Marketing Analysis Of Social Networking Site Orkut Marketing Essay

grocery storeing Analysis Of Social Net fadeing Site Orkut tradeing renderSocial Networking sites that anyow individuals to construct a public pen, articulate with population they make out by sharing their connection and glance and traverse their connections and those make by tidy sum they know. The nature and nomenclature of these connections may vary from sites to sitesThe tether complaisant networks around the world atomic number 18 Orkut, Facebook, and My Space Twitter and so on The first well-disposed networking site that was Six Degrees.com instaled in 1997 although it slang ined one super acid millions of drug utilizers merely failed to back as it was considered to be ahead of its time and was closed in 2000.From 1997 to 2001 m each an(prenominal) community sites were launched but the next wave of these sites began in 2001 by the launch of Ryze.com.Friendster was launched in2002 as a complement to Ryze.com and had 300,000 substance ab handlingrs by the end of May 2003. By 2003 the complaisant networking sites hi the mainstream. In 2003 the giant GOOGLE proposed to purchase Friendster but failed to do so.Google then innately commissioned Mr Orkut Bykkkten to work on a competing independent project. And then Orkut was launched on 24th of Jan, 2004.By the end of folk 2004 Orkuts rank surpasses 2 million accounts in spite of the item that the membership was except on invitation. As of 2007, the service claimed 67 million manipulationrs. Orkut became a huge success in the coupled States. Orkut spread comparable a virus in countries standardized Brazil and India. It similarly won the youthfulness ICON AWARD 2007 in India.Orkut members be offered different exclusive lark to the highest degrees. Members weed clear collections to join helps according to their wish. The idler upload videos from You Tube and so onteratera Orkut gives its member the choice to cede restricted or unrestricted poll on these videos. Ork ut has a rivalrous advantage of the privacy that it offers to its members. It onlyows anyone to visit anyones profile, unless a visitor is on the Ignore ListEach member has a choice to customize their profile preferences and restrict they information according to their preferences. Gtalk has been compound in Orkut so that the members can chat from their Orkut page.Orkut leads in countries like India, Pakistan and Brazil. It offers its members a distinct feature called THEMES, offering them a range of colourful stands in the library in which they can change their larboard.Figure 1. Distribution of work task interruptionThe below mentioned figures represent the traffic of Orkut. These even convey us that Orkut has been losing its mart share in close of the western countries. Orkut has been tremendously prospered in Asian countries.Traffic on Orkut by estateTraffic of Orkut on March 31, 2004 peg of the United States.svgUnited States fleur-de-lys of Japan.svgJapanFlag of Brazi l.svgBrazilFlag of the Netherlands.svgNetherlandsFlag of the United Kingdom.svgUnited Kingdom early(a)Traffic of Orkut on April 13, 201015Flag of Brazil.svgBrazilFlag of India.svgIndiaFlag of the United States.svgUnited StatesFlag of Japan.svgJapanFlag of Pakistan.svgPakistanOtherSource http//en..wikipedia.org/wiki/OrkutFeaturesOrkut has started losing its food printet share in the global grocery store. As lay outn in the above diagram in that location has been a drastic decrease in the traffic of Orkut in countries like United States, United Kingdom etc. This is beca engross of the rising popularity of its competitors like Facebook, Twitter, My space etc. A study conducted by Nielsens in India show s that Facebook is ruling among the loving networking sites.Source http//www.indiasocial.in/nielsen-study fancy up ANALYSIS OF ORKUTSTRENGTHSORKUT is really economic consumptionr helperly overdue to its graphic user interface. One can trance throngs profile and pictures regar dless if the person is your friend or not. It is user friendly because gliding is easy, applications are minimal devising it is easy for a person who is not a tech-savvy. It is mainly condensesed on scrapping friends. It is integrated with GOOGLE CHAT. ORKUT gives to a greater extent(prenominal)(prenominal) privacy and security compared to some of its competitors. Menus and another(prenominal) applications are arranged in a organised manner make it simpler for the user. ORKUT has a free feature PROMOTE THIS in which you make a message and circulate and reach other in the network. at that place is a feature in ORKUT that provides you relevant jobs.WEAKNESSESGOOGLE INC. Treated ORKUT as and a sideline business, not giving it much attention that was demand and because creating a space for argument..The ORKUT account does not give you the freedom to pi chaw into dissimilar websites so in turn you prolong to go by means of the registration mental process. You cannot su percharge your business by with(predicate) ORKUT compared to that of its competitor Facebook that has a feature that through your Face book account you can go to different websites and post your adverts and add a backlink and this also purposes activated on your Facebook profile allowing chaw in your network to know what you meet done. To make friends in an ORKUT account you excite to visit the persons profile and then send the friend request. ORKUT has a dower of spam. ORKUT was last redesigned in 2007.OPPORTUNITIESORKUT is very popular among Brazilians and Indians. ORKUT is a market draw in these countries so there is a lot of opportunity that ORKUT can bring to its favour in these countries.The add in usage of broadband and wi-max technology is a big opportunity were intros should be done.THREATSORKUT has a study threat from its arch rival Facebook as its market share is relatively increasing to that of ORKUT. The other competitors like hi5, Twitter, My Space etc.are also picking up the pace. ORKUT is being misused by people and go near major(ip) issues like Death Threats which is becoming a major concern..Some political groups demanding to ban ORKUT. ORKUT has been repeatedly facing issues on being medium of progress for hatred by some religious communities, illegal drug deals and pincer pornography, kidnapping and murders etc . Posing a threat to the delineation of the cross out. Fake profiles can be created.PESTL ANALYSIS OF ORKUTPOLITICALThere been controversies around ORKUT by various hate groups and they bugger off a lot of followers there. This has created an anti-national and anti- honourable environs. This has leaded a lot of criticism from political groups and leading to banning in some countries.ECONOMIC This is quiet a relevant factor that is chasing people to promote their businesses on ORKUT, in this time of recession. This is resulting in positive impact as ORKUT has a feature through which people are able to happen upon jobs and as business ideas. Due to the economic meltdown the prices of technology and gizmos afford come down, hence people can avail laptops , multimedia handsets etc and use this kind of inexpensive media of communication to the fullest.SOCIO CULTURAL -There project been a lot of controversies regarding the same in Islamic countries. In these countries the government illegalize ORKUT in place of battle to preserve the national security and Islamic ethical issues. To overcome this situation Orkutproxy.com was created but subsequently this has run a challenge due to the government blockage as the https pages on all the nameless sites were closed. There a lot of hate groups that are considered to be a major threat to countries as this created a anti-national environs affecting the lives of people on a twenty-four hour period to day basis.TECHNOLOGICAL Due to the endless advancement in the tech gadgets and gizmos the social networking has been a lot more than accessible an d popular. The 3GS phones, instant messaging and majorly the wifi connectivity dupe helped to subjoin the users of social networking due to the anytime accessibility levels. This has helped the users to keep in touch with their friends and community members and get the updates on their accounts and groups at all measure.LEGAL Earlier people could scan anyones accounts, videos, photos etc and tamper them. There have been huge legal implications regarding the privacy issues as people started to use the photos and videos and placing them on internet with fake details. Huge physical body of them were vulgar, especially that of women. In June 2006 some investigatees discovered a worm, MW.Orc, which steals users banking details, usernames and passwords by propagating through ORKUT. In 2007 a security advisory was published on Orkuts vulnerabilities related to the autheciation issues, leading to misuse of legitimate accounts. There were similar attacks that were repeatedly describe for e.g. in 2007 the W32/ Kut Wormer, in 2008 W32/ Scapkut worm affecting the Orkut users in large numbers. There have been a number of other legal issues like in 2006 the Bombay High Courts Aurangabad bench served a notice on GOOGLE for allowing a lawsuit against India that carried a picture of a burned Indian flag and anti-India content. Recently, the Pune natural law cracked a rave party filled with narcotics. There was a deliberate charge on ORKUT under the Indian Information engine room Act, 2000 as it was believed to be a mode of communication for the same. Similar cases are enshrouded in Brazil as well creating distrust among Orkut users. verifiable SETTING AT DIFFERENT STRATEGIC LEVELSCORPORATE purposeTo increase profitability by 30% worldwide by 2011 and to in increase the number of unique users to 20 million a day.BUISNESS S OBJECTIVETo increase usage of ORKUT to 80% worldwide, primarily increase the traffic in Asia- peace-loving countries by 2011. I have choosen Asi a Pacific because as shown in the world stats one-third of the population of the internet users are people from Asia Pacific surface area.MARKETING OBJECTIVETo attain 50% of the market share and become the top most among g the all the other social networking sites worldwide. here I would primarily foc using on capturing 30%of the Asia Pacific market. This is a specific, measurable and attainable figure as according to research report relaesed by Comscore 50.8 percent of the total online population in the Asia Pacific region visited social networking site in Feburay 2010, reaching a total of 240.3 million visitors. This report does not include the visitation from internet cafes and mobiles.The segmented market is the Youth aged 18-35.EXPANSION STRATEGY ACCORDING TO THE ANSOFF MATRIXORKUT has been a brand for the last six years. It has been one of the most successful social networking sites and the trump know as well. As we see its brand sign has gone through a lot of negative pu blicity considering the facts Orkut should focus on rejuvenating the brand image through market penetration. Orkut should also do product turn outment as the consumers have become a lot demanding. The features that Orkut offers are not in accordance to that of competition, being more minute Orkut should be using regeneration to add new features to make it more interesting to be a part of the same. indeed, the strategies that Orkut should follow are Market Penetration and Product Development.EXPANSION STRATEGY ACCORDING TO THE ANSOFF MATRIXMarket Penetration ORKUT is already a well known brand. We lead to mend the brand image in a positive way by aggressive market of the brand at the right places. This schema impart not only increase the market share in the prevelant countries but also in countries of Asia Pacific where social netwroking is on a tremedous growth.I am using market penetration for Orkut because according to a research conducting by Neilsens Orkut has started lo sing its market share in countries like India and Brazil where it was a market attracter. Hence it makes it very important that I revive the brand image to maintain the market sahre in the existing markets and also focus on the emerging markets like other regions of Asia Pacific.Product DevelopmentI needs to rejuvenate the brand by doing a lot of innovation because Orkut was las t redesigned on 28 October 2009. As technology is changing in every minute we need to meet the pace . We re distant bed in comparision to our competitors the features that we offer are not up to mark . We do not offer enough service s to the users that is turn our users to shift their netwokrs to our competitors.Hence it becomes ver y necessary for us to work on innovation and add IPORTERS GENERIC emulous STRATEGIESPORTERS GENERIC COMPETITIVE STRATEGIESI am going to use Focus and Differentiation for Orkut.FOCUS I would majorily focus on the age groups between 15 to 44. According to a report by comscore the graph represents that in Asia Pacific the age group that uses the internet the most is the the people between 15 to 44.PORTERS GENERIC COMPETITIVE STRATEGIESThe report realesed by Comscore in 2010 clearly state that the Social networking sites have had a ubiquitous growth in Asia Pacific region . Hence going by the facts of both the reports I am choosing Asia Pacific constituent as the area of focus for Orkut to grow.DIFFERENTIATIONSocial networks are very infutential, the network that we create online does not match our offline profile.People are increasingly using the web to get information they need from each other, rather than that from businesses.People know about products and brands throught friends.So in order to diffrentiate I would reccommend to add an embedded social features key on the user page. These networks are about pursuing relationships and lift communities of consumers , hence it becomes important to witness the behaviour.People dont care much about technol ogy rather they care about the communication that technology enables.Through thousand of years we have formed groups and strong and weak relationships. To become successful in the long term its important that we understand the motivation behind using a new technology before developing it.People are more comfortable with the people they have strong ties with. Studies on online gamers show that they most often play with people they have strong ties with. Hence, we need to give options the communication channels for the users like one to one or one to many at the right times. We need to design our user page supporting these fundamental interactions.Privacy is all aboutcontrolling how much other people know about you. Manintaining peoples privacy is a major concern. In order to help our users doing this we need to make our site less complex and more transparent. So people understand the consequences of their actions.I pep up to do so we develop trust amongst our user leading to repetit ive usage and more users in the long term.These are the key differentiators.TACTICSPRODUCTI would recommend to use innovation to revive the brand image of ORKUT. In order to do so I would add different feature like a google search engine toolbar on the user page as I know the Asian Pacific users use the internet for navigation an d sport . The user page would have the famous entertainment sources like for youngster is would have the famous music, for middle aged people it would have navigation to different job sites, and old people would have religious programs and world news etc on the user pages.This would help in differentiate Orkut from its competitors.PRICEPrice does not have relevance as the users do not have to pay any price to use the service. I t is a virtual commodity and the revenue social organization is based on the number of users.Hence, price does not hold any value.PLACE This is the most important out of all the maneuver for Orkut. It is already available on the el ectronic and portable medium .In order to make market penetration Orkut tag should be used on the most popular sites like Google Search Engine, Gmail etc.As portable medium like celluar phones etc. are the most preferabel medium of communication by the youth Orkut should have a tie-up with cellular manufacturers like Apple Blackberry etc to have an ingrained Orkut application in their handsets.PROMOTIONOrkut should use agressive marketing. As I realize that the major market segment for ORKUT is the youth.AlliancesUnique features like discounted tickets for movies and sports events should be introduced through alliances with the respective partners like a tie up with the Indian Premier League which is the most awaited event of the year to attract more users.Alliances with various blog to promote the Orkut tag . librate ReleasesI propose that Orkut should realunch it self through press realeases emphasizing on the added features to create awareness and attract new users.To grant hig h awareness I reccomend Orkut to use the pursuance mediumsPrint MediaOrkut should be passingpromoted on with the differentiated features on youth and sports magazines sush as Sports Star.OutdoorI recommend Orkut to be promoted with enthralling hoardings in youth hang out areas like the cafes,colleges like cafe coffee Day, Starbucks etcMobile MediaI reccommend Orkut to be promoted on mobile mediums like buses , taxis and trains which are the essential medium of communication for the youth.New MediaAggressive movement of Orkut Tags on the most visited websites like you tube , journals etc.PEOPLEGoolge Inc has been known for its creative minds To rejuvinate Orut Google should introduce more creative minds to the tasks . In order to generate new ideas Google should use interactive worshops through which there can be a sharing of ideas.PROCESSGoogle should continue using its Graphical user Interface in order to rejuvinate the website. The user interfcace is a competitive adavntage o f Orkut , I recommend Orkut to continue to leverage it.PHYSICAL EVIDENCEBrand image is very important for Orkut , in order to do so I reccommend Orkut to delivers complimentary services like leisure and entertainment. In India Orkut had a theme of a famous reality series on the website. It was immensely successful.I reccommend Orkut ot use such proven strategies on the web page.The packaging in toll of the whole outlook of the website should be changed . It should have attractive things like looseness tags on the top.IDEA The logo should be .Actions to followed tobe done to achieve the tacticsGoogle has the head office in London and all the activities are controlled here.All the major actions ar e undertaken here.As the marketing architectural plan is all aim based so I reccommend Orkut to use the objective and task order to set my budgets regarding the same.The total budget for the promotional activities is $400 million . The allocated measuring is divided into six activitie s.G A N T T C H A R T radical calculate is 300 MillionMarketing ActivitiesTime (when action)Responsibility20112010JFMAMJJASONDRedesigning of the WebsiteProgrammersAdvertisementAdvertising AgencyPress ReleasesPR Executives and Marketing ExecutivesRelaunch of ProductSales ExecutivesSponsorshipsMarketing ExecutivesAlliancesPR ExecutivesTotal $ MillionGaining Control over the actionsControl and observe of the actions will be done in the following ways.The companys performance wil be analysinsed through observe with different key performance indicators.AuditingControl will be exercised through time tot time audits by performing the Marketing Audits. As Google in a innovative company and sis in a highly competitive constancy the control should be conducted by internal auditors. The performance gaps will be identified throught these audits .Hence forth, the corrective measures should be accordingly. The auditing process will allow GOOGLE to keep a close eye on the profitabiliy of ORKUT .BenchmarkingAs ORKUT is not a market leader in the labor I propose to use benchmarking as Facebook who is the gives the most fierce competition does BEST PRACTICES in this assiduity, therefore I recommend Orkut to follow the same. Facebook bechmarks the industry in the applications like Gaming , Friend suggestions etc.CRITICAL objurgationOrkut WHAT IS THAT?Nowdays that is what everyone is asking. Orkut is a product from the giant of innovation GOOGLE INC, which is the the pioneer of search engine. I have taken Orkut as the product because in this world of globalization the social networking sites are having a huge im pact on the minds of the online population. This is the major reason for choosing Orkut as it has seen a huge success in the intital times but since a few years the brand has been overtaken by social networking sites which joined the race in the later years.I am kayoed by the attitude Google has had towards Orkut and having a inquisisitve nature wanted to know the disapprove of the users.Orkut has been leading the market in India and their have been communities created by Indians and studies have shown that Indians bash Orkut . Orkut has been the preferable social networking site of software developers in India.But in the fresh times the popularity has significantly decreased.I have been in the professional environment for the last seven years. I have been working as a Business Development Manager and a Research Analsyst.These work profiles required a lot of networking and to suffice the purpose I had joined ORKUT. As ORKUT has a lot of communities and this helped me enhance my network through Orkut and inturn lead me to fiscal gains . Since the inception of social networking in India which is relatively new concept, Orkut has been seen as the equivalent word of such inception but recent re mints and statstics reveal huge disapprove in the popularity of Orkut.I have choosen Orkut because I have seen the hype about it in India and the way it had be modualted it lead into every persons day to day biography. But since the last few days I have seen that Orkut ahs been loosing its nominal head in the market . People are switching to different networking sites due to the add- on features offered on the sites. Now it is becoming a question amongst the sgmented market the YOUTH. People have become skeptical on being on Orkut due to the limited features.Orkut was redesigned before two years and this has lead to losse in the value of users.The social networking is a very innovation driven industry and is promoted by its users thourgh word of mouth. Orkut has been neglecting innovation.Thus, its hold over the customer has lost because of the best practices carried by competition.Wisdom Outcomes of Marketing Modules Rejuvination of ORKUTPrior to starting of MBA marketing for me was just a synonym of sales.On completion of the staff and especially after doing this busy assignment the entire preception of marketing has drast ically tranformed. But now the fancy is clear that marketing is not just sales but it goes beyond it and there are many factors that affect the same.This module has given me the in- reasonableness view to the subject in terms of planning and implementation.The deep concepts have been simplify to by day to day examples that we come across in our periodical lives.The analytical role models like Mckinseys ,SWOT, Segmentation, Branding The 7 Ps etc. have been become very easy.Although being a layman, using these abbreviation some how or the other I have been impelementing these concepts but I was asleep of the terminology.Knowing the concepts in discernment through the module has given me a clear picture of the concepts to help me in the future.The module has taught me that the every product goes through the product animation cycle. And the portrays are defined by the parameter of sales.The SOSTAC model that is a part of the module has given me the clear understanding of that ho w indepth analysis of the marketing can rejuvinate the brand image.I have used the same to shake out the analysis and have deep understaing ORKUT.This has revised my previous view that there are no amendments or solutions when the product is declining.The slouch stage of the product can be identified when there is a decline in the sales.I have employ the same to ORKUT.Orkut has been a leader in the social networking industry .While applying the SOSTAC model, I have imbibed the fact that most of the way modules and principles are integrated, and marketing provides a common interface across all the different principles of management studies. Principles of finance, operations, human resource management are all utilised in the SOSTAC model.During my study I followed the following pathwayAfter deciding that orkut is going to be my subject of study, I first and foremost wanted to know what is the market scenario in which Orkut is operating. For this purpose, I started with the SWOT an alysis. Through SWOT I was able to map the outdoor(a) and the internal and the internal environment.After having done the SWOT, I decided to take a look at the macro environment. For this purpose I had applied the PESTLE analysis. The PESTLE gave me a closer insight of the business environment in which Orkut is operating.The objective setting section takes into consideration the mission and mountain of the company. After having a look at these aspects, I developed my strategies on the basis of SMART objectives. All the strategies of the company are interelated with each other.The strategy setting of the company has taught me how to analyse the activities through which the company tries to achieve its competitive advantage. The difference in the strategic perspectives such as Ansoffs ground substance, BCG Matrix, GE McKinsies Matrix , and the Porters Generic Strategies were very well formulated in the module. This gave me an in depth way of understanding what would be the most app ropriate strategy for Orkut.Thus I have taken Ansoffs Matrix and Porters Generic Strategies.While doing the Tactical recommendations, I came to understand the concepts of the 7Ps of marketing. I can now understand the the 7Ps involve all the different prospects of management. The working on promotional mix became much simpler because there were case studies on communication strategies of declining brands discussed in the class.The part of the action plan that involves the GNATT chart was very well taught in the lecturing sessions. Allocation of duties make me dig into concepts of Human Resource Management.The human resource pay a critical par tof allocating the promotional duties to the right person.The promotional activities are the most crucial part of brand awareness and this has taught me there is a lot of people management that goes into all these activities. The budget planning prompted me to have a look at the financial statements of the company.Final the part consisting of t he control and monitoring helped me to inculcate concepts of operations management in my marketing plan. The concepts of benchmarking and best practices helped me to understand how a market follower often often follows the market leader to achieve operational effectiveness.Thus the marketing module not only teaches us the maketing concepts but also builts up a holistic arise towards MBA.In order to have a successful career in marketing it is not only important that I have in depth of the marketing theories and modules but every department of the organisation has a signififcant component towards it.The module has taught me that all the twigs of management comprising of marketing, finance, operations and strategy are all incorporated and interrelated.PERSONAL EXPERIENCEThis module has taught me to enjoy the process of erudition and have ingrained knowledge of the subject.The way in which the concepts have been taught have given depth to the them and made them interesting.The concep ts have been linked with the real life examples of comapanies and products that we use on a day to day basis. The real life case studies and examples have taken the learning process to under level. These examples have taught to interlink what we do in our day to day lives and how it affects the nature of the companies and consumers.The module has taught us to use the day to day mediums of communications like the newspapers, taxis and view the promotional skills in the context of marketing communications and link the concepts with activities the companies direct out.Some examples like British Airways, Poundland, Motorola, Virgin Rails and many more have encouraged me to do extensive research about the companies and how they use the concept of marketing to enhance their image.I was not aware that the companies use dirty skills to market their products and what extent they go to to enhance the sales.The lectures have been highly interactive and they have made the process of the enjoya ble.The high level of interaction in the lectures made me confident about

Process Implemented In Shell Pakistan Management Essay

Process Implemented In reprimand Pakistan commission EssayThis chapter discusses the veer direction carry through employ in Shell Pakistan. It also highlights the issues of necessity to diversity, the risks faced during the transformation and the effectiveness of channelize counsel. The behavioral responses and attitude of stakeholders towards variegate management in the industry bugger off also been covered in the report with a comprehensive abbreviation on the features that beget helped or hindered the neuterd puzzle out within Shell. The findings flummoxed here ar just aboutly found on the research conducted through 20 interviews accepts some(prenominal) the face to face interviews and questions being asked through teleph unmatchable and recording feedback. I tried to interview people who be closely related to the motion of variegate in the profession. In addition, twenty five questionnaires atomic number 18 distributed amongst employees as well in order to understand the variety process that took rear from converting from JD Edwards to play out within the face.4.2-Factors that resist changeOne of the most familiar problems which business executives face during implementing plan is the employee resistance to change. Such resistance could be in contrasting forms like persistent reduction in output, adjoin in the number of quits and requests for transfer, chorine quarrels, sullen hostility, wildcat or slowdown strikes, and, of course, the expression of a lot of pseudo logical fountains wherefore the change bequeath non work. All this actions can result in a negative outflow or a reduced cabbage worth of all musical arrangement. A survey was conducted by the author in Shell Pakistan to identify the most common factors from the employees which act as a resistance while adopting change. The approach adopted for this research was more than like a shot as virtuoso to one session of interview was held with the individuals. The feedback received was mixed. The most common reasons for the resistance were as followsLack of communication amid the management and faculty on change issueFear of losing the task after(prenominal) change is implemented is al sorts thereFear or losing their agate line term and job security is also a concern besides much pres sure as shooting and work load is tough to handle exchange of working environment and disruption in culture is a concern.Conflicts of personalitiesBenefits are not communicatedOthersResults are illustrated below by using a pie graph and followings are the findingsSo according to the results illustrated by the pie chart, it is clearly understood that the devotion of losing and the concerns regarding job status and job security are suppose to be the biggest barriers for managing change. After that the benefits of change not being communicated properly, act as a resistance to change. Rest of the reasons identified through the survey were more colligat e to the human behaviour, like mental stress, personal conflicts, culture disruption etc4.3- requisite of change in ShellIn any organization managing change process, asks for planning originally implementing the change bars. Every organization has different stack and the change situation varies a lot but still there are few logical move which could be used during change management process. The process of change normally derails with a change Trigger. The change trigger highlights the necessity of change in a specific organization. The change trigger include two types of events. These are the external and the internal events international EventsChanges in stinting conditions (Inflation, GDP, Interest rates, etc)Changing laws and regulations, influencing the business cycle bullocky competitive strategies from competitor and threat from a sore entrant in the industryTechnology introduced, changes in Research and DevelopmentInternal EventsChanges in top level management giving m achinate to different useable strategies, changes in priorities, and new leadership styles.Introduction of a new applied science and having a changed working style and environmentOpening more branches of business both in the same country and overseasIntroducing new alter products or servicesThese triggers will push management to opt for change. The questions which is to be answered by management is if they really think change is required to repair the situation, or if it could be handled without implementing change.Shell being a global organization wanted to streamline standardize its processes around the creation. Prior to the use of SAP the organization had been using different ERP in different parts of the world like JD Edwards in Asia, Oracle in Australia etc. This made the useable reconciliation processes different but since the organization has the vision of standardizing simplifying its processes it prompted the top management to implement SAPAlso SAP had been custom ized for Shell is being implemented with the name of GSAP i.e. Global SAP. It helps the organization in simplifying operations standardizes its processes around the globe.In short, the following are the factors which pushed Shell to opt for change to accomplish their goals more efficientlySimplification of the operational process by removal of a lot of redundant activities, and getting rid of activities which were not adding value to any product or service of shell.Standardization of processes across the Globe, this helped Shell in removing complexities which arose from using different systems. terms Cutting Saving with standardization of processes and removal of non value adding activities.Adapting to the latest of technology in the ERP World i.e. Use of SAP. bring down the fixed over ears is helpful for any organization in terms of Cost Savings. In the case of Shell Pakistan, organisational restructuring resulting in reduced head count due to process simplification e.g. Prior to SAP slaying there used to be two General Managers for Supply scattering for operations in Pakistan but now there is only one General Manager for Supply Distribution who covers India, Pakistan Oman Dubai.4.4- bewilders dealing with resistance to changeThere fix been many different approaches of managing the resistance to change. Below included are few personates presented by different authors during their time which were used as a tool for managing the process of change. Kotter Schlesingers (1979) Presented a 6 step feigning which is used to reduce, eliminate or minimize the resistance. The following steps were suggested in this model for managing resistance.Education Communication The resistance is the result of ignorance, and in order to control this it was suggested that communicating the vision of change and the potential benefits will help the cause and control resistanceParticipation Involvement The motif is to get people involved in the change process and their m esh mattersFacilitation Support Offering counselling services to those feeling stress and difficulties is one major example of facilitate, jut could involve training performances, providing technical care etc.Negotiation and agreement correspond to (Economist, 2003) long before the economic slowdown of 2008-2009 the United Auto Workers Union some extraordinary dedicate rises and improved medical health care in response to agreeing for managements plosive consonant of plants. The General motors and Ford were in competition with non unionized Japanese subsidiaries, and necessitate to improve their productivityManipulation Co-optation The resistance is controlled by the way information is presented or by a political processCoercion, understood Explicit This works best when the management is powerful, the change decision is oblige on the employees outcomefully and they are left with no other excerption but to accept it. (BPP, 2008, P-402)Another model used for carrying out the change process was introduced by Kurt Lewin (1951), He presented a 3 stage model to explain the important steps to be taken while implementing change. Lewins construct about organizational change was based on the perspective of the existence metaphor. His model is widely used by managers in the industry. According to him an organization can go through three different stages during the process of change. Theses stages areUnfreeze Initiation Creation of the right EnvironmentLewin has linked this process of change to the human behaviour and believes that motivation should be put before planning and implementing the change process. The unfreeze process defined by Lewin should start with breaking down of the existing status of organization and start construction up a new environment. Unfreezing was the process which was used by Lewin to present a new approach in shape of force subject area compendium. A force field analysis is suggested by Kurt Lewin presented which helps in c onsiderate of change in an establishment. According to Force field analysis a process of change in any organization is stuck in between two types of influencing forces (1) Driving force which is the positive force for change. The other force is the Restraining force which is an obstacle to change, so according to Lewin before the change process the forces are in equilibrium. Lewin also suggested that whenever the driving force is stronger compared to the restraining force, the equilibrium or the status quo will change. Making Sense of Change Management (2004, p.110). The go out below illustrates the work of Lewin on Force field Analysis. This is and example of an direct organization. Thomas (1985) said regarding the force field analysis that the model has been widely used in very different contexts but there is not link of this model to the boilers suit strategy. Maslen and Platts (1994) used force field analysis and applied this to the manufacturing strategy.forceFieldAnalysisFo rce Field Analysis ModelChange Adoption, living change to required stateLewin knew that change was a process quite an than a one off event. He termed this process as transition. According to Lewin at this stage the people are unfrozen and moving towards a new beginning. He also suggested that at this stage people are also uncertain and fearful so this is also the hardest stage of the model as it is tough to convince people for change John B Miner (2004, p.110).Re-freeze Acceptance strengthening to anchor the changeThe refreezing stage is implicated with establishing and maintaining stability once the change process has been implemented. The top management support is required in during this process. Besides that those sources must be identified which supports change and also the barriers supporting the revolution must be identified). The figure below shows the 3 staged model presented by Lewin.RefreezeUnfreezeChangeLewins Model of Change http//picsicio.us/image/58bf1359/Lewins w ork has been widely accepted and is more a great deal used in the industry by management during the change execution process. However the 3 staged model is not the only one used for managing change and Greminis 4Rs is another approach used in the industry. Gouillart and Kelly were Management Consultants and they describe the process of business transformation (major change) in quad different stages. The model presented by them is known as Greminis 4 RsAccording to the framework a conversion process should establish a new somatic vision, bring in new opportunities for an organization and new ways of playing activities should be carried out. Gouillart and Kelly suggested that such a process will require four Rs to be present if it is to be successful.Gemini 4Rs is as followsReframingRestructuringRevitalizing diversityReframingReframing will give rise to questions about the nature of the organization and what its reason for existence. Following elements should be present in refra mingAchieving Mobilization Giving rise to the will and having desire to changeCreating a Vision Current status of the organization must be reviewed in detailBuilding a measurement system Progress will be measured and compared against the good deal targetsRestructuringThis will start removing the non value adding activities from the organization. The fundamentals are to consider the organizational structure but it might also prospect at pagan change. The activities involved in Restructuring areBuilding of an economic model This is to look at how the assets are organized and is more pore on the monetary aspectsAligning the physical infrastructure with the long term plan.Creating value redesigning the overall work architecture in order to make processes interact to fabricate valueRevitalizing This portion is concerned with exploring the new products and markets, and making sure a good fit with competitive environment. Activities will include center on exploring new opportunities in marked.Inventing in new businesses and products.Using the experience to change the directions of rivalryRenewal This section talks about the procedure of developing individuals, to make sure that their skills are aligned with the organizational requirements. Activities should includeBuilding a system for remuneration to focus on staff motivationIntroducing organizational learning to progress learning as competency within the organization4.20- Comparing JD Edwards and SAPBased on a study about comparing both the ERP solutions, it has been found that both have certain features, advantages and disadvantages in comparison to each other, allowing organizations to derive certain benefits based on which software is implemented.It has been noted that ERP vendors are now more focused on other elements of the organization as well such as supply chain and customer relationships as a result of which new modules and improved versions of existing modules have come into play. Both SAP and JDE have focused on these elements with the knowledge in hand that customer is the bone marrow focus within any business because this is how an organization runs.

Literature on Working Capital Management and Profitability

Literature on working Capital Management and positivityRegarding the explore of running(a) neat wariness and make headwayableness. This chapter exists of literature review of divers(prenominal) inquiryers and their studies findings in accordance to the region their studies ar based on. I testament start with the region of United States of Ameri raft and followed by the European countries. Studies from separate countries not included in the aforementioned regions go forth be draw in the following topic. This chapter ends with a table summarizing the findings of different authors from this literature review.Variables interpretationAverage exhibition Period on favourablenessIn an bind wrote by Milling (1991, p. 48), he mentioned thatAverage intoxicateion beat halt dance steps the dot that a firms middling sales dollar remains outstanding as an account delinquent.Average collection period is formulated by dividing accounts receivable by salesand multiplying b y the number of age in a course of study (365). It is the average number of days which a firm manages to collect its outstanding debts from customers (Garcia-Teruel Martinez-Solano, 2007). According to Lazaridis and Tryfonidis (2006), acerage collection period is one of the components to meter the hard currency renewal troll which is manageable to increase the profitableness and im shew firms increment. In Raheman and Nasr (2007) research adaptation, the correlativity compend amidst average collection period and net operating lucrativeness shows a negative coefficient. This means that if the average collection period increases, it will lower the profits in return. However, the Pearsons cor analogy proved thither is a soaked positive family among average collection period and interchange transformation turns/second. Most moneymaking firms argon observed to be possessed of a shorter period of collection period (Deloof, 2003). These same firms a re also larger in size, have higher sales growth and lower debt funding.Further research do by Garcia-Teruel and Martinez-Solano (2007) had itsresult consistent with Deloof (2003) finding. They had agreed that elongate the deadlines for customers to re get their payments may project greater payment facilities, further would negatively affect the profitability of a firm. Sales may also be change magnitude receivable to the leniency of firms collection policy.To increase corporate value, a high feature accounts receivable portfolio couldbe relieve oneselfd, safeguarded and realized through effective quotation oversight. This is repayable to heavy investments in accounts receivable by larger corporations. Hence, Pike and Cheng (2001) mat up it is important to control the mention watchfulness policy and practices choices in rate to maximize value. The lower the investments placed on accounts receivable, the more reduction in interest be, hence, a respectable increase in earnings (Milling , 1991). in like manner that, there is a close kind betwixt sales growth and the take of authentic assets (Kim, Rowland Kim, 1992). The example given was that the increment in credit sales will make it to higher inventories and accounts receivable. It is unavoidable to invest in current assets in that matter.According to Deloof (2003, p.584)An alternative explanation for the negative relation between accounts receivable and profitability could be that customers want more era to assess the quality of products they buy from firms with declining profitability.Schwartz (1974) debated that firms that be able to obtain gold at lower cost would offer trade credit to firms set about higher financing cost through finance-based models. Emery (1984) was able to conclude that investments in trade credit are a much better pickax for short-term investment than market securities. The advantage of trade credit fag be spontaneous and exist without formalities, but the limitation is that it is purchasable for goods and work only (Hossain Akon, 1997). line of descent Turnover on ProfitabilityZero stock and Just-in-time manufacturing had been a popular scroll heed practices (Reynolds, 1999). In much simpler terminology, inventory employee turnover means the cycle of using and replenishing goods. According to Reynolds (1999), inventory turnover psychoanalysis has major importance because inventory management directly wedge operations profitability. This analysis serves as a measure of firms efficiency and profitability. Inventory turnover analysis can assist fiscal managers in recognizing problems and can help reduce associated costs.Average Payment Period on ProfitabilityCompanies of different sizes (small, medium and large) are now taking longertime period to repay their debts (Anonymous, 2005). The same author also mentioned that was affected due to larger companies imposing longer payment terms on their suppliers, who are usually not in a position to choos e. Companies in a lower part of the chain would face specie flow problems as companies on the upper chain wait for payment before they pay their suppliers.Cash Conversion Cycle on ProfitabilityThe notes conversion cycle is able to capture the impact of an effective on the job(p) crown management policy, which are due to the effects from turnover of receivables, inventories and payables. The function of interchange conversion cycle is defined by Jose, Lancaster and Stevens (1996, p.34)The CCC measures the time between cash outlays for resources and cash receipts from product sales. The CCC is dynamic in the sense it combines both balance sheet and income statement selective information to create a measure with a time dimension.Richards and Laughlin (1980) consequently operated this concept by measuring the number of days currency are committed to receivables and inventories and little the number of days payments are deferred to suppliers. Shin and Soenan (1998) are able to pro ve a strong correlation between cash conversion cycle and profitability. Even so, they apply a substitute of cash conversion cycle called the net work cycle.Using this cash conversion cycle, also cognise as cash-to-cash (C2C), companies could testify a point of reference for inter-firm comparisons. Besides ameliorate profits earned, companies could obtain overall efficiencies and balance supply chain operations (Hutchison, Farris II Anders, 2007).Regional United States of AmericaAccording to a research done by Kim, Rowland and Kim (1992), it was aboutthe implications of running(a) neat management practices by Nipponese manufacturers in the US. This study is to determine the clinicals of functional jacket management by Japanese manufacturers in US and to identify options for funding. As Japans opposed direct investment in the business expansion of US has increased rapidly, therefore, it is important to manage the firms working great well. International working pileu s management has significant importance as total assets and liabilities of multinational corporations consist of current assets and short-term liabilities. There are few differences in financial structure between the US companies and Japanese manufacturersJapanese firms rely more on banks short-term debt.Japanese firms project a lower level of net working capital.Japanese firms operate with about half as much equity as US firms.Japanese firms hold twice as much in long-term investments as US firms.Japanese firms reported lower inventory level more accounts receivables and twice as much cash as US firms.Questionnaires were sent out to Japanese manufacturing companies operating in US. Executives from these Japanese-owned firms perform this survey to determine the companys working capital policies and practices. The data reverted back to researchers show that Japanese firms rated the virtually important objective of working capital management is to be providing current assets and lia bilities in second of pass judgment sales, while minimizing investments in current assets being the least important. Moreover, most of their short-term financing were sources from Japanese banks.In 1996, Jose, Lancaster and Stevens performed a research on the kin ofcorporate returns and cash conversion cycle. This study examined the long-run balance wheel relationship between a measure of ongoing liquidity postulate (cash conversion cycle) and measures of profitability. Data collected were from the annual Compustat tapes, which covers the twenty- grade period starting from social class 1974 to 1993. There are altogether 2,718 firms which have complete data required. The variable quantitys were tried using nonparametric and multiple regression analysis, with the industry and size variable controlled. Richards and Laughlin (1980) and Emery (1984) had noted the constraints of using traditional financial ratios and believed in the liquidity management measures to reflect the abi lity of firms meeting their short-term financial obligations. feed on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) measures are also included in this study to separate asset management and financing influence. Jose, Lancaster and Stevens concluded that there are key findings for ROA and ROE. These asset management returns and levered returns revealed an increase in mathematical process and benefits.Shin and Soenan (1998) did a study to test the efficiency of working capitalmanagement to create profitability. They apply a Compustat sample of 58,985 firms covering the period 1975 1994. The relationship between the length of net trading cycle, corporate profitability and risk-adjusted stock return was examined. scratch trading cycle could be computed as belowNet Trading Cycle = (Inventory Turnover + Average Collection Period Average Payment Period) x (365 / Sales)The outcome of the study shows strong negative relation between the length of firms net trade cycle and profitability. They also considered that working capital efficiency increases profitability there will be a negative relationship between net trading cycle and stock return. The examination of this relationship is done using the correlation and regression analysis, by industry and working capital intensity. In their study, it is mentioned that working capital is a result of the cash conversion cycle. Gentry, Vaidyanathan and Lee (1990) actual the weighted cash conversion cycle, which masters the timing by the meat of funds in each step of the cycle. On the other hand, Deloof (2003) said that this system could not be used due to incompleteness of information available for count. Liquidity ratios, such as current ratio and acid-test ratio, could not measure the working capital management efficiently due to reasons that these ratios include calculation of assets which are not readily available to be converted into cash and the ratios ignored the timing of cash conversion (Shin Soenan, 1998). In all , maximum working capital efficiency is an essential factor of total corporate outline to create shareholders value.A research was done on the international working capital of multinationalcorporations by Dr. Hadley Leavell from Sam Houston State University. His journal was make in 2006. To enhance profitability of multinational corporations, Ricci and Di Vito (2000) suggested reducing the floating costs of time value, ventes on outstanding accounts receivables, transaction costs and orthogonal exchange conversion costs when moving cash between countries. However, the impediment to overcome regulatory and geographical barriers may lead to a loss of control and payment regulations placed on cross-border cash concentration to maximize profitability.Regional EuropeIn year 2003, Deloof investigated the relation between working capitalmanagement and profitability of a sample 1,009 large Belgian non-financial firms between old age 1992 1996. The cash conversion cycle was considere d as the statewide measure for working capital, whereas gross operating income is the measurement for profits. There is the weighted cash conversion cycle modified by Gentry, Vaidyanathan and Lee in 1990, but was not applied by Deloof because of the limited information availability. Deloof relate the correlation and regression analysis to his research to prove that there is a relationship between working capital management and profitability.Another research done in Europe is by Lazaridis and Tryfonidis in year 2006.They investigated the relationship between working capital management and corporate profitability of a sample of 131 companies listed in the Athens Stock Exchange. Data was collected from year 2001 2004. In this research, profitability was measured through gross operating profit and cash conversion cycle. Lazaridis and Tryfonidiss research also established that larger companies are cash-management-focused with more credit sales, which led to cash flow problems. Smaller scale firms are more focused on stock management and credit management. Similar to Deloofs (2003) research, the cash conversion cycle is used to describe the effectivity of working capital management in this study. Regression analysis used in this research showed a negative relationship between cash conversion cycle and profitability.Garcia-Teruel and Martinez-Solano (2007) were involved in a research to offer up evidence about the effects of working capital management towards to profitability of Spanish small and medium-sized (SME) enterprises. Many previous researches are focused on larger form of firms. They collected a sample of over 8, 800 SMEs which covers the year 1996 2002 from the AMADEUS database. The selection was done in accordance to the requirements by Europeans Commissions recommendation on the definition of SMEs. In fact, the current assets and current liabilities of their sample of SMEs proportion is the mass of total assets and liabilities available to the firm s. They used the cash conversion cycle to measure the profitability of the firms on their research sample. Their study was supported by Deloof (2003), affirm that firms can improve profitability by lowering outstanding accounts receivables and payables and inventories. A univariate analysis was conducted to determine differences in variables, followed by a multivariate analysis to determine working capital management on corporate profitability. Return on Assets ratio was set as the dependent variable to establish profitability. In the correlation matrix used, they found a negative relationship between their dependent variable (return on assets) with the number of days accounts receivables, days of inventory and days accounts payable. They confirmed that by shortening the cash conversion cycle, firms could improve profitability.Regional OthersHossain and Akon (1997) did a case study on financing working capital ofBangladesh textile mill about corporations. This case study covers 4 0 public sector textile units under the ownership and administration of Bangladesh cloth Mills Corporations. The study covered a period of twelve years from 1982 1993. According to Hossain and Akon, well-known economists believed that current assets should be considered as working capital as the whole of it helps to generate profits. In their study, it shows that a vast amount of short-term finance was used in financing fixed and current assets to the extent of 100 percent. This caused a lower capability to earn profits, but increases the risk of insolvency. The aggressive working capital financing (using short-term funds to finance fixed assets) should be tamed in Bangladesh textile mills corporations to maximize profits, by resorting to long-term funds which are less costly. Methods used to test their hypothesis are through regression analysis and compare the calculation of financial ratios.Raheman and Nasr (2007) had done a research to prove the relationship betweenworking cap ital management and profitability of Pakistani firms. A sample of 94 firms listed on Karachi Stock Exchange was selected. Firms are listed for a period of 6 years from 1999 2004. It was mentioned that an excess of current assets could lead to a firm realizing its return on investment. However, it was proven otherwise if firms have a shortage of current assets (Horne Wachowicz, 2000). The measurement of profitability used by Raheman and Nasr is the Net Operating Profitability. They used the regression analysis to assess their hypothesis. Their study includes data of regression analysis of cross-sectional and time-series data. The pooled-regression (constant coefficient models) type of panel data analysis was applied. They believe that increase in the cash conversion cycle would lead to lower profit generation (Shin Soenan, 1998 Deloof, 2003 Lazaridis Tryfonidis, 2006 Garcia-Teruel Martinez-Solano, 2007).Summary of Literature Review author (Year)Market (Region)Evidence of Finding sKim, Rowland and Kim (1992)Japanese Manufacturers in US (USA)Objective of working capital management is to be providing current assets and liabilities in support of anticipated sales.Jose, Lancaster and Stevens (1996)Compustat (USA)Key findings in asset management returns and levered returns.Shin and Soenan (1998)Compustat (USA)Relationship between the length of net trading cycle, corporate profitability and risk-adjusted stock return.Leavell (2006)transnational corporations (USA)International working capital and multinational corporations.Deloof (2003)Belgian non-financial firms (Europe)Application of cash conversion cycle.Lazaridis and Tryfonidis (2006)Companies listed on Athens Stock Exchange (Europe)Larger companies are cash-management-focused, Smaller firms are more focused on stock management and credit management.Garcia-Teruel and Martinez-Solano (2007)Spanish SMEs (Europe)Effects of SMEs working capital management towards its profitability.Hossain and Akon (1997)Bangladesh (Asia) finance Bangladesh textile mills corporations.Raheman and Nasr (2007)Karachi Stock Exchange (Asia)Working capital management of Pakistani firms and its profitability.Table 2.1 Summary of Literature ReviewConclusionWorking capital is about establishing optimum liquidity position by effectivelymanaging resources invested in day-to-day operations of the business. After studying the journals and researches done, it can be concluded that liquidity and profitability of firms was affected by the components and working capital management measures (accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable).

Feminist Theories in Social Work

Feminist Theories in Social make waterThis research selects the application of wo mens liberationist thought in genial wee action. Specific countrys of consideration embroil the gap from cordial failers personal adoption of feminist constructs and their use of such(prenominal) constructs in daily practise, the effects of perpetuation of hegemonic intimate urge roles by neighborly so chthonics, and domesticated delirium victims sensings of the posture of fond spurt based on the pur adopts of their genial doingers as considered above. This research still describes a steering sort of college social work students who atomic number 18 kindredwise domestic violence victims.It records their perceptions of social workers foundationviewsand the regard of such on service. Conclusions include that in that location is asignificant gap among the taste or acceptance of feministconstructs amongst social workers and its application in daily fieldpractise, th at social workers are very much in tout ensemble likelihood to perpetuate hegemonic sexuality roles, and because of such perpetuation view domestic violencesituations as soul occurrences quite an than spark off of a greatersocietal pattern of burden aroundness, and that domestic violence survivorsfeel outgo served when work with them uses a feminist theoreticframework.INTRODUCTION feminist movement and social work have been associated for slicey years however,although many social workers personally abide by operative from a feminist aspect, the systems of social work still favour work from atraditional or patriarchal perspective. This research, indeed,seeks to premiere consider findings from anterior hire regarding thisphenomenon and the theoretical frameworks for both social work andfeminist thought. In this light of information gleaned from thesefindings, it became plain that hegemonic sex activity roles, a commontopic of feminist research, play a applicable gra mmatical constituent in work with survivorsof domestic violence. Specifically, domestic violence survivors areoften directed, either explicitly or implicitly, that their situationis personal and should be considered and dealt with from a personal andpathological perspective instead than applying the tenets of feministthought that view such situations as manifestations of structural and power problems in our greater inn.This written report then seeks to document whether this gap betwixt social worktheory supportive of feminist worldviews and social work application ofpractise exists, and if so, how prevalent a gap it is. This isaccomplished by means of use of a focus separate of college students, all ofwhom have interpreted at least ane course in social work theory and arethemselves domestic violence survivors who have been served, towhatever level of quality, by social workers. Discussions within thefocus gatheringing knobbed ideas of gender roles and social worker advocac yof hegemonic gender roles, whether explicit or implicit. The focusgroup then built on this foundation to consider group participantsexperiences with social workers and whether they presented an soulfulness / pathological perspective of domestic violence, or whetherthey presented a perspective that consider the wider influence ofsociety and its systems. This was further related to the effect ofsuch perceptions on the understanding of and service to groupparticipants at the time of intervention.LITERATURE REVIEWFeminism has emerged in the past thirty years as a viableworldview. Dietz (2000), quoting glob (1980), be womens lib astransformational politics that aims at the dismantling of allpermanent power hierarchies in which one category of piece dominatesor controls an different category of humans (372). In the feminist and authority traditions, the personal is political, and respective(prenominal)change and social change are seen as interdependent (Deitz 2000,372). Feminism co ntends it is non adequate to simply include women inthe worlds political and power systems, as these were designed by andfor men and because favour a highly masculinised mechanism forresponding to issues and require women working within these systems todo the same (Scott 1988, Moylan 2003). Simply including women is notenough society moldiness give womens experiences equal time andconsideration, level(p)tually recasting the very meanings of the topics itconsiders (Scott 1988). Rather, womens liberation movement argues women must be engagedin both the system development and decision-making processes that shapeour society (Moylan 2003). Consequently, one field of battle where feminism has particularly challengedtraditional views is in the area of gender roles. For example,Dominelli and McLeod (1989) examine the charge in which social problemsare defined, recognising gender as particularly chief(prenominal) inunderstanding lymph node groups, and stress egalitarian relationshipsb etween therapists and clients. Gender is likewise an importantconsideration of social work payable to the patriarchal society that stilldominates or so of our world. This power framework rests on a basis ofhegemonic masculinity (Cohn and Enloe 2003). Connell (1995) createdthe term hegemonic masculinity to describe the valued rendering ofmanhood in a society. He argues that whilst on that point are multiplepossible masculinities in a culture, only one or a few are al or so valuedor considered ideal (Connell 1995). This gender definition isconstructed both in relation to muliebrity and to separate, subordinatedmasculinities, and is used to justify both mens domination of women,and the hegemonically mannish mans power all over other men (Cohn andWeber 1999).Whilst women are increasingly being include in world systems, thesystems themselves still were designed for and operate by and for men.Therefore, women who insert within the system must do so from staminate personparad igm, even if it is sometimes at odds with their own preferencesfor how to go nigh traffic with a situation (Cohn and Enloe 2003).Feminism historically is a reassessment of male supremacy, the view thatgender dress was socially constructed and could not be changed (Cott1989,205). maleness is often defined as what is not feminine, andfemininity as what is not masculine, although understanding thedynamics of one requires considering both the workings of the other andthe relationship and overlap between the two (Cohn and Enloe 2003).Masculine definitions are often based on strength, domination andviolence, whilst feminine on weakness, nurturing, compassion andpassitivity (Rabrenovic and Roskos 2001). The result is pressure onmen adhering to a hegemonic definition of masculinity to view forms of ache bying conflict other than a fleshly or masculine response asfeminine and a threat to their manhood (Moylan 2003). The popular model of gender holds that masculinity and femininityare unchanging expressions based on the chromosomal male and womanishbodies (Butler 1990). Gender is assumed to be hard-wired, at leastin part (Hawkesworth 1997). Masculine actions and desires for men andfeminine actions and desires for women alone are normal, thesemasculine and feminine traits are not a depend of choice, and all mortals can be classified as one or the other (Hawkesworth 1997).However, whilst our society men are considered strong and rife, andwomen passive and nurturing, the meanings of male and female bodiesdiffer from one culture to another, and change (even in our ownculture) over time (Connell 1993, 75). For example, there have beenperiods in Western history when the modern convention that mensuppress displays of sensation did not apply at all, when men wereeffusive to their male friends and demonstrative round their tangs(Connell 1993, 75). Masculinities and feminities are constructed oraccomplished in social processes such as child rearing, horny andsexual relationships, work and politics (Connell 1993, 75).Feminism, however, contends gender is a constructed by to each one culture,and as a social practice subscribe tos the incorporation of specificsymbols, which support or color in human potential (Hawkesworth 1997).Gender is created through discursively constrained performative acts,and the repetition of these acts over time creates gender for theindividual in society (Butler 1990, x). People project to act likewomen or men are supposed to women are taught to set in a femininemanner, men are taught to act in a masculine manner. This is oftenreinforced by authority figures, such as social workers. Barnes (2003)cites a number of studies which find social workers often assume thedisciplinary see of notions of what and how to be woman,perpetuating traditional gender roles (149). Armed with rigid codesof gender usurp behaviors, social workers often sought toregulate and mediate womens interactions with the social, economic,and pol itical world (Barns 2003, 149).Feminism and social work share a number of similarities. Both confidein the inherent worth and dignity of all persons, the value of processover product, the wait of unity-diversity, the importance ofconsidering the person-in- environment, and a commitment to personalempowerment and active participation in society as a means to bringabout meaningful social change (Baretti 2001, 266-267). Similarly,both feminism and social work address multiple approaches to handlingsituations, challenging the institutionalized subjugation common in manypower structures and supporting the reconceptualization andredistribution of that power (Baretti 2001, 267).It follows that one impact of feminism on social work practise is theconsideration of issues from a societal rather than personalperspective. For example, this might include viewing a domesticviolence situation not from the perspective that the family isdysfunctional, but from the perspective of the society that created thefamily. The psychology-based focus of clinical social work oftenleads to individualizing social problems, rather than to viewing themas the result of relations of power, primarily burdensomeness and shout(Deitz 2000, 369). As such, individuals experiencing such difficultiesare taught that their particular experiences are inappropriate,rather than addressing the systems that created the difficulties in the beginning(a) adjust (Deitz 2000, 369). Dominelli and McLeod (1989) re-evaluate social work practice from afeminist perspective, considering the functions of social work such astherapy, fellowship interaction, and policy making not from apathological standpoint but from one of defined roles endorsed bysocietal conditions. As such, they contend that working from afeminist perspective allows the social worker to address the causes ofsocial issues, rather than the symptoms played out in individualslives (Dominelli and McLeod 1989). hotshot area of release in social work practise between those operatingfrom a feminist framework and a traditional framework is the concept ofdistance. Traditionally, the patriarchal preconceived idea against relationalityand connection is intended to lead to connection without harm, lovewithout power abuse, touching without sexual abuse in psychotherapy(Deitz 2000, 377). Unfortunately, in practise it often results inpower over relationships where those receiving services feel lessthan those providing them. Healing happens when someone feels seen,heard, held, and charge, not when one is interpreted, held at adistance, and pathologized (Deitz 2000, 377). Deitz (2000) finds thatsocial workers often institutionalize a power over stance fromprofessional training and discourse that constructs the identities ofclients as somehow disordered, dysfunctional or impaired. Whetherbetween parents and children physicians and patients social workersand consumers of services Whites and Blacks or heterosexuals andlesbians, gays, bisex uals, and transgendered persons, power overrelationships give the dominant partners or group the right to definethe meanings of subordinates experiences (including their resistance)and thus their opportunities for self-affirmation (Deitz 2000,373).This creates professional relationships that ignore theenvironmental, historical, and social contexts of the problem, discountpeoples strengths and resilience in assessment and intervention, andlead to the objectification of people as diagnoses, rather than toempowerment (Deitz 2000, 370). The keys to empowerment in feministmicro practice are reconnection and transformation through politicalactivity survivors of oppression and abuse experience reconnectionthrough relationships based on mutuality, collaboration, andtrustworthiness (Deitz 2000, 376).Theories from social work, psychology, and particularly developmentalpsychology describe empowerment as primarily a process, with thepersonal transformation of the individual comme il faut empowe red at itsfoundation (Carr 2003, 8). Barriers to empowerment and problems ofdisenfranchisement caused by powerlessness are primarily political,rather than psychological. impotence is defined as the inabilityto effectively manage ones emotions, knowledge, skills, or resourcesit is derived from the absence of external supports and the existenceof ontological power blocks that become incorporated into a personsdevelopment (Carr 2003, 13). As such, many survivors also work toreconnect to others in their communities, often seeking politicalactivity that emphasizes the empowerment of others, such as byorganizing Take Back the darkness marches or speak-outs, volunteering forcrisis hot lines, seeking legislative changes, or be feeler socialworkers or human service professionals (Deitz 2000, 376).For example, feminist work with abuse survivors emphasizes therelationship between abuse and oppressive social relations (Deitz 2000,374). On the other hand, the dominant clinical social work appr oach tooppression and abuse relocates the problem of oppression in victims.Psychological theories are typically employed, which locates pathologyin individuals, rather than in oppressive relationships and systems,and considers the long-term effects of oppression to be symptoms ofindividual pathology (Deitz 2000, 374). Unfortunately, whilst manysocial workers have been exposed to or even personally supportoperating from a feminist framework, the systems in which they workprevent them from actively utilising feminist brainwave in their dailypractise.RESEARCH PLANThis research seeks to guinea pig the prevalence and impact of traditionaland feminist practitioner constructs from the perspective of thoseserved. Specifically, a focus group study will be conducted with agroup of college students, all of whom are currently studying socialwork and therefore have some concept regarding social work practice,feminist and traditional worldviews. In addition, all students in thefocus group will have experience domestic violence and have beenprovided the services of a social worker in some form during theirteenage years.Three areas of questionion will be under taken by the group. These willbe provided to individual group participants in writing some(prenominal) daysbefore the group in order for students to have time to consider whatthey would like to share regarding their opinions and own experiences.The first group activity will involve creating definitions ofmasculine and feminine from the perspective of a typical socialworker based on the students teenage experiences. Students will thenbe asked to discuss where, if at all, they personally feel they andtheir family members who were involved in the domestic violencesituation(s) scene regarding these preconceived definitions. It is pass judgment some students will have been uncomfortable with societalconstraints they or their family experienced as teenagers. As all arestudying social work, they are also anticipated to make moreconnections between societal power issues, hegemonic gender roles, andtheir influence on domestic violence than a focus group without suchbackground. The third area of password will centre on how thestudents perceptions of their social worker(s) understanding of genderroles influenced their and their families receipt of adequateservice. The researcher will both tape record and take notes on the groupdiscussions. Data gathered from the group will then be compiled andanalysed. In addition, students from the focus group will be given theoption to write a response to the group activity, if they so desire.These will be further included in the group data.METHODOLOGYData collection involved quartette means. Prior to the group starting,each participant was given a questionnaire (see Appendix 3) to gatherbasic demographic information. The questionnaire also asked for abrief summary of their inglorious situation. Regarding data collection ofthe group proceedings, as described abov e the focus group session wastape-recorded and the researcher took notes to adjunct the recordingof group discussion. The recorded sessions were then transcribed intoprint form, with research notes added in at the chronologicallyappropriate points of the transcription to provide a more completewritten overview of the focus group discussion. In addition, groupparticipants had an option to write a response the group to be includedin the group data. Four participants wrote responses, which wereconsidered with the group data following analysis of the focus groupdiscussion. Participants were provided with the iii areas of groupdiscussion several days prior to the actual focus group meeting. Theywere not given any directions or guidance regarding the optionalwritten responses to the group activity.Data analysis first involved dividing and coding group data. Responsesto the first topic of discussion were separate into three categoriesthose representing a traditional worldview, those rep resenting afeminist worldview, and those that did not clearly represent eitherworldview. From these groupings, overall findings regarding theworldviews typically experienced by the group participants weresummarised. This was then further compared with the definitions oftraditional gender roles identified by the group.Data from the second topic of discussion were also disordered down intothose representing a traditional worldview, those representing afeminist worldview, and those that did not clearly represent eitherworldview. It was important to then note participant perceptions andemotional responses to these codings, and in which worldview groupingthey and their families were reported to feel scoop out served andempowered. Data from the specific discussion regarding service were then similarlyanalysed, and combined with previous findings to present a picture ofthe impact of traditional versus feminist worldviews on social workpractise, emphasising work with teenage domestic vio lence survivors andtheir understanding of gender roles in society. It was anticipated at the conclusion of such research, a view could beasserted as to whether feminist perspective has a significant impact onthe practise of social work as it is currently undertaken and whetherthis impact, if any, leads to improved service.As the focus group involved a relatively small number of participants(nine total) and data from their interactions were primarilyqualitative in nature, it was decided not to perform any complexstatistical analysis on focus group data. It was felt that such typesof analysis would neither reveal findings that could be consideredstatistically significant nor provide a more accurate understanding ofthe issues under consideration than a more qualitative analyticalapproach. In consideration of topographic point and relevance portions of thediscussion were used to support conclusions in the findings andanalysis sections of this dissertation, whilst an overall summary oft he around relevant portions of the discussion are included in Appendix2.IMPLEMENTATION OF haveNine students meeting the criteria laid out in the research planagreed to participate in the focus group. They were primarilyorganised by one group participant, who had discovered other domesticviolence survivors through classroom discussions and throughparticipation in a survivors group in the topical anesthetic community. All ninestudents were currently studying social work or had taken at least onesocial work course as part of a related course of study, such aseducation or criminal justice. There were sextette women and three men,ranging in age from nineteen to twenty-seven. Racially, seven were flannel, one was Black, and one was Asian. All present as comingfrom upper working class to midst class backgrounds. All hadexperienced domestic violence as teenagers, making their experiencesfairly juvenile and therefore providing a relatively current depiction ofsocial work practise. qui n students (three women, two men) had beenremoved from their biological parents at some point during theirteenage years. All had been involved in interventions into the familyby a social worker representing either a administration organisation, or inthe plate of one woman, a local church. Some of the participants previously knew each other and were somewhataware of each others experiences, which should be considered in groupanalysis. Five regularly participated in a survivors support group inthe community. One man and one woman were cousins. In addition, twoof the men had known each other as teenagers from intervention throughthe school system.Jennifer, a twenty-four year-old Caucasian woman, was chosen to be themoderator, as she had been the one who had assisted the researcher byarranging for most of the participants to become involved in thestudy. The group then moved most immediately into discussion of thetopics provided. The group had been provided a whiteboard for its use,w hich Jennifer implemented to organise individual comments and ideas.It is surmised that the easy manner with which the group undertook thediscussion was based on the fact that they were all students andtherefore used to having study groups, group discussions, and the like,and that all of them had at least publically shared their experiencespreviously, either as part of a classroom discussion or survivorsgroup, or both, and were therefore more comfortable in pleasing in suchdiscussion than might be typical for a focus group dealing with suchexperiences.FINDINGS AND ANALYSISThe first finding of this research is that the majority of socialworkers in service or domestic violence survivors to not consistentlyemploy feminist constructs in practise, despite the likelihood ofhaving been exposed to such constructs. This manifested itself inthree significant shipway. First, families were overwhelming dealt withas individuals with problems. That is, the abuser was described asmaking poor choices or having some type of pathological issues that ledto his or her decision to abuse (in one participants family, bothparents were abusive). As such, the abuser was described from apsychoanalytical standpoint by the social worker(s), and his or herbehaviour labelled as individually deviant. The survivors of the domestic violence situations, particularly the female parents, as the majority of abusers from the groups experiences weremale family members or gallants of the mother, were also reported tobe consistently dealt with from an individual perspective. In thissense, their behaviour was also reported to be categorised by thesocial workers involved as unhealthy, pathological, and coming fromsome sort of unresolved personal issues, such as low self-esteem. Inthe case of only one participant did the social workers involved ineither intervention or therapy consistently relate the domesticviolence situation to broader issues of oppression, societal powerstructures and the relate d hegemonic gender roles, or patriarchal normsof society. It is of note that this participant received service froma progressive women-helping-women organisation, rather than atraditional government-organised social work programme.Group participants also repeatedly described their family situationsas unhealthy, and they sure enough were, but from the perspective thatboth the abuser and abused were reacting or displaying emotioninappropriately, rather than that the motif or norming behind thebehaviour was at fault. For example, Trent described his mother asdrawn to violent, alcoholic men. She eer seemed to go for theseguys that didnt know how to express anything except by pause stuff,yelling, hitting, you know. His further descriptions of his mothersboyfriends indicated an surmise that if these men had been raisedwith or taught proper means of dealing with their frustrations andemotions, the abuse to him and his mother would have been lessened oreliminated. This idea was support ed by at least one social worker, whosuggested counselling for Trent, his mother, and the then boyfriend asone possible way of addressing the abusive situation.Several participants did bring feminist theory and thought into groupdiscussion, pointing out, for example, that dominance or aggression bymen in any form was unhealthy, and question why it was only seen asunhealthy by most of the social workers they had encountered, and byothers they knew in the community, when physical violence was actuallyinvolved. There was a related discussion, albeit brief, about the unwillingnessof neighbours, relatives, and others in the community, such as membersof the same church, to intervene in the domestic violence situation.Participants indicated their perception that whilst this was often dueto a fear of getting involved or astute how to help the situation,there were repeated occurrences in everyones experience where anunwillingness to intervene derived from others implications that theman of the abode had some right to choose the way in which thehousehold operated, or that he had a right to discipline his wife /girlfriend and children as he saw fit. Wendy reports hearing an auntstate Well, its his family, their kids, she wants to stay with him,and dismiss the ongoing violence as therefore an acceptable familylifestyle, or at least one in which none of the rest of the familyshould be expected to intervene. Participants then acknowledged thisand several other systemic situations that perpetuated their abuse,such as reluctance of authority figures to continue call into question wheninitially told nothing was wrong, and unwillingness of police tointervene repeatedly. Similarly, regarding gender roles, discussion indicated a belief bymost participants that their social workers believed a traditionalstereotype of what was appropriate behaviour for a man and a woman, andthat these behaviours were different. There were reports of acceptanceof physical response as an appropri ate masculine reaction, but thelevel of physical response not being considered appropriate. Maleparticipants were encouraged to talk about their experiences, butreport never being given permission to express fear, or an emotionalresponse such as crying. One male participant reported starting to cryas part of a group experience, and being discouraged rather thanencouraged to continue, whilst female members of the group were allowedto and even supported in such emotional expression. There were similarreports of several(a) hegemonically feminine expressions, such as crying,fear, and nurturing behaviours, being supported and encouraged bysocial workers for male family members but not female, as well as anacceptance or assumption of weakness on the part of adult females whochose to remain in an abusive situation.The discussion then moved to the effect of traditional and feministperspective on social work service. Participants overwhelminglyreported tone of voice better served when soci al workers sought to empowerthem and their families. This did usually involve practise of methodsderived from a feminist view, such as the use of reflective journalingand support groups, as well as encouragement from the social workers tothe mother that she could, indeed, survive and prosper outside thedomestic violence situation, that she did have the inner reserves toaddress the situation and move to a healthier lifestyle, and thatsocietal pressure to be with a man, either as a romantic partner or asa develop / commence-figure for children was not necessary for asuccessful life. Participants also report feeling personally empoweredby such encouragement, and therefore able to support their mothers inattempts to leave relationships.From their own study in social work theory, focus group participantswere able to soon discuss the ramifications of the patriarchalsocietal power structure on a womans decision to stay in a violentsituation. One issue brought up included the perception that societywill view a woman as a failure and undesirable if she does not have aromantic relationship with a man in her life. A number of womenparticipants in the group reported feeling similar pressure to maintaina romantic relationship with a man in their life, regardless of theirother commitments or interests, and an expectation that they would notbe successful women if they did not ultimately get married and havechildren. When questioned by other participants, the three maleparticipants reported not feeling such pressures. Another issue raisedwas the mothers perception that they needed a father figure tosuccessfully raise children, particularly boys. This was perpetuatedin the life experiences of group participants even though the menoccupying these roles were viewed by the male participants asdestructive, rather than constructive, influences. Issues of supportin disciplining children and managing household operations were alsoindicated, as was the financial support provided by the batterer. Thegroup indicated all these issues were societal, rather than individual,and lack of addressing of them affected the effectiveness of the socialservices they had received.Overall, the participants were generally positive about at least onesocial worker with whom they had a relationship during their teenageyears. Participants typically felt feeling most encouraged and bestserved by those social workers who did not present themselves as beingdistant or above the participants and their families, and who did notoverly emphasise their familys issues from a perspective of individualdysfunction. These findings indicated that a feminist interactiveconstruct, which avoids power over methods and practise is perceivedto be most effective by domestic violence survivors.RECOMMENDATIONSIt is recommended from findings of this study that social workersare first provided greater exposure to and training in feminist methodsand theory as it relates to their practical, day-to-day pra ctise. Forexample, all participants reported some positive experiences inresponse to reflective methods such as reflective journaling andsurvivor support groups. Considerations of ways to more greatlyinclude such methods in typical practise are therefore indicated. Of greater concern are the systems in which social workers operate.Whilst most of the social workers in these focus group participantsexperiences had some familiarity with feminist theory or methods, asindicated by their emphasis on empowerment or use of specificstrategies, there is something within the government-sponsored socialservices structure that prohibits practise truly based on feministtenets. A sharp contrast was provided by the young woman served at aprogressive, secluded service, where feminist theory was the obviousframework on which service was based. She was by far the most positiveabout her experiences and workers, and reported insights, understandingand empowerment to change not consistently reported by other focusgroup participants.It therefore recommended that more research be pursued as to whatfactors constrain social workers from functioning from a more feministframework. Issues such as time (many social workers have far morepeople to see and serve than they would like to have, or often feelthey can serve effectively), lack of material resources such asappropriate space, lack of effective training, or discouragement insuch regards from supervisors or others in power. Specificallyidentifying relevant factors could then form a framework forprogressing with change in social work practise within a typicalgovernment service organisation.It is further recommended that individual social workers consider whatconstraints they persona

Pet Therapy for Pain and Anxiety Management

front-runner Therapy for put out and Anxiety ManagementPain and Anxiety Management in Hospice c are long- pathetics through Pet TherapyArlena DavisPet therapy is a form of word map in hospitals, treat homes and educational creations. It involves guided dealings between a trained animal(prenominal), an individual and the animal trainer. Pet therapy offers tolerants the opportunity to improve their tone through homosexual-animal relations. The practice business is to determine the effectuality of using animals to aid humans cope meliorate with health matters. For this scheme, the focus will be to determine the posture of flatter therapy in the interference of hospice patients.Background and Signifi gitceThe focus of this explore proposal will be on Hospice wield planned care to go away medical services, spiritual and emotional support to individuals who are in the mature stages of illness. It centers on console and abundance of life rather than cure. Hunters and ga in that respectrs first used the ducky therapy and the initial report was done in late eighteenth century at the York Retreat in Britain headed by William Tuke. Domesticated favourites, devil dog creatures and farm animals are the most used. Several benefits are associated with pet therapy, turn away blood pressure and rock-bottom depression. A major problem of pet therapy is although scientists present the relationship between humans and companion animals as favorable, there is sine qua non for investigational studies to determine its effectiveness.In using pet therapy, it is important that the rights of the hatful affected as those of their animal companions be respected. The patient heap take up the pet of his choice to improve their health. The pets used are service animals and moldiness be all in al ruggeded to accompany a disabled person wherever they go. However, attention should be taken to avoid pets with a temperament as they bleed to be a nuisance. Elderly people and people suffering from inveterate illnesses are the most affected.Pet therapy has its complications and can be costly. Failure of this therapy can result in a distressful and intolerable death for a patient in a short period. Pet therapy works hospice patients and their families some forecast of a quality life. If this program fails, the family members of the patient world power suffer from depression. It might alike instill fear and uncertainty to patients chthonicgoing pet therapy. Pet therapy can be costly be generate it entails hiring a certified and easily-trained pet. In addition, hospice patients may request to be in a health facility.Review of LiteratureThe look proposal discusses the distinguishable studies conducted concerning pet therapy by various authors. It allows both speculative retrospects of data previously recorded and empirical studies in opposite places with patients of different age groups. The different film designs applied by the auth ors let in taxonomic review of the evidence, Quasi-experimental investigations, review of qualitative studies, survey questionnaires, randomized control trial run and pre-post quasi-experimental design.According to Stem (2011), pet therapy treatment enables patients in a hospice get in short time relief from pain, stress and solicitude. He however did non have an in-depth analysis due to lack of quality look data. The review was conducted on the comments 31of professionals who used brute Assisted therapy (AAT) for mental health care. Animal Assisted Therapy was beneficial (OCallaghan, 2008). The method exitd qualitative, and the interpretation could have been biased. A thingumajig sample of 58 house physicians living in a facility was examine to determine the neuters in the use of medication. A Decline in pain Medication use (Lust, Ryan-Haddad, Coover, Snell, 2007). AAT serveed in rehabilitating schizophrenic patients (Kovcs, Kis, Rzsa, Rzsa, 2004). The findings were make afterward surveying the in low-level living skills of seven schizophrenic patients at a hospice.In a different rise, pre-post quasi-experimental design was used on hospitalized patients with the aim of finding out the effects on not still their toughness but also the cost incurred. Pet therapy im turn out mood in hospitalized patients and was cost effective (Coakley Mahoney, 2009). The patients in hospice care also imply children. In this research proposal, a review of the effectiveness of pet therapy on them is also done. AAT has benefits for the children in pain. The group having AAT had a significant loss in pain level relative to the control group (Braun, Stangler, Narveson, Pettingell, 2009).Survey questionnaires also serve as an excellent source of conducting research. In one such instance used to investigate the effectiveness of pet therapy, Companion animals reduced anxiety (Peacock, Chur-Hansen, Winefield, 2012). The conclusion was made after reviewing the res ponses of a sample of 70 hospitalized patients. Persons with neurological conditions also get assistance through pet therapy to help improve their functioning. In one of the prospective studies, the researchers focused on the gain in walking distance covered and the speed of the patient as well. Walking with a dog improved patient ambulation and patients responded positively to the hear (Rita, Brienne Joseph, 2007)However, the positive findings of using pet therapy do not reflect the opinions of all the researchers. Anxiety inventory did not decrease significantly but was low after Animal Assisted Therapy (Ekeberg Braastad, 2011). Also according to Bercovitz, Sengupta, Jones, Harris-kojetin, (2011), there are no differences in demographics, health, functional status between patients discharged from hospice or those who got complementary and preference therapies CAT. They made this conclusion by reviewing the outcomes of complementary and ersatz therapies.The different research methods applied by the researchers had their shortcomings. The most common creation lack of randomness in sample selection, biased interpretations due to use of either qualitative or quantitative information, the lack of evidence of the cause and effect and a limited sample size of it. The findings of some researcher proved quite unreliable, as they did not do follow-ups on their subjects. It is crucial to acknowledge how Animal Assisted Therapy works and which animals are best suited for this treatment. look ProblemIntroducing a pet into the life of a patient has been proven to distract the patient from pain, anxiety and reduces hypertension. Furthermore, it helps patients regain control of their social and discourse skills (unity point, n.d.). The caregivers use this option to provide palliative care care aimed at reducing pain, suffering and dis easiness in revise to provide them with a better chance at living (1800hospice, n.d.).Control of pain and anxiety is the main aim of hospice care. The option is considered when one is no longer belligerent in treating illness and is ready to accept death. A caregivers responsibility is to offer the best therapy possible. The patients find it easier to interact with the animals than with family members (Hospice of northeast commutation Ohio, 2014).Study PurposeStudies have indicated that the presence of a pet in the facility help relieve patients pain and gives the staff morale to abide providing care to the patients. The act of petting has an automatic and subconscious relaxing and calm effect (Methodist health, 2014). Furthermore, the use of pets can help bridge the communication opening night between the patient, the doctor and family (Matuszek, 2010).Theoretical Framework and Conceptual DefinitionsThe theory of comfort asserts that comfort exists in three main forms relief, ease and transc terminationence. When the comfort demand of the patient are met, he experiences comfort in the form of getting relief (March McCormack,2009). Ease facilitates the comfort of a patient through gladness by arraying any fears and anxiety from the patient. Transcendence facilitates the patient achieve a level of comfort by rising above any challenges during or after treatment.The theory posits that patient comfort occurs in four contexts physical, psycho-spiritual, socio-cultural and environmental (Kolcaba DiMarco, 2005). It emphasizes that patients are individuals, families, institutions and even communities that need healthcare services. The environment encompasses any aspects of the patient, family or institution that nurses may manipulate in order to provide comfort to patients.RationaleThe theory is a good fit for the scan since it informs the need for nurses and patients relatives to pursue available methodologies to mitigate pain and patient discomforts. The theory fosters courage and spirit of enthusiasm and positivity and reminds nurses not to give up (Lasiuk Ferguson, 2005). The i ndependent variable is pet therapy to reduce pain age the dependent variable is end of life patient management.The independent and dependent variables are linked to the concepts since the choice of appropriate therapies is ideal to effective patient management especially in the end of life processes. In order to attain desirable relief for the patient, the nursing personnel formulates proper nursing care plans and continuously measure outs comfort levels of the patient to determine the need for change (Melnyk Overholt, 2010). The nurse may use objective or subjective measures to evaluate the levels of comfort for the patient. Objective assessments involve, making observations of the patient and the healing process. Subjective measures include seeking the patients comments.HypothesisHospice care patients and their families will chose pet therapy as a feasible treatment option when end of life conversations are being debated at the time of diagnosis.Design and RationaleThe research design will be in the form of a cross-sectional survey of pain and anxiety management in hospice care through pet therapy. It will be used to determine the victor of this treatment and to predict its usefulness in future. The rationale of using the cross-sectional approach is because this proposal will focus on one variable the effectiveness of pet therapy for hospice care using data collected in different institutions during the same period.Population and SampleThe appropriate population for this proposal is the patients under hospice care. The sample will be chosen randomly which will include patients in hospitals, nursing homes and those in hospice care institution. Since the number of patients is large, the sample size for this study will be 60 patients involving people of different ages and suffering from different illnesses.Human Subjects ProtectionIn conducting this study, the ethical practice of human subject protection will be adhered to. The research will be based on ob jectivity and the data collected from the patients will whole be used for the research. The relevant authorities of such as family and institution directors will be consulted for permission.Operational DefinitionThe independent variable for this research proposal is the use of pet therapy to reduce pain and anxiety in hospice patients. Pet therapy is a program, which involves creating a relationship between a patient and animal to help improve their health condition. The dependent variable is the end of life patient management this is provided through hospice care to patients who are in the late years of their life.Measurement DiscussionIn determining the success of use of pet therapy in managing pain and anxiety among hospice patients, both qualitative and quantitative measurements will be done. The key factors to be considered will be the amount of time spent with the pet, the blood pressure of individuals before and after pet therapy. The state of depression shall also be monito red as well as the amount of intake of pain relievers.SummaryPet therapy for hospice care patients has proven very helpful remedy during the end of life stage. The animals provide companionship and sense calmness in the patients life. In depth, research should be done to determine the animals that best suit the treatment and to establish how the treatment occurs. 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