 1820 when he ran for re-election. Therefore, there was no real campaign. He received all electoral votes save one, which was cast by William Plumer for John Quincy Adams. Perhaps the crowning achievements of Monroes presidency occurred in his second term: the Monroe  Doctrine, issued in 1823. This became a central part of American foreign policy throughout the 19th century and to the current day. In a speech before Congress, Monroe warned European powers against expansion and colonial intervention in the Western Hemisphere. At the time, it was necessary for the British to help enforce the doctrine. Along with  Theodore Roosevelt’s  Roosevelt Corollary and  Franklin D. Roosevelt’s  Good Neighbor policy, the Monroe Doctrine is still an important part of American foreign policy. Post Presidential Period Monroe retired to Oak Hill in Virginia. In 1829, he was sent to and named the president of the Virginia Constitutional Convention. After his wifes death, he moved to New York City to live with his daughter. Death Monroes health had been declining throughout the 1820s. He died of tuberculosis and heart failure on July 4, 1831 in New York, New York. Legacy Monroes time in office was known as the Era of Good Feelings due to the lack of partisan politics. This was the calm before the storm that would lead to the Civil War. The completion of the Adams-Onis Treaty ended tensions with Spain with their cession of Florida. Two of the most important events during Monroes presidency were the Missouri Compromise, which attempted to solve a potential conflict over free and slave states, and his greatest legacy the Monroe Doctrine, which continues to influence American foreign policy. Sources Ammon, Harry. James Monroe: The Quest for National Identity. Mcgraw-Hill, 1971.Unger, Harlow G. The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nations Call to Greatness. Da Capo Press, 2009.

Salivary Amylase and Other Enzymes in Saliva

Salivary Amylase and Other Enzymes in Saliva When food enters the mouth, it triggers the release of saliva. Saliva contains enzymes that perform important biological functions. Just like other enzymes in the body, the salivary enzymes help to catalyze, or speed up, the rate of chemical reactions in the body. This function is required to promote digestion and the acquisition of energy from food. Major Enzymes in Saliva Salivary amylase (also known as ptyalin) breaks down starches into smaller, simpler sugars. Salivary kallikrein helps produce a vasodilator to dilate blood vessels. Lingual lipase helps to break down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerides. Salivary Amylase Salivary amylase is the primary enzyme in saliva. Salivary amylase breaks down carbohydrates into smaller molecules, like sugars. Breaking down the large macromolecules into simpler components helps the body to digest starchy foods, like potatoes, rice, or pasta. During this process, larger carbohydrates, called amylopectin and amylose, are broken down into maltose. Maltose is a sugar that is composed of individual subunits of glucose, the human bodys key source of energy.   Salivary amylase also has a function in our dental health. It helps to prevent starches from accumulating on our teeth. In addition to salivary amylase, humans also produce pancreatic amylase, which further breaks down starches later in the digestive process. Salivary Kallikrein As a group, kallikreins are enzymes that take high molecular weight (HMW) compounds, like kininogen, and cleave them to smaller units. Salivary kallikrein breaks down kininogen into bradykinin, a vasodilator. Bradykinin helps to control blood pressure in the body. It causes blood vessels to dilate or expand and causes blood pressure to be lowered. Typically, only trace amounts of salivary kallikrein are found in saliva. Lingual Lipase Lingual lipase is an enzyme that breaks down triglycerides into glycerides and fatty acid components, thus catalyzing the digestion of lipids. The process begins in the mouth where it breaks down the triglycerides into diglycerides. Unlike salivary amylase, which functions best in non-acidic environments, lingual lipase can operate at lower pH values, so its action continues into the stomach. Lingual lipase helps infants digest the fats in their mothers milk. As we get older, the relative proportion of lingual lipase in saliva decreases as other parts of our digestive system help with fat digestion. Other Minor Salivary Enzymes Saliva contains other minor enzymes, like salivary acid phosphatase, which frees up attached phosphoryl groups from other molecules. Like amylase, it helps with the digestion process. Saliva also contains lysozymes. Lysozymes are enzymes that help to kill bacteria, viruses and other foreign agents in the body. These enzymes thus perform antimicrobial functions. Sources Becker, Andrea. â€Å"Names of the Enzymes in the Mouth Esophagus.† Sciencing.com, Sciencing, 10 Jan. 2019, sciencing.com/names-enzymes-mouth-esophagus-17242.html.Marie, Joanne. â€Å"What Are the Functions of Amylase, Protease and Lipase Digestive Enzymes.† Healthy Eating | SF Gate, 12 Dec. 2018, healthyeating.sfgate.com/functions-amylase-protease-lipase-digestive-enzymes-3325.html.

Public Relations Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Public Relations Strategy - Essay Example The organisation has also faced a number of issues in regards to the competition. The organisation is facing a number of issues in relation to this and the competitive advantage that the company has had in the past is now being challenged by other organisations. Also the company has been unable to keep up with the stake – holders’ missions and has not been able to provide the stakeholders the required returns. The main return that the stakeholders are looking for is ‘care for people’. This includes ensuring that the relationship with the patients is strengthened. The organisation also does not work with the aim of making profits hence, the organisation aims at maximising its economic profits. Public relations deal with managing information of the organisation between the organisation and the public. It normally aims at providing the information that will interest the audience of the organisation. Public relations can be used by the organisation as a mode to build a rapport with its stakeholders like the employee, shareholders, patients, etc. Building a public relations strategy has four main steps: a) defining the public relations problem, b) Planning and programming, c) taking action and communicating, and d) Evaluating the program. The assessment one of the NHS has thrown light upon the current situation within the organisation for NHS – a brief of which has been discussed in the introduction above. The first step as a public relations officer is to define the problem. This is the base of all strategies and helps build a plan for which the organisation requires changes to improve and resolve the issues. National Health Services is the biggest health service in United Kingdom. However in the past the organisation has faced a number of press reports which have been quite dampening for its image. The press has accused the organisation a number of times and the NHS chief Executive Nigel Crisp has also spoken about the attack made by the

Professional communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Professional communication - Essay Example I want to emphasize that taking care of you, our customer, remains our highest priority and we thank you for your patience. If you have any further questions, or require assistance locating an Audi dealer, please visit audi.com or call us directly at 800-822-8987. First of all, as an important rule of business proposal letter writing serves the need to initially define who will be a reader of a letter, or, if it may have multiple recipients, what is its audience. In our particular case the letter is addressed to a concrete person, but there is every reason to believe that this letter was actually sent to many people, and thus is audience-oriented in nature. Its audience then is a group of people who have purchased a certain model of Audi, i.e. the existing clients of the company. Although the signature of the letter belongs to the Vice President of the company, the authorship of the letter is presented as if being from Audi company itself. In this situation such an authorship sets clear relations of seller-buyer between the sender of the letter and its recipients. Moreover, in this case the relations emerge on the ground of sellers responsibility before customers.