Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainable Reporting Essay

Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainable Reporting - Essay Example The increase in regulatory scrutiny, the emergence of new standards and the heightened interest on the part of public and private policymakers are the reasons why sustainability reporting becomes imperative for organizations today. To demonstrate this, this paper will explore one of the most widely recognized sustainability standards, the Global Reporting Initiative. Reporting Standard The Global Reporting Initiative was established in the year 1997 and sponsored by the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies; the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) was formed for the purpose of outlining a set of guidelines that would deal with the economic, environmental and social consequences of organizational activity (Brown, 2005, p.90). Because of this objective, the initiative is often called as â€Å"sustainability reporting.† Its declared mission is â€Å"to create conditions for the transparent and reliable exchange of sustainability information through the development an d continuous improvement of its Sustainability Reporting Framework† (GRI 2007). ... ainability Reporting Guidelines mandates that â€Å"a sustainability report should provide a balanced and reasonable representation of the sustainability performance of a reporting organization† (SRG, p.3). The significance of this initiative for companies rests on the determination of the sustainability performance. By defining, outlining and documenting the economic, environmental, social and governance areas for specific economic activities, an organization through the report, could identify its achievements in the context of its sustainability objectives. It is able to better benefit from the impact of its sustainability performance because the report contains correct and legitimate feedback. The benefits of a transparent organization, which will be explored further later on, is particularly maximized. This is the reason why companies release sustainability reports. In the International Survey of Corporate Responsibility Reporting in 2008, for instance, it was found that a lmost 80 percent of the companies in the Global 250 issued sustainability report (White, p.47). The same report cited numerous other reasons. They include ethics, economic considerations, brand reputation, innovation and learning (p.47). These variables reflect the changing dynamics of doing business today as stakeholder relationships changed. It appears that profit, which traditionally govern such relationship, is no longer the sole concern especially on the part of investors or that profit is no longer exclusively driven by purely economic activities. The case of AstraZeneca is an excellent example of how sustainability reporting could achieve a valid and acceptable sustainable reporting. The company has incorporated environmental and social aspects into its existing accounting and reporting

Designing Continuous Auditing for a Highly Automated Procure-to-Pay Article

Designing Continuous Auditing for a Highly Automated Procure-to-Pay Process - Article Example f a continuous monitoring system also helps auditors to carry out an independent monitoring and enables them to carry out audit tasks on a continuous basis. There have been changes in business and auditing, which prompts auditors to make use of continuous monitoring system and continuous auditing. The changes in auditing environment have made auditors make use of graphic modeling in auditing financial statements, and this calls for the implementation of continuous auditing and monitoring system (Borthick, 2012). The procure to pay process is a very complex automated process which requires a continuous automated monitoring in order to effectively audit the process, the internal and external control, as well as all other financial records of any company that uses this process. However, it is not certain that the implementation of continuous monitoring system will help the auditors to effectively and efficiently carry out their auditing tasks. This is because implementing a continuous monitoring system on the procure-to pay process presents some impediments to the auditors (Borthick, 2012). Divergence by business practices where they divert from the original system as employees devise workarounds in order to meet exigencies may become an obstruction to the auditors. When employees diverge from the original system, companies end up changing the entire system in order to enable the system to support the employees work. This means that the auditing process will always be subject to continuing system enhancement and this can be a huge challenge for the auditors (Borthick, 2012). It is also true that the reliance on the system development life cycle that is warranted for the operation of system controls can create huge problems to the auditors. In some companies, the continuous monitoring is always based on the assumption that price looks up for pallets by each day are correct in all aspects (Borthick, 2012). This assumption is tenuous given the interaction of changes

Information and Communications Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Information and Communications - Essay Example Given that language, music, and images constitute the major forms of symbolic expression, they assume special significance in the sphere of culture. Both processes, media globalization and cultural imperialism, are closely connected with cultural globalization which means expansion of cultural flows across the globe. At the beginning of the 21st century, global media interferes all parts of the world promoting and popularizing western life style and ideas. The exploding network of cultural interconnections and interdependencies in the last decades has led some commentators to suggest that cultural practices lie at the very heart of contemporary globalization (Lee 2002). Yet, cultural globalization did not start with the worldwide dissemination of rock 'n' roll, Coca-Cola, or football. Expansive civilizational exchanges are much older than modernity. Still, the volume and extent of cultural transmissions in the contemporary period have far exceeded those of earlier eras. Facilitated by the Internet and other new technologies, TV shows and mindless advertisements, these corporations increasingly shape people's identities and the structure of desires around the world (Tomlinson 88). During the last two decades, a small group of very large TNCs have come to dominate the global market for entertainme nt, news, television, and film. In 2000, only ten media conglomerates - AT&T, Sony, AOL/Time Warner, Bertelsmann, Liberty Media, Vivendi Universal, Viacom, General Electric, Disney, and News Corporation - accounted for more than two-thirds of the $250-275 billion in annual worldwide revenues generated by the communications industry (Tomlinson 54). In general, cultural imperialism means promotion and spreading of one culture into another. "Cultural imperialism has been conceptualized variously as a strategy on the part of dominant countries, a local policy on the part of receiving countries, and an effect on the people and practices in the latter. Dominant nations have clear strategies concerning the export of cultural products" (Crabtree and Malhotra 364). As recently as 15 years ago, not one of the giant corporations that dominate what Benjamin Barber has appropriately called the 'infotainment telesector' existed in its present form as a media company. In 2001, nearly all of these corporations ranked among the largest 300 non-financial firms in the world. Today, most media analysts concede that the emergence of a global commercial-media market amounts to the creation of a global oligopoly similar to that of the oil and automotive industries in the early part of the 20th century (Tomlinson 74). The crucial cultural innovators of earlier decades - small, independent record labels, radio stations, movie theatres, newspapers, and book publishers - have become virtually extinct as they found themselves incapable of competing with the media giants. The negative consequences of this shotgun marriage of finance and culture are obvious. TV programs turn into global 'gossip markets', presenting viewers and readers of all ages with the vacuous details of the private lives of American celebrities like Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kobe Bryant. Evidence suggests that people all over the world - but especially

Designing Continuous Auditing for a Highly Automated Procure-to-Pay Article

Designing Continuous Auditing for a Highly Automated Procure-to-Pay Process - Article Example f a continuous monitoring system also helps auditors to carry out an independent monitoring and enables them to carry out audit tasks on a continuous basis. There have been changes in business and auditing, which prompts auditors to make use of continuous monitoring system and continuous auditing. The changes in auditing environment have made auditors make use of graphic modeling in auditing financial statements, and this calls for the implementation of continuous auditing and monitoring system (Borthick, 2012). The procure to pay process is a very complex automated process which requires a continuous automated monitoring in order to effectively audit the process, the internal and external control, as well as all other financial records of any company that uses this process. However, it is not certain that the implementation of continuous monitoring system will help the auditors to effectively and efficiently carry out their auditing tasks. This is because implementing a continuous monitoring system on the procure-to pay process presents some impediments to the auditors (Borthick, 2012). Divergence by business practices where they divert from the original system as employees devise workarounds in order to meet exigencies may become an obstruction to the auditors. When employees diverge from the original system, companies end up changing the entire system in order to enable the system to support the employees work. This means that the auditing process will always be subject to continuing system enhancement and this can be a huge challenge for the auditors (Borthick, 2012). It is also true that the reliance on the system development life cycle that is warranted for the operation of system controls can create huge problems to the auditors. In some companies, the continuous monitoring is always based on the assumption that price looks up for pallets by each day are correct in all aspects (Borthick, 2012). This assumption is tenuous given the interaction of changes

WaterAid UK. Operational Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

WaterAid UK. Operational Management - Essay Example The global strategy for WaterAid is to offer strategic perspective for building on this experience and integrating equity, as well as, inclusion in all areas of operation The company implemented the global strategy, with four significant aims of carrying out effective business to address sanitation and water crisis. One of the main objectives is to ensure that more than 25 millions of people across the globe have access to safe and clean water. They also focus on hygiene improvements, sanitation objective and also influencing government policies and practices in order to reach more than 100 million people globally. The organizational mission is transforming lives of people across the areas where they operate. The crucial services emphasizes human development and transform lives; thus enabling people to overcome poverty, as well as, enable them to access their human right effectively. The organization operates in more than 23 countries and the company offer support to their local part nership organizations. This is crucial because they aim to deliver sustainable water and services to all areas; thus improving sanitation. They also operate alongside their partners in order to influence effective decision making vital for improving investments and delivery of sanitation and water services to the population living under poverty level; therefore, to achieve their objectives, the company focuses to a wider context impacting sanitation and water services including marginalized communities, urbanization, unpredictable climatic changes, and political instabilities, as well as, stressed water resources. The company operates in unique way by focusing the challenges they face; thus finds solution of overcoming them through offering effective service delivery. They also have unique ways of developing and monitoring performance level. This strategy has been implemented through detailed operational plans and monitored with an aim of increasing effective performance. The human resource manager of the organization has made significant efforts of implementing a sustainability framework, which was piloted through the 2011 to 2012 post-implementation studies. Bratton and Gold (2010. P. 34) reveal the significance roles that manager play in an organization including training, encouraging teamwork, communicating effective and effective listening; thus contributing to successful performance of the company. Therefore, the WaterAid human resource manager has made significant efforts of partnering with others in creating an efficient operational management team in order to deliver sustainable services. Staff and volunteer management The company has varied staff workers and other volunteer groups who work together as a team to deliver effective services. Subba and Kumar (2010, p. 23) argue that working together as team in the management of resources of company activities can contribute to effective business performance. This is crucial because it has enabled the com pany to deliver equitable services across the regions where they operate. Moreover, the current company manager, Jeremy Pelczer employs unique leadership styles of managing both tangible and intangible resources of the company. Gold (2010, p. 102) argue that successful leaders should employee effective leadership styles that can enable them to deliver valuable services. They also have the board of directors who offer great opportunities and the shareholders also played key significant roles of supporting the company towards achieving the organizational mission. In addition, they have volunteer groups of people including the

Juvenile Crime Statistics Paper Essay Example for Free

Juvenile Crime Statistics Paper Essay The Federal Bureau of Investigation tracks four offenses murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault in its Violent Crime Index. The juvenile arrest rate for each of these offenses has been declining steadily since the mid-1990s. The murder rate fell 70% from its 1993 peak through 2001 (Snyder, 2003). Statistics: Research has shown that crimes committed by juveniles are more likely to be cleared by law enforcement than crimes committed by adults. The clearance data in the Crime in the United States series show that the proportion of violent crimes attributed to juveniles by law enforcement has declined in recent years. The proportion of violent crimes cleared by juvenile arrests grew from about 9% in the late 1980s to 14% in 1994 and then declined to 12% in 2001. (Snyder 2003). Cleared Proportions: The juvenile proportion of cleared forcible rapes peaked in 1995 and then fell, with the 2001 proportion still above the levels of the late 1980s. The juvenile proportion of robbery clearances also peaked in 1995 at 20% and fell substantially by 2001 to 14%, but was still above the levels of the late 1980s at 10%. The juvenile proportion of aggravated assault clearances was at 12% in 2001 and was slightly below its peak of 13% in 1994. This was still substantially above the levels of the late 1980s. The proportion of Property Crime Index offenses cleared by juvenile arrests in 2001 was below all but 2 years in the 1980s and 1990s. (Snyder 2003) Drug Offenses: The text highlights an overall increase in the rate of drug offenses as well as simple assaults amount juveniles. After review of arrest statistics, the finding were that law enforcement agencies made an estimated 202,500 arrests of young people for drug abuse violations in 2001. Of those 202,500 arrests a drug abuse violation is seen to be the most serious. There was a decline in juvenile arrests for murder between 1992 and 2001. During this time period there were a large number of increases as well though. Statistics showed 51% motor vehicle theft and 40 % burglary. There was also a major increase in juvenile arrests for drug abuse violations at a 121%. (Snyder 2003). Simple assault increased between the early 1980s and the late 1990s which was more than 150% between 1983 and 1997. This rate fell 7% between 1997 and 2001. Arrests of Females: Arrests of females for various offenses are increasing more than the arrests of males, and the overall juvenile arrest rate for simple assault in 2001 remained near its all-time high. (Snyder 2003). Of the juvenile arrests reported in 2001 females accounted for 23% of those arrests for aggravated assault and 32% of juvenile arrests for other assaults. Females also appeared to be the leading sex in regards to runaway violations. Females were involved in 59% of all arrests for running away from home. Arrests for curfew and loitering law violations were reported at 31% for female juveniles. Females accounted for 23% of juvenile arrests for aggravated assault and 32% of juvenile arrests for other assaults (i.e., simple assaults and intimidations) in 2001. Females were involved in 59% of all arrests for running away from home and 31% of arrests for curfew and loitering law violations. (Snyder 2003) Violent Arrests of the Races: The text points out that the disparity in violent crime arrest rates for black juveniles and white juveniles declined substantially between 1980 and 2001. In 2001 the juvenile population was comprised of 78% white, 17% black, 4% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 1% American Indian. Violent crime statistics  showed that 55% involved white youth, 43% involved black youth, 1% involved Asian youth, and 1% involved American Indian youth. The results for property crime arrests were 68% white youth, 28% black youth, 2% Asian youth, and 1% American Indian youth. Between 1980 through 2001 black-to-white disparity in juvenile arrest rates for violent crimes show a decrease. The black juvenile Violent Crime Index arrest rate was 6.3 times the white rate in 1980 and in 2001; the rate disparity had declined to 3.6. The reduction in arrest rate were primarily due to the decline in black-to-white arrest disparities for robbery, which was greater than the decline for aggravated assault. Conclusion The outlook for the juvenile crime rate is uncertain as there are many factors which will affect those final numbers. One thing is for certain and that is that the population is projected to grow throughout the county at a rapid pace. The number of juveniles age 11 through 17; the ages of juveniles responsible for 99% of juvenile arrests will increase in the next decade. This will ultimately cause a spike in juvenile offenses and arrest numbers. References: Snyder, H. (December 2003). U.S. Department of Justice. Office of Justice Programs. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Juvenile Justice Bulletin. Juvenile Arrests 2001. Retrieved July 24, 2008, from http://www.ncjrs.org/pdffiles1/ojjdp/201370.pdf

How can the company FX-Solutions Financial Services Ltd improve interna

Internal communication is essential for creating a culture of transparency between management and employees, as well as among all employees. Quirke (2008) noted that the role of internal communication is to â€Å"illuminate the connections between different pieces of information† (p. xv), and its job is â€Å"to provide employees with the information they need to do their job† (p. xv). It includes both official communications, such as guidelines, policies, memos, etc. - and unofficial communication. There are three interdependent areas in the company FX-Solutions Financial Services Ltd where problems occur and must be addressed in order to improve the internal communication: †¢ Company’s culture and environment. †¢ Clear definition of what needs to be communicated and by whom. †¢ Systems, which company creates to allow and support the internal communication. Let me state some examples of the communication issues within the company. Insufficiency in interdepartmental communication, people do not communicate when required or do not communicate issues to the all co-workers whose job is related to this issue/change, which causes misunderstandings and mistakes that leads to decreased quality of provided services. Evident lack of appropriate â€Å"downward† communication, where employees are most of the time provided with either incomplete, modified or no information, what affects their day-to-day job. Therefore, the aim of this report is to present directions and solutions that should be implemented in order to strengthen and maintain an efficient flow of information inside the company. To begin with, in order to establish good internal communication the first step should be towards creating an â€Å"open† working environment which encourages smooth flow o... ...y using appropriate ways, it is essential for the company to regularly monitor the internal communication- by asking for feedback from employees, testing the information flow, or making regular comparison of previous evaluation with current ones. Works Cited Gillis, T. L. (2011). The IABC Handbook of Organizational Communication: A guide to internal communication, public relations, marketing, and leadership (2nd ed.). Retrieved from Books24x7 version database. Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, F.P. (1997). Joining Together: Group Theory and Group Skills. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. Quirke, B. (2008). Making the Connections: Using Internal Communication to Turn Strategy Into Action (2nd revised ed.). England: Gower Publishing Ltd, p. xv. Peters, T. J., & Waterman, R. H. (1982). In Search of Excellence: Lessons from America's Best-run Companies. New York, US: Harper & Row.