Lean and agile operations

Lean and agile operations Introduction For a long period of time, organizations have been adjusting their management and operations tactics. The main objective behind this approach has been to trend to consolidate management and operational elements that are closely linked together so that they can be monitored easily (Drew, McCallum Roggenhofer, p.6). Lean management has over time replaced mass production. This form of operation calls for a different form of thinking and operation. On the other hand, companies are attempting to change or adjust their departments. In the present day, Networks are more agile in terms of being adaptive, operationally efficient and informally lean (Goodpasture, 2009, p. 268). Some of the elements that are associated with agile operations include cultural acceptances in business relationships, expansion in accessing and adoption of instant messaging plus wireless connectivity and electronic networking (Goodpasture, 2009, p. 268).Advertising We will write a custom essay s ample on Lean and agile operations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This paper explores the concept of lean and agile operations and also offers a succinct comparison of both types of operations in manufacturing and service sectors. The concepts of lean and agile operations According to Mattias and Jan (2009, p.976-999), lean and agile operations have been used in all sectors of production. They have highly been utilized in service and manufacturing sectors. There are internal and external factors that drive companies to adopt these measures of management. In most cases, lean and agile operations have been tested to be operationally effective. Agile operation can be defined as the use of specific principles such as techniques, interactive developments and automation in running an organization. On the other hand, lean is a concept and a philosophy developed to minimize wastage during the process of production. It focuses on specific values as perceived by customers, creating value streams, making value flow from raw materials to end user, pulling productions together and striving towards perfection. Lean operation is highly valued in most organization since demanded by customers is well met. The differences between lean and agile operations/management can best be understood from a supply point of view. The following table highlights some of the major distinguishing attributes between agile and lean supply. Distinguishing attributes Lean supply Agile supply Life cycle and product variety Long life cycle and low variety Short life cycle and high variety Forecasting mechanism Algorithmic Qualitative: Consultative Market Predictable Volatile Profit margin low High Stock demand Stable long term Volatile and immediate availability Source: Nieuwenhuizen (2009, p. 124)Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Agile supply operations are market sensitive and can easily respond to movement in demand emanating from various market dynamics or players such as customers and the suppliers. To achieve this, there must be unconventional mechanisms in hearing the daily voices coming from the market (Nieuwenhuizen, 2009, p. 125). Agile supply operations also introduces the concept of electronic data exchange which helps partners in the supply process to have and react to actual demand or same data. Lean operation is more of a theoretical application than a practical one. However, when molded well, it can serve as an ideal operation in any situation. According to Reiner (2009, p. 163), the concept of lean management has been hyped as ideal concept fitting the new millennium. It has a set of tools that can assist in steady elimination of waste, production of time, cost reduction and quality improvement (Reiner, 2009, p. 163). It is built upon experience and insights from just-in-time applicati ons. Applicability of lean-agility There are various examples that can be equated to lean and agile operations. The basic principle of lean agility is on reducing the costs of production and increasing value in customer service (Waters, 2003, p. 41). For example, a supplier can increase customer services and reducing costs of operations by improving EDI links. These strategies have dominant themes of low cost operations and a focus on customer satisfaction. Organizations are able to focus specific operation features of their products by enhancing the ability to deliver goods and services quickly to the customers. The best form of satisfying customers is by ensuring that goods and services reach them in time, are of high quality, their volumes are flexible, there is product flexibility and there is specialization as well as diversification (Waters, 2003, p. 41). Some organizations in Information Technology are clinging to the environment that apply centralized control, tight notions of operations and rigorous blocking of services coming from outside. However, some companies have adopted service delivery that gives the end user or the customer some sense of pride despite the fact that the services are low cost and are leaner. El-Haik and Al-Aomar (2006, p. 23) write of a lean six sigma approach and note that it has been the hype in latest engineering paradigms. This is because it has a focus for quality management and increasing general operational effectiveness. The Lean Six Sigma (LSS) approach is capable of helping companies reduce variability and cut the process lead time.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Lean and agile operations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Martins (2006, p. 379) is categorical that LSS has better maturity when it is put in the supply chain which for long has demanded for an effective change style/program. On this, Hill (2011, p. 4) gives the bottom principles of Lean S ix Sigma as good, fast, strong and cheap. However, Martins (2006, p. 379) cautions against compromising customer satisfaction in the efforts to make supply chain cheap. Challenges in lean and agile operations Lean operations The main objective of lean operation or management is to enable transformation of an organization from problems of functionality to effective and proactive management (Martins, 2006, p. 379). However, there are many challenges that are identified with this form of operation. According to Bell (2006, p. 69), practitioners of lean management are confronted with real challenges. For example, there are many constrains that come with management of volatility of goods and services, keeping knowledge content high and management of variability of process mix. There is also a challenge that comes with trying to approach all manufacturing operations with one style conversant with lean management. Mahadevan (2010, p. 563) is however categorical that with a strong implement ation strategy in the organization, it is possible to make lean management journey enjoyable, easier and fruitful. Lean management has become hype in health care industry. However, it is more recognized as an ad hoc practice rather than a style that can last forever in the industry. Therefore, this approach is not recognized as a means to effective end, rather, as a means to solve immediate problems (Young, 2009, p. 310). There are three major critical challenges that are identified in the health care industry. Young (2009, p. 310) puts them as lack of evidence for management quality, it has not brought strong value in the health sector because of the sensitive nature of the sector and low metrics. Quality management is supposed to achieve at least 75% in terms of effectiveness, and whenever the percentage is low, it is categorized as low metrics. Black (2008, p. 194) summarizes the difficulties that come with lean management as inability of operational managers to cope with dramati c change management. Mostly, change of organizational culture drags implementation of these dramatic management changes.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Agile operations Anna and Lars (2005, p. 362) categorize the challenges that come with agile management into three; lack of improvement initiative, unsupportive environment and failure to adhere to targeted practices. Mostly, agile operations are practical in IT sector and a failure to many other developmental sectors. Even though there have been efforts to replicate this style of management in other operational areas such as service industry, the method has not succeeded to levels that could be desired. Levine (2005, p. 353) is clear that the problems of agile operations are only beginning and if there are no immediate measures to resurrect it, it may collapse easily or fail to be utilized. With a shift towards strong agile models, it is possible to transform workplaces towards realization of goals conversant with 21st century management. As well, agile operations tend to take the concept of lean operations, and therefore, some of the challenges that are associated with lean manage ment are common in agile operations. Ramesh (2010, p. 453) introduces two risks that come with the introduction of agile operations. The first problem is with the inability of the customers and lack of concurrence in customers to impact agile developments as may be envisioned. Secondly, neglecting non functional requirements like scalability and security is a major problem. He adds that all developers who are keen on using agile operations should first of all evaluate inherent risks, and work towards eliminating them as much as possible. They should outweigh these risks and the costs involved as a measure of countering the challenges. Babar (2009, p. 84) is categorical that agile development especially in the IT sector has brought in mechanisms of reducing costs while at the same time increasing abilities to handle market dynamics. However, there are some concerns on the importance and the role of issues that are related with software architecture developed through agile approaches. Examples of lean operations Manufacturing sector: Toyota By late 1960’s, Toyota management had started to push for lean production (Dennis Shook, 2007, p. 10). The management was compelled to adopt such strategic management measures due to demanding price reductions. The company’s management permeated entire supply chain by 1970 and this has continued to present day. In Toyota Company, the method has succeeded in a number of ways. For example, equipment maintenance has become effective; there is pull production, supplier involvement, quality at the source of production, high employee involvement plus empowerment, small lot production and reduced set up times. However, this company has faced a number of challenges that are associated with adopting lean strategies in operations. For example, this method has become a major focus rather than the putative results that come with it. Toyota has failed to define the operations and actually brushes the importance that comes w ith such an operation. Service industry: Vodafone Company Vodafone Turkey started lean operations in the year 2006 and this has led to change initiative. Some of the results that were foreseen with such a method of operation were effective deployment and proper work design. The company was prompted to get into lean management due to a high need for data based management, customer driven focus and a structured approach to management of its systems. Some of foreseen efforts were improved customer experience, elimination of wastes, costs and increase revenue; empower and develop people and more importantly, move to a model and culture of continuous improvement. Challenges included slow stakeholder management, high expectations from people, lack of combination of a top down and a bottom up approach and failure to retain right resources. Examples of agile operations Manufacturing sector: Hewlett-Packard Co Hewlett-Packard Co. is one of the companies in the world which have remained agile for many years. According to Pride and Hughes (2011, p. 211), the company strives to remain agile as well as adaptable to changes in management environments. The company’s management identifies clinging to this style of management as its major challenge but hopes that it will remain glued to it for long. However, the company has experienced lots of challenges in its agile style of management. For example, in a number of times, the style demanded a lot especially in approaches that are collaborative, iterative and incremental. As well, agility operations have resulted to salary cut controversies amongst the employees. Even though this measure was not directly related to agile operations, it was seen as a way of keeping everything low and maximizing customer service and quality production. Service sector: Sony Life This is an insurance company that focuses on giving made- to -order insurance services to their customers. These are based on specific demands of the customers, and in Japan, this method has made it possible for the company to increase customer base to 4.4 million. Cummins (2008, p.93) equates made- to- order services with agile operations. He writes that with such management style, it is possible to track the needs of the customers, and this way, companies can increase quality of their services to the people. It is a production- line mode that has gained fame in the 21st century (Cummins, 2008, p. 93). However, Sony Life has faced major challenges with this style of management. A major challenge was in keeping with the pace of change management. Companies are increasingly adopting new measures, and since a made –to- order service is expensive, the management may be forced to drop the style in the middle of operation. Recommendations/suggestion Lean- agility management is a concept that has come with change management of 21st century. From the discussion, it is clear that companies are adopting these methods for the purposes of enhancin g quality delivery, minimizing time in delivery, satisfying customers and improve growth of organizations. However, there are various challenges that have been noted to come with these forms of management. As a remedy, there ought to be a number of measures that organizations should adopt to make lean -agility management style work. For lean operations, it is proper to visualize workflow by splitting works into various pieces, always specify the values that are demanded by customers, always strive for perfection and create value streams. For agile management, it is essential to adopt a build- to -order style of production, make just- in- time deliver effective by combining with just-in-time sequence delivery, enhance real-time management and put together supply chain with supplier and customers. To recap it all, two of the methods that have been adopted in the 21st century for management of companies are agility management and lean operations. Lean -agility operation looks at satisf ying the end user, providing products of high quality and improving the production of an organization. However, with dramatic changes in management field, companies are finding it quite cumbersome to stick to these styles of management. Therefore, the styles are not leading into any quality production quality, delivery and customer satisfaction as envisioned. With such challenges, it is only fair to always keep alert of any form of changes so as to plan on how to counter and improve the process of production. This paper has analyzed the concepts of lean operations and agility operations as applicable in manufacturing and service sectors. In agility operations, HP Company and Sony Life have been analyzed while Toyota and Vodafone companies have been analyzed in terms of lean management. Lean operation mainly aims at changing or transforming the operation status of an organization. As already mentioned in the essay, most organizations which often opt for lean operations always target minimal use of raw materials in a bid to reduce wastage. It is indeed crucial to mention that while agile operation may be practiced alongside lean management both in the service and manufacturing sectors, managing both types of operations may demand stringent skills and knowledge due to the complexity of each. For instance, goods and services that are highly volatile in nature may pose a real challenge when these types of operations are unilaterally integrated in the process of production. References Anna, B., Lars, M. 2005. Improving software organizations: agility challenges and implications. Journal of Information Technology People, 18 (4), 359 – 382. Babar, M.A. 2009. An exploratory study of architectural practices and challenges in using agile software development approaches. Software architecture, 2009 European Conference on software architecture. WICSA/ECSA 2009. Joint working IEEE/IFIP Conference, 81-90 Bell, S. 2006. Lean enterprise systems: Using IT for continuou s improvement. Hoboken: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Black, J. R. 2008. Lean production: Implementing a world-class system. New York: Industrial Press, Inc. Cummins, F. 2008. Building the agile enterprise: With SOA, BPM and MBM. Burlington: Elsevier publishers. Dennis, P., Shook, J. 2007. Lean production simplified: A plan language guide to the world’s most powerful production system. New York: Productivity Press. Drew, J., McCallum, B. Roggenhofer, S. 2004. Journey to lean: Making operational change stick. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. El-Haik, B., Al-Aomar, R. 2006. Simulation-based lean six sigma and design for six sigma. Hoboken: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Goodpasture, J.C. 2009. Project Management the Agile Way: Making it work in the enterprise. Fort Lauderdale: J. Ross Publishing. Hill, A.V. 2011. The encyclopedia of operations management: A field manual and glossary of operations management terms and concepts. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. Levine, L. 2005. Reflections on software agility and agile methods: Challenges, dilemmas, and the way ahead. Journal of Business agility and information technology diffusion, 180(1), 353-365. Mahadevan, B. 2010. Operations management: Theory and practice. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. Martins, J.W. 2006. Lean six sigma for supply chain management lean six sigma for supply chain management. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies. Mattias, H. Jan, O. 2009. Lean and agile manufacturing: external and internal drivers and performance outcomes. International Journal of Operations Production Management, 29 (10), 976 – 999. Nieuwenhuizen, C. 2009. Business management for entrepreneurs. Cape Town: Juta and Co ltd. Pride, W.M. Hughes, R.J. 2011. Business. Belmont: CengageBrain Learning. Ramesh, B. 2010. Agile requirements engineering practices and challenges: An empirical study. Journal of Information systems, 20(5), 449-480. Reiner, G. 2009. Rapid modeling for increasing competitiveness: Tools and mindset. New Yo rk: Springer Dordrecht. Waters, C.D. 2003. Inventory control and management. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Young, T. 2009. Some challenges facing lean thinking in healthcare. International Journal of Quality Health Care, 21(5), 309-310.

A Study On Take Home Examination Social Policy Essay Essay Example

A Study On Take Home Examination Social Policy Essay Essay Example A Study On Take Home Examination Social Policy Essay Essay A Study On Take Home Examination Social Policy Essay Essay the policy of medical service in Hong Kong is that no one will be denied equal medical attention due to miss of agencies . This policy patterns the construct of public assistance rights that everyone has the equal chance to hold the medical service even the 1 who lives in poorness. Universalism Principle Under the universalism rule, all citizens can acquire the Ambulance Services ( 2003 ) on the equal footing, including Emergency Ambulance Service ( EAS ) and Non-Emergency Ambulance Transfer Service ( NEATS ) . ESA is provided for individuals whose conditions require immediate pre-hospital intervention and transportation to a infirmary for prompt medical attending . The NEATS is provided for patients who require conveyance service to / from medical establishment . Besides, all citizens can travel to the local public infirmaries and establishments and acquire the medical service on the equal footing, including Accident A ; Emergency ( A A ; E ) Services, Specialist Clinics, In-patient and Out-patient Services. However, citizens need to pay for those services. The A A ; E Services, Specialist Clinics and the In-patient Services cost $ 100 per clip, and the Out-patient Services cost $ 45 per clip. The A A ; E Services demand to be charged because the Government hopes people will non misapply the services. However, the hapless patients who are non the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance ( CSSA ) receivers may be excluded. Although the CSSA receivers can be remitted the charge, it is unjust for the hapless patients who are non CSSA receivers and have the exigency illnesses, particularly the seniors who rely on their ain salvaging merely. Besides, the Government launched the Elderly Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme ( HCVS ) ( 2008 ) in the 2008-09 fiscal twelvemonth for three old ages to supply five wellness attention verifiers of $ 50 each to seniors aged 70 or above yearly to partly subsidize their usage of private primary health care ( PHC ) services . Selectivism Principle Under the selectivism rule, because of the medical fee relinquishing mechanism, CSSA receivers and the vulnerable groups are waived from payment of public wellness attention disbursals when they meet certain fiscal and societal standards. Besides, there are three types of people who are non CSSA receivers, besides can relinquish from payment of public wellness attention disbursals, including low-income group, the aged patients with small income or assets and people with chronic unwellnesss. Contributory/Social Insurance Principle Under the contributory/social insurance rule, in the Consultation Document on Healthcare Reform ( 2008 ) , the Government suggests six different proposals to supply auxiliary funding for health care, including societal wellness insurance, out-of-pocket payments ( user fees ) , medical nest eggs histories, voluntary private wellness insurance, compulsory private wellness insurance and personal health care modesty. Although there is no mainstream consensus has yet been reached in the community on the debut of auxiliary funding and the option to be adopted, the Government can analyse the pros and cons of the six different proposals, particularly the societal values they represent, including the equity of entree to healthcare, pooling and sharing of health care hazard, re-distribution of wealth and fiscal stableness and sustainability in order to protect all citizens wellbeing. Conditionality Principle Under the conditionality rule, there is the Samaritan Fund managed by the Hospital Authority in order to supply fiscal aid to destitute patients who requires designated Privately Purchase Medical Items or new engineerings in the class of medical intervention which are non covered in hospital care or out-patient audience fees in public infirmaries and clinics. Decision The study of Strategic Service Plan 2009-2012 from the Hospital Authority ( 2009 ) named Helping Peoples Stay Healthy . It shows that the entire population of Hong Kong will increase from 7 million to around 7.5 million in 2016. Presently at around 870,000 and stand foring 12.6 % of the population, people aged 65 and above will increase by 30 % to 1.13 million in 2016. Besides, people are populating longer than of all time. Our life anticipations will farther increase to 86.3 and 80.6 old ages severally in 2016. Therefore, it is recognized that people require more healthcare services in old age. For illustration, the Government will better community attention for aged and inveterate sick patients and empower patients on self-care. I hope that the Government can go on supplying the cosmopolitan medical services and the just system that payments are pegged with affordability and all occupants have equal chances to medical services. Besides, the Government should guarantee patients ri ght of pick in public and private medical services. Besides, the occupants wellbeing should be alerted when get downing the Healthcare Reform in the hereafter. Social wellness insurance is to guarantee that every occupant can obtain appropriate medical services as its coverage is cosmopolitan and the medical outgo is paid by parts from all, including the healthy and the sick, the wealthy and the hapless in order to portion wellness hazards. Question 4: The Concept of Welfare Mix Powell ( 2007 ) stated the assorted economic system of public assistance ( MEW ) or welfare pluralism ( WP ) is a critical, but comparatively, portion of societal policy. In the descriptive sense, Beresford and Croft ( 1983 ) pointed out that there are four constituents of MEW. The normative sense suggested a alteration to the mix such as rolling back the province . Besides, Rose and Shiratori ( 1986 ) argued that total public assistance is the amount of province, market, voluntary and informal beginnings. Furthermore, Mishra ( 1990, pp. 110-114 ) claimed that a focal point on total public assistance is non merely the sum of parts . The constituents can non merely be regarded as functionally equivalents ( p. 110 ) . Powell pointed out the normative usage of MEW showed that different public assistance political orientations favour different public assistance mixes. The political left affected the function of the province becomes larger in public assistance as merely the province can guarantee that public assistance benefits and services are reasonably distributed to all citizens. If there were a big function for the commercial, voluntary and informal sectors, inequality would be appeared. In a descriptive sense, harmonizing to Lewis ( 1995, p. 3 ) , it is more accurate to see Britain as ever holding had a assorted economic system of public assistance, in which the volunteer sector, the household and the market have played different parts at different times. On the other manus, Richard Titmuss developed the societal division of public assistance in a talk in 1956. After that, Titmuss ( 1958 ) pointed out that public assistance was delivered by financial and occupational mechanisms in add-on to the more familiar social services . First, statutory public assistance refers to publically provided goods and services. Second, occupational public assistance is related to people s businesss and besides termed fringe benefits or corporate public assistance. Third, financial public assistance refers to costs or benefits delivered through the revenue enhancement system. Using the Concept of Welfare Mix in the Retirement Protection in Hong Kong In the State Welfare, The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority ( MPFA ) ( 2006 ) pointed out that Hong Kong has a quickly ageing population. In 2004, the proportion of the population over the age of 65 was about 12 % , but by 2033 this is projected to lift to 27 % . The figure of working age grownups for each individual over 65 will drop from around six now to shut to two by 2033. This means the working population will hold a larger figure of retired persons to back up in the hereafter. Get downing from the 1960s, the argument for a suited retirement protection system in Hong Kong has gone on. Three different systems, including in private managed provident financess, a cardinal provident fund and a pay-as-you-go type of benefit system were proposed. In 1994, the World Bank published the study Averting the Old-Age Crisis: Policies to Protect the Old and Promote Growth , in which a three-pillar attack to protection for the elderly was put frontward. The three pillars included a publically managed, tax-financed societal safety cyberspace ; a mandatary, in private managed, to the full funded part strategy and voluntary personal nest eggs and insurance. The MPF System in Hong Kong was designed to organize the 2nd pillar of this attack for retirement protection. The Compulsory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance ( MPFSO ) was enacted in 1995 and the MPF System was launched in December 2000. For both employees and employers will besides be required to lend 5 % of the employe es relevant income to the MPF strategy. The MPF strategy was designed by the Government ( State Welfare ) who has the high ordinance that the MPFA applies a figure of enforcement steps against non-compliant employers who are found to hold evaded payment of MPF parts, deducted employer parts from an employee s wage or non inscribe their employees in any MPF strategies. At the same clip, different Bankss or insurance companies ( Market Welfare ) take the function of proviso that helps the employees to make up ones mind on their ain investing portfolios. However, there are some restrictions of the MPF strategy. First, the domestic employees, freelance peddlers, homemakers and other people who are non in the labour market can non fall in the MPF strategy in order to acquire the retirement protection. Second, there is the direct proportion between the retirement protection and the income from the employees, so the redistribution of public assistance can non be appeared and the low-income people s retirement protection will be damaged. Third, the employers can countervail rupture payment ( SP ) and long service payment ( LSP ) as required under the Employment Ordinance ( EO ) by the accumulated benefits derived from parts you have made to the employee in the MPF strategy, so the employees who are in occupation insecurity can non acquire the adequate retirement protection. Because of the restrictions of the MPF strategy, citizens need to protect personal support of retirement through other methods. For illustration, people can acquire the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance ( CSSA ) provided by the Social Welfare Department ( SWD ) under the State Welfare, merchandises of retirement planning provided by Bankss or insurance companies under the Market Welfare, the exigency alleviation fund, chronic unwellnesss relief fund or nutrient bank operated by the non-governmental organisations ( NGOs ) under the voluntary public assistance and household support or personal economy under the informal public assistance. Decision and Suggestion Under the Policy Address in 1997, A Sense of Security, A Sense of Belonging and A Feeling of Worthiness for the Elderly is the chief policy of aged attention. However, it seems that the MPF strategy and other retirement protections can non wholly make the policy of A Sense of Security . The Joint Alliance for Universal Retirement Protection ( 2004 ) is an confederation that aims to contend for the cosmopolitan retirement protection. I agree with the rules of the confederation in which every aged should hold the human rights ( e.g. the right to life, lodging right and medical right ) and be prevented poorness. At the same clip, the current protection of all societal category of the aged provided by the Government will non be damaged even get downing the new retirement protection. I hope that there will hold the cosmopolitan retirement protection in the hereafter in order to protect all citizens wellbeing when confronting the ripening of population in Hong Kong. Mentions: Senior Citizen Home Safety Association. ( 2009, 2009 ) . About The PE Link Service. Retrieved 2009-12-12, from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.schsa.org.hk/eng/service/pel.html Hospital Authority. ( 2008, 2008-9 ) . Waiving Mechanism of Public Hospitals ( Information Leaflet ) . Retrieved 2009-12-12, from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ha.org.hk/visitor/ha_visitor_index.asp? Parent_ID=349 A ; Content_ID=122630 A ; Dimension=100 A ; Lang=ENG Hospital Authority. ( 2009, 2009 ) . Strategic Service Plan 2009-2012. Retrieved 2009-12-12, from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.ha.org.hk/visitor/ha_visitor_index.asp? Parent_ID=100 A ; Content_ID=138773 A ; Dimension=100 A ; Lang=ENG Compulsory Provident Fund Schemes Authority. ( 2006, 2006 ) . About the MPF System: Background. Retrieved 2009-12-12, from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.mpfa.org.hk/english/abt_mpfs/abt_mpfs_bgd/abt_mpfs_bgd.html Beresford, P. , A ; Croft, S. ( 1983 ) . Welfare pluralism: the new face of Fabianism. Critical Social Policy, 3 ( 9 ) , 19. Food and Health Bureau. ( 2008, 2008-3 ) . Consultation Document on Healthcare Reform. Retrieved 2009-12-12, from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.fhb.gov.hk/beStrong/files/consultation/exsummary_eng.pdf Fire Services Department. ( 2003, 2009-10-15 ) . Ambulance Services in Hong Kong. Retrieved 2009-12-12, from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.hkfsd.gov.hk/home/eng/source/safety/Ambulance_Services_in_HK.pdf Dwyer, P. ( 2004 ) . Understanding societal citizenship: subjects and positions for policy and pattern: Policy Press. Lewis, J. ( 1995 ) . The voluntary sector, the province and societal work in Britain: Elgar. Mishra, R. ( 1990 ) . The public assistance province in capitalist society: policies of retrenchment and care in Europe, North America and Australia: Harvester Wheatsheaf. Powell, M. ( 2007 ) . Understanding the assorted economic system of public assistance: Policy Pr. Joint Alliance for Universal Retirement Protection. ( 2004, 2009 ) . Introduction of the Alliance. Retrieved 2009-12-12, from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.pensionforall.org.hk/html/intro.php Rose, R. , Shiratori, R. , Allardt, E. , A ; Sogo, K. ( 1986 ) . The public assistance province E and West: Oxford University Press. Titmuss, R. ( 1958 ) . Essays onthe Welfare State Printed Resource. London: Allen A ; Unwin, 1958. Health Care Voucher. ( 2008, 2009-11-27 ) . Health Care Voucher. Retrieved 2009-12-12, from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.hcv.gov.hk/eng/pub_background.htm

5 Benefits of Homeschool Co-Ops

5 Benefits of Homeschool Co-Ops There are many reasons to consider joining a homeschool co-op. A co-op can be an invaluable source of support for homeschool parents who work outside the home. They can also provide enrichment opportunities or be used to supplement what parents are teaching their kids at home. What Is a Homeschool Co-Op? A homeschool co-op is not the same as a homeschool support group. A support group usually serves as a resource for parents and hosts monthly meetings and field trips like park days or dances. A homeschool co-op, short for cooperative, is a group of homeschool families that join to share in the education of their children. Homeschool co-ops offer classes for students and usually require parent participation. Dont expect to drop your kids off at classes or activities. In most cases, parents are actively involved in teaching classes, caring for younger children, or helping with cleaning and other tasks. In other cases, parents may pool their financial resources to hire instructors for the courses offered by the co-op. This  option can be more costly but can be an accessible way to get expert help. Homeschool co-ops can vary in size from a small co-op of only two or three families to a large, organized setting with paid instructors. What Are the Benefits? A homeschool co-op can help both parents and students alike. They can help expand ​the knowledge base of an individual homeschool parent, allow parents to share their expertise with others, and provide student opportunities that would be difficult to achieve outside a group setting. 1. Promote Group Learning A homeschool co-op provides an opportunity for homeschooled children to experience learning in a group atmosphere. Young students learn skills such as raising their hands to speak, taking turns, and waiting in lines. Older students learn more advanced group skills, such as collaborating with others on projects, class participation, and public speaking. Children of all ages learn to take instruction from someone other than a parent and to respect teachers and fellow students. A homeschool co-op can also make what might be a boring class at home alone a much more enjoyable endeavor. It’s a relief for students not to be the one expected to give all the answers. Its also a learning experience for them to get other students input and perspective. 2. Opportunities to Socialize Homeschool co-ops provide socialization opportunities for both the parent and the student. Meeting on a weekly basis provides students with the opportunity to forge friendships. Unfortunately, students may also discover that a co-op presents the opportunity to learn to deal with peer pressure, bullies, and uncooperative students. However, even this downside can lead to valuable lessons that will help kids develop the skills they need to deal with future school and workplace situations. A regular co-op schedule also allows moms and dads to meet other homeschooling parents. They can encourage one another, ask questions, or share ideas. 3. Shared Expenses and Equipment Some subjects require equipment or supplies that can be expensive for a single family to purchase, such as a microscope or quality lab equipment. A homeschool co-op allows for shared expenses and pooling of available resources. If it is necessary to hire an instructor for classes that parents feel unqualified to teach, such as a foreign language or a high school level science course, the expense can be shared among participating families. This makes it possible for many parents to provide top-quality classes. 4. Some Classes Are Difficult to Teach at Home For younger students, homeschool co-ops may offer enrichment classes or those that require more preparation and clean up than everyday studies. These courses may include science, cooking, music, art, or unit studies. Homeschool co-op classes for older students often include lab sciences, such as biology or chemistry, advanced math, writing, or foreign language. There are often opportunities for students to take classes that function better with a group, such as drama, physical education, or orchestra. 5. Accountability Because someone outside your immediate family is setting the schedule, a homeschool co-op can provide a level of accountability. This accountability makes co-op an excellent option for classes that may fall by the wayside at home. Students learn to take deadlines seriously and stay on schedule. Even students who don’t mind telling a parent that they â€Å"forgot† their homework are usually much more reluctant to make such an admission when called on in a classroom setting. While homeschool co-ops aren’t for everyone, many families find that sharing the load, even with only two or three other families, has benefits for everyone involved. Edited by Kris Bales

Marketing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 11

Marketing - Assignment Example Therefore, I want to interact with the consumer creatively; the ‘break’ concept can be creatively explored through the packaging and synced with its current advertising campaign. Taking a break in today’s fast paced life is integral. The current pack is very clean, in-your-face, well branded, but it has nothing else to say.  Before any design modification, I will spot the key visual equities that aid consumers identify the brand, I will just add in these elements for more interaction (Aaker 2004). I would refresh and rejuvenate the pack design rather than re-invent it because it is not necessary for loyal consumers to appreciate a pack transformation. To really get creative with the pack design I would replace the brand name with seasonal messages as well. For example, on Mother’s day I will design the packs creatively with an amazingly patterned embossed print on the wrapper with confetti which can say ‘The Best Mom Ever’; a celebration brea k for the mothers. I can also depict the ‘break’ by creatively executing the barcode as well, perhaps by leaving space between the horizontal

Dilemma Analysis #2 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Dilemma Analysis #2 - Coursework Example The ethical issue to be addressed, therefore, is non-maleficence and beneficence. Jared decides that to make things right, he and the company must start clean-up exercise in the river and notify the authorities. This, from his perspective, will help in making the company better positioned to move ahead with a clear conscious and also be part of the corporate social responsibility. The decision is also based on the fact that reports have shown that the chemical has negative effects on the people’s health, although in large amounts, and also on the fish which the people consume. However, the dilemma comes in when the authority has been unaware for a long time and the fact that clean up exercise may not be successful since other factories continue to dispose of their chemicals into the same river. The exercise is also repulsively expensive for the company. In addition, notifying authorities will attract hefty fines to the company since it is a foreign entity. Doing the right thing does not have to involve the authority or expose the company to fines and unnecessary expenses. On realizing the existing problems, the management can decide to start engaging on doing the right thing from that point onwards. This implies that the company should adopt the right processes for chemical disposal and engage more on social responsibility to enhance their reputation. Utilitarianism is a moral philosophy which is based on analyzing the consequences. This means that first, the managers have to analyze the situation, the existing problems and seek for the alternative actions regarding the situation. In this case, we compare working to do what is right from that day on with exercising the clean-up. The second step involves estimating the costs of the actions and the benefits and later selecting the best alternative. Clean-up and reporting are costly and dangerous to the reputation of

Analyses of the Website Gutteridge Haskins and Davey Essay

Analyses of the Website Gutteridge Haskins and Davey - Essay Example The essay "Analyses of the Website" talks about the GHD website (Gutteridge Haskins & Davey, ghd.com/australia) that represents an international network of engineers, architects, and environmental scientists. The paper also analyzes the website's audience and if the website effectively communicates to it. GHD website serves multiple purposes. It shares information to its present and prospective clients. It gives a complete detail to anyone who will open the website, about its history, its values, and the various projects it has undertaken. It also attracts Human Resource from its website where job-seekers can find job opportunities. The website also invites users to give their feedback and is a medium to contact them. One thing written on the homepage of the website is â€Å"At GHD, we think beyond tomorrow to anticipate future challenges† which shows their concern for taking business seriously and representing the company’s values. Dechernatony and Mc Donald say that a corporate brand must give a clear picture and should personify the value of the organization. Hence another purpose is to build its corporate brand on an international level. So that when anyone wants to know about GHD, they would get a clear picture of the organization and its strong brand from its website. The purpose of the website is clearly in-line with the kind of business they are in. GHD is a consultancy firm and for such firms, it is best to provide information about the business to clients or any users of the website. While developing a website, one of the first things that a business needs to ask itself is the target audience. The organization needs to develop personas for the different target audience and then analyse how this audience is going to reach out its website (Jacobson 2007). The target audience for GHD’s website are the present and prospective clients, and the prospective employees. The first target audience refers to businesses and organizations who are working in the areas of water, transportation, environment, energy and resources, property and building. Therefore clients in the area of water refer to organizations dealing with water utilities and other water related services. In the area of environment, the business serves and the website attracts privat e organizations, government organizations and authorities. Furthermore government organizations and authorities look forward to consultancy from GHD in the area of transportations. Similarly the website also attracts audiences from different government and private organizations in the area of energy & resources, and building & property. This

Three Important Lessons by Kurlansky Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Three Important Lessons by Kurlansky - Assignment Example It is hard to understand what Kurlansky was driving to when he stated: â€Å"the state imagines it is impotent without a military because it cannot conceive of power without power† (Kurlansky 2006). This is evidenced by the fact that one can come up with many questions about this lesson. For instance, is it possible that Kurlansky implied that absence of power results to no state? Or is it possible that he thought that the state was the structural significance of power? Answering these questions enables one to understand the current power tussles in many states. Some Presidents of states have been overthrown because of lack of amicable cohesion between the government and their respective military. A good support of this claim is what took place in Egypt two years ago. The Egyptian army overthrew President Mohamed Morsi and held him together with his entire presidential term under house arrest. If President Morsi could have had a military, I mean him having a close relationship with the military; he could have secured his power as a president. In connection with the happenings in Egypt, many states are justified to consider themselves impotent if their relationship with their military is poor. As argued by Kurlansky, it is true â€Å"violence does not resolve. It always leads to more violence† (Kurlansky 2006). In relation to this claim, I came across a paper narrating what took place in Kenya as a result of election violence in 2007. The loss of the presidential results to one of the aspirants who was believed to have won through rigging the elections triggered violence between his supporters and those of his opponent. The majority of the people who participated in that election violence thought violence was the only way to solve their problem. Some politicians also fueled the hatred between people through financing their violence against each other. Unfortunately, the violence escalated beyond the control of the state leading to the loss of many innocent lives.