ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Felons and ex-convicts are usually under strict laws on voting and obtaining jobs after serving a sentence worldwide. This essay discusses the criminal justice laws of the United States on the hiring of ex-convicts and whether felons should exercise their civil rights of voting or not. In the PBS NewsHour video, William Brangham discusses the Ban-the-Box law, stating that employers should not ask potential applicants about their criminal history before hiring. The law argues that ex-convicts receive unfair treatment when applying for jobs regardless of their qualifications or the nature of the criminal offense. In conclusion, commentators agree on the scraping of the criminal record box but suggest that particular jobs will still require a criminal background check, especially in private organizations and small enterprises. On the other hand, BEME news discusses the rights of felons to vote while in detention and after serving their term. Some states allow ex-convicts to vote while the majority are still reluctant to give ex-felons this right. While history indicates that denying felons the right to vote is a form of punishment termed ‘civil death,’ some activists argue that the whole concept is racial and political. Most felons are African-Americans who support the democrats’ political party. Therefore, the republicans may be afraid of allowing them to vote, which will change the political arrangement. I think the Ban-the-Box law is the best way of creating employment opportunities for ex-convicts without discrimination. Criminal offenses vary in the degree of the crime, making it unfair to treat all ex-convicts the same. Moreover, some felons learn from their mistakes during detention and parole, creating a better and law-abiding citizen with the ability to work faithfully. This law also gives employers a chance to assess the skills and qualifications of ex-convicts before denying them an employment opportunity ensuring the best talents are not wasted because of a criminal record (Leacock, 2018). Alternatively, emphasis should be put on the degree of the criminal offense and the type of job opportunity in question. Regarding the voting of ex-convicts, I believe all citizens have the right to democracy which entails the civil right to vote. Civil laws regarding the rights of ex-convicts to vote should change with the changing times, which must disregard the ancient regulations like civil death laws. This is because all voices count, especially in the current multi-party system in most governments. Reference Leacock, S. (2018). To actually give a fair chance: “Ban the Box” laws and the “rational relationship” standard. American University Business Law Review, 7 (3), 383-406.
Introduction The area of money and finance is witnessing transformations that have the potential of affecting the global economy significantly. In particular, the advent of innovative financial instruments and systems is changing the way parties engage in monetary transactions. The introduction of cryptocurrencies in the recent past is one of the outcomes of innovation in the money market. Bitcoin is one of the cryptocurrencies that have recorded a significant market value over the last few years. The growth of cryptocurrencies has influenced the development of new business opportunities that have contributed to the advancement of economies such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. While these countries have gone a step further to implement policies that embrace this new business concept, others such as China and South Korea have proscribed any cryptocurrency operations. This contrast indicates how some concerned parties identify cryptocurrencies as legitimate institutions that play key functions, owing to the benefits realized by such innovative financial instruments. Nonetheless, economists who have raised opposing opinions question the sustainability of cryptocurrencies because of the inconsistent nature of digital financial instruments. However, it is crucial to examine what cryptocurrencies entail, including their mode of operation. As this paper states, economists who argue against the sustainability and legitimacy of virtual means of doing business claiming that artificial bubbles generated by cryptocurrencies have the potential of crippling economies at an international scale are probably agents hired by governments to spearhead their monopolist agendas. In my opinion, such digital currencies should be introduced into the global market, owing to their capacity to address the issue of inflation and insecurity associated with government-controlled fiat currencies. Cryptocurrencies and their Functionality A cryptocurrency consists of a chain of virtual inscriptions allowing individuals to sign digitally after acquiring it from the previous proprietor. The digital signing process entails altering the nature of all preceding transactions and public keys of the succeeding vendor. Effected changes are then added at the end of the digital coin (Farell 4). The programmed computer code lines are stored in the form of hard drives or through Internet-enabled wallets. According to Hileman and Rauchs, bitcoin is a pioneer cryptocurrency that commenced its operation in 2009 (15). The decentralized nature of digital currencies depends on peer-to-peer technology to facilitate their functionality. The transfer of bitcoins requires proprietors to specify the amount they need to transmit from the wallet to other users before entering the recipients’ address and completing the process (Howden 747). As denoted by its technology-based features, significant innovative efforts influenced the successful creation of bitcoin. Currently, hundreds of cryptocurrencies operate in the digital market. Some of them, which lack a sense of innovation, are regarded as altcoins. Important to note, most altcoins function ineffectively compared t
Introduction Enterprise resource planning (ERP) is a paramount yet, to some extent, problematic topic in business research and practice. According to the majority of scholars, ERP implementation in firms boosts productivity in operations and supply chain management (SCM) due to a variety of factors including the cost- and time-saving, accuracy and scope (Tarhini, Ammar, Tarhini, and Masa’deh, 2015; Chofreh et al., 2016). Nonetheless, there is also a concern for the cost of introduction, integration, staff training and other downsides that may undermine the effectiveness of ERP solution in a company. The studies were conducted in a variety of designs and methods, but due to the continuous process of innovation and change in the business sphere, the generation of new data appears to be paramount. In light of the ERP high relevance for every corporation, the research in this sphere remains among the top priorities of both scholars and practitioners. Supply chain construction and maintenance, as prompted by (Fredendall & Hill, 2016), also continues to present a critical area for improvement with the use of scientific data because modern examples of successful SCM are, unfortunately, a rarity. A range of problems persists with managerial commitment as certainly experienced executives tend to develop rigidity towards implementing innovation (Nwankpa & Roumani, 2014). In addition to that, the systematic nature of ERP and breadth of its influence on the operational and SCM processes occasionally require large-scale investments and time commitment. Given that notion, many executives doubt the worth of temporary disruption of network functioning for the sake of ERP implementation. Thus, there is a need for further investigation into the effectiveness of this concept for companies to provide managers with accurate data and assist their decision-making process. Precise measurement and data collection remain among core demands in this sphere of business research and development. Therefore, in this study, a mixed-methods analysis is proposed to measure the productivity of ERP in the setting of a single company with experience in implementing this technology. Aims and Objectives The core aim of this research is to ascertain the effectiveness of ERP for operations and SCM in an organization. To achieve this goal several objectives were put forward. They include the following:   * Determine the critical elements that influence the effectiveness of ERP in relation to the company’s operations;   * Understand the modality of ERP in the context of an organization’s SCM;   * Draw conclusions on the value and
Blue Shirt Nation was launched in the year 2006 as the social network site for the employees of Best Buy associates. The site is corporate-sponsored and operates outside the corporate firewall as a voluntary and open-source where the users are encouraged to post their problems and solutions to the problems of others in connection with retail store operations posted on the site. The site presently has about 22,000 users contributing to the site. Blue Shirt Nation originally launched by Gary Koelling and Steve Bendt with the idea of gleaning marketing ideas by connecting the store employees socially, later turn out to be a cutting edge for better human resource management practices by Best Buy. The site has helped the company to build a sense of community among its employees. In a large and complex organization very rarely do the employees get a chance to voice their concerns, ideas and opinions. By encouraging the employees to let others know about the issues faced by them, Blue Shirt Nation has developed into a popular social networking site such as Facebook. Employees are allowed to host forums on various topics of their liking including issues surrounding store operations. The bottom-up approach of Best Buy has made the Blue Shirt Nation – named after the polo shirts worn by the store employees – an example of using social networking within a corporate environment (Grayson). One of the examples where the network has proved effective may be found in the introduction of a 401 (k) retirement plan by the company. The company could enhance the interest
Company profile The name of the company under discussion in this report is Tesco. The company was found in Cheshunt, United Kingdom. It is a multinational company dealing with grocery and general retail merchandise. In terms of revenue, it is ranked as the third largest retail merchandise in the world after Wal-Mart and Carrefour. In terms of profits, it ranks second after Wal-Mart stores. Its main market is in the United Kingdom but it has grocery stores in more than 13 countries in various parts of the world. The company’s mission is to be acknowledged by its customers as the premier drilling services company while the vision statement is to become a customer’s strategic partner in the elimination of non-productive time. The three core values of the organisation include ethics, compliance and safety. Others include performance, discipline and team work. The company’s corporate social responsibility is aimed at helping people to live according to high standards through the provision of low prices for all the goods and services. It also spends some of its profits for charity. For example, in 2006, it spent 1.8% of its profit for charity purposes (McLoughlin & Aaker 2010). PEST analysis for Tesco company Political environment The political environment under which the organisation operates is very stable. There are very minimal political risks for the business, both in the United Kingdom and in other countries where it has operations. The organisation also enjoys good will of the host governments. This has enabled it to invest heavily without the fears associated with political risks. Economic environment In 2008, the world underwent a global recession which was the biggest one since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Just like other multinationals, Tesco was not exempt from the effects of the recession. Social environment Many of the countries where Tesco operates have a very friendly social environment. This has been achieved through the sensitivity of the company to the needs of the local customers as well as the provision of customer-friendly goods and services at affordable prices. The company also engages itself in charity work and other corporate social responsibility activities, thus also creating a very conducive social environment for its operations. Technological environment The company has embraced and adopted technology in most of its operations and service delivery. It provides its customers with various online services and also operates a website where it posts business information for access by potential customers. Porter’s competitive forces and Tesco SWOT analysis Definition of competitiveness This is a concept which is used to refer to the ability of a business enterprise to supply or sale its goods or services in a given market within a given period of time and under certain rules and regulations governing the supply of such goods or services. The nature of this definition implies that for there to be
The COVID-19 pandemic made institutions offering undergraduate and postgraduate programs change their approach to a teaching-learning process with a focus on remote working. This change became also observed for the faculty, support staff, and e-learning teams who always delivered online business programs to students. Although some members of these teams had the experience of working remotely to provide online courses, other staff members worked in the office, and they needed to adjust to working from home. Significant transformations are currently observed in the cooperation of faculty members to realize online business programs, and the question is how remote working can influence the faculty’s activities and teams’ work while delivering online business programs during COVID-19. A range of specific teaching-learning strategies was proposed to be adopted in institutions to enhance the remote working experience and safety. They include the promotion of digital learning by guaranteeing educators and students access to online learning platforms and the introduction of additional digital strategies and media for e-learning (Hodges et al. , 2020). Other strategies include in-person support for employees to avoid their social isolation in the work context and the adjustment of schedules and online meetings to address the needs of workers collaborating from different regions of the world (Li, Ghosh, and Nachmias, 2020). Much attention is paid to using several channels of communication online to guarantee team cooperation. However, despite the realization of all these strategies, some outcomes and barriers are reported in the sphere: the necessity to adjust the cooperation of remote teams in developed and developing countries, discharges among the regular staff, changes in monitoring employees’ performance and productivity (Dwivedi et al., 2020), and the attraction of remote workers from developing countries. Reference List Dwivedi, Y.K., et al. (2020) ‘Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on information management research and practice: transforming education, work and life’, International Journal of Information Management , 1, pp.1-8. Hodges, C., et al. (2020) ‘The difference between emergency remote teaching and online learning’, Educause Review , 27, pp.1-10. Li, J., Ghosh, R. and Nachmias, S. (2020) ‘In a time of COVID-19 pandemic, stay healthy, connected, productive, and learning: words from the editorial team of HRDI’, Human Resource Development International , 23(3), pp.1-12.
Introduction Foreign exchange intervention refers to transactions or announcements by a government agent which is meant to change the value of the exchange rate or the nation’s foreign exchange reserves. A countries monetary authority or officials in the treasury departments or ministry of finance usually carry out these interventions. For central banks, foreign exchange intervention often involves selling or buying foreign assets against certain state assets in the foreign exchange market. The purchases made are useful in reducing the countries home currency value while sales are intended to increase it. Foreign exchange interventions are carried out so as to correct disorderly conditions in the market (Dominguez & Frankel 55). The United States employs foreign exchange intervention to reduced sudden changes in the foreign exchange and slow volatility. Often, foreign exchange interventions can change the trends of the exchange rates. Since foreign exchange interventions do not affect other variables such as price, interest rates, it is not possible to be certain about the future trend of the foreign exchange rates. This may present a problem for policy makers as they will be unable to determine the long-term trends (Dominguez & Frankel 55). There are two types of intervention, i.e. sterilized and non-sterilized intervention. Sterilized intervention can provide a policy tool which can be useful in the resolution of internal and external problems in foreign exchange markets. Sterilized intervention can affect exchange rates in two different ways. These are the signaling and the portfolio balance channels. The portfolio balance channel can be useful only if the foreign and domestic bonds are imperfect substitutes and also outside assets. Sterilized intervention can also be implemented successfully if a country’s monetary authority has more information about relevant matters than the market and it can pass this information by signaling through foreign exchange rate intervention. (Dominguez & Frankel 58) According to the Ricardian Equivalence Theorem, government borrowing has no effect on the interest rates. This theory is effective when the public knows and expects that future taxation is what will service the present government debts. Therefore, the public saves more money as it anticipates the future taxes while the demand of government bonds increases to meet the new supply. Consequently, government debt cannot be viewed as a real outside asset. In this kind of enviro
Introduction Faith refers to a general influence of the mind that a certain statement is true. It is a confident belief or trust in truth or constancy of an individual, concept or thing. It entails attitude, conviction and conduct based on the true relationship with God. Aquinas believes that faith is a rational activity because it involves possessing certain traits that are interrelated and rely on the facts about God. He argues that it involves agreement to propositions; God being the object. According to Aquinas, propositions involve revelation. A person agrees to believe in something due to the fact that God must have revealed it to him or her. This brings in a correlation of revelation to faith. Faith requires one to be wholehearted. This makes faith to be different from knowledge as it involves voluntary steps being taken. There is always a rationale underlying faith though it is voluntary. The fact that some truths concerning God are well known makes the belief in faith rational. According to Aquinas, faith is exclusively different from knowledge in that if one know something as being true, it is not absolute that he or she will have faith in that very thing as being true. Assumptions that underlie Aquinas’ argument Aquinas’ arguments are based on the assumption that through faith one accepts proposals by revelation that is reflected as being reasonable by believing that the natural theological proposals can be revealed first. The revelation enables one to know what is right and wrong and act accordingly. Agreeing to the propositions through revelation is seen to be reasonable because in normal circumstances, propositions of natural theology are given the first priority. Aquinas asserts that true faith should believe in what has been revealed by God The agreement that characterizes faith is being wholehearted and not timid. Voluntary faith differs from knowledge and opinion as it calls for wholeheartedness (Conlan 70). Following the voluntary aspect of faith, there has to be a rational basis underlying it. Some of the realities concerning God are demonstrated. Other concerns about God are known and are demonstrated, reflecting faith as the true way and hence believing on it is rational. Through faith, humanity gets closer to God. God is known through believing that He is there and that he controls actions. The Soundness of Aquinas’ Aquinas’ argument seems to be sound in that the element of revelation is very important. Through revelation one accepts the propositions in faith that God has revealed to him or her. Since true faith must not agree to anything a part from that revealed by God, the argument seems to be sound. Faith requires one to be wholehearted and should not possess the traits of timidity. This is very true because a believer has to be fully submitted to the revelation by God; this is b
Introduction Hawthorne’s short story, “The Birthmark” is a story that gives an indication of the fact that the attempts that are carried out by the scientists to perfect nature may bring destruction to life itself which is interlinked in an inextricable manner with the imperfections it has. One of the major characters in the story, Aylmer, is the scientist who has intentions of controlling nature and does not accept the world dominated with imperfection and sticks on the idea of removing the birthmark on his wife, Georgina, as a way of demonstrating how superior he is over nature. Science can not bring about perfection on earth and the imperfection that exists on earth can not be subjected to human control. Imperfections in “The Birthmark” The birthmark stands for the imperfection that man is born with. This may, in the actual sense, be related to the initial sin committed by man. This is “the visible mark of earthly imperfection, the fatal flaw of humanity, and is the symbol of his wife’s liability to sin, sorrow, decay, and death” (Hawthorne 180). In summary, it is the vital humanity of Aylmer’s wife that is vulnerable to imperfection. Aylmer, the scientist, is not able to acknowledge life’s imperfections. This person insists on flawless perfection. He had strong hopes of being able to bring about life and therefore had aspirations of being God; “he attempted to fathom the very process by which nature assimilates all her precious influences from earth and air, and the spiritual world, to create and foster man” (Hawthorne 180). According to Various (224), the love of Aylmer in marriage could just be interlinking with the love he had for science and the love he had for perfection causes him to be preoccupied with what is referred to as “the spectral hand that wrote mortality” (Hawthorne 178) on the face of Georgina, his wife. The faith of Aylmer is rooted in science and this is his religion. He has a belief in the imperfection that exists in man and he believes that the imperfection can be subjected to control by a human being. He believes deep inside him that the imperfection that is in a human being can be done away with by humans and not by godly involvement (Johnson, 162). He has aspirations to create perfection on this planet, something that can only be attained in heaven. At the end, the aspiration he has is interlinked with presumptuousness he had to power in an inextricable manner. The last words that come from Georgina, his wife, to him alerts him not to engage in repenting that he has not accepted the best that could be offered by this planet (Atkinson, 15). The most excellent the world has to give can not at any time be to the perfection degree as the scientist might be ready to see for the reason that lack of perfection is knotted with humankind and by the scientist (Aylmer) seeking to be a super natural being or