In today’s business environment, obtaining well-planned and flawlessly executed marketing strategies is vital for prosperity, attracting, and retaining more customers.
Marketing strategies
Marketing Strategies
In today’s business environment, obtaining well-planned and flawlessly executed marketing strategies is vital for prosperity, attracting, and retaining more customers. Although marketers have, in the recent past, shifted to one-to-one strategies, Nunes & Merrihue (2007) argue that such approaches may be insufficient. Their insufficiency is based on the fact that they require a considerable upfront investment, including implementing software applications for managing customer relations. Additionally, Nunes & Merrihue (2007) indicated that such marketing approaches are time-consuming and necessitate coordination of multiple parts of the organization.
These requirements can be daunting for companies that seek to remain highly reactive to a rapidly changing environment and have been associated with disappointing results due to improper integration of their use with the corporate strategy (Nunes & Merrihue, 2007). Nonetheless, several alternative solutions exist that may boost company sales, feature product value, and facilitate a brand’s growth. Among these solutions are mass marketing strategies that companies should use to grab the attention of the customers.
The first mass marketing strategy that companies should use in grabbing the consumers’ attention entails leveraging social media and other online platforms. Using social media and online marketing platforms, companies would have an environment in which they share pictures and videos regarding their products and further engage their customers through comments and feedback. This engagement with customers would foster building brand loyalty and further elevate customer service (Indeed Career Guide, 2020). For instance, by posting videos of the production process and images of the finished product, companies would grab the consumers’ attention and urge them to check out other varieties available in their outlets in distinct locations
Close to social media marketing, blogging would serve as a second strategy suitable for organically attracting customers online and delivering high-quality and educational content. Companies should provide relevant content/details to help their customers make appropriate buying decisions or learn about other services offered.
Similarly, guest blog writers may be featured to authenticate and confirm the value of the products offered within a specific company (Indeed Career Guide, 2020). Alternatively, companies can write posts that address questions from the most technical to the most fundamental issues and showcase practical answers for their readers. For instance, when introducing a new product/solution to the market, a company may write a blog, including pictures and videos, on how it works and the problems it is intended to address.
SEO Marketing Strategies
The third option that may be appropriate for mass marketing in today’s business environment entails applying and maximizing Search Engine Optimization (SEO). When consumers search online for a specific product, keywords and phrases facilitate locating the item, availability, price, and other relevant information. Therefore, companies should ensure that their websites or product pages feature keywords and phrases that place them in the first few pages of search engines such as Google.
The effective use of keywords in their website or product page would suffice to answer the consumers’ inquiries, provide test titles that pique user’s interests, offer comprehensive material, and further inform the audience about more products or details (Indeed Career Guide, 2020). For instance, a company selling a unique beauty product online should use specific keywords in creating content about the item, which allows consumers to learn about its availability, uses, price, and other relevant details.
Even though other unique and equally effective mass marketing strategies exist, these three approaches would play a fundamental role in reaching a large population of potential consumers and retaining them based on their customer service contentment.
National Appliance Inc Logistics Case Analysis. According to Marchet, Melacini, Perotti, & Tappia (2016), correlations exist between organizational internationalization choices and logistics operations.
Logistics Case Analysis
National Appliance Inc Logistics Case Analysis
According to Marchet, Melacini, Perotti, & Tappia (2016), correlations exist between organizational internationalization choices and logistics operations. Expressly, the authors point out that logistics serve as crucial enablers for company internationalization, which further contributes to a significant increase in logistics network complexity. Today, society is characterized by an increased demand for flexibility and speed, which require organizations to understand that their logistics strategy serves as a vital aspect of the overall operations and further contributes to achieving corporate objectives (Marchet, Melacini, Perotti, & Tappia, 2016).
In this case, National Appliance Inc has been operational for the past 35 years. During the past 15 years, they have experienced increased growth in their share of the products due to the provision of high-quality products at lower prices. This growth has been coupled with vertical integration in the company’s supply and marketing channels. Nonetheless, the company’s expansion into an international market, Paris, is characterized by various strengths and limitations, especially in logistics planning.
More precisely, the strengths associated with Mr. Reard’s international transportation plan include vast experience and considerable expertise in domestic transport management and logistics. These essential components have been acquired through the company’s successful transportation of their products domestically for the past 15 years, contributing to a significant reduction of transportation costs (Li & Sun, 2014).
Additionally, the plan formulated by Mr. Reard portrays strength based on the control and close monitoring of transportation activities via trucks, which allow him to remain in close contact with the drivers. As a result, this strategy fosters increased flexibility in services and the employment rate for many drivers. Besides, potential delays in truck transportation can be quickly addressed than other modes of transportation. Simultaneously, shipment of goods internationally from New Jersey to LeHavre, France, could significantly reduce transportation costs for the company compared to airplanes (Cook, 2016).
Conversely, Mr. Reard’s plan is characterized by several weaknesses that include a considerable distance between the United States and Paris. If the products are transported via shipping, they will take at least four weeks to reach the destination. As a result, the costs incurred during this period would significantly increase the lead times, ultimately affecting its price. Specifically, transportation of the finished products from the different plants, Memphis, Minneapolis, and Omaha, would significantly increase the costs and contribute to long lead times (Cook, 2016).
Besides, hiring an international transportation manager to take charge of Paris operations would lead to increased costs as he/she would demand a high salary. These shortcomings are coupled with the fact that Mr. Reard and his staff lack the necessary international experience and may thus be ill-equipped to prepare the plan.
An alternative plan that should be presented to Ms. Jameson entails:
Establishing a central hub between the three plants to facilitate management and assortment of the products and direct dispatched to New Jersey port to minimize the transportation costs and ensuring quality
Use rail transportation as the most reliable, timely, less costly, and risky mode in Europe for bulk products
Shift to shipment of the products from New Jersey to LeHavre, France, coupled with the relevant insurance before dispatching of the goods
Avoid hiring a transportation manager since it is not elaborately established whether doing business with the Paris distributor is on a contractual or regular basis
Engagement management in laying out the operational terms between the Paris distributor and National Appliance Inc
Visual Representation
Logistics visual representation
National Appliance Inc Logistics Case Analysis Conclusion
As a justification for the strategy applied in Mr. Reard’s case, the international transportation plan formulated above focuses on cost reduction and the maintenance of quality and timely delivery of the company products to the end-user. Essentially, the central hub established will play a pivotal role in ensuring accuracy through the assortment and management of the products before they are dispatched to the New Jersey/New York plant.
This way, the lead time will be significantly reduced, and the goods meant for transportation to Paris will be readily available, fostering timely delivery to the final consumer. Nevertheless, this strategy harbors some shortcomings based on risks and losses associated with railway transportation. Additionally, in case of potential delays, accidents, or power outages, monitoring the transportation of goods becomes a challenge and can deter other sectors of the logistics and transportation process. Contrastingly, using trucks to transport goods may be effective but take more time.
References
Cook, T. A. (2016). Managing growth and expansion into global markets: logistics, transportation, and distribution. CRC Press.
Li, X., & Sun, X. (2014). Operations Management of Logistics and Supply Chain: Issues and Directions. Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/701938
Marchet, G., Melacini, M., Perotti, S., & Tappia, E. (2016). Shaping the international logistics strategy in the internationalisation process. International Journal of Supply Chain and Operations Resilience, 2(1), 72. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijscor.2016.075914
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Reducing nursing alarm fatigue
Introduction
In the healthcare setting, clinical alarm fatigue management failure is often as a result of nursing mistakes relating to complexity of the system. Telemetry technicians as well as nurses are occasionally affected by clinical alarm fatigue which hinders their capability to respond to the clinical alerts in the monitors (Sowan et al, 2015). Often, these practitioners are inundated with a significant number of visual and audio alerts which makes them ignore or fail to see the pertinent clinical alarm.
According to a qualitative research done by Dressler et al (2014), fatigue alarms rate from about 187 alarms per day in a single bed, 88.8% of which are false positives. This high rate has been a nuisance and a distraction in the healthcare setting as they can lead to increased number of mistakes in patient care. They are also a cause of panic and stress to patients who may be trying to rest as well as recover from illnesses and surgeries. Therefore reducing nursing alarm fatigue is much needed in the healthcare setting.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Problem statement
The rate at which false alarm fatigue go off has remained to be a huge problem for telemetry technicians and nurses in charge of monitoring alarm signals in the telemetry room. These nurses and technicians are faced by a barrage of alarms and alerts during their shifts which makes them ignore the alerts at times. As a result, these practitioners may ignore a true positive alarm that needs immediate action leading to detrimental safety complications on the patient (Sowan et al, 2016).
Purpose of this study
The main aim for this study is to investigate whether healthcare organizations can minimize the amount of fatigue alerts in the telemetry rooms by applying the Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) method. Failure to respond to true actionable alarms has led to serious patient injuries and even deaths in the healthcare setting (Christensen, Dodds, Sauer, & Watts, 2018).
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Significance of the study
This research is important because it informs the healthcare practitioners on how to minimize the severity of non-actionable alerts that nurses and other clinicians face during their shifts. Reducing the number of false positive alarms will create an environment that can improve the practitioner’s awareness of the alarms thus decreasing alarm fatigue (Cho, Kim, Lee, & Cho, 2016)
Research Questions (PICO)
How does an organization’s infrastructure, culture, technology, and practices influence a strong alarm management plan?
How can the elimination of false alarms such as premature ventricular contraction (PVC) and low amplitude GCG complexes lower the number of non-actionable alerts in the telemetry room?
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
This qualitative research investigates how the healthcare system can minimize the number of alerts that cause fatigue among nurses as well as telemetry technicians to enhance patient safety. This paper uses peer reviewed papers from credible sources retrieved from databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE/EBSCO, Proquest, and HEALTH SOURCE/NURSING/ACADEMIC EBSCO.
The key terms that were used in this research includes clinical alarms, alarm fatigue, and physiologic monitor alarms. The timeline for this research was publications that dated from 2012 to 2019. The inclusion criteria for this research study included qualitative and quantitative studies that discussed how to reduce false positives in the telemetry room. A total of 46 research articles were reviewed though only 10 were used as the rest were duplicates or did not include detailed information.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Reducing nursing alarm fatigue
Results
Srinivasa et al. (2017) and De Vaux et al. (2017) carried out quality improvement projects using the PDSA methodology in an effort of minimizing the severity of false alarms that nurses and technicians are exposed to in a single shift by revisiting the alarm alert typology. While De Vaux et al. (2017) used direct observations based on the alarm codes to develop concepts, Srinivasa et al. (2017) captured data using electronic software tools to capture data.
The two research studies investigated the PVC alarms and asserted that these alarms go off when physiologic monitor peaks irregularities in cardiac rhythms. During the beginning of physiological monitoring, most healthcare practitioners treated PVCs using various interventions or medications. However, recent research shows that cardiac irregularities are basically benign and are not treated.
Nonetheless, even after this discovery the PVCs alarms were not removed from the physiologic monitoring system. These two researchers concluded that PVC alarms should be removed from the physiologic monitoring system to reduce alarm fatigue among the practitioners.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
In their research, Walsh-Irwin and Jurgens (2015) also investigated how the healthcare system can reduce false alarms by adopting better cultures and patient care systems. These researchers carried a research that involved monitoring physiologic alarms before interventions and after the application of certain physiologic monitor leads following improved skin preparation.
Walsh-Irwin and Jurgens (2015) analyzed the collected data before and after the skin care intervention in an effort of determining whether the number of alarms reduced or accelerated. The statistical data that was collected in this research showed that proper skin preparation results to a reduced number of false positive alarms. The healthcare system should therefore adopt cultures that ensure proper skin preparation in patients to reduce the number of false alarms in the telemetry room.
Paine et al. (2016) also carried out a quasi-experimental research to investigate how healthcare organizations can reduce the number of false positive alarms among patients. This research examined topics such as the relationship between nurse response time and alarms exposure, non-actionable and actionable alarm propositions, and important interventions that help in the reduction of false alarms frequency.
This research established that the actionable alarms raged between <1% and 36% across many healthcare organizations in the United States. This research also found that there is a considerable correlation between alert exposures and the time that nurses take to respond to the alarm.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
In another experiment, Pelter, Fidler, and Hu (2016) investigated the probable impacts of a low-amplitude QRA complexes on asystole alarms that are false positives. Low-amplitude QRS complexes occur when limb complexes lead to less than 5-10 millimeters in the precordial leads. This qualitative study involved 82 patients who were observed in a period of 31 days.
The research suggested that there was no significant statistical data to having a false positive asystole alarm when a 12-lead ECG measured QRS complexes that were low amplitude. This experiment demonstrated that the low amplitude QRS complex alarm can be eliminate from the physiologic monitor.
Discussion
The themes that are evident in the above research studies provide insight to the healthcare’s struggles to apply PSDA methods that can manage alarm alerts. The studies establish that most alarms are not actionable and are a source of disruption and fatigue among nurse and therefore there should be active efforts to minimize the number of false positive alarms because they result to alarm desensitization and important alerts can be ignored as a result (Model for Improvement, 2018).
The research studies also establish that modifying alarms to ensure that only actionable physiological changes are recorded is a good of reducing alarm fatigue. Pelter, Fidler, and Hu (2016) clearly show that interventions are also a safe way of reducing the number of non-actionable alarms.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Conclusion
In essence, alarm fatigue is a huge problem that puts patients in grave danger and a practitioner can ignore an actionable alarm thinking that it is a false positive. As such, adopting a PSDA methodology to reduce the number of false alarms will enhance the opportunities for practitioners to respond to the actionable alarms as well as reduce alarm fatigue. The healthcare organizations should create an environment that provides meaningful information to telemetry room monitors.
Reducing nursing alarm fatigue
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
References
Cho, O. M., Kim, H., Lee, Y. W., & Cho, I. (2016). Clinical alarms in intensive care units: Perceived obstacles of alarm management and alarm fatigue in nurses. Healthcare informatics research, 22(1), 46-53.
De Vaux, L., Cooper, D., Knudson, K., Gasperini, M., Rodgerson, K., & Funk, M. (2017). Reduction of nonactionable alarms in medical intensive care. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 51(s2), 58-61.
Dressler, R., Dryer, M. M., Coletti, C., Mahoney, D., & Doorey, A. J. (2014). Altering overuse of cardiac telemetry in non–intensive care unit settings by hardwiring the use of American Heart Association guidelines. JAMA internal medicine, 174(11), 1852-1854.
Paine, C. W., Goel, V. V., Ely, E., Stave, C. D., Stemler, S., Zander, M., & Bonafide, C. P. (2016). Systematic review of physiologic monitor alarm characteristics and pragmatic interventions to reduce alarm frequency. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 11(2), 136-144.
Pelter, M. M., Fidler, R., & Hu, X. (2016). Research: Association of low-amplitude QRSs with false-positive asystole alarms. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 50(5), 329- 335. Srinivasa, E., Mankoo, J., & Kerr, C. (2017). An evidence‐based approach to reducing cardiac telemetry alarm fatigue. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 14(4), 265-273.
Walsh-Irwin, C., & Jurgens, C. Y. (2015). Proper skin preparation and electrode placement decreases alarms on a telemetry unit. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 34(3), 134- 139.
Sowan, A. K., Tarriela, A. F., Gomez, T. M., Reed, C. C., & Rapp, K. M. (2015). Nurses’ perceptions and practices toward clinical alarms in a transplant cardiac intensive care unit: Exploring key issues leading to alarm fatigue. JMIR human factors, 2(1), e3.
Walsh-Irwin, C., & Jurgens, C. Y. (2015). Proper skin preparation and electrode placement decreases alarms on a telemetry unit. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 34(3), 134- 139.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
VOLUNTEERS IN NFP AND NGOS
The Victorian equal employment opportunity law stipulates volunteers’ rights. The law states that, volunteers in not for profit and non-governmental organizations should have equal protection against harassment and damages as the other paid employees. Volunteers are important recourses for NGOs and NFP organizations. Most of these charitable organizations are run and managed by volunteers (Taylor, 2011).
They offer their services free of charge to the organizations that deliver charitable programs to disadvantaged countries and communities. They have no interest in financial compensation. Most of them derive personal satisfaction from offering their services free of charge to charitable organizations. The importance of volunteers is attached to their contribution towards achieving an organization’s mission and objectives. According to Ralph (2006), qualified volunteers should be retained through motivation. They can be encouraged by training incentives and rewards.
CHARACTERISTICS OF VOLUNTEERS IN NFP AND NGOS
Volunteers are very important resources for NFP and NGO’s. They are expected to deliver their services like the other employees. They are not entitled to any payment by the organization. There services are considered to be of good faith and charitable (Farmer & Fredor 1999). The fact that they are not entitled to monetary compensation, does not oblige inefficiency and lack of commitment. They work voluntarily, they cannot be forced to work, they can stop their services any time and the organization can dismiss them any time.
Volunteers should be willing to learn and train in order to acquire the necessary skills and qualification required in the organization. Choudhory (2010) found out that, most of them have different professional backgrounds that may not correspond to the nature of the organizations work. They should be flexible to acquire appropriate skills and experiences that are necessary through training.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Taylor (2001) states that, volunteers do not have tenure of employment and when unproductive they are dismissed by the organization. The organizations objectives should be achieved through volunteers who should be willing and are committed to provide their services to the respective organization. They should be flexible in delivering their duties, some organizations work in risky and hardship areas, these calls for volunteer resilience and endurance.
Volunteers should be productive, efficient and motivated in carrying out their duties. Transparency and accountability is an important aspect in volunteering, they should be able deliver their services in a diligent and honest manner (Boraas, 2003).
Agreements between the volunteers and the organizations are not legally binding. The organization is not obligated to act in accordance to the volunteers’ specifications and the volunteers have no legal obligations with the organization. However, some organizations provide insurance cover for the volunteers, such covers shield against work related injuries and liabilities. In an occurrence of losses or damages, such organizations are liable to cover for the respective damages.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
According to Vitner & Yodfat (2008), organizations may award volunteers minimal payments as incentives but the organization is free from obligations. They can be entitled for allowances, rewards and should be reimbursed for their out of pocket expenses. They can also receive non monetary benefits like free air tickets and free access to services provided by the organization. Volunteers are entitled to work in good working conditions and in safe environments like the other paid employees. The equal opportunity Act protects their rights.
These charitable organizations have their responsibilities to fulfill. Qualified volunteers with proper skills, experiences and interests should be recruited so as to reduce turnover rates. The organization should provide proper training and orientation to volunteers. Proper induction facilitation should be enhanced so as to enable volunteers to work towards achieving organizational objectives.
RECRUITMENT OF VOLUNTEERS IN NFP AND NGOS
Non for Profit and Non governmental Organizations have significant intentions of attracting and recruiting qualified volunteers. In order to establish long- term productivity and relationship between the volunteers and the organization, volunteers should have appropriate skills, interests and qualities that correspond with the objectives and mission of the organization.
Attracting and recruiting volunteers with these characteristics, ensures good performance, such volunteers have high chances of being retained. Once qualified volunteers have been recruited, it is important to specify and delegate duties, responsibilities, expectations and tasks between the organization and the volunteers.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Recruitment of volunteers depend on the organizations specifications regarding skills and competences. Background checks are also considered during recruitment. Background checks vary in accordance with the nature of the work the volunteer will be entitled. Volunteers working with children, elderly and disabled individuals should have distinct background check. The nature of the organization should correspond with the background checks.
It was established by Bruney (1999) that during recruitment, a written agreement is not necessary. However an agreement stipulating the roles and responsibilities is initiated between the organization and the volunteers. These will help to resolve any disputes concerning obligations between the volunteer and the organization. An organization should not take anyone as a volunteer if it believes he is incompetent and cannot perform the required tasks.
A volunteer may take action against the organization if he is discriminated in respect to personal characteristics. The Victorian Equal opportunity and Human rights commission stipulate laws that protect the volunteers against discrimination.
TRAINING VOLUNTEERS IN NFP AND NGOS
Training of volunteers is very important in ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery. Most volunteers do not have a background of professionalism in their assigned line of duties. Training is necessary towards achieving important organizational objectives. The aims of training volunteers include; maintaining long term motivation and orientation of duties and responsibilities to the volunteers. Volunteers are equipped with tools, experiences and exposure in their line of duty, further more leadership lessons and skills are facilitated through training (Courtney 2001).
Training volunteers is an aspect of supporting, attracting, rewarding and retaining volunteers. It enhances improvement in performance and quality in service delivery. Volunteers from different backgrounds with diverse needs and duties are catered for through training and proper orientation. Companies that train their volunteers attract potential volunteers; this is because motivation is provided through training and careers development. An organization that trains its volunteers is committed to supports its volunteer’s welfare and needs for career development.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
According to Johnson (2007), volunteer training involves either formal or informal training. The training is administered through out the volunteers’ lifecycle. Informal training involves induction programs while formal training involves college training for a specific period of time. Organizations train their volunteers according to their specific needs. Important aspects to be included in training include, determining the training needs, establishing the training objectives, designing, implementing and evaluating the training program.
DESIGNING A TRAINING PROGRAMFOR VOLUNTEERS IN NFP AND NGOS
A training program should be designed according to the organizations’ needs. Important aspects to be considered when designing training program include, determining the type of training to be administered, identifying the facilitators, determining the content of the program, sourcing for the appropriate materials and determining the setting through which the training will be facilitated. Settings for training may include, on job training, classroom or in the field training (Zullo, 2011).
Individual volunteer needs should be considered when designing training programs. Suitable training should be administered to different groups of people. Younger and older volunteers should be trained differently according to their needs and duties. Volunteer’s diverse cultural settings should also be considered (Nagbhushanam & Sridhar, 2010).
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Implementation of the training is the most important stage of volunteer training. The training contents should be appropriate and to be delivered effectively. Facilitation and coordination of the training is very important because it determines the outcome of the program. The success or failure of the program will be determined by carrying out an evaluation on the effectiveness of the program.
Evaluation questionnaires are usually used to collect feedback from the program participants. Criticisms, suggestions and proposals are obtained from the evaluation. According to Thomas (2007), criticisms from the participants can be used for continuous improvement in future trainings. A strategy can be formulated from the strengths and weaknesses established from the program.
It was observed by Allhyari (2000) that, evaluation should be carried out to determine if the volunteer target competency was achieved. It is very important in determining the effectiveness and reliability of the program. Volunteer training should be an on-going process. Volunteer’s skills and competencies should be frequently updated to suit the rising needs of the organization. Through training volunteers will be able to achieve career development and leadership skills.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
MOTIVATION AND RETENTION OF VOLUNTEERS IN NFP AND NGOS
Not for Profit and Non-governmental organizations should develop strategies that will enable them retain and motivate their volunteers. The success of such organizations highly depends on the workforce which majorly constitutes the volunteers. Many NFP and NGO’s have experienced a significant percentage in losing volunteers. This emerging trend has necessitated the need for motivation, so as to retain volunteers. Elshaug & Metzer (2001) established that, most volunteers serve briefly in their respective organizations.
Such organizations fail to provide sufficient motivation to retain the volunteers. Recent studies show that older volunteers most likely serve longer than younger volunteers. The younger volunteers have 20% lower retention rates than adult volunteers. The retention rate in adults is high up to 69.9%.
Various organizations employ different motivation strategies. It has been established that proper recruitment and motivation strategies leads to successful strategies for retention. Retention is affected by barriers and factors which discourage or encourage volunteers. Major barriers that discourage volunteers include risky and costly nature of their work, lack of appropriate skills and experience, insufficient time, poor working conditions, poor reward systems and lack of personal and career development (Odenheirmer, 2011).
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Volunteer retention can be achieved through various strategies. Frequent training is a strategy that motivates volunteers. Their personal and career development needs are enhanced through training. Another strategy to ensure volunteer retention relates to attraction and recruitment strategies, the recruitment process directly relates to retention. Recruiting interested and qualified volunteers improves the retention rates. Other important factors that contribute to volunteer retention include proper skills experience and qualifications, improved reward system, flexibility, recognition, leadership roles and career development.
Low volunteer retention is a vital problem that such organizations face. High rates of volunteer turnover affect the capabilities of these organizations in service delivery. In order for these organizations to achieve their missions and goals volunteer retention must be achieved. Proper working relationships should be enhanced between the volunteers and the organization (Ralph, 2006).
VOLUNTEERS IN NFP AND NGOS: VOLUNTEERING AND ITS BENEFITS
Vitner & Yodfat (2008) argued that, despite the current trend of low volunteer retention rates, enormous benefits can be derived from volunteering. Individuals are able to acquire more skills and career development through volunteering. One of the greatest benefits of volunteering is the impact it creates on the community. Charitable services and activities offered by NFP and NGO’s are aimed at improving the status of the community. Most of these organizations’ activities address social and development needs in the community. The disadvantaged countries and poor nations are the major targets of these organizations.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Volunteers are able to expand their social skills, make friends and create networks through wide interactions with the communities. Some individuals derive personal fulfillment and satisfaction through community service. These individuals attach themselves to the society and are determined to impact positively on the society. Such individuals desire to give back and may commit their own resources to improve the community. Recognition and appreciation in the community provides personal satisfaction (Zullo, 2011).
Career development is enhanced through volunteering. Individuals are able to acquire important work place skills such as problem solving skills, teamwork, project management and task management through voluntary exposures. Individuals with these qualities have high employability rates and a competitive advantage in career development. Professional experience is acquired through volunteering. Such experiences are useful in acquiring long-term professional career. Furthermore, volunteering may lead to a well paying job in similar organizations.
VOLUNTEERS IN NFP AND NGOS: BARRIERS TO VOLUNTEERING
Recent studies show that voluntary services have declined drastically. The perception that volunteering is charitable and has no monetary benefits has prevented individuals from volunteering their services in charitable organizations. The most significant barrier against volunteering is lack of time. Individuals who could be willing to volunteer are committed in their families or in other activities (Boraas, 2003). The notion that volunteering requires a long-term commitment is another challenge. However, most individuals dismiss voluntary work because it has no monetary benefits.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Economic conditions and needs have severely affected voluntary work. Voluntary work has no monetary benefits yet economic conditions are worsening. There is high demand for money, which dictates the preference for individuals to work in paying institutions. The impact of economic changes has forced employees to multi-task with various employers. Such employees hardly find time to volunteer in charitable organizations.
Voluntary work is associated with lots of risks and costs. Some organizations work in hardship and risky areas. Volunteers are exposed to risks of injury, death, financial loss or legal action. These risks discourage potential volunteers from joining charitable organizations. Thomas (2007) observed that, technological advancement has impacted on voluntary work. Potential young volunteers spend most of their time operating gadgets. They prefer to try out new things and very entrepreneurial. The young generation lack commitment in voluntary work because it is very involving and have no substantial benefits.
Odenheirmer (2011) suggest that, charitable organizations should implement strategies to reduce the barriers to volunteering. Organizations should reimburse volunteers out of pocket expenses and should be able to provide incentives such as transport allowances among other incentives. Allocating roles according to individual’s preferences and interests is another strategy.
Adequate training and support should be provided to volunteers as well as their needs should be considered. In the case of organizations administering charity in risky areas, insurance covers should be secured for volunteers. The covers will shield against any losses and damages that may arise due to the nature of the work.
Charitable organizations should initiate programs that will facilitate successful volunteers to be absorbed in to long-term career opportunities. This strategy is very effective in attracting and retaining volunteers. They will be able to gain professional experience in their line of careers giving them competitive advantage as compared to the other potential recruits.
This strategy addresses their long- term objective of professionalism and career development. Organizations that implement these strategies are advantaged in volunteer retention. When volunteers are motivated and satisfied, the retention rates will be high (Courtney, 2001).
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
In conclusion, volunteers are very important resources in the community. They constitute the major work force in charitable organizations. The fact that they are not entitled to any monetary benefits does not authorize any neglect, mishandling, harassment and frustrations on the volunteers. Organizations should adopt appropriate attraction and recruitment strategies in order to draw many volunteers. Proper motivation and retention strategies should be employed to reduce volunteer turnover rates.
REFERENCES
Allahyari, R. A. (2000). Visions of charity: Volunteer workers and moral community. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Boraas, S. (2003). Volunteerism in the United States. Monthly Labor Review, 126(8), 3-21
Brudney, J. L. (1999). The effective use of volunteers: Best practices for the public sector. Law and Contemporary Problems, 62(4), 219.
Choudhury, E. (2010). Attracting and managing volunteers in local government. The Journal of Management Development, 29(6), 592-603. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02621711011046558
Courtney, R. (2001). Strategic management for voluntary nonprofit organizations. New York: Routledge.
Elshaug, C., & Metzer, J. (2001). Personality attributes of volunteers and paid workers engaged in similar occupational tasks. The Journal of Social Psychology, 141(6), 752-63. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199837239?accountid=45049;
Farmer, S.M., & Fedor, D.B. (1999). Volunteer participation and withdrawal. Nonprofit Management and Leadership, 9(4), 349-368.
Johnson, J. A. (2007). Getting and staying involved: What motivates volunteers in a non-profit organization? Capella University). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 111-n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/304720694?accountid=45049;
Nagabhushanam, M., & Sridhar, M. (2010). Voluntary Organizations – Growth, Trends and Challenges. Vilakshan: The XIMB Journal of Management, 7(2), 143-166.
Odenheimer, M. (2011). Integrating Volunteers In- to Long-Term Sustainable Development. Journal Of Jewish Communal Service, 87(1/2), 81-87.
Ralph, C. (2006) “Recognising current competencies of volunteers in emergency service organisations”, Journal of Workplace Learning, Vol. 18 Iss: 7/8, pp.451 – 463
Thomas, C., Newell, J. N., Baral, S. C., & Byanjankar, L. (2007). The contribution of volunteers to a successful community-orientated tuberculosis treatment centre in an urban setting in nepal. Journal of Health Organization and Management, 21(6), 554-72. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14777260710834346
Vitner, G., Shalom, V., & Yodfat, A. (2008). Training volunteers for the elderly in israel. Industrial and Commercial Training, 40(4), 216-225. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/00197850810876271
Zullo, R. (2011). Labor unions and charity. Industrial & Labor Relations Review, 64(4), 699-711.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Technical evaluation of a project
Managing the design and construction of an electrical power station for a community of 20,000 resident
Abstract
In any project, it is imperative that proper planning is done before designing and construction of an electrical power station. The stakeholders in this project are diverse and all of them should participate in the whole project in order to ensure that it is given support. This project is based on three fundamental factors that need to be considered in evaluating the authenticity and appropriateness of a project.
These include technical, economic and environment. It is imperative that evaluations on these is conducted and even put into consideration in the designing and construction of this project to ensure that it is successful. The literature review covered demonstrated the importance of ensuring that these three issues are well investigated in designing and construction of the power station. The research design used to solicit views included use of questionnaires and interviews that enabled success of the project.
Outline
Introduction
Problem identification
Objectives and aims
Literature Review
Economic evaluation
Technical evaluation
Environmental evaluation
Research Methodology
Assumptions and limitations
Results
Findings
Potential for future direction
Conclusion
Reference list
Managing the design and construction of an electrical power station for a community of 20,000 resident
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Introduction
Before designing and carrying out any construction work, it is imperative that proper planning is done to ensure that the project meets the objective set. Designing and construction of an electrical power station for a community of 20,000 residents should be carried out with precision and proper planning. In such project, the three major factors that need to be considered include technical, economic and environmental factors. These three are crucial in determining whether the project will be set up and be able to provide or meet the intended goals and objectives. This project report is analyzed in four major areas, introduction, literature review, research methodology, and the results of the study.
Technical evaluation of a project
Problem identification
Designing and construction of an electrical power station not only requires enough skills, and expertise of the constructors but it requires consideration of various factors. For the project to be viable there is need to ensure that factors such as economic, technical and environmental are factored in the whole process of designing to ensure that the project is able to meet the set standards.
Many projects may be viable in one area but not in another area. For instance, setting up of an electrical power station in one location may improve the economic status of the people in the area but due to environmental factors such as poor weather conditions the project may not be viable. It is therefore important that all three factors, which interrelate, are considered to ensure viability of a project. Many projects fail to achieve their objectives and goals because of the lack of proper management in term of design and construction hence the need for more research to find out the best ways to alleviate such problems.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Objectives and aims
The objectives and the aims that the project seeks to achieve include:
To investigate on the need for considering economic factors in designing and actual construction of a an electrical power station that supports 20,000 residents
To establish the significance of considering technical capabilities in the construction of electrical power station
To investigate why environmental factors are important factor in designing and constructing of an electric power station
To find out appropriate ways to ensure that an electrical power station is designed and constructed to meet the objectives and goals of the residents
Literature review
Under this review, various, issues will be discussed relating to the management and construction of the electrical power station that is able to serve a population of 20,000 residents. The variables to guide the literature review include; technical, economic, and environmental factors when designing and constructing an electrical power station. Evaluation of a project on these three attributes makes the designers to incorporate all of them to ensure that the project upon its completion satisfies all the stakeholders concerned.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Economic evaluation
In these modern days, availability of electricity is one of the preconditions of ensuring that society functions and thrives forward. Electricity is used in various areas, including, household use, running of information and communication technologies, and even in industries.
According to Wagner & Antonio (2012),availability of electricity is important in facilitating industrialization, which provides employment to many people (p. 20). Electricity also stirs development in a given area because it contributes to the sprouting up of informal sectors such as blacksmiths that plays a pivotal role in the general economy of the country.
Various forms of energy provide electricity to the locals and industries. These electricity may be generated from, water, wave and tidal, wind, solar, geothermal, and nuclear power energy just to name but a few. These different forms of energy are then converted to electricity at a central location from where distribution is done. The cost of every kind of designing and constructing the station varies due to the logistics involved.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
According to El-Kordy et al. (2002), it is important to evaluate the economics of energy systems basing on the four forms of cost; maintenance costs, capital costs, fuel costs and external cost (p. 319). In deigning the electricity power station, the cost of maintenance should be considered to ensure that the project is sustained over a considerable duration of time. This cost includes repair, human capital to ensure that the station is well manned to protect it from external distractions and costs that are related to proper functioning of the station.
Capital cost is the initial costs that require the station to be set up in a given area. The company or the contractors should put in priority or budget sufficiently for the start up costs to ensure that the project is initiated and completed within the required period. External costs involve any other costs incurred during the process of setting up and operating the electricity power station.
Electrical power station
It is also important that economic parameters such as inflation and escalation of rates, discounts and taxes be considered when designing and constructing power station for the 20,000 residents. Inflation may affect the progressive of a project causing a stall due to lose of value of the funds that reserved for the project. It is therefore important that such considerations are put in the mind of the designers especially if the project is going to take long time before its completion. Therefore, future sums of money should be discounted based on the inherent risks of future events not turning out to be as planned (Zati & Toosi, 2011, p. 22)
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
. It is also important that electrical energy generation costs are calculated, plus all other installments of the power plant to be known during the designing of a power station to serve a certain population. The cash flow of such project includes expenditures in relation to acquisition of land, fuel and maintenance costs and the construction costs.
This costs should be broken into units to enable the constructors know the estimated amount of money required. Some of the cost analysis tools that can be used include cost benefit ratio, total-life cycle cost, levelized electricity generation cost, net present cost and unitary present average cost among many others (Gokcek & Genc, 2009, p. 2732)
When it comes to economic evaluation, it is also important to consider the economic impacts that project will have on the residents or the consumers of the electricity. Economic benefits should surpass the negative aspects that the project brings to the users or the clients (Wagner & Antonio, 2012, p. 22). When the project is designed, it should be able to improve the living standards of the people by enabling them to develop and grow in terms of their level of developments.
The benefits associated with setting up an electricity station in a given locality or a community should be to benefit the locals economically. Electricity is a cheap source of energy compared to other sources of energy at home and even in industries. Furthermore, the station should be able to serve all the residents with adequate supply of energy to enable them carry out their duties well.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Technical evaluation of a project
Therefore, in designing the project, all these issues need to be factored to ensure that the residents as well as the company benefits from the station. The company will accrue some benefits from the charges they levy on the consumption of power, but they should also provide enough power to serve the entire target population.
Technical evaluation of a project
Electrical power station
Technical evaluation of a project ensures that all the necessary details that can ensure successful completion of the project are put into consideration. In technical evaluation, it is important for the designers and the constructing company to take note of all the issues that surrounds the project (Zati & Toosi, 2011, p. 23)
.Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Technical evaluation encompasses many areas of considerations in the designing and construction of an electricity power station. The team should evaluate its capability and expertise to know if they have the required skills and competence to finish the project successful. This is a very important factor in the project. The availability of work force to carry out the project is vital.
Technical evaluation should also be carried out to determine the durability of the equipments and the long life of the assets, their performance and price stability to find out whether the project is sustainable or no (Zati & Toosi, 2011, p. 22). Other technical evaluation include, finding out whether the area has enough rivers or dams to be exploited for power production during emergencies.
Technical evaluation is therefore important in ensuring the success of a project of this nature. The costs and logistics of setting up and constructing an electricity power station must be well defined and known to enable the construction team to finish the project successful. For the project to be sustainable, maintenance costs should be provided to ensure that in case of any problem immediate action is taken to remedy the solution. For instance, vandalism of electric equipments should be controlled through installation of CCTV to ensure that those involved are pursued and persecuted (Gokcek & Genc, 2009, p 2732).
Technical evaluation of a project
Environmental evaluation
According to Zati & Toosi (2011) environmental evaluation or assessment, if paramount before any project is undertaken (p. 24). This is not exclusion to the electricity power station. The station, even though, is important to the survival of the people in the area, it is necessary for the effects it has to the environment be accessed. The location of the station will have to be assessed before construction work begins to ensure that there are no future environmental effects to the resident (El-Kordy et al. 2002, p. 318)
Some of the environmental concerns associated with projects of setting up and constructing an electricity power station includes, effects of the exposed cable to the people in the area, power shocks and outages, rugged landscape that poses threats to the stability of the electricity lines and re-channeling or overuse of water depriving the local residents water to carryout their farming activities. These are environmental concerns that should be investigated and assessed to determine the magnitude or impact that they have on the residents before constructing the power station.
Summary of the Literature Review
Various stakeholders need to be consulted in the designing and construction of an electricity power station. These stakeholders include the government, the construction company, the residents and any other important party. This ensures that consensus is reached as well as it ensures that all the logistics concerning project are put into consideration. The three factors; technical, economic and environmental are important and should be scrutinized to allow the successful completion of any project.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Research Methodology
Research methodology is the procedure and processes that the researcher uses to gather information, analyze and present data. The nature of the project required use of survey descriptive method. This method allowed the study to gather information through questionnaires, interviews and observations from the relevant stakeholders that the project affected.
The residents or the population where the project was to be set up were sampled through simple random sampling method to give a sample size that was representational of the entire population. 100 respondents responded to the questionnaires and interview questions.
The research design was descriptive survey method, which allowed questionnaires and interviews that sort to know how the residents viewed the project in terms of economic, technical and environment implications. This method was used because it can be repeated for verification. The information gathered was then analyzed and presented in the pie charts, graphs and table for ease of interpretations.
Assumptions and limitations
During the study, it was assumed that the respondents came for the areas where the project was to be set. The information that was collected was taken with a lot of confidentially and was assumed to be true and to the best knowledge of the respondents
During the study, there were a number of limitations that the researcher faced. One of the limitations was inadequate time to carryout an extensive research on how the residents felt about the setting up of the power station in the area. Furthermore, the fact that, the population was very large, the sample size was not enough to elicit the views of the larger population hence a limitation to the study.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Technical evaluation of a project
Results
The study findings helped the researcher to make decisive decision on the appropriate ways to design and constructing the electricity power station in the area. Results of the study were presented in the form of tables, and graphs.
Findings
From the study, it was revealed that, economic factors were important in designing and construction of the electricity power station in the area. Most respondents said that, the establishment of the station was welcome because it could spur economic growth in the area. It was also going to improve their living standards since they were going to use the power to do their domestic chores and other works at a low rate.
Yes
No
Percentage
Important of evaluating economic factors
80
20
100
Percentage
80
20
100
Table 1.1: Economic evaluation
Figure 1.1: Economic Evaluation
The table illustrates the importance of evaluating the economic factors before designing and constructing an electrical power station. Form the table, 80 percentage agreed that evaluation was important while 20 percent were of the contrary opinion.
Furthermore, the findings showed that, those projects that were designed and constructed after enough economic evaluation were carried out were sustainable and provided economies of scale to both the resident and the company. Most of the respondents supported the notion that, economic evaluation was essential because it was through such information that sufficient data on the viability of the project was to be determined.
When it comes to technical evaluation, the study finding showed that indeed it was paramount for an assessment to be carried out during designing and construction of the power station to know the logistic and the issues that pertained to the projects.
Technical evaluation ensured that the project was completed at the time set because it allowed the project designers and constructors to understand the issues they needed to handle first before embarking on others.
On environmental evaluation, many of the respondents said that, this was a very important area to consider because, their health and environment was important than anything that could put it at stake. However, they were in support of the project because, it had minimal effect on the environment.
Therefore, by gathering this information, and getting the views of the residents, the designers and constructors were at liberty to begin their project. This is because they got support from the stakeholders and from their visibility and surveys, the area was suitable since it could impact on economic, and had less implications on the environment.
A table showing the total cost of setting up an electrical power station
Item/Material
Quantity
Price per unity
Total Price in US dollars
Survey
2000
Land
2 acres
20000
40000
Equipments
100000
Human capital
100
500
50000
Maintenance costs
100000
Table 1.2: Cost of setting up a power station
Instruments that is required to support the residents and the costs
Instruments
Number
Total cost in US dollars
Transformers
3
600000
Lightning protectors
50
100000
Vehicles
4
400000
Cables
100metre
500000
Reading Metres
1000
200000
Table 1.3: Instruments required
Figure 1.3: Instruments required
Cost of setting up the power station
Section of the station
Cost in US Dollars
Walls
200000
Signs
15000
Foundation
200000
Fences
50000
Alarm system
10000
Total
475000
Table 1.4: Cost of setting up the power station
Figure 1.4: Cost of setting up the power station
The total amount of power that will be consumed
The station expects to produce 40kWhz of electricity in the year that will be enough for every homestead and the local industries in the area.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Potential for future direction
From the study, it is important for any individual or organization to carryout a survey on their project before designing and carrying out the project. Not all projects are suitable in certain areas and therefore, these factors should be put into consideration. Therefore, further investigation need to be carried out on how communities influence the design and construction of a project.
Conclusion
It is imperative for any company or individual to carryout a survey before designing any carrying out a project. Planning is vital as it allows an individual to assess the benefits and the costs of the project. This allows for proper planning and implementation of the project.
Gokçek, M., & Genç, M. S, 2009, “Evaluation of electricity generation and energy cost of wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) in Central Turkey.” Applied Energy, 86(12), 2731-2739.
Zati, A, & Toosi, E, 2011, “Technical evaluation-economic execution of hydroelectric project at micro scale.”America journal of scientific research, Issue. 16, pp. 20-25.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Organizing Staff for Success
Introduction
This paper addresses a case study ‘the overhaul of John’s Business- Organizing Staff for Success’. According to the case study, John had worked in a steel fabrication industry in his entire life. He began as a trainee boilermaker, but demonstrated determination and enthusiasm that was absent in the colleagues. He had the desire to start his business, and he did so.
Since the business was booming, he realized that he required more boilermakers to assist with the work he was getting. He employed sixteen tradespeople at the workshop. He soon decided to expand his business in providing labor to nearby mines. John realized that he required office workers to assist since he had two divisions in the business: labor supply and boiler making.
John’s business was prospering and being aware of business literature aimed at keeping, attracting and motivating talented staff, he was aware that business coaching was a technique that successful businesses were using. John usually networked with the community’s business people. During one occasion, he spoke with a business coach and decided that he required the services of one to ensure his team remained productive as was the case initially.
John was informed that coaching is effective when done on-job to assist in management development, and employees are helped to develop individual skills. John therefore, decided on an external coach and being the owner and general manager, john had made several organizational changes in the company (Repenning, 2002, 120).
Specific areas were supervised by different managers. Ted, the workshop’s manager had two supervisors; Dave and Matt. Matt supervised the daily work and organized the team. On the other hand, Dave supervised the off-site work. Craig was the labor hire business manager. Louise was Craig’s assistant manager, and her responsibility was to organize the right tradespeople for specific jobs.
Organizing Staff for Success
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
The management team met with John every week, to provide updates in the specific areas, discuss business, and receive instructions. John realized that his motivated and dedicated managers never met their targets. In addition, there were several communication problems although he did not know their extent. John informed the team that a business coach had been employed to work with each of them. This was a chance for managers to work through issues they had been experiencing as well as give response to the coach concerning the systems under implementation.
This was a way through which communication would be improved since the staff would get equipped on how to coach the subordinates (Duncan, 2011, 321). John wanted to initiate a continuous improvement culture in the team. The business coach would report the areas that had problems and strategies that could be used to solve the problems. A management meeting was arranged where the coach briefed the team what the coaching was all about, the benefits and what each session would entail.
At the end of the briefing meeting, the staff was enthusiastic about growing the business and having been involved in the process of decision making. The coaching continued for several months, and the coach reported her insights to john. It was realized that Ted was responsible for all the quoting which was extremely time- consuming and remarkably little would be accomplished until the company secured the job successfully.
Unless Ted was effective with quoting, employees would have nothing to do and would be unable to plan for upcoming jobs appropriately. Moreover, Matt would be frustrated as his responsibility was to organize the daily work. Dave would also be frustrated since he would take the workers to work off-site if they were doing nothing at the workshop. Staffs were usually frustrated since there was a lack of communication between the three supervisors and managers.
Apart from lack of communication, workers were confused about who was in charge of them amongst Dave, Matt and Ted). There was resentment present within the team. Dave and Matt were, ambitious, young and perfect mates away from work. The two often discussed Ted that he did literally nothing since quoting was never done on time although he always said that quoting was his key priority. Ted was open on how much he had to do and even though he dedicated long hours and hard work, productivity was not evident from his efforts.
Organizing Staff for Success
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
On the other hand, Craig (responsible of supplying the right mines’ tradespeople, and developing and assisting manage the growth of the overall business) did not have much complains. His notion was that everything was alright. The coach himself was unsure of his roles. His assistant, Louise, did all the labor hire team administration work and actual positions filling. The two got along well, but there was a workload imbalance.
Finally, John was never involved in the daily running of the business as he spent most of his time networking. He had experienced massive prosperity and growth in the recent years, and had earned the rewards. He was however, aware that the business was entering hard times. John’s concern was providing some control, give direction and still keep the staff happy and motivated (Boswell, 2003).
This report is aimed at discussing whether the company’s organizational structure is justified for the size. Secondly, suggestions will be offered on how communication can be improved amongst the staff. Thirdly, it will be assessed whether there is overstaffing, and a new organizational chart will be provided. Fourthly, the benefits of an external coach will be discussed. Finally, contingency plans that can be implemented in the company will be suggested. The report is presented to Denise Tomlin, the course coordinator. Articles and textbooks will be used to gather information.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Organizational structure and size
Organizational structure refers to the type and degree of vertical differentiation, horizontal differentiation, control and coordination mechanisms, centralization of power and formalization. There is one best way through which an organization can be structured, yet structural attributes vary in organizations. Size refers to the number and capacity of resources, outputs and personnel. Differentiation in an organization increases with size, although at a reducing rate.
On the contrary, the percentage of organizations dealing with administrative overhead reduces with size, resulting to economies of scale. Increased size also means more organizational activities’ structuring and reduced power concentration. Managerial practices for example personal assignments’ flexibility in authority delegation and stress in results, as opposed to procedures are linked to the managed unit size (Jacobides, 2007, 460).
John’s business is a small organization, and a tall or centralized organizational structure is appropriate. John should therefore, be relied on to make significant decisions. However, there are several management layers under the principal decision maker. The centralized structure is the most appropriate since the owner has the responsibility of making business decisions. John feels that some level of control is required in the business because he distrusts his managers’ ability to make decisions.
Owners of small businesses struggle, when allotting managerial duties to managers. However, it is imperative that small businesses that continue to expand and grow have the owners assign decision- making responsibilities (Dubin, 2001, 187). If John uses centralized structure in his business, it will be possible to maintain and create a company culture. A company culture refers to an intangible environment where employees, managers and owners work.
John’s business fits in a formal organization culture which is more stressful as opposed to a friendly and open culture. In many companies, organizational structures evolve as businesses expand and grow. Furthermore, individuals can decide the structure a business will use in its operations.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Improving communication gaps between staff
Effective communication is extremely significant in every organization. From the case study presented, there is a communication breakdown between John and the staffs, and between Craig, Matt and Dave. However, organizations have varying types of people, with different education levels, personality types, cultures and backgrounds. What makes sense might be nonsense to someone else. Priorities and deadlines may be misinterpreted, and productive ideas can be made ineffective, unproductive and low morale can result in employees.
It is worth noting that the external coach was useful in identifying the communication gaps. John thought there was a communication breakdown but did not know to what extent. Consequently, the worker or device responsible for the breakdown should be assesses (Pugh et al, 1999, 87).
John ought to evaluate interpersonal relationships that exist between employees and communication devices’ calibers. The fact that Ted always says he has a lot to do should be assessed. John should conduct a quick survey to identify how many other employees have the same complaint.
The second thing john should do is gauge feedback and review formal messages to ensure that additional communication is avoided in clarifying principal themes. Grapevine information should not be stifled to avoid misunderstandings and lower productivity.
The third step is to assess the resources required to rectify the problem. Problems that result from acrimonious tension between staffs require a staff meeting or mediation program to disentangle issues. Dave and Matt should be advised to consider all that Ted does and offer a hand where necessary (Child, 2009, 20).
John should organize for training where employees acquire new methods of communication. Staff feedback is crucial in assisting employees’ transit to the new system. Finally, follow ups should be done to ensure that the communication gap is no more. Open communication should be facilitated by welcoming the open- door policy where employees express their concerns without retribution.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Overstaffing
John’s business is unquestionably overstaffed. It is worth noting that the productivity and efficiency of small businesses heavily depends on maintaining suitable staffing levels and recruiting effectively. Staffing is usually a challenge in all organizations. In my opinion, Ted and Craig should be deployed. Craig should have all he does done by Louise. Dave and Matt are close friends and can therefore, collaborate and handle Ted’s roles.
It is extremely vital that john identifies the company’s needs so as to be able to develop a staffing strategy. This can be achieved through coming up with job descriptions that displays the positions needed to meet different responsibilities. Continual communication can assist john identify staff shortcomings (Braha and Bar-Yam, 1130). Continual feedback is useful in identifying the need for more employees so that work is completed efficiently without straining current employees.
The process of manpower planning enables an organization assess its department’s net worth. A certain department might be reaping enormous profits but understaffed at the same time. In such circumstances, the existing staffs are pressurized to perform. When small businesses are staffed properly, responsibilities and duties are completed in a timely manner.
Organizational chart
Benefits of external coaches
An external coach acts as a source of fresh perspectives in events and people in the organization. This implies that the coach can make connections and notice patterns which the insiders are unaware of. He is a valuable people’s thinking’ sounding boards where he can identify, ask and give feedback from an outsider’s perspective.
Since the coach does not have a manager’s direct responsibilities, he can devote his entire attention to customer’s needs. This results to high- energy and intensive types of coaching that yields significant results within a short period. Long-term term coaching provides a solid individual development foundation (Stone, 2012, 454).
Coaching is usually confidential between the coachee and coach. Hence, employees are more comfortable discussing personal concerns and sensitive information with the coach, as opposed to john. Unspoken problems that interfere with crucial business processes are therefore, resolved.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
External coaches possess extensive coaching training, as opposed to managers. Therefore, John’s company will benefit from a coaching experience wealth and exceedingly developed coaching skills (Stone, 2012, 455).
In addition to core coaching skills, external coaches possess specialist expertise that makes them suitable for particular coaching assignments. These include emotional intelligence, psychology, creativity, presentation skills, meditation, negotiation, sales and leadership.
Contingency plans
As a human resource practitioner, it is particularly vital that an environment is created whereby employees are empowered to think creatively. It is worth noting that contingency plans require the coordination and cooperation of various organizational areas.
One of the contingency plans that can be implemented is collective bargaining breakdown which requires human resource leadership, as well as public relations, purchasing, operations and sales efforts (Child, 2008, 170). Organizations with corporate planning functions can use this to secure cooperation that is organization- wide.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Conclusion and recommendations
From the foregoing discussion, John’s business hugely benefited from the services of an external coach. The coach was able to identify the communication breakdown that the company had, and offer appropriate remedies. Since John’s company is under the category of a small organization, a tall structure fits the size of the company. It is advisable that John deploys Ted and Craig so as to avoid overstaffing.
Braha, D. and Bar-Yam, Y. (2007) The Statistical Mechanics of Complex Product Development: Empirical and Analytical Results. Management Science. Vol. 53, iss. 7, 1127–1145.
Child, J. (2008) Predicting and Understanding Organization Structure. Administrative Science Quarter. Vol. 18, iss. 2, 168-185.
Child, J. (2009) Organizational Structure, Environment and Performance: The Role of Strategic Choice. Sociologa. Vol. 6, iss. 1, 1-22.
Dubin, R. (2001) Management in Britain – Impressions of a Visiting Professor. Journal of Management Studies. Vol. 7, iss. 2, 183-198.
Jacobides, M. G. (2007). The inherent limits of organizational structure and the unfulfilled role of hierarchy: Lessons from a near-war. Organization Science. Vol. 18, iss. 3, 455-477.
Pugh, D. S. et al. (1999) Dimensions of Organization Structure. Administrative Science Quarter. Vol.13, iss. I, 65-105;
Repenning, N. (2002). A Simulation-Based Approach to Understanding the Dynamics of Innovation Implementation. Organization Science. Vol. 13, iss. 2: 109-127.
Stone, R. (2012) Managing Human Resources.3rd Edition. John Wiley & Sons Australia. 454 – 455).
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
The product development process in the health and pharmaceutical industries is complicated, time-consuming, and expensive. Research and development expenditures have an impact on policy choices and judgments on how to effectively stimulate innovation to satisfy health demands and make final goods affordable (Swagel, 2021).
According to a recent research published in the Journal of Health Economics by the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development (2016), the cost of developing a new drug that receives FDA clearance is estimated to be $2.6 billion. This is up from $802 million in 2003, which is over $1 billion in 2013 dollars, representing a 145 percent growth during the ten-year research period.
While the average time it takes to get a medicine through drug testing has reduced, the success rate has dropped by nearly half, to only 12%. Tufts breaks down their $2.558 billion figure per approved compound into $1.4 billion in estimated out-of-pocket payments and $1.2 billion in time expenses.
Pharmaceutical businesses rely largely on patents to preserve their enormous efforts and investments. Patents grant a pharmaceutical business a 20-year monopoly period during which it has market exclusivity and can charge a monopoly price for its medicines. In order to recuperate investments and incentivize them to engage in additional innovation, substantial patent protection is required (Gurgula, 2020).
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
When a patent expires, however, other businesses may produce generic versions of a branded medicine and compete with the original for market share. This is what is referred to as generic competition. Generic medications are bioequivalent copies of branded pharmaceuticals whose patent protection has expired (Gurgula, 2020).
Some pharmaceutical corporations, however, may utilize the patent system to get a slew of secondary patents that construct multi-layer protection around their profitable drugs, allowing them to evade merit-based competition. Pharmaceutical corporations can use strategic patenting to improve their monopolistic positions and charge high medicine costs as a result.
This strategy goes against the common objective of patent and competition laws, which is to incentivize innovation, because it diminishes the incentives for innovators, hurts generic businesses’ follow-on innovation, and upsets the delicate balance between patent monopoly and competition (Gurgula, 2020). Various reasons for high drug prices and the growing focus on incremental innovation are put forward by pharmaceutical companies, including the complexity of drug discovery and development, as well as the expensive and lengthy regulatory procedures involved.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
As the COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping through the world, thousands of people urgently need access to affordable medicines. However, there is concern that patents would limit access to any future vaccinations and treatments, resulting in unaffordable high pricing. This dilemma is aggravated by the fact that, despite purported increases in pharmaceutical R&D spending, current figures show a decline in the number of new breakthrough treatments. Furthermore, rather than breaking new ground, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly focusing their research on incremental medication development (Gurgula, 2020).
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
References
DiMasi, J.A., Grabowski, H.G., Hansen, R.W., 2016. Innovation in the pharmaceutical industry: New estimates of R&D costs.Massachusetts: Tufts University.
Philip L. Swagel, 2021. Research and Development in the Pharmaceutical Industry. [online] (updated April 2021) Available at: https://www.cbo.gov/publication/57126 [Accessed June 1, 2021]
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Effect of Migration on Marital Quality and Stability of Ghanaian Christian Couples in America
The Biblical Rationale :
Marriage has been given profound importance in all religions specifically in Christianity. There is substantial articulation in both Hebrew and Bible about the importance, benefits both in eternal and worldly life, and the impacts of undermining marriage. The basis of marriage is possessed by the Biblical Eden in which it is considered as a holy institution.
The religious importance of marriage can be evaluated and gauged by the fact that God presided over the first-ever marriage by offering Eve to Adam. We all are a generation of Adam and Eve and God itself has given substantial importance to marriage as can be seen in the scripture of the Bible and God adores the marriage in the Church. Therefore, there is no denying the fact that marriage has an inevitable role in strengthening Christian communities and societies.
In addition to the manifestation of the Bible about marriage, many researchers and scholars conceded the fact that marriage is the bedrock of any stable or mainstream community. “And the two will become one flesh’. This is a profound mystery – but I am talking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5.31–32). Marriage is the gift of God and God considered marriage crucial not only for the individuals who are marrying but also for the evolving human societies.
The Church, therefore, rejects as false all efforts to understand marriage (and all other human relationships) independently of the call to discipleship. In Christianity, discipleship is the true following of the way of Jesus Christ
Dynamic patterns concerning Christian Marital issues require ordinary, refreshed investigations, trying to dispose of ‘deadly’ obliviousness. Peter Brierley, cited Tidball’s perception; “…something is truly amiss with the congregation” and Riddell’s congregation is in a difficult situation and doesn’t know it”. Among these inconveniences are the expanding circumstances of Marital trouble that bargain certain Christian practices when all is said in done and the Ghanaian Adventist Christian transient couples specifically.
Even though instances of factual records abound and by and large vouch for passionate scars endured by numerous individuals with their comparing consequences for society, the pattern proceeds with unabated. It is accepted inside the Christian people group that scriptural Christianity proposes a potential enduring glad Marital relationship, where magnanimous love may connote Christian development.
However, the truth of existing relationships including that of GACMs comes up short. While it very well might be viewed as ordinary somewhere else, with resolute non-debatable customs of exacting hierarchical (SDA) translation of Scripture in certain circles, combined with comparing African social impacts, GACMs find nearly everything amiss with troublesome relationships particularly when they end in separate.
In pretty much every culture, separate from influences more than the couples in question. While a few casualties suffer hopelessness peacefully being shy of different choices ladies, experience some friendly demonization for being separated. Thusly a few couples shroud troubles even from companions and the congregation. As such, whole networks generally have a stake and may languish some detachment over family members’ Marital pressures. Such Marital issues whether they end in partition or separation convey with them numerous casualties.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
In actuality, such a choice may affect the actual endurance of the tranquil conjunction of included networks. As a matter of first importance, this examination researches potential purposes for Marital troubles noted among Ghanaian transients explicitly GACMs in Britain which regularly make fears and doubt among couples and local area pioneers. Stories of genuine circumstances proliferate (among GACMs) of how couples’ conduct and mentalities out of nowhere change following settlement in Europe.
Subsequently, some Ghanaians lean toward a drawn-out partition and decide to leave companions in Ghana for genuine feelings of serenity. Ghanaian relationships will undoubtedly get troublesome with a high likelihood of finishing off separate. The gathering’s administration faces the real factors of assimilation and lawful limitations, combined with a misconstrued social view of their issues inside a 21st century’s non-absolute climate.
Other extra issues for the administration include: Dealing with expanding divorce rates, indefinite partition of couples while in Britain with accompanying doubts, Non-responsibility issues, for example, co-habiting believers.
Church Discipline: For instance, some administrations face allegations of cumbersomeness with anomalies of progressively moral and opinionated contentions against their treatment of marital concerns. Argumentative and frequently begging to be proven wrong church disciplinary inconsistencies, follow co-residence, partition, separation, and remarriages consequently influencing resulting church cooperation trying to keep up chapel discipline.
Existing measurable documents imply that likely the pace of expansion in the overall Christian separation issue is in proportion to the Christian churches needed to address and contextualize the commonsense real factors of contemporary scenes in holy places today. Also, almost certainly, there are a few casualties of these Marital quandaries inside the Ghanaian social direction while kids and different casualties get cleared along by the breakdown of Ghanaian relationships.
Implications regarding Immigrants: The concept of marriage may vary from societies to societies but nearly all societies see marriage favorably. In the American context too, marriage is also considered as the firm bonding for societal stability but certain causes are undermining this aspect of marriage like migration. The African migrations and the immigrants coming to America are dissolving their marriage substantially which is prompting feelings of distress, depression, and anxieties in the communities.
The interaction of these migrants with natives, clash of cultural norms, and inappropriate guidance from the church leaders further intensify these types of issues. To offer a piece of good advice, Bible also articulates the examples of those immigrants who faced countless challenges at their time. For example, in Genesis 12:1, Bible manifests how God gave instructions to Abraham to leave the house of his father for that new land, which God would show to him. The other examples include Moses and Joseph, who left their native land and became migrants.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
These people were the influencers of that time and due to only one reason, they conceded the order of migration from God and that reason was the inherent trust in God. Adoption of Culture:
As the study aims to unveil the inherent prospects of the Ghanaian culture about the impact of migration of marriage, it is crucial to deliberate the cultural impact on the interpretation of the Bible. According to various scholars, it is crucial to consider the cultural framework while interpreting the verses of the Bible and also noted that many different cultures have different world views which have been shaped by their distinct cultures. For the people who are migrating from their native land to another land, it is formidable for them to adopt the culture of the migrated area.
The evaluation of culture is also important to perceive the message of the Bible accurately. There is no denying the fact that God has created Bible for diverse cultures and these cultures cannot be ignored. Western culture is without a doubt among the powers that have formed the encounters and relationships of transients from sub-Saharan Africa.
Leaving the outsiders feeling secluded and estranged is among the impacts of Western culture. For instance, Massey and Higgins discovered that unfamiliar societies affected foreigners’ confidence. They saw that devotees who were beforehand resolute in their Christian confidence practice were probably going to turn out to be less strict when they moved toward the West. They infer that “detailed church participation at spots of source and in the United States recommend that migration is a problematic occasion that estranges migrants from strict practice instead of “theologizing” them.”
Effect of Migration on Marital Quality and Stability of Ghanaian Christian Couples in America
Clifford MeesuaSibani offers a charming conversation on the progressions that travelers experience when presented to Western impacts. Travelers who move to Western nations receive Western qualities, and subsequently, they can’t assemble relationships that last. For instance, Sibani noticed that in African societies, relationships are a mutual undertaking where families and the local area become engaged with cooperating and issue harsh alerts against such indecencies as infidelity.
Effect of Migration on Marital Quality and Stability of Ghanaian Christian Couples in America
Then again, in the West, relationships are an individual matter, and the local area assumes a restricted part. At the point when they leave Africa, hitched adherents lose the advantage of connection and local areas that are profoundly instilled in African culture. It is little marvel that as Amato and James set up, the U.S. furthermore; Europe leads the world concerning divorce rates. At the point when they get comfortable in these districts, African Christian migrants are presented to a raised danger of separation. Laws:
The laws in objective nations fundamentally sway the relationships of African transients. Across numerous African countries, polygamous relationships are perceived and cherished in the law. Then again, in the West, polygamy is unlawful, with those discovered taking part in this work on confronting weighty authorizations. The distinction in the ways to deal with polygamy among Africa and the West somewhat clarifies the ascent in separate from cases among African migrants.
For instance, as indicated by Baloyi, the breakdown in African relationships and families is the conflict between the African partiality for polygamous relationships and the Western demand that a man must be hitched to one lady at a given time. The laws overseeing divorce are likewise forming the relationships of African settlers. Tallied accused the higher commonness of separation among these foreigners in light of the fact that, in the Western nations where they settle, the laws on separate are generally careless.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
Effect of Migration on Marital Quality and Stability of Ghanaian Christian Couples in America
Financial Reliance: Effect of Migration on Marital Quality and Stability of Ghanaian Christian Couples in America
Financial reliance is another factor that seems to impact marriage and separation among African foreigners in the West. For some settlers from Africa, the quest for better financial possibilities is among the fundamental drivers of movement. Basically, the outsiders look for a getaway from the destitution and monetary difficulties that are endemic across the African landmass. Examination by researchers like Hogendoorn et al. has affirmed a relationship between monetary weakness and separation.
Basically, moderately helpless people are more defenseless and bound to encounter issues that set up for separate. A few different analysts have likewise settled that neediness is a critical danger factor for separate and Marital issues. Since they are destitute and monetarily reliant on the West, African foreigners are almost powerless as their relationships lay on the nations’ monetary strength and liberality that have them.
Another way that African migrants’ financial reliance on the West has on marriage is that the dependence forces strains and weights on settlers’ families. For instance, each year, African workers dispatch tremendous entireties back to their nations of origin. While these settlements help to construct African economies, it is sensible to assume that they leave the workers monetarily depleted.
It is for sure conceivable that as they send cash home, the settlers are left with scarcely enough for their food. The monetary troubles that they face could trigger marital issues that finish in separate. Research demonstrates that monetary difficulties are among the indicators of separation. Accordingly, their families and networks’ financial reliance on African settlers causes pressure and can contribute to divorce cases.
Want help to write your Essay or Assignments? Click here
However, different analysts have inspected marriage and separation rates among African workers living in the West, some evident holes underscore the significance of the task. For instance, while some research has investigated outsiders’ encounters from Africa, Ghanaians have not gotten a lot of consideration. Existing research is fairly broad and doesn’t offer explicit bits of knowledge into the encounters of Ghanaian foreigners. Auxiliary, scientists will in general zero in on effect of movement on separate without the fundamental treatment of components of conjugal quality or avoidance of separation.
Consequently, zeroing in on marriage quality this research fits a hole on avoidance. Thirdly, there isn’t surviving writing or research that arranges the issue inside Christian experience. Generally, the current writing examines the causes and effects of migration status on African foreigners’ relationships. By creating explicit mediations that the settlers can embrace, the current undertaking will expand the research scope.
Effect of Migration on Marital Quality and Stability of Ghanaian Christian Couples in America
References: Anarfi, J. K. (1993). Sexuality, migration and AIDS in Ghana-A socio-behavioural study. Health Transition Review, 45-67.
Chattopadhyay, A., White, M. J., & Debpuur, C. (2006). Migrant fertility in Ghana: Selection versus adaptation and disruption as causal mechanisms. Population studies, 60(2), 189-203.
Falen, D. J. (2008). Polygyny and Christian marriage in Africa: The case of Benin. African studies review, 51-74.
Charsley, K., Storer‐Church, B., Benson, M., & Van Hear, N. (2012). Marriage‐related migration to the UK. International Migration Review, 46(4), 861-890.
Familusi, OlumuyiwaOlusesan. “Till Circumstances do us Part: A Socio-Ethical Analysis of Divorce among Christians in Nigeria.”Global Journal of Human-Social Science: A Arts & Humanities-Psychology 19.5 (2019), 23-32.
Fenske, James. “African polygamy: past and present.”Journal of Development Economics 117 (2015), 58-73.
Fielder, Klaus. “For the sake of Christian marriage, abolish church weddings.”ERT, 41.4 (2017), 355-68.
Flahaux, Marie-Laurence and de Haas, Hein. “African migration: trends, patterns, drivers.”Comparative Migration Studies 4.1(2016), 1-25.
Garland, David E. Reading Matthew: A Literary and Theological Commentary on the First Gospel. Macon, GA: Smyth &Helwys Publishing, 2001.
