Saturday, August 31, 2019

Ricardo’s theory of rent Essay

     Ã‚  Ã‚  The term â€Å"rent† comes from the Latin word â€Å"rendita’, which means â€Å"returned†. Rent as an income of one of the factors of land attracted attention since old times. Further, in the economic theory the concept of economic rent as a part of income of any factor appeared and developed. One of the theorists that formed and developed the concept of rent was David Ricardo, who is considered to be one of the fathers of the theory of rent. However, despite the old origins, the theory has been criticized a lot by both theorists and practitioners.   Ã‚   David Ricardo first mentioned rent in his book â€Å"The foundations of political economy and taxes† (1817). In this book, Ricardo defines rent as a part of the land product, which is paid to the landowner for the use of the soil. The logic of Ricardo is quite simple. Given the law of supply and demand, nobody pays for the use of air and water (as well as any other nature’s gift, which is widely available). Thus, any brewer or producer of any good constantly uses air and water to produce their goods. But because the air and water are limitless, they are not paid for. Following this logic, Ricardo comes to a conclusion that rent is paid for the use of soil just because the amount of land is not limitless and the quality of land is not the same. With the rise of the population, the worst land or the lands that are situated inconveniently are also get cultivated. When the cultivation touches the lands of so-called second category, i.e. the worse, the lands of the first category simultaneously form the rent, which depends on the quality of those two types of land.   Ã‚   The peculiarity of Ricardo’s theory lies in the fact that he approached the rent as a concept from only one perspective. Ricardo thought of rent as a solely agricultural one. Moreover, Ricardian rent is a rent for a raw product of agriculture in general, but not the rent for the land given for the one peculiar type of a product. It is considered that the land used as a field cannot be used a pasture; labor and capital change from one piece of land to another, but the use of soil itself remains unchangeable. Because the amount of land is limited, as it was already mentioned, and it is used in a single way, rent is determined by price and not vice-versa. According to Ricardo, the rent is paid because the bread is expensive and not vice-versa. (Henderson, 1922)   Ã‚   Practitioners notice that Ricardo’s theory of rent has also another shortcoming. Ricardian rent is solely the payment for the soil itself. Thus, it excludes any payment for the interest on capital invested by landowner in the form of buildings, drain constructions etc. Moreover, Ricardo’s concept of rent also excludes the income from the wood development or the extraction of any mineral resources on the rented land. There remains the â€Å"pure† rent for soil, which is regarded as the land designed for cultivation and not touched raw material richness, which is though limited in amount and completely specialized on the production of one type of product not considering certain distinctions in placement and fertility.   Ã‚   However, later on Ricardo developed another branch of his theory. According to Ricardo, rent has two sources. If the land is homogenous, its limit provokes the rent of â€Å"rareness†. In this case, rent is a difference between the product of all applied capital and labor and the product of the final input in the form of intensive use of soil. When the land differs in quality, the limited amount of certain quality is the source of so-called differentiated rent. Ricardo thought that Europe of that time had quite substantial amount of land, which didn’t give rent. However, from the perspective of his theory, nothing could have changed, if this had been true. Rent wouldn’t be simply differentiated, but would have remained the rent of â€Å"rareness†.   Ã‚   The important input of Ricardo’s theory is the fact that he proved that the source of rent was the work of labor that cultivated the land. Thus, rent becomes a social phenomenon in Ricardo’s theory. The emergence of rent is connected with the emergence of private ownership for land. The emergence of differentiated rent Ricardo explained from the point of view of the law of value. Differentiated rent in Ricardo’s theory doesn’t arise as the special form of added value, i.e. the exploitation of hired labor, though Ricardo characterizes rent as added product.   Ã‚   Yet, because of the insufficient development of labor theory of value and inappropriate and insufficient understanding of the correlation between value and the price of a product, Ricardo didn’t research the absolute land rent and denied its existence based on the fact that it didn’t conform to the law of value. Ricardo though that because the cost of agricultural products produced under the worst conditions regulate the cost and the price of all the rest of the same products, those lands cannot give any rent, because rent is a difference between the cost of production on the worst pieces of land. Otherwise, rent would be simple margin for the price of a product. Aspiring to retain this basis, Ricardo denied the existence of absolute land rent. Another reason why Ricardo denied the existence of absolute rent was the fact that he didn’t understand the division of capital on constant and variable parts. Thus, Ricardo failed to detect the difference in organic structure of capital in industry and agriculture, and consequently the excess of added value in agriculture, which is actually construct the absolute rent.   Ã‚   In such a way, though Ricardo contributed much to the overall understanding of economic theory and the theory of rent in particular, the latter has many inherent flaws derived from the misunderstanding and fault mixture between the concept of value and the concept of price. The main advantage of the theory is the definition of so-called differentiated rent, i.e. the attempt of the explanation of the economic essence of rent. The foremost fault of Ricardo’s theory of rent on the earliest stages is that he regarded rent as the payment solely for the use of soil, excluding reinvested capital and interest. The second foremost flaw of the theory is the denial of the existence of the absolute rent, thinking that rent can be derived only from those land that are more fertile. However, Ricardo didn’t count the fact that landowners of worse land wouldn’t give this land in temporary usage for free. References Debrah Y. (2002) â€Å"Globalization, Employment and the Workplace† Routledge, London Henderson H. (1922) â€Å"Supply and demand† McGraw Hills, New York March, James G., and Simon, Herbert A., (1958). Organizations. New York: McGraw Hill Moorhead G. and Griffin Ricky W. (1995), Organizational Behavior, 4th ed., Houghton Muffin Company, Boston, MA Shove G. F. Varying costs and marginal net products // Econ. J. 1928. Vol. 38. Jun. P. 258-266 Winters A. (1992) â€Å"International Economics† Routledge, London   

Friday, August 30, 2019

Cheat Sheet Finance Essay

One year ago, you purchased 1,200 shares of Berry, Mayell, and Wheeler (BMW) stock for $21.20 per share. You have received dividend payments equal to $0.60 per share. Today, you sold all of your shares for $22.20 per share. What is your total return (dollar and percent) on this investment? (4 points) [pic] Castella, Norwood, and Ngoc (CNN) stock had returns of 8%, -2%, 4%, and 16% over the past four years. What are the mean and standard deviation of this stock for the past four years? (6 points) The long term inflation rate average was 3.2% and you invested in long term corporate bonds over the same period which earned 6.1%. What was the average risk premium you earned? (3 points)[pic] Use the following information to answer questions 11 and 12. You purchased one of Fan, Igli, Sherrill, Harper, Evans, and Rashid (FISHER) Corp’s 8% coupon bonds one year ago for $1,028.50. These bonds make annual payments and mature six years for now. Suppose you decide to sell your bond today, when the required return on the bond is 7%. The inflation rate was 4.8% over the past year. What would be your total (i.e., nominal) rate of return on the investment? (7 points) To find the return on the coupon bond, you first need to find the price today. The bond now has six years to maturity, so the price today is: [pic] You received the coupon payments on the bond, so the nominal return was: [pic] What would be your real rate of return on the investment? (4 points) And using the Fisher equation to find the real return, we get [pic] Return and Risk: Statistics and CAPM (various points each) If the covariance of Caroline and Oberkrom (CO) Inc. stock with Van, Aleksandra, and Richter (VAR) Co. stock is0.0065, then what is the covariance of VAR Co. stock with CO Inc. stock? (3 points) Answer: -0.0065 Suppose the risk-free rate is 6.3% and the market risk premium is 8.5%. The market portfolio has a variance of 0.0498. Blagg, Elizabeth, Tendler, and April (BETA) Portfolio has a correlation coefficient with the market of 0.45 and a variance of 0.1783. According to the CAPM, what is the expected return on BETA Portfolio? (8 points) First, you need to find the standard deviation of the market and the portfolio, which are: [pic] [pic] Now, you can use the equation for beta to find the beta of the portfolio, which is:[pic]; or [pic] [pic] [pic] Assume that you are interested in acquiring the exclusive rights to market a new product. You estimate that it will cost you $500 million upfront. You also believe that the product will generate an NPV of -$165. You expect to operate without serious competition for the next five years. Use the following inputs to the Black-Scholes options pricing model: S, the current PV of the project’s E(CFs): $335 million ÏÆ'2, the variance of the project’s E(CFs):0.422 = 0.1764 X, the initial investment in the project:$500 million T, the period of exclusive rights to the project:5 years t, the number of years delayed:1 – 5 years rf, the 5-year risk-free rate:5% DY, the cost to delay [pic]:0.20

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Engineering design Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Engineering design - Assignment Example Additionally, the implication takes note of the risk level that is associated with the established significant parameters (Budd, 2006). From the questionnaire generated, the customer requirement for key ring torch includes a metal shell body having different colors, 58 by 20 MM size, LED light for lighting, nice color, and 4pc button cells that are included on the key ring. I used the questionnaire over the other methodologies because the responses are collected in a standardized manner; therefore, this method is more objective, certainly more than the Focus Group Discussion and Interviews. Generally, the method is relatively faster in collecting information than the interviews and the FDG. However, in some cases the method took a longer time to develop, apply and to analyze. Additionally, the information can be easily collected from a larger group portion. The potential is not always realized because the questionnaire returns are usually very low. However, the rates of return can be improved ones the questionnaire is responded and delivered on time. The questions in the questionnaire are outlined in the appendices (Cather, 2001). . Design Parameters Some of the design parameters for the keyring torch include type of material body color of the keyring torch Led lights Switch battery size packing mechanism flash mode Charge lead time. Using a Focus Group Discussion, the major design parameters include the material used, the body color, and the charge lead time on that order. Some of the key features of Key ring torch include the unbreakable LED light, a lithium batters having a shelf life of one year, burn time of over ten hours, the lay on the chain of the key, and small and lightweight. Some of the application of the key ring include the lighting for driver, emergency for office and home, chart reading for the pilots and astronomers, and outdoor tasks like hunting, camping, and fishing. The key ring torches are bright idea for promoting a company. The customer key ring can be customized with a company’s logo or even the message. From the Focus Group Discussion it was evident that the clients preferred aluminum alloy material, blue, pink, red, and silver body color. The brightness for the LED light is 13000mcd, a button switch, a battery of 3*LR44, a size of 58*20MM, key ring flash mode, and the charging leading time of five to seven days. The clients required the packing to be in an inner box of 500 pieces, with cumulative weight of 12.5 Kg. FDG conducted is outlined in the appendices Design Specification Name Parameter Specification Features Body color Blue, Pink, Silver, Green, and red painting Material Aluminum alloy Switch Button LED Lights Brightness of 13000mcd Size 58 by 20 MM Battery 3*LR44 Packing 1 piece/OPP, 100pcs/CTN, NW 12.g Kg Charge Lead time 5-7 days Flash mode Key ting Details of Packing Packing Inner Packing Outer Packing Meas G/N.w 1 pcs/ bag 100 pieces /inner box 500 pieces per Carton 32*23*24cm 13.5/ 12.5 Kg Design Specification and the customer requirement The design is based on the outlined specification. The reliability requirement of the key ring torch was part of the technical specification document. The company set the requirement for the key ring torch. The reliability of the product is not easy to specify. It is very easy to use the qualitative language like the needs of the product needs to exceed the expectation of the client. The key ring torc

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Netflix and Direct TV Case Study Research Paper

Netflix and Direct TV Case Study - Research Paper Example These generic strategies include cost leadership, differentiation and cost focus. Netflix has managed to woo customers over the years; for instance, it offers free trial membership to its new customers, which enables customers to try out its services. Differentiation Strategy Netflix has managed to maintain its market share via achieving a competitive advantage. This was the first company to break the norm of driving to a movie store to purchase a movie, therefore attaining a first mover advantage (Noise between stations, 2007). Other companies like Blockbuster required an individual to drive all the way to the stores to purchase or rent a movie, although this company followed in the footsteps of Netflix, shortly after. Therefore, due to technology in this industry, customers can now select from thousands of movies online and choose their favorite. In addition, customers enjoy movie shopping from the comfort of their homes or offices. The growth of online sales has contributed to the success of Netflix; indeed, over the years, the company does not charge its customers for movie return delays, unlike Blockbuster. This differentiation strategy enables Netflix to be unique compared to its rival competitors; customers are attracted to a business that caters for their needs effectively compared to other businesses. Netflix’s Target Customers Netflix targets all levels of customers by implementing a subscription plan, which enables clients to subscribe to their preferred plan. This is an added advantage to the company as all levels of customers are catered for, therefore ensuring that customers receive the best services at affordable prices. Netflix Rivals and Threats Posed In an industry, competition is evident either from existing businesses or from new entries in the market. According to the New York Times (2007), netflix experienced a heavy blow of loses due to the stiff competition from Blockbuster, which had implemented a total access program that enable d customers to swap a rented movie online for an in store movie. This strategy enabled Blockbuster to attract Netflix’s customers. DIRECTV is another rival competitor, which provides direct broadcast satellite, and delivers exemplary video experience at a much cheaper price, hence posing a threat to Netflix (form 10K, 2010, p.2). Fig 1. The competition analysis of Netflix and Blockbuster (2007) Netflix and Direct TV Netflix and Direct TV companies are seeking a competitive advantage in their operating industry; hence, they have different strategies of achieving their success. Direct TV aims at delivering the best services at all times and in any place; the company is emphasizing on quality video experience and targets the entire American population, especially with the popularity of DVRs. They are working towards breaking the norm of watching television only at home, therefore working towards introducing television and video experience any time and anywhere. Movie packages Di rect TV is a threat to Netflix, since it is competing for the same market, therefore, customers can either choose to use either of the two companies’ services, to easily access entertainment. Both companies offer services at a specific monthly fee; Direct TV offers four television packages in English language, with the minimal packager

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

International Business Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

International Business Strategy - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that on a day-to-day basis, managers are faced with certain situations of which, they have to apply their critical thinking skills since the decision they make usually has a big impact on the entire organization, and it could be either in a positive or negative way. Therefore, managers have to undertake an essential decision-making process, which will explore all the pros and cons, and even offer risk mitigation tactics that can reduce the organization’s vulnerability. Roberts noted that an effective decision-making process will involve all the key stakeholders and it will look at issues from different and broad angles. Secondly, it will involve the use of various analytical tools that test different parameters that can determine the viability of a business decision or option. Among such examples of crucial decisions that managers usually face in their line of work include which marketing strategy to apply or whether to venture into a new market or not. These two strategic decisions will require the manager to undertake a comprehensive decision-making process to establish the best choice of action. However, according to the studies conducted by Lindstedt and Muller for managers to undertake any decision they are required to conduct a market research in order to establish the likely response of the market with the decision that they will undertake, and it is during the market research process that various analytic strategic tools are applied in the process. According to Porter, a business is usually influenced by the prevailing situation in the market, which can as well contribute to its success or failure in the marketplace. Thus, Porter’s five forces provide a basic framework under which to investigate some of the industrial forces that affect a business.

Monday, August 26, 2019

The middle east and the cold war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The middle east and the cold war - Essay Example The Middle East, owing to its strategic geographical location and abundant energy resources, particularly oil reserves, played a crucial role even during World War II. Despite the imperialistic presence of Britain in the Middle East at the time of the Cold War, the United States also wanted to establish its superpower status in the Middle East (Khalidi). Following the decline of British and French political forces in the Middle East in the years after the World War II and beginning from the 1950s, the two superpowers namely the Soviet Union and America sought to establish their authority in the region. The United States through the Truman Doctrine protested the Soviet and communist influence in the Middle Eastern regions of Greece and Turkey and volunteered to help restrict Soviet actions in the regions. This was soon followed by other doctrines such as the Eisenhower Doctrine that focused on the conflicts between the Arab’s and Israeli’s and the Nixon Doctrine which re sulted in the Persian Gulf policy that ensured regional stability in the Gulf following threats from the Soviet Union. During the Carter Administration, the President wanted to end the Arab-Israeli conflict and sought the help of the Soviet Union to play a constructive role in the process. The cooperation with the Soviet Union was one of the highpoints of the Carter administration which also included the joint issue of a statement that stressed the need for a permanent settlement between the Arab’s and Israeli’s. It also called upon a reconvention of the Geneva conference (Reich and Gotowicki). Following the undertaking of the Sadat initiative by the American government to resolve the Arab-Israel conflict, the Carter administration turned its focus on the Gulf region which by then has witnessed several events such as the Iranian revolution, issue of American hostages and the invasion of the Afghanistan by the Soviet. These events raised concerns about the true

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Jaguar Land Rover Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Jaguar Land Rover Management - Essay Example Supply chain is defined as the a system involving the use of information, activities, people, organization and resources that work to ensure that products or services is moved from the supplier to the consumer. They are the link between the supplier and the consumer by ensuring that the supplier gets the goods to the target market and that the consumer can easily access the goods and services they need with ease. With this in mind, supply chain management would therefore refer to all attempts by the management and planning department of an organization to procure, coordinate, and convert and all other management activities that will ensure the success of the supply. It fosters coordination of activities with and across the various sectors of production, transportation, storage and distribution of goods and services. Channel partners may include intermediaries, suppliers, service provider and consumers which form a chain-like link through which the producer and the consumer are connec ted.Supply chain management has continued to be the most convenient way through which organizations can be able to gain knowledge they need in decision making (Wu & Blackhurst, 2009). The decision making process includes all activities which help us make informed choices that will lead to the overall success of the organization. In the automotive sector, there has been consumer demand for better quality product which meets the client needs of security, comfort, class, and has reduced negative effects on the environment

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Intercultural communication Reflective Journal Assignment

Intercultural communication Reflective Journal - Assignment Example However, multiculturalism presents a huge challenge to intercultural communication (Bloomfield 2007). Therefore, it is important to learn about intercultural communication in order to overcome the obstacles that multiculturalism presents. In this reflective journal, I focus on the aspects of intercultural communication, networking, and career management. In addition, I will also reflect on two major guest presentations, one by a professional from the Butterfly movement, and another by Mr. Adam Whitefield of the World Youth International. Finally, I will reflect on the effectiveness of this journal as a learning experience. 1. Intercultural Communication The aspect of intercultural communication has been core in this course. I have gathered wide and important knowledge on this aspect, and I expect this to be the foundation of my future interactions, both at the professional and social levels. This knowledge, I have acquired through classwork, and other out-of-class activities. The mos t important thing to is that I have learnt and mastered the meaning of intercultural communication. I now understand that this kind of communication is complex and challenging, as it involves people from different backgrounds. I have read in Kalscheuer (2009), that the coming in contact of different people due to the advanced technologies and communication, presents a challenge to intercultural communication. Therefore, although this presents diverse opportunities to people, it is also a common root of conflicts today. However, this course has been eye opening to me, thus my competence level in intercultural communication has improved. Different class activities, including group work, have been a major way through which I have learnt about intercultural communication, and experienced it. Through group work, I have had the opportunity to interact with different colleagues, some of whom I do not share similar social or ethnic background. Together we have discussed, communicated, and l earnt about cultural differences from each other. This also gave me a chance to challenge my assumptions, attitudes, and perceptions I had previously held about certain ethnic groups. Therefore, today, I have learnt the importance of cultural diversity, and I have let go of all the cultural stereotypes I held about certain ethnicities. I have learnt that when one lacks knowledge about intercultural communication, they might fail to see beyond the physical appearance of an individual, because of the irrelevant assumptions and stereotypes, which act as obstructions. Through this, therefore, I have acquired considerable cultural intelligence, which will be of great benefit to my future career, especially when working in an international environment, where I have to deal with clients and colleagues from diverse ethnic backgrounds. 2. Networking With regard to networking, through this course, I have theoretically come to terms with the popular phrase, "It's not what you know, it's who yo u know." In other words, networking is an important aspect of every professional, as technical skills alone are insufficient for one to realize success in their career. This involves making connections and building relationships with different people, mainly for career support and advice. Apart from being of great value to individuals,

Social and economic disadvantage for some ethnic groups in Britain Essay - 1

Social and economic disadvantage for some ethnic groups in Britain - Essay Example In determining values of different capitals and power development directs towards providing benefits to a section of people of the society while making it worse for the other people in that society(Social Class, 2012). In this respect, ethnicity is one of the major parameters associated with social capitals and in Britain it has been empirically found that ethnic minorities have been subjected to various disadvantages. The social scientists have propounded intersection theory which states that the intersection of race, class and gender fetches multiple disadvantages to the people in the societal and economic forefront (Macionis, 2006, p.350). Ethnicity forms one of the most important dimensions of identities of minority ethnic group but at the same time intersect with other social divisions like that of â€Å"age, ability, class, gender and sexuality† (Craig et al, 2012, p.211). In this paper, the main focus is to carry on a critical assessment of the ways in which ethnicity i ntersects other social divisions in the creation of social and economic disadvantage for some ethnic groups in Britain. In course of discussion, focus will be entailed on theoretical foundation. Although critical assessment will be made with respect to living standards, social security but education which is one of the major indicators in the determination of social and economic development will be also given special emphasis. The social scientists in analyzing the social classes often consider a stark difference in the ethnicity forefront.