Evaluate the Usefulness of Primary Methodologies

Primary methodologies are ways we gather information when conducting social research. There are multiple types of useful methodologies in collecting qualitative data like interviews and a focus group as well as quantitative data like questionnaires, surveys and statistical research for examples. There are many advantages and disadvantages to all primary methodologies, including the information collected being more personally suited to the researcher while being more time consuming than some secondary research.One advantage of primary methodologies is the amount of information you can access from people. Some methodologies, like surveys, can generate qualitative data from a large number of participants easily. A survey, which is a ‘systematic snapshot used to infer for a larger whole’ , are easy to administer, are simply created, are cost effective and efficient in collecting information from a large number of respondents . Researchers can reach respondents, nationally an d globally, through many means like the Internet and can collect the data in convenience too .But surveys can become unreliable due to when a survey is poorly written (surveyor bias, poor choice of wording and questions), respondent bias, respondents not answering properly (lack of motivation, afraid of honesty) and a lack of response to the survey . Surveys are an example of a useful primary methodology in collecting qualitative data like statistics from a wide range of people, if written properly and easy to understand. Primary methodologies are useful in collecting personal data fitted to the social research being conducted.The researcher can choose appropriate methodologies which can best collect the qualitative and quantitative information required. An interview is far more personal than other primary methodologies, like a questionnaire, as the interviewer works directly with the respondent and creates questions based on the participants experience and can also ask follow-up qu estions, what you can’t achieve in surveys. Data collected from structured interviews can be qualitative and quantitative .Interviews however can be time consuming for both interviewer and respondent and although it is usually easy for the respondent, especially when asked for an opinion or impression, interviews can be hard to conduct for a researcher . Interviews are useful in creating personal information suited to the research and can have more detailed data than other methodologies. A focus group is an additional primary methodology which can give detailed information, which is another advantage. When people are gathered and asked and presented with specific questions and ideas to create discussion, comprehensive data can be retrieved and used in research.Group discussions can uncover and explain issues and reactions which may not have been expected or surfaced in a survey or questionnaire. Issues can be examined more in-depth than a general quantitative survey and, like an interview, can include follow-up questions to provide rich and insightful data and feedback . Focus groups on the other hand are also more time consuming than secondary research and can be costly (paying participants to cover travelling and time spent, catering costs, room hire, tape/recording equipment).Costs for focus groups for some companies in 2010 costed between $4000 and $6000, paying each participant an average of $500. Data from focus groups can’t essentially be used to make a generalisation for the population, due to small numbers being assessed. A focus group of a few hundred people is needed for reliable results, which is cost prohibitive. Skilled moderators can be in addition hard to find . Focus groups while effective in providing detailed information like from interviews has its flaws like all methodologies, even though they are very useful in marketing for example.Primary methodologies are useful in social research but they all have their disadvantages. Me thods like passive or active participant observation have their benefits like being immersed in the research topic but people knowing that they are being observed often change their behaviour to be seen in a more positive light . By taking measures in eliminating bias and receiving accurate and reliable results primary methodologies are are effective tools in research along with secondary research.

Reflectiv Wring on a Personality Development Theory

A reflective essay on self, identity, personality, and factors influencing identity based on James Marcia’s theory on personality development. People come in different shapes and sizes. Some are big while others are small, some are fat and some are slim, some are short while some are tall. People have many similarities. Unless born with a physical defect we all have one head, two eyes, two ears, one nose, one mouth, two arms with five fingers each, and two legs with five toes each. So basically we are all physically alike.What makes us each uniquely different is our personality inside of us. A personality can be described as a person’s own distinctive character or the qualities that makes someone interesting or popular. Growing up I would wonder how one’s personality could be theorized. My quest was soon over as I learnt of the James Marcia’s theory on personality development. Based on Erik Erikson’s groundbreaking work on identity and psychosocial development in the 1960s, Canadian developmental psychologist James Marcia refined and extended Erikson’s model, primarily focusing on adolescent development.Addressing Erikson’s notion of identity crisis, Marcia posited that the adolescent stage consists neither of identity resolution nor identity confusion, but rather the degree to which one has explored and committed to an identity in a variety of life domains from vocation, religion, relational choices, gender roles, and so on. Marcia’s theory of identity achievement argues that two distinct parts form an adolescent’s identity: crisis (i. e. a time when one’s values and choices are being reevaluated) and commitment. He defined a crisis as a time of upheaval where old values or choices are being reexamined.The end outcome of a crisis leads to a commitment made to a certain role or value. These are not stages, but rather processes that adolescents go through. All adolescents will occupy one or mo re of these states, at least temporarily. But, because these are not stages, people do not progress from one step to the next in a fixed sequence, nor must everyone go through each and every state. Each state is determined by two factors: * Is the adolescent committed to an identity, and * Is the individual searching for their true identity?These states include: identity diffusion, identity foreclosure, identity Moratorium and identity achievement. I went to one of the best high school in the country. I did well in all subjects I did. I thought I had it all. Paid attention to no one around me, I just ignored it all. People would say someday I would fall but who would have thought they would someday be right. But who would have thought I would have ended up like this. Working on the streets with nowhere to go, nothing to eat, nothing to wear, no money, no one to turn to in my distress.What can I do? Where can I go? I’m lost in this world like a diffused particle basking in the air. Identity diffusion this is the state of having no clear idea of one's identity and making no attempt to find that identity. These adolescents may have struggled to find their identity, but they never resolved it, and they seem to have stopped trying. There is no commitment and no searching. Growing up I was always considered by other to be a very brilliant child and I eventually developed the feeling that I was.My parents enrolled me in the finest school they could afford. In the sixth grade I did the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and attained a pass to attend one of the noblest institutions in the country. I had always had the dream of becoming a teacher but my parents and others thought differently. Everyone in my family were either nurses or doctors hence I felt like I had to follow in their pathway. In my family one would so to primary school then off to high school. During my first three (3) years of high school I was forced to focus on the sciences.Then during the fi nal two years one would have to sit all three (3) sciences in the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate along with seven other subjects. I thought that if I didn’t do well I would disappoint my parents and other family members, hence I just went along fulfilling what I thought was my obligation. Identity Foreclosure this means that the adolescent blindly accepts the identity and values that were given in childhood by families and significant others. The adolescent's identity is foreclosed until they determine for themselves their true identity.The adolescent in this state is committed to an identity but not as a result of their own searching or crisis. I have had many friends growing up. I have had many role models. I have tried doing many sports. Only to find who I am. Where I belong in this cold world? In school I tried acquiring many skills; I did many subjects and gained them all. During my years at college I did many courses changing my major over three (3) times; only to find who I really was and what I really wanted to become. I eventually graduated with a degree in medicine.But I still haven’t found what I was looking for. I am still searching for my purpose in this society. I am still searching for who I really am. Identity Moratorium this is the status in which the adolescent is currently in a crisis, exploring various commitments and is ready to make choices, but has not made a commitment to these choices yet. On the cool winter morning of January 21, 1995 an angel sent from God was born; Alexcia Anglin. At age two I started school, at an early age teachers soon realized I were a brilliant child.I started Chetwood Memorial Primary school; there I developed a passion for teaching. In the sixth grade I meet the one who turned out to be my role model; Mr. G. Atkinson. Seeing his passion for teaching I then develop a greater passion for teaching and I wanted to emulate him. I then moved on the Mt. Alvernia High School where I met man y other teachers who aided in my development and strengthened my desire to become a teacher. Church was also an integral part of my life.Going to pathfinder’s club on Sunday mornings and associating myself with children regularly I soon realized I loved being around younger children and it was during that point of my life I told myself I wanted to become a primary school teacher. During my high school years I tried my ever best to do well in all the subjects I knew I would need to attain in order to become a teacher. I thought I had everything under control and I thought I was on top but for a while things went sour. I swayed a bit and it seemed as though my dream of becoming a teacher was crushed.My grades were not at its best but a deep voice inside me kept pushing me and told me to keep holding all, life will get better soon. Soon it was time to apply for college and I sent out my application to the Sam Sharpe Teacher’s college. That was not the end I had to sit eig ht CSEC subjects. Waiting for my results and a letter of acceptance from the college I was a bit nervous. Every thing eventually worked out I attain all ones and twos in my subjects and I got accepted to the college. Here I am today embracing my dream of becoming a primary school teacher.Identity Achievement this is the state of having developed well-defined personal values and self-concepts. Their identities may be expanded and further defined in adulthood, but the basics are there. They are committed to an ideology and have a strong sense of ego identity. The core idea of this theory is that one’s sense of identity is determined largely by the choices and commitments made regarding certain personal and social traits. A well-developed identity gives on a sense of one’s strengths, weaknesses, and individual uniqueness.A person with a less well-developed identity is not able to define his or her personal strengths and weaknesses, and does not have a well articulated sen se of self. As teachers we need to be able to cope with the different personalities present in the classroom environment. Students come from different families, different communities and thus have different personalities and are taught different values. The onus is therefore on us as teachers to guide our students into developing socio acceptable values.Before we can do so, we must first know who we are, know what our values are and our personality. I am Alexcia Anglin a first year student of the Sam Sharpe Teacher’s College and as a result of the knowledge I gained in the Emerging Professional course on James Marcia’s theory on personality development, I have discovered my identity status, which is â€Å"IDENTITY ACHIEVEMENT† , as I am fulfilling my dreams of becoming a teacher. References * http://www. learning-theories. com/identity-status-theory-marcia. html * http://socialscientist. us/nphs/psychIB/psychpdfs/Marcia. pdf

Company’s Marketing Strategy

Company's marketing strategy MARKETING MIX FOR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: Marketing program or plan is required to achieve the company's desired objectives. The four ps of effective marketing min strategy was developed by McCarthy namely the four ps product price, promotion and place. Four ps consist of numerous decisions on the min of marketing tools to USE. International companies like NIVEA FOR MEN must decide how much to adopt their marketing strategy like Four PS to local and international conditions. f numerous decisions on the mix of marketing tools to use. International companies like NIVEA for MEN must decide how much to adopt their marketing strategy like four PS to local and international conditions. At ne extreme are companies that use a globally sundried marketing mix worldwide. In 1993, NIVEA for Men developed a fuller range of male skincare products. The producer like NIVEA FOR MEN adjust the marketing mix, to each jarget market since NIVEA FOR MEN in operating its busines s from 1993 it is well known about the four PS method of marketing mix.After developing four ps NIVEA FOR MEN and other companies are using the four ps as the pillar of marketing strategy. Marketing mix decisions must be made for influencing the trade channels as well as the final consumers. Arranging an appropriate combination of the marketing mix four ps product, price, promotion and place companies, like NIVEA FOR MEN designe plan to meet needs of customers. In maintaining the competitive advantage in the grobal market. NIVEA FOR MEN is doing right duty properly executing and evaluating the marketing programs.Effective marketing mix is integral for the success of the companies such as NIVEA FOR MEN in maintaining competitive advantage. Product : Product is one of the important element of four ps a Product that can be offered to a market to satisfy a want or demand, product is the important element of the marketing mix which coordinated decisions on product mines, product lines br and and packaging and labeling. In the primary stage companies like NIVEA FOR MEN is maintaining competitive advantage would be product development, the company can get advantage by the xpansion of the product range. product may differ local and global area basis. NIVEA FOR MEN can produce a regional version of its product such as a western european virsion and getting a competitive advantage. Through product invention is a costly strategy, the company maintaining competitive advantage by backward and forward invention of product. Backward invention is reintroducing earlier product forms that are well adapted to a foreign country's needs. Forward invention is creating a new product to meet a need in another country.There is enormous need in less developed countries for low cost high proteins foods. NIVEA FOR MEN can offer its consumers a one-stop shop opportunity by providing majority of the products that they are looking for in one area. The individual consumer & will be motivated to purchase. If the quality of the products bought satisfied the needs and preference of the consumer then the NIVEA FOR MEN Will lead to consumer loyalty and retain the customers and repeated consumption.The development of a broader product has ranges increases the possibility that individual consumers will be motivated to purchase, Encouraging higher levels of consumption is not only beneficial on the part of NIVEA FOR MEN but also boosting its revenues and the national economy. Price : Price is the very important element of marketing mix. Price is very sensitive issue on the behalf of the company. Price are the easiest marketing mix element to adjust product features, channels and even promotion take more time. Price also communicates to the company's intend value positioning of its product or brand.Today companies like NIVEA FOR MEN is wrestling with a number of difficult pricing tasks. How o respond to aggressive price cutters How to price the same product when it goes through different channels How to price the same product in different countries. How to price an improved product while still selling the previous version. How to price different component of an offering When the customer wants to make his own choice of components. NIVEA FOR MEN focus on product development and pricing combined with an emphasis on consumer needs is key differentiator for NIVEA FOR MEN.IT is a major reason why in the UK brand is still the market leader in the male facial skincare market. Throughout most of history, price were set by negotiation between buyers and sellers traditionally price has operated as the major determinant of buyer choice. Selling a product price is technical strategy of a company when NIVEA FOR MEN is going to set its price has to consider many factors in setting its pricing policy like pricing of objective determining demand, estimating costs analyzing competitor's costs prices and offers, selecting price meted etc.Appropriate pricing and promotional techniques is a good tool o maintain and achieve competitive advantage especially it competitors do not have the ability to offer a clear pricing hierarchy. It will often of choosing from good better and best among the product range. Each price will lead to a different level of demand and therefore have a different impact on company's marketing objectives. Relation between alternative prices and the resulting current demand is captured. Demand and price are inversely related. NIVEA FOR MEN using four ps as price for determining demand.Price still remains one of the most important elements determining market there and profitability. Consumers and purchasing agents have more access to price information NIVEA FOR MAN use the customer's perception of value is an important determinant of the price charged. Customer's draw their own mental picture of what a product is valued and worth. NIVEA FOR MEN awares too much when using low price as a marketing tool is that the customer may feel tha t quality is being differentiated. Promotion: One of the most important element of the marketing mix is promotion.Promotional tools like advertising, sales promotion, public relations and direct marketing is an role in making marketing strategy for business operating globally. NIVEA FOR MEN examine both traditional and online forms of these tools, NIVEA FOR MEN main marketing strategy to attract customers, fulfill its consumers' wishes and needs with innovations today and its the future. This will give a strong position within the global competitive environment NIVEA FOR MEN's marketing team used research data to forecast market trends over the next three to five years.This helped them set specific targets for increasing sales growing market share improving its brand image. NIVEA FOR MEN wanted greater market penetration for male skin care products. It wanted not just a greater share of the existing market it wanted to expand that market, It wanted more men buying skincare products. It also aimed to sell more skincare products to women, for this purpose NIVEA FOR MEN strengthen its promotion strategy. Global companies that use a large number of ad agencies located in different countries and serving different divisions have suffered from uncoordinated advertising and image diffusion.NIVEA FOR MEN now use only a few agencies or even one that can supply global advertising, public relations, sales promotion and web consulting. The result is integrated and more effective marketing communications and much lower total communication cost. The media planner of NIVEA FOR MEN has to know the capacity of the major media types and select the media which is favorable to the company. Major media types NIVEA FOR MEN to retain the loyal customer are likely newspapers TV direct mail Radio magazines internet. Beside these sales promotion include display center international trade fair country trade fair.This is the way to expanding product market. In maintaining competitive adva ntage NIVEA FOR MEN developing the promotion system. They use media for their product well known and product quality TV Advertising made people aware and press provide more detail about the product. Another way of promotion is sales promotion is a key ingredient in marketing campaigns, consists of diverse collections of incentive tool, mostly short term designed to stimulate greater purchase of particulars products or services by consumers where as advertising offers a reason to buy. Sale promotion offers an incentive to bye.Sale promotion includes *Samples, coupons cash refund offers, price off, premiums prices, free trails warranties. NIVEA sought to build on and develop the approach it had used in the part Since 2000 there has been a greater emphasis on consumer needs and increasing use to experimental marketing is about engaging consumers through two way communications that bring brand personalities to life and add value to the target audience. Place : Another key marketing tool s is place, where the company undertakes to make the product accessible and available to target market.At the very beginning NIVEA strategy its expanded its business activities in all around the world. NIVEA has build a strong marketing channel through which it can meet customer needs economically and conveniently. NIVEA works internationally with the local distributors who lave local knowledge, invest in them and set up performance goals to which they can agree. NIVEA has expanded its marketing channel for some views. These are as follows To gather information about potential and current customer Persuasive communications to stimulate purchasingTo assume the risks corrected with carrying out channel work. For the successive storage and movement of physical products. Many times NIVEA evaluate intermediaries performance against such standards as sales quota attainment, average inventory levels, customer delivery time treatment of damage and lost goods, to achieve the competitive adva ntage NIVEA has given an attention to the sub-urban area is its operating places in the globalization age NIVEA wants to satisfy every customers receiving its service.Conclusion : The marketing plan is a cycle that begins and ends with evaluation. the final stage in the marketing plan is to measure the outcomes of the marketing activities against the original objective and targets. Marketing mix of four ps is an important for marketing decision. This strategy has ability to plan its market strategy will in terms of maintaining good consumer's relations effective use of advertising by capitalizing on its trusted brand image.The male consumer and increasing of the product skincare for men consumers are loyal to the products which are able to carry brand value and satisfied the consumer's needs and demands. NIVEA FOR MEN adopted a range of key performance indicators to assess the success of the NIVEA FOR MEN re launch in the UK it looked at market share, overall sales brand image ratin gs, product innovation. By using proper marketing strategy four ps the companies like NIVEA FOR MEN met its overall target in local and international market.

Smoking Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Smoking - Research Paper Example To understand and minimize the number of smokers, it is relevant to reduce the number of new smokers (Lindson et al., 2011). Studies show that people who smoke acquire the habit from close friends or parents. Generally, having a close person who is a smoker significantly increases the chances of a person ending up smoking. Mohammed, a cigarette addict confesses, â€Å"I got this bad habit from old brother.† He also got the urge to start smoking from his father and his best friends (Mohammed, 2013). The continued exposure to smokers was the main reason why Mohammed was compelled to start smoking. For this reason, the focus group in prevention measures has to be the closest people (Lindson et al., 2011). According to Mohammed, most people who smoke regret ever starting to smoke because they are unable to stop. Their biggest problem is that due to addiction, they are imprisoned by the vice and are unable to pull out. Mohammed claims â€Å"Smoking almost two packs a day has caused different heal problems to me.† In his statement, it is clear that he attributes deteriorating health to his habit of smoking. He enjoys swimming, but due to the effect of smoking on his lungs, he easily gets tired and his attempts are labored (Mohammed, 2013). Khalid is another smoking addict. He started smoking when he was 14 years old. The main reason that compelled him to start smoking was his older cousin. He attributed his ‘coolness’ to smoke and therefore tried it to be cool (Khalid, 2013). This demonstrates that peer pressure plays a big role in introducing people to smoke. The pressure originates from the people around them. Like Mohamed, Khalid had health issues; he is unable to engage in physical exercises. He easily tires and the effects affect his social life because his family has to deal with medical issues that result from his smoking Khalid says, â€Å"I regret every

Equal Treatment of All Irrespective of Sex, Race or Ability Essay

Equal Treatment of All Irrespective of Sex, Race or Ability - Essay Example Judith Sargent Murray looks into detail the bodily superiority of men and the mental superiority of women. Murray vehemently asserts that the faculty of imagination has been unquestionably bestowed on women. This is exemplified by the power of the females so enormous at their readiness to act on their first thoughts. With the females imaginative faculties, they tend to reason on only what they know which is quite dangerous. The creative powers they possess make up stories which could be really destructive. However, she accepts that the judgment of the females not so strong due to the partialities of custom which are traced from the disparities of education background. The female is depressed, confined and domesticated while the male is exalted and encouraged to aspire being led through prosperous paths yet nature provides for equal minds. This disparity leaves a void to the unexploited abilities of the women folk while those that get the opportunity to pursue their dreams through boo ks are attached to style and indignity and are no happy since they are left to pursue men for sexual enjoyment. This inferiority still trails them and they cannot improve. She, however, asserts that since nature treats everyone equal and has seen both successful males and females have all got crowns and fame. With the females imaginative faculties, they tend to reason on only what they know which is quite dangerous. The creative powers they possess they make up stories which could be really destructive.

Technical Abstrract-Article Summary Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Technical Abstrract-Article Summary - Assignment Example It is the slight curve of the Nexus display that makes people think that it has a flexible display. The manufacture of flexible smartphones is not without hurdles. For one, the durability of a bendable phone and its components remain questionable. Yet again, the cost of manufacturing the phone is higher than that for standard phones While OLED displays are better than LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screens in that they can easily bend or fold without being destroyed, they may need to an additional glass layer to be more durable. A flexible display is beneficial compared to the rigid display in that it is more durable especially even when they fall. They also tend to be thinner and lighter than the standard screens since they are made of plastic. While plastic gives greater flexibility to displays, they are disadvantageous in that they are semi-permeable to air and water which can destroy the display. In conclusion, flexible OLED displays are more durable compared to their LCD counterparts given that they are more flexible. However, it remains to be seen how practical flexible displays are in the

Honest Graft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Honest Graft - Essay Example believed that an honest graft is one which is because of the foreseeing power of an individual and it does not involve the money of treasury or the state government. He described honest graft as one in which an individual foresees an upcoming opportunity and avails it for his benefit. For example if the individual realizes that the government may be wanting space to build a park on a specific land, he would buy that land before hand so that he can sell it later on a higher price. Whereas in dishonest graft there is involvement of black money that is from sources such as gambling and treasury. An example of this is when an individual steals money from the treasury and utilizes it for his own use. I agree with Plunkitt as the honest graft can be a business in itself and this can be done by any individual who knows how to avail opportunities. Plunkitt had his own standpoint in politics. He criticized the reformers and their role in politics in the mid to late 1800’s. He believed that reformers were just the beginners in the game of politics. They were not able to interpret the bluffs and games around which the whole scenario of politics revolved. He opined that they were not able to clean up the government and politics because these individuals who were not even trained for politics tried to enter politics and change the whole scenario. Usually these individuals came out successfully in the beginning but gradually all these reformers had to exit because they were not capable of handling the overall scenario of politics. Plunkitt claimed that his party and all its members were dedicated to their country and the well being of its individuals. Their patriotism could clearly be seen in the incidents quoted in the book when the party members celebrated their independence like nobody else did. As described â€Å"Four hours under a big silk hat in a hall where the heat registers 110 and the smoke 250!† (RIORDIN, Chapter 17) Here it can be clearly seen that the leader

Sphalerite Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Sphalerite - Essay Example As sphalerite is soft and fragile it is mostly best left unset as collectors or museum pieces. Gem-quality material is usually a yellowish to honey brown, red to orange, or green There are a number of ways sphalerite is formed; bacteria also play a role in its formation. In the regions where there is low oxygen solution such as flooded tunnels the bacteria's take in zinc and sulfur from the water and combine them to create a byproduct of sphalerite known as sulfide, which reacts with the metals including zinc creating insoluble products. This build up of microbial precipitation by the bacteria have led to the discovery of large zinc sulfide deposits by the miners. The biofilm formed is grey in color and is further developed naturally to form sphalerite. Sphalerite is a cubic crystal with zinc and sulfur atoms tetrahedrally coordinated. This structure is similar to that of diamond. The hexagonal analogue is known as wurtzite structure. The lattice constant for zinc sulfide in the zincblende crystal structure is 0.596 nm, calculated from geometry and ionic radii of 0.074nm (zinc) and 0.184nm (sulfide). It forms ABCABC layers. Sphalerite is obtained from underground mining. ... It forms ABCABC layers. Mining Sphalerite is obtained from underground mining. It is the ore of zinc that is formed in veins which are layers of rocks and minerals formed underground. It is found in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. Sphalarite accumulates in deposits which can extend far underground. Thus underground mining is most suitable; other methods would be too expensive and difficult. The underground excavation is determined by strip ratio method which is the total amount of waste materials that need to be removed in proportion the amount of ore. Thus minimum possible waste is extracted. The underground mine of sphalerite consist of sophisticated network of tunnels, shafts and equipments. It is entered through a shaft, a horizontal tunnel or an adit which is a horizontal entry way. There are several levels in the underground mine and sphalerite in mined in rooms called stopes. It is drilled and blasted out taking care of the ceiling so that the mine does not collapse. Sphalarite mining process involves a number of equipments. Continuous mining machines are used which cut through rocks and pull them up, even separating the unusable ore from waste rock all in one system. Dump trucks are used in the mine to carry material to appropriate locations to different parts of the mine. At times shuttle cars are also used. Today in the modern era mining is a highly technological and mechanized process. Sophisticated vehicles, rail systems and state-of-the-art drilling systems are bought from manufacturers and suppliers. Ventilation systems pump in fresh air while removing poisonous gases and dust. Also, the roof is supported by timber, concrete or even steel supports. Steel rods are

Hypothesis Identification Article Analysis Essay

Hypothesis Identification Article Analysis - Essay Example The researchers examine and evaluate current literature and come to conclusion that the question of women compensation at work and safety issues is not examined yet. There is no substantial analysis of this system and its impact on organizational performance and women employees. The researchers claim that the current system of compensation is ineffective and does not benefit employees and employers. To verify their hypothesis, Calvey and Jansz use a phenomenological research approach. They explain that "the purpose of phenomenological reflection is to try to grasp the essential meaning of something Insight into the essence of a phenomenon involves a process of reflectively appropriating, of clarifying, and of making explicit the structure of meaning of the lived experience" (Van Manen, 1990: 77-78, cited Calvey, Jansz, 2005, p. 285). The hypothesis statement helps the researchers to identify the area of research and construct it in accordance with their hypothesis. Also, the hypothesis statement helps to avoid ambiguity during analysis of the results. In this article, the hypothesis statement is used to predict the conditions of compensation system and outcomes are most likely to occur.

How would a dalang create, produce, and perform The Pandawa's Saga Research Paper

How would a dalang create, produce, and perform The Pandawa's Saga from the Mahabharata using wayang kulit puppetry - Research Paper Example It uses Yudistira, Arjuna, Krishna and Bima as the key characters. They play with other characters in opposition. These include Karna and Duryodana. It depicts two families fighting, each desiring to inherit the throne. The Pandora family believes that they have the right as direct descendants. The Korwaa family opposes this idea since they believe they too have. This play uses the puppets to illustrate the fight to the viewers. The play further uses more characters than those counted (Oscar and Hildy, 2003). The Dalang therefore tries out the play to represent the variety of personalities. The study aims at providing ideas to the Dalang, to make the puppets alive and succeed as the new Dalang. Synopsis The story has its background from the ‘Wayang’ and ‘Kulit’. Wayang in the Indonesian Language means ghost or shadow. On the other hand, kulit refers to skin, hide or leather. The play uses puppets designed from the buffalo hide. It is played in darkness or sh adow to signify the mythical culture of the play. The same can be used in the today’s theatre among the dalang to perform traditional plays. The viewers prefer to identify with the theatre because it is familiar to their traditions. The dalang use the Mahabharata episodes to maintain their traditional lives technical skills to engage the viewers to avoid dozing off. The play is about rivalry between two groups (Hodge, 2000). The puppet player must understand the meaning and epitome of wayang kulit before he or she can play it. The player must distinguish it from the usual puppet play. One fundamental reason for this is that the puppets are hidden from the viewers Instead of showing them the puppets, the Dalang (puppet player) plays as a multiple character as an actor designer and a spirit. He uses the spiritual aspect not only to entertain the viewers but also to educate them about good deeds and wickedness. Statement of the Chosen piece The study selects tradition as the asp ect of investigation. As Harrison (1998) suggests, this aspect is appropriate because it focuses on â€Å"the good† and â€Å"the evil† of the society in the performance. This is based on the presence of the light, darkness (shadow) and the spirit. The puppet player must fully understand the behaviors of the puppets present their traits to the viewers. The puppet is brought in from the back of the light to present magical appearance. The distance from the puppet to the screen is regulated to control how crisper the puppets appear to the viewers (Meyerhold, 1991). The puppets that enter through the light are the â€Å"good† while those that enter through the dark side are the â€Å"evil†. The good characters are Arjuna and Bima. Their rivals are the evil characters. Chosen Aspect of the Play The selected aspect of the play is the traditional criteria in the practice of selecting the new Dalang in the traditions. This is shown in the rules of the play where a woman is prohibited from inheriting the seat of the Dalang. Principally, the Dalang has to select the appropriate music that links properly to the show. The Dalang must be strong and skilled to play, conduct the orchestra and control the distance of the puppets to the screen. The tradition dictates that the music must be an original Indonesian Music for it to qualify for the play. The sounds and the rhythm are very different from the Western styles. The Dalang uses his own feet to knock the rattle to signify the start of the play. The

Income inequality in the UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Income inequality in the UK - Essay Example These factors are numerous and include; increases in the financial returns of education, the effects of trade liberalization, changes in government tax and welfare policy and changes in employment patterns (Cribb, 2013). Technological progress has increased financial returns to education to which is thought of as the wage premium that more highly skilled workers enjoy over less skilled workers.Answers to profound income inequality have always been related to the four reasons; however, more baffling is the rapid increase in the income of the workers at the top, for instance (Cribb, 2013), asserts that those who are in the top 0.1% have had their income rising faster than those who occupy the top 1%. Nonetheless, globalization and international labour mobility has been cited to be leading cause of the increasing disparity. The purpose of the text is to explore income inequality in the UK and achieves the purpose as it vividly provides the answer to the quest of the assignment; causes of inequality in the UK. The paper, Income inequality in the UK, by Jonathan Cribb was published by a respectable institution, the Economic review on February

Pre-determined programme Essay Example for Free

Pre-determined programme Essay The relationship formed by nursing professionals with those who utilized healthcare services goes a long way in determining how satisfactory the users are. The nurses are in direct contact with patients and users of healthcare services, more often than the doctors are. They carry out the administration of drugs prescribed by doctors and go the whole length of checking the condition of the patients and acting as an intermediary between the doctor and the patients. Thus, this prominent role goes a long way to determine the level of satisfaction that is derived by users of healthcare services. It is argued that it is nature that cure not the administration of medicine; medicine gives relief and leaves the curative process for nature to handle. Nurses tend to handle patients and be close to them to help the curative process through nature to take place. According to Mckenna (1997), â€Å"Nurses could be actively involved in this process of putting the patients in the best condition for nature to act upon him if given appropriate training†. With the aid of the service users, nurses would be able to perform more effectively in the professional duties of assisting patients to be in the right condition for the curative process to take place through nature. Effective participation in healthcare service requires looking beyond national institutions to enhancing the capacities of citizens to influence supranational, as well as national policy on health. Croft Beresford (1996), point out a more radical version of people’s participation, one that would go beyond the more paternalistic versions of welfare state and the narrow consumerist approaches to users involvement. â€Å"Growing from the struggles of the disability rights movement and others, this approach began to talk about participation not only in terms of having a say and being involved in the delivery of existing programmes, but also about more active participation in provisioning and in policy formulation. This approach sees the users as having fundamental claims to civil rights rather than being subjected to the discretion of the social service producer. In recent times, there has been a convergence of concern with citizen engagement in policy formulation and implementation and with good governance, broadening political participation to include a search for new, more direct, ways through which citizens may influence governments and hold them accountable (Gaventa Valderama, 1999). During the late 1960s, and the 1970s, there was a growing demand in many parts of the world for citizens to be involve in decision-making processes which affected their lives, including in the social policy arena. The form of participation that emerged focused largely on establishing, consultative mechanisms, often in the form of user committees. The spread of this new approach was rapid and far-reaching. Citizens became involve in thousands of community health councils, parents committees in schools, tenant councils, and countless other beneficiary committees. (Cornwall Gaventa, 1999:5) By participating in decision, making pertaining to the provision of social services citizens uses this medium as an avenue to seek accountability from those representing them in a democratic government. By seeing themselves as actors rather than simply passive beneficiaries, user group may be more able to assist their citizenship in a third sense through seeking greater accountability from service providers. One form of greater accountability is through increased dialogue and consultation of its leaders with forum of user involvement. In this avenue, questions can be raised to the extent to which any group is being marginalized and ways to articulate their concerns and this will determine the form that the dialogue takes (ibid: 10). According to Gaventa Valderama (1999), increasingly discussion of governance and accountability focus on forms of broader interaction of public and private social actors, especially at the local level. Citizen participation in this sense involves direct ways in which citizens influence and exercise control in governance, not only through the more traditional forms of indirect representation Citizen participation in service delivery in healthcare has increasingly been used to enable citizens to express their concerns more directly to those with the power to influence the policy process. â€Å"While a number of participatory methods focus on enhancing direct participation of citizens in the governance process, others are focusing on maintaining accountability of elected officials and government agencies to the citizenry, through new forms of citizen monitoring and evaluating† (Cornwall Gaventa, 1999) Citizenship participation in decision of healthcare service avail them the opportunity in demanding and negotiating directly with government for greater performance and accountability other than they relying on self-provisioning through civil society. â€Å"Through such participation, users of services can potentially shape social policy not only as beneficiaries or consumers in pre-determined programmes, but as citizens exercising rights of agency, voice and participation (ibid: 18).

Hotel Profile and Marketing Plan

Hotel Profile and Marketing Plan Executive summary In this essay we concentrate on Starwood hotels, this is a world famous chain of hotels. We talk about the marketing strategies, hotel staff training of Starwood. The hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism sector continues to play an important role in the UK economy. A report published by People 1st in association with British Hospitality Industry in 2009 states that the hotel industry has enjoyed a sustained period of growth over the last 30 years and now accounts for nearly five percent of the UKs total economic output. They suggest that along with the rest of the economy, trading will be tough in the short term due to credit crunch but in the long term the sector is still predicted to grow and remain an important contributor to the UK economy. The sector employs in the region of two million people accounting for 1 in 14 UK jobs. The recession is forcing more employers to think about cutting costs. It is therefore more important than ever that employers have credible retention strategies to retain skilled staff and reduce unnecessary recruitment costs. The report explains how Starwood which is global hotels and resorts group, with a highly distinct brand, functions in the United States and Canada, in Europe, in Asia Pacific and in Africa by managing and franchising more than 395 hotels with a focus on nowadays demanding business explorer. This report briefly discusses the how marketing is done in Starwood hotel and the marketing strategies which they are using. It is entrusted to modify and innovation in all main areas together with its growth strategy, operations, franchising, sales and marketing, and technology, to function with utmost effectiveness in a extremely competitive industry Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Business Profile of Starwood Hotel Starwood Hotels Resorts is a worldwide chain of 400 hotels, with a total of 102,000 guest rooms, in many countries. Starwood Hotels Resorts, one of the worlds leading, full-service hotel brands, offers vibrant, modern and attractive hospitality service that is defined by its characteristic . The first Starwood Hotel was built in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1909, and was named after the 17th century French explorer Pierre-Esprit Starwood. The hotel was purchased by Curt Carlson (1914-1999) in 1962, and is still owned by his Carlson Companies. Starwood competes with Hilton, Doubletree, and Marriott. The majority of Starwood Branded Hotels are located in the United States. The companys headquarters are located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the first Starwood Hotel was built. This building is also headquarters to the parent company, Carlson Companies. There are 200 Starwood Hotels in the United States. Starwood Blu, formerly Starwood SAS, is the brand name for hotels outside the United States, including those in Europe, Africa, and Asia. They are operated by Belgian hotel firm Rezidor Hotel Group under a master franchise contract with Carlson. Carlson and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), the Scandinavian Airline, were equity holders of the Rezidor Hotel Group, giving the company its name. Since SAS withdrawal from the collaboration, the name Starwood SAS remained until February 5, 2009, when it was replaced by Starwood Blu, which will be introduced gradually. Starwood Blu operates 158 hotels with 42 projects in development. Definition of Marketing The Chartered Institute of Marketing (1986) defines marketing as The management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably.American Marketing Association(1980) as the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large. [1] The term developed from the original meaning which referred literally to going to market, as in shopping, or going to a market to buy or sell goods or services. According to Gronroos (1989) says long term customer relationships are considered as the cornerstone of marketing. 1.2 Starwood Marketing Orientation Marketing is an integrated communications-based process through which individuals and communities discover that existing and newly-identified needs and wants may be satisfied by the products and services of others. (Kotler and Armstrong, 2005) The Chartered Institute of Marketing define marketing as The management process responsible for identifying , anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably A business that has a marketing orientation sees the needs of customers and consumers as vital. As it develops and markets products to meet those demands, certain structural characteristics become apparent in the business. Business Function Activities Identifying customer/consumer needs and wants Marketing research Developing products to meet customer/consumer needs and wants Research and development Production Deciding on the value of the product to customers Pricing (sales and marketing department) Making the product available to customers at the right time and place Distribution Informing customers/consumers of the existence of the product and persuading them to buy it Promotion We should expect to see all the above activities well-established in a business that is marketing-orientated. Starwood first finds out what customers wants are by conducting a market research and by providing what the customers really need and satisfying them makes them customer oriented. Starwood always focuses on their service level to be 100% and they have developed a YES WE CAN program among their employees. This would directly attract customers and also make Starwood create a competitive advantage over its competitors. Moreover, the greater Starwood is customer orientated, the more it will be able to develop a competitive advantage based on innovation and market differentiation. Market orientation focuses on a business culture and activities that enhance business performance, producing superior value to customers, outstanding performance for the firm and aggregately for the economy (Oudan., 2007). Market Orientation Market Testing Market Research Market Intelligence 1.3 Marketing Intelligence Market intelligence, according to Cornish (1997), the process of acquiring and analyzing information in order to understand the market (both existing and potential customers); to determine the current and future needs and preferences, attitudes and behaviour of the market; and to assess changes in the business environment that may affect the size and nature of the market in the future. Starwood business always updates themselves on the economy, labour market conditions, legislative and regulatory development, social changes and technological advancement by doing an environmental scanning. They consider all these external environmental factors when it comes to taking decisions about packages, prices, and other management and marketing issues Starwood also searches for information from readily available public sources and customers while sometimes through the perfectly legal observation of competitors activities. 1.4 Market Testing A test market, in the field of business and marketing, is a geographic region or demographic group used to gauge the viability of a product or service in the mass market prior to a wide scale roll-out. Market testing is done to test multiple marketing scenarios and select the most promising for expansion. When Introducing a new product or service without first testing the market is risky. After the market research the new products /services must be tested before entering the market. Starwood one of the most recent market testing was Express yourself service which allows Guests to check-in online. Many new ideas and products are successful in Starwood because their creators recognized an unmet need in the market and confirmed the capability of that concept. When launching a new product or service, the company should first conduct a small scale launch or other customer research in a test market Chapter 2 Segmentation, Targeting Positioning The strategic marketing planning process flows from a mission and vision statement to the selection of target markets, and the formulation of specific marketing mix and positioning objective for each product or service the organization will offer. In its first phase, choosing the value, the strategist proceeds to segment the market, select the appropriate market target, and develop the offers value positioning. The formula segmentation, targeting, positioning (STP) is the essence of strategic marketing. (Kotler, 1997) (Figure3) 2.1 Market Segmentation Segmentation is essentially about identifying groups of buyers within a market who have needs which are distinctive in the way that they deviate from the average consumer. Some consumer may treat satisfaction of one particular need as a high priority, whereas to others this need may be regarded as being quite trivial. Consider the case of the new hotel market. Buyers no longer select a hotel solely on the basis of hotels market. Market Segmentation is the subdividing of a market into distinct and increasingly homogeneous subgroups of customers, where any subgroup can conceivably be selected as a target market to be met with a distinct marketing mix (Kotler 1994). It should precisely segment its markets on various factors and provide the customers what they want. Starwood had segmented its market by corporate (business travellers) and leisure seekers. In the near future by 2010 Starwood had announced to open a hotel in the city of Makkah. In an interview with Jean-Marc Busato, Area Vi ce President said This is an important milestone for us to be present in what is considered the holiest city in Islam. This is our sixth Kingdom project which we consider one of our major growth markets. He also added We have acquired a good understanding of the Saudi Arabian market and besides developing our first class Starwood brand, we also see a demand for efficient, value for money accommodation for the frequent traveller in the mid market segment, 2.2 Targeting Targeting is a process of prioritizing target segments based on the firms core competencies or capabilities, and other researched factors including segmented market size, growth potential of the segmented market, competitive dynamics, etc. This method is used to Find out the target customers in focus marketing and set up target products and services for them,. In this aspect Starwood should completely symbolize the features and specialties in the hotel. In Starwood they have targeted the customers in. Starwood provides food item s and more facilities to their respectable rooms and they give special discounts for regular customers. In addition to that all the customers can enjoy almost every other facility which is in five star standards. 2.3 Positioning Positioning means arranging a product to occupy clear, distinctive and desirable place relative to competing products in the minds of target consumers. Through using positioning successfully, brands will be able to position their product in the consumers mind. Four key elements for a successful positioning are Clarity, Consistency, Credibility and Competitiveness. In marketing, positioning has come to mean the process by which marketers try to create an image or identity in the minds of their target market for its product, brand, or organization. It is the relative competitive comparison their product occupies in a given market as perceived by the target market. Chart 4: STP strategy, Hard capital (2003) 2.4 Satisfying customer needs and wants Customers are everything to a Hotel or any business for that matter. It can be out as a companys bread and butter. In the past, all was not well for Starwood hotels. As other businesses they also faced declining revenues and reputation. So to come out of this matter they implemented a market research to find out what they are doing wrong in the field. The research showed that customer wants and needs have changed over time but Starwood has stayed in the same place. A focus on franchisees and franchisee growth vs. customers and the hotel guest experience resulted in an undifferentiated, lacklustre brand and inconsistent service. Meeting the objective needs and wants of customers to drive sales is at the heart of most businesses. It is how they build business relationships, remain profitable, and how they expand into new territories. To improve customer experience and freedom of choice they implemented such schemes as Express Yourself, Gold Points Plussm and Sleep Number Bed program. The Express yourself program is the hotel industrys first pre-arrival, online check-in system. Guests book their reservation and can check-in online. Radisson Hotels Resorts is part of the gold points plus program from Carlson Hotels Worldwide that offers guests the freedom and flexibility to earn rewards more quickly than any other hotel program. Chapter 3 3.1 Marketing Mix The concept of the marketing mix was first given prominence by Borden in 1965. He described the marketing manager as a mixer of ingredients, one who is constantly engaged in fashioning creatively a mix of marketing procedures and policies in his efforts to produce a profitable enterprise Marketing mix is a Planned mix of the controllable elements of a products marketing plan commonly termed as 4Ps: product, price, place, and promotion. These elements are adjusted until a right combination is found that serves the needs of the products customers while generating optimum income. (Jain,S.C,1990). Traditionally the marketing mix consisted of just 4 Ps, but now it has been extended and is called extended marketing mix and consists of 7Ps. The new marketing mix is more customers oriented and enables the organization to meet its marketing objectives and to satisfy the requirements of customers. (Figure 4) Extended marketing mix, Array marketing development 3.1.1 Product Starwood is a world renowned chain of hotels providing excellent product under the image of hotel services. Starwood has an exceptional recognition in providing high quality service they constantly look at new ways of improving the service they provide. To improve the standards of service they provide, Starwood has introduced several new programs as mentioned in the start of the essay, such as Yes I Can! Training program and Express Yourself which allows guests to check-in online .By introducing these new strategies Starwood has already achieved favourable results. 3.1.2 Price In any organization the price must be high enough to cover costs and make a profit but low enough to attract customers .Since most of the Starwood hotels are five star rated hotels the price factor plays a major role. Due to the price customers can change their mind to go to another hotel. In this issue what Starwood has done is they have kept their prices at a normal rate which is comparatively high, at the same time Starwood came up with their new marketing strategy. Starwood promoted new holiday packages such as Friday is free day and family bed breakfast package with attractive prices. When annualizing Starwoods figures it is clear that this strategy has been successful. 3.1.3 Place Starwoods hotels always do research before picking a place for their new hotel; because of this they have become very successful. When we take Starwood as a whole it seems like they have selected the most ideal locations for their hotels. This is thanks to the research they do and it has paid off. 3.2 Extended marketing mix Traditionally the marketing mix consisted of just 4 Ps, with the extended marketing mix it enables the organization to meet its marketing objectives and to satisfy the requirements of customers. In addition to the traditional four Ps it is now customary to add some more Ps to the mix to give us Seven Ps. The additional Ps have been added because today marketing is far more customer oriented than ever before, and because the service sector of the economy has come to dominate economic activity in this country. These 3 extra Ps are particularly relevant to this new extended service mix. 3.2.1People People mean the staff working for Starwood. Employees of Starwood are like a backbone of the company, they have been highly trained and Starwood offers one the industrys best program phrased as YES I CAN 3.2.2 Process This Refers to the systems used to assist the organization in delivering the service. When the service becomes faster automatically the efficiency of the organization gets better. Starwood is world renowned for its excellent and fast process of service. Associated with customer service are a number of processes involved in making marketing effective in an organisation Process is the way how customers are handled from first to last point of contact. So this involves Starwood policies, program, payments, bookings, quality processes for handling customer complaints, processes for identifying customer needs and requirements, processes for handling order etc. Chapter 4 4.1 Marketing Environment Marketing as we know it today began in the 1970s with the birth of the marketing orientation. During the first stage of capitalism business had a production orientation Business was concerned with production, manufacturing, and efficiency issues. By the mid 1950s a second stage emerged, the sales orientation stage. A companys marketing environment consists of factors and forces outside marketing that affect marketing managements ability to develop and maintain successful relationships with its target customers (Kotler., 2005). The marketing environment surrounds and impacts upon the organization. There are three key perspectives on the marketing environment, namely the macro-environment, the micro-environment and the internal environment. Elements of Macro-environment, Organizational environment (1995) 4.2 Micro environment This environment influences the organization directly. It includes suppliers that deal directly or indirectly, consumers and customers, and other local stakeholders. Micro tends to suggest small, but this can be misleading. In this context, micro describes the relationship between firms and the driving forces that control this relationship. It is a more local relationship, and the firm may exercise a degree of influence. This environment influences the organization directly. As in the (figure1) It includes suppliers that deal directly or indirectly, consumers and customers, and other local stakeholders. Micro tends to suggest small, but this can be misleading. 4.3 Macro environment This includes all factors that can influence and organization, but that are out of their direct control. A company does not generally influence any laws. It is continuously changing, and the company needs to be flexible to adapt. There may be aggressive competition and rivalry in a market. Globalization means that there is always the threat of substitute products and new entrants. The wider environment is also ever changing, and the marketer needs to pay off for changes in culture, politics, economics and technology. 4.4 Internal environment An organizationsÂÂ  internal environment is composed of the elements within the organization, including current employees, management, and especially corporate culture, which defines employee behaviour. Although some elements affect the organization as a whole, others affect only the manager. A managers philosophical or leadership style directly impacts employees. Traditional managers give explicit instructions to employees, whileÂÂ  progressiveÂÂ  managers empower employees to make many of their own decisions. Changes in philosophy and/or leadership style are under the control of the manager. Conclusion As seen in the above report it is clearly shown how marketing is done in Starwood chain of hotels. As mentioned above in the report Starwood is a worldwide hotels network, in this report the author briefly discusses about the factors which affects the marketing process directly and indirectly. Then we talk about how marketing has changed over the years and the new marketing strategies in place in the new world. And we also talk about the segmentation process, marketing environment and its elements. Marketing is an important element which contributes very much for the growth of Starwood. Marketing creates a benchmark to Starwood among the other hotels in the industry. The hotel industry has fierce competition at present therefore continuous developments of good packages, attractive advertisements, good and efficient customer service will help Starwood to be ahead of others. In the meantime, continuous research and development should help Starwood to satisfy its customers and retain lo yalty as well.

Job Analysis In Human Resources Management Commerce Essay

Job Analysis In Human Resources Management Commerce Essay Human resources management has to plan their activity to reach maximum level of organizational objective. Human resources personnel must have knowledge regarding skills required to perform various organizational jobs. Job analysis is done to get information regarding the requirement of skill, knowledge, experience, ability and other work related requirement. A job analysis is a systematic exploration of the activities within a job. Basically it is a technical process, which is used to define the duties, responsibilities, and accountabilities of a particular job. This analysis involves describing detail description about the task one has to perform during work, exploring the relationship with job to technology and determining knowledge, qualifications or the standards of employment, accountability of the person. There is an accuracy in recording activity is involved. The record consist information regarding following matter: Element: A job element is considered as the smallest element in which job is being divided. Job element shows every part of the process during a job is done. Task: A task is particular work activity which is carried out for different purpose. Duty: Duty involves number of tasks. For example counseling of a candidate is a duty, where several tasks take place for counseling process. A supervisor of a manufacturing unit duty is to keep track of employees work and to make sure that they will do their job perfectly, but for that duty manager has to do many tasks like checking daily record, comparing them, inform employees if they are not performing and give them better solution if there is any problem. Position: The term position is referred to one or more duties performed by one person of the organization. In any organization there are as many positions as there are employees in the organization. And vacancies may design more positions than employees in the organization. Job: A job is a kind of position within the organization. There many position in the organization, while for every position there is one job. Job family: Job family is a group of two or more jobs that either required similar worker characteristic or contain parallel work tasks as determined by job analysis. For example in an insurance company, service clerks and policy correspondents represent two jobs that are placed in a common job family because they have so many similar work characteristics. Occupation: Occupation is a kind of group of similar jobs found within the organization. Clerk, accountant, engineer are some examples of different occupation. Career: Career includes sequences of positions, jobs or occupations, which a person has over his/her working life. Terms that are defined above are mainly considered while doing job analysis. Job analysis methods There are some methods which a manager use to determine job elements, knowledge, skills and abilities are required to perform certain job. These various methods are as follows: Observation method: In this method, job analyst use to watch employees directly or review their films on the job. This method gives primary information of the job. It provides firsthand information. In several cases, workers would not be able to perform or function most efficiently while they are being directly watched at their work. Therefore job analyst may find some distortion in this method. In some jobs it is possible to watch an employee on their job but in certain jobs it is not possible to watch e.g. in most of managerial jobs it is hard to watch entire activity. Individual interview methods: In this method, the person who is responsible for the jobs are selected and extensively interviewed by the job analyst. In results, these interviews are combined for a single job. This method gives high an effective way for assessing what a job entails or what a job requires. But this method is very time consuming. It takes so much to interview individuals and gather information which is needed for the job. Group interview method: This method is also similar as individual interview method the only difference is the number of incumbent are two or more than two. It is also an effective method to collect information regarding a particular job. In this method accuracy is increased in assessing jobs, but group dynamics may hinder its effectiveness. Structured questionnaire method: In this kind of method, job analyst send a structured questionnaire to the worker, in which they check or rate items they perform on their job from a long list of possible task items. Questions which are send seems to be a kind of checklist information that is presented in front of the workers and have to response from the questions that are mentions in the questionnaire. This method gives job analyst a technique which is found as an excellent source of gathering information about jobs. It has been also discover that exception to a job may be overlooked and feedback is often lacking. Technical conference method: In this method, supervisors with extensive knowledge are gathered. This method utilizes supervisors with high knowledge. This method is used to get specific characteristics of a job are obtain from the experts. Person who are consider as experts are being invite in this method. It is a good way of gathering data. It is found that this technique often overlooks the incumbent workers perception and their thinking regarding what they are doing in their job. Dairy or log method: In this method, job incumbents are being asked to record their daily activities. It provides a lot of information but it is rarely applicable to job activities. This method is one of the forcing ways to get information. It requires lots of work to be done from the incumbent and thats why it needs more time. If the job analyst want to capture information in the entire range of work activities, this method have to continue from a long period of time. All these six methods are not meant to be viewed as mutually exclusive. Many organizations have different kind of positions; it may vary from skilled to non skilled employees positions. The analysis may use different methods of data collection for different positions. Here job analyst may make a combination of all method or some of the selective method. Some times worker find it difficult to complete an open ended written questionnaire and this may not gives the information which analyst requires. As an alternative interviews and observation might be more appropriate data collection technique. Job analysis in Human Resources Management activities Recruitment and selection: Job analysis is one of the good source to identify, the knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics required for the positions in the organization. It helps to identifies minimum education, certification, and licensing requirements for a particular position. Being a essential part of job, to identify tasks and responsibility is also done by job analyst. These skills are helpful for the human resources management while they have to recruit or hire a person for a position in the organization. For selection, some pre employment tests are also taken by human resources management department and to identify these tests job analysis is one of the important way. Developing compensation systems: Compensation is typically related to the requirement of the job, such as education, skills and experience needed to perform the job, employees working conditions. Here job analysis provides a standard way to distinguish process to determine pay and other benefits to the workers across the organization. It provides compensation to the employees on the basis of common understanding of the values of job and requirement of the job to perform it. Human resources planning, career development and training: With the help of job analysis, employer can identify the need to training and development for every individual position in the organization. Organization has their standards and different technical and non technical ways for the routine jobs. Some time they need to provides additional skill and knowledge to their workers to perform task in better way and that can be done by training the employees. Performance evaluation: Performance standards come from actual work which worker does in their jobs. Job analysis gives information about tasks and responsibility which an employee has to perform during their jobs. Areas of accountability can be identified and evaluation standards can be developed with the help of job analysis. Risk management: Job analysis can identify risk at workplace. There are many hazardous jobs in organization and employees have to draw their attention while performing those jobs. Job analysis provides information about those hazardous jobs from the information gathered by the incumbent workers or by the expert workers. Organization can use this information to give training to their workers during orientation period or training period. Job analysis can reduce the risk or danger at work if the information is properly used by the human resources management department and given to the department head where ever is needed. Job design: Job analysis provides an entire range of information to perform a job. It gives a view for designing a job. Jobs are designed with the set of work activities to carry out the mission of the organization. There are some internal and external changes which forces organization to restructure and rearrange activities in work. Job analysis provides certain information of the changes in workplace, which an organization has to, identifies and has to accommodate that change. Factors affecting Job Analysis program To design a job analysis program, job analyst has to consider the factor influencing it. The analyst has to work with the representatives of the organization to determine the most effective methods and procedures for collecting information. It is important for the job analyst to understand who organization operates. Job analyst has to find out best time to obtain information from the incumbent and supervisors. Jobs are not done with the same intensity of the work. Following are some of the factors influencing job analysis program. Location and number of incumbent: One of the factors which job analyst has to consider while doing job analysis is location of incumbent and number of incumbents. Many organizations have several different units and that units are located in different areas. If a job analyst wants to meet incumbents to get information about their work and that unit where incumbents works is for away from main branch of organization, than it is difficult for job analyst to do it on time job analyst have to plan if earlier. It is also time consuming. Some time it takes too many times to reach incumbent just to get few information on the job. Many times there are many incumbents have to be interviewed. They all are not easily available on the same time so to meet them job analysis have to spend lots of time to collect data for the relevant sources. Location and number of incumbents are one of the most influencing factors which a job analyst has to consider for job analysis process. Location of the organi zation is closer from the place where analyst is, then it is most convenient to reach incumbents and finish analysis in planned time, but it is far away, than it will became time consuming and cost effective. Some thing with the number of incumbents, if there is large number of incumbents to be interviewed than analyst has to figure out how to reach them at a time and when they all are not available on time than it will became difficult but if all of them are available in same time then it became easier for the job analyst to interview them and collection data and information. Work condition/ environment: This is another factor which job analyst has to consider while doing job analysis. In many situation job analyst have to approach those incumbents who are working in very hazardous condition, Incumbents are operating some heavy machinery, that take long time to shutdown and take long time to start, work condition is on influencing factor which job analyst has to consider while doing job analysts. There are many organization where employees have to wear mask to protect themselves against hazardous chemical coming out from the production. In such situation analyst has to wait till the process is order and incumbent is free to talk has to wait till the process is over and incumbent is free to talk with analyst. Here analyst may has to spent time more than what it was planned. If incumbent is working in very noisy condition and cant answer the questions of analyst, then again it is wastage of time for analyst. Analyst has to consider that in what kind of work ing condition incumbent is working, so that analyst can plan his/ her meeting with incumbent and save the time of job analysis process. Knowledge, technology, and personal factors: There is one more factor which is influencing job analysis program and if is knowledge of incumbent, technology which is being used at working area and technology which organization wants to implement, and personal attitude, behavior belief regarding the job which incumbent is doing, sometimes incumbent has a sound knowledge about what analyst is looking for, but when incumbent does not have much knowledge about the job and analyst has to interview him/his at this time analyst will not get relevant answers or data which can be useful for job analysis. If affect job analysis process. technology is one and when analyst has to approach incumbent who is working with old technology. Purposes of Job analysis Job descriptions: Job description is a form of written statement which describes jobholders activities and the manner in which it should be done. It is accurately portrait with the job content, environment and conditions for the employment. In general there is a common format of job description which includes the job title, duties which one has to perform during the period of employment, some distinguishing characteristic of the job, and the powers and responsibilities of the job holder. Job description proves to be an important resource for recruitment, selection and appraisal. During recruitment, job description describes job to the potential candidate. When an organization hires a person, job description helps to make employee understand what organization expect him/her to do. It can helps to compare performance of the employee with the expected standards during appraisal. Job specifications: Job specification indicates minimum acceptable qualification that a potential candidate must have to perform a job. Information which is acquired from job analysis, job specification identifies the skills, knowledge and abilities required to do a job. It plays an important role during selection process. It help selector to determine skills, knowledge and abilities of the potential candidate and can be able to take decision that whether candidate is qualified to perform job or not. Candidate who is having personal characteristic in job specification will perform better than the candidate who is lacking these characteristics. Job evaluations: Job analysis is also providing data for the comparison between current performance in job and expected job. Job evaluation is an important part of compensation administration. It distinguishes and gives information to make comparison between two or more same kind of jobs. Job analysis provides basic information about the job. Then job evaluation compares the performance of the employees in the same kind of job. If someone would not be able to reach the level of expectation which had been design to do a job, will be paid less than who would be able to reach the expectation of the organization. Recruitment Recruitment is one of the important tasks which human resources management department has to perform very carefully. They have to understand the need of the vacant position. They have to know what should be the qualification of the candidate for the required position. They have to also look after that what is the age range of the3 candidate because in several cases some position needs to be more that twenty five years, thirty five years and so on. There are certain reasons of age barrier, for example many company have some different kind of sales positions required. For those positions, company want to have young and enthusiastic candidate, so they prefer that if the position is for sales associate, where the person have to travel a lot, they should be not more than an age of thirty years. Another reason of the human resources management to distinguish age is hierarchy. Many organizations prefers old person for the top level management position. Factors influencing recruiting efforts There are some factors which are influencing recruiting efforts done by human resources management. Every organization has to engage in recruiting activity. Some do it at a time some doesnt. Size of the organization: One or all size of the organization is one of the factors which influence the recruiting efforts made by human resources management. An organization with one hundred thousand employees will find itself recruiting potential applicants much more often than will an organization with one hundred employees. Here is a distinct between an organization with large number of employees and an organization with some number of employees. Big organization with large number of employee will find a huge pool of applicant while they need to fulfill a vacant position. Where on other side a organization with small number of employees will need to outsource or to advertise for the vacant position. Small organization finds it difficult to attract applicant rather than big organization. Overall size of the organization is one of the factor which is affecting the recruitment efforts made by human resources management department for any organization. Employment condition: One of the other major factor which influence the extent of recruitment is the employment conditions on the community where the organization is located. For example if the organization is located in a remote area where people are not highly educated and they are good with their business will not get suitable applicant from the location rather than the organization which is located in the area where people are educated and are suitably qualified for the positions of the organization. If the unemployment rate is low and people are getting highly paid for their job, it is hard for a new organization to find the applicant with their requirement. The effectiveness of past recruiting efforts will show itself in the organizations historical ability to locate and keep people who perform well. Salary: Salary is also one the factor which is influencing recruitment. There are some companies which are offering a handsome amount of salary to their employees. While there are some of the other companies which are not offering a good amount of salary to their company. So the company who are offering good salary to their employees will be able to attract more applicant than the company which is not offering good salary. People will prefer to apply for the position in those company where they are highly paid rather than the positions in the company where they are least paid. Human resources management department of the company who are offering less amount of salary have to make more effort to attract the applicant instead of human resources management department of the company who are paying a high amount of salary to their employees. Benefits packages: Benefits packages is one of the attractive factor which influence recruitment effort made by any human resources management department for any organization. Benefits packages include insurance, paid leave, meals while working in an organization, clothing, tuition reimbursement, fuel reimbursement and other more. Applicants will definitely wish to get job in an organization where they are getting benefits packages other than their salary. So human resources department of those organization which are offer benefits packages will find for applicant other than the human resources department of the organization who are not offering any benefits packages. Supply and demand: Anywhere in the organization if there is a demand of the applicant is high and supply of the applicant is very low than the organization will not meet the requirement of the position. Supply and demand is one of the factors which is influencing the recruitment of any organization. If there is huge supply of the application for a position vacant in any organization than the organization will have an opportunity to fulfill the vacant position with their desire standard. And if the supply of the application for any vacant position is low than the human resources management department of the organization has to get ready to negotiate the demand of the applicant and have to look forward toward good salary and other benefits packages. Labor Market: Labor market is one of the constant factor which is influencing the recruitment efforts of any organization made by human resources management department. If the labor market, where an organization is establish, is not as much as they need than organization has to look forward to bring labor from other place and has to give some extra benefits and has to provide house and other thing which are required. If there is a good flow of labor in the market where the organization is situated, the human resources management will not to put any extra effort for the recruitment of the position in the organization. Image or goodwill: There are many organizations whose image is very good in the market and there are some whose image is worst in the market. Image of the organization is one of the prominent factors which is influencing recruitment process. an organization with good image means organization is taking good care of their employees and has good growth in the market. An applicant will prefer to apply to those organizations that has good image in the market rather than the organizations that has bad image in the market. Because people want a secure carrier and expect a good response in the form of their salary and benefits and working environment. Here human resources management department has to put more effort if the organizations image is bad in the market. But if the image of the organization is good than human resources management department has to put less effort will recruitment. Political, social and legal environment: The environment of the organization is also an influencing factor for the recruiting. An organization has sound political, social and legal environment. If an organization has good political environment than they will be able to attract huge number of candidate. Organization should have good social image. They have to pursue social ethical policy. An organization should have least legal cases against them. Human resources management department of an organization which have nice political, social and legal environment will be able to attract good and desire candidate. Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate plays a big role in influencing recruiting efforts. Human resources management of any organization has to consider unemployment rate as a factor of which influence recruitment in the organization. Human resources management has to look after the unemployment rate of the area where the organization is located, if the unemployment rate is high in the location, human resource management will easily find the suitable candidate with the lower salary. There human resources management has much option for the recruitment. They will get many applications with high qualification and they dont have to negotiate the salary with candidate which they are offering. They dont have to give extra benefits to the employees. But the unemployment rate is low where organization is located, than it will occur as a big trouble for the human resources management of the organization. In such situation human resources management will not find option in the form of applicant and has to pay more than what deserve. Human resources management has to compromise with qualification and knowledge and experiences of the candidate. They have to offer them benefits package. Unemployment rate is one of the crucial factors which are influencing recruiting efforts. Competitors: competitors are always looking forward to grow up and to have quality employees from whom they can maximize their profit margin and growth rate of the company. Competitor is one the factor influencing recruiting efforts made by human resources management department of any organization how to see the offers which are given by the competitors for the positions which they are looking for. Human resources management has to constantly update their knowledge regarding the offer and benefit to the applicant. So that they can offer more or can be able to negotiate with the candidate regarding the salary and benefits packages for the opening position. In many organization candidate with the knowledge and experience of their competitors are prefer many organization use to hire or fulfill the positions from their competitor, by that they can be able to go through the strategy and plans of their competitor organization and they can try to overcome their drawback. Recruitment Policy: Recruitment policy of any organization is on influencing factor of any recruiting efforts. Organization have different recruitment policy, there are some organization which are preferring applicant from the location where they are and there are some organization who are preferring applicant from the outside area if they dont find suitable applicant from the are where they are located. Some recruitment policies are affected by government norms. Affirmative action is one of such government norms. Some organization has certain reserved category some organization believes that they should have experienced person in their organization so that they dont have to invest on training on the new candidate. Thats why they prefer experienced candidate some organization believes in making their own employees competent. They are concerned for the basic qualification of the candidate. Human resources planning: Human resources planning is also one of the factor which is influencing recruiting efforts. In several organizations they have planned for the future and current human resource. Requirement while keeping in mind that thing organizations human resources management take action for recruitment . they have a planning tha within certain period of time, they are going to recruit certain number of employees in their organization and will be able to recruit some candidate. But if any uncertainty occurs and they have to recruit more person immediately, them it will rise as a problem for human resources management department. Cost of recruitment: cost of recruitment is always concern by human resources management department; cost of recruitment is one of major factor which influence recruiting effort. Many times in some organization, a small amount of budget is given to the human resources department for the recruitment of any position. Some times that budget is not sufficient of any position. Some times that budget is not sufficient for the human resources management department if they have to provide a qualified candidate for the position vacant. In such condition human resources management department have to put extra effort to search a qualified candidate and some times they wont be able to meet the requirement of the position. Where as in other situation if the budget is more enough to attract a suitable candidate, than human resources management department would be able to give a well qualified and experienced candidate to the organization. Growth and expansion: Growth and expansion is one of the factors which is influencing recruiting efforts. Human resources management department has to take care of the growth and expansion need of an organization. They have to consider and plan their recruitment efforts according to the growth and expansion of the organization. Recruiting sources There are certain recruiting sources which are identified as a potential part of recruitment. Any recruitment made is with an objective. So choosing the right sources of recruitment is must for the human resources management. There are following types of recruiting sources which human resources management use to do when they have to take place any recruitment. Internal search: Mostly some large organization use to develop their own employees for the positions beyond the lower level. There are certain advantages for promoting someone within the organization from lower position to higher position. These advantages are : It seems to be good public relation within the organization between human resources management and employees or workers of the organization. It raises morale among the employees of the organization. It encourages good individuals who are performing well in their work and who are ambitious. It proves good selection because the information regarding individuals performance is easily available. It is cost effective than searching someone from outside of the organization. Person who are chosen have been well aware of the organization policy and they know organization more than a new employee. While it is carefully planned, if somebody is promoted within the organization work as a training device for developing middle and top-level managers. There is some disadvantage for promoting internal people. It seems to be dysfunctional to the organization to utilize inferior internal sources only because they are there, when excellent candidates are available on the outside. Sometimes it is necessary to bring new blood to broaden the present ideas, knowledge, and enthusiasm and to question conservative views. Advertisements: When an organization has to communicate with the public, advertisement is one the most popular ways to reach them. Some organization use to put a sign outside the plant and some use to go through the newspaper and online (their website and other job postal). Advertisement is depend on the level of the position of organization vacant. There is some legislation to ensure equal opportunity enforcement has resulted in a significant increase in the advertisement of all vacancies. There are some factors influences the response rate to advertisements. There are three important variable and that are as following: Identification of the organization, Labor market conditions, and The degree to which specific requirements are included in the advertisement. Employee referrals or recommendations: One of the best sources for individuals who will perform effectively on the job is a recommendation from a current employee. Employee referrals reflect on the recommender, and when someones reputation is at stake, one can expect the recommendation to be based on considered judgment. Employee referrals may also have acquired more accurate information about their potential jobs. Sometime it happens that the person who recommend gives the applicant more realistic information about the job. Such types of information reduce unrealistic expectations and increases job survival. And as a result employee referrals lead to pre-selection process and prepare candidate more likely to accept the offer if one is made and have more chance of survival. Employment agencies: There are three types of employment agencies and that are as follows: Public agencies: Public agencies are supported by the government to help the job s

Patient Falls and Medication Errors Essay example -- Health Care, Pati

Issue/Problem of Interest Falls are the second most common adverse event within health care institutions following medication errors, and an estimated 30% of hospital-based falls result in serious injury. The severity of this problem led the Joint Commission to make reducing the risk of patient injuries from falls a national patient safety goal for hospitals in 2009 (AHRQ, 2006). Falls are a leading cause of hospital-acquired injury and frequently prolong and complicate hospital stays and result in poor quality of life, increased costs, and unanticipated admissions to long-term care facilities. Changes in health care financing in the 1990s were accompanied by a variety of cost-cutting measures in hospitals across the United States. Common cost-cutting strategies included reducing the total number of nursing hours per patient day and reducing the percentage of hours supplied by registered nurses (RNs), the most highly paid group. The reduction in staffing led to widespread concern that patient care in acute care settings would suffer. In response to concerns about staffing and quality of care, the American Nurses Association (ANA) launched the Patient Safety and Nursing Quality Initiatives in 1994 to address the impact of health care restructuring on patient care and nursing. To facilitate the initiative, ANA established the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) in 1997, with two goals: (1) to develop a database that would support empirical monitoring of the impact of nurse staffing on patient safety and quality of care across the nation, and (2) to provide individual hospitals with a quality improvement tool that includes national comparisons of nurse staffing and patient outcomes with similar hospi... ...al adverse incidents, depending on the patient population studied (Hitcho, 2004). The rates vary from 1.9 up to 18.4 falls per 1,000 patient days depending on organization type, and according to a study by the National Council on Aging, 30% of these incidences result in serious injury (Stevens, 2004). Another significant consequence of falls is that they are expensive and contribute to the increasing health care expenditure. An estimate of the average DRG payment for injuries sustained by a patient falling is $25, 643 (Hart, Chen, Rashidee, and Sanjaya, 2009). This is significant in that with the developing atmosphere of pay-for-performance, initiated by CMS, hospitals now have a major monetary stake in reducing the number of fall-related injuries. The CDC estimates that the cost of fall injuries will exceed $23 billion within the next few years (Tzeng, 2008). Patient Falls and Medication Errors Essay example -- Health Care, Pati Issue/Problem of Interest Falls are the second most common adverse event within health care institutions following medication errors, and an estimated 30% of hospital-based falls result in serious injury. The severity of this problem led the Joint Commission to make reducing the risk of patient injuries from falls a national patient safety goal for hospitals in 2009 (AHRQ, 2006). Falls are a leading cause of hospital-acquired injury and frequently prolong and complicate hospital stays and result in poor quality of life, increased costs, and unanticipated admissions to long-term care facilities. Changes in health care financing in the 1990s were accompanied by a variety of cost-cutting measures in hospitals across the United States. Common cost-cutting strategies included reducing the total number of nursing hours per patient day and reducing the percentage of hours supplied by registered nurses (RNs), the most highly paid group. The reduction in staffing led to widespread concern that patient care in acute care settings would suffer. In response to concerns about staffing and quality of care, the American Nurses Association (ANA) launched the Patient Safety and Nursing Quality Initiatives in 1994 to address the impact of health care restructuring on patient care and nursing. To facilitate the initiative, ANA established the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI) in 1997, with two goals: (1) to develop a database that would support empirical monitoring of the impact of nurse staffing on patient safety and quality of care across the nation, and (2) to provide individual hospitals with a quality improvement tool that includes national comparisons of nurse staffing and patient outcomes with similar hospi... ...al adverse incidents, depending on the patient population studied (Hitcho, 2004). The rates vary from 1.9 up to 18.4 falls per 1,000 patient days depending on organization type, and according to a study by the National Council on Aging, 30% of these incidences result in serious injury (Stevens, 2004). Another significant consequence of falls is that they are expensive and contribute to the increasing health care expenditure. An estimate of the average DRG payment for injuries sustained by a patient falling is $25, 643 (Hart, Chen, Rashidee, and Sanjaya, 2009). This is significant in that with the developing atmosphere of pay-for-performance, initiated by CMS, hospitals now have a major monetary stake in reducing the number of fall-related injuries. The CDC estimates that the cost of fall injuries will exceed $23 billion within the next few years (Tzeng, 2008).