Decision Making Capability

Q1. What capabilities are required of these agents and organizations that want to achieve higher-levels of success when implementing complex technology projects?

In order for an organization to be able to achieve higher goals of success particularly when implementing huge technological processes, the management of the company should be able to implement Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). ERP comes with a lot of guidelines which the company uses in order to be able to achieve its goals. Moreover, ERP enables the management of the company to be able to come up with different strategies thus incorporating them into the task management systems (Alan et al, 2010). In addition, if the management of the company is able to fully implement ERP, then this will allow the employees to be able to work very hard in being able to reach the desired goals of the company. Through the use of ERP, the agents should be able to change the norms, values and responsibilities of the employees in the company, thus allowing the company to be able to perform better.

If the agents are able to change the norms and the values of the company, then implementing complex technological projects in the organization becomes an easy task (Jennifer, Kenneth, 2011). Changing the responsibilities and norms of the employees helps in allowing the management of the company to be able to come up with a new projects, and thus being able to implement it. Employees’ work according to the values and the organizational culture, thus if the organizational culture and values of the company are changed in order to suit the new technological projects, the employees can be able to work easily with the given projects.

Incorporating new technological projects into an organization requires maximum participation of the employees, since they are the ones who are involved in most activities in the company. Thus the management of the company should be able to understand the types of skills which the employees have, thus implementing technological projects which are friendly to them (Huigang, Nilesh, & Xiajong, 2007). On the other hand, the Top Management Beliefs consequently help in the implementation of complex technological success, simply because, the management of the company will be able to weigh and discuss on which type of technological support the company may require. This therefore means that the management will be able to compare different technological processes, hence picking the one which seems to be very effective (Wlliam, & Ephraim, 2017).

Finally, the management should be able to possess risk management capabilities, whereby they will be able to pick one project, and look at both its benefits and drawbacks. If the project has better benefits as compared to drawback, then the company can be able to implement the technological project into the organization (Jennifer, Kenneth, 2011). In order for this project to be successful, the management will therefore come up with different techniques which can enable the company to be able to avoid any obstacles which it is likely to face.

Q2. Use the meta-analysis to show Capabilities, Risks, Challenges, and Failure avoidance modes?

Q3. What mediators and moderators are should exist within for steering groups and managers?

In order for steering groups to be able to work effectively, they should coordinate by the use of rules. This consequently allows peaceful execution of different tasks within the organization. The use of rules and programs also allows for proper managerial and decision making within the steering committee (Galbriath, 1974). Each and every member of the steering committee therefore executes their tasks according to the stipulated rules. Moreover, the implementation of different projects becomes very easy since due to the proper coordination within the committee, different tasks can also be executed. On the other hand, the steering committee does not have have to meet in order to discuss the way the tasks will be executed. This therefore ensures proper flow of information and reduces the chances of misunderstanding within the organization. Coordination by rules should therefore be used in order to better the performance of the steering committee, since the committee members will be able to fully take up their positions, and be able to accomplish the tasks which they are required to execute.

            Hierarchy is also another mediator variable, which allows the separation of power within the company (Huigang, Nilesh, & Xiajong, 2007). Hierarchy consequently allows the employees to be able to work effectively, since they will be answerable to the person who is in charge of them. In addition, they will also be able to avoid misunderstandings within the organization, which is mainly attributed to poor separation of powers within the organization. Moreover, hierarchy allows the organization to be able to achieve more, since proper coordination will enable the work output to be very effective, and thus allowing the organization to be able to gain more from the employees. On the other hand, managers can be able to understand the tasks which they are supposed to undertake, thus staying away from the tasks which they are not supposed to manage (Wlliam, & Ephraim, 2017). When it comes to groups, hierarchy allows the group members to be able to understand how they can effectively impact the group positively, through understanding their roles and the positions they hold in the group (Galbriath, 1974).

            Coordination by the use of target and goals is also very significant in the company, as it allows the steering groups and managers to be able to work hard in order to reach a certain target. Each and every member of a steering committee aims at reaching a certain goal, and so coordinating through the use of goals and targets helps in improving the performance of the managers and the committee members (Galbriath, 1974). This consequently helps in making sure that the organization is able to reach a certain target after a certain period of time. Moreover, it ensures the management of the company provides the employees with the required support, in order to provide the best services for the company. Steering committees can therefore be able to implement different projects, which will enable the company to be able to perform better. The organization can therefore be able to either gain a wider market share, or otherwise be to increase its profits.

On the other hand, if the organization lacks such capabilities, the management and steering committee can be able to use the time factor strategy. According to the time factor strategy, the organization is supposed to work according to a certain set of rules and guidelines, which consequently enables the management of the organization to be able to foster developments. In addition, this model seeks to use time as a main factor, since it cannot be reused or otherwise be created (Galbriath, 1974). It is therefore required of the organization to set deadlines for accomplishing different tasks, thus being able to reach a wider goal (Jennifer, Kenneth, 2011).

Q4. How should steering groups be organized so that their decision-making capacities achieve an adequate approximation of fit on strategic IT endeavors? 

Reference

Alan. F, Nicholas. Berente, Kalle, Lyytinen. (2010). Boundary Spanning Competencies and Information System Development Project Success: Thirty First International Conference on Information Systems.

Jennifer. Jewer, Kenneth. McKay. (2011). Antecendents and Consequences of Board IT Governance: Institutional and Strategic Choice Perspective: Journal of the Association for Information Systems.

Galbriath. Jay. (1974). Organization Design: An Information Processing View: European Institute for Advanced Studies.

Huigang. L, Nilesh. S, Qing. H. Xiajong, X. (2007). Assimilation of Enterprises Systems: The Effect of Institutional Pressures and the Mediating Role of Top Management: MIS Quarterly.

Wlliam, Delone & Ephraim, McLean. (2017). The DeLone and McLean Model of Information Systems Success: A Ten-Year Update: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.

Team personality can relate to healthcare in the sense that, healthcare requires team work in order for the process to be effective. In the provision of healthcare services, nurses are supposed to work as a team in order to effectively offer health services to the patients’. Patients’ consequently require maximum support from nurses due to the problems that they face. When nurses are working as a team, the team personality should be able to motivate them to work together in order to be able to offer maximum support to the patients’ (Zvi, Peter & Mo, 2014). Working as a team basically allows nurses to be capable of avoiding any obstacles which they likely to encounter, and thus being able to perform even better.

Allied health workers are usually faced with a lot of management issues, such as the lack of a career structure and also the lack of a specialized support. This consequently makes it hard for the health workers, since they cannot therefore be able to plan and manage how they are going to execute different tasks. In addition, they may therefore end up doing things in a very disorderly manner, hence leading to ineffectiveness (Zvi, Peter & Mo, 2014). The lack of a specialized support is also another issue which consequently makes it hard for the allied health workers to be able to offer their services effectively to patients’. This consequently makes it hard for allied health workers to relate positively to team personality, since they cannot be able to offer services effectively to the patients’. Patients’ may therefore be left unattended to, thus making it hard for one to realize the impact of the team in services delivery.

Reference

Zvi Aronson, Peter Dominick, & Mo Wang. (2014). Exhibiting Leadership and Facilitation Behaviors in NPD Project-Based Work: Does Team Personal Style Composition Matter? Engineering Management Journal.

Leadership Theories

The function of leadership is involves various aspects which relate to initiating an action, providing guidance to followers and coordination of various activities and motivating followers through morale building.  The execution of these functions is enabled by the traits and behavior of an individual and depends on the specific situation variables that call for leadership. Thus leadership is an essential function which creates an environment for maximizing efficiency and achieving goals in an organization (Moore, 2007). In an organization, leadership can be understood from trait approach, behavioral approach or a given situation.

These leadership theories assist in refining my leadership styles after examining my personality, experience and education background and the specific situations that I may be faced with. My leadership philosophy rests on a participative or democratic style of leadership given that my personality allows for people to place their input in a given tasks while I retain the power to make the final decision on the outcome.  My philosophy involve working in teams or groups where everybody is involved in the process of decision making , with my major role being encouraging creativity. The relational and situational theories align with my understanding that leadership should involve establishing relationships with followers and giving them the power to make decision on the basis of a given situation or when faced with a specific contingency.  In this regard, leadership is not about a specific person or group of people a platform on which people can develop good working conditions through building relationships among themselves (France, 2008). In essence, the distribution of leadership through human system is observed when people engage in collective decision making. As such there is active member involvement, reasonable praise for performance and restrained criticism.

Reference

France, S. H. (2008). Leadership Theories: Toward a Relational Model. Retrospective Exam, EXD-66909 for the Ad Hoc doctoral programme of administrative sciences, Université Laval, Québec.

Moore, E. M. (2007). The impact of leadership style on organizational effectiveness: Leadership in action within United Way of America. Capella University.

Time Management

I can be able to utilize Tiny Habits to start developing better long-term habits of managing time properly, through having priorities. Priorities should be the first on my list of actions, thus enabling me to be able to do what it is that I am supposed to do before finally doing the least important things. This consequently enables me to be able to conduct different tasks effectively. Moreover, I am also able to things according to the stipulated time, thus ensuring that I am able to manage my time appropriately.

I have a fixed mind set, I can be able to make necessary changes through changing my attitude towards what I perceive to be right when it is actually wrong. Having a fixed mind set has impacted me negatively, since I have not been able to complete certain tasks, due to taking more time than I expected, hence being frustrated and finally giving up. I cannot therefore be able to manage my time, since I believe I can only set my time plan according to the flow events.

I am grittier and concentrating on my goals is the only way of making me grittier. Grittiness helps in changing the way a person perceives certain things, thus forcing on his or her goals. Thus through being grittier, I can be able to plan my time and focus on my goals, thus achieving my goals without being hindered by anything.

I am at my best at mid-day and in the evening, therefore I should plan my day at 11am and 12noon, since during this time I am at my peak. Moreover, at 9pm, I can also be able to execute different tasks effectively due to the better concentration that I tend to have. I should therefore plan more difficult lessons of my day at 11am, simply because my concentration is better, and thus I can be able to really work hard without being disturbed. At 11am, I can also get my 80% done, simply because my mind takes time before I can fully concentrate, and at 11am, my mind fully concentrated .

I use the important/urgent matrix in order to be able to gauge how I can effectively work and manage my time. I therefore schedule my time according to the urgency of the work that I have. This consequently enables me to spare the required time only on urgent and important things. On the other hand, I also set a certain duration, within which I should be able to accomplish certain tasks.

I am an assimilator, and this therefore explains to me the tasks that I should put into consideration. This is because I can be able to undertake different effectively particularly if not practical explanations are involved. Thus I can therefore be able to manage my time through observing and listening to what I am supposed to do.

The new technology which is also the fastest form of technology, is the form of technology which I can be able to incorporate in my time plan, simply because I am able to work very first particularly if I am undertaking a task of interest.

I will use the given information to plan, concentrate and create a very effective time plan, in order to be able to manage my time effectively. This will therefore enable me to be able to get through the rest of the semester without any time management problems at all.

Question 2:

What actions should Marine small unit leaders—particularly Marine SNCOs—take to prepare their Marines for irregular warfare?

Thesis statement

The Marines should take a keen observation of the invaders weapons of war, and get prepared for war by engaging in training because; with less training more solders die.

Introduction

It takes confidence and courage for the solders, since they are called to bare the risk in service on the nation. Bearing the menace is the essential part of personal Military identity. Marine Small unit faces various threats from invaders and, they opt to be prepared for any kind of menace especially by having different troops perform a certain mission.  The Marines are always ready for a delicate situation whereby; they must be equipped with variety of equipment typically available to the battalion. Marines Small Units should take a keen observation of the invaders weapons of war, and get prepared for war by engaging in training because; with less training more solders die (Historical Record of the Royal Marine Forces  45).

Body

Military forces are the most visible signs of U.S participation, especially in the early segment of a counterinsurgency. The basic objective for the military is the establishment of a secure surrounding whereby, it enables them in taking structure. Marines are not only aimed at providing national security but also, depended on supporting the available infrastructures growth as well as provision of health services. Solders have no time thereby; the critical available must be used wisely. However, training and preparation for warfare happens to be the only situation analyzed without pressure. Solders are hereby, trained on maximizing the little available time on learning on the operational area, the issues as well as individuals in it. After the analysis of the problem, Marines are then certain on how and where to begin the mission (The Marines 115).

Missions are carried based in the chain of command because; there must be a mutual trust and hope. In preparation for a threat, SNCOs leaders take responsibility of evaluating the information thus, ordering solders on when to carry on their duties. Analyzing on the way and weapons to use during war requires time to generate the depth of understanding what is positively expected of the area. Navy has to learn of the area as whole, by being familiar with own area and how it relates to the surrounding (The Marines 115).

SNCOs leaders should consider communication as the basic concern in the mission thereby; there should be a minimal communication with commander on ground. There must be specific questions on the progress, to ensure the troop on the ground is strong. SNCOs leaders cannot reveal the level of details required, until the gathering process is optimized. Information is only given on keen circumstances, since it is the major part of the operational process (Historical Record of the Royal Marine Forces 72).

Training more solders being the best war preparation, should be majored on generating awareness on the environment.  Knowledge should be implicated on the trainee, probably on how to respond to various communication methods used by the military. The navy opts posses all required sources for gathering details thus; involves maps, diagrams social media as well as chars for illustration. While researching on the situation of awareness, the military uses all the sources together to acquire knowledge which leads to understanding the situation. In missions there are no failures un-accomplishment is highly based on broken and un-reliable methods of communication (Historical Record of the Royal Marine Forces 72).

Marine training requires more time because, it is the most delicate physical and mental among all unified services. The training process is concerns lessons on the surrender situations whereby; are process performed when adjustments are made. The mission of accomplishment is assessed on selecting personal assignments, where Marines should be trained on fundamental operations. The troop leaders must ensure that the operation is simple and flexible thus, prepared to take actions in different phases at once.   The great deal of understanding in the training understands the areas of connection, with areas of assigning the subordinate. Marine SNCOs leaders ensure that there are major benefits which impact with the patrolling plan (The Marines 115).

With the believe that training less troops the marine dies, they must be trained in rifle pistol combat as well as tactics to apply during the operation. Irregular warfare are more complicating, thus training must be applied to solders on how to follow instructions. Some marine matters are complicated in that they engage in stabilization as well as reconstruction of missions. In case of operational process violation, solders are trained on how the situation is left calm as a warning (The Marines 115).

In conclusion, preparation for war necessities does not only requires Marines to choose courses of taking actions but also possible chances of defeat. . Marines are not only aimed at providing national security but also, depended on supporting the available infrastructures growth as well as provision of health services. Dissect on the way and weapons to use during war require time to generate the depth of understanding what is positively expected of the area. The trained solders must be made aware that, all marine commanders and leaders share a similar trait as well as principle. However, they should follow order from any leader even it requires of them to carry a certain mission alone (The Marines 115).

Work Cited

Historical Record of the Royal Marine Forces. Cambridge Univ Pr, 2012. Print.

The Marines "soldiers of the Sea" in Rhyme, Prose and Cartoon. New York, N.Y: U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Publicity Bureau, 2012. Print.

Social Media in Restaurants

Annotated bibliography

Leidig, P. (2016). Best Practices. Food & Drink, 214-15.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the best practices provided by restaurants through the use of social media. This article asserts that social media play a significant role in restaurants as it ensures that best practices are offered. Many restaurants use marketing campaign but the author of this article asserts that in order to attract customers, restaurants must implement other strategies.  Social media is the best tactic which allow restaurant to view the appetites and to offer the best dinner.

DiPietro, R. B., Crews, T. B., Gustafson, C., & Strick, S. (2012). The Use of Social Networking Sites in the Restaurant Industry: Best Practices. Journal Of Foodservice Business Research, 15(3), 265-284. doi:10.1080/15378020.2012.706193

The article provides detailed information on the social networking sites in restaurants and how it contributes to best practices. Social media sites are Internet applications which consumers use in sharing ideas, experiences and perceptions on certain products and services. The article asserts that social networking sites play a big role in adverting and marketing of restaurants products and services. The article gives detailed information on the use of social media in restaurant by asserting that there is a rapid growth of foodservice industry in U.S.  Due to the rapid growth, restaurant need to available technology in marketing, training and overall operations. Since there is a development of technology in U.S,  restaurants are using social networking sites  such as Face book and Twitter  in sharing opinions, perspectives and more with customers.

Seo, S., Almanza, B., Miao, L., & Behnke, C. (2015). The Effect of Social Media Comments on Consumers’ Responses to Food Safety Information. Journal Of Foodservice Business Research, 18(2), 111-131. doi:10.1080/15378020.2015.1029384

The purpose of this article is to study how consumers use social media to give their responses based on food safety. In the last decades, there have been various cases of food safety in hospitality firms. Consumers have lost their confidence since many hospitality firms have faced ethical scandals due to improper management practices. To address this issue, restaurant industry has focused on risk-communication strategies to create customer loyalty as well as confidence. The best strategy is the use of social media since this form of communication discloses food safety information to consumers. Social media play a major role of linking consumers and restaurants industry. Through social media, consumers provide information on what they need and to ensure that product provides of safe.

Garrido-Moreno, A., & Lockett, N. (2016). Social Media Use in European Hotels: Benefits and Main Challenges. Tourism & Management Studies, 12(1), 172-179. doi:10.18089/tms.2016.12118

Social media tools are widely used in hotel sector. Information technology has altered the restaurant operations and has fostered consumer and organization relationship. The remarkable developed from the use of internet is seen in collaboration. Social media tools such as Facebook and YouTube are being used by restaurants to engage customers in their operations. Both customers and organization creates an active conversation, and restaurants are now able to understand the customers’ perception. Social media are helping restaurant in creating trust and credibility by interacting with customers. Hotels are not able to reach the target customers and to satisfy their needs.  Social media sites allow customers to expresses their views and hotels gets a vivid image based on the need of the customers.

Molinillo, S., Ximénez-de-Sandoval, J. L., Fernández-Morales, A., & Coca-Stefaniak, A. (2016). Hotel Assessment through Social Media: The case of TripAdvisor. Tourism & Management Studies, 12(1), 15-24. doi:10.18089/tms.2016.12102\

The purpose of this article is to analyze how social media websites such as TripAdvior connects consumers and restaurant industry. The author asserts that restaurant industry use social media to view consumers’ comments   and to make wise decisions with regard to the comments. Social websites connects consumers with other consumers and consumers with organizations. When consumers are connected, they views comments of others and are able to make decisions on products and services needed. The article states that customer review websites provides useful information to visitors. Customers use these websites to make decisions by focusing on views and feedbacks from others.  This means that   they are able to communicate with restaurants on products and services needed.

In Khanlari, A. (2015). Strategic customer relationship management in the age of social media.

Khanlari (2015) asserts that restaurants managers use social media to provide a high level of satisfaction to their customers. Both managers and customers use social media to develop loyalty.  Social media is used as a tool for Customer Relationship Management and restaurants are able to provide effective business practices by being accountable. The article asserts that social media is a communication tool which managers use in order to prepare safe food and other quality services. Customers use social media to communicate with managers on type of food needed.  Generally, social media creates a long-lasting relationship.

In Tussyadiah, I., & In Inversini, A. (2015). Information and communication technologies in tourism 2015: Proceedings of the international conference in Lugano, Switzerland, February 3-6, 2015.

 This book provides detailed information on the role of information and communication technologies in restaurant industry. There are different types of restaurant and customers use social media to get specific information for any type of restaurant. For example, customers use social media to find objective information and experience from others before making choices.  This means that social media play a great role in connecting consumers with restaurants and thus satisfying their desire.  Generally, consumers make decisions through social media and restaurants are able to provide the quality product to the target market.

                        BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Why three-point estimation skill is useful in project management

1. A) Description of problem & environment

The three-point estimation is a technique of method which is in both information system and management for the essence of constructing an estimated probability distribution. In return, the probability distribution is used to represent the outcome of some future measures and events which are to be based on extremely limited data (Cox, 2009). Moreover, depending on its area of application, either triangular distribution or normal distribution can be used for the purpose of approximating future events.

On the other hand, since the three-point estimation technique plays a major role in project management, efforts estimations is also valuable depending on their accuracy. This is the reason as to why the risk/risks which are to evolve from original estimation have been computed into the overall projection (Richman, 2012). Whenever using this technique, it is important to examine three distinct areas i.e. duration, event, and resources. For instance, when considering the duration of the chosen event, the project manager should understand that there certain types of resources which must be readily available. Thus, when these tools are effectively combined together with other basic statistics i.e. mean, Z-values, and standard deviation, they enhances the ability of the practitioner to manage the project efficiently in terms of cost, time, and work effort  (Richman, 2012).

Amongst the activities which are done during the life cycle of a project, on particular issue which is unavoidable is the estimation of time. Precise estimation of time is a significant skill for the management of a project. The reason for this is because it has the ability of affecting all phases of the project. Therefore, project planning depends on precise estimation of time. Conversely, mostly, stakeholders of such a project end up judging whether it was fruitful or not depending on the time the project was delivered and the budget (Cox, 2009).

As a result of that, through tabling this issue regarding the risks involved in the project, it means that all the project members are given the capacity of inputting into the estimated timeframe of the process. Moreover, the project manager goes a way beyond the tactics which normally surrounds the making of estimates using a single quantity (Kathy, 2013). Typically, project members will be thinking about such a single quantity as well as padding it the much they can. The reason for that is because from experience they will be made aware that it is possible for the project manage to cut it randomly. This may not be the logical way of getting good estimates.

In the act of using the 3-point estimates method, the project manager will be recording all estimates (three) in the workplace of the project members and the negative and positive risks which are identifiable (McCarthy, 2010). This then undoubtedly communicates to his or her team members and the potential sponsor of the project that such approximates may not be 100% certain. The reason for that is because there are some risks which have the ability of effecting the time allocated for a particular task (Kathy, 2013). In short, when it comes to project management, this method removes the uncertainty of the project team which is linked with the time estimating process.

Presentation of topic and research

In using this technique, three figures should be generated at the start for any distribution which is needed, based on the best-guesses or after experiences. These include;

            a= as the best-case approximate

            b = the most probable approximate

            c = the pessimistic-case approximate (Hass, 2014).

Nevertheless, in the process of creating the three-point estimates, the following three steps ought to be taken into consideration;

1) Recording the positive period (a) _ the purpose of this time is that it assists in representing the minimum sensible period of time which can be utilized to complete a certain activity of the project. In most cases, there exists only a diminutive probability-normally presupposed as being less than 1%-which is achievable (Gurjar, N. (2016).

2) Recording the most probable period (m) _ the most likely time is the time needed to accomplish a certain activity which also based on historical information and some distinctive conditions. Due to the fact that ‘m’ is the time which is to assumed to likely to be achieved, it also remains to be the method of beta distribution (Gurjar, 2016).

3) Recording the pessimistic period (b) _ this refers to the maximum logical time that is to be consumed in accomplishing a certain activity. Equally, there exists of only a diminutive probability-normally presupposed as being less than 1%-which is achievable

In addition to that, information to be used for analysis using this technique is obtained from all individuals who are responsible for executing different tasks of the project. For instance, in utilizing the three approximates, the project manager can compute the activity’s weighted average, expected duration, and probability estimate time of completing the entire project (Hass, 2014). Thus, the equation below can be used to approximate the variance (σ²) and mean (µ) of every activity;

                        = a + 4m + b6

This formula should be based on the beta weights and statistical distribution. Therefore, the pessimistic time (m) is four times for either of the two durations i.e. time (a) or (b). As the equation illustrates, the variance will be the of the differences between the two i.e. (optimistic and pessimistic) time approximates. This indicates, therefore, that the higher the difference between the two extremes, the bigger the variance is. Since the above example used time, also work effort or cost of the project can be used too.

3) Application of research to environment with particular attention given to how it solves key challenges or creates opportunities

Mostly, project cost estimation process challenges and scares the majority of project managers. The reason for that is because they may not be able to accurately estimate the amount something or a certain task will cost. The main challenge in this context is that it involves some uncertainty or improbability. Some of the contributing factors include;

1. I) one’s experience with such projects _ having inadequate experience with similar projects increase project uncertainties. But in case the project manager had initially managed such projects, he or she will be able to estimate the project’s cost efficiently (Knutson, 2001).
2. II) The project’s planning scope _ the longer the scope of the project, the higher the uncertainties. The scope that the project manager may be considering can either be a certain phase or entire project. Whoever the horizon, he or she should be able to accurately approximate the costs for that project closer to the present.

III) The duration of the project_ in case the project takes long period to be accomplished, the greater the chances of encountering uncertainty (Hass, 2014).

1. IV) People _ the number of people together with their expertise is a significant factor for project cost estimation. Since during the early days of the project the manager may not specific individuals who will comprise the project team, it is possible to increase the uncertainties of the cost estimates.

With respect to the above illustrations, the three-point estimation has several applications. First, now that we have acknowledged the fundamentals of this technique, the project manager can use it for scheduling purpose (Richman, 2012). The reason for this consideration is because the sequence of the tasks to be executed by all individuals in the project team permits the determination of the project’s significant pathway. For instance, the longest chain of related activities throughout the project assists in indicating the shortest possible time to be used in completing the project.  Moreover, this technique assist in indicating which task ought to be accomplished before the commencement of another one so that the project can run smoothly (Cox, 2009).

Additionally, another crucial aspect of this method is that it allows the general assessment of the all the effects of uncertainty by the project manager on the project’s completion time. For example, it makes it easier for the project manager to approximate how productive the project will be based on the general scheduling of various tasks (Heldman, 2011). Furthermore, he or she will be given the opportunity of factoring out those variables which he or she can have full control on them. Thus, it will not be surprising that some of the will arise which might complicate the normal flow of events.

On the other hand, the core competency of the project manager is to be in the position of effectively managing a project/s in term of work effort (i.e. scope), cost, and time. In particular, schedule, poses distinctive challenges to the majority of project managers.  The reason for that is because all those parameter must be approximated or estimated. As a result of that, the three-point method offers the opportunity of recognizing any form of uncertainties in the project’s time estimation. Together with other basic statistics, this technique will enable the project manager to identify any activity which has the greatest variance or risk, compute the confidential levels, and offer the probability of accomplishing the project on the speculated date (Heldman, 2011).

For example, if one of the members of the project team acknowledges that the preceding task which entailed in a particular department of an organization made the quantity of assignment in the task to increase considerably, it is because the department’s manager repeatedly failed to attend the project meetings.  Acknowledging that means that, as a project leader, there is the need of taking necessary steps of encouraging all the project members to attend its meetings. Other than reducing the likelihood of the negative risk/s, there is the possibility of precisely estimating the task as well as improving the duration of the project (Knutson, 2001).

In addition to that, since each project member offers his or her best, optimistic, and optimistic guesses regarding their deliverables, this techniques, therefore, enables the project manager the capacity of increasing precision of one-point estimate, better project team dedication since such an estimate considers the risk/s in the task (McCarthy, 2010).  Moreover, this technique offers better information because the project manager will be explicitly considering the risk/s. he or she will be learning about the risk or risks of a certain activity earlier in its process from individuals who will be accomplishing the work (Kathy, 2013).. Thus, he or she will have the opportunity of taking corrective measures before starting to work on that project. This increases the chances of better risk/s as well as decreasing that of bad ones.

                                                References

Cox, D. M. T. (2009). Project management skills for instructional designers: A practical guide. Bloomington, Ind: iUniverse Inc

Gurjar, N. (2016). A forward looking approach to project management: Tools, trends, and the impact of disruptive technologies.

Hass, A. M. J. (2014). Guide to advanced software testing.

Heldman, K. (2011). Project management jumpstart. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

Kathy, S, (2013). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning Press

Knutson, J. (2001). Project management for business professionals: A comprehensive guide. New York: John Wiley.

McCarthy, J. F. (2010). Construction project management: A managerial approach. Westchester, Ill: Pareto -- Building Improvement.

Richman, L. L. (2012). Improving your project management skills. New York: American Management Association.

Leadership impact in the past

Rescue Scuba Diver is a course which requires aderquate skills and knowledge   in order to solve problems in water scenarios and manage dive emergencies. Though it is a challenging and a serious course in nature, I had the knowledge as well as the experience as a Scuba Divemaster trainee. I enjoyed the leadership position since I was able to maintain safety and well-being of students.  In this position, I used my knowledge and skills to train students on self rescue. I also covered areas based on rescuing unresponsive divers, first aids, emergency management and rescuing panicked divers.  All these roles were both challenging and rewarding. As a leader, I was confident and responded effective to emergency situations.

 As a Scuba Divemaster trainee, the most important role which ensured successful diving was providing students with tools for self-rescue. These tools acted as a motivation to students, and created confidence and safety.  It was my responsibility as a leader to ensure that students had adequate training. Training was a key elements needed by students for them to enjoy and avoid risk in diving. Through training, students gained new technical diving skills and abilities.  The main purpose of training was to help students on how to solve problems when diving and develop self-reliance. Though at the first instance there were lot of challenges, training helped students gain confidence and personal skills.  Second, as a leader I ensure that students gained more experience through practicing on a regular basis. Students tried new things such as air sharing and by gaining experience, the risk was minimal. They also practiced ditching weights-one of self-rescue skills. This improved confidence and created a ‘muscle memory’ and this helped in emergency scenarios. Third, buoyancy control was a skill which helped students gain control in times of emergencies particularly when escaping drowning. Fourth, it was my role to ensure that students had equipments for creating a redundant air system. Finally, I had to ensure that students were competent by having an attitude. Under attitude adjustment, students focused on how to plan for trouble, early detection and solving problems. In other words, I ensured that students controlled their emotions and responded to panics.

 As a Scuba Divemaster trainee, I come across various challenges, but I was in a position to handle them by making hard decisions. The major challenge was to deal with divers who were panicking.  Especially when students were diving the first time, they feared deep water dives.  As a leader, it was my role to create a positive attitude and equip them well with necessary equipments such as a pony bottle.  In a deep water dive, I could pull one of the divers to the surface. Most students panicked as they thought that they were diving beyond the depth limit of roo ft.  Note that I could deal with four students at a time and so when trying to rescue the panicking diver, I also controlled the other three students so that all they can release nervousness and create confidence. Then I surfaced with the panicked student and returned to the other student divers and help them with their dive. This was so challenging but through knowledge and skills of leadership, the job was rewarding.

 Having trained students rescue Scuba Diver for a long time, students are now able to deal with problems in scuba diving. In the leadership position, I enjoyed a positive impact that students were able to respond to diving emergencies. Not only did I focus on personal safety and well-being of others but I also develop a positive mindset to the students.

Economics

Chapter 10

1. What is the optimal hiring rule?

The Optimal hiring rule is a guideline which stipulates that a firm continues to hire workers provided that the marginal revenue product of labor remains higher than the wages paid.

2. What are the factors that cause changes in labor demand? What are the factors that cause changes in labor supply?

Factors that cause changes in labor demand include;

• The output price
• Consumer demand
• Technological changes
• Consumer preference
• Increase in productivity
• Employment subsidy

Factors that cause changes in labor supply include:

• Changes in tastes
• Changes in alternative opportunities
• Population growth

3. How does investing in your own higher education increase your earnings?

Higher education is key to economic development and is therefore essential in helping individuals get more earnings. With higher education, the individual gets the skills and knowledge to get well paying jobs that go a long way into increasing their earnings. It opens up opportunities in fields like medicine and engineering and being a professional in such sectors ensures that one will receive higher earnings.

4. Using the chart above, when the marginal revenue product is $20.00, firms should

1. Stop hiring workers

5. If marginal product equals 8 and product price equals $100, what would the marginal revenue product equal?

The Importance of the Corporate Social Responsibility

Introduction

CSR is  the approach that is utilized  by businesses in  contributing  to sustainable  growth  through  delivering  social, economic as well as  environmental  benefits to all its stakeholders. CSR has grown to become one of the leading business standards practices for the modern period.  For corporations that are  fully  committed to  it, this implies  that they  are  doing better  and their  general  reputation  has  been  asserted (Cramer & Bergmans, 2003). This can best be regarded as an authoritative statement of what the corporation believes in.  the  creation  of  CSR approach  is an important  element  of the organization’s  competiveness  as something that  is governed  fully  by the corporation (Cramer & Bergmans, 2003).  This is the general ability of developing procedures and policies that fully integrates environmental, ethical, and social as well as consumers concerns. Social responsibility  contributes  to the general balance of the  corporation’s  responsibility  and authority, resistance  to  unjustified  regulation,  development  of  associations with  stakeholders, enhances the popularity  and reputation  of the  business,  create higher  value and  so forth.

The general aim of CSR for corporations is to mainly attain the society’s positive impact by balancing the investors and the shareholders share. Recently CSR was defined by European commission as the enterprises responsibility for their general societal impacts. CSR permits companies to perform their shares for the environment, the society   and consumers for the sake of the shareholders and the investors (Hancock, 2005).  The term CSR offers an opportunity to corporations and their staffs in contributing towards the society and its environment thus creating benefits related to public relations.  Public relations can be regarded as powerful tools that help in the shaping of the perception of consumers and the creation of a positive image. Companies that often promote active SR activities utilize some strategies in publicizing the efforts via media (Hancock, 2005).

At the stakeholder’s engagement, CSR can be regarded as the anticipation of corporate conduct by the society.  In the perspective of the stakeholders, CSR implies  that  the  business  holds the  general obligation  towards  their stakeholders who can impact or be impacted  by the  practices  of the  corporation (Hawkins, 2006). CSR is a form of long-term profit maximization strategy that places a balance amid the stakeholders and the investors. The  balance amid  the  performance of the  company as well as  the value  of stakeholders is significant  since if the stakeholders  disagrees with the actions course  utilized  by the company they hold the ability of  stopping the  social responsibility approach implementation.  Stakeholders are characterized  with  variety  of preferences  that  regards the  actions , procedures  and the  outcomes  it is therefore challenging  to  manage as well as  develop a balance  of the  bulky expectations  and the conflicting values  of  stakeholders (Hawkins, 2006). This develops  the implication that  the expectations  and  the  stakeholders agendas  have to be established  so that  an active  management and sustainability of the  existing differences  can be achieved.

The implementation of successful CSR managers  are required  to create  connections with the investors and stakeholders through  dialogues  and practices involvement  in the objective of pursuing  similar  objectives  thus  persuading them to offer  maximum support  to the selected  strategic  action. CSR is therefore  implemented  in a manner that offers  opportunities  for the  corporations  in addressing  the  existing  gap amid  the goals of stakeholders,  values and the  actual  conduct  of the  company. This is achieved  by  ensuring that the  company is  are of  the  uncertain  situations which ranges  from  corruption,  working harassment and  environmental  abuses. CSR can  additionally  be  termed  as  sustainable business whose  popularity  is  continuously rising thus  evolving from a mere  trend  to a business norm.  most of the  corporations that are utilizing it  regards  it  as  a responsibility  that  helps  in forming firm grounds  and  bottom line.  A recent survey revealed  that  more than 55 percent of  consumers  are normally willing to  pay  even more  for acquiring services or products  from  corporations  that are  dedicated  to  positive  environmental  and social impact. To top  it  up,  the utilization of effective CSR programs  helps in maximization of the  stakeholders and investors  gains,  increases  consumers  satisfaction  and increases the  capability  of retaining  them.

CSR is not objected  at  creating solutions  to the existing  issues in the world as  the  possibility  cannot  be  achieved  by corporations alone.  However, CSR is an approach for corporations to gain benefits for selves as well as for the general community (Hawkins, 2006).  CSR works best in the general creation of positive words for the entire corporation.  While  performing something  that is worth for the  entire  society , consumes and  stakeholders  not  only  places the  corporation at a higher level  but additionally  ensures  that  long-term success and development is achieved.  CSR plays  an important  function in popularizing and differentiating  the corporate  brands  not basically  amid the competitors  but  amid  the media, different  organizations  and more essentially  the  direct consumers.  People  tend to  view the  brands and services  of the corporation  as  unique  thus creating a more positive sensation for all the brands  which  utilizes  educative  initiatives  for children,  green  initiative which encourages  planting trees and conserving the  environment,  creating  say  ways  for  electricity access , the provision  f employment  chances  and more (Hawkins, 2006).  This implies that the investment in CSR does not have to be too much for the corporation but rather enough in creating a good image that maximizes the earning of investors as well as stakeholders.  In addition, CSR initiatives  should never be adopted  for  publicity gains  but should be  invested  because  of the  main believe  on the  causes and outcomes (Hawkins, 2006).

CSR is a general strategy that encourages the engagement of stakeholders, employees, investors and consumers. The activities of CSR strengthen the existing bonds amid parties thus improving performance and productivity (Hill & Langan, 2014).  Working together  normally creates a loyalty sense  and  an attachment  for the organization  based  on  its  good thoughts towards  the wellness  of the community.  Profit maximization and a balance amid the investors and the stakeholder’s shares cannot be achieved without the attempt to create adequate consumers satisfaction.  The image of the brand is additionally improved through CSR since individuals begins to grow trust for the brands. There is nothing more helpful than the development of positive trust for the corporation and its brands from consumers.  The positivity in words eventually results in the generation of increased organization’s revenues (Hill & Langan, 2014).

There is nothing more  powerful  than the  general ability  for the corporation to play  part in  developing  the  lives  of  individuals in the society through  a constant  play  of  a societal role  balance (Hill & Langan, 2014).   In the  modern  business environment,  capital is regarded as the most important aspect and once the association amid  the  society and the  business  has been created, benefits  for the  involved investors are  created  as well as an increase in  the capability  of meeting  the general  needs  of the society.  However,  despite the  rapid development  that  is being experienced in the  technology, society and  economic sector, the world  is currently  experiencing  undoubted  unfairness  in  the loss  of trust, pollution  and unfairness  in  most  institutions.  This is because  the  essence of capital  is being  upheld and most  institutions  are basically  focusing on the  generation of increased  profits rather than  creating wellness  for  long-term benefits.  More benefits may not be accomplished without creating wellness in the society and trying to solve some issues (Hill & Langan, 2014). The ability  of gaining sustainable  development  can best be acquired  via the creation of loyalty  and a good  image  through  creating and balancing  benefits that  exists amid the stakeholders investors and the company in general.

Businesses are required to operate in healthy conditions for the future and thus actions must be undertaken at the moment.  It additionally leads to the warding off of the regulations of the government.  For  this rationale  the intervention of the  government  in the future  can be  can  be adopted  to the  point that  the policies  of the business  with  much discipline  as well  as the  expectations  of the  society (Mullerat, 2010).  CSR in other words is the general description of the efforts made by a corporation in developing in some sort of ways.  Which  can  vary  from  the  donation of  items, money  and the  implementation  of  policies that are friendly  to the environment.  CSR  is not a mandatory  thing that  companies should venture  in rather  it is an  extra strategy  that  corporations requires  in  developing  the international  and local  communities (Mullerat, 2010). CSR leads to the  improvement  of public image, in that  corporations that  shows their general commitment to different  causes  are  seen  as more noble  as compared to corporations whose  CSR is focused on nonexistent. The public reputation of a corporation is dependent on the wellness of CSR programs and the created awareness among consumers.  It is obvious that consumers are  more comfortable  shopping  from  institutions  that  shows  their  willingness and readiness  to offer  help (Mullerat, 2010).  Creating favorable images on the public eyes increases the corporation chances of being more preferred by consumers.  This  creates  the  general  ability  of increasing  the investors  share while  creating benefits  for  shareholders who are  the employees, government  and consumers.

CSR additionally grows a corporation’s media coverage.   The  amount of effort that the  company  places on ensuring that  it saves  the society  and its  environment rarely matters  if  awareness  has not been created (Ruschak, 2013).  The  primary objective is to show  the  public that  the  corporation is  fully  participating  in  effective developments  that  benefits the  society  and not   based  on  generation  of  profit  for  personal gains.  CSR activities  opens  opportunities  to  form  better  associations  with  the  local  media since  the  coverage of the  stories and events that are been  sponsored  by the company  should not be  neglected.  The much that  the corporation can perform  for  its  local  community  and  beyond  can be regarded  as  CSR and  if the  involved   benefits are better  this will definitely  offer  a more improved  media  coverage (Ruschak, 2013). On the other  hand,  when  a company get involved  in  Social  activities that  yields  negative effects  to the community  the  media is most likely  to pick the  occurrence more  quickly.  In such  instances  when the  corporation is involved  in corruption,  pollution  and low quality  production this means that the  coverage  will develop  a negative attitude  on the  consumers  towards the corporation and the  involved  brands.  Media visibility  can be both  useful  and  undesirable based  on the  engagement of  the company in  CSR as  it plays part  in the shedding  o light  based on the organization’s  activities  towards  Social  responsibility. Having positive  CSR activities  in an organization  can  develop  the  opportunities  of getting  wider  and positive news  coverage (Ruschak, 2013).

CSR s additionally  effective in boosting the general  engagement of  staffs  who are  among the  primary  stakeholders since they contribute  highly  towards  efficiency.  Employees normally  loves  to work  for corporations that  are characterized  with a positive  public image as well a company that  holds  a positive  coverage  in media (Wilhelm, 2010).  This  generates  a form of  motivation  and  satisfaction  and  when employees  are  generally  happy  this  implies that the  output  is  increased  and  improved  in regard  to quality.  It is estimated that an approximation of 60 percent of staffs who are very proud of the CSR are highly engaged in their tasks (Wilhelm, 2010).  When  corporations demonstrates  their  general dedication  towards  the development  of the  communities that are within their  operations  via  giving corporate  initiatives  this  creates  a higher  likelihood  of  attracting as  well  as retaining  hardworking,  valuable  as well as highly  engaged  staffs.  If a company is  based  on the creation  of wellness , it is  likely that  highly qualified  persons  will make their  applications  for  any  position  to participate  in generation of  greatness (Wilhelm, 2010).  Those that  are hired are most  likely to stick to the  corporation ,  demonstrate  high production on daily basis,  sustain their  creativity  and  participate  in  voluntary social  responsibility  activities.

CSR is additionally cruicial as it retains and also attracts potential investors.  Investing  who  dedicates  most of their capital  into the  corporations  normally  desires  to  understand  how their funds  are being utilized  and whether  the activities  can  generate  maximum benefits (Gonzalez-Perez & Leonard, 2013).   This  does  not  only  imply that  the  corporation  is required  to  possess  a sound  plan and budget  for  the  business but this  additionally implies  that the  company  is required  to  possess a  strong  CSR sense.  At the period when corporations makes   time, effort and resources  volunteering  this  makes  it  clear  for the investors  that  the company is not  only  objected  at  maximization  of profit  rather  they  are also focused  on enhancing  future  benefits.  This  is accomplished through  demonstrating that  the  company  also  holds  some interest  in the  international  and  local communities wellness (Gonzalez-Perez & Leonard, 2013).  Investors  in most  cases  are  highly  likely  to get  attracted  and  offer their continuous  support  to the  companies  the shows  commitment  not to the  consumers  alone, the employees and well  as the generation  of  positive effect on the  lives  of  other individuals.  Investors  normally  care  about  CSR  because  it creates  a favorable  surrounding  for conducting business  which  can  lead  to a  balance  between the  stakeholders and the investors  benefits  through maximization of  capital creation (Gonzalez-Perez & Leonard, 2013).

A balance  amid the  companies  authority  and its social responsibility  is developed  since through participating  in  creation of wellness through  helping the society  the   public begins to gain a  different perspective  of the  corporation (Ahmad  & Crowther, 2013).  This implies that the general authority of the company to influence the consumers is not lost rather it is emphasized.  In that,  the  company  gains  more power  to control the  activities in the market  since the consumers  already  holds  much  loyalty and trust  in its  objectivity. Through demonstrating that the  company  does  not  highly  value  the  generation of  profit  normally  shows  that  it  can be  trusted  which helps in  the  growth  of brands, differentiation  and a reputation  that  cannot  be  beaten.  Through  this a high  and a continuous  reputation is created  which implies that  the organization becomes  highly  recognized through   the created  fame  as well  as  reputation (Ahmad  & Crowther, 2013).  This means that  the capability of developing the  share  of the  market  is grown  without  fail  based on the willingness  of consumers  to consume the  company’s  products  since it  offers a certain amount of help to the  community.

CSR is a form of resistance to unreasonable  regulation  such as  those  that  regards the  environment that may be imposed  by the  governmental authorities  to the  failure  to offer  any help to the community (Hawkins, 2006).  Through  focusing of  environmental  and social  contribution  the  ability  of the  community  to control  regulations is emphasized.  Regulations that   may hinder the  capability of the  company  to function effectively  are  reduced thus gaining  control  over  the general society  and  the environment  to create  positive and effective  effects.   CSR is useful in the creation   of favorable relations amid stakeholders such as employees and consumers.  Employees normally feels honored to make their contributions to the wellness of the society.  In addition, this creates the sense  of obligation among  the  staffs  since they  desire  to contribute to the  general  growth of a  better  reputation  and  coverage  for the corporation (Hawkins, 2006).  This  acts as a form of motivation  since  the activities  they   engage  in are  objected  at  generating  goodness both for them and the  company.

On the perspective of the consumers  they feel  more entitled  of supporting  the  company’s growth  through utilizing  their  products and  utilization  of services  so that the  help towards the society  may  last (Hancock, 2005).  This  leads to the  development of more  flexible  and  productive relations amid the company  and the consumers by  increasing the capability  of  creating  more  capital and increasing  the popularity  of  brands.  Through such initiatives the company gains a higher capability of generating increased value for its investors, stakeholders, consumers and the entire community.   A balance of the  generated  value  is achieved  through  the  ability of CSR to  create  a favorable  operating  surrounding that is free from  negativity  and restrictions (Hancock, 2005).

In conclusion, in the recent period more companies have adopted CSR into their operating culture.  CSR  in general  is  the  initiatives  that  are led  by the company  for positive impact  to the  community  both for the corporation  and the  consumers.  This  objective is not  only based on the  creation  of public  relation  or  green-washing the  corporation since most  corporations are  establishing the  significance  by  taking  full  responsibility  and ownership  for their  current  actions  while  obtaining  desirable gains.  CSR,  cannot  be  utilized  as  a strategy  of solving  global issues rather it is   just   an approach  that  companies utilizes  in benefiting  the society  as  well  as the  community  around. CSR is an effective strategy that  helps  corporations  in  gaining a balance  amid  the companies  power  and  its  responsibility  towards  shareholders as well as  investors.  It is essential  for corporations  to  adopt  positive social responsibility because  it  offers  benefits  in regard to  balancing the  authority  of the company and its responsibility,  increases fame,  creates additional  value,  restricts unjustified  regulations and improves  the relations amid the corporation and  the stakeholders.

References

Ahmad, J., & Crowther, D. (2013). Education and Corporate Social Responsibility International Perspectives. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified.

Cramer, J., & Bergmans, F. (2003). Learning about corporate social responsibility: The Dutch experience. Amsterdam: IOS Press.

Gonzalez-Perez, M.-A., & Leonard, L. (2013). International business, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Hancock, J. (2005). Investing in corporate social responsibility: A guide to best practice, business planning & the UK's leading companies. London [u.a.: Kogan Page.

Hawkins, D. E. (2006). Corporate social responsibility: Balancing tomorrow's sustainability and today's profitability. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Hill, R. P., & Langan, R. (2014). Handbook of research on marketing and corporate social responsibility.

Mullerat, R. (2010). International corporate social responsibility: The role of corporations in the economic order of the 21st century. Austin: Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.

Ruschak, K. (2013). Corporate social responsibility. Place of publication not identified: Grin Verlag.

Wilhelm, R. T. (2010). The strategic importance of corporate social responsibility: Competitive advantage or contemporary trend?. Magdeburg: GRIN.

First, nonprofit leaders should recognize that advocacy in nonprofit organization is an important concept which is interconnected with organization mission. It is important to note that nonprofit organizations play an important role in providing human services to individuals in the community (Renz, 2010). For this reason, these organizations should influence the decisions, address power inequities and support public interest. According to Renz (2010), nonprofits play a significant role in shaping the national life through providing public services to the community. To accomplish the mission, organization must engage in public policy in order to address local and national problems. Nonprofit   leaders should know that advocacy means that nonprofit organization should support an idea and petition the elected officials to take actions, accept and support the legislative proposal (Renz, 2010).

Vaughan (2013) asserts that advocacy is important in the policy environment since nonprofit organizations shape decisions which positively impact the welfare of the people.  Nonprofit efforts in advocacy bring initiatives through the policy realm.Renz (2010) states that when nonprofits engage in public dialogue, they gain expertise and experience which assist in social movement. Vaughan (2013) relates this knowledge and asserts that nonprofit advocacy becomes successful since many members use public relation techniques such as internet   in conducting research and mobilizing supporters. Thus, nonprofit leaders must understand that nonprofit organization should engage in advocacy for the purpose of protecting the rights of specific groups. In a democratic society, advocacy is an important role in that nonprofits are able to implement public policies which will support the disempowered groups. Through advocacy; nonprofits show their competence through expressing their voices for marginalized groups (Vaughan, 2013).  Note that the key aspect in advocacy is to show the interest of disenfranchised individuals and ensure financial survival toward society development.

The most compelling arguments in influencing the perspectives of nonprofit leaders are that advocacy play an important role in mission accomplishment. Nonprofit engage in public dialogue and influences the governmental decisions. Through showing commitment, executing different activities and having a common vision, they interact with government by bringing values and changes for the community (Renz, 2010). In accomplishing the mission through advocacy, nonprofits create a comfortable relationship with individuals and community.  Through close interaction, nonprofit and community connects with public leaders and creates a health democracy. Government becomes accountable to the community interests and involves them in public policy (Renz, 2010). Thus, it is important to understand that advocacy is connected with policy making and mission accomplishment. Without advocacy, it is not possible for nonprofits to see people with disabilities, it is not possible for them to provide resource and bring welfare reform, and finally, it is not possible for them to serve as economic engines and ensure equality and quality of life (Renz, 2010).

 Other compelling argument raised by Renz is that advocacy creates a strong connection between   nonprofits and community. The connection plays a significant role in policy making. The strong relationship helps the nonprofits to conduct research and to obtain information related with family violence and other problems in the community (Renz, 2010).  In other words, advocacy in nonprofits is a community voice in that despite the fact that federal and state is responsible in organizational issues; nonprofit is involved in shaping policies.  Even though policies can be made without nonprofit involvement, their effort in making policy is imperative. The argument that advocacy strengthens the relationship between nonprofit and community is supported by the idea that for the organization to accomplish its mission, it must   enter in the community and discuss the matter which needs to be addressed (Renz, 2010).  In other words, nonprofits search the community interests so that they can forward the matter to the public leaders.  After recognizing the problem, nonprofits’ advocacy efforts create a coalition with the government.  In addition, advocacy efforts create public awareness and petition the government for public support. Other important point to note is that through advocacy, nonprofits connects in civil engagement which is an important aspect in creating a democratic society. Through advocacy efforts or through appealing the government to understand the community problems, nonprofits show commitment to civil engagement (Renz, 2010).  Lobbying is legal and nonprofits have the responsibility to create a democratic society.

Reference

Renz, D. O. (2010). The Jossey-Bass handbook of nonprofit leadership and management. San Francisco,

CA: Jossey-Bass.

Vaughan, S. K., & Arsneault, M. (2013). Managing nonprofit organizations in a policy world.

Human Resources and Job Design

            Introduction

            The performance of an organization is highly reliant on the practices of HRM in which one of the core elements is the practices of job design.  Organizations  such as  hospitals that requires  quality  services and  high  clients  satisfaction  are highly necessitated  to  motivate their  staffs through  the  designing  of interesting and  yet challenging  tasks (Heizer, Render & Munson, 2016 42).  Operation management is the general administration of business activities in the creation of the highest efficiency level within a corporation. This is mainly concerned with the conversion of labor and raw materials into services and goods in profit maximization. It is clear from the case that Mayfield hospital lacks effective operational  management  which  has thus resulted in high  staffs turnover,  high  recruitment  cost, reduced  consumers bases, low consumers satisfaction,  ineffective  supply  and  lowly  motivated employees.  Job designing can be described as the  procedure  through which tasks are  assigned to the specific  jobs with an  equal  consideration  of the reliance of the tasks  with  the different  jobs. HR and  task designing  practices are  continuously  due to the rapid   trends changes and the  need  to  satisfy  the  demands of consumers and  sustain a culture  that  values  employees performance through prioritization of a high motivational working culture (Heizer, Render & Munson, 2016).  Effective HR and  job design practices  may result  in   the growth  working motivation and employees satisfaction  which will generally  turn to  improved organizational  performance.

            Quality management is based on ensuring consistency of the corporation’s services and products and the means of achieving them.  This is important in budgeting costs, managing employee’s operations as well as consumer’s needs (Heizer, Render & Munson, 2016). Mayfield compared to HCA Hospital  which is  accounted to be the number one  private  hospital  in London  requires  to adjust  its  HRM  and job design. HCA strives in the delivery of quality and highly affordable services to the community.  Mayfield holds the objectives but fails in delivering quality to its consumers as well as employees leading to high turnover rate and low performance.  The hospital is unable to administer employees operation, controlling costs, quality as well as clients needs as necessitated by operation and quality management.

Operational management directly involves several responsibilities where the efficiency of business operations is sustained (Asgari, 2013 17). This normally involves the  utilization  of  the lowest  resources  that are required  meeting  the necessities  of consumers  with the highest  economical  standards and  addressing HR needs. This is the general administration of the conversion of labor, raw materials and technological skills in achieving operational management efficiency (Asgari, 2013 19). HRM is an essential section of organizational effective management that is particularly involved to manage individuals who work within a specific organization (Asgari, 2013 21).  In short, HRM implies to persons employment,  capacities  development,  maintaining skills  as well  as the compensation  of  employees  services  that are  relevant  to their  jobs  as well as the demands  of the company. Mayfield is in need  of  effective  management of  its  operations  ranging  from the issue of supply, operating  cost, high turnover,  satisfaction and motivation of both the  consumers and the  employees.  The practices  of  job design that  are best accomplished via HRM can  best influence  the  motivation  of  staffs as well as their general performance  by  raising  work efficiency  via job specialization (Heizer, Render & Munson, 2016 43)

Job design  in  HRM is not intentionally  targeted  at increasing the  general motivation of all  employees  since the effectiveness  is affected  by the  staffs  differences (Heizer, Render & Munson, 2016 47).  However, the   degree  of  employees  satisfaction  is  normally  influenced  by  staffs competence, the need to  grow and their general satisfaction  with  their working surrounding  and  assigned  tasks (Asgari, 2013 23).  Based  on the  characteristics  job model  staffs  are  more likely  to  remain satisfied  and highly  motivated  if their  jobs are  characterized  by  task  identity,  skills varieties, tasks  importance,  job autonomy  and high  experiences and tasks feedback (Heizer, Render & Munson, 2016 45).

Triple bottom line, an accounting framework that holds three distinct sections that are environmental, financial and social forces (Slack, Brandon-JonesJohnston, 2013).  Based on the framework the performance of Mayfield can be termed as poor. In that it’s social and financial value generation is poor.  The hospital operates on high cost thus decreasing its profitability and contributes less to the society as it fails to effectively address the client’s needs. Maryfield hospital  can improve its general performance  through the utilization  of  job design approaches  in increasing  employees  motivation, improve performance, satisfaction and reduce the rate of turnover which  increases the  costs  of  operation.  Operational  management  should  ensure  that  there is  efficiency  in  all  the involved  operations in the organization without affecting  the stated  budgets (Slack, Brandon-JonesJohnston, 2013 14).  However,  human resources being  the most  significant  aspect of the organization should  be  managed  at  all  costs  by  fully  addressing  the employees  needs.  The hospital’s culture  should  support  job autonomy  to  allow the employees  to  retain their  motivation  and high  performance.  This   can be achieved  through the utilization  of  job rotation,  job  enrichment, job enlargement and  optional  tasks  schedules which includes  reduces  working  period, high communication and flextime (Slack, Brandon-JonesJohnston, 2013 17). Job rotation can best be described as a practice of job design where employees are shifted from a particular job task to a different one.  This is however done based on the experience, skills and the competence they hold.  This strategy can help in reducing tasks boredom and assist in the growth of a more flexible workforce.  Through this the hospital management can generate multi skilled workers thus reducing the turnover rate and the cost of rapid recruitments (Slack, Brandon-JonesJohnston, 2013 32).

On the other hand, job enlargement involves the general increment of job tasks for each of the employees to develop their skills, motivate them and increase performance.  The strategy is mainly effective as it assists in growing working flexibility as well as efficiency (Heizer, Render & Munson, 2016 44).  Job  enrichment  is an additional  job design approach  which   happens when  the workforce  is  entrusted  with  further  responsibilities  in the design, scheduling, planning and coordinating of  their individual  work. Alternatives working schedules   may also be incorporated which may be designed based on the convenience of staffs so that the private life can be balanced with work.  In that,  since  Maryfield  is faced with the  issue  of  high  turnover  of the part time employees  the scheduling  can be changed  to suit  their  preferences and time  needs. In addition reducing the working shifts may reduce fatigue and keep the employees motivated and highly energized to work more.  Autonomy and flexibility is  highly required in creating better  relations amid the  management  and staffs  which may  help in  understanding  changes needs to benefit  all the involved  parties (Slack, Brandon-JonesJohnston, 2013 26).

Maryfield hospital has all  the important  resources  ranging  from  land,  materials  and  machines  that are required to  achieve  efficiency.  However,  it cannot be  ignored  that  human resource remains to be the most significant  resource compared  to  all others  since they cannot operate  without  being  operated by human resource (Mullins, 2016 4).  In the context of the company, the general efficiency of HR relies on the designing of jobs based on employee’s skills, capabilities and characteristics.  High performance in the  organization can  best  be achieved  via job design  as  a significant  HRM function which will be useful in indicating functions,  methods  as well as the general content (Mullins, 2016 4). Continuity in the organization requires positive attitudes, skills as well as knowledge which contribute greatly towards performance. Employees  performance  is  very  essential  since it  determines  the general productivity and  efficiency of  a firm.  They performance is evaluated by how best they accomplish their tasks and responsibilities. Designing human resource tasks and setting specific objectives can certainly result in increased performance (Mullins, 2016 6).

Job design as a significant HRM practice can motivate performance growth. Mayfield hospital has the need of satisfying both the staffs and its clients and increasing performance simultaneously (Slack, Brandon-JonesJohnston, 2013 26). From the  statistical  reports  attained  from most organizations  jobs that are  accurately designed  can result  in a positive  effect on both  staffs  satisfaction  as well as  performance quality.  This  develops  the proposition that  jobs that  are  well  defined  are effective   in enhancing  satisfaction,  performance  as well as  motivation  of all employees (Slack, Brandon-JonesJohnston, 2013).  It is  highly  significant to  conduct  job design in Mayfield  hospital  as a practice  of managing operations  so that the existing  stress  on  Jerry  can be  decreased,  motivation enhanced,  increase clients and staffs  motivation  through  high  performance and quality  services  and  increase the general performance in the organization  for  effective competition  within the  healthcare  industry  in  UK.

Fish Diagram Analysis

                       Control            Cost               Equipments

                         Task                     People           Responsibilities

Based on research individuals with autonomy  and  a favorable working culture  are  likely  to be highly motivated and satisfied  which makes  the  suggestion that  design  management  practices in the organization  are the core determinant  of the efficiency (Boddy, 2008 8).  The  manner  in which Mayfield’s hospitals jobs have been  designed and allocated  holds a huge  influence on the  high  dissatisfaction  and employees  happiness. Job enrichment can best be accomplished through offering the workforce with autonomy and supervision from an informative administration.  This involves constant communication with employees on the changes as well as the general performance within the organization (Boddy, 2008 8). High productivity is the desire of all the organization and this cannot be achieved with low employee’s performance.  Focusing on productivity without addressing HR needs may results to jobs dehumanization which erodes employee’s qualities and leads to dissatisfaction. Job design concepts can be effective in solving turnover, less performance, motivation as well as satisfaction issues is practiced adequately.  Motivation and satisfaction can be categorized as the most vital factors that determine performance and the general productivity of the corporation (Boddy, 2008 14).   

The management should attempt to design the  workers  jobs in a manner that  is technically,  economical  and  behavioral  realizable  for both  the  employees and the general organization. The  organization via  job  design  can  attempt to raise  the levels of the general performance and productivity  through  offering rewards that are not connected  to  money  for  increased  satisfaction (Hill, Roche & Allen, 2007 23).  This is in the  general sense  that  personal accomplishments  to increased  responsibility  and  difficulties  and  responsibilities  in an individual’s work  can best  be  compromised  with  greater  satisfaction  and motivation.  Job design effectiveness is at most times   influenced by social, environmental as well as behavioral   features.  An effective job design will be of great use to the organization since it will help in the raise of satisfaction and high productivity.  This however, necessitates the combination of several tasks towards the accomplishment of the job.  A person is bound  to a accomplish a primary  responsibility  which is made  of different functions  which therefore  requires adequate  description  and  setting  of the anticipated  objectives (Hill, Roche & Allen, 2007 9). On the other hand,  the functions of  tasks  is the general division  that  exists amid  the workers team  which  means that they must work  relatively  to achieve  the  common core  goal of the organization.  In the  challenging  or those  tasks that requires  more  energy  turnover is a likelihood  and this can best be eliminated through  encouraging  job rotation. In such challenging tasks the involved functions should be divided evenly among the involved persons (Hill, Roche & Allen, 2007 14).

The decisions engaged  in job design  are  grounded  in  the different  components  such as the  specialization  degree,  the requirement of job content and the working surrounding  in the  company (Boddy, 2008 27).  This is of great use for the management in addressing job analysis as well as all the involved specifications. In  managing  operations  the manger  is  highly required  to  carry out training,  orientation as well as  selection  based on the developed plan.  During the  procedure of developing  decisions  that are  mainly aimed  hiring  new  staffs   the  designs  can be  utilized  in the determination  of numerous factors  value,  contribution , flexibility, salary and  the  necessity (Boddy, 2008 28). 

The approaches  utilized in designing the specific  jobs should not make the  assumption that  money is the  determining  motivation  factor to  high performance,  satisfaction  and quality  productivity.  For most off  the  employees , job design  is essential  as  it  develops  proper  grounds for  fair  remuneration  which is aimed  at  motivating  staffs in achieving  effectiveness (Hannagan & Bennett, 2008 24).   The designs  of jobs in any organization  holds  distinct effects  on motivation, commitment as well as  satisfaction  to the  objectives of the  company all in which  holds  essential  effects  on the  organization’s efficiency (Hannagan & Bennett, 2008 16). Jobs should therefore, be developed in a way that promotes flexibility, growth and specialization.  However, since specialization may negatively impact motivation the issue should be handled through encouraging   of rotation.  This increases functional variety which eliminations the sensations of detachments as well as boredom.  An additional way in which motivation and performance can be enhanced is through job enlargement where employees are offered complex and yet interesting tasks which is a form of giving them extra responsibility.  This can be accompanied by job enrichment where employees control over their responsibilities and duties is increased (Hannagan & Bennett, 2008 29).

Conclusion and Recommendation

It is apparent that an increase in the flexibilities of job and the restructuring to implement well described jobs results in increased performance.  Workplace variability is associated with numerous potential advantages that may impact positive Mayfield’s performance.  Designing  responsibilities as well as  tasks for  all the  employees  can help the hospital  in increasing  their morale to perform the assigned  tasks, satisfaction, motivation  as well as the  capability  of  attracting  highly skilled employees  and also gain the capability  of retaining  them.  The organization  is therefore, recommended  to  utilized the  job design  strategies which are rotation, enrichment and engagement  in  increasing  working flexibility  while minimizing the operational issues.  Job design is highly effective since it encourages equity as well as flexibility. In that the achievement of high performance  is not  a responsibility of  some employees  rather  it  depends on the capability of working together to coordinate  activities  which significantly  satisfied  the  necessities  of consumers and  increases working morale. In order for the clients and the  workers to be satisfied  sustainability is a necessity  that  can be achieved  through increased teamwork,  high coordination  and the  mentoring of  employees  development  towards  quality  performance.

Job design should be accompanied by goal setting in that they are essential HRM variables that are interrelated in shaping the performance of employees.  A valuable and a satisfying  job is effective in offering employees  with  accurate  and clear  specifications  of the anticipated  tasks and the  assigned  tasks of their particular  jobs.   This would permit the   management in the identification of the anticipated status.  The management should focus on the evaluation of workers performance to compensate their services as a form of motivation.  Increasing  their pays  may not  generally  improve productivity  because  despite the fact that  it  influences  motivation  and high satisfaction  it  fails  in  fueling quality performance. This may not therefore, impact the need for achieving consumers satisfaction as required.  Job rotation  will reduce employees  turnover  since boredom will  be eliminated  and employees will highly  appreciate the wider  exposition  on  more  activities to develop their  skills.  This will help the operation management in maintaining low operating expenses thus providing high engagement and enrichment. The corporation should also stop on focusing on productivity rather than on HR which is a primary determinant of the general success. HRM and strategic planning on job designs should be adopted in the organization in setting specific targets and descriptions for every job.  HR is the most significant resource in the organization and should thus be treated as one.

            References

Asgari, N. (2013). Managing Operations, Job Design and Scheduling.  University  of Roehampton, London.

Boddy, D. (2008). Management: An introduction. Harlow, England: FT Prentice Hall.

Hannagan, T., & Bennett, R. (2008). Management: Concepts & practices. Harlow, England: Financial Times/Prentice Hall.

Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2016). Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management. Pearson Education

Hill, N., Roche, G., & Allen, R. (2007). Customer satisfaction: The customer experience through the customer's eyes. London: Cogent.

Mullins, L. J. (2016). Management and organisational behaviour. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.

Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A. Johnston, R. (2013). Operations Management. Harlow: Pearson Education Ltd.