One of the most known practices considered fundamental in economic growth underpinning is innovation. It has a great capability in the development of solutions for challenges we face socially and economically. It is the key responsible for commercial firms in market environments and businesses of today‘s survival. Most current research on the management of innovation has majorly focused on large enterprises and economies of developed markets ignoring small medium-sized enterprises that have great contributions to the growth of economy and innovation. The main purpose of this work is to make contributions to the literature on innovation management and businesses on Business Process Management (BPM) and their behaviors in the context of socio-economic in Dubai and countries all over the world. The market Dubai can be considered as one of the quickest upcoming economies and markets in the Middle East. With proper government support, it has managed to achieve substantial industrialization and modernization levels.
The most profitable business market and innovative economy in the region of the Arabian Gulf in comparison to all the other Arab nations are The United Arab Emirates. It has been noticed by the World Economic Forum’s report of Global Competitiveness among the other 37 countries as an economy that is driven by innovation (Schwab, p.17). This indicates that 30 percent and above of the activities in this economy is contributed by innovation. As much as the country is considered as a country rich in hydrocarbons, the government of the United Arabs Emirates in collaboration with Vision 2021 of the country has made recognition in the urge to change the economy from where it is to an enlarged knowledge-based to maintain the economic growth that is long term and to create more job opportunities for the upcoming youths and the enlarging population An economy that is considered innovation-driven does not only depend on expenditure but also on investments that are efficiently allocated and their innovation strategies. However, innovation does not only generate from very large corporations but it also comes from Small and Medium Enterprises which in most cases give contributions that are original and positive to the domain of innovation. SMEs have been found to result as main actors in markets that are global chasing their special strategies in innovation (Naidoo, p.1313). It has been noted that there has been a change in the roles of small businesses because the comparative advantages have moved towards knowledge-based activities. In UAE, Small and Medium Enterprises explains almost 92% of the summation of all companies and grants almost 50% of the GDP from the economy. In addition to all these, almost 200000 of the United Arab Emirates SME based are currently offering almost 85% of jobs in the private sector (United Arab Emirates Ministry of Economy p.66).
The benefits that a company enjoys when they have adopted BPM may include the following; first and foremost it is cost-efficient. Most companies have stated that to increase the efficiency of costs, one needs more than slashing budgets. There is a requirement of strategic investment so that an organization can get more material savings. Most companies have also recognized that to achieve savings that are considered efficiently significant in terms that are medium, they have to implement effective techniques and technologies of Business Process Management (Bhagwat et al p.47). When we take a look at countries that research was done on before, most of them are planning on launching initiatives of process management whereby the largest proportion had the belief that the project was going to have a big positive effect to maximize the efficiency of costs. When BPM thinking automates complicated processes and technology is applied, there is a reduction of manual work and duplication of effort elimination. Companies that have launched the initiatives of BPM with the hope of manual work reduction have so far so good given positive results on the business. It has therefore been noticed that one can get similar output with lesser resources or adjust the output amount with the same amount of resources. Therefore, BPM can be considered a fundamental part of the strategy in the intelligent management of cost which gives the business a chance to reduce costs instead of cutting business growth. The Dubai Financial Market is responsible for a value worth 82% of shares that are traded in the capital markets of the UAE.
Secondly, we have business agility. In surveys and researches that have been done before, most people from different organizations expressed that their organizations would take a step in increasing the investments in their capabilities to act to various marketing conditions that are changing in a period of 12 months. Brighter organizations notice bigger margins on the services and goods they have by taking advantage of the opportunities in the markets. Most business people have recognized time to market optimization as a very crucial business driver. BPM has been found to enhance the ability of various businesses for to react to differences that are available in the environment of business. 78% of people who have introduced BPM to increase the organization’s flexibility have so far given positive feedbacks on the effects it has on the business. For a company to achieve business agility, it requires three major concepts (Dumas et al., p.2). These are; process management, Integration and automation, and lastly Rule management. In process management, the organization must be in charge of its process assets to be agile. The processes must be understood well and documented. Their visibility is a must and should be measured in real-time and continue to have compliance with regulatory objectives and the shifting market. In this case, BPM offers modeling capability solutions that ensure processes are very explicit. It is possible for these models to be updated by users and that is a very important factor as Information Technology’s recourse is not needed.
In rules management, organizations are in the management of the interactions they have with the outside world via procedure and policies that they have agreed on and documented. These rules can easily be adapted to follow the market pressures and therefore can be labeled as a competitive advantage source. Organizations that are aware of rule values in most cases use decision engines to find, deploy, update, and maintain rules all over processes in life. BPM on the other hand is moving towards collaborative and unstructured age. For an organization to stay well-governed compliant and visible, as it keeps dynamical processes on track despite the changing outcomes and goals, rules management will be the only way to do so. For a company to be able to manage BPM for it to acquire increased agility, it is very important to have rules. In cases of premium on uncertainty management, and better decision making on rules of businesses, optimization and simulation techniques can be put into practice and the use of responses and analysis of real-time.
The adoption of BPM enhances the innovation capability and productivity of MNEs by helping MNEs play a major role in innovation technologies, patenting, and investment in research and development. When MNEs adopt BPM policies, they can provide services of different kinds to the markets available despite their sizes. When these markets are served, they have a lot of benefits from scope and economy of scale and enable them to build a stronger capacity of finances for them to have investments in innovation which includes projects considered risky. It puts them in better and greater positions than smaller firms when attracting talents, adopting management tools for technologies considered comprehensive, acquiring equipment that is regarded as sophisticated, and building innovation networks with their strategic partners, suppliers, customers, research institutes of the public and universities. It has helped in the modification of spatial organizations and strategies in MNEs. When we take a look at how changes are happening, research currently done is indicating that there is an evolution of innovations in MNEs from hierarchical and centralized functions in the direction of one that originates from geographically disperse network center.
Firms with high innovation have been found to have the potential of turning into high growth firms. However, only 12.2% of Emirati entrepreneurs are expected to introduce or use new forms of technology as a major strategy in their growth (El-Sokari et al., p.76). In a survey done by Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, it was found that there can only be two ways of assessing innovation and these are; business competitiveness degree and product originality. The table below will show the technology of product level for a few years 2006, 2009, 2007, and 2011 in the UAE.
Year
No/Low Technology (%)
Med technology/ High Technology (%)
Total (%)
2006
96.9
3.1
100
2007
99.3
0.7
100
2009
99.0
1.0
100
2011
97.6
2.4
100
This table indicates that in2011, almost every new business that was started in UAE had none or very little levels of technology with only 2.4% as medium or high technology. This was found as the second least rate when compared to other economies that are driven by innovation and when separated from countries that perform the best a good example is Norway which is at 14.3% (El-Sokari et al., p.81).
In recent years, MNE has come to play a very active role in collaboration with BPM in innovation networks that are global and involve innovations defined as incremental. It also takes part in the development of multi-technology products. However, as the number of R&D supply-driven centers increase, MNEs only work with a few global labs in locations that they select carefully and have a historical core unit. In the last decade, international innovation networks are increasingly becoming multipolar and on the other hand, MNEs are locating an increase in the number of selected centers in emerging countries. On the contrary to internalization, the innovative activities of MNE as an organization is what they rely on when it comes to acquiring knowledge from external sources. In a situation where R&D activities are increasingly internationalized, there is a rise in competition in the regions and countries so that these corporation activities attract R&D (OECD, p.15). The innovations can also result in spillovers and indirect effects in the country which can lead to improvements in productivity. It can be recommended that policies of national innovation should consider ways of attracting MNEs innovative activities and find ways of encouraging current affiliates of MNE so that they can have domestic innovations.
Yes, the elements of BPM have a positive relationship with innovation capability and productivity. Innovations tend to have an incremental and radical relationship which has interestingly contributed to various performances in the firm. It is a very important business performance determinant despite the upheaval of markets which is conducted by the firm. The process of innovation can be seen as effective drivers that assist in innovation enhancement and performance of trade in an organization (Alpkan, p.740). To have expansions of new services and product quality, newness, exceptionalities, and reliability coming from their competitors lead to innovations of services instead of enhancing the overall performance of organizations inclusive of financial and marketing. The research was done in Taiwan in the determination of the relationship between service innovation, market orientation, and innovation performance shows that innovation has mediating results in the performance of innovation. This study showed that the innovation of products increases the profit rates while the innovation process increases both efficiency and profits. Product implementation, the innovation of institutions, and process enable flexibility of organizations in their various operations and it enables companies to improve the product quality and the competitiveness of the technology.
A handful of research has shown that innovation from the organization is associated positively with performance innovation and assists in understanding best which capabilities have the potential ability to affect competitive advantage that can give economic rent. Other research indicates that either organization or administrative innovation has a significant and positive impact on the performance of a company in terms of growth, financial, internal process, and customers. Furthermore, the innovation of process and product has been found to have a very important role in the performance of an organization. Generally, innovation is taken as an important factor that can help in the generation of lots of benefits for an organization for it to get a competitive advantage.
The new BPM approach suitable to enhance the innovation and productivity of MNEs in Abu Dhabi, considering that BPM is dependent on the different contexts, cultures, and nature of the organization may include; first and foremost we have the creation of clusters fostering linkages and around MNEs. As MNE seeks to rationalize the various activities they have, decisions in regards to local linkages are never made at the lowest level but the headquarters by having comparisons of available options globally. Therefore, regarding this, governments are required to come up with incentives for MNE to put local partners into considerations and not have expectations for this to occur naturally. In most countries, there are existing organizations that do not meet the reliability and quality requirements needed for MNE. As a result of this, policies that help local firms and organizations in the upgrade of quality and reliability are regarded as very important. Apart from building the required technical capacity to benefit from externalities that come from MNE activities, the government always put ready programs to help investors from foreign countries to get the best local partners and suppliers. This shows that, for outsiders to familiarize with local institutions and firms and become members of the club of the system of innovation, they are required to make greater efforts for this to happen. This approach will help in productivity in every country that puts it into practice as relationships will be built and unbreakable bonds too.
The second approach is upgrading demand-oriented public R&D and human capital. When talking about construction in the public sector as a research capacity, one must consider two major aspects. The first aspect is the availability of an investment in the R&D generation supply side. This majorly comprises research of long-term investment projects in given areas for example national laboratories and laboratories. These provide an academic publication as outputs which are important knowledge sources for bigger establishments of research by domestic organizations and MNEs. These public institutes also help in the provision of technical services and as services of consultancy to organizations as infrastructure part for standards and testing. The second aspect is demand-driven institutes for the public which work in various sectors with the primary aim of developing innovations that are specific and majorly focuses on meeting the different needs of a group of organizations or a particular sector. When we take a look at the current development stage of systems of national innovations, it can be suggested that BPM should put their focus on the second aspect. When this is done and followed from a perspective of technology foresight and intelligence gathering by government strategies and actions, there will be a better enhancement of innovation and productivity.
The challenges faced for not adopting BPM may include the following; first, without Business Process Management, an organization will be extreme slowness in an organization. This is because; organizations in almost all cases always experience the need to constantly change. These changes mostly are caused by market demands, new regulations, or the introduction of new working ways. One major importance of BPM is its aid in the facilitation of processes of designs considered flexible. When BPM is applied, one can get the chance to make changes to give minimal costs. Therefore without the adoption of BPM, the facilitation of processes will be slower and processes will not be customized easily for them to suit an organization’s requirements. The second challenge is low productivity. BPM aids the automation of different elements in workflows which are repetitive. It assists in improving processes for example bottlenecks removal, elimination of steps that are redundant and parallel processing. This gives employees enough time to spend on other organizational activities as the main activities are already handled. This in return gives good productivity and reduces wastes. Without BPM adoption, the employees will spend most of their time doing things that would have been handled easily by this management and therefore productivity will go down.
The third challenge faced by organizations is inefficiencies and an increased number of risks. BPM offers organizations an opportunity to efficiently engage in work and this helps in saving the organization’s resources (Prugsamatz & Raphaella, p.252). It also allows an organization to come up with better designs and processes monitored to help in the reduction of fraud. It can therefore be stated that, without BPM, the risk of fraud will go higher and those inefficiencies. Another challenge faced by organizations in failure to adopt BPM is hostility and vaguely in an organization. Every organization is required to be compliant with the regulations of the industry. With the help of BPM, it makes sure that every organization can put into action regulatory requirements and hence helps in delay prevention in compliance and fines associated with it. When an organization adopts BPM, it puts together compliance into the life process. Without this application, the processes of organizations cannot be visible and transparent enough to the employees, and therefore cases of hostility and vaguely will be high in the organization. Lastly, I will talk of reduced customer focus as a challenge. With increased services and goods produced, employees have it easy when it comes to focusing on clients. This causes increased despondence capacity and better ways of problem-solving. BPM has the capability of bringing technology and people together and this aid in customer satisfaction. Therefore, it can be noted that without the adoption of BPM, customer satisfaction will go done as the employees will have to focus on what it would have done already. They will not have time to come with better and greater ways of satisfying their stakeholders and customers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, organizations and companies should adopt Business Process Management to offer the very best services in a given country. This is due to its many advantages over disadvantages which include high productivity and customer satisfaction. This is all an organization requires to do well in various businesses and be in a position to maximize the profits. For a company to be able to manage BPM for it to acquire increased agility, it is very important to have rules. Rules will keep the company on toes and keep it running and will help deliver good results to the customers.
Acknowledgments
This research paper has been done with the help of various sources acquired from the internet and the library. The work of these authors cited down here has assisted me in this work and I would like to give them lots of appreciation for the good work they did.
Works Cited
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El-Sokari, H., Van Horne, C. Huang, Z., & Al-Awad, M. Entrepreneurship. An Emirati Perspective, Abu Dhabi (2013).
Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development & Zayed University. (PDF) Innovation in Small and Medium Enterprises in the United Arab Emirates. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280836945_Innovation_in_Small_and_Medium_Enterprises_in_the_United_Arab_Emirates [accessed Oct 01 2018].
Dumas, Marlon, et al. Fundamentals of business process management. Vol. 1. Heidelberg: Springer, 2013.
Naidoo, Vikash. “Firm survival through a crisis: The influence of market orientation, marketing innovation, and business strategy.” Industrial marketing management 39.8 (2010): 1311-1320.
OECD (2011) “Location factors for international investment in innovation: Attractiveness for innovation.” Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris.
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Scott, Duncan and Siren (2014, p.1) came up with steps that employees are supposed to implement in order to design the innovation engines which In this case are processes that enhance the development of ideas that are innovative in nature and the contribution of the employees in the same activities (Sobelman, 2018). The steps were short to implement as it requires a timeline of only 90 days. Scott, Duncan and Siren were simply looking at steps which will make innovation a responsibility of every employee in the organization from the top manager to the bottom as it was the best way to guarantee the success of the innovative projects.
When coming up with the steps Scott, Duncan and Siren (2014, p.1) were of the view that in most cases, when the top managers decide to inject innovation through employment innovative minded employees, the very initial step that they need to consider it should be about the changing the structures that are currently existing in the organization, the next phase would be allocating resources which include manpower, tools and machinery. According to Olsen (2016, p.1), this resources would enhance the teamwork and specialization of the process adding innovation in it and finally, on the process, the substantial amount that the organization has generated is supposed to be reinvested back so that it supports the above process.
However, a step by step mechanism was offered by the authors that when utilized it will develop an innovative engine at a lower cost as compared to the above process. This steps takes a considerable amount of time therefore enabling the organization time to relook at the process and rectify it within the shortest time possible.
Fig 1: steps for MVIS retrieved from Scott, Duncan, Anthony and Siren (2018). Build an Innovation Engine in 90 Days. [online] Slideshare.net. Available at: https://www.slideshare.net/InnosightConsulting/build-an-innovation-engine-in-90-days-webinar [Accessed 29 Oct. 2018].
. The steps for the evaluation of minimum variable innovation system are:
Step 1: defining the innovation bucket: the authors were at the point of view that there are two types of attempts that are channelled towards the development of innovative ideas: Olsen (2016, p.1) stated that it’s either that a new dimension is being added to the already existing methods or ideas or a totally brand new idea is being developed. In the case of Manila watercompany regardless of any dimension, the teams that are a task to work on the ideas should be in a position to recognize the correct bucket which their project belongs to (Scott, Duncan &Siren, 2014, p.1).
Step 2. Narrowing down on some of the strategic ideas. According to Scott, Duncan and Siren (2014, p.1) in this step a number of prospective ideas which has a likelihood of being a successful innovation might come in plenty, it’s up to the team that works on the project to ensure they prioritize only a few projects that will have a great impact on the organization.
Step 3: Forming a dedicated team which is small and would be operating on the innovative ideas: having a small dedicated team to take over the projects would be essential not only for helping the organization to conduct a research which is organized but also essential in ensuring the effectiveness of the human resource (Sobelman 2018, p. 1).
Step 4: develop an apparatus is capable of being used to instil a sense of discipline in the organization operation activities of the innovation projects: while it’s a fact that sometimes innovative projects often appear to lead organization into a chaotic situations, it is important to maintain the discipline in any project that the team handles as this would ensure the employees operate in an effective way (Sobelman 2018, p. 1).
Fig 2: 90 days steps for Minimum viable innovation system retrieved from
Scott, Anthony, Duncan, Pontus and Siren (2018). Build an Innovation Engine in 90 Days. [online] Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2014/12/build-an-innovation-engine-in-90-days [Accessed 29 Oct. 2018].
Advantages and Disadvantages Associated With Technological Innovation and Its Management
Pros (Advantages)
According to Sobelman (2018, p.1) the model just as it is used in Google does not create a scenario whereby only a specialized teamwork at the early stages of the innovative process but it gives employees the freedom to participate in the innovative process and in the long run this would ensure positive energy in the team is maintained mostly towards innovative ideas.
Melnick(2018, p.1) stated that the model gives employees liberty when working on the innovative project by eliminating the bureaucracy that requires the approvals of managers which can immensely contribute to the tainting of the positive attitude that employees should haveto.
The model also plays a big role in reducing the stress level of employees, as every employee is given a chance to work on their individual innovative ideas and the employee is at liberty of spending up to 20% of his/her time working on innovative project that they feel comfortable with (Olsen 2016, p.1). According to Melnick(2018, p.1) besides reducing the stress level the same factor encourages efficiency and effectiveness as they work on the projects that they are willing to work and are more comfortable in.
By allowing the employees to participate in the innovative projects, without looking at the employees designation, the employees will have a sense of belonging and will be interested in knowing what the management thinks about the project, in the long run, the model will ensure that employees are prepared and ready to face the failure of the projects with much efficiency if it occurs (Sobelman2018, p. 1).
According to Sobelman (2018, p.1) if the model is implemented successfully will ensure the organization maintains its competitive edge by continuing to assess what the market needs and offering the exact solution. Olsen (2016, p.1) also emphasized on this point by stating that with the resources and the support that is accorded the project and not forgetting a sense of belonging which in itself acts as an incentive create a tight bond in the teams, reduces the turnover rate in the organization and every individual will focus on the long-term well-being of the projects hence they give 100%.
The minimal viable innovation model is also cheap to implement considering the organization will not have to hire experts but use the available human resource as well as the budgeted financial resources for the model. Though small firms may find it difficult in terms of cost the model is actually cost-effective for big firms with adequate resources. It is also worth the risk as the returns from the innovative projects inject into the organization another bill of health increasing the rate of sustainability(Olsen 2016, p.1).
Though the model leads to more upfront work, the risk which is often associated with wasted efforts, as well as high cost, is ultimately reduced. I believe this is the major reason why the model has been tested by various big companies a month them including, Samsung, the Google Inc., Facebook and Apple (Olsen 2016, p.1).
According to Sobelman (2018, p.1), the model also strengthens the teamwork in an organization. This is due to the fact that every member will feel respected and appreciated, as the model encourages free sharing of innovative ideas which will inspire individuals in the team to feel part of the system and strive to deliver to remain relevant in the team and in return come up with more vibrant innovative ideas.
The model is also faster to implement. According to Olsen (2016, p.1), the model only takes 90 days to implement, this saves time, as the team will be able to make amends where there might be an error within a short time hence ensuring the innovative projects have more chances of succeeding(Olsen 2016, p.1).
There is a reduction of risk to the investors when the model is implemented. This is due to the fact that the implementation takes less time, therefore, any innovative product prototype can be tested by the target audience within a short period of time,make additional changes that the target market need before the final release, present the final product to the investors to prove viability before finally releasing it in the market(Sobelman2018, p. 1)..
It adds flexibility into the innovative projects. This is based on the fact that the projects can be tested before the final release. This gives flexibility as it would be changed or redesigned to meet the target market expectation. For instance, if it’s a new product or an additional feature in an existing product, the fact that the product would be released in the market for testing and getting the customer feedback gives the model flexibility as it adapts through the market needs(Sobelman2018, p. 1).
Cons (Disadvantages)
The model has more pros than cons. The major con is that it the model minimizes the scope of the individual employee’s innovations (Sobelman2018, p. 1). This is due to the fact that the innovation is customized into a specified path that limits the employee’s mind to think outside the box.
Another con that comes about with this particular system is that is demands for a significant amount of upfront work to obtain reliable and consistent consumer feedback. Thus demanding for development efforts towards the vast range of product release, thus requiring revisions on the complete basis on feedback.
Amongst the key objectives of the minimal viable innovation system is the validation in learning. The product however stands not as a proposal; therefore a fit in the productmarket occurs in a situation when the set value proposition is efficiently proven by a significant percentage of the total market transactions which creates business momentum. Therefore, having a product market fit, shows that you have already proven viability of a particular product and therefore there is no longer a requirement or need to be minimal henceforth.
Another disadvantage of the minimum viable innovations system is the tendency to have minimal to no limit of precautions when it comes to time and funds managements. Thus indulging in time as well as funds wastage.
The liberty that the innovation team have is usually a blessing in disguise in the sense that. The employees might lose track of the innovation that would be relevant to the vision and mission of the organization due to freedom that the project team is giving.
The time given for the implementation of the innovative project is less as it might interfere with the productivity or the output of the employees. The time should not be restricted to 90 days considering also the fact that some innovative projects may experience some technicalities which will need a gradual implementation.
The model tends to work well in bigger firms. Small and medium enterprises might find it difficult to implement the model, due to the limitation in the number of staff and lack of flexibility for the staff.
Finally, there are many factors which might influence the innovative project and the model does not factor the external factors in. this factors might be political or economic and might hinder the proper implementation of the model as desired.
Comparison between MVIS and Rick Eager’s innovation management concept
FIG 3: INNOVATION MANAGEMENT retrieved from
Brits, D. (2018). Elements of a Successful Innovation Roadmap | Innovation Management. [online] Innovation Management. Available at: http://www.innovationmanagement.se/2014/11/10/elements-of-a-successful-innovation-roadmap/ [Accessed 18 Oct. 2018].
Innovation management is a model which focusses on the future, and use innovation to ensure that in future the organization maintains its competitive edge by slicing a new niche before the competitors (Leiblein&Ziedonis 2011, p.31). According to Goffin (2016, p. 60)Just like MVIS model innovation management ensures the business has a longevity in terms of a competitive edge as the innovation strategy is meant to create new products and services for new market and in the long run, ensuring it helps the business generate more tangible profits.
Under innovation management, the management or the leaders supports individual or teams as they come up with ideas and innovation that is core to the management of the organization goals and activities which drive innovation (Chen& Wang2005, p.47). In other words, Innovation Management is initiated by the top management and employees in the companies try to come up with ideas. According to Rhodes and Wield (2001, p. 79) this is based on the agenda of the top management this is contrary to MVIS where the employees are free and ideas can come from bottom up in the sense that it’s not driven by the management but the employees are at liberty of coming up with the ideas which can make the organization competitive under innovation management it’s the management initiative to support the innovative teams. It’s upon the management to provide an enabling environment that favours ultimate innovation (Huang 2009, p. 64).
According to Rhodes and Wield (2001, p. 81) by exploiting the tools for innovative management, the management is capable of triggering and deploying the creative proficiencies of the workforce for the continuous development of the business. Both the MVIS and the innovation management use the same tools in order to boost creativity in their projects, the tools include, prototyping, brainstorming, ideation, product line planning among others. Manilla water company should use this tools as it would guarantee the company efficiency in the production process with limited.
Innovation management is significant in promoting institutional innovation as well as technological innovation. One of the major goals of innovation management in the organization is to foster a suitable environment that would encourage innovation. The favourable environment enables the business to get more cooperation projects and give business ventures the platform for take-off. With this in mind Minimum, viable innovation system model also can thrive in the same environment, it also relies on the goodwill and full support of the senior managers for the innovation to be successful. The innovative team needs to get full endorsement and support from the top managers as this would inspire individual to think out of the box and come up with incredible innovative ideas (Leiblein & Ziedonis 2011, p.31).
Both MVIS and Innovation management requires the employees who are talented at all aspects of the organization, the once that understanding the vision and the strategies that the organization has, and are dedicated and focused to ensure their ideas turn into an innovation which would generate more profit for the organization and also accelerate the speed at which the organization moves towards its set vision and objectives (Leiblein&Ziedonis 2011, p. 77).
On considering the liberty of the team that is spearheading innovation both the Innovation management and MVIS allows the team to be independent, to make independent decisions without being influenced by the management, they are allowed to think outside the box. this is further made possible under innovation management due to the fact that the innovative projects are separated from the existing business which allows the innovative team to be flexible and give it all for the sake of coming up with new innovative ideas (Huang2009, p. 66).
According to Scott, Duncan and Siren (2014, p. 1) minimum viable innovation system and innovation management both falls under two buckets. They are either an improvement of the existing business, offering or internal operation or they focus on reaching new segment and customer or even market with their innovation the same applies with Innovation management concept which is categorized into either pushed and pulled which just like in MVIS a pushed process is based on the new invented technology while a pulled is based on finding a new area or new segment or market and come up with innovative projects to satisfy the need of the newly acquired segment (Chen& Wang2005, p.50).
Minimal viable innovation system model has a timeline of 90 days (Scott, Duncan & Siren 2014, p. 1). When the model is accurately followed the project should take a maximum of 90 days this is contrary to innovation management whose time is not actually defined or standardized and as a result some projects might take longer time than others.
Finally, there is a thin line between minimal viable innovation system and innovation management. The only notable difference is the fact that in minimal viable innovation system entails steps which when implemented will guarantee success for the success of the innovative project while innovation management has no outline steps to follow but they converge at appoint where every employee has a responsibility of coming up with ideas which will keep the organization afloat in the future and maintain its competitiveness (Chen& Wang2005, p.50).
Innovation management tends to lean on building an innovative culture in the organization. Innovation management model influences the structure of the company in a way that it would dictate the innovative culture that will drive innovation amongst the employees in the organization. This is contrary to MVIS where the organization structures have got less impact on the innovation project as employees are set free and they can come up with their own ways of doing things. The culture in here comes from the teamwork and it is not therefore dictated by the top management (Huang 2009, p. 69).
Evaluation of the three advice given in MVIS by the authors
“Remember, the “S” in MVIS stands for the system. You can’t pick and choose between the four elements described above. Do everything, or do nothing.”
The authors’ first advice was about the system. All the four elements in the initial of MVIS are cemented by the system (Scott, Duncan and Siren 2014, p.1). They all have to work in unison and they cannot be disintegrated. According to this case, the success of the model simply relies on the organization system as a whole, which involves the managers, the resources, other employees and stakeholders. This are different entities that need to work as one, the ‘do everything or do nothing’ statement by the author shows the kind of bond or teamwork that is required for the model to function it signifies the unanimity required where every aspect of the system should be designed to work in a way that it would ensure the success of the model.
In regards to the system, the organization needs to be looked as a whole, any disintegration affects the success of the model and so is the innovation projects the vision of the organization should be the blueprint that would guide the organization on the innovative projects that they need to give priority. Teamwork and resources are paramount and the system does not only involve the innovative project team but every individual who is working towards the organization vision and considering the fact that the Minimal viable innovation system does not limit innovation to the specific team as anyone is allowed to come up with viable ideas, every individual as important as they determine the success of the projects.
“One area that absolutely cannot be shortchanged is personnel. If you have no one fully focused on new growth, you’ve decided not to focus on new growth”
The authors in this statement illustrates the importance of involving the employees at all the stages, the organization should be responsible to instill a sense of belonging to the employees instead of looking at ways of shortchanging them and bringing new ones that would focus on the new projects in the organization (Scott, Duncan and Siren 2014, p.1). It’s upon the organization to ensure the employees are motivated about the new innovative projects, welcome their opinions and ideas and put them into consideration during the implementation of the project. Every personnel should be brought to the table. The statement also touches on the teamwork, in the sense that when you don’t have the confidence of the whole team or when the team does not function as one there is a higher probability that the project is going to fail and it would rather be abandoned.
The growth or the success of the organization is greatly influenced by the level of motivation the employees have. The most successful company like Google and Facebook are successful mostly because they are constantly innovative a contribution which is highly linked to the staff who are motivated. Organization are often affected by the turnover, therefore, replacing employees can never act as a solution for the growth of the organization the solution is with the motivation and sense of belonging in which is achieved through openness, cohesiveness in the team and enabling environment where employees can feel free to share ideas and opinions.
The Minimal viable innovation system model recognizes the need of every employee to contribute to the innovation process. It’s clear that this model does not necessarily approve for the additional employees to drive the innovative projects but just to ensure the existing ones that have walked and worked towards the set goals and vision enjoy their work, get fully motivated to enable them focus fully on innovative projects which would benefit the organization and maintain its competitive edge.
“How you treat failure is more important than how you reward success. Hiding or fearing failure spawns projects that never die and that suck up all your capacity for innovation.”
The organization should be very careful about how they treat the failure of the project (Scott, Duncan and Siren 2014, p.1). If handled in a wrong way it will interfere with the productivity of the employees and even affect their confidence making them scared of making a decision, coming up with ideas, avoiding the risks but promising ideas and in the long run affect the innovative power of the organization making it less competitive in the market.
Failure in the market should be made as a stepping stone, and the employees and managers should take it as a challenge and a lesson rather than look at it as inefficiency. Fear of failure would make organization stagnant as nobody would want to go out of the book and think about ideas as the fear would have overridden any other thing. Innovation is all about risk, and failure is just a step up as rather than a step-down. It’s a lesson that would give the employees experience they would learn from it and avoid the errors made that resulted into a failure.
A thorough analysis of the failed projects should be shared across the organization, to enable every individual to know why the project failed. This will inspire the employees to make them be persistent and ensuring that most of the new projects are handled with precision it requires to avoid failure. This will minimize the failure rate, employees will be encouraged and still give it all, be efficient and effective in the new projects and in the long run ensure it is successful.
Persistence is gained when the organization stand together on the low moments like a failure in a project, the employees become more determined and focused, they become more knowledgeable, come up with feasible ideas which would result into new successful projects. When an organization makes employees look down upon themselves due to failure in a project that’s a lethal injection that would slowly kill the dreams that the organization had.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is a clear sign that the minimum viable innovation system model if implemented has a ma ore positive impact in the organization and has a higher chance of being successful than any other previous model. The fact that the leading companies in the world are using it is enough to give it credibility and eliminate any doubt. The central point of convergence in the model is the fact that it guarantees employees satisfaction and motivation a factor which is key to innovation as a motivated employee is usually more creative and has more innovative ideas as compared to unmotivated and unsatisfied one.
The minimum viable innovation system advantages outweighs Rick Eager’s Innovation management concept as it gives more liberty to the project team and the timeline given enables the organization to absorb any negative issues pertaining the project at s shorter time therefore making it more viable as compared to Eager’s concept.
Minimum viable innovation system is employee driven and the management work will only to ensure the employees are motivated enough and create an enabling environment whereby every employee will be encouraged to be innovative. The model works best in a place where employees are fully motivated and are able to work with no supervision nor is incentive, as the innovative projects they handle an equal motivation.
Based on the study it is projected that the minimum viable innovation system concept will be used for quite a long period of time and the companies that need to stay afloat and retain their competitive edge need to adapt the concept. This concept will gradually override the Eager’s concept due to its systematic steps that can be easily implemented in the organization.
Reference list
BURGELMAN, R. A., CHRISTENSEN, C. M., & WHEELWRIGHT, S. C. (2009). Strategic management of technology and innovation. Boston, McGraw-Hill Irwin.
GOFFIN, K. (2016). Innovation management. [Place of publication not identified], Palgrave Macmillan.
Hamel, G. (2018). The Why, What, and How of Management Innovation. [online] Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2006/02/the-why-what-and-how-of-management-innovation [Accessed 9 Oct. 2018].
HEMMERT, M., & OBERLÄNDER, C. (2003). Technology and innovation in Japan: policy and management for the twenty-first century. London, Routledge. http://www.crcnetbase.com/isbn/9780203194720.
HUANG, L. K. (2009). The Contingent Role of Innovation between IT Management Sophistication and Strategic Alignment. Journal of Global Information Management. 17, 60-92.
LIEBLEIN, M. J., & ZIEDONIS, A. A. (2011). Technology strategy and innovation management. Cheltenham, UK, Edward Elgar Pub.
MELNICK, L. (2018). 90-day plan to increase your company’s innovation. [online] The Business of Social Media. Available at: https://lloydmelnick.com/2014/12/04/90-day-plan-to-increase-your-companys-innovation/ [Accessed 8 Oct. 2018].
OLSEN, D. (2016). The lean product playbook (summary): how to innovate with minimum viable products and rapid customer feedback. https://www.overdrive.com/search?q=53ABBCC6-7433-4FBC-A9EB-9D2D60288F40.
RHODES, E., & WIELD, D. (2001). Implementing new technologies: innovation and the management of technology. Oxford, NCC Blackwell.
SCOTT, DUNCAN AND SIREN (2014). Build an Innovation Engine in 90 Days | Innosight. [online] Innosight. Available at: https://www.innosight.com/insight/build-an-innovation-engine-in-90-days/ [Accessed 9 Oct. 2018].
SOBELMAN, N. (2018). Build an Innovation Engine in 90 Days – Commentary – Innovation Excellence. [online] Innovationexcellence.com. Available at: https://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2015/03/23/build-an-innovation-engine-in-90-days-commentary/ [Accessed 9 Oct. 2018].
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
The auto industry in America has thrived since the early 1900s when the industry started, even though it’s in Germany and France where the design of the modern automobile came from in the late 1800s, the first half of the 20th century was dominated by the American(May 3). According to May, Henry Ford came up with mass production of the designs that became a universal standard; the three automobiles group in us by the year 1920 was Ford, General Motors as well as Chrysler (9). However, the auto industry has proven to be among the top industries that are faced with environmental issues and risks around the globe and more precisely in the United States.
According to Domansky the culture in the automobile industry has been against the added feature in the vehicles for instance over half a century ago when the seatbelt was being introduced (54). The industry fought against it although it was introduced as a way of providing safety and reducing the rates of casualties in the accidents, the industry also was in defiance about the requirement that they need to install catalytic converters which aimed at reducing the air emissions swell as the airbag requirement amongst other safety and environmental standards (Domansky 61).
Currently, the industry is fighting against the effort by the appropriate agencies in reducing emissions as well as bettering the fuel economy. The auto industry in America has been staging a good fight with the government concerning the interference of the government in regards to a bailout. Golinska stated that despite the complaints from lobbyists as well as the top management, the auto engineers have succeeded in building the cleanest and safest vehicles in history and this was well catalyzed by the previous Obama administration which supported this initiative (102).
American land pattern was built around both personal and automobile transportation. The automobile is a necessity to every American and it has become part and parcel of American life and therefore a better gas mileage, as well as lower emissions, is a vital national goal. The manufacturing of vehicles has now turned global, and the whole world is working towards reducing the effects of climate change and producing environmentally friendly products. With the existing competition in the automobile industry worldwide the future projection based on the two perspectives dictates that the market will be dominated by the best environment-friendly industry and based on that the number of electric vehicles has substantially increased as the manufacturers have started turning their attention to it (Newman & Jeffrey 30-54).
Analysis
There are numerous emissions and other environmental hazards that have massively been contributed by the auto industry. According to Golinska, the industry faces issues like dealing with brake debris, painting, tire particles as well as gas emissions (19). The noxious impacts of brake debris, as well as tire particles, demonstrate the need for a broader capacity of consideration for the environmental effects of automobiles. Golinska further stated that these elements increase the toxicity levels in the surrounding soil and, on the other hand, tire particles, result in the creation of black carbon (20). Together it has been proven that the pollutants cause lung toxicity as well as it is responsible for a substantial proportion of particle matter in the urban areas. Such effects have a considerable implication in both the design and the use of the automobile.
Painting and coating are responsible for 62% or the biggest share of environmental effects during the built-up of automobiles. Davies highlighted the fact that the mechanism used like “in-mold painting” can minimize discharges of dangerous toxic material like nickel, hexavalent chromium, and copper in the atmosphere (120-125). According to Gallagher, the progressions in paint and coating chemistry and the decreasing in the level of the toxic elements used may lead to a considerable reduction in the negative environmental effects that currently exemplify the auto manufacturing industry (61).
Captivatingly, the gas emission effect from the US‘s reliance on foreign oil as well as the fact that the many regimes have not fully popularized the electric car options like Tesla. Fossil fuel alone controls the economy to a larger extent as the oil business remains to be among the richest businesses in the world. New regulations were made by EPA which required American-cars together with the lightweight trucks to 34.5 mpg average as by the year 2016 (Golinska 157), and by 2012, this got a major boost from the Obama administration as they announced a new standard which was a bit strict and required the new vehicle to have a fuel efficiency of 54.5mpg by the year 2025. This demonstrates the fact that the government is responding to the critical issues of environmental concern. Therefore the less pollution we have, the better, this will equally resonate with the customers in the sense that they will need a higher fuel efficiency vehicle to save the gas and in doing this they will be reducing the gas emission in the environment (Golinska 108).
The conventional argument against these standards is that if the markets demand efficient low-emission cars, the market will drive the manufacturers to produce them, but on the flip side, to a larger extent, the government holds the critical role of making facilitation on this, with the innovation channeled towards the speedy production of the critical elements needed in the market and also for the future as innovation would bring the sense of pro-activeness. The need and demand for innovation that would meet the dynamic standards will enhance the organization’s support within the automobile industries for the engineers to build something new and efficient and also environment-friendly (Domansky 49-54).
The fact that the entire world is fighting the devastating effects of climate change, as well as safety regulation, has offered opportunities for engineers to assess every feature of the automobile as well as the result the technology has made it possible to auto-fill electronic and making material lighter and durable. According to Domansky, The production of a self-driving car can be seen as a major step towards the safe and environment-friendly production of the vehicle, and with that technology is viewed as an effective tool in fighting negative environmental impact (83).
A business that is constructed with environmental consideration has the likelihood of wealth as well as creation, as well as the interests of the human population, is higher. Nevertheless, when enterprises choose to minimize the significance of this relationship by not considering it, it often hurts the organization, and in return; it will affect the economic gains due to the cost of recovering the natural environment. For instance, Gallagher states that according to the economic specialist, Chinese GDP is consumed due to the costs of pollution that amount to 4 to 8% of the total GDP (13).
Options
One of the options that the automobile industry has is turning to green practices. Though some companies have started implementing the green initiative for the last five years, this initiative will involve incorporating recyclable materials into the manufacturing of the vehicle as well as choosing the fuel options that would decrease their intake of fossil fuels as well as making the vehicle parts which are not only reliable but also eco-friendly (Davies 32). The use of aluminum is recommended as it lightweight as well as malleable hence it can be used in the production of any vehicle. Although due to safety measures a vehicle cannot be manufactured solely on aluminum, it is projected that by 2025, vehicles will consist of approximately 550 pounds of aluminum (Golinska 37). This will result in a far more efficient, environmentally friendly as well as cheaper mode of transportation and the fact that it can be easily recycled makes it even more ideal.
The air conditioning devices in both our homes and the cars emit a despicable amount of carbon which piles up into the atmosphere and in return destroys the ozone layer daily. The reduction of heat levels in the city will surely reduce carbon emissions drastically. The auto industry has got an option of backing the reduction of heat level by encouraging and coming up with campaigns to paint the tarmac streets completely white to decrease the amount of heat buildup on the streets. It has been proven that the white streets reduce the temperature of a city by approximately over 44 degrees Fahrenheit, which simply implies the fact that record heat could easily be compared to a considerably warm day (Davies 92).
Thirdly the automobile industry should support the initiative of GPR on risk assessment. This initiative entails having ground-penetrating radar that provides accurate information of what is beneath the earth. This is essential as it allows the scientists to evaluate the landfill confines, draw the level of contamination plumes as well as establish the bearing of contaminant migration. This will give the automobile industry a clear indication about what they need to recycle the most to reduce the number of vehicles found on landfills as well as minimize the total amount of carbon emissions created by the landfills (Gallagher 16).
Recommendation for the automobile industry
Reducing the environmental impact that the automobile industry has caused will take more than just the industry to bring the environment to its natural state. The government has a major role to play by coming up with strict policies that would guarantee a clean environment. Among the measures that the government needs to take is to invest in providing resources in the design of the vehicles in a way that the vehicle would accommodate less poisonous elements and also reduce wear on tires and breaks.
There should also be strict policies by the government agencies that would restrict the company precisely to be using recyclable materials in the production. This would encourage the industry to set more funds for research with the consideration of the demand and the regulation that has been set hence coming up with efficient eco-friendly vehicles.
Work cited
Davies, Geoffrey. Materials for Automobile Bodies. Amsterdam: Elsevier, Butterworth Heinemann, 2003. case study is a website owner but has violated several copyright laws. In the website YouRule.com he finds copy protected mp3 music files and downloads them. Furthermore, through his Internet resource.
Domansky, Leon R. Automobile Industry: Current Issues. New York: Novinka Books, 2006. case study is a website owner but has violated several copyright laws. In the website YouRule.com he finds copy protected mp3 music files and downloads them. Furthermore, through his Internet resource.
Gallagher, Kelly S. China Shifts Gears: Automakers, Oil, Pollution, and Development. , 2006. Print.
Gallagher, Kelly SimsKS, (2003). Foreign Technology in China’s Automobile Industry: Implications for Energy, Economic Development, and Environment. China Environment Series Nº 6. pp. 1-18
Golinska, Paulina. Environmental Issues in Automotive Industry: Design, Production, and End-of-Life Phase. , 2016. Print.
May, George S. The Automobile Industry, 1896-1920. New York: Facts on File, 1990. Print.
Newman, Peter, and Jeffrey Kenworthy. “Overcoming Barriers to the End of Automobile Dependence.” (2015). Print.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
Subject: Summary Report: The advantages of using Mural art in learning mental health and Loyalist College response
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to summarize the advantages of using mural arts to enhance the learning of mental health courses by students of Loyalist College. There are many mural paintings in the school building, however, the report will determine if their location has enhanced the promotion of mental health awareness.
Facts and Findings
This section will examine the relationship between mural art and mental health. Additionally, it will scrutinize how effective it is to place them in a strategic position for public viewing. This will be done through a review of previous studies done and observation on how students of Loyalist College use mural paintings in the school’s building.
The problem of placing mural painting inside the building rather than outside.
Even though mental issues are common, it is difficult to talk about them. However, mural painting can be used to spread mental health awareness. This awareness should be spread in the public and not to specific people in a given segment. Placing mural art outside the school building will add more value to the school and the public. For instance, the art will enhance mental health awareness to people who visit the school. Apart from promoting awareness, it will brighten individuals and provide information one may need to help others. Moreover, paintings and drawings help promote the welfare of an individual in addition to improving mental and emotional awareness. Research has shown that people who use mural art have the ability to think critically, be original, and innovate. The world needs better thinkers; however, if the painting is placed inside the school’s building, only a few people will have access to it. Precisely only a few of those who have access to it will use it. This is because many people perceive art as a means of entertainment and they would prefer to look at it in their free time. Therefore, the problem of placing mural painting inside the school building is that it will only serve as a decoration material but not an educational purpose.
The relationship between mural art and mental health. Art is a universal medium that can be used to raise medal health awareness as well as reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Mental health issues can be expressed using art as a public health approach (Clift, and Paul 200). This is because the arts provide basic information about depression and enable people to engage in mental health conversations. Nonetheless, art is linked with solutions to many problems as it has the ability to promote the thinking process, which improves the well-being of society, hence raising mental health awareness. Moreover, art is every day’s innovative solution for students who can connect what they learn in class with what is presented in the paintings.
Advantages of using mural art to promote mental health awareness. Mural art is interactive, which enables students to engage in self-directed learning (Melcher, Barry, and Kristin 106). As a result, students develop creative and critical thinking. Markedly, as students come across the murals, they relate the facts learned in class and the observation they make. This is because arts enables people to employ the sense of sight, taste, smell, sound, and touch. Additionally, students enrolled in mental-health programs can use mural arts to express their feelings, thoughts, and ideas. Moreover, the public can benefit from mural art since it can help them understand better the concept of mental health as well as eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness.
Loyalist college response to mural paintings. Studies have shown that student learning is connected to arts, which has social benefits and increases engagement. However, despite Loyalist College knowing the advantages of using mural art to emphasize facts, it has many mural paintings inside their school building but few in the outside block. These murals paintings are aimed at students who study in the college. However, a large number of students do not bother to use mural art for study purposes since they only get to the building for scheduled lessons. After observing the behaviors of students at Loyalist College, I noticed that only a few students pose to look at the paintings on the walls before proceeding to their classes. Therefore, even though Loyalist plays its part in proving the necessary paintings, the college does not place them in a strategic position, which is convenient for all students. As a result, the painting is used for decorative purposes rather than serving as educational material.
Other post-secondary campus responses to mural art. Another Canadian post-secondary institution, the Mohawk College, has taken on an active role in promoting health awareness using mural art. They have posted mural art not only inside the school building but also on the walls outside. This practice has helped spread awareness not only in the school but also in the surrounding community.
Conclusion
Mural arts play a role in education and it can be used to spread mental health awareness. Whereas Loyalist College uses mural painting inside the school building, Mohawk College has posted mural art both inside and outside its building as shown by observation research. Therefore, Mohawk College has advanced in spreading mental health awareness as compared to Loyalist College.
Works Cited
Clift, Stephen, and Paul Marc Camic, eds. Oxford Textbook of Creative Art, Health, and Wellbeing: International Perspectives on Practice, Policy, and Research. Oxford University Press, 2016, pp.1-343.
Melcher, Katherine, Barry Stiefel, and Kristin Forest, eds. Community-Built: Art, Construction, Preservation, and Pace. Taylor & Francis, 2016, pp.1-224.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
According to the World Health Organisation (2012, p.5), management of information management is vital to the foundation of substantially understanding the maternal and reproductive sector as per the goals of the millennium development. World Health Organisation (2012, p.5) states that the primary aim is enabling a decrease in child mortality, neonatal as well as a significant improvement in maternal health. Furthermore, they focus on the reduction of the menacing HIV/AIDS spread as well as great supporting the empowerment of women together with equality in gender World Health Organisation (2012, p.5).
It is undeniably important to have exemplary data as well as information that is statistical and disaggregated in management and even strategic planning. Pillitteri (2009, p.12) points out that enabling improvement of the processes involved in the management of information in the reproductive as well as maternal health sector enhances data interpretation as well as collection. Moreover non- governments together with governmental firms which are the main stakeholders can do data analyzing and then utilize the data in the processes of decision making (Pillitteri 2009, p.12).
The studies and research of women and their gender as a whole are focused on their high rate of reproductive health issues, as well as, the critical risks involved in maternity (Pillitteri 2009, p.15). Pillitteri (2009, p.15) mentions that maternal risks arise in preventing unwanted pregnancies, as well as complications that arise in childbirth and pregnancy processes. Lastly, infections of the reproductive tract also cause numerous complications (Pillitteri 2009, p.16).
Amongst the South African nine provinces, a significant survey and research were carried out in four of them in the year 2007. The survey results portrayed that amongst the female teenagers ranging between the ages of twelve and nineteen; 19.2% have experienced unwanted pregnancies, while male teenagers within the same age range have caused a girl’s impregnation. The research further shows that from the year 2012 there has been a drastic decrease in the utilization of condoms amongst the youth whose ages range from about fifteen to twenty-four years old, amongst the male youth the decrease is from 85.2% down to 67.5%. While on the other hand, amongst the female youth the decrease in condom usage is from 66.5% down to 49.8%.
Therefore, this study will attempt to attain substantial data on the younger aged women, particularly because they are the age group prone to the risks involved in issues of reproductive health. These risks include unregulated fertility, maternal mortality, as well as sexually transmitted diseases; especially HIV/AIDS which is a growing menace in South Africa. This information gathered will be effectively utilized in the measurement of the performance level of the material as well as the reproductive health program at Kwazulu district, in South Africa.
National Health Information (1998, p.6) defines dump data as raw as well as unprocessed data. National Health Information (1998, p.6) further describes dump data as collected information in the form of facts as well as figures which are determined from various surveys and experiments, that is utilized as the primary base when handling conclusion drawing and deriving calculations. Moreover, raw data is essential for storage after undergoing computer processing. National Health Information (1998, p.6) points out that in this particular case, data obtained from an informant, together with interviews that are semi-structured with the patients as well as staff; and discussions and utilization of focus groups.
Whereas, Alden et.al (2016,p.9) defines information as data that has been substantially organized as well as presented particularly in a fashion that is deemed organized to portray the deeper meaning that is underlying within the data. Alden et.al (2016,p.9) states that information is only obtained when raw data undergoes processing through software such as SPSS, thereafter the attained end product is essential in consideration to the district’s decision making processes.
Several methods are to be effectively used to monitor and ensure a level of information consistency, as well as to provide a thoroughly detailed and defined comprehension of the integration process particularly from the point of view of providers as well as clients (Holtz 2008, p.16). The main reason for obtaining information was to be knowledgeable of the services that are integrated, and specifically the mannerism it was carried out on, as well as the service delivery implications. Moreover, Holtz (2008,p.16) further states that the methodical inventory was to be effectively established through observation of the supplies as well as available equipment and supplies. Holtz (2008,p.16) also says that interviews were carried out interviewing a member of the senior staff in every health facility that was chosen.
World Health Organisation (2006, p.9) points out that reproductive health should not define by t just sex. Rather, World Health Organisation (2006, p.9) defines reproductive health as the state of an individual’s entire mental, physical as well as social well being; not restricted to the reproductive disease absence. World Health Organisation (2006, p.9) further explains that reproductive health consists of enlightenment of the processes involved in reproduction, as well as the system and functions of an individual’s life stages.
Therefore, establishing a well managed maternal and reproductive health program to help women from an earlier age to substantially teach values as well as help them in comprehending their bodies’ physiology as well as anatomy (Timmerman and Kruesmann 2009, p.11). Timmerman and Kruesmann ( 2009, p.11) state that, the program implemented effectively will help to continually educate and enable the younger women as well as men to experience acceptable safe fertility regulations methods, in consideration of their various choices. Furthermore, the Kwazulu district will enable women of age to efficiently access their right to quality standard appropriate healthcare services, which significantly enable them to have childbirth as well as safe pregnancy experiences.
Goals of the Programme
The maternal and Reproductive Health program in Kwazulu will have a particular aim as well as objectives that will drive the program to effectively achieve its strategized goals.
Aims
• Contributing towards significant enhancements of maternal as well as reproductive health in Kwazulu district, by substantially educating and involvement of both men and women in the process of the healthcare decision-making process.
• Strengthening the district’s human resource as well as institutional resource capabilities of the major components such as the health centers, local governments, local communities, as well as the women and even men who are involved in the reproductive health sector. Thus, strive towards making significant steps towards quality growth in the reproductive as well as the maternal health sector.
Objectives
To efficiently enable a significant improvement in the accessibility of substantially quality services in the maternal as well as reproductive health facilities within the Kwazulu district.
To significantly enable growth as well as development in strength in volumes in consideration of the change in attitude, upgrading of skills, growth in knowledge, gathering of data as well as information, dissemination and analyzing of major factors related to reproductive health i.e. women together with men, and lastly, maternal as well as needs in child health.
To efficiently enhance and widen the disease prevention methods; particularly diseases that pose a threat to general maternal health, such as HIV/AIDS together with STDs by efficiently increasing the involvement of the entire community of Kwazulu in the activities and processes of support, care as well as prevention.
To significantly back the government policing process, a process involved in decision making, UN SDG 3, as well as standard quality maintenance by providing thorough empirical research data together with the relevant information to enhancing reproductive and even maternal health.
To efficiently back the agencies of; both; the local and central government, local communities, as well as the organizations that relate with the civil society to ensure assessments and the mobilization of the resources both external and local for the enhancement of the material as well as reproductive health.
Targets of the Programme
At Kwazulu the reproductive and maternal health program has set particular targets. As per the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (2006, p.16), the appropriate target outputs include;
1. HIV as well as STD prevalence decrease
2. Practising contraceptive increase
3. Universal standard child immunization as well as prenatal care
4. Management of obstetrical complications increase by the healthcare staff
5. Complete maternal mortality elimination
It is important to note that a program run on measurable goals exhibits substantial potential risks (Gold and Richards 1996, p.36). According to Gold and Richards 1996, p.36), the amount of pressure that may be placed on employees with aim of achieving targets that are simple within a given period of time potentially leads to clients’ coercion as well as significant fundamental objectives distortion of fundamental objectives.
For instance, employees assigned to family planning assignments may be delegated particular targets that are method-specific targets, or even number targets in terms of recipients of all methods being offered, chances are they may be oblivious of the direct incentives that may be required to satisfy the various needs of the clients; as well as educate on the various options available. The drive to achieve assigned targets may lead them to be pervasive when it comes to incentives leading to fraud or even inappropriately aggressive methods of promotion for the contraceptives (Gold and Richards 1996, p.36).
Indicators
Fonn et.al (1998, p.45) defines indicators as the markets and determinants of health status, availability of resources as well as the provision of services; which have a design to specifically enable the process of service performance monitoring and even the goals of the program (Fonn et.al 1998, p.45).
According to the World Health Organisation (2012, p.34), seventeen set indicators determine and covers the major areas in reproductive health; they are also the representation of agreement of the agencies globally.
The primary purpose of indicators is effectively having an essential overview of reproductive health issues globally as well as regionally (World Health Organisation 2012, p.34). World Health Organisation (2012, p.34) further states that the information gathered as well as reported on the indicators is highly essential in the management level of the program.
The seventeen indicators include;
Total Fertility Rate (TFR)
Defining the total amount in numbers of children an individual woman can have from the beginning to the end of reproductive age; particularly if the woman has an experience of the present utilized fertility rates that are age-specific during her life of childbearing (World Health Organisation 2012, p.35).
Defines the percentage of women population within the reproductive range age group of fifteen to forty-nine years old utilizing individual or with their significant other a particular method of contraception within a defined time length.
3. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)
World Health Organisation (2012, p.35) refers to it as the deaths through maternal issues as per 100,000 live births yearly.
4. Antenatal Care Coverage
This is the percentage of women who have been attendance minimal of once pregnancy process, through the assistance of trained healthcare employees for pregnancy-related reasons; with the exclusion of birth assistance individuals who are untrained as well as trained.
5. Percent of Births Attended by Skilled Health Personnel
With the exclusion of birth assistance individuals who are untrained as well as trained, this is the percentage of the births that were under the attendance of well trained and therefore skilled healthcare employees.
6. Availability of Basic Essential Obstetric Care
World Health Organisation (2012, p.36) defines this as the total number of health facilities per half a million which function with the basic primary, standard essential obstetric care.
7. Availability of Comprehensive Essential Obstetric Care
This refers to the facilities number as per a population of half million which functions with an essential as well a relatively comprehensive obstetric care.
8. Perinatal Mortality Rate (PMR)
World Health Organisation (2012, p.36) describes this as the total number of perinatal deaths within every total of one thousand births.
9. Low Birth Weight Prevalence
This the percentage of births weighing a maximum of 2,500g that were live (World Health Organisation 2012, p.36).
10. Positive Syphilis Serology Prevalence in Pregnant Women
World Health Organisation (2012,p.36) refers to this as the percentage of the women who are pregnant, ranging between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four years old who are in antenatal clinic attendance; who have their syphilis screen and turn up positive.
11. Prevalence of Anemia in Women
This is the percentage within the population of women who are in their reproductive ages ranging from fifteen to forty-nine years old; who have had done their hemoglobin screening and turn up with 110g/l when pregnant, when not pregnant results to 120g/l (World Health Organisation 2012, p.36).
12. Percent of Obstetric and Gynecological Admissions Owing to Abortion
This describes the percentage admitted case scenarios to their service delivery time, thus effectively provides the obstetrics that is in-patient as well as gynecological services, resultant to the abortion procedures; these procedures are either induced or impromptu; however, this excludes any form of pregnancy termination that is planned(World Health Organisation 2012, p.36).
13. Reported Prevalence of Women with FGC
This refers to the percentage within the women populations that faced an interview during a planned survey in the community and have reported that they faced FGC.
14. Prevalence of Infertility in Women
According to World Health Organisation ( 2012, p.36), this is the percentage within the population of women within the defined reproductive ages of fifteen to forty-nine years old who all face the pregnancy risk and have reported their individual pregnancy trials that have lasted for a length of at least two years.
15. Reported Incidence of Urethritis in Men
World Health Organisation (2012, p.36) defines this as a percentage of the men’s population that range between the ages of fifteen to forty-nine who faced an interview in a survey that was carried out in their community who reported experiences within the previous year of urethritis.
16. HIV Prevalence among Pregnant Women
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (2012, p.36) describes this as the percentage in the population of women who are pregnant, ranging between the ages of fifteen to twenty-four years old who are in antenatal facilities attendance; who have HIV screening and turn up positive.
17. Knowledge of HIV-related Prevention Practices
This pertains to the percentage within the population of individuals who have clearly identified the three primary means of preventions from HIV through sexual transmission as well as those who rejected the three primary HIV transmission misunderstandings as well as the prevention methods(World Health Organisation 2012, p.36).
Sources of data
The sources of the data for the numerator and the denominator in reproduction, as well as maternal health program, includes;
Vital Records
Hospital Records
Formal Surveillance Systems
Community Identification of Deaths
Limitations
The primary issues that may cause limitation in data quality as well as the data collection and information gathering process include;
Reporting Errors
Black et.al ( 2016, p.52) argue that it is critical for the quality of data quality to be strategically assessed before they are interpreted or even calculated. Black et.al (2016, p.52) emphasizes that having bias awareness that may result from the occurrence of common reporting errors in the particular surveys as well as consensus; thus more likely to affect the accuracy of their calculations.
Underreporting
According to Black et.al (2016, p.52), the births that have been underreporting are at a higher rate amongst the older women; as well as for the occurrence of births that have taken place a significantly long period of time back. Black et.al (2016, p.52) explains that may be seen as a minimal issue, unfortunately, this drastically affects the quality of data collected about the particular population under study.
Birth Displacements
Alden et.al (2014, p.46) points out that a major error discovered in the data survey is the issue of birth displacements. Alden et.al (2014,p.46) further state that the expected pattern is a distinctive peak within a four to nine-year period before the survey is carried out; as well as a period of five-year length trough displaying a definite decrease in the fertility rates. Moreover, census data remain exposed to the bias extreme.
Misreporting of women’s ages
Black et.al (2016, p.53) states that it is highly recommended to effectively examine all the potential misreporting possibilities of the ages of the women during the survey as well as by the census respondents.
Sampling errors
According to Alden et.al (2014, p.46), an estimated derivation from community surveys remains exposed to the risk of significant errors in sampling. Alden et.al (2014, p.46) argue that is then critical in providing error samplings.
Factoring Indicators
Glassman and Temin (2016, p.56) points out that the total fertility rate; remains the highly utilized demographic indicator. Glassman and Temin (2016, p.56) explains that it’s relatively in association with the prevalence of contraceptives; together with other reproductive health indicators; for example the ratio of maternal mortality. Thus, standing as an essential population momentum indicator; as well as an essential proxy measurement for the services of family planning failure as well as success levels. Glassman and Temin (2016, p.58) also mention that it may be utilized in the wanting physical reproductive health measurement because the parity is high and thus portrays the greater risks involved in mortality as well as morbidity.
According to Fonn et.al (1998, p.42), it is highly essential for global comparisons, as well as to effectively monitoring the trends within a longer period of time.
Furthermore, it is highly important to reflect the occurring fertility in the age patterns; particularly when dealing with the category classified at higher risks; for instance the older women as well as the adolescents.
Quality Maintenance
For the program in Kwazulu to achieve maintenance of good and quality data it may require to implement the following steps;
Assessment of quality
Holtz (2008, p.55) mentions that it is vital to be in substantial comprehension of the level of data quality available, to enable the determination of potential limitations.
Integration of data
According to Holtz (2008, p.55), any firm should have a high level of insights quality, and therefore the integration of disparate data to portray a client’s perspective combines all data.
Discovering an appropriate match
Exploration of data will have consequential interaction of systems, and thus showing how to collaborate a client’s records with more precision, accuracy, and completion.
Management of current as well as ongoing changes
The program will require a continual assessment of data that ay path it to its potential level of success. Holtz (2008, p.55) says that with the incoming of different and new clients, address changes as well as the firm’s system change it is crucial to put in place the appropriate technology as well as process that will put this into account.
Optimization of data
When there is the utilization of internal data only, chances are that the quality levels will be capped. Therefore, the utilization of a reference of a third-party set a company is enabled to enhance its data quality. A third party will assist through:
Information verification
Information enrichment
New information accessing
Downstream sharing of Information
To efficiently determine the quality level of your data; it is vital to pass the information attained back through the system’s source of the firm.
Planning and Monitoring
An action plan that will enable the monitoring work to be less time-consuming and at the same time easy to implement. The focal point would be ensuring the process produces information needed for decision making. The information gathered is a reflection of what happens not only to Kwa Zulu but the entire country will enable the government to come up with policies that would boost the health sector and narrow down to reproductive and maternal health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, with this information planning and tracking of reproductive health and maternal health program will be efficient and the stakeholders including the government will be able to make constructive decisions that would improve the current status of maternal and reproductive health in the Kwa Zulu district. This will be facilitated by the indicators used as it would be made it easier for making comparisons and continuous improvement in the reproductive health sector.
References
ALDEN, K. R., LOWDERMILK, D. L., CASHION, M. C., & PERRY, S. E. (2014). Maternity and Women’s Health Care. London, Elsevier Health Sciences. http://public.eblib.com/choice/publicfullrecord.aspx?p=2074458.
BLACK, R. E., LAXMINARAYAN, R., TEMMERMAN, M., & WALKER, N. (2016). Reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health. Washington, DC, World Bank.
FONN, S., XABA, M., SAN TINT, K., CONCO, D., & VARKEY, S. (1998). Reproductive health services in South Africa: From rhetoric to implementation. Reproductive Health Matters. 6, 22-32.
GOLD, R. B., & RICHARDS, C. L. (1996). Improving the fit: reproductive health services in managed care settings. New York, NY, Alan Guttmacher Institute. http://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/35158570.html.
HOLTZ, C. (2008). Global health care: issues and policies. Sudbury, Mass, Jones, and Bartlett Publishers.
NATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION, LLC. (1998). Women’s reproductive health: disease management strategies & programs. Atlanta, GA, National Health Information, LLC.
PILLITTERI, A. (2007). Maternal & child health nursing: care of the childbearing & childrearing family. Philadelphia, PA, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
RICCI, S. S. (2017). Essentials of maternity, newborn, and women’s health nursing.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. (2006). Reproductive health indicators: guidelines for their generation, interpretation, and analysis for global monitoring. Geneva, World Health Organization.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. (2012). WHO recommendations: optimizing health worker roles to improve access to key maternal and newborn health interventions through task shifting. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK148518/.
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