Thursday, October 31, 2019

Loss Prevention Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Loss Prevention - Term Paper Example It was up approximately 15% from the previous year. This was the worst year and appeared to have been precipitated by the poor economic situation. According to Risk and Jillings (2011) shoplifting is on the increase due to hard times. In New Zeal children were being sent to still while their parents waited outside the store (Risk and Jillings 2011). Consequences of Inventory Shrinkage Inventory shrinkage due to shoplifting not only erodes profit margins but it also results in a loss of sales. This happens because store personnel do not realize quickly enough that shelves are available and that certain goods are not represented on these shelves. When a customer does not see the goods they want on the shelves they end up going to another competitor to purchased the items. Most Popular Item Shoplifted According to Bullock (2010), the UK-based Center for Retail Research indicates that cosmetics were the second most popular items stolen. The most targeted products within this group are ma keup, perfume, hair care, skin creams and tanning product. According to Barnfield of the Center for Retail Research (qtd. in Bullock 2010) these thieves are brand conscious as they focus on top brands like Oil of Olay, CoverGirl and Bumble and Bumble. Bulluck (2010) indicated that a Florida investigation described as Operation Beauty Stop uncovered a ring which sold items stolen from popular retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target and Sweetbay. These items were then offered for sale on EBay. Measures to prevent loss A number of measures can be used to prevent loss. These include the employment and use of security equipment. Although these measures are not foolproof they provide a means of reducing the cost of theft to companies and reduce the corresponding increase in selling price which arises from this type of shrinkage. Loss prevention officers According to McGoey (n.d.), retail loss prevention is a profession that has the responsibility of reducing inventory losses at retail stores. Loss prevention officers are the persons who manage security program in the stores. Their job is to reduce inventory losses that are not only caused by employee theft and shop lifting but due to fraud, vendor theft and accounting errors. They interact with both customers and other store employees whenever any such events occur. They have to exercise a certain level of professionalism when dealing with matters like these and so they have to be properly trained. Loss prevention officers are required to be observant, they should be able to think quickly and use good judgment to solve problems. They should be able to blend into the crowd so that they are not easily identified by would be shoplifters. Sensormatic security tags Sensormatic security tags are widely used in retail stores. They are pinned to merchandise and are not taken off until the customer pays for the merchandise at the cashier. The tags work in conjunction with checkpoint security systems and are further explained belo w. Checkpoint security systems Check point security systems involve the use of sensors called electronic article security (EAS) antennas (Loss Prevention Systems, Inc 2011). These sensors/antennas are placed at the entrance and exits points of the stores. They pick up signals from security tags on clothes, shoes, bags and other store merchandise. Therefore if a shoplifter attempts to leave a store with stolen

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Redwood Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Redwood - Essay Example The destruction of old-growth forests will also mean the extinction of wildlife, most of them already endangered today. Aside from the economic value for potential lumber, large tracts of old-growth forests may also be used to address climate change by sequestration of greenhouse gas emissions which makes conservation a key to the overall strategy of stabilizing atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (Sempervirens, 2008). A company like Maxxam's interests in the ancient redwood forest of Pacific Lumber is purely a commercial one, a profitable investment, and it seems from the Case Resource, only a source of immediate revenues for personal gain or to solve financial problems occurring in the other areas of business of its owner. There is no doubt that a forest would have economic value for its owner. In terms of this value, the owner should weigh against immediate and huge cash returns from depleting the forest or sustained and long term returns through application of proper commer cial forest management. For the owner and the company's employees, it should be important that there be trees and income not only for them but for their children's children (Blencowe, 2008). This author's opinion is that redwoods are equally important as jobs. To maintain the jobs, the redwoods must be maintained. 2. 2. Is it morally permissible for private owners to do as they wish with the timberland they own Explain why or why not What's your assessment of Hurwitz Is he a robber baron or a socially responsible business person, or something in between Although current laws in the United States still hold private enterprise sacrosanct in that property as well as employees are not covered by specific rights but only those granted by the private owners, there is a growing concern for ethical business practices which includes environmental issues. This is forms part of evidence that indicates that it is not only not morally permissible for private owners to do as they wish with property such as timberland that they own, it is also unethical, as well as possibly detrimental to the business and the personal interests of the owners. There have already been several cases which have been publicized involving large companies and their misuse of the environment that it is now incumbent upon companies to seriously implement corporate ethics to comply with laws and regulations, corporate governance, risk management, as well as environment preservation activities and social contribution (Nichicon, 2008). Hurwitz is purely a businessman whose s ingular objective seems to be to amass money in the quickest way possible. He is indeed a robber baron without any sense of social responsibility. Whereas, the previous owners of Pacific Lumber had been socially responsible in conducting their business by only logging timber at the same rate that trees can be regenerated, Hurwitz had done away with this practice and over logged to take advantage of the high demand for redwood after his takeover. 3. Are mainstream environmentalists right to try to thwart Hurwitz, or are they simply trying to impose their values on others Does a radical group like Earth First! That engages in sabotage go too far, or do its ends justify its means This author's opinion is that it is right for mainstream environmentalists to try to thwart Hurwitz, because Hurwitz was practically destroying the forest to the point of extinction, as well as the wildlife which uses the

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Programming Independence Essentially Protects The Auditor S Ability Accounting Essay

Programming Independence Essentially Protects The Auditor S Ability Accounting Essay Programming independence essentially protects the auditors ability to select the most appropriate strategy when conducting an audit. Auditors must be fair to approach a piece of work in whatever manner they consider best. As a client company grows and conducts new activities, the auditors approach will likely have to adapt to account for these. In addition, the auditing profession is a dynamic one, with new techniques constantly being developed and upgraded which the auditor may decide to use. While investigative independence protects the auditors ability to implement the strategies in whatever manner they consider necessary. Basically, auditors must have unlimited access to all company information. Any queries regarding a companys business and accounting treatment must be answered by the company. The collection of audit evidence is an essential process, and cannot be restricted in any way by the client company. Reporting independence protects the auditors ability to choose to reveal to the public any information they believe should be disclosed. If company managers have been misleading shareholders by falsifying accounting information, they will strive to prevent the auditors from reporting this. It is in situations like this when auditor independence is most likely to be compromised. Independence is fundamental to the reliability of auditors reports. Those reports would not be credible, investors and creditors would have confidence with them, if auditors were not independent in both fact and appearance. To be credible, an auditors opinion must be based on an objective and disinterested assessment of whether the financial statements are presented fairly in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. On the other hand, Frank claimed that Auditor independence helps to ensure quality audits and contributes to financial statement users reliance on the financial reporting process. An auditor who is independent in fact has the ability to make independent audit decisions even if there is a perceived lack of independence or if the auditor is placed in a potentially compromising position.(2007) Nonetheless, even when the auditor is in fact independent, one or more factors may lead the public to believe the auditor does not appear independent. This may cause u sers of financial statements to believe they cannot rely on financial information. At mean time, auditor should take responsibilities for detecting material errors and material fraud. Because in Xerox, they are many accounting manipulations can easily cause fraud, the audit should find out those fraud, identified and reported those fraud risk. Q6: The first questionable accounting manipulation is acceleration of lease revenue recognition from bundled leases. This manipulation will affect revenues account, because Xerox accelerated the lease revenue recognition by allocating a higher portion of the lease payment to the equipment instead of the service or financing activity. By reallocating revenues from the finance and service activity to the equipment, Xerox was able to recognize greater revenues in the current reporting period instead of deferring revenue recognize to future periods. There are two auditor procedures can suit for this environment. First is use internal procedure, recalculation: checking the mathematical accuracy of documents or records. Second it external procedure, confirmation: the process of obtaining a representation from a third party. For questionable accelerated of lease revenue from lease price increase extensions, increase in the residual values of leased equipment and acceleration of revenues from portfolio asset strategy transactions. All those three manipulation will increase revenue account and income statement. Because in short term it will immediate increase reverse, but it sacrifice the long term profit. To protect company long term profit, auditor should observation all the processes and procedure the performed. On the other hand auditor should re-performance, it means the auditors independence execution of procedures previously performed by entity staff. For questionable manipulation of reserves. This manipulation will affect equity account. Because Xerox established an acquisition reserve for unknown business risk and unrelated business to the reserve account to inflate earning. It means Xerox put money in equity account to prevent potential risk, but it unrelated to expenses. It easy causes fraud. Auditor can use observation procedure, to looking at processes and procedures being performed or use inquiry procedure, to seeking information from knowledgeable persons. For questionable manipulation of other income. This manipulation will affect cost and expenses account. Because Xerox elect to recognize most of the interest income during period years. The cost and expenses account will reduce in period years, and meantime make that years report look better. To appropriateness of this practice, audit should use analytical procedure. Compare the date with similar prior-period date, to keep the report justice. For questionable failure to disclose factoring transactions. This manipulation will affect revenues account and asset account. From material, we can know Xerox sold future cash from receivable account to local banks for immediate cash. It made Xerox have a strong cash position in the present year, like the revenues account will increase, on the other hand sold receivables to bank must take some lost. The asset account must decrease. It also easy cost fraud. Audits can use inspection of tangible assets and analytical procedures. Inspection of tangible assets can find out the total asset increase or decrease. Xerox company failure to disclose factoring transaction should record in annual report, so use analytical procedure will disclose this problem. REF: Arens.,Best., Shailer.,Fiedler.,Elder.,Beasley. (2010). Essentials of Auditing, Assurance Services Ethics in Australia. Chris Richardson Frank D. (2007). CPAs Views on Auditor Independence. Society of Certified Public Accountants

Friday, October 25, 2019

Character Analysis Of The Scar :: essays research papers

Most people believe that there exists at least one person in the world who matches their personality exactly. Others believe that for every person there is an exact opposite or an evil twin so to speak. In the case of Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale, they fall somewhere in between these two definitions. Both were sinners, and yet the people glorified Dimmesdale and cast Hester away, only because they were misinformed. Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale are, at first glance totally different, however upon closer inspection, they become increasingly more similar. Lifestyle is a trait everyone shares, however the trait itself can vary from person to person. Hester lived a life of exile and seclusion. The townspeople no longer wanted her. She was representative of sin and for that she had to be â€Å"cleansed† from the great Puritan body that was Boston. Dimmesdale, however, lived the life of a hero. He was, in the opinion of the people, the closest thing anyone of them had to God. He was often showered with praise and loved by the community. They did lead similar lifestyles, in the respect that they were both living a life based on keeping secrets. Hester was keeping secret the fact that Chillingworth was her husband. Chillingworth was trying to learn the identity of Pearl’s father â€Å"under the semblance of a friend and helper, and had availed himself of the opportunities thus afford to tapering with the delicate springs or Mr. Dimmsdale’s nature" (Hawthorne 173). Dimmesdale kept secret the fact that he was Pearl’s father and Hester’s â€Å"accomplice in sin†. Keeping the secret began to degrade Dimmesdale’s health, however even at his weakest, Dimmsdale’s secret was not revealed to the public (Hawthorne 285). All people share character traits, however much like lifestyle, the traits themselves can be as varied as the colors of the rainbow. In Hester’s case, her main character trait was her submission to the punishment of the â€Å"A†, however through this submission, she became strong. After seven years of abuse, she learned to live with the shame. She wore the â€Å"A† even after there was general acceptance of her in the colony. She also became caring. She made clothes for many people and always helped the needy. Dimmesdale begins the story as a hypocritical being, and he remains so until the end of the book. He engaged in the very same sin as Hester, but he makes her the topic of every sermon, and preaches to her about the wrongnesses of evil.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Research, Statistics, and Psychology

Without research methods and processes, an unimaginable amount of information would be lost to the world. Though research topics and researcher personalities vary greatly, universal truths or basics of research stand the test of time. In this paper, I examine the role of research and statistics in the field of psychology by explaining several important parts of research. I define research and the scientific method. I compare and contrast the characteristics of primary and secondary data. I also define statistics and describe their role in research.Diverse fields of study use research through the scientific method, primary data, secondary data, and statistics. Professionals use research to investigate topics, discover, and interpret facts. Research is also performed to revise theories. Psychological theories are consistently revisited. One psychologist will create the base of a school of thought, but later psychologists will expand and update the original work. The scientific method i s used in research and is considered necessary for scientific investigation. The scientific method is a series of steps.Researchers identify a problem or area of interest, research to gather information, make hypothesis, empirically test hypothesis with experiments, make changes to hypothesis or tests if necessary, draw a conclusion, and write findings. According to â€Å"Merriam-Webster† (2014), â€Å"Many empirical sciences, especially the social sciences, use mathematical tools borrowed from probability theory and statistics, together with such outgrowths of these as decision theory, game theory, utility theory, and operations research† (scientific method).Psychologists and researchers from other fields can use different types of data. Primary and secondary data are used in research and experiments. Primary data is data collected from first hand experience. A psychologist who observes animal or human behavior is collecting primary data. Secondary data is collected f rom the past, other people, or publications. According to â€Å"Publish Your Articles† (2012), â€Å"It refers to the statistical material which is not originated by the investigator himself but obtained from someone else's records† (secondary data).Psychologists cannot ethically recreate situations of child abuse to learn about psychological dynamics, related stress, and immediate reactions, so referral to past research may be necessary. Primary and secondary data types pose advantages and disadvantages to researchers. Primary data can be more credible, believable, telling, and will better fit the needs of a study. However, primary data requires funding, time, and participants. Secondary data can save time and expenses, and some research will not provide the opportunity to collect primary data.A wealth of secondary data is available, but it can be painstaking to find sufficiently accurate secondary data to use. It can also be difficult for researchers to find secondar y data that precisely fits the desired area of focus. The role of statistics in research is to access and organize research data throughout various fields of study. The summation that statistics provide paints an understandable picture of data. Psychological statistics may tell the percentage of a population that experiences seasonal depression, or what type of childhood environment influences a psychological disorder, like schizophrenia.According to â€Å"Bcps. org† (2010), â€Å"It is important for researchers and also consumers of research to understand statistics so that they can be informed, evaluate the credibility and usefulness of information, and make appropriate decisions† (The role of statistics in research). Researchers must navigate through many different types of variables and levels of measurement in research. Levels of measurement, including rank-order, nominal, and equal-interval measure variables. Tables and graphs may be used to illustrate data, but statistics help researchers draw reliable conclusions.To research is to investigate, whether researching a new topic, or testing an established theory. The scientific method is an integral part of any research. Respected researchers follow the steps of the scientific method. According to â€Å"Merriam-Webster† (2014), â€Å"Principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses† (scientific method). Primary or secondary data can be used in research.Primary data is data obtained directly from the researcher. Secondary data is collected from secondary sources like articles, books, and previous experiments. Each type of data has its advantages and disadvantages, and the researcher must choose a data type. According to â€Å"Bcps. org† (2010), â€Å"Statistics is the science of collecting, analyz ing and making inference from data. Statistics is a particularly useful branch of mathematics that is not only studied theoretically by advanced mathematicians but one that is used by researchers in many fields† (The role of statistics in research).The aspects of research reviewed are universal, despite the topic of research. However, research and statistics are undeniably valuable and influential. Human civilization should respect the process and endeavor of research because the word would be extremely different without research. For example, psychological medications and technology would not exist, and the human mind might be considered a hopeless mystery. Research, Statistics, and Psychology Without research methods and processes, an unimaginable amount of information would be lost to the world. Though research topics and researcher personalities vary greatly, universal truths or basics of research stand the test of time. In this paper, I examine the role of research and statistics in the field of psychology by explaining several important parts of research. I define research and the scientific method. I compare and contrast the characteristics of primary and secondary data. I also define statistics and describe their role in research.Diverse fields of study use research through the scientific method, primary data, secondary data, and statistics. Professionals use research to investigate topics, discover, and interpret facts. Research is also performed to revise theories. Psychological theories are consistently revisited. One psychologist will create the base of a school of thought, but later psychologists will expand and update the original work. The scientific method i s used in research and is considered necessary for scientific investigation. The scientific method is a series of steps.Researchers identify a problem or area of interest, research to gather information, make hypothesis, empirically test hypothesis with experiments, make changes to hypothesis or tests if necessary, draw a conclusion, and write findings. According to â€Å"Merriam-Webster† (2014), â€Å"Many empirical sciences, especially the social sciences, use mathematical tools borrowed from probability theory and statistics, together with such outgrowths of these as decision theory, game theory, utility theory, and operations research† (scientific method).Psychologists and researchers from other fields can use different types of data. Primary and secondary data are used in research and experiments. Primary data is data collected from first hand experience. A psychologist who observes animal or human behavior is collecting primary data. Secondary data is collected f rom the past, other people, or publications. According to â€Å"Publish Your Articles† (2012), â€Å"It refers to the statistical material which is not originated by the investigator himself but obtained from someone else's records† (secondary data).Psychologists cannot ethically recreate situations of child abuse to learn about psychological dynamics, related stress, and immediate reactions, so referral to past research may be necessary. Primary and secondary data types pose advantages and disadvantages to researchers. Primary data can be more credible, believable, telling, and will better fit the needs of a study. However, primary data requires funding, time, and participants. Secondary data can save time and expenses, and some research will not provide the opportunity to collect primary data.A wealth of secondary data is available, but it can be painstaking to find sufficiently accurate secondary data to use. It can also be difficult for researchers to find secondar y data that precisely fits the desired area of focus. The role of statistics in research is to access and organize research data throughout various fields of study. The summation that statistics provide paints an understandable picture of data. Psychological statistics may tell the percentage of a population that experiences seasonal depression, or what type of childhood environment influences a psychological disorder, like schizophrenia.According to â€Å"Bcps. org† (2010), â€Å"It is important for researchers and also consumers of research to understand statistics so that they can be informed, evaluate the credibility and usefulness of information, and make appropriate decisions† (The role of statistics in research). Researchers must navigate through many different types of variables and levels of measurement in research. Levels of measurement, including rank-order, nominal, and equal-interval measure variables. Tables and graphs may be used to illustrate data, but statistics help researchers draw reliable conclusions.To research is to investigate, whether researching a new topic, or testing an established theory. The scientific method is an integral part of any research. Respected researchers follow the steps of the scientific method. According to â€Å"Merriam-Webster† (2014), â€Å"Principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses† (scientific method). Primary or secondary data can be used in research.Primary data is data obtained directly from the researcher. Secondary data is collected from secondary sources like articles, books, and previous experiments. Each type of data has its advantages and disadvantages, and the researcher must choose a data type. According to â€Å"Bcps. org† (2010), â€Å"Statistics is the science of collecting, analyz ing and making inference from data. Statistics is a particularly useful branch of mathematics that is not only studied theoretically by advanced mathematicians but one that is used by researchers in many fields† (The role of statistics in research).The aspects of research reviewed are universal, despite the topic of research. However, research and statistics are undeniably valuable and influential. Human civilization should respect the process and endeavor of research because the word would be extremely different without research. For example, psychological medications and technology would not exist, and the human mind might be considered a hopeless mystery.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Hamburger Universities Essay

As of today, we have seven Hamburger Universities (HUs) around the world. They are state of the art training centers for restaurant employees and corporate staff. Since its inception, Hamburger University training has emphasized consistent restaurant operations procedures, service, quality and cleanliness. The curriculum is comprehensive, thought-provoking and the perfect foundation for building a successful career. The fact that our Oak Brook Campus Hamburger University is the only restaurant company training academy awarded  college credit recommendations by the American Council on Education (ACE) is indicative of the value Hamburger Universities bring to our system and our employees. ACE recommendations mean that credits earned at Hamburger University can be applied toward a college degree. 100% of the restaurant manager and mid-management curricula are eligible for a total of up to 46 credits – approximately two years of full-time college study. Over the years, McDonald’s Malaysia sent its Restaurant Managers to Hamburger  Universities located in the United States, Australia and Korea. In mid-2006, we officially launched the McDonald’s Leadership Institute, a virtual learning community with guidance and resources to support and develop employee leadership and talent. It gives McDonald’s leaders opportunities to grow and develop through structured learning with other leaders, to participate in challenging development experiences and to access a wide variety of development tools and best practices resources. The Leadership Institute helps them develop critical leadership skills needed to address major short and long-term business challenges that are affecting the corporation. Under the auspices of the Institute, accelerated leadership development programs for high-potential directors and officers are offered annually across all areas of the world. As the end of 2007, 184 employees from 43 countries had participated with more than 40% of those who graduated receiving promotions.