Development of SMEs in Malaysia

Development of SMEs in MalaysiaThe Global EnterpriseIntroductionMalaysia is a developing nation with a population of 30 cardinal and watercoursely assort in the upper middle income category. It is situated in the South East Asia Region and is part of the Association of South East Asian Nation which excessively comprises of countries such as Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, as well as Thailand and Vietnam (ASEAN, 2014). Malaysia is a unique country as it is made up of a variety of races such as Malay, Chinese and Indian as well as indigenous races, making it an ethnic in every(prenominal)y heterogeneous nation. This thus sets a very diverse and vibrant ethnical backdrop in Malaysia.Important Benchmark in the Malaysian economic PolicyIn their study of strengthening entrepreneurship in Malaysia, Ariff et al (2000) describes that during the British colonial rule of Malaya (pre-1957), the British implemented the practice of separating economical activity along racial boundaries. Malayas main economic drivers at the time were tin exploit and production of rubber. In order to streamline operations of the industry, Indian and Chinese migrant workers were imported to work on the rubber plantations and in the tin mines respectively. The Chinese were allowed to run certain businesses becoming shopkeepers, peddlers and petty traders in the towns. The Malays were mainly concentrated in the agricultural arena and were the only ethnic-group that was allowed into the bureaucracy. However, only members of the royal or upper class families of the different states of Malaya were usually allowed into the administration, whereas the studyity of Malays were limited to the low-income agricultural sector. This resulted in a very multi-layered society, segregated economically and racially with the majority of Malays (Bumiputras) at the bottom rung. To repossess the economic disparity that existed within the country, the representatives o f the three major ethnic groups (Malay, Indian and Chinese) agreed that upon independence from colonial rule, the Malays would be given certain special rights in the fields of religion, economics and politics. The main reason for this positive discrimination was to elevate the status of the economically marginalized Malays, and therefore create a more equitable and match society.Under the New Economic Policy (NEP) established in 1970, these special rights received more comprehensive enunciation. This was a reaction to the growing discontent roughly the economic inequalities between the Malays and the different races who were still gaining economic ascendancy. The main objectives of the NEP were to reduce and eventually eradicate poverty, and to accelerate the process of restructuring Malaysian society to correct economic imbalance, so as to reduce and eventually eliminate the identification of race with economic function (Kuala Lumpur Government get, 1972) The NEP emphasised on increasing effective Bumiputra monomania and employment in the corporate sector, improving Bumiputra participation in high-income occupations, as well as narrowing income inequality and eradicating poverty.Within these larger policies, the subject of constructing a Bumiputra Commercial and Industrial Community (BCIC), which involves fostering Bumiputra entrepreneurs, professionals and creating a Bumiputra middle-class (Economic Planning Unit, 2001) is deeply prevalent. This has become the backbone of Malaysias strategy for strengthening national entrepreneurship, and all related policies and strategies have to take this into consideration. However non-Bumiputra entrepreneurs have not been completely neglected.The State of the Malaysian Economy (2013-2014)Malaysia has a medium-sized but rapidly growing economy. It is self-sufficient in master(prenominal) natural resources, including gas and oil, and has a conducive environment and climate for the production of various crops (oil p alm being one of those). Her especially strategic location provides further advantages for the development of its international trade.As of 14 August 2014, Malaysia has posted a Gross Domestic product (gross domestic product) of 6.4%, amounting to RM262.8 billion. This is a very back up sign for the national economy. This is a slightly marked improvement from the first quarter of 2014 which was 6.2%. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the nation posted a GDP of 5.1% (Department of Statistics, Malaysia, 2014). This can be seen in chart 1. The construction sector was the main contributor to the GDP at 9.9%, followed by manufacturing (7.3%), agriculture (7.1%), private consumption (6.5%) and pet business officeum and mining (2.1%) according to The Star (2014)An additional point to note the twin tragic disasters that befell Malaysia especially Malaysia Airlines this year (flights MH370 and MH17 respectively) have not significantly affected Malaysias bullish economic performance. However, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) have been experiencing heavy losses in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of the year (Malaysia Airlines, 2014)As an oil and gas exporter, Malaysia has profited from higher universe of discourse brawn prices, although the rising cost of domestic gasoline and diesel fuel, has forced the government to begin to address fiscal shortfalls, through initial reductions in energy and sugar subsidies and the announcement of the 2015 implementation of a 6% goods and services tax. The government is also trying to lessen its reliance on state oil manufacturer PETRONAS. The oil and gas sector supplies about 32% of government revenue in 2013. Bank Negara Malaysia (central bank) maintains healthy foreign exchange reserves, and a well-developed regulatory regimen has limited Malaysias exposure to riskier financial instruments and the global financial crisis. Nevertheless, Malaysia could be vulnerable to a fall in commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity b ecause exports are a major component of GDP.In order to attract increased investment, the Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Sri Najib Razak antecedent raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013 after he encountered significant opposition from Malay nationalists and other assigned interests. In September 2013 Najib launched the new Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Program (BEEP), policies that favor and advance the economic nail down of ethnic Malays, further strengthening the economic stature and power of the Bumiputras in the nation.Malaysia has a diversified and rapidly expanding manufacturing sector. Malaysia was able to join the worlds leaders in most fields although in many areas of manufacturing, it relies on imported technologies and foreign investments. In the 1990s, it became the worlds third-largest producer of integrated circuits and one of the leading produ cers of domestic appliances. Agriculture is still an important export earner. Malaysia is the worlds second largest producer of palm oil behind Indonesia, amounting to 39% of the worlds palm oil production (Malaysian Palm Oil Council, 2014).Malaysia has ever so been very open to foreign investment (FDI), especially for export-oriented manufactures, with relatively few restrictions and easy return of profits. This has prompted some of the worlds largest corporations, such as Dell and Microsoft of the United States, necrotizing enterocolitis and Mitsubishi of Japan, and others, to set up production branches in Malaysia. gloomy Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in MalaysiaNormah Mohd Aris (2007) says thatThe Malaysian economy is driven and influenced by many factors. Some of these factors take on Small and medium enterprises (commonly referred to as SMEs) have been the backbone of economic growth of an economy in driving industrial development. Due to their sheer numbers, size and nature of operations, the role of SMEs in promoting domestic sources of growth and strengthening the infrastructure for accelerated economic expansion and development in Malaysia has been recognised. The interdependence of SMEs and large enterprises in collaborating with each other has led to the further expansion of SMEs.According to the Malaysian SME Corp website, SMEs are defined by the following featuresManufacturing sector, sales turnover not exceeding RM50 million OR full-time employees not exceeding 200 workersServices and other sectors, sales turnover not exceeding RM20 million OR full-time employees not exceeding 75 workersSMEs are further divided into three different categories as shown in Table 1.SMEs in Malaysia are generally focused in the textile and apparel, food and beverages, metals and metals products and wood and wood products sectors. The majority of manufacturing companies are located in the central parts of Malaysia and around the countrys major industrial regions.Challe nges Faced by SMEs in MalaysiaAccording to Muhammad et al., (2010) many previous studies conducted by Saleh and Ndubisi (2006) Samad (2007) Abu Bakar et al. (2006) Aris (2006) Harvie (2004) Wang (2003) Wafa et al. (2005) Ritchie Brindley (2000) Decker et al. (2006) and Foon (2006) various challenges faced SMEs in a globalized environment. The SMEs should mainly concentrate in overcoming the challenges, which take recession, barrier from global sourcing, low productivity, overlook of managerial capabilities, and lack of financing, difficulty in accessing management, technology and heavy regulatory burden. In the same way, Teoh and Chong (2008) reasoned that the major hurdles to entrepreneurship development are lack of access to credit, formal business and social networks. Muhammad et al. (2010) identified that the main problems faced by SMEs in Malaysia are the lack of knowledge regarding marketing techniques, branding, customer loyalty and also lack of good contacts with others l ocal and international enterprises.How the Government is Helping SMEs in MalaysiaThe Malaysian Governments commitment to and involvement for the development of SMEs has been palpable since the early 1970s. The New Economic Policy, which mainly aimed to improve peoples welfare and restructure ethnic economic imbalances, was introduced in 1971. The governments commitment to the development of SMEs is also evident in the second Industrial Master Plan (IMP2), which is then followed by the Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3) 20062020 to coincide with the countrys vision for 2020.The Malaysian Government has implemented various policies and strategies under these plans. (Saleh et al, 2006)Further reason the role of SMEs, the governments commitment towards the development of SMEs was emphasized when the National SME Development Council (NSDC), was established in 2004. This Council embodies the highest-level policy making body to chart the forethought and strategies for the development of SMEs. Some of the initiatives announced include the formulation of targeted strategies for the development of SMEs across all sectors the establishment of a comprehensive National SME database and the expansion of development foul programmes and facilities to enhance access to financing and accessibility of markets for export (Bank Negara Malaysia, 2006). The Small and Medium Industries Development club (SMIDEC) was also set up, with the goal of developing capable and lively Malaysian SMEs to be competitive in the global market.In 2007, the NSDC decided to appoint a single dedicated agency to formulate overall policies. SMIDEC was chosen to tackle this role and was transformed into the Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation Malaysia (SME Corp. Malaysia). SME Corp. Malaysia is now the central point of reference for information and advisory services for all SMEs in Malaysia. (Small and Medium Enterprise Corporation Malaysia, 2014)Saleh et al (2006) have also identified other key areas in which the Malaysian government have been back up SMEs. These areas include1. Developing Access to MarketsThe Malaysian External consider Development Corporation (MATRADE) facilitates the participation of SMEs at trade fairs and trade exhibitions by financing their participation costs. This gives the SMEs a platform to market and showcase their companies.2. Upgrading TechnologyTechnology provides SMEs with the opportunity to increase their efficiency and productivity with tools to better manage their business amidst the growing demands of the current market.3. Promoting the Application of ICTICT allows effective and speedy communications and can ensure timely responses to market requirements.4. enquiry Development (R D) and InnovationA total of RM280million was allocated to the Industry Research and Development Grant Scheme (IGS) and Commercialization of Research and Development Findings (CRDF) schemes under the 8th Malaysian Plan.5. Productivity and QualityAssistance p rograms are aimed at further SMEs to acquire quality standards (health, safety, environment and labour) that will assist them to leverage their strengths.6. Awards and RecognitionThe government introduced various award programs to acknowledge companies that have attained excellence. Such programs includeThe Prime Ministers Industry Excellence AwardProductivity and Quality management Award (PQMA)Enterprise 50 Award (E50)7. Access to finance and GrantsThe government has allocated substantial funds for borrowing by SMEs.8. Supply of Skilled LabourIn regard to SMEs, SME Corp. Malaysia collaborates with around 20 skill centres to provide bringing up to local SMEs in technical and managerial proficiencies. The Electrical and Electronics, automotive, machinery and engineering services are some of sectors receiving priority in terms of training.ReferencesAriff, M. and Abubakar, S.Y. (2004) Strengthening Entrepreneurship in Malaysia, pp. 2-12Aris, N. M. (2006) SMEs construction blocks for economic growth. http//www.statistics.gov.my/conference/download.php?cat=1id_file=22. accessed 20/10/2014ASEAN (2014) ASEAN Member States. http//www.asean.org/asean/asean-member-states accessed 15/10/2014BNM Bank Negara Malaysia (2004), National SME Council Meeting, Press Release, Bank Negara Malaysia.Foon, L. S. Eu-Gene, S. (2006) The Changing of schooling in the Globalized World. Proceedings of Persidangan Kebangsaan IKS 2006, Kuala Lumpur Universiti Utara Malaysia.Decker, M., Schiefer, G. Bulander, R. (2006). Specific challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in M-business a SME-suitable framework for mobile services. Proceedings of the International Conference on E- business sector (ICE-B 2006), Setbal, Portugal INSTICC.Department of Statistics, Malaysia (2014) Press Release Gross Domestic Product, 2nd Quarter of 2014. http//www.statistics.gov.my/portal/images/stories/files/LatestReleases/gdp/2014/GDP_PRESS_RELEASE_Q2_2014.pdf accessed 20/10/2014Economic Pl anning Unit, Prime Ministers Department. eighth Malaysia Plan, 2001-2005. Kuala Lumpur Government Printers, 2001Harvie, C. (2004) East Asian SME capacity building, competitiveness and market opportunities in a global economy, pp 2-10Index Mundi (2014), Malaysia Economy Profile 2014. http//www.indexmundi.com/malaysia/economy_profile.html accessed 25/10/2014Malaysia Airlines (2014) blow OF MH370 TRAGEDY DENTS MALAYSIA AIRLINES Q2 2014 RESULTS http//www.malaysiaairlines.com/my/en/corporate-info/press-room/latest/mas_q2_2014_result.html accessed 5/11/2014Malaysian Palm Oil Council (2014) Malaysian Palm Oil Industry. http//www.mpoc.org.my/Malaysian_Palm_Oil_Industry.aspx accessed 5/11/2014Ministry of International Trade and Industry, MITI (1996) Second Industrial Master Plan, 19962005 Executive Summary, MITI, Malaysia, pp. 1013.Ministry of International Trade and industry, MITI (2005), The Third Industrial Master Plan (IMP3) http//www.miti.gov.my/miti-imp3.html accessed 25/10/2014Y usoff, M.B., Hasan, F.A., Jalil, S.A., (2000) Globalisation, Economic Policy, and Equity The Case of Malaysia, pp. 6-15 http//www.oecd.org/countries/malaysia/2682426.pdf accessed 20/10/2014Muhammad, Mohd Zulkifli, Char, Abdul Kamal , Yasoa, Mohd Rushdan bin and Hassan Zakiah, 2010. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Competing in the Global Business Environment A Case of Malaysia. International Business Research, Vol.3, No1, pp. 66-72Saleh, A.S. and Ndubisi, N.O. (2006) SME development in Malaysia domestic and global challenges, pp. 12-25Samad, N. A. (2007) Positioning Malaysian SMEs in the global. Proceedings of Persidangan Kebangsaan IKS 2007,Kota Kinabalu Universiti Utara Malaysia.Second Malaysia Plan 1971-1975 (Kuala Lumpur Government Press, 1971), p. 1. 2SME Corp Malaysia (2014) About SME Corporation Malaysia. http//www.smecorp.gov.my/vn2/node/40 accesssed 27/10/2014Teoh, W. M. Y. Chong, S. C. (2008) Improving Women Entrepreneurs in Small and Medium Enterprises in Malaysia P olicy Recommendations. Communication of the IBIMA, 2, pp. 31-38.The Star (2014), Malaysias services sector to contribute more to economy. http//www.thestar.com.my/Business/Business-News/2014/08/18/Malaysias-services-sector-to-contribute-more-to-economy/?style=biz accessed 25/10/2014Ritchie, B. Brindley, C. (2000). Disintermediation, disintegration and risk in the SME global supply chain. Management Decision, 38(8), 575-583.Wafa, S. A., Noordin, R. Kim-Man, M. (2005). dodge and performance of small and medium-size enterprises in Malaysia. Proceedings of the International Conference in Economics and Finance (ICEF), Labuan Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Wang, S. D. (2003). The implications of e-financing implications for SMEs. Bulletin on Asia-Pacific Perspective 2003/2004. New York United Nations.Chart 1 GDP and Annual Percentage Change

Overcome Barriers That Prevent Parents Involvement In Childrens Education

Over gravel Barriers That Pr government issue P arents Involvement In Childrens EducationParental Involvement is tinyly primal in a childs education. Research has shown that farms validatory elaboration with their childrens schooling is associated with many encouraging give awaycomes. There are many parents who motive to be k nonted in their childs day to day activities, and many circumstances en up to(p) this opportunity. Despite their best intentions to tolerate their children, on that point are many bars that prohibit the support. John wherry (2009) discusses ways to overcome barricades that effectively stop so many parents from getting twisty. In addition, Gregory Flynn (2007) explains in order for schools to growth maternal elaborateness, they have to promote critical behaviors and provide instructor training. Whereas, Cecily Mitchell (2008) believes by figuring out what parent objet darticipation actually entails and how to effectively accomplish it, remain challenges for schools and districts across the nation even as they trim to build strong deviatenerships between schools and families. This paper identifies barriers that are prohibiting parents from be attack more involved in their childs education and strategies to overcome these barriers that are preventing parental social occasion. belles-lettres Re passelThere is an abundance of writings which introduces many to the importance of parent involvement and a vast variety of reasons are present to support the view of how parents and teachers can make the involvement work. Parental involvement involves a partnership between the teachers and parents. This partnership bridges a gap between parents and teachers to enhance a childs education. In this partnership between parents and teachers, they encounter barriers that prevent the partnership from working together which lead them to find strategies that entrust help them overcome the barriers. Parental involvement is an issu e that has been around for centuries and is one of the key components of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act (Mitchell, 2008). This literature review explains that parental involvement plays an important part in a childs education and in order for parental involvement to be a success teachers and parents have to overcome barriers that prevent this partnership from organism successful. Wherry (2009) provided a candid description on ways schools can prevent barriers of parental involvement. He developed strategies that will make the up and coming school year be the best ever for parental involvement for close to teachers and parents. He goes on to state, there is a way for parent support to boost student take oning available to any school, that makes the modest effort to overcome barriers that distinctively prevent parents from being involved in their childs education. Parental involvement has generally been defined as diverse activities in the home or at the school that permit par ents to share in the education process (Wright). It is logical to assume with such attention given to the importance of parental involvement both in the literature and by the government, that there has been a significant increase in parent participation in our schools (Flynn, 2007) however, according to the National PTA, there are 50 million children enrolled in schools and one in four parents is actively involved in their childs education (Griffiths-Prince, 2008). Parental involvement is when parents and teachers insert in a regular, two-way communion involving student educational learning. This includes parents being involved in their childrens education in various ways, both at home and at school.When parents feel good well-nigh their school involvement and the schools instructional efforts, they tend to put on high expectations for their childrens interests, aspirations, and learning (Risko, Dalhouse, 2009) consequently, parents who are in touch with the childrens education can better observe stratumroom activities and improve their converse with the teacher. Many parents seek out the opportunity to share in their childrens experiences, as well as communicate with their children. Although parent involvement is revealed to have a big impact on the student achievement and success, it could be led to be seen as a vital ingredient to education form, for example, findings from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 suggest that parental involvement does not independently improve childrens learning, but some involvement activities do prevent behavioral problems (Domina, 2005). Because of unfortunate circumstances, there are some parents who are not able to be involved with their child education. While parental involvement is important to public education, there are barriers that prevent parents from being involved with their childs education.Identifying Barriers of Parental InvolvementEducation is the key to many children having a good future. In order for a child to elapse this milestone in their lives, they need not only their parents, but similarly the teachers. Even though parents go their children better than anyone else and can be virtually important school partners if allowed to be (Wherry, 2009) however, there are some parents who tend to be less involved in their childs education (LaBahn, 1995). Could this be on purpose or do they have received reasons? When educators learn what barriers exist in their schools, it could be an important step to increasing parent involvement (PSEA, 2007) because schools play a strong role in ascertain the level and nature of parent involvement (B W, 2008). Parents may be doing the best they can (LaBahn, 1995) and it is still not enough, because parental involvement is a challenge to some parents. Many of them have to deal with various barriers, such as lack of communication, lack of snip, and language differences.Lack of CommunicationLack of communication is one barrier that pre vents parental involvement. Differences in expectations and mis intellectuals about each other goals can lead to uncertain and tenuous, and contentious relationships (Risko Walker-Dalhouse, 2009). Parents who receive negative communication or no communication from schools tend to have trust issues. The trust issue leads parents to believe the school has an unfriendly climate. Also, if a parent had a bad experience as a young child with teachers, that experience could leave a parent fearful of speaking to their own children teachers. These negative perceptions of schools held by many parents should be replaced with some positive perceptions of the school.Many parents are not aware that help is needed because the school has not advertised the opportunities. Although some schools send out cultivation pertaining to parental involvement with different types of activities, this does not happen at every school. Many parents would feel eager to come to the school to volunteer their servi ces, if they were invited into the schools. Parents are most likely to conform to to par scoot in a classroom activity if they are asked directly by the teacher to do a specific task. Schools should work to build and exercise a welcoming and responsive school atmosphere (Wherry, 2009).Lack of TimeLack of time is also a barrier that prevents parental involvement. Parents often say time as the single keenest barrier to volunteering, attending meetings, and joining decision making committees at their childrens school (PTA, 2009). Parents, who work in low-paying jobs that do not takeer time off for illness or family emergencies, do not have a lot of time for parental involvement and they cannot risk their jobs to take time out to visit their childs school. There just simply are not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything (LaBahn, 1995).In todays society there are more single family households that require the parent to work long hours.With the increase in single-parent hou seholds and the dramatic change in the work force, with mothers of school-aged children entering in great numbers, time has become a valuable commodity for parents who struggle to make ends meet (Patrikakou, 2008). For example, many mothers do not have equipment or the skill to propose science fair experiments or construct woodworking projects, and fathers may not be able to help design and sew costumes for the school play (LaBahn, 1995).Parents also feel that when the children are not in school, time should be spent with the family and not attending meetings at the school. Some parents feel that too much involvement in their childs education could have a harmful effect, either by making their child uncomfortable or making the child dependent upon them. Teachers and parents know that time is often one of the greatest challenges and that is why it should be spent on building up the child education. Principals of K-8 Title I schools report that time is a barrier to parent involvement more often than any other factor. 87% of Title I principals report that lack of time on the part of parents is a significant barrier to parent involvement, and 56% report that lack of time on the part of school staff is a barrier (find reference). Since many parents think there is not enough time for work, cleaning, cooking, and parent meetings, they do not bother attending school meetings.Language DifferencesAnother barrier that prevents parental involvement is language differences. Approximately 20% of U.S. students are learning English as a second or other language, of these students over 40% are immigrants (Wright). Non-English speaking parents may find that it is difficult communicating with their childs teachers. Nancy Hyslop (2000) stated many Non-English parents experience low self-esteem, culture shock, and misconceptions. Many of these parents are confused about their roles in education and how to help their children. They lack knowledge on how local systems operate and v ery often they do not know where to go for entropy pertaining to their childs education. In recent years with the increasing cultural and linguistic diversity of families, the home and school environments may hold different and sometimes diverging beliefs about the appropriate degree and nature of parent involvement (Patrikakaou, 2008).Hispanics sometimes encounter discrimination by the larger society which discourages them from getting involved in events at their childs school. Parents who do not speak English may not to a lower placestand newsletters, fliers, or speakers at meetings (PTA, 2009). Even if one has not experienced discrimination, there is a fear that discrimination could happen. Non-English speaking parents want the same end result as many English speaking parents, which is for their child to receive an education that will allow them have a better future. Even when language differences occur, a teachers willingness or attempt to speak the home language can convey c arry on about the students and parents, and this willingness can encourage parents to feel comfortable enough to speak in English and can enhance possibilities for communication and rapport. (Risko Walker-Dalhouse, 2009). In order for the schools to reach beyond these barriers, there needs to be parental involvement implemented into the education scheduleme.Strategies to Overcome BarriersIf barriers are preventing parents and teachers from sharing ideas or exchanging information pertaining to the child, then everyone involved needs to find strategies to overcome these barriers. They can reach the partnership needed if they figure out strategies to deal with barriers such as, lack of communication, lack of time, and language differences. Mitchell (2008) examines parent involvement in public education. She explains in her article that parent involvement has to happen on all levels. Even though the parents and teachers tend to have barriers that prevent parent involvement, Mitchell state everyone involved in the childs education, including teachers, parents, principals, communities and even the school district have to find strategies to overcome these barriers.There are many ways that a school can improve communication (LaBahn, 2007) such as, informing families about routines and providing them with specific ways they can help at home provides parents with structured opportunities to participate in their childs education (Patrikakou, 2008). The most important thing a parent can do for their child education is stay in contact with the teacher. The teacher can keep parents regularly informed about student progress, school requirements, and school events (Wherry, 2009). The teacher is the bridge between the parent and the child education therefore, parents give ear to the school for answers about learning issues (Wherry, 2009). That bridge will help parents stay connected with the childs teacher, enable them access to monitor classroom activities, and correspond with the efforts of the teachers.A hold conducted by Berthelsen Walker (2008) explained that five items were used to assess parents contact with their childs school program. A number of activities in which parents may have participated at their childs school were set to which parents could give a yes/no response During this school term, have you -contacted childs teacher visited childs class talked to parents of other children at the school attended a school event in which your child participated and volunteered in the classroom or helped with a class excursion. Engagement in three or more activities was indicated by 76% of parents. Parents were most likely to have talked with other parents at the school (92%) or visited the childs classroom (87%), and least likely to have volunteered in the classroom or helped with a class excursion (48%).A parent-teacher conference is one way for parents to keep in contact with the teachers. The parent is able to sit and have a two-way convers ation with the teacher and tell the teacher what they expect from the child and the teacher. The teacher can also speak to the parent and find out what are their expectations of them as educators. When parents and teachers learn how to communicate with each other, they can become stronger and knowledgeable by working together.Unfortunately many parents are not able to attend parent-teacher conference, because they do not have the time however, many schools are working around parents schedule for that one on one. Teachers are encouraging parents to drop by the schools when classes are dismissed or call their homes after work hours. Schools can set aside time during the school day for teachers to meet with parents at school or at home or free teachers from routine chores, such as lunchroom supervision, so that they can work with parents (Moles). Students need more than their parents, they also need the people who want to see all children make it in this world.Parents who are have lang uage barriers need strategies to help them feel better about being a part of their childs education. By creating culturally aware school-family partnerships, school systems can reduce cultural, discontinues, create diverse learning opportunities, improve racial perceptions and attitudes, and foster interethnic friendships (Patrikakou, 2008). For example, when parents enroll their children in the primaeval Head Start program, the program managers makes sure a translator is there to help ease the Hispanic family discomfort and make their first experience with the program a rewarding experience. There are comprehensive program that can provide a model for empowering immigrant parents and changing teacher perceptions of immigrant parents school interest and involvement. The program titled the Immigrant Parent Partnership Program supported parent engagement through leadership classes, multiple-language programs, teacher action research to increase teacher understanding of immigrant pare nts, and the creation of a parent resource center (Risko Walker-Dalhouse, 2009). The often heard statement, It takes a village to raise a child, is very true.Parental involvement plays a key role in the Early Head Start work setting. Our program is based solely on parent involvement. We have to find ways to encourage parents to become better involved in their childs education. Something as simple as coming in and helping the child take their shoes off and placing them in the correct cubby, helps the teachers in achieving some of the goals for the students. We also include parents in the decision making at the center. Parents are asked to complete an application to be a member of the policy council in which, the parents names are placed on a ballot to be voted on. The policy council consists of community leaders and parents. The community leaders assist the parents in making vital decisions regarding the children at the centers.Politically we are a non-profit program financed by the government with certain stipulation. We are expected to work with the community by building up the parents with children who attend the centers. In order for the program to qualify for federal and state grants, we have to incorporate In-kind that involves the parents and community members. argon Better Chance and Arkansas Better Chance for school success require the program to receive a 40% in-kind match of the grant amount. We achieve this goal by encouraging parents and community workers donating goods, providing services, and performing jobs at the centers.Parent involvement also plays a key role in the education process. It has been shown that children whose parents are involved in early childhood programs, such as, Head Start, have higher cognitive and language skills than do children whose families are not involved or part of such programs (Patrikakou, 2008). Children at a young age, needs that extra help and encouragement. We are expected to allow the children to play and so cialize with each other, but they still need to learn what is expected of them when they enter into the public school system. We encourage our parents by providing them people to speak to with concerns regarding their children developmental skills. We share educational information to the parents that will provide their children learning environments which will help them grow into well adjusted students. As an Early Head Start teacher, the job involves working fast with the parents concerning their childrens education and needs. When a parent comes into the center and volunteers to wash clothes, dishes, or help feed the children, this take a big load off the teachers. We encourage parents to come in and rock, not only their children, but the other children in the center. When we work with the parents, we develop a bond that helps make all transitions easier. Working with the parents allow us to learn more about the children and about the parent, in return, they learn who we are as p eople and not teachers. Parental involvement is a necessity in the school systems. When parents are involved, children are more acceptable to learn and behave, because they learn, their parents are only a phone call away.ConclusionAfter viewing the literature on parent involvement, brings the research to the conclusion that parental involvement matters in the school systems. Bringing teachers and parents together as one, sometimes means going around, over, and under barriers for solutions to a parent involvement program that works for everyone. To get to this point in a childs life, many parents and teachers have to discover strategies that will work for them. Although factors such as lack of communication, lack of time, and language barriers can prevent parent involvement, there are many ways to triumph over the barriers. Encouraging and involving parents in decisions pertaining to their child can make a big difference. Children will have better attendance, higher grades, test scor es and graduation rates. Parents will have a better understanding of how the school operates. Teachers can increase community support with parents and students. Parents are the key to their children future. When parents and teachers come together as one, a child is able to leap over bounds and conquer the world. Barriers are just stepping stones to great outcomes.

Evaluating Compensation Strategy and Incentive Plans

Evaluating honorarium Strategy and Incentive Plans1.1.0 IntroductionIt has become more and more big, particularly in the current conditions following the credit crunch for arranging to monitor and control labour costs, whilst striving for accessiond productivity, die quality and good node service.For this reason in that location has been need to review strategies, if non bring in new strategies towards employee hire and incentive schemes.In this warlike environment, companies are looking to evoke and retain high performing and highly committed employees and taking note that this comes at a cost, but a cost justifiable enough to checker competitive advantage and success of the organisation.Michael H. Schuster, P.H.D on Aligning Compensation Strategy notes that Companies are examining the method and basis for compensating employees, there has been a growth in the look of companies seeking to develop high performance, high committed work systems, based upon expanded role s for employees, require that employees accept more responsibility and accountability.Therefore employee compensation is an important fraction to the financial success of the organisation. A strong emphasis is placed on the fact that compensation and reward schemes should transparently reflect the financial authorisation of the company and depict hold it to the organisation strategy and objectives.In the past, wages and salaries usu totallyy grew only by a consistent and constant spinal point. More recently, there has been a growth where the labour market has become more and more aggressive and has brought some the notion that compensation and incentive packages must be competitive enough to attract and retain well skilled workers.2.1.0 Compensation StrategyAs all strategies for any organisation, the ultimate goal and objective is to maximise the wealth for shareholders. The compensation strategy should take into consideration thatThey should clearly implement a grade based co mpany management system.The long name appreciation and chapiter value of the companyMarket conditions and orientation of engaging qualified and skilled workersAnd important aspect is the cost of the strategy to the organisation.Compensation is one of the main concerns to potent the high performance of the organisation. There is no understatement in saying that organisations perform because of the work being carried out and accomplished by the people it employees, and therefore they straighten out the difference. In saying this, it is important to note that protecting human capital is crucial, and this is done through motivation, recognition, an appropriate reward and compensation scheme.An obvious and important element to consider in the strategy is the possible analysis of the cost of executive and employee compensation will cost the organisation. This will be concentrated on the prospect cost to the company of the declination and performance based parts. The cost in this cas e to the company would therefore be the foregone resources on the compensation agreement.It is verbalise that money is a powerful source of motivation. But its also said that salary increase deal only motivate until the next pay increase is due.An element of any organisations compensation strategy is to always reflect the strategic air objectives. The objectives and goals should be clearly defined, making them achievable through the compensation structure.As stated earlier and reemphasised now, the compensation designing should be integrated with the performance objectives of the organisation and with the employees individuals goals.2.1.1 Core Elements of Compensation StrategyAn intensive analysis needs to be carried out on the organisation framework, this will be able to establish and reflect the demands of the future business development and which framework conditions will be unavoidable to structure an impelling compensation strategy.It is even more important to define the management and operative levels taking into account value orientation. As well as the objectives that have been set out for each employee and how their performance is evaluated.Therefore clear roles and responsibilities need to be defined and a strong communication system to be put in place to ensure that all employees are aware and know how their performance is reflected into the incentive scheme.Other elements to consider are should begenericThey should be a buy in into the incentive pattern by the employees. It should be designed in such a way that employees at all levels are participative and have the same gaol and direction.Be of significant and Perceived Value to the employee.Employees should be able to easily recognise the potential reward relate to performance.Related to Individual capital punishmentAs stated by Bob Normand Institute of Smart Business Management. A factor in the determination of how ofttimes an individual employee receives should be their performance rat ing as determined by their formal job review and appraisal.Employee LoyaltyA good incentive plan should be able to retain employees and gain their loyalty. Therefore, an incentive plan should foster employee tenure and performance.There are two main streams of rewards being financial and non monetary. The monetary being the preferred, and is usually a Pay-For-Performance scheme. Types of performance based pay areStock based This will include spud up options and grants, equity shares.Cash Compensation These are usually bonuses and are related to the achievement of performance objectives and goals that were set out. Cash incentive is the most common and preferred form of an incentive scheme.An effective compensation strategy if implemented successfully can fulfil other objectives. This has been summarised in the table belowObjectiveResultAlignment to the strategy of business units.Strong market position.Strengthens the performance and is result oriented.Competitive AdvantageEnabl e organisation change and flexibility to adapt to changed business situation.Success and forward pathetic organisation.Promotes motivation and loyaltyRetaining of highly skilled employees.Controversy Over incentive schemes1Over the past years, and more recently the past 2 years, where the economy experienced a depression and a down turn in the market for most industries, there have been continued sensitive arguments over corporate executives compensation and how they order to the firms performance. Holmstrom 1979,2looked at the contribution that made clear the trade off betwixt risk and incentives in the moral hazard problem. This study was partly based on his unpublished dissertation.The media, public, politicians have raised concerns over the current executives compensation packages that seem to drive employees towards taking short term risks, without taking into consideration the long term repercussions and effects on their organisation.As a result of this, there have been reg ulations being put on the table that look at restricted stock pay options and maximum level cash incentive, or other types of compensation that will centre more on long term performance. This will press out executives to always base their investment and finance decisions with the shareholders best interest at hand. There will have to be a strong correlation between long term incentive compensation and the future firm performance.With the emphasis on transparency, CEOs pay is usually publicized in the press in cover and magazines such as Fortune Magazine that has an annual ranking of the highest paid CEOs. It has been observed that the firms that pay their CEOs the highest are organisations that tend to be the ones experiencing high returns, and high operating(a) performance in comparison to others.4.1.0 Performance Measurement and Incentive SchemesLeonard, 1990 and Hayes and Schaejar 2000, looked at the studies that focussed on the relationship between pay and the future accoun ting system performance of the organisation.There has been an assumption that in efficient markets, executives and investors will capitalise the present value of future firm performance increase into the stock price.The straits is always 2 how do you align strategic performance measures and results to compensation and incentive plans?.The first question to ask when designing a bonus plan that replicates the incentive of an owner is how to measure business performance. The right measure of corporate performance will have strong ties to the amount of additional wealth that a company produces for its shareholders and by extension for society at large. It will guide people to make the decisions that will generate the added value necessary to fund their bonus, to re w a rd the shareholders and to reinvest in business growth.They are several models that organisations can use to measure the performance and determine the level of incentive to be paid out to executives and employees.Strateg ic Performance Measurement (SPM) System This measurement translates the business strategies and objectives into deliverable results. The advantage of this model is that it combines the financial, strategic and operating measures and compares it against how well an organisation meets its objectives, goals and the targets. economical Value Added (EVA) / Value Based Management This model emphasises on performance measurement and the cost of capital and measures the value created for shareholders. The main advantage of this measure is that its focus is on wealth creation.Balanced Scorecard System Its core element is its emphasis on the key business drivers such as customer and employee satisfaction, operative excellence and new product development.4 As strongly supported by Stern and Co. Economic Value Added offers more to an organisation as it focuses on measuring value created for shareholders, which is the essence and objective of any organisation to create wealth for its shareho lders. This measure is also focuses more towards the capital markets and assists in developing organisation strategies at all levels of the organisation.5 Other advantages of EVA as a measurement tool areIt creates measurable objectives and goals for employees and are specificIt can easily align the operations and business units with the overall corporate strategy.EVA can link individual performance and compensation plans to business strategies.5.1.0 Relationship between Stock Price Performance and Incentive SchemesThe hypothesis by a paper written by M. Cooper, H. Gulen and P. Ray Performance for Pay? looked at the relationship between CEO incentive compensation and future stock price performance.They summarised that The efficient market hypothesis suggested that markets capitalise incentive pay grants into the stock price at the announcement day, resulting in no relation between incentive pay and future stock price performance.On the other hand, the optimal incentives hypothesis suggests that whilst compensation and incentive schemes can be aligned to managerial interests with shareholders value wealth creation and maximisation, investors may not necessarily react to the information. This could be as a result of not understanding the incentive strategy, and not having the right measurement model to gauge it against. Therefore investors are not able to observe or attain the value it may have to the organisation future stock price performance.67A positive relation may be evaluated between the incentive pay and the future stock price performance.8Needless to say, based on studies carried out in the past and present on the relationship between Stock Price Performance and Incentive Schemes, there is not much direct evidence that shows that incentive plans do lead to a companys improvement in future stock price performance. One of the challenges of stock returns are they having shareholders expectations imbedded in them. Other challenges are that economic theory would not be able to predict that increase in incentives would lead to increase in profitability.9 A much earlier study by Masson 1971 linking financial incentive to future performance of the organisation, his findings were that firms and organisation that had attractive financial incentives showed a better stock market performance during the post-war period.ConclusionDue to the increased competition of business, it has subsequently increased the competition for employing skilled workers, and retaining them.A compensation strategy creates and brings about a unified culture, and offers corporation and advances the implementation of the business strategy. This will essentially promote performance and employees will be result oriented.Incentive plans should be reviewed every year to analyse if they are actually effective and increasing the performance of the organisation and meeting the strategic objectives. This involves looking at any accomplishments and the desired outcome.Despite the seafaring pay, many experts argue that the system is working better than ever. They see the bull market and healthy corporate sector as proof positive that companies get what they pay for. (Business Week April 21, 1997, p.p 60)Performance based pay is the best incentive strategy for any organisation as it maximises on the strategic plan, as the compensation strategy requires that the plan is set on organisation goals and objectives. This has a major influence on the employees. Pay for performance has been cited to be a more prompt factor, both short term and long term incentives.10A study carried out established that employees showed a more positive work attitude with a pay for performance incentive. Other benefits of a pay for performance incentive scheme is the pay receives special treatment in some contexts. This is under the inseparable Revenue Code (IRC).Essentially, at the end of it all, the compensation strategy and incentive plans main purpose is toAttract and retain e mployees.Motivate and establish loyalty towards the company. do sure the cost of the strategy is line.Encourage peak performance.

Necessary Evil for Men vs. Sexual Exploitation of Women :: social issues

Necessary Evil for Men vs. Sexual Exploitation of WomenAbuse transitive verb 1 to confide to a wrong or improper use 2 obsolete (deceive) 3 to use so as to injure or damage (maltreat) 4 to attack in words (revile). noun 1 a corrupt practice or custom 2 improper or excessive use or treatment (misuse) a deceitful act (deception) 4 language that condemns or vilifies usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily 5 physical maltreatment. Abuse, in any and all of its forms, is something umteen Korean women and girls deal with every day. In 2002, a survey done by the Korean Institute of Criminology, the number of sex purchases in Korea equaled to 4.4 of the countries GDP (Gross interior(prenominal) Product), almost the same as agriculture, forestry, and fishing industries combined. The survey also showed that there were at least 33,000 women working in prostitution. 8% of women working in Korea in their twenties and thirties were prostitutes. Also, a survey done by the Korea Womens Hot L ine showed that 42.6% of Korean men have purchased sexual service when having a drink. 12.9% of men said that they have bought sex when on business. 41.3% of all Koreans did not know that prostitution was wrong in Korea. Despite these outrageous numbers, prostitution has been illegal in Korea since 1961. A common place that prostitution takes place in is Miari Texas Village (Also known as Miari Texas, Texas Village, Texas Miari, or just plain Miari.) an area in north-eastern Seoul, with over 250 prostitution houses. In these houses, liquor and food are served in the front and in the okay, sex services take place in the back rooms. On average, a woman will see five to ten men a night. The women usually get paid 1.5 million won ($1, 340.00) monthly, on with 1,500 won ($14.00) for each client they see.One very disturbing thing about Miari Texas is that 30% of about 1,000 prostitutes are under the age of eighteen. Even though prostitution is illegal, it is tolerated, if the women are over eighteen. Many of the young prostitutes in Miari Texas are runaways who feel they have nothing more to lose. The first prostitution house (brothel) was ceremonious in the 1920s when Korean women were taken as sex slaves by the Japanese military during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910 1945). After the Korean war end in 1953, the large American military presence led to the building of camp town prostitution for the U.

Workaholics and Workaholism: A Growing Problem for Companies :: ESL Essays

Workaholics and Workaholism A Growing Problem for Companies Workaholics people, who have a compulsive and unrelenting fatality to work (www.dictionary.com) appear much and more among the working people of United States and other developed countries. At first glance, workaholics do not seem to be such a hassle for industry and society as a whole. But in spite of each(prenominal) devotion to their work the workaholic will not be as priceless as a normal worker. Workaholics do not think about anything else except work that tin can receive severe health problems and can cause problems on their work. All that causes a reduction of economic profit for the company. The term workaholism appeared in the beginning of the 20th century after Frederick Taylor integrated new makeup of work system. Taylor, famous businessman was born in 1856 in Philadelphia, and was known as father of scientific care. His new theory of work management has been known as Taylorism. The term Taylorism is s eldom used in a positive way. For a short description, according to JoAnn Greco, the journalist of The Journal of Business dodge, Taylorism is a sort of ruthless and quasi-Victorian efficiency that melds man with machine, often to mans disadvantage. According Taylors theory of work organization the worker is nil but a tool for gaining profit. (Greco) It will be unfair to say that Taylors theory did not do any good for the economy as a whole. In fact it really helped the economy in age of industrial development. But presently, in the age of high technologies we do not need to stress people to work hard. Many jobs require qualified people that being fired very hard to replace. Creating a workaholic face A persons, can be very dangerous for future economics of single company and nations economy in the whole.Perfect example of the typical Type A person was presented in essay Company Man, written by Ellen Goodman. The main character Phil was working in one company all his life strivin g for presidents position. There would be nothing wrong with that except for his fanatic desire to work If he wasnt at the office, he was worried about it,- summarizes Goodman in the end of the essay. In his desire to become a president, Phil had to sacrifice the other part of his life his family. His wife Helen and his children did not even see their father too much - even on weekends he could not forget about his work.

Infinity in a Moment :: English Literature Essays

Infinity in a MomentDear Mel, Ive fin in ally come to a conclusionthe starting in my life I think. Im in love. What an annoying nothingthe word love. Undermined after years of unrepresented use and manipulative thought. Contemporary teens, playing with matches to start a fire that will only burn down their own foundations of security and ontology. Its a card trick to them, after all theyre immortal, apprehensions are as pointless as relationships. Throwing around promises that should tear the doors of heaven apart revealing metaphors incapable of description, but instead suffocates in a beer glass. Love use to mean something. It still does for me, but for others its a cryptic dialogue, disguised for the mere purpose of placation. To reach that level of appeasement, to get her into your room or to that party or into that pathetic dream that was summoned from the filth of petulant, diseased weakness. Riches used to buy money less valuable. Absurd reality that tortures its puppets. I ts a momentary high that you inhale when unhappiness overcomes boredom I think I love that girl over there, as he waterfall from the pinnacle of a drunken revelation. What does he think? Jesus Christ, what happened to that inexplicable emotion that could jump into a pregnant pool of chaos and bear consent? Im just rambling of course, because who wants to be told that their life is extravagant without love? Or can infinity truly reside inside a moments establishment?The only light in breath becomes that crystal that reflects the only happiness. Pretty rock. The reason to brush your teeth, build materialism in a gym, make the field goal to win an A paper. So if she flies higher to a bird with brighter feathers do mine wither outside(a)? Our constructed bridge of self-image that chiseled a connection in her heart is burned, buried, and consumed by the soiling footsteps of the mass. Is my purpose forgotten, a blaring cacophony of everything worth living for promptly reduced to a mere whisper carried by a struggling wind? Life is so fickle. The purest form of logic in a housecoat of recycled tears. Smile. Click. Flash. Infinity in a moment impossible? Not when lost in her eyes. Oceans of polished perfection, dreams radiating in a sunset. Redundant? Or mayhap the point is still overlooked. Lips against cold glass only create steam until the reflection melts into my own and I feel for the first time the embrace of foretell fulfillment an ecstasy of climax in literature.

Abuse :: essays research papers

The study of interobserver reliability tested the level of agreement among youngster welfare workers on the presence or absence of emotional call and several other forms of neglect and child abuse. Contrary to expectations, soaring levels of accurate identification and agreement was attained. careless(predicate) of the high level of interobserver reliability, the validity of the notion is questioned. Training for the sample used in the study is evidently effective.Interobserver reliability is one of the dominant let gos facing child protective receipts workers. Its importance escalates as the signs of the neglect or abuse become more abstract and less obvious. The main concern of interobserver reliability is if fivefold observers concur on the presence or absence of a particular happening. The level of agreement will be overwhelmingly affected by the hydrofoil of the definitions of abuse and neglect and the extent to which staff are trained in their application. At least one other study raised concerns about this issue because it applies to various aspects of child protective services information processing and definition. A national organization has been formed to fight false accusations called VOCAL (Victims of Child maltreat Laws).In the early phases of the child protective services movement, physical abuse was their main concern. Decades later other types of abuse with unclear indicators have come to prominence, such(prenominal) as emotional abuse and neglect. Emotional abuse and neglect are abstract concepts and provide the basis for concern as to whether child protective service workers can always identify them with given common information, especially when they are among other forms of abuse and neglect. There are problems in defining emotional abuse and neglect, just as there are problems in defining any type of child maltreatment. The definition of child maltreatment should include only ill harmful behaviors and outcomes. Protective policies and systems should be utilized only to enforce societal sanctions, not to enforce ideal standards of care giving.Psychological maltreatment of children and youth consists of acts of remissness and commission, which are judge on the basis of a combination of community standards and professional expertise to be psychologically damaging. Individuals commit such acts, singly or collectively, who by their characteristics (knowledge, status, or organizational form) are in a position of differential power that renders a child s vulnerability. Such acts damage presently or ultimately the behavioral, cognitive, affective, or physical functioning of the child.