Personal relationships Essay Example for Free

Personal relationships Essay As human beings we all have similar interests however, Rosenbaum (1986b) proposed a repulsion interpretation for this well –established relationship. According to Rosenbaum, attitude similarity does not lead to liking, but attitude dis-similarity does indeed lead to repulsion. Attraction toward a person described by the individual’s personality alone differs when paired with a photograph or political affiliation. With the popularity of social networking and the internet it might be useful to research the subjects of physical attractiveness and similarity when the intimacy factor is absent. Although 94% of internet daters deny that their profile contains any fibs (Gibbs et al,. 2006), psychologists Toma et al. (2008) decided to measure the heights and weights of 80 internet daters, as well as checking their driving licences for real age. When this data was checked against their profiles, it was found at least nine out of ten had lied on at least one of the attributes measured. The most frequent anomaly was in regards to weight. Women tended to shave pounds off, while men gave themselves a boost in height. Even though the vast majority fibbed on their profile it was only by a small amount as most people want to meet up eventually. Toma and Hancock (2010) took photographs of the internet daters and compared them to their online profile pictures. Although less physically attractive people were the most likely to choose a self-enhancing photo, overall the differences were minimal towards the lab photo. Scholars say a certain amount of fibbing is socially even necessary to compete in the online dating world. By boosting one’s attributes, they can increase their chances of a relationship developing in the future. So this would point to the fact that we value goods looks not just in other people but also in ourselves. Opposites attract, well this is not the case when it comes to internet dating. Fiore and Donarth (2005) examined data from 65,000 online daters, the found that people were choosing based on similarities to themselves. That includes ethnicity and religion. Of all the data analysed 80% of the contacts initiated by white members were to other white members, and only 3% were made to black members. Online dating agencies have taken advantage of this fact by setting up dating websites to caterer to this for example JustChristian. com, or Afrointrodution. com. Although researching internet dating is a good way of examining interpersonal relationships, there is only limited data on how well it works. Most of the research is based on heterosexual daters therefore ignores the comparison with homosexual daters. Most people think of it in consumerist terms (Heino et al, . 2010) users are â€Å"Relation shopping†, looking at other people’s features weighing them up, then choosing potential partners, as though from a catalogue, its human relationships reduced to check boxes. Social psychological studies have not so much influenced our opinion on interpersonal attraction, but reinforced the reasons why we find people attractive for example; physical attraction, proximity, familiarity or reciprocal liking. Most of the research is potentially artificial focusing on forced social settings or attitude surveys. It can ignore ecological or cultural relationship criteria. What is prevalent though is the need to form relationships with other people maybe for romantic reasons or friendship. References 1. : Walster et al. 1966. (N/A). Matching hypothesis. Available http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/matching_hypothesis. Last accessed 28th Jan 2012. 2. Duck S. (1995). Repelling the study of attraction. The Psychologist, N/A (8), 60-63. 3. http://www.prenhall.com/divisions/hss/app/amberdigital/aronson/content/10.pdf. (accessed on 28/01/2013) 4. Arthur Aron, Jodie L Steele, Todd b Kashdan, Max Perez (2006)When similars do not attract: Test of a prediction from the self- expansion model, personal relationships 13, 387-39 5. P H Aronson Interpersonal attraction from first impressions to close relationships chapter 10 http://www.prenhall.com/divisions/hss/app/amberdigital/aronson/content/10.pdf 6. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/fashion/online-dating-as-scientific-research.html?pagewanted=all_r=0 7. http://www.spring.org.uk/2010/09/online-dating-10-psychological-insights.php

Peace and order Essay Example for Free

Peace and order Essay Maintenance of public order is a core function of governance. The Indian Constitution, while according a pre-eminent position for the fundamental rights of citizens, recognizes the importance of public order, by providing for legislation imposing reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order. Under the Constitution of India, the Union and the federating units, that is, the States have well-defined areas of responsibility. Public Order and Police are essentially the responsibilities of State Governments. However, the Central Government assists them by providing Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMFs) as and when required. The Administrative Reforms Commission is looking at ‘Public Order’ with a view to suggest a framework to strengthen administrative machinery to maintain public order conducive to social harmony and economic development. And also to build capacity for conflict resolution. ARC is looking into all aspects of the subject therefore the focus is on studying the causes of public disorder, how early symptoms of disorder should be detected and addressed well in time, what should be the role of various stakeholders in maintenance of public order, how the enforcement machinery should be made more effective to deal with public disorder. The Commission is examining the subject by focusing on its components namely causes of conflicts and their resolution, secondly the role of civil administration, media, society, Judiciary and NGOs in maintaining public order, and thirdly the role of police and the need for reforms. Accordingly each one of these is being discussed in great length in t hree separate workshops. In the first workshop which is being organized jointly with the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), the role of civil administration and other stakeholders would be discussed, in the second workshop, which is being organized jointly with CPR and the Kannada University the different types of conflicts in the Indian Society would be discussed, and in the third workshop being organized jointly with the National Police Academy the Role of Police would be discussed. The aim of the first workshop on public order is to identify the salient  lessons we can learn from a variety of experiences in dealing with public disorder. The workshop will help the ARC to think through some of the challenges posed for the maintenance of public order by the role of the four agencies namely the civil administration, the judicial interventions, the civil society and the media. How can these agencies be strengthened to make them promoters of a more humane public order? What are some of the difficulties that actors in these different domains face? What are some of the commonly leveled criticisms of these agencies? Do these criticisms need some administrative or legal response? What explains the success of failure of these agencies on some occasions. Although the focus of the workshop will be on reforms that can be implemented, this workshop would like to discuss these issues in the widest possible perspective so that new and innovative ideas can be countenanced. The main task of the workshop will be to identify problems and challenges in these domains, and to recommend possible solutions. The purpose of the second workshop that is on ‘Conflict resolution† is to (a) engage in free and frank discussions about the causes of conflicts in India, (b) arrive at some conclusion about the role and importance of different ethnic factors in the origin and continuance of these conflicts so that (c) fundamental solutions can be proposed to address the deep-rooted causes for the sustainable maintenance of public order. The emphasis will be on coming up with specific recommendations pertaining to administrative reform. Similarly the third workshop, which is being organized jointly with the National Police Academy, would focus on the role of police and police reforms.   Before I go into the role of various stakeholders, I would like to clarify the meaning of the word public order. Any violation of Law is a problem of Law and Order, but every such violation is not a case of disturbance of public order. The dividing line between ‘Public order’ and ‘Law and Order’ is very thin. The Apex Court has explained the concept of public order.   It is the potentiality of an act to disturb the even tempo of the life of the community which makes it prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. If the contravention in its effect is confined only to a few  individuals directly involved, as distinct from a wide spectrum of public, it would raise the problem of law and order only. It is the potentiality of the act to disturb the even tempo of the life of the community which makes it prejudicial to the maintenance of public order. Importance of maintaining public order: India today is poised to emerge as a global economic power with all its high growth rate of economy and all-round economic development. For realizing our legitimate aspirations of economic development, it is essential that the problems of peace and order are managed efficiently in the country. No developmental activity is possible in an environment of insecurity and disorder. Failure to manage the multifarious problems arising out of violent conflicts based on religious, caste, ethnic, regional or any other disputes, can lead to unstable and chaotic conditions. Such conditions not only militate against realization of our economic dream, but also would jeopardize our survival as a vibrant democracy. We have to look at the problem of public order management and the role of law enforcement in that regard, in this perspective. We should not forget that it is the weaker sections which suffer the most in any public disorder. Whose responsibility is to maintain public order-role of civil administration: Undoubtedly, it is the role of the police, as the principal law enforcement agency to preserve public order. The magistracy and the judiciary also have a vital role in preserving public order. But there are other agencies within the governmental set up which have to contribute towards preserving public order. It is the police which bears the brunt of violations of the Laws and also the ensuing violence. But in a large number of addressing the root cause is much beyond their purview. The case of recent demolitions in Delhi is an example. The main cause there has been the non enforcement of the building regulations by the officials who were entrusted this task. Another example is the ‘Ulhasnagar demolitions’. If one looks at the causes of public disorder, there are a host of reasons. These may be broadly classified into socio-economic, political, historical  and administrative. I am not going into the details of each one of these but I would like to highlight that a large number of public disorders have administrative reasons as their root cause. Therefore we have to bring in change in our mindset. Our response to public disorder should commence at the very initial stage, and it is here that the role of entire civil administration including both regulatory and developmental becomes important. The period after independence has seen a tremendous increase in spread of education and alongside has increased the awareness among the people and so also the aspirations. And when these aspirations are not met, tensions prevail within the society, which if not redressed have the potential of erupting as a problem of public disorder. Increasingly, and rightly so, administration is not being perceived as a ruling class. People are realizing that they are service providers. The administration must also realize this role. Wrong doings of administration, which in the past may have got muted acceptance, are no longer being tolerated by the civil society. We have to provide an administration which is fair, objective and transparent. How to achieve this is a challenge before us. Role of the Judiciary: Access to justice is fundamental to the ‘Rule of Law†. If the citizens feel that access to justice is delayed or is not effective, they get alienated. If they feel that punishment is meted out to the wrong doers only in a few cases, they have a tendency to disassociate them with the judicial process and stop taking interest as a complainant, a witness or a pancha. Sometimes a landlord looking to get a recalcitrant tenant out, a tenant seeking protection from an avaricious landlord, families involved in property disputes, start by thinking that gangsters (goondas) can settle their problems which the courts are going to take ages to do. If this becomes common, criminality will be a substitute for ‘Rule of Law’. We have to ensure that we do not reach such a precarious situation. Criminals should be intimidated by what Shakespeare called The awful majesty of the law, other wise they will become a law unto themselves. Various Law Commissions  have suggested reforms in the criminal and civil justice administration system, which need to be acted upon. Role of the media: The importance of a free press, for a healthy democracy cannot be overemphasized. More importantly, it is a sort of check and balance that keeps the authorities on their toes on the one hand and a type of mirror that enables people in authority to get a continuous reality check, on the other. This remains an important role for the media, despite the increasing pressures of commercialization. The fact that democratic India could avoid famines, Amartya Sen has suggested, was almost entirely due to the role of the media in sensitizing authorities to the urgency of providing relief. Indeed our free and energetic media is, in fact, our best early warning system. But what is essential is that the media should play a responsible role. It has been observed that at times, a part of the media has not been quite objective in their reporting. Sometimes the media also plays a role in spreading prejudices, as they needless to say, are more interested in sensational news than sensible constructive news. We may deliberate as to how the potential of media can be tapped in maintaining public order. Role of the Society, NGOs: A democratic society cannot function properly if everything in it is left only to the State or even to statutory bodies. Because of the increasing complexities of societies everything cannot be taken care of by the Governmental institutions. The gap has to be filled up by the civil society. Government intervention itself will be in fructuous if it is not underpinned by voluntary action. Moreover the exercise of political power through civil society opens the way for democracy in real sense of the term. Civil society consists of open and secular institutions that mediate between the citizen and the State. In the absence of civil society, the State machinery and civil servants becomes the dominant and the only repository of power. The modern idea of civil government requires emergence  of civil society which would make people self-reliant rather than remain dependent on State institutions. Participation by the civil society makes the citizens active agents instead of becoming merely passive recipients of welfare. We, especially in the government need to realize that in a healthy growth model of a free democratic society, the Government is just one of the participants. The Government exists as one of the servitors in the service of the society. Indeed the awareness that government alone can neither solve all the problems of the society nor it is the only crucial actor in addressing major societal issues has dictated the need to look beyond Government. Interdependence and need to find solutions to societal problems call for greater collaboration between the government and civil society. A large number of Non Governmental organizations (NGOs) are working in the developmental fields. But the number of such NGOs dedicating themselves to preservation of public order is limited. We can perhaps learn from experiences of some of these NGOs and recommend measures to pave the way for their greater involvement. Role of the Police: I should have taken up the role of police first, as they are the main actors in this process. But as I have mentioned that we will be discussing this issue at great length in the third workshop, which we are organizing at the National Police Academy. But I would suggest that aspects of police administration which require interaction with other governmental agencies and stakeholders may be discussed in this workshop. Conclusion: Development and security are truly mutually inter-related. We need therefore, to evolve a combined strategy to deal simultaneously with the twin challenges of development and security within the framework of a democratic polity committed to respect for all fundamental human freedoms and also committed to upholding the rule of law. Internal conflict management is the key to the success of participative democracy, strengthening national  solidarity and cohesion and firming up the nation’s resolve and capability to meet any external threats to its security and territorial integrity. The deficiencies in this vital area need to be plugged through judicial and police reforms, better citizen participation in governance, transparency and more effective and integrated approach to public order maintenance. Violations of public order, given their socio-economic, political and administrative causes demand a concerted response from different wings of the civil administration. When this is done at the nascent stage itself, minor discords can be prevented from turning into major public disorders. The challenge lies in institutionalizing a mechanism so that all wings of the civil administration as well as other stakeholders work in a coordinated fashion. I hope that these two workshops would be able to come up with substantial recommendations for a framework and a roadmap for maintaining public order.

External Auditors and their role in the Corporate Governance Framework

External Auditors and their role in the Corporate Governance Framework External Auditors check companys accounts and report to the company based on the accounts. Basically, the concern is how external auditors conduct these duties effectively. Legislations, such as The Companies Act 1965, have made great efforts to ensure external auditors conduct their duties and obligations effectively. The Code of Corporate Governance in 2001 and the amendment in 2007 have further enhanced the effectiveness of audit in the interests of stockholders and shareholders. In light of the recent scandals involving external auditors in the world, there is a growing concern for corporate governance globally as there is increased reliance by the stockholders and shareholders on external auditors. This study examines the role of external auditors in the corporate governance framework. The study then reviews the financial scandals involving auditors occurred in the world and investigate the role of external auditor in the collapse of the companies. Introduction Corporate governance is a central and dynamic aspect of business. It is very important for corporate success and social welfare. In the wake of Enron, HIH Insurance and other similar cases, countries around the world have reacted quickly by pre-examining similar events domestically. As a speedy response to these corporate failures, the USA issued the Sarbanes-Oxly Act in July 2002, and in UK, the Higgs Report and the Smith Report were published in January 2003 (Solomon, 2007). Nowadays corporate governance is a globally debated topic with many characteristics (Nobel, 1998). However, the concern is whether auditors play an important role in the framework of corporate governance. Corporate Governance Corporate governance is the relationship among various participants in determining the direction and performance of corporations. The main participants are the shareholders, the management and the board of directors. Corporate governance is the process whereby directors of a company are monitored and controlled. There are two areas considered to be fundamental to corporate governance, one is supervision and monitoring of management performance and the other is ensuring accountability of management to shareholders and other stakeholders (Marianne, 2009). Till now, probably the two most important basic elements of good corporate governance have been full disclosure and the presence of independent directors and auditors, who each has their own ways to confirm that the data provided by the corporation are true and fairly stated. The contents of full disclosure are listed out in regulatory demands and professional pronouncements, and companies are expected to fully comply. The independence of the outside director and external auditor means the directors and auditors will have to distance themselves considerably to assure shareholders that they have conducted their tasks (Bavly, 2004). Role of External Auditors in Corporate Governance External auditors play a key role in the corporate governance framework. They conduct one of the most important corporate governance checks that help to monitor managements activities. The audit of financial statement makes disclosures more reliable, thus increasing confidence in the companys transparency. The role of external auditors is to make sure that Board of Directors and the management are acting responsibly towards the shareholders investment interests. By keeping objectivity, the external auditors can add value to shareholders by ensuring that the companys internal controls are strong and effective. And by working with the audit committee and liaising with internal auditors, external auditors can help to facilitate a more effective oversight of the financial reporting process by the Board of Directors (Hassan, 2004). However, the audit expectations gap needs to be acknowledged, as the audit function can only do so much on the fraud. The external auditor can not be expected to find every fraud and error during an audit. In accordance with the Cadbury Report, it is important to know that the external auditors role is not to prepare the financial statements, nor to provide assurance that the data in the financial statements are correct, nor to guarantee that the company will continue as a going concern, but the external auditors have to state in the annual report that the financial statements show a true and fair view. The Cadbury Report highlighted that there was no doubt on whether there should be an audit but rather how the audit could be ensured to conduct effectively and objectively by the external auditors (Solomon, 2007). Auditor Independence External auditors are expected to be independent of the company and report on the company objectively. Actually, auditors can only play their role effectively if they are independent (Peel ODonnell, 1995). They have to conduct their tasks in the most independent and reliable manner to provide investing public with the level of assurance to make their decisions based on the financial statements. According to the Cadbury Report, auditor independence could be affected due to the close relationship between auditors and company managers and due to the auditors intention to develop a constructive relationship with their clients. There are a number of threats to auditor independence, one of which is to provide non-audit services since non-audit services are lucrative. Auditors can obtain the contracts for non-audit services only if they maintain a good relationship with the management. The Cadbury Report stressed that a balance is needed to be achieved in such way that external auditors will work with, not against, company management, but in doing so they need to serve shareholders. This is a difficult path. The easiest way to ensure this balance being attained is suggested to establish audit committees and develop effective accounting standards. The Cadbury Report recommended all companies to establish audit committees. Audit committees serve as representative of shareholder interests. They are not only responsible for monitoring financial reporting process to support good corporate governance, they are also considered to be able to ensure an appropriate relationship exists between the external auditor and the management whose financial statements are being audited (Hassan, 2004). The Smith Report issued in 2003 highlighted that the audit committee needs to be proactive and raise the concern with directors rather than brush them under the carpet. The Report also stressed that all members of audit committee should be independent non-executive directors. Companys annual reports should disclose detailed information on the role and responsibilities of their audit committee. Lessons from Financial Scandals 4.1 Collapse of Enron Enron, the energy trading company based on Texas is the first scandal shaking up the auditing profession. It has led to a crisis to the confidence on auditors and the reliability of financial reporting (Holm Laursen, 2007). The audit quality and the independence of external auditors were questioned. In this case, Enrons audit and accounting function were fraudulent. Arthur Andersen, the auditor of Enron, has been involved in Enrons fraudulent accounting and auditing. Failure of the audit function is one of the key factors contributing to the companys collapse. Enron created The Raptors, four special purpose entities (SPEs). SPEs are established in order that a company can form a joint venture with other interested parties to conduct a specific transaction. This transaction will not subject the other parties to the risks more generally associated with the companys operations. U.S Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAPP) allows companies to record the gains and losses of SPEs without reporting their assets and liabilities in certain instances. In this way, Enron avoided adding more than $1 billion debt to its balance sheet without consolidating certain SPEs (Jenkins, 2003). But the problems are, when the losses of these entities quickly rose into billions of dollars, these entities were brought into the core financial statements. It then became clear that Enron itself had great losses. The corporations stock price dropped sharply, and the company went into bankruptcy in December 2001 (Brown, 2005). Examples of Enrons devious accounting exist widely in the corporation. The company recorded profits, for example, from a joint venture with Blockbuster Video that was never materialized (The Economist, 7 February 2002). In 2002, Enron restated its accounts, which is actually a process that reduced reported profits by $600 million (The Economist, 6 December 2001). In fact, the process resulted in a cumulative profit decrease of $591 million and a rise in debt of $628 million for the financial statements from 1997 to 2000. The difference between the profit figures was mainly attributed to the earlier omission of three off-balance sheet entities. Such profit inflation enabled the company to raise its earnings per share (EPS). The company not only manipulated the accounting figures to inflate the earnings, but it also was found to remove substantial amounts of debt from its accounts by setting up a number of off-balance sheet entities. Such special purpose entities can be used to hide a companys liabilities from the balance sheet, in order to make the financial statements look much better than they really are (The Economist, 2 May 2002). It means substantial number of liabilities did not have to be disclosed on Enrons financial statements, because they were mainly attributed to another legal entity. All these issues raise the question, why did Enrons auditor allow this type of activity? This is because the conflicts of interest exist between the external auditor and the management. Conflicts of Interest Conflicts of interest are a frequent problem in the audit profession. Although independent appointment of external auditors by companys shareholders is regularly replaced by subjective appointment by the company management, the auditor is all too often appreciated to the companys senior management. Further, conflicts of interest arise from interactive functions of audit and consultancy. Arthur Andersen has been blamed to apply loose standards in their audits because of conflict of interest over the subatantial consulting fees collected from Enron. In 2000, Andersen collected $25 million for auditing Enrons books in addition to $27 million for consulting services. In 2001, Arthur Anderson earned US$55 million for provision of non-audit services (Brown, 2005). Although Arthur Andersen reported on the companys accounts, they did not report fraud to the shareholders. This is because the fraud was committed by the management. Kenneth Lay, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from Feb 1986 until Feb 2001, took home US$ 152 million although the company was facing a loss. If Andersen were to report, they probably will not be appointed in the following years or be engaged in non-audit services (Krishnan, L, 2009). Especially, close relationships are established over time between companies and their external auditors. It can again affect independent judgment and impact on the auditing function. In this case, there are regular exchanges of employees within Enron from Arthur Anderson. Such conflicts of interest affect the corporate governance function. Serious conflicts of interest have also arisen among members of Enrons internal audit committee, which causes the internal audit committee did not perform its functions of internal control and of checking the external auditing function. For example, Lord Wakeham, a member of the audit committee, was at the same time having a consulting contract with Enron (The Economist, 7February2002). This shows that people in responsible positions should have detected fraudulent activities if they were independent. Enrons board of directors was composed of a number of members who have been shown to be willing to conduct fraudulent activity. It is also because the non-executive directors were compromised by conflicts of interest. 4.2 Collapse of HIH Insurance In Australia, the collapse of HIH Insurance Ltd was observed as the beginning of the reflection into external auditors role. HIH is one of Australias biggest insurers, comprising several separate government-licensed insurance companies, including HIH Casualty General Insurance Ltd, FAI General Insurance Ltd, CIC Insurance Ltd and World Marine General Insurances Ltd. On 15 March 2001, HIH went into provisional liquidation with losses of A$ 800 million (Peursem, Zhou, Flood Buttimore, 2007). HIH is one of the largest corporate collapses in Australian history. Similar issues arise as in the Enron case. HIH is claimed to mislead investors by providing incorrect financial reports to the market and HIHs auditor, Arthur Andersen, may have played a part in its collapse. Andersen conducted the external audits for HIH from 1971 until its collapse in 2001. Their contribution to the failure of HIH is considered in the following sections: Audit Practices As part of audit process, auditors will conduct a risk assessment to determine the structure and plan of the audit. Andersen assessed the risk of HIH and deemed it a maximum risk client, however, the engagement team of Andersen had not prepared the risk management plan and therefore the senior management team at Anderson did not review and approve the plan (Peursem, Zhou, Flood Buttimore, 2007). At the end, the auditor simply drew the wrong conclusions. Andersen signed off HIHs annual report for the 30th June 2000 and stated that it was a going concern with net assets of $939 million. Nine months later, HIH collapsed with debts of $5.3 billion (Peursem, Zhou, Flood Buttimore, 2007). Andersen used HIH management reports and forecasts and did not obtain sufficient evidence to get the conclusions they did. The liquidator could not find the documentation on the reasons for considering HIH as a going concern. This implies that Anderson failed to produce sufficient working papers to prove that the audit actually is conducted. Auditor Independence Andersen had a close relationship with HIH. By the time of liquidation, three former Anderson partners who had conducted HIH financial audit work held positions on the HIH board of directors. This obvious lack of independence between the board of directors and the auditors indicated that the best interests of HIH may have not always be a priority. Andersons failure in producing adequate working papers or in obtaining adequate evidence to support their findings have serious concerns on the quality of the audit they did. A significant independence issue is also reflected in the form of Andersons payment to HIH Chairman, Geoffrey Cohen for consultancy fees. These fees totaled $190,887 in nine years and included the use of Andersons office and secretary. These fees were not disclosed to the remaining board members in the annual general meetings (Peursem, Zhou, Flood Buttimore, 2007). The close and complicated financial relationship between the auditors and HIH chairman raise further questions in this case. Finally, the threat to auditor independence is that Andersen provided both audit and non-audit services to HIH. It raises a question on how can an auditor provide an independent opinion on the financial statements when he may play a role in guiding the preparation of the statements? The Royal Commission in Australia, which investigates the collapse of HIH, has found that the largest corporate collapse in Australia was not due to fraud but the result of attempting to cover the cracks on the overpriced acquisition. Andersons role in it appeared to be substantial. Modern Approach to External Auditors Role in Corporate Governance External auditors now have to take a much stricter approach to their clients (Bourne, 1995). There is an increasing view to support that external auditors should take on a more proactive role (Baxt, 1970). The Companies Act has set the stipulation on appointment, eligibility, qualification, disqualification and removal of external auditors (Davies Prentice, 2003). The intention is to ensure that auditors are able to carry out audit in an impersonal, objective and professional way. It is also to ensure that auditors are independent of the company. The reason for such emphasis is to ensure the external auditors are not in a position of conflict of interests. When there is conflict of interest, disclosure must be made to shareholders and stakeholders. Alternatively, there should be prohibition to the provision of non-audit services to the company where they act as auditors. To ensure auditors are truly independent and not in a conflict of interest, auditors should be rotated every year. Thereafter there should be a gap of five years before the same auditors are appointed by the company. Conclusion External auditors have an essential role in corporate governance through their involvement and their examination of financial statements. The external auditors role in corporate governance is a fundamental complement to achieve the desired objective of corporate governance. Therefore, the duties and obligations of external auditors must be expanded for the rights and interests of shareholders and stakeholders. There must be a modern approach to the auditors role in the corporate governance framework.

Science and Morality in Shelleys Frankenstein - Consequences of Technology :: Frankenstein essays

The Consequences of Technology Revealed in Shelley's Frankenstein      Ã‚  Ã‚   In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, written in the late nineteenth century, the author proposes that knowledge and technology can be dangerous to individuals and all of humanity.   Frankenstein was one of the first cautionary tales about scientific research.   Shelley's novel offers profound insight of the consequences of morally insensitive scientific and technological research.    Learn from me. . . at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how   much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow (Shelley 101)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The popular belief of how Frankenstein came to be written derives from Shelley herself, who explains in an introduction to the novel that she, her husband Percy Shelly, and Lord Byron set themselves the task of creating ghost stories during a short vacation at a European villa.   According to Shelley, the short story she conceived was predicated of the notion as the eighteenth became the nineteenth century that electricity could be a catalyst of life.   In her introduction she recalls the talk about Erasmus Darwin, who had preserved a piece of vermicelli in a glass case, till by some extraordinary means it began to move with voluntary motion," (Joseph vii).   The extraordinary means forms the basis for Frankenstein.   Many people also believe that a nightmare that Mary Shelley had could also be partly responsible for the creation of the novel.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At the time the novel was written, England was on the brink of leading the Industrial revolution in Europe.   The experiments of Huntsman (crucible steel manufacture), Newcome (steam-powered pumps), and Cochrane (coal tar production) throughout the eighteenth century in England were decisive in the initial transformation of England into an industrialized country (Burke 137, 173, 195).   The emerging age of technology appears to have found followers throughout the culture and to have become firmly reinforced by the time   Frankenstein was written.   Eric Rabkin (author), says that in England early in the eighteenth century, "there exist a populous discourse community that accepted the rhetoric of science" (Rabkin 39).   This rhetoric has proof extending back to the English Renaissance. Those sensitive to change and those prepared to embrace a rhetoric of change need not be scientists.   While scientists address a discourse community of scientists, novelists   Ã‚   address a wider discourse community of the literate.   If we can accept the earlier   argument that science and poetry are not ontologically antagonistic, then we might well hope to find fictional uses of the rhetoric of science . Science and Morality in Shelley's Frankenstein - Consequences of Technology :: Frankenstein essays The Consequences of Technology Revealed in Shelley's Frankenstein      Ã‚  Ã‚   In Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, written in the late nineteenth century, the author proposes that knowledge and technology can be dangerous to individuals and all of humanity.   Frankenstein was one of the first cautionary tales about scientific research.   Shelley's novel offers profound insight of the consequences of morally insensitive scientific and technological research.    Learn from me. . . at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how   much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow (Shelley 101)      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The popular belief of how Frankenstein came to be written derives from Shelley herself, who explains in an introduction to the novel that she, her husband Percy Shelly, and Lord Byron set themselves the task of creating ghost stories during a short vacation at a European villa.   According to Shelley, the short story she conceived was predicated of the notion as the eighteenth became the nineteenth century that electricity could be a catalyst of life.   In her introduction she recalls the talk about Erasmus Darwin, who had preserved a piece of vermicelli in a glass case, till by some extraordinary means it began to move with voluntary motion," (Joseph vii).   The extraordinary means forms the basis for Frankenstein.   Many people also believe that a nightmare that Mary Shelley had could also be partly responsible for the creation of the novel.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At the time the novel was written, England was on the brink of leading the Industrial revolution in Europe.   The experiments of Huntsman (crucible steel manufacture), Newcome (steam-powered pumps), and Cochrane (coal tar production) throughout the eighteenth century in England were decisive in the initial transformation of England into an industrialized country (Burke 137, 173, 195).   The emerging age of technology appears to have found followers throughout the culture and to have become firmly reinforced by the time   Frankenstein was written.   Eric Rabkin (author), says that in England early in the eighteenth century, "there exist a populous discourse community that accepted the rhetoric of science" (Rabkin 39).   This rhetoric has proof extending back to the English Renaissance. Those sensitive to change and those prepared to embrace a rhetoric of change need not be scientists.   While scientists address a discourse community of scientists, novelists   Ã‚   address a wider discourse community of the literate.   If we can accept the earlier   argument that science and poetry are not ontologically antagonistic, then we might well hope to find fictional uses of the rhetoric of science .

The Lady of Shalott Essay -- essays research papers

1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Introduction This paper will try to analyze the growth of consciousness of the Lady of Shalott. Ranging from her state of mind in total isolation, her 'childhood', to her changing 'adolescence' and eventually reaching 'adulthood' and death, all in a sort of quick-motion. It will further deal with the development of tension throughout the poem. By making a distinction between tension through formal aspects, such as rhyme scheme, and tension through content it will try to show the interconnection between both of them. Additionally, the paper will deal with the possible effect of tension on the reader and how the poem might be perceived by him/her. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Growth of Consciousness and Development of Tension 2.1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Initial Isolation Lord Alfred Tennyson's poem starts out with the total seclusion of the beautiful, young Lady of Shalott surrounded by '…four grey walls, and four grey towers…';. (Tennyson, line 15). She is largely unaware of the world outside and of her own existence as a woman, only being able to see shadows of reality, which are reflected by her magic (?) crystal mirror and worked into her web. At this point of time it is unknown to the reader whether the Lady of Shalott is forced to be in this situation or chose to live this life of isolation. Reasons for a self inflicted seclusion might be homophobia, the fear of rejection by the exterior world, or simply a lack of interest for it. However, the Lady of Shalott is quite content with what she has and what she does. Her life of art in front of the loom and the crystal mirror is all she needs singing her ';…song that echoes cheerly…'; (30) throughout the land. She is as innocent as a careless child giving little thought about her future. The Lady of Shalott has no urge to leave her own interior world because she is not aware of any other options. Little is known about her outside '…many-towered Camelot.'; (5) and apparently she intends to keep it that way: But who hath seen her wave her hand ? Or at the casement seen her stand ? Or is she known in all the land, The Lady of Shalott ? (24-27) By now the reader might ask him-/herself why the Lady of Shalott is stuck in such a dreadful situation and why she does not attempt to do anything about it. There is a cons... ...martyrdom and so the story ends, leaving the reader in anger about the carelessly spoken words of Lancelot. 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  'The Lady of Shalott'; was and is subject for countless interpretation by readers and artists, especially pictorial. Although, or maybe because the whole setting is quite vague and shadowy there have been many attempts to explain why the Lady of Shalott was cursed. Maybe she was not cursed al all. What was this whisper she heard ? Was she schizophrenic, hearing voices inside her head ? Another question is why she had to die in the end. Is it possible she eventually commit suicide, because she had realized that her love for Sir Lancelot was futile ? These are some questions that stay in the back of your head after reading Tennyson's poem. Even today you can feel the infinite struggle the Lady of Shalott had to undergo. Tennyson impressively shows the development of a young woman who is faced with one of the most difficult times in life- growing up in a world full of restrictions and rules and becoming a woman. His subtle description of a girls problems at his time is, slightly altered, even valid today.

The Kite Runner Essays -- Literary Analysis, Hosseini

â€Å"There is a way to be good again† (2). This is the line that rolls through Amir's mind over and over throughout Khaled Hosseini's novel, The Kite Runner. This is the story of a mans struggle to find redemption. The author illustrates with the story of Amir that it is not possible to make wrongs completely right again because its too late to change past. In this novel Hosseini is telling us that redemption is obtainable, and by allowing us to see Amirs thought process throughout the novel, Hosseini shows us that it guilt is the primary motivation for someone who seeks redemption. Hosseini also uses not only the main character, but other secondary characters to show how big of a part that guilt plays in the desire for redemption. In this novel, redemption is not when things are justified, because the wrong has been done and you can't go back to the past and change things to make it right. Rather, as defined in a letter to Amir by an old family friend, Rahim Khan, redempt ion is when the guilt from something wrong leads to something good (302). Guilt is a strong incentive in a quest for redemption and it isn't easy to shake. â€Å"There is a way to be good again† Rahim Khan said to Amir in the beginning of the novel, insinuating that there was hope. That there was a way for Amir to have peace with himself and let go of his guilt. This phrase was something that echoed in Amirs mind throughout the novel and would be a reminder that there was a way to be rid of the guilt that plagued him, a way to be good again. We can see how heavy this guilt is even at the beginning of the novel when we don't even know the reason why he would be guilty. Amir begins his story by telling us â€Å"I became what I am today at the age of 12† (1). The first ... ...rching for redemption in this novel was Amir's wife Soraya. Before they get married confesses to him about the time she ran away with someone as a teenager and clears up her past which had also haunted her (164). Even after she confessed to Amir, people still talked down about her because of her past (178). Amir, like Baba, Rahim Khan and Soraya, had sinned by what he had done, or rather what he didn’t do. This caused guilt which he attempted to hide, but the memories and the past continued to haunt him, nag at him, and remind him of the person who had loved him so much. The person that he had turned around and betrayed them in their time of need. This guilt of betrayal weighs on Amir characters throughout the story, and pushes him to seek out redemption. He longs to â€Å"be good again† and get rid of the guilt that he has carried since he was just twelve years old.

The Key Personal Development skills and experience

There are many cardinal accomplishments that this programme provided and gave me as come oning through it. Some of the accomplishments and experiences that I believe that I have obtained from making this Young Enterprise Graduate Programme are listed below: – Team working consisted of taking portion in identifying and holding on the squad ‘s aims. Me as an single agreeing with each squad members undertakings and working efficaciously with others. I did this by back uping them to make the ends for the whole group. Problem work outing where jobs were being identified and analysed. Furthermore, taking solutions and implementing processs suitably. Communication had to be made by me and team members efficaciously to hold on aims and processs. I took portion in meetings, treatments and successfully interacting with clients and co-workers. Furthermore, bring forthing clear concise written work and presentations by utilizing appropriate and profession ICT techniques. Selling and Gross saless accomplishments were earned by making and transporting out a market research program. Then placing client mark groups and developing the appropriate selling attack. Furthermore, I choose the appropriate selling and gross revenues schemes to sell and administer to aim groups. Operationss accomplishments were achieved by keeping systems to run into quality criterions and measuring environmental impact. Besides puting up processs to run into operational marks and developing rating systems. The Finance experience was achieved by me when transporting out a fiscal audit and choosing schemes to better fiscal public presentation. I recorded fiscal information utilizing ICT every bit suitably as possible. Directing and Managing was developed by negociating with others and act uponing the results of the company. By pull offing a complex set of undertakings in an unsure environment and directing persons, squads or undertakings to accomplish agreed marks. Furthermore, pull offing co-workers, concern advisers, stakeholders, clients and constructing effectual relationships. Leadership was a hard accomplishment to accomplish for me because at times it was required to draw the company together in times of crisis and some co-workers did n't understand why. Furthermore, I encouraged co-workers to accomplish their full potency in the manner they contributed to the company ‘s overall public presentation. Learning was a accomplishment which was achieved throughout this programme from understanding cardinal larning penchants by prosecuting it in much more effectual ways. Furthermore, I improved my ability to larn from everyday of this programme experience. I have besides placing personal acquisition solutions and demands. I believe that throughout this twelvemonth my communicating accomplishments, concern thoughts and protocols were developed and strengthened. My experience was gained in working in a squad based civilization. This was like in a concern administration which involved planning, committedness, administration and flexibleness to accomplish consequences. First I disbelieved about the faculty importance to my degree class and was non precisely fascinated approximately working as portion of a squad. However I was incorrectly after the first twosome of hebdomads I got to cognize my squad members much more. I frequently wonder if I had n't taken the faculty, I would hold passed the chance of meeting and doing five new strong friends. Some issues which I had were to lodge up for others whenever there was an statement traveling to organize as I thought it would be better to screen it out by speaking non reasoning. As I started to develop my strength and ability to publish clear and concise direction in a considerate mode during meetings and understanding our concern I believed we could go a successful concern. Belbin ‘s theory indicates to me that I am a â€Å" company worker † who is socially oriented, instead than mild sensitive with the ability to react to people and in any given state of affairs. Maslow ‘s hierarchy of demands is a theory in psychological science that states people in life. Maslow identified â€Å" A hierarchy needs as one degree becomes reasonably, or partially, pleased the net becomes stronger † [ 1 ] I got to cognize everyone better and felt more comfy in the supportive environment once we settled down. I motivated squad members without fright as one of the elements of SCHEINIS larning civilization provinces larning to back up squad work at that place must be a shared beliefs that co-operation will be needed that it will work and besides shared belief that all people can and will larn fiting McGregor ‘s theory. [ 3 ] [ 5 ] Our wise man we met was called ‘Malcolm ‘ he had a concern and one of our group members gave him a call and we arranged a meeting with him. We got the SWOT analysis and thoughts down on what we are looking into to go a concern. After a few more meetings we were told that our wise man could non see us any longer as his concern was at hazard. I set myself a personal end and it was to actuate others and guarantee all squad members participated in puting ends. Harmonizing to Locke ( 1968 ) ends affect motive [ 1 ] . Challenging but accomplishable ends motivates † persons have basic demands or possible which, when displeased stimulates manners fixed towards fulfillment. I researched and studied as I was committed to larn and accomplishing high-quality Markss. â€Å" Specific ends motivates extra than ill-defined † known group roles as each group members had peculiar functions and responsibility. I developed my interpersonal and communicating accomplishments by e-mailing squad members over the Christmas vacations and complimenting them on the undertakings that all of had done before the vacations even though we had no wise man. Furthermore, we got a electronic mail sing us acquiring a new wise man from one of the Enterprise staff called ‘Andy ‘ . â€Å" Contribution in puting ends is appealing † each member of the group set an single end as to animate and remain on path. â€Å" Significant consequences of earlier period piece is important to motive † When Christmas passed we started to acquire our concern program ready for passing in on the 6th February 2010. I noticed that none of our group was go toing the talks as they were busy with coursework ‘s and other faculties. We met with Andy and talked things through and what we have so far. It was noticed that we were really far behind through the faculty besides Andy tried to set up a new wise man for our group. If I was in control I would hold got the full group together and divided the parts that needed making together every bit. However as our group was in this meeting with Andy merely three of us were present, two were on their manner and 1 could n't do it. In this meeting the subdivisions were n't divided every bit and when asked who would wish to make certain parts some of the group members were n't at all interested. It eventually came to the decision that everyone had something to make except one member who had no undertaking but to assist other members get at that place undertakings done. This member was a ready to hand individual who did n't acquire involved at all when asked for their aid. Finally, the group held another meeting to inquire this member for aid to complete the undertakings off and manus in our concern study. We met our new wise man she was called ‘Debbie ‘ she helped us understand and cognize what was to be put into a concern study. Time was against us and we merely had less than a hebdomad left to complete the study. I feel one time once more that if the group was managed decently this would hold non happened at all. Luckily we got a hebdomad extension from our coach. Even though this extension was set still some members were n't at all fuss. Merely if I reported or filled in a subject signifier and told the coach affairs would hold been addressed much decently. However this was non thought of and felt that I would the individual to fault if I told off the certain members After passing in the study on the 15th February 2010 merely three members came to manus it in. Now we as a concern started to acquire prepared for the presentation. When speaking about presentations two of the members opted out. They did n't desire to show at all, I felt really angry and thought good this is what you have to accept in a concern. I experienced throughout this faculty the existent experiences and worst of being in a existent life concern. After practising and showing the presentation it was the twenty-four hours to show. The group and I were so amazed with the group after we delivered our presentation and were able to answer to the whole inquiries from both the witnesss and the panel of Judgess. I felt our corporate attempt had paid away and was proud of our work. I was given our classs two hebdomads subsequently which was on the 17th March. I noticed that none of my squad members attended merely I did even though I was a few proceedingss tardily for the talk nevertheless, I was able to pick up the feedback. I gave the group a text message informing them of the consequences of past public presentations which motivated me into making the following undertaking. Maslow theory encourages feedback ; I learnt about past success and can follow the behavior once more. In the terminal the original end of a united and solid group was achieved. Plain rules of actions were received by all members of the group. When a member had a job, there was ever person to speak to and a sense of togetherness ran through the group. The features characteristics that stood out at the terminal were many. First, the ambiance was informal and relaxed and this helped persons to show their sentiments without holding to concern about being judged by their members. Each member listened to each other and the struggle of thoughts was brought usefully into the unfastened. Decisions were normally reached by an understanding so that everybody or the bulk were pleased by the consequence. Finally, direction was non merely set aside to the chosen caput, but was shared when suited so that the full group felt a sense of value about themselves within the group. At this phase the group was more effectual and cohesive to a big extent. There was a important development in the personality of persons and an betterment. One issue which concerned us was when one member seemed to experience demoralized. This state of affairs was understood by the remainder of the group so it was discussed by hence deciding it demoing that we had grown from a group of persons and into a group.Future ApplicationIt has been truly gratifying making this faculty as rather a batch of it was new. A batch of its qualities and utile accomplishments will be taken off from this faculty and class. As making this class it has given a strong foundation for the ability to be able to work independently. Furthermore, working as portion of a squad and besides holding gained superior communicating accomplishments by concentrating on reassigning understanding, from one individual to another with the lower limit of misinterpretation. After finishing this faculty I have become extremely motivated and am a originative person. I now have an appetency for cognition and apprehension. Furthermore, I am a gifted and active individual with necessary practical and theoretical formal cognition in Engineering. I am able to convey a record of teamwork and leading, and strong analytical accomplishments which will enable me to execute magnificently in the concern universe. I have refined my analytical, communicating and job resolution accomplishments both inside and outside the academic environment. My recent experience as a company sectarian has taught me the importance of working with a item orientated attack and made me accustomed to bring forthing consequences while working under force per unit area. I am confident that my quantitative accomplishments will enable me to be highly effectual in concern development. This faculty aid fix me for interview as group presentation was 30 % of the faculty. Showing in forepart of audience and expecting designated inquiries. I will be utilizing this chance as a practise for a summer arrangement. From the group presentation I have gained, commercial consciousness, penetration of the field and self assurance. It helped in developing my accomplishments on package tools as I took the function of seting slides on PowerPoint. The construction and layout of presentation was formal accurate, elaborate and valuable. I surely could non hold done this wholly on my ain as an person. Boots The Chemist Company uses cross- functional squads to work on jobs stuck in the conventional administration. A endowment wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win title. The effectivity of squad work was surprising. I am more cognizant of consistence, truth meeting marks and deadlines in concern universe. I will wish to set all the accomplishments and cognition acquired into practise. When I complete my grade I am believing of traveling into the concern facet of telecommunication technology which is decidedly an option for me. I could work in gross revenues or in the selling sector. Am interested in making a postgraduate grade such as Masters in concern disposal ( MBA ) this will edify me more and I will hold the makings required. The work of McMclland ‘s acquired need theory ( 1985 ) proposed that some of import demands are non inherited but are learned. Most often surveies are the demands for accomplishment, association and power. Peoples with strong demand in these classs are frequently found in the function of enterpriser, squad co-ordination and top directors of big hierarchies. Team work is the cardinal component to success in a concern universe. Overall Young endeavor graduates programme has enabled me to be a end orientated single with clear vision of future aims, ability to listen and use effectual communicating accomplishments. It helped me as an technology pupil to develop positive attitudes and accomplishments necessary for personal success, practical accomplishments, employability, and lifelong acquisition. It encouraged me as an person in deriving an understanding the potency of future employer besides sing self-employment and concern creative activity as possible future calling options. This faculty gave me the chance to gain more approximately myself as a natural squad participant with desire for a hereafter and lament to larn every bit good as willing to work hard in a fast traveling disputing with a supportive environment. I am good at making invention solution to accomplish ends. There is a great trade of accent on ego directed acquisition in the faculty. This faculty has been a great experience as I have enjoyed the undertakings developed accomplishments for the universe of work.