Assesment Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Assesment Paper - Assignment Example As a result, I am rigid of character and prefer dealing with details and facts. Because of my evaluative character, I prefer being logical on things and aim at achieving the best from things. The knowledgeable character that I have leads me towards preferring ideas that are challenging and require me to go deeper into things. As a result, I have an objective feature that enables me to look at the optimistic side of things. From my social character, I have a long chain of friends who have further enabled in the development of my character. The sociable character has enabled me to deal with a wide majority of individuals, which has come in handy with features that are more sociable. Such features include developing new relationships with others. Such has allowed me a chance to lead a more interactive people. With such characters, being with people brings me all the joy. The need to uphold my ideologies has depicted that I have a concrete and literal feature. The concrete nature enables me to hold onto my ideas, while preventing control by other people. As such, I prefer to make decisions based on my feelings as opposed to logic. I am more secure following my conscience as opposed to group proposals. Following the program, I was able to realize that I may be holding a leadership position in the next five years. A number of leadership skills will enable the performance in this capacity. The main leadership strengths include the ability to influence others. During the evaluation program, I realized that I have great skills in communicating ideas to other people. My well-enhanced communication skills, bolstered by interactive characters, will enable me in working in a leadership capacity in the future. Moreover, my goal-oriented character would ensure a sense of direction in managing others as a leader. I will be able to ensure the interaction between people and the ensuing pooling of efforts to achieve a common set of

Scientific Management was the product of 19th Century industrial Essay - 3

Scientific Management was the product of 19th Century industrial practices and has no relevance to the present day. Discuss - Essay Example This term was also used to refer to any organizational system that precisely brought out the functions of groups and individuals. Further, scientific management can be used to describe situations where jobs are categorized and people perform recurring tasks. Background of Taylorism In the 19th century, there were widespread unplanned companies, decentralized management, casual relations among workers and employers, and informally defined job assignments in factory systems. By the end of this century, increased completion, new technologies, demands from regimes and labor agencies, and a developing consciousness by the elites had motivated attempts to advance business and management. All these developments were aimed at initiating cautiously defined processes and risks, which were later referred to by historians as â€Å"systematic management† since they involved a careful study of individuals at work (Cumo 77). The key figure behind this innovation was an engineer based in Amer ica, who was also a management theorist and a discoverer, Fredrick W. Taylor. Taylor was born in 1856 in a Philadelphia family. He began his career in a machine shop in a steel Company in 1878 where he quickly gained experience and started initiating new methods. After approximately ten years, he invented several technical and organizational innovations such as a technique of timing employees with a stopwatch to work out best times. By the 1890s, Taylor had been recognized as the most determined and dynamic advocate of systematic management. He further introduced accounting systems that he became a consultant of the same. This system allowed the use of operating records by managers with greater efficiency, which later became production systems that enlightened managers more accurately on what was happening in the factory, control workers and their tasks, piece-rate models to motivate following of instructions by workers, and various other advancements. A couple of inventions played a big role in the creation of the scientific management theory. The invention of high-speed-steel enhanced the performance of metal-cutting tools, and attempts to initiate systematic techniques resulted in an incorporated view of innovation in management. By 1901, Taylor had styled systematic management to scientific management (Cumo 78). From the actions of Taylor’s career, it is evident that systematic management was closely related to scientific management. They shared origins, liked by similar people, and shared objectives. The distinctions between them also were clear. Systematic management was distributive and practical, some isolated approaches that did not make a larger whole (Sapru 92). On the other hand, scientific management contributed important details and an understandable point of view. Taylor decided to promote the two systems in 1902 when he got out of Bethlehem. The American Society journal first published Taylor’s first documentation on his vocation, â€Å"shop management† in 1903, which was ranked as an inclusive collection of systematic management techniques. In the year 1910, Traylor was involved in scandals with rough enemies of scientific management. In response to the controversies, Taylor came up with a new approach to his system, which he named â€Å"The Principles of Scientific Management.† In this account, he really embraced the term â€Å"Scientific Management† as used it to symbolize the whole system. He argued

Platos Perspectives on Society, Organization and Leadership Essay Example for Free

Platos Perspectives on Society, Organization and Leadership Essay Main views about society Plato wrote in his book called the Republic. The Republic was written around 380 (BC). In this book Plato tries to define justice, right order and character of the just city and the just man. In the Republic different philosophers like Socrates try to argue, what is the meaning of justice. They also discuss if a just man is happier than an unjust man, if they are ruled by just philosopher kings. (Brickhouse, Thomas Smith, Nicholas, 2010) Plato view, that a just city has to be ruled by these philosopher kings. Plato believed in an aristocratic system of ruling, not the democratic way of ruling. The kings have to be educated by philosophers, so that they would be like philosophers. Or philosophers should be elected as rulers. Anyhow he did not like some much about democracy and little educated leaders. (Brickhouse, Thomas Smith, Nicholas, 2010) Plato thinks that there are many dangers in the democracy. People do not always choose the wisest persons at the elections. Sometimes they choose those, who can speak nicely. The knowledge is not the main criteria for choosing people at the democracy, but Plato thinks that those who know should be elected as rulers. (Saarinen 1985, p.43) Plato was pessimistic about people. According to him common people were bad and acted normally irrationally. People lived according to their selfish desires and bad beliefs. People did not follow the laws by their hearts, but because they were afraid of punishment. (Plato 360 BC, p.45) According to Plato people could not live alone. They needed each other. Plato said, that it is good for people to live in communities, by this way people can exchange products. (Plato 360 BC, p.75) Plato believes that the society has to be well ordered, this will lead into good moral in the society. Fine social order and education will educate good people. These good people, who are well educated, will be better than their parents (People living before them.). (Plato 360 BC, p.117, 353, 380) Plato thinks that a human soul and society have similarities. They both have same particles. Parts of the soul are like social classes in the society. If these parts / social classes are in harmony, there will be justice. There are three different classes in the society: Productive, protective and governing class. Productive class is workers: farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, ranchers, etc. Part of the soul for these people is appetite. Second class is protective class. These people are warriors and guardians. They are strong and courageous. Part of the soul for these people is the spirit. Third class is the governing. These people are rulers or philosopher kings. They are rational, wise, self-controlled. These people can make good decisions for the society. These people are like the reason part of the soul. These people are very few. (Saarinen 1985, p.42-43) Plato already saw corruption in the society. He said that it is needed rule of law to prevent corruption. The government and guardians have to really guard the society that the order and rule of law can exist. (Plato 360 BC, p.141) Love of wisdom should be one of main values of the society. (Plato 360 BC, p.397) There should be order, not anarchy, in the society. If there is order children can orderly live with their parents and they can learn from their parents. In the same way masters can learn from their scholars. There should be some fear between son and a father and pupil and a teacher. This fear keeps the order. (Plato 360 BC, p.328-329) Plato’s Perspectives on Organization Plato thought that there are three classes in the society, which should have a good co-operation and they should live in a harmony. According to Plato’s views organization has three different groups (classes). Somebody might also think that these groups (classes) have strict borderlines. This means that it is difficult to step from one group to another group. It is difficult to go over lines to another class at the organization. Plato sees an organization as an entity, which should be in harmony with its parts. Many modern organizational theoreticians have followed Plato, when they stress the unitary and well balanced nature of modern complex organizations. (Takala 1998, p.797) Plato thinks about the greatest evil and the greatest good at an organization. In His views evil is discord and distraction. On the other hand good is unity. There has to be unity in the organization, all the members should have common experiences (pleasures etc.). (Plato 360 BC, p.198) Justice is important thing for every organization. In the organization order brings justice and the organization has to keep the justice. (Plato 360 BC, p.6) If there is injustice in the organization, it will lead into quarrels and fights, people will become each other’s enemies. Injustice will disturb the organization’s basis for human co-operation. (Plato 360 BC, p.53-54) Obedience is an important factor at the organization. Workers should obey their masters. Everybody should live under clear hierarchy and follow the orders given by those, who are over them. (Plato 360 BC, p.36, 192, 297) Plato’s Perspectives on Leadership Plato thinks, that ruler has to be philosopher. This means, that only philosophers can be good rulers. In this way main character of a leader is his/her philosophical capacity. Leader (ruler) has to know the real being and leader (ruler) has to distinguish belief from the real knowledge. This is the highest virtue for a leader: To separate beliefs and real facts. (Saarinen 1985, p. 44) Plato thinks, that leader should love the truth. He teaches that a leader is like a captain and his ship or a doctor and his medicine. These professions (doctor, captain) cannot be practised by everyone by nature. So to be a leader is not by nature, leaders should be educated. Plato thinks that one of the main tasks for the education system is to produce these philosopher kings. (Plato 360 BC, p.233) Plato thinks that a leader has to be a just person. The stronger (leader) cannot abuse his power over the weaker. The leader has to be just and there has to be justice in the society. Leader guides this social order, so that society can live in harmony. Leader guides citizens (class of citizens) to carry out tasks for which they are suited and not interfering with the work of others. (Takala 1998, p.791) Plato sees leadership as an important part of a functioning society. He thinks that leadership is an educational catalyst in the society. Plato thinks that leader has got two important tasks: to control the implementation of education and to control the propagation of thoughts. Plato sees this controlling as an essential function in the society, that’s why the controllers must be philosophers. (Takala 1998, p.790-791) According to Plato education is needed to produce good philosopher leaders. Education leaves its mark on leaders. On the other hand education makes division between leaders and other people. Platonic education gives wisdom and mystical skills (real knowledge) to the leaders. (Takala 1998, p.792) Plato sees leadership as a duty of a philosopher. The essential thing is the true knowledge, if somebody has got the knowledge he can be the leader. The philosopher has got knowledge and he can rule. And the man, who is not philosophical, has got only a true beliefs or opinions. This corresponds that he cannot be the leader. (Takala 1998, p.792) In Plato’s thinking there is the concept of the leadership of meaning. The leader has to create meaning, he has to sustain it and sometimes it has to be changed. In this way leadership can be seen as a social process. This social process includes all those means by which leadership creates new meanings by rituals, symbolizing and â€Å"naming†. The attributes of a powerful leader is also in the Plato’s thinking. One attribute in Plato’s thinking is the charisma, which is said to be widely discussed in modern leadership theories. A leader must have charisma in order to be successful in his actions. Without it the leader is not able to do his job, to lead some complex organization. (Takala 1998, p.797) References http://www.springerlink.com/content/u348q477q0583068/fulltext.pdf

Conceptual Framework For Research Sociology Essay

Conceptual Framework For Research Sociology Essay ABSTRACT This study focuses on the empowerment of women through various programmes and schemes in the region, country and across the world sponsored and supported by Government or non Government Organizations. This article consists of review of literature on womens empowerment through various programmes. Womens empowerment is an age old concept spotlighting improving the economic status of women and thorough participation for the development of economy. Existing historical data and status of various programmes provides better scenario for stepping in upward direction. Here the study emphasizes from the concept of women empowerment to the empirical evidences taken from various analysis, past surveys, Government Reports and literature available on it. Main aim of reviewing womens empowerment practices bring together the aspect of viewed and neglected parts of empowering women which fulfils the need of implementation of schemes, reach at them in a proper manner after covering the lacking parts. Keywords: Empowerment, Women, Programmes, Conceptual, Empirical INTRODUCTION Empowerment of women is not only limited till the term empowerment applies to the women or special group of women in particular area but also it means to develop them in all dimensions. Here the main concern towards development of women. Study starts not only from that there is strong need for womens empowerment today but why they need empowerment first. Answer of this could be sometime conflicting if there is one suppressed group, really need empowerment whether this could be men or women. A framework for the study based on the ideas and concepts gleaned from existing literature helps a researcher to plan and manage research in a comprehensive manner. Existing literature also helps to know the previous research work done in particular expanse and it acts like a torch as well as backbone for new studies for new researchers. All the researches are exploratory in nature as these carried out in ever-changing environment. Here an attempt is made to put some of the closely related literature review under two major heads. Conceptual framework for Research Empirical framework for Research Conceptual framework for Research In Conceptual framework for research, problem statement can be casted within the context of conceptual or theoretical framework. A conceptual framework is described as a set of broad ideas and principles taken from relevant fields of enquiry and used to structure a subsequent presentation (Reichel Ramey, 1987). As with all investigation in the social world, the framework itself forms part of the agenda for negotiation to be scrutinized and tested, reviewed and reformed as a result of investigation (Guba Lincoln, 1989)1. Although many of the researcher view the Conceptual and Theoritical framework as a synonymous and some cast it into research with slight difference. Most researches report the problem statement within the context of a conceptual or theoretical framework. A description of this framework contributes to a research report in at least two ways because it (1) identifies research variables, and (2) clarifies relationships among the variables. Linked to the problem statement, the conceptual framework sets the stage for presentation of the specific research question that drives the investigation being reported. For example, the conceptual framework and research question would be different for a formative evaluation study than for a summative study, even though their variables might be similar.2 In this way literature survey is found in different dimensions as: Power, Empowerment and Womens Empowerment Participation of Women embodied in the Process of Empowerment Womens empowerment programmes and Economic Empowerment Power, Empowerment and Womens Empowerment At the core of the concept of empowerment is the idea of power. The possibility of empowerment depends on two things viz., power can change and power can expand. If power cannot change, if it is inherent in positions or people, then empowerment is not possible. Shrilatha Batliwala (1995) defined Power as control over resources, ideology and self, exersized in socio Political and Economic Context among individuals and groups. The extent of power depends on how much and how many kind of resources they have, excess to and control over. This leads to power of decision making. Jo Rowland (1997) has identified four different forms of power viz., (1) Power over Control and influence over others, instrumentation of domination, (2) Power to- generative or productive power which creates new possibilities and actions without domination. (3) Power with- a sense of whole being greater than the sum of the individuals especially when group tackles problem together. (4) Power from within- The spiri tual strength and uniqueness that resides in each one of us and makes us truly human. The concept of empowerment is a product of early eighties; it has its grounding in the changes in development thinking of the mid-1970s. The dictionary meaning of the word empowerment is-to give power to (person/group) to give them capacity to perform physical or mental activity, to delegate authority, to give legal rights.3 Rapport (1987) describes the term empowerment as both individual determination over ones own life and democratic participation in the life of ones community often through mediating structures such as neighborhoods, voluntary organizations etc. Staples (1990) defined the term empowerment as means (a) to gain power (b) to develop power; to take or seize power; (c) to facilitate or enable power and (d) to give or grant or permit power. One of the most detailed attempts at defining empowerment is found in Kabeer (1999). Defining empowerment as the ability to make choices, Kabeer contends that the definition entails change, in that only previously disempowered members of society can be empowered. He suggested that empowerment consists of three dimensions viz., resources, agency and achievements. Sunita Roy (1999) reported that empowerment of women should focus on aspects like (a) direct involvement of women in programming and management, (b) effective collaboration with community organizations, (c) organizing and strengthening of womens self-help groups, (d) sensitization and advocacy for gender justice in society, (e) identifying womens need and priorities while generating employment, (f) organizing women in different groups to undertake certain productive activities to earn their livelihood and (g) elimination of violence and discrimination against women at physical, mental, domestic or societal level. Many researchers have stressed the importance of considering the empowerment in multiple domains (Isvan 1991; Kishor 1995; 2000; Hashemi et al. 1996; Mason 1998; Malhotra and Mather 1997; Jejeebhoy 2000; Beegle, Frankenberg, and Thomas (2001); M alhotra et al. 2002). For instance, Malhotra and Mather (1997) argue that: power is multilocational and exists in multiple domainsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦it is important that any discussion regarding [empowerment] specify whether this is within the family, social or political spheres, and whether the locus of control is within the household or the community4 (p. 604). Malhotra et al. (2002) suggested: womens empowerment needs to occur along the following dimensions: economic, socio-cultural, familial/interpersonal, legal, political, and psychological. However, these dimensions are very broad in scope, and within each dimension, there is a range of sub-domains within which women may be empowered.5 Empowerment is viewed broadly as increasing poor peoples freedom of choice and action to shape their own lives (Narayan 2005, p.4). Participation of Women embodied in the Process of Empowerment Women have played an important part in our social life and in our history in every branch of national activity from high learning to velour on the battlefield. Today, we pass rapidly through various phases of transition, which requires the rapid changes in our old foundations. The Indian woman, the majority that is, lives in her own time, in the rhythm, of her own history, which does not quite keep time with the clocks of the 21 century. Womens participation in the revolutionary movement (Mehta, 2004) was significant even when they were deprived of basic human rights in mens world. The list of women in India who contributed to the movement for equality is enormous. To name just a few, Sarojini Naidu, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Vijaylaxmi Pundit, Aruna Asaf Ali, and Rajkumari Amrit Kaur took up the fight on several fronts. (Jha and poojary, 1998)6 In general, Empowerment is a multi-dimensional social process that helps people gain control over their own lives. It is a process that fosters power (that is, the capacity to implement) in people, for use in their own lives, their communities, and in their society, by acting on issues that they define as important. Keller and Mbwewe (1991, as cited in Rowlands 1995) describe it as a process whereby women become able to organize themselves to increase their own self-reliance, to assert their independent right to make choices and to control resources which will assist in challenging and eliminating their own subordination. Batliwala (1993) defines power as having two central aspects control over resources (physical, human, intellectual, financial, and the self), and control over ideology (beliefs, values and attitudes). If power means control, then empowerment therefore is the process of gaining control. Kabeer(1999; 437)., in an influential paper, suggests that empowermentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦refers to the process by which those who have been denied the ability to make strategic life choices acquire such an ability. Women should be able to define self-interest and choice, and consider themselves as not only able but also entitled to make choices (A. Sen 1999; G. Sen 1993; Kabeer 2001; Rowlands 1995; Nussbaum 2000; Chen 1992). Kabeer (2001) goes a step further and describes this process in terms of thinking outside the system and challenging the status quo. Sudharani et al. (2000) defined empowerment as the process of challenging existing power relations and gaining greater control over the sources of power. Empowerment is a process of awareness and capacity building, enhancing an individuals or group capacity to make effective choices, that is, to make choices and then to transform those choices into desired actions and outcomes (Alsop, Bertelsen and Holland, 2006, p.10). Shirin M. Rai et.al (2007) argued, while the local is important as a focus for debates on empowerment, we think the local must be embedded in the global and the national and vice versa. They argued that: (1) empowerment may be sequential, (2) gender balance alone cannot be the process or outcome in a world ridden with poverty and class inequality, (3) we should use the empowerment language, but contest the way it has been neutralized and even abused. Womens empowerment programmes and Economic Empowerment Even though outside work for women often means a double burden, the empirical evidence supports the notion that access to work increases a womans economic independence and with it a greater level of general independence is created.7 According to Hall(1992) economic subordination must be neutralized for women to be empowered. The economic component of empowerment requires that women be able to engage in a productive activity that will allow them some degree of financial autonomy, no matter how small and hard to obtain at the beginning.8 The World Banks Action Plan to achieve economic empowerment through Smart Economics, for example, targets four key markets: land, labor, product, and financial and measures this through policy initiatives to make markets work for women as well as agency initiatives to empowerment women to compete in markets. A prerequisite to empowerment, therefore, necessitates stepping outside the home and participating in some form of collective undertaking that can be successful, thus developing a sense of independence and competence among the women.9 Priority should be given to women in the allocation of work in such a way that at least one-third of the beneficiaries shall be women. [Schedule II, Para 6, NREGA]. The National Commission for Women (NCW), set up in 1992, has a mandate to safeguard the rights and interests of women. Universalisation of ICDS was contemplated by the end of 1995-96 through expanding its services all over the country. Sanjukta Chaudhuri (2010), in her paper Womens Empowerment in South Asia and South East Asia: A Comparative Analysis contributed to the literature on womens empowerment by exploring the time and birth cohort trends of womens empowerment in eight countries of South Asia and South East Asia. The countries included are Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan of South Asia; Cambodia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam of South East Asia. Initially, she estimated the relationship between economic developmen t and female labor force participation rate FLFPR (the U curve)10 using data on 172 countries from 1990 2007. She further examined the influence of time on womens empowerment and performed a series of multiple regressions on six measures of womens empowerment variables separately for the eight countries, using individual level survey data for each country. The indicators of womens empowerment were: economic participation, educational attainment, wage work, fertility, female to male sex ratio of living children, and the ratio of ideal number of daughters to sons. In Rajasthan, Jan Chetna Sansthan have promoted Ekal Naari Shakti Sangathan in Abu Road block, Sirohi in order to help widows and single and separated women It works to ensure a rightful living for single women and addressing their problems. It also works towards getting them widow pension and other benefits under any government schemes. Deepshikha Mahila Bal Utthan Samiti came in to being in the year 1980, with the idea of promoting Welfare Policing Activities. 1.3.1 Gender equity, equality and inequality Gender equality is considered an important issue for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) because gender inequality is an obstacle to progress, a roadblock on the path of human development (UNDP, 2002, pp.6). Pradhan (2003) discusses the need to bring gender equality where men and women are considered equal in every sphere of life because .if you empower a woman, you empower her children, her community and her country (Pradhan, 2003, pp.51-57). Gender inequality can result in disadvantages and differentials for females in terms of life expectancy and children.s nutrition, denial of choice, lack of political representation, and lack of empowerment (Kabeer, 1999). Sen (2001) notes: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦inequality between women and men can take very many different forms. Indeed, gender inequality is not one homogeneous phenomenon, but a collection of disparate and interlinked problems. Sen enumerates seven types of gender inequality, including mortality, basic facility, special oppor tunity, professional, ownership, and household inequality. In order to develop economy and increased participation of women, Government addressed the problem related to women and initiate to remove inefficiency through implementing various programmes like, Awareness Generation Projects for Rural and Poor Women, CSWB Scheme, Develpoment of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA), Family Benefits Scheme, Kishori Shakti Yojana, NORAD Scheme, Scheme for working Women Hostels, Swa Shakti Project, Swayamsidha Scheme, Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP), Science and Technology for Women and so on. Empirical Framework for Research Relevant research studies conducted in the past has great relevance for new research work and is a helpful tool to conduct research more precisely. Empirical framework for research underlines the derived results from experiment and observations rather than theory. This is categorized into following subheads: Impact of Participation of women in Womens Empowerment Programmes Evaluation and analysis of Womens Empowerment Programmes Constraints experienced by rural women in Empowerment process Impact of Participation of women in Womens Empowerment Programmes Hashemi et al (1996) undertook ethnographic research in six villages for four years to measure the effects of programmes on the empowerment of women. Two villages were Grameen Bank villages, two were BRAC villages, and the other two had no credit programmes. They used a model based on eight indicators of empowerment which were: mobility; economic security; ability to make small purchases; ability to make larger purchases; involvement in major household decisions; relative freedom from domination within the family; political and legal awareness; and involvement in political campaigning and protests Srilatha et al. (1997) observed that a major gain of making the programme of SHGs women centred was that the transition of power from the bureaucracy to the people. Sen (1997) based on a case study in India, stressed the importance of empowerment of an individual in order to gain control over assets. Haimanti Mukhopadhyay (2008) studied the role of education in Women Empowerment in the district of Malda, West Bengal, India. Her Exhaustive survey comprising forty two villages, tried to unearth the status of women, attitude towards girls education in society, problems hindering the education of women, the importance of marriage in womens life affecting education as well as the empowerment of women. During the survey, she felt that there was a very positive change at least among women in Malda district who are much more concerned about their daughters education, as compared to their previous generation. The WHOs (2008) Tackling Social and Economic Determinants of Health through Womens E mpowerment: The SEWA case study experienced the SEWA as a social movement and a programme that aims to empower the poor must be prepared to listen to the poor. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) noted that in implementing gender policies in development, it was time to move from treating the symptoms of gender inequality to address the structural factors that cause it. Women empowerment programmes made it possible to increase empowerment with increased participation of women. Clark et al. (1991) explored the impact of culture on female labor force participation in 135 countries for 1980. They use a combination of religion, political ideology, and world region variables to find evidence supporting the importance of culture in explaining womens labor force participation. Throughout the developing countries, innovative lending programs have emerged and In many of these programs it is common to find that a large percentage of borrowers are women. Based on a 1996 survey of microfinance institution around the world, the World Bank estimated that 61% of all clients were women (World Bank, 1997). 2.1.1 SHG and Microfinance Self Help Group (SHG) is a voluntary association formed for the purpose of engaging small enterprise. To form this organization, it requires a minimum of twelve individuals. K.C. Sharma (2001) maintained that through SHGs women empowerment is taking place. Rekha R. Baonkar [2001] studied the impact of SHGs on women in Goa and observed that individual loans were mostly for productive purposes with cent percent recovery. P.K.Awasthi, Deepak Rathi and Vimla Sahu [2001] in their study in Madhya Pradesh on the impact of SHGs on economic status of women observed that the SHG women were engaged in Mahua, mushroom cultivation, amachur papad making, pisciculture, nursery etc. An interesting study made by M.C. Athavale, K.G Sharma and A.M. Mishra [2001] in Madhya Pradesh under the leadership of Anganwardi worker, on the working of a particular SHG called Yoshoda Mahila Samithi(YMS) has helped the members to do saving and get loan. The repayment was 100%. Rajasekar D [2003] analyzed the impact of the economic programmes of SHARE, a NGO in Tamil Nadu on poverty reduction with the help of data collected from the households of 84 women members. Kabeer(2005) examined the empirical evidence on the impact of microfinance with respect to poverty reduction and the empowerment of poor women in South Asia. Prem Chander Vanguri (2007) highlighted the impact of microfinance programmes on womens empowerment in India. They compared Swashakti, Swayamsiddha, Swaran Jayanti Gramin Rojgar Yojana (SJGRY) and Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) micro finance programmes for facilitating rural poor women in their access to micro credit. Evaluation and analysis of Womens Empowerment Programmes Pandey conducted a study to assess the impact of Rashtriya Mahila Kosh (RMK). This study is based in the state of Maharashtra and was conducted to examine whether the RMK has been able to achieve its main objectives of reaching credit to poor women, enabling women to achieve economic independence and becoming aware about credit facilities and management. M.S. Jairath [2001] analyzed the growth and development of SHGs in Rajasthan taking two categories: (1) resource poor tribal; and (2) resource better of non-tribal. It was arrived that the average membership, rate of interest, size of borrowings were higher in the former, but the average amount of saving was higher with the latter. Deshmukh Ranadive (2002), in his study on Womens Access to Credit and Rural Micro-Finance in India has addressed issues related to data in the context of micro-finance interventions in rural areas. The vertical approach has shown how the data that has been collected, throws light on the different dimension s of the programme and the participants. NPC (2005) analyzed gender development in India in the context of interstate analysis with the help of state rankings on the basis of calculating the average of the standard values of the 52 criteria indicators. Dwarakanath H.D [2002] analyzed the characteristics and growth of self help groups in Andhra Pradesh and found that the SHGs using the loan facilities from the cooperative credit banks, commercial banks, mahila bank and Maheswaran banks, have produced more than 50 varieties of products. Abdul Hayes, Ruhul Amin and Stan Becker [1998] analyzed the relationship between poor womens participation in micro credit programmes and their empowerment by taking both SHG and non-SHG members in rural Bangladesh. Rajasthan Microfinance Report-2010 revealed that Good quality Self Help Groups create mutual trust and a sense of solidarity among members. This raises their confidence to deal with socio-economic problems of their family and their village, all by themselves. Women empowerment can further be boosted by promoting four ideologies, which can be taken as indicators of success a) Zero tolerance of domestic violence in families of all SHG members in Rajasthan; b) 100% girl child enrolment in educational institutions in families of all SHG members; c) 100% institutional infant delivery; d) 50% participation of women SHG members at village development committees . Milestones should be set for every year in order to achieve the stated objectives while progress should be tracked by measuring the indicators. In Rajasthan Womens Development Programme (WDP), conceived in 1984 when the idea of rural illiterate women mobilizing collectively was unthinkable. And yet, the programme enabled the evolution of womens collectives under the leadership of the Sathin, the grass root worker at village level, working tirelessly on a meagre monthly honorarium of Rs 350. The strength of the Sathins and these collectives was derived from the support structures provided by the partnership between the government and the voluntary agency arm of the programme IDARA (Information and Development and Resource Agency), with its primary role of training and providing creative and critical inputs. Constraints experienced by rural women in Empowerment process During the eighteenth century women suffered from several handicaps like female infanticide, sati (Sharma,1988), purdah (Mathur 2004), child marriage, illiteracy and subsequently forced child widowhood in the19th century. Women were treated no better than domestic animals. Moved by this extreme plight, great social reformers like Raja Rammohan Roy, Iswarchandra Vidyasagar, Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Swami Dayananda Saraswati, M.G. Ranade, D.K.Karve and Mahatma Gandhi were in the forefront, fighting against social atrocities toward women (Jha and Pujari, 1998).11 Sing K.P (2004) says that among women who were working out of utter economic necessity, the majority were dissatisfied with the time they spend with their children and the time they allocate to their home 57 percent of working women have alternate arrangements for their children either a mother or a mother-in law or a maid to look after their children. Beckers (2005) model of effort allocation implies that an hour of a mans time produces more of value to an employer than an hour of equally skilled and experienced women who has greater responsibilities. This in true influences both employers treatment of equally capable male and female employees and workers subsequent decisions about investing time and energy in household versus market-work. The model implies that small initial disadvantages faced by women in the work-place can lead to extreme results in the division of labour in the household, occupational segregation and earning difference. Footnotes Smyth, R. (2004). Exploring the usefulness of a conceptual framework as a research tool: A researchers reflections. Issues In Educational Research, 14(2), 167-180. McGaghie, William C.; Bordage, Georges; Shea, Judy A., Problem Statement, Conceptual Framework, and Research Question September 2001 Volume 76 Issue 9 p 923. Banerjee NK, Grassroot empowerment (1975-1990) : A discussion paper, Occasional paper No.2, CWDS, New Delhi, 1995, p.2. Malhotra, A. and M. Mather. 1997. Do Schooling and Work Empower Women in Developing Countries? Gender and Domestic Decisions in Sri Lanka. Sociological Forum 12(4), p. 604. Malhotra, A., Schuler, S. R. and Boender, C. (2002) Measuring Womenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s Empowerment as a Variable in International Development (Washington, DC, The World Bank), p. 13; Haimanti Mukhopadhyay, The Role of Education in the Empowerment of Women in a District of West Bengal, India: Reflections on a Survey of Women , Journal of International Womenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s Studies Vol. 10 #2 November 2008, P. 218. Women, Education and Empowerment: Pathways towards Autonomy, Report of the International Seminar held at UIE, Hamburg, 27 January 2 February 1993, edited by Carolyn Medel-Anonuevo,UIE(UNESCO Institute for Education) Studies 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 1995, Robert Seemann u Neumann p.15 Ibid., p.15 Women, Education and Empowerment: Pathways towards Autonomy, Report of the International Seminar held at UIE, Hamburg, 27 January 2 February 1993, edited by Carolyn Medel-Anonuevo,UIE(UNESCO Institute for Education) Studies 5 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ 1995, Robert Seemann u Neumann p.16. Results confirm the existence and upward shifting position of the U curve. Hence, the U curve estimates suggests that there is a time element involved in womens empowerment. Dr. Sanjukta Chaudhuri, December, 2009, Economic Development and Womens Empowerment, from http://people.uwec.edu/chaudhs/PDFS/Chaudhuri%20Economic%20Development%20and%20Womens%20Empowerment.pdf Haimanti Mukhopadhyay, The Role of Education in the Empowerment of Women in a District of West Bengal, India: Reflections on a Survey of Women , Journal of International Womenà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã… ¸s Studies Vol. 10 #2 November 2008, P. 217.

The Competitiveness In The Food Industry Marketing Essay

The Competitiveness In The Food Industry Marketing Essay Melville, N. et al. (2004) defined the value of information technology in the organizations as the organizational performance impacts of information technology at both the intermediate process level and the organization-wide level, and comprising both efficiency impacts and competitive impacts. The company performance by using it could affect positively with the customers and with the competitors both at the mid level process and the organisational level process. Adding value to the business comes in the form of cost reduction and by improving the quality of customer service. What is cost reduction and how it could be achieved? The total expenditure of company for the purpose of maintaining its inventory management effectively, staffs work schedules and their salary records and relations with the customers. We could drastically reduce this cost by using customised software. By using IT we could implement effective software for track down of the inventory, thus it saves huge money for spending on man power. And even in customer service we could easily reduce the cost by proving a global call centre rather than manpower at each site. What is information technology? According to Hitt, L. Ms (1999) research, the information technology has been defined: as computers as well as related digital communication technology, it has the broad power to reduce the costs and save time for information processing. Information technology could help company in many ways, such as: Data resource management: Data resource management is managerial activity. It is useful in managing data sources between the company and its stake holders. Inventory management: By using specific software for the tracking products available in our storage area we could plan what we need for the day or for the coming days, and we can plan and interact with our suppliers and order for the raw material as accordingly. Customer relationship management: Normally called with acronym CRM is huge success when it comes to the interactions with the clients and customers. The primary purpose of the CRM is to track down the buying behaviour of the customers like what they are buying, which product is bought down by which age group, what type of products are selling in that particular area etc, etc, thus we can plan our business needs effectively. How this IT could useful in our particular company and how can we get competitive advantage with this? Our company: History: Nandos  is a  casual dining restaurant   founded in 1987 by Robert Brozin and Fernando Duarte from  South Africa  with a  Portuguese/Mozambican  theme. Nandos was Chickenland  earlier and they renamed it to Nandos after Duarte. Nandos operates in 28 countries and on five continents.  It specializes in  chicken  dishes with either lemon and herb, medium, hot or extra hot  Peri-Peri  marinades (properly known as  Galinha à   Africana). In some countries, Nandos has other flavour options like mango and lime, lemon and herb, or Mediterranean. The restaurant incorporated influences from former Portuguese colonists from  Mozambique, many of whom had settled on the south-eastern side of Johannesburg, after their homelands independence in 1975. It has branches all over the world. Primarily focused on English speaking countries now it spreads all over the world where the people prefer spicy chicken. It is famous for its peri-peri chicken which is its own brand. It has 230 branches across UK and it has nearly 6600 employed in all these branches. It primarily focus on its culture. It was awarded no. 1 in food industry by Sunday times. And it has an investor award. Task1: Porters five force model: File:Porters five forces.PNG A graphical representation of Porters Five Forces Bargaining power of supplier: the majority of supply is from Faccenda and Freemans of Newent and small supply from Holland and Germany. Nandos has its own name in the industry although it does matter the raw materials. As long as the supplier is happy with the business there would be no problem, the suppliers are pretty famous in their respective fields as they have very much contracts in their hands. Although We can say the bargaining power of the suppliers is low. The Nandos requires huge volumes of raw materials when one supplier step down another one could take up. And there are many suppliers available it would be easy to us to go for another supplier but it is not easy to supplier to loose Nandos. It is win- win situations Threat of new entrants: There is lot market for the food industry and particularly for chicken food as it widely eaten there so much scope for new markets. Nandos has its own name and it has niche market there and there would be no affect if any new restaurant comes in. Nandos is more concentrated on its culture and being best than the bigger it is very difficult to new entrants to compete with the Nandos. So we can say the threat of new entrants is comparatively low. Threat of substitute products or services: Items like Portuguese vinaigrette and some cooking sauces, pasta sauces could not stand in the market because of some brand companies in the particular item field. Instead Nandos concentrated on some other items like marinades and peri-peri sauces where it has its own influence. The price factor is very important to not to lose the customer. The customer always looks for the cheap price for the same product. Considering the food products of Nandos, they are pretty famous for its taste rather than cost thus we can say the threat is low. Bargaining power of customers: The power of customer is defined by the volume of them and their information like their age, sex and location etc.etc. Nandos has niche market which caters for the lovers of spicy food. These customers are generally young and adult. Nandos has its brand that their chicken is best in their competitors so the customer will not want to go for other restaurant. And there are not substitutes available with this spicy range with other restaurants we can confidently say that our customers bargaining power is low. Existing rivalry: If want to talk about the particular branch which is Stratford, Nandos we are dealing the primary competitors are The Fox, the Indian gate, Pizzahut, Carrebian scene and the Mukhan. All of these restaurants are highly preferable and they have their best in the particular food. We can say like Pizzahut is famous for its pizza, the Indian gateway for its Indian food although they provide chicken items. None of them are comparable when it comes to the spicy chicken or peri-peri chicken. Nandos provides huge range variety of products than to other competitors. The price options are also very reasonable when compare to the international brand like Pizzahut or very local The Indain gateway. Therefore we can say the the existing rivalry is low. The intensity of rivalry for Nandos is influenced by No of restaurants: increases rivalry because more restaurants must compete for the same customers and resources. The rivalry intensifies if the firms have similar market share, leading to a struggle for market leadership. Task 2: Value chain model: http://enduragement.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/porter-value-chain.png The Value Chain framework of Michael Porter is a model that helps to analyze specific activities through which firms can create value and competitive advantage. The value chain helps an organization identify how it creates value for customers and locate where its sources of competitive advantage lie. Value chain models can be created in both qualitative and quantitative forms. Many organizations do not consciously make decisions to optimize the sources of advantage resident in their value chain and in so doing, risk losing competitive advantage. What is Value Chain Analysis? A value chain is a chain of value added activities; products pass through the activities in a chain, gaining value at each stage. Value chain allows alignment of processes with customers. This generates a quality advantage. Value chain focuses cost management efforts. It provides for efficient processes which improves the timeliness of operations. The steps in Vaule chain model are: Inbound logistics: Inbound logistics of Nandos deals with receiving goods, storing them . for this we use an dinventory control management system. It deals with everything related to goods and its transportation. This inbound is very important to maintain the warehouse products available effectively without interrupting the business to customers. Outbound logistics: inbound logistics deals with the good coming upto the warehouse where as the outbound logistics deals with the products reaching to customers. Nandos has the dedicated transportation service to delivery its products to reach its restaurants on time. It uses PDAs to track down its vehicles on road where they are at particular time so the restaurants and head office knows when they will reach the destination. This allows the restaurants to plan accordingly. Marketing and sales: To attract customers Nandos approaches in very innovative yet cost effective manner. It provides customers to win prizes when the make orders at restaurants. Some of its promotions include gift cards, Go PERi-lectric with a pair of tickets to Irelands Electric Picnic, Brighton Pride and Win a PERi-tastic prize Tickets to the LED festival, Win A Footie Chicken-Fest etc, etc. And Nandos spend considerable amount of money to promote irs restaurants aggressively through print media and electroninc media. In 2010, Advertising Age magazine named Nandos as one of the worlds top 30 hottest marketing brands. Service: The service mainly here defined as the interaction with customers and the service we provide to them. The better the service the better the chances to increase its brand value. Procurement: Procurement mainly deals with the requirement of raw materials, space to setup restaurants, kitchen machinery etc. Technology Development: The technology development is to support value chain activities such as design, strategies and tactics , research and development, processing etc. We discuss about this in next task. Human Resource Management Human resource management is primarily associated with staff recruiting, staff schedules and salary maintenance and maintaining compensation and benefits to its employees and staff. Firm Infrastructure The infrastructure associates with hierarchical process of the firm. It Includes management, planning, finance, legal issues, public relations, accounting and quality management, etc. Task 3: How IT can be used to develop business: I will use Value Chain analysis to explain how IT help Nandos add value to themselves and obtain competitive advantage in food industry. Value Chain analysis consist of primary activities and support activities, which are detailed from below: The IT can be used to increases the knowledge of profit zones where there is no profit, It increases the knowledge of forward and/or backward integration opportunities, identifies value process and Identifies win-win alliance opportunities As consultant for Nandos restaurant we need to advise them to use value chain models for implementing cost comparison between the companies to other competitors. What is Strategy? And How Does Porters Value Chain Model Fit With Strategy? Strategy is your business direction; and the how, why, what, who and when of following that direction. Most businesses analyze their own internal cost structures but most do not analyze their competitors structures. The five Ps of nandos to follow to get competitive advantage are: Plan: Portugese chiken all over the world Ploy: not to face competitors but to find a strong market i.e. customers Position: best rather than biggest Pattern: culture Perspective: wants to develop in countries where chiken, spicy and English speaking customers You only get an edge over rivals by having or doing something that they cant have or do. Computers have revolutionized the food and beverage industry as they have nearly every other industry. A key management concern of any food and beverage business is the profit margin. In this vital area of business, computers have also proven to be an indispensable tool. Computer systems help manage the entire food service process from ordering the ingredients needed to produce menu items, to forecasting the amount of items to prepare for each dining period based on historical patterns. This helps to reduce wasted food, which is very expensive and comes out of the businesses profit. It also helps in preparing menu items before hand, which reduces customer wait time The information system should mention the following steps: People Data Networks, Hardware, Software. It costs us to implement any new information technologies in our system. So we have to analyse what is our need and how it would affect the system and how it drive the sales. No better understanding of the system will lead very bad results thus company should go to losses. The technologies we advice to Nandos to implement: Online ordering system: since the Nandos is major food restaurant, it does not have any online ordering system or telephone order system for the customers to order when they are at work or at home. It is not possible to everyone to come to the restaurant to eat in or take way. Some are older some are busy or the restaurtant are really far from home etc. If we could develop a e-commerce website which allows customer to buy online and we could deliver it to them as soon as possible it would definitely drive our sales at very huge level. Our main competitors for this area Pizzahut have these both online and telephone order service. The people who like Nandos and cannot come to the restaurant will opt for the service like this provided by our competitors. The investment and maintenance for a e-commerce website for Nandos may not cost more and the return on investment(ROI) could be get back easily as the sales come from online orders are solely because of website. Presently we have website for Nandos which gives the information about the Nandos available restaurant and their menus with their physical address. We can develop a website the offers online orders and we can integrate this to the already available website. Mobile application: as the technology rigorously increasing on day to day manner, the people using high end mobile phones is always on the high. Phone manufactures like Nokia, iPhone and Samsung offers third party applications to the mobile customers. If we could develop mobile application thus it features all available information yet briefly it would hugely improve the sales. If we could features restaurant addresses and online order facility it will be useful because the phone is always handy wherever the customer so he could check it and go to the nearest restaurant to his location. Software program: we could develop software solely for the purpose to gather critical information which needed to choose a site where we want to setup any additional restaurants by verifying the demographics and the distance to other available restaurants and customers information particularly related to food business. The program analyse the area and provides the detailed scenario about how many people lives there and their age group and any eating habits particularly they have. So that we could make decision depending on the information available. For this application to work out very well we need to get census data from government or third party providers or we may take out a survey which cost us a bit which is one time investment. We can also use the data mining techniques depend on the available data thus any already existed restaurant may affect our business or not. Inventory control: Every day there are lots of raw material comes in lots of material goes out in warehouse. If we use a n inventory management application we could easily track down the data available. Therefore we find out what type of item we have stock and what not we have. It helps us to order new material effectively. Thus we could reduce the food wastage. In a long run it could save several thousand pounds to the company. Communication communication between the head office to restaurants through e-mails etc. Etc. CRM software is very useful for this service. HR job recruitment: information technology is very useful when it comes recruit,emt and human resource management. We could advertise online for the vacancies we have and can accept application made online. Thus it reduces paper publicity cost and paper cost for the applications. Custom software could take all the tasks related to hr. Loyalty cards: to drive sales very high we introduce loyalty cards which allow regular customers to get free bees. We could offer them discount prices or occasional offers to them. And by adding this loyalty cards to the technology we could get the customer details so that we could plan them accordingly what they bought, what their age group etc. Etc. And we could send them promotional offers or discount coupons if we have their personal address or e-mail id. Information technology make out of home dining a more enjoyable experience for the customer and a more profitable manageable experience for business managers and owners. With the aid of Information technology we are not only able to stream line our business processes but we are also able to get constant information in real time that is up to the minute and up to date. In todays business environment we could consider IT as part of the Organization.

1970s Religion and Policies for Today :: Essays Papers

1970s Religion and Policies for Today I vividly remember sitting in my ninth grade world history class, only six short years ago, when my teacher announced that next week we would begin a four week study on world religions. A nervous murmur swept through thirty students, all thinking the same thought, â€Å"oh no, here we go again.† Why is religion in our preparatory schools such a touchy topic? Teachers would rather not address religion or they carefully tip-toeing around the topic? While attending Big Bear High School (a typical southern California school with about 1,000 students) I learned a lot about how religion is taught and how religious issues are handled. Raised in a Christian home, having my father teaching at the same school I attended, and practicing Christianity my entire life, I watched carefully throughout my high school education to see how my teachers would deal with the world and U.S. religions that play an enormous role in the history of our world and country. I am primarily interested in how religion was taught in the early 1970s. Including: what religions were covered, how they were integrated into the text, and the values of the religion that were presented. With my interest in possibly majoring in religious studies I feel that I have an excellent understanding of how religion is taught in our high schools today, but I don’t have a thorough understanding of what it was like to grow up in school in the 1970s and go through school. How was religion presented in the textbooks of schools in the 1970s? My primary goal of this paper is to further my understanding of religion in high schools of the 1970s. Then I would like to further my study by looking at newer documents and regulations that are in place now to govern religion that is taught and expressed in our schools today. What I expect to find is that religion was taught similarly in the 70s without all the newer policies and guidelines of today. Lastly I would like to look at how these policies and regulations in our public schools are affecting our students.

Cleopatra Essay example -- essays research papers

Significant Woman: Cleopatra I chose to write my "Significant Woman" paper on Egypt’s last pharaoh, Cleopatra. When I began my report, I knew very little about Cleopatra, except that she was the mistress of both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony of Rome. I wondered what impacts on history Cleopatra made on her own. I feel that Cleopatra was a very significant woman in history because she was very aggressive and assertive, characteristics that have always been considered unfeminine. At the same time, however, Cleopatra has been remembered by some as somewhat of a sex object, which is and always has been a common judgement of attractive females. Cleopatra did use her sex appeal to her advantage. It was one of the few manipulations that nobody could take away from her, and it was a very convincing form of persuasion. Cleopatra’s family had been ruling Egypt since 305 BC, when Ptolemy I declared himself King of Egypt sometime after Alexander the Great’s death. The Ptolemy family was of Macedonian decent, not Egyptian. Cleopatra, more precisely, Cleopatra VII, was the third daughter of Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos "Auletes", who began his rule of Egypt in 80 BC. Cleopatra VII’s mother could possibly have been Cleopatra V Tryphaena, who either died or disappeared in 68 BC, right after Cleopatra VII’s birth in 69 BC. Cleopatra VII had two older sisters, Cleopatra VI and Berenice IV, and one younger sister, Arsinoe IV...