Perception of Organized Crime Essay Example for Free

Perception of Organized Crime Essay Organized crime has been defined as illegal acts committed by a criminal organization or group. The NCIS (2005) described organized crime as having 4 salient attributes: (1) organized crime group contains at least three people; (2) the criminal activity the group engages in is ongoing and indefinite in duration; (3) the group is motivated by a desire for profit or power; and, (4) the group commits serious criminal offenses (Lynman Potter, 2007). There are different categories of organized criminal behavior. They include the provision of illicit services, provision of illicit goods, conspiracy to commit crime, penetration of legitimate business, extortion, and corruption. Illicit services are services that legitimate business do not provide. These services include but are not limited to gambling that is illegal, protection rackets, loan sharking, and prostitution. Illicit goods are also not available not available from legitimate businesses. Illegal drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin are examples of illicit goods. Unregistered guns and stolen property are also examples of illicit goods. Conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to violate the law. Conspiracy is a vital category of organized criminal behavior. Organized crime members often work together for the purpose of making money. They work together to sell drugs, stolen property, loan sharking, gambling, prostitution and other illegal activities they have going on within their organization. Organized crime organizations have no legal way to spend their profits so they must hide their revenue. They do this by penetrating legal businesses. Many of these crime organizations have businesses such as construction and contractors. Extortion is another category of organized crime. Many organized crime organizations use extortion to infiltrate legitimate businesses. Extortion is the use or threatened use of violence or force to achieve a criminal end (Lynman Potter, 2007). Corruption is also a category of organized crime. Many of these organized crime groups could not  flourish if it wasnt for for the aid of pubic and private figures such as police officers, judges, prosecutors, mayors, bankers, attorneys, and elected and appointed officials. Organized crime groups have different hierarchies. There is the standard hierarchy in which there is a single organized crime group which is led by a single powerful individual. These organizations have clearly defined roles, a readily identified chain of command, and a hierarchy that is designed to provide a strong system of internal discipline. Then there is the regional hierarchy. These hierarchies are tightly controlled groups with strong systems of internal discipline and clearly defined roles and lines of authority. Next theres the clustered hierarchy. This is an organized crime group that involves a number of smaller organized crime groups that coordinate their activities and enterprises. There is also a core group. This is an unstructured group of organized criminal surrounded by a larger network of individuals engaged in serious criminal activity. Finally, theres the criminal network. Criminal networks are loosely organized, highly adaptable, very fluid of networks of individual participants who organize themselves around ongoing criminal enterprise (Lynman Potter, 2007). The perception I had of organized crime is different from what I read in week one. Before this week, I always associated the Mob or the Mafia with organized crime. I think this comes from the movies and television shows that I have watched. I described organized crime as a group of people working for a â€Å"boss† to break the law. I thought that there was one head and people reported to him. I did not know that there were different categories of organized crime. I always associated drug trafficking and murder for hire as organized crimes. The readings have helped me to understand what organized crime really is and who is or can be involved. Before now, I would have never associated corruption or extortion with organized crime. I ultimately believed that this was something that was made up for movies and TV shows such as The Godfather, Scarface, The Sopranos, and The Wire. Before watching The Wire, I only associated Italians with organized crime. The characteristics I believe are associated  with organized criminal behavior varies. First, all members of the organization are expected to live by a certain set of rules or a code. They should protect the organization and do what is asked of them by the leaders. I thought the characteristics of organized criminal behavior were similar to that of a gang. The people involved in organized crime may not wear a certain color or live in a certain area but they have the same goal in mind. Protect the group by any means necessary. They have to be loyal to the group, do what they are told by someone else, and do what it takes to make money or a profit for the group. After this first week of class my views on organized crime has changed drastically. I now have a better understanding of what organized crime is and a more knowledge on organized criminal groups. I can let go of all of the stereotypes I may have had and now understand that organized criminal organizations have one goal in mind, make a profit for the organization no matter if it is financial or political. References Lyman, M., Potter, G. (2007). Understanding Organized Crime. Organized Crime (Fourth ed., pp. 1-38). New York: Pearson Education.

Media Image of Asian Women Essay Example for Free

Media Image of Asian Women Essay The media is large platform that signifies or represents individual on a ranging scale of different perspective. The media largely influences personality through a formative role with a representative segment of a community’s view. The Asian women are a sample case with a unique representative within the media. Various forms of media including television, film and movies have a reflective effect on the Asian women. As such, the Asian women are accredited a distinctive feature within various cultures of the world. The resultant effect is propagating effect that creates a lasting effect to the world at large. The media image of Asian women presents such individuals as unsympathetic and character driven. The exemplary platforms displayed by the media on such women showcases a highly competitive group as compared to the other counterpart women of the world. This understanding of the Asian women is a built profile from highly ambitious women who are career driven. The few high ranking personality within industrial sectors is goal oriented with propounding results. An exemplary case study of the Asian women image portrayed by the media is the physicians (Chan, Karpovich, Zhang, 2011). These groups of women focus of logistics evaluation based on the eventual success. As such, the typical Asian woman is depicted of sound judgment and eventual delivery given unique working environments. Conclusion A social element of the Asian women portrayed in the media is sexual aspect and exotic objects. Asian women are an iconic group largely adored in various continents of the world. The media portrays the Asian woman as an intelligent group with high work ethics. The media also endorses the Asian woman as a professional group given the various working conditions. Reference Chan, F., Karpovich, A., Zhang, X. (2011). Genre in Asian film and television: New approaches. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Source document

Rhetorical Analysis of MAC Cosmetics Print Ads

Rhetorical Analysis of MAC Cosmetics Print Ads MAC Cosmetics is a non-traditional makeup line that appeals to middle and upper-class workers who need to be set free to express their true self. MAC is well-known for taking a bold approach to cosmetics, celebrating pop culture and individuality, and promoting makeup as a form of self-expression. In an industry where social appeal, sex appeal and feminine appeal are commonly used by cosmetic companies to emphasize the notion of looking younger or feeling more attractive through the use of a brands products, MAC defies traditional notions of femininity in its ads, setting themselves apart from other brands. MAC uses non-traditional imagery to advertise its products and elevates its brand as a high-end cosmetic line by limiting sales exclusively through online channels and department stores. With distribution in more than 43 countries worldwide, MAC appeals to a wide range of people, selling more products than any other nondrug store brand, and prides itself on catering to men and wom en, regardless of race or color. MAC is unconventional in its advertising approach and is well-known for being provocative and interesting. At the forefront of the brands message is embracing gender equality, and they are committed to raising awareness and money for gender issues, such as HIV/AIDS and the transgender community, through their charitable organizations. In so doing, MAC uses culture and gender issues as a means to reach their target market, encouraging all ages, all races and all sexes to embrace their personality. At the core of MACs message is creating an environment where people can write their own story, especially through the way they look. As the following advertisements demonstrate, MACs innovative advertising effectiveness relies on bold, often non-traditional imagery and the use of celebrity icons to celebrate individuality through the MAC look, appealing to peoples sense of self-expression and their desire to be beautiful and stand out. In so doing, MAC prese nts themselves as a brand that seeks to empower people and support everyones individuality and creativity. The drive to be unique, to stand out, and to be an individual are all emotions MAC promotes in its advertising. One such example of this can be seen in MACs recent collaboration with Caitlyn Jenner (Figure 1) in which Jenner is the spokesperson for a new MAC Cosmetics lipstick, appropriately named Finally Free. The initiative is an effort to help the transgender community, with 100% of the proceeds going to the MAC Aids Fund Transgender charity. By acknowledging the transgender community in its advertising, MAC communicates they are a tolerant, open-minded brand that supports diversity and inner beauty. This notion coincides with MACs mission statement: All Races, All Sexes, All Ages. Feeling comfortable in ones own skin is what gives an individual their sense of beauty. Being able to bring out inner beauty for the world to see, no matter what a persons gender, promotes the Finally Free slogan. The Caitlyn Jenner collection represents Caitlyns mission of sharing her transition with t he world, championing All Ages, All Races and All Sexes. The purpose of this ad is to inspire people to buy MACs product while encouraging them to embrace life, in whatever form they choose. This ad makes an ethical appeal to those who support the gay and transgender community by donating funds to MACs charitable cause, and due to Caitlyn Jenners celebrity status, MAC has successfully invoked an even larger audience by reaching the fans of this well-known celebrity figure. The decision to use Caitlyn Jenner as a MAC spokesperson represents the notion that beauty is found not only on the outside, as many cosmetic companies limit their focus to, but rather is both on the inside and outside. Jenner demonstrates that beauty is ageless and in order to project beauty, people need to love their inner self. MACs decision to sign a transgender celebrity that is also over 65 years old, sends the message that age doesnt have to be a defining factor in how beauty is perceived. MAC is famous for its celebrity collaboration collections, and this is especially true with MACs VIVA GLAM line (Figure 2), the first of MACs cosmetic products marketed to raise money for AIDS. Begun in 1994 during a time when other makeup companies were using famous supermodels as the faces of their advertising campaigns, MAC chose to go the unconventional route. Featuring notorious drag queen RuPaul as their first VIVA GLAM spokesperson, the VIVA GLAM ads included the tagline, We wont look down on you, and we wont intimidate you, because we know what it was like to be picked on by the cool kids. And guess what? Now were the cool kids. Since then, advertising of the VIVA GLAM line has featured such celebrities as K.D. Lang, a Canadian lesbian singer, and music legend/AIDS activist, Elton John. More recently MAC has included glamorous celebrities as spokespeople for the VIVA GLAM line, including Cyndi Lauper, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Miley Cyrus. While Gaga and Lauper are long-time AI DS advocates, Rihanna is known as a charitable voice for young generations. MAC also enlisted Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin, daring people to Be Bold, Be Beautiful, Be Safe. These ads have succeeded in positioning MAC as a very hip company, catering to people who are open to accepting gay lifestyles and beliefs, while furthering MACs commitment to HIV and AIDS and promoting safe sex behaviors. The purpose of this ad campaign is to inspire people to buy VIVA GLAM lipstick and promote values of acceptance, diversity and glamour across MACs diverse range of products. By using culture and gender issues as a means to reach MACs target audience, the ads successfully drive demand for their progressive makeup as a form of self-expression. Additionally, the ads utilize bold colors to catch peoples eyes and appeal to their emotions by donating every cent of the selling price of the VIVA GLAM lipstick toward helping women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The VIVA GLAM spo kespeople reflect the cultural narrative of diversity, personal triumph and embracing inner beauty. True to MAC Cosmetics non-traditional use of imagery to advertise its products, MACs Strength Collection (Figure 3) uses the tag line Flex your femininity. Featuring product names such as Posed, Brains and Brawn, Inner Strength and Absolute Power, the strength collection uses a photo of a female body builder, driving home the cultural narrative of inner strength, empowerment and beauty in MACs ads. Choosing to use Jelena Abbou, a Serbian-American competitive body builder and fitness model à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ Ã¢â€š ¬ complete in full makeup and a shiny black gown à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ Ã¢â€š ¬ promotes the idea that men and women are equal. Men are perceived as strong or tough whereas women are considered dainty and fragile. Having a women body builder in MACs ad demonstrates that beauty comes in many different shapes and sizes and that gender doesnt matter. The purpose of the ad is to grab peoples attention through the use of the striking and unusual imagery. The text Strike a powerful pose, stand out an d redefine the notion of beauty, paired with the image of a female body builder further creates interest and contrasts with traditional makeup advertisements used by other brands. By successfully glamorizing Jelena and highlighting her beauty and femininity, MAC contradicts the mainstream idea that women bodybuilders are masculine, thereby furthering the notion of gender equality and inner beauty. The use of a female body builder is a great example of driving home the cultural narrative of inner strength and beauty in MACs ads and demonstrates that beauty comes in many different shapes and sizes. Whereas most cosmetic brands feature idealized images of the female body to sell makeup, MAC contradicts dominant ideas about femininity, focusing instead on the psychological emotions of confidence and self-esteem achieved from inner beauty. In a similar fashion of using striking imagery, MACs Style Warrior ads (Figure 4) were made to celebrate the cross-cultural sophistication of the modern Amazon Princess, African Queen, Crouching Tigressà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The ads emphasize makeup as a form of self-expression, promoting a diverse color palette featuring bronzing shades for lips, cheeks, eyes and nails that keep skin looking glowing and radiant. The makeup line is full of bold colors with shades suitable for a wide variety of skin tones. The ads succeed in drawing peoples attention due to the dramatic and non-traditional application of makeup that is almost reminiscent of painted works of art, emphasizing makeup as a form of self-expression. By combining this bold imagery with the bold headline Style Warrior and the subsequent text that describes every woman as having an inner wild thing, MAC suggests that makeup is a great way to embody different aspects of a persons personality. By appealing to peoples need and desire to feel confident and beautiful, MAC succeeds in communicating the idea that buying their product will help to make people be bolder and more glamorous. Building on its philosophy to create makeup for all ages, sexes and races, MAC launched a contest in the fall of 2015 called MACnificent Me. The contest invited MAC fans to submit a photo of themselves, along with a 100-word life mantra, illustrating their style, heart, and soul. From the submissions received, MAC chose six everyday people, including Hispanic, African-American and Asian, to represent the MAC brand, providing each winner with a MAC makeover. The resulting MACnificent Me ad (Figure 5) celebrates diversity and is all about being creative, confident, and true to ones self, encouraging consumers to look beyond model stereotypes and use MAC cosmetics in an individual way. The six unique individuals from all around the world, including men and women, both young and old, all proved to be magnificent in their own way. Challenging the supermodel stereotype traditionally portrayed in cosmetic ads, the MACnificent Me winners consist of a plus size woman, a gay man, and a transge nder woman, to name a few. The cultural narrative is all about finding beauty in the everyday and moving away from traditional mass-produced notions of beauty. MAC succeeds in encouraging everyday people to experiment and see cosmetics as a way to promote individuality. Using names such as Make Me Proud and Its Really Me for its product line, the MACnificent Me campaign serves to define a new beauty standard, in which everyone is beautiful, no matter age, race, nationality or body shape. The cultural narrative of beauty is to make the average woman and even man feel more attractive and more confident. Many people today use cosmetics to fit in with the crowd whether its gender, age, or profession. Especially when it comes to ones profession, cosmetics boost your look and self-esteem making one more presentable in meetings, interviews, or the everyday workplace. The use of cosmetics promotes people to feel better and comfortable in their own skin. MAC Cosmetics advertisements are not specifically aimed at one gender, but instead cater to men and women, regardless of race or color, promoting empowerment, diversity and strength. MAC embraces gender equality and uses its advertisements to explore and celebrate inner beautyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦defining beauty using a combination of bold, striking imagery, captivating text and iconic celebrities in their ads. As a leading cosmetic manufacturer, MAC has gained strides by successfully representing cultural equality, individuality a nd self-expression and they continue to stay on the cutting edge in the cultural movement. Although MAC often incorporates famous celebrities in their advertisements who are known for their glamorous appeal, MAC has placed less emphasis on traditional markers of beauty and femininity than many of its competitors. MACs advertising approach challenges the norm found in traditional cosmetic advertising conventions, narrowing the definitions of female beauty. As a result, MAC has successfully positioned their messaging so that it is not undermined by glamour and sex appeal, but rather focuses on beauty being found in the uniqueness of individuals promoting feeling better and comfortable in ones own skin, embracing ones own personal perception of beauty (versus mainstream societys) and challenging traditional gender role associations. MAC Cosmetics is in the business of making people feel like their best selves. Their ads empower people to embrace self-expression. Their intended audience began as primarily young women but has evolved to include men and the transgender community, specifically 18-49 years old. This age group meets the needs of their consumers in terms of gender, income, ethnic background and family circle. Through the use of celebrities in their advertisements, MAC has successfully invoked an even larger audience by reaching the fans of those well-known celebrity figures. As a leading cosmetic manufacturer, MAC has gained strides by successfully representing cultural equality, individuality and self-expression and they continue to stay on the cutting edge in the cultural movement.

Hurricanes Effects on Society Essay -- Nature Storms Weather Hurrican

Hurricanes' Effects on Society Hurricanes are one of nature’s most natural occurrences and intense phenomenal storms. Yet, as phenomenal as they are, they are still one of the deadliest and disastrous natural occurrences that continue to plague costal residents with fears of their homes being destroyed, their towns wiped out, and loved ones either disappearing or dying. Roger A. Pielke Jr. and Roger A. Pielke Sr. in their book Hurricanes: Their Nature and Impacts on Society, state that the hurricane is a member of a phenomena called cyclones, which refers to â€Å"any weather system that circulates in a counterclockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere and in a clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere† (p.15). The word â€Å"hurricane,† originating from the Spanish word huracan, probably came from the Carib and other Indian tribes that once inhibited the Caribbean islands and Central and South America (Tufty p.13). According to Barbara Tufty’s Hurricanes, the Guatemalan Indians called the god of stormy weather Hunrakan, while the Quiche of southern Guatemala spike of Hurakan as their god of thunder and lightning (p.13). Hurricanes are defined as large, rotating storms with strong blowing winds around the â€Å"eye,† or relatively calm center, where winds and rain clouds spiral in large bands (Tufty p.1, 13). According to Nature’s Hurricane Recipe by James C. White II, Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale on a scale from one to five, based on the intensity of the hurricane, with wind speed being the determining factor. A category one hurricane sustains winds of 74 to 95 mph, with the storm surge being about four to five feet, and causing no real damage to building structures. A category two ... ...l buildings, rural neighborhoods, and crops and livestock. References Landsea, C.W., Franklin, J.L., McAdie, C.J., Beven, J.L., Gross, J.M., Jarvinen B.R., et al (2004). A Reanalysis of Hurricane Andrew’s Intensity. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 85, 1699-1712. Pielke, R.A Jr, Pielke R.A. Sr (1997). Hurricanes: Their Nature and Impact on Society. NY: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Rodriguez, H. (1997). A Socioeconomic Analysis of Hurricanes in Puerto Rico: An Overview of Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness. 121-143. In H.F. Diaz and R.S. Pulwarty (Eds.), Hurricanes: Climate and Socioeconomic Impacts. Germany. Springer-Verlag Berlin Hiedelberg. Tufty, B. (1970). 1001 Questions Answered about Storms and Other Natural Disasters. NY: Dover Publications, Inc. White, J.C. (2005). Nature’s Hurricane Recipe. Mercury. 34, 28-33.

Rodgers and Hammerstein Essay -- essays research papers

Rodgers and Hammerstein Collaborations Oklahoma! The first collaboration of Rodgers and Hammerstein was entitled Oklahoma! The idea of the musical came from a play called Green Grow the Lilacs, written by Lynn Riggs in 1931. This story is about the state of Oklahoma at the turn of the century, when the Indian Territory joined the United States. It is the story of a girl named Laurey Williams and her (sort of) love triangle with two boys by the names of Curley McClain and Jud Fry. Laurey is in love with Curley, but she attends a dance with Jud instead. At the dance, Curley surprised Laurey by bidding an enormous amount on the basket of food she has prepared. They soon marry, and after the wedding, Jud starts a fight with Curley, but he loses. Jud is accidentally stabbed, but Curley was acquitted. Curley and his new wife live happily ever after in the great place of Oklahoma.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This musical opened at St. James Theatre on March 31, 1943 and ran for 2,212 performances. It was directed by Rouben Mamoulain and choreographed by Agnes de Mille. Oklalahoma! became so popular that it was decided to make it into a movie. The movie would be pretty similar, including some of the musical’s famous songs, such as â€Å"Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’,† â€Å"The Surrey With the Fringe on Top,† â€Å"People Will Say We’re In Love,† and â€Å"Oklahoma.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The film version of the same name was released October 11, 1955. Agnes de Mille again, choreographed it. Shirley Jones played the role of Laurey Williams, while Gordon MacRea played Curley McClain. Carousel On April 19, 1945 the musical Carousel opened at the Majestic Theatre in New York. It was based on the play entitled Liliom by Ferenc Molnar. This was a story about a young man named Billy Bigelow and his young wife Julie Jordan. Billy is a carnival barker, but soon looses his job. This upsets him because he knows that Julie is about to have a child, so he attempts to get more money by means of robbery. He then is forced to kill himself to escape arrest. Billy then goes to Heaven. Some time later, Billy is allowed to go back to earth for only 24 hours to see his unhappy daughter Louise, who is 15 years old. Billy steals a star to give to his daughter, but she refuses it. He slaps her in the face, but she isn’t upset by the action. Billy gets to know his daughter and gives her a better... ... and Hammerstein was also their last. The musical came from â€Å"The Trapp Family Singers,† by Maria Augusta Trapp. It opened on November 16, 1959 in New York and ran for 1,443 performances.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This was the story of a girl named Maria Rainer who is sent to the house of a widower named Capt. Georg Von Trapp, to watch over his children. They both fall in love with each other, but say nothing because Georg is engaged to a wealthy woman named Elsa Schraeder. They realize they are in love, and soon get married. They are forced to leave Austria because it has been invaded by the Germans. Georg must return to the navy. The two and the children escape the Germans.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many songs were incorporated into the story line, such as â€Å"The Sound of Music,† â€Å"My Favorite Things,† and â€Å"So Long, Farewell.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Sound of Music soon became a film. It premiered on March 2, 1965. Julie Andrews played the part of Maria, who played Cinderella before. There has been at least one revival since, on March 16, 1998 in New York. http://www.geocities.com/ding3371/ http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Booth/7900/

Porter’s five forces Essay

Michael E Porter developed the Porter’s five forces analysis in 1979 which serves as a framework for industry analysis and business strategy development. Its five forces determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of a market. Attractiveness in this context refers to the overall industry profitability. Three of Porter’s five forces refer to competition from external sources. The remainder are internal threats. It is useful to use Porter’s five forces in conjunction with SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats). Porter referred to these forces as the micro environment. They consist of those forces close to a company that affect its ability to serve its customers and make a profit. The stronger the forces, the less profit they will make and vice-versa. A change in any of the forces normally, requires a business unit to re-assess the marketplace given the overall change in industry information. The overall industry attractiveness does not imply that every firm in the industry will return the same profitability. Porter’s five forces include – three forces from ‘horizontal’ competition: threat of substitute products, the threat of established rivals, and the threat of new entrants; and two forces from ‘vertical’ competition: the bargaining power of suppliers and the bargaining power of customers. The threat of the entry of new competitors The treat of new entrants depend on the ease with which they can enter the market. Markets with high profits will attracts new firms. The major barriers are: * Need for economies of scale * High entry costs * Lack of distribution channels * Government policies such as selective subsidies * Cost advantages of existing firms such as access to raw materials, know how * Strong product- loyal customers The intensity of competitive rivalry Strong rivalry will reduce profits. This occurs when: * Many firms, none dominant * Slow market growth * Fixed costs are high * High exit costs * Similar products In high competitive markets, threat of new entrants is high.

What Are the Benefits for Foreign Firms to Cross List in the Us Markets?

What are the benefits for foreign firms to cross list in the US markets? Do the benefits remain after the SOX? Do you think the benefits would remain unchanged after the worldwide adoption of IFRS? Foreign companies are always looking for a new country to plant a flag and expand their global market place. One of the ways that they do this in the business world is through a process called cross listing. This practice allows a company owned and operated in Country A to list their company in Country B’ s financial trading exchange.Some have argued that introduction of Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and the ongoing plans of convergence between US GAAP and IFRS have decreased the need for cross listing. While there is a difference of opinion as to whether or not the practice is still beneficial is this day an age; I tend to believe that even if the benefits are not as robust as they once were they are worth the investment Cross listing is when a corporation â€Å"lists its equity shares on one or more foreign stock exchange in addition to its domestic exchange. (Wikipedia, 2013) The practice became very popular in the in 80’s and hit its peak in the 1990’s. Research has uncovered a number of benefits and reasons for cross listing. Three models were established to show the benefits of cross listing. They are the market segmentation / investor recognition model, the liquidity model, and the shareholder protection / legal bonding model. (Weisbach, Reese, 2002) When it comes to discussing the benefits of cross listing in the United States. Some of the benefits are as follows: The first is that it will increase the visibility of company in a global scale. Zhu, Small, 2007) Changing the visibility of a company from national to global offers a company a larger audience who may not have been familiar with a company in the past. Second, companies can gain access to liquid markets. (Zhu, Small, 2007) A foreign company in a developing country may not have enough li quidity in its surrounding area for the purposes of investment and growth. Leaning on developed countries with large financial exchanges is a way to tap into those economic resources that issuers are trying to find. Third, is to show that the company is strong. Zhu, Small, 2007) In a competitive industry such as the earning management and the stock market, investors are looking for strong companies to give their money to. It is up to the foreign firms to establish themselves. In some cases an audience with financial analyst that can tout the benefits of investing in your company is a way of building international credibility with the investment world. Finally, cross listing is done in order to follow tougher requirements. This can show that a company is â€Å"for real† and worth a look because they are willing to cross list in a country with tough exchange requirements. Zhu, Small, 2007) The overall benefits of cross listing can be summed up in a few words: global exposure th at leads to international investments from multiple countries that will fuel growth opportunities. There are critics that say that SOX has affected cross listing negatively due to its strict and stringent rules. In some cases, these are so different from a foreign companies â€Å"home† accounting policies that it makes it almost impossible or the firm to comply. Congress has made it clear that â€Å"U. S. nvestors are entitled to †¦protection regardless of†¦issuer† (Zhu, Small, 2012) SOX was established to protect investors from fraud by companies when they are reporting their performance to the SEC and regardless of cost the U. S. should stand behind those principles and try to keep companies â€Å"honest†. In my opinion the same benefits that cross listings had before SOX still exist; the willingness of companies to comply with SOX and reap the benefits of cross listing. Once the convergence between US GAAP and IFRS is complete I still see a benefit to cross listing.However, by sheer transition to IFRS a company would lose the benefit of stricter exchange requirements. The move would require changes to legal and financial interpretations of accounting standards. However, the true consequences of this move to a global standard could not be determined until the framework of these standards was complete and implementation has taken place with U. S. and foreign firms. In closing, I consider cross listing a beneficial practice for foreign firms. I agree that we are living in an Internet world where I can invest in German company with a few clicks of a mouse.I also agree that we are heading towards a global accounting standard that will level the playing for all companies of all sizes in all countries. However, the benefit of cross listing that I see never going away is the visibility. Having a tangible presence in developed countries is key to growth. Having a presence in developing countries is a stepping-stone to bigger growth opp ortunities in the future. Bibliography â€Å"Cross Listing. † Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Jan. 2013. Web. 20 Jan. 2013. Dobbs, Richard, and Marc Goedhart. Why Cross-listing Shares Doesn't Create Value. † McKinsey Quarterly Autumn 2008 29 (2008): n. pag. Print. Reese, William, Jr. , and Michael Weisbach. â€Å"Protection of Minority Shareholder Interests, Cross-listings in the United States, and Subsequent Equity Offerings. † NBER. Journal of Financial Economics, 2002. Web. 20 Jan. 2013. Zhu, Hong, and Ken Small. â€Å"Has Sarbanes-Oxley Led to a Chilling in the U. S. Cross-Listing Market. † Has Sarbanes-Oxley Led to a Chilling in the U. S. Cross-Listing Market. The CPA Journal, Mar. 2007. Web. 20 Jan. 2013.