Organization Behavior Multicultural Diverse Countries

Question: Portray about the Organization Behavior for Multicultural Diverse Countries. Answer: Presentation Australia is one of the multicultural differing nations on the planet. This decent variety shows itself in numerous circles of Australian life such a games, governmental issues and in the working environment. Australia has done a great deal to defeat racial segregation and be a racially comprehensive society. For example, the National Anti-bigotry Strategy attempts to enable Australians to voice their conclusions against racial segregation (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2015). As per the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2012), 20% of the populace is remote conceived, around 20% of the populace communicates in a second language other than English at home and that 20% of their kids have guardians who were brought into the world outside Australia. In spite of these positive racial achievements, blacks natives despite everything face elevated levels of separation (Price, 2016). One of the manners by which Australia has urged social assorted variety is to accommodate equivalent business openings in the working environment. This is on the grounds that different research contemplates have demonstrated that social assorted work environment is bound to be more gainful than one which needs decent variety. Moreover, inquire about has additionally indicated that associations, where chiefs are of various societies, are bound to develop and turn out to be progressively effective. Be that as it may, social decent variety has its difficulties going from correspondence, initiative and administrative styles and moral issues. The reason for this task is to have the option to examine correspondence difficulties, initiative and administrative styles difficulties and moral issues with respect to social decent variety in Australia. Correspondence challenges Relational correspondence is a significant viewpoint in a work environment. Relational correspondence fabricates cohesiveness in the association as well as cultivates business related connections which can energize inventiveness and increment profitability. In any case, when there is an absence of relational correspondence in the work environment, clashes are probably going to develop. These contentions can meddle with efficiency, make an antagonistic workplace and effect contrarily on the hierarchical culture in the work environment. This absence of relational correspondence is increasingly significant in socially differing working environments. One of the significant correspondence challenges confronting socially differing Australian associations is the correspondence styles. Numerous associations in Australia utilize casual correspondence in the work environment. This is on the grounds that Australian associations come up short on the administration that exists in associations that are domiciled in different nations, for example, the US, Japan and the UK (Hooker, 2008). Australians likewise has a more straightforward way to deal with correspondence. Casual correspondence is utilized to facilitate the strain related with a conventional correspondence. This pressure is normally high in associations where workers are from various social foundations. Social assorted variety in the work environment in Australia has been impacted by the expansion in transient populace which makes up 24.6% of the absolute populace (The federation of Australia, 2008). Social assorted variety doesn't simply incorporate individuals of numerous races yet in addition equivalent sexual orientation and individuals with incapacities. Luckily, ladies in Australia are no longer separated in the working environment albeit a large number of them accomplish elevated level official positions in light of their sexual orientation. Additionally, chiefs in numerous Australian associations utilize a cooperative correspondence approach when managing representatives. This can be hard for a pioneer who is utilized to a legitimate correspondence approach where data carefully spills out of the top administration down to representatives. Be that as it may, what remains in correspondence styles in the vast majority of the Australian association is the utilization of mockery as a type of cleverness which might be hostile to outsiders (Australian Multicultural Foundation, 2010). Fortunately, the language hindrance in not a correspondence challenge in socially assorted working environments in Australia. This is on the grounds that English is the official language of correspondence and an extensively huge size of the populace whether remote or neighborhood is familiar with both composed and oral English language. The most widely recognized correspondence challenge is the contentions in the work environment. Clashes in the working environment are one of the significant reasons for low profitability. Besides, clashes make a terrible workplace which may dampen representatives and impact negative work results in the working environment. Social contrasts are one of the most well-known wellsprings of contentions, particularly in a multicultural workplace. These contentions made by social contrasts are additionally propagated by accessible generalizations with respect to people from specific nations. For example, Australians are viewed as egotistical, Americans are hotshots, Japanese never state what they truly think and that Germans are anxious (Cornes,1998).Therefore, having the option to oversee and contain the accessible generalizations as one method of overseeing clashes in a socially different workplace(Australian Multicultural Foundation,2010). Social contrasts in the work environment imply that representatives have various characters which may make clashes in the working environment. Social contrasts in the work environment ought to be overseen adequately on the grounds that they impact authoritative culture (Mazur, 2010). Character contrasts are probably going to cause differences in the working environment. Australians are outgoing individuals thus prone to seem to be uproarious spoken and transparently express their sentiments. For example, this may not work out positively for Asians who are for the most part held and more averse to communicate their conclusions and in this manner consider most Australians disagreeable and impolite. The most ideal approach to manage clashes emerging because of character distinction is to lead social decent variety preparing in the work environment and empower resistance with one another. Character contrasts can influence significant dynamic procedure, particularly if the top administration is comprised of individuals from various social foundations. One of the manners in which administrators can fathom clashes in multicultural workplaces is to utilize a cooperative and bargain approach. This will empower different understandings to be comprehended in manners that permit the differing gatherings to show up at a success win circumstance. Australians favor their capacity to impart straightforwardly and have the option to pass on a great deal of data in messages (Hackman Johnson, 2004). This conversely with people of East Asian inception, for example, Koreans, Chinese and Japanese who lean toward messages which are not immediate and depend more on non-verbal signals of correspondence, for example, non-verbal communication and motions ((Kowske Anthony, 2007). In this manner empowering relational correspondence, making clear correspondence channels, supporting for tranquil compromise systems can enable an association to explain its correspondence challenges. The administration can direct workshops and preparing classes to instruct every one of its representatives on the significance of social assorted variety and the need to acknowledge and endure every others contrasts. In Australia, representatives from various social foundations are to be given chances and discussions where they can collaborate together and have the option to discuss their different societies and how it influences their work. Fundamentally, associations should take a shot at improving relational correspondence between representatives of various societies. Most of associations for the most part sorts out social week where representatives can take part in different social occasions that cultivate correspondence and improve connections. In socially various foundations, it is significant for severe interchanges rules and strategies to be set up. The strategies are for the most part centered around the shirking of socially hostile language. This is on the grounds that the likelihood of utilizing racial slurs and abuse in the work environment in an association comprised of representatives from various foundations is high. Research shows that blacks, when all is said in done, are probably going to get racial slurs in the working environment than other racial minorities. Moral issues identified with social decent variety Social decent variety issues in the work environment are useful for the achievement and the notoriety of an association. This is on the grounds that it becomes assorted variety turns out to be a piece of the hierarchical culture at the working environment. Be that as it may, social decent variety at the work environment may confront the moral difficulties of joining assorted variety. Representatives in a socially broadened working environment are probably going to settle on moral choices dependent on their social foundations. This is particularly consistent with Australia which faces different issues in relations to morals because of its multicultural populace (Omeri et al, 2009). To have the option to beat this test of moral issues, associations should think of the moral implicit rules that remembers the differing societies of its workers. Representatives ought to have the option to do what is ethically directly as per the standard of law as specified by the different enactments existing in a nation, Moreover, workers are committed to do what is ethically right despite the fact that, that may not really fit in with specified laws. For example, in many societies, it is ethically off-base to slaughter somebody yet the law permits an individual to have the option to submit murder if that people life is undermined or placed in harm's way. Consequently, workers should adjust what they are morally required to do as indicated by associations set of accepted rules and what they believe they are committed to do. Association should utilize the speculations of morals to have the option to manage the moral issues developing in the association. These hypotheses incorporate utilitarian morals hypothesis, ideals morals, and celestial order speculations. These are significantly part of teleological and deontological moral hypotheses. Representatives should realize that each moral choice they make has outcomes either to themselves or the association on the loose. All out negligence of morals

Separate Peace Essays (2068 words) - Phillips Exeter Academy

Separate Peace Managing foes has been an issue since the time the get-go. In A Separate Peace by John Knowels, the benefit of managing your sentiments and managing your adversaries is appeared by Gene Forester, an understudy in Devon during World War 2 managing barely any human foes, however his feelings make an enemy far more prominent than any human foe. I never slaughtered anyone, Gene had remarked later in his adulthood, And I never built up an extraordinary level of scorn for the foe. Since my war finished before I at any point put on a uniform; I was training for deployment all my time at Devon; I killed my foe there. Now about the foes that Gene had placed into his own life. Quality had a closest companion, his name was Finny, they were flat mates and did numerous exercises together. Finny was never the source, yet the center of a large portion of Gene's emotions, both acceptable and awful. Initial, probably the most serious issue that Gene had, that is desire. Quality was envious of Finny's confidency, transparency, humility, sublime athletic capacities, his common authority aptitudes, his capacity to manage pressure effectively, his consideration free mentality, his relationship building abilities and, obviously, his attractive features. Ahead of schedule in the story Finny exhibited his receptiveness by when requested his tallness, he said 5 foot, 8 inches, while Gene answers 5 foot, 9 inches. Finny brought up that they were a similar tallness and you shouldn't be embarrassed to tell anyone your genuine tallness. Soon thereafter, they skip supper to swim in the waterway, by Finny's decision, and are asked where they were on return. Finny immediately answered that they were swimming in the waterway, something that is prohibited, directly down to the last detail, and they pulled off it. Quality said that the standards are very bowed throughout the mid year meeting, however it was really Finny's relationship building abilities that experienced kept them out of difficulty. Finny was striking, as Gene numerous a period wished he was, on one event Finny wore a splendid pink shirt representing the first U.S. besieging in Europe. Quality considered him a faerie yet truly begrudged him. Later Finny wore the school tie as a belt and when addressed he asserted that it spoke to Devon in the war. Gene was hopeingly anticipating a reproving for Finny, however once more, he got in a tough situation. One more day the two were strolling and went over a plaque close to the pool asserting that A. Hopkins Parker held the record for swimming over the pool the quickest, Finny took one gander at what's more, figured he could beat it, so with no training at all he dove into the pool, Gene coordinated him and he beat it, much the same as that. Quality needed to get an official scorekeeper so Finny could get a plaque yet Finny said no, in my head I realize that I did it, that is the only thing that is in any way important, in this manner illustrating that Finny is humble and secure. The following day Gene and Finny went to the sea shore, which wasn't permitted. This was done at Finny's solicitation, Gene was going to concentrate for a test, however he felt that he can't state no to Finny so hello went. At the sea shore Gene saw many individuals taking a gander at them, he realized they were taking a gander at Finny in light of his very much constructed body and his brilliant tan yet Finny said that they were taking a gander at Gene. Before they return, Finny calls Gene his best buddy and Gene needed to answer, yet he wasn't certain about it himself and he additionally makes some hard memories communicating his actual emotions. That was his first foe, presently the following, outrage. Quality's outrage isn't really awful alone yet when envy and outrage are hiding in a similar space, they end up being a lethal blend. Quality was irate about such things as Finny's capacity not to get in a tough situation, and Gene's reluctance to state no to Finny, however the genuine war began when he got the possibility that in light of the fact that Finny has low evaluations, he needed to bring down Gene's evaluations too so he will superior to Gene. Quality accepted that Finny was attempting to unleash his investigations with games, an association they had shaped the Secret Suicide Society, setting off to the sea shore and this you're my closest companion stuff. Other than that, there is little indignation among Finny and Gene. One day, Finny needed Gene to come hop off a high appendage into the waterway

The financial position of Kier Group Plc. - Free Essay Example

Introduction. This paper provides a discussion of the financial position, performance and cash flows for Kier Group Plc, a UK based construction company. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange operates in the Industrials Sector and in the Engineering and Construction Industry. (Reuters, 2008). The discussion is based on the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s 2007 and 2008 financial statements as well as the notes to the financial statements. Part 1 Direct and Indirect Method of the Cash flow Statement. The direct method of preparing the cash flow statement shows the specific cash inflows and outflows that result in reported cash flow from operating activities. It shows each cash inflow and outflow related to a companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s cash receipts and disbursements, adjusting income statement items to remove the effect of accruals. In other words, the direct method eliminates any impact of accruals and shows only cash receipts and cash payments. (Epstein and Jermacowicz, 2007; CFA, 2008). The indirect method on its part shows how cash flow from operations can be obtained from reported net income as a result of a series of adjustments. The indirect method begins with net income. To reconcile net income to operating cash flow, adjustments are made for noncash items, for non-operating items, and for the net changes in operating accruals. (Epstein and Jermacowicz, 2007; CFA, 2008). The cash flow statement is made up of three components. These include cash flows from operatin g activities, cash flows from investing activities and cash flows from financing activities. It should be noted that the use of the direct or indirect method has an impact only on the manner in which cash flows from operating activities are presented. Cash flows from investing activities and cash flows from financing activities are presented in the same manner under both methods. (Epstein and Jermacowicz, 2007; CFA, 2008). Under IFRS, IAS 7 Cash Flow Statements encourages the use of the direct method but permits the use of either method. (Epstein and Jermacowicz, 2007). Under U.S GAAP FAS 95 Statement of Cash Flows also encourages the use of the direct method although the indirect method can also be used. FAS No 95 requires that if a company uses the direct method, it should also present a footnote disclosure of the indirect method. Reformulation of Cash Flow Statement Kier Group Plc prepared its 2008 cash flow statement using the indirect method. In this section we reformulate the cash flow statement using the direct method. Appendix 2 shows the original cash flow statement of company for the year ended 2008. Kier Group Plc Cash Flow Statement 2008  £Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢000 Cash received from Customers2,290.5 Cash paid to suppliers(2,056) Dividends received 0.8 Interest Received 9.6 Income taxes paid (18.4) Cash paid to employees (117.9) Net Cash Flows from operating Activities 48.6 Since the cash flows from investing and financing activities are the same under both methods we have presented only the cash flows from operating activities. The full cash flow statement is shown in appendix 2 and the calculations for the above figures are shown in appendix 1. Profitability, Liquidity and Gearing of Kier Group Plc. To better understand the profitability, liquidity and gearing of Kier Group Plc we need to calculate a number of ratios for the company. Profitability. The profitability ratios we use here include the gross profit margin, operating profit margin, net profit margin and the return on equity. Appendix 3 shows the profitability ratios calculated using the balance sheet and income statement over the period 2004 to 2008 inclusive. It can be observed that the gross profit margin has been fluctuating over the period under study. For example, the ratio declined from 8.93% in 2004 to 8.85% in 2005. It then increased to 8.94% in 2006. It witnessed a further increase to 9.24% in 2007 and then a decline to 9.02% in 2008. The operating profit margin on its part witnessed a constant upward trend over the period 2004 to 2007. It however dropped to a record low in 2008 when the figure dropped below its base period (2004) figure of 2.95% to 2.85%. Net profit margin too witnessed an improvement over the period 2004 to 2007. It however declined from 2.69% in 2007 to 2.02% in 2008. The return on equity (ROE) recorded its highest figure in 2004 and its lowest figure in 2008. The ROE has also been fluctuating over the period 2004 to 2008. Overall, the company has been profitable but its profitability ratios have not witnessed great improvements over the last five years. Liquidity The liquidity ratios show that Kier Group Plc is not in a good liquidity position. The current ratio shows that the company has been in a good position to meet its short-term financial obligations (current liabilities) with short-term (current) assets. This can be seen from appendix 4 which shows the liquidity ratios. The current ratio has been above 1 throughout the period under study. The ratio has been slightly above 1 indicating that an instant request by short-term creditors for the company to repay its short-term financial obligations may render the company in a poor working capital position. The quick ratio is even worse as it indicates that the company can only cover approximately 50 percent of its short-term current assets excluding inventory. The cash ratio too indicates that the company is in a very difficult liquidity position. Gearing The gearing ratios are shown in appendix 5. The gearing ratios indicate that the company is a high gearing or leverage company. Its total debt-to-equity ratio is very high indicating that most of its short and long term operations are financed by debt. Long-term operations are also financed mostly by debt as the long-term debt-to-equity ratio has been above 50%. The ratio was 3.55 in 2005 and 1.42 in 2006. Debt-to-total assets also indicates that the company is financing most of its assets with too much debt. Assets are financed with more than 80% of debt. The gearing position of Kier Group Plc indicates that it may face significant financial risks, that is, the risk that it may be unable to meet both short and long-term financial obligations as the fall due. (Ross et al., 1999; Elliot and Elliot, 2005). This may result in the liquidation of assets to meet financial obligations. Part 2 Financial Statements The statement of financial position (balance sheet) measures the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s assets and liabilities as at a particular date. Assets occur as a result of past events and represent items from which probable economic benefits will flow to the company. For an item to be recognised as an asset three characteristics must be satisfied as follows (Epstein and Mirza, 2005: 29): The asset must provide probable future economic benefit that enables it to provide future net cash flows; The entity is able to receive the benefit and restrict other entitiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ access to that benefit; and The event that provides the entity with the right to the benefit has occurred. Looking at Kier Group Plcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s balance sheet, one can observe that its assets are presented using the non-current and current format wherein non-current assets are presented first, the followed by current assets. This is in compliance with IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements. One can also observe that current assets form a significant portion of the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s total assets. For example, as at 2008, current assets totalled  £1054.6million and noncurrent assets totalled  £176.1million. Current assets therefore represent 85.7% of the total assets of the company. Maintaining more current assets indicates that the company is able to meet short-term financial obligations with little stress. The structure of the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s assets enable it to be able to capitalise on investment opportunities since it can easily convert a significant base of its assets to cash with little loss of value and with less time. Kier Group meas ures its assets at their historical cost except for derivative financial instruments which are measured at their fair market values. While this presentation provides a true and fair view of the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s assets, it provides little information about the current replacement cost of the assets. (CFA, 2008; Epstein and Jermacowicz, 2007). Investors may be interested in knowing how much the assets cost to replace at current market prices. Therefore the balance sheet may not serve as a true measure of value. Certain inventories have also been value at net realisable value. IAS 2 Inventories requires that inventories should be valued at lower of cost and net realisable value. (IASB, 2008; Epstein and Mirza, 2005; Epstein and Jermacowicz, 2007). We may therefore reasonably expect that the net realisable value of the certain items of inventory was lower than the cost and therefore in complying with IAS 2, the company valued them at net realisable value. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Li abilities represent future probable sacrifices of economic benefits arising from present obligations of a particular entity to transfer assets or provide services to other entities in the future as a result of past transactions of eventsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . (IASB, 2008; Epstein and Mirza, 2005; Epstein and Jermacowicz, 2007). The income measures the financial performance of the company over a period of time. It shows the expenses that have been made to generate revenues. (Penman, 2003). The most important figure from the income statement is net income, which shows how much the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s operations have contributed to the total returns to shareholders. The income statement may therefore be considered a very important statement than the balance sheet because it provides an indication of how the assets and liabilities in the balance sheet come about and how the increase in shareholder value has occurred. Kier Group Plc had net income of  £47.2million in 2008. Thi s indicates that the company contributed a total of  £47.2million to shareholder value from its operating activities. The income statement and balance sheet are usually based on accrual accounting and provide little information about the movement of cash. As a result the cash flow statement which is to a certain extent similar to the income statement except for the fact that it eliminates accrual items provides a better picture of the sources and uses of cash by the company. The cash flow statement constitutes both operating, investing and financing cash flows. The cash flows from financing indicates that companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s ability to generate cash from its operations. Kier Group Plc generated cash flows from operations of  £48.6million in 2008, used cash in investing activities totalling  £30.8million and used cash in financing activities totalling  £22.3million. (Kier Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts, 2008). this indicates that the compan y generates more cash from operating activities and spends cash in investing and financing activities. Accounting Policies Adopted by Kier Group Plc. Kier Group Plc prepares its consolidated accounts following international accounting standards (IFRS/IAS). The companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s financial statements are prepared following U.K Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). In preparing its 2008 financial statements the company disclosed a number of significant accounting policies. It adopted a number of international financial reporting standards and interpretations for the first time. (Kier Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts, 2008). For example the company adopted IFRIC 10 Interim Financial Reporting and Impairmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . The annual report (2008) states that the adoption of IFRIC 10 had no significant impact on the timing and recognition of impairment losses because as the group already accounted for such amounts using principles consistent with IFRIC 10. The company also adopted IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Discloses and related amendments to IAS 1. Adoption of these standards also had no impact on the com panyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s profit/loss. The company measures assets using historical cost. The company consolidates all subsidiaries from the date that control transfers to the Group to the date that control ceases. The purchase method is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries. This is in accordance with IFRS 3 Business combinations. Interests in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. This is in accordance with IAS 31 Financial Reporting Interests in Joint Ventures. Only goodwill arising from business combinations is recognised as an asset in the balance sheet. In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the Group does not amortise goodwill. Rather, it tests goodwill annually for impairment and writes down the value of goodwill by the impairment loss if there is significant evidence that the value of goodwill has reduced. (Kier Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts, 2008). Other intangible assets which comprise contract rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortisations and impairment losses. The company uses the straight-line method to amortise intangible assets over their useful life. Revenue from contracts is recognised using the percentage of completion method which is in compliance with IAS 11 Construction Contracts. (Kier Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts, 2008). Inventories including land held for sale are valued at lower of cost and net realisable value in accordance with IAS 2 Inventories. The company charges operating lease rental charges to the income statement on a straight-line basis over the life of each lease. Borrowing costs on qualifying self constructed assets is capitalised in accordance with IAS 23 Borrowing Costs. (Kier Group Plc Annual Report and Accounts, 2008). Amendments to IAS 1. The amendments of IAS 1 include two issues. These include the preparation of a separate statement of comprehensive income or an inclusion of a portion under the income statement for comprehensive income and the disclosure of information on non-controlling interest in the statement of shareholders equity. (ACCA, 2008). These amendments, which are expected to be effective as from 1st January 2009 are not expected to have any impact on the results of companies adopting these changes. Consequently, Kier Group Plc will not be significantly affected by these changes. Rather, these amendments will result in disclosure of more information about comprehensive income and non-controlling interests. Bibliography Elliot, B., Elliot, J., 2005. Financial Accounting and Reporting, 9ed. FT Prentice Hall. Epstein, B. J., Jermakowicz, E. (2007). Interpretation and application of International Financial Reporting Standards, Wiley and Sons Inc. Epstein, B. J., Mirza A. A. (2005). Interpreta tion and application of International Financial Reporting Standards, Wiley and Sons Inc. IASB (2008) International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Available online at: www.iasb.org. MSN Money (2008) Kier Group PLC: Financial Statement Available online at: https://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/invsub/results/statemnt.aspx?Symbol=KIERFlstStatement=CashFlowstmtView=Ann Penman, S. (2003) Financial Statements Analysis and Securities Valuation. 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill. Ross, S.A., Westerfield, R.W., Jaffe, J. (1999). Corporate Finance. 5th Edition. McGraw-Hill International Edition Finance Series. Reuters (2008). Kier Group PLC (London Stock Exchange). Available online at: https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyOfficers?symbol=KIE.LWTmodLOC=C4-Officers-5 Appendix Appendix 1. Calculation of Cash Flow Items Cash collected from customers (CC) = Revenue à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Change in Accounts Receivables = 2332.4 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" (361.3- 319.4) = 2,290.5 Cash paid to suppliers = Cost of Sales + Change in inventories à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Change in Accounts payables = 2122.1 + (516.4-460.1) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" (914.2-791.8) = 2,090.5 Cash paid to employees is a balancing figure calculated based on the original cash flow from operations and the cash flows calculated based on our calculations. Dividends received, interest received, and income taxes paid remain the same as in the original cash flow statement. Appendix 2 Cash flow Statement Kier Group Plc 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Period End Date 06/30/2008 06/30/2007 06/30/2006 06/30/2005 06/30/2004 Period Length 12 Months 12 Months 12 Months 12 Months 12 Months Stmt Source ARS ARS ARS ARS ARS Stmt Source Date 10/16/2008 10/15/2007 10/15/2007 10/11/2006 09/15/2004 Stmt Update Type Updated Updated Reclassified Reclassified Updated Net Income/Starting Line 63.4 77.6 59.1 54.5 39.4 Depreciation/Depletion 16.4 15.0 13.5 12.3 8.1 Amortization 2.1 2.0 1.9 1.9 2.6 Non-Cash Items 7.5 -13.4 -34.8 -18.4 -1.0 Unusual Items 21.3 -0.7 -1.1 -7.2 -1.3 Equity in Net Earnings (Loss) -0.9 -3.0 -3.2 -0.9 0.3 Other Non-Cash Items -12.9 -9.7 -30.5 -10.3 0.0 Changes in Working Capital -40.8 24.1 52.2 27.0 -63.4 Accounts Receivable -48.7 -54.4 -26.7 -16.7 -26.2 Inventories -84.3 -20.1 -49.3 19.7 -52.1 Accounts Payable 97.8 104.9 131.8 31.3 27.9 Other Liabilities 2.4 3.2 1.1 1.8 -2.1 Other Operating Cash Flow -8.0 -9.5 -4.7 -9.1 -10.9 Cash from Operating Activities 48.6 105.3 91.9 77.3 -14.3 Capital Expenditures -27.5 -19.7 -23.2 -19.9 -21.5 Purchase of Fixed Assets -27.5 -19.7 -23.2 -19.9 -21.5 Other Investing Cash Flow Items, Total -3.3 -34.2 -4.7 2.3 6.3 Acquisition of Business -16.5 -28.0 -10.1 -16.5 0.0 Sale of Fixed Assets 2.5 1.5 4.6 6.0 2.8 Sale/Maturity of Investment 0.0 0.0 1.4 5.8 0.0 Investment, Net 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 20.7 Purchase of Investments -2.9 -7.7 -0.6 -1.5 -17.2 Other Investing Cash Flow 13.6 0.0 0.0 8.5 0.0 Cash from Investing Activities -30.8 -53.9 -27.9 -17.6 -15.2 Financing Cash Flow Items -3.2 -2.6 -2.7 -2.6 0.0 Other Financing Cash Flow -3.2 -2.6 -2.7 -2.6 0.0 Total Cash Dividends Paid -13.6 -5.9 -6.2 -6.4 -5.5 Issuance (Retirement) of Stock, Net -5.5 -5.6 -2.0 -0.2 1.3 Issuance (Retirement) of Debt, Net 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Cash from Financing Activities -22.3 -14.1 -10.9 -9.2 -4.2 Foreign Exchange Effects 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Net Change in Cash -4.5 37.3 53.1 50.5 -33.7 Appendix 3: Profitability Ratios Kier Group Plc Ratio Formula 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Gross Profit Margin (Gross profit/Revenue)x 100% 9.02% 9.24% 8.94% 8.85% 8.93% Operating Profit Margin (Operating income/Revenue) x 100% 2.58% 3.77% 3.32% 3.12% 2.95% Net Profit Margin (Net income/Revenue) x 100% 2.02% 2.69% 2.41% 2.33% 1.98% Return on Equity (Net income/Average Equity) x 100% 25.91% 38.18% 53.19% 43.26% 24.57% Appendix 4: Liquidity Ratios, Kier Group Plc Ratio Formula 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 Current ratio Current assets/current liabilities 1.14 1.20 1.15 1.12 1.13 Quick ratio (current assets-inventories)/current liabilities 0.58 0.62 0.59 0.56 0.51 Cash Ratio (cash + short term investments)/current liabilities 0.19 0.22 0.21 0.16 0.08 Appendix 5: Gearing Ratios, Kier Group Plc Ratio Total Debt-to-equity Ratio 5.75 5.16 7.63 14.58 5.19 Long-term Debt-to-equity Ratio 0.66 0.78 1.42 3.55 0.63 Debt-to-total Assets ratio 0.85 0.84 0.88 0.94 0.84

Using Can and Be Able to to Speak About Abilities

Can and Be able to are both used to speak about abilities, and the possibility of doing something. Can and Be able to are known as modal verbs in English. Here are some examples of can and be able to used to speak about abilities. Can for Abilities She can play tennis.They could speak English at a very young age.Peter can type 100 words per minute. Be Able to for Abilities My sister is able to run a marathon.The students were able to get an A on the test.We will be able to attend the class next semester. Here are examples of the two forms to speak about possibilities. Can for Possibilities Can you come to the party next week?Do you think he can help with my homework?Peter told me he could pick you up at the airport. Be Able to for Possibilities We werent able to get tickets to the concert.Shell be able to study for the test tomorrow.Jack wont be able to come for another three days. Listed below are examples and explanations for can/could/be able to for ability and permission in the past, present. and future. Examples Usage He can play tennis well.She is able to speak five languages.They can come on Friday.Jack will be able to come next week. Use can or be able to to express an ability or possibilityNOTE: The future of be able to is will be able to He could swim when he was five. Could in the past means the general ability to do something. They were able to get tickets for the concert.I was able to finish before 6.I couldnt come last night, sorry. OR I wasnt able to come last night, sorry. IMPORTANT: If someone was in the position to do something, or managed to do something, we use was/were able to instead of couldIn the negative, wasnt able to OR couldnt are both correct. Note: Can is also often used to ask for permission, as well as may: Can I come with you? May I come with you? Practice Can/Be Able To Practice can and be able to with this role play. Once youve finished, make up some of your own dialogues and practice with a classmate or a friend.   Peter: Hi Janet. Can you help me for a moment?Janet: Sure, whats up? Peter: Im not able to understand this math problem.  Janet: Really. I think I can help, but Im not that good at math. Peter: You were able to all the problems last semester, werent you?Janet: Yes, thats right, but I cant do everything. Let me see.   Peter: Here you go.Janet: Interesting, are you sure youre not able to do this? Peter: Yes, thats why Im asking for help!Janet: OK. After I explain this, youll be able to do without any problems. Peter: Great. So whats the answer?!Janet: Dont be in a hurry. Can I have a few minutes to think? Peter: Of course you can. Sorry.  Janet: No problem.

Home Depot Data Breach - 2954 Words

Home Depot Data Breach Background on the 2014 Home Depot Data Breach Home depot was the target of a cyberattack on their information system infrastructure that lasted from April of 2014 to September of 2014. As a result of the attack and following data breach, 56 million credit-card accounts and 53 million email addresses were stolen. (â€Å"Home Depot Hackers Exposed 53 Million Email Addresses†) The cyberattack involved several steps. First, the attackers gained third party credentials allowing them into the system. Next they exploited an unknown weakness in the system that allowed for the attackers to elevate their own access privileges. Finally, they installed malware on Home Depot’s self-checkout systems in the U.S. and Canada, allowing†¦show more content†¦The costs that the company will incur can be broken down into six different categories: investigation and remediation, notification, identify theft and credit monitoring, disruptions in normal business operations, and lost business. Investigation costs involve those relat ed to examining how and why the data was compromised, and remediation costs relate to the costs incurred to set up safeguards. Home Depot’s pre-tax expense relating to investigation and remediation was $43 million in the third quarter of 2014 alone. Notification costs relate to notifying the relevant individuals, regulators, and media personnel. Simply mailing notification letters, at 49 cents per stamp, equates to a $27.44 million expense. Costs relating to identify theft and credit monitoring include the cost of identity theft protection for each of the victims. Assuming $10 per victim, this results in a $560 million cost for Home Depot. Disruptions to Home Depot’s normal business operations include the opportunity cost of the reduced investments in the company’s operations, as well as reduced time on standard business activities. This cost is estimated to be $20 per victim. Home Depot will likely lose business due to customers being scared away, and the relat ed cost is approximately $30 per victim. Finally, lawsuits relating to the data breach are expected to incur $3 billion in expenses for Home Depot. 44 suits have already surfaced since the cyberattack. (â€Å"Home Depot: WillShow MoreRelatedThe Home Depot Data Breach3056 Words   |  13 PagesThe Home Depot-Data Breach Abstract The Home Depot, the home improvement, construction products and services retailer got hit by hackers by compromising the millions of customer’s data. The data of credit cards and debit cards have been stolen by the hackers. However the breach occurred long time ago but went unrecognized. They suspected that this might be the same malware used during the Target’s data heist. Furthermore, the hackers injected the system with the malware which enters the system whichRead MoreCase Study : Home Depot Data Breach Essay1026 Words   |  5 Pages Case Study Summary on Home Depot Data Breach Introduction: The Home depot attack is a massive payment card breach that happened, resulted when hackers gained access to its network using a third party vendor’s login. Earlier to this, Target Data Breach is the largest retail breach in US history (2013) in which 40 million payment cards were stolen. Now Home Depot breach is the largest retail breach occurred in 2014, 56 million payment card information is stolen and 53 million Email were hackedRead MoreHome Depot Data Breach 2014 Case Study. 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These organizations need to take the extra steps and know where the customer data is at all times especially payment information. They need to keep track of how it is being accessed and howRead MoreCredit Card Fraud, An Integral Part Of The World s Economy1259 Words   |  6 Pagescard fraud, every week seems to bring news of one or the other data breach at U.S retailer. First it was Target, then Neiman-Marcus, followed by Michaels, and now the hotel company White Lodging, which manages hotel franchises for chains such as Marriott, Hilton, and Starwood. The latest to join the list is Home Depot, which is an American Retailer of home improvement and construction products and services. 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The term cybercrime in a narrow sense is â€Å"Any illegal behavior directed by means of electronic operations that target the security of computer systems and the data processed by them† (Gercke, 2012). Also it has been defined in a broader sense as â€Å"illegal behavior committed by means of, or in relation to, a computer system or network, including such crimes as illegal possession and offering or distributing informationRead MoreSecurity Breach Challenging Customers Protection2215 Words   |  9 Pages Security Breach challenging customers protection INTRODUCTION: The technology has been developing very fast in this modern world leading us to have very sophisticated life .With new inventions and new technology ,people are performing their work or duties so easily sitting at home. In olden days we have to always carry minimum cash with us ,where ever we go and we are afraid in case of carrying a large amount of cash with us because of security. After Getting the credit card facility ,it has

Fan Cart Lab Conclusion free essay sample

We did a fan cart for our physics class the other day. To set up the lab first, we measured the effect of the mass of the fan cart on the acceleration of the cart. The mass of the fan cart was the independent variable and acceleration was the dependent variable. We kept the speed of the cart on medium, and calculated the acceleration and motion. As a result, we had figured out that the bigger the mass the slower the acceleration, as we all should have known. To calculate this we used the second law of Newton (F=ma). For the first experiment we got . 233 (m/s/s) with a percent error of 76%. The relationship for the first experiment was inverse because the acceleration was decreasing every time the weight (mass) increased. In the second experiment we got 3. 52 (m/s/s) with a percent error of 56. 4%. For this experiment the relationship was linear because the mass was increased for each trial. We will write a custom essay sample on Fan Cart Lab Conclusion or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Some errors that could have taken place would be, cart alignment, track damaged, placement of the motion sensor. These can affect the data because it will give a greater percentage error. ?Fan Cart Lab We did a fan cart for our physics class the other day. To set up the lab first, we measured the effect of the mass of the fan cart on the acceleration of the cart. The mass of the fan cart was the independent variable and acceleration was the dependent variable. We kept the speed of the cart on medium, and calculated the acceleration and motion. As a result, we had figured out that the bigger the mass the slower the acceleration, as we all should have known. To calculate this we used the second law of Newton (F=ma). For the first experiment we got . 233 (m/s/s) with a percent error of 76%. The relationship for the first experiment was inverse because the acceleration was decreasing every time the weight (mass) increased. In the second experiment we got 3. 52 (m/s/s) with a percent error of 56. 4%. For this experiment the relationship was linear because the mass was increased for each trial. Some errors that could have taken place would be, cart alignment, track damaged, placement of the motion sensor. These can affect the data because it will give a greater percentage error. ?Fan Cart Lab We did a fan cart for our physics class the other day. To set up the lab first, we measured the effect of the mass of the fan cart on the acceleration of the cart. The mass of the fan cart was the independent variable and acceleration was the dependent variable. We kept the speed of the cart on medium, and calculated the acceleration and motion. As a result, we had figured out that the bigger the mass the slower the acceleration, as we all should have known. To calculate this we used the second law of Newton (F=ma). For the first experiment we got . 233 (m/s/s) with a percent error of 76%. The relationship for the first experiment was inverse because the acceleration was decreasing every time the weight (mass) increased. In the second experiment we got 3. 52 (m/s/s) with a percent error of 56. 4%. For this experiment the relationship was linear because the mass was increased for each trial. Some errors that could have taken place would be, cart alignment, track damaged, placement of the motion sensor. These can affect the data because it will give a greater percentage error.

Research Paper on David Henry Hwang an Example of the Topic Literature Essays by

Research Paper on David Henry Hwang David Henry Hwang as an American Playwright David Henry Hwang was born on August 11, 1957. He was born in Los Angeles, California ("M. Butterfly: Author Biography). He took his education at the Stanford University and at the Yale School of Drama. He is commonly known of being an American playwright. He specializes in writing dramatic literature or drama which also branded him as a dramatist. Need essay sample on "Research Paper on David Henry Hwang" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed Most of the plays done by David Henry Hwang were concentrated to the role of the Chinese-American and Asian American in the modern day world. His first play entitled Fresh-Off the Boat won the Off-Broadway Theater Awards. The play had portrayed the conflicts between the Asian American and the Fresh-Off the Boat novice immigrants. Many more plays were produced by Hwang after the successful Fresh-Off the Boat. The play entitled The Dance and the Railroad was a Pulitzer Prize nominee. The drama is all about the story of former Chinese opera star who worked as a coolie laborer in the mid 1800s. The drama entitled Family Endeavor focused on the darkly comic take on the effects of the Western religion on a Chinese family. Among the many awards he have received throughout his life an a playwright are the awards from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the association for Asian Pacific American Artists, the Museums of Chinese in the America, the East West Players and the Organization of the Chinese Americans, the Media Action Network for Asian Americans and many other important awards from many institutions. He had also played the role as spokesmen for the community he had grown up. As a spokesman for the Asian American community, he was somewhat considered it as an opportunity at the same time a burden. The reason for this is that he was compared to Maxine Hong Kingston. People always thought that he knows everything about what Asians really feel (Albert 2). Inclusion of David Henry Hwang in todays Literary Canon Literary canon is defined as a body of literature and art that is considered to characterize the civilization by a widespread agreement. Moreover, literary canon also is referred to as the established body of works which are known to be the major or the best and as acknowledged to as literary classics by agreement of critics, scholars and teachers (Goodvin 1).The inclusion of a particular author say for example of the American playwright David Henry Hwang means that he had certain privileges that seemed to be obvious. The board of decision makers of the literary canon includes people like influential critics, directors of the museums together with their board of trustees. Lowly teachers and scholars also made up the gatekeepers of the stronghold culture included in the literary canon. The inclusion to the canon means that an author is awarded the assurance of quality and most specially assurance of high artistic quality. The aut hor being assured of high artistic quality means that he had also gained a promise and an agreement that his piece is something to be acknowledged as an artistic one as announced to the all the viewers. A drama, poem, sonata, or dance that had been included in the literary canon had already established a powerful division from the others since it will survive in the any situation (Landow 3-4). The literary canon is considered to be a deep flawed. This is one important argument in the courses of the debates against the literary canon. The canon had many flaws such that it only includes works done by the male. To where will the important works of the female writers will go if they are abandoned by the canon. Another important flaw of the literary canon is that it is only concentrated in the Western culture. How about the important works that was done in the South America, India or China? The bias between the literary canons which is simply referred to as the Western culture had created a notion that the Western culture is above other cultures since it was greatly popularized than the other cultures. The inclusion of David Henry Hwang in the literary canon is I think valid enough (at least in the gatekeepers of high cultures point of view) since the Southern culture is what is included in most of the works he had done. But the argument that I will present regarding the inclusion of such a very good playwright in the literary canon is that it is not appropriate to include him in the literary canon (as my point of view). The reason behind this thinking is that when an author is included in the literary canon, his works will be appreciated mostly by all the viewers since it is the ones recommended only for reading and viewing. It was also stated earlier that the literary canon is most commonly referred to as the Western culture. This means that his works will only be circulating upon the walls of the Western culture. Since the Southern culture, the Indian, and all the other culture had been considering that the literary canon is the Western culture, they will not be able to read or view the works done by those authors included in the canon. The reason for this is they will not patronize the culture that had shown unbiased judging to their culture. Another reason why I dont agree to the inclusion of David Henry Hwang in the literary canon is that the feminist who question the inclusion of only white male authors in the canon. I agree to the point of the many believers about the inclusion of anyones work in the literary canon should be the thing to happen and bias of choosing who are in the canon should be eliminated. Everybodys works no matter what race and gender they belong should be fairly treated by the gatekeepers of the literary canon. Another important tissue that I would like to include in the disagreement of the inclusion of Henry David Hwang in the literary canon is that the entrance and exit of the works in the literary canon is continuously happening. This is because when a new one (new piece) is included in the canon, an old one which is already in the canon should be removed to give a place to the new one. The works done by David Henry Hwang were one the best in terms of drama that should be kept in the literary canon for a lifetime and not to be removed when something new will arrive. The works done by this author should be acknowledged for a lifetime since they are created without any hesitations of combining the Chinese and the American culture. In my point of view, even though that the works of David Henry Hwang were not being able to included in the literary canon, the works can still stand alone because it will be patronize by many viewers and readers. The name of David Henry Hwang is already establis hed in the society of arts so he will not have any problems in promoting his works. It was stated in the aims of the literary canon that if a work is being included in the canon, it is secured that it will be the ones prioritized for reading and viewing. The literary canon had been somewhat mistaken in these insight. The people are the readers and the viewers, and as for me, I am a viewer or maybe a reader, I will choose neither the books I will read nor the plays I will view that would suit my likes. I dont agree by the claim that when someone authoritatively recommended a book or a play to a particular person, that person will follow what is recommended. For the intelligent and educated readers and viewers, their choice will not only cover those in the recommended books or plays but their choice will focus a wide array despite if it is included or not in the literary canon. As a contribution to the ethnic theater, the plays created by David Henry Hwang had showcased a radiant and multifaceted analysis which was purely centered to issues concerning race and gender. Most of the plays written by David Henry Hwang depict an ideological duality with each other. Critics have always identified his plays as a confrontation between two opposing characters or sometimes two opposing cultures that emphasizes that one is weaker and the other one is stronger. David Henry Hwang justified that his plays were not depicting the confrontation of two opposing characters but it is more than that. He has said in his one of the interview that In The Dance and the Railroad play, the issue that was prevalent is that the trading positions of the two characters. In the play, the two positions were not clearly defined but they are related in terms of their power. His plays were almost concentrated with two cultures, the American and the Chinese culture. This is not one of the aim or objective of the literary canon. The literary canon is simply branded as the Western Culture and Chinese culture is not included in the works chosen to be included in the canon. But David Henry Hwang had successfully included the two cultures in his plays, whereas, his work should not be included in the literary canon for that reason alone. Most of the plays done by David Henry Hwang were also very sympathetic to the gender (women characteristics) and were conscious of se and gender issues. This is another issue that is with conflict with the literary canon inclusion of the works of Hwang. The literary canon is sensitive in the issues regarding gender and racism. Thus, literary canon is not very considerate when it comes to the issues regarding sex and race. The justification that David Henry Hwang had given by this claim is that he grew up surrounded with a lot of strong women. He also pointed out that the traditional culture of the Chinese were really cruel to women. This is the reason why he doesnt believe that women are submissive to men. Even though the culture of the Chinese is oppressive to women, the Chinese women in return have survival ways on how to suppress the cruelty they have experienced. These background of the Chinese cultures have pushed him to include about the characters that portrays the women and t hat is why he became sensitive of the issues regarding the sexism and even gender. He aimed to his plays that women should be given respect as compared to the respect he is gaining as an American (Albert 4-5). Works Cited: Albert, Michael. The Canon. Fairleigh Dickinson University. (1999) Goodvin, Renee. A Canon of Classic Novels. The Literary Explorer. (2005) Landow, George. The Literary Canon. (1989). 29 July 2007.http://www.victorianweb.org/gender/canon/litcan.html Lyons, Bonnie. Making His Muscles Work for Himself: An Interview with David Henry Hwang. (Asian American Playwright). The Literary Review (1999). "M. Butterfly: Author Biography." Drama for Students. Ed. Marie Rose Napierkowski. Vol. 11. Detroit: Gale, 1998. eNotes.com.