Thursday, January 30, 2020

Personal Philosophy of Education Essay Example for Free

Personal Philosophy of Education Essay Education is an important part of growth of the individual. Education can mean a lot of things. One of the definitions of education is the experience of the individual learning and gaining knowledge while inside the structured educational system. Today, one of the strongest beliefs when it comes to education is that learning starts during the early childhood years of the individual. Because of that, education philosophies have strongly revolved around this particular idea. This in turn has created many different perspectives and ideas in learning and education. The three important aspects of this philosophy on education are hinged on the consideration of children, teaching and learning. Generally, the philosophy is about the belief that children should be exposed to learning with focus on two different areas as soon as they are in the age fit for school-based learning. This usually ranges from five to seven years old onwards, depending on the mental, emotional and psychological disposition of the individual. This philosophy of education puts important consideration to the differences among individual children. This means younger children already fit for structured learning is not discouraged from starting even at a younger age. Those who are not yet fully ready are not discouraged either but will be the target of additional stimulation to be at par with the capabilities of those who are in the same age bracket as the child is. This philosophy in education is inspired by the Montessori Method. The belief of this method is that the children all possess natural inner guides inside them. The structured academic learning experience only acts as a means to provide for material and additional assistance to the children as they learn by themselves through their instincts, something that the creator of the Montessori approach recognized through observation. Montessori developed a new philosophy of education based upon the intuitive observation of children (Lillard, 1988, p. 29). In using the Montessori approach to creating the philosophy of education, the approach and perspective towards learning is strongly influenced by the ideals of Montessori approach. Examples are the treatment in learning, its ideas about children and the role of school and education, etc. , using the Montessori results in the consideration and inclusion of the learning theories that this particular approach entails. In this paradigm of teaching style and educational philosophy, the teacher takes the role of the mature overseer. In realization of the ability of the children to naturally learn via their experiences in the environment, the teacher makes sure that children are placed in an environment free from obstacles that could hamper, hinder, impair or impact negatively their learning experience. This approach is more focused on preparing the environment wherein the children are, for most of the time, left to their own devices to learn via experiential processes, and, when necessary providing the necessary and sufficient intervention. The philosophy of education is focused on the belief that what the children need to learn (in communication, in mathematics, in logic development, in interpersonal skills, and in other academic and non-academic components of child education) can be found in the childs experiential learning in a controlled environment where the learning experience has the potential to reach its optimum growth and development. The philosophy of education in this particular condition puts importance in the instincts of the child, in the effort to encourage the children to develop their instincts and to not put a stupor on such natural capacity which is crucial and important for long term learning. Perspective on Children This philosophy of education sees children as individuals who are created with the natural ability for learning. However, because of their lack of experience as well as necessary knowledge to make themselves fully capable and full developed individuals, they need to undergo educational experience beginning at their young years. Children is viewed not as individuals who need to be spoon-fed with things that can improve their own knowledge and skill set. Rather, they are individuals who need to be guided especially in their learning stages so that they can develop as capable, competent, learned and mature individuals in the future. Children are not viewed as entities that are commanded to follow. Rather, they are individuals whose own self compass is sufficient for them to move in the direction they need and want to since they are created with the natural tendencies for learning and knowledge development. They are not robots with minds that are like computers programs that can be tweaked, altered and changed depending on the perspective and disposition of the educational institution. On the other hand, the main responsibility of the school and its teachers is to make sure that each of the autonomous and independent minds be able to grow and develop towards each individual’s own complex and unique entity. Children are individuals who are sufficiently equipped, physiologically, but nonetheless requires intervention if only for the sake of maximizing, harnessing and developing the potential that each child has. Perspective in Teaching The teacher or teaching component of this philosophy of education is about the role of teachers and the teaching process as a tool. It guides and provides necessary intervention sufficient enough to guide the children into learning and knowledge building but not excessive enough to dictate the educational experience and the learning process of the child. This is considering the fact that the child is depended upon to use his/her natural instincts for learning. Perspective in Learning The learning perspective of this philosophy in education revolves around the central idea that learning is something that is natural to an individual, something that he or she experiences even when the individual is at his or her very young age. In this philosophy of education, learning is something that should be experienced by the child by allowing the child to interact with his or her environment, the creation and set up of which is a result of the conscious effort of the teacher and the school. Learning is something that comes naturally. Learning results to knowledge and information set in an individual to which the school and the teacher has a strong influence on, especially in guaranteeing the absorption of information that the child needs to know during the learning process. Reference Lillard, P. P. (1988). Montessori: A Modern Approach. New York: Schocken Books.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Fire-Starter :: Essays Papers

Fire-Starter Character Review: Protagonist- Charlie McGee is a girl with pyrokinesis (a power in which someone can light fires with a glance). She is 8 years old. She is short, has blond hair, and brown eyes. She doesn’t like her power very much because she can’t control it. When she was about 5 years old, she was in the kitchen with her parents when they were trying to help her control her power. They gave her a test on a piece of toast, she burnt it to a crisp, and then she accidentally burnt her mother’s hands. The next day, when her dad came home from work, Charlie and her mother were nowhere to be found. Her father, Andy McGee, found his wife, dead in a closet. Charlie was still missing; â€Å"the shop† had killed her mother and kidnapped her. Both Andy and Charlie’s mother had telekinesis, (a power in which, someone can make a person think that something is what its not, or make them think what that person is thinking). Andy drove to a neighbor’s house, and used his power on the two agents that had kidnapped Charlie. He and Charlie drove of and were in search of for a few years. Charlie can’t stand people that are after her, or mean, or especially lie to her. Charlie’s whole life is included in this book. The book revolves around Charlie’s power. It’s so powerful, that her parents can’t even try to control it. Charlie’s main weakness is trusting too many people. She trusts to many strangers, which could lead to danger. Her basic problem is trying not to get caught by â€Å"the shop† (a secret government agency that wants to investigate her power). They have been after her since she was born. Since both of her parents had telekinesis, she was born with a different set of DNA, which gave her the power of pyrokinesis. I really like Charlie. I like the way she wants to control her power, and I like how she has a lot of confidence, its like she knows what’s going to happen, and that everything is going to be fine. The thing that I specifically admire is the way she copes with the way she was brought up. She was brought up, to learn to use her power when she could to get money or food, or whatever she needed, but she knows that it isn’t right to steal, and it isn’t right to use a power that nobody else has to get something that you actually don’t deserve.

Monday, January 13, 2020

Computer Based Nutrition Education Program In Pakistan

The present survey was typical in three facets. For the first clip, computer-based nutrition instruction intercession was applied and evaluated in the Pakistan primary school scene. Second, the acceptableness of the computer-based nutrition instruction plan in a Pakistan context was explored. Third, the comparing of the present survey informations with informations of Vienna survey was carried out. In the instance of the first facet, the survey successfully demonstrated that the kids could larn nutrition constructs and healthy eating wonts in a lively and interesting environment. As respects the 2nd facet, the survey found that the kids and instructors were both positive and receptive to the computer-based nutrition instruction intercession. However, important barriers were identified that negatively impact the acceptableness of computer-based instruction, therefore finally, impacting its pertinence in the Pakistani primary schools. In instance of the 3rd facet, the comparative analysis helped to construe farther the survey consequences in the broader planetary context. Since, in the present survey the nutrition cognition increased in both groups, this implies that usage of computing machine based nutrition instruction did non confabulate any extra advantage in the acquisition of nutrition constructs. Children do non like being inactive scholars. Rather, they learn through active engagement in the acquisition procedure. The intercession presented the nutrition constructs in concrete signifiers and through motivation and ambitious activities, which ensured the kids ‘s active engagement. In the visible radiation of this consequence, it can be justly inferred that irrespective of the bringing manner, originative, actuating and age appropriate nutrition instruction programmes can ease the acquisition of womb-to-tomb nutrition constructs and healthy feeding wonts. Such acquisition has more possible to be efficaciously translated into pattern. As nutrition constructs are abstract and kids at the concrete operational phase happen them difficult to grok, set uping advanced and originative methods to learn kids about healthy feeding wonts are important. Matheson and Spangler ( 2001 ) in a reappraisal of 30 nutrition academic course of study suggest that half of the plans incorporated the component of wonder and challenge to convey the nutrition content. The consequence of present survey supports the determination that usage of originative methods increases kids ‘s ability to larn and hold on nutrition constructs efficaciously and easy and are consistent with the research. ( DiSogra, L. , Reger, B, 2002 ) Low nutrition position of Pakistani kids is richly documented in literature. However, it is barren of any reference about the nutrition cognition of these kids. The present survey fills this spread by supplying informations about the bing degree of nutrition cognition of kids in Pakistan. It provides grounds that nutrition cognition of Pakistani kids is really low. Furthermore, it demonstrates that this country can be successfully targeted and alteration can be achieved with comparatively few extra resources. Besides the fact that the present survey was unable in set uping any extra acquisition advantage of computer-based nutrition instruction, it demonstrated that kids were really receptive towards utilizing the computing machines as a learning device. They regarded acquisition of nutrition constructs through computing machines as interesting and entertaining. Generally, in Pakistan, ‘learning to run computing machines ‘ is considered the chief intent of incorporating computing machines in schools. A valuable result of the present survey is hence making off with the bing impression and replacing it with the thought ‘learning through computing machines ‘ alternatively. In this regard, the usage of computing machine as a medium of acquisition was new to the kids. As ascertained and discussed during the focal point group treatments, they faced some troubles utilizing computing machines on their ain. The success of computer-based instruction is non dependent upon the quality or measure of the engineering but instead upon the scholar ‘s attitude and preparedness to utilize it. The present universe is the universe of engineering and there is demand to develop kids ‘s competency in computing machine related engineering. Provision of instruction stuff through computing machines may function a double intent – sweetening of larning in the peculiar topic every bit good as competency in the usage of computing machine engineering. As discussed in focal point group, although pupil instructors had some basic computing machine accomplishments, they were non really comfy utilizing computing machines as a instruction tool. This indicated their deficiency of computing machine efficaciousness. However, during the intercession, they realized the potency of computing machines as a instruction tool and showed willingness to utilize computing machines in their instruction. Considering, their deficiency of computing machine efficiency implies that in order to incorporate computing machines successfully in the Pakistani instruction system, instructors must acknowledge the importance of runing computing machines. Furthermore, they should familiarise themselves with computing machines as a instruction tool. The successful integrating of computer-based instruction is mostly dependent on instructor ‘s attitudes towards computing machines and their preparedness to utilize them in learning ( Deniz L, 2007 ) . The survey highlighted the jobs confronting computer-based instruction, including deficiency of computing machine related accomplishments in instructors and kids, frequent power dislocations, deficiency of support from school disposals and deficiency of computing machine equipment and related substructure. This brings to illume the fact that integrating of computing machines in Pakistani instruction system requires comprehensive be aftering sing physical substructure and instructor ‘s preparation every bit good as ongoing rating and feedback. There are evidently more opportunities of today ‘s instructors and pupils working with computing machines in schoolrooms of the hereafter. Therefore, there is demand to develop an consciousness for integrating computer-based instruction methods since the beginning. Computer-literate and computer-comfortable instructors are important for the effectual integrating of computing machines in instruction. This can be achieved by constructing up their assurance and bettering their computing machine self-efficacy through supplying them exposure to computing machines during their preparation. Such exposure will be helpful in developing the willingness to utilize computing machines in schoolrooms. Given an history of the socio economic position and nutrition Knowledge, the research besides adds to the bing organic structure of cognition. Much of such literature has focused on developed states. However, the present research was managed to set up in the Pakistani context that kids belonging to take down socioeconomic position had significantly lower nutrition cognition as compared to those who belong to high socioeconomic position. Low socioeconomic position along with low nutrition related cognition and hapless life manner habits contributes to the hapless nutrition of the persons. An extra determination, worthy of raising in the context of the decision, is significant addition in kids ‘s nutrition cognition and keeping at post-intervention and followup without being cognizant of the repeat of the nutrition cognition questionnaire. In Pakistan, instructors and pupils both focus on grade-oriented larning instead than conceptual acquisition. Therefore, a strong accent is placed on scrutiny consequences. This phenomenon makes kids dressed ore and learn merely those parts of the course of study that they consider relevant to the test. However, the present survey reveals a different facet from the predominating state of affairs, which implies that kids can larn and retain cognition without memorisation and acquisition by rote. The comparing of the present survey consequences with the Vienna survey consequences revealed two really of import facets. First, in footings of nutrition cognition at baseline, the survey identified that nutrition cognition of Pakistani kids is really low as compared to the kids in Vienna survey. It signifies the insufficiency of Pakistani school course of study in peculiar and society in general in supplying cognition related to nutrition and healthy feeding to kids. In add-on, it draws attending to develop efficacious schemes to integrate nutrition instruction in the primary school course of study. It is an established fact that the nutrition constructs learnt early in life are more good in ulterior life. Knowledge is the first measure towards the realisation of healthy eating wonts. Second, in literature, the Pakistani kids larning accomplishment are reported every bit low as compared to the international criterions ( Jishnu Das, 2006 ) . Interestingly, the comparing of post-intervention nutrition cognition consequences between Lahore survey and Vienna survey presented a different image. Children in the present survey attained more nutrition cognition tonss as compared to the kids of Vienna survey. Hence, proposing that the ascertained forms of low accomplishment of Pakistani kids could non be entirely attributed to their low rational competence. Indubitably, when advanced and interesting schemes are employed to learn kids, they can bring forth equal acquisition consequences. The survey consequences have provided a strong foundation for integrating nutrition instruction intercession in primary schools. Computer-based tools were found helpful in circulating nutrition instruction. However, they were non the Panacea. Other originative mediums were about every bit effectual in circulating nutrition cognition. Even though, the survey was unable to corroborate extra advantage of computer-based nutrition instruction in the acquisition of nutrition constructs, it would non sabotage the potency of computing machines in the context of the Pakistan school scene.RecommendationsSince the survey successfully demonstrated that kids ‘s nutrition cognition can be increased with the usage of both computer-based tools and other advanced and actuating schemes, the undermentioned recommendations for incorporation of nutrition instruction and computer-based instruction in Pakistan should be considered.Recommendations for patternThe determination that nutrition cognition of Pakistani kids is low justifies pressing inclusion of nutrition instruction in order to develop self-efficacy and inculcate accomplishments of healthy nutrient choice and readying in the primary school course of study. Sing this, the higher governments need to admit the importance of nutrition instruction and must incorporate nutrition instruction in primary schools course of study. The well low degree nutrition cognition in pupil instructors besides calls for attending. Nutrition instruction should be included in the instructors developing course of study. Incorporation of nutrition instruction in instructors developing will turn out good in developing consciousness in the community through kids. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended that instructors developing course of study should be revised. It should integrate comprehensive preparation sing the usage of computing machines as a instruction tool. In developing nutrition plans, more importance should be given to the kids of low socioeconomic position.Recommendations for future researchAs the present survey was the lone survey of its sort in the Pakistan context, there is demand for farther research to confirm these findings. This is advised in order to determine whether similar findings will be found utilizing other computer-based nutrition instruction plans. Due to the clip and resource restraints, the survey did non try to research the effects of nutrition cognition on alteration in dietetic behaviour. Future surveies are extremely recommended in order to research this facet. The hereafter surveies to find the effectivity of computer-based nutrition instruction should include varied clip spans for the intercession. Further research needs to be conducted, which addresses the effectivity of computer-based nutrition instruction among other age groups ( stripling, elderly ) and kids in different scenes ( public schools, rural countries ) . Follow-up after one or two twelvemonth ‘s continuance should be conducted to find the consequence of computer-based instruction on cognition addition. Future surveies need to research the link between nutrition cognition, attitudes and dietetic behaviour specifically in the Pakistani population. There is besides need to research the relationship between parent nutrition cognition and kids nutrition cognition and dietetic wonts.

Sunday, January 5, 2020

Global supply chain management is becoming the main issue of businesses - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 10 Words: 3130 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Management Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? Due to the globalization and increase in the offshore sourcing activities, global supply chain management is becoming one of the main issues of several businesses. Global supply chain gives importance to the companys worldwide interest rather than concentrating on the local and national market place. There has been a considerable expansion in global supply chain especially in the field of automobile and computer industries (Taylor, 1997; Dornier et al., 1998). This growth in the globalization motivated the interest of various researchers in the field of global supply chain management. According to Joseph Carter, the global supply chain management has mainly three stages (World Class Supply): Stage 1: International Purchasing: In this stage, when an organization first enters into the global purchasing, some of the main areas were organizations focuses are on the cheaper prices, controlling the inventory costs and leveraging volumes. Stage2: Global So urcing: In this particular stage, the organization starts giving importance to the supplier capability, production strategies and also concentrates on customer markets. Stage 3: Global Supply Management: The supply chain networks are optimized with the help of logistics and productive capacity management. At this stage, the organizations will be able to effectively minimise the risk in the global sourcing and achieve competitive advantage. Due to political and technological pressures and development, the whole trading is very much linked with the worldwide financial market. A small fall in a particular nations economy can affect the worldwide financial market. There are many firms which are increasingly sourcing from around the world, therefore in order to stabilise the negative effects in a nations economy International Monetary Fund and the World Bank are taking necessary steps. To know about the future of supply management, the Centre for Advanced Purchasing Studies (CPS ) conducted a study, which supported the below conclusions (World Class Supply Management, : Global sourcing strategies will be considered as one of the main source of competitive advantage. There will also be a separation between the tactical sourcing and the strategic sourcing work. There will be an increase in the expectation of the suppliers capability both, regionally and globally and a reduction in the number of suppliers to the firms, in order to maximize leverage globally. In order to increase the companywide leverage, the supply management will be integrated with the firms future plans. More Information system technologies and complex skills are required in order to cope with the global uncertain market. During 1980s and 1990s, many of the Western firms experience a decline in their competitiveness, which lead to the growth of research on the topic of International Purchasing (Robert J. Trent and Robert M. Monczka, 2003, Pg: 608). Purchasing processes are des cribed by using different terms in various literatures, such as international sourcing, global sourcing, foreign sourcing and worldwide sourcing. According to Dobler and Burt, 1996, many of the firms are replacing the term international sourcing with the term foreign sourcing and some of the leading companies with more broader international term global sourcing (Amy Zhaohui Zeng, 2000, Pg: 222). For the successful implementation of global sourcing, it is very important to get information about the overseas suppliers and to understand the stages in the development of strategies. According to Monczka and Trent; 1991, 1992, there are four phases for the international procurement (Amy Zhaohui Zeng, 2000, Pg: 223): Phase 1: Concentrating only on the domestic purchasing. Phase 2: Purchasing internationally only on the basis of need, designate the local and national buyers for global purchasing. Phase 3: Companies will start to establish offices globally, and considers internat ional purchasing as a procurement strategy. Phase 4: Integration of international procurement strategies, in which firms starts sourcing to the different parts of the world by integrating with the world wide sourcing. With the help of global configuration, the firms can access to the cheap labour cost, raw materials, wide market, greater financing opportunities and many other additional inducements from the governments (AlHashim, 1980; Kogut and Kulatilaka, 1994). Distinct markets and variety sources of supply motivated the domestic competitors to target on the overseas market; the main objectives in their priority list for the international purchasing are the cost reduction, innovation, technology and risk spreading (Shan Rajagopal and Kenneth N. Bernard, 1994). pg4. According to Frear et al., 1992; Birou and Fawcett, 1993; Monczkaand Trent, 1991 and Swamidass, 1993 ,firms by employing international sourcing not only has reduced cost and increased quality, but also able to de velop flexibility and reduce delivery lead times (Martin Fraering and Sameer Prasad, 1999, Pg :451) As a result of these advantages, many multinational firms started engaging in the global sourcing activities. There are some researches carried out in the field of global sourcing, relating to the main managerial issues and complexity of the global sourcing, reasons for the global sourcing and the also on the cost advantages and disadvantages. ( (Shan Rajagopal and Kenneth N. Bernard, 1994). pg4.(PARAPHRASE))))According to Paul Herbig and Brad OHara, 1996 (pg: 44), there are four main determinants for the global sourcing strategy, they are the capability and the resources of the company, suppliers and partners availability, volumes and variability of the sourcing and the degree of offshore integration with the operational activities. In order to reduce cost, some of the firms in Europe and Japan are less concentrating on the internal sourcing activities (Swamidass and Kotabe, 1993) .According to Arnold, 1987 global outsourcing also helps in achieving good quality materials, economies of scale and also in obtaining experienced knowledge from the global purchasing activities (Martin Fraering and Sameer Prasad, 1999, pg: 452). From the research conducted by Caddick and Dale (1987) on the international purchasing strategies, it was proved that the materials were available for cheaper prices and of high quality in the international market, the research also suggested that the main concern of the purchasing people were the currency fluctuations and it should be handled by experienced purchasing official (Jaideep Motwani and Suraj Ahuja, 2000, Pg: 172). According to Novack and Simco (1991) sourcing is considered as a complex process, which highly contributes towards a firms competitive advantage (Tony Ching-Tung Chan, Kwai-Sang Chin and Ping-Kit Lam, 2007, Pg: 777). Nearly 50-70 % of the firms total production cost or sales revenue is used for the sourcing acti vities, which includes purchase of raw materials and components or any other goods or services (Presutti, 2003; Lo and Yeung, 2004 and Tayles and Drury, 2001). According to Chopra and Meindl (2003), by effective strategic sourcing, a company can save 10-20 times as much as it costs for their outsourcing activities. Through effective sourcing structure a firm can combine its core competencies with the suppliers abilities and skills, which helps in gaining competitiveness. Purchasing/Outsourcing Decision: Managing the purchase decision making and the selection of suppliers is considered as a challenging tasks in the global supply chain. Purchasing has a good role to play in the new global business world; it is the most important strategic element in the supply chain (Morash et al., 1996; Markland et al., 1998). Many firms are engaging in the global purchasing activities, in order to achieve competitive advantage. Due to the strategic implications of the global purchasing, organi sations are giving much more importance for outsourcing decisions (Ronan McIvor, 2000, Pg: 22). According to Yoon and Naadimuthu (1994) Outsourcing decision can contribute towards profitability, which helps in developing the financial position of the firm. According to Probert et al., (2000) the sourcing theories are of two different perspectives; the cost and strategic. Transaction Cost Economics (TCE) is considered as the conceptual basis model for the outsourcing decision, which is originated from Coase (1937). The logic behind TCE is the interaction of transactional and behavioural assumptions. According to Williamson (1975 and 1985), there are two behavioural characteristics which arises the transaction cost; Bounded rationality and Opportunism. The transaction characteristic also deals with two assumptions; asset specificity and uncertainty. Bounded Rationality: According to Simon (1957), Human behaviour is intendedly rational but only limitedly so. The rationality of an individual is limited to his ability to process information. Opportunism: Some people take advantage of the situations for their own gains. According to Williamson (1975), Self-Interest seeking with guile. Asset Specificity: It refers to the specialised assets, which are considered risky as the full value of the asset cannot be transferred to another supplier if the contract or relationship prematurely terminates. The asset specificity is divided into four types (Williamson); human asset specificity, site specificity, physical asset specificity and dedicated assets. Uncertainty: The future is uncertain, according to Williamson (1985), there are two types of uncertainty; Environmental uncertainties, as the future of demand or supply, technology cannot be predicted, and behavioural uncertainties, as it difficult to predict the behaviour of a relationship with the partners. The transaction characteristic and the behavioural characteristic, together determines the level of transaction cost. The costs incurred for planning, adapting, coordinating and safeguarding exchange are known as transaction cost. If the transaction cost level is higher, it is better for the firm to make internally rather than buying (Strategic supply management). The main issue for the sourcing decision is to determine the boundaries between the two extremes; vertical integration and outsourcing. According to Williamson, the decision is made in relation to the scope of cost reduction and significance of asset specificity (Ronan McIvor, 2000, Pg: 23). There are many researchers, who focussed on the transaction cost and cost analysis; Ellram and Maltz (1995), Williamson (1991), Walker and Weber (1984) are some of the examples for this. According to Probert et al, there are strategic perspectives, which focus on other than the variable cost for the sourcing decision. Many of the researchers focussed on more other aspects besides costs for sourcing decisions (Anette Brannemo, 2006 , Pg: 549). Core competence is a term which is commonly used in connection with the sourcing decision, the work of Prahalad and Hamel (1990) gives an idea about the relationship of core competence to outsourcing, they argue core competency as the collective learning in an organisation to coordinate and integrate production skills and technologies. They also argue that, an organisation can develop core competencies by collaborative working and learning from their partners (Ronan McIvor, 2000, Pg: 23-27). According to David J. Collis (1991), the core competencies are the essential resources which are very much in need for the strategic position of the organisation. Developing strategies on the basis of core competencies, rather than only thinking on the dominating market, can benefit the organisation by segmenting the organisation in a different way. According to Jennings (1997), Quinn and Hilmer (1994); cost, supplier relationship, core activities and technologies are the issues to b e considered while making sourcing decision, which will guide the organization in the process without following a particular framework (Ronan McIvor, 2000, Pg: 24). Even though there have been some researches carried out in this field, many of the sourcing decisions are made purely based on the cost. Many of the companies still lack a strong framework for evaluating their sourcing decision. McIvor has developed a framework model for the sourcing decision by connecting companys overall strategies. He has given importance for three main aspects, they are (Ronan McIvor, 2000, Pg: 24): Value chain perspective: According to Porter (1985), the outsourcing decision should be considered as an activity within the companys value chain. This aspect helps in recognising the value added activities, thus contributing towards the competitive position of the organisation. Core Competency: Core competency thinking helps the firm to focus on the core activities and reorganise their value cha in, which helps in achieving and maintain a long term competitive advantage. Supply Base influences: According to Lau and Hurley, 1997; Ellram and Edis, 1996, the framework also considers the supply base for the outsourcing process, due to the increased outsourcing companies are developing collaborative relationship with the suppliers, which helps them in reducing the risk associated and maintain competitiveness. Supplier Selection: Supplier selection is also considered as one of the main issues in the supply chain management. According to Goffin et al (1997), it is considered as a key issue because of the cost of the raw materials and other essential components, which constitutes the overall cost of a product and also many of firms spent major share of their sales revenues for the purchasing activities. Selecting right suppliers helps in reducing the purchasing cost and maintaining firms competitiveness (Ferhan Cebi and Demet Bayraktar, 2003, Pg: 395) In order to cope w ith the worldwide challenges, the firm needs an approach for their supplier selection. There are number of models and techniques developed for the selection of domestic suppliers, but models for the selection of international suppliers are limited (Hokey Min, 1994, Pg: 24). According to Sarkis and Talluri, 2002, for the analysis of supplier selection decision strategic and operational factors should be considered, along with the tangible and intangible factors. Some of the important operations and strategic factors include quality, flexibility and delivery (Ferhan Cebi and Demet Bayraktar, 2003). According to Carter and Narasimhan (1990), even though quality is a main factor for the selection of international suppliers, there are other factors for evaluating the supplier such as the financial position of the firm, exposure of the foreign firm, communication, willingness for a long term relationship with the procuring firm (Jaideep Motwani, Mohamed Youssef, Yunus Kathawala and Elizab eth Futch, 1999). According to Dickson (1966) and Weber et al. (1991) the identification of the supplier selection criteria is one of the main issues for the assessment of the suppliers. Many researches have been carried out in the field of supplier selection, According to Dickson (1966); there are 23 supplier selection criteria, which should be considered while making decision for the supplier selection. After many other researches, multi-objective programming for the supplier selection was introduced by Weber and Ellaram (1993). Later, integrated Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Linear Programming (LP) approach was introduced by Ghodsypour and OBrien (1998), which supported in the decision making process of supplier selection. Besides these reseraches, there were empirical studies conducted for the supplier selection by Choi and Hartley (1996), Verma and Pullman (1998), Humphreys et al. (2001) and Tracey and Tan (2001). There were other models proposed which increases the total utility of a supplier (Ferhan Cebi and Demet Bayraktar, 2003). Some of the models were developed with small changes and improvements from the existing models such as, Timmerman (1986), introduced weighted-total method and Soukup (1987) improved Gregorys (1986) suppliers matrix approach, by introducing vendor performance matrix, which helps in evaluating the suppliers performance under different unexpected situations. Even though many of the models were developed, none of the models provided a systematic approach for measuring the quantitative and qualitative factors. In order to overcome these drawbacks Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), proposed by Saaty (1980) and Multi-Objective Programming (MOP) was used for supplier selection, among which AHP was common (Hokey Min, 1994). AHP is one of the commonly used methods for the supplier selection since the early 1990s. This method enables the decision maker to rate each potential suppliers on the basis of equally weighted criterias and factors, the rating will be given according to the importance of the decision and the decision maker will choose the supplier scored the highest score with their over all performance. AHP is designed in way that it can handle both tangible and intangible criterias. Even though this method is easy and simple to use, there is a chance for an error in the subjective decision made by the decision maker and also can equally weight the criterias which simplifies the selection scenario, it also cannot consider the risk and uncertainty factor for assessing the supplier performance (Strategic Supply Management). According to William Ho, Xiaowei Xu and Prasanta K. Dey (2009), after analysing seventy-eight supplier selection and evaluation articles, AHP-GP is considered as the most popular integrated approach and quality, delivery and cost, in this particular order, as the most popular criteria for selecting the supplier. In the integrated AHP-GP model, the AHP provides the we ightings for the alternative suppliers and these weightings are integrated with the Goal-Programming (GP) model in order to determine the perfect set of the suppliers. Even though there are many models developed, many of them are limited to the domestic supplier selection problems; many important factors for the international supplier selection are not considered (Hokey Min, 1994, Pg: 25). Benefits and Problems of Global sourcing: Global sourcing helps in yielding more rewards and at the same time there are some potential problems in practising global sourcing. It needs additional efforts when compared to internal sourcing, but can help in increasing profit. According to Herbig and OHara (1996), some of the disadvantages for the global sourcing includes, transportation cost, brokerage fee, difference in the currency exchange rate, political risk, etc. International logistics is also a problem, as it covers a larger distance area than domestic logistics. A longer distance creat es complexity and chances for the things to go wrong, like unexpected delays causing the flexibility of the inventory management. Cultural differences and government regulations are also considered as disadvantages of global sourcing. Cultural differences include the difference in the beliefs, values, languages, customs, manner, etc. The difference in the culture creates communication gaps and can effect the supplier evaluation and the relationship with the suppliers in the global sourcing. There are also many government regulations which should be faced by the buying firms, like tariffs, quotas and various kinds of trading bills, etc which are considered as one of the disadvantage for the global sourcing. (Jinsook Cho and Jikyeong Kang, 2000, Pg: 547). Apart from the cultural and language differences, there are chances for lower quality, infrastructural deficiencies, poor technology and equipments, etc (K.W. Platts and N. Song, 2010). The reasons for global sourcing can vary dep ending upon various industries and over time. There are many researches conducted in order to know about the reasons for global sourcing by various researchers like Monckza and Trent (1991); Gilibert (1998); Gregory (1999); Min and Galle (1991), etc. However, the main reasons for global sourcing are because of the cost reduction, quality and supplier availability. High quality with lower cost is what every customers want, cost for the products can be different in different countries, due to change in the labour cost , as the labour cost is comparatively less in developing countries than in developed countries (Zeng and Rossetti, 2004, pg: 786-792). According to Mol et al. (2005), global sourcing is a balance between the lower manufacturing cost in foreign countries and less transaction cost in the domestic countries. Quality of a product and service is nowadays a very important factor in the competitive business environment, which helps a firm to boost its competitiveness and produc t loyalty. There are high chances for obtaining the required level of quality for a product, through global sourcing. Availability is also one of the main reasons for global sourcing, if the desired product is not available in the domestic market, the domestic buyer relies on the foreign countries, from where the product is available(Jinsook Cho and Jikyeong Kang, 2000, Pg: 547). Some of the other benefits of global sourcing includes; better timelines, advanced technology and opportunity to select better suppliers. Apart from these benefits, the company can improve reputation and image, global competitiveness, better delivery time and expanded customer base, which helps the buying firm to sell their product to their foreign suppliers country, as the trading restrictions will be minimum between those particular countries (World Class Supply Management). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Global supply chain management is becoming the main issue of businesses" essay for you Create order