Use of database Essay Example for Free

Use of database Essay Computer technology has given many precious gifts to mankind. One of them is the database technology. It has made administration, trade and commerce very easy, precise and fast. Operations which used to take long time, and were still full of errors, are now managed in few seconds, and are cent percent free of errors. At the heart of this remarkable success is the software program, which helps creation, segmentation , categorization and retrieval of databases. These programs are known as database management systems, DBMS programs have a long history. Starting from very simple programs in 1960s they have developed into large, complex software packages like Oracle. While the management functions remain the same, the utility value and the facilities offered in newer versions differ vastly from their predecessors. This essay briefly analyzes the DBMS program used in a particular department of an organization and proposes hoe improvements could be made over the existing use of DBMS program. The organization is a market research agency. One of the departments is pharmaceutical research. The function of this department is to gather prescriptions of doctors from various geographic locations across the country, analyze the symptoms, diagnosis and the drugs prescribed by the Doctor. These prescriptions are codified according to standardized international codes. Based on this coding, a generalized report is then prepared, which specifies which drug is used more in a given geographic location. This market research is very important to pharmaceutical companies for devising their marketing strategies. Here, the database program used for coding the symptoms, diagnosis and drugs is taken as an example for analysis. First, the function of coding is explained with an example. Visits a doctor with a complaint of soar throat and difficulty in swallowing, coupled with fever. According to the directory of codes of symptoms of the company, symptom ‘soar throat’ has a code 3323, ‘difficulty in swallowing’ has a code 1018 and ‘fever’ has a code 1286. If the doctor diagonizes ‘ throat infection’ as the cause for these symptoms, the code for it, as specified by WHO is J029. (ICD-10). Now, the doctor prescribes ‘ MOX-500’ capsules, a drug which has Amoxycillin as its main content. The code of this drug is 05377-73, as per the company specification. Those who do this coding job have to frequently refer to each code. The sum total of symptoms, diagnosis and drugs runs into a few thousand entries. Manual reference to these codes is very cumbersome. A database management program is designed to aids the coders. The package used is Foxpro. It is a two way system, wherein, the code could be traced if the name is given as an input and the name is given as an output if the number is given as an input. So, the coder can trace the code from any name and conversely, the name can also be traced with the help of a numeric code. Like all the DOS based programs, this program is a very robust program, and easy to use. Name to Number program : This program contains all the data related to the symptoms, diagnosis and the drugs. While the name and its respective code are the main parameters displayed, the drug table also reveals the type of drug e. g. syrup. Tablet, capsule, injection etc and its respective capacities e. g. 5 ml, 200mg etc. Being a DOS based program, the database is indexed by the computer, each time it is accessed. The key command for a new entry are ‘ ‘alt-s’ keys on the keyboard. Even if the full name is not types, the program takes to the alphabetically ordered names of the data. For example, if only ‘ ‘soar’ is typed as a new entry, the program gives and output of the first entry, out of all the entries starting from alphabets ‘soar’, or just typing ‘ pen’ will take the user to the first entry alphabetically listed with ‘pen’ as the first three letters. The cursor needs to be taken down to locate the drug ‘penicillin’. Instructions regarding the keyboard controls for retrieval of information, traverse of the cursor and exit from the program are permanently displayed at the bottom of the screen. These are the read only features. This means only three operations are possible on the program by the coder. Either he can type a name and get the code, or he can traverse the cursor or he can exit. It bears typical resemblance to the ‘ WordStar’ program, where the controls for operations were displayed whenever the program used to start. It is a completely textual program, simply because the basic software package, Foxpro/ Dos version, did not offer any GUI facilities. Like all other DOS based programs, colors are non existent in this program. It is a black and white screen throughout its use. Number name program : Many times the coder need a reverse retrieval to be performed. That is, given a number, the corresponding name of the symptom, diagnosis and the drug is to be traced. This program offers this facility also. When the number is entered, its validity is checked and if it is a correct number corresponding to the database, then the name of the drug, diagnosis or the symptom is given out as an output. In the case of drug display, the other parameters like the type e. g. syrup, tablet, capsule etc are also displayed. This part also has all the features and limitations typically associated with a DOS based program. This program, even in its present form, based on the technology of early 1990s is extremely useful to the coders. Especially when it comes to coding few hundred prescriptions every day, this program helps in a speedy and precise coding procedure. The codes are written manually by the coder on a printed form on paper. Improvements: Several improvements are not only possible on the current system but it is a necessary demand of time. First, Windows – 98 is soon expiring as the last GUI operating system which can support DOS based applications. The next most popular OS, Windows-XP does not support DOS based applications. Even the new and latest processors like the Dual Core by Pentium and motherboards, do not support Windows-98. Hence, technically, it will be impossible to run this program, the latest computers. It is the demand of time, that a Windows based DBMS used. This can be MS Access, Foxpro/ Win, or Oracle, but a switch over to GUI based application development is a must. Second, the codes, after being retrieved, are written manually. A new application needs to be developed, wherein the need to write the codes separately on a different sheet is eliminated. The coder inserts the name of the symptom, diagnosis or the drug and the corresponding number of the code should be automatically entered in the blank format of the form. The concept of relational database comes into picture over here. The database needs to be related to many blank forms, in such a way that a new form comes on the screen no sooner one is over. As soon as the name is typed in the form, the code must be retrieved by the software and entered in the form. The third factor is to add the utility value of the program. The same program can be extended to keep a record of the name of the coder who has accessed this program and the amount of work done by him/her. This feature facilitates speedy calculation of the monetary remuneration to be given to the coder. A record of signing in time and sign out time will also tell how much time the coder has put in. This record would be useful to gauge the efficiency of the coder. Seeing to the requirements of the improved version, a switch over to Oracle is more desirable, for the versatility and flexibility it offers. One more issue arises out of this discussion. Is the development in computers heading in the right direction? Despite all the progress in the software industry, no program has been able to replace the ‘ command. com’ file of DOS. All versions of Windows also rely upon DOS for their booting functions. Similarly, coders do not have any problem with the program they are working at present, which is over a decade old. The basic question is: Is all the development necessary? Or is it that needs are first created and then devices are made to suffice them? Or is it that under the umbrella of ‘user friendly’ Bill Gates has prevented people from getting to know the inner aspects of a computer? A calculator was a good invention, but has it always helped mankind? Has it not put limitations on the mental calculating capacities? Our ancestors had no problems in adding 40 numbers , fast and precise. For the present generation it is impossible. The developments in computers, have reduced the computer, a PC, to a mere entertainment tool, and the internet has become a tool for chat and social networking for a vast majority of users. Any development is real only if it helps in sharpening of minds, not rusting it !!!

The Structure Conduct Performance Framework In Industrial Organizations Economics Essay

The Structure Conduct Performance Framework In Industrial Organizations Economics Essay The SCP paradigm assumes that the market structure determines the conduct of the organization. This conduct, in turn, is the determinant of market performance. Examples of market performance include efficiency, profitability and growth. The framework seeks to establish that certain structures of the industry can lead to certain kinds of conduct or behaviour which then leads to various types of economic performance. The SCP paradigm was developed through evaluation of empirical studies involving American industries. Theoretical models were not used to support the paradigm. The conclusion that was drawn from empirical studies was that market structure determined performance. This is caused by the belief that the laws of competition should not be based on behavioural models but rather on structural remedies. According to J.S. Bain who developed the paradigm in the 1950s, most industries became concentrated than necessary (Ferguson Ferguson, 1994). In concentrated industries, there are high barriers to entry. New firms cannot enter these markets that easily. The SCP approach has been subjected to criticism in the recent years. Some critics say that the relationships between structure, conduct and performance are more complicated than originally thought (Ferguson Ferguson, 1994). Attempts are being made to link the framework back to the neoclassical theory. However, industrial organizations still use the SCP approach for analysis and as a tool in policy formulation. The SCP paradigm remains to be a basic tool used by industrial organizations in competition analysis. Structure is defined as the components and characteristics of the various markets and industries in an economy. Structure also involves the different sectors of the economy. In the SCP approach, structure is described as the characteristics and relevance of individual markets operating within the economy (Papatheodorou, 2006). It provides a description of the environment in which organizations operate within a specific market. The said structure can be identified by considering the size and number of buyers and sellers in the market. The structure can also be identified based on product differentiation, market barriers and the extent of integration or diversification of firms. Conduct in the SCP approach involves all actions and behaviour of organizations regarding the decisions being taken and the reasons behind them. Conduct focuses on how organizations set prices. Organizations will have to determine whether these prices are in collusion with other firms in the market (Perloff et. al., 2007). Industrial economists are concerned with the performance of organizations. Firms should be able to identify whether their activities and operations will improve economic welfare. Firms should also satisfy and meet customer demands within a specific period. The SCP approach helps organizations analyse whether their processes and products are produced efficiently. Organizations should determine whether the allocation of resources is efficient and effective. The right approach is not to waste resources and produce the right products in just the right quantities. Firms should also look at the other aspects of performance like the relationship between price and cost of product as well as the profits earned (De Jong Shepherd, 2007). In the current market, consumer tastes do not change that much. Producers and consumers are said to be perfectly informed. Because of the market conditions, the economic welfare can be maximized using the Pareto analysis in which marginal conditions are expected to be fulfilled. Under marginal conditions, firms are expected to set prices so that they will be equivalent to marginal cost. Using the neoclassical perfect competition model, firms can maximize their profits by ensuring that price will equal marginal cost. This will result in an effective combination of price and output (Ferguson Ferguson, 1994). The SCP approach states that performance should be determined by the conduct of organizations. This conduct is then determined by the characteristics of market structures. The relationships between structure, conduct and performance will then match the models of monopoly, perfect competition, oligopoly and monopolistic competition. The traditional SCP approach is attractive since it is straightforward in its line of reasoning and is comfortable with the identification of structural characteristics (Jones Sufrin, 2010). This kind of approach provides clear guidelines to firms regarding policymaking decisions. The performance of the firm can be further improved by taking actions that are designed to influence the current structures of a specific market. In most cases, performance can be predicted by considering structural conditions of the market. Such conditions can provide sufficient information and predict how organizations should behave. Ignoring conduct in all market conditions c an lead to misleading predictions in markets operating under oligopoly. However, modern economists no longer believe that structures determine the performance of firms (Papatheodorou, 2006). Still, they accept the idea that market structures are important for firms to not behave competitively. The traditional SCP paradigm has two main aspects. The first involves firms obtaining measurements of performance. This can be done by getting a direct measurement rather than just an estimate. The second aspect involves economists using observations gathered from across industries. This is done to create a regression of performance measures on various structures to be used in explaining market performance differences between industries (Papatheodorou, 2006). The measures of market performance can determine whether market power operates in an industry. Measurements of direct or indirect profit are indicators of the performance of an industry against competitive benchmarks. Some of these measurements are rate of return and price-cost margin. To determine how performance is different from structure, industrial economists will need to know the measures of market structure. One common measure of market structure is firm size distribution. This is concerned with the most important issue involving market structure. The relative size and number of firms are indicators of market structure. Organizations will exert more market power when there are few firms in the market. In most SCP research, industry concentration is a term used to measure the market shares of firms in the market (De Jong Shepherd, 2007). SCP studies have ignored the issue regarding exogenous measures relating to market structure. Common concentration measures are not considered as exogenous measures. Another serious issue in relation to this type of measure for market structure is bias. Most concentration measures are said to be biased due to improper descriptions in the market. Since international trade is more significant in other countries than just in US markets, another bias can come from ignoring exports and imports (De Jong Shepherd, 2007). Domestic concentration measures may not be significant measures of market power in such international industries. The Chicago School Critique. The Chicago School is a school of free-market economics. Unlike the Harvard University which was where the SCP paradigm originated, the foundations for competition analysis were based on the theoretical model of neoclassical theory rather than on empirical studies (Cseres, 2005). The Chicago School believed in the establishment of anti-trust laws. Economic efficiency should be the exclusive goal. Economic efficiency has two parts namely productive efficiency and allocated efficiency. In some instances, practices that can improve the organizationà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s productive efficiency can lower the allocated efficiency of the market (Perloff et al., 2007). The Chicago School also believe that most markets are competitive in nature. Even if some markets have a few sellers, the market remains competitive. Product differentiation is less likely to undermine competition. Product differentiation and high market concentration do not contribute to anti-competitive issues (Perloff et al., 2007). The critique of the Chicago School was based on two grounds. One is that government intervention depends on the loosely demonstrated failures of market. The abuse of market power is an example of market failure. The remedies proposed by the SCP paradigm do not need to improve in addressing the problem. The Chicago school also believes that the SCP paradigm is entirely based on anonymous market transactions and price theory (Clegg, 2006). Since the paradigm is based from these sources, it does not recognize the complex relationships that exist within and outside organizations. For example, an organization can choose to limit the number of suppliers in order to reduce the level of competition among them. The action may result in a complex pricing formula rather than getting a fixed unit price to filter customers. The price theory that drives the SCP paradigm is said to be lacking in explanatory power according to the Chicago school (Clegg, 2006). There are limitations because it explores how actors interact within a market. The Chicago paradigm takes a more dynamic approach to economic events. The inefficiency brought by market power is temporary in nature. This efficiency will soon be eliminated by the entry of more innovative organizations. The SCP paradigm has produced different variations of empirical work. Market structure is affected by different basic conditions. These basic conditions include technology, business culture, consumer preferences and product durability among other variables (Audretsch, 2006). Government intervention affects every component of the paradigm. Government intervention may come in the form of regulations, taxes and subsidies, international trade policies and price controls. The SCP paradigm is used as a type of checklist for policymakers (Audretsch, 2006). They should also understand the function of transaction cost economics. This is a concept that attempts to identify the most efficient institutional and organizational activities that will help reduce transaction costs. Transaction costs economics is also based on the concept of bounded rationality. Economic factors are believed to be purposely rational but limited. Transaction cost economics also recognizes that the internal management o f the organization and markets can be alternative forms of allocating resources (Cseres, 2005). These also rely on the facts with corresponding effects if an organization has achieved efficiency. The most efficient firm will be able to either enter the market and engage in specific transactions or take the transactions out of the market and into the organization. These transactions for example, can be the production of goods and services within a vertically integrated firm. To determine whether or not the transaction should be brought into the firm and taken out of the market, organizations should determine the frequency of the transaction. If the transactions are to be conducted frequently, it is best to bring that type of transaction into the organization (Cseres, 2005). The specific transaction might need skilled labour to complete. If for example the transaction seldom occurs like the construction of a new plant, the most efficient resource allocation will be to enter the market and contract services for the transaction to be performed (Jones Sufrin, 2010). The same concept applies when firms decide on the degree of uncertainty. If the risk is great, vertical integration into an organization will bring the most efficiency. If the product can be easily duplicated, the transaction should be conducted in the market. Modern Theory of Industrial Organization. The modern theory of industrial organization is a combination of the SCP and Chicago paradigms into a more comprehensive and successful approach (Jones Sufrin, 2010). This is known as the contract-based approach to industrial organization. The SCP paradigm still provides the guidelines but the analysis of conduct is extended from pricing theory to more contract behaviours. In conclusion, the traditional SCP paradigm is still useful for firms as a tool for analysis but other tools or measurements are needed to support the SCP approach. Static economic theories state that profits in the long-run may vary with market structures. These economic theories do not mention anything about the relationship between the market structure and profits during the short-run. Using the SCP paradigm alone may not result in accurate analysis.

Ethics Moral Business

Ethics Moral Business A) I chose readings â€Å"Ethics: A basic framework† to analyze first point. From this reading I have formed the view that, although, the markets are impersonal, but particular real persons act directly or through companies, as its managers, in these marketplaces. The mobility of employment, capital, produce and technology is making business increasing global in its transactions and its effects. Laws and market forces are necessary, but insufficient guides for ethical conduct. Moral values in business decision making is very necessary, without them stable business relationship is impossible. All people are very different, but still there are existing instinctive understanding about what is good – bad and what is right – wrong. Human actions are the primary subject – matter of our ethical judgments. By human action we mean behavior or activity that is deliberate. An ethical person always is more agreeable and he looks more reliable than unethical ones. Talking about business, an ethical human doesn’t look only agreeable or good manner person, he also looks honorable, trusted, conscientious and sincere. Ethical person is good partner; he is able to conduct successful negotiations and so on. So a good business human should always be ethical and observe some special rules, principles of conduct and moral values. The deliberate actions we designate as â€Å"ethic† or â€Å"unethical† are usually actions that benefit or harm other people or ourselves positively or negatively in some serious way. However, it’s need acknowledge, people can have different understanding about moral values and ethics. As I understood from readings â€Å"Ethics: A basic framework†, there are many definitions of ethics in society, but in my opinion, the ethic is a system of moral values and principles of market participants. Every person has an ethical set of beliefs or ethical principles. Most people think that cheating or stealing are wrong, promises ought to be kept and so on. Ethic in all its forms is concerned with intention â€Å"right† or â€Å"wrong†, â€Å"good† or â€Å"bad†. The word â€Å"ethic† has a number of meanings. According this framework, there four fundamental questions to which market participant must answer before acting ethically: Is the action consistent with the persons’ basic duties? Does it respect the rights and legitimate claims of the affected parties? Does it reflect best practice? Is it compatible with the persons’ own deeply held commitments? Explaining meaning of â€Å"duty† it should be note, that duty is a human action which is exactly conformable to the laws which require us to obey them. In one cases, basic moral duties involve specific obligations to particular parties (for example, to pay for good), in other cases – more general and open – ended (for example, banks’ duty to be cautions and careful before granting the loans). In common meaning, the natural rights are those which have no relation to the establishment, support, or management of the government. These consist, for example, in the power of acquiring and enjoying property and the like. However, the basic, essential rights like duties are determined in the codes or statutes. Ethical activity is such as it doesn’t violate other person’s rights and liberties (natural or fixed in the codes or statutes). Every person must have a responsibility to respect human rights and democratic institutions. Also recognize government’s legitimate obligation and support public policies and practices that promote human development through harmonious relations between business and other segments of society. Best practice – It are the certain posit principles and standards of excellence, which are desirable, but not necessarily obligatory. Ethical activity isn’t activity, which mere doesn’t violate others persons rights and liberties, however, it must correspond to best practice. Moral commitments are often involve in behavioral rules, such as keep promises or respect property rights., however, in general case, moral commitments are wider person’s obligations than law establishes and it depends on person’s outlook, moral values and etc. For example, the companies have a responsibility to provide theirs customers the highest quality products consistent with their requirements and to ensure its maintenance thought guarantee was over. Or, the company should listen to their employees and act on theirs suggestions, ideas, requests and complains, avoid â€Å"silence† discrimination and guarantee equal treatment and opportunity in areas such as gender, age, race and religions. Presented framework in the article â€Å"Ethics: A basic framework† consist of three main stages: Understanding the facts; Identifying relevant standards; Maintaining objectivity. At first stage, the company has to traverse what it has to do and to forecast possible result of its activity. The analysis, according this framework, consists of three basic components: Identifying the parties likely to be affected by the action; Mapping for each party the positive and negative consequences; Evaluating proposed action against ethical standards (duties, rights, best practice and commitments). At second stage, the company must decide what ethical standards (company’s own code, industry standards or other) will be applied. The last stage – maintaining objectivity. Company must evaluate its ethical judgment reference to various tests. It this case it were given three questions to which company must answer before acting: Would company be comfortable if target action were described on the front page of a respected newspaper (evaluating how company’s actions may be viewed by society); Would company be comfortable if everyone in a similar situation did this (evaluating what would happen if company’s action became the general practice); Is this how I’d (to have in mind manager of company) like my leadership to be remembered (manager’s self – evaluation)? Generally speaking, ethic is very necessary and compulsory for every person (both natural and legal). Business person should be ethical especially. Human actions are not the only subject matter for ethic. Besides action, ethic examines and evaluates social practices, organizations, institutions, and even social, political and economic systems. Good manner and compliance business principles always help to communicate with others, to negotiate, find reliable partner and expand successful business. If a business person agrees with employees, the customers trusted him, if owners and suppliers do not doubt him; every activity will be fortunate and profitable. B) I chose â€Å"IKEA’s Global Sourcing Challenge† Indian Rugs and Child Labor† case to analyze second point. Because the problem of child labor is very tender subject currently, now children have received more attention than before (the word â€Å"child† is understandable as any person below fifteen years of age, unless local minimum age law stipulates a higher age for work or mandatory schooling, in which case the higher age would apply; if, however, the local minimum working age is set at fourteen (14) years of age in accordance with exceptions for developing countries, the lower age will apply). Child labor is understandable as the employment of children under an age determined by law or custom. Human Rights Watch, the largest human rights organization, in their homepage announces, sustaining International Labor Organization (ILO) data, that 250 million children between the ages of five and fourteen work in developing countries – at least 120 mil lion on a full time basis. Sixty-one percent of these were in Asia, 32 percent in Africa, and 7 percent in Latin America. Most working children in rural areas were found in agriculture; urban children worked in trade and services, with fewer in manufacturing, construction and domestic service. The reason of this view to the children – in the early twentieth century it was acknowledged that childrens rights are distinct from those of adults and it must be protected much more. The United Nations in 1989 adopted the Child Rights Convention, which established that children have special rights to protection and special rights to development. But it’s necessary that these rights would be realized in practice. The both individual person and companies must understand clearly meaning and important of Child rights and Child Rights Convention. The IKEA is very proper example of company, which tries to ensure rights of children and promotes negative view of society to illegal child labor in all world, especially, in third world countries (India, Pakistan and etc.). As I understood from readings, IKEA follows by the Child Rights Convention, collaborates with International Labor Organization (ILO), International Organizations Save the Children and UNICEF. Below I will present the main importance points of IKEA activity related with the children rights. In my opinion, the one of most important matters is to acknowledge that problem exists. In this case, IKEA understands and knows that child labor exist in various countries (India, Paskistan and etc.) where IKEA products are manufactured, but IKEA refuse child labor at its suppliers (it must be mentioned that IKEA supports the legal employment of young workers). Possibly, child labor was and is normal traditional phenomenon in some South – East Asian countries and IKEA allows to different cultures and values in countries where IKEA operates and sources its products. However, it does not compromise on the basic requirements regarding the Child Rights Convention. To ensure rights of children IKEA works actively to prevent and detect child labor. At first, IKEA established Childrens Ombudsman (first in 1998, Barner), who is responsible for ensuring that IKEA would operate in such way that wouldn’t violate the best interests of the child. Its work complies with the UN Convention on Child Rights Convention. Also, IKEA has a special code of conduct called The IKEA Way on Preventing Child Labor, which is a part of  The IKEA Way on Purchasing Home Furnishing Products (IWAY). The IKEA Way on Purchasing Home Furnishing Products code is invoked to all suppliers and their sub-contractors. Next – monitoring of compliance to The IKEA Way on Preventing Child Labour is done by IKEA trading service offices and with unexpected visits by internation audit company’s KPMG auditors at suppliers and sub-contractors in South East Asia. If child labor is found, IKEA requires the supplier to act in the best interests of the child. The supplier must implement a corrective and preventive action plan, including education and training. If corrective action is not made within an agreed time frame, or if further violations occur, IKEA terminates all business relationship with the supplier and their sub-contractors. The complexity of the child labor issue requires contribution and influence of many parties (countries’ governments, international organisation defending human rights and etc.), not only IKEA. IKEA understands that problem of child labor can’t solve by economic blockade. By co-operating closely with International Organizations such as UNICEF and Save the Children, the IKEA Social Initiative tries to create the general support structure necessary to tackle the root causes of child labour and achieve a sustainable solution. The IKEA Social Initiative supports a project, run by UNICEF, promoting childrens rights in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, from where IKEA sources many of its carpets. The aim is to prevent and eliminate child labor in the carpet belt by addressing root causes such as debt, poverty, lack of access to education disability and ill health. Despite to putting forth, IKEA confronts with child labor yet. It should be note that this goal (to eliminate child labor) can’t be achieved straight away. Only complex strategies that involves access to education opportunities, open avenues for gainful employment and eradicate parental illiteracy can eventually eliminate child labor. C) I’m working in AB DnB NORD bank – I’m the Head of Special assets department. The Bank is part of the DnB NORD banking group registered in Denmark. This holding was established by Norway’s largest bank DnB NOR and North Germany’s largest bank NORD/LB. As I understood from readings and discusses it’s very important that each employee of AB DnB NORD bank exercises due care and refrains from acts that could weaken confidence in and is loyal to AB DnB NORD bank. To achieve this goals each employee must know AB DnB NORD bank’s vision, values, policies and procedures. If in doubt as to whether certain action is allowed, the employee of AB DnB NORD bank must abstain from it. A bank is a very specific company, the high requirements of ethics is applied to it and its employee. According my understanding about ethics no employee may participate in or seek to influence a decision where special circumstances exist which might bring the issue of his or her impartiality into question. Such a circumstance could be any connection with the matter under consideration, e.g. through relatives, close associates or financial interests, etc. An employee is also not authorised to take decisions if circumstances exist that may lead others to believe that he or she promotes interests other than those of AB DnB NORD bank. This also applies to actions undertaken by the employee as a private individual. I think, that employees of my organization must exercise due care in situations where their integrity could be questioned. No employee or close associate shall require, receive or accept any offer of â€Å"undue benefits† from bank’s business connections. Nor must any employee give or offer others undue benefits. AB DnB bank employees can see various personal data of customers. By my opinion, employees in AB DnB NORD bank following by perception of ethics can’t, via the computer systems or in other non-public sources, to actively seek information about colleagues, customers or third parties when they do not need to be privy to such information in order to carry out their work. As a part of ethics, especially in the banking system, is observance of confidentiality. It’s essential to ensure that confidential information is not misused or passed on to unauthorised persons. Employees of AB DnB NORD bank group would be recommended to refrain from other activity if it that may lead to believe that it could have negative impact of the employee’s performance in AB DnB NORD bank group or weaken confidence in AB DnB NORD bank group. However, in my opinion, it wouldn’t be violation of ethics if employee would participate in clubs or associations. To avoid conflicts of interests, parents/children or spouses/partners should not work in the same structural unit if one of them is a immediate superior to the other. Nor should such persons hold positions where they have the opportunity to prevent, evaluate, approve, audit, control or in any other way affect the work of the other. For this perception of ethics to be effective, it is especially important for each employee to continuously value his or her activity in relation to ethics rules. All employees in a managerial position have a particular responsibility for ensuring that their conduct as well as that of their subordinates complies with the Code of ethics at all times. It would useful that companies, especially banks, insurance companies and other companies, which activity is related to upper trust of society, would have the policy of ethics, which would be is an integral part of the employment agreement and rules of internal work procedure of the companies and the employees will be familiarised with the policy of ethics. The employees non fulfilling, non-complying or ignoring the regulations of the Code of Ethics shall be subject to disciplinary punishment. Depending on the degree of breach of the Code of Ethics, employee‘s guilt and resulting outcome, the employee may imposed to disciplinary punishment, including dismissal from the position without notice.

Book Report On a Dramatic Death :: essays research papers fc

Book Report on "A Dramatic Death" This story starts off with the Dorking Drama Group who are making a play everything is going well until gruesome accidents start happening but the group ignores it until a prop falls down and kills someone. The police do a investigation but conclude that it was a accident so the play goes on, but everybody is convinced it was foul play and everyone in the drama group is a suspect. The cast members start investigating the murder by themselves and everybody starts turning against each other. In the end two cast members named Steve and Claire find out the murder is Claire because they themselves were attacked by her but they identified her. Emma was a jealous cast member who loved Steve but Claire was Steve's girlfriend, Steve always treated her like a sister but she wanted more than that and went to great lengths to achieve. CHARACTER ANALYSIS The main characters in my book are Steve and Emma. Steve was a popular good looking guy who all the girls liked. He didn't like school that much expect the Dorking Drama Club where he acted in the play, he had a sister and Steve was very careful to trust anyone during all the murder. Emma was very fond of Steve but because she was Steve's sister's friend for so long Steve treated her as a sister, which she didn't like. Emma became so fond of Steve that she start doing all these gruesome things and in the end she went to a mental hospital. Emma liked to be in the play a lot and she was said to have a very over active imagination. SETTING The setting was in a small quiet town called Dorking, the play took in a high school drama room. The setting brings people together (the drama group) which brings conflicts. The town was described to bring a spooky setting to the novel. THEME The theme of this novel is that we shouldn't trust everybody we know no matter how close they are. In the novel the murder is found to be a very close friend to everyone. Everyone should be considered a suspect. This book was written is for to show the great lengths that some people will go to for love. CHAPTER 1 The Dorking Drama club is getting ready for a play and everybody is joking around and acting calm. When they are rehearsing and somebody opens a prop they scream and find there is a dead cat in the box, everyone wonders who is capable of doing such a thing like this.

My Life is a Cluttered Drawer :: essays research papers

My life is a cluttered drawer if you looked inside you would see a variety of pictures. Pictures of places far and near. Pictures of friends, family and loved ones. In the back of the drawer tools for the tinkering that everything seems to need at one time or another. Different types of music would be scattered throughout the drawer on tapes and CD’s for the good times and the bad.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Often I sit in my room and look back at all the pictures of the interesting places I have been, the unusual sights I have seen and the people I meet doing it all. A picture I often look at is a picture of Time Square New York. This particular picture I took myself. I look at this for motivation, motivation that one day I will be in the city of opportunity. The picture I keep right beside my new York picture is an army photo. A photo of one of my buddies out in the field gun by his side. This picture gives me a completely different feeling. A feeling of appreciation for the solders that are fighting for our country at this point in time. Every parent or friend with a picture like mine I’m sure, knows the feeling of wondering will they be sent, or asks the question will they come back.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As the drawer slides more than half way open now the stacks of CD’s and tapes begin to come into view. The tapes mostly of childhood music that got lost or out grown. The lessons or sharing, and good attitude all waiting to be passed down to a cousin or niece in dire need. The CD’s in the drawer I am sure have been pulled out, and again returned depending on the mood, or the company. As for the artists of these CD’s, mostly String Cheese, a semi blue grass band with a song for every mood.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At the far back of my cluttered drawer there are several tools. The tools you would find in my drawer are common tools. The tools needed just for the basic workshop. Both kinds of screw drivers, Phillips head and a flat head. A hammer, and last but not least needle nose pliers. With this set of tools I feel I can fix, or â€Å"rig† almost anything I own to a certain extent. This set of tool would also cure the boredom of everyday life. Scratch up some nails and grab my trusty hammer with a cuple of planks of

Aricept :: Drugs Health Alzheimers Disease Essays

Aricept What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a disease in which the memory, judgment, and thought processes are impaired. The moods and personality of a sufferer may also be affected. The symptoms may progress slowly and come-and-go. (http://www.healingwell.com/alzheimers/info.htm) This disease affects the cholinergic functions in the brain. It causes a deficiency of cholinergic neuron transmission. Thus, the memory of the Alzheimer’s patient is impaired. The drug donepezil hydrochloride enhances the cholinergic functions. As the amount of functioning neurons decreases, the drug’s effectiveness decreases. (http://pfizer.com/hml/pi’s/ariceptpi.html) What is Aricept? Aricept is a drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. It is available in tablet form and is considered to be in the drug sub-class of an acetylcholin-esterase inhibitor. Patients should start taking 5 mg of Aricept at bedtime. After four to six weeks, the dose can be increased to 10 mg/day. It is used to decrease the mild to moderate symptoms of the disease in an effort to reverse, reduce, or retard the mental and behavioral process of dementia. Aricept is not a cure for the disease, but it is a way to make it more manageable. (http://www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9804/htm/alztreat.htm) How does it work? Aricept is also known as donepezil hydrochloride and E2020. It is a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme acetyl cholinesterase, and has an empirical formula of C24H29NO3HCL . (pic. from Pfizer) The donepezil hydrochloride enhances cholinergic function by increasing acetylcholine though it’s inhibiting of acetyl cholinesterase. This effect is thought to lessen as the disease advances because fewer cholinergic neurons are functioning. Thus, donepezil does not alter the course of the dementing process; it just makes the dementia more tolerable. (http://pfizer.com/hml/pi’s/ariceptpi.html) Is it effective? Aricept has been determined to be an effective treatment during its use. This is proved by the various clinical studies. The people at Pfizer Incorporated studied Aricept to determine if it was an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. They conducted two randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical investigations with Alzheimer’s patients. The ages of the participants ranged from 50 to 94 with a mean age of 73. The participants were 62% women and 38% men.

Personal Ethical Development Paper Essay

Everyone has their own personal code of ethics, develop through education and experience. With the basic identified in kindergarten or even earlier. Each of us have developed personal ethical codes with inputs and guidance from numerous people including family members, friends, church leaders, mentors, teachers, community leaders and role models. My underlying ethical system primarily is a duty-base ethical system, in which I acted in a certain manner, a manner that is a clear right or wrong. As a child, my parents and family were the ones who lay the ground rules for my ethical decisions. Knowing what is right from what is wrong, to say please and thank you when asking for and receiving something, to say good morning, good afternoon and good night, and to always speak the truth, pray before bed time, and again in the morning when I wake up. School teachers taught me how to enforce strict discipline, self-control and obedient behavior while in class. Religion, also play a major role on my personal ethics, it helps me to established a set of principles and morals, to always show respect for others, to do unto others as you would like others to do unto you. There are other unique individuals that have influenced my personal ethics, such as Mahatma Ghandi, have earned my respect as a prominent leader; who once said, â€Å"Even if you are a minority of one, the truth will always be the truth.† Also Lady Theresa, another prominent figure who also said â€Å"when I am hungry, I look for someone to feed, and when I am thirsty I look for someone to give a drink of waters.† These are people with morals, value, and  principles, which set good examples for others to follow. Looking to others as well as the rules and regulations when making an ethical determination, is a very important process of ethical decision-making. Speaking openly and honestly, that my information are indeed factual, show support for my company and others, even when there are differences of opinion; to adapt to any changes, even if the initial process was done by me. Take pride in my work, whatever duties assigned to me. Try to amend any problems caused by misunderstanding of information. Address injustice, provide assistance, and so on. Entitlement-based: By showing positive emotions, such as joy and happiness towards others, will consequently make them more optimistic and more likely to live out their moral choices to help others. Moral values often conflict with other values. For example, a co-worker of mine made several mistakes while processing tax forms for the IRS. These process must be done with specific governmental guidelines (company strives on quality), she brought some forms over to my desk for verification, I came across several mistakes, using a systematic approach, I went back to her, very politely I said, â€Å"you have to be a little more careful,† there were few mistakes in you batch, knowing very well that people don’t like to told that they’ve made a mistake. She asked, what were the mistakes? I said there were four internationals included in your domestic batch, she said there were no international codes, I said agreed, but the address clearly states Canada, she rose from her seat asking for a second opinion (more like yelling), is Canada international, she asked? Everyone answered yes in uniformly. Feeling rather embarrass, she walked back to my desk and started yelling at me, saying how she don’t like my attitude and told my manager how I tried to embarrass her. My manager in turn told me to be careful how I speak to my fellow employees. My ethical standard of fairness was challenged because my boss did not review the situation in a fair manner. My manager did not address the situation between us or address the entire department of the situation; instead she listens to one side of the story. Quality is an integral part of the company’s operation, and as a senior employee and part  of the verifying team it is my duty, my responsibility to inform employees of any errors. My boss did not make a conscious effort to control the negative feeling and put everyone in a positive frame of mind. There were two other instances involving the same employee that continued to challenges my ethical standard that led me to make a final decision and asked for a transfer to anothe r department. Ethical codes vary among individuals and also corporations. History is filled with examples of the impact on society of varied ethical codes, from the organization or corporate perspectives, one can hardly picked up the newspaper anymore without reading about corporate scandal. As Allen Greenspan noted testifying before Congress in 2002, â€Å"trust and reputation can vanish overnight,† and we have seen repeated examples of such occurrences, demonstrating why good ethics is good business (Wisely,1974). There are many factors of moral reasoning and behavior that are relevant in any organizational settings. History demonstrates that trust, integrity, honesty and credibility remain very important to any organization. Organization should have a clear set of organizational goals and policies, particularly when it comes to moral and ethics, employees need to know that the organization holds itself and them to a higher standard. By being clear about what is acceptable and what is not in the work place (Wisely, 1974). This plays into setting the policies that will govern how the organization is run. Guidelines of the company must be followed. In terms of competition, whether it is with another company or between two employees, ethics and moral should always be stressed. For example, if two employees are pitted against each other in competition for a raise, the potential for immoral and unethical behavior is there. The eagerness to get ahead in any way possible can be strong. It is therefore necessary for the organization owners to stress that the integrity of this organization cannot be compromised in any way shape or form. To incorporate ethics, an organization must obey the law and the spirit of the law where ever they conduct business, values must be real, and must reflect actual behavior, especially among the organization’s leaders. To emphasize principles more that rules. (This is the best way to be more  demanding of the organization, (Schulman, 2006), to encourage all employees to be challenging and demanding in the ethical domain of everyone in the organization, including the bosses. Perception is reality. Ethical and social responsibilities are part of the same thing. Our ethical values are part of our image in the business world. At one time it did not matter much if we polluted the environment, paid below the minimum wage or used plastic bags wastefully if we could get away with it (Schulman, 2006). Rightly, as an organization in a community, which for some large organizations includes major parts of the world, investors may decide to invest, or not according to our reputation for ethical behavior in our society. References Miriam Schulman, March 22, 2006. Incorporating Ethics into the Organization Strategic Plan. Retrieve from. http://www.scu.edu William H. Wisely (1974). The American Civil Engineer. Retrieved from. http://www.acsc.org Trevino, L.K., and Nelson, K. A. (2011), Managing Business Ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right (5th Ed). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.