Home Depot company - Case Analysis and report Study

Home Depot company - Analysis and report - Case Study Example The other external directors include Mark Vadon, Brown J, Albert Carey, Duane Ackeman, Armando Codina, Gregory Brenneman, Helena F and Bonnie Hill. The board is made up of two females and eight males. The average years of the BOD of the company is 58.3 years with ages ranging from 43years to 71years?The ethnicity of the BOD is diverse with one Hispaniac who is Mr. Codina, One black, Ms Hill and Bousbib from France. The rest of the board members are Americans. The board members are highly qualified and all of them have had the expertise and experience of working in other companies in the top management level. The companies they have worked in include; facebook, PepsiCo, UPS and the General Electric. Some of the members of the BOD have their own companies that they are running and are competent enough to work in Home Depot. The education levels of the members are high with the least being a master’s level. Most of the board members have attained a Bachelors and masters in business and economics. A few members have Doctorates in business and one who is Ackerman having a bachelors degree in physics. The universities that the board members have attended for their degrees, Maste r’s and Doctorate are highly recognized in the world for quality education such as Harvard University. The board has been involved in major decision making in the company and they are the ones who give directions on how the company should be run. For example, in 2012, they made a decision of acquiring the Home Systems used in the US. Looking at the compensation that the board members receive, the rates defer for each member. Those board members who are employed in the company are compensated differently from those who are not employed by the company. The compensation is paid off in two forms which include shares and cash payment. In the year 2012, each nonemployee of the board received $280,000. $250,000

Tools That Monitor Truck Drivers Essay Example for Free

Tools That Monitor Truck Drivers Essay How to Monitor Truck Drivers Trucks and drivers represent a considerable cost for firms, therefore, a firm should use tools to monitor the behavior of its truck driver to ensure that 1- Drivers are following regulations to minimize risks and cost. 2- Reduces or eliminates fatigue-related injuries and fatalities. 3- Reduces accidents and equipment damage. Copilot A low cost driver drowsy driver monitor, Copilot, is one of such tools mentioned early. The Copilot consists of a digital camera integrated with a low-cost digital signal processor (DSP). The Copilot is a functionally enhanced version of a previous monitor that has been successfully used in a variety of research projects in simulators and in over-the-road vehicles (). The Copilot measures slow eyelid closures as represented by PERCLOS (Percent Eyelid Closure). PERCLOS is defined as the proportion of time that a subjects eyes are closed over a specified period. PERCLOS has been separately validated in two independent laboratories as an accurate predictor of performance degradation in sleep- deprived subjects. The current driver interface is based on recent experimental results that drowsiness feedback can reduce drowsiness and improve driver performance for sleep deprived truck drivers operating a truck simulator. DSS System ÂÆ'The DSS system works most of the time for most operators ÂÆ' Provides â€Å"virtual† driving buddy for the operator ÂÆ' Can provide site supervision near real-time notice of potential fatigued operators ÂÆ'Highly effective if used with supervisor intervention procedure ÂÆ'The communications plan about the technology and how it will be used is critical ÂÆ' Complete management support and ownership of the process (from the mine manager to front-line supervisor) ÂÆ' Consequences are clearly defined; do what you say you are going to do ÂÆ' Listen to complaints and fix issues/problems early ÂÆ' Site champions required Accelerometers and pressure transducers, mounted in suspension components, can be used to monitor the ride of haulage trucks. Presently, it is difficult to tell what caused a jolt to the truck using either pressure or acceleration data alone. When information from a global positioning system (GPS) is recorded at the same time as shock pressures or acceleration data, the exact location of an event can be determined. Mine management can then determine what caused the jolt to the truck. † NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) is investigating how the work environment of haulage truck drivers can be improved. The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) notes that, between 1986 and 1995, 60% of the back injuries were to haulage truck drivers in metal/non-metal surface mining. Personnel from Phelps Dodge suggested that combining acceleration data with information obtained from a GPS could generate results with a variety of uses. Therefore, researchers at the Spokane Research Laboratory (SRL) began investigating how to tie acceleration and GPS data together. It was originally thought that this tool would be used primarily for road and truck maintenance. However, as research progressed, it became apparent that it would also be useful in providing feedback about equipment operations and identifying unusual causes of jolting. A data collection system that ties acceleration and GPS location data has been successfully demonstrated at a cooperating mine. A variety of applications are possible. Using plotting software, the person reviewing the data produced can see the acceleration history of the truck, much like an infrared camera can display the thermal signature of a moving object. Sophisticated hardware and software monitors very low-level accelerations and increases functionality. Severe jolts can be monitored by using inexpensive hardware and software. GPS-based location intelligence technology deliver exception control and visibility over entire truck GPS fleet, eliminating out of route miles, reducing fuel consumption, automating compliance and improving your bottom line. These truck GPS combined capabilities resolve a rogue’s gallery of fleetwide problems: excessive fuel costs, unnecessary timecard disputes, error-prone manual HOS reporting, and inefficient fuel tax accounting and compliance paperwork. GPS users report an average 15% to 30% lower fuel consumption, 15% less overtime, 12% less unauthorized vehicle use and 12% higher productivity. Driver monitoring tool detects driver workload and stress levels It’s a Tool which monitors driver’s state with camera and seat sensor and alarms if the driver becomes too distracted. Key benefits: Operator vigilance – supervise the machine operator sleepiness and distraction level Traffic safety – advice a driver to adapt his/her driving style to avoid safety risks Green driving – assist a driver to save fuel and reduce carbon dioxide emissions

Factors on Stock Market Development in SAARC Region

Factors on Stock Market Development in SAARC Region The Impact of Institutional and Macroeconomic Factors on Stock Market Development in SAARC region Fayaz Ahmed Soomro Problem Statement There are many researches concerned about the relationship between the Macroeconomic variables and the stock market performances[1]. Researchers have analyzed many different factors of Macroeconomic variables like GDP, Savings, Credit facilities, Shares traded, interest rates, remittances from abroad, trade deficit, consumer banking, production of industrial goods, liquidity and more macroeconomic factors having significant impact and are the major contributors in stock market development[2]. Researches also claim that there is one way relationship between stock market development and macroeconomic variables[3]. Researchers have also concentrated on the impact of quality of institutions on the development of equity market in developing countries specially[4]. However there is has been not much interested directed towards institutional quality having impact on stock market development in SAARC region. This research is focused on testing the theory and adding empirical evidence from in terms of impact of quality of institutions on the development of equity market. This research might help the respective countries of SAARC in understanding better the factors contributing in the development of stock market in the SAARC territory and May helps the policy makers to devise better and effective policies for the whole region. Objective To determine the impact of the quality of institutions with macroeconomic factors are having on the development of stock markets in SAARC region. Research Question What is the impact of quality of institutions with macroeconomic factors on the performance of the stock markets? Literature Review Development of the Stock markets and the growth of the economy There has been found that stock market development and economic prosperity are highly correlated Levine and Zervos (1996). The study adopted positivist approach and correlational in nature and based on 41 countries in the period 1976- 1993, the quantitative method was adopted. It was deduced based on the hypothesis taking sample population of 41 countries in the period 1976- 1993 that there exist a high correlation among stock market and growth of economy. Unidirectional effect of Macroeconomic Variables Macroeconomic factors affects the stock prices in the unidirectional way that is stock prices does not affects the Macroeconomic variables to change Hussain and Mehmood (2001). The approach adopted is quantitative in nature and falls in the domain of positivist research paradigm. The deduction was based on sample population of Pakistan by considering the period of 1959-60 to 1998-99. Stock Market and Economic Prosperity Evidence from India Economic prosperity is highly related with the stock market performance in the economy Deb and Mukherjee (2008). He analysed by the quantitative research methods and hence within positivism research paradigm that in India economic prosperity leads to the better stock market performances. He deduced that there is a relationship between economic prosperity and the stock market development in India by taking sample population of India from the period of ten years. It was also found that there exists a bidirectional causal relation among the said variables. Development in the Stock Market of Pakistan Liquidity and the prices of the stocks do not have any relation in any direction Ali et al. (2010). This research falls into the Post Positivism research paradigm because it is refuting the generalization made in the literature that money supply and stocks prices have no relation at all in any direction. This was tested by using Granger-causality test, Augmented Dickey Fuller, Unit Root Test and the test of co-integration (Johansen) have been applied. He also found that there is no causality effect among the liquidity and stock prices, industrial production , exchange proportion, rising prices, balance of trade and prices of the shares in Pakistan. Foreign Direct Investment is highly related to stock market development Raza et al. (2012) this research adopted quantitative and hence followed the positivism research paradigm that is, it tested the theory in consistent with the literature. The factors like savings, rising prices and money exchange rates were also considered and were found significant. Savings were in line with stock market however inflation and money exchange rate were found to have a negative impact. The research found that 70 percent of the increase in development of stock market is caused by the one percent change in FDI inflow. This is a huge impact so the government of Pakistan should be looking forward to protect the foreign investors and facilitate them as much as possible. There should be framework under which the foreign investors can take the easily their part and keep on investing in order to promote the stock market activities in the region. Stock Market development in Bangladesh The stock market of the Bangladesh is not mature yet and it’s not up to the standards of international markets, however this research identified many factors affecting the stock market development in Bangladesh Rrahman and Rahaman (2011). The research adopted quantitative and followed Positivist approach. Data was collected from the period 2001 to 2008 and was collected from various reliable sources of Bangladesh. Many different statistical techniques were used like descriptive analyses, correlation analyses were applied. All the variables were found to have significant impact. It was also suggested that Bangladesh stock market is highly volatile and there has much to improve in order to make it up to international standards. Stock Markets and the Institutional Quality Insitutional quality plays important role in the development of various sectors of the economy. Its implication has been tested and proved significant in the non banking financial sector in the Middle East and African regions Creane et al. (2004). The proxies that were used are Banking Industry, Money Supply, yearly monetary and fiscal policies, industrial regulations, financial corruption and the quality of institutions. Recommendation made in this report is about to increase the quality of institutions. Yartey (2008) Institutional factors including the political stablity, quality in bureaucracy, stability of democracy, corruptions, general regulations and laws with other macro economic factors were found to have a significant effect on the stock market activities because it usually increases financial facility to the general public and they tend to invest in the equity market. The data was collected from the period 1990 until 2004 that is total 14 years of 42 emerging economies. The data was analyzed through regression analysis. However risk in the political stability was suggested a major contributing in the stock exchange market enhancement. In other Burhop et al. (2011) tried to find the regulatory body as the important components of the stock exchange market. In his studies he considered London equity market and the stock market of berlin and quantified as in the form of IPO- initial Public Offerings. However he could not conclude whether regulatory body plays an important role in the stock market activities but he found that long term profits and survival in the competition as the important factor in the successful market. Research Methodology Epistemology This research tries to identify the Institutional factors and other macroeconomic factors that lead to the development of stock market, this knowledge already exist and justified in the region of Middle East in the International Monetary Fund’s working paper of Billmeier and Massa (2007). Nature of Knowledge This research tries to test already existing knowledge in the literature Billmeier and Massa (2007) which was specifically applied in the regions of Middle East and Central Asia. The theory has been tested quantitatively that exist in literature and adopted Positivism approach. This research adds the empirical proof from the SAARC region. Methodology- Positivism This research is also quantitative in nature and follows the positivism approach because it’s in consistent with the existing literature and follows the systematic scientific approach to find its applicability in the SAARC region. The gap in the empirical evidence was identified and in order to fill the gap same propositions were developed but in different context of its application Validity The method, approach, statistical technique and the measurement of the variables are in consistent with the International Monetary Fund’s working paper. That means theory already exist but it has been applied in the different context that is in SAARC region. Institutional quality has been measured as a index of Economic freedom by Heritage Index of Economic Freedom and other macroeconomic variables has been measured and reported by the World Bank and the data has been collected from their published reports. The detailed measurement is as follows Market Capitalization: This is has been measured as total value of the shares outstanding in the stock markets which is the total sum of shares prices multiplied by the no of outstanding securities. For this research it has been taken as the percentage of GDP. IQ: Institutional Quality: Institutions are the formal governing bodies in any country which look after the overall governing structure of the economy. These institutions guide the economy about political activities, social activities and the economic activities. Quality of institutions is enhanced with efficient and effective working of institutions. Quality is measured by Heritage Foundation as score from 0 to 100, the lowest value being the poorest form of quality and higher the score the higher the quality. INC: Income: It is represented as the total value of production within the country and has been measured at constant base of year 2000 US $ in Billions. INV: Investment: It is represented by the addition in the aggregate value of fixed assets with any inventories. This has been taken in this research as capital formation percentage of the GDP SVT: Stock value traded: It is represented by the shares total value in the specific period. This has been also taken as percentage traded over GDP DC: Domestic credit: It is represented by the total value of lending to the customers in the private sectors. This has also been taken as percentage of GDP. Reliability This theory has been applied in the region of SAARC region from the period 1996 to 2012. It is suggested the this theory will produce more or less the same results if carried out in the different period of time in the SAARC region Generalizability This same theory was applied and proved in the region of Middle East. This research also proved and produced the same results in the SAARC region hence It can be concluded that this theory is applicable to the regions with similar conditions of economy like in Middle East and Central Asia. Synthetic a posteriori proposition The proposition in this research says that Institutional Quality and macroeconomic factors have significant and positive impact on the stock market development in the SAARC region. This proposition is a synthetic a posteriori and subject to empirical verification from the above region. Deduction Reasoning General statements 1: Quality of institutions affects significantly on the development of stock market. 2: GDP affects significantly on the development of stock market. 3: Domestic credit affects significantly on the development of stock market. 4: Stock traded value affects significantly on the development of stock market. 5: Gross capital formation affects significantly on the development of stock market. Hypotheses Ho1: Quality of the institutions affects insignificantly on the development of stock market. Ha1: Quality of the institutions affects significantly on the development of stock market. Ho2: GDP affects significantly on the development of stock market. Ha2: GDP affects insignificantly on the development of stock market. Ho3: Domestic credit affects significantly on the development of stock market. Ha3: Domestic credit affects significantly on the development of stock market. Ho4: Stock traded value affects significantly on the development of stock market. Ha4: Stock traded value affects significantly on the development of stock market. Ho4: Gross capital formation affects significantly on the development of stock market. Ha4: Gross capital formation affects significantly on the development of stock market. Conclusion 1: Institutional quality does impact significantly on the development of stock market 2: GDP does impact significantly on the development of stock market 3: Domestic credit does impact significantly on the development of stock market 4: Stock traded value does impact significantly on the development of stock market 5: Gross capital formation does impact significantly on the development of stock market Falsification As this research is in consistent with the existing theory and has been only tested without amendments hence it is not refuting any theory of knowledge but adds empirical evidence in the literature from untested region that is South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries. Data Collection and Source In this research secondary data has been used. Data of institutional quality collected from the Index of Economic Freedom of Heritage Foundation. Data of macroeconomic variables collected from the World Bank. Target Population The research focuses on the regions of SAARC economies in particular countries Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Srilanka. Sample Size The dataset of 5 economies has been considered. The year 1995 to 2010 that is for 15 years of 5 countries of the SAARC region making it a total observations of 75 has been taken as the sample size. Statistical Technique The sample data of dependent variable and independent variables will be analyzed by ordinary least square method of multiple regression analyses technique. Research Model MCP = ÃŽ ± + ÃŽ ²1 IQ + ÃŽ ²2 INC + ÃŽ ²3 INV + ÃŽ ²4 SVT + ÃŽ ²5 DC + e Where MCP:Market Capitalization IQ: Institutional Quality INC: Income INV: Investment SVT: Stock value traded DC: Domestic credit 1 [1] Deb and Mukherjee (2008) Mustafa and Cagatay (2012) [2] Ali et al (2010), Raza et al (2012) [3] Hussain and Mehmood (2001) [4] Billmeier and Massa (2007), Lombardo and Pagano (2000), Yartey (2008), Burhop et al (2011)

The Emphasis on Existentialisim in Lispector’s Work Due to The Traditio

The Emphasis on Existentialisim in Lispector’s Work Due to The Traditional Roles of Women The human mind often creates traumatized, twisted beliefs about the world after cataclysmic events have occurred. Picture 1920- the world has just been ravaged by bullets, bombs, and baleful butchers with malicious intent. The aftermath of World War II leaves the country of Ukraine encompassed in terror, anguish, and famine. Imagine being ravenous enough to consider devouring a decomposing relative, and then putting that consideration into action. Imagine a country where pogroms- violent attacks on ethnic groups, mainly Jews, that included the destruction of homes, businesses, and churches –are not only regular, but not surprising occurrences. Imagine suppression, repression, oppression, all the â€Å"-ions†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Now insert a nine-year old girl struggling to live in this madness, add the rape and death of that girl’s mother, and there is the childhood of the renowned Brazilian author, Clarice Lispector. These experiences, which would alter anyone’s views on life, influenced and helped to develop Lispector’s existentialist ways of thinking. In these past occurrences, gender inequalities were very much prominent, which explains why Lispector focuses on the fate of women in her writing. Due to the oppressive government, women were confined to their traditional roles and in showing the lack of freedom, both mentally and physically, that this imposes on them, Clarice Lispector justifies her existentialist viewpoints through her writings; life is pain, misery, and inevitably death. These viewpoints are imminent when discussing the overall lack of freedom in Lispector’s stories â€Å"The Chicken†, â€Å"The Smallest Woman in the World†, and â€Å"Preciousness†. Within... ...for giving birth, her obedient stay after being caught, and her sudden yet unsurprising death describes, in Lispector’s viewpoints, the natural course of an average female’s life. Although Lispector wrote these stories in the 1940’s, reflecting on the then current gender inequalities and hardships of life during the aftermath of WWII, these themes are evident in all time periods, for as Lispector has shown, the innate traditional roles of women along with the pre-conceived notion of men being more significant than women are evident even in our time. These limits reflect Lispector’s existentialist viewpoints in showing that the life of a woman is restrained; women’s lives are filled with pressure, sadness, and ultimately death.

Ordinary Or Proportionate Care

In medical terms, ordinary or proportionate care, which is beneficial, useful, and not unreasonably burdensome to the patient, is morally obligatory. On the other hand, extraordinary or disproportionate care, which may include exotic, experimental, or excessively burdensome treatments that are unlikely to benefit a patient or that include unreasonable costs relative to benefits, is not morally obligatory, though a patient may choose to accept it.The categories of proportionate and disproportionate care therefore, allow us to navigate between two dangerous extremes: the fundamentals that would have us preserve life at all costs by any means necessary without regard for the burdens imposed on the patient, and the fatalism that would tempt us to give up on gravely ill patients before their time and violate their rights to life and basic care.In the case of Roger Allen, his directive not to undergo surgery anymore if there is no guarantee that he will recover and assume a normal life is based on his right as an individual to decide what he wants to do with his body and to be protected from unwanted interference from others. In his perspective, Mr. Allen may be thinking that the burdens of treatment in terms pain, effort and costs are disproportionate relative to the anticipated benefits of the treatment.In the first place, there is no guarantee that the surgery will restore his health. If it fails, either he will die or he lives, only to be a burden to his two daughters and relatives in terms of financial costs as well as efforts of caregiving, not to mention the emotional pain that his daughters and relatives will be experiencing due to his condition. On the other hand, if we look at the daughters’ perspective, it is only natural that they will try to exhaust any means to save their father’s life.If surgery fails and in the end their father dies, at least their minds and hearts are at peace knowing that they have done their best to save him rather th an being tormented for the rest of their lives with the idea that they could have tried at that slim chance to save him. In my opinion however, the request of the daughters to monitor their father’s condition after surgery for six months is too long. I think one to two months would be long enough. By that span of time, the medical professionals would be able to assess if there is improvement and a chance that the father will recover.Also in that span of time, the daughters’ decision may also change considering the physical, mental and emotional toll that they had experienced in the care of their father. On the part of the doctor, I think that he has no other choice but to insist the father’s wish. He himself, cannot guarantee the success of the surgery and medical treatment may only be prolonging the agony of everyone concerned. Furthermore, in his perspective, discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate.No doubt, Mr. Allen’s treatment falls under this category since the diagnostic tests reveal significant brain damage and internal bleeding of unknown origin, requiring exploratory surgery. In his case, one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decision is made by the patient himself assuming that he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

Existentialism and Phenomenology Essay

Existentialism and Phenomenology Essay Free Online Research Papers To describe the historical development of Continental philosophy’s existentialism and phenomenology as a response to Hegelian idealism one must first define Hegelian idealism. Hegel thought that â€Å"†¦what is most real- the Absolute- is thought thinking of itself.†(Moore-Bruder, 2005 P. 143) He also thought that it was not an independent group of ideas, but that all the ideas were interconnected. He would propose a thesis, then an antithesis, and together they would form the synthesis. Meaning the thesis and antithesis were the foundation for the synthesis, which would become a new thesis and antithesis forming a new synthesis until the synthesis reached the apex. Hegel thought the highest triad was the â€Å"synthesis of ‘Idea’ and ‘Nature’ in ‘Spirit’.†(Moore-Bruder, 2005 P. 145) Idea meaning self-conscious thought, Nature meaning the external expression of Idea, and Spirit meaning thought to recognize itself as both thought and an object. Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard, the first major existential philosopher, disagreed with Hegel. He thought that individuals and their will and needs impacted their decision-making process. He thought despair was the result of an individual having to make ethical and religious choices alone, and that the only relief one could be granted was that from a belief and trust in a higher power or God even if it went against the universal norms. Friedrich Nietzsche also disagreed with Hegel’s idealism and all similar rationales. He thought man, as a whole, was irrational and would do what they were told, without question, like a herd of animals. He thought the rare Superman was able to overcome the slave mentality and have thoughts of his own. The Superman was able to create his own values rather than looking toward God as their source of values. The existential movement was not only embraced by philosophers but by artists and writers as well. Albert Camus believed that many people lived their entire life in a sort of haze. Our two basic needs, the need for clarity and the need for social warmth and contact, usually go unmet because we go about our lives fulfilling what we perceive as important needs instead of what actually are. Jean-Paul Sartre believed that there was no God, and that thought had four basic philosophical implications. He believed that you are what you make of yourself, that there is no reason for existing, that our choices are made of our own free will and that we all establish our own values. He believed that by making choices about one’s life and future we give meaning to our lives and that how we act is a true vision into what kind of person you are. Edmund Husserl’s work is the starting point for what is now known as phenomenology. Phenomenology states that one should look at the objects that are actually present and not concern oneself with the second world that metaphysics presents such as Plato’s forms. Martin Heidegger thought that humans had forgotten about Being, the ultimate source, because of human-made logic. He believed that â€Å"†¦it is both arrogant and destructive to assume that humans are the masters of nature or to follow Protagoras’s dictum that man is the measure of all things.†(Moore-Bruder, 2005 P. 175) He thought that speech was a useless flood of words without any true meaning. Emmanuel Levinas believed that humans could not study Being and try to explain beings, he thought beings had to study themselves first in order to explain Being. He thought that one’s primary responsibility is for the Other and it is more important than their responsibility to themselves and to the world. He thought that true freedom is only attained by obedience to God and His commandments. The historical development of Continental philosophy’s existentialism and phenomenology as a response to Hegelian idealism has basically been one of disagreement. Philosophers seem to disagree with most of Hegel’s ideas. There is also some disagreement among the existentialists and phenomenologists both within their own categories and between the two. Most of Continental philosophy’s ideas are based on ideas that were previously stated. References Moore-Bruder: Philosophy: The Power of Ideas (6th ed.). The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2005 Research Papers on Existentialism and Phenomenology EssayLogic and Perception EssaySociology EssaySociology is a ScienceDeontological Teleological TheoriesEssay on â€Å"I have a Dream† Dr KingJoel Kovel’s The Enemy of NatureIntentism The Resurrection of the AuthorHomer The Great Greek PoetGlobal Distributive Justice is UtopianThe Gnostic Jesus