by Herman Bailey | Jun 22, 2023 | Essays |
Family life educators play an important role in strengthening the relationship among family members. They enrich the quality of life by providing the skills and knowledge needed to live an effective life. Moreover, they help members to live a healthy life and thus realize their potential. Besides, they offer knowledge about human development, interrelationships, and physiological aspects of human sexuality. As a family life educator working with the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Centre, I have been involved in numerous coordinated child-focused services in the aftermath of sexual or physical abuse. This paper presents one of the abuse cases that was recently reported involving a student and a teacher. Prelude to the discussion, it is important to mention that the names of the characters and scenes of actions featured in this case are fictitious.
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Amanda is a student at Moi Avenue private secondary school. She is 17 years old and currently in form three. She is the third born in their family that lives in Texas, the U.S. Recently, she was sexually harassed by her mathematics teacher, Mr. Bredan. The shameful actions transpired during the summer holiday when Mr. Bredan invited her to his home with the promise of giving her learning materials. Feeling depressed and traumatized, Amanda visited the Baton Rouge Children’s Advocacy Centre where she reported the case. Recognizing this, the organization launched an investigation into the matter. During the time of disclosure, I offered therapeutic counseling to her in an endeavor to help her heal the scars.
Markedly, there are four pertinent relationships in this case. First, there is the parent-daughter relationship. Second, there is the teacher-student relationship. Third, there is the student-student relationship. Finally, there is the student-community relationship.
The primary care relationship that needs to be addressed in this case is that of the teacher-student. Noteworthy, this kind of relationship is founded on core values such as respect, honesty, and trust. All three virtues should be exercised in both ways. For instance, students should respect teachers and vice-versa.
Regarding the educator’s important relationships, the principles that apply in this case include;
- To strive to understand families as complex, interactive systems where parents have the primary responsibility as educators, nurturers, and limit-setters for their children.
- To help parents and other breast cancer. Ann has been a staunch Christian since childhood just like the rest of her family members recognize their strengths and work with them to set goals for themselves, their children, and others.
- To communicate respectfully and clearly with all quality of life. Arthur should be educated during the discussion with the doctor and also his family members
- To communicate openly and truthfully about the nature and extent of services provided
- To support healthy interpersonal relationships among all family members
- To treat children and youth with respect and sensitivity to their needs and rights as developing persons.
- To provide environments that are respectful of children and youth and sensitive to their developmental and individual needs.
- To support the right of all children and youth to have access to quality education, health, and community resources.
From the above principles, the ones that I feel will be critical in guiding ethical behaviors are 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8. The most relevant principles, in this case, are 2, 4, 6, and 8. I consider them to be most relevant since they form the basis of offering therapeutic care to the sexually abused character.
In conclusion, family life educators play a crucial role in strengthening relationships among family members and providing support in various contexts. By enriching the quality of life through imparting essential skills and knowledge, they empower individuals to live effective and fulfilling lives. Moreover, they offer guidance on human development, interrelationships, and physiological aspects of human sexuality. The case study presented highlights the significance of addressing pertinent relationships, such as the teacher-student dynamic, and upholding ethical principles in promoting healing and well-being. Through their dedication and expertise, family life educators contribute to creating healthier and happier family units, fostering positive interactions, and ultimately helping individuals realize their full potential.
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.
by Herman Bailey | Jun 22, 2023 | Essays |
Everyman Play
Everyman was written anonymously in the late days of the fifteenth century. As the play begins, the story to be betrayed is described by a foreword. The audience is told to be good in this life and maybe they should look forward to dying for them to go to heaven. Sin always looks good in the eyes of the people at the moment but it brings a lot of sorrow in times of death. At the beginning of the story, God is not happy with His people and feels the unkindness of the people to Him. People in the world are living without any fear and with no thoughts of either heaven or hell. In this play, there is a messenger who comes to take people having contented lives without thinking of the judgment day before God. When death summons him for a soul pilgrimage, he asks to be given more days. Since death is inevitable, it disagrees with everyman and explains to him that it is his duty to come for every living person when the turn comes and hence no chance for a delay. He then tries to get a companion to help him in the travel until he faces God.
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This play is written so well and the anonymous author has been given an uncommon name Everyman which symbolizes the common human being. Death has been well personified in this play in that, it grabs the audience’s attention and makes them think that what is happening is real instead of seeing them as fictional. Everyman dresses in very fine clothing and leads a life full of sins. In the play, he is made aware that he will die and be judged before God. When his time of death comes, everyone deserts him except dies and good deeds. The second character is the fellowship. It is a representation of friendship. All the friends of Everyman were the first people to forsake him. In this play, it is portrayed that fellowship only meant going drinking and not death pilgrimage. The third character is Kindred. This portrays Everyman’s friend who leaves him at his time of need with his cousin. Kindred can be described as from a similar family. This represents the members of his family who deserted him. The fourth character is the goods. This is in the representation of the goods, objects, and belongings. The play tries to drive home the point that despite everything, the belongings and goods can never go to the grave with you.
The first quote is “ye imagine that the beginning of all sweetness is a sin but in the end, it leads to the weeping of the soul.” This quote comes from the opening speech of the messenger. It shows the sin exploration of the play and its damnation. It explores the beginnings and life endings for humans. Secondly, “All creatures are unkind to God and are leaving without fear in the prosperity of the world.” This is a quote from God. He expresses His anger with earthly creatures. In this, we find the conflict between earthly and spiritual beliefs. He is very angry that Everyman focuses on earthly pleasures without putting into consideration sin and damnation. Thirdly, “the ending of our lives shows how we will be all day.” This is seen at the beginning of the play when the messenger announces that, this play has a moral purpose. This quote portrays the fact that there is an end for every beginning and we human beings die in the end. Lastly, “in Holy Trinity’s name, my punished body sores shall be. For the sin of the flesh, take this body.” Everyman curses himself and brings about the spiritual and worldly pictures. His body is what will suffer for his sins of the flesh and there will be the redemption of his soul. When he undergoes the pain of the world, there will be the salvation of his soul.
Works cited
Yeeyon Im. The scourge of penance and a garment of sorrow. Catholic reforms and the spectacle of the passion in Everyman. Medieval and early modern English studies 24, 2016, p. 131-149.
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.
by Herman Bailey | Jun 21, 2023 | Essays |
Introduction
Businesses are investments that are required or expected to provide a return. The key objective for any business is to maximize returns on investments. These lines up with the goals it has set up and the promises it has made to investors. At the key to any business, performance is its human resource. This is the group entrusted to bring about results for the enterprise. They are entrusted with the key task of meeting shareholders’ expectations by bringing out a profit but providing the ultimate return on investments.
The management of any enterprise sets goals and allocates them to different departments and then waits for the results. Every manager hopes for the best from his department to align to the expectations and realizations for the organization. Every bit of investment is made towards the realization of the company agenda, targets, and expectations. The investments are huge towards the realization of a target. The investments include physical effort and monetary commitment. This paper is going to summarize, describe and discuss themes in twelve articles regarding the concept of profit and productivity and its application to business performance.
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Profit and productivity
Productivity and profitability of a business company are related concepts but also have fundamental differences. The financial performance of any business is measured by how much profit it generates using receipts fewer costs. In economics, the cost can be fixed or variable depending on the output produced. Profitability can be measured in either an absolute or in a relative sense. Absolute profit measures the total performance of a business while relative profit measures the returns according to the business assets (Ha et al., 2001).
According to Ha et al. (2001), productivity is the ability to turn an effort into the desired output effectively and efficiently. Productivity uses a physical quantity of inputs and outputs as opposed to financial quantity. It can be termed as the rate at which an effort is invested and in turn, realizes the desired output. There are different levels of measuring an output or a desirable realization of a result in any enterprise or organization. The methods for measuring productivity can be scientific where a research method is applied to measure the effectiveness of an outcome whereas sometimes it can take the form of a basic nature of observation where the person tasked to oversee a result gauges the outcome by just observing the process of production (Ha et al., 2001).
The director of HR at SSE, John Stewart points out that people concentrate more on profitability which is a short-term aspect instead of productivity (Roper, 2015). Other companies such as the SSE take initiatives such as projects in IT, investment in staff training, and performance-related pay. In other words, productivity brings about profits in businesses hence it is always advisable to look at the bigger picture.
A research study conducted by Kumbhakar and Lien (2009) focuses on the link between productivity and profitability which takes into account the technical change and the prices. The article describes the available approaches that are used to measure the productivity change such as econometric and non-parametric approaches. The difference between this article with other reviewed articles in productivity and profitability is that it focuses more on the sources of the changes in these two concepts. The analysis in this research study showed the components such as the input price change and the output price change hurt the profit growth while there was a positive effect contributed by the technical change (Kumbhakar and Lien, (2009). A study by O’Donnell (2012), shows similar research carried out using the nonparametric test on the components of the profit and profitability change. This article focuses on the U.S. agricultural productivity change. O’Donnell (2012) identified a gap in information about the components of productivity change which led him to research the issue to fill the gap.
Productivity, Productivity, and Performance
Many factors contribute to performance in different firms. In research conducted by Bottazzi et al (2006), it sheds light on the degree of persistence of profitability and productivity performances. Pricing and marketing strategy, investment policy among other factors contribute greatly to the efficiency of operations in different firms. This study involved Italian manufacturing and service firms in identifying the application of profit in business performance and growth. The data used in this study was obtained from the Centrale Dei Bilanci database covering more than 40000 firms across Italy from1996 to 2003. From the analysis done on profit and productivity, a discovery was made when the two concepts were linked to performance; economic performance is not fully a determining factor for the improvement of financial conditions.
Pekuri et al (2011) analyze the performance measurement in the construction industry in Finland. This article points out that productivity in the construction industry has a huge impact on the national economy hence its important contribution to the wellbeing of society. As mentioned earlier, most firms concentrate on improving productivity to maximize output for stability purposes. According to Pekuri et al. (2011), competition pressure in the construction industry is the reason why much emphasis is put on productivity improvement. In his article, Pekuri et al. (2011) mention other studies conducted touching on a similar issue. Just like the previous research study by Bottazzi that I have reviewed, the metrics in this study are also based on financial information. The research concludes that national growth can be explained by productivity but differences in industry sectors cannot be explained by productivity and term it as an inadequate measure.
The relationship between the concept of productivity and performance is also applicable in the privatized companies. The article by Parker and Saal (2001) evaluates the effects of company privatization on productivity growth and performance output. This article discusses the water and sewerage companies of England and Whales which were privatized in 1989. The paper’s main aim is to compare the performance using indices of labor and total factor productivity before and after privatization. Parker and Saal (2001) claim that there are little researches conducted on this issue despite its importance in the England economy. But they go ahead and review the few studies that have been conducted so far. It is observed that the privatization of companies affects the performance; this is also determined by the financial and accounting data. The methods used to assess performance in this study are non- parametric. The study concludes that the productivity growth is not consistent with the study’s hypothesis that privatization may result in higher performance.
Sakr (2014) evaluated a similar issue about the privatization of firms in Egypt and its effect on performance. This paper aims to find out whether the efficiency of operations improves after privatization compared to pre privatization performance. This article is quite similar to the previously discussed article by Parker and Saal (2001), the only difference comes to the results of the study. The article also covers the history of privatization in manager or the Human Resource Coordinator is usually electronically done. LinkedIn and recruitment agencies in Egypt whereby it discusses the privatization program launched in 1991. This was done to improve the country’s economy. The methods of research used in this study are statistical techniques such as parametric and nonparametric tests. From this study, it is concluded that there is an increase in efficiency however a decline in employment was noted after the privatization of companies in Egypt (Sakr, 2014).
Profit, Productivity and Distribution
There is a theory in productivity and distribution known as the marginal productivity theory of distribution. This theory states that marginal productivity is equal to the payment of the supply factor of production. The theory further explains that when there is perfect competition, production price will be equal to the marginal productivity (Kumar, n.d). Grifell (2010) examines the financial and economic performance in the Spanish banks. The article points out that as much as several studies have been conducted in examining the financial and economic performance none has been done to examine the financial and economic of all the three organizational forms i.e. the commercial banks, savings banks, and cooperative financial institutions. The data used in this study was obtained from financial statements in several banks across the country. From the findings of the study, it is evident that commercial banks are doing better in performance as compared to the other organizational forms (Griffell, 2010).
In his research study, Arocena et al. (2002) analyze how the benefits in the Spanish target market. The new brand tried capturing the energy sectors are distributed between firms and consumers. It is also indicated in the article that the energy industry underwent privatization in early 1990. the cooperate growth of the global climate change. Previously solar energy companies has contributed to the growth in production is ranked 7th worldwide. Price regulation evolves depending on consumer welfare changes. The results of this research study on price regulation showed that there is biasness in the Spanish impact on the natural environment. They mostly use green energy sector. Consumers were more affected and all the increased profits benefited the manufacturers (Arocena, et al., 2002).
References
Arocena, P., & Contin, I. (2002). Price Regulation in the Spanish Energy Sectors: who benefits?. Energy Policy, 30, 885 – 895.
Bottazzi, G., Secchi, A., & Tamagn, F. (2006). Productivity, Profitability and Financial Performance: A Firm-Level Comparative Analysis of Italian Manufacturing and Services. Retrieved from https://editorialexpress.com/cgi-bin/conference/download.cgi?db_name=IIOC2007&paper_id=266
Grifell, E. (2010). Profit, Productivity and Distribution: Differences across Organizational Forms – The Spanish Banks. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 45, 72 – 83.
Ha, A., Strappazzon, L., & Fisher, W. (2001). The difference between productivity and profit?. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a022/139bac45b028514acbc02ad92784a4973252.pdf
Kumar, M. Marginal Productivity Theory of Distribution. Retrieved from http://www.economicsdiscussion.net/theory-of-distribution/marginal-productivity-theory-of-distribution-2/7406
Kumbhakar, S., & Lien, G. (2009). Productivity and Productivity Decomposition: A Parametric Distance Function Approach. capital for individuals to venture into the grocery vending business using carts as advised by Michimi & Wimberl (2010). They would aid bring healthy Food Economics, 6, 143 – 155.
O’Donnell, C. (2012). Non Parametric Estimates of the Components of Productivity and Profitability Change in U.S. Agriculture. Oxford Journals, 94(4), 873 – 890.
Pekuri, A., Haapasalo, H., & Herrala, M. (2011). Productivity and performance management – managerial practices in the construction industry. International Journal Of Performance Measurement, 1, 39- 58. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/ef58/481070805853878f80d690c7932f4be57a7b.pdf
Roper, J. (2015). The relationship between productivity and profitability. Retrieved from http://www.hrmagazine.co.uk/article-details/the-relationship-between-productivity-and-profitability
Saal, D., & Parker, D. (2001). Productivity and Price Performance in the Privatized activities that result in physical healthiness. For example, proper diet, ensuring that all meals are balanced and taking a lot of Water and Sewerage Companies of England and Wales. Journal of Regulatory Economics, 20, 61 – 90.
Sakr, A. (2014). The Impact of Privatization on the Performance of Firms in Egypt, 5(15), 73-80.
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.
by Herman Bailey | Jun 21, 2023 | Essays |
Description of the Abortion Issue in Canadian Constitutional Law
The subject of abortion for some time has troubled the Canadian society. This is because it is an issue that involved widely varying and deeply held viewpoints about rights of an individual, women’s role, moral norms, and the societal responsibilities (Dunsmuir, 1). The issue of abortion in the Canadian constitutional law is potentially disruptive and divisive issue. The Supreme Court of Canada struck down the provisions of the criminal code that governs the procedures of abortion in early 1988. Moreover, a new bill for abortion (Bill C-43) was introduced late in 1989 in parliament with the belief that a negotiated legislation would offer solution to the discussion of abortion at the federal level. However, in 1991, the bill was overwhelmed by unprecedented tied in the senate (Dunsmuir, 1).
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The attitudes towards the issue of abortion throughout history have been influenced by social mores, religious principles, and attitudes towards family and the women. Of late, the attitudes towards abortion have increasingly been influenced by advances in the technology as well as, including safer and simpler techniques of abortion, and improved techniques for understanding development of the fetus (Dunsmuir, 1).
In the constitutional law, the abortion issue has elicited considerable discussion over the limits of the responsibilities of the federal government, or their jurisdiction over abortion. This is for the reason that abortion is a health issue and needs a medical procedure. If to the desirable extent to ban abortions, or create the situations under which abortions cannot be done, then the federal government will have the jurisdiction, since moral reasons or prohibition of action of health is constitutional linked to criminalization. However, if the desirable extent for abortion regulation, or the conditions under which abortion regulations can be performed, then the government shall have the jurisdiction and the duty and right to regulate such issues of health (Dunsmuir, 1).
Analysis
Principles of Fundamental Justice as the basis for assessing the abortion issue
principles of fundamental justice, according to CCLN, refers to the principles against which the laws that are potentially infringing must be measured if they are in compliance with section 7 of the charter. This section is concerned with the security, liberty and life of a person. It states that everyone has the right to security, liberty and life as well as the right not to be deprived of these rights in line with the fundamental justice principles (1).
The enumerated rights under section 7 of the charter can be compromised in the cases where the laws regarded as infringing are in accordance with the fundamental justice principles (Canlii – 1988 Canlii 90 (SCC)). This implies that within the justice system, there are core values that must prevail over these rights for the society’s greater good. These include substantive guarantees and natural justice (Re B.C. Motor Vehicle Act, [1985]).
In 1983, Dr. Henry Morgentaler with other two physicians were charged for procuring miscarriages illegally. When the case reached the supreme court, several legal matters had been reduced effectively as whether the criminal code’s abortion requirements, in an way that is not justified, infringed on the woman’s right to security, liberty and life as guaranteed under section 7 of the charter (Dunsmuir, 1). In their decision, all the judges agreed that section 251 (now 287) of the criminal code infringed on the right to security of the woman. Also, the processes by which a woman was deprived of this right was not in accordance to the fundamental justice. These decisions echo a finding by Wilson J. who in 1969 found that abortion law was in accord with the fundamental justice principles (Dunsmuir, 1).
Political implications
Abortion laws in Canada has for many years been controversial and sensitive politically. With removal of some unconstitutional provisions in the criminal code, this may elicit anti-abortion movements sentiments as well as those opposed to abortion laws. Back then and today, the issue of abortion has remained political and divisive and condemned by both sides, that is the pro-life and the pro-choice camps. The pro-choice camp consider abortion as a individual issue that should be decided by the expectant woman and not by the state (Long, 1). Throughout 1970s and 1980s, the pro-choice (those looking for abortion legalization and its funding by the public) and the pro-life camp (those seeking abortion law that is stricter) organized huge rallies and demonstrations.
However, since the ruling of 1988, abortion issue has continued being a hot political issue. As a result, the governments and the federal political parties since 1990 have avoided the topic of abortion in their legislative debate, favoring the supreme court to have the final word instead of enacting new legislation that would either make the present system formal, or in some way change it. Some individual members of parliament on many occasions have brought to the floor private member bills in the past decades (both sides of the debate on abortion). However, none of these bills have passed the House of Commons and so none has become a law (Long, 1).
Should constitutional or legal rules relating to the abortion issue be changed?
This paper is of the opinion that the legal or constitutional rules relating to the abortion issue should be changed. This view is also supported by the federal government in Canada since they have started the processes of stripping sections of the Canada’s criminal code that are outdated. In landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1988 that favored Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the court found the prohibition against abortion to be unconstitutional. However, the text that outlawed forced miscarriage was never expunged from the books (Harris, 1).
Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould earlier this year stated that if the government is going to remove the provisions of the abortion from the criminal code or making a link to the discussion of abortion, the Canadian government without equivocation acknowledges and recognizes the women’s constitutional rights and taking the courageous steps to make sure it expunges the section from the criminal code (Harris, 1).
Harris also pointed out that the experts in criminal justice have been calling on the government to enact reforms on the code which they state that is composed of laws that are outdated, inconsistent language and duplications (1). For instance, Stephen Coughlan, a law professor at Dalhousie University indicated that a wider overhaul is needed
Lastly, the paper is also of the opinion that the enforcement system/ penalty system for the rules be changed to increase compliance with the rules. This is because this provisions in the criminal code criminalizes the conscience and a moral decision of whether or not to terminate pregnancy. This violates the freedoms of conscience that is protected by section 2(a) of the charter, and is not in accord with the fundamental justice (Dunsmuir, 1).
Works Cited
“Canlii – 1988 Canlii 90 (SCC).” Canlii.org. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Oct. 2017. < https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/1988/1988canlii90/1988canlii90.html>
CCLN. “”Principles Of Fundamental Justice – Canadian Criminal Law Notebook.” Criminalnotebook.ca. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Oct. 2017.
Dunsmuir, Mollie. “Abortion: Constitutional And Legal Developments (89-10E).” Publications.gc.ca. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Oct. 2017. <http://www.publications.gc.ca/Collection-R/LoPBdP/CIR/8910-e.htm#ISSUE>
Harris, Kathleen. “Government Moves To Strip Abortion Law From Criminal Code.” CBC News. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Oct. 2017. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justice-legislation-criminal-code-1.4015508>
Long, Linda. “Abortion In Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. N.p., 2017. Web. 6 Oct. 2017. <http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/abortion/>
Re B.C. Motor Vehicle Act, [1985] 2 SCR 486, 1985 CanLII 81 (SCC), <https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/scc/doc/1985/1985canlii81/1985canlii81.html>, retrieved on 2017-10-06
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.
by Herman Bailey | Jun 21, 2023 | Essays |
What are some of the planning strategies that Russ might have used that would possibly have positively affected the outcome of the strategic plan execution?
Strategic planning in the last chance hospital case study is very crucial in any organization and is often carried out to improve the organization’s future performance or solve specific problems affecting the organization. For most organizations, the objective is to come up with ways that would eliminate the problem. For instance, in the case of Last Chance Hospital, the problem had been identified to be a possible future financial constraint thus constraint to come up with a suitable plan with reasonable, realist implementable strategies that would help improve the financial position of the hospital and prevent its future fall. The job of developing the strategic plan was taken by Russ whose plan put the hospital exactly where they had feared because he overlooked the recommended principles of effective strategic planning as implied by Jennings & Disney (2006).
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An effective strategic plan, according to Jennings & Disney (2006), takes into account those affected with the drawback. In the past physicians had attracted patients to the hospital, however, currently, their contribution was no longer enough and Russ should have realized that. Thus, Russ needed to have been creative, explore, and incorporate the emerging market trends modifying them to suit the Hospital. For instance, the strategic plan should have focused on the marketing department giving recommendations on how to improve patients’ satisfaction like developing a communication system that allows for patients’ feedback. Moreover, he should have considered publicizing the hospital by advertising their services and even providing incentives to inform of some free services like advice on how to live healthily or slashing their service fee for a period of time as recommended by Tahkapaa (2004).
Russ should have ensured that his strategic plan was flexible. A good plan should be open to any possibilities, give alternatives that would back up the plan in case the original strategy is inappropriate, and give room for improvement of the plan in the future to incorporate dynamic changes in the patients’ market countrywide as described by Johnston & Bate (2003). He should have also been creative in the development of the strategic plan to come up with unique ideas that would attract more customers instead of settling for a simple concrete plan and be in a position to improvise if the plan was not yielding the required results as suggested by Johnston & Bate (2003).
Also, Russ should have sort the help of other staff members instead of coming up with the strategy on his own to get credit full credit which was a rather shallow and self- centered mentality since the strategy was for the good of the company and was meant to solve the foreseen future financial problem. Russ should have placed his priorities and obligation to the institution right and then embraced the spirit of teamwork as an analysis conducted by Jennings & Disney (2006) has confirmed the vital role of collective minds in proper planning and decision making. Therefore, he should have requested other staff members to assists him in formulating the plan as recommended by Jennings & Disney (2006).
Jennings & Disney (2006), further suggests that Russ should have formulated the objectives of the strategic plan regarding solving the financial problem by giving a general way and putting across as many ideas as he could for the board to weigh and determine the most appropriate method taking into consideration the impact of the idea to the institution and its ability to meet the objectives of the strategic plan and not a narrow approach that he provided. Russ should as well have embraced new opportunities like the new trend in the patient’s market instead of sticking to an old way since he was aware the institution needed more than just increasing the number of surgeons and nurses.
What political factors created bias and clouded judgments in this situation?
One of the political factors that resulted in business and lead to misjudgment of the situation was the nurse’s and physicians’ priorities that viewed strategic planning as a minor procedure with less importance than what they were dealing with like hiring more nurses and surgeons to enhance the provision of quality services. This made the plan easier to approve the project unopposed because it favored their major concern. Moreover, the strategic plan coincided with policymaker’s fixed predetermined views making it difficult for the situation to be viewed rationally as implied by Tahkapaa (2004).
Who’s to blame for the bad outcomes of this strategic plan?
In this case, it would be easy to blame Russ since that was his strategic plan. However, all the stakeholders of the hospital ought to take fault for the undesirable outcome of the strategic plan. Johnston & Bate (2003) reason that a strategic plan is supposed to be the outcome of combined efforts yet all of them left that vital responsibility solely to Russ while they attended to issues they thought were more wanting like his boss Graveyard trying to feel nurse vacancies a clear indication of misplaced priorities that diverted their attention from crucial institutional activities like strategic planning to eradicate future financial hardship.
Also, the board of directors and senior executives who approved the strategic plan are responsible for the hospital’s downfall as they readily approved the plan since it was inconsistent with their mindset. They let their personal interests; pride and overconfidence dominate their decision making criteria as they failed to keep an open mind that would have assisted in evaluating and analyzing the strategic plans’ likelihood of achieving the objectives and its impact on the institution as implied by Jung & Lee (2012).
Similarly, Jung & Lee (2012) indicate that Russ is also to blame since he diverted his focus from the hospital’s interest to personal desires of fame and heroism as he was fully aware that his strategic plan was incapable of solving the future financial problem as much as he was certain of its approval since he admitted that the institution required more than just surgeon attraction.
Discuss some things Marvelous Marvin could have done differently as CEO to avoid the current situation?
Marvelous Marvin, the CEO of Last Chance Hospital, could have avoided the current situation had he been more involved in the strategic planning as recommended by Chiou & Chang (2009). He should have led the whole process by determining the extent of the objectives that the plan needs to achieve regarding the problem and accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the hospital, delegated the role of strategic planning to a team, maybe departmental heads, and appointed a leader to facilitate the whole process. Demonstrating the seriousness of the operation by informing other employees and inviting them to contribute their ideas could have also been beneficial as explained by Chiou & Chang (2009). After which he should have evaluated the resulting strategic plan and determined its capability to meet its objectives before forwarding to plan to the board of directions for approval and overseen its implementation as suggested by Chiou & Chang (2009).
If you were one of the OR Director’s direct reports/managers, what should your involvement in the organization’s strategy have been?
If I were one of the OR directors of LCH, I would have challenged the strategic plan. This is because the strategy was biased and unbalanced as it was mainly centered on the OR department yet there were other departments like marketing that were supposed to have had the major responsibility of selling out the services of the hospitals to patients by creating awareness. Instead, the strategy kind of placed its focus on gambling since the reason behind it was that the patients will be attracted by competent physicians forgetting that it was a common requirement for hospitals hence could not make the LCH hospital stand out in comparison with other hospitals. The plan did entail spending cash that the hospital was not bringing in. Thus, to save the company, I would have challenged the strategic plan as at that particular time it was inappropriate as an effective solution to financial constraints as implied by Jung & Lee (2012).
Reference list
Chiou, J., Chang, T. (2009). The effect of Management Leadership Style on Marketing Orientation, Service Quality, and Financial Results: A Cross-Cultural Study. Journal of Global Marketing. doi:10.1080/08911760902767961
Jennings, D., & Disney, J. J. (2006). Designing the strategic planning process: does psychological type matter? Management Decision. doi:10.1108/00251740610668860
Johnston, R. E., & Bate, J. D. (2003). The power of strategy innovation: A new way of linking creativity and strategic planning to discover great business opportunities. New York: AMACOM.
Jung, C.S., & Lee, G. (2012). Goals, Strategic Planning, and Performance in Government Agencies. Public Management Review.doi.10.1080/1471907.2012.677212
Tahkapaa, J. (2004). Increasing the role of information systems in public health care- challenges to the management. doi.10.1109/HICSS.2004.1265362
Frequently Asked Questions
What should marvelous Marvin have done differently as CEO to avoid the current situation?
- Determined the extent of the objectives that the plan needs to achieve regarding the problem and accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the hospital
- Delegated the role of strategic planning to a team, maybe departmental heads, and appointed a leader to facilitate the whole process.
- Demonstrating the seriousness of the operation by informing other employees and inviting them to contribute their ideas
- He should have evaluated the resulting strategic plan and determined its capability to meet its objectives before forwarding to plan to the board of directions for approval and overseen its implementation
Who’s to blame for the bad outcomes of this strategic plan?
In this case, it would be easy to blame Russ since that was his strategic plan. However, all the stakeholders of the hospital ought to take fault for the undesirable outcome of the strategic plan.
What political factors created bias and clouded judgment in this situation?
- The nurses and physicians priorities viewed strategic planning as a minor procedure with less importance than what they were dealing with like hiring more nurses and surgeons to enhance the provision of quality services.
- The strategic plan coincided with the policymakers fixed predetermined views making it difficult for the situation to be viewed rationally
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