Mother Child And Father Child Relationships Essay

Mother-Child and Father-Child Relationships â€Å"Parent-Child Relationships, Parental Psychological Control, and Aggression: Maternal and Paternal Relationships† written by Murray, Dwyer, Rubin, Knighton-Wisor and Booth-LaForce (2013) sought to understand the role of paternal and maternal parenting in predicting child developmental outcomes. Specifically, the study focused on the examination of the extent to which quality father-to-child and mother-to-child relationships moderate or lessen the impact of adversities arising from ineffective parenting practices on adolescent aggression that may follow. Literature Review Murray et al. (2013) acknowledged the direct correlation between aggression and parent-child relationships. Also, the authors observed that peer influence among the adolescents is on the increase and that parents play a significant role in shaping the group’s aggression outcomes. Therefore, the central purpose was to foster a completion of measures of youth aggressive behavior, the quality of parent-child associations, and psychological control. In turn, the results were used to understand the significance of parenting behaviors such as psychological control, monitoring knowledge and parental support in determining the nature of adolescent aggression, as well as other related problem behaviors that include delinquency. Overall, Murray et al. (2013) sought to explore the perceived role of the quality of the relationship between parents and children inShow MoreRelatedEssay On Follow Up Visit To The Home1434 Words   |  6 Pagesthe door the mother Ms. Fradera answered. CPS intr oduces herself to the mother and was escorted into the home. When CPS enter MGGM Thomasa Figueroa was sitting in the living room with the child Nilah. CPS spoke to Ms. Fradera in the living room. CPS asked Ms. Fradera how the family us doing. Ms. Fradera reported good. CPS inquire abut the mother involvement with ACS. Ms. Fradera reported that the child was missing days from school. CPS asked Ms. Fradera what was the reason the child missed 30 daysRead MoreMost Women Engage During Maternal Gatekeeping As A Result Or Response For A Failed Romantic Relationship Essay1740 Words   |  7 Pagesromantic relationship, making it hard for the father to be a part of his child life. Gatekeeping is another way for some mothers to get revenge for the happy end they never got. Also, some mother undermines the father of their child to make it seem like they don’t want to be in their child life. Hip hop fatherhood narratives such as Joe Budden â€Å"Role Reversal† and Don Trip â€Å"Letter to my Son† reinforce gender stereotypes about co-parenting labeling the mother as an angry mama. Some mothers tendRead MoreThe Effects Of Divorce On A Child Relationship Essay1504 Words   |  7 Pagescreates less contact with the father which is received as poor compared to the mother. 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However, the mother of most families will get to experience much more time with the newborn, than the father. Companies should give paternity leave because it affects the well being of the mother, father, and newborn. Mother of a newborn

The Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne - 989 Words

In The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthrone looks at three people who all suffer in different ways. Hester Prynne because of her adultery, was driven away by the people of Boston. Roger Chillingworth fueled by his need for revenge rushes into madness. The Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, who is loves by all, is almost pushed into insanity. While it is clear Hester and Chillingworth suffer, Dimmesdale is the one who goes through the worst trial. Hester Prynne, because of her adultery, was driven away by the people of Boston. When Hester commits this crime she thinks she has done the worst sin imaginable. So as the judges sentenced her to three hours standing on the scaffold in the blazing heat, she takes it. When they make her wear an â€Å"A† upon her bosom for the rest of her life, she does. The towns people hate her at first saying â€Å" this women has brought shame upon us all†(Hawthorne 49). They then exile her to the outskirts of town so they do not have to lay their eyes on her. When ever she would come into town clergymen would preach about her in their sermons,and when she went to church she would â€Å"find herself in the text†(79).As she passed by children they would call her names that they don t even understand. But she took all this pain and anguish because she thought she deserved it. So as penance she would donate whatever money she had to the poor. She would spend hours with the sick te nding to them. She even sowed for the people who condemned her and made them the nicestShow MoreRelatedThe Scarlet Letter By Nathaniel Hawthorne1242 Words   |  5 PagesLYS PAUL Modern Literature Ms. Gordon The Scarlet Letter The scarlet letter is book written by Nathaniel Hawthorne who is known as one the most studied writers because of his use of allegory and symbolism. He was born on July 4, 1804 in the family of Nathaniel, his father, and Elizabeth Clark Hathorne his mother. Nathaniel added â€Å"W† to his name to distance himself from the side of the family. 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Issues in Sme Development in Ghana and South Africa Free Essays

International Research Journal of Finance and Economics ISSN 1450-2887 Issue 39 (2010)  © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2010 http://www. eurojournals. We will write a custom essay sample on Issues in Sme Development in Ghana and South Africa or any similar topic only for you Order Now com/finance. htm Issues in SME Development in Ghana and South Africa Joshua Abor Department of Finance University of Ghana Business School, Legon Peter Quartey Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research University of Ghana, Legon Abstract This paper discusses the characteristics, contributions of SMEs to economic development, and the constraints to SME development in developing countries with particular reference to Ghana and South Africa. SMEs in Ghana have been noted to provide about 85% of manufacturing employment of Ghana. They are also believed to contribute about 70% to Ghana’s GDP and account for about 92% of businesses in Ghana. In the Republic of South Africa, it is estimated that 91% of the formal business entities are SMEs. They also contribute between 52 to 57% to GDP and provide about 61% to employment. Notwithstanding the recognition of the important roles SMEs play in these countries, their development is largely constrained by a number of factors, such as lack of access to appropriate technology; limited access to international markets, the existence of laws, regulations and rules that impede the development of the sector; weak institutional capacity, lack of management skills and training, and most importantly finance. The paper provides some relevant recommendations to policy makers, development agencies, entrepreneurs, and SME managers to ascertain the appropriate strategy to improve the SME sector in these countries. Keywords: SME Development, Ghana, South Africa 1. 0. Introduction There is growing recognition of the important role small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play in economic development. They are often described as efficient and prolific job creators, the seeds of big businesses and the fuel of national economic engines. Even in the developed industrial economies, it is the SME sector rather than the multinationals that is the largest employer of workers (Mullineux, 1997). Interest in the role of SMEs n the development process continues to be in the forefront of policy debates in most countries. Governments at all levels have undertaken initiatives to promote the growth of SMEs (Feeney and Riding, 1997). SME development can encourage the process of both inter and intra-regional decentralization; and, they may well become a countervailing force against the economic power of larger enterprises. More generally, the development of SMEs is seen as accelerating the achievement of wider economi c and socio-economic objectives, including poverty alleviation (Cook and Nixson, 2000). According to an OECD report, SMEs produce about 25% of OECD exports and 35% of Asia’s exports (OECD, 1997). International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) 219 SMEs represent over 90% of private business and contribute to more than 50% of employment and of GDP in most African countries (UNIDO, 1999). Small enterprises in Ghana are said to be a characteristic feature of the production landscape and have been noted to provide about 85% of manufacturing employment of Ghana (Steel and Webster, 1991; Aryeetey, 2001). SMEs are also believed to contribute about 70% to Ghana’s GDP and account for about 92% of businesses in Ghana. Similarly, in the Republic of South Africa, it is estimated that 91% of the formal business entities are Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) (Hassbroeck, 1996; Berry et al. , 2002). They also contribute between 52 and 57% to GDP and provide about 61% of employment (CSS, 1998; Ntsika, 1999; Gumede, 2000; Berry et al. , 2002). SMEs therefore have a crucial role to play in stimulating growth, generating employment and contributing to poverty alleviation, given their economic weight in African countries. How do SMEs in Ghana compare with their counterparts in South Africa and what policy lessons can be drawn for both countries to enhance the contribution of the sector remains the focus of this paper. The rest of the paper is organized as follows: Section two reviews the various definitions of SMEs. Section three discusses the characteristics of SMEs in developing countries. Sections four and five examine the contributions of SMEs to economic development and the constraints to SME developments. The paper concludes in section six. 2. 0. What is an SME? The issue of what constitutes a small or medium enterprise is a major concern in the literature. Different authors have usually given different definitions to this category of business. SMEs have indeed not been spared with the definition problem that is usually associated with concepts which have many components. The definition of firms by size varies among researchers. Some attempt to use the capital assets while others use skill of labour and turnover level. Others define SMEs in terms of their legal status and method of production. Storey (1994) tries to sum up the danger of using size to define the status of a firm by stating that in some sectors all firms may be regarded as small, whilst in other sectors there are possibly no firms which are small. The Bolton Committee (1971) first formulated an â€Å"economic† and â€Å"statistical† definition of a small firm. Under the â€Å"economic† definition, a firm is said to be small if it meets the following three criteria: †¢ It has a relatively small share of their market place; †¢ It is managed by owners or part owners in a personalized way, and not through the medium of a formalized management structure; †¢ It is independent, in the sense of not forming part of a large enterprise. Under the â€Å"statistical† definition, the Committee proposed the following criteria:: †¢ The size of the small firm sector and its contribution to GDP, employment, exports, etc. †¢ The extent to which the small firm sector’s economic contribution has changed over time; †¢ Applying the statistical definition in a cross-country comparison of the small firms’ economic contribution. The Bolton Committee applied different definitions of the small firm to different sectors. Whereas firms in manufacturing, construction and mining were defined in terms of number of employees (in which case, 200 or less qualified the firm to be a small firm), those in the retail, services, wholesale, etc. were defined in terms of monetary turnover (in which case the range is 50,000-200,000 British Pounds to be classified as small firm). Firms in the road transport industry are classified as small if they have 5 or fewer vehicles. There have been criticisms of the Bolton definitions. These centre mainly on the apparent inconsistencies between defining characteristics based on number of employees and those based on managerial approach. The European Commission (EC) defined SMEs largely in term of the number of employees as follows: †¢ firms with 0 to 9 employees – micro enterprises; 220 International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) †¢ 10 to 99 employees – small enterprises; †¢ 100 to 499 employees – medium enterprises. Thus, the SME sector is comprised of enterprises (except agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing) which employ less than 500 workers. In effect, the EC definitions are based solely on employment rather than a multiplicity of criteria. Secondly, the use of 100 employees as the small firm’s upper limit is more appropriate, given the increase in productivity over the last two decades (Storey, 1994). Finally, the EC definition did not assume the SME group is homogenous; that is, the definition makes a distinction between micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. However, the EC definition is too all-embracing to be applied to a number of countries. Researchers would have to use definitions for small firms which are more appropriate to their particular â€Å"target† group (an operational definition). It must be emphasized that debates on definitions turn out to be sterile, unless size is a factor which influences performance. For instance, the relationship between size and performance matters when assessing the impact of a credit programme on a target group (Storey, 1994). Weston and Copeland (1998) hold that definitions of size of enterprises suffer from a lack of universal applicability. In their view, this is because enterprises may be conceived of in varying terms. Size has been defined in different contexts, in terms of the number of employees, annual turnover, industry of enterprise, ownership of enterprise, and value of fixed assets. Van der Wijst (1989) considers small and medium businesses as privately held firms with 1 – 9 and 10 – 99 people employed, respectively. Jordan et al (1998) define SMEs as firms with fewer than 100 employees and less than â‚ ¬15 million turnover. Michaelas et al (1999) consider small independent private limited companies with fewer than 200 employees and Lopez and Aybar (2000) considered companies with sales below â‚ ¬15 million as small. According to the British Department of Trade and Industry, the best description of a small firm remains that used by the Bolton Committee in its 1971 Report on Small Firms. This stated that a small firm is an independent business, managed by its owner or part-owners and having a small market share (Department of Trade and Industry, 2001). The UNIDO also defines SMEs in terms of number of employees by giving different classifications for industrialized and developing countries (see Elaian, 1996). The definition for industrialized countries is given as follows: †¢ Large – firms with 500 or more workers; †¢ Medium – firms with 100-499 workers; †¢ Small – firms with 99 or less workers. The classification given for developing countries is as follows: †¢ Large – firms with 100 or more workers; †¢ Medium – firms with 20-99 workers; †¢ Small – firms with 5-19 workers; †¢ Micro – firms with less than 5 workers. It is clear from the various definitions that there is not a general consensus over what constitutes an SME. Definitions vary across industries and also across countries. It is important now to examine definitions of SMEs given in the context of Ghana and South Africa. 2. 1. The Ghanaian Situation There have been various definitions given for small-scale enterprises in Ghana but the most commonly used criterion is the number of employees of the enterprise (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). In applying this definition, confusion often arises in respect of the arbitrariness and cut off points used by the various official sources. In its Industrial Statistics, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) considers firms with fewer than 10 employees as small-scale enterprises and their counterparts with more than 10 employees as medium and large-sized enterprises. Ironically, the GSS in its national accounts considered companies with up to 9 employees as SMEs (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). The value of fixed assets in the firm has also been used as an alternative criterion for defining SMEs. However, the National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) in Ghana applies both the International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) 221 â€Å"fixed asset and number of employees† criteria. It defines a small-scale enterprise as a firm with not more than 9 workers, and has plant and machinery (excluding land, buildings and vehicles) not exceeding 10 million Ghanaian cedis. The Ghana Enterprise Development Commission (GEDC), on the other hand, uses a 10 million Ghanaian cedis upper limit definition for plant and machinery. It is important to caution that the process of valuing fixed assets poses a problem. Secondly, the continuous depreciation of the local currency as against major trading currencies often makes such definitions outdated (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). In defining small-scale enterprises in Ghana, Steel and Webster (1991), and Osei et al (1993) used an employment cut-off point of 30 employees. Osei et al (1993), however, classified small-scale enterprises into three categories. These are: (i) micro – employing less than 6 people; (ii) very small employing 6-9 people; (iii) small – between 10 and 29 employees. A more recent definition is the one given by the Regional Project on Enterprise Development Ghana manufacturing survey paper. The survey report classified firms into: (i) micro enterprise, less than 5 employees; (ii) small enterprise, 5 29 employees; (iii) medium enterprise, 30 – 99 employees; (iv) large enterprise, 100 and more employees (see Teal, 2002). 2. 2. The South African Situation The most widely used framework in South Africa is the definition of the National Small Business Act 102 of 1996, which defines five categories of businesses in South Africa. The definition uses the number of employees (the most common mode of definition) per enterprise size category combined with the annual turnover categories, the gross assets excluding fixed property. The definitions for the various enterprise categories are given as follows: †¢ Survivalist enterprise: The income generated is less than the minimum income standard or the poverty line. This category is considered pre-entrepreneurial, and includes hawkers, vendors and subsistence farmers. (In practice, survivalist enterprises are often categorised as part of the micro-enterprise sector). Micro enterprise: The turnover is less than the VAT registration limit (that is, R150 000 per year). These enterprises usually lack formality in terms of registration. They include, for example, spaza shops, minibus taxis and household industries. They employ no more than 5 people. †¢ Very small enterprise: These are enterprises employing fewer than 10 paid employees, except mining, electricity, manufacturing and construction sectors, in which the figure is 20 employees. These enterprises operate in the formal market and have access to technology. Small enterprise: The upper limit is 50 employees. Small enterprises are generally more established than very small enterprises and exhibit more complex business practices. †¢ Medium enterprise: The maximum number of employees is 100, or 200 for the mining, electricity, manufacturing and construction sectors. These enterprises are often characterised by the decentralisation of power to an additional management layer. The National Small Business Act’s definitions of the different categories of business may be summarised as set out in Table 1 below. 222 Table 1: International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) Definitions of SMMEs given in the National Small Business Act Number of Employees Fewer than 100 to 200, depending on industry Fewer than 50 Annual Turnover (in South African rand) Less than R4 million to R50 million, depending upon industry Less than R2 million to R25 million, depending on industry Less than R200 000 to R500 000, depending on industry Less than R150 000 Gross Assets, Excluding Fixed Property Less than R2 million to R18 million, depending on industry Less than R2 million to R4. million, depending on industry Less than R150 000 to R500 000, depending on Industry Less than R100 000 Enterprise Size Medium Small Fewer than 10 to 20, depending on industry Micro Fewer than 5 Source: Falkena et al. (2001) Very Small From the above, two key contrast can be drawn between the definitions of SMEs in Ghana and their counterparts in South Africa. First, Act 102 of 1996 defines SMEs in South Africa wh ereas there is no such legislation in Ghana. Secondly, the cut off points for the various SME size categories in South Africa are much higher than that of Ghana. This may be a result of the fact that South Africa has a much higher income levels than Ghana. 3. 0. Characteristics of SMEs in Developing Countries Fisher and Reuber (2000) enumerate a number of characteristics of SMEs in developing countries under the broad headings: labour characteristics, sectors of activity, gender of owner and efficiency. Given that most SMEs are one-person businesses, the largest employment category is working proprietors. This group makes up more than half the SME workforce in most developing countries; their families, who tend to be unpaid but active in the enterprise, make up roughly another quarter. The remaining portion of the workforce is split between hired workers and trainees or apprentices. SMEs are more labour intensive than larger firms and therefore have lower capital costs associated with job creation (Anheier and Seibel, 1987; Liedholm and Mead, 1987; Schmitz, 1995). In terms of activity, they are mostly engaged in retailing, trading, or manufacturing (Fisher and Reuber, 2000). While it is a common perception that the majority of SMEs will fall into the first category, the proportion of SME activity that takes place in the retail sector varies considerably between countries, and between rural and urban regions within countries. Retailing is mostly found in urban regions, while manufacturing can be found in either rural or urban centres. However, the extent of involvement of a country in manufacturing will depend on a number of factors, including, availability of raw materials, taste and consumption patterns of domestic consumers, and the level of development of the export markets. In Ghana, SMEs can be categorized into urban and rural enterprises. The former can be subdivided into â€Å"organized† and â€Å"unorganized† enterprises. The organized ones mostly have paid employees with a registered office, whereas the unorganized category is mainly made up of artisans who work in open spaces, temporary wooden structures, or at home, and employ few or in some cases no salaried workers (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). They rely mostly on family members or apprentices. Rural enterprises are largely made up of family groups, individual artisans, women engaged in food production from local crops. The major activities within this sector include:- soap and detergents, fabrics, clothing and tailoring, textile and leather, village blacksmiths, tin-smithing, ceramics, timber and mining, bricks and cement, beverages, food processing, bakeries, wood furniture, electronic assembly, agro processing, chemical-based products and mechanics (Osei et al. , 1993; Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). Majority of SMEs are female-owned businesses, which more often than not are home-based compared to those owned by males; they are operated from home and are mostly not considered in official statistics. This clearly affects their chances of gaining access to financing schemes, since such International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) 223 programmes are designed without sufficient consideration of the needs of businesses owned by females. These female entrepreneurs often get the impression that they are not capable of taking advantage of these credit schemes, because the administrative costs associated with the schemes often outweigh the benefits. Prior empirical studies in Ghana have shown that female-owned SMEs often have difficulty accessing finance. Females are mostly involved in sole-proprietorship businesses which are mainly microenterprises and as such may lack the necessary collateral to qualify for loans (Aryeetey et al, 1994; Abor and Biekpe, 2006). Measures of enterprise efficiency (e. g. labour productivity or total factor productivity) vary greatly both within and across industries. Firm size may be associated with some other factors that are correlated with efficiency, such as managerial skill and technology, and the effects of the policy environment. Most studies in developing countries indicate that the smallest firms are the least efficient, and there is some evidence that both small and large firms are relatively inefficient compared to medium-scale enterprises (Little et al. , 1987). It is often argued that SMEs are more innovative than larger firms. Many small firms bring innovations to the market place, but the contribution of innovations to productivity often takes time, and larger firms may have more resources to adopt and implement them (Acs et al. , 1999). 4. 0. Contributions of SMEs to Economic Development There is a general consensus that the performance of SMEs is important for both economic and social development of developing countries. From the economic perspective, SMEs provide a number of benefits (Advani, 1997). SMEs have been noted to be one of the major areas of concern to many policy makers in an attempt to accelerate the rate of growth in low-income countries. These enterprises have been recognized as the engines through which the growth objectives of developing countries can be achieved. They are potential sources of employment and income in many developing countries. SMEs seem to have advantages over their large-scale competitors in that they are able to adapt more easily to market conditions, given their broadly skilled technologies. They are able to withstand adverse economic conditions because of their flexible nature (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). SMEs are more labour intensive than larger firms and therefore have lower capital costs associated with job creation (Anheier and Seibel, 1987; Liedholm and Mead, 1987; Schmitz, 1995). They perform useful roles in ensuring income stability, growth and employment. Since SMEs are labour intensive, they are more likely to succeed in smaller urban centres and rural areas, where they can contribute to a more even distribution of economic activity in a region and can help to slow the flow of migration to large cities. Due to their regional dispersion and their labour intensity, it is argued, small-scale production units can promote a more equitable distribution of income than large firms. They also improve the efficiency of domestic markets and make productive use of scarce resources, thus facilitating long-term economic growth (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). SMEs contribute to a country’s national product by either manufacturing goods of value, or through the provision of services to both consumers and/or other enterprises. This encompasses the provision of products and, to a lesser extent, services to foreign clients, thereby contributing to overall export performance. In Ghana and South Africa, SMEs represent a vast portion of businesses. They represent about 92% of Ghanaian businesses and contribute about 70% to Ghana’s GDP and over 80% to employment. SMEs also account for about 91% of the formal business entities in South Africa, contributing between 52% and 57% of GDP and providing about 61% of employment (CSS, 1998; Ntsika, 1999; Gumede, 2000; Berry et al. , 2002). From an economic perspective, however, enterprises are not just suppliers, but also consumers; this plays an important role if they are able to position themselves in a market with purchasing power: their demand for industrial or consumer goods will stimulate the activity of their suppliers, just as their own activity is stimulated by the demands of their clients. Demand in the form of investment plays a dual role, both from a demand-side (with regard to the suppliers of industrial goods) and on the supplyside (through the potential for new production arising from upgraded equipment). In addition, demand 224 International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) is important to the income-generation potential of SMEs and their ability to stimulate the demand for both consumer and capital goods (Berry et al. , 2002). 5. 0. General Constraints to SME Development Despite the potential role of SMEs to accelerated growth and job creation in developing countries, a number of bottlenecks affect their ability to realize their full potential. SME development is hampered by a number of factors, including finance, lack of managerial skills, equipment and technology, regulatory issues, and access to international markets (Anheier and Seibel, 1987; Steel and Webster, 1991; Aryeetey et al, 1994; Gockel and Akoena, 2002). The lack of managerial know-how places significant constraints on SME development. Even though SMEs tend to attract motivated managers, they can hardly compete with larger firms. The scarcity of management talent, prevalent in most countries in the region, has a magnified impact on SMEs. The lack of support services or their relatively higher unit cost can hamper SMEs’ efforts to improve their management, because consulting firms are often not equipped with appropriate cost-effective management solutions for SMEs. Besides, despite the numerous institutions providing training and advisory services, there is still a skills gap in the SME sector as a whole (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). This is because entrepreneurs cannot afford the high cost of training and advisory services while others do not see the need to upgrade their skills due to complacency. In terms of technology, SMEs often have difficulties in gaining access to appropriate technologies and information on available techniques (Aryeetey et al. , 1994). In most cases, SMEs utilize foreign technology with a scarce percentage of shared ownership or leasing. They usually acquire foreign licenses, because local patents are difficult to obtain. Regulatory constraints also pose serious challenges to SME development and although wideranging structural reforms have led to some improvements, prospects for enterprise development remain to be addressed at the firm-level. The high start-up costs for firms, including licensing and registration requirements, can impose excessive and unnecessary burdens on SMEs. The high cost of settling legal claims, and excessive delays in court proceedings adversely affect SME operations. In the case of Ghana, the cumbersome procedure for registering and commencing business are key issues often cited. The World Bank Doing Business Report (2006) indicated that it takes 127 days to deal with licensing issues and there are 16 procedures involved in licensing a business in Ghana. It takes longer (176 days) in South Africa and there were 18 procedures involved in dealing with licensing issues. Meanwhile, the absence of antitrust legislation favours larger firms, while the lack of protection for property rights limits SMEs’ access to foreign technologies (Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). Previously insulated from international competition, many SMEs are now faced with greater external competition and the need to expand market share. However, their limited international marketing experience, poor quality control and product standardisation, and little access to international partners, continue to impede SMEs’ expansion into international markets (Aryeetey et al. , 1994). They also lack the necessary information about foreign markets. One important problem that SMEs often face is access to capital (Lader, 1996). Lack of adequate financial resources places significant constraints on SME development. Cook and Nixson (2000) observe that, notwithstanding the recognition of the role of SMEs in the development process in many developing countries, SMEs development is always constrained by the limited availability of financial resources to meet a variety of operational and investment needs. A World Bank study found that about 90% of small enterprises surveyed stated that credit was a major constraint to new investment (Parker et al. , 1995). Levy (1993) also found that there is limited access to financial resources available to smaller enterprises compared to larger organisations and the consequences for their growth and development. The role of finance has been viewed as a critical element for the development of SMEs (Cook and Nixson, 2000). A large portion of the SME sector does not have access to adequate and appropriate forms of credit and equity, or indeed to financial services more generally (Parker et al. , 1995). In competing for the corporate market, formal financial institutions have structured their products to serve the needs of large corporates. International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) 225 A cursory analysis of survey and research results of SMEs in South Africa, for instance, reveals common reactions from SME owners interviewed. When asked what they perceive as constraints in their businesses and especially in establishing or expanding their businesses, they answered that access to funds is a major constraint. This is reflected in perception questions answered by SME owners in many surveys (see BEES, 1995; Graham and Quattara, 1996; Rwingema and Karungu, 1999). This situation is not different in the case of Ghana (see Sowa et al. , 1992; Aryeetey, 1998; Bigsten et al. , 2000, Abor and Biekpe 2006, 2007; Quartey, 2002). A priori, it might seem surprising that finance should be so important. Requirements such as identifying a product and a market, acquiring any necessary property rights or licenses, and keeping proper records are all in some sense more fundamental to running a small enterprise than is finance (Green et al. , 2002). Some studies have consequently shown that a large number of small enterprises fail because of non-financial reasons. Other constraints SMEs face include: lack of access to appropriate technology; the existence of laws, regulations and rules that impede the development of the sector; weak institutional capacity and lack of management skills and training (see Sowa et al. , 1992; Aryeetey et al. , 1994; Parker et al. , 1995; Kayanula and Quartey, 2000). However, potential providers of finance, whether formal or informal, are unlikely to commit funds to a business which they view as not being on a sound footing, irrespective of the exact nature of the unsoundness. Lack of funds may be the immediate reason for a business failing to start or to progress, even when the more fundamental reason lies elsewhere. Finance is said to be the â€Å"glue† that holds together all the diverse aspects involved in small business start-up and development (Green et al. , 2002). 6. 0. Conclusion This paper has reviewed various definitions of SMEs and also discussed the characteristics, contributions of SMEs to economic development, and the constraints to SME development. In reviewing the definitions of SMEs, it was concluded that there is no single, universal, uniformly acceptable definition of SMEs. Several measures or indicators have been used to define the SME sector. The most commonly used is the number of employees of the enterprise. However, in applying this definition, confusion often arises in respect of the arbitrariness and cut-off points used by various official sources. The definitions of SMEs within the context of Ghana and South Africa were also examined, given that this paper focuses on these two countries. SMEs often fall into two categories, that is, urban and rural enterprises. The former can be sub-divided into â€Å"organized† and â€Å"unorganized† enterprises. The organized groups have registered offices and paid workers, whilst the unorganized ones are mainly made up of artisans. Rural enterprises are largely made up of family groups and individual artisans. The activities in the SME sector range from pottery and ceramics to manufacturing of spare parts and electronic assembly. SMEs in Ghana and South Africa have a lot of similarities in terms of their characteristics as well as the vital role they play in the two economies. However, they differ in terms of size and regulation. For instance, the cut off point for the various categories of SMEs in Ghana are much lower than they pertain in South Africa. Secondly, whereas a national legislation defines an SME in South Africa, no such Act exist in Ghana. The study also observed that SMEs constitute a vital element of the development process, and their contributions in terms of production, employment and income in developing countries is widely recognized. Hence, interest in the role of SMEs in the development process continues to be high on the agenda of policy makers in the two countries. Notwithstanding the recognition, the development of SMEs is always constrained by a number of factors such as, lack of access to appropriate technology, limited access to international markets, the existence of laws, regulations and rules that impede the development of the sector; weak institutional capacity and lack of management skills and training. However, access to finance remains the greatest concern for the majority of SMEs. This study suggests that, to improve access to credit to SMEs, entrepreneurs should be encouraged to form cooperatives since financial institutions believe peer pressure often reduces the risk 26 International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) of default, Secondly, the government through tax incentives can encourage certain training institutions and NGOs to provide training to entrepreneurs on simple record keeping and managerial know-how. Also, a national legislation in Ghana to define what constitutes an SME and their leg al as well as tax obligations will help to integrate a number of informal enterprises into the formal framework. This should be complemented with steps to minimize the legal procedures involved in doing business in both countries. It is also suggested that technology transfer through simple, inexpensive and adaptable technology should be promoted to enhance the productivity of SMEs. References [1] [2] Abor, J. and N. Biekpe, 2006. â€Å"Small Business Financing Initiatives in Ghana†, Problems and Perspectives in Management, 4(3), pp. 69-77. Abor, J. and N. Biekpe, 2006. â€Å"SMEs’ Access to Debt Finance: A Comparison of Male-Owned and Female-Owned Businesses in Ghana†, International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 7(2), pp. 105-112. Abor, J. and N. Biekpe, 2007. Small Business Reliance on Bank Financing in Ghana†, Emerging Market Finance Trade, 43(4), pp. 93 – 102. Acs, Z. , R. Morck, and B. Young, 1999. â€Å"Productivity Growth and Size Distribution†, in Acs, Z. , Carlsson, B. and Karlsson, C. (eds. ), Entrepreneurship, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and the Macroeconomy, Cambridge University Press. Advani, A. 1997. â€Å"Industrial Clusters: A Supp ort System for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises†, Private Sector Development, World Bank Occasional Paper No. 32, World Bank, Washigton, DC. Anheier, H. K. and H. D. Seibel, 1987. Small Scale Industries and Economic Development in Ghana†, Business Behaviour and Strategies in Informal Sector Economies, Verlag Breitenbech, Saarbruckh, Germany. Aryeetey, E. 1998. â€Å"Informal Finance for Private Sector Development in Africa†, Economic Research Papers No. 41, The African Development Bank, Abidjan. Aryeetey, E. 2001. â€Å"Priority Research Issues Relating to Regulation and Competition in Ghana†, Centre on Regulation and Competition Working Paper Series, University of Manchester, Manchester. Aryeetey, E. , A. Baah-Nuakoh, T. Duggleby, H. Hettige, and W. F. Steel, 1994. â€Å"Supply and Demand for Finance of Small Scale Enterprises in Ghana†, Discussion Paper No. 251, World Bank, Washington, DC. BEES, 1995. Guide to the Preliminary Results of the ERU / BEES SME Survey. Berry, A. , M. von Blottnitz, R. Cassim, A. Kesper, B. Rajaratnam, and D. E. van Seventer, 2002. â€Å"The Economics of SMMEs in South Africa†, Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies, Johannesburg, South Africa. Bigsten, A. , P. Collier, S. Dercon, M. Fafchamps, B. Guthier, J. W. Gunning, M. Soderbom, A. Oduro, R. Oostendorp, C. Patillo, F. Teal, A. Zeufack, 2000. Credit Constraints in Manufacturing Enterprises in Africa†, Working Paper WPS/2000. Centre for the study of African Economies, Oxford University, Oxford. Bolton, J. E. 1971. â€Å"Report of the Committee of Inquiry on Small Firms†, HMSO, London. Cook, P. and F. Nixson, 2000. â€Å"Finance and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development†, IDPM, University of Manchester, Finance and Development Research Programme Working Paper Series, Paper No 14. CSS, 1998. â€Å"Employment and Unemployment in South Africa 1994-1997†, South Africa. Department of Trade and Industry, 2001. Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) – Definitions, http://www. dti. gov. uk/SME4/define. htm. Elaian, K. 1996. Employment Implications of Small Scale Industries in Developing Countries: Evidence from Jordan, Science, Technology and Development, 14(1), pp. 80-101. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) [18] 227 [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26] [27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] Falkena, H. , I. Abedian, M. Blottnitz, C. Coovadia, G. Davel, J. Madungandaba, E. Masilela, and S. Rees, S. , 2001. â€Å"SMEs’ Access to Finance in South Africa, A Supply-Side Regulatory Review†, The Task Group of the policy Board for Financial Services and Regulation, www. finance. gov. za/documents/smes. Feeney, L. S. and A. L. Riding, 1997. Business Owners’ Fundamental Tradeoff: Finance and the Vicious Circle of Growth and Control, Canadian Business Owner, November. Fisher, E. and R. Reuber, 2000. â€Å"Industrial Clusters and SME Promotion in Developing Countries†, Commonwealth Trade and Enterprise Paper No. 3. Gockel, A. G. and S. K. Akoena, 2002. Financial Intermediation for the Poor: Credit Demand by Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Ghana. A Further Assignment for Financial Sector Policy? †, IFLIP Research Paper 02-6, International Labour Organisation. Graham, D. and K. Quattara, 1996. Report on Rural Finance in Two Provinces in South Africa, Prepared for the Development Bank of Southern Africa . Green, C. J. , P. Kimuyu, R. Manos, and V. Murinde, 2002. â€Å"How do Small Firms in Developing Countries Raise Capital? Evidence from a Large-Scale Survey of Kenyan Micro and Small Scale Enterprises†, Economic Research Paper No. 2/6, Centre for International, Financial and Economics Research, Department of Economics, Loughborough University. Gumede, V. 2000. â€Å"Growth and Exporting of Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa, Some Thoughts on Policy and Scope for Further Research†, Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies, South Africa. Hassbroeck, D. 1996. â€Å"Entrepreneurship Training for the Informal Sector in South Africa, in Educating Entrepreneurs in Modernising Economies†, Aldershot, Hants: Avebury. Jordan, J. , J. Lowe, and P. Taylor, 1998. â€Å"Strategy and Financial Policy in U. K. Small Firms†, Journal of Business Finance and Accounting, 25(1/2), pp. –27. Kayanula, D. and P. Quartey, 2000. â€Å"The Policy Environment for Pr omoting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Ghana and Malawi†, Finance and Development Research Programme, Working Paper Series, Paper No 15, IDPM, University of Manchester. Lader, P. 1996. â€Å"The Public/Private Partnership†, Springs Spring, 35(2), pp. 41-44. Levy, B. , A. Berry, and J. Nugent, 1999. â€Å"Supporting the Export Activities of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME)†, in Levy, B. , Berry, A. and Nugent, J. B. (eds. ), Fulfilling the Export Potential of Small and medium Firms, Boston, MA, Kluwer Academic Publishers. Liedholm, C. and D. Mead, 1987. Small Scale Industries in Developing Countries: Empirical Evidence and Policy Implications†, International Development Paper No. 9, Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. Little, I. M. , D. Mazumdar, and J. M. Page, 1987. â€Å"Small Manufacturing Enterprises: A Comparative Analysis of India and Other Economies†, New York, Oxford University Press . Lopez, G. J. and A. C. Aybar, 2000. â€Å"An Empirical Approach to the Financial Behaviour of Small and Medium Sized Companies†, Small Business Economics, 14, pp. 55-63. Michaelas, N. , F. Chittenden, and P. Poutziouris, 1999. Financial Policy and Capital Structure Choice in U. K. SMEs: Empirical Evidence from Company Panel Data†, Small Business Economics, 12, 113-130. Millinuex, A. W. 1997. â€Å"The Funding of Non-Financial Corporations (NFCs) in the EU (19711993): Evidence of Convergence†, Mimeo, Department of Economics, University of Birmingham. Ntsika, 1999. â€Å"State of Small Business in South Africa†, SARB Quarterly Bulletins; and Stats SA Releases, South Africa. OECD, 1997. Globalisation and Small and Medium Enterprises, Synthesis Report, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Osei, B. , A. Baah-Nuakoh, K. A. Tutu, and N. K. Sowa, 1993. Impact of Structural Adjustment on Small-Scale Enterprises in Ghana†, in Helmsing, A. H . J. and Kolstee, T. H. 228 International Research Journal of Finance and Economics – Issue 39 (2010) (eds. ), Structural Adjustment, Financial Policy and Assistance Programmes in Africa, IT Publications, London. Parker, R. , R. Riopelle, and W. Steel, 1995. â€Å"Small Enterprises Adjusting to Liberalisation in Five African Countries†, World Bank Discussion Paper, No 271, African Technical Department Series, The World Bank, Washington DC. Quartey, P. 2002. â€Å"Financing Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Ghana†, Journal of African Business, 4, pp. 7-56. Rwingema, H. and P. Karungu, 1999. â€Å"SMME Development in Johannesburg’s Southern Metropolitan Local Council: An Assessment† Development Southern Africa 16(1). Schmitz, H. 1995. â€Å"Collective Efficiency: Growth Path for Small Scale Industry†, The Journal of Development Studies, 31(4), pp. 529-566. Sowa, N. K. , A. Baah-Nuakoh, K. A. Tutu, and B. Osei, 1992. â€Å"Small Enterprise and Adjustment, The Impact of Ghana’s Economic Recovery Programme on Small-Scale Industrial Enterprises†, Research Reports, Overseas Development Institute, 111 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JD. Steel, W. F. and L. M. Webster, 1991. â€Å"Small Enterprises in Ghana: Responses to Adjustment Industry†, Series Paper, No. 33, The World Bank Industry and Energy Department, Washington DC. Storey, D. , 1994. â€Å"Understanding the Small Business Sector†, Routledge, London. Teal, F. , 2002. â€Å"Background Information On Use Of Dataset: Regional Project On Enterprise Development (RPED) Ghana Manufacturing Sector Survey Waves I-V (1992-98)†, Centre for the Study of African Economies, Institute of Economics and Statistics, University of Oxford, St. Cross Building, Manor Road, Oxford, OX1 3UL. UNIDO, 1983. The Potential for Resource-based Industrial Development in the Least Developed Countries’, No. 5 – Malawi. UNIDO, 1999. SMEs in Africa Survive against all Odds, http://www. unido. org/doc/view? document_id=3927language_code=en. Van der Wijst, D. , 1989. â€Å"Financial Structure in Small Business. Theory, Tests and Applications†, Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, Vol. 320, New York: Springer-Verlag. Weston, J. F. and Copeland, T. E. , 1998. â€Å"Managerial Finance†, CBS College Publishing, New York. [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49] How to cite Issues in Sme Development in Ghana and South Africa, Essay examples

Advanced Risk and Uncertainty Management Tunnel Boring Machine

Question: Dicuss about the Advanced Risk and Uncertainty Management for Tunnel Boring Machine. Answer: Probability of choosing Tunnel Boring Machine is 0.5 and probability of choosing Drill and Blast method is 0.5. Probability of the ground being unstable is 0.33. Therefore, the probability of choosing the Tunnel Boring Machine and the ground is unstable is 0.5 * 0.33 = 0.165 The estimated construction cost for this combination (combination 1) is $300000000 * 0.165 = $ 49500000. Estimated construction time in months = 45* 0.165 = 7.425 months Probability of ground being stable is 0.67. Probability of ground being consistent = 0.15. Probability of choosing a stable and consistent ground under the method of Tunnel Boring Machine (combination 2) = 0.5* 0.67 * 0.15 = 0.05025 Estimated cost of construction is $ 230000000 * 0.05025= $11557500 Estimated time in months = 34 * 0.05025 = 1.7085 Probability of the ground being significant water ingress is 0.3. Probability of choosing Tunnel Boring Machine construction for stable ground and significant water ingress (combination 3) = 0.5 *0.67 * 0.3 = 0.1005 Estimated cost for the construction is $ 250000000 * 0.1005 = $25125000 Estimated time in months is 40 * 0.1005 = 4.02 Probability of the ground being dry but utilities obstacles is 0.55 Probability of choosing Tunnel Boring Machine construction for stable ground and dry but utilities obstacles (combination 4) is 0.5 * 0.67 * 0.55 = 0.18425 Estimated construction cost = 0.18425 * $250000000 = $ 46062500 Estimated time of construction in months = 0.18425 * 40 = 7.37 Probability of choosing Drill and Blast = 0.5 Probability of choosing unstable ground = 0.33 Probability of choosing Drill and Blast and unstable ground (combination 5) = 0.5 * 0.33 = 0.165 Estimated construction cost = $280000000 * 0.165 = $46200000 Estimated construction time = 42 * 0.165 = 6.93 Probability of stable ground = 0.67 Probability of choosing consistent ground under stable ground and Drill and Blast (combination 6) = 0.15 * 0.67 * 0.5 = 0.05025 Estimated construction cost = $200000000 * 0.05025 = $10050000 Estimated construction time in months = 40 * 0.05025 = 2.01 Probability of significant water ingress under stable ground and Drill and Blast (combination 7) = 0.5 * 0.67 * 0.3 = 0.1005 Estimated construction cost = $240000000 * 0.1005=$24120000 Estimated construction time in months = 47* 0.1005 = 4.7235 Probability of choosing dry but utilities obstacles under stable ground and Drill and Blast (combination 8) = 0.5* 067 * 0.55 = 0.18425 Estimated construction cost = $230000000 * 0.18425 = $ 42377500 Estimated construction time = 48* 0.18425 = 8.844 It was seen that combination 2; i.e. choosing the process of Tunnel Boring Machine construction under the variable stable ground and consistent ground would take minimum time to complete the task. The task would be completed in 1.7085 months. This process takes the lowest time. The cost for this process is $11557500, which is the second least construction cost among all the given processes. Thus, it is best to choose this process for construction. Total cost estimate of the project is $47 M. Four work packages were identified for the project. The estimated cost for work project 1 is $7.50 M. The estimated cost for work package 2 is $ 18.00M. The estimated cost for work package 3 is $20.17M and the estimated cost for work package 4 is $4.33 M. The estimates cost for each package is computed by the formula (low + (4 * Most likely) + High) /6. The sum of Estimated cost for all the four packages was found to be $50 M. It was found that the risk involved to complete this project was $%0 M - $47 M = $3 M. The expected cost of the project is $56M. Its standard deviation is $16 M. The probability that the project cost would be over $75M is given as follows. The z score of the project cost is (75 - 56) / 16 = 1.1875 The value of P(X 1.1875) = 0.882485 The probability that the cost of the project would be over $75 M is given by 1 - P(X 1.1875) = 1- 0.882485 = 0.117515 The project would be delayed with a probability of 67%; i.e. 0.67 The P(X Z) = 0.439913 P(X Z) = 1- 0.439913 = 0.560087 The cost of the project in this would be (0.560087 * 16) + 56 = $64.96 The overall risk of the project would be $64.96 - $56 = $8.96.

Banking In Oman Bank Muskat Essay Sample free essay sample

The Omani banking sector chiefly the merchandise of a November 1974 banking regulation set by the Central Bank of Oman ( CBO ) enforced by April 1974. The jurisprudence besides helped the entry of foreign – owned Bankss and to let growing in the figure of local Bankss in the Sultanate. As of September 1992 there were 20 – one commercial Bankss in comparing with three registered Bankss in 1972. In add-on there were three expert development Bankss: the Oman Development Bank ( 1977 ) the Oman Housing Bank ( 1977 ) and the Oman Bank for Agriculture and Fisheries ( 1981 ) . However the Omani ba-nk market is the smallest in the GCC. Of the 20 –one commercial Bankss eleven are foreign owned and covering chiefly on funding trade. Ten are local Bankss working a really active market. Because of competition the authorities suggested to merges to beef up them. The given is that five or six local Bankss will look as the nucleus with those confronting fiscal job commanding dea ling or unifying with more profitable establishment. We will write a custom essay sample on Banking In Oman: Bank Muskat Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page A similar method may use to foreign Bankss of which merely five or six would go on to execute of import concern. The CBO took over the Oman Currency Board which was set up in 1972 to publish currency command authorities histories and carry through banking dealing with commercial Bankss and international organisation. The board’s occupation includes taking attention of the authorities s uneven assets. The CBO is authorized to give loans to the authorities to cover short term deficits in currency incomes to purchase authorities exchequer notes and warrants with long term adulthoods ten old ages to give loans to commercial Bankss and to purchase sell price reduction and rediscount commercial paper. In 1991 the banking order was changed to assist let the CBO to call off the licence or collar the motion of Bankss under its control leting the CBO to shut reappraisal control a bank straight. BANK MUSCATBank Muscat is the taking fiscal services supplier in Oman with assets deserving over USD 18 billion. holding strong presence in Corporate Banking. Retail Banking. Investing Banking. Treasury. Private Banking and Asset Management. The Bank has the largest web of 126 subdivisions and 362 Automated Teller Machines ( ATM ) . 112 Cash Dispensing Machines ( CDM ) and 4500 Point of Sale ( POS ) terminuss. Bank Muscat’s international operations consist of a subdivision each in Riyadh ( KSA ) and Kuwait. a Representative Office in Dubai ( UAE ) and strategic bets of 49 % in BMI Bank in Bahrain and 43 % in Mangal Kershav Holdings in India. besides Silk bank Limited in Pakistan. Bank Muscat holds the rare differentiation of being voted the ( Best Bank in Oman ) by The Banker. Global Finance and Euromoney. Bank Muscat is besides the victor of the esteemed Hewitt acknowledgment as the Middle East’s Best Employer. and was awarded ( The Strongest Bank in Oman ) at the Asiatic Banker Leadership Achievement Awards 2010. BankMuscat holds the rare differentiation of being voted the ‘Best Bank in Oman’ for seven old ages by The Banker. FT London ; nine old ages in a row by Global Finance and Euromoney. BankMuscat is the receiver of the esteemed Hewitt acknowledgment as the Middle East’s Best Employer 2009. The Bank was declared an Investor in People ( IiP ) administration in January 2007. going the first banking administration in the MENA part to be awarded the esteemed planetary acknowledgment. In 2004. BankMuscat became the first bank in the Middle East to be wholly ISO 9000:2000 certified BankMuscat’s fiscal statements are prepare d in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards and these evaluations are the highest assigned to any Omani bank. | L / Term | S / Term | Financial Strength/Outlook | Moody’s Investor’s Service | A1| Prime-1| C-/Stable| Fitch Rating| A-| F2| Stable|Capital Intelligence| A| A1| A-/Stable|Standard and Poor’s | A-| A2| Stable| Board of Directors 568 41237 Board of Directors 1 ) Sheikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al MashaniChairman2 ) Sulaiman bin Mohammed bin Hamed Al YahyaiVice Chairman3 ) Brigadier General Nasser bin Mohamed Al HarthyDirector4 ) Hamoud bin Ibrahim Soomar Al ZadjaliDirector5 ) K. K. Abdul RazakDirector6 ) Salim bin Taman Musallam Al MashaniDirector7 ) Abdul Salam bin Mohamed Al MurshidiDirector8 ) Sheikh Said bin Mohamed Al HarthyDirector Consumer BankingBank Muscat offers a full scope of retail and single banking merchandises and services through its web of subdivisions all around Oman. A thorough realizing of client demands has assisted Bank Muscat to successfuly germinate flexible and customized merchandises to run into them. Histories and DepositAt Bank Muscat we provide you a big system of sedimentation merchandises to assist you maintain money and acquire good returns. Choose from options runing from attractive gifts or involvement. Savingss Account: With Al Mazyona Scheme Al Mazyona Saving Scheme is Bank Muscat’s flagship consumer banking merchandise. and has controlled the nest eggs scheme sphere for about 20 old ages. The strategy has created an feeling. expanded its range and come to offer high-value hard currency awards throughout the twelvemonth. Interest Bearing Saving Account While opening an Interest Bearing Salvaging Account at Bank Muscat. you can acquire much more than merely the regular involvement. When you get involvement. you have the autonomy to utilize the history for your day-to-day banking minutess through our assorted electronic channels and all switch Oman and Visa Electron ATMs across the Earth. Al Mazyona Children’s Account When you have an Al Mazyona Account with the basic sedimentation merely Rial 50. the usefulness accruing to your kid include involvement free instruction loan for higher surveies ; assured schooling with Rial 100 per month till the age of 18 in the event of inadvertent decease of income gaining parent. free Super Card with fantastic offers and price reduction twofold opportunity to win al Mazyona gifts ; opportunity to fall in monthly children’s draw ; and electronic hard currency sedimentation installation. Al Mazyona Salary Plus Account This history gives you and your work spouses a host of benefits that are a new pattern in itself including ; no minimal balance required. on monthly services charges. attractive offers on one-year recognition card subscription. Hayatuna Family Protection at a particular monetary value. free SMS is received on your Mobile phone when your wage is credited to your history. international debits card. free involvement banking installation. free public-service corporation measure payment. †¦ . . etc. Salvaging Account with Double-your-Salary SchemeThe bank offers a ‘Double-You-Salary’ strategy wherein clients get the opportunity to win a gift equivalent to their salary. Current HistoryAs a Current Account holder at Bank Muscat you enjoy limitless easiness and comfort. Buy opening the history. you get a debit card that gives you 24 hours ATM entree at all Bank Muscat ATMs. Switch Oman and Visa Electron ATMs across the Earth ; overdraft installation ; and a cheque book. For a minimal recognition balance. of Rial 200 you can bask a host of alone privileges. Fixed Deposit Account If you are a short /medium /long term investor and desire your money to work harder than you do. Bank Muscat Fixed Deposits are made merely for you. You can open a Fixed Deposits with a minimal sum of Rial 1000 for a period runing from 1 month to 3 old ages. Recuring Deposit Account Open a Recuring Deposit Account with Bank Muscat and get down doing programs for your hereafter from today. Salvage your money. with little sum every month and see your nest eggs grow twelvemonth after twelvemonth. Choose the sum which you can salvage every month or take the mark sum that you are taking at. 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Available on 24 footing cyberspace banking licenses do the following 1-view histories. balances. statements 2-Pay public-service corporation measures. recognition card measures and instruction fees3-Mobile top up4-Transfer financess between ain histories5-Transfer money to India – Speed Transfer6-Make check book / demand bill of exchange petitions8-Report lost ATM cards9-Correspond withMOBILE BankingBank Muscat provides clients a agencies nomadic travelliy to make banking through nomadic banking channel. 1-Salary recognition2-ATMWithdrawal: Rial 50/-and above3-Point of sale transaction:75/-and above4-Cash sedimentation through Cash Deposit Machine: OMR 100/- and above 6-Loan delinquent7-Cheque Bounced Examples of cards in Bank Muscat Expat services:Bank Muscat Expat Services presents universe of fiscal consequence in Oman and in your place state. We offer am easy solution for all your fiscal demands at one counter. 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TCs are secure. convenient manner to maintain safe your travel money while travel around the universe or around the state Money Transportation Now you do non hold to look for exchange houses when you have to reassign money to India. Bank Muscat offers you Speed Transfer. the first remittal services of its type in Oman. Payment Facilities Bill Payment and FacilitiesEasy Deposit Bill payments can assist us do payment for electricity. H2O. telephone. etc. Through the different bringing manner such us Bank Muscat drenches. call Canter. Internet banking. ATMS-there by supplying easy to the client. Safe Deposit cabinets Quality Policy Our Quality Policy is to accomplish and prolong a repute for quality in the national and international markets by offering merchandises and services that exceed the demands of our clients. We strive to stay the bank of first pick in all our merchandise and services. Towards this policy. our aims are: | Establishing and keeping a quality direction system in the Bank. based on international quality criterions. | | Continually reexamining our merchandises and services. feedback from employees ( internal clients ) and our clients to guarantee that there is continual betterment. | | Offering our clients first-class service. advanced merchandises and value-added banking while developing with them a reciprocally good association. | | Demonstrating vision. professionalism transparence and unity in the behavior of our concern and service. | | Achieving disciplined growing and sensible profitableness while runing on a sound fiscal base. | | Creating value for our stockholders. | | Encouraging. motivation and developing our human resources our most valuable plus and the basis of the Bank. | | Working towards the successful execution of authorities aims applicable to us. | | Striving towards and keeping a pre-eminent place in the bank | InterviewInterview with Ms: Najia Saif Harib ALShaili ( Deputy Director ) of Bank Muscat –AL Hamra Branch on: 20/9/2012 at: 12:30 Amani: How many subdivisions do you hold in Oman?Najia: About 134 subdivisions.Amani: Do you hold any subdivisions abroad?Najia: Yes we have in Saudi Arabia Kuwait India and Bahrain Amani: In which metropolis of Oman do you hold the most concentration of subdivisions? Najia: At capital country ( Muscat )Amani: What is the ratio of males to female employees in your country? Najia: 45 % mail % 55 femaleAmani: which section have the most figure of Exiles working? Najia: Information Technology DepartmentAmani: Which country of banking gives you the maximal net income? Najia: Loans and salvagingAmani: Do you give loans to pupils for higher surveies within Oman and abroad? What are the standards for these loans?Najia: Yes we give pupils loans to finish their higher instructionsStandards: 1 ) The pupils must convey commendation of surveies from the univer sity or college.2 ) Must his or her male parent wage transportation to the bank because he will be a warrant for the loan. Amani: Do you give loans for autos? What are the standards? Najia: Yes. the client can use for a auto loan ( sayyarati ) at any of bank Muscat subdivisions or auto franchises The bank will necessitate the undermentioned certification to be enclosed with the loan application: NID/Resident card transcript. passport transcript with visa page in instance of expartrials merely. salary certificate/salary assignment missive as applicable ( adverting your wage. terminal of service benefit and yoyr day of the month of employment ) . citation from the trader. You can avail of up to 80 % of the bill value of new auto. The maximal loan tenor offered is up to 72 months ( 6 old ages ) Amani: How rapidly do you react to client ailment? Najia: Equally shortly as possible. we assure the client that his /her job will be solved every bit shortly as possible. Some client ailments can be resolved with one visit or one phone call. Drawn-out issues should be tracked and reviewed to guarantee that advancement is being made and maintain the client informed about the advancement and job solution. Amani: What is your process of managing a client ailment? Najia: Through call centre Centre ( 24795555 ) and through FMS which are send the client complain to the subdivision. Amani: Do you hold a call Centre? How does it run? Najia: Yes the client can name the call Centre at anytime and from anyplace on ( 24795555 ) and follow the direction after content the call Centre material will reply all the questions such as information on Bankss merchandises. services and any other questions related to account balance. loans inside informations. issued checks position. fixed sedimentation involvement rates. currency exchange rates and etc. Amani: Is your client service staff bilingual? How do you better their linguistic communication accomplishments if need? Najia: Yes they must be. The bank ever sends the material courses to develop them about the best ways of communicating accomplishments. DecisionThe general uninterrupted growing in Oman has been consistent until 2012 and recognition enlargement is to rush up in this twelvemonth. The equity market which was optimistic was damaged earlier has shown good betterment so far. The equity markets in Oman are ready for the issue of IPOs or right issue. We can speak about Oman tell Telecommunications Company Volt A MSN Power and so on in this regard. Furthermore many Bankss are expected to take a portion shortly in the primary market to increase financess in the close hereafter for illustration: Bank Nizwa. AlIzz International Bank and so on. These programs are at different degrees of completion which the Capital Market Authority. The right clip and sum to be issued are being worked out. Contribution to these issues is been expected to be made largely by the Omanis ( families and establishments ) Other than some part from citizens of the GCC states other non –resident subscription may by every small as the planetary recovery continues to be show. Appetite for each issue would trust on the pricing of each issue. Same instances may be controlled by commercial Bankss. At the clip of subscription there is strong possibilities of backdown of bank financess to an of import Economic Research and statistics Dept six Bankss might be called to give loans to likely endorsers. If many instances are put together there might be some forces on the domestic liquidness at least for a period of clip till the returns come back to the banking system. The CMA can distribute the issue one time all the clip to maintain off from the frictional liquidness job in bank. Reference list Annual Report 2011. Financial reappraisal. p. g 84-88Banking in Oman ( 2004 ) [ Online ] . Available at: hypertext transfer protocol: //www. Photius. com/countries/oman/economy/oman_economy_banking. hypertext markup language. [ Accessed on 18/9/2012 ]Bank Muscat ( 2008 ) [ Online ] Available at: hypertext transfer protocol ; //www. bank Muscat. com [ Accessed on:29/9/2012 ] Bank Muscat merchandise A ; service See your domestic assistant and smile your concerns away Zeinah for today’s adult females The fastest manner to have your dream auto Everything from furniture to dally protected

Battle regarding evolution in public schools Essays

Battle regarding evolution in public schools Essays Battle regarding evolution in public schools Essay Battle regarding evolution in public schools Essay Essay Topic: The School for Scandal Many groups have tried to force their thoughts on the populace through schooling. Public school pupils, totaling in the 1000000s, seem a perfect, confined audience for the announcement of the thoughts of a few holier-than-thou groups. These groups have tried to act upon national thought by advancing their positions in the schoolroom, but this is non an acceptable method. A public school schoolroom is a topographic point for the passing of recognized cognition from an teacher to a pupil, non the topographic point for the thoughts of the nescient few to act upon the thought of the many. The local and province school boards serve as the cheque on the vocal few and find the course of study to be administered to the multitudes of pupils go toing category. Current scientific discipline course of study is widely accepted. Parents and communities have no ailments over their pupils larning about the categorization of animate beings and workss, chemical science, gravitation, cells, and organic structure procedures. The ailments are focused around the instruction of development, but for the many educated people in the field of biological science, development is a basic rule. Public school pupils must be exposed to this cardinal construct and be familiar with it. Evolution must be taught in schools since it is a scientific theoretical account that can non and should non be ignored. All other alternatives-creation scientific discipline, intelligent design, creationism, and others-are spiritual and have no topographic point in the public school schoolroom. Looking at the histor ical case in point and scientific credence, development is the lone theoretical account of life beginnings and patterned advance that should be taught in public schools. The conflict sing development in public schools has been traveling on for over a century. Charles Darwin published his book On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life in 1859. The conflict in the American tribunals over his thoughts being taught in school did non get down until after the bend of the century, nevertheless. The jobs began when fundamentalist Christians, or creationists, began to worry as they saw the figure of high school pupils explode to over two million between 1900 and 1920. [ 1 ] Darwin s evolutionary thoughts were now making more pupils than of all time. The Christians decided they needed to beef up their place in schools and initiated measures in several provinces to mandate the already present patterns of supplication and Bible reading. Along with these measures came antievolution Torahs. 1923 saw the first of a long line of measures doing it illegal to learn development in public schools. Ohio started things off with their measure that banned public school text editions that taught Darwinism. Florida s declaration of that same twelvemonth stated that it was improper and insurgent for public schools to Teach as true Darwinism or any hypothesis that links adult male in blood relationship to any signifier of lower life. [ 2 ] Tennessee followed suit in March 1925 when their le gislative assembly stated that it shall be improper for any instructor in any of the Universities, Conventions and all other public schools of the State which are supported in whole or in portion by the public school financess of the State, to learn any theory that denies the narrative of the Divine Creation of adult male as taught in the Bible, and to learn alternatively that adult male has descended from a lower order of animate beings. [ 3 ] Textbook publishing houses began to fear a diminution in gross revenues get downing about this clip and began to revise their editions to take all mentions to development and Darwinism. [ 4 ] Fundamentalist Christians had won their first conflict as the instruction of development was stunted across the state. Three provinces passed new antievolution statute law between 1925 and 1930 and by the 1930s, fundamentalist fastnesss in the South had established some signifier of antievolutionary policy, whether school board mandates or administrative opinions. [ 5 ] The antievolutionary feelings had spread, much to the hurt of scientific acquisition. Evolution shortly became forbidden in the public schools. Through the 1940s, instructors and decision makers worried about piquing parents and communities and therefore avoided the instruction of development. Textbooks continued to go forth out evolutionary thoughts. It was estimated that less than half of all high school scientific discipline instructors in the early 1940s taught anything about development. [ 6 ] 1947 marked the beginning of the terminal for fundamentalist Christians contending the war over development. The United States Supreme Court ruled that neither a province nor the federal authorities could go through any statute law aiding or giving penchant to a faith. The fundamentalists took another blow in 1948 in McCollum vs. Board of Education. The Court stated that Illinois affords sectarian groups an priceless assistance in that it helps to supply students for their spiritual categories through usage of the province s mandatory public school machinery. This is non separation of church and province. [ 7 ] This ended all spiritual direction in public schools. The Space Race of the 1950s spurred new ardor in scientific discipline instruction. Scientists and politicians likewise pushed for new biological science text editions, conveying development back to the schoolroom. Fundamentalists that had triumphed in the first one-fourth century were losing the war over development, conflict after conflict. After supplication and Bible reading were eliminated from the schoolroom in 1962 and 1963, development itself eventually made it to the Supreme Court in 1968. The new push for greater scientific discipline instruction triggered by Sputnik ran into a wall of antievolution Torahs. These Torahs prevented the enlargement of scientific, chiefly biological, cognition and new findings into the schoolroom. The instructor s brotherhood in Arkansas challenged the province jurisprudence and appealed the opinions until their instance landed in the Supreme Court. The Court found the Arkansas antievolution jurisprudence to be unconstitutional. [ 8 ] This efficaciously ended all Torahs forestalling development from being taught in public schools. Another loss for fundamentalists and a immense addition for pupils and scientific discipline. The creationists had been defeated repeatedly in the tribunals and could merely acquire their positions back in the schoolroom with a large interruption. Much to the irritation of the scientific community, this interruption came in the eightiess with the rise of equal clip measures. The fundamentalists were still smartly seeking to barricade the instruction of evolutionary biological science in the schools, or if that proved impossible, to demand equal clip for the instruction of creation scientific discipline, which was an effort to flex scientific informations to conform to one of the scriptural histories of creative activity and throw uncertainty on the finds of evolutionists. [ 9 ] In 1982, nevertheless, McLean vs. Arkansas Board of Education put an terminal to the creative activity scientific discipline effort though. A federal tribunal ruled that creative activity scientific discipline is non a scientific discipline at all, but a spiritual belief, and therefore non allowed in public school schoolrooms. [ 10 ] Another measure, passed in Louisiana in 1981, went to the Supreme Court in 1987, giving the Court an chance to reenforce the place against creative activity scientific discipline. The determination states that Louisiana s equal clip Act impermissibly endorses faith by progressing the spiritual belief that a supernatural being created world The Act s primary intent was to alter the public school scientific discipline course of study to supply persuasive advantage to a peculiar spiritual philosophy that rejects the factual footing of development in its entireness. Therefore, the Act is designed either to advance the theory of creative activity scientific discipline that embodies a peculiar spiritual dogma or to forbid the instruction of a scientific theory disfavored by certain spiritual religious orders. In either instance, the Act violates the First Amendment. [ 11 ] Creationists were unrelenting though. If they could non convey their ain version of the beginning and development of life into the schoolroom, they would seek their hardest to discredit development. In the mid-1990s, the thought of text edition disclaimers took clasp, particularly in the South. The Alabama State Board of Education voted in 1995 to necessitate an absurd one-page disclaimer to be pasted into every new biological science text edition. The disclaimer began, This text edition discusses development, a controversial theory some scientists present as a scientific account for the beginning of life things, such as workss, animate beings and worlds. No 1 was present when life foremost appeared on Earth. Therefore, any statement about life s beginnings should be considered as theory, non fact. [ 12 ] In 1994, the Tangipahoa Parish Board of Education in Louisiana required that the undermentioned disclaimer be read before the beginning of any lesson sing development: It is hereby recognized by the Tangipahoa Parish Board of Education, that the lesson to be presented, sing the beginning of life and affair, is known as the Scientific Theory of Evolution and should be presented to inform pupils of the scientific construct and non intended to act upon or deter the Biblical version of Creation or any other construct. It is farther recognized by the Board of Education that it is the basic right and privilege of each pupil to organize his/her ain sentiment or keep beliefs taught by parents on this really of import affair of the beginning of life and affair. Students are urged to exert critical thought and garner all information possible and closely examine each alternate toward organizing an sentiment. [ 13 ] The tribunals found these statements unacceptable. The National Science Teachers Association ( NSTA ) adopted as portion of their place on the instruction of development in 1997 that [ s ] cience text editions shall stress development as a consolidative construct. Publishers should non be required or volunteer to include disclaimers in text editions refering the nature and survey of development. [ 14 ] Thankfully, textbooks no longer come with a sacredly based spine that undermines the credibleness of development. Creationists have non given up-the contention continues today. In 1999, the Kansas State Board of Education voted to replace development, the large knock, and any mentions to an earth one million millions of old ages old with the Intelligent Design theory. Fortunately, this determination was overturned in 2001 when a new Board was elected. [ 15 ] Unfortunately, Kansas is non the lone province covering ill with development though. A national survey done by the Fordham Foundation in 2000 found that 12 provinces had useless or absent instruction of development, but Kansas was given the lone F- for making a scandalous occupation. [ 16 ] As one can see, the history of development in schools is disruptive. Different groups within the fundamentalist motion have tried, and failed, to set faith in schools. Since all options to development are sacredly based, they can non be included in the course of study. It seems clear though that development is the lone option that can lawfully be taught in schools. Throughout the conflict in the tribunals, the creationists have failed to understand what scientific discipline truly is. Harmonizing to Webster s lexicon, scientific discipline is cognition or a system of cognition covering general truths or the operation of general Torahs. [ 17 ] Evolution falls absolutely into this class. Evolutionary biological science is a cardinal scientific theory that provides a all right instance history of how scientific discipline is done. [ 18 ] It is non a topic that can be ignored and pupils must be exposed to it in school. In fact, it is important to the apprehension of many biological constructs and must be referred to throughout the course of study, which should reflect and learn scientific cognition, non the specific beliefs of an involvement group or organisation. Since scientific discipline is neither a spiritual dogma nor a portion of a belief system, one can non believe in development. Evolution is non a spiritual belief or credo. [ 19 ] One can, and should, accept the rule as scientifically accurate, but it is non something one can believe in or non. This is different from creative activity scientific discipline. Creation scientific discipline is non a scientific theoretical account because of its trust on the supernatural. It steps outside the scientific kingdom with its thoughts that are non of the natural universe itself. Foundations of Biology, a text edition from 1953, explains the scientific rejection of creationism this manner, the particular creative activity theory as a actual account of the life universe is non accepted as a sound biologic rule by most life scientists. Credence of this theory would virtually shut the door to farther research. [ 20 ] Besides, since the constructs of creative activity scientific discipline ca n non be seen or tested since they are based on scriptural histories, they do non fall into the field of scientific discipline. As stated in the National Science Education Standards and supported by the National Science Teacher s Association, accounts on how the natural universe alterations based on myths, personal beliefs, spiritual values, mystical inspiration, superstitious notion, or authorization may be personally utile and socially relevant, but they are non scientific. [ 21 ] Evolution, on the other manus, is based on discernible, testable grounds found in nature. Development is clearly scientific and has and will go on to be tested in assorted subjects and countries of survey. The occupation of the scientific discipline instructor is to supply the pupil with a full instruction of all scientific rules. Development is one of these rules, and a really of import one at that. Eugenie C. Scott, the executive manager of the National Center for Science Education put it this manner: The occupation of a scientific discipline instructor is to learn province of the art scientific discipline, and that means development. Students who do non understand development can non be said to be scientifically literate. [ 22 ] The NSTA supports the place that development is a major uniting construct of scientific discipline and should be included as portion of K-College scientific discipline models and course of study. [ 23 ] Pennsylvania s Academic Standards for Science and Technology adopted in 2002 concur. The province s Department of Education includes evolutionary constructs and theory as portion of the criterions that depict what pupils should cognize and be able to m ake by the terminal of 4th, 7th, 10th and 12th class. [ 24 ] The National Science Education Standards besides include development as a cardinal subject in life scientific discipline and biological science. The 9-12 class content criterions include the fact that natural choice and its evolutionary effects provide a scientific account for the dodo record of ancient life signifiers, every bit good as for the dramatic molecular similarities observed among the diverse species of life beings. [ 25 ] Textbooks from throughout the century, when they were lawfully allowed, devoted big subdivisions to development. General Biology from 1928 says, the development of life things is to the trained life scientist an established fact. To him the grounds in support of such a belief is every bit convincing as that underlying the phenomena of gravity and chemical affinity. [ 26 ] The text edition exhaustively explains the major facets of development theory and even explores controversial human de velopment. As one can see, legion organisations believe that pupils should be exposed to the best scientific cognition in biological science, every bit good as in all Fieldss of their instruction. Public school pupils need to larn the positions of modern scientists, non scriptural literalists. The National Academy of Sciences provinces that [ s ] cientists every bit good as pedagogues have concluded that evolution-and merely evolution-should be taught in scientific discipline categories because it is the lone scientific account for why the existence is the manner it is today. [ 27 ] The creationists are non satisfied with scientists and scientific organisations publicity of development. They merely do non believe that development in true. This is a immense false belief, but they use the theory versus fact statement to deny development s credibleness. They say that since it is called the Theory of Evolution it is non proven true and hence should non be taught in schools. The scientific community, nevertheless, disagrees. John A. Moore, Professor of Biology at the University of California, Riverside and textbook writer explains in his book Science as a Way of Knowing, The Foundations of Modern Biology, theory for a scientist may stand for the grandest synthesis of a big and of import organic structure of information about some related group of natural phenomena. [ 28 ] The scientific community accepts a theory as true after extended and thorough testing and experimentation. Theories are alterable with new grounds though. If parts of Darwin s expansive theor y of development are found to be false, the theory itself will non be tossed out. Those parts will merely be eliminated or replaced by more accurate or likely informations. General theories are neer disproved, merely improved, says Professor Moore. [ 29 ] The NSTA agrees. They say, [ T ] heories and other accounts change as [ the ] organic structure of scientific cognition alterations [ with ] new observations and finds. [ 30 ] Development can be a confusing topic, but [ m ] any misconceptions about the procedure of natural choice can be changed through direction. [ 31 ] The instructor needs to show the facts and guide pupils into accepting the truth that the grounds shows. The dodo and anatomical record grounds for consecutive alterations of the workss and animate beings through geologic clip, with more complex signifiers looking subsequently, is so overpowering that all one demands is to hold pupils analyze the facts. [ 32 ] This is non where the conversation sing development should stop, nevertheless. Teachers have to cover with the contention every bit good. When discoursing controversial issues such as development, normally it is non the facts under consideration that are controversial ; these are by and large good established. It is the reading of the facts for personal behaviour which may be controversial. [ 33 ] This helpful testimony was shared with instructors in the 1958 edition of a ushe r for learning high school scientific discipline called A Book of Methods. It goes on to state that much is gained by promoting pupils to talk out in expostulation to evolution and so patiently pulling from them the statement that the rule of development is what life scientists have developed as an account of the facts at manus. [ 34 ] Teachers can non anticipate to learn the topic with no expostulations and no inquiries. The pupils will all convey their personal values and beliefs with them to category and particularly sing development, will be really defensive of them. The instructor should explicate why lone development is taught and why options to evolution, including creative activity scientific discipline and intelligent design, are non presented. These options are non to be presented in category because they, and all other options, are sacredly based. Based on the case in point set by the Supreme Court, none of these religiously based theoretical accounts can be allowe d into the public school schoolroom. Development is doubtless indispensable to a complete apprehension of scientific discipline. Students will non hold a full position of the scientific universe if they do non larn development. But faith besides has its topographic point in society. It should non be ignored or silenced, but it merely can non be allowed into the sphere of the public school schoolroom. Religious thoughts and survey should be accepted for what they are, but they are non science. Teachers of scientific discipline can non convey alternate theoretical accounts of the patterned advance of life into the schoolroom. Some may experience that by making this, we deny pupils their academic freedom, but this is non so. They are free to research as much of creationism or intelligent design as they desire, but non in school. We can non deny our pupils the chance to larn the scientific findings about the astonishing patterned advance of life that has taken topographic point on this planet.