Tesco Strategic Decisions

Abstract To attain competitiveness amidst of modern changing business environments, an organization’s leadership team needs to implement operational, project and strategic management strategies that are responsive to the needs of the particular market the company is trading. With effective strategies, a company is able to resolve problems and conflicts that are likely to create a weak link in the companies operations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Tesco Strategic Decisions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Modern contemporary business environments are also posing some dangers to organizations as leaders are finding their old policies and business approached being challenged by the environment prevailing (Wheelen and Hunger,1998). This paper discusses the strategic issues facing the retail industry in the domestic and international market; it will focus on Tesco Merchandise Company. After discussing the is sues, the paper will discuss some strategic measures that the company can take to improve its business as well as improve its competitiveness. Background of the company Tesco is an international merchandise company with its main market in the United Kingdom; the company operated a chain of grocery that can amount to over one thousand supermarkets, convenience stores, and hypermarkets in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Asia and Central Europe. Although the company was initially involved in the food sector, it has diversified its operations to clothing, consumer electronics, financial services, and internet services. The company’s management vision is to develop lifetime customer loyalty and ensure that it adds value on consumers. The company’s vision and mission statement establishes close links and connections with its customers and aims at understanding their needs and enacting policies that improve the relationship. Other than focusing on customer needs, the company mai ntains an effective human resources department that ensures the Tesco maintains and sustains trained, motivated, and adequate staffs at any one point in time.  Despite the company being among the oldest and successful retail companies in the world, it is facing some challenges that are limiting it meet its profitability (Tesco Limited Official Website, 2011). Problems facing Tesco Other than being a leader in the retail industry, the company is facing some challenges; the first issue facing the company is regard the use of e-commerce tools. Although the company has a computerized system of marketing as well as payments for goods, it is still lagging behind some of its competitors like Wal-mart that seems to have moved a step ahead.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Tesco’s system accepts only a limited number of electronic payment systems like debit cards, credit card s, and online payments buts lack some of the main upcoming e-business or payment methods like PayPal, western union transfer, and wire transfers. The weak system has locked some customers from buying form the company. In the same line of computerization, the services cannot be differentiated thus a customer lacks the motivation or the drive that can make him or her come again for the services.  The internet section of the company is facing some challenges especially when it comes to browsing and downloading works; the computers are slow and sometimes customers are expected to wait for over ten minutes to get a download. With the large chain of works and variety of commodities they stock, the company has had deficit of products in some stores; at times, the products may have run out of stock without the management being aware or there has been a delay in delivery. This is brought about by system failures and the interdependence of branches (when buying commodities that cannot be bo ught in bulk; the company joins the needs to two or more branches than orders the product in bulk), when this happens, some commodities are found not in their shelves (Tesco Limited Official Website, 2011). Genetic tool kit to identify challenges and how to solve them To identify the above problems and solve them, the company should use a hybrid management toolkit; a method of management that combines the strength of Six Sigma management approach and Total Quality Management strengths. Under the method, the company will be required to set some benchmarks of operations that should be maintained at all times in the organization. To ensure that the benchmarks are attained, the management should set some operational system appraisal methods. Identification of problems All operations with the organization should be documented and optimal operation levels set; the document whether in print or electronic should be made available and accessible to every employee in the firm; the responsibil ity of every staff as long as the attainment of the set standard should be well defined.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Tesco Strategic Decisions specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some challenges face an organization because of reluctance of employees or those companies that have been subcontracted; to ensure that this does not happen, the company should have a punishment mechanism of any person whether natural or artificial who limits the attainment of the benchmarks set. The blue print document acts as the point of reference in day-to-day operation and the best strategy line of operation should be formulated. With the strengths of Six Sigma, which allows a company to establish its areas of weakness and inefficiency, then the approach will help know those areas that need to be addressed for a competitive business. To have efficiency, the company should strengthen its internal control and review its contacting p olicies; those operations that are not core, like cleaning the stores, should be outsourced to ensure that the company’s management concentrates in the main line of business (Wheelen and Hunger,1998). The over one thousand chain should have an independent or regional management approach; having a central management structure of more than one thousand stalls is not practical and If made, then chances of high inefficiency can be expected. The management should change its structure to ensure that managers are responsible for few stalls. This will improve e delivery and facilitate solving of problems at local or regional level. The computer and internet system seems to be one of the thorns that the company should be looking at; the failures that the company is getting are coming from adopting technology that is outdated or one that cannot be fully be relied upon. As far as the system is concerned, the company has two options; to either change the complete system and adopt a bette r version or improve the current one. The choice of the matter depends on the situation and the availability of either option. The company should continuously restructure and rebuild its vision and mission; developing a strategic vision and mission involves thinking strategically about the following three questionsAdvertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More What are the customer’s needs? How much is the company offering? Can we do better? Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How will we get there? The following diagram shows how the company can use the Hybrid system to counter check its processes and probably improve them: Chart 1 A vision is a view of an organizations future and business course: it is a guiding concept for what the organization is trying to do and become. All must be looked into to ensure that there is no one area that benefits at the expense of the customer. Setting objectives that are aimed at meeting the gap that the company had not been filling in the past; the aim of setting the objective is to ensure that the company has embarked on the fulfillment of the need of the customer. The aim is to improve the feeling that the customer will get when he has transacted with the business. The objectives are aimed at improving all the area of the organization and the measurement is the satisfaction that the c ustomer will get. A satisfied customer will be a loyal customer and the business stands to benefit (Kotter and Schlesinger, 2008). The failures in deliveries can be a matter of internal controls, supply chain management or the computer system; this is a sensitive area that needs to be addressed independently; by independent it means that the problem should be handled separately and the root causes sort. After noting the area with a problem, then the management should seek to handle and solve the root cause. The following is a sample of a supply chain chart that the company can adopt to have an effective supply chain management: Chart 2 (Goold and Campbell, 2002) Periodically, the company should be taking internal and external business analysis: internal business analysis seeks to show the strengths of the company, how well it is compiling with the set standards and establishing any area that need improvement. When undertaking internal analysis, the managers should ensure that the b enchmarks they have set are complied with and when they have not, the cause of the deficit should be diagnosed. Through TQM, the company will be able to develop customer royalty; it will be able to surpass other companies to become the world largest merchandise retail chain. For a company to continuously improve its processes and attain the set goals as well as surpass the expectations of the customer the company should keep reviewing its policies (Fred, 2008). Strengths of the proposed method A hybrid management-tool kit has its main strength in the approach that it will take; the method address all areas of the business and ensures that problems that the company may be facing are recognized at the earliest time possible. On the other hand, the process involves every human capital in the organization for its success; it does not overburden the managers but spreads the functions across the board. Strength with hybrid system is that it ensures that a benchmark has been set which oper ates as the line of best business pathway. With such moves, Tesco will establish those areas that might be causing problems and be able to address them accordingly. Weaknesses of the method The method is an overall quality and problem recognition approach, this means that it can only operate when all mechanisms are set to go; it does not offer advice on what to do but only evaluates the mechanism set. The method establishes weaknesses and areas of inefficiency but does not offer mechanisms of preventing the occurrence of challenges; the main concentration is how to identify a problem and solving it but no-much has been provided to avid the occurrence of a problem, thus the business may be identifying problems when danger has already happened. Method of improving the system To ensure that the system works better, management should integrate a gap analysis mechanism: gap analysis is a tool used by managers to decide which tactics and strategies to use in order to increase production. It is a tool used to link a business vision with its strategies and goals. It helps in identifying a discrepancy in the performance that helps in selecting appropriate strategies to fill the discrepancy. It was necessary to conduct a gap analysis on the implementation and use of TQM in the company. This was done by asking two simple questions, where is the company now? Where does it want to be five years from now? The following diagram shows the process of identifying the gap within the company (Camillus, 2008). New policies As Tesco continues with the hybrid system of detecting and solving issues, the management should understand that every outlet has its unique issues that can be solved by unique management techniques. They should be open to adopt new approaches to different outlets. Conclusion Tesco is an international merchandise retail company that is facing strategic issues; the main issues are caused by changing business environments that calls for continuous policy formulati on. To ensure that the company remains competitive amidst changing business environments, the management should adopt a hybrid management system. The system will assist the company identify weak points and solve them before they become substantial threats to the company. References Camillus, J., 2008. Strategy as a wicked problem. Harvard Business Review. 86(5), pp. 98-106. Fred, D. ,2008. Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases. New Jersey: Pearson Education. Goold, M. and Campbell, A. ,2002. Do you have a well-designed organization? Harvard Business Review. 80(3), Pp. 117-124. Kotter, J.P and Schlesinger, L.A.,2008. Choosing strategies for change. Harvard Business Review, 80(30), pp. 117-124. Tesco Limited Official Website, 2011. Wheelen, L. and Hunger, J.,1998. Strategic Management and Business Policy: Entering 21st Century Global Society, 5th edition, Reading, Massachusetts and Harlow: Addison Wesley. This essay on Tesco Strategic Decisions was written and submitted by user Stephanie N. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Ikea Strategic Human Resource Management

Ikea Strategic Human Resource Management Introduction The IKEA Corporation founded in Sweden is one of the world’s biggest companies and is listed in Holland. The firm strategises and trades in ready-made furniture, pieces of equipment, and home-based fittings (Starkey 99). In fact, IKEA is renowned for its devotion to incessant product expansion, operating details, and cost control.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Ikea Strategic Human Resource Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The above firm attributes indorses IKEA to lessen its rates through an average of 2-3% for over one decade in anticipation of global expansion in the fiscal 2010 (Starkey 206). In essence, the department of strategic HRM is typically intended to empower IKEA to accomplish the employees’ wants in an operative way (Sadler 107). Equally, the strategic human resource management aims at realising the administrative objectives at an appropriate time (Sadler 110). T he IKEA human resource executive manages all the aspects in the corporation that influences the workers. The human resources management aspects comprise of engagement, matters of payments, advertisements, and employee training (Henry 76). The IKEA HR administrator is engaged in the inspiration of personnel, provision of awareness regarding safety measures and other employee well-being. The aim of this is to place the corporation at a better competitive advantage for profitability (Henry 88). Thus, this paper analyses the strategic human resource management practices of IKEA including aspects such as culture, performance management, leadership style, and innovativeness (Starkey 122). Vision and Mission of IKEA The IKEA products are designed in Sweden but mainly produced in most of the emergent nations to help in cutting down the costs (Starkey 216). The customers execute the ultimate assembly for the majority of IKEA products. The IKEA vision is to generate a healthier and unremarkab le daily existence for several individuals across the globe. The predominant mission of IKEA is supported by the corporate idea that outlines the firm’s marque to the customer (Sadler 10). The mission of IKEA Corporation is to offer widespread well-made and serviceable home-based furnishing merchandises at reduced prices (Sadler 136). Therefore, the mission of IKEA Corporation is a comprehensive vision. Backing the corporation up by means of strategic HR makes the mission of IKEA achievable and its products to appear real (Sadler 100). Approaches in managing 4 SHR axes People IKEA employs diverse approaches in managing the administration capability, staff prospective, and skill echelons. The personal administration, performance reward, as well as talent ensure proper expectancy and age-band gap organisation.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The corporation m anages people based on diverse backgrounds, preserve and nurture motivation, and lead groups of experts (Henry 84). The approaches used by IKEA helps the management in studying the requirements of employees and customers to ensure that they possess the capabilities and resources necessitated for performance (Henry 87). Culture The management is committed in ensuring that the IKEA styles, norms, values, and beliefs are intact (Henry 89). The held and fixed manufactured article, rites, norms, outlooks, expectations, and morals have direct influence on administration. Thus, the management involuntarily adjusts and sustains the organisational culture through stakeholders and employees (Henry 67). Systems The IKEA procedures in which operations are executed encompass the decision-making, processes, and system structures. The firm employs proper human resource database and inventories that might be needed for legality submission (Sadler 16). The inter-IKEA systems enable the valuation and evaluations of value addition besides augmenting efficiency through traceability and consistent operations knowledge. The systems foster the mainframe systems (CRM and ERP) prompt growth (Sadler 13). Organisation IKEA manages organisation in terms of reporting lines, job roles, and structure. The proper organisational design makes IKEA to boasts of a well-driven regeneration and implementation strategy (Sadler 136). IKEA possess flat organisation with uncluttered and operator driven novelty challenge bordering the business (Sadler 133). The initiated approach helps IKEA to deal with any problems that arise from such challenges. IKEA approach in resourcing IKEA uses different approaches in resourcing. External outsourcing is one of the approaches that IKEA uses to perform its recruitment practices (Henry 66). Outsourcing is effectual due to extremely specialised workers who are needed for vocation in trivial organisations affiliated with IKEA. The HR ensures that the strategy is app ropriate and internal recruitment or campus hiring is used (Henry 77). The IKEA human resources management may find suitable candidates within the premises and nurture them for vocation. Equally, IKEA uses external sourcing and collaborate with other executive search corporations in recruiting specialised and managerial personnel (Henry 101). Advertisement of employment opportunities IKEA employs many strategies to advertise job opportunities. The different approaches in advertisement are targeted at inexperienced employees besides skilled technical and administrative staff (Starkey 116). The advertisement is done through recruitment organisations, social media including the Google, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn (Starkey 21).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Ikea Strategic Human Resource Management specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Corporation aims at driving the passive applicants and fashions the IKEA product awareness through the HR. The strategic Human Resources stands a chance of reaching the qualified candidates for the position of professional and executive through advertisement (Starkey 212). Changes in IKEA HR Change is important in any competitive organization like IKEA since it convey development. Change is essential in business performance experiencing low consumer services, inadequate RIO, and deteriorating proceeds and incomes (Henry 96). External environment might influence the cultural changes in an organisation (Starkey 216). At IKEA, eternal changes like financial conditions, proprietorship change, legal and political situation, as well as marketplace variations triggers change in HR. IKEA performance management processes The IKEA performance management encompasses the majority tasks associated with performance. The strategic management identifies talents in all areas to ensure quality work (Henry 46). Besides, the corporation manages under performance, targets the immin ent presentation, and engages its employees in achieving the maximum profits. At large, one may absorb that IKEA is known for rewarding its dealers, evaluating the past presentation, and complying with the entire business requirements. IKEA resource base The IKEA Corporation boasts a strong resource base that is rationalized by diverse facets of planning and management. These include both Succession planning and talent management which ensure that the approach of resource base remains important to both the organization and its employees. The contemporary organic resource base employed by IKEA enables it to invent a stronger competitive advantage. The resource base allows for the auditing of talents and jobs to evaluate the expected future wants in relation to the reaction of the existing resources. The management employs assessment of surplus and regeneration, creates in-house job marketplaces with proper job description, and as well does financial forecasting and cost-benefit break down (Henry 46). Development and learning opportunities at IKEA The quick rate of technological changes requires regular training of the workforce to remain relevant in their respective roles. Training the workforce enhances skills and knowledge essential to development of new products. Organisations that are high performers invest time and financial resources in educating and training the workforce. The training, development and learning opportunities are aligned to the needs of IKEA. Trained employees are typically competent based on the training they receive. Learning behaviors that make individuals to improve their performance necessitate rewarding to sustain competitiveness. The approach ensures that IKEA benefits from the training mediated by the workforce’s skills, behavior and attitudes.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Conversely, technology-oriented researches indicate that teamwork plays a fundamental role in eliciting innovation. Teamwork influences the organisational performance and improves productivity, innovativeness and morale. IKEA implements professional team development initiatives to encourage the teams to work as a unit (Henry 46). The IKEA’s holistic approach to conducting business begins with the philosophy that the strength of the organisation is based on respect for people, learning and development. The business assumes that the more people it has the more the production and consequently the profitability of the firm. However, instead of having a massive workforce that is not engaged in research and development, innovativeness and engagement, the firm seeks to develop a workforce based on the aforementioned perspectives. As such, the firm attains competitive advantage and shared prosperity. IKEA communication and employee engagement IKEA continues to establish diverse polic ies and initiatives regarding communication and engagement of workers from different echelons of society. Essentially, diverse management policies have been critical in enabling the underprivileged people to access employment prospects. The organisation and all its stakeholders appreciate the fact that they belong to the wider global corporate citizenship. The firm promotes initiatives that enhance development of communities in which it operates. Through such responsibilities, the firm shows close partnership with various communities and customers (Henry 76). All the employees are made to believe that appropriate corporate actions geared towards developing communities as well as customers are critical for the growth and progress of the firm. IKEA working environment IKEA consists of diverse workforce, customers, suppliers, and stakeholders. The diversity within the workforce is the central competency that provides increased competitive advantage. In the current global competitive ma rket, engaging diverse employees and including all levels of business processes is critical for the attainment of the organisation’s objectives. IKEA tends to capitalise on the diverse competencies existing within the workforce to attain the set objectives. Actually, all employees are made to acknowledge different roles they play in the organisation and orient their skills, strengths, and perspectives towards attaining the set goals. The employees’ competencies, strengths, and views are valued by the organisation. Moreover, IKEA tends to encourage participatory and inclusive workforce. At the organisational level, the firm organises teams with complementary skills to achieve particular goals. As well, line managers are allowed to come up with individual strategies that enable the attainment of the required objective. The firm promotes integrated teams of site leaders and line managers working together to generate an all-inclusive culture where respect of individual con tribution is valued (Starkey 116). The teams provide leadership, knowledge-based opportunities, and enhance communication amid individual employees and immediate managements besides assisting in the realisation of the managerial multiplicity strategies. The culture of IKEA IKEA has practices, management behaviours, and activities that determine the culture of the organisation. For instances, the management embraces diversity within the workforce. Diversity is one of the cultural aspects that have led to the success of the organisation. In fact, being a large corporation the diversity within the workforce cannot be avoided. As such, the firm must embrace diversity within all work processes in order to be successful (Starkey 161). The manner in which the organisation manages diversity determines its success. IKEA values diversity in all levels of the organisation and work processes (Starkey 161). Besides diversity and inclusion, the firm values other cultural aspects including corpora te citizenship, trust and respect, safety, integrity, quality, hard work and success along with innovation. IKEA rituals, artefacts, and vales IKEA culture supports diverse aspects of artefacts, services, models, approaches, beliefs, expectations, and values. Actually, the employee interactions in regards to these aspects have direct influence on the brand and performance of the organization. The impressions are mechanically improved and sustained by the shareholders and workforces. The senior management of IKEA embraces the shared values, norms, beliefs and behaviours in the organization. The open culture used by IKEA is strong enough for any fresh employee to identify his/herself with. The Company enjoys long term success owing to the innovative practices and behaviours linked to the culture. The culture is innovative, people oriented, aggressive, detail oriented, stable, team oriented, and outcome oriented. Therefore, it characterizes employee habits, beliefs, symbols, systems, w orking language, norms, visions, and collective values. In strengthening the culture with employee, inter-group and employee’s interaction with stakeholder and customers is subjective (Henry 89). IKEA leadership style Leadership style plays a critical role in the motivation of employees. The management and leadership style removes obstacles that alienate employees from work processes. IKEA adopts the style that creates positive changes and inspires employees towards attaining goals of the organisation. The transformational type of managing employees is one such style of leadership. Transformational leadership is characterised by its inspirational nature and positive changes it creates in an organisation. In order to achieve increased performance among employees, IKEA takes into consideration the concerns of employees. The leadership style focuses on encouraging workforce to attain the goals of the organisation. In effect, the leadership style is geared towards creating positi ve change among employees (Sadler 136). Major transitions at IKEA Transition revolves around reaching the target clients at the shortest time possible, in the most convenient way and at the least cost possible (Sadler 133). IKEA strives to create a channel of distribution that endeavours to attain the major operational goals. The transitions are based on the mission of providing value to the customers at affordable prices. The strategic operations include modernised supply chain, customer oriented management, and corporate strategies. IKEA is currently focusing satisfying the customer shopping experience in all stores. The firm has streamlined and harmonised operations with supply chain processes in order to speedily respond to the needs and requests of customers (Sadler 153). The program in the retail operations is to discover and disseminate best-in-class practices, procedures, and measures to guarantee continuous implementation of novel and innovative standards. Technology is the major driver to attain the required standards. IKEA has continued to adopt system landscape, supply chain, and exchange demanding scheduling procedures (Sadler 133). The adaptation of the business processes has enabled the firm to enhance in-season flexibilities experienced in the fashionable products, attain increased responsiveness to varying trends, and accomplish the economies of scale. Essentially, the entire firm’s operations are focused on fulfilling the consumer needs. The current strategic operations of the firm can be observed in an increased capital investment on the development and improvement of retail stores. IKEA has developed a large centre in its headquarters to combine all the products under one roof increasing the growth of sales. The diversification processes of the operations require the supply chain to reflect on the customer needs, vision, and mission of the firm (Sadler 133). Furthermore, IKEA is focusing on the supply chain design that mirrors the cl ient needs to enhance sourcing of the distinctive merchandise to the stores. The adaptation of the appropriate supply chain design results in increased competitive advantage. IKEA change process and defining moments Kotter 8 Steps Step 1: Creating sense of urgency IKEA teams assist in the realisation of the managerial strategies, provide leadership and novel visions, and enhance communication between individual employees and immediate organizations. Step 2: Generating the guiding coalition The Company heartens the leading team for change to be effective in decision making. Yet, it adequately clarifies the diverse values, reinforces visions, empowers performance, aligns communications, targets high impact zones, and underscores on achievement. Step 3: Developing change vision The firm has elastic, practicable, appropriate, conceivable, and contagious vision that enlightens the future success to every participant in the Company. Step 4: Communicating the vision for buy-in The IKEA air s its vision through organisations, social media including Google, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The notion ensures that communication is invitational, repeatable, vivid, simple, and consistent with the vision and the organisation strategy. Step 5: Empowering broad-based action IKEA promptly deals with the change barriers through making the employees to comprehend the need for change. Similarly, the firm modifies its resources, reviews the formal politics, and motivates employees as a reward of organizational success. Step 6: Generating short-term successes IKEA puts in place standards like initiating fresh products that foster success within the shortest time possible. The Company makes such accomplishments vibrant, definite, and simple and champions the directors and other corporate frontrunners to destabilize the credibility of resistance of skeptics. Step 7: Never letting up IKEA has initiated more projects in different nations and employed many people to instigate change. Be sides, the top management has implemented fresh practices and behaviours besides rewarding the employees to motivate and boost their morale during the process of change. Step 8: Make it stick The Corporation reviews and adjusts actions after the change developments. The Corporation celebrates its achievements after measuring the performance in change inventiveness among employees. The continuity of development of new products and services to ensure change is secured in the existing culture of IKEA after the management communicates the feedback from the change results. IKEA set-ups change using various implements like power, management and leadership. Through organizational power, IKEA apply elements of pressure (sanction, coercion, punishment, and threats) to instigate change in the mind of employees. For success, the management provides information in its normal ritual, tradition, systems of measurements (Sadler 133). However, IKEA management and organisational power has implemente d change through operational processes, systems of control, role description, training, enticements, promotion, as well as hiring and firing. Conversely, negotiation, learning, strategic planning, and decision making marks implementation by both the management and leadership tools. IKEA innovation The firm encourages continuous improvements on the products and services (Sadler 133). In fact, the firm has put in place activities that promote excellence and innovativeness among employees. Inventiveness is one of the cultural practices that directly increase the firm’s competitive advantage. Besides, innovativeness among employees is encouraged particularly in the development of new products and services (Sadler 133). Conclusion As indicated, the strategic management structure as well as leadership style in IKEA remain critical factors that influence the work performances. The relationship between motivation, employee engagement, and communication other than work performance is direct. The likelihood of attaining increased performance on motivated employees is very high. In other words, there is high likelihood of attaining increased performance on highly motivated employees. Henry, Anthony. Understanding Strategic Management. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print. Sadler, Philip. Strategic Management. London, UK: Kogan Page Publishers, 2003. Print. Starkey, Ken. Strategic Management: Issues and Cases. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons, 2009. Print.

Personnel Administration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Personnel Administration - Essay Example We must keep the city functioning because so many people depend on it and they depend on us to make sure that everything is being done according to laws and regulations. Since we are in government albeit at the city level, we are scrutinized more than in the public level. Therefore we must make a conscious effort to be proactive in everything we do and that especially includes human resources. We have placed a great deal of investment into training our current employees and will continue to do so. This will not change but the volume by which we make these investments will decrease gradually. We will restructure the human resources department to eliminate processes and procedures that deter efficiency. When faced with declining resources in the public sector people tend to fear that certain programs they once relied on will disappear or be reduced. For example, in Illinois the state government has reduced a program they called the ‘Circuit Breaker’ (Illinois Department of Aging, 2010) program. This program was designed to allow seniors and those receiving some form of disability to receive tax grants similar to the income tax refunds that others receive. Seniors who depended on this money now need to find a way to depend on other money because the Illinois government has reduced this grant by 50%. The economy has created situations such as this and others. We have seen many times where the president is trying to pass a health care bill for all Americans. Just recently President Obama tried to give a final push to Congress to pass the bill but Congress is adamant that the bill is not ready to be passed (Associated Press, 2010). Human resource management is the key to m any of these issues. If you have quality personnel, than you will receive quality results and things will run more efficiently. Sometimes the problem is within the Human Resources department because maybe they aren’t as knowledgeable as they have

Introduction to Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Introduction to Philosophy - Essay Example He continues to argue that this method is sufficient to proof the doubt within a concept. This argument contradicts with Kant’s notion of existence of things. According to Kant, a thing is understandable and definable. Separation of rationality and existence of things in the spatial world is the only existing proof of things. Descartes’ method of self-consciousness indicates that the existence of an individual is equivalents to the things that the individual recognize their existence. Existence and non-existence of things introduce the subject of doubt in the argument. Kant considers this argument as illogical and full of doubt. Kant argues that the reasoning behind Descartes’ thoughts does not account for thinking and imagination. He continues to argue that doubting one’s existence is an indication of self-consciousness and, therefore the theory of things and self-consciousness lacks a basis. Descartes views on consciousness emphasis that our sensory perc eption is our mind. Desecrate explained this idea through his famous classical wax model. This model tried to explain that wax has distinct size, smell, shape texture, and color among other properties. He argued that through our sensory perception we are able to describe the wax from simple analysis and experimentations. Desecrate believed that our sensory perception and deductive mind is the basis of enquiry on the nature of objects and their existence. However, according to Descartes this observation had no any philosophical background. Descartes argued that our sensory perception does not give certainty on existence of things. Descartes’ ideology uses the existence of a thing to introduce the awareness and existence of material world in our mind. Things and their existence in the physical world would remain the same in our minds even without our sensory perception. This perception explains Descartes’ belief of body and mind dualism. Generally, Descartes’ desc ription of the world implies that that the existence of thing in the real world is similar to their existence in the thinking world (Meiklejohn, 1787). Descartes argued that this ideology was not philosophical. Descartes’ argument was based on problems resulting from the ideology. His argument was also constructed from common problem that the ideology could not explain. Descartes argued that the priori and posteriori truths in the ideology were insufficient to support the metaphysic claim in the ideology. Kant also stated that the argument could only be understood if, a person distinguishes artificial from analytical truths. The concept of occupying space is an analytical truth since the predicate is contained within the subject. The artificial truth in this claim however, lacks a predicate. Kant’ argument implied that Descartes’ ideology was based on synthetic truths since it had no any analytical proof. I consider Kant’s argument on existence to be more logical than Descartes’ arguments. 2. Elaborate upon Hume’s distinction between an impression and an idea. What would he say about the idea of God or the immortal soul? Do you think that Hume’s impression/idea distinction is useful as a basis for epistemology? Provide a brief outline of your own epistemology or theory of knowledge. In his book the Treaties, Hume tries to distinguish between impression and ideas through his theories. According to the theories, the content of

Article Errors among Japanese Students Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Article Errors among Japanese Students - Essay Example It is relatable that the English articles 'a', 'an', 'zero', and 'the' often raise difficulty not to ESL/EFL learners alone, but even to learners of English as a first language. It is often found that the articles are a source of difficulty to learners as well as teachers of English as a second/foreign language and it is especially true about learners whose native languages do not have articles or do have articles or article-like morphemes which are used in ways that differ from English articles. An analysis of the morpheme acquisition by the learners of English as a foreign language confirms this difficulty with regard to the acquisition of English articles and it was found in a study by Brown (1973) that the articles 'a' and 'the' came at numbers nine and ten in the acquisition of fourteen morphemes. ... al errors in the use of indefinite articles and a focused study on the Japanese lower-intermediate tertiary level learners, as attempted in this paper, brings out some pertinent issues in the use of articles by EFL learners. One of the most obvious difficulties in the learning of English by the lower-intermediate tertiary level learners of Japan is the use of articles and an understanding of the language situation in the country provides the significant explanation for the type of difficulty with the use of articles. An important reason for the problems with the use of articles in Japanese context can be traced in the structure of the Japanese language along with other reasons. The Japanese students find it hard to follow the rules for the use of the article in English which are very complex. To explain the problem in linguistic terms, it will be particularly noted that there is no provision for the use of articles in the Japanese language. The absence of the article in Japanese raises serious trouble to the learners of English, especially in the early stages of EFL as in the case of the lower-intermediate tertiary level learners of Japan. It is also relatable in this context that Japanese language does not differentiate between singular and plural noun forms in grammar except in a few specific cases. This problem with regard to the concept of countability in grammar for the Japanese speakers also causes difficulty especially to the novice learners of English in the learning of English indefinite articles. The result of all these language differences in the use of articles is that the teacher of English in the lower-intermediate tertiary level introduces the articles to the learners as a totally new type of word and there is serious difficulty in the teaching of the

Synthesis of API’s and API’s based Derivative

Synthesis of API’s and API’s based Derivative Title of Proposed Project: Efficient synthesis of API’s and API’s based Derivative for their Structure Activity Relationship and Pharmacokinetics Profile Project Details Project Summary This project concern with the establishment of organic synthesis facilities in Department of Chemistry, UNIVERSITY OF KARACHI. The established facilities will be used for the training of BS/M.Sc./MS/M.Phil. And Ph.D. scholars in the field of Organic Synthesis. In this project we will focus on the establishment of synthetic organic laboratory, the synthesis of the two API’s (Secnidazole Atenolol). We are requiring the following basic facilities which we want to establish by this research project. Facilities required for: Organic Synthesis Fuming HOODs for save, non-hazardous and smooth working at the moment. Inert atmosphere working conditions since many organic reactions requires inert condition. Safety equipment’s i.e. firefighting equipment’s, washing shower in case of chemical accident and first aid facilities. (UPS) as regular power breakdown results in the unsuccessful reactions and causing faults in the electronic instruments. UV lamp as processing of many reaction monitor under UV light. Rotary evaporator Partial availability of glass wares. MAS-II Microwave workstation for repaid synthesis of APIs. Proposed Goals / Objectives Hypothesis / Basis of research The purpose of this project is to setup a laboratory which can design (Organic Synthesis) and synthesize (Organic Synthesis) the APIs for the local Pharmaceutical industry along with the establishment of the required facilities. The following APIs will be synthesized. ATENOLOL Efficient Synthesis of Atenolol. Synthesis of Atenolol based derivatives for Structure-Activity Relationship Studies (SARS) and their pharmacokinetics profile SECNIDAZOLE Efficient Synthesis of Secnidazole Synthesis of Secnidazole based derivatives for Structure-Activity Relationship Studies (SARS) and their pharmacokinetics profile Goals / Objectives Boost up economy of Pakistan Synthetic solution for local industry. Provide sufficient amount of these drugs to common people. INTRODUCTION API stands for active pharmaceutical ingredients and its covers a lot of pharmaceutically active compounds which has great importance in industry as well as to common people as the insufficiency of these drugs causes hundreds of death. Due to the importance of API we decided to work with the synthesis of API as it will create the impact of API research on national level. The synthesis of API could decrease the import bill of such active ingredient in Pakistan and also opens the opportunity of job. This project could provide a platform to save the foreign currency reserves and supply sufficient amount of drugs to common people at low cost. Ours Efforts will be enabling to purpose the more efficient synthesis of complex molecules. In this project we have design the synthesis of the following APIs ATENOLOL Efficient Synthesis of Atenolol. Synthesis of Atenolol based derivatives for Structure-Activity Relationship Studies (SARS) and their pharmacokinetics profile SECNIDAZOLE Efficient Synthesis of Secnidazole Synthesis of Secnidazole based derivatives for Structure-Activity Relationship Studies (SARS) and their pharmacokinetics profile 4a) Background of the Research Problems to be addressed Secnidazole (Part: A) Efficient Synthesis of Secnidazole Secnidazole is a molecule which belongs to the class of 5-nitroimidazole and it is considerably more effective than other imidazole drugs. It is the important API required for the local industry. However it has been used for the treatment of amoebiasis, giardiasis, urogenital trichomoniasis and nonspecific bacterial vaginosis and also a gel formulation of secnidazole was developed for the treatment of periodontitis. . All nitroimidazoles are synthetic drugs such as metronidazole. Tinidazole, dimetridazole, secnidazole and ornidazole. Among all these we selected secnidazole because of its High efficacy. Secinidazole is the mainly use for antiprotozoal activity and its single dose possess three days anti protozoal activity. Figure 1: Chemical Structure IUPAC Name:1-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl) propan-2-ol Figure 2: Proposed Two-Step Synthesis route for Secnidazole After observing the reaction condition and UV-Vis absorption, FTIR, ESI-MS and NMR results. The purposed scheme will be optimized. Synthesis of Secnidazole based derivatives for Structure-Activity Relationship Studies (SARS) and their pharmacokinetics profile Pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of existing drugs can be enhanced by chemical modifications. A prodrug (drug transporter) formation is a great approach to improve and modify the physio chemical properties of the drug, boost up its concentration at the site of action, extend its period of action and decrease its toxicity. Regarding 5–7% of drugs approved worldwide are categorized as prodrug. Prodrugs are the reversible, inactive or less active derivatives of a drug. Prodrugs are hydrolyzed either by enzymatically or non-enzymatically to discharge parent drug while the co-drugs (mutual prodrug) are the special type of prodrug in which two or more pharmacologically active pro moieties exist via chemical bond to release two or more parent drugs upon the cleavage of bond by enzymatically or chemically. The variety of chemical linkages used in the formation of Prodrugs. Although the ester formation is common followed by imides, amide and carbamate derivative. Thatâ₠¬â„¢s why in this project our aim is to synthesize the prodrug for its better mode of action and their structure activity relationship and their pharmacokinetics profile. ATENOLOL (Part: B) Efficient Synthesis of Atenolol Atenolol (ATN) belongs to the class of drug called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers (beta adrenoreceptor antagonists) are basically competitive inhibitor that’s inhibits the action of stimulating hormones on beta adrenergic receptors in the nervous system. Atenolol works by competing for receptors sites on cardiac muscle. This slow down the strength of heart‘s contractions and reduce its oxygen requirements and the volume of blood it has to pump. Atenolol is one of the extensive used active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) for the treatment of Hypertension, myocardial infarction (Heart attack), Arrhythmias (rhythms disorder), Angina (chest pain) and disorder arising from decreased circulation of blood. Figure 1: Chemical Structure IUPAC Name:2-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-(propan-2-ylamino) propoxy] phenyl] acetamide Figure 2: Proposed Two-Step Synthesis route for Atenolol The stereochemistry is important for any molecules. In atenolol (S) isomer is important for its activity the opposite (R) enantiomer may be responsible for the side effects. There have been considerable efforts done in the preparation of enantiomerically pure(S) confirmation Synthesis of Atenolol based derivatives for Structure-Activity Relationship Studies (SARS) and their pharmacokinetics profile On the basis of the importance of prodrug (mention above part) our aim is to synthesize the prodrug for its better mode of action and their structure activity relationship and their pharmacokinetics profile. 4B.RESEARCH PLAN/ METHODOLOGY: SCHEDULE/PHASING Establishment of Organic Synthesis Facilities: In the starting 1st months of this project all the basic and reaction requirement apparatus and glassware will be installing. Efficient Synthesis of SECNIDAZOLE: After initialization, the starting 3 months will be utilized on the proposed and modified efficient synthesis of Secnidazole to get the maximum yield of required API at minimum cost. Synthesis of SECNIDAZOLE based derivatives for SARS: In the 5th and 6th month modification on the molecule of Secnidazole will be applied and study their pharmacokinetics profile Synthesis of ATENOLOL: In the period of 7th to 9th month of the project efficient synthesis of atenolol will be done Synthesis of ATENOLOL based derivatives for SARS: In the period of 10th to 11th month of the project timeline, derivatization of atenolol will be carried out and studied their pharmacokinetics profile Summarize results and expand to new project: At the end month of this project timeline a final project report will be submitted along with findings. Also discuss the achievements and problems faced during this project. 4c) References Secnidazole (Part: A) Larina, Lyudmila, and Valentin Lopyrev.Nitroazoles: synthesis, structure and applications. New York: Springer, 2009. Crozet, Maxime D., Cà ©line Botta, Monique Gasquet, Christophe Curti, Vincent Rà ©musat, Sà ©bastien Hutter, Olivier Chapelle, Nadine Azas, Michel De Mà ©o, and Patrice Vanelle. Lowering of 5-nitroimidazoles mutagenicity: towards optimal antiparasitic pharmacophore.European journal of medicinal chemistry44, no. 2 (2009): 653-659 Wang, She-Feng, Yong Yin, Fang Qiao, Xun Wu, Shao Sha, Li Zhang, and Hai-Liang Zhu. Synthesis, molecular docking and biological evaluation of metronidazole derivatives containing piperazine skeleton as potential antibacterial agents.Bioorganic medicinal chemistry22, no. 8 (2014): 2409-2415. Samanta, Himadri Sekhar, and Samit Kumar Ray. Controlled release of tinidazole and theophylline from chitosan based composite hydrogels.Carbohydrate polymers106 (2014): 109-120. Elias, P. cureforneedy.com 2009, 1-11. Shahid, Hafiz Abdullah, Ejaz Hussain, Sajid Jahangir, and Sammer Yousuf. 1-(2-Methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazol-1-yl) propan-2-yl acetate.Acta Crystallographica Section E: Structure Reports Online70, no. 3 (2014): o294-o294. Atenolol (Part: B) Chaudhari, Vilas, Syed Hussain, and Milind Ubale. International Journal of Chemical Studies. Kitaori, Kazuhiro, Yoshikazu TAKEHIRA, Yoshiro FURUKAWA, Hiroshi YOSHIMOTO, and Junzo OTERA. A practical synthesis of optically active atenolol from chiral epichlorohydrin.Chemical and pharmaceutical bulletin45, no. 2 (1997): 412-414. Darnle, Subhash V., Prashant N. Patil, and Manikrao M. Salunkhe. Chemoenzymatic synthesis of (R)-and (S)-atenolol and propranolol employing lipase catalyzed enantioselective esterification and hydrolysis.Synthetic communications29, no. 22 (1999): 3855-3862 IMPACT OF PROPOSED RESEARCH The impact of this project will boost up the economy of Pakistan and will decrease the import bill of Pakistan and also increases the exportation. The project also aims to train the man power and create the skillful hand that can provide the better solution to our local industry. This project also creates the networking between the local industry and researcher. This project also contributes in the providing of the medicine to common people at minimum cost. Estimated Budget For The Proposed Research Period: DESCRIPTION PER YEAR Amount (in million Rs) A. Salaries and Honorarium PI: One Month/Year of Basic Pay @ 104000 0.104 (208000) Student Ships @ 20,000.00 per month (two) 480000 0.48 (480000) Secretariat Staff Part-time Lab Attendant @ 1500 PM 18000 0.018 (18000) Subtotal: (A) 602000 0.602 (602000) B. Permanent Equipment General purpose fume hood @ Pkr 150,000/= (two) 300000 0.600 (600000) The rotary evaporator  ® r 3 focuses and accessories @ Pkr 1500000 1500000 1.500 (1500000) Jacketed reaction apparatus @ Pkr 169650/= (one) 169650 0.1695 (169650) Glassware, hotplates, stirrer, etc. 250000 0.250 (250000) Laptop (dell core 2i) 50000 0.050 (50000) General lab update i.e. Ups and power supply solutions 250000 0.250 (250000) Mas II: microwave synthesis system @ $8000/= (one) 800000 0.800 (800000) Subtotal: (B) 3319650 3.319650 (3319650) C. Expendable Supplies Chemicals and solvents 300000 0.300 (300000) General lab expenditures 100000 0.100 (100000) Spectroscopy techniques 250000 0.250 (250000) Subtotal: (C) 650000 0.65 (650000) D. Others (Literature, documentation, information, online literature search, contingencies, postage, Local Travel Miscellaneous etc). Journal Publication Fee / Online Material (up to Rs.50,000) 50000 0.050 (50000) Stationary/Contingency (10,000/- per year) 10000 0.010 (10000) Participation in local conferences, workshops and winter summer schools by PI and students 10000 0.010 (10000) Audit Fee (Max. Rs 10,000) 10000 0.010 (10000) Accountant Fee (Max. Rs. 10,000) 10000 0.010 (10000) Subtotal: (D) 90000 0.090 (90000) Grand Total (A + B + C + D): 4661650 4.661650 (4661650) JUSTIFICATION Salaries Allowances Two Studentships @ 20,000.00 per month (PM): It is very necessary that at least two full time studentships available to students so that students can perform their work with piece of mind so that they have no need to sort part time jobs to meet their day to day expense Part-time Lab Attendant @ 1500 PM: During period of project operations different kind of tasks are assigned to Lab Attendant in addition to their normal job responsibilities. Therefore it is justified to compensate their work with an honorarium. Permanent Equipment: The Rotary Evaporator and accessories (one): Many organic reactions are in liquid phase and require much more time to evaporate on room temperature that’s why to save time and fast reaction process need rotary evaporator. General Purpose Fume Hood: As many organic reaction, chemicals and solvents are hazardous to human health. For safety and precautionary step need two fuming hoods Jacketed Reaction Apparatus: It is the temperature control apparatus. As many reaction are temperature dependent and monitor through varying temperature. to make reaction efficient we need jacketed reaction apparatus Glassware, Hotplates, Stirrer, refwork etc: These are the basics requirement for organic synthesis as well as we have shortage of these basics needs that’s why we need these General lab updates i.e. UPS and Power Supply solutions: Regular breakdown of power supply has resulted in the failure of organic reactions as well as damage of electronic appliances. Therefore a need to establish backup of power supply. Expendable supplies Chemicals and solvents: These play key role in all reaction either organic or inorganic and no one can performed reaction without this so these funding are fully justified General Lab Expenditures: these are the basic need for researcher to meet day to day expenses Participation in local conferences, workshops and winter/summer schools by PI and students: These funding are required to communicate our work on national and international level. Also learn gain information from their experience

Essay --

Akhenaten and Aten Worship As we know historically Egyptian society was complex and very advanced in comparison to other civilizations. With an advanced civilization also came with a very complex religion, with many different gods such as Re, Khepre, Horus, Harakhti and Atum, all of which is depicted as the sun god1. These gods may represent the same thing throughout the ancient Egypt but they differentiated in the inscriptions by different animals1. Though this rich history would drastically change with the ascension of Akhenaten to the royal throne. Within this body of work we will provide the basis to the Amarna period, as well as the foundation to this religious reform. Also we will attempt to understand and provide evidence for this reform and give insight and conclusion based on this evidence. We will touch on the foreign influences that may have been provided from his mother, as well as the drastic eradication of all other religious deities through his reign. The Foundation for Akhenaten To try to get a proper understanding of Akhenaten’s vision of Egypt’s religious reform, we need to understand the foundation that was laid for him. His father Amenhophis III assumed the throne at a great time for Egypt, in which he inherited a state that was very wealthy in which he exploited2. This stability was brought on by Tutmosis IV, the grandfather of Akhenaten, in which he ended years of conflict with the Mitanni kingdom1. The state was being funded by the gold mines of Sudan, as well as tributes from neighbouring lands, while having merchant’s travelling across the Mediterranean2. The young king which was known as the sun-king, married quite young to a commoner Tiy, who was daughter of a prominent foreigner Yuya2. Tiy who ros... ...at depicts him there is quite the exaggeration of his being6. This exaggeration emphasizing his great separation from the ordinary man and his other-worldly almost godly status6. Once assuming the throne of the state, Akhenaten continued the building of the major complex at Karnak6. This complex was not built in the name of the current god Amun, but to Akhenaten’s new solitary god of the sun Aten6. This version of solar worship in which Amenophis IV was that of an elitists views, he went on early in his reign to show his dedication and had the Karnak Temples constructed6. Akhenaten’s devotion to Aten was so strong he cut his ties with the capital of Egypt Memphis, and created a brand new city known in antiquity as Akhetaten6. This new city was completely dedicated to the worship of Aten, and within year 9 of his rule the eradication of the old gods was underway6.