Category: Uncategorized

Table of Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614857” 1.Introduction PAGEREF _Toc402614857 h 1

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614858” 2.Types of Motivation PAGEREF _Toc402614858 h 1

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614859” 2.1 Incentive PAGEREF _Toc402614859 h 1

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614860” 2.2 Fear PAGEREF _Toc402614860 h 1

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614861” 2.3 Achievement PAGEREF _Toc402614861 h 2

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614862” 2.4 Growth PAGEREF _Toc402614862 h 2

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614863” 2.5 Power PAGEREF _Toc402614863 h 2

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614864” 2.6 Social PAGEREF _Toc402614864 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614865” 3.How Motivation Affects Behavior PAGEREF _Toc402614865 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614866” 3.1 Motivation increases effort and persistence in activities. PAGEREF _Toc402614866 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614867” 3.2 Motivation affects cognitive processes. PAGEREF _Toc402614867 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614868” 3.3 Motivation determines what consequences are reinforcing and punishing. PAGEREF _Toc402614868 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614869” 4.How Emotions affects Behavior PAGEREF _Toc402614869 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614870” 4.1 Negative Ways Emotions Affect Behavior PAGEREF _Toc402614870 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614871” 4.2 Positive Ways Emotions Affect Behavior PAGEREF _Toc402614871 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614872” 4.3 Direct Ways Emotions Affect Behavior PAGEREF _Toc402614872 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614873” 4.4 Indirect Ways Emotions Affect Behavior PAGEREF _Toc402614873 h 6

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614874” 4.5 Emotional Empathy Affecting Behavior PAGEREF _Toc402614874 h 6

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614875” Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc402614875 h 7

HYPERLINK l “_Toc402614876” References PAGEREF _Toc402614876 h 8

Introduction HYPERLINK “http://www.lifehack.org/articles/tag/motivation” Motivation is generally defined as the force that compels us to action. It drives us to work hard and pushes us to succeed. Motivation influences our behavior and our ability to accomplish goals.

There are many different forms of motivation. Each one influences behavior in its own unique way. No single type of motivation works for everyone. People’s personalities vary and so accordingly does the type of motivation, that is most effective at inspiring their conduct (Weinstein & Ryan, 2010).

Types of Motivation2.1 IncentiveA form of motivation that involves rewards, both monetary and nonmonetary is often called incentive motivation. Many people are driven by the knowledge that they will be rewarded in some manner for achieving a certain target or goal. Bonuses and promotions are good examples of the type of incentives that are used for motivation.

2.2 FearFear motivation involves consequences. This type of motivation is often one that is utilized when incentive motivation fails. In a business style of motivation often referred to as the, “carrot and stick,” incentive is the carrot and fear is the stick.

Punishment or negative consequences are a form of fear motivation. This type of motivation is commonly used to motivate students in the education system and also frequently in a professional setting to motivate employees. If we break the rules or fail to achieve the set goal, we are penalized in some way.

2.3 AchievementAchievement motivation is also commonly referred to as the drive for competency. We are driven to HYPERLINK “http://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/6-simple-steps-to-make-progress-towards-achieving-a-goal.html” achieve goals and tackle new challenges. We desire to improve skills and prove our competency both to others and to ourselves. Generally, this feeling of accomplishment and achievement is intrinsic in nature.

However, in certain circumstances be motivation for achievement may involve external recognition. We often have a desire or need to receive positive feedback from both our peers and our superiors. This may include anything from an award to a simple pat on the back for a job well done.

2.4 GrowthThe need for HYPERLINK “http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/42-practical-ways-to-improve-yourself.html” self-improvement is truly an internal motivation. A burning desire to increase our knowledge of ourselves and of the outside world can be a very strong form of motivation. We seek to learn and grow as individuals.

Motivation for growth can also be seen in our yearning for change. Many of us are wired by our personality or upbringing to constantly seek a change in either our external or internal environment or knowledge. We view stagnation to be both negative and undesirable.

2.5 PowerThe motivation of power can either take the form of a desire for autonomy or other desire to control others around us. We want to have choices and control over our own lives. We strive for the ability to direct the manner in which we live now and the way our lives will unfold in the future.

We also often aspire to control others around us. The desire for control is stronger in some people than others. In some cases, the craving for power induces people to harmful, immoral, or illegal behavior. In other situations, the longing for power is merely a desire to affect the behavior of others. We simply want people to do what we want, according to our timetable, and the way we want it done.

2.6 SocialMany people are motivated by social factors. This may be a desire to belong and to be accepted by a specific peer group or a desire to relate to the people in our sphere or in the larger world. We have an innate need to feel a connection with others. We also have the need for acceptance and affiliation.

A genuine and passionate desire to contribute and to make a difference in the lives of others can be another form of social motivation. If we have a longing to make a contribution to the world around us, it is generally a sign that we are motivated by social factors.

The real importance of understanding the different types of motivation is in our ability to determine which form of motivation is the most effective for inspiring the desired behavior in either others or ourselves. None of these styles of motivation is inherently good or bad, the positive or negative outcome is truly determined by the way they are used.

How Motivation Affects Behavior

3.1 Motivation increases effort and persistence in activities.Motivation increases the amount of effort and energy that learners expend in activities directly related to their needs and goals. It determines whether they pursue a task enthusiastically and wholeheartedly, on the one hand, or apathetically and lackadaisically, on the other. Furthermore, motivated learners are more likely to continue a task until they’ve completed it, even if they are occasionally interrupted or frustrated in the process. In general, then, motivation increases learners’ time on task, an important factor affecting their learning and achievement (Schwartz, 2010).

3.2 Motivation affects cognitive processes.Motivation affects what and how learners mentally process information. Attention is critical for getting information into working memory. Motivated learners also try to understand and elaborate on material—to learn it meaningfully—rather than simply “go through the motions” of learning in a superficial, rote manner.

3.3 Motivation determines what consequences are reinforcing and punishing.The more learners are motivated to achieve academic success, the more proud they will be of an A and the more upset they will be by an F or perhaps even a B. The more learners want to be accepted and respected by their peers, the more meaningful the approval of the “in-group” will be and the more painful the ridicule of classmates will seem. To a teenage boy uninterested in athletics, making or not making the school football team is no big deal, but to a teen whose life revolves around football, making or not making the team may be a consequence of monumental importance.

How Emotions affects Behavior4.1 Negative Ways Emotions Affect BehaviorNegative emotions, such as anger, jealousy and depression, can affect our behavior negatively. However, positive emotions can also negatively affect our behavior, such as allowing ourselves to be abused by someone because we love them, or indulging in unhealthy activities because they make us happy. When a particular emotion is stirred and becomes intense, our point of view becomes distorted. We focus on the emotion, and the stimuli that triggered it. It becomes amplified in our minds, and so, at that time, our reaction to it almost seems rational, because it is the only information we deem important enough to process. This subsequently motivates our behavior in a variety of ways. For example, fighting when we are angry, withdrawing from participation and responsibilities when depressed, or enduring a bad relationship when we still love someone.

4.2 Positive Ways Emotions Affect BehaviorThe affect emotions have on our behavior is not all negative, however. In fact, the reason for emotions is to help us cope with life. For example, when we feel fear, we flee to protect ourselves. When we feel love for our children, we try to take care of them better. When we feel angry, we fight to defend ourselves or what belongs to us. These things are in place to ensure not only our personal survival, but the survival of our species. If there was nothing we felt passionate about in life, we would have had little motivation to act, and perhaps would not have become the dominant, diverse, creative and practical creatures that we are today (Yee, 2006).

4.3 Direct Ways Emotions Affect BehaviorAutomatic responses are one way our emotions affect our behavior. Sometimes, our feelings stimulate our brains to process certain information very quickly, or process it in a certain way. If that information is processed while disregarding facts, common sense or other considerations, it could result in a quick or poorly analyzed final action. This is when emotions directly affect our behavior. For example, punching someone for insulting you, ducking and running when you hear a gunshot, or rushing into the arms of an attractive, sweet-talking stranger. These actions are often impulsive rather than premeditated. These usually result in behavior that is counter-productive, if not destructive.

4.4 Indirect Ways Emotions Affect BehaviorEven though, when emotionally aroused in some way, many of us will briefly think of the same automatic responses, few people will act on them. Most of the time, our behavior is indirectly affected by our emotions. Rather than an instinctual action, the cognitive processing that takes place results in a decision-making process, adaption and assimilation of information and, eventually, a learning experience. For example, when someone insults us, we might think about hitting the person, but many of us will choose not to do so, though we may engage in a conscious response that our brain allows, such as insulting the person back. We will cognitively process the encounter and the emotional stimulation, decide that we do not like the person, and seek to avoid that person in the future. Further, this may motivate us to stop going to a particular place where that person might be found. It becomes a domino effect from a single emotional response.

4.5 Emotional Empathy Affecting BehaviorEven further, emotions provide us with the ability to empathize with others. Because of this, we can predict emotional responses, which also affects our behavior, which is why people will usually try to evoke a positive response rather than a negative one. For this reason, few of us go around insulting others at random, cutting lines in the grocery store or stealing each other’s goods, because we wish to avoid evoking and dealing with a negative response in others. On the other hand, trying to be a nice person by complimenting others, being polite and following rules, is a behavior that is motivated by desiring a positive emotional response from other people (Weinstein & Ryan, 2010).

Conclusion

A common misconception is that motivation is something people “carry around” inside of them—that some people are simply motivated to do something and others are not. In fact, learners’ immediate environments can have dramatic effects on their motivation to learn and achieve. Such environment-dependent motivation is known as situated motivation. Certainly extrinsic reinforcement and punishment steer learners toward certain activities and behaviors and away from others. Yet environmental factors play a significant role in intrinsic motivation as well. For instance, presenting an unexpected, puzzling phenomenon may pique learners’ natural curiosity and interest in a topic. And providing scaffolding and guidance for challenging tasks may entice learners to tackle the tasks strictly for the pleasure and the sense of competence they bring.

References

Grant, A. M., & Gino, F. (2010). A little thanks goes a long way: Explaining why gratitude expressions motivate prosocial behavior. Journal of personality and social psychology, 98(6), 946.

Schwartz, S. H. (2010). Basic values: How they motivate and inhibit prosocial behavior.

Yee, N. (2006). Motivations for play in online games. CyberPsychology & behavior, 9(6), 772-775.

Weinstein, N., & Ryan, R. M. (2010). When helping helps: autonomous motivation for prosocial behavior and its influence on well-being for the helper and recipient. Journal of personality and social psychology, 98(2), 222.

DB replies

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Introduction

The topic on forecasting and Inventory management is one very important in today’s world. Forecasting is necessary to enhance organizations plan for future prospects. This topic as covered by Arapovic was well done. The study about forecasting was well covered as it involved all fields of business. This research was effective as it clarifies all the important ideas that an organization wants to know. As compared to what I had researched, I think ibro did not quite focus completely on forecasting as required. Ibro’s study aimed at giving fewer details and was supposed to concentrate on all details. This study was, however, not effectively researched and was not that much helpful. The study has, however, explained facts about forecasting and its importance to business today. This clearly states that businesses should consider forecasting as a way of planning for future success. Forecasting should be taken as a measure that identifies how fit the business is to conduct and compete with the others.

Inventory management is very important to an organization. For a company to forecast about its progress, then it must ensure that it keeps proper inventory. With the invention of technology, it has become very easy for organizations to manage their inventory. Manual, technology, or both methods should be used to manage inventory. The essay clearly states and clarifies the importance of inventory. This assay as compared to what I wrote seems to lack some aspects that I explained. However, the writer clearly makes it evident that profit of a company is dependent on the inventory. Each organization should realize that inventory is all what pertains the business and proper management should be enhanced. Inventory should be used as a means of security for the company. This is well explained in the essay written by Sam. Organizations should realize that proper management of inventory means that the supply chain and value chain of the organization increases. Management of inventory should be used by organizations as a measure of attaining success and making profit.

Conclusion

The use of forecasting should be encouraged in organizations. This makes it possible for companies to have a clear outline of what to expect and how to cope with the situation. This should be a practice that organizations do regularly to view their progress. Inventory management should also be encouraged in organizations. This helps the company realize what it has that can help the organization achieve success. Proper management of inventory should be encouraged.

References

McAuliffe, B. (2011). Forecasting. Mankato, MN: Creative Education.

Bose, D. C. (2006). Inventory management. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India.

Formal Analysis Of ‘La Quatorze Juillet’

Abstract

Basic description of the painting

Formal analysis and elucidation

Rudiments and principles that convey form

Conclusion

Surveillance from the oil painting

Formal analysis of ‘La Quatorze Juillet’

A closer look at any piece of art or literary work needs a keen eye that will elucidate conspicuous and salient themes. Hence, the painting titled ‘La Quatorze Juillet’ is predominantly fascinating to have a formal analysis. This oil painting was completed in the year 1892. Its significant is credited to the occasion that was celebrated in June during that epoch. This piece of art ‘La Quatorze Juillet’ was painted by an impressionist artist called Prendergast Maurice Brazil. One particular design that captures the eye meticulously is the monotypic oil technique that Prendergast used. There are captivating facet of form that will evoke an overwhelming “aesthetic emotion” once the keen eye identifies these facets. Briefly, in the foreground women and children are seen. These illustrations are painted indistinctly in dark green hue which caught my eye ardently. Basically the painting employs a lot of hue and silhouette representation of the images thereof.

Formalism theory regarding pieces of art should evoke aesthetic emotion. Tolstoy and Bell argue that aesthetic emotion should be correlated with the “extrinsic and intrinsic features present in art”. Although ‘La Quatorze Juillet’ is made from the oil technique, a worm’s point of view brings forth the astounding texture of the foreground. Starting from the foreground there is a clearly gray path. This is seen by the procession of the women and children on the alleyway. On the right part of the painting, the artist manages to bring out the roughness. The movement of Prendergast’s brush is witnessed by the gray path which is somehow rough and inflexible. This send emotions to my nerves.

In the top left corner there are shapes that are cleverly decorated in effervescent yellow hue. Aesthetic emotions are brought to mind by the spiral way in which the circular forms are repeated. These forms leave behind a path of dark smog that adjusts whenever your eyes budge transversely on the painting. The spherical objects cast an artificial light because of their vibrant hue. The light radiates on the women and children making them visible in the foreground. On top of the women and the children there is a crowd of people who are dyed in a dark green hue. This hue allows the floor to shine by using the faint light. I suppose the artist seldom used real “black” color. This is because the areas of darkness are not conforming to a black hue. Moving to the left part of the piece the semi-circles amazingly diminish towards the middle part. This diminishing ability is perfectly painted in a sloping angle and generally decreasing their size. One extrinsic feature of the semi-circle objects is that they are vibrantly colored. Hence, this facet gives a “three-dimensional aspect” of the venue of the event. Therefore, “harmony and balance of objects” in the painting is nonetheless present.

Prendergast employs different hues that correlate well hence achieving formalism in the painting. He specifically uses yellow color which is responsible for shading desirable amount of light on the images, and silhouettes forming shadows which are short. Hence depicts the time of the event. Aspect of lines and shapes are seen clearly. In addition, this color shows emphasis of the occasion and different guests present. Conspicuously, the clever use of color in presenting the silhouettes mechanically partitions the painting into three segments. That is, the foreground is painted with a shallow brown-gray and textured in vaporous white. The hub part is tinted in an imposing dark-green with a few touches of yellow here and there. The top left locale is vibrant by the way his brush presents the intense yellow hue, with a blue sky which is v-shaped. That is, my eye could not miss how the movement of the artist’s brush nurtures the foreground and background. Complex shapes across the middle parts are brought clearly by lines that are lightly colored and tinted in dark green. The woman on the left part is definitely shown carrying a child by the use of the dark lines on the arms and garb. There are vanishing spiral lines that suggest a movement of the figures in the top left locale.

Images in foreground are well spaced and concerted on the two-thirds part of the painting in the left upper locale. My eye caught the dull space left in the bottom right corner of the piece. This is balanced with brightly colored circular forms in the top right corner. Therefore profound “proportionality” is evident. This painting illicit several aesthetic emotions about the nature of the event captured in this painting. The facets of formalism depict the state and culture of the people at that time. One may argue that the use of visible women and children depicts the position women were given or denied during such merriment. Several disturbing questions come to mind. For example, where are the men? Are they purposely hidden behind the women and far from the light? Does it bring the idea of feminism or male chauvinism? What is the symbolic part of the silhouettes used in the middle part, the bright yellow circular, and spiral moving forms? Could they have chosen by Prendergast to depict how jubilant the event was? Do the deep blue sky, women, and these disturbingly circular forms suggest anything spiritual? These are a few of the mysterious questions that provoked aesthetic emotions that kept me to stare in wonder at such a monotypic oil painting named ‘La Quatorze Juillet’.

Bibliography

Austin, Michael. Reading the world Ideas That Matter. New York: W. W. Norton andCompany, 2010.

Barnet, Sylvan. A short guide to writing about Art. New York: Macmillan, 2007.

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the FCPA of 1977 is responsible for prohibiting bribery among foreign government officer in America and prescription of practices of record keeping as well as accounting. The Act has two provisions namely Anti-bribery provisions and accounting and record-keeping provisions.

Anti-bribery provisions of the Act, illegalizes bribery to foreign government officers to retain or obtain business and any payments made must be proven to be lawful based on the recipients written laws. Stiff and severe penalties are subjected to people who fail to defend themselves based on the FCPA (Cleveland, Favo, Frecka & Owens, 2009).

FCPA accounting and record-keeping provisions affect American publicly traded firms. The provision requires that the companies device and implement a system of accounting that facilitate for a tight control and keeping of accurate records regarding the firm’s assets dispositions. Through the provision therefore, any slush funds is prohibited and accounts used are able to inhibit any form of illegal payments. The provision also prohibits payments mislabeling and expenses misrepresentation (Margaret, Clive, Ogrady & Morgan 1997).

FCPA mandate involves crackdown of bribery among foreign officers and its breach is considered a high profile offence. Non compliance to the act may result to being barred from contracts tendering in American government, huge fines and criminal conviction leading to jail term. There is therefore a need for effective control among financial firms and have a clear understanding of management structure, financial dealings as well as well as group ownerships so that they have knowledge of business partners and avoid criminals (Brodsky, et al 2008). FCPA complements legislations such as Oxley Act through a requirement for effective control systems that avoid cases of frauds. Such effective controls include customer diligence and understanding their financial transactions, staff training, independent monitoring and conduction meetings with senior managements.

References

Brodsky, D., Greenburg, N., & Kelly-Najah, N. (2008). “Recent developments in the enforcement of the US foreign corrupt practices act”. Journal of Securities Compliance, 1(3), 212-230.

Cleveland, M., Favo, C., Frecka, T., & Owens, C. (2009). “Trends in the international fight against bribery and corruption”. Journal of Business Ethics, 90, 199-244.

Margaret M. G., Clive R. G. Ogrady & Morgan O. Forrest (1997). Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Available at HYPERLINK “http://library.findlaw.com/1997/Jan/1/126234.html accessed on 23” http://library.findlaw.com/1997/Jan/1/126234.html accessed on 23 February 2012.

Formal and Informal institutions as market Entry Strategies in Saudi Arabia

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TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc411177337” Introduction PAGEREF _Toc411177337 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc411177338” Background PAGEREF _Toc411177338 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc411177339” Political and economic environment PAGEREF _Toc411177339 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc411177340” Legal and institution issue PAGEREF _Toc411177340 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc411177341” Infrastructure issue PAGEREF _Toc411177341 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc411177342” Social issue PAGEREF _Toc411177342 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc411177343” Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc411177343 h 6

HYPERLINK l “_Toc411177344” References PAGEREF _Toc411177344 h 8

IntroductionHow formal and informal institutions impacts in a multinational enterprise’s (MNE’s) arrangement of areas influence social obligation (and untrustworthiness)? To investigate this inquiry, I occupied with two correlative observational exploration contemplates, each one examining a specific subset of the MNE portfolio environment-social responsibility dynamics. The principal study applies the idea of institutional separation from the international business literature to analyze how the distinctions informal and casual institutional situations over a company’s full arrangement of working areas can influence its social responsibility (Alquraini, 2010). I theorize and found that organizations with more noteworthy casual institutional separation inside their areas will have lower general levels of corporate social responsibility. I additionally propose that more prominent formal institutional separation inside the MNE’s portfolio will direct the social obligation advantages connected with more prominent international extension. This paper discusses the role of formal and informal institutions in the development of MNEs market in Saudi Arabia. This is a determinant to the market entry strategies.

BackgroundStockland was established in 1952 by Albert Scheinberg and Erwin Graf, with a dream to “not just accomplish development and benefits however to make a beneficial commitment to the advancement of our urban communities and awesome nation”. In 1957 Stockland records on the Australian Stock Exchange by gaining a controlling enthusiasm for Simon Hickey Industries Ltd, the littlest organization then recorded. In that year, exercises get to be more differentiated. Stockland moves into business advancement, at first with retail enterprises in different suburbs of Sydney. In 1965, Stockland opened its first huge business advancement – the redeveloped Imperial Arcade (Hertog, 2011).The following are the formal and informal institutions that affect MNEs business in Saudi Arabia.

Political and economic environmentThe stability of political and economic environment is the key components to impact the speculators ‘choices. At the late decade, the political circumstance in Saudi Arabia has favored outside enterprise. Mexico’s open entryway strategy of the early 1990s pulled in critical inflows of outside enterprise. However, in a few move economies, a continuous issue confronted by participants into developing business sector is their political and economic unusual. In Saudi Arabia, as a case, has been at present adding to a ‘communist business sector economy with Saudis attributes ‘. The legislature keeps up control and imposing business model over the real segments including routes, post, and information transfers and permitting privately in assembling and administration part. By and by, this implies that the current constitution (of a one gathering tyranny and fundamentally state possession) and the legitimate administration (with its absence of straightforwardness) will oppose political change despite the fact that economic change has developed following 1992. (Hertog, 2011) These disaccord of political and financial change have been made numerous vulnerability for remote enterprise, for example, alterable economic approach, market insurance as a system for neighborhood government to backing the advancement of nearby economies and the most vital is the part of entomb report playing in economic administration. The unusualness of the political and precarious financial atmosphere for remote speculators in developing business sector represents a critical investigation (Kayed & Hassan, 2010). This is of great importance for the company to deduce its market entry strategies.

Legal and institution issueThe legal institutions reflect the general state of mind of a host nation towards remote speculation. For quite a while, the legitimate and institutional environment are ineffectively created in developing business sector. Specifically, in term of rivalry strategy, administrative arrangement, corporate levy, and definition and implementation of property rights ( Kayed & Hassan, 2010). In addition, even where the important law is set up, their responsibility and implementation is feeble because of inadequate bookkeepers, officials, and attorneys. The legitimate structure is frequently subject to incessant changes, which makes extensive vulnerability for organizations. A few spectators expect that the solid bartering force of multinational firms versus their representatives, in Saudi Arabia prompts a settling for less and wages (Montagu, 2010).

Infrastructure issueAs a rule, most Saudi Arabia linger behind the propelled country as far as communication, dispersion, and administration discernments. Any of those variables may debilitate the achievement of global firms. Regarding the communication, in numerous move economies are not well working as they are in the western piece of the world. As one British representative who had actually been fruitful in working together in Saudi Arabia remarked, ‘You can scarcely discover any business index in Saudi Arabia.’ The individual contact appears to be as a successful methodology in Saudis market. As Kayed & Hassan (2010) contend that, the Saudis communication framework is arranged instead of financially situated. Additionally, As far as the circulation area concerned, it is basically poor, even non-existent in littler town and farmland. Remote firms need to set up their particular dispersion framework, supply focuses, and stockroom. This may drive the organizations to settle in substantial urban communities.Corporate strategies, institutional change, and the advancement of nearby assets and capacities are accordingly commonly reliant. This proposes two bearings for future examination. Firstly, organizations are critical directing variables to be incorporated into numerous investigations of FDI effect. Also, researchers ought to expand on late research on the coevolution of corporate methodologies and foundations (Montagu, 2010) and apply this line of thought to developing economies (Solingen, 2005). This ought to prompt clearer exact proof on long run methodologies of institutional and corporate change.

Social issue

The wide crevice in the middle of rich and poor in Saudi Arabia is a primary reason for social pressure. Other social issues incorporate ethnic pressures, for example, those that have blasted lamentably in Central Europe. Likewise as per Helms, in previous communist nations, the communist legacy is different obstructions prompting the outside put stream in. As he contended that owning to the state-controlled businesses previously, the liquor abuse and truancy has been high, which have influenced the work propensities throughout today. Further, he asserted that taking care of laborers with this demeanor can be extremely troublesome (Hertog, 2011).It is not just the way of life and language issues, additionally the familiarity with society setting the obstructions for speculator. For little aspiring firms in developing economies, access to such creation systems is of expanding imperativeness, yet the long haul nature of supplier connections and the worldwide range of occupants raise entrance hindrances. Occupants’ advantage from their longstanding relationship, their notoriety, and their client particular ability. Additionally, extensive firms are better ready to ensure quality and in the nick of time conveyance. Subsequently accomplishing access to a global quality chain is a significant test for little firms in rising economies.Besides, how do MNEs add to group development? The commitment of the outside financial specialist may lie in both exchange of information to neighborhood partners, perhaps in return for other learning, and in their part of delegates in the international cross-treatment of information groups. By making operations inside a group, MNEs can both add to and profit from the learning trade inside the bunch.

ConclusionWith everything taken into account, it is broadly accepted that Foreign Direct Investment made a real commitment to the economic improvement of Saudi Arabia. In the meantime; Saudi Arabia assumes a fundamental part in the worldwide systems of numerous multinational undertakings (MNEs), remarkably those with learning development targets. In spite, the political and financial questionable, inadequately built up the legitimate and organization structure and the absence of business data and communication framework et cetera. Such variables postured noteworthy difficulties and undermined for financial specialists in getting to the developing business. In this way, keeping in mind the end goal to diminish the danger and exchange cost, the few entering model have been given. Each one model has their particular qualities, picking the best possible one can take out the dangers and decrease the exchange cost. Of these, joint wander is favored section model in spite of the evident disservices of imparted control Stockland offers the chance to build a business operation in an outside nation when foundation of a Greenfield site is not attainable or excessively lavish. Additionally it furnishes the outside organization with a nearby partner, which helps the financial specialists effectively get to a neighborhood market. That particular profit for spearheading without much neighborhood learning. Be that as it may, by offering control to nearby partner can prompt coordination clashes, particularly if their targets are not perfect or social boundaries repress communication? A Greenfield site gives the chance to make an altogether new operation yet it is most dangerous passage model subsequent to the administrative system experiencing significant change nations is unpredictable. An obtaining encourages snappy passage and quick get to nearby assets. Acquisitions disguise certain business sectors and unite correlative assets, yet these assets need to be coordinated successfully. It is suitable passage procedure if obtained organizations work in a westernized way and have neighborhood information and contacts. Stockland, as a half-breed mode of entrance, can substitute for either obtaining or Greenfield in the event that they are not achievable or too excessive. Brownfield activities can use more wellsprings of assets empowering undertakings that not the outside speculator or the neighborhood firm could execute themselves. Through the Brownfield outside financial specialists can overcome snags emerging from the restricted accessibility of specific resources or high exchange costs in particular markets by considering a more extensive decision of potential target firms. In any case, Brownfield commonly acquires high incorporation costs because the financial specialist takes part in profound rebuilding and resource exchange.

ReferencesAlquraini, T. (2010). Special Education in Saudi Arabia: Challenges, Perspectives, Future Possibilities. International Journal of Special Education,25(3), 139-147.

Hertog, S. (2011). Princes, brokers, and bureaucrats: oil and the state in Saudi Arabia. Cornell University Press.

Kayed, R. N., & Hassan, M. K. (2010). Islamic entrepreneurship: A case study of Saudi Arabia. Journal of developmental entrepreneurship, 15(04), 379-413.

Montagu, C. (2010). Civil society and the voluntary sector in Saudi Arabia. The Middle East Journal, 64(1), 67-83.

Solingen, E. (2005). East Asian regional institutions: characteristics, sources, distinctiveness. Remapping East Asia: the construction of a region, 31-53.

Food security

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Introduction

In the period of 2007-2008, there was a steep rise in food prices. Since then, the graph of food insecurity in parts of world has been increasing steadily. Due to that incident, food insecurity has been a problem to the undeveloped and poor countries only; the effects were global and affected the developed countries too (Abuzeid & Hamdy 2004) .

This piece of work digs deeper into the issue of food insecurity in the Middle East. It contains several chapters containing information that was derived from an original fieldwork study. The problem of food insecurity in the Middle East region is new since this place has been known for its food abundance for many years. Because of adopting modern development policies, this region has started experiencing food insecurity hence becoming a contrast to its past whereby it was a food basket and could cater for the food needs of its population and the nearby areas as well (Lofgren & Richards 2000).

It is a fact that the Middle East is one of the regions in the world that is experiencing rapid development. With such high rates of development, the region has been forced to deal with both the deliberate and undeliberate effects of modernization. Some of most noticeable effects has been the high rates of birth and sharp rise in the population, biasness in urban policy-making that has led to rural neglect and rural-urban migration, and the planned expansion of the state that has led to introduction of policies based on the interests of the state. While concentrating on such developments, the stakeholders have put less effort on improving agricultural standards that has led to a big gap between national food demand and the available domestic food.

Agricultural products were highly costly in 2007-2008. The same trend occurred in 2011. As a result, there was an increased concern over that negative trend and led to discussions across the globe on the issue of food security. There was an alarming 83 percent in international food prices by 2008 over a period of three years according to the World Bank. The impact of this increase was immense in the Arab states given the fact that such countries import over 50 percent of the calories annually. After a year of releasing the stated statistics, the World Bank went ahead to urge the Arab countries to be prepared for any future food crisis. In less than two years later, food prices reached one of their all-time high once again. Despite the rise in prices being a global effect, the Middle East suffered devastating consequences. This was the case since an approximated one quarter of the region’s population is poor. To make matters worse, seventy-five percent of the poor people live in rural settings where there is an uneven access to decent food.

In order to counter the problem, all the Middle East states agreed on one. They were to subsidize food prices by big margins in order to make it affordable for the poor people in the region. One may argue that this unified agreement could have been of such events like the “bread riots” of the early 1990s and part of 1980s as well as the recent Arab Spring uprisings that the regions has experienced since 2011 (Wright & Cafiero 2011). Apparently, the subsidized prices, although heavy, did not seem to salvage the situation because the international food price shocks always translated to price hikes in the domestic market in different parts of the Middle East region. As one of the statistics, in the period of between 2006 and 2011, for instance, prices of food went up by an estimated 10 percent every year in Iran, UAE and Yemen while in Djibouti, Lebanon, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the rise was by over 15 percent.

It is important to note that the rise in food prices on the international level led to similar trends in the domestic markets across countries in the Middle East within a short time. However, the situation was different when it involved reduction in world food prices whereby it took so long to reflect the change domestically.

Various reasons were attributed to the ever increase in food prices. Experts on the other hand did not agree on a single factor that could have led to the increase in prices. In reality, the steep rise in prices was because of a collection of different factors that involved structural, supply side dynamics that included a slow-down in cereal productivity globally(Wright & Cafiero, 2011). Other factors included diversion of agricultural land for production of bio fuel, insufficient cereal stocks, export bans on important agricultural products or other trade restrictions, the high cost of petroleum together with high cost of fertilizer and production energy, and speculative investment on agricultural commodities. Increased demand for food also contributed to the increase in prices.

This demand came about because of the increasing global population and the ever-changing pattern of food consumption in the various developing countries. On comparing between the time before 2008 when food prices escalated and afterwards, the current prices are still higher despite the gradual drop in the prices since 2008 (Wright, Brian, and Carlo 89).

Conclusion

Experts continue to suggest that the increase in food prices as a trend will continue. They base their arguments on the fact that not much has been done to deal with the factors that led to the crisis. On the contrary, there has been an increase in encouraging programs dealing with bio-fuel production in grain-producing countries. Such steps like not enhancing global grain reserves and not keeping up with the pace of growth of demand for food have also been experienced in recent years. The issue of food insecurity is very likely to continue in the Middle East due to the poor structural factors that are present. Populist regimes in the Middle East that have brought about the issue of land reform programs have led to widespread fragmentation of arable land. For instance, 90 percent of landowners in UAE own land that is less than 1 hectare.

References

Abuzeid, M., & Hamdy, A, 2004. Water Crisis and Food Security in the Arab World: where we are and where do we go. Cairo (Egypt), 14th Apr, 76.

Lofgren, H., & Richards, A, 2000. Food security, poverty, and economic policy in the Middle East and North Africa (Vol. 5, pp. 1-31). Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

Wright, B., & Cafiero, C, 2011. Grain reserves and food security in the Middle East and North Africa. Food Security, 3(1), 61-76.

Food Security Problem in Burkina Faso

Name:

Course:

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Date:

Introduction

Food security occurs when there is an assurance to all human beings within any geographical region that they have physical and economical access to all basics of food without risk of losing such access (Thomson, Metz & Food and Agriculture Organisation, 1997, p. 4). At the national level, food security can be described as a reasonable balance between food demand and supply at rational prices. In other words, a country is said to be food secure when the whole of its population has access to food. The opposite of that brings about the problem of food security. This discussion focuses on the nature of the problem of food insecurity in Burkina Faso. As suggested by various written sources, several factors have contributed to the problem, some of which are disclosed here. In addition, some of the responses of Burkina Faso to the problem of food security have been highlighted including evaluations on their effectiveness. But before engaging into the main discussion, it will be prudent to give a brief history of Burkina Faso, in relation to the stated problem.

Burkina Faso is a land locked country located in West Africa. It is located within the southern fringes of the Sahel region. The entire northern part of the country lies under the Sahara Desert. Most of central parts of the country lie on a savannah plateau that ranges between 650 – 1000m above sea level. The savannah plateau has characteristics of tropical climate, with scattered trees, bushes and glass land. The largest part of the southern region of this country is green. This country is comparatively dry country with an average annual rainfall of about 1100 mm in the south and 500 mm in the north. The dry season in the country increases in length from 6-7 months a year from south to north (Thomson, Metz & Food and Agriculture Organisation, 1997, p. 4). Due to this unfavourable climate, farmers in the country are unable to practice agriculture successively. Being one of the poorest countries, this has magnified the impact of the persistent drought on this country’s population. Recently, the famine situation in the country has worsened due to prolonged dry climate, leading to severe droughts especially in the north (Cavendish, 2001, p. 51). This explains the reason why Burkina Faso has not so far succeeded in the fight against the problem of food security.

Some of the causal factors

According to Wood and Ryden (1992, p. 67), Burkina Faso, like other countries in Sahel region, has a highly rising population with considerable demographic momentum. This has been evident both in rural and urban areas over the past few decades. The rate of job creation has not kept up with the highly increasing population growth rates. This has led to an increase in involvement of the residents with informal sector. One of the problems associated with the informal sector is that it places a heavy burden on natural resources. Stretching of the natural resources beyond limit has led to environmental degradation and an eventual increase in poverty levels in this country.

Secondly, farmers in this country lack good access to agricultural inputs. Ukaga and Afoaku (2005, p. 198), found out that, agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, improved seeds and other necessities have not been available at the right time and in the right package to the farmers. In addition, credit necessary for adequate investment in agricultural inputs has not been available to farmers. Consequently, the farmers have ended up using low quality seeds, archaic methods of farming and rudimentary equipment – all of which have led to low productivity and also reduced profits. Consequently, the produce from the agricultural sector has been low and not enough for consumption by the whole population. In short, the supply of food recourses in the country is low compared to demand.

Ukaga and Afoaku (2005, p. 197) also observe that national income in Burkina Faso is not distributed equally among all segments of its population. Only a small section of the country’s population has been enjoying growth. This has so far resulted into two class societies, a small one which is food secure, and bigger part of society that suffers from food insecurity. Ukaga and Afoaku (2005, p. 197) also indicate that lack of adequate infrastructure for production, storage, processing marketing and distribution has been a major problem for agriculture in this Burkina Faso. Poor transportation systems and bad roads make it difficult for farmers to transport inputs into and farm produce out of their farms. This leads to wastage of up to 40 percent of farm produce when there are people facing food shortages just a few hundred miles within the country. In addition, in those areas, returns from agricultural produce have been low relative to areas with adequate infrastructural facilities. In particular, there is lack of economic and social infrastructure to enhance sustainable agriculture and also maintain positive economic growth.

Melito, T., (2009 p. 5) explains that, farmers in Burkina Faso have been lacking of capital to establish processing facilities In addition, most of them are not well versed with ways on how to market their products. This forces the farmers to sell their produce when “green” thus receiving minimal returns. It has been seen that, during times of harvest, the prices of those products are usually low and the buyers determine prices in the market. In the end, farmers lose motivation and produce less in the subsequent seasons. This has resulted into minimal produce with time.

Like many other developing countries, Burkina Faso has been depending on imports to augment domestic production so as to feed its residents. This means that any increase in prices of imports forces a decline in imports making, the problem of food security to deteriorate (Ukaga & Afoaku, 2005, p. 199).

Further examination indicates that the rich and developed countries tend to protect their domestic markets from agricultural products that African countries can offer at competitive prices while they seek more foreign markets where they operate as they choose. These industrialized countries use tariffs and other non-tariff barriers to protect their markets from foreign goods while they and the international institutions that they control force the less powerful countries to remove market barriers to global trade. Such unfair market conditions have been unfair to farmers in Burkina Faso and other countries, since they jeopardise their incomes from their farm outputs. Consequently, the ability of farmers to invest in agriculture is reduced. A reduction in cultivation automatically poses a threat to food security (Ukaga & Afoaku, 2005, p. 199).

Responses and their effectiveness

Reacting to the increasing food prices in Burkina Faso, the government has come up with policy measures that have both long-term and short-term impact. The first policy response is producer-oriented and is intended to support farmers to raise production levels (FAO, 2009, p. 5). To attain this, there have been strategies to support investments through encouragement of savings and credit schemes to rural farmers. Apart from that, farmers have been encouraged to adopt integrated approaches, i.e., combining of livestock breeding, growing of crops and forestry development. There have been improvements and modification of land tenure system through permission of private ownership of land which is communally owned and creation of effective local management institutions. In addition, the government has been supporting the farmers with subsidized fertilizers, tractors, pumps for irrigation as well as free seeds. It has also been invested in research to come up drought resistant crops. Assessment of the ways in which the traditional production systems can be modified to apply to the modern agriculture so as to encourage participation by all farmers in grassroots has been underway (FAO, 2009, p. 5).

The second policy measure that has been laid by the government of Burkina Faso is the consumer-oriented policy response. This includes direct support to consumers and vulnerable groups through various ways. One of these ways is through introduction of cash transfer programmes for the most vulnerable, landless and poor in the rural areas. Also, there has been development and expansion of urban social net programmes using imported food aid where food supplies are insufficient (Dry Lands Programme, 1998, p.2).

Another way that has been undertaken by the government is through development of post-harvest handling initiatives so as to protect quality of produce for a longer time. While addressing immediate food crises, the government has considered relocation of funds from development projects to increase food importation. In addition, domestic production has been augmented with importation and also through seeking of foreign aid humanitarian assistance from donors. Finally is the trade-oriented policy response. In this case, the government has used policy instruments such as reducing tariffs and restricting exports to reduce prices and increase domestic supply. There have been efforts such as consolidation of market information services in the country and linking market information and market intelligence to support food security mapping and trade both domestically and regionally (Dry Lands Programme, 1998, p. 2).

Wiebe (2003, p. 280) notes that apart from government efforts, farmers in Burkina Faso have proved to respond to the food security problem. They have been nurturing trees in their fields using more inputs such as manure and constructing soil erosion barriers. This has helped to conserve soil and maintain its quality in their farms. Due to uncertain rainfall, farmers have been forced to adopt sequential decision method in order to control the risks associated with dry seasons. This approach involves the survey of season cycles and coming up with decisions on production strategies which are dynamic to reduce chances of loss. In reality, the farmers in Burkina Faso have now come up come up with decisions on sowing, re-sowing and timing of weeding including cultivating variety of crops – all which have helped to diversify risks.

Nonetheless, some of these efforts have been unsuccessful. As indicated by Wiebe (2003, p 283), this is mainly because the projects have been structured along certain sectors. More emphasis has been put on large-scale production. The government may have overestimated the benefit associated with large-scale production and underestimated the negative consequences. At the same time, people in the grassroots have not been very supportive of the implementation of these projects. Another reason for the poor performance is managerial weaknesses of existing institutions (Wiebe, 2003, p. 283). Even with adoption of soil conservation practices the prime objective of increasing agricultural output has not been met. This is because other than soil conservation, other factors which affect output and profitability in the farm have not been looked at. Such factors include a) the nature, rate and severity of soil damage; b) the consequent effects on productivity; c) the extent to which fertilizers and manures can substitute for soil damage; d) the relative riskiness of production with or without conservation; and e) the degree of interference of conservation measures to the cultivation practices. The way to achieve progress in this area is through extending educating to the farmers (Wiebe, 2003, p. 283).

It has also been found out that institutions and individuals that advise the country and other African governments assume that western approaches of farming are better than African traditional ways (Wood & Rydén, 1992, p. 67). This is a costly mistake and may not be better. For example, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) persuaded farmers in Burkina Faso and other Sahel regions to grow potatoes. Unfortunately, this crop was not popular among the people and thus lacked market. As a result, the whole produce was left to rot. Reliance on foreign aid has been quite unpredictable and unreliable. The main weakness with this assistance is that it is largely dependent on the donor’s perception. This means that high profile and politically interesting emergencies may be funded while others may be ignored. In addition, it has been suggested that the reliance on foreign aid and availability of cheaper food in the international market has a negative impact on levels of investment and support to agriculture in the country.

Conclusion

In summation, there is a clear and strong link between climate change and food security. Burkina Faso is one of the developing countries, and a great area of its land falls under the Sahel region of Africa. Consequently, a great part of the country experiences desert climate which poses the danger of food insecurity. Apart from that, some of the other factors that have influenced food security problem are poor distribution of country’s wealth, over-reliance on imports, poor infrastructure, high population growth rate and poor storage and processing facilities among others. As a result, the government of Burkina Faso has to come up with policy measures to address the optimal ways for dealing with the factors leading to the food security problem both in the short run and in the long run. These policy measures are trade, consumer and producer oriented. Farmers have also devised their own ways to cope with the challenge. However, the country faces a lot of challenges in an attempt to deal with the factors that lead to the problem of food insecurity. Weak management systems of existing institutions, lack of adequate education concerning agricultural practices such as soil conservation, unreliability and unpredictability of foreign aid assistance and selective support of large scale sectors among others. As it has been discussed, the government is incapable of tackling the problem of food security alone. It has to encourage participation of the people that benefit from the efforts. This implies that the people expected to reap from the efforts have to be involved in the formulation and of development policies.

References

Carvedish, M. (2001) Peoples of Africa: Burkina Faso-Comoros, Marshall Cavendish, N.Y.

Dry Lands Programme (1998) Issue paper, No. 75, IIED, London

Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) (2009) Country responses to the to the food security crises, Government of Spain

International Monetary Fund (2007) Burkina Faso: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, Washington DC, USA

Melito, T. (2009) International Food Assistance, Diane Publishing, Washington DC,

Thomson, A. M., Metz, M. & Food and Agriculture Organisation (1997), Implications of Economic Policy for Food Security: A Training Manual (vol. 40), Food & Agriculture Organisation, Rome

Ukaga, O. & Afoaku, O. G. (2005) Sustainable development in Africa: a multifaceted challenge, Africa World Press, Asmara

Wiebe, K. D. (2003), Land quality, agricultural productivity, and food security: biophysical processes and economic choices at local, regional, and global levels, Edward Elgar Publishing, Massachusetts

Wood A. P. & Rydén, P. (1992) The IUCN Sahel Studies 1991, IUCN Publisher, Cambridge



Food Service at ERAU

Student Name:

University:

Subject:

Instructor:

October 24th, 2013.

Table of Contents

Content……………………………………………………………………………………..…Page

1.0 Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………..3

2.0 Introduction……………..……….……………….……………………………………….4

3.0 Methodologies……………………………………………….……………………………4

3.1 Primary Sources…..………………………………………………………………………4

3.2 Secondary Sources……..…………………………………………………………………5

4.0 Limitation………………………………………………………………………………..5

5.0 Results….….………………………………………………………………………..……5

6.0 Analysis of Study Findings……………………………………………………………….8

7.0 Conclusion…………..……………………………………………………………………10

8.0 Recommendations……………………………………………………………………….11

9.0 References……………………………………………………………………………….12

10.0 Appendix……………………………………………………………………………….12

Table of Figures

Figure 1: Breakdown of study responses by category………………………………………6

Figure 2: Responses concerning request for more variety………………………………….6

Figure 3: Responses Categorization Concerning Service Quality………………………….7

Figure 4: Responses Concerning Healthier Foods………………………………………….7

Report on the investigation of Food Services at ERAU

1.0 Abstract

This report offers an analysis of the opinion of students concerning meal services at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), along with some recommendations for improving those meal programs. Data collection method comprises survey of 6 multiple-choice questions, and was carried out on a website known as HYPERLINK “http://www.surveymonkey.com/”www.surveymonkey.com opinion of the ERAU campus students’ meal programs.

In the survey, 32 participants responded to asked question: “What would you prefer see changed concerning the food on the University? At no given time in the course of the study did the current main meal service provider alluded to or mentioned. This question was chosen because of its open-ended design, which minimized the effect of leading questions. The survey responses were summarized into six main themes as follows.

Quality of service

Cost

The dietary needs access inability

Quality and access to healthy meals

Meal variety

Diverse meal requests

The study established that 97% of the ERAU students’ fraternity is unsatisfied with the present meal service, 2.5% did not comment, while 0.5% gave positive comments. The cost of meal, access to healthy quality meals and meal variety were the three major concerns. A look at ERAU’s peer institutions reveal that they have devised solutions to these common concerns to develop meal programs, which cater for the student’s needs. The report also includes some recommendations for meal program improvements at ERAU, with the ultimate objective of developing meal services that satisfy the student’s needs and enhance campus-wide satisfaction. The recommendations have been crafted from wide study of literatures from articles and journals as well as consultation with food professionals.

2.0 Introduction

As an on-campus student, acquiring a meal program has become a conformist trend. Initially, meal programs developed by the institutions were considered to be valuable and a noble approach of saving cash on meal expenses. At ERAU, the meal program is composed of two components- dinning dollars and base cost. The base cost caters for all the non food expenses for running the meal services, for example the utilities, maintenance, supplies and labor and on the other hand, the dinning dollars are utilized to make purchases within the on-campus meal program facilities. All the items on the menu have a cash price, which comprises both the operations’ base cost and food costs. Due to the fact the meal program members must pay for the operations’ base cost in up front, the meal purchases are discounted, and for commodities i.e. prepackaged vender items they do not get any discount. Purchases for meal items made within the ERAU coffee shops using the food program get some small discount as well, but the convenience store purchases are not entitled for any discount (ERAU, 2013).

This report aims to offers an analysis of the opinion of students regarding meal programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), along with some recommendations for improving those meal programs.

3.0 Methodologies

3.1 Primary Source

The online survey, which serves as my primary source, was carried out over duration of one week. Students were asked “what would you wish be changed concerning meal on campus?” The online survey question made no reference to ERAU’s present main meal service provider Sodexo or any other meal service provider within the campus. The survey question was chosen because of the nature of it open-endedness, and also to minimize any bias on the current meal providers. Although the nature of this open ended question is difficult for analysis of data, it reduced the effect of a leading question and harnessed the ingenuity of data development. The responses were divided into eight themed common groups that were broken down further into subgroups to refine the data further. Appendix 1 shows responses on this these categories as well as their subcategories.

3.2 Secondary Sources

To support my primary sources and theories, using key words I utilized Google search and found two articles, which offer valuable information campus meal programs. The article I chosen include:

About Diversity Food Service by Diversity Food Services which talks about the impact of meals served on colleges and universities to student health.

An article written by Kitchen Standards, which explores the barriers and limitations for present on-campus catering organizations.

4.0 Limitations

Since this research survey is meant to collect information or data within a single point in time, (in summer semester) it would be cumbersome to assess the changes in students’ population unless I conduct two or more research surveys at various points in time. This kind of survey repetition would be time consuming and expensive.

5.0 Results

The study survey has a total of 32 participants (n=32). The survey data was subdivided into eight categories. Chart 1 shows the results of that breakdown.

Chart 1 showing the breakdown of study responses by category.

Category Breakdown

In every category there was a chance for more breakdowns of the data that could be utilized to create a wider understanding of the students’ concerns. This further sub-categorization was carried out on the three major response categories, for example higher service quality, healthier foods and more variety. The results of these sub-categorizations are illustrated in chart two, three and four.

Chart 2: Responses concerning request for more variety

On responses concerning request for more meal variety, 11% indicated that those options were beyond sodexo, 55% wanted to see more diverse list of ingredients and 34% indicated they wanted to see more diverse meal choices.

Chart 3: Responses Categorization Concerning Service Quality

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This charts shows categorization regarding meal quality, whereby 41% of the respondents indicated that food quality needs changed, 2% suggested that meal spaces need improved, 23% said that service quality should be sedexo specific, 19% indicated that meal hours be changed, 9% wanted staffing changed and 6% wanted meal plans changed.

Chart 4: Responses Concerning Healthier Foods

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In the above chart responses concerning healthier foods, 23% of the respondents indicated that they concerned about the impact of meals on health and food quality, 22% suggested that healthy meals are too expensive, 36% asked for nutritional information and 19% indicated adeqaute healthy foods.

6.0 Analysis of the Study Findings

Within the current meal program, students have limited choices concerning who provides the meal they eat in campus. All the on-campus dinining areas and other small meal service outlets within the campus are managed by Sodexo with no competition. The inability to access a diverse meal menu in ERAU is the single larget issue from the survey findings, 33% of the respondents asked for more choices in the meals served. Among the respondents asking for more diverse menu, (18.2%) gave different requests concerning changes to the menu that the results imply that no single meal provider is capable of satisfying all the dining needs within the campus.

The study findings show that one of the biggest issues with the present meal program at ERAU is lack of diversity and variety in food provided. It is then apparent that the diverse food needs within the campus cannot be achieved by one exclusive meal provider. ERAU can begin to address the issues raised by 33% of the respondents through allowing students to use their monies on a variety of meal service shops or outlets.

In the study, 36% of the respondents who indicated health as their main issue responded by asking nutritional information. Presently, about 40% of the Sedoxo menu has nutritional information accessible online (considering that in the course of summer and spring semesters have 0 percent nutritional information online). According to Diversity Food Services (2013), it is important for students to have information regarding ingredients and nutrition concerning meals so as to make informed dietary, healthy choices.

The ERAU community is composed of a diversity of persons with a diverse needs of dietary restrictions and needs. Every person at ERAU should be in a position to access foods that satisfy their dietary needs and which are nutritionally adequate and fully balanced. Nonetheless, a third of the survey participants (33%) cited that such foods are not available for them. The survey findings suggested that the present meal services offer inadequacy of complete, balance food choices for students who are vegan, vegetarian, have food allergies or medical food restrictions and or require Halal meals. In a nut shell, the meal provided within the ERAU is short of satisfying the ERAU’s diverse community needs and the alternative options are often nutritionally lacking and inadequate.

As you would have thought, students are the main population served by the on-campus meal providers. On-campus meal program alone record approximately $3.5 million of the revenues collected by Sodexo every academic year. Hence, students should have their rights catered for by the University meal contract. ERAU Students Association regard culturally sensitive, nutritional, sustainable and diverse food options are rights. In addition students should have proper grounds, through which these rights can be advocated if one feels that meal service provider has dishonored their rights. The existing ERAU Charter of Students Responsibilities and Rights, a document that should regulate and govern meal services fails to address this matter.

To 5 percent of the survey participants, having a more sustainable local meal options is their main issue. ERAU Student Association acknowledges that what is not or what is considered to be local could be confusing. It is therefore important to establish a local procurement guideline specific to ERAU and its community. I feel that the University and ERAU Students Association have stake in establishing ERAU-specific regulations, as viability and availability of local procurement is majorly reliant of the locale. Beside, with a guideline specific to ERAU with can uphold the university ideals as a sustainable institution and assert our support and commitment to the locals and minimize our ecological footprint as well (Heller, 2010).

Within the present meal contract, nearly all catering within the campus has to be done by Sedoxo. This arrangement is seriously limiting since it does not allow establishments on university the autonomy to seek for food services, which best meet their needs. It has been proven in the past that Sedoxo meal services are inadequate to fulfill the specific demands of a group. ERAU (2013), states that the latest example of Sedoxo’s failure to meet the demands of a specific catering function is the contract violated at the 25th Annual Indigenous Gathering. In the course of this meeting, Sedoxo was contracted to offer cultural appropriate meals, however they failed to provide on the particular contract by failing or sheer refusal to offer food specific for that gathering. The ERAU Students Associations has a feeling that all food service contracts within the campus ought to be available for event-by-event and on open-tender basis. The primary meal provider has the right to for this tendering, however the student run enterprises and local catering businesses should be accorded an equitable opportunity while receiving meal contracts.

Presently, ERAU runs classes staring at 8.00 AM. But there is no meal services outlets operating within the campus before this time, implying that students who stay in residence do not have the opportunity to have meals prior to classes. Students should have meals before classes as this is important for their well being. Moreover, 19% of the respondents citing dissatisfaction with the meal service indicated operation hours as their main concern. Within the status quo, there is no even one location, which is frequently or accurately updated, for the meal provider to communicate with the students. This results to confusion or poor communication regarding meal service concerns, comprising changes of nutritional information, change of operation hours as well as allergen information (Kitchen Standards, 2012).

The study established that 18% of the campus fraternity is concerned about the effect of the meal on their health. More often, students have numerous health needs and these are not catered for by the meal service on the university. In addition, most of the meals served are highly saturated in sugar, sodium, cholesterol and fats among other substances, which might have negative effect on the health of the students. Nonetheless, this study alone is not adequate in scope to tackle the effects on meals served at ERAU on health. Hence, I recommend a thorough investigation into the effects on meals served at ERAU to health to be carried out.

All in all, of the positive remarks obtained from the survey, Sodexo staff was praised for their professional, prompt and friendly service. Although I am seeking to transform meal services at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, this should not result at a cost of the present unionized employees losing their jobs.

7.0 Conclusion

The findings of the survey indicate that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University community is fundamentally dissatisfied with the meal service status quo. The issues are varied; however the very conclusive finding of this research is that Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students want to see change or transformation in meal services at the campus.

I suggest that the below recommendations can methodically address the various issues found through the survey and data analysis. These recommendations have been chosen to improve satisfaction with any meal service provider contracted to offer meal services on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

8.0 Recommendations:

An investigation should be carried out on to the effects on meals provided on the university.

A centralized location should be developed for post meal-associated information.

Make sure that whenever lectures are being conducted, students have the opportunity to take meal within the campus both after and prior to their lectures.

Transform the present monopoly for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University meal program to a process of open tender.

The meal program providers should make sure that all visitors, staff, faculty and students have access to complete nutritional meals irrespective of their dietary constraints.

There should be more flexibility on “flex dollars” through allowing students to utilize the flex dollars within various meal services outlets on the campus.

9.0 References

“About Diversity Food Services.” Diversity Food Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 October 2013.

<http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/food-services-overview>.

“Kitchen Standards.” Diversity Food Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 July 2012.

<http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/food-services-standards>.

erau.edu. (2013). Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. [online] Available at <http://www.erau.edu/campuses/daytona.html> [Last accessed: 22nd October, 2013]

Heller, S. (2010). Paying for College: Is that Meal Plan Worth it? [online] Available at <HYPERLINK “http://www.examiner.com/article/paying-for-college-is-that-meal-plan-worth-it”http://www.examiner.com/article/paying-for-college-is-that-meal-plan-worth-it> [Last accessed: 21st October, 2013]

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. ERAU University Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities. N.p.: n.p., n.d.<hHttp://www.erau.edu/studentaffairs/scrr/overview.php. Web>.

Appendix

For any firm Contribution of shareholder can’t be put aside, as they take biggest risks than any other group of people by providing fundamental and basic inputs in building and running of any firm. But only increasing shareholder value will be a myopic idea as the incremental value may come at the cost of the other entities.

For example avoiding environmental regulations might give shareholders better return by the way of increased profits. Similarly just to enhance production labor laws can’t be neglected. But these practices can’t be blindly supported by other stakeholders like society and Government. Instead of shareholders, taking stakeholders interests in to the strategy perspective will give us better results. The stakeholder group consists of not only shareholders but also all people directly and indirectly getting affected by the firm’s operations e.g. Buyers, partners, consumers, dealers, vendors, labor, society, Government etc.

Taking long term view of stakeholder’s interest will automatically increase shareholders value.

The goal of strategy is to create sustainable competitive advantage. The management of internal operations, though, involves leadership. What’s the target? Is profitability enough? Or is industry position, such as being the industry leader, the best goal?

ANS-

Target may be explained as certain desirable or wanted number for measurable outcomes. Making target and aspiring to achieve the same increases our focus on the task undertaken.

Profitability is one of the most basis goal without which any business can’t sustain. Sometime profitability is compromised for gaining market share or for maintaining the leadership status. This is especially true for any new venture or for a new product or service line, as the company in question has to win customer’s trust and establish its name in the market. This strategy often helps in demotivating oppositions or for acting as barrier for the new entrants.

But the trade-off between profitability and industry position has time frame attached to it, meaning that without maintain profit a company can’t afford to last for long time. Sooner or later lenders, investors or shareholders will start asking for better returns and then company will be compelled to compromise on its industry status.

So, we can say that the company has to maintain a fine balance between these two.

The goal of strategy is to create sustainable competitive advantage. The management of internal operations, though, involves leadership. What do managers do? What is the goal of management?

Ans-

Managers basically manage the resources for the fulfillment of the company goal in accordance with the set procedures and norms. They act as the main accountable entity for the operation and for achievement of the set target of any company.

The resources are always limited and there proper conversion for the profitability of any company is required. In this activity a manger performs the job of scheduling and planning the activity for achievement of the goal. They have to take care of interest of every group of stakeholders.

The goal of management involves devising best possible way to channelize the valuable resources like capital, HR, machinery and equipments and supply channel to extract profitable proposition to all stakeholders. In this endeavor they are ably supported by the Board of directors and shareholders. By their technical and human skill management team has to plan and it is primarily directly responsible for the long term and short term sustainability.

For question one I will use labor racialization; 1.human capital theory.

2. Efficiency wage theory.

3. Market segmentation

For question two I will use the last bit, ‘distribution by regional type: 1. Metropolis

2. River basin

3. Market organization