Wednesday, November 6, 2019
Free Essays on Hip Hop Music
of hate, bigotry, sexism, and racism grace todayââ¬â¢s airwaves with no questions asked. Eminem, a top rapper today, sings about killing gays, his mom, and his wife. Jay-Z rants about how many girls heââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"baggedâ⬠in his hit single ââ¬Å"Girls, girls, girlsâ⬠. It seems as though that today, there is no line to be crossed and free speech has no boundaries. Itââ¬â¢s legal to say whatever one wants to on a record, as long as thereââ¬â¢s a sticker stating that it has ââ¬Å"explicit content/lyricsâ⬠. With Hip Hop or rap music gaining popularity there days, it has become a target group to push the limits as other musical genres have done in the past. Back in the grunge era, Nirvana exploded on the scene with songs like ââ¬Å"Rape meâ⬠, and Marilyn Mansonââ¬â¢s band came out with their first album, which included stuff like ââ¬Å"Rock Nââ¬â¢ Roll Niggerâ⬠. In the late 60ââ¬â¢s, bands talked about drugs and sex, setting a contro versial trend. In the rap videos of today, women are seen prancing around in absolutely nothing and are used as sexual objects, while the rap artist himself refers to them as his ââ¬Å"bitchesâ⬠. With rap music breaking into mainstream pop culture, it is expected to push the limits of free speech. In the beginning of rap and Hip Hop there was no ââ¬Å"bling blingâ⬠, and they werenââ¬â¢t striving to get ââ¬Å"cash, money, and hoesâ⬠. They were trying to get a message across. Rap artists have no culpability for the content of rap, and this is an evolved result of the white peopleââ¬â¢s demand, the music industryââ¬â¢s control, and because people are seeing only a certain group and letting them speak for the whole group. Rap music has declined in its culpability and reputability because of the added need to appease white people. When rap music began, it was sang in the streets of New York. Jamaican immigrants passed on their traditional beats and introduc... Free Essays on Hip Hop Music Free Essays on Hip Hop Music In a world full of anti-censorship, liberation, and free will, the skyââ¬â¢s the limit. Words of hate, bigotry, sexism, and racism grace todayââ¬â¢s airwaves with no questions asked. Eminem, a top rapper today, sings about killing gays, his mom, and his wife. Jay-Z rants about how many girls heââ¬â¢s ââ¬Å"baggedâ⬠in his hit single ââ¬Å"Girls, girls, girlsâ⬠. It seems as though that today, there is no line to be crossed and free speech has no boundaries. Itââ¬â¢s legal to say whatever one wants to on a record, as long as thereââ¬â¢s a sticker stating that it has ââ¬Å"explicit content/lyricsâ⬠. With Hip Hop or rap music gaining popularity there days, it has become a target group to push the limits as other musical genres have done in the past. Back in the grunge era, Nirvana exploded on the scene with songs like ââ¬Å"Rape meâ⬠, and Marilyn Mansonââ¬â¢s band came out with their first album, which included stuff like ââ¬Å"Rock Nââ¬â¢ Roll Niggerâ⬠. In the late 60ââ¬â¢s, bands talked about drugs and sex, setting a controversial trend. In the rap videos of today, women are seen prancing around in absolutely nothing and are used as sexual objects, while the rap artist himself refers to them as his ââ¬Å"bitchesâ⬠. With rap music breaking into mainstream pop culture, it is expected to push the limits of free speech. In the beginning of rap and Hip Hop there was no ââ¬Å"bling blingâ⬠, and they werenââ¬â¢t striving to get ââ¬Å"cash, money, and hoesâ⬠. They were trying to get a message across. Rap artists have no culpability for the content of rap, and this is an evolved result of the white peopleââ¬â¢s demand, the music industryââ¬â¢s control, and because people are seeing only a certain group and letting them speak for the whole group. Rap music has declined in its culpability and reputability because of the added need to appease white people. When rap music began, it was sang in the streets of New York. Jamaican immigrants passed on their traditional beats and introduc...
Sunday, November 3, 2019
Same sex marriage shoul be allowed Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words
Same sex marriage shoul be allowed - Essay Example There are no parts in the article that are vague or ambiguous. The writer clearly states her opinion and anchors it by using examples and evidence given by the Supreme Court, regional courts and rulings in specific states, as well as writings from the US Constitution. The source is most credible since it gives abundant proof and evidence regarding previous trials and rulings regarding to same-sex marriages and unions, as well as ones of opposite-sex marriages and conception of children, and the state of children it opposite-sex marriages as proof that they are not necessarily happy or even safe in that type of family. The article doesnt use any rhetorical devices. It is written to the point, in an interesting and fluent way. It is also very straightforward and relevant, presenting the reader with all necessary facts and opinions. The fallacies mentioned by the author are those of those who oppose same-sex marriage. She states that marriage and sex between gay people were once very prevalent and acceptable, and it wasnt until the Jewish Torah that they were banned. She also states that it is incorrect to suggest that children will not grow to be happy, healthy and safe in homes with same-sex parents, and illustrated that a staggering percentage of children who are not well taken care of come from opposite-sex homes when both parents are present (not a single parent family). Furthermore, she protests the right of religion to interfere with the institution of marriage, which is a civil right and matter. One argument made by the writer is that marriage is a civil and most basic right which should be given to anyone who so pleases. It is a declaration of a couple who wants to be together, spend their lives together in a close and intimate relationship. Seeing as how it is a basic human right, there shouldnt be a ban on it for a segment of the society. It even predates the constitution of the US as a basic right for all
Friday, November 1, 2019
Person's Prior Experiences And Formulating Ideas Essay
Person's Prior Experiences And Formulating Ideas - Essay Example By associating prior experiences with what formulates ideas, Hume assumes that people only can formulate thoughts and ideas based only on the association. This undercuts that mindset by creating the assumption that new experiences cannot also change human thinking and behavior. He assumes that people are already predetermining concepts based on prior experiences rather than learning from new experiences. He states that man is a reasonable being and goes on to say that the ââ¬Å"bounds of human understanding, that little satisfaction can be hoped for in this particular, either from the extent of security or his acquisitions,â⬠(Hume 7) which is again a cut to humans as if that during his analysis that his thought is the only method of thinking but yet he cannot even explain why he is thinking and reasoning this way. Some of the ideas that Hume maintains is that people are unable to justify any inferences that are causal and are based only on unobserved causes. Through past observations, Hume expects for the human mind to only be able to work in a one-way direction. If a person knows one thing is certain than if a similar experience arises, then that person would expect the same outcome. This is not necessarily true because people can, in fact, learn from prior experiences and react differently. This would insinuate that anything that a person has done in the past would cause them to have the same reaction to a similar situation. However, it seems that many people often learn from prior mistakes and do in fact react differently on some occasions based on their prior experiences too. Hume states that He hints that people have certain reactions based only on prior reasoning and that those scenarios lead people to create a truth that is based only on that single instance. Judgment and morals are based only on those circumstances.
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Innovation & Chnage in Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Innovation & Chnage in Nursing - Essay Example Cultivating an understanding of the process of professional change can also prove essential towards the objective of increasing workplace diversity. (Friday & Friday, 2003) There are many phases to the process of change, considerable research on the process having been described by Lewin, (1951) who elucidated in a psychological context of the stages of change, of which the movement phase is the second one. Which follows unfreezing, and is then in turn is followed by a phase of a re-freezing. (Lewin, 1951) Complexities and pitfalls exist both in terms of operational behavior as well as personal beliefs. During the implementation of organizational change a critical phase in the process is what is described as the movement phase. The goal of this phase in a professional organization is to enable and encourage the employees to find ways to embrace a new vision that the organization will need to develop. Each nurse, or employee in general must look within themselves and find ways that th ey can make the new direction of the organization work for them, in their specific situation and job description. A series of short term limited steps may be required to facilitate the transition between older modes of operation. Short term goals should be set to encourage the replacement of outdated methods in favor of movement towards the higher objective of an effective organizational transition. Kotter and associates have also proposed an explanation of the step-wise change process, by which the three overarching objectives can be translated into smaller steps for a smoother transition. (Kotter, 1996), (MLDC, 2010) Adequate planning and goal-setting are essential to coordinate the changes occurring within the organization, and how all personnel will be required to implement their part of the changes. Short-term goals will include accommodation for likely sources of resistance, as well as tactics necessary to overcome those sources. Among these short-term goals to facilitate the movement phase, it is important to remove psychological barriers. (Kotter, 1996) Objects and artifacts that may symbolize the older operational process, or tools that are specifically applicable to prior goals and values should be removed without delay, unless such articles are essential in the hospital's new operational strategy. Anything that can function as a psychological 'anchor', reminding nurses and other employees of prior goals and outdated standards must be replaced. All employees should be reminded of the potential of the new recommendations and their promise for the future. This transition can be assisted by the implementation of 'short-term wins', to demonstrate ongoing progress towards the ultimate goal. Target dates for measurable changes are helpful. Short-term steps in the right direction must clearly communicated throughout the hospital, and higher staff should be made available to assist employees with the implementation, and modification of benchmarks, if necessa ry. The medical employees responsible for implementing the changes should certainly be included in planning meetings; if those operational changes would affect them, or make additional demands. These objectives must be readily achievable. They should clearly contribute to the new direction of the organization. The exact structuring of these benchmarks may be eased by looking at prior instances in which the organization needed
Monday, October 28, 2019
Children Obesity Essay Example for Free
Children Obesity Essay The problem of childhood obesity in the United States has grown considerably in recent years. Between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese.From Environmental Health Perspectives website, the recent data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimate 17% of youths ages 2-19 years old to be overweight compare to just 5% a few decades ago(ââ¬Å"Child obesityâ⬠). This data shows we should act urgently to rescue children because the percentage of child obesity is increasing rapidly.According to Answer. com website, using the BMI (Body Mass Index) calculation, overweight is between 25-30, obese is 30-40 and extremely obese is 40 and up. This calculation is a height and weight comparison (BMI = weight in pounds X 705 / height in inches squared). By usingbody fat analysis, for a womanââ¬â¢s obesity starts about 33% body fat, for a man, it is about 24%(ââ¬Å"How do you knowâ⬠).Weight and shape of children are affected by hereditary factors from their parents. However, most of unhealthy weight gain is due to poor diet. Children who have obesity have bad habits; for example, they prefer to eat fast food such as hamburgers with french fries and coke than healthy food such as vegetable and multi-grains. Fast food is very tempting to children and theirparents because of its cheap price, taste, and convenience. The reason children like hamburgers is high levels of salt and sugar content found in most fast food items. So far, unhealthy food leads children to become obese which causes various health problems. Overweight children, when compared to healthy weight children, are more likely to develop many health problems such as depression, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which are associated with heart disease in adults. Thepurpose of this paper is to reviewhow children obesity effects on physical and mental health. First, children obesity and overweight have been found to be at an increased risk of depression. Obese children get stress from change of their body shape, perspectives from other peopleââ¬â¢s awareness that leads to poor self-esteem or social phobia which are related to the cause of depression. [ì ¶Å"ì ²Ë][ë ¹âë §Å'ìš °Ã¬Å¡ ¸Ã¬ ¦ ] ë ¹âë §Å'ê ³ ¼Ã¬Å¡ °Ã¬Å¡ ¸Ã¬ ¦ , ë ¹âë §Å'ê ³ ¼Ã¬Å¡ °Ã¬Å¡ ¸Ã¬ ¦ ì Ëê ´â¬Ãª ³â ìž ì⹠¤Ã¬Å ¤Ã ¬Ã¬ ¸ ì ¢â¦Ã⢠©Ã¬Æ' ê °â¬Ã¬Å ¤Ã ¼|ìžâì⠱ìž spom4237236The following article, ââ¬Å"Childhood Obesity and Depression: Connection Between These Growing Problems in Growing Children,â⬠shows how depression is diagnosed in youths. Youthbecome depress if they gain weight more than they expected. Also, obesity and overweight are connected to sleep problem which is associated with increased risk of depression. In study of 400 adolescents with a primary diagnosis of major depressive disorder, change i n sleep was most common symptom remaining depression in youths. Relationship between sleep and obesity is intervened at least in part by insulin resistance. In a study of obese children, insulin was connected with shorter sleep duration according to thepolysomnography (Reeves M. G., Postolache T. T., Snitker S.).In addition, that child obesity cause depression is obesity makes children a target for bullying. According to Medscape Medical News, ââ¬Å"Obese children are more likely to be bullied than their non-obese peers regardless of sex, race, socioeconomic status, social skills, or academic achievementâ⬠(Harrison).Because childhood and adolescent are a sensitive period, and they focus on otherââ¬â¢s appearance, obese children can be targeted of bullying that makes them get hurt and depress. To prevent the depression, children need to eat health food and exercise. In addition to obesity causes depression, the second health problem is obesity causes diabetes. The dietary habits of obese children are eating a lot of sugar and salt which are excessive caloric intake. Being obese means you have more fatty tissue, having more fatty tissue causes the body to become insulin resistant and becoming insulin resistant causes the body to put on more weight. Becoming more insulin resistant and at a certain level of resistance, it becomes known as diabetes. Obese children also are twice as likely to have diabetes than children who are of normal weight, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Health System. The study, published in the February issue of Diabetes Care, is the most recent national study to estimate the prevalence of children with diabetes. It found that more than 229,000 children, approximately 3.2 cases for every 1,000 American children under the age of 18, currently have diabetes. And one-third of those children are obese(ââ¬Å"Obese Children Twiceâ⬠). Obesity causes the build-up of fats around cell walls. The liver loses the ability for the metabolism of glucose. Glucose is supplied with the help of the insulin hormone. In essence, obesity reduces the bodyââ¬â¢s ability to use insulin properly. A glucose build up is deposited in the urine.In addition, diabetes is explained from Washington University in St. Louis website. Diabetes mellitus is a group of disorders that have in common high blood sugar and the risk of damage to tissues and organs. There are two major types: Type1, juvenile diabetes and Type 2, adult-onset diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the cells of the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed. Often, the bodyââ¬â¢s immune system destroys these cells, sort of like friendly fire. Without insulin, blood sugar rises and complications occur. Lifelong insulin treatment is required. In Type 2 diabetes, organs and tissues are resistant to insulin; that is, more insulin is needed to have the same effect. When the insulin-making cells can no longer keep up with the extra insulin needed, blood sugar becomes high and diabetes occurs (ââ¬Å"Obesity, Type 2 diabetesâ⬠). Overall, children should avoid eatingso muchunhealthy food that contain of high sugar, salt and fat that causes diabetesto continue into adulthood. In addition to obesity causes diabetes, the third health problem is obese puts children at risk for high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure that cause heart disease. Childrens diets have changed dramaticallybecause it is influenced by television commercials and the convenience of fast foods that have too much sugar and salt that leads high cholesterol level. In ââ¬Å"Cholesterol in Childhoodâ⬠by Vincent Iannelli, M.D., the author reported ââ¬Å"The effects of cardiovascular disease is something that will especially be a problem once an overweight child grows up, when he will be at risk for a heart attack or stroke.â⬠Also, the article exposes children who have heart disease with high cholesterol was 2.3 times as likely to have died early. These factsgive a warning to how obesity is related to serious health problem to children. The connection between high cholesterol and high blood pressure was explained on Livestrong.com website, ââ¬Å"Cholesterol is a soft waxy material in the blood that mixes with lipids. It shapes membranes and some hormones but does not dissolve in the blood. Since it does not dissolve, lipoproteins carry it to and from cells. Blood pressure is the force that pushes blood through blood vessels, then to all body organs. When these two functions of the body are not working correctly, it can be devastating to overall health.â⬠(ââ¬Å"Connections Betweenâ⬠).According to Webmd.com website, when there is too much cholesterol in blood, it builds up in the walls of arteries, causing a process called atherosclerosis, a form of heart disease. The arteries become narrowed and blood flow to the heart muscle is slowed down or blocked. The blood carries oxygen to the heart, and if enough blood and oxygen cannot reach the heart, it may cause chest pain (ââ¬Å"Heart diseaseâ⬠).Because ofhigh cholesterol, high blood pressure that are related to the heart disease, obese children need dietary changes and weight loss to help lower their cholesterol. In conclusion, children obesity is an increasingly prevalent health disorder and is of particularly concern because children who are obese are more likely to continue to become obese through adolescence and into adulthood with various health problems. Eating unhealthy food and lack of exercise lead to most of child obesity and overweight. Obesity can cause mental and physical problemsinchildren. According to ââ¬Å"Child obesity ââ¬Ëtime bombââ¬â¢ a threat to life expectancyâ⬠, Food Standards Agency chairman, John Krebs, told: ââ¬Å"We already know that many childrenââ¬â¢s diets contain more fat, sugar and salt than is recommended. We know that the level of obesity in children is rising and, in the words of the chief medical officer, is a health time bomb that could explode.â⬠(Carey). Also, children obesity can be targeted of bullying and give rise to diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart diseases. Also, child obesity has high probability to become an obese adult. Therefore, we need to accept the children obesity as a serious problem in current society in the United States and seek the solutionsto make children free from obesity and being overweight. Works Cited Brown, Joni.ââ¬Å"Connections Between High Blood Pressure Cholesterolâ⬠. livestrong.com, 17 Dec. 2010 Web. 22 May 2012 Carey, Dorothy. Child Obesity Time Bomb A Threat To Life Expectancy. Nutridate 15.1 (2004): 8. Web. 22 May 2012. Harrison, Pam. ââ¬Å"Obesity Makes Children a Target for Bullying.â⬠Medscape Medical News. 4 May 2010. Web. 22May 2012. ââ¬Å"Heart Disease and Lowering cholesterolâ⬠.Webmd.com,Web. 22 May 2012 Iannelli,Vincent. ââ¬Å"Cholesterol in Childhoodâ⬠.About.com, 13November 2011 Web. 22 May 2012 ââ¬Å"Obese Children Twice as likely to have Diabetesâ⬠. University of Michigan, 2 Feb. 2006. Web. 22 May 2012 ââ¬Å"Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Growing rapidly among Childrenâ⬠. Washington University in St. Louis., 11 March 2005. Web. 22 May 2012 Reeves, Gloria M., Teodor T.Postolache., and Soren Snitker. ââ¬Å"Childhood Obesity and Depression: Connection between these Growing Problems in Growing Children.â⬠NIH Public Access. Aug. 2008. Web. 22 May 2012
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Gay Marriage Should be Legalized Essay -- Legal Issues, Gay Marriage
There are numerous opinions and standing views on gay marriage. The argument regarding gay marriage should be legalized or not is extremely controversial. According to an article from the Human Rights Campaign, there is nothing wrong with allowing homosexuals to have the same rights as those who are heterosexual. Every individual person should be granted equal rights, regardless of sexuality. Gay marriage should be legalized in all states and countries, it has been held off for too long. Moreover, there are several reasons why homosexuals feel strongly about wanting to be legally married. One reason that is most commonly heard is, they want to legally show their love for each other by having a marriage license. Homosexuals want the right to marry like anybody else, and for the same reasons too. They are in love and want to spend their lives with this person. Even though it is possible to do this without being married; ââ¬Å"they want to honor their relationship in the greatest way our society has to offerâ⬠(90). There be no reason two people cannot marry despite their sexuality. If a man and woman get to marry because they love each other, what is the difference between a man and a man or a woman and a woman wanting to marry because, they love each other? Also, another cause why homosexuals want the right to marry their spouse is because they are being cheated of rights. Although, two people love each other, if they cannot marry they are losing rights. Marria ge gives both spouses benefits, ââ¬Å"same-sex couples in long-term, committed relationships pay higher taxes and are denied basic protection and rights granted to married heterosexual couplesâ⬠(90). It is unfair to couples of the same-sex to lose rights based on sexuality. They are... ...anâ⬠(97). Some people have lived by this mind set of what a marriage is, but not every thing only has one outlook. A marriage is ultimately two people that are serious and love each other, gender takes no place when a person really takes time to think about what a marriage actually is. Regardless, there is always going to be two views on gay marriage; it is up to each individual to decide which view they agree with. Gay marriage should be legally recognized, what is so right about a heterosexual marriage compared to homosexuals? They both start with the letter ââ¬Å"Hâ⬠, the only difference is the genders. Nobody should have the right to determine what is considered ââ¬Å"rightâ⬠, marriage makes a couple officially together; it does not affect anybody but them. Labels should not define love, and by not allowing same gender couple the right to marry is unfair and wrong. Gay Marriage Should be Legalized Essay -- Legal Issues, Gay Marriage There are numerous opinions and standing views on gay marriage. The argument regarding gay marriage should be legalized or not is extremely controversial. According to an article from the Human Rights Campaign, there is nothing wrong with allowing homosexuals to have the same rights as those who are heterosexual. Every individual person should be granted equal rights, regardless of sexuality. Gay marriage should be legalized in all states and countries, it has been held off for too long. Moreover, there are several reasons why homosexuals feel strongly about wanting to be legally married. One reason that is most commonly heard is, they want to legally show their love for each other by having a marriage license. Homosexuals want the right to marry like anybody else, and for the same reasons too. They are in love and want to spend their lives with this person. Even though it is possible to do this without being married; ââ¬Å"they want to honor their relationship in the greatest way our society has to offerâ⬠(90). There be no reason two people cannot marry despite their sexuality. If a man and woman get to marry because they love each other, what is the difference between a man and a man or a woman and a woman wanting to marry because, they love each other? Also, another cause why homosexuals want the right to marry their spouse is because they are being cheated of rights. Although, two people love each other, if they cannot marry they are losing rights. Marria ge gives both spouses benefits, ââ¬Å"same-sex couples in long-term, committed relationships pay higher taxes and are denied basic protection and rights granted to married heterosexual couplesâ⬠(90). It is unfair to couples of the same-sex to lose rights based on sexuality. They are... ...anâ⬠(97). Some people have lived by this mind set of what a marriage is, but not every thing only has one outlook. A marriage is ultimately two people that are serious and love each other, gender takes no place when a person really takes time to think about what a marriage actually is. Regardless, there is always going to be two views on gay marriage; it is up to each individual to decide which view they agree with. Gay marriage should be legally recognized, what is so right about a heterosexual marriage compared to homosexuals? They both start with the letter ââ¬Å"Hâ⬠, the only difference is the genders. Nobody should have the right to determine what is considered ââ¬Å"rightâ⬠, marriage makes a couple officially together; it does not affect anybody but them. Labels should not define love, and by not allowing same gender couple the right to marry is unfair and wrong.
Thursday, October 24, 2019
Coperate Gorvernance Essay
Executive summary: Cadbury Report (1992) stated that ââ¬Å"corporate governance is the process by which companies and directed and controlledâ⬠(cited in Tricker, 2009). In other words, it helps the corporate entities increase the value provided to the organisationââ¬â¢s various stakeholders. Therefore, appropriate corporate governance plays a very important role in development of organisations. Thisà review will define corporate governance and some of its concepts (through the paper). Following, the review will give a Memorandum or a general introduction about Nufarm, which is a publicly listed company and then consider the structure, process and effectiveness of its governance. Besides, the paper will mention about areas such as the composition and responsibilities of the Nufarm Board of Directors, and disclose policies, codes of conduct adopted by the company, which are relevant to the companyââ¬â¢s governance scopes. Finally, from information and analyses, there are some recommendations for the Nufarm to achieve appropriate improvements. For example, the companyââ¬â¢s governance should recognise and adhere to all relevant laws and regulations and meets high standards with respect to honesty and integrity. In addition, the company should have open and effective communications with its shareholders and the general investment community. Furthermore, the company should have effective methods to review drivers of governance, etc. Table of contents Contents I.Introduction3 II.What is corporate governance?3 III.General introduction about Nufarm, information of the company (Memorandum)3 IV.The Structure, process and effectiveness of the Nufarmââ¬â¢s governance4 The Scope of the companyââ¬â¢s Corporate Governance influences the companyââ¬â¢s codes:7 V.Recommendations8 VI.References10 I. Introduction Recently, the appearance of high-profile corporate failures, scandals and executive corruption arises the requirement for organisations to follow appropriate corporate governance structures, processes standards and practices. The aim of this paper is to investigate the structure, process andà effectiveness of the governance of Nufarm, a publicly listed company and give recommendations for it to achieve appropriate improvements. II. What is corporate governance? Cadbury report (1992) and OECD (1999) defined that ââ¬Ëcorporate governance is the process by which company are directed and controlledââ¬â¢.à Monks & Minow (2001) suggested that ââ¬Ëcorporate governance is the relationship among various participants in determining the direction and performance of corporations. The primary participants are the shareholders, the management and the board of directorsââ¬â¢. OECD (2001) supposed that ââ¬Ëcorporate governance refers to the private and public institutions, including laws, regulations and accepted business practices, which together govern the relationship, in a market economy, between corporate managers and entrepreneurs, on the one hand, and those who invest resources in corporations, on the other III. General introduction about Nufarm, information of the company (Memorandum) Nufarm Limited is a publicly listed company, one of the worldââ¬â¢s leading crop protection companies (Nufarmââ¬â¢s website, 2012). The company manufactures products to help farmers protect their crops against damage caused by weeds, pests and disease. Its manufacturing and marketing spread throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, The Americas and Europe and sells products in more than 100 countries around the world. According to the Nufarmââ¬â¢s website (2012), the company employs more than 2,600 people around the places having its manufacturing and marketing operations, all of whom make a vital contribution to the companyââ¬â¢s reputation for quality products, innovation and first class marketing and technical support. Proudly based in Australia, Nufarm is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (with symbol NUF). Its head office is located at Laverton in Melbourne, Australia. Table1: the information contained in the company details table (ASX website, 2012) IV. The Structure, process and effectiveness of the Nufarmââ¬â¢s governance The companyââ¬â¢s board structure contains Chairman (Donald Gordon McGauchie), Managing Director/CEO (Doug Rathbone), and five Non Executive Directors who are Anne Bernadette Brennan, Gordon Richard Davis, Bruce Goodfellow, Gary Hounsell, Peter Margin (Nufarmââ¬â¢s website, 2012). According to the companyââ¬â¢s website (2012), the Board is the governing body of the Company. The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Company. It is responsible to ensure that the business of the Company is carried out in the best interests of all shareholders and with proper regard to the interests of all other stakeholders. Specifically, the Board has responsibility to protect and enhance the value of the assets of the Company, set strategies and directions and monitor and review those strategic objectives, review and ratify internal controls, codes of conduct and legal compliance, review the Companyââ¬â¢s accounts, approve and review the one year operating budget and five year strategic plan for the Company, appoint the Managing Director, evaluate performance and determine the remuneration of the Managing Director and senior executives, ensure the significant risks facing the Company have been identified and adequate control monitoring and reporting mechanisms are in place, approve transactions relating to acquisitions, divestments and capital expenditure above authority limits delegated to management, approve financial and dividend policy, appoint the Company Secretary, ratify the appointment of the Chief Financial Officer (Nufarmââ¬â¢s website, 2012). The managing Director is delegated to be responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the Company. To assist the Board to discharge its responsibilities and duties, the Board has delegated to the Managing Director specific authorities which are subject to appropriate reporting and monitoring procedures. For example: * Shareholder values / corporate strategy: the Managing Director formulates and brings to the Board for review and approval, an appropriate long term strategy for the Nufarm Groupà and appropriate financial standards and policies. The strategy is reviewed by the Board at its annual strategic planning review and any changes in financial standards are reviewed by the Audit Committee. * Organisation Planning: the Managing Director formulates an appropriate human resources policy which is reviewed by the Board annually. * Capital Allocation: The Managing Director approves capital expenditure within limits set by the Board. All approvals made by the Managing Director are reported and reviewed at every Board Meeting. * Company Financial Performance: the Managing Director reports to the Board at each Board Meeting on the financial results of the Company. * Compliance: The Managing Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant legislation. In brief, the Board has delegated to the Managing Director all powers required to manage the business of the Company and the Managing Director reports on a monthly basis on all material matters affecting the Nufarm Group to the Board. Besides, The Board has three committees: the Audit Committee, the Nomination Committee and the Remuneration Committee. These Board Committees review and analyse policies and strategies within their specific terms of reference. The Board Committees examine proposals and, where appropriate, make recommendations to the Board. The Board Committees do not take direct action or make decisions on behalf of the Board unless specifically mandated by prior Board authority (Nufarmââ¬â¢s website). The Nomination Committee consists of three non-executive Directors and is comprised of a majority of independent Directors. The Committeeââ¬â¢s purpose is to develop criteria for Board membership and identify specific individuals for nomination; and establish processes for the review of the performance of individual Directors and the Board as a whole. The duties of this committee is facilitating a Board performance assessment, develop criteria for Board membership, identify suitably skilled, qualified and experienced individuals for nomination and to establish processes for the review of the performance of Directors. According to Tricker (2012, p.283), ââ¬Ëthe essential and original role of the audit committee is to act as a bridge between the independent external auditors and the board, avoiding the possibility of powerful executive directorsââ¬â¢ and over the years the role and responsibilities of the committee have expanded. Nufarm companyââ¬â¢s Audit Committeeââ¬â¢s primary function is to assist the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance responsibilities in regard to financial reporting, audit and risk management, including: oversight of the preparation of Nufarm Limitedââ¬â¢s (the Group) financial reporting; compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; oversight of the effectiveness of the Groupââ¬â¢s enterprise-wide risk management and internal control framework; and oversight of the relationship with the external and internal auditors. The specific duties and responsibilities of the companyââ¬â¢s audit committee in meeting will be: report Committee actions to the Board with such recommendations as the Committee may deem appropriate (e.g. The Committee will report to the Board immediately if it becomes aware of any material misstatement in financial information provided by management to the Board or of any material breakdown in internal controls), continuously monitor a framework and processes for compliance with laws, regulations, standards, best practice guidelines and the Groupââ¬â¢s code of conduct, maintain suitable interaction with the Health Safety & Environment Committee and the Nomination & Governance Committee, perform such other functions assigned by law, the Companyââ¬â¢s Constitution, or the Board. The Remuneration Committeeââ¬â¢s purpose is to recommend to the Board policies and practices which enable Nufarm to attract, develop, retain and motivate high caliber Directors and executives. The Committee will review and make recommendations on policies for remuneration, development, retention and termination of Directors and Key Management Personnel (KMP). The Committeeââ¬â¢s duties are to review and make recommendations to the Board in relation to Nufarmââ¬â¢s Board and executive remuneration strategy, structure and practice with regard to: Nufarm strategic objectives; corporate governance principles; and competitive practice. The specific matters the Committee may consider include the review of: executive management and Directorsââ¬â¢Ã remuneration, including the link between Company and individual performance; current industry best practice; the outcome of the annual vote on the adoption of the Remuneration Report; different methods for remunerating senior management and Directors including superannuation arrangements; 2/4 existing or proposed incentive schemes; retirement and termination benefits and payments for senior management; professional indemnity and liability insurance policies. The Committee is responsible for seeking and approving remuneration advisers that will provide independent remuneration advice, as appropriate, on Board, CEO and other KMP remuneration strategy, structure practice and disclosure. However, according to the company website (2012), the Committee does not have executive powers to commit the Board or management to its recommendations except where authorised by a resolution of the Board nor become involved in day to day management activities or decision making. The Scope of the companyââ¬â¢s Corporate Governance influences the companyââ¬â¢s codes: According to Tricker (2012), the structure, the membership and the process of the governing body are central to corporate governance. However, the relations with shareholders, contractual stakeholders, legal institutions, etc also influence the structure and operation of Nufarmââ¬â¢s corporate governance. Therefore, the companyââ¬â¢s corporate governance refers to the private and public institutions, including laws, regulations and public institutions, which together govern the relationship between corporate managers and entrepreneurs, on the one hand, and those who invest resources in corporations on the other (Tricker, 2012). For example, the companyââ¬â¢s code of conduct is governed by and contrasted in accordance with the laws in the State of Victoria, Australia. Besides, Nufarm has ensured to be compliance with the ASX Listing Rules, and ensured that Key Management Personnel and their associates are aware of the legal restrictions in dealing in Nufarmââ¬â¢s shares, options or other securities while such a person is in possession of unpublished price sensitive information concerning Nufarm. V. Recommendations There are some recommendations in order for Nufarm to make appropriateà improvements for its corporate governance are: Firstly, Nufarm should conduct its business in a manner which recognises and adheres to all relevant laws and regulations and meets high standards with respect to honesty and integrity. In order to meet this commitment, we require all Nufarm directors, employees, contractors and consultants to be familiar with and uphold the companyââ¬â¢s code of conduct in all business dealings. Besides, according to Tricker (2012), the Board, which determines whether the companyââ¬â¢s governance is good, is the major driving force in a company. However, there are other drivers of good governance in the company such as shareholders. Therefore, the company should have open and effective communications with its shareholders and the general investment community. For example, with shareholders, the company should adopt a shareholder communications policy in order to: * Ensure that shareholders and the financial markets are provided with full and timely information about its activities; * Comply with continuous disclosure obligations contained in applicable Listing Rules and the Corporations Act in Australia as well as industry guidelines such as the Australasian Investor Relations Associationsââ¬â¢, Best Practice Guidelines for Communication between Listed Entities and the Investment Community; and Ensure equality of access to briefings, presentations and meetings for shareholders, analysts and media. * Encourage attendance and voting at shareholder meetings; The companyââ¬â¢s Remuneration Committee should review induction and development arrangements for the Board to ensure Board members gain and maintain a suitable level of knowledge about Nufarm. Audit Committee should usually review and make recommendations to the Board on the Nufarm Diversity Policy ensuring the Policy is in line with applicable legislation and governance principles. Self-assess whether the Committees comply with its membership requirements at least once every year. Critically review the Remuneration Committee Charter at least once per year to ensure its relevance and compliance with overall governance legislative requirements and best practice. VI. References Monks, B., Nell, M. 2007, Corporate Governance, 4th edn, Chichester, UK:Wiley. Tricker, B. 2009, Corporate Governance: Principles, Policies, and Practices, Oxford University Press. Nufarm website 2012, , viewed 15 July, 2012. ASX website 2012, Nufarm Limited (NUF), , viewed 15 July, 2012.
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