Using The Evaluation Framework Economics Essay

Using The Evaluation Framework Economics Essay The possession of an ownership advantage gives a firm the opportunity to sell goods overseas but it fails to explain why this is carried out through production in the foreign market rather than exporting to the foreign market. As a result, there is the need for an evaluation framework. LEARNING OBJECTIVES By the end of this Unit, you should be able to understand and grasp the following: the importance of an evaluation framework; the 4 criteria of the evaluation framework; assess the contribution of MNEs in a foreign country by using the Evaluation Framework. THE EVALUATION FRAMEWORK The contribution of MNEs to the development of the host nation, more particularly developing countries or LDCs has been the subject of much debate over the years. Whilst it is generally accepted that MNEs do contribute by way of technology transfer, skills diffusion and by bringing much needed finance capital, nevertheless criticisms abound as to the negative impact of MNEs in that they are viewed as exploiting the local labour force, they transfer outdated technology, and they strip the LDCs of much needed resources. However, MNEs were and still remain a very important ingredient of growth, especially for developing countries. This is why it is crucial for a host countrys government that it should be able to assess FDI in a policy context. The latter process is usually done by way of an Evaluation Framework. An evaluation framework usually encompasses 4 criteria. 3.3 Efficiency of Resource Allocation Efficiency of resource allocation relates to the extent to which there exist complementarities between of economic interests between the multinationals and the host countries. In a similar vein, it highlights the following: under what conditions do the operations of the TNC in a host country contribute to the world economic welfare that could not be achieved before? However, the presence of MNEs in host countries is often prompted by government-induced imperfections including protection from imports. Such a situation mainly occurred when countries were adopting an import substitution industrialization strategy. Adopting an import-substitution strategy entailed a high level of protection, via tariffs, import restriction measures and quotas, which discriminated against exports via explicit and implicit tax of export activities and an overvalued foreign exchange rate. Also, the government used investment license, differential taxes, tax holidays, exemptions and remissions to influence resource allocation between industries and sectors. The proponents of IS strategy firmly believed that they would be able to meet the domestic demand for manufacturing products; provide employment opportunities for skilled labour; ease pressure on the balance of payment and strengthen the long term productive capacity of the economy by importing the production technology via foreign firms  [1]  and by using the infant industry argument. Under such an era of protectionism  [2]  , MNEs were mainly regarded as being of a market-seeking  [3]   nature. Firms set up plant within foreign nations in order to supply their national markets in the most profitable way possible. The key location advantages (in Dunnings terminology) which determined these market-seeking investments were the cross-border transport and communication costs; artificial barriers (import restrictions) to trade in goods and services; the size, income per capita and the expected growth of the local market. Though cost considerations were deemed important and even decisive in certain marginal markets, an efficiency-seeking motivation was deemed to be of a very secondary nature (Pearce, 1999). However, the overwhelming consensus is that IS was a failure  [4]  . IS strategy has turned out to be self-defeating since it has resulted in huge increases in imports of equipment and inputs while transfer pricing constituted a severe drain on foreign exchange. Also, IS granted excessive protection to industries producing inefficiently non-essential goods for high-income elite. Furthermore, fiscal credit and exchange rate policies, coupled with subsidies on imports of capital goods, made it possible and advantageous to entrepreneurs to rely on high capital intensive equipment produced abroad and technology unsuited to the factor proportions prevailing in less developed countries. As a result, a new orthodoxy emerged in the late 60s and early 70s which stressed the role of exports of labour intensive manufactures as an engine of growth. This represented a return to the static theory of comparative advantage with trade based upon different factor proportions prevailing in various countries which meant that the pendulum turned full swing for development policy in LDCs from import substitution to manufactured exports. Export oriented strategy not only encourages free trade  [5]  , but also the free movement of capital, labour, enterprises and an open system of communication. It also entailed more efficient allocation of resources with firms competing internationally  [6]  based on their relative comparative advantages. These considerations, coupled with the emergence of trade blocks, were factors motivating changes in the strategic orientation of MNEs. MNEs underwent a complete restructuring of their global and regional supply profiles. This entailed locating  [7]  manufacturing operations in only a few countries but exporting for a wider market. Each subsidiary were opened to a fully competitive market situation which permitted the realisation of economies of scale and the attainment of optimal efficiency in production (Pearce, 1999). The where to produce clearly gained in prominence during such an era which led to MNEs redistributing their unchanged ownership advantages in order to create an international network of subsidiaries  [8]  which optimised their supply of established range of products. Thus, investments undertaken by MNEs were mainly of an efficiency-seeking nature. However, one should not underestimate the crucial role played by the government during that period. It was not only the choice of trade strategy but also the appropriate role of government policy which was at the heart of the development issue. For example, export-oriented growth and appropriate macroeconomic policies  [9]  were mutually of economic development in the NICs. The integration of NICs into world and regional economies was essential for their long-term growth. This required less government intervention and greater reliance on private initiatives and market forces. It provided an environment conducive to foreign investment and domestic entrepreneurship. The Government was expected to actively promote economic growth and use its resources to direct and support the private industry. It was the pursuit of such appropriate policies by these developing countries governments permitted shifts in their pattern of international specialisation in response to the changing structure of their comparative advantage at different levels of industrial development. As a result, the efficiency of resource allocation improved, the rates of growth accelerated, with benefits accruing to all concerned. DISTRIBUTION Distribution relates to the extent to which the gains arising from the MNEs operations are distributed between the partners. The host country would demand a fair share of the benefits created by the investment. However, the identification of a fair distribution is very difficult since it is almost impossible to price correctly some contribution such as technology diffusion and managerial expertise which are intangible in nature. In addition, the issue of distribution is even more contentious especially when profits of the multinationals are due less to the efficiency of resource allocation and more to market distortions or imperfections created and sustained in the first place by the government to attract these foreign firms. Also, the distribution of such rent is influenced by the relative bargaining strength of the multinationals and the host governments in the light of factors such as tax concessions, tariff protection and labour training. In this light, it may be argued that there is a direct relationship between the bargaining strength of the host country and its level of industrialization such that, the lower the industrialization level, the weaker its bargaining power. Finally, host nations are unable to extract their fair share of benefits because imperfections in the market for factors of production in which the multinationals are strong permits them to earn monopoly rent on these factors. SOVEREIGNTY Sovereignty relates to the ways in which the multinational may compromise the economic independence of host nations in either the short or long term. It highlights how the behaviour of multinationals may compromise the effectiveness of certain aspects of the host countries policies. For example, the intra-group transfer of rent, via transfer pricing practices, may undermine the autonomy of the host countries in areas such as fiscal policy, monetary policy, trade policy and its attempt to control and organize the structure of industries. SELF RELIANCE Self-reliance relates to the ways in which the operations of the multinational may undermine the viability or independence of local firms or enhance their potential. The self-reliance issue also crops up during the investigations of the impact of multinationals on the industrial structure of the host nations; for e.g. the level of concentration and/or modes of operations. It is also concerned with whether the operations of multinationals in the host nations may either enhance or hold back the availability of particular types of skills for local enterprises since there are claims that multinationals remunerate better their employees than local enterprises. However, there is no reason as to why the relationship between local enterprises and multinationals should be a competitive one. They may in fact complement each other rather than act as rivals. For e.g. multinationals may have recourse to indigenous forms for their supply of inputs and this may lead to significant benefits for the indigenous firms by way of improved technology, better quality control procedures and diffusion of skills. EXERCISES 1. MAURITIUS CASE STUDY Mauritius is unique in having had a wealthy class of sugar plantation owners who were actively seeking to diversify their investments in the first years of independence. They have experimented with horticultural and industrial exports, as well as with tourist facilities, for many years. It took the arrival of Hong Kong and Taiwan textile firms to get industrialization going, however. And South African hotel chains first brought the tourist facilities up to world class standards. Why couldnt they do it alone? The key missing ingredient was the much vaunted keystone of the new economy: knowledge. Mauritian investors lacked the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to create viable industry and tourism on their own. The overseas Chinese and South African investors brought in-depth knowledge of how to run an efficient firm. They also had intimate knowledge of customers and their preferences, as well of what the competition was offering. They were able to train the Mauritian workforce, interspersing production lines with faster Chinese workers and more flexible Indian ones to bring up productivity. Domestic investors, whether the sugar barons or more locals of more modest and ethnically diverse origins, unanimously reported that they were not squeezed out by foreign investment. On the contrary, they worked with, learned from, and in many cases bought out foreign investors. Ethnicity has been handled delicately in Mauritius, in surprising contrast to analysts predictions at independence. The few dozen Franco-Mauritian sugar barons who controlled the economy at independence in 1970 faced the classic South African nightmare of being washed into the sea. The majority of the electorate comprised landless descendants of cane-cutters brought in from the Indian subcontinent as contract labor. Yet Mauritians found a stable accommodation, in both politics and the economy. The constitution explicitly recognizes ethnic minorities, providing for 10 percent of parliamentary seats to go to also rans from ethnic minorities that would otherwise not be represented. The tiny new polity attained in two decades an economic transition from monocrop Sugar Island to a balanced economy in which textiles, tourism and sugar are the pillars. New forays are being made into business services, information technology and other diverse export products. Indo-Mauritians are still minimally represented as entrepreneurs, though they dominate the civil service. Sino-Mauritians, hitherto concentrated in smallscale commerce, enhanced their status through association with Hong Kong and Taiwan industrialists whose knowhow and investment initiated the textile sector. Economic tensions are worked out in annual tripartite negotiations between labor, government and employers, most of whom are Franco-Mauritians. Sound institutions have played a critical role in the process. The rule of law has prevailed consistently. The sturdy financial sector, led by Mauritius State Bank since 1828, provides investment capital to both domestic and foreign investors. The British tradition schools graduate fully bilingual, often tri- and quadrilingual students, whom employers find a great asset in the new global economy. Foreign And Local Investment In Mauritius Mauritius was chosen as a case study because it has a reputation as a country in which foreign investment has played a critical and unanticipated role in industrialization, driven largely by good policies. The case study bore this out, but added great complexity to the portrait. Ethnicity was a complicating factor that could have derailed growth, and sound institutions played as important a role as policies in its success. An Overview of Investment Policy and Performance in Mauritius In the 1960s as independence from Britain approached, James Meade and Burton Benedict published several studies that foresaw a bleak economic and political future for Mauritius.11 Meade proposed strategies to improve the standard of living while taking into consideration projected continuing rapid population growth (then over 3% per year). He foresaw pressures of population growth on economic resources on this small volcanic isle and suggested several mitigating strategies, including increasing productivity, encouraging emigration and family planning. Burton Benedict challenged Meades proposed solutions, asserting that even if Meades suggestions on ways to increase productivity were followed, this would not produce results strong enough to counter the population growth problem. To the Malthusian logic in these first analyses, Benedict added concern over the future political stability of Mauritius. He analyzed the 1953 and 1962 censuses and documented the impact of ethnic, religious, caste and linguistic fragmentation on local politics-from the national level to the squabbles over a repair contract for a small town road. He began with the observation that Mauritians rarely identified themselves and others as Mauritians. In 1962 people from the Indian subcontinent were the majority, but did not comprise a single ethnic group. 50.5 percent of the population was Hindu and 16.2 percent Muslim Chinese comprised 3.4 percent of the population, and the General Population, mainly Creoles and Franco-Mauritians constituted 29.9 percent. Although Africans had been brought to Mauritius in slavery, African languages and ethnic groups had melded into a mixed population speaking the Creole French patois that gradually became a lingua franca of the Island. The Indo-Mauritian population was 63 percent Hindu Sanatan and 19 percent Muslim Hanafi. There were generally endogamous minority sects of both major religions (the largest of which were Arya Samaj and Ahmadiyya), as well as Indian Christians. Castes had consolidated into a bipolar mode. They had no corporate organization, but were generally endogamous. Chinese were nearly evenly split between Christians and Buddhists. Indo-Mauritians were further split by language, which sometimes had ethnic connotations. Hindi was the mother tongue of 36 percent of the total population and Urdu of 13.5 percent. Smaller Tamil and Telugu groups rarely intermarried with other Hindus. The General population of metisse, Franco-Mauritians and others was 96 percent Roman Catholic. The Franco-Mauritian families, are mostly descendants of French nobility who fled there during the French Revolution. The British gained control of the island during the Napoleonic wars andgoverned it until 1968, but the French families dominated the domestic society and economy. For the dependency theorists of the 60s, Mauritius was an archetypical monocrop colonial economy. It depended on sugar for 99 percent of exports and one third of GDP. Cane fields occupied 90 percent of arable land. Of that, 55 percent was owned by 25 Franco-Mauritian families, often dubbed sugar barons. The remaining 45 percent of sugar estates were owned by 84,000 small farmers, predominantly of Indian origin. Almost no food was produced on the island. The majority who would dominate numerically in a democratic Mauritius was a land-poor population of former indentured laborers on sugar plantations from the Indian subcontinent. Until recently they had been considered transients, not counted as members of the population. Benedicts complex analysis of the ethnic situation did little to lift the prevailing pessimism about Mauritius future. The colonial government commissioned Meade to head an appointed commission to produce an economic strategy. The Meade Report was to strongly influence the government in creating its initial import substitution industrialization policy. The key recommendations in the Meade Report included tariff protection for certain local industries, a decrease of corporate tax from 40 to 30 percent, tax holidays for five of the first eight years of a company, priority of capital expenditure for projects leading to productive employment and the abolition of tariffs on importation of machine tools and equipment. These policies already focused on investment promotion, a policy which successive Mauritian governments have consistently favored. Even as early as 1960, investment in Mauritius reached 30% of GDP, a figure only recently achieved by the most successful economies in East Asia and largely unheard of in the developing world. At this time, however, neither the new government of Mauritius, nor others in the developing world, had recognized the connection between investment policy and the larger political and economic context. A number of trends of the first government, which was dominated by the Mauritian Labour Party from independence in 1968 until 1982, limited the effectiveness of investment promotion incentives. One concern of foreign investors was political stability. There had been some communal violence just before independence, and the new Hindu dominated government maintained a fragile truce with minorities, including Muslim, Chinese and Franco-Mauritians. Other concerns centered around macroeconomic policies. Currency controls and protective tariffs designed to nurture import substitution industries [for the tiny national market], raised energy and transaction costs and times for potential exporters. The involvement of government in labor/ management negotiations and the creation of state corpora tions in key sectors led investors to take a wait and see attitude toward government. And the fledgling transport and telecommunications infrastructure was barely adequate. The idea of creating an export promotion zone (EPZ) was added to the policy mix in 1970, only two years after independence. It was inspired by the success of Taiwan. Within a year the EPZ legislation was passed. In a stroke of brilliance, industrial leaders and policy-makers realized that Mauritius, being a small island with readily controlled access, could declare the whole island an EPZ-it did not need to have a fenced area. This allowed investors to build in dispersed locations, to facilitate transport for their workers and/or their products. Only a few foreign investors took advantage of the EPZ law in the 1970s, however. Mauritius isolated location in the Indian Ocean, its currency controls and uncertain political situation reportedly influenced the first investors to limit their commitments. What became the flagship textile firm, for example, was set up initially to do only the manufacturing marketing and management were based in Japan and Hong Kong respectively. By the end of the 1970s Mauritius was experiencing many of the same problems that other African countries had with state corporations, protective tariffs, and currency controls. With no petroleum resources, it had been hit hard by OPECs escalation of oil prices and the global economic distortions that ensued. Government was running unsustainable annual deficits, the balance of trade was negative, industry was stagnant, and foreign exchange rationing slowed down all transactions. A devastating cyclone catalyzed a change in direction and in government. An alliance of former opposition parties, the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) and Mauritian Socialist Party (PSM), won the 1982 elections, changing the dominant party position for the first time since electoral politics was introduced in 1947. The new government scrapped the mixed strategy of the 1970s, liberalized the currency, retreated from subsidizing state corporations, and put its full efforts into voluntary structural adjustment and promoting export-led growth. In retrospect, a recent government report sees that decision as an inevitable logical consequence of Mauritius geographic situation. The report, Mauritius at Crossroads (1995) explains that as a small island, physically limited by lack of arable land and relying solely on sugar for foreign exchange, Mauritius was condemned to turn to an aggressive export strategy. However, it was not until the early 80s that foreign investment actually took off. And, it appears, partly as a consequence so too did domestic investment take off. Today, according to Mauritius at Crossroads, every Mauritian is taught the concept Export or Die. This philosophy has led to the development of a sound business environment which is friendly to investors, both local and foreign, and which offers an attractive investment incentives package to compensate for the lack of resources and the no-longer inexpensive labor force. The older generation of industrial and government leaders also stresses that Mauritians have learned to make a virtue of their ethnic diversity. The switch to an export-led strategy came at a time of crisis. The ill-paid labor force was still predominantly of Indian origin, as was the government, whereas the industrial sector was led by Franco-Mauritians, Hong Kong/Taiwan investors and a few Sino-Mauritians. Several interviewees described the moment as if they had looked at one another, then at the surrounding hundreds of miles of ocean, and decided that they would sink or swim together. For the export strategy, Mauritius needed to reach out to Hong Kong and Taiwan textile magnates, who had the capital and skills to organize a competitive industry. Franco-Mauritian local capital and know-how, and contacts were needed to open up European markets. A cooperative, trainable labor force was needed to attract investors. And government needed to be fully committed to its investor-friendly strategy. Mauritius had hard-working bilingual predominantly male labor force. They were skilled in farming, not industrial work. Most analysts doubted that Hindu or Muslim women would ever come out of the home and into the workplace. Within six or seven years, Mauritius had full employment, and industrial workers were mainly women. Policies were the main, but not the only factor in investment decisions. Promoting investment has been on the top of the governments industrial agenda throughout the different development phases, but the understanding of what works for investors, for government and for the society as a whole, has evolved continuously. The first clearly defined policy came in 1961, as the colonial government began to prepare for an independent Mauritius, with the Industrial Development Tax Relief Act. The Export Processing Zone took effect in 1971, as one of the first acts of the newly independent government. Support services for exporters were given a fillip in 1981 with the Export Service Zones Act. In 1985, the Mauritius Export Development and Investment Authority (MEDIA) was established as the executive arm of the Ministry of Industry. Its main responsibilities are to attract investment, promote exports and manage industrial estates. Investors clearly weighed these incentives against the inconveniences created by location, lack of local food and fuel supplies and small market size. The only major policy disincentive for foreign investors is that they are not allowed to own land. Government has compensated by providing fully equipped industrial sites for lease. Hotel investors generally partner with a local landowner. In the 1980s Mauritius offered inexpensive labor, but within a decade the development of the textile and hotel sectors had brought wages to a middle level, by world standards. From the late 1980s through early 1990s, Mauritius experienced full employment. Rising wages have gradually priced the textile industry out of its mass-production T-shirt lines, and forced b oth government and industry to rethink development strategies. The Industrial Expansion Act of 1993 was a partial response to this dilemma. Through it Mauritius confirmed its commitment to permanent zero tax rates for exporters, and added a bundle of new-targeted incentive programs, providing for high technology investors, offshore financial services and freeport services. The full range of incentive programs Mauritius which were offered is shown in Table 6.1. To increase confidence in the industrial sector in general, corporate tax for manufacturers who do not qualify for the EPZ zerorate was cut from 35 to 15 percent. Table 3.1: Manufacturing Fiscal Incentives INCENTIVE SCHEMES QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES INCENTIVES Export Enterprise (EPZ)  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  All manufactured goods for exports  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Produce of deep sea fishing (Including fresh or frozen fish)  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Printing and publishing as well as associated operations  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  IT activities  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Agro Industries  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No customs duty, or sales tax on raw materials and equipment  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No corporate tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No tax on dividends  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No capital gains tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Free repatriation of profits, dividends and capital  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  60% remission of customs duties on buses of 15-25 seats used for the transport of workers.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Exemption from payment of half the normal registration fee on land and buildings by new enterprises.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Relief on personal income tax for 2 expatriate staff Pioneer Status Enterprise  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Activities involving technology and skills above average existing in Mauritius and likely to enhance industrial and technological development.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Applicant companies may come under one of three broad categories: (a) new technology, (b) support industries and (c) service industries.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No customs duty, or sales tax on scheduled equipment or materials.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  15% corporate tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No tax on dividends  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Free repatriation of profits, dividends and capital Strategic Local Enterprise  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Local industry manufacturing for the local market and engaged in an activity likely to promote and enhance the economic, industrial and technological development of Mauritius.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  15% corporate tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No tax on dividends Modernization and Expansion Enterprise  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Two broad categories:  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Investment in productive machinery and equipment, such as automation equipment and processes and computer applications to industrial design, manufacture and maintenance CAD/CAM)  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Investment in anti-pollution and environment protection technology to be made within 2 years of date of issue of certificate.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No customs duty on production equipment  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Income tax credit of 10% (spread over 3 years) of investment in new plant and machinery, provided at least Rs 10 million are spent and this occurs within two years of date of issue of certificate. (This is in addition to existing capital allowances which amount to 125%of capital expenditures.)  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Enterprises incurring expenditure on anti-pollution machinery or plant benefit from a further incentive, i.e. an initial allowance of 80% instead of the normal 50% Industrial Building Enterprise Construction for letting purposes of industrial buildings or levels thereof, provided floor space is at least 1000 square meters. Special conditions: The applicant can only be a company intending to erect an industrial building to be let to the holder of a certificate (other than an industrial building enterprise certificate) issued under this Act or to an enterprise engaged in the manufacture or processing of goods or materials except the milling of sugar.  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  15% corporate tax  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  No tax on dividends  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Registration dues for land purchase: 50% exemption  ·Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  There is also a non-fiscal incentive, namely the disapplication of the Landlord and Tenant Act, i.e. rent control Source: Destination Mauritius, Mauritius Export Development and Investment Authority (MEDIA). Table 3.2: Services Fiscal Incentives INCENTIVE SCHEME QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES INCENTIVES Offshore Business Conduct of business with non-residents and in currencies other than the Mauritian Rupee. Activities include: offshore banking, offshore insurance, offshore funds management, international financial services, operational Headquarters, international consultancy services, shipping and ship management, aircraft financing and leasing, international licensing and franchising, international data processing and other information technology services, offshore pension funds, international trading and assets management, international employment se

Business ethics Essay

Introduction EDM *** For the purpose of this research, we will look at the factors which influence an individual to engage in unethical behaviour, which is defined as any organizational member action that violates widely accepted societal and moral norms (Rest, 1986). It may be useful to note that unethical behaviour does not equate to workplace deviance or counterproductive work behaviour (violating organizational norms) These factors can be split into three categories, individual characteristics (cognitive moral development, locus of control, Machiavellianism, moral philosophy, demographics), moral issue characteristics such as moral intensity (T. M. Jones, 1991), and organizational environment characteristics (ethical climate, ethical culture, codes of conduct). Personal Characteristics Cognitive moral development. The theory of cognitive moral development (CMD) states that there are different levels of reasoning that a person may apply to ethical issues. The individual at level one is concerned with their self-interest and external rewards and punishments. At level two, the individual does what others expect of them. The individual at level three possesses more autonomous decision-making skills based on principles of rights and justice rather than external influences (Kolberg, 1969). According to empirical research by Kolberg, most people operate at level two thinking. This is supported by Trevino and Nelson (2007), who say that most individuals are not autonomous and do not constantly follow an internal moral compass when it comes to decision making. A study by Weber (1990) also placed most business managers at level two. Rest (1986), who proposed the 4-stage ethical decision making process, places vast importance on CMD theory. This implies that while the level of reasoning an individual carries is a determinant of his actions, the situational context also does influence the actions of that individual. Taking CMD theory into consideration, it can be said that the actions of an individual is both a consequence of personal and organizational characteristics. National and cultural characteristics According to Crane and Matten (2007), research has shown that nationality and cultural background can have a significant influence on an individual’s ethical beliefs. Of the more than 30 empirical cross-cultural studies on ethical attitudes and ethical behavior conducted, practically all of them recognize the influence of national culture on one’s ethical attitude and behaviour. In support of this view is a study by Christie et al. (2003) using primary data collected from 345 business manager participating in executive MBA programs in selected schools across India, Korea and the United States looked at the relation between Hofstede’s four cultural dimensions and the attitude of individuals toward business ethics in general and toward twelve common questionable practices in particular. It concluded that there existed strong relationship between cultural dimensions of individualism and power distance and ethical attitudes of business managers toward certain questionable business practices. The analysis of the relationship between ethical attitudes of business managers toward questionable business practices and cultural dimensions of masculinity, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation produced mixed results, probably due to the effect of external variables and the insiginificant differences in cultural dimension scores among the countries surveyed. Although it is difficult to hypothesize, it is unquestionable that culture has an impact on ethical attitudes and behaviour. Organisational Characteristics Rewards. According to Trevino and Nelson (2007), a reward system is crucial to the alignment of ethical culture because people pay attention to what is measured, rewarded and disciplined. It is in human nature to do or repeat what is rewarded. The opposite is true; people will avoid what is punished. Jackall (1988) states that what is viewed as acceptable in a workplace is often what is rewarded. Crane’s research (2001) also showed that managers could avoid the moral aspect of issues and problems due to lack of progression and fears of marginalization. While generally positive, rewards can lead to unethical behaviour too Code of ethics enforcement Others – Moral Intensity What would promote ethical behaviour – link to above References * Kohlberg, L. (1969). Stage and sequence: The cognitive– developmental approach to socialization. In D. A. Goslin (Ed. ), Handbook of socialization theory and research. Chicago, IL: Rand McNally. * Rest, J. (1986). Development in judging moral issues. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. * Trevino, L. K. , & Nelson, K. A. (2007). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right. New York, NY: Wiley. * Jones, T. M. (1991). Ethical decision making by individuals in organizations: An issue-contingent model. Academy of Management Review, 16, 366–395. * Weber, J. (1990). Managers’ moral reasoning: Assessing their responses to three moral dilemmas. Human Relations, 43, 687–702. * Crane, A. , & Matten, D. (2007), Making Decisions in Business Ethics Descriptive Ethical Theories (Chapter 4) in ‘Making decisions in business ethics’ in Business ethics : managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization, 2nd ed., Oxford University Press, Oxford ; New York, pp. 127-167. * Hofstede, G. H. (1980), Culture Consequences: International Differences in Work-related Values, Sage Publications, London. * Christie, P. M. Joseph, et. al. â€Å"A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Ethical Attitudes of Business Managers: India, Korea and the United States†, Journal of Business Ethics, 46(3), pp. 263-287, Sep. 2003. * Crane, Andrew, Unpacking the Ethical Product (November 3, 2004). Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 30, No. 4, 2001. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn. com/abstract=1533523 Not used * Trevino, L. K. & Brown, M. E. (2004) ‘Managing to be ethical: Debunking five business ethics myths’, Academy of Management Executive, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 69-81. * Brown, M. E. & Trevino, L. K. (2006) ‘Ethical leadership: A review and future directions’, The Leadership Quarterly, Vol. 17, Iss. 6, pp. 595–616. * Ardichvili, A. , Mitchell, J. A. & Jondle, D (2009) ‘Characteristics of Ethical Business Cultures’, Journal of Business Ethics, Vol. 85, Iss. 4, pp. 445-451.

Goal and California College San Essay

Motivation is an interesting subject which is strictly linked to success in life, academic achievements, achieving goals and making dreams come true. I have always been a pretty smart individual who actually liked attending school and liked learning. For some reason once I graduated high school, I couldn’t find myself in the college career, I mean, I wanted to study and become someone important and successful but I just couldn’t fit it. I never even applied to any State Universities because I never thought I could achieve something so great and push myself, even though I graduated with a 3. GPA. After thinking and thinking and searching for the right career and college I finished at California College San Diego (CCSD). I chose this college because it is a short term course, with an excellent program and educational system. I also have spoken to a variety of student that have attended and graduated from CCSD and I have heard nothing but positive outcomes and they have all succeeded in their fields. I decided to pursue a career in Business Management and accounting because it just seems to click with me. A business administration degree is one of the most sought after by employers because it covers such a wide area of expertise (Hunt 2013). Attaining such a degree gives you the option to a huge variety of job opportunities seeing that it covers an enormous amount of advanced professional skills for any type of field, it prepares you with special capabilities that employers seek and you will have greater opportunities for advancement, have greater earnings potential and have the opportunity of truly enjoying your job. A Peak performer sets goals and develops appropriate attitudes and behaviors to achieve desired results. Peak performers succeed by basically just focusing on results. They have their long-term goals in mind but break them down into daily to weekly goals to be able to reach the main goal. Anyone can become a peak performer by changing their mind set and having in mind â€Å"the little engine that could. † Some of the characteristics of peak performers include setting a vision, having a sense of adventure or curiosity, being willing to take risks, a devotion to personal growth, and a strong belief in themselves. Some of the traits I that I acquire are, having my long term goal in mind at all times, take responsibility for my actions, behaviors and decisions, and remain confident and resilient. Short Term and Long Term Goals My Short-term goals during my course at California College San Diego are to overall graduate in honors and on time. In order to achieve such goal a series of mini steps include: have perfect attendance, be physically and mentally in class 110%, graduate with a 4. + GPA, achieve the Dean’s list, never stay with a doubt, and always ask questions. Also applying to a numerous of scholarships is at the top of my goal list. During my college career I plan to get internships/externships to get experience in my type of field in order to procure an employment sooner than expected. During my college career I will attain a job at any high-end company with a starting position. After achieving my associates in business management and accounting I plan to go straight into my bac helor’s. My long term goals meaning in approximately 5 years is after finishing my bachelor’s I plan to continue to my master’s if not done so yet. After my college career by that time I will be in a higher paying position and with my higher paying ratio I will then have the deposit for a new home, a new car, and maybe a deposit for a new start-up business. By this time I will then start my own family wanting only 2 children and still living in San Diego, Spring Valley as a preference. A more personal and one of my biggest/main goals is after completing all of my credentials/degrees is helping my parents in all their troubles and go visit my grandmothers grave to show her and tell her that I did it. That I, Estephene Santana, did it and that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. Fears When it comes to having fears I could sincerely say I don’t have any when it comes to my college education and my life. â€Å"Fears are nothing more than a state of mind. †- Napoleon Hill. What I do have is possible obstacles that can occur during my road to success. A big obstacle yet a blessing that I can stumble over is, getting pregnant. Both my husband and I have been planning on wanting a baby but at the same time I want to wait till I achieve my degrees. A variety of obstacles that can arise in my life consist of financial issues, conflicts with my husband/family, grief, losing people we love is inevitable even though I don’t desire something so tragic to happen sadly it does, etc. if you have a mind-set of achieving whatever you set your mind to, the world cannot know what you can be capable of. Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. †(Washington ) Thanks When I reach graduation the main people I will thank will be my mother and my husband because they have both seen me struggle and have helped me throughout them. My husband, who has been my main support system for about 6 years, is the one who has always pushed me to strive. He knows me from head to toe, he is my strength when all I am left is weakness. He is the one who pushed me to walk through the doors of CCSD. My mom, my everything, my guardian angel, my mother is so amazing and the most important person that can ever exist in my life. I have her to thank because she is always there for me she gave me life, she has and I know that she will continue to help me overcome any obstacles that come my way whether they be big or small she is always there. She has always wanted me to become someone important in life and not suffer how my dad and she did. And when I graduate in honors I will smile at my mom and tell her â€Å"I love you I did it, and I did it for you. Conclusion In closing, I have established a variety of goals, I know there will be many barriers to overcome but I will achieve it I will succeed in life and become someone important. The high-expectations I have for myself will give me the motivation in completing my Business degree and graduating from California College San Diego in Honors. In brief, I want to become someone important in the business world working for a high-end company. I am not only motivated by my loved ones but also I am self-motivated to be great, to live great and to do great.

London By George Eliot And Monet s The House Of...

London, England’s capital, is one of the top twenty-five largest cities in the world, located on the River Thames with a history reaching all the way back to Roman times. From the London Eye and Big Ben to the Albert and Victoria Memorial and Buckingham Palace, there is an abundance of adventures to journey on in the prodigious city of London. Despite all the fascinating monuments and architecture there is to see, London has the reputation of constantly being gloomy and raining. With this reputation, there is plenty of artwork that resembles the image of â€Å"gloomy, large London.† Three pieces of artwork that resemble the gloomy and large qualities of London are â€Å"In a London Drawing Room† by George Eliot, â€Å"A London Thoroughfare. 2 AM† by Amy Lowell, and Monet’s The House of Parliament, sunset (1903). Eliot’s painting of London represents the vast city as isolated and extremely gloomy, where â€Å"no bird can make a shadow as it flies† as a result of the immense amount of fog floating in the air. Here, London is depicted as a lonely and isolated city when Eliot says, â€Å"All hurry on look upon the ground, / Or glance unmarking at the passers by / The wheels are hurrying too, cabs, carriages / All closed, in multiplied identity.† With the millions of people breathing in London, it is still an empty city where people do not recognize one another and do not form the effort to conceive new relationships. In this sentence, it construes what giant cities are like; filled with independent

What Is Socialization All About

Socialization is a process that introduces people to social norms and customs. This process helps individuals function well in society, and, in turn, helps society run smoothly. Family members, teachers, religious leaders, and peers all play roles in a persons socialization. This process typically occurs in two stages: Primary socialization takes place from birth through adolescence, and secondary socialization continues throughout ones life. Adult socialization may occur whenever people find themselves in new circumstances, especially those in which they interact with individuals whose norms or customs differ from theirs. The Purpose of Socialization During socialization, a person learns to become a member of a group, community, or society. This process not only accustoms people to social groups but also results in such groups sustaining themselves. For example, a new sorority member gets an insiders look at the customs and traditions of a Greek organization. As the years pass, the member can apply the information shes learned about the sorority when newcomers join, allowing the group to carry on its traditions. On a macro level, socialization ensures that we have a process through which the norms and customs of society are transmitted. Socialization teaches people what is expected of them in a particular group or situation; it is a form of social control. Socialization has numerous goals for youth and adults alike. It teaches children to control their biological impulses, such as using a toilet instead of wetting their pants or bed. The socialization process also helps individuals develop a conscience aligned with social norms and prepares them to perform various roles. The Socialization Process in Three Parts Socialization involves both social structure and interpersonal relations. It contains three key parts: context, content and process, and results. Context, perhaps, defines socialization the most, as it refers to culture, language, social structures and one’s rank within them. It also includes history and the roles people and institutions played in the past. Ones life context will significantly affect the socialization process. For example, a familys economic class may have a huge impact on how parents socialize their children. Research has found that parents emphasize the values and behaviors most likely to help children succeed given their station in life. Parents who expect their children to work blue-collar jobs are more likely to emphasize conformity and respect for authority, while those who expect their children to pursue artistic, managerial, or entrepreneurial professions are more likely to emphasize creativity and independence. Gender stereotypes also exert a strong influence on socialization processes. Cultural expectations for gender roles and gendered behavior are imparted to children through color-coded clothes and types of play. Girls usually receive toys that emphasize physical appearance and domesticity such as dolls or dollhouses, while boys receive playthings that involve thinking skills or call to mind traditionally male professions such as Legos, toy soldiers, or race cars. Additionally, research has shown that girls with brothers are socialized to understand that household labor is expected of them but not of their male siblings. Driving the message home is that girls tend not to receive pay for doing chores, while their brothers do. Race also plays a factor in socialization. Since white people dont disproportionately experience police violence, they can encourage their children to know their rights and defend them when the authorities try to violate them. In contrast, parents of color must have whats known as the talk with their children, instructing them to remain calm, compliant, and safe in the presence of law enforcement. While context sets the stage for socialization, the content and process constitute the work of this undertaking. How parents assign chores or tell their kids to interact with police are examples of content and process, which are also defined by the duration of socialization, those involved, the methods used, and the type of experience. School is an important source of socialization for students of all ages. In class, young people receive guidelines related to behavior, authority, schedules, tasks, and deadlines. Teaching this content requires social interaction between educators and students. Typically, rules and expectations are both written and spoken, and student conduct is either rewarded or penalized. As this occurs, students learn behavioral norms suitable for school. In the classroom, students also learn what sociologists describe as hidden curricula. In her book Dude, Youre a Fag, sociologist C.J. Pasco revealed the hidden curriculum of gender and sexuality in U.S. high schools. Through in-depth research at a large California school, Pascoe revealed how faculty members and events like pep rallies and dances reinforce rigid gender roles and heterosexism. In particular, the school sent the message that aggressive and hypersexual behaviors are generally acceptable in white boys but threatening in Black ones. Though not an official part of the schooling experience, this hidden curriculum tells students what society expects of them based on their gender, race, or class background. Results are the outcome of socialization and refer to the way a person thinks and behaves after undergoing this process. For example, with small children, socialization tends to focus on control of biological and emotional impulses, such as drinking from a cup rather than from a bottle or asking permission before picking something up. As children mature, the results of socialization include knowing how to wait their turn, obey rules, or organize their days around a school or work schedule. We can see the results of socialization in just about everything, from men shaving their faces to women shaving their legs and armpits. Stages and Forms of Socialization Sociologists recognize two stages of socialization: primary and secondary. Primary socialization occurs from birth through adolescence. Caregivers, teachers, coaches, religious figures, and peers guide this process. Secondary socialization occurs throughout our lives as we encounter groups and situations that were not part of our primary socialization experience. This might include a college experience, where many people interact with members of different populations and learn new norms, values, and behaviors. Secondary socialization also takes place in the workplace or while traveling somewhere new. As we learn about unfamiliar places and adapt to them, we experience secondary socialization. Meanwhile, group socialization occurs throughout all stages of life. For example, peer groups influence how one speaks and dresses. During childhood and adolescence, this tends to break down along gender lines. It is common to see groups of children of either gender wearing the same hair and clothing styles. Organizational socialization occurs within an institution or organization to familiarize a person with its norms, values, and practices. This process often unfolds in nonprofits and companies. New employees in a workplace have to learn how to collaborate, meet managements goals, and take breaks in a manner suitable for the company. At a nonprofit, individuals may learn how to speak about social causes in a way that reflects the organizations mission. Many people also experience anticipatory socialization at some point. This form of socialization is largely  self-directed  and refers to the steps one takes to prepare for a new role, position, or occupation. This may involve seeking guidance from people whove previously served in the role, observing others currently in these roles, or training for the new position during an apprenticeship. In short, anticipatory socialization transitions people into new roles so they know what to expect when they officially step into them. Finally, forced socialization takes place in institutions such as prisons, mental hospitals, military units, and some boarding schools. In these settings, coercion is used to re-socialize people into individuals who behave in a manner fitting of the norms, values, and customs of the institution. In prisons and psychiatric hospitals, this process may be framed as rehabilitation. In the military, however, forced socialization aims to create an entirely new identity for the individual. Criticism of Socialization While socialization is a necessary part of society, it also has drawbacks. Since dominant cultural norms, values, assumptions, and beliefs guide the process, it is not a neutral endeavor. This means that socialization may reproduce the prejudices that lead to forms of social injustice and inequality. Representations of racial minorities in film, television, and advertising tend to be rooted in harmful stereotypes. These portrayals socialize viewers to perceive racial minorities in certain ways  and expect particular behaviors and attitudes from them. Race and racism influence socialization processes in other ways too. Research has shown that racial prejudices affect treatment and discipline of students. Tainted by racism, the behavior of teachers socializes all students to have low expectations for youth of color. This kind of socialization results in an over-representation of minority students in remedial classes and an under-representation of them in gifted class. It may also result in these students being punished more harshly for the same kinds of offenses that white students commit, such as talking back to teachers or coming to class unprepared. While socialization is necessary, its important to recognize the values, norms, and behaviors this process reproduces. As societys ideas about race, class, and gender evolve, so will the forms of socialization that involve these identity markers.

Big Brothers Essay - 943 Words

Becoming a mentor can have a tremendous impact on the life of a youngster. Children need someone to look up to that doesn’t necessarily need be a part of their immediate family. Sometimes they have no siblings, or maybe their siblings or parents are busy. Perhaps they have no grandparents to do things with. These children are the ones that spend their afternoons in crowded after school programs where they may not get the attention the crave. This may lead to isolation and oppositely over hyperactive children starved for attention. In other cases, some children who are not so fortunate as to be offered after-school programs are subject to the world outside all on their own. In too many cases, these are the children that become statistics.†¦show more content†¦No matter how trivial the obstacle, children should not have to live in fear or feel as if they are alone and have no one to talk to. This happens in too many instances, and just a simple friend could have made al l the difference. Though juvenile crimes are not on the rise, according to the National Center for Juvenile Justice, 18% of all arrests in the US are youths under the age of 18. Most of these crimes include rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Students ages 12–18 were victims of an estimated 2.1 million in-school thefts in 1996—62% of all crimes in school. Students ages 12–18 were victims of an estimated 1.6 million thefts away from school in 1996—53% of all crimes against students away from school. Even if crime isn’t on the rise with school-aged children, problems do exist. These are problems that will not go away by themselves and all the metal detectors and safety measures will not keep kids safe outside of school. It is easy to say that the kids are misunderstood. Just a satisfying excuse to the behaviors of troubled kids. It doesn’t have to be that way. Directly quoted from the big brother/big sister web site is the following mission statement: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America have matched millions of children in need with caring adult mentors since 1904. Research shows that children with Big Brothers and Big Sisters are less likely to use drugs and alcohol, skip school, andShow MoreRelatedCultural And Artistic Values And The Success Of Big Brother2750 Words   |  11 Pagessuccess of Big Brother By Hasanein K Amori Big Brother is an example of a distinctive game doc that caused a transitional stage to traditional documentary and reality genre. Therefore, this essay will delve into its artistic and cultural value that award the show this distinction. The work will approach different dimensions evaluating the programme through a hierarchy of concepts. It will first approach the base of the hierarchy and explain reality Tv genre as a covering topic that Big BrotherRead MoreTexas Big Brothers Big Sisters1767 Words   |  8 PagesKansas Big Brothers Big Sisters has many strengths within this large, long-standing organization. For example, due to the longevity of the organization, the many processes that have been put in place for the safety and satisfaction of the child at Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters provide extremely good customer service and a customer centric value that is a necessity in the world of non-profits. Another benefit is that Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters is the second lar gest subsidiary of the nationalRead MoreTaking a Look at the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization1338 Words   |  5 PagesBig brothers Big sisters is a nonprofit organization that helps children that are in need and children that may in the future want to do illegal drugs. Big Brothers Big Sisters helps at-risk children beat the odds. Through the generosity of a variety of funding sources including individual donors, corporations, governmental entities, and foundations we have the resources necessary to carry out our mission, which includes conducting background checks on volunteers to ensure child safety. Donor supportRead MoreBig Brothers Big Sisters Of America Impact On Organizational Changes Essay1632 Words   |  7 Pages Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Impact of Organizational Changes n Team Members Leaders are the central figures in a team, and they are attributed to the largest share of blame or praise depending on the performance. New leaders in an organization are faced with many challenges on how to start making an impact and successfully lead the subordinates on the set mission. According to Kangas (2013), the key element for a new leader is to establish interpersonal links and relationships that are necessaryRead MoreThe Big Brothers Big Sisters Essay1427 Words   |  6 Pageshave chosen to address the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and how it coincides with Travis Hirschi’s Social Control Theory. Based on the elements in Hirschi’s Social Control Theory I will discuss how the Big Brothers Big Sisters program is beneficial in deterring the youths of today from participating in deviant behavior and becoming the criminals of tomorrow. To better the comprehension of their coexistence, I will first discuss the elements of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program a nd the SocialRead MoreThe, Big Brother Is Watching1274 Words   |  6 PagesThe lighthearted phrase, â€Å"Big brother is watching† from 1984, is well known amongst most culturally educated adults and teens, but as I’ve become more aware of the joke, more and more people treat the phrase as less of a joke and more of a common unspoken rule. The NSA was discovered in 2013 to be tapping into private phone calls and emails from citizens. Social media sites update their privacy policies regularly, granting themselves more and more rights to the information I presume to be be personalRead MoreThe Reality Of Reality Television Essay1287 Words   |  6 Pagesgenres broadcasted to the general public. Reality television has become more about mindless watching and creating the most unrealistic environment possible, rather than creating a show for an important purpose. Today, shows like Beauty and the Geek, Big Brother, and every other reality show fit into this mold, but when viewed critically lessons appear. In the case of TV today, reality shows depict an altered reality because of the unrealistic situations this genre presents. Firstly, Beauty and the GeekRead MoreEssay on Watchful Government in George Orwells 1984914 Words   |  4 Pagesthe poster with the enormous face gazed from the wall. It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow you about when you move. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU, the caption beneath it ran (Orwell, 3). The possibly of a leader such as Big Brother is very scary. Just after this excerpt the reader realizes what big brother really means. It means that a resident of this place will always be watched, night and day, and can be brought up on just about anything. No one wantsRead MoreEssay on Argument Against Reality Television852 Words   |  4 PagesTelevision reflect appallingly on our media culture, but it corrupts the mind of youngsters, giving them twisted views on society. What person are you becoming if you are sitting there daydreaming about who is going to be evicted from Big Brother? Well, youre the one the needs a snap back to realityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ One of the attractions of reality television is the supposed reality of it - unscripted and unplanned situations and reactions. One of the ethical problems of realityRead MoreWhat Is A Voyeur? Essay1583 Words   |  7 Pagesreality television shows. While flipping through the channels, you can’t help but take notice of all the reality shows you have access to at the touch of a button. With the rising popularity of movie’s and reality shows like The Kardashians, Big Brother and The Truman Show, these shows accommodate television viewers of their voyeuristic needs. Clay Calvert introduces to us the term mediated voyeurism which describes the consumption of reality shows and the images that they expose for the purpose

Energy Choices in Everyday Life free essay sample

Usage of electricity is also a huge abundance in my residents. A normal routine of using electricity varies from everything like lights computers, television, tablets and cell phones. Theres is not a day my family and I are not using energy as electricity. Next, commercial energy is the highest energy sources are used in my daily routine. As a nurse the amount of energy used on daily to accommodate work has could be at an all-time high. We use refrigerators for immunization, food and lab work. We use most of our energy on patients for example respiratory patients on ventilation and tracts.Living in the south, we cannot live with air conditioning units to monitor temps and keep down infection. In addition, many energy usages occur from daily use of laundry, medical equipment, sterilization machines such as autoclaves, computer and server use, and food service and Im sure Im missing others. We will write a custom essay sample on Energy Choices in Everyday Life or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Sources used in the hospital can vary from natural gas, electricity and fuels. Lastly, would be my personal transportation. Personal vehicles, on the other hand, consume more than 60% of the energy used for transportation. (The National Academy of Sciences, 2015. ) On Average the energy I use on a daily basis is nonrenewable.What impacts have been observed on both humans and the environment as a result of increasing energy needs and use? There are many factors, both natural and humans that have a huge impact on the environment. Pollution is a short and long term problem we have on Earth. Pollution can cause changes in the planets energy balance, such as changes in the greenhouse effect, which affects the amount of heat retained by Earths atmosphere, variations in the suns energy reaching Earth changes in the reflectivity of Earths atmosphere and surface. The changes have changed the climate many times which have an effect on humans also.NRC EPA 2010) Our planet can is good at reusing waste but humans are producing more than what the Earth can handle. Pollution happened at different stages and it has an impact on all living things including species and humans. Unfortunately, humans are the most polluting species. If you were to seek a new energy resource for your home, what would you choose? If I had to choose new energy resources for my home I would choose solar panels. The main reason that most individuals convert their power source to solar energy is to cut down their electrical bill because the electrical usage generated from the sun is free.I love the sound Of free. Solar panels are energy that is taken from renewal able energy sources such as wind, sun, geothermal, and biomass. Installing solar panels is simple way for home to decrease its carbon and environmental impact. Also as stated previously that world pollution is getting worse and solar panels helps. Any effort that can reduce the pollution to the environment helps to save the earth. Therefore, solar energy that is harmless to the environment will be the major energy source for future. (http://www. Go-green. Awe/Greensboro. ) The challenge with solar panels is an intermittent energy source.The sun doesnt shine all day perfectly on panels and trees and taller houses that surround my house could shade the panels. Throughout the summer months, the suns rays can intermittently be blocked by clouds. So on these summer days the panel system faces challenges by not being efficient. Another challenge is the cost to install solar panels, even with several inducements. A solar panel system could still set one back a few thousands of dollars but the total price depends on the home, its location, size but even smaller systems can be expensive to install. How can simple changes make a big impact?Overall, there are small changes I can make to help make an impact on the environment. While at home I can use more natural lighting and natural air for cooling when weather is permitted. Sealing drafts on windows and doors to make sure that my home has adequate insulation can help with being more energy-efficient. Can replace my light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Could find local organizations that take back electronics like phones modems, irons, fans, heaters and microwaves for reuse and recycling. With Transportation I could carpool or drive less by riding a bike or using city transit.Hybrids cars and plug-in hybrids use a smaller amount Of gas and saves money on high gas priced. So when completing school I could purchase a new vehicle. Outwork, reducing, reusing, and recycling at the work saves energy, and reduces pollution. Double sided printing and copying; printing items needed; finding a company thats sales office supplies that a recycled or a company that will allow you to refill your uses ink cartridges; Having several recycling choices for items such as paper products, batteries. With these actions I can help energy usage and reduce pollution. I can ask my manager if your building has earned the Energy Star.