China Economy Essay

The rapid rise of China as a major economic power within a time span of about three decades is often described by analysts as one of the greatest economic success stories in modern times. From 1979 (when economic reforms began) to 2011, China’s real gross domestic product (GDP) grew at an average annual rate of nearly 10%. From 1980 to 2011, real GDP grew 19-fold in real terms, real per capita GDP increased 14-fold, and an estimated 500 million people were raised out of extreme poverty. China is now the world’s second-largest economy and some analysts predict it could become the largest within a few years. Yet, on a per capita basis, China remains a relatively poor country. China’s economic rise has led to a substantial increase in U. S. -China economic ties. According to U. S. trade data, total trade between the two countries surged from $5 billion in 1980 to $503 billion in 2011. China is currently the United States’ second-largest trading partner, its third largest export market, and its largest source of imports. Many U. S. ompanies have extensive operations in China in order to sell their products in the booming Chinese market and to take advantage of lower-cost labor for export-oriented manufacturing. These operations have helped some U. S. firms to remain internationally competitive and have supplied U. S. consumers with a variety of low-cost goods. China’s large-scale purchases of U. S. Treasury securities (which totaled nearly $1. 2 trillion at the end of 2011) have enabled the federal government to fund its budget deficits, which help keep U. S. interest rates relatively low. However, the emergence of China as a major economic superpower has raised concern among many U. S. policymakers. Some claim that China uses unfair trade practices (such as an undervalued currency and subsidies given to domestic producers) to flood U. S. markets with low cost goods, and that such practices threaten American jobs, wages, and living standards. Others contend that China’s growing use of industrial policies to promote and protect certain domestic Chinese industries firms favored by the government, and its failure to take effective action against widespread infringement of U.  S. intellectual property rights (IPR) in China, threaten to undermine the competitiveness of U. S. IP-intensive industries. In addition, while China has become a large and growing market for U. S. exports, critics contend that numerous trade and investment barriers limit opportunities for U. S. firms to sell in China, or force them to set up production facilities in China as the price of doing business there. Other concerns relating to China’s economic growth include its growing demand for energy and raw materials and its emergence as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gasses. The Chinese government views a growing economy as vital to maintaining social stability. However, China faces a number of major economic challenges which could undermine future growth, including distortive economic policies that have resulted in over-reliance on fixed investment and exports for economic growth (rather than on consumer demand), government support for state-owned firms, a weak banking system, widening income gaps, growing pollution, and the relative lack of the rule of law in China. Many economists warn that such problems could undermine China’s future economic growth. The Chinese government has acknowledged these problems and has pledged to address them by implementing policies to boost consumer spending, expand social safety net coverage, and encourage the development of less-polluting industries. China’s Economy Prior to Reforms Prior to 1979, China, under the leadership of Chairman Mao Zedong, maintained a centrally planned, or command, economy. A large share of the country’s economic output was directed and controlled by the state, which set production goals, controlled prices, and allocated resources throughout most of the economy. During the 1950s, all of China’s individual household farms were collectivized into large communes. To support rapid industrialization, the central government undertook large-scale investments in physical and human capital during the 1960s and 1970s. As a result, by 1978 nearly three-fourths of industrial production was produced by centrally controlled, state-owned enterprises (SOEs), according to centrally planned output targets. Private enterprises and foreign-invested firms were generally barred. A central goal of the Chinese government was to make China’s economy relatively self-sufficient. Foreign trade was generally limited to obtaining only those goods that could not be made or obtained in China. Government policies kept the Chinese economy relatively stagnant and inefficient, mainly because most aspects of the economy were managed and run by the central government (and thus there were few profit incentives for firms, workers, and farmers), competition was virtually nonexistent, foreign trade and investment flows were mainly limited to Soviet bloc countries, and price and production controls caused widespread distortions in the economy. Chinese living standards were substantially lower than those of many other developing countries. The Chinese government in 1978 (shortly after the death of Chairman Mao in 1976) decided to break with its Soviet-style economic policies by gradually reforming the economy according to free market principles and opening up trade and investment with the West, in the hope that this would significantly increase economic growth and raise living standards. As Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, the architect of China’s economic reforms, put it: â€Å"Black cat, white cat, what does it matter what color the cat is as long as it catches mice? The Introduction of Economic Reforms Beginning in 1979, China launched several economic reforms. The central government initiated price and ownership incentives for farmers, which enabled them to sell a portion of their crops on the free market. In addition, the government established four special economic zones along the coast for the purpose of attract ing foreign investment, boosting exports, and importing high technology products into China. Additional reforms, which followed in stages, sought to decentralize economic policymaking in several sectors, especially trade. Economic control of various enterprises was given to provincial and local governments, which were generally allowed to operate and compete on free market principles, rather than under the direction and guidance of state planning. In addition, citizens were encouraged to start their own businesses. Additional coastal regions and cities were designated as open cities and development zones, which allowed them to experiment with free market reforms and to offer tax and trade incentives to attract foreign investment. In addition, state price controls on a wide range of products were gradually eliminated. Trade liberalization was also a major key to China’s economic success. Removing trade barriers encouraged greater competition and attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows. China’s gradual implementation of economic reforms sought to identify which policies produced favorable economic outcomes (and which did not) so that they could be implemented in other parts of the country, a process Deng Xiaoping reportedly referred to as â€Å"crossing the river by touching the stones. † China’s Economic Growth Since Reforms: 1979-2012 Since the introduction of economic reforms, China’s economy has grown substantially faster than during the pre-reform period (see Table 1). According to the Chinese government, from 1953 to 1978, real annual GDP growth was estimated at 6. 7%, although many analysts claim that Chinese economic data during this period are highly questionable because government officials often exaggerated production levels for a variety of political reasons. Agnus Maddison estimates China’s average annual real GDP during this period at 4. %. China’s economy suffered economic downturns during the leadership of Chairman Mao Zedong, including during the Great Leap Forward from 1958 to 1960 (which led to a massive famine and reportedly the deaths of tens of millions of people) and the Cultural Revolution from 1966 to 1976 (which caused political chaos and greatly disrupted the economy). During the reform period (1979-2011), Chinaâ €™s average annual real GDP grew by 9. 9%. This essentially has meant that, on average China has been able to double the size of its economy in real terms every eight years. The global economic slowdown, which began in 2008, impacted the Chinese economy (especially the export sector). China’s real GDP growth fell from 14. 2% in 2007 to 9. 6% in 2008 to 9. 2% in 2009. In response, the Chinese government implemented a large economic stimulus package and an expansive monetary policy. These measures boosted domestic investment and consumption and helped prevent a sharp economic slowdown in China. In 2010, China’s real GDP grew by 10. 4%, and in 2011 it rose by 9. 2%. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that China’s real GDP will grow by 7. 8% in 2012. From 2013 to 2017, the IMP projects that China’s real GDP growth will average 8. 5%. Table 1- China’s average annual real GDP growth. Causes of China’s Economic Growth Economists generally attribute much of China’s rapid economic growth to two main factors: large-scale capital investment (financed by large domestic savings and foreign investment) and rapid productivity growth. These two factors appear to have gone together hand in hand. Economic reforms led to higher efficiency in the economy, which boosted output and increased resources for additional investment in the economy. China has historically maintained a high rate of savings. When reforms were initiated in 1979, domestic savings as a percentage of GDP stood at 32%. However, most Chinese savings during this period were generated by the profits of SOEs, which were used by the central government for domestic investment. Economic reforms, which included the decentralization of economic production, led to substantial growth in Chinese household savings as well as corporate savings. As a result, China’s gross savings as a percentage of GDP has steadily risen, reaching 53. 9% in 2010 (compared to a U. S. rate of 9. 3%), and is among the highest savings rates in the world. The large level of savings has enabled China to boost domestic investment. In fact, its gross domestic savings levels far exceed its domestic investment levels, meaning that China is a large net global lender. Several economists have concluded that productivity gains (i. e. , increases in efficiency) have been another major factor in China’s rapid economic growth. The improvements to productivity were caused largely by a reallocation of resources to more productive uses, especially in sectors that were formerly heavily controlled by the central government, such as agriculture, trade, and services. For example, agricultural reforms boosted production, freeing workers to pursue employment in the more productive manufacturing sector. China’s decentralization of the economy led to the rise of non-state enterprises (such as private firms), which tended to pursue more productive activities than the centrally controlled SOEs and were more market-oriented, and hence, more efficient. Additionally, a greater share of the economy (mainly the export sector) was exposed to competitive forces. Local and provincial governments were allowed to establish and operate various enterprises on market principles, without interference from the central government. In addition, FDI in China brought with it new technology and processes that boosted efficiency. As indicated in Figure 2, China has achieved high rates of total factor productivity (TFP) growth relative to the United States. TFP represents an estimate of the part of economic output growth not accounted for by the growth in inputs (such as labor and capital), and is often attributed to the effects of technological change and efficiency gains. China experiences faster TFP growth than most developed countries such as the United States because of its ability to access and utilize existing foreign technology and know-how. High TFP growth rates have been a major factor behind China’s rapid economic growth rate. However, as China’s technological development begins to approach that of major developed countries, its level of productivity gains, and thus, real GDP growth, could slow significantly from its historic 10% average, unless China becomes a major center for new technology and innovation and/or implements new comprehensive economic reforms. As indicated in Figure 3, the EIU currently projects that China’s real GDP growth will slow considerably in the years ahead, averaging 7. 0% from 2012 to 2020, and falling to 3. 7% from 2021 to 2030. The Chinese government has indicated its desire to move away from its current economic model of fast growth at any cost to more â€Å"smart† economic growth, which seeks to reduce reliance on energy-intensive and high-polluting industries and rely more on high technology, green energy, and services. China also has indicated it wants to obtain more balanced economic growth. Measuring the Size of China’s Economy The rapid growth of the Chinese economy has led many analysts to speculate if and when China will overtake the United States as the â€Å"world’s largest economic power. † The â€Å"actual† size of China’s economy has been a subject of extensive debate among economists. Measured in U. S. dollars using nominal exchange rates, China’s GDP in 2011 was $7. 2 trillion, less than half the size of the U. S. economy. The per capita GDP (a common measurement of a country’s living standards) of China was $5,460, which was 12% the size of Japan’s level and 11% that of the United States (see Table 2). Many economists contend that using nominal exchange rates to convert Chinese data (or that of other countries) into U. S. dollars fails to reflect the true size of China’s economy and living standards relative to the United States. Nominal exchange rates simply reflect the prices of foreign currencies vis-a-vis the U. S. dollar and such measurements exclude differences in the prices for goods and services across countries. To illustrate, one U. S. dollar exchanged for local currency in China would buy more goods and services there than it would in the United States. This is because prices for goods and services in China are generally lower than they are in the United States. Conversely, prices for goods and services in Japan are generally higher than they are in the United States (and China). Thus, one dollar exchanged for local Japanese currency would buy fewer goods and services there than it would in the United States. Economists attempt to develop estimates of exchange rates based on their actual purchasing power relative to the dollar in order to make more accurate comparisons of economic data across countries, usually referred to as a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis. The PPP exchange rate increases the (estimated) measurement of China’s economy and its per capita GDP. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, (EIU), which utilizes World Bank data, prices for goods and services in China are 41. 5% the level they are in the United States. Adjusting for this price differential raises the value of China’s 2011 GDP from $7. 2 trillion (nominal dollars) to $11. 4 trillion (on a PPP basis). This would indicate that China’s economy is 76. 0% the size of the U. S. economy. China’s share of global GDP on a PPP basis rose from 3. 7% in 1990 to 14. % in 2011 (the U. S. share of global GDP peaked at 24. 3% in 1999 and declined to 18. 9% in 2011); see Figure 4. Many economic analysts predict that on a PPP basis China will soon overtake the United States as the world’s largest economy. EIU, for example, projects this will occur by 2016, and that by 2030, China’s economy could be 30% larger than that of the United St ates. This would not be the first time in history that China was the world’s largest economy (see text box). The PPP measurement also raises China’s 2011 per capita GDP (from $5,460) to $8,650, which was 17. 9% of the U. S. evel. The EIU projects this level will rise to 34. 3% by 2030. Thus, although China will likely become the world’s largest economy in a few years on a PPP basis, it will likely take many years for its living standards to approach U. S. levels. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in China China’s trade and investment reforms and incentives led to a surge in FDI beginning in the early 1990s. Such flows have been a major source of China’s productivity gains and rapid economic and trade growth. There were reportedly 445,244 foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) registered in China in 2010, employing 55. million workers or 15. 9% of the urban workforce. As indicated in Figure 5, FIEs account for a significant share of China’s industrial output. That level rose from 2. 3% in 1990 to a high of 35. 9% in 2003, but fell to 27. 1% by 2010. In addition, FIE’s are responsible for a significant level of China’s foreign trade. In 2011, FIEs in China accounted for 52. 4% of China’s exports and 49. 6% of its imports, although this level was down from its peak in 2006 when FIEs’ share of Chinese exports and imports was 58. 2% and 59. 7%, respectively, as indicated in Figure 6. FIEs in China dominate China’s high technology exports. From 2002 to 2010, the share of China’s high tech exports by FIEs rose from 79% to 82%. During the same period, the share of China’s high tech exports by wholly owned foreign firms (which excludes foreign joint ventures with Chinese firms) rose from 55% to 67%. According to the Chinese government, annual FDI inflows into China grew from $2 billion in 1985 to $108 billion in 2008. Due to the effects of the global economic slowdown, FDI flows to China fell by 12. 2% to $90 billion in 2009. They totaled $106 billion in 2010 and $116 billion in 2011 (see Figure 7). Chinese data for January-October 2012 indicate that FDI fell by 3. 5% on a year-on-year basis; FDI into China will likely total around $112. 1 billion for the full year. Hong Kong was reported as the largest source of FDI flows to China in 2011 (63. 9% of total), followed by Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and the United States. The cumulative level (or stock) of FDI in China at the end of 2011 is estimated at $1. 2 trillion, making it one of the world’s largest destinations of FDI. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, China was the world’s second-largest destination for FDI flows in 2011, after the United States (see Figure 8). The largest sources of cumulative FDI in China for 1979-2011 were Hong Kong (43. 5% of total), the British Virgin Islands, Japan, the United States, and Taiwan (see Table 3). According to Chinese data, annual U. S. FDI flows to China peaked at $5. 4 billion in 2002 (10. 2% of total FDI in China). In 2011, they were $3. 0 billion or 2. 6% of total FDI (see Figure 9). From January to October 2012, U. S. FDI in China rose by 3. 8% (year-on-year).

Drunk Driving in America and Penalty Research Paper

Drunk Driving in America and Penalty - Research Paper Example In order to deal with the dilemma of drunk driving every state has formulated and implemented different sets of drunk driving laws, enforcements, courts and procedure of punishment. It is found that sometimes the complexity of the laws allow the offenders to escape without facing any punishment whereas the offenders can also avoid the conviction through plea bargain. The experts have identified some flaws in the drunken driving laws and have called for making some necessary changed in the punishment structure to avoid further cases of drunken driving accidents. The essay aims to discuss the effects of drunk driving and the laws made to prevent drunk driving. The essay also examines the effectiveness of these laws and need to make them stricter. Effects of Drunk Driving Drunk driving draws serious and long lasting impacts upon the health and lives of the people involved however, it is commonly observed that people are not well aware of the serious consequences of this habit and they r ealize it very late. The seriousness of the drunken driving impact could be estimated from the fact that every thirty minute a person is killed and every two minute a person is injured in America due to drunk driving. ... Thousands of people are killed every year in America as a result of such accidents and thousands of other got injuries when they got involved in the accidents where the driver is drunk (Hedlund and McCartt, 2002). The drunk driving also because damage of property, vehicles and other objects that came in the circle of the vehicle being driven by a drunk driver. Hence, drunk driving cause both financial and human loss and has become a very tough challenge for the society (Scott, 2006). Drunk driving is very common in America. Almost 21percent of the Americans have informed that they have driven after drinking in the part years which means that millions of trips are taken by the drunk drivers each year, many of them resulted in accidents and injuries. Though there are several laws formulated to prevent drinking driving but these laws are not very harsh. The arrests of the drunk drivers are very rare in America because people are usually released after warning or small punishment. There is need to develop improved drunk driving control system in order to assure that the people who drive after drinking are arrested consistently and are also convicted and punished according to the law. People must be made aware that they have to face stick legal procedure when they will catch involved in the drunken driving incident (Valle, 1986). Drunk Driving Laws and Punishments The effects of drunk driving have compelled the states to crack down on the offenders of the drinking driving laws and to make the legal framework more effective to deal with such people in very harsh manner. The terms DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while intoxicated) are commonly used to refer to the offenders of the drinking driving laws and it is strongly demanded

Personal and professional development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Personal and professional development - Essay Example Adopting Gibbs Model of reflection, commonly used among health professionals as indicated by Taylor (2004), this paper would describe what I learnt during my transition period, my feelings on that then evaluate the program and give a conclusion and the impact on my future professional growth. This reflection respects the principle of confidentiality for the clients and institution as stipulated in the Code cited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council, NMC (2010). Description: In a transition program, students reflect on various learning activities in their field of study that they have been engaged in. My second year transition activity was undertaken in a pharmacy. It was a one day activity that involved learning the operations in the pharmacy and the roles of a pharmacist. I observed how the pharmacist received prescriptions and orders for medicine and the due process involved before giving the medicine or dispatching ordered medicines. I also studied the side effects that specific m edications would have when administered to psychiatric patients. Rationale The motivator for choosing this kind of transition program was the desire to develop my knowledge on identification of different available drugs and how such medicines would work in the human body. Among my aims was to understand drug calculation and administration which is a critical skill in avoiding adverse effects due to poor medication. My interaction with the pharmacy team equipped me with the knowledge on the required procedure for dispensing drugs and what measures to take so as to curb medication errors in healthcare institutions, a paramount skill in my future role as a nurse. Thus, this analysis paper evaluates my experience with psychotropic medication, communication and its importance in a healthcare setting, legislation on drugs and pharmacy operations. Feelings: When I started this transition program, I expected to learn so little because the program was only to run for a day. More so, I expect ed that since to the pharmacy team it would be a normal working day, they would have little time to explain to me their operations. But the team was co-operative and helpful which made me view them as colleagues. Despite me being a student, they respected me and I will not forget the pharmacist always wanting me close so that I could learn effectively and as much as possible. Evaluation: Among the people with mental health disorders, the greatest needs include understanding the happenings within their environments; feeling their emotions but also learning to manage them; being able to communicate with those who make decisions for them; and feeling stable in their thinking (Solchany 2011). Medications have been used in treating mental disorders symptoms in conditions of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, ADHD. These medications used for treating mental health and behavioural problems are referred to as psychot ropic medication as used by the National Institute of Mental Health, NIMH (2008). There are varied types of these medications for particular circumstances and among the ones I encountered include antidepressants such as imipramine and clomipramine selling under the brands Tofranil and Anafranil respectively; anti-obsession medication including fluoxetine and vilazodone trading under the brands Prozac and Vibryd; and psycho-stimulants such as metyhlyphenidate trading under th

Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Project - Essay Example It is also important to note that some motors produce immense output power, but cannot be efficient enough. It is under such conditions that people make use of H Bridge in the efficient control of the Motors’ direction. Project Fundamentals An H-bridge circuit refers to a power circuit that is electric, and used in the control of electric motors like DC motors used in automotive applications. The H-bridge functions in controlling the direction and speed of the motor by allowing a limited amount of current to flow in the motor through the right direction (Barrett, 2012). It is made up of four MOSFETs, which are under the control of control signals of the (PWM) Pulse Width Modulation. The original design of the DC motor control incorporates Multisim LabVIEW co-simulation that permits the performance of the entire system to be authenticated on the desktop. The motor has such parameters as inductance, the load weight, and armature resistance for accurate verification of the result s of the performance. The use of a multisim-labVIEW co-simulation ensures that one shall not have to digital and analog systems separately. During the implementation stage of the model, the circuitry of the analog can be transferred for photocopying to the Ultiboard. Such a transition between the Ultiboard and Multisim makes sure that there is a precise convey of simulated designs. The graphical code of control is moved to a Single Board Rio 9695 target. This is usually an acquisition device and an embedded control that puts together a FPGA that is user-reconfigurable, a real time processor, and input or output of printed circuit board. The four MOSFETs needed in designing a H-bridge can be demonstrated with the diagram below. Two of the MOSEFETs should be of P channel (IRF9540N), while the other two should be of N channel (IRF540N). They should be designed in such a way that the motor’s rotation is controlled through an on-off-on switch. The motor’s closed-loop contro l starts through inputs that are user-defined such as the necessary step size and speed. This message is resent to the Multisim design through the co-simulation terminals. Negotiations between labVIEW and Muiltisim occur as a guarantee in conversation and accuracy for both sides. In case of abrupt drops or peaks in Multisim, negotiation in time-step allows Multisim to alter the available time-step to view the drops and peaks. A point by point model between digital systems and analog circuits results to an advanced system both in accuracy and behavior. Once the verification of the system design has been made with Multisim and labVIEW co-simulation, the complete circuit can be moved to Ultiboard for routing and layout. List of Components The list of components used in the circuit includes: MOSFET P Channel (IRF9540N) – 2 MOSFET N Channel (IRF540N) – 2 Motor – DC 6 volts Battery – 9 volts Switch – 1 Connecting Wires and Strip Board Controlling the Mot or The control of the motor is done through the two ways switch connected to Q1 and Q3 of the circuit. If a signal is sent to Q1the motor is stimulated to move in a forward direction, while on the other hand, if a signal is sent to q3 the motor is stimulated run in a reverse direction. It is never possible to sent signals to both Q1 and Q3at the same time because of the use of on off on switch. This can be summarized using the following table: Q1 Q3 Stop 0

Explain the importance of consistency between firms in various Essay

Explain the importance of consistency between firms in various countries in keeping standard accounting practices. Where possible give examples to illustrate your answer - Essay Example Most importantly, it can be affirmed that the significance of consistency between firms in varied nations in the context of keeping standard accounting practices lay in raising transparency of financial reporting procedure (Securities and Exchange Commission, 2008). With this concern, the prime intent of this essay intends to analyze and discuss the importance of consistency between firms in terms of standard accounting process relating to cross-border transactions. Moreover, appropriate examples will also be provided while elaborating the above stated aspect. Standard accounting practices are regarded as structured accounting processes that aid in measuring the financial position and status of an entity. The prime objective of preparing financial statements for any business organization is to make economic decisions more accurately. Based on the viewpoints of Holloway (2011), standard accounting practices assist business entities in keeping proper record of their respective assets, liabilities, income as well as expenses along with equity and cash flow among others (Holloway, 2011). According to the report published by Governance across Borders (2013), it can be ascertained that fair presentation is highly essential for ensuring rising transparency by keeping and following varied standard accounting practices. At the same time, it can be affirmed that faithful representation of transactions can also ensure greater consistency between firms in case of cross border business operations (Governance across Borders, 2013). According to the viewpoints of Ramanna & Sletten (2009), varied standard accounting practices such as IFRSs assist global nations as well as organizations to maintain fairness in the accounting transactions. At the same time, these practices ensure keeping consistency between firms by representing realistic figures of assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a firm during the conduct of business

Service Learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Service Learning - Essay Example In this regard, service learning can be defined as the method that involves the teaching of students through active formal learning together with enhanced participation in the social contexts such as community development. In this regard, the principals and practices of the formal learning processes are run concurrently with the social practices that are mainly beneficial to the immediate community (Carrington & Saggers, 2008). Indeed, service learning is normally under the category of experimental education whereby its implementation occurs in the form of youth service. Due to its complex nature, service learning normally goes hand in hand with the interaction of various people of all diversity (Butin, 2008). Due to this effect, the academic service learning has proved itself beyond any reasonable doubt that it is certainly an effective program for preparing new teachers to work with people from diverse groups. This means that a number of specific skills and knowledge exist that bot h the students and the teachers acquire in the process. In this sense, these skills do a great deal of work in improving the educational outcomes of children from diverse backgrounds (Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, 2011). This paper, with specific reference to Butin’s conceptual framework, analytically discusses the impact of academic service learning in promoting coping with diversity at the educational institutions in order to improve the learning outcomes of the students. Indeed, academic service learning is a crucial process of learning that incorporates both the formal and the communal components of the educational framework that the students undergo in order to be wholesome (Butin, 2008). While the students undergo thoughtfully organized learning, they in the process engage in such activities that are gainful to the community at large. This helps strengthen the bond between the teachers, students, and the locals of the communities with the schools being th e epicenter of this mutual relationship. This service normally meets the needs of the immediate community through the integration of the academic curriculum of the students into the educational components that relate to the community in order to reflect an experience of service (National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, 2013). More often than not, the opportunities that service learning offers students range from the application of the learning of the classroom to the enhancement of the local agencies that are in existence for the benefit of the community (Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, 2011). Therefore, service learning broadly involves the deliverance of service to others through an organized academic learning criterion (Butin, 2008). A simple service learning activity may involve collecting trash in the urban areas to add value to the community before proceeding to a thorough scrutiny of the effect of the trash collected on the environment through a classroom and lab oratory process. Afterwards, the students may opt to share the results of their findings as far as pollution is concerned with the local residents in an attempt to sensitize them on the need to protect and conserve the environment (Carrington & Saggers, 2008). Through such activities of service learning, both students and teachers are bound to cope

Human Resources Questions Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human Resources Questions - Coursework Example These barriers often prevented the access of women or needful people in the rightful-places such as in educational institutions or for employment. Affirmative action was the result of the slavery and the injustice done by the white race towards the Anglo-Americans. The citizens of America got opportunities of employment and education on the basis of their color code. The term affirmative action comes from the age old concept of equity or justice. The discrimination done between the black and the white and injustice of the ruling class of America in the twentieth century was the cause for affirmative order. After Barrack Obama became the president of America, it was felt that the affirmative action was no longer required. This is because it became clear from the fact that the citizens, the country and its governing body has understood the importance of providing equal opportunity to people round the world in their country for employment and for getting into educational institutions or other rightful places. This is the actual meaning of globalization (Rubio, 2001, p. 1-2). Generally it is seen that that the performance appraisal depends on the feedback of the employees or the superiors of the company, but the advent of teamwork, training and development of the employees and customer services have shifted the focus of collecting feedback just from employees and superiors to the customers, peer groups and even subordinates as shown in figure 1. This is also called multiple feedback approach for conducting performance appraisal and it is also called 360 degree evaluation. Several past research have shown that 360 degree method of evaluation is accurate, reliable and authentic source of information. In this method the supervisors, subordinates, peers, customers are included to assess the performance of an employee. Considering the organizational culture and the mission of the company,