An Analysis of Gender and Performance Essay

The most important issue that was tackled in the Good Body of Eve Ensler was society’s definition of an ideal woman figure. The image of a perfect woman, as depicted by the prevalent norms, in the society should be explored because this issue largely affects how women are treated. To some extent, such subject also affects the overall importance of women based on the societal roles they assume. To be specific, the play touched on the concepts of fatness, sexiness, beauty, perfection, and femininity. As shown in the story, beauty was confined to the image of models and Hollywood stars shown in magazines and posters. An ideal woman is a woman possessing a sexy body – particularly a flat stomach. The world of the perfect feminine creature was inclusive to women who are sexy or slim. Anyone who did not possess such characteristic was dismissed as a bad, dirty, or foul creature. Moreover, fat girls suffered from discrimination, intolerance, and sometimes, even violence. Some people even regard them as less of a woman – as if the fat girls belonged to an entirely different gender on their own. Their physical appearance was the basis of their social roles, rights, privileges, and opportunities. In â€Å"the Good Body†, gender was shown as a societal concept which is defined on the basis of the prevalent ideas in the society. Being in a certain gender equates to the â€Å"responsibility† of possessing the gender qualities or rather – the â€Å"gender requirements†. In the case of being a woman, one should possess beauty and sexiness in order to be labeled as â€Å"feminine†. What’s worse about this concept of gender and femininity is the fact that women themselves are willing participants of prejudice in the society. While men prompt women to adhere to the society’s gender requirements, women also force themselves to fit the definitions of beauty and perfection. Women who are suffering from the unfair treatments posed by being fat sometimes thought that they really deserved the discrimination and violence. Most of these victims even hated themselves for being what they are instead of accepting their entirety and loving their body. As a result, their response to discriminations was not of defense – it is a passive acceptance of what was supposedly wrong. Instead of fighting for what they have, most women fought for what they wanted to have. Women who wanted to fit in a society that was molded by commercialism starved themselves through various slimming regimens. Through the various cosmetic surgeries available these days, many women subject themselves to mutilation. What’s surprising is that this concept of femininity, beauty, and perfection is observed now, at a time when people thought that many societies are practicing equality for all genders – even lesbians, gays, and transsexuals. In this contemporary setting when almost everyone thinks that women enjoy the same rights and privileges as men, many girls unknowingly submit themselves to inequality. As shown in the performance, women were defined and treated according to how they look and how well they fit into the society’s popular idea of an ideal woman. It seems that gender was now a tool for inequality and majority of the world’s population cannot recognize this discrimination propelled by commercialism.

My Personal Ethics and What They Mean to Me Essay

Everyone has their own personal ethics, for me this means being honest to my self in everything I do. I use my personal ethics to help in making choices that affect every aspect of my life. Personal ethics for me mean that I choose to be who I am and don’t let others effect the way I think or behave. Ethics are what makes us who we are and how we react to situations. In school it is important to have personal ethics, this helps us to be honest, uphold the academic integrity, and be able to follow the rules that are set for us. When at work, home or while dealing with others your personal ethics come into play. People don’t even realize that they use these every day to make choices that will affect them. I always think before I say something and how it will affect the other person. There are some who do not do this however, and for them their personal ethics are different. I find it hard to understand those who do not have the same kind of personal ethics as myself. I know the reason why others do not think as I do, but it is hard to understand when someone is mean or dishonest and thinks nothing of it. I have always tried to be an honest and caring person. I take care of others and I am responsible for a lot of their personal items. I have to deal with small amounts of their money, cell phones, clothing, and jewelry every day. Without my ethics I would think nothing of taking things that didn’t belong to me. I know that I have had coworkers who have done this and I hate that it happened. They of course are no longer working here. It amazes me that people have bad personal ethics that they can even think about doing something to someone who has been placed in their care. I will as long as I live use my personal ethics to make me a better person to all I come in contact with.

Organisational Development Assignment

I POL POYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET ————————————————- HP-GSB STAMP Assignments must be submitted in hard copy to:- The Secretary HP-GSB Reception Tel 061 207-2850 Date Received: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Time Received: †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. ————————————————- I declare that this assignment is our own work. I further declare that where material has been used from other sources, whether by paraphrasing or by direct quotation, it has been fully acknowledged and referenced.I have retained a copy of this assignment for my records. ————————————————- Student’s Signature†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã ¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ (Signed below) †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Date: 28 September 2012 SURNAME &| Mr. Anton Scheun | †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ | FIRST NAME:| | | STUDENT NUMBER:| | | COURSE TITLE:| Masters in Leadership and Change Management| | MODULE TITLE| ODOrganisational Development| | MODULE FACILITATOR:| Dr. S. Pillay| | ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE:| 10 October 2012| | This is to certify that the assignment is the work of the student, Mr A. Scheun and where sources were consulted; reference was made to them under he reference table. ii Mr. ANTON SCHEUN 9328548 ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSIGNMENT iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Learning Organisation A Learning Organisation is organisations or enterprises that continuously needs to learn and renew themselves. This indeed has many advantages for both the individual and organisation in that continuous transferring of knowledge and changing of behaviours takes place. The best way to implement such intervention, to become a learning or ganisation, is to link it to the Strategic, Tactical, Operational and Individual Plans of staff members in the organisation.This will ensure integration and everyone contributing to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the enterprise. By so doing, members and the organisation become learning organisations, because this create dialogue, debate, problem solving skills, communication, buy-in and a win-win combination to all parties. 2. Performance Management System The purpose of Performance Management systems for organisations is to measure the achievement and performance of both individuals and the organisation as a whole. The PSN has already implemented a PMS at Offices, Ministries, Agencies and Regional Councils.A Performance Management System can only â€Å"survive† if all staff members are committed, trained and have the culture to effectively implement such a system. The advantages are enormous of which individual as well as organisational goals are met at the e nd of the day. The effective implementation of a PMS for the OPM will indeed contribute to effective and efficient customer needs and satisfaction levels. 3. Total Quality Management Total Quality Management is an area which has been neglected in the past by the Public Service of Namibia (PSN).As an example, all secretaries, institutional workers, drivers and courier’s individual performance plans are integrated and aligned to the Strategic Plan of the OPM for the support and attainment of corporate functions. 2. 2. 4 Team Learning; Team learning involves relevant thinking skills that enable groups of people to develop intelligence and an ability that is greater than the sum of individual members’ talents. As an example, team meetings are conducted during Annual Management Strategic formulation and development sessions by all team unit members.This indeed creates team learning, because all ideas, inputs and strategies being formulated are considered and the best are in corporated in respective plans. By so doing, all team members are buy-in and all sub-units contribute to the achievement of the overall goal and objectives of the OPM. 2. 2. 5 Systems Thinking: Systems thinking involve a way of thinking about, and a language for describing and understanding forces and interrelationships that shape the behaviour of systems.It helps managers and employees alike to see how to change systems more effectively and to act more in tune with the larger processes of the natural and economic world. For example, all unit members of the OPM were involved with the formulation and /or review of their business re-engineering processes. These business processes, such as the recruitment process, were amended to consider and improve time, manpower needs, costs and approval authorities in order to improve, integrate and streamline such processes to the betterment of the OPM.Through this process, policies, structure and budgets were identified for further amendment and alignment to the organisations systems and strategic plans. System thinking also involves the identification of appropriate systems that should be upgraded, such as an appropriate Human Resources Information Management System in order to accommodate personal particulars, performance appraisals, rewards and salary increments to mention a few. 4 3. The under-mentioned interventions are recommended for the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM): 3. That the OPM’s Strategic Plan be amended to incorporate a goal: â€Å"Creating a Learning Organisation by 2015†, and objectives with strategies or initiatives, as spelled out below, be included. 3. 2 That the following strategies/interventions be considered: (a) That all management cadre and managers/supervisors be included in the review of the Annual Management Plan of the OPM on a yearly basis. This will allow for buy-in, developing of intellectual stimulating, argumentation and strategy formulatio n for the respective tactical, operational and individual plans of the units. b) That the same team retreat to review, amend and/or formulate all business re-engineering processes of the OPM. This will allow for team building, building a sense of commitment system thinking and creating mental models based on reflecting of where the units are and where they want to be in terms of business processes. (c) That a Training needs assessment be conducted by the training components in order to identify competency, skills and behavioural deficiencies. This will enable the OPM to identify and ectify these deficiencies and also to build capacity in the OPM and Public Service of Namibia. (PSN) (d) That staff members be identified and trained as mentors and coaches to affect mentorship programmes in the OPM and to become coaches in their respective units. This will enable transfer of knowledge, skills and change in behaviours of staff. Further that mentors and coaching will contribute to persona l mastery of individual needs and objectives with OPM’s objectives. e) That units should developed in-service –training programmes in areas of identified deficiencies, such as policy formulation, disciplinary procedures, recruitment and placement, etc. This will contribute to capacity building and attention to day-to-day deficiencies in the work place. It will allow for cross cultural and unit team building and problem solving issues. (f) That the training budget be utilised to accommodate for short courses and leadership/ management development for individuals, teams and the broader organisation.This will indeed contribute a link between individual and organisational goal achievement, capacity building, inputs, innovation and team learning. (g) That as part of career development, managers be transferred, every five years to new posts. Further, that job rotation and job enlargement is implemented in job descriptions to stretch the work and employee capacities for devel opment of prospective staff members to higher posts as part of the succession plan of the OPM. 5 (h) That a Bursary Scheme be created to allow staff members to study in identified fields where capacity is needed in the OPM.This will assist the OPM in skills shortages and to develop capacity of staff and the organisation. (i) That focus groups, tasks teams and committees be created as a stimulus for ideas, problem solving, creating of new innovations in the fields of disaster management, employment creation and measures to retention staff members at the OPM. (j) That a more generative learning approach be adopted by the OPM, whereby staff has the opportunity to take risks, make mistakes, reflect on their decisions they had taken and change their behaviours accordingly. 3. 3. Conclusion:The OPM, as well as any organisation are facing constant challenges in the creation of themselves to become a learning organisation. The creation of a learning organisation is not a short term strategy and cannot be done overnight, but should rather be long-termed focused and be part of any strategic plan of a given enterprise. In its guest to become a learning organisation, the Public Service of Namibia and the OPM are facing the problem to be used as a springboard to obtain relevant experience and qualifications, where after staff members resign to look for greener pastures.The organisational interventions that were recommended will definitely assist the OPM to become a more effective learning organisation in the near future. 1. 2 Performance Management 1. 2. 1 The following definitions are postulated: (a) Performance management is the process of creating a work environment or setting in which people are enabled to perform to the best of their abilities. Performance management is a whole work system that begins when a job is defined as needed. It ends when an employee leaves your organization†. (www. humanresources. about. com ,cited 6/10/2012) b) Performance means:† the act or process of performing or carrying out†. (Oxford Dictionary, page 885) (c) â€Å"An assessment of an employee, process, equipment or other factor to gauge progress toward predetermined goals† (www. businessdictionary. com,cited 6/10/2012) (d) The students own definition is: â€Å"Performance management is a management system, used by managers, to appraise employees with relation to goal achievement, corrective measures to be implemented and identifying future knowledge, skills and behaviours to improve performance of people†. 6 1. 2. What are the challenges with regard to a Performance Management System (PMS)? The challenges are: (a) Line managers are not always totally committed to the implementation processes of the PMS. (b) It requires total commitment from top management, management cadres, line managers, supervisors, performance champions and staff members. (c) It requires a mind shift to a new performance culture. (d) It is an integrated approac h that links to Directives, Rules, and Regulations.(e) It identifies and needs coaching, mentoring, training and in-service training programmes. f) It provides for an integrated budget approach. (g) Performance champions and drivers should be identified and trained. (h) PMDS Moderating Committees should be established to monitor, evaluate and provide corrective actions. (i) It is time consuming to conduct performance appraisals and keep records of performance and behaviours of employees. (j) It should be benchmark with other organisations to effect total quality management and to keep abreast with latest developments and performance management computerized systems. 1. 2. What are the benefits of a Performance Management System? The benefits are: (a) To generate information that supports other human resources activities, i. e. recruitment and selection, rewards and special treatment, disciplinary and grievances,HIV/AIDS and wellbeing, bursary, training and development to mention a fe w. (b) It serves as a two way communication channel between line managers and staff members through which clarity is obtained regarding the achievement of goals and objectives and what each party expects from the other. 7 c) It helps to clarify job descriptions, organisational goals and objectives. (d) It is a long term (continuous) process in which performance improves over time. (e) It relies on consensus and cooperation between employer and employee, rather than control or coercion. (f) It requires a management style which is open and honest and encourages two-way communication and constant feedback on level of staff members’ performances. (g) It assists managers and staff members to measure and assess performance against jointly agreed objectives, standards and key performance indicators. h) It contributes to organisational learning, organisational renewal and total quality management and to the achievement of Vision 2030 of Namibia. 1. 2. 4 The under-mentioned interventi ons are recommended for the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the OPM: (a) The PSN should establish and operationalized a PMS, based on the Balance Score card approach of Dr’s Kaplan and Norton. To do this, a PMS Policy framework and guiding manual for staff members should be compiled and linked to the Public Service Act, Act No. 13 of 1995.(b) In order to roll-out the PMS, the following sub-interventions are needed: 1) Strategic Plans need to be developed and explained to all staff members in order to get buy-in and change mind sets of public servants. (2) Strategic Plans should be cascaded to tactical, operational and group/individual performance plans and performance contracts to legalise and create accountability for the achievement or non- achievement of organisational goals, objectives and activities. (3) Strategic Plans should be supplemented by structural changes, job analysis, manpower planning to effectively integrate PMS with other main and sub-systems of the PSN. 4) The PMS should be market through a vision, mission, values, communication and training strategy. To this performance champions should be identified, trained and use to train –the –trainer in Offices, Ministries, Agencies and Regional Councils (OMARC’s). Training interventions should be develop to train ministers, permanent secretaries and management cadres to obtain buy-in and commitment. (5) Different committees should be established to oversee the implementation, monitoring, evaluation, corrective action, appeal procedures and reward systems of the PSN.To this, a PMS Management Committee, a PMS Working Committee and a PMS Training and Champion Committee should be established to effect implementation with terms of references. 8 (6) In order for PMS to be effectively and efficiently implemented, it should be rolled-out as a project. To this J. P. Kotter’s Eight- Step model is recommended to implement the PMS as a change management initiative. (Robbins & Judge, 2011). Refer to Appendix: A- a presentation which was given by Group 2. (c) Performance Agreements or Packs should be compiled and sign-off between the supervisors and staff member. d) Job profiles or descriptions should be compiled and attached to performance agreements. These two elements display the incumbent position to what is required, whereby the performance agreement emphasized the goals and objectives that need to be achieved by the individual or group. (e) The Disciplinary Policy should be amended to cater for under performers and staff who fail to perform at all. (f) Rewards, both intrinsic and extrinsic should form part of the PMS Policy framework. (g) The appraisal procedure, assessment marks and template to enter performance data should form part of the PMS Operational Manual. h) Recognition to staff should be given, annually, on the 23 June of each year, to coincide with the celebration of Africa Public Service Day. (i) A budget vote should be given to OMARCâ⠂¬â„¢s to cater for financial expenses. (j) The appraisal of staff should be conducted on a quarterly basis. (k) OMARC’s should submit a performance report to the OPM on an annual basis as part of their Annual Report on their respective performances. 1. 2. 5. Conclusion: It is the opinion of the student that the OPM and any organisation should have a PMS system to track performances of people against those objectives in their performance contracts.The PMS system will not only contribute to performance per se, but will encourage open communication, feedback, problem solving issues which inter alia contribute to organisational learning and a system of total quality management. The effective implementation of a PMS for the OPM will indeed contribute to effective and efficient customer needs and satisfaction levels. 9 3. Total Quality Management 3. 1 Introduction: Total Quality Management (TQM) has started in the USA in the mid-1970’s. Philip Crosby, one of the founders of TQM claimed that over 90% of TQM initiatives failed.Studies in European countries found a failure rate of 70% or more. The reason for this is that managers experience problems how to manage the change process in implementing a total TQM system. (Burnes, 2009). TQM exceeds the product quality approach, involves all employees in the organisation and encompasses all functions, i. e. administration, communications, distribution, manufacturing, marketing, planning, training, etc. (www. businessdictionary. com ,cited 2012) 3. 2 The following definitions are postulated: a) TQM can be defined: â€Å"as an executive commitment to a management culture which fosters the improvement of quality of all activities and products via the prioritisation of quality plus companywide organisational development and training†. (Hill, 2011). (b) â€Å"Total Quality Management or TQM is an integrative philosophy of management for continuously improving the quality of products and processes†. ( www. wikipedia. com ,cited 2012) (c) â€Å"TQM is an improvement program which provides tools and techniques for continuous improvement based on facts and analysis; and if properly implemented, it avoids counterproductive organisational infighting†. www. acounting4management. com/total _quality management. htm, 2012). 3. 3 The meaning of Total QualityManagement: TQM has different meanings that include the following features: (a) The commitment and direct involvement of the highest-level executives in setting quality goals and policies, allocation of resources, and monitoring of results. (b) Realisation that transforming and organisation means fundamental changes in basic beliefs and practises and that this transformation is everyone’s job. (c) Building quality into products and practices right from the beginning. d) Understanding of the changing needs of the internal and external customers, stakeholders, and satisfying them in a cost effective manner. 10 (e) Institutin g leadership in place of mere supervision so that every individual performs in the best possible manner to improve quality and productivity, thereby reducing total cost. (f) Eliminating barriers between people and departments so that they work as teams to achieve common objectives. (g) Instituting flexible programs for training and education, and providing meaningful 3. 4 The advantages and disadvantages of Total Quality Management: .4. 1 The advantages are: (a) Lower costs. â€Å"TQM lower costs throughout the business infrastructure and organisation. Because it is an all-encompassing quality management programme, TQM helps different departments to communicate their needs, problems and desires with each other, so that workable solutions can be found that will help the organisation cut costs throughout the supply chain, distribution chain, shipping and receiving, accounting and management departments without losing productivity or the ability to operate rapidly in the face of chang e. (www. ehow. com ,cited 7/10/2012) (b) Improved Reputation. â€Å"TQM has the advantage of improving corporate as well as product reputations in the marketplace, because errors and defective products are discovered much more rapidly than other a non-TQM system, and often before they are ever sent to market or found in the hands of public†. (www. ehow. com ,cited 7/10/2012) (c) Higher employee morale. â€Å"Workers are motivated by extra responsibility, team work and involvement in decisions of TQM†. (www. ehow. om ,cited 7/10/2012) (d) Quality control inspectors. â€Å"Inspectors will ensure that the products and services meet the requirements and standards of the client and organisation, which indeed contribute to better service delivery†. 3. 4. 2 The disadvantages are: (a) Resistance to change. † Workers may feel that their jobs or occupations within the company are at risks under a comprehensive TQM program, and as a result, they may be slow or resist ant to making the necessary changes for the TQM to work properly.In addition, skilled workers may be lost as they decide to leave because of their unease at the direction that things are headed within the company, or they may not implement things properly, costing increase cost†. (www. ehow. com ,cited 7/10/2012) 11 (b) High cost of time. The high cost of implementing a TQM program, and the fact that it may take several years for the program to be fully implemented before results and benefits are seen, can be a huge disadvantage to a TQM program, especially in today’s uncertain economic conditions.TQM should be considered a long-term investment†. (www. ehow. com ,cited 7/10/2012) (c) Resistant to change. Workers may be resistant to change and may feel less secure in their jobs†. (www. ehow. com ,cited 7/10/2012) 3. 5 The under-mentioned interventions are recommended for the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the OPM: The Total Quality Management System is highly re commended for the Public Service due to the following reasons: (a) The PSN needs an instrument which can measure products (i. e. annual reports, speeches, etc. and services(i. e. Health, identity cards, Namibian passports, birth and death certificates, vehicle fleet services, maintenance and fuel consumption, the return on investment of training ) to improve service delivery clients, customers and the public at large. (b) Total Quality Management will ensure the minimisation of wastage. (c) TQM will contribute to effective and efficient service delivery to internal and external clients, and especially to the Presidents Office, Prime Minister, and cabinet. d) TQM will ensure that the food donated to crisis areas, such as Katima Mulilo and Oshikoto Region, during the extreme rainy seasons as well as drought relief programmes, be monitored and/or not get rotten. (e)TQM will contribute to team building and cross functional interaction, problem solving and sound debate between Offices, M inistries, Agencies and Regional Councils (OMASRC’s). (f) It will ensure that product and services could be branded which in turn will have a positive impact on the OMASRC’s and government as a whole. g) It will create stimulus to team work, higher sensitivity levels, greater responsibilities and even empowerment of staff members in the execution of this specific function. It may also make staff members proud to see the end results of product and services in which they were directly involved in. (h) It will force the OPM to set standards and requirements for products and services which will eventually lead to the creation of Namibia’s own government brand, such as the SABS standards. (i) It will create further employment of specialist as inspectors that will not only be utilised for inspection of such products and services, but can also 2 be incorporated in a Department of Inspectorate for the Public Service of Namibia. Such a Department doesn’t exist and need serious consideration. (j) As with resistance to change, it’s recommended that Kotter’s eight step plan be followed, as indicated in Appendix: A. (k) That a vote is created and the Ministry of Finance be assigned to allocated funds for the implementation of TQM in the PSN. (l) That the OPM, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Transport and Communications be used as pilot ministries in the first two years during roll-out of the project. 3. 6.Conclusion: The PSN and the government need a quality software system to evaluate its products and services. There is a public outcry that the PSN and Government should improve customer satisfaction by bringing their services to the public and that they should change. It’s the opinion of the student that TQM, as a management tool will provide for such a measurement in order to provide effective and efficient service delivery to clients, customers and stakeholders. TQM will significantly help to improve the standard and mea surement of performance management in the PSN. . Six Sigma: 4. 1 Introduction: The originator of the Six Sigma concept was Bill Smith in 1986. Quality improvement controls, such as TQM, were used to pioneer this concept. Six Sigma is the process of eliminating and perfect data entry. This concept is based on project methodologies used to strengthen performance levels, according to www. insigma. com. In 2006, Motorola issued a press release stating that they had $17 billion saved from Six Sigma†. (www. ehow. com ,cited 7/10/2012)4. 2 Definition: a) The project definition of TQM is defined as;† Six Sigma projects have clearly defined deliverables, are management approved, are not so big that they’re unmanageable and not so little that they’re unimportant or uninteresting, and relate directly to the organisation,s mission, according to www. isixsigma. com†. (www. ehow. com ,cited 7/10/2012) 13 4. 3 Advantages and disadvantages of six sigma: 4. 3. 1 The a dvantages are: (a) â€Å"The advantage is that Six Sigma is a quality standard that establishes a goal of no more than3. 4 defects per million units or procedures â€Å". b) â€Å"Six Sigma aims to maximize customer satisfaction and minimize defects†. (c) â€Å"Six Sigma is a tool that if used correctly, can identify key areas of business processes that need attention to lower effect rates. One of the greatest advantages is that all the measured improvements achieved through this technique can be directly converted into financial results†. (d) â€Å"Research proves that firms that successfully implement Six Sigma perform better in virtually every business category, including return on sales, return on investment, employment growth and stock value growth†.Source: (www. ehow. com , cited 7/10/2012). 4. 3. 1 The disadvantages are: (a) The eventual costs to implement Six Sigma are very high. To this, Becthel Corporation in the USA has spent USD 30 million to imple ment Six Sigma. (b) According to a quality expert, Joseph M. Duran, Six Sigma is described as â€Å"a basic version of quality improvement† stating that â€Å"there is nothing new there†¦they have adopted more flamboyant terms, like belts with different colors† Source: (Integrating Organisational Development and Six Sigma. Jeffrey, B. ) 4. Recommendations to the Permanent Secretary: (a) Six Sigma should not be implemented in the Public Service of Namibia in the short to medium term, but it should be considered whether the Namibia Defence Force can do research and conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of Six Sigma for the PSN. Research indicated that the United States of America has introduced it in their Navy with success. Source: www. accounting4management. com, 2012). (b) The TQM intervention should be given first priority in OMASRC’s, before Six Sigma is considered in the PSN. c) It is further recommended that financial and manpower be a llocated to conduct such a feasibility study and that the Ministry of Finance release funds and a vote to source this research. 14 (d) The above should be carried out according to project management principles and procedures. (e) The feasibility study should be submitted, after presentation to the Permanent Secretaries meeting on 30 June 2013. During this meeting it can further be recommended whether Six Sigma should be introduced and be roll-out to the PSN. 4. 5 Conclusions:Although Six Sigma is widely used, especially in the USA and Europe, no evidence could be found that Namibia is using it currently. This may be, because it is not cost effective and/or there is not yet a market for it. It is strongly recommended that the NDF, especially the Navy should conduct a research and feasibility study to determine whether it is viable for Namibia and if the Defence Force may benefit in the long run. This report will indicate whether Six Sigma can be roll-out to the rest of the Public Ser vice of Namibia.REFERENCES Burnes, B. Managing Change. Fifth Edition. 2009. Pearson Education Limited. England. Nel, P. S. , Gerber, P. D. , Van Dyk, P. S. , Haasbroek, G. D. , Schultz, H. B. , Sono, T. , Werner, A. Human Resources Management. 5th Edition. 2011. Oxford University Press. Southern Africa. Hill, M. Study material on Managing People and Organisations. July 2011. Windhoek. Robbins, S. P. , & Judge, T. A. A. , Organisational Behavior. Global Edition. 2011. Prentice Hall. New Jersey. www. acounting4management. com/total quality management. htm, Definition and Explanation of the Concept of Total Quality Management System. Cited 7/10/2012. www. businessdictionary. om. Definition of Total Quality Management System. Cited 7/ 10/2012. www. businessdictionary. com . Cited 6/10/2012 www. ehow. com. Advantages and disadvantages of TQM. Cited 7/10/2012. www. humanresources. about. com. Cited 6/10/201 www. hrfolks. com. The Learning Organisation. Review- Rohan Nagwekar. Cited 1/ 10/2012. www. see. ed. ac. uk. Learning organisations. Cited 1/10/2012. www. wikipedia. com. Cited 6/10/2012. 15 APPENDIX Appendix: A- Leading change: Why transformational efforts fail. Presented by Group 2 of Masters in Leadership and Change Management, dated September 2012

To what degree does trust affect the competition in E-commerce Essay

To what degree does trust affect the competition in E-commerce - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that e-commerce or electronic commerce is a type of commerce where buying and selling of products and services are virtual, in that it is conducted across electronic platforms like the internet and other computer-enabled networks. E-commerce is a recent development has cropped up after the introduction of the computer and the internet. In the virtual world of e-commerce, trade becomes a process of communicating via systems that connect the buyer and seller in a virtual marketplace. Like in the other common types of commerce, e-commerce involves a lot of communication between the buyer and the seller in such a way that, the interaction buffers the deficit created by the existence of a virtual trading platform, which deviates from the one-on-one contact in typical trading. E-commerce utilizes several technological developments in the world of commerce, communication, marketing, data exchange, payments and computers among other major developme nts that enhance execution of e-commerce. These developments include; internet marketing, electronic funds transfer, mobile commerce, electronic data exchange (EDI), online transaction systems and automated data collection among other technologies. E-commerce relies on a set of technologies to successfully execute transactions. A typical e-commerce transaction starts with a customer visiting a company’s website that acts as a virtual store for products and services that the company deals with. The customer shops for the products and places an order of one or several items in the store.

Repot Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Repot Plan - Research Paper Example Ever since then, the company has owned more than 17,000 distribution stores globally with its produce diversity ranging from drip brew coffee, snacks, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, coffee beans, and other hot and cold drinks. Today, Starbucks is facing solid competition from other coffee house organizations and the educational control globally (Schultz & Gordon, 2011). This paper outlines a three year strategic management proposal to Starbuck’s managing board of directors based on the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and the threats of the company and other factors. This proposal wraps more than a few aspects that will significantly contribute to the growth and development of the Starbuck organization. The plan reviews several subjects such as strategic marketing procedures and attainable financial policy. In order for the Company to remain competitive in the world market, the management of the organization has to review several factors in the organization such as manage ment policies, obtainable opportunities, expansion and economic plan strengths, marketing, weaknesses, risks that the organization face in the market with exceptional knowledge of the capability of the strategic management plan. Within the span of three years, Starbucks should build customers confidence on their services and products such as take away services (Bussing-Burks, 2009). Take away services are appropriate and this will enable customer to carry their well packed products. This will make the customers have an option of purchasing Starbucks products because they are consistent and reliable The three year strategy should ensure that the organization remains to be one of the best coffee house companies globally. The managing board of directors should have more than a few mission statements that describe their products, their partners, their customers, and its stores. The managing board of directors should hire a strategic plan consultant and facilitator in order to aid the or ganization with strategic formulation and write the company’s vision and mission statements. Mission and vision statement are appropriate in the development of the three year strategy. The objective of the mission and vision statement is to target the audience and define the business. The descriptions of the company are determined by the mission and the vision statement of an organization (Bussing-Burks, 2009). Therefore, the managing board of directors should change the company’s description in order for the three year strategy to be achievable The business plan of Starbucks should illustrate the industry and the market knowledge as well as the research that will be conducted by the management for the organizational development. One of the major factors that should be considered by the managing board of directors is the industry description and outlook. Industry description and outlook involves the current size and the historic development rate and other factors that have contributed to the growth of the organization. This aspect is significant because it will assist the managing g board of directors to acquire appropriate information about the target market in the next three years. However, for effective success of the strategic management proposal, the managing board of directors should identify the SWOT analysis of Starbucks organization. The purpose of the strategic management is to ensure that in the next thre

Management accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 16

Management accounting - Essay Example e of the company to be enhanced the market has to be assessed which would involve trying to find out its customer preferences; this is done with the aim of trying to stabilize the sales, which has been fluctuating since the year 2008 to date. The growth in total assets may also be because of poor circulation of inventory, which is not healthy for the operations of the business. This report will further asses the ways that the company needs to employ its differentiation strategy apart from simply having large stocks for the sake of increasing prices, timely delivery and long lead times (Bates, Greenwald & Morrissey 2009). The company needs its inventory to move hence the main strategy is to expand its operations in terms of employing qualified personnel, look for incentives to control employee turnover and modernize its operations. As it stands, the company operates its operations in a very crude way, which has to stop by way of formulating organizational procedures and clear manageme nt structures. Bond Motorhomes a company that was formed in 1973 to repair and motor homes and caravans decided to expand its business in the year 2000 and into conversion of vans into motor homes as another way of doing their business. In terms of capacity and operations, the company did not change significantly, as it is reported that it maintained the repairs department, which was the pioneer to act as an attraction to customers. As a result, of this plus other factors the company performance in terms of sales turnover has been fluctuating a lot. The company has a major issue concerning maintaining its employees due to unclear employee management structures. It is true and understandable that the company still has small operations and it is a fact that the company has prospects of growth (Baxter & MacLeod 2008). This calls for the management to streamline all the operations of the company, formulate a plan of action, enact ways of recruiting employees and devise a way of recruiting

A Visit to the Indiana State Museum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A Visit to the Indiana State Museum - Essay Example Likewise, as the partner of NHI, it is likewise tasked with enjoining community members to increase their awareness of the rich historical legacy of the state of Indiana and should thereby be instrumental in maintaining cleanliness in the environment, in and outside the perimeter of the museum; as well as assist in conserving natural resources, especially landmark trees within the area. In addition, since it is situated at the heart of the White River State Park, all the more that it extends responsibility towards maintaining cleanliness of the White River and avoid throwing or disposing of anything that could contribute to water or air pollution. As disclosed in its official website, the Indiana State Museum â€Å"with 21,190 square feet of state-of-the-art, high-security collection storage designed for different types of cultural and historical materials, as well as an additional 6,905 square feet for the natural history collections, the Indiana State Museum is superbly equipped t o care for the collections†. Vigilant and highly professional personnel assists in maintaining the pristine condition of its environment and the expertise in preserving the condition of its collections make Indiana State Museum the most effective repository of historical artifacts that would ensure that the future generation would appreciate what has transpired in the history and culture of Indiana’s life. This confirms Indiana State Museum’s commitment to environmental preservation and conservation as paramount among its goals.

Different modes of interpreting treaties between North American Essay

Different modes of interpreting treaties between North American Aboriginal Peoples and the Crown - Essay Example Hence treaties between the aboriginal people and the crown establish a moral basis and a moral and constitutional basis of alliance between the people of the first nation and the sovereign institutions of Canada. The treaties which they have made are right important to the Canadian natives because they perceive them to be sacred. The binding character and the sacredness of their treaties with the crown is not to be primarily found on the legalistic language or the signature marks which adorned the treaty documents. The sacredness of the aborigines treaties were rooted in what they referred to as the aboriginal languages (Canadian natives), at the time when they were negotiating the treaties with the crown, deliberations were usually accompanied with an exchange of some presents which were symbolically significant or by smoking a sacred pipe. On the side of the crown the basic principles of treating making was initiated by King George III. Most recently these treaties have been interpreted differently by different institutions such as the courts. The discussion in this paper will include the literal approach, focusing on the written version of treaty presented by the Government of Canada; "spirit and intent" approach, focusing on the Indian understanding of the treaty terms and the oral account of the treaty; and the legal interpretation of treaties by Canadian and International courts. The writer will also suggest the mode of interpretation which it’s perceives to be more accurate or correct. The binding character and the sacredness of treaties on the Aboriginal side is not to be found in the legalistic language or in the signature marks which adorns the documents of the treaty, (Bear 1991 p. 8) Instead these treaties forces are rooted in what is shown by the aboriginal languages during negotiations when treaty signing were

Research Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Research Plan - Essay Example The CVS chain has recently been unfavourably in the public eye because it was found to be selling drug products that were expired and thereby violating health codes. The goal of this research study is to derive an answer to the research question: â€Å"Why do people go buy their goods in Duane Reade rather than CVS?† It appears likely that the negative publicity that CVS has gathered about selling expired products could be one of the salient reasons why customers are preferring Duane; however it is also likely that other factors such as store layouts, their convenient locations to arrangement of goods within the store, prices, customer service or quality of goods could be the factors motivating customers instead. The objective of this study will be to determine why customers appear to be preferring Duane; whether there is more than one reason for such a choice and if so, what are the factors that are leading to such a preference? In order to arrive at an understanding of the factors that could be propelling customers to make such a choice, it would first be necessary to carry out an exhaustive review of the literature that is available on customer service, product quality, marketing, good business practices, ethics in business, the importance of complying with Government regulations and similar aspects that would provide background information which would be valuable in arriving at an answer to the research question. This comprehensive study of the literature would not only help to identify salient factors that may affect customer shopping preferences, it may also help identify additional factors which are peculiar to the New York region, such as targeting ethnic groups who form a sizable portion of the population, more so than those present in the states where CVS markets its goods – although these states are also primarily in the north-eastern part of the United States. Once the

Economics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Economics - Research Paper Example What is critical however is the assumption that governments, in this type of situation, tend to adapt expansionary macroeconomic policies in order to stimulate growth and increase in employment level. Depression however, is an entirely different aspect of business cycle as it indicates more depressed levels of economic activity. (Krugman and Wells) The current economic situation is quite alarming due to the fact that despite the extensive support from the government, economy is not recovering. The discussion on the double dip recession is heating as many economists feel that US economy specifically may face the double dip recession if timely corrective measures are not taken. (Elliott). This situation is therefore turning out to be the same situation which America experienced during 1930s as same macroeconomic indicators were not showing satisfactory performance at that time also. This paper will therefore attempt to argue that currently America is going through a depression and not the recession as macroeconomic variables are showing same signs as they were during the depression of 1930s. There are key differences between recession and depression as both indicate the degree of severity faced by the economy. Recession is often characterized by the decline in the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country by more than a quarter. This decline is often limited to less than 10% decline in GDP of the country. Recession is also characterized by the decline in the industrial production as well as the real income. Whereas depression is considered as an economic situation where the overall economy shrink by more than 10% over the period of one year in any given period. Thus the difference between the two is really dependent upon the length of time the economy experience a continuous decline in the key economic variables. Depression therefore indicates a more grave situation

Bank Product Profitability Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 10000 words

Bank Product Profitability - Essay Example There are so many countries in which the development is very low. That is all due to the lack or resources and lack of financial approaches, the financial institutions for every country needs high investment all these markets are the part of macro economics studies in which the markets of different kinds can be brought together to set the overall structure of the economy. These markets in every country serve as the full adjustment of economic variables within them and are responsible for the growth of the country. In many of the economies, financial markets are those places at which the people can easily buy and sell the securities of different types. These markets are associated with the financial assets and these assets are the financial securities that they buy and sell in the market. The assets which come under the category of the financial assets are the financial securities such as the stocks of various types and bonds with different maturities and the commodities at low costs. These markets are called the efficient market where the buying and selling of different types of securities takes place. These financial markets serve various functions in all the countries of the world and are doing g efforts to attain the liquidity at high levels. In these financial markets it is easy to buy and sell for the people because they offer the large number of buyers and the large number of sellers for selling of the securities. The major objective of the creation of these financial markets is the creation of the good use of savings in the betterment of the economic growth of the country because if the economy does not use the good methods for adjustment of savings the growth of that economy will be low. Thus for their growth of any economy the healthy growth of the financia l markets us necessary. (Andrade, Gegor, Mitchell, Stafford, 103-120, 2001) "Financial markets, institutions and instruments bridge the gap between the academic and professional finance communities. With contributions from leading academics, as well as practitioners from organizations such as the SEC and the Federal Reserve, the journal is equally relevant to both groups. Each issue is devoted to a single topic, which is examined in depth, and a special fifth issue is published annually highlighting the most significant developments in money and banking, derivative securities, corporate finance, and fixed-income securities". (Athanasoglou, Brissimis, Delis, n.p., 2005) These financial markets have three basic types of functions these are the first function which is associated with these financial markets is the raising of capital in the capital markets, the capital markets are the securities markets and their functions are conducted by the government and different private companies. They raised the funds there and these are associated with the long term securities and they are the stock markets and the bonds market with long term maturities. These capital markets are further divided in to two more markets which are called the primary markets

Perceptions of African American Women Essay Example for Free

Perceptions of African American Women Essay It was amazing to know that Dr. Mae C. Jemison who happens to be the youngest of three children born to a middle class African American family, Charlie Jemison, a maintenance worker and his wife, Dorothy, a teacher. Dr. Mae C. Jemison was the first black woman astronaut to be in space in an era filled with segregation and racism, she is a Chemical engineer, scientist, physician, teacher and astronaut, she has a wide range of experience in technology, engineering, and medical research. In addition to her extensive background in science, she is well-versed in African and African-American Studies, speaks fluent Russian, Japanese, and Swahili, as well as English and is trained in dance and choreography. Dr. Mae C. Jamison was an inspiration to me, and probably to many African American women. She was full of resilience and determination especially to have reached and achieved success in an unusual field of endeavor for many African American women, I applaud her determination to make a difference among the African American women and blacks in Diaspora. After graduating from Morgan Park High School in 1973 at the age of 16, Dr. Mae Jemison earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University, while also fulfilling the requirements for a BA in African-American Studies. After earning these degrees in 1977, she attended Cornell University and received a Doctor of Medicine degree in 1981. During medical school she traveled to Cuba, Kenya and Thailand, providing primary medical care to people living there. This is an indication of her humanitarian efforts and eagerness to reach out to the less privileged population. Having a desire to do more with her life, she enrolled in graduate classes in engineering and applied to NASA for admission to the astronaut program. She was turned down on her first application, maybe because she is a black woman, but she persevered and in 1987 was accepted on her second application. She became one of the fifteen candidates accepted from over 2,000 applicants. When Dr. Mae Jemison successfully completed her astronaut training program in August 1988, she became the fifth black astronaut and the first black female astronaut in NASA history. In completing her first space flight, Dr. Mae Jemison logged 190 hours, 30 minutes, 23 seconds in space, making her the first African-American woman in space. She says, â€Å"I had to learn very early not to limit myself due to others’ limited imaginations. I have learned these days never to limit anyone else due to my limited imagination. † This is an inspiration to other blacks in general who normally assume a second class citizen and believe that they will never do well or will be appreciated in whatever they do. This is a wake-up call, and manifestation of the saying â€Å"Determination is the mother of invention†. In 1993, Dr. Mae Jemison resigned from NASA and founded the Jemison Group, Inc. to research, develop and implement advanced technologies suited to the social, political, cultural and economic context of the individual, especially for the developing world. Current projects include: Alpha, (TM) a satellite based telecommunication system to improve health care in West Africa; and The Earth We Share, (TM) an international science camp for students ages 12 to 16, that utilizes an experiential curriculum. Among her current projects are several that focus on improving healthcare in Africa. She is also a professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth College. Dr. Mae Jamison made a name for herself and name for blacks in general; Her entrepreneurial spirit put her in the limelight and acts as a boost to determined black men and women in Diaspora. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. It was quite surprising to read about Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, I know almost nothing about this â€Å"giant and queen of modern Africa† who is presently the current president of Liberia. According to what I have read so far about this â€Å"queen of Africa† she was born In Monrovia, the capital of Liberia on October 29, 1938. During this period, Liberians had no clue that the First female president of an African country had been born into their mist. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is a daughter to descendents of original colonists of Liberia (ex-African slaves from America, who promptly on arrival set about enslaving the indigenous people using the social system of their old American masters as a basis for their new society). These descendents are known in Liberia as Americo-Liberians. From what I read, I noticed that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was truly an intellectual power house, a charismatic leader and destined to make a change in Liberia and contribute her quota in Africa. From 1948 to 1955 Ellen Johnson studied accounts and economics at the College of West Africa in Monrovia. After marriage at the age of 17 to James Sirleaf, she travelled to America (in 1961) and continued her studies, achieving a degree from the University of Colorado. From 1969 to 1971 she read economics at Harvard, gaining a masters degree in public administration. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf then returned to Liberia and began working in William Tolberts (True Whig Party) government. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf also served as Minister of Finance from 1972 to 73, but left after a disagreement over public spending, this is an indication of her prudence and will power. As the 70s progressed, life under Liberias one-party state became more polarized to the benefit of the Americo-Liberian elite. On 12 April 1980 Master Sergeant Samuel Kayon Doe, a member of the indigenous Krahn ethnic group, seized power in a military coup. With the Peoples Redemption Council now in power, Samuel Doe began a purge of government. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf narrowly escaped choosing exile in Kenya. From 1983 to 1985 she served as Director of Citibank in Nairobi. I will say that Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had a lot of courage, because it was quite unusual for a woman to challenge a dictatorial incumbent president in Africa without being kidnapped, tortured or killed in the process, although She was later sentenced to ten years in prison. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf spent just a short time incarcerated, before being allowed to leave the country once again as an exile. During the 1980s she served as Vice President of both the African Regional Office of Citibank, in Nairobi, and of (HSCB) Equator Bank, in Washington. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf played an active role in the transitional government as the country prepared for the 2005 elections, and eventually stood for president against her rival the ex-international footballer, George Manneh Weah. Despite the elections being called fair and orderly, Weah repudiated the result, which gave a majority to Johnson-Sirleaf, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf eventually became Liberias first elected female president, as well as the first elected female president in the continent Africa. . In 2005 She established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission with a mandate to promote national peace, security, unity and reconciliation by investigating more than 20 years of civil conflict in the country and in November 2007, she received the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom, the U.

Drivers Of The Recent Wave Of Globalisation Economics Essay

Drivers Of The Recent Wave Of Globalisation Economics Essay Globalisation describes the ongoing process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures become integrated through a global spanning network of communication, cultural diffusion, travel and trade. The phenomenon of globalisation has been present since the start of the nineteenth century and it has nowadays been established as perhaps the most vigorous force shaping contemporary society, business, management and economics. The term is sometimes used to refer specifically to economic globalisation, in other words the reduction and removal of barriers between national borders in order to facilitate the flow of goods, capital, services and labour, (1). The unrestricted flow of information, ideas and cultural values add to the globalisation processes promoting converging market preferences and market-driven open economies. Although a situation of perfect integration (called homogenisation), where ideas and values are characterised by a global commonality does not exist (2), business orientation becomes more global based on the belief that the world is becoming more homogeneous and that distinctions between national markets are not only diminishing but, for some products, will eventually disappear (3). Recently the problem of business globalisation has become more evident worldwide. Even the most successful and well-established companies cannot survive on domestic sales alone, if they are in global industries such as banking, consumer electronics, travel services, entertainment, etc. It is, hence, useful to identify a number of key drivers, which affect the structure of economies and markets. According to George S. Yip, it is possible to define globalization drivers in four areas: Market Drivers Cost Drivers Governmental Drivers Competition Drivers The drivers of globalisation are a combination of many factors which have lead businesses to look outside their domestic markets for growth opportunities (4). It is usually the combined effect of just some of these separate factors that have more of gravity rather than all of the factors separately. In the next section the first three globalisation drivers are further analysed. Further investigation Market Drivers Market drivers refer to global market convergence, in other words, the increasing similarity of consumer tastes and product preferences in certain markets, as evidenced by the popularity of global brands in certain markets. Market globalisation drivers depend on customer behaviour and the structure of distribution networks. These factors are analysed in more detail below: Common customer needs: product and technology are transferred by means of communication throughout countries with similar needs. Some products such as Coca-Cola, McDonalds, KFC, etc. have been palatable to many countries. Global customers: not only consumer needs become more similar but also firms operating in globalised markets become global customers and may search for suppliers who can operate on a global basis. Global market channels: free trade, which was facilitated by regional trade blocks such as the formation of EU and NAFTA, and falling trade barriers have formed globe-spanning channels that enable companies to distribute goods and provide services internationally. For example, Carrefour and Wal-Mart have developed global channels to distribute products. Deloitte and HSBC have expanded their services worldwide. Lead countries: some countries have built up reputation in certain manufacturing industries. For instance, Japan is well known for consumer electronics, Switzerland for watches as well as its banking system, USA for computer software, etc. Transferable marketing and global branding: Adidas, Top Shop, IBM, Toyota, Apple, Samsung, Kodak, Vodafone have become local brands in the global environment. Global market convergence is measured by the percentage of worldwide sales attributed to standardized products. We have the example of NOKIA here, which increased its Indian market share from a mere 300,000 subscribers in 1996 to a whopping 55 million subscribers in 2004 (5). More and more global brands are brought to life, with the percentage of worldwide sales attributed to them continuously increasing. Cost Drivers Globalisation of the productive process allows firms to choose concentrating or dispersing value adding activities around the world according to the location advantages to be obtained. The cost advantage obtained affects activity concentration and depends on the following factors: Global scale and scope economies: national markets cannot be large enough for a domestic business to achieve all economies of scale and scope. A global organisation can expand and coordinate internal production and operations to increase its value through a combination of manufacturing, reduced delivery costs and economies of scale. The aim is to join multiple markets and sell a standardized product in several countries, increase overall sales thereby reducing the cost per unit of development, concentrate selected value activities and shift production in response to exchange rate fluctuations (6). Figure 1 shows the rise of standardized IT serves. Almost 60% out of the 340 companies of the survey admitted a significant benefit of using standardized products due to lower production and services costs of the product, lower operations costs and easier deployment (7). Figure : The Rise of Standardized IT Servers Sourcing efficiencies: centralized purchasing of new materials can significantly reduce the costs. We have two categories of sourcing efficiencies: outsourcing and offshoring. Outsourcing is when a company relocates a whole process, a piece of a process, a function, or a discrete piece of work outside of its own corporate boundaries. India has been the most popular outsourcing destination the last decade. Off-shoring refers to the relocation of a whole process, a piece of a process, a function, or a discrete piece of work outside the geographic boundaries. The work can be done in an offshore location either within the boundaries of the company or outside the boundaries of the company. Favourable logistics: A favorable ratio of sales to transportation costs enhances the ability of the company to concentrate production. Other factors are negligible need of location close to customers, absence of time urgency, even the shape of the product. Favourable logistics is the main reason retailing accounts for 75% of logistics activity in China. The sector is also stretched to the breaking point. The total handling capacity of Chinas coastal ports is already over one billion tons, and capacity is increasing quickly. Not quickly enough though (8). Knowledge and experience: some industries are characterised by an emphasis on creating value from new ideas and concepts, the so called knowledge-based industries. The accumulation of foreign market expertise can be highly beneficial for technology intensive many sectors like software development, engineering services and biotechnology. Other areas include financial services and pharmaceuticals. The steeper the knowledge and experience curve, the higher the benefit. We have the case of increasing workforce being educated in Western countries and returning to their Eastern located home countries. Product development costs: product development costs are rising due to short life of products that require higher return on investment, e.g. airlines, communications, pharmaceuticals, etc. These costs can be reduced by developing a few global or regional products rather than many national products. Differences in country costs and skills: Factor costs vary across country. The availability of particular skills also varies. Concentration of activities in low-cost or high skill countries can increase productivity and decrease costs. Managers, however, have to anticipate the danger of training future offshore competitors. Governmental Drivers The increased globalisation of financial markets, the fading of trade barriers and the formation of global alliances provide firms with the opportunity to take advantage of beneficial national regulations. Unrestrictive trade and investment policies: Reduction of tariff barriers, creation of trading blocks, decline in role of government, reduction in non-tariff barriers, shift in open market economies, increase in level of world trade, increase in foreign acquires of corporation, increased formation of global strategic alliances and globalization of financial markets are all favourable trade policies that promote globalisation of industries and services. Compatible technical standards: differences in technical standards, especially government imposed standards, limit the extent to which products can be standardized. For example Motorola products were withdrawn from the Japanese market because they were operating at a higher frequency than permitted. Common marketing regulations: the marketing environment can also affect the extent to which global marketing policies can be applied. Certain types of media can be prohibited or restricted. For example, it is the case that in many countries advertisements showing children toys are either not allowed or allowed after a particular time of the day. Globalisation drivers are revealed by the increasing percentage of countries that possess uniform or mutually- recognized technical standards, increasing staring from US and Canada, EU to China which recently became an open economy.

Composition Of Amlodipine Besylate Tablets Biology Essay

Composition Of Amlodipine Besylate Tablets Biology Essay (28) Karalis et al in 2008 discussed the issues in the conference involved physiological factors affecting drug absorption, the role of pre-systemic effects on bioavailability (BA), the impact of variability in bioequivalence (BE) studies, and a final closing panel session on unresolved issues in BA/BE regulations. Several important aspects of drug absorption were highlighted. It was presented how the complexity of gastrointestinal (GI) physiology and the site dependent absorption can impact on drug BA. Similarly, the effects of food and formulation were also studied. The second session focused on integrating the complexities of GI into modeling the inter-individual variability of absorption and the prediction of first-pass metabolism from in-vitro data. The necessity to measure metabolites, the value of Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), and the more recently proposed Biopharmaceutical Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS) were assessed as well. This session clo sed with presentations of pharmacokinetic software delegates. In the second day of the conference, the problem of high intra-subject variability in BE studies was analyzed. Study design considerations, the use of multiple-dose studies and the role of statistics in BE were also highlighted. Finally, the current thinking of regulatory authorities (EMEA and US-FDA) was presented. The conference closed with a last session on unresolved issues in the regulatory level. EXPERIMENTAL Tablets are the most popular dosage forms of Pharmaceutical product. A typical tablet formulation consists of the Active Pharmaceutical ingredient(s), fillersdisintigrant, lubricant and other inactive ingredients (e.g. binder, glidant and colors) a formulation scientist must conduct a thorough both to optimize a formulation so that it meets all specification and to ensure safety and efficacy. The specification for pharmaceutical tablets usually include appearance, weight, uniformity of contant, diameter, Thickness, friability, dissolution, disintegration, Hardness, Assay, Organolaptic character other product specific requirements. These specifications are established to ensure that the tablets will have sufficient mechanical strength to withstand packaging, shipping and handling and are physically and chemically stable to deliver the accurate amount of drug at the desired dissolution rate when consumed by the patient. Any changes in these characteristics may significantly affect the safety and efficacy of the product. FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT OF AMLODIPINE BESYLATE BY DIRECT COMPRESSION METHOD Direct compression is a preferred manufacturing process for pharmaceutical tablets, according to survey conducted by Shangraw and Demarest. In this study Amlodipine besylate was directly compressed by using three different formulation i.e. with different diluent,bibder,filler,disintigrant and lubricant.In this study we were not only study the biowaivers effect of different marketed brands and formulation of Amlodipine Besylate but also manufactured and developed three different formulation by reducind the cost and increased quality perspects. MATERIAL AND METHOD CHEMICALS. COMPOSITION OF AMLODIPINE BESYLATE TABLETS. FORMULATION NO.1 S.NO. Material Name Quanty per Tablet (mg) Percentage composition (%) Quantity for 100 tablets (gm) 1 Amlodipine Besylate 5 5 0.5 2 Avecil 102 47 47 4.7 3 Starch Pregelitinized 47.75 47.75 4.775 4 Magnesium stearate 0.25 0.25 0.025 Target compression weight is 100mg containing 5 mg active FORMULATION NO.2 S.NO. Material Name Quanty per Tablet (mg) Percentage composition (%) Quantity for 100 tablets (gm) 1 Amlodipine Besylate 5 5 0.5 2 Avecil 101 47 47 4.7 3 Avecil 102 47 47 4.7 4 Magnesium stearate 1 1 0.1 Target compression weight is 100mg containing 5 mg active FORMULATION NO.3 S.NO. Material Name Quanty per Tablet (mg) Percentage composition (%) Quantity for 100 tablets (gm) 1 Amlodipine Besylate 5 5 0.5 2 Avecil 102 49 49 4.9 3 Dicalcium Phosphate Anhydrous 44 44 4.4 4 Sodium Starch Glycolate 4 4 0.4 5 Magnesium stearate 1 1 0.1 Target compression weight is 100mg containing 5 mg active EQUIPMENTS Rotary press ( ZP19) Electronic Balance (Sartorious TE 214S) Mixer ( polyethylene bag ) Sieve # 20 METHOD Three new formulation of Amlodipine Besylate were developed using three directly compressible agents i.e. microcrystalline cellulose (Avecil 101 and 102), starch pregelatinized and Dibasic Calcium Phosphate in order to check the multi purpose excipients. First active and all excipients were weighed accurately using Sartorious TE 214S, The weighed materials were screened through 20 mesh size sieve and then mixing of powders was performed by geometric dilution method in polythene bag. First active was mixed with diluents by tumbling action and then one by one other ingredients of formulation were mixed together. All the ingredients were thoroughly mixed to ensure uniform distribution of all the ingredients throughout the formulation. Flow chart of manufacturing process Weighing of active and excipients Sieving y 20 mesh size Mixing of active and diluent Addition of other ingredients Addition of lubricant and mixing Tableting PHYSICAL TESTING OF TABLET Amlodipine Besylate tablets were evaluated for their physical and chemical properties by performing different pharmacopoeial test, i.e by official and unofficial tests including tablets weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration, dissolution, Thickness, diameter and content uniformity and results were statistically analyzed and compared with marketed brands of Amlodipine Besylate named as test formulation # 1, test formulation # 2, test formulation # 3 TABLET THICKNESS AND DIAMETER The dimensional specifications of tablets are important for many reasons. The measurement of the thickness and the diameter of a tablet usually accomplished by the use of micrometer (Vernier) calipers. The value is initially employed as in process control during production. UNIFORMITY OF THICKNESS EQUIPMENTS Vernier caliper METHOD Tablet thickness is determined with a caliper or thickness gauge, which measures the thickness in millimeters. In this study, twenty tablets were taken and their thicknesses were determined using vernier caliper. Results were statistically analyzed using three sigma control chart. LIMITS A plus or minus 5% standard deviation may be allowed, depending on the size of the tablet.Out of twenty tablets only two tablets will be allowed to exceed the limit. UNIFORMITY OF DIAMETER OF TABLETS EQUIPMENT Vernier caliper METHOD Twenty tablets were taken and their diameters were determined using vernier caliper. . Results were statistically analyzed using three sigma control chart. LIMITS A deviation of  ±5% from the stated diameter is allowed except that for diameters exceeding 12.5mm the deviation allowed is  ±3%.Out of 20 tablets only 2 tablets will be allowed to exceed the limit. FRIABILITY TEST A certain weight of tablets ,are subjected to a well defined level of agitation in a fixed geometry,closed container for a specific time.They are then again reweighted.The measure of abrasion resistance or FRIABILITYis usually expressed as a percentage loss in weight. EQUIPMENT Electronic Balance (Sartorious TE 214S) Friabilator (Erweka Germany) METHOD Preweight samples of 20tablets were taken and subjected to the combined effect of shock abrasion by utilizing the plastic chamber which revolved at 25rpm for 4minutes, droped the tablet at a distance of 6 inches with each revolution. Then the tablets were removed, dedusted and reweighed. LIMITS Values of friability of 0.8 to 1.0% are frequently quoted as the upper level of acceptability for pharmaceutical product. Generally the test is run once. If the results are doubtful for if weight loss is greater than 1% repeats the test twice and determines the mean of the three tests. A maximum weight of 1% of the weight of the tablets to be tested is considered to be acceptable for most products. HARDNESS TEST This test is intended to determined under defined conditions,the resistance to crushing of tablets,measured by the forced needed to disturp them by crushing apparatus.Probably the most widely used technique is testing of crushing strength presisly defined as that compressional force which,when applied diametrically to a tablet,just fractures it. EQUIPMENT Hardness tester (Pharma test) METHOD Twenty tablets of every sample of brands and test formulation were taken and their hardness was determined using Pharma test hardness tester. In this type of tester load is applied at a constant rate by an electric motor. Results were statistically analyzed using three sigma control chart. LIMITS Hardness will be measured in kg.Out of twenty tablets; only two tablets are allowed to exceed the limit. DISINTIGRATION TEST FOR TABLETS Disintegration Test determines whether tablets or capsules disintegrate within the prescribed time when placed in the liquid medium in the experimental condition prescribed. For compressed uncoated tablets the testing fluid is usually water at 37  °C, but in some cases monographs direct that simulated gastric fluid TS be used. This test is provided to determine whether tablets or capsules disintegrate within the prescribed time when placed in a liquid medium under the experimental conditions presented below. For the purposes of this test, disintegration does not imply complete dissolution of the unit or even of its active constituent. Complete disintegration is defined as that State in which any residue of the unit, except fragments of insoluble coating or capsule shell, remaining on the screen of the test apparatus or adhering to the lower surface of the discs, if used, is a soft mass having no palpably firm core. Use apparatus A for tablets and capsules that are not greater than 18 mm long. For larger tablets or capsules use apparatus B. APPARATUSà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ The apparatus consists of a basket-rack assembly, a 1 liter, low-form beaker, 149  ± 11 mm in height and having an inside diameter of 106  ± 9 mm for the immersion fluid, a thermostatic arrangement for heating the fluid between 35  °C and 39  °C, and a device for raising and lowering the basket in the immersion fluid at a constant frequency rate between 29 and 32 cycles per minute, through a distance of 55  ± 2 mm. The volume of the fluid in the vessel is such that at the highest point of the upward stroke the wire mesh remains at least 15 mm below the surface of the fluid, and descends to not less than 25 mm from the bottom of the vessel on the downward stroke. At no time should the top of the basket-rack assembly become submerged. The time required for the upward stroke is equal to the time required for the downward stroke, and the change in stroke direction is a smooth transition, rather than an abrupt reversal of motion. The basket-rack assembly moves vertically along i ts axis. There is no appreciable horizontal motion or movement of the axis from the vertical. BASKET-RACK ASSEMBLYà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ The basket-rack assembly consists of 6 open-ended transparent tubes, each 77.5  ± 2.5 mm long and having an inside diameter of 21.85  ± 1.15 mm and a wall 1.9  ± 0.9 mm thick; the tubes are held in a vertical position by 2 plates, each 90  ± 2 mm in diameter and 6.75  ± 1.75 mm in thickness, with 6 holes, each 24  ± 2 mm in diameter, equidistant from the centre of the plate and equally spaced from one another. Attached to the under surface of the lower plate is a woven stainless steel wire cloth, which has a plain square weave with 2.0  ± 0.2 mm mesh apertures and with a wire diameter of 0.615  ± 0.045 mm. The parts of the apparatus are assembled and rigidly held by means of 3 bolts passing through the 2 plates. A suitable means is provided to suspend the basket-rack assembly from the raising and lowering device using a point on its axis. The design of the basket-rack assembly may be varied somewhat provided the specifications for the glass tubes and the screen mesh s ize are maintained. The basket-rack assembly conforms to the dimensions. DISCSà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ The use of discs is permitted only where specified or allowed. Each tube is provided with a cylindrical disc 9.5  ± 0.15 mm thick and 20.7  ± 0.15 mm in diameter. The disc is made of a suitable, transparent plastic material having a specific gravity of 1.18-1.20. 5 parallel 2  ± 0.1 mm holes extend between the ends of the cylinder. One of the holes is centered on the cylindrical axis. The other holes are centered 6  ± 0.2 mm from the axis on imaginary lines perpendicular to the axis and parallel to each other. 4 identical trapezoidal-shaped planes are cut into the wall of the cylinder, nearly perpendicular to the ends of the cylinder. The trapezoidal shape is symmetrical; its parallel sides coincide with the ends of the cylinder and are parallel to an imaginary line connecting the centres of 2 adjacent holes 6 mm from the cylindrical axis. The parallel side of the trapezoid on the bottom of the cylinder has a length of 1.6  ± 0.1 mm and its bottom edge s lie at a depth of 1.6  ± 0.1 mm from the cylinders circumference. The parallel side of the trapezoid on the top of the cylinder has a length of 9.4  ± 0.2 mm and its centre lies at a depth of 2.6  ± 0.1 mm from the cylinders circumference. All surfaces of the disc are smooth. If the use of discs is specified, add a disc to each tube and operate the apparatus as directed under Procedure. The discs conform to the dimensions. The use of automatic detection employing modified discs is permitted where the use of discs is specified or allowed. Such discs must comply with the requirements of density and dimension. PROCEDUREà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ Place 1 dosage unit in each of the 6 tubes of the basket and, if prescribed, add a disc. Operate the apparatus using the specified medium, maintained at 37  ± 2  °C, as the immersion fluid. At the end of the specified time, lift the basket from the fluid and observe the dosage units: all of the dosage units have disintegrated completely. If 1 or 2 dosage units fail to disintegrate, repeat the test on 12 additional dosage units. The requirements of the test are met if not less than 16 of the 18 dosage units tested have disintegrated. EQUIPMENT Disintegrating Apparatus (Pharma Test) METHODà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ Test 6 tablets or capsules either by using 2 basket-rack assemblies in parallel or by repeating the procedure. In each of the 3 tubes, place 1 tablet or capsule and, if prescribed, add a disc; suspend the assembly in the beaker containing the specified liquid. Operate the apparatus for the prescribed period, withdraw the assembly and examine the state of the tablets or capsules. To pass the test, all 6 of the tablets or capsules must have disintegrated. LIMITS All tablets must disintegrate completely, if one or two tablets fails to disintegrate, the test is to be repeated using 12 tablets. Out of the 18 tablets then tested,16 must have disintegrated within the given period of time .The condition of the test are varied somewhat for coated tablets,buccal tablets and sublingual tablets. Disintegration time are included in the individual tablet monograph. For most uncoated tablets the period is less than 15 minutes although the time for some uncoated tablets varied greatly from this. WEIGHT VARIATION Most pharmacopoeias include a simple weight test on a specified number of tablet(N) which are weight individually and the arithmetic mean weight calculated.Limitations on the number of test tablets that may lie outside certain limits are than specified.However,in the USP the results of the assay are used to convert these weights into active ingredients content. EQUIPMENTS Electronic Balance (Sartorious TE 214S) METHOD Twenty tablets of every samples were taken randomly and eight individually, and then average weight was determined. LIMITS According to USP not more than two of the tablets must not differ by more than the percentage listed below, no tablet differs by more than double that percentage. Tablets that are coated are exempt from these requirements but most conform to the test for content uniformity if it is applicable. The USP has provided tolerance for the average weight of uncoated compressed tablets. These are applicable when the tablets contain 50mg or more of the drug substances or when the matter comprises 50% or more, by weight, of the dosage form. Average Weight %age Difference 130mg or less 10 â‚ ¬Ã‚ ¾130mg to 324 mg 7.5 More than 324mg 5 ASSAY: AMLODIPINE BESYLATE REAGENTS 0.1N Sodium Hydroxide in Methanol Dimethyl formamide (DMF) STANDARD SOLUTION 50mcg/ml of Amlodipine Besylate in DMF. SAMPLESOLUTION Extract appropriate quantity of powdered sample with DMF to get concentration of 50mcg/ml. PROEDURE To 2ml each of sample and standard solution, add 0.2ml of Sodium hydroxide solution and dilute to 10ml with DMF and measure the absorption of orange chromatogen at 450nm against reagent blank. Calculate the contents of amlodipine by comparison.(237) AMLODIPINE BESYLATE The tablets comply with the requirment stated under tablet and with the following requirment. CONTENT OF AMLODIPINE BESYLATE C20H25ClN2O5,C6H6O3S 97.0% to 102.0% (Anhydrous substance) CHEMICALS Sodium hydroxide pellets Methanol N-N Dimethyl Formamide EQUIPMENT AND GLASS WARES Electronic Balance (Sartorious TE 214S) UV-VIS spectrophotometer (Double beam Shimadzu 1650PC ) Volumetric Flask (100ml,Pyrex England) Volumetric Flask (10ml,Pyrex England) Pipettes (10ml Pyrex England) Pipettes (2ml Pyrex England) Conical Flasks (Pyrex England) Beaker (Pyrex England) Filter paper (Whatman #42) METHOD Weigh and powder 20tablets of amlodipine Besylate 5mg (DC). Take quantity of the powder containing 5mg of amlodipine Besylate (average weight) in a 100ml volumetric flask and add N-N Dimethyl Formamide into it and mix thoroughly with the help of magnetic stirrer and then make up the volume up to 100ml.Then take 2ml from first dilution into a 10ml volumetric flask, add 0.2l of 0.1N Sodium hydroxide solution in 10ml volumetric flask then make up volume with N-N Dimethyl Formamide.Then take the absorbance at 450nm on spectrophotometer and calculate the content of amlodipine Besylate. CALCULATION (AMLODIPINE BESYLATE mgtablet) % ASSAY = Abs of sp X__ 100 Abs of STD UNIFORMITY OF CONTENT The test for uniformity of content of single-dose preparations is based on the assay of the individual contents of active substance(s) of a number of single-dose units to determine whether the individual contents are within limits set with reference to the average content of the sample. Tablets containing highly potent medicaments present in milligram or microgram does may be subject to a large inter tablet variation. This may be due to failure to achieve a homogenous mix of active ingredient and exciient during manufacture. The test is not required for multivitamin and trace-element preparations and in other justified and authorized circumstances. Methodà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ Using a suitable analytical method determines the individual contents of active substance(s) of 10 dosage units taken at random. Apply the criteria of test A, test B or test C as specified in the monograph for the dosage form in question. Test A Tablets, powders for parenteral use, ophthalmic inserts, suspensions for injection Test B Capsules, powders other than for parenteral use, granules, suppositories, pessaries à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ Test C Transdermal patches Test A Tablets, powders for parenteral use, ophthalmic inserts, suspensions for injectionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ The preparation complies with the test if each individual content is between 85 per cent and 115 per cent of the average content. The preparation fails to comply with the test if more than one individual content is outside these limits or if one individual content is outside the limits of 75 percent to 125 percent of the average content. If one individual content is outside the limits of 85 percent to 115 percent but within the limits of 75 percent to 125 percent, determine the individual contents of another 20 dosage units taken at random. The preparation complies with the test if not more than one of the individual contents of the 30 units is outside 85 percent to 115 percent of the average content and none is outside the limits of 75 percent to 125 per cent of the average content. CONTENT UNIFORMITY C.U = Abs of Sample X wt of std X 100 X 100 Abs of STD X 100 X LC * LC =Label claim DISSOLUTION This test is provided to determine compliance with the dissolution requirements for solid dosage forms administered orally. Apparatus 1 (Basket apparatus)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ the assembly consists of the following: a vessel, which may be covered, made of glass or other inert, transparent material a motor; a drive shaft; and a cylindrical basket (stirring element). The vessel is partially immersed in a suitable water-bath of any convenient size or heated by a suitable device such as a heating jacket. The water-bath or heating device permits maintaining the temperature inside the vessel at 37  ± 0.5  °C during the test and keeping the dissolution medium in constant, smooth motion. No part of the assembly, including the environment in which the assembly is placed, contributes significant motion, agitation, or vibration beyond that due to the smoothly rotating stirring element. Apparatus that permits observation of the preparation and stirring element during the test is preferable. The vessel is cylindrical, with a hemispherical bottom and a capacity of 1 litre. Its height is 160-210 mm and its inside diamete r is 98-106 mm. Its sides are flanged at the top. A fitted cover may be used to retard evaporation.2 The shaft is positioned so that its axis is not more than 2 mm at any point from the vertical axis of the vessel and rotates smoothly and without significant wobble that could affect the results. A speed-regulating device is used that allows the shaft rotation speed to be selected and maintained at a specified rate, within  ± 4 per cent. Shaft and basket components of the stirring element are fabricated of stainless steel, type 316 or equivalent, to the specifications shown in Figure 2.9.3.-1. A basket having a gold coating of about 2.5  µm (0.0001 inch) thick may be used. The dosage unit is placed in a dry basket at the beginning of each test. The distance between the inside bottom of the vessel and the bottom of the basket is maintained at 25  ± 2 mm during the test. Apparatus 2 (Paddle apparatus)à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ Use the assembly from Apparatus 1, except that a paddle formed from a blade and a shaft is used as the stirring element. The shaft is positioned so that its axis is not more than 2 mm from the vertical axis of the vessel, at any point, and rotates smoothly without significant wobble that could affect the results. The vertical center line of the blade passes through the axis of the shaft so that the bottom of the blade is flush with the bottom of the shaft. The paddle conforms to the specifications shown in Figure 2.9.3.-2. The distance of 25  ± 2 mm between the bottom of the blade and the inside bottom of the vessel is maintained during the test. The metallic or suitably inert, rigid blade and shaft comprise a single entity. A suitable two-part detachable design may be used provided the assembly remains firmly engaged during the test. The paddle blade and shaft may be coated with a suitable coating so as to make them inert. The dosage unit is allowed to sink to the bottom of the vessel before rotation of the blade is started. A small, loose piece of non-reactive material, such as not more than a few turns of wire helix, may be attached to dosage units that would otherwise float. An alternative sinker device is shown in Figure 2.9.3.-3. Other validated sinker devices may be used. DISSOLUTION MEDIUMà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ 1.2 pH BUFFER DISSOLUTION MEDIA REAGENTS USED Htdrochloric Acid (Merck grade) Distilled and deionized water PREPARATION 0.1N HCl was used as 1.2pH buffer media. 4.5 pH BUFFER DISSOLUTION MEDIA REAGENTS USED Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate (Merck,Germany) Distilled and deionized water PREPARATION 6.8gm of Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate in1000ml DI water and adjust pH with Phosphoric acid. 6.8 pH BUFFER DISSOLUTION MEDIA REAGENTS USED 0.2M Potassium Dihydrogen hosphate 0.1M Sodium hydroxide Distilled and deionized water PREPARATION 0.2M KH2PO4 13.61gm of Potassium Dihydrogen hosphate in 500ml DI water. 0.1MNaOH 4gm in 500ml DI water. 6.8pH Buffer 250ml of 0.2M KH2PO4 and 112ml of 0.1MNaOH to make 1000ml with DI water. CALCULATION % age drug release = Abs of sp X100 Abs of STD SAMPLING SCHEDULE Sample were drawn at 5min then After 10min After 15min After 20min After 30min After 45min After 60min After 120min EXPERIMENTAL CONDITIONS Usual experimental conditions are e.g.: Apparatus: paddle/basket â‚ ¬Ã‚  Volume of dissolution medium: 900 ml â‚ ¬Ã‚  Temperature of the dissolution medium: 37  °C ±1 °C â‚ ¬Ã‚  Agitation: paddle apparatus usually 50 rpm, basket apparatus usually 100 rpm â‚ ¬Ã‚  Sampling schedule: e.g.5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 120 min â‚ ¬Ã‚  Buffer: pH 1.2 (0.1 N HCl or SGF without enzymes), pH 4.5, and pH 6.8 (or SIF withoutenzymes); (pH should be ensured throughout the experiment; Ph.Eur. buffers recommended) CHEMICALS Buffer 1.2 pH (0.1N HCl) Buffer 4.5 pH Buffer 6.8 pH EQUIPMENT AND GLASS WARES Dissolution paddle apparatus Distillation plant Electronic Balance (Sartorious TE 214S) UV-VIS spectrophotometer (Double beam Shimadzu 1650PC ) Volumetric Flask (100ml,Pyrex England) Pipettes (10ml Pyrex England) Pipettes graduated(2ml Pyrex England) Conical Flasks (Pyrex England) Beaker (Pyrex England) Filter paper (Whatman #42) PREPARATION OF STANDERD Accurately weight the standard and poured it into 100ml volumetric flask. The volume was made with the respective buffer and mixed,the stock solution was obtained. Then pippet out 1.1ml from the stock solution into another volumetric flask again made the volume with the respective buffer solution .Mixed it properly by shaking that was the first dilution and the required strength of standard was achieved to analyse. PREPARATION OF SAMPLE Placed the tablets of each brand into the vessel of paddle dissolutionhaving 900ml of resoective dissolution media. Switch on the apparatus and collect the sample according to the respective sampling interval that is 5min, 10min, 15min, 20min, 30min, 45min, 60min, and 120min. Every time the withdrawn media was replaced by the freh media.

Using the Biological Approach to Explain Lottery Addiction in Children :: essays research papers fc

Using the Biological Approach to Explain Lottery Addiction in Children Britain is producing a generation of child gamblers hooked on the Lottery and fruit machines. Disturbing research by two eminent academics shows that hundreds of thousands of children-some as young as 11- are now addicted despite the supposed legal restrictions. The findings will fuel warnings from lottery critics that the country is storing up social problems and is likely to trigger pressure for a uniform age limit of 18 on all gambling." (Reproduced from AQA A specimen material.) In the A level examination you will be required to explain a target behaviour using any approach. The aim of this activity is to offer you, the candidate, the opportunity to express your true understanding of the approach by your ability to use it in a novel situation. How would you explain lottery addiction in terms of the biological approach? The currency of the biological explanation is brain activity or brain anatomy, nervous impulses and neurotransmitters, hormones, and various organs in the body. A possible explanation could be as follows: (a) Why are young people hooked on the lottery and fruit machines? A psychologist might use the biological approach to explain this behaviour. Such a psychologist would explain the behaviour in terms of brain activity and the action of the central and autonomic nervous systems. The psychologist might also mention hormones. An answer like this would attract relatively few marks as it does little more than sketch out the possible elements of a biological explanation and has not demonstrated a true understanding of the approach. In order to do this you really need to try to put together an explanation of the target behaviour. (a) An explanation of lottery addiction using the biological approach would focus on how biological systems can be used to explain and understand this behaviour. When an individual stands in front of a fruit machine the flashing lights are physiologically arousing, creating a sense of excitement and probably pleasure. Physiological arousal causes the body to produce certain hormones that prepare the person for fight or flight. We can also understand the individual's behaviour in terms of nervous impulses. The eyes watch the pictures on the fruit machine go round and send impulses to the brain where they are interpreted and further messages sent to the hands to press a button at an appropriate moment to stop the machine. In the A level examination you will be given an opportunity to evaluate one of your explanations so you can take the opportunity, as below, to indicate in what way the explanation offered in the first part of the question is lacking.