Configuring and Maintaining Network Security Essay

Because this is only a test deployment, you will be using a Windows 8 computer to function as the web server. In this exercise, you will install Internet Information Services on your workstation and then configure it to host two websites. Mindset Internet Information Services enables you to configure websites to use specific port numbers. This makes it possible to test the functionality of Windows Firewall. Completion time 15 minutes Question 1 What URLs could you use in your computer’s browser to test the functionality of the intranet website you just created? You can use the IP address of the computer that is hosting the website Take a screen shot of the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager console, showing the new site you created, by pressing Alt+Prt Scr, and then paste the resulting image into the Lab 12 worksheet file in the page provided by pressing Ctrl+V. Exercise 12.2 Testing IIS Connectivity Overview In this exercise, you will test the functionality of the web server you just installed. Mindset The way to test the functionality of a web server is to attempt to connect to it. Completion time 15 minutes Question 2 What is the result, and what does the result indicate? it goes to 11S 8 microsoft.com/web Question 3 What is the result, and what does it indicate? Success. Intranet website can be accessed in both ways http://localhost/ or http:/127.0.0.1. Question 4 What is the result? Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage Question 5 What is the result? Success. II7 Web page appears Question 6 List three possible reasons as to why you might be unable to connect to your computer’s web server using a browser on another computer. to your computer’s web server using a browser on another computer Take a screen shot of the Customize settings for each type of network window, showing the setting you just modified, by pressing Alt+Prt Scr, and then paste the resulting image into the Lab 12 worksheet file in the page provided by pressing Ctrl+V. [copy screen shot over this text] Question 7 What are the results, and what do the results indicate? Windows Firewall is blocking port 80 for HTTP connection Question 8 What other test could you perform to prove that it was your computer’s firewall that was blocking the connection and not the firewall on the computer you are using as a client? Success. The results indicate that connection is established Question 9 Why is it necessary to clear the cache before you retest the web server connections? computer’s firewall that was blocking the connection and not the firewall onthe computer you are using as a client Question 10 Why can you not simply leave Windows Firewall turned off when you deploy an actual web server? Becuase it is not a secure practice. Turning Windows Firewall Off will allow allconections from outside your network and can be dangerous Exercise 12.3 Allowing a Program Through the Firewall Overview Windows Firewall is preventing clients from connecting to your web server. To enable client access, you will use the Windows Firewall control panel to  allow access to the web server. Mindset The Windows Firewall control panel provides access to basic functions of the firewall, but for complete control, you must use the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security console, which you’ll see in the Lab Challenge. Completion time 10 minutes Question 11 Why are you now able to connect to the website from the client? We allowed to open port 80 on HTTP Question 12 Why are you unable to connect to the intranet site from the client? Port 4444 is not open? or DNS issue? NOT SURE Lab Challenge Creating Windows Firewall Rules Overview The port you opened in Exercise 12.3 enables clients to access the default website hosted by your web server, but not the Intranet website. In this challenge, you must configure your web server to allow traffic to the Intranet website. Mindset Windows 8 often provides more than one way to complete a given task. The Windows Firewall control panel provides a relatively simple interface to the firewall, but it is not a comprehensive one, as we saw in the previous Exercise. Completion time 20 minutes To complete this challenge, you must use the Windows Firewall With Advanced Security console to configure WKSTN-MBR-B to allow traffic to both the default website and the Intranet website you created in Exercise 12.1. To complete the challenge, perform the following tasks: List the steps you took to complete the task. Take a screen shot of the interface you used to create the firewall rules by pressing Alt+Prt Scr and then paste it into your Lab 12 worksheet file in the page provided by pressing Ctrl+V. [copy screen shot over this text] Answer the following questions. Question 13 Why are there two separate rules for the World Wide Web Services in the Inbound Rules container? 1. Every service require its own rule.2. One rule aplies for Domain network type and Another rule aplies forPrivate, Public Question 14 How would the opening of the port you performed in Exercise 12.3 affect the World Wide Web Services (HTTP Traffic-In) rules in the Inbound Rules container? The rule we applied in exercise 13.3 applies only to Domain type network bydefault. So this rule allow connection to intranet inside your network only andwill block all incoming connections from outside Public, Private Question 15 How would the rule creation procedure you just performed differ if you wanted to restrict client access to the intranet website to computers on the local network only? On Profile page. Unchecking the Domain and Private checkboxes will preventclient access to the intranet website

Analysis of Solutions Containing Essay

This experiment continues the qualitative analysis begun in Experiment 19. Here we will be analyzing solutions to determine the presence of anions. The same techniques that were used for the cation analysis must be used for the anions. If you have not carried out Experiment 19, read the introductory section before starting this experiment. The major difference between cation and anion analysis is that in anion analysis, a series of separations of the ions from one another is usually not the most efficient way to determine their presence. Instead, only some separations will be made, and the initial test solution will be used to test many of the ions. Refer to the flow chart at the end of the experimental directions as you proceed. First you will prepare and analyze a â€Å"known† solution which contains all six of the anions. Then you will analyze an â€Å"unknown† solution using the same techniques, to determine the presence or absence of each anion. Most of the acids and bases used are very concentrated and can cause chemical burns if spilled. Handle   them with care. Wash acid or base spills off of yourself with lots of water. Small spills (a few drops)   can be cleaned up with paper towels. Larger acid spills can be neutralized with baking soda, NaHCO3,  and then safely cleaned up. Neutralize base spills with a vinegar solution (dilute acetic acid). Some of   the compounds are poisonous. Wash your hands when finished. Solutions containing silver ions and potassium permanganate solutions cause stains which do not appear immediately. If you suspect that you spilled any of these solutions on yourself, wash off with soap and  water. Wear Chemical Splash Goggles and a Chemical-Resistant Apron. Preparation of a Solution for Analysis. Prepare a known solution containing 1 mL of each of the anions to be tested. This solution will be   referred to as the original test solution.  Your teacher will provide you with an â€Å"unknown† solution to be analyzed. Note that the following directions are written for a â€Å"known† solution that contains all of the anions. An   Ã¢â‚¬Å"unknown† solution will probably not form all of the products described in this procedure. You should  make note of any differences as you analyze your â€Å"unknown† solution. Aqueous solutions of all of the anions to be tested are colorless. The positive ion associated with each   of the anions will be either sodium or potassium ion. 1. Separation of the Halides (Cl-, Br-, I-); Confirmation of Chloride. The halides all form insoluble silver compounds. Silver chloride is a white solid, silver bromide is pale cream-colored solid, and the solid silver iodide is light yellow in color. Cl-(aq) + Ag+(aq) AgCl(s) Br-(aq) + Ag+(aq) AgBr(s) I-(aq) + Ag+(aq) AgI(s) Silver chloride is the only silver halide that dissolves in 6 M ammonia, NH3, forming the colorless ion Ag(NH3)2+. If nitric acid, HNO3, is added to a solution containing this ion, the ammonia in the complex reacts with hydrogen ions to form ammonium ions, and the silver recombines with the chloride ions which are still present in solution. AgCl(s) + 2 NH3(aq) Ag(NH3)2+(aq)+ (aq) Ag(NH3)2+ (aq) + (aq) + 2 H+(aq) AgCl(s) + 2 NH4+(aq) Place 10 drops of the original test solution (or unknown solution) in a test tube. Test to see if the solution is acidic. If it is not, add 6 M acetic acid, HC2H3O2, dropwise with stirring until the solution is acidic. Add 10 drops of 0.1 M silver nitrate, AgNO3. A precipitate of AgCl, AgBr, and AgI will form. Centrifuge and pour off the supernatant liquid. Wash the solid with 0.5 mL distilled water, centrifuge and discard the wash water. Add 0.5 mL 6 M ammonia, NH3, to the precipitate. Stir to dissolve any AgCl. Centrifuge, and pour the supernatant liquid into another test tube to test for chloride ion. Discard the precipitate of AgBr and AgI in a container provided for disposal of waste solutions. Add 1 mL 6 M nitric acid, NHO3, to the solution containing the dissolved silver chloride. The solution will get hot and smoke from the reaction with the excess ammonia whether or not silver chloride is present. Test with litmus or pH paper to see if the solution is acidic. If it is not, add more HNO3 until the solution is acidic. The appearance of the white precipitate of AgCl in the acidic solution confirms the presence of chloride. 2. Separation and Confirmation of Bromide and Iodide. In acid solution, iron(III) ion, Fe3+, is a weak oxidizing agent capable of oxidizing the easily oxidized iodide ion to iodine. Bromide and other ions present will not interfere. The nonpolar iodine will preferentially dissolve in nonpolar mineral oil, where it can be identified by its pink to violet color. 2 I-(aq) + 2 Fe3+(aq) I2(aq) + 2 Fe2+ KMnO4 is a stronger oxidizing agent than the iron (III) nitrate and will oxidize bromide, Br-, to bromine, Br2. Other ions present will not interfere. The nonpolar bromine can be extracted into nonpolar mineral oil where it can be identified by its characteristic yellow to brown color. 10 Br-(aq) + 2 MnO4-(aq) + 16 H+(aq) 5 Br2(aq) + 2 Mn2+(aq) + 8 H2O(l) Place 10 drops of the original test solution (or unknown solution) in a test tube. Add 6 M HNO3 dropwise with stirring until the solution is acidic. Add 1 mL 0.1 M Fe(NO3)3 in 0.6 M HNO3 solution and stir. Then add 1 mL of mineral oil, stopper the test tube with a cork stopper and shake for 30 seconds. The presence of a pale pink to purple color in the mineral oil layer (the top layer) due to dissolved iodine confirms the presence of I- in the original solution. Draw the mineral oil layer off the solution with a capillary dropper and discard in the container provided for waste solutions. Add 0.1 M KMnO4 solution dropwise with stirring until the solution remains pink. Again add 1 mL mineral oil, cork and shake the test tube for 30 seconds. The presence of a yellow to brown color in the mineral oil layer due to dissolved bromine confirms the presence of Br- in the original solution. Discard the solution in the container provided. 3. Confirmation of Carbonate. In acid solution, carbonate forms carbon dioxide gas and water. The carbon dioxide may be seen as a   slight effervescence. Carbon dioxide is less soluble in hot water than cold water. When carbon dioxide gas is passed through a saturated solution of barium hydroxide, it readily forms a precipitate of white barium carbonate. CO3 2-(aq) + 2 H+(aq) CO2(g) + H2O(l) CO2(g) + Ba2+(aq) + 2 OH-(aq) BaCO3(s) + H2O(l) If any bubbles were formed when acid was added to the original solution, carbonate is probably present and carbon dioxide is being formed. A confirmation of the presence of carbonate involves reacting evolving carbon dioxide with barium hydroxide to form white, insoluble barium carbonate. Place 2 mL of clear, saturated Ba(OH)2 solution in a test tube to be available for the test with carbon dioxide. Place 1 mL of the original test solution (or unknown solution) in a different test tube. Acidify this solution by adding 0.5 mL of 6 M HNO3. Place the tube in a hot water bath and observe to see if any gas bubbles form. Take a dry Beral pipet and squeeze the bulb closed. Place the tip of the pipet close to (but not touching) the surface of the liquid in the test tube and slowly release the bulb to draw escaping carbon dioxide into the pipet. Put the pipet into the  barium hydroxide solution, and slowly squeeze the bulb, causing the gas in the pipet to bubble through the barium hydroxide solution. This procedure may be repeated. The formation of a cloudy white precipitate of barium carbonate confirms the presence of carbonate ion in the original solution. 4. Confirmation of Sulfate. The test for sulfate is the formation of white, insoluble barium sulfate. This solid is insoluble even in acidic solution. SO4 2-(aq) + Ba2+(aq) BaSO4(s) Place 0.5 mL of the original test solution (or unknown solution) in a test tube. Add 6 M nitric acid, HNO3, dropwise until the solution is acidic. Then add 0.5 mL 0.1 M BaCl2 solution. The formation of a white precipitate of BaSO4 confirms the presence of sulfate. 5. Confirmation of Nitrate. The test for nitrate involves the reduction of nitrate ions in basic solution to ammonia, NH3, using solid aluminum as the reducing agent. When the solution is heated, ammonia gas is liberated. The evolving ammonia gas will turn litmus paper from pink to blue. 3 NO3 –(aq) + 8 Al(s) + 5 OH -(aq) + 18 H2O(l) 3 NH3(g) + 8 Al(OH)4 –(aq) Place 1 mL of the original test solution (or unknown solution) in a test tube. Add 6 M NaOH dropwise until the solution is basic, and then add 6 drops in excess. Use a Beral pipet to transfer the solution to the bottom of a dry test tube without getting the walls of the test tube wet with solution. Add the tip of a spatula of aluminum granules. Place a small cotton wad loosely about halfway down the test tube, but not touching the solution. This is to prevent spattering of the solution onto the litmus paper. Hang a piece of moist red litmus paper (or pH paper) in the tube so that the bottom of the paper is close to (but not touching) the cotton. Now  warm the solution in a hot water bath until it starts bubbling strongly. Be sure that the solution and the cotton do not touch the litmus paper. Allow the solution to cool. A slow color change (within 3 to 5 minutes) of the litmus from pink to blue, starting at the bottom and spreading to the top, indicates the evolution of ammonia and confirms the presence of nitrate in the original solution. Disposal Your teacher will provide a waste container for the solutions used in this experiment. The teacher will add solid zinc and some sodium sulfate to the waste collected. The substances may be safely disposed of using the method in the Flinn Chemical Catalog / Reference Manual, suggested disposal method #11 (procedure B). See the appendix. Discussion In your laboratory discussion include answers to the following questions: 1. The confirmatory test for chloride ion with silver ion is the same chemical reaction used to confirm silver in the cation analysis scheme. Explain what the reaction is and how the initial precipitate is dissolved and reprecipitated. Use equations in your explanation. 2. The procedure for chloride analysis makes use of the fact that AgCl can be dissolved in ammonia, but neither AgBr nor AgI will dissolve in ammonia. Look up the solubility products of AgCl, AgBr and AgI and show how their relative solubilities agree with this fact. 3. Refer to a table of standard reduction potentials to find the values for the reduction of Cl2, Br2, I2, MnO4-, and Fe3+. List the reduction reactions according to the E º values. From the listing determine which of the halides can be oxidized by Fe3+ and which can be oxidized by acidic MnO4-. 4. Explain why it is necessary to test for iodide by oxidation with Fe3+ before the test for bromide by oxidation with MnO4- is done. 5. Write separate oxidation and reduction half-reactions for the procedure used in the test for nitrate ions. 6. In the nitrate test, why must care be taken to keep the moist litmus from coming in contact with the cotton or the solution?

How SAT Score Choice Affects Your Teens College Applications

If you submitted SAT scores for college applications, odds are that you didn’t get to choose which scores were submitted. Until relatively recently, all of your SAT scores would have been submitted when you requested that a college received your scores. With the introduction of SAT Score Choice, though, the game has changed for your teen. SAT Score Choice allows your teen to specifically select which SAT scores are submitted to which colleges, and some students believe that this can have a big impact on SAT test-taking strategies. To learn more about the SAT Score Choice program impacts your teen’s approach to SATs and college applications, don’t miss this post. SAT Score Choice allows students to manually select which colleges receive which SAT scores. For the regular SAT, this means that your teen can select which test date results are sent to which colleges. It does not allow your teen to select specific section scores, but it does allow your teen to withhold certain test date scores entirely. For SAT Subject Tests, your teen can select specifically which tests are sent, regardless of whether they were taken on the same test date of not. Simply put, with Score Choice your teen can select his or her highest scores and submit only those to the colleges of his or her choice, ensuring that these schools never see his or her lower test scores. Different colleges have different regulations regarding the use of Score Choice. Some colleges specifically request that applicants submit all available test scores. Other colleges request that students submit the test scores that represent their highest scores on each section. Still other colleges want to see only the highest combined score submitted. Within the Score Choice interface, your teen will see the score policies at each college and Score Choice will usually automatically suggest which scores should be submitted based on this policy. Even so, it’s a good idea for your teen to independently research the policy at each school that he or she intends to apply to and double check that the auto selections from Score Choice are accurate. For a glimpse at the Score Choice platform and how it suggests certain scores by school, check out the informational Score Choice video . Â   Our students see an average increase of 250 points on their SAT scores. Score Choice provides a strong advantage for students who have test anxiety or who otherwise underperform on the SAT. For these students, knowing that poor SAT scores do not have to be reported can be a big relief. In fact, some students might even view their first SAT as a trial run with the knowledge that SAT Score Choice will allow for these scores to be withheld indefinitely. Students should realize, though, that not all colleges allow Score Choice, as mentioned above. In fact, some colleges require that all SAT scores are submitted, thereby negating the advantages of Score Choice. Still, it might be reassuring for some students to know that many schools will allow him or her to submit only the highest scores achieved. Like most other score reports from the College Board, Score Choice isn’t free. Each score report you select will cost $12, though fee waivers are available . The only score reports that are free are those requested when you register for the SAT or up to nine days after having taken the test. It’s important to realize that in order to qualify for these free reports, your teen will have to request them without knowing his or her scores already. This can be a risky move, but if a college requires all scores to be submitted or if your teen comes out of the test feeling confident about his or her performance, this money saving strategy can pay off. It’s tempting for some students to think of Score Choice as a justification for taking the SAT many times. After all, many colleges will only ever see their top scores, so any lower scoring test dates will not ever be viewed. This ultimately isn’t a good strategy, though. Studies have shown that the most significant score improvements usually come between the first and second test administrations. Subsequent improvements tend to be smaller and smaller the more tests a student takes. We at recommend that a student takes the SAT around three times. Preparing for the first test administration appropriately, learning from mistakes, and improving on areas of weakness are the best strategies, rather than simply thinking of the first test as a practice run. Score Choice is a good alternative for students who stumble initially or underperform on a specific test date. If this is your teen, he or she might want to look into the specific SAT score policies at various colleges, and choose to apply to schools that will allow him or her to maximize the use of Score Choice. In addition, many resources are available to help your teen prepare for the SAT and boost his or her scores, if he or she has already taken the test. To get started, check out this series of comprehensive SAT guides:

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Assignment Example Hence, the satisfaction of the aforementioned levels prompts people to endeavor to meet the complex needs. In effect, the psychological needs includes sharing of belonging, affection, and love with friends and families. The fourth level entails self-esteem in which people attempt to gain approval, as well as recognition. People achieve self-esteem when they are comfortable with their achievements. Self-actualization represents the last level in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. In this level, people focus on building their image after accomplishing set goals. In essence, the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is an important in exploring employees’ motivation. The Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is important in improving the management of the information technology personnel. The management team should apply the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in understanding the personnel’s motivation, as well as needs in order to create the environment that motivates employees. Disselkamp (2013) contends that money is a real motivating factor in satisfying the security and physiological needs of the workers. In this respect, money plays a significant role in satisfying the basic human needs. Similarly, money satisfies the social needs of the employees, and is recognized as the basis of the status, power, and respect. Thus, management can use financial incentives to keep the level of motivation among information technology personnel high. Similarly, the management of the information technology personnel should endeavor to offer job security. Lauby (2005) observes that employees tend to be worried about imminent lay-offs if job security does not exist. Hence, the managers should keep the levels of motivation among employees high through giving them job security. The managers should use Maslow hierarchy of needs to establish health care insurance benefits, fringe benefits, pension plans, retirement plans, and job security.

E-Project - Business Analysis on Wawa Inc Research Paper - 1

E-Project - Business Analysis on Wawa Inc - Research Paper Example Although company has deep roots in history and it has a history of more than 200 years full of struggle and progression, however, the first convenience store was opened in 1964 (http://biz.yahoo.com). George Wood set up the first dairy store in Wawa, Pennsylvania in 1902. The Wood family still has a share in 52% of the company. The Convenience stores and Gas station industry has a worldwide competitive environment especially there is strong competition in United States. Wawa Inc is presently the leading company of the industry in U.S., however the company is facing serious challenges from several market rivalries like Royal Farms, Subway, Dunkin Donuts, 7-Elevn Inc, Sheetz, and Green Valley Acquisition etc. Royal Farms has shown a great progress in terms of providing fuel in a very clean environment and this category it is surpassing Wawa Inc as it is exceeding all Federal EPA necessities for cleanliness. Further, Royal Farms has controlled the market of Mid-Atlantic region by providing high class beverages. Wawa Inc has experienced the Subway as a very strong competitor in food industry. More than $16.2 billion strategic assets and 35625 restaurants in about 98 countries across the world are the real strength of Subway which has reduced the market capitalization of Wawa in some states (http://www.subway.c om). As compared to Wawa Inc, Dunkin Donuts has a global sphere of operations. It has about 9800 stores in more than 30 countries. It has dominated the consumer market from Wawa Inc as about 6700 Dunkin Donuts branches, offering 52 varieties of donuts and a dozen of coffee beverages, are operating in 35 states of USA (http://www.dunkindonuts.com). Basically Wawa Inc has been affected by its rivalries due to their strong strategic installation on global as well as national scale. The activities and peak of convenience stores and gas station industry is generally characterized by peaceful

Open Skies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Open Skies - Essay Example The modern aviation sector has grown considerably in the past few decades and its emerging commercial perspective has led most people to question whether there should be more intergovernmental efforts and co-operation to respond to the new business environment. Air transport services have experienced the most dynamic recent growth of all sectors in the vitally important transport industry. With regards to the Open Skies Policy it has to be noted that Air transport is crucial to international trade.Eversice the year 1944(under the auspices of the Chicago Conference of 1944) it has been under a complex regulatory system . Overall there are little if any international agreements in this regard and so far the position has been that there have been a lot of bilateral agreements between countries dominating the aviation industry ever since. The success of these open skies agreements depends to a large extent upon the political relationships between countries.Few countries would want to see a rival country save fuel and expenses and attract more tourists and consumers at the cost of its own AirSpace.Therefore even though over the past few decades the some relaxation has taken place in a few countries, Commercial flights are still subject to heavy regulations on their air routes and subject to almost three thousand forms of Bilateral Agreements.This is particularly true with regards to the Pacific regions that poses a great challenges in providing basic transport services in terms of routes and fares.The use of such agreements would indeed eradicate the varying levels of infrastructure development, the high costs and other related problems in this sector.This is because all commercial carriers are facing diseconomies of scale due to not being able to use their air planes to their full potential and are facing increasingl y difficult conditions with competition putting pressure on fares, especially in traditional tourism markets. The cost of fuel and maintenance, and professional staff means that Air services to destinations outside the Pacific and other favourite tourist destinations will be have a volume tourist traffic which will demands long-haul direct routes and larger planes.Economically therefore ,the lack of an open skies agreement could cause a world wide crisis in the arena of the commercial airlines and eventually lead to high costs even for the short-haul services to island neighbours and airlines can be reluctant to make intermediate stopovers. The matter therefore is not economical or legal.The issue is purely political.Consider the tug of war that took place between EU and USA authorities over the recent Open Skies Agreement.The Agreement aims to liberalise transatlantic airspace yet European transport Ministers were reluctant to agree to it at first as they felt it gave the US an unfair advantage over European interests and its major airline and cargo.This was expressed in a statement by the EU commission which remarked that many Member States felt "that EU airlines should have more opportunities to access the

Private Companies and Correctional Institutions Essay

Private Companies and Correctional Institutions - Essay Example This is not the case if things are handled in a proper manner when there is an all-out understanding that the private companies would follow the state’s dictum. The correctional institutions if set up under the realms of a private company, should be closely watched over by the state because this could mean problems of a magnanimous nature if the private companies prison individuals with which they have their own respective enmities and rifts. Having such jails would be tantamount to bringing in anarchic situations within the private companies and indeed the society at large, as there are problems that need to be understood before drafting in the correctional institutions (Cecil, 2010). What is even more significant is the fact that these correctional institutions should always be monitored regularly because this is the need of the hour. As far as the role of the private companies is concerned, the correctional institutions would always have to be bringing in the value for the sake of the society because the governmental believes in the same philosophy and it is only natural to think of it as such within the private companies. The private companies must comprehend that having correctional institutions is indeed a sensitive issue, and one that demands a great deal of vigilance and responsibility. The consequences of any weaknesses on the part of these private companies could have far reaching ramifications and the role of the top management within such private companies is one of essence. Administering such sensitive functions should only be carried about if the private companies believe in their strengths, and then only undertake such efforts to have correctional institutions within their fore. ... If these private companies believe that they can set up such correctional institutions and take care of the administration affairs at a later stage, this is asking for trouble. The state must not allow such private companies to undertake measures of correcting individuals who have committed a crime or have been labeled as offenders. The need is to carry out all the actions and tasks in a very honest way because the greater good of the society is at stake, and thus the private companies should always be certain that they will be at their best under such situations. What is even more interesting is the fact that the dangerous functions are understood properly by the private companies before these think of venturing into such domains. If they do not have any idea of the gravity of the tasks that they are getting into, it is in their best interest to keep away from the same, and concentrate on their core business areas. Works Cited Cecil, Dawn. Televised Images of Jail: Lessons in Contro lling the Unruly. Sociology of Crime Law and Deviance, 14,

Week 9 Case study Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week 9 Case study - Assignment Example A diet history will be required to determine if the problem stems from an iodine-deficient diet. Anemia is also another cause for lymphadenopathy. Anemia is characterized by low iron levels in the body, either from an iron-deficient diet or other metabolic and genetic disorders. Lack of iron in the body is commonly associated with hypothyroidism, which can manifest through enlarged thyroid glands (Ravanbod et al., 2013; Chandel, Chatterjee & Abichandani, 2015). Some studies have also shown that thyroid hormones are responsible for erythropoiesis (Iddah et al., 2013) and changes in thyroid function influence erythrocyte indices significantly (Bremner et al., 2012). Therefore, hypothyroidism may be the primary cause of anemia in the patient, which explains the weight loss. To know if the condition is due to an iron deficiency, the patient will be required to provide a detailed diet history or any past illnesses that may interfere with iron metabolism in the body. The patient will be required to undergo certain tests to confirm the cause of the weight loss and lymphadenopathy. Thyroid function tests are essential to determine if the thyroid gland is working as it should be. If the tests confirm hypothyroidism, a treatment plan will be formulated for the patient. However, if the problem is not from the thyroid gland, further tests to confirm the serum iron levels will be done. Iron deficiency is indicative of a poor diet or other metabolic disorders. Iron deficiency may also increase the chances of thyroid dysfunction, which the woman is experiencing. Depleted iron stores are also a symptom of impaired thyroid function (Chandei, Chatterjee & Abichandani, 2015). Clinical signs can also show if the patient has anemia or hypothyroidism. To detect anemia, the physician will check the fingertips and the inner sides of the eyelids to confirm if they are pale. Due to the low amount of hemoglobin in anemic

DNA Repair Mechanisms Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

DNA Repair Mechanisms - Research Paper Example The optical density of the culture was maintained at 540 nm. The cultures were then exposed to different levels of UV-C, and were subsequently added to prewarmed ST medium. It was then incubated in the dark at 80Â °C with shaking. To determine which cells were viable, irradiated and control samples were grown in GT medium, diluted using the same medium, and plated in the dark on 0.8% (wt/vol) Gelrite (Kelco) GT plates with pH = 3.0. The plates were placed in a humid chamber with a temperature of 80Â °C for approximately 5 days, and colonies were counted. Meanwhile, growth rates were determined by spectrophotometric analysis at 540 nm of at least seven independent cultures grown in liquid, and generation times were calculated using Prizm 4.0 software. To visualize chromosomal damage, 4 x 109 suspended cells (optical density at 540 nm of 0.2 to 0.4) exposed to UV were obtained at 2-4 hours from the culture, and were treated with proteinase K and SfiI. The treated cell solutions were run using pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with a buffer temperature of 14Â °C. with gels made of 1% agarose, 0.5xx TBE (9 mM Tris, 9 mM boric acid, 0.2 mM EDTA), and with running parameters of 24 h at 5.5 V/cm using a 120o included angle with switch times of 60 to 120 s. The gels were stained using ethidium bromide and, chromosome repair was measured using GeneTools quantification software, with the untreated sample designated as 100% repair. Finally, using PCR as well as gene and protein analysis, the sequences of the three strains were compared. Gene expression was then analyzed using RNA isolation, cDNA preparation, and qRT-PCR. The strains react differently to the varying amounts of UV irradiation. Upon the assessment of colony formation on solid medium, at the lowest UV dose (100 mJ/cm2), all three strains demonstrated resistance, with the highest survival rate recorded from strain 98/2 (23%, as compared to P2-A and P2-B, which had 11% and 13%, respectively). On the oth er hand, P2B was the most sensitive to 200 mJ/cm2, displaying 5- to 7-fold-lower survival than the other two strains, while 98/2 was the most sensitive at 300 mJ/cm2. Next, the growth rate after UV exposure was determined. Normally, and at 100 mJ/cm2, 98/2 grew the fastest, although exposure to UV, despite using the lowest dose, resulted to a decreased growth rate for all the strains. On the other hand, both P2A and P2B regrew faster than 98/2 after exposure to 200 and 300 mJ/cm2. Despite differences in growth rates, the growth levels achieved for negative controls achieved the same levels as the UV-exposed set-ups. Upon SfiI digestion and PFGE, inherent differences in the genomic sequences of these three strains were seen. In UV-protected set-ups, P2A, 98/2 and P2B had two, three and four distinct digest fragments, respectively, which means that there are sequence disparities among the strains. After irradiation, double-strand break formation, seen as lower molecular weight smears at the bottom of the gel, was present for all the strains, with most breaks and slowest acute (50%) repair rate observed from P2B. Overall, however, 98/2

Micro Short Answer Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Micro Short Answer - Personal Statement Example This in itself cannot determine the power of choice. Other factors are critical when making any economic decision. These include opportunity costs, credit market, prices and desires. The fulfillment of the fundamental needs depends on the desire with the market prices playing a critical role. The purchase behavior depends on opportunity costs or tradeoffs. The credit market determines the ability to borrow and purchase items. For instance, people contract their spending whenever the high borrowing cost raises the consumption prices (Jiang 407). 2.0. Four resource categories A resource category refers to the source that provides benefits to people. A resource category can be in the form of money, staff, service or asset. The four primary categories of resources include government, education, health and family, and business. i. Education acts as an investment in an economy. An informed economy highly depends on skilled, knowledgeable and educated workforce. Goods education is an indica tion of increased economic performance. ii. Government is critical in creating jobs within the private sector and plays a significant role in finding projects. Whenever a particular government level funds a project, other levels of the government may be prompted to fund the same projects through private foundations and private capital funding. Government plays a significant role in fiscal stimulus package, monetary policy action, and other government interventions. iii. The family acts as a source of resource like labor, production and decision making. The population growth is a critical concept of economics as it determines demand and supply. On the other hand, health determines productivity of the population/family. iv. Business provides services to people. These include supply of goods and services, harnessing of resource and other capital, provision of employment and preserves the natural resources among others (Jiang 410). 3.0. Scarce factors of production The major factors of production are land, labor and capital. Limited factors of production imply shortage of such resources. This indicates insufficiency of productive resources in an economy towards the fulfillment of human needs and attainment of goals. Scarcity and its notion in economics. Scarcity refers to seemingly having unlimited wants in an environment of limited resources. In economics, scarcity indicates a fundamental economic problem where the productive resources are insufficient in an economy. Economics relates to purposeful human action, and without scarcity, economics cannot suffice. Scarcity creates the need for people to consume. Abundance never creates the need for people to make tradeoffs. Scarcity enhances rationing and encourages competitive behavior where people compete for the scarce goods (Jiang 412). 4.0. Production possibilities curve and relationship to the law of increasing costs Production possibility curve refers to the graph showing the combination of various amounts of c ommodities producible using fixed amount of each factor of production. This graphically bounds production set for a group of fixed input quantities. The curve indicates the maximum possible production level that defines the production efficiency. The increase in production of one good requires one to sacrifice a greater amount of another good. This is because of inequality in efficiency of resources. For instance, opportunity cost for producing j in terms of k

Importance of Knowing Grammar to Students Essay Example for Free

Importance of Knowing Grammar to Students Essay â€Å"indeed.† Grammar is the backbone of a language and without it any single thing you know may be flux, in a sort of jelly without much consistency. In a nutshell, grammar provides you with the structure you need in order to organize and put your messages and ideas across. It is the railway through which your messages will be transported. Without it, in the same way as a train cannot move without railways, you won’t be able to convey your ideas to their full extension without a good command of the underlying grammar patterns and structures of the language. I understand that many students ask this question simply because in their own experience they have always been presented with two main scenarios, and nothing in between. They want to know where they are going to be standing as regards to their learning. Which are those two scenarios? Well, in one extreme we have those language courses that teach grammar almost exclusively, as if preparing the students to be grammarians of the second language rather than users. In the other extreme we have those â€Å"communicative† courses in which the only thing that is done is to talk about something or to read an article and comment on it. In many cases, what is seen in one class has no resemblance to what is done in the next. In my experience, both scenarios may seem good for very specific purposes but I personally feel both are inappropriate for most language learners. For starters, by itself, a good command of the grammar of a language does not imply that the person is able to communicate effectively, as we usually see with students who have only been exposed to an all-grammar-oriented approach sometimes for many years. Many could recite the grammar by heart but if asked to express basic information, they would hesitate too much and browse through all the grammar rules in their heads before making an utterance, or simply dry up. Secondly, just talking in class without anything else done in order to learn from the actual conversation is not good enough either. It may be helpful of course, but up to a certain point. This approach may be more useful for very advanced students who just need to brush up their second language, but for those in need of building up the foundations of a new language, it is certainly too vague and flux, without any consistency. So then, when asked: is grammar really important for a second language learner? I always say yes, but, the real question, or issue here is not whether grammar is important or not but rather how we should present grammar to our students. You may be surprised to hear that most of my own students, even advanced ones, have very little awareness of grammar jargon and terminology, in spite of the fact that they can make a pretty good use of the second language. How is that possible? you may ask. First and foremost, teachers need to know precisely what they are trying to prepare their students for. I do know that what I want is to create users of a new language. I want to prepare people to actually engage in communicative situations using appropriate language and patterns. I am definitely not interested in their explaining to me or making a mental list of all the grammar uses that a certain pattern has. For example, think of your own native language. Name all the tenses that you can find in your own native tongue with their corresponding uses and structures. Unless you are a teacher, a translator or someone who needs to have a very good grasp of this meta-language, more likely than not you may feel at a loss to answer that question. And that does NOT mean in any sense that you are not a terrific user of that language. After all, you can understand and express whatever you want with ease. What is more, by being able to do so, you show an awesome command of the internal grammar of the language. If you knew no grammar patterns you would not be able to make a single sentence but you can. This means that although you may lack the conscious ability to describe how your language works (i.e. its grammar) you can use it perfectly. You are a user of the language. You make a perfect use of the grammar of your native language intuitively or unconsciously. Again, our primary goal as second language teachers must be to create users or the language, not linguists! It escapes the aim of this article to describe how we can achieve this but basically we are going to name the main elements to consider to create language users. To begin with, it should be noted that whatever we present our students with should follow a progression from the very general meaning to the very specific pattern or structure we want them to learn (or that they need to learn of course). I would like to highlight that all this takes place within the same class. Before we start to use the material we have selected, it would be good to introduce the students to the topic you are going to work on. You can have them guess or infer what the material will say about it, they can make predictions and when they fail to use appropriate language, you may provide it. This is good to elicit vocabulary that may be necessary for them to know in order to understand the topic. After you have created curiosity in the topic and provided students with key terms on the topic, make sure you follow a progression such as the one that follows: 1) Provide them with exposure to real language and real situations IN CONTEXT. 2) Initial focus on gist, not form. 3) Focus on more specific meaning. 4) We can then focus on very specific meaning. 5) Analysis and systematization: after we make sure the students have a good understanding of the whole material, you can have them focus on particular items or patterns that may be important for them to learn at their stage (i.e. grammar) You can systematize it more formally and teach them how it works. After all, they have already seen it in practice and they have also worked around meaning, now it is time for them to learn how to use it. 6) Give them exercises for them to practice the new structure. Do not be afraid of using grammar drills and patterns. They could be VERY useful for them to fix the new structures in their brains. 7) Give them homework to force them to revise this at a later time. The homework does not necessarily need to be communicative in nature. Profit from the time in class to communicate and interact. If possible, avoid drilling activities while you are with them in class. However, the time they are on their own could be very well used to do all the drilling and rote practice that may prove useful for them to gain a good command of the grammar form you are trying to teach them. Personally I feel that the time in class must be used for providing learners with as many communicative situations as possible, rather than making them focus on drills and patterns that they could easily practise on their own. 8) Provide them with ample opportunities to practice what they have learned in REAL or REALISTIC communicative situations. Create situations so that they can make lots of mistakes and encourage them to improve on them by reminding them of what they have studied. 9) Recycle and mention the topic again as many times as necessary, time and again. This is essential for them to finally acquire the new structures in a natural way. As you can see, I am not condemning grammar at all as some readers may feel when in my articles I complain about teachers working almost exclusively with a grammar-oriented approach. On the contrary, I feel it is essential in order to master a language. However, how grammar is presented to the students is what really matters. I utterly disagree with those teachers who come to class and tell the class: â€Å"Open your books. Today we will learn the â€Å"Simple Present Tense.† In the suggested steps to follow in any class, you will have noticed that I have used a quite eclectic approach, starting from a communicative situation (steps 1-4) with the focus on understanding the message from the gist up to very detailed info and later, and only later, once meaning is clearly understood, we reach the grammar item we may need our students to learn at their stage. The obvious advantage of this approach is that while dealing with grammar, the students will have a clear idea of the context in which it was used and the communicative need it satisfied.

Incarceration Essay Example for Free

Incarceration Essay There has been a lot of discussion regarding the prison population in the United States but little efforts have been engaged in regard to the transformations observed in the composition of the jail population. The law enforcement agents are under obligation by the federal, state, and local authorities to arrest and confine individuals who are criminal suspects. It is the duty of our judicial system to imprison individuals who are crime convicts. The confinement that is imposed on individuals whether prior to or after conviction is what is referred to as incarceration. Any person irrespective of race, color, sex, and age is subject to incarceration at least in theory according to the constitution. Studies have however continued to show increasing imbalance in our penal institutions as more African Americans and Hispanics continue to account to a slightly larger percentage in comparison to the whites. This paper shall present an analysis of the structural inequality as observed in the judicial system within the United States. Structural Inequality: Structural inequality is something that is affecting virtually all societies around the world. This phenomenon however does not stem from the variations amongst individuals as generally thought, but it can be attributed to the meanings and values that individuals hold in regard to these variations. These values and meanings become systemized and thus the foundation of inequality in our society. The society becomes stratified based on differences between the individuals. This leads to a hierarchical society where prejudicial values and attitudes are developed which affects the views held by the different categories of individuals (Bartels-Ellis, 2010). The US is among the world’s most leading jailers with a rating of 750 imprisonments in every 100,000 individuals (Williams, 2009). The prison population is however disproportional with African Americans and the Hispanics and other minority groups accounting for a larger percentage compared to the majority whites. It is estimated that over 60% of the prison population is from the minority groups. The imbalance in the incarcerated population has been attributed to the war against drugs that has gained momentum in the recent past. This has had a toll on the minority groups though studies have continued to indicate that drug use is also a significant phenomenon amongst the whites. The judicial system has therefore been accused of racist discrimination when it comes to matters of fair and effective judgment (Williams, 2009). Racial Bias in the Judicial System: Racial inequalities have been observed when it comes to judicial matters in the United States. There are great variations in the incarceration of different racial groups that make up the population of the US (Martel, 2008). Studies have continued to reveal the unending trend of disparities in the criminal justice system as revealed by the United States Census Bureau in 2000. According to the Bureau, there is un-proportional representation in the incarceration within the US penal institutions which happens to favor the whites. As of the year 2000, out of close to 2 million adult prisoners, 63% were from the minority groups including the African Americans and Latinos. Such disparities are in contravention of the general population as it has been established that the minority groups account for only 25% of the general population (Human Rights Watch, 2002). Statistics: According to Families Against Mandatory Minimums (FAMM), in every twenty blacks aged over 18, one is likely to be in prison whereas for the whites, the imprisonment rate is put at one in every 180 individuals. The African Americans and the Hispanics comprise of about 2/3 of the prison population. As of the year 2001, African American males and Hispanic males had a higher chance of being imprisoned compared to the whites. The blacks had a 32. 2% chance; Hispanics 17. 2% chance; whereas the whites had a 6% chance. In the year 2003, African American prisoners accounted for a larger portion of those serving a term of more than one year at 44% of the prison population followed by the whites at 35% whereas the Hispanics accounted for the remaining 19% (Families Against Mandatory Minimums Foundation, 2010).

Analysis Of The Reason Why Destinations Brand Themselves Marketing Essay

Analysis Of The Reason Why Destinations Brand Themselves Marketing Essay As travel and tourism is one of the biggest global industries, the competition all over the world is enormous (World Travel Tourism Council, 2007). Therefore one of the most important things for a destination and moreover a key task for destination marketers, mainly due to the already mentioned global competition, is the process of branding a certain destination. The marketers have to be aware that there are many other destinations that try to attract the potential tourists and visitors as well. Consequently branding is essential and very important for a destination to show what it has to offer through the use of words and symbols for instance. A brand can have many different forms. It can for example be a logo, a symbol, a trademark or a name. Furthermore branding is not a new idea, even when, according to Gilmore (2001; as cited in Morgan et al. 2002: 57), many people tend to think of it as something new. But it is not a new phenomenon; branding already exists for years. Gilmore argues that many of the brands we use today have been in existence for over 100 years (Morgan et al., 2002: 57). This statement shows that branding products, which are in the case of this essay destinations, has been existing for a very long time and still has a huge significance all over the world. The aim of this essay is to critically assess the reason why destinations brand themselves. In addition it contains general information about branding like definitions, what branding is about and why rebranding in particular cases is necessary. The outcome is a conclusion and recommendations for branding destinations in the future. Before explaining the necessity of branding it is important to have a look at several definitions of this term due to many different ones existing. Kolb (2006: 229) for example defines branding as the use of words and symbol to represent the image of a product and the benefits it offers to consumers. Furthermore he adds that branding is about the promotion of the unique benefits that tourists will experience during their visit (Kolb, 2006: 18). According to The American Marketing Association (as cited in Tasci and Kozak, 2006: 300) a brand is defined as a name, term, sign, symbol or design, or a combination of these, intended to identify the goods or services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of competitors. This definition adds the differentiation from other products and it goes along with Milligan (1995; as cited in Tasci and Kozak, 2006) who expresses the importance of differentiating one brand from others as well. He argues that a brand is wha t differentiates you and makes you special. Besides along with Morgan et al. (2002: 11) branding is perhaps the most powerful marketing weapon available to contemporary destination marketers confronted by increasing product parity, substitutability and competition. But is the branding process of products the same as for destinations? Or is there a difference between branding normal products and destinations? According to Caldwell and Freire (2004: 50) many academics (e.g. Cai, 2002; Kotler and Gertner, 2002; Olins 2002) argue that places can be branded in much the same way as consumer goods and services. And also along with Pike (2005; as cited in Balakrishnan 2009: 613) destination brands are also similar to product and services. They have both tangible and intangible components, are mostly service dependent, and can be positioned through the use of slogans. But besides these arguments there are also some academics that see a difference between the branding process of normal products and destinations. According to Karavatsis and Ashworth (2005; as cited in Hankinson 2009: 98) the branding of places as destinations requires more complex managerial activities than product brands. Furthermore along with Hankinson (2001; as cited in Murphy et al., 2007) creating brands as defined and discussed in the traditional marketing literature is a more difficult and complex process when considering d estinations and locations. These findings of different academics show that some consider the branding process of destinations as more challenging than branding products in general. Therefore the author of this essay thinks that it is necessary to define destination branding separate to the branding process of normal products in general. Along with Cai (2002; as cited in Murphy et al., 2007: 5) a destination brand is defined as perceptions about a place as reflected by the associations held in tourist memory. Furthermore Morrison and Anderson (2002: 16) describe destination branding as a process used to develop a unique identity and personality that is different from all competitive destinations. According to many academics (e.g. Eby, Molnar and Cai 1999; Gartner 1989; as cited in Hem and Iversen, 2004: 85) unlike other tangible products, tourists are not able to test drive and try the destinations before making a choice. When deciding to go on holiday you pay for something that you will not receive at once. Furthermore Hem and Iversen (2004: 85) argue that the decision involves greater risk and extensive information search, and depends on tourists mental construct of what a potential destination has to offer relative to their needs. A very important question when branding destinations is how long the brand can be used? According to Kotler (1997; as cited in Tasci and Kozak, 2006: 300) the seller or maker of a brand [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] is entitled to exclusive rights to use the brand without any expiration dates, which distinguishes it from patents and copyrights. Therefore destination marketers are able to use a brand endlessly. This is a great advantage because when a well-working brand is created it can be used as long as the marketers wish to. There are many destinations that do it this way but there are also some who change their brand from time to time. This change of the brand has to be done when a brand does not attract enough people to visit a certain destination. But more significant than having a look at what branding is, is to clarify why is it necessary for destinations to brand themselves? It is important that a brand shows real benefits in order to be effective (Kolb, 2006). These benefits include that the brand is understood easily, memorable, and it has to be designed in a way that it can be used on every form of communication (Kolb, 2006: 222). Furthermore Kolb (2006: 222) argues that it is very important that the potential tourist understands the brand symbol and message easily because if they are confused by the words and image communicated, the branding may be noticed but will not attract them. Therefore it is necessary to know the target group before creating a brand because if the consumer does not understand the message of the brand he or she will not be interested in it and furthermore not be attracted by the destination. According to Kolb (2006: 229) branding provides a shorthand message that will hopefully be heard by the potential tourists and visitors over all the other destinations. That means that the brand of one destination needs to be created very well and moreover it has to be more attractive than other brands. Besides this Gilmore (2001) argues that branding seeks to convey messages to the user or potential user of a product or service. These messages need to be simple and consistent, since we are all bombarded with messages from hundreds of products every day (as cited in Morgan et al., 2002: 58). Kolb and Gilmore both argue that it is important to create brands that are easily understood by the potential tourists or visitors of a destination. The author of this essay fully agrees to both of them because if a brand is not understood by first glance or is not attractive enough that the consumer has a deeper look at it to understand what it is about, than all the effort to create the brand w as not really worth it. When a brand is created it is necessary that the destination marketers use it to communicate it to the potential tourists and visitors. According to Kolb (2006: 229) the brand should appear on all forms of communication like letters, flyers, the websites, brochures as well as T-shirts. Besides those facts concerning the design of a brand, it is according to Kolb (2006: 221) important that tourism marketers choose an identity that authentically and genuinely reflects what the city has to offer. The different forms of communication and the well-chosen reflection of the offers show only some of the challenging points branding has to deal with in the various steps the brand has to pass through during the process of creating it. According to Kolb (2006: 229) developing a brand takes time, effort, and creativity. Besides these mentioned facts branding is also very expensive due to many different things that have to be considered. One of the first steps is that the brand needs to be created. When this stage is taken, the next one is to communicate the brand by using it for all the representing articles like letters or brochures. One rather risky point is that these articles have to be printed before the destination marketers even know if the brand will be understood by the potential tourists or visitors or not. But why is it still so important that destinations brand themselves when there are all these aspects which are at first sight rather negative? Kolb (2006) argues that branding can develop repeat visits due to familiarity with the brand. In the best case branding remembers the tourists of all the benefits the destination has to offer and therefore may create brand loyalty (Kolb, 2006: 229). The loyalty towards a brand can most easily be achieved through the constant use after the successful creation of a brand. When the potential tourists or visitors understand the brand and are attracted by it they may visit the destination. If they like it and the well-working brand remains they possibly visit the destination again which means that brand loyalty is created. One very well working example is the case of New York City with its brand I love NY. The potential creation of loyalty towards a brand leads to the idea of building a relationship with a brand and therefore with the corresponding destination. This is suggested by Kotler (1997; as cited in Tasci and Kozak, 2006: 300) who mentions the evoke of emotions. Furthermore this idea arises as well according to Morgan et al. (2002) who argue that the potential tourists and visitors need to get a relationship with the destinations visited. They reason that it is not a question of price but a question of emotions what makes the tourists visit or revisit a certain destination. The author of this essay not fully agrees to this statement. The point with the relationship may be true as well as important but nevertheless nowadays, after the financial crisis, the people have less money to spend and therefore the price is an important point when choosing holidays. However, the idea of having a relationship with products is nothing new, it is already suggested by several other academics (e.g. Urdde, 1993; Sheth, Mittal and Newman, 1999; as stated in Morgan et al., 2002). Along with Kolb (2006: 18) it is necessary that a brand gets into the consumers mind. Without this step it would not even be possible to build a relationship with a brand. This goes along with Lury (1998: 4) who argues that it is our perceptions our beliefs and our feelings about a brand that are most important. However, according to Hallberg (1995) mere emotion is not enough, the key is to develop a strong brand which holds some unique associations for the consumer but emotion has always been an important component of branding (as cited in Morgan et al., 2002: 12). According to Weinreich (1999; as stated in Morgan et al.,2002: 25) in the case of destination branding the destination managers should not think in terms of the traditional brand life cycle, brand managers should be thinking of the S-curve which charts a brands life and development through birth, growth, maturity, decay and death (see Figure 1). The S-curve symbolises a series of stages in the brands relationship with its consumers, revealing useful insights into a brands communication requirements (Weinreich, 1999; as stated in Morgan et al.,2002: 26). The first stage in the S-curve diagram, the fashionable stage, shows the stage when the destination is new and exclusive and therefore yet small due to the lack of advertising activities (Weinreich, 1999; as stated in Morgan et al.,2002: 26). Within the next and so-called famous phase, a destinations brands consumers are loyal and affluent but at any time the destinations brand values may become irrelevant to them hence the on-going need for them to remain fresh and appealing. According to Weinreich (1999; as stated in Morgan et al.,2002: 27) the destination needs to remain contemporary but if it fails, it will drift into the familiar zone where everyone knows about the destination, but it hast lost its appeal. The following stage is the familiar phase wherein it is not easy anymore to attract lucerative market segments. This stage is followed by the fatigued phase in which the question of a potential refreshment needs to be asked. Figure 1 Source: Morgan et al., 2002: 25 According to Gilmore (2001) it is essential that a destination is unique. Furthermore Gilmore argues that this uniqueness has two different sources: first, the culture of the destination itself, which is normally unique or a unique combination of cultures, and, second, from the combination of other benefits convenient yet unspoilt, lively city with peaceful countryside, historic monuments and great food (as cited in Morgan et al 2002: 60). When a destination does for example not have great cultural aspects to offer, food can be a very important benefit for a destination. Along with Hall (2004: xiii) [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦] food is a significant part of tourism. Furthermore Hall (2004) argues (as cited in Hall et al., 2003) that food has come to be recognized as part of the local culture which tourists consume, as an element of regional tourism promotion [à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦]. This statement leads to the possibility that a destination may include its traditional food into the brand which is a very effective way of using a benefit if others like for example the countryside are not really effective. According to Mitchell and Hall (2003; as cited in Gyimà ³thy and Mykletun, 2009: 260) the growing interest in culinary products and traditions implies that food is also becoming a more important factor in influencing tourists motivations for traveling to a particular destination. Furthermore they argue that it is necessary to market the culinary products to the various consumers. To use traditional products like food is how a destination may rebrand itself successfully if for example another brand did not work very well to attract tourists. But there are also other reasons why destinations may have to rebrand themselves. Additional reasons are disasters, natural as well as manmade ones and political issues. In this case rebranding is very important because the destinations need to regain the visitors trust again. A destination or even a whole country may have certain image problems due to for example a crisis or a war. Therefore it is very important for destination marketers to create a new brand that convinces the potential tourists or visitors of the good sides the destination has to offer, even when the image is perceived differently. As could be seen to brand a destination is different than to brand any kind of product. As many academics (e.g. Kolb, 2006; Milligan, 1995; Tasci and Kozak, 2006) argue it is necessary to create successful brands for destinations in order to be competitive in the huge existing global market. A successful brand that is understood by the potential tourists or visitors may create loyalty towards a brand. However, before brand loyalty can be created it is essential to produce a well-working brand that is understood simply. In many cases this is not really easy and it always depends on what a certain destination has to offer to the consumers. If a destination does not have any outstanding offers like for example a unique combination of cultures or a special countryside it is also possible to use for instance the local food to attract potential tourists or visitors and to use it for the brand (Gilmore, 2001). But according to many academics (e.g. Kolb, 2006; Morgan et al. 2002) the most important thing is that a relationship with a certain destination has to be achieved. Otherwise the potential tourists or visitors would not visit or revisit the destination and brand loyalty would not be created at all (Kolb, 2006). To build a relationship towards a brand expects that the message of a brand needs to be understood. Therefore another important point when creating a brand is the message that shall be communicated to the consumers. It should be understood by the potential tourists or visitors, which are a specific target group, to attract them; otherwise they will rather not be interested in the destination (Kolb, 2006). But not only the creation of the message itself is a challenging point within the developing process of a brand. Furthermore, the brand has to pass through different stages, which is shown in a diagram called the S-Curve. These various phases in a brands life all have their o wn challenging points and the destination marketers have to be aware of those already in the developing process of a brand (Weinreich, 1999). Although within the developing process of a brand those challenging steps occur, it is inevitable for destinations to brand themselves. Only through branding the potential tourists or visitors can build a relationship with the destination. And therefore the destination can be attractive as well as competitive. In the future it will be important for destination marketers to stick to their well-working brands if they have already created one or change their brands if it is necessary to rebrand the destination. Otherwise it would not be possible at all to compete against the huge amount of existing offers all over the world. As the most important point is the creation of a relationship it is therefore necessary that the brands created help to build a relationship between the destinations and the potential tourists or visitors. Only through the connection between a destination and the consumers a destination can be competitive and the message will be heard over all the other messages. Bu t without a brand it would not even be possible to attract anybody.

Attending a Speech by Ira Berlin on Slavery -- Slavery Race

â€Å"Rethinking Slavery† – A Retrospect I recently attended the lecture of renowned historian Ira Berlin. Professor Berlin is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland. He has also been the recipient of many awards and acknowledgements over the last decade. In 2002, President Clinton appointed Professor Berlin to the advisory committee of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Professor Berlin was visiting the campus as a result of his recent appointment as a Mellon Distinguished Senior Fellow for the spring semester at the University of Illinois. He hosted an invitation-only conference at the Illini Union entitled â€Å"Transforming Slavery† on the day following his lecture. Usually when I am on my way to see a lecture, I am not exactly â€Å"anxious† to get there. I was, however, anticipating Professor Berlin’s lecture very much. I had a strong feeling that Professor Berlin was very well established and respected in his field. However, I became disappointed before the lecture even began. According to various sources I had seen around the University, Professor Berlin’s lecture was supposed to begin at 2:30. My plan was to have a conference at 12:30 with Professor Rogers, eat some lunch, and then head to the lecture at about 2:15. Luckily for me, during my 2 conference, I was informed that the lecture began at 3:30. After returning to my dorm, I researched the sources again. I found two sources that had the starting time of the lecture as 2:30, and two sources that had the starting time of the lecture as 3:30. So, needless to say, I was confused. ... ...of the audience to Professor Berlin’s lecture, I can only say that the reaction was mixed. I noticed that the scholars and professors on hand were captivated by Berlin’s presence and were very attentive. I even noticed that a professor in front of me literally tried to write every word Berlin spoke. As for the attitude of the rest in attendance, it was rather dull. It seemed that there were some people that seemed moderately interested in the speech, while others teetered on slumber. I must admit that I was one of the latter (even dosing off occasionally). It just seemed that, overall, the audience, I included, was slightly disappointed in the content and context of Professor Berlin’s lecture. Although there was a definite feeling that Professor Berlin was a very honored person, he failed to captivate most the audience, which was disappointing to say the least.

Slavery in Huckleberry Finn :: essays research papers

The conquest to destroy slavery played an important role in the development of our country and made an impact in many lives. It brought about new ideas in art, music, literature and gave insight to a novel written by Mark Twain. Twain contributed an aspect of his perspective on slavery and racism and incorporated it into a novel named Huckleberry Finn. Slavery in Huckleberry Finn This novel was written during a reconstruction period in our country in which the slaves had already been freed by the emancipation proclamation. However, the blacks were struggling for equality and their acceptance as free individuals, They were not taken seriously and were still segregated from the whites. Although they were free, the south still had a negative view upon the black population and maintained their hatred towards them. Twain wrote this book in the sense of being in the past and showing how the blacks were treated throughout slavery. Twain utilized his knowledge of the past and created a novel based upon a runaway boy and an escaping slave. Huckleberry Finn (the boy) and Jim (the slave) both escaped from society and traveled amuck down the river. Symbolically, they were both dependant on each other and they developed a special bond which aided them on their journey. Twain takes advantage of their separation from society and relays to the reader how the characters viewed their diversity. The two individuals become very close to each other even though they realized they were comprised of a different race. However, the thought of taking the role of a white man and turning Jim into custody crossed Huckleberry?s mind sporadically. Thus, Twain showed that he had assumed the role of the stereotypical white individual, and broke their bond of trust. Developing upon this his of the turmoil between the two, Twain shows us a little bit about himself as a writer. He shows the reader that he?s an individual who displays diversity as a complexity and something that isn?

Essay --

Kailey Knowles Period 2 December 10, 2013 Oedipus Cycle Analysis Creon as a Tragic Hero As once said by Aristotle, "A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall". A tragic hero is often seen as someone with great stature who is noble yet imperfect, and experiences suffering due a moral flaw. In Sophocles’ Ancient Greek play The Oedipus Cycle, Creon represents the true tragic hero when his flawed actions and excessive pride create the path towards his demise. Creon’s declination begins in Oedipus at Colonus when his infatuation with power and control begins to arise, in turn bringing forth a rigid side to his character. The battle over the kingship of Thebes is a pivotal point in Creon’s development. He goes to drastic measures when threatening the lives of Oedipus’ daughters in order to bring him back to Thebes, and in conversation with Oedipus, Creon says, â€Å"Your daughters: one of them I have just now / Had seized and carried off; now I’ll take this one† (129). His forceful and domineering actions towards his brother-in-law begin to peel back the layers of his intentions. In Oedipus Rex, Creon did not want the throne, nor did he enjoy attention, but he now finds pleasure in being the head figure of leadership. The first signs of Creon’s craving for personal pleasures are unravelled as he begins to act under the influence of his Id, â€Å"a demand to take care of needs immediately† (Bo eree). The animalistic tendencies, destructive nature, and amoral actions are all induced by the Id, and Creon unconsciously begins to tap into that part of his mind as he strives to gain power. All other emotions and opinions of others are disregarded and Creon makes it his goal to become king, seemingly stopping at nothing t... ...ng presence of his superego that was lacking throughout the earlier areas of his life. Superego is the â€Å"internalization of punishments and warnings† (Boeree) which plays a part in Creon’s growth of emotions that he struggled with early on. His previous impulses of pleasure and aggressions have been masked by his superego. Creon’s ability to have an anagnorisis in Antigone helps contribute to his role as a tragic hero. The once King of Thebes had everything in life to be content with, but the relentless attitude of his own superiority ushered him to his downfall. While he lost his grip on his relations with others and experienced an overwhelming influence of his Id, and it was too late by the time he realized, Creon nonetheless had an epiphany about his actions and understood his faults. Through his perils and travails, Creon earns the title of a true tragic hero.

Cost Management Test Questions & Suggested Solutions

Management Test Questions & Suggested Solutions by L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS Question: 1 Bharata Ltd is considering proposals for design changes in one of a range of soft toys. The proposals are as follows: (a) Eliminate some of the decorative stitching from the toy. (b) Use plastic eyes instead of glass eyes in the toys (two eyes per toy). (c) Change the filling material used. It is proposed that scrap fabric left over from the body manufacture be used instead of the synthetic material which is currently used.The design change proposals have been considered by the management team and the following information has been gathered: (a) Plastic eyes will cost Rs. 15 per hundred whereas the existing glass eyes cost Rs. 20 per hundred. The plastic eyes will be more liable to damage on insertion into the toy. It is estimated that scrap plastic eyes will be 10% of the quantity issued from stores as compared to 5% of issues of gla ss eyes at present. (b) The synthetic filling material costs Rs. 80 per tonne. One tonne of filling is sufficient for 2,000 soft toys. c) Scrap fabric to be used as filling material will need to be cut into smaller pieces before as and this will cost Rs. 0. 05 per soft toy. There is sufficient scrap fabric for the purpose. (d) The elimination of the decorative stitching is expected to reduce the appeal of the product, with an estimated fall in sales by 10% from the current level. It is not felt that the change in eyes or filling material will adversely affect sales volume. The elimination of the stitching will reduce production costs by Rs. 0. 60 per soft toy. (e) The current sales level of the soft toy is 3,00,000 units per annum.Apportioned fixed costs per annum are Rs. 4,50,000. The net profit per soft toy at the current sales level is Rs. 3. Required: (i) Using the information given in the question, prepare an analysis which shows the estimated effect on annual profit if all thr ee proposals are implemented, and which enables management to check whether each proposal will achieve an annual target profit increase of Rs. 25,000. The proposals for plastic eyes and the use of scrap fabric should be evaluated after the stitching elimination proposal has been evaluated. (ii) Calculate the ercentage reduction in sales due to the stitching elimination at which the implementation of all three design change proposals would result in the same total profit from the toy as that earned before the implementation of the changes in design. Question:2 ABC Ltd manufactures a simple garden tool.At present the company is working at full capacity producing the three components A,B,C one of each being required for the assembly of the tool. All the machines are capable of making all the components. Current cost data concerning and hundred tools are as follows: Machine Hours 10 16 20 46 Variable Cost Rs. 6 32 32 42 142 Fixed Cost Rs. 10 2 32 22 76 Total Rs. 36 44 64 74 218 250 Comp onents – A Components – B Components – C Assembly Selling Price The management is engaged in preparing next year's budget an increase in sales is to be provided for. The factory already has to work at full machine capacity to meet current demand and no increase in the present machine capacity can be effected for over 12 months. Though facilities involving variable costs can be increase data very short notice. It is decided that one of the components will have to be bought out. The following quotations have been received: L.Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 1 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS ; SOLUTIONS Components A B C Price per 100 tools Price per 100 tools Price per 100 tools Rs 36 46 54 The Sales manager feels sure that he can sell at least 50% more tools than at present and probably 75% more provided the factory capacity is available. You are required to prepare a report for management giving your recommendations as to which com ponent should be ordered from outside supplied for the coming year if production is increased by 50% and 75% respectively.Question : 3 The Chakrapani Ltd's Cost behaviour is as follows: Production range in units 0- 20000 20001 – 65000 65001 – 90000 90001 – 100000 Fixed cost Rs. 160000 Rs. 190000 Rs. 210000 Rs. 250000 At an activity of 70000 units per year, variable costs total 280000. Full capacity is 100000 units per year. Required: (1) Production is now set at 50000 units per year with a sales price of Rs. 7. 50 per unit. What is the minimum number of additional units needed to be sold in an unrelated market at Rs. 5. 50 per unit to show a net profit of Rs. 3000 per year? 2) Production is now set at 60000 units per year. By how much may sales promotion costs be increased to bring production up to 80000 units and still earn a net profit of 5% of total sales if the selling price is held at Rs. 7. 50? (3) If net profit is currently Rs. 10000 with fixed costs at R s. 160000 and a 2% increase in price will leave units sold unchanged but increase profits by Rs. 5000. What is the present volume in units? Question: 4 The manager of a business has received enquiries about printing three different types of advertising leaflet.Information concerning these three leaflets is shown below: A Selling prices per 1000 leaf lets Estimated printing costs: Variable per 1000 leaflets Specific fixed costs per month 40 2,400 70 4,000 130 9,500 100 B 220 C 450 In addition to specific fixed costs a further Rs. 4,000/- per month would be incurred in renting special premises if any or all of the above three leaflets were printed. The minimum printing order would be for 30,000 of each type of leaflet per month and the maximum possible order is estimated to be 60,000 of each leaflet per month.Required (i) Examine and comment upon the potential profitability of leaflet printing. Make whatever calculations you consider appropriate. (ii) Assuming that orders have been re ceived to print each month 50,000 of both leaflet A and leaflet B calculate the quantity of leaflet C which would need to be ordered to produce an overall profit, for all three leaflets of Rs. 1,800/- per month. L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 2 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS (iii) It is possible that a special type of paper used in printing leaflets will be difficult to obtain during the first few months.Three estimated consumption of this special paper for each type of leaflet is: Leaflet Leaflet Leaflet A B C 2 packs per 6 packs per 6 packs per 1000 leaflets 1000 leaflets 1000 leaflets Advise the manager on the quantity of each leaflet which should be printed in order to maximise profit in the first month, if 50,000 of each type of leaflet have been printed there remains unfulfilled order of 10,000 for each type of leaflet and there 170 packs of special paper available for the rest of the month. What will be your reaction if the pr inting quantity is to be pack of 1000 leaflets.Question: 5 For the past 20 years a charity organisation has held an annual dinner and dance with the primary intention of raising funds. This year there is concern that an economic recession may adversely affect both the number of persons attending the function and the advertising space that will be sold in the programme published for the occasion. Based on past experience and current prices and quotations, it is expected that the following costs and revenues will apply for the function. (Rs. ) Costs: Dinner and dance: Hire of premises Band and entertainers Raffle prizes Photographer Food at Rs. 2 per person (with a guarantee of 400 persons minimum) Programme: Revenues: Dinner and dance: A fixed cost of Rs. 2,000, plus Rs. 5 per page Price of tickets Average revenue from : Raffle Photographs Programme: Average revenue from advertising Rs. 5 per person Re. 1 per person Rs. 70 per page Rs. 20 per person 700 2,800 800 200 A sub-committee, formed to examine more closely the likely outcome of the function, discovered the following from previous records and accounts: No. of tickets sold 250 to 349 350 to 449 450 to 549 550 to 649 No. of past occasions 4 6 8 2 20 L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 3Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS No. of programme pages sold 24 32 40 48 No. of past occasions 4 8 6 2 20 Several members of the sub-committee are in favour of using a market research consultant to carry out a quick enquiry into the likely number of tickets and the likely number of pages of advertising space that would be sold for this year's dinner and dance. You are required to: (a) Calculate the expected value of the profit to be earned from the dinner and dance this year; (b) Recommend, with relevant supporting financial and cost data, whether or not the charity should spent Rs. 00 on the market research enquiry and indicate the possible benefits the enquiry could provide. NB: A ll workings for tickets should be in steps of 100 tickets and for advertising in steps of 8 pages. Question: 6 The budgeted production for period 7 in the finishing department of a pottery manufacturer is, 4,500 cups, 4,000 saucers and 6,250 plates. In one standard hour a direct operative is expected to be able to finish either, 30 cups, or 40 saucers, or 25 plates.During period 7, 400 direct labour hours were worked and actual production was, 4,260 cups, 6,400 saucers and 3,950 plates. Required: Using the above information calculate for period 7: (i) The productivity of the direct operatives; (ii) An appropriate ratio expressing the department's actual production relative to that budgeted; (iii)Another ratio which you consider may be useful to management and explain the meaning of the ratio you have calculated. Question: 7 The Bashyam Co Ltd manufactures a variety of products of basically similar composition.Production is carried on by subjecting the various raw materials to a numb er of standardised operations, each major series of operations being carried out in a different department. All products are subject to the same initial processing which is carried out in departments A, B and C; the order and extent of further processing then depending upon the type of end product to be produced. It has been decided that a standard costing system could be usefully employed within Bashyam and pilot schemed to be operated for six months based initially only on epartment B, the second department in the initial common same of operations. If the pilot scheme produces useful results then a management accountant will be employed and the system would be incorporated as appropriate throughout the whole firm. The standard cost per unit of output of department B is: Rs. Direct labour (14 hours at Rs. 2 per hour) Direct material (i) (ii) Output of department A (3 kg at Rs. 9 per kg) Acquired by and directly input to department 4 Sreeram Coaching Point Rs. 28 27 L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONSB material X (4 kg at Rs. 5 per kg) Variable overhead (at Rs. 1 per direct labour hours worked) Fixed production overheads (i) Directly incurred by department B – (note 1) manufacturing overhead (per unit) (ii) Allocated to department B general factory overhead (per unit) 3 8 11 14 20 47 Note 1. Based on normal monthly production of 400 units. In the first month of operation of the pilot study (month 7 of the financial year), department B had no work in progress at the beginning and the end of the month. The actual costs allocated to department B in the first month of operation were: Rs.Direct labour (6,500 hours) Direct materials (i) (ii) Output of department A (1,400 kg) – (note 2) Material X (1,000 kg) Variable overhead Fixed overhead (i) (ii) Directly incurred manufacturing overhead Allocated to department B – (note 3) 1,600 2,900 4,500 Rs. 59,000 Note 2. Actual cost of output of departm ent A. Note 3. Based on the actual expenditure on joint manufacturing overheads and allocated to departments in accordance with labour hours worked The production manager feels that the actual costs of Rs. 59,000 for production of 500 units indicates considerable inefficiency on the part of department B. e says, ‘I was right to request that the pilot standard costing system be carried out in department B as I have suspected that they are inefficient and careless – this overspending of Rs. 9,000 proves I am right'. Required: Prepare a brief statement which clearly indicates the reasons for the performance of department B and the extent to which that performance is attributable to department B. the statement should utilize variance analysis to the extent it is applicable and relevant. Question: 8 (i) Mathanakesari Ltd manufactures and sells a single product.In the quarter to 30 November 2002 sales of 10,000 units were budgeted at a unit selling price of Rs. 5 and a unit c ontribution of Rs. 1 (after charging variable costs). The budget had been prepared in the previous spring, and proved to be inaccurate. Actual sales for the November quarter were 7,000 units at a unit selling price of Rs. 8, giving a unit contribution of Rs. 3. You are required to calculate appropriate sales margin variances on the basis of this information. (ii) When reviewing the results for the quarter to 30 November the sales manager ascertained several additional facts.The total market for the product nationally had been only 45,000 units during the quarter, and not 50,000 units as Mathanakesari had originally anticipated. Mathanakesari had previously maintained a 20% share L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 5 Sreeram Coaching Point Rs. 14,000 21,000 11,500 32,500 8,000 COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS of the market for many years, adopting a policy of matching the market price. An index of the selling price levels of competitors' products had risen to 140, instead of remaining at the level of 100 as originally budgeted.Mathanakesari's variable costs (all materials) had risen in line with the change in the appropriate commodity price index, which had gone up from the expected level of 100 to an actual level of 125. You are required to calculate a set of variances to take appropriate notice of this additional information, and to discuss their significance. Question: 9 From past experience a company operating a standard cost system has accumulated the following information in relation to variances in its monthly management accounts: Percentage of total number of variances. 1) Its variances fall into two categories: Category 1: those which are not worth investigating Category 2: those which are worth investigating 64 36 100 (2) Of category 2, corrective action has eliminated 70% of the variances, but the remainder have continued. (3) The cost of investigation averages Rs. 350 and that of correcting variances averages Rs. 550. (4) The ave rage size of any variance not corrected is Rs. 525 per month and the company's policy is to assess the present value of such costs at 2% per month for a period of five months.You are required to: (a) Prepare two decision trees, to represent the position if an investigation is: (i) Carried out; (ii) Not carried out; (b) Recommend, with supporting calculations, whether or not the company should follow a policy of investigating variances as a matter of routine; (c) Explain briefly two types of circumstance that would give rise to variances in Category 1 and two to those in Category 2; (d) Mention any one variation in the information used that you feel would be beneficial too the company if you wished to improve the quality of the decision-making rule recommended in (b) above.Explain briefly why you have suggested it. Question: 10 Vishwakarma is a builder. His business will have spare capacity over the coming six months and he has been investigating two projects. Project A Vishwakarma i s tendering for a school extension contract. Normally he prices a contract by adding 100% to direct costs, to cover overheads and profit. He calculates direct costs as the actual cost of materials valued on a first-in-first-out basis, plus the estimated wages of direct labour. But for this contract he has prepared more detailed information. Four types of material will be needed: Matl.Quantity (units): Needed Already for contract in stock 1,100 150 600 200 100 200 300 400 6 Price per unit: (in Rs. ) Purchase Current Current price of Purchase resale units in stock price price 7. 00 40. 00 35. 00 20. 00 10. 00 44. 00 33. 00 21. 00 8. 00 38. 00 25. 00 10. 00 Sreeram Coaching Point Z Y X W L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS ; SOLUTIONS Z and Y are in regular use. Neither X nor W is currently used; X has no foreseeable use in the business, but W could be used on other jobs in place of material currently costing Rs. 6 per unit. The contract will la st for six months and requires two craftsmen, whose basic annual wage cost is Rs. 16,000 each. To complete the contract in time it will also be necessary to pay them a bonus of Rs. 700 each. Without the contract they would be retained at their normal pay rate, doing work which will otherwise be done by temporary workers engaged for the contract period at a total cost of Rs. 11,800. Three causal labourers would also be employed specifically for the contract at a cost of Rs. 4,000 each.The contract will require two types of equipment: general- purpose equipment already owned by Vishwakarma, which will be retained at the end of the contract, and specialized equipment to be purchased second-hand, which will be sold at the end of the contract. The general-purpose equipment cost Rs. 21,000 two years ago and is being depreciated on a straightline basis over a seven-year life (with assumed zero scrap value). Equivalent new equipment can be purchased currently for Rs. 49,000. Second-hand pri ces for comparable general-purpose equipment, and those for the relevant specialized equipment, are shown below.General – purpose equipment Purchase Resale Price Price (Rs. ) (Rs. ) Current After 6 months: If used for 6 months If not used 15,000 19,000 12,600 16,400 7,000 8,000 5,800 6,500 20,000 17,200 Specialized equipment Purchase Resale Pricep Price (Rs. ) (Rs. ) 9,000 7,400 The contract will require the use of a yard on which Vishwakarma has a four-year lease at a fixed rental of Rs. 2,000 per year. If Vishwakarma does not get the contract the yard will probably remain empty. The contract will also incur administrative expenses estimated at Rs. 5,000.Project B If Vishwakarma does not get the contract he will buy a building plot for Rs. 20,000 and build a house. Building costs will depend on weather conditions: Weather condition Probability Building costs (excluding land) A 0. 4 Rs. 60,000 B 0. 4 Rs. 80,000 C 0. 2 Rs. 95,000 Similarly the price obtained for the house will depend on market conditions: Market condition Probability Sale price (net of selling expenses) D 0. 7 Rs. 1,00,000 E 0. 3 Rs. 1,20,000 Vishwakarma does not have the resources to undertake both projects. The costs of his supervision time can be ignored.Requirements: (a) Ignoring the possibility of undertaking project B, calculate: (i) The price at which Vishwakarma would tender for the school extension contract if he used his normal pricing method, and (ii) The tender price at which you consider Vishwakarma would neither gain nor lose by taking the contract. (b) Explain, with supporting calculations, how the availability of project B should affect Vishwakarma's tender for the school extension contract. L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 7 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS Question: 11 Narendran Products has two main products.X and Y, which have unit costs of Rs. 12 and Rs. 24 respectively. The company uses a markup of 33? % in establishing its selling prices and the current prices are thus Rs. 16 and Rs. 32. With these prices, in the year which is just ending, the company expects to make a profit of Rs. 3,00,000 from having produced and sold 15,000 units of X and 30,000 units of Y. This programme will have used all the available processing time in the finishing department. Each unit of X requires an hour of processing time in this department and every unit of Y correspondingly requires half an hour.Fixed overhead was Rs. 3,60,000 for the year and this has been charged to the products on the basis of the total processing hours used. All other cots may be assumed variable in relation to processing hours. In the current year it is estimated that Rs. 60,000 of the fixed overhead will be absorbed by X and Rs. 3,00,000 by Y. With the existing selling prices it is considered that the potential annual demand for X is 20,000 units and that for Y, 40,000 units. You are required to comment critically on the product mix adopted b y Narendran Products.Calculate what would have been the optimal plan given that there was no intention of changing the selling prices. (a) For the forthcoming year increased capacity has been installed in the finishing department so that this will no longer be a constraint for any feasible sales programme. Annual fixed overhead will be increased to Rs. 4,00,000 as a consequences of this expansion of facilities, but variable costs per unit are unchanged. A study commissioned by the Sales Director estimates the effect that alterations to the selling prices would have on the sales that could be achieved.The following table has been prepared: X Price Demand (‘000) Rs. 13. 50 30 Rs. 18. 50 10 Rs. 29. 00 60 Y Rs. 35. 00 20 It is thought reasonable to assume that the price/demand relationship is linear. Assuming that the company is now willing to abandon its cost plus pricing practices, if these can be shown to be deficient, you are required to calculate the optimal selling price for each product and the optimal output levels for these prices. State clearly any assumptions that you find it necessary to make.Question: 12 Division A of a large divisionalized organization manufactures a single standardized product. Some of the output is sold externally whilst the remainder is transferred to Division B where it is a subassembly in the manufacture of that division's product. The unit costs of Division A's product are as follows: (Rs. ) Direct material Direct labour Direct expense Variable manufacturing overheads Fixed manufacturing overheads Selling and packing expense – variable 4 2 2 2 4 1 17 Annually 10,000 units of the product are sold externally at the standard price of Rs. 0. In addition to the external sales, 5,000 units are transferred annually to Division B at an internal transfer charge of Rs. 29 per unit. This transfer price is obtained by deducting variable selling and packing expense from the external price since this expense is not incurred for internal transfers. Division B incorporates the transferred-in goods into a more advanced product. The unit costs of this product are as follows: L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 8 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS ; SOLUTIONS (Rs. Transferred-in term (from Division A) Direct material and components Direct labour Variable overheads Fixed overheads Selling and packing expense variable 29 23 3 12 12 1 80 Division B's manager disagrees with the basis used to set the transfer price. He argues that the transfers should be made at variable cost plus an agreed (minimal) mark-up since he claims that his division is taking output that Division A would be unable to sell at the price of Rs. 30. Partly because of this disagreement, a study of the relationship between selling price and demand has recently been made for each division by the company's sales director.The resulting report contains the following table: Customer demand at various selling prices: Divisi on A Selling price Demand Division B Selling price Demand Rs. 80 7,200 Rs. 90 5,000 100 2,800 Rs. 20 15,000 Rs. 30 10,000 Rs. 40 5,000 The manager of Division B claims that this study supports his case. He suggests that a transfer price of Rs. 12 would give Division A a reasonable contribution to its fixed overheads while allowing Division B to earn a reasonable profit. He also believes that it would lead to an increase of output and an improvement in the overall level of company profits.You are required: (a) To calculated the effect that the transfer pricing system has had on the company's profits, and (b) To establish the likely effect on profit of adopting the suggestion by the manager of Division B of a transfer price of Rs. 12. Question: 13 Companies RP, RR, RS and RT are members of a group. RP wishes to buy an electronic control system for its factory and, in accordance with group policy, must obtain quotations from companies inside and outside of the group. From outside of th e group the following quotations are received: Company A quoted Rs. 33,200. Company B quoted Rs. 5,000 but would buy a special unit from RS for Rs. 13,000. To make this unit, however, RS would need to buy parts from RR at a price of Rs. 7,500. The inside quotation was from RS whose price was Rs. 48,000. This would require RS buying parts from RR at a price of Rs. 8,000 and units from RT at a price of Rs. 30,000. However, RT would need to buy parts from RR at a price of Rs. 11,000. Additional data are as follows: (1) RR is extremely busy with work outside the group and has quoted current market prices for all its products. (2) RS costs for the RP contract, including purchases from RR and RT, total Rs. 2,000. For the Company B contract it expects a profit of 25% on the cost of its own work. 9 Sreeram Coaching Point L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS (3) (4) RT prices provide for a 20% profit margin on total costs. The variable cost s of the group companies in respect of the work under consideration are: RR: 20% of selling price. RS: 70% of own cost (excluding purchases from other group companies) RT: 65% of own cost (excluding purchases from other group companies) You are required, from a group point f view, to: (a) Recommend, with appropriate calculations, whether the contract should be placed with RS or Company A or Company B; (b) State briefly two assumptions you have made in arriving at your recommendations. Question: 14 An industrial group of companies includes two divisions: A and B. the output of Division A is product A, two units of which are used by Division B for every one of its product B. Division B has first call on Division A's output but there is a separate market outside the group for the balance of Division A's output. All the output of Division B is sold outside the group.The maximum capacity of Division A is 1,30,000 units of A and that of Division B is 50,000 units of B per annum. Each divi sion maintains a stable level of stocks throughout the year. The group would like to examine the results of using different bases of transfer pricing under different scenarios (ie situations that could be expected to arise). The bases of transfer pricing are Absorbed standard cost Market price Variable cost plus a lump sum of 80% of Division A's fixed cost Scenario Number Product A Market price Total Demand (per unit) (thousand units) Rs. 5 23 29 30 25 35 100 70 130 Product A Rs. 20 Rs. 5 Product B Rs. 12 Rs. 18 (Exclusive of 2 units of Product A) 100 90 90 AS MP VC Product B Market price Total Demand (per unit) (thousand units) Rs. 40 30 30 Costs per unit are: Variable cost Fixed cost Budgeted volume in units per annum Part 1 1,00,000 40,000 You are required to calculate the profits shown by Division A and by Division B for the following seven situations: Scenario 15 23 29 MP MP Basis of Transfer pricing VC VC VC AS AS L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 10 Sreeram Coaching PointC OST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS ; SOLUTIONS Part 2 Assume that Division B receives an overseas order for 20,000 units of B that will in no way influence its other clientele. (a) As manager of Division B state, with supporting calculations, whether you would recommend acceptance of the order in the following two situations: Scenario (i) 23 (ii) 29 Price per unit (ex factory) Rs. 55 Rs. 65 Basic of transfer pricing AS MP (b) If you were Managing Director of the whole group state, with very brief reasons, whether you would recommend acceptance of the orders in (a) (i) and (a) (ii) above.Question: 15 Vista Electronics manufactures two different types of coils used in electric motors. In the falls of the current year. Erica Becker, the controller, compiled the following data. Sales forecast for 2000 (all units to be shipped in 2000): Product Light coil Heavy coil Raw material prices and inventory levels: Raw Material Expected Inventories January 1, 2000 32,000 lb. 29,000 lb 6,000 units Desired Inventories December 31, 2000 36,000 lb. 32,000 lb. 7,000 units Anticipated Purchase Price in Rs. 8 5 3 Units 60,000 40,000 Price Rs. 65 Rs. 95Sheet metal Copper wire Platform Use of raw material: Raw Material Sheet metal Copper wire Platform Direct-labor requirements and rates: Product Light coil Heavy coil Amount Used per Unit Light Coll Heavy Coll 4 lb 2 5 lb 3 1 unit Hours per Unit 2 3 Rate per Hour Rs. 15 20 Overhead is applied at the rate of Rs. 2 per direct-labor hour. Finished-goods inventories (in units): Product Expected January 1, 2000 20,000 8,000 Desired December 31, 2000 25,000 9,000 Light coil Heavy coil L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 11 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS ; SOLUTIONSManufacturing overhead: Overhead Cost Item Purchasing and material handling Depreciation, utilities and inspection Activity-Based Budget Rate Rs. 25 per Rupee of sheet metal and cooper wire purchased. Rs. 4. 00 per coil produced (either type) Shipping Rs. 1. 00 per coil shipped (either type) Rs. 3. 00 per direct-labor hour General manufacturing overhead Required: Prepare the following budgets for 2000. 1) Sales budget (in Rupees). 2) Production budget (in units). 3) Raw-material purchases budget (in quantities). 4) Raw-material purchases budget (in Rupees). ) Direct-labor budget (in Rupees). 6) Manufacturing overhead budget (in Rupees). Question: 16 Toronto Business Associates, a division of Maple Leaf Services Corporation, offers management and computer consulting services to clients throughout Canada and the northeastern United states. The division specializes in website development and other Internet applications. The corporate management at Maple Leaf Services is pleased with the performance of Toronto Business Associates for the first nine months of the current year and has recommended that the division manager.Ramachandran, submit a revised forecast for the remaining quarter, as the division has exceeded the annua l plan year-to-date by 20 percent of operating income. An unexpected increase in billed hour volume over the original plan is the main reason for this increase in income. The original operating budget for the first three quarters for Toronto Business Associates follows. TORONTO BUSINESS ASSOCIATES 20Ãâ€"1 Operating Budget 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter Total for first three QuartersRevenue: Consulting fees: Computer system consulting Management consulting Total consulting fees Other revenue Total revenue Expenses: Consultant salary expenses Travel and related expense General and administrative expenses Depreciation expense Corporate expense allocation Total expenses Operating income 3,86,750 45,625 1,00,000 40,000 50,000 6,22,375 1,24,500 3,86,750 45,625 1,00,000 40,000 50,000 6,22,375 1,24,500 3,86,750 45,625 1,00,000 40,000 50,000 6,22,375 1,24,500 11,60,250 1,36,875 3,00,000 1,20,000 1,50,000 18,67,125 3,73,500 4,21,875 3,15,000 7,36,875 10,000 7,46,875 4,21,875 3,15,000 7, 36,875 10,000 7,46,875 4,21,875 3,15,000 7,36,875 10,000 7,46,875 12,65,625 9,45,000 22,10,625 30,000 22,40,625 L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 12 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS ; SOLUTIONS Howell will reflect the following information in his revised forecast for the fourth quarter. Toronto Business Associates currently has 25 consultants on staff, 10 for management consulting and 15 for computer systems consulting. Three additional management consultant have been hired to start work at the beginning of the fourth quarter in order to meet the increased client demand. †¢ The hourly billing rate for consulting revenue will remain at 90 per hour for each management consultant and 75 per hour for each computer consultant. However, due to the favorable increase in billing hour volume when compared to the plan, the hours for each consultant will be increased by 50 hours per quarter. †¢ The budgeted annual salaries and actual annual salaries, paid monthly, are the same: 50,000 for a management consultant and 46,000 for a computer consultant.Corporate management has approved a merit increase of 10 percent at the beginning of the fourth quarter for all 25 existing consultants, while the new consultants will be compensated at the planned rate. †¢ The planned salary expense includes a provision for employee fringe benefits amounting to 30 percent of the annual salaries. However, the improvement of some corporate wide employee programs will increase the fringe benefits to 40 percent. †¢ The original plan assumes a fixed hourly rate for travel and other related expenses for each billing hour of consulting. These are expense that are not reimbursed by the client, and the previously determined hourly rate has proven to be adequate to cover these costs. †¢ Other revenue is derived from temporary rentals and interest income and remains unchanged for the fourth quarter. General and administrative expense have been fa vourable at 7 percent below the plan; this 7 percent savings on fourth quarter expenses will be reflected in the revised plan. †¢ Depreciation of office equipment and personal computers will stay constant at the projected straight-line rate. †¢ Due to the favourable experience for the first three quarters and the division's increased ability to absorb costs, the corporate management at Maple Leaf Services has increased the corporate expenses allocation by 50 percent. Required: 1) Prepare a revised operating budget for the fourth quarter for Toronto Business Associates that Ramachandran will present to corporate management. 2) Discuss the reasons why an organization would prepare a revised operating budget. Question: 17 Ford ltd. anufactures and sells 15,000 units of a raft, RF17, in 2001. The full cost per unit is Rs. 200. Ford earns a 20% return on an investment of Rs. 18,00,000 in 2001. Required: (1) Calculate the selling price of RF17 in 2001. Calculate the markup perce ntage on the full cost per unit of RF17 in 2001. (2) If the selling price in requirement 1 represents a markup percentage of 40% on variable costs per unit, calculate the variable cost per unit of RF17 in 2001 (3) Calculate ford's operating income if it had increased the selling price to Rs. 230. at this price ford would have sold 13,500 units of RF17. Assume no change in total fixed costs. Should ford have increased the selling price of RF17 to Rs. 230? 4) In response to competitive pressure, ford must reduce the price of RF17 to Rs. 210 in 2002, in order to achieve sales of 15,000 units. Ford plans to reduce its investment to Rs. 16,50,000. If ford wants to maintain a 20% return on investment, what is the target cost per unit in 2002? L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 13 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS ; SOLUTIONS Question: 18 Amrutha, president of PAL Electronics (PE), is concerned about the prospects of one of its major products. The president h as been reviewing a marketing report with Krishna, marketing product manager, for their 10-disk car compact disk (CD) changer.The report indicates another price reduction is needed to meet anticipated competitors' reductions in sales prices. The current selling price for their 10-disk car CD changers is Rs. 350 per unit. It is expected that within three months PE's two major competitors will be selling their 10-disk car CD changers for Rs. 300 per unit. This concerns Amrutha because their current cost of producing the CD changers is Rs. 315, which yields a Rs. 35 profit on each unit sold. The situation is especially disturbing because PE had implemented an activity-based costing (ABC) system about two years ago. The ABC system helped them better identify costs, cost pools, cost drivers, and cost reduction opportunities.Changes made when adopting ABC reduced costs on this product by approximately 15 percent during the last two years. Now it appears that costs will need to be reduced considerably more to remain competitive and to earn a profit on the 10-disk car CD changers. Total costs to produce, sell, and service the CD changer units are as follows: 10-Disk Car CD Changer Per Unit Material Purchased components All other material Labor Manufacturing, direct Setups Materials handling Inspection Machining Cutting, shaping, and drilling Bending and finishing Other Finished-goods warehousing Warranty Total unit cost Rs. 110 40 65 9 18 23 21 14 5 10 Rs. 315 Amrutha has decided to hire Damodar, a consultant, to help decide how to proceed.After two weeks of review, discussion, and value engineering analysis, Chandran suggested that PE adopt a just-intime (JIT) cell manufacturing process to help reduce costs. He also suggested that using target costing would help in meeting the new target price. By changing to a JIT cell manufacturing system, PE expects that manufacturing direct labor will increase by Rs. 15 per finished unit. However, setup, material handling, inspec tion, and finished goods warehousing will all be eliminated. Machine costs will be reduced from Rs. 35 to Rs. 30 per unit, and warranty costs are expected to be reduced by 40 percent. Required: (1) Determine PAL Electronics' unit target cost the Rs. 300 competitive sales price while maintaining the same percentage of profit on sales as is earned on the current Rs. 350 sales price. 2) If the just-in-time cell manufacturing process is implemented with the changes noted, will PAL Electronics meet the unit target cost you determined in requirement (3)? Prepare a schedule detailing cost reductions and the unit cost under the proposed JIT cell manufacturing process. Question: 19 The management of Alliance Enterprises recently decided to adopt a just-in-time inventory policy to curb steadily rising costs and free up cash for purposes of investment. The company anticipates that inventory will decrease from Rs. 36,00,000 to Rs. 6,00,000, with the released funds to be invested at a 12 percent return for the firm. Additional data follow: L. Muralidharan, FCA. Grad. CWA. , 14 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS †¢ Reduced inventories should produce savings in insurance and property taxes of Rs. 27,000. †¢ Alliance will lease 75 % of an existing warehouse to another firm for Rs. 2 per square foot. The warehouse has 30,000 square feet. †¢ Because of the need to handle an increased number of small shipments from suppliers, Alliance will remodel production and receiving-dock facilities at a cost of Rs. 6,00,000. The construction costs will be depreciated over a 10-year life. †¢ A shift in suppliers is expected to result in the purchase and use of more expensive raw materials.However, these materials should give rise to fewer warranty and repair problems after Alliance's finished product is sold, resulting in a net savings for the firm of Rs. 25,000. †¢ Three employees who currently earn Rs. 30,000 each will be di rectly affected by the just-in-time adoption decision. Two employees will be transferred to other positions with Alliance; one will be terminated. †¢ Reduced raw material inventory levels and accompanying stockouts will cost Alliance Rs. 70,000. Required: (1) Compute the annual financial impact of Alliance's decision to adopt a just-in-time inventory system. (2) If the just-in-time system is implemented in proper fashion, what is the likelihood of excessive raw material stockouts?Briefly explain. (3) Adoption of a just-in-time purchasing system will often result in less need for the inspection of incoming materials and parts. Why? (4) In comparison with a traditional purchasing system, why does a just-in-time system give rise to an increased number of small shipments to the buying firm? Question: 20 The product structure and the lead times for a finished product ‘X' are given in figure below If 100 units of X are required in week 12 and if none of the components, sub-asse mblies and the end product are either on hand or on order, compute the amounts and dates of the planned order releases for all the components and sub-assemblies.Assume that there is no particular order size and therefore all the order quantities are lot for lot. X, LT = 2 P (1), LT = 3 Q (2), LT = 1 R (3), LT = 3 S (2), LT = 3 P (2), LT = 3 R (3), LT = 3 Question: 21 S (2), LT = 3 The lead time to procure Paracetamol from a supplier is four weeks. At present, 54 kg of the drug is available with us. There is also a scheduled receipt of 45 kg of it in four weeks. The production requirements of paracetamol over the next nine weeks are as: Week Amount in kg 1 24 2 3 29 4 11 15 5 – 6 5 7 19 8 27 9 18 L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS If we use an order quantity of 45 kg, when shall we release the orders for Paracetamol?Question: 22 Having attended a CIMA course on activity-based costing (ABC) you decide to experiment by applying the principles of ABC to the four products currently made and sold by your company. Details of the four products and relevant information are given below for one period: Product Output in units Costs per unit: Direct material Direct labour Machine hours (per unit) A 120 (Rs. ) 40 28 4 B 100 (Rs. ) 50 21 3 C 80 (Rs. ) 30 14 2 D 120 (Rs. ) 60 21 3 The four products are similar and are usually produced in production runs of 20 units and sold in batches of 10 units. The production overhead is currently absorbed by using a machine hour rate, and the total of the production overhead for the period has been analysed as follows: (Rs. Machine department costs (rent, business rates, depreciation and supervision) Set-up costs Stores receiving Inspection / Quality control Materials handling and despatch 10,430 5,250 3,600 2,100 4,620 You have ascertained that the ‘cost drivers' to be used are as listed below for the overhead cost shown: Cost Set up costs Stores r eceiving Inspection / Quality control Materials handling and despatch Cost Driver Number of production runs Requisition raised Number of production runs Orders executed The number of requisition raised on the stores was 20 for each product and the number of orders executed was 42, each orders being for a batch of 10 of a product. You are required. a) To calculate the total costs for each product if all overhead costs are absorbed on a machine hour basis; (b) To calculate the total costs for each product, using activity-based costing; (c) To calculate and list the unit product cost from your figures in (a) and (b) above, to show the differences and to comment briefly on any conclusions which may be drawn which could have pricing and profit implications. Question: 23 Sumantra Technology Ltd. ,. manufactures several different types of printed circuit boards; however, two of the boards account for the majority of the company's sales. The first of these boards, a television circuit board , has been a standard in the industry for several years. The market for this type of board is competitive and price-sensitive. Sumantra plans to sell 65,000 of the TV boards in 2001 at a price of Rs. 50 per unit. The second high-volume product, a personal computer circuit board, is a recent addition to Sumantra's product line. Because the PC board incorporates the latest technology it can be sold at a premium price. The 2001 plans include the sale of 40,000 PC boards at Rs. 300 per unit. L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 16 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS Sumantra's management group is meeting to discuss how to spend the sales and promotion Rupees for 2001. The sales manager believes that the market share for the TV board could be expanded by concentrating Sumantra's promotional efforts in this area.In response to this suggestion, the production manager said, â€Å"Why don't you go after a bigger market for the PC board? The cost sheets that I get show that the contribution from the PC board is more than double the contribution from the TV board. I know we get a premium price for the PC board. Selling it should help overall profitability. † The cost-accounting system shows that the following costs apply to the PC and TV boards. PC Board Direct material Direct labour Machine time Rs. 140 4 hr. 1. 5 hr. TV Board Rs. 80 1. 5 hr. .5 hr. Variable manufacturing overhead is applied on the basis of direct-labor hours. For 2001, variable overhead is budgeted at Rs. 1,20,000, and direct-labor hours are estimated at 2,80,000. The hourly rates for machine time and direct labor are Rs. 10 and Rs. 14, respectively. The company applies a material-handling charge at 10 percent of material cost. This material-handling charge is not included in variable manufacturing overhead. Total 2001 expenditures for direct material are budgeted at Rs. 1,06,00,000. Andrew Fulton, Sumantra's controller, believes that before the management group proceeds with the discussion about allocating sales and promotional Rupees to individual products, it might be worth while to look at these products on the basis of the activities involved in their production.Fulton has prepared the following schedule to help the management group understand this concept. â€Å"Using this information,† Fulton explained, â€Å"we can calculate an activity-based cost for each TV board and each PC board and then compare it to the standard cost we have been using. The only cost that remains the same for both cost methods is the cost of direct material. The cost drivers will replace the direct labor, machine time, and overhead costs in the old standard cost figures. † Budgeted Cost Procurement Production scheduling Packaging and shipping Total Machine setup Hazardous waste disposal Quality control General supplies Total Machine insertion Manual insertion Wave-soldering Total In Rs. ,00,000 2,20,000 4,40,000 10,60,000 4,46,000 48,000 5, 60,000 66,000 11,20,000 12,00,000 40,00,000 1,32,000 53,32,000 Required per Unit Parts: Machine insertions Manual insertions Machine setups Hazardous waste disposal Inspections L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 17 Cost Driver Number of parts Number of boards Number of boards Number of setups Rupees of waste Number of inspections Number of boards Number of insertions Numbers of insertions Number of boards Budgeted Annual Activity for Cost Driver 40,00,000 parts 1,10,000 boards 1,10,000 boards 2,78,750 setups 16,000 Rupees 1,60,000 inspections 1,10,000 boards 30,00,000 insertions 10,00,000 insertions 1,10,000 boards PC Board 55 35 20 3 . 35 lb. 2 TV Board 25 24 1 2 . 02 lb. 1 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONSRequired: (1) Identify at least four general advantages associated with activity-based costing. (2) On the basis of Sumantra's unit cost data given in the problem, calculate the total contribution margin expected in 2001 for the PC board and the TV board. (3) On the basis of an activity-based costing system, calculate the total contribution margin expected in 2001 for the PC board and the TV board. (4) Explain how a comparison of the results of the two costing methods may impact the decisions made by Sumantra's management group. Question: 24 Calton Ltd. make and sell a single product. The existing product unit specifications are as follows: Direct material X: Machine time: Machine cost per gross hour: Selling price: 8 sq. etres at Rs. 4 per sq. metre 0. 6 running hours Rs. 40 Rs. 100 Calton Ltd. , require to fulfil orders for 5,000 product units per period. There are no stocks of product units at the beginning or end of the period under review. The stock level of material X remains unchanged throughout the period. The following additional information affects the costs and revenues: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 5% of incoming material from suppliers is scrapped due to poor receipt and storage organisation. 4% of material X i nput to the machine process is wasted due to processing problems. Inspection and storage of material X costs Rs. 0. 10 pence per sq. metre purchased.Inspection during the production cycle, calibration checks on inspection equipment, vendor rating and other checks costs Rs. 25,000 per period Production quantity is increased to allow for the downgrading of 12. 5% of product units at the final inspection stage. Downgraded units are sold as ‘second quality' units at a discount of 30% on the standard selling price. Production quantity is increased to allow for returns from customers which are replaced free of charge. Returns are due to specification failure and account for 5% of units initially delivered to customers. Replacement units incur a delivery cost of Rs. 8 per unit. 80% of the returns from customers are rectified using 0. hours of machine running time per unit and are re-sold as ‘third quality' products at a discount of 50% on the standard selling price. The remaini ng returned units are sold as scrap for Rs. 5 per unit. Product liability and other claims by customers is estimated at 3% of sales revenue from standard product sales. Machine idle time is 20% of gross machine hours used (i. e. running hours = 80% of gross hours). Sundry costs of administration, selling and distribution total Rs. 60,000 per period. Calton Ltd is aware of the problem of excess costs and currently spends Rs. 20,000 per period in efforts to prevent a number of such problems from occurring. (6) 7) (8) (9) (10) Calton Ltd. is planning a quality management programme which will increase its excess cost prevention expenditure from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 60,000 per period. It is estimated that this will have the following impact. (1) A reduction in stores losses of material X to 3% of incoming material. (2) A reduction in the downgrading of product units at inspection to 7. 5% of units inspected. (3) A reduction in material X losses in process to 2. 5% of input to the machine pr ocess. L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 18 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS (4) A reduction in returns of products from customers to 2. % of units delivered. (5) A reduction in machine idle time to 12. 5% of gross hours used. (6) A reduction in product liability and other claims to 1% of sales revenue from standard product sales. (7) A reduction in inspection, calibration, vendor rating and other checks by 40% of the existing figure. (8) A reduction in sundry administration, selling and distribution costs by 10% of the existing figure. (9) A reduction in machine running time required per product unit to 0. 5 hours. Required: (a) Prepare summaries showing the calculation of (I) total production units (pre-inspection), (ii) purchases of material X (sq. metres), (iii) gross machine hours.In each case the figures are required for the situation both before and after the implementation of the additional quality management programme, in order t hat the orders for 5,000 product units may be fulfilled. (b) Prepare profit and loss account for Calton Ltd for the period showing the profit earned both before and after the implementation of the additional quality management programme. (c) Comment on the relevance of a quality management programme and explain the meaning of the terms internal failure costs, external failure costs, appraisal costs and preventation costs giving examples for each, taken where possible from the information in the question. Question: 25 Destiny Products makes digital watches. Destiny is preparing a product life-cycle budget for a new watch, MX3. Development on the new watch is to start shortly.Estimates about MX3 are as follows: Life-cycle units manufactured and sold Selling price per watch Life-cycle costs R & D and design costs Manufacturing Variable costs per watch Variable costs per batch Watches per batch Fixed costs Marketing Variable costs per watch Fixed costs Distribution Variable costs per ba tch Watches per batch Fixed costs Customer-service costs per watch Ignore the time value of money. Required: (1) Calculate the budgeted life-cycle operating income for the new watch. (2) What percentage of the budgeted total product life-cycle costs will be incurred by the end of the R & D and design stages? Rs. 280 160 Rs. 7,20,000 Rs. 1. 50 Rs. 3. 20 Rs. 10,00,000 Rs. 15 Rs. 600 500 Rs. 18,00,000 Rs. 10,00,000 4,00,000 Rs. 40 L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 19 Sreeram Coaching PointCOST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS (3) An analysis reveals that 80% of the budgeted total product life-cycle costs of the new watch will be locked in at the end of the R & D and design stages. What implications does this finding have for managing MX3's costs? (4) Destiny's Market Research Department estimates that reducing MX3's price by Rs. 3 will increase life-cycle unit sales by 10 percent. If unit sales increase by 10%, Destiny plans to increase manufacturing and distribution b atch sizes by 10% as well. Assume that all variable costs per watch, variable costs per batch, and fixed costs will remain the same. Should Destiny reduce MX3's price by Rs. 3?Show your calculations. Question: 26 A first batch of 25 transistor radios took a total of 250 direct labour hours. It is proposed to assemble another 40 units. What will be the average labour per unit in this lot? Assume that there is 85% learning rate. Question: 27 Bhakatavatsala & Co, a fire arms manufacturer, has designed a new type of gun and a first lot of 25 guns assembled for test purposes had the following costs: Direct materials Direct labour Variable overheads Fixed overheads Total costs 24,500 22,500 16,875 11,250 75,125 Proportional to direct labour BSF being satisfied with this gun have asked the lowest bid for supply of 1,000 guns.The company will pass on the benefits of learning of 85% to the client in setting the bid. The company will set a selling price to earn 40% gross profit margin. Determ ine the unit price that should be bid. Question: 28 One unit of product A contributes Rs. 7 and requires 3 units of raw material and 2 hours of labour. One unit of product B contributes Rs. 5 and requires one unit of raw material and one hour of labour. Availability of the raw material at present is 48 units and there are 40 hours of labour. (a) Formulate it as a linear programming problem. (b) Write its dual. (c) Solve the dual with Simplex method and find the optimal product mix and shadow prices of the raw material and labour.Question: 29 The simplex tableau for a maximization problem of linear programming is given here: Product Mix Cj 5 0 xj x2 S2 cj zj cj – zj Xl 1 1 4 5 -1 x2 1 0 5 5 0 S1 1 -1 0 5 -5 S2 0 1 0 0 0 Quantity (bi) 10 3 Answer the following questions, giving reasons in brief: (a) Is this solution optimal? (b) Are there more than one optimal solution? (c) Is this solution degenerate? L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 20 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEME NT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS (d) Is this solution feasible? (e) If S1 is slack in machine A (in hours / week and S2 is slack in machine B (in hours / week), which of these machines is being used to the full capacity when producing according to this solution? f) A customer would like to have one unit of product x1 and is willing to pay in excess of the normal price in order to get it. How much should the price be increased in order to ensure no reduction of profits? Question: 30 Management of Ranga Ltd are very much worried about the continuing recession in the country. The company has 7 divisions (A to G). they have decided to close four divisions namely A,B,C and D and transfer some of the employees to the remaining divisions. Personnel at the units to be closed have signified a willingness to move to any of the three remaining units and the company is willing to provide them with removal costs.The technology of production is different to some degree at each unit and retr aining expenses will be incurred on transfer. Not all existing personnel can be absorbed by transfer and a number of redundancies will arise. Cost of redundancy is given as a general figure at each unit is to be closed. Number employed A-200 B-400 C-300 D-200 Rs. thousands per person Retraining costs Transfer to : Unit E Unit F Unit G Removal costs: Transfer to : Unit E Unit F Unit G Redundancy payments 2. 5 2. 4 2. 5 6. 0 3. 6 4. 6 2. 7 5. 0 3. 4 3. 4 3. 3 6. 0 3. 7 1. 7 2. 7 7. 0 0. 5 0. 6 0. 5 0. 4 0. 4 0. 3 0. 6 0. 6 0. 7 1. 3 0. 3 0. 3 A B C D Additional personnel required at units remaining open: E-350 F-450 G-200.To use the transportation method to obtain an optimal solution to the problem of the cheapest means to transfer personnel from the units to be closed to those which will be expanded. Question: 31 A management consulting firm has a backlog of 4 contracts. Work on these contracts must be started immediately. 3 project leaders are available for assignment to the contrac ts. Because of the varying work experience of the leaders, the profit to consulting firm will vary based on the assignment as shown below. The unassigned contract can be completed by subcontracting the work to an outside consultant. The profit on the subcontract is zero. Finds the optimal assignment.Contract Project Leader A B C L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 1 13 15 6 21 2 10 17 8 3 9 13 11 4 11 20 7 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS Question: 32 The tit-fit Scientific Laboratories is engaged in producing different types of High-class equipments for use in Science labs. The company has two different assembly lines to produce its popular product â€Å"P†. Processing time (minutes) Assembly A1 Assembly A2 10 0. 10 0. 20 11 0. 15 0. 40 12 0. 40 0. 20 13 0. 25 0. 15 14 0. 10 0. 05 Use the following Random(Rn. ) no's, generate data on the process times for 15units of the item and complete the expected process time for the product. 13 4 7476 4943 Question: 33 A project consists of 7 activities. The time for performance of each of the activity is as follows:Activity A Immediate Time 3 4 5 B 4 4 4 4 4 C A 1 1 1 D B,C 4 5 E D 3 4 5 6 F D 5 7 G E,F 2 3 Probability 0. 2 0. 6 0. 2 0. 1 0. 3 0. 3 0. 2 0. 1 0. 15 0. 75 0. 10 0. 8 0. 2 0. 1 0. 3 0. 3 0. 3 0. 20 0. 80 0. 5 0. 5 8343 1183 1915 3602 9445 5415 7505 0089 0880 7428 3424 9309 L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 22 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS a) Draw a network and identify critical path using expected time. b) Simulate the project for 5 times using Rn. no's and find critical paths? 8 99 57 57 77 Question: 34 A small maintenance project consist of jobs in the table below. With each job is listed its normal time and a minimum or crash time in days. The cost in Rs. Per day of each job is also given: Job(i-j) 1-2 1-3 1-4 2-4 3-4 4-5 Normal days 9 8 15 5 10 2 Crash days 6 5 10 3 6 1 Cost/Day 40 50 60 20 30 80 13 93 33 12 37 09 18 49 31 34 20 24 65 96 11 73 22 92 85 27 07 07 98 92 10 72 29 00 91 59 a) What is the normal project length and minimum project length? b) Determine the minimum crashing cost of schedules ranging from normal length down to, and including, the minimum length schedule. c) Overhead costs total Rs. 115/day. What is the optimum length schedule in terms of both crashing and overhead cost?Question: 35 Allocate the men efficiently to the jobs given below and Find out the time required to complete the project. No. of persons: 4 Job (I-j) 1-2 1-3 1-5 2-3 2-6 3-4 4-7 5-6 6-7 tn 10 6 5 0 8 10 10 7 5 Men 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 1 2 L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 23 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS Suggested Solutions L. Muralidharan, FCA. , Grad. CWA. , 24 Sreeram Coaching Point COST MANAGEMENT – TEST QUESTIONS & SOLUTIONS Answer to Question No. 1: Elimination of decorative stitching cost. Cost Loss of contribution due to fall in sales (WN-1) 1,35,000 Net benefit = 27,000/(a) Substituting glass eyes by plastic eyes.