Samsung Electronics Company | Analysis

Samsung Electronics Company | Analysis Contents (Jump to) 1. Introduction 2. Samsungs Competitive Advantage 3. Samsungs Management Analysis SWOT Analysis of Samsung 4. Samsungs Corporate Strategy 4.1 The Eco Friendly Competitiveness 4.2 Mutual Development With Business Partners 4.3 Creative Culture 5. Samsungs Competitive Analysis 5.1 Competitive Analysis on Samsung 5.2 Innovations as the Essence of Sustainable Development 5.3 International Production Capabilities 6. Key Drivers for Future Growth 6.1 Samsung Key Drivers for Future Growth 6.2 Samsung Electronic 2011 Sustainability Plan 6.3 Samsung Electronics Sustainability Reports 2012 6.4 The Live Smart Product and Samsung Stakeholders 6.5 Samsung 9 Material Issues as Key Driver for Future Growth 7. Samsung Technology Planning Exhibit 1 1. INTRODUCTION Samsung Electronics Company began doing business in 1969 as a low-cost manufacturer of black and white televisions. In 1970, Samsung acquired a semiconductor business which would be a milestone that initiated the future for SEC. Entering the semiconductor industry would also be the beginning of the shift phase for SEC. In 1980, SEC showed the market its ability to mass production. SEC became a major supplier of commodity products (televisions, microwave ovens and VCRs) in massive quantities to well-known original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). For this reason, Samsung was able to easily transition into a major player in the electronic products and home appliances market (Quelch Harrington, 2008). SEC was mainly focused in manufacturing; therefore, its no surprise that the executives themselves were also focused on their manufacturing plants. Profits that SEC received were soon reinvested into Research Development, manufacturing, and supply chain activities. Unexpectedly, in 1997, a financial crisis hit the Asian market. Even though SECs sales were $16 billion, they still had a negative net profit. SEC executives exercised major restructuring efforts that resulted in the dismissal of 29,000 workers and the sale of billions in corporate assets. SEC was able to ride the Asian Financial Crisis and was able to reduce its debt dramatically to $4.6 billion, from $15 billion, over a 5 year period. Furthermore, SEC was able to increase its net margins from -3% to 13% (Quelch Harrington, 2008). In 2002, SEC posted net profits of $5.9 billion, on $44.6 billion in sales, and as a result in 2003 became the most widely held stock among all emerging market companies. Unlike other companies who chose to outsource their manufacturing process, SEC remained committed to its core competence, manufacturing (Quelch Harrington, 2008). During 1998-2003, SEC invested $19 billion into chip factories and $17 billion into manufacturing facilities for TFT-LCDs, which would be a major component for flat screen TVs and computer screens. Even though SEC was focused in the manufacturing process, it didnt make SEC a rigid company. To cope with supply-chain demands, the company remained flexible by building 12 manufacturing plants in China during 2003 and setting up RD facilities in India (Quelch Harrington, 2008). With 17,000 scientists, engineers and designers, SEC was able to create an endless amount of digital products. Due to its fast decision-making process and focus on a digital future, SEC was able to move a new product from the drawing board to its commercialization phase in only five months. This ability was almost 3 times faster than its competition (Quelch Harrington, 2008). 2. SAMSUNGS COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Competitive advantage  is defined as the strategic advantage one business entity has over its rival entities within its competitive industry. Achieving competitive advantage strengthens and positions a business better within the business environment. Samsung has always seeks out the opportunities for the company stay ahead of the competitors. In todays fast-paced competitive environment, Samsung face the need to be increasingly competitive and adaptive. Samsung strategic entrepreneurship as the means through which the company simultaneously exploits their current competitive advantages while exploring for future opportunities. Achieving a balance between exploration and exploitation consists of more than merely allocating resources evenly between the two processes. Exploration and exploitation are operationally, structurally, and culturally distinct processes. In order for Samsung to stay gain their competitive advantage; they have utilized their resources to maximize their output or end products. Resources such as human resources, money, machineries and materials are being strategized to stay ahead and be the leader the global market. The first advantage Samsung has created was by developing the human resources. The company acknowledged the need for the employees to work in conducive working environment. Samsung created a family-friend working environment, which allows the team members participate in the developing and improving ideas. Samsung even sponsored their employees for MBAs and PHDs program to develop and enhance their human resources skills. As a result of years of human capital investment, Samsung has a high concentration of skilled engineers and labour. The company are able to management the human resources and knowledge which will directly impacted Samsungs operation by producing a higher productivity and quality of the product s and services. The low cost strategy by Samsung allowed them to be very competitive in the global market. Samsungs ability to negotiate with supplier, gave them the advantage of cost raw material. Samsung won several awards every year since 1995 for their performance, quality and reliability of their products and services. Hence, this gave the advantage for them to negotiate with suppliers to supply them the raw material at the lowest cost possible or even at premium. Samsungs high adaptation cultural to new and fast changing market demand made them an aggressive market reader. As part of their competitive advantage strategy, Samsung setup a centralized research and development (RD) facilities. Most of their competitors have their RD facilities and productions facilities geographically scattered around the globe. The centralization gave them to opportunities to continuous explore and exploit greater products and invention for new technology, as well as innovation for existing technology. The Washington Post on 12 November 2012, in the article Apple vs. Samsung: battle of the Innovation Strategies, was number 4 in the 10 most innovative companies after Apple, Google and 3M. However Samsung was at the number 6 spot in the top 10 RD spender compared to Apple not on the top 20 list. For example, Samsung invested heavily on the new bendable screen technology for smart phone. They planned to launch the new product in 2013, where other competitors are still developing to commercialize the new technology Most of the innovation for the Samsung products shared the same core design. Samsung flexible product line able them to materialize those ideas to end products with minimal cost occurred. For every new invention and innovation, Samsung does not need to set up a new facility. The results, higher yield against the cost of the production. Lower cost of productions allowed Samsung to offer attractive and competitive price for the consumer. The relatively lower cost gives lots of rooms for the pricing strategy to work with. Centralization of the RD facilities and the production facilities, desire Samsung to maximize their resources and machinery. High adaptation to adjust the course of production, able Samsung to produce and broad market their five major products division of Semiconductor, digital technology, telecommunication, LCD and digital appliances. The results, production variety of product mix with lower cost to meet the customer demand. Offering the market with variety or multi product segment, gave Samsung the advantage to other competitors. Example, by providing the varieties of models and product features, Samsung are able to tab to a larger market segment compare to Apple or Nokia. Centralization of RD also gave Samsung the advantage to keep their intellectual property within their boundary and mass produce at the same time. Samsung is an aggressive market reader. They are the early adopters of new technology and innovation, while their competitors still in RD progress or even finding the market niche to commercialize the products. Samsung has an aggressive learning curve, which them an advantage and ability to read the market demand better than other competitors. As the result they are able to produce customized products to meet the customer demand. Samsung stable and strong financial portfolio, gave them the advantage to launch and adopt through aggressive marketing campaign and promotion. Positions themselves before any competitor does by identifying the customers need and demand to enhance their lifestyle. The information and data gathered, along with the close monitoring of the market trend, able Samsung to customize to customer need. Samsung have a large product portfolio, which cover broad market and at all level. Samsung has been in the market since the 60s and has been well established. Acknowledging and creating the competitive advantage ensure their dominant in the industries. The fact that they are in the top 5 in smart phone vendor and shipment for 3rd quarter 2012, with 31.3% market share, proofed that they are the major player in the industry. Continuous exploration and exploitation of market and technology through RD, allow Samsung to be a solution provider for human kind on their daily living. Samsung is a brand name that represents the qualities, technologies, lifestyles and benchmark in the industries. 3. SAMSUNGS MANAGEMENT ANALYSIS The management SWOT analysis covers four dimensions namely; the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. By going through a SWOT analysis, you become aware of the most important dimensions that have an impact on the operations of the company. Once a SWOT analysis has been jolted you can come with relevant strategies in order to succeed in the competitive environment. A good SWOT analysis can help the company and competitors place themselves in the market wisely. Therefore, here we look at the SWOT Analysis of Samsung to give you an idea of how the company is operating in the world. 3.1 (S)trengths Samsung has a wide product range, which allows them to grab ample market share from various markets. This allows Samsung to not only earn a high return but it also allows them to diversify their risk and failure. According to many magazines, Samsung holds a significant portion of the market share in nearly all its products. Samsung is a reputed name and many people are familiar with it around the world. It also has won many awards on its high quality products. It has the ability and resources to use the latest technology and offer new and exciting features frequently. It has won many awards due to its ability to make innovative, sleek and slim products. It has set up many production plants in low cost locations, thus they save on cost of production significantly. It also recently has attracted ample positive press, thus its reputation continues to grow and has a positive impact on the operations of the company. 3.2 (W)eaknesses Samsung never introduces a new design on its own; it always waits and sees to its competitors. Thus, it missed the first mover advantages. It does not charge high price for its products, therefore often people relate the low price to begin a supplier of low quality products. General perception supports that the higher the price, the higher the quality of products. Many Samsung products are not user friendly, therefore consumer often hesitate to switch to Samsung products even if the price and quality is exceptional. It does not focus on a specific niche; it offers its products to the mass market only. It does not create its own software therefore it often relies on other sources to complete the products. Samsung faces immense competition from new companies and online companies. High set up and operation cost for such a company. 3.3 (O)pportunities Samsung should make an active effort to offer unique products to customers, in order to grab more market share. It could start creating softwares for their hardware devices and reduce outsourcing. It could launch sub brands to the company, with new and improved strategies. It could open more stores to serve more customers. It could make an effort to launch creative products first, rather than after its competitors. Samsung should participate in product development and attract more customers. It should also consider participating in various events to attract attention. It could offer additional services to retain existing customers and attract new ones. Increase in the need for mobile phones, Samsung could exploit this need well. 3.4 (T)hreats Samsung has linked product lines, which means that if one product line fails due to its own reasons other product lines will also suffer. Samsung production is very scattered; it controls and operates different products while its competitors use their resources and effort on one segment only. Diversification takes a lot of effort and attention. It has set up production plants in low cost areas, which are subject to ample political and economic instability. These instabilities can have an impact overall company it the crisis gets unmanageable. It is facing threats from many other low cost companies. Various companies have realized the importance of advertising, therefore Samsung will be subject to a lot more competition as advertising creates and draws attention of consumers. Countries all over the world are experiencing a high cost due to high inflation rates in most locations. Many government legislations are now active against the innovative technology due to health and mental concerns. The above section clearly reveals the SWOT Analysis of Samsung. By going through the SWOT Analysis of Samsung you can understand and further evaluate the companys performance to your own advantages. However, the above SWOT Analysis of Samsung is limited to certain significant points only. Therefore, when evaluating a company it is best to search online for more SWOT Analysis of Samsung so that you have all the information you need to assess the company. 4. SAMSUNGS CORPORATE STRATEGY 4.1 The Eco Friendly competitiveness The company have shown high concern in develop Eco friendly products in order to reduce environmental impact. A wide range of activities were carrying out by Samsung to deliver an innovative eco friendly products to customers. These activities were guided by their focus on green management, products, workplaces and communities. Samsung green management policy was aim to boost development on greener environment through their business activities. 4.1.1 Eco Products In 2004, Samsung develop a system that manages products compliance with environmental criteria. It was named as Eco Design Assessment System. This system ensure Samsung products comply with environmental criteria such as resource efficiency and eco-friendly materials as what being stated in global environment regulation. (About Samsung 2012). The system than was being upgraded by introduces eco rating system to all developed products. This rating system will rate the product to three categories which are eco product, good eco- product or premium eco product. Recently, Samsung has set a goal to ensure that 100% of their products exceed good eco product by 2013. (About Samsung 2012). In addition, Samsung also believes that its product should have long lifecycles in order to meet environmental care requirement. Therefore, Samsung implemented a strategy that providing reasonable product warranty. Recently, Samsung also come out with innovations that extending the lifecycle of certain product type. Samsung introduce its innovative technology called smart evolution kit. This technology enables customers to simply upgrade television processor or software by plugging the business card size kit at the back of television. This technology encourage customer to upgrading rather than replacing. 4.1.2 Recycling Activity The next strategy take by Samsung is in respond of requirement of recycling laws that increasingly interested by government in Asia and America. Samsung electronics have develop a proper take back systems by collaborate with the government and related industry associations to develop an effective take back system by meeting the obligation. Samsung implement these activities by implement several voluntary take back programs for its product that at the end of their lifecycle. Among them are Samsung Recycle Direct which operates in USA, and India. This program enables people to drop off Samsung products at collection site or Samsung service centre. Samsung also offers take back service for mobile phone and portable products for consumer around the world Samsung also launched in (Samsung Take back And Recycling) STAR in 2005 to ensure proper recycling process. Under this program, all returned printer cartridge will recycle to something useable. The part that cannot be recycled will be disposed and treated in a safe way. (About Samsung,2012) 4.2 Mutual development with business partners Supplier relationship is crucial to any organization. Suppliers can directly impact the financial performance of an organization as they will influence product development cost, manufacturing schedules, inventory levels and timeliness of delivery goods or services. Samsung realize that its worthwhile to have investment focus on this relationship in order to be effective and efficient. 4.2.1 Strengthened relationship with supplier According to Olsen and Ellram (1997), the link between the characteristic between of the relationship such as trust and cooperation need for further research. In order to be a true global leader in industry, Samsung believe it business partners relationship is a key element. Samsung shared it growth with outstanding suppliers by expanded its support programs to become global companies. The support programs were involved in activities that provide training, technological supports and funds. The communication between Samsung and its supplier were being strengthened by listening to voice of their suppliers from a top management visit on a regular basis. Recently, Samsung also are in planning to put more sharing growth activity with their key suppliers such as free use of patented technologies, support for patent registration of new technology developed by supplier. 4.2.2 Corporate Social Responsibility In line with its strategy to support the local communities and its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Samsung have come out with the strategy to choose and evaluate their supplier by integrating CSR element in the criteria. CSR activities are growing rapidly in many international organizations. These CSR activities provide Samsung with important opportunities and competitive advantages. Samsung take innovative strategy by conducting annual supplier evaluation including CSR activities and achievement as part of its evaluation. This strategy is aim to give supplier incentives as their participation in CSR activities structure by Samsung to fulfill common code of conduct by Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalitions (EICC). The CSR evaluation criteria consist of 20 different areas including ban of child labor, occupational safety and health and environment management 4.3 Creative Culture Samsung realize that high employees participation in the company growth is essential in order to let them feel sense of dignity, pride and ownership of organizations vision. Samsung strategy to build creative organizational culture in strengthen the competencies of their employees are giving great positive impact on Samsung competitiveness. According to Keyton (2012), organizational culture is not a tangible thing, like an iceberg, it is less to be visual seen but imagined by sets of artifacts, value, and assumption that are designed, managed and exposed by organizational members and through their interactions. Samsung comply with this theory by actively promote creative organizational culture that allows their employees to pursue a healthy work life balance in a creative and challenging work environment. Samsung also are welcoming employees that with different background and facilities. 4.3.1 Diversity Samsung is committed to create work environment that support the diversity of the global market the serve. Every employee in this company regardless of gender, race, and or country of origin should be treating equally in give a voice. Diversity management strategy takes by Samsung is classify into two basic directions. First, it focuses on diversity for minorities which concern the issues on inequality. The strategy are undertakes in upgrade policy and systems to allow people with diverse traits to work creatively. Second, it focuses on diversity perception on all employees. The strategy is aims to foster creative organizational culture that respect diversity by changing the mindset and perception of all employees. These diversity strategies are being demonstrated by offering various programs for female and disabled employees. Female employees are being offered to various programs that supports their commitment to both work and home. It includes parental leave and in house child care facilities. Samsung also have implement separate recruitment program for disabled graduate and internship program for disable students. Samsung continuously support diversity for minors by improving facilities for disabled employees in order to build culture as an ideal workplace. 4.3.2 Talent based recruiting of software and design expert Future creator challenge is a talent based recruiting process designed to hire new employees in software engineering and design which two criteria creativity and expertise are the key factors. The recruitment process were not conventionally ask for written exam but let candidate to proof their talents by submitting application as evidence to their resume or certificate. Selected applicants will undergo interview sessions to test their technical ability and evaluation on their ideas and solution. (Samsung Electronic Sustainability Report 2012) 5. SAMSUNGS COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS 5.1 Competitive analysis on Samsung A competitive advantage is an advantage gain over competitor by offering customers greater values either through extra benefit, value added criteria or price factors. Competitive advantage is essential for a company like Samsung in order to be sustainable and successful over the long term. The sustainability of Samsung today is the result from the effort has been taken to some key elements of their remarkable triumph. 5.2 Innovations as the essence of sustainable development Samsungs sustainable development is backed by innovation to several forces that become key success for Samsung. The innovation take by Samsung to overall business operation are addressing key issues surrounding quality and cost. Samsung strictly focuses in these issues by undergo innovation process to get lower manufacturing costs, high profits and reach the market swiftly. In this section well look on the factors that encourage innovation in Samsung business operation that at the eventually will lead to competitive advantage. 5.2.1 Effective RD system Samsung electronics have developed an effective RD system at headquarters and product divisions. The engineers will work on long term project or multiple division projects at corporate RD lab. The lab used by them also is supported by Headquarter and Product division. In addition, Samsung also develop their RD centers in various locations. This can help RD team to identify or observe future trends and opportunity for their technology capabilities and key technologies. This capability is manage effectively by having extensive training system to develop leadership talent. Sophisticated mechanism and evaluation system also are being used to take calculated risk when exploring new markets. This action shows that Samsung are very careful when explore new product opportunity. The team also needs to develop contingency plans to prepare different scenario that might being happen. 5.2.2 Creative talent Samsung aware that innovation is the main source to being remain competitive in this industry. The only way to improve innovation performance is by employing managers that have right set of skills and always like to experiment and take the risks. This kind of leaders are important in directs the organization in creative work culture. The brave decision take by a leader can encourage new mindset and way of thinking to the subordinates. The awareness of need for innovation has made Samsung implement several actions to demonstrate their focus on it. In four years, Samsung have double up numbers of workers working on design, budget for design were increased by 20 -30 percent annually and more design centers were opened. (Strategic Direction, 2005) 5.3 International production capabilities Recently, Samsung are facing great competition in order to sustain in industry. The competitors have recovered Samsung competitiveness by investing in offshore production. Increased overseas productions are seems to be the key major component in their strategic response. In this section, well discuss on how international production capabilities perform by Samsung lead this company to be competitive in industry by reviewing some major action taken by them. 5.3.1 Expansion of offshore production Starting in 1970s, Samsung have started to look over international linkage to acquire product designs and marketing outlet and focus on its mass production capability. In 1990s, Samsung have shown rapid expansion of offshore production as their major strategy. The strategies followed by improvement of RD capabilities to remain they are still competitive in rapidly changing environment. International production capabilities are important for Samsung in order to reap cost competitiveness by utilizing the low cost resources available in South East Asia. Youngsoo Kim (1998) claimed that Samsung implement this strategy by establishing Singapore based purchasing office in 1991 to speed up the internationalization of production. This key intermediary is aggressively played its role in purchasing and distributes huge amounts of component and its affiliates. Since 1990s, Samsung productions plants in Asia were in several countries ranging from end products to components including China, Vietnam, Malaysia and India. The presence of Samsungs production in Asia was increasingly determining its secure position in the industry by having good connection between production capabilities and marketing objectives. 5.3.2 Well trained employees in Asian affiliates Samsung have to make sure their offshore production sites are producing products that follow the specification decided by them. This is important in order to make Samsung are able to reap cost competitiveness by producing in low cost resource country. Samsung assure this condition by trained the employees in its Asian affiliates or sending Korean trainers to the affiliate. In 1990, technicians from refrigerator plant in Indonesia were sent to South Korea for conducting a training session for 3 months. One third of Samsung Microwave plant in Malaysia was also being trained in Korea. These actions have benefits Samsung when the ratio of component sourced from nearby regional suppliers had risen above 50 percent. (SMM, September 1993) 6. KEY DRIVERS FOR FUTURE GROWTH 6.1 Samsung Key drivers for future growth The involvement of Samsung in electronic and mobile market needs them to survive within the industries for the next 20 years. In the other it means that Samsung have to set their key drivers that can allow them archive as well as a benchmark for the future growth. This key driver also is based on Samsung achievements and capabilities that they have now and then to continue with adding some more new keys to guide them to realize their vision and mission. The keys driver for Samsung future growth is also known as their sustainability in present towards the future. Focusing on Samsung Electronics, Samsung sustainability showed that their performance in surviving the industries and can be also as a benchmark to survive in the future. According to Nidomulu and Prahalad (2009) company that make sustainability a goal will achieve competitive advantage in the future , that mean rethinking business models as well as technologies, products and processes. In 2010, Samsung sustainability perform ance and plan focusing on talent management, integrity management, green management, social contribution, partners collaboration and products/services. For 2011 they set 9 material issues as a guidance to sustainability in future growth; (1) Creative Organizational Culture (2) Employee Health and Safety (3) Integrity Management (4) Increasing Social Contribution (5) Patent (6) Climate Change and Energy (7) Water Management (8) Mutual Growth (9) Supplier CSR(Corporate Social Responsibilities) based on Samsung Electronics Sustainability Report 2012. 6.2 Samsung Electronic 2011 Sustainability Plan For Talent Management plan in 2011, Samsung plan to, introduce telecommuting/ work at home scheme for married employees, increase percentage of female executive, set up idea proposal system at oversea research centers and hire new recruits with disabilities. Samsung plan on Integrity Management was to improve compliance program also related activities, declare compliance management and signing of the compliance agreement by employees. Instead of talent and integrity management Samsung also focus on Green Management plan which the plan to set 96% ratio of Eco-product development, set long/mid-term targets for water management, build a global environmental management system and support for outside country partners environment management system. In developing Social Contribution Samsung plan to introduce new regional social contribution based on global guidelines (Samsung Hope for Children) and to create tools in assessing impact of social contribution programs. Samsung needs a supporti ve partner in o

Diversity of individuals with dementia and the importance of inclusion Essay

1.1- explain what is meant by the terms †¢ diversity The Service Users i deliver care to are all different in many ways.This can be along the dimensions of gender, age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, physical abilities, political beliefs, religious beliefs or other ideologies. This means that i have to be aware of a person’s individuality and respect their choices. To be understanding and not show prejudice. Valuing the benefits of someone being different from ourselves, not making assumptions. †¢ anti-discriminatory practice Anti discriminatory practice is the measure that is taken to prevent any type of discrimination that is based on race, disability, gender and class where it also takes into account how people behave towards others in society. Service users should not be treated any differently because of the way they live their lives, they should be treated equally. Promoting procedures and systems to make sure that discrimination does not happen. Making sure individuals aren’t excluded. †¢ anti-oppressive practice see more:describe how agreed ways of working relate to the rights of an individual with dementia Anti-oppressive practise is challenging all forms of discrimination e.g. racism, ageism. Challenging inequality and speaking out when someones behaviour is unacceptable. Encouraging service users to report incidents. Being assertive. Using person centred approach. Valuing individuals. Anti-oppressive practice is an attempt within social work to acknowledge oppression in societies, economies, cultures, and groups, and to remove or negate the influence of that oppression. (http://uk.ask.com/wiki/Anti-oppressive_practice?lang=en) 1.2- explain why it is important to recognise and respect an individual’s heritage It is important to recognise and respect an individual’s heritage as their heritage is their past life history , it can tell us a lot about the individual, especially if their lacking in communication skills and  cannot tell us themselves. If we know more about the history of a person with dementia, we can learn their likes and dislikes. We get to know what makes them happy or what makes them sad and then we can deliver the best care possible. It shows that we respect the individuals culture, language, religion which enables the service user to be themselves. It would help the service user to feel valued, and prevent isolation and withdrawal from other people. It would benefit us to build a rappour with the service user, enabling them to form relationships with others 1.3- describe why an individual with dementia may be subjected to discrimination and oppression People with dementia face discrimination for a number of reasons. Because most people with dementia are over the age of 65, they can also face issues of age discrimination. People with dementia are also more at risk of discrimination as they do not have the capacity to make their own decisions on a day to day basis so other people with a lack of understanding towards people living with dementia may make poor decisions for them, and think that because they don’t have capacity that they don’t matter as much. If approached by somebody who doesnt understand the illness, they are more likely to avoid that person with dementia as they dont know how to approach the situation, this could lead to social isolation. May be because they have displayed challenging behaviour and they do not conform to the norms of behaviour,they then may not be included in activities. 1.4- describe how discrimination and oppressive practice can be challenged To challenge discrimination i think we need to be educated about dementia, how it affects the person and there families and how to care for the person in a way that meets there needs.We are all individuals and everyone has their own unique character and personality, which are developed through the different life experiences, cultures and beliefs we follow. It is also through other factors such as social class, age, ethnicity, culture, background and gender. It is important and essential to treat different people as individuals and to try and meet their needs rather than stereotyping people. E.g. all old people are the same. Treating everyone the same is failing to respect diversity. We all want to be treated with dignity and it is a very important part of an individual’s life. Working in the health and social care profession it is important to help people maintain  their dignity so they can keep their sense of self-respect and self-worth. All health and social care professionals should be sensitive and aware of the needs of people and service users. Just because a person has dementia, they still need to be given a choice and not assume that they cannot make a choice. Not everybody is the same, there are different levels of dementia, so getting to know the service user is vital to challenge discrimination. We also need to make sure that the service user or their families are aware of the complaints procedure. Having policies and procedures are put in place and that staff are up to date on their training. Understand that each individual’s experience of dementia is unique 2.1- explain why it is important to identify an individual’s specific and unique needs It is important to identify individual’s specific and unique needs so that they can receive the best care possible. Taking a person centred approach is vital, treating a service user as an individual person and acknowledge that they have different needs to the next person. For example i have a Service User DR who has a grade 3 bedsore. DR is bed bound, it has been identified that DR needs to be turned regularly so that his bedsore can heal affectively, he requires 5 calls a day to make this possible. This is so important to his health. If this hadn’t been identified than DR’s bedsore could get worse, he could be in a lot of pain and discomfort. 2.2- compare the experience of dementia for an individual who has acquired it as an older person with the experience of an individual who has acquired it as a younger person Dementia is more common in people over the age of 65, therefore there are more services provided, such as day care, i recently worked a couple of days in a day centre, all the service users were over 65, we played bingo, dominoes and listened to old war time songs, they got involved and really enjoyed the time they spent there. All these activities are centred around the service users being older. If a younger person under the age of 65 with dementia was to attend this day centre, they may not be able to relate or enjoy these activities as much. I don’t think there are as many serviced available to the young living with dementia. Most of my service users are over 65. I did have one service user AK that was only 46. She was very independent and could still manage day to day living; she often went out and was very active. She conversated very well and was aware of her illness which is a rarity. But there was no other service available for her,  no where that she could meet other young people with dementia. She didn’t have much family, she had a sister who also had dementia, and young nieces and nephews, so they were unable to provide any care or support. This differs from someone older with dementia, if they have children they are normally older, have more time if they have retired, less financial commitments ie. Mortgage paid off. So they have a bigger support network. They also may have have less financial ties if they are older. If a younger person is diagnosed with dementia, they may still have a mortgage to pay for this would be very stressful if the individual had to give up work, they don’t have a pension, or a regular income that they can rely on to pay for care. 2.3- describe how the experience of an individual’s dementia may impact on carers Many carers report personal satisfaction from their caring role. However unpaid caring can have a considerable impact on a carer’s health and wellbeing. Depression, emotional and physical exhaustion and general poor health are common. The Princess Royal Trust for Carers (2011) found that: Two thirds of older carers have long term health problems or a disability themselves One third of older carers reported having cancelled treatment or an operation they needed due to their caring responsibilities Half of all older carers reported that their physical health had got worse in the last year More than 4 out of 10 older carers said that their mental health had deteriorated over the last year. Caring can be an emotionally draining experience. Carers have to come to terms with irreversible and upsetting changes in their relationships, such as a child now caring for a parent. Caring can also be very lonely. Many carers report being cut off from their former social circles which brings feelings of isolation and depression. Two thirds of all people wi th dementia live in their own homes. Unpaid carers provide most of their support. One study found that half of all people with dementia in the community received at least 35 hours of informal care per week (Murray et al, 1999). Many carers of people with dementia are older people themselves, with physical frailty and health conditions of their own. Changes in memory, thinking and feeling mean a person with dementia finds it increasingly difficult to cope with everyday life. Carers are needed to provide emotional support, reassurance and help with a range of tasks, such as bathing and dressing. Sleep disturbances are common in dementia and mean that caring is a 24 hour job  for many carers. Carers of people with dementia may also take on many of the tasks the person with dementia used to do, such as paying the bills or cooking meals. Because dementia is a progressive condition, carers find they are required to provide increasingly intensive support as time progresses. Research shows that carers of people with dementia experience greater strain and distress than carers of other older people (Moise, Schwarzinger and Um 2004). 52% of carers for people with dementia are not getting sufficient support to enable them to carry out their caring role.

Branches of the Criminal Justice

The system of courts, corrections and law enforcement in the criminal justice is directly involved in the supervision, incarceration, sentencing, defense, prosecution, and apprehension of those charged with or suspected of criminal offenses. Law enforcement agencies, in one hand, are governmental agencies or subunits thereof having legal authority to arrest and to carry out crime reduction and control (National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, 2004). For the majority of the time, however, their work is composed of three principal functions which include law enforcement, service and order maintenance.On the contrary, justice is one of the primary aspects of law enforcement; hence the courts are as well of major significance in criminal justice since it encourages freedom and justice, in addition to law and order. Basically, the courts function as the location where justice is governed and disputes are resolved (Answers. com, 2009). From the court system and following the findin gs of guilt, individuals are then turned over to the correctional authorities.The corrections will then administer the sanctions conferred by the court against convicted criminals (Osceola County Clerk of Circuit Court’s Office, 2000). Taken as a whole, the criminal justice system is a fundamental component in the maintenance of social control and order. Efficiency, Conflict and Abuse of Power The criminal justice in general is used by local and national governments, in order to uphold social authority, control, crime deterrence, and to appropriately penalize those who violated the laws.However, there are large numbers of existing specific agencies that carry out the tasks of the criminal justice; each of which has its own extensive functions to act upon. The courts, for instance, despite of their various levels, divisions and specializations, are still experiencing difficulty from the incessant clogging of their court dockets due to the large number of cases that are brought to them everyday. Clearly, the efficiency of services will not be delivered if the branches of criminal justice system are merged, without suffering fairness, impartiality, and social control and administration.Likewise, criminal justice system has several components, and in their functioning, each of which has several stages of process. As such, performance of functions will likely cause conflict if all the branches are merged into one agency. For instance, due to the law enforcement officers’ field experiences and orientations, their perspective of what is culpable may be different from that of the judges’, which possesses more subtle legal qualities than any other individuals in any of the other two branches.Consequently, divergences of standpoints will then arise resulting to constant conflicts. Lastly, the possibility of abuse of power would be more evident if the three branches of the criminal justice system are merged into one single agency that execute the fun ctions of all three. This is because the respective attributes of each branch are different. The law enforcement officers’ task is to basically bring lawbreakers to the criminal justice system (EduDecisions. com, 2009). As such, their duties and responsibilities primarily involve executive function.For a fair trial, law enforcement officers bring the lawbreakers to the courts, and obviously, judicial functions are then performed. However, there would be no fair trial if one agency performs both executive and judicial functions. All the more if the same agency will hand out and administer the offenders’ rehabilitation. These circumstances are clearly vulnerable to abuse in view of the fact that it concentrates broad and significant powers into one agency. Conclusion A criminal justice system that is independent, fair, honest and effective is one of the most indispensable institutions of America.Accordingly, despite the modernization of times, the continued division betw een the law enforcement, courts and corrections is still very necessary. Although the three branches must still cooperate with each other in order to provide justice for victims, criminals and the society; nevertheless, the system still needs to be structurally based in order to maintain effective social control, efficiency, impartiality, goal organization and accountability. References Answers. com. (2009). Criminal Justice. Retrieved March 9, 2009, from http://www. answers. com/topic/criminal-justice#CourtsEduDecisions. com. (2009, March 2). The United States Criminal Justice System. Retrieved March 9, 2009, from http://www. edudecisions. com/articles/criminal-justice-careers/criminal-justice-system. php National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. (2004, March 17). Adding a Name to the Memorial. Retrieved March 9, 2009, from http://www. nleomf. com/TheMemorial/addname. htm Osceola County Clerk of Circuit Court’s Office. (2000). A Criminal Justice System Overview. Retri eved March 10, 2009, from http://www. osceolaclerk. com/criminal_justice_system_overview. htm

Hand Over Hand Prompting in Special Education

Prompting is an important tool in teaching children with disabilities, especially those whose disabilities significantly affect their ability to learn functional or life skills. The goal of this technique is to provide instruction and support when a student is learning a new skill by encouraging them through the steps. Prompting is used often in general education classrooms but manifests itself very differently and serves different purposes in a special education setting. Prompting children with disabilities may require employing either invasive and physical cues or less invasive, nonphysical cues. Prompting helps foster independence in students with disabilities as they become able to perform more tasks for themselves. The appropriate direction depends on the scenario and the child, so be sure to always consider individual needs and think about your relationship with the child when deciding on the best choice. The most common method of physical prompting is the hand over hand technique. What Is Hand Over Hand Prompting? Hand over hand prompting is the most invasive of all prompting strategies as it requires a teacher to physically manipulate a childs body. Also known as full physical prompting, it often involves performing an activity with a student. To use this cueing system, the person teaching a skill places their hand over a students hand and directs the childs hand with their own. Hand over hand prompting can teach a child how to perform important skills such as properly using a pair of scissors, tying their shoes, or writing their name. Example of Hand Over Hand Prompting Emily, a 6-year-old with multiple disabilities, requires a very high level of support when learning gross and fine motor skills. In an example of effective hand over hand facilitation, her aide, Ms. Ramona, places her hand over Emilys as Emily learns to brush her teeth. Ms. Ramona shapes Emilys hand into a proper brush grip and guides her students hand through the back and forth brushing motion while holding it in her own. Considerations When Using This Technique Hand over hand prompting should be used sparingly and is not be used exclusively (in most cases—consult a students IEP to identify necessary adaptations). Less invasive teaching techniques tend to be most appropriate long-term. For this reason, full physical prompting is best-suited for initial instruction and should be phased out as a new skill is acquired. Visual, written, and other nonphysical prompts should eventually be used in place of hand over hand prompting and multiple types of prompting can be joined together at once to make this transition more fluid. Examples of Phasing Out Hand Over Hand Prompting A teacher and student use a pair of scissors together for the first few times the child performs the action. Once the student understands what they are expected to do, the teacher begins to present visual cue cards as they execute the action together and use their hand over the childs hand for less time. Soon, the child will be able to demonstrate the desired behavior using only the cue cards as a reminder. To replace full hand enclosure when teaching a child to brush their teeth, a teacher can tap a finger on the back of a childs hand to remind them of the grip formation. With enough practice, the student can brush their teeth independently upon verbal direction. Other examples of nonphysical prompting that can be integrated into a childs routines in order to phase out hand over hand prompting are verbal direction, modeling, photographs or cue cards, hand gestures, and written cues.