The IABPAD Conference Proceedings - Free Essay Example

ABSTRACT The management skills of supervisors and managers are detrimental when it comes to assessing how organizations are effectively run, especially during a time in history that is experiencing rapid change. The purpose of this study is to investigate which management skills contribute to effectiveness and efficiency of the workplace, and to which degree. It also aims to compare the correlation between manager efficiency and conceptual human and technical skills of those in the workplace. The data was collected using a questionnaire which was obtained from municipal employees across Istanbul. A total of 194 questionnaires were handed out, however, 186 units were deemed valid. As a result of the analysis performed, human, conceptual and technical skills have proved to be proportionately effective to manager effectivenesswhen working in an environment. Such effectiveness and efficiency in the case of the manager is based on skills such as: communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to motivate and encourage a team. The influence on the effectiveness that management may have on both the conceptual and technical skills of the workplace changes according to the level of the upper-management. This study has shown; under competition and particular uncertainty, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve desired goals. The difficulty of this task is further heightened by a system of classical management based on protecting an organizations efficiency and maintaining the status quo. For managers to be part of operations and to be in effective communication with their employees, they must persuade and motivate their employees, and be able to provide organizational effectiveness. INTRODUCTION In todays global world, where changes drive forward every field, mankind has plunged into a quest to use available resources in the most effective and efficient way to create a difference. In addition to this, the only way to become successful and to compete with other organizations is to create that difference through the efficient use of resources (Koà §o?lu, 2010). This quick development and transformation requires and compels institutions to different pursuits in order to become successful. Assessments and change become necessary for a successful organization to result and in order to sustain competitiveness in a field of new pursuits and for possible improvement in any or all of the following areas: usage of resources, procurement of raw materials, technological development and efficiency in making use of opportunities. The focus of all efforts is on creating new opportunities and so the questionthen becomes how to manage and make use of such opportunities in the most rational way. Therefore, evaluation covers the contribution of organizational managers in the scope of an institutions success. People who deal with management and are responsible for the organizations management structure as well as functionality, are primarily the top managers of institutions. For organization to carry out its defined mission and remain competitive, the manage ment of organizations is examined in terms of operation and structure in order to perform manager analyses. This is why management concept has become the focus of debate in todays management organizations, and why skills and properties of managers have been put in the center of successful management discussions (Eren, 2001). The relationship between organizations efficiency and manager efficiency, manager efficiency and organizations effectiveness etc. subjects were emphasized in scope of literature works done until today, but no detailed work was carried out on the relationship between manager properties and manager efficiency. This work aims at carrying out a much more detailed study on manager efficiency and manager properties, and also public servants are taken as examples to add a different perspective. The aim is to make academic contributions to todays academic literature and managers, in addition to being a guide for future works. The purpose of this work is to put forward manager behaviors and properties to define the efficient manager and to study which manager properties and skills contribute to manager efficiency. In parallel with this purpose, the management and manager concepts are going to be discussed by examining the skills and properties of managers which must be owned by management organizations. MANAGER Manager is the person who is expected to be efficient and successful and who must carry out the arrangements that will ensure the institution reaches its purpose and targets. In other words the manager is the name of the person, who is expected to reach and achieve certain purposes by displaying administrative functions, regardless of the institutions structure or current position level. Erdo?an (2008) defines it as the person who is obliged to and responsible for managing efficiently and effectively, in order to make people who come together for a purpose be able to achieve that target harmoniously and cooperatively. According to an extensive definition the manager is the person who directs material and human production factors put under his command, to achieve determined purposes within a specific time, by considering the developments happening around, and who is responsible from the effectiveness of his owned resources (Koà §o?lu, 2010). Managers wrap themselves up in different manager styles based on their behaviors to their subordinates, their approaches to the job and the authorization transfer. Management can be seen as a pyramid with management organs that allow the establishment to achieve its set targets and get the job done by others. In this regard, management can be categorized into three stages. (Mucuk, 2008) Top Level Management Middle Level Management Low Level Management Top Level Management and Managers: These people are the ones with the highest authorization and power, who bear the responsibility for the whole establishment, who define establishments purpose, long-term policies and strategies, and who represent the establishment with the widest authority in the external environment (Mucuk, 2008). Middle Level Management and Managers: These people are the ones who work to realize the purposes determined by top management through focusing on application, and their human skills are in the foreground (Ataman, 2009). Low Level Management and Managers: These are the people who are responsible in the first degree from the workers who actually do the job in addition to technical, commercial or administrative personnel (Ataman, 2009). BASIC PROPERTIES AND SKILLS OF MANAGEMENT According to Tamer Koà §el (1989), management is a group of activities with three dimensions: technical, human and conceptual. Technical dimension is the managers functional specialty, human dimension is being able to influence people whom he works with, and conceptual dimension is a managers ability to see the organization as a whole. In parallel with technical, human and conceptual dimensions that constitute three individual aspects of management activities, management skills are examined in three categories such as Technical, Human Relations and Conceptual Skills (Mucuk, 2008). Manager skills classified in this way vary by management levels. It is known that management skills used based on management levels show differences. Conceptual skills are used much more by top level management while human skills are used more by middle level managers, while technical skills are more necessary for the administrator level. Human skills include skills of communication, coordination, motivation, directing and controlling. Technical skills include the skill to manage technical parts of the job, while the conceptual skills include planning, organization and decision-making. Technical Skills It is defined as the accumulation of knowledge about methods, processes, procedures, methods and key points to carry out specialized activities and skills to use tools and materials related to such activities (Yukl, 2004). Technical skill is the skill that include usage of various tools, methods and technologies to carry out organizational activities (Çetinkaya 2009). In this scope, special information, mastery, tactics and methods necessary to achieve a task, are all included under the topic of technical skills. Technical skills also require   information about products and services, organizational properties, properties of employees, management systems and rules along   with methods, processes and the equipment needed to complete the task at hand. Technical knowledge and skills are gained with formation, training and job experience while having a strong memory and being able to acquire new information one may need from various sources is also important (Yukl, 2004). Technical skills are more important for an organizations low level managers (Koà §o?lu, 2010). Human Skills (Relations) It is defined as the accumulation of knowledge about human behavior and interpersonal processes; the skill to understand the instincts (empathy, social sensitivity) that allows to understand feelings, behaviors and what other people are going to do and say; clear and active communication skills (fluent speech, persuasion skills); skill to establish active and cooperative relations (behaving according to environment, diplomacy, listening skills, accumulation of knowledge on acceptable social behaviors) (Yukl, 2004). Human skills are the skills that allow organizational purposes to be realized and that allow an individual expected job satisfaction (Çetinkaya, 2009). Relevant behaviors include information about group processes, being able to understand other peoples emotions, behaviors and instincts, and communicating with them in a clear and persuasive way. Empathy, social foresight, tactic, persuasiveness, diplomacy, oral communication skills, staying in a cooperative communication with the subordinates, superiors and counterparts are the properties owned by leaders having this skill. These kind of skills are important to influence people. Being able to listen to people without judging them is key to understand and evaluate them correctly (Yukl, 2004). In order to observe whether the human relations are used efficiently, we should examine the concepts of communication, coordination, directing, motivation, performance evaluation, control, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, social intelligence and emotional control. Conceptual Skills Conceptual skill is the skill to see the elements that constitute the organization as a whole (Çetinkaya, 2009). Conceptual or cognitive skills include subjects such as justice, creativeness, foresight, intuition and sense-making, in addition to basically including analytical skill, logical thinking, induction and deduction knowledge as well as conceptualization. Such skills are owned by top level managers. Active planning, organization, problem-solving, associating different departments of the organization with each other, strategic planning and analyzing the events etc. are examined under the title of conceptual skills. (Yukl, 2004). Conceptual skills gain more importance towards the upper levels as they include being able to see the organization as a whole, to coordinate and integrate the interests and activities of the organization and to see the relation between departments of the organization. Managers who carry out strategic planning have to use conceptual skills in their relations with the environment. (Koà §o?lu, 2010). Strong management skills are a basic necessity for an organization to survive in the world of competition where there is a need to track changes continuously. The leader-manager concept gained significance because of this necessity. Understanding people, systematic thinking, harmony between individual-organizational targets, increasing organizational loyalty of the employees and such leadership skills are important in increasing the financial sources of companies. However, the element that makes leadership more meaningful under the umbrella of organization is, forming a successful team spirit within the organization. Uniting employees with big targets they can achieve, developing strategies to reach those targets and motivating wage earners who are open to improvement with continuous training activities are indispensable points for a leader-manager in scope of forming the team spirit (Ãâ€"zdemir, 2009). MANAGER EFFICIENCY Manager structuring of organizations generally consist of 3 stages as low level managers, middle level managers and top level managers. Jobs and responsibilities of managers in these three categories are different. Their roles in the organization vary as the skills and abilities they need to become successful depend on their position. Each manager contributes and helps management function (planning, organization, directing and controlling) as required by their management level. Without naming their contributions as more important or less important among themselves, those who work in three management levels are the managers who define the efficiency of the other employees and therefore the organization. Regardless of their organization or level, the manager is the person who is expected to be efficient and effective on the employees in reaching the targets, by assuming the responsibility of one or more management functions. In order to become successful, the manager must be able to ma nage employee efforts and perceptions (Robbins and Coulter, 2005) (Erigà ¼Ãƒ § et al, 2009). Katz and Kahn efficiencies are defined as maximizing the organizational outputs in every possible way (economical, technological, political, etc). Gibson explains efficiency in three individual steps. The most basic level is the individual efficiency where the organizations members, all the employees, one by one are considered in scope of their performances. Jobs carried out by the individuals are parts of jobs and positions within the organization, therefore managers evaluate individuals performances periodically based on standards specific to that institution. As individuals generally work within a group, another efficiency type is compared to this one and this characterized as the group efficiency. Group efficiency can simply be expressed as the total of contributions of all group members in scope of the production. But it must be said that the group efficiency -because of the synergy created- means more than the total of contributions of the members. Third perspective in efficiency is the organizational efficiency. Organizations include individuals and groups, therefore group efficiency includes individual and group efficie ncies together. Besides, organizational efficiency expresses more than the total of individual efficiency and group efficiency. Like it happens in the group efficiency, organizations can reach to a performance level higher than the total of performances of their parts. The reason of existence for organizations is to achieve targets efficiently. Success of people and organizations is proportional to effective and efficient managers and management. The continuing efforts to increase efficiency and effectiveness are getting more frequent in our age. Almost all of organizational theories aim at defining and increasing efficiency (Ekinci and Y?lmaz, 2002). Manager Efficiency is about the organizations achieving its peak targets. First of the administrative duties of the manager is to obtain the highest possible performance from the jobs. Manager efficiency is not an ordinary property. Manager efficiency is observed when he can create solutions special to a problem he meets. An efficient manager focuses on what kind of contribution can be made to the functions of production, planning, coordination and controlling. Focusing on the contribution is the secret of becoming efficient. This influences the managers own work, work content, level, standards, influence, relations with superiors, colleagues and sellers and usage of management tools such as preparation of reports and meetings (Ekinci and Y?lmaz, 2002). MANAGER EFFECTIVENESS Effectiveness can be defined as the proportion of total physical income compared to the total output or production result obtained within a production or service system (Efil, 2004). Effectiveness concept is a criterion that expresses active functionality of the system in such a way that increases output amounts without increasing inputs. Therefore, effectiveness has a function that increases the level of welfare for an establishment by creating additional income. Moreover, the criteria such as input, output, added value, number of employees, working hours, wage payments and stock changes among others, shall be considered in calculation of effectiveness (Eren, 2001). Effective operation is an important target for organizations in both the production and service sector. Effectiveness, in the widest sense, is the proportion of total output to total input. Effectiveness concept is also called productivity. There are various ideas about the emergence of this concept. When we look at the first time the word productivity was used in the science world with a meaning close to the meaning it has today, we see that it was used in the 16th century by German Engineer Dr. George Bauer to explain how to improve mine extraction. The book De Re Metallica, which was published in 1556, is the source where the word productivity is closest to the meaning we use today. Effectiveness gained significance and soon became a subject on which people work towards during the following periods, especially after the emergence and spread of the Industrial Revolution. Effectiveness is a concept that has always been known and discussed as a measurement of success which is easy to define but hard to calculate (Ãâ€"zdemir and Muradova, 2008). When we think about the manager effectiveness, the work force has bigger potential to affect the effectiveness when compared to other factors. The factor that does the job, in other words, triggers the production factors and therefore   createsa product or service, is the workforce. Therefore effectiveness of the workforce can directly affect establishments effectiveness, and to a wide extent. Therefore the effectiveness of managers who manage, control and coordinate all of the work processes directly affect establishments effectiveness (Ãâ€"zdemir and Muradova, 2008). According to researches it is seen that the factors that increase the effectiveness of managers and wage earners are concepts such as the openness of channels of communication, fee, motivation, career etc. (Ãâ€"zdemir and Muradova, 2008). METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS It has been tried with this project to measure the relationship between management skills, manager efficiency and effectiveness. It has been examined how the managers activities are affected by technical, human (communication, coordination, motivation, controlling) and conceptual (planning, decision-making, creative thinking, problem solving) skills. A survey was carried out on three district municipality workers in Istanbul, which is used as the sample in the study. 194 workers took part in the survey, 186 of which were found acceptable. SPSS 11,5 software was used to analyze the data and information obtained as the result of the survey. Analyses used in the study consists of reliability analysis, factor analysis, correlation analysis and regression analyses to test study hypotheses. Findings of the study were tested at p0.01 and p0.05 significance levels. A five point Likert type scale was used to answer the surveys used in this study. Assessment options in the scale are: 1-I definitely disagree, 2-I disagree, 3-Average, 4-I agree, 5-I definitely agree. There are 32 closed ended questions about conceptual skills in the first part of the survey, 23 closed ended questions in the second part about human skills (Source S. Cameron Quinn, 1999), five closed ended questions about technical skills in the third part, (Z. Zorluer, 2013), eight closed ended questions about efficiency in the fourth part(Chen ,et. all.,2006, Ergun, Oruà §., 2009) and six closed ended questions about effectiveness in the fifth part. (Chen ,et. all., 2006) Correlations and Regression Analysis According to Table 1; Pearson correlation coefficients, average, standard deviation and correlation analysis results of variables in the model were given. Standard deviation values belonging to variables are calculated between 0,84 and 1,07; and show that the variance (variability) amount between these values is at sufficient level to carry out a valid analysis. According to Table 1; the highest relation between manager skills dimensions is meaningful at positive correlation p0,01 (0,885) level between human skills and top level conceptual skills, while the lowest relation is meaningful at positive correlation p0,01 (0,561) level between manager effectiveness and technical skills. Moreover, another relation among manager skills dimension is meaningful at positive correlation p0,01 (0,807) level between human skills and strategical conceptual skills. According to created data, it can be assessed that the human skills have high positive correlation with strategic and top conceptual skills, while it has a positive but lower relation with technical skills. The highest relation between independent variables and manager effectiveness which is one of the dependent variables in Table 1 is meaningful at positive correlation p0,01 (0,867) levels. It is also meaningful at positive correlation p0,01 (0,730) and (0,817) level between manager efficiency and strategic and top level conceptual skills. It is evaluated according to data that, the manager efficiency has a high positive relation between conceptual skills at secondary degree and with human skills at primary degree. It can be concluded that there is meaningful result at positive correlation p0,01 (0,752) level between manager efficiency and technical skills, in addition to a positive relation at conceptual skills level. The highest correlation between independent variables and manager effectiveness, which is one of the dependent variables in Table 1, is with the human skills. This relation is meaningful at p0,01 (0,630) levels. The correlation between independent variables is stronger with   the efficiency that is among the dependent variables, when compared to effectiveness that is among the dependent variables. Numerical closeness degree of corrected R2 and R2 values in Table 1 to 1 (one), expresses the direct proportion in reaching the reality result. R2 (which is 0.78) and corrected R2 values show at what degree the independent variables explain the dependent variable. According to the results it is seen that the managerial skills among the independent variables explain manager efficiency which is a dependent variable at 78% rate, while managerial skills, which are independent variables, explain dependent variable manager effectiveness at 43% rate. There is positive relation at p0,01 (11,538) level between the dependent variable manager efficiency and human skill which is the independent variable in Table 2. Also, there is positive relation at p0,01 (6,269) level between manager efficiency which is the dependent variable and technical skill which is the independent variable. There is a positive relation at p0,01 (2,889) level between top level conceptual skills and manager efficiency. Therefore when the human skills and technical skills are increased 1 (one) unit at p0,01 level; the manager efficiency increases based on human skills by 11,538, based on technical skills by 6,269 and based on top level conceptual skills by 2,889. In this scope the increase in manager efficiency; depends on the increase of human, technical and top level conceptual skill degrees which are independent variables. There is no positive relation at p0,01 and/or p0,05 level between dependent variable manager efficiency and strategical conceptual skills which are the independent variables in Table 2.   In the light of this information, it is thought that the increase in manager efficiency is not directly connected to the increase of strategical conceptual skill degrees among the independent variables. Table 2 shows multiple regression analysis of the relation between manager effectiveness and independent variables. All of the Strategical Conceptual, Top Level Conceptual, Human and Technical Skills have meaningful positive relation with the manager effectiveness. We see a relation that changes between 2,852 and 2,073 at p0,01 level. Results in Table 2 were taken into account for all management levels. The same regression analysis was carried out individually for low, middle and top level managers. Numerical closeness degree of corrected R2 and R2 values in Table 3 to 1 (one), expresses the direct proportion in reaching the reality result. R2 and corrected R2   (which are 0.76 and 0.75) values show at what degree the independent variables explain the dependent variable. According to the results it is seen that the managerial skills among the independent variables explain manager efficiency which is a dependent variable at 76% rate, while managerial skills which are independent variables explain dependent variable manager effectiveness at 46% rate. There is positive relation at p0,01 (6,465) between dependent variable top level manager efficiency and top level management human skills in Table 3. Also, there is positive relation at p0,01 (3,801) level between manager efficiency which is the dependent variable and technical skills which are the independent variables. This regression analysis as the result of the survey that was carried out in scope of local managements (municipalities) show that top managements human skills are efficient in a meaningful way in manager efficiency. Especially communication and motivation among the human skills which are at 0.750 level in scope of the factor, are indispensable properties of top level manager efficiency. This analysis, in which technical skills are influential, shows the necessity that top manager must have full knowledge of the subjects and be able to create a technical vision for his subordinates and the city. Independent variables that affect the manager effectiveness, which is a dependent variable, are strategical conceptual skills with p0,01 (2,955) and human skills with p0,01 (1,679) . Therefore, when strategical conceptual skills and human skills increase 1 (one) unit at p0,01 level, the level of manager effectiveness increases depending on the strategical conceptual skills by 2,955 and depending on human skills by   1,679. In this scope the increase in manager effectiveness depends on the increase of strategical conceptual skills and human skills which are independent variables. Once again, when the top level manager in scope of municipalities have strategical conceptual skills such as planning, activity controlling and strategical thinking, it creates an effective manager perception in the eye of his subordinates and those who receive the services. Numerical closeness degree of corrected R2 and R2 values in Table 4 to 1 (one), expresses the direct proportion in reaching the reality result. R2 and corrected R2   (which are 0,78 and 0,77) values show at what degree the independent variables explain the dependent variable. According to the results it is seen that the managerial skills among the independent variables explain manager efficiency which is a dependent variable at 78% rate, while managerial skills which are independent variables explain dependent variable manager effectiveness at 47% rate. There is positive relation at p0,01 (6,740) level between dependent variable top level manager efficiency and middle level management human skills in Table 4. This high relation level shows that, human skills play an important role in manager efficiency in municipalities for administrators at manager and deputy manager levels. High values of communication, motivation and decision-making in scope of factor analysis show that leader properties are important for middle level managers too, for them to be efficient. Also; there is positive relation at p0,01 (2,270) and (2,222) level between top conceptual and technical skills which are independent variables and manager efficiency which is a dependent variable. This result shows that, when the middle level managers who manage the coordination and who act as a bridge between top level managers and low level managers who personally carry out the application, as required by their positions, have both technical and top conceptual skills, this increases the manager efficiency. The independent variables that affect the manager effectiveness which is a dependent variable, are top conceptual skills with p0,05 (1,890) and human skills with p0,05 (1,859) . Although their meaningfulness level is at 0,05 level, an effective middle level manager shall have top conceptual skills in addition to human skills. Therefore, when top conceptual skills and human skills increase 1 (one) unit at p0,05 level, manager effectiveness level increases by 1,890 depending on top conceptual skills and by 1,859 depending on human skills. In this scope the increase in manager effectiveness depends on the increase of top conceptual skills and human skills which are independent variables. In scope of municipalities, a middle level managers effectiveness will increase or decrease based on at what degree top management successfully transmits the vision to subordinates and puts it into practice. The numerical closeness degree of R2 and corrected R2 values in Table 5 to 1 (one), expresses the direct proportion in reaching the reality result. R2 and corrected R2 values, which are 0.83 and 0.82, show at what rate the independent variables explain the dependent variable.   According to the results it is seen that the managerial skills among the independent variables explain manager efficiency which is a dependent variable at 83% rate, while managerial skills which are independent variables explain dependent variable manager effectiveness at 40% rate. There is positive relation at p0,01 (7,193) between dependent variable manager efficiency and human skills which are low level managerial skills, in Table 5. Also, there is positive relation at p0,01 (5,146) level between manager efficiency which is the dependent variable and technical skills which are the independent variable. This two relations reveal that, human skills are important also in low level management level like it is with the others, and they affect manager efficiency at a meaningful extent. Low level management personally manages the application and is the first answerer in the management level in scope of application of works, and therefore technical skills make important contributions to efficiency. This regression analysis as the result of the survey that was carried out in scope of local managements (municipalities) shows that low level managements human skills are efficient in a meaningful way in manager efficiency. Especially communication and motivation among the human skills which are at 0.750 level in scope of the factor, are indispensable properties of low level manager efficiency. Having technical skills is indispensable for the efficiency at this management level, which track the technical works by supervising the works on site. The independent variables that affect the management effectiveness which is a dependent variable are technical skills with p0,01 (2,955). Therefore when the technical skills are increased 1 (one) unit at p0,01 level, the manager effectiveness level increases by 2,955 depending on the technical skills. In this scope the manager effectiveness increase depends on the increase of technical skills degrees, which are independent variables. Carrying out the job effectively will ensure effectiveness of low level management, as the efficiency in scope of municipalities is related to the degree the work is carried out correctly, and how long it lasted. DISCUSSION Effects of conceptual, human and technical manager skills on three different management level manager effectiveness and efficiency are put forward in the study with an application carried out with three district municipality workers in Istanbul. During the factor analysis, it was found more meaningful to evaluate conceptual skills with two factors as strategical conceptual and top level conceptual skills, and to evaluate human and technical skills as one factor (Table-5.4.).   In scope of regression analyses carried out in this way, it is evident that only the strategical conceptual skills have negative relation with manager efficiency, and other skills had a positive relation which generally match up with theoretical information based on literature inquiry (Table-5.7.). When we consider the managers in general, it is seen that except for the negative relation of strategical conceptual skills on manager efficiency, it has positive effects on manager effectiveness while top level conceptual skills, human skills and technical skills have positive effects on both manager efficiency and manager effectiveness (Table-5.7.). Creative thinking, future management and problem-solving among the top level conceptual skills are coming to the forefront as the most important factors that increase manager efficiency (Table-5.4.). An efficient manager shall think creatively to put forward a vision and manage the future with such vision, and be able to use human properties and creative thinking skills well while solving problems. A manager who can do these in their proper place creates an efficient manager perception. This study has revealed that there is a meaningful relation at high degree between human skills and manager efficiency (Table-5.4.).Problem-solving, coordination, communication, motivation and decision-making are also among the human skills that are coming forward as the most important factors that increase manager efficiency (Table-5.4.). The relation between human skills and efficiency determined during the study is in parallel with the literature inquiries. When an efficient manager has good communication with his subordinates and superiors, this motivates his team, ensures coordination and uses other human skills actively. This positively affects a managers high efficiency. For all three level managers (municipalities: top level: Mayor/Deputy mayor, middle level: Manager/Deputy manager and low level: Chief) human skills are at a very important level for manager efficiency. Using a good communication channel to solve problems; ensuring participation by keeping communication strong when making decisions; to motivate when decisions are being applied and to ensure coordination are properties that increase the efficiency of managers from all levels. Especially in scope of service sector managers (municipalities are state organs that deliver service to the people) when the human skills are high, the efficiency of the work and the person who carried out the work increases. In each activity field that requires technical information it is seen that all three management levels the technical skills effect the efficiency in a meaningful way and at high rates (Table-5.7.). Contribution of the technical skill owned by the manager about the performed service to the efficiency is also proportional to usage of human skills when that service is being presented. An efficient manager presents his technical skill with his human skills. In parallel with the literature, the technical skills of chief/low level managers increase the manager efficiency more when compared to other skills (Table-5.10.). When evaluated in scope of municipalities, the reason of high level of contribution of technical skills in efficiency for top level managers is: because of the necessity of being able to give technical answer to peoples questions and having grasp of technical details when a planned work is explained by the mayor and deputy mayor and municipality personnel (Table-5.8.). A to p level manager that has grasp of technical details, is seen as an efficient manager who knows what he is doing and who has control over details in the eyes of stakeholders. An efficient manager may have one, two or all of conceptual, human or technical skills. This study revealed which skill of the manager puts him forward as an efficient manager and the abovementioned results were obtained. In scope of this study, when the skill of a manager comes to the foreground, this does not mean the manager does not have the other skills. This study assessed three levels (top, middle and low) of managers and examined the effects of individual manager properties of these three level managers on the manager efficiency. This study which has been carried out on local municipalities may give different results when carried out in different sectors.

President Obama s Executive Order - 1456 Words

My policy problem is that Congress now wants to reverse President Obama’s executive order and this reversal will be a huge step back in the process of the immigration reform that is needed. This reversal of action can be detrimental to many immigrant families by separating families with deportation and delaying families from being reunited after only parts of families were able to come to the United States. The government has been deporting illegal immigrants and the path to citizenship is difficult for illegal immigrants because of the complications and financial burden of the whole process. The reform that needs to take place is that Congress has to make amendments to our current immigration policy regarding citizenship for the illegal†¦show more content†¦This is a possible and desirable solution as evidenced by Obama’s executive action. His executive order is only a minor application of my proposed policy solution and it is a step in the right direction. Many interest groups that support immigration reform as I do are happy that Obama as enacted this executive order, however widespread immigration reform is still needed (Lulac.org 2014). The current power struggle between Congress and Obama is one of intergovernmental relations, â€Å"the relationship between different levels of government. For example, it may pertain to the struggle between the national government and the states for authority over a specific policy domain.† (Kollman 2014, 74), and although this usually pertains to federal versus state or state versus local government, it is definitely important to this current struggle between two parties. The House of Representatives has already started a bill to effectively get rid of Obama’s executive order and now needs the support of the Senate in order to make it happen. â€Å"The House bill, called Executive Amnesty Prevention Act, states that any attempt by the administration to exempt immigrants from deportation laws shall be null and void and without legal effect.† (Memoli 2014). This power struggle arises due to the relationship between legislative and executive branch of our governme nt

Health Care Reform in the United States Essays - 1876 Words

â€Å"We will pass reform that lowers cost, promotes choice, and provides coverage that every American can count on. And we will do it this year.† The preceding is a powerful statement from the newly elected President Barak Obama. One of the main aspects of both political campaigns was health care reform. The above quote shows passion and encouragement, but the quotes about health care do not end there. Georgian republican gubernatorial candidate and health care policy maker John Oxendine expressed: â€Å"Their proposal would virtually devastate the private healthcare sector in this country along with competition and patient choice, by replacing it with bureaucratic planning and government control. The result of this plan and its one trillion†¦show more content†¦There should be a public option available in health care and the government should have control over the industry. Backing up a bit, what is wrong with the health care system in the first place to caus e such an enormous reform? 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Advocates of health care reform have been met with great controversy and resistance since as early as 1854 when President Franklin Pierce vetoed the â€Å"Land-Grant Bill for Indigent Insane Persons† that would benefit the indigent insane, â€Å"by arguing that the federal government shouldRead MoreEssay about Health Care Reform in the United States1204 Words   |  5 PagesHealth Care Reform Health care has been an area of discussion for some time now. In the United States, the current health care system is a private system that allows individuals to choose their own method of care. Despite the freedom that comes with the independent nature of this type of health care system, the true disposition creates more problems than it solves. The privacy of the health care institutions has caused affordability and access to become serious issues with this system. AdditionallyRead MoreThe Health Care Crisis And An Understanding Of The Reforms2277 Words   |  10 PagesA. The health care crisis and an understanding of the reforms The American Health Care system to say the least is wasteful, bloated, and generally inefficient and therefore in dire need for immediate review. This has largely been as a result of factors such as costs, poor investment return for outlays, inequitably distribution, and being based on anachronistic business model geared at treating diseases more than promoting wellness. The figures are all there to see why a radical surgery of the health

Studying Abroad Is Better Than Studying Local Universities

â€Å"Studying abroad is better than studying local universities†. What is your opinion? You should write at least 350 words. Illustrate your opinion with examples. Looking at the trend recently, most of the students feel that studying abroad is better than studying in local universities. As a saying goes, the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence. However, the students have their own choices either studying in universities abroad or in local universities. They have own reason to stud locally or abroad. Both of universities, abroad or local have their own uniqueness. So, we cannot ignore the fact that studying abroad is better than studying in local universities but to study in local also has advantages. In†¦show more content†¦The price of food, transportation and accommodation is much higher abroad. So, these are the reasons why I think studying in local universities is better than studying abroad Furthermore, local universities are as good as universities abroad. Nowadays, students from outside countries also come here to study in local universities. That means that they trust our local universities which have a good quality system of education. This shows that studying locally is a right choice for our future. Besides that, our system of education is also acknowledged internationally, that is why students from other countries are studying in our local universities. We cannot deny that the quality of education in local universities is also as good as the universities abroad. Not only that, our local universities have complete facilities for students such as students’ hostel, libraries that are complete with a variety of books and materials for students to make reference and do research, Internet such as Wi-Fi and laptops or note books are prepared to make it easier for students to surf the Internet and to complete their assignment. Local universities also h ave a good quality of lecturers that have higher level of education and experience in teaching. If students are studying in local universities and they were from poor families and need more money to study they can get financial support. The Government gives financial support such as PTPTN for students to help themShow MoreRelatedLocal University Versus University Aboard1704 Words   |  7 Pagesbetween local universities or abroad universities is the best choice? There have been many opinions thrown toward this issue. So we hope that this essay will help the community to decide and then achieve a better answer upon this issue. As we know, universities are one of the facilities that have been provided by the government for several years ago. These facilities have helped a lot of students from all over the world to gain knowledge and a better experience of life. The universities educationRead MoreDisadvantages of Studying Abroad1348 Words   |  6 Pagesacademic study | 81% | 80% | 79% | 84% | 80% | Influenced subsequent educational experiences | 91% | 85% | 86% | 84% | 87% | Reinforced commitment to foreign language study | 88% | 83% | 85% | 90% | 86% | Intercultural Development | Helped me better understand my own cultural values and biases | 99% | 97% | 97% | 95% | 98% | Influenced me to seek out a greater diversity of friends | 94% | 88% | 89% | 86% | 90% | Continues to influence interactions with people from different cultures | 97%Read MoreThe Advantages of Studying Abroad Far Outweigh the Disadvantages1161 Words   |  5 PagesThe advantages of studying abroad far outweigh the disadvantages. Discuss In today’s world, a considerable number of students are not limited to study in their local countries. Instead, they choose to study abroad. This phenomenon becomes a trend especially in recent years. A variety of different attitudes have been come up with on both sides of the question. It is in this background that this essay begins by outlining the arguments for students choose to study abroad and point to the problems withRead MoreAdvantages to Studying Abroad789 Words   |  3 Pagesentered an era of information explosion which the necessity of studying abroad has turned into a developing pattern among youth. Most of the students feel that studying abroad is better than studying in local universities. As the saying goes, â€Å"the grass always looks greener on the other side of fence.† In this way, I believe that considering abroad have extraordinary points of benefits. First and foremost, from personal angle, study abroad enables students to achieve high level of maturity and independenceRead MoreInternational Students: A Vulnerable Group in Need of Self-Regulation and Community Accommodation1495 Words   |  6 PagesStudying abroad, which has become a common phenomenon, can be a fun and meaningful experience. Many university students are interested in studying abroad because it gives them an opportunity to explore different cultures and broaden their horizons. As Mark Sherry, Peter Thomas and Wing Hong Chui argue in â€Å"International Students: a Vulnerable Student Population,† the goals that students pursue international study are often to acquire different ways of learning and to improve cross-cultural understandingRead MoreCollege Students Should Study Abroad1687 Words   |  7 Pageslifetime, and that is to study abroad. Studying in a foreign country benefits the students in many ways including the opportunity to travel the world, ex perience different education styles, have numerous education and career opportunities, and experience personal development. College students should study abroad for one semester throughout their college experience. â€Å"Studying abroad may be one of the most beneficial experiences for a college student. By studying abroad, students have the opportunityRead MoreThe Benefits of Study Abroad3182 Words   |  13 PagesThe Benefits of Study Abroad New Study Confirms Significant Gains By Mary M. Dwyer, Ph.D. and Courtney K. Peters It will change your life. You’ll come back a new person.† For years, the benefits of study abroad have been described in these words. Everyone in the study abroad field believed it could greatly impact a student’s life, but the exact long-term benefits were unknown—until now. The first large-scale survey to explore the long-term impact of study abroad on a student’s personal, professionalRead MoreThe Importance Of A Foreign Country Has Changed My Life1057 Words   |  5 PagesStudying in a foreign country has been something I have desired to do since high school. My family’s financial situation has kept our adventures centralized to Ohio. I have never been presented with an opportunity to travel outside of the United States. I knew going abroad in college was my best chance to finally experience a new country and a new culture within my financial needs. Yet, I didn’t just want to go to abroad for a few weeks, I wanted to study abroad for an entire semester. I wanted toRead MoreEssay885 Words   |  4 Pagesa great program to be able to do both! In this program, the importance of following the practical guidelines is during this time the program is delegated to be responsible for an authority to develop and commensurate. The Iowa St ate campus Study Abroad Association stuff says in other words that they have time to examine and create a plan for everyone by making critical decisions. According to the Iowa State home page it states â€Å"Ames, Iowa, may seem like its a world away from South Africa. ButRead MoreDisadvantage and Advantage Studying Abroad and Locally1961 Words   |  8 PagesDisadvantages of studying abroad essay Introduction Education is very important in life. Pursuing studies abroad has been the most plausible trend nowadays for the purpose of gaining international exposures and experiential learnings. Such experience contributes in getting the best education so as to acquire the best knowledge and to obtain opportunities for employment. While also developing the individuals adaptability and independence, studying abroad expands the horizon of the students and

Recursive Subspace Identification Algorithm Using The...

Recursive Subspace Identification Algorithm using the Propagator Based Method Irma Wani Jamaludin1 and Norhaliza Abdul Wahab2 1Department of Mechatronics, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Hang Tuah Jaya, 76100 Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia 2Control Mechatronics Engineering, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai Johor Bahru, Malaysia Article Info ABSTRACT Subspace model identification (SMI) method is the effective method in identifying dynamic state space linear multivariable systems. Subspace identification, a sequence of state vectors can be obtained directly from the input and output data. From a numerical point of view, the SMI algorithms are not appropriate for online implementation because of the SVD computational complexity. For industrial applications, it is essential to have online recursive algorithms for model identification, where parameters can vary in time. Indeed, in many online identification scenarios, it is important to update the model as time goes on with a reduced computational cost. The main problem with recursive subspace identification is the SVD computation that is burdensome to update. Thus, it is necessary to find the alternative algorithms in order to apply the subspace concept in a recursive framework. In this paper, recursive subspace identification algorithm based on the propagator method which avo id the SVD computation is proposed. Keyword: Subspace identification Observability

Wesfarmers Target - Competitive Advantage by Strategic Change

Question: What is the strategy?Describing the strategy and how it was developed to overcome a specific difficulty within the environment. Answer: 1. Strategy of Wesfarmers Target Wesfarmers discount retailer Target has been experiencing steady decline in the profit. The reason for this steady decline is primarily dues to higher stock clearances and an ongoing decline in the sales growth. Targets profits have fallen 32% in the last two years before Mr. Machin has joined the Target to revitalize the company, but after the joining the company the situation of Target has further decorated as the profits are in continuous decline and has dropped 63% since then (Johnson et al., 2013). In order to improve the business situation of the Target the company has implemented several strategies. In order to re-establish in the market, the company has adopted the strategy of differentiating itself from the other players in the market. One of the major strategies adopted by the company is the changes in the physical and service environment at its stores as well as in the business operations. The various changes implemented by the company are Online business mode - In the present context, technology is major factor that influences every aspect of the life and the use of technology in the business cannot be undermined. In order to improve the business situation Target has implemented online business model in its existing business model to attract technologically savvy customers. With the help of online business model Target aims at improving its sales figure and reposition itself in the retail segment. Online business model of Target has enabled the company to attract more customers and also provided an opportunity to improve visibility of the brand. Other benefits include 24/7 business operation and better service delivery to the customers (Verbeke, 2013). Selling more products at first price rather than at discounted price - Target has been selling its product at discounted rates to the customers. This business strategy has resulted in poor performance for the company in terms of sales revenue. Therefore, to improve profit margins and overall performance of the company, Target has changed its pricing strategy by selling products at first price rather than at a discounted price. This would enable the company to avoid high stock clearances and strengthen the companys revenue generation (Cavusgil et al., 2012). With these strategic changes, Target aims at improving the business situation by improving sales of the company products and repositioning or reestablishing companys presence within the Australian retail segment through differentiation (Cheng et al., 2014). Stocking global trends Target is one of the biggest retailer in the Australian market that provides solutions to the customers apparels, home wares and general merchandise. As a part of strategy change, Target is providing customers more assortment of various products or merchandises that are in line with the global trends and demands of the customers. In addition, Target is planning to hire in-house designers that would design apparels exclusively for the customers of Target by considering the preferences of their customers and also the international trends. This would improve the brand loyalty among the customers and also the profits for the company (Hubbard et al., 2014). Additional store services another strategic change that Wesfarmers Target has implemented is broadening the services spectrum that is provided by the company to its customers and improving the quality of service delivery to the customers. The service speed of service delivery provided to the customer at the store is faster and efficient; it has enabled the customers to have favorable impression of business as whole. In addition, the changed structure of the store, ambience and additional facilities at the store such in-house coffee shops has enhanced the image of the brand in the minds of the customers (Booth Coveney, 2015). 2. Competitive advantage achieved by these strategic change The objective of the strategic change adopted by the company is to enable the company to gain competitive advantage over its rivals. Competitive advantage refers to the ability of the company to attract and retain more customers based on various characteristics or attributes that the company provides to its customers that allows a company to outperform its competitors (Vernon, 2012). The company has adopted differential business strategy to regain its market share by providing better assortment of products and merchandise as per the global trends, better service delivery to the customers and integrated online and bricks and mortar business model. Since, many well-established players offer similar products to the customers, it is important to differentiate the business model of Target from the rivals in order to succeed in the market crow the retail segment. As the company has undergone some strategic change to improve its business situation, it has achieved following competitive advantage Differentiation through unique business model Competitive advantage refers to those qualities that cannot be imitated by competitors and provides the company a sustainable competitive advantage in the market. Through the successful collaboration of online and bricks and mortar business model Target has create a unique opportunity in the market. Most of the companies in the retail sector relies either on the physical business units or online business models to market their products. Thus, by creating a unique business model that has advantages of both physical store as well as online presence, Target has created unique opportunity in the market and has provided customers to select their products as per their convenience (Sharma et al., 2015). The benefits of online and bricks and mortar business models has created a competitive advantage for the Target as the company has presence in physical as well as virtual world that the competitors lacks. The 24/7 availability of the business to meet the demands of the customers providing them home delivery is beneficial for the business and crates competitive advantage in the maket. Differentiation through product differentiation - Target has focused on providing customers with products in line with the global trends. This has enabled the company to differentiate itself from the competitors as Target has better understanding of the demands and latest trends in the international market. The product assortment of Target has more products and merchandises that allow the customers to have more options to choose from. In addition, the company has created its own range of apparels and merchandises with the help of well renowned fashion designers that keep track of the global trends, customer preferences and provides value to the customers (Bhatnagar Syam, 2014). The wide range of products that matches international standards as well as satisfies the demands of the customers in the most economical manner creates a competitive advantage for the company as it attracts more customers and generates customer loyalty. Cost advantage Target has reduced its reliance on the discounts and focused more on providing better quality products at a reasonable price. However, it seems like the strategy of the company to reduce merchandise discounts is bound to fail in the market, but the fact is the company has focused on providing customers high quality products. The customers have also responded to this strategic favorably as they demand better value products at a considerable price rather than buying inferior quality products. Therefore, it can be said that by reducing the discounts the company has improved its business situation and attained cost advantage in the market. Value creation Value creation is one of the competitive advantages that Target has achieved by changing its business strategy. Target has achieved competitive advantage in the form of value creation. Value creation refers to providing customers with better products at a affordable price than their competitors. Target has created value for its customers as they provide high-end merchandises that are at line with the global trends (Kellner et al., 2014). The company utilizes the services of designers that design high quality products and merchandises at an affordable price for their customers. In addition, the company provides better service quality to its customers in the store as well as after the post purchase to retain the customer and increase value preposition for the company. The company provides value to the customers by offering personal styling options, in store clothing attentions, t-shirt printing, wider range of specialty products, better store layout, visual merchandisin g and coffee shops to encourage customers to linger (Swoboda et al., 2014). 3. Effectiveness of the strategy From the above discussion and analysis of the strategy implemented by the company, it is important to understand the effectiveness of the strategy adopted by the Target. In this part, it is required to focus on the usefulness of the adopted strategy of the company Wesfarmers Target. Initially it has been seen that the company must rely on adopting new online business model, as the present day scenario helps any of the organizations to drag the attention of the customers. Unlike traditional models of running a business in the bricks and the mortar world, the innovative techniques are generating more revenue in the online process to evolve and be defined (Slack, 2012). It has been seen that most of the customers in the present day scenario relies hugely on the internet and thus revising the existing business policy is highly essential for the management of the company to drag the attention of both the new and the existing customers (Amit Zott, 2012). It can be stated that the online b usiness model of the company would enable the customers to interact with the employees of Wesfarmers regarding any of their grievances and this would help the company to build a positive relationship with their valuable customers. Apart from that, it can be stated that the online business model of Wesfarmers would enable the customers to select from a wide range of products and this would made the buying experience of the customers more lively (Slack, 2012). Therefore, it can be stated that the suggested incorporation of the online business model would help the corporation to revive their existing policies and this modified business policy would enable the corporation to gain more profits than previous and thus the selection of this strategy is justified enough (Anandarajan, Anandarajan Srinivasan, 2012). Besides that, it has been seen that the company has recommended selling more products at a first price rather than at the discounted price. It has been seen that previously the company was selling their products in a discounted price and this business policy resulted in poor performance of the company. Thus, it can be stated that to enhance and increase the price margin, Wesfarmers must revise their existing market policy by selling the products at the first price rather than the discounted prices. Barnes and Hunt (2013) have stated that the pricing can be challenging as well complex and offers no shortcuts to the company and thus this part is required to look carefully from the viewpoint of the management. The target of the company must not to accumulate products and initially and after that selling the products in a discounted rate. This revised pricing policy makes sure that the corporation must avoid high stock clearances and at the same time strengthen the revenue generation of the corporation (Slack, 2012). This would help the company to company to reestablish their presence in the existing retail market. It can be stated that at the time of poor market presence, the company must revise their pricing strategies, as this is one of the most significant business decisions that assists the company to revive from the struggling market position (Casadesus Masanell Zhu, 2013). Therefore, it can be stated that at the time of setting the prices, the management of the company must make sure that the price and the sales level allow the business of the company to be advantageous. Thus, selection of this pricing strategy is justified enough and thus the company must rely on this. In order to stay competitive in the market, companies are required to stock the global changes in the retailer industry. It has been recommended that the design of the products must have a different brand look and this would attract the attention of the customers. Keeping this global style trend in mind, it can be stated that the management of the company must hire a designer group, who would be engaged in designing exclusive design of the products for the revised target segment (Anandarajan, Anandarajan Srinivasan, 2012). It is expected that the exclusive designing of the products would increase the brand loyalty among the customers and this might help the company to revive their present marketing position in the existing retail industry (DaSilva Trkman, 2014). The overall business of Target had been less than K-Mart over the past few times and thus they must immediately hire a group of the in-house designers and monitoring the designs keeping in mind the global trends, as this wo uld help the company to attract the attention of both the existing and the new customers (Lambert Davidson, 2013). The numbers of the stores of Wesfarmers are less in the market and to gain the attraction of the customers, it is highly necessary to expand the numbers of the stores in the market. If the customers find that the numbers of the stores are less, they must rely on some other companies that are more available to them. Therefore, raising the numbers of the stores in the market is one of the effective means for the company to get the attention of wide range of target customers. Apart from that, it can be stated that the management and the marketing team of the company must have a close watch to the global trends in the retail market and revise the existing policies based on the market trends (McCoy et al., 2012). Global market trends of the retailers give the customers more payment options and at the time of the incorporating the online business model, the company must widen this section to increase the level of customer satisfaction. More facilities must be added to the click and pay fac ility of the mobile phone initiatives and this part would help the company to get more number of the online customers. Apart from that, it can be stated that the retailers must unify their online and offline data collection and these parts in the online business model are required to focus on immediately to revive the existing market position in the retail industry (Osterwalder Pigneur, 2013). Therefore, going through all these strategies of the company, it can be stated that the selection of these strategies are justified enough and it is expected that the company would rejuvenate with the help of these adopted strategies. References Amit, R., Zott, C. (2012). Creating value through business model innovation.MIT Sloan Management Review,53(3), 41. Anandarajan, M., Anandarajan, A., Srinivasan, C. A. (Eds.). (2012).Business intelligence techniques: a perspective from accounting and finance. Springer Science Business Media. Barnes, S., Hunt, B. (Eds.). (2013).E-commerce and v-business. Routledge. Bhatnagar, A., Syam, S. S. (2014). Allocating a hybrid retailer's assortment across retail stores: Bricks-and-mortar vs online.Journal of Business Research,67(6), 1293-1302. Booth, S., Coveney, J. (2015). Big FoodThe Industrial Food System. InFood Democracy(pp. 3-11). Springer Singapore. Casadesus Masanell, R., Zhu, F. (2013). Business model innovation and competitive imitation: The case of sponsor based business models.Strategic management journal,34(4), 464-482. Cavusgil, S. T., Knight, G., Riesenberger, J. (2012).A Framework of International Business. Pearson Higher Ed. Cheng, M. M., Green, W. J., Ko, J. C. W. (2014). The impact of strategic relevance and assurance of sustainability indicators on investors' decisions.Auditing: A Journal of Practice Theory,34(1), 131-162. DaSilva, C. M., Trkman, P. (2014). Business model: what it is and what it is not.Long Range Planning,47(6), 379-389. Hubbard, G., Rice, J., Galvin, P. (2014).Strategic management. Pearson Australia. Johnson, G., Whittington, R., Scholes, K., Angwin, D., Regnr, P. (2013).Exploring strategy text cases. Pearson Higher Ed. Kellner, J., Wagner, G., Toporowski, W. (2014). Differentiation in Online Retailing from a Consumers PerspectiveA Repertory Grid Approach. InEuropean Retail Research(pp. 43-57). Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden. Lambert, S. C., Davidson, R. A. (2013). Applications of the business model in studies of enterprise success, innovation and classification: An analysis of empirical research from 1996 to 2010.European Management Journal,31(6), 668-681. McCoy, D., Pitsillidis, A., Grant, J., Weaver, N., Kreibich, C., Krebs, B., ... Levchenko, K. (2012). Pharmaleaks: Understanding the business of online pharmaceutical affiliate programs. InPresented as part of the 21st USENIX Security Symposium (USENIX Security 12)(pp. 1-16). Osterwalder, A., Pigneur, Y. (2013).Business model generation: a handbook for visionaries, game changers, and challengers. John Wiley Sons. Sharma, D., Chowhan, D., Singh, S., Gupta, D., Srivastava, M. (2015). Consumer perception on online-business: a marketing strategy for new entrepreneur.Sudhinder Singh and Gupta, Dr. Devesh and Srivastava, Mr. Vishal, Consumer Perception on Online-Business: A Marketing Strategy for New Entrepreneur (January 15, 2015). Slack, K. (2012). Mission impossible?: Adopting a CSR-based business model for extractive industries in developing countries.Resources Policy,37(2), 179-184. Swoboda, B., Elsner, S., Morschett, D. (2014). Preferences and performance of international strategies in retail sectors: an empirical study.Long Range Planning,47(6), 319-336. Verbeke, A. (2013).International business strategy. Cambridge University Press. Vernon, P. (2012). Shopping Towns Australia.Fabrications,22(1), 102-121.

Inclusive Education Situational Analysis †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Inclusive Education Situational Analysis. Answer: Introduction Samoa is a country situated in the central SouthPacific Ocean. It is one of the westernmost island countries ofPolynesia. The Samoansmake up around 92.6% of the total Polynesian population.They form the second largest branch of Polynesians. The people generally occupy islands of the Pacific from New Zealand to Hawaii and from Easter island to Fiji (AhChing, 2013). This report aims to illustrate the wellbeing of people belonging to this ethnic group with respect to their education among children belonging to the age group of 7-11 years. Status, cause and impacts Samoa is a lower middle income country. In 2015, it had a GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of nearly $761 million. According to 2012 reports of the UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization), approximately 193,000 people receive education in Samoa on a land area that encompasses around 2,820 square kilometers. These lands mainly comprise the two main islands of Savaii and Upolu. 8 small islands also belong to this region. The report further suggests that literacy rate in Samoa is around 99% in adults, which is way higher than 71% average literacy rate in the Pacific. Data from community profiles suggest that during the early 1970s, many Samoans migrated to Australia for educational programs that were sponsored by the latter government. The first schools in Samoa were founded by several missionaries in the 1830s. The New Zealand school system is generally followed by all Samoan schools (Kearney Zuber-Skerritt, 2012). The Department of Education takes the responsibility of providing learning opportunities to all students. Non-governmental organizations are involved in providing early childhood education in Samoan schools. Education is considered crucial for the improved life quality. Hence, the ministries and education departments have employed several strategies to improve the access to learning opportunities and outcomes. Initially the participation rate was low. However, the non-formal and formal institutions are now working towards ensuring inclusive primary education in all sections of the society. When compared to the Pacific community or a majority of world population, all Samoan schools demonstrated effective educational program characteristics. However, if there is an increased emphasis on primary school retention of students and role of informal education, the effectiveness and quality of education will possibly improve in Samoa. Evidence from the recently published Samoan national report highlights formal primary education as an essential issue that can perpetuate rural poverty. The Samoa Hardship and Poverty Report, published in 2013 demonstrated a significant correlation between vulnerability statuses, poverty and education level among Samoan citizens. It was found that men without any tertiary education in urban locality were more likely to become vulnerable to poverty when compared in demographics (Zealand, 2013). Approximately 12% Samoans were shown to be formally employed, and most of them lived off of low-paid employment opportunities and informal wages in formal and informal sectors. This did not require any trainingbeyond secondary education. Solution/Pathways employed To increase enrollment and completion of 8 years at primary schools among children belonging to the intermediate age groups, the government has identified several strategic areas that need focus. It aims to progress teaching quality, improve the coordination between policy development and planning, upgrade resources and facilities, make training opportunities more accessible and strengthen the linkage between the policy formulations at all levels. The education act proposed in 2009, has made primary education compulsory for all children aged between 5-14 years. A primary education certificate examination has been developed (SPECA) to fulfill the framework of assessment policies that target learning objectives (Cahill, 2016). The assessment helped in illustrating the role of communicative and managerial functions of educational assessments. An equity goal between the number of males and females enrolled for primary education was achieved (21,124 boys and 18,514 girls) (Richards Vinin g, 2015). Other approaches that have been taken by the government to enhance primary education is the development of bilingual primary curriculum to ensure that the young Samoan children are able to learn the basics of English and Samoan language from early age (Mayeda et al., 2014). The Samoa School Fees Grant Scheme (SSFGS) was designed in 2010 with the aim of providing technical and financial assistance to primary schools in lieu of fees. This helped in reducing financial burden for the parents and transferred a part of the monetary responsibility to the schools through government funding (McDonald Tufue-Dolgoy, 2013). It helped in contributing more number of children to primary education in the long term. The Compulsory Education Act passed in 1992 made it mandatory for students to remain enrolled in primary schools till they reached 14 years of age (Lameta, 2013). Hence, these initiatives taken by the government were effective in ensuring holistic wellbeing of the children by increasing their participation in primary education. One major issue that affects educational wellbeing of the students is the high dropout rates and low attendance among Samoan children. The National Youth Council report suggests an alarming dropout rate of 78.93% in primary and secondary levels. Moreover, some parents do not monitor their childs progress. This often leads to poor outcomes and drop in attendance (Tuia Iyer, 2015). Recommendations Though the recently passed Education Act carries the power of detaining and questioning any children belonging to compulsory age group who do not attend school, it is not properly utilized. A strict legislation needs to be enforced that can detain parents to ascertain the reason for not allowing their children the access to compulsory education. This will also give the parents a responsibility to ensure that their children are fulfilling the requirements for compulsory attendance and are taking part in all school activities (Rieser, 2012). Face-to-face interviews of the parents with the school communities will help them realize the importance of primary education for the all round development of their child. Moreover, orphaned or children who live with chronically ill parents are found to be at a greater risk of dropping out of school due to financial constraints. Teachers and school authorities must reach out to those families to demonstrate the use of governmental funding in reduci ng the burden of school fees (Forlin et al., 2015). That will help the parents make informed decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their children. References AhChing, P. L. (2013).Polynesian Interconnections: Samoa to Tahiti to Hawaii. Lulu Press, Inc. Cahill, F. (2016). 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