Middle-Class Homelessness in America Essay

Can you imagine yourself standing in line in hope for a cot at a shelter to share with your family, or waiting for a warm meal in a soup kitchen? This is what many middle-class American citizens have succumbed to. Has the American dream been lost, has the middle-class lost its position in the American economy, and has the inequality of income cause the demise of the middle-class? By focusing on the health care reform and record low unemployment rate we overlook the underlying problem; the dwindling middle-class, the backbone of our country. Many studies have been conducted to define middle-class without much success. It has been attempted to relate it to annual income. One study states that yearly incomes between $32,900 and $64,000, another between $50,800 and $122,000, and the U. S. census bureau middle 60% of incomes is the largest range of all lies between$ 20600, and $102,000 as what defines middle-class. Dan Horn notes in the Cincinnati Enquirer â€Å"Psychologist Ken Eisold, a contributor to Psychology today, said, though, that the way people describe their social status has more to do with what’s going on in their heads than their wallets. † Eisold goes on to say that â€Å"it’s really more about identity†. Horn adds that Julie Heath, director of the University of Cincinnati’s Economics Center agrees with Eisold that saying, â€Å"We’re a middle-class family has more than a financial connotations to it, it has a salt-of the earth to it. That’s the bed rock. Essentially this shows that Americans do not base their social status on their income alone, but also on their personal accomplishments and views of where they have come from and where they are going. That being said, the bed rock of the middle-class comes from one of the most common descriptions what living in America is all about; the great American Dream. History tells us that this emotion connected with being middle-class started showing up in the 1830’s. In these times people came to America hoping for the best, and they clung to ideas of how they would make it. They believed that if those ideas and values were kept, that they were middle-class, even if they were not financially. This is how the idea of the Leave it to Beaver life style came into being. In the 1950’s men took white collar jobs while women stayed home and maintained their house and families. They bought homes in the suburbs, nice family cars, and made safe investments. This provided them a sense of stability and many believed this is what the American dream is all about. Today, in pursuit of the dream, to maintain their middle-class status many Americans have higher incomes than their parents did but both parents are working. Yet while doing the best that they that they can possibly do, many are watching their dreams shatter. Erin Currier, director of the Pew Economic Mobility Project, said â€Å"stability is one of the biggest threats to the middle class today. † She goes on to say, â€Å"Though born into middle-class, many fall out by adulthood. † This is due to inflation of basic needs such as health care, day care, college funding, and the rise of the inequality of income. One term often referred to when relating to the middle-class crisis is Income Gap. As defined on the internet by investapedia. om, the income gap is the unequal distribution of household and individual income across the various participants in an economy. A sociology and political science professor at the University of Arizona who studies income inequality and poverty, says that over the past three decades â€Å"is slow income growth compared to general economic growth†¦ a bigger and bigger portion of economic growth has occurred to the wealthiest 1 %, whether the measure is basic wages or total compensation,† says Lane Kenworthy. (CQ researcher 3) There is political risk involved with this shift that is greater than economics and family finances. A large middle class, especially one that is politically active, tends to be a kind of anchor that keeps our country from swinging back and forth. There are typical values that middle-class families acquire and pass on to their children and those values tend to be good for democracy,† states Teresa Sullivan, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Michigan, and the co-author of The Fragile Middle Class: Americans in Debt. (CQ Researche r 2) The new millennium looked very hopeful for the war on poverty in America. The federal poverty rate was the lowest it had been since 1974 according to CQ Researcher. The next 4 years even better with Housing prices doubling in many cities and increase in home equity loans that brought the Home-ownership rate up to an all time high of 69 percent. In 2008 we would not only see the sand shift out from the false growth of the economy led by the banks and lending companies but our government bail the banks out with $700 billion rescue bill, They did not however bail out the borrower and many lost their homes. Leading to the current middle class crisis. These issues, the rise of the inequality of income and the shattering of the American dream, have led us to the downfall of the middle class. In more recent years the middle-class are finding themselves not only having a decrease in their income due to layoffs and downsizing, but while not able to maintain their dream are losing their homes due to foreclosures. They are now finding themselves sleeping in their cars, if fortunate to still have one. They are waiting in lines for food and shelter, and bathing in gas station rest rooms, standing on street corners and highway exit’s begging for money or work. I have a personal interest in this research because I consider myself a middleclass American who lived through these years of the housing crisis and recession, I have lost a business, I am dealing with the short sale of my home and a threat of foreclosure, I have suffered through divorce and currently I am a struggling single mother. In conclusion the decline of the middle-class has hit very close to home. Although the hope of the American dream dies a slow death in my own heart, because of the continual economic status and burden of the cost of living rising, many like me are losing hope.

Choosing Gmat Sample Essay Topics Is Simple

Choosing Gmat Sample Essay Topics Is Simple Excellent rating and great reviews should tell you everything that you want to understand about this excellent writing service. If you do this, the e-rater will assume there is not any such word. The actual men and women highly praise our essay help site. In reality, word problems are more prevalent on the GMAT than straightforward equation-solving. Make sure you're ready to cover every crucial paragraph on the test day. For those who haven't exercised your writing muscles for some time, it's recommended to put in some practice. The absolute most important skill is having the ability to distill the most important purpose both the entire passage and of any paragraph in the passage. Scoring well on the AWA isn't an esoteric art, you simply have to keep few standard things in mind. How to Get Started with Gmat Sample Essay Topics? Contrary to other kinds of essays, you're attempting to convince your reader of something. 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The best method to find out how to find a high Analytical Writing score is to take a look at a GRE essay sample, but doing so with no guidance can be overwhelming. The GMAT Test is just one factor that colleges use in their admissions processes, but nevertheless, it may be an important factor so you need to prepare and strive to succeed on the test. GMAT practice tests are an effective method to study and enhance your scores. Detecting a mechanic is just what you will need to do. Yo u don't need to have an in-depth understanding of the topic. As you take an increasing number of sample tests, you will start to observe a pattern in how the questions are written. Discover how to craft the ideal answer. Some people think that so as to thrive, a society must put its very own general success before the well-being of its unique citizens. From my experience all of them are basically the exact same. 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The HIV-AIDS Epidemic in Africa - 631 Words

HIV/AIDS is a significant public health concern and a leading cause of death in many parts of Africa. Although Africa is home to about approximately 15 percent of the worlds population, the same region is the worlds epicenter of HIV/AIDS. The numbers are overwhelming as adult HIV occurrence is 1.2 percent around the world but it is approximately 9.0 percent in sub-Saharan Africa. UNAIDS (The Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS) estimated that at the end of the year 2001, there were 39.8 million people living with HIV/AIDS, 28.5 million of them from sub-Saharan African alone. Another 4.9 million adults and children were newly infected with HIV/AIDS in the year 2001, 3.5 million of them from sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 3 million people died from AIDS-related causes in 2001 and of these deaths, 2.2 million were among sub-Saharan Africans. Sub-Saharan Africa alone accounts for an assessed 71.3 percent of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS and approximately 70 percent of all t otal AIDS deaths in the year 2011 alone (AVERT). HIV is a relevant topic because unmanageable financial and coordination burdens have been forced upon the health systems (Beaubien). Some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have seen success in curbing the rate of AIDS previously. Uganda had a 26% rate of HIV/AIDS infection in 1986, and in 1987, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni introduced a five-year government-led plan to reduce the rate (AVERT). The plan was defined by an approach toShow MoreRelatedShould The Hiv / Aids Epidemic?918 Words   |  4 PagesShould the HIV/AIDs epidemic in Africa be described as a feminist issue? With higher transmission rates concentrated among African women, and the vast majority of new mother-child transmissions occurring within African countries, HIV seemingly fits into the scope of feminist concerns. As described in Oppong and Kalipeni’s contribution to Kalipeni, et.al.’s HIV AIDS in African: Beyond Epidemiology, the consistent classi fying of the HIV/AIDS epidemic as being the direct result of distinct AfricanRead MoreHiv / Aids And Aids1356 Words   |  6 PagesJust about two decades ago, HIV/AIDS pandemic was the only thing that is mentioned in social media (Gus â€Å"Introduction to HIV/AIDS†). Proved to be originally from Sub Saharan Africa (S.S Africa) region, HIV/AIDS has spread throughout not only the S.S. Africa, but it eventually becomes the global disaster in the late 20th century (Gus). HIV/AIDS has gained attention from the media when the death many patients by the new emerging disease is reported in Europe and US (Satpathy 27). However, these casesRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Botswana, South Africa Essay1282 Words   |  6 PagesSouth are facing an epidemic that has gone completely ignored by their very own government. 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Without treatment, HIV can graduallyRead MoreAids in Africa Essay 211127 Words   |  5 PagesAfricas AIDS Epidemic Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has become an epidemic for many underdeveloped regions. Although it does exist in the developed nations, it is more prevalent in places like South America, Asia, the island countries and most heavily of all Africa. There are many aspects to the problem of AIDS in Africa. Public health departments lack the resources to treat patients properly and to control the epidemic through education. Thirty-three million people have AIDS in theRead MoreSpread Of Hiv / Aids1574 Words   |  7 PagesThe Spread of HIV/AIDs in Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa has been singled out as having the most serious HIV epidemic in the world. There is need to curb the spread of HIV in the continent by leveraging the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the factors responsible for the spread of the disease. This paper attempts to investigate the risk factors involved in the spread of HIV and how to reduce HIV prevalence regardless of these risks factors. The paper then goes a step further andRead MoreHiv / Aids : A Huge Complication Around The World1562 Words   |  7 PagesHIV/AIDS in Russia versus South Africa HIV/AIDS is becoming a huge complication around the world. More and more countries that are not commonly known to have an issue with AIDS/HIV are developing epidemics. It is common knowledge that South Africa struggles with an HIV/AIDS epidemic, but a lesser known country affected would be Russia. The epidemic spread in Russia because of drug users, prostitutes, and cultural shame. It spread in South Africa because of African men’s refusal to use condoms andRead MoreSocial Services During Sub Saharan Africa951 Words   |  4 PagesSocial Services Provided in Sub-Saharan Africa have had a Positive Impact on People Infected and Affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Summary Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a disease that has evolved over time into an epidemic. Sub-Saharan Africa is the region of the world with the highest population of infected individuals and some of the lowest access to resources needed provide preventative education, treatment, and support for the disease. This study examines five studies conductedRead MoreHiv / Aids : A Devastating Disease1482 Words   |  6 PagesHIV/AIDS is a devastating disease that has predominated in Africa due to the long incubation period of the virus, poverty, sexual promiscuousness, urbanization, trading routes, lack of knowledge, medical advances (use of needles, blood transfusion), and gender inequalities. Although the government denied the existence of HIV/ AIDS for many years, they have begun working towards various solutions such as the ABC (Abstinence, Be faithful, and Condom use) method and United States initiatives like PEPFARRead MoreHealth Issues in Africa1611 Words   |  7 Pagespeople i sn’t as healthy as might be imagined. South Africa major health public concerns are HIV/AIDS, malaria, smoking related disease, and tuberculosis, just to name a few of them but all of which affect the non-white population more than the white; apart form these. HIV/AIDS in Africa The rise of sickness in Africa today is mainly caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). AIDS is the number one killer in African society today

Personal Narrative My Best Friend - 821 Words

It was Tuesday, July 18th. I was a nervous wreck. In desperate need of clothes to wear to impress... her. I begged my best friend Todd to join me at Woodfeild mall. He gave in and we went. Todd and I shopped for hours. Nothing looked good enough for...her. We were running out of time. I made-do with four short sleeve shirts from Champs and two pairs of sweatpants shorts from hm. The total came out seventy dollars. We walked out and got into Todds car. I was shaking the entire ride home. Will she like it? Am I going to look fat? What about my acne? What if she doesn’t end up liking me? Nothing else crossed my mind as we pulled up to my house and I was dropped off. There was around an hour and a half until I had to leave. I walked inside†¦show more content†¦I parked my car on the side of the road and sat aimlessly in my car. I sent Hailey the â€Å"here† text and waited. She was in there. Morgan Tenaglio was actually in there. A girl of her status and beauty ha d never given me any sort of consideration. â€Å"I wont mess this up†, I told myself. Hailey presented herself at the front door and I got out of my car and walked towards her. We exchanged hellos and she asked me, â€Å"are you ready to see Morgan?†. I swallowed my breath and murmured â€Å"yes I am†. She escorted me to her basement door as I said hello to her mother. Hailey opened the door and step by step, started walking down. I followed close behind. As I walked down I heard the voices of Jake, Leila, and Stevie... But no Morgan. I turned and walked past the wall to my right. My eyes were closed and ready to see her. Everyone said Hi to me as I opened my eyes and gaged the room. Morgan was nowhere in sight. I was confused and discombobulated as leila shouted, â€Å"haha jokes on you. Morgan isn’t even here†. Following this, I heard a faint muffled voice come from under a stack of blankets in the corner of the couch that laid rest in Haileyâ⠂¬â„¢s basement. All the sudden the blankets started to move and out of nowhere, she popped up. I froze...Speechless....caught off guard. She was beautiful. The most beautiful girl I had ever seen. Her angelic eyes, a greenish brown that could put a man to sleep. Her straight brunette hair looked as gorgeous and smooth as a photoshopped models out of aShow MoreRelatedPersonal Narrative : My Best Friend1210 Words   |  5 PagesSunday, my friends and I were eating a meal of thick stew and crusty bread and drinking a pitcher of hot, spiced, and very watered-down wine. We’d chosen my room because it was the biggest and therefore had the most space for practicing weaponry, our afternoon plan. My friends ate and made small talk. We saw each other most days so sometimes it seemed like we ran out of real things to talk about. 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Accounting Information System 5 Free Essays

string(195) " its complexity mixture of people, plant, materials, locations, technology, knowledge of the law as well as the design and valuation of work done, which are much subjectivity \(Capon, 1990: 1\)\." American Journal of Scientific Research ISSN 1450-223X Issue 4 (2009), pp36-44  © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2009 http://www. eurojournals. We will write a custom essay sample on Accounting Information System 5 or any similar topic only for you Order Now com/ajsr. htm Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and Knowledge Management: A Case Study Zulkarnain Muhamad Sori Department of Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Economics and Management Universiti Putra Malaysia Abstract This study seeks to examine the use of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) by ZBMS Sdn. Bhd. , and it’s contribution to the knowledge management and strategic role of the organisation. ZBMS is a company that registered in Kuala Lumpur and operate in construction industry. The company used automated AIS known as ‘Contract Plus – Financial Project Accounting’ package commercially developed by a private company (ZYXW). Wide variety of people that involve in the company’s operation within and outside the organisation uses accounting information generated by this system for decisionmaking. Based on input provided by operational level managers, the Contract Plus software produces monthly projects’ income statements, balance sheets and statement of changes in financial position for the strategic and tactical managers to plan, control and make decision on the resources allocation. The role-played by AIS enhanced the organisations’ accounting functions, and add information value. The automated AIS speed up the process to generate financial statements and overcome human weaknesses in data processing. The system enhances management of resources and the process of monitoring, control and prediction of ZBMS business for better future. With the advent of AIS, the growth of tacit and explicit knowledge could be seen from the intensive training of personnel at the early stage of system implementation to the development and use of company’s own manual in training of new staff and assisting the job of existing staff. Given the benefit of AIS to ZBMS, this paper recommended that the source of data should be fully automated, and the existing system should be upgraded through computerise the pre-tendering and post-tendering of projects to enable AIS integration. Keywords: Accounting Information Systems, Knowledge Management, Accounting Functions, Information Value, Financial Statements 1. Introduction Accounting Information System (AIS) is vital to all organisations (Borthick and Clark, 1990; Curtis, 1995; Rahman et al. , 1988; Wilkinson, 1993; Wilkinson et al. 2000) and perhaps, every organisations either profit or non profit-oriented need to maintain the AISs (Wilkinson, 2000: 3-4). To better understand the term ‘Accounting Information System’, the three words constitute AIS would be elaborate separately. Firstly, literature documented that accounting could be identified into three components, namely information system, â€Å"language of business† and source of financial inform ation (Wilkinson, 1993: 6-7). Secondly, information is a valuable data processing that provides a basis for making decisions, taking action and fulfilling legal obligation. Finally, system is an integrated entity, Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and Knowledge Management: A Case Study 37 where the framework is focused on a set of objectives. The combination of the three words Accounting Information System indicate an integrated framework within an entity (such as a business firm) that employs physical resources (i. e. , materials, supplies, personnel, equipment, funds) to transform economic data into financial information for; (1) conducting the firm’s operations and activities, and (2) providing information concerning the entity to a variety of interested users. Indeed, the combination or interaction between human, technology and techniques would permit an organisation to administer its knowledge effectively (Bhatt, 2001; Thomas and Kleiner, 1995). Currently, the world and human life has been transformed from information age to a knowledge age (Syed-Ikhsan and Rowland, 2004: 238; Thomas and Kleiner, 1995: 22), and knowledge has been recognised as the most valuable asset. In fact, knowledge is not impersonal like money and does not reside in a book, a data bank or a software program (Drucker, 1993). Drucker believed that knowledge is always embodied in a person, taught and learned by a person, used or misused by a person. As the world moving into knowledge era, this paper will examine how ZBMS Sdn. Bhd. manages its knowledge in order to remain competitive amongst the construction industry. Probst, Raub Romhardt (1999, p. 1) stressed that companies must learn to manage their intellectual assets (i. e. knowledge) in order to survive and compete in the ‘knowledge society’. Indeed, knowledge management is concerned with the exploitation and development of the knowledge assets (Davenport et al. , 1998). This paper seeks to examine the Accounting Information Systems (AIS) used by a Malaysian company named ZBMS Sdn. Bhd. The paper will highlight the users of the system and the way information adds value to the organisation. Also, the paper will investigate the way knowledge is managed through the process of creating, storing, disseminating and applying and how information system plays an important role throughout the process and the AIS contribution in the organisation’s strategic role. The remainder of the paper is organised as follows. The following section describes the background of ZBMS and the use of accounting information systems. The third section provides research findings on accounting information systems employed by ZBMS. The fourth section offer suggestions for future research. The final section concludes the paper and outlines the limitations of the study. 2. The Use of Accounting Information Systems in ZBMS ZBMS is a private limited company registered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia that operate in construction industry, where the main activities ranging from construction of infrastructure, building, power, waste water to property development as well as engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) in the oil gas sector. The company used automated AIS known as ‘Contract Plus – Financial Project Accounting’ package in their Finance Department, which was commercially developed by a private company (ZYXW). Contract Plus is a fully integrated business solution designed specifically for companies in the engineering and construction industry. The software will generate financial data to be analysed by the accountants and subsequently used by top level of management for strategic decision making, thus, these managers could identify future opportunities and limitations face by the company and industry (McCarthy, Minichiello and Curran, 1987: 243-244). . Findings As mentioned earlier in section 2, ZBMS is a company that operate in construction industry. The industry was identified as one of the most difficult to understand due to its complexity mixture of people, plant, materials, locations, technology, knowledge of the law as well as the design and valuation of work done, which are much subjectivity (Capon, 1990: 1). You read "Accounting Information System 5" in category "Papers" However, these challenges are under control with the advent of technology such as software development that allows systematic data 38 Zulkarnain Muhamad Sori processing. Therefore, it is important to understand the information flow in ZBMS in order to appreciate the usage of information within the organisation as shown in Figure 1-1 below. 3. 1. Users of AIS As shown in Figure 1-1, the finance personnel that reside at site project office (or called Project Accountants) and head office such as the Financial Accountants, Management Accountants and Finance Manager are the internal users of the system. Also, the management team that consists of Finance General Manager, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director and Board of Directors are among the internal users of the system. On the other hand, the external users consist of government agency (i. e. Inland Revenue), external auditors and creditors. Indeed, wide variety of people within and outside the organisation uses accounting information for decision-making (Rahman and Halladay, 1988, Renau and Grabski, 1987). Figure 1. 1: Information Flow of ZBMS ZBMS HEAD OFFICE Management Team Inland Revenue ZBMS HEAD OFFICE External Auditors Finance Department Bankers Suppliers Site Office Design Team SubContractors Client 3. 2. Function of AIS The main function of AIS is to assign quantitative value of the past, present and future economics events. At ZBMS, AIS through its computerised accounting system (i. e. ZYXW-Contract Plus) produces the financial statements namely income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statement. The system will process the data and transform them into accounting information during input, processing and output stages that will be used by a wide variety of users such as internal and external users (see for example Wilkinson, 2000: 10-11). Wilkinson noted that an effective AIS performs several key functions throughout these three stages such as data collection, data maintenance, data Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and Knowledge Management: A Case Study 39 management; data control (including security) and information generation. Figure 1-2 summarised the transformation process of AIS. Figure 1. 2: Data Processing in Finance Department at ZBMS Input – Progress Billing Certificate, Subcontractors Progress Certificate, Suppliers’ Invoices Processor – ZYXW Accounting System Output – Financial Statement Human Element – Finance Personnel 3. 3. Usage of Information Within AIS The construction projects undertaken by the company are divided according to the type of construction activities that comprised of five divisions, namely infrastructure, building, power, wastewater and oil and gas, where each project is treated as a separate company. The number of projects undertaken by each division depends on the contracts being awarded to the company. As indicated by Figure 1-2, the sources of data originated from external parties such as client, subcontractors and suppliers. The Project Accountants will work closely with the Quantity Surveyors to come out with the appropriate information as illustrated below: Client – The client’s Quantity Surveyors (QSs) will evaluate work in progress (WIP) and come out with percentage of WIP to be agreed by both parties. Once agreed, Progress Billing Certificates (PBC) will be issued by Client’s QSs, which a copy of it will be sent to head office for data processing. Subcontractors – The ZBMS’s QSs will evaluate subcontractor’s WIP at site and come out with percentage of WIP to be agreed by both parties. Once agreed, Subcontractor Progress Certificate (SPC) will be issued by ZBMS’s QSs and verified by ZBMS’s Project Manager, which a copy of it will be sent to head office for data processing. Suppliers – QSs and Project Accountants will ensure that the materials and machineries are delivered in good condition at construction site before delivery orders are accepted. The delivery orders will be attached to supplier’s invoice and sent to Head Office for processing. 40 Figure 1. 3: Simplifies the AIS within ZBMS: Zulkarnain Muhamad Sori CLIENT SUBCONTRACTORS SUPPLIERS Site Valuation by Client Site Valuation by ZBMS Materials machineries delivered Certified by Client Certified by ZBMS Materials machineries delivered PBC SPC Invoices Verified KeyPunched by Project Accountants Projects’ Accounts Receivables HQ Database (ZYXW) Head Office Maintenance Projects’ Accounts Payable Projects’ Fixed Assets Projects’ Cash Book Project Ledger Projects’ Trial Balance Projects’ Financial Statement Consolidated Consolidated General Ledger Consolidated Trial Balance Consolidated Financial Statements These documents will be verified and input into the system by Project Accountants. The projects’ data will be stored at Projects’ Account Receivables, Account Payables, Fixed Assets accordingly. Projects’ cashbook will be updated automatically after the data being entered to the projects’ Account Receivables and Account Payables. Any expenses incurred at head office will be stored at HQ Maintenance master file by Financial Accountant. The Contract Plus Accounting System software will process the data and produce financial statements of individual company’s projects on Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and Knowledge Management: A Case Study 41 monthly basis, which subsequently consolidated at group level. The process flow is shown in Figure 13 above. The automated AIS play an important role in the ZBMS’s operational level. As indicated by Rahman and Halladay (1988: 20), most modern organisation’s operational control of financial resources depends largely on automated support. This is due to the financial statements are generated by the Contract Plus. As shown in Figure 1-4, projects financial statements are generated by the Project Accountants, while the Financial Accountant generates the consolidated financial statements. The Management Accountant uses the consolidated financial statements to prepare company’s Performance Report such as cash-flow forecasts and ratio analysis. Once the Finance Manager (operational level) approve the report, it will then be submitted to the Finance General Manager and Chief Operating Officer (tactical level) to assist them for planning, control and decision making. The Performance Report will provide the information regarding work in progress relevant information. Therefore, AIS plays very important role at operational and tactical level as the activities at these level depend heavily on the information generated by the AIS. Figure 1. 4: Type of Information in ZBMS Strategic Board of Director, Managing Director Tactical Chief Operating Officer, General Manager (Finance) Finance Manager, Management Accountant, Financial Accountant, Project Accountant Operational Transaction Processing ZYXW Accounting System . 4. Value Added of AIS The role played by accounting functions has been enhanced with the development of AIS, which in turn contribute to the profession’s value added to organisation. In fact automated AIS employed by ZBMS expedite the process to generate financial statement and reduce the human errors compared to non-automated AIS, which add the existing value of accountants. AIS also provide information on both actual and budget dat a of the organisation that helps company’s management to plan and control business operation. Good management of resources and better control of cost, budgeting and forecasting enhance the well being of ZBMS to continually generated profits. The AIS also played a crucial role that contributes to ZBMS’s value added by providing internally generated inputs from financial statements. Rahman and Halladay (1988: 19) believed that viable strategic plan must have inputs based on history of organisation, the current assets and capabilities of the organisation, and the trends in operations of the organisation. 42 3. 5. Role of Knowledge Zulkarnain Muhamad Sori At ZBMS, both tacit and explicit knowledge are used as shown by the extensive used of accounting information system to assist business decision-making. The ZBMS begins its computerised accounting system in 1997. During the transformation process from manual to computerised accounting system, all finance personnel were sent for comprehensive computer training. Table 1: Relationship of AIS at ZBMS and Knowledge Management System Knowledge Management System Creation of knowledge Creation of Knowledge Storing of Knowledge Disseminating of Knowledge Knowledge Conversion Explicit to Tacit Explicit to Tacit Tacit to Explicit Tacit to Explicit Development of Automated AIS Training by hands-on experience ZYXW implemented, staffs learned from vendor’s manual Staffs gaining experience; Problems and solution being recorded on paper Improvement on system; Internal manual that suits the ZBMS needs being produced; Widely used in the department; Assists learning process of new staffs Explicit to Tacit System constantly use in Finance Department to generate monthly financial statements Applying of Knowledge Explicit to Explicit As shown in Table 1, the staffs were given hands on experience on the ZYXW System. During the early stage of system implementation, finance personnel were given flexibility to explore the system due to limited experience on the software at that time, and most of the staffs depend largely on the manual provided by the vendor for trouble-shooting. At initial stage, two-way communications with the vendor were developed to solve problems arised. As the time going on, the personnel were encouraged to record the problems aroused. Problems that have been solved were recorded for future reference. Currently, the ZBMS Finance Department has its own ZYXW manual that suits with the department needs. The manual provides valuable information to new employees as well as to the existing personnel at Finance Department. Indeed, AIS provide the systematic recording, processing and generating of accounting information, and in the absence of AIS, information would be scattered, random and hard to access, which would become a barrier to the growth of knowledge. 3. 6. Strategic Role and AIS To analyse the AIS strategy in ZBMS, McFarlan Strategic Grid will be utilised. The McFarlan’s strategic grid would locate ZBMS to the appropriate category with respect to its information system strategy (Curtis, 1995: 61). Automated AIS is fundamental part of the strategic plan of ZBMS in 1997. It has been improved over the years of implementation and generates accurate and timely accounting information that contributes to a good decision-making. Realising the benefit brought by the AIS, the sour ce of data must be fully automated. The existing system should be upgraded through computerise the pre-tendering and post-tendering of projects in the primary stages of the construction activities. When the system is upgraded, the ZYXW Contract Plus will integrate the two modules of pre- and post-tendering with the currently automated Financial and Project Accounting. Therefore, the most suitable position to locate AIS at ZBMS on the McFarlan Grid is on Factory Grid as shown in Figure 1-5 below. Accounting Information Systems (AIS) and Knowledge Management: A Case Study Figure 1. 5: ZBMS Location on McFarlan’s Strategic Grid 43 Low Current Dependence on AIS Support Turnaround High Factory –AIS at ZBMS Strategic Low Future Importance of AIS High 4. Direction for Future Research Having mentioned the above opportunities and challenges to the AIS, future research should investigate the AIS contribution on the organisation’s growth of knowledge. Though AIS would organise and structure the data input and knowledge, lack of understanding on the potential effect of human behaviour on the system such as human error, manipulation and work-style. In fact, Ponemon and Nagoda (1990) noted, â€Å"the most difficult problems often are caused, or are exacerbated, by those individuals who have erroneous expectations of the new system being implemented† (p. 1). The study would be fruitful with the use of questionnaire and interview survey. Perhaps, the survey should concentrate on a sample of senior managers of the top hundred companies listed on the Bursa Malaysia (Malaysian Stock Exchange), banks and regulatory bodies. These groups could contribute significantly due to their role as a decision maker in their respective organisations. Secondly, future research should also investigate the possibility to expand the use of AIS to the other areas that still did not use the system such as non-profit organisation and society. Indeed, the current level of usage shows that the benefit outweighs the investment cost. The successful implementation of AIS could save shareholder’s money and time. Finally, future research should explore issues on the information value generated by AIS to shareholders and stakeholders in making investment decisions. Case study approach on top companies would be appropriate methodology because the understanding on specific AIS model would be more valuable rather than using questionnaire and interview approach that assumes AIS across sampled organisation is identical. 5. Conclusion This paper examines the use of Accounting Information Systems (AIS) by ZBMS Sdn. Bhd. The wide varieties of people that involve in the company’s operation get the benefits from the implementation of AIS and the use of Contract Plus software developed by ZYXW. The system assists the operational managers to come out with monthly reports for the top managerial level (i. e. tactical and strategic) plan, control and decide resources allocation. In addition, the paper showed that the AIS add value to information processed within the company. The automated AIS could speed up information process and overcome traditional human weaknesses. As a result, the system supports the resource management and help ZBMS pursue its projection of continuing business profit. The use of AIS indicate the growth of tacit and explicit knowledge, where personnel were trained intensively and experience and trouble shooting were 44 Zulkarnain Muhamad Sori recorded for future reference and training. Indeed, the successful implementation of an accounting information system can be described as a series of complex, interconnected activities necessitating participants to have technical and managerial skills to sort out prospective problems (Ponemon and Nagoda, 1990: 1). Note To keep the identity of the respondent and it’s software developer anonymous, an imaginary name was used in this study i. e. ZBMS Sdn. Bhd. and ZYXW respectively. References [1] [2] Bhatt, G. D. (2001). Knowledge management in organisations: examining the interaction between technologies, techniques, and people. Journal of Knowledge Management, 5(1): 68-75. Borthick, A. F. ; Clark, R. L. (1990). Making accounting information systems work: An empirical investigation of the creative thinking paradigm. Journal of Information Systems, 4(3): 48-62. Capon, G. C. C. (1990). Construction Industry. London: The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Curtis, G. (1995). Business Information Systems: Analysis, Design and Practice. Wokingham: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company. Drucker McCarthy, D. J. , Minichiello, R. J. and Curran, J. R. (1987). Business Policy and Strategy: Concepts and Readings. Illinois: Irwin. Ponemon, L. A. and Nagoda, R. J. (1990). Perceptual Variation and the Implementation of Accounting Information Systems: An Empirical Investigation. Journal of Information System, 4(2): 1-14. Probst, Raub Romhardt (1999) Rahman, M. and Halladay, M. (1988). Accounting Information Systems: Principles, Applications and Future Directions. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. Reneau, J. H. and Grabski, S. V. (1987). A Review of Research in Computer-Human Interaction and Individual Differences Within a Model for Research in Accounting Information Systems. Journal of Information Systems, 2(1): 33-53. Rowley, J. (1999). â€Å"What is knowledge management†. Library Management, 20 (8): 416-420. Syed-Ikhsan, S. O. S. (2004). â€Å"Benchmarking Knowledge Management in a Public Organisation in Malaysia. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 11 (3): 238-266. Thomas, V. and Kleiner, B. H. (1995). New developments in computer software. Industrial Management Data Systems, 95(6): 22-26. Wilkinson, J. W. (1993). Accounting Information Systems: Essential Concepts and Applications. Second Edition. New York: John Wiley Sons Inc. Wilkinson, J. W. , Cerullo, M. J. , Raval, V. and Wong-On-Wing, B. (2000). Accounting Information Systems: Essential Concepts and Applications. New York: John Wiley and Sons. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] How to cite Accounting Information System 5, Papers

Control Models Of Nestle - Solution is Just a Click Away

Question: Choose an organization with which you are familiar, either as a customer or as an employee, and outline how that organization makes use of the control systems which you have chosen to discuss/analyse. Students are to present their analysis and findings/ conclusions in a professionally presented short report of 1500 + 10% words. Answer: Abstract Nestle organization is confronting different control issues like child labour issue, crude material issue, moral as well as issues related to boycott, rebuilding of association and numerous different issues. For taking care of these control issues, different control systems ought to be utilized by an association. With the help of employee discipline system, the association controls its representatives or its human resources. This procedure is fundamentally performed by the HR Managers and the stock control system, which helps the company in adjusting the demand as well as supply, both for the raw material and generation of product Introduction In this report, we are going to discuss about Nestle Organization. It is essentially going to depict how control model can help the Nestle Organization in taking care of their control issues. It will, likewise, portray the outline of Nestle, control issues which is associated with it, how representatives order system and stock control system can help Nestle to take care of the control issues related to it. Overview of Nestle Henry Nestle established Nestle in the year 1866, in Switzerland. Nestle has a range of food products to offer to its customers. The renowned brands of Nestle are Maggi, Kit Kat, Gerber, Toll House, Milo, Nescafe, Coffee mate, Friskies, Purina, Hot Pockets, Herta, Stouffer's, NIO, Dreyer's and so on. Nestl's slogan "great food, great health" itself explains the strategy that is applied by the company. Nestle is mainly famous as it provides food of good quality which are healthy as well as tasty. The managers at Nestle, are in charge of all the administrative exercises like Quality administration, Process administration, as well as control management. Even after so many issues in its control system, Nestle is the Leading brand in food products only because of its control management approach (Ehrenberg, 1995The quality as well as well-being of Nestl is the base of the association. Nestl's quality control management incorporate the building of trust by gathering the desires as well as p references of the customers, giving defect less items with zero waste attitudes Nestles Control Issues There are many control issues of Nestle. Some of the control issues are discussed below: Child Labour Issue: The most important issue of Nestle association is child labour. The children made to word while producing cocoa. Children do this work because of neediness and due to illiteracy which prompts the infringement of the child labour law and goes under child trafficking and slaving (Park Sandhu, 2002). Raw Material: The other issue identified with control issue, is the control on its raw material. This issue is identified with the unforeseen requests. Here and there the interest may be high and can't be satisfied, ordinarily crude materials get destroyed because of awful climate or catastrophe, or frequently the inventory may stay in the stock itself. Issues related to ethics and boycott: This issue was confronted by Nestle in 1970's. In the late 1970s, in United Stated as well as in other European countries, the products of Nestle were boycotted. Restructuring: Defining the employees as well as the structure of the management of the association is additionally a basic control issue which goes under the representative control issue (Park Sandhu, 2002) Control System In the Organization, controlling guarantees the performance analysis and also aides in taking the restorative activities. Mainly three sorts of controls are there, Feed forward control, Concurrent Control as well as Feedback Control. Before initiating the activities, Feed forward controls are initiated, Concurrent control happens amidst the process and at last, feedback control happens after the work is completed (Bilstad Brown, 1984) Control Process Figure: Control Process (Schermerhorn, 2008) The above diagram demonstrates the control process which has four steps. The first step is to create the objective as well as standards of performance, step two is to quantify the real performance of the control region. In third step, it compares the actual performance to the goal and measures, and the last step is to take all the fundamental actions. Control Models This report discusses about two control models. They are discussed as follows: Employee Discipline system: Employee Discipline System is an approach of employee control. This tackles the different controlling issues identified with the association. This control system gives the control reasonably, methodically and reliably. It incorporates the conduct and disposition treatment of workers, adulating them on their execution and also influencing the representatives to perform more work. This control system additionally incorporates the legitimate issues identified with the representatives, like child labour and other legal issues. This control system helps in dealing with the workforces that are primarily performed by the HR managers (Schrage Ewing, 2005). Inventory Control System: Inventory control system helps in dealing with the interest and supply of the products. This control framework helps an association in different courses like performing and dealing with the demand and as per that demand, the products are delivered and raw material is obtained. Inventory control system ascertains an estimated demand from the past information and afterwards the production methodology is transformed. It helps the association by saving cash, time and prevent the wastage of merchandise and crude materials. This is also one of the responsibilities of the inventory managers. It incorporates the two sorts of stock control techniques: Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) and just-in-time scheduling (Bilstad Brown, 1984). Control Models and their comparison Two separate purposes are taken care of with the help of the control systems. Employees control system, is for controlling the human asset in an association. It is important to control the human assets as this is the base of the development of an association, while the stock control system is additionally a basic control system of an association, because if the inventories are not controlled appropriately, it may prompt a gigantic misfortune regarding wastage of products, crude material or not satisfying the markets demand (Sethi, 1977). In the two control system, the employee discipline system incorporates the administration of representatives which contains the courses of action of compensating the workers if they perform good in numerous ways like giving promotion, rewards and so on., which influences them to work hard in different ways like inspiration, remunerating project, giving appealing offers etc. While the stock control system incorporates assessing the demand of items in the businesses so that the crude material can be bought, products can be delivered, and interest can be satisfied successfully so that no material gets wasted and also demand is fulfilled (Sethi, 1977). These two sorts of control systems are performed by two separate sorts of managers who has the duty to perform all the exercises identified with the control system. These control systems help the association in various perspectives and steps towards the development by waste prevention, demand fulfilment and enhancing worker performance by lawful exercises (Park Sandhu, 2002). Nestles Utilization of Control System As we discussed about the control issues of Nestle which was related to the employee control system and stock control system. Association structure as well as child labour are the issues which go under the Employees' discipline system whereas, raw material and the issue of boycott goes under the Inventory Control System (Park Sandhu, 2002). As discussed earlier, in the employee discipline system, Legal issues identified with the representatives go under this framework. Hence, this system can help Nestle by presenting the supplier code which screens the production network of all members which, in-turn, helps the organization to track if all the workers in the production network are qualified to work or not. Likewise, a unique training by the HR managers ought to be accommodated for the problem of child labour (Park Sandhu, 2002). In the organizations restructuring, the rights of all the employees should be protected. All the employees should get a fair treatment and equal opportunity. There are three cases in which a raw material might turn into a control issue. Firstly, in case there is an unforeseen request by the consumers or the raw material is wasted because of a natural disaster or if the stock is not utilized. The solution which is related with this issue may be that, the managers ought to fabricate a solid association with the suppliers of the raw materials. Different offers ought to be given to pull in the customers and the stock management team should modify themselves as per the market situation (Sethi, 1977). Boycott issue was a genuine issue confronted by Nestle because of unscrupulous showcasing and awful item supply. Thus, the populace of United States declines to purchase Nestle items. Stock control management system incorporates the correct supply of items (Sethi, 1977). Conclusion The above report is based on different research and studies. As per the above report, it can be said that the control systems are a key to the management system of an association. The employee discipline system relates to controlling the employees. The employee control system helps Nestle in different courses like in the child labour control issues and the rebuilding of the association, which helps the company in controlling its employees. Stock control system helps Nestle in controlling the crude material for production. Consequently, these control systems help the association in its development by saving cash, time as well as creating enthusiasm within the workers. References Sandhu, R. S., Coyne, E. J., Feinstein, H. L., Youman, C. E. (1996). Role-based access control models.Computer,29(2), 38-47. Park, J., Sandhu, R. (2002). Towards usage control models: beyond traditional access control. InProceedings of the seventh ACM symposium on Access control models and technologies(pp. 57-64). ACM. Sethi, S. P. (1977). Dynamic optimal control models in advertising: a survey. SIAM review,19(4), 685-725. Bilstad, A. C., Brown, R. I. (1984).U.S. Patent No. 4,425,116. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Schrage, E. J., Ewing, A. P. (2005). The cocoa industry and child labour.Journal of Corporate Citizenship,2005(18), 99-112. Ehrenberg, D. S. (1995). Labor Link: Applying the International Trading System to Enforce Violations of Forced and Child Labor, The.Yale J. Int'l L.,20, 361. Figure: Schermerhorn, R. John, (2008). Exploring Management. 4th ed., London: Cram101

Shelly and Keats The Passing of Time Essay Example

Shelly and Keats The Passing of Time Essay Truth and Beauty of Passing Time Neglect, death, and immortality are powerful themes of not only Romantic poets, but poets throughout every age of history. Countless works of poetry dwell on the seemingly inconsequential passing of life, while still more endeavor to discover something so significant that it can entrench itself into the folds of history as truly immortal. Two Romantic poems that engage wonderfully with these themes are Percy Bysshe Shelleys Ozymandias and John Keats Ode on a Grecian Urn. Although they take opposite approachesshelley uses Ozymandias to express the mutability of ife, while Keats uses the Urn to show that art can be timelessboth poems revolve around an object struggling against the passing of time. Both Ozymandias and Ode on a Grecian urn exemplify the struggle with the passing of time, and although the two poems appear to have opposite approaches to the subject, each can be read with a second interpretation that shows the two are actually extremely similar. Ode on a Grecian Urn beautiful captures the frozen state of the characters painted on the urn. The speaker is entirely enamored by the beauty of the scene. He peaks to each scene as he moves from subject to subject, becoming ever increasingly overwhelmed by the serenity of the Urn, What leaf-fringd legend haunts about thy shape / of deities or mortals, or of both, What mad pursuit? What struggle to escape? (Keats Lines 5-9). We will write a custom essay sample on Shelly and Keats The Passing of Time specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Shelly and Keats The Passing of Time specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Shelly and Keats The Passing of Time specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer He focuses in on a single motionless piper, Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard / Are sweeter; therefore, ye soft pipes, play on (Keats 11-12), and then moves to a youth who is nearly about to kiss his love, Bold Lover, never, never canst thou kiss, / Though winning near the goalyet, do not rieve; / She cannot fade (Keats 18-19). In both pictures the speaker dwells on the apparent immortality of the piper and girl, telling the youth not to grieve because his lover will never age. This line, and in fact the entire second stanza, ends with an exclamation mark, signifying the confidence of the statement not to grieve, For ever wilt thou love, and she be fair! (Keats 20). In addition to being one of only two exclamation marks used at the end of a sentencemeaning exclamations such as more happy love! are a different use of an exclamation markit is also the only time stanza ends with an exclamation. This likely signifies how the Youths frozen beauty stands as the most important symbol of the urn. A more cynical interpretation, however, says the Youth should grieve. To be frozen Just out of reach of a lovers kiss is actually quite tragic. The exclamation mark may be the extra emphasis needed to persuade the Youth not to grieve, masking the truth of his sorrowful position, or even more dramatically, hiding the truth that the urn on which he exists will certainly not last forever. This paradoxical understanding of the sad nature of the painted fgures, hen compared to the more standard view that the figures are frozen immortally in time, can be said about the Piper that comes before and the little town that follows. All three appear at first to be suspended in splendor, but it is equally possible to interpret their position as profoundly sad. The central tone of the poem first appears to be excited wonder. The dominant use of exclamations and questions shows this. Ten question marks are used, most of which appear in the first part of the poem exclamations within the poem are centered around the middle of the poem. This akes sense in the normal interpretation: the speaker is intrigued by the urn, asking many questions about it and gets more excited the more he sees. He then begins to understand the significance of the piece, finishing with a definite and absolute ending punctuation, a period, along with the grand conclusion, Beauty is truth, truth beauty,that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know. (Keats 49-50). Upon closer reading, the second interpretation from before begins to reveal itself. Despite existing as immortal figures suspended in time, the paintings still live upon the urn. It is true that the figures have, and will continue, to outlive those that view it. The progression from this second perspective almost surpasses the progression from the normal reading. Again, the speaker has an acute fascination with the urn, expressed by the many question marks, but as he inquires about the pictures he begins to realize that the fgures on the urn should grieve the inability to ever progress through time. The abundant use of exclamations as the poem moves on is indicative of the speakers attempt to hide the truth he is realizing. The last lines of the poem also make sense when read this way. At the beginning of the 5th stanza, he says, When old age shall this generation waste, thou shalt remain (Keats 46), which tells of the urns longevity. However the last line, Beauty is truth, truth beauty, says two things simultaneously. First it expresses the truth that all things pass away, showing that even the urn cannot exist for all of eternity. Second, it is a recognition that the truth of the urn, that all things eventually cease to exist, is also the most beautiful element of the urn. The Grecian Urn shows the speaker that existing in a frozen state of bliss is in fact not wonderful. It shows him that the passing of time, and with it all things, is the truth and the beauty of life, it is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know (Keats 51). A poem that beautifully captures this explanation is Percy Shelleys Ozymandias. It is far shorter than Ode on a Grecian Urn, which mirrors the scarcity of existence within the poem. It is a short poem that speaks of a short life. Also, the poem is primarily quoted by the speaker, l met a traveler from an antique and / who said.. (Shelley Line 1), which further removes the poem from the concreteness of reality; it is entirely possible that the statue has never existed at all. The speaker, and the readers of the poem, are only heard about the statue as a secondary source. He did not actually see the statue, and obviously the readers have never seen it as well. To further emphasize the transient nature of the statue, there e xists an ellipsis in the center of the third line, Stand in the desart. Near them on the sand (Shelley 3). The ellipsis shows that the portrayal of the statue is only being partially told to the reader; there is more told to the speaker by the traveler that is simply left out. Like the statue itself, only pieces of the story remain. The central body of both have been lost, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies (Shelley 4). The poem centers around a great statue raised to commemorate the life of the long past Pharaoh Ozymandias, who not is but a shadow of the both the original statue but also of the Pharaoh and the kingdom of Egypt as it existed at the time the statue was erected. Unlike Ode on a Grecian Urn, Ozymandias has no uses of question marks. It is not an inquisitive poem, there is no sense of excited wonder as described before for the urn. Instead it is a poem of resigned realization, Nothing shows the subdued feeling of the poem. The poem ends with a resigned realization that, Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare, / The lone and level sands stretch far away (Shelley 13-14). This is a line that explicitly shows the barren nature of the desert in which the remains of the statue lay, but it also comments on the boundless nd bare nature of life. Like the second reading of Ode on a Grecian Urn, this poem is content with the passing of time; death, decay, and neglect are understood as the prevailing power, along with truth, of life. No matter what is built, or written, or painted, time is a master of all elements of life, this is the truth explicitly stated in both poems. Yet, there is still some wonder to be found in the language of Ozymandias. In the same manner of the two possible readings of Ode on a Grecian Urn, there are two readings within Ozymandias. The first, as Just shown, is a omber tone of resigned realization, but it is possible to find moments of grandeur within the poem; it can be read in a similar way to the first reading of Ode on a Grecian Urn. Most immediately obvious is the fact that we, the readers, are being told this story of Ozymandias statue. There are many small and insignificant things in life, almost all of which are completely ignored. Rocks erode into sand, sun bleaches our clothes, and bad art is specifically avoided. Yet this poem takes the readers to a very specific monument. Clearly we were meant to focus on the boundless and bare element of the poem, Ozymandias would not even need to be included. A blank page of paper would do a far better Job expressing the boundless and bare truth about life. Instead the poem takes us to a statue, to a story, of a time before. We, the speaker and the reader, think of the wonder of the time that has passed. If the speaker did not, then he would not recount the story told to him by the traveler. Furthermore, despite the statue of Ozymandias existing as a broken and mangled form of what it used to be, it does still exist. It has survived through the ages, and like he Grecian urn, it will likely survive far past the life spans of those who have seen it. Even if the statute fully and thoroughly erodes away, the traveler has, through his stories, given the statue life. This life has the ability to surpass the destruction of matter, and can grow through the minds of those that hear it; this poem itself gives the statue life. There is something wistfully powerful about the story. It is a story that tells of death and erosion, but also a story the tells of greatness. The passing of life is accompanied by the brute stubbornness of humanity to exist past death. Ozymandias has successfully done that, as has Keats and Shelley. As long as humanity survives as a species the three of them will live on forever, along with the Grecian urn and the statue of Ozymandias. Both Ozymandias and Ode on a Grecian Urn contain a more in-depth, and partially opposite reading than the common first glance interpretation. Although the two first glance interpretations appear to be opposite one another, in actuality they are very similar poems that attempt to understand the truth and beauty of the relentless passing of time.