Sethu Sethunarayanan Free Essays

string(35) " training the employees and so on\." 1. Explain in detail what theories and concepts you learned in class are helpful to understand the case. The case discusses an entrepreneur named Sethu Sethunarayanan, who invented and marketed an innovative trap to help poor Irula people (an Indian tribe) catch rats more efficiently. We will write a custom essay sample on Sethu Sethunarayanan or any similar topic only for you Order Now He is the founder of the Center for Development of Disadvantaged People (CDDP) – one of a few recognized non-profit organizations in India. The case is an example how technological innovation and human capital can be used to improve the life for the poor. This rat-trap entrepreneurship was a social entrepreneurship because the inventor used the resources to cater to the needs of poor people. Prior to the innovation of the new trap, Irula villagers needed to use their mouths and their hands to catch the rats directly; their health was severely affected when touching the rats. After talking to a rat-catcher’s wife, Sethu realized that there was a problem and with the instinct of an entrepreneur, he knew that there would be an opportunity for him to solve the problem and improve the lives of Irula people. With the help of a mechanical engineer, Sethu developed a new trap to help people catch rats without contacting directly to the rats and the hot area of the trap. The values created from this innovation were a better health and a better income for rat-catchers. A concept test was implemented to fifteen rat catchers to see whether it worked. This was an important process to determine whether the entrepreneur needed to revise his innovation. After six iterations in eight months, the trap met most of the needs of the rat catchers. Sethu then applied for the grant from the World Bank to commercialize the innovation. It was a good choice of raising fund since social entrepreneurships usually do not attract numerous investors (because the aim is not for profit but for a better life of people). Sethu also planned various processes for the implementation of the project. Firstly, he identified the market which consisted of 1,500 neediest villagers and communicated the benefits of the new trap directly to this segment by visiting their villages. Secondly, Sethu created more values for customers by creating the women’s microcredit funds, which operated like loans and enabled women to afford a trap. These funds helped bring the traps to more villagers. Thirdly, he chose the right people to take care of the production. Since the young and unmarried women were selected to be the workers, the men and the boys were kept for catching the rats. Finally, he already thought of the exit strategy when the demand for the traps decreased. In such a situation, the factory would produce other steel products that were useful for Irula people. 2. What were crucial factors that determined success or failure? The success of the rat trap entrepreneurship was contributed by numerous factors. Firstly, it was due to the human capital: Irula people. Although Irula young women were illiterate, they were able to produce the traps by themselves after being instructed. Selecting these women to operate the factory was a wise strategy because it made Irula people feel proud of their tribe. These workers might also persuade and instruct their relatives and neighbors to use the traps. As a result, the customer base for the business would be enlarged. Secondly, the technology innovation was also an important factor. It was the simplicity of the trap that made it usable for Irula people, 99% of whom were illiterate. Sethu and the mechanic engineer spent eight months inventing and testing the trap before it met all the needs of the rat catchers. If the trap was more complex, Irula people could not use it and the entrepreneurship would become a failure. Thirdly, the $98,500 grant from the World Bank served as the source for Sethu to implement his business plan. The plan included many costly processes such as health checks and treatments for the beneficiaries, building factory, training employees, and production. Without the fund of the World Bank laying the foundation, Sethu might not be able to start the business. Lastly, Sethu seemed to be the first one who addressed the problem in how Irula people catch rats, so he had the first-mover advantage. In addition, it was not likely that other social entrepreneurs would come and compete with Sethu in the near future. Hence, the Irulas did not have other choices but use Sethu’s new traps if they wanted to change the way to catch rats. 3. What characteristics of the entrepreneur enabled their success? Sethu had many characteristics of an ideal social entrepreneur. Among those characteristics, the thing distinguishing him from others may be his concern for the community. Being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi – the Father of the Nation, Sethu always thought of ways to bring a better life for the poor in India. This is probably the reason why he realized the problem of the old way of catching rats of the Irulas and did not stop thinking of a solution. In addition, Sethu obtained an appropriate education and experience in doing social entrepreneurship. Sethu studied in Gandhi’s school in India, where he was instructed to use Gandhi’s method to improve lives for the poor, solve human conflicts and introduce new ideas. After graduation, he worked for an NGO to accumulate experience before establishing his own NGO in 1998. His education and experience were the foundation for his innovativeness, which contributed to the invention of the rat trap. Finally, the most vital factor leading to the success of the entrepreneurship was Sethu’s risk-taking attitude. What would happen if the trap failed when applying to a large extend even though it was successful in the concept test; or if the Irula refused to use the trap anyway? In such a situation, Sethu would lose all the costs in health checking and treatment for the rat catchers, building the factory, training the employees and so on. You read "Sethu Sethunarayanan" in category "Essay examples" More importantly, his prestige would be adversely affected since he was awarded the grant from the World Bank but failed to use it effectively. Despite all these risks, he still continued with the business because he believed in his idea and in the Irulas. 4. What were problems encountered by the entrepreneur and how did the entrepreneur deal with the problems? How did the entrepreneur overcome the problems? When implementing the project, Sethu did face some problems. Firstly, it was the resistance from the Irula people. They refused to meet Sethu and CDDP volunteers because they think Sethu and the volunteers were from some politic parties. Knowing that Irula people wanted to involve and did not like free things, Sethu triggered their interest by approaching them personally, explaining the serious health problems with the old trap and asking them whether they wanted to change their lives. The second problem was the selection of the workers for the factories. Because the men and the boys needed to catch rats while the wives and the old women were taking cooking roles in families, Sethu chose young, unmarried women to be the workers. He even transferred the ownership of the factory to these women so that they felt more motivated to control the production. The third problem was that Irula people were not be able to afford the trap at $25. CDDP solved this problem by launching the women’s microcredit collectives. In particular, a group of 12-15 women contributed money to form a fund. When a woman wanted to buy a trap but could only afford 50% payment, she received the trap and paid the rest to the microcredit fund. Such a fund made the traps become more affordable for the Irulas. Perhaps the most serious problem was that the business did not bring profit, at least in the recent future. The production cost per unit was $27 ($22 for raw materials and $5 for labor) but the selling price was only $25. To deal with this problem, Sethu used bootstrapping as the financing method for the entrepreneurship when he tried to save unnecessary costs. For example, he asked the Irulas to return the trap if they did not use it. In addition, Sethu’s son successfully negotiated with the supplier to lower the material cost (from $28 to $25) and the cost savings was then reinvested in the factory. 5. Given the knowledge and skills you acquired in class, would you have done anything differently and if yes, what? There may be some alternatives to deal with the mentioned problems. Firstly, we can use the power of the influential group to persuade the Irulas to use the trap. By identifying some influential people, for example the tribal chief, in a village and convincing them to use the new trap, we can spread the benefits of the new trap to other villagers faster. It is because the Irula people still live with tribe culture, they will likely to follow what the tribal chief does. Secondly, instead of selling the traps to the Irulas people, we can employ them as our employees and pay them salaries. The salaries will have one fixed portion and one variable portion based on the number of rats a person can catch. We will receive money from the farm owners and distribute to the catchers. By employing the Irulas as our employees, we solve the problem that some Irula people wish to use but do not afford the new trap. What is more, when putting them in a company and considering them as our employees, we also help educate them and reduce their illiteracy. 6. What would be the next steps you would take to successfully proceed? To continue the success of the entrepreneurship, firstly, we must find ways to earn money because no business can maintain forever without profit. Initially, the selling price was at $25, which was $3 lower than the production cost. We can continue working with the supplier (the steel maker company, in this case it was Tata Steel) or even change to other suppliers to further reduce the cost. On the other hand, we could provide new complementary products/services to earn profits and help offset the losses in the rat-trap product line. Notice that the new trap helped catch rat 95% efficiency and helped doubled or even tripled their incomes, the Irula people would earn more money to spend for their living expenses. For instance, we could provide maintaining services for the traps and charge a certain level of money, depending on the current economic situation of the rat catchers. Or it might also sell hand sanitizers for the Irula people to wash their hands after using the trap. When the Irulas’ income increased, these complementary products were likely to be purchased widely because the Irula people cared more about their health. In addition, we can work with the owners of the farms to increase the payoffs for Irula people. The old method of catching rats is extremely inefficient, affects the plants on the fields and causes pollution. We will approach the farmers explain to them the efficiency and the benefits of the new trap, and convince them to employ rat catchers who use the new traps. Lastly, a more efficient trap can be produced. The current new trap can only catch one rat at one time, which is very inefficient. We can apply new technology to catch many rats at one time. For example, rats are affected by certain electromagnetic waves. By putting some wave generators at the fields, the rats are hurt and will come out of their burrows. Then the Irulas might catch the rats more easily. Because the costs for such systems might be high, we will need to obtain a certain level of profits before trying the new technology. Furthermore, we can also seek funds from external sources. How to cite Sethu Sethunarayanan, Essay examples

Health Fitness Program Essay Example For Students

Health Fitness Program Essay The current health situation in the state of Mississippi is disastrous. The state of MS has the highest percentage of obesity in the United States. The State Health Fact says that in 2001, 61% of Mississippians were obese compared to 56% for the rest of the U.S. Female obesity in the state was a whopping 54% as compared to the rest if the U. S. at 47%. Likewise, the obesity rate for males was 69% as compared to 65% in the rest of the U.S. These figures are alarming, and the MS State Health Department says it is only getting worse. In 2002, 36% of adults were obese and in 2003, 30% of MS high school students were reported to be obese. That equals 66% obesity for the entire state. With the state of MS in downward spiral for health, people need a lifestyle change. My goal is to start a Corporate Fitness plan. Under the current market situation, the companys position is the creation and implementation of wellness programs. The basic market need is the reduction of corporate costs and the increase in employee efficiency that can be achieved through long-term wellness programs. The profile for Corporate Fitness (CF) customer consists of the following: the immediate geographic target is the state of Mississippi; the demographic makeup is 54% female, 69% male, and 36% of these individuals are adult; the behavioral factors are that the targets recognize the need for physical activity in their lives and are willing to utilize fringe benefits that are offered by their employer as part of their compensation package. Upon reviewing the possible competition, the two main competitors of Corporate Fitness are local YMCAs, whose market is primarily lower-income families and/or students who want accessibility and affordability of fitness facilitates, and local fitness centers and gyms, whose market is primarily middle to upper class who generally are fitness seekers that have a daily regimen. Through threat and opportunity analysis, our companys threats are more likely going to be from the state residents than from other businesses. Although these threats are identified, other threats to consider are a lack of immunity to an economic downturn; potential competition from larger, well established competitors; and a change in society where individuals begin to take far more responsibility for their health. With MSs current state of obesity, we do realize that we are facing a complete lifestyle change by the workers of MS. We also realize that we will be trying to intervene in peoples lives, although positively, and despite this, they will be naturally resistant to change because of human nature. With MS in an epidemic of obesity, the opportunities are endless. Some of the opportunities are outlined as follows: There will be participation within a growing market; An anticipated increase in clients will follow with the acceptance of CFs program by a single company; and the ability to influence future quantitative studies that support the debate that long-term wellness programs have a significant, positive impact on a companys bottom line. We at Corporate Fitness believe this untapped resource is the equivalent to discovering the cure for several of the most deadly diseases in modern society since obesity is at the heart of most of these ailments. Our major marketing concern is to be careful not to drive anyone away with this new service we are offering. Our managers realize that dealing with individuals health and weight is a very personal matter that some people are just not willing to discuss or deal with. Knowing this information, we want to focus on the Healthy Lifestyle change, promoting life and good health rather than a Youre out of shape and obese change. Objectives for Corporate Fitness are to provide their customers with a health care cost management program for employees that will increase employee productivity and decrease overall business costs. .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 , .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 .postImageUrl , .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 , .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144:hover , .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144:visited , .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144:active { border:0!important; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144:active , .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144 .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc9e5f3c5a21a6ec3ed3b774d636e1144:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Drunk Driving Essay Corporate Fitness seeks to accomplish the following benefits that are important to their customers: Customization CF will offer a totally customized solution for each company as well as each individual employee within the company. Convenience Customers will not use the service if it is not convenient. CF recognizes this and strives to make their services as convenient as possible .

Titus Andronicus Monologue Essay Example For Students

Titus Andronicus Monologue Essay A monologue from the play by William Shakespeare TAMORA: Have I not reason, think you, to look pale? These two have ticed me hither to this place, A barren detested vale you see it is; The trees, though summer, yet forlorn and lean, Overcome with moss and baleful mistletoe. Here never shines the sun; here nothing breeds, Unless the nightly owl or fatal raven: And when they showed me this abhorred pit, They told me, here, at dead time of the night, A thousand fiends, a thousand hissing snakes, Ten thousand swelling toads, as many urchins, Would make such fearful and confused cries As any mortal body hearing it Should straight fall mad, or else die suddenly. No sooner had they told this hellish tale But straight they told me they would bind me here Unto the body of a dismal yew And leave me to this miserable death. And then they called me foul adulteress, Lascivious Goth, and all the bitterest terms That ever ear did hear to such effect; And had you not by wondrous fortune come, This vengeance on me had they executed. Revenge it, as you love your mother\s life, Or be ye not henceforth called my children. We will write a custom essay on Titus Andronicus Monologue specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now

Puerto Rico and U.S. Presidential Elections

Puerto Rico and U.S. Presidential Elections Voters in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories are not permitted to vote in the presidential election under the provisions set forth in the Electoral College. But they do have a say in who gets to the White House. Thats because voters in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa are permitted to participate in the presidential primary and are granted delegates by the two major political parties. In other words, Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories get to help nominate the presidential candidates. But voters there cannot actually participate in the election itself because of the Electoral College system. Can Puerto Ricans Vote? Why cant voters in Puerto Rico and the other U.S. territories help elect the President of the United States? Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution makes it clear that only states can participate in the electoral process. Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress, the U.S. Constitution reads. The Office of the Federal Register, which oversees the Electoral College, states: The Electoral College system does not provide for residents of U.S. Territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Minor Outlying Islands) to vote for President. The only way citizens of the U.S. territories can participate in the presidential elections is if they have official residency in the United States and vote by absentee ballot or travel to their state to vote. This â€Å"disenfranchisement† or denial of the right to vote in national elections - including presidential elections - also applies to U.S. citizens residing in Puerto Rico or any of the other U.S. unincorporated territories. Although the committees of both the Republican party and Democratic party in Puerto Rico select voting delegates to the parties’ national presidential nominating conventions and state presidential primaries or caucuses, U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico or the other territories cannot vote in federal elections unless they also maintain a legal voting residence in one of the 50 states or in the District of Columbia. Puerto Rico and the Primary Even though voters in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories cant vote in the November election, the Democratic and Republican parties allow them to select delegates to represent them at the nominating conventions. The national Democratic partys charter, enacted in 1974, states that Puerto Rico shall be treated as a state containing the appropriate number of Congressional Districts. The Republican party also allows voters in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories to participate in the nomination process. In the 2008 Democratic presidential primary, Puerto Rico had 55 delegates - more than Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming, and several other states with populations lesser than the U.S. territorys 4 million. Four Democratic delegates went to Guam, while three went to the Virgin Islands and American Samoa each. In the Republican presidential primary of 2008, Puerto Rico had 20 delegates. Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands each had six. What are the US Territories? A territory is an area of  land that is administered by the United States government but not officially claimed by any of the 50 states or any other world nation. Most depend on the United States for defense and economic support. Puerto Rico, for example, is a commonwealth - a self-governed, unincorporated territory of the United States. Its residents are subject to U.S. laws and pay income taxes to the U.S. government. The United States currently has 16 territories, of which only five are permanently inhabited: Puerto Rico, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Classified as unincorporated territories, they are organized, self-governing territories with governors and territorial legislatures elected by the people. Each of the five permanently inhabited territories may also elect a non-voting â€Å"delegate† or â€Å"resident commissioner† to the U.S. House of Representatives. The territorial resident commissioners or delegates function in the same way as members of Congress from the 50 states, except they are not allowed to vote on the final disposition of legislation on the House floor. However, they are allowed to serve on congressional committees and receive the same annual salary as other rank-and-file members of Congress. Sources Frequently Asked Questions. U.S. Electoral College, Office of the Federal Register, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. Section 1. Article II, Executive Branch, Constitution Center. The Democratic National Committee. The Charter the Bylaws of the Democratic Party of the United States. DNC Services Corporation, August 25, 2018.

Mergers and Acquisitions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Mergers and Acquisitions - Essay Example A study conducted by UNCTAD (2006) shows that 17 percent of the FDI in the world comprise South-North and South-South flows and of this the cross-border acquisitions occupy a significant proportion. This project would look into the cross border acquisitions with an insight into the reasons driving the acquisitions and influential factors impacting such acquisitions. Factors motivating cross border acquisition Various theories have been developed that explain the significance of the mergers and acquisitions. According to Efficiency theories the main motive behind such deals is to exploit the benefits arising out of synergies or economies of scale. Market power theories highlight that acquisitions lead to oligopoly benefits. Agency theories state that the acquisition and acquisition deals mitigate agency problems like removing the inefficient managerial staff. This theory also states that it may also give rise to agency problems such as imprudent managerial decisions solely guided by t he motive of empire building. Besides this the acquisition deals are also guided by the advantages arising from the ‘benefits of diversification’. Though there is no single theory on mergers and acquisitions however these theories have garnered empirical support. Studies have shown that the shareholders of the target firm benefit the most in such deals whereas the shareholders of the bidder firm do not derive any immediate benefit from the deal. The abnormal return that that the bidders can enjoy is either slightly negative or zero. The combined return of the bidder-target firm is found to be universally positive indicating that the acquisition deals lead to value creation. It has also been seen that the stock price of the target firms’ exhibit higher returns in the case of cash offers as compared to the stock offers; hostile takeovers as compared to friendly takeovers; and multiple bidder as compared to contests by single bidders (Gregoriou & Neuhauser, 2007, p. 1). The success associated with the M&A deals has eluded many corporations. Marks & Mirvis (1998) state that the failure rates of such deals is around 50 to 75 percent. Despite the uncertainties associated with the deal the acquisition and acquisition deals are on the rise. The various benefits arising out of the deal include managerial synergies, cost synergies, market synergies etc. The sources of synergies include consolidated purchases, production, administration, marketing, market power, cross-selling, acquisition of technical expertise, patent, knowhow of the target, market expansion etc. In the horizontal acquisitions that involve integration of two companies belonging to the same sector the main motive is gaining market share of the target firm. This happens in the case of matured industries where the opportunities of growth are nearly exhausted, presence of excess capacity etc. Horizontal acquisitions result in enhanced revenue, savings in cost and better growth opportunit ies (Hitchner, 2006, p.106). The acquiring firm also gets a control over the customer base of the target firm thereby raising the total revenue base of the bidder firm.

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 237

Assignment Example She grows up experiencing joy with Nel Wright, who is her best friend. The two are inseparable friends, even though their backgrounds and personality are different. Sula is an independent character who has minimal commitments. She got the independent characteristic from her mother, who acted in a similar manner. Nel Wright is a character who is the opposite of Sula. Her physical characteristic is plain and also light colored. Her physical appearance contrasts sharply to the black and mysterious features of Sula. The Bottom society considers Nel as a girl of good character and morals, because of her obedient and quite nature. The family background of Nel is good, and it is respected in the society. Nel desires individuality, and this is what drives her to seek friendship with the person like Sula, who has the desired qualities of independence, strength and bravery. Helene Wright is the mother of Nel. She was the daughter of Rochelle, who worked as a prostitute in Orleans Creole. Helen was raised by her very religious grandmother, called Cecile. Hellen was married off to Wiley Wright when she was aged 16 years. Eva is the grandmother of Sula, who is illustrated throughout the novel. She is very instrumental in determining the direction of Sula, and in the development of the plot of the novel. She is a very colorful character in the novel. She is very hopeful, even though her husband left her with children at a young age. Eva cut off her leg, with the intention of obtaining insurance money. The move shows love and determination, because the money was used to take care of her family. Eva is a compassionate character, because she turned her house to a boarding facility that accommodates diverse individuals, for instance, the â€Å"dewey boys†. The informally adopted Deweys were inseparable, even though they are physically different. BoyBoy Peace is illustrated as a reckless character; this is because he abandoned her young Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 163 Assignment Example Action research is an alternative approach to change in an organization. It requires the change facilitators with the ability to give specific attention to the personal and collective processes of action and reflection. Using this approach will, therefore, requires the change agents in Arc Limit Cinema to be both leaders and researchers in the process of finding the opportunities for change. In this case, research on the issues related to the market, internal and external factors promoting of inhibiting change in the organization should be done (Cameron & Green 2012, p. 132). In Lewin’s model for change, there are three identified phases of effective change process. Unfreezing, change process and refreezing. This approach will require the change agent at Arc Limit Cinema to recognize the need to change and to be uncomfortable with the present situation. This may be concerning the operations, production, customer service or marketing. The identified flaws then lead to the change implementation, and after the change is done, the organization need to be re-stabilized through refreezing (Cameron & Green 2012, p. 132). This model, therefore, implies that for a change to occur in Arc Light, the inputs that the organization, its initial environment in terms of partnerships, markets and the general reputation of the organization must be harnessed to give a strategy that is compatible with the organizations structures. The effects of this are positive change that will give results that will improve the organizations situation. In order to understand the performance of an organization, this model recommends first to understand the basic elements of performance. These are inputs, strategy, output and processes. In the USC strategy, these basic elements can be identified as: Output. The strategy expects the outputs to be a success of the students and the fulfilment of their ambitions. This will also lead to a feeling of satisfaction of the

Total Quality Management in Healthcare Environment

Total Quality Management in Healthcare Environment EVALUATING HEALTH IMPROVEMENT (UNIT FIVE) BY AKINADE TOYESE In this paper we will discuss how to cultivate total quality management and develop a culture of on-going improvement with focus on a public health organization. We will also identify ways to incentivize employee performance and evaluate incentives in terms of motivational effectiveness. BRIEF SUMMARY OF A PUBLIC HEALTH ORGANIZATION IN NIGERIA AND THE POPULATION IT SERVES The University College Hospital Ibadan is a public health organization which was established in November 1952 by parliament act to respond to the training need of medical personnel and other health care professionals in Nigeria and other West African Sub-Region (UCH, 2015). Her vision is to be the â€Å"flagship† tertiary healthcare institution in the West Africa sub-region, which offers world-class research, training and services, and first choice for seeking specialist health care (UCH, 2015). Although the hospital is primarily a tertiary institution, it has appendages of community-based outreach activities in six cities where it provides primary and secondary healthcare services. It has fifty-six service and clinical departments and runs ninety-six consultative out- patient clinics a week in fifty specialty and sub-specialty disciplines. There are also special treatment clinic for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and the people living with HIV/AIDS (UCH, 2015). However, because of the breakdown and poor state of primary health care facilities in the region (UCH, 2015) â€Å"the hospital still caters for lots of primary and secondary healthcare burden. The number of patients in the accident and emergency of the hospital averages six hundred thousand annually, and about one hundred and fifty thousand new patients attend the various out-patient clinics annually. The institution enjoys a full patronage of both national and international clientele due to its manpower, facilities, and track records†. STEPS TO TAKE TO CULTIVATE TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOP A CULTURE OF ONGOING IMPROVEMENT. Health Care Systems throughout the world are undergoing significant changes. These changes are due to acknowledgment of either medical errors or system errors (Ruiz and Simon 2004). Other factors responsible for these changes include: Legal obligation for quality management (Moeller et al. 2000), the sophistication of medical care and increasing costs of health care (Ramanathan, 2005). Total quality management seeks to create a culture whereby all employees are continually examining and improving the organization of their work with a view to satisfying customer requirements (Goodwin et al., 2006). This is especially critical for health institution in that better health is the â€Å"raison d’à ªtre† of a health system, and unquestionably its primary or defining goal (WHO, 2000). Joiner and Scholtes (1985) discussed total quality management under three key components: the client as the defining factor in determining quality, the teamwork as a means to unifying goals and a scientific approach to decision-making based on data collection and analysis. Furthermore, quality chain idea can be used to cultivate total quality management. According to Morgan (1994) quality chain is described as chain of suppliers and customers. Goodwin et al. (2006) examined the health of the quality chain in four discrete stages: Inspection: Usually an after-the-fact screening process to assess the quality and conformity of services or products produced. Quality control: Monitoring the process of service delivery at each stage in the chain in order to eliminate the causes of unsatisfactory performance. Quality Assurance: Assessment of the systems quality and the steps taken to improve quality. Total quality management: The application of quality management principles at every level of the organization. This medium will necessitate a change in behavior amongst staff to commit to the quality management agenda. Finally, it is recognized that several elements need to be in place to help such organizations move in the direction of improving the quality of care on a systematic basis. These include the availability of training for the staffs, the development of teamwork among the staff, the development of a structure to support quality improvement, and a set of standard measurable targets through which to assess change (Goodwin et al., 2006). WAYS TO INCENTIVIZE EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATE MOTIVATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS OF INCENTIVES Incentives for the employee are to motivate the employee to perform better and have long lasting effect on their performance. If â€Å"you get what you pay for,† then it presumably follows that one should pay for what one ultimately wants (Cutler 2005). If a health program’s primary objective is good patient or population health outcomes, it would seem natural for performance incentives to reward good health or health improvement directly rather than the use of health services or other health inputs. Rewarding health outcomes rather than health input use not only creates strong incentives for providers to exert effort, but it can also create incentives for providers to innovate in developing new, context-appropriate delivery strategies (Grant and Kimberly, 2013: 4). Incentive can be monetary or non-monetary (Asaad Assaf, 2011). The monetary incentive can be performance-related pay such as the increment in salary, bonuses, and other financial benefits such as housing allowance or health care compensation. Non-monetary incentives include: words of appreciation, thank you letter, nomination of department employee of the month, sending an employee to a conference, flexible work hour (Asaad Assaf, 2011). Meanwhile, the extent to which staffs can participate in decision-making and how much support they receive from their managers also motivate the employee to perform better (Goodwin et al., 2006). Nevertheless, there is a need for a public health organization to adopt a method for motivating and rewarding its staffs. Performance-related pay is one approach to using pay to provide an incentive to individuals to work more effectively to meet organizational goals, both in terms of quality and efficiency (Goodwin et al., 2006). Performance-related pay can be seen as one approach to using pay to provide an incentive to individuals to work more effectively to meet organizational goals, both in terms of quality and efficiency (Goodwin et al., 2006). It won’t be encouraging if two persons receive the same pay when one is performing much better than the other. When there is a performance-related pay incentive for a hardworking staff or a job well-done, it will motivate the staff to do more for the improvement of the organization and also encourage the other staff to be effective and hard working in other to meet the organization goals. In conclusion, Goodwin et al. (2006) had explained that â€Å"the experience with PRP is mixed and its transfer to the health sector has been associated with a range of problems: Tension is often created in providing performance-related incentives to individuals, since this can preclude their ability to work towards wider organizational objectives. In health care, team contribution prevails over the contribution of individual members of staff. The power of professional organizations enables them to resist management initiatives. The agency relationship between health care professionals and patients can exclude and disadvantage employers. Employers try to retain insiders rather than recruit outsiders, even if they have to pay more. However, if PPR is applied to the right organization or system-wide needs, it may enable individuals to work more for the benefit of the organization. References: Armstrong, M. H. Murlis, (1994) Reward Management: A Handbook of Remuneration Strategy and Practice, London: Kogan Page Asaad, A., F.A. Assaf, (2011) ‘Incentive for Better performance in Health Care’, Sultan Qaboos, University Medical Journal, 11 (2) pp: 201-206, Available at: http://:www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121024/, (accessed: 04/04/2015) Cutler, D., (2005) Your Money or Your Life: Strong Medicine for America’s Health Care System,  USA: Oxford University Press. Goodwin, N., G. Reinhold, V. Iles, (2006) Managing Health Services, Understanding Public Health Series, Maidenhead: Open University Press pp. 143-152 Grant M., S. B. Kimberly, (2013) Pay-for-performance incentive in low and middle income country health programs, national bureau of economic research, NBER Working Paper Series, Cambridge, p. 4 Johnson, O. A., (2011) ‘Total Quality Management (TQM) Factors: An Empirical Study of Kwara State Government Hospitals’, Ethno Med, 5(1) pp. 17-23 Joiner, B., P. Scholtes, (1985) Total Quality Leadership vs. Management by Control, Joiner and Associates Moeller, B., J. O’Reilly, J. Elser, (2000) ‘Quality management in German health care the EFQM excellence model’, International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 13 pp. 254-258. Morgan, P., (1994) Total quality management, in E. Monica (ed.) Management in Health Care, A Theoretical and Experiential Approach, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Ramanathan R., (2005) Operational assessment in hospitals in Sultanate of Oman. International Journal of Operations Production Management, l25 pp. 39-54. Ruiz U., J. Simon, (2004) ‘Quality management in healthcare: A 20-year journey’, International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, 17 pp. 23-33. UCH, (2015) ‘UCH vision and mission’, Available at: http://uch-ibadan.org.ng/content/vission-and-mission, (Accessed 06/04/2015) â€Å"University College Hospital, Ibadan†, (2015) Wikipedia, Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_College_Hospital,_Ibadan, (Accessed 06/04/2015)