Martin Luther King Essays (1502 words) - Counterculture Of The 1960s

Martin Luther King ? The most important person to have made a significant change in the rights of Blacks was Martin Luther King. He had great courage and passion to defeat segregation and racism that existed in the United States, and it was his influence to all the Blacks to defy white supremacy and his belief in nonviolence that lead to the success of the Civil Rights movement. ? Martin Luther King was born on January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia where the city suffered most of the racial discrimination in the South, and, in addition, the Ku Klux Klan had one of it's headquarters there. But it was his father, Martin Luther King Sr. who played an important role in shaping the personality of his son. M.L. Sr. helped to advocate the idea that Blacks should vote. He was involved with the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People, an important Civil Rights group. These efforts to improve the way of life for Blacks could be seen by his son. ? In December 5, 1955 King began to be significant in the changing of the Black man's way of life. The boycott of the Montgomery Bus was begun when Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat on a bus to a white man on December 1st. Two Patrolmen took her away to the police station where she was booked. He and 50 other ministered held a meeting and agreed to start a boycott on December 5th, the day of Rosa Parks's hearing. This boycott would probably be successful since 70% of the riders were black. The bus company did not take them seriously, because if there was bad weather, they would have to take the bus. The Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) was established to co-ordinate the boycott. They had a special agreement with black cab companies, in which they were allowed to get a ride for a much cheaper price than normal. Blacks had to walk to work, and so they did not have time to do any shopping and therefore the sales decreased dramatically. On January 30, while M.L was making a speech, his house was bombed. Luckily his wife and baby had left the living room when the bomb exploded, but a black mob formed and was angry about what had happened, and Policemen were sent to the scene to control the situation, even though they were outnumbered. King, however, because of his strong belief in nonviolence, urged the crowd to not use their guns and to go home. ? The news coverage increased on the Montgomery boycott as months passed. He travelled to many places and made speeches in order to raise money for the MIA's legal fees. When he returned he found that he was charged for breaking an anti-boycott law. He and the others were found guilty, but they appealed the sentence. When in November 13, the MIA was fined $15,000, at the same time, the Supreme Court found the Alabama's segregation laws were unconstitutional. That night the KKK looted 40 cars in hopes of scaring the Blacks. But the black people did not hide in their homes and turn the lights off. They stayed on their porches and waved showing that they were not afraid of them at all. By 1957 Martin Luther King became a national figure. Time magazine wrote a story on him, and his ideology of nonviolence began to spread throughout the country. The boycott gave a strong psychological push of courage that would continue until Blacks obtained what was morally right. ? What made Martin Luther King striking was his conviction on non-violence. He believed that this belief could give blacks a superior level of morality over whites. This ideology was important for his success in later years. As a result, it helped restrain the use of violence from whites to blacks and vice versa. This philosophy was tested during the Montgomery bus boycott. Before the successful boycott, blacks used violence in order to protest racism. During the boycott, however, on both sides violence was not a measure to be taken. When someone bombed King's home, the fact that violence was used against a nonviolent group made the idea of the black man's cause more agreeable. ? Whites, as a result of the boycott, realised the threat for blacks to be equal was increasing. They used legal measures to break up the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People). In time the NAACP became very weak, and so the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) became more significant to the black man's cause. It was

Profile of Joycelyn Harrison, NASA Engineer

Profile of Joycelyn Harrison, NASA Engineer Joycelyn Harrison is a NASA engineer at the Langley Research Center researching piezoelectric polymer film and developing customized variations of piezoelectric materials (EAP). Materials that will link electric voltage to motion, according to NASA, If you contort a piezoelectric material a voltage is generated. Conversely, if you apply a voltage, the material will contort. Materials that will usher in a future of machines with morthing parts, remote self-repairing abilities, and synthetic muscles in robotics. Concerning her research Joycelyn Harrison has stated, Were working on shaping reflectors, solar sails and satellites. Sometimes you need to be able to change a satellites position or get a wrinkle off of its surface to produce a better image. Joycelyn Harrison was born in 1964, and has bachelors, masters and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Joycelyn Harrison has received the: Technology All-Star Award from the National Women of Color Technology AwardsNASAs Exceptional Achievement Medal (2000}NASAa Outstanding Leadership Medal {2006} for outstanding contributions and leadership skills demonstrated while leading the Advanced Materials and Processing Branch Joycelyn Harrison has been granted a long list of patents for her inventing and received the 1996 RD 100 Award presented by RD magazine for her role in developing THUNDER technology along with fellow Langley researchers, Richard Hellbaum, Robert Bryant, Robert Fox, Antony Jalink, and Wayne Rohrbach. THUNDER THUNDER, stands for for Thin-Layer Composite-Unimorph Piezoelectric Driver and Sensor, THUNDERs applications include electronics, optics, jitter (irregular motion) suppression, noise cancellation, pumps, valves and a variety of other fields. Its low-voltage characteristic allow it to be used for the first time in internal biomedical applications like heart pumps. The Langley researchers, a multi-disciplinary materials integration team, succeeded in developing and demonstrating a piezoelectric material that was superior to previous commercially available piezoelectric materials in several significant ways: being tougher, more durable, allows lower voltage operation, has greater mechanical load capacity, can be easily produced at a relatively low cost and lends itself well to mass production. The first THUNDER devices were fabricated in the lab by building up layers of commercially available ceramic wafers. The layers were bonded using a Langley-developed polymer adhesive. Piezoelectric ceramic materials can be ground to a powder, processed and blended with an adhesive before being pressed, molded or extruded into wafer form, and can be used for a variety of applications. List of Issued Patents #7402264, July 22, 2008, Sensing/actuating materials made from carbon nanotube polymer composites and methods for makingAn electroactive sensing or actuating material comprises a composite made from a polymer with polarizable moieties and an effective amount of carbon nanotubes incorporated in the polymer for a predetermined electomechanical operation of the composite...#7015624, March 21, 2006, Non-uniform thickness electroactive deviceAn electroactive device comprises at least two layers of material, wherein at least one layer is an electroactive material and wherein at least one layer is of non-uniform thickness...#6867533, March 15, 2005, Membrane tension controlAn electrostrictive polymer actuator comprises an electrostrictive polymer with a tailorable Poissons ratio. The electrostrictive polymer is electroded on its upper and lower surfaces and bonded to an upper material layer...#6724130, April 20, 2004, Membrane position controlA membrane structure includes at least one elect roactive bending actuator fixed to a supporting base. Each electroactive bending actuator is operatively connected to the membrane for controlling membrane position... #6689288, February 10, 2004, Polymeric blends for sensor and actuation dual functionalityThe invention described herein supplies a new class of electroactive polymeric blend materials which offer both sensing and actuation dual functionality. The blend comprises two components, one component having a sensing capability and the other component having an actuating capability...#6545391, April 8, 2003, Polymer-polymer bilayer actuatorA device for providing an electromechanical response includes two polymeric webs bonded to each other along their lengths...#6515077, February 4, 2003, Electrostrictive graft elastomersAn electrostrictive graft elastomer has a backbone molecule which is a non-crystallizable, flexible macromolecular chain and a grafted polymer forming polar graft moieties with backbone molecules. The polar graft moieties have been rotated by an applied electric field...#6734603, May 11, 2004. Thin layer composite unimorph ferroelectric driver and sensorA method for forming f erroelectric wafers is provided. A prestress layer is placed on the desired mold. A ferroelectric wafer is placed on top of the prestress layer. The layers are heated and then cooled, causing the ferroelectric wafer to become prestressed... #6379809, April 30, 2002, Thermally stable, piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymeric substrates and method relating theretA thermally stable, piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymeric substrate was prepared. This thermally stable, piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymeric substrate may be used to prepare electromechanical transducers, thermomechanical transducers, accelerometers, acoustic sensors...#5909905, June 8, 1999, Method of making thermally stable, piezoelectric and proelectric polymeric substratesA thermally stable, piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymeric substrate was prepared. This thermally stable, piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymeric substrate may be used to prepare electromechanical transducers, thermomechanical transducers, accelerometers, acoustic sensors, infrared...#5891581, April 6, 1999, Thermally stable, piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymeric substratesA thermally stable, piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymeric substrate was prepared. This thermally stable, piezoelectric and pyroelectric polymeric substrate may be used to prepare electromechanical transducers, thermomechanical transducers, accelerometers, acoustic sensors, infrared.

Strategic Management Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Strategic Management Accounting - Essay Example This point of view is well supported with both early (Solomons, 1952) and contemporary researches (Boyns and Edwards, 1997a). Needless to say, standard costing has come a long way before it became generally accepted. Originally, cost accounting systems were mainly concerned with variable costs, such as labour and raw materials expenditures. This trend reflected the nature of businesses of that time, which had their variable costs dominating over fixed costs. It was found that before the First World War standard costing system largely interacted with organizational structure and strategic decision making (Boyns and Edwards, 1997b). Still, no evidences were found that costing system had been used in eliminating wastes and inefficiencies. Moreover, costing practices at that time were limited only to basic industries, such as coal and iron. Later, in 1900-1950 cost accounting at large, and standard costing in particular expanded further in the UK. Although still being under a strict control at engineering (state policy prohibited profiteering in that sector), it developed into government departments and business generally. Standard costing was promoted with accountants connecting theory with practice and a considerable variation was found in perception of standard costing between different times and places of that period in Britain (Boyns and Edwards, 1997c). Therefore standard costing system was not still implemented widely throughout the industries in Britain. It began to grow in popularity as a rather simple and accurate way of improving internal efficiency of a business. Nevertheless, issues of considering fixed assets, especially, depreciation created ambiguities for users of standard costing. These difficulties were strengthened with the trend of fixed costs (depreciation, maintenance, tooling, production control , purchasing, storage, etc.) increasing in value and variable costs decreasing. Accounting historians indicate that the

Road Pricing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Road Pricing - Essay Example This cleary indicates that there has been hinderance in traffic flow due to traffic congestion and these cases present externalities which must be avoided by using road pricing to reduce the number of cars on road by charging them a flat-fee in the form of road pricing. According to a source that major traffic jams occur in Central London at around 7:30 am in the morning and then 6:30 pm in the evening. Those eligible to pay were around 150,000 people who used the road every day. These charges were only levied on private vehicles. Pulic vehicles were exempted from these charges so as various other kinds of groups. However, many organisations in UK have argued over the price that is being charged. They claim that it is not the appropiate charge and is much higher than social costs that a vechile inflicts. They also support the reduction of this charge. Similarly, many people have argued that there are errors in database technology which often leads to double charging and over charging. So, in both cases if this carelessness persist it would not solve the problem of congestion but would deter people from driving even if they can afford to pay these costs. The economics behind this will that due to double charging and over charging , demand would go down to zero.

Law reform regarding Animal Welfare Essay Example for Free

Law reform regarding Animal Welfare Essay As the world changes so do worldviews and therefore, so do the accepted morals and values of the time. With these changing morals and values come altering laws, amended or renewed to reflect these changing views. This is called law reform, in particular, the subject of Animal Welfare. Laws in relation to animal welfare have been made and amended to restore justice and equality to the voiceless members of society. Before recent times, the rights of animals had been severely overlooked. Attention has been brought to breeding and slaughtering practices around the world through wide scale media. In such countries these processes fly under the radar and are rarely monitored, until now. This is when worldwide regulations have to be put in place to ensure that appropriate and adequate treatments are adhered to around the world. Most animal cruelties on a small scale are kept quiet, and are performed either in secluded areas away from prying eyes or those who witness such things are unable or unsure of how to seek justice. Although most of the first laws regarding animal protection from human mistreatment were made in the early 19th Century, according to Peter Sankoff and Steven White’s book; ‘Animal Law in Australiasia’, these laws fall short of bringing adequate justice to the cruelties within Australia and New Zealand. Activists, academics, law professionals and many others share this view, giving even more reason to amend relevant legislation to cover any discrepancies and loopholes. Animal law has only recently emerged as a studied genre of law, which means it is slowly becoming more known. The constitution is the basis for all Australian law and in this case, particularly from section 51. Firstly, section 51 of the Constitution provides that the Parliament shall†¦ have power to make laws for peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to 39 subject matters, known as heads of power. Although the constitution itself doesn’t outline laws regarding animals other than fish, it does give the conditions in which other laws can be created. The Commonwealth can enact any law, provided that the law is characterized as being under at least one of the heads of power. Subject to some limitations, a law that is characterized as being one with respect to one of these heads of power will be valid although it may regulate some other matter that is not specifically allocated to the Commonwealth (such as animal welfare). Through external affairs powers and corporations power came these treaties: Examples of the treaties formed with other countries are as follows: * The Convention on Biological Diversity 1992, * The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 1973, * The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species and Wild Animals 1979 (‘the Bonn Convention’) and * The Convention on the Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific 1976 (‘the Apia Convention’). Mechanisms of Reform- Non-Government Organizations. Lawyers For Animals is an organization dedicated to advocating the need to improve animal welfare through education and law, as well as ‘Voiceless’. Voiceless is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering networks for law professionals, academics and politicians to influence law and the need for law reform regarding animal welfare. They conduct research regarding agricultural industry practices, exposing legalized cruelty and promoting need for debate. They also attempt to inform the public about consuming and which products have and have not come from low quality, quantity breeders. They recognize the need for a voice that projects the facts of cruelty among everyday people and corporations that give way to law reform and law making in relation to the protection and rights of animals. By building a forum, social justice movement, funding in education, participation in events and forming relationships with law schools and firms, Voiceless hopes to provoke change an d awareness about animal welfare. The key issues that have been addressed as contemporary issues regarding this subject are; * Animals as property * Animals in agriculture * Animal welfare legislation * Labeling * Live animal export * Intensive livestock production and climate change * Animals used for scientific purposes * Animals used for entertainment * Pets * Pests * Wild animals * Fish and crustaceans These are a vast range of issues, which call for a vast range of bills to be introduced from a large number of interested politicians. Having animals as property and pets, means that we as humans own them. We dictate what it is they eat, drink, do etc. We are responsible for taking care of them, and the blatant fact is that many people don’t. As Gary Francione, distinguished professor of law, states animals are ‘as a matter of law, solely means to human ends. As such, their value is measured in terms of their usefulness to humans, and not in terms of their own interests’. The Animal Legal Defence Fund (‘ALDF’), was established in 1979 and has more than 100,000 dedicated lawyer members who apply their skills in a number of ways in order to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals through the legal system. For example, the ‘Litigation Program’ files cutting-edge lawsuits to stop the abuse of companion animals, and animals abused in industries including factory farming and the entertainment business; while the ‘Criminal Justice Program’ works with law enforcement and prosecutors to seek maximum penalties for animal abusers. ALDF has also been at the forefront of law reform in respect to one that can actually make a difference. With changing times also comes the once described as ‘likely to be the next great social justice movement’, animal welfare is becoming more well known. Universities have been reflecting this growing issue, providing more and more opportunities for education on and relating to animal rights and animals and the environment. Examples of such debates for reform topics and their respectable supporters ( as found on http://www.alrc.gov.au/news-media/2008/will-‘animal-rights’-become-next-great-social-justice-movement) a re below: * Arguments in favour of basic legal rights for nonhumans (Steven Wise; President, Center for the Expansion of Fundamental Rights Inc., Coral Springs, Florida, USA ); * Suicide foods’: the anthropomorphising of animals (Prof Mark Kingwell, Uni of Toronto); * Animal rights activists’ case against the animal industries (Tom Regan, American philosopher and animal rights activist); * The philosophy behind animal welfare (Geoffrey Bloom, Geoffrey Bloom Associates); * The law and pig farming (Dr Malcolm Caulfield, legal counsel for Animals Australia); * Animals and the law in Australia: a livestock industry perspective ( Kathleen Plowman; General Manager Policy for Australian Pork Ltd, with Alan Person and John Topfer); * The treatment of feral animals (Graeme McEwen, Barristers Animal Welfare Panel); * The ethics of animal biotechnology (Professors Mickey Gjerris and Peter Sandoe, University of Copenhagen); * Animal derived food labelling (Katrina Sharman, Corporate Counsel , Voiceless, the fund for animals); * The common law and animal rights (Nichola Donovan, Lawyers for Animals); * Animals, guardianship and the local courts Another benefit human’s get from animals is profit. Breeding and meat production are industries where greed comes into play and animals needs and rights are forgotten. These NGO’s raise awareness and with the help of media, put pressure on the courts and parliament to introduce change. Certain ministers will be targeted and issues put forward to so that agencies have a representative in court. Animal Laws that already exsist: * Animal Welfare Act 1992 (ACT) * Animal Welfare Act 1999 (NT) * Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (NSW) * Animal Care Protection Act 2001 (QLD) * Animal Welfare Act 1985 (SA) * Animal Welfare Act 1993 (TAS) * Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (VIC) * Animal Welfare Act 2002 (WA The shortcomings of these laws are the lack of equal treatment among animals used for scientific research and those that are pets. Eg: Cats will receive better treatment than pigs, as they are pets and pigs are used simply to grow and once they are grown, to eat. Again, seen as property beneficial to humans, which goes against the rules of law. The majority of the difficulties with enforcement stem from the manner by which the power to enforce animal welfare legislation is granted. The power is granted to: * State government departments; * the RSPCA; * and the police. Much of the enforcement is carried out by the RSPCA. It is the state and territory governments that are responsible for enacting legislation appropriate to their areas, therefore this will be done through the New South Wales Law Reform Commission. The New South Wales Law Reform Commission takes care of localized matters in relation to the state and the Australian Law Reform Commission takes care of matters to do with international treaties of trade and animal treatment. The New South Wales Law Reform Commission may be the pinnacle of law making bodies for New South Wales, The Australian Law Reform Commission itself recognizes the altering times and calls for change throughout the country. Dated 19th May 2009, David Weisbrot, President of the ALRC spoke at the University of Sydney about their views upon the issue, with the NGO ‘Voiceless’. He stated that; â€Å"I think we need; national – or at least harmonised – legislation that protects animal welfare; and is not set at the lowest common denominator; or is so riddled with loopholes that you could drive a large factory farm truck though.† From the President of the ALRC itself, one would have to assume actions were being made in establishing new laws regarding animals, however it is not so. In the recent years, there has been much talk of changes yet no actions or amendments have been put in place as a follow through of this talk. David also stated that we evolve over time, resulting in the need for law reform and that it is this slow and painstakingly gradual task. Reasons for law reform regarding animal welfare: An example of the altering views are prime in the subject of Sweden banning importations of Australian wool in the fear that it would be supporting mulesing. This could go on to be a major issue for the wool trade industry. Another concept is that of the changing and growing world, as the population grows, so does the need for food. This pressures farmers into states of mass production; Eg: The mass breeding and steroid use in chickens so that they reach adulthood 10x faster than usual, leaving their legs to break and mutate under the abnormal weight that grows too fast for the rest of the body to keep up. These chickens have shorter and extremely painful life spans, are kept in battery cages where there is no room for them to walk or sit. This issue has been addressed in documentaries attempting to make the public aware of the cruel and selfish origin their produce is coming from and spur politicians into addressing the subject with observance of practices and laws to protect such a nimals. As is seen in the many above genre’s relating to animals as pets, food and many other things, a massive need for appropriate and widespread legislation has surfaced. Ways of mass production are under complete scrutiny for cruel practices, while more monitoring of animal owners has become paramount for the RSPCA. Universities have opened doors to educating the worlds youth about this topic, providing a new force of law trained individuals, able to influence people within their league into the advertisement and hopeful altering of current laws. These trained professionals have the ability to uncover the shortcomings of current laws that have been so far swept under the rug, and take them to members of the State and Federal Governments for consideration. The Non-Government Organizations such as the RSPCA or Voiceless project widely held views of the public, who may not be as educated or influential within the political spectrum, but allow the public a say all the same. With a new influx of technology from the late 20th into modern 21st century, brings both positive and negative possibilities when monitoring and even bringing about animal cruelty. That is, one can use cameras placed in chicken farms to monitor such breeding, but it is the development of scientific technology that has allowed such abnormal growth in the first place. Education towards use of technology in a morally aware way should be a priority for the government, as well as making the public more aware of those cruelties that happen every single day. By making the public largely aware of various aspects of animal cruelty, many more opinions can be altered to support the work of the RSPCA and Voiceless, so that both the N.S.W Law Reform Commission and Australian Law Re form Commission can alter their own priorities and make changes to relative legislation. Bibliography: * http://www.daff.gov.au/animal-plant-health/welfare * http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/reform * http://www.lawyersforanimals.org.au/documents/Animal-Law-Subject-Proposal.pdf * http://lawyersforanimals.org.au/ * http://www.federationpress.com.au/bookstore/book.asp?isbn=9781862877191 * http://www.animallaw.info/nonus/articles/ovaustrailia.htm * http://lsa.net.au/wcb-content/uploads/lsa/files/2011/Animal%20Law%20-%20a%20need%20for%20reform%20(LSA%20State%20Conference%20March%202011).pdf * http://www.alrc.gov.au/news-media/2008/will-‘animal-rights’-become-next-great-social-justice-movement * http://www.alrc.gov.au/news-media/2009/voiceless-animal-law-lecture-series

Financial Analysis of Scholastic and Daktronics Essay -- Financial Ana

Evaluating a company’s financial condition can be done by looking at its profitability or its ability to satisfy long-term commitments. These measures can be viewed through an analysis of a company’s financial statements, including the balance sheet and income statement. This paper will look at the status of Scholastic Company’s (Scholastic) ability to satisfy its long-term commitments and at the profitability of Daktronics, Inc. (Daktronics). This paper will include various financial ratio calculations and an analysis of the notable trends. It will also discuss the profitability and long-term borrowing positions of the firms discussed. Scholastic Company is a multibillion dollar children’s book publisher and distributor with more than 9,000 worldwide employees (Scholastic Inc., n.d.). Scholastic leases some of its physical office and storage locations and equipment (as cited in Gibson, 2011). Cornaggia, Franzen, and Simin (2013) noted the reasons firms lease may be the result of a company’s financial distress which prevents sufficient capital being raised to purchase instead of leasing. They also suggested if profitability of the firm is not at issue, leasing can be used to reduce taxes thus reducing borrowing costs. Though the reason for maintaining material lease obligations is not disclosed in its financial statements (as cited in Gibson, 2011), Scholastic’s ability to satisfy its long-term commitments is important for investors, creditors, and management. The long-term borrowing capacity of Scholastic can be determined through an analysis of its times interest earned, fixed charge cove rage, and debt ratios. The times interest earned ratio uses a company’s income statement to assess its ability to meet long-... ... Cited Cornaggia, K. J., Franzen, L. A., & Simin, T. T. (2013). Bringing leased assets onto the balance sheet. Journal of Corporate Finance, 22345-360. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016 /j.jcorpfin.2013.06.007 Damodaran, A. (n.d.). Operating versus capital leases. Retrieved from http://pages.stern.nyu.edu /~adamodar/New_Home_Page/AccPrimer/lease.htm Daktronics, Inc. (n.d.). Our company. Retrieved from http://www.daktronics.com/en-us/about-us Gibson, C. H. (2011). Financial reporting & analysis: Using financial accounting information. (12th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Monea, M. (2009). Financial ratios – Reveal how a business is doing? Annals of the University Of Petrosani Economics, 9(2), 137-144. Retrieved from http://www.upet.ro/eng Scholastic Inc. (n.d.). About Scholastic. Retrieved from http://www.scholastic.com /aboutscholastic/index.htm

Corporate Social Responsibility (Csr)

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) COMPANY NAME: PETRODEC SDN BHD BY JUZITA MOHAMED ALIAS (2012) ContentsPage Executive Summary†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 1. 0 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 4 2. 0 Company Backgroun-Petrodec Sdn Bhd†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. 4 3. 0 Company Values †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 5 4. 0 Corporate Social Responsibility†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 5. 0 CSR Activities 2011†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 5. 1 Adopted School Sek Men (U) Al-Irsyad†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦6 5. 2 Welfare Activities Rumah Bakti Kulim†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 7 6. 0Next Year Plan à ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. 8 7. 0CSR Challenges†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦9 8. 0Conclusion and recommendation†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. References: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 10 Executive Summary Corporate social responsibility which is also known as CSR is a form of corporate self-regulated that has been integrated into a business model. It was started to be popular in 1960s to 1970s after being implemented by many multinational company. The focus on CSR in Malaysia has increased in recent years, in line with international trends. Although several companies have CSR programs that go back many years, in some cases decades, it has in recent years been possible to identify an increased awareness of the issue.The approach of CSR becomes widely accepted by community-based development approach. Today, more companies than ever before are recognizing the significance and value of integrating CSR into all aspects of their business operations and decision-making processes. Communities are seen as more than just a market for the roll-out of products and services. The long-term growth and profitability of companies are inextricably linked to the sustainability and well-being of the community. Petrodec Sdn Bhd is one of the company in Malaysia that committed to their CSR program.In year 2011, Petrodec had become more integrated in CSR where they had adopted SM (U) Al-Irsyad, Pulau Pinang and planned activities with Blind Associate in Kulim called Rumah Bakti. 1. 0Introduction This project starts with the importance of the CSR commitment to the company then followed by the background of the company, Petrodec Sdn Bhd. This will continue with the listed CSR activities done by Petrodec Sdn Bhd. Then it followed by the plan for next year and challenges faces by the company. Then it covers recommendation to conclude the whole program presented for year 2011. . 0Company Background-Petrodec Sdn Bhd Petrodec Sdn Bhd (formerly known as Focal 2000 Sdn Bhd ) was established on 21st April 2000 with a mission to provide a comprehensive range of engineering solutions and services in the construction industry. Petrodec Sdn Bhd has been registered with CIDB (G7) since year 2001 and PKK (Class A). Holding the paid up capital of RM1,000,000. 00, Petrodec Sdn Bhd is owned by two directors; En Mohd Zamri Bin Abdull Rahman and Tn Syed Lokman Bin Syed Idrus. Petrodec Sdn Bhd believes there is more to value than just the lowest price.Value means providing our clients with the highest quality product for the most economical price. Petrodec Sdn Bhd has worked hard to earn a reputation for quality work and integrity in dealing with clients, local authorit ies, suppliers and subcontractors. It’s believes in building value into relationships by using quality people and products. Their goal is to develop long lasting relationships based on trust, honesty and professionalism. The organization had worked hard to earn satisfaction and respect from customer as they believe in continuous relationship with customers.The basic philosophy of Petrodec Sdn Bhd is to offer oustanding services towards clients' goals and needs. The company provides a total package capability and solution to suit projects of any scale and magnitude. Its services will be characterized by a high standard of quality services. The company believes in the solidarity of its internal skills and knowledge in satisfying the needs of its clients (Petrodec Sdn Bhd, 2010). 3. 0Company values The values and principles are â€Å"Experience, Effective, Efficiency and Excellence † coupled with creative dynamism and vision will be the constant focus of the company †™ s work ethics. Petrodec Sdn Bhd, 2010) 4. 0Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) CSR is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into business model. It starts to be popular in 1960s and early 1970s after multinational company really putting an effort to emphasis on CSR. Basically, the most successful and accepted CSR is the community-based development approach. In this approach, organization works with local communities to better themselves. The organization that is committed to employee development normally already practicing some of the CSR components.That organization that openly shares information with employees about a move toward downsizing, and then helps displaced employees find new jobs, is actively practicing CSR. Moreover, the organization that is committed to the production of safe, reliable, and innovative products or services in line with customer needs is strategically involved in CSR. CSR is, therefore, a management approach that takes into consideration a n integrated set of indicators that map the firm's impact within the its economic, society and environmental existence.Most importantly, findings from scientific research shows that CSR is essential for the long-term sustainability of an organization (Waldman, Sully, Washburn, & House, 2006). Company that narrowly pursue the profit motive, without concern for the broad spectrum of Stakeholders that are relevant to the long run, are increasingly shown to lack sustainability. But it’s not only important to realize the importance of these groups. Organizations must also be able to â€Å"connect the dots† and understand how various Stakeholders, and the satisfaction of their needs, represent interrelated challenges.To some multinational companies and large organizations, they might have an established CSR that brings a significant impact to the company and community surrounded area. However to a small company they might have a different ways to involve with CSR activities. For Petrodec Sdn Bhd commitment to engage with CSR activities is important to ensure business continuity. It is a social obligations to contribute some and to be part of the society. The company hopes to share some of community pain in the welfare activities.On the other hand, Petrodec is a construction company that have to engage with the community throughout the duration of project completion. It is understood, whenever a constructions works involve, there always be uncomfortable situations to the involve society. Projects like earthwork clearing, building constructions, roads constructions and many more would always be unavoided disturbance to the people stay around the constructions area. Therefore, involvement with society will make them understand the situation and understand why the work need to be done at that area. 5. 0CSR Activities 2011Petrodec Sdn Bhd activities are divided into categories. First category is the adopted school and the second one is the welfare activitie s. Petrodec had chosen Sek Men (U) Al-Irsyad as the adopted school when they started the construction project to build new hostel. The welfare activities carried out at Rumah Bakti in Kulim town which is the only Muslim Blind Associate in Malaysia. 5. 1Adopted School- Sek Men (U) Al-Irsyad Sek Men (U) Al-Irsyad is located at Pokok Sena, Pulau Pinang. In 2009, Petrodec had been awarded to build hostel for the student that can occupied 200 students.It is also included room for warden and activity rooms. The duration for this project carried out for two years. It is long enough for the company to support the school activities. The school had their planned a lot of good programs to develop their students. But to ensure all activities can be run successfully, they need certain budget. So Petrodec had put up the initiative to volunteer to contribute RM10,000. 00 to ensure all their program smooth throughout the year. However, Petrodec only handover the RM10,000. 00 and the school had full authorities to use the money to run all the program as their planned and presented earlier.Petrodec had not engaged personally during the activities. Speech competition, motivation activities, outdoor activities, external speaker comes for motivation talks and graduation celebration are parts of the activities that had been carried out throughout the year. 5. 2Welfare Activites- Pusat Latihan Rumah Bakti Kulim (The Blind Association) Rumah Bakti Kulim (the blind association) is the only training center for muslim blind association in Malaysia. It’s accommodates around 20 people which is blinds that stayed in this Rumah Bakti.All of them are teenagers who poor vision or blinds, and orphan. Petrodec had participate actively in their activites and involve personally in the activities. Total of RM20,000. 00 was granted throughout the year but it was given when the program are planned. In 2011, there are three major activities had been carried out. Two activities had joined event with Malaysian Estima Owners Group (MEOG) to had more people involve. The first event was held a week before HariRaya Aidilfitri 2011 which is on 20th August 2011. The total budget for this event around RM6,000. 00.The MEOG team prepared the food for evening meal to break their fast, transportation (Estima) to bring the blinds to function house which is held at Kulim Golf Residents and Petrodec prepared cash donation, baju kurung and baju melayu for all the blinds. Total of 24 blinds received the cash donation and clothes on that day. Total 100 attendees participate in the event. It a very simple but a meaning full event. All the Petrodec staffs and MEOGians served the for the blinds, perform the maghrib prayers and then proceed with the clothes and cash donations sessions.It was conclude to be one of the most successful event to MEOG and Petrodec Sdn Bhd this year. The second activity was activity korban on Aidil Adha. It was done on 9th November 2011 at Rumah Bakti Kulim. Total b udget allocated was RM3,600. 00. This activity also a joined effort with MEOG. Rumah Bakti staff cooked for lunch for invited guest which included all the blinds at Rumah Bakti, Petrodec Sdn Bhd Staff and MEOGians. Korban meat was then distributed to poor people and included the residents of Rumah Bakti.The meat for Rumah Bakti will be stored properly as that will be their food stock until year end and early of first quarter next year. This is due to normally it was the last contributions received from outside organizations for that year. Next year contribution will be received later in February. For day to day income, the blinds will continue living with their own income either from massage service and photostat service run inhouse. The third activity was to hire Tahfiz to teach the blind tahfiz Al-Quran. As they cannot read Al-Quran, therefore they have to hire Tahfiz for the purpose of learning Al-Quran.This activity start in November and RM700. 00 was allocated for the Tahfiz mo nthly salary. 6. 0Next Year Plan To ensure CSR activities continuity, Petrodec Sdn Bhd already presented next year plan to the board. Eventhough the budget still under approval by board of directors, the team will continue to look forward for the benefits of the company and the involve community. There are two plans for next year, which are to build prayer room at Rumah Bakti. It is estimated around RM30,000 needed. Petrodec also will continue to adopt school but it might change to another school.The suggestion will be SK St Anne’s Convent, Kulim. Petrodec had suggested to do activities such as career week during activity week after UPSR 2012. The school will call professionals to give a talk about their career and share with the schools why is it their job is important to the society. Another activity will be participate in Hari Kantin where the Petrodec Sdn Bhd team will be coaching on the entrepreneurship to the students. 7. 0CSR Challenges CSR activities need all the part icipants actively involve during the activities to ensure it is meaningful to the community.This would be the biggest challenge to Petrodec Sdn Bhd as the company had a very limited headcount to perform their work and at the same time participate in the CSR activities. Thus, with limited resources such as small budget, time and material also had become the constrains to run CSR in more proper manner. Most of the activites had to be on adhoc basis rather than a well plan schedule. This is also can be constrains due to limited resources. However, the company had worked hard to close the gaps in ensuring the activities run smooth. 8. 0Conclusion and RecommendationCSR is part of social commitment that company need to actively engage and participate. The company might have focus the CSR activities to the project area or to the community surrounded the organizations. Then only it will be meaningful to the people stay around the area. Reference Petrodec Sdn Bhd. (2010). Annual Report 2010. , (p. 10). Petrodec Sdn Bhd. (2010). Company Profile. Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Waldman, D. , Sully, M. , Washburn, N. , & House, R. (2006). Cultural and Leadership preditors of Corporate Social Responsibility values of top management: A Globe Study of 15 Countries. Journal of International Business Studies , 823-837.