Thinking Made Easy

SARS in Hong Kong

Chapter 1

The Problem and Its Background

 

In this chapter paper, the background, significance of the study, and scope and limitations of the study are presented. Moreover, the objectives of the study and the statement of the problem are formulated. Here, vital concepts, questions and assumptions are stated.

 

1.1 Background of the Study

            Tourism is one of the recreational practices an individual undertakes. People who exercise tourism are called tourists. According to  (2005) due to the fact that tourism is now one of the most popular recreational activity of people all over the world, in the year 2004 around 763 million tourists arrive in various parts of the world. Tourism plays a vital and crucial role in the economy of any country because the income and profit that is being obtained by the utilisation of products and services of the tourists will generate taxes which can be levied to the government. In addition, tourism provides employment and aids in the development of the economy of the nation. According to  (2000) tourism is not just a recreational and decorative activity but instead tourism correlates centrally to the modernity in numerous dimensions such as politics, moral, economical and technological.

            In Hong Kong, tourism was regarded as one of the important sector of their economy. Actually, Hong Kong is one of the most popular destinations in the world and the tourism industry is one of the most important aspects in the economy of Hong Kong.  According to the  (2007) the industry held another record last 2006 in which more than 25 million tourists arrived in Hong Kong. In order to maintain the number of tourist arrivals in Hong Kong, the tourism department plans, develops, and audits the possible competitive destination.

            Hong Kong government gave efforts to enhance their tourism industry.  Actually, Hong Kong created the Individual Visit Scheme in order to increase the number of tourist visitors. In Hong Kong tourism history, the outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong from March to June 2003 resulted in a sharp drop in the number of both Mainland and overseas visitors and the creation of Individual Visit Scheme was designed to allow travellers from Mainland China to visit Hong Kong and Macau on an individual basis.

 

1.2 Aims and Objectives of the Study

            While the background of the study gives information regarding tourism and Hong Kong, the research also needs to have its own aims and goals that must be followed for the completion of the study as well as the integration of the information that will be gathered based on the research questions. At the end of the study, there is the need to ensure that each of the objectives is met in order to guarantee that the study has managed to gain the information that can garner for the formulation of the conclusion.

 

            As such, the objective of the study will be thus:

1. To be able to assess the current status of economy of Hong Kong.
2. To assess the perception of the respondents regarding the current status of tourism industry in Hong Kong.
3. To investigate and clarify the effect of Individual Visit Scheme on Hong Kong Tourism industry.
4. Finally, this study aims to integrate all these information together and be able to assess their interrelationship and their relevance of their information.

 

            By integrating these information and coming up with a conclusions that will help with the information-exchange and thus may be the basis of other studies. Moreover, it may also be the bases of information that may be beneficial for other organisations in Hong Kong, especially with regards to the factors that the organisation may be find useful for its success. While this may not be the regular procedures that other organisations may take, it nevertheless may give other organisations a chance to build the foundation from which they may be able to push their organisation into a jumpstart, thus another objective of this study is to be able to provide true and useful information that may be used for other practical reasons and can be used for other reason as well as the improvement of the organisation or Hong Kong economy in the study itself.

 

 

1.3 Research Questions

            The previously given discussion shows the general direction and aim of the study, as well as the purpose, however there is also the need for the researcher to elaborate some questions that will be enable to study to go into a certain direction, especially with regards to the nature of the problem being researched. The research questions will then serve as the guide for the researcher for the information that should be gathered from the sources as well as the methods in which they will be extracted from the sources.

 

            As such, the following will be the research questions:

1. What is the status of Tourism Industry in Hong Kong?
2. Do Individual Visit Scheme directly affect the condition of Hong Kong Tourism Industry?
3. Is there any significant difference between the perceptions of respondents regarding Individual Visit Scheme of Hong Kong Tourism Industry with respect to their gender?
4. Is Individual Visit Scheme directly positively affect the condition of Hong Kong Tourism Industry?

 

1.4 Significance of the Study

This work will be a significant to tourism authorities and business in Hong Kong. The researcher believes that the tourism schemes will curb tourism problems and will benefit the tourism industry and Hong Kong businesses as well. Also, this study may provide insightful recommendations on the subject of environmental issues that may become useful contribution in the field of Hong Kong economic progress. Finally, this study may provide authentications on existing theories on consumer spending or at least provide generalizations that may also contribute in the academe field (e.g., students and researchers).

 

1.5 Scope and Limitations

This research will only discuss issues involving the impact of Individual Visit Scheme in Hong Kong. However, related literature and studies cited for this study came from different parts of the globe so as to draw information about tourism, economic development and SARS impact. Other countries with similar experience will also be cited and discussed briefly. The outcome of this study will be limited only to the data gathered from books and journals. As this study is specific to Hong Kong, a similar study on other underdeveloped countries is further suggested. Projected time period for the implementation of this study will be at least three to five months, or if possible, even shorter than three months, as long as all the objectives of the study have been met.

This research work was limited financially due to other expenses and projects/activities outside this study. Time was limited, too, due to other obligations apart from the study.

 

 

 

Chapter 2

Review of Related Literature

 

This chapter will be discussing the findings of related research to this study. It will provide a discussion on the significance of this study to the existing literature. Moreover, this chapter will discuss several issues regarding Hong Kong development and tourism based on the existing literatures. The following discussion chronicles the subject of Individual Visit Scheme, tourism, and SARS.

 

2.1 Individual Visit Scheme

            (….to be continued)

2.2 Tourism as Business in Hong Kong

            Hong Kong’s identity as one of the most promising and vibrant tourist destination in the world is uncontested. It projects an aura of opulence, efficiency, and high-tech competence ( 2002). Hong Kong had many unique competitive advantages such as the hardware and software required of a world-class city, including keen business acumen, well-developed infrastructure, versatile financial system, robust legal institutions, policies conducive to a free and open society, clean and efficient civil service, simple and low tax, large pool of talent and very cosmopolitan community (2003). Because of its abundance in several attractions like Ocean Park, tourists flock their way to experience Hong Kong’s magnificence and top offers. Offerings for visitors of the region range from various to rich assortment of food, entertainment, culture and lifestyle. Hong Kong locates in a favourable geographic location in the centre point of Asia Pacific region with a minimum 5-hour fly reaching most of the areas worldwide. With the support of region’s hardware, events tourism thrives on this piece of land – commercial, social, cultural, educational in nature are present in this venue.

    In 2006, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) works its way to promote the region as “Events Capital” of Asia. There are several ways being studied, designed and implemented to realize such vision. The primary responsibilities of HKTB are to market and promote HK as a destination worldwide, as well as to take initiatives to enhance the experiences of its visitors once they have arrived. Its mission is to maximise the social and economic contribution that tourism makes to the community of Hong Kong, and to consolidate Hong Kong's position as a unique, world class and most desired destination (HKTB 2006). The existence of the developmental action plans, policies, and programmes to promote Hong Kong as a top tourist destination is evident. With this known fact, there is a wide assortment of information that documented the efforts of developing its tourism planning and economy.

 

2.3 Tourism and SARS in Hong Kong

    Much has been written and documented in the subject of SARS. Research studies vary from medical, economic, sociological, political, industrial, consumer, and business perspectives. Generally, a comprehensive authoritative guide for managing crises and disasters in tourism risk management for the Asia Pacific region was provided by  (2005) have conducted a research study on the SARS-related perceptions in Hong Kong.(2003) wrote an inclusive literature of the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong while  (2005) discussed pertinent factors about SARS and its effects in relation to public health.  enumerated the peculiarities of the disease like its novelty, ease of transmission in certain settings, and the swiftness of its spread through plane travel, joint with extensive media coverage; psychological impacts; international travel policies released by authorities; governments’ and press’ role in fair and balance communication and risk management; pre-departure screening in airports; screening and infection control capacities at points of entry into the healthcare system; and others. Incorporated in the research body are lessons learned during the outbreak and its effects on the overall scope of international travel.

    Meanwhile,(2004) reviewed the spread and impact of the SARS virus within Southeast Asia from a human security perspective. It is intended that the utilisation of human security in this instance will not only provide a better understanding of the impact of SARS on regional states but will also advance the conceptualisation of the human security model (2004). Several empirical research studies conducted are bounded on the economic aspect.  and  (2004) provided an assessment of the global economic impacts of SARS and a more comprehensive approach to estimating the global consequences of major disease outbreaks using the a global model called the G-Cubed (Asia Pacific) model. Specifically,(2004) focused on the economic impact of SARS in Hong Kong wherein the chronologies of SARS as the first deadly infectious disease of the 21st century – its spread in Hong Kong, number of cases, and affected regions. Also, demand and supply side is discussed.

    In relation to tourism industry, numerous research articles are published. (2004) made a case study on the impact of SARS on Hong Kong’s tourism industry, with special attention given to the chronological arrangement of critical SARS-related events. Their findings affirmed that the epidemic had brought out negatively profound impact not only in Hong Kong but also to world tourism particularly strong impacts on Southeast Asian countries. (2004) evaluated the effects of SARS on the Chinese tourism and hotel industry – from Mainland China and territories like Hong Kong and Macau. Findings avowed that the overall effect of SARS to the Chinese economy is relatively minimal yet  reiterated that the main lessons are deemed to be social and political in applications.  (2005) also assessed the effects of SARS on Hong Kong tourism industry as they give an empirical evaluation of extensive body of knowledge on the pervasive effects of the disease to almost all industries related to hospitality, travel and tourism.  (2004) expounded on the overreaction to SARS and eventual collapse of Asian tourism. They evaluated sensationalism brought about by various channels of communication (e.g. media) and provided significant facts about the real nature of the condition.

    Other related studies on the effects of SARS in the tourism industry fall in the subject of consumers and their behaviours, and marketing management conditions.  (2004) explored consumers’ perspective in their research wherein they discussed the reluctance of Hong Kong consumers in purchasing travel online due to issues like privacy, security and poor customer service, time savings, site usability and information provision. Other consumer-based researches are mainly focused on consumer satisfaction and other related issues. colleagues (2004) investigated the patterns of behaviours and attitudes related to SARS prevention in Hong Kong’s cross border traveller population using the survey method. They found out several practises done by the respondents surveyed as follows:

ü                  Around 40% of the respondents were using masks all or most of the time in public places or washing their hands frequently (>10 times per day) and about one third avoided visiting crowded places in mainland China.

ü                  Around 70% of the travellers would have delayed medical consultation for influenza-like illness in China; 12.7% would not wear masks during such episodes of illness.

ü                  About 30% of the respondents used to wear masks in Hong Kong but not in mainland China.

ü                  Gender differences were also observed.

 

            Lastly, (2006) examined the impact that SARS on the marketing management functions using the case study method. They provided recommendations for how uncertainty may be managed in increasingly ‘globalized’ world while aspects of strategic and risk-management, supply-chain management and corporate strategy, and planning are extensively discussed.

Records from WHO (2004) stated that SARS outbreak in the 2002-2003 only resulted in 774 deaths. Together with weak domestic demand conditions, it resulted in low growth in parts of East and Southeast Asia (such as Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore) (ADB 2004). Generally, the outbreak of SARS directly and indirectly affected various industries of Hong Kong and the world. In this context, marketing activities prove to be necessary in creation of destination image and attraction and maintenance of profitable customers. These activities start with management of tourist destination, including infrastructure, environment and natural attractions, development of specific strategies and investments, segmenting and monitoring the tourist market, communication with tourist market, and organization and management of tourism marketing (1996).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter 3

Methods and Procedures

 

This chapter will be dedicated to the description of the methods and procedures done in order to obtain the data, how they will be analyzed, interpreted, and how the conclusion will be met. This section is to justify the means in which the study was obtained and will help in giving it purpose and strength as it will then be truthful and analytical. All these will help in the processing of the data and the formulation of conclusions.

            Specifically, this research will cover the following: the research design and method, the respondents or subjects to be studied (which will include the sampling method), the data collection instrument, and the data analysis. These will be presented below.

 

3.1 Research Design

            The research design chosen both qualitative and quantitative research, which uses explanatory methods in describing the variables wherein the data, situations, or other facts collected will be explained or correlated with other data. It is especially useful when conducting a study wherein the data are immeasurable, such as feelings, beliefs, thoughts, and others (2000). Furthermore, the study will be descriptive as it will focus on the conditions set and the nature that surrounds the data and does not focus on the correlation with other collected facts.

3.2 The Respondents

            The researcher, in choosing subjects or respondents for the topic at hand, is usually thought of to have the power over who the respondents of the study will be. Such a task would have been easier, except a researcher cannot simply choose out of whim; the subjects must be selected carefully with the intention of having subjects who each posses characteristics that, when put together, will represent a community. It is not only themselves whom these subjects will represent, but the bigger whole or the whole population. The characteristics which the researcher has chosen them for will determine which part of the community they belong and what part of the community they are representing. Thus, the choosing of the subjects must be based on their characteristics.

            In this study, it is necessary to collect information from Hong Kong Tourism’s clients.

 

3.3 Data Collection Instrument

            In order to obtain the desired data, the researcher has chosen to use the primary research data, which is to collect firsthand the data to be used for the outcome of the research. In able to do this, the researcher must have a data collection instrument to be presented to the respondents. Thus, the researchers have chosen obtaining data through the questionnaire. The questionnaire is administered by writing questions on a page and distributing it to the respondents, expecting them to return the paper with their answers on it. This is easier than other methods of data-collection (e.g., interview, observation, etc.) as particular details may be hard to talk about during interviews and cannot be drawn out from observation.

            The advantage of using the questionnaires method is that the respondents have time to think of their answers, thus allowing smaller rate of errors. Also, concerning delicate matters, the respondents may feel more at ease when answering questionnaires as they are not required to speak with someone else in order to give information. The disadvantage of the questionnaire method is when the respondents are unable to read or write; then the questionnaire will be rendered useless by the respondents as they may need interpreters for the questionnaires. Thus, in case such that unlikely event may happen, then the researcher will have no choice but to quickly switch to the interview method, wherein the researcher will be allowed to interact with the respondent and ask the questions based on the prepared questionnaire.

 

3.4 Instruments to be Used

To determine the perception of the respondents about the status of Individual Visit Scheme and Hong Kong Tourism, the researcher prepared a survey-questionnaire. The respondents graded each statement in the survey-questionnaire using a Likert scale with a five-response scale wherein respondents were given five response choices (1994). The equivalent weights for the answers were:

Range                                                Interpretation

            4.50 – 5.00                                        Strongly Agree

3.50 – 4.49                                        Agree

2.50 – 3.49                                        Uncertain

1.50 – 2.49                                        Disagree         

0.00 – 1.49                                        Strongly Disagree

 

The decision was made to use a questionnaire for the data collection for this project due to the sensitivity of the information being obtained.  It is important for the respondents to be open and honest in their responses. The use of the questionnaire provides the project owner with the ability to test the views and attitudes of the respondents. The questionnaire was designed to allow the collection of specific information about the participants to conduct statistical analysis, e.g. age, gender, and social status.

 

3.5 Data Analysis

            In order to correctly interpret the data in such a way that its result will reflect what the study originally intends to show then the researcher must employ the correct and accurate way of data analysis.

            Moreover, simple statistics can be done and applied, and it will be easier to determine the status of the perception of the respondents regarding Individual Visit Scheme and Hong Kong Tourism.

 

3.6 Summary of Action

As stated in this chapter, the researcher undergoes stages. In the research design, the researcher collected secondary data and formulated and developed the questionnaire. In this stage, these instruments were subjected to approval and validation. During the data collection, the researcher collated and summarized the data obtained from the Hong Kong development reports, questionnaire and survey. The researcher analyzed these data and from these, findings and recommendations were presented.

Guiding principles for aviation development

Hong Kong’s Aviation Policy

A Green Paper

Introduction

            Hong Kong is facing different challenges and changes in terms of its economy. The country is facing great changes in the tourism industry such as the country’s close relationship with the mainland Chinese government. The said relationship had helped to enhance the position of the country in both a destination in its own right as well as a gateway for the travelers that are entering as well as leaving the People’s Republic (1997).

            On the other hand the emergence of the air transport had greatly smoothed the progress of long distance travel as well as the exchange of goods. The aviation industry of Hong Kong helps the development of the economy of the country. According to the study of  (2006), in 2003, the aviation industry had contributed to 2.54% of the total gross domestic product (GDP) at factor costs, while contributed to 4.48% of the trade services and tourism industry. The total benefits and influence of the aviation industry was about 7.02% of GDP. It shows that the industry is considered as a major component of the Hong Kong economy. That is the reason why, the current and changes in the aviation policies can alter the overall business environment of the entire aviation market

            Furthermore, it is also important to consider the potential advantage of the Travel & Tourism to the economy of the country that will help to exploit its position as the gateway to China. That is the reason why there is a great need for different improvement and development in the aviation policy of the country.

            The Green Paper sets out the vision of the country for the future of policing that will include different plans in order to improve the aviation industry of the country in order to manage and regulate the aviation freedom in Hong Kong.

Importance of Air Travel in Hong Kong

            Hong Kong has many visitors and its residents travel a lot. During 1980’s, there were over 11 million travelers who passed through the Kai Tak Airport early, and the said number is increasing. The said travel offer an important benefits to the economy of the country, whether they be locals who uses the Hong Kong-based airlines in order to travel overseas, or foreign business people and tourists who visits and patronize the country’s transport, accommodation and other industries (1990).

Background of Civil Aviation in Hong Kong

            There are about 85 international airlines that operate about 5700 scheduled passenger and all-cargo flights each week between Hong Kong, and some 155 destinations worldwide. 70% of the said flights are being operated with the wide-bodied jets. There are also an average of around 84 non-schedules passenger and cargo flights each week ( 2008).

            Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Department of CAD is the one that is responsible for the provision of the air traffic control services; certification of the Hong Kong registered bilateral Air Services Agreements, as well as the regulation of the general civil aviation activities. The Airport Authority Hong Kong or AAHK is the one that manages and operates the HKIA under an Aerodrome licensed that was issued by CAD

Restriction for Foreign Capital and Control

            The airline industry is considered as a cyclical that its success directly depends on the good economic times. But the combination of the Gulf war and the recession propelled the airlines into one of their most severe downward economic cycles. From 1990 to 1992, US carriers collectively lost more than they earned during the entire history, while in Europe, during the same time, the EU airlines lost more than $3.5 billion.

            Despite the different latest improvements in terms of load factors, most of the airlines in the world is suffering from overcapacity as well as increased competition, while other still have sever economic problems. The said difficulties have been connected with the major needs of the airlines for the replacement of fleet. According to the study of ICAO in 1992, from 1991, to 2010, the airline industry of the world will have to spend more than $800 billion in their new aircrafts and the number will double after 20 years.

            Hong Kong is considered as one of the most restrictive government in terms of the law regarding the foreign investments towards aviation industry. The foreign stake is limited to 25%. Furthermore, the scope of the investment in the Civil Aviation by the Foreign Investors shall only include and limited in the civilian airport, public air transport enterprises, general aviation enterprises as well as other air transport that are related to the project. Thus the foreign investors are not allowed in investing in as well as managing the air traffic control system (  2002).

The Chicago Convention

            The Chicago Convention is a multilateral treaty in terms of which the member states have agreed on certain principles and arrangements in order to allow the international civil aviation to be developed in a safe and orderly manner as well as to enable the international air transport service to be established on the basis of equality of opportunity and operated soundly and economically (2008).

            The 1944 Chicago Convention organized the air transport. The bilateral agreements that grew out of the principle regarding the national sovereignty over the airspace that forms the references of the Chicago had two consequences: one was that airlines had nationalities and that the governments were given a central role in the process of negotiating the route rights; while the other was a series of national laws that limits the foreign ownership or control of the carriers.

            But it is important to consider that the Chicago Convention is neutral on the subject of the foreign ownership. As a matter of fact, the Article 77 of the Convention explains that it permits operations that involve the joint or coordinated efforts among the different airlines in order to provide international service. However, there is a wording the model forms, that shows in the Article 6 that focuses on the bilateral form that permitted either of the party to withhold or even revoke a certificate or permit to an airline where it is not satisfied that the substantial ownership as well as effective control are vested in the nationals of either party (  1994). 

Open Skies of Hong Kong

            According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, aviation is considered as one of the most important driver of the Travel & Tourism development, thus improve job creation. That is why it is important to make even a greater effort to open the air transport markets that will help to attract more air transport services as well as improve the regional networks. Thus the government must continue to pursue the managed liberalization as well as relaxation of different aviation regulations (2003).

 

 

 

The Chicago Convention

-Nationality rule

-Freedom of the Air

concept - Hubbing

concept – Cabotage

concept -Air Services Agreement

 

-Air transport organization, structure, regulations, and initiatives in Hong Kong

-The ‘Open skies’ concept and its implications

-Deregulation and liberalization in aviation

-The future of air transport in U.K

-Towards a National Aviation Policy Statement (Australia)

-Mainland China’s aviation policy

-Elements of Air Transport Policy

-From open skies to plurilateral airspace

-Guiding principles for aviation development -Hong Kong International Airport’s third runway

-Privatization of airport

-Security in airport and airlines

-EU-US air transport agreements

 

World Travel & Tourism Councils Policy Recommendation for Hong Kong to Exploit China’s Travel & Tourism Explosion (, 2003):

 

The process of terminating an employee in a business is really tough

1.                  The process of terminating an employee in a business is really tough. The amount helping the employees in determining the effect of termination to them is really important. In the case at bar,was discharge without any prior notice of any misconduct he committed. The policy of the company in discharging an employee is to give the latter a prior notice about any unsatisfactory conduct, and be placed under the Corrective Action Plan, and if there is no improvement after a period specified, a termination will follow. Hence, the company did not follow the rules and regulations that it had specified on its company policy.

                     In addition, is it the nature of an employee and employer relationship that laws are interpreted in favor of the employee hence the application of the above mentioned company’s policy must be strictly conformed in favor of  Although it can be argued that the subject of termination is not his unsatisfactory but the difficulty of the company to go through on its new venture, the company must still see to it that the employee will not suffer in a manner that will jeopardized her rights.

                     Hence, Newcorp shall be liable for the unjust dismissal of . The discharge of the latter from the company without following the employment contract that both parties have agreed is a major subject of the contract that is for the protection of its employees. Furthermore, if the reason of the company as alleged by is the fact that he stated something in a school that caused a problem to the company’s reputation, it cannot be still the correct reason because a valid reason is necessary for the company in discharging an employee.

            The wordings of the Notice of Unsatisfactory Performance/Corrective Action Plan is clear indication that the employees of Newcorp has a right to be under an observation in order to make his conduct satisfactory in lieu to the existence of the missions and goals of the company. 

2. The case at bar is a great illustration of how an agency relationship exists between an employee and an employer. Sam served as the agent of Newcorp which is the principal. The agent in the role of fiduciary must act in the principal’s best interests. In case at bar the actions of in harassing is clearly an act that deviates from what he is expected. He did not conducted himself in a manner that will be for the benefit of the company, but moreover caused much prejudice to the image and reputation of the company. Hence, due to that kind of relationship Newcorp must be able to do things that could possibly prevent from  in continuing his offensive act.

            On the other hand, Newcorp shall be liable if in case, as a principal it has the knowledge that  has been using his power and position in the company in order to complete his own interest, the company is solitarily liable to . However, if the company does not have knowledge it will still be liable in cases that it have been that it did not exercise the diligence and supervision of its employees. As an employer, Newcorp must have an up to date supervision over the conduct of its employees. Furthermore, the company’s awareness to what is happening within its organization must also be known and any matters that are not in accordance to the policy of the organization must be given proper investigation.

            Hence, in the case at bar, if there is a sufficient evidence to prove that Newcorp lacks the necessary diligence on supervision to the conduct of  especially to his treatment with  the company will be liable. The degree of its liability is only vicarious but could be solitary if it’s shown that it has knowledge of the incident but still did not make any actions in order to prevent or reprimand Sam of his actions.

3.         As in the case at bar, Newcorp already investigated the place but still Paul was unsatisfied of the decision of the company. Newcorp must see to it that  will not suffer from any illnesses that would subsequently cause his death. The impediment danger of his work place and also the fact that he acquired a phobia out of a crowded or small space is a factor that causing a serious threat to his health. Thus, in interpretation the Act, the intention of the legislation must be upheld. Hence, the subject company must allow withdraw from his job. Furthermore, it the duty of the employer to furnish each employees’ employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or physical harm to his employees.

            On the case of his acquisition of his claustrophobic which he claims the he is entitled to an amount as prescribed under the workmen’s compensation. It is right for the author to define what Personal Injury is. Personal injury shall include a disease or disability which is due to causes and condition which are characteristic of and peculiar to the business of the employer and which arises out of and in the course of the employment. Ordinary diseases of life to which the public is generally exposed outside of the employment shall not compensable. I believe that the phobia he acquired must still first be consulted to known doctor authorized to check whether he acquired it due to his work. However, it is necessary to note that the work place must also be subjected to an inspection to be conducted by an official or representative of the OSHA in order to give the case a more credible and relevant evidence to prove the existence of the claim of

            However, if the case was decided in favor of , Newcorp must pay  a damages or amount in exchange of the injury he suffered and will suffer in the future after lost of his employment.

 

Skills and competencies required of the project manager

Project management

Skills and competencies required of the project manager

A review of the traits of the ideal project manager demonstrates that great demands are placed on project managers. In fact, they are traits that people do not even expect the CEOs of certain great corporations to possess. No project manager scores strongly on all the desirable traits. The great majority of them are quite weak on most of these traits, and this contributes to the problems encountered on so many projects. But the more desirable traits project managers possess the more effective the managers will be. Salaries of average project managers are not particularly elevated (2002). They are typically in line with salaries offered to middle managers occupying responsible positions. However, salaries of high-performing project managers are generous, occasionally higher than salaries paid to company vice presidents. These top-gun project managers typically have a ten-year track record of successful delivery of large and complex projects. What the high wages are buying is confidence that the selected project managers will carry out their chores effectively on high-value projects ( 2002).

 

As projects grew more complex an interesting phenomenon arose rather than entrust the project to one person some organizations established co responsibility teams. The rationale underlying the creation of co responsibility teams is simple no project manager will have a grasp of the knowledge needed to bridge the technical and business issues today's complex projects encounter. The chief concern of adopting this approach is that it goes against the management principle that in carrying out work efforts, responsibility must reside in one person ( 2001). Experience shows, however, that once the co managers get beyond the question of who's really in charge and learn to trust each other's abilities and appreciate that they can achieve more collectively than when working alone, the co responsibility teams work well.  The idea that all responsibility must ultimately rest with a single individuals is one of the most cherished principles in management thinking. This is particularly true in project management, where project managers are seen as the key to delivering successful solutions. However as organizations gain more experience using cross-functional teams to carry out projects, they may also develop skills in sharing responsibility among multiple players. If this happens, then the rise of co responsibility teams appears inevitable ( 2001). Project managers need to have perseverance and diligence in making sure that all aspects of the project will push through.  They need to have the drive that will help them finish the project no matter what happens.   Project managers need to make sure that they can relate well with all the personnel that will be involved in the project. They need to have enough patience in dealing with various kinds of personnel.  Project managers need to make sure that they are responsible and are willing to do the best they can to finish the project.  They need to plan wisely their actions and take full responsibility once the project fails. Project managers should be prepared for the criticisms and intrigues that will be hurled towards them.  They need to be ready for all people that will try to discredit them or the improvements they have done in the project.

Project management process

Project Initiation

Projects are fraught with risks of many kinds. When the project contract is finalized, many factors will have been considered and an agreement about the risk assumption will have been reached. There are three prime risks associated with project construction and completion. Generally, they are described as cost overrun risk, risk of delay, and technical risk. Cost overrun risk refers to the fact that many projects are finished significantly over estimated cost ( 1997). To avoid cost overruns that must be financed from additional capital from lenders or investors, the contract should provide incentives for project completion by or before the targeted completion date and within the estimated cost. Some contracts contain bonuses for completion at or below estimated cost and penalties for completion over budget ( 1997).  The initial thing that Renton Clothing should do is to check for the competitors in the new area. The company should know if the area/region has high cost and whether that cost is worth it.  The company should check for the expenses that they will have to make in renting a place of distribution, the operating expenses, the taxes that will be paid, the minimum wage, the cost of supplies and other initial expenses.  The company should determine the policies in the area and the laws that might serve as a hindrance in their operations. The company should make sure that the potential barriers for the company’s growth in the region will be known ahead of time. The company should conduct surveys and researches to know the environment in the region. After gathering the data the next thing to do is plan how the project will push through.

Project Planning

 The apparel industry has several interesting features. Traditional apparel production is an extreme example of a classic mass production approach in which processes are divided into minute tasks, each to be carried out by one operator who specializes in that task. Therefore, apparel factories are loaded with in-process buffer inventories. Time and motion studies are still widespread in the industry, and beginners can reach standard proficiency in most tasks within a few weeks. Moreover, apparel is considered an important source of jobs for Americans with lower educational levels, a first step up the employment ladder for recent immigrants and workers living in rural areas. However, the low skill levels and moderate capital requirements also make the industry vulnerable to low-wage offshore competition (1999). In the apparel industry, many firms have traditionally produced many styles, even before the development of high-involvement innovations that have received so much attention in the last decade. Therefore, a recent increase in the number of styles produced in apparel, independent of the absolute number of styles produced, may offer unfreezing opportunities for innovation in the apparel industry. In the apparel industry, the modular production system corresponds most closely to the general high-involvement model ( 1999).  The plan for the firm is to determine the marketing channel to be used, gather enough budgets, hire and train the personnel, establish the operational processes, establish the supply system and determine the barriers to the company’s growth.  In this plan the goal is to establish the company in the new market. 

Project Execution

One major responsibility of many project managers is developing and adhering to a budget for the project. Often they will be rated a success or failure as project managers according to whether the project comes in under, on, or over budget. Overshooting the budget can have serious consequences for project managers and the organizations in which they work. Consider a project that is funded through a contract: a cost overrun may lead to litigation, penalties, and financial losses for the performing organization ( 2003). If the project is funded internally, an overrun may lead to a serious drain of scarce organizational resources. In view of the importance of budgeting, it is not surprising that many organizations focus much of their management attention on that area. Consequently, many organizations have well-developed budgeting techniques that are custom-made for the organization's particular environment and operating.  Project costs are typically composed of four components: direct labor costs, overhead, fringe benefits, and auxiliary costs. Direct labor costs are determined by multiplying the workers' hourly wages by the amount of time that they are expected to spend on the project. In most service projects, which are not capital intensive, direct labor costs are the largest component of project costs ( 2003).

 

Project controls have two components to it: analysis and action. Up until now, people have been talking only about the analytical aspect of control. People have seen that by using planning and control tools such as Gantt charts, cumulative cost curves, and resource histograms, they were able to determine the extent to which the project is achieving its schedule, budget, and resource targets. If the variances between what was planned and what is actually transpiring are small, then the project is seen to be under control. If the gaps are large, then planning targets are not being achieved and steps might need to be taken to bring the project under control. The action aspect of control has people taking steps to handle unacceptable variances ( 1999). The first step in the project is to determine the marketing channels that will be used. The chosen marketing channel was printed advertisements and internet advertisements. The marketing channels will help the products be known to more clients. The printed advertisements will be in the form of newspaper advertisements as well as banners that will be put it various places.   The second step for the project is to acquire from the parent company the necessary budgets to fund the operation. The budget will be used to pay for all expenses in the project. The third step is to look for worthy personnel and train them on the company’s policy and operational procedures.  In this step the company will make sure that the personnel will be trained to be assets and not liabilities to the firm.  The next step is to establish the operational processes. In this step the company adjusts the operational processes according to the situation in the new environment.  The next step features the need to establish the supply chain system or the system that will be used to manage the supply of materials used in making the companies products. In this step the company will organize its supply system to ensure that there will be no delays in the creation of products.

Project control and validation

The first of factors for success is a group of External ones like government, community, general economic conditions, ecology, and so on. The second set of factors affecting the viability of project definition is that the project offers a sense of cost-benefit relationship and that the terms of the Financing of the project make sense (1998). The last factor affecting the project definition is the project's Timing. Curiously, this aspect is often totally ignored in the project management literature which tends instead to dwell on scheduling methodologies. Timing means the pace at which the project is developed: its urgency, its phasing, and the placing of the strategic review points (1998).The project itself must then be implemented using a range of concepts, tools, and techniques which have traditionally been thought of as the province of project management. These include matters of organizational structure responsibility and contract strategy, terms and conditions; issues of personal leadership and management style, resorting, systems, and procedural conflict management and industrial relations, team-working, and matters of control and communication ( 1998).  The project will be constantly monitored to check its effect on the company and the changes it has done on the new region. The initial problems on the project will be known fixed to reduce the emergence of other problems. To control the project communication systems will be used between the members of the organization. The communication systems will assist in monitoring the project. The project will be validated via its effect on the company and the industry.

Project evaluation

In a business setting there is a chance that projects might fail. Projects are not perfect it will contain certain flaws. If these flaws merge wit forces within the environment the result would be the failure of the project. Project failure can be due to the lack of preparation or planning wherein the manager became too concentrated on the end result rather than the specifics of the project. Project failure can also be due to lack of cooperation between the manager and his subordinates. When there is no teamwork between the manager and the subordinates’ aspects of the project will not be completed. Another cause of project failure is when the manager does not take risks. The risk may have given the project a better chance for success. Moreover a cause of project failure is the lack of alternative strategies that should be used whenever there are small problems or irregularities seen when the project is being undertaken.  Lastly a cause of project failure is the inability to use the approved strategies. There are certain times that project managers fail to make use of strategies set by the organization, this results to an altered direction for the project and in the end failure of the project.  To avoid project failure, the project should be constantly checked and evaluated to see if it still performs according to standards. Evaluation will focus on checking how the firm has adjusted to the new environment and how the firm has grown after expanding into a new region. Evaluation will be used to determine the things or issues that should be changed within the project and determine the next courses of actions that should be taken to achieve success.

Resources and Timescales for each activity

The first stage of the project will take around 1 to 2 weeks. The first stage focuses on the initiation on the project. This part focuses on the initial part of the project.  The resources for this activity includes different sources that can provide information on how the business can grow and achieve its goals; the other resource for this stage includes different notes and information  that will provide the different changes that needs to be done with regards to the employees and the initiation process. The second stage of the project includes the planning stage. The second stage of the project will take one week so that proper planning, testing and analysis of the new project can be made. The resource for this stage is a prepared system and testing group that will ensure that before the project will be fully implemented it underwent proper planning and testing. The third stage of the project will take three to four weeks for proper adjustments. In this stage the project is on the full implementation stage wherein the goal is to slowly start the business on the new market.  The resources for this stage are proper information and training tools for employees. The fourth stage of the project will take two weeks.  This will involve the control and validation of the project. The resource for this stage included informative materials that will be distributed to the different project managers that will be used to understand the changes the project has done to the company and what are the current problems of the initiated project.  The last stage of the project of will focus on evaluation of the project. This will check how the project succeeded in its goal and how the project should change. The last stage of the project will take around one week.

Hong Kong's Aviation Policy

Hong Kong’s Aviation Policy

A Green Paper

 

Introduction

            Hong Kong is facing different challenges and changes in terms of its economy. The country is facing great changes in the tourism industry such as the country’s close relationship with the mainland Chinese government. The said relationship had helped to enhance the position of the country in both a destination in its own right as well as a gateway for the travelers that are entering as well as leaving the People’s Republic (1997).

            On the other hand the emergence of the air transport had greatly smoothed the progress of long distance travel as well as the exchange of goods. The aviation industry of Hong Kong helps the development of the economy of the country. According to the study of  (2006), in 2003, the aviation industry had contributed to 2.54% of the total gross domestic product (GDP) at factor costs, while contributed to 4.48% of the trade services and tourism industry. The total benefits and influence of the aviation industry was about 7.02% of GDP. It shows that the industry is considered as a major component of the Hong Kong economy. That is the reason why, the current and changes in the aviation policies can alter the overall business environment of the entire aviation market (p. 19).

The Chicago Convention

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chicago Convention

-Nationality rule

-Freedom of the Air

concept - Hubbing

concept – Cabotage

concept -Air Services Agreement

 

-Air transport organization, structure, regulations, and initiatives in Hong Kong

-The ‘Open skies’ concept and its implications

-Deregulation and liberalization in aviation

-The future of air transport in U.K

-Towards a National Aviation Policy Statement (Australia)

-Mainland China’s aviation policy

-Elements of Air Transport Policy

-From open skies to plurilateral airspace

-Guiding principles for aviation development -Hong Kong International Airport’s third runway

-Privatization of airport

-Security in airport and airlines

-EU-US air transport agreements

 

World Travel & Tourism Councils Policy Recommendation for Hong Kong to Exploit China’s Travel & Tourism Explosion (WTTC, 2003):

 

Applying scientific management in a knowledge based economy

INTRODUCTION

This is an analysis in considering the appropriateness of applying scientific management in a knowledge based economy and its likely effect in establishing a learning organization.

 has created a great impact on the management service practice and also the management thought. The process of scientific management has replaced the old rule thumb. The focus of scientific management is the performance and not the personal qualities of the worker.

On the other hand, the world of business management today is derived on the evolution of technology and globalization. The personal contribution of one’s individual is based upon the theory of knowledge-based theory. On this theory the economy is the recognition of the contribution of the role of knowledge and technology to economic growth. Learning organization on the other hand means that an organization is skilled in making and attaining and transmitting knowledge and modifying its conduct to reflect new knowledge and insights.

 The analysis will provide for a brief background of scientific management. The said section will discuss a brief history of scientific management taking into consideration the necessary implication of which that could be the source of the focus of this paper. The next section will provide for the changes and the process of business thru the years. Next, it will be followed by the section wherein the author will provide for the challenges that confront managers as they use scientific management in the post-industrial era.

The author will focus on how the managers will be able to adapt and inculcate the principles of scientific management to the current setting of business management in this current time. A conclusion will end this paper taking into consideration the key points that have been all through out the paper in relation to the subject of this paper.

 

SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT (BACKGROUND, AND ANALYSIS)

            As abovementioned, Frederick Winslow Taylor was the one who opened the world to scientific management. The process of scientific is more on how the individual workers will be able to perform their roles in the organization, and not on how they conduct based on their personal skills. He suggested that the integrated character and broad applicability of scientific management, which he equated it with a “complete mental revolution”.

            According to Team (2008), was not the organization of many of his ideas but has the ability to synthesize the work of others and promote them effectively to a ready and eager audience of industrial managers who were striving to find new or improved ways to increase performance.

            In addition, the following are the contribution of scientific management to organizational theory: It clears the delineation of authority; promotes responsibility; entice the separation of planning from operations; giving of incentive schemes for workers; define what is management by exception; and gives importance to task specialization.

            The said contributions were the manifestation of what has been targeted by  in introduction of scientific management to the business industry. The specification and given much importance to performance in the field of organization of business conduct is the realization of what is viewed by such theory to the organizational performance.

            According to(2008), there are eager audiences that argue that skilled workers would forfeit their skills and creativity and that it would result to speedups, fatigue and rate cuts and that average workers would lose their jobs. The number of criticisms especially to the manager’s function on motivation has been overridden because of the desire to increase the speed of operations. Some critics have viewed that industrial jobs had become more intellectually and psychologically unrewarding since  time.

            The existence of scientific management during those times created clear definition as to the effectiveness of one’s performance. Efficiency was not taken into consideration because what is necessary in scientific management is the number of goals that have been reached thru the performance of their functions.

            As the organization is the defined as the social entity that is goal directed and deliberately structured. According to  (2006), stated that the organization in relation to scientific management will be able to attain its goal, however, the problem underlies on the fact that the performance of the individual workers is the key problem. The author believes that such is the problem because what is considered is only the goals of the organization and not the reputation or the needs of the employees.

            The detrimental effect of this type of management is applicable on the era wherein employees are much more taken for granted however; the need to specifically limit the things that an employee can receive is not productive.

CHANGES IN THE BUSINESS WORLD

            What the image and reputation of the business world nowadays is brought by the happening of many series of changes in the said industry. This section will discuss three distinctions of the industrial and post industrial era as to the application of scientific management. The three historical trends in the business industry are the following systems theory describes organizations as open systems, contingency view, and total quality management.   

The first difference of the two eras is the fact that during the industrial era the workers are the ones who have experienced the use of machines. The utilization of the said machines has brought a different scenario to the employment of skills. Hence, thru scientific management the author have seen that the fact workers are more into considering lightening their burden. On the other hand, during the post industrial era people are more adept in focusing to conduct themselves as to what they are expected to perform in accordance to their skills.

            The second distinction is the fact that during the industrial era, the use of knowledge is not much appreciated as to the economic. What is important in the said era in relation to scientific management is the giving more emphasis to the performance of their skills. According to  (2000), during the Industrial Revolution social changes happened concurrently. Jobs were created varying from different technical innovations such as chemical industry, railway transportation, and textiles.  The importance of skills and performance is derived on the fact that goals of the company is taken into consideration. While scientific management during the post industrial era is on the fact that there is a need for development of the personal quality of their skills. According to  (2006), “the computer is the cathedral of today. Google is a technological edifice that towers over much of our daily landscape. Where medieval peasants may have entered cathedrals to search for meaning, we routinely come to Google for links. We stare in to the brilliant colors of our computer screens and marvel at what we see.” According to  (2007), the application of information and communication technologies, enterprises have the ability to diminish the impact of space, time and distance. Global companies can break apart business functions that were previously thought to be the best collated and spread them across the globe in globally disarticulated.

            The third distinction is the fact during the industrial era,  (2008) has stated that the experiences of firms have left a conclusion about the impact of scientific management is that the individual worker exercised a less discretion, particularly in plants where time studies were used to schedule production and/pr set piece rates. According to (2008), the actual impact of scientific to the post industrial era is the fact that the practical application knowledge is much appreciated on how it be contributed to the growth of the economy.

SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES FOR TODAY’S MANAGERS

            The author has seen only two challenges of the application of scientific management for today’s managers. The first one is on the process how they would be able to complement the attainment of effectiveness and efficiency. The second challenge is to try the application of the skills is to maintain an open system.

            The first one is challenge because thru scientific management managers might not be able to efficient give focus to the necessity of creating a conducive environment in meeting the needs of the employees and the attainment of the goals of the organization.

            The last challenge pertains to the adaptation by employees the necessity of learning organization.  (2008) stated that organizational learning is a long-tem activity that will build competitive advantage over time and requires management attention, commitment, and big companies. Hence, in an open system, managers must be able to learn the process of getting enough answer from the situation of the organization and look into the fact that the employees are also part of the learning.

CONCLUSION

            The author now concludes that applying the scientific management will create an effective and efficient outcome to the system of the organization, which means that the organization will be able to a more conducive, and systematic environment that will make the organizational culture focused on the attainment of its goals. However, it is also necessary to note, that the current trend of a knowledge-based economy is not just focused on what it can input but on the process wherein all matters are necessary for the success of the organization.

            Therefore, the appropriateness of scientific management dwells on the whole concept of conducting the business but the need to include the reason behind the way employees conduct themselves is the key to make the whole organization progress. According to  (2007), the amount of participation of employees in the organization will be the reason that the company will be able to learn as an organization.

 

 

Studying the concept of psycology

INTRODUCTION

            Studying the concept of psychology to the cause of the commission of a crime is important especially in understanding the reason behind its commission. There are many theories, which can be used in studying the subject case; however, one most suited to this case would have to be the Social Learning Theory.

 This essay is an application of the chosen psychological theory in relation to the case.  concept of social learning theory shall be applied in this case. According to (2006),  ideas about role modeling resonated well with criminology, and that stimulus-to-stimulus chain of learning is the most important.

 Social learning theory focuses on the learning occurs within a social context. It considers that people learn from one another. According to   (1973), social learning is applied extensively by understanding the way of aggression. Furthermore,  (1969), focused also in the occurrence of psychological disorders, specifically in the context of behavior modification.

The case at bar involves who has been in and out of the prison. Ironically, it may seem, the will of  to make his life better does not conform to the happening of an inevitable circumstance to commit a crime. He was involved in a current offense of breaking in at a small-motor factory.

Furthermore, to summarize the family background of  majority of his family members has been involved in a commission of a crime and has been in and out of prison on many occasions. Such is the scenario within his family home when he was a child is considered as the most important contributory factor on how he perceived life.

The analysis will relate examples and concepts of the theory to the subject case and vice versa. The relation of the said two factors will give this paper a more comprehensive approach in studying the behavior of the subject person. A conclusion will end this paper taking into consideration the key points discussed within the paper. The resources used in this paper will be properly recognized wherein proper citation and referencing will be followed.

 

ANALYSIS

            The aspects of the theory and the facts of the case will be simultaneously discussed for a clearer examination and relation of the said factors. In order to understand the behavior of  the author will first discuss the concept of observational learning. A modeling process will also be presented in order to give this paper a more comprehensive approach in studying the acts of Bert in relation to the chosen theory.  Lastly, an illustration is provided, as to the whole process of the learning.

Observational learning means that people can learn through observation. According to (2008), factors involving both the model and the learner can play a role in whether social learning is successful.

The first aspect is that the observational leaning is more focused on the capacity that people can learn by observing the behavior of other people and the outcome of those behaviors. According (2008), in social learning theory the subject person has set beliefs that are favorable in commission of a crime. The said beliefs are considered called stimulants. In addition, third person may also teach an individual so many beliefs favorable to commit a crime.  There are stimulants found in the case that can be considered as  belief in order for him to commit a crime.

 childhood was subjected to the occurrence of instances, which are perceived by him as an ordinary act of man. His observation made him perceive that commission of a crime is not unusual. The reality of having several family members going in and out of the prison is related to the said aspect because it gave a basis of observing a behavior, which is likely perceived by him through his observation.

The stimulant that are presented in the case why  has committed the crime is on the existence of unhealthy family environment, and also, that was not contented to what is happening in his ordinary life and also on how boring his work is. Hence, it can be inferred that  commission of crime is based on a number of stimulants. The stimulants dictated in considering whether to perform the act or not. This means that his behavior in committing a crime and the stimulus cited are the main reasons to commit the crime again, which is favorable for him.

Furthermore, it is right for the author to state again that Bert was brought up in a dysfunctional family environment, which means that the actions of his father and brothers could be seen as a normal part of their lives. Hence, the learning he acquired through his observation from his family does not render any changes, but the adaptation of such behaviors into his life.

According to (1977), hostile thoughts can result in hostile behavior. In the case of  having a brother and a father who have been having a problem with the law is the hostile or destructive behavior of the pattern that has been adapted by

The outcome of their behavior gave way to an occurrence of a hostile environment and so suffered from this dysfunctional family environment. Hence, although he had made a promise of not committing a crime again, the happening of any circumstance that can make him not fulfill his promise is existent and inevitable.

            The fact that being cognitive, the social learning theory plays a big part or role, in the learning patterns of human beings. Awareness and expectations of future reinforcements or punishments have a major effect on the behaviors that people exhibit. This instance is present in the entire case, which can be attributed to the existence of the absence, and excessive punishment he received from both his parents. Intrinsic reinforcements are internal thoughts and cognitions help connect learning theories to cognitive developmental theories. This brought an effect to the learning of  that the actions he performed may or may not be given any kind of reinforcement.

To explain further this, one of the apparent examples of such acts is when he made a promise to his wife that he will not be committing any crime again and will make an effort to make his life better, and then subsequently committing a crime again. Not only in the commission of the crime, that he provided justification but also he provided justification for not fulfilling his promise, which led him to committing a crime again.

From the said example, it is perceived by the author that even though  has the knowledge that if he commits a crime, he can go to the jail again, but having experienced a childhood wherein proper reinforcement was not practiced, he still chose to commit crime. The lack of reinforcement and excessive punishment made him more determined to commit a crime without looking into its consequences. He did not see the importance of reinforcement when he was young, and was more adept from suffering punishment. Hence, consequences will not matter because reinforcement and punishment were not given proper equilibrium when his parents raised him.

Another aspect is what is stated by(2008), the theory holds that the successful integration of a personal belief and behavior in response to that system leads to feeling of competence or self-mastery, which means one has the belief that he is in charge of one’s relations to and understanding of the world. This aspect is related to the case because the actions of  towards his life gives a definition on how he perceive that he is in charge of his life, relations and understanding to the world.

He committed crimes although he has knowledge of the consequences in doing so, but still believes that life is better and more exciting if he commits a crime. His subsequent indulgence to alcohol, which led him to commit the crime, is the manifestation that his behavior dictates his system of feelings and actual performance of what he feels and perceives as right acts vary on every situation however; he still has justifications for a commission of a crime. Although he found some casual work, he found a reason to stop working and indulged himself into drinking, which led him to be a part of the conspiracy of the crime committed.

Another manifestation of this aspect in relation to the case is on how he did not disclose the other perpetrators of the crime due to a pride of not being a dog. He controlled the said circumstance by covering up for his co-conspirators and living on the thinking that he had the situation within his control. This act of is his self-belief that he is in charge of how he relates to the other people and how he rendered his belief of his understanding to the world.

Another aspect of behavioral learning that has a relation to the case is that learning can occur without change in behavior. According to (1999), there are a number of behaviorist who say that learning has to be presented by a permanent change in behavior, but social learning theorist have said that because people can learn through observation alone, learning may not be necessarily shown in the performance. The readers might argue that the said aspect does not have any connection to the case because of what has learned are all present in his behavior.

            The concept of  social learning theory, as explained by (2006), is the conduct of human behavior in terms of continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral, and environmental influences. Thus, the human being performs in a same way and process in every situation. The repeated acts and results are the determination of an individual’s conduct.

It was stated on the case, that he was just persuaded by his friends to commit the crime. The said statement was given a concrete basis on the belief of the police officers that was a follower who can be easily led. Hence, the continuous conduct of is related to the said concept because he conducted himself in a manner that even third persons can easily observe and determine the consequences or the cause of his actions thru behavioral patterns.

            To understand further, how  has been able to develop and learn the behavior that he observed, it is necessary to explain the modeling process. Modeling process means the process in order to determine whether or not observed behaviors are effectively learned. In this process, there are certain requirements and steps must be followed.

The following are the requirements or steps involved in modeling processes. The first one is attention: In learning, there is a need to pay attention. In the case of what he learned was not on his own choice to learn the appreciation of committing a crime but because his environment taught him to appreciate it. The unhealthy family environment of  coupled with the fact that his parents lack the capacity to be good parents at all, is the cause that made him appreciates learning to commit and actually commit a crime.

The theory stated that if the model is interesting or there is a novel aspect to the situation, the subject is more likely to dedicate his full attention. In the case, the novel aspect to the situation is on how commission of a crime as an ordinary conduct of family. As stated by the author what made  gave his attention to the behavior is how the whole family appreciates and treats such behavior.

            The second step is retention. Retention is the ability of the subject to store information, which is an important element of observational learning. On the case of what were retained into his mind are the skills, the treatment of crime as being an ordinary action of men, and learning to give further justifications and reasons to his actions. From this, it can be inferred that  has the ability and capacity to commit a crime based on what has retained in him after observation of the said behavior.

            The next step is the reproduction. Reproduction is the performance of the subject on the behavior he observed. The greatest manifestation of his observation is the commission of the crime.

            The next step is motivation. According to (1988), reinforcement and punishment play an important role in motivation.  Motivation plays a big role on the performing the observed behavior that has been modeled. As abovementioned, the motivation of  in committing a crime is not based on reinforcement or punishment but on the fact that he lacks enough reinforcement and has suffered extremely from punishment. The author believes that his motivation only dwells on the fact that there lacks a reinforcement or punishment hence he committed the crime without any cause.

            Below is a further illustration on how  (2006) has illustrated the concept of social learning theory as explained by . What could have caught the attention of from his family environment, the social interaction of his family with each other, and the perception of his family to the commission of crime, is really indeed the main influencing factors that  have learned to conduct such behaviors. His behaviors are the result of the encompassing interaction of his persona to the society.

           

                   source:

           

CONCLUSION

            The author now concludes that the application and relation of social learning theory to the  behavior in the case is indeed a great source of analysis. The analysis of the author has defined comprehensively the caused of his behavior.

            The first part of this analysis dwelt on the key aspects of both topics in relation to one another. The analysis has set different kinds of examples coming from the case and the concept of social understanding. The main aspects, which have an impact to his behavior, is the existence of a dysfunctional family environment, lack of perseverance and dedication to perform his work and the ability to look at himself as the master of his relation.

            The learning process of  was just focused on the happenings that transpired to his family environment. The impact of learning such behavior in a place that can be described as secluded, is on how he conducted and has been able to perceive the society. Furthermore, although he may choose what specific attitude or behavior to retain, what he retained was the main reason of his criminal acts. He retained the behaviors that he learned because it was due on how he was brought up and motivated.

            Hence, the applicability of the subject theory is appropriate in looking and studying the conduct of  as to the way he lives his life. The amount of what he learned from his family environment is the main caused of everything that made him conduct in a manner that is detrimental to his personal being, the society, and life as a whole.

 

Strategic human resource management aims at the improvement of the way human resources are manage

Section A

 

Strategic human resource management aims at the improvement of the way human resources are managed strategically within organizations, with the definitive goal of improving organizational performance, as judged by its impact on the organization’s declared corporate strategy, the customer or shareholders ( 2000). Strategic human resource management (SHRM) is a philosophy of people management based on the belief that human resources are uniquely important to sustain the success of a business. SHRM can be defined as the process of linking the human resource functions with the strategic objectives of the organization in order to improve performance (2006). Strategic human resource management involves the linking of HRM with the strategic goals and objectives of the organization in order to achieve a progressive business performance and achieve an organizational structure that promotes innovation and flexibility ( 1991). Strategic HRM according to  (2004) has emerged as a major approach to improving the competitive advantage of the firm. The goals and objectives of HRM are aligned with the strategic objectives and plans of the organization. The role of HRM is to determine the human resources needed to support strategic objectives and to ensure that employees are selected, trained, evaluated, and rewarded in ways that further the achievement of business objectives. Strategic HRM is frequently described as a linear, balanced process that begins with the identification of goals that will guide human resource practices. The integration of the HR programs with the goals of the organization will result to the organization’s increased value. The recruitment, compensation, performance appraisal, promotion, training and other functions are designed and managed so that they work towards the strategic objectives of the firm  Strategic HRM has the purpose of improving the way that human resources are managed within firms. The main objective of strategic HRM is to improve organizational performance as judged by its impact on the organization’s declared corporate strategy ( 2004). Strategic human resources management means accepting the HRM function as a strategic partner in both the formulation of the organization’s strategies and the implementation of those strategies through activities such as recruiting, selecting, training, and rewarding personnel ( 2002). The enhanced value of innovation in determining competitive advantage requires organizations to attract, train and develop, and retain employees of the highest quality. Over time and throughout rapidly changing circumstances, organizations must be able to sustain the competitive advantage that the knowledge and skills of these employees provide. In the past, competitive advantage could be gained through finding better, cheaper access to financial capital, or marketing a new product, or inventing some new technologies. While cheap and ready access to capital, high-quality products, and new technology remain important components of any organization’s competitive advantage, today’s business environment requires a greater focus on the human resources element in business. Out of this realization has come SHRM ( 2002).

 

 

Section B

 

Topic 3: Human Resource Planning and SHRM

            (1995,) defines human resource planning as an effort to anticipate future business and environmental demands on an organization and to provide qualified people to fulfill business needs and satisfy demands. Human resource planning is viewed as a process. As a process, human resource planning focuses on identifying an organization’s human resource needs under changing conditions and developing the interventions and initiatives necessary to satisfy those needs (cited in 2000).

            In HRM planning, planners analyze an organization’s HRM needs in a dynamic environment and develop activities that enable an organization to adapt to change. The HRM planning process involves forecasting HRM needs and developing programs to ensure that right numbers and types of individuals are available at the right time and place ( 2000).

 

SHRM: Contingency Perspective

            Proponents of the contingency perspective in SHRM argue that a firm can be effective if its HR practices and strategy are aligned with other aspects and strategies of the firm. Contingency perspective is also called ‘fit-alignment’ perspective. There are two forms of fit alignment – vertical and horizontal. The vertical alignment (external alignment) is the level of alignment between the components of the organization’s human resource strategy and core features of its business strategy. Horizontal fit (internal alignment) measures the level of alignment among components of the organization’s HR strategies such as recruitment, selection, training and compensation.

            Perhaps, the most notable argument in favor of the fit perspective was presented by  (1988). They argued that HR must be closely integrated into the planning process of the firm. In addition they also advocated the idea that a firm can achieve success if it is able to develop HR policies and practices that complement and support both other HR policies and practices and the other elements of the organization’s strategic plan. Two types of fit were identified by these theorists. These are internal and external. Internal fit refers to the level of that human resource practices complement and support each other. External fit on the other hand, refers to the level of complement and support between HR practices and other elements of the strategic plan. The contingency perspective according to  (2005) assumes that business performance will be improved when there is consistency or fit between the business strategy and HR policies. It has been argued that HRM practices that are not aligned and consistent with organizational strategy and which conflict with other HRM practices can restrain both individual and organizational performance.

            There are several benefits that are attributed to the fit perspective on SHRM.  (1989) suggested that firms that seek to pursue innovation as a strategy used HRM practices that will complement the strategy.

 

 

Definition of SHRM based on Fit Perspective

            Based on contingency or fit perspective, SHRM can be defined as the integration of HR practices and policies to the overall organizational objectives with the aim of improving performance. (2006) defines SHRM as the process of linking the human resource functions with the strategic objectives of the organization in order to produce better performance.  (1991) on the other hand defines SHRM as the linking of HRM with the strategic goals and objectives of the organization in order to achieve a progressive business performance and achieve an organizational structure that promotes innovation and flexibility. The goals and objectives of HRM are aligned with the strategic objectives and plans of the organization. The role of HRM is to determine the human resources needed to support strategic objectives and to ensure that employees are selected, trained, evaluated, and rewarded in ways that further the achievement of business objectives. Strategic HRM is frequently described as a linear, balanced process that begins with the identification of goals that will guide human resource practices. The integration of the HR programs with the goals of the organization will result to the organization’s increased value. The recruitment, compensation, performance appraisal, promotion, training and other functions are designed and managed so that they work towards the strategic objectives of the firm Strategic HRM has the purpose of improving the way that human resources are managed within firms. The main objective of strategic HRM is to improve organizational performance as judged by its impact on the organization’s declared corporate strategy ( 2004). Strategic human resources management means accepting the HRM function as a strategic partner in both the formulation of the organization’s strategies and the implementation of those strategies through activities such as recruiting, selecting, training, and rewarding personnel ( 2002).

           

            The contingency perspective of SHRM gives particular importance to HR planning. According to the contingency model, in order to achieve success, the HR policies and practices must be planned in such a way that they coincide with the company’s business objectives and strategies. The contingency model highlights the importance of the HRM department as a strategic partner of the firm. In this regard, HR planning is placed at the center of the formulation and implementation of the organization’s strategies.

 

Topic 4: HR Department in Organization

 

New Functions of HRM

            Different changes and challenges have caused a dramatic shift in the functions of HRM. Aside from its traditional functions such as human resource planning, recruitment and selection, job analysis, wage, salary and reward management, performance management, training and development, legislative compliance and labor relations, HRM has been called to serve other functions that create competitive advantage and ensure organizational success. Among these new roles are the following:

1. HRM as Human Capital Steward

As a Human Capital Steward, HR contributes to strategic capabilities by developing, leveraging, renewing, and nurturing a firm’s stock of knowledge, skills, abilities, interests, and talents. HR is there to help ensure that every individual is able to make value added contributions by identifying and cultivating individual competencies and capabilities. HR delivers people strategy by ensuring that renewal and rejuvenation are on-going activities. HR contributes to organizational success by initiating training and development activities and by creating a culture of continuous learning. HR shapes the values and provides the contextual backdrop that enables people to take initiative and use their judgment in a flexible and fluid business setting. The role of HR is not to create a dependency between the employee and the HR unit, but to forge a partnership that leads to increased intellectual capital, enhanced commitment, greater awareness of opportunities to make a difference, and adaptability (2004).

2. HRM as Relationship Builder

The role of Relationship Builder focuses on creating programs and practices that enable employees to encourage, facilitate, nourish, and sustain relationships among fellow employees, customers, suppliers, firms in complementary arenas, and at times, even rivals. HR can deliver people strategy by contributing to a firm’s ability to leverage its resources and develop strategic capabilities and core competencies by helping individuals build a strong web of relationships. Developing relationships between employees helps workers find jobs and creates a richer pool of recruits. It facilitates inter-unit resource exchange and product innovation. Social capital facilitates the creation of intellectual capital since people are more likely to share tacit information and take intellectual risks in a supportive social environment. It facilitates cross-functional team effectiveness since social capital enables people to see situations from perspectives that are different from their own. It reduces turnover rates, since individuals are less likely to leave a firm if they have strong, positive social connections with their co-workers. It strengthens supplier relations, regional production networks, and inter-firm learning since social capital can be the foundation for multifaceted, multidirectional, mutually beneficial relationships that extend beyond transactional exchanges (l 2004).

3. HRM as Knowledge Management Facilitator

It is not enough simply to hire employees and put them to work. Strategic capability requires a firm to be able to create and disseminate knowledge among its employees. HR can play a vital role in facilitating organization learning and knowledge sharing between employees, among departments, throughout the organization, and with external co-producers. An important aspect of human capital stewardship is identifying people who want to learn. Employees need to be able to learn and unlearn continuously, to teach and be taught. The organization must tap into all employees’ knowledge as sources of innovation. HR can make an important contribution by identifying sources of employee knowledge and eliciting that knowledge from employees. New knowledge must lead to new behaviors if it is to create strategic capability. Knowledge is of little use unless a firm is bale to adjust its actions, decisions, and relationships to capitalize on the insight. Knowledge management facilitation includes developing organizational capabilities that enable individuals to apply knowledge more skillfully, quickly and creatively. Equally important, HR must help organizations strike a balance between productivity focusing efforts on critical tasks while constantly incorporating new ideas ( 2004).

4. HR as Rapid Deployment Specialist

The rapid pace and constantly changing environment that many organizations and industries confront creates another new challenge and new function for HRM: rapid Deployment Specialist. Strategic capability requires competence in rapidly assembling, concentrating, and deploying specific configurations of human capital in order to achieve mission-specific strategic goals. Rapid deployment of human talent requires adaptable employees. Workers need to be adaptable, versatile, and tolerant of uncertainty to operate effectively in the constantly changing global market ( 2004).

 

HIV Treatment Strategy

NOTE: additional Literature Review

 

Indeed, literature studies pertaining to HAART adherence behaviors of African American involves certain degree of useful and imperative factors such as culture, education and motivation incurring the situation that affected the population as being known, the various support studies determined in such medicine related journals and articles served crucial points for the study as integrated to provide an overview of experiences of HIV-infected patients and the processes underlying the factors identified in literature as organized in below points. In general, some background variables such as educational levels and age were found to be significant variables affecting treatment adherence, in addition to some religious support variables. The imperative sense have to be the interventions needed by the African American in order to help them recover from low literacy adherence related to HAART behavior.

 

(a) Culture, Religion, and Ethnicity

Using data from the second follow-up of the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study, there investigated the influence of culture and religious support from treatment adherence for the African American as HIV patients. The study outcomes does show differential effects of social, religious support and background variables on treatment adherence. On the other hand, for African Americans as well as the Hispanics, religious and ethnic support variables were influential (1). Results then, suggest that strategies to improve treatment adherence may vary for different race/ethnic groups. There maybe importance of working with and involving religious organizations in an effort to increase adherence and support to HIV-infected members, particularly among African Americans and Hispanic communities. (2)

 

 

(b) Literacy skills and educational level

Thus, information appropriate to a patient's level of understanding will lead to the patient having correct knowledge of what constitutes good adherence practice. Because a patient's personal interpretation of good adherence practice may be based on misconceptions that are used to justify risky behaviour, it is important to ask patients to describe their behaviour and if necessary to repeat instructions that need attention in order to improve adherence. Attention should be given to literacy skills and education such as the capacity to organize better career life and one's activities and the ability to anticipate risk situations. (1)

Furthermore, there involves health literacy relevance within the adherence to treatment for HIV and AIDS. The study presented multiple logistic regression showed that education and health literacy were significant and independent predictors of two days treatment adherence after controlling for age, ethnicity, income, HIV symptoms, substance abuse, social support, emotional distress, and attitudes toward primary care providers. Persons of low literacy were more likely to miss treatment doses because of confusion, depression, and desire to cleanse their body than were participants with higher health literacy. (3)

(c) Patient-Provider Relationship

In addition, there were four studies completed from the year 2005 up to the present that have highlighted the importance of the relationship between the provider and the patient in enhancing adherence behavior. The literature does extend certain work by comparing adherent and nonadherent clients in one high-volume HIV clinic in which the majority of care is provided by nursing staff. (5)

The indicator of the patient-provider relationship was satisfaction with the care provider as measured within the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire. Client groups differed significantly on perception of interpersonal manner of care provider (p = .018), care provider conduct total (p < .001), and quality total (p = .017). These findings are consistent with earlier work and underscore the potential importance of the patient-provider relationship as a focus of care for nurses. (5)

The problem of inadequate adherence to prescribed highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) drug regimens to treat HIV infection and AIDS can be too ubiquitous. Adherence can be inadequate despite both provider and patient understanding of the consequences of nonadherence. Successful long-term treatment of HIV/AIDS requires at least 95 percent adherence to HAART in order to prevent emergence of drug-resistant HIV variants that lead to regimen failure and limit options for future therapy. Despite the prevalence of inadequate adherence, many patients succeed and HAART has transformed HIV infection into a chronic illness increasingly managed in primary care. The barriers to adherence observed in HIV treatment resemble barriers to the successful treatment of some chronic diseases resulting in patient-provider relationships. (4) Treatment of HIV infection shown patient provider collaboration can result in the selection of lifestyle-tailored regimen characterized by convenient dosing, low pill burden and tolerable side effects that enhances adherence, effectiveness and the patient's willingness to remain on anti-HIV therapy long term. Literature studies in review focuses on the current understanding of adherence reporting, improvement of adherence, and, hence, improvement of treatment outcomes in HIV infection and AIDS. (3)

 

(d) Motivational Interventions

There was one study which sought to uncover the prevalence of continued drug use and statements about everyday adherence decision-making from community sample of HIVseropositive individuals with history of substance use. Ninety participants attended one of three focus groups and, collectively, generated 100 statements describing their day-to-day motivations and barriers to HIV-medical adherence. In addition, participants’ self-reported substance use revealed that just under 40% (n = 33) were juggling substance use and their HIV medication regimens within the past 30 days. (2,3)

The statements reveal varied and complex adherence factors, which included relatively more non-drug-related than drug-related factors. Furthermore, some respondents non-drug-related statements covered broad range of reasons related to adherence that tended to fall into the same major categories as those found across motivation system from within individual factors. The authors discuss the need for providers to consider the breath and complexity of adherence factors that impact readiness to initiate and adhere to HAART behaviors for the African American population. (4)

 

(e) Socioeconomic factors

In addition, acquiring insight into patient's social support systems and counseling on how to use them is a valuable strategy in optimizing adherence. Social support has to be substantial and practical, such as reminders to take medication. Attention should also be paid to possible negative influences on adherence in the patient's environment, perhaps coordinating the schedules of partners or dealing with discouraging influence as for instance, African mothers of young children may need help to fit the medication into the family's hectic schedule. HAART’s potential for long-term effectiveness is dependent upon maximum and durable suppression of socio economic  stance from within societal representations. There has been logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine associations of sociodemographic and psychosocial variables with adherence to antiretroviral regimen. Results indicated that heterosexual participants and participants of Latino ethnicity are significantly more likely to report missed medications. Perceived satisfaction with support from a partner was associated with taking antiretroviral therapy as prescribed, whereas satisfaction with support from friends and from family was not significantly related to adherence. (4)

 

(f) Social Support

The relationship of adherence to antiretroviral treatment with types of social support such as partner, friends, and family as one study indicated that, from the inclusion criteria, parent trial participants taking antiretroviral therapies, and those with complete data on self-reported measures of adherence were considered eligible for the present study. Overall, 26 percent of participants were found to be nonadherent, which was defined as one or more missed doses of treatment in the prior 4-day period. Examination of coping strategies showed that participants reporting drug and alcohol use to cope with HIV-related stress were more likely to be nonadherent. (5) These findings call for adherence interventions designed to address barriers and strengths, such as community norms and or traditional cultural values, specific to certain populations. Furthermore, couple based approaches enlisting partner support may help persons living with HIV to adhere to antiretroviral regimens. There is also trusting relationship with the healthcare provider is essential. This relationship is built on support and open communication. Providers should give clear instructions on how to take medication, explain the relationship between adherence and viral load and offer good medical follow-up. Supplementing the adherence support efforts by physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, clinicians in a range of disciplines and settings can assess and intervene on psychosocial risk factors and thereby reduce adherence problems regardless of their level of knowledge about HIV medication and for this review, those with higher levels of social support from partners demonstrated higher rates of medication adherence. Those who received more social support from their families, reported significantly lower adherence rates as there suggest that efforts to improve medication adherence need to address the diverse types of social support networks of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. (5)

 

(g) Drug use

High levels of medication adherence are crucial to the success of HIV treatment. Consequently, substance abuse counselors (SACs), social service and other care providers can best support their HIV positive clients when they understand adherence and related interventions. This paper describes a training program that was designed to increase counselor knowledge of HIV medications, adherence strategies and enhance counseling skills specific to HIV adherence. For substance abuse counselors the training needs included: better understanding of medication interactions, relapse, recovery, and interdisciplinary communication. Thirty-six SACsfrom three agencies completed the 1 1/2-day training, which included lecture discussions, case discussion and interactive client case simulations. Success in accomplishing training objectives was evaluated at three points: pre-intervention training, post-intervention as well as six month follow-up to determine changes in participants’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to adherence counseling. Three case scenarios measuring counselor comfort levels indicated SACs felt significantly more comfortable discussing relapse and medication issues with their HIV affected clients than they would in discussing medication issues with the client’s physician. However, they felt slightly more comfortable about physician discussions after training. Open-ended comments by SACs at six-month follow-up provided insights into recovery issues their clients faced. The findings suggest ways medication adherence could fit the reality of serving clients with co-occurring HIV and substance use to better meet their health and support needs. (6)

 

It has also been hypothesized that HIV-positive individuals who have a history of using drugs, may be less adherent to AR therapy than those without this behavior or history. In a large sample of 727 individuals, 56.8% reporting never using injection drugs and 39.3% reporting being a former or current user, injecting drug use was not related to keeping appointments or following healthcare advice and instruction. Having certain positive attitude toward the future, a good relationship with one’s medical team, belief that ARs improve survival and help compliance with heroin free state, and being in prison were factors positively affecting continuance of therapy. Though race overall may not be an indicator, there may be characteristics or confounding factors within different racial groups that affect levels of adherence. For example, in a cross-sectional study of 158 outpatient HIV clinic patients, African Americans were no less likely to adhere to ARs than Caucasians (race OR=1.06). Caucasians reported inconvenience of medications (p=0.02) and taking more medication as directed as barriers to adherence; whereas, African-Americans reported that no storage place for medications (p=0.024), ceasing medication use because of feeling better (p=0.033), not taking medication away from home (p=0.014), and being to embarrassed to get refills (p=0.019) (7) were barriers.90 In a study of 74 HIV-infected patients that investigated the association of literacy with AR adherence regimens among African-Americans and Caucasians. African-Americans were found to be significantly less adherent to ARs (31% vs. 11%, p<.05), understood less the meaning of CD4 lymphocyte counts (56.3% vs. 77.1%, p<0.0001), and were less likely to understand the meaning of HIV-viral load measurement (87.5% vs. 28.6%, p<0.0001). Over three-quarters (83.3%) of Caucasian patients were always adherent to ARs compared to 66.7% of African-Americans with high literacy; only 34.1% of African-Americans with less than a 6th grade reading level adhered to ARs (p<0.0001). Thus, for one, in substance use, it is important to find a way to minimize the risk that substance use will remain the first priority in life. Professional support or daily observed therapy can be an option. (7)

 

Aside, quality adherence to behavior therapy is an ongoing process in which the patient needs to be directly involved, it is not something an individual naturally possesses or lacks. Interventions to increase adherence must address cultural differences within race, gender, sexual orientation, and even religion. They must be tailored to meet culturally relevant barriers, including differences in language. Efforts must continue that help patients complete treatment, paying close attention to socio-cultural circumstances as well as the psychological and economic factors that may impede upon adherence. Physicians should not automatically assume a future of poor adherence by their patients on the basis of demographic and behavioral characteristics. These assumptions, on the part of the clinician, could stigmatize the clinician-patient relationship, thereby possibly introducing an additional impediment to adherence. An emphasis on language that stresses the inability of the patient to adhere to the devised medication regimen should be dropped and supplemented with language that stresses the role of the patient in devising and implementing an individualized treatment plan. Such language should be as elementary as possible with no reference to medical jargon.. Further study of the factors in HAART adherence is needed. Evaluations of adherence intervention tools, including counseling programs, DOT, methods to assist patients in deciding whether to start antiretroviral therapy, and educational materials are also needed. The success or failure of HAART, both as a treatment strategy for patients and a public health strategy to prevent the spread of multi-drug resistant HIV, is dependent upon the ability of patients to adhere to therapy. Support to assist patients in their adherence efforts should be comprehensive and considered a high priority in the delivery of HIV primary care and social services.

 

 

 

________________

The Role of Management Accounting in the Firm’s Pricing Decisions

 

            This paper contains an essay about the role of management accounting in the pricing decisions of firms. This is a research type of essay paper, which makes use of journals and textbooks to show the actual application of management accounting in the firm’s final pricing decisions. The first part is intended for the background on management accounting, to give the readers a bird’s eye view of the topic. Then a slow interconnection of the topic to pricing issues is made as it approaches the middle part of the paper. The existing relationship between the two topics is then illustrated through presentations for further and clearer evaluation of the situation to the reader. This is also a way of showing how management accounting can affect a firm’s pricing decisions. On the last part, the topic is summarized to end the discussion and to give a clear conclusion for the readers.     

Management Accounting

            While other branches of accounting is concerned with the considerations of accounting information of business enterprises for the use of external decision makers, managerial accounting is focused on the realm of enterprise-related accounting information for the use of a different set of decision makers – the enterprise’s management itself. Therefore, managerial accounting is the branch of accounting thought and practice concerned on providing useful information to decision-makers within the enterprise. These decisions are related to the development of resources and the exploitation of the opportunities available for the enterprise.

            The boundaries of managerial accounting are not rigid.  One thing that managerial accounting and financial accounting have in common is their focus on the enterprise and its activities. Their difference, on the other hand, lies on the decision interests of the class  decision makers that they served. Additionally, most of the decision models that have evolved for management use and for accountants supply the necessary information inputs that have been developed within the disciplines of managerial economics and managerial finance. These models are described as part of the managerial accounting due to its vital role in supplying the relevant information for decision-making. Without it, it would be hard to understand the models of management decision.

            Management decisions can be divided into two types. They are the long run and the short-run decisions. Long-run decisions are defined as decisions whose outcomes commit the enterprise or have direct influence on its numerous future-period activities. The long run is thought of as a span of time sufficiently long for the planning, implementation and running of the enterprise’s significant project or program. Short-run decisions, on the other hand, are decisions whose outcomes commit the enterprise or directly influence its actions for perhaps only a year at most. The latitude available in the selection of short-run alternatives is restricted considerably by the commitments made by the enterprise in past long-run decisions.

            Given the objective of profit maximization in the long-run, the success of the enterprise (management) in the long-run hinges on the ability of the management in the identification and implementation of the most promising .

Employee Relations

Unitarist View of Organizations

            A unitarist or unitary modeling of organizations would view organizations as essentially co-operative. Within unitarist frameworks, work organizations are viewed as integrated and harmonious wholes. In the normal functioning of the organization, it is argued that there will be no conflict between members of the organization, regarding, either the overall aims of the organization or the means to achieve these aims. Within this frame of reference, then, it is assumed that all employees share a common interest, not only in the long-term survival of the organization, but also in its fortunes on a day-to-day basis.

 

            Unitarist thinking is based upon an assumption of co-operation at work. The unitarist thinking is based on the assumption of unconditional co-operation between workers and management.

 

Conflicts in a Unitarist Organization

            Conflicts in unitarist organizations come about in different forms. These conflicts are rationalized in terms of:

1. External Disruption of Shocks to the Organization

            Some major event beyond the control of the management of an organization might cause some significant disturbance which would cause some damage to normal working practices, and perhaps to the goodwill enjoyed by management.

2. Breakdowns in Communication

            According to unitarist thinkers, organizations are populated by people who are basically good and are spontaneously co-operative. However, unitarist thinkers also warn us that while these people will be willing to work diligently for the common good, they are not simple minded and if they were to feel that management were cheating them or not managing appropriately, the co-operative culture would begin to crumble.

3. Minor Breakdown in Understanding/Small-scale Politicking

            Unitarist thinking is, perhaps best thought of as a management view of the world. It is perhaps not surprising, therefore, that in dealing with conflict, unitarism seems to have a feel for certain types of conflict within management. Thus a key source of conflict in organizations, as far as unitarists are concerned would be due to power struggles between different power bases within management.

4. Agitation and Malevolence

            Agitation and malevolence are defined by supporters of unitarism as anything designed to disrupt the otherwise harmonious relationships which normally characterize the organization.

 

Employee Rights

            Human Rights and Social Justice continue to be valued in the workplace. Organizations and employers must learn to accept and effectively deal with employee pressures and demands:

• Pressures for self-determination - People increasingly seek greater freedom to determine how to do their jobs and when to do them. Pressures for increased employee participation in the forms of meaningful and challenging jobs, self-managed teams, and alternative work schedules continue to grow (Sims, 2003).
• Pressures for employee rights – People expect their rights to be respected on the job as well as outside work. These include the rights to individual privacy, due process, free speech, free consent, freedom of conscience, and freedom from racial and sexual discrimination and harassment (Sims 2003).
• Pressures for job security – People expect their security to be protected. This include their physical well-being in terms of occupational safety and health matters, and their economic livelihood in terms of some form of guaranteed protection against downsizing and provisions for cost-of-living increases (Sims 2003).
• Pressures for equal employment opportunity – People expect and increasingly demand the right to employment without discrimination on the basis of age, gender, ethnic background, religion, or physical or mental ability. Among these demands will remain a concern for furthering the modest but dramatic gains over the last two decades by women and minorities in the workplace ( 2003).
• Pressures of equality of earnings – People expect to be compensated for the comparable worth of their contributions. What began as a concern of earnings differentials between women and men doing the same jobs continues to be extended to cross-occupational comparisons ( 2003).

 

Fundamental Employee Rights

Fair Pay

            One right fundamental to the employee rights movement, according to  (2003), is the right of the employees to fair pay, which is relevant in at least three contexts:

• Pay should be fair in an interpersonally comparative sense – Corporations have a duty to consider all employees equally.
• Pay should be fair in an interpersonally comparative sense – As an individual’s service to a corporation grows in length of time and in responsibility, he or she should receive comparatively more in the way of compensation.
• Minimum Wage – When an organization considers its employees as persons who deserve respect, the justification for a minimum wage should be clear. As persons have goals and interests, a certain minimum standard of living is required. An employee’s right to a minimum wage is recognition that the employee is a person, with goals and interests, and that the maximization of the shareholder wealth is not enough to justify the use of a person as a mere tool for profit.

 

Safety in the Workplace

            Another fundamental employee right is safety in the workplace. Employers have a duty to provide a safe work environment and to make improvements when necessary, since failing to do so risks the well-being of the employees. The employer is also responsible in informing employees of certain risks that cannot be avoided, not doing so amounts to a deliberate attempt to mislead in an effort to hold labor costs ( 2003).

 

Due Process in the Workplace

            All employees, as persons who have goals, must be afforded a certain degree of participation in the decision-making processes of their companies. When firings or demotions are necessary, employees ought to be informed about the reasons and perhaps even granted an appeal or hearing ( 2003).

 

Right to Privacy in the Workplace

            This derives form the basic right to freedom, and at a minimum, this entails the right to be left alone, including the right to withhold for employers personal information that is not relevant to the job. Therefore, practices such as forcing employees to submit to polygraph tests are morally questionable. The employee’s inferior bargaining position with respect to available options makes her or him susceptible to exploitation (2003).

 

Employee Rights and Employer Responsibilities

Recruitment

            Recruitment is the process of finding and attracting qualified applicants. Using recruiting methods that are cost effective, timely, and compliant with laws and regulations is essential to the success of any recruiting effort ( 1996). Recruitment is a complex and continuing process that demands extensive planning. EEO legislation has significantly impacted and continues to influence as organization’s recruitment activities. All recruitment procedures for each job category should be analyzed and reviewed to identify and eliminate discriminatory barriers ( 2002). The employer must observe and follow the following employee rights in the recruitment process:

 

Equal Employment Opportunity

            Equal employment opportunity is the central part of the legal context of employment. The employer must have a clear and specific knowledge about the various laws and regulations that affect his/her organization. The employer should also understand the various forms of illegal discrimination and protected classes in the workplace. Furthermore, the employer must also be familiar with the various agencies that enforce equal employment legislation. EEO Laws, according to  (2002) are one group of laws that affect HRM issues. Equal employment opportunity refers to the government’s attempt to ensure that all individuals have an equal chance for employment, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

            The employer in responsible for ensuring that the workplace is free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment and providing programs to assist members of EEO groups to overcome past or present disadvantage. The employer must make develop workplace rules, policies and behaviors that are fair and do not disadvantage people that belong to particular groups. The employer should create a work environment where every employee is valued and respected.(2002)

EEO Fair Practices and Behaviour

            The employer should follow EEO rules and regulations and aim to create fair practices and behaviour in the workplace. These include:

• Open, competitive and merit-based recruitment, selection and promotion procedures
• Equal employee access to training and development
• Flexible working arrangements that meet the needs of all employees and create a productive workplace
• Prompt, confidential and fair grievance procedures
• Access to information
• Listening to the views of the employees
• Unbiased management decisions
• No unlawful discrimination and harassment in the workplace
• Respect for the social and cultural backgrounds of all employees ( 2000).

Protection against Discrimination

            Racial discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly because of his or her race, color, national or ethnic origin. Under the Racial Discrimination Act, it is unlawful to treat a person unfairly when he or she is seeking employment, training, promotion, equal pay or conditions of employment (2004). Direct sex discrimination occurs when a woman, on the ground of her sex, is treated less favorably than a man. Indirect sex discrimination consists of treatment which may be equal in a formal sense as between sexes but in practice discriminatory in its effect on one sex. The Sex Discrimination Act 1984, makes it unlawful to treat an employee unfairly because of the employee’s sex, marital status or because she is pregnant or might become pregnant. It is also unlawful to dismiss an employee because of his/her family responsibilities. The said act also makes sexual harassment against the law ( 2006).

 

Equal Pay

            It is a requirement for organizations to offer equal pay for equal work, regardless of the sex of the employee. Men and women performing the same job in the same location for the same employer must be offered the same pay, all other things being equal. The use of two job titles for what is essentially the same job as a pretext for paying one group less than the other is not permitted ( 2002).

 

Worker’s Compensation

            All states have workers’ compensation laws in some form. Under these laws, employers contribute to an insurance fund to compensate employees for injuries received while in the job. These laws usually provide payments for lost wages, for medical bills, and for retraining if the employee cannot go back to the old job ( 2002).

 

Employee Participation

            Employers must discuss work-related issues with the employees. The employer must make time to listen to problems, ideas and goals of the employees. Employee participation builds on the idea of responsible autonomy by attempting to join the interests of workers and their employers. Participation schemes allow employees to take on more responsibility in the decision-making of job related issues (2001).

 

Flexible Work

            Many organizations around the world are increasingly being concerned with the development of family-friendly policies that help employees balance the demands of work and family. Many companies are already offering workplace flexibility. Flexible work arrangements include a range of options: flexible work schedules, compressed workweeks, job sharing, job exchanges, voluntary part-time work, phased retirement, telecommuting, and home-based work ( 2001).

Human Resources Development

            The employer must ensure that employees have access to training and development programs in a nondiscriminatory fashion. Equal opportunity regulations and anti-discrimination laws apply to the training and development process. Determining whether a training program has unfavorable impact is a primary means of deciding if a process id discriminatory. If relatively few women and minorities are given training opportunities, it would appear that there is discrimination in terms of development offered to different groups of employees. Organizational training programs may be required for promotions, job bidding, or for salary increases. Under any of these scenarios, it is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that training selection criteria are related to the job. Equal training opportunities must exist for all employees ( 2002).

 

Career Development

            The psychological contract between employers and workers has changed. Yesterday, employee exchanged loyalty for job security. Today, employees instead exchange performance for the sort of training and learning and development that will allow them to remain marketable ( 2002). Career development is an ongoing, formalized effort by an organization that focuses on developing and enriching the organization’s human resources in light of both employees’ and organization’s needs.

            The organization has primary responsibility for initiating and making sure that career development is offered. The organization’s responsibilities are to develop and communicate career options within the organizations to the employee. The organization must carefully advise an employee concerning possible career paths to achieve that employee’s career goals. The organization must supply information about its mission, policies, and plans and provide support for employee self-assessment, training, and development. Assessment of needs should take various approaches and should involve personnel from different groups, such as new employees, managers, minority employees, and technical and professional employees ( 2002).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program

H.R. 6503: Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Alert Program Reauthorization of 2008 (To amend the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 – H.R. 3355)

 

            Introduced in July 15^th of this year, the Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Alert Program Reauthorization of 2008 is sponsored by Representative . This will be a reauthorization, or the process by which Congress prescribe changes, additions and deletions to existing bills, to Section 240001 of H.R. 3355. Such reauthorization revised requirements including the provision for competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to assist in locating missing patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; the expansion of such program to include locating other missing elderly individuals; the requirement of the Attorney General to solicit grants for program applications in the  and on the ; and the establishment of preference in awarding grants to national nonprofit organizations that have a direct link to patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their family. The appropriation included amounted $5, 000, 000 for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2015 from $900, 000 for FYs 1996 to 1998.

 

            The Alert Program is a DOJ program which aims ate helping local communities and law enforcers to identify patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who wander and are missing as quickly as possible to reunite with their families. The reauthorization, according to  will provide vital assistance to vulnerable Alzheimer’s and related dementias patients and their families. From its establishment 15 years ago, the program had already funded a national registry of more than 172, 000 individuals with risk of wandering and 12, 000 wanderers were able to reunite with their families. The consequences for at risk persons include serious injuries or death if these patients are not found within the 24 hours of their departure from home. Not to mention, wanderers are vulnerable to dehydration, weather conditions and traffic hazards.

 

            It is of best belief that the Alert Program could maintain the 98% success rate in recovering Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias patients and as manifested by the fact that 88% of the registrants are found within the first four hours of being reported missing. The Congress originally authorized $900, 000 in appropriations but had never reauthorized and/or updated the program. Nonetheless, the Alert Program just continued to receive a year-to-year basis fund funding remained to be virtually flat from its inception. H.R. 6503, however, authorizes a $5, 000, 000-per-year appropriation for the Alert Program until FY 2015. As Rep. Walters put it, this is a modest increase over the current appropriation of $1 million from fiscal year 2008. The reauthorized program also extends the role of the DOJ in awarding multiple competitive grants to nonprofit organizations especially with those nonprofit organizations having direct link to the patients and the families of patients.  

 

            One thing that is plausible about the proposed bill is its inclusion of all the elderly people not just those who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Yes, the ageing persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia contribute to the missing person statistics. As of January 2007, there are 50, 930 active missing adult cases in the US. Wandering is among the greatest challenge caregivers, social workers and nonprofit organizations face. Although wandering is most common for elderly people with Alzheimer’s and related dementia, there are only one out of five people will wander. However, this not manifest that all missing elderly person are affected by the disorder's). Apart from those who are found at the least possible time and alive, at times, some are not found, leading to cold cases most often than not. And as the baby boomers hit the 65 mark, it would be expected that there will be more wanderers in the street and so the need to locate them and be reunited with their family or be placed in a long-term care facilities. It is hope that the elderly with Down syndrome are included.  

 

            Since the Alert Program is misplaced (the current program operates under the ), I am one with the suggestion of Rep. Walters to operate the program under the  Justice Assistance. However, I figured that soliciting grants on the websites of and would be inadequate because of the rather limited viewer ship that these sites have. Instead, would the inclusion of the website of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of American be plausible? The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in New York and is made up of hundreds of member organizations that provide programs to meet the educational, emotional, practical and social needs of the patients as well as their families. If the foundation is not qualified, the  could be considered. From a personal viewpoint, I believe that the reauthorization effort is generally acceptable but may be limited in reach considering the provisions.     

 

Although it was argued that the cost of the Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Alert Program is $0.14, a 400% increase is rather objectionable. Provided that there are five million persons with Alzheimer’s disease in the United Sates today and it is expected to reach fourteen million in the mid-21^st century, the $0.14 could still be lessened. There are currently 1.4 million nonprofit organizations in the United States and not all of them are related for people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Important to note is that a $5, 000 grant, provided on a competitive application process basis, would be enough to fund a variety of programs including support services like a system to track wanderers and a creative arts program for the patients. If such amount could not be justified by , it could result as an over funding, and this may be a loophole in the acceptance of the Bill in the Senate.           

 

It was always regarded that the nonprofit organizations must be competitive enough in order to acquire competitive grants. Nonetheless, what are the grounds of being a competitive nonprofit organization? And what makes a competitive grant? Though the succeeding arguments may be out of line with respect to the bill, the competitive stance for nonprofit organizations must be established once and for all. Provided that competition could promote good governance internal to the organization, nonprofit organizations are founded on the basic principle of servant hood. The competitive landscape could improve the chances of fulfilling the mission of the organization and meeting the needs and requirements of the target audience.  However, it also breeds the spirit of ‘grant snatching’, for lack of better term. In Addition, what are the preferences of awarding grants? A notion worthy of mentioning is the fact that in every state there are missing elders and laws or bills should promote a ‘level playing field’ for nonprofit organizations instead of cultivating an environment of filching. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Honorable

10124 South Broadway

Suite 1

Los Angeles, CA 90003

 

Dear

 

As a student of Social Work whose objective is to contribute to the local health policy-making processes, I wish to make informed observations regarding the H.R. 6503 Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Alert Program Reauthorization of 2008.

 

I am well aware that the statistics regarding missing elderly persons, especially those who are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, is escalating at a continuous manner. The rationales behind this are the approaching of baby boomers to the age of 65 and the eventual increase in the number of people with the mentioned disorders. Today, there are five million Americans who are affected including one in eight Americans over 65 and half of over 85. As such, 60% of the patients would likely to wander. If passed, such legislation could help a significant number of patients and families and thereby reduce cold cases of missing elderly persons.

 

Nonetheless, there are specific aspects of the reauthorization which, from a personal standpoint, could be improved. First, the legislation is an all-encompassing demography for locating missing individuals. Nevertheless, aside from the persons affected with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, adults with Down syndrome could be included. Adults with intellectual disabilities like Down syndrome have the same risk of wandering with that of the person’s with Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Second, the extent to which grant could be solicited can be still widened. I supposed that the websites of   and  have minimal viewer ship and could be extended to include either the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America or rather authorities having jurisdiction like the

 

Lastly, the cost of the Alert Program escalated by 400% in terms of budget compared to that of the previous year. In pursuit of avoiding over funding, the amount for appropriation could be in excess in lieu with the ratio of the total number of nonprofit organizations in the country.   

 

I support this important legislation, overall. I would appreciate a written reply from your office, Honorable Representative Walters.

 

Thank you for your time and consideration. Your advocacies are important in upholding the rights and welfare of the elderly people.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annotated Bibliography

 

Mental Illness, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Older Adults. Department of Community Health. State of Michigan.

 

            The article is about the development of mental illness in the early life and how the person’s life could be at risk because of these illnesses. It was argued that accurate assessment is critical, as memory loss is NOT a normal part of aging. The role of family caregivers were also discussed, and also how the risks could augment for them especially in terms of depression and other physical problems. How the settings for older adults who exhibit significant changes and disturbances in mood, cognition or behavior that may pose a danger to themselves or others could be increased is also addressed.

 

 (1997), Alzheimer’s Disease, Long-Term Care and Health Policy: Who’s Going to Pay the Bill?.

            Abstract: Many people with Alzheimer’s Disease need long-term care to help with activities of daily living. Annual costs are estimated at between $38 billion and $42 billion. Medicare does not cover this, and Medicaid help is limited. Longer life spans, shrinking savings rates, and increased costs of long-term care could spell financial disaster unless remedial steps are taken soon. In this article,  attempts to provide a substantive core selection of materials related to Alzheimer’s Disease, long-term care, and health policy. Documents covered include journals, government documents, and grey literature. Having this knowledge, with facts and figures at hand, can help sway public officials to create policy that uses tax dollars wisely by investing in research that will find a cause, prevention, and possibly a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease while saving taxpayers billions of dollars in the future.

Older Brain Really May Be a Wiser Brain.

 

            This research discovered that though some brains deteriorate with age, other brains became more capable of taking in more data and sifting the clutter of information which may be more beneficial in the long run. The researchers concluded that: “If older people are taking in more information from a situation, and they’re then able to combine it with their comparatively greater store of general knowledge, they’re going to have a nice advantage.”

 

 

Personal change starts with self reflection

Reflection Journal

 

 

            Looking back at my experiences from childhood up to now, I can say that I lived a colorful life. It’s been a really amazing journey. I have met so many people, I have been to different places, I have seen the world in different perspectives. The experiences, the joy, the laughter, the love, the pain and the sorrow that I experienced in life have shaped what I am today.

 

            As I read the book : An Invitation to Self Development’, I began to understand myself more. I started to open my mind and to see how I have lived my life so far. I started to see how many different factors have shaped my personality and how my experiences and choices determine what I will become in the future.

 

            So now, I see myself at the crossroads, with so many choices and so many opportunities in front of me. Now more than ever, I need to be responsible and to take charge of my life. I need to strive, to grow, and to develop. I need to embrace my whole being as it is. However, I must not stop at accepting myself; I must aim for the best that I can be. I must aspire for self-development.

 

            This paper serves as my reflection journal. In this paper, I will reflect on my life and experiences. My journey to a better me starts here. I will look at my life in a new perspective. I will apply the knowledge that I gained from the class and from the book in this reflection journal.

 

            One of the chapters that really got me interested was the chapter choices and change. For me that chapter is so empowering. I learned that everyone has a choice and that everyone can change his or her life. The chapter encouraged me to examine my life and to reflect on my life experiences. Personal change starts with self reflection. From the book I learned that for change to occur, I must  first become aware of what I am and what I want to be. Positive change can be achieved if I learn to accept my self, and love and respect the person that I am. I must be able to objectively see my strengths and weaknesses. I must explore every areas of life and be able to set my goals, to make positive choices and be responsible for the outcome. The most powerful word that I learned in this chapter is ‘self-awareness’.  For me this is a powerful word because successful change starts with self-awareness. One must have a clear and accurate picture of himself before he sets goals and objectives in life.

 

            I also have doubts and fears. Sometimes I am afraid to take risks. Sometimes I do not want to change my life. Sometimes, I also find it hard to accept my self, my situation and some of my personal characteristics. But I always tell myself that it is my responsibility to myself, to God and to the people that I love to be a better person. I am aware, that there are things and circumstances that I cannot control. Now I am beginning to accept my self and realize that even though there are things that I cannot change about myself, I have a choice on how to live my life. Therefore, I have taken the serenity prayer to heart:

 

God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

 

 

            One of the enlightening topics in the book is Personal Growth. I learned that growth is a lifelong process, it never ceases. People sometimes tell me that I have achieved many things in my life. My friends say that I am intelligent and talented. I am really so thankful to God because He has endowed me with many talents and gifts. And as a good servant it is my duty to enrich the talents and gifts that He has given me. No matter how far I have gone in my life, my journey to personal growth is not yet finish. I still have so many things to learn. I still need to develop my skills and talents. I still need to change in so many areas of my life. I need to strive for self-actualization. Striving for self actualization according to the book is working toward fulfilling my potential, toward becoming what I am capable of becoming. I learned that self-actualizing people demonstrate the following:

• Self-awareness
• Freedom
• Basic honesty and caring
• Acceptance of self and others

 

            Now that I am opening a new chapter of life – adulthood, I need to become more matured. I need to leave my fears and my doubts behind and start to decide for myself and be responsible for the outcomes. While discovering and developing my real self I must also become interdependent with other people. Being matured and being interdependent are two different but related things. A person that is complete and actively functioning in the society is both matured and interdependent. Being matured is being responsible for the consequences of our choices. Being interdependent is being able to form meaningful connections with people different from us in gender, class, race and culture. Maturity requires the ability to empathize, communicate, collaborate, connect, trust, and respect others.

 

            The topic that for me was critical was about Early Learning and Decisions. That chaptered revealed so much about how as children, we are affected by the most important social group in our life- our family. The topic focused on the roles of parents in shaping their children and how long lasting their influence on their children is. During my childhood, our family lived comfortably. I enjoy so many things and my parents were both supportive of my studies and my hobbies. They were the ones who really encouraged me to do well in school and to enrich my talents. I can say that both my parents are achievers. They both work and they are successful. I was brought up well; my parents taught me so many things about life. I learned from their example and followed their teachings. However, like typical families we had our ups and downs. He had our fair share of problems and struggles. Nevertheless, I consider myself lucky because of our social and economic status. Because of my parents, I had access to so many things that other people cannot have. My parents taught me to value education above all. They were the ones who pushed me to do my best. And so they played an important role in my early learning and decisions.

 

As a young individual who is entering adulthood, I find the Stages of Adulthood very interesting. I am now in the emerging adulthood period of my life. This period is both exciting and at the same time overwhelming. Exciting because there are different opportunities and life directions. It is also overwhelming because, from now on, I need to be more careful and more responsible. I need to development my personality and become my own person – unique. According to the book, during emerging adulthood, young people examine life’s choices regarding love, work, and worldview.

 

As an emerging adult, I need to set new goals and objectives in life. And I need to prepare myself, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to achieve those goals and objectives. Now I need to be more focused and more determined. Now I need to start to give back to my parents and to the society. In a few years, I will become an adult. I want to be an active member of the society – to be able to contribute to the community and be able to touch other people’s lives.

 

            My reflection journal focuses on my current life and my transition from teen to a young adult. I know that there are many things ahead of me. For now, I focus my attention to the near future. I am looking back at my life and picking up all the things that I learned from the people who touched my life, from all the experiences, from every success and every downfall, from all the places I have been. Now, I am in a phase of my life, when I need to make my own choice. I am now ready change and to lead my own life.

Personal Behavior

INTRODUCTION

            This paper is a case study which requires the application and analysis of the selected theory by the author. The next part of this paper will define the vital words that will be used in this paper. The subsequent topics of this paper will cover the key aspects of the theories related to the case, the key aspects of the case to the chosen theory, the analysis will follow taking into consideration the whole concept of the case study and the selected theory. A conclusion will end this paper taking into consideration the substantial points that have been discussed all through out the paper.

            The case at bar involves, who has been in and out of the prison. Ironically, it may seem the will of  to make his life better, the happening of an inevitable circumstance to commit a crime has transpired. He was involved in a current offense of breaking in at a small-motor factory. Furthermore, to summarize the family background of, majority of his family members are involved in a commission of a crime and had been in and out of prison. Such scenario within his family home when he was a child is considered as the most important contributory factor on how he perceived life.

            From the said case, it is necessary to let the readers know that there are certain theories which are applicable in understanding the psychological reason or aspect of the commission of crimes. Studying the concept of psychology to the cause of the commission of a crime is important especially in understanding the reason behind its commission. There are a lot of theories which can be considered in this study. But the author has chosen the use Social Learning Theory. This theory was highly suggested by the subject professor. According to  (1973), social learning is applied extensively by understanding the way of aggression. Furthermore,  (1969), focused also in the occurrence of psychological disorders, specifically in the context of behavior modification.

            The articulation of the words in this essay will be based on how the theory and the case study were absorbed by the author. Furthermore, certain materials will be use by the author, which will be given proper recognition, at the end of the paper.

 

DEFINITION

            This part will provide for the definitions of words to be discussed through out the paper. The definitions provided encompassed the meaning and importance of Social Learning Theory.

            SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY – focuses on the learning occurs within a social context. It considers that people learn from one another. The concept of this theory as used in this paper is on the basis of what is presented by

            Observational Learning – this means that people can learn through observation. This is part of the social learning theory in identification and relation to the case.

            Intrinsic Reinforcement – internal thoughts and cognitions help connect learning theories to cognitive developmental theories. Also, this is a part of the theory that will be discussed within the analysis.

            The Modeling Process – the process in order to determine whether or not observed behaviors are effectively learned. In this process there are certain requirements and steps must be followed. This word will also be utilized in order to give this paper a comprehensive guideline on how  was able to acquire the said behaviors.

 

KEY ASPECTS OF THE THEORY RELATED TO THE CASE

            The following are the key aspects of the selected theory that is related to the case. The first one is that the social learning theory is more focused on the capacity that people can learn by observing the behavior of other people and the outcome of those behaviors.

This one feature is a key aspect of the case that has a relation to the case. childhood was subjected to the occurrence of instances which are perceived by him as a matter that is an ordinary act of man. The existence of having several family members going in and out of the prison is related to the said aspect because it gave Ben a basis of observing a behavior which is likely perceive by him thru his observation.

            According to (1977), hostile thoughts can result in hostile behavior. In the case of having a brother and a father who have been having a problem with the law is the hostile or destructive behavior of the pattern that Ben has adapted.

The outcome of their behavior gave way to an occurrence of a hostile environment. He suffered from a dysfunctional family environment. Hence, although he had made a promise of not committing it again, the emergence of any circumstance that can trigger the good disposition of his promise will be his caused to break his promise.

            The second aspect of the theory that has a relation to the case is that learning can occur without change in behavior. According to  (1999), there are a number of behaviorist say that learning has to be presented by a permanent change in behavior, but social learning theorist have said that because people can learn through observation alone, learning may not be necessarily shown in the performance. The readers might argue that the said aspect does not have any connection to the case because of what have learned are all present in his behavior.

But it is right for the author to argue that  was brought up in a dysfunctional family environment which means that the actions of his father and brothers could be seen as a normal part of their lives. Hence, the learning he acquired thru his observation from his family does not render any changes, but the adaptation of such behaviors into his life.

            The fact that in social learning theory, being cognitive plays a big part or role in learning. Awareness and expectations of future reinforcements or punishments can have a major effect on the behaviors that people exhibit. This instance is present in the entire case which can be attributed to the existence of the absence and excessive punishment he received from his two parents. This brought an effect to the learning of  that the actions he performed may or may not be given any kind of reinforcement.

To further explain this, one of the apparent examples of such act is when he made a promise to his wife that he will not be committing any crime again and will make a way to better his life, and then subsequently he committed another crime.

From the said example, it can be inferred that the have the knowledge that by committing a crime, he can go to the jail again, but having experienced a childhood wherein proper reinforcement was not practiced, he chose to commit crime again.

Another aspect is what is stated by(2008), the theory holds that the successful integration of a personal belief and behavior in response to that system leads to feeling of competence or self-mastery, which means one has the belief that he is in charge of one’s relations to and understanding of the world. This aspect is related to the case because the actions of towards his life is only defines on how he perceive that he is in charge of his life, relations and understanding to the world.

He committed crimes although he has the knowledge of his consequences, but still believes that life is much more alright and giving if he commits a crime. His indulgence to alcohol and crime is the manifestation that his behavior dictates his system of feelings and actual performance of what he feels.

Another manifestation of this aspect in relation to the case is on how he did not disclose the other perpetrators of the crime due to a pride of not being a dog. This act of  is his self-belief that he is in charge of how he relates to the other people and how he rendered his belief for his understanding to the world.

 

KEY ASPECTS OF THE CASE TO THE CHOSEN THEORY

            This section will discuss the key aspects of the case to the chosen theory. This section will provide for a specific scenario which is related to what is specifically being relayed by the selected theory.

            The night of the commission of the crime, it was stated that he was just persuaded to commit the crime. Furthermore the belief of the policemen that Bert was a follower who can be easily led. The facts are related to the case in relation to the concept of social learning theory, as explained by  (2006), is the conduct of human behavior in terms of continuous reciprocal interaction between cognitive, behavioral and environmental influences. Hence, the continuous conduct of his related to the said concept because he conducted in a way that even third persons can easily observe and determine the consequences or the cause of his actions thru behavioral patterns.

            The second aspect of the case is when he committed a crime after stating a fact that he will not committing it again. The variations of his acts but of which are a justification of perpetrating the crime again. Although he found some casual work, he went again into making himself hook into drinking which led him to the conspiracy of the crime committed. According  (2008), social learning theory there are beliefs that are favorable to crime. Others may also teach the people so many beliefs favorable to a crime.

            Another aspect to be considered is the existence of having reason for  to commit the crime again. According to (2006),  ideas about role modeling resonated well with criminology, and that stimulus-to-stimulus chains of learning is the most important.

At first, the first stimulant that is perceived by the author why  has committed the crime is on the existence of unhealthy family environment, but it can be inferred from the facts of the case, is that was not contented to what is happening with his life and also how boring his work. Hence, it can be related inferred that  can derived a series of stimulants in order for him to commit and perform a behavior that would caused him prejudices.

            It can be seen that the latter paragraph has a relation to the former aspect. This means that his behavior in committing a crime and the stimulus cited are the basis of for him to commit the crime again, which is favorable for him.

 

ANALYSIS

            This section will provide for the process on how has acquired such behavior thru learning. According to (2008), factors both involving both the model and the leaner can play a role in whether a social learning is successful.

The following are the requirements or steps involved in the observational learning and modeling process. The first one is attention: In learning there is a need to pay an attention. In case of  what he learned was not on his own choice to learn the appreciation of committing a crime but because his environment taught him to appreciate it.

The unhealthy family environment of coupled with the fact that his parents lack the capacity to be a good parent is the cause that made him learn and conduct himself of what he see. The theory stated that if the model is interesting or there is a novel aspect to the situation, the subject is more likely to dedicate his full attention.

            The second step is retention. Retention is the ability of the subject to store information which is an important element of observational learning. On the case of  what was retained into his mind is the skills, the treatment of crime as being an ordinary action of men, and learning to give further justifications and reasons to his actions. From this it can be inferred that has the skill and improvements on the way he had retain the behavior he have learned.

            The next step is the reproduction. Reproduction is the performance of the subject on the behavior he observed.  is skillful in committing a crime, on the basis that he performed the acts which are the greatest manifestation of the things that he has observed.

            The next step is motivation. According to  (1988), reinforcement and punishment play an important role in motivation.  Motivation plays a big part on imitating the behavior that has been modeled. As what has been mentioned by the author on upper part of this paper, the motivation of in committing a crime is not on the basis of reinforcement or punishment but he lacks enough reinforcement and has suffered extremely from punishment. The author believes that his motivation only dwells on the fact that there lacks a reinforcement or punishment hence he committed the crime without any cause.

            Below is a further illustration on how (2006) has illustrated the concept of social learning theory as explained by  What could have caught the attention of from his family environment, the social interaction of his family with each other, and the perception of his family to the commission of crime, is really indeed the main influencing matters that have learned to conduct such behaviors. His behaviors are the result of the encompassing interaction of his persona to the society.

           

                   source:

           

CONCLUSION

            The author now concludes that the application and relation of social learning theory to the  behavior in the case is indeed a great source of analysis. The analysis of the author has defined comprehensively the caused of his behavior.

            The first part of this analysis dwells on the key aspects of both topics in relation to one another. The analysis has set different kinds of examples coming from the case and the concept of social understanding. The main aspects that are have been an impact to his behavior is the existence of a dysfunctional family environment, lack of perseverance and dedication to perform his work and the ability to look at himself as the master of his relation.

            The learning process of was just focused on the happenings that transpired to his family environment. The impact of learning such behavior in a place that can be described as secluded was it dictates how he and will be able to perceive the society. Furthermore, although he may choose what facts and matter to be retained, his retention was also the main result of his dangerous acts. He retained the behaviors that he learned because it was due on how he was brought up and motivated.

            Hence, the author have chosen the right theory in looking and studying the conduct of as to the way he lives his life. The amount of what he learned from his family environment is the main caused of everything that made him conduct in a manner that is detrimental to personal being, the society and life as a whole.

Strategic Management Process: Ocean Park Hong Kong

Strategic Management Process: Ocean Park Hong Kong

Table of Contents

Introduction. 2

Ocean Park Hong Kong. 3

External Environments of Ocean Park. 4

PEST Analysis. 4

Political Analysis. 5

Economic Analysis. 5

Social Analysis. 6

Technological Analysis. 6

Industry Analysis. 7

Five Forces Analysis. 7

Threat of New Entry. 8

Threat of Rivalry. 8

Threat of Substitution. 9

Threat of Suppliers. 9

Buyer Power 10

Competitor Analysis. 10

Disneyland. 10

Wetland Park. 11

Internal Environments of Ocean Park. 12

SWOT Analysis. 12

Strength. 13

Weaknesses. 13

Opportunities. 14

Threat 14

Competitive Advantage. 15

Core Competency. 15

Competitive Advantage. 16

Tangible Resources. 16

Value Creation. 17

Conclusion. 17

References. 19

Bibliography. 20

 

Table of Figures

Figure 1 PEST Analysis Hong Kong Ocean Park. 4

Figure 2 Five Forces Analysis of Ocean Park (Hong Kong Amusement Park) 7

Figure 3 SWOT Analysis Hong Kong Ocean Park. 12

Figure 4 Competitive Advantage  Model of Hong Kong Ocean Park. 15

 

Introduction

Ocean Park is considered as a major attraction in Hong Kong, the luminous pearl of the Orient and known as the financial center of Southeast China. It is located on the south end of Hong Kong Island. The larger two sections are located on the headlands of Mount Nanlang, while the smaller section is located in the Huang Zhu Keng Valley lowlands. It is considered as one of the largest ocean in the world, having an area of 170 miles (2008).

Organizations change and organizations compete for the same resource, competencies as well as customers. It is the cruel reality that must not be neglected by any management, thus the strategy as well as strategic management must not be neglected as a vital integral part of what managers do ( 2002,).

This paper will focus on the strategic management process of the Ocean Park of Hong Kong towards their foreigner or tourists customers, particularly those mainland Chinese. It will first tackle the details about the Ocean Park. Second, it will analyze the external environment such as the economic and culture aspect that can affect the relationship of the organization to their possible foreign customers or tourists. Furthermore, it will focus on the internal environment of the organization such as its core competency, together with its strengths and weaknesses.

 

 

 

 

 

Ocean Park Hong Kong

            Ocean Park Hong Kong is considered as one of the most important amusement park in Hong Kong, and even in the world. Opened in January 1977 as the country’s unique local park with the heritage of delivering family, fun and fond memories, it was chosen by the citizens of the country as their number 1 favorite scenic spot in the country in 2005 ( 2007). It was also ranked by  on June 1, 2006 as the 7^th among the top ten most popular amusement parks in the world (China Travel Golden Route 2007).

Ocean Park combines the elements of entertainment, education and conservation in their services. It is consists of six main areas which are: Lowland Gardens, Kid’s World, Marine Land, Headland Rides, Adventure Land and Bird Paradise (   2007). Furthermore, provides all of its guests with memorable education, while inspiring life long learning and conservation involvement. It also focuses on maintaining a healthy financial status, while offering the guests a diverse range of activities at competitive prices. It exists for the benefits of the public and strives in order to deliver the highest standard of safety, animal care, products as well as guest service (Ocean Park Hong Kong 2008).

            The Ocean Park of Hong Kong is part of the growing global industry of amusement park in the world, as well as part of the tourism industry. The organization is focuses in global market, and taking advantage of the improving tourism industry of the country, targeting their tourists, regardless of their age. The main goal of Hong Kong Ocean Park is to be the world leader in providing excellent guest experiences in a theme park environment that connects people with the nature (Ocean Park Hong Kong 2008).

The park is currently undergoing a massive expansion to be finished in 2010. However, there will no rides to be closed during the said period (2008).

External Environments of Ocean Park

PEST Analysis

Figure 1 PEST Analysis Hong Kong Ocean Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Political Analysis

            Political factors have a direct impact on the relationship of Ocean Park Hong Kong, to their foreign customers or visitors.             One of the most important factors that are associated with amusement park industry of the country is the easiness of the restrictions and promotion of the free travel of China in 2003 that helped to inject a new life to the tourism industry of Hong Kong (2004). The said improving relationship between China and Hong Kong, can impact the relationship of Ocean Park to their foreign customers, particularly the Chinese tourists, largest portion of the country’s visitors ( 2007). The growing economic clout, as well as the success of the Individual Visit Scheme results to the increase focus of the entire industry towards China and most of the players will focus on catering to the greater range of budget types but throughout the entire tourism industry (  2008).

Economic Analysis

            Locally and globally, different businesses are being affected by the different economic factors. In terms of the country, the development and growth of the entire tourism industry influence the performance of the entire amusement park industry. The number of Chinese visitors of the country increased from 13.1% in 1998 to 27.1% in 1999 in 2007, of all visitors ( 1999). There are total of 12.9 million tourists that came to the country, and more than 50% of it arrived from mainland China ( 2006).

            Ocean Park Hong Kong showed an increase in tourists coming from mainland China in the last few years. The mainlanders make up the 45% of all the visitors of Ocean Park, having a high attendance of 2.2 million, showing an increase of 70% from 2003 ( 2008).

Social Analysis

            The entire tourism industry, particularly the industry of amusement park of the country is being affected by major events and influences. This can be observed during the peak season such as Chinese New Year and School holidays that enables each and every player of the industry to gain more than 50% of total attendance ( 2008).

            It is also important to consider different media views. This is due to the fact that it can affect or influence of the foreign customers regarding visiting the place. Furthermore the advertisement and publicity is important, that is the reason why it is important for different amusement parks to take part in different events of the country in order to showcase the culture and history of Hong Kong to their visitors.

Technological Analysis

            The Internet has increasingly become a popular medium for marketing and customer relationship . This is due to the fact that the Internet can offer a great connection with huge and immeasurable possible market. This is important because the industry, primarily Ocean Park Hong Kong is focusing on its relationship to its global market. Furthermore, it is also important to consider the improvement and development of the amusement machinery industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry Analysis

Five Forces Analysis

Figure 2 Five Forces Analysis of Ocean Park (Hong Kong Amusement Park)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Threat of New Entry

            The threat of new entrants refers the possibility that the profits of established firms in the respective industry may be eroded by new competitors. In terms of the amusement park industry, the entry barrier is high due to the need to invest large amount of financial resources ( 2004). Typically it ranges from $50 million to $3 billion, depending on the real state market. In addition to that amusement park required over 50 acres of land for a full scale development; other can utilize 10,000 to 30,000 acres ( 2006). The said factor is important because Hong Kong has a high land price real state market This is also connected to the fact that the location of the amusement park is a very important factor.

Threat of Rivalry

            Rivalry among the existing competitors takes the form of process of jockeying for the position. Firms usually implement different tactics like price competition, advertising battles, product introductions as well as increased customer services (   2004 ).

            It is important to consider the lack of differentiation, that is why the customers’ choice based greatly over the price and service, thus causes pressure for the intense price and service competition ( 2004). This can be observe in the amusement park industry of the country, due to high threat of rivalry, different players are implementing different plans and activities such as renovation and introduction of new attractions in order to catch the attention of the customers.

 

 

Threat of Substitution

            All firms within a given industry compete with an industry that produces the substitute products and services. Substitutes limit the potential returns of an industry by the process of placing a ceiling on the prices of the firms in the given industry can profitably charge ( 2004). 

            In the industry, the threat of substitution is relatively low because the main substitute for the product is other aspects of leisure and tourism industry such as sport and casino industry. On the other hand, because of the popularity of the amusement park industry as well as the growing number of Chinese tourists, the industry is not that affected.

Threat of Suppliers

            Suppliers can exert a bargaining power over participants in an industry by threatening to raise prices or even reduce the quality of purchased goods and services ( 2004,).

            In the case of the industry, the suppliers doesn’t have that much power because of the improving and growing industry of the amusement equipment industry, that enables the technology exchange between the different local and international players particularly in China ( 2007). In addition to that, the airline industry, which is considered as the primary supplier of visitors for the company is also facing impact of competition as well as the growing demand for cheap travel packages.

 

 

 

Buyer Power

            The buyer or the visitors and tourists have a medium or mediocre influence over the industry because the product and service of the industry is important for the customers. This is due to the fact that amusement is considered as part of necessity of every family in Hong Kong, as well as the mainland China market. Furthermore, the said industry cannot be replaced by other substitute.

Competitor Analysis

Disneyland

            Disneyland opened in September 2005 and had helped to reposition the country as a premier destination for families. On its opening day, it had set a record of 16,000 visitors, and 1/3 of it are from the mainland China. It had maintained its 13,000 to 14,000 average visitors (cited in 2006). The main advantage of the company is that it holds the name of the Disney which is well known in the world in terms of entertainment. Furthermore, it targets the children, thus the whole family because of the different rides and attractions that focuses on different well-known Disney characters. This can help the company to attract more visitors or tourists from different part of the globe, particularly those who are from the US and Europe.

            On the other hand, the main disadvantage is that most of the mainland Chinese doesn’t have those strong attachments with Mickey and friends and other Disney characters ( 2006). The said aspects are important for the company because most of the visitors of the country come from mainland China.

 

 

Wetland Park

            Wetland Park is a conservation, education and tourism facility that is located at the northern part of  in Yuen Long. It is compromises of 10,000 square meter large visitor centre, Wetland Interactive World and a 60-hectare Wetland Reserve  The main advantage of Wetland Park is that it offers a different type of service compare to Disneyland and Ocean Park. The main mission of the organization is to foster public awareness and understanding regarding the values of wetlands throughout the East Asian Region. The visitors will be given a chance to experience the wildlife with different animals that will help them to be close with nature and observe different animals in the natural environment (cited in 200).

            On the other hand, the organization will not be able to meet the demand of those visitors or tourists that are looking for excitements and extreme pleasure that can be experienced in different rides and parts in Disneyland and Ocean Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internal Environments of Ocean Park

SWOT Analysis

Figure 3 SWOT Analysis Hong Kong Ocean Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strength

            The main strengths of Hong Kong Ocean Park focuses on their offering of hybrid of thrills, animals, fun and education to their foreign visitors, more specifically those mainland Chinese visitors (2007). The main advantage or strength of the company is that it enables to meet the cultural aspects of different people from different part of the globe, particularly the mainland Chinese visitors that are not that familiar with different Disney characters. This can be seen in the different services and features of the company that incorporated education with thrill.

            Above all, the main advantage of Hong Kong is that it is considered as the oldest amusement park in the country; therefore, it can be considered as experienced and knows the demands and behavior of the mainland Chinese visitors. Furthermore, it had become successful because of its connection to the local government that helped them to have a subway line for the visitors ( 2007). This enables the organization to give the foreign visitors, particularly those from mainland, who are price sensitive, to save their money for other luxury, thus helping them to save time in traveling.

Weaknesses

            On the other hand, the main disadvantage of Hong Kong Ocean Park is their structure of geographic location. This is due to the fact that they have the limitation regarding the land development because the location is hilly. Furthermore, the organization is facing lack of strong financial support and backup, that is why the organization is responsible for their own income and operation cost. Furthermore, because of the fact that Ocean Park is considered as oldest amusement park in Hong Kong, there are different facilities that are old and un-attractive, although the organization is already starting their innovation process, it would take some time and it will be completed after 6 years.

Opportunities

            The main opportunity of the company focuses on the Individual Traveling scheme of China, as well as the improving relationship of the country to the mainland China, that had helped to improve the number of the visitors in the country. In addition, the strong economy in Mainland as well as the improving middle class with the purchasing power helped to increase the demand for the outbound travel.

            Furthermore, the organization also has a strong marketing support from the local government that recommends the Ocean Park to the foreign visitors. It is also important to consider the development of new transportation South Island Line that would cause convenience and fast access direct to the Park for the foreign and local visitors.

            The Internet is also another factor; this is due to the fact that it can help the organization to connect to a vast range of possible customers or visitors. Above all, the development and improvement of the amusement machinery industry can also impact the services and features of the organization, thus their relationship to their foreign visitors.

Threat

            One of the threats that must be considered by the company is the renovation plan of the Disneyland Hong Kong that can help the said organization to regain their past position in the market. Particularly, it will also cause popularity of the organization from other foreigners, particularly those from America and Europe.

            On the other hand, it is also important to focus on the global financial crisis that is going on, that can affect the visiting behavior and buying behavior of the tourists.

Competitive Advantage

Figure 4 Competitive Advantage Model of Hong Kong Ocean Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core Competency

            The core competency of the organization is the length of its operation and service both to the locals and foreign visitors of the country that give the organization the knowledge regarding the likes, dislikes as well as the flow and trends in the behavior of the customers. Furthermore, cultural aspect is also an important factor, primarily to their growing mainland Chinese visitors. Furthermore, it also helps the organization to capture the attention of other visitors from different part of the globe, primarily those from the US and Europe, that are looking for new and local experience about the country.

 

 

Competitive Advantage

            When a given firms maintain its profit that exceed the average for its industry, the firm is said to have a competitive advantage against its rival. This can be seen in the current position of Hong Kong Ocean Park, over its direct competitor, which is the Hong Kong Disneyland. Hong Kong Ocean Park is using the cost advantage, where in it offers cheaper ticket that costs HK$208 for adult and HK$103 for children, compare to HK$295 for adult and HK$210 per child of Hong Kong Disneyland. In addition to that, Hong Kong Ocean Park acquired a good location compare to Disneyland, because it is nearer o the main urban districts.

            In addition to that, Hong Kong Ocean Park also offers a differentiation advantage because it is considered as bigger than the Hong Kong Disneyland, thus enabling the first organization to offer more and new features and shows than the second organization. It also offer different features and services compare to its competitors primarily the Disneyland, because it focuses on showing the reality regarding the nature, while Disneyland focuses on fantasy.

Tangible Resources

 

            The reputation of the organization is its most important tangible resource. Ultimately, reputations have economic value to the company because it will be difficult to imitate. Rivals cannot simply replicate the unique features and intricate process that produced those reputations ( 1996). The fact that the company features educational aspects regarding the environment, gives it a reputation that is close to nature. This is important because of the growing awareness of the world regarding the different natural and environmental problem, primarily global warming.

Value Creation

            The core competency of the organization gives it both advantage and disadvantage. Advantage, because it helped them to know more about the behavior and culture of their different local and foreign visitors. Furthermore, it also enables the company to create an image that is considered as one of the most important aspect in gaining and maintaining competitive advantage. On the other hand, it gives the organization the disadvantage because some part of the facilities and features of the organization are considered as old, and in great need for renovation, however, due to financial aspect as well as effort that must be exerted, it will take some time in order to come up with the ever changing demand of the foreign visitors for entertainment and leisure.

            On the other hand, the competitive advantage of the company which focuses on the cost advantage and differentiation advantage is the result of the continuous effort of the organization in their relationship with the customers as well as their continuous effort in process of research and development.

Conclusion

            As of now, Hong Kong Ocean Park is experiencing a comfortable position in the entire amusement industry, as well as the entire tourism industry of the country. It is important to consider that the said organization is considered as number 1 or most loved amusement park by local and foreign visitors, despite of the fact that it has the Disneyland, a very prominent and successful player in the global industry of amusement park. 

            Primarily, the main reason behind the success of the organization is because of the support from the government of Hong Kong and mainland China that can be seen in the different public facilities that are being implemented for easy access of the said place, as well as the implementation of the Individual Tourist of China. The company had been able to use the issue of culture in order to attract more locals as well as foreign visitors, as well as its usage of the current spread of the environmental awareness, which enables the organization to incorporate education and thrill in their features and services. That is the reason why it is frequently visited by families from different part of the globe.

            Furthermore, the organization had been able to create two important competitive advantage which focuses on the cost and differentiation. It had been able to offer cheap but fun-packed experience.

            But it is also important for the company to continue its innovation and strategic management in order to make sure that it will continue its competitive edge against its competitor. This is due to the fact that Disneyland is currently into renovation process, in order to regain their competitive position in the market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research on International Education

International Research Investigation

 

Introduction

            Before initiating a research project line in conducting research about international education, the researcher must consider different aspects including the range of theoretical foundations (2004), research methods or methodologies and philosophical basis which encompasses the entire research study. This is considered as a significant structure for the research process which enables the researcher to have a direction in attaining or achieving their research objectives.  research methods may include correlation approach, action research (2004), experimental research and others.

When doing research, specifically in terms of international education it is important to choose the research methodologies to be used. There are different research methodologies and model that can be chosen from.  For conducting research studies, the researcher can use broad range of research methods to gain and develop knowledge and models.  The choice made depends on the aims and objectives and the available resources to conduct the research. Primarily, the main goal of this paper is to investigate to differing in the context of a specific case study to be provided. Herein, the report would discuss the kinds of questions raised by the different methods, what types of data to be used and how the data should be interpreted, the attitudes of the objectivity, and the art of comparison and the role of science and technology.

The case study that will be chosen in this report is about the “Analysis of English Teaching-Learning in China”.

 

Overview of the Case study

            It can be said that this research study is important in international education contexts because this will provide enough information on how different countries can improve their curriculum both for national and international to teaching English as a second language. This is specifically important for Asian countries like China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and others.

 

Two Research Models

Some 98 percent of the world’s population is learning English starting from an early age through college.  In Southeast Asia, some authors classified English learning students into two categories, being that of collectivism and individualism.  His research revealed that people in East Asian countries have emerged as showing a much stronger collectivist orientation than people in Western countries, therefore, East Asian students, including the Chinese, will have a strong inclination to form in groups which work towards common goals, East Asian students will be reluctant to 'stand out' by expressing their views or raising questions in the context of classroom setting, East Asian students will perceive the teacher as an authority figure, and that East Asian students will see knowledge as something to be transmitted by the teacher rather than discovered by the learners.

Since in the late 1970, there has been an emerging "boom" of learning English in China because of its "open door" policies. At China’s tertiary level, there is indeed a great need for qualified foreign and Chinese English teachers.  Accordingly, the number of English learning students is also increasing, wherein, a percentage of over 90 percent of college students in China are in fact taking English as a compulsory course. At first, China as being known to be strongly attached to its rich culture, showed considerable amount of resistance to the teaching of English, but with the signs indicating that China’s Open Door policy is likely to continue, the Chinese nation now exhibits hunger in the want to learn the English language. 

            In this paper, it would explore on how English is taught in Chinese schools, specifically in the secondary education.  The four aspects of English competence namely, reading, writing, speaking and listening, are all essential and should be incorporated one aspect at a time to ensure learning English is successful.  Moreover, this paper will discuss the current problems confronting the teachers in teaching the English language and as to how the said problems can be addressed, both for the teachers and the students.  Including a discussion of an English program, named the CLT, to better improve on the learning of English and basically the evolvement of the teaching English language in China as it is already, currently, has been a compulsory subject in the primary education. 

 

Overview of the research methodologies

            In order to achieve the objective of such research, two research studies will be compared: interpretivist and positivist. Accordingly, it has been mentioned that there are three main perspectives that can be used for international education research. These include the Positivist and postPositivist, interpretive research and critical postmodernism. Each of these perspectives has distinct features and characteristics. However, based on the case study to be investigated, the researcher only chooses two research methods which are interpretivist and positivist approach.  Positivist and postPositivist, is a research perspective that takes the realism approach. With this type of research, researchers try to discover the truth by means of falsification. (1972) was the one who explained the concept of falsification. This pertains to the effort of researcher or scientists to identify the inadequacies of a certain theory. In this approach, the researcher typically gathers findings then compare them to prior hypothesis or knowledge. Moreover, this can be demonstrated by means of presenting conceptual inconsistencies or observational shortcomings and also through quantitative measures. According to Popper, the production of reliable knowledge through causal explanations can progress through the falsifications approach. In addition, the concept of falsification plays a role in distinguishing true science from pseudo ones. 

On the other hand, the interpretivist research aims to determine and understand various meanings and concepts that are actually produced and used by social actors in actual situations. It is different from Positivist and postPositivist as the aim is not to acquire qualitative and contradicting data but to identify and explain existing frameworks and information (2004). The main objective of this type of research perspective is to understand how certain groups or people of different origins are able to construct truths out of different aspects of reality. For this approach, relativism is the main concept applied. Furthermore, the major activity is the production of descriptions of meanings ad definitions as established by the members of a particular situation and to comprehend how reality is constructed by these actors (2004).

 

Comparison

            As mentioned, two research methods will be compared as per use on the case study that will be given emphasis in this paper.  The first is positivist research which combines deductive method with precise measurement of quantitative data to achieve the objective of the case study. The question that is usually common in this approach is about the determination specific issue that a researcher wished to know so as to address a research problem.  In this research, the criteria of positivist approach as a theoretical approach shapes the reality to be objective, free from prejudice, biases and opinions and that it perceived one reality in nature, which is one truth. In this case, the research study would want to ask questions about the current problems that challenges the teachers of Chinese student in teaching and learning English language. In addition, the research question that can be used includes the factors that affect students in learning English language.

            In a positivist approach, the principle purpose of social research is to give reasons to explain social life and anticipate the course of events. In addition, quantitative approach can be used in this study as the researcher can employ structured or unstructured survey questionnaires to gather and collect information from the respondents who are the teachers and students in ESL courses.  It is said that quantitative approach utilize numerical data to perform research. Such scientific approach utilized to study the natural world. It can be said that the epistemological dimension of Positivist comprehends human behaviour (teacher and students behavior) as patterned, stable, and orderly. Hence, in terms of methodological approach, positivist will utilize objective methods to collect data from the chosen respondents.

While the conventional approach of the positivist is considered as one of the least suitable method to the social world, this approach is the most commonly used research methodology. There are categories of opinion amongst different researchers about the extent to which objectivity of the research through positivist is capable of generating objective understanding of life. Herein, the context of the positivist research approach is that the science principle can be used to the investigation of people and their capabilities, like in this case study, the English language teachers. Herein, the main question that must be consider is that can English teacher’s teaching and learning approach adheres to the objective of the school curriculum?

It can be said that the principal bequest of positivist in this generation is a continuing belief between subjective opinion and objective knowledge. It can be said that quantitative research can be used in this case studying to ensure that this is systematic, precise, and objective.

It can be said that positivist provides a logical and effective manner of modeling reality, except the model generated is a limited representation of a subset of existence. Herein, the assumption of positivist is that science is the most suitable theoretical model for research studies such as the case in this report which will result in epistemologically under-justified utilization of quantitative methods for qualitative queries. The use of scientific methods can only be give justification for utilization in terms of physical domain, and not the domain of social aspects.  It can be said that positivist influences has the ability to inspire much of the research study’s most used methods.  These include the questionnaires, surveys, and statistical approach. In the case study provided about, the researcher can use a large-sample surveys as well as controlled classroom experiments to achieve the objective of the research.  Such approach can be justified as they permit the researchers to utilize empirical and logical quantitative information and data from pertinent participants.

On the other hand, the theoretical standpoint of interpretivist gives justice on the notion that human beings cannot have independent knowledge of the world of what is in their thoughts and ideas. Hence, the interpretivist research methodology is noted to be a reaction against the very loud claims of positivist. The interpretivist aims on developing practical reasons by not predicting, controlling, or changing any individual, but to deepen the comprehension of what is to live a human life, to be able to contribute to the decency and self-understanding of human beings (1998).

In the context of education research, specifically on international education, interpretivist as a theoretical model that shapes reality to become subjective, this gives emphasis on relating to the individuality, biases, prejudices and research’s emotions. It can be said that the epistemological assumptions of interpretivist is that reality is generated through the use of social interaction: the aspects that knowledge and meaning are socially constructed within a specific context and time. In addition, interpretivist also lies on the notion that there is no one universal truth of reality, but multiple as perceived by different individuals. In an interpretivist approach, the main objective of the research is to interpret and understand social life; in this case the main objective is to determine how teacher can be able to solve the issues and problems they faced to provide quality education for their Chinese students. In addition, the goal is to unravel and reveal the multiple layers of meaning delegated by the teacher’s actions.  ( 2001)

It is noted that interpretivist is a research approach which uses qualitative methods. Qualitative methodology aims to comprehend people, not to measure each of them. Furthermore, it tries to capture reality in social interaction. While qualitative approach uses no quantitative measures or variables like that of the positivist approach, interpretivist does not necessarily eliminate or rule out quantitative approach. It can be said that the interpretive approach is a wider terminologies than qualitative research as it consists all other methods based on respondents of the study which in this case the teacher and Chinese students. In addition, this research method do not carry with it the false idealism of excluding the utilization of quantitative measures, rather, this approach give emphasis on interpreting and focusing on the meanings in action of respondents of this study and how the research reveal such meanings.

It is essential to give value on the notion that through these interpretivist research methods, the case study in this report can arrive at the one absolute truth, or to achieve a full comprehension of the setting of what the researcher opt to know. In this research, the concept of knowledge completeness related to the context of the hermeneutical circle which mentioned that there is a circular movement and shift of attention on interest from the parts to the whole and vice versa. Herein, each time the circle is already complete, the researcher’s interpretation are changing

In addition, the qualitative approach of interpretivist is very important in this case study, to know how teachers of the Chinese students can provide better teaching approach for their students.

The positivist and interpretivist approaches have contrasting ideologies in which positivist research is more objective and passive in terms of collecting data while the interpretive approach is taken to make the researchers be actively involved in the research process, specifically the data collection process. Herein, it is essential to discuss some of the aspects which may have influenced their research interpretation, herein, the researcher allows their observers to be co-analysts of the research, or the case study and arrive on their conclusions to ensure research validity.

It is said that positivist approach serves to test existing theories, for instance, in the teaching and learning the English language and enhance predictive comprehension of events while, interpretivist, aims to understand the deeper structure of the teaching and learning process of English language. The differences of these two approaches can also be seen in their focus on what type of questions to be given attention.  Even if positivist research use natural science approaches to analyse the gathered data, the interpretive method do not exclude the application of quantitative method. Each method can be considered to have valuable and significant features to achieve the objective of the research question addresses from the case study.

English learning is now inevitably a part of China’s education system.  As China continually seek to improve English learning, be it through the empowerment of the teachers or the efforts of the government, it is predicted that in the future China will be able to generate English speaking Chinese individuals as it embarks the world scene. 

It can be mentioned that researchers who uses either of these two approaches in international education research want to ensure that the research are warranted as beneficial and useful to the comprehension of the research objectives and questions. By and large, in doing the case study, it is important to choose the most valid and reliable research method to ensure that the objective of the study will be achieved. All in all, it should be noted that whatever research method to be used, the researcher should ensure that this approach meets the needs of the international education and comparative education studies.