Classic Cryptography

Introduction

Many of us enjoyed watching or reading detective-based stories because of the mysteries that hid within. For most of the time, each and every line of a character might be a hint to solve some mysteries. As inspired by the classic story of “Indiana Jones” and transferred to other similar yet twisted movies, deciphering the hidden messages plays a significant role. The codes were created by the person who wants to preserve something or hide from the other people. In a very obvious sense, the codes are created with only few people who can understand it and the job of the decoder or decipher is to analyze or interpret the messages embedded in the materials he or his group encountered. Moreover, drunk by too much watching movies, most of the messages are locked in to stones or relic rocks that are vulnerable and easily to destroy. But in reality, the codes are not merely invented messages just to play with the viewers’ imagination, nor are the profession made just to look for an adventure.

What is Cryptography?

From the Greek word “kryptos” which means “hidden secret” and “grapho” which means “I write”, cryptography is made as a practice and study of hiding the information. In modern world, the cryptography is a discipline that the professionals use such in mathematics, computer science, and engineering. The other application of the cryptography is seen on the ATM cards, computer passwords, and other electronic equipments in order to protect the user and the information written. Cryptography is also considered as similar with encryption as the conversion of information in which an ordinary person might mistakenly judged as nonsense messages. Starting from mathematical and information theory background, cryptography can be traced. The ciphers with two major categories – substitution and transposition are analyzed with encoding, decoding algorithms, cryptanalysis matters and there some applications as well as the machines invented used in cryptography.

Classical Cryptography

Classical Cryptography, the history of which has at least 4000 years as we know, is mainly used in both diplomacy and war over centuries. However, comparing to modern cryptography which are mainly used in computer security nowadays, most of the classical ciphers are claimed to be vulnerable in front of today’s powerful computers. The founded knowledge of classic cryptography became the motivation for the inventors to create applications and technologies with security features. The cunning mind of the people who set the codes is to generate the confusion and diffusion for the people.

Back in the history of war, the messages are hidden under the codes with a purpose to avoid the enemy gain the knowledge in advancing their team. Typically, the sender retained the ability to decrypt the information and therefore avoid unwanted persons being able to read it. Since WWI and the advent of the computer, the methods used to carry out cryptology have become increasingly complex and its application more widespread. Alongside the advancement in cryptology-related technology, the practice has raised a number of legal issues, some of which remain unresolved.

The Purpose of Cryptography

Even in ancient times, the cryptography is already used by the people or historians to be part of their writing. Since there is no suggested writing style, the Egyptians used to document their history through the use of art of hieroglyphs. It maybe some form of art but in a deep sense, it reveals messages regarding the adventures of their Pharaohs, their legends, and even their traditions. However, this standard of writing revived through the existence of the World Wars I & II. The secret message writing once again invented to provide a comprehensive yet short battle plans. The main aim of this is to provide the security requirements against the untrusted medium. In modern application and the use of modern technologies, the cryptography is used with four specific requirements:

· Authentication: The process of proving one's identity. (The primary forms of host-to-host authentication on the Internet today are name-based or address-based, both of which are notoriously weak.)

· Privacy/confidentiality: Ensuring that no one can read the message except the intended receiver.

· Integrity: Assuring the receiver that the received message has not been altered in any way from the original.

· Non-repudiation: A mechanism to prove that the sender really sent this message.

Conclusion

Cryptography, as based from the early messages are not entirely made to protect the data or information from the unwanted persons but is also used to see if the receiver and /or user is authentic. This type of scheme is used to prevent any alteration of information and maintain the privacy of the messages.

References:

Jia, X., Qiang, X.M., Weiqi, Z., & Qian, Z., (2004) Classical Cryptography [Online] Available at: http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg/~xujia/Classical%20Cryptography.pdf [Accessed 16 August 2010]

Kessler, G.C., (2010) An Overview of Cryptography (Edited Version of 1999 Edition of Handbook on Local Area Networks) [Online] Available at: http://www.garykessler.net/library/crypto.html [Accessed 16 August 2010]

Agricultural Productivity Growth and Development

Introduction

In the development of the country, it is important that there is also an improvement in the aspects of the country such as the industrial and agricultural aspects. According to the history of Economic Thoughts, the Physiocrats or the group of French Thinkers explained the various factors in the development of the country through the contribution of its three classes. It composed with the productive class (agricultural laborers), sterile class (Industrial laborers) and proprietor class (landlords or owners). Through them, there is a continuous income which can be seen flowing from sector to sector and thus, class to class. The economy of the state should be balanced which means that the development or improvement should be equal among these classes. However, due to the rapid change in the society as part of the gained knowledge in the industrial revolution and the invention of new technologies, changes and the associated development cannot be set aside. For such this is a good opportunity for the country to improve and compete with other participating countries. In terms of the improvement, it is noticeable that the area of agriculture is left behind. In this paper, we will discuss the apt strategies of agricultural productivity as well as the impact of its growth in the total growth and development of the economy.

Agricultural Sector

In the national economy of the economy, it is ideal that agricultural sector contributes in the national gross product and can gain employment opportunities. The continuous production of food will support the food supply domestically and internationally. This increases the market share of the agricultural products in the economy and expected to contribute in uplifting the current situation in the society. The agriculture can help fighting the problem in poverty by reducing it in the most desirable way but it is only applicable in the provinces and urban areas. The other important contribution in the agricultural growth of the country is the enhancement on the crops and sustains the agricultural product. Through the various agricultural inputs like the technological change, and technical efficiency, the growth and development of the agricultural is possible. Aside from that, searching for the potential land and other resources can also increase the developmental phase of the sector (Kiani, Iqbal, & Javed, 2008).

Based on the experience of the other countries like India and Pakistan, their continuous focus on the agricultural sector is a great factor that leads to their development. Through the examination of their overall economic development and processes, the countries, particularly India, experienced the growth based on the recorded fluctuations. Because of the influence the country gained from the agricultural sector (Fujita, 2009). Actually, India is known to be one of the largest agricultural-based economies but remained stagnant until the early years of 1990. Because of their awareness in the growing importation in the country, its bothersome exchange rate policy, need for the substitution of other products, and limited entrepreneurial decision making, the agricultural sector is revived (Mahadevan, 2003).

Impede in Agricultural Sector and Recommendations

The growth in the agricultural sector or the growth in harvest depends on seasons. The India suffered from the low economic growth however; the growth in agriculture depends on the monsoon situation. The weather clearly affects the production of the agricultural sector may it slows or accelerates the growth in the sector. Despite the slow in the agricultural output, Indian economy is supported by the other sectors like the non-agricultural sectors and affects the economy’s sustainability (Fujita, 2009). The other hindrance that might limit the capacity of the sector to grow is the infrastructures and structures that might stress the flow of goods and the line of the world prices. Therefore, an economic policy that is appropriate in the country should be addressed. In addition, the reforms in the exchange rates, trade and foreign investment policies, and internal reforms in areas such as industrial policy, price and distribution controls, and fiscal restructuring in the financial and public sectors should be emphasized (Mahadevan, 2003). With the help of the World Trade Organization, the country will have the advantages in the agricultural sector and face the challenges in the globalization while having the development in the economic growth.

Conclusion

The total economic growth should be balance as according to the Physiocrats. Therefore, the economic growth of the country should be supported by the productivity growth. Sustaining the output of agricultural sectors is the most desirable contribution that the country and government can establish for the long-run growth of the national economy.

References:

Fujita, K., (2009) Green Revolution in India and Its Significance in Economic Development: Implications for Sub-Saharan Africa [Online] Available at: http://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/ipd/pub/fujita_india.pdf [Accessed 17 August 2010].

Kiani, A.K., Iqbal, M., & Javed, T., (2008) Total Factor Productivity and Agricultural Research Relationship: Evidence from Crops Sub-Sector of Pakistan’s Punjab, European Journal of Scientific Research, 23(1) [Online] Available at: http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr_23_1_08.pdf [Accessed 17 August 2010]

Mahadevan, R., (2003) Productivity Growth in Indian Agriculture: The Role of Globalization and Economic Reform, Asia-Pacific Development Journal, 10 (2) [Online] Available at: http://www.unescap.org/pdd/publications/apdj_10_2/mahadevan.pdf [Accessed 17 August 2010]

“Psychometric Testing”- An Effective Way for Selection Process?

Introduction

Organizations across the globe are seeking the most comprehensive way to hire or acquire and select the additional members of their organization. Along with the growing demand in the opportunities and employment, the organizations are bound to choose the right people for the appropriate positions available. As much as possible, the prospect people are hired and selected with the use of the testing tools that can early detect any hint of progress and capabilities of an individual in doing the job well.

Background and Problem Statement

In the hiring and selection process, it is such a burden for the human resource manager and staff to handle the numbers of applicants. It is more critical if there are ten applicants who should fight for one available position. In that case, the managers applied the easiest way to create decisions in the process of recruitment and selection. The introduction of psychometric testing is welcomed by the hiring managers and identified as a tool that specifically used mainly in the recruitment process. The characteristic of the psychometric testing is the ability to gain insight into a person’s personality and psychological thinking, in a most efficient way. Through the continuous us e of the psychometric testing, the managers recognized its capacity to help the continuously develop the team spirit within the workplace and assessing the priorities of each individuals. With this fact, it is said that the psychometric testing is a great way for the organization’s selection process, how far does this quote is true?

Research Aim and Objectives

The main aim of the study to define the psychometric testing associated in the selection process of the organization. To gain the appropriate information regarding the psychometric testing, there are three objectives needs to be considered. First is to identify the various modes of application of psychometric testing. Second is to recognize the influence of testing in an individual level and in workplace. And third is to gain other information that may contribute to the total development of psychometric testing.

Literature Review

Psychometric testing is usually an office-based procedure, although the test itself can be conducted anywhere. Because of the growing popularity of the technologies and the accessibility of people in the computers, the psychometric testing can be also conducted and be processed online. The actual test may take around 15 minutes but it still varies depending on the depth of the test. The psychometric tests are used to asses the capability of the person in terms of selling, managerial styles, and his personal traits. In the development or selection process in a business, the psychometric tests can be use to test the new or potentials employees. The outcome of the tests gives the management an idea on how will the employees is suitable to the company’s ideals and policies. Once the test has been completer, the result can be produce within 5-10 seconds which are usually in booklet or sent by e-mail and printed. Aside from the normal testing of the HR managers, the psychological features to assess the personality and intellectual levels of an individual are tested in psychometric testing and fall into different categories. With the psychometric testing, there is no pass or fail because of the techniques applied by the companies in terms of testing. However, the psychometric testing is open to abuse for the reason that people has the freedom to answer what they think the employee would like to hear or to read rather than the truth. Therefore, it is advised that the company should hire qualified occupational psychologists to help them interpret the results of psychometric testing.

Methodology

The suggested method in the study is the use of survey and interview. The study can only prove the effectiveness of psychometric testing through the use of the empirical study. In the first approach of the method, the survey will need participants, particularly the people who are hired and failed to be hired. It is better if the survey will be in an actual hiring process because it has an advantage to demonstrate the efficiency of the testing in generating the selection decisions of the HRs. The second phase of the method is the interview which will include the HR manager/s and other hiring officials. They will be asked about the usefulness of the psychometric testing and how will they measure the reliability and efficiency of the results. The overall design of the method includes the ethical considerations and considers the privacy of the individuals.

References:

Armstrong, M., (2006) Testing Times for UK Companies in the Quest to Find a Quality Workforce, Management Services, Vol. 50.

Russell, K., & Carter, P., (2001) Psychometric Testing: 1000 Ways to Assess Your Personality, Creativity, Intelligences and Lateral Thinking; John Wiley & Sons

Weber, S., (2009) Results of Psychometric Testing of the Rads-2 with School-based Adolescents Seeking Assistance for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Concerns, Part 2: Research Brief, Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, Vol. 22

Vertical Marketing System

Introduction

In an organization, effective marketing strategies play an important role in boosting the performance of the business. In the integration of the corporate leaders in pursuit of their financial objectives, the creation of marketing system has been established. The creation of vertical marketing system is introduced and defined as a distributing channel in which the manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer act as a single system. An organization that can control the product and services until it reached to the end consumers is the plain example of vertical marketing system. Apparently only few of the businesses around the world successfully managed this type of system. It may define as a difficult approach to maintain the sales and effectiveness but it serves as the strongest point of the organization to boost the various areas within the organization.

Zara System

One of the successful organizations that use the vertical marketing system (VMS) is Zara which have a distinctive feature of business model. With the aid of the vertical integration, the company is allowed to develop the strong merchandising strategy that continuously led the Zara to create the opportunities particularly in the fast-fashion system. Because of the lack of flexibility found in traditional retailing, the organization is obliged to produce the products in varieties, amount, and frequency of the new styles. This type of system begins in the corporate areas, wherein the leaders plan the changes that will create an impact in the organization. All the plans are administered to the stores that are mostly visited by the customers. In this way the regular customers will know that the new products are already available for merchandise (Craig, Jones, & Nieto, 2004). The quick response of Zara in the fast-fashion system places the emphasis on using the VMS to be very quick fashion follower than to achieve manufacturing efficiencies. The continuous product development in the retail environment enables the organization to facilitate the chain f competitive advantage.

The very advantage of VMS is that the organization can control all the elements and gives the leaders the overview on what is happening or problems in one area. This will lead to the adjustments (if necessary) and the leaders can picture on the products or places where they need to produce more or less. The use of technologies, warehouses and other shipping goods as part of the organization’s ownership delivers the great advantage to control the products in terms of shipping. The most critical thing that the organization should monitor is to keep the communication alive. Since Zara is managing the products, they should maintain the track of all the products at the same time. This makes an emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of the people within the organization. It important in the vertical integration of Zara which assures that the expansion of the company is successful by moving back and forth within the vertical market or industry (Egelhoff, 2002).

Although, the vertical integration of Zara creates some weaknesses, it still has more benefits than the drawbacks. The organization is aware on its limitations which support the high capital investments of the organizations on their chains and to financially aid the technology and skills needed in the performance of the organization (Craig, Jones, & Nieto, 2004).

References:

Craig, A., Jones, C., & Nieto, M., (2004) Zara: Fashion Follower, Industry Leader; Business of Fashion Case Study Competition [Online] Available at: http://www.philau.edu/SBA/News/ZaraReport.pdf [Accessed 20 July 2010]

Egelhoff, T., (2002) How to Use Vertical Marketing Systems [Online] Available at: http://www.smalltownmarketing.com/vertical.html [Accessed 20 July 2010]