How To Resist Peer Pressure - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1192 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/05/29 Category Society Essay Tags: Peer Pressure Essay Did you like this example? At some point in oners life, one is exposed to some form of peer pressure. Undoubtedly, most teenagers have moments where they do things to try to be cool and fit in with the popular kids. The pressure that is felt is very overwhelming and can cause them act in ways that they would normally not act. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "How To Resist Peer Pressure" essay for you Create order For example, in the essay, White Lies by Erin Murphy in Models for Writers, an albino girl is bullied in school. She felt like she had to lie to her peers in order to be liked by them. Teens now are exposed to many harmful outlets that can have negative effects on their lives. The pressure to conform is very prominent among adolescents especially, but it is not limited to only teenagers. There are so many different reasons people are exposed to peer pressure, and it is fairly common in most school environments. Peer pressure has negative effects on the lives involved because it could cause a person to engage in dangerous activities, can cause decreased academic performance, and leads people to have negative opinions on themselves and things they enjoy. Peer pressure could cause a person to engage in dangerous activities. The pressure to fit in and be liked can be as simple as a friend telling another friend to try this alcohol. Some people are able remove themselves from the situation if they do not want to engage in the drinking, while other people feel like they have to say yes in order to be liked. Another example of this pressure is seeing a close friend engage in something dangerous and feeling an internal pressure that would cause one to want to engage in that same activity. According to an article entitled, Tight-Knit Teammates May Conform to Each Otherrs Behavior, it talks about the peer pressure that is not directly stated. In a study with NCAA athletes, researchers found that the more closely a player identified as being a part of their team, the more likely they were to conform to their teammates behavior. This was true for both risky and positive behaviors. (Teammates May Conform to Each Otherrs Behavior). This illustra tes the internal pressure that is felt when one is close with their friends or teammates. They feel like they should do the same thing because their teammate or friend did it. There are some situations in which the need to conform can have a positive outcome, but there are a lot more situations that can produce negative results. Secondly, peer pressure can cause decreased academic performance. This is fairly common in middle school and high school students because they are in a different environment, there is a lot more social pressure to make new friends, fit in and be liked by them. In an article talking about academics and peer pressure, Lowry writes, These parents may not have the credentials of the esteemed researchers, but they see the focus on academic achievement shift as social pressures to fit in as class clown or social butterfly are embraced. The students academic achievement was decreasing because they felt the need to neglect their academics in order to be accepted by peers or friends. This change normally occurs during the transition from elementary school to middle school or high school. A lot of kids feel like they have to be the most popular student in school and have the most friends. The important thing for school is to focus on the education and having an overall memorable experience. W ith friends, learning that quality over quantity is very significant. A person could have 30 friends that do not talk very often versus a person having three or four really important friends that talk quite often and help each other. Making and having friends is an important part of being in school, but it should not shift the focus away from the academics. Peer pressure can also lead a person to have negative opinions on themselves and certain things they used to enjoy. In the essay, White Lies, from Models for Writers, an albino girl named Connie is bullied by students in her school. She develops a very negative opinion on herself because people were bullying her for something that she had no control over. So, after being bullied quite a bit, Connie told her peers that her father got a new job working for a candy company and that she could get candy for them. She started taking orders from kids and they began to stop teasing her. The other Lebanese girl who was in the same class thought she saw Connie and her mother at 7-Eleven buying all the candy for the kids in her class. (Murphy 210-211). In this situation, Connie was experiencing a lot of bullying and probably felt so awful after being called horrible names, so she made up a lie to get the kids in her class to like her. Preschoolers also experience a small form of peer pressure. After they begin interacting with other children, preschoolers are conforming their ideas and feelings about certain things. They are altering their feelings on foods that they had previously enjoyed eating, after hearing one of their peers say that food is gross. (Lowry). Peer pressure is very widespread and is even evident in preschoolers, who are only between the ages of three and five years old. When a person hears someone talk badly about a certain thing they enjoy, it makes them feel bad about liking it so they sometimes will change their opinion on it. With the example about preschoolers and food, it may not be as prominent but the child most likely felt bad about liking that food so they changed their opinion to be more like their peer. New research is indicating that peer pressure has some form of a positive side to it. As far as the research goes, I agree that there can be some form of positivity that could come from peer pressure. For example, a friend could help motivate another friend to improve their grades or do something positive. The research was done by a Psychologist named Laurence Steinberg. He had participants playing a computerized card game in room by themselves and separately with people their age in the room. He basically found that teenagers learn faster and efficiently when they are in the company of their peers or people their own age. (Paul). Personally, I believe that there is a larger amount of negative aspects in terms of peer pressure. The research is interesting and there is something to be learned from it, but the constant pressure and need for individuals to conform is at large. So many kids feel like they have to conform in order to fit in with the popular crowd. I think we need to do a better job in explaining that one does not have to conform and do things that one would not normally do to fit in with a certain group of people. If a group of people is going to put an individual at risk then there is no reason to try and be friends with them.

The Issue Of Adolescent Homosexuality - 2435 Words

In today’s society, it is very difficult for some teenagers to be who they truly are because of the risk of being ostracized and isolated by their peers. There are certain pressures and prejudices imposed by a predominately heterosexual society on homosexuals, and especially on homosexual teens, that can cause teenagers to suppress their preferences. These stereotypes can influence if a teen is willing to openly reveal their sexual identity and because society has become so absent- minded to the mannerisms commonly used to describe homosexuals such as queer, fag, and dyke and the offensive nature of these words/phrases, this project will help assist with opening the minds of my peers to help eliminate biases, stereotypes, and prejudices associated with being gay. There are several reasons why adolescent homosexuality needs to be addressed not only in schools but in the country as well. First of all, suicide rates among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students have incre ased over the years, bringing the total to up to 30 percent (the estimated 5,000) completed youth suicides annually, according to the CDC. Secondly, bullying in America continues to be a problem not only among youth but among adults as well. Finally, students need to be more open-minded about the sexuality of their peers and that sexuality extend further than a typical high school. I chose project because I have both family and friends who are homosexual and I find itShow MoreRelatedAcceptance of Homosexuality Essay995 Words   |  4 PagesAcceptance of Homosexuality Introduction Homosexuality, unlike many other psychological issues, is not associated with starting at birth. For the most part, it is an issue dealt with mostly by adolescence and adults. That is not to say that it does not become an issue sooner, it is just to say that it most commonly occurs later in life. 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Due to discrimination lesbians and bisexuals are more likely to be at risk for mental disorders compared to heterosexuals (Cochran and Mays 2003). Mental health issues are not only seen in the adult LGBT community but in the youth LGBT. Studies suggest that mental health disparities can exist during adolescence (Mustanski et al. 2010). The purpose of this review is to show that the LGBT community is at higherRead MoreGay Culture As My Study Intercultural Communication1693 Words   |  7 Pagesexecuted – because of who they choose to love, their appearance, or who they are. Our sexual orientation and gender identity are fundamental characteristics of ourselves, and that should never be factors for suffering from abuse or discrimination. Homosexuality is all over the world; coincidentally, so is the inequality and discrimination. According to the, International Lesbian and Gay Association, 75 countries still incriminate same-sexual acts between consenting adults, which is dropped from 92 countriesRead MoreCommon Sense Explanations And The Explanations Of C. Wright Mills Theory Of The Sociological Imagination1534 Words   |  7 PagesMills (1959) is based on the ideas of thinking critically and skeptically, in order to think sociologically. He wrote that in order to do this, we have to understand and grasp the link between current society and history, personal troubles and public issues. There are three main parts to Sociological Imagination: social structure, biography and history. In this essay I will set forth the ways in which each of these approaches would explain the topic of sexuality. I consider sexuality to be an umbrellaRead MoreBeing A Homosexual Male Or Female?940 Words   |  4 PagesAs adolescents try to understand and figure out their true self, they are subject to a lot of hate and ridicule. 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The September 14, 1992, issue of Newsweek published a poll revealing that most Americans still regard homosexuality as unacceptableRead MoreThe Public View On Homosexuality937 Words   |  4 PagesHomosexuality has been in the media as being something negative because it strays from the norm and makes people feel uneasy, but the media is forever changing. The public view on homosexuality is changing for the better due to the Supreme Court’s Ruling on the legalization of same-same marriage. As a result from this, adolescents feel like there is now an environment that is ready and willing to accept the LGBT community as a whole and help individuals nourish the idea of self-acceptance. More andRead MoreHomosexualiy and the Catholic Church Essay1568 Words   |  7 PagesFor us in Scotland homosexuality is one of the most prominent issues in Church and society today. Gay-rights advocates and activists are pushing a strong political agenda from the left#8212;job benefits for dome stic partners, civil recognition for gay marriages, the right to bear ones own children via reproductive technologies, equal access to adoption, anti-discrimination statutes. At the same time, the government has changed legislation regarding the teaching about homosexuality in Schools. SirRead MoreHuman Sexuality And Sexual Orientation1544 Words   |  7 Pagessexual orientation. In cultures and societies today, as well as in the past, there is usually an emphasis on a specific orientation as a norm, and typically heterosexuality is perceived as such. This in turn generates a wide range of reaction to homosexuality, from its being seen as â€Å"unnatural† in moral terms, to ideas of it as threatening the stability of a culture. In recent years, however, new perspectives are emerging which strongly support that sexual orientation is by no means so easily defined

ELIS and IP Models of Information Seeking Free Essays

string(119) " factor in information seeking behavior, confirmed by the results of studies done on blue collar workers and teachers\." Library and information science has changed greatly since the 1970s with current research focusing more on how ordinary people behave in everyday life when seeking information (Savolainen, 1995) rather than studying the habits of professionals such as those in the legal, medical and engineering professions. With this shift in focus, new models were required to explain information seeking characteristics based on the innate differences between these two groups. One of the resulting models with great influence in the field of information science, based on its numerous citations, is the Everyday Life Information Seeking (ELIS) paradigm first introduced by Reijo Savolainen (1995). We will write a custom essay sample on ELIS and IP Models of Information Seeking or any similar topic only for you Order Now Nearly ten years later, Pamela McKenzie (2003) created a second, differing model of information seeking referred to as Information Practices (IP) using peoples’ everyday behavior as a basis. While both models are effective in their portrayal of how an individual seeks information in everyday life, ELIS and IP put a different degree of focus on stressing differing degrees of emphasis on the functions of human personality, context, and problem solving practices to explain an individual’s information seeking practices. Before comparing their similarities and contrasting their differences a brief explanation of each method and its assumptions, main concepts, the context in which they are used and can serve as real-life practice in information science will be examined. Everyday Life Information Seeking (ELIS) The ELIS model is based on the assumption that individuals have their own preference for which sources they are comfortable using and the socially conditioned patterns by which they behave. Central to the model is the concept that way of life, as defined by Savolainen, means â€Å"the order of things† (Savolainen, 1995) such as the division between one’s work and leisure time, consumption of goods and services and leisure activities. Human beings give preference to certain practices over others in going about their daily lives. This definition comes from Bourdieu’s (1984) idea of habitus, or a system of thought that is determined by social and cultural factors as well as characteristic evaluation and perception, which are individually internalized. If a person does not maintain his preferences, or â€Å"mastery of life† according to the ELIS model, his life will become disordered. When a problem out of the ordinary occurs which needs to be solved, his mastery of life will take over so as to actively seek information which is considered effective and practical to solve it. This same process occurs when an individual is seeking information. According to Savolainen, there are four types of life mastery used in the ELIS model which include optimistic-cognitive, pessimistic-cognitive, defensive-affective, and pessimistic-affective. All types exist in concert with a positive outlook from optimistic thinking on one end of the spectrum while a negative outlook as the result of dictating emotions takes place on the opposite end. An individual’s way of life directs how he will seek out information and also the converse is true: that information seeking will determine mastery of life when used in context. Components that influence context include such things as personal values and attitude, social networking, material assets, cultural and cognitive influences, as well as the individual’s current situation in life. In addition to this mastery of life typology, Savolainen (1995) states that these components have influence over how an individual will seek to solve problems. Two types of information are defined in the ELIS model. Passive monitoring of events such as news and weather reports from printed media which give an individual information regarding his everyday life is considered â€Å"orienting information†. Such everyday data is represented in the â€Å"project of life† box in the ELIS model. On the other hand, â€Å"practical information† seeking serves the purpose of finding a solution for a specific problem that interrupts an individual’s ordinary life. A personal approach to mastery of life is used to seek either orienting or passive information. Savolainen (1995) takes a leap in explaining certain aspects of mastery of life. His research assumes that all humans share an innate desire to achieve this mastery of life and that when problems occur they will naturally seek information to solve the issue. The fourth type of mastery of life, pessimistic-affective or, more literally, â€Å"learned helplessness† is described with the caveat that systematic information could play a part in the information seeking behavior, characterized by the use of emotional responses and lack of judgment, in certain individuals. Perhaps this is another type of mastery of life in and of itself. Another assumption made by Savolainen (1995) in his ELIS model is that there are only two simple divisions of an individual’s life; he is either at work or at play. There are several other categories that could be used such as those who are unemployed, those who job seeking, and those who do seasonal work (who would enjoy a huge proportion of leisure time). Therefore, in these cases, his assumptions based on a person’s division of work and leisure become moot. Savolainen (1995) admits to identifying a couple more assumptions that might interfere with his research. One is the importance of way of life as being a significant factor in information seeking behavior, confirmed by the results of studies done on blue collar workers and teachers. You read "ELIS and IP Models of Information Seeking" in category "Essay examples" He also made a point to recognize that he assumed mastery of life style plays a key role in a person’s response to problems and also when they are seeking information but evidence suggests that mastery of life by itself does not always dictate behavior. Research was performed by Savolainen in Finland using a sample of the middle class and working class populace and conducting themed interviews. Eleven industrial workers and the same amount of teachers were questioned regarding their methods of seeking orienting information from the media for their everyday life needs. The subjects were asked to relate a recent problem and how they went about solving it with the results analyzed and assessed for their relevance to the ELIS model. Savolainen (1995) hypothesized that social class would be a determining factor in information seeking but found instead that this only creates an outline on which to base their way of life. Information Practices McKenzie’s (2003) more recent IP model is quite different in its approach.   Similar to Savolainen’s ELIS model, the theory behind IP encompasses a variety of components. McKenzie first came up with the ideas behind IP when observing the information seeking practices of women expecting twins. Responding to Erdelez’s 1999 (from McKenzie, 2003) challenge for â€Å"more holistic and detailed tools† to use when modeling information seekers’ behavior, McKenzie (2003) sought a more current overview of information seeking in everyday life by non-professionals as well as acknowledging that individuals often use â€Å"non-active† practices when encountering information. This led to her theory which would ultimately uncover the various ways people behave, and interact, when armed with new information. McKenzie (2003) claims there is a flexibility often used when seeking information and that the process is not totally linear. McKenzie’s IP model assumes four modes of information practice with two phases encountered within each. The individual uses flexibility and complexity and these traits are incorporated in each mode and phase. The four modes are active seeking, active scanning, non-directed monitoring and proxy. The first type of seeking identifies a source while the second is only semi-directed combined with observation. Non-directed refers to encounters with information that was not formerly expected while seeking by proxy is defined as using an intermediary source to get to the end result. At least one of these modes is used by individuals who then interact to the information with varying behavior. A breakdown in communication or a barrier to the proper connection can occur during information seeking in any of these manners. There are additional ways for an individual to connect with a source of information as well as interact with the information itself. Active seeking occurs during searches when supplemental data is uncovered, usually in response to an acute need, which was not part of the seeker’s original intent. This then redirects him to other possibilities and new information. Connection with this information gives an individual cause to interact with it by using a list of pre-formed questions or topics previously considered. By being positioned in a space where information can be shared or one can be exposed to information via electronic sources, a connection is made through the process of active scanning. Listening as well as observing others and scanning the material at hand are several methods of interaction with the information. On the other hand, non-directed monitoring is more like an unexpected, unintentional encounter with useful information during the course of everyday life. Observation and listening in on conversations between other people are ways of interacting with the information. Lastly, connection by proxy is a result of using information sources such as friends who lay claim to certain information and act as intermediaries to this information or through an interpersonal referral system. Interaction in this mode occurs when the information given takes on the form of advice, diagnosis of a problem, or instructions. Along with the ELIS model, the IP model also makes several assumptions. The four modes of information seeking seem to be rather narrow. Avoidance may be considered an additional mode, as is the case when information comes to a person who may not desire to receive it, such as a traumatic medical diagnosis. The ways of interacting with information that McKenzie (2005) outlined in the IP model are limited in scope as well. Assuming an individual uses their own context during interactions with information as she suggests, then a wide variety of personalized traits and behavior should come into play. Consequently, there cannot be a limited number of types of interactions; they would be infinite. Certainly the fact that McKenzie (2005) performed her research on a restricted number of pregnant women might influence the results and her interpretation of them. The sample subjects used in the research were a group of 19 Canadian women who were all expecting twins at the same time. Using epistemological orientation of discourse in her methodology, McKenzie reasoned that the subjects were motivated to seek necessary information (as new mothers) but also considered generically representative of their community at large. The subjects were allowed to answer interview questions freely and with no limitations and this information, along with diary entries, used to obtain the necessary qualitative data to complete the study. The expectant mothers were asked to not only share their behavior when seeking routine information but to reflect on any differences that occurred during critical incidents in the information seeking process or their interactions with it. Compare and Contrast Both the ELIS and IP models are based upon theories which attempt to explain the behavior of non-professionals in their everyday lives when seeking information of both critical and non-critical status. The two models include the key component of individual context and its power over the information seeking process. McKenzie (2003) refers in positive terms to Savolainen’s earlier research and its breakthrough concepts in the studying of information seeking behavior in non-professionals in her treatise on the IP model, giving him credit for a novel approach. The IP model, while it takes note of the role of individual context, does not offer any further elaboration on the plethora of these factors that most likely exists. While McKenzie (2005) refers to individual context, she does little more than that in using it to explain behavior. Conversely, the ELIS model revolves around the theory of individual context and a person’s social standing, morals, values, attitude and current life situation. These factors are obviously an integral part of how a particular person seeks information as well as how he orders his life. In terms of the importance of context, Savolainen’s ELIS model has included a richer diversity of theory into the concept, which is one of its strengths. Both McKenzie (2003) and Savolainen (1995) include mention of an individual’s personality traits in explaining their information seeking behavior. This factor obtains importance as a part of mastery of life typology in the ELIS model in its references to characteristics of optimism and pessimism in the first two types, explaining positive or negative reaction to information that is found during a systematic and cognitive-oriented approach. His mastery of life, too, is reflected in this personality trait, extending it to other applications. The use of emotion as a response to the life process and problem solving characterizes the third and fourth types of mastery of life; people who fall into these categories do not think logically about their behavior. Thus the ELIS model can be considered to contain psychological theory in addition to theories regarding information seeking behavior. The IP model, on the other hand, assumes an individual patterns their behavior based on personality traits without actually furthering understanding on this dimension, merely stating that users connect with information through very active or less direct modes. Interactions that occur are the result of using both cognition and emotion in seeking information. There must first be an individualistic understanding of information to allow for active seeking and scanning. Non-directed or proxy modes are used by those who interact as a result of emotion. Using Savolainen’s (1995) fourth mastery of life type as a comparison, it would leave no other option but to consider the pessimistic-affective type to use the proxy mode due to the fact that he â€Å"does not rely on his abilities to solve everyday life problems†, according to McKenzie. Those who are considered systematic personalities, however, may also use the monitoring and proxy modes. Both the ELIS and IP models are also alike in their treatment of information seeking techniques and practices. While each employs its own terminology in explaining information seeking behavior, many of the concepts are similar. For instance, with the ELIS model, Savolainen (1995) explains that people seek information on an everyday basis to orient aspects of their lives by using passive monitoring to monitor its passage. In the IP model, this concept is similar to what McKenzie (2003) terms passive monitoring and in fact she makes reference to this likeness in her research. Practical information is explained by both models also. The ELIS model refers to this as information sought in use of a problem. In the IP model, this same concept is referred to as the intermediary or proxy method of seeking information. McKenzie (2003) offers further insight by defining this process as a way of gathering information from friends or other personal sources. The ELIS model simply fails to describe this. Conclusion There are significant factors available in study of both the ELIS and IP models which aid in further understanding of how ordinary people search for information during the course of their everyday lives. As Savolainen (1998) suggests, mastery of life typology can be employed in the understanding of how people use their own context to perceive information as well as their perception of how competent they are in performing a search. Both models are relevant as use in deeper investigation into specific populations which exhibit unique behavior. Future research to delve deeper into the context concepts of the ELIS model would be beneficial. Additional study of individual concept and interaction behavior based on the IP model are also warranted based on the ability to further pinpoint motivation in information seeking. While the gap in more comprehensive research exists, the concepts in both the ELIS and IP models are relevant and valid as an aid for those studying Information Science as well as in other areas of study of human behavior including sociologists and psychologists. It will be exciting to find what further insights are gained from future exploration of both Savolainen’s and McKenzie’s models on information seeking behavior.    How to cite ELIS and IP Models of Information Seeking, Essay examples

English Literature Primary Schools of Britain

Question: Discuss about the English Literaturefor Primary Schools of Britain. Answer: Introduction The concerned assignment aims to establish a critical review regarding the aspect of curriculum in England in the present scenario. More specifically, the discourse will concentrate chiefly on the National curriculum of the primary schools of Britain and its prime features. To construct a coherent understanding regarding the existing curriculum activities of the primary schools in Britain, the assignment has considered making a brief evaluation of different perspectives regarding National curriculum. Additionally, the concerned review will analyze Englands historical and political background regarding National curriculum. However, in terms of reviewing the act of national curriculum for primary school, attributes regarding assessment, curriculum structure and contents are going to be considered with high priority. Curriculum Concept The term curriculum has numerous perspectives though fundamentally the term is indicative of a program for study that is offered by educational centers following their individual prospects. In this respect, it is to say that the word curriculum has formulated from the Latin word Currere that means, to run. In other words, curriculum is the word that refers the particular racecourse of experiences, which helps children to development from the stage of being immature to adult (Harrison and Pittard 2015.). On the other hand, curriculum is perceived as the overall study to which learners are exposed through school activities. Nevertheless, as per the contents, curriculum involves planned activities for the student, a program of intended outcomes of learning and cultural preservation. As per the perspective of Michael Apple, curriculum could not be perceived only as a accumulation of knowledge that could be gained through text and classroom learning. It is more of a distinct segment of the selective tradition that generates an individuals or a groups vision regarding legitimate knowledge (Lewis 2014). On the other hand, in the words of Hendricks and Wangerin (2016), curriculum performs as a fruitful attempt to share necessary principles of educational proposal. Additionally, curriculum is the open form of critical scrutiny and an effective interpretation of practice. However, in this respect, it has to be noted that curriculum is various times conceptualized as a particular syndrome that set aims and plan implementation strategy for measuring results. However, in this case it has to be kept in mind that this particular concept is only possible for the closed systems. On the contrary, according to the postmodern perspective, curriculum is open, flexible and gives i mportance on local context (Zipin 2013). Based on this perspective of curriculum, everyones view is given the same value. Therefore, the concept that says that curriculum is an aspect that helps to expose learners through school studies should be regarded with utmost priority. Nevertheless, there is another concept regarding curriculum that states that curriculum is an amalgamation of certain knowledge and a convenient organization of social program in school. Furthermore, this particular concept implicates that curriculum is a phenomenon that socially, dynamically and politically constructed. According to this concept, curriculum highlights those messages about knowledge, which are valued by the influencing social groups. However, according to Bartlett and Burton (2016), instead of the postmodern perspective of curriculum, there are three others, which are technical, practical, critical and postmodern. According to the technical perspective of curriculum, it is an effective tool for accomplishing unquestioned goals. On the contrary, the practical perspective indicates that curriculum is an experiment that gives focuses on educational values. Probably, the critical perspective is the most crucial of all that says that curriculum is related with political f ramework and therefore it a curriculum should be politically fair (Reiss and White 2013). It can be said after considering each of the concepts regarding curriculum, that Curriculum is a phenomenon that holds both knowledge and social life within the framework of individual school culture. This conceptual approach is found to be most relevant as it refers curriculum as a space for acquiring knowledge and having the opportunity for social interaction. On the other side, the post-modern perspective of curriculum is probably the most approachable and relevant in the current world as the postmodern perspective of curriculum gives significance on the local context and redesigns the power relations according to that norm. Curriculum in Britain Historical and Political Bbackground of National Curriculum in England The historical or chronological background of National Curriculum in England can be traced back to 1960s when the entire concept of curriculum has been introduced as a mixed ability of teaching. In that era, in terms of progressive education, some schools of England implemented the child-oriented methods and used curriculum as a subjected integrated tool. However, in the year 1965 secondary schools gain comprehensivisation in terms of curriculum and some of the comprehensive schools were found to retain the subject-based or subject-oriented curriculum (Cooper 2014). It has been this particular era that comprehensive schools innovated the Mode III of CSE. However, the most interesting occurrence regarding this aspect taken part in the 1960, when the former minister of Education, David Eccles made the official suggestion that government should take influential part in the space of curriculum. However, the unfortunate fact about the historical and political influence upon National Curriculum of England survived the economic recession of 1970s due to which several questions raised regarding the failure cases of several youngsters and the money spent on education. It is required to be said in this sense that the National curriculum of England undergone an eventual critical treatment from the contemporary political background in a chronological manner. On the other hand, it has been unfortunate that in the time of recession of year 1970, the politicians completely blamed the teachers for every failure case of education, as they believed that teachers were having unnecessary curriculum supremacy and freedom (Barber and Graham 2013). Nevertheless, Britains National Curriculum experienced a huge change, which has been brought up by the Great Debate of 1976. More elaborately, the former labor minister James Callaghan at the Ruskin college of Oxford strongly raised his voice for e stablishing potential link between industrial aspects and education, which is named as the Great Debate of 1976 (Kelly 2009). Alongside, his debate continued to argue for the teachers responsibility and enhanced rate of efficiency that took place in the educational spending. On the other hand, probably the most unfortunate year for National Curriculum of Britain has been year 1979 when the entire country suffered with a relatively conservative government, which shifted the perspective of parliament from social democracy to the free politics of market. Moreover, the new nature of government started to acknowledge education as the pivotal source of socio-economic problems. Thereafter, the education policy of new right took place whose premises regarding National Curriculum found dependant on measurement of individual achievement of the learners, competition among the schools based on tests and privatization (Goodson 2013). On the other hand, the new education policy considered the parental choice of national curriculum and the shift of education responsibility from government to schools. Most importantly, this has been the initial time from when the government started to measure schools curriculum performances through frequent inspections and league table s. Possibly the most eye-catching incident regarding the National Curriculum of England had been the Education Reform Act, which has taken place in the year 1988. The act modified the entire National Curriculum and introduced a convenient as well as maintainable format for educational and social development for the young inhabitants. According to the new act, National Curriculum became objectives-led and subject based (Echlin et al. 2014). The act regulated compulsory enrollment of all children belonging to 5-16 age group into the state schools and the act implemented the KS (key stages). The facilities of mandatory testing after each KS and the compulsory publication of the test results came through the implantation of this distinct act. National Curriculum for Primary School Prior to review the National Curriculum for Primary school in Britain, it is essential to understand that the prime aim of the curriculum in regards to Primary school is to provide a balanced education to children between the ages of 5-16. Therefore, it can be said that the National Curriculum for Primary school has designed their aim by appropriately following the Education Reform Act 1988. However, the review of this curriculum has considered assessment, structure of the curriculum and contents of the aspect as three chief traits of the curriculum prospect of primary schools. Assessment It has been remarked before that the National Curriculum for primary schools have designed each of their aspects according to the principles of the Education Reform Act of 1988 in Britain. Following the principle that says that test after each KS is essential; the curriculum has implemented the SATS (Standard Assessment Test). On the other hand, in form of assessment, children are obliged to give national tests at the age of 7 for KS1 and at the age of 11 for KS2. In KS1, learners skills regarding reading, speaking, writing, mathematics, science listening skills are assessed, whereas in KS2 three main subjects English, Mathematics and Science (Priestley and Biesta 2013). Hence, it is understandable that the national curriculum for primary education in Britain is found to follow the way of measuring whether their growth per KS is reaching the expectation level or not. It has been found that the testing process of the primary curriculum for primary education fundamentally aims for obj ectives, which are To monitor progress of each of the student To finally indicate the exact level of achievement To assess the teaching process To properly compare achievements through the external organizations In this regard it is to be noted that possibly the most impressing attribute of this curriculums assessment feature is that at the very initial stage, phonics or vocal test is taken for the children between the age bars of 5-7 (Goodson 2013). However, it has to be noted that the assessment framework should have been more creative as the assessment procedure only concentrates on three staple subjects. Therefore, there stays an uncertainty about whether in the secondary level the pupils could adapt with several new subjects or not. Curriculum Structure The rudimentary structure of the primary curriculum is found to have four key stages, which are KS 1 For the age group of 5-7 for one and two year KS 2 For the age group of 7-11 for 3 to 6 years KS 3 For the age group of 11-14 for 7 to 9 years KS 4 For the age group of 16 for 10 to 11 years In this respect, it is to mention that the UK government in the year 2010 introduced the performance measure structure for primary curriculum Ebacc (English Baccalaurate) for better achievements regarding the existing primary curriculum (Cole and Hill 2013). The framework includes subjects such as Language, History and Geography instead of Mathematics, English and Science. Therefore, it could be said that with the introduction of EBacc, the government has finally able to break down the traditional limitation of subjects, which will help the pupils to understand wider field of theories regarding social science, language and geographical aspects in the secondary level (Priestley and Biesta 2013). Contents Content of national curriculum of Britains primary school is another major facet that requires to be reviewed as per the fact that the content wise the curriculum includes creative class room practices and a wide list of subjects. With the help of ICT and TAs (Teaching assistant) most of the primary schools accomplishes the primary purpose of this curriculum (Bourne 2013). The subjects are the pillars of knowledge and along with the upper mentioned three fundamental subjects; the content includes foundation subjects like - Technology Music Art Physical education History Geography It is needless to say that the extension of the subjects could not have been possible without the implementation of EBacc (Long 2016). However, the rudimentary classification between the core subjects and newly included foundation subjects implicates a hierarchical structure of knowledge. The reason to critically analyze three of these features of the considered curriculum as the entire purpose of the curriculum fundamentally depends on these three premises. Without a proper structure, appropriate yet relevant contents and without a convenient testing procedure, the whole approach of national curriculum for primary level could not have been successful. Conclusion The review has highlighted some vital facets which depicts a transparent condition of the existing national curriculum for the primary level of UK. It could be deduced from the review that curriculum for the primary schools have undergone a good amount of change and currently with the help of EBacc framework is running with potency. Moreover, the determinants of the concerned curriculums success are found to be its content, assessment procedures and rudimentary framework. Most importantly, it is a fact worth acknowledgeable that the entire framework and its policies have been found to follow the Education Reform Act. References Barber, M. and Graham, D. eds., 2013.Sense and Nonsense and the National Curriculum (RLE Edu B)(Vol. 12). Routledge. Bartlett, S. and Burton, D., 2016.Introduction to education studies. Sage. Bourne, J. ed., 2013.Thinking through primary practice. Routledge. Cole, M. and Hill, D., 2013.Schooling and Equality: fact, concept and policy. Routledge. Cooper, H., 2014.The teaching of history in primary schools: Implementing the revised national curriculum. Routledge. Echlin, P.S., Johnson, A.M., Holmes, J.D., Tichenoff, A., Gray, S., Gatavackas, H., Walsh, J., Middlebro, T., Blignaut, A., MacIntyre, M. and Anderson, C., 2014. The Sport Concussion Education Project. A brief report on an educational initiative: from concept to curriculum Special article.Journal of neurosurgery,121(6), p.1331. Goodson, I.F., 2013.School subjects and curriculum change. Routledge. Harrison, C.V. and Pittard, S.K., 2015. Teaching-Learning Strategies in a Concept-Based Curriculum [Innovation Center].Nursing Education Perspectives. Hendricks, S.M. and Wangerin, V., 2016. Concept-Based Curriculum: Changing Attitudes and Overcoming Barriers.Nurse Educator. Kelly, A.V., 2009.The curriculum: Theory and practice. Sage. Lewis, L.S., 2014. Outcomes of a concept-based curriculum.Teaching and Learning in Nursing,9(2), pp.75-79. Long, R. and Boulton, P., 2016. Language teaching in schools (England). Long, R., 2016. Religious Education in schools (England). Priestley, M. and Biesta, G. eds., 2013.Reinventing the curriculum: New trends in curriculum policy and practice. AC Black. Reiss, M. and White, J., 2013.An aims-based curriculum: The significance of human flourishing for schools. IOE Press. Zipin, L., 2013. Engaging middle years learners by making their communities curricular: A funds of knowledge approach.Curriculum Perspectives,33(3), pp.1-12.

Mba Question Paper free essay sample

Distinguish between constructive destructive conflict, with examples. [15] Q6) Elaborate the importance historical background of OB. Q7) Write short notes on (Any 3). a) b) c) d) e) Decentralization. Job satisfaction. Principles of decision making. Classification of motives. Importance of leadership. [15] [15] ***** Total No. of Questions : 7] [Total No. of Pages : 1 P708 [3875] 13 M. B. A. (Sem. I) (Old) 103 : MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS (2005 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) 3) Attempt any 5 questions. All questions carry equal marks. Draw diagrams wherever necessary. Q1) Define ? Managerial Economics?. Explain it? s nature Scope. Q2) Why is Joint stock company form of Business organisation popular? Q3) Explain concept of ? Price Elasticity of Demand? with reference to types, methods and practical use. Q4) Explain ? Law of variable Proportions? with example. Q5) How price and output is determined in short run and long run under conditions of perfect competition? Q6) What is ? Cost Benefit Analysis Explain steps and justification for the use of cost benefit analysis. We will write a custom essay sample on Mba Question Paper or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Q7) Write short notes (any 2). a) b) c) d) Break Even Analysis. Difficulties encountered in National Income accounting. Exceptions to the Law of supply. Need for demand forecasting. ***** Total No. of Questions : 5] [Total No. of Pages : 4 P709 [3875] 14 M. B. A. (Sem. I) 104 : STATISTICAL AND QUANTITATIVE METHODS (2005 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) Handwriting should be neat and clear. Question No. 1 is compulsory. Attempt any 3 questions from the remaining. Use of electronic calculator statistical tables are allowed. Graph paper will be supplied on request. Q1) Answer any 5. a) The following are the weights of 80 children residing in a society. Find median. 5 each] i) ii) By calculation. By graph. 10-15 15-20 20-25 25-30 30-35 35-40 40-45 45-50 4 6 10 5 7 3 9 6 Weights No. of Children b) An insurance company insured 1500 scooter drivers, 3500 car drivers and 5000 truck drivers. The probability of an accident is 0. 050, 0. 02 and 0. 10 respectively in case of scooter, car and truck drivers. One of the insured people meets an accident what is the probability that he is a car driver. Calculate coefficient of association between literacy and unemployment from the following data Total adults 10000 Total literates Total unemployed Literate unemployed 1290 1390 500 P. T. O. c) d) The rain fall distribution in monsoon season is as follows: Rain in an Frequency 0 50 1 25 2 15 3 5 4 3 5 2 Simulate the rainfall for 10 days using the following random variables. 67, 63, 39, 55, 29, 78, 70, 06, 78, 76 and find the average rainfall. e) f) g) Write a note of queuing theory and describe the characteristics of queuing model. Calculate R2. 13 and r23. 1 given r12 = 0. 6, r13 = 0. 7, r23 = 0. 65 Suggest the optimal assignment schedule for the following assignment problem: Salesman I A B C 80 75 78 Markets II 70 75 78 III 75 80 82 IV 72 85 78 What will be total maximum sale. Q2) a) The mean and S. D of 100 items are calculated as 60 and 7 respectively. Two items 35 and 47 were wrongly copied as 53 and 74 calculate correct mean and S. D [7] In an aptitude test administered to 1000 children the score is supposed to follow normal distribution with average score 45 and S. D 25. [8] i) ii) iii) Q3) a) Find the number of children exceeding the score 60. What is the score of the children so that 10% of the children exceed this score. What is the score of the children so that 16% of the children are below this score. b) Certain mass produced articles of which 0. % are defective , are packed in cartons each containing 160 articles. [7] i) What proportion of cartons is free from defective articles. ii) iii) What proportion contains 2 or more defectives. What proportion contains at the most 2 defectives. -2- [3875] 14 b) The advertisement cost and sales are given in the following table. Advt. Cost (Rs. ) 35 Sales (Rs. Lakh) 23 i) ii) 25 27 29 26 31 21 27 24 24 20 33 29 36 30 [8] Calculate correlation coefficient. Estimate sales when advertisement cost is Rs. 100. Q4) a) Determine the optimal strategies of both the players and value of the game. 6] B A I II III IV I 4 4 4 4 II 3 3 3 3 III 1 7 4 3 IV 3 -5 -1 -2 V 2 1 2 2 VI 2 2 2 2 b) The products of 3 plants X,Y,Z are to be transported to 4 warehouses I,II,III,IV. The cost of transportation of each unit from the plant to the warehouses along with normal capacities of plants and warehouses are [9] indicated below. Warehouses Plants X Y Z Requirement 25 15 16 300 17 10 20 300 25 18 08 500 14 24 13 500 300 500 500 I II III IV Availability Find the optimal solution. Q5) a) A firm produces 3 products A,B,C. It uses 2 raw materials I and II of which 5000 and 7500 units can be used for production of A,B and C. Product A requires 3 units of raw material I and 5 units of raw material II per units, corresponding requirements per units of B are 4 and 3 units of raw material I II resp. and C requires 5 units of raw material I and II each. The labour time to produce 1 unit of A is twice required to produce 1 unit of B and is 3 times required to produce 1 unit of C. The entire -3- [3875] 14 labour force of the firm can produce equivalent of 3000 units of product A. The minimum demand for 3 products is 600,650 and 500 units resp. Profits per unit of A , B and C are Rs. 50, Rs. 60 and Rs. 60. Formulate the LPP. 7] b) A small industry finds from past data that cost of making an item is Rs. 25. The S. P of an item is Rs. 30. If it is not sold within a week, it could be disposed off at Rs. 20. At the end of a week data for sales are given below. Weekly sales No, of weeks 4 10 5 20 6 40 7 30 Find optimum number of items per week the industry should purchase. [8] ***** [3875] 14 -4- Total No. of Ques tions : 7] [Total No. of Pages : 1 P710 [3875] 15 M. B. A. I 105 : LEGAL ASPECTS OF BUSINESS (2005 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) Solve any 5 questions. All questions carry equal marks. Q1) Define contract. Explain essential elements of contract. Q2) Explain legal provisions relating to free consent in detail. Q3) Explain in detail rights and liabilities of an agent. Q4) Define sale. Explain essentials of valid sale under sale of goods Act. Q5) Define Promissory note. Explain its characteristics in detail. Q6) Define consumer. Explain rights of consumers. Q7) Write short notes (Any 2). a) b) c) Electronic Governance. Digital signature. Cheque. ***** Total No. of Questions : 7] [Total No. of Pages : 1 P711 [3875] 16 M. B. A. (Sem. I) (106) : BASICS OF MARKETING (2005 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) All questions carry equal marks. Attempt any five questions. Q1) Explain the 4P? s concept and its significance to the marketing manager. Q2) Define Market segmentation and explain the bases of segmenting the 4 wheeler market. Q3) Explain with examples tools and techniques of Marketing Control. Q4) Discuss various promotional tools available to a national marketer of readymade furniture. Q5) Explain with suitable examples the concept of Product Life Cycle. Q6) Write a detailed note on core concepts of marketing. Q7) Write short notes on any two: a) b) c) Online Marketing. Positioning. Marketing Myopia. ***** Total No. of Questions : 7] [Total No. of Pages : 1 P712 [3875] 21 M. B. A. (Sem. II) 201 : MARKETING MANAGEMENT (2005 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) 3) All questions carry equal marks. Question 1 is Compulsory. Write any four questions amongst the remaining questions. Q1) Iova Industries intend to launch their new range of soft drinks in Indian Market. As a marketing manager, which steps you would like to take to launch this novel product? Make nesessory assumptions and justify your answer. Also elaborate your strategy on test marketing. Q2) Define the term Marketing Mix. Explain the significance of appropriate Marketing Mix in the present competitive environment. Q3) What is warehousing? What are its types? Explain its importance. Q4) Discuss the pricing strategies for a FMCG product in a highly competitive market. Q5) What is the significance of packaging and labeling in today? s market. Also explain about the new trends in packaging. Q6) Discuss the impact of advance technology and internet on promotion. Q7) Write short notes (Any two). a) b) c) d) E marketing. Branding decisions. Extended Ps of marketing. Decline stage in product life cycle. ***** Total No. of Questions : 7] [Total No. of Pages :2 P713 [3875] 22 M. B. A. (202) : FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (2005 Pattern) (Sem. II) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) Q. No. 1 is compulsory. 2) Attempt any four questions from the rest. 3) All questions carry equal marks. Q1) ? Capital Budgeting decisions are extremely difficult and crucial for any business unit.? Explain in detail. What are the tools available for appraisal? Q2) ? Working Capital Management is a tradeoff between Risk and Return.? Do you agree? Explain. Q3) Explain the concept of a Cash flow statement what is the significance of a cash flow statement? Q4) What are the major dividend policies. Q5) ABC Company has the following selected assets and liabilities: Rs. Cash 45,000/Retained Earnings 1,60,000/Equity share capital 1,50,000/Debtor? s 60,000/Inventory 1,11,000/Debentures 1,00,000/Provision for taxation 57,000/Expenses outstanding 21,000/Land and building 3,00,000/Goodwill 50,000/Furniture 25,000/39,000/Creditors You are required to determine (1) Gross working capital and (2) Net working capital. P. T. O. Q6) From the following information make out proprietors fund with as many details as possible:a) Current ratio 2. 5; b) Liquid ratio 1. 5; c) Proprietary ratio (Fixed assets/ proprietors funds) 0. 75 d) Working capital Rs. 60,000; e) Reserve and surplus Rs. 40,000 f) Bank overdraft Rs. 10,000 and g) There is no long term loan or fictitious asset. Q7) A proforma cost sheet of a company provides the following data: Costs (per unit) Raw material Direct labour Overheads Total cost (per unit) Profit Selling price Rs. 52. 0 19. 5 39. 0 110. 5 19. 5 130. 0 The following is the additional information available: Average raw material in stock: one month; average materials in process: half a month. Credit allowed by suppliers one month; credit allowed to debtors 2 months. Time lag in payment of wages 1 1 2 weeks; overheads one month. One fourth of sales are on cash basis. Cash balance is expected to be Rs. 1,20, 000. You are required to prepare a statement showing the working capital needed to finance a level of activity of 70,000 units of output. You may assume that production is carried on evenly throughout the year and wages and overheads accrue. **** [3875] 22 -2- Total No. of Questions : 7] [Total No. of Pages : 1 P714 [3875] 23 M. B. A. 203 : HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (2005 Pattern) (Sem. II) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) Attempt any five questions. All questions carry equal marks. Q1) Discuss the importance of HRM and differentiate between personnel management and HRM. Q2) a) b) Write about the different sources of recruitment. Explain the concept of manpower planning with its objectives. Q3) Discuss the concept of performance appraisal management system. Explain any one method of appraisal widely used in organization. Q4) Discuss how managerial effectiveness can be improved through time management TQM. Q5) Write a detailed note on the various separation schemes used by organizations. Q6) What is IR? How collective Bargaining helps in improving Industrial Relations. Q7) Write note on (Any two): a) b) c) d) Manpower Retention. Rating errors. Ethics of performance management. Suspension. ***** Total No. of Questions : 8] [Total No. of Pages : 2 P715 [3875] 24 M. B. A. (Sem. II) 204 : MANUFACTURING AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (2005 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) Attempt any Five questions. All questions carry equal marks. Q1) Discuss the various phases in the evolution of manufacturing operation management? Q2) Why has manufacturing management assumed importance in todays organisations? Discuss. Q3) Enlist various methods of manufacturing? Give the characteristics and suitable examples of each method. Q4) Briefly explain the various factors to be taken in to consideration for location decision. What do you mean by facility layout? Q5) Compare and contrast production planning with production control. Give the scope and objectives of production planning control. Q6) Discuss the characteristics and applications of control charts? Give the stepwise procedure for drawing X and R chart. P. T. O. Q7) A project has been defined to contain following list of activities along with their required time for completion: Activity A B C D E F G H I a) b) c) d) Time in days ? A A A B C E,F D G,H Immediate Predecessor 1 4 3 7 6 2 7 9 4 Draw the network diagram. Show early start time and early finish time. Identify critical path . What would happen if duration of activity F is taken as four days instead of two? Q8) Write short notes on (Any two) of the following: a) b) c) d) e) Lean production. Method study. Maintenance management. Operation characteristics curve. Standard time. ***** [3875] 24 -2- Total No. of Questions : 8] [Total No. of Pages : 1 P716 [3875] 25 M. B. A. (Sem. II) 205 : MATERIALS AND LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT (2005 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) Attempt any Five questions. All questions carry equal marks. Q1) Bringout the interface of material function with other functions in a manufacturing organisations. Q2) What do you mean by selective inventory control? Give the procedure for doing ABC analysis? Q3) What is material Requirement planning? Discuss the role of Master Production schedule (MPS) in carring out MRP. Q4) a) b) Explore various elements of purchase cycle? Enlist the responsibilities of purchase Management department? Q5) Describe the concept and process of value analysis. Q6) What is codification? Discuss any one method of codification in details. Q7) Write a note on elements of supply chain management. Q8) Write a short note on (Any two) of the following: a) b) c) d) Central sale tax Act. Regression analysis. Principles of material handling. Logistics management. ***** Total No. of Questions : 7] [Total No. of Pages : 1 P717 [3875] 26 M. B. A. (Sem. II) (206): MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (2005 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) 3) Q. No. 1 Q. No. 7 are compulsory. Solve any four questions from remaining. Figures to the right indicate full marks. Q1) Draw the report layout for the following elaborate the use of these reports in the process of decision making. [15] a) b) c) Goods Received Note. Bill of Materials. Pay Sheet. [10] [10] [10] Q2) What is MIS? Explain different functions and characteristics of MIS. Q3) Explain Herbert Simon model of decision making. Q4) Explain System Development life cycle in detail. Q5) What is data mining? What are the advantages limitations of data mining. [10] Q6) Define Expert system. Compare Expert system with conventional systems. [10] Q7) Write short notes (Any 3): a) b) c) d) Intellectual Property Right. Group Decision support system. Network Topologies. Attributes of good Information. [3 ? 5 = 15] ***** Total No. of Questions : 7] [Total No. of Pages : 2 P1223 [3875] 302 M. B. A. (Sem. III) 302: MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM (2008 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) 3) Attempt any four questions from Q. No. 1 to Q. No. 6. Q. No. 7 is Compulsory. All questions carry equal marks. Q1) Control is the central function in any organisation. Do you agree with this statement? Comment in the light of role and utility of control function. [14] Q2) Explain the various types of responsibility centre in detail. [14] Q3) ? A sound Audit system strengthens management control? critically examine this statement in respect of cost Audit and management Audit. 14] Q4) What is the utility of balance score card? How does it work on a control device? [14] Q5) Why control systems are needed in profit organisation? How they help in improving managerial effectiveness? [14] Q6) Write a short note on (any three). a) b) c) d) Features of cybernetic paradigm. EVA. Du point Analysis. Zero Base Budgeting. P. T. O. [14] Q7) M/s Suparna fixes the inter divisional transfer prices of its product on the basis of cost plus an estimated return on Investment in its divisions. The relevant portion of the budget for Division ? X? for the year 2009 10 is given below. 14] Land building Plant machinery Stock Bills Receivable Debtors Annual fixed cost of the division Variable cost per unit Budgeted volume of production per year (units) 5,00,000 Desired retu rn of investment 27 % you are required to determine transfer price for the division. Rs. 3,00,000 Rs. 5,00,000 Rs. 2,00,000 Rs. 1,00,000 Rs. 2,00,000 Rs. 8,00,000 Rs. 10 ***** [3875] 302 -2- Total No. of Questions : 6 + Case : 1] [Total No. of Pages: 3] P718 [3875] 31 M. B. A. 301: BUSINESS POLICY AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT (2005 Pattern) (Sem III) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) Attempt any Four questions from question 1 to 6. each question carries 13 marks. Question No. 7 is compulsory. It carries 18 marks. Q1) Why is strategy evaluation and control important to organizations? Q2) What are the key aspects of E commerce business environment? How do they influence strategy formulation and implementation of E Commerce based business? Q3) What does corporate culture consist of? Discuss the impact of culture on corporate life with the help of examples. Q4) A small scale industrialist engaged in production of food processed items, recently attended a seminar on Business Policy and strategic management. The industrialist is quite enthusiastic but does not understand exactly how to use the SWOT analysis for his company to enable him to decide whether his company is fit to diversify into the field of agro based products. Act as a consultant and advise the company. State your assumptions clearly. Q5) State the essential characteristics of a mission statement. In what different ways can a mission statement be formulated? Q6) Write short notes on any two. a) b) c) Gap analysis and bench marking. Michel Porter? s Five Forces model of competion in industry. BCG Matrix. P. T. O. Q7) Solve the case (enclosed). Case study : Systematic analysis of the case and logical reasoning will have more weightage. U. S, Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (A) U. S, Pharmaceuticals (USP) is a U. S. firm with about 30 percent of its sales outside the United States. USP concentrates on the ethical drug business but has diversified into animal health products, cosmetics and some patent medicines. These other lines account for about one fourth of USP? s $800 million sales. USP? s international business is conducted in some 70 countries, mostly through distributors in those markets. In six countries, however, it has manufacturing or compounding operations. Compounding refers to the local mixing, assembling, and packaging of critical ingredients shipped from the united states. ) USP? s only Latin American manufacturing/ compounding operations are in Latinia, a country with a population of about 30 million. Some products are shipped from Latinia to other Latin American, markets. USP? s latinian plant is operated by the pha rmaceutical division. It is engaged in the production and especially the compounding of USP? s ethical drug line. It does no work for other USP divisions (cosmetics, proprietary medicines and animal health). All the other divisions, which also sell in Latinia, exports their finished products from plants in the united States. The Latinian plants employs 330 people, of whom only two are North Americans the genral manager, Tom Hawley, and the director of quality control, Frixos Massialas. USP? s cosmetics and toiletries business accounts for $150 million in sales and is handled by a separate division Cosmetics and Toiletries. The division sells in only 38 of USP? s 70 foreign markets. One of the division? s better foreign markets is Latinia, where it has sales of over $8 million and an acceptable market position. Cosmetics and Toiletries has a marketing subsidiary in Latinia to handle its business there. Jim Richardson, an American, heads the subsidiary. The rest of staff are Latinias. Jim Richardson was very disturbed by the latest news received from the Latinian Ministry of International Trade. Traffic were being increased on many ? nonessential products? because of the balance of payments pressures the country had been undergoing for the past year and a half. For USP? s Cosmetics and Toiletries, specifically, this meant a rise in the tariffs it pays from 20% to 50% ad valorem. The 20% duty had posed no particular problem for Cosmetics [3875] 31 -2- and Toiletries because of the prestige of the imported product and the consumer franchise it had established, Richardson explained. He believed, however, that the 50% duty was probably an insurmountable barrier. Cosmetics and Toiletries competition in Latinia was about evenly divided between local firms and other international companies from Europe and North America. Jim believed that local firms, which had about 40% of market, stood to benefit greatly from the tariff increase unless the international firms could find a satisfactory response. When Jim received the news of the traffic increase, which was to be imposed the first of October one week away he called a meeting to consider what Cosmetics and Toiletries could do. Deborah Neale, manager, Cosmetics Marketing, and Emilio Illness, manager, Toiletries Marketing, met with Jim to discuss the situation. Several different courses of action were proposed at the hastily called meeting. Deborah suggested, ? we could continue importing, pay the high duty, and change the positioning strategy to appeal to high-price , quality market?. Another idea was to import the primary ingredients and assemble (compound) and package them in Latinia. (Duties on the imported ingredients ranged between 10% and 35% ad valorem) Emilio suggested asking Cosmetics and Toiletries in the United States for a lower price on the products shipped to Latinia so that the duty would have a lesser impact on the final price in the local market. Jim mentioned the alternative that none of them wanted to think about. ?If we can? t compete at those high prices, we may have to give up the market.? Questions. a) b) c) d) Evaluate the alternatives that were brought up at the meeting. Are there any other possible courses of action? Propose and defend a course of action. How would your response differ if, instead of a traffic increase, Latinia had imposed a quota cutting the imports of these products by 75%? ***** [3875] 31 -3- Total No. of Questions : 6] [Total No. of Pages : 2 P719 [3875] 32 M. B. A. (Sem. III) 302 : MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS (New) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) 3) Attempt any 3 questions from Q. 1 to Q. 5. Q. 6 is compulsory. Figures to the right indicate marks. Q1) Explain with diagram the cybernetic paradigm of the control process as proposed by D. W Griessinger. Explain the difference between factual premises and value premises and how the gap between them can be reduced by manager? s Behavioural Repertoire. [18] Q2) What is a budget? Explain the importance of Budgetory control as a management control tool. [18] Q3) Explain the principle and application of Activity based costing as a management control tool. How does it compare with conventional method of product costing? Give examples and diagram to illustrate your answer. [18] Q4) What is transfer pricing? Explain different methods of transfer pricing. [18] Q5) Write short notes on any Three. ) b) c) d) e) Responsibility centers. Management Audit. Balanced Score Card. Just in Time. ROI vs. EVA. P. T. O. [18] Q6) Ajax corporation has two divisions. The Mining Division makes toldine, which is then transferred to the Metals Division. The toldine is further processed by the Metals Division and is sold to customers at a price of $150 per unit. The Mining Division is currently req uired by Ajax to transfer its total yearly output of 400,000 units of toldine to the Metals Division at 110% of full manufacturing cost. Unlimited quantities of toldine can be purchased and sold on the outside market at $90 per unit. To sell the toldine it produces at $90 per unit on the outside market, the Mining Division would have to incur variable marketing and distribution costs of $5 per unit. Similarly, if the Metals Division purchased toldine from the outside market, it would have to incur variable purchasing costs of $3 per unit. The following table gives the manufacturing costs per unit in the Mining and Metals Divisions for the year 2006. Mining Metals Division Division Direct materials Direct manufacturing labor costs Manufacturing overhead costs Manufacturing costs per unit $12 16 32* $60 $6 20 25+ $51 Manufacturing overhead costs in the Mining Division are 25% fixed and 75% variable. + Manufacturing overhead costs in the Metals Division are 60% fixed and 40% variable. Required 1) Calculate the operating incomes for the Mining and Metals Divisions for the 400,000 units of toldine transferred under each of the following transfer pricing methods: a) 2) Market price, and. b) 110% of full manufacturing costs. Suppose Ajax rewards each division manager with a bonus, calculated as 1% of division operating income (if positive). What is the amount of bonus that will be paid to each division manager under each of the transferpricing methods in requirement 1? Which transfer pricing method will each division manager prefer to use? What arguments would Brian Jones, manager of the Mining Division, make to support the transfer pricing method that he prefers? [16] 3) [3875] 32 ***** -2- Total No. of Questions : 4] [Total No. of Pages : 2 P720 [3875] 33 M. B. A. 303 (A) MARKETING RESEARCH (2005 Pattern) (Sem III) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) 3) All questions are compulsory. Figures to the right indicate the marks for that questions. Use of electronic calculator is allowed. Q1) Marketing research is an integral part of any marketing organisation. Discuss. [15] Q2) Elaborate different scaling techniques used to collect data for marketing research. [15] OR A sample of 400 students of under graduate and 400 students of post graduate classes was taken to know their opinion about autonomous courses. The data is shown below. Class UG PG Total Number of Students Favouring Opposing 290 310 600 110 90 200 Total 400 400 800 Is there any association between classes and the opinion regarding autonomous courses. Given chi sq value at 5% level is 3. 84 for 1d. f ] Q3) Mr. Nirad a young enterprising businessman, is planning to open several coffee shops in your city. He wants to identify the locations for these shops. Further he is interested in understanding the consumer needs. He is planning to conduct market research. Design Marketing Research plan for Mr. Nirad to help him in his new venture. [20] P. T. O. Q4) Write short notes on (Any two): a) b) c) d) Errors in measurement. Qualities of a good questionnaire. Observation method for data collection. Web based surveys. [2 ? 10 = 20] ***** [3875] 33 -2- Total No. of Questions : 9] [Total No. of Pages : 4 P721 [3875] 34 M. B. A. (Sem. III) (303B): ADVANCED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (2005 Pattern) [Max. Marks : 70 Time : 3 Hours] Instructions to the candidates: 1) 2) 3) 4) Q. No. 1 is compulsory. Solve any two questions from Section I and any two questions from Section II. Figures to the right side indicate full marks. Use of non programmable calculator allowed. Q1) Discuss the role of Finance Function in an organization and how the role has changed in recent years? [10] SECTION I Q2) What are the importance and limitations of ratio analysis? [15] Q3) Why is it important to evaluate capital budgeting projects on the basis of incremental after tax cash flows? Why not use accounting data instead of cash flow? [15] Q4) Write short notes on (any three). a) b) c) d) e) Net present value. Types of dividend. Public deposits. Bonus shares. Credit rating. [15] P. T. O. [15] Q5) Write a note on legal and procedural aspects of dividend. SECTION II Q6) From the following statements of X Ltd. , you are required to calculate the following ratios: [15] a) b) c) d) e) f) g) Current ratio. Quick ratio. Operating ratio. Stock turnover. Fixed assets turnover. Debtors turnover.

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Financial Performance of BRALIRWA

Financial Performance of BRALIRWA This chapter presents the theoretical framework used to evaluate the financial performance of BRALIRWA and the influence of corporate governance on the firm performance; and the research methodology followed throughout the research basing on the different aspects discussed in literature review. 3.1 INTRODUCTION As discussed in chapter one, the main focus for many companies is to create the best possible value for their owners and to secure excellent financial performance. The sound financial health of a company is one of its major goals and to maintain it, companies at one point of time have to look at the past and current performance to plan for future prospect. The most objective way to evaluate the financial performance of a company is through financial statement analysis. Financial analysis involves the assessment of a firms liquidity, its operating performance, its risk profile and its growth potential using financial ratios. Ratio analysis is an important and powerful analytical tool used for measuring the performance of a business entity (Van et Al., 2003). It helps stakeholders (shareholders, investors, creditors, managers, government etc) to make an evaluation about the profitability and financial soundness of the business entity (Bardia, 2008). Different types of investors expect different types of returns, if you are a stockholder, you expect an increase in the value of the stock you hold; if you have invested in a company with a history of paying dividends, you also expect a dividend; if you have loaned the firm money, you expect to receive interest and the return of loan principal. Although the types of returns they expect are different, equity investors and creditors both risk not receiving those returns. Therefore, both stockholders and creditors use financial statement analysis to predict their expected returns and assess the risks associated with those returns (Hongren, Sundem, Elliot and Phil brick, 2003). Analysis of financial performance allows comparison of practice performance from one year to the next, benchmarking of a practice against industry standards, and preparation of financial information for lending institutions or directors (Stallwood, 1996). The financial performance of a company can be influenced by many different aspects or factors and for the purpose of this study, corporate governance was taken into consideration and specifically the aspect of board characteristics. The board of directors is an important entity in a company creating a link between shareholders and managers and therefore playing an important role in the governance of the firm (Dehaene et al., 2007). Therefore, boards of directors are charged with the task of monitoring the performance and activities of top management to ensure that the latter acts in the best interests of the owners (Jensen and Meckling, 1976; quoted by OConnell and Cramer, 2010) 3.2 PROBLEM DEFINITION After the 1994 genocide many companies in Rwanda were destroyed and some of them have not recovered up to today. Among the companies affected by the genocide include manufacturing companies out of which some tried to recover and restart their activities progressively and the country is providing a good environment for business but this does not guarantee good performance on behalf of companies. Standard financial reports provide basic information on the current profit level of investment in assets but do not give information on whether profit is adequate, how efficiently the assets are being used to generate sales, how efficient the overall operation is, and whether there are short-term financial problems facing the business. Ratio analysis provides some answers to these questions by calculating the relationships between various figures on the balance sheet and the income statement and comparing the movements in these ratios over time and against industry averages can provide additional information about whether the organization is performing well or whether remedial action is needed (Stallwood, 1996). Ratio analysis is an important and powerful analytical tool for measuring the performance of a business entity. It helps stakeholders to make an evaluation about the profitability and financial soundness of the business entity (Van et al., 2003). Some key companies in the manufacturing sector do not have thorough financial analysis which makes it difficult for stakeholders to know how these companies are performing; BRALIRWA will be used as representative case study to exemplify the financial performance of companies in the sector and the way this performance is influenced by corporate governance. The way companies are directed and controlled can influence their performance (Berle Means, 1932), in some companies there is lack of consistency in reporting operating and financial activities as well as governance activities to shareholders in a fair, accurate, timely, reliable, relevant, complete and verifiable manner. Manufacturing companies in Rwanda contribute to the economic development of the country and hence a need to evaluate their performance in other to detect their likely future and take appropriate measures accordingly, as well as the influence of corporate governance on their performance. 3.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES This study has one general objective and five specific objectives. 3.3.1 General objective The general objective of this study is to assess the financial performance of BRALIRWA s.a (2005-2008) and the influence of its corporate governance on the performance 3.3.2 Specific objectives To analyze the operating efficiency and profitability of BRALIRWA to know its level of operating performance. To analyze the sales and earnings variability in order to measure the risk that BRALIRWA may be exposed to. To analyze the internal liquidity of BRALIRWA in order to measure its ability to meet financial obligations in the short-term. To assess the impact if any of BRALIRWA governance on its performance. To analyze the sustainable growth potential of BRALIRWA. 3.4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK The theoretical framework adopted in this study was developed based on different literature on the analysis and evaluation of financial performance and literature on corporate governance and firm performance. 3.4.1 Dependent variable According to Jones, Wahba and Heijden (2007), the dependent variable is the one main research issue you are studying, on which other variables in theoretical framework are assumed to have an impact. Creswell (2002), defines dependent variables as the outcomes or results of the influence of the independent variables. For this study, financial performance stands for the dependent variable. Financial performance is usually measured by ROE and ROA, for this study financial analysis is used to analyze the financial performance of BRALIRWA and the analysis is conducted in three categories; the analysis of internal liquidity, operating performance and risk. When analyzing internal liquidity, the intention is to indicate the firms ability to meet its future short-term financial obligations, this may be an indication over a certain period of the likely performance of a company because if a firm is not able to meet its short-term financial obligations for a long period, definitely this will affect its performance but the analysis of this may help the organization take necessary actions. The analysis here is based on current ratio, quick ratio, cash ratio, receivables turnover and inventory turnover. The analysis of operating performance, examines how management uses its assets and capital by measuring the sales generated by various categories of assets or capital and analyzes the profits as a percentage of sales and as a percentage of the assets and capital employed (Brown and Reilly, 2009). The ratios used are the asset turnover, equity turnover, profit margins, return on equity and return on assets. Concerning the risk analysis, both business and financial risks are measured and analyzed, here the emphasis is on the sales variability, operating leverage which consists of the variability of a firms operating earnings and then the debt-equity ratio to measure the financial risk. 3.4.2 Independent variables Independent variables are the variables impacting on your main research problem. They are called independent in a sense that those variables are affecting the amount of dependent variables and do not affect each other, so they are independent of each other (Jones, Wahba and Heijden, 2007). Corporate governance stands for the independent variable for this study. Corporate governance is the mechanism by which a corporation is managed and monitored. It determines a power-sharing relationship between corporation executives and investors by providing structure through which the objectives are defined; policies and procedures are established to ensure achievement of these objectives; and activities, affairs, and performance are monitored (Rezaee, 2004). Based on this definition and other definitions of corporate governance, it can positively or negatively influence the performance of a company and for the purpose of this study, the influence will be analyzed based on board characteristics which are treated as the moderating variables in this study and considered as one of the aspects of corporate governance. 3.4.3 Moderating variables Moderating variables are included in the theoretical model to modify the way that the independent variables will affect the dependent variable. They might act as a catalyst of these relationships and strengthen them or perhaps they just inhibit the relationship and weaken it (Jones, Wahba and Heijden, 2007). For this study the moderating variables are the board characteristics, and the following characteristics were taken into consideration the board size, board composition, CEO duality, board diversity and frequency of board meetings. The board size is the number of members on the board and as boards are considered to be large decision-making groups, size can affect the decision-making process and effectiveness of the board (Dwivedi and Jain, 2005). Talking about the board composition, the board may be composed of directors who may be executive meaning that they are employees of the firm, or non-executive meaning they are not employees of the company; and this may have an effect on firm performance. CEO duality consists of having the same person holding both the board chairman and CEO positions or having the CEO and board chair positions separate, this also may have an impact on firm performance. When it comes to board diversity, the consideration is that there may be some diversification in the board members which may or may not have an influence on firm performance; diversity for this study is seen as gender diversity, racial diversity and experience/background diversity. Board meeting frequency consists of how frequently the board meetings are scheduled and the board activity is measured by the frequency of board meeting, this frequency may impact on the performance of the firm. Figure 3.1: Theoretical Framework Source: Research, 2010 3.4.4 Research assumptions Based on the various corporate scandals due to the manipulation of financial statements, the researcher made an assumption that the information provided in the audited financial statements of BRALIRWA for the period 2005-2008 are true and accurate. It was assumed that the respondents would be willing to fill the questionnaires and that the staff in the finance department of BRALIRWA would cooperate in providing any necessary information regarding the financial statements. 3.4.5 Research limitations The study uses BRALIRWA as a case study, which may provide little basis for generalization on the performance of other manufacturing companies The study only use a time-series analysis because there are no competitors in the industry to compare with The financial statements analyzed were the balance sheet and income statement because the company does not prepare cash flow statement The study only used board characteristics as the aspects of corporate governance due to time and logistics constraints the researcher could not use other aspects. The study was limited to a period of four years from 2005 to 2008 3.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONs To achieve the research objectives of this study; the study has to answer the following major and minor research questions. 3.5.1 Major research questions How is BRALIRWA financially performing for the period under study and what is the implication for future performance? How is BRALIRWA governance influencing its performance? 3.5.2 Minor research questions How well is the management of BRALIRWA doing to generate operating profits on companys assets? How well is BRALIRWA management using the capital invested? How is BRALIRWA financing its assets and how variable its earnings are? How well is BRALIRWA doing to meet its maturing financial obligations? The above mentioned research questions will help in analyzing the financial performance of BRALIRWA and the influence of its corporate governance on performance. 3.6 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.6.1 Research type This study is basically quantitative with a small portion of qualitative and descriptive in nature and is using a case study method. The study is using the computation of different ratios to analyze the financial performance of BRALIRWA and statistical measure like mean, standard deviation and correlation are also used; and it is also qualitative in the sense that it is looking at the perceptions of staff on the influence of corporate governance on the performance. The purpose of quantitative research is to determine the quantity or extent of some phenomenon in the form of numbers (Zikmund, 1994). 3.6.1.1 Case study methodology This study is using BRALIRWA as a case study representing other manufacturing companies in Rwanda. BRALIRWA was chosen as a case study because of its long stay in the business and as being one of the manufacturing companies that were operating before the 1994 Rwandan genocide and which has continued operating and the major motivation for the researcher to take it as a representative case study is that the manufacturing sector in Rwanda is mostly made of food and beverages companies where BRALIRWA is dominating. According to Robson (2002:178) cited by Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill (2007), a case study is a strategy for doing research which involves an empirical investigation of a particular contemporary phenomenon within its real life context using multiple sources of evidence. Yin (2009) defines a case study as an empirical inquiry that investigates a contemporary phenomenon in depth and within its real life context, especially when the boundaries between phenomenon and context are not clearly evident. According to Yin (2009), the case study inquiry copes with the technically distinctive situation in which there will be many more variables of interest than data points, and one result; relies on multiple source of evidence, with data needing to converge in a triangulating fashion, and as another result; and benefits from the prior development of theoretical propositions to guide data collection and analysis. 3.6.1.2 Descriptive research This study is descriptive as it is describing and evaluating systematically how BRALIRWA has been performing for the period under study. According to Kumar (2005), a descriptive research attempts to describe systematically a situation, problem, phenomenon, service or program, or provides information about something or describes attitudes towards an issue. 3.6.1.3 Quantitative and qualitative research As discussed early, this study is a mix of quantitative and qualitative, it is evaluating the performance of BRALIRWA by quantifying it through different ratios to analyze the internal liquidity, operating performance and risk and most of the information is gathered using quantitative variables (through financial statements). On the other hand, the study is qualitative in the way that it has some variables which were analyzed without being quantified. The study is qualified as quantitative if one wants to quantify the variation in a phenomenon, situation, problem, or issue; if information gathered using predominantly quantitative variables; and if the analysis is geared to ascertain the magnitude of the variation. On the other hand, a study is qualified as qualitative if the purpose of the study is primary to describe a situation, phenomenon, problem or event; the information is gathered through the use of variables measured on nominal or ordinal scales; and if analysis is done to establish the variation in the situation, phenomenon or problem without quantifying it (Kumar, 2005). 3.6.2 Data collection instrument and source For the purpose of this study, both primary and secondary data were collected. To collect primary data questionnaires were distributed to the staff of BRALIRWA to know and analyze their perceptions on the influence of board characteristics on firm performance, the questionnaires were given to different staff but the most targeted were the managers and directors (management team) and heads of department and then some of the officers in different departments; interviews were also used with the staff in the finance department to get some clarifications on the content of the financial statements. And to collect secondary data, different literature on the evaluation of financial performance and those on the relationship between corporate governance (board characteristics) were reviewed through books, journals, articles and websites; and the financial statements of BRALIRWA for a period of 2005-2008 were consulted and analyzed through financial ratios. 3.6.3 Sampling methods Sampling is the process of selecting a few (a sample) from a bigger group (the sampling population) to become the basis for estimating or predicting the prevalence of an unknown piece of information, situation or outcome regarding the bigger group; a sample is a subgroup of the population one is interested in (Kumar, 2005). For the purpose of this study, judgmental sampling technique has been used to select the sample in order to collect primary data. Purposive or judgmental sampling enables you to use your judgment to select cases that will best enable you to answer your research question(s) and to meet your objectives. This form of sample is often used when working with very small samples such as in case study research and when you wish to select cases that are particularly informative (Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill, 2007 quoting Neuman, 2000). According to Kumar (2005), the primary consideration in purposive sampling is the judgment of the researcher as to who can provide the best information to achieve the objectives of the study; the researcher only goes to those people who in his/her opinion are likely to have the required information and be willing to share it. For the respondents to fill the questionnaire it required a certain degree of information about the board of directors and the judgmental sampling is the appropriate technique to this study. 3.6.4 Sample size A sample of 25 respondents was selected from the staff of BRALIRWA which is the population of the study; as stated early the sample was selected using judgmental sampling. The respondents were selected from different departments of the company and from top management to senior officers and the sample is the representative of the population. 3.6.4 Data analysis methods The study is based more on the secondary data as the evaluation of financial performance is based on the financial statements of the case company (BRALIRWA) and on primary data which were collected using a questionnaire to analyze the influence of the board characteristics on the financial performance of the company as perceived by the company employees. In the process of data analysis, the information from the financial statement were first presented according to the research objectives and research questions and based on the theoretical framework and literature review; then they were analyzed using appropriate ratios and the analysis was based on time series analysis, some statistics were used such as mean and standard deviation for the researcher to analyze the data and come up with conclusions and recommendations. To analyze the data collected from questionnaires, the following process was followed; first the data were edited, then coded and frequency distribution were used. To analyze, the open-ended questions, content analysis was used whereby different themes were identified from the answers given by the respondents and then verbatim responses were examined and discussed with reference to literature to come up with research findings, conclusion and recommendations. 3.7 CHAPTER SUMMARY This chapter discussed the research problem by highlighting that in Rwanda some key companies do not have thorough financial analysis and that the performance of companies may be influenced by the way they are managed and monitored where this may depend on the characteristics of the board. The chapter also discussed the theoretical framework that was used for this study and the dependent, independent and moderating variables were identified; financial performance is the dependent variable which is determined through the analysis of internal liquidity, operating performance and risk and the summarizing indicators of financial performance for the purpose of this study were identified as ROE and ROA. The chapter goes on discussing the research objectives, research questions, the assumptions and limitations of study. Then the chapter concludes with the discussion of the research methodology that was used to conduct the research and to achieve the research objectives and to answer the research questions that were put forward; the study is a mix of quantitative and qualitative, both secondary and primary were used and financial statements and other sources were used to collect secondary data and the questionnaire was used to collect primary and the questionnaires were sent to a sample of 25 respondents, the sample was selected using judgmental sampling.