Low carbon building portfolio (Briefing Reports) Assignment

Low carbon building portfolio (Briefing Reports) - Assignment Example The BEEAM calculator method defines the type of building and differences in range of water consuming activities of various components within a building. The other methods that are used are standard Wat 01 method, and alternative Wat 01 technique (Srinivasan, Ling, & Mori 2011). Using the Wat 01 calculator, domestic water rate of consumption of components is calculated and baseline performance compared, indicate efficiency of baths, dishwashers, urinals, and showers, specify rain water systems, and finally, specify water consumption rate in liters. When the building tenanted areas are provided with water, then sanitary components must be specifies. Alternatively, the level of performance can be determined by use of fittings that are compliant with the baseline level of the BREEAM (Williams 2010). Wat 02 method is used where water is supplied from private sources or boreholes. Areas of the building that consume 10% of water are fitted with meters that provide instantaneous readings, have connections to BMS, and monitor the rate of water consumption. Each of the meters gives a reading based on the consumption level and each pulse water meters is connected to the BMS when the building is managed by the owner. There is no need for sub-meters especially where there are no monitoring benefits and there is no need to install a meter where simple calculations are required to determine the usage of water for a function (Michaelowa 2012). Provide a leak prevention and detection system to detect water leaks on the water supply system. It is activated when water passes through the water system and identifies the changes in flow. The following flow control devices may be used, thus, time controller, programmed time controller, volume controller, and central control unit. Constant water supply is required and in case of emergencies, the water supply should be constant and should not be shut down and it may be necessary for the operation of other systems within the

Youtube.coms Way of Producing Value and Transforming it Into Money Essay

Youtube.coms Way of Producing Value and Transforming it Into Money - Essay Example YouTube's uses video playback technology that allows the company to display videos with quality comparable to more established video playback technologies that generally require the user to download and install a small piece of software called a browser plug-in in order to watch the video. Although the Flash itself requires a plug-in, said plug-in is generally found in approximately 90% of Internet-connected computers, hence users could easily download. It was the use of this technology that explains a key component of company’ success as it viewers watch video instantly without installing software or dealing with a common problem found in other video technologies stock. According to a July 16, 2006, survey, 100 million clips are viewed daily on YouTube, with an additional 65,000 new videos uploaded per 24 hours (Wikipedia, 2006) (Paraphrasing made). YouTube business must have come to what has predicted long ago where the users of its website may be considered the ‘technocrats’ or part of the ‘knowledge class’. In the early 1970’s Bell (1973) predicted the advent of the information society would which inevitably lead to the hegemony of the creators of information: the Knowledge Class. Touraine (1974) was predicted also about the new dominant class [of technocrats] which defined as knowledge and a certain level of education. Youtube.com's production chain operational strategy is a combination of contributions from creative labor and immaterial labor.

The contrasting place Essay Example for Free

The contrasting place Essay How does Barry Hines create sympathy for Billy Casper in A Kestrel for a knave? Kes is a novel written by Barry Hines set in Sheffield, south Yorkshire, in the 1960s. The story describes two different places that really contrast each other. The first place is where Billy lives all the houses are council houses, the whole area is run down and deprived of luxuries such as central heating. The contrasting place is called Firs Hill where all the houses are big, clean and very posh with lots of luxuries like hot running water. I suppose we already feel sorry for Billy because of the disadvantaged area he lives in. Kes raises a lot of 1960s issues for example, Billy has no father, his mother goes out most nights and always returns home with a new man, making us feel sorry for Billy as hes no one to look up to. Another issue is that of the education system which lets Billy down badly. He attends a boys secondary modern where he suffers draconian punishment such as thrashes from a cane or lashes from a belt. Billy will have to leave school when he is 15; his only choice of employment will be to work down the mine (pit) with his brother Jud whos a bully. Billy hates the thought of having to work down the mine, which creates sympathy as hes forced into a no hope situation. The first incident I have chosen is Sugden P. E lesson (pg. 87-108) I have chosen this because when you compare Billy to a bully like Sugden, it shows how pitiful Billy really is. In this part of the novel Hines has managed to create sympathy for Billy by showing how weak and vulnerable Billys character is. Billy has to tell Sugden hes forgotten his P. E kit and Sugden makes him wear a pair of shorts which are massive, the class roars with laughter and even Billy has to smile. The only person not amused was Sugden. This part emphasises on the hard strict character Sugden is and makes Billy look like a complete wimp. The class then goes onto the field and football teams are picked. Billy is last to be selected which shows he has no friends. You feel sorry because hes the loner of the class, not only does he get picked last, but he is made to go in goal, this appears to be a regular thing as Billy states Im fed up o goin in goal. I go in every week. In this same incident a dog wonders on to the pitch. Sugden, bringing out his bulling character, resorts to violence and tells the boys Go and fetch half a dozen cricket bats from the games store, Billy sticks up for the dog saying Itll not hurt you. And manages to lead the animal off the field without getting hurt. This shows a caring side to Billy and how he relates to animals. The end of lesson bell sounds but the match carries on. Time is being expressed in this part of the story maybe to show how slowly it is passing and to create tension as to whos going to win the game. Eventually its all over and the boys race inside to the showers. Sugden watches Billy as he changes and blocks off his exit because he didnt have a shower. Billy denies not having one and comes up with the excuse of having a cold but cant produce a sealed letter from a legal guardian to prove it. At this point in the novel you can feel the unnecessary humiliation Sugden inflicts upon Billy as he sends him into the showers not once but twice and orders three other boys to help. This part emphasises on just what a bully Sugden is and creates sympathy as Billy suffers Sugdens taunting. The film version of this incident is slightly different; it starts off with a distance shot of Sugden outside doing an over exaggerated warm-up. Circus fair music is being played which makes his warm-up seem very funny. As the camera gets closer you can see that Sugden is full of his own self importance as he comes over as being real big headed. The next shot cuts to the changing room showing an over the shoulder shot of Sugden having a go at Billy for forgetting his kit. This shot gives the impression of Sugden towering over Billy and shows how small and scrawny Billy is compared to a bully like Sugden. (The size difference does not come over in the book. ) There is also a low angle shot of the boys looking in at Sugden and Billy, which creates the impression of them crowding round to watch. This shot creates sympathy for Billy as it shows the whole class watching as Sugden tares strips of him. The shot then cuts to the outside scene where all the boys are lining up ready to be picked. It projects Billy as an isolated, pathetic figure as hes left standing alone, waiting for his name to be called. The book tells us that Billy is picked last and this shot directs attention towards him looking alone and segregated. The football scene is cut short in the film, I think this is to keep the story flowing as it seems to drag on a bit in the book. However the film missed out the dog scene, which portrayed Billys understanding of animals and how he treats them different to adults. Throughout the football scene the camera is mostly focused on Sugden. It shows in sequence Sugden taking the penalty twice and sending a boy off for a foul he made himself, then hes seen hitting two boys for not participating in the game properly. These shots are all designed to show him as a bully. The close ups show his facial expressions as being stern and strict. This emphasised his bulling character whereas the book can only reveal his character by how he talks and acts. Both make you dislike him. The final scene opens with a shot of Sugden stopping Billy for not having a shower, while Billy gets undressed Sugden starts laughing with the other boys, creating pity for Billy as everyone seems to pick on him. The shot cuts to a close up of Sugden turning the shower temperature dial form hot to cold, as in the book. This is an important scene because it shows just how far Sugden will go with his self ego and the fact that no-one bothers sticks up for Billy shows how lonely he is. The shots of Billy in the showers alone are mid shots and close ups. The close-ups show details like goose pimples and actually start to make you feel cold. The shot of him by himself make him look isolated and lonely again creating pity. This part of the story comes across a lot better in the film than in the book.

System Analysis Cinema Booking Information Technology Essay

System Analysis Cinema Booking Information Technology Essay Waterfall Life Cycle: Waterfall life cycle is the most familiar and classic life cycle model. It is sometimes referred to as the classic life cycle or the linear sequential model. It the simplest type of life cycle and very easy to use and understand. In the waterfall life cycle, each phase needs to be completed before the next phase can start. Each phase is separate and does theres no overlapping. Requirements Analysis System Design Implementation Unit Testing Integration System Testing Operation Maintenance Phases: Requirement Analysis: Requirements are collected from end-user consultations and then analyzed. A requirement Specification Document is created which guides the next phases of the model. System Design: System design is prepared by studying the requirements specification from the 1st phase. The hardware requirements are specified in this stage and a picture of the overall system architecture is produced. Implementation Unit Testing: In this phase, the work is divided in small units; actual coding starts. Testing makes sure that the software successfully meets the required specification; and that any errors are identified. Integration System Testing: All units are integrated and tested to ensure that the system meets the requirements. At the end of this stage, the software is delivered to the customer. Operation Maintenance: This is the longest phase in the model. The software is updated in this phase to correct any errors, make the software more efficient and to meet the changing needs of the customers. Advantages: It is a linear sequential model Very easy simple to implement; therefore well suited for small projects It is also cheaper Minimal amount of resources are required to implement this model Testing is done after each phase to ensure the project is on the right path Easily manageable because model is rigid; each phase has certain deliverables a review process after a phase is over, which makes understanding of the designing procedure simpler. Disadvantages: High risk uncertainty. Not suited for long projects where the requirements may change. The working software is only produced late during the life cycle. It is difficult to estimate the cost and time for each stage. No back tracking possible; if an error occurred in the earlier stages of the cycle, it cant be corrected for that batch. V-Shaped Model: The V-Shaped Model is very similar to the Waterfall model life cycle, but testing is done upfront instead of later in the life cycle like in Waterfall model. Like Waterfall model, V-Shaped Model is also a sequential cycle and a new phase is only started after the completion of the previous phase. Each development stage is matched with its respective testing stage; Requirements Æ’Â   System Testing, High-Level Design Æ’Â   Integration Testing, Low-Level Design Æ’Â   Unit Testing. V-Shaped model is very useful for systems which require high reliability. System Testing Requirements Integration Testing High-Level Design Low-Level Design Unit Testing Implementation Phases: Requirements: Commences the life cycle; system test plan is created. High-Level Design: Focuses on design system architecture; integration tests are created. Low-Level Design: Software components are designed unit tests are created. Implementation: Coding takes place in this phase. Advantages: Its easy to use; but not as easy as the waterfall model. More chance of success than the waterfall model due to the early testings. Project moves quickly to the implementation stage. Useful for small projects; considering the requirements are easily understood known upfront. Disadvantages: Bugs in the final stage are very costly to fix. Total development time of v-shaped model is more than the waterfall model. Does not contain any risk analysis activities Throwaway Prototyping model: Very useful in situations the users needs and requirements are not clear. The main objective of this model is to validate or drive the system requirements. This model is developed to reduce the requirement risks. This prototype is developed and then delivered to the user for experiments and then it is discarded, hence throw away prototype; and it should not be considered as a final system. Advantages: Requirement risks are fewer If delivered model does not meet the users needs, then it can be discarded and new models can be developed. Disadvantages: Can be undocumented Developers may be push to deliver the throw away prototype as the final system, which is not recommended. System structure may be degraded due to the changes made during the software development process. Evolutionary Prototyping model: In evolutionary prototyping, the initial prototype is developed and it is then refined through number of stages to final stage. The main objective is to deliver the working system to the user. Verification is not possible because there is no specification. Requirement gathering, Refinement Quick Design Building Prototype Refine Requirement End-User Evaluation End Product Refine Prototype Advantages: System development involves the user Working system is delivered fast A more useful system can be delivered Disdvantages: Time required to complete project is unknown. May have problems; Management, Maintenance and Verification problems. Incremental model: The incremental model is similar to the Waterfall life cycle model, but there are multiple development cycles here, which makes it a multi-waterfall cycle. It has an iterative approach (repeating), and each iteration passes through each of the phases. A working version of software can be produced during the first iteration, which means a functioning software is available early in the cycle. 1st Increment Analysis Test Code Design 1st Increment delivery 2nd Increment 2nd Increment delivery Analysis Test Code Design nth Increment Test Code Design Analysis nth Increment delivery Time Advantages: Working Software can be developed quickly early during the life cycle. Its less costly to change requirements therefore; Flexible. Easier to test and fix errors End-users get to see working software early in the software development life cycle. Disadvantages: The total development cost is higher Well defined project planning is required to distribute the work properly. Spiral Model: Also known as Spiral lifecycle model. This model combines the features of the waterfall model and the prototyping model. The Spiral Model is most commonly used in large, complicated and expensive projects; and constant review is needed to stay on target. The main area in which Spiral model is used is Game development due to the constantly changing goals size of the large project. Cumulative Cost Progress 1. Determine Objectives, Alternatives, Constraints 2. Evaluate alternatives. Identify, and resolve risks. Review 3. Development Tests 4. Plan next Phases Advantages: Important issues can be discovered earlier, which makes estimation of budget schedule more realistic reliable. Good amount of risk analysis Really good for large projects Software can be conceived early in the life cycle. Flexible allows for multiple iterations. Disadvantages: Not suitable for smaller projects Success of the project depends on the risk analysis Costly Requires knowledgeable staff; for risk analysis. 2. Identification of the Functions and Purpose of a Systems Life Cycle. The systems life cycle is a series of well-defined phases in the development of systems. It is very important that a project should meet the required specification, should be within budget and delivered on time. Large system developments can take a long time to be developed and can be very costly too; therefore most organisations use the systems life cycle (stages) to develop systems because it saves time isnt as costly. Programming Maintenance Installation Design Feasibility Study Analysis 1. Feasibility study Different solutions are examined in this stage. First step of this stage is to discover the funds available and then compare with the benefits of the company, in view of their requirements because sometimes in order to arrive at final decision a trade-off (give and take) has to be accepted e.g. less functionality for less cash. There are three different options that a company could choose: Options Benefit Cost Performance Company does not change anything No interference to the business. Least cost System remains outdated. Less efficient N/A Company updates half of the system Least efficient parts are redesigned to improve performance while best parts of the system are not changed Moderate, light training for staff 40% improved Complete upgrade More profitable High, New equipments, Upgraded Software, Training for staff. 80% improved (over the old system) 2. Investigation and Analysis Investigation First step of this stage is to investigate the old system and problem it is causing. There are different ways to find out the problems: Questionnaires and Interviews Observing people using the old system Following the information from the point it enters the system till the point of output. Taking the cause of the problem These steps should lead toward the true cause of the problem Analysis The next part is to analyze how the existing system works how information is handled and how people interact with it. To Analyze, different methods are used e.g. System diagrams This shows the dealings between different systems in the company or outside. System diagram shows how they interact and what depends on what and so on. Data Flow Diagram This shows the movement through the system, how the system deals with the information, how information flows through the system, how dose it connect and disconnect and what the outputs are. Process Diagram This shows how people interact with the system for example an employee makes a claim, first it will go to manager who will counter-sign the claim it will then go to account manager who authorizes payment and so on. 3. Design This stage defines the system in greater detail and the best way to start this stage is to write down exact details of the new system e.g. The data Inputs The data Outputs Screen Layouts Documents that are printed out Procedure of the data that flows through the system The structure of any files that store data How information is accessed And so on The testing procedure comes after the system has been built. In my opinion it is really useful to build a test procedure before starting to build a system because, if you know how the system will be tested, it will lead you towards a better design. Prototype Prototype is something that allows you to build a program without having to worry about the details, it is to confirm that design is likely to work. The master document created in this stage is called System Requirement Document. 4. Programming This stage takes the design forward and put it into practice and this stage take place when the client has agree on what needs to be done (Requirement Specification) and the Analyst has clearly described what needs to be done(System Requirement Document). There are several terms involved in this stage so it is reasonable to break down the System Requirement Document into sections that each can develop. At this stage following things may take place: The software developers write code The hardware people develop equipment The testing team develops test plans The user-testing groups follow the test plans and check the system works as expected 5. Installation Now the system is developed and tested and it is working correctly and doing what client wanted. The key events in this stage are: Data conversion: Data stored on the old system are now converted into the correct format for the new system. System Change Over: switch off the old system and turn on the new system, which is not as simple as it sound. Alternatives Run the old and new system in parallel for a time Customer does not care what your IT system is made up of, they are only concerned about their order. One method is to run the old system along the new one, then in the quiet time the new system store the old system data and is then fully loaded and ready to go. Training Training is the vital part of this stage, staff training must take place. Staff needs to be shown how to use the new system How to access help when they run into difficulties Member of a development team should be available on call A user manual should be available for staff 6. Maintenance The new system is running smoothly and it will need to be looked after so maintenance stage takes care of the following that can take place: Problems are cleared as they occur Tweaks to the system are applied to improve performance The system has to be moved due to office movement Data is backed up and kept safe Equipment are replace as required Basically this stage never ends until the new system becomes old and is then switch with new system. 3. Undertake a User Needs Analysis (UNA) for your system. SYSTEM USED: CINEMA BOOKING SYSTEM UNA is the first stage in the system development process. UNA in system developing includes task that is demanded by the user for new or different system. Requirements must be actionable, measurable, and testable and must be related to user needs. The best way to undertake UNA in my view is to have a workshop with the users who will use the new system. This will give me one clear idea of what the new system must do. When working on developing the new system Ill have a better idea of what users wants from the new system, keeping every users requirements in mind. So Ill set up a workshop, in which Ill ask users what they want from the new system. I will document their requirements as I go along. Basically Ill ask different questions from the users and then the users themselves will work out what kind of a new system they want. Questions that Ill ask users: What the new system should do? Do you want it to be networked with other computers? How long the information needs to be saved? Should staff login when using the system? Anything needs to be printing? What information needs to be print out? Payment procedure/ types of cards? Discounts: student Inputs, process and outputs Internet booking/ serial number only for internet booking This is how Ill design the system, keeping in view the users requirements. It will be an advanced system which will be quite reliable and it will be easy for the users to use this system. System Requirements: Inputs Serial number only for Internet booking Name Payment Age/ discount Name of the movie Date Process Theater Number Discount reduction Output Movie ticket for customer Information saved in the system This program is supposed to save the information of the customer and print out a movie ticket containing the required information. Print out of the ticket Name Age payment Discount Payment after discount Theater Number Movies name Date System will show this information on the Ticket. 4. Produce a Systems Context Diagram for your system. User/ Staff New system Customer Info given Input filled Data saved Ticket Process Calculate discount if applied and check for seats in theatre Saved in server for 3 days and is access able by any member of staff Checks the Ticket Ticket given Check movie and time Login Administrator Login Update Movie Data Delete Old Data Updates the system This Diagram explains the program I am building for the Cinema. Circles in the diagram mean the first thing is done by Administrator, User/ Staff and the customer. Explanation: Administrator must update the system by inserting new movies and deleting old movies. User/ Staff is the person who can access the system by login in and takes the details (info given) of the customer. User/ Staff then enter the details (input filled) in the system. News System will process the input and process it, calculate discount if applied and check for seats available in theatre. Itll then give two outputs Data Saved and Ticket. Data Saved meaning the data will be saved in a server for three days and is access able by any member for staff but the saved data cannot be changed after the Ticket is printed out. Ticket will be printed out and is going to be checked by the staff. Staff will give the ticket to the customer. 5. Produce a Level 1 Current Physical Data Flow Diagram for your system. D1 User/ Staff/ counter Enquires Deposits and Withdrawals Process customer data Tickets recheck Data store System Cash Customer Customer details/ data Print Ticket Details are checked Ticket handed to the customer Resource Flow Data Flow Outside data Process D2 In this Physical Data flow diagram customer, who is outside data, goes to the counter to purchase a ticket for the movie. Counter/ staff take his query and process it, system then stores the data and process a ticket, which is given to the customer. 6. Produce a Level 1 Required Logical DFD for your system. Admin User/ Staff Customer System Process Data Stored Ticket Updates the System Customer details/ data Ticket Input customer detail/ data Calculates discounts Theatre No. Stores in a server Print out Ticket details are checked by user/ staff Data Flow Source of Data In this Diagram Admin is updating the data for the system and user is taking the detail/ data of the customer and entering it in the system to process a Ticket for customer. 7. Decompose one of the processes to a Level 2 Required Logical Data Flow Diagram for your system. Admin System Process Data Stored Updates the System Adding new movie data Deleting old movie data Stores admin new data Stores customer data Movie is suitable for customer (age) Theatre availability Calculate discounts Store data in server Auto deletes 3 days old customer data Access to old data In this Diagram Admin is updating the data for the system and system is processing customer details against admin updated data and it is then stored in a server for three days. 8. Construct a Logical Data Structure for the system you are producing. Customer Staff/ counter Ticket Enquires Ticket Customer will seek staff on counter for any enquiry or to purchase a movie ticket Provide service to customer Staff will take customer details from customer for a movie ticket To process a Ticket, staff will have to enter customer details in the system for a movie ticket Ticket is handed to the customer after staff checks for any errors 9. With the aid of your Logical Data Structure, produce an Entity/Event Matrix for your database system. Customer Purchasing a ticket for a movie Enquiry Staff/ Counter Staff/ Counter Solve the issue Yes No Job done Admin Enter customer details in the system System process Ticket Data stored Staff (checks it) Customer (takes ticket) Server 10. Describe the Required Physical Data Model. Customer details/ data Admin Admin login Update new movie data Delete old movie data Problem solving Staff Customer service System operator Staff login handle customer details Ticket Cashier Customer Enquires Ticket purchaser Updates the System Input customer detail/ data System Customer internet serial no. Customer name Customer age Payment method Discount Amount paid Name of the movie Theatre number Date Stores admin updated data Access to old data Check for any errors on the ticket Process Movie is suitable for the customer (age) Discount reduction Theatre number Draft ticket Print out Data stored Stored in server Access able Auto delete 3 days old data Ticket Customer name Customer age Payment method Discount Amount paid Movies name Theatre number Date Admin updates the system and solve problems Staff handles the customers and input the customers details in the system System processes the data and check for availabilities Data is stored for 3 days Ticket is issued for customer as a receipt

Mergers and Acquisitions in SME Lending

Mergers and Acquisitions in SME Lending CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION In the process of industrialization small business plays an important and economic growth. It increases per capital income and output, makes available employments for the labour market and usually promotes successful deployment of resources which are considered vital to steering of economic development and growth. It is presumed that the lower income segments of Nigeria benefit when SMEs have better access to finances because they alleviate poverty by creating more jobs and better wages. ( Emeni and Okafor 2008). In many of the developed economies and developing economies both have come to value, realise and appreciate small businesses. Being that small business are pioneering, well-organized, resourceful and allows fast decisions process to be taken because of their relative small size. They are major players in the process of industrialization and economic development. ( Ememi and Okafor, 2008) In most up-and-coming nation of the world, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have become the vanguard of economic expansion. They create employment opportunities as the most significant employer of labour force; in addition they increase the nations per capital income and output invariably increasing the GDP by effective resource utilization. Also in large developed nations, SMEs plays a noteworthy role in influencing the economy. Taking China for example, SMEs are said to be accountable for sixty percent of the industrial output employing seventy-five percent of the workforce in the metropolitan centres. ( Anas A.Galadima, 2006). All over the world and in all country, government have come to realise the significant of this class of companies. And as such have originated all-inclusive policies to encourage, give confidence, support and promote the establishment of SMEs. Improvements in small and medium enterprise are a plus for employment generation, solid entrepreneurial base and encouragement for the use of local raw materials and technology. (Oladele, 2009). There are a lot of challenges that SMEs face in both the developed and developing countries and they are massive. One main aspect is financing, the ability to obtain and acquire loans. Most small businesses are not attractive prospects for banks. Berger et al. ( 1998) suggest that larger banks may be less predisposed than smaller banks with less complex structure, to supply credit to small businesses. Back home in Nigeria the talk is very similar with the on-going of other country. But of late the Bankers Committee intervened in 2001 with a scheme called the Small and Medium Industries Equity Investment Scheme (SMIEIS). The idea brought life and empowerment to SMEs discarding all other credit schemes which were not properly implemented. (Aina, O. 2007). Nigerian banking reform is a product of global effort and consolidation is one of its major achievement that everyone have welcomed happily. This consolidation wave has greatly enhance the average magnitude and size of banking institution generally. The mean size of the total assets of banks has increased by 439% from 2003 – 2009, recording =N=2767.78 billion to =N=14,923.00 billion banks total assets figure (CBN report 2009). Prior to the introduction of banking reform, the banking sector was repulsively undersized, small, weak and frail, leading to numerous and several economic setback. Besides the benefits related to consolidation on the supply of credit to small and medium enterprises, merger and acquisition have also increase the size of banks from small less complex establishment to conglomerate multinational companies in Nigeria. These includes mobilization of domestic savings, improved allocation of resources, elimination of deep-rooted inefficiency , mobilization of foreign savings and above all enhanced accessibility of small scale funding. But in all these what is less comprehensible, is the effect that bank MA has on the supply of credit to small businesses in Nigeria.(Emeni and Okafor, 2008). Related Literature Other related studies have established some well renowned facts on the effect of consolidation on small business lending. In a recent article Berger, Allen N., R. Demsetz and P. Strahan. (1999) suggest that consolidation is only valuable and favourable to a certain extent. The consequences of consolidation could have direct and also indirect effects. The direct effect being an increases in bank size, increase in market share and enhance bank performance, the indirect effect can be a reduction in the availability of financial services to small businesses. (Berger, Allen N. R. Demsetz and P. Strahan. 1999). Other studies Vera and Onji (2010) illustrate that because most small businesses depend greatly on less complex small banking institution for their principal source of funding, consolidation of the banking industry may reduce ease of access of loans to small business in the US. Earlier researchers find that small businesses have not been unfavourably affected by bank merger and acquisition on making credit available to small business (Peek and Rosengren 1995, 1998; Berger et al. 1995). This is because these studies relied on data up to the mid-1990, while data as at 1995-1997 being the peak of consolidation were not fully employed. This has proven to be of interest to further scrutinize whether the new wave of consolidation may affect small businesses differently. In view of this importance piece of information and the imperfection of the market mechanism to mobilise and allocate financial resources to socially desirable economic activities of any nation it is worthwhile to investigate the relationship between merger and acquisition and credit availability. Based on the above background, the enthusiasm and motivation of this research is to critically scrutinize and observe if there is any relationship, or connection between bank mergers and acquisitions as a resourceful solution to lending. This study, therefore, want to investigate and find evidence that consolidation between banks of diver structure and asset base that occurred as a result of the Nigerian banking reform of 2004, could negatively affect small business lending. This is the reason why we choose to examine the effect of MA to SMEs in Nigeria. Aim and Objective Aim The main purpose of this dissertation is to examine whether bank mergers and acquisitions are a resourceful solution to lending to SMEs. As a result the main research question is: Do banks mergers and acquisitions increase or decrease credit availability to SMEs? This leads to a number of sub-questions: Does financial performance in the banking sector adversely affected small business lending after MA occurs? What other factors affects or is responsible for credit availability to SMEs from the Nigerian banks? To present key findings and recommendation based on data analysis and information collected. Research Methodology There are several research methods that could have been used in this work, such as a Questionnaire based survey through the distribution of questionnaire. Carrying out direct interviews with Small business owner and Bank managers or loan officers is also an effective means to collection of data information. Since the main purpose of this study is to examine if bank mergers and acquisitions increase or decrease credit availability to SME, we will be using accounting based financial ratio analysis. The use of financial ratio in measuring a banks performance and its effectiveness to distinguish high-performance banks from others is quite common in the literature (Abdulla, 1994a; Samad, 2004a). Data Sample Ten Nigerian commercial banks which have effectively been consolidated with other smaller banks will be considered in this study over the period of 2000-2009 based on the following reasons: First, these banks are long established locally incorporated banks in Nigeria. Secondly they have been involved in the consolidation process from small bank to mega banks, passing through the premerger phase up to the post merger phase. Thirdly the period 2000-2009 effectively covers the span before consolidation and after consolidation. The data that will be used in this study is taken from Bank Scope. The annual financial statement of the top ten commercial banks based on their asset base. All the figures are expressed in Naira (=N=) the Nigeria indigenous currency. Since one of our aims is to examine whether the amount of small business lending is affected by the new consolidation legislation passed by Nigeria government on bank reform, we will also be comparing the figures from the statutory reserve. This is mandatory for all commercial banks in Nigeria to invest 10% of their profit before tax to Small and Medium Enterprise Equity Investment Scheme. It is more likely that we will capture the total amount of small business lending that is actually supplied to small businesses within Nigeria. Dissertation Structure The dissertation is split into five chapters: Chapter one is the introduction of the dissertation topic, related studies and the motivation for the choice of the dissertation Chapter two focuses on the Nigeria banking sector, how the banking sector has developed in Nigeria over the years. Covering the history of the Nigerian banking sector divided into four periods: the budding period, the expansion period, the consolidated period and the post-consolidated period. High lighting major financial developments from liberalisation that saw the existence of 87 banks to the consolidation of banks by the Central Bank of Nigeria deadline of 2005. Chapter three is a literature review on academic literature and analytical view on merger and acquisition and its theory in banking. This chapter aims at providing a complete picture of bank mergers and acquisitions (MAs) in the theory of banking and at offering economic evaluation and strategic analyses of the process. The main characteristics of this process is how it has affected lending to small business Chapter four introduces the Small and Medium Enterprises, what they are, why they exist. This Section will review some recent literature that is particularly relevant to the effect of bank consolidation on small business lending. Chapter five discusses the empirical results, in which the main findings of the performance of the banks during the period 2002 – 2009 are analysed. This last chapter, Chapter six concludes and highlights the limitations of the study and recommendations for the future research Summary We have been able to introduce the topic of the dissertation and the motivation behind why it was considered important to investigate funding of the small and medium enterprises. Small business play vital role in the process of industrialization and economic growth. It is presumed that the lower income segments of Nigeria benefit when SMEs have better access to finances because they alleviate poverty by creating more jobs and better wages. Developments in small and medium enterprise are a plus for employment generation, solid entrepreneurial base and encouragement for the use of local raw materials and technology. Governments all over the world have realised the importance of this category of companies and have formulated comprehensive public policies to encourage, support and fund the establishment of SMEs. The most worrying challenges facing SMEs in many developing countries is funding. In the next chapter we will be reviewing the Nigerian banking system. We will be looking at a brief history of the Nigerian banking system dividing its growth into four phases, and see how it has evolved from many smaller banks into fewer mega banks. We shall also be looking at the major regulators of this industry and see how they have effectively influence the actions that has lead to merger and acquisition in the banking industry. Also see how the merger and acquisition phase has influenced lending to the small business through the new monetary policies on SMEEIS and Microfinance banks to aid economic growth, which is the main aim of this dissertation.

Just Breathing Essay -- essays research papers

Just Breathing Ill-timed encounters with torment and death will always leave one behind as a reflective and thought full individual. â€Å"Just Breathing†, which was published in 1997 in the book â€Å"Sex, Drugs, Rock’n’Roll: Stories to end the centuryâ€Å", deals with a woman who feels, that she has changed after a strange meeting with the woman Magde. This essay contains an analysis and an interpretation of Nina and the function Madge has in Nina’s life. The story begins quite sudden because the reader is practically thrown into the story and the characters aren’t introduced. If you take a look at the verbs in the first three lines you will see that most of them are written in past tense. Therefore you can see that the narrator is looking back on the story of Nina. It’s unclear whether or not the narrator knows Nina, but by examining the text furtherer it becomes more and more obvious that it is a narrator who is present in the short story. From time to time while telling the story the narrator interrupts Nina to comment on the thoughts and actions of her, â€Å"Line 6, p 1 [why did illness never strike in term time?]† and â€Å"Line 101, p 4[buying twenty Benson & Hedges. (Twenty!)]†. In this short story Diana Hendry uses interior monologues to show the emotionally affected woman, Nina, and her life after a close encounter with death. Nina is a middle-aged woman who has taught English Literature for 15 years and she is married to Tom. After a serious asthma attack Nina is back at home...

Amazon.com Case Study Essay -- Business Marketing Management

The objective of this case study is to outline and provide a brief overview of Amazon.com’s (Amazon) mission, strategic direction, core competencies, relied technologies and their future impact of new technologies, and how management and use of consumer data will impact future business. In addition, we have analyzed Amazon’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a SWOT analysis. Based on this analysis, and research, we have recommend a course of action as to how Amazon should respond to their weaknesses and threats and how best to leverage strengths to take advantage of available opportunities. Amazon’s Mission and Strategic Direction Amazon.com, Inc. is an internet retailer headquartered in Seattle, Washington founded by CEO Jeff Bezos. Their mission and strategy is quite simply â€Å"to offer Earth’s Biggest Selection and to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they may want to buy online and [we] endeavor to offer our customers the lowest possible price.†1 And, if they can’t help they will point the customer to a site that can. The company accomplishes this by operating six global internet sites: www.amazon.com, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.jp, www.amazon.co.fr and www.amazon.co.uk. Through their zShops, auctions, affiliate program, Merchants@ and Amazon Marketplace programs, Amazon, and their sellers and partners, offer new and used collectibles and products in categories such as apparel and accessories, DVDs, electronics, computers, books, music, videos, cell phones, tools and hardware, the list is almost endless. In order to maintain quality, the company packages and ships all of its merchandise. They also continue to negotiate volume deals with suppliers to meet their goal of lowering prices. Additionally, Amazon has formed partnerships and alliances with publishers, other on-line retailers, technology providers, either handling their web site operations or linking brick-and-mortar entities to its virtual storefront. As part of their diversification strategy, Amazon recently acquired Internet Movie Database www.imdb.com (IMDb), which is an authoritative source of information on movie and entertainment. This acquisition is one of many Amazon is making expand its product and service offerings. The company is also preparing to sell internet domain names and already ... ...omers. Possible future partnerships could involve companies like AT&T who is currently developing a â€Å"web cents† card for online shopping. This partnership could also lead to technology developments which Amazon already uses to leverage its position. All in all Amazon should do well if it continues to stay true to its mission – the customer. References: Amazon.com, â€Å"Investor Relations,† â€Å"About Amazon.com,† â€Å"Annual Report,† â€Å"Privacy Notice,†, â€Å"Web Services,† www.amazon.com, Online, May 2003, www.amazon.com> Kaplan, Simon, â€Å"The Right Fit,† www.cio.com, Online, May 2003 www.cio.com/archive/120101/fit content.html Dignan, Larry, â€Å"The Day Ahead: Dot-coms grow up, chief execs step out,† www.zdnet.co.uk, Online, May 2003, Fool.com, â€Å"Amazon’s CEO Letters,† www.fool.com, Online, May 2003, www.fool.com/server/foolprint.asp?file==/news/foth/2002/foth021119.htm Bannan, Karen J., â€Å"Book Battle,† Media Week,† EBSCOhost, Online, May 2003, Vol. 10 Issue 9, P72, 2p, 5c Hoovers.com, â€Å"Profile,† www.hovers.com, Online, May 2003, www.hoovers.com/premium/profile/3/0,2147, 51493,00.html Fortune.com, â€Å"Amazon: Can Amazon Be Saved?,† www.fortune.com, Online, May 2003, www.fortune.com Amazon.com Case Study Essay -- Business Marketing Management The objective of this case study is to outline and provide a brief overview of Amazon.com’s (Amazon) mission, strategic direction, core competencies, relied technologies and their future impact of new technologies, and how management and use of consumer data will impact future business. In addition, we have analyzed Amazon’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a SWOT analysis. Based on this analysis, and research, we have recommend a course of action as to how Amazon should respond to their weaknesses and threats and how best to leverage strengths to take advantage of available opportunities. Amazon’s Mission and Strategic Direction Amazon.com, Inc. is an internet retailer headquartered in Seattle, Washington founded by CEO Jeff Bezos. Their mission and strategy is quite simply â€Å"to offer Earth’s Biggest Selection and to be Earth’s most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they may want to buy online and [we] endeavor to offer our customers the lowest possible price.†1 And, if they can’t help they will point the customer to a site that can. The company accomplishes this by operating six global internet sites: www.amazon.com, www.amazon.ca, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.jp, www.amazon.co.fr and www.amazon.co.uk. Through their zShops, auctions, affiliate program, Merchants@ and Amazon Marketplace programs, Amazon, and their sellers and partners, offer new and used collectibles and products in categories such as apparel and accessories, DVDs, electronics, computers, books, music, videos, cell phones, tools and hardware, the list is almost endless. In order to maintain quality, the company packages and ships all of its merchandise. They also continue to negotiate volume deals with suppliers to meet their goal of lowering prices. Additionally, Amazon has formed partnerships and alliances with publishers, other on-line retailers, technology providers, either handling their web site operations or linking brick-and-mortar entities to its virtual storefront. As part of their diversification strategy, Amazon recently acquired Internet Movie Database www.imdb.com (IMDb), which is an authoritative source of information on movie and entertainment. This acquisition is one of many Amazon is making expand its product and service offerings. The company is also preparing to sell internet domain names and already ... ...omers. Possible future partnerships could involve companies like AT&T who is currently developing a â€Å"web cents† card for online shopping. This partnership could also lead to technology developments which Amazon already uses to leverage its position. All in all Amazon should do well if it continues to stay true to its mission – the customer. References: Amazon.com, â€Å"Investor Relations,† â€Å"About Amazon.com,† â€Å"Annual Report,† â€Å"Privacy Notice,†, â€Å"Web Services,† www.amazon.com, Online, May 2003, www.amazon.com> Kaplan, Simon, â€Å"The Right Fit,† www.cio.com, Online, May 2003 www.cio.com/archive/120101/fit content.html Dignan, Larry, â€Å"The Day Ahead: Dot-coms grow up, chief execs step out,† www.zdnet.co.uk, Online, May 2003, Fool.com, â€Å"Amazon’s CEO Letters,† www.fool.com, Online, May 2003, www.fool.com/server/foolprint.asp?file==/news/foth/2002/foth021119.htm Bannan, Karen J., â€Å"Book Battle,† Media Week,† EBSCOhost, Online, May 2003, Vol. 10 Issue 9, P72, 2p, 5c Hoovers.com, â€Å"Profile,† www.hovers.com, Online, May 2003, www.hoovers.com/premium/profile/3/0,2147, 51493,00.html Fortune.com, â€Å"Amazon: Can Amazon Be Saved?,† www.fortune.com, Online, May 2003, www.fortune.com