Electrical Engineering in Telecommunications Essay

Electrical Engineering in Telecommunications - Essay Example The next step is for telecommunication engineers to outline a transmission and reception of the transmitted information. In designing the transmitters and receivers, the engineers have to factor in the power consumption especially of the transmitters since a weak signal will due to low or insufficient power will be susceptible to corruption by noise so that the sent information is received as jumbled or incoherent. Looked at simplistically, two telephone handsets connected together need a battery in between to provide the electrical signal to transmit voice signals as depicted below; d1 d2 Handset Battery Handset D Fig 1: Simple telecommunication connection In the above diagram signal will be transmitted a total distance D. d1 and d2 are the distances of each handset to the battery. Now D in practice can be a very long distance, for which certain factors determine this distance which are attenuation and IR drop that limits the voltage across the transmitter. The common 19 gauge wire has a 30 km limit which is also affected by the quality of the handsets. To increase the length of D, we can either increase the voltage of the power source (battery) or we can install amplifiers along D to solve the attenuation problem [2]. The above diagram however is limited to just two people communicating; in real life hundreds or even thousands of people communicate in a telecommunication network not just two people. This makes signalling a more complex problem so that a telecommunication network type must be adopted. These can be a start topology, a mesh topology or many single start topologies connected together to form a network. Adding more users (subscribers) to a network over long distances will raise the cost of the network as many amplifiers and more power sources will be needed, a better solution is therefore needed. Only the most basic telecommunication systems require a power system on site. Telecommunication systems require a prime power source such as a mains elec tricity supply from a grid or a generator for sites in areas where there is no electric grid coverage and a standby power source should also be availed in case there are extended interruptions to the primary power source with a means to protect the equipment for instance against lightning or surges. Telecommunication systems utilize Direct Current (DC) power which can be low current power of 24 or 48 volts dc or complex systems used at exchanges. A telecommunications DC power system consists of a rectifier system, battery system, charge and discharge buses, primary and secondary distribution systems and a voltage conversions system which work together to power a telecommunications network whether the old telephone lines (twisted copper pair), fibre optic, voice over internet protocol or wireless (radio). Rectifiers convert Alternating Current (AC) to DC and are the major supply of power used for a telecommunication system. A rectifier also provides extra power to overcome the intern al resistance of a battery before charging commences and it recharges the battery when AC power supply is restored after an interruption. The Battery stores charge to power components especially when there is no AC power and ensures there is constant power to the loads so break in communication occurs. It is constantly connected directly to the discharge bus so no interruption occurs

Westfield shopping centre London development project Essay

Westfield shopping centre London development project - Essay Example This paper is intended to identify and map out the key actors for each phase of Westfield Shopping Centre London Development Project, from its inception to the final use, as well as to describe and analyse the process of value generation and its distribution between the public and private sector. The paper also identifies the risks each of the main actors took within the project and the returns they get back for taking on those risks. Introduction Wilkinson and Reed (2008, p.) define the property development as â€Å"a process that involves changing or intensifying the use of land to produce buildings for occupation†. On the one hand the property development include not only the land/property itself, e.g. buying or selling it for a profit, but also the infrastructure, building materials, labour, finance, etc., which further determines the process as complex, lengthy and high-risk activity often involving large sums of money and providing a relatively illiquid product (Wilkinso n and Reed, 2008, p.2, 27). On the other hand, this activity does not exist apart from the wider economic and social contexts, whether at local or national levels; therefore, the market (in the case of market-driven economies) directly influences the process of property development. Like all market-driven activities, the property development appears an end product of the demand and supply imbalances generated in the user and investor’s sides of the market respectively; and is also subjected to different interests originating amongst various actors which are unequally represented in terms of whether financial, aesthetic, emotional, social, etc. profit or loss (D’Arcy and Keogh in Guy and Henneberry, eds., 2002, p.19). According to Wilkinson and Reed (2008, p.3) the development process could be divided into several not entirely sequential, often overlapping and repeating stages – initiation, evaluation, acquisition, design and costing, permissions, commitment, imp lementation, and final use – let/manage/dispose; and a variety of important actors appear either within each stage of the process or across some/all of them, as follows: public sector and government agencies, planners (planning authorities), financial institutions, building contractors, professional team, and objectors (Wilkinson and Reed, 2008, pp.13-27). Though these actors are likely to have different perspectives and expectations, they contribute to the outcome of the property development process. The property development process itself, despite its complexity, displays the general characteristics of any other industrial production process - a combination of various inputs in order to achieve an output or product; but there are two features that make it very different – the unique end product (either in terms of physical characteristics or location) and the constant public attention focused on it, from the first to the last stage (Wilkinson and Reed, 2008, p.2). Th e Brief Westfield London Shopping Centre is a mega mall situated in Shepherd’s Bush – London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, which provides 130  803 sq m (1  408  000 sq ft) of retail and leisure accommodation, being home to over 265 shops on five levels, 50 restaurants and cafes, as well as cinema, and car parks for 4  500 cars. The development project has involved regenerating over 44 acres of brownfield site, 9 separate rail projects including the rebuilding/relocation of an operational depot facility for London Underground’s Central Line, together with major road works and construction of three railway stations – two on London’s underground network and one on its over ground network. The project included redevelopment of two Dimco Buildings – Grade 2 listed structures built in 1898 and adjacent to the main construction site, a revamp of Shepherd’s Bush Green and new affordable housing schemes funded by Westfield Develop ment (BBC News, 2009; Savills UK, n.d.). Main phases and actors The development scheme was being

Re-Thinking Big Box Stores Essay Example for Free

Re-Thinking Big Box Stores Essay Rethinking Big-Box Stores In her essay Big Box Stores Are Bad for Main Street, Betsy Taylor focuses not on the economic effects of large chain stores but on the effects these stores have on the soul of America. She argues that stores like Home Depot, Target, and Wal-Mart are bad for America because they draw people out of downtown shopping districts and cause them to focus exclusively on consumption. In contrast, she believes that small businesses are good for America because they provide personal attention, foster community Interaction, and make each city unique. But Taylors argument is ultimately unconvincing because It Is based on nostalgia† on Idealized mages of a quaint Maln Street†rather than on the roles that businesses play In consumers lives and communities. By Ignoring the more complex, economically driven relationships between large chain stores and their communities, Taylor Incorrectly assumes that simply getting rid of big-box stores would have a posltlve effect on Americas communities. Taylors use of colorful language reveals that she has a nostalgic view of American society and does not understand economic realities. In her first paragraph, Taylor refers to a big-box store as a 25-acre slab of concrete with a 100,000 square foot box of stuff that lands on a town, evoking images of a monolithic monster crushing the American way of life (1011). But her Sanchez 1 Opening summa- rizes the articles purpose and thesis. Thesis expresses Sanchezs judgment of Taylors article. Signal phrase intro- duces quotations from the source; Sanchez uses an MLA in-text citation. Marginal annotations indicate MLA-style formatting and effective writing. Source: Diana Hacker (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2007). This paper has been updated to follow the style guidelines in the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed. (2009). Source: Diana Hacker (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2007). assessment oversimplifies a complex issue. Taylor does not consider that many downtown business districts failed long before chain stores moved in, when factories and mills closed and workers lost their Jobs. In cities with struggling economies, big-box stores can actually provide much-needed Jobs. Similarly, while Taylor blames big-box stores for harming local economies by asking for tax breaks, free roads, and other perks, she doesnt cknowledge that these stores also enter into economic partnerships with the surrounding communities by offering financial benefits to schools and hospitals. Taylors assumption that shopping In small businesses Is always better for the customer also seems driven by nostalgia for an old-fashioned Maln Street rather than by the facts. While she may be right that many small businesses offer personal service and are responsive to customer complaints, she does not consider that many customers appreciate the service at big-box stores. Just as customer service Is better t some small businesses than at others, It Is Impossible to generalize about service at all big-box stores. For example, customers depend on the lenient return pollcles and the wide variety of products at stores Ilke Target and Home Depot. Taylor blames big-box stores for encouraging American hyper-consumerism, but she oversimplifies by equating big-box stores with bad values and small businesses with realities of American society today. Big-box stores do not force Americans to buy more. By offering lower prices in a convenient setting, however, they allow consumers to save time and purchase

Globalization And The Rise Of Multinational Corporations Marketing Essay

Globalization And The Rise Of Multinational Corporations Marketing Essay Is a process of interaction and integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations, a process driven by international trade and investment and aided by information technology. In the world of international business there are lots of strategic options which usually used to measure performance of the business, but here will be using Ansoff matrix on the four (4) strategic options preferable, although each strategic option has its risks involved. 1.1 Globalization and the rise of multinational corporations and branding According to Smith and Doyle (2002): A further, crucial aspect of globalization is the nature and power of multinational corporations. Such companies now account for over 33 per cent of world output, and 66 per cent of world trade (Gray 1999: 62). Significantly, something like a quarter of world trade occurs within multinational corporations (op. cit). This last point is well illustrated by the operations of car manufacturers who typically source their components from plants situated in different countries. However, it is important not to run away with the idea that the sort of globalization we have been discussing involves multinationals turning, on any large scale, to transnational: International businesses are still largely confined to their home territory in terms of their overall business activity; they remain heavily nationally embedded and continue to be multinational, rather than transnational, corporations. (Hirst and Thompson 1996: 98). 1.2 Advantage of globalization Increase competition Globalization has made the competition rises due to technology, most business people has knowledge on how to capture customers by introducing innovation which increase more advantage to consumers, competition is always good to consumers because of the decreases in the price. 1.3 Disadvantage of globalization Terrorism This is one of the disadvantages of globalization, in view of the fact that when different people gathered in one place can create violence, especially murder and bombing, which is not good for business and for country and the citizens. 2.0 FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH IN GLOBALIZATION 2.1 The liberalization of international trade The removal of trade barriers has been the source of increasing international trade and changes in customers taste and preference, there has been more freedom of importing and exporting the goods / services exchanged from one country to the other, not only that but also trade protection methods have been minimal such as tariffs and quotas. 2.2 Technological progress Technological advancement has also help to reduce international barriers, most likely the use of internet facilities has more power when it comes to doing business online, its very easy and it can also help to reduce cost of transportation and other fair of travelling. Nonetheless, not only the internet provide such access to consumers but there are such facilities which create product awareness for consumers to see and be able to demand those facilities which encouraged globalization including, application of mobile telephones, satellite communication such as DSTV, global media networks such as BBC, CNN, AL-JAZEERA and VIDEO-CONFERENCING, which helps to lessen barriers to the business such decreasing operating / production cost. 2.3 Cultural awareness and recognition This has increased more awareness and tastes to some consumers; for instance, in the movie industry there are now more recognition on Hollywood, Bollywood and even Nollywood (Nigerian movies) 3.0 THE EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION ON BUSINESS ACTIVITY Globalization can not only provide opportunity to business but also there are some risks/threats in it. 3.1 Increasing competition One of the effects regarding globalization is increasing competition in business, such as mobile phones, in China due to high demand of mobile phones they are now trying to imitate products of other mobile companies like Nokia just trying to compete with them, and yes here in Tanzania, there are very high demand regarding Chinese phones due to its affordable price. 3.2 Economies of location This is one of the positive effects when trying to produce more products on location which is much more cost effective due to power of producing in economies of scale within economies of location, like China is the best place to invest since the productions are likely to be more cheaper, that is, the amount to be paid to one America employee could pay almost ten employees in China, that is the reason as to why the whole world prefers China to be a production place. 3.3 Mergers, acquisitions and Joint Ventures, franchises These factors allows business to spread around nations due to the forces joined between one company / country or business just to make sure they grow-up and fasten, for instance Mc Donald has decided to join forces by franchising the business in the world, which is true, has definitely became well known in the business. 4.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE FOUR ANSOFF MATRIX MODELS ANALYSIS Globalization makes alliances an essential part of a firms strategy in order to stay competitive and to achieve superior performance. To better capture global opportunities, firms tend to cooperate with other firms to capitalize on and leverage their limited resources since it is impossible for one firm to do it all and do it alone. Similarly, in order to cope with increasing global competitive threats, firms are likely to form alliances .Based on the classical industrial organization perspective-the market power, firms form alliances to reduce competition and uncertainty. Through such cooperation, companies gain market power that helps alleviate competition and improve its competitive position. The decision to enter into a foreign market can be influenced by globalization which could be willingness of the business people, who are willing to go far just to make sure that they expand their market. There are several ways to enter into a foreign market by using the Ansoff matrix as follow:- 4.1 Market penetration (existing market, existing product) Market penetration is one of the strategies used in the existing customers just to make sure sales are increasing without pooling the product out of the market, nevertheless by using market penetration they could use more activities just to make sure that their existing product is well known around the world, for instance to start advertising in multinational countries just like Dutch advertises their products such as, yoghurts, shampoo, milk and even other products, by advertising even in our country they do create such opportunities for penetrating and creating more demand for those who did not have an idea about their products. This strategy not only penetrating the product but also struggling to retain the existing customer for such product because its not very hard to get customers but retaining those customers is very hard job thus, there are lots of strategies in the world of business one of them is marketing, just to make sure the business is well known. For instance Coca cola company has been doing some of the broadening on its own and some in partnership with other companies (Daniels et al, 2008, p.570) just to make sure the coca-cola brand is well known in the world. The coca cola company has gone so far as to test the market in Singapore, Toronto, and even have the coffee shops. Also Coca cola company has joint venture with Nestle for tea products outside the unites state and a joint venture with Cargill to develop a new sweetener to put into drinks (Daniels et al, 2008, p 571) 4.2 Market penetration seeks to achieve four main objectives: Maintain or increase the market share of current products this can be achieved by a combination of competitive pricing strategies, advertising, sales promotion and perhaps more resources dedicated to personal selling Secure dominance of growth markets Restructure a mature market by driving out competitors; this would require a much more aggressive promotional campaign, supported by a pricing strategy designed to make the market unattractive for competitors Increase usage by existing customers. For example by introducing loyalty schemes (Mike Morrison, 2011) 4.3 Market development (new market, existing product) This is one of the market strategies which involve moving the existing product further in international market so as to gain more customers from international market, not only going across or beyond the borders but also attracting new customers in the same product so as to gain more advantage and even to maximize sales. There are many possible ways of approaching this strategy, including: New geographical markets; for example exporting the product to a new country New product dimensions or packaging: for example New distribution channels Different pricing policies to attract different customers or create new market segments Exporting is example of one of the market entry modes, which use a direct sells, goods can be produced within a country and exported to a foreign countries just to capture new customers with the same products which sold in home country. Example of Coca-Cola when entered the Turkish market, it tried exporting from Turkey to Kyrgyzstan, the result unfortunately was a soft drink price of more than four times what it cost to buy a soft drink bottled in Kyrgyzstan itself.(Daniels et al, 2008, p 575) Product its likely to expand more to the foreign countries and have more customers than the home country, this is due to the fact that in the home country customers could change their taste and preference due to time factor, that could be one of the reason why selling abroad so as not to lose market share, at the same time that unwanted product can be re innovated so as to have customers in the home country, for instance, by trying to change packaging of the products, or even change the name. 4.4 Product development (existing market, new products) This is new products in existing market, this is happening when there is product innovation to address the same market towards ensuring that customers are being more satisfied with innovation of the product, this can be done due to so many reasons like: Product has just gone out of the fashion Didnt satisfy customers due to taste and preferences Globalization issues (Mike Morrison, 2011) When the product has just go beyond the fashion it was meant like, here in our country( Tanzania) there are some shoes which are in fashion at the moment, it seems that all women use to wear such fashionable shoes that is due to globalization technology, we can see on Television through DSTV and other fashion Television. Nevertheless this fashion keeps on changing when time passes they will change that fashion in the sense that in the existing market and customers with more fashionable shoes. Didnt satisfy customers due to taste and preferences in the sense that customers taste and preference keeps on changing due to globalization and free trade. Businesspersons can import and export more goods and services depending upon the needs and requirements basing on customers changing tastes to better reflect customers demand. For instance, Tanzania has green tea of its own, but at the moment there are many brands of tea from other countries with different tastes like lemon, tea and others. Therefore, customers might be attracted to shift from the old brands to the new ones. The business could succeed if there is use of one of entry modes like the coordination between two parties, could be two or more people, companies, or even two countries, joint venture can be formed due to numerous rationale like, technology sharing and product development, market entry for a certain county, and even in compliance for the country legal actions, for instance quotas, taxes and tariffs. For example in case of China, it wholly owns its concentrate plant but has joint ventures with various bottling plants, coca cola ownership in foreign bottling operations has became sufficiently significant that it has set up a bottle investment group within the country.(Daniels et al, 2008, p 570) Joint venture can be of useful for the matrix model for implementing those four strategies in order to persuaded market expanding, for instance developing new market to a foreign countries could diversify profit, and even product recognition like Mc Donalds burger king, is well known all over the world. Globalization issues, here meant that, since it is very free to do international business, the world has just been like a village, China can come in Tanzania and do business with Tanzanian, likewise, people between these two countries can not only do business but can also exchange so many things like ideas on what to do business, how they live in their own country, taboos, cuisine, dress code, these can definitely make customers want to experience the differences. 4.5 Diversification (new product, new market) This is where the market is completely new, and products to new customers. There are two types of diversification, namely related and unrelated diversification. Related diversification means that remain in a market or industry with which are familiar. (Mike Morrison, 2011) The diversification can be divided again into horizontal, vertical and lateral diversification. The horizontal diversification is the extension of the production programs. The vertical diversification is the sales stage stored by products pre order. The lateral diversification is the sales of completely new products, which are within the range of the technology and marketing in no connection. (Mike Morrison, 2011) Diversification is an inherently higher risk strategy because the business is moving into markets in which it has little or no experience. For a business to adopt a diversification strategy, it must have a clear idea about what it expects to gain from the strategy and a transparent and honest assessment of the risks This situation is likely to occur to several situations when moving internationally, diversifying is a good strategy because it help to improve sales by having Strategic Business Units (SBUs) because if one product doesnt respond positively in the market other products might perform better, and that can at least reduce failure of the other products because obviously there would be wastage of resources but can be covered to some extent., or even though business can be diversify by using international entry modes to create brand awareness. For instance, franchising This is one of the market entries which assist market expanding when need to go international, franchisor allow franchisee to use the name of the business so as to expand his/ her market share, this is tremendous fine due to the fact that one can have higher profit for the expansion of sells by using someone elses name and business formulae, For instance coca cola company, if franchise with them, they will surely provide formulae, then franchisee will only have to mix with water to have formulae complete. Another example is from Mc Donalds; franchisee should be provided with each and every aspect which will accomplish the meal with the same taste as if were produced by Mc Donalds company, though it is costly. Not only that but also they could even use licensing to which indispensable part when going global, as a means to penetrate into global market, so as to have legal when it comes to use property of your licensor, for instance intangible property such as patents, trademark, and production techniques. The licensee needs to pay fee to the licensor to be able to have the technique assistance if possible, there it will be possible for licensee to market his/her product by using the matrix model, like selling more of the products outside the home country and diversify the profit Conclusion Globalization controlling the world, the whole world has became such a small world, this situation made people to know good and bad due to expansion of technology, therefore applying Ansoff matrix tools when doing business is the most preferable way to do so since it well analyze how managers should behave when going international. APPENDIX 1.1 THE ANSOFF MATRIX FIGURE http://www.mindtools.com/media/Diagrams/AnsoffFig1.gif

Mars, The Red Planet Essay -- essays research papers

Mars, it’s where aliens come from, a Hollywood Sci-Fi mainstay, the mysterious red planet. But, what is Mars really? Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun, orbiting 227,940,000 km away. It’s diameter of 6,794 km and mass of 6.4219e23 kg, makes it the seventh largest planet in our solar system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mars, which is the Greek name for the god of War, probably got this name due to it’s red color, and is often referred to as the red planet. What makes Mars look red? Mars’ atmosphere is mostly carbon dioxide, which oxidizes iron on the planet’s surface to create rust. Because there is very little water vapor on Mars, dry winds pick up and blow the dust around the planet, coloring it red.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What would you see if you went for a nature walk on Mars? Among the surface features are giant volcanoes and vast canyons. The largest volcano in the entire solar system is on Mars, Olympus Mons. It is classified as a shield volcano, similar to the volcanoes in Hawaii. Olympus Mons, three times higher than Mount Everest, is twenty- five kilometers high, surrounded by a 550 kilometer moat filled with lava. The Valles Marineris canyon is 4500 kilometers long and reaches seven kilometers deep and 600 kilometers across. There are also many meteorite impact craters.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Why couldn’t you take a nature walk on Mars? The atmosphere is not only very thin, it’s made almost completely of CO2 and known for its raging dust storms. You would...

Digestive Disorders (liver) :: essays research papers

Digestive Disorders   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Amebic Dysentry is a disorder in which there is an accumulation of pus located in the liver. This is usually caused by an internal parasite or organism. When dealing with this liver disease there are a few symptoms to look out for. Jaundice, which is something that will make your skin and eyes go yellow is a symptom of Amebic Dysentry. Other symptoms to look out for are chills, a high fever, sweating, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal pain, possible joint pain and an all around basic discomfort.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Amebic Dysentry is caused by the same micro-organism that causes a variety of intestine infections. This organism is carried through the blood stream to the liver to where the abscess is formed. For starters, the collection of pus is the bodies white blood cells forming to protect the liver. However, it collects too much and that is how the abscess is formed. When you are diagnosed with amebic liver you are very likely to also have an intestinal infection from the disease as well. This is not true for all cases though. Most cases in which both occur are in places of high temperatures and poor sanitation. Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and India have many health problems associated with the disease. The most common way to get this disease is from one person to another. The other most common way is through unhealthy food and badly sanitized water. Not eating properly and excessive drinking will only worsen the disease.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many ways that you can help prevent getting this disease. If you go to a foreign country, especially in the tropics, always drink purified water, always peel fruit and vegetables, and cook your food at any time possible.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If you think that you may have amebic liver, you should get a liver scan and an ultrasound treatment. If you are diagnosed with it the usual treatment for this is Antimicrobial therapy is the

Employment Law

Introduction This report will outline key arguments surrounding contemporary debates on UK employment law, which will provide a critical analysis from those that argue there is too much legislation and those that suggest there is not enough. It is beyond the scope of this report to generalise on employment law as a whole; it will therefore focus on the right to request flexible working, such as under the Employment Act 2002 and The Work and Families Act 2006 that has been subject to various reforms, amendments and regulations. This legislation has formed a significant debate as to whether such interventions ensure that individuals achieve a work-life balance, promote efficient working practice or create an unnecessary burden on UK businesses (Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD), 2005, British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), 2010). This analysis will also look at the introduction of new employment legislation for flexible working, and discuss the impact on working practices today, with a glance toward the shape of new legislation in the future (Chartered Management Institute (CMI),2008). FindingsBackground and ContextThe last three decades have seen a trend toward increasing employment legislation. At the same time the United Kingdom (UK) still has lower levels of employment protection and more labour market flexibility than other European states (Keter, 2010). The flexible market in the UK was inherited through the general laissez-faire attitude, where industrial labour and relation laws have been less state regulated than other European countries (Biagi, 2000). Keter (2010) suggests that today’s flexible market is also the result of more recent trends, which from 1979 saw the introduction of more labour regulations in terms of statutes enacted, but with the aim of setting labour free of interference from state control and what was seen as unnecessary social partners, such as trade unions (ibid). The introduction of a New Labour administration however saw a shift toward more family friendly employment legislation. A European directive from 1997 (European Coun cil Directives 97/81/EC and 98/81/EC) provided that part-time workers be entitled to the same rights as comparable to full-time employees. The directives required European member states to implement laws, regulations and provisions to eliminate discrimination against part-time workers. The aim was to facilitate the development of part-time and other working time arrangements, that were flexible and met the needs of both employers and employees (Danzinger & Waters Boots, 2008). In order to promote citizens full participation in the labour market, the enactment of The Employment Relations Act 1999, while continuing to ensure that labour relations were free of state control, provided a floor of rights, such as increased rights for fixed and part time workers, (Biagi, 2000). Along this trajectory, the Employment Act 2002 introduced legislation providing employees with young or disabled children the right to request flexible working arrangements by their employers, that was subsequently extended in The Work and Families Act 2006 to allow the same rights for carers of adults (Davies, 2011). Lewis and Campbell (2007) suggest that New Labour’s concern with promoting a ‘work-life’ balance underpinned it’s ideological approach to welfare, that saw active citizenship for all achieved principally through labour market participation (Levitas,2005). For all to participate, legislation has provided for the extension of childcare services and ma ternity leave and the introduction of parental and paternity leave. Further, rather than reducing working hours, the Labour government promoted the right to request flexible working hours as a way for families to manage their working patterns with their caring responsibility timetables (Busby and James, 2011). Hill et al (2001) describe flexible working to include activities such as; part-time, job sharing and homeworking or any variation outside of working the traditional nine until five working day. For example, working from home, where such practices are facilitated due to advances in mobile technologies (Civicus, 2008). Lewis & Cooper (2005) argue that although in principle flexible working can take many forms, in reality, the main flexibility that UK employers offer is a reduction of working hours. From an employer’s perspective, employment legislation can also be seen as promoting the creation of work patterns and arrangements in order to maximise employment productivity, customer satisfaction and staff efficiency (Pettinger, 1998). This demand, Pettinger suggests, has come about as a result of the expansion of global markets, competition and choice, pressures on resources and increasing customer demands, together with changing patterns of consumption (ibid). Therefore, Pettinger (1998) suggests that against this backdrop, flexibility can be seen as a corporate attitude, whereby a fully flexible labour market is seen as generating a more effective workforce. Faulkener (2001) argues that while it is recognised that it is the above drivers that have influenced the development of flexible working practices, there is also another important agenda. Here, Jones and Jones (2011) identify that family friendly legislation is more representative of the ‘business case’ for flexible working legislation, which revolves around the identification of recruitment pools, particularly women, and the older population, who have yet to be fully exploited (Faulkener, 2001, Jones & Jones,2011). Arguments Against more Employment Legislation According to a British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) (2010) report on employment regulation, a survey of British businesses see an emerging consensus that the proliferation of legislation providing flexible working conditions has become increasingly problematic. The report argues that the shift from the regulation of collective bargaining to individual employment contracts, later evolving into the volume and complexity of statutory legislation today, has led to difficulties with understanding and compliance (ibid). The report specifically attacks the piecemeal legislative approach to flexible working shown by the latest introduction of laws and regulations (see Appendix 1) According to the BCC (2010), such an approach has been criticised by businesses. The problem for companies is that constant changes in the law mean that employers must incur the cost of familiarising themselves as each new law is enacted, where there is a greater risk of mistakes. As a result, businesses need to bring their knowledge up to date since the previous change in the law, such as through employment law books and guides or paying for legal advice. Consequently, the report argues, employment legislation can act like a tax, by raising costs (ibid). The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) (2006) argue further that even if there is a belief that the increase of employment law can improve the flexibility of the labour market, there are still questions as to whether such legislation is fit for purpose. Against a backdrop of increasing employment legislation, a National Audit Office (2009) research paper also casts doubt over whether governments are able to understand business enough to design effective legislation. The BCC (2010), representing one hundred thousand businesses, suggest that due to the volume and complexity of employment legislation, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), now need professional legal advice to settle disputes. In reality, the BCC argue, it is less expensive to settle disputes with the employee and prevent reputational damage than it is to defend a claim. The BCC therefore recommends streamlining and reducing the amount of legislation, for example, in a similar way that the anti-discrimination laws became consolidated by the Equality Act 2010 (ibid, 2010). Despite such criticisms, not all the findings in the business sector are negative. According to a Chartered Institute of Personal Development (CIPD) Survey Report (2005), who surveyed Human Resources professionals from over six hundred companies, the majority saw employment law as making a positive contribution to their businesses. This research suggested that the main barrier to effective implementation of employment law is the perception that there is too much employment legislation (ibid). In response, the Annual Employment Law Review by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) (2012) aims to tackle perceptions that there are ‘too many’ e mployment laws, through lobbying for reform, while ensuring that reforms are not at the expense of compromising fairness for individuals. The report argues that although businesses complain about the amount of employment legislation, in reality the UK has one of the most lightly-regulated labour markets among developed countries. Only the United States and Canada have lighter overall employment regulation (OECD Indicators of Employment Protection, 2008: cit in: BIS, 2012). Arguments in favour of more Employment Legislation The UK’s ‘light touch’ employment regulations may be reflected in their flexible working legislation. The right to request flexible working does not enforce employers to comply with individual requests, only to offer the procedures for them to do so. It is therefore argued that it is individuals (particularly with dependents) and the social organisations who support them, who favour increasing employment legislation, in order to provide fairness at work that ensures a work life balance (Burnett et al, 2012). In a 2012 report by Working Families and One Plus One, Happy Homes and Productive Workplaces, from a sample of over two thousand respondents, nearly eighty percent of respondents felt that flexible working was the most beneficial working arrangement (Burnett et al, 2012). However, the report argued that in order to support flexible working, further legislation was needed in order to promote arrangements that are mutually beneficial and embedded as a culture of flexibility, rather than an approach that manages requests as an exception to the norm (ibid). Along with relationship and family support organisations, a growing number of business and HR associations support further employment legislation and reform to push forward the benefits of flexible working (CIPD, 2013). Drawing on the findings of the 2011 Workplace Employment Relations Study (WERS) the CIPD suggest that employment legislation needs to increase, due in part to a lack of effective mechanisms to tackle labour relations. The report points to recent socio-economic and political changes in the UK where an increase in employment law is becoming ever more essential. For example, the facilitation of employment legislation during the 1980’s and 1990’s discouraged union membership and reduced collective bargaining powers. This is reflected in the WERS study, in 2012, which shows very low levels of employee engagement in collective bargaining, only six percent in privat e businesses, with fourteen percent of employee trade union membership in the same sector (Wanrooy et al, 2011). The near absence of collective bargaining, although removing employer constraints on freedom of action, raises concerns over employee voice, where employment legislation may be seen as an attempt to close this gap (CIPD, 2012). Danzinger and Waters Boots (2008), argue that in reality flexible working legislation does not go far enough. Unions and parent advocacy groups argue that many workers who would benefit from flexible arrangements do not ask for them out of fear of being refused, or because of a fear that asking may jeopardise their careers. Research suggests that employees will only ask for flexible work if they believe their requests will be approved. It is also argued that flexible working legislation may reinforce gender inequalities by linking flexible work and care responsibilities, reinforcing a ‘mother career track’ that pairs women with demotions of pay and position. Further, unfair dismissal claims, involving refusal of flexible working, tend to favour women, who can rely on anti-discrimination legislation, such as in Adedeji v The City of London Corporation (2007) (see Appendix 2), in order to strengthen their claims (ibid). Future Changes to Flexible Working Legislation New flexible working employment legislation to come into effect in 2014 appears to address some of the above criticisms. The government plans to extend the statutory right to request flexible working arrangements to all employees (with over twenty-six weeks service) whether they are a carer or not. This removes the present requirement that the employee must have caring responsibilities. In addition, the procedure for considering flexible working requests, which is currently very prescriptive, will be relaxed and employers will instead be required to consider requests in a ‘reasonable’ manner and within a ‘reasonable’ time frame (ACAS, 2014). Currently, it is possible for an employee to claim compensation due to the employer’s failure to comply with the procedures laid down in the Flexible Working (Procedural Requirements) Regulations 2002. In Bryan v Corporate Advertising Ltd ET/2105111/10, although the tribunal rejected Mrs Bryan’s claim that she was constructively dismissed and subjected to indirect sex discrimination, it was however held that the company had breached the procedures laid down by the 2002 Regulations. This procedural breach may no longer by relied upon under the 2014 legislation. However, successful claims may still be used under anti-discrimination legislation. In Commotion Ltd v Rutty [2006] IRLR 171 (EAT), it was upheld that the employee had been subject to constructive unfair dismissal and indirect sex discrimination, due to the employer’s failure to have any lawful reason to reject flexible working conditions. However, in Winfindale v Debenhams Retail plc (ET/2404134/10, 20 Aug 2010), it was held that there was no indirect sex discrimination where an employer showed that they took seriously a request to return from maternity leave on a part-time basis to a manager’s role. According to a Equality and Human Rights Commission report (2009), proposed changes in flexible working legislation will continue to fail to encourage workers in management positions to request flexible arrangements (EHRC, 2009). The report suggests that under current legislation, employee’s in management positions are less likely to make a request for flexible working, and when they do, they are less likely to succeed (ibid). In the government’s Consultation on Modern Workplaces Report (2012), it is argued that current legislation that prioritises certain groups reinforces the idea that flexible working is only for those in caring roles, whereas the aim of the new legislation is to promote a culture where flexible working is a legitimate ambition for all employees (HM Government, 2009). Although the legislation proposes to ‘allow’ but not ‘require’ employers to prioritise competing requests, employers will continue to have to show that all competing requests cannot always be accommodated, in their entirety, on business grounds (ibid). Drawing on the CIPD report (2005), a large majority of employers find compliance with the current legislation relatively straightforward. Of those who have had problems, the main barrier to compliance is that managers find it difficult to manage employees on different flexible working arrangements. Given that the new legislation attempts to widen the right to request flexible working to all employees, employers may face an increased challenge to accommodate competing requests. However, according to the same report, since the introduction of the current legislation, less than one-tenth of employers have faced grievance or disciplinary proceedings, or an employment tribunal claim. Further, research shows that it is large multi-national companies that benefit most from flexible working arrangements. Among those benefits are improvements in staff retention, improved morale and a reduction in costs (CIPD, 2005). These reported benefits need to be balanced against arguments that oppose mor e legislation promoting flexible working (ibid). More significantly, the statutory provision to enable greater flexibility in the workplace looks set to increase in the future. In a recent report, Management Futures – The World in 2018 (2008), the findings predict that organisations will become more virtual, the premium for talent will increase, with new aspirations and ambitions of a multi-cultural, widely dispersed workforce (Chartered Management Institute (CMI),2008). Conclusion This report has attempted to provide an insight into the contextual background surrounding employment laws in the UK today. The focus on flexible working legislation may be seen as a salient debate, given the competing claims from employers, employees and the organisations that support them (Burnett et al, 2012). At the same time, against a backdrop of socio-political and economic changes there has been an increasing legislative response to address both the rights of individual workers and a drive to improve competition, efficiency and development in the market (Pettinger, 1998). Given the predictions of further changes in the labour market, statutory provision looks set to increase in response. The debate for or against increasing legislation surrounding flexible working therefore needs to be balanced with the benefit to both businesses and the rights of individuals (CIPD, 2005). Word count: 2644 Bibliography Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) (2014) Employment Law Update. Available [online] from: http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3909 [Accessed on 4th January 2014] Anderman, S.D (2000) Labour Law:Management Decisions and Workers Rights:4th Edition. 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