Case study - knowledge management strategy Essay

Case study - knowledge management strategy - Essay Example The key emphasis is on the sustainable environmental management intention of MOTO. The raw information on environment friendly strategies from the staff of different nationalities is ensured to be collected and scientifically analyzed by the proposed knowledge management system. The proposal also covers the peculiar measures to be taken so that the knowledge is stored and retrieved as per the requirements. The market performance of the company, the staff participation, their consensus, cost factor, time factor and the conceptual adherence with the key policies of the company are other key factors which have to be taken care of during the implementation process. While considering the formulation of strategies, a sustainable approach has been followed in each level of the implementation. The company’s responsibility towards the environment and the society has been well understood and addressed. The technologies recommended for knowledge management within the environment of MOTO is thus environment friendly and community oriented. Latest innovations in the knowledge management systems which uphold these values have been carefully selected. To formulate the strategy for the change process, it is important to review the background information on the company pertaining to its policies and past performance. MOTO, all through its 35 years of market records, have stayed true to the ethical side of business while having excellent sales performance. The company has always maintained promising employment conditions. The corporate social responsibility always had been a priority for the company. MOTO has developed a work environment which is quire friendly with the environment. The paper free work procedures, the recycling procedures, waste management strategy, sustainable utilization of resources, compliance with environmental policies all has helped the company to have a responsible approach towards the environment. Despite the increased efforts, the production

Multinational Command Relationship Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Multinational Command Relationship - Assignment Example All the operational aspects will be handled by the US TACON Commander. The constraints that might be difficult to coordinate within the council itself include coordinating the various military branches to act in accordance with each other against the SAPA in Ahurastan. The most likely outcome, with constraints being placed on the ability to define the C2 solution—would have to be complete deference to the TACON commander, who would be in charge of the entire operation. This is so that the operation can be run smoothly—and, possibly remotely—from a secure location whereby U.S. Special Forces can control the entire situation or at least influence it to some degree. Undoubtedly, the U.S. Special Forces will basically control the entire solution, in effect.  The United States has one of the most well-equipped and capable militaries of any superpower country—and in fact, it is the world leader in these types of military operations.   Basically, every countr y must defer to the United States because it is in control of this entire mission.   There are two advantages to this:   a) the United States has a large military arsenal from which it can draw supplies as well as recruit troops; and b) the United States can have full control over whatever is happening, thereby making this an operation which will be acted upon in the U.S.’s best foreign policy interests.   The two disadvantages to such coordination might be:   a) the fact that these countries do not want to be told what to do by the United States, i.e., it may be a power play move on the behalf of the U.S.; and b) secondly, military intervention by the U.S. could very much well look like another occupation of a foreign Asian country—like Afghanistan.   To put the second point into layman’s terms, it could also look a lot like the Shock and Awe Iraqi invasion of 2003.   The multinational command structure is designed so that all parties can refer to t he United States before they take action.

Interrelationship Between Hospitality And Travel Organisations Tourism Essay

Interrelationship Between Hospitality And Travel Organisations Tourism Essay The hospitality sector is one of the most crucial service providers for the international travel and tourism industry. It includes all businesses which accommodate tourists and travellers when travelling to other destinations. They are an integral part of the overall experience, and must live up to the standards which are expected by clientele and those which are set by the industry. Modern websites such as Trip Advisor also set standards based on peoples evaluations of their personal experiences. These evaluations are viewed by potential clients from all over the world, and can influence their choice of hotel, motel, or any other accommodation provider or catering establishment. Task 1- Investigate the hospitality sector. Accommodation providers Hotels Generally, when tourists arrive at their final destination their main interest is to check into their hotel room and unwind, especially after hours of travel. It is therefore crucial that guests are treated with utmost care, as they may be tired and possibly irritated after their trip. Hotels within the Euro zone typically hold 1-5 star ratings which depend on the quality, scale, and the number of amenities and services which are offered. Hotel ratings outside the EU are not limited to five stars, such as the ultra luxurious 7 star Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai. Accommodation is a fundamental component in package holidays. Tourists may opt for budget packages which include basic 1 to 3 star accommodation, whilst others may opt for higher priced packages offering 4 to 5 star accommodation. When opting for luxurious accommodation, guests may spend a good proportion of their time at the hotel or resort to make full use of the amenities which are being offered. Guests would expect to be pampered throughout their stay, particularly for the price being paid. If problems are encountered, they would expect a rapid response and immediate action to be taken. 5 star establishments usually offer 24 hour receptionist and concierge services, valet parking for guests who have rented their own cars, as well as 24 hour maid, maintenance, and room service. One would also expect to have an in-room mini bar and safe, personal care products, high speed Wi-Fi access, laundry services, gym, spa and a business centre, to name a few. 4 and 3 star hotels offer more of a comfortable ambience than a luxurious one, whilst 2 and 1 star hotels offer basic, yet clean accommodation, and are more suited for people who aim to spend most of their time outdoors. Rooms are simple, but include a colour television, and an en suite bathroom. In general however, as the star rating decreases, the facilities and services also decrease in number, and possibly in quality. Although there may be certain hiccups in the services rendered due to human variability, cleanliness cannot suffer the same fate. Strict health regulations should be abided by and enforced by health authorities on a regular basis to ensure that hotel operators are giving enough importance to cleanliness. Cleanliness is so important that Trip Advisor features it as one of the main categories which can be rated together with service, location, rooms, sleep quality and value for money. Guests can also back up their cleanliness claims with candid photos. However, hotel amenities and services often do differ from country to country, as well as from brand to brand, even within the same destination. As with all companies, it is ultimately up to the people running the establishments to live up to their star ratings, or more appropriately in todays markets, exceed them. Motels and guest houses A motel is essentially a small hotel which is specifically designed for motorway travellers. They originated in the United States when motor trips were becoming the norm. After a day of travelling, people needed a convenient place to spend the night before getting back on the road. Currently, one of the most popular motel chains is Motel 6, which has more than 1000 establishments in North America and Canada, and is run by the international Accor Hotels group. Similarly to motels, guest houses also provide a relatively affordable alternative to other accommodation. However, unlike motels, guesthouses offer accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, where the house owners would prepare a simple homemade breakfast for their guests. Some travellers specifically opt for themed guesthouses, such as those which are said to be haunted. Camping parks, caravanning and lodges Camping parks and lodges give people the opportunity to enjoy nature and the outdoors, an activity which is becoming increasingly rare as people surround themselves with technology. Caravans and family sized motor vehicles are most commonly used by groups of friends or family members for camping trips. Lodges are typically found in wooded areas, mountain ranges, or ski resorts, and vary in quality, ranging from relatively basic to more upscale accommodation. They may take the form of a group of cabins with common facilities or as solitary cabins with dedicated facilities, which are all popular options for family trips, or romantic getaways. Self-catering apartments Self catering apartments have become popular as they offer greater flexibility, even though there is often the need to cook and clean. They also offer more of a homely ambience than motels or hotels as they consist of a kitchen, living room, and dining area. Renting an apartment may very well save clients money, especially if they plan to spend most of the time outdoors. The high paying tourist may rent a luxurious villa for a few days and hire their own butler, whilst the average family may decide to cook for themselves and enjoy spending their hard earned money elsewhere. Cruise ships Cruise ships originally catered for the wealthy, however as costs were lowered and new business strategies were created, they are now more affordable to the average income earner. Companies usually offer long-haul to short-haul cruises, some of which are all inclusive and others such as easyCruise which requires patrons to pay as they go. One would usually find a vast selection of high quality foods on board, mostly in buffet form. Catering providers Catering is fundamental to the success of the tourism and hospitality industries. It is so important that catering outlets can be found in places ranging from city centres and hotels to boats, trains and airlines. Restaurants The menu, music, ambience and pricing are the most crucial factors in determining which restaurant to choose. There are restaurants which cater for different requirements, ranging from affordable takeouts to high class and exclusive establishments. Restaurants form an integral part of a tourists holiday, some of whom would visit the same restaurant day after day if it is to their liking, whilst others may decide to experience a different restaurant each day. Chain restaurants offer tourists a sense of financial security. Tourists know that McDonalds in Portugal will offer the same products as McDonalds in the United Kingdom. On the other hand, when it comes to non-chain restaurants it tends to be less simple. Tourists would often visit restaurants based on recommendations made by the staff at the concierge of their hotel, from locals, or Trip advisor. Generally one would usually find catering establishments to suit all tastes and pockets. If a destination receives high, medium, and low spenders, then there must be establishments which cater specifically for them. The top restaurants in the world are usually Michelin accredited, which is possibly the most majestic of all international restaurant awards. A restaurant can acquire a maximum of three Michelin stars, meaning that it is almost faultless in terms of service, food quality and the overall ambience. Cafes Cafes used to specialise in hot beverages such as teas and coffees. However, they have developed to a great extent since then and now offer a variety of snacks and food offerings. As cafes increase in popularity, they tend to add more to their menu to increase their client base. Cafes are becoming so popular that McDonalds now has its very own McCafe, which was established to possibly compete with the likes of Starbucks or other international cafes. Outside catering Hospitality caterers are of great importance for major events such as conferences, after parties and exhibitions, which attract people from all over the world. It is up to the organisers to ensure that all of the participants are prepared to collectively deliver an unforgettable and unparalleled experience. 5 star hotels are usually chosen for large events as they can afford to strike better balances between quality and price than other lower rated hotels or catering establishments. Theatres, cinemasand shopping complexes. Going to the cinema or theatre is often not complete without a snack or a beverage. It has become custom to have something to eat or drink when watching your favourite film or play. Most cinemas have their very own snack bars, which serve beverages and snacks such as popcorn and nachos. In Portugal for instance, the major shopping complexes such as Vasco Da Gama, Colombo shopping centre, and Cascais Shopping in the Lisbon area have their own cinemas in-house. Located right next to the cinema entrances one would find countless catering establishments ranging from cafes to fine dining. Motorway service station Motorway service stations throughout the world offer dining options for motorway travellers, most of which have simple cafes which also offer snacks. However, some motorway service stations do offer establishments such as McDonalds for instance. Motorway restaurants have proven immensely popular, especially for people travelling long distances on major highways. Rail and ferry catering Railway passengers usually have limited or no catering amenities onboard. Costs will undoubtedly be high and the range of items available for consumption would be limited due to the lack of space on board. Ferries on the other hand are much larger and have a lot more space to comfortably seat patrons. A number of dining areas can be provided onboard, however cafes and snack bars are still the most feasible. In-flight catering Space on an aircraft is even more limited, so meals are usually reduced to two kinds of dishes on passenger planes. AirMalta for instance has for the past several years licensed Corinthia Hotels International as their official provider of in-flight food. Food portions are often small and specially packed to protect the food from pressure buildup. The meals are pre-heated and stored in small compartments in the kitchen area of the aircraft. First class flyers do sometimes have the option to select their own meal, but these services are obviously reflected in the high fares. Task 2- Explain the interrelationship between hospitality, and travel and tourism organisations Hospitality organisations are some of the most important service providers to the travel and tourism industry. Whether for leisure or for business, people do spend a significant amount of time at their hotel, particularly if it is of a luxury status. Guests would understandably want to reap the benefits offered by their hotel, particularly for the premium prices paid. Package holidays The role of hospitality in package holidays is very significant. Hotels which are included in package holidays ultimately depend on the price paid for the package. If someone opts for a budget package, then one would not expect 5 star accommodation, but more realistically some form of 3 star or possibly 4 star accommodation. Popular holiday packages are often mass purchased, so customers would benefit from good hotel rates and airline ticket prices. Hotels also have special agreements with individual travel agents, offering special rates to their companies in return for a guaranteed flow of customers from their end. Customers may opt for accommodation on room only basis, bed and breakfast, half board, or more rarely, full board basis. Travel agent representatives regularly check up on their clients at their hotel to ensure that they are having a pleasant time. They also discuss any problems that they have been experiencing throughout the duration of their stay, and get them sorted accordingly. All inclusive packages are also available but do not offer customers the flexibility of other packages. Such packages would include everything that is needed for the whole stay such as meals, beverages, hotel, tours, and all other requirements. Customers who opt for these packages would usually spend most of their time within the resort as most of their activities would be based there. Aviation The Airline industrys success depends very much on accommodation availability. Airlines may lose out on business if hotels are at full capacity. This is a serious problem for airlines flying to small destinations such as Malta, as there have been instances where all hotels on the island were fully booked. Major airlines must therefore analyse situations regarding bed availability, and choose flight times and days accordingly. Hospitality is also present onboard airlines in the form of catering, as well as sleeping arrangements. Budget airlines offer food and beverages at extra cost, whilst higher class airlines often offer all inclusive food and beverages, even to those paying for economy seating. Some ultra luxurious airlines even have reclining seats which turn into beds, as well as silver service dining and a centrally located bar, where customers can choose what to eat and drink. Business travel Business people specifically opt for hotels which are equipped with the necessary facilities to work comfortably. They search for hotels with business centres, Wifi or cable internet access, meeting rooms and conference areas, as well as other services such as 24 hour laundry and dry cleaning. They may also try to fit in some time for leisure, particularly in between meetings, where they would either spend time by the pool, at the spa, or out and about. However, due to the nature of business travel this is not always possible. The same goes for catering establishments. Business people opt for some of the best restaurants in order to impress business associates or clients. They make use of the money supplied to them by their companies, so they can afford to choose high class restaurants to accompany their luxury accommodation. Globalisation has brought about a growing need for business related travel, and this will undoubtedly grow even further as destinations become more connected. Budget airlines have also made business travel a lot more affordable to companies, however, some companies believe that flying business class would keep their reputation intact. Business class was essentially developed for business people who required space to work. Emerging destinations such as India and China are becoming hotspots for business travel, and international companies from around the world are interested in setting up branches there. Their industries are growing faster than any other, and certain companies do not wish to miss out on any opportunities to increase their market share and profitability. Conferences and exhibitions Conferences and exhibitions are also crucial for national and international travel and tourism industries. For instance, between the 29th of August and the 4th of September, Malta welcomed its largest ever conference, hosting 5000 delegates who were invited to the yearly Oriflame conference, each of which stayed at 4 and 5 star hotels. In total, 8 million Euros were injected into the local economy, mostly through accommodation costs. Outside caterers, mainly from hotels, were chosen to prepare food for all of the delegates. Conference attendees are often hosted at the hotel at which the event is taking place. Exhibitions offer consumers the possibility to view products or services before purchasing them. The International Tourism Bourse (ITB) is an international exhibition which attracts exhibitors from around the world. Companies, organisations and NTOs showcase their new offerings and concepts to other people from the field. Such events attract thousands of people from around the world, benefitting numerous hotels in the events perimeter. Visitor attractions A visitor attraction is anything which gets people talking or that is of interest to visitors, tourists and others. Attractions may take the form of manmade creations such as museums and theme parks, or natural attractions such as natural parks. On the other hand, some sites happen to be of interest to people simply because of the activities taking place there, and not because the actual place hosting the event is of any interest. Theme parks are possibly the most popular visitor attractions, collectively seeing millions of visitors on a yearly basis. Disneyland happens to be one of the worlds most popular flagship attractions, and can be found in the United States, France, Japan and China. Most theme parks house their own restaurants and cafes, where families can enjoy a meal and then get back to having fun. However, Disneyland Paris goes a few steps further by having two hotels at the resort, which often feature in package holidays and are immensely popular. Task3- Describe integration within the hospitality industry Integration first gained popularity in the 1900s, when businesses focused on reaching economies of scale, through which they were able to benefit from lower operating costs. When companies provide their own products or services through in-house efforts, outsourcing is no longer required, therefore saving the company money in the long run. Through such integration companies are also able to increase their global presence and increase their market share. Vertical integration Vertical integration is a process through which a company buys another company in the distribution chain, or enters a merger agreement. This is primarily done to maximise profitability and benefit from lower operating costs. It is traditionally characterised by forward, backwards and lateral integration. One of the most followed and well documented episodes of vertical integration was that of the Carnegie Steel manufacturing company in the United States. It had complete control over the distribution chain including the iron mines, steel mills, railroads, coal mines and the ovens required to form the steel. The company placed economies of scale at the top of its agenda, and even focused on having people trained internally rather than employing outsiders. Barriers to entry will develop, limiting competition in the marketplace. Companies may gain control of suppliers such as accommodation and transportation providers to further limit potential competition. If monopolistic behaviour develops through wide scale integration, government agencies will interfere and set restrictions because competition is fundamental for improving quality in the services industry. Forward vertical integration is a process through which a company merges with another company further along in the distribution chain. For instance, a hotel chain may decide to buy its own travel agency or tour operator in order to expand into other markets. Hotels often strike agreements with travel agents and tour operators, providing special room rates and offers for clients brought to them. Backward Vertical integration is when a company purchases one of its suppliers and makes proper use of its inputs for the benefit of the organisation. A tour operator may purchase an airline company or a hotel, as they are both suppliers of services which are crucial to the package industry. TUI AG has over the course of its development created the TUI Hotels and Resorts brand, which owns and runs hotel brands such as Robinson, Magic life, Iberotel, Grecotel, Riu and Grupotel, totaling 243 hotels around the world. It has recently embarked on an entirely new project for the company, the first TUI branded hotel. The TUI Hotel Kaluga has 136 luxury rooms and 74 apartments, and is targeted specifically at business people. Lateral integration on the other hand requires the merger of two organisations which may have indirectly related products and services; however they need not be in direct competition with one another. The three types of vertical integration give a summary of possible strategies which may be adopted as companies often make use of different variants of these strategies. Horizontal integration Horizontal integration is important for companies which want to expand their customer base, benefit from economies of scale and above all, maximise profitability. It occurs when a company purchases or merges with a company at the same stage of the distribution chain. A fitting example of this occurred last August when Hilton hotels international purchased a hotel at the Walt Disney World Resort for â‚ ¬92,202,465. Toyota, Peugeot and Citroen recently formed a consortium for the production of their 107, C1 and Aygo automobiles, which are all based on the same shared platform, engines and hardware. The three companies shared their knowledge and resources to achieve a common goal. Although this example is not directly related to the hospitality industry, these cars have helped car rental companies increase their sales by a significant margin in Europe because tourists find them affordable to rent, environmentally friendly, reliable, and fun to drive. Horizontal integration can also be complementary in nature as opposed to competitive. Airlines often work closely with hotel chains, reaping some of the benefits which are offered by mergers without the actual risks. Such relationships are visible in the choice of airlines made by hotels for their airline miles schemes. Airlines gather data from hotels to try and make their flight schedules correspond with accommodation availability; however this is not always possible due to the dynamism and complexity of the hospitality and travel industries. To avoid disappointment, the majority of tourists book their accommodation beforehand to ensure that they have their rooms available upon arrival. Implications of integration on the hospitality sector. Branding A Brand name alone may conjure up certain feelings or emotions related to personal experiences with the brand. As with all industries, the success of the tourism industry depends on the branding techniques adopted by all the key players, and how well they can deliver their messages to target markets. It is crucial that clients are able to associate themselves with such brands, and vice versa. Brands often aim to make their loyal customers see their products or services as an extension of their personality or character. For instance, if a group of business people check in to the Sheraton Pine Cliffs hotel in the Algarve, they would expect the same check-in procedures, business amenities and lavish luxuries as any other Sheraton hotel. Anything different for the money paid would often be unacceptable. Just like Sheraton, Westin also belongs to Starwood Hotels and Resorts. It is an upscale brand which caters for all sorts of clients who are after luxurious accommodation. It has top class amenities for business people, and all the luxuries that couples would expect for that romantic getaway. It also happens to be the most family oriented brand within the Starwood group, offering facilities where children can play under constant supervision. The animation team at the Westin Dragonara Resort in Malta often organises activities during the day, such as Sony play station tournaments for teenagers, or interactive games and other fun activities for children. Westin hotels around the world also have a childrens check-in point at reception to make them feel as important as their accompanying adults. All of the above concepts are an integral part of the companys branding strategy. Coupled with other factors, children may use their positive experiences to influence their parents into visiting that same hotel time and time again. Market control and integration between larger organisations Some of the UKs major tour operators have purchased hotels overseas to increase their global presence and profitability. By doing so, they are able to control their hotel rates to their advantage, possibly bringing more affordable packages to their clients whilst increasing their sales. Although this kind of activity is beneficial to the company, it can be detrimental to smaller companies in the industry. Integration between large organisations undoubtedly poses a threat to smaller organisations, and it is inevitable that employees and their families will suffer as the larger organisations take over. Although often unfortunate, travel and tourism essentially depends on the survival of the fittest, the companies which are able to offer the best balance between quality, quantity and value for money. In certain instances, the growth of the Internet is limiting the potential of forward integration, particularly when it comes to holiday packages. It has thrown some travel agents out of business, as they did not have the necessary funds to shift their physical operations to virtual platforms. The dawn of dynamic packaging was also a major threat to these companies, so much so that UK tour operators are in the process of closing down retail outlets to focus more on internet selling. Although potential clients will benefit from lower costs over the internet, this can pose a grave threat to society as thousands of people may suffer from unemployment. Direct selling over the internet is widely employed by hotels that have their own online booking systems. This makes the reservations process a lot simpler, cheaper, and less time consuming for potential guests, as well as for hotels. However, a reservations team is still required for those bookings which are made directly with the hotel over the phone or at the front desk. Some people feel more comfortable making physical payments because they may not wish to provide their personal details over the internet. Or they may simply enjoy the human interaction. Increased globalisation After a company expands successfully in its destination of origin, overseas markets are often next in line. Globalisation is the result of a collection of expansions, which can be analysed from an internal and external perspective. A company will face internal globalisation whereby its employees from around the world will develop relationships with one another. External globalisation is when team members interact with clients from all over the world. Social networking websites also allow for such communication to occur. Companies often create their own accounts on websites such as Facebook and Twitter, through which team members and loyal clients from around the world can join in and engage in discussions. Globalisation has also made way for a drastic reduction in trade barriers, particularly within the European Union. EU countries often benefit from lower priced products and services when trade occurs within the Euro zone. This benefits accommodation and catering providers to a great extent, particularly when purchasing in bulk. Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is undoubtedly one of the most powerful international hotel and leisure chains. It has had tremendous success through its integration projects over the last years. In the year 2005 it acquired the Le Meridien brand and its entire portfolio, which amounted to 130 hotels and resorts internationally. This acquisition has increased Starwoods customer base to a great extent with ultra chic properties in Africa, Europe, the Middle East as well as the Asian Pacific, and many more to come. Starwoods preferred guest programme has also benefitted Le Meridiens loyal guests as they have access to over 700 destinations as a result of the takeover. Mr. Steven J. Heyer, who at the time occupied the position of CEO at Starwood, believed that the acquisition of Le Meridien was a very exciting development for the Starwood brand. Le Meridien hotels are located in destinations where Starwood had little to no presence prior to the takeover. The Le Meridien brand provided the company with another exciting project to accompany their recent Aloft hotel brand. Since Starwoods takeover, The Le Meridien brand has been progressing steadily with widespread improvements in revenues and growth. Le Meridien Balluta in Malta happens to be one of Maltas top five 5 stars properties, and it is steadily working its way up. It began operations in the year 2004, just one year prior to the brands takeover by Starwood. Impacts of integration Economies of scale and market share Operating costs can be reduced significantly when companies integrate. If a tour operator takes over a hotel, the cost associated with investment would be high, however the benefits reaped by offering a wider variety of products or services can be seen immediately. In this case, integration would allow the tour operator to reduce its dependency on other accommodation providers as most operations can be taken care of within company parameters. The more reputable hotels the tour operator is willing and able to invest in, the more beneficial it will be from an operating cost stand point. The tour operator may lower the costs of its packages and pass the benefits onto the consumers. With the right strategies in place, market share will increase and profitability will be maximised. Through horizontal integration, companies can extend their existing client base, whilst through vertical integration companies can enter new markets and attract an entirely different customer base. Standardisation Standardisation is a complex and time consuming process, particularly in an industry which involves so many variables. Automated processes can most certainly be standardised, however it is a lot more difficult to standardise the human element, albeit not being impossible. For instance, McDonalds restaurants throughout the world have had their processes standardised. Whichever destination one visits, the procedures which employees follow are near identical, and the same goes for the food. The company tends to be highly efficient, time oriented, predictable and controlling over its processes and workforce. Standardisation can be possible in hotels, however it is limited. The way in which a telephone operator answers the phone can be standardised, and so can the way in which guests are greeted upon check-in. Variability will always be an issue, as the different departments within a company are run by different personnel, who each have their own standards and ways of dealing with situations. Quality It is not guaranteed that quality will improve through integration. As always, it depends on how variable the human element is. If a hotel is taken over by another, it does not mean that the new owner will have a better approach towards improving quality. Employees may not get along with their new bosses because they believe that the approach being adopted towards improving quality is not feasible or practical, therefore making the risk of error greater. It is therefore crucial that the management of any organisation does not opt for a strict top-down bureaucracy. Management must listen to what employees have to say because they are the people who

Negotiations to End Apartheid Essay -- South Africa Apartheid Essays

Ethnic races in South Africa, have always been highly disproportionate with Africans being the overwhelming majority and the whites the minority. The ratio of races has not changed much over the years. Today, South Africa (which is twice the size of Texas) is home to some 50-million people; 79.5% African, 11.5% Coloured and Indian/Asian and 9% are white ("South Africa's population," 2012.) Not unlike many European countries, South Africa has a history dating back to the 1600’s that is rooted in crimes against humanity. However, South Africa was one of the few countries that created formal laws to endorse full-blown racism. The term â€Å"apartheid† directly translated from its Afrikaans origin means â€Å"separateness,† and absolute separation of rights, based on race, is what the laws of apartheid embodied. Through a brief recap of South African historical events, it is evident that native Africans have been treated as less than humane for centuries. The laws that governed slaves (known as Tulbagh Slave Code), dates back to 1753, and includes such laws as: curfews that required slaves to carry passes; slaves were forbidden to make any noise at night, including singing or whistling; slaves could not converse on the streets of Cape Town; and should they revolt in any manner perceived as violent, they were put to death (Mountain, 2005). Although its title changed, the practices of slavery continued in South Africa until 1994. Documented negotiations to end slavery can be seen as early as the 1893 when Mohandas (Mohatma) Ghandi began his crusade against racism known as â€Å"Satyagraha.† Although considered â€Å"war without violence†, Ghandi’s 1908 campaign stirred the Indian nation to protest en-mass by burning their passes. These acti... ..., A. (2005). An unsung heritage: Perspectives on slavery. Claremont, South Africa: New Africa Books. Reynolds, A. (2005). Reserved Seats in National Legislatures: A Research Note. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 30(2), 301-310. South Africa. (2012). In Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/555568/South- Africa/260110/Resistance-to-apartheid South africa's new era; transcript of mandela's speech at cape town city hall. (1990, February 12). The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/12/world/south-africa-s-new-era-transcript- mandela-s-speech-cape-town-city-hall-africa-it.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm South African Government, Brand South Africa. (2012). South africa's population. Retrieved from Big Media Publishers website: http://www.southafrica.info/about/people/population.htm Negotiations to End Apartheid Essay -- South Africa Apartheid Essays Ethnic races in South Africa, have always been highly disproportionate with Africans being the overwhelming majority and the whites the minority. The ratio of races has not changed much over the years. Today, South Africa (which is twice the size of Texas) is home to some 50-million people; 79.5% African, 11.5% Coloured and Indian/Asian and 9% are white ("South Africa's population," 2012.) Not unlike many European countries, South Africa has a history dating back to the 1600’s that is rooted in crimes against humanity. However, South Africa was one of the few countries that created formal laws to endorse full-blown racism. The term â€Å"apartheid† directly translated from its Afrikaans origin means â€Å"separateness,† and absolute separation of rights, based on race, is what the laws of apartheid embodied. Through a brief recap of South African historical events, it is evident that native Africans have been treated as less than humane for centuries. The laws that governed slaves (known as Tulbagh Slave Code), dates back to 1753, and includes such laws as: curfews that required slaves to carry passes; slaves were forbidden to make any noise at night, including singing or whistling; slaves could not converse on the streets of Cape Town; and should they revolt in any manner perceived as violent, they were put to death (Mountain, 2005). Although its title changed, the practices of slavery continued in South Africa until 1994. Documented negotiations to end slavery can be seen as early as the 1893 when Mohandas (Mohatma) Ghandi began his crusade against racism known as â€Å"Satyagraha.† Although considered â€Å"war without violence†, Ghandi’s 1908 campaign stirred the Indian nation to protest en-mass by burning their passes. These acti... ..., A. (2005). An unsung heritage: Perspectives on slavery. Claremont, South Africa: New Africa Books. Reynolds, A. (2005). Reserved Seats in National Legislatures: A Research Note. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 30(2), 301-310. South Africa. (2012). In Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/555568/South- Africa/260110/Resistance-to-apartheid South africa's new era; transcript of mandela's speech at cape town city hall. (1990, February 12). The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/12/world/south-africa-s-new-era-transcript- mandela-s-speech-cape-town-city-hall-africa-it.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm South African Government, Brand South Africa. (2012). South africa's population. Retrieved from Big Media Publishers website: http://www.southafrica.info/about/people/population.htm

History of Special Education Essay

It was not until the middle decades of the eighteenth century that Europe turned, for the first time, towards the education of persons with disabilities. The spirit of reform, crystallized in the philosophy and precepts of the European Enlightenment, created new vistas for disabled persons and the pioneers who ventured to teach them. Although special education emerged in a number of national contexts, France was the crucible where innovative pedagogies to assist those deaf, blind, and intellectually disabled emerged and flourished (Winzer, 1986). Following the French initiatives, movements to provide services for those in the normative categories of deaf, blind, and intellectually disabled were contemporaneous in continental Europe, Britain, and North America. Prior to the mid-eighteenth century, individual deviations were rarely tolerated and little was done for those who in some way disrupted the norms of a society. Disability was not an innocuous boundary; rather, it was a liability in social and economic participation. People perceived as disabled – whatever the type or degree – were lumped together under the broad categorization of idiot, scorned as inferior beings and deprived of rights and privileges. This early period is replete with innumerable stories of healing, many imbued with an Indeed, many special educators seem curiously disinterested in the foundations of the field; historical knowledge is learned incidentally and unintentionally (Mostert & Crockett, 1999–2000; Winzer, 2004). To some, history becomes increasingly selective, with the past made over to suit present intentions; others speak to the ‘lack of history’ (Renzaglia, Hutchins & Lee, 1997, p. 361). At the same time, some contemporary writers disparage earlier events, programmes, and pioneers in favour of contemporary models. Some point to fossilized traditions; others hold that if today’s inclusive movement embodies the best ideals of social justice then the past, by extension, had to be unjust (Winzer, 2004). Implicit to this position is a steadfast unwillingness to learn from the wisdom of the accumulated past. The middle decades of the eighteenth century witnessed the pervasive influence of the European Enlightenment. While the intellectual project of the Enlightenment was to build a sound body of knowledge about the world, its humanitarian philosophy prompted ideas about the equality of all people and the human responsibility to take care of others, particularly individuals outside the private circle of the home and the family. Reform movements sprang up, aimed at the improvement of the well-being of groups of individuals, varying from poor people and slaves to prisoners, the insane, and disabled people. In France, the Abbe Michel Charles de l’Epee (sign language) assimilated Enlightenment ideals of equality, as well as novel concepts about language and its development. He joined these to the sensationalist philosophy of John Locke and the French philosophers to promote innovative approaches to the education of deaf persons. If de l’Epee’s doctrine promoting a silent language of the hands was not unprecedented, it was nevertheless revolutionary in the context of the times. In devising and instructing through a language of signs, the Abbe gave notice that speech was no longer the apex of instruction in the education of deaf persons. Simultaneously, he influenced and guided innovations for other groups with disabilities, specifically those blind, deaf blind, and intellectually disabled. Following de l’Epee’s successful mission with deaf students, Valentin Hauy in 1782 initiated the instruction of blind persons using a raised print method. Somewhat later, in 1810, Edouard Seguin devised pedagogy for those considered to be mentally retarded. The French educational initiatives travelled the Atlantic to be adopted by pioneer educators in US and Canada. Rejection of French innovations did not imply that British advances were minor. On the contrary. Building on the prerogatives of earlier pioneers, teachers and clergy such as Thomas Braidwood and John Townsend promoted education for deaf persons. Schemes to assist other groups soon followed. By the close of the eighteenth century in Europe and Britain, the instruction of disabled persons was no longer confined to isolated cases or regarded merely as a subject of philosophic curiosity. Permanent facilities were established, staffed by a cadre of teachers experimenting with novel and innovative pedagogical methods. The French endeavors formed the core of systems and methods adopted in the United States and much of British North America (Canada). In the latter, however, the Maritime provinces of Nova. Scotia and New Brunswick initially adopted British pedagogy (see Winzer, 1993). Founded on a humanitarian philosophy, evangelical commitment, and unbounded philanthropy, they established from 1817 onwards a complex of institutions designed to cater to the unique needs of exceptional individuals. Pedro Ponce de Leon(1578) in Spain created the first documented experience about education of deaf children (from nobility) AbbeCharles Michel de l’Epee(1760) in Paris created the â€Å"Institutpour sourds†(Institute for deaf) Louis Braille invented â€Å"Braille script†(1829). Pioneers in Special Education Jean-Marc Itard [pic] – DECS Order No. 1, s. 1997 – Organization of A Regional SPED Unit and Designation of Regional Supervisor in-charge of Special Education -DECS Order No. 14, s. 1993 – Regional Special Education Council -DECS Order No. 26, s. 1997 – Institutionalizing of SPED Programs in All Schools -DECS Order No. 5, s. 1998 – Reclassification of Regular Teacher and Principal Items to Special Education Teacher and Special School Principal Items – DECS Order No. 11, s. 2000 – Recognized Special Education (SPED) Centers in the Philippines. -REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7277 – AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REHABILITATION, SELF DEVELOPMENT AND SELF-RELIANCE OF DISABLED PERSONS AND THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES http://www. deped. gov. ph/default. asp SPED teachers to sharpen tools in a national conference PASIG CITY – Teachers and school administrators handling children with special learning needs are expected to further hone their skills during the 2013 national conference on Special Education (SPED) being put together by the Department of Education (DepEd). â€Å"We are opening the conference to public and private school teachers and administrators and other SPED service providers in line with our policy to continue to create a culture of inclusive education,† said Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC. The conference aims to engage teachers and school administrators in the discussions of the evolving practices in handling SPED learners with the end-view of producing inclusive policies. Preparations are now underway for the conference to be held in November in Iloilo which carries the theme â€Å"Special Education: A Bridge to Inclusion. † One of the conference highlights is the awarding of prizes to the winners of the Search for the Most Outstanding Receiving Teachers, as well as Outstanding SPED Teachers and SPED Centers. The national finalists will be awarded certificates while the national winners will receive plaques of appreciation and cash prizes. The conference will also be a venue to discuss current trends, skills and practices on the management of inclusive education schools. â€Å"We can also expect presentations on researches on inclusive education which others may adopt or adapt,† added Luistro. The Philippines, as a signatory of the Salamanca Statement of Action on. Special Needs Education, recognizes the principle of equal educational opportunities for â€Å"all children regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, linguistic or other conditions† (Salamanca Statement, 1994). This framework was adopted in the Philippines through the Department of Education Culture and Sports (now DepEd) Order no. 26 which institutionalized inclusive education. The order required the organization of at least one SPED center in each division and implementation of SPED programs in all school districts where there are students with special needs. Special education started in the Philippines in 1907 with the establishment of the Insular School for the Deaf and Blind. The school started with 92 deaf persons and one blind person. Today, DepEd serves 11 types of children with special needs in public schools. As of school year 2006-2007, there were 162,858 students with special needs at the elementary level, 51% or 83,231 of whom are in the gifted program. The remaining 49 % were students with various disabilities such as hearing impairment, visual impairment, learning disability, mental retardation, behavior problem, autism, and cerebral palsy. Students with learning disabilities comprise 25% of students with special needs. However, up to this date, many children with learning disabilities, mental retardation, and autism remain unidentified in public schools (DepEd, 2006a). The inclusion of children under these three categories of special cases were among the major concerns of the TEEP-SBM-Inclusive Education (IE) project. Historical Foundation of Inclusive Education Based on the book of Teresita G. Inciong, Yolanda S. Quijano, Yolanda T. Capulong, Julieta A. Gregorio, and Adelaida C. Jines entitled Introduction To Special Education, it was during the year of 1902 and under the American regime that the Filipino children with disabilities were given the chance to be educated. Mr. Fred Atkinson, General Superintendent of Education, proposed to the Secretary of Public Instruction that the children whom he found deaf and blind should be enrolled in school like any other ordinary children. However, the country’s special education program formally started on 1907. Mr. David Barrows, Director of Public Education, and Miss Delight Rice, an American educator, worked hard for this program to be possible. Mr. Barrows worked for the establishment of the Insular School for the Deaf and Blind in Manila and Miss Rice was the administrator and at the same time the teacher of that school. Today, the school for the Deaf is located at Harrison Street, Pasay City and the Philippine National School for the Blind is adjacent to it on Polo Road. During the year 1926, the Philippine Association for the Deaf (PAD) was composed of hearing impaired members and special education specialists. The following year (1927), the Welfareville Children’s Village in Mandaluyong, Rizal was established. In 1936, Mrs. Maria Villa Francisco was appointed as the first Filipino principal of the School for the Deaf and the Blind (SDB). In 1945, the National Orthopedic Hospital opened its School for Crippled Children (NOHSCC) for young patients who had to be hospitalized for long periods of time. In 1949, the Quezon City Science High School for gifted students was inaugurated and the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled was organized. In 1950, PAD opened a school for children with hearing impairment.

Factors Affecting Sporting Performance

Several factors affect our sporting performances, some of which are ‘natural' factors, and some of which we cause. An example of a natural factor is our gender. We do not choose to be male or female and therefore it is something that occurs naturally. An example of a factor caused by ourselves is our diet- what we eat and drink. We can decide what we want to eat be it healthy or not healthy, the decision is ours. Age is a natural factor affecting performance. When you are very young, your bones and muscles are still growing and because your bones are still growing they are a lot softer than a fully-grown adults are. This helps young children to be very flexible and very supple, which in turn affects their performance. But being fully-grown in some sports is better than young and supple. Because adults are fully-grown, they are a lot stronger than a child is. All the muscles are developed properly and so in a sport such as cycling it would be an advantage to be a fully-grown adult than a developing child, whereas in gymnastics it would be an advantage to be very supple because of the certain exercises involved. Our gender affects our performance a great deal. A mans frame is generally wider and taller than a woman's is. Women after they reach puberty develop wider hips which hinders their running ability, whereas a man develops larger muscles due to the increased level of testosterone in their bodies. Women generally have muscles smaller than a mans, so men have a head start already in any power sports such as weightlifting or sprinting which require a lot of physical strength. The size of your internal organs affects performance, in that if you have for example larger than average lungs, you can inhale an awful lot of air which contains oxygen, and so more oxygen can be sent to the muscles to keep them going for longer. Similarly if you have a healthy heart, it can pump the blood to your muscles quicker. And contained in the red blood cells is the oxygen that your muscles need to keep working. Having a healthy heart and large lungs can be a great advantage in an endurance sports event such as rowing or cross-country running. The use of drugs, banned substances, cigarettes and alcohol all effect the way in which we perform in sports. Drugs affect our performance in a positive way. They make us more alert, bulk up muscles and improve strength, increase speed and stamina, and get lots of oxygen to our muscles. Apart from cheating by taking drugs, they ruin our internal organs such as the liver and kidneys. In some cases drugs ruin your fertility because of the effect they have on the body. Cigarettes affect the way the heart and lungs work. The lung capacity of a smoker is considerably less than a non-smoker. Because the lung capacity is less than normal, this means that less oxygen enters the body and less oxygen goes into the red blood cells which are supposed to take oxygen to the muscles. Because of the lack of oxygen in the muscles, they can't work as well as usual. And if the muscles aren't working properly you can't play any sport well. Alcohol slows down reaction time and de-hydrates the body. If your reactions are slowed down in a fast game such as squash, it is likely that you will lose because you have to be alert at all times and if alcohol is present in the body, your performance will be affected. Your diet is very important if you want to stay fit and healthy. If a professional athlete changed their diet to one with sweet and fatty foods it would affect their performance, because too much sugar and fat in the body is unhealthy and it makes you gain extra weight to carry around when you are in action. If the diet you currently have has too many bad things in it, it can start to strain your heart. If you have a very well balanced diet, which is full of fresh fruit and vegetables it keeps your body healthy and full of energy. Also, if your diet lacks a certain amount of sugar, you can have low energy levels which makes your body work slower and not up to speed. It is good to take certain vitamin supplements to make sure that your body is totally up to scratch and eating plenty of foods with iron and different minerals. Illness is quite a major factor in your sporting performance. If you have just started to recover from flu or a bad virus, your body will be very weak from fighting off the virus because lots of your energy is taken up by getting better, so if you went down to a football pitch and tried to play 90 minutes of football the chances are that your performance will be very poor because your muscles will be tired, you won't be very alert and you will be fatigued and lethargic. An athlete who is clear from illness is far more likely to give a very good performance because they are fully fit, alert, and not tired. The environment makes a difference in most outdoor sports. Athletes who train at high altitude have an advantage, because there is a higher level of oxygen in the air and so more oxygen gets into the blood and to the muscles so they can keep going for longer in for example a marathon run or rowing. A high level of pollution in the air also means that there is difference in oxygen level, but instead of being higher like in high altitude, it is lower due to the impurities in the air. If there is less oxygen, less can be brought into the body, and so the muscles don't receive the necessary oxygen, so they can't work as well. The weather also makes a difference in performance outdoors. During a sprint race, if there is a wind blowing towards the athletes, it will be harder for them to run at a world record pace, because they have to work harder to run into an opposing force. Heat affects sprinters as well, if it is too cold, their muscles sometimes are not warm enough, so they could get injured or pull a muscle. If it is warm or even hot when they are running, their bodies and muscles will already be warm and ready to go, so when they are running, their muscles will be working at their best. Your lifestyle is a very important to keeping fit and healthy. A good active lifestyle will result in a healthy body. If you do plenty of exercise and eat healthily you can train for a sport easier, and your body has already set the foundations to keeping fit and keeping up with training. If you get little exercise and stay indoors most of the day, your body will be used to not doing anything too energetic, so if you suddenly go out and do an intense training session the chances are that your body will not be able to cope.