An Ideal Life

Life- this word carries with itself tremendous importance. it is a gift to all of mankind from the eternal Almighty. This is indicates that one has to use it to the fullest and not preserve it as an artifact. Life is above all our belongings. Nowadays,people live life for only one thing,the thing that can soothe even an Iron man's heart,  money. People use fraudulent methods, practices and techniques to amass wealth,but this is not the life the eternal force wanted us to live. Many perish to the perils in life but life has to be so lest it would be like a person being spoon-fed. The eternal force wanted us to live a happy and satisfied life. Money is not a matter of concern. Serving humanity until life topples down,leaving our legacy behind for others to follow are the building blocks of an ideal life. People are remembered for their deeds and not for how long they lived. Mahatma Gandhi is the perfect example for a person with an ideal life. Simple style of living,having one's goals set and the determination to achieve them,no inclination towards negative values were the spotlight of Gandhi's life. Today we find such things rubbish and behave in an exact antithetical manner in comparison to Gandhi's life. Yet it is Mahatma Gandhi's photo that is printed on the Indian Currency Note and not ours. Hence. we should to try to live a life like the Mahatma himself. Life should be utilized to the fullest and must be our cherished possession always. Leading an ideal life will keep our reputation intact and create an example for others to follow. We shall be remembered for years together. An Ideal Life Life- this word carries with itself tremendous importance. it is a gift to all of mankind from the eternal Almighty. This is indicates that one has to use it to the fullest and not preserve it as an artifact. Life is above all our belongings. Nowadays,people live life for only one thing,the thing that can soothe even an Iron man's heart,  money. People use fraudulent methods, practices and techniques to amass wealth,but this is not the life the eternal force wanted us to live. Many perish to the perils in life but life has to be so lest it would be like a person being spoon-fed. The eternal force wanted us to live a happy and satisfied life. Money is not a matter of concern. Serving humanity until life topples down,leaving our legacy behind for others to follow are the building blocks of an ideal life. People are remembered for their deeds and not for how long they lived. Mahatma Gandhi is the perfect example for a person with an ideal life. Simple style of living,having one's goals set and the determination to achieve them,no inclination towards negative values were the spotlight of Gandhi's life. Today we find such things rubbish and behave in an exact antithetical manner in comparison to Gandhi's life. Yet it is Mahatma Gandhi's photo that is printed on the Indian Currency Note and not ours. Hence. we should to try to live a life like the Mahatma himself. Life should be utilized to the fullest and must be our cherished possession always. Leading an ideal life will keep our reputation intact and create an example for others to follow. We shall be remembered for years together.

The Economizing Problem

These Short Essays are partial fulfillment of Paper IE1001 of Part 1 of Certified Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) [DRAFT V0. 4] INCEIFStudent Name: Mustafa AydemirStudent ID: 1200279 IE1001Assignment in Islamic Economics – Short Essay No 1 by Mustafa Aydemir – Version 0. 4. doc -1- Bismillahirrahmanirrahim The economizing problem – And its direct effect on the economy at large. A short essay from Islamic perspective by Mustafa Aydemir Human beings are greedy by nature and their needs are universally recognized as infinite.A simple prove for this statement is the wish of every person to live forever. The unlimited wants are the main reason that resources are considered insufficient or scarce. This is probably the strongest argument and a good justification to define an entire field of study to explain and solve the resulting economizing problem between unlimited needs versus limited resources. â€Å"Economics is the social science that studies the allocation of scarce resources to satisfy unlimited wants† (INCEIF Lecture Notes1), It is divided into Macro- and Microeconomics.The former is the field of economics that studies the behavior of the economy as a whole, and not just on a singular company, but entire industry sector and markets. Whereas, the latter focuses on supply and demand as well as other forces that determine the price levels seen in the economy. The previous section described the economizing problem, that is the relation between the scarcities or resources relative to ‘needs and wants’. People are self-interested economic agents that maximize their own utility by using goods and services (Williamson, 1985)2.In the capitalistic worldview, people are rational in their choices and would for example prefer a job paying 3000 USD salary over a job with a 1500 USD pay. The individual is looking after his own well-being, which is likely to increase by taking the higher income employment. 1 Title: Overview On Ec onomics; Class: Islamic Economics [IE1001]; Prof: Dr. Magda Ismail Abdel Mohsin; Institution: INCEIF; Date: 8/16/2006 # Of Pages: 28 2 The Economic Institutions Of Capitalism; Firms, Markets, Relational Contracting; Oliver E.Williamson; Yale University IE1001 Assignment in Islamic Economics – Short Essay No 1 by Mustafa Aydemir – Version 0. 4. doc -2- However, the well-being of all people needs to be guaranteed, which is well noted by theological, human and western researchers and recognized by all civilizations in the present and the past (Chapra, 1995)3. With the assumption that resources are limited, the well-being of the entire human race may remain just a dream if the scarce resources are not utilized efficiently and rightfully. In order to achieve this vision, societies develop effective strategies that can be considered as worldviews.For the sake of simplicity the (1) secular and the (2) religious worldviews are the only two that are subject to this essay. The s ecular worldview emphasis the importance of material aspects of well-being and disregards the religious aspect completely. The secularist argue that ‘maximum material’ well-being can be best realized if economic agents are given freedom to actualize their self-interest whatever it may be with regards to taste and preference and the guidance of God in any form is replaced by the help of human reasoning.Moreover, in this liberal view of secularism neither values nor government intervention can play a major role in the fair distribution of resources to achieve the well-being of all people. The liberal view has not succeeded and was overthrown nearly everywhere (Mirakhor, 2012)4. The need of people for social well-being is vital to the happiness of a human being. However, the secular worldview refers to market forces that would ensure social interests because competition will keep self-interest (that may lead to exaggerated greed) under control. 3 4 Chapra, M. Umer. (1995). Islam and the economic challenge.Leicester, U. K. : Islamic Foundation Abbas Mirakhor (2012).Lecture: Macroeconomic Policies & Islamic Finance. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: INCEIF IE1001 Assignment in Islamic Economics – Short Essay No 1 by Mustafa Aydemir – Version 0. 4. doc -3- In contrary to the secular or capitalist worldview stands the religious or spiritual worldview. It gives tribute and attention to both the spiritual as well as the material aspects of human wellbeing. In fact, the spiritual worldview does not necessarily reject logical reasoning in human improvement, individual freedom or self-interest (Chapra, 1995).This worldview, however, highlights that moral values and good governance are required as restraining factors for freedom and self-interest in the journey of a reaching a civilization where well-being in ensured to all people and to achieve social harmony and family integrity. The direct effects of the economizing problem to a nations wealth are manif old. Well after capitalism had been established in medieval Europe and the west, its consequences in terms of unemployment and mal-distribution of income and wealth became painfully evident (Haferkamp and Smelser, 1992).Market cycles are considered part of an economy and crisis are accepted as unavoidable. The market itself is the overarching governance frame that determines prices through supply and demand and overrules the social interest of human beings. It is like an autocratic dictator without mercy that supports the rich and the powerful and penalizes the poor and the needy people. Consequently, societies began overtime to assign an increasingly expansive role to the government to correct the shortcomings of capitalism (market capitalism) with billion or even trillion dollar bailout packages for so called ‘to-big-to-fail’ institutions.All paid with tax money. Simultaneously however a contrary view developed objecting to the governments’ involvement in the e conomy on efficiency ground. Anyhow, even after the massive global financial crisis in 2007/2008 the high net-worth individuals are better off (see 5 Haferkamp, H. , & Smelser, N. J. (Eds. ). (1992). Social change and modernity. Berkeley: University of California Press. IE1001 Assignment in Islamic Economics – Short Essay No 1 by Mustafa Aydemir – Version 0. 4. doc -4-Forbes Magazine6) and have more wealth than the middle class and low-income classes, likely due to cost cutting and austerity measures for companies and governments alike. The Islamic economic system is unique and provides a divine solution to the economizing problem this essay has elaborated thus far. It starts with the scarcity of resources that illustrates the issue quite clear. If we assume that resources are available in abundance (INCEIF Lecture Notes7) rather than limited, the paradigm shifts dramatically from strategies to accumulate wealth to strategies of wealth distribution.Wealth in Islam can be distributed by Zakah and Sadaqah but also by introducing a risk-sharing model into the financial system to replace it with interest (Askari, Iqbal, Krichene and Mirakhor, 2011)8. Islam recognizes differences in human potentials because each person is gifted with different skillsets and depth of abilities. Human beings are not identical is proof that no two individuals have identical capabilities. This differences will bring income and wealth inequalities in societies (Chapra, 1992)9. Furthermore, the self-interest and rational human aspects are fully endorsed but to a different end.Choices however are enhanced by ethical values and rules. Consider for example Islamic teachings where there is a sense of duty and obligation to follow rules of behavior and be in full compliance with them, often there are also some ends in view like Jannah (Paradise), the total well-being of society or approval and satisfaction of Allah. Even Allah’s love and mercy or fear of hell are motivato rs of a self-interested spiritual person. To the extent that ends is gaining strength over 6 7 The Worlds Billionaires List http://www. forbes. com/billionaires/ Retrieved on November 12, 2012Title: Overview On Economics; Class: Islamic Economics [IE1001]; Prof: Dr. Magda Ismail Abdel Mohsin; Institution: INCEIF; Date: 8/16/2006 # Of Pages: 28 8 Hossein Askari, Zamir Iqbal, Noureddine Krichene and Mirakhor (2011) Risk-sharing in Finance: The Islamic Finance Alternative; Singapore: John Wiley & Sons 9 Chapra M (1992). â€Å"Islam and the Economic Challenge†, The Islamic Foundation and International Institute of Islamic Thought, London and Herndon. IE1001 Assignment in Islamic Economics – Short Essay No 1 by Mustafa Aydemir – Version 0. 4. doc -5- the obligation and duty.Muslims may think of consequences in the hereafter more than over what was to be material well-being in this world. The position of Quran is in the first instance decoupling of actions from conseq uences, actions are done as a sense of duty to do what Allah teala and his beloved Messenger have ordered. At the same time, however, the Quran itself repeatedly emphasizes the desirable and undesirable consequences of actions (Lecture Notes Prof Mirakhor, 2012)10. In conclusion, Ibadah is the justification for rules. If one adores almighty Allah swt, one does what the creator orders.Hence, peoples unlimited wants are recognized and mentioned in the Quranic verse And ye love wealth with inordinate love: (al-Fajr 89:20)    and following hadith: Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas and Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Messenger said, â€Å"If a son of man had a valley full of gold, he would desire to have two. Nothing can fill his mouth except the earth (of the grave). Allah turns with mercy to him who turns to Him in repentance. †(Al-Bukhari and Muslim) That is why it may seem that Islamic economic system is probably the strongest alternative to greed and unfair markets that have led the world from crisis to crises. At least it is worth a try in the advanced economies. 10 Abbas Mirakhor (2012).Lecture: Macroeconomic Policies & Islamic Finance. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: INCEIF IE1001 Assignment in Islamic Economics – Short Essay No 1 by Mustafa Aydemir – Version 0. 4. doc -6

Analysis of Strategic Alliances or Value Opportunities Part II Assignment

Analysis of Strategic Alliances or Value Opportunities Part II - Assignment Example Out of the rush to complete the process, we quickly went into a merger with the company, only to realize later that the company was involved in a huge debt that we had to incur. This made it impossible for us to experience any growth and profitability from the alliance turned merger. I therefore share the position that alliance leads to profitability but it ought to be a strategic one (Kaplan, Norton & Rugelsjoen, 2010). Â  Indeed it will be no act of over elaboration for me to say that your post is one of the most insightful I have ever read. This is because of the way you approach the subject of business strategic planning from a holistic perspective. In fact I perfectly agree with you on the point that most modern day business executives have only looked at business strategies from a myopic perspective where they fail to appreciate the place and importance of overall success. Instead, they tend to be content with reaching their quota and meeting service levels. Meanwhile, as the global business climate becomes highly competitive, it is important that businesses factor in the core issues of competitive growth rather than individual growth. To do this, it is important for businesses to take advantage of the concept of strategic alliance in finding as many global benchmarks with whom they can form alliances with and partner for growth (Grayson,

Business Integration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Business Integration - Essay Example On his part, Otley visits the performance management framework and stresses the need for management to be distinguished from strategic planning and operational control. This is because, in performance management, the actual essence of functionality is focused on a combination of management planning and control systems. Performance management framework looks at overall future success, strategies for achieving the said success, level of performance expected of staff to realize successful implementation, rewards to be gained by achieving the goals, and finally the information flow to the used in the implementation process. Reading through the case of Emirates Airlines, it can be generally said that the company, and for that matter, its management made sufficient effort in utilizing the performance management framework. However, this was not done to its logical conclusion. For example, future successes were clearly identified with accompanying strategies to achieve them, bringing about a n organizational culture focused primarily on expansion and growth. The global brand that was developed, acquisition of New Zealand as Emirates’ most easterly destination, and brand building that went on within the company is all factors to prove the success with the organizational culture that was created. However, in terms of performance management, there was a level of deficiency that was recorded with aspects of the performance management framework such as rewards to be gained through achieving goals and emphasis on information flow.... anagement framework looks at overall future success, strategies for achieving the said success, level of performance expected of staff to realize successful implementation, rewards to be gained by achieving the goals, and finally the information flow to the used in the implementation process. Reading through the case of Emirates Airlines, it can be generally said that the company, and for that matter its management made sufficient effort in utilizing the performance management framework. However, this was not done to its logical conclusion. For example future successes were clearly identified with accompanying strategies to achieve them, bringing about an organizational culture focused primarily on expansion and growth (Otley, 1999). The global brand that was developed, acquisition of New Zealand as Emirates’ most easterly destination, and brand building that went on within the company is all factors to prove the success with the organizational culture that was created. Howeve r in terms of performance management, there was a level of deficiency that was recorded with aspects of the performance management framework such as rewards to be gained though achieving goals and emphasis on information flow. Knowledge management strategy Hansen et al (1999) based a lot of their framework on knowledge management strategy where they outlined the need for companies to appreciate the kind of knowledge they have and the worth of each of these knowledge. Generally, it is said that knowledge exists within the human resource but through a comprehensive human capital development, it is possible to transform and translate the knowledge into aspects of organizational management such as competitive strategy (Kaplan and Norton, 1992). But for a company like Emirates Airlines to make good

Workplace mediations in cyberspace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Workplace mediations in cyberspace - Essay Example Bandwidth and connectivity speeds have been increasing. Parties in disputes are using technology to bypass the legal mechanisms or institutions (Armbrust 2000). The virtual platform is not only private but decentralized. This has enabled organizations develop a decentralized environment in the quest to develop dispute resolution mechanisms using cyberspace (Barrett and Barrett 2012). The participants of the cyberspace mediation are expected to develop a decision without involving the judges. The representation of multiparty disputes and other parties is not affected. Internet offers a platform for glass root information and development of information from the pluralistic nature of its architecture (Wang 2010). The applications within cyberspace make it possible to use enormous information from a variety of sources during the mediation process. The dispute resolution professionals are optimistic about the cyberspace mediation and the potential thereof (Hawk, Rieder, and Oviedo 2008). The development of a virtual dispute resolution mechanism is perceived to be the modern organizations’ highest aspirations (Barrett and Barrett 2004). The virtual architecture is expected to prove that mediators can use technology to resolve organizational issues within a short period (Armbrust 2000). This cyberspace mediation saves time and space. Research shows that virtual mediation shall cause organizations to invest in enhanced technology. This shall benefit other aspects about the operations of an organization (Breslow and Mousoutzanis 2012). Virtual negotiations eliminate travel costs and save money for the parties (Barrett and Barrett 2004). The mediators are said to be more effective in the digital platform given that the temperatures of the disputes appear to be low because of the geographical barriers. Numerous mediators argue that cyberspace mediations pose straightforward challenges (Doherty and Guyler 2008). However, the challenges are be overcome as a growing n umber of internet users get acquainted to online settings (Barrett and Barrett 2004). Critics argue that online communication and dispute resolutions cannot be a substitute to solving challenges while physically present (Breslow and Mousoutzanis 2012). This is linked to the values and attributes of communication during mediation. Many mediators argue that the fact that disputants are incapable of speaking is the reason for mediation (Armbrust 2000). The choice of using a digital platform which is perceived as slow and prone to breakdown is questionable (Hawk, Rieder, and Oviedo 2008). However, a growing number of organizations are targeting the global market and opening branches across the world (Gonc?alves 2008). The process of dispute resolution between to international branches or employees working in different continents has necessitated the use of technology (Barrett and Barrett 2004). The process of online mediation is said to ensure organizations or multinational operate as u nits despite the geographical barriers (Breslow and Mousoutzanis 2012). Online mediation offers better safeguards for caution and sensitivity compared to the conventional mediation (Breslow and Mousoutzanis 2012). The online mediums of mediation are lessening as a growing number of organizational or workplace activities become founded on technology (Armbrust 2000). The demands of the online platforms and the mediation process have advanced to the place of accepting online communications for exclusive transactions (Barrett and Barrett 2004). Technology has developed to an extent of replicating face-to-face interactions in comprehensive and inexpensive ways (Hartley 2007). Majority of participants in the online understand the dynamics and

(Consumer behavior) Critically discuss the barriers associated with Essay

(Consumer behavior) Critically discuss the barriers associated with perceived risk in decision-making processes for the chosen - Essay Example The company may instigate customer interest by creating a website which maps the development of the product as Toyota had done before the launch of Prius. Also creating online brochures and e-marketing are ways to reach more customers. Discussion The barriers associated with perceived risk in decision-making processes Petrol-electric hybrid cars are launched as alternatives to conventional, internal combustion engine cars. The hybrid automobiles are aimed at achieving higher economy of fuel by combining a conventional engine with a rechargeable battery. The fuel economy of hybrid cars are important in today’s world in perspective to the climatic changes as well is because of the concerns of energy security. The use of petrol-electric hybrid cars causes almost half of the carbon dioxide emissions petrol consumed in conventional fuel cars. Hybrid cars are capturing an increasing share of the domestic automobile (The New York Times, 2007, p.2). Though hybrid cars are not widely i ntegrated into the market still it is a growing range of product and can be successfully used to combat energy and ecological issues. Therefore, it is vital to know the main influencing factors which influence the decision making process of a customer in buying a hybrid car. Some factors are similar to those arising in the acceptance of a new technology by the consumer market. In consumer behaviour, the choice of a product depends on a varying number of factors. In the case of choosing an automobile for buying, customer decision making is a high involvement and often quite complicated process. An automobile, though being a product for regular use, it comes under a product category which is rarely bought and bought after an intricate evaluation process followed by the customer. Also, a car is expensive, a certain range of automobiles come under the premium products category and a number of alternative brands and types can be found in the market. Additionally, the customer has the per ceived risk of not choosing the perfect automobile to suit his needs and having to bear a huge cost to rectify the mistake and cars being an investment for a long time, consumers show the trend of having a more complex and long process of decision making. The consumer decision making process involves both intrinsic and extrinsic methods (The Wall Street Journal, 2009). Mostly, hybrid cars are seen to be purchased for social reasons and concern for environment is a lesser influential factor in the consumer decision making process. It is seen that though many people are aware of the potential damage and threats to then ecological system and want to help in balancing the environment, the willingness of the customers rarely changes into the actual buying behaviour due to the above mentioned factors that majorly influence their buying behaviour. The increase in energy prices and incomes largely and most significantly impact the buying behaviour of the consumers for the hybrid vehicles (E dwards, 2010, p. 56). Some factors like high energy consumption and

Red Scare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Red Scare - Essay Example It might be said that from the government's point of view the roots of the "Red Scare" lie in the subversive actions of foreign and leftist elements in the United States, so it decided to suppress dissent and help promote pro-war opinion in the preparation for the American entry into World War. At the heart of the Red Scare was the conscription law of 1917, which was put in place during World War I for the armed forces to be able to conscript more Americans. This law caused many problems for the conscientious objector to WWI, because for one to claim that status, one had to be a member of a "well-recognized" religious organization which forbade their members to participation in war. As a result of such legislation, 20,000 conscientious objectors were inducted into the armed forces (Feuerlicht 74). After the real war ended in 1918, the ideological war turned against conscientious objectors and other radical minorities such as Wobblies, who were members of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), and Socialists as well. These Wobblies and Socialists were damned as being subversives who were trying to overthrow the United States government. Wobblies, in particular, were persecuted against for speaking out against the capitalist system. Although most of what they said was on ly to attract attention to their cause, their rhetoric was taken seriously by the government and its officials. From the very beginning of the Red Scare, the Wobblies were the subject of attack by the government, because they were a symbol of radicalism. The government put in place legislation, not only against the Wobblies, but also against Socialists and Communists, due to the fact that the government did not distinguish one of its enemies from another. One such action taken by the government prevented Wobblies who were not yet citizens from naturalization, even if they quit their organization. In 1917, the US government made a law (Espionage Act) which gave the Secretary of Labor the power to arrest or deport any alien "advocating or teaching" destruction of property or the "overthrow of government by force." Words such as "advocating" and the vague language used in the law allowed the government to use deportation as a cure for the anti-government views of its enemies, namely th e Wobblies, Communists, and Socialists. After the war formally ended in 1918, all the groups which opposed the war came under fire. They were seen as destructive to the peace and security of the American nation. The focus of the attacks was no longer on the conscientious objectors, for many of them were already jailed during the war, and were still in jail at the time; it had switched over to the Socialists and the Wobblies (Renshaw 63-65; Zinn 108). In 1917, President Wilson established a "Committee on Public Information" to create and release news favorable to the Allied cause and hostile to Germany. To enforce the efforts of the Committee, the "Bureau of Investigation" was created and disrupted the work of German-American, union, and leftist organizations through raids, arrests, and legal prosecution. The Socialist Party of America strongly opposed the war on pacifist grounds and the result was persecution and punishment under the provisions of the Espionage Act (Murray 18). This act penalized anyone who obstructed the operation of the armed forces, was insubordinate, or displayed disloyalty