Strategic Situation Analysis of ARM Holdings Coursework

Strategic Situation Analysis of ARM Holdings - Coursework Example Instead of their own cost associated manufacturing of semiconductor business, they licence their own designed technology to other semiconductor manufacturers across the world and they utilise the designs to make innovative low energy chips for modern hi-tech electronic devices (ARM Ltd, 2012). This business report contains an in-depth analysis of some important areas like the current strategic situation of ARM Holdings which includes analysis of the industry or sector which has the key findings of current scenario, opportunities, challenges, future growth etc. Analysis of the organization’s current business strategies like SWOT analysis, value chain analysis, market positioning, product differentiation etc; critical appraisal of these strategies which results the key findings of the important business characteristics like sustainability, competitive advantages and extent of outcome of these strategies with respect current industry scenario will also be discussed in this report. Industry or Business Environment Analysis Companies in the microprocessor industry make hi-tech chips which are the core or heart of many digital electronic products which include but are not limited to computers, mobile phones, calculators, digital cameras, video game consolers and PDAs. First microprocessor which was invented for commercial use was Intel 4004 (Roony, 2012). Some of the top blue chip companies can be found in this industry and they have been continuously producing innovative chips which have brought remarkable results in today’s advanced digital electronics world. ... Effective implementation of extended business model ARM can is innovating additional types of advanced technology, generating strong royalties to the brand from a single multipurpose hi-tech microprocessor. The company’s financial policies and objectives can balance the essential need for continuous investment inflow to generate long term sustainable growth for the company. The value to per consumer is increasing day by day with the spread of digital embedded of devices across the world.

Case Study #4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Case Study #4 - Essay Example This again will give me an edge in successfully counsel them as not only will they be more comfortable with me, they will also be able to confide more personal details and important events of their current lives which they normally would not have done so. Now there is a single case in these 12 cases which is proving to be harder to manage. The boy's name is Ray. He was doing well enough till the time came when he started not coming for counseling sessions. On digging deeper into the matter, it was found out that he has started hanging with company which will only worsen his situation of academic hardship. The reason which his mates have given for this behavior is that he is made fun of in school. While the rest of the group of my ''breakfast club'' is doing well enough, I will continue on track with them. But, for Ray, I will have to make an extra effort if a really want to help in making the boy's future successful. The best option I have at the particular moment is to make Ray more comfortable with talking and approaching me with his problems. To do this, I will have to call him for my counseling sessions regularly because, as stated previously, "breakfast clubs" help in unwinding the child and also help in making that atmosphere a little less academic and a bit friendlier. This will give me the required time and place to start my counseling while he is most comfortable with his surroundings. The best theory to

Case Study Of A Functional Health Pattern Assessment Nursing Essay

Case Study Of A Functional Health Pattern Assessment Nursing Essay The following Functional Health Pattern assessment is based on a 65 year old Scottish woman who lives independently with her husband in their home at Happy Valley. The purpose of the interview was explained in addition to an outline of the types of questions which would be asked during the interview. A copy of the interview questions were provided prior to the interview (Appendix 1) so the questions would be familiar, and to minimise any embarrassment. The importance of maintaining her privacy and the necessity of choosing a pseudonym was discussed which she perceived as great fun. She chose Patricia as she thought it was rather a posh sounding name and one which she had always liked. At the beginning of the interview the confidentiality aspects were reiterated to which Patricia indicated verbal permission for her information to be disclosed as applicable and appropriate with due regard to her ethical and legal rights (ANMC 2008, p.4). Patricia was advised any questions which she did not feel happy answering could be skipped in order for her to feel comfortable within the interview environment. That said however, Patricia stated she was happy to discuss anything and was keen to progress the interview. Health perception/health management pattern An outline of the clients perceived pattern of health and wellbeing and how health is managed (Gordon 1994) Patricia perceives her health to be reasonably good, not 100%, but fairly good for her age. She stated she has always strived to live a healthy lifestyle and believes that her employment as a Diversional Therapist within an Aged Care facility keeps her young and fit as she walks around the facility countless times throughout the day attending to residents lifestyle needs. Patricia presents as a much younger person than her biological age and attributes this to working fulltime and walking somewhere in the vicinity of approximately 3 kilometres per day 5 days a week. The risks of developing cardiovascular disease are greatly decreased by regular exercises such as walking and aerobic activity in addition to increasing the benefits of physiological and psychological wellbeing (Crisp and Taylor 2005, p.920). Although Patricia takes medication for the management of Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), diagnosed in 2009, she feels that it is well controlled and does not impact on her ability to perform her role at work, undertake housework or participate is recreational activities with her family on weekends. When not controlled, Hypertension puts strain on the heart, damages blood vessels in the kidneys and damages the retina, resulting in a loss of vision (Herlihy 2007, p.331). As Patricia already suffers vision problems it is imperative her Hypertension is regularly monitored. Patricia regularly attends her doctor and believes it is important to adhere to any recommendation or treatment administered by the doctor. She advised she would be too scared not to do so in case something bad happened to her so she complies implicitly. Although Patricia would like to have private health insurance she feels that it is too expensive. She is satisfied with the Medicare system and believes it meets her needs adequately. The necessity of installing aids or changing any aspect of her home to increase safety or prevent accidents has not been necessary. She believes she has not come to this stage of life just yet and feels confident in her ability to manage her household as is. Nutritional metabolic pattern An outline of the clients pattern of food/fluid intake relative to metabolic need and nutrient supply (Gordon 1994) During a 24 hour period Patricia usually consumes three main meals and rarely has snacks during the day when working. She believes her job influences her eating pattern during the week as she only has a 30 minute lunch break which leaves little time for large or extended meals. In the 24 hours prior to the interview Patricia consumed cereal, herbal tea, water, yoghurt, orange juice, fruit, vegetables and muffins. During the week she feels her diet to be balanced and more than adequate. Patricia is a Vegetarian based on her religious beliefs, she has no food allergies but does modify her diet regularly based on her body image and weight fluctuations. Research suggests people who potentially suffer from a binge-eating disorder have a history of weight fluctuations and obesity (Edlin et al. 1997). On the weekend when she spends a lot of time with her family and grand children she admits she consumes more snacks, fast food and foods considered to be empty of nutritional value such as potato chips, lollies, ice cream and soft drink, particularly when in company with her grandsons. Patricia laughingly classes herself as a weekend social eater. In a recent article (Abedin 2009) indicated, adults tend to eat more when they are around friends and family than when eating with strangers. Tooth decay is primarily caused by circulatory changes, poor dietary habits and poor mouth or dental hygiene (Murray Zentner 1989, p.470) and as a result Patricia has top dentures although they do not inhibit her ability to eat nor restrict the types of food choices available to her. There have been no significant changes to her diet as she has aged due to the vegetarian menu she eats for her main meals, however she stressed that she does overeat rubbish food with her grandchildren. However, when questioned if this overeating has primarily occurred since becoming a Grandmother she sheepishly admitted it was probably a lifelong habit. Sometimes she has noticed significantly lower energy levels particularly in the afternoon but Patricia believes this to be based on the expectations of her job and possibly age rather than indications her nutritional intake is a contributing factor. When queried if her Iron and Vitamin intake were sufficient based on the fact she doesnt eat red meat Patricia stated she didnt think it caused her a problem, nor had her Doctor ever mentioned any need for additional supplements. Research has shown (Hunt 2003) people on a vegetarian diet get all the iron they need by eating iron rich foods, including legumes, green leafy vegetables and fortified breads/cereals although iron will be less available for absorption than in diets which include meat. Hunt (2003) suggests, vegetarians should consider consuming vitamin C, or citrus fruits to improve absorption ratios in order to balance out nutritional requirements. No issues were identified in terms of hair loss, increased facial hair growth, skin disorders or nail growth. Patricia maintains a regular skin regime to promote health, elasticity and prevent wrinkles. Her skin appears well hydrated. Patricias hair and nails were similarly maintained. Elimination pattern An outline of the clients pattern of excretory function in relation to the bowel and bladder (Gordon 1994) When reflecting on her voiding pattern Patricia stated she voided approximately three times per day dependent on her daily schedule and her fluid intake, and about the same amount at home in the evening. Patricia experiences no problems with bowel elimination and has never utilised suppositories, supplements or other medication for either constipation or diarrhoea. She uses her bowels twice a day and believes the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed within her diet coupled with her fibre based cereal every morning sufficiently meets her needs. Alteration in elimination patterns can sometimes indicate signs or symptoms of issues within the gastrointestinal system (Crisp and Taylor 2005, p. 1325), but this does not appear to be applicable in Patricias case. Activity exercise pattern An outline of the clients pattern of exercise, and physical activity (Gordon 1994) Exercise which keeps the heart pumping and working steadily for about 20 minutes per day improves fitness, reduces the risks of heart disease, obesity and maintains mobility (Peterson 2004, p.625). As discussed in the health perception/health management pattern Patricia walks reasonable distances during the day at her place of employment. In addition to the walking she conducts gentle Exercise Classes for the residents at the Aged Care facility twice a week. She feels she has sufficient energy to participate in, and conduct, these classes and they form the basis of her regular exercise pattern. Sleep/rest pattern An outline of the clients pattern of sleep, rest and relaxation (Gordon 1994) Patricia says she thoroughly enjoys sleeping and will generally achieve 8-9 hours per night which she thinks provides her with ample rest and recuperation from her daily activities. According to Crisp and Taylor (2005), the amount and quality of sleep decreases in the older adult, however Patricia has neither noticed nor experienced any significant change to her sleep pattern in many years. When Patricia was approximately 10 years old she used to sleep-walk but has since outgrown this problem. She states she awakens at 0300 every morning regular as clockwork to go to the bathroom but experiences little difficulty returning to sleep. Cognitive/Perception pattern An outline of the clients cognitive and sensory perceptual patterns (Gordon 1994) The average brain shrinks approximately 5-10% in weight between the ages of 20 and 90 resulting in a decrease in working memory, however, the brain can adapt and grow new cells, but this is dependant on physical activity, stimulation and learning (Santrock 2006). Patricia believes the constant mental and physical stimulation of her job keeps her brain active as evidenced by the successful completion of recent study. She is a keen crossword puzzler and novel reader which she feels supports her cognitive functions. Of the five sensors the most significant change has been to Patricias vision as she has aged. Patricia wears glasses for reading, computer work and magnification for everyday activities. She has her vision tested every three years and upgrades her eyewear as recommended by the Optometrist. Patricia has not noticed any change in her ability to smell, hear, or touch but admits to a taste change over the years from sweet to savoury flavours. Self perception/self concept pattern An outline of the clients self concept and perceptions of self in relation to body image, self worth and feeling states (Gordon 1994) Of the most interest and focus, and highlighted throughout this assessment, was Patricias image of herself. Although she states she is reasonably satisfied with her current status in life and what she has achieved for herself and her family, her perception of how she looks demonstrates issues around physical dissatisfaction, possible low self esteem and a lack of confidence in social situations. Erikson (1965) theorises maintaining a positive self image and feelings of self worth is essential in order to achieve a successful transition to old age despite changing abilities and limitations. She clearly states she doesnt feel old at 65 years however she believes her weight issues affect her ability to feel confident when she pursues recreational and social activities. Physical ideals and social stigma value a thin body, which society symbolises as peoples ability to discipline their appetite and restrain themselves from overeating (Germov 2005). Patricia states when she is at work and performing tasks which she perceives are within her capabilities she feels competent and happy within herself. It is only when she is required to enter the social arena she is faced with unhappiness and dilemma about her body image. Those who are overweight are subject to stigmatism for being different and falling outside of the social norm (Germov 2005). On occasion she will refuse to go out with friends or feels upset about her selection of clothing and fit, negatively believing she will be an embarrassment to friends and family due to her size. When she does socialize outside of her immediate family circle she tends to sit quietly and not draw attention to herself especially if the social event has a number of well dressed and slim women in attendance, and particularly if she sees them as being of a similar age bracket to herself. A thin body is viewed by society as the essence of beauty, sexual attractiveness, social status, health and occasionally moral worth (Germov Williams 2004). In recent years Patricia states although she does not perceive herself as being either old or tired she admits to using her age as an excuse to decline invitations to attend social functions based purely on the fact that she is not comfortable with her body image. Although she is eligible for a Seniors Card, which is based on age, Patricia refuses to apply for it stating adamantly that she is not old and does not like the connotations that ownership of such a card implies. She says she does not class herself as a Senior and therefore a Seniors Card is not required. When the possible benefits of the Card were discussed her prompt response was a definite, no thankyou, maybe when Im 80. Role/relationship pattern An outline of the clients pattern of relationships and role engagement (Gordon 1994) Patricia is a mother, grandmother, aunt, wife, sister, friend, employee and work colleague. She views her primary roles at this stage of her life as being a wife, grandmother and employee. She enjoys close relationships with her three daughters. Since the recent death of her only sister, her husband, children and two nieces are the only remaining family in Australia as her parents are deceased. She has no contact with distant relatives in Scotland. Patricia has a select group of friends but feels as a result of her work commitments during the week, coupled with family commitments, she has little spare time to socialise with friends. She does not belong to any social groups and mentioned that she thought social groups were a waste of her time. Murray and Zentner (1989) state some factors may inhibit older people from pursuing recreational activities based on a perceived poor usage of time, conditioning to appear busy, fears about the future and the lack of previous opportunities to pursue a hobby or new interest. Sexuality pattern An outline of the clients reproductive and sexuality pattern (Gordon 1994) At the age of 16 years old Patricia began menstruating. Patricia experienced no difficulty during her three pregnancies and has never suffered a miscarriage. Since she began menopause at the age of 45 years Patricia has experienced minimal interest in being sexually active and cites a definite loss of libido however she did indicate her sexual needs were abundantly met. Eden (2002, p.53) argues womens sexual desires fluctuate over the years with highs and lows, commonly coinciding with major life changes such as menopause. Patricia says she has a tilted uterus which causes her no problems, pain or issues during sexual intercourse. The uterus normally lies in an anteverted position with statistics showing approximately 20% of women have a retroverted or tilted uterus without experiencing any problems during their life (Andrews 2005). She experiences no embarrassment when openly discussing issues of a sexual nature, nor did she find it difficult to talk about sex education with her daughters. Patricia believes due to it being a taboo subject with her parents when growing up it has influenced her to be very open with her own children. A good health maintenance plan includes regular health screenings, including Pap Smears, self breast examination and mammograms (Leifer Harrison 2004, p.215). Patricia states she consciously adheres to preventative health measures. Coping/stress pattern An outline of the clients general stress tolerance and coping mechanisms pattern (Gordon 1994) The stress Patricia feels when she is at work relates to her supervisor who Patricia states is not as supportive as she would like. She does however have other colleagues at work with whom she can debrief as required. She cites her husband as being her primary support and states they have always talked through as a family any issues which may impact on her coping mechanisms. A recent significant stressful event was the marriage and untimely death of her only sister whilst on honeymoon and the subsequent fight over her sisters Last Will and Testament which occurred between the new husband and her nieces. Again her husband and daughters were her primary means of support during this time although she did consider accessing professional counselling. Being aware of what causes stress, how you react and having a network of support are all strategies which can help you to manage and control stressful events (Andrews 2005, p.59). Patricia feels she has accepted the outcomes from this event and moved forward. Patricia does not drink alcohol, use medication or take drugs to relieve stress but will comfort eat and compensate with food on occasion resulting in weight gain and subsequently poor body image and what she terms mild undiagnosed depression which she says never lasts for very long. Value/belief pattern An outline of the clients pattern of values, spiritual beliefs and goals determining choices or decisions (Gordon 1994) An individuals sense of spirituality can be influenced by culture, life experiences and religious beliefs (Brush 2000). Patricia is a practicing Mormon and spiritual person. Her family and faith have always been the most important part of her life. She has been married to her husband for 42 years and values her relationship with him. Recent goals have included completing a TAFE Course at age 63 years and resettling into a newly purchased home which she feels have all been guided by her faith and spiritual beliefs. She believes she has enjoyed a rewarding life and has always been a big, happy, bubbly person. As indicated in previous patterns Patricias body image pervades all patterns of her life suggesting a lowered perception of self. Conclusion Patricia presented as a reasonably healthy woman for her age. She is active and mobile, she feels healthy, her skin, hair and nails look nourished, and her living environment is clean, well maintained and comfortable. Patricia is aware of the need to maintain her health and undertakes preventative measures in order to continue her good health record. The diagnosed hypertension she experiences is appropriately monitored and medication is religiously taken and reviewed regularly. Similarly her need for glasses to assist with vision is regularly checked with her eyewear strength updated as required. She has excellent support, and gains spiritual strength, from her husband, family, friends and religious beliefs. She enjoys positive relationships with many of her work colleagues and has sourced alternative mechanisms for debriefing when work becomes stressful. The benefits of Patricias continued working lifestyle assists in her remaining physically and mentally active, slows her aging decline, provides a social aspect which she enjoys, and allows her the financial means to ensure a comfortable lifestyle. Although Patricia carries an excess amount of weight primarily at her thighs, hips and buttocks, this does not appear to detract from her general feeling of physical wellbeing although her body image and perception of herself were highlighted negatively in more than one pattern. Interestingly, when discussing her self concept pattern Patricia displayed a number of behaviours suggestive of altered self concept, i.e. avoidance of eye contact during such discussion, putting herself down, and being overly critical of her appearance (Crisp and Taylor 2005, p.500). However, Patricia believes she recognises when she needs to diet or make efforts to reduce her calorie intake and assume more restrained eating habits. Patricia states she felt comfortable throughout the interview and believes the assessment process effectively established, maintained and concluded interpersonal communication openly, and in a friendly and supportive manner (ANMC 2008). Overall Patricia felt the questions allowed her to positively reflect on her health and wellbeing status (Puentes 2002) thus, reinforcing her belief that she is aging well and maintaining her lifespan appropriately.

journeyhod Journey into Hell in Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness Ess

The Journey into Hell in Heart of Darkness      Ã‚   In Joseph Conrad's novel, Heart of Darkness the environment is often symbolic as well as literal. The novel contains both the "frame" narrator, an anonymous member of the "Nellie", representing the dominant society, and more importantly the primary narrator, Marlow, who too, is a product of the dominant society. For the novel's narrator, Marlow, the journey up the Congo River to the 'heart of darkness' is reminiscent of Guido's journey into hell in Dante's Inferno, with these literary allusion always present, through forms of intense imagery. The landscape takes on a hellish nature and the wilderness is personified. Death is omnipresent and this is reflected in the death imagery used to describe the cities of Brussels and London, the Congo region and Kurtz' station. The hypocrisy of 'society' and 'civilization' is reflected in the author's description of the "sepulchral city".    The novel begins with the narrator, Marlow, and some of the ship's crew waiting at dusk for the tide to change so that their "cruising yawl" the 'Nellie" may enter the London harbour. The frame narrator expresses quite optimistic views on colonialism especially pertaining to London, which is described as the greatest city on earth, yet these opinions are then challenged by both marlow and the use of imagery. The coastline is described as being shrouded in "diaphanous folds" of fog... ...cityscape provide a physical setting which serves to reflect the psychological state of the narrator, Marlow and the evils of life, as well as forgrounding the journey of the narrator - mentally, emotionally, and intellectually. The environment particularly that of the Congo and of Brussels, reflect death, hypocrisy and even human's "profound heart of darkness".    Bibliography    Conrad, J. (1995). Heart of Darkness. London: Penguin Group.    Maes-Jelinek, H. Notes on Heart of Darkness    Jean-Aubry, George. Joseph Conrad: Life and Letters. Vol. 1. New York: Page, 1966.    Ed. Marvin. Conrad: Collection of Critical Essays. Mudrick. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1972.   

Globalization & new trend Essay

Globalization is the hip and new trend when the discussion focuses on certain social aspects like technology, economy, business, commerce, media, entertainment, sports and communication. This is owed generally to the impact of globalization to the way individuals live in the modern day, 21st century world. Globalization is the idea that individuals can reach each other despite geographical and other boundaries that made globalization impossible before and kept life strictly local or regionalized. With the entry of the trend of globalization, the world has embraced a new concept of the world which is now closely interlinked, countries acting like small communities that houses citizens that can freely interact with citizens of another countries in real time despite the thousand miles of separation and the difference in time zones. Many believed that globalization is generally a good idea – viewers in China can watch the National Basketball Association Finals game real time, while students in Pakistan, Australia and Greenland can talk with each other simultaneously via the use of the Internet. Banking became flexible and ceased to be country-centric, and trade and commerce saw a bigger opened door that pitted international and local businessmen in a toe-to-toe battle since globalization in trade and commerce commenced. But not all of the effects of the globalization is viewed as a very positive spin on things. Everyone has caught the globalization bug, and to make sure that they do not get left behind, the street gangs of the United States of America has also stepped up and made important restructuring steps to ensure that the operation of their specific gangs transcends localized action. The street gangs of the US has gone global, and why not? As much as it is a peer group that grows because of the fulfilment of what street gangs promises to provide its members, affiliates and partners in a personal level (affinity, protection, a sense of belonging and brotherhood, etc), these same street gangs of US are also thriving because of their role in local (and now, global) albeit sometimes illegal economy. What does it mean to have a US street gang globalized? It does not directly mean that these gangs establish branches outside of US territory, say for example, Crips-China or Bloods-South Korea: this idea is at worst preposterous since the very core idea of the formation of street gangs is the creation of a self imposed fiefdom over a particular neighbourhood which they consider as their turf, the seat of their power. The creation of branches or extensions in other places or other countries will make these loosely structured gangs akin to the rigid structuring of legitimate fraternities, which they are from. While it is not far fetched that the idea of branching out happened to any of the street gangs in the US sooner or later, the globalization of these gangs is not merely defined or limited using this particular precept: they become globalized once their ‘operation’ ceases to be limited to localized action, distribution and supply pipeline construction; they become globalized when they maximize and utilize any and all available technology so that they connect with other gangs and similar entities across the globe; they become globalized when their existence becomes a part of pop culture or socially shared common knowledge even in places they haven’t even been before, due mainly to the role of mass media and how gangs are always included in entertainment materials beamed and telecast in different parts of the world, introducing them to this kind of social strata; they become globalized when their status improves to that of global prestige and renown. Klein (2001) supports the thinking of the natural course of pattern of growth of local US street gangs going outward, saying that â€Å"we have exported our American street gang culture abroad† and adding that â€Å"there are Crips in the Netherlands† and that â€Å"the particular forms of European gangs seem similar to those to be found in the United States† (pg 237). These copycat street gangs followed the same US street gang roles in their own countries, doing their part in their part of the world while US street gangs did theirs in America. Schaeffer (2002) said that â€Å"foreign mafias were based close to drug supplies but far from US government prosecutors. This meant they were better placed to obtain drugs and evade the law, particularly since government authority was weak in their host countries. There were also able to establish connections with young, aggressive street gangs based in US immigrant communities† (pg 356). The Triggers of Globalization – Like all of the other aspects of life affected by the entry of globalization, these street gangs did not just go global by itself; instead there were external triggers that acted as catalyst towards the change that these gangs experienced from being local entities to global participants. The triggers prompted the change; they allowed the gang members to see the potential and possibility of going global, in effect selling the idea of globalisation to these groups and enforcing the compulsory change at the same time. Some of these triggers include internet, telecommunications infrastructure, music, written media and movies. More and more people are becoming more cognizant of these gangs and how they work, and many impressionable kids who want to emulate the characteristics of the gang members utilize the internet for information. Even the amount of related literature available about US street gangs is voluminous, owing to the fact that street gangs and their lives and actions has been intensively chronicled by news as well as academic studies resulting to written works published both via the Internet and traditionally. Even in popular movies, music videos and television shows, US street gangs have already earned a niche as a particular group present in the modern day setting. These allowed the US street gangs to earn international notoriety and fame, and at the same time advertise themselves to the worldwide audience. At some point, these tools blew the US street gangs out of the proportion – they were overrated but criminal organizations put them inside their operations, and the resulting globalized popularity made law enforcement efforts versus street gangs in the country more stringent and strict. Conclusion – Globalization is a freight train that bumps off anyone that stands in the way, and street gangs in the US will not be exempted from the impact of globalization. Not that these gangs considers this as a bad thing to happen to them; its just that globalization imposed itself upon these gangs and not the other way around, globalization dictating the terms to which street gangs made itself amenable too, in exchange for effects that made US street gangs see more than one reason to thank globalization. Something happened to US street gangs, and that is globalization, and like any other social aspect affected by globalization, the US street gangs are changing and metamorphosing – for one, they are far from the ethos of old-school street gangs which exist solely to establish and maintain their fiefdom and establish a social status quo to their liking, particularly those under the blanket of underground and subculture worlds where sin and city merges. Now, street gangs are more business minded; they make themselves effective business entities not by power dressing nor by publicity campaign, but by the use of the only remnant of the old street gang type, a feature still found in the new and globalized street gang – violence, raw power and intimidation. The neighbourhood is now not merely a place they fight for group pride and bragging rights; it has become more important to them because it is an important section of the global pipeline to which their operation and existence depend, may it be drugs, counterfeit money, small arms, black market technology, intelligence, prostitutes, automobiles, gambling etc. Looking at the history of street gangs, it is quite predictable that such international networks would be developed sooner or later, and it is found in the very nature of the creation of street gangs. Going back to the time when the US is still starting to become a new place in the world where people can live, many different individuals with varying ethnicities and cultural background flocked the country. Naturally, there will be groups that will be dominant over the other, and there will be minority groups whose members will soon try to assimilate with those of their own ‘kind’. These are a fairly tribal instinct. Soon, the disharmony that exists between the ruling majority and the minority will become intolerable that a new group will try (and will either succeed or fail) in usurping the former majority group. This will be the cycle inside the society, and those who will grow up will find these affiliations necessary for self preservation. This is the formula that created all African-American street gangs, all Latino street gangs, all Chinese-American street gangs, all Japanese-American street gangs, etc. Soon, these groups with lineage in other countries beside America will be reconnected with their home country, and being American-Japanese, American-Chinese, and American-Mexican allows for the creation of a connection between these two countries. What the street gangs do in the US will be offered in the country where they have an affiliation to (i. e. the Latin Kings participating in drugs, guns and prostitution operations undertaken by Mexican or even Colombian crime lords, the street gangs acting as pawns and small, localized lords representing big, transnational criminal organizations). Even the transformation is natural; street gangs is as much a separate and independent type of social group as it is an integral part in the growth and regression phases of criminal groups that were once street gangs that become powerful criminal organizations and regressed back to becoming small, street gangs. Huff (1996) comments, â€Å"For decades, very few gangs have evolved from adolescent street gangs into adult criminal organizations† (pg 74), while for Repetto (2006), these groups have the tendency sooner or later to experience â€Å"regressing from sophisticated criminal cartels back to street gangs† (pg 9). References: Reppetto, Thomas. (2006). Bringing Down the Mob: The War Against the American Mafia. Henry Holt & Company, Incorporated. Ronald, Huff C. (1996). Gangs in America. University of Michigan. Sage Publications. Ronald , Huff C. (November 2001). Gangs in America III. SAGE Publications. Schaeffer, Robert K. (January 2002). Understanding Globalization: The Social Consequences of Political, Economic, and Environmental Change. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.

Challenges of Teachers in Decision Making Essay

1.1 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which teachers participate in Decision-making at Government Secondary school Omala, Omala L.G.A. argues that purposeful planning depends on effective decision-making. Teachers and educational managers make decisions on a daily basis. These decisions may influence pupils, teachers and the future of the school. Dawn of new Education system has seen a proliferation of Educational policy and legislation specifying and advocating full participation by stakeholders in the governance and management of schools. The education policy documents continuously refer to the democratisation of schools and the education system as a whole. The documents that have made this call, include the National Education Policy Investigation Report, A policy framework for education and training, the White Paper on Education and Training which all culminated in Kogi State Schools that is currently the driving force behind the operation of all schools in Kogi State. The report of task Team on Education Management Development suggested that, in line with similar trends in several other States, has placed Kogi State schools firmly on the road to a school based system of management where schools will increasingly come to manage themselves. The report suggests further that effective self-management must be accompanied by an internal devolution of power within the school and greater participation of all decision-making processes. The work on self-managing schools is strongly influencing later developments that devolution of power to school must be m atched by an empowerment of people within the school. In this research, it has been suggested that the notion of participative approaches, which has become enriched in the â€Å"folklore† of education management, is the most appropriate way to run schools, it has become closely associated with school effectiveness and improvement. 1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM It is important to look closely at the Secondary school education system with the view of determining how decisions are taken at school. Prior to the introduction of Teachers participation in decision making, teachers did not have a say in decisions that affected them in their daily lives. The problem which is the main focus in this research is to determine to what extent the teachers participate in decision-making in secondary schools at Government Secondary School Omala, Omala Local government Area of Kogi State, in order to ensure their satisfaction as well as the achievement of the schools’ goals. 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY âž ¢ To determine what is the current situation regarding participative decision-making at Government Secondary School Omala, Omala Local government Area of Kogi State. âž ¢ To determine what effect the implementation of current participative decision-making has on secondary schools at Government Secondary School Omala,OmalaLocal government Area of Kogi State âž ¢ To determine how participative decision-making affects teachers’ morale. âž ¢ To determine what changes are desirable to teachers in the management approach. 1.4 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY This study is a focused case study of teacher participation in decision-making at Government Secondary School Omala, Omala Local government Area of Kogi State. 1.5 DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS 1.5.1 Decision – making: Decision-making can be seen as the process of consciously choosing the most suitable way of action to solve or handle a particular problem after various alternatives have been considered to achieve the set goals or objectives. 1.5.2 School Management Team: Is a group of teachers who are involved in the task of leading and managing schools Example; Head of Department (HOD), deputy principal and principal. CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 INTRODUCTION The Decision-making is a continual management function which plays an important part in the management process and which is vital to all the cyclical management functions. Some scholars like Kruger and Van (1996:19) argue that when the principal allows teachers to participate in certain aspects of the management of the school, she/he gives an opportunity to teachers to experience responsibility. By so doing, the principal does not relinquish his/her authority but his/her authority is enhanced. Pretorius (2010) believes that clinical leadership increases a position relationship between principals and teachers. Therefore, teachers become committed to teaching, because they are participating in decisions that affect them. According to Professor Aturata (2008), in the light of trend towards the decentralized school Management in Kogi State, research indicates that teachers need to be empowered to participate fully in decision-making. Also argues that the concept of educator empowerment in decision-making needs to be closely studied in terms of its effect on educator participation in decision-making at school.Professor Soyinka : states that an effective schooling can only occur when both the principal and teachers are involved in the decision-making process. Non-involvement of teachers in decision-making may result in conflict, as there is no consultation between principal and educators on policy matters and operational procedures at school. However probable only one way to democratize schools. To practice democracy means learning to be responsible for freedom, to make long term strategic decisions and most importantly, to accept the fact that democracy is possible when all participants in the educational process share it. Sule Maitama et al. (2009) cite the following from the educational system, â€Å"The government’s effective educational programmes depend on a process of consultation and negotiation among those vitally affected†. So the policies adopted will reflect their values and goals, thus increasing the prospect of wholehearted support. 2.2 DECISION-MAKING Decision-making has never been easy and it is especially challenging for the educational managers of today. The Decisions can be made by the Principal as an individual or in a group where the entire staff or a select group of staff members will be present. The two contexts of decision-making differ significantly. Educational managers should evaluate the nature of the problems and decisions to be made and then decide if participative or group decision-making is called for. Decision-making can be seen as a process of consciously. Choosing the most suitable way of action to solve or handle a particular problem after various alternatives have been considered to achieve the set goals and objectives. This implies that decision-making must be converted into action. The decision-making process involves a series of complex interactions of events. These interactions constitute the following stages, namely: (i) Study the existing situation carefully. (ii) Recognize and define the problem. (iii) Examine the detailed make-up of the problem in the existing situation. (iv) Decide on the criteria for resolving the problem. (v) Develop a plan for action. (vi) Initiate the plan of action. 2.3 MODELS FOR DECISION-MAKING 2.3.1 The classical model: The classical decision theory assumes that decisions should be completely rational. This model employs an optimsing strategy by seeking the best possible alternative to maximize the achievement of goals and objectives. According to the classical model, the decision-making process is a series of sequential steps as follows: (i) A problem is identified. (ii) Goals and objectives are established. (iii) All the possible alternatives are generated. (iv) The consequences of each alternative are considered. (v) All the alternatives are evaluated in terms of the goals and objectives. (vi) The best alternative is selected, that is, the one that maximizes the goals and Objectives. (vii) Finally, the decision is implemented and evaluated. 2.3.2 The administrative model Hoy and Miskel (2006:317) say that this is the strategy of satisficing in an attempt to provide a more accurate description of the way administrators both do and should make organisational decisions. This model rests upon the basic assumption that: The decision-making Process is a cycle of events that includes identification and diagnosis of a difficulty, the reflective development of a plan to alleviate the difficulty, the initiation of the plan, and the appraisal of its success.† This model relies on both experience and theory to guide decision-making. 2.4 PARTICIPATIVE APPROACH TO DECISION-MAKING AT SCHOOL Since participative management has become popular, an increasing number of decisions have been made by groups rather than individuals. In the group decision-making process, decisions are the product of interpersonal decision-making processes and group dynamics. According to Merry Parker people who have been allowed a voice in decisions that affect them are more likely to be accepted and adhere to the decisions and quality of a decision refers to the extent to which the decision is ultimately successful in meeting the goals and objectives of the decision makers. 2.4.1 Collegial model of management:The collegial model includes all those theories which emphasise that power and decision-making should be shared among some or all members of the organization. These approaches range from a restricted collegiality where the leader shares power with a limited number of senior colleagues to a pure collegiality where all members have an equal voice in determining policy. Collegial models assume that Organizations determine policy and make decisions through a process of discussion leading to consensus. Power is shared among some or all members of the organization who are thought to have a mutual understanding about the objectives of the schools. 2.4.2 Application of collegiality in a secondary school situation: The introduction of the collegial model in secondary schools has been slower than in higher education. The tradition of all powerful heads with authority over staff and accountable to external bodies has stifled several attempts to develop participative models on management. The formal position is that heads alone are responsible for the organization and management of schools. This consideration has acted as a brake on some heads that wish to share their power and as a convenient justification for those reluctant to share power. In large schools, there is a need for sub-units like committees in order for staff to have formal representation on decision-making bodies, and there is the assumption that staff has formal representation on such bodies. Research was conducted by different researchers at different schools in Kogi state, where the principal was committed in collegiality and introduced several participative elem ents, Several collegial features were found in the school. Staff had ample formal representation within the decision-making structure and decisions were usually reached by consensus. Despite his good intentions, the principal recognized that the school was not collegial. 2.4.3 Advantages of collegiality There are three main advantages of collegiality: †¢ The evidence that teachers wish to participate more fully in the management of their schools. T †¢ The quality of decision-making is likely to be better when staff participates in the process as it increases the experience and expertise brought in to solve the problem. †¢ Staff participation is important as it usually has the responsibility of implementing any changes. Collegiality does not require confrontation or conforming behaviours, but allows for open discussion and consensus. It employs personal power, not positional power. Positional power is temporally set aside, since the group member communicates and co-operates in the spirit of caring for one another and the vision of the organization. It changes interaction from those that arouse distrust and disrespect to those that are based on mutual trust, support and feeling of personal worth. With collaboration, people do not try to defeat one another and the organisation, but work with colleagues towards success. 2.4.4 Limitations of collegiality: The main limitations of collegiality are: †¢ It is so normative, it hides reality. †¢ Decision-making is slow and cumbersome. Meetings are often lengthy with issues often ending unresolved. Time and patience needs to be invested, and this is usually after hours when staff is tired as noted †¢ There is no guarantee of unanimity of outcomes after participation and debate. It is unrealistic to assume that consensus can be reached as the model undermines the significance of conflict. †¢ Tension that exists between different styles of management, as positional authority often surpasses the authority of expertise in reality. †¢ The accountability of leaders to external bodies or councils often leads to conflict as it is difficult to defend policies that have emerged but do not enjoy the support of the leader, and difficult to establish who is responsible for policy. There is also the possibility of conflict between internal and external bodies. †¢ Staff participation needs to be an adequate level for collegiality to be effective. When staff attitudes are not supportive, it will fail. .†¢ The heads play a vital role and collegiality depends ultimately on them. If they so choose, they can limit the scope of collegiality as diminishing their power, and perhaps ultimately their identity). The quality of management depends on personal and professional qualities of those that lead and manage . 2.4.5 Collegial relationship The building of effective teams is a major responsibility of the other senior staff. Effective teams are necessary for the continued growth, development and day-to-day management of an organization. The School Management Team (SMT) should create the environment where people feel they want to give extra discretionary effort. The school needs to develop a sense of identity. The sense of direction, belonging and identity are central to every team and participants enter a group with many highly developed perspectives and talents. Through collegiality, the team learns how to respect, appreciate and foster the individual identities of group members. Building a collegial group composed of diverse talents and perspectives which require a special sensitivity to each person feel like a value and appreciated contributor. The group should develop a sense of mutual and share responsibility. Team members cannot work towards a desired outcome until they have formed a sense of team spirit and learne d to trust and support one another .The trust is the foundation upon which school effectiveness is built. An effective work culture cannot develop unless trust exists within the organization. Trust allows a rich culture to develop, and allows individuals to achieve their full potential. Trust develops as people expose themselves, share and take risks together. Trust tends to reduce fear of dependency on others and eliminates the potentially negative effects of conflicts. The trust is also fundamental cement that bonds an organization together, facilitating good communication rectifying badly timed actions, making goal attainment possible and creating the conditions for organizational success. Effective collegial relations develop within the organization only when all levels within an organization have opportunities to come together at the beginning of the project. The principal is expected to ensure that a collegial relation prevails within the school. 2.4.6 Collaboration power sharing: According to Dludla (2001: 27), collaborative power arises as staff members learn to make most of their collective capacity to run the day-to-day affairs of their school and solve problems. If teachers are involved in the running of the school, they are challenged in a number of ways, such as learning new ways of doing things and even values and attitudes. Lack of involvement results in fear and uncertainty which induce reluctance to change even if the fruits of change may be somehow desired. Collaborative power is of utmost significance if the school must succeed. He further comments that this form of power is unlimited because it enhances the productivity of the school on behalf of the students. His other view is that whereas top-down leadership may have a role in managing a school, a principal as collaborative leader has to find the right balance between the top-down and bottom-up so that the school meets it challenges. But participation and power sharing does not mean that a scho ol needs to get together every time a decision is made. The main objective in participative decision-making is to reach consensus. Staff needs to be educated in the consensus-based management process. This education will corporate an understanding that each individual cannot unilaterally determine the solution to decisions but can contribute to consensus being reached. It would also need to develop an understanding that shared participation leads to shared responsibility. Principals need to know that the principal who shares power with teachers is still a leader. This principal is a more effective instructional leader because empowered teachers are more likely to maximize their potential. 2.4.7 Teacher empowerment: Good relations are essential for effective change and it is important that relations with teachers, who have the responsibility to implement these changes, Teachers need to have a sense of empowerment and need to be encouraged to participate in the changes. Empowering involves releasing the potential of individuals, allowing them to flourish and grow, to release their capacity for infinite improvement and teacher as a critical factor in student education. The conviction is that developing teachers as classroom instructors and giving them a greater voice in the decisions that affect the school will make teaching more effective. Teachers are empowered in a number of ways, one of which is staff development. Needless to say, for teachers to be successful educators during transformation, they need to undergo some kind of development and training. 2.4.8 Open information system The effectiveness of communication between group and individuals is crucial in this regard and claims that under present day conditions, information has to be shared much more widely. In the context of the school, changes with regard to National and State policy documents, the school procedures, role and resource allocation are all aspects of change that need to be communicated to the necessary constituencies. This may be done through regular meetings, workshops, and rotation of policy documents to members of staff. These are important procedures to enhance open communication system where people can express their feelings freely. By working together in this way, the principles of transparency, accountability and trust are promoted. In collegial group, flexible patterns of communication are used so that all members feel free to participate equally and at will. Minority opinions are encouraged and understood. Individuals know and understand one another, and are sensitive to each other’s ideas and reactions. There is a level of trust and mutual respect that results in members dealing candidly with one another without fear of harmful effects. Resistance to change flourishes where there is poor communication, little or no active participation and involvement in decisions and where tensions are allowed to simmer unchecked. To overcome such resistance, it is necessary that there be open lines of communication participation and involvement of all stakeholders, an atmosphere of facilitation, support, negotiation and agreement. 2.5 WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN DECISION-MAKING AT SCHOOL? According to Van der Bank (2007:150), participative decision-making does not mean that all staff members must participate in all decisions. There are two criteria, which could be used to determine which staff members should participate in which decisions. The first of these criteria is ‘relevancy’ and the second has to do with ‘expertise’. ‘Relevancy’-refers to the interest a specific person has concerning the problem and the subsequent decision. ‘Expertise’-refers to the extent to which participants to decision-making are qualified by means of training and experience. 2.6 STEPS FOR EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATIVE DECISION-MAKING There are nine steps in an effective participative decision-making process which comprised the following: (i) Identify the problem (ii) Clarify the problem (iii) Analyze the cause (iv) Search for alternative solutions (v) Select alternatives (vi) Plan for implementation (vii) Clarify the contract (viii) Develop an action plan (ix) Provide evaluation and accountability 2.7 THEORY ON PARTICIPATIVE DECISION-MAKING According to Nzimande (2001:06), the assumption that individuals have expectations about outcomes that may manifest as a result of what they do, underlies the expectancy theory. This means that individuals are regarded as thinking and reasoning beings that are to participate in future events, so as the teachers at school. This is the anticipation of the greater performance and the greater outcome. This is the strength of an individual’s preference for an outcome. If teachers are motivated through rewards, they may be good participators in decision-making at school. The guidelines on participative decision-making at schools are: †¢ .Participation is more appropriate when the principal does not possess enough information to solve a problem. †¢ Participation of teachers is more appropriate when the nature and dimensions of the problems are not clear. †¢ Participation is more appropriate when decisions are important and relevant to teacher. 2.8 ADVANTAGES OF PARTICIPATIVE DECISION-MAKING AT SCHOOL †¢ Groups provide a larger sum of knowledge than would be accessible to individual members, thus leading to informed decisions. †¢ Participation in decision-making increases the acceptance of decisions, which improves the motivation to implement the decision. †¢ Groups are willing to take greater risks than individuals, which leads to aggressive solutions to problems. 2.9 BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATIVE DECISION-MAKING AT SCHOOL This research has indicated that participative decision-making results in a number of benefits for example: †¢ Increased decision quality †¢ Decision creativity †¢ Decision acceptance †¢ Decision understanding †¢ Decision judgment †¢ Participation results in teacher satisfaction with the profession of teaching. †¢ Teachers prefer principals who involve them in decisions-making. †¢ Teachers neither nor want to be involved in every decision-making; in fact too much involvement can be as detrimental as too little . 2.10 POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES IF TEACHERS DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN DECISION-MAKING AT SCHOOL There are some problems that teachers face when they not involved in decision-making at school, namely: †¢ Behavior changes †¢ Psychological withdrawal †¢ Influence on mental health for example stress, burnout, etc. CHAPTER THREE: 3.0 EARLIER METHOD OF DECISION MAKING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS In the olden days, it was deemed necessary to instruct the conquered people in the doctrines of the Homes, and transform them into loyal subjects. They began re-educating the native adults and providing instruction to the children and youth, indoctrinating and educating them in the rudiments of social life to use them to benefit the School. One piece of information that is never controversial in educational discourse is the pattern of initial recruitment into schools in Nigeria. Several studies: Wise (1956); Ikejiani, Hansen, Okeke & Anowi (196†²;), Fafunwa (1979) and Taiwo (1981), for instance, show that in southern Nigerian, often the first pupils in the secondary schools were drawn from groups who were to some extent marginal or subordinate within the traditional status hierarchies. In Northern Nigeria, however there were numerous cases according to Hisket (1975) and Ibrahim (1979) where member of the traditional elite’s were the first to be recruited. The initial scho ols in northern Nigeria for instance were â€Å"Native administration† in the sense that they were supported from local kinds and were very much the concern of the ‘Native Authority’ â€Å"Indeed in northern Nigeria the emirs being the heads of the Native Authori ty bui l t these schools† (Wise 1956, p. 43) Ibrahim (1979) asser ts that in Kano State, the f ragmentary data that exist suggest that the students in governments schools at the initial period of western education in 1903 were disproportionately drawn from high socio-political elite’s of Kano citizens. Even within the immerse growth in educational opportunities that has occurred, it can be observed that the low socio-economic status people in northern Nigeria are still largely under represented within the upper reaches of northern educational system and attempts to increase proportional representation of lower status grouping conceived in terms of traditional criteria of status have been only moderately successful. In gross terms, it is possible to point to variant patterns of response to the introduction of secondary education in the country. Unlike in southern Nigeria, where the most usual result of the introduction of secondary education is a process of status reserved, in northern Nigeria, the process of status reinforcement is assumed to ensure a guaranteed degree of continuity in the recruitment of dominant groups. Of course, concepts derived in terms of this may do injustice to empirical realities since in practice the emergent pattern of social differentiation in the less developed world represents a complex inter-weaving between traditional and emergent concepts of status. This theory may seven further be argued to be largely an academic exercise as the emergence of a modern type of urban centre has largely eroded the traditional criteria of status and authority in Africa. Influence of Commissions and Educational Laws on Secondar y Education The early, schools functioned with scarcely any involvement by the colonial government and as such there were no reasonable attempts to co-ordinate education system organized by the various missions. In this regard, there was no novelty as such in educational practice, all missions owned common allegiance to Christianity and they operated curriculum centered on English, Religion, and Arithmetic commonly called 3Rs. This system however changed in early 1880s particularly by the Education Ordinance of 1882 when colonial government assumed a measure of control of mission education. Significant improvement was made when the Ordinance No. 3 of 1887 was enacted to consolidate and amend the laws relating to the promotion of education in the colony of Lagos. Concerning secondary education, in 1879 there were three secondary schools namely the CMS Grammar school, built in 1859. Wesleyan Boys High School built in 1976 and St. Gregory’s School 1879. The trend of the secondar y school from 1897 to 1992 was a gradual increase in enrolment from 172 to 206. With the amalgamation of Southern and Northern Protectorates. Lord Lugard proposed three types of secondary education with the aim of adapting the needs of education of the children in both protectorates to the man-power needs. The schools are the provincial schools, the rural and the non-government schools. The provinces, and located three to four kilometers away from the residential areas under a British Headmaster. The Resident and the paramount chiefs in the areas where these schools were located were to assist in the supervision of the schools. The entrants were between 12-14 years of age. The rural school were meant for rural children who ultimately would remain in rural environments The rural school policy was not accepted particularly by people in the Southern provinces and a grammar school â€Å"policy was not accepted particularly by people in the Southern provinces and a grammar school policy was favored initially in the main urban areas. CHAPTER FOUR: 4.0 DATA ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study is to investigate through the perceptions of staff, the extent to which teachers participate in decision-making at Government secondary schools Omala, and as necessary, to make practical recommendations as to whom in the management arrangements of the secondary schools may be modified or enhanced to promote teacher participation in decision-making more effectively. 4.1 Data analysis entails bringing order, structure and meaning to the mass of time consuming, creative and fascinating process. Analysis of data about individual interviews was done through identifying common themes from the respondents’ description of their experiences. Irrelevant information was separated from the relevant information in the interviews. The relevant information was broken into phrases or sentences, which reflect a single, specific thought. The phrases or sentences were further be grouped into categories that reflect various aspects of meanings. The various meanings identified will be used to develop description as seen by the respondents. 4.2 Analysis of quantitative information: The researcher used descriptive statistics to analyse quantitative data. Descriptive statistics is a mathematical technique for organizing, summarising and displaying a set of numerical data. 5.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS. This Research serves as a mechanism to identify and evaluate management practices that are consistent with the current call for a participative mode of education management and governance. The research questions form the essentials and the value of this study. The structure of the research provides the reader with what to expect in the ensuing assignment. This research has reviewed about participative management and the transformation role of the principal. The approach described requires an involvement and commitment from staff in order to bring about effective change. Also suggests that a collegial model is difficult to implement even when staff is committed to it. The school management functions remain dominantly in the hands of the principals and School Management Team (SMT). The extent of teacher involvement in management of the school is limited to the classroom. Principals do not motivate staff to be united. Team -work in schools is regarded as poor. Involving teachers in decision- making allows staff and management to work as a team. When teachers are involved in decision-making, they tend to own decisions, by ensuring the implementation of those decisions. A staff perception to the way in which participative management operates currently at Government secondary schools Omola is that teachers are not adequately involved in decision-making in schools. Teachers in this study accept the responsibility of becoming the role players in managerial decision-making. CONCLUSIVELY, The principal should promote an atmosphere of trust by displaying fair treatment and proper management skills to the teachers. It is important for the principal to model attitude behaviour on the principles of democracy. Fair treatment of teachers is a prerequisite for building an atmosphere of trust and accountability. In the climate of transformation, it becomes imperative for a principal to display proper management skills so that his/her credibility as a leader is not brought into disrepute. Recommendations to teachers: †¢ Teachers should take positive steps to become partners in managing their schools Teachers must not be complacent, but be active participants in terms of self – education and managing school affairs beyond the boundaries of the classroom. However, it becomes necessary for teachers to respect the positional power of the principal, which grants him / her authority to make certain decisions unilaterally. This requires involvement and commitment from staff in order to bring about effective change. Assess the principals’ understanding of their role REFERENCES âž ¢ Kogi Education Congress 1994. A Policy Framework for Education and Training Education desk.Omala Town:Omala L.G.A. in promoting teacher participation in decision-making within these schools. âž ¢ Adeyinka, A.A. (1971): The development of grammar school education in the Westernstates of Nigeria 1908 – 1968. Unpublished M.Ed. Dissertation Submitted toUniversity of Ibadan. Ibadan âž ¢ Fafunwa, A. B. (1974): History of education in Nigeria. London. George Allen And Unwin Ltd. Federal Republic of Nigeria (1981). National Policy on Education. Lagos: NERC. âž ¢ Ibrahim, Y.Y. (1979): Oral and socialization process: A socio-folkloric Perspective of initiation from childhood to adulthood Hausa Community. Unpublished Ph. D. Thesis submitted to Bayero University Kano. âž ¢ Ikojani, O. (Ed ): Nigerian education. Bristol; Western Printing Ltd. Taiwo. C.O. (1981): The Nigerian education system. Past Present and Future: France and London: Buller tanner Ltd. âž ¢ Wise, C.W (1956): History of education in British West Africa. Toronto: Longman Green & Co.

The Interpretation of Indirect Utterances

The Interpretation of Indirect Utterances The Interpretation of Indirect Utterances* Types of Indirectness- This study asserts the importance of communicative competence in learning. It discusses one aspect of communicative competence : the interpretation of indirect utterances .- Two types of indirectness are addressed here in this study :1- Pragmatic Ambivalence .2- Implicature .1- Pragmatic Ambivalence- Pragmatic Ambivalence, as Thomas ( 1995 ) argues, occurs when the intended force of an utterance, such as " Is that the phone ? ", is quite indeterminate. This is by virtue of the fact that it can be either a straightforward question or a request to the hearer to answer the phone. Thus, Pragmatic Ambivalence is used when the speaker does not " make clear precisely which range of related illocutionary values is intended. " For example an utterance like " It is cold in here ", can be used as a constative ( report about the temperature in the room ), a request to turn on the heating system, or an excuse to leave the room .Jes se Grice- Thomas ( 1988 ) distinguishes between ambiguity and ambivalence. Ambiguity is a semantic grammatical term. It is the case that one meaning is intended by the speaker. With Ambivalence, which operates at a pragmatic level, both speaker and addresser understand that more than one interpretation is possible. Coates' notion of Indetermincy refers to the same phenomenon .2- Implicature- Yule ( 1996 ) defines Implicature as an " additional conveyed meaning ". Implicatures are thus " examples of more being communicated than is said ". Green ( 1989 ) argues that " much of the value of implicature in conversation lies in its indirectness, in the fact that it allows the speaker to avoid saying exactly what she means to convey ".

Victims of war

Victims of war War has always been horrible. In WWII, civilians were targets as part of bombing campaigns. Now, not only were the soldiers experiencing the horror of war but the civilians too now involved. This continued throughout the various wars like the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, the War Of Terrorism and now the War In Iraq.However, I always stop to wonder, why were civilians and soldiers always suffering when the decision to go to war was not theirs. For example, in Vietnam, the US needlessly intervened in a country that was trying to gain independence. It was afraid of the communist in Vietnam and in a effort to stop it, millions of civilians and soldiers died just to get their independence which they eventually got in the end.In Iraq, it was known at first as a effort to disarm Iraq of "Weapons Of Mass Destruction", however. It later became "A Mission To Liberate The People Of Iraq".Carlos Cardoen meets with Iraqi Leader Saddam Huss...I do not agree that Saddam Hussein was a good leader, on the contrary, I hate Saddam. However what was George Bush really trying to do? Was this a plan of his to gain support from the US people so that he would be seen as a man trying to keep their nation safe?George Bush has always associated terrorist with Saddam Hussein even without credible proof. Most of the evidence he got before the war as we can see now have all been falsified. And now, he does not want to let the Iraq people choose their government but instead installs his own and even the leader who has caused grievous hurt to Iraq is not allowed to be trailed by the victims.What are wars really caused by? Who are the real people who are really guilty? At...

Brand Extension Essay Example for Free

Brand Extension Essay Brand extension is a marketing strategy according to which a company marketing a product or a service launches a new offering (product or service) that is related to the one of the existing brands of the company, but offers different benefits and/or targets a different segment. Organizations use this strategy to increase and leverage upon their brand equity. When a firm is introducing a new product, it has the following 3 choices on branding: 1. Developing a new brand for the new product 2. Using the existing brand for the new product 3. Combining the new brand and the existing brand The use of 2nd and 3rd strategy is referred to as brand extension. Brands may be classified as one of the following: Parent Brand: If an existing brand gives birth to a brand extension, it is referred to as parent brand. Sub Brand: When a new brand is combined with an existing brand, it is called as sub brand. Family Brand: If a parent brand has links with multiple brands through brand extensions then it is called as family brand. There are a large number of ways in which brand extension can be accomplished. One of the vital differences is if the extension is in the same or different category of the product. Thus they can be classified as: vertical or horizontal extensions. Vertical extensions refer to the introduction of a related brand in the same product category but having a different price and quality balance. Vertical extensions offer the firm a quickest way to leverage upon the core product’s equity. As an extension strategy, vertical extension is widely practiced in many industries. For example, within automobile industry, the various brand models attempt to offer different price-quality bundles to attract various market segments. Often a product is extended in an attempt to just gain more of the market share. New product introductions using vertical extensions can extend in 2 directions, upscale and downscale vertical extensions. The vertical brand extension is that type of new product introduction that seems to be carrying less risk and seemingly having more appeal to management. The new product which is being introduced is in the same category as the parent product; aims at a same market segment as the parent, and may or may not enjoy the same acceptance as the parent. Upscale extensions involve a new product introduction by the firm with higher price & quality characteristics than the original product. It involves a new product introduction with lower price & quality characteristics than the original. Downscale vertical extensions may target sampling to a new segment, and bring some gain in market share. Generally, horizontal brand extensions either use or extend an existing product’s name to a new product in the same product category or to a product category new to the organization. There are 2 types of horizontal extensions which differ in terms of their focus area. They are termed as line extensions and category extensions. All the customers differ in terms of their usage needs. The brand has to fill the market with variety of products as per the needs of the segments. If a parent brand is used to brand a new product that targets a new segment in the market within the same product category that was previously served by the parent brand, it is called as line extension. Line extension leads to the addition of a new and distinct flavour or ingredient to the category. It sometimes might also lead to a new application for the brand or an introduction of a different form or size. For example, Bisleri is the pioneering brand in category of mineral water. Originally, Bisleri started off with 1 ltr bottle. But recently, the brand has launched bottles of different sizes and quantities. Brand Extension. (2016, Dec 08).

Dunkin Donuts Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Dunkin Donuts - Term Paper Example In part one, the researcher provided a brief analysis of the company followed by the company mission and objectives; the project introduced the product portfolio and the core competencies of the company were presented. The researcher also examined the internal and external environments by utilizing SWOT and PEST analysis to examine the factors that can favor or that cannot favor effective business performance. Marketing mix strategies such as product, place, price and promotion strategies were examined, and lastly, the conclusion that summarized this part was included. In part two, the research proposed varied growth strategies effective for enabling the company to achieve successful business performance. The researcher revealed that utilizing social media services and also creating value preposition, as well as, segmenting the market is vital. It was suggested that the company can employ the marketing mix such as the product strategy, price, place and the promotion strategy because these are imperative marketing strategies for achieving significant business growth. Lastly, the researcher provided a brief conclusion that summarized the proposed strategies vital for enabling the company to achieve successful business growth.... The company declares itself as the largest global baked and coffee product chains serving more than 2.7 million clients daily in more than 8,800 stores within 31 countries (Dealbook, 2011). Most of the company stores are franchised and the Dunkin’s Donuts stores are owned by Dunkin Brands Inch. The Dunkin’s Donuts focuses on products but not the store environment; hence, the company designs their products in a manner that can attract many customers. The company strives hard in order to ensure that their customers are well satisfied and earns their loyalty. Their social responsibility towards their customers is reflected in the company mission. 1.2 Mission & Goals The mission of the company is to become the dormant global of high quality products by being a socially responsible company and keeping high-established image for their customers through offering them health product options (Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, 2007). The main goal of the company is to make the n utritional value of the menu choices in their stores better in order to achieve customer loyalty. Therefore, the main responsibility of the company revolves primarily around offering health products options for their customers. They offer low-calorie food options and healthier drinks to ensure that their clients view them as a caring company. Another goal is keeping on top of new nutrition developments and health related research to determine aspects that can impact the products of their company. The aim of the company is to be the quality leader in the market by offering a higher standard development of high dining experience with inventive product choices (Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins, 2007). The last objective of

Article analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Article analysis - Essay Example The oil producers in the U.A.E. are expected to increase production of oil as a response to this fall (Cornwell, 2014). This reaction of the government is contrary to the conventional economic theory which states that if the price falls then the suppliers should reduce the level of their production. But this is not happening in case of the U.A.E. The economic theory of demand and supply fundamentally states that as price of a product increases less and less quantity of the product is demanded and as the price of a product rises then its supply increases. The equilibrium market price is determined by the point where the quantity demanded by the consumers equals to the quantity supplied by the producers (Frank, 2008). The following diagram shows the same. The initial equilibrium point is marked by E1 and the initial equilibrium price is P1 and the quantity demanded is Q1. A fall in the market demand due to exogenous market conditions like recessions or weak demand of the products causes the price to fall and the demand curve shifts to DD2 where the new quantity is Q2 and the price falls to P2 (Frank, 2008). Following this theory it should be expected that a global fall in prices would discourage the suppliers and they should reduce their production. However, according to the news article this is unlikely to happen. U.A.E. is expected to produce 3 million barrels of oil by the end of the current financial year. According to experts factors like weaker growth of China, rise in shale production in the U.S.A. and oversupply of oil are the main factors that are responsible for the global fall in oil process. A fall in the global oil prices could be represented by a downward shift in the demand curve from point DD1 to DD2 where quantity demanded equals quantity supplied. The new equilibrium point is reached at E2. However, the determination of oil production in the global economy does not follow the cardinal

Marketing Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Marketing Environment - Essay Example The work is about marketing. It defines the term marketing and dwells on its strategies. The author describes factors that still need to be considered for a business organization to reach out easier to their target market, because looking into the characteristics and thought processes of the people still holds as the most significant factor to be looked into by the individuals in the field of sales and marketing. The researcher singles out such factors as quality of a product/service, reliability of a product/service, and attraction of a product/service. At the same time while taking-care of the customer’s choice a lot of other factors have also to be considered. Those factors are the social, legal, economic, political and technological factors. The social factor basically means which classes of people are being targeted by the organization that is making that particular brand - whether it is the upper-class or the upper-middle class, middle-class or the lower class. Gaining t he trust of the local government and reviewing the economic policies and legal matters that govern the country in which the product or service will be made available will be a strong ground from which the advertisers can make as a take off point. The tremendous growth of technological advancement has become the driving force of contemporary industries. The diffusion of the internet has revolutionized the business arena. The author provides PESTLE analysis of the "mother care" brand.

Love or Morality.What Takes Precedent Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Love or Morality.What Takes Precedent - Essay Example This paper seeks to discuss how love, and morality is intertwined with an aim of finding out which one is precedes the other. It is undeniable that the power of love is greater than any other feeling that man can experience. It makes people do unimaginable things. However, love, like any other aspect of life is governed by social rules and expectations, which are collectively referred to as morality. Gurov, a banker in Moscow had been married for a long time and had two sons and a beautiful daughter. However, his relationship with his wife was not in good terms. In fact, â€Å"he secretly considered her shallow, narrow-minded, and dowdy, he  stood in awe of her, and disliked being at home† (Chekhov web). Although there were no conflicts, it was certain that love missed in the marriage. This is a clear evidence of ambiguity since the society thought of the family as a happy and loving family. According to the society, they were expected to remain in their stale relationship i n order to maintain moral integrity. Certainly, the absence of love in the marriage initially made him despise and classify women as â€Å"the lower race.† This was notwithstanding that, the same women were the source of love that he longed for. He recounted the many times that he would sleep with other women but would not find the true love â€Å"when they discovered their mistake, they went on loving him just the same. And not one of them had ever been happy with him† (Chekhov web). Many of the women loved him not because of who he was but because of who they thought he was. This is a phenomenon worth noting. Chekhov intended to show that love can make people compromise their moral standards, or at least the moral standards set by the society. However, it is evident that morality failed in this situation where Gurov slept with so many women due to lack of love. Most notably, Gurov was willing to compromise his moral standards and cheat on his wife. However, he was al ways very careful not to make it known by the society. Therefore, he still maintained a cover over the societal moral standards. A twist of events happened when Gurov met with Anna. Anna  had gone to the town for a vacation and most importantly, to take time off her husband. She too was tired of loveless relationship with her husband. A relationship ensued and the two new lovers began recounting the predicaments that had befallen them in their lives. At this moment, it was evident that Anna had experienced a loveless life with her husband. She felt that she had all along been deceiving herself. She claimed, â€Å"I despise myself and have not the least thought of self-justification. It is not my husband I have deceived, it's myself. And not only now, I have been deceiving myself for ever so long† (Chekhov web). Although her husband was an honest man, she certainly did not love him. Therefore, she experienced the same ambiguous situation with Gurov. It was easy for her to co mpromise the moral integrity due to lack of love in the marriage. Similarly, she was afraid to put it open to the society in fear of compromising the moral standards set by the society. It does not come by surprise that she slept with Gurov albeit in secrecy. The two fell in love and it became apparent that they were meant to be together. However, Anna was recalled by her ailing husband and had to go back. Although the two were deeply in love, they still respected the moral values of the family and therefore agreed that she had to go and attend to her

Managing Products and Finance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Managing Products and Finance - Assignment Example Under a process cost system, the key points in costing are the various departments or processes in the production cycle. In a process cost system, the focal points in accumulating manufacturing costs are the individual production departments (or processes) involved in the production cycle. As a first step, the cost of raw materials, direct labour and factory overhead applicable to each department or process for a given period of time is compiled. Then the average cost of running a unit of product through each department is determined by dividing the total departmental cost by the number of units processed in that department during the period. When a product moves through two or more departments, the total unit cost of finished product is accumulated by tracing the costs of incurred in each department to the product as it moves from process to process. A basic objective of a process cost system is to determine the unit cost of direct materials, direct labour and overhead for each manufacturing process or department. These unit costs become the basis for valuing inventories and for tracing the flows of costs though the departmental work in process accounts and finally to finished goods inventory and to cost of goods sold (Meigs & Meigs, p1022-1033). To assess all the processes through whi... To evaluate the favorable and unfavorable variances determining labor capacity and efficiency. To inspect the reasons behind the unfavorable labour efficiency variance and total direct labour variance. To assess all the processes through which the production of the three doors passes in order to depict the correct picture of the process of production and the space occupied by joinery business comprising 5 units for every step involved in the production. To critically figure out the causes resulting into the tightening of joinery shop and to examine the existing shop layout. To gather the required data and information necessary to visualize the positioning and placement of machines used in the process of production within the joinery shop. To put forth suggestions for changes in the process and procedures within the joinery shop outlet to make it sufficiently spacious to carry out the process of production in different units of the shop. This study would help the company to reassign space to different units of joinery shop as appropriate and required for the process to be completed properly. Suggestion and Reason for Extending the Study The report has been extended to the study of process and procedures of materials and goods moving between the different estate units in order to give a complete account of the space occupied by different units through which the production of the three doors passes. This analysis has been considered necessary for an investigation into the effectiveness of product management being carried out by the company. The company did not have any provisions for product management at the outset. After having invested in a combined thicknesser and planer, the

Marketing Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Marketing Environment - Essay Example The work is about marketing. It defines the term marketing and dwells on its strategies. The author describes factors that still need to be considered for a business organization to reach out easier to their target market, because looking into the characteristics and thought processes of the people still holds as the most significant factor to be looked into by the individuals in the field of sales and marketing. The researcher singles out such factors as quality of a product/service, reliability of a product/service, and attraction of a product/service. At the same time while taking-care of the customer’s choice a lot of other factors have also to be considered. Those factors are the social, legal, economic, political and technological factors. The social factor basically means which classes of people are being targeted by the organization that is making that particular brand - whether it is the upper-class or the upper-middle class, middle-class or the lower class. Gaining t he trust of the local government and reviewing the economic policies and legal matters that govern the country in which the product or service will be made available will be a strong ground from which the advertisers can make as a take off point. The tremendous growth of technological advancement has become the driving force of contemporary industries. The diffusion of the internet has revolutionized the business arena. The author provides PESTLE analysis of the "mother care" brand.

Managing Products and Finance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Managing Products and Finance - Assignment Example Under a process cost system, the key points in costing are the various departments or processes in the production cycle. In a process cost system, the focal points in accumulating manufacturing costs are the individual production departments (or processes) involved in the production cycle. As a first step, the cost of raw materials, direct labour and factory overhead applicable to each department or process for a given period of time is compiled. Then the average cost of running a unit of product through each department is determined by dividing the total departmental cost by the number of units processed in that department during the period. When a product moves through two or more departments, the total unit cost of finished product is accumulated by tracing the costs of incurred in each department to the product as it moves from process to process. A basic objective of a process cost system is to determine the unit cost of direct materials, direct labour and overhead for each manufacturing process or department. These unit costs become the basis for valuing inventories and for tracing the flows of costs though the departmental work in process accounts and finally to finished goods inventory and to cost of goods sold (Meigs & Meigs, p1022-1033). To assess all the processes through whi... To evaluate the favorable and unfavorable variances determining labor capacity and efficiency. To inspect the reasons behind the unfavorable labour efficiency variance and total direct labour variance. To assess all the processes through which the production of the three doors passes in order to depict the correct picture of the process of production and the space occupied by joinery business comprising 5 units for every step involved in the production. To critically figure out the causes resulting into the tightening of joinery shop and to examine the existing shop layout. To gather the required data and information necessary to visualize the positioning and placement of machines used in the process of production within the joinery shop. To put forth suggestions for changes in the process and procedures within the joinery shop outlet to make it sufficiently spacious to carry out the process of production in different units of the shop. This study would help the company to reassign space to different units of joinery shop as appropriate and required for the process to be completed properly. Suggestion and Reason for Extending the Study The report has been extended to the study of process and procedures of materials and goods moving between the different estate units in order to give a complete account of the space occupied by different units through which the production of the three doors passes. This analysis has been considered necessary for an investigation into the effectiveness of product management being carried out by the company. The company did not have any provisions for product management at the outset. After having invested in a combined thicknesser and planer, the

In What Ways Do Atticus Finch and Robert Ewell Differ and What Do They Have in Common Essay Example for Free

In What Ways Do Atticus Finch and Robert Ewell Differ and What Do They Have in Common Essay Atticus Finch and Robert Ewell are two very different characters, but are similar in some ways. They both live in Maycomb, Alabama, but are respected differently in their communities as Atticus is seen as a brave and courageous man, while Robert Ewell is seen as a drunken coward. Atticus ‘lives on the main residential street in town’, and Robert Ewell lives in ‘what was once a negro cabin’, but it is falling apart. The cabin’s plank walls were supplemented with sheets of corrugated iron, its roof shingled with tin cans hammered flat, so only its general shape suggested its original design: square, with four tiny rooms opening on to a shotgun hall uneasily upon four irregular lumps of limestone. ’ The Ewell’s scavenge a lot in the county dump they live behind to find bits and pieces for their house. Atticus Finch is a lawyer and has fought many battles in the court room, and has mostly won them. He is one of a handful of members in his community who can see the inequality and racism towards black people. Robert Ewell doesn’t have a job, and ‘lives off county cheques, but spends them on green bottle whisky’. He doesn’t even make an effort to try and provide for his family, and is also prejudice and racist. The men’s jobs, or lack of them, reflect their social status in Maycomb. The Ewell’s have lived and behaved in this manner for generations, while the Finches have been successful. Both the men have lost their wives, so have single-handedly raised their children. Atticus sets a good example, and ‘plays with them, reads to them and treats them with courteous detachment’. Atticus also has a maid called Calpurnia, who ‘treats the children like she’s their mother, not their maid’, unlike other maids who favour and are never strict with children. She has been with the family since Jeremy was born. His children are always well kept and polite, and have many friends at school. In contrast, Robert Ewell’s children are dirty, rude and ‘disease ridden’. They all attend school on the first day of every term, but always get sent home for having lice, or being extremely rude to the teacher and fellow classmates. Robert Ewell neglects his children, and it has now become clear that he abuses them, when it is proven that Tom Robinson didn’t harm Mayella Ewell. ‘Nobody is ever sure how many children there are, as there are always several dirty children’s faces peering out the window’. By Harper Lee describing how poor and unfortunate the children are, where they live, and how they behave, shows how neglected they are by their father and the community, and how poverty can seriously affect a family. When the case is first spoken about, people automatically favour Mayella Ewell, due to racism and prejudice, and are rude to Atticus for representing Tom Robinson. He gets called many names such as ‘nigger-lover’, and his children also get a hard time at school, but Atticus continues to defend Tom and ignores the rude remarks and names. By doing so, he still gets basic respect from the people of Maycomb, and still presents himself in a courteous manner. In the trials, he is fair to every person he defends, and always tries his best to make the jury believe that they are not guilty. He also abides by the law, making sure his children attend school; he’s not racist and wanting Jem to speak about the incident where Robert Ewell is murdered, in court. Meanwhile, Robert Ewell is a law breaker, and gets away with it. He lets his children truant from school, and goes out hunting, even though it is illegal in Maycomb. He lies a lot too, like in court he makes up which side Mayella was beat up on, and denies doing it himself. His language in the courtroom is also very bad, as he uses slang and behaves in an uncourteous manner, and his appearance is scruffy, and he doesn’t make an effort to be smart. On the other hand, Atticus looks smart and speaks properly, making sure what he says is true and says it in a clever way, so it means one thing, but implies something else. This is how he proves Tom Robinsons innocence to the spectators, even though the jury think he’s guilty. At the end of the book, Atticus decides to break the law on one occasion, and go along with Heck Tate’s version of the event, as he doesn’t want Jem growing up being told he was let off innocent, as his dad’s a lawyer. It was also easier, as Tom Robinson was dead for no reason, because of Robert Ewell, so it was fair to ‘let the dead bury the dead’. With Atticus being a polite, fair, hardworking and a responsible man, he and Robert Ewell are nothing alike. However, neither fit into their communities perfectly, but none of them are ‘normal’. So, with their being some credible similarities, Robert Ewell is a rude drunk and Atticus is courageous, so therefore Harper Lee has portrayed them to be two different completely characters.