Semi Structured Individual Interviews Education Essay

Based on the consequences of the three open-ended focal point group interviews every bit good as the consequences of the semi-structured single interviews in Chapter 6 that Grade R instructors are knowing about the execution of Grade R. This determination is consistent with the Baseline Study Report ( South Africa. ECDoE, ( 2008a ) which states the followers: The research shows that the practicians know what their functions and duties are ( p. 90 ) . However, this research survey has besides found that there are incompatibilities between what the instructors say, believe, and what they implement in their schoolrooms. Harmonizing to the Baseline Study Report ( South Africa. ECDoE, ( 2008a ) one of the grounds why Grade R instructors and practicians do non implement their cognition in their schoolrooms is due to the fact that the Education District Offices in the Eastern Cape, do non carry through their function of support and monitoring of these categories. The deficiency of support and monitorin from the schools ; the deficiency of cognition in the schools as to the intent of the Reception Year ; the deficiency of execution of the NCS by all parties in the school and the deficiency of regular support and monitoring by the circuit directors and territory ECD forces hampers them in performin their competency ( p. 90 ) . The Report of Task Team for the Review of the Implementation of the National Curriculum Statement ( South Africa. DoE, 2009 ) emphasises that, despite the limited cognition and accomplishments of territory personell, particularly capable advisers, the execution of the NCS ( South Africa. DoE, 2002b ) prevarications on their shoulders as they act as â€Å" mediators between course of study policy and execution in the schoolroom † ( p. 8 ) . These offices have been capable to the same grade of alteration as instructors, and in many instances, a superficial apprehension around course of study exists. Further, in several states there are a big figure of late appointed capable advisers, who have received less developing on the course of study than the instructors themselves, and have non had the experiences of really learning the course of study ( South Africa. DoE, 2009, p. 23 ) . These findings, by both the Baseline Study Report ( South Africa. ECDoE, ( 2008a ) every bit good as the Report of the Task Team for the Review ( South Africa. DoE, 2009 ) have serious deductions for the execution of numeracy in the pattern or Grade R schoolrooms. The inquiry therefore must be asked, is above-named statement by the Baseline Study Report ( South Africa. ECDoE, ( 2008a ) whereby instructors do non hold sufficient and quality effectual support and monitoring, the lone ground why instructors do non implement what they have been taught? This survey nevertheless showed that the above-named ground is non the lone ground why Grade Roentgen instructors are non implementing numeracy efficaciously. The grounds are more complex and nuanced as Chapter 6 showed. There is a clear disjunction between theory and pattern, as reflected in the information analysis of the single interviews and their audio-video tapes of classrooms activities.7.2 Deductions for Theory and PracticeChapter 2 which focussed on the historical and political context of Early Childhood Development in South Africa revealed that Grade R instructors came from different backgrounds with different preparation experiences. This impacted on their execution of numeracy. Chapter 3 has described in deepness the course of study policy development and execution instructors had to implement since 1998. Again, instructors ‘ pattern as so, had to do major paradigm displacements in implementing numeracy in their schoolrooms. With the proposed debut of, yet another c ourse of study alteration, the CAPS ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010f ) in 2011, Foundation Phase instructors, including Grade R instructors and practicians, need to do another head displacement sing the execution of numeracy in their schoolrooms. However, the Report of the Task Team for the Review of the Implementation of the National Curriculum Statement ( South Africa. DoE, 2009 ) warns that if instructors do non hold a clear apprehension of course of study policy and how curriculum execution should take topographic point, it can non so be expected of instructors to implement such a course of study. It must nevertheless, be recognised that the copiousness of alteration has left many instructors bewildered. Our recent course of study history has been characterized by extremist alteration within a comparative short period. The consequence has been a high degree of confusion amongst instructors around what they are expected to make. These past alterations have left paths in instructors ‘ current apprehensions and pattern, peculiarly paths of Curriculum 2005 ( South Africa. DoE, 2009, p. 24 ) . Chapter 4 efforts to clear up how four acquisition theories, and particularly constructivism, relate to the execution of numeracy in Grade R. The importance of larning through drama, which includes geographic expedition, experimenting, find, doing picks and problem-solving was highlighted by Piaget, Vygotsky and Bruner. However, the written texts of the audio-video tapes in Chapter 6, reveal that many instructors are non utilizing these valuable instruction schemes. This determination is echoed by the Baseline Study Report ( South Africa. ECDoE, ( 2008a ) which states as follow: The bulk of schoolrooms did non show larning happening through active geographic expedition of the environment. Children were either playing by themselves ( without structured drama stuffs ) , sitting waiting softly, or being ‘taught ‘ Grade 1 work in the traditional manner ( chanting'sa Se Si so so ‘ over and over once more ) ( p. 89 ) . Jones ( 2005 ) argues that when instructors do interact with scholars ‘ drama activities, they frequently dominate this activity in order to keep subject and control ( p. 201 ) . In Chapter 1, Sheffield and Cruikshank ( 2000 ) advise that instructors need to interact and impart the drama activities of scholars on the one manus whilst on the other manus, they must be careful non to rule and command the drama activities. Sheffield and Cruikshank ( 2000 ) make it really explicit that â€Å" aˆÂ ¦activities can non by themselves teach. Augment them with reading, composing, treatment, illustrations, and idea † ( p. 356 ) . However, unless Grade R instructors and the Senior Management Teams at primary schools, are purchasing into the rule of larning through â€Å" drama with a intent † when the CAPS for the Foundation Phase ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010f ) is implemented in 2011, it will simply be paying lip-service to this rule ( p.6 ) . In position of the concerns expressed by the findings of the systemic ratings of 2001 and 2008, as expressed in Chapters 1 and 2, the danger might originate that instructors would instead concentrate on accomplishing the three Rs ( formal reading, composing and arithmetic activities ) than exposing scholars to activities where they freely explore, experiment and detect their environment. Harmonizing to Jones ( 2005 ) it was found that instructors would instead pass their clip learning numeracy and acquisition than leting scholars to prosecute with drama activities ( p. 202 ) . Jones ( 2005 ) argues that one of the grounds why instructors instead focussed on implementing a formal and direct instruction attack is that the formal attack has mensurable consequences whilst the consequences of free-play can non easy and straight be determined ( 2005, p. 202 ) . Although the said CAPS for the Foundation Phase ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010f ) makes proviso for structured and teacher-directed numeracy slots of 30 proceedingss per twenty-four hours, there is a concern that instructors will over-emphasise the completion of worksheets and hence disregard the importance of scholars sing a construct kinesthetically, concretely and semi-concretely ( p. 6 ) . In Chapter 4, Bruner states that cognition or rational development growing starts as an enactive manner and them moves to an iconic manner and later consequences in a symbolic manner. Harmonizing to Shunk ( 2008 ) the deductions of Bruner ‘s theory of cognitive growing are that new larning constructs need to be introduced concretely and three-dimensionally in the enactive manner ( pp. 6-7 ) . The bill of exchange CAPS for the Foundation Phase ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010f ) recommends that worksheets are merely to be given to scholars after they have experienced a construct kinesthetically, con cretely and semi-concretely ( pp. 6-7 ) . In Chapter 1, research workers such as Grouws and Good ( 1989 ) , Sawyer ( 1995 ) , and Faber and Van Staden ( 1997 ) show their concern sing the usage of worksheets. Grouws and Good ( 1989 ) point out that good problem-solving activities in text books are scarce and if they do occur, the job resolution is based on a subdivision of the â€Å" text edition that deals with verbal jobs † and necessitate merely from the scholar â€Å" to choose a computational operation † ( p. 60 ) . Grouws and Good ( 1989 ) advocator that adequate clip must be granted to scholars to discourse jobs with one another and to depict their ain effort at work outing a job. Faber and Van Staden ( 1997 ) argue that commercially bought larning stuffs frequently do non take awareness of the immature scholar ‘s anterior experience of mathematical constructs, cognition, accomplishments and attitudes and â€Å" be given to cut down liberty: instructors decide on the jobs, how many are to be tackl ed and when, and whether the replies are right or incorrect † ( p. 109 ) . Sawyer ( 1995 ) adds that the over-reliance on workbooks to learning mathematics is a contemplation of instructors ‘ insecurities with the content ( Sawyer, 1995, p. 141 ) . In order to antagonize instructors ‘ deficiency of assurance in learning mathematics, Sawyer ( 1995 ) stresses the importance of rendering effectual in-service preparation and go oning support, â€Å" so that their cognition and understanding base and their assurance in learning mathematics can be approved † ( p. 203 ) . Sawyer ( 1995 ) points out that the feelings and concerns of instructors sing â€Å" unfamiliar content, new instruction and appraisal schemes, the sum of required paperwork and record maintaining, and increasing force per unit areas and attendant emphasis † can non be ignore ( p. seven ) . In the research survey, Participant 15 agrees that work sheets are non exciting † It is non stimulating, no. Yes. Every twenty-four hours, they must make different, you see today, they did n't alteration. I like to make it like that. Tomorrow they will be busy with that activity, I will merely alter them. I change them, the scholars. Yes. Participant 1 has acknowledged that the usage of worksheets can lend to barriers to acquisition: There is a batch of paperwork which can go a barrier, alternatively of learning the instructor and scholar are excessively involved with paperwork. A 3rd concern that has come from the analysis from the information written texts of the single interviews every bit good as the analysis from the information written texts of the audio-video tapes is the call by seven of the nine participants in this research survey for farther preparation on how to turn to barriers with larning in their categories. Although the findings of the Systemic Evaluations of both 2001 and 2008 suggest that there is a crisis if two tierces of Grade 3 scholars are non numerate, the proposed CAPS for the Foundation Phase ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010f ) makes no reference of how to turn to numeracy barriers to larning in Grade R schoolrooms. There is therefore a serious spread in the execution of the current mileposts as stipulated in the Foundation for Learning Assessment Framework Grade R ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010a ) every bit good as the proposed CAPS for the Foundation Phase ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010f ) in how to travel approximately in helping a immature s cholar who is experiences numeracy barriers to larning. In both the pre-service every bit good as the in-service preparation of Grade R instructors, there needs to be a greater accent on barriers to larning and remedial intercession. In Chapter 1, Kirov and Bhargava ( 2002 ) emphasise that the informality of high-quality acquisition in the preschool old ages does non intend that there is no demand to be after for attentive mathematics activities. Contrarily, mathematics larning should concentrate on chances that will excite active acquisition that will heighten the usage of rich mathematical linguistic communication like â€Å" what? † â€Å" how? † and â€Å" why? † inquiries ( Kirov & A ; Bhargava, 2002 ) . Golbeck ( 2002 ) argues that if instructors plan numeracy activities that are developmentally appropriate, such a instructor will so hold lucidity non merely on the content that needs to be taught, but besides sing her function in how to learn the content. In Chapter 4, Branscombe, et Al. ( 2002 ) express their concerns sing a pre-designed course of study which is stiffly implemented harmonizing to prescribed stairss: the premise is that the end is to internalize a organic structure of information in a peculiar order and frequently in a peculiar signifier. Teachers who use this attack are likely to believe that the acquisition is a procedure of taking something from the environment and memorising it instead than building it based on the person ‘s ain actions and interactions ( p. 15 ) . However, despite the concern raised above by Branscrombe, et Al. ( 2002 ) , the proposed CAPS for the Foundation Phase ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010f ) prescribes the Grade R instructors with a structured hebdomad by hebdomad programme of how numeracy constructs should increasingly be taught ( pp.2-118 ) . However, a 4th concern is that the proposed CAPS for the Foundation Phase ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010f ) does non take into consideration the anterior numeracy cognition and accomplishments that a Grade R scholar brings to school. The first figure symbol that is being introduced to a Grade R scholar during the 3rd hebdomad of schooling, is 0 or naught, whereafter the Numberss are increased to 10 by the terminal of the twelvemonth ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010f, pp.2-118 ) . The NCS ( South Africa. DoE, 2003b ) provinces that The Grade R or 1 scholars come to school with varied experiences of figure work and figure cognition. Some can rote count whilst others merely know a rime or two. Learners can normally demo their age by seting up the right figure of fingers, but they frequently have no existent figure sense. Some scholars will be able to work with money and even give alteration to a certain extent, but they ca n't make formal calculatins affecting money jobs. Most immature scholars can portion nutrient reasonably without holding a construct of fractions. Differentiated learning activities should hence be created to suit all the scholars in the category ( p. 60 ) . In Chapter 1, research workers such as Schwartz & A ; Riedesel ( 1994 ) , Campbell ( 1997 ) , Chambers ( 2000 ) and Sheffield and Cruikshank ( 2000 ) , urge pedagogues to construct on scholars ‘ bing numeracy cognition. You are challenged to construct on what kids bring to the schoolroom and supply activities that help kids further grow and develop their mathematical thought and their apprehension of the constructs of add-on and minus ( Sheffield and Cruikshank, 2000, p. 154 ) . Harmonizing to Clements and Battista ( 2002 ) â€Å" larning mathematics should be thought of as a procedure of accommodating to and forming one ‘s quantitative universe, non detecting preexistent thoughts imposed by others † ( p. 6 ) . Therefore, a assortment of chances must be provided to immature scholars in order for them to research their milieus and environments. In this geographic expedition of the environment the scholar will utilize his/her current cognition to associate new information to that cognition ( Branscombe, et al. , 2002, p. 10 ) . In drumhead, it can be concluded that the ground why Grade Roentgen instructors are non implementing a developmentally appropriate, learner-centred and learner-based numeracy programme in their schoolrooms, can non be contributed merely to the deficiency of support and monitoring by territory functionaries. A 2nd ground why instructors do non implement their cognition and accomplishments of Grade R, is that they are overwhelmed with all the course of study alterations of the past 12 old ages as Chapters 2 and 3 of this survey described. A 3rd and possibly the most of import ground why Grade R instructors do non implement their cognition is in reply to the sub-research inquiries, viz. : What are the experiences of selected teacers in implementing numeracy in Grade R? What are the challenges that face Grade R instructors when they implement numeracy? and How make Grade R instructors ‘ experiences sing numeracy influence and impact their instruction and appraisal schemes in numeracy? Despite the fact that the selected Grade R instructors and practicians in this instance analyze believe themselves to be knowing and skilled sing numeracy in Grade R and hence, perceive themselves to implement numeracy efficaciously in their schoolrooms, the findings of the information analysis reveal that many of the selected instructors do non hold adequate cognition and accomplishments in how to implement numeracy in their schoolrooms ( See paragraph 6.4 ) . The deduction of the findings of this research survey for the pattern or execution of numeracy in the Grade R schoolroom is, that unless Grade R instructors receive extended preparation sing the undermentioned challenges and demands which were identified in this research survey, Grade R scholars will still miss the necessary cognition and accomplishments on which their numeracy and mathematical foundation in latter old ages are to be build: how to turn to barriers to acquisition ; how to implement numeracy constructs in practical, hands-on activities ; how to supply Grade R scholars with a assortment of educational playthings and equipment in and outside the schoolroom ; how to supply Gr R scholars with an copiousness of free-choice and free-play activities where numeracy constructs can be experienced, explored and discovered ; how to be after, organize and pull off schoolroom activities that will heighten numeracy development by immature scholars ; how to supply a schoolroom which includes the rules of the four acquisition theories, as identified in Chapter 4 ; how the instructor can supply a acquisition environment that is learner-centred and learner-paced ; how to travel beyond the minimal demands of the mileposts ; how to inquire open-ended inquiries which made an entreaty to scholars ‘ creative, thought, concluding and problem-solving accomplishments ; how to be after and implement developmentally appropriate patterns ; how to supply chances for larning through drama ; how to heighten scholars ‘ problem-solving and thought accomplishments.7.3 Strenghts and Restrictions of this SurveyThe strength of this survey lies in my usage of multiple informations aggregation instruments ( three open-ended focal point group interviews, nine semi-structured single interviews and nine audio-video tapes of the day-to-day programme in Grade R schoolrooms ) in order to unite different methods or â€Å" ways of looking † to obtain an in-depth apprehension of what the experiences and positions of Grade R instructors are in implementing numeracy in their schoolrooms ( Silverman, 2000, p. 177 ) . Harmonizing to Denzin and Lincoln ( 2003 ) the usage of multiple informations aggregation instruments or triangulation, which â€Å" is the show of multiple, refracted worlds at the same time † can be regarded as an option to proof ( p. 8 ) . This survey is further strengthened by its internal cogency. Internal cogency refers to the extent to which the readings and constructs have common significance between the participants and the research worker. The research worker and participants agree on the description or composing of events, particularly the significances of these events ( McMillan & A ; Schumacher, 2001, p. 407 ) . The interview model, which was compiled by the participants sing their apprehension, positions, experiences and beliefs about subjects prohibited me from interfering or pull stringsing the participants ‘ apprehension of the phenomenon. By following the interview model during the single interviews, research worker biasness was limited and objectiveness enhanced in this survey. It must be noted that entire objectiveness in a qualitative interpretative research paradigm is non possible. Stake ( 1988 ) emphasises that â€Å" Subjectivity is non seen as a neglecting needing to be eliminated but as an indispensable component of understanding † ( p. 45 ) . As the research worker, I was subjectively involved when I selected the participants for the focal point group and single interviews. My subjectiveness is besides apparent when I compared the transcripts of the day-to-day activities with the written text of the participant ‘s single interview. This research survey is besides strenghtened by its credibleness. Credibility, in penchant to the term â€Å" internal cogency † can be obtained in this research design by agencies of triangulation ( Shenton, 2004, p. 64 ) . It entailed that the same methodological informations aggregation methods of interviews ( for both focal point group and single interviews ) were used and thereby ensuing in its strength ( Shenton, 2004, p. 65 ) . Multi-method schemes such as focal point group interviews, single interviews and audio-video tape of activities assisted in obtaining different penetrations sing the phenomena. The semi-structured single interviews revealed thick descriptions to reflect a true and honorable image of the phenomenon which was under examination, whilst the audio-video tapes reflected the phenomena in a specific context chronologically. Credibility was enhanced when the transcripts of the focal point group interview in which the instructors and practicians participat ed were given to the semi-structured single interviewees to rephrased and probed to guarantee â€Å" that their words match what they really intended † ( Shelton, 2004, p. 68 ) . Dependability in the informations aggregation and analysis of this research survey, was obtained by guaranting that I captured through the audio-video tapes the â€Å" context- and situation-specificity † of each schoolroom ( Cohen, et al. , 2002, p. 120 ) . They are of the sentiment that Audio-visual informations aggregation has the capacity for completeness of analysis and fullness of stuff, cut downing both the dependance on anterior readings by the research worker and the possibility once more of merely entering events which happen often † ( Cohen, et al. , 2002, p. 313 ) . By comparing the audio-video tape written texts with the interview written texts an honest and comprehensive image was obtained in how Grade R instructors implement numeracy in their schoolrooms. In order to avoid go againsting participants ‘ privateness and cut downing them to mere research objects, I adhered to the undermentioned ethical considerations: I obtained written permission from the Eastern Cape Department of Education to carry on this research survey in the Grahamstown Education District. I met with all participants of focal point group and single interviews and explained the purpose of the research survey every bit good as the method of informations aggregation and analysis. I guaranteed confidentiality and namelessness by set abouting non to place them in transcripts of the interviews but simply to mention to them as participant 1, participant 2 etcetera. I undertook to protect their privateness by allowing entree to audio-video recordings of interviews and schoolroom activities merely to myself and my survey booster. I informed them of their right to stop their engagement at any clip if they felt uncomfortable with the research proceedings. All participants signed an Informed Consent whereby they acknowledged that they understood their function and engagement in the informations aggregation and analysis processs. They besides confirmed that aforementioned ethical issues were discussed with them. Letterss bespeaking permission to audio-video tape their kids in the day-to-day programme activities were given to parents and the signed informed consents of parents in this respect were collected ( Stake, 1988, p. 57 ) , However, the biggest strength of this research survey is the fact that Grade R instructors and practicians were given an chance to hold their voices heard sing their beliefs, perceptual experiences, cognition and accomplishments when they implement numeracy in their schoolrooms. Despite the above-named actions, restrictions of this research survey can be found in the audio-videotaping of the day-to-day programme in nine Grade R schoolrooms. Although I used the subjects of the Interview Framework to steer me when I audio-video taped the day-to-day programme activities, informations aggregation mistakes might hold materialized, as my subjectiveness and personal positions could hold clouded my function as a participant-observer and thereby inquiry the cogency and dependability of the observations. Cohen, et Al. ( 2000 ) underscore the fact that qualitative corporate instance surveies have a personal position in the reading by the research worker, as the research worker can non be divorced from the participants she is analyzing in-depth. Dependability of the observations is besides enhanced when there are a figure of observations, which point to emergent subjects or issues. ( Cohen, et al. , 2000 ) . Although I have tried to minimise the consequence of my invasi on into the natural scene of a Grade R instructor and her scholars it still had an impact ( Cohen et al. , 2000 ) . In this research survey, the visibleness of the audio-visual recording camera ( even if it was set up in such a manner that I tried non to pull attending to it ) , might hold a responsiveness impact on the scholars. I was unknown and a alien to them and hence they could hold acted otherwise from the manner they usually do in the category and school scene, when I and my audio-video recording camera are absent. External cogency limits this instance survey because the sampling was a non-probability convenience and purposeful, standard instance trying. Further, the research survey is embedded in a realistic interpretative paradigm research design, which is non intended to be representative and generalisable to the wider Grade R population. In utilizing convenience and purposeful instance trying I selected participants â€Å" in the full cognition that it does non stand for the broad population ; it merely represents itself † ( Cohen, et al. , 2001, p. 102 ) . Maykut and Morehouse ( 1994 ) agree that the focal point â€Å" is non the generalisation of consequences, but a deeper apprehension of experience from the positions of the participants selected for survey † ( p. 44 ) . External cogency refers to the extent to which consequences may be generalisable ( movable ) across either contexts or populations. It is non expected that the consequences of a survey of this nature will be generalisable across populations, but it is hoped that the consequences may bespeak certain rules that could be generalisable across contexts. In this survey, the point of generalisability is non whether the experiences of the instructors in the survey could be expected to be the same for other scenes. Rather, generalisability refers to possible wide subjects that may go possible given a certain instruction scene and context. A farther restriction refers to the fact that resources and mentions prior 1995 were non easy available. The curriculum resources from the Transvaal Department of Education, the Department of Education and Training and the Natal Department of Education are non decently referenced as I was able to roll up photostat transcripts of such resources from an ex-TED pre-primary school, a township school which hosted a Grade R category every bit good as the hand-outs from the Natal Department of Education from a antecedently capable adviser for pre-primary schools. These resources were distributed straight to the schools from the different Education Departments. Therefore, no publishing house and sometimes, no day of the months are available on these mentions and resources. Another restriction of this survey points to the position of the current NCS course of study. It is in theodolite and non clear adequate waies and publications sing the necessities of the CAPS, have come through. The course of study demands of the CAPS for the Foundation Phase ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010e ) is at this phase merely a bill of exchange papers. The possible wide subjects or findings that came to visible radiation when the information was analyzed can be used, non merely to heighten Grade R instructors ‘ apprehension, cognition and accomplishments when they implement numeracy, but besides to open up future research infinites sing numeracy.7.4 Deductions for Further ResearchDue to the fact that major course of study alterations are presently being made in order to implement the CAPS ( South Africa. DoBE, 2010e ) in 2011, it would be of import to reiterate this research survey and to look into whether the new and/or adapted course of study is implemented in such a manner that it is learner-centred, developmentally appropriate and taking the holistic development of the scholar into awareness. As stressed in above-named paragraph 7.2, the numeracy ability of Grade R scholars will onbly be enhanced if Grade R instructors receive extended preparation sing the challenges and demands which were identified in this research surv ey, Another focal point for farther research is to look into what are the Grade R instructor ‘s cognition and accomplishments to turn to numeracy barriers to larning. In this research survey, I did non include any probe sing the function linguistic communication plays in get the hanging numeracy constructs in Grade R. Although a female parent lingua or place linguistic communication attack was preferred in the NCS for Grade R, the Report of the Task Team for the Review of the Implementation of the National Curriculum Statement ( South Africa. DoBe, 2009 ) advises that both the Home Language and the First Additional Language, sooner English, are given a high precedence and therefore allocated 6 and 5 hours per hebdomad instruction clip in this respect ( p. 43 ) . Some Grade R scholars are being taught in either the First or Second Additional Languages and non their Home Language. It is hence strongly advised that farther research should be done on the function of linguistic communication dramas in geting numeracy cognition and accomplishments.7.5 Final WordI undertook this survey, non merely to happen possible replies for the underperformance of nu meracy in Grade 3, but besides to seek and understand what Grade R instructors and practicians are sing every twenty-four hours. As a topic adviser, it is of import for me to cognize the experiences of Grade R instructors and practicians before I can help and back up them. However, this research survey has non merely broadened my research cognition and accomplishments, but it has enriched me as a individual. I was inspired by the Grade R instructors and practicians, who go about with their mundane instruction with love, passion, dedication and committedness to immature learers, despite assorted challenges. This research survey was a really low experience.

Juvenile Crime Paper Essay

The amount of crime that is committed by juveniles in our country is astonishing. This crime is on the rise in many cities across our nation because we see news reports often concerning juveniles. The reasons behind this crime may be sociocultural or even biological. As a nation, we need to enforce ways to keep our youth from turning to a life filled with crime and ultimately, a life inside the correctional system. There are programs, but the final decisions lies within the juvenile himself. Our nation has several court systems. In the juvenile court system, one will find that there are some similarities with the adult court system. There are differences between the juvenile and the adult court systems also. One specific difference between these two courts is one’s constitutional rights. In a court which judges adults, these adults have the constitutional right to have his or her case heard and tried by a judge or a jury of his or her peers. In juvenile court, the judge makes all of the decisions. The judge decides whether or not the juvenile has broken the law and whether or not the juvenile is guilty. Another difference concerns sentencing. When a judge in juvenile court is sentencing a juvenile, he takes into consideration that juvenile’s history and behavior. The judge may ask the parent, teacher or employer to speak concerning the juvenile’s behavior before sentencing. The main goal of the juvenile court is not to incarcerate the juvenile, but to deter him from crime and to rehabilitate him rather than punish him. Sometimes when an adult commits his first crime or a petty crime, he is â€Å"let off the hook† or given probation or even a short jail sentence. In the juvenile system, they are usually ordered or sentences to attend a juvenile facility, counseling, house arrest with electronic devices or boot camp. Juveniles are not offered bail as adult offenders are offered. Juveniles are sometimes turned over to their parents. In the adult system, bail can be requested. Even if the bail is denied, the adult offender is allowed to ask for bail. Juveniles do not have this advantage. These teenagers or juveniles who often times get into trouble are labeled as juvenile delinquents. A juvenile delinquent is a minor that fails to do what the law of duty requires (Schmalleger, 2011). This person is under the age of eighteen and has been found guilty by law of committing a crime. This is regarded by state law that the minor is lacing responsibility and because of this, he cannot be sentenced as an adult, but only as a juvenile. Crimes such as breaking curfew, offenses at school, drinking and graffiti are crimes that juveniles are normally charged with. These crimes are sometimes more of an annoyance than they are crimes. Juveniles are prohibited from smoking, drinking and carrying firearms. A status offence is a type of crime that is not based on prohibited actions but it rests with the fact that the offender has a certain personal conditioner of a specified character. Status offences are offences which are committed by juveniles and because of their age they are not considered to be an adult and therefore cannot be tried as an adult (Schmalleger, 2011). Status offences protect juveniles from harm because they are essentially too young. They are children in the sight of the law. Delinquency can relate to status of offences because of the things that these delinquents go through and how they can be different from the things that adults go through. Juveniles and children deal with anger, peer pressure, depression, childhood trauma, dysfunctional families, need for high academics and pressure regarding academics, idolizing rappers, actors and even criminals and bullying.. All of these things can cause delinquency to relate to status of offences. Research shows that there is not just one single cause for delinquency. While the things that I mentioned above may very well lead to delinquency, one doesn’t out rank the other and not one is the specific cause for delinquency. Many children in my town idolize this local rapper. For a very long time, he was suspected of hiring people to kill other local rappers. Even though this happened, he would give away turkeys during Thanksgiving, give away school supplies or even bicycles. Maybe he was thinking he was paying a penance and that his good deeds would balance out with the bad things that he was doing. Children all over this town were passionate about this young man. He was found guilty and sentenced to prison. However, the children want to be like him. I volunteered at an inner-city school and this man is the main topic of all the kids’ conversations! They absolutely idolized him. Therefore, they even formed gangs in his honor and began fighting and killing each other. I asked a student his reasons, and he told me the lyrics to the song are how they live. There are also positive variables that bring the rate of juvenile crime down. There are programs that are based in schools as well as outside of schools that help juveniles deal with emotional distress. Some of these programs just provide a release for these youth. They are taught how to control their emotions and behavior. They are even taught how to interact with each other in some programs. One key point of many programs is to teach juveniles conflict resolution. When they are faced with conflicts, they need to be able to make smart decisions. These are skills they are needed and are provided to them. They have to be taught how to make the right decisions when they are put in bad situations and this is the aim of such programs. At this time in our country, we are experiencing a difficult time with bullying. There are many anti-bullying campaigns which are in place in cities all across our nation. Bullying can have a horrible adverse effect on a juvenile. It can cause him to retaliate at worst, or even to act out in a harmful manner. These programs could possible reduce bullying by making juveniles aware of the harm that bullying can cause not only to the person who is being bullied, but to his family and friends as well. This will hopefully reduce the negative, aggressive behavior of bullies. Saying â€Å"No† to peer pressure can be another way to deter juveniles from crime. When they feel that they do not have to please their friends or to fit in, they can make better choices. I believe that the main support that juveniles need is the support of their family. When a child is raised in a functional home with rules, he has a better chance of not entering the juvenile court system or even the adult corrections system. These children not only look to their parents, they look to their older siblings, leaders in their communities, pastors, teachers and even their politicians. When we as adults break laws and are punished, even though we are punished, it still sends the wrong message to our children.

The Impact of Sports on Politics and Cultural Representation Research Proposal

The Impact of Sports on Politics and Cultural Representation - Research Proposal Example Likewise, sports have increasingly incorporated elements of politics and nationalism, depending on the public sphere in which they represent. This can be effectively elucidated by the move by the Sri Lankan theatres to adopt a play that stages in the form of cricket. In this case, cricket is a significant element of the Sri Lankan public sphere. The same case applies for various forms of public spheres across the regions of the globe. The eventuality of these has been that the growing relationship between cultural elements, sports and, and national politics. In turn, even the spectators to all these bring themselves out as the subjects of the nations. In close reference to UK, the subjects of concern have pertained to the question of culture and politics, in relation to sports. In the UK, sports are viewed as an area where everyone can venture and succeed; hence, may be referred to as the source of unity. However, upon close examinations, the UK sports are also a form of divisiveness , as well as exclusion. This is what may have sparked irrational fears, especially from the neighboring nations with groups with similar orient. Some sports have been associated with elite groups, especially those by the Anglo-non-indigenous groups. In other cases, some sports have spectatorship to certain sports have either been dismissed on the account of feminism, such as belonging to men or women hence, delimiting the interests. As such, this has tended to exclude the indigenous groups, who also view such sports as pure legacies of colonialism. Whether it would ever be possible for spectators to cheer sport teams on the virtue based on how they are organized, rather than as a nation is an issue subject to debate. Sport is presented as a symbol of cultural orientation, political empowerment, economic empowerment and nationalism, and the spectators are drawn to act as nationalists. However, not all have supported this view. This has been in consideration to the fact that a there i s general lacking understanding of the link between sports, politics and cultural orientation. Moreover, the sense of nationalism is increasingly being diluted by the immigration and establishment of Diasporas, as facilitated by the trending wave of globalization. The proposed research project shall discus the impacts of sports on cultural orientation and politics. Objective/Purpose of the Study The key aim of this study is to establish the link between sports, politics and cultural orientation. This way the proposed study shall seek to establish the impacts of sports on politics and cultural orientation. Research Questions The following research questions shall be considered: What are the effects of sports on the identity politics? What are the impacts of sports on different cultures? Does politics influence on the way politics of any given country play out and how closely related are they? Do the histories of politics, culture and sports have any link? Significance of the Study Su ccessful completion of this research work will come with a lot of significance to a lot of people, especially the politicians, those affected by culture, as well as the sportsmen. First, data, results and conclusions from this research shall serve as updated literature on politicians and sportsmen within the population size targeted for this research work. To a large extent, this research shall help in coming out with new models on the type or kind of challenges sportsmen go through as they try to overcome

Iclude 2 in-text citations and place the reference on the reference Essay

Iclude 2 in-text citations and place the reference on the reference page - Essay Example the company launches in the market having many variations, Samsung is confident that their customers will never run out of choices in terms of the products that will truly satisfy their needs and preferences. Samsung has a wide variety of businesses including advanced technology, semiconductors, skyscraper and plant construction, petrochemicals, fashion, medicine, finance, and hotels (Samsung, 2012). The impact of new competition on Samsung’s financial performance is more of a negative one. This is because the new competitors have only forced the company to spend more in order to produce more differentiated products and keep up with the intense competition. Unfortunately, the new competitors of Samsung especially from China have been able to establish a strong presence in the markets, which has contributed to the decline in the sales of Samsung’s products and a decline in profitability (Siegel, 2009). The negative impacts of the recent economic crisis do not help Samsung at all, as majority of the consumers have decided to spend less and save more. Thus, it is safe to say that Samsung has really become troubled by the emergence of new competitors and the threats that they continue to pose to the financial profitability of the company. A new marketing strategy that Samsung should consider in reaction to new Chinese competition is one that will highlight the excellent quality and significant value of its products. It is important for Samsung to emphasize on its marketing strategy that not one of their competitors can be able to match the superior quality and value that their products are able to provide. This should help in gaining the trust and confidence of the consumers to try Samsung products and personally experience their benefits. Aside from this, Samsung has to be willing to spend for advertisements as a form of a marketing strategy, which will help to inform the public about the superior quality and value that their products are able to provide (Grant,

A usability report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

A usability report - Essay Example I measured whether each task was passed or failed by asking the participants to tell me how long it took to find the necessary links. If it took more than 5 seconds to find any of the links on the page, it was a fail. Any link that took under 5 seconds to locate was a pass. The test participants were two guys and one girl. The equipment that was used were four Macintosh MacBook laptops equipped with mice and mouse pads. 2. Describe, clearly, what parameters of usability you were testing for. E.g. effectiveness, efficiency, satisfaction or learnability – Describe how you measured these parameters in your test. Describe how you measured whether a usability problem was trivial or significant. (470 words) The parameter of usability that was being tested for was basically efficiency. Effectiveness, satisfaction, and learnability were not necessarily what were taken into account, basically because the idea was that, if a person could not efficiently use the website (read: quickly), they might be more apt to go visit another website instead. What any website wants is more traffic. Obviously, the Coventry University Student Union is no different in that regard. I measured this usability problem as being trivial or significant by asking each participant in the study, â€Å"How important is it to you—on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the most important—that a website you visit be easily navigable?† One-hundred percent of study participants responded that they thought it rated ‘10’. One user blatantly said, â€Å"I had such a hard time finding out where the Rag Week 2011 link was, I just ultimately gave up after like 20 seconds.† The other two study pa rticipants reiterated similar thoughts. â€Å"Sorry, I didn’t find it.† â€Å"I didn’t bother looking for the link after the 5 seconds was up.† Such results were indicative that the problem in finding the link, which was buried in the middle of the page in small type, was a

Lower Gas Prices In America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Lower Gas Prices In America - Essay Example The lowering of gas prices is an advantage to the America. The prices of gasoline have fallen from $3.68 in the mid-year to $2.77 on Monday, this is according to the auto club AAA analysis. The drop in prices should be a key boost at an era when growth abroad is faltering even though it may curb investment in the expanding energy sector. According to the IMF chief on Monday, she said that the falling oil prices will be of help in boosting the economies in the U.S and across the world. Lagarde also projected the U.S economy to grow at a 3.5% rate as at next year (Timiraos, 2014). The lowering of gas prices in America means that the people will have more to spend. It is apparent that Americans will have a bounteous Christmas due to the Saudi discounts from crude oil at a time of falling global demand. In my opinion, the American economy will get a multibillion-dollar increase during the Christmas season and beyond. The impact will be significantly more for the low and middle-income Ame ricans who have been left behind by the economic recovery that began in 2009. It is apparent that American household uses 1,200 gallons annually so if the prices continue to fall the people will save 15% that is about $400. In my opinion, this extra cash in shoppers will lead to a generation of half a percentage point in the economic growth at the end of the year (Schwartz et al, 2014). On the other hand, the falling oil prices will have a negative impact to the producers. The low prices will lead to slow domestic oil and gas production. Thus, dimming one of the economic bright spots of the decade. The low prices will also make it difficult for companies to explore costly oil shale deposits and the deep offshore reserves. The economists argue that the overall momentum will compensate for any expected slowdown in the energy sector.

United States school counseling program Term Paper

United States school counseling program - Term Paper Example School counseling is not a new concept; it has been in existence since long; however, it is also true that school counseling at elementary and middle level is a later development as compared to high school and college counseling.Academic counseling, vocational guidance and other forms of school counseling are offered in most schools these days for the students who need it. According to the Education Encyclopedia (2011), school counselors facilitate communication between students, teachers and parents while striving to make learning process a positive experience for all parties involved. This paper will provide a brief history and evaluation of the school counseling program specifically at elementary and middle high school level offered to students in the USA, focusing on the roles and responsibility of a school counselor. History of School Counseling In USA:Though existence of informal school counseling, where the teacher played the role of counselor is centuries long, almost as long as that of education itself; the history of formal school counseling can be traced back to the beginning of twentieth century. In the pro social reform movement period, when child labor was at its peak, counseling was introduced in many schools of USA, but this was mostly vocational counseling which aimed at transforming people in the workforce into productive members of the society (Education Encyclopedia, 2011). During its first half, the 20th century faced two world wars. Two noticeable events occurred in the post war era that cleared the way for counseling in schools as we know it today (Yau, 1988). One was the establishment of American School Counselor Association in 1950 and second was inclusion of aid for counseling in guidance in the national defense education act in 1958 (Education Encyclopedia, 2011). In 1970’s the focus of school counseling was further expanded to engulf the special needs department. Special needs students also fell under the department of school counselor as per the Education for all handicapped children act in 1978. The ASCA has also developed a set of national standards for school counseling program, which serves as a guide for all school counselors regarding their role and responsibilities (Sabella, 2006). Importance of School Counseling Professional school counseling helps in maximizing student success via promotion of a safe and supportive learning environment (ASCA, 2009). According to Gysbers (2003), identity issues, problems pertaining to academic learning, peer pressure, drugs and changing or disturbing family relationships are a common part of students’ daily lives in the USA today. The role of counselor is therefore very important. The school counselor not only identifies the students in need of assistance, but also serves to rectify the problems and help the students in solving their issues. This is attained via expanding communication channels and introducing the students to effective life coping strateg ies as per the requirement. 2. ROLE OF A SCHOOL COLUNSELOR A review of available literature was conducted in order to find out the current trends and issues in school counseling in the USA and to explore the roles of a school counselor in America. The ASCA have carefully developed a national model for professional school counselors to follow. This model is typically based on four areas, namely: foundation, delivery, management and accountability (ASCA, 2011). The element of foundation in the model points out that the counselors are to develop a philosophy in their work and then to follow it. Ideally, counselors create a mission statement in collaboration with that of the school they are working at to create a supportive environment for the students that encourages learning. Delivery refers to the provision of required and expected services by the counselor to the staff, teachers, students’ and parents. Management also falls within the realm f counseling. As per the national

Positive and negative aspects of e-business for traditional retailing Essay

Positive and negative aspects of e-business for traditional retailing and whole-selling organisations - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that e-business or e-commerce is a significant trend in today’s business environment which is fundamentally facilitating change in the method of conducting commercial activities. E-business provides exceptional opportunities for retail and wholesale organisations by helping to overcome the geographic limitations. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can mainly benefit from e-business through collecting valuable information easily, promoting themselves through the internet and serving consumers in new markets with comparatively little cost than traditional business practices. E-business refers utilisation of information and communication technology (ICT) in the business environment which comprises knowledge and data exchange, web advertisements, online ordering and real–time delivery information among others. E-business implementation makes retail and wholesale organisations to rearrange the business procedures and to distribute goods and services more competently and effectually. However, despite rapid and sustained development of e-business several retail stores and wholesale organisations are still in the investment and brand development stage and have not utilised the benefits properly. E-businesses usually concentrate on the visual appearance and ease of use of their portals as a primary way for enlarging the customer base. The impact of e-business on retail stores and wholesale organisations is determined by the level to which they match the present retailing as a substitute channel or swaps existing networks. Environmental forces such as demographical, cultural, lifestyle, fashions, economic and political pressures and other commercial expansions impact the future possibility and practice of e-business in retail and whole-sale organisations. E-business is simply an enabler which results in retail or wholesale procedure innovation, where the products and the goods remain same. E-business acts as a re placement network which has resulted in fundamental alterations in shopping practices (Burt & Sparks, 2003). Positive Impact

Sweatshops and Child Labor Essay Example for Free

Sweatshops and Child Labor Essay Sweatshop is defined as a factory or workshop, especially in the clothing industry, where manual workers are employed at very low wages for long hours and under poor conditions. Sweatshops also referred to as the â€Å"sweat factory†, creates a hazardous and unhealthy working environment for employees such as the exposure to harmful materials, dangerous situations, extreme temperatures and abuse from employers. Sweatshop workers work for long hours, sometimes without taking any breaks, and these workers are not paid for any overtime hours or the minimum wage, although it is mandatory by law. These conditions are considered risky for any person, but the worst part is that in many countries, children are being forced to work in these sweatshops. The term sweatshop is mostly associated with underprivileged developing countries especially in Asia, but sweatshops did exist at some point in United States and Europe. For Americans, sweatshops are history, but in a South Asian country, Bangladesh, people are still working in these horrible conditions, especially children. Child Labor has always been a part of developing countries and a current article about child labor in Bangladesh shows that it is never going to end. Recently, British Broadcast Corporation, also known as BBC, sent one of their newsperson, Alastair Lawson, to a safety pin factory in Bangladesh where many under aged children are employed. Lawson interviewed a ten-year-old girl named Asma, who works in that factory along with ten other children who are about her age. Asma’s job consists of â€Å"sitting on a bench alongside her co-workers, Asma operates a powerful cutting device in the poorly-lit premises for up to 12 hours a day.† The machine that Asma operates cuts the metal for the pins very thinly and if Asma makes any mistakes then she could lose her fingers on that cumbersome, heavy and dangerous machinery. When Lawson further interviews Asma, she tells him that the workers in the factory are not given any lunch breaks and there is no first aid in a case of an emergency. Asma, like other 13 million children in Bangladesh who work full time to support their families are forced to work because of the unfortunate ci rcumstances of which their families are in. Asma tells Lawson that she does not know who she is employed by and all she knows is that she earns about two dollars a day for working twelve hours. Lawson, disturbed by the environment of the sweatshops and the unsafe condition for not just children but any human, writes, I dont think she [Asma] understands the safety part of her work neither she nor her workmates wear any safety gear and she seems totally unaware of the hazards.† Many of the sweatshop workers work full time to support their families and provide food for them, which causes them to work in poor surroundings in which their lives are at jeopardy. Many of these workers are victims of what, according to James Rachels, the author of The Elements of Moral Philosophy, describes as â€Å"the minimum conception of morality†, this concept states that â€Å"morality is, at the very least, the effort to guide one’s conduct by reason—that is, to do what there are the best reasons for doing—while giving equal weight to the interests of each individual affected by one’s decision† (Pg. 13). The reason why these workers might be in this state because they think of what the effect of their unemployment would be on their families who are depending on them for food and shelter, these workers think first about their home and then about themselves and what dangers they are facing when they go out to work in those hell holes called sweatshops. Although working in sweatshops and facing the conditions that are provided for workers there is morally wrong, but it is would not be considered ethically incorrect, because these workers are mostly uneducated and for that reason they can not find jobs in offices or other places where education is required. Another reason for why sweatshop should not be considered ethically wrong because these workers have a choice whether they should work there or not. If a worker does feel that the conditions in the sweatshop is too inconsiderate for them, then they can quit at any time that want, because they are not signing any legal documents that forces them to work there for a certain period of time. Also, many people in developing countries prefer to work in sweatshops because in such countries, there are many products produced from farming therefore, these workers could either become farmers or they could work in factories and build products such as cell phone component, clothing, furniture, shoes or toys. Sweatshops are especially beneficial for people who are handicapped and uneducated because if a person were both handicapped and uneducated then they would not be able to work on a farm. Therefore it is easier for them to just sit on a bench and manufacture products . Although the conditions in sweatshops are unsafe and unhygienic, but it would help handicapped people feel like they are helping their families instead of being a burden on them. Sweatshops are not just beneficial to handicapped and uneducated people, but it is also advantageous for the unfortunate developing countries. As the number of sweatshops increase the country can become more industrialized and there would be less farming and more technological advances. Many economists who are pro-sweatshops believe that if a country is more industrialized then the conditions of the sweatshops will improve and the wages will increase therefore the workers should assist their countries to become more developed. These economists also believe that when the conditions of sweatshops are described they are often compared to the factories in developed counties, which should not be the case because the developed countries have better laws and these laws are better enforced on business. Other than laws, it is also believed by many economists that sweatshops are better for the society in a developing country because people would work for money rather than stealing, which would create chaos and more problems for a country. Another reason is that women would get an equal opportunity to work and instead of going into stone crushing or prostitution, these women are working hard with their dignity. If there were no sweatshops in developing countries then people would not have any job opportunities and they would eventually starve themselves and then die. The cons of sweatshops can be that sweatshops and child labor, deprives children of their moral rights, Rachels talks about what morality really is and how it is related to our lives. Rachels devotes the entire first chapter of his book to What Is Morality? Rachels refers to Socrates, a classical Greek philosopher, who defines morality or moral philosophy, as â€Å"how we ought to live.† Considering Socrates definition of morality, it is seen that child labor in sweatshops deprives these children of how they want to live. These children are thrown into this dangerous and unhealthy work force as soon as they are able to understand the meaning of work. The meaning of morality shows that child labor and conditions in sweatshops are immoral because according to Rachels â€Å"the nature of morality has two main points†¦moral judgments must be backed by good reasons; and second, morality requires the impartial consideration of each individual’s interests.† Child labor and the conditions of sweatshops are not backed by any good reason; the only acceptable reasoning can be the poor condition the family of the worker is in. Also, the rising of unemployment rates in these disadvantaged countries are causing these workers be scared to lose their jobs (Rachels, Pg.10). Sweatshops not only deprive people of their rights to overtime payment or minimum wage, but they are not given any lunch breaks or in many cases bathroom breaks. Along with the horrible psychological conditions, these workers are also facing physical risks because of the harmful materials that they use during production of products that are made for rich or more developed countries. The argument that sweatshop workers should support their country into becoming an industrial is not really fair to the workers because the supervisor of the sweatshop earns the profit, but they refuse to share that with the workers. Critics of sweatshops say that the supervisors deliberately lower wages and make the hours longer because that would give them a greater profit margin, which is not beneficial for the workers at all, for long or short term. If the managers of the sweatshops keep this routine then the country would not get anywhere and there will be no industrialization. Some economists who are also the critics of sweatshop believe that better paying jobs, more investments and national possession of resources will improve the economics of a developing country rather than having sweatshops. All though there are economists who are pro-sweatshops, it is determined from the environment and the situations described by Lawson in a factory in Bangladesh, show that sweatshops are immoral because they deprive the human being of their rights such as children are robbed of their right to go to school and earn an education also their childhood is robbed of all the happiness of playing outside with their friends, but these children are forced to sit in a room for long hours and manufacture products by using machinery that is hazardous. Other than children, women also face immoral circumstances where some pregnant women are forced to have an abortion so they can continue working, which is the most corrupt thing that could happen to a woman. Many feminist organizations have campaigned against sweatshops because almost 90% of the laborers in sweatshops are women and children. Overall, the conditions of sweatshops and the treatment of workers demonstrates that the concept of sweatshops should not be used by any developing country to help them industrialize, because it is important for a country to be compassionate towards their people rather then becoming a well developed country which has been built on the poor workers sweat. People in industrialized countries like the United States believe that sweatshops are history but for poor developing countries, there are still sweatshops that have horrific working conditions in which mostly children and women work long hours to support their families. Some countries that have sweatshops are, China, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Honduras. These countries should begin to invest more in better factories with machinery that is safe for human use and strict laws should be passed out that prevent children under the age of sixteen to work in these factories. Along with better factory conditions, overtime pay, lunch breaks and vacation and sick leaves should be provided to the workers. There should be better laws that enforce minimum payment and employs laborers with equal employment opportunity. These improvements would have a better affect on the economy of these countries, because people would most likely be satisfied with their jobs and they would be more willing to help their country become industrialized. Sweatshops are not the last hope for a developing country to become industrialized and anything that begins with immorality does not stand for long, but something that has been made with enthusiasm lasts longer and is much healthier.

Quality Management Worldwide Total Quality Management Essay Example for Free

Quality Management Worldwide Total Quality Management Essay For more than four decades after independence the companies in India enjoyed a protected market with virtually no competition, and some of them even monopolised the market, with customers having little or no choice. As a result complacency set in, and no pressure existed for improvement or change. However, the policy of globalization and liberalization adopted by the Indian Government five years ago, has hrown open new avenues and challenges to companies in India. The new policy has resulted in open doors through which global corporate players have entered the Indian markets, and are threatening the domestic manufacturers and suppliers, using quality as a weapon. This has compelled the managers of local companies to look for those tools and techniques, proven and tested, which would help them to maintain and improve their strategies and positions in the market. One such policy or philosophy that has captured the attention of industry and the business community is TQM. Particularly, in the recent years TQM is even regarded as bsolutely essential for growth, stability, and prosperity. This paper has the main intention of presenting an overview of TQMs progress in the country, starting from its initiation to its current status. Besides, the paper also describes how the organizational attempts by various agencies enabled the establishment of a TQM culture. Further, these attempts are presented in a chronological order, to appreciate the role played by various agencies, which resulted in growth and propagation of TQM in India. Towards the end, the gaps that still exist and hence the efforts that eed to be channeled are pointed out, so as to result in appropriate guidelines about the work to be done. The author R. Jagadeesh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, S. J. College of Engineering, Mysore, India. Keywords TQM, India, Quality Abstract Total quality management (TQM) has spread its wings in every sphere of the global corporate world and Indian companies are no exception. In this paper, first the growth and spread ofTQM in India is traced from its initiation to current status. Further, the paper has tried to identify the causes for poor quality of products and ervice, and the gaps that exist between the expectations and the outcome after adopting the TQM practices. Later a critical view of the quality scene in India is presented, and finally, based on these observations suitable guidelines and recommendations are made to bridge this gap. It is concluded that there is still a long way to go for Indian companies to receive the stamp of acceptance for their products at international level. Electronic access The current issue and full text archive of this Journal is available at http://www. emerald-library. com are synonymous with high quality products and trust worthiness. However, the post- independent era did not witness any spectacular improvement regarding the quality of goods and services produced in the country. According to Agrawal (1993) due to protected business environment many positive attributes of the Indian industry have been lost and weaknesses have surfaced. These weaknesses based on the study are: lack of trust and credibility in the working system, lack of clarity/seriousness for achieving target, lack of precise observance of rules and norms, low quality of supplies and components, lack of consciousness of time as money, viewing only short term benefits ahead of long term oals, politicalization of labor unions, lack of accountability for actions, lack of management commitment, lack of national quality policy, inadequate economic resources, lack of indigenous technology, inadequate infrastructure, preferring quantity to quality, lack of team spirit, cartel formation, and sellers market. Besides, lack of consumerism, Government control on everything, bureaucratic delays, quick profit making attitudes by the companies, all resulted in quality getting a low priority and consequently Indian products were constrained to serve only the domestic market being not able to compete in the international markets. Further, the factors mentioned before, clearly proved to be obstacles in the path to progress, and India in spite of possessing good resources and rich scientific and technical manpower, could not produce world-class products acceptable in the international markets. The TQM movement in India The TQM initiatives were first set by the Confederation of Indian Industries (Cll) in the early 1980s, in its pioneering effort in promoting awareness about quality among Indian industries. The work done by Cll in this direction is well documented in Deccan Herald Advertising Feature (1993) and also in The Standards Engineer (1996). In 1982, quality circles took birth in India, and some of the companies to launch quality circles first were Bharat Electronics Limited, Bangalore, and Bharat Heavvy Electricals Limited, Trichy. In 1986 the Cll then known as CEI (Confederation of Engineering Industries), invited Professor Ishikawa to India, to address industry people about quality. Later in 1987, a TQM division was set up by the Cll. This division owes its foundation to 21 companies who agreed to support the cause by pooling resources and pledging to start the Journey to TQM. Chief executives of these companies formed the National Committee on Quality, 22 Total quality management in India ? ± perspective and analysis R. Jagadeesh The TQM Magazine Volume 1 1 . Number 5. 1999 . 321? ±327 newsletter on quality. In 1987 and 1988, the Cll invited the Juran Institute to India to conduct three training workshops, and then in 1989 a team from India attended the Deming Seminar in London. Study teams organized by the Cll were taken to Japan and the USA to study quality practices. During 1990, the Cll consolidated and focused on training, and in February 1991, an Indian company with the assistance of the Cll, obtained the first ISO 9000 certification in India. The Cll organized the launch of the National Quality Campaign led by the Prime Minister of India in May 1992. It is around this time, the process of globalization and liberalization was started in the country, bringing a new dimension to the business and industrial sectors. From then on, a new line of thinking in terms of quality, productivity, and competitiveness has begun. Since 1993, the Cll has been organizing The Quality Summit every year. This provides an opportunity for all business leaders, and higher level managers of member and non-member organizations of the Cll to network, learn, and contribute hrough experience sharing, and listening to the experts who gather there. The National Productivity Council (NPC) has set up a TQM and Benchmarking Division in New Delhi, and offers TQM implementation services, which include modular training programs and consultancy services. In 1996, the Government of India announced the setting up of the Quality Council of India, (QCI) with the Industry Ministry bringing in half the seed capital of Rs. 1. 5 crores. The rest of the seed capital will be contributed by the corporate sector. The setting up of a national agency for quality certification is art of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements, under which member countries will not trade in non-certified products two years down the line. The corporate sector too was demanding the setting up of an internationally recognized quality council as it found the certification process from foreign agencies too expensive. Besides, it would save vital foreign exchange for the country. The QCI will be entrusted with monitoring and administering of the National Quality Campaign and will also oversee the effective functioning of the National Information and Enquiry Services. Post-liberalization scene ? ± improvement in quality The economic reforms that started in 1992 have ushered in a new era of progress and prosperity in the country. According to a report published in YoJana (1997), the real gross domestic product (GDP) recorded a growth rate of 6. 8 per cent in agriculture and allied sectors, 7. 0 per cent in industry, and 7. 4 per cent in services. The Eighth Five Year Plan (EFYP) (1992-97) which ended with an average growth rate of 6. 5 per cent per annum, compares well with the target rate of 5. 6 per cent for the EFYP, and actual achievement of 6. 0 per cent in the Seventh Five Year Plan. In fact his is the highest average growth rate achieved in the planning period since 1951. The sectoral average growth rates for the period 1992-97 are: Agriculture and allied sectors ? ± 4. 0 per cent, Industry ? ± 7. 8 per cent and, Services ? ± 9. 2 per cent. Further, exports during 1996-97 registered a growth rate of 4. 1 per cent. Foreign direct inve stment amounted to US $2,696 million during 1996-97. These facts clearly indicate that the economic reforms brought through globalization and liberalization have yielded rich dividends, and hold a lot of promise for the coming years. While all ndividually to improve their product quality, besides overall performance through TQM practices. For example, Gupta and Sagar (1993) describe a case of total quality control in an engineering company through the extensive use of personal computers, and state that the Indian company was able to overcome many quality related problems which included: high rejection levels, slow inspection rates, frequent errors in measurement, inconsistency in interpreting inspection data, time consuming data storage and retrieval, rigid inspection schedules, not responding to changing environment, and quality plans not adjusted to varying batch sizes. The company improved the problem solving capacity through quality circles, and quality database at each stage. Comprehensive information systems enabled the personnel to obtain better guidance leading to improved decision making. Thus the success is attributed to systematic application of TQM. 323 The TQM Magazine volume 11 . Number 5 . 1999 . 321? ±327 Business Today (1995) in an exclusive coverage on status of quality of India, presents a detailed report on companies which are market leaders and corporate giants. The cases covered include reports on leading Indian companies like Mukand, BPL, Arvind, IFB, ABB, HDFC, Amex, Hidustan Lever, Ranbaxy, Indal, Gujarat AmbuJa, Wsya Bank, Oberoi Hotels, and Thermax. It is emphasized that these companies carved a niche for themselves by focusing on quality in their planning, operations, and marketing strategies. Awareness of quality ? ± a positive change Pati and Reis (1996) state that India is emerging as a leading economy in the new world economic order. The phenomenal increase in Indias export earnings, which rose to IJS$ 26. 2 billion in the 1994-95 fiscal year showed an increase of 18. 27 per cent over its 1993-94 export earnings of IJS$22. 7 billion. This is said to be an indicator of how its products and services are perceived by its global customers. It is further stated that the thrust has been shifted from import substitution to development of an export-oriented economy. Other pertinent observations made are: . Indian businesses are pursuing paths of superior quality and high productivity; . quality conscious consumerism; . inc reasing competition; . industries expanding their domestic share and venturing into global markets; . significant rise in the ISO 9000 certified companies. The survey conducted by Pati and Reis (1996) has further revealed many interesting aspects bout quality practices in India. The survey questionnaire has used a five-point Likert interval to capture the strength of perception, where points 1 (very high), 2 (high), 3 (medium), 4 (low), and 5 (very low) indicate the degree of current practice related to quality. The critical success factors contributing to quality and overall average scores (3. 43); . role of quality department/personnel (3. 14); . training (3. 69); . product/service design (2. 91); . supplier quality management (2. 6); process management and operating procedures (2. 74); quality data reporting (2. 72); employee relations (2. 2). It is concluded from the survey that the manufacturing sector in India is well aware of importance of quality, and efforts have been channeled to improve product quality. However, the service sector mostly Government owned and operated, lags behind the manufacturing sector in all aspects that i mply quality. TQM ? ± success stories of Indian companies Many Indian companies are beginning to realize that customer focus is an absolute requirement of TQM. Jain (1996), while writing on TQM in India, states that companies are paying closer attention to consumer feedback in order to tailor roducts to meet customer needs and are using a wide variety of methods that include benchmarking with rival products, regular customer meetings, and even engaging market research companies to collect consumer feedback on their product range and after sales service. Two specific cases are worth mentioning. Escorts Limited, an automobile manufacturing company, based on the feedback from customers and dealers, changed the delivery route to ensure safe and quick delivery. Similarly, J. K. Synthetics, based on feed back from customer meetings, focused on standardization of quality parameters, and started after-sales service. This resulted in the sales rise from 220 tonnes in first quarter of 1995 to 632 tonnes in the last quarter of the same year, an impressive growth in the sales by three times the previous value. According to a report published in Business Today (1998), some Indian companies are being guided by Yoshikazu Tsuda, a counselor at JUSE (Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers) in their quest for total quality. Some of these companies are Sona Steering, Jai Bharat Maruti, GKN Invel, Asahi Float Glass, Brakes India, Lucas TVS, India Pistons, and India Piston Rings. Further, as stated in The Economic Times (1998), sixsigma technique, which is considered to be a classic TQM technique, is being practiced by several Indian companies notable among 324 significant achievement by an Indian company due to its practicing TQM principles is reported by Sridharan (1998a). The Indian company Sundaram Fasteners located near Chennai, India, has received the Best of Best Vendors Award consecutively for two years during 1996 and 1997, for its supply of metal radiator caps to General Motors, USA. The award was given to the company for its consistent zero defects rate, 100 percent reliability in delivery schedules, and lowest price. The company is the only supplier to General Motors, USA from India out of its 3,000 supplier companies scattered all over the globe. In an exclusive interview covered by Premchander (1996), the managing director of Asea Brown Boveri Ltd (a partly owned subsidiary of Asea Brown Boveri Limited, Zurich) one of the very successfully operating multi-national companies in India, has stated that the managers have to spend time and resources on TQM. A historical achievement by an Indian company winning the coveted Deming Prize for Overseas Companies, for successful implementation of TQM, is reported by Sridharan (1998b). The Indian company Sundaram Clayton, has successfully turned its people into quality practitioners by the actual deployment of TQM tools, techniques, and systems. 38 ? ± time to market; 22 ? ± corporate credibility. Indian quality scene ? ± a critical view The developments related to Indian companies, concerning quality of products and services, need to be examined on a comparative global scale. This would enable judgement of the progress made in improving quality. A survey made in 1994 in which products and services from 41 countries were ranked by World Competitiveness Report indicates that the quality of Indian products and services is isappointing. According to the summary of results given in Skaria (1995), Indias rank based on different quality parameters is as follows (the rank out of 41 is given followed by the parameter): . 39? ± price to quality; . 38 ? ± practice ofTQM; . 40? ± customer orientation; . 28 ? ± product liability; . 39 ? ± time to innovate; The report clearly suggested that on a global scale, Indian products and services are far from satisfactory, and have a poor image. This is a major cause of worry for the corporate managers particularly for those looking for new markets, and ventures with oreign collaborators. One commonly quoted reason for getting away with low quality in India, is lack of pressure from consumers. Many managers are of the opinion that unless the customers are aware of their right to demand high quality, and insist on companies to invest in quality, they continue to receive poor quality products. While the growth and spread of quality practices are slow in India, TQM has firmly seated itself in other Asiatic countries. In a cover feature on Quality in Asia reported in World Executive Digest (1996), it is stated that as Asia grapples with the challenge of lobalization, more and more companies seek ISO 9000 certification and adopt TQM. Companies in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and China are overtly involved in embracing practices of total quality to march ahead in global markets. According to The Economic Intelligence Unit (1996), which surveyed companies in Hong Kong on issues in the region. The growth of TQM across Asia however means that new approaches are being developed in the region. These observations clearly suggest that India has to carefully watch the developments in the Asiatic region, as TQM principles have been successfully applied by several countries improving their utput quality, attracting more foreign investment, and hence capable of restricting Indias share in the global market. What the quality experts say In spite of the hype created by the ISO 9000 bandwagon, which today has more than 1,500 companies certified as such, quality is yet to emerge as a major strength of Indian products. Managers of Indian companies have still a lot to learn and implement in the image building process based on quality. This is perhaps aptly summarized by a statement made by Philip Crosby as reported in The Times of India (1997). While addressing a 325 ews conference at the end of his weeklong visit to India, Crosby has said that complacency is a major problem with the Indian management system. The managers of Indian industries should take this seriously. In an interview published in Business India (1997-98) James Harrington, a leading authority in the field of quality, has stated that India still has four types of companies: those with poor performance, with good performance, with better performance, and with outstanding performance. Harrington remarks that companies with poor performance went bankrupt in other parts of the world, while those with good performance would follow them. But those with better performance will survive and those with outstanding performance would explode into the twentyflrst century. This indicates that India still has scope for bad products, and bad performance, which need to be immediately curbed. It is pointed out by Sukumar (1998) that TQM continues to baffle corporate India, as evident by the different interpretations made by each person in the industry about what is TQM. It was observed during the Sixth Quality Summit organized by the Cll in New Delhi, that TQM means anything and everything depending on the individuals perspective, politics, and paradigms. During the summit as many as nine different definitions were presented by the speakers about what constitutes TQM. This means people in the corporate sector have no consensus about the concept of TQM and it could be a deterrent in its implementation. In another survey conducted by Arun et al. (1998) with regard to ISO certified companies interesting observations were made about implementing TQM in a company. Out of 17 companies that were surveyed, managers in seven companies said that though they believe in TQM they do not know how to implement it. The survey further revealed that the long term supplier elationship, an essential ingredient for successful implementation of TQM, has not the implementation of TQM were found to be: continued dependence on traditional incentive schemes, numerical targets, performance rating, slogans for improving productivity, and not identifying and providing the right type of training for each and everyone as demanded for every Job. The survey concludes that if all these factors are not mitigated a company may continue as ISO certified but not be recognized as a TQM company. Comments and conclusion The various surveys independently conducted by researchers and business ublications have revealed that awareness on quality of products and services has picked up in India. With quality based competition intensifying, Indian industries and business people are showing keen interest in improving the quality of products through TQM. A number of organizations, private and Government are actively propagating TQM through a variety of training and educational programs. TQM has proved to be a vital ingredient for success, and now has its permanent roots in the mission and vision of the Indian corporate sector. However, based on common observations the requirements for quality to succeed in India can be summarized as ollows: . a strong consumer movement; . a sincere and committed drive by the corporate sector to keep quality as the main focus; . trict enforcement of standards by the regulatory bodies and authorities; . avoidance of multiple grading of quality in products, like export quality, first grade, seconds, import rejects, etc. ; . setting an example in adhering to high quality performance and output, before pointing to others. While TQM no doubt has enabled the Indian companies to improve the quality of products and services, the international market demands still higher uality levels to give due recognition a nd acceptance.

Case Study of Dabur India Limited Marketing Essay

Case Study of Dabur India Limited Marketing Essay Introduction: Dabur India Limited is a leading Indian consumer goods company with interests in Hair Care, Oral Care, Health Care, Skin Care, Home Care and Foods. From its humble beginnings in the by lanes of Calcutta way back in 1884 as an Ayurvedic medicines company, Dabur India Ltd has come a long way today to become a leading consumer products manufacturer in India. The founder, Dr.S.K.Burman, was a practicing allopathic doctor. At that time Malaria, Cholera and Plague were the common diseases. He was a physician who brought Ayurvedic medicines to the masses of Bengal. Initially established as a proprietary firm for the manufacture of chemicals and ayurvedic drugs it was later on 19th November 1930 incorporated as private limited company. Late Shri C.L.Burman, son of late Dr S.K. Burman and his son late Shri P.C.Burman in the name of Dr S.K.Burman Pvt.Ltd. to expand the operations by setting up production facilities at Garia and Narendrapur, West Bengal and Daburgram, Bihar. Dabur (Dr.S.K.Burman) Pvt. Ltd. was merged with Vidogum and Chemicals Ltd. w.e.f. 1st July1985 and the amalgamated company was renamed DABUR INDIA LIMITED. For the past 125 years, they have been dedicated to providing nature-based solutions for a healthy and holistic lifestyle. Through their comprehensive range of products, they cater to all consumers, in all age groups, across all social boundaries. And this legacy has helped them develop a bond of trust with the customers. VISION Dedicated to the health and well being of every house hold. Dabur is a company with a set of established business values, which direct its functioning as well as all its operations. The guiding forces for Dabur are the words of its founder, Dr.S. K. Burman, what is that life worth that cannot give comfort to others. The Company offers its customers, the products to suit their needs and give them good values for money. The company is committed to follow the ethical practices in doing business. At Dabur, nature acts as not only the source of raw materials but also an inspiration and the company is committed to product the ecological balance. Journey so farhttp://www.dabur.com/pages/by4hm8ur/116/dabur_build.jpg 1884 The Birth of Dabur 1972 The company shifts base to Delhi from Kolkata 1986 Registered as Public Limited Company 1994 Listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange 1998 Professional team inducted to run the company 2000 Crosses Rs. 1000 Crore Turnover 2003 Pharmaceutical Business de-merged to focus on core FMCG 2004 Profit exceeds Rs. 100 Crore 2005 Acquire Balsara strengthening Oral care provided entry into Homecare segment 2006 Dabur figures in Top 10 Great Places to Work 2007 Dabur ranked among Asias best under a Billion enterprises by Forbes 2008 Acquired Fem Care Pharma entering the mainstream Skin care segment 2009 Strong growth momentum continued in spite of general economic downturn. Also Dabur Red Toothpaste becomes Daburs 9th Billion Rupee brand. 2010 Touched US$4 billion market cap. Overseas acquisition, Hobi Group, Turkey to strengthen presence in MENA and adjacent regions. Dabur At-a-Glance: Dabur India Limited has marked its presence with significant achievements and today commands a market leadership status. Their story of success is based on dedication to nature, corporate and process hygiene, dynamic leadership and commitment to their partners and stakeholders. Leading consumer goods company in India with a turnover of Rs. 3417 Crore (FY10) 3  major strategic business units (SBU) Consumer Care Division (CCD), Consumer Health Division (CHD) and International Business Division (IBD) 3  Subsidiary Group companies Dabur International,  Fem Care Pharma and newu  and  8 step down subsidiaries: Dabur Nepal Pvt Ltd (Nepal), Dabur Egypt Ltd (Egypt), Asian Consumer Care (Bangladesh), Asian Consumer Care (Pakistan), African Consumer Care (Nigeria), Naturelle LLC (Ras Al Khaimah-UAE), Weikfield International (UAE) and Jaquline Inc. (USA). 17 ultra-modern manufacturing units spread around the globe Products marketed in over 60 countries Wide and deep market penetration with  50 CF agents, more than 5000 distributors and over 2.8 million retail outlets all over India Dabur India Ltds manufacturing activities spanning various consumer products categories are carried out in 17 factories spread across India and abroad. Dabur has 11 manufacturing facilities in India, out of which two main units are at Baddi (Himachal Pradesh) and Pantnagar (Uttaranchal). http://www.dabur.com/images/india-map.jpg Daburs Business Structure: Note: Percentage share in revenue based on FY10 Financials ; Femcare included in Consumer Care Division Consumer Care Division (CCD): Consumer Care Division (CCD) adresses consumer needs across the entire FMCG spectrum through four distinct business portfolios of Personal Care, Health Care, Home Care  Ã‚  Foods. Master brands: Dabur Ayurvedic healthcare products Vatika Premium hair care Hajmola   Tasty digestives Rà ©al Fruit juices beverages Fem Fairness bleaches skin care products 9 Billion-Rupee brands: Dabur Amla, Dabur Chyawanprash, Vatika, Rà ©al, Dabur Red Toothpaste, Dabur Lal Dant Manjan, Babool, Hajmola and Dabur Honey Strategic positioning of Honey as food product, leading to market leadership (over 75%) in branded honey market   Dabur Chyawanprash the largest selling Ayurvedic medicine with over 65% market share. Vatika  Shampoo has been the fastest selling shampoo brand in India for three years in a row Hajmola tablets in command with 60% market share of digestive tablets category. About 2.5 crore Hajmola tablets are consumed in India every day Leader in herbal digestives with 90% market share Category-wise Share of CCD : http://www.dabur.com/pages/by4hm8ur/115/GlanceImg1.jpg Brand Overview: Consumer Care Categories: Hair Care: Hair Oil Shampoo Source: Value share-ACN June, 09 Value Share-ACN Mar, 10 Oral Care: Value Share-ACN March, 2010 Health Supplements: Value Share-ACN March, 2010 Foods: Company Est. Mar, 2010 for Fruit Juice categoryC:UsersUser 11Desktopuntitled2.bmpC:UsersUser 11DesktopimagesCAXZ8F24.jpgC:UsersUser 11Desktopimages.jpgC:UsersUser 11DesktopPG-IIIRKSDabur Real- Mrktg Planburrst.jpgC:UsersUser 11Desktopuntitled6.bmp Skin Care: *Company estimates; Includes Fem skin care portfolioC:UsersUser 11AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet FilesContent.Worddabur-health_06.jpg Digestives: Value Share-ACN March, 2010C:UsersUser 11DesktopimagesCALG7F5C.jpgC:UsersUser 11AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet FilesContent.Worddabur-personal_08.gifC:UsersUser 11Desktopdabur-digestive_09.gif Home Care: Value Share-ACN Mar,2010 for Aerosols category OdonilOdomosOdopicSani Fresh Consumer Health Division (CHD) Consumer Health Division (CHD) offers a range of  classical Ayurvedic medicines  and Ayurvedic OTC products that deliver the age-old benefits of Ayurveda in modern ready-to-use formats. Daburs Consumer Healthcare business is the Companys oldest business, and today has a growing portfolio of OTC products to address a variety of problems ranging from Womens Health to Baby Care and  Cough Cold to Rejuvenation. Has more than 300 products sold through prescriptions as well as over the counter Major categories in traditional formulations include: Asav Arishtas Ras Rasayanas Churnas Medicated Oils Proprietary Ayurvedic medicines developed by Dabur include: Nature Care Isabgol Madhuvaani Trifgol Division also works for promotion of Ayurveda through organised community of traditional practitioners and developing fresh batches of students   C:UsersUser 11Desktopuntitled.bmphttp://www.dabur.com/pages/by4hm8ur/115/GlanceImg2.jpg The Consumer Health Division, CHD witnessed a growth of 10.2% during the quarter led by ethical portfolio which grew by 14.5%. In OTC, Pudin Hara grew by 12.8%. The Pudin Hara portfolio has been extended by launching Pudin Hara Lemon Fizz in the acidity segment. International Business Division (IBD) International Business Division (IBD) caters to the health and personal care needs of customers across different international markets, spanning the Middle East, North West Africa, European Union and the US  with its brands Dabur Vatika   Growing at a CAGR of 33% in the last 6 years and contributes to about 20% of total sales Leveraging the Natural preference among local consumers to increase share in perosnal care categories Focus markets: GCC Egypt Nigeria Bangladesh Nepal US High level of localization of manufacturing and sales marketing worldmap Daburs International business: The Companys key markets for international business are the Middle East, Africa, UK and South Asian geographies, with manufacturing plants located across regions. The Company also has a private label business in USA and UK, along with Guar gum exports, which takes place from its Indian plants. The Companys International Business Division recorded an impressive sales growth of 26.3% from Rs.477.0 crore in 2008-09 to Rs.602.5 crore in 2009-10, contributing to 18% of overall consolidated sales. The operating margins of the business improved significantly during the year reflecting the strength of the brands even though the external conditions were tough and the environment was plagued by recessionary trends, currency depreciations and demand contraction. Robust sales growth in international markets was possible due to: Strong Brand portfolio positioned on herbal and natural platform Aggressive new product launches and brand extensions Geographical expansion into new markets Strong Sales and Distribution network Strong manufacturing backbone and expansion of own manufacturing in key geographies Localised and efficient supply chain. Product Portfolio: The company has built strong and robust brand architecture with two mega brands for international business across all geographies Dabur and Vatika and most of its offerings are under either of these two brands. Dabur Amla: Dabur Amla franchise achieved a growth of 38% along with all the extensions. Basis Nielsen Retail Audit in KSA, Dabur Amla Hair Oil with a market share of 34.2% is the biggest brand in the hair oil segment. Dabur Amla Gold has market share of 6.8% while Dabur Amla Jasmine is at 5.1%. The Amla franchise has now been extended to the Hair Cream Category with the launch of Dabur Amla Hair Cream. It has become the fastest growing brand in the Hair Cream segment notching up sales of more than INR 13 Crore in first year of launch. Vatika: There has been a robust growth of 36% in the Vatika franchise which includes Vatika Enriched Hair Oil, Coconut Hair Oil, Hair Creams and Hamam Zaith. Vatika brand is now worth Rs.185 Cr built from a negligible base over the last four years in the Arab belt. There was a successful re- launch of Shampoos and Conditioners, launch of one more variant in Hamam Zaith and re-launch of Vatika Coconut Hair Oil. Light hair oil range of Vatika Hair oils registered 51% growth in MENA. Vatika Hair Cream is now an INR 64 Cr brand in MENA. Vatika Hair Cream gained 370 bps in market share and becoming 12.7% of the market in volume terms. It grew by 44% in volume terms over LY in a category that has remained flat. Vatika Hair Cream is now the no. 2 player in Modern Trade with a 15.6% volume mkt share despite aggressive competition from established brands. Vatika DermoViva a new sub- brand launched for the Personal Wash and Skin Care segment had its first launch in the Bar Soap category and has managed to create consumer equity in a category dominated by strong MNC players. FEM: The FEM brand was strengthened in the overseas markets through ATL and BTL inputs which saw the brand grow by 100% in just nine months of operation since the takeover. Daburs International Market: The key contributing markets/ regions to the International Business growth have been GCC, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Yemen, Syria and South Africa. GCC, the largest market in the International Business Division and despite being a mature market, has registered a strong growth of 42% over last year fuelled by innovations and new product launches in the Hair Care, Personal Wash and Oral Care segments. Dabur Egypt Limited has witnessed another spectacular performance with 30% growth in sales. African Consumer Care, Nigeria has grown by 17% over last year in local currency terms, aided by strong growth of Dabur Herbal Toothpaste and Dabur Herbal Gel in the Oral Care category. Asian Consumer Care, Pakistan has grown by 26% in revenue with Hajmola and Dabur Amla emerging as the two strong brands for the region. Dabur International`s UK Branch has seen a 23% growth over previous year which has been the highest growth rate for this region in the last 8 years. Markets of North Africa, Levant and Yemen have seen an impressive performance with 49% growth over previous year. Asian Consumer Care, Bangladesh, has performed well with a growth of 47% during the fiscal 2009-10. The growth has been led by increased distribution penetration and focussed brand approach. Dabur Nepal Pvt Limited which manufactures fruit juices and also caters to local consumer market in Nepal recorded impressive growth of 26% in its sales to the domestic market of Nepal. Dabur recently has acquired Turkey-based personal care company Hobi Kozmetik Group in a deal at Rs. $ 69 million. The company, in a move to expand its presence across Middle East and North African region, has made the acquisition. Hobi Kozmetik is a market leader in the hair gel category with 35% market share. Companys products sold under Hobby and New Era brands across 35 countries. The transaction is expected to be completed by Q3 of FY11. Dabur, which is the largest FMCG in India with large market capitalization, has huge investment and expansion plans as the company aims to expand its foreign sales. Exports from India: The company also exports guargum and private label oral care products from India. During 2009-10 the company recorded Guargum exports to the tune of Rs.43.3 crore as compared to Rs.48.3 crore in the previous year. The sales were lower due to weak global demand and recessionary environment. Exports to USA recorded impressive growth with sales increasing to Rs.38.4 Cr in 2009- 10 versus Rs.27.6 in 2008-09 reflecting a growth of 39% despite the recessionary environment in developed markets. The US sales comprise Private Label and Ethnic business. Key markets in USA and Europe contributed to the growth. Innovative product developments in Oral care private label- such as Pro-age, Sensitive and Herbal toothpastes were launched. Ethnic Sales in USA and Canada also performed well recording 80% growth albeit on a low base. Various new products were successfully launched in the market and penetration of mainstay Dabur products like Hair Oils and Chyawanprash into Canadian mainstream retail chains such as Walmart was achieved. Competitor Analysis: Category Daburs Share Main Competitors Fruit Juice 58% Real and Active Tropicanna Fruit Drinks (coolers) 1% Coolers Frooti And Maaza Hair oil Coconut base 6.4% Vatika HLL Shampoo Vatika 7.1% HLL and PG Hair care (overall) 27% HLL, PG and Himalaya Chyawanprash 64% Himani, Zhandu and Himalaya Honey 40% Himani, Hamdard and local Players Digestives 37% Paras and local players Competition: Market Cap. (Rs. cr.) Sales Turnover Net Profit Total Assets HUL 60,897.63 17,725.33 2,202.03 2,583.52 Dabur India 18,851.77 2,874.60 433.15 859.35 Godrej Consumer 12,917.72 1,267.88 248.12 839.87 Colgate 11,244.57 1,770.82 290.22 330.70 Godrej Ind 7,770.69 880.97 19.33 1,570.31 Marico 7,641.54 2,030.85 235.02 948.58 PG 7,169.93 904.46 179.76 440.02 Emami 6,891.49 1,006.86 165.40 878.42 Gillette India 5,953.64 852.48 137.10 490.89 Jyothy Labs 2,440.33 579.87 80.05 399.10 Source: moneycontrol.com Recommendations: Entering rural market: Dabur should target more towards the rural market and tier 2 and tier 3 cities. These markets have traditionally been loyalists to Daburs ayurvedic range of personal products. Tapping rising global demand of herbal and Ayurvedic products: There is a new trend in the global market that has increased the demand of herbal/ ayurvedic products. This is the time when Dabur should relaunch itself as a key international player in the global arena. Also in the domestic market, there is a huge scope for Dabur to launch niche/luxury segment products catering to specific target groups. i) Development of new markets for Products Services: New avenues for growth were opened up with expansion into the new markets of Cambodia, Philippines, Belarus, Gambia and Bolivia. The Sales Distribution infrastructure has been augmented by appointing new distributors in CIS, Mozambique, Guinea and Rwanda. Local resources have been deployed in key markets of Yemen, Syria, Kuwait, Malaysia and Tanzania to strengthen the SD structure. ii) Entering US Market: The Company is also trying to break into the US Market where it is attempting to build a full fledged distribution channel. It is also worthwhile to mention that some of its products like Chyawanprash are selling in the US via Indirect channels. But this task is going to be a difficult one since US laws are tough and the preferences of consumers also vary greatly than that of markets which are usually catered to by Dabur. iii) Target- South Africa: In Africa the company is looking at markets like South Africa where it currently is not present. It already has a personal care unit in Egypt and a toothpaste unit in Nigeria. Dabur can do well in these markets since the profile and preferences of these consumers are very much like India. iv) Export Plans: The focus, going forward, is to continue expanding the Companys presence across geographies and to exploit the opportunities that exist in existing and potential segments. The Company will continue to invest in brand building, manufacturing and human capital in order to maintain and improve the existing robust growth path. Vision 2010 After the successful implementation of the 4-year business plan from 2002 to 2006, Dabur has launched another plan for 2010. The main objectives are: Doubling of the sales figure from 2006 The new plan will focus on expansion, acquisition and innovation. Although Daburs international business has done well growing by almost 29 per cent to Rs.292 crore in 2006-07, plans are to increase it by leaps and bounds. Growth will be achieved through international business, homecare, healthcare and foods. Southern markets will remain as a focus area to increase its revenue share to 15 per cent. With smoothly sailing through its previous plans, this vision seems possible. Time and again, Dabur has made decisions that have led to its present position. However, if Dabur could be more aggressive in its approach, it can rise to unprecedented levels. To conclude, this is a 10 year performance table from Daburs website.