Financial Reporting Master Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Financial Reporting Master - Research Paper Example The observance of accounting standards in reporting is mandatory in all countries as per the direction of Accounting Standard Board (ASB). All countries have developed their own accounting standards and in the absence of a standard in any occasion, Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (GAAP) can be followed. This report has four sections, namely A, B, C, and D. Section 'A' deals with the specific accounting policies adopted by Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrison, followed by the comparison of the same between one another. It also throws light on whether there are any differences in the accounting policies followed by these companies and if any, what are they. Section B is meant to present the financial analysis of all the three companies' financial statements for a 5 year period using profitability ratios, liquidity ratios, debt ratios, activity ratios, gearing. Section C is for detailing the major limitations of ratio analysis in the light of given companies. Section D provides a repor t on the performance of a company of Morrison Plc. Based on the ratios calculated in Section B. The company prepares and presents it financial statements comprising of income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement in accordance with applicable accounting standards, under the historical cost convention, and are in accordance with the Companies Act 1985 (Accounting... Basis of Consolidation The company prepares its consolidated financial statements comprising of statements of parent company and that of its subsidiaries. It has been made mandatory for the Continental European companies to prepare financial statements prior to the preparation of the same of the group so as to ensure timely preparation and reporting. As regards the excess/deficiency of purchase consideration is concerned, it shall be adjusted in reserves. It is therefore necessary for all subsidiaries to adhere to the accounting policies of the group with the aim of attaining consistency in the accounting policies. Stocks Stocks in stores are calculated at retail prices and reduced by appropriate margins to the lower of cost and net realizable value. Money market investments Money market investments are shown at cost price. All income received from these investments is included in the profit and loss account. Fixed assets and depreciation Depreciation is provided on an equal annual installment basis over the anticipated useful working lives of the assets, after they have been brought into use, at the following rates: Leasing items such as plant, equipment and fixtures and fittings are shown in the financial statements as tangible assets. These assets are subject to depreciation as per the depreciation policy of the firm. Sainsbury Plc. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Sainsbury will follow IFRS for financial reporting though it will have a small adverse impact on reported profit after tax. This impact excludes the effect of IAS 32 and IAS 39 - the Group has elected to take a one-year exemption in implementing these standards as allowed under IFRS. Morrison Plc. Basis of

Response paper to this qustionIn Candide, what are the various Essay

Response paper to this qustionIn Candide, what are the various attitudes, ideas, and behaviors that Voltaire is lampooning - Essay Example Voltaire's Candide shows the complete transformation of philosophical idelogoly of Pangloss that this is the best of all possible worlds. This may clearly fit to a person someone like Candide who is not aware of the outside world other than his baron's castle. But in reality, world is full of misery and corruption. The change in the mindset of a person depending on the situation is rightly presented throughout the process as he sees corruption and violence all over the world. It must be noticed that Voltaire has criticized the ideology of various characters and has tried to enlighten us about the real world. Candide is an exemplary work by Voltaire as he brings to light the behavior of various characters and criticizes the philosophies and ideologies of various religions like Roman Catholic Church, Islam and others. The idea of free will is questioned by an individual's control over his own destiny. Voltaire criticizes the idea of free will through Candide as a person is predestined to act irrespective of the fact whether he is doing good or evil. The main notion as stated by Pangloss that "there is no effect without a cause' and "we live in the best of all possible worlds and whatever happens is for the best' is strongly ridiculed as there is lot of violence and bloodshed resulting in loss of lives.

Consumer Buying Behaviour In Textile Retailing

Consumer Buying Behaviour In Textile Retailing Consumer behaviour is a complicated and diverse area of study. Since marketing is based on identifying, anticipating and providing customer needs it is important to understand them. There are two predominant types of buying: consumer buying, which consists of buying products for personal use, and organisational buying, which involves buying for organisational purposes. Consumer buying behaviour is defined as the buying behaviour of final consumers, individuals and households who purchase goods and services for personal consumption (Kotler et. al., 2001, pg. 858). Purpose of choosing this topic: For a marketer to satisfy customer needs efficiently and lucratively, understanding consumer behaviour is essential. Research into consumer behaviour allows the marketer to create target groups of people with common interests, values, beliefs and patterns of behaviour which will be discussed further in this proposal. Once a market segment has been identified, marketers can research the target market more thoroughly and the marketing mix, product, price, promotion and place can be adjusted to ensure the product position is correct. 2.0 Objective This dissertation will identify the main factors influencing consumer behaviour patterns, particularly in textile retailing. It will examine how buyer characteristics influence buyer behaviour and also how retailers react to such characteristics. In particular this proposal will look at the cultural factors, demographic factors and psychological factors that influence consumer buying. Also, it will investigate on different types of buying behaviour that helps to find how and why consumers make their purchase decisions. It is vital to note that the purchase of a particular product does not always derive the same type of decision making behaviour (East, 1997: 19). For example, an affluent businessman who enjoys collecting cars may not undergo complex buying behaviour as opposed to an average earning salesman who is buying a car for transportation purposes. 3.0 Method In order to achieve the objectives stated above, the research will utilise online survey and will consider the scope to which: Online community members share their views on buying; The sharing of pre-buying experience differs from the sharing of post-buying experience; Comments made by third party and direct contact through an online community affect buying pattern; Comments received on different company websites affect buying pattern. Also, the research will utilise online database: Mintel and Emerald, and published material: books, articles on newspaper, magazines, or journals. Feasibility There is no purpose at this stage to employ any company information for preparing the dissertation. The author wants to ensure if he needs permission from the online community to approach individuals to take part in the survey. Participants will be at liberty to withdraw from the survey at any moment of time. 5.0 To what extend the existing published material meets the proposal The dissertation intends to explore the knowledge of types and elements of buying behaviour that influence consumer buying behaviour such as cultural factors, demographic factors and psychological factors. This will significantly assist the marketers to invade the competitive market and come out with fruitful wings. Complex buying behaviour Dissonance-reducing buying behaviour Habitual buying behaviour Variety-seeking buying behaviourFigure A: High Involvement Low Involvement Significant differences between brands Few differences between brands Figure A shows the relationship between different types of consumer buying behaviour with the level of consumer involvement and the degrees of differences between brands. The level of involvement in a purchasing a product is related to the importance of the purchase, the risks involved and the type of cognitive processing that is generated (East, 1997: 19). It helps the marketer to keep a better hold on the competing market. Culture affects consumer behaviour in a variety of ways. It relates to customs and beliefs that are learned from the society in which an individual grows up. Aspects of our socio-culture, such as sub-culture, social class and reference groups play different roles in influencing consumers. A common pattern of behaviour can be observed within groups. Cultural change occurs at a very slow pace and can be seen to marketers as threats or opportunities. Cultural elements that influence consumer behaviour can also be said to be environmental influences. A reference group is one that the individual tends to use as the anchor point for evaluating his/her own beliefs and attitudes (American Marketing Association, 2004). Sub-culture plays an important part to marketers because of their influence on brands and types of product and services demanded by their members (Chisnall, 1975, p.98). Mintel (2003) reports that an emerging youth sub-culture, in which extreme sports is the focal point. He estimates that consumers spent  £4.5 billion on extreme sports goods in 2003, an increase of 29% on 1998. (See appendix 1, figure 3) Demographic elements (ref Fig.7 appendix.3) can significantly affect consumer behaviour. As an individuals stage of life progresses, so will the needs and wants of a product. To help marketers make a clearer distinction between demographic groups for market segmentation classification bases have been developed. A Classification of Residential Neighbourhoods (ACORN) is a popular geo-demographic technique used as a segmentation base. ACORN maps geographically the concentrations of a particular type of individual and can be useful for helping marketers decide upon store locations and targeting direct mailing (Beaumont, 1989). Lansing, J and Morgan, J (1955) have devised a popular and successful break down of the life cycle of families to successfully target a market. Each stage influences consumer behaviour in a different way (see table1 appendix2). Mintel (2001) reports that the greatest time of expenditure for women in the AB social grade are during the bachelor stage where 56% of women spent more than  £500 on clothes in a year. However, during the newly married couples, full nest 1 and full nest 2 periods the percentage of women that spends  £500 a year on clothes decreases to 35%. This percentage increases at the empty nest stage to 46%. (See appendix 3, figure 6) Psychological factors are related to perceptions, motivations, attitudes and personality of a consumer so it crucial to know how life patterns influence purchasing decisions. Psychographics are usually based on demographic information as well as ratings of consumers activities, interests and opinions (Williams, K, 1981, pg.91). Lifestyles and patterns have strong influences on consumer behaviour. Figure 7 (see appendix. 3) illustrates the main factors that form a lifestyle. Perception and motivation relates to an individuals interpretation of a product and company. Maslow recognises that people with intensive needs can be motivated to purchase the goods if identified properly (Lancaster, G, Massingham, L, and Ashford, R, 2002, pg. 80). With this, marketer can convey good brand awareness. The subject of personality is a very complicated area. There are many variables that reflect a comprehensive view of a personality. This makes it difficult for marketers to understand the link personality has with consumer behaviour (Williams, K, 1981, pg.133) 6.0 Timescale Milestone Task Due date Remarks 1 Stage 1: Area of interest identified 24 March 10 Completed 2 Stage 2: Specific topic selected 24 March 10 Completed 3 Stage 3: Topic refined to develop dissertation proposal 6 April 10 Completed 4 Stage 4: Proposal written and submitted 22 April 10 Completed 5 Stage 5: Collection of data and information 30 June 10 6 Stage 6: Analysis and interpretation of collected data 10 July 10 7 Stage 7: Writing up 31 July 10 8 Stage 8: Final draft prepared submission of dissertation 31 Aug 10 9 Final Deadline of dissertation 17 Sept 10 7.0 Bibliography American Marketing Association (2004). Dictionary of marketing terms: reference group Available from: http://www.marketingpower.com/live/mg_dictionary-view3860.php [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] American Marketing Association (2004). Whats hot whats not: Teens tastes in fashion change and change often? Teens also spend, and spend. Available from: http://www.intellisearchnow.com/mp_pwrpub_view.scml?ppa=7iempYZhklooprVSlj%216%3C%22bfej%5B%21 [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Batista, E (2004). Wired News: What your clothes say about you. Available from: http://www.wired.com/news/wireless/0,1382,58006,00.html [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Beaumont, J. R. (1989). An overview of market analysis: Who?, What?, Where? and Why? International Journal of Information Management Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages 51-62 Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL_udi=B6VB4-45M2NCT-16_user=822084_coverDate=03%2F31%2F1989_rdoc=1_fmt=high_orig=search_sort=d_docanchor=view=c_searchStrId=1303548251_rerunOrigin=google_acct=C000044499_version=1_urlVersion=0_userid=822084md5=6b2bce837f0436807b24710842e5914a [Accessed: 3rd April 2010] Chisnall, P (1975). Marketing: a behavioural analysis. 1st edition. McGraw-Hill Book Company (UK) Limited. East, R. (1997). Consumer Behaviour: Advances and Applications in Marketing. Prentice Hall, London. Goldsmith, R (2002). Some Personality Traits of Frequent Clothing Buyers. Emerald, journal of consumer marketing, volume 6, number 3. Available from: http://oberon.emeraldinsight.com/vl=3977275/cl=13/nw=1/fm=html/rpsv/cw/mcb/13612026/v6n3/s6/p303 [Accessed: 3rd April 2010] Kotler et. al. (2001). Marketing. 5th Edition, Prentice Hall, Sydney. Lansing, J, and Morgan, J, (1955). Consumer Behaviour: Consumer finances over the life-cycle. 1st Edition. Clark, L.H., New York University Press. Lancaster, G, Massingham, L, and Ashford, R (2002). Essentials of Marketing: Understanding the Behaviour of Customers. 4th edition. McGraw-Hill Education. Mintel, (2001). Marketing to ABs UK June 2001. Available from: http://reports.mintel.com/sinatra/mintel/searchexec/fulltext=family+life-cycletype=reportsreport_titleresults=1000proximity=anywherevariants=trueorder=2/report/repcode=S192anchor=accessS192/doc/712626029repcode=S192#0 [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Mintel, (2003). Extreme Sports UK November 2003 Available from: http://reports.mintel.com/sinatra/mintel/searchexec/fulltext=sub-culturetype=reportsreport_country=224report_titleresults=1000proximity=anywherevariants=trueorder=2/report/repcode=L439anchor=accessL439 [Accessed: 3rd April 2010] Moran, C (2004). Fashion Crime: hoodlums love their hooded tops The Times. Plummer, J (1974) The Concept and Application of Life Style Segmentation The Journal of Marketing. Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 33-37. American Marketing Association Williams, T (2002). Social Class Influences on Purchase Evaluation Criteria. Emerald, Journal of Consumer Marketing, Volume 19, Number 3. Available from: http://titania.emeraldinsight.com/vl=7203230/cl=70/nw=1/fm=html/rpsv/cw/mcb/07363761/v19n3/s5/p249 [Accessed: 3rd April 2010] 8.0 Appendices 8.1 Appendix 1 Figure 3: Consumer spending on extreme sports goods, 1998-2003 (Source: Sports Industry Research Centre/Sports Industries Federation/Mintel)  £m Index  £m at 1998 prices* Index 1998 3,470 100 3,470 100 1999 3,560 103 3,331 96 2000 4,107 118 3,227 93 2001 4,048 117 3,158 91 2002 4,319 124 3,088 89 2003 (est) 4,476 129 3,054 88 Figure 4: PDI, consumer expenditure and savings, 1998-2007 (Source: National Statistics 2002/Mintel) It demonstrates that between 1998 and 2003 while levels of disposable income have increased by 21%, consumer spending has increased by 22%. PDI at 1998 prices Index Consumer expenditure at 1998 prices Index Savings Index  £bn  £bn  £bn 1998 592.74 100 557.35 100 35.39 100 1999 614.50 104 582.90 105 32.80 93 2000 639.80 108 612.25 110 28.09 79 2001 676.08 114 638.52 115 40.02 113 2002 697.58 118 665.05 119 37.20 105 2003 (est) 715.02 121 681.01 122 56.52 160 2004 (fore) 732.18 124 697.36 125 62.86 178 2005 (proj) 749.02 126 715.49 128 68.16 193 2006 (proj) 768.50 130 734.09 132 73.86 209 2007 (proj) 787.71 133 753.91 135 76.75 217 8.1 Appendix 2 Figure 5: Socio-economic classification as defined by the National Readership Survey (Chisnall, P, 1975, pg.114). Social grade Social status Head of households occupation Approximate percentage of families A Upper middle class Higher managerial, administrative or professional 3 B Middle class Intermediate managerial, administrative or professional 10 C1 Lower middle class Supervisory or clerical and junior managerial, administrative or professional 24 C2 Skilled working class Skilled manual workers 30 D Working class Semi and unskilled manual workers 25 E Those at the lowest levels of subsistence State pensioners or widows (no other earner), casual or lowest-grade workers 8 Table 1: Life cycle stage (Lansing, J and Morgan, J, 1955) Stage Category 1 Bachelor stage young single people 2 Newly married couples young, no children 3 The full nest 1 young married couple with dependent children 4 The full nest 2 older married couples with dependent children 5 The empty nest older married couples with no children living with them 6 The solitary survivor older single people.

A Thousand Differences :: Sociology, Social Norms

The world today is full of so many cultures. Each one drastically different from the other and equipped with their own customs and â€Å"social norm†. The culture in America is radically different from that in Afghanistan. This fact is evident in A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. This book follows the journeys two young women living in the harsh world in Afghanistan until their paths cross and they unite to rebel against the maltreatment of women that is widely accepted in their country. The lives these women lead in this book is dramatically opposite of the life that women have in America. The daily life over all in Afghanistan is very strange compared to America. They must live with droughts, poverty, and war every day. In 1999, in the city of Kabul, there was a huge drought. It had not snowed in the winter and there was no rain in the spring. The riverbed that ran through the city was completely dried up (261). With very little and scorching heat it must have been exceedingly difficult to cook or stay cool. With two young children to keep fed and hydrated water is a necessity. One of the main characters, Mariam, grew up in a mud hut on the outskirts of a village in the mountains (10). Small houses and very little income was the average life in the country. In her city, a two-story house was practically a mansion, and in America that is considered normal. The standard of living is much lower in Afghanistan. The region the two girls live in was one of constant war. Different ethnicities and religions were constantly fighting and the government was very uns teady. They lived literally in the midst of the battle zone. They could hear gunfire and rockets constantly. Houses along their very own street were taken out by bombs. Laila even lost her parents when her own house was bombed (174). It is impossible to imagine what it would be like living with that. Everyday hearing the whistling and hoping the rocket was not coming down on your house. Then losing your parents, it is unfathomable. Innocent bystanders shot down simple because they are in the wrong time at the wrong place. Women in their country have very little rights and freedoms.

Chronic Disease Risk Assessment Essay

When I did the assessment for chronic diseases I chose to do one for Diabetes because I am considered obese with a BMI of 39. 9 so with this certain risk factor of obesity I run the risk of developing diabetes, the assessment states â€Å"Compared to a typical woman my age, my risk of developing diabetes is above average† that is very scary because I know that diabetes can be dangerous and cause many other health problems, also it runs in my family, my father developed diabetes because of his weight, and now he does not have any working kidneys and has to do dialysis 4 days a week and requires a transplant, so my chances are high up there. There are a number of different types of diabetes, you have; Type 2, Type 1, Gestational diabetes, Pre-diabetes, lada, mody, Diabetes Insipidus, out of all these types there are some types of diabetes more prevalent than others, the most common type is Type Two, and this type can causes damage to both large and small arteries. This artery damage can result in medical problems, both common and serious; Heart attack, stroke, amputations, kidney failure, and blindness. Type Two can also cause damage to your nerves, you have a percentage of 60% to 70% of diabetics that develop diabetic nerve damage, with that you can result in the following health problems; Peripheral neuropathy, stomach and bowel problems, dizziness when standing, sexual-function problems, and localized nerve failures. With all of these health problems and potential complications you can significantly shorten the life of a person with type 2 diabetes. They all have the ability to diminish the quality of life. You can avoid these problems and even prevent them through diet and exercise, use of medication, and careful control of your blood sugar levels. With diabetes the best way of avoiding the risk of developing it is to avoid it altogether, you can make sure you talk with your doctor about your risk of getting diabetes and how to avoid it, start screening for early detection, these screening test will help to find diabetes when it is most likely to be treatable. With the screening test it will uncover the pre-diabetic state before your blood sugar rises. If you are considered over weight you should talk with your doctor about doing a screening test so that you catch it on time and are able to take care of it before it may cause any major problems. You can change your life style by getting more exercise and keeping more hysically fit, change your diet by replacing any unhealthy foods with more organic and nutritional foods, with the right amount of proper food and exercise you can take your own personal stand against diabetes, if you take the necessary steps to lose the weight you will lower your chances of developing diabetes, and extend your life expectancy, and you will not have to worry about developing any other health problems that diabetes may cause, diabetes is like a domino effect, once you have diabetes you can develop other health problems and all of them will have a negative effect on your life, making sure you lead a positive, an d healthy life style will lower your chances of developing diabetes or any other chronic disease that may reduce your longevity of life.

Population Management Strategies Essay

China has one of the largest population densities in the world. In Russia there is a decline in population which is observed to increase drastically. In Western Europe as well, the population decline is as a result of the social and economic lifestyle that the natives lead. Varied measures are therefore taken against the population growing trends. This study compares and contrasts the population management strategies of the above mentioned nations (Gordon, 2005). 2. 0 Population growth in Russia Presently, there is a remarkable decline in population and this is a major problem in Russia. Russia’s population is estimated to be 143 million, however, in every year there is a turn down of about seven hundred thousand people; calculations indicate that this decline is about one hundred people dying every hour; this has led to predictions that the country’s population by the year 2050 could be as low as one hundred and twenty million. It could also have an economic and geopolitical impact (Gordon, 2005). a) Causes of the population crisis The observed high mortality rate, short life expectancy and an increasing number of deaths from causes that are not natural; are the major factors contributing to the population decline in Russia. Russia’s number of deaths per 1,000 people is at 16, compared to Western Europe which is 5. Out of the 150,000 people who die in natural deaths, 46,000 are suicidal cases, 40,000 killed in road accidents, 36,000 murdered and 36,000 are as a result of alcohol poisoning. High abortion in Russia contributes to the low birth rate. However there is a great decline in abortion since the Soviet times when abortion was utilized as a method of birth control (Gordon, 2005). The official statistics survey indicates that there are 1. 6 million abortions in Russian women, which is higher than the birth rate. Generally, there is a low birth rate in the country attributed to high rates of alcoholism and economic hardship. Currently, Russia’s birth rate is 1. 34 children per woman of fertile age, which is less compared to the required 2. 14 children per woman. Additionally, the estimated life expectancy in Russia is about 58 years for men and 72 for women, thus thirty percent of the men population do not reach the beginning of their pension age (Gordon, 2005). Russian experts also suggest that the depopulation in the country is due to political and economic upheaval experienced in the country in the 1990s. Due to bad planning and implementing of liberal economic reforms, social insecurity was evident among the nationals and thus they sought to have fewer children. The rate of foreigners moving into Russia is low; little relocation is observed within the former republics of the Soviet Union. However the rate of movement of nationals outside Russia to Western Europe and other places is high and it’s usually for search of a better economic situation (Gordon, 2005). b) Management strategies In 2005, there was an increase in the number of births which was due to a large number of girls born in the 1970s-1980s who could bear children by then. Thus the birth rate can be stimulated, the maternal and infant mortality rates reduced. By enhancing the reproductive health and quality of the population, the population growth can be boosted. A new demographic development concept is essential for it will outline the national goals such as average increase of life expectancy in the nationals and increase in birth rate. Russia has a chronic occurrence of cardiac and oncological diseases. The average life expectancy can be boosted by six more years if an initiative is taken to reduce deaths that arise from such disorders (Gordon, 2005). 3. 0 Population growth in China and management strategies China is among the world’s top nations that experience a very large population with a relatively small youth cohort which is attributed to the People’s Republic of China’s one –child policy. Except for the population policies implemented in China in 1979, the current population in china would be reading at 1. 7 billion. It is recorded that china’s population in 1953 was 582 million; however by the year 2000, the population was twice as much, estimated at 1. 2 billion (Peng, & Guo, 2000). The first leaders in China believed that a large population was a great investment, yet, as the population grew rapidly it became a liability and this led to a mass campaign effort for birth control by the Ministry of Public health; though this was in vain. Again, a rapid population was experienced after the interval of the ‘Great Leap Forward’. In the 1960s, emphasis was laid on late marriage and in 1964; birth control offices were established in the central government and at the provincial level, contraceptives were used in family planning. This campaign was seen to be successful until the Cultural Revolution era (Peng, & Guo, 2000). In 1972 and 1973, birth control resources were distributed countrywide. At administrative and in various collective enterprises, committees were launched to ensure implementation of the birth control programs; both rural and urban areas were covered. Mao Zeodong who was behind the family planning movement died in 1976, and the government failed to acknowledge that economic growth and improved living standards are affected by the population growth. However, in the 1970s the fast growing population of China prompted the government to establish a limit in the number of children born; the highest suggested family size was two children in cities and three or four in the countryside (Peng, & Guo, 2000). Since 1979, the one-child policy that was widely in use. The policy had different guiding principles on national minorities and only one child was permitted to the married couples. The policy helped China to achieve its goal of stability and a fertility rate that was greatly reduced; an average of 5. 4 children per women was reported. Those who observed the one child program were rewarded by getting a one-child certificate that permitted them to get cash bonuses, better childcare, longer maternity leave and good housing allowances; and they were to pledge that they would not bear children anymore. The population in the rural areas however, determined the efficiency in the policy implementation program; since they accounted for 60% of the total population (Peng, & Guo, 2000). Studies indicate that coercive measures were used in order to make the one-child policy a success. The assumed methods included psychological pressure, use of physical force, and in some cases forcing abortions and infanticide. However, the government officials insisted that the family planning process was on voluntary basis and measures applied in implementing the programs were persuasive and economic based (Peng, & Guo, 2000). Between 1970 and 1980, there was a drop in the crude birth rate from 36. 9 per 1,000 to 17. 6 per 1000, which was due to â€Å"wan xi shao† birth control campaign,-late marriages, longer intervals between births and fewer children. In addition, the social and economic changes that had taken place, amongst which was the high level of employment of women in rural and urban areas and low mortality rate in infants, may have contributed to the aforementioned. Nonetheless, in the countryside, people valued large families, especially sons, for assistance in the fields and support during old age. This seems to have applied to the rest of China as a whole; there is a gender imbalance in China; the 2000 census report showed that 119 boys born of every 100 girls. The government was thus forced to ban the selective abortion for female fetuses in July 2004 (Peng, & Guo, 2000). 4. 0 Population growth in Western Europe Since the 1960s, there is a substantial decline in Western Europe’s population which is accredited to low fertility rates. By 1999, the total fertility rates had dropped so much; an average of 1. 45 was recorded in the fifteen European Union countries. A total fertility rate at 1. 5 is presently experienced by eight out of fifteen of the western European countries. However, there are immense disparity among these countries in terms of timing and the level of when the decline started as well and in the rate and decline duration. Socioeconomic and demographic factors have contributed to the differences in pattern of West European fertility levels. There are concerns pertaining to the imbalance of the population age structure, ability to maintain European welfare state systems and consistency in social affairs. This has les to the implementing of family policies in order to safeguard the nations’ populations (Caldwell et al. 2006). a) Management strategies i) Maternity protection: this was a step towards creating an opportunity for women to give birth because of the demand from employment, differences in gender and equality; protection of labor and regulation. The Western European countries thus introduced compulsory maternity leaves for women who are working. Other countries such as France introduced a policy in support of women in reconciling employment with motherhood. In Scandinavia, greater emphasis was put in leaves and protective labor legislation. The recommended maternity leave period is 14weeks; however it varies between 20weeks in Italy and 16-18 weeks being the common length in other countries (Caldwell et al. 2006). ii) Parental leave: the government has amended the parental leave regulations and different parental-leave schemes have been implemented. These leaves are available only to parents and they vary from one country to another. The benefits also vary significantly; in some countries they are either unpaid or given a low pay (Caldwell et al. 2006). iii) Childcare services: at the beginning of industrialization, childcare services were instituted to cater for the orphans and children who were unattended due since their mothers were working. However up to the 20th century, childcare services changed to charity education to promote social and individual development. The catholic institutions were pioneers in provision of this kind of service. Presently the services offered differ athwart the nations (Caldwell et al. 2006). iv) Child benefits: this system came up as wide array of policy intentions. Its major role was to cater families in need for instance widows who had children and divorced or single mothers. However these support systems vary in terms of services offered across the countries (Caldwell et al. 2006). 5. 0 Conclusion In Russia and Western Europe, population decline is the major crisis which is as a result of varied factors. Russia’ decline is caused by inappropriate standards of living and in Europe, the level of industrialization that has created working opportunities has denied women the chance to bear children, hence population decline. In China, the challenge is high population that is caused by uncontrolled popular growth. The future population in China is likely to face gender imbalance and besides it has an increasingly aging population. There is a limitation in the way services are offered in the family systems. A cross-national variation in family policies’ provisions and modalities is evident in Europe. Hence it is difficult to look into the effects of family policies on individual childbearing behavior in order to make a comparison between the countries. Some countries share fertility advances, and family policy systems. The countries in West Europe are clearly divided (Caldwell, et al. 2006). References: Peng, & X. , Guo, Z. (2000): The Changing Population of China, ISBN 0631201920, 9780631201922, Blackwell Publishing. Caldwell, B. K. , Caldwell, P. , Caldwell, J. C. , Caldwell, P. Schindlmayr, T. McDonald, P. F. (2006): Demographic Transition Theory. ISBN 1402043732, 9781402043734, Springer Gordon, E. E. (2005): The 2010 meltdown: solving the impending jobs crisis. ISBN 0275984362, 9780275984366, Greenwood Publishing Group

Europe and the Scientific Revolution essays

Europe and the Scientific Revolution essays The Scientific Revolution brought many new ideas and beliefs not only to Europe but the entire world. The most widely influential was an epistemological transformation that we call the "Scientific Revolution." In the popular mind, we associate this revolution with natural science and technological change, but the scientific revolution was, in reality, a series of changes in the structure of European thought itself: systematic doubt, empirical and sensory verification, the abstraction of human knowledge into separate sciences, and the view that the world functions like a machine. These changes greatly changed the human experience of every other aspect of life, from individual life to the life of the group. This modification in worldview can also be charted in painting, sculpture, and architecture; you can see that people of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries are looking at the world very differently. The Scientific Revolution brought about many changed in both biology and astron omy. The former was concerned with the basics of physiology and anatomy; the latter was concerned with the issue of the solar system. These (and other) developments tended to proceed along independent lines until the great scientific academies of the 18th century both brought them together and helped spread their findings to the rest of society. Copernicus was a man who played a significant role in this revolution. Before Copernicus was the Ptolemaic system. Ptolemy's model of the universe was accepted throughout the Middle Ages, though not without revision. His model was a little ragged at the edges and more accurate observations revealed discrepancies, particularly in regard to the movement of the planets. Using tables based on Ptolemy's model, medieval astronomers made predictions regarding the position of this or that planet and the planets did not show up on time. Even Ptolemy had known that the simplest model, which had each planet moving in a cir...