Leadership And Change Management In Businesses Commerce Essay Free Essays

string(137) " that make their operations more profitable, and the could vouch their endurance and being as UK taking mail administering organisation\." Change is portion of every organisation. Every decennary informants autumn of a great organisation. The ground behind that is they were non ready to take portion in the alteration that was go oning around them ( D. We will write a custom essay sample on Leadership And Change Management In Businesses Commerce Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Ambani laminitis, Chairman Reliance Group Ltd ) . Every organisation with different grounds has to take portion in alteration. The ground may differ from increasing market portion, traveling with the competition, altering with the society or can besides be in order to last in the market. Change is something that is a critical, compulsory and requires all direction maps, which are Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Co-ordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting ( by Henry Fayol 1937 ) . 1.2: – Why do we necessitate alter direction? It is really of import to reply the inquiry why do we necessitate alter direction? Change direction has attributes rather similar to Organizational Development. Than why is at that place a demand to develop a new profession? Answer is rather realistic as alteration direction is broader than OD in that it includes a broader scope of increasing human resource public presentation, development of information engineering Jelinek A ; Litterer, 1988 ( hypertext transfer protocol: //ac.aua.am/gohar_grigoryan/Public/Fuller/273.pdf ) . Over the old ages many change direction theories and theoretical accounts have developed out of which there are some popular and widely used theories, there are no peculiar front-runner theories for deploying alteration, and it would surely be agreed that the whole construct is comparatively immature and developing. The whole construct is once more really situational and requires single attack based on the organisation and the alteration it wishes to undergo. But, one of the most popular and widely used alteration direction theory it the McKinsey ‘s 7S theoretical account, which can non merely be used as a alteration direction theory, but besides in instance of analyzing an organisation and its activities. 2. ‘Royal Mail ‘ Introduction 2.1 In Brief Royal Mail letters bestowed with the duty of presenting and roll uping stations from within the United Kingdom is a subordinate of Royal Mail Ltd, which besides manages the POST OFFICE A ; PARCEL FORCE. Attained its separate individuality in the twelvemonth 1986 ( hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_mail ) , Royal Mail employees the staff up to 121,000, which exceeds the figure of staff in full Royal Mail Group ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8304722.stm ) . The poster industry in United Kingdom was dominated by the Royal Mail, by every bit much as 99 per centum of the local stations being managed by Royal Mail, which since 2005 has been confronting of all time increasing competition. Technological promotion is another external issue the has reduced the possible market size as The Royal Mail posts 9 million less letters than what it used to in the twelvemonth 2005 ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8304722.stm ) , as more and more concern organisations and persons depend upon E-mails and assorted IT based formats to pass on. 3: – The Issues of alteration The direction has been confronting rather serious functional and survival issues in past few old ages. The organisation is non executing good in the profitableness standards, as the figure mentioned below will turn out that the direction has serious functional issues to be sorted out to do the operation more effectual. Ever increasing shortage in its pension financess has made the direction to rethink its bing policies and increase its net income to make full the shortage, and in order to run into the market demand and compete with the challengers on similar evidences the direction has to bring on its operation with modern engineering and do their operations more effectual. 3.1: – Decreasing Net incomes Royal Mail faced serious functional issues, which made its operation suffer losingss up to ?279 million in the fiscal twelvemonth of 2007 ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7417634.stm ) . It faced serious issues associating to its traditional methods of screening and delivering, which were critically evaluated to be the premier cause of its losingss. The direction decided to bring on their premier operations which involved sorting and presenting mails with engineering, in signifier of modernisation policy to do the operation and finally the operation of organisation more profitable. The losingss were so terrible that the proposal was passed in the hosiery of common to sell the major interest of Royal Mail to do privatize its operation ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8426538.stm ) . 3. 2: – Increasing Competent Competition After the liberalisation of UK postal services in the twelvemonth 2005, the competition that royal mail faced were of all time increasing. A really good illustration was confronted to the direction when they lost the contract of 8 million lbs to present the 2nd category mail of Amazon Book a really popular cyberspace shopping site ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6252202.stm ) . The direction found out that most of its rivals used high-tech machinery for screening and administering doing them more efficient and therefore deriving the trusts of the clients, and that they are falling behind as they have non been able to overhaul ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6768983.stm ) . Therefore, 2nd most of import issue necessitating the direction to do critical technological alterations called for a modernisation policy. 3.3: – Decrease in Market Research conducted by the BBC shows that Royal Mail delivers around 75 million stations everyday. It counts to 90 per centum of the UK ‘s market. The figure might look excessive, but is cut downing at an dismaying rate of 10 per centum every twelvemonth. Plus a crisp addition in figure of cyberspace users have reduced the market of Royal Mail, around 70 per centum of places in UK usage Internet and around 87percent of them send electronic mails ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8304722.stm ) . This decrease in the market shows that the direction needs to be really efficient in their operations. 3. 4: – Pension Fund Deficit An estimation from the similar research mentioned above shows that royal mail besides faces serious issues in pension fund shortages, which has amounted around ?8 billion ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8304722.stm ) , These issues forced the direction to travel things otherwise, and to come up with a policy that make their operations more profitable, and the could vouch their endurance and being as UK taking mail administering organisation. You read "Leadership And Change Management In Businesses Commerce Essay" in category "Essay examples" 4: – The Modernization Policy of Royal Mail It is really clear, that a stringent policy was required to undertake all the issue ( mentioned supra ) that direction faced and to prolong in long tally, the direction did the exact thing by bordering a modernisation policy, which could be called as a type of procedure alteration by Pull offing alteration and passage Harvard Business Essential. The policy required the direction to bring on extra finance of around 1.2 billion in modern machine. Modern machinery meant that estimated 40,000 employees will free their occupations ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8304722.stm ) , and the policy besides focused on altering the agenda of the employee, to do their labour hr direction more effectual. The purpose of modernisation policy was to undertake and startle Royal mail working against all the above mentioned issues. The inducement of excess finance for machinery would intend that the operation of mail would be more effectual, speedier and able to vie with the increasing and competent competition. The decrease in staff would ensue into cost effectual operations and therefore increasing its net income and ensuing into lessening in its pension fund shortages. 5: – Resistance to the ‘Modernization Policy ‘ The framing of policy was such that would make obvious opposition from the staff/union. The policy execution estimated around 40,000 occupation cuts, which increased to around 63,000 in the twelvemonth 2010 ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8339201.stm ) and could farther increase harmonizing to the CWU ( Communication Workers Union, which represented the Staff of Royal Mail ) . The Union agreed with direction on the staff decrease for endurance, but disagreed on the gait of occupation cuts and the wage rise issues. It would be undue towards the direction if I said that they failed to follow the alteration direction theory, of McKinsey ‘s seven ‘S ‘ . The information shows that they prepared and coordinated all the seven ‘S ‘ within their organisation, including the staff for the alteration they wanted to implement by subscribing a contract in 2007 with the CWU saying their consent to implement the modernisation policy ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7038899.stm ) . 5. 1: – ‘Royal Mail Industrial Dispute ‘ A confrontation and consent with CWU gave a spell to the alteration policy to be implemented, and the execution began in the twelvemonth 2008 all around UK, but when the same reached London, as per the fright of CWU the occupation loss had already reached the outlook as mentioned above and it could no longer digest ignorance of staff over implementing the policy. Demanding a clearer image and direct engagement in the execution of the 2nd stage of the alteration policy the brotherhood showed agitation in the twelvemonth 2009, and presented direction with below mentioned demands and a committedness from direction to be able to successfully implement their demands. Management were neither capable nor wishing to carry through their demand, i.e. Pay rise that would do their wage equal to the national norm ( which would be about 27 % ) . Addition in pensions support and installations ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6252202.stm ) . The demand made by the CWU workers were non merely hideous, but merely non viably for the organisation to follow, ensuing in a series of national degree work stoppage by the CWU interrupting non merely the normal operation of the Royal Mail, but impeding the execution of its policy and badly impacting little concern in the UK ( who still rely on poster and having checks, etc, hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8277206.stm ) . The work stoppages started from August 2009 ensuing into series of work stoppage boulder clay November 2009, and came on a clasp on history of Christmas ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8345643.stm ) . The impact of work stoppage can non be represented in figure, but the blow was to the public presentation of the companies as the little concern shifted to other courier suppliers to take attention of their mail. 6: – Harmonization between Management and the Union. On 8th March 2010, a study from the BBC conformed that direction of Royal Mail has successfully been able to carry the Union to assist implement the modernisation policy. Demands of Union were cohesively fitting underpinning the benefits of both the stakeholders. Management agreed to give a wage rise of 6.9 % over three old ages and an extra monitory fillip of ?1,400 to all full clip employees. In bends, the Union agreed to utilize the modern engineering in their sorting offices, and cut down their hours from 40 to 39 ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8556487.stm ) . 6. 1: – Too small excessively late The agitation and opposition with the brotherhood was dealt with but, the lone inquiry to be asked here was the trade clip effectual for the direction and the organisation? The national degree work stoppage started in center of 2009 and the common understanding between the direction and the staff was reached following twelvemonth in the month of March 2010. The inability of the direction to come on common evidences with the brotherhood at the very clip of execution can non be overseen. Every alteration has its ain opposition, that is were demand of alteration direction arises, direction has to calculate and happen out ways to undertake all the factors positive or negative to expeditiously implement alteration. 6. 2: – Failure to Manage McKinsey ‘s 7S My position on the Change / Modernization policy adopted by the direction of Royal Mail would be a failure. It certainly adopted with McKinsey ‘s 7S but surely failed to follow/ the theory. They wholly failed to convey the Staff together with all other S. Although the cost of it might be hard for me to turn out but, it is proved from a study by BBC that it hired 30,000 staff from bureau to run into with merely its regular demand in state of affairs of national degree work stoppages ( hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8339201.stm ) . This should hold increased the cost of Royal mails daily working, and the losingss it might hold incurred non being able to utilize the machinery it had invested ?1.2 billion in. This pandemonium in execution of alteration policy has made me understand that Timely execution of the alteration policy plays a critical function in its success. Royal Mail surely failed in implementing the alteration policy in a timely and efficient mode. 7: – Personal Deduction Every alteration policy has a station mortem study, I would measure the alteration policies execution of Royal Mail as a Failure and a most of import lesson to be taken away by improper execution of this policy is how of import the engagement of staff becomes in effectual execution of the alteration policy, and how an full organisation ‘s growing can be curtailed to failure merely by non being able to clearly facing and affecting one factor into its policy. 7.1: – Decision Effective leading is really of import for an organisation as it provides the vision for the organisation and all its stakeholders. ( hypertext transfer protocol: //www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/corpstrtgy/changemmt/chngmgmt.htm? IsSrchRes=1 ) In instance of Royal Mail the direction clearly failed on below mentioned personally analyzed points It failed to be effectual leaders as they failed to supply the vision to the Union and hence the staff about the effects of the alteration and how many of them will be straight every bit good as indirectly affected by the existent execution of alteration. â€Å" When of all time human communities are forced to set to switching conditions hurting is of all time present † , John P. Kotter Leading Change, 1996, Pg 4, the direction in this instance clearly failed to tag these points and continued to come on alteration until it was met with rough opposition. Failures in pass oning for bargain in by John P. Kotter A ; Deloitte Consultancy LLC 2002. The direction failed to pass on from bosom about the waies of alteration before get downing the enterprise of alteration. A failure can be associated with all the negatives and the ‘do n’t ‘ but in my position these grounds could in brief amount up the alteration procedure / modernisation policy adopted by Royal Mail. How to cite Leadership And Change Management In Businesses Commerce Essay, Essay examples

Management and Laying Off Employees Strategy †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Management and Laying Off Employees Strategy. Answer: Justifying the statement The statement that organizations that lay off employees frequently fail to improve their long-term performance is true and justified. As commented by McCord (2014), organizations become conservative with spending due to which layoffs seems to be extremely significant. Laying off talent is planned and executed by the business organizations in order to restore their financial resources. Laying off employees is a strategy undertaken by the business organization to save their financial resources by minimising the amount of salary paid to the employees as well as spending on the employees. The manner in which organizations lay off people can have a huge impact on their potential and current talent pool. Laying off talents signifies higher attrition rate of the employees. In certain instances, the organization might fail to recognize the talent and experience of the employees they require for the long-term benefit of the organization. Therefore, in order to save financial resources for sho rt-term purpose, the business organization fails to consider the long-term benefit of decreasing the attrition rate of the employees. According to Silzer and Dowell (2010), based on the current business and market situation, the business organizations lay off talents by terminating the experienced and skillful employees. However, the business organizations tend to consider the present prospects of the industry and sector, the business organization belongs to (Karren Sherman, 2012). Therefore, the business organizations fail to predict the future demands of the sector and industry and lay off talented employees that would provide a competitive advantage for the company in future. Thus, the organizations that lay off employees frequently fail to improve their long-term performance is absolutely justified. Impact of laying off talent on the management of the talent pool Talent lay off might have both positive and negative impact themanagement of the talent pool. As commented by Sobieralski and Nordstorm (2012), laying off talent provides an opportunity for the business organizations to save the financial resources based on the current market and business sector. However, on the other hand, laying of talent results in failure for the business organization to evaluate the future needs of the industry and sector. Therefore, themanagement of the talent pool seems to to be adversely affected. Based on the present scenario, themanagement terminates highly experienced and skilful employees that might be extremely beneficial for the business organization in the future. As commented by Davenport, Harris and Shapiro (2010), having those talented employees would also provide a competitive advantage for the business organization. However, in order to save the current financial resources of the company, laying off the talented employees hamper themanagement of t he talent pool. This is because in future the company has to again recruit and hire talented employees having required skills and experience for coping up with the current situation in the future. The business organization and the management might face troubles in the future in recruiting suitable employees and might incur additional financial charges for the business organization (Prasad, 2013). Therefore, the entire management of the talent pool will be disturbed and affected due to lack of talented, experienced and skilful employees for the business organization. Methods of evaluating employee performance The organizations use various methods of measuring the talents of the employees in order to ensure that they are not laying off talents that determine the future success of the organization. As commented by Bernardin and Wiatrowski (2013), behavioural checklist is one of the most widely used methods of measuring the employee talents. The behavioural checklist is a checklist of the behaviours that need to be followed by the employees. This is a valuable method used for measuring the employee talents, as having a professional and ethical behaviour is significant for the employees. According to ONeill (2010), organizational success is highly dependent on the behaviours of the employees, as this helps in maintaining positive environment both internally and externally. On the other hand, 360-degree feedback is another effective method used by the business organizations to measure the employee talents (Nowack Mashihi, 2012). The implementation of this method provides an opportunity for th e business organization to use a comprehensive look to evaluate and measure the talents and performance of the employees by pulling feedback from external sources. For using this method for measuring employee talent, the manager and the employee need to complete an assessment of the employee's work performance as well as technical skill set. Therefore, it can be concluded that effective measures need to be implemented by the business organizations to evaluate the talent of the employees in order to ensure that they are not laying off the talent that is most critical for the future success of the organization is essential. Impact of layoff on Model for Building Functional Expertise Model of building functional expertise is defined as the section or group of employees within the organization that holds special expertise and talents. These employees greatly determine the overall success of the organization along with providing them the competitive advantage, as they are the powerhouse of talent that the management utilises to sustain in the competitive market. However, the talent layoff has a huge impact on the model for building functional expertise. This is because laying off talent disturbs the model for building functional expertise. In order to save the financial resources based on the present market situation and demand, the management might lay off their talented employees that will be useful in the future (Davis, Trevor Feng, 2015). As a result, the organization might lose the talented people that would have been beneficial for them in the future. Moreover, in the future because of laying off talent the organization might not be able to find such skillful and experienced experts. Furthermore, the business organization might incur additional charges for the future recruitment and selection process in search of talented employees (Douthitt Mondore, 2014). This might be a major setback for the organization, as the time consumed by the organization for recruitment and selection will provide a competitive advantage for the competitors in the market and sector. References Bernardin, H. J., Wiatrowski, M. (2013). Performance appraisal. Psychology and Policing, 257. Davenport, T. H., Harris, J., Shapiro, J. (2010). Competing on talent analytics. Harvard Business Review, 88(10), 52-58. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database. Davis, P. R., Trevor, C. O., Feng, J. (2015). Creating a more quit-friendly national workforce? Individual layoff history and voluntary turnover. Journal of Applied Psychology, 100(5), 1434. Douthitt, S., Mondore, S. (2014). Creating a business-focused HR function with analytics and integrated talent management. People and Strategy, 36(4), 16. Karren, R., Sherman, K. (2012). Layoffs and unemployment discrimination: a new stigma. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 27(8), 848-863. McCord, P. (2014). How netflix reinvented HR. Harvard Business Review, 92(1), 71-76. Nowack, K. M., Mashihi, S. (2012). Evidence-based answers to 15 questions about leveraging 360-degree feedback. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 64(3), 157. O'Neill, H. (2010). New potential in reach for succession technology. Workforce Management, 89(8), 8. Retrieved from Business Source Complete database. Prasad, R. S. (2013). Green HRM-Partner in sustainable competitive growth. Journal of Management Sciences and Technology, 1(1), 15-18. Silzer, R., Dowell, B. E. (Eds.). (2010). Strategy-driven talent management: A leadership imperative. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Sobieralski, J., Nordstrom, C. R. (2012). An examination of employee layoffs and organizational justice perceptions. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 12(3/4), 11.

Although Zephaniah Kingsley Did Not View The Slaves As Harshly As The

Although Zephaniah Kingsley did not view the slaves as harshly as the other white slave owners of that time his views were essentially opposite than those of David Walker. David Walker was the son of a slave father and a free black mother. This parentage, according to the laws of slavery, made him free. He received an education and resided in several states throughout his lifetime. As a result of his observations and experiences with slavery, he wrote his Appeal to the Coloured Citizens of the World which basically delivers a candid description of racism and slavery in the United States and also calls upon the black population to rise and reclaim their identity as members of the human race. Zephaniah Kingsley on the other hand, was a white Florida planter and slave owner who argued that the institution of slavery was an essential and necessary part of life in the South. Although Kingsley's views were in favor of slavery he differed from most whites in that he did not believe that bla cks were inferior. The extent of David Walker's opinion on slavery can basically be summarized in this statement, The inhuman system of slavery, is the source from which most of our miseries proceed.? Walker, (3) He argues that in no other time in history has a group of people been so mistreated as the slaves of the white Americans. To support this he claims that never before has their humanity been questioned. For example, he brings up the point that many Americans considered black people to be direct descendants of monkeys. Walker, (10) In addition to being labeled as inferior, blacks were also prohibited from becoming educated and also from getting together to worship God. According to Walker, becoming educated posed a threat to the whites who then feared that they could no longer control their slaves. For coloured people to acquire learning in this country, makes tyrants quake and tremble on their sandy foundation.? Walker, (31) Perhaps the point that makes David Walker feel so strongly about his a rgument is that to him the American people were in a sense walking contradictions. In Article IV of his Appeal he refers to the Declaration of Independence particularly the line ?We hold these truths to be self evident-that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights: that are among these, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Walker implores the Americans to think about how the cruelties imposed upon them by the British pale in comparison to the ones they subject the slaves to. To conclude Walker's argument, the one thing that made him adamant about slavery aside from the immense cruelty was that he could not find one justification for the deplorable treatment of his people other than inherent evil on the part of the white Americans. Completely contrary to David Walker's views were that of Zephaniah Kingsley. Just as Walker wrote his Appeal expressing his opposition to slavery, Kingsley wrote the Treatise on the Patriarchal, or Co-operative System of Society, As it Exists in Some Governments, And Colonies in America, and in the United States, Under the Name of Slavery, With its Necessity and Advantages. This document, although in favor of slavery, addresses it not as a matter of race but rather a sort of economic system and also dismisses the idea of black inferiority. Perhaps this point is reinforced with the fact that he had an extended family consisting of many children from various slave women, which he openly acknowledged as his own and even provided for them in his will. He states, ?To destroy the prejudice existing against slavery, under the circumstances with which it is now associated in the South, is the object of this essay.? Stowell, (45) Kingsley believed in a three-caste social system consisting of whites, free blacks, and slaves. The success of this system depended on the free blacks and whites working together through common economic interest. Stowell, (1) This system also allowed for the moving up in social status of the blacks provided they achieve economic success. One of Kingsley's strongest points in his proslavery argument was that the South's prosperity depended exclusively on agriculture,

Leukemia at the Age Over 50 essays

Leukemia at the Age Over 50 essays Each year, nearly 27,000 adults and more than 2,000 children in the United States learn that they have a disease called leukemia. Leukemia is a type of cancer. Cancer is a group of more than 100 diseases that have two important characteristics in common. One of those is that certain cells in the body become abnormal. The other characteristic is that the body keeps producing large numbers of these abnormal cells. Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells. To understand leukemia, it is helpful to know about normal blood cells and what happens to them when leukemia develops. The blood is made up of fluid called plasma and three types of cells. Each type has special functions. White blood cells - help the body fight infections and other diseases. Red blood cells - carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and take carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. The red blood cells give blood its color. Platelets - help form blood clots that control bleeding. Normally, blood cells are produced in an orderly, controlled way, as the body needs them. This process helps keep us healthy. When leukemia develops, the body produces large numbers of abnormal blood cells. In most types of leukemia, the abnormal cells are white blood cells. The leukemia cells usually look different from normal blood cells since they do not function properly. There are several types of leukemia. They are grouped in two ways. One way is by how quickly the disease develops and gets worse. The other way is by the type of blood cell that is affected. In acute leukemia, the abnormal blood cells are blasts and thus remain very immature and cannot carry out their normal functions. The number of blasts increases rapidly, and the disease gets worse quickly. In chronic leukemia, some blast cells are present, but in general, these cells are more mature and can carry out some of their normal functions. Also, the number of blasts increases less rapidly ...

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DIFFICULTIES OF PROVIDING EXCELLENT CUSTOMER Essay

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DIFFICULTIES OF PROVIDING EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE - Essay Example This essay will explicate customer service and its recent trends, its good and negative practices, the disadvantages of bad customer service, its difficulties and how to improve this as a profession. Customer Service: The Basic Customer service relates to marketing and sale of product to a customer from manufacturer to targeted end-user (La Londe and Zinser, 1976). In this service, there is so much need about worker’s availability, reliability, quality delivery of services, responsiveness, organizational ability, communication skill and flexibility. While valuing customer, the customer service representative (CSR) should integrate quality service to develop customer retention and to inculcate competitive advantage in the marketing arena. As such, this means that the CSR is able to contribute improve the profitability of the company. Positive Customer service It is perceived that positive customer service is characterized with sensitivity to buy and sell transactional relations , sufficient knowledge on the crossing-points in the supply chain viz-a-viz marketing orientation, organization in performing tasks and good cognizance of the factors relating to buying-and-sell situation. The customer must therefore be knowledgeable on standard product or service delivery system; immediately recognize critical service problems; develop customer communication system; and have ability to build relations with clients. Kano, Seraku, Takahasi,& Tsuji (1984) explained that positive service is obtain whenever customer satisfaction and marketing strategies are achieved through quality management. Kano et.al (1984). This refers to the ability of the customer representative to meet the six quality attributes. These factors are basic entry threshold toward customer fulfillment, excitement factor, and performance ability (Kano et.al, 1984). Other factors are the indifferent, questionable and reverse attributes. The latter are not much regarded by customers though (Kano et.al., 1984). It is essential however that the customer service representative is able to articulate to customer the basic features of the product or service sold and relate with flexibility, simplicity, adjustability and cost (Kano et.al,1984). As workers, they must be able to balance the financial, customer, business processes and learning perspectives while tending to clients. Financial factor refers to an attribute of being knowledgeable on company’s financial data, including automation of financial processing, to keep them abreast on market risks and to ascertain cost-benefit of investment (Kano et.al,1984). On customer sensitivity, performance management CSR must be able to meet reasonably the customers’ needs and satisfaction (Kano et.al,1984). On the business side, CSR should know how to contribute in strategic management because his task is ultimately linked with the overall goal of the company he or she represents (Kano et.al,1984). He is part of the support process es. Balancing views on these factors can help bolster the performance of the company. It assists in integrating quality and customer service programs for profit, reliability, influence, customer empathy and to ensure quality assurance (Kano et.al,1984).

Stem Cell Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Stem Cell Research - Essay Example It is nobody's case that stem cell research is a bad thing. Each one of us hopes for a day when no disease will be categorized as incurable', and the potential in this line of work to realize that dream is plain for all to see. The controversy that stem cell research has provoked - sharply dividing public opinion and placing the government and President Bush in a quandary -- has to do with an ethical concern over the use of embryos. Why must embryos be utilized Why not depend on adult stem cells instead and get on with the research without causing any harm to the subject Scientists have good reason for this. Stem cell research has at its core a kind of cell called pluripotent' -- essentially an innocent' cell which has not begun to develop into any specific tissue - such as blood or brain or heart cells. But this state of innocence lasts only three to five days, and if scientists can seize on this small window of opportunity, they can isolate and coax it to develop into any of the 220 types of human cell lines. Which in turn can be used to repair or replace specific tissue and treat any disease that involves tissue degeneration - such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, afflictions in the central nervous system, Type 1 diabetes, liver malfunctions etc. Adult stem cells do have some relevance in this research, but they are not so pliant and therefore they cannot be programmed to differentiate into more than a few of the necessary 220 cell lines. Scientifically, an airtight argument in support of the use of embryos - which, alas, does nothing to address the moral and ethical concerns. What right do we have to play God, snuff out a life and willfully deny it of its potential to grow into a healthy human being Life, according to Christian belief, begins at conception, and no matter whether that life is sparked off in a womb or in a Petri dish, its destruction amounts to murder. So, are we willing to commit murder in the name of science And if we are, then where does it end By pushing the limits of morality, we are only helping to create a society where life is so cheap that one person can use another without compunction or accountability. As the late Pope John Paul II pointed out to President Bush (2001), "In defending the right to life . America can show the world the path to a truly humane future in which man remains the master, not the product, of his technology." Scientists counter this charge by pulling cold facts out of the trash can. Stem cells, they reiterate, can be extracted from the surplus frozen embryos left over at fertility clinics. Typically, these embryos - numbering in hundreds of thousands -- are discarded as medical waste after an infertile couple's desire for a child has been fulfilled. So where's the sense in arguing on behalf of an embryo which is destined to perish anyway It must come as a relief to stem cell researchers that more and more people are shaking off their knee-jerk response to the emotionally-loaded issue and finally buying into this view: the results of a Harris Poll (2004) showed that 73 per cent of the people interviewed approved of the research, compared to 61 per cent in 2001. Celebrities too - a major voice in these media-driven times - have mostly come out in support of stem cell research, and the involvement of actors such as the late Christopher Reeve, Michael J. Fox,

Ultrasonography Advantages and Disadvantages

Ultrasonography Advantages and Disadvantages ULTRASONOGRAPHY Ultrasonography is a sound based diagnostic imaging technique used for visualising subcutaneous body structures including muscles joints vessels and internal organs for possible pathology and lesions. Sonography was introduced in the Medical field in early 1950s with steady development. The requirement of Ultrasound has gained importance in medical field and slowly its use in dentistry is also advancing. In Ultrasonography high frequency sound waves are transmitted in to the body by a transducer and the reflected waves are detected and displayed on a monitor. Sound reflection occurs between materials with different acoustic properties. The acoustic impedance of a medium is the product of its density and the propagation velocity in the medium. The transducers are intended to produce longitudinal waves therefore only those waves can pass through tissues get reflected, Audio frequency of a sound wave is 20 KHz any frequency above this is known as ultrasound. Medical Ultrasound uses the frequency of 1-15 MHz. The transducer contains quartz crystals and works on a principle called as piezoelectric effect. Piezoelectric effect is when a force is applied perpendicular to the faces of a quartz crystal an electric charge will result. This charge can be de ­tected and amplified, producing a useful electric signal. Conversely, if an electric sig ­nal is applied to the crystal, expansion or con ­traction of the crystal will take place depend ­ing on the polarity of the signal. Oscillating signals cause the crystal to vi ­brate, resulting in propagation of sound waves into the medium with which the crystal is in contact.52 Advantages of this imaging technique include – Non invasive Non ionizing radiation is used Simple Real time imaging Portable machine Can repeat and easy to store Less artifacts Disadvantages include – Operator and equipment dependant Hard tissue cannot be imaged Deep structures cannot be visualized Application of Ultrasonography in dentistry: Ultrasonography has been used as non-invasive technique for the imaging of relatively deep areas. Recently, however high frequency USG has been developed that can provide detail investigation of more superficial regions.53, 54 USG has extensive range of use in dentistry such as to detect cyst and tumors of orofacial region, lympadenitis, space infections, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and mid face fractures. USG can detect of fractures of the maxillofacial region i.e. nasal bone fractures, orbital rim fractures, maxillary fractures, mandibular fractures, zygomatic arch fractures as well as reduction healing of fractures. Ultrasound is used to detect parotid lesions, where solid and cystic lesions are reliably differentiated and diffuse enlargement of the parotid gland (or) focal disease is readily shown by ultrasound. Sonographically, benign lesions usually appear well defined, homogeneous and hypoechoic, while malignant lesions tend to be ill defined and hypoechoic with heterogeneous internal architecture and enlarged cervical lymph node may be visible and reactive intra parotid lymph nodes may also be readily assessed.55, 56, 57 USG can also be used during FNAC. This technique offers the ability to sample non palpable diseases, gives access to different regions of the lesion and approaches the lesion from different angles. During biopsy of parotid gland there is chance of injuring the facial nerve (or) seeding neoplastic cells, under ultrasound guidance these can be avoided.56 The value of USG is well recognized in inflammatory soft tissue conditions of the head and neck region and superficial tissue disorders of the maxillofacial region. Ultra sound can provide the content of the lesion before any surgical procedure; both solid and cystic contents could be identified in ultrasound. The mixed lesions should be considered neoplastic and should be biopsied before surgical procedure.USG helps in detecting the extend of space infections in oral and maxillofacial region. Ultrasound is also an precise modality for measuring the thickness of muscles, data regarding thickness may provide information useful in diagnosis and treatment especially in follow up examination in cases of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).58 USG is indiacted in TMD to evaluate the osseous contours of joints and joint space, joint effusion, detection of disc position and dynamic evaluation and inflammatory disorders like Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis etc. Ultrasound can also be used for detecting sialoliths in parotid, submandibular and sublingual salivary glands, which appear as echo-dense spots with a characteristic acoustic shadow.59 In Ultrasound, color Doppler sonography has been developed to identify vasculatures and to enable evaluation of the blood flow, velocity and vessel resistance together with surrounding Morphology. It can be used for detecting the course of the facial artery and for detecting hemangioma. So the use of ultrasound is unlimited, so proper application of this Imaging can be of use in detecting various normal pathological lesions in the maxillofacial region. Literature search Manjunath K et al (2011) evaluated oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) by clinical and histopathological examination, and compared the results with those from ultrasonographic technique.30 clinically diagnosed OSMF patients were subjected to both ultrasonographic and histopathological evaluation before treatment. Later, only ultrasonographical examination using 9-5 MHz transducer was done during 4thand 8thweek of treatment. Intralesional injections of a combination of dexamethasone sodium phosphate 4 mg/ml and hyaluronidase 1500 IU twice a week for 8 weeks were given. At each visit, following topical application of lignocaine 2%, 1500 IU of hyaluronidase was dissolved in 2.0 ml of dexamethasone sodium phosphate in a 2 ml disposable syringe and the drugs were injected at multiple sites submucosally by means of a gauge 24 needle, taking care that not more than 0.2 ml solution was injected per site. Prognosis of the lesion for the treatment was evaluated. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) of bloo d in the lesional area was statistically analyzed. 10 normal individuals without any mucosal lesions were considered as the control group.In normal individuals, ultrasonography delineated normal mucosa with uniform fine mottled appearance with interspersed hypoechoic areas. Colour Doppler and spectral Doppler depicted uniform distribution of blood vessels and normal peak systolic velocity of blood respectively. All OSMF patients were diagnosed upon clinical and histopathological examination. Clinical examination revealed 14 individuals with unilateral palpable fibrotic bands and 16 individuals with bilateral fibrotic bands whereas, ultrasonographic evaluation revealed 6 individuals with unilateral fibrotic bands and 24 individuals were with bilateral fibrotic bands, which was statistically significant. Ultrasonography demonstrated number, length and thickness of the fibrotic bands. Color Doppler and spectral Doppler showed decreased vascularity and PSV in lesional area. Prognosis ev aluation revealed 25 cases of good prognosis and 5 cases were showed poor prognosis. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test revealed no significant difference of PSV was seen in poor prognosis patients.The study concluded that Ultrasonography could be a better diagnostic tool compared to clinical and histopathological examination.2 Krithika C et al (2013) assessed the sonographic features of the buccal mucosa in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSF).Three groups (controls with areca-related habits, controls without areca-related habits and clinically diagnosed OSF cases), each comprising 30 subjects, were included in the study. After a thorough clinical examination, transcutaneous B-mode ultrasonography was performed with a multifrequency linear transducer (5-10à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ °MHz) for anterior and posterior buccal mucosa bilaterally. Both clinical and ultrasound findings were recorded by three independent observers. One-way analysis of variance and Tukeys honestly significant difference post-hoc tests were used for statistical comparisons between groups and Pearson χ (2) tests to compare the proportions. Kappa statistics was used to determine the interobserver agreement. The submucosa that appeared hypoechoic in the control groups had significantly increased echogenicity in the case group (hypo- to isoechoic in 46.7% and isoechoic in 53.3%). The differentiation between the submucosa and the muscle layer appeared distinct in the control groups while it was not clear in the case group (indistinct in 50% and completely lost in 50%). The number of sites found positive on the ultrasound was significantly greater than the number of clinically positive sites. There was a very good inter observer consistency in clinical and ultrasound findings. Ultrasonography of the buccal mucosa demonstrated increased submucosal echogenicity and reduced echo differentiation between submucosa and muscle layer in OSF cases. Hence, it can be used as a non-invasive imaging modality to assess the disease extent and severity across the entire buccal mucosa to supplement clinical evaluation.7 P Rangaiah (2010) performed a hospital based cross sectional study to measure the thickness of submucosa with the application of high frequency ultrasonography (USG) in cases and controls and to correlate clinical and histological stages of the disease with the USG measurements. Study consisted of 20 subjects who were clinically and histopathologically proven of OSMF and 20 controls who were selected by matching the age body mass index to OSMF patients. Transcutaneous imaging of Buccal and labial submucosa was done using a high frequency (3-12 MHz) USG. The values were correlated with the habit and clinical and histological staging of the disease. Result The mean submucosal thickness of ABM for cases was0.209  ± 0.072 cms and for controls was 0.056  ± 0.011 cms, PBM for cases was 0.218  ± 0.080 and for controls was 0.057  ± 0.010 cms, ULM for cases was 0.149  ± 0.051 cms and for controls was 0.055  ± 0.015 cms, and for LLM for cases was 0.162  ± 0.052 cms and for the c ontrols was 0.060  ± 0.017 cms. The study group had a increased submucosal thickness when compared to control group in all the measured sites. A significant positive association was obtained in relation of submucosal thickness with frequency of chewing habits. An insignificant correlation was obtained with respect to submucosal thickness with duration of habit and duration of quid keeping. An incompatibility was noted when comparison of clinical and histological staging was done with USG measurements, which could be attributed to smaller sample size, unequal number of subjects in each staging of OSMF. But many cases showed definite increase in submucosal thickness as the disease progressed from early to advanced stage. Echogenecity pattern of submucosa showed areas of irregular hyperechoic (increased) linear streaks due to fibrotic deposits in cases. In the contrary the submucosa of controls appeared as a band of hypoechoic zone. Conclusion of the present preliminary study was abl e to establish the normal values of submucosal thickness ultrasonographically for a small group of South Indian population. The study showed a significant increase in submucosal thickness in OSMF patients which was measured ultrasonographically.60 Devathambi JR (2013) evaluated the efficacy of ultrasonography (USG) as a non-invasive tool in assessing the severity of OSMF and also to assess the relationship between OSMF and hypertrophy of the masseter muscle. The submucosal thickness in buccal mucosa and masseteric muscle hypertrophy were measured using ultrasound (10-15 MHz) in 60 patients comprising 30 OSMF patients and 30 controls. Results were analyzed by one way analysis of variance, Chi-square test and t- test. The range of the normal submucosal thickness in the study was between 0.045 and 0.056 cm.the submucosal thickness in OSMF patients ranged between 0.090cm to 0.258.As the stages of OSMF advanced there was an increase in submucosal thickness of the buccal mucosa as well as masseter muscle thickness in both relaxed and contracted state in the study group when compared with controls (P61 P Kant (2014) evaluated the efficacy of ultrasonography (USG) as a non-invasive tool in assessing the severity of OSMF and also to assess the relationship between OSMF and hypertrophy of the masseter muscle. The submucosal thickness in buccal mucosa and masseteric muscle hypertrophy were measured using ultrasound (10-15 MHz) in 60 patients comprising 30 OSMF patients and 30 controls. Results were analyzed by one way analysis of variance, Chi-square test and t-test. As the stages of OSMF advanced there was an increase in submucosal thickness of the buccal mucosa as well as masseter muscle thickness in both relaxed and contracted state in the study group when compared with controls (p62 Kamala KA et al (2010) investigated thickness of masseter muscle at rest and at maximum clenching position by ultrasonography with masseter muscle hypertrophy in OSMF patient and control group, and also to establish the normal value of masseter muscle thickness ultrasonographically and to prove that ultrasonography is reliable diagnostic technique for the evaluation of masseter muscle hypertrophy in oral submucous fibrosis patient. Ultrasonographic (3-12 MHz) measurement of masseter muscle thickness was performed in 40 subjects including 20 OSMF patients and 20 controls. Study group showed higher thickness both on right and left buccal mucosa when compared to controls. The thickness of masseter muscle was more in contracted stage than relaxed stage which was significant.63 J Jackowski et al (1999) compared the ultrasonographic appearances of the oral mucosa in health with patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).An innovative 20 MHz US scanner was used to examine the lips, cheeks and oral vestibule of ten healthy persons and ten patients with SSc. The clinical, ultrasonographic and histopathological features of one patient with a fibro-epithelial polyp of the buccal mucosa are reported in detail. Two patients with SSc displayed increased echogenicity due to fibrotic deposits. A similar echo pattern was seen in the case of the histopathologically verified fibro-epithelial polyp of the buccal mucosa. The study concluded that 20 MHz sonography may be suitable as a non-invasive tool for evaluation of fibrosis of the oral mucosa.64 Praveen Kumar Pandey et al (2011) The purpose of the study was to establish the role of ultrasonography in determining the involvement of specific fascial spaces in maxillofacial region and the stage of infection, in indicating the appropriate time for surgical intervention and to compare clinical and ultrasonographic findings. Material and Methods Twenty five patients with fascial space infection in maxillofacial region were subjected to ultrasonographic examination following a detailed clinical and radiological examination. Ultrasonography guided needle aspiration was performed. Based on the findings, patients diagnosed with abscess were subjected to incision and drainage and those with cellulitis were subjected to medical line of treatment. Results More than one fascial space was involved in all patients. On clinical examination 64 spaces were involved, of them 34 spaces had abscess formation and 30 spaces were in the stage of cellulitis. On ultrasonography examination, 28 spaces were reported to have abscess formation and 36 spaces were diagnosed to be in the stage of cellulitis. On comparative analysis of both clinical and ultrasonographic findings, ultrasonography was found to be sensitive in 65% of the cases and having specificity of 80%. It was registered statistically significant (P Conclusions Ultrasonography is a quick, widely available, relatively inexpensive, and painless procedure and can be repeated as often as necessary without risk to the patient. Thus ultrasonography is a valuable diagnostic aid to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon for early and accurate diagnosis of fascial space infection, their appropriate treatment and to limit their further spread. Keywords:ultrasonography, maxillofacial surgery, abscess, cellulitis, differential diagnosis. The purpose of the study was to establish the role of ultrasonography in determining the involvement of specific facial spaces in maxillofacial region and the stage of infection, in indicating the appropriate time for surgical intervention and to compare clinical and ultrasonographic findings. Twenty five patients with fascial space infection in maxillofacial region were subjected to ultrasonographic examination following a detailed clinical and radiological examination. Ultrasonography guided needle aspiration was performed. Based on the findings, patients diagnosed with abscess were subjected to incision and drainage and those with cellulitis were subjected to medical line of treatment. More than one fascial space was involved in all patients. On clinical examination 64 spaces were involved, of them 34 spaces had abscess formation and 30 spaces were in the stage of cellulitis. On ultrasonography examination, 28 spaces were reported to have abscess formation and 36 spaces were diagn osed to be in the stage of cellulitis. On comparative analysis of both clinical and ultrasonographic findings, ultrasonography was found to be sensitive in 65% of the cases and having specificity of 80%. It was registered statistically significant (P 65 Mohit sharma et al (2014) detected the role of ultrasonography as an adjunctive diagnostic aid for fascial space infections of odontogenic origin as well as an aid in appropriate treatment planning and management of fascial space infections of odontogenic origin. The study group comprised of 30 patients of either genders, irrespective of age and presented with unilateral fascial space infection of odontogenic origin. After the clinical and radiographic examinations, patients underwent USG evaluation. USG-guided intraoperative aspiration was done to confirm the diagnosis. All the findings were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis.USG was as accurate as USG-guided intraoral aspiration (Gold standard) in diagnosing fascial space infections of odontogenic origin with sensitivity and specificity of 100%. In cases of abscess USG showed a well-defined homogenous anechoic pattern, cellulitis cases showed an ill-defined heterogeneous hyperechoic pattern while edema showed an ill-de fined isoechoic pattern.The different stages of fascial space infections of odontogenic origin can be clearly depicted on the USG. The study concluded that different stages of fascial space infections of odontogenic origin can be clearly depicted on the USG and it can be used as a reliable adjunctive imaging technique in the diagnosis of fascial space infection of odontogenic origin.66 Prince CN et al (2012) assessed the diagnostic capability of real-time ultrasound imaging, together with the application of color power Doppler in the identification and differential diagnosis of the periapical lesions. Fifteen patients with periapical lesions of pulpal origin, diagnosed with clinical and conventional radiographic examination, were examined further using ultrasonography. The results from the biopsies of the lesions were compared and statistically analyzed. The differential diagnosis between periapical granulomas and cystic lesions, which were based on the ultrasonographic findings, were confirmed by the results of the histopathologic examination in 13 (86.7%) of 15 cases, one being granuloma and 14 being cystic lesion.67 Sumit Goel et al (2011) evaluated the efficacy of ultrasonography with color Doppler and power Doppler applications over conventional radiography in the diagnosis of periapical lesions.Thirty patients having inflammatory periapical lesions of the maxillary or mandibular anterior teeth and requiring endodontic surgery were selected for inclusion in this study. All patients consented to participate in the study. They used conventional periapical radiographs as well as USG with color Doppler and power Doppler for the diagnosis of these lesions. Their diagnostic performances were compared against histopathologic examination. All data were compared and statistically analyzed.USG examination with color Doppler and power Doppler identified 29 (19 cysts and 10 granulomas) of 30 periapical lesions accurately, with a sensitivity of 100% for cysts and 90.91% for granulomas and a specificity of 90.91% for cysts and 100% for granulomas. In comparison, conventional intraoral radiography identified only 21 lesions (sensitivity of 78.9% for cysts and 45.4% for granulomas and specificity of 45.4% for cysts and 78.9% for granulomas). There was definite correlation between the echo texture of the lesions and the histopathological features except in one case.68 Page 1