Issues in Harmonization of Accounting Standards-Free-Samples

Question: Talk about the Harmonization of the Accounting Standards with the International Accounting Standards (IAS/IFRS). Answer: Presentation The harmonization of the bookkeeping principles alludes to the way toward adjusting the nearby bookkeeping measures of a nation with the worldwide bookkeeping guidelines. The essential target of harmonization is to accomplish the equivalence in the monetary detailing. Various nations have diverse bookkeeping rehearses; the harmonization is an endeavor to decrease the distinctions in the bookkeeping rehearses received by various nations (Wang, 2011). With regards to this, a report has been introduced to give conversation on the harmonization of the bookkeeping gauges. For the examination of handy case, WIPRO Limited recorded on the National Stock Exchange of India has been picked. Explanations behind Harmonization The bookkeeping principles and practices are set out by the administration of a nation by alluding to the financial condition of that nation. The financial condition of nations will undoubtedly be unique. In this way, there emerge contrasts in the bookkeeping norms and the acts of the nations (Franklin, 2012). The distinction in bookkeeping practices of nations is the essential explanation that laid to harmonization. As has just been iterated that harmonization of the bookkeeping measures gets equality in the monetary announcing of two organizations that work in two distinct nations. The neighborhood bookkeeping principles of a nation are altered or changed to make them in accordance with the universal bookkeeping gauges through the harmonization procedure (Franklin, 2012). It is urgent to comprehend that harmonization is not quite the same as union. In the intermingling procedure, the nearby bookkeeping gauges of a nation are changed to consolidate the arrangements of the global bookkeeping norms. Be that as it may, in the harmonization procedure, the neighborhood bookkeeping norms are changed uniquely to the degree these are in strife with the worldwide bookkeeping measures. In the harmonization procedure, the neighborhood bookkeeping gauges are permitted to keep and hold the arrangements that can not be modified because of idiosyncrasies of the financial condition of a nation. For instance, Indian GAAP orchestrates the bookkeeping measures to make them lined up with the universal bookkeeping standard however at the same time it additionally gives bend outs. The bend outs have been given to accommodate the zones in the bookkeeping standard which are to be kept and held and not be received from global bookkeeping standard (KPMG, 2014). The harmonization likewise helps the organizations in raising capital at the global stage. So as to raise capital at the universal stage, it is fundamental for an organization to get ready and present its fiscal summaries as per the worldwide bookkeeping rehearses (Wang, 2011). Along these lines, by embracing the harmonization procedure, the neighborhood bookkeeping gauges are lined up with the universal bookkeeping measures. Because of this harmonization, the fiscal summaries arranged by the organizations become tantamount which makes it simple for the speculators to assess the companys money related execution. The assessment of money related execution of the organization is a significant exercise in the venture choice. In this way, if the speculator can't assess the monetary exhibition of an organization because of the reasons that its fiscal reports have been readied utilizing distinctive bookkeeping rehearses, he would not have the option to settle on out the choice to put resour ces into the organization (Wang, 2011). With regards to Indian economy, it is fundamental to advance top notch budgetary detailing rehearses for the general financial development. One approach to improve the nature of bookkeeping rehearses in India is to make the adjustments in the bookkeeping practices to adjust them to the worldwide bookkeeping rehearses (Kaur, 2014). Subsequently, harmonization of the Indian bookkeeping norms is basic for the financial development in India. It is seen that the improvement in the bookkeeping rehearses through harmonization of the bookkeeping guidelines in India would support the exchange and business develop. As the harmonization of the Indian bookkeeping practices will help in creating capital markets, improve access to credit, and building up the money related division. It will get the money related dependability which is essential for the reasonable monetary development. The Indian economy is on the improvement pathway and it needs the money related help at the universal stage to deve lop quickly. In any case, it is conceivable just when India fits its bookkeeping and money related announcing rehearses with the global gauges. The harmonization of the Indian bookkeeping principles with the worldwide bookkeeping gauges would acquire straightforwardness the framework which is genuinely necessary for financial development (Kaur, 2014). Issues in Harmonization of Accounting Standards It is viewed as that the excellent bookkeeping rehearses combined with the rigid administration instrument are the nuts and bolts for monetary turn of events. So as to improve the bookkeeping rehearses and the administration framework in the nation, it is basic to expand straightforwardness and fix responsibility (Griff, 2014). Toward this path, one of the undertakings of the administration is the harmonization of the bookkeeping principles with the worldwide bookkeeping norms. In any case, the procedure of harmonization of the bookkeeping norms with the global bookkeeping gauges isn't simple. There are different monetary, political, and social impediments that come in the method of harmonization process. It is imperative to discover goals to the issues and issues that are being looked during the time spent harmonization to make it an effective crucial, (2014). The principal issue that comes in the method of harmonization process is the distinctions in the monetary condition of the creating and the created nations. The attributes of a creating nation will be not quite the same as those of a created nation. In any case, the universal bookkeeping guidelines similarly apply to all the nations; in this manner, there would be sure things that are not reasonable to the financial condition of the creating nations (Bensadon Praquin, 2016). Further, there emerge issues from the political view point too. The harmonization of the bookkeeping gauges is given impact through a lawful procedure as it were. The ideological groups have impact over the lawful procedures, in this way, the political contrasts could emerge when considering endorsing the harmonization procedure. Especially, in the vote based nation like India, the policy driven issues are well on the way to emerge (Bensadon Praquin, 2016). Further, taking a restricted view point, the harmonization of the bookkeeping principles will likewise cause changes in different laws of the nation. The bookkeeping norms are given under the authority of the organizations/organizations act (Wong, 2014). In this manner, the harmonization procedure would initially prompt changes in the partnerships demonstration. Further, the subsequent changes in the different laws could likewise be required, for example, tax collection laws and protections trade laws and guidelines. In this manner, the harmonization of the bookkeeping norms is certifiably not a one stage process. It will require significant changes in the lawful arrangement of the nation, which could make it a tedious procedure (Wong, 2014). Further, notwithstanding the abovementioned, the most basic issue emerges for the little and medium measured ventures. It has been viewed as that the worldwide bookkeeping measures will add multifaceted nature to bookkeeping procedure of the little and medium estimated firms (Wong, 2014). Further, it is likewise contended that the global bookkeeping guidelines are not as applicable to the little and medium measured firms as these are to the huge partnerships. The appropriation of worldwide bookkeeping principles by the little and medium estimated firms adds complexities to the bookkeeping procedure as well as motivation extra expenses being brought about by these organizations. Further, the issues may emerge concerning comprehension of the worldwide bookkeeping guidelines in the little firms. Without satisfactory preparing, the little firms will most likely be unable to apply the universal bookkeeping measures properly (Wong, 2014). In India, the service of corporate undertakings has proclaimed harmonization of the Indian bookkeeping gauges with the worldwide bookkeeping guidelines. The combination of Indian bookkeeping gauges is all the while. The Indian government has supplanted the old bookkeeping measures with the new Indian bookkeeping gauges in its undertaking to meet with the worldwide bookkeeping norms (RSM, 2017). The new Indian bookkeeping norms have been set up on the lines of universal bookkeeping gauges. Further, the new Indian bookkeeping guidelines have been made material to the organizations in the staged way. The recorded elements and the unlisted open organizations with total assets of ? 500 centers or more have been commanded to set up their fiscal summaries for the year 2016-17 as per new Indian bookkeeping guidelines (RSM, 2017). In the assembly and usage of the bookkeeping norms numerous issues have been looked in India. Right off the bat, the Indian economy is portrayed as a creating economy and the global bookkeeping guidelines are surrounded from the view purpose of created nations. In this manner, the distinction in the idea of economy is an issue itself. Also, India is a majority rule nation which implies that the political difficulties are extreme concerning endorsement and usage of the met bookkeeping principles (Siddiqui, 2011). There have been tries since the year 2011 to unite and actualize the combined bookkeeping measures, however the equivalent is yet to be executed in the full stage. The Indian bookkeeping measures contrasts essentially from the internationa

Marketing a New Philosophy of Management Research Paper

Showcasing a New Philosophy of Management - Research Paper Example The finish of this examination will locate a few impressive outcomes. Its conceivable result includes critical improvement in the information and comprehension of most present day ideas of showcasing. The investigation will provide another guidance to future preparing and research work inside the field of advertising. Throughout the years the advertising idea has positively developed in prominence and status, discovering application as a nonexclusive business reasoning in a wide scope of settings. Be that as it may, the idea itself has remained basically unaltered. Another idea of advertising urges firms to have a luxurious name so as to prevail in today’s rivalry. Regardless of the regularly ardent adherence to the idea as a regularizing column, as of late journalists, for example, Houston and Gassenheimer have tested the showcasing idea, contending that much promoting movement is in reality about the thwarting of rivalry and the matchless quality of business sectors, not purchaser independence. (Wensley, 2005) Others have raised questions about its job in improving the seriousness of associations. Based on exact proof, they have proposed that the execution of the promoting idea has really unclear seriousness. These creators were among the first to address, maybe unreasonably, the estimation of the showcasing idea. (Hooley and Lynch, 2003) But, the key point to which they assisted with drawing our consideration was that the execution of the showcasing idea was turning into the Achilles impact point of the order. Without clear rules about how to incorporate it and make it compelling, what was left was minimal more than vacuous talk. ( Samli, Palda, and Barker, 2008). This paper contends for the proceeded with improvement and reappraisal of the promoting idea of something having a luxurious name. The primary concern is that the advertising idea, as it is frequently expounded on, expect a large number of the qualities of a belief system or an article of confidence.

What to Do If Youre Addicted to Nicotine Gum

What to Do If Youre Addicted to Nicotine Gum Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking Print Have You Become Addicted to Nicotine Gum? By Terry Martin facebook twitter Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial policy Terry Martin Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD on July 14, 2016 Sanja Jelic, MD, is board-certified in sleep medicine, critical care medicine, pulmonary disease, and internal medicine.   Learn about our Medical Review Board Sanja Jelic, MD Updated on November 19, 2019 Image Source/Getty Images More in Addiction Nicotine Use How to Quit Smoking After You Quit Nicotine Withdrawal Smoking-Related Diseases The Inside of Cigarettes Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Coping and Recovery On the surface,  chewing a couple of pieces of nicotine gum every day is much better than smoking. Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemical compounds; 250 of which are known to be poisonous, and upwards of 70 that have been identified as carcinogenic.?? We also know that inhaling secondhand smoke is hazardous, and for a smoker, its a double whammy because we breathe in both mainstream and sidestream smoke. It puts us at risk for heart disease, COPD, and cancer for starters.?? Research is ongoing â€" we dont yet fully understand all of the dangers that cigarette smoke presents. Nicotine Can Hurt Your Health That said, while cigarette smoke is worse than nicotine alone, nicotine is not a harmless drug. There is growing concern that long-term use of nicotine may contribute to cancer.?? Nicotine also affects how our bodies function â€" it puts stress on the heart and increases blood pressure.? Nicotine harms the linings of our arteries which leads to the build-up of plaque, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.?? Additionally, nicotine suppresses insulin output creating a hyperglycemic condition in smokers. Nicotine Can Hurt Your Happiness, Too While its true that the amount of nicotine youre getting daily from the gum may be small when compared to smoking, dont forget that nicotine is addictive.?? Regardless of how much or how little youre using, youre still feeding an active addiction. The message youre sending to yourself is that you cant live without nicotine â€" that youre not strong enough to give nicotine up completely. Recovery Takes Time   Recovery from this addiction involves learning how to deal with lifes ups and downs nicotine-free. If you remain dependent on nicotine, regardless of the form it comes in, you run an increased  risk of a smoking relapse. Additionally, as is the case with habit-forming drugs, your tolerance for nicotine will increase over time and so will your intake.?? When the right (or wrong) situation presents itself, you may find its a short jump to lighting up when a piece of nicotine gum isnt handy or just doesnt do the trick in taking the edge off.  Stressful situations  will continue to trigger  the urge for nicotine  until you clear it out of your system and learn new ways of coping. Dont let the junkie thinking that comes with nicotine withdrawal convince you to keep using. If you managed to stop smoking, you can go one step further and eliminate your dependence on therapeutic nicotine as well. Quitting Nicotine Completely Work out a realistic plan to wean yourself off of nicotine gum. If youre chewing 2 or 3 pieces of nicotine gum per day, start by eliminating just one piece. If there are specific times of the day that you use the gum, e.g. first thing in the morning, after meals, etc, choose the one that is the easiest to let go. Substitute a piece of sugar-free gum or a snack instead, and have a plan for a distracting activity should you need it. Once you are comfortable with the new regimen, repeat the process with the second piece of nicotine gum and then the third until you are off of it  completely. It doesnt matter how much time (within reason) that you take between each elimination. Step down when you are feeling comfortable, always keep your goal in mind. We werent born using nicotine. It is possible to leave it behind for good and get on with your life, comfortably  addiction-free. Dont Be Afraid to Let People Know Whats Going on With You Ask for support, and the load youre bearing will become much lighter. Youll be surprised at how understanding folks are. Dont feel ashamed. You are not the first person who has ever had this problem â€" far from it. You deserve a life that is free of nicotine addiction. Believe in yourself â€" you are strong enough to get nicotine out of your body and out of your life. If NRTs Can Be Addictive, Should You Avoid Using Them? No, but use care with this quit aid. All forms of NRT except for the nicotine patch are easy to misuse because you take a dose multiple times a day. The patch is the only NRT that is applied once in the morning and offers time-released nicotine throughout the day.??  We recommend it as our top NRT pick for this reason. NRTs have helped many thousands of smokers stop smoking successfully. Just remember that they are not intended for long-term use. Follow the manufacturers directions exactly, and wean yourself off the NRT product of your choice in the time period suggested.

Teen Pregnancy Causes Serious Physical And Emotional Problems

Teen pregnancy causes serious physical and emotional problems for adolescent mothers, therefore there should be steps taken to prevent such things from happening. I have a close friend who got pregnant at the age of fifteen. It was a mega crisis for her and her baby. It caused a heartbreaking feud between my friend and her parents, as well as her schooling, leading her to drop out of high school. The emotional stress she gained was harming her body. The baby’s father wanted nothing to do with the poor child or the mother. She had nothing figured out, and all her dreams and aspirations were changing in the blink of an eye. This situation was not only terrible for the mother, but it was a terrible situation for the baby to born into. She ended up keeping the baby, but sadly it was a rough circumstance for her. She ended up staying at another friend’s house to raise the baby, and it has taken her four years to finally be able to provide for her child by herself. No teenag e girl or guy should have to go through something they are not ready for; they are still children. Therefore, as a society, we should educate teenagers on how to prevent teen pregnancy, because doing so would lead to a positive effect and help teens grow to become responsible adults. Furthermore, there are a lot of negative effects of teenage pregnancy, so we should clarify these effects with them. One of the main effects is the emotional stress it puts on a young teenager. Teenage pregnancy puts anShow MoreRelatedHigh School Dating : A Not So Cinderella Story1077 Words   |  5 Pagesdistraction of relationship drama causes teenagers to focus less on things like school. This in turn will cause their grades to suffer. Lower grades mean a smaller chance of getting accepted into colleges, or receiving scholarships. Another problem is the emotional impacts of an ugly breakup. Impacts are long lasting at any age, but especially so in high school. This is because students are still developing. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that affected teens have a higher risk for eatingRead MoreTeen Pregnancy Essay1121 Words   |  5 Pages5/6 11/20/2017 Teen Pregnancy The fearless of all parents who have teenagers is pregnancy. Nowadays, teen pregnancy is a serious problem. Teenage have a lack of skills to handle a pregnancy. So that impact strongly on the future of a young woman. Teen pregnancy is associated with negative consequences for adolescents for three reasons: lack of education, medical complication, uncertainty about the future, and financial difficulties. First, the main causes of teenage pregnancy are the lack of educationRead MoreThe Effects Of Teenagers Being Sexually Active1082 Words   |  5 PagesDonovan Rooks Mrs. Meade English 101 3 November 2014 The Causes and Effects of Teenagers Being Sexually Active Sex before marriage, especially in the teenage years, is a growing disappointment and epidemic in today’s society. The common standard of â€Å"waiting until marriage† no longer applies to very many people in this day and age. The effects of teenagers being sexually active can be frightening. The causes, as well as the effects, are usually unknown or ignored by many. Sexually active teenagersRead MoreEssay on Sexually Active Teens1287 Words   |  6 Pagesoverwhelmed teen. The consequences of becoming sexually active during adolescence can include pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and depression. One obvious consequence teens face when they become sexually active is pregnancy. 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Aging out of foster care is a serious issue among America’s youth. Every year, 20,000Read MoreDrug Abuse Essay1546 Words   |  7 PagesThesis: Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, is a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others. Many teens turn to marijuana, prescription drugs, club drugs, alcohol, or other substances as a means of coping with stress, peer influence, and failure of parents to prevent their children from making unreasonable decisions. According to the yearly â€Å"Monitoring the Future† survey of high school age teenagersRead MoreEssay on Teenage Abortion1132 Words   |  5 Pagescompletely opposite in their beliefs. Rather than discuss the emotional views of those groups, I have chosen to research, write, and conclude based on factual material, concerning teenage abortion. A discussion of abortion as a definition is explained medically, and in a small part the emotional effects on the participant. I have chosen to report in a factual not an emotional manner. The direct definition of abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by loss or destruction of the fetus before birth. (Abortion)Read MoreMichael Schmittinger. Mr. Homan, P.3. America In History1512 Words   |  7 PagesMr. Homan, p.3 America in History III, 6.0 February 13th, 2017 Abort Roe v. Wade Since the 1973 court case of Roe v. Wade, around 38 million women have gotten away with murder (Williams 54). An abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often occurring in the first 28 weeks (Merriam). The Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade ruled that abortions performed in the first trimester are legal and abortions performed out of that time period were to be decided by the individual state

Many Things Contribute To The Way A Person Acts, Or Reacts,

Many things contribute to the way a person acts, or reacts, to stimulation in life. There are different societal expectations placed upon men and women that may influence their behaviour, thoughts, and perceptions. One area of particular interest to me is the differences in the way that people of different genders think and feel about topics that are often discussed in feminism. As a female who identifies as a feminist, my thoughts regarding issues such as equal pay, reproductive rights, and sexual violence often differ greatly than those of my male friends, who often do not identify as a feminist. I decided to focus on the latter of the issues mentioned, specifically looking at how women’s perceptions on sexual harassment differ from†¦show more content†¦I would like to study a wide range of ages, as there may be additional perceptual differences between different cohorts, so my ideal, I would have a minimum of 40 participants, who would be males and females between the ages of 18 and 65. In order to attract participants, I would like to advertise through whatever my funding source is (for example, if the research is done through Laurentian university, we could send out emails and meet with classes), as well as through online social media in order to reach those who may not be in the same geographic location as me. My research would take the form of triangulation, which is â€Å"...the use of more than one research technique simultaneously, usually employing at least one quantitative and one qualitative method† (Levan, 2016, p. 80). 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Space meets knowledge The impact of workplace design On knowledge sharing Free Essays

string(84) " the workplace can be used to good effect can be gained from Google’s operations\." Abstract An examination of the role the physical workplace plays in creating opportunities and barriers that influence knowledge management has become a matter of substantial debate. Design of good workplaces for knowledge sharing is considered a major challenge for any organisation. This study provides an insight into the impact of the design and use of the physical workplace on knowledge sharing. We will write a custom essay sample on Space meets knowledge The impact of workplace design On knowledge sharing ? or any similar topic only for you Order Now Evidence presented in this study substantiates the position that the physical presence of an employee has the potential to impact performance and knowledge management. This assessment will be of use to researchers seeking to further examine the area of knowledge management. Introduction Knowledge management, described as the intentional management of information has become increasingly important to organisations (Nonaka and Takeuchi, 1995; Alavi, 1997; Garvin, 1997; Wiig, 1997; Davenport and Prusak, 1998; Ruggles, 1998; Hansen, 1999; Zack, 1999a). In large part this has been fuelled by the exponential growth of the knowledge economy and the increasing number of knowledge workers who have become as essential for many firms competitiveness and survival (Tallman and Chacar 2010). For many emerging organisations face to face contact is essential in the dissemination of knowledge within that infrastructure (Ibid). The process of internal knowledge management is a dynamic element that must be maintained in order to produce results. Literature Review Knowledge is defined as a dynamic human or social process that allows a justification of personal belief as regards the truth (Nonaka 2011). Interaction between people, employees and consumers is one of the primary methods of communicating innovative and inspirational progress. Modern studies in the field of knowledge management have begun to shift focus from the importance of the physical workplace to those engaged in knowledge work (Becker 2004). The recognition of inherent value in the employee base adds incentive to capitalize on the low cost innovative opportunities that knowledge sharing creates (Tallman et al 2010). With critical insight established through the direct contact of the employees, the means of communication becomes a critical concern (Dakir 2012). International companies are recognizing this same value of face to face interaction as the social interaction between management sections, benefits production and development levels world-wide (Noorderhaven and Harzing 2009). In their discussion of social capital, Cohen and Prusak (2001) emphasise the importance of the physical workplace for the exchanging of knowledge, specifically the distribution of ideas amongst individuals in a situation where they could not assume that others knew what they were required to know. Becker (2004) hypothesises that the choices an organisation makes about how space is allocated and designed directly and indirectly shapes the infrastructure of knowledge networks – the dense and richly veined social systems that help people learn faster and engage more deeply in the work of the organisation. This corresponds with the Dakir (2012) argument that technology is no substitute for live interaction among the members of the organization. Davenport et al (2002) undertook a study among 41 firms that were implementing initiatives to advance the performance of high-end knowledge workers who were regarded as critical to the company’s aims. They focused upon determining th e elements that affected the knowledge work performance. Surprisingly, the issue that was most frequently dealt with by these firms involved the physical workplace – â€Å"the other common ones were information technology and management† (Davenport 2005, p. 166). Davenport (2005) emphasises that the recognition of the importance of knowledge work has grown in recent years, but that our understanding of the physical conditions in which knowledge can flourish has failed to keep pace. The inclusion of emerging communication technology has been argued to provide a better opportunity for employee interaction (Rhoads 2010). This same element of improved long distance communication is credited with diminishing the valued impromptu inspiration that many firms rely on during day to day operations (Denstadli, Gripsrud, Hjortahol and Julsrud 2013). According to Davenport et al (2002) workplace design should be seen as a key determinant of knowledge-worker performance, while we largely remain in the dark about how to align ‘space’ to the demands of knowledge work. Davenport (2005) emphasises the point that â€Å"there is a good deal said about the topic, but not much known about it† (p. 165). Most of the decisions concerning the clima te in which work takes place have been created without consideration for performance factors. This fact continues to diminish opportunities for in-house knowledge sharing and effective dissemination of intelligence (Denstadli et al 2013). Becker (2004) points out that the cultivation of knowledge networks underpins the continuing debate about office design, and the relative virtue of open versus closed space. Duffy (2000) confirms these views when he admits that early twenty-first-century architects â€Å"currently know as little about how workplaces shapes business performance as early nineteenth-century physicians knew how diseases were transmitted before the science of epidemiology was established† (p. 371). This makes every emerging decision regarding effective knowledge sharing critical to the development of any organisation. Deprez and Tissen (2009) illustrate the strength of the knowledge sharing process using Google’s approach: â€Å"one company that is fully aware of its ‘spatial’ capabilities†. The spatial arrangements at Google’s offices can serve as a useful example of how design can have a bearing on improving the exchange of knowledge in ways that also add value to the company. The Zurich ‘Google engineering’ office is the company’s newest and largest research and development facility besides Mountain View, California. In this facility, Deprez and Tissen (2009) report: â€Å"Google has created workspaces where people literally ‘slide into space’ (i.e. the restaurant). It’s really true: Google Is different. It’s in the design; it’s in the air and in the spirit of the ‘place’. It’s almost organizing without management. A workplace becomes a ‘workspace’, mobilizing the collectiv e Google minds and link them to their fellow ‘Zooglers’ inside the Zurich office and to access all the outside/external knowledge to be captured by the All Mighty Google organisation† (2009, p. 37). What works for one organisation may not work for another and this appears to be the case in particular when it comes to Google (Deprez et al 2009). Yet, some valuable lessons in how the workplace can be used to good effect can be gained from Google’s operations. You read "Space meets knowledge The impact of workplace design On knowledge sharing ?" in category "Essay examples" For this precise reason, research was carried out at Google Zurich to provide both theoretical and managerial insights into the impact of the design and use of the physical workplace on knowledge sharing (Ibid). Studies comparing the performance of virtual and co-located teams found that virtual teams tend to be more task oriented and exchange less social information than co located ones (Walther Burgoon 1992; Chidambaram 1996). The researchers suggest this would slow the development of relationships and strong relational links have been shown to enhance creativity and motivation. Other studies conclude that face-to-face team meetings are usually more effective and satisfying than virtual ones, but nevertheless virtual teams can be as effective if given sufficient time to develop strong group relationships (Chidambaram 1996). This research implies the importance of facilitating social interaction in the workplace, and between team members (virtual and co-located) when the team is initially forming. Hua (2010) proposes that repeated encounters, even without conversation, help to promote the awareness of co-workers and to foster office relationships. McGrath (1990) recommends that in the abse nce of the ability to have an initial face-to-face meeting other avenues for building strong relationships are advised to ensure the cohesiveness and effectiveness of the team’s interaction. So although interaction alone is not a sufficient condition for successful collaboration, it does indirectly support collaboration. Nova (2005) points out that physical proximity allow the use of non verbal communication including: different paralinguistic and non-verbal signs, precise timing of cues, coordination of turn-taking or the repair of misunderstandings. Psychologists note that deictic references are used in face-to-face meetings on a regular basis, which refers to pointing, looking, touching or gesturing to indicate a nearby object mentioned in conversation (Ibid). Newlands et al (2002) analysed interactions of two groups performing a joint task in either face-to-face or a video conference system. They found that deictic hand gesture occurred five times more frequently in the face-to-face condition the virtual interaction. More recent research has found that extroverts gesticulate for longer and more often in meetings than introverts (Jonnson 2006). Barbour and Koneya (1976) famously claimed that 55 per cent of communication is non-verbal communication, 38 per cent is done by tone of voice, and only 7 per cent is related to the words and content. Clearly non-verbal communication is a key component of interaction and virtual interaction systems need to replicate this basic need, especially in the early stages of team forming or when the team consists of a high proportion of extroverts. The physical co-location of teams also facilitates collaboration (Ibid). A seminal piece of research carried out by Allen (1977) demonstrated that the probability of two people communicating in an organisation is inversely proportional to the distance separating them, and it is close to zero after 30 metres of physical separation. Furthermore, proximity helps maintain task and group awareness, because when co-located it is easier to gather and update information about the task performed by team members (Dakir 2012). A recent survey of workers at highly collaborative companies found that most â€Å"collaborative events† are short (with 34% lasting fewer than 15 minutes) and the majority take place at the desk (Green 2012). It is likely that these impromptu interactions relate to sharing information (perhaps on the PC) or answering queries rather than lengthy intense discussion and development of joint ideas. Interactions at desks may facilitate tacit knowledge sharing by overhearing relevant conversations between team members, but such interactions can also be considered a distraction if not relevant (Denstadli et al 2013). Methodology There are two acknowledged methodological approaches: quantitative and qualitative (Creswell 2005). The quantitative method involves identifying variables in a research question which are then utilized in order to collate numerical data (Ibid). The qualitative research is open to interpretation allowing personal answers to be incorporated into the study (Creswell 2005). The researcher considered both options in order to complete the necessary goals. Types of Data There are two forms of data: primary, or newly generated data, or secondary, previous data generated within existing studies (Creswell 2005). This study required the acquisition of primary data creating the need for relevant instruments. A survey with 5 open-ended questions has been created and subsequently conducted with centred on 548 employees working at Google Zurich. This was done in order to explore the perceptions of Google employees with regard to the environment in which they work with a focus on factors that affect knowledge sharing in the work environment. Methods of Data Collection The qualitative data analysis employed a Content Analysis technique to reveal participant perceptions of their work environment. The survey questions were designed to explore employee perceptions regarding the following dimensions: 1) Activities that allow for increased exchange of knowledge; 2) Advantages of frequent interaction with colleagues; 3) Individuals or groups dependent on the frequent interaction with co-workers orgroup members; 4) Factors that facilitate interaction within the workplace 5) Factors that inhibit interaction with others in the workplace. Survey participants responded to five open-ended questions and rated their answers using a five-point Likert scale where 5 was ‘most important’. Using a Content Analysis approach (Creswell 2005; Leedy and Ormrod 2005; Neuendorf 2002), the interview responses were analysed. Content Analysis is a qualitative data reduction method that generates categories from key words and phrases in the interview text; it is an evidence-based process in which data gathered through an exploratory approach is systematically analysed to produce predictive or inferential intent (Creswell 2005). Content Analysis was used to identify themes or common concepts in participants’ perceptions regarding the culturally and environmentally distinctive factors that affect interaction in the workplace (Neuendorf, 2002). This process permitted the investigator to quantify and analyse data so that inferences could be drawn. The Content Analysis of survey interview text was categorically coded to reflect various levels of analysis, including key components, words, sentences, or themes (Neuendorf 2002). These themes or key components were then examined using relational analysis to determine whether there were any relationships between the responses of the subjects. The analysis was conducted with Nvivo8 ® software which enables sorting, categorising, and frequency counts of invariant constituents (relevant responses). Content Analysis was used to critically evaluate the survey responses of the study participants, providing in-depth information regarding the factors related to workplace interaction. Sample Respondent Characteristics The invited population consisted of 675 individuals and a total of 548 individuals participated in the survey resulting in a response rate of 81 per cent. Of these 548 completed surveys, 35 responses were discarded because the respondents only partially completed the survey. The final sample consisted of 513 respondents. The key characteristics of these respondents are summarized in Table 4-1. Table 4-1 Sample Respondent Characteristics FactorDescriptionFrequency EducationHigh School Bachelor Degree Certificate Degree Master Degree PhD Degree Other:15 118 19 231 121 9 Tenure 2 years 2-5 years 5 years153 331 29 Time Building Use 1 year 1 year 2 years 2 years140 102 271 0 Time Desk Use 3 months 3-6 months 7-12 months 12 months143 159 126 85 Age 20 years 21-30 years 31-40 years 41-50 years 50 years0 216 255 35 7 GenderMale Female428 85 MobiltyZurich Office Other Google Office Home Office Travelling Other88.9% 3.9% 3.9% 2.7% 0.5% PositionEngineering Sales and Marketing GandA Other:428 12 14 59 NationalityGermany Switzerland United States France Poland United Kingdom Romania Hungary Netherlands Sweden Spain Australia Russian Federation 10 respondents73 62 35 33 28 27 24 23 17 16 14 13 12 136 Survey Findings In order to provide an audit trail of participant responses to the thematic categories that emerged from the data analysis, discussion of the findings precedes the tables of data, within a framework consisting of the five survey questions. An overall summary is provided at the conclusion of the discussion of findings. During the analysis of data, common invariant constituents (relevant responses) were categorically coded and associated frequencies were documented. Frequency data included overall frequency of occurrence as well as frequencies based on rating level (5 = most important to 1 = least important). Invariant constituents with a frequency of less than 10 were not included in the tables. Study conclusions were developed through an examination of the high frequency and highly rated invariant constituents in conjunction with the revealed thematic categories. Question 1: Main Activities that Allow Exchange of Knowledge Table 4-2 provides high frequency invariant constituents (relevant responses) by survey participants demonstrating themes within the data for Question 1. Thematically, the analysis revealed the following primary perceptions of participants in terms of main activities that allow knowledge exchange: (a) meetings of all types; (b) whiteboard area discussions; (c) video conferencing; (d) email, and (e) code reviews. These elements demonstrated a high frequency of importance ratings, and a moderate percentage of respondents rated these elements as ‘most important’ (rating 5). Other themes revealed through the analysis included the importance of writing and reading documentation, Instant Messaging (IM) text chat, Internet Relay Chat (IRC), and extracurricular/social activities. All other invariant constituents with a frequency of greater than 10 are shown in Table 4-2. Table 4-2 Data Analysis Results for Question 1: Main Activities Allowing for Exchange of Knowledge Invariant ConstituentOverall number (Frequency)By Rating 5=Most important n=51354321 Informal discussion/face to face mtgs/stand ups35114977603332 Formal planned meetings/conference room mtgs2184061563823 Email207747432216 Lunches/Dinners64910151812 Whiteboard area discussions/brainstorming5822131094 Video Conferencing (VC)5841620144 Code Reviews515162046 Writing/Reading Documentation476813164 IM/Text Chat/IRC4610161073 â€Å"Extracurricular Activities† (e.g., pool, socializing, Friday office drinks, etc.)4522151016 Writing/Reading docs specifically wiki pages/sites34210697 Chat (unspecified in person vs. text)3387873 Techtalks2745675 Training/presentations23133106 Mailing lists21102522 Shared docs/doc collaboration1703554 Read/write design docs specifically1202505 Telephone/phone conversations1203243 Question 2: Main Advantages of Frequent Interaction with Colleagues Table 4-3 provides high frequency invariant constituents (relevant responses) by survey participants demonstrating themes within the data for Question 2. Thematically, the analysis revealed the following elements representing the primary perceptions of participants in terms of the main advantages to frequent interaction with colleagues: (a) knowledge and information exchange and transfer; (b) staying current on projects and processes; (c) social interaction; (d) learning from others; (e) faster problem resolution; (f) efficient collaboration; and (g) continuous and early feedback. The following themes received a high frequency of importance ratings and a large percentage of ‘most important’ and ‘important’ ratings (rating 5 and 4, respectively) included: knowledge sharing, staying in touch and up to date, learning from others, faster resolution/problem solving, better collaboration, and feedback. Although socialising was revealed to be a strong overall theme , it also demonstrated lower importance ratings. Other themes revealed through the analysis are provided in Table 4-3. Table 4-3 Data Analysis Results for Question 2: Main Advantages of Frequent Interaction Invariant ConstituentOverall number (Frequency)By Rating 5=Most important n=51354321 Knowledge sharing/exchange of information/Knowledge transfer149753919124 Staying in touch/up to date/ more info on projects and processes11358281782 Socializing/social interaction7451035186 Learning/learning from others/learning new things/increased knowledge base7217281485 Understand problems/needs – faster resolution and quicker problem solving7025241146 Better/more efficient collaboration67428953 Feedback/continuous feedback/early feedback661729893 New and better ideas/flow of ideas/creativity/ brainstorming6525151474 Teamwork/being part of a team/teambuilding5110121892 Get work done/efficiency/speed462613241 Fun4421115115 Better understanding of what others are doing and how/workloads4415171002 Everyone on same page/shared vision/focus on goals of team32109652 Better personal contact and easy interaction27561123 Avoid misunderstanding/work duplication27810441 Helping others/getting help (when stuck)26391031 Good/happy atmosphere/work environment2412858 Networking2219624 Motivate each other/inspiration2151582 Other/new perspectives/viewpoints18210312 Improving quality of work/performance1615910 Work synchronization1628141 Productivity1231431 Knowing latest news/innovations1203216 Better communication1011521 Question 3: Individuals or Groups that are Dependent on Frequent Interaction Table 4-4 provides high frequency invariant constituents (relevant responses) given by survey participants demonstrating themes within the data for Question 3. Thematically, the analysis revealed the following elements representing the primary perceptions of participants in terms of individuals or groups that are dependent on frequent interaction of the participant: (a) my team/project teammates/peers; and (b) managers. The first theme demonstrated a high frequency of importance ratings with a moderate percentage of ‘most important’ and ‘important’ ratings (rating 5 and 4, respectively). Although the theme of managers was revealed to be a relatively strong overall theme, it also demonstrated lower importance ratings. Other themes revealed through the analysis are shown in Table 4-4. Table 4-4 Data Analysis Results for Question 3: Individual/groups dependent on frequent interaction of participant Invariant ConstituentOverall number (Frequency)By Rating 5=Most important n=51354321 My team/project teammates/peers12887191435 Managers/PMs484241163 Users/customers/clients357121042 All reports/related teams34717442 Engineering teams (various)28188200 Recruiting team/staffing1753630 Geo Teams1576200 Operations teams1423522 All of them1191010 HQ1133122 Other engineers using my project/peer developers of my tool1015310 Question 4: Factors Facilitating Easy Interaction Table 4-5 provides high frequency invariant constituents (relevant responses) by survey participants demonstrating themes within the data for Question 4. Thematically, the analysis revealed the following elements representing the primary perceptions of participants about factors that facilitate easy interaction: (a) common, proximal, and open workspace areas; (b) common functional areas; (c) sufficient and available meeting facilities; (d) excellent communication tools; and (e) video conference facilities. The theme of open and common workspace areas/shared office space demonstrated a high frequency of importance ratings with a very large percentage of ‘most important’ ratings (rating 5). Other revealed themes, particularly the second listed theme, demonstrated relatively high overall frequency, but these themes did not demonstrate the strength of importance that the first theme did. Other themes and invariant constituents revealed through the analysis are shown in Table 4-5. Table 4-5 Data Analysis Results for Question 4: Factors Facilitating Easy Interaction Invariant ConstituentOverall number (Frequency)By Rating 5=Most important n=51354321 Open and Common workspace areas/shared office space/desk locations/sitting together175103342594 Common shared Areas (e.g., Kitchen, play/game rooms, lounges, library, etc.)173406642178 Enough facilities for meetings/availability of meeting and conference areas90192730122 Great communication tools (email, VC, chats, dist. Lists, online docs, wireless, VPN, mobile†¦)80113014187 Video Conference meeting rooms/facilities78192518124 Onsite lunch/dinner/common dining area (free food and eating together)5071511134 Whiteboard areas for informal meetings431018771 Corporate culture/open culture/ open communication culture431811932 Email421113954 Casual and social environment/open atmosphere36195921 People: easy going, friendly, smart, knowledgeable, willing to help35149336 Social Events2836577 Company calendar/planned ops for meeting/ scheduled meetings1937621 Geographic co-location/same time zone1374200 Travel/trips to other offices1212135 Chat (non-specific text or in person)1124302 IM/internet chat1051112 MOMA/social networking/wiki pages/company docs1010342 Question 5: Factors Inhibiting Interaction with Others Table 4-6 provides high frequency invariant constituents (relevant responses) by survey participants demonstrating themes within the data for Question 5. Thematically, the analysis revealed a single strong element and several elements with less relevance as inhibiting factors. The physical geographic differences – specifically the time zone differences – were noted by a majority of participants as the most important element that inhibited interaction with others. Study participants perceived their overscheduled and busy work lives, noise levels in their workspaces, and shared work environments to be contributing inhibitory factors with regard to interaction with others. These elements also demonstrated high frequencies of importance ratings with a moderate percentage of ‘most important’ ratings (rating 5). Other themes revealed through the analysis are shown in Table 4-6. Table 4-6 Data Analysis Results for Question 5: Factors Inhibiting Interaction with Others Invariant ConstituentOverall number (Frequency)By Rating 5=Most important n=51354321 Physical Geographic distance/ timezone differences16411536931 Very busy/Overscheduled people/ overbooked calendars/ too many meetings4517161020 Crowded/noisy environment/ noise in shared space33196440 Defective VCs/ VC suboptimal/ VC equipment not working2597720 No meeting rooms available2286620 Too few VC rooms in some locations / lack of available VC rooms1949501 Open Space: no privacy, interruptions/ disruptions1958321 Information overload/ too much email1562610 Large office building/building size and layout/ too many people, difficult to find people15114000 Team split between multiple sites or large distance between team members in same bldg1545420 Need more whiteboards/lack of informal areas with whiteboards1135210 Language barrier: lack of correct English/not knowing colloquial lang. or nuances1151311 Lack of time/deadlines1152121 Different working hours within same time zone1053200 Discussion Both the literature and the survey have illuminated interesting facets of the work environment and the need for personal communication. The analysis of the 513 participants’ responses to five open-ended questions from the employee perception survey revealed patterns of facilitating and inhibiting factors in their work environment. Nonaka (2011) clearly illustrates this point with the argument that the communal environment promotes a standard of communication not found in the technological alternatives. Further, the shift away from the organization to the person orientation provides a fundamental benefit to every employee (Becker 2004). With a rising recognition of individual value, the organisation is building employee trust. Participants in this study preferred frequent, informal opportunities for the exchange of knowledge. The opportunity for growth was centred on the capacity to exchange concepts in a free and easy manner (Nonaka 2011). The evidence presented in this study demonstrates that these opportunities were more valued by team members with high knowledge exchange needs. This is line with the increased depth of knowledge and ability to meet technical needs through employee communication (Tallman et al 2010). A combination of professional advice can benefit the entire production and development process. In this study, transactions among participants were often brief, and were perceived to require limited space – often just stand-up space – with noise-regulating options not found in open-office environments. Dakir (2012) demonstrates the environment has the potential to add to or detract from employee communication, making this factor a critical consideration. Spontaneous and opportunistic knowledge-sharing transactions were valued, and technology provided a platform for this type of knowledge exchange to occur. This evidence from the survey corresponds with the literature illustrating that increased communication and sharing in the workplace enhances the entire operation, as well as providing new and fresh opportunities and innovations (Tallman et al 2010). The research at Google provides further support for the view of some leading companies who strongly believe that having workers in the same place is crucial to their success (Noorderhaven et al 2009). Yahoo’s CEO Marissa Mayer communicated via a memo to employees that June 2013, any existing work-from-home arrangements will no longer apply. Initial studies theorized that the work at home system would provide a better platform for workers, even on a local level (Dakir 2012). Many points of the memo cited in this Yahoo example, parallel the literature presented in this study. Her memo stated (Moyer 2013): â€Å"To become the absolute best place to work, communication and collaboration will be important, so we need to be working side-by-side.† This is clearly in line with the Coehen and Prusak (2001) assertion that the physical workplace is a critical element of the dynamic business. â€Å"That is why it is critical that we are all present in our offices. Some of the be st decisions and insights come from hallway and cafeteria discussions, meeting new people, and impromptu team meetings.† This element of the her reasoning is nearly identical to the argument presented by Dakir (2012), that a successful company do so, in part, by promoting communication and teamwork in the office, the technical alternatives are not enough. â€Å"Speed and quality are often sacrificed when we work from home. We need to be one Yahoo!, and that starts with physically being together†¦.Being a Yahoo isn’t just about your day-to-day job, it is about the interactions and experiences that are only possible in our offices† (Moyer 2013). This section is directly in line with emerging studies citing the vital nature of the interaction and face to face employee contact (Heerwagen et al. 2004). This study has clearly demonstrated that Mayer is not alone in her thinking; Steve Jobs operated in a similar fashion as well (Davenport et al 2002). Despite being a denizen of the digital world, or maybe because he knew all too well its isolating potential, Jobs was a strong believer in face-to-face meetings. â€Å"There’s a temptation in our networked age to think that ideas can be developed by email and iChat,† he said. â€Å"That’s crazy. Creativity comes from spontaneous meetings, from random discussions. You run into someone, you ask what they’re doing, you say ‘Wow,’ and soon you’re cooking up all sorts of ideas† (Isaacson, 2011, p. 431). This assertion by Jobs closely resembles the argument presented in the Rhoads (2010) study that found a clear correlation between the communication capacity and opportunity for successful innovation and progress. Following this philosophy led Jobs to have the Pixar building designed to pr omote encounters and unplanned collaborations.Mayer’s former colleague at Google agrees (Ibid). Speaking at an event in Sydney February 2013, Google CFO Patrick Pichette said that teleworking is not encouraged at Google. This reflects the consensus that is emerging that time in the office is not only valuable but necessary to sustained competition in the industry (Denstadli et al 2013). Pichette believes that working from home could isolate employees from other staff. Companies like Apple, Yahoo! and Google are holding on to (or have started embracing) the belief that having workers in the same place is crucial to their success (Dakir 2012). This appears to be based on the view that physical proximity can lead to casual exchanges, which in turn can lead to breakthroughs for products. Heerwagen et al (2004) illustrates that it is evident that â€Å"knowledge work is a highly cognitive and social activity†. Non-verbal communication is complex and involves many unconscious mechanisms e.g. gesture, body language, posture, facial expression, eye contact, pheromones, proxemics, chronemics, haptics, and paralanguage (Denstadli et al 2013). So, although virtual interaction can be valuable it is not a replacement for face-to-face interaction, particularly for initial meetings of individuals or teams. Furthermore, the increase in remote working has indicated that face-to-face interaction is important for motivation, team-building, mentoring, a sense of belonging and loyalty, arguably more so than in place-centred workgroups (Deprez and Tissen 2009). Conclusion The role of knowledge management in the workplace has become an increasingly valuable segment of a company’s resources. This study examined the practice of working remotely versus employee interaction in the work place providing many illuminating developments. Despite the early optimism that emerging technology was going to provide the end all to employee work habits have proven less than fully realized. The evidence in this study has continuously illustrated an environment that requires the innovative, face to face interaction in order to maintain a competitive edge in the industry. Further, the very environment that promotes this free exchange of ideals is not adequately substituted by technology. In short, the evidence provided in this study has clearly demonstrated the advantage that the in house employee has over the remote worker. The impromptu encounters between employees are very often the elements needed for progress. What is clear is that in order for a business to capitalize on their full range of available resources virtually requires, face to face personal interaction in order to fully realize the firms full potential. In the end, it will be the combination of leadership, teamwork and innovation that provides business with the best environment, not necessarily how much technology is available. References Dalkir, K. 2005. Knowledge management in theory and practice. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann. Denstadli, J., Gripsrud, M., Hjorthol, R. and Julsrud, T. 2013. Videoconferencing and business air travel: Do new technologies produce new interaction patterns?. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies, 29 pp. 1–13. Nonaka, I. and Takeuchi, H. 2011. The wise leader. Harvard Business Review, 89 (5), pp. 58–67. Noorderhaven, N. and Harzing, A. 2009. Knowledge-sharing and social interaction within MNEs.Journal of International Business Studies, 40 (5), pp. 719–741. Rhoads, M. 2010. Face-to-Face and Computer-Mediated Communication: What Does Theory Tell Us and What Have We Learned so Far?. Journal of Planning Literature, 25 (2), pp. 111–122. Tallman, S. and Chacar, A. 2011. Knowledge Accumulation and Dissemination in MNEs: A Practice-Based Framework. Journal of Management Studies, 48 (2), pp. 278–304. How to cite Space meets knowledge The impact of workplace design On knowledge sharing ?, Essay examples

Ziggurats free essay sample

Religious temples were built on flat platforms, growing higher and bigger, until eventually the Mesopotamians built stepped temples. Over hundreds of years, these temples grew significantly in size. These mud-brick towers were called ziggurats and were being constructed in Sumerian cities by 2000 B. C. The ziggurat was a huge platform, often decorated with mosaic or trees, with a series of smaller platforms on top. The stepped pyramid had stairs leading to the top, the sacred spot, where there were shrines. The legendary Tower of Babel was one such ziggurat. Rather than the enormous stonework that was used on Egyptian pyramids, ziggurats were built of smaller sun-baked bricks. There was significance in the number of levels on the way to the top, and the placement and incline of the ramps. One of the oldest ziggurats was discovered at Eridu and had burnt fish inside it, giving archeologists the impression that they were religious temples and the fish was an offering to the gods. We will write a custom essay sample on Ziggurats or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The people of Mesopotamia wanted the homes of the gods to be higher than their own houses. Sumerians believed the gods came from the mountains and some believe the ziggurats were shaped like mountains due to this reason. Each ziggurat was dedicated to the citys most important god or goddess, and was given a name. For example the ziggurat at Ur was the home of the moon god Nanna, while Enki, the god of wisdom and fresh water, lived at Eridu. Ur-Nammu built ziggurats in the Sumerian cities of Uruk, Eridu and Nippur, but the best preserved is at Ur. His empire lasted about 100 years and then other people controlled the cities but ziggurats continued to be built or rebuilt. All cities had their own ziggurats and they were built in Mesopotamia until Persian times when new types of religious buildings became popular. Gradually the ziggurats decayed and their bricks were robbed for other buildings. Many southern Mesopotamia cities were abandoned, and ziggurats were investigated once again several centuries later. Part 3 The ziggurat was one of the most important aspects of Babylonian religion and tradition. It has given us insight on how important the ancient Mesopotamian people considered their religion. It represents the civilization’s morals, beliefs, and way of life. It was an important and easily the most conspicuous building in the city. They were built on an enormous scale and during the time of Hammurabi, sometimes reached 150 feet. It would tower above visitors and locals, making it not only a religious center but also a center of civic pride. Ziggurats were one of the first large- scale religious structures. Sumerians were one of the first civilizations and their buildings helped us understand how sophisticated and advanced they were. The ziggurat provides us with insight on their technology, engineering techniques and architectural designs. They were one of the first people to build something at that magnitude. Moreover, the Egyptians and Chaldeans were influenced by early ziggurats and took these innovations and transformed them into pyramids, city walls, and temples in the future. The size of these structures also shows the kings’ greed for power. The kings that built and rebuilt the ziggurats often had their names stamped or carved into the bricks. They tried building bigger and higher ziggurats than before in order to leave their legacy. They wanted the future generations to know about their great influence and power. The biggest and most prominent ziggurats give us an idea about the power and influence of the king that ruled during the time it was built or rebuilt.

Result of the Civil War essays

Result of the Civil War essays One positive result of the Civil War was the emancipation of the slaves. Before the Civil War, the Union was divided on this issue. Abraham Lincoln desired to unify the Union and he realized that emancipation was absolutely necessary for two reasons. First, it would keep the country together. Second, it would allow all men and women to be free. In 1864, Congress called for the thirteenth amendment, which prohibited slavery. This measure had two benefits. It ended slavery and the war as well. Although it was not easy, the Confederate unity eventually dissolved. This was a critical moment in America's history because the Confederate states wanted desperately to break from the Union completely. It is interesting to consider where the United States would be now if the Confederate states were allowed to break from the Union. The country would definitely not be where it is now. In addition, the country would not be the "united" states. It is almost certain that fighting would have continued and many more lives would have been lost if the Confederate In addition, the prohibition of slavery was critical to America as well. It is essential that all Americans, regardless of their skin color be treated equally. Emancipation was the beginning of the Civil Rights movement and from that, slaves not only came to experience freedom, but women did as well. America was founded on freedom and it only makes sense that freedom could be embraced by all of its citizens. Although the Civil War was painful and many lives were lost, we can look back at it and know that it was not in vain because the country is united and because all American citizens are born free. ...

A Brief History of Cameroon, Africa

A Brief History of Cameroon, Africa The earliest inhabitants of Cameroon were likely the Bakas- or pygmies. They still inhabit the forests of the south and east provinces. Bantu speakers originating in the Cameroonian highlands were among the first groups to move out before other invaders. During the late 1770s and early 1800s, the Fulani- a pastoral Islamic people of the western Sahel- conquered most of what is now northern Cameroon, subjugating or displacing its largely non-Muslim inhabitants. Arrival of the Europeans Although the Portuguese arrived on Cameroons coast in the 1500s, malaria prevented significant European settlement and conquest of the interior until the late 1870s, when large supplies of the malaria suppressant, quinine, became available. The early European presence in Cameroon was primarily devoted to coastal trade and the acquisition of slaves. The northern part of Cameroon was an important part of the Muslim slave trade network. The slave trade was largely suppressed by the mid-19th century. Christian missions established a presence in the late 19th century and continue to play a role in Cameroonian life. From German Colony to League of Nation Mandates Beginning in 1884, all of present-day Cameroon and parts of several of its neighbors became the German colony of Kamerun, with a capital first at Buea and later at Yaounde. After World War I, this colony was partitioned between Britain and France under a June 28, 1919, League of Nations mandate. France gained the larger geographical share, transferred outlying regions to neighboring French colonies, and ruled the rest from Yaounde. Britains territory- a strip bordering Nigeria from the sea to Lake Chad, with an equal population- was ruled from Lagos. Struggle for Independence In 1955, the outlawed Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC), based largely among the Bamileke and Bassa ethnic groups, began an armed struggle for independence in French Cameroon. This rebellion continued, with diminishing intensity, even after independence. Estimates of death from this conflict vary from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. French Cameroon achieved independence in 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon. The following year the largely Muslim northern two-thirds of British Cameroon voted to join Nigeria; the largely Christian southern third voted to join with the Republic of Cameroon to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon. The formerly French and British regions each maintained substantial autonomy. A One Party State Ahmadou Ahidjo, a French-educated Fulani, was chosen President of the federation in 1961. Ahidjo, relying on a pervasive internal security apparatus, outlawed all political parties but his own in 1966. He successfully suppressed the UPC rebellion, capturing the last important rebel leader in 1970. In 1972, a new constitution replaced the federation with a unitary state. The Road to Multi-Party Democracy Ahidjo resigned as President in 1982 and was constitutionally succeeded by his Prime Minister, Paul Biya, a career official from the Bulu-Beti ethnic group. Ahidjo later regretted his choice of successors, but his supporters failed to overthrow Biya in a 1984 coup. Biya won single-candidate elections in 1984 and 1988 and flawed multiparty elections in 1992 and 1997. His Cameroon Peoples Democratic Movement (CPDM) party holds a sizeable majority in the legislature following 2002 elections- 149 deputies out of a total of 180. Source Public Domain material, US Department of State Background Notes.

Financial Intermediaries and The Euro Markets Essay

Financial Intermediaries and The Euro Markets - Essay Example According to the research findings the financial environment therefore directly or indirectly influence the financial system of any country. Thus the need for financial intermediaries to act as the middlemen in this transactions is important. Therefore for investors to get profit and the lenders to be able to give away money to borrowers the need for financial markets are vital. Financial intermediaries can be defined as an institution that acts as the middlemen between the investors and the firms. These financial institutions include chartered banks, insurance companies, investment dealers, mutual funds, and pension funds. Liquidity has been the basis of these kind of transactions between the parties either the borrowers or the investors. It can be defined as the ease with which a given asset can be changed into cash or by getting access to credit. Thus the main concept of liquidity is to obtain cash. Liquidity is often determined by two factors that measure how easy it is to change it into cash or make it possible for borrowers to obtain the cash. The policy interest rates and the structure of the interest rates paid by the borrowers are often the indicators of liquidity. These rates often influence one either to be motivated to borrow or leave the money with the banks. Most of the world banks are involved in market liquidity which is the rate at which a borrower is able to quickly buy or sell the financial assets at a given time without changing the market price. (Francis 2008). In the new world there are financial institutions that stand in between parties in any kind of transaction that involve cash. Thus Financial Intermediaries are firms that buy or borrow from consumers or savers and later lend these services or would be cash to other companies or persons that might need resources for investment. Therefore there are different kinds of investments. The insurance policies, buying of stocks, bonds, government treasuries, and mutual funds. All these investm ents either involve the public investor or the government and the company. Investments that involve a company or the government selling to the public are easily convertible to cash since the purpose of the public is to get cash for their daily living. Moreover, the investments by the government are more liquid than those in the company (Levine 1993). Mutual funds can easily be changed to cash than all the others while the others. Insurance policies since they are the contract or an agreement between the insurer and the insured are difficult to change into cash since one can only pay the amount after a certain incident happens that is often unkown when it will occur. The the government treasuries and mutual funds are just agreements that do not involve cash and thus take time to be converted to cash and the remaining are easily converted in this order: Stocks, and bonds. Therefore in the order of their liquidity they would be: mutual funds as the most liquid asset, then the governmen t treasuries, bonds, stock, and then the insurance pilies as the least liquid asset. Conclusion Financial intermediaries therefore play a vital role in the national economy of any country. In most economies people with more money save them in banks that makes it possible for those with little money to borrow so that they would be able to use them either to run a business or other functions depending on their need. Thus a financial institution such as banks facilitate the flow of funds from savers to borrowers. The financial institutions profit from the spread between the amount they pay for funds and the

Accounting information systems development Essay

Accounting information systems development - Essay Example The company in this scenario is a small, local CPA firm. The personnel at the organization include three new CPAs and an office manager. Primarily, the company's business consists of tax and write-up work.However, recently the company has required a new client: a homeowner's association with a total of 150 homeowners.The firm has agreed to provide the homeowner's association with several services. There are six service areas that the company has agreed to service the homeowner's association with: billing, collection, payments, reporting, tax, and advisory. With billing, each homeowner will be sent an itemized bill each quarter, dues being payable by the month. Late fees accumulate at one percent of the unpaid balance each month that passes. On the first day of the last month of the quarter, bills are mailed out to the homeowners, and payment is expected by the quarter's end.With collection, the accounting firm is responsible for collecting the payments from the post office box that i t has rented specially for the homeowner's association. They are also responsible for depositing the checks they collect.With the large, new client, the company is hoping to expand that area of their practice by computerizing the main functions of their system. The goal of the company is to computerized the system's main functions. The main focus of the computerization will be on billing and reporting. Other than the actual interface of the new system, the checking account, financial statements, and tax preparation parts will not be computerized at this time. Instead, the billing and collections portions of the system will be computerized. The System and Manual Functions (Inputs, Outputs, and Controls) BusinessTown (2008) tell us to "Think of the accounting system as a wheel whose hub is the general ledger (G/L). Feeding the hub information are the spokes of the wheel. These include accounts receivable, accounts payable, order entry, inventory control, cost accounting, payroll, and fixed assets accounting." Each of these items is a subledger of the general ledger, and each summarizes the entries and then feeds that information to the general ledger. There are a few differences between manual and automated ledgers. In order to consider this, think of the general ledger as a piece of paper that shows assets, liabilities, income, and expenses where all transactions are recorded by hand in a manual fashion. While some of the entries from the different subledgers flow upwards, others are entered manually through the utilization of a general journal entry. "The same concept of a sheet of paper holds for each subledger that feeds the general ledger. A computerized accounting system works the same way, except that the general ledger and subledgers are computer files instead of sheets of paper. Entries are posted to each and summarized, then the summary is sent up to the G/L for posting" (BusinessTown, 2008). Billing is the first component that will be computerized at the firm. This will be highly beneficial to the organization since "Accounting firms can improve their profitability and relations with clients by automating client billing with computers. Accounting firms c

What is Scotlands problem with sectarianism?

What is Scotlands problem with sectarianism? Sectarianism is a complicated concept this will be examined more in Chapter Two of this dissertation but can broadly be defined as a movement of religious protest against the social order be it state, institution or society or established religious organisation which results in voluntary separation from such environment to demonstrate the dissonance between what the group perceives as normative in matters of faith and practice and what it experiences as dominant in the social order (Hamm, 1987, p11). Even this definition may seem overly complicated at first glance, but it serves as a good starting point within the context of this dissertation and also succeeds in highlighting the precise nature of the term that will be discussed more in the following chapter. In Scotland, sectarianism has been a problem since Protestantism emerged as a religion in the fifteenth century and was later adopted by Scotland at the time a predominantly Catholic country as its national religion in 1560 . Since then there has been tensions between the two religions which has often resulted in sectarian attitudes. Today, sectarianism is currently described by the mainstream media as shameful fact of Scottish life for generations (Millie, 2009, p224). In 1999, at the Edinburgh festival the problem and its extent were exposed by Scottish composer James Macmillan during a widely reported speech in which he stated: In many walks of life in the workplace, in the professions, in academia, in the media, in politics and in sport anti-Catholicism, even when it is not particularly malign, is as endemic as it is second nature (From Bruce, 2004, p1) Sectarianism and the problems associated with have also been intrinsically linked with one of the biggest football rivalries in the country in its biggest city Glasgow between opposing fans of the two teams Rangers and Celtic. Andrew Millie (p227) reinforces this opinion, stating that: Football in Scotland, and particularly the Old Firm institutions of Glasgow Celtic and Glasgow Rangers and the matches between them are inherently defined within the sectarianism problem in Scottish society, mirroring the connection between urban disorder and largely white working class populations that characterises the discourses around the Respect and anti-social behaviour agendas However, despite the writings of authors such as Mille and the claims of Macmillan and other notable and respected sources such as award winning BBC documentary series Panorama -there has been a significant backlash to the idea that sectarianism dominates Scottish society as the media has portrayed it, pioneered largely by Steve Bruce in direct reaction to Macmillans speech. Bruce (pvii) prefaces his seminal text Sectarianism in Scotland with the following message confirming this attitude: This book was born out of the frustration with the dreadful quality of public debate over the importance of religious identity in modern Scotland. James Macmillan is a Catholic and he may be an excellent composer but neither of these facts mean that his views about the salience of sectarianism are well founded; yet, when he delivered his famous August 1999 speech, his claims that Catholics were still victims of serious discrimination were given enormous prominence in the mass media This dissertation aims to investigate the importance of sectarianism in modern Scotland examining differing viewpoints such as those presented by Bruce and Macmillan with particular focus on its importance in the footballing rivalry between Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic (which from now on will simply be referred to as Rangers and Celtic respectively). The dissertation will attempt to answer the following research questions: Would the Old Firm have the support that they do if it were not for an element of sectarianism between the two clubs? How important is the rivalry between the Old Firm to both sets of fans? Is sectarianism in Scotland a result of the Old Firm? Or is the rivalry between the Old Firm simply an outlet for tensions that run deeper through Scottish society? Is age a factor in sectarianism in football? i.e. do younger people (ages 16-20 for example) understand the religious overtones of the rivalry or do they just sing songs and repeat slurs they have heard elsewhere (usually from relatives) to fit in with older supporters who they admire? What is the psychology behind the prominence of sectarianism within the Old Firm? Is it the desire to belong to something, and similar to gang mentality in that respect? In order to answer these questions, the dissertation will undertake a variety of different research from primary and secondary sources. Following Macmillans infamous 1999 speech, the topic of sectarianism has come under intense scrutiny from a variety of academic disciplines such as politics, psychology, theology, and sociology and aspects from each of these fields will be utilised in order to help answer the research questions posed by this dissertation. Key to the dissertation will be writings from authors such as Bruce, Millie, Hamm and McDougal and their theories, thoughts and discourse will underline the basis for the development of research techniques, and these writings will be discussed at length in the literature review chapter which follows this one. The ideas will also establish the theoretical framework in which the investigation will be conducted. Both primary sources such as James Macmillans speech, government documents and the Panorama documentary on the topic and se condary sources such as the texts of Bruce and Millie will be used to establish the The main primary data collected for the investigation in order to answer the research question will be obtained from questionnaires submitted to and semi-structured interviews undertaken with members of each section of the Old Firms rivals. The questionnaires will be designed with the intention of obtaining a large amount of data from each of its subjects e.g. ethnic backgrounds, genders, religious practices and nationalities and therefore hopefully determine the characteristics of those more likely to hold sectarian values than others and the extent that it is prevalent within the two sets of supporters. It is also hoped that other Scottish football fans of different teams may be interviewed in order to gauge their feelings on the subject of the Old Firm and to see if the sectarian feelings are prevalent in football in other areas of the country or whether it is solely consigned to the city of Glasgow. Specifically another huge local derby a local derby is defined by Llamas and Wat t (p224) as a fiercely contested match between local derbies which calls forth deep emotions within supporters of both clubs (Ross, 1999, p42) between Hearts and Hibernian in Edinburgh will be examined to determine if sectarian attitudes dominate that fixture in addition to the Glasgow derby games. Finally, it may be useful to interview a psychologist to determine the characteristics associated with those people who may be associated with organisations such as the Glasgow Old Firm, in order to compare this model sectarian with the data collected from the questionnaires in an attempt to determine the true characteristics of sectarianism in modern Scotland. The dissertation will consist of six chapters. The first chapter (this one) will present an overview and introduction to the subject and propose the research questions which will be investigated during the course of the dissertation; the second chapter will consist of a literature review which will examine important theories regarding the subject; the third chapter will discuss the methodology utilised in order to attempt to answer the research questions posed in the first chapter; the fourth chapter will present the results of the of the research methodology; the fifth chapter will analyse and discuss the implications of the results and seek to determine the answers to the proposed research questions whilst the sixth and final chapter will serve the role of a conclusion chapter, discussing the results, conclusions and methodology incorporated in the dissertation, as well as any potential limitations, improvements and ideas for further study that could perhaps be investigated in the future to further corroborate the results. The next chapter will present a literature review of the topics associated with the dissertation from which the investigation will develop its theoretical framework. It seeks to examine what previous authors and academics have written about the subject and apply this knowledge to this study. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter aims to examine what previous authors have had to say on the subject of sectarianism within Scotland and the Old Firm rivalry with the aim of basing the research model employed in this dissertation within the work on the subject that has already been completed. Research is built on the foundations of the work and findings of earlier researchers and writers in the field, so it is critical to the success of this dissertation that the theories and conventions surrounding the subject matter are fully understood and utilised to create a framework for this dissertation to work within. The general concept of sectarianism will be examined and defined briefly and then the general history of the social movement within Scotland will be looked at, before finally the more specific nature of the movement within football rivalries and the Glaswegian Old Firm mentality will be studied. This final section will form the bulk of the literature review. The majority of the literature review will focus on secondary sources i.e. texts written about the subject from prominent authors associated with it, but primary sources, such as James Macmillans speech and government documents from organisations such as the Scottish Executive, will also be referred to. It is hoped that this review will enable the dissertation to begin its data collection with a complete understanding of the problem and the concepts associated with it. It is first essential to obtain a good grasp of the term sectarianism and to understand the complications associated with it and to develop a definition for use in this dissertation. Hamm (1987, p11) argues that sectarianism has two separate meanings dependent upon whether the term is being used in a sociological or non-sociological discussion. He argues that in a non-sociological context, the term can have pejorative overtones which adherents of such a religious group do not find complimentary and can also denote a type of warfare among religious groups because of their differences. It also refers to esoteric religious beliefs that the established religion would frown upon whilst implying a querulous attitude of intolerance resulting in secession from a larger religious body. Hamm continues (p12) by explaining that the term has a slightly different meaning when used in the sociological sense and that in this context it refers to a particular type of religious organisation that stand s in protest with the idea of dissent as its main notion. He finishes his discussion of the term by offering his definition of it which begins this dissertation and will not be repeated here due to its length which even in its finality still displays the complicated nature of the term. As our study is clearly viewing the term from a sociological standpoint due to the analysis of the footballing rivalry, it is perhaps better to use the ideas from this definition as the basis for the one used in our study. This can be combined with the definitions of other thinkers on and organisations concerned with the subject to devise a suitable term explanation. The Scottish Executive (2006, p5) defines a sectarian in alignment with the Oxford English dictionary (and also notes that it is a very complicated idea) as someone who adheres in a bigoted or narrow minded fashion to a sect or body of persons who have agreed upon particular religious doctrines or practices. Bruce (p4) defines sectarianism as a widespread culture of improperly treating people because of their religion and also states (p5) that within the local context of Britain it normally refers to relations between Protestants and Catholics. A government study on the issue of sectarianism in Glasgow (NFO Social Research, 2003, p5) stated that the term is a pejorative term to describe division bigotry, and discrimination based upon religion, which within the context of Glasgow refers to the conflict between Catholics and Protestants. These are all recent definitions of the term associated with the problem discussed in this dissertation so it makes sense to utilise the definition pr ovided by the NFO Social Research which amalgamates the main points from the other two and is very relevant to this study. It is important to remember though, as per Hamms description of the term, that the reality of the concept is not as simple as this basic definition and its connotations can be a lot more far reaching than those definitions discussed here pertaining specifically to Scotland and the problems surrounding the issue within the country. The problem has been particularly huge in Scotland and in particular Glasgow, with the national television programme Panorama casually stating in 2005 that sectarianism and religious bigotry have long been accepted as part of a way of life in Scotland. The fact that the issue is covered on the national medias flagship documentary programme illustrates the extent of the problem and how large it has become. Before examining the specifics of how sectarianism is rooted in the footballing rivalry of the city, it is first important to understand its origins and development; this will then hopefully aid in discovering an explanation for why it has become so entrenched in and associated with the Old Firm. As mentioned in the introduction, the problem has its origins in the sixteenth century and Scotlands adoption of Protestantism as its national religion despite the majority of the population being of the Catholic persuasion. Sectarian tensions really developed in the 19th century though as a result of the immigration of those who fled Ireland (a traditionally Catholic country) and sought to live and work in Ireland (History of Sectarianism, 2010). Growing urban cities and industries in Scotland offered those Irish with few prospects in wake of the famine a chance to work and provide money for their family and so there was a mass influx during this period. As occurs with many mass displacements of population from a homeland into a new environment, social tensions between the now dominant Protestant demographic and the incoming Irish Catholic population began to emerge and this resulted in the emergence of pockets of Irish populated area. Of particular importance to this study was the manifestation of an Irish diaspora in the poor East End of Glasgow. This led to increased tensions within the city as the Irish and Scottish clashed over job and housing opportunities and it was these pressures that led to the initial development of sectarian attitudes in Glasgow and the rest of Scotland, albeit mainly concentrated in Glasgow. Tensions were at their worst during the inter-war years of 1918 1939 and were exemplified by the existence of a national depression with huge levels of unemployment and fierce competition inflaming an already volatile situation (20th Century Scotland, 2001). This led to ruthless discrimination with sectarian overtones in the labour market, with Orange and Masonic lodges often discriminating against Catholic workers in favour of their Protestant counterparts. This was actively encouraged by the Protestant church within Scotland too. The divide between the two religions spread to become apparent in all aspects of life, with children often attending separate schools based upon religion, different religions lived in different parts of the city, and of course the emergence of the two separate football teams within the city and the great rivalry associated with this. Although the sectarian element has declined since this peak period, it is still perceived as having a major influence on Sc ottish society, as can be seen by the impact of James Macmillans speech and the discourse on the subject it has spurred. Now that a basic understanding of the sectarian problem in Scotland has been achieved it is now necessary to look at the specifics of the concept within the framework of the Old Firm rivalry. Celtic football club was founded in 1888 as a direct focal point for the Irish Catholic immigrant community that had established itself in Glasgows east end (History of Sectarianism) by Brother Walfrid, and even at this early point the rivalry was intense with Walfrid stating his main intention with the foundation of the club was to keep the poor free from the temptations of Protestant soup kitchens and to provide a leisure activity that would save them from apostasy (Armstrong Giullianotti, 2001, p24). Following this declaration of religious intent from the newly formed club and its rapid success in the league Celtic won four league championships over the period 1893-8 Rangers took it upon themselves to become the home grown team to challenge most keenly and successfully the Irishmen of Celt ic. Home grown meant Protestant just as Irish was synonymous with Catholic (Armstrong and Giullianotti, p24). From this point the rivalry between the two clubs progressed alongside their successes and failures, as did the sectarian attitudes associated with both sets of supporters. In the early 1900s, Catholic players began to be asked to leave Rangers upon disclosing their religion, and it was around 1912 that the famous Rangers club policy of not signing Catholic players began to be enforced. Bad blood between the two clubs as a result of sectarian attitudes was registered as early as 1896, but Armstrong and Giullianotti (p25) argue that it was encouraged by management as sectarianism and its accompanying violence was a crowd puller. The anti-Catholic policy was enforced up until the 1980s and meant that Rangers missed out on great players such as Kenny Dalglish and Jim Leighton because of their stubbornness, although they finally relented on the policy when signing Mo Johnston in 1989. Tensions between the two sets of supporters and Protestants and Catholics in general had cooled since their peak during the inter war years too. However, there is still some element of sectarianism present in the support of both teams. It is often cited that sectarian attitudes within the Old Firm are not as extreme as they once were but Callum G. Brown (1997 p196) observes that Scottish national identity has never fully integrated Catholic and Protestant, even in the late twentieth century there is evidence of a religious based ethnic division which confounds a common identity. Brown continues (p198) by stating that Rangers fans tend to identify with Britain and its symbols (such as the union flag) as an act of solidarity with Northern Ireland loyalists; whereas Celtic supporters associate poorly with British symbols of identity and relate strongly with the Irish Republic. This is illustrative of the divide that exists between the two sets of supporters and that there is still a problem between the two. Horne (1995, p10) back this view up, questioning how much meaning there is to the term sectarian in a society with widespread social and cultural interaction and a great deal of intermarriage. However, he does impo rtantly note that Sectarianism is ritualistically conveyed in some football fanzines and football fans still sing sectarian songs and display different symbols of allegiance, but without it being of major significance to the rest of Scotland. It is further reinforced by the history of sectarianism which states that the historical links of some clubs and the traditional ethnic and religious makeup of their supporters have led to them being held as symbols of religious, cultural and political beliefs. Supporters often use chants, songs or banners on match days to express abuse or support towards the Catholic or Protestant faiths or to promote their support for Northern Irish based terrorist groups such as the IRA and UVF. This clearly adds an extra sectarian dimension to the nature of the rivalry that exists between the two sides of the Old Firm; even despite comments that it is not now as fierce as it has been in the past there is clearly still an element of sectarianism involved in the support of each club. The question this dissertation needs to answer though is how inherent and important this is to the supporters of each club. Recent research into the subject is available, due in part to James Macmillans recent speech which served to draw attention to these divisions and provoke discourse on it amongst academic communities. A NFO social research study commissioned in 2003 as a direct result of James Macmillans comments at the Edinburgh festival over the issue of sectarianism within football is perhaps a good starting point for examining the facts regarding the issue in modern Scotland. Essentially, the study found (NFO Social Research, 2003, p57) that the residents of Glasgow felt that sectarianism was still relatively common within the city, and that this mainly took the form of making sectarian jokes with friends, using sectarian terms to describe people, sectarian vandalism, violence, threats and intimidation or harassment were either very or quite common in Glasgow with 66% stating that they felt that sectarian violence occurred regularly within the city. However, interestingly, when questioned about whether they had been a victim of a sectarian attack in the past five years, less than 1% of respondents claimed that they had. The difference between the perception and the reality of the situation can clearly be seen here. This is a viewpoint that is backed up by Bruce (pvii) who states that a number of violent attacks in Glasgow are misreported as sectarian violence due to the medias current obsession with it. Again, this brings into debate the question of how serious the sectarian problem is in Glasgow, and also what specifically defines sectarianism and whether or not it needs to be extreme in its nature to be classified as sectarianism. The Scottish Executive (p5) expands upon this question by stating that within football, it is the actions and words of individuals rather than their beliefs as such that people should be concerned with. This is an important sentence, as it exemplifies the fact that perhaps people who participate in sectarianism within football are not always serious sectarians themselves but are often simply caught up in the atmosphere and gang mentality of the supporters and footballing legacy that they find themselves immersed in as a supporter. The history of sectarianism reinforces this view and the dangers that can be associated with the allowance of so-called casual racism by stating that offensive sectarian language is still used in Scotland on a daily basis with abusive terms such as Hun and Orange bastard being used negatively against Protestants (or those perceived to be) and others such as Fenian and Tim used negatively against Catholics (or those perceived to be). This reinforces religious and racial stereotypes as well as fuelling the divisions and conflict between the denominations and people of no religious denomination. Children commonly use words without any knowledge of their meaning, but with an understanding that these words are a means by which to insult others. The dissertation will attempt to determine the extent of this actual sectarianism during the data collection section of the dissertation and the questionnaire will be designed specifically with this as one of the goals in mind. Liam McDougal (2006) highlights the problems that are associated with defining sectarianism and how this can be applied to the Glaswegian example of the Old Firm in his 2006 article which challenges many of the assumptions made by First Minister at the time Jack McConnell in his high profile attempt to eradicate Scotlands shame of bigotry through an extended awareness campaign. In his article, he states that many supporters of both Rangers and Celtic feel that sectarianism has been all but eradicated within the rivalry and that language highlighted by the government as bigoted is often used regularly in the workplace or other areas of socialising and that it was merely seen as a joke, banter or harmless fun. McDougal cites the example of being called a Fernian or Proddy bastard by colleagues or using the terms themselves was accepted as simply being a Rangers or Celtic fan. He expands upon this by stating that fans view songs such as Billy Boys, the Fields of Athenry and the Sash so ngs traditionally sung by Rangers fans that have been criticised by UEFA and the Scottish Executive for being sectarian are not viewed by either set of supporters as sectarian: people are not bigots because they are singing a certain song they are simply singing along to the song. Critically, McDougal explains that the Executive and UEFA were not being specific enough in their criticism of sectarianism and essentially allowing fans to make their own minds up as to what constituted being sectarian or not hence their decision to decide that many of their songs were not actually sectarian. This highlights the confusion associated with the term again, and this is a factor that the dissertation needs to be aware of when conducting and constructing its questionnaires and analysis, as one persons sectarianism can quite clearly be labelled another mans harmless fun. This can perhaps be accounted for by the inclusion of questionnaires to other football fans asking their feelings on the Old Firm, and through semi structured interviews with psychologist and members of the Old Firm and other football supporters associations. This will be discussed more during the methodology chapter of the dissertation. Another important aspect of his article that is particularly importa nt to this dissertation is the idea that sectarianism is actually not that prevalent in the Old Firm rivalry anymore again this is an idea that will need to be implemented in the design of the questionnaires that will be distributed during the course of this investigation. Promisingly though, McDougals findings were from a study similar to this dissertation in which fans from both sides of the Old Firm were questioned about their views towards sectarianism by University of Edinburgh fellow Dr. Chris McVittie and the success of that research and the NFO social research paper implies that there will be hopefully be similar level of achievement from this study as it will be based on a similar methodology. The insights into footballing mentality and the statistics associated with both sets of supporters are probably the most useful and interesting part of the NFO social research paper in relation to this dissertation though. The statistics (p10) reinforce the stereotypes about each group of supporters, with 74% of those who support Celtic claiming to be Catholic and 67% of those that support Rangers claiming to be Protestant. Again, even if sectarianism is not as prevalent as it once was, these statistics clearly encapsulate that religion still plays a huge part in the Old Firm derby. However, more interesting are some of the comments that emerged from semi-structured interviews with those questioned such as: A lot of violence kicks off because of sectarianism yet a lot of people dont even know what its about! They are just into it for Celtic,Rangers (p11), and It has nothing to do with Catholics and Protestants, its the new religion of Celtic and Rangers (p10). This was later summaris ed in the studies closing arguments by the line: for some the role of football has become so significant that it was actually felt to have replaced religion as the source and focus of sectarian attitudes and behaviour (p56). This idea is further exemplified by the Scottish Executive (p5) who state that the problems of sectarianism exist within the divide between club supporters claiming to be attached to the Protestant and Catholic groups. Again, the use of the word claiming suggests that the sectarianism aspect of the divide is often only implemented as an excuse by those supporters who seek to participate in violence and/or slurs. This is an important aspect of this dissertation and one that will attempt to be examined thoroughly through its course. Importantly, the NFO survey also found that there was no consensus on whether football violence is essentially sectarian in nature, or just simply reminiscent of mindless football hooliganism that exists everywhere. Another important i nterview quote was that the real problem is not sectarianism, but drink. These are both important ideas that need to be examined and discussed during the course of this dissertation. This literature review has enabled the study to gain an insight into the history and complications of the term sectarianism, the application of it in Scotland and to the Old Firm, the complications of the term and its application to the Old Firm in modern Scotland and most importantly to lay the foundations for its own data collection methodology through the examination of previous studies and key theories regarding the topic. The next chapter will now discuss the methodology employed for this dissertations data collection. CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY This chapter seeks to discuss and explain the research and data collection methods employed in this dissertation in order to answer the research questions posed in the introductory chapter. It also attempts to provide justification for the methodology used this is important as it gives the findings and recommendations of the dissertation validity and reliability, which are necessary for it be taken seriously in the academic domain. The chapter also discusses the sampling techniques used in the research, the research instruments that were used, the research process, the administration of questionnaires, how data was analysed and what was done to ensure its validity and reliability. The chapter also presents the limitations of the study. First, it is necessary to decide upon a course of research design. Research design illustrates how the data collection has been planned. Essentially, there are two types of research: qualitative and quantitative. This dissertation intends to utilise the questionnaire as the main form of investigative technique in its methodology. The literature review previously conducted in the last chapter will serve as the basis of knowledge relating to the data collection and construction of the questionnaire and the areas of sectarianism that need to be investigated. The questionnaire was chosen as the method of data collection as it was decided that