Friday, November 29, 2019

Banking Scenario in Bangladesh Essay Example

Banking Scenario in Bangladesh Essay Example Banking Scenario in Bangladesh Essay Banking Scenario in Bangladesh Essay Rahmanir Rahim An Empirical Study of Performance of Islamic Banks in Bangladesh with special reference to Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd By Shah Abdul Hannan, Former Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of Bangladesh and M. Fariduddin Ahmad Deputy Executive President Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited ________________________________________________ SECTION – I Banking Scenario in Bangladesh When Bangladesh came into existence on the 16th December, 1971, the banking sector of Bangladesh was in a total disarray. With the exception of two local banks incorporated in then East Pakistan, all the bigger local banks became inoperational.. Starting with such a humble   condition, the Banking Sector of Bangladesh has grown to a great extent. At present there are 49 Banks in Bangladesh. The structure of Banking in Bangladesh is as under: 1. Nationalized Commercial Banks 4 2. Specialized Banks 5 3. Private Sector Commercial Banks : a) Conventional Banks25 b) Islamic Banks 5 4. Foreign Commercial Banks a) Conventional Banks 9 b) Islamic Banks 1 Total49 - SECTION – II Genesis of Islamic Banking in Bangladesh In August 1974, Bangladesh signed the Charter of Islamic Development Bank and committed itself to reorganize its economic and financial system as per Islamic Shariah. In January 1981, the then President of People’s Republic of Bangladesh while addressing the 3rd Islamic Summit Conference held at Makkah and Taif suggested, â€Å"The Islamic countries should develop a separate banki ng system of their own in order to facilitate their trade and commerce. This statement of the President indicated favourable attitude of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh towards establishing Islamic banks and financial institutions in the country. Earlier in November 1980, Bangladesh Bank, the country’s Central Bank, sent a representative to study the working of several Islamic banks abroad. In November 1982, a delegation of IDB visited Bangladesh and showed keen interest to participate in establishing a joint venture Islamic Bank in the private sector. They found a lot of work had already been done and Islamic banking was in a ready form for immediate introduction. Two professional bodies Islamic Economics Research Bureau (IERB) and Bangladesh Islamic Bankers Association (BIBA) made significant contributions towards introduction of Islamic banking in the country. They came forward to provide training on Islamic banking to top bankers and economists to fill-up the vacuum of leadership for the future Islamic banks n Bangladesh. They also held seminars, symposia and workshops on Islamic economics and banking throughout the country to mobilise public opinion in favour of Islamic banking. Their professional activities were reinforced by a number of Muslim entrepreneurs working under the aegis of then Muslim Businessmen Society (now reorganised as Industrialist Businessmen Association). The body concentrated mainly in mobilising equity capital for the emerging Islamic bank. At last, the long drawn struggle to establish an Islamic bank in Bangladesh became a reality and Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited was established on 30th March, 1983 in which 19 Bangladeshi national, 4 Bangladeshi institutions and 11 banks, financial institutions and government bodies of the Middle East and Europe including IDB and two eminent personalities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined hands to make the dream a reality. Later, other 5 Islamic Banks were established in the country. 7 conventional banks have so far established Islamic Banking branches in some major cities. SECTION – III Comparative Position of Islamic Banking and Conventional Banking in Bangladesh. Deposits: Total deposits of the Banking Sector of Bangladesh stood at Taka 1,415,877 million as on 30. 06. 2005 of which Islamic Bank mobilized deposit to the tune of Taka 3031897 million i. e. their share in total deposits of the Banking system is 11. 98%. A detail analysis of deposits of all Banks vis-a-vis deposits of Islamic Banks by Type of Accounts is given in the following Table: Table – I Deposits distributed by Types of Accounts Amount in Million Taka (US $ 1=Taka 67. 50) |Sl. No. |Types of Accounts |All Banks |Islamic Banks |Share of Islamic banks (%) | | | |Nos. of Accounts |Amount | | | |Nos. of Accounts |% of total | | | |Nos. f Accounts | | |a) Long Term |91,664 |1. 11 | | |Project Finance | | | | |Amount |% of total |Amount |% of total | | |Urban |999,742 |89. 8 |152,146 |97. 27 |15. 22 | |Rural |117,579 |10. 52 |4,264 |2. 73 |3. 63 | | Total |1,117,321 |100 |156,410 |100 | | [pic] [pic] Islamic Banks All Banks Advances classified by Geographical Areas The Islamic Banks In Bangladesh could not yet make much headway in providing finance to rural areas as their operations are still limited to urban areas. The Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, the first established Islamic Bank in Bangladesh, has reached to 4560 villages (out of 68,000 villages) of the country through their 101 branches and have so far provided finance amounting to Taka 4362 million to 164,116 rural poors, the recovery rate of which is 99%. Section – IV Operations of Islamic Banking in Conventional Banks In Bangladesh 6 conventional Banks namely, Prime Bank Limited, Dhaka Bank Limited, City Bank Limited, Premier Bank Limited, South East Bank Limited, Jamuna Bank Limited have taken the initiative of providing Islamic banking facilities within their existing set-up. They have established full-fledged Islamic branches and mobilized substantial amount of deposit, making investment and providing all types of banking services under Islamic modes. A Bank namely ‘Exim Bank’ was incorporated in 2002 as a conventional Bank but subsequently converted to an Islamic Bank. More conventional Banks are contemplating to establish Islamic branches in the near future. The above Banks have formed Shariah Council to oversee the operations of their Islamic Branches and they are also member of the Central Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh. The growth trend of deposit and investment of Islamic branches of the above 6 conventional Banks is highly satisfactory. Section – V Evaluation of Performance of Islamic Banks: Tools Instruments employed. 1. 00Concept and definition of Islamic Banking: General Secretariat of the OIC defined Islamic Banking as An Islamic Bank is a financial institution whose statutes, rules and procedures expressly state its commitment to the principles of Islamic Shariah and to the banning of the receipt payment of interest on any of its operations. 6. 02Modes of Deposit: Deposits are accepted by the Islamic Banks under the following Modes: 6. 02. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Al-Wadeeah: The word Al-Wadeeah has been derived form the Arabic word Wadyun which means to keep/to deposit to give up, leave off etc. In Islamic Banking, the principle of Al-Wadeeah means, the Bank receives money from the clients for safe-custody with the condition to return the money on demand by the customer. Current Accounts are opened under this principle. Depositors authorise the Bank to use the money at Banks risk. The customer is not entitled to receive any benefit from the Bank. 6. 02. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Al-Mudarabah: The word Mudaraba has been derived from the Arabic word Darb/Darbun which means movement to earn rahmat (Munafa) of Allah. Mudaraba is a form of partnership where one of the contracting parties called the Shahib-al-Maal or the Rabb-ul-Maal (the financier) provides a specified amount of capital and acts like a sleeping or a dormant partner while the other party, called the Mudarib (entrepreneur), provides the entrepreneurship and management for currying on any venture, trade, industry or service with the objectives of earning profits. The Mudarib is in the nature of a trustee as well as an agent of the business. Profit is distributed as per preagreed ratio while the loss is entirely borne by the Shahib-al-Maal. . 02. 3Al Mudarabah deposit Products: There can be many types of Mudarabah deposit products. The following are the title of some of the Mudarabah Products so far introduced by the Islamic Banks in Bangladesh:  ¦Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mudarabah Special Notice Deposit  ¦Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mudarabah Savings Deposit  ¦Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mudarabah Term Deposit  ¦Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mudarabah Savings Bonds  ¦Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mudarabah Special Savings (Pension)  ¦Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mudarabah Monthly Profit Deposit Scheme  ¦Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mudarabah Muhar Savings   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mudarabah Cash Waqf Deposit  ¦Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mudarabah Hajj Deposit. 6. 03Modes of Investment: Investment can be made by the Islamic Banks under the following Modes: However, the Islamic Banks in Bangladesh have so far introduced Bai-Murabaha, Bai-Muajjal, Bai-Salam Hire purchase under Shirkatul Meelk Modes. 6. 03. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Profit Loss Sharing Mode ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Shirkat/Musharaka The term refers to a financing technique adopted by Islamic Banks. It is an agreement under which the Islamic bank provides funds which are mingled with the funds of the business enterprise and others. All providers of capital are entitled to participate in the management but not necessarily required to do so. The profit is distributed among the partners in pre-determined ratios, while the loss is borne by each partner in proportion to his contribution. 6. 03. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Profit sharing Loss bearing Mode: ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Al-Mudarabah The word Mudaraba has been derived from the Arabic word Darb/Darbun which means movement to earn rahmat (Munafa) of Allah. Mudaraba is a form of partnership where one of the contracting points called the Shahib-al-Maal or the Rabb-ul-Maal (the financier) provides a specified amount of capital and acts like a sleeping a dormant partner while the other party, called the Mudarib (entrepreneur), provides the entrepreneurship and management for caring on any venture, trade, industry or service with the objectives of earning profits. The Mudarib is in the nature of a trustee as well as an agent of the business. Profit in distributed as per preagreed ratio while the loss is entirely borne by the Shahib-al-Maal. . 03. 3  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bai-Mode (Buying Selling): ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bai-Murabaha: Literally, sale on profit. Technically, a contract of sale in which the seller declares his cost and profit. This has been adopted as a mode of financing by a number of Islamic Banks. As a financing technique, it involves a request by the client to the bank to purchase a certain item for him. The bank does that for a definite profit over the cost which is settled in advance. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bai-Muajjal: Literally, a credit sale. Technically, a financing technique adopted by Islamic Banks. It is a contract in which the seller allows the buyer to pay the price of a commodity at a future date in a lump sum or in installments. The price fixed for the commodity in such a transaction can be the same as the spot price or higher or lower than the spot price. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bai-Salam: This term refers to advance payment for goods which are to be delivered later. Normally, no sale can be effected unless the goods are in existence at the time of the bargain. But this type of sale forms and exception, to the general rule provided the goods are defined and the date of delivery is fixed. The objects of this type of sale are mainly tangible things but exclude gold or silver as these are regarded as monetary values. Barring these, bai-salam covers almost all things which are capable of being definitely described as to quantity, quality and workmanship. One of the conditions of this type of contract is advance payment; the parties cannot reserve their option of rescinding it but the option of revoking it on account of a defect in the subject matter is allowed. It is also applied to a mode of financing adopted by Islamic Banks. It is usually pplied in the agricultural sector where the bank advances money for various inputs to receive a share in the crop, which the bank sells in the market. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bai-Ishtisna: Istisnaa is a sale contract by which al-sani (the seller) on the basis of the order placed by al-mustasni (the buyer) after having manufactured or otherwise acquired al-masnoo (the goods) as per specification sells the same to al-mustasni for an agre ed upon price and method of settlement whether that be in advance, by instalments or deferred to a specific time. It is a condition of Istisnaa contract that al-sani should provide either the raw material or the labour.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bai-Istijrar: Istijrar means purchasing goods from time to time in different quantities. In Islamic jurisprudence Istijrar is an agreement where a buyer purchases something from time to time; each time there is no offer or acceptance or bargain. There is one master agreement where all terms and conditions are finalized. There are two types of Istijrar:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Whereby the price is determined after all transactions of purchase are complete.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Whereby the price is determined in advances but the purchase is executed from time to time. The first kind is relevant with the Islamic mode of financing. This kind is permissible with certain conditions. a. In the case where the seller discloses the price of goods at the time of each transaction; the sale becomes valid only when the buyer possess the goods. The amount is paid after all transactions have been completed. b. If the seller does not disclose each and every time to the buyer the price of the subject matter, but the contractors know that it is being sold on market value and the market value is specified and determined in such a manner that it does not vary and it does not lead to differences of the contractors. . If at the time of possession, the price of subject matter was unknown or contractors agree that whatever the price shall be, the sale will be executed. However, if there is significant difference in the market price and the agreed price, it may cause conflict. In such a case, at the time of possession, the sale will not be valid. However, at the time of settlement of the payment, the sale will be valid. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bai-Musawamah: It refers to normal sale in which cost price is not known. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bai-Surf: It refers to the sale of gold, silver and currency.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bai-Muqayada: It refers to barter sale excluding currency sale. 6. 03. 4Rent Sharing Mode: ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ijarah (Lease) The term Ijarah has been derived from the Arabic works ‘’ (Ajr) and ‘ ’ (Ujrat) which means consideration, return, wages or rent. This is really the exchange value or consideration, return, wages, rent of service of an asset. Ijarah has been defined as a contract between two parties, the Hiree and Hirer where the Hirer enjoys or reaps a specific service or benefit against a specified consideration or rent from the asset owned by the Hiree. It is a hire agreement under which a certain asset is hired out by the Hiree to a Hirer against fixed rent or rentals for a specified period. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ijarah wa iqtina (Hire Purchase): This term refers to a mode of financing adopted by Islamic Banks. It is a contract under which the Islamic Bank finances equipment, building or other facility for the client against an agreed rental together with an undertaking from the client to purchase the equipment or the facility. The rental as well as the purchase price is fixed in such a manner that the bank ets back its principal sum along with some profit which is usually determined in advance. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Hire purchase under Shirkatul Melk (HPSM): Hire Purchase under Shirkatul Melk is a special type of contract which has been developed through practice. Actually, it is a combination of three contracts viz: Shirkat, Ijarah and Sale. Shirkat means partnership. Shirkatul Melk means share in ownership. When two or more pers ons supply equity, purchase an asset, own the same jointly, and share the benefit as per agreement and bear the loss in proportion to their respective equity, the contract is called Shirkatul Melk contract. . 03. 5Production Sharing Mode: ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mozarah: It is a contract in which one person agrees to Till the land of the other person in return for a part of the produce of the land. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Musaqah: A contract in which the owner of the garden shares its produce with another person in return for his services in irrigating the garden. 6. 03. 6Quard-al-Hasana: A virtuous loan. A loan with the stipulation to return the principal sum in the futurewithout any increase. 7. 00Steps in the investment operations: ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Induction of the client ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Application ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Processing Appraisal   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sanction ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Documentation ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Disbursement ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Monitorin g, End-use, Supervision Recovery 8. 00Fixation of sale price of Bai-Murabaha goods: A. Purchase price of the Goods Plus (+) B. Other expenditure incurred by the Bank in connection with the purchase, transportation and storage before sale of the goods to the client viz: i)Conveyance ii)Commission, if any, paid to agent iii)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cost of remittance of Fund iv)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Transportation cost v)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Insurance vi)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Godown rent ii)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Other expenses if any. C. Total Cost Price (A+B) D. Profit Mark up E. Sale Price 8. 01Fixation of Rent under Rent Sharing Mode: 8. 01. 1  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Diminishing Balance Method: In this method the installments are not equal. Principal installment remains equal. Rent unequal i. e. calculated on t he outstanding principal. As at the initial stage principal outstanding remain higher so rent is higher which make the installment size larger. 8. 01. 2  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Equal Installment Method (Annuity Method): In this method the installments are equal. Principal Rent are unequal. Rent is calculated on the outstanding principal and the rest amount of installment is adjusted against Principal. At the initial stage principal outstanding remain higher so rent is higher anddecreased gradually. At the initial stage principal adjustment is less and increases gradually. The main difference between the Diminishing Balance Method and Annuity Method is that the Principal adjustment is not equal. As at the initial stage Principal adjustment is less the total Rent in this method is more than the Diminishing Balance Method. 8. 01.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Equal Installment Method (Equal Rent Method): In this method the installments are equal. Principal Rent remain equal. Rent is calculated for the whole period of Investment considering diminishing balance of Principal equally distributed all over the repayment period. Though the total rent on the investment in this case is equal to that of Diminishi ng Balance Method but the effective R. R. is less due to opportunity loss on the calculated but not realized rent for the 1st half of the repayment period. 9. 00Nature of Shariah Lapses generally occur in Investment Operations: . 01  Ã‚   Cash facilities are allowed to the client instead of investment through buying and selling of goods. 9. 02  Ã‚   Fresh investments are allowed for adjustment of previous liability of the client without proper buying and selling of goods. 9. 03  Ã‚   Letter of authority is not obtained from the client in case of investment against Bai-Murabaha (Post Import) and Bai-Murabaha under dealership license in the name of Investment Clients. 9. 04  Ã‚   Rent/Profit is charged and recovered for the gestation period under Hire Purchase Sunder Shirkatul Melk investment. . 05  Ã‚   Pre-fixed profit is recovered in the Pre-shipment Musharaka Investment instead of actual profit. 9. 06  Ã‚   Cash Memo obtained in the name of Client instead of in the nam e of the Bank. 9. 07  Ã‚   Cash Memo is not at all obtained. 9. 08  Ã‚   Agreements are kept blank and undated. 9. 09  Ã‚   Back dated/Post Dated cash Memo is obtained. 9. 10  Ã‚   The application for Payment Order/Demand Draft/T. T. etc. is signed by the Client instead of signing the same by the Bank. 9. 11  Ã‚   The amount of disbursement does not agree with the amount of Cash Memo. 9. 2  Ã‚   Goods are received directly by the Client instead of receipt of goods first by the Bank and then by the Client. 9. 13  Ã‚   Documents of receiving goods by the Branch are not available in the Branch record: 9. 14  Ã‚   Bai-Muajjal investment is allowed in case of Stock-lot items. 10. 00 Distribution of Profit to Mudaraba Depositors: The principles of calculation and distribution of profit to Mudaraba Depositors generally followed by different Islami Banks are as under: 10. 01. Mudaraba Depositors share income derived from investment of their fund. 0. 02. Mudaraba Depositors d o not share any income derived from miscellaneous banking services where use of their fund is not involved, such as commission, exchange, service charges and other fees realised by the Bank. 10. 03. Mudaraba Deposits get priority in the matters of investment over Banks equity and other cost free funds. 10. 04. The gross income derived from investments during the accounting year is, at first, allocated to Mudaraba Deposits and Equity cost-free-funds according to their proportion in the total investment. 10. 05. The share of gross investment income of Mudaraba Deposits as worked out in terms of principle shown against serial No 10. 04 is distributed as under: a) Bank retains a preagreed portion (say 20%) as management fee for managing the investment. b) Bank retains another preagreed portion (say 15%) for off-setting investment loss or with a view to maintaining a general level of return on Mudaraba Deposits. c) The remaining portion (say 65%) is distributed to Mudaraba Depositors applying weightages. 10. 06. Let us suppose that an Islami Bank applies the following weightages to Mudaraba Deposits. ) Mudaraba Hajj Savings Deposit 110% b) Mudaraba Term Deposits36 Months100% 24 98% 12 96% 06 92% 03 88% c) Mudaraba Savings 75% d) Mudaraba Short Notice 55% 10. 07. On the basis of the above principles, let us work out the rates of profit using the information and figures given below: a) Total InvestmentTk. 1000 b) Total Investment IncomeTk. 150 c) Total fund employed i) Banks equity and Al-Wadeea h Deposits Tk. 200 ii) Mudaraba DepositsTk. 800 Tk. 1000 Therefore the share of investment income of Mudaraba Deposit will be (150 ( 1000 ( 800) Tk. 120. 00 Less: ) 20% Management Fee Tk. 24. 00 b) 15% Loss Off-setting Reserve Tk. 18. 00 Tk. 42. 00 Distributable Investment Income Tk. 78. 00 |Sl. No |Type of Mudaraba |Yearly Product |Weightage |Weighted Product |Share of | | |Deposit | | | |Distributable | | | | | | |Profit | 1. 00Foreign Trade Foreign Exchange business under Islamic Framework: Musharaka can be used for Import Financing as well. There are two types of bank charges on the letter of credit provided to the importer: 11. 01Import Financing a. Service charges for opening an LC b. Interest charged on LCs, which are not opened on full margin. Collecting service charges for this purpose is allowed, but as interest cannot be charged in any case, experts have proposed two methods for financing LCs: a. Based on Musharakah/Mudarabah. b. Based on Murabaha. 1. 01. 1Musharakah/Mud arabah: This is the best substitute for opening the LC. The Bank and the importer can make an agreement of Musharakah or Mudarabah modes before opening the LC. If the LC is being opened at zero margin then an agreement of Mudarabah can be made, in which the bank will become Rab-ul-Mall and the importer Mudarib. The bank will own the goods that are being imported and the profit will be distributed according to the agreement. If the LC is being opened with a margin then a Musharakah agreement can be made. The bank will pay the remaining amount and the goods that are being imported will be owned by both of them according to their share of investment. The bank and the importer, with their mutual consent can also include a condition in the agreement, whereby; Musharaka or Mudarabah will end after a certain time period even if the goods are not sold. In such a case, the importer will purchase the Banks share at the market price. 11. 01. 2Bai-Murabahah: At present Islamic banks are using Bai-Murabaha, to finance LC. These banks themselves import the required goods and then sell these goods to the importer on Bai-Murabahah agreement. Bai-Murabahah financing requires the bank and the importer to sign at least two agreements separately; one for the purchase of the goods, and the other for appointing the importer as the agent of the bank (agency agreement). Once these two agreements are signed, the importer can negotiate and finalize all terms and conditions with the exporter on behalf of the bank. 11. 02Export Financing: A bank plays two very important roles in Exports. It acts as a negotiating bank and charges a fee for this purpose, which is allowed in Shariah. Secondly, it provides export-financing facility to the exporters and charge interest on this service. These services are of two types: a. Pre shipment financing b. Post shipment financing As interest cannot be charged in any case, experts have proposed certain methods for financing exports. 11. 02. 1Pre Shipment Financing: Pre shipment financing needs can be fulfilled by two methods a. Musharaka/Mudarabah b. Bai-Salam The most appropriate method for financing exports is Musharakah or Mudarabah. Bank and exporter can make an agreement of Mudarabah provided that the exporter is not investing; other wise Musharakah agreement can be made. Agreement in such case will be easy, as cost and expected profit is known. The exporter will manufacture or purchase goods and the profit obtained by exporting it will be distributed between them according to the predefined ratio. A problem that can be encountered by the bank is that if the exporter is not able to deliver the goods according to the terms and conditions of the importer, then the importer can refuse to accept the goods, and in this case exporters bank will ultimately suffer. This problem can be solved by including a condition in Mudarabah or Musharakah agreement that, if exporter violates the terms and conditions of export agreement then the Bank will not be responsible for any loss which arises due to this negligence. This condition is allowed in Shariah as the Rabb-ul-mal is not responsible for any loss that arises due to the negligence of Mudarib. 11. 02. 2 Bai-Salam: Bai-Salam is being used in Islamic Banks for export financing. Banks purchases goods that are to be exported at price that is less than the price agreed between the exporter and the importer. It then exports goods at the original price and thus earns profit. Bai-Salam financing requires bank and exporter to sign at least two agreements separately, one for the purchase of goods and the other for appointing the exporter as the agent of the bank (that is agency agreement). Once these two agreement are signed, the exporter can negotiate and finanlize all the terms and conditions with the importer on behalf of the bank. Post Shipment Financing: Post shipment finance is similar to the discounting of the bill of exchange. Its alternate Shariah compliant procedure is discussed below: The exporter with the bill of exchange can appoint the bank as his agent to collect receivable on his behalf. The bank can charge a fee for this service and can provide Quard-al-Hasana to the exporter, which is equal to the amount of the bill, and the exporter will give his consent to the bank that it can keep the amount received from the bill as a payment of the loan. Here two processes are separated, and thus two agreements will be made. One will authorize the bank to collect the bill amount on his behalf as an agent, for which he will charge a particular fee. The second agreement will provide Quard-al-Hasana to the exporter, and authorize the bank for keeping the amount received through bill as a payment for Quard-al-Hasana. Section – VII National International ratings of the Pioneer Islamic Bank â€Å"Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited†. IBBLs past performances have been evaluated by Bangladesh Bank, several credit rating agencies home abroad and by the local press. International Press â€Å"In the midst of a difficult Banking system known to be plagued by high non-performing loans (NPLs), one could easily conclude that it would be difficult to find a bank that is different from norm. However, IBBL provides a refreshing change and is, thus, a pleasant surprise. Although it does not command the market share as the 4 public sector banks, IBBL, which claims to have little interference in lending from the government, has nonetheless, managed to find a niche market of its own-says the ‘BANK WATCH’ a New York based international Credit Rating Agency in its January 30, 1998 issue. â€Å"As a market leader offering banking services based on the Islamic rule of Shariah, IBBLs profitability trend has been quite impressive. The Banks ability to keep its return on asset (ROA) well above the industrys average, reflected its resilience to possible shocks in the banking system. Concerns over massive NPLs and under provisioning are common amongst local banks. But this seems well resolved in IBBL. IBBLs good performance and solid capital base have indeed provided refreshing change found within a banking system saddled and held back by huge NPLs† the above agency continued to comment in the same ssue. National Press â€Å"It is one of a few local banks according to CAMEL (Capital, Assets, Management, Earnings Liquidity) rating made by the Bangladesh Bank. It holds the highest amount of liquidity among all banks and its ability to keep return on assets at 1. 07 percent is well above the banking sectors average of 0. 33 percent†- The Financial Express, Dhaka commented in its issue of May 28,1998. The Holiday† in its 29th August, 1997 issue carried out a report under the heading â€Å"Setting a precedence of sound banking† and commented â€Å"While the countrys banking system is burdened with bad debt portfolios and also suffers from a liquidity shortage, the Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd. (IBBL) has created a unique precedence by improving its reserve and deposit positions substantially, making handsome profits, and offering attractive dividends to its share holders and depositors. † IBBLs World rating As per Bankers Almanac (2006 edition) published by the Reed Business Information, Windsor Court, England, IBBLs world Rank is 1620 among 3000+ banks selected by them and country rank 5 among 49 Banks. CRISL, a Joint Venture credit rating Agency, operating in Bangladesh rated IBBL ‘ST-I’, highest grade which means highest certainty of timely payment. Short term liquidity including internal fund generation is very strong and access to alternative sources of funds is outstanding. Safety is almost like risk free government short term obligations. Success Stories of Islamic Bank Bangladesh Limited: The IBBL has many success stories of achievements. These are summarised below : One :IBBL is the pioneer institution for introduction of Islamic Banking in Bangladesh. Two :The success of IBBL has imbibed other sponsors at home and abroad to establish Islamic Banking in Bangladesh. Four national, one international Islamic banks have since been established in the country. 6 private sector traditional banks have also established several Islamic Banking branches. Several other existing traditional banks have also expressed their intention to introduce Islamic Banking. Three:IBBL has successfully mobilised deposits from a section of people who hither-to-before did not make any deposit with interest based banks. Four :The Islamic Banking products which are offered by IBBL through its 169 branches located at important centres all over the country and spontaneous acceptance of those products by the people proves the superiority of Islamic banking. Five :IBBLs market share of deposit investment and ancillary business is steadily increasing. Six :IBBL, though still a tiny bank, handles more than 10% of countrys export and import trade. Seven:Among the contemporary commercial Banks IBBLs position is first in respect of mobilisation of deposit, deployment of fund and earning profit. Eight:Investment in industrial sector occupies about 38% of IBBLs investment portfolio. This is a unique example of industrial finance by a commercial Bank. Nine:More than 2,00,000 workers are employed in the industrial projects financed by IBBL. IBBL has thus made significant contribution to solving unemployment problem of the country. Ten:Dhaka- the capital of Bangladesh being a Mega city- has acute transport problem. IBBL has joined hands with an enterprising group to introduce a fleet of Premium Bus service which has attracted the attention of all section of the people and mitigated transportation problem of the city to some extent. Eleven:IBBL has introduced several other welfare oriented investment schemes, such as Small Transport Investment Scheme, Small Business Investment Scheme, Agriculture Implements Investment Scheme, Poultry Investment Scheme, Household Durable Investment Scheme, Housing Investment Scheme etc. Twelve :IBBL launched a Rural Development Scheme for providing finance to drown trodden section of the populace an area where no other Commercial Bank has extended any finance. IBBLs mission is to reach to all 68,000 villages of the country as early as possible. Thirteen :IBBL has contributed 3000 million Taka as income tax to the Government Exchequer on its net profit over the last 22 years. Fourteen :At the initiative and drive of IBBL, several Universities in Bangladesh have introduced Courses on Islamic Banking and finance. Fifteen :IBBL has organised a good number of national and international Seminars on Islamic Banking and Economics. Importantly, IBBL sponsored a Seminar at Dhaka with a view to forming an Islamic Common Market. Sixteen :IBBL has earned reputation in the country as a corruption free Institution. Seventeen :IBBL is held in high esteem in the banking circle as a good managed bank. Eighteen :Under the leadership of IBBL, Bangladesh Association of Banks (BAB) has been formed. This is a platform to ventilate the stand-points on banking issues of the private sector banks. Nineteen :IBBL has established a foundation called ‘Islami Bank Foundation’ for carrying out social welfare activities. The foundation has taken up a number of schemes covering the whole of Bangladesh. A sum of Taka 1000 million has so far been spent in social welfare activities. Some important Schemes of the Foundation are Welfare Activities of Islami Bank Foudnation Income generating scheme The objective of this scheme is to encourage unemployed youths in nation building activities and to make them self reliant. This scheme has been taken up to train rural health workers and to fund poultry, pisci-culture, cottage industry, small trading, in addition to providing rickshaws, sewing machines etc. for income and employment generation. Educational Scheme Scholarship stipend are awarded to the poor and meritorious students under this scheme. Health Scheme This scheme has been taken up to establish child and maternity centres, charitable dispensaries, provide grants for medical treatment of the poor, install tube-wells for the supply of pure drinking water and build sanitary latrines in order to fulfill health needs of the rural people. Humanitarian Assistance Humanitarian assistance are provided to the poor, disabled persons, families affected by river erosion and for marriage of poor girls. Emergency Relief Operations Financial assistance to the people affected by natural calamities is provided under this scheme. Service Centre The Foundation has been establishing permanent service centres in coastal areas and off-shore islands to be used for the purpose of integrated social development as well as safe shelter during natural disaster. HRD Programme Under HRD programme, the foundation has established several Technical Training Centres for imparting vocational training and kindergarten Schools. Projects like mosque based income generating centres and prisoner rehabilitation projects are expected to be established in the near future. Assistance to Mosque Financial assistance for construction, extension and renovation of mosques are provided under this scheme. Sales Centre Foundation has established sales centres to encourage poor women folk for self employment and for marketing home made garments, handicrafts and other items produced by them. Islami Bank Hospital The Foundation has set up hospitals for providing modern medical treatment to all sections of the people at reasonable cost. By now, the Islami Bank Hospitals have earned good reputation in the society. Problems Specific to Islamic Banking in Bangladesh 1. Shortage of Supportive and Link Institutions Any system, however well integrated it may be, cannot thrive exclusively on its built-in elements. It has to depend on a number of link institutions and so is the case with Islamic banking. For identifying suitable projects, Islamic banking can profitably draw the services of economists, lawyers, insurance companies, management consultants, auditors and so on. They also need research and training forums in order to prompting entrepreneurship amongst their clients. Such support services properly oriented towards Islamic banking are yet to be developed in Bangladesh. 2. Lack of Organising Relationship with Foreign Banks Another important issue facing Islamic banks in Bangladesh is how to organise their relationships with foreign banks, and more generally, how to conduct international operations. This is, of course, an issue closely related to the creation of financial instruments, which would be simultaneously consistent with Islamic principles and acceptable to interest-based banks, including foreign banks. . Long-term Financing Islamic Banks stick very closely to the pricing policies of the government. They can not benefit from hidden costs and inputs, which elevate the level of prices by certain entrepreneurs without any justification. On the other hand, Islamic banks as financial institutions are even more directly affected by the failure of the projects they finance. This is because the built in security for getting back their funds, togeth er with their profits, is in the success of the project. Prospects of Islami Banking in Bangladesh Despite the above problems and shortcomings the Islamic Banks have the following further prospects to grow: a) Islamic bank investment portfolio can be diversified and extended for long term financing under Musharaka and Mudaraba. b) The clients of the Islamic Bank may be equipped with knowledge of Islamic banking through seminars and symposia. c) Islamic banks can develop unanimous Shariah Manual or guide lines for day to day consultation and clientele motivation. d) Islamic Banks can expand their network in the rural areas of Bangladesh. ) The research and development (R D) for Islamic Economics, Banking and Finance can be geared up. f) Co-operation among Islamic banks can be extended throughout the world. g) Muslim countries, who have established Islamic banks, if involve with international trade on Islamic principles, that would contribute to grow international transactions under interest-free system. This will further help developing an Islamic Common Market. h) The central ban ks of the Muslim Countries can help creation of environment for Islamic Banking with more responsibilities. ) Uniform accounting systems and standards already developed by the Accounting Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions for providing consistency in accounting treatment of various operations and products of Islamic banks may be introduced by all concerned. j) New and ‘innovative’ products can be designed for financing on Profit and Loss sharing basis.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Master SAT Reading 5 Types of Passages

Master SAT Reading 5 Types of Passages SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips The College Board wants the world to think that the SAT is detached from real-world trivia, a pure test of reasoning and skill. But, of course, this is essentially impossiblehence the scores of SAT prep options out there (of which we are one). As an attempt at a useful reference buoy in the SAT ocean, this post is an outline of the categories of writing that SAT Reading passages always fall into. Many students are frustrated by the opacity of many SAT reading passages, torn as they are from any meaningful context. The SAT gives a tiny preface to some of the more arcane passages, but mostly they just throw students in and let them sink or swim. The best way to prepare for SAT Reading is to do some realistic practice tests, but that might seem like a daunting first step. This article provides a good stepping stone of giving examples of passage types. We hope some students out there find this useful; the high school-to-college transition is a stressful time, and we’re in the business of making it less so. So, without further ado, the main types of passages you’ll see on the SAT Reading section. To give you a feel for each type of passage, we’re going to include a snippet from each that represents the typical style of that passage type. Okay, one bit of further ado: the categories are listed in order of frequency on the test. Now let’s go. #1: Science Culture Since the SAT is supposed to test students’ readiness for college-level academic work, the College Board loves passages like this. Topic: Language acquisition Sample: We know that adult language is intricately complex, and we know that children become adults. Therefore something in the child's mind must be capable of attaining that complexity. Any theory that posits too little innate structure, so that its hypothetical child ends up speaking something less than a real language, must be false. Topic: Evidence in scientific research Sample: It was disturbing to me to see anyone so facilely blur the distinction between observations and interpretations and then even go so far as to make numerous deductions without the slightest shred of evidence. When I was very young and did not "see"  what seemed obvious to adults, I often thought I was stupid and unsuited for science. Now I sometimes wonder if that is why I make progress. I see the ability to invent interconnections as no advantage whatsoever where the discovery of truth is the objective. #2: History History passages give the SAT a chance to test your understanding of specific meaningful events or evolution of ideas over long periods of time. These are situations in which outside knowledge is (a) most likely to occur, especially for students in AP History courses, and (b) most detrimental: remember, only draw your answers from the material on the page. Topic: The evolution of the meaning of bohemianism Sample: In 1843 when Michael William Balfe's once famous opera The Bohemian Girl premiered in London this meaning was still widely current. A Bohemian had come to mean any wandering or vagabond soul, who need not have been associated with the arts. It was the malnourished Parisian poet, Henry Murger, who was responsible for clinching the term's special association with the life of artists. Topic: Joan of Arc Sample: The report of a supernatural visitant sent by God to save France, which inspired the French, clouded the minds and froze the energies of the English. The sense of awe, and even of fear, robbed them of their assurance. Upon Joan's invocation the spirit of victory changed sides, and the French began an offensive that never rested until the English invaders were driven out of France. #3: Personal Narrative This and the categories below point more squarely at liberal arts topics, but mostly maintain the neutrality and of the Science and History passage types. Topic: Evolution and captive breeding Sample: The rationale for breeding endangered animals in zoos is nevertheless compelling. Once a species falls below a certain number, it is beset by inbreeding and other processes that nudge it closer and closer to extinction. If the animal also faces the wholesale destruction of its habitat, its one hope for survival lies in being transplanted to some haven of safety, usually a cage. In serving as trusts for rare fauna, zoos have committed millions of dollars to caring for animals. Many zoo managers have given great consideration to the psychological health of the animals in their care. Topic: An American’s visit to Paris in the 1960s Sample: The architectural space of Paris is an astonishment to me because its scale so accurately attunes inhabited earth to sky that I can actually walk in a work of art. I feel in some subtle way eased. I find myself in a world ordered by people of like mind to my own, in a companionship rendered visible. As if for the first time in my life I could be content to be human without having to forego, because of that limitation, my intuition of divine order. #4: Arts Commentary These are slightly less common than the above categories, but they’re still worth mentioning. They’re written much like other discussions of art or literature, and so a great way to prepare (and learn some good vocabulary) is to read some high-quality art and literature reviews, which have their own style and language that extends to the SAT Reading passages. Topic: Vermeer’s The Girl with the Pearl Earring Sample: Snow describes the girl’s gaze as a stew of unresolved contradictions, which only leaves the captivated viewer all the more guilty and confused. Surprise, bewilderment, yearning, acceptance, understandingin sequence, or all at onceher glance seems to convey all of these. â€Å"Suddenly, the most personal responses, drawn from the most private, well-protected regions of the self, are required.† #5: Literature Passages from this category show up less frequently on the SAT (thus, only one sample) and have a slightly different feel: they’re difficult not because of scientific terminology or historical references, but mainly because of antiquated language and totally unfamiliar subject matter (e.g. the descriptions below, or a character’s concerns about her upcoming marriage). Source: An old-timey novel about a ship Sample: The youngest man on board (barring the second mate), and untried as yet by a position of the fullest responsibility, I was willing to take the adequacy of others for granted. They simply had to be equal to their tasks; but I wondered how far I should turn out faithful to that ideal conception of one’s own personality every man sets up for himself secretly. A Few Further Notes Overall, SAT Reading passages should be similar to some of the material in your high school textbooks. If you’re curious about how the SAT relates to high school academics, see this blog post about the correlation between achievement in the two areas. Also, don’t be surprised if you see passages that combine two of the above passage types: the essay about evolution and captive breeding, for example, is also a personal narrative. Ready to take the next step and dive into the wonderful world of SAT Reading? Start by reading our guide on how to get a perfect score on SAT Readingit's chock-full of great advice. Like what you read? Get our FREE EBOOK Guide:

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Menopausal Symptoms can be controlled, the Natural Way, with Vitamin D Thesis

Menopausal Symptoms can be controlled, the Natural Way, with Vitamin D and E - Thesis Example The symptoms can start to show up many years earlier (MedlinePlus). A Gallup poll of menopausal women conducted in 2002 revealed the four major reasons for medical attention as hot flashes (70%), night sweats (68%), mood disturbances (50%), and sleep disturbances (48%) (Utian, 2005). An estimated 75% to 85% of menopausal women experience vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats (Ohayon, 2006; Umland, 2008). The pathophysiology of hot flashes is uncertain but it is widely accepted that a dysfunction of the central thermoregulatory centers e.g., hypothalamus caused by certain factors might lead to hot flashes (Shansfelt et al., 2002). Diminishing level of circulating estrogen as a result of waning ovarian function during menopause is believed to cause a narrowing of the thermoregulatory threshold between sweating and shivering in the hypothalamus, leading to hot flashes (North American Menopause Society, NAMS, 2004; Mayo Clinic, 2009). Also, according to Mayo Clinic (200 9), rather than low estrogen levels alone, it could be the withdrawal of estrogen occurring during menopause that causes hot flashes. This is in agreement with the observation that hot flashes are predominant at the initial stages of menopause and do not usually continue throughout the postmenopausal period despite circulating estrogens being low (Sturdee, 2008). Norepinephrine and serotonin have also been implicated in the complex neuroendocrine pathway controlling the thermoregulatory zone (Shanafelt et al., 2002). Hot flashes involve the sudden onset of uncomfortable sensation of intense warmth beginning in the chest and moving to the neck and face, or spreading throughout the body. Anxiety, palpitations, profuse sweating, and red blotching of the skin are accompanying symptoms. Among the women experiencing hot flashes, the severity was reported as mild by 50% of the women, moderate by about 33% of the subjects, and 15% had severe hot flashes (Ohayon et al., 2006). Hot flashes ca n have an adverse effect on a woman’s work capacity, social well being, sleep pattern besides her general perception of health (Shansfelt et al., 2002). More than 81% of women experiencing severe hot flashes regularly had symptoms of chronic insomnia as well (Ohayon et al., 2006) since hot flashes often occur at night and cause sleep disruption. It has recently been observed by Szmuilowicz and Manson (2011) that menopausal hot flashes could be a good sign for the heart. Their study reviewed medical information gathered from 60,000 women who were enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study and followed for ten years, to determine the relationship between menopause symptoms and cardiovascular events. According to these authors, women who experience severe hot flashes and night sweats may have a lower risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and death. Their study also revealed that women who experienced symptoms at initial stages of menopause had fewer cardiova scular events than those who experienced hot flashes late in menopause or not at all. The results reported by Szmuilowicz and Manson (2011) assume much importance since menopausal symptoms, being the result of instability of the blood vessels in the skin, have been thought to cause other types of vascular problems as well in women suffering from hot flashes. Vaginal atrophy or the thinning of the vaginal lining

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Power electornic lab 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Power electornic lab 4 - Essay Example Two types of power inverters are used according to the applications; voltage source inverters (VSI) and current source inverters (CSI) (Sen, 1997). A voltage source inverter (VSI) converts a DC voltage into an AC voltage, which has a distinctive square wave formation. In the similar manner, a CSI converts the DC into AC with a distinctive square wave formation. In the experiment, a further discussion, calculation and results are discussed to evaluate the functional characteristics of the voltage source inverter. The waveform generated by the voltage source inverter in given below. UPS (Uninterruptible power supply) make utilization of the DC/AC inverter with batteries as the DC source. UPS is mostly utilized as the emergency backup power to maintain the data in computer data systems, maintain undisturbed communication channel, emergency power for homes and offices and selective machines at industries in case of primary power source loss. Ups are also used to correct the condition of under voltage and over voltage in electrical systems. The safety function is used in computer data systems, medical instruments and systems UPS is also referred to reduce harmonic distortion. In this experiment, UPS is tested with different kinds of resistive and inductive loads. UPS is evaluated according to the dissimilar load circumstances in the experiment. In this experiment, both simulation UPS investigation software as well as the real physical investigation in inverter systems is carried to evaluate the performance characteristics of the UPS. The two tests will then be compared to evaluate the operation of the UPS. It is quite clear from the above results that as the load increase the output voltage of the UPS drops. On the other hand, with similar inductive and resistive loads, the voltage drop is more with inductive load that is about 6.64

Monday, November 18, 2019

The Benefits of Virtual Meetings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Benefits of Virtual Meetings - Essay Example By comparing the merits with the demerits, business people can determine the viability of using a virtual meeting platform. Travel - Virtual meetings negate the need to travel, saving days out of the work week that would have otherwise been sent traveling abroad to present reports. The removal of travel costs also makes the method less expensive. Improvement in B2B businesses - The use of virtual meetings makes it easy for businesses to set up a cordial working relationship, as the virtual meetings encourage constant interaction. As a result, the relationships between businesses improve, and trade blossoms (Wilson, Valencia & Smith-Bindman, 2014). Cost and learning curve – Not all people or businesses can afford to set up an effective Virtual Meeting system. Even when they afford, getting the best out of the virtual meeting program will take a lot of time to familiarize (Wilson, Valencia & Smith-Bindman, 2014). AS such, it can get on the nerves of those who have short tempers, or even embarrass them. Participation Values - The use of Virtual Meetings does not assist the people who have problems with participation. In fact, the performance of such people lowers when they use a Virtual Meeting medium. As such, it may not assist in bringing the best results. As such, it becomes evident that Virtual Meetings have their advantages and disadvantages. However, an assessment of the demerits reveals that they can be easily dealt with if the system is created in an organization, through training. As such, I would recommend businesses to consider them medium as an effective communication

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Information System Business

Information System Business A system, whether automated or manual, that comprises people, machines, and/or methods organized to collect, process, transmit, and disseminate data that represent user information. The elements of an information system are Workload, Response time, Throughput, Resource utilization, Resource service time. In other words information system is a system in which all the data is stored, analyzed and output with all the options is given to the managerial level to make decision for the development of the business. It is a system which is helpful at levels of business. Information systems deal with the development, use and management of an organizations IT infrastructure. In the post-industrial, information age, the focus of companies has shifted from being product oriented to knowledge oriented, in a sense that market operators today compete on process and innovation rather than product: the emphasis has shifted from the quality and quantity of production, to the production process itself, and the services that accompany the production process. The biggest asset of companies today, is their information, represented in people, experience, know-how, innovations (patents, copyrights, trade secrets), and for a market operator to be able to compete, he/she must have a strong information infrastructure, at the heart of which, lies the information technology infrastructure. Thus, the study of information systems focuses on why and how technology can be put into best use to serve the information flow within an organization. Compare and contrast the roles of systems designers from systems builders. System Designer has to collect the information for the system to be designed. Than analyze the gathered information. Create a document to show how the system is going to functioning; what are the requirements, who are the users, what would be the environment for the system. System builders: Based on the system design document system builders develops a plan to build the system, resources needed to develop the system, resource utilization plan, time needed to build the system. What are the similarities and differences between business and data requirements? Business Requirement: A requirement is a description of what a system should do. Systems may have from dozens to hundreds of requirements. A requirement describes a condition to which a system must conform; either derived directly or indirectly from user needs. A requirement for a computer system specifies what you want or desire from a system. Requirements should be: unique in scope. Is this the only requirement that defines this particular objective? precise in wording. Are there any vague words that are difficult to interpret? bounded by concrete expectations. Are there concrete boundaries in the objectives? irrefutably testable. Can you build one or more test cases that will completely verify all aspects of this requirement? Data Requirement: To build or create the above business requirement data is needed to analyze the business requirements. Based on the data collected report is created to justify the business requirement. How does the concept of work-flow change the focus of a traditional information system? Workflow can be described simply as the movement of documents and tasks through a business process. Workflow can be a sequential progression of work activities or a complex set of processes each taking place concurrently, eventually impacting each other according to a set of rules, routes, and roles. Workflow is acknowledged in the industry for facilitating powerful and flexible process automation. It is a tool that both business users and IT professionals can use to automate business processes and track work as it moves through the organization ensuring that the right work gets to the right person at the right time. It can be scaled from a small departmental solution to an enterprise-level Business Process Management solution that supports thousands of concurrent users across multiple sites. By that productivity can be increased and managed. Workflow Management Systems Workflow Management Systems allow organizations to define and control the various activities associated with a business process. In addition, many management systems also allow a business the opportunity to measure and analyze the execution of the process so that continuous improvements can be made. Such improvements may be short-term (e.g., reallocation of tasks to better balance the workload at any point in time) or long-term (e.g., redefining portions of the workflow process to avoid bottlenecks in the future). Most workflow systems also integrate with other systems used by the organization: document management systems, databases, e-mail, office automation products, Describe the major aspects of a feasibility analysis. The feasibility of a project can be ascertained in terms of technical factors, economic factors, or both. It is a study documented with a report showing all the aspects of the project. Different Feasibility studies are as follows: Technical Feasibility. It refers to the ability of the process to take advantage of the current technology in pursuing further improvement. The technical capability of the personnel as well as the capability of the available technology should be considered. Technology transfer between geographical areas and cultures needs. Managerial Feasibility: It involves the capability of the infrastructure of a process to achieve improvement. Support of Management, Involvement of employee, and commitment are key elements required for managerial feasibility. Economic Feasibility: This involves the feasibility of the proposed project to generate economic benefits. A cost-benefit analysis is important aspects of evaluating the economic feasibility of projects. The tangible and intangible aspects of a project should be translated into economic terms to facilitate a consistent basis for evaluation. Financial Feasibility: It involves the capability of the project organization to raise the appropriate funds needed to implement the proposed project. Project financing can be a major obstacle in large multi-party projects because of the level of capital required. It is done to determine that whether it is worth to spend that much money according to the profit analysis. Cultural Feasibility. It deals with the compatibility of the proposed project with the cultural setup of the project environment. As an example: religious beliefs may influence what an individual is willing to do or not do. Social Feasibility. Social feasibility addresses the influences that a proposed project may have on the social system in the project environment. The ambient social structure may be such that certain categories of workers may be in short supply or nonexistent. The effect of the project on the social status of the project participants must be assessed to ensure compatibility. It should be recognized that workers in certain industries may have certain status symbols within the society. Safety Feasibility. Safety feasibility is another important aspect that should be considered in project planning. It refers to an analysis of whether the project is capable of being implemented and operated safely with minimal adverse effects on the environment. Political Feasibility. Political considerations often dictate direction for a proposed project. This is particularly true for large projects with national visibility that may have significant government inputs and political implications. Environmental Feasibility. Concern must be shown and action must be taken to address any and all environmental concerns raised or anticipated. It mostly done for bio technological projects.. Market Feasibility. The market needs analysis to view the potential impacts of market demand, competitive activities, etc. and market share available. Price war activities by competitors, whether local, regional, national or international, must also be analyzed for early contingency funding and debt service negotiations during the start-up, ramp-up, and commercial start-up phases of the project. What is scope creep? Give an example and describe methods for controlling creep. A scope creep means when an unavoidable or unexpected change occurs while the project development. It can also result in a project team overrunning its original budget and schedule. If budget or schedule is not increased along with scope, the change is usually considered an unacceptable addition to the project is known as scope creep. Methods for controlling creep : Expect that there will be scope creep. Implement Change Order forms early and educate the project drivers on your processes. A Change Order form will allow you to perform a cost-benefit analysis before scheduling changes requested by the project drivers. Be sure you thoroughly understand the project vision. Meet with the project developers and deliver an overview of the project as a whole for their review and comments. List the priorities. Make an ordered list for your review throughout the project duration. Items should include budget, deadline, feature delivery, customer satisfaction, and employee satisfaction Define your deliverables and have them approved by the project developers. Deliverables should be general descriptions of functionality to be completed during the project. Divide the approved deliverables into actual work requirements. The requirements should be as detailed as necessary. The larger your project, the more detail you should include. If your project spans more than a month or two, dont forget to include time for software upgrades during development and always include time for ample documentation. Break the project into major and minor milestones. Minor milestones span should not be more than a month. Whatever your method for determining task duration, leave room for error. When working with an unknown staff schedule 140 to 160 percent of the duration as expected to be delivered. If your schedule is tight, reevaluate your deliverables. Once a schedule has been created, assign resources and determine your critical path using a PERT Chart or Work Breakdown Structure. Your critical path will change over the course of your project, so its important to evaluate it before development begins. Follow the map to determine which deliverables must be completed on time. Describe PERT charts. What major elements are tracked? PERT (Program Evaluation and Review technique) A PERT chart is a project management tool used to schedule, organize, and coordinate tasks within a project. It is a methodology developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s to manage the Polaris submarine missile program. A PERT chart looks more like a flow chart and concentrates on the relationships between tasks and less on the timeline. PERT charts emphasize task relationships rather than time. Major Elements tracked are : Identify the specific activities and their milestones. Determine the proper sequence of the activities Construct a network diagram. Estimate the time required for each activity. It has 3 types of timing which are Optimistic time, Most likely time and Pessimistic time. Determine the critical path in the process. It is helpful to determine ES (Earliest Start Time), EF(Earliest Finish Time), LS (Latest Start time) and LF (latest Finish Time. Update the PERT CHART along the progress of project. Define Systems Analysis. Systems Analysis is a deep and through study of an existing system or the new system that has to be created. In it all the aspects are taken into condition like whether the new system would be helpful for the business to grow or run smoothly, Cost effective, improve the overall system process for the business. System Analysis more emphasis is given to understanding the details of an existing system or a proposed one and then deciding whether the proposed system is desirable or not and whether the existing system needs improvements. Thus, system analysis is the process of investigating a system, identifying problems, and using the information to recommend improvements to the system. An analysis report is generated and based on it system design document is prepared. Or Systems analysis of an operating system consists of the evaluation of the efficiency, economy, accuracy, and productivity of existing procedures measured against the stated objectives of the library; and the design of new procedures to satisfy the demands of management and user. What is a use case? What are the elements and how is it used? USE CASE: A Use Case is a top level category of system functionality (i.e.: Log on, Shut down, etc.). A Use Case has graphical representation and/or a text description. The diagram or description identifies all the actors (outside of the system) involved in the function, as well as an indication of how the Use Case is initiated. The collection of Use Case diagrams provides a ‘context diagram of system interfaces. Each Use Case constitutes a complete list of events initiated by an Actor and it specifies the interaction that takes place between an Actor and the System. In a Use Case the system is viewed as opaque, where only the inputs, outputs, and functionality matter. Components of USE CASE: The Use Case diagram just provides a quick overview of the relationship of actors to Use Cases. The meat of the Use Case is the text description. This text will contain the following: Name Case ID Brief Description SRS (software requirement specification)Requirements Supported Pre Post Conditions Event Flow The requirements in the SRS are each uniquely numbered so that they may be accounted for in the verification testing. These requirements should be mapped to the Use Case that satisfies them for accountability. What is the purpose of Primary and Foreign Keys on database tables? Primary key constraint is set a database table to make a record unique. In other words to avoid duplicate records primary key constrain is created. It can be on field or an combination of more than one field. Foreign key constraint is created to check a matching entry in another table which it refers. It is useful to link two tables with different details. It can have relationship like one to one or one to many. Foreign key is referenced by the primary key or unique key field in another table. BONUS Describe the similarities that exist between the Project Management, Systems Analysis and Information Systems lifecycles. Project Management Lifecycle System Analysis and Information System Lifecycle Phase I: Project Initiation Phase I System Initiation and Feasibility Study Phase II: Project planning Phase II Project Planning and Functional Analysis Phase III System Design Phase III: Project Execution Phase IV Programming Phase V Testing and Implementation Project Closure Phase VI Post-Implementation Evaluation

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Horatio Essay -- essays research papers

Horatio, The One True Friend   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  William Shakespeare wrote about a distraught prince trying to avenge the wrongful death of his father while all his faith in honesty and the good of man was nearly destroyed. In his play Hamlet, Hamlet is the prince and he is the one who would have lost all his faith in the good of man had it not been for his loyal friend Horatio. Many critics say that Horatio did not play such an important role in the tragedy, that he merely was the informant for the audience and that his character was not developed beyond that fact that he was just the honest confidant of Hamlet. That may be true, however, Horatio does serve two central purposes to the drama, and it is through these purposes that show the qualities that make Horatio memorable and admirable. Horatio is the harbinger of truth. It is through Horatio that the actions taken by Hamlet gain credibility. He is the outside observer to the madness. Hamlet could soliloquize on and on, but it is his conversations with Horat io that gives sanity to Hamlet’s thoughts. His second role is to be the loyal, truthful confidant of Hamlet. The audience meets Horatio in the opening scene of the play. Marcellus and Bernardo, the Danish officers on guard at the castle, ask Horatio to speak to the vision that came to visit the castle. He is asked by the officers to speak to the spirit because he is a most educated scholar and the only one among them qualified to speak in such an intimidatin...

Monday, November 11, 2019

An Analysis of an Article in the Big Issue called Sun Vampires Essay

The Big Issue is published to aid the homeless, seeking to raise money for people who are in this situation. The Big Issue is only sold by vendors, homeless themselves, on the streets of all our major cities and towns. The ‘target group’ for sales is seen to those who might be sympathetic to the dilemma of the homeless, to those who are fortunate themselves to have homes and jobs, who take an interest in society as a whole rather than just themselves as individuals, who are also aware of the current issues. The readers are to be relatively prosperous, also young rather than middle-aged. The young readers have most probably heard of the Bros (a teen pop duo of the late 80’s) and also Peter Andre (popular at the time of publication, but hardly an enduring household name). The reader might be in the position of being able to spend 399 a year on a suntanning course. The reader is more likely to respond to the style of writing that uses current colloquial or jargon exp ressions â€Å"And let’s face it†, â€Å"one hell of a habit† and â€Å"fork out† than a style that they regard as being posh and old-fashioned. The message is though a horrific one but by using the generally speaking, light-hearted tone. Then there is no worry in frightening the reader, but if the your to frighten the casual reader and the reader were to associate this emotion with The Big Issue. For then the reader might never but another a copy again, therefore defeating the whole purpose of what is published for. The writer exclaims to the reader that sunbeds are dangerous and those who uses them are stupid and vain. The suppliers of the habit are abusive. The message is serious but the tone is generally light-hearted. The mood does change though, the evidence supplied by Jane Horwood is unwelcoming, and that provided by a medical expert is inflexible. The purpose of a headline is to attract the attention of a casual browser. Here the writer uses paradox. The reader is attracted firstly by the use of the word â€Å"vampires†, because our enjoyment of horror stories. The idea of the vampires being associated with sun, which is means death to them. The reader becomes eye-catchingly incongruous; curiosity is aroused so the reader wants to read on. â€Å"Desperate for a sun fix† straight away makes us think of a drug addiction, the gravity which is reinforced by the sinister implications of â€Å"coffins†, both images are very different but are powerful images. Then by a newly-coined image, â€Å"tanorexics†, this is a pun. However a pun is usually used humorously, as a joke, which associates two images. In this case this pun might make the reader have mixed emotions. By using the really amusing though, to associate what is usually regarded as a pastime with the desperately psychological problem of anorexia. The illustration is made to seen very unprofessional, but it does catch the browsers attention. The simultaneous associations with the coffins and cooked meat work. The writer forces the readers to place themselves in the situation, by using the repletion of â€Å"you† and â€Å"you’re†. The article seeks to mock the sunbed. The opening uses ridiculous pictures â€Å"plastic cocoon†, â€Å"weird blue light†. The idea of the users being profoundly stupid, by mad suggestions. â€Å"Have you been abducted by aliens for experimental tests?† In the second paragraph the tone is unbreakable by another equally ridiculous picture. â€Å"Walking raisins† implying that the sun has similar effects on human skin as it has on grapes. The writer soon does become rather serous, after making sure that our interests has been attracted by other means. Suddenly suntanning become dangerous. Most people are aware of the dangers of smoking, so the bluntness of â€Å"It’s like smoking† hits hard. The scenario of losing an infant as a result of suntanning is distressing. There are no jokes in this section. â€Å"Religiously† and â€Å"Confesses† which underlines the importance of the issue for the writer. We all know the adverts on television in which ‘scientists’ in white coats are used to impress upon us the wonderful properties of toothpastes or headache cures. We naturally believe what we are told by experts. So Doctor Bishop is brought into the argument and a consultant dermatologist. We do not comprehend the jargon doctor’s use, but we always impressed by their specific language. We may not know what a UVB or UVA rays are and what they do not us. However most of us are inclined to believe what those who do know tell us about them. It is interesting that the writer is afraid perhaps of loosing their audience by using too many expressions that the general public do not understand, but the writer does give us some layman’s explanation, as in the case of collagen and of elastin. Industries are commercial enterprises by mean of which people make money. We tend to see them in a big scale like ‘the music industry’. Where the profit motive is of the smallest significance, aren’t referred to as industries. The obvious implication of describing sun-tanning as industry is that its practitioners are only interested in profiting from their clients’ gullibility. Earlier we asked to feel sympathetic towards Jane Horwood suffering and were asked to understand that for her taking that wise decision, to end her habit. On the other hand Victoria Williams seems childish and selfish â€Å"I wanted that heat and warmth on my body†. In the final paragraph the writer completely ridicules the ideas of suntanning. â€Å"Who says tanning isn’t trendy?† is, perhaps, another dig aimed at the people of the media, especially those who are advertising the industry. â€Å"Secretive† implies that those who carry on suntanning are aware of the dangers. â€Å"It seemed his rugged outdoor tan was indoor variety† accusing the ex political leader of using sunbeds to give a false impression of his life to the public. â€Å"It make you look wealthier, like you can afford regular holidays† seems false and unfashionably materialistic set against own background. â€Å"Essex Man† is a term of abuse- it reminds us of sub-human species associated with a particular 1980’s stereotype, the selfish individual concerned only with himself and what he can get his hands on. This is a very cleverly written piece, in which the writer has matched their tone to their readership without compromising the sincerity and, ultimately, the intensity of their feeling. This however can’t be coincidence. â€Å"Barking,† Echoes the phrase, â€Å"barking mad† and leave s in doubt how the writer feels about â€Å"tanorexics†. It can refer back to the â€Å"Essex Man† There no attempt at fairness in this piece, there is no balance of opinions, so asking the reader to draw their conclusions. The writer does have a point to make and scarcely attempts that there might be together points of view. Counter argument, when they appear, tend to be ridiculed, We probably haven’t learned anything new about suntanning, perhaps little in those who indulger in it, but the pieces might be considered as being amusing.

Friday, November 8, 2019

thirty years war Essay

thirty years war Essay thirty years war Essay Why did the Thirty-Years War start in the Czech Lands? Background: The Peace of Augsburg Not stabilized the religious structure of Germany Failure to recognize Calvinists, the ecclesiastical reservation The Bohemian Crisis Two-thirds of the population of Bohemia was Protestant and a mere one-tenth Roman Catholic Letter of Majesty of July 1609 Freedom of conscience for all Bohemian subjects Liberty of worship for the nobles and those towns which belonged to the crown Control of ecclesiastical organization within the kingdom to rest with the Estates Matthias, later became the emperor, confirmed the Letter of Majesty and was crowned king of Bohemia In 1617 the Archduke Ferdinand of Styria, a hard-line Catholic, had been designated heir to the thrones of Bohemia and Hungary Initially Ferdinand consented that he guaranteed the Letter of Majesty Of the ten Deputies Ferdinand appointed to rule Bohemia, only three were Protestant Later, Ferdinand asserted two new Protestant churches at Klostergrab and Brunau were illegal in the sense of being on royal land The Defenestration of Prague In May 1618, the Protestant nobles decided to confront the Deputies in person. They singled out two Catholic regents, Jaroslav Vorstia von Martinitz and Wilhelm Slawata in Prague Castleln, accused them of plotting to subvert Bohemian religious liberty, and then threw them and a secretary out of a window . The rebellion grew as the Bohemian estates, controlled by Hussites and Protestants, formed a provisional government They began canvassing Protestant Europe for allies and initiated a program of repression against Catholicism The conflict moved toward war, after the death of Emperor Matthias in May 1619 and the Imperial and Bohemian succession of Crown Prince Ferdinand as Emperor Ferdinand II The

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Essay on Chain of Command

Essay on Chain of Command Essay on Chain of Command Essay on Chain of CommandIn the literature, military documents, media propaganda, in conversations, in official documents dealing with military matters, we can constantly meet the terms military unit, company, battalion, army, the chain of command, etc. Of course, all the terms are clear and simple for the military people because they immediately understand what is going on when they hear all those words. But all these terms are not fully clear for ordinary civil people, while the concept of the chain of command may confuse them. Thus, the main aims of the assignment are to explore the chain of command in the military and to explain why the use of the concept is so important.To begin, it is necessary to define the meaning of the concept of the â€Å"chain of command† because it will help to plunge into the issue with more details in further discussion. In a military context, taking into account a presence of strict military discipline and the system of military relations asso ciated with the hierarchy, the chain of command is the certain line of authority and responsibility when orders are passed within a certain military unit and between different military units (Laver and Matthews, 2008). It means that the chain of command is also a kind of the route of communication, when the military unit is working as a team and all the information goes into two directions, one kind of information goes up the Chain, as well as other kind of information, including instructions and commands go down the Chain. To be more specific, Coakley explained that â€Å"Orders are transmitted down the chain of command, from a higher-ranked soldier, such as a commissioned officer, to lower-ranked personnel who either execute the order personally or transmit it down the chain as appropriate, until it is received by those expected to execute it† (Coakley, 1992). Such an approach was formed historically, and it was considered to be the most effective way of communication a lon g period ago because it allows not only to control all the process within the area of military service but also to provide all the information timely in both directions.Dwelling on the importance of the chain of command, it is good to note that the chain of command distinguishes the relationship of juniors and seniors within the military organization. It goes without saying that an effective chain of command is important to all varieties of military services, including navy because it helps to carry out the mission. Moreover, the chain of command established by delegation of authority is the hallmark of every big organization and military structure. For instance, European chain of command starts with the commander in chief of U.S. forces in Europe, General of the Army, who is located in NATO Headquarters in Brussels and still stands as the supreme commander of the allied forces of NATO.In conclusion, we have observed the concept of the â€Å"chain of command† from various per spectives and demonstrated that in the military, all formal communication should be sent to the chain of commands. Anyone who has a problem can not be accessed through the head of his immediate supervisor to senior executives on this issue. Also senior executive can not issue orders to lower-level soldier, bypassing intermediate levels. Of course, due to the power and informal relations, people sometimes manage to bypass the chain of command even in the armed forces, where this principle rigidly enforced, but such cases are so rare that they need no additional mentioning.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Legionella Pneumophila Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Legionella Pneumophila - Essay Example On the basis of similarities Legionella pneumophila is classified under Kingdom Procaryotae (Bacteria), Phylum Proteobacteria, Genus Legionella, and Species Pneumophila (Engelkirk and Burton, 2007). Legionella pneumophila consisting of 32 identified species are globally found in natural water sources like lagoons, rivers, and streams, and in artificial habitats like air-conditioning systems, chilling structures, evaporating compressors, whirlpools in spas, hot tubs, shower heads, humidifiers, tap water, distillation systems, decorative fountains, misting devices, dust, people, and soil. The microorganisms may be transmitted by direct contact with the infected person, inhalation of dust where the spores are, or direct contact to the identified reservoirs (Engelkirk and Burton, 2007). The pathogenicity of the species was confirmed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States of America in 1977 after a year of having infected a host of victims temporarily living in Philadelphia Hotel in 1976. The pathogens were confirmed to have come from the vent of the hotel's airconditioning system (hydrosense(R), 2009). Legionnaire's disease was the name given to the infection caused by the bacteria Legionella pneumophila.

Saturday, November 2, 2019

A novel reporter for translational recoding by the Foot-and-mouth Essay

A novel reporter for translational recoding by the Foot-and-mouth disease 2A peptide - Essay Example From this research, it is clear that the primary long-term goal of the project is to determine interactions of release factors specifically needed for the 2A reaction. The method for determining this is genetical to isolate mutations within genes responsible for encoding release factors in the yeast cell that pause the 2A response. Upon synthesis of ubiquitin as part of a polyprotein, it is removed from polyprotein by specific cytosolic proteinases, indicating a new N-terminus to the remainder of the protein. Arginine shows clearly that this protein is degraded urgently as soon as it is degraded. It follows that the stability of an Ade2p portion of the protein depends on the activeness of 2A peptide. The white color of the yeast generates a color-based selection for mutants. This paper makes a conclusion that the larger part of the work undertaken was successful despite, not accomplishing the initial goal of the underlying project. Demonstration of the gap repair process of the PCR and underlying in vivo worked for SUP45. Because of the frequent time constraints, I was incapable of continuing to the massive part of the screen for the sup45 mutants as outlined in the project description. The prevailing project never alters, and the entire work undertook in line with the underlying scope of the initial aim. Nevertheless, the existing work departed described within the original proposal with the choosing yeast strains with the underlying suitable features was fundamental