Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Mauritius

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the Mauritius CSR is not so new in the history of Mauritius. A Mauritian companys engagement in CSR initiatives dates back to 20 years ago, which took place at varying points in time.  Some 25% of companies had recently engaged in CSR activities since less than 4 years only, thus confirming the belief that CSR is an emerging trend in Mauritius. Legal Requirements for CSR The Minister of Finance has established a legal policy in its 2007 financial budget that all registered companies would have to contribute a certain percentage of their book profit towards programmes, as approved by the Government of Mauritius, that contribute to the social and environmental development of the country. However, not all the firms were fully adhering to adopt this good corporate citizenship where one of the reasons for such non-compliance was that charitable donations were no longer tax deductible, thus, discouraging philanthropy by businesses and individuals. Also, there was a relatively low level of sophistication of Mauritian society in terms of demanding such good corporate practice. Seemingly, recognising the poor level of corporate citizenship in Mauritius, in July 2009, the Ministry of Finance introduced the CSR Fund whereby companies need to mandatorily contribute 2% of their PAT (Profit after Tax) to the mentioned fund. All companies need necessarily report their CSR contribution to the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) at the time of submitting their Tax Returns. The companies have one year after the close of their financial accounts to fulfil this legal obligation pursuant to Section 50K and 50L of Income Tax Act. Companies, which fail to abide by this obligation, are required to remit any amount unspent to the MRA.   In compliance with prevailing legislation, the CSR Fund is used to finance CSR activities such as: An overwhelming majority of organisations indulge in philanthropy by engaging in 3 major areas, namely, health and safety, education and community (including sports) whilst other companies prefer to sponsor educational and sports activities. Reasons behind CSR The specific objectives for firms to engage in CSR activities are: Interestingly, it is noted that nearly 50% of firms in Mauritius partner up with other organisations, such as NGOs in their CSR activities on a long-term or short-term basis while the others indulge in one-off partnerships. It is also noticed that almost all companies that partner with NGOs have reported satisfaction with such partnerships. Initially, engagement in CSR activities by most organisations was mainly image building vis-à  -vis their internal and external community. Increasingly, internal and external stakeholders all expect business organisations to do more than making profit. Nowadays, Society expects organisations to go beyond mere compliance with law and regulations. Business is expected to recognise and respect new or evolving ethical norms being institutionalised in society (Carroll, 1999). Thus, this is why multinationals engage in CSR not only to enhance their image but also because they have to abide by their global policy. Hence, the minister stressed that the levies should not be perceived as a tax on efficiency. They are instead a gesture of compassion and solidarity with those who cannot help themselves and with those who will have no means of livelihood if they lose their jobs. CSR and Corporate Governance CSR and Corporate Governance are collectively shaping the identity of organisations and are thus increasingly integrated into the business strategy of successful corporations. Subsequently, the field of responsible business strategy and practice is becoming one of the most dynamic and challenging subjects corporate leaders are facing today and possibly one of the most important ones for shaping the future of our world. Firms in the private sector in Mauritius as well as across the world do acknowledge that they have to balance, if not reconcile, their obligations to shareholders with explicit contributions to the external community. However, the way they contribute can differ considerably. Different firms reveal their contents of their strategy according to the different stages of awareness of and work on CSR they are. While some may agree on a minimum necessary stance to CSR involvement, others may adopt strategic ventures into particular areas to show their contribution to the investment and social communities. To maintain uniformity, the way the companies should disclose their CSR involvement and compliance to law is laid out in the codes of ethics, codes of conduct and codes of corporate governance of the companies corporate ethics. These codes essentially and principally establish and put forward clear norms for corporate behaviour to be observed by each director and employee; set the rules for outlining the responsibilities of or proper practices for all in the organisation; and shape organisational behaviour towards employees and society at large. Corporate governance hence mainstreams social and environment responsibility of corporations and brings awareness that firms off balance sheet environmental and social impacts can have tangible financial consequences. According to the economist and noble laureate Milton Friedman, Corporate Governance is to conduct the business in accordance with owner or shareholders desires, which generally will be to make as much money as possible, while conforming to the basic rules of the society embodied in law and local customs. Nevertheless, nowadays this definition has been extended to include the interests of not only the shareholders but also of many stakeholders. There are many regulatory efforts put to identify and codify good governance practices to map out the social and environmental, non-financial boundaries among the different participants in the corporation itself and other stakeholders. To promote corporate fairness, transparency and accountability, the law of Mauritius has provided for the Code of Corporate Governance under Section VII of the Integrated Sustainability Reporting to converge the interests of individuals, corporations and society as nearly as possible through maintaining a balance between economic and social goals as pursued by Sir Adrian Cadburys definition of Corporate Governance. Also, Section 75 of the Financial Reporting Act (2004)  [1]  requires listed companies to present a corporate governance section in the annual report. While CSR aims at extending the legal requirements promoting ethics, philanthropy and social reporting to satisfy stakeholder concerns, Corporate Governance sets the legal framework to protect a companys shareholders, management, board and other stakeholders; the relative emphasis being dependent on national approaches. Effective corporate governance practices are essential to achieving and maintaining high levels of public trust and confidence in the company. Recent surveys concerning CSR in Mauritius have revealed that the large organisations have a fair code of conduct/ethics/corporate governance showing their positive attitude and acceptance of the existing codes of adopting good CSR practices. Though some firms do not hold a formal approach to CSR, they do derive significant benefits in some way by, for instance, adopting good people management practices in terms of staff morale, productivity and employee retention. According to the report reviewing CSR in Mauritius by Deloitte (2008), despite the fact that Mauritian organisations have been involved in one way or the other in CSR undertakings, Mauritius still lags behind the western countries when it comes to CSR being integrated in organisational strategy, structure and operations. Issues like as lack of information on CSR areas, absence of proper partnership, lack of audit after implementation and lack of coordination are deemed to hinder the organisations in their CSR actions. Nonetheless, there is always room for improvement to settle this practice among the local and multinational companies in Mauritius.

Creatine and Androstenedione: Myth vs. Reality :: Steroids

Creatine and Androstenedione: Myth vs. Reality What if there was a drug you could take that guaranteed increased energy and strength? Not only that, but it came in an easy-to-swallow capsule, it could safely and naturally increase your level of testosterone, (the most potent of muscle building hormones), and it would be perfectly legal to buy and relatively inexpensive. The sellers of creatine and androstenedione (pronounced androe-steen-die-own) make these sorts of claims although there are no long-term studies of the effectiveness or safety of these drugs. Nevertheless, retailers can’t keep them on the shelves. Their popularity has been aided by high profile athletes. Both drugs are chemicals naturally produced in the body and found in minute amounts in food, mostly red meat. But that is where the similarities end. Creatine For many years, the world’s foremost studies of creatine and its effect on athletic performance were carried out in secrecy by communist Eastern-bloc countries. But after the fall of Communism, the training and experimental drugs used on Soviet and East German Olympic athletes was revealed. Aside from exposing the truth about illegal anabolic steroid use, there was the discovery of a "vitamin" called creatine, which was quickly introduced to the U.S. and marketed as an ergogenic, or energy-enhancing supplement. Creatine was not a vitamin, however, but a synthesized blend of certain amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. The benefit creatine provides is increased energy for quick, anaerobic bursts of activity, such as are required in weightlifting. Athletes taking creatine can do more repetitions and sets of exercises than they could without it. Essentially, it speeds up the process of adding strength and size to the muscles by intensifying the workout. It has been compared to the way a marathon runner might saturate his muscles with carbohydrates before a race to provide endurance except that creatine strictly helps in anaerobic activities like muscle contractions. Creatine is made in small amounts by the body, and aids a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which controls all types of muscle contractions, from bench pressing 400 pounds to blinking an eye. To contract a muscle, the ATP molecule releases one of the three phosphate groups. Creatine comes into play by attaching to the free-floating phosphate and reforming into ATP. Thus, energy is provided until the creatine in the muscle is depleted. Thus, the effect of a creatine supplement is to provide the muscles with more creatine than the body can produce on its own and thus increase energy. Creatine and Androstenedione: Myth vs. Reality :: Steroids Creatine and Androstenedione: Myth vs. Reality What if there was a drug you could take that guaranteed increased energy and strength? Not only that, but it came in an easy-to-swallow capsule, it could safely and naturally increase your level of testosterone, (the most potent of muscle building hormones), and it would be perfectly legal to buy and relatively inexpensive. The sellers of creatine and androstenedione (pronounced androe-steen-die-own) make these sorts of claims although there are no long-term studies of the effectiveness or safety of these drugs. Nevertheless, retailers can’t keep them on the shelves. Their popularity has been aided by high profile athletes. Both drugs are chemicals naturally produced in the body and found in minute amounts in food, mostly red meat. But that is where the similarities end. Creatine For many years, the world’s foremost studies of creatine and its effect on athletic performance were carried out in secrecy by communist Eastern-bloc countries. But after the fall of Communism, the training and experimental drugs used on Soviet and East German Olympic athletes was revealed. Aside from exposing the truth about illegal anabolic steroid use, there was the discovery of a "vitamin" called creatine, which was quickly introduced to the U.S. and marketed as an ergogenic, or energy-enhancing supplement. Creatine was not a vitamin, however, but a synthesized blend of certain amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. The benefit creatine provides is increased energy for quick, anaerobic bursts of activity, such as are required in weightlifting. Athletes taking creatine can do more repetitions and sets of exercises than they could without it. Essentially, it speeds up the process of adding strength and size to the muscles by intensifying the workout. It has been compared to the way a marathon runner might saturate his muscles with carbohydrates before a race to provide endurance except that creatine strictly helps in anaerobic activities like muscle contractions. Creatine is made in small amounts by the body, and aids a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which controls all types of muscle contractions, from bench pressing 400 pounds to blinking an eye. To contract a muscle, the ATP molecule releases one of the three phosphate groups. Creatine comes into play by attaching to the free-floating phosphate and reforming into ATP. Thus, energy is provided until the creatine in the muscle is depleted. Thus, the effect of a creatine supplement is to provide the muscles with more creatine than the body can produce on its own and thus increase energy.

Describe How DNA Has Enhanced Law Enforcement

DNA has emerged as a remarkable crime fighting tool. DNA has the potential to be the best crime solving tool of the 21st century. DNA has been very critical in solving some of the nations most serious crimes. DNA analysis is a very powerful tool, because each persons DNA is unique in most cases. DNA evidence collected from a crime scene can implicate or eliminate a suspect. It can also analyze unidentified remains through comparisons with DNA from someone’s relative. Previously, unsolvable cases, more often homicides and sexual assaults, can contain DNA evidence that will help identify the criminal, even though the victim can’t.When evidence from one crime scene is compared through the federal DNA database with evidence from another crime scene those crimes can be linked to the same person locally, statewide, and nationally. Also, plants and animals hold DNA, as well. Newer DNA analysis techniques can yield results from biological evidence that’s invisible to an officer. DNA analysis methods also can be able to help in the identification of missing persons. DNA can be obtained from severely degraded samples, as well.This has enhanced law enforcement tremendously. Without DNA evidence, most people would never be convicted (DNAs Link to Corrections, n. . ). DNA will continue to advance. Some anticipated advances are broader implementation of the CODIS database, increased automated lab procedures, use of computerized analysis, portable devices capable of DNA analysis and remote links to databases and other criminal justice information services (DNA Evidence,n. d. ). Reference DNA Evidence: What Law Enforcement Should Know. (n. d. ). Retrieved November 12, 2012 From: http://www. ncjrs. gov/pdffiles/jr000249c. pdj. DNA’s Link to Corretcions. (n. d. ). Retrieved November 12, 2012 from: http://www. crimescene- Investigations. net/NIJ-DNALinkCorretcion. pdf.

Free Essays on Euro-monetary Transition

The Eurosystem Monetary Transmission Network This issue of the ECB Working Paper Series contains research presented at a conference on â€Å"Monetary Policy Transmission in the Euro Area† held at the European Central Bank on 18 and 19 December 2001. This research was conducted within the Monetary Transmission Network, a group of economists affiliated with the ECB and the National Central Banks of the Eurosystem chaired by Ignazio Angeloni. Anil Kashyap (University of Chicago) acted as external consultant and Benoà ®t Mojon as secretary to the Network. The papers presented at the conference examine the euro area monetary transmission process using different data and methodologies: structural and VAR macro-models for the euro area and the national economies, panel micro data analyses of the investment behaviour of non-financial firms and panel micro data analyses of the behaviour of commercial banks. Contents Abstract 4 Non-technical summary 5 1. Introduction 7 II. A Brief account of some Luxembourg peculiarities 9 III. Theoretical aspects 11 IV. Data, variables and estimation methodology 12 V. Empirical results 21 VI. Concluding remarks 26 VII. References 27 VIII. Appendix 29 European Central Bank Working Paper Series 31 Abstract: This paper investigates the transmission of monetary policy using data from a panel of Luxembourg firms. The results indicate that the sales accelerator may be at work. A very robust result is the negative effect of the user cost of capital on firms’ investment ratio. Changes in user costs are significantly affected by changes in the monetary policy indicator. In addition, firm specific balance sheet characteristics, such as the lagged cash stock to capital ratio influence the investment behaviour according to the broad credit channel theory. Using various sample splits, it is shown that young firms, in particular, are more sensitive to user cost changes, sales growth and ... Free Essays on Euro-monetary Transition Free Essays on Euro-monetary Transition The Eurosystem Monetary Transmission Network This issue of the ECB Working Paper Series contains research presented at a conference on â€Å"Monetary Policy Transmission in the Euro Area† held at the European Central Bank on 18 and 19 December 2001. This research was conducted within the Monetary Transmission Network, a group of economists affiliated with the ECB and the National Central Banks of the Eurosystem chaired by Ignazio Angeloni. Anil Kashyap (University of Chicago) acted as external consultant and Benoà ®t Mojon as secretary to the Network. The papers presented at the conference examine the euro area monetary transmission process using different data and methodologies: structural and VAR macro-models for the euro area and the national economies, panel micro data analyses of the investment behaviour of non-financial firms and panel micro data analyses of the behaviour of commercial banks. Contents Abstract 4 Non-technical summary 5 1. Introduction 7 II. A Brief account of some Luxembourg peculiarities 9 III. Theoretical aspects 11 IV. Data, variables and estimation methodology 12 V. Empirical results 21 VI. Concluding remarks 26 VII. References 27 VIII. Appendix 29 European Central Bank Working Paper Series 31 Abstract: This paper investigates the transmission of monetary policy using data from a panel of Luxembourg firms. The results indicate that the sales accelerator may be at work. A very robust result is the negative effect of the user cost of capital on firms’ investment ratio. Changes in user costs are significantly affected by changes in the monetary policy indicator. In addition, firm specific balance sheet characteristics, such as the lagged cash stock to capital ratio influence the investment behaviour according to the broad credit channel theory. Using various sample splits, it is shown that young firms, in particular, are more sensitive to user cost changes, sales growth and ...

These Colors dont Run but They do Burn essays

These Colors don't Run but They do Burn essays These Colors Dont Run, But They Do Burn The famous phrase, ...give me liberty, or give me death, was articulated by the revolutionary thinker Patrick Henry and has since become a mantra for the people of the United States of America. However, many may never think about the myriad implications this phrase carries with it. In contemporary America many issues concerning censorship have arrived at the forefront of intellectual and social debate one such issue is that of flag burning, and more specifically whether or not incarceration or fines should be imposed on those who commit the said act. Nonetheless, a contention exists that not only should fines and penalties not be imposed on flag burners but moreover, that the act should not be a culpable action; as flag burning is just another facet of civil rights demonstrations. Flag burning is an extremely imperative issue in contemporary America; especially due to the war the country is now involved in, i.e. The War on Terrorism. So, a question Americans should ask is whether or not demonstrations such as flag burning are acceptable as many Americans already have. As far as a judicial standpoint is concerned, flag burning is emphatically illicit, ...all states have enacted laws making desecration of the flag a crime, and in 1968 Congress barred anyone from knowingly casting contempt upon an American flag by publicly mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, or trampling it (Sexton, Brandt 184-5). Therefore, the question is not simply one of legality, but rather one of civic duty, and adherence to the implied laws and regulations set down by the Constitution in accordance with the willingness of Americans to comprehend purpose behind a specific illegal civil demonstration. No doubt exists that when a person commits an act akin to flag burning it enrages the vehement jingoism of some, and the reasonable nationalism of others. To...

The Aztec Empire history research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Aztec Empire history - Research Paper Example The primary source of their lifestyle and history about the Aztec civilization is gathered from the archaeological evidences which are found from the excavations of the famous Temple Mayor, situated in the Mexico City. Many other evidences are also gathered from the codices of indigenous bark papers and record of the direct eyewitness of people who came as Spanish conquistadors such as Hernan Cortes and Bernal Diaz del Castillo. Apart from this, the account recorded by the Spanish clergymen pertaining to the description of the Aztec culture and civilization during the 16th and the 17th century forms a valuable document in this regard. The literate Aztecs who received enlightenment in Spanish and Nahuatl language also contributed much to the formation of Aztec history through their valuable documentation of their knowledge with the help of indigenous Aztec informants. The renowned book named Florentine Codex, which is a well documented compilation done by the Franciscan monk Bernardin o de Sahagun and was formatted with the help of the indigenous Aztec informants stands out to be the most valuable text captivating the history of the Aztec empire (Berdan 1982). The Aztec Empire: Origin, Formation and the Rise to Power The word ‘Aztec’ originated from the Nahuatl word â€Å"people from Aztlan†, which means a mythological place for the Nahuatl speaking contemporary people, belonging to the culture of that time. The Aztec empire originated as a tribute empire which is based in Tenochtitlan. Tenochtitlan had an extension of its power throughout the vast region of Mesoamerica during the latter half of the post-classic period (Smith 2001, pp. 250-252). Aztec Empire was formed in the year 1427 and it was formed as an alliance between three ‘city – states’ of Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan. These three ‘city – states’ actually formed an alliance between them to defeat the Tepanec state of  Azcapotzalco whic h dominated the region within the Basin of Mexico for a long time. Within a very short span of time, the ‘city-states’ of Texcoco and Tlacopan were subverted as junior partners in the alliance which was headed by the Mexica of Tenochtitlan (Smith 1997, pp. 49-58). Through a great combination of trade and military annexation, the empire never exercised its control through military quest and aggression rather it took a very subtle strategy under which it tried to control the client states by implementing marital alliance with them by extending imperial ideology between the ruling dynasties and the client states of the empire (Smith 1997, pp. 174-175). Client states paid homage to the Aztec state through an economic strategy bearing the name Huey Tlatoani which limits the communication and trade amid the outlying polities who became dependent on the imperial central for the accumulation and quest of luxury goods (Smith 1997, pp.  176–182) The political clout of th e triple alliance extended to the far south into Mesoamerica thereby conquering the cities situated in far south like Chiapas and Guatemala. The highest extent of prosperity and annexation by the empire took place during 1519 which is chronologically marked as the year just before the

US Army history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

US Army history - Essay Example Today, four of America's five military branches are under the Department of Defense: United Sates Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air forces. The combined United States armed forces consist of 1.4 ml active duty personal along with several hundred thousand each in the Reserve. The United States Armed Forces are considered to be the most powerful millitery around the world (Luttwak, Koehl, 1998). Historians suppose that from its first stand at Lexington, the Army has always had a non-negotiable contract with the American people to fight and win the nation's wars. Now, over 400 years since the first colonial militia was formed in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1565, the spirit and essence of the United States Army is celebrated for the first time. In retrospect, 1775 decision of the Continental Congress to create the Continental Army seems remarkably free from political strife. Delegates of all shades of opinion supported each step, and arguments largely concerned technical details. In 1794 Congress established the Office of the Purveyor of Public Supplies in the Treasury and the Office of Superintendent of Military Stores in the War Department to continue the same broad supply functions established in the Confederation period. This organization of military supply remained in effect with only slight modification until 1812.Training and discipline were the key to an effective militia. It should be mentioned that the President first exercised his authority to employ militia for suppressing insurrection and executing the laws of Congress in 1794 when Washington sent a large force of militia under Maj. The conduct of the war in 1812 revealed deficiencies in the administration of the War Department that would plague the American cause to the end. Lack of transportation was a major problem of the Army. By the end of 1848 the Army had reverted to a peacetime strength somewhat smaller than the 10,000 authorized in 1815 (Luttwak, Koehl, 1998). Congress in June 1850 approved "enlarging the companies serving on the frontier to 74 privates, a considerable increase over the 50 in the dragoons, 64 in the mounted rifles, and 42 in the artillery and infantry authorized at the end of 1848" (Millett, Maslowski, 1984). The new infantry units were armed with percussion-cap, muzzle-loading rifle muskets instead of smoothbore muskets. Nineteenth century technological developments had made possible an accurate, dependable muzzle-loading rifle with at least as fast a rate of fire as the smoothbore musket. At the U.S. Military Academy during this period, such great names as Robert E. Lee and Dennis Mahan (author of many works on engineering and fortification) appeared on the roster of staff and faculty (Millett, Maslowski, 1984). During the middle of the XIXth century the severe forms of corporal punishment were abolished in the U.S. Army. Still, Civil War medical science was primitive in comparison with that of the mid-twentieth century, an effort was made to extend medical services in the Army beyond the mere treatment of battle wounds. As an auxiliary to the regular medical service, the volunteer U.S. Sanitary Commission fitted out hospital ships and hospital units, provided male and, for the first time in the U.S. Army, female nurses, and furnished clothing and fancier foods than the regular rations (Conn, 1980). The industrial age, made a significant influence on military strategy, tactics, and organization. During 1907-1912 the U.S. Navy's