Comparative Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Comparative Religion - Essay Example Three negative aspects and at least one positive aspect of each religion will be named and explained. Secondly, Christianity which seems the closest to the â€Å"truth† for me will be evaluated and five positive aspects and one negative aspect will be stated. In addition, it will be outlined how I am going to deal with the aspect I did not like. Finally, a conclusion will be provided in which I will explain how this class helped me in the search for the â€Å"truth†. Hinduism is the main religion in India and other countries on South Asian Subcontinent, especially India and Nepal. It has no single founder or creator, several holy writings and more than one god. Therefore, many people often refer to Hinduism as a way of life, instead of calling it a religion. Furthermore, Hindus have a common system of values, such as duty, virtue, and morality, known as Dharma. Hinduism is a very old religion and for many people it is the religion closest to the â€Å"truth†. The most appealing aspect for me is that Hinduism is a rather animal friendly religion, for instance, many Hindus are vegetarian. Treating animals well is important to me and therefore, I believe this to be a positive aspect. However, there are three aspects that I do not like. First, Hinduism includes the concept of Varna (class), which divides society into four groups: teachers and priests, warriors and nobles, farmers, merchants, and businessman, and servants and workers. The division of classes served as a model for the social order. I believe it is a negative aspect, because people are born into a certain class and have almost not change of escaping it. It can be argued that Varna was partly responsible for the caste system in India. Secondly, Hindus believe that life is a continuous series of birth, death and rebirth, which is regulated by Karma. Although that might be an attractive aspect for some people, it is not for me, because it sounds restless and wearing. Thirdly, cremati on is obligatory for most Hindus, when they pass away. Although that might be a minor aspect for many, this is a major negative aspect for me, because I would prefer to be buried. When people are buried in a graveyard, it gives friends and family a place to go to and I believe that is important. III. Buddhism Buddhism is a very old religion or way of life, which can also predominantly be found on the Indian subcontinent. It is a very spiritual religion, which focuses on spiritual development and insight into the nature of life. Furthermore, Buddhists do not worship one God or many Gods; instead they follow the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism is a very peaceful religion, since non-violence is the centre of Buddhist thinking and acting. The peaceful character is a major positive characteristic for me. Religion has been misused for many wars and acts of violence, but it is difficult to justify any wars or acts of violence with such a peaceful religion as Buddhism. Nevertheless, Buddhism is not the closest religion to the â€Å"truth† for me, due to these aspects. First, Buddhists do not believe in the existence of a God. Although this might not be a negative aspect for many, it is a difficult aspect for me, because I like to believe in the existence of a higher power, so the absence of such a higher power is a negative aspect for me. Secondly, meditation as a main feature of Buddhism is a further negative aspect for me. A lot of people praise the benefits of meditation, which is perfectly all right; however, meditation is not for me. I tried to meditate on several occasions, but it does not work for me. Thirdly, a negative aspect of Buddhism for me is that life or existence is described as being a tragedy, filled with suffering

Financial System and Intermediaries Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Financial System and Intermediaries - Assignment Example This role is performed by intermediaries by taking the advantage of economies of scale while markets do the same by facilitating offer and trade of assets that comprise investors’ portfolios (Gup, 2011, Pg. 11) Financial intermediaries are the financial institutions such as banks, building societies, investment banks pension funds or insurance companies. Financial intermediaries include insurance companies that offer risk investment, financial advisers who offer specialist advice saving the investor costs and time in looking for the most suitable investment. Credit unions provide facilities for depositing and lending within a certain community and investment trusts or mutual funds that pool small savings of individual investors to enable a bigger investment trust. They enable small investors to enjoy smaller commission rates that are available on big purchases (Allen and Gale, 2001, Pg. 501). Commercial banks are intermediaries that issue among others savings account deposits. With a 100 000, the investor can open a savings account that will earn interest annually. They carry interest payments and offer time deposits. In this case, interests are earned with fixed terms to maturity (Gup, 2011, Pg. 47). Mutual funds raise funds through the sales of shares to individuals as well as institutions. The shares are pooled to buy a diversified portfolio of bonds, stocks or both. A mutual fund intermediary may keep some of the cash for other investment opportunities that may come up in the future (Gup, 2011, Pg. 82). An investor may also require an adviser as a financial intermediary to help in making the right choice of institution to invest with. Advisers spare investors time and resources that may be spent in the process of looking for a suitable investment bank, firm or institution (Gup, 2011, Pg 87). There are numerous banks in the UK that offer financial services to people all over the world. Barclays bank is

Comparative Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Comparative Religion - Essay Example Three negative aspects and at least one positive aspect of each religion will be named and explained. Secondly, Christianity which seems the closest to the â€Å"truth† for me will be evaluated and five positive aspects and one negative aspect will be stated. In addition, it will be outlined how I am going to deal with the aspect I did not like. Finally, a conclusion will be provided in which I will explain how this class helped me in the search for the â€Å"truth†. Hinduism is the main religion in India and other countries on South Asian Subcontinent, especially India and Nepal. It has no single founder or creator, several holy writings and more than one god. Therefore, many people often refer to Hinduism as a way of life, instead of calling it a religion. Furthermore, Hindus have a common system of values, such as duty, virtue, and morality, known as Dharma. Hinduism is a very old religion and for many people it is the religion closest to the â€Å"truth†. The most appealing aspect for me is that Hinduism is a rather animal friendly religion, for instance, many Hindus are vegetarian. Treating animals well is important to me and therefore, I believe this to be a positive aspect. However, there are three aspects that I do not like. First, Hinduism includes the concept of Varna (class), which divides society into four groups: teachers and priests, warriors and nobles, farmers, merchants, and businessman, and servants and workers. The division of classes served as a model for the social order. I believe it is a negative aspect, because people are born into a certain class and have almost not change of escaping it. It can be argued that Varna was partly responsible for the caste system in India. Secondly, Hindus believe that life is a continuous series of birth, death and rebirth, which is regulated by Karma. Although that might be an attractive aspect for some people, it is not for me, because it sounds restless and wearing. Thirdly, cremati on is obligatory for most Hindus, when they pass away. Although that might be a minor aspect for many, this is a major negative aspect for me, because I would prefer to be buried. When people are buried in a graveyard, it gives friends and family a place to go to and I believe that is important. III. Buddhism Buddhism is a very old religion or way of life, which can also predominantly be found on the Indian subcontinent. It is a very spiritual religion, which focuses on spiritual development and insight into the nature of life. Furthermore, Buddhists do not worship one God or many Gods; instead they follow the teachings of Buddha. Buddhism is a very peaceful religion, since non-violence is the centre of Buddhist thinking and acting. The peaceful character is a major positive characteristic for me. Religion has been misused for many wars and acts of violence, but it is difficult to justify any wars or acts of violence with such a peaceful religion as Buddhism. Nevertheless, Buddhism is not the closest religion to the â€Å"truth† for me, due to these aspects. First, Buddhists do not believe in the existence of a God. Although this might not be a negative aspect for many, it is a difficult aspect for me, because I like to believe in the existence of a higher power, so the absence of such a higher power is a negative aspect for me. Secondly, meditation as a main feature of Buddhism is a further negative aspect for me. A lot of people praise the benefits of meditation, which is perfectly all right; however, meditation is not for me. I tried to meditate on several occasions, but it does not work for me. Thirdly, a negative aspect of Buddhism for me is that life or existence is described as being a tragedy, filled with suffering

Referee report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Referee report - Essay Example The study found that M & As provides a positive impact on systemic risks for the transfer function estimation based on aggregate Z-score. Other evidence from the history and empirical findings favoured the efficiency hypothesis as opposed to the hypothesis of the imminent failure. The authors assessed how Banking system over relying on merger guidelines based on Herfndahl-Hirshman Index might curb the possibility of increasing risks associated with M & As. The understanding of risks and stability for banks undergoing merger and acquisition has drawn immense attention hence widely published in the banking empirical literature. The area of study is important for strategies in the banking sectors as well as the investors to devise methods that assess the possibilities of securing risks or attaining stability after merger and acquisition. Most of the empirical and theoretical framework was relevant with the exception of a few materials and concepts used by the author. However, I believe the area studied is very important. Therefore, I wish to illustrate and give my personal views as follows: 1. I am not sure whether the probabilistic model proposed and developed by the author as a mean of analysing the relationship between the systemic stability and the merger of banking system can provide the function it was proposed to offer. 2. The reason relates to the description of the model. The authors assert that the model uses a theoretical framework in establishing the differences between the imminent failure hypothesis and the efficiency hypothesis. One would wonder how they measured the levels of failure in the banks. Using financial distress, and bank failure as the indicator is relative and not objective. 3. Besides the model uses the assumption that when banks have low levels of probability for failure, they are likely to experience reduced systemic crises, and contagious bank runs, which were not substantiated appropriately as would be expected (Carlton and

Cady and Brutus Essay Example for Free

Cady and Brutus Essay Brutus and Cady emerge as the most complex characters in Julius Caesar and Mean Girls respectively. They are each stories tragic heroes. In each of their soliloquies, the audience gains insight into the complexities of their motives. Brutus is a powerful public figure, but he appears also as a husband, a master to his servants, a dignified military leader, and a loving friend. Cady starts off as virtually nothing, but eventually becomes a direct parallel in terms of Brutus’s power. The conflicting value systems that battle with each other in the play as a whole are enacted on incredibly small level in Brutus’s mind. Even after Brutus has committed the assassination with the other members of the conspiracy, questions remain as to whether, in light of his friendship with Caesar, the murder was a noble, decidedly selfless act or proof of a truly evil callousness, a gross indifference to the ties of friendship and a failure to be moved by the power of a truly great man. Brutus’s rigid idealism is both his greatest virtue and his most deadly flaw. In the world of the play, where self-serving ambition seems to dominate all other motivations, Brutus lives up to Antony’s elegiac description of him as â€Å"the noblest of Romans.† However, his commitment to principle repeatedly leads him to make mistakes that cost him much: wanting to curtail violence, he ignores Cassius’s suggestion that the conspirators kill Antony as well as Caesar. In another moment of rampant idealism, he again ignores Cassius’s advice and allows Antony to speak a funeral oration over Caesar’s body. As a result, Brutus forfeits the authority of having the last word on the murder and thus allows Antony to incite the shocked Roman crowd to riot against Brutus and the other conspirators. This is similar to when Regina George incites the entire school into chaos using the â€Å"burn book.† Brutus later endangers his good relationship with Cassius by self-righteously condemning what he sees as dishonorable fund-raising tactics on Cassius’s part. This is similar to how Cady views Regina, with respect and with friendship, but also with contempt. In all of these episodes, Brutus acts out of a desire to limit the self-serving aspects of his actions; ironically, however, in each incident he dooms the very cause that he seeks to promote, thus serving no one at all. The changes that shape Brutus and Cady are very interesting because they correlate so well. These changes occur because of the spurring of other characters. In Julius Caesar, Brutus is spurred on by Cassius and his conspirator band. In Mean Girls, Cady is spurred on by Janice (who is Cassius’s parallel). This spurring directly influences the characters actions and thoughts. Brutus probably wouldn’t ever have acted on this plot if it wasn’t for Cassius’s flattering comments. Cady wouldn’t have followed her path if she didn’t befriend or follow Janice’s ideas. Brutus and Cady develop along the same line in their respective stories, which is to be expected as they are the same character in similar settings.

Organization Culture In Multinational Companies Management Essay

Organization Culture In Multinational Companies Management Essay Multinational companies are facing more challenges when they try to develop a cohesive organizational culture than domestic companies. In this study, several cases experienced from real life examples will be presented. They will be discussed with theoretical framework which allows reader to understand each situation through comparative analysis. The theory of Cultural Management, Cross Cultural Communication Negotiation, Leadership, Motivating people is selected for cross referencing in accordance to the topic of the study. The study focus on two main parts; Part 1: Describe the challenges faced by MNCs on developing a global management, moving forward to identify the key challenges; Part 2: Focus on managing people across borders and cultures implementing Cultural Management concepts and theories (Hofstedes Cultural Dimensions 1980), leadership Motivating theories. The intention of this part is to give a critically discussion on real business situations while being aware of the application of these selected theories. The findings of useful methods for global leaders developing organizational culture will be explained in the conclusion. I will give my personal reflections on how the application of these theories will benefit leaders working in the similar situations in the international business. Part 1 Challenges on developing a global management Organizations are always facing challenges when they are doing business globally. These challenges include the assessment of the environment, managing social responsibility and ethics, communication negotiation across cultures, etc. In the following paragraphs, I will give journal articles related to a real life example that has faced several critical challenges when developing a global management. On 5th March 2012, China Labour bulletin reported a string of press release that there are a total of 27 logged reports of strike and protest from workers across China with the majority group of workers from the industrial/manufacturing and transport sector. The strikes and protests are mainly concerned on low wages, reduction of annual bonus, unreasonable employee layoff, management takeovers and relocations. A related such case is workers at Putzmeister Machinery in Shanghai stages a strike over the unsatisfactory compensation package being offered after the company takeover by SANY Group. Putzmeister Machinery being one of the largest German Manufacturer of concrete pumps has been acquired by Sany Group (one of the largest manufacturer of heavy machinery in China). Workers who are benefitting from the existing European management system and packages cannot accept the sudden implementation changes adapted from the Chinese company. It is believed that SANY has amended the package not in favour to the workers. After acquisition took place, employees who are not from SANY Group are affected by several changed factors both internal and external of the SANYs company policy. The culture which forms the organizational environment requires managers improve their cross-border learning capabilities. Managers from parent-country nationals or host-country nationals cannot ignore local employees needs. Successful leader manager advocate to earn peoples loyalty and trust by learning their different cultures, they also try to help employees to understand what their future and opportunities may have in place. Besides, exercising effective Change Management is necessary for leaders to understand the culture changes. This is because culture does not simply mean understanding who talks with whom, about what, and how the communication proceeds, it means how people encode messages, the meanings they have for messages, and the conditions and circumstances under which various messages may or may not be sent, noticed or interpreted. (Samovar and Porter, 1997) In this regards, the needs to understand the cultural variables are also necessary for Managers of SANY Group to enquire the skill to avoid miscommunication. According to the study from Cameron and Green (2004), the role of a leader in acquisitions is providing situations to the individuals in organization as follows  [1]  : 1. Ensure that the team knows that a change will happen and things will not be the same way they used to. 2. Ensure that the people understand the things that will change, what will stay the same and when will all this happen. 3. Encourage people try to do things in a new way and provide the right environment. Part 2 Managing and motivating people across cultures People from the same culture usually share a common general understanding of right and wrong, acceptable behavior and inappropriate behavior. In multinational companies, staffs are from a variety of national cultures, they have variety cultural backgrounds, this requires managers who are operating in global interdependent market operating in a series of hugely diverse landscapes (Tom Keen, Jim: Leadership Landscapes, palgrave, 2007). Serious misunderstandings may happen when managers cannot understand staffs real needs, values and self-actualization. Managing and motivating people across culture are not only a challenge to large companies but also something applicable to small-scale companies while multinational people are collected together. A reference of a real life example of China Wealth Middle East Machinery which is doing heavy machinery leasing business located in Dubai. China Wealth Machinery Co Ltd is a subsidiary of SANY Group which was founded in 1999. The main core of business is leasing heavy equipment to civil and building contractors. Based in Hong Kong, China Wealth set up a subsidiary branch in Dubai on 2008, which is China Wealth Middle East Machinery (L.L.C) . In China Wealth Middle East Machinery, there are workers from four different countries, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. These workers are employed in various operating position like operators, maintenance engineers, foreman and P.R.O. The company has faced challenge in managing, motivating people from different culture. In a general perspective, there is a similar culture with very few differences among the employees from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the difference can be substantial when they are compared with the Chinese culture. Hofstedes study gives comparison between Chinese and Bangladeshi cultures, the results are illustrated as follows, Key PDI: Power Distance IDV: Individualism vs. Collectivism MAS: Masculinity vs. Femininity UAI: Uncertainty Avoidance LTO: Long term orientation LOT LTO: Long term/Short term orientation Figure Comparing China and Bangladesh The chart in Figure 1 shows the comparison of PDI, IDV, MAS, UAI between Chinese and Bangladeshi culture. There is significant similarity between the two cultures in PDI, IDV and MAS where PDI and IDV are exactly the same. In contrast, the great differences between the two cultures come at UAI and LTO. There is distinctive evidence in the relationship among Chinese and Bangladeshi. They have both displayed high power distance in their workplace. Chinese have given more respect for the elderly; it is believed their behavior assembled from the Chinese Confucianism when taught in the younger days during their upbringing. Whereas, even the junior will to embrace with outstanding achievement, they are not able to gain the same respect as the elders. In China Wealth company, all the Bangladeshi operators are younger than the Chinese operators, therefore, they will only take the role as helpers at the beginning even the Bangladeshi has accumulated enough or already have experience. In addition, the Chinese will always command a longer term orientation and a better salary package which is almost double when they are both put on the same position. It can be seen as unfair but is widely accepted in the company. Furthermore, Bangladeshi workers show their high uncertainty avoidance which can be explained that they do not mind the status and acceptance of lower responsibility in exchange for a secured salary. They are easily contented people who do not desire a long term orientation. They can generally accept Salary which is sufficient to cover the basis expenses and support the family back home. On the contrary, Chinese workers need high salary and seek for long term orientation which allow them to spend freely and opportunity for promotion in future. They are risk taker and are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur, they can also take challenges at work. Thus, managers who work as multicultural role on motivation and management blend in different ways. They must consider the entire national and cultural context on a situation-by-situation basis, settle reward system not only rely on money but also search for their interest and satisfaction, means of keeping occupied, status and prestige. It is difficult to judge which type of workers behavior in China Wealth company is right or wrong. Managers should make different job motivation between Bangladeshi workers and Chinese workers according to their different cultures. Part 3 Conclusions In globalization competitive environment, leaders can be expatriates. They need to have multiple competencies to deal with challenges like cross border transaction. I think it is important for them to create new culture initiatives by allowing employees to extent their thinking and actions. Creativity can be one of the useful methods when dealing with multiple challenges. Creativity means doing things from a different way, leaders must learn different culture from people outside the system. Leaders should consider the cultural differences when creating a new culture for the merger or acquisition.( Kuada, 2008), they can enable reward systems, planning and performance management, motivating systems working together to support the objective and preferred behaviour. The leaders job comprises cultural adaptability, leadership experience and technical knowledge, level of authority and autonomy etc. No single leadership style works well in all situations.( Helen Deresky, 2012) Global leaders should broaden their horizons strategically and cross-culturally. Besides, leaders should also try to develop a flexible model what can adapt to local situations then apply around the world.

Admissions Essay: The Study of Medicine :: Medicine College Admissions Essays

Admissions Essay: I Intend to Pursue the Study of Medicine "The best prize life offers if the chance to work hard at work worth doing."(1) This is the premise on which my academic and career aspirations are based. The goals that I have chosen are those that will benefit others and enhance my growth by requiring me to face challenges successfully. Most importantly, my goals are all things that I will love doing, and any positive goal that a person has her heart in is work worth doing. My primary academic interest is molecular biology, specifically genetics. I first became interested in this field while reading scientific articles on DNA Fingerprinting and genetic research. I have also probed the ethical debate that recent advancements in genetic engineering have spawned. My reading has inspired me to pursue the study of genetics in college. It is a field that will not only require me to think scientifically, but will also challenge me to harmonize my studies with my ethical values. I know that genetics is a field for which I have strong potential. As an undergraduate, I look forward to researching the causes of aging and learning to develop preventive medicines by studying the maps of the human genome. A strong background in molecular biology will help me to reach my professional goal of being a doctor of medicine. A successful career is based on a strong desire to pursue the career and a clear understanding of what it entail. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience the medical profession first-hand when I shadowed an oncologist early in my senior year. My observation day went as I had expected until a patient with swollen eyes and a handful of crumpled tissues came in with an emergency appointment. Terminally ill, she had contemplated suicide the weekend before and needed someone to talk to. From this experience, I learned that being a doctor would require me to do more than heal patients physically. It would require me to put in the extra effort to deal aptly with situations that were incurable with a stethoscope and a prescription. The experience gave me an extra edge by giving me confidence in my career choice and a full understanding of what my goals entailed. In high school, I have selected many activities with my career choice in mind.