Drama Soap Opera Essay

Our soap opera is called â€Å"Selby Walk†, named after a nearby park situated near the street where our soap is filmed. It’s set in a city suburb. The first scene of the soap contains three characters. Their names are Dave Hudson who assumes the role of a cabby driver, Mark Hayes who is a family businessman and Rob Kallis- a shady drug dealer operating in the area. The cabby driver, Dave, is modelled as a chatty person in his early 40’s. At times, he’s also the street gossip. He’s a pretty likeable personality. Mark Hayes is a businessman in his late 30’s. Although he occupies the spotlight longer than his fair share, he is a family man and laden with responsibilities, so he keeps himself to himself. Rob Kallis is renowned as the town villain. He usually dresses in black and always spiteful of many people. At 25, he is also despised by the community that he is a part of. he scene begins in Dave’s taxi. He is driving Mark to an area where Rob Kallis’ dealings are rife. The camera is continuously jumping from catching the reaction of one actor to the other. Before the dialogue starts, the camera swivels from looking at the road to the driver. This starts the scene off. However, the scene does not begin from when the journey begins. We catch it in the middle. Mark closes the door and begins to walk up the road. Before travelling up to a house footpath, he takes a quick look around. The camera also does this as if it was filming through his eyes. Mark walks up the footpath and up to a door. He rings the doorbell, but nobody answers. However, he finds the door unlocked and walks in. Dave watches this carefully, with a suspecting look on his face.

Quarterly Performance Review Essay

Being a retail store we all know how important customer service is, but many don’t see the importance of good vendor support as well. Vendors are important and should be looked after. Since they provide us with our foundations to running our business with providing us with the products and merchandise we sell. Elaine Bridgewater, our retail relationship manager, has been a great addition to our team. With her experience she is able to bring technical knowledge about the industry giving us a competitive advantage over many other golf equipment stores. Everyday Elaine brings her boundless energy and she is always driven and motivated. Elaine’s engaging personal style has built numerous new retail relationships for our company. However I do have some concerns regarding Elaine’s performance. Since she is the first person our retailers contact it is important to be attentive to the retailers needs. Unfortunately we have received complaints from various retailers that their calls are not returned the same day, but usually days later. If retailers email Elaine they seem to get lost in the email conversation since email message from Elaine could have been written clearer, making a simple email go back and forth numerous times due to confusion. Furthermore weekly reports are not created with care, but seem as if they were thrown together quickly. Although these may not seem like critical issues, and they are all simple fixes, but are very crucial to the survival of our business. With some standardized guidelines and practice these are areas Elaine could easily improve on. The retail channel is a very important aspect to the survival of our company and so it is important that that channel is maintained at all times. To help make the changes easier we will establish appropriate standards and guidelines for the retail division. All call and emails should be responded to within 24 hours of receiving it. We will also provide an array of email response templates since most of the correspondences are routine.

Can foreign policy be both 'ethical' and Realist or Discuss the Essay

Can foreign policy be both 'ethical' and Realist or Discuss the similarities and differences between the League of Nation - Essay Example 19). The United Nations Charter was approved in 1945. The League of Nations was formed in 1919 following the world I. It was discredited because of its failure to prevent future wars and conflicts after the lessons from the World War I. The league had failed to prevent the Second World War that realised massive casualty of soldiers and civilians (Jansson, 2012, p. 20). The United Nations The United Nations is an integrated network of international agreements, conventions and organisations that were formulated by United Nations. The UN was shaped in 1945 following the World War II. The UN system comprises of five organs, â€Å"the UN Security Council, The UN General Assembly, the UN economic and social council, the trusteeship council, the International court of Justice and the UN secretariat† (Jansson, 2012, p. 17). The five permanent members in the council include USA, China, Britain, France and the Soviet Union (Jansson, 2012, p. 17). The League of Nations (LoN) The League o f Nations was formed in 1919. It comprises of three organs that include the Assembly, the Council and the secretariat. Its goal was to oversee world peace by preventing the occurrence of wars (Jansson, 2012, p. 17). Similarities According to Gareau (2002, p. 44), the UN and the League had been founded after appalling world wars. They were both peace structures that aimed at realising permanent solutions for wars. The UN and the LoN were structured around large assemblies and small councils. The council members were mandated to use their collective effort to avert aggression. The councils averted the underlying differences between nations through dialogue and rationality (Gareau, 2002, p. 46). Pierce (2007, p. 12) contends that both UN and LoN promoted rational avenues such as courts, reconciliation and arbitration to thwart the likelihood of war between nations. Both international organs had permanent secretariats that were served by international civil servants. The civil servants did not answer to their national governments. Therefore, averting conflicts was the major goals of LoN and the UN because they were charged with the responsibility of maintaining overall international peace and security. Both organisations have historically relied on peaceful strategies for solutions to international disputes and have requested for punitive measures such as sanctions to the aggressor nations (Pierce, 2007, p. 22). In the LoN, the big powers exercised their influence in shaping its policies. Similarly, in the UN, the big powers of USA, Russia, Britain, China and France played a crucial role of directing the calendar activities (Daniel, 2008, p.30). Similarly, both are deliberate associations of sovereign states established to enhance cooperation among the members on specific political, fiscal and social arenas (Conforti, 2005, p. 34) They are both endowed with similar organisational appendages that include an assembly, council, fiscal and social bodies, trustee commi ttees, court and secretariat. In most instances, these organs were authorised to recommend rather than command (Page & Sonnenburg, 2003, p. 39). Both organisations relied on an assembly with universal membership where members enjoy equality of voting rights. They also instituted a council consisting of major super powers as members and a secretariat that is permanent and international in character. A secretary-general heads

Out line a plan to work with one client Assignment

Out line a plan to work with one client - Assignment Example The dependent variable can be withdrawn or varied as is necessary to the study. Single research design is the most applicable because it provides a framework for one on one work with a single client. Single research design focuses only on a single subject as the name suggests. As an alternative to group research design, single system design is structured differently in such a way that it can easily adapt to social work practice. As a result, it is the most accurate method of research on interventions and other social work practices (Royse, 2009). The process of single-system design entails identifying target problems, undertaking pre-intervention measures, providing the intervention, taking additional measures and evaluating the efficacy of the intervention. Multiple base designs will ensure that the client does not reverse to the old behaviors during the withdrawal phase. As the name suggests, multiple baseline designs introduces the baselines in sequence. For instance, the baseline for self-efficacy may last for four sessions while the baseline for parenting skills may last for seven sessions. These baseline sessions may overlap, allowing the researcher to determine the behaviors influenced by the intervention while controlling for the external events. On the other hand, Single-system design is the best choice since it focuses on the individual and not a group. Contrary to group design, single system is concerned with whether an intervention works for the client while the group design is concerned with the average change. It delivers a framework that allows the practitioner to asses and specifies the client’s goals, implement interventions, safely terminate with the client and perform follow up activities. SSD was created speci fically to address social work practice that group designs could not. As such, it is most suited for social practitioners especially in evaluations of efficacy of their programs with

Journal 1 Information Structures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Journal 1 Information Structures - Essay Example There are, however, challenges which needs to be addressed so that the government can fully benefit from the IT, particularly pertaining to policy, strategy, data and information control, costs, workforce and changes. These rests on the shoulders of the CIO and the proficiency of agency leaders to match the rapid influx of technology with the corresponding policy decisions (Fountain, 2007, 63-93). Readings: Fountain, Jane, E. 2007. â€Å"Challenges to organizational change†: Multi-Level integrated information structures (MIIS). In Governance and information technology: From electronic government to information government, ed. Viktor Mayer – Schonberger and David Lazer, 63-93. Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology Main argument Governments are big users of information and appropriate resources to create, share and disseminate information to enhance delivery of public services. Design of information flow, however, revealed several challenges which need to be ad dressed in terms of complexity of a tri-level nature of change at the micro-level, organizational and inter-organizational levels, and institutional level.

Auditing and why independence is important Essay

Auditing and why independence is important - Essay Example Carey, P. & Simnett, R. (2001) stated that in auditing theory and practice, independence is a matter of intellectual honesty. Auditors are expected to be unbiased and impartial with respect to financial statements and other information they audit. They are expected to be fair to both the companies and executives who issue financial information and to the outside persons who use it. Independence is important enough to stand alone as a concept. The public will grant social recognition of professional status to auditors only so long as they are perceived to be independent. The notion of individual independence is more specific in the conduct of each audit engagements. In essence, an individual auditor must not subordinate his or her judgment to others and must stay away from influences that might bias judgment.3 Loebbecke, A. (2000) argued that actual threats have to be considered on the situations that might be perceived as threats by a reasonable and informed observer. Where such threats exist, the auditor must put in place safeguards that eliminate them or reduce them to clearly insignificant levels. Safeguards apply at three levels: safeguards in the work environment, safeguards that increase the risk of detection, and specific safeguards to deal with particular cases. If he is unable to implement fully adequate safeguards, the auditor must not carry out the work. Gupta, K., (2006) mentioned that ethical guidance based on this framework includes examples of threats that might arise and appropriate safeguards to deal with them. But these are illustrative and not comprehensive. The auditor must be able to demonstrate that, in the particular circumstances under consideration, the fundamental principles had in fact been observed - a far more rigorous test of compliance. The framework approach is considered the most appropriate to adopt as: The aim of good guidance should be proactive, i.e. to require the auditor to identify and address risks, not merely passively obeying the letter of the code. A set of principles supported by reasoned guidance avoids the argument that any course of conduct that is not specifically prohibited is permissible, encouraging a search for ways around the rules. The approach recognizes the reality that the auditor is not wholly independent of his client, but that the threats to independence must be managed to clearly insignificant levels. Although the basic principles of auditor independence are straightforward they may need to be applied to an almost infinite number of circumstances. The detailed rules-based approach will have to be incomprehensibly complex to cope with all possible circumstances, or will be a blunt instrument, sometimes imposing inappropriate solutions or completely missing the problem. The business environment and structure of audit firms and their clients are continually evolving particularly in an international context. Clients and shareholders are generally allowed to choose the auditors to perform other work if they believe it is most efficient for them to do so, where adequate safeguards can be put in place. Nonetheless, where adequate s

Market Risk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Market Risk - Essay Example The purpose of risk management is to reduce the impact of different risks related to a purpose. It may be caused by risks posed by the environment, technology, organization or politics. But in financial management, risks can be managed using traded financial instruments and therefore there is a need to understand the importance of fundamentals in risk management. Governor Randal S. Kroszner, speaking before the American Bankers Association, Spring Summit Meeting in Washington, D. C. held on March 11, 2008, spelled out the importance of fundamentals in risk management. He stressed that there are fundamental issues that must be addressed by financial institutions in the light of economic disruptions and points out to sound risk management practices. Governor Kroszner cited an example as one of failures of bank’s policy is risk concentration, and cited an example of â€Å"putting all eggs in one basket†, and that by concentration, he said, â€Å"losses could occur at one time.† Gov. Kroszner noted that as concentration of banks to its functions of basic lending, holding of securities, trading of complex instruments, providing liquidity instruments, engaging in off-balance sheet transactions and other financial activities, banks are treading on a new market where there are information and unidentified data which form hidden risks, and manifests its presence only during times of problems. An example, Gov. Krozzner said, is the market- wide demand for liquidity experienced by US recently. (Governor  Randall S. Kroszner, 2008) In governance, information is the key for control and this lies in the hands of senior management who are entrusted to do this function. Gov. Kroszner stated why information is important link taking into consideration recent events in the US.. He said that when information is kept â€Å"in silo† and not distributed â€Å"vertically and horizontally within firms† a segregation prevents managers from

The Tough Life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Tough Life - Essay Example She appears embittered about â€Å"lost beauty.†The woman lives in abject poverty, endures racial discrimination, suffers from mental illness, and feels abandoned. She is also depressed and lonely. The image of the woman reflects on the life experience of Native-Americans, secluded from their culture and entangled in cyclic poverty. For the woman, a mother of three, suicide seems to be the only avenue through which she can escape the harsh life in Chicago. As the author asserts, the woman speaks out for the other women watching her dangle from the window on the thirteenth floor. The squalid health of women becomes evident. Her only comfort is the memory of the good life she experienced as a child, which is nothing but a dream at the moment. The woman lives in a cruel world, surrounded by people who seem to care less even if she jumps to the ground. Her life is basically separated from death by a very thin thread. She is unable to speak about her despair, and attempted suicide seems the only sure way through which she can drive her point home. Cross-cultural issues appear the most significant problem in the poem. The woman hangs from a window in the 13th floor, which is often associated with bad luck and avoided in most buildings, where floor numbering usually jumps to fourteen from twelve. From personal experience of life away from one’s culture, I can attest what might have led the woman to think of attempted suicide. In New York City, I have also endured a very tough life relative to the one I lived back in my native country. Unlike in my homeland, I have to collect my laundry and wash away from my home. Also, I am forced to take the subway to the university, which takes a long time and thus very tiresome. Further, here in New York City, I have to walk a lot, while back in my country, I have my own car and a driver. Life has become so stressful

Theme of indolence explored in ode on indolence Essay Example for Free

Theme of indolence explored in ode on indolence Essay Ode on indolence is the praise of indolence/sluggishness; it makes the claim of the attractions of lethargy being more alluring than the attractions of the more active emotions of love, ambition and poetry. It is the admiration of the state of non-doing and non-feeling. The ode is a simple, straight forward story of a man who spends a lazy summer day in a state of numbness and does not want his visions of love, ambition and poesy to disrupt his indolence. These three figures are strikingly contrasted to the condition of indolence. The poetic persona could be Keats himself. The ode begins with the poetic persona seeing three figures one summer morning passing him by in a dream/vision, as if on a marble urn they returned with each turn of the vase. Their description resembles that of pilgrims with bowed necks, and joined hands wearing placid sandals and white robes, they were seen in profile. The figures are called shades and strange, the narrator is confused and cannot identify them. The narrators confusion is shown in the next stanza with the repetition of the questions regarding the identity and the nature of the figures. The word ripe is used to describe his time of idleness; this has positive innuendo and gives the impression of richness. The figures were robbing him of his summer-indolence, they are described as constructing a deep-disguised plot and are said to steal. These terms are negative and show these figures to be menacing or malevolent at least to a slight degree. In contrast indolence is compared to a blissful cloud that favourably makes pain numb and takes its sting away [metaphor], however it also takes the joy away from pleasure or pleasures wreath no flower [metaphor]. The narrator begs the shadows to leave him to his much longed-for nothingness. The term used- shadows insinuates the visions are dark and ominous. The third verse is commenced with yet another question addressing the reason for the figures appearance. His confusion is echoed in the word baffled. His soul is compared to a beautiful lawn strewn with flowers, stirring shades and baffled beams; the sky was clouded but there was no rain, only dew drops called the sweet tears of May. This pristine image of the narrators soul is brought on by the state of inactivity, thus we are made to believe that this state of being is desirable or covetable. He wants to bid farewell to the three shadows. The fourth verse shows the third turn of the urn and brings forth the realisation of the there figures- the fair maid love, ambition pale of cheek with fatigued eye and the maiden most unmeek poesy. Their description has negative connotations; only love is shown in a slightly positive light. In this verse the narrator feels intense urge to follow the three and longed for wings to fly in pursuit of them. Poesy is said to be the most appealing of the three and is called a demon; this could be justified by saying that it is because the narrator finds poesy most difficult to resist and it holds an almost enchantment like hold on him. Keats has expressed his wish to fly on the wings of poesy before in another poem. In the fifth stanza a question is posed to love to establish its elusive nature. Love is also criticised as being fleeting and short-lived and not to mention folly. Ambition on the other hand is condemned as being a mortal emotion that springs from the human heart. From other poems- ode to a nightingale or ode on a Grecian urn- we know that Keats has trouble with mortality and impermanence. And as for poesy, it has not a joy compared to honied indolence- the narrator would rather be devoid of common-sense and spend his drowsy noons numb and listless completely ignorant to the world around him [I may never know how change the moons]. The concluding stanza says adieu to the three and marks their defeat in rousing the narrator from his laziness. He commands the phantoms to vanish and never more return. He banishes them back to the dreamy urn and reduces them to faint visions. But taking into account that the state of indolence as compared to the three visions is hardly mentioned, it is not very convincing that the poetic persona prefers indolence over his other temptations [especially after reading some of his other poems]. It does however come across that he is trying to deny his passions even to himself.

How Medical Marijuana Works Essay Example for Free

How Medical Marijuana Works Essay Marijuana or cannabis is well known for a recreational drug used by younger school age children as well as older Adults. To some people, the idea of medical marijuana is nothing more than an excuse to get the high card. Most school-age children use marijuana because of peer pressure from their classmates or buddies in general. Most older adults have turned to marijuana due to stress in their everyday life. The medical benefits of medical cannabis offer it patients are, swept completely under the rug. In fact, many individuals do not know that cannabis served as a well-established medical treatment until it was criminalized in 1937. Medical marijuana should be legalized in all fifty states. The number of people that suffer is in the millions. Americans that suffer from chronic pain is 100 million, Diabetes is 25.8 million, Heart disease 16.3 million, Strokes 7 million and Cancer patients 11.9 million, the total of American that suffer are 161 million. Why is the government being so inhuman and not legalizing marijuana? There are 29 states that have legalized Medical Marijuana. They are Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Washington DC, and West Virginia. All these states have approved Medical Marijuana. Legal weed created 18, 005 full-time jobs and added about $2.4 billion to the state’s economy last year in Colorado. The 15 Langley 2 percent special excise tax on marijuana sales in Arizona’s legalization proposal generate over $114 million in new tax revenue in 2016 and 2017. Maine has improved their state revenue by $69 million. Nevada has shown 161 thousand new jobs, and 89 million dollars increase in their state revenue. Why don’t all the state legalize medical marijuana to help build their budgets so everyone can benefit? In the state of Oklahoma, schools budget could increase, so teachers could get a well-deserved salary. College and Universities could have better learning material as well as the instructors, Professors, and staff could have better salaries and benefits. In the United States, there is 76 % of doctors that are for medical marijuana, 14 % that would use it if it was legal, but would not vote for it, and 10% that don’t care. The 10% is for prescription drugs. A young doctor diagnosed a 5year old child with Dravet Syndrome and she was having more than 300 Grand Mal Seizures a week. This doctor gave this child medical marijuana as treatment and she now has 4 to 6 seizures a month. A gentleman was having Migraines that would last up to two weeks at a time, was giving medical marijuana and now has a migraine once a month at the most. With the benefits of medical Marijuana, all states should legalize marijuana. The health benefits to patients as well as the benefit to the budgets of each state. Medical Marijuana has proven to help treat Migraines, slow down the growth of tumors, relieve the pain of Chronic diseases, Prevent Alzheimer’s, help with ADD, and ADHD, relieve PMS, calm patients that have Tourette’s and OCD.

Remediation of Technology for Media Essay

Remediation of Technology for Media Essay Krishna Cahanoo Remediation project- Zombie Apocalypse- Curtin University In your own words, briefly describe the process of remediating your text I began by selecting and using my favorite hobby which is playing video games. I chose a gameplay and part of â€Å"Last of Us† on the PS3 system and as it is a horror game and opted for a creepy music which is â€Å"Sweet Dreams† by Marylyn Manson. I used a simple and easy editor which is â€Å"Microsoft Movie Maker† to edit the gameplay chosen, creating effects/music and animations. I have an experience over using the editor as I’m used to create videos and familiar with it. Aster inserting the music file, I added some animations and edited the original voice of the main character (the man) and inserted subtitles to describe his movements and actions. I’ve encountered some problems while editing and saving the video as it was quite a large Format (Full HD), for a result I had to convert and compress the file into an Mp4 format which really made it easier. Another issue was when creating subtitles I had to choose a visible font and color as the video itself is a dark concept. The biggest challenged I faced was to look for the perfect music, before choosing â€Å"sweet dreams’ by Marylyn Manson, I tried with many other, this took time every time I had to insert and edit a music file. This project took me a long time to do and thanks to it I’ve gained knowledge of copyrights and to further improve my understanding. Finally, I uploaded my remediated work via you tube and also shared it to my Facebook page. In what ways does your remediated text demonstrate an understanding of how remediation impacts on the contemporary media environment? To my understanding innovation and new resources proceeds to the leading role through the concept of remediation. If we consider my own remediated work that I made, it required heavy use of new resources and technology, those are different software’s applications which all forms part of a new technology. In other words nowadays a remediated work or concept is more likely to be created and made through the contribution of new and efficient media identities. Whats more is that in today’s era an audience have grown into creators and distributors compared to long ago an audience were only regarded as consumers. The new media environment somehow turned each and every one of us with the capability and skills to generate, share and having access to media, thus this make us a â€Å"Participatory culture† (Botler Grusin, 2012) Referring to the music by Marylyn Manson â€Å"Sweet Dreams† if we compare the remediated project to the original one, there were a significant change in their original conception. A huge gap of difference is to be noted like the original music was released in the late 1990’s and at that time there were no Mp3’s or devices thus the music could only be played through audio CD. Now thanks to technology I converted the audio CD into an easier format which is accessible everywhere that is the MP3. In my remediated project those changes are superficial through the production and editing, thus the most noticeable modification would be use of technology. What key themes and/or concepts covered in the unit do you think are raised by your remediation? Why/How? In this unit of Engaging Media 104, the key concepts covered through my remediation are the different concepts of this unit, those are of ‘New Media’, ‘Participatory Culture’, ‘The Fair use’, ‘Copyright’ and ‘Media Convergence’. The approach my remediated work reflects those concepts are in diverse ways. Through the conception of â€Å"New Media†, for my project I used different practices of â€Å"New Media†. Those are the access to the internet and using the latest software on a laptop to create my remediation work. From using â€Å"Media Convergence†, with the mixture of a music form artist Marylyn Manson and using the gameplay video of the game â€Å"Last Of us†, animations and subtitles which I mixed to generate the remediated concept. Referring to another approach which is the â€Å"Participatory Culture†, my remediated project made me not only an audience member or public but turned me into a creator and producer. The notions of â€Å"Copyright† and â€Å"Fair Use† were reproduced in my remediated work in the video description. I’ve mentioned use for an academic use and also mentioned and gave credit to the original owners which is Sony Computer Entertainment and Marylyn Manson on the description figure. My remediation work reflect a different approach from the original gameplay of â€Å"Last of Us† as I’ve describe it with different captions and added a music effect. To conclude, my remediated work followed and amplified the trend of new media and also traditional media. In the case of new media I’ve used an audio CD of the music â€Å"Sweet Dreams† which is now considered as a traditional media and turned it into a new format to be able to use it in my remediation work. (Botler Grusin, 2012) References Botler, J., Grusin, R. (2012). Bolter and Grusin Remediation: Understanding New Media. LaToya L. Sawyer. Retrieved 8 May 2014, from http://latoyasawyer.com/2012/07/11/bolter-and-grusin-remediation-understanding-new-media/ Cahanoo, K. (2014). Remediation Project- Zombie Apocalypse- Curtin University. YouTube. Retrieved 8 May 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EmmWfAaYZw Marilyn Manson,. (2014). Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) Marilyn Manson. Retrieved 8 May 2014, from http://marilynmanson.com/video/sweet-dreams-are-made-of-this/ Thelastofus.eu.playstation.com,. (2014). The Last of Us for PS3 Story Trailer | Only on Sony PlayStation. Retrieved 8 May 2014, from http://thelastofus.eu.playstation.com/en_GB/lastofus 104 Engaging Media Assignment 2: Remediation Project Marking Rubric This assignment will be marked according to how well it: Demonstrates an understanding of the shifts in production, consumption and distribution in a new media environment effectively engages an audience, working appropriately within the medium chosen displays evidence of research and planning in terms of remediation and written component Links remediation to unit themes and concepts 1. process (Remediation written component) 2. Presentation (Remediation) 3. Research planning (Remediation written component) 4. concepts (written component) Comments Final Grade: /30

Free Essays - Of Farctate and Roadkill :: Personal Narrative Essay Example

Of Farctate and Roadkill Being a writer and reader, I love words-not only what they mean, but also how they sound. So I rely on my trusty Webster's New Universal Unabridged. It's over four inches thick and chock-full of tens of thousands of glorious words. Some people have trouble with dictionaries because they can't spell the words they're looking for. Me, I just get lost. Whenever I set out to look up a word, I often get sidetracked by other words. For instance, the other day I was headed for "farthingale," but "farctate"stopped me in my tracks. I don't care that it's a botanical term meaning "stuffed, crammed, or full." But the word itself-farctate-what a fun word to say! Another time, while in search of "synergy," my eye fell upon "susurrate," meaning to "whisper, murmur, rustle." It almost sounds like what it means-they all do, in fact. Maybe not close enough to be true examples of onomotopoeia-but, hey, that's another great word! And let's not forget sastruga, habanera, and Zwinglianism, to pick only a few. Even without knowing what they mean, they're delicious on the palate. They almost have a taste, like exotic spices among the salt and pepper of everyday language. Great words pop up in the most unexpected places. Years ago, I was waiting in a doctor's office, my paper gown sussurating around me. Flipping through a magazine to pass the time, I came across a beautiful ad with the word "nimiety" in it. I was entranced. Lest I should forget this new treasure, I tore out the page and hid it in my purse. I checked the dictionary when I got home: What an elegant way to say "the state of being too much; excess; redundancy." Consider now the writing of business and government.

Eliminating Evil in Thomas Mores Utopia Essay -- Philosophy

Eliminating Evil in Thomas More's Utopia Thomas More's Utopia is in many ways a very hopeful book; it implies that humans can be good if put in the right environment. Many people would argue that this could never happen; that the inequalities and injustices in our world are a product of human nature. Thomas More however would argue that rather than being a product of human nature, they are a product of the corruption within society. Thomas More believed that although humans may be inherently evil, if put in the right environment this tendency can be corrected. He develops the idea of the right environment; it is Utopia, a place where people are honest and equal because of the way that society is structured. Utopia is as close to the ideal society as possible because it assumes and accepts that its inhabitants are not perfect; the starting premise of the society is that human nature is dishonest and selfish. The laws in Utopia are constructed in a manner that makes immoral action absurd. Schools and the everyday structure of life are used to educate its population to think morally without even questioning it. Utopia operates on the assumption that people have and will always act in their own best interests and, then, the laws and institutions create a climate where the best interests of the community as a whole also correspond to those of the individual. Thomas More was an extremely religious person and this can clearly be seen in the way that he structures the laws and everyday life of Utopia. Using this organization he effectively eliminates all seven of the deadly sins, because of their absence Utopian society shapes its citizens to be upstanding people and obey the many rules without resentment. It does this by making ... ..., greed and envy with the abolishment of private property. He then rids Utopian society of gluttony with the way that they eat their meals, and sloth with hard work and a well-structured day. Finally he gets rid of wrath and lust with the Utopians policies surrounding war and marriage. All of these morals are reinforced by more laws than just those listed above; such as how the rules about politics also stop people from being greedy. The plethora of rules and structure built into Utopian society may seem excessive but every one of them serves its purpose and causes the Utopians to act morally. In essence, in Utopia a citizen must make a choice: would one rather live in a society full of corruption, poverty, death and inequality or in one with many rules, some of which even hinder people's personal freedoms but where everyone is well-fed, treated fairly and equal.

Math Scores At Harmony Creek Middle School Education Essay

This paper is in response to a petition to find if there is a important difference in math trial tonss that can be attributed to methods of direction and instruction assignments at Harmony Creek Middle School based on ethnicity, socioeconomic position and ethnicity. Test scores for all pupils grouped by instructor, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic position as determined by the eligibility of the pupil to measure up for free or decreased monetary value tiffin. An Analysis of Variance trial ( ANOVA ) was performed on each information subset and when important differences were found a station hoc analysis utilizing a simple t-test presuming equal discrepancies was used to measure the presence of any important difference in the average trial tonss in math that may be attributed to the method of direction and other listed factors. Do gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic position, method of direction and instructor assignments significantly affect math tonss at Harmony Creek Middle School?IntroductionHarmony Creek Middle School disposal has become concerned with math trial mark over the past several old ages and has examined the construction of the plan in an attempt to turn to the state of affairs. Professional development activities for the three instructors ‘ presently learning math categories have been provided and a restructuring of the instruction methodological analysis has been proposed as a possible solution to the job. At present two of the math instructors use a criterions based instructional method with the 3rd instructor utilizing a more traditional method. This paper will try to turn to the different instruction methods along with gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic position and in what mode these factors seemingly affect the math tonss within the school. It should be noted that this research i s really limited in nature and farther research is called for in this topic. It should besides be noted that with the limited information available and with the methods of roll uping the statistics that there are possible mistakes within the decisions. An analysis of informations covering several old ages would perchance be a better index of the identified issues and could bring forth different consequences. At present there is some favour to standardise the instruction methods within the school to supply more consistent direction of the math plan. Differing sentiments as to efficiency of traditional instruction methods versus criterions based direction exist. Opinions to the construct of grouping pupils by ethnicity and by abilities within cultural groups are besides a topic of some contention to the staff. Surveies seem to propose that a criterions based schoolroom helps kids to derive a better appreciation of math and helps the pupil to go a better critical mind. Traditional methods of instruction may bring forth better procedural accomplishments but seems to make little to assist pupils go better job convergent thinkers. Grouping pupils by ethnicity and by abilities has besides been shown to bring forth really few positive effects and tend to really increase spreads in cognition and accomplishments. Delegating pupils to instructors of the same race have non been shown to hold a important consequence on trial tonss. This paper will analyze the trial tonss of all math pupils at Harmony Creek Middle School harmonizing to race, gender, and socioeconomic position. Methods of direction will besides be examined to try to find if traditional instructional methods or criterions based methods are more effectual. It is hypothesized that there is no important difference in math tonss for pupils based on gender, socioeconomic position or ethnicity. The hypothesis is besides that there is no relationship between teacher assignment and trial tonss based on ethnicity.Reappraisal of literaturePast surveies have theorized that sorted pupils should on norm do better and separately should make at least every bit good. It is besides theorized that a position order could take to increased competition within the group, harder work by persons and to higher consequences for the group as a whole ( Hoffer, 1992 ) . Other factors would look to hold some bearing on grouping though as it is frequently thought that instructo rs relegated to take down group categories would hold lower degrees of occupation satisfaction and that the attempt of these instructors would worsen. The grouping of pupils by ability or cultural grouping may besides ensue in unequal allotment of resources, the instruction of inkinesss, for case, would frequently non have the same quality resources and concerns as the instruction of Whites ( Harris, 2008 ) . Students in higher grouped categories are more likely to be taught by more skilled and motivated instructors who would supply more piquant direction. Lower sorted categories would be given to concentrate on basic accomplishments, trial readying and rote acquisition ( Worthy, 2010 ) . Since lower grouped categories would travel more easy and cover less material the spread in content covered would steadily increase. It is frequently put forth that able pupils are held back by slower 1s when all the pupils work together in the same category ( Goodlad ‘s 1984 ) .MethodsTo compare the efficiency of the methods of direction this undertaking used the ANOVA trial to compare tonss between the pupils and the three instructors in an attempt to find if the Direct Instruction method or the Standards based Instruction yielded higher tonss. A t-test: two sample presuming equal discrepancies was used as a station hoc analysis when the ANOVA trial indicated that there were important differences in the research informations subsets. Assuming a random assignment of pupils to the three instructors this research should give consequences that will let for a finding to be made as to the Method of Instruction that would see the highest math tonss for the pupils. A 95 % assurance degree was used to table the consequences of this research. The dataset contains tonss from 216 pupils. Students were assigned to categories seemingly without respect to ethnicity, ability, gender or socioeconomic position as each category contained pupils stand foring each factor. 71 pupils were taught by Ms. Ruger utilizing a Direct Direction or traditional method of direction. 145 pupils were taught by Ms. Smith and Ms. Wesson who both employ a Standards Based method of direction. The analysis of the information was used to happen if there was a direct tie between the Method of Instruction and the math tonss. A t-test: two sample presuming equal discrepancies was used to compare the tonss for the Direct and the Standards based instructional methods. The information was besides used to compare the trial tonss by factors of ethnicity, gender and socioeconomic position being taught utilizing direct instructional method versus Standards based direction methods. A t-test: two sample presuming equal discrepancies was used here besides for comparing of the tonss.Consequences and Analysis71 pupils were assigned to Ms. Ruger ( direct direction method ) . 69 pupils were assigned to Ms. Smith and 76 to Ms. Wesson ( criterions based method ) . Students taught utilizing the direct method had a average mark of 55.2 and the mean for pupils in criterions based categories was 70.17. The deliberate T Stat for this comparing was 6.94 and the critical value was 1.97. The T Stat being much larger than the critical value allows for the rejection of the void hypothesis and allows us to presume that there is a important difference in the effectivity of the two methods of direction with the Standards based method ensuing in higher math tonss. Male pupils make up 56 % of the population for this research. 39 males were assigned to direct direction schoolrooms and 81 were assigned to categories utilizing a criterions based method. The mean for direct direction pupils ( male ) was 53.30 and the mean for criterions based pupils ( male ) was 68.20. A t Test gave us a deliberate T Stat of 5.13 and a t critical value of 1.98. Because the T Stat is larger than the t Critical we can reject the void hypothesis and happen that there is a important difference of the tonss of male pupils in direct direction schoolrooms and those taught in criterions based schoolroom with the direct direction method giving higher tonss. Female pupils make up 44 % of the population. 32 females were assigned to schoolrooms utilizing a direct direction method and 64 were assigned to criterions based method categories. The mean for females taught utilizing the direct direction method was 57.65. The mean for females taught utilizing the criterions based method was 72.65. A deliberate T Stat of 4.78 and a t Critical value of 1.98 would let for the rejection of the void hypothesis as the T Stat is larger than the t Critical value. Rejecting the nothing in this case would let us to find that the math tonss of females taught utilizing the criterions based direction method were higher than those of females taught utilizing the direct direction method. Asiatic pupils make up 24 % of the population of pupils. The figure of Asiatic pupils taught under the direct direction method was 17 and the figure of Asiatic pupils taught under the criterions based method was 36. A t Trial: two tailed presuming equal discrepancies resulted in a mean of 53.70 for Asiatic pupils assigned to instructors utilizing a direct direction method and 71.36 for those Asiatic pupils assigned to instructors utilizing criterions based methods. A deliberate T Stat of 3.76 and a t Critical value of 2.00. The value of the T Stat being larger that the T Critical value allows for the rejection of the void hypothesis and leads to the decision that within the Asiatic subpopulation those pupils taught utilizing the criterions based method of direction scored higher in math than those Asiatic pupils taught utilizing the direct direction method. Black pupils represent 24 % of the group. The figure of black pupils taught utilizing the direct direction method is 18 and the figure of black pupils taught under the criterions based method is 34. The mean for Black pupils assigned to instructors utilizing the direct direction method was 55.22 and 72.06 for those Black pupils assigned to instructors utilizing criterions based methods. A t Trial of this subpopulation resulted in a deliberate T Stat of 3.82 and a t Critical value of 2.00. As the value of the T Stat is larger than the t Critical value the void hypothesis is rejected and a decision that the criterions based learning method consequences in higher math tonss for the black pupils in this population is reached. Latino pupils account for 31 % of the population of this group. The figure of Latino pupils taught utilizing the direct direction method was 25 and the Latino pupils assigned to criterions based schoolrooms numbered 41. A t Trial of the Hispanic subpopulation resulted in a mean of 55.64 for Latino pupils assigned to instructors utilizing direct direction and a mean of 70.41 for those assigned to instructors using criterions based learning methods. A deliberate T Stat of 3.90 and a t Critical value of 1.99 was observed for this subpopulation. As the T Stat is larger than the value of t Critical the void hypothesis is rejected and it is concluded that Latino pupils achieve higher math tonss when taught utilizing a criterions based method. White pupils account for the staying 21 % of the population. 11 pupils of this subpopulation are assigned to instructors utilizing a direct direction method and 34 to instructors using criterions based methodological analysis. A t Test resulted in mean of 56.90 for white pupils under a direct direction method and a mean of 66.73 for white pupils taught utilizing criterions based method. A deliberate T Stat of 2.06 and a t Critical value of 2.01 allow for the rejection of the nothing and the decision that white pupils taught utilizing criterions based learning methods achieved higher math tonss during the period studied. 35 pupils in this group having free or decreased monetary value tiffins were assigned to instructors utilizing a direct direction method. 69 pupils received free or decreased monetary value tiffins and were assigned to instructors utilizing criterions based learning methods. The deliberate mean for this subpopulation taught under direct direction was 56.17. The mean for the pupils having free or decreased monetary value tiffins taught under criterions based direction was 71.02. A deliberate T Stat of 5.10 and a t Critical value of 1.98 allow for the rejection of the void hypothesis and allows for the finding that pupils having free or decreased monetary value tiffins achieve higher math tonss when taught utilizing criterions based methods. 36 pupils who did non have free or decreased monetary value tiffins were assigned to instructors utilizing a direct direction method. 76 pupils who did non have free or decreased monetary value tiffins were assigned to instructors who used criterions based direction methods. The average mark for pupils who paid full monetary value for tiffins and were taught utilizing direct direction was 54.38 % and the mean mark for pupils paying full monetary value and assigned to instructors who use criterions based methods was 69.39. A deliberate T Stat of 4.75 and a t Critical value of 1.98 allow for the rejection of the void hypothesis and farther let for the decision that pupils who did non have reduced monetary value or free tiffins and were taught utilizing the criterions based direction method scored achieved higher math tonss than the pupils who did non have reduced monetary value or free tiffins and were assigned to instructors utilizing a direct direction learning method.DecisionThe con sequences of this survey would look to do a clear suggestion that Standards Based Instruction should better math trial tonss at the Harmony Creek Middle School. In about every class at that place existed a important difference in tonss between pupils taught utilizing a Standards Based method and those taught utilizing a Direct Instruction method. This tendency appears across all of factors that were examined and would look to follow the tendencies noted in other research that does be. As Thompson ( 2009 ) noted Standards Based patterns were found to be important subscribers to pupils math accomplishment and that virtually none of the ascertained non-SBI practiced were found to be a important subscriber to student accomplishment by gender or cultural grouping. For the intent of this research a commission was formed to help in the rating of the research consequences and in the finding of the more effectual instructional agencies. Committee members consist of 3 active or former in-between school instructors who are familiar with the type of research to be evaluated, the instructional methods and with the demographics of the community, two community members who are active in their support of the school and a module member of the local community college. All members were chosen because of their engagement in both the community and local schools. All of the commission members have some background in instruction, concern, and finance or in the legal field. Harmony Creek Middle School will necessitate to buy 71 text editions at a cost of $ 100 each to implement the alteration to a criterions based instructional method in all math categories. The entire cost of the text editions will be $ 7100. The commission feels that the disbursal of buying new text editions that will be needed to implement a school broad policy of a criterions based learning method is justified as there should be a pronounced betterment in math tonss which should ensue in an improved ambiance throughout the school and the community. Implementing alterations to the math course of study should increase tonss which will assist to hike the morale of both pupils and module. An addition in math tonss will besides be given to increase support from the community as its members shortly see that Harmony Creek Middle School is non content to keep the position quo and is willing to take stairss to better the instruction of the pupils and in the betterment of the community. The vision statement of Harmony Creek Middle school proclaims that: We believe that each of our pupils, our module and our community is alone. We believe that each of our pupils, our module, and our community deserve the chance to accomplish their full potency. We believe that each individual is responsible for their ain actions and the effects of those actions. We believe that diverseness strengthens persons and the community. We believe that larning in an indispensable and womb-to-tomb procedure. To these terminals this commission feels that we must implement this vision statement with action and make all that is possible to farther instruction, diverseness and chance within our schools. We besides feel that one method to carry through this end is the execution of a Standards Based Instructional method in math categories at Harmony Creek Middle School.

Environmental Analysis Essay

This article focused on using the KM model to examine a firm’s external environment systematically. The KM model divides a firm’s external environment into four interdependent and strategically relevant layers. By understanding the changes and trends in each layer as well as the interactive relationships across these layers, companies could identify the emerging needs and trends in the external environment. The model facilitates an orderly and effective way to identify gaps between a firm’s internal operations and changes in its external environment. The KM model provides a platform for incorporating most existing strategic analysis tools to obtain a comprehensive view of a firm’s external environment, and supports companies to set their global strategic positions accordingly. INTRODUCTION Comprehensive and systematic analysis of a firm’s external environment provides management better planning and decision-making capabilities. The formulation of effective strategies often depends on whether a firm’s analysis reflects the changing environment. Many tools have been developed to examine environmental factors in the strategic analysis process. PEST model looks at the political, economical, social and technological factors to analyze the macroeconomic situation of the firm (Narayanan and Fahey, 2001). Porter’s five forces model analyzes a firm’s industry by looking at other existing companies, potential new companies, substitutes for products, suppliers and customers (Porter, 1979). Porter’s value chain identifies a firm’s primary and support activities. The fundamental principle of the model is that primary and support activities contribute to both firm’s costs as well as the ability for a firm to deliver value to its customers (Porter, 1985). SWOT framework identifies a firm’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Blue ocean strategy argues that firms employing a blue ocean strategy are deliberately redefining existing industry boundaries and creating uncontested market spaces as a source of competitive advantage. It suggests that firms engaging in blue ocean strategy see the barriers to competition are not only surmountable, but also present opportunities for untapped revenues (Kim and Mauborgne, 2005). The Diamond-E framework emphasizes that a firm’s successful performance depends on having high consistency among the firm’s internal environment, its strategy and the external environment (Fry and Killing, 1989). Crossan et. al. (2009) introduced a five-step framework to conduct environmental analysis. Mao and Kao (2008) proposed the KM model as a framework to guide systematic and comprehensive strategic analysis. However, increasing global competition, advancement of technology, incomplete information, economical crises and a wide range of uncertainties has made the analysis of the environment more challenging and difficult. Not only it is difficult to identify relevant environmental impacts, practitioners also find it difficult to relate the overall macroeconomic factors directly to the firm’s internal operations. We believe that practitioners would benefit from a framework that will support them to observe and analyze the continuous external changes and trends by 1) defining the relevant macro-environment from the global level to strategically relevant segments in the environment such as the firm’s focused countries, industries and supply chains, 2) relating the impacts of macro-environmental factors to the firm’s internal operations by following a prescriptive and systematic approach, and 3) identify the gaps between the external environment and internal operations. The KM model provides a structure to facilitate this process. In the following sections, the description, structure and applications of KM model for environmental analysis will be discussed. DESCRIPTION OF KM MODEL The KM model is a framework that guides a comprehensive and systematic strategic analysis for a firm. It provides a detailed structure for environmental analysis. It is constructed based on four premises about the environment of a company. First, a firm’s 467 survival depends on how well it adapts to changes in the environment. The environment is dynamic and always changing. Only companies that can continuously provide products and services needed by the changing external environment will achieve sustainability. Second, a firm’s external environment has multiple layers. These layers are interdependent and interactive with each Value Chain S E S E other. The firm’s sustainability is greatly affected by the changes and interactions among these layers. Third, each layer of the external T P environment is being shaped by both current andE past macroeconomic forces. Firms have to understand these forces in order to S Supply Chain understand the environment. Forth, the external environment is affected by cultural differences. E S P T The KM model divides a firm’s external environmentRelated Industries into four interdependent and strategically relevant layers. By understanding the changes and trends in each layer as well as the interactive relationships across these layers, companies could identify the emerging P needs and opportunities in its external environment. The KM model provides aT platform for incorporating most existing strategic analysis tools to obtain a comprehensive view of aFocusedexternal environment. The model facilitates an orderly and effective way to firm’s Countries identify gaps between a firm’s internal operations and changes in its external environment. P T In additional to the multiple layers in the external environment, the KM model also incorporates time as another dimension in the Global Market model. By studying the changes occurred in the past and present, the model facilitates managers to accumulate knowledge about the external environment. This incremental learning process often allows better prediction of future trends in the external environment, Figure 1 The KM future strategic which may give the firm a competitive edge in formulatingModel Structure positions in the global market. The structure of the KM model is described blow (see Figure 1). 1) A firm exists in a multi-layered environment. With the firm’s value chain sitting on top, the external environment is represented in four layers: the supply chain, related industries, focused countries and the global Market. The structure illustrates that all layers of the external environment form the building blocks that support the firm’s existence. 2) Each layer is being shaped and driven by its own political, economical, social and technological macroeconomic forces, as noted as P, E, S, T in the corners of each layer. 3) Layers in the firm’s external environment are interactive and interdependent. Any change caused by the PEST forces in one layer will trigger ripple effects in all other layers. 4) The structure is dynamic and robust. Figure 1 only represents a snapshot of a continuous interactive process of a firm’s external environment overtime. Understanding the past and current states of each layer will help predict future changes and trends. Hence, historical changes and trends in any layer are implied in the KM model. This structure provides a birds-eye view of the firm and its environment. It guides practitioners to systematically observe and understand changes and trends in the external environment. Using this structure, practitioners will be able to comprehensively analyze relationships between the firm and its environment. In the next section, how to apply the KM Model to analyze a firm’s external environment and to identify the gaps between a firm’s external environment and its current operations will be presented. APPLICATAION OF KM MODEL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS The objectives of using the KM model for environmental analysis are the following: Objective 1 To define the external environment of a firm from the global level to strategically relevant segments in the environment such as the firm’s focused countries, related industries and supply chains Objective 2 To relate the impacts of macroeconomic factors to the firm’s internal operations by following a systematic approach Objective 3 To identity the gaps between the external environment and internal operations Described below is a six-step process to help practitioners to achieve these objectives. For objective 1 Step 1 Divide the firm’s environment into different layers based on the structure in KM model. Step 2 468 Identify the components of each layer in the environment. For objective 2 Step 3 Observe the external environment from the bottom layer of global market to the firm’s supply chain. Identify major forces, changes, trends and opportunities in each layer by applying appropriate strategic analysis tools. Step 4 Based on the observation, identify impacts of major changes and emerging needs of the external environment on the firm’s operation and sustainability. For objective 3 Step 5 Identify gaps between firm’s value chain and the needs and changes in the external environment that may affect the firm’s sustainability. Step 6 Analyze the firm’s value chain to identify resources and core competencies. Evaluate whether the firm has the ability to bridge these major gaps in the existing environment. Step 7 Decide to stay in the existing environment if gaps can be bridged effectively. Consider move to a new environment if gaps cannot be bridged effectively. Step 8 Conduct steps 1 to 7 on a routine basis. The KM model has been used to conduct strategic analysis and provide strategic recommendations for firms in the service and manufacturing sectors, including automobile industry, food, technology, medical as well as non-profit organizations for consulting and managing purposes. It was also adopted as a teaching tool in executive MBA classes to help students analyze their companies. Given that the focus of this paper is on environmental analysis, included in the appendix of this paper is an example how the KM model was applied in analyzing Fiat SpA’s external environment. SUMMARY The environmental analysis component of the KM model presented in this paper provides a framework to systematically analyze the external environment of a firm. The model examines external environments by analyzing the political, economical, social and technological impacts in the context of a firm’s supply chain, related industries, focused countries and the global market. It also incorporates historical trends and cultural influences in the analysis process. By following the proposed steps, practitioners can examine the external environment of a firm using currently existing strategic analysis tools such as Porter’s value chain, PEST, Diamond E, Porter’s five forces, SWOT, etc. In addition, the KM model will help companies identify the gaps between the external environment and internal operations. Once the gaps are identified, companies can set their strategic directions accordingly. The KM strategic analysis model is in the process of being further developed and refined. Modifications and improvements will be presented in future studies. APPENDIX FIAT SpA Environmental Analysis, 2009 After a successful turnaround from 2004, Fiat, an Italian automobile manufacturer became profitable again in 2007. However, heading into 2009, the environment for auto industry has changed dramatically. Factors such as decreasing European sales, stronger competition from Japanese and German automakers, the emergence of new low cost Asian manufacturers, changing government policies, and global economical crisis have brought Fiat to a cross road again. This example demonstrates how the KM model is used to analyze the external environmental of Fiat SpA. Environmental Analysis In this section, the internal and external environments will be analyzed. The objectives of the environmental analysis are to 1)identify external environment changes and internal environment of the firm, and 2)articulate the implications to see if there is a need to change 469 as well as the direction and timing of the changes. This analysis will also help identify the core competence and key success factors of FIAT. The analyses are grouped into three parts. First, the KM model and PEST is used to analyze the internal and external environment of FIAT. The second part of the analysis focused on identifying the gaps between FIAT’s current position and the global environment. A SWOT analysis was conducted as the third part of this analysis. The goal is to identify its resources and core competencies to further evaluate whether the firm has the ability to bridge the major gaps in the existing environment. Step 1 Divide Fiat’s environment into five layers based on the structure in KM model. Fiat’s value chain †¢ Fiat’s supply chain †¢ Fiat’s related industries †¢ Fiat’s focused countries †¢ The global market place Step 2 Identify the components of each layer in the environment. †¢ Fiat’s value chain: Fiat has an automobile manufacturer’s value chain. †¢ Fiat’s supply chain: Fiat depends on a global supply cha in from its suppliers’ network and delivers its products and services through distributors to consumers. †¢ Fiat’s related industries: The Fiat group also manufacture other industrial equipments besides automobiles. Fiat’s focused countries: Fiat has a global presence with a main focus on European countries and has no establishment in the U. S. market until 2009. †¢ The global market place: the global economical conditions and trends in general. Step 3 Observe the external environment from the bottom layer of global market to the firm’s supply chain. Identify major forces, changes, trends and opportunities in each layer by applying appropriate strategic analysis tools. Step 4 Based on the observation, identify impacts of major changes and emerging needs of the external environment on the firm’s operation and sustainability. Global Market Place †¢ Economical o Global economical downturn/crisis o Decreasing consumer buying power in North America and Europe o Increasing car consumption in Asia especially in China †¢ Political/Legal o governments still support global trade o there are signs of national protectionism o tougher laws in car emission o Trend of more government involvement and regulations in the market and economy †¢ †¢ Social Cultural o Consumer behavior changing from large/gas hunger cars to smaller gas efficient/green cars. o More conflicts in society and between management and the workers such as â€Å"bossnaping† due to economical crisis. Technological o Global trend in green technology and gas efficient cars o Technology advancement causes decreasing gaps between high-tech companies in developed countries and low tech company in developing countries such as China and India Implications †¢ Fiat needs to identify what are the opportunities in the time of crisis. †¢ Government support is important. †¢ Economical downturn gives more power to the management to deal with union and other HR management issues but also give more risks. †¢ Consumer and legal trend toward gas efficient cars and green technology. More competitions in the traditional car markets as new players joining from low cost countries due to technology advancement. 470 Focused Countries/regions (use PEST to identify general local market trend and Fiat’s market positions in these specific markets) Region Highlight of PEST Market Position of FIAT Europe †¢ Global economical crisis is hurting †¢ Leading auto maker European economy badly †¢ Sales decrease dramatically in †¢ Social crisis due to economical Europe in 2008 downturn and loss of jobs †¢ Sales primarily rely on Europe †¢ Decreasing consumer confidence and buying power U. S. Financial and economical crisis started †¢ There is no establishment for Fiat from the U. S. is going deeper in the U. S. and Canada market, †¢ Heavy government the biggest auto market in the world involvement/management in the auto industry. †¢ Lack of small car/green technology (Big three) Asia †¢ Economical crisis hurt export economy †¢ There is no significant in China and India badly establishment for Fiat except †¢ Growing auto market with car sales some partnership with few Chinese/Indian companies. increasing in China every month †¢ Consumer trend in purchasing import luxury cars in China. Latin America †¢ Growing auto market †¢ Car sales in Latin America †¢ Economical crisis hurt export badly. especially in Brazil are successful. Slow growth expected as much of Latin †¢ Competition increased (from 25 models in 1992 to more than 100 America depends on trade with the United States (which absorbs half of models in 2005) Latin America’s exports, alone, for example). †¢ Banking regulations and policies changes due to financial crisis. Implications †¢ Too much depending on one market Europe †¢ Decreasing European sales indicating red ocean competition. †¢ No significant development in the world largest auto market – U. S. †¢ No significant development in the world largest emerging market – China and India †¢ Stronger competition in Latin America indicates the need to adjust local strategy. †¢ The impacts from the Big Three’s struggling for survival in the U. S. can be considered as an opportunity. †¢ Japanese, Korean and other companies from Europe are suffering from decreased sales. †¢ Comparing to the global auto volume car makers, Fiat is still a small company. Industry (Use Porters and KM industrial positioning) Porter’s Model Suppliers †¢ Power neutral †¢ Supplier network in Europe is strong †¢ Lack of own supply network in Asia and the U. S. Customers †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Power strong. Changing preferences and buying habit due to economical crisis. Different, segmented market needs and demand in Europe, North America, Latin America and Asia. Power strong. Global auto industry is saturated with new players joining at a fast speed Competitors 471 †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ and low cost. Fiat has no significant influence in important Asian markets such as China and India Fiat has the leading position in the European auto industry. Big Three tumbling Japanese, European competitors are very strong New Asian competitors from China, India in back mirror but not big enough yet. Power low Comparatively lower than before due to government support from Asian and Eastern Europe. More emerging low cost auto makers in the past 10 years. Power strong A lot of substitutions can replace partial or complete functions of cars. Low cost players are trying to get into the world market from India and China. Fiat is considered as a niche player in certain regional markets. Barriers to Entry †¢ †¢ †¢ Substitutions †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Implications †¢ Market segmented, no single market can support sustainability †¢ Severe competition in the industry in all global markets. Each market needs to be dealt with different local preferences. A strong global supply chain network is needed to support global operations. †¢ Red ocean and pink ocean competitions, needs to create blue ocean. †¢ Current position safe but not sustainable. †¢ Stronger competition indicates overall strategy has to be adjusted †¢ Opportunities lie with the tumbling of the Big Three losing their competitive positions †¢ Sense of urgency to adjust to adapt to global changes in the industry. Global Supply Chain †¢ Fiat’s global supply chain is strong in Europe †¢ Indirect but not necessary efficient/effective access to other markets through strategic alliances such as Tata and Cherry, GM often competitors too. Value Chain †¢ Primary activities – efficient production of small cars and high end sports cars †¢ Improved customer services †¢ Strong Management skills and leadership, efficiency †¢ Fuel efficient technology †¢ Strong R&D capability and ability †¢ Lean production †¢ Efficient structure and control systems. Global mentality, long history of global partnerships. Summary Observations External Environment †¢ Global competition/ red ocean/ Factors critical to FIAT’s sustainability †¢ Economy of scale – 5. 5 M per year †¢ Control of market channel in key market for current and future †¢ Technology †¢ Product line/combinations Internal Environment †¢ Existing business model is not sustainable if stays focus only on limited Europe market, 472 †¢ †¢ limited product lines without establishment in major mature and emerging markets. Competing on cost is given but competing on cost with Asian companies in traditional competition is not sustainable without control of distribution networks and technology innovation and government support. Change is must, expansion is must. †¢ †¢ †¢ Global supply chain Structure and systems HR The observations and factors critical to FIAT’s sustainability identified in this section will be used in Part II of the analysis gaps of FIAT’s current operations, and later in this report to identify alternatives and decision criteria. Step 5 Identify gaps between firm’s value chain and the needs and changes in the external environment that may affect the firm’s sustainability. GAP Analysis In this is part, gaps at each level of the KM Model are identified to see if FIAT’s current model fit the changing environment in order for it to sustain the global competition. Gaps in competing globally Value chain †¢ Lack of global production capability, especially in two important global markets North America and Asia. †¢ Lack of product lines important mid-size cars and larger cars production expertise. Lack of forward channels in the above markets critical to future survival. †¢ Lack of global brand reputation to its small size, fuel-efficient cars Supply chain †¢ Too much rely on European supply chain, no capability to efficiently supply globally †¢ Fragmented, not effective global supply chain †¢ Lack of forward channels in global market †¢ Lack of backward channels in global market Industry †¢ Lack of economy of scale to compete in the global market †¢ Is a niche player but does not occupy primary markets †¢ Although good at small size/gas efficient cars, lack of mid-size/larger family size cars to compete in major markets such as U. S. market Focused countries and global †¢ No establishment of production and forward channels in North markets American and Asian markets †¢ Overly depends on Europe sales †¢ Bad old reputation in the U. S. market Implications Major changes in the external environment, such as the global recession, decreasing European sales, the changing customer preferences and government policies are reshaping the environments Fiat’s future relies on. As a niche player, Fiat’s current value chain is no longer fitting the changing environments. Major gaps listed below have to be bridged in order to achieve sustainability for the company. †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Lack of product lines important mid-size cars and larger cars production expertise to compete in major international markets Overly depends on Europe sales and no establishment of production and forward channels in North American and Asian markets Lack of economy of scale to compete in the global market Lack of global brand reputation to its small size, fuel-efficient cars Step 6 Analyze the firm’s value chain to identify resources and core competencies. Evaluate whether the firm has the ability to bridge these major gaps in the existing environment. SWOT Analysis and FIAT’s Core Competencies 473 Strength and Core Competencies †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Strong management and leadership Successful restructuring before the global crisis gave Fiat a good position to compete for future Efficient production system Fuel-efficient and small car technology Experienced in joint ventures, licensing An environmentally friendly automaker pro-green customers like Weakness †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Threats †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Overly rely on the European market Overly reply on the leadership of the CEO No establishment in other major markets except South America Lack of global economy of scale – Only selling just over 2 million units per year Lack of product lines (mid-size, large size cars and trucks) for important global markets. Technological challenge of implementing Fiat’s technology into Chrysler vehicles Lack of brand name reputation in the U. S. Global recession Industry wide overcapacity and productivity Decreasing European sales Emerging low cost competitors from Asia Strong existing Japanese, European competitors Competitors copy successful business models Rising raw material prices such as steel Strong Euro hurts exporting Risk of the company spreads itself too thin and grows too fast constrained fund-raising options Consumer losing confidence in economy hurts large item purchases. Debt and cash flow Risk of bad union relations due to expansion Opportunities †¢ Global economical crisis brought down competitors, provide opportunities for well managed companies like Fiat †¢ Government support †¢ Changing customer preferences toward fuel efficient cars †¢ Emerging market in Asia and South America Implications In order for Fiat to be sustainable, the company has to explore and secure the opportunities based on its core competencies as not all the opportunities are realistic to Fiat’s future development. Fiat has to be very careful when it chooses opportunities to be the target in its business plan. Step 7 Decide to stay in the existing environment if gaps can be bridged effectively. Consider move to a new environment if gaps cannot be bridged effectively. Based on the KM strategic analysis for Fiat’s environment, Fiat needs to make a decision whether it should stay in the automobile industry based on its core competencies and strengths. If it decides to stay, it should make adjustments through its value chain to adapt to the changing global markets. It should, for example, consider expanding to the North America auto market and the emerging markets in order to extend its profitability as a global player. Once Fiat establishes its global presence and profitability, it can then determine the role of its auto division in the global markets. Step 8 Conduct steps 1 to 7 on a routine basis. The example demonstrated how the external environmental analysis for Fiat could be analyzed by using the KM model. REFERENCES 474 Crossan, M. M. , Fry, J. N. , and Killing, J. P. (2009) Strategic Analysis and Action, Toronto: Pearson Education Canada. Mao, T. and Kao, D. (2008) Lecture Notes for International Business Management, MBA for Managers and Professionals, Center for Executive Education, University of Windsor. Kim, W. C. and Mauborgne, R. (2005) Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant, Boston, Mass. : Harvard Business School Press. Narayanan, V. K. and Fahey, L. (2001) Macroenvironmental Analysis: Understanding the Environment outside the Industry, The Portable MBA in Strategy, 2nd edition. New York: Wiley, p. 189-214. Porter, M. E. (1979) How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 57, March-April, p. 137. Porter, M. E. (1985) Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. New York: Free Press. 475

Critic of the Application of Frederick Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory in Assessing and understanding employee motivation at work: a Ghanaian Perspective Essay

Critic of the Application of Frederick Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory in Assessing and understanding employee motivation at work: a Ghanaian Perspective. Patrick Ashiadey The Frederick Herzberg Two Factor Theory has had a considerable amount of practical and as well as theoretical influences. In fact, from a practical perspective, the influence of Herzberg’s motivation theory can be seen at every organizational level as well as within every department. From a theoretical perspective, Herzberg’s motivation theory can be perceived as having similarities to Maslow’s Theory of Need with the exception that for Herzberg’s theory, the needs aren’t placed in a progressive continuum, rather they are divided into two independent factors. Herzberg’s motivation theory emerged from a collection of data gathered by the interview of 203 accountants and engineers within the Pittsburgh area. The interview process consisted of asking the respondents to describe a work situation where they felt very happy as well as very unhappy. These descriptions were to include as many details as possible, including their feelings, the interpretation of the situation as well as the events that are suggestive of a change. The analysis of the responses confirmed the proposed hypothesis, where some factors where contributors to job satisfaction, while others were not. In addition, some factors were noted to be a source of dissatisfaction when absent. These were categorized as â€Å"Motivators† and â€Å"Hygiene† factors, the latter also being referred to as Maintenance Factors. (Wikipedia, 2013). Employee motivation in Ghana however takes on a different turn due to many factors that flaw the two factor Theory. This white paper seeks to discuss but a few of these factors. Firstly the difference in cultures and upbringing of the typical Africa especially the Ghanaian worker right from infancy to the work age differs from those used in the interview process as they are from entirely different geographical areas. Th e average Ghanaian lives on or below the poverty line and as such will be happy just having a job with his basic salary regardless of the existence of motivators or hygiene factors. The mentality of the average Ghanaian worker makes him fear joblessness as other forms of employment are hard to come by and that alone will motivate him or her to stay in the job in the absence of motivators or  hygiene factors. That is the theory does not take into account individual personality traits that could provide a different response to a motivator or hygiene factor. The Theory also lacks in the understanding of the inter-relations between some of the motivators which I totally agree with as can be seen from http://www.leadership-central.com/two-factor-theory.html#ixzz2g2Bs3nao in comparison to the dual structure theory. Example, one might receive adequate job recognition nut he or she may not be satisfied with the level of responsibilities therefore one would question the internal motivational value of job recognition for the individual. Lack of highly skilled personnel in the Ghanaian job market, makes the average Ghanaian worker dependent upon his or her professional level which would be more or less sensitive to one or the other of the factors. Frederick Herzberg’s sample space for his research included 203 accountants and engineers, a huge disparity from the large population of Ghanaian workers in the public sector who were only recently introduced to the single spine structure. Responses to the same questions posed to the accountants and engineers that led to the development of the theory would have produced different results as what mattered to a worker in the US would not necessarily have mattered to a worker in Ghana like recreational facilities. This leads us to the point where hygiene factors and motivators vary depending on the types of individuals involved and the nature of work examined. There is also the case where there exists no prove that highly satisfied people are also high performers per a research done on the internet. Example is the average Ghanaian worker in the public sector enjoying the new single spine salary structure still requiring some form of extra cash for him or her to carry out his or her civil duties. All said and done, it is a well-known fact that the Application of the Two Factor Theory is definitely well established within organizational settings. In fact, every leader has the responsibility to ensure that their employee’s hygiene factors are attended to and that proper motivators are implemented to increase job satisfaction. The most common mistake committed by leaders is to attend to the hygiene factor while expecting employee motivation. One application for Herzberg’s theory of motivation that isn’t well known is its importance in managing quality. A great paper by Heinz Weihrich shows the link between the Two Factor Theory  of motivation and quality. He equates the reliability or â€Å"R† factor of a product as being the hygiene factor and therefore customers have grown to expect products they purchase to be reliable. The â€Å"S† factor, the motivator, refers to the product features.

Comparing China with the West: What Hofstede taught us about Cultural Consequences Essay

The world today is a smaller place than it has ever been, thanks to the rapid and ongoing development of the global economy; we have become a borderless and cyber-connected community (Hofstede 2001; Kottak 2008; Mead, 2009). This has resulted in greater links and more and more interchanges between different nationalities. The ease at which we can physically communicate and travel has allowed for the free movement of goods and services across borders increasing trade and investment in foreign countries. International commerce, travel, migration and the media are the forces behind globalisation (Kottak, 2008; Craig and Douglas, 2006). Globalisation has a phenomenal effect on the business world; it opens up businesses to potential new markets, allowing them to increase their supply of consumers. Setting the stage for international collaboration (Hofstede, 2003) and while doing so, it is reshaping the global economic outlook (World Investment Report, 2005). In despite of this, Osland (1990) points out, that one of the barriers to international business success ‘Is the one erected by culture’ (p.4). Each civilization breeds its own social-political-economic systems. Essentially, each culture has its own method to conducting business. Such methods are intrinsically cultural bound. In order to understand how the different systems work one must first understand the values that underlie it. Thus, managers, employees, business partners and other corporate stakeholders must recognise that the methods they use, to make their decisions, solve their problems and deals with other people are all done by reflecting on their cultural backgrounds and perspectives (Mead, 2009; Mott, 2004; Hofstede, 2005). As acknowledged above, globalisation leads to problems in cross-cultural communication. We live in a world where a cultural competency is essential for global business profitability. Over the years there have been many studies conducted on culture. In the 1950’s Kroeber and Kluckhohn, where one of the first scholars to provide a theoretical framework for explaining culture as a system of integrated values they wanted to characterize differences between national cultures (Kroeber & Kluckhohn, 1963). Since then, many scholars have focused their attention on how national differences affect the decision-making practices of professionals and have produced some tangible guidelines for cross-cultural understanding (Hofstede, 1980; Adler & Graham, 1986; Black &  Mendenhall 1989; Trompenaars, 1994; Triandis, 1994; House et al, 2004). One of the first of these studies, and perhaps the one which has had widespread implications in helping scholars and professionals interested in cultures, is Hofstede’s Five Dimension model (5-D). Its primary innovation is to class national cultures along a number of dimensions. The underlying thesis in these studies is that there are nationally influenced differences in work placed values (Hofstede, 2001; 2005). This presented scholars with insight into the composition of national culture and according to Hofstede culture-focused research is becoming more prominent, and understanding culture is becoming increasingly vital (Hofstede, 1994). Even though, Hofstede was not the first study on cross-cultural research, his study succeeded in putting cross-cultural research at the forefront of international business research (Hofstede, 2001). It is considered valuable in international business and management and due to the growing interdependence among nations; the need for a better understanding of cultural influence on organisational practices has never been greater (House et al, 2004). A cross-cultural understanding is a prerequisite to an effective entry into an international market (Morder, 1999) as businesses operating in different cultures must maintain a multifaceted approach, developing appropriate skills and compromising the interacting cultures, adjusting their norms, practices and perspectives to work within another culture’s border (Morder, 1999; Selmer, 2009). There have been many documented cases of cultural incompetence, (Selmer, 1999; 2000; Hutchings, 2005), outlining how a lack of cultural competence can have devastating effects to the success of business ventures. Thus as we move to a more connected world some might expect a convergence on a cultural level, to match the significant business transactions that globalisation has inspired by the fact that trade, travel and education has helped facilitate the global economy (Scarborough, 1998). Nonetheless, one must concede that there remains a gulf between cultures created by the different nationalities in the world today. The roots of culture are so deep that they have produced highly divergent values systems, (Scarborough, 1998) and without reconciling these differences and working around them then there is no hope of successful business relationships between the ones cultural counterparts (Uniser & Lee, 2005). Through the literature, it is suggested that a  comparison be conducted between cultures helping to promote better working relationships (Torres and Jones, 2011; Tsang, 2011) The focus of this paper is the People’s Republic of China (PRC), as it is emerging as a particularly dominant player in the global economic market and the process of globalisation brings us in a global community China will play a central role in this. Thus, understanding it is of the greatest importance. Over the last three decades, China has positioned itself in the epicentre of the global market and the world is paying close attention to this new economic giant. (Detert et al, 2000; Scarborough 1998; Dent et al 2000) More references. Before this prosperous period began, China’s business environment and economic stability had been predominately controlled by the state. More recently, the country has seen a tremendous surge of economic success due to the relaxing of the state in relation to foreign direct investment (Euromonitor, 2012). Leading to the increase of the number of foreign business people working within China, resulting in an unprecedented growth in Sino-foreign joint ventures and wholly owned foreign firms (Selmer, 1999; Detert et al, 2000). Currently there is an opportunity for growth and prosperity in China, which seems endless and has attracted businesses and professionals to move to China to live and work. The country is now considered the ‘new hub’ in the international migration order (Pieke, 2011, 40). All this force in the Chinese Business environment has engendered much scholarly attention in exploring and understanding how the Chinese operate in a business manner, (Detert et al, 2000). Thus, those involved have become acutely aware of the great divide between the Chinese cultures and other cultures. The differences in the way one thinks, one’s beliefs and how one behaves (Scarborough, 1998). A basic understanding of the core component of China’s culture is particularly noteworthy given the magnitude of China as a trading partner to the rest of the world (Pieke, 2010). Until recently, China was viewed as a mysterious nation that was literally impenetrable (Lightfoot & Almeida, 2007), because they draw their culture from a distinctive, indigenous and philosophical cultural heritage, that dates back thousands of years consequently it is unlike any other economic giant in the global market (Rinder and Starbuck, 1997; Selmer, 2009). Thus, they can bewilder other nationalities that encounter them (Chen, 2001) because they do not identify with the Chinese practices and cultural traditions. It has  been suggested that from, a Western perspective, China can be considered ‘the most foreign of foreign places’ (Selmer, 2009, 42). Thus, in order to infiltrate this dynamic market, one must learn to accept and adapt to, the distinctive business culture that makes China unique (Bond, 1991). China China is the oldest empire in recorded history; it has a continuous recorded history of about 5000 years (Hofstede, 2005) and it is one of the world’s earliest and thus oldest civilisations. It is now one of the fastest growing and vibrant economies in the world, (Wang et al 2008) and the world is now paying close attention to this gigantic influential country. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded on October 1st 1949. (National Bureau of Statistics, 2012a) Below are some facts about the enormous and enigmatic county. Bibliography Adler, N. J., Campbell, N. & Laurent, A. (1989) ‘In search of appropriate methodology: from outside the People’s Republic of China looking in’, Journal of International Business Studies, 20, 61-74 Bohlander, G. W., Snell, S., & Sherman, A. W. (2001), Managing Human Resources. (12th ed.), South West College Publications. Bond, M. H. (1991) ‘Chinese values and health: A cultural level examination’, Psychology and Health: An International Journal, 5, 137-152 Bond, M. and Hofstede, G. (1989) ‘The cash value of Confucian values’, Human System Management, 8, 195-200. Black, J.S. and Mendenhall, M. (1989), ‘A practical but theory-based framework for selecting cross-cultural training methods’, Human Resource Management, 28(4), 511-39. Bratton, J., Sawschuk, P., Forshaw, C., Callinan, M. & Corbertt, M. (2010) Work and Organisational Behaviour, New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Brown, A. (1998) Organisational Culture, 2ed., London: Pitman Publishing. Cardon, W. P. (2009) ‘A model of face practices in Chinese business culture: Implication for Westerners’. Thunderbird International Business Review 51, 19-36. Chen, M. J. (2001), Inside Chinese Business: A Guide for Managers Worldwide, Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press China National Tourist Office (2012a) ‘About China’, [online], available: http://www.cnto.org/aboutchina.asp [accessed 8th August 2012]. China National Tourist Office (2012b) ‘Foreign Arrivals by Purpose: Jan/Dec 2010’, [online], available: http://www.cnto.org/chinastats_2010ArrivalsB yPurpose.asp [accessed 8th August 2012]. Chinese Culture Connection (1987), ’Chinese values and the search for culture-free dimensions of culture’, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 18, 143-64. Child, J. (2009) ‘China and International Business’ in Alan, M. 2nd ed., The Oxford Handbook of International Business Oxford

Lean management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Lean management - Assignment Example The method, which was employed during this work, was designed for the lean management introduction process for improvement initiative across the organization along with the effective organizational strategies. The report also utilized varied methods of collecting data including the sample surveys, use of questionnaires, interviews and the focused group discussions. The report offered an analysis on the way these methods were utilized for gathering adequate information about the topic under study. The report results were given and this included the outcomes of the research that was done through using varied data collection methods. The researcher packed up the report results with varied sources in order to enable the reader to understand the need for lean management in an organization. The conclusion also was given and this included a brief summary of what was discussed in the report. Lastly, the recommendations were given, which revealed some significant measures that should be taken in order to achieve successful organizational performance when employing lean management approach. A Business Report Introduction Lean management and organizational learning have become the fundamental driving forces for successful business in the contemporary society; thus contributing to a competitive advantage in an organization. The main objective of employing lean management is to maximize customer value while minimizing resources.... It also appears that lean management has only remained the popular strategy in many organizations; hence, it is applied at all strategies of production and management levels across the organizations. Thus, the report evaluates and offer recommendations on the feasibility and implications of applying lean management as a vital approach for improvement initiative across the organizational level. Report Purpose/Objectives The report aims to explore and examine the significant of the implementation of lean management from the perspective of organizational learning. The report attempts to find out the significant role of lean management approach for specific process improvement initiative across the organization. The report employs effective methods of analyzing the literature materials in order to determine the way lean approach percolates into a wider operation circles to enable businesses to achieve a competitive advantage. The report evaluates and offers effective recommendations on t he feasibility and implications of applying lean management as a vital approach for improvement initiative across the organizational level. Methods The method, which was employed during this work, was designed for the lean management introduction process improvement initiative across the organization, along with the effective organizational strategies. The information used in this report was collected by consulting an independent review from scholarly, journals and academic management reports. The information was also collected through contacting the individual companies for additional information about lean approach for specific process improvement initiative across the organization. Further research methods including use of questionnaires, interviews, focused group discussions and