Research Articles Base: Background Of The Study Samples

Research Proposal on the Impact of Non Banking Source of Finance on Profitability for Small and Medium Enterprise in Kenya

Impact of Non Banking Source of Finance on Profitability for Small and Medium Enterprise in Kenya Introduction The growth of the Small and Medium Enterprises are due to the influences of the competition in the domain of the local markets. The actions of the entrepreneurs in the issues of growth and expansion are divided into two opposing views. Many of the entrepreneurs are challenged in the different situations and the others are in the state of anxiety that definitely creates an impact on their businesses. Background of the Study and Problem Statement The small and medium sized enterprises clearly played an important role in the economies of their country. The SMEs are considered as one of the important sectors that drive in the economic growth. Therefore, many policy makers and economists set strong foundations of efficient network of the SMEs in their aim for the industrialization. The entrepreneurs and their behavior in managing their respective firms are expected to be resilient in providing the answers against the impact of the global economic uncertainties. Based on the background of the study, there are two problems identified. ·         What are the sources of fund of SMEs aside from the banks? ·         What is the impact of these sources in the profitability of the businesses? Research Aims and Objectives The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of non banking sources in the profitability of small and medium enterprises in Kenya. In order to administer the investigation of the study; there are objectives wherein the researcher/s can be focused on. First is to recognize the sources of funds of SMEs in Kenya. Second is to determine the entrepreneurial behaviors in the decision making, planning, and the control of the SMEs. Third is to determine the impact of these sources in the growth of SME in the country. And fourth is to give recommendations in order to strengthen the SMEs in Kenya. Research Questions There are questions that can help the study to gather the necessary information. <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	What are 	the sources of funds of SMEs in Kenya?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	What are 	the entrepreneurial behaviors such as the decision making, and planning to 	control the SMEs?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	What are 	the impacts of these sources in the growth of SME in the country?</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%"> 	How to 	strengthen the SMEs in Kenya?</li> Literature Review Through the different undesirable situations, the strategic alliances can be established in the growth of SME. The cooperative behavior of the entrepreneurs is the result of their cultural behavior in making their business profitable. The SME alliance is based strategically through the different forms of information whether positive or negative. In fact, the goals and purposes of the alliance among the entrepreneurs varied in differently but its structure is the agreement to establish a strong relationship between cooperating firms. The relationship founded in the SME plays an important role in the domestic business and even across the international borders. The alliance of the SME and the relationship between the entrepreneurs emphasizes the involvement of the leaders in the overall decision making and creating a strong industry (Weaver, Dickson, and Davies, 1996; Pistrui, 2002). In another deep sense, there are several studies that also recognize the relationship and the behavior of the entrepreneurs among their workers. The effectiveness of the entrepreneurs’ behavior can be assessed in two factors which are – first through the growing number of the employees or the continuous expansion of the business and both are because of the performance of the business throughout the years. In accordance to this fact, the age of the business within the industry, formal educations of the entrepreneurs and experiences, previous applied strategies, and environmental participation of the entrepreneurs are the other significant factors that may appear in the present behavior of the entrepreneur (Khalid, Farooq, and Raza, 2009). Methodology The applied method in the study is the comparative case study method. Through the use of the past literatures, the study can identify the information gaps which lies in the context small and medium size business. The past case studies discussed different variables that play essential roles in the decision making or planning strategies of the entrepreneurs. References: Khalid, G., Farooq, S., & Raza, S., (2009) Empirical Study of Employment Growth Rate in Small and Medium Enterprises, Journal of Managerial Sciences 2(2) [Online] Available at: http://www.qurtuba.edu.pk/jms/default_files/JMS/2_2/09_gulfam_khalid.pdf [Accessed 24 January 2011] Pistrui, D., (2002) Growth Intentions and Expansion Plans of New Entrepreneurs in Transforming Economies: An Investigation into Family Dynamics, Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development. [Online] Available at: http://www.ecap.uab.es/secretaria/tesi/dp1de1.pdf [Accessed 24 January 2011]. Weaver, KM., Dickson, PH., & Davies, L., (1996) Entrepreneurial Orientation, Cooperation Behavior, and Perceived Outcomes among Small to Medium Sized Enterprises: An Exploratory Study of Norwegian Firms. [Online] Available at: http://www.sbaer.uca.edu/research/usasbe/1996/pdf/22.pdf [Accessed 24 January 2011].     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Research Proposal on the Impact of Non Banking Source of Finance on Profitability for Small and Medium Enterprise in Kenya

Impact of Non Banking Source of Finance on Profitability for Small and Medium Enterprise in Kenya Introduction The growth of the Small ...

State and Civil Society Relations: Constructing NGOs for Democratic Transformation in Uganda Research Proposal Paper

State and Civil Society Relations: Constructing NGOs for Democratic Transformation in Uganda Introduction In the continuous discussion pertaining to “human security” there is an emerging role of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the development of multidimensional peace-building activities. In the changing international environment in which local, regional, and global level actors and norms have accrued enhanced legitimacy, a new generation of multi-dimensional peace-building activities has developed aiding in the development of ethical norms, utilizing peacekeeping, traditional mediation, conflict resolution/ transformation, increasingly through transnational organizations and NGOs. Background and Problem Statement The re-emergence of ethonationalist and identity based conflicts, and to respond to urgent humanitarian crises. It is in this context that the peace-building role of NGOs in conflict and complex emergencies may be usefully located and assessed as part of a socio-political fabric engaged in sustainable approaches to ending conflict. Conflict resolution/transformation and peace-building approaches to understanding conflict and methodologies for addressing it are being utilized by NGOs. This is in conjunction with more formally constituted methods and actors, in order to stabilize local environments in a local, regional and global normative context, as well as in the context of an emerging global civil society. This may enhance the legitimacy of NGOs (and their regulation) and may also increase the effectiveness of peace-building in the international system. However, what is the main role of NGOs in order to build the peace especially in Uganda? Research Aim and Objectives The main aim of the study is to investigate the role of NGOs in peace-building and the process or reducing the conflicts in the society. In order to facilitate the investigation, there are objectives that need to be considered. First is to illustrate the critical points in the society that the NGOs should address in their peace-building program. Second is to recognize the previous actions done by the organization to maintain the peace in the society. And third is to explore the other possibilities or potentials that the NGOs can apply in the peace-building process.    Literature Review Part of NGOs approach in peace-building is with the perspective on conflict, and the methodology which is derived from it for solving conflict, is thought to remove the critical difficulties inherent in first generation peacemaking where the common argument is made that involvement is crippled by the intensity of the dispute, the resources or lack of that the third party has access to, and the type of issues at stake for the disputants. The application of the international system dictates those third parties or the NGOs to view their role as one of conflict management as opposed to resolution in order to bring about compromise through bilateral and trilateral negotiations. In response to the peace-building approaches, it has been argued that settlements need to be based upon just political orders which promote democracy and human rights, new norms, participatory governance structures, civil society, international tribunals, and truth commissions. Disarming, repatriating refugees, building a consensus for peace under the auspices of the UN, and moderate local political leadership play a role in this method. This is based on conflict resolution perspectives of conflict, and requires deep access into local environments, something that requires grassroots processes rather than top down approaches. NGOs can often provide this because of their unofficial and human security oriented focus. As actors of peace-building process, NGOs should focus on the injustices relating to human needs/security, humanitarian intervention, and human rights and the inflexible perceptions that states have held with respect to territorial sovereignty. NGOs have often been a low profile response to the exploitation of power by political entrepreneurs in domestic environments, and to intractable conflicts, economic inequality, and humanitarian abuses. The relationship of the NGOs in the society creates an emergence in the solving the needs and act in a much broader range of security issues, which makes the role of the NGOs complex. Providing a serious action on the impediment is a great start in the peace-building processes. Methodology The applied method in the study is the use of secondary information using the materials that are peculiar in the Non-Government Organizations. The context and reports pertaining the peace-building is important part of the study, therefore it is also essential that there are reviews on the activities regarding the peace-building of the NGOs in other countries. The collection of information is good source for the study to provide knowledge on the role of NGOs and thus, recommendations on how to strengthen their roles.        References: Bratton, M., (1994) Civil Society and Political Transition in Africa, Institute for Development Research (IDR), 11 (6) [Online] Available at: http://www.worlded.org/docs/Publications/idr/pdf/11-6.pdf [Accessed 21 January 2011] Mercer, C., (2002) NGOs, Civil Society and Democratization: A Critical Review of the Literature, Progress in Development Studies 2(1) [Online] Available at: http://www.radiodpb.org [Accessed 21 January 2011]. Richmond, O.P., (2001) Post Westphalian’ Peace-Building: The role of NGOs [Online] Available at: http://www.class.uidaho.edu/martin_archives/conflict_journal/ngo.htm [Accessed 21 January 2011]. Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

State and Civil Society Relations: Constructing NGOs for Democratic Transformation in Uganda Research Proposal Paper

State and Civil Society Relations: Constructing NGOs for Democratic Transformation in Uganda Introduction In the continuous discussion ...

Antisocial Behavior Research Proposal

Antisocial Behavior Introduction There are many studies conducted for over the years that the youth are involved in some problems such as having an antisocial behavior and it is alarmingly increasing when the teenagers are involved in low-structured activities and avoid the high structured activities. Different structured activities always involved a social complexity and peer cooperation, which is sometimes with the support of family members and guidance from the adults. Background of the Study The adolescents tend to involve in low structured activities together with their peers who they think understands their feelings except for their parents. In this scenario, there are more chances that the adolescents being involved in risk decisions and other behavioral factors. They sometimes commit to do the wrong thing although they know what is right. Through the in depth analysis of the new generation’s behavior, there are less risk when a teenager is attached to the school, have a strong and close relationship with his parents, and use his time wisely through participation in different skill practice such as art or music. Having a good friend is another great influence that can direct a youth towards the positive side of life. The approach to deliver the child or any adolescent in better future is through employing the prevention, intervention, and social support initiatives which is duly guided by most of the parents (Mancini and Huebner, 2004). Problem Statement In connection to the study o social psychology, the study presents the two associated problems. 1.      What are the reasons in the antisocial behavior of teenagers? 2.      Why do only the adolescents are affected by this behavior? Research Aim and Objectives The aim of the study is to investigate the emergence of the antisocial behavior among the adolescents in the society. In order to gather the necessary information, there are objectives needs to be settled.   First is to identify the various reasons that might contribute in the antisocial behaviors of the adolescents. Second is to demonstrate the impact of antisocial behavior in the social life of the adolescents. And third is to suggest some solutions that might reduce the antisocial behaviors among the adolescents. Literature Review According to the past studies, the antisocial behaviors of an individual are the start or considered as a factor involved in theories of violence. Most of the individuals who are antisocial as adolescent or adults have had the same behavior in their early childhood. Another study states that antisocial behavior is visible in children with neuropsychological problems and having undesirable environment can affect their development (Ugueto, 2005). These factors can establish the antisocial character of an individual which shows continuity over the age (Moffitt, 1993). The primary intervention means doing things to keep problems from emerging. School is the best facility to provide this kind of means (Walker, 1998). In schools, whenever the child feels any difficulties, the teachers should participate and get involved in the development of the child. Teachers or educators should assist the students having trouble with their academics. Furthermore, the school authorities should improve the school facilities to be conducive in teaching and learning (Maldonado, 2009). In fact, parents’ participation is also expected to be part in any school activities where they can praise their children in the good job they did at school. Together, parents and teachers can monitor the behavior of the child in everything he does.   The higher community involvement of the child plays an important factor of the child toward the social community. The social control of the children is important especially when they finally reached the adult stage. The prevention is also applied in those students that needs outside support which at some point shows risk status. The management programs and tutorials, or special designed teaching is part of the prevention strategies for children (Walker, 1998). Tutorial, social sports and other legitimate activities can divert the attention of the children in doing aggressive behaviors. This is considered as a legal activity that focuses on enhancing or improving the behavior of the child (Maldonado, 2009). Methodology The proposed method in the study is through the use of qualitative method and gathering the data is possible through the survey and interview. This is promoted in the study because of the contribution that can be provided by the participants, making it appropriate in the study. Furthermore, there is a relevant application of theories and academic findings are also applied in this process, which is suitable to provide the explanations in terms of comparison of experiences or situations. This method is commonly used in nursing studies, managerial approach, communication issues, etc. Qualitative research is also considered as interpretive research, naturalistic research, phenomenological research and descriptive research. References: Maldonado, M., (2009) Delinquent Behavior in Young People [Online] Available at: http://www.kaimh.org/files/criminal.pdf [Accessed 18 January 2011] Moffitt, T., (1993) Adolescence-Limited and Life-Course-Persistent Antisocial Behavior: A Developmental Taxonomy, Psychological Review, Vol. 100 [Online] Available at: http://www.psychology.sunysb.edu/ewaters/552-04/slide%20sets/brian_mcfarland_aggression/moffitt_aggression.pdf [Accessed 2 Accessed 18 January 2011]. Ugueto, A., (2005) Psychopathy in Delinquent Girls: An Examination of Factor Structure Dissertation [Online] Available at: http://search.ohiolink.edu/etd/send-pdf.cgi/Ugueto%20Ana%20Maria.pdf?acc_num=osu1127178779 [Accessed Accessed 18 January 2011]   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Antisocial Behavior Research Proposal

Antisocial Behavior Introduction There are many studies conducted for over the years that the youth are involved in some problems such ...

AN ASSESSMENT OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN THE COURIER SERVICE INDUSTRY RESEARCH PROPOSAL

AN ASSESSMENT OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN THE COURIER SERVICE INDUSTRY   Introduction The world of work and organization has become increasingly demanding and turbulent. There are eight major challenges currently facing organizations. These are globalization, responsiveness to customers, increasing revenue and decreasing costs, building organizational capability, change and transformation, implementing technology, attracting and developing human capital, and ensuring fundamental and long-lasting change. In courier industry, LBC, FedEx, DHL and TNT are offering different add on services to enhance their competitive advantage.  Unlike before majority of courier businesses are now offering services over the internet through their websites. Actually, the courier businesses should promised to offer prestige service to manage their customers’ need effectively.  With this, this research tends to evaluate the current service quality offered by the courier businesses to attain and meet special needs of their customers/clients.   Background of the Study In all countries around the globe, courier and express services are of vital importance to the efficiency and growth of the economy.  With regards to the geographical position of a country, fast and effective delivery services are essential for their businesses involved in international trade. Despite the recent global economic slowdown, the courier and express industry shows competitive growth. In addition, since then the courier services sector has outperformed the express logistics sector in terms of turnover growth (Frost, 2006). The demand for courier and express services is derived from businesses in the manufacturing and services industries. Therefore, the economic performance of these industries strongly affects the success of the courier and express industry. Advances in technology and the increasing use of e-commerce, combined with the courier and express sector’s commitment to investing in IT, and have cushioned the industry from the worst effects of the recent global slowdown (Frost, 2006). This is because it has been able to offer added-value services and retain key customers at the top end of the courier and logistics market. The courier services sector has been benefiting from the recent growth in demand for home deliveries generated from Internet retail sales. Rising demand for air courier services to developing economies has also boosted the sector in recent years. However, increased security measures for air freight have increased costs for the sector’s air freight operations. The express logistics sector, through its added-value services, has fared better than the road freight industry. Nonetheless, a raft of government measures to tackle environmental pollution and congestion have increased costs for the, largely road-based, express logistics sector. In the short to medium term, the courier and express industry is likely to grow steadily, in line with the rest of the country’s economy. Increasing use of Internet shopping services is likely to boost demand for home deliveries. However, problems of congestion on the roads and in the skies, along with the range of new environmental controls currently being introduced for road transport, are likely to create extra costs for the industry.   Aims and Objectives of the Study While the research questions only refer to the information that the researcher intended to question. The objectives, however, will focus on the necessary problems and objectives that should be clarified in order to gather the intended information and also be able to derive specific information that are not limited by the previous questions. With these objectives, the study will be able to attain the necessary information that can help derive further conclusions and proper recommendations. The study intends to evaluate the customer satisfaction and service quality in selected courier businesses around the globe. The study intends to get the appropriate data to help in making the proper assessment. There are other aims and objectives of the study. This includes <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt"> 	To determine what selected courier 	businesses do to meet the needs of their clients.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt"> 	To determine the things done by the 	selected courier businesses to give satisfaction to their clients.</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt"> 	To determine and assess the perception of 	clients pertaining to the Service Quality provided by selected courier 	businesses. </li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 10.0pt"> 	To identify how successful the selected 	courier businesses is.</li>   Methodology The study shall use survey using questionnaires to gather pertinent data (Creswell, 1994). The questionnaire will be made in such a way that the selected courier businesses clients will spend less time in answering it. Moreover, the study shall also use previous studies and compare it to its existing data in order to provide conclusions and competent recommendations. Survey can be done either by personal survey, telephone survey, self administered questionnaire, mailed questionnaire, and email questionnaire. The study will initially gather information that will serve as introductory part of the study. These kind of information helps the reader what the study is about, what it intends to do and what will be its result. The study will then gather related literature to prove the need for conducting the study. The literature review can help in determining what are the studies already done, what study needs to be corrected. The study will then determine the methods and means for data to be gathered and analyzed. In this part the data is being readied to be gathered and analyzed but the method to gather it will first be determined.  The next part of the study is gathering, presenting and interpreting the data. In this part the validity of the hypothesis and ideas about the study will be proven. The last part of the study will be the part where conclusions and recommendations will be stated. In this part final statement about the study will be done.   References Creswell, JW 1994, Research design: qualitative and quantitative approaches, Sage, Thousand Oaks, California. Frost, M 2006, Expand and Deliver, Daily Express, April 19,2006     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

AN ASSESSMENT OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN THE COURIER SERVICE INDUSTRY RESEARCH PROPOSAL

AN ASSESSMENT OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN THE COURIER SERVICE INDUSTRY Introduction The world of work and organization has become inc...

Credit Risk Management: Its Impact on Savings and Loans Research Proposal

Title                 The title for the proposed study is Credit Risk Management: Its Impact on Savings and Loans. This paper will show the different approaches, methods and instruments to be used in order to implement the future study and meet its objectives and aims. Background of the Study/Literature Review Financial institutions (FIs) are very important in any economy. Their role is similar to that of blood arteries in the human body, because FIs pump financial resources for economic growth from the depositories to where they are required (Shanmugan and Bourke, 1990). Commercial banks (CBs) are FIs and are key providers of financial information to the economy. They play even a most critical role to emergent economies where borrowers have no access to capital markets (Greuning and Bratanovic, 2003). There is evidence that well-functioning CBs accelerate economic growth, while poorly functioning CBs impede economic progress and exacerbate poverty (Barth et al., 2004). CBs face various risks that can be categorized into three groups; financial [with credit risk (CR) being a component], operational and strategic (Cornett and Saunders, 1999). These risks have different impact on the performance of CBs. The magnitude and the level of loss caused by CR compared to others is severe to cause bank failures (Chijoriga, 1997). Over the years, there have been an increased number of significant bank problems in both matured and emerging economies. Various researchers have studied reasons behind bank problems and identified several factors (Basel, 2004). Credit problems, especially weakness in credit risk management (CRM), have been identified to be a part of the major reasons behind banking difficulties. Loans constitute a large proportion of CR as they normally account for 10-15 times the equity of a bank (Kitua, 1996). Thus, banking business is likely to face difficulties when there is a slight deterioration in the quality of loans. Poor loan quality has its roots in the information processing mechanism. BrownBridge (1998) observed that these problems are at their acute stage in developing countries. The problem often begins right at the loan application stage (Liuksila, 1996) and increases further at the loan approval, monitoring and controlling stages, especially when CRM guidelines in terms of policy and strategies/procedures for credit processing do not exist or weak or incomplete. Lending has been, and still is, the mainstay of banking business, and this is more true to emerging economies like Tanzania where capital markets are not yet well developed. To most of the transition economies, however, and Tanzania in particular, lending activities have been controversial and a difficult matter. This is because business firms on one hand are complaining about lack of credits and the excessively high standards set by banks, while CBs on the other hand have suffered large losses on bad loans (Richard, 2006). It has been found out that in order to minimize loan losses and so as the CR, it is essential for CBs to have an effective CRM system in place (Santomero, 1997; Basel, 1999). Given the asymmetric information that exists between lenders and borrowers, banks must have a mechanism to ensure that they not only evaluate default risk that is unknown to them ex ante in order to avoid adverse selection, but also that can evolve ex post in order to avoid moral hazards. Aims and Objectives                 The main aim of the study is to analyze the impact of credit risk management on the savings and loans. In line with this the following are the specific objectives of the study: ·         To analyze the different credit risks faced by financial institutions; ·         To evaluate the different credit risks management activities implemented by financial institutions; and ·         To assess the impact of credit risk management on savings and loans.   Methodology The research study to be used in the proposed study will be descriptive method. According to Creswell (1994) it intends to present facts about the nature and status of a situation as it exists at the time of the study. In addition, it also concerns with the relationships and practices that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt or trends that are developing (Best 1970). Therefore, it can be helpful in order to describe the current conditions and situations based on the impressions and perceptions of the respondents of the study (Creswell 1994). Both qualitative and quantitative data will be gathered for this study. This is to ensure that both non-statistical and statistical data will be used in order to support the findings and result of the study.     References Barth, J.R., Caprio, G. Jr, Levine, R. (2004), “Bank regulation and supervision: what works best?”, Journal of Financial Intermediation, Vol. 13 pp.205-48. Basel (1999), “Principles for the management of credit risk”, Consultative paper issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, Basel. BrownBridge, M. (1998), “Financial distress in local banks in Kenya, Uganda and Zambia: causes and implications for regulatory policy”, Development Policy Review Journal, Vol. 16 No.2, pp.173-89. Chijoriga, M.M. (1997), “Application of credit scoring and financial distress prediction models to commercial banks lending: the case of Tanzania”, Wirts Chaftsnnversitat Wien (WU), Vienna. Cornett, M.M., Saunders, A. (1999), Fundamentals of Financial Institutions Management, Irwin/McGraw-Hill, Boston, MA. Greuning, H., Bratanovic, S.B. (2003), Analyzing and Managing Banking Risk: A Framework for Assessing Corporate Governance and Financial Risk, 2nd ed., The World Bank, Washington, DC. Kitua, D.Y. (1996), “Application of multiple discriminant analysis in developing a commercial banks loan classification model and assessment of significance of contributing variables: a case of National Bank of Commerce”. Liukisila, C. (1996), “IMF Survey”, Healthy Banks are Vital for a Strong Economy, Finance and Development, Washington, DC. Richard, E. (2006), Credit Risk Management Policy and Strategies: The Case of a Commercial Bank in Tanzania, BA Publications. Santomero, A.M. (1997), Commercial Bank Risk Management: An Analysis of the Process, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Shanmugan, B., Bourke, P. (1990), The Management of Financial Institutions: Selected Readings, Addison-Wesley Publishing, Reading, MA.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Credit Risk Management: Its Impact on Savings and Loans Research Proposal

Title The title for the proposed study is Credit Risk Management: Its Impact on Savings and Loans. This paper will show ...

EVALUATION OF BRAILLE COMPETENCY AND USER SKILL EFFICIENCY OF TEACHERS RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Background of the Study In teaching and learning process, there are different internal and external factors that affect the learning skills of the students. An effective teacher is known to have the power to realize socially valued objectives agreed for teacher’s work including the work concerned with enabling students to teach (Campbell et al, 2004).  There are many ways to know if a teacher is effective or not. Effective teaching is intellectually demanding in that it requires the teacher to know, in a deep sense, the subject being taught. To teach effectively, the teacher needs to be able to think and problem-solve, to analyse a topic, to reflect upon what is an appropriate approach, to select key strategies and materials, and to organize and structure ideas, information, and tasks for students. None of these activities occurs in a vacuum (Eriksen, 1983). Effective teaching is socially challenging in that it takes place in the context of a department and institution which may have unexamined traditions and conflicting goals and values. Most important of all, effective teaching requires the teacher to consider what the students know, to communicate clearly to them, and to stimulate them to learn, think, communicate, and perhaps in their turn, to stimulate their teachers. In short, to teach effectively you must know your subject, know how your students learn, and how to teach. However, if the children that are complete in senses and functions well fail to complete the attendance in school, how much more the individuals who are physically disabled or unable to function well as a normal person? In order to promote the education among the children with mobility disorders such as visual impairment, many educators proposed that there should be a special treatment for those people. First, the institutions should address the mobility needs of the students in order to learning objectives of the universities.     The purpose of the study is to assess the Braille competency and user skill efficiency of teachers. This is done by analyzing data acquired from them through survey questionnaires that contain questions related with the topic.            Another purpose of the paper is to be able to determine the implications of Braille competency to students. The experiences of the school teachers to be surveyed for this study pertaining to Braille competency may provide some enlightenment on several implications.   Statement of the Problem This paper intends to the Braille competency and user skill efficiency of teachers by surveying several randomly chosen school teachers in the area.   Aims and Objectives The aim of the paper is to determine the Braille competency and user skill efficiency of teachers. This is in lieu to promote which approach is more advantageous for the school organizations. The reason for aligning the issue of the Braille competency and user skill efficiency of teachers with the schools, is because of the possible implications that each may uniquely provide for the public.               The following research questions are the problems explored: 1.         What are the implications of the Braille competency and user skill efficiency of teachers in the overall development of school?  2.         What are the views of school teachers regarding Braille system in teaching their students with visual impairment? 3.         Is the current level of teachers Braille knowledge and skill effective in teaching their students? Research Methodology and Techniques for Data collection Research requires an organized data gathering in order to pinpoint the research philosophies and theories that will be included in the research, the methodology of the research and the instruments of data interpretation. In this study, the Research Process “Onion” will be utilized so that the findings of the study can be thoroughly established. The inner part of the onion describes the methodology portion whereas the outer part discusses the strategies that can be utilized in interpreting the results of the findings. The descriptive research method uses observation and surveys. In this method, it is possible that the study would be cheap and quick. It could also suggest unanticipated hypotheses. Nonetheless, it would be very hard to rule out alternative explanations and especially infer causations. Thus, this study will use the descriptive approach. This descriptive type of research will utilize observations in the study.  To illustrate the descriptive type of research, Creswell (1994) will guide the researcher when he stated: Descriptive method of research is to gather information about the present existing condition.  The purpose of employing this method is to describe the nature of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study and to explore the cause/s of particular phenomena. The researcher opted to use this kind of research considering the desire of the researcher to obtain first hand data from the respondents so as to formulate rational and sound conclusions and recommendations for the study. The research described in this document is partly based on quantitative research methods. This permits a flexible and iterative approach. During data gathering the choice and design of methods are constantly modified, based on ongoing analysis. This allows investigation of important new issues and questions as they arise, and allows the investigators to drop unproductive areas of research from the original research plan.   References: Campbell, J. Kyriakides, L. Muijs, D. and Robinson, W. (2004). Assessing Teacher Effectiveness: Developing a Differentiated Model. New York, RoutledgeFalmer. Creswell, J.W. 1994, Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage. Eriksen, S. “Private Measures of Good Teaching.” Teaching of Psychology 10, n0. 3, 133-136.     Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

EVALUATION OF BRAILLE COMPETENCY AND USER SKILL EFFICIENCY OF TEACHERS RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Background of the Study In teaching and learning process, there are different internal and external factors that affect the learning sk...

Research Proposal for Masters Studies on Motivation and Its Impact on Job Performance

Title             The title for the proposed study is Motivation and Its Impact on Job Performance.   Background of the Study/Literature Review Motivation at work has been an accepted area of literature for a long time, particularly from the 1930s and on wards (Lee-Ross 2002). Motivation is defined as the process of gratifying the internal needs of individuals via actions and behaviours. It focuses on the complexity of mental and physical drives, joint with the environment which makes the people perform the way they do. Robert Dubin described motivation as the force which moves the person to action, and enables him to continue in the course of action that has already been initiated (cited in Kumar & Sharma 2001). Therefore, without motivation, employee or worker will not contribute to the success of performance of the organization (Agrawal 1995). Employee needs the skills, knowledge and capabilities in order to acquire the results according to the requirements of the organization. However, it is also vital for them to have the will to achieve the said results. The degree of motivation of the employees is connected to their level of commitment towards their work and determination to work based on high standards (Pergamon Flexible Learning 2005).   Aims and Objectives             The main aim of the study is to investigate how motivation can influence job performance of employees. In line with this, the following are the specific objectives of the study: ·         to assess the importance of motivation in an organization; ·         to evaluate the different factors which motivates employees; ·         to analyse how motivation can enhance job performance; and ·         to recommend actions and strategies to be implemented in order to sustain motivation inside the working environment.   Methodology Descriptive method will be used in the study. According to Creswell (1994) it can help in order to show the different facts that are connected with the nature of the status of the current problem or condition as it happens at the time of the study. This is the reason why, it is considered as one of the most applied methodology in most studies. Furthermore, it will also be helpful in order to offer logical use in the studies which focus on dissemination of information, at the same time, it can help in order to investigate based on normative standards. It will be helpful in order to focus on the practices which exist, beliefs and processes that are currently going on and the effects that are being felt and experienced, together with the trends that re currently developing (Best, 1907). The target population will be 200 employees from different sectors and industries. They will be chosen via random selection process. The researcher will first ask for the consent of the companies then the consent of the individual respondents. They will be informed about the nature of the study, and its significance. Survey questionnaire will be used in order to gather primary data from the respondents. Likert scales will be used, where in the respondents will be asked to rate the level of their agreements towards the statements given. This will also be advantageous because it will make filling up questionnaire a lot easier and faster. The equivalent weights of the answers are:    Range                                Interpretation 4.50 – 5.00                             Strongly Agree 3.50 – 4. 49                Agree 2.50 – 3.49                             Uncertain 1.50 – 2.49                             Disagree 0.00 – 1.49                             Strongly Disagree     All of the data will be evaluated with the use of SPSS software. Thus, in order to come up with the results and findings of the study, frequency, percentage and weighted mean will be calculated. The following are the formulas to be used: 1.      Percentage – will be calculated in order to determine the magnitude of the responses to the questionnaire (Research Methods Knowledge Base, n.d.).   2.      Weighted Mean   References Agrawal, P K 1995, Motivation and Indian Bureaucracy, M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. Best, J. W. (1970). Research in Education, 2nd Ed. Englewood Cliffs. N.J.: Prentice Hall, Inc. Creswell, J.W. (1994). Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage. DuBin, A 2008, Essentials of Management, Cengage Learning. Kumar, A & Sharma, R 2001, Personnel Management Theory and Practice, Atlantic Publishers & Distri. Lee-Ross, D 2002, ‘An Exploratory Study of Work Motivation Among Private and Public Sector Hospital Chefs in Australia’, Journal of Management Development, vol. 21, no. 8, pp. 576 – 588.   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Research Proposal for Masters Studies on Motivation and Its Impact on Job Performance

Title The title for the proposed study is Motivation and Its Impact on Job Performance. Background of the Study/Literat...

Research Proposal on The Commodification of Culture of Africa, Oceania and the Americas in the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York

The Commodification of Culture of Africa, Oceania and the Americas in the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York     Background of the Study Commodification is a process in which something enters freely or is coerced into a relationship of exchange, a transaction enabled by an instrument of payment within a relatively short period of time (Ganahl). Commodification assumes that language is primarily a mode of verbal exchange and interaction, and the parties in this exchange identify themselves as owners. Commodification transforms relationships formerly untainted by commerce, into commercial relationships, relationships of buying and selling. “Commodification” is a term that only came into currency in 1977, but expresses a concept fundamental to Marx’s understanding of the way capitalism develops. An example of commodification would be the commercialization of scientific and cultural activities through the increasing pressure conveyed through “funding mechanisms” to orient activity towards serving commercial rather than human interests. Or the professionalization of amateur sports and services, to a point when playing a “game” involves working out at 5 a.m., and your teenage neighbor needs a degree in early childhood development and a salary before she will be allowed to baby-sit.     Culture itself has become an endangered species of experience; it is under assault. An omnipresent economic apparatus has emerged that involves mass production and mass merchandising that actively intrudes upon the cultural process, it expropriates it, denatures it and destroys it. When a new piece of culture develops out of a real community it is instantly appropriated by our economy and turned into a commodity. It is a process of commodification in which the cultural process is turned into a product and the apparatus for exploitation has grown to be very sophisticated.   This phenomenon is apparently prevalent in museums.  Museums are institutions where material accounts of culture and tradition are kept.  With these establishments charging fees for viewing and conducting auctions, the commodification of culture is placed in process. In this manner, these chambers of culture embrace a corporate identity. Although corporate identity is widely recognized as an important management tool, there is little understanding of its application in arts organizations (McLean, Abstract).  In an exploratory study of McLean about the corporate identity of museums, she concluded that not only do museums too narrowly conceive of the concept of corporate identity, but that the nature of museums within an arts context compounds the problems encountered when defining and building identity.   In this light, one must take note of the Frankfurt School’s ‘critical theory’ of the commodification of culture, which offers the assumption that commerce preys on creativity and renders it banal (Calcutt). But such singular emphasis on continuity misses what’s different about today. While the commodification of culture occurs as before (it is traceable all the way back to the marriage of art and the market, and the divorce of art from the church), today it is offset by the inverse process – the culturalization of commodities. It is not just that cultural production is an increasingly significant aspect of commodity production in general. More significantly, commodities in general are drafted into the system of symbols and signifying practices defined as culture. Entry is made by means of branding. Branding is the process through which commodities in general are invested with cultural connotations and meanings, which in turn means that branding expresses not the commodification of culture, but its opposite the culturalization of commodities.   The Metropolitan Museum of Arts in New York City, has a presence of more than 11,000 objects of varied materials and types from Sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific Islands, and North, Central, and South America, which is overseen by a single curatorial department (Introduction to Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas). Representing four millennia of greatly diverse cultural traditions, the department’s holdings range from ritual sculpture and monuments of wood and stone to gold and silver ornaments, masks, costumes, and other textiles. At one end of the department’s vast chronological range are archaeological American objects from 2000 B.C.E.; at the other are African and Pacific works from our own time. Strengths of the collection include decorative and ceremonial objects from the Court of Benin in Nigeria; sculpture from West and Central Africa; sculpture in wood from New Guinea and the island groups of Melanesia and Polynesia; and objects of gold, ceramic, and stone from the Pre-Columbian cultures of Mexico and Central and South America.   Methodology In this study, the researcher intends to provide an investigation on the institution where remnants of cultures dwell, museums. It seeks to identify the level of commodification of African, Oceania and South American culture in the Metropolitan Museum of the Arts in New York. Specifically, the study seeks to answer the following questions:   1.                            What is the level of significance, in its respective cultures, of the artifacts included in the African, Oceania, and the Americas collection? (a sampling) 2.                            How often does the museums African, Oceania, and the Americas’ section present itself for exhibition? 3.                            To what extent of the African, Oceania, and the Americas collection are being auctioned? 4.                            Is there a significant relationship between the level of cultural significance of the artifacts in the African, Oceania and the Americas collection and the commodification methods employed by the museum?   This study will use the descriptive approach. This descriptive type of research will utilize interviews and observation in this study. The general population of this study will be the resident curators and other employees in the Metropolitan Museum of the Arts in addition to general gallery visitors. Their responses in the interview to be conducted by the researcher shall be the primary source of data. The secondary sources of data will come from published articles from social science journals, theses and related studies on culture and the effects of its commodification.   List of Sources Bennett, Tony. The Birth Of The Museum :History, Theory, Politics. London: Routledge, 1995.   Kaplan, E.S. Museums And The Making Of “Ourselves”: The Role Of Objects In National Identity. London: Leicester University Press, 1994.   Kavagnah, Gaynor. The Museums Profession: Internal And External Relations. Leicester [Eng.]: Leicester University Press, 1991.   Walsh, Kevin. The Representation Of The Past :Museums And Heritage In The Post-Modern World. London: Routledge,1992.     Miles, Roger and Lauro Zavala. Towards The Museum Of The Future :New European Perspectives. London: Routledge, 1994.   Hooper-Greenhill, Eilean. Museum and their Visitors. London: Routledge, 1994.   Duncan, Carol. Civilizing Rituals: Inside Public Art Museums. London: Routledge, 1995.   Wong, Kokkeong. Media And Culture In Singapore :A Theory Of Controlled Commodification. Cresskill, N.J.: Hampton Press, 2001.   Hallam, Elizabeth and Brian Street. Cultural Encounters: Representing Otherness. London: Routledge, 2000.   Ganal, Reiner. Free Markets: Language, Commodification, and Art. Public Culture. Volume 13, Number 1. Duke University Press. (Winter 2001).   McLean, Fiona. Corporate Identity in Museums: An Exploratory Study. Accessed March 04, 2003. <http://www.hec.ca/ijam/116.htm>   Calcutt, Andrew. Couontercultural Corporations. Spiked. June 27, 2001. Accessed March 04, 2003. <http://www.spiked-online.com/Articles/00000002D154.htm>   The Metropolitan Museum of Art on New York. Introduction to Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. Accessed March 04, 2003. <http://www.metmuseum.org/collections/department.asp?dep=5>   Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Research Proposal on The Commodification of Culture of Africa, Oceania and the Americas in the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York

The Commodification of Culture of Africa, Oceania and the Americas in the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York Background of the St...

Research Proposal on The Impact of the Euro on Banking in the UK Before and After its Introduction

The Impact of the Euro on Banking in the UK  Before and After its Introduction               Introduction This paper presents the research proposal on the impact of the Euro to the United Kingdom (UK). Specifically, this research, will discuss the effects of the Euro on banking in the UK before and after its introduction. This research proposal includes the presentation of the topic, the background of the study, the proposed objective of the study, statement of the problem, scope and limitation, overview of the methodologies to be used, and the significance of this study.   Background of the Study             The parameters of the workings of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) have been largely laid down in the Treaty of Maastricht, which was ratified in 1993 by all European Union (EU) members. The most notable feature of EMU is the introduction of the single currency, the euro, which in contrast to its predecessor, the ecru, is an autonomous currency rather than a composite currency (Krakow, 1999). On 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole legal tender in circulation in all countries forming part of the European Union (EU) with the exception of Sweden, Denmark and the UK (Misfit, 2003). The introduction of a single currency requires the existence of a single monetary authority to manage it and conduct the common monetary and exchange rate policy. The euro is managed by the European Central Bank (EBB), which maintains price stability in the euro area. Besides conducting the monetary policy of EMU, the EBB is also responsible for the implementation of exchange rate policy, which is formulated by the Council of Ministers. Specifically, EMU and the single currency prevent exchange rate turbulence within the unified market and reduce economic uncertainty for the consumer and business through the elimination of exchange rate uncertainties. Furthermore, transaction costs in trade activities are reduced and price transparency across EMU participants is enhanced, thus contributing to greater competition for the benefit of the consumer. These factors benefit individual consumers and producers, as well as the entrenchment of a favorable and stable economic environment within which trade flourishes (Krakow, 1999). Large and small companies trading into the euro zone from other countries outside it now face new business risks as a result of EMU. Successive waves of mergers and acquisitions affect banks and their corporate customers as a result of EMU. In the longer term the nature and role of corporate banking are likely to be transformed. Some of these potential changes can only be described as revolutionary (Newsletter Interactive, 2001).   Many businesses in the UK, Denmark, and Sweden, as well as throughout Central and Eastern Europe, have yet to appreciate how fundamentally the euro could affect their operations (Newsletter Interactive, 2001).   Objectives of the Study             The primary objective of this study is to investigate as to what extent the introduction of the Euro affects UK’s economy. For this study, the focus will be its impact on the banking sector before and during the implementation of the Euro. Literature suggests that since EMU introduces the Euro, a series of acquisitions has taken place, and has negatively affected banks from countries outside the Euro. With this, the researcher will examine how the UK banking sector is coping with the challenges posed by countries under the Euro. The researcher will conduct an interview to address these objectives.               Statement of the Problem             This study will attempt to answer the following questions: 1. What are the major effects of the Euro on banking in non-Euro countries, specifically The UK? 2. How is the UK banking sector responding to the increasing competition brought about by the Euro?   Scope and Limitation             This study will only cover the discussion and examination of the impact of the Euro on banking in the UK. The outcome of this study will be limited only to the data gathered from books and journals on the effect of the Euro to the European economies and from the primary data gathered from the result of the interview that will be conducted by the researcher. Overview of the Methodology             For this study, primary research and secondary research will be used. Primary research will be conducted by interviewing UK bank managers. Here, the interviews will be used to provide qualitative insights into the data collected. The secondary sources of data will come from published articles from Business journals, books and related studies on banking and the Euro.             For this research design, the researcher will gather data, collate published studies from different local and foreign universities and articles from books journals; and make a content analysis of the collected documentary and verbal material.  Afterwards, the researcher will summarize all the information, make a conclusion based on the null hypotheses posited and provide insightful recommendations based on the findings.   References: Krakow, G. (1999) EMU and the introduction of the Euro: macroeconomic implications for the Cypriot economy. Available at [www.centralbank.gov.cy]. Accessed [06/10/03]. Levene, P. (1999) London’s role as financial center tied to Euro. American City Business Journals Inc. Available at [charlotte.bizjournals.com]. Accessed [06/10/03].   Mifsud, A. (2003) EURO: The Impact on the Financial Services Sector. Speech delivered in the Institute of Financial Services Malta Presentation of Banking Certificates and Diplomas. University of Malta. Available at [www.ifsmalta.org]. Accessed [06/10/03]. Strategic Focus on The Impact of EMU on Corporate Banks and their Customers 2001 Newsletter Interactive Ltd. Informal. Available at [www.newsletterinteractive.com]. Accessed [06/10/03].       Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com

Research Proposal on The Impact of the Euro on Banking in the UK Before and After its Introduction

The Impact of the Euro on Banking in the UK Before and After its Introduction Introduction This paper presents the resea...