Why the Firefly (Hotaru) Is Important in Japan

In some cultures firefly may not have a positive reputation. But in Japan, where they are called hotaru, they are beloved – a metaphor for passionate love in poetry since Manyou-shu (the 8th century anthology). Their eerie lights are also thought to be the altered form of the souls of soldiers who have died in war. It is popular to view the fireflies glow during hot summer nights (hotaru-gari). However, since hotaru inhabit only clean streams, their numbers have been decreasing in recent years due to pollution. Hotaru no Hikari (The Light of the Firefly) is probably one of the most popular Japanese songs. It is often sang when bidding farewell to one another such as at graduation ceremonies, the closing ceremony of events, and the end of the year. This tune comes from the Scottish folk song Auld Lang Syne, which doesnt mention fireflies at all. It is just that the poetic Japanese words somehow fit the melody of the song. There is also a childrens song titled Hotaru Koi (Come Firefly). Check out the lyrics in Japanese. Keisetsu-jidadi which literally translates into the era of the firefly and snow, means ones student days. It derives from the Chinese folklore and refers to studying in the glow of the fireflies and snow by the window. There is also an expression Keisetsu no kou which means the fruits of diligent study. This is a rather newly invented word, but hotaru-zoku (firefly tribe) refers to the people (mainly husbands) forced to smoke outside. There are many tall apartment buildings in the cities, which usually have small balconies. From a distance the light of cigarette outside the curtained window looks like the glow of a firefly. Hotaru no Haka (Grave of the Fireflies) is the Japanese animated film (1988) which is based on autobiographical novel by Akiyuki Nosaka. It follows the struggles of two orphans during the American firebombing at the end of World War II.

Team Work Essay - 3677 Words

Introduction Teamwork is essential to the smooth running of many projects, organisations and companies. Much research has been conducted into the effectiveness of teams and their contributions to organisational success. This essay considers one particular team consisting of two student nurses (members A and B) and 4 student radiographers (members C, D, E, and F), all 3rd year degree-level, whose task was to produce a poster for assessment over a one week period. Theory and models of teamwork will be used to discuss all aspects of this team including team roles, communication, conflict and decision-making. Conclusions will then be drawn as to how the team could have been more effective in their completion of the task.†¦show more content†¦Research has shown that teamwork increases efficiency (Thylefors et al, 2005 in Newson, 2006). A team can pool knowledge and skills and, if well motivated, create energy increasing a team’s efficiency beyond that of the individuals. Modern views on teamwork also consider the satisfaction of the workforce by becoming more autonomous and reducing hierarchical structures (Ovretveit et al, 1997). 5 Team Development The most commonly used model to discuss team development is Tuckman’s (1965) (in Huczynski Buchanan, 2001) forming, storming, norming and performing model. However, the team concerned more closely followed the Cog’s ladder model (see appendix 1. for full description) (Walton, 1984). 1. Polite stage (day 1) The initial introductions of the team members took place during a coffee break, however, the task was not clearly discussed at this stage and so roles were not yet defined. The members worked at a distance from each other to complete a treasure hunt task. 2. Why are we here? (day 2) The goals were established and two subgroups (student nurses, A and B and student radiographers, C, D, E and F) emerged. 3. Bid for power (day 2/3) Conflict and rivalry within the group prevailed. At this stage two members of the group, A and C, became identifiable as leaders. 4. Constructive phase (day 3/4) The team did eventually reach this stage with activities being divided amongst members and all members participating.Show MoreRelatedWork Teams Essay1172 Words   |  5 PagesDevelopment Team: One of the most important things to keep in mind when assembling work teams is team efficacy. Team efficacy is basically where effective teams have confidence in them and each other in the ability to succeed. Everyone that will be a part of this developmental team will have to come together and agree on what is best for the subject at hand. You will have to come in agreement with one another to work effectively as a team. Working as a team will create positive synergy thatRead MoreEssay On Team Work959 Words   |  4 PagesImproved team-work is the first area of development need that surfaced due to the clinical microsystem assessment. Tenured instructors who have been with the university for many years are accustomed to the content as it has been delivered since the last curriculum revision. The team teaching model is new for the school of nursing. The literature is limited in the most effective methods for team teaching implementation. Review of the literature results in them es; interdisciplinary teams across disciplinesRead MoreTeam Work Essay2096 Words   |  9 PagesTeam Work This about how to work with groups and other team members, most of the time it is hard to do but with our jobs nowadays we have to do what we have to do. I like working with others for the most part, especially when they are motivated in getting the job done in a timely manner. Then we have some that just don’t want to help but want everybody else to do their work for them. Working in groups you will have to know who is who and what they like to do, and then you can do what it is thatRead MoreTeam Work Essay1875 Words   |  8 PagesIn the living or work, it is usually need to work together as a team. This could be an informal event, like a social or a group, or at formal work. The formal work environments often need to co-operate with each other, linking individuals who have some different techniques or similar skills in order to achieve a common goal. In the team, the members need communicate with other team member frequently. Communication is an essential activity that can exchange of thoughts, messages or information throughRead More Making Teams Work Essay1175 Words   |  5 PagesMaking Teams Work The importance of teams is becoming more and more apparent in todays dynamic business world. Increasingly managers are searching for a means to improve production and keep their organization competitive in the global market. A lot of these managers have turned to the team as a means for achieving this improvement. Quality circles were originally looked at to fulfill this role, however they are being phased out in favor of self-managed work teams. These teams are increasinglyRead MoreEssay about Team Work1483 Words   |  6 Pages STUDENT ID: 212448858 Submitted to: PROF. CHARLENE ZIETSMA My reflection paper is classified along the following lines. The above model draws form ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR, Understanding and Managing Life at Work, EIGHTH EDITION by Gary Johns and Alan Saks and has been trifurcated stage wise in relation to the game, Forbidden Island. The pre- game scenario began with FORMING. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t have a clue as regards â€Å"Forbidden Island†Read MoreReflective Writing on Team Work Essay1542 Words   |  7 PagesNursing Essay What is a team work? Team work can be defined as when actions of individuals are brought together for the purpose of a common goal. Each person in a team puts his efforts to achieve the objectives of large group. Teams make efforts to achieve the success but not necessarily the success is achieved every time. Within a team every member plays a role to achieve the team’s objectives. These roles add new and important dimensions to interactions of team members. Bruce Tuckman’s team developmentRead MoreDeveloping the Work Team Essay1826 Words   |  8 Pages04 Developing the Work Team Reflective Review Understand the nature of teams and the features of team roles and responsibilities including the advantages and disadvantages Q1. How does a team differ from a group? Give 3 examples of the differences. A team and a group are often classed as the same, but they are in fact completely different entities. Three of the main differences are Trust Leadership Working towards a shared common goal †¢ Trust – In a team there are high levelsRead More Team Work Scenarios Essay442 Words   |  2 PagesTeam Work Scenarios Learning Team Each team should respond in paragraph form to the questions that follow the scenarios presented below. Any disagreements or complications that occur within the team regarding the correct response should be noted in the Learning Team Reflection Worksheet for the week. SCENARIOS Duty-based (Deontological): 1. Donna was wrong for setting rules for the team without any input from Michael. He is not going to follow the rules if there was no buy-in on theRead MoreTeam Work In Business Essay1849 Words   |  8 PagesTeam Work in Business At the beginning of eighteen century, high quality products of Japan started occupying the world market rapidly. The success story of Japanese companies made American companies surprise and curious, then American soon found that team work was one of the keys for Japanese companies’ success. For two hundred years, team work has been

The Risks of Companies

Question: Discuss about the The Risks of Companies. Answer: Introduction Peoples attempts involve risks. For any business venture to prosper, risks must be dealt with in a conscious manner (Ritchie and Marshall, 2007). That implies there is no immaculate venture in the development business in which every one of the dangers can be recognized and comprehended. Hazard can be evaded or understood. It can only be relieved and afterward either exchanged or share to some other body that is still part and parcel of the business. Businesses succeed well when depending on how the involved team has analyzed the project. There are three parameters that determine the achievement of a business. They include, time, cost and quality. These three are subjected to risk or uncertainties. The project team has the obligation to organize all the usage all through the usage, arrange how legitimately they are assessing the venture by giving fitting recompenses to every one of those expected dangers or vulnerabilities (Ritchie and Marshall, 2007). The Companies chosen for this project are from the Software services, energy and materials industry as shown below: Energy Industry A-cap Resources Ltd Tec Limited African Energy Resources Alligator Energy Ltd Acacia Coal Limited Adx Energy Ltd Allegiance Coal Limited Adavale Resources Alice queen Limited Abilene Oil and Gas Limited Materials Industry Anglo Australian Resources Amcor Limited Amani Gold Limited Anchor Resources Limited Aneka Tambang Anglogold Ashanti Limited Amex Resources Limited Anova Metals Limited Andromeda Metals Limited Anson Resources Limited Software Services Industry Aconex Limited Activistic Limited Adacel Technologies Limited Adslot Ltd Aeeris Ltd Afterpay Holdings Limited Ahalife Holdings Limited Altium Limited Animoca Brands Corporation Limited Appen Limited Company ratios Energy, Materials, Software and service industries margin ratios are 3.1, 6.64 and 8.45 respectively. The industry with the highest ratio is the software and service industry. The software and service industry seems to be doing well compared to the other company ratios. P/E ratio This is a system used to compare the stock level prices of a companys profits. It provides investors with the sense of a stocks value The following formula is used to calculate a companys P/E ratio P/E ratio = price per share Earnings per share (EPS) EPS = earnings total shares outstanding Energy sector current ratio = $200,000,000 $60,700,000 = 3.1 Materials sector current ration = $360,000,000 $54,200,000 = 6.64 Software sector current margin = 410,000,000 $48,500,400 = 8.45 From the above rations, it is clear that the riskier industry to invest is in the energy sector. The industry that is better to invest in the software and service industry since the profit margin is at 8.45 as compared to the other sectors which are at 6.64 and 3.1. Risks are by and large of various types that can be arranged in light of these criteria which involves the distinguishing all the dangers, the outcomes, and the effect of hazard. (Chen, 2005) proposed an alternate strategy for grouping of hazard i.e. Elemental classification and Global characterization. The proposed strategy is to separate the additional broad dangers which might impact a venture yet it may not be within the control of the venture parties against the dangers related with crucial business fundamentals; these are known as worldwide and natural threats (Flanagan and Norman, 2009). Risks Business dangers result from critical conditions, events, circumstances, activities or inactions that could influence a substance's capacity to accomplish the association's goals and execute its methodologies or setting of wrong destinations and systems (Carey and Stulz, 2006). External Environment Risks These are dangers from expansive variables outside to the business including substitute items, calamitous peril misfortune, and changes in clients' tastes and inclinations, contenders, political condition, laws/controls, and capital and work accessibility. Business Process and Asset Loss Risks These are dangers from ineffectual or wasteful business forms for procuring, financing, changing, and promoting merchandise and enterprises, and dangers of loss of firm resources including its notoriety. Geological These type of risks refer to the difficulty the extraction and difficulty involved in accessing the reserves is lesser than the estimated. The Oil and gas experts strive to limit geographical hazard by use of frequent tests every now and then, this makes it very rare uncommon that evaluations are off track. The terms that they normally use utilize the expressions "proven," "likely" and "possible" before save evaluations, to show their confidence levels in their findings. Price Oil and gas prices are the essential factors that are used to calculate in selecting whether a reserve is economically feasible. The higher the geographical limitations to simple extraction, the higher the chances the business will face. The result of this is that unpredictable extraction as a rule costs more than a vertical drill down to a deposit. Political Regulatory sense is the primary in which politics affects oil. Gas companies are normally covered by various regulations which limit how and when the extractions are done. The interpretation of these laws in these ways differs between states. And with that in mind, political risks normally increase when the oil and gas organizations are busy working on deposits abroad. Financial Risk This hazard relies on upon how a business is supported over the long haul. There are two sorts of financing accessible to a business, which are shareholders' assets value or obligation. Value prompts proprietorship and benefit sharing, though obligation prompts reimbursement of intrigue and capital. The Debt to Equity proportion is referred to as Gearing and as this builds, the money related hazard confronted by the shareholders increments too. A profoundly outfitted organization will be extremely helpless against liquidation or disappointment if its benefits and money streams plunge essentially since it won't have the capacity to pay premium and capital. The dangers confronted by exceptionally outfitted organization shareholders are in this manner high when contrasted with their partners in low-adapted organizations. This review endeavors to look at this directing impact, particularly in the business setting. Since both ?nancial use and capital force assume signi?cant parts in the business, such directing impact might be all the more unmistakably recognizable. (Sheel, 2009) states that the guarantee impact of capital power all the more viably brings down here and now obligation for the business than for assembling. These ?ndings might be appropriate to the business, given that the vitality and materials industry share a few signi?cant normal attributes, for example, a high level of use and regularity of business, which prompt a more prominent affectability to loan cost chance (Tang Jang, 2009). Business chance and intrinsic hazard both bear on the review; the review chance model; and the nature, timing, and degree of work performed. Innate hazard and business chance bear a converse relationship to location chance and directly affect the level of work performed. Business hazard identifies with the money related explanations and influences general review chance; intrinsic hazard applies to an individual review zone. Inborn hazard is unequivocally incorporated into the expert gauges and the audit?risk display while business hazard is not and has just a circuitous bearing on the model. Administration can find a way to influence the level of characteristic hazard, however the impression of clients of the money related articulations bear on business chance. Correlation between financial risk and capital intensity There are two courses for the positive adjustment of the connection between the budgetary use and money related pain through the capital power. One route is to reduction escalated impacts of the money related use on the monetary misery and the other one is to quicken beneficial outcomes of the budgetary use on the monetary pain and the expanded level of capital power. The reason for this review is the principal contention, i.e. as per the symptoms which can be given by the capital power with respect to the concentrated impact of monetary use on money related pain under scrutiny. It implies that on the normal, budgetary use costs command the benefits as per the money related trouble and such costs can be decreased when the level of capital power increments. Analysis of the significant ratios of the selected companies of the energy industry The table below shows the ratios of the ten selected companies of the energy sector. The three ratios are analyzed to understand the profitability, liquidity and the solvency of the companies. Ratio Analysis Particulars Return On Equity Current Ratio Debt Equity Ratio A-cap Resources Ltd -2.54% 5.77 Algae.Tec Limited -473.51% 0.62 African Energy Resource -8.61% 20.64 Alligator Energy Ltd -56.01% 4.06 Acacia Coal Limited -144.59% 9 Adx Energy Ltd -227.87% 2.73 Allegiance Coal Limited -261.54% 0.69 Adavale Resources -48.38% 0.06 Alice queen Limited -180.01% 1.82 Abilene Oil and Gas Limited -21.01% 0.11 0.64 The table above highlights three significant ratios. The return on equity is calculated to understand the profit earning ability of the company. The calculation shows that the average return on equity of the 10 selected companies is -142.41%. This means that all the companies on an average are making net losses. The company that has the highest negative return on equity is Adx Energy Ltd and the company that has the lowest negative return on equity is A-cap Resources Ltd. This suggests that the company A-cap Resources Ltd is in a relatively better position in the industry. This ratio gives a clear indication that the profitability of the industry represented by the ten companies is very weak. Therefore, it is suggested that necessary steps should be taken so that overall profitability condition of the industry could be improved. In the energy sector, the cost related to input is primarily the main component of the cost. It can be said that if the cost of input can be reduced then the profitability situation of the industry can be improved. The liquidity of the company is measured by the current ratio. The current ratio represents the readily available assets that can be used for settling the current obligations. On analyzing, the current ratio of the industry as represented by the 10 companies it can be seen that the average current ratio of the industry is 4.55 times. This means it is the industry standard to maintain 4.5 time of the current assets over the current liability. On analyzing the ten companies, it is seen that African Energy Resource has the highest current ratio of 20.64 times. On the other hand, Adavale Resources has the lowest current ratio of 0.06. In general it can be said that higher the current ratio the better it is for the company. However, it should be noted that very high current ratio represents underutilization of assets and it is not a positive sign for the company. Therefore it can be said that it is an industry standard to maintain sufficient liquidity. However, it is suggested that the li quid assets can be properly utilized for increasing the revenue of the companies. The solvency of the company can be determined by calculating debt equity ratio. The debt equity ratio measures the level of debt over equity. The increase in the ratio means that the proportion of debt is increasing in the capital structure. The cost of equity is very high so it is necessary to maintain an optimum level of debt in the capital structure. The optimum mix of the debt equity ratio will ensure that the cost of capital of the company is reduced. On analyzing the 10 companies of industry, it has been found that only one company Abilene Oil and Gas Limited has debt in its capital structure. This suggest that the companies in the industry relies more equity for financing then debt. Therefore, it can be said that the overall cost of the capital of the industries high. Analysis of the significant ratios of the selected companies of the Mineral industry Ratio Analysis Particulars Return On Equity Current Ratio Debt Equity Ratio Anglo Australian Resources -31.10% 0.55 Amcor Limited 22.17% 0.88 4.37 Amani Gold Limited -74.16% 0.98 Anchor Resources Limited -41.12% 2.62 Aneka Tambang 0.36% 2.44 0.36 Anglogold Ashanti Limited 2.45% 1.53 0.79 Amex Resources Limited -219.67% 0.13 Anova Metals Limited -17.87% 3.81 Andromeda Metals Limited -35.60% 2.06 Anson Resources Limited -87.83% 59.12 Table 2: Ratio Analysis (Source: created by Author) The table above shows the ratios of 10 companys mineral industry. The three ratio that have been computed are return on equity, current ratio, and debt to equity ratio. The average return on equity of the industry is -48.24%. This means that on an overall evaluation the industry as represented by the ten companies are making losses. The company that have the highest return on equity is AngloGold Ashanti Limited. This company have a return on equity of 2.45%. This means the company from the funds invested by the shareholders earns 2.45% return. The lowest return on equity is of Amex Resources Limited. This company have a very high negative return on equity of -219.67%. The analysis of this ratio of the company indicates that the losses made by the company is more than twice of the capital. It is suggested that necessary steps should be taken to improve the profit earning ability of the industry. The average current ratio of the industry is 7.41 times. This means in the industry the current asset maintained is more than 7 times the current liability. The company Anson Resources Limited has current ratio of 59.12 times there is extremely high what any industry standard. This means the company has 60 times the current asset of its current liability. This represents that the company is not is not utilizing the current assets efficiently. On the other hand, the company Amex Resources Limited has current ratio of 0.13 times. In this case the the company has insufficient current assets for paying off the current liability. The average debt to equity ratio of the industry is 1.84 times. In the selected 10 companies, only 3-company uses debt in its capital structure. This suggests that more confidence is placed on equity for financing the business. This could increase the cost of Financing the business. Analysis of the significant ratios of the selected companies of the Software and service industry Ratio Analysis Particulars Return On Equity Current Ratio Debt Equity Ratio Aconex Limited 16.95% 0.9 0.01 Activistic Limited -255.24% 5.1 Adacel Technologies Limited 56.66% 2.88 Adslot Ltd -24.45% 2.28 Aeeris Ltd -42.69% 6.4 Afterpay Holdings Limited -9.33% 29.64 Ahalife Holdings Limited -809.64% 3.96 0.02 Altium Limited 18.54% 1.53 Animoca Brands Corporation Limited -312.78% 1.5 Appen Limited 32.75% 2.51 Table 3: Ratio Analysis (Source: Created by Author) The average return on equity of the selected company is negative. This indicates that the companies are making losses. The average return on equity of the industry is -312.92%. The return on equity of Ahalife Holdings Limited is -809.64%. The ratio suggests that the company is making a loss that is equivalent to 8 times the capital of the company. On the other hand, the return on equity of the company Adacel Technologies Limited is 56.66%. This suggests that this company is making sufficient profit. The current ratio of the industry is 5.67 times. That means on an average every company in the industry has five time more the current assets than the current liability. The current ratio of After pay Holdings Limited is very high at 29.64 times. This means the company has 30 times the current assets than current liability. It clearly indicates that the current assets are not properly utilised. The lowest current ratio is of Aconex Limited at .9 times. The average debt to equity ratio of the industries is 0.02 times. There are ten companies that are selected but only two company has utilised debt in its capital structure. This suggests that utilization of debt in the capital structure is not a predominant trend in the industry. Conclusion This report has clearly shown the difference that exists between business risk and the uncertainties and how the risks affect projects and also the methods used to reduce the risk impacts. Risk management value is explained for major projects with case study help. The study analysis is conducted in a convenient way such that every risk in the case is explained. References Carey, M. and Stulz, R. (2006). The risks of financial institutions. 1st ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Chapman. C B. (1990). A risk engineering approach to project risk management. International Journal of Project Management. 8(1990), Pp 5-16 Chapman. C, Ward. S, (2003). Project risk management. Processes, Techniques and Insights. John Wiley Sons Ltd. Kunreuther. H, Deodatis. G, Smyth. A. (2004). Integrating Mitigation with Risk- Transfer Instruments. Edited by Gurenko. E N, Catastrophe Risk and Reinsurance- A Country risk management perspective. Pp 117-129. Risk Book Publications. Perminova. O, Gustafsson. M, Wikstrom. K. (2007). Defining Uncertainty in projects - a new perspective. Perry. J G, Hayes. R W. (1985). Risk and its management in construction projects. Proceedings- Institution of Civil Engineers, Part 1 (1985)/78, Pp 499-521. Ritchie, B., Marshall, D. (2006). Business risk management. London etc.: Chapman and Hall. Smith N J. (2002). Engineering Project Management. Blackwell Science Limited, Oxford. Thompson. P, Perry. J (1992). Engineering construction risks. Thomas Telford publishing.