Legal and Ethical Aspects of Electronic Monitoring and Surveillance of Research Paper

Legal and Ethical Aspects of Electronic Monitoring and Surveillance of Employees - Research Paper Example Electronic monitoring has been defined as "the computerized collection, storage, analysis, and reporting of information about employees productive activities" (Office of Technology Assessment, 1987). Employee monitoring has become much easier with the advent of new and cheap technologies. Electronic Monitoring and surveillance includes practices such as video and audio surveillance, monitoring employees’ usage of computer that includes checking of email, computer files and sometimes even keystroke speed. There are many reasons for instituting monitoring and surveillance. According to the American Management Association some of the main reasons are: performance evaluation, compliance with federal and local laws, protection against legal liability and cost control of the use of company phone and internet. Security and protection of business information can be cited as other reasons. There are several types of employee monitoring and surveillance systems. The most commonly used are 1)computer monitoring :With the help of computer monitoring systems an employer can check an employee’s speed and accuracy, monitor the number of errors, the number of jobs done, time spent away from computer. This information can then be used by the employer to maintain records of an employee’s performance and to set performance standards 2) Video surveillance: Employers use these systems to track employee theft, and wastage of time 3) Phone tapping: This is the most common method of monitoring used by employers. Here the number of calls, the frequency, the length and destination of the calls are all recorded. This information is then used to detect if an employee is passing on critical information about the organization to outsiders and to train employees for better customer service. 4) E-mail and Voice Mail tracking: In some workplaces employers monitor an employees e -mail and voice mail. With the help of new technologies, employers can easily track

Green Peace Essay Example for Free

Green Peace Essay Green Peace This campaign often focuses on McDonalds as an industry leader promoting business practices detrimental to the environment, destruction of tropical rainforests  INFLUENCE:  Pressure groups get the media involved which cause attention to grow on McDonalds in a negative way; this can mean that McDonalds lose customers as they dont want to be involved with an organisation that causes a bad reputation towards McDonalds. McDonalds attempts to fulfil expectations of pressure groups such as animal rights by buying meat from animals that are not slaughtered etc. but it is impossible for them to keep pressure groups happy all of the time. Pressure groups influence the business by checking at the store very often, doing customer surveys. They have the power to ruin the reputation worldwide if something is off beam. Pressure groups can take immediate direct action to get their point across. This is unhealthy for McDonalds as this draws media attention and public attention to the groups cause. This would mean that potential customers may decide that they do not want to buy McDonald goods due to a poor reputation. McDonalds have many schemes in place to please shareholders such as sticking to government rules and regulations or meeting the needs of the consumers. For example when people blamed McDonalds a cause for obesity levels and complained that there are not enough healthy choices, McDonalds came up with initiative ideas for a more healthier choices and a cut down in fat levels. This shows how they are a big influence to McDonalds; they can easily put the reputation of McDonalds down. Also competitors like Burger King tell income tax officer to check making trouble for the business. McDonalds have a constant battle with pressure groups and aim to keep them happy as they do not want the negative publicity. However as there are so many pressure groups it is impossible to keep everyone happy.  Evaluation:  After investigating the different stakeholders at McDonalds in thorough detail I can establish that the most powerful stakeholders are customers, franchisees and suppliers. This is because they have great buying power if they are dissatisfied with the level of quality at McDonalds they can easily take their custom elsewhere. Franchisees are powerful in the UK as all of McDonalds restaurant are either company owned (where the manager runs the restaurant) or franchised (turn over). McDonalds have great trust in the franchisee to operate restaurants successfully and keep their reputation high and clean. Suppliers are important stakeholders because they need McDonalds as much as McDonalds needs them. By working in a team they can meet each others needs. After recognising the most important stakeholder I can clearly declare that all stakeholders are important. Each stakeholder has different needs, McDonalds try and find a compromise with these needs and put effort to fulfil all their interests. However it is impossible to do so therefore conflicts can occur like I have discussed earlier. Bibliography: All information that I have, has been gathered through different research through the internet for example www.mcdonalds.com and also www.bized.ac.uk and a selection of books. I have gained some information through the trip made to McDonalds; I have gained knowledge about McDonalds in further detail by the interview made at the trip.

Preschool Education System Essay Example for Free

Preschool Education System Essay Ramona is a hard-working, loving, single mother of two preschool aged girls, Theresa and Rosa. She works overtime every week, just to make ends meet for her and her children. Ramona and her children are in poverty. Unfortunately, statistics indicate that Theresa and Rosa will struggle to receive the quality preschool education they need to in order to succeed throughout Kindergarten, grade school, high school and into adulthood. According to one study by Sum and Fogs, students living in poverty rank in the 19th percentile on academic assessments, while their peers who are part of mid-upper income families rank in the 66th percentile on the same assessments (Lacour and Tissington, 2011). â€Å"The achievement gap refers to significant disparity in low educational success between groups of children: low-income and minority children as compared to higher income and non-minority children† (Early Education for All). This academic achievement gap is unacceptable and every child deserves the chance to excel to their fullest potential in school, in order to prepare for adulthood. Preschool is a pertinent part of a young child’s education, which has been proven successful many times in preparing children for grades K-12, and beyond. â€Å"Practitioners and researchers alike contend that the enrichment of preschool makes a difference especially for children living in poverty† (Loucks, Slaby, and Stelwagon). By providing all children with access to preschool programs, the educational achievement gap can be reduced. Unfortunately, since preschool is not a government mandated educational requirement, preschool must be privately funded, leaving families who are unable to pay tuition costs are. This is an opportunity that Theresa and Rosa would miss out on because Ramona cannot afford the tuition. Because of these lasting cognitive and social development benefits that preschool can provide, it should federally funded educational requirement. Quality preschool education needs to be regarded as a constitutional right, not a socioeconomic privilege. There is an increasing educational achievement gap in the United States, between children of low-income families, and their peers, due to their limited access to a preschool education. It has been proven time and time again, that underprivileged children, who are not provided with the access to a preschool education, perform lower in later academic learning, than those who were afforded a preschool education. One study in California revealed that second and third grade students of low-income families who did not attend preschool were significantly less proficient in English and Mathematics (Loucks, Slaby, Stelwagon, 2005). Another California survey illustrated that poverty stricken children entering kindergarten were six months behind their wealthy peers in pre-reading skills. (Loucks, Slaby, Stelwagon, 2005). Children of low-income families are also much more likely to encounter environmental and health risk factors. (Early Education for All). These risks can potentially impede on a child’s readiness for school. For example, children living in poverty have been proven to begin kindergarten with significantly less mathematical knowledge than their peers. â€Å"This would suggest that the preschool experience is a mechanism to level the playing field and fully prepare students to succeed in kindergarten† (Loucks, Slaby, Stelwagon, 2005). By entering the early grades without having the proper pre-requisite education and skill sets, children run the risk of falling behind in class. When a student enters kindergarten unprepared, the students risk of grade retention increases, not only in kindergarten, but also in the grade school years to follow. Catching up to the required proficiency level becomes harder and harder for the student, and in some cases, the student will simply giv e up and either fail or drop out. Access to preschool education for these children can help to close the educational achievement gap, and prevent grade retention, by providing these children with the tools and skills necessary to prepare for Kindergarten and beyond. The United States of America prides itself on its educational standards, and even has ratified educational laws which require children to meet proficiency standards in reading and mathematics at certain grade levels, as indicated in the No Child Left Behind Act. The law incentivizes those school districts which show improvement in test scores, and enforce corrective actions upon those districts who continuously fail to improve student proficiencies. Still, these underprivileged children are left behind, and find it continually challenging to catch up, as the school grades progress. A child’s odds of academic accomplishment are maximized when attending a high quality preschool program, especially within the lower-income communities. This theory has been put to the test. In New Jersey lays a group of the thirty one most poverty stricken districts in the state called the Abbott Districts. The state of New Jersey granted these districts a program which funds preschool education within the districts to their children in order to close the achievement gap for poverty stricken students. The results were noteworthy, and the funds allocated to this cause were well spent. Children who attended this program improved on their math, language and literacy skills. The kindergartners who had previously attended the program closed the academic achievement gap by a remarkable fifty percent between their own literacy scores and those of the national average (Early Education for All, 2005). These results proved the program to be a great success. Studies have been conducted all over the United States, pertaining to children in poverty and the profound effect a preschool program can have on each child’s continued education. In a fifteen year follow up study in Chicago, Illinois, children who attended preschool were proven to be significantly more academically successful than their peers who did not attend preschool. At the age of thirteen, this group of children’s academic scores was sixty percent higher than those who did not attend. By the age of twenty, this same group who had attended preschool was thirty percent more likely to complete high school, and forty percent less likely to experience grade retention or be enrolled in special education classes (Early Education for All, 2005). It is important to remember, however, that although the strongest support for the advantages of preschool education indicates that underprivileged children benefit most, all children, regardless of socioeconomic status can benefi t academically from a preschool education. When a child has had the privilege of attending a quality preschool program, that child is also much more likely to adjust socially in adulthood, than those who did not attend a preschool program. According to Loucks, Sharon, Slaby and Stelwagon, those who have attended a quality preschool program are also less likely to have long periods of unemployment or welfare, and drop out of school. (â€Å"Why is preschool essential in closing the achievement gap?† par. 1). Adults who attended preschool as a child also have been proven to reduce delinquency and crime throughout adulthood (Barnett, 2008). Preschools are not only about cognitive learning, but they give a formal education to pre-kindergarten aged children on the developmental concepts of interaction with their peers. These lessons stay with the children through the remainder of their life. Without those lessons, many do not develop the social skills needed to succeed in our society. Preschool education is not only beneficial to the individuals who attend the programs, but it also benefits community and the local economy as a whole. Funds invested into preschool programs provide a significant return to the community. The RAND Corporation, a non-profit organization which provides objective analysis through surveys and research (The RAND Corporation), recently performed a study which found that for every on dollar invested into quality preschool programs for underprivileged children, two dollars and sixty-two cents was returned into the labor force and economy (Loucks, Slaby, and Stelwagon, Fall 2005). That is a two hundred and sixty percent return on investment. The direct return on this investment alone is more than enough to warrant a universal program. This study does not even include other potential indirect financial returns. Other financial returns from a public preschool investment would also be present in the lowering of state Medicaid costs, law enforcements costs, and other low-income assistance costs, such as food vouchers, homeless shelters and unemployment pay, which cost the government and tax payers a significant amount of money every year. Preschool is a necessary business investme nt for our economy to yield a higher return rate, than the current K-12 requirements today. The concept of a universal preschool program is not unheard of, not even in the United States. Most state government funded preschool programs are targeted toward children of lower income households. These programs have been put into place in a collaborative effort to close the educational achievement gap that exists in our society. However, some states, and even entire countries have already begun governmentally funding preschool programs, not just for underprivileged children whose families cannot afford the tuition, but for all pre-kindergarten aged children. In 1998, Oklahoma legislation ruled to make all four year olds eligible for a universal quality pre-kindergarten program (Sacks and Brown Ruzzi, 2005). Of course, a program as significant as this would not go without continued research and analysis. In a study performed between 2002 and 2003, significant supporting evidence was found which indicated that the program was a success. The study showed increased academic test scor es in the subjects of reading, spelling, writing and mathematics skills (Gormley, Gayer, Phillips and Dawson). Oklahoma is not the only state to equalize education for all children, regardless of their socioeconomic status. With the revenues from a state lottery, and the leadership of, then governor, Zell Miller, Georgia was the first state in the United States to offer a publically funded preschool program (Early Education for All, 2005). Similar to the findings in the study of Oklahoma’s program, Georgia’s program was also proven to be successful. A study found that more than eight percent of students who had attended the program ranked average or above upon evaluation third-grade readiness (Sacks and Brown Ruzzi, 2005). A universal preschool program is not just a theory waiting to be tested, it is already in effect in some areas, and is proving its value in this country’s educational achievement. If we do not put into place the appropriate interventions in the society, the educational achievement gap will only widen, costing more and more tax dollars, and most importantly, costing children the equal opportunity of prosperity in this country. This gap can be diminished significantly by providing each and every child in this country with the equal educational opportunity of a quality preschool program. Such a program provides this nation’s youngsters with the skills they need in order to meet the countries educational standards throughout the span of their education. It is unfortunate that in this land of opportunity and prosperity, that in order to grown and succeed; our children are subject to exclusion of such a beneficial educational tool, because of his or her parents’ inability to afford tuition costs. With our current economic status, our children, the future of this nation, must be provided every advantage possible in order to change this economy around. An investment should be made in our future today by providing a constitutional right to a quality and inclusive preschool program to all children. Works Cited Loucks, Sharon, Slaby, Robert, and Stelwagon, Patricia. Why is preschool essential in closing the achievement gap? Educational Leadership and Administration Fall 2005: 47+. Academic OneFile. Web. 7 Oct. 2012. Document URL: http://go.galegroup.com.ezp1r.riosalado.edu/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA142874683v=2.1u=mccweb_riosaladoit=rp=AONEsw=w Strategies for Children. â€Å"Early Childhood Education: A Strategy for closing the Acheivement Gap†. Spring 2005. Web. 06 Oct. 2012. Document URL: http://www.strategiesforchildren.org/eea/6research_summaries/07_AchievementGap.pdf Marcon, Rebecca A. Moving up the Grades: Relationship between Preschool Model and Later School Success. Early Childhood Research and Practice 4.1 (2002). 06 October 2012. Document URL: . Gormley, William T., Jr., Gayer, Ted, Phillips, Deborah and Dawson, Brittany. The Effects of Universal Pre-K on Cognitive Development. National Institute for Early Education Research. 06 October 2012. Document URL: http://www.crocus.georgetown.edu/reports/oklahoma9z.pdf Barnett, W. S. (2008). Preschool educati on and its lasting effects: Research and policy implications. Boulder and Tempe: Education and the Public Interest Center Education Policy Research Unit. Retrieved 10/06/2012 from http://epicpolicy.org/publication/preschooleducation Sacks, Lynne and Brown Ruzzi, Betsy (2005). Early Childhood Education: Lessons from the States and Abroad: 2005. National Center on Education and the Economy. The New Commission on the Skills of the American Workforce. Retrieved 1027/2012. Document URL: http://www.ncee.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Early-Childhood-Education.pdf Lacour, Misty and Tissington, Laura D. (2011). The effects of poverty on academic achievement.. Retrieved 11/03/2012. Document URL: http://www.academicjournals.org/err/pdf/pdf%202011/july/lacour%20and%20tissington.pdf The RAND Corporation. (n.d.). RAND Corporation: Obective Analysis. Effective Solutions. Retrieved November 03, 2012, from The RAND Corperation: http://www.rand.org/

Analyze The Economy Of Mexico Economics Essay

Analyze The Economy Of Mexico Economics Essay Introduction In this report, we will analyze the economy of Mexico. The following steps would bring you to understand more about this place. According to those information, you will know how the economy growing in Mexico, the value of place and learn something from here. First, we would like to introduce the place about its information background. Then, we talk about the hospitality industry and leisure in the world and the hospitality industry and leisure in Mexico as well. The PESTLE analysis of Mexicos environment, investment in private and public also deal with and deep realize the income of Mexico that including the hospitality income, tourism income, personal income and employment price. To make the discuss that the economic development from 2000 until now. Then we will talk about the balance of payment and exchange rate. After that we will mention the globalization and sustainability with Mexico. Also to analyze the SWOT of Mexico, deal with the economy of Mexico weather this place has val ue to continue investment. Finally, we talk about three big issues in Mexico which are crime, pollution and climate. Those may bring the influence with Mexico economy. Background information Mexico Location Mexico is located in south part of North America and has 31 states and one federated area. Mexico links Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California, those are bordered on the north of Mexico and south of Mexico are Guatemala. The size of Mexico is 1972550 square kilometers that included lots of uninhabited island. Its near one- fifth the size of the USA also three times the size of Texas. The Capital is Mexico City which is located the south of country. The economy of Mexico developed fast that is number 14 of order in IMF (International Monetary Fund). Population Mexico is the first Spanish Country which has the most populous and it is also the second number of population in Latin America. In 2003, United Nations counted the population of Mexico around 103,457,000. The number of population in the world is eleventh. It was about 5% of population over 65 year of age in this year and 33% of population under 15 year of age. The ratio of man to women is 24:25. The growth of population is 3.1 % which is highest rate in the world during 1970 to 1980. According the data from United Nations, the growth of population rate was 1.45% per year of 2000-2005 and the density of population was 52 per square kilometers within 2002. According to the statistics in 2010, the population was growing to 112,468,855. Culture Spanish is national official language cause by the colonization. But there are many languages combined into Spanish that is different than usual. In addition their official language, there are 62 indigenous languages. The culture of Mexico mixes the local legend and Spanish culture and arts. About the religion, there isnt set up the official religion in Mexico. Due to the colonization by Spanish cause Roman Catholicism which is brought from Spanish to be the main religion. According to the census data, there are 95% to believe Christian and 89 % are Roman Catholics. Resource The crude oil was abundant in Mexico which is the seventh largest producer in 2009. Its also the second large supplier of oil and gas for USA that is the largest income of Mexico comes from. Nowadays, there is a problem about the reserve of oil decline that may impact their economy. In addition to above resources, minerals are important. Mexico is one of the most geologically dynamic areas in the world. Such as the silver which is ranked fifth number in the world. Hospitality industry and leisure in the world The hospitality industry is growing fast and main service department in the world. There is lots of different service industries included in hospitality such as food service, hotels and tourism. According the research, we can know many of countries economy are come from the tourism which is mutual influence with the hotel industry. In this part, we will deeply deal with the hotels industry in the world. Then the follow information is talking about the different and special hotels in the world: Ÿ Shoe hotels: The feature of hotel is built into the giant shoe and this idea was come from the story Old woman live in the shoe. The largest shoe hotel is in Japan and the most popular shape is platform dancing shoe of women. Ÿ Ice and snow hotels: The feature of hotel is built with the ice, every winter they need to rebuild the hotel cause by melting in each spring. Ÿ Underwater hotels: The feature of hotel is building under the water; you may see the view of sea directly in the guest room. Hospitality industry and leisure in Mexico In Mexico, tourism is very important and large industry. The place is number one destination for foreign travelers in the area of Latin America and number two destination in the area of whole America. It is ranked number ten of international travelers visited destination. It had over 22.6 million traveler arrival Mexico. The economic contribution of tourism increase to 13.2% and GDP (Gross Domestic product) increase 8% in 2008. The GDP of hotel industry was 17%. There are two features of location in hotel industry, one is near the beaches and another is located in cities. The following information is about kind of hotel in Mexico: Ÿ Intelligent Hotels Ÿ Grand Tourism Ÿ Resort Hotels with Spa Ÿ Boutique Hotels Ÿ Hotels of Limited Services: Ÿ No Category hotels: Economic Development In this part, we will talk about the economy of development from the 2000 to now in Mexico. In beginning of 21 century, Mexico paid back all the debts to the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and received the largest number of directly investment from other countries. Although the economy of Mexico declined cause the lower demand in 2001 and 2002. According to the economy program, the government tried to reach the goals of program and improved their financial states to raise high competitiveness and promote productivity in 2002. From the year to 2006, the government looked for some solutions to reduce the problem of financial deficit and public debts. Although the government planned to limit the costs, the social expenditure still needed and increased. In order to eliminating the issue of indigence, the government thought to change the tax reform and attracted more competitive by telecommunication, also allowed to invest by private in energy. Then Mexico joined in the WTO (World Trad e Organization) and the beginning of the Doha Trade also contained. A free trade was supported by government in the region of America. After in 2009, Barack Obama wanted large people of illegal immigrants in UAS to go down that might help the development of economy in Mexico by his aspect. The biggest important issue of economic development in Mexico is sustained flow of labor which keeps in northern area. And the flow of principal in southern area need to maintain stable, both would keep the economy running. Many of economic developments are based on reformation. Such as the free trade, NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement) had obvious benefits. But the price of raw materials was raised to influence the economic development that began the recession in this year. The period of 2010 and 2011 is recovery, with GDP growth of 5 ½ per cent in 2010 and 4  ½ per cent in 2011. Although the export would be slow this followed the exceptional rebound in 2010, the strong domestic deman d keep the recovery of Mexico. Environmental: PESTEL Political I. The important economic and trade policies in Mexico: included attracting foreign investment to create jobs, promote exports, encourage the development of high-tech industries and small enterprise; increased infrastructure, oil and natural gas investment, eliminate the state of drug abuse to maintain public security, and thus improve competitiveness, employment rate and tax reform to resolve the problem of tax evasion behavior. II. Important economic and trade measures in Mexico: Mexican government in September 2009 launched the economic plan of 2010 for to improve their economy, the plan can be divided into two section that one is fiscal Reform and one is competitive reform. The goals of fiscal reform section: To intensify the public finances in the short term, to create a stable income for supplanting dwindling oil taxes, motivate their economic recovery and growth. This fiscal reform measures to change the tax system, the involved tax including business income tax (ISR), cash deposits withholding tax (IDE), value added tax (IVA), the production and service at a special tax (IEPS) and a flat tax (IETU), and it also created a new tax in the tax system. The main measures include: Value-added tax (IVA): increased from 15% tax rate to 16% tax rate. Beer tax: increase the beer tax rate from 25% to 28% began in 2010 until 2012; the beer tax rate will decrease to 27% in 2013, in 2014 will decrease to 25%. Spirits tax: alcohol concentration exceeding 20 degrees of spirit that levied 3 Peso per liter for tax. Cigarette tax: levied 0.8 Peso per cigarette in 2010, in 2013 will increase to 2 Peso per cigarette. Lottery tax: from 20% tax rate increased to 30% tax rate. Communications tax: public network communications services tax rate was 4%. Personal and business income tax: the maximum tax rate will be increased from 28% to 30% began in 2010 to 2012, the maximum tax rate will decrease to 29% in 2013 and decrease to 28% in 2014. The maximum tax of primary industries changed to 21%. Cash deposit withholding tax: tax rate from 2% increased to 3%, the minimum deposit amount from 25 000 Peso decrease to 15,000 Peso. To reduce tax for poor people: to levied 2% tax to all of the sales goods and services, and the poor people no need to pay the tax of the export goods. Oil and natural gas extraction tax: tax rate from 20% dropped to 15%. Economic The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America published the â€Å"2010 survey of the economic situation in Latin America† report in 2010.12.23, the report indicated the Latin American economic growth of 6% in 2010 that reversed the trend of economic decline, the report estimated that Latin American economy will continue to grow in 2011 and the increase rate is 4.2%. In 2010, the South America was the fastest region where grew economies in Latin America and the growing rate was 6.6%; Mexico and Central American countries was the second where growing rate was 4.9%. The report also predicted that Mexican economic growth of 4.6% in 2011. In 2010, Mexican annual GDP growing rate was 5.5% that is the highest rate in the past ten years, data show that the fourth quarter of last year, Mexican manufacturing sector output value growth of 6%, construction output value growth of 4.3% and the hospitality sector growth of 5%. Mexican National Statistics indicated that Mexico has moved out from the economic recession which was brought by the global financial crisis in 2009. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicated Mexican GDP grow by 4.5% in 2011. Social Mexico is the most populous Spanish-speaking country which also is the second most populous country in Latin America, entire country has about 60% population is Indo-European mestizos, 30% population is Indian descendant, 9% European descendant and 1% another nation. Mexico is a Catholic country, entire country has 89% of the population is Catholic, but there also has 6% of population believe in the various Protestant, the remaining 5% of the population believe in other religions or no religion. The total population of Mexico is 103.3 million, there is the third most of population in Americas, after the United States and Brazil and ranked eleventh in the world. There has 12,000 churches across the country, almost every three or four blocks there has a church, so Catholic has important influence in Mexico and effect Mexican habits directly, and Mexican realize purple is unlucky color. Technological Mexico has a technical standard for protect Mexicans and animal or plant life, environmental and consumer mandatory. Mexico is the member of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The technical standards in Mexico divided into voluntary standard and mandatory standards. Mandatory standards (NOM) also known as the official Mexican standards, Its main purpose is to protect human and animal or plant life or health, environmental, or prevention of fraud on the goods, services or production. Voluntary standard also known as Mexico Standard(NMX), mainly used to guide consumers, producers as well as a tool improve the quality. Mexico Standard is composed by 6 private unite and 9 government departments Mexicos national standards system by the six private units and 9 government(Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Communications, Energy, Environmental Protection, Ministry of Health, Labor, Tourism and Social Development). Mexicos National Standardization Committee† to formulate policies, coordinates implementation of the standards, and by standardizing the annual plan. It is also responsible for the development and implementation of technical standards body, which represents the Mexican scientific research, industry, trade and consumer interests in standardization. Currently, the Mexican government thinks that the Mexican standard has gap with ISO or other international standards. In the electronics industry, the standard match rate with ISO or other international standards is 80%, but some industry only 10% or 20% (e.g. pollutant Emission standards, the determination of origin and travel services, etc.). Mexican Official Standard was about 65% co rrespond with international standards. Environmental (1) Geographical environment : Mexico situate in the south of the north America, its north side adjacent with U.S, the south side adjacent with Guatemala and Belize, the east side adjacent with Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, the west side adjacent with Pacific Ocean, so it became the geographical hub for connecting the North American and South American. Mexico became an attraction for the foreign investors because of its vast place, large population, abundant labor, low cost of labor and land and it also is a member in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). (2) Energy: Mexico has abundant oil, water, electricity, natural gas and other energy supply. Mexico is the worlds sixth largest oil producer. Calderà ³n government announced a plan to cut the industrial electricity price rates in 2009 for promoting their economic (high-voltage decreased 20%, medium-voltage decrease 17%, low voltage and commercial power decrease 9%), and allow businesses to choose a fixed electricity rate for 12 months with the help manufacturers reduce costs. (3) Transportation: Mexicos transport and logistics facilities are fairly well developed, road network is 55,000 miles in length which connecting the nations major consumption and production areas, the railway network is about 20,000 in length. And there has a very efficient air services, there has about 40 domestic airports, 32 international airports; the main international airports are located at Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Leon, Acapulco, Cancun, Merida and so on. The major ports in east coast including Tampico, Veracruz, Coatzacoalcos and Progreso; the main ports in west coast including Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas, Guaymas, La Paz, Mazatlan and Salina Cruz. However, the national highway and railway network has not been established, high transportation costs. Legal When make an investment in Mexico, the labor law is an important law to be considered. Mexican labor laws and regulations formulated the provisions of labor contracts to protect the labor right, whether workers are Mexicans or foreigners, as long as he is in Mexico to provide labor to the companies or the individuals, their rights would be protected. In Mexico, the labor contract can have the following three types: formal labor contracts, temporary labor contracts and labor contracts on a project. Mexicos Federal Labor Act provides a provision for giving a minimum treatment to the labor. The provision including: morning shift should be within six a.m. to eight p.m., daily working hours up to 8 hours or 48 hours a week; night shift should be within 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., daily working hours up to 7 hours or 42 hours a week; daily working hours up to seven and half hours or 45 hours a week for mixed shift, but the night working hours cannot exceed three and a half hours. The break time cann ot be less than half hour in daily; overtime cannot more than three hours per day and not more than three times per week. Investment Mexican law does not allow foreign investment in the following areas: petroleum and petrochemical; electricity; nuclear energy; radioactive minerals; telegraph; wireless telegraphy; Post; small airports and heliports monitoring, fishery and fishing regulation. Following the economic field only allow Mexicans and Mexican enterprises to invest in business: inland transport including passenger and cargo, not including postal and courier services; gasoline retail; radio broadcasting services; credit unions; banking; specific professional performance and Technical services. Except as provided by law, foreign investment is not allow to involve in the above-mentioned economic activities directly, nor through cooperation, contract, partnership, or other means in operation of the business or control. Mexican law limits on the proportion of foreign investment: foreign investment can reach 10% in the production-oriented enterprises; 25% in domestic aviation and special air transport. Up to 49% foreign investment in the following areas: insurance companies, foreign exchange companies, bonded warehouses, financial leasing companies, agents; fixed asset investment company shares; investment company; pension companies; newspaper company; agriculture, large farms; freshwater, coastal and fishing in the exclusive economic zone, excluding fisheries; complete port management; engaged in the development of inland and coastal shipping business, do not include port Construction, preservation and operation of equipment; ships, aircraft, railway equipment, supplies of fuel and lubricants; telecommunications franchise companies. Limited liability Company: the number of shareholders required for the 2-50 people; required minimum capital of 3,000 pesos; shareholder liability is limited to the amount of money invested in the company; the name of the company has special requirements. Co., Ltd.: 2 or more the number of shareholders, but no upper limit; minimum capital amount of 50,000 pesos; shareholder liability is limited to their own funds to invest in the company; the name of the company has special requirements. Mexico Income In 2010, annual GDP is 13137.172 billion Pesos at current currency rate and increase 10.1%; 88607.03 billion Pesos at 2003 constant currency rate and increase 5.5%. Bank of Mexico indicated that the Mexican GDP change to the U.S. dollar on average exchange rates is about 1039.903 billion U.S. dollars. Mexicos oil revenues in 2011 expected to grow by 4.5%, total income was expected to rise 3.9%. Tourism Income According to statistics, the January to February in 2010, there were 18,506,000 visitors to travel to Mexico, it was a growth of 7.2% at the same period in 2009, and the total income was 9,831,000,000 U.S. dollars that compared with 9,181,000,000 U.S. dollars in 2009 which increased 650 million dollars. The total consumption of tourists in Mexico was 7,710,000,000 U.S. dollars and it was increase 10.3% compared with 2009. Among them, the cruise tourism generated 428 million U.S dollars revenue for Mexico and it was 22.1% increased that compared with 2009. The number of cruise passengers reached 493.6 million and it was 12.3% increased that compared with 2009. In 2010, the RevPAR of hotel in Mexico has 29.5% increased that compared with 2009 and it reached to 67.47 U.S. dollars. Globalization Economy In recent year, the world multi polarization and economic globalization develop become more faster. To facing the opportunities and challenges which are brought by economic globalization, Mexico tries to seek the profit, open wider to the outside world and it actives to cooperate with the other countries in the world. In the tide of globalization, Mexico firmly grasp the opportunity, early in 1992, Mexico sign up the North American Free Trade Agreement with United States and Canada, it comes into being 360 million consumers and the annual gross national product in Mexico is more than six trillion U.S. dollars in the world and it become the largest free trade area in the world. Mexico tries to utilize the advances technology and huge market in United States and Canada, to develop the export oriented enterprises. Otherwise, Mexico is mainly to focus on the foreign trade to promote economic development. This action can improve the Mexicos competitiveness in the international market and increase the foreign trade. According to Mexican government statistics, the Mexican foreign trade export volume is increased to 117.5 billion U.S. dollars in 1998 and the foreign trade export volume is 298.36 billion U.S. dollars in 2010. To compare the export volume in 2009, it has 29.8% increases in Mexico. Mexico is continued to maintain the biggest exporter status in Latin America. Until now, Mexico signed the Free Trade Agreement in twelve times and its involved with 44 countries in the world. These agreements constitute a multilateral trade network for the Mexico economy and it is a benefit for the competition in the globalization of trade and it offers more opportunities to develop in Mexico. However, the globalization economy also poses a challenge in Mexico. As Mexico is over reliance on the export trade, the outbreak of the Mexican financial crisis in 1994 make the negative GDP growth of 6.2% in Mexico and the inflation rate as high as 52% and there were 70 billion U.S. dollars economic loss. In 1997, the economy was also affect by the Asian and Russian financial crisis. Otherwise, globalization has made Mexico over dependent on the U.S. economy, the domestic polarization between rich and poor did not improve and it has made the trade in competition with the industrialized countries are still in a passive position. To enhance the ability to prevent and withstand risks, Mexican governments increase the opening to the outside world and cooperate with more international countries, Mexican government also encourage businesses to participate in the competition and strengthen their own protection. Otherwise, Mexican government is also accord to rectify the financial system, improve the laws of economic and the establishment of risk prevention mechanism to overcome the negative effects of globalization. Sustainability Economy Most of developing countries that are facing a big challenge that is millions of people are living in poverty such as Indonesia, India, China, Brazil and Mexico also. It is a relevant problem for the sustainable economy in Mexico. The policies of sustainability in Mexico in not only help the people to recover the acute fiscal crisis; it is also helpful to solve the most entrenched human problems. 1. Gain the competitiveness Mexico needs to increase more competitive on the world economy. Renovating the economy in Mexico is based on sustainable principles; it is mainly to focus on the effective use of resources. It is helpful to attract the talent and investment form the other countries and make the economy in Mexico become more important and stable. 2. Resources and environment protection As helping the poverty population and increase the profit are only a part of sustainable development that the main mission in sustainable development is decreasing the effects of global warming. Because of the poor and development countries are the most affected by global warmings disastrous effects such as flood and drought. For the example, Mexico suffered its worst drought and worst flood in 70 years in 2009. Otherwise, the protection of natural resources and environment in Mexico are also important. As the tourism industry is the third biggest industry in Mexico, because of this reason, protecting and keeping the resources and environment healthy is extremely important for the Mexican government and the Mexico economy. Elements affect Mexico Economy Crime The crime problem in Mexico is a large problem that is the most affective in Mexico economy and foreign investment. In 2008, there were more than 3000 people had been killed by the kidnapping, murder and the other organized crime in Mexico and 2700 people had been killed in 2007. Otherwise, the inflation problem made the low income families in Mexico had been going on strikes and demonstrations for several weeks in 2008, the middle class are also join the protest because of the frequent violence problems and they are usually targeted by criminals in Mexico. Because of the deteriorating of crime and security in Mexico, it may increase 5% to 10% cost in the companys operating. It may undermine the competitiveness of enterprises, reduce the employment opportunities and hinder the development of the national economy. In addition, the social environment is not stable in Mexico will also affect the confidence of foreign investors. Pollution The pollution in Mexico is famous in the world. Because of the rapid development of economy in Mexico, there are most of plants are uncontrolled to built around the capital in Mexico, in addition, because of the religious reasons that is oppose any contraceptive measures, it makes the population and the demand of car are increase, for this reason to lead the air pollution problem in Mexico. Air pollution problems in Mexico stem from the industrial and geographical factors, which includes: Due to the high altitude and low oxygen, fuel is not easy to burn and release the pollution substances. The destruction of forest land and available resources. Automotive significant increase in emissions. In 2010, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that makes a large scales of water pollution. Most of fishes, birds, marine life and even plants are affecting by the oil spill, it also makes a large affect for the fishing industries. Climate The climate in Mexico is not much difference in four seasons. But it is so unlucky that there are flood and drought in Mexico in 2009 and it is mainly depend on the problems of global warming. The drought in Mexico made more than 1.16 billion U.S. dollars in agricultural losses in 2009. Because of the unstable climate, it may affect the economy growth and the foreign investment. In 2010, there has a climate conference which is locate in Mexico and it is mainly to find out the solutions to prevent the global warming with other countries. S.W.O.T. analysis Strengths As Mexico is one of the most important economic hubs in Latin American and it is connect with America. The economy in Mexico is a free market economy with modern industries and agriculture. The Government in Mexico has implemented the privatization of economic and it is also encourage competition in the harbor, electricity, railway, gas and airport services etc. Because of the market in Mexico is open for the countries, it can attract more investors to open their industries and investment. Otherwise, Mexico is located near America that is easy to trade with American industries. Otherwise, the government in Mexico has sign North American Free Trade Agreement that can be easier to cooperate with the other countries and increasing the foreign investment. Weaknesses Because of the economy in Mexico is over reliance on the America, it may affect the trade in competition with the industrialized countries are still in a passive position. Otherwise, the open market in Mexico is easy to have the phenomenon of monopoly and oligopoly. It is happen in a variety of industries such as the telecommunications. As the large company controls the telecommunications industry, it may decrease the competitiveness and finally it may affect the economy in Mexico. Moreover, the problem of monopoly is also leaded the wealth gap problem and widening the income gap. As there are more than 100 million people in Mexico, but it is nearly half of people are the poor households. Because the rich persons control the political and economic in Mexico, the resulting is the poor do not have opportunities to development. Otherwise, the monopolies of rich people are also decrease the competitiveness and the foreign investment in the market in Mexico. Opportunities As Mexico is a free market economy, every investors are also have chance to invest and build their company in Mexico. In these few years, Mexican government is welcome the foreign investors and the government actively promote the industries on automobile, electronic, aerospace, the semi conductors and other high tech industries. In addition, the President in Mexico Calderon has been calling for investment in the public transport, expansion of port and airport, natural gas and power plant construction etc for the local investors. Because of the good location and the low labor cost, it is an opportunity for the investment and its easier to expand into new market in Mexico. But the problem of wealth gap leads the unemployment, crime and social security problems. Threats According to the research, there is 5.5% economic growth in Mexico in 2010. The economic recovery in America is also boost the growth of exports in Mexico. Although Mexicos economy become to reduce the reliance on foreign markets, but the economic growth in America and the Europe countries are still to be a threats and it may affect the growth of economic development in Mexico. Otherwise, the problems of crime and climate are still the large threats which may affect the growth of domestic economy and the confidence of foreign investments. Is Mexico fit for investment? As Mexico is one of the most important countries in Latin America and it is also open the market for the foreign investment, we are according to the PESTLE and analysis the economy environment then we find out the answer. Mexico is fit for investment. Although Mexico is facing most of problems such as crime, pollution and climate and it is also over reliance on the America economy, but the government is already has find out some solution to innovate their own problems. For the long term view, Mexic

Teaching Philosophy Via the Internet Essay -- Technology Education Lea

I defend the practical value of teaching undergraduate philosophy courses in the Internet. Three important objectives of philosophical education can be achieved as effectively by electronic means as in the classroom. First, information about the philosophical tradition can be conveyed by hypertext documents on the World-Wide Web. Second, philosophical dialogue can be conducted through participation in an electronic forum. Third, close supervision of student writing can be achieved by means of e-mail submission of written assignments. In each case, I argue that the electronic method offers significant advantages to student learning. Many of the colleagues who discover that I have begun offering philosophy courses over the Internet express a similar set of reservations. Although they often grant that this must be an interesting project and sometimes admit that it may turn out to be worthwhile, they are uniformly skeptical about the prospect for its success. Accustomed as we have become to face-to-face interaction between instructor and student in the classroom, we find it difficult to imagine teaching philosophy in any other way. Thus, the introduction of alternative methods is often greeted with a suspicion that "this may be true in theory but does not apply to practice." With respect to use of the Internet to teach philosophy, this paper will allay that suspicion. In what follows, I identify three important objectives of philosophical education and show how each of them can be achieved while relying exclusively upon electronic communication. Indeed, in each case I argue that appropriate use of Internet resources provides clear advantages over the methods employed in a traditional classroom. Teaching philosophy on the Intern... ...ted is well-spent, since it results in important educational benefits for the students who participate. In addition, teaching on the Internet can make philosophy instruction available to many people who might otherwise lack an opportunity to acquire it. Those with impaired mobility, vision, or hearing can take advantage of electronically-mediated accommodations in order to participate in the educational process alongside those who do not face similar obstacles. Those whose geographical location or employment schedule prevents easy access to a traditional college classroom can join in a well-designed on-line course whenever it is convenient and wherever they are. In keeping with the theme of this Twentieth World Congress of Philosophy, teaching philosophy on the Internet will significantly contribute to the achievement of our goal of philosophy educating humanity.

Pet Overpopulation: Cause and Effect of Homeless Pets Essay -- cause a

A harmless visit to the neighborhood pet store turns into a ruthless encounter for me. Every Saturday, Pecan (my dog) and I visit a local pet store to purchase food and treats for her. Pecan and I pass by a dozen of shelter volunteers eagerly showcasing homeless dogs before entering the pet store. Shelter volunteers are special because they are willing to devote their Saturday morning to help homeless pets. On the way I stop and great each volunteer and dog, then I walk away emotionally grieving and trying to holding back tears. My sadness soon turns into anger, when I realize I cannot adopt every homeless pet. The pet population is a increasing crisis in America. In this essay I will discuss the cause and effect of homeless pets, I will begin by explain the anatomy that contributes to pet overpopulation, then I will discuss the consequences encompassing animal breeding, then I will examine the social stance that effects pets, lastly I will conclude by suggesting soluti ons. First, I will begin by introducing the correlation between anatomy and the pet population. T...

Benedict Arnold :: American History

Benedict Arnold No other American is remembered quite the same as Benedict Arnold. He was a brave soldier, a patriot- and a traitor. Benedict was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. When he was 14 years old, Benedict ran away from home to fight in the French and Indian War, but he was brought back by his mother, who apparently was driven insane later in her life. If I had a son like Benedict, I might have gone insane too! After his mother insisted that he return home, he ran away for a second time. After he was finished playing boy hero for awhile, he learned the apothecary (pharmacy) trade and then in 1762, he opened a book and drug store in New Haven. Benedict was also involved with trade in the West Indies. By 1774, he was one of the wealthiest citizens in New Haven. It's a good thing that he had money, because he was one of those people who like to ride around in their Mercedes and wear expensive clothes, even if he couldn't afford them. Benedict then got hooked up with the sheriff's daughter Margaret Mansfield, and they hit it off. They decided to get married in 1774. But this marriage was short lived because the next year Margaret caught a disease and died. When the Revolutionary War began that year Arnold was already an experienced soldier. He had helped Ethan Allen capture Fort Ticonderoga. Then Benedict came up with a great idea to capture Quebec. This idea failed, but Benedict had already proven his bravery. He was then commissioned as a colonel in the patriot forces. He was one of General George Washington's most trusted officers. Benedict led his troops to the siege of Boston and Valcour Island and proved once again to be a bold and skilled officer. At the battle of Valcour Island he was wounded severely in his leg. His bravery won him the respect of many people. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. Arnold felt that his services were not properly rewarded. In 1777, Congress promoted five officers, who were junior to Benedict, to major general. Only a personal plea from General George Washington kept him from resigning. He did receive a delayed promotion to major general, but he was still angered that he was not promoted to a rank above the junior officers promoted earlier. Then to top things off, a fellow Benedict Arnold :: American History Benedict Arnold No other American is remembered quite the same as Benedict Arnold. He was a brave soldier, a patriot- and a traitor. Benedict was born in Norwich, Connecticut, on January 14, 1741. When he was 14 years old, Benedict ran away from home to fight in the French and Indian War, but he was brought back by his mother, who apparently was driven insane later in her life. If I had a son like Benedict, I might have gone insane too! After his mother insisted that he return home, he ran away for a second time. After he was finished playing boy hero for awhile, he learned the apothecary (pharmacy) trade and then in 1762, he opened a book and drug store in New Haven. Benedict was also involved with trade in the West Indies. By 1774, he was one of the wealthiest citizens in New Haven. It's a good thing that he had money, because he was one of those people who like to ride around in their Mercedes and wear expensive clothes, even if he couldn't afford them. Benedict then got hooked up with the sheriff's daughter Margaret Mansfield, and they hit it off. They decided to get married in 1774. But this marriage was short lived because the next year Margaret caught a disease and died. When the Revolutionary War began that year Arnold was already an experienced soldier. He had helped Ethan Allen capture Fort Ticonderoga. Then Benedict came up with a great idea to capture Quebec. This idea failed, but Benedict had already proven his bravery. He was then commissioned as a colonel in the patriot forces. He was one of General George Washington's most trusted officers. Benedict led his troops to the siege of Boston and Valcour Island and proved once again to be a bold and skilled officer. At the battle of Valcour Island he was wounded severely in his leg. His bravery won him the respect of many people. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. Arnold felt that his services were not properly rewarded. In 1777, Congress promoted five officers, who were junior to Benedict, to major general. Only a personal plea from General George Washington kept him from resigning. He did receive a delayed promotion to major general, but he was still angered that he was not promoted to a rank above the junior officers promoted earlier. Then to top things off, a fellow