The Negative Consequences of Deforestation

Earth without forests is a picture that most of human-kind presently could not conceive. Forests cover much of the planet†s land area. They are extremely important to humans and the natural world. However, deforestation has been consuming our forests. Deforestation brings about a lot of unexpected effects on the earth and results in many negative consequences. â€Å"If the current rate of deforestation continues, the world†s rain forests will vanish within 100 years-causing unknown effects on global climate and eliminating the majority of plant and animal species on the planet,† according to NASA†s Earth Observatory. Deforestation increases the greenhouse effect and accelerates global warming. It also causes erosion, and the silting of lakes or rivers is caused by soil erosion. The same source claims that deforestation is very hard to be stopped because â€Å"the causes of deforestation are very complex. † There are several reasons why this current trend exists. Deforestation occurs in many ways. People destroy or degrade forests because, for them, the benefits seem to outweigh the costs. Underlying causes include such issues as poverty, unequal land ownership, women†s status, education and the explosive growth of the population. Immediate causes are often concerned with a search for land and resources, including both commercial timber and fuelwood. One of the main indirect causes of deforestation is poverty, particularly poverty in rural areas. Although poverty is not a â€Å"principal cause† of deforestation, it is a living condition that the majority of people in this world must endure. While greed and power can be the motivations of some groups in society that deforest, survival and the desire to escape from poverty is what drives most people. Poverty is not only the socioeconomic environment that limits people†s economic options, damages health but also reduces income generating opportunities. It is an underlying condition that facilitates deforestation. There is some evidence from the industrialized countries of the North that suggests as societies become more economically secure they reach a point where the economic development pressures that drive deforestation are replaced by a growing environmental concern and a greater appreciation of environmental values. However, for most developing countries that point is off in the far distant future. Most tropical countries are very poor by U. S standards, and farming is a basic way of life for a large part of the population. According to NASA†s article, in Brazil, for example, â€Å"the average annual earnings per person is U. S. $5400, compared to $26,980 per person is the United States (World Bank, 1998)†, and in Bolivia, â€Å"which holds part of the Amazon rain forest, the average earnings per person is $800. † The rural poor have very few options. There are few prospects of off-farm employment in either the urban centers or the rural areas. Illiteracy further limits the options of many because they do not have the basic tools needed to pursue other economic alternatives to subsistence farming. With few alternatives available to them, the rural poor consider forests as a short-term solution to their economic problems. Deforestation happens as a result of poverty. More important than that, commercial logging is considered as the major direct cause of deforestation. NASA†s Earth Observatory asserts that â€Å"logging can occur selectively-where only the economically valuable species are cut or by clearcutting, where all the trees are cut. † The forces of large global markets for wood and wood products drive the scale of logging activities. Logging in the tropics does not in any way resemble scientific forestry and is often characterized by a â€Å"cut-and-get-out† mentality in logging companies. Forestry uses science and management skills to manipulate the natural vegetation to favor the long term production of a selected number of goods and services. In contrast, most tropical logging involves the short term exploitation of only industrial wood products with no eye to the future of the forests. The intensity of logging in Asia†s forests is much higher than in the forests found in America or Europe. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates: â€Å"About half the land area of South America and Europe is covered by forest, but only one-sixth of Asia's land is forested. † And â€Å"a study in Indonesia found that when only 3% of the trees were cut, a logging operation damaged 49% of the trees in the forest,† as the article from NASA has noted. In addition, at the national level, governments sell logging concessions to raise money for projects, to pay international debt, or to develop industry. The logging companies seek to harvest the forest and make profit from the sales of pulp and valuable hardwoods such as mahogany. They use heavy machinery, such as bulldozers, road graders, and log skidders, to remove cut trees and build roads, â€Å"which is just as damaging to a forest overall as the chainsaws are to the individual trees,† according to the same source from NASA. Logging is done because of profits. Not only individual lumberjacks but also logging companies seek material advantage. Therefore, any country that does not have a suitable forest management will gain a higher level of deforestation by commercial logging. As we have seen, the causes of deforestation are very complex. Knowing the main indirect and direct causes help us improve our understanding of the causes and also the effects of climatic and environmental change, so that we may become more effective and efficient managers of our natural resources, as well as mitigate potential impacts from natural disasters.

Main features of the five sector circular flow model Essay

The five-sector circular flow model represents an open economy like Australia’s, and demonstrates the important relationships between the different sectors in the Australian market economy. It is the last circular flow model because it does not have any assumptions that need to be left out such as governments and trade. The five parts of the model: households, firms, finance, Government and overseas sectors work collectively to form the economy. The inter-relationships between these sectors create market economic conditions that affect every Australian. The model of the economy demonstrates that it literally works as a flow or a cycle. It can the be further defined to include two flows, one, a flow of goods and services and the other, a flow of money. The flow diagram demonstrates that when one sector is at risk it puts economic market conditions in jeopardy because they are all reliant upon one another. The Australian Economy is open, which is its open to flows of goods, services and capital from overseas using different currencies (with fixed exchange rates). In the open economy income is used for consumption, savings, tax or spent on imports. The new feature in the five-sector model is the overseas sector that includes imports and exports – Trade. The same principles apply to this model as the imports are represented as spending, however the money goes out of the economy. Money spent on imports by households or firms reduce income spent in the economy and are therefore classified as ‘leakages’ from the model. Imports can be categorised as the consumption of goods and services from the rest of the World and they reduce income, expenditure, output and employment from the Australian market economy. Importing goods mean that fewer Australian resources are utilised and production falls. Thus, the level of income decreases and the flow of money becomes smaller. Eventually however the flow would return to equilibrium but at a lesser rate and the circular flow would have contracted. Furthermore, exports of goods and services generate income for exporters from overseas households or firms who pay for these exports. An Australian export is essentially a product or service that is produced here and sold to  another country generating income for Australian businesses. Exports are therefore a form of injection of income into the circular flow without using Australian resources to produce them. With both imports and exports taking place as the new addition to the five-sector economy the circular flow is again complete. All income is consumed, saved, taxed and now can be used to purchase imports. The economy is in equilibrium when income equals output equals expenditure or simply, Injections equal Leakages. The open economy will be in equilibrium when savings plus taxation plus imports equals investment plus Government spending plus exports. However, this does not mean that savings has to equal investment only that the total of S plus T plus M equals the total of I plus G plus X. However equilibrium is not necessarily a desirable or non-desirable thing. Being at equilibrium is fine or at the point where savings, tax and imports are less than investments, Government spending and exports where this will cause a boom or expansion in economic activity however, being the opposite of this will cause a recession or contraction in economic activity. On a chart this is represented when the supply and demand curves intersect at the point where supply and demand are equal. The price at which the number of products that businesses are willing to supply equals the amount of products that consumers are willing to buy at a specific point in time. Governments can stimulate or contract economic activity depending on the current state of the economy, world issues (including other economies around the world) and political matters. When the economy is at equilibrium they can choose to stimulate the economy by being at a point of budget deficit, which would increase spending, they can also do this by lowering taxes. If they want to reduce economic activity they can increase taxes, which may create political instability at the same time, or they can generate a point of budget surplus which would slow spending. Governments only have so much impact on the economy using this method. To have more influence and impact they produce some goods their self, they do this by owning large companies or shares in them such as Telstra and Australia Post which have a large amount of economic influence. Not only do these companies have a large  amount of monetary influence every Australian relies on atleast one of their companies/services everyday . The circular flow diagram can be used to analyse the position of the Australian economy. To do this you must first understand how the diagram works. The diagram flows in a cycle. Look at a point on the diagram and follow the arrows to see where it has come from and where it can go. Research economic current economic conditions in Australia and then see what affect this can have overall by looking at the sectors flowing to and away from it. Problems have an overall effect on every part of the circular flow model however, because if one thing goes wrong then it effects everything throughout the whole cycle until it returns to where it began. The five sector circular flow model is very useful is helping to easily understand the way an open economy such as Australia works. It is a complete model including all possible sectors leaving nothing to assume. On a more careful analysis it even becomes possible to workout ways of stimulating and suppressing the economy using assumptions and simple equations. This model is especially helpful to students seeking an easy way to understand the way an open economy functions and the different affect certain problems can bring about.

Disney Park in Hong Kong Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Disney Park in Hong Kong - Case Study Example Tourists might just switch to Shanghai as a key tourism destination. Moreover, the increased flow of tourists more likely will have a negative environmental impact due to increased pollution, consumption, waste, and increased infrastructure (Horner & Swarbrooke, 2004). Â  The arguments for locating a new Disney park in Hong Kong are the following: increase of the national income due to increased leisure tourism activity, creation of new jobs in the area, enhancement of the international image of Hong Kong, and some others economic and social benefits. The arguments against locating a new Disney park in Hong Kong are mainly associated with the risks of this project, as it might be not as profitable as expected due to similar attractions in China, Shanghai. The government has offered some exclusive terms for Disney location and has taken serious obligations towards building the infrastructure required. However, Disneyland in Shanghai might become a too serious competitor to Hong Kong (Horner & Swarbrooke, 2004). Â  The potential risks for the Disney organization of entering into a joint venture with the government to develop the new park in Hong Kong are associated with the extremely high dependence of the company on the government. Minority stakeholder’s share (43%) sets Disney’s management in more vulnerable and dependent position. Disney has its strong corporate culture and other organizational principles. The vision of Disney and Hong Kong government may vary, and thus cause a conflict between the parties. Â  The Hong Kong Disneyland turned out to be a not as successful project as it was expected.

Marriage Equality Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Marriage Equality - Research Paper Example nterparts of a Christian Religion (The Seventh-Day Adventist and the Roman Catholic) based on their opinions and insights about marriage equality that the LGBT people take as their major concern. The theological views of the two specific religions of Christianity would be explored. Therefore, the study could find out who among the religious groups have brought changes and decisions for the marriage equality bringing along the reputation of Christianism. It has been emphasized in the church manual of the Seventh - day Adventist religion that the couples for marriage should be heterosexual partners (Seventh-Day Adventist, 2005). According to Cook (2012), the Seventh-Day Adventist is opposed to same-sex marriage. This is also relative to their views that majority of the people to lesbians, gays, bisexual, and transgenders (LGBT) are mostly perceived as anti-Christ or atheist (Cook, 2012). Therefore, it could be that this kind of perception made the adventist church to totally block the LGBT with their rights to marry their same-sex partners. Moreover, the constricted faith of the Seventh-day Adventist church to their sacred scriptures made them to forbid the modern issue to agree the terms for marriage equality. The Seventh-day Adventists claim that people are the apples in the eye of God, a supernatural being with an omnipresent soul (â€Å"Stances of Faiths on LGBT Issues†, 2012). Therefore, every individual is essential to God wherein every person would be bestowed with the fresh and spirit of God that is considered as holy. Human bodys flesh and soul must be filled with the sacredness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enlivens every being, and it is the duty of a man to take good care of his body and soul for an everlasting life. A man and a woman must make a righteous deed of taking how his body must be holy because the Adventists or any living Christian believe that the body is a temple of God. They also believe that a man and a woman is created in the

Money laundering Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Money laundering - Essay Example Furthermore, the ML does not have to involve physical exchange of money or currency. Modern concept therefore considers a transaction or formation of relationship to be a case of money laundering if it involves any form of property or benefit, tangible or intangible earned through criminal activity which includes tax evasion. ML does not necessarily require movement of criminal proceeds for being laundered. Thus, financial institutions especially banks can easily get involved in money laundering process when money earned in a legitimate activity and deposited into a bank account in another country by a person becomes a laundered money assumed as done with the connivance of the bank if he fails to declared the earnings in his tax return in the country in which it has been earned and the bank also fails to report it as s suspicious activity (Hopton 2009). The USA Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has defined money laundering as â€Å"the criminal practice of filtering il l-gotten gains† or â€Å"dirty† currency through a sequence of dealings, so the currency is â€Å"cleaned† to appear as if earned by lawful conduct (McClean 2007). Criminals resort to money laundering to legitimise substantial portion of their ill-gotten wealth as otherwise they cannot put it to use. Moreover, they do not need the entire money for their ongoing criminal ventures. They are motivated to launder their tainted money in order to have respectful postitions in society by investing the money so earned in respectable avenues. The proceeds of crime were once said to channel through launderettes in the USA to enable the actual notes to be offered as lawful commercial income, thus earning the expression â€Å"Money Laundering† (McClean 2007). Money Laundering process It involves three stages as per the tradition. First, placement of funds of criminal origin in to the financial system through direct or indirect means. Second, resorting to layering by w hich receipt of criminal proceeds are blurred through creation of layers of financial transactions with the object of hiding the audit trail and providing anonymity. Third, after successful layering, integration process pumps the laundered money into the mainstream economy so as to make them appear as funds received during the course of business. These stages are subtle in that they more often overlap or take place simultaneously (Hopton 2009). The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) FATF is autonomous body representing various governments and entrusted with introduction of measures to ensure against ML and providing funds for terrorism using the global financial system. The recommendations of FATF are required to be implemented to counter money laundering and considered as the standard for anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) (FATF 2010). Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) FINRA is the autonomous regulatory body of the USA governing activiti es of securities firms in the United Sates. Anti-money laundering compliance program of FINRA requires each member to develop anti-money laundering program so designed as to monitor the member’s compliance with the requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act (31 USC) (FINRA n.d.). Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) Suspicious Activity Reporting is the requirement to be complied with by all financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, brokers or dealers in securities

Aussie Slang Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Aussie Slang - Essay Example 8. To lend an air of solidity, concreteness, to the abstract; of earthiness to the idealistic; of immediacy and appositeness to the remote. (In the cultured the effort is usually premeditated, while in the uncultured it is almost always unconscious when it is not rather subconscious.) 9c. To soften the tragedy, to lighten or to 'prettify' the inevitability of death or madness, or to mask the ugliness or the pity of profound turpitude (e.g. treachery, ingratitude); and/or thus to enable the speaker or his auditor or both to endure, to 'carry on'. 15. To be secret - not understood by those around one. (Children, students, lovers, members of political secret societies, and criminals in or out of prison, innocent persons in prison, are the chief exponents.)" Australian slang, also known as Strine, is iconic to Australia and differentiated from the British English. Australian English is so different from the other varieties of English in accent and vocabulary that it almost sounds like a different language altogether. It must be admitted that the Aussie slang can be baffling to people from other parts of the world. Australians take pride in speaking their slang and believe that it reflects their attitude to life. The Aussie slang always brings to mind the harsh Australian land, and the no-nonsense "lets get on with it"

Informative speech on the UFC Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Informative speech on the UFC - Essay Example All the reference sources are mention under the title â€Å"Works Cited†. The aim of this speech is to reveal information regarding UFC and provide others with the useful information that how and when it was established? What makes it unique and what it holds in it for its fans? The objective will be achieved by starting with a short introduction of UFC, then mentioning about its hold all over the world with statistics and figures and telling briefly about the fighter’s categories, rounds and the final decision criteria of the referees and judges. When we talk about the fights, how can we forget about mentioning Ultimate Championship (UFC)? UFC is the largest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sports. It produces the fighting events world-wide. Initially started as an inspiration of  Vale Tudo  Tournaments in  Brazil,  the UFC and the sport of MMA have roots in the ancient Olympic  combat sport of  Pankration. The UFC held its first competition in 1993 in Denver, Colorado. Showcasing fighters of different disciplines including  boxing,  Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling,  Muay Thai,  karate  and other styles, the UFC sought to identify the most effective  martial art  in a real fight. An ongoing expansion of UFC through Canada, Australia, Europe, Middle East, Asia and the exploration of new markets within the USA has lead it to gain popularity along with greater main stream media coverage. UFC knows that it has millions of viewers and to aid them it has started the pay-per-view access for them on television in U.S., Brazil, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Italy. Going towards media covering in term of sports channels, its programming can also be viewed on Spike, Versus and Fox-Network in U.S., and on ESPN in UK and Ireland. Besides that UFC has also provided its events available be watched over 150 countries in 22 different languages world wide. It has provided its fans with

Internet Culture Is a Good Thing for Pop Culture Research Paper

Internet Culture Is a Good Thing for Pop Culture - Research Paper Example These communications are either formal, informal or for purposes of entertainment. Although internet use is yet to hit all countries in the world, it registers significant influence on many modes of lifestyle either directly or indirectly. Indeed, internet use has no age restrictions, is largely accessible, is authoritative, and comes at a reasonable price. Internet culture emanates from the use of  computer networks for entertainment and the study of various social phenomena associated with the internet like online games, social media, and online communities (Hermeking Web). Pop culture famously known as popular culture is the combination of all perspectives, ideas, and attitudes that deviate from the common culture in the society (Danesi 1-7). It concurs with the Western culture of the early to mid-20th century and that of the late 20th and early 21st century. It involves the aspects of social life that are more dominant in the public. It is indeed, defined by social interactions between people in their everyday activities in form of styles of dress, the use of slang, greeting rituals and the foods that people eat (Philosophy Now Web). It demonstrates a lot of influence from the media and as such by internet culture. In the past, pop culture spread through print, radio, movies, or television. However, the impact of media like television and radio is decreasing at big rate following the emergence of the internet culture, which is taking over the spread of pop culture. Indeed, there is a direct correlation between internet culture and pop culture with pop culture drawing many benefits from internet culture. Internet culture contributes to changes in civic engagement in the USA (University of California, Berkeley Web). It can equally function as a space of new divisions of labor between civil society organizational actors and lay activists. One of the most important elements of internet that greatly supports pop culture is the ability to download files. Undeni ably, pop music, trends, and cultural events can seep to a large pop population through massive sharing of files. For instance, it is possible for pop fans to download music videos immediately their favorite artists release them. Additionally, internet makes it possible for pop artists to participate on pop culture activities without having to be physically present. For instance, thousands of artists are able to participate in real time when special pop culture events are held. Actually, the remarkable increase in internet penetration and high speeds makes streaming possible and therefore, able to stream videos as pop events happen. This has been a great boost to pop culture, which has also recorded a remarkable shift to internet interaction. One important thing about internet culture that makes it important to pop culture is its contribution the fast spread of pop lifestyle. Pop lifestyle, especially trends in dressing, are able to reach many people simultaneously and instantaneous ly. Ideally, internet has also been a platform in which, pop culture has also been able to disseminate to different parts of the world. This has been a boost to increased adoption of pop culture to many people across the world. The use of the internet have in a big way led to the spread of more information on pop culture as many people can now access this information over the internet with ease and no restrictions. However, pop culture does not necessarily depend on

Literary Analysis of American Literature Essay Example for Free

Literary Analysis of American Literature Essay As Elinor Ostrom explains, To a great degree, his stories speak for those who are disenfranchised, cheated, abused, or ignored because of race or class. Hughess stories speak of the downtrodden African-Americans neglected and overlooked by a prejudiced society. The recurring theme of powerlessness is exemplified in his narration â€Å"Let America Be America again†, â€Å"Harlem† and â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers†. Hughes uses rhyme to draw attention to the poetic element of his narration â€Å"Let America Be America Again†. Words such as â€Å"be† and â€Å"free†, â€Å"dreamed and â€Å"schemed†, â€Å"wreathe† and â€Å"breathe† etc. all demonstrate rhyming. The central theme is that the author feels left out of the American Dream. Hughes is writing a poem of someone who feels that America is a land that lives up to begin to add up to that. The tone is angry and resentful. In this poem he is not representing the point of view of one particular group. Hughes conveys that there are many people who’ve come here with hopes and dreams and they’re being let down. He’s also saying that there is an economic disparity between people. In essence the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer, because there is no equal opportunity. That idea is something that is not real for many people because of their race, economic situation, and come up. The reader is immediately introduced to the fact that the author does not believe that America is all it can be due to the fact that the word again is used. He wants America to be â€Å"the dream it used to be. † But the powerful line is #5 which reads â€Å"America was never America. † This enhances what many people feel, that Americas ideals of equality, liberty, and land of the free don’t seem real. In a sense there is a positive tone because there is a hope that America can be a â€Å"great strong land of love,† O, let my land be a land where liberty Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath, But opportunity is real, and life is free, Equality is in the air we breathe. Liberty, which is another word for freedom is important in the dream America holds so preciously. The central message here is one of greed. Money is at the center of what America has become. Hughes feels that â€Å"power, gain† and owning property is the focus. It’s all about money. He says in line #32 to what America has become in his views. â€Å"Of owning everything for one’s own greed! † At the later stage of the poem, Hughes is coming back and saying sarcastically that he wouldn’t say there is freedom. He is speaking for the â€Å"millions† of people who have been struggling, hoping, working, flying flags, â€Å"who have nothing† except for dreams that are â€Å"almost dead. † â€Å"Harlem† by Langston Hughes is a poem that talks about what happens when we postpone our dreams. The poem is made up of a series of similes and it ends with a metaphor. The objective of the poem is to get us to think about what happens to a dream that is put off, postponed; what happens when we create our very own shelve of dreams? The â€Å"dream† refers to a goal in life, not the dreams we have while sleeping, but our deepest desires. There are many ways to understand this poem; it varies from person to person. Someone like me may see this poem as talking about just dreams in general. Others may see it as African-American’s dreams. Although the meter of Harlem varies, the poem has a rhythmic, lyrical quality achieved through alliteration, rhyme, repetition of certain words, and carefully placed stressed syllables. People need to think twice before deferring their dreams. Langston Hughes says it best in his poem Harlem asking the question. What happens to a dream deferred Langston Hughes describes the outcome of the question as an altogether bad idea, saying that deferring your dream is â€Å"fester like a sore† or â€Å"it stinks like rotten meat†. By using imagery, he wants the reader to know what it is like to defer a dream and how bad it is. The first image in the poem proposes that the dream dries up like a raisin. This simile likens the original dream to a grape, which is round, juicy, green and fresh. Once the dream has lain neglected for too long, it dries up. Where the raisin image invokes the senses of taste and sight, the simile of the sore conveys a sense of touch and bodily impact. By comparing the dream to a sore on the body, Hughes suggests that unfulfilled dreams become part of us, like scars. In Langston Hughes poem The Negro Speaks of Rivers, Hughes makes use of some interesting poetic techniques. This poem is written in free verse, at first glance, seems to be unstructured. Hughes repeats words and lines, but does not make use of repeated sounds. Finally, some of his word choices near the end of the poem help to bring the message of the poem across more strongly. These poetic techniques contribute greatly to the quality of the poem. The textual details of the poem invoke strong imagery related to veins, rivers, and the roots of trees and give the reader a sense of the timelessness of these objects. In the short first stanza, the speaker in the poem by Langston Hughes states that he has â€Å"known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins. † From this early point in the point in the poem, images of the canals of veins that run throughout the human body as well as similar images of rivers that wind around and are shaped like veins form our understanding that this poem is about more than blood or water, it is about roots and circuits. He has a very deep meaning about how people feel by debating that his soul is so much stubborn now at this point that no external source could change it. Hughes poems illustrate many of the problems that African Americans faced during the depression era, ranging from prejudice and discrete racism to a general air of hopelessness and despair. His poetry basically develops the idea of celebrating and idealizing the Negro life in America. He is not much like the other poets who just uses a single voice/entity, instead has a tendency to express the visualizations through a number of voices making it more realistic. His expression consists of renunciation and feelings of personal cruelty.

Mongols Conquest Essay Example for Free

Mongols Conquest Essay The Mongols conquest in the regions of China and the Middle East had significant similarities and differences in their political and economic aspects. In china the Mongols rule was called Yuan Dynasty and in the Middle East it was called the Ilkhanate of Persia. There are many similarities and differences between China and the Middle East under the ruling of the Mongols, Politically and economically. Politically some differences are how the Mongols inhabited each of the areas as well as how they went about with religious rights. Economically some similarities are that they encouraged long distance trade, they improved roads, as well as they spread the disease throughout all these regions. Politically the differences are how they inhabited each area. One of the main differences is that the Mongols would normally invade those in areas in which were left under native rule except for China. In the 13th century around 1211-1214 the Mongols invaded China. They put restrictions on their rules but tried to keep the culture as traditional going as much as possible. But they did make a clear path from Europe to China known as the Silk Road. In The Middle east there ruler of the realm of Persia went to war with the Caliphs 1255, by 1258 the capture Baghdad and Iraq and killed everyone there instead of building up there empire among the people like in china the totally took out a most of the population. Along with the regulations they put on china came the difference of religion in China they convert to Islam, Oman Catholicism, but many other religions were tolerated in china and also Buddhism was one religion that survived all through the Mongol rule. But in the Middle East unlike China they were ruled under Ilkhanate of Persia and ran under the religion of Hulegu. Economically, there were many similarities between the Middle East and China. Both area encouraged long distance trade. This boosted the economy, since the Mongols were Nomadic they cannot increase money very well so they imperialized to increase their wealth. In China raw goods, technology, ideas, and of course gun powder were all key trade items for the Mongols. Gunpowder is what put the Mongols more on top. Another Similarity is that they fixing irrigation and plumbing as well as improving roads the irrigation and plumbing were for cleanliness but improving roads as well as for major communications throughout the world. Another Major thing is that the Mongols spread the plague and other diseases throughout both regions because the trade routes were filthy the disease spread through rat bites they came in with the flees as well but wiping out the Mongols was the lead poising which wiped them all out. There are many similarities and differences between China and the Middle East under Mongol rulings, politically and economically. Politically some differences are how the Mongols inhabited these areas as well as how they dealt with religious rights. Economically, some similarities are that they encouraged, long distance trade, they improved roads, as well as spreading disease throughout both these areas. This shows that different people living under the same ruler are always ruled a little differently but disease wiped everyone out in the end.

Writing On The Philosophy Of Immanuel Kant Philosophy Essay

Writing On The Philosophy Of Immanuel Kant Philosophy Essay Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) was born in Konigsberg, East Prussia. It is said of him that his failures are more important than most mens successes. Kant has contributed his literary knowledge in different areas of human inquiry. These include science for example astronomy, biology and philosophy. Here we are concerned with his moral writings. Kant argues against the skepticism of the eighteenth century, that scientific and moral laws can not be discovered. Failure in doing so results from the fault in procedure that is being followed i.e., using empirical data as the source of knowledge. Reason not empirical evidence can lead us in knowing both scientific and moral laws. He says, for the sake of explanation, that human mind works according to certain laws namely the categories of understanding. Causality, for example, is one of the categories that tell us that for every event there is a cause, helping in understanding the natural phenomenon. It is not the observation of sequence of cause and effect of natural phenomena , cause preceding the effect in the that help us understand these phenomena, but the ability of human mind that shapes or gives sequential order to the cause and effect principle in a given phenomena. Moreover, these categories of understanding are a priori. These come before our experience. In this way the source of all understanding and certainty of knowledge is human reason. Thus we are able to discover and infer the nature around us through our rationality and reasoning capacity. Now applying the same principle Kant tells us that certainty of knowing the moral law can be achieved through reason and rational nature because this alone is same and common in humans. Similarly, the source of this law is a priori; it comes before experience not after it. Rather it provides the basis for our understanding and appreciating our experience. Nevertheless, experience can not provide the ground for morality because it is different in everyone and is influenced by varieties of desires and tastes. That universal moral law is objective i.e. within our mind, which is universal to all human beings. Human conscience for example is universal. This law leads to the formation of ethical system that is universally both in scope and in content pertaining to humanity. Similar moral values would result from such a moral law which is valid for all human beings. The moral actions should be consistent with their reason. These should be acceptable to each and every individual. These moral principles should be consistently binding upon all individual, because of there rational being. Such moral principle, says Kant is a test of consistency that a man can will that all men, including him, should act upon is called the categorical imperative. Thus right actions are those which are applicable to and consistent with acceptability of all other individuals. Wrong actions, however, are those which are not applicable to and consistent with acceptability of all other individuals. Categorical imperative not only helps us in distinguishing right from wrong actions but also binds us in doing right and avoiding wrong actions, because each rational man is obligated to follow reason. Categorical imperative enables us to establish our moral duties. Constructing his moral philosophy in detail, Kant say that there are good and bad actions. But morality of such actions has no intrinsic value. These actions have no value when done out of good will. Good will is something which is without any qualification good. Talents of human mind intelligence, wit and judgment and gifts of fortune such as power, riches, honor, health and happiness must be qualified by a good will. Otherwise, these can be engaged in any negative sense to individual or society. Even so much so that there are some qualities namely moderation in affection and passions, self control and calm deliberation are of service to good will itself. These qualities may facilitate the performance of goodwill. Even these qualities can not be called a good without qualifying them with a good will. Because a calmness and self control of a notorious person proves to more dangerous than that of villain devoid of these attributes. In addition, good will has moral value which is not liable to be influenced by the consequences it produces. For example if an individual has a good will but his efforts for telling the truth lead him into danger then his good will, assumedly, has lost its incorrectly so, value because of the bad consequence of his righteousness. Rather good will is good in itself, it is not good because it achieves good results or is bad because it results in bad consequences. The aim of human reason is not attaining happiness but to engender a good will. Reason is the means to produce or cultivate the end which is good will. Happiness can not be the end of the reason because the more the reason is cultivated the more sophistication is acquired and the more burdened feels a man. Human instinct could aim at the end of happiness. But nature has chosen reason for rational human beings as a means to attain the end i.e, good will. Kant then proceeds to discuss the relation between goodwill and duty. He says that a good will is one which is done for the sake of the duty. Actions done in this sense would have moral worth. He is talking about good actions not bad ones because these are not done for the sake of duty rather done against it. In explaining this concept of duty he gives such examples as a man who due to misfortunes in life is in distress has lost all charm in life. He is on the verge of collapsing decides to live and continue living; for the sake of duty of being alive is acting in accordance with his duty and only such action done out of duty qualified by good will have moral worth. In addition, Kant distinguishes the merely praise worthy behavior from moral action. All those actions having appreciative social value have no moral worth if done out of any personal inclination of gain what so ever. Moral worthy actions are those performed only for the sake of duty out of good will. He then states his ethical propositions. Firstly, an action has moral worth when it is done out of duty. Secondly, an action done out of duty do not derive its moral worth from the consequences it engenders, well or worse, but because of following the principle of duty. Thirdly, in his own word, duty is the necessity of acting from respect for the law. Duty is known as any morally right action done in direct contrast to ones own inclination or of any external influences, out of good will objectively for the sake of the law and subjectively for pure respect of the law. Kant now expounds the idea of categorical imperative. Categorical imperative is test of any action. The action either is consistent with the universal law or is not consistent with it. For example, he states that is it prudent or is it right for a man to keep a false promise. Its answer may be difficult to given, but it can be provided by testing its maxims or statements in universal law or universal terms. For example is it prudent to make false promises this maxim if universally evaluated would not stand as becoming a universal law because false promises can not be universalized. On the other hand, the second maximum when tested in terms of the universal, is it right to keep false promises can not be universalized either. Hence through categorical imperative we are able to distinguish this action being right or wrong. He then discusses the categorical from hypothetical imperative. An action done for the sake of duty out of good will is categorical. Hypothetical imperative is when and socially praise worth action done, not for the performance or doing duty but rather, for the sake of influence or what so ever consequence. Through categorical imperative, he further explains that, it guides us that we should only do that action of which maxims are able to with stand the test of universality. In Kant words, Act as if thy action were to become by thy will a Universal Law of Nature. Kant defines that categorical imperative is two fold test, firstly that maxims for moral action be universalized without logical contradiction, and secondly, that they be universal directives for action which do not bring the will into disharmony with itself by requiring it to will one thing for itself and another thing for others. Kant in order to illustrate gives four examples. Firstly, there is person who is despaired of his life and thinks of committing suicide. Then he asks himself this question is it not contradictory to shorten ones life out of self love, he then testing this maxim in the categorical form and universalizing it he finds it that nature has given him life to fulfill it and not to end it. This he finds can n ot be universalized. Secondly a person in dire need of money wishes to borrow money and not returning the sum again finds himself in dilemma find is it right to borrow money for self interest with no intention of returning the amount. He easily finds out universal law that his maxim stands in contrast to become a universal law, so he has not to do so. Thirdly, another person who is naturally gifted with some arts lets his talent rust because of sensual indulgences or idleness. He then being a rational being ask himself that is right to devalue ones natural gifts which he has been endowed with can this maxim with stand the universal law. This is easily not so because letting ones talents die does not stand to categorical imperative. Fourthly, a person in good condition sees other people in neediness thinks that it is not my concern to help them. And he neither enviess them or despises them and does not desire there despair. In such a situation for these its not the end of their life rather they would live and could get help. And for this person this maxim might with stand to categorical test but his will as rational being would not be at ease with his maxim of being indifferent to needy people because he can imagine that sometimes in life humans, including himself, need help of others so he can not let such a will to be universaliz ed. Thus all of the four people discover there course of moral conduct by applying the categorical principle to there personal cases. There after he stipulates the social implication of the universal principle of categorical imperative. The humans are rational beings. They are not object of any kind. There very nature demands them as being an end in them. So they shall never be treated as mere means rather ends in them. Human beings shall be respected impartially and avoid exploitation. Because the rational nature of man is an end in itself, thus by my point of view I am subjectively an end in my self. Whereas with respect to all other individual which is objective viewing rational human beings, they due to there very rational nature, are end in themselves. Kant thus defines this as practical imperative, So act as to treat humanity, whether in thin own person or in that of any other, in every case as an end withal, never as means only. Kant further states that regarding any of the maxims human beings should always be treated as an end not as means. In all the maxims the supreme condition must be that human being ar e an end then it be universalized. Kant at last having put his moral philosophy argues that only an ethical system based on rational basis can best provide us a system which is not only consistent with human reason but also consistent with universal agreement. Moreover source and force of applicability with human nature i.e. its binding force comes from within. Whereas an ethical system based on empirical evidence of human history and his behavior can never be agreed upon and has no binding force.

Alcoholics Should NOT Be Eligible to Receive Organ Transplants Essay

In modern medicine, we have the ability to transplant organs from one person to another, with the hopes that this will greatly improve the length and quality of life for the patient receiving the transplant. Ten years ago, there were 53,167 people on the transplant list. By the beginning of 2015, the list increased to over 123,000 people waiting for that miracle call stating that they found a match and the transplant can now happen. One reason for the increase in people on the list is that people in the age group between 50-70 years old are now considered to be viable candidates for transplant due to medical advances. However, by December, 2014, twenty-one people were dying each day while waiting for a transplant. (Benjamin Samstein, 2015) This brings us to a question, should an alcoholic who had previously been lucky enough to have a liver transplant, be allowed to get another liver transplant after he let his alcoholism ruin another liver? When someone is in need of a transplant, there are several factors that are looked at in deciding whether or not the patient will be placed on the transplant list. Patients receive points for medical need, tissue type and time on the waiting list. Doctors then use a computer algorithm to decide who gets the organs available. Typically, one’s overall health, age, ability to comply with the regimen of anti-rejection drugs and a strong support system also comes into the decision process as well. Geographical location of the donor organ is also very important in the decision making process. (Whitford, 2005) Due to the shortage of organs, not all on the list get the organs they need. If people would get past their fears with regards to stem cell research, we could grow perfectly viable h... ...n to respect our bodies as the temples that they are. Use the medicine for when things happen that we can not control, not for when we lose control. Works Cited Abhinandana Anantharaju, M. D. (n.d.). Liver Transplantation for Alcoholic Liver disease. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Web. 22 Mar. 2015. www.pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publicationarh27-3/257-269.htm Benjamin Samstein, M. (2015). Bottom Line's Daily health news. Web. 22 Mar. 2015. www.botomlinesecrets.com/articvle.html?article_id=48034 Kluge, E. (2004). Ethics of Organ Transplantation. Canadian Medcial Association Journal . Perry, D. D. Ethical Conmsideration in organ transplants. Web. 22 Mar. 2015. home.eathlink.net/~davidlperry/organs.htm. Whitford, B. (2005, 11 28). Who gets the organs. Newsweek. Web. 22 Mar. 2015. www.newsweek.com/2005/11/27/who-gets-the-organs.html

The Dream :: essays research papers

A dream is defined as a condition or achievement that is longed for; an aspiration. Throughout the book the â€Å"Great Gatsby† we see the dream of one man, Jay Gatsby. Gatsby’s dream is not merely what is known as the American Dream-the belief that anyone can rise to success no matter who they are or where they are from. Instead, it is a form of romantic idealism, â€Å"some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life.† It is the belief in fairytales and princesses and happy endings, a faith that life can be special, remarkable, and beautiful. Gatsby is not interested in power or money instead he uses his power and money in his attempt to gain his ultimate dream, Daisy. He must have her and he will do anything that is required in order to win her. Unfortunately, Gatsby’s faith in love and happy endings is not a realistic one and his dream is ultimately crushed. However, one question is left behind, are dreams worth fighting for or should the fear of f ailure prevent one from attempting to fulfill their dreams.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In chapter I the reader is briefly introduced to Gatsby’s world. Nick describes Gatsby with such words as â€Å"crass and vulgar materialism†. However he admires Gatsby for his dream, his â€Å"romantic readiness,† his â€Å"extraordinary gift for hope.† What is this dream Nick admires so much? The reader is left with this question until chapter IV when Jordan Baker reveals Gatsby’s past and ultimately his dream. Jordan reveals to Nick that Gatsby and Daisy were one time lovers but Gatsby was suddenly called away to war and by the time he arrived home Daisy had already married Tom. Furthermore, Jordan explains, â€Å"Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay.† Nick shocked by what he has just learned states â€Å"he came alive to me, delivered suddenly from the womb of his purposeless splendor.† The large mansion, the Rolls Royce, station wagon, the motor boats, the aquaplanes, the swimming pool were not to display his wealth, but instead he just used them as a setting to build the material world necessary to fulfill his dream. He not only has built up a material world to attract Daisy he has come up with a plan to win her love. This plan is unfolded in Chapter IV, when the reader learns that Gatsby has arranged for Nick to invite Daisy for tea and makes sure Daisy doesn’t know he’ll be there, too.

Life Frankenstein Essay

Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in 1818. Frankenstein was a gothic novel and the book was based on Mary Shelly’s life as she had a lot of death in her life as her mother died giving birth to her she and she lost her only baby. Mary Shelly want to bring her back as that is what Frankenstein did when his mother die giving birth to his brother. There was a lot of increase of science at time which drove Frankenstein to make the monster. Chapter 5 is the most important chapter as it is when he brings the monster to life but when the monster comes to life Frankenstein would not take responsibility and would not go back to his house â€Å"I did not dare return to the apartment which I inhabited.† It shows that man should not play god if they are not willing to take responsibility for their action which Frankenstein didn’t do. He runs out of his house â€Å"seemingly to detain me, but I escaped, and rushed down stairs.† Just because he didn’t want to take responsibility for the  Monster. This chapter shows that he is a coward as he made the monster but when he saw it he was scary to him even though he was the one who made it. It also show he is very selfish as he doesn’t think of the monster he only thinks of him self and what would happen if one of his friends sees it â€Å"I dreaded to behold this monster but I feared still more that Henry should see it† this show that he thinks more about him self then he does about the monster as he don’t want Henry to see it as it would damage his reputation. Shelley used the language to create atmosphere like at the start it is depressing as Frankenstein realises that making the monster was morally wrong â€Å"it was on a dreary night of November that I behold the accomplishment† but at the end it becomes a scared atmosphere as he doesn’t want to think of the monster â€Å"could he allude to an object on whom I dared not even think.† The time of day is night â€Å"my candle was nearly burnt out†.  The chapter talks about appearance and reality â€Å"I behold the wretch – the miserable monster whom I had created† he called the monster a wretch which means he doesn’t see him as a human and he thinks of him as a thing that he can just throw away when he feels like it and make something else just because he look different to every one else when really Frankenstein is the monster. The chapter also talks about isolation and loneliness as  During all that time Henry was my only nurse† when he isolated him self he when insane as he wanted to finish his work and not to rest, but he doesn’t ask his friends for help.  The chapter shows man should not play god as it is too much responsibility for them to take. â€Å"Dreams that had been my food and pleasant rest for so long a space were now became a hell to me† this show that mortals react to they emotions. Human’s emotions change very quickly and this shows that they should not play god if they are not willing to play it out to the end and that no human can control they emotions. Studying this chapter has showed that man should not push science too far as it can cause very dangerous things that can hurt people but if we are going to play god which means we should not be allowed to change our emotions and take responsibility for what they have made or done. It also shows that just because you love someone you are aloud to give them a new life as this is going against god.

Necessities for the party Essay

Cannery Row takes place in a small area that has sardine fisheries and is located in Monterey, California. The city Monterey is also known as Cannery Row. The novel Cannery Row is mainly about the people living in Cannery Row during the Great Depression and the affects of over-fishing which was one of the great biological disasters that wiped out the sardine harvest and focuses on Doc who is a dear friend of Steinbeck, the author of the novel. Because of Doc’s kindness and support, Mack and the boys want to do give a surprise party for Doc. Doc is an owner of a biological supply house on the Row. Doc is a friend and caregiver to everyone. However, he suffers from loneliness. Mack and the boys plan to give Doc a party and they are full of energy and good spirits as they obtain the necessities for the party. Mack and the boys prepare the party in Doc’s lab one night while he is gone on a trip to collect items for his lab. However, the boys start the party premature while they wait for him to return. Unfortunately, when Doc comes back late from his trip, his lab is totally trashed. After this incidence there was a bad sense of emotion that spread throughout the Row and lasted for a long time. It wasn’t long after the party that an influenza plague spread throughout Cannery Row and several other regrettable events occurred; however, later in the novel there was a turn around from all the bad events and the town began to heal. Again, Doc does something wonderful for Mack and the boys by curing their sick puppy. When Doc cured the puppy, Mack and the boys decided again to do something wonderful for Doc. They decided to throw Doc another party. However, this time Doc got a change to attend the party. The boys made sure to carefully plan the party well. The party was a success and after the party, the story ends with Doc feeling great about life. During the Depression, an influenza epidemic hits the small Cannery Row community. Doc through his concern for people even though he is not a real doctor, but a scientist, treats many of the poor people and influences Dora, a woman who manages a whorehouse and her whores to become nurses to families that are in need of help. Dora runs a whorehouse but she attempts to be â€Å"moral† by not selling hard liquor and by servicing her clients with a reasonable price and rate for the whores and she is very congenial to those who helped her during the Depression. For the people who survived the Depression, Mack was one of the leaders and a mentor to many of them who were in the same condition as he was having no family, no money, and no goals in life except for continually trying to find a way to get food to survive. Sometimes Mack had to steal or lie to get help for himself and the people. Mack has some guilt about lying, stealing and being deceitful but usually when he is doing these â€Å"sins† he is doing it for a good purpose and usually he is able to plead his case when doing these actions because he is doing it for the common good. Hazel, who lives with Mack and the boys, is a very loyal person. The way he influences others is by being a good communicator. He listens to people effectively and remembers everything that was told to him. The theme of the novel is more focused on the community itself and the results of individual behavior within the community because the environment is the main focus of the story. The environment is to a great extent dealing with the violence. In the first chapters, two people have already committed suicide. In addition, there are several other acts of aggression that occur when the Chinaman has an encounter with the little boys. The hidden cruelty in the narrative reveals the imperfection and evil nature of human beings. However, in order to generate the greater good in people, there is a need for violence to be balanced which is described in chapter two. Within the marine community, the problem with over fishing of sardines required a balance just as a balance is needed within the human community regarding violence and moral behavior due to not having enough food supply. Due to the over fishing problem, a lack of fish resulted in the local people not having enough food which they relied on for nutrition and survival. Within the marine community if there is not a balance of fish within the ocean, this result in an imbalanced production of various types of fish within the ocean resulting in the overproduction of some fish and the under production of certain other fish according to the food chain of sea creatures. In many cases, certain fish will become extinct due to a problem with over fishing. Over-fishing is really a main problem in the novel for the characters. Back in the post-depression, this really affected the people of Cannery County due to very low level success of reproduction of sardines. Fish is one of the main resources of the ocean and the ocean must stay balanced with the right amount of fish in order to have a healthy ecosystem. Over fishing destroys the ocean’s ecosystem. However, there is no limitation to how much a person should fish because there is no ownership of the ocean’s resources. Therefore, the more people continue fishing; it results in a lower production of fish. This is what the author is trying to convey as he uses Cannery Row’s sardine fishery as an example. In regards to the human community, Cannery Row is disturbed by known and unknown instances of violence and cruelty. In the novel, Doc finds a dead girl on the beach. Because of the depression, many people gave up and a retarded boy is sent to an institution for stealing a gift for a person he loves. The war only did so much for the people on the Cannery Row to end the Depression. Establishing a whorehouse, stealing, lying are all ways chosen by various people residing in Cannery Row to survive in a world with little resources during the Depression. The characters in Cannery Row show strength, courage, sadness and even happy moments even though they suffer through a Depression. In spite of everything, they still manage to throw parties in the mist of their â€Å"storm. † Doc was the main character who had the most character and integrity in spite of his own depression and loneliness. However, at the end, Doc looks at life in a whole new fashion and a new hope is created for in him after celebrating his party with Mack and the gang. Within the marine community, if the ecosystem is not completely destroyed, the ocean can be replenished and the balance restored within the ocean. Like so, within the human community, because the people came together and learned to survive against the odds, their community was also moving toward restoration. In conclusion, Cannery Row is a story about the over-fishing problem in Monterey, California. The story speaks about how it affected the ocean’s ecosystem and the people. It also shows the sadness and happiness of the people in that small community during the Depression and how the characters will come together to survive. However, they use stealing as a means to survive as well as working at a whorehouse, lying and various other dishonest means to survive during the Great Depression. Most of the characters were very good people just happened to be victims of a point in time of economic breakdown. John Steinbeck’s novel is scientifically and emotionally outstanding in the way he explicitly describe the terror in the community and the survival tactics used by the characters during the Depression. Works Cited Steinbeck, John. Cannery Row. New York: The Viking Press, 1945

Photoshop Action Zoom Blurring Effect

Photo Effects: Action Zoom Blurring Effect By Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com ACTion Zoom BLurring EffECT In this Photoshop photo effects tutorial, we’ll learn how to add some action and a sense of motion to a photo with a zoom blur effect. We’ll use Photoshop’s Radial Blur filter to add the initial blurring, then we’ll bring back some of the original image using a layer mask and the Gradient Tool. Not only is this a great (and popular) way to help bring an image to life, but the entire effect can be completed in less than five minutes once you’re comfortable with the steps.Here’s the photo I’ll be using for this tutorial: The original image. Here’s how it will look after adding the blur effect: Let’s get started! The final â€Å"action zoom† effect. Step 1: Duplicate The Background Layer The first step in creating our action zoom effect is to duplicate the Background layer so we can work on a separate c opy of the image, which will allow us to bring back some of the original image later. With our photo newly opened in Photoshop, if we look in the Layers panel, we can see that we currently have one layer, the Background layer, which is the layer than contains our photo:The original image appears on the Background layer in the Layers panel. This Photoshop Tutorial  © 2009 Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com. Not To Be Reproduced Or Redistributed Without Permission. 1 Photo Effects: Action Zoom Blurring Effect By Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com To duplicate the Background layer, go up to the Layer menu in the menu Bar at the top of the screen, choose new, and then choose Layer via Copy. Or, for a faster way to duplicate a layer in Photoshop, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+J (Win) / Command+J (Mac): Go to Layer > New > Layer via Copy, or press Ctrl+J (Win) / Command+J (Mac).Either way you choose tells Photoshop to make a copy of the layer, and if we look again in th e Layers panel, we can see that we now have two layers. The original Background layer is on the bottom, while a brand new layer named â€Å"Layer 1† sits above it. If we look at the preview thumbnails to the left of the layer names, we can see that both layers contain the same image, which means we can now do whatever we want to the image on â€Å"Layer 1† and the original photo will remain safe and unharmed on the Background layer below it: An exact copy of the image now appears on â€Å"Layer 1† above the Background layer.Step 2: Apply The radial Blur filter With â€Å"Layer 1† selected in the Layers panel (it should be highlighted in blue), go up to the filter menu at the top of the screen, choose Blur, and then choose radial Blur: Go to Filter > Blur > Radial Blur. This brings up Photoshop’s Radial Blur dialog box. The Radial Blur filter gives us a choice of two different types of blurring – Spin and Zoom. Since we’re creating a z oom effect, set the Blur method option on the left side of the dialog box to Zoom. Directly below the Blur Method option is the Quality option. Choose Best for the quality.We control how much blurring is applied to the image with the Amount option at the top of the dialog box. The higher the Amount value we select, the more blurring is applied. Drag the slider towards the right to increase the Amount value, or drag it towards the left to decrease it. Unfortunately, the Radial Blur filter doesn’t give us a preview of the effect, so you’ll probably need to try a few different values before you find the one that works best for your image. I’ll explain how to do that in a moment. I’m going to set my Amount value to 50, but the value you end up choosing may be different.Finally, use the Blur Center box on the right side of the Radial Blur dialog box to set the point where the blur will appear to be â€Å"zooming† out from. Simply click inside the box to set the point. Again, there’s no way to preview the effect before running the filter so be prepared to try a few times before you get it right. I want my blur effect to appear to be coming from behind the girl’s head, so I’m going to click above and to the right of center in the box to set my point. Set the blur type, quality, amount and â€Å"zoom point†. This Photoshop Tutorial  © 2009 Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com.Not To Be Reproduced Or Redistributed Without Permission. 2 Photo Effects: Action Zoom Blurring Effect By Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com Click OK when you’re done to exit out of the dialog box. Depending on the speed of your computer, as well as the size and complexity of your image, you may need to wait a bit for Photoshop to finish applying the blur, so don’t panic if it seems like nothing is happening. After waiting a few seconds for Photoshop to do its thing, here is my image with the zoom blur ap plied: It may take a few tries before you get the results you want with the Radial Blur filter.If you’re not happy with your initial blur results and want to try again, first undo the filter by going up to the Edit menu at the top of the screen and choosing undo radial Blur. Or, for a faster way to undo the filter, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Z (Win) / Command+Z (Mac): Undo the blur effect with Edit > Undo Radial Blur, or press Ctrl+Z (Win) / Command+Z (Mac). Then, to quickly bring the Radial Filter dialog box back up, press Ctrl+Alt+F (Win) / Command+Option+F (Mac). Choose a different Amount value and/or set a different point for the zoom effect in the Blur Center box, then click OK to run the filter again.You can undo and redo the filter as many times as you need until you get the results you want. Step 3: Add A Layer mask The problem with our blur effect is that it’s covering up the entire image, which isn’t really what we want. In my case, the blur effect is distorting the girl’s face, so I want to hide the effect in that part of the image and allow the original photo to show through. We can do that easily using a layer mask. With â€Å"Layer 1† still selected, click on the Layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. It’s the icon that looks like a rectangle with a round hole in the center of it:Click on the Layer Mask icon. Nothing will appear to happen in the document window, but a layer mask thumbnail appears to the right of the preview thumbnail for â€Å"Layer 1† in the Layers panel, letting us know that we’ve added our layer mask. If you look closely at the thumbnail, you’ll see a white highlight border around it, which tells us that the layer mask, not the layer itself, is selected: The highlight border around the layer mask thumbnail tells us that the mask, not the layer, is selected. This Photoshop Tutorial  © 2009 Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com. Not To Be Repro duced Or Redistributed Without Permission. Photo Effects: Action Zoom Blurring Effect By Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com Step 4: Select The gradient Tool We’re going to draw a black-to-white gradient on the layer mask to hide part of the blur effect and create a nice, smooth transition between the effect on â€Å"Layer 1† and the original image on the Background layer below it. To draw the gradient, we’ll need Photoshop’s gradient Tool, so select it from the Tools panel. You can also select the Gradient Tool by pressing the letter g on your keyboard: Select the Gradient Tool. Step 5: Select The Black to White gradientWith the Gradient Tool selected, right-click (Win) / Control-click (Mac) anywhere inside the document window to quickly bring up the gradient Picker. Click on the Black to White gradient to select it. It’s the third gradient from the left, top row: Click on the Black to White gradient in the Gradient Picker to select it. Cli ck anywhere outside of the Gradient Picker to close out of it when you’re done. Step 6: Select The radial gradient By default, the Gradient Tool is set to draw a standard linear gradient, but we also have different styles to choose from, all of which can be selected from the options Bar at the top of the screen.You’ll see a row of five icons, each one representing a different shape for the gradient (Linear, Radial, Angle, Reflected, and Diamond). Select radial gradient by clicking on its icon (second one from the left): Select the Radial Gradient. Step 7: Drag out A radial gradient To Hide Part of The Blur Effect I want to allow the girl’s face to show through the blurring effect, so with the Gradient Tool, the Black to White gradient and the Radial Gradient style selected, I’ll click in the center of her face to set my starting point for the gradient.Then I’ll simply drag my mouse towards the left until I’m just beyond her hair. The area in between the starting and end points of the gradient will become a smooth transition area between the blurring effect on â€Å"Layer 1† and the original image on the Background layer below it. Since I’m drawing a radial gradient, the gradient will extend 360 ° around my starting point (which means it doesn’t really matter which direction you drag from the starting point), creating a circular shape with black in the center and gradually changing to white as it extends out in all directions:Drag out a Radial Gradient across the area where you want to hide the blur effect and reveal the original photo underneath. Since we drew the gradient on the layer mask, not on the layer itself, we don’t see the gradient in the document window. This Photoshop Tutorial  © 2009 Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com. Not To Be Reproduced Or Redistributed Without Permission. 4 Photo Effects: Action Zoom Blurring Effect By Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com I nstead, we see the results of the gradient on the layer mask. The girl’s face is now visible through the blurring effect:Drawing the gradient on the layer mask reveals part of the original image underneath. Even though we can’t see the gradient in the document window, we can see it if we look at the layer mask thumbnail in the Layers panel. The black area represents the part of the layer that’s now hidden from view. As the gradient becomes lighter towards the edges, more of the layer becomes visible. The white areas are where the layer is completely visible: If you’re not happy with your initial gradient, simply press Ctrl+Z (Win) / Command+Z (Mac) to undo the gradient, then try again.The layer mask thumbnail shows us the radial gradient we added. Step 8: Lower The opacity To fine-Tune The results If you find that your blur effect is too strong, you can reduce its intensity by lowering the opacity of â€Å"Layer 1†. Lowering the layer’s opac ity value will allow more of the original image on the Background layer below it to show through. You’ll find the opacity option in the top right of the Layers panel. Keep an eye on your document window as you adjust the opacity to judge the results.I’m going to lower mine down to around 70% (left): Lower the opacity of â€Å"Layer 1† to reduce the intensity of the blur. And with that, we’re done! Here, after fine-tuning my results with the Opacity option, is my final â€Å"action zoom effect† result: for more Adobe Photoshop tutorials, visit Photoshop Essentials. com @ www. photoshopessentials. com! The final photo effect. This Photoshop Tutorial  © 2009 Steve Patterson, Photoshop Essentials. com. Not To Be Reproduced Or Redistributed Without Permission. 5

Roles of Human Resource in Managing Employee Expectation

ROLES OF HUMAN RESOURCE IN MANAGING EMPLOYEE EXPECTATION INFLUENCE THE SUCCESS OF MERGER & ACQUISITION By KASMARIZA KASSIM A project paper submitted to Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business Universiti Utara Malaysia in fulfilment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Human Resource Management 1 TABLE OF CONTENT TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES ix xiii xiv CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION 1. 1 1. 2 1. 3 1. 4 1. 5 1. 6 Background Study Problem Statement Research Questions Research Objectives Significant of Study Definition of Terms 1. . 1 1. 6. 2 1. 6. 3 Employee’s Expectation Leadership Communication 1 2 4 5 6 7 7 7 8 2 1. 6. 4 1. 7 1. 8 1. 9 Commitment 8 9 9 9 Scope of Study Assumptions Structure of the Study CHAPTER 2 : LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 1 2. 2 Introduction Evaluation of Merger & Acquisition 2. 2. 1 2. 2. 2 2. 2. 3 2. 2. 4 2. 3 2. 4 2. 5 Pre-Deal Due Diligence Integration Planning Implementation 11 11 12 13 13 14 17 18 19 Evaluation of Employee Expectations The Importance of Managing Employee Expectation Evaluation of Strategic Human Resource Management in M&A 2. 5. 1 2. 5. 2 2. 5. 3 2. 6 2. 7 2. 8 Leadership by Human Resource Communication by Human Resource Commitment by Human Resource 21 22 24 25 26 26 Research Model/Framework Research Hypothesis Development Conclusion CHAPTER 3 : METHODOLOGY 3. 1 3. 2 Introduction Research Design 3. 2. 1 3. 2. 2 3. 3 3. 4 3. 5 Type of Study Unit of Analysis 27 27 28 28 29 30 31 Population and Sampling Procedure Data Collection Procedure The Measurement 4 3. 6 3. 7 3. 8 Questionnaire Design Data Analysis Techniques Conclusion 2 33 35 CHAPTER 4 : FINDINGS 4. 1 4. 2 4. 3 4. 4 4. 5 Introduction Overview of Collected Data Respondents’ Profile Reliability Analysis Major Findings 4. 5. 1 4. 5. 2 4. 6 4. 7 Pearson Correlation Coefficient Multiple Regression 36 36 36 39 40 40 42 45 45 Summary Findings Conclusion 5 CHAPTER 5 : DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS 5. 1 5. 2 5. 3 5. 4 5. 5 5. 6 Introduc tion Discussion Limitation of Study Recommendations for Future Research Theoretical and Practical Implication Conclusion 46 46 50 51 51 52REFERENCES APPENDIX A : Questionnaire APPENDIX B : Frequency Analysis APPENDIX C : Descriptive Statistics APPENDIX D : Reliability Analysis APPENDIX E : Correlations Analysis APPENDIX F : Regression Analysis 53 58 63 66 76 77 78 6 LIST OF TABLES Table 3. 1 : Table 3. 2: Table 3. 3 : Table 3. 4 : Table 4. 1 : Table 4. 2 : Table 4. 3 : Table 4. 4 : Table 4. 5 : Table 4. 6 : Sample Breakdown Likert-Scale Measurement Items Questionnaire Layout Response Rate Respondents’ Profile Reliability Analysis Inter-Correlations of the Major Variables Results of Regression Analysis Summary Findings 30 31 31 32 37 37 38 41 43 44 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2. 1 : Figure 2. 2 : Merger & Acquisition Life Cycle Comparison of Where HR Playing A Lead Role in very Successful Deals vs. Less Successful Deals 15 21 Figure 2. 3 : Research Framework 25 8 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUC TION 1. 1 Background of Study. Merger and acquisition (M&A) has certainly become the mechanism for companies to respond to the demands of the business world. It has been since several years, a main topic for strategic literature, since its advantages in its right use can be estimated in high levels of competitive advantages for companies.Companies that are facing changes in their organizational structures through a M&A, present important modifications in the processes, politics, values and frame of references. Each participant of this processes either the acquiring or the acquired, have to face different process and challenges. Clearly, both companies are affected part of their identity and way of doing things. The challenges of this adaptation are more evident when the difference of core business between the both companies is more obvious. Therefore, the kind of industry is a fundamental element to understand the transition.First of all, some fields are more appropriate to realize an M&A, for instance, industries, where the economy of scale is very relevant, and much easier to be understood in term of economy. Moreover, if the companies are complementary in their own business, synergies are most likely to be reached in terms of marketing, finances and organizational goals which make it a â€Å"natural† growing process. 9 Through the last century, companies paid more attention to the three following mindsets: strategy, economics and finance.Nevertheless, these last years, it has seen the emergence of a fourth mindset, as human factors to achieve a perfect integration of both companies. Though M&A process is regarded to be an integral organizational change, but the human component often appears to be the determinant element to succeed or fail (Parra, 2006). This is because people are susceptible to fear modification in their environment; therefore the implementation has to be executed with clear and structured plan in order to diminish possible resistanc e. To manage M&A process efficiently in the best conditions is very far to be easy.If some barriers are perfectly identifiable such as human costs of scale, weak innovation and so forth, there are others more niggling to identify and measure like the invisible structure of mindsets. For all of these reasons, an important and deep study has to make before the bargaining of M&A (Parra, 2006). 1. 2 Problem Statement The M&A is an ongoing process. This means that the operation runs from the moment the company is interested by another one until and after the achievement of the M&A. For instance, a number of M&A succeed in the long run, often after a long period of time.This illustrates that M&A process is always running, even 10 before the bargaining of transactions independently of the need or circumstances that surround the process. The M&A process has to launch and develop through companies integration. This is highly oriented toward the management of people and the strategies develop ed to incorporate them into the new vision and philosophy that the company will create with the merger. This stage of the process represents the problem that will be analysed, described, and explained in this study.Though integration and its success depends on many factors like corporate culture compatibility, corporate size and dimensions, management style and, ability to communicate effectively, another vital issue to acknowledge is the appropriate environment throughout the whole process of M&A where human talent is involved. This cannot be realised without the assistance and involvement of human resource. Having said, the M&A strategy should be driven by human resource. It is inevitable that human resource play vital role in the human side of the M&A process especially managing employee expectation.There are literally hundreds of reasons why the M&A failure rates are so high and many have been traced was due to the exclusion of human resource professionals in the pre-deal planni ng phase. Human resource only function to the last minute inclusion after the transaction has closed. This is a classic case of â€Å"too little, too late† (Clemente & Greenspan,1999). 11 In order to obtain a better insight of the situation above described, this thesis project addresses its focus on studying the transition process in a M&A developed by two giant oil and gas service providers in Malaysia; SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad and Kencana Petroleum Berhad.Some factors will structure the analysis of this investigation such as employee expectation, leadership, communication & commitment. Most importantly, this thesis will look into the factors that influence the M&A success through human resource initiatives by focusing on the employee expectation. The initial and basic assumptions of this investigation is being able to explain and analyze how human resources initiatives and leading roles, being the most important dimension in M&A process could be considered to have the m ost impact to the success or failure of the integration .This is critical since the merger between SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad and Kencana Petroleum Berhad has triggered issues in oil & gas industry. The involvement of risk and massive investment made so far by both companies, are the key reasons why this M&A cannot afford to accept failure as the closure. 1. 3 Research Questions This research will initially be guided by these questions: 12 RQ1- Is there any significant relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of leadership and employee expectation towards the success of M&A?RQ2 – Will there be any relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of communication and employee expectation towards the success of M&A? RQ3 – Will human resource strategic roles in terms of commitment contribute in managing employee expectation towards the success of M&A? 1. 4 Research Objectives There aren? t many studies on the relationship between the empl oyee expectation and strategic human resources in the case of M&A. However, the main objective of this study is to determine which amongst the variables contributes most to the success of M&A.They are addressed by specific objectives such as: RO1 – To determine significant relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of leadership and employee expectation towards the success of M&A. RO2 – To examine the relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of communication and employee expectation towards the success of M&A. 13 RO3 – To determine the relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of communication and employee expectation towards the success of M&A. 1. Significant of Study In general this research aims to promote the understanding of employee expectation after the announcement of M&A to the management, as well to explore the impact of human resources roles on the success of the integration. Even though in toda y? s rapid growth of business and the acknowledgment of the benefits gained by proceeding with M&A, it is observed that the research done was insignificant. Most M&A research preaches on corporate culture compatibility, corporate size and corporate dimension as factors contribute to the integration success.This issue needs to overcome in ensuring that the management are aware that in every M&A, there is the human side to deal with. Apparently, the most common factors cited as „keys to M&A success? are communication, cultural integration and fit, integration project planning, due diligence, leadership and talent placement and management. All of these factors are intrinsically linked to human resource. Hence, the involvement of human resource in this big step taken is vital. Since employees are the one drives the success of a company, human resource being the backbone of a company, functions to manage the employee expectation in any M&A process. 4 This study is hoped to give an insight to the management of SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad on the awareness of the importance of human resource strategic roles in managing employee expectation towards the M&A success. Since the integration stage is still at the initial stage, it is worth getting the feedback on the employee expectation. The finding will at least assist in ensuring that the rest of the process is carried out in accordance such as cultural assimilation and placements. 1. 6 Definition of Terms For the purpose of this study the following terms are defined as follows: 1. . 1 Employee Expectation : Employees concern that transform into expectations concerning both themselves and their work group. These expectations are with respect to immediate job and employment worries to longer term status, and behavioural and cultural concerns in the „new? organization (Surkund, Purang & Gupta, 2006). In this case, the expectations reflected by the affected employees of SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad in the proce ss of M&A. 1. 6. 2 Leadership : A process whereby ones influences others to achieve a common goals (Northouse,2001).In this case, it is referred to the management of SapuraCrest 15 Petroleum Berhad through human resource strategic role and the affected employees. 1. 6. 3 Communication : Defines as the communication transaction between individuals and/or groups at various levels and in different areas of specialization that are intended to design and redesign organizations, to implement design and contribute from day-to-day activities (Frank & Brwnell, 1989). In this case the communication is meant between the management of SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad through human resource strategic role and the affected employees. . 6. 4 Commitment : The meaning behind commitment in the organizations appears to be shifting from a â€Å"desire to remain in, and identify with, the organization towards a highly proactive, innovative and challenging approach to work, as a mutually beneficial psycholo gical contract between organization and individual (Vinicombe, 1998). This summarise the intention definition of commitment in this study where human resource strategic role acts on behalf of the management of SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad in ensuring commitment is offered to employees throughout the process of M&A. 6 1. 7 Scope of the Study The research is carried out on SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad? s (SCPB) affected employees. The announcement to merge with another giant oil & gas service provider in Malaysia, Kencana Petroleum Berhad has triggered some concerns amongst the affected employees. This study is primarily designed to review the relationship between SapuraCrest Petroleum? s human resource strategic roles and employee expectation on the merger plan success. 1. Assumptions A researcher assumes that all respondent at SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad (SCPB) answer all questions sincerely and that respondents are fully understand and aware the purpose and objectives of this stud y. Researcher also assumes that the sample in this study represents the population of organization that is going through a merger exercise in Malaysia. 1. 9 Structure of the Study This study consists of five chapters. The first chapter outlines the introduction, purpose and objectives of this study.It also touches on the research problems, questions and the significant of the study. Chapter Two discuss on review of related literature based on the research done, research model framework, and research hypothesis development. 17 Elaboration on the research design, sampling and data collection procedures, measurement & instrumentation and, data analysis techniques are outlined in Chapter Three. Chapter Four discusses on the overview of the data collected, profile respondents, reliability test, major findings, correlation analysis of variables, multiple regression and summary findings.The final chapter presents the discussion of the research done, recommendations for future research as w ell as limitation. 18 CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 2. 1 Introduction Chapter Two offers a literature review on issues related to M&A, employee expectation and human resource management. The development of research framework/model and hypotheses will be discussed in this chapter. Then, it is followed by theoretical framework. 2. 2 Evaluation of Merger & Acquisition Mergers and acquisitions represent the end of the continuum of options companies have in combining with each other.This combination has the greatest implications for size of investment, control, integration requirements, pains of separation, and people management issues (Doz & Hamel, 1998; Hamel, 1991; Harbison, 1996; Sparks, 1998, 1999). With the focus on mergers and acquisitions, it is important to distinguish them. In a merger, two companies come together and create a new entity. In an acquisition, one company buys another one and manages it consistent with the acquirer? s needs. However, both suffer the same predicament .The primary purpose of merging and acquiring new firms is usually to improve overall performance (Lubatkin, 1983) by achieving synergy, or the more commonly described as the â€Å"2 + 2 = 5† effect (Cartwright and Cooper, 1993) 19 between two business units that will increase competitive advantage (Porter & 1985). However, the mere existence of potential synergism is no guarantee that this possibility will be realized (Cartwright & Cooper, 1993). Recent research indicates that these M&A has a negative impact on the economic performance of the new entity (Cartwright & Cooper, 1993).With the estimated rates of their success from 20-60 percent, it sure will paralyse the competitiveness in the new entity (British Institute of Management, 1986). Therefore, although M&As are usually extremely well planned out in terms of financial and legal aspects, the conclusion that has to be drawn is that these poor results have come to be attributed to poor human resource planning. Consequent ly, for sustained competitive advantage to be achieved, it is imperative that the M&A be implemented from a financially and legally sound standpoint, as well as from a behavioural approach.Most mergers and acquisitions follow a four-stage process as per discussed by Schmidt & Griffin, 1993. There are the pre-deal stage, due diligence stage, integration planning stage and implementation stage. 2. 2. 1 Pre-Deal Based on its growth strategy, the acquirer searches for an appropriate target or partner, assesses potential targets and develops a plan for executing the deal. This first phase involves searching for suitable entities for M&A. During this phase it is usually done to develop a set of criteria for the selection of a suitable 20 entity.In this early phase the organization defines its objectives and desired outcomes of the merger or acquisition and searches for suitable entities. This often involves extensive research and gathering of market intelligence to access the potential of suitable candidates. 2. 2. 2 Due Diligence After making the offer, the acquirer ensures that the deal is strategically and economically sound and has a high likelihood of success. Thorough, detailed execution of this stage is critical. Once a suitable entity has been identified, usually the next step is to make an offer to acquire or merge with the new entity.This offer is usually made conditional on the completion of the due diligence. During this second phase, a review of the new entity is undertaken to ensure the soundness of the deal and to access any risks involved with the completion of the deal. During this phase the organization will typically review the financial statements, strategies, business plans, resources and operations of the entity to confirm their assessment of the commercial suitability of the deal. Often many transactions do not go beyond this phase because the due diligence highlights the inappropriate risks associated with the deal. 2. 2. Integration Planning The acquirer creates a comprehensive plan for integrating the two organizations. This stage takes place within the first 100 days of the decision to 21 merge and can begin during due diligence if both sides believe the deal will go forward. The detailed plans, milestones and activities are developed to ensure the successful implementation of the deal. This phase is often conducted under very tight time frames and requires extensive and detailed involvement from experienced personnel. Detailed project management plans are established to ensure the smooth implementation of the deal. 2. 2. Implementation The final stage builds on all the planning that has gone before. Implementation can take months or even years to complete, depending on the complexity of the deal and the size of the merging companies. This phase requires the execution of the detailed planning conducted in phase three. Again, this phase is usually conducted under tight time frames and requires the execution of many co mplex plans simultaneously. Strong project management skills are required during this stage. The implementation phase is very visible to, shareholders, staff, clients and competitors and is conducted under tremendous scrutiny of these parties.However, according to the study carried out by the Ministry of Manpower Singapore (2003) there should be another stage that sums up M&A process. This neglected final stage is known as evaluation. The final phase requires reviewing the performance of the new entity to ensure that a successful integration has been completed and that the objectives of the M&A have been achieved. Performance of 22 the new entity is assessed against the original objectives determined in the pre deal phase. Figure 2. 1 Merger & Acquisition Life Cycle Source : The Ministry of Manpower Singapore,2003 There are numerous reasons for companies to merge or acquire. Some of the most frequent include: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Horizontal mergers for market dominance; economies of sc ale Vertical mergers for channel control Hybrid mergers for risk spreading, cost cutting, synergies, defensive drivers Growth for world-class leadership and global reach Survival; critical mass Acquisition of cash, deferred taxes, and excess debt capacity Move quickly and inexpensively Flexibility; leverage Bigger asset base to leverage borrowing 23 ? ? ? ?Adopt potentially disruptive technologies Financial gain and personal power Gaining a core competence to do more combinations Talent, knowledge, and technology Hence, M&A are supposed to create new, stronger organizations, but history shows that such combinations often fall far short of expectations. Every M&A promises to create value from some kind of synergy, yet statistics show that the benefits that look so good on paper often do not materialize. The result, more often than not, is value destruction. The literature on M&A indicates that failure rates typically range from 50 to 70 percent or even higher.A Business Week (2004) s tudy of megamergers conducted between 1998 and 2000 found that in more than 60 percent of the cases, shareholder value was destroyed. Why do so many corporate combinations that looked like such great opportunities end up in disaster? Recent research suggests that contrary to common belief, it is not poor strategic fit that most often causes M&A to fail but poor execution. The errors can be seen, for example, in instances of insensitive management, lack of trust building and communication, slow execution, power struggles, or a leadership vacuum following the deal.Even with this kind of information, most corporate combinations still place special emphasis on the strategic and financial goals of the transaction, whereas the cultural and people implications rarely receive as much attention. 24 2. 3 Evaluation of Employees Expectations in M&A Mergers between different organizational entities have been a widespread phenomenon during the past decades. Our newspapers abound with stories abo ut organizations in the process of merging their activities. It is expected that approximately one in three employees will face a merger or acquisition in their working ife (Hubbard, 1999). In the past decades, many works, both academic and business, have been dedicated to this phenomenon, and the reasons for merging and the actual implementation have both been described extensively (Cartwright & Cooper, 1993). The issues under investigation have initially concerned the strategic, financial, or operational side of mergers. However, even thoroughly planned mergers often fail to materialize and much of the variance in the prediction of merger failure remains unexplained (Amiot, Terry, & Callan, 2007). Many companies believe that M&A are a key means for growth.By combining, companies may gain market share, new markets, a wider range of product offerings, control over the supply chain, and cost efficiencies. It isn? t just being bigger that matters. Employees may not always agree with t he merger rationale, but their understanding of it guides decisions and actions, motivates them to devote the energy and time to changes, sustains their performance and retention during the merger, and develops an enthusiasm for a better future (Walker & Price,2000). 25 Merger announcements should not simply be a cliche.Stating that the merger will enable us â€Å"to become more competitive globally† or to â€Å"become the technology leader in our industry† says very little to employees. Beyond increased shareholder value, an acquiring company should define specific benefits expected and how they will be realized (Walker & Price,2000). A focus on the â€Å"human side† of mergers could therefore be valuable. Human dynamics become even more relevant with the growing trend toward related combinations which involve a great extent of people integration (Cartwright & Cooper, 1996).The human side of mergers has been examined according to a variety of perspectives and t heories such as expectations in certainty on the future direction of the company, departure of key personnel, cultures clashed, job Security and morale (Cartwright & Cooper, 1996). 2. 4 Importance of Managing Employee Expectation An estimate by Davy et. al (1998), blames â€Å"employee problems† as being responsible for one-third to one-half of all M&A failures. Therefore, the underlying causes of employee resistance need to be studied carefully because their understanding has the potential of improving merger planning outcomes.Managing employee expectation is crucial as it leads directly to the success of merger. This is very much related to the importance of employees? engagement. According to Harter, Schmidt and Hayes (2002), a highly engaged employee will 26 consistently deliver beyond expectations. Employee engagement is critical to any organization that seeks to retain valued employees. The Watson Wyatt (2010), a consulting company has proved that there is an intrinsic link between employee engagement, customer loyalty and profitability.As organization going globalize and become more dependent on technology in a virtual working environment, there is a greater need to connect and engage with employee to provide them with an organizational â€Å"identity† (Vazirani, 2007) All those who are involved with the M&A process should take into consideration the human expectations. They should be able to understand human attitudes and behaviours in order to manage the expectations. Given the magnitude and importance of the employees? sychological reactions on the merger outcome, it is very important to understand the sources of this stress and the way it affects the organization in order to be able to reduce employee resistance as a way to maximize synergy realization (Moran, 2005). 2. 5 Evaluation of Strategic Human Resources Management in M&A Given the increased importance of people issues in an M&A transaction, it? s somewhat surprising that survey results conducted by Towers Watson (2008) shows that human resource function tends to be only peripherally involved in much of the M&A process. It? not until the planning and implementation phase of the acquisition that human resource plays a more predominant role, with 38% of 27 respondents saying that they? re brought to the leadership team at the integration planning stage and 35% of respondents saying they have a leadership role during the integration implementation phase. There is evidence to suggest that bringing human resource to the leadership team earlier in the acquisition makes sense it is interesting to note that very successful dealmakers appear to involve human resource in more aspects of the deal than others.The data shows that a small number of very successful dealmakers chose to involve human resources a lot earlier in the process. For example, 17% of very successful dealmakers involved human resource in the due diligence phase with some involving their human resou rce function in the target evaluation phase. It is believed this may be an appropriate response to the impact of people issues in affecting long-term deal success. Figure 2. 2 : Comparison of Where HR Playing A Lead Role in very Successful Deals vs. Less Successful DealsSource : Canadian Financial Executive Research Foundation, 2010 28 If one assumes that human resources is the unit best equipped to help the new company manage the people-related issues of a merger, the next step is to look at how human resource functions during a merger or an acquisition. According to Schmidt & Griffin (2002), below are strategies that should be taken or at least considered by human resources in dealing with M&A process : 2. 5. 1 Leadership by Human Resources The greater the frequency and magnitude of change, the more important leadership and culture become.Leadership holds it all together. It is a make or break function (Arian, 2007) He confirms that leadership is the most important driver of emplo yee engagement. During periods of transition and disruption, employees look first to leaders for guidance about how to react and behave, for motivation, and for focus. Experience shows that what leaders do during mergers and acquisitions has a significant impact on how employees of both organizations react and promote a sense of community and purpose. Positive employee perception of leaders is crucial to successful change.Employees want to believe that leadership cares about them. When employees are convinced that leaders genuinely do care about them, they become more open and willing to make necessary transitions (Arian, 2007). Companies that foster a high degree of leadership visibility and involvement during M&A instil a supportive organizational culture with a better than average chance of success (Olson, 2007). Leaders set the priorities and create the positive business 29 momentum and discipline required during M&As.They instil in employees the necessary level of commitment, e ngagement, confidence and comfort to work through difficult transitions. Leaders, who by their statements and actions inspire a shared sense of purpose, coherence, community and trust, enable employees to focus and remain highly engaged during M&As and post-merger integration. Establishing and sustaining cultural alignment during the first 100 days is particularly important in shaping the newly formed organizational culture and employee perceptions of it. Leadership intervention is a critical symbol of the new organizational culture (Olson, 2007).Strong leadership and maintaining energy for change among employees are the two principles of success that reinforce each other when executed well (McKinsey, 2008). Only human resource truly has its fingers on the pulse of the acquired employees. Only human resource can shape the organizational mindset that will move the merged firm forward in the marketplace. Therefore human resource must take a leadership role in these most important area s. 2. 5. 2 Communication by Human Resource It is well accepted that communication is the key tool within any changes (kanter, Stein & Jick, 1992).Any failure to communicate leaves employees uncertain about their future and will lead them to seek other means to reduce this uncertainty, such as reliance on rumours and other means of informal 30 communication which are not an effective means in reducing anxiety (Rosnow, 1988). This is because it tends to focus on negative and inaccurate information. Buono and Bowditch (1989) mention that, during mergers and acquisitions activity, â€Å"rumour mills and the grapevine work overtime, leading to more anxiety and, in many cases, counterproductive behaviours.Often based on fears rather than reality, these rumours can significantly exacerbate employee anxiety, tension and stress†. This anxiety and uncertainty are usually leading to dysfunctional outcomes. The extensive literature on managing communication in periods of organisational c hange and merger, shows that frequent and honest communication to staff about the merger has a stabilising effect (Ashkenas et al. , 1998). The literature suggests communication strategies serve to reduce uncertainty, but also acknowledges that staff are frequently sceptical about management messages.Furthermore, it is evident that such scepticism is not misplaced in times of change where futures are uncertain and directions are evolving. Procedural justice research emphasises the importance of two-way communication, in which both management and employees can voice their opinions, concerns, desires and provide information. Research shows that employee opportunity to voice an opinion results in the process being perceived as fairer, although this is negated if that opinion is perceived to be ignored by the decision maker (Citera and Rentsch, 1993).With all concerns mentioned earlier, clear communication is the tool to ensure their anxiety is entertained. The primary goals of post mer ger 31 communications should be to inform, and more importantly to inspire! The best median will be none other than human resource as the intermediary. 2. 5. 3 Commitment Another crucial human resource role is helping employees cope with change. It has far-reaching consequences, including maintaining productivity, stemming the loss of key talent and smoothing the integration of the two cultures. Change can be particularly difficult for employees involved in a M&A, especially those who work for the target.Unanswered questions about job security, relocation and new reporting relationships, spawn rumours, anxiety, resentment and the loss of top talent, who can most easily find jobs elsewhere. All this can lead to lower productivity and diminution of a company? s intangible assets. In the growing world of global financial services mergers, these issues take on heightened importance (Schmidt & griffin, 2002). Exhibiting commitments to the employees in the light of merger is essential. Th ings rarely remain the same in the wake of a major transaction.Roles and responsibilities change. Employees are normally re-assigned or worst case scenario, terminated. New policies and new procedures are adopted. Employees must be aided and psychologically prepared, to accept the changes that are inevitable. They must be made understand that additional changes may have to be enacted in the future as the integration process moves through its various stages. Helping employees to 32 accept and understand change is a commitment by human resource where it will accelerate the process and minimize the pain associates with the uncertainty. . 6 Research Model/Framework Based on the literature discussed earlier, the following research framework has been developed as a model for this study. This research model is designed to identify the relationship between dependent variable of employee expectation and three independent variables of human resources strategic roles. Based on the literature r eview presented, further investigations on the relationship among the variables are accomplished. The model framework is as per illustrated in Figure 2. 3 below. Figure 2. 3 : Research FrameworkDEPENDENT VARIABLES Leadership Communication Commitment H1 H2 H3 DEPENDENT VARIABLES Employee expectation towards M&A success 33 2. 7 Research Hypotheses Development From the model in Figure 2. 3, three (3) hypotheses are developed as below: H1) There is a significant relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of leadership and employee expectation towards the success of M&A. H2) There is a relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of communication and employee expectation towards the success of M&A.H3) There is a relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of commitment and employee expectation towards the success of M&A. These hypotheses had been tested using appropriate data analysis technique. 2. 8 Conclusion This chapter has presented a review of literature that focused on the employee expectations and how human resource strategic roles could assist in managing them subsequently ensuring the success of merger & acquisition. Research framework has been developed to see the significant relationship between employees? expectation and human resource Strategic roles.The following chapter describes in details of the procedures and methodology used for data collection and analysis for this paper. 34 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 3. 1 Introduction This chapter provides the methodology use in this research to study the significant relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variables. This chapter begins with research design, population and sampling procedures, data collection procedures and data analysis techniques. 3. 2 Research Design A research design is a master plan explaining the methods and procedures for collecting and analyzing the information.The design is to ensure that all of the information gath ered are appropriate for solving the problem (Zikmund, 2003). Research design offers critical choice points to carry out the research. It outlines the details or the necessary procedures in carrying out the research. This research intends to investigate the relationship between independent and dependent variables, as well as it offers a platform for hypothesis testing. According to Sekaran (2006) studies that engage in hypothesis testing usually explains the nature of certain relationship. 35 3. 2. Type of Study The method used to analyse data was carried out using quantitative survey where the researcher measured the phenomena under investigation with the use of statistical analysis of raw data collected from a structured questionnaire. It used various statistical tests and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) to interpret the results of data. The study will be carried out specifically among affected employees at SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad. 3. 2. 2 Unit of Analysis The u nit of analysis refers to the level of aggregation of the data collected during the data analysis (Sekaran, 2000).The problem statement of this study focused on how the success of merger is significantly influence by the relationship between strategic roles of human resources and employee expectation. Data was collated from individuals working at SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad. The approach to this study was a survey study where data was generated via distributing questionnaires. Affected employees had been asked to furnish and answer the questionnaire to the problem statement of this study; evaluate the existence of relationship between human resource strategic roles and employee expectation. 6 3. 3 Population and Sampling Procedure The samples at SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad are selected using the simple random sampling technique. The simple random sampling method is chosen because every element in the population has a known and equal chance being selected as the sample. According t o Sekaran (2006), simple random sampling has the lease bias and offered the most generalization. In order for this research to become more reliable, it is important to have the right sample size. The population of this study cover all affected employees in SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad.Affected employees are defined as the first cohort joining the new entity. Due to tight time frame of the thorough implementation process of M&A as well as the business and operations requirement, the management has decided to implement the merger in phases. It started off with all employees that are hired directly under SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad cost centre. There are 134 employees all together. The rest of the 1466 employees are hired under business unit cost centres. Due to the operations requirement these employees will not be affected immediately. The second phase will only commence 8 months later.The reason why only this population chosen is very much aligned to the significant of this study a s per mentioned in Chapter One. Out of 134 affected employees, the random sample of 100 employees is identified via Raosoft Sample Size Calculator with 5% margin error and 95% tolerance of confidence level. 37 Below is the breakdown of the 100 participated employees Table 3. 1: Sample Breakdown Category/ Job Grade Tea Lady & Driver (DO & OA) Non Executive (G1-G3) Admin & Secretary (S1-S4) Executive (E8-E6) Middle Management (E5-E3) Senior Management (NG-E2D) Management TechnicalNon-Technical 4 6 7 6 22 20 4 15 13 3 3. 4 Data Collection Procedure The major approach in generating data for this study is through questionnaires which intended to measure employee expectation towards merger & acquisition. The survey is conducted at SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 employees both via email as well as hard copy extended by hand. The respondents were given 1 week to respond to the survey. 38 3. 5 The measurement The major measures for this research are em ployee expectation, leadership, communication and commitment.Participants are required to respond to all questionnaire items for measures using a five-point likert scale. Two scales are used in this research. First is nominal scale, specifically for Section A. Likert Scale is used for Section B, C, D and E. The scale below show the measurement used in Likert-Scale scoring from 1 to 5 (Sekaran, 2003). Table 3. 2: Likert-Scale Strongly Disagree 1 Uncertain Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree 5 2 3 4 Source : Sekaran, 2003 Responses on items for each measure are averaged to form an overall score such that higher scores indicated a higher standing on the measures.The items for each of the measures are given in the Appendixes. Table 3. 2 outlines the measurement items. Table 3. 3: Measurement Items Variables Employees Expectations Items 5 Scales Five-point Likert Scale Sources Adopted from Clemente & Greenspan (1999) 39 Leadership 5 Five-point Likert Scale Adopted from Avolio, Gardner & Walum bwa (2004) Adopted from Cartwright & Cooper (1993) Adopted from Allen & Meyer (1990) Communication 5 Five-point Likert Scale Five-point Likert Scale Commitment 7 3. 6 Questionnaire Design The questionnaire consists of five (5) sections.The first part contains information regarding respondent? s demographics features which include age, gender, academic qualification, job grade, length of service and job classification. The second part of the questionnaire consists of questions on employee expectation, which subsequently followed by leadership, communication and commitment in that order. Table 3. 4 : Questionnaire Layout Sections A Variables Respondent Background: ? Age ? Gender ? Academic Qualification ? Job Grade ? Length of Service ? Job Classification Employee Expectation Leadership Items 6 B C 5 5 40 D ECommunication Commitment 5 7 3. 7 Data Analysis Techniques The first step in statistical analysis involved physically going through all the completed questionnaires page by page a nd browsing through them in order to understand the responses. Raw data, as per written in the questionnaire will be coded for analysis purposes by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Program. The analysis of data begins with reliability test for the scales through Cronbach? s Alpha. The Cronbach Alpha testing is used due to well accepted reliability test tools applied by social researcher (Sekaran, 2005).Cronbach? s Alpha reliability analyze that the closer Cronbach? s Alpha is to 1. 0, the higher the internal consistency reliability (Cronbach, 1946). Cronbach scale analyzes: I. II. III. reliability less than 0. 6 is considered poor reliability in the range 0. 7 is considered to be acceptable reliability more than 0. 8 is considered to be good Secondly, in order to determine whether there are significant relationships among the independent and dependent variables, Pearson Correlation 41 Coefficient analysis was carried out.The scale model suggested by Davies (1971) is used to describe the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable, as shown below: I. 0. 7 and above – very strong relationship, II. 0. 50 to 0. 69 – strong relationship, III. 0. 30 to 0. 49 – moderate relationship, IV. 0. 10 to 0. 29 – low relationships and V. 0. 01 to 0. 09 – very low relationship. Thirdly, Multiple Regression Analysis was conducted to exam which among the three independent variables is the most important variables in exhibiting employees? xpectation. According to Sekaran (2005), the correlation coefficient, R, will indicate the strength of relationship between two variables and it will also show how much of the variance in the dependent variable will explain when several independent variables are theorized to simultaneously influence it. Besides that the square of multiple, R2 is the amount of variance which will explain the dependent variable by the predictors. Beta value ( ) is used to identify the most important variables. This is known as Multiple Regression. 42Finally, frequency distribution is being carried out to obtain a count of number of responses associated with different values of one variable and to express these counts in to percentage terms 3. 8 Conclusion This chapter discussed the research method proposed for this study by presenting the theoretical framework and research hypothesis. Aside to that, it also includes the discussion of sampling design, data collection, questionnaire, measurement and data analysis. 43 CHAPTER 4 FINDINGS 4. 1 Introduction This chapter outlines the results of data analysis obtained based on data collected from respondents.The main purpose of this research is to study the relationship between the independent variables of HR strategic roles namely leadership, communication and commitment with the dependent variable which is employee expectation. The findings intend to verify the hypotheses made in chapter two. The statistical method of Pearson Correlation is used to determine the existence of any relationships between the independent variables and dependent variable. In addition, regression analysis is conducted to examine independent variable and determine which serve the most important to explain employee expectation.This chapter also illustrates the reliability test made to the instruments used using Cronbach Alpha. All in all, this chapter is divided into eight segments which includes; overview of data collection, profile of respondents, goodness of measure, descriptive analysis, major findings, summary of findings, and conclusion. 44 4. 2 Overview of Collected Data A total of 100 sets of questionnaires were distributed to respondents. All 100 sets of questionnaires were returned on a timely manner; within 1 week. It has been found that all questions were answered by the respondents and considered valid and ready-fit to be analyzed.Table 4. 1: Response Rate Data Questionnaire distributed Collected question naire Usable questionnaire Discarded questionnaire Total 100 100 0 0 Percentage (%) 100 100 0 0 4. 3 Respondents’ Profile The survey demonstrated the details concerning demographic characteristics or respondents? profile as shown in Table 4. 2 below. Table 4. 2: Respondent Profile No 1 Demographic Age Categories ? Below 25 ? 25-34 years ? 35-44 years ? 45-54 years ? 55 and above ? Male ? Female Frequency 8 55 34 3 0 57 43 Percentage (%) 8 55 34 3 0 57 43 2 Gender 45 3 Academic Qualification Secondary ? Diploma ? Degree ? Master ? PhD ? Professional ? DO &OA ? G1-G3 ? S1-S4 ? E8-E6 ? E5-E3 ? NG-E2D ? Below 2 years ? 2-4 years ? 5-7 years ? 8-10 years ? More than 10 years ? Management ? Technical ? Non- Technical 6 11 67 9 1 6 4 13 6 42 32 3 18 56 24 1 1 7 43 50 6 11 67 9 1 6 4 13 6 42 32 3 18 56 24 1 1 7 43 50 4 Job Grade 5 Length of Service 6 Job Classification The study indicates more than half of the respondents are within the age of 25 – 34 years old, where approxim ately one third of the respondents are within the age of 35 – 44 years old.It is self explanatory, when majority of 57% of the respondents are male due to the nature of business which is oil & gas, which known for performing tasks under harsh environment. A highest rate of respondents 67% 46 did their degree and only small percentage of 9% holds master degree followed by 1% who pursued PhD. Lastly, this questionnaire managed to capture different job classification where 7% from the management, 43% from technical and 50% from non-technical. 4. 4 Reliability Analysis According to Sekaran (2003), the closer the reliability coefficient gets to 1. , the better it is, and those values over . 80 are considered as good. Those value in the . 70 is considered as acceptable and those reliability value less than . 60 is considered to be poor (Sekaran, 2003). According to George & Mallery (2003), reliability is the degree to which measure are free from error and therefore yield consistent results. Table 4. 3: Reliability Analysis Variables Employees Expectations Leadership Communication Commitment No. Of Items 5 Items Dropped 0 Cronbach? s Alpha 0. 6 5 5 7 0 0 0 0. 8 0. 6 0. 8 As shown in table 4. , alpha value for independent variables ranges from 0. 6-0. 8 which can be considered good. In addition, dependent variable has found to be at 0. 6 on acceptable value. 47 4. 5 Major Findings The results of Pearson Correlation Analysis and Linear Regression are presented in the following section. 4. 5. 1 Pearson Correlation Coefficient According to Sekaran (2003), in research project that includes several variables, beyond knowing the means and standard deviations of the dependent and independent variables, the researcher would often like to know how one variable is related to another.This means that the researcher should see the nature, direction and significance of the bivariate relationship of the variables used in the study which is the relationship between any two var iables among the variables tapped in the study. A Pearson correlation matrix will provide this information, which will indicate the direction, strength and significance of the bivariate relationships of all the variables in the study. Theoretically, there is a possibility of a perfect positive correlation between two variables, which is represented by 1. 0 (plus 1), or a perfect negative correlation which would -1. (minus1). While correlation could range between -1. 0 and +1. 0, and the researcher need to know if any correlation found between two variables is significant or otherwise (i. e. ; if it has occurred solely by chance or if there is a high probability of its actual existence) As for the information, a significance of p ? 0. 05 48 is the generally accepted conventional level in social sciences research. This indicates that 95 times out of 100, this can be sure that there is a true or significant correlation between the two variables, and there is only a 5% chance that the r elationship does not truly exist.The correlation matrix between dependent variable and independent variables are exhibited in Table 4. 5 below. The finding from this analysis is then compared against the hypotheses developed in this study. Table 4. 4 : Inter-Correlations of the Major Variable Variables Leadership Communication Employee Expectation Employees -. 544** . 502** Expectations Leadership . 782** Communication Commitment – Commitment . 460** . 857** . 680** – **Correlation is significant at the 0. 01 level (2-tailed) *Correlation is significant at the 0. 05 level (2-tailed)Hypothesis 1: There is significance relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of leadership and employee expectation towards the success of M&A. The relationship between leadership is tested against employee engagement. The results between the two variables is found as r=. 544, n=100, p?. 05. The correlations coefficient indicates that there is a strong relationship betwee n the variables. Hypothesis 1 is accepted. 49 Hypothesis 2: There is significance relationship between human resource strategic roles in terms of communication and employee expectation towards the success of M&A.The relationship between communication against employee expectation is investigated. The results shows quite similar to leadership where the two variables are found as r=. 502, n=100, p ? .05. The relationship is significant with strong relationship. Hence, hypothesis 2 is accepted. Hypothesis 3: There is significance relationship between commitment and employees’ expectation in SapuraCrest Petroleum Berhad. The relationship between commitment against employee expectation has found to have poor significant with r=. 406, n=100, p