PUBLIC FINANCIAL MGMT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

PUBLIC FINANCIAL MGMT - Essay Example However, budgeting numbers are discussed frequently in the scramble for government funding (as in private funding), but the ultimate emphasis relies more on obtaining the funding rather than understanding how effectively the dollars are spent. In terms of Congress, the process of cutting costs involves: ‘producing timely and auditable financial statements, asset management, improving reporting and resource allocation, and strategic planning. In terms of financial control in the private sector, these are the primary concerns, but in the public world they typically garner less attention. (Knubel, John) In Private financial management, the key mission to be fulfilled is the increase in book value and stock prices. Excellence in financial management is regarded as a primary concern. Even in the cases of nonprofits, where stock values are not of concern, financial performance is still represented as the scorecard for success in competition. Market share, accounting, and output-orien ted statistics are carefully monitored and scrutinized. Executives will often use financial data acquired to evaluate the effectiveness of the current management team. It is management’s role to create positive momentum in stockholder wealth while minimizing costs and providing excellent customer service. (Knubel, John) It is clear to see that both the public and private sectors place a lot of emphasis on raising budget capital, yet they differ in their lack of accounting control and execution after the funding is committed. The fiscal capacity of governments is based on a multitude of factors including industrial capacity, personal incomes, population, and natural resource wealth. When governments establish their fiscal policy, understanding the fiscal capacity is a pertinent step. Identifying the fiscal capacity gives governments a better perspective of what programs and services they should offer the public. This process also helps to determine the necessary tax rates to p rovide towards certain levels and projects. The theory of fiscal capacity flows down even to the smallest levels of governments and groups, such as school districts, to determine what type of resources they will be able to provide. For about 15 years, Belgium was able to achieve a great degree of fiscal consolidation with a sizeable reduction of the debt-to GDP ratio. This fiscal consolidation was able to take place amongst the transition from a unitary state to a federal state. By utilizing annual agreements between all levels of government, the federal government substantially reduced its deficit while sub-federal governments simultaneously roughly balanced their budgets. However, in the case of Belgium the sharing of tax revenues was set up so that non-federal governments ended up with the fastest growing tax revenues. This led to all levels of government being faced with a minimal amount of budgetary pressure to rein in spending. Overall, the fiscal consolidation left the countr y with two main confronts. The first was to ensure a fair share of public spending burden between all levels of government, including upcoming ageing costs. The second was to increase the efficiency of spending at all levels by reducing economic disincentives, and by increasing co-operation and co-ordination in policy and public service provision. (OCED economic surveys: Belgium) One can see that after taxes are accumulated and appropriated, the real challenges of fiscal policy begin. It is no easy task to oversee and

Answer questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Answer questions - Essay Example The documentary includes various personal stories of individuals who have tried to fight the status quo in a bid to transform the health sector (Susan and Mathew, 2012). Question One: Importance of Preventive Medicine in Family Care Preventive medicine is at the core of the documentary. One of the objectives of the documentary is to encourage prevention rather than curing diseases. The current healthcare system is focused on treating diseases rather than on finding preventive solutions. This has resulted in Americans spending a lot on healthcare yet the condition seems to be worsening in recent years. The documentary reveals that the healthcare costs in America are rapidly increasing ad could reach an annual figure of about 4.2 trillions, which is about 20% of the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) in ten years’ time (Susan and Mathew, 2012). The film further reveals that the nation spends up to the tune of 300 billion dollars on pharmaceutical drugs and about 75% o f the total healthcare costs are spent on preventable diseases (Susan and Mathew, 2012). These preventable diseases can also be attributed to the rising cases of disability among Americans. The greatest importance of preventive medicine in family care according to the documentary would be a reduction in healthcare costs (Susan and Mathew, 2012). Americans would have to spend less on treatment and their lifestyles would be improved a great deal. The country will be able to save a lot of money to invest in other sectors of the economy. This will also promote healthy living among people hence avoiding preventable diseases. Question Two: Main Issues the Film Raises with Current Healthcare System The documentary brings many of the problems affecting healthcare sector to the forefront. It raises issues affecting service providers in all sectors including primary care and family care among others. The documentary describes the current healthcare sector as broken in the sense that it is pro fit driven as opposed to patient driven, and focused on quick fixes rather than promoting prevention (Susan and Mathew, 2012). The current healthcare system is portrayed as being hugely extravagant with many unnecessary expenses going in to health problems that can be prevented. The film also states that the current health system has failed to realize any tangible results since the health issues have persistently been affecting Americans with more people being disabled and more other suffering from weight problems due to preventable causes. Question Three: Ways in Which an Existing Practice May Undermine Patient Outcomes Patient outcomes may be undermined in many ways in the current health system. Most of the service providers are profit centered as opposed to being patient centered. They would rather offer patients short-term solutions so that the patients spend more on treatment at the service provider’s benefit. Question Four: New Approaches for Improving Patient Outcomes The documentary puts forward two main approaches that can effectively reform the entire health system and improve patient outcomes. These are putting more focus on high-touch and preventative strategies. An approach relying more on high touch will ensure a lot of attention is given to the patient and the service they receive through a more face to face approach that ensures there is an understanding between the patients

How are game console interfaces assisting in creating an immersive Essay

How are game console interfaces assisting in creating an immersive gaming experience - Essay Example Games consoles are typically thought Ð ¾f as units that operate through a television or some other large, external screen or monitor. These units require an external power supply, thus severely limiting their portability. The games themselves are mounted on media that is inserted into the unit, such as a CD, DVD or cartridge, or in media such as a cassette, readable through a tape player. The console has a keyboard, sockets for joysticks or other games controllers, or both. Experimentation with current games console technology suggests that the PC is still, despite the considerable price disadvantage, a more realistic and usable device for serious, Network-based research. However, for beginners to the Internet who require only basic facilities, a games console with network access may prove a more fiscally viable option. As Ð ¾f September 2000, the one games console Ð ¾ffering online access possesses significant limitations in terms Ð ¾f browser functionality, and Ð ¾ffers no facilities for downloading files or data. While the computer gaming community is more interested in the speed and playability aspects Ð ¾f online gaming, it is the data and application storage and manipulation functionality Ð ¾f consoles that will need to be addressed, as well as data transfer capabilities, if such devices are to become a serious electronic library accessing option for the academic and research communities. Furthermore, the PC, with the Apple Macintosh a distant second, has a firm hold within the library, educational and other sectors as the system Ð ¾f preference for accessing the Internet. This is due to a combination Ð ¾f familiarity, longevity, educational sales discounts leading to PC prices being substantially cheaper than if bought by members Ð ¾f the public, and the absense Ð ¾f an alternative.

Critical Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Critical Analysis - Essay Example Predatory pricing is one such strategy that is being used by business organizations across the globe. Predatory pricing involves a strategy in which a firm sells its products at lowest possible rates below the offerings of all the competitors so as to grab the market share of the competitors on the basis of competitive pricing (Denger, American Bar Association & Section of Antitrust Law, 1991, p.3-3). This use of this strategy by business organizations to gain market share and take care of the competition in the market has been questioned by numerous authors and various academic and professional circles. The aspect has been so serious that governments across the world have set up competition policies and also appointed watchdogs to supervise and monitor the competitive strategies so as to maintain a healthy competition in the consumer market. Individuals in favour of predatory pricing state that pricing is an integral part of a company’s unique selling proposition and hence fr eedom must be given to ensure fair balance in the market. It is also in coherence with the free market policy that seeks equal opportunity for all and survival of the fittest. Proponents’ however have slammed this move by stating that predatory pricing ultimately does not help customers in the long run but leads to closure of firms that generates unemployment that can have drastic effects on the total economic scenario of a market. The present study would undertake a critical analysis of the aspect of predatory pricing so as to analyse the actual implications and the pros and cons of this increasingly popular business strategy adopted by corporate across the world. Focus The aspect of predatory pricing has been a subject of debate among academic and professional circles. An article by Gundlach & Guiltnan (1998) states that predatory pricing is an unethical aspect that does not being any benefits in the market. They have argued that a marketer indulging in predatory pricing st rategy tends to reduce the price of the product or service in an attempt to maximise its market share by eating away a chunk of the market share of its competitors. Predators however on the achievement of their objectives of either dislodging their competitors or after gaining a significant market share tend to again increase the prices. Ultimately the customers bargaining power gets considerably reduced in the process. The dislodgement of competitors from the market gives a monopolistic power to the predator that is against the rules of competition and ultimately leads to unhealthy market situation. The authors have stated that the predatory pricing as a competitive strategy has been quite unsuccessful in the past and courts have also pronounced verdicts in famous cases like Brooke thus affirming the faith that predatory pricing is perhaps a negative strategy that has no ultimate benefit to any section of the society or the business world (Gundlach & Guiltnan, 1998, p.884). The vie ws of Gundlach & Guiltnan (1998), however have been refuted by authors like Bolton, Brodley & Riordan (No date) as they have stated that predatory pricing is an integral part of a business strategy of an organization and competing on the basis of cost is normally an outcome of a business’s efficiency to provide products at low prices due to certain organizational efficiency. The authors have slammed the views of critiques advocating the court legislations on cases like Brooke where they have pronounced verdic

Lloyds Banking Group Integration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Lloyds Banking Group Integration - Essay Example In the first type of hybrid structure company can combine the characteristics of both the functional and divisional structures. In this type of hybrid structure, Lloyds Group can organise its important functions into self-contained units by decentralising it whereas, the functions which require economies of scales and stability can be centralised. In the second type of hybrid structure, the company can combine the characteristics of functional, divisional and horizontal structures (Daft, 2009). Most of the multinational companies have hybrid structure. This structure is particularly useful for the organisations where the environment is highly uncertain and organisation can be best managed through divisional structure and some functional expertise is also required (Zamaros). This structure can offer great flexibility to Lloyds Bank. The following table describes the cultural dimensions (Gray & Larson, 2005) which could be affected by changing the organisational structure of Lloyds Gro up from Divisional structure to Hybrid structure. ... f Lloyds Group could be improved by developing teams in the functions which involve teamwork tasks and by emphasising on individual tasks wherever important. Company has the flexibility to achieve a balance between individual work and teamwork. Inter-unit Relations The inter-unit relations of Lloyd Group could be improved if Lloyds Group go for divisional structure and could be reduced if Group goes for functional structure. Company has the flexibility to achieve the balance of coordination and interaction between units. Control The control of the supervisors to influence the behaviour of employees could be improved in the segments of business with functional structure. Company has the flexibility to achieve the balance of control. Social Distance Lloyds could improve its culture by reducing the social distance in the segments where company adopt divisional structure and enhance the social distance where company uses functional structure Reward Criteria The reward criteria could be d efined by establishing seniority based and experience based priorities in functional structure and by establishing performance based criteria in divisional structure Conflict Tolerance Achieving the control tolerance balance across two kinds of structure (functional and divisional) could become a challenge for Lloyds Group Level of Effort The Group could enhance level of efforts of employees by increasing control through centralising some processes and decentralising others, based on particular needs Sharing Information Lloyds Group could control information sharing by using two kinds of structure External Orientation Lloyds Group could also become more flexible to respond to external orientations in a hybrid structure By adopting the hybrid structure, Lloyds Group could achieve various

Synthesis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Synthesis - Research Paper Example The Serpent of Paradise was written by Edward Abbey. And in this work he focuses on his experience like a park ranger in the south-eastern Utah’s Arches National Monument. The most important themes of Edward Abbey are- exploitation’s of pristine environment by the tourists and People’s kinship towards the animals. The Themes Present in the Works: â€Å"The deliverance considered as the engaging, suspenseful, full of fast-paced mystery and beautiful prose describing the natural environment that will soon be destroyed by a power company’s dam† (Cusatis p.110). The main theme of Deliverance is that of the survival in the nature against its overpowering odds. And the main themes that are present in the Serpents of Paradise are- exploitation’s of pristine environment by the tourists and People’s kinship towards the animals. Some of the other themes as present in the Most Dangerous game are; Arrogance: Rainsford, an arrogant animal hunter an d he have no pain or fear. And Zaroff, another arrogant hunter and he feel that in order to entertain himself, he should hunt humans. Violence: It relates to the behavior of characters towards each other and also towards the surrounding animals. Degradation of man: â€Å"The final and most prevalent theme is the Degradation of Man† (Marin p.5). It deals with the degradation of man from being a mere animal hunter to being a hunter of man and the changes from being hunter to that of a murderer. The Common Themes in these Works: While comparing the works of The Deliverance, The Serpents of Paradise and The Most Dangerous Game; we can find a common theme which is present in all these works i.e., the attitude of humans towards the nature. Man’s struggle and survival in the wilderness. All these works focus on this particular theme and the author portrays this theme with various incidents In Deliverance, James Dickey represents the theme in such a way that before the journey starts, the three among the four travellers does not have any experience in the journey through the forest. Lewis Medlock who is one among the four is a survivalist and seasoned outdoorsmen who really plans the journey and guides the group. The centerpiece of the novel is that of the sexual assault and the attack by two mountaineers in the river bank and which leads to a sequence of murder. During the journey they faced a lot of conflicts from the nature and from men. And they struggled a lot to overcome these difficulties that is, during their canoe ride they confronted with the Rough River and also they confronted a conflict with the two hillbillies. Even though one among the four died and they tried to have a struggle with the local men in the wood and they were able to escape from it. All these incidents show that man struggles for survival and they all learn an experience from this journey. In the beginning of the story, Ed was lacking the knowledge about the nature and after facing all the difficulties through the journey, their attitude toward the journey have changed a lot and they consider nature as more powerful and as a result they opinioned that respect should be given to the nature. In the Serpents of Paradise by Edward Abbey, he is viewing the Arches national park as wilderness. This work gives the

Natural environment Essay Example for Free

Natural environment Essay It has been long debated the importance of nature verses nurture. It is hard to prove one from the other since it is shown for them both to play major roles in the development of a child to an adult. I believe that my personality is a combination of both nature and nurture but I think that I am +more nurtured. There are so many behaviors that I have developed from the environment I grew up. I have learnt to respect all people from being influenced at school and by my parents. I have also been trained to be responsible of things such as doing my work. I learnt that if I am not responsible and dont do my work, then I must pay bad consequences. I have also learnt from experiences that if I do what I am supposed to do, I may be rewarded for good things done. My environment has influenced me in many ways to act upon certain things automatically. Things like looking both ways before crossing the street, or other things that appear to be common sense are learnt from nurture. I have gone through many experiences in which I have learnt different lessons. These lessons have taught me how to act in my life. I know that I am very different person than my mom or my dad. I dont have very much in common with either of them. Although we do share some of the same aspects, I feel that I am more different from them than alike. I have developed the majority of my social skills from my friends and not my parents. Most of my social life revolves around my friends, who have influenced me a lot of the decisions I make and in the way I act. I dont socialize with my parents nearly as much as I do with my peers. I dont think I know my parents well enough to say if I am like them when they are around their friends or not. The nature and nurture of a person can vary greatly. Sometimes there are certain things that are hard to decide whether they are inherited or learnt. I might share some qualities with my parents, but they could just be characteristics that I learnt in my life that my parents also learnt in their lives too and were not inherited. I believe that genes indicate the potential for ones behavior and personality, and that the environment helps create the extent as to how that behavior is carried out.