The Complete Guide to Outsourcing Content Creation

Publishing a consistent stream of rock solid content isn’t easy. Consistently coming up with great content ideas is hard enough, but then you actually have to write the post. That’s where outsourcing content creation comes in. And it’s an option that is becoming increasingly popular for marketing teams. But outsourcing your content writing doesn’t mean you’re off the hook entirely. It’s just a whole lot easier. To help, we put together this guide, which will help you navigate the entire process from hiring, to onboarding, to managing a team of freelance writers. Let’s jump in. Ch. 1 The benefits of outsourcing content creation Ch. 2 Hiring: Tips for hiring your next freelance writer Ch. 3 Onboarding: Setting freelancers up for success Ch. 4 How to manage and motivate freelance writers Free Actionable Bonus: Looking to outsource your content writing? Get the complete guide to finding, vetting, and hiring freelance writers Why Do Companies Outsource Content Creation? There are a number of advantages to working with external content writers, whether it’s through a content writing service or with writers directly. 1. Free Up Time Your time is precious. And the content creation process can take a lot of that time. In addition to writing, it involves research, fact-checking, creating a strong title, formatting correctly, optimizing for search engines, grammar checking, and editing for inconsistencies and readability, to name a few. Hiring a writers can take some of the time pressure off yourself and your employees while you retain full editorial control. You’ll get the content you need, as well as time to develop strategies to ensure it connects with your target audience and is effective at growing your business. 2. Save Money According to HubSpot, companies using inbound marketing generally experience a 61 percent lower cost per lead than those using traditional methods. Most businesses have a limited content marketing budget and hiring in-house writers can be expensive when you consider hiring costs, annual salary, benefits, paid leave, and equipment. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the average cost of hiring an in-house writer is $7,221 per month. Outsourcing blog and content writing is more cost effective, as you can hire on an as-need basis at a fraction of the cost. 3. Leverage Industry Experts According to a study by Provoke Insights, 42 percent of companies said they don’t have the expertise to use content marketing effectively. That’s because industry expertise and writing skills are two different things. Working with freelance writers allows you to hire industry experts when create technical or thought-leadership pieces. So much knowledge. 4. Deliver Different Content Types By tapping into the expertise of various writers, you can develop content that spans a range of topics and content formats. A good content marketing service will have writers that specialize in certain industries or are experienced in writing specific content formats such as white papers or SEO content. Experimenting with different types of content helps you discover what your customers prefer so you can sharpen up your content marketing strategy and maximize your ROI. 5. Meet Deadlines For external writers, your content is their priority. By not being in your office, they won’t be pulled off their content duties to work on other tasks. And, any good freelancer will always make sure to meet a deadline. Since you’ll no longer have the responsibility of creating content, you can ensure your content actually gets published on time. Don’t let this be you. Hire professional writers. 6. Scale Your Content Producing quality content is time-consuming. If you’re like most businesses, you can’t afford to neglect other work to devote hours to content marketing. Delegating the content creation to a professional writer doesn’t mean you lose control; it just gives you more time to concentrate on other important business matters. Outsourcing writing also means you can hire multiple writers at the same time with varied experience and expertise. Recommended reading: Scaling Content Creation: How to Scale the Quantity and Quality of Your Content 7. Retain Consistency Keeping consistent quality and tone of your content can be tough. Outsourcing content marketing means you can work with writers who understand writing best practices and adhere to strict quality guidelines. 8. Communicate Effectively Professional writers know how to avoid hype and write in a more conversational tone. This kind of writing is more entertaining and taps into the emotions of readers. It gets to the heart of the message so that readers can quickly find the information they’re looking for. Good writers can also look at your products and services from an outsider’s perspective. They can turn business jargon into compelling copy that builds your credibility and increases trust in your business. 9. Increase Conversions First impressions count. According to the Nielson Norman Group, the average web user leaves a web page after less than 20 seconds. Professional writers can write persuasive copy that gets your message across quickly and clearly, which ultimately improves your conversion rates. Elevate Your Content Marketing Having an effective content marketing strategy is one of the best ways to stand out in today’s crowded online marketplace. But creating the quality content needed to support that strategy entirely in-house isn’t easy. As many successful brands have discovered, it makes sense to leverage the expertise of professional freelance writers to help you meet content demand, and ensure you’re publishing well-written, engaging content. Hiring Tips For When You Outsource Content Writing Content marketing is one of the most effective forms of digital marketing, but it involves a lot of work. Who has the time to write daily blog posts, update their website, create social media posts andrun a business? Recommended reading: The Step-by-Step Guide to Finding, Vetting, and Hiring Freelance Writers What to Look For in Freelance Writers If you decide that hiring a freelance writer is the way forward, here are seven key things to consider before choosing someone for your next project: 1. Experience Don’t be afraid to test a candidate’s knowledge. Ask them how much experience they have in writing the kind of content you need. Give them a set of questions to answer to see if they understand what you’re after. Are they familiar with common industry terms and current trends? 2. Previous Work Some writers will already have a sample of their work for you to look at. If they don’t, you can ask for a brief sample. They may charge for this service, but it can be worthwhile because you’ll get an idea of their ability and writing style. 3. Readability An effective piece of content needs to flow well and capture the attention of your audience. When you first look at a piece of content, is it easy to read? Does the writer communicate clearly? If you struggle to read it, your audience will too. 4. Versatility You need to make sure your content writer understands your brand’s tone of voice. Can they write content that suits your style and speaks the language of your target audience? 5. Prices How much does the writer typically charge for their writing? It may be tempting to accept work from the â€Å"cheapest† writer, but consider the quality of their writing first. While there are many writers that charge a higher fee for their work, this is often reflected in the quality of the final product. When it comes to web content, quality is more important than quantity. 6. Reliability While hiring a freelancer for content helps to keep costs low, you still need writers that are reliable. How long does it take a writer to respond to your questions? How much care have they taken to read your original message? When and how they reply can tell you a lot about their professionalism and reliability. 7. Turnaround If you’re publishing content regularly, you need a writer that can deliver content on time. Obviously, you should give each writer sufficient notice for each project, but you can still ask potential candidates how fast they can turn around content. This will help you avoid future delays in your content schedule. Here are some questions you can use to evaluate writers Onboarding: Setting Freelancers Up for Success The next step is onboarding. While this may seem like a relatively simple step, doing it poorly will create headaches for everyone so it’s worth spending a bit of time to get right. To ensure that your content team is onboarded effectively, you need to familiarize writers with your company, products, services, and business goals. There are various ways to achieve this: Provide each writer with a short manual that clarifies your business, it’s goals, its core values, and its target audience. Give each writera short style guide, outlining industry terms, formatting rules, and headline guidelines. Provide ongoing feedback on every assignment to build each writer’s knowledge. Show your writers company reviews, testimonials, and case studies that explain how your business solves customer problems. By making your needs and expectations clear from the outset, you can avoid long cycles of content revisions in the future. You should also provide a creative brief for each assignment. Some things to include in a creative brief: A working title A summary of the purpose of the content Any calls-to-action that need to be included Links to supporting research, if you have any Keywords you would like included, if applicable A recommended word count A deadline Freelancers often have creative ideas and unique skills that you can tap into. Use their experience to help with developing content ideas. This will give writers more confidence and make them feel a part of your team. Freelancers often have creative ideas and unique skills that you can tap into. Use their experience to help with developing content ideas. This will give writers more confidence and make them feel a part of your team. Click To Tweet You could also share content statistics with your writers. Did a blog post boost website traffic? How many times was an article shared on social media? Stats like these give a boost to any writer. Tips for Managing a Team of Freelance Writers As the importance of publishing well-written content continues to grow, more and more companies are opting to hire freelance writers to help them meet demand and produce high-quality content. But just because you’re working with freelance writers, doesn’t mean you’re completely off the hook. In order to get the best work out of a team of freelance writers, they need to be managed effectively. Effective management means not only being clear about the project details and your expectations, but also includes the people-side of the relationship. How to Manage and Motivate a Team of Freelance Writers†¦ Effectively managing and motivating your team includes selecting the right writers, setting up a feedback mechanism, and ensuring writers are invested in creating successful content. Here are 7 tips to help you manage your freelance team and keep them motivated. 1. Build a Flexible Writing Team To build an effective content marketing team, select a few writers that have different skill sets. While you don’t have to work with all of them at once, it’s smart to have a relationship with multiple writers that specialize in different topics and content types.This mean if you lose a writer or one doesn’t work out, you have some writers to fall back on. 2. Provide a Content Strategy Template From the outset, give all your writers a clear set of guidelines and expectations regarding content production and communication. Some info you should be sure to include: Company information. Content goals and target audience information. Brand style guide. Typical content topics. Content form, including word counts, formatting, tone, SEO rules, and publication platforms. Deadline rules, including how and when writers should submit content. When equipped with a complete template and style guide, writers don’t have to ask as many questions and are more likely to produce on-brand content. 3. Make Writers Feel More Invested in Your Projects The best way to build lasting relationships with writers is to make them feel a part of your team. They may be freelancers, but they’re still want to feel valued for their work. There are various ways to make writers feel more invested in your projects: Share content performance metrics and company news. Hold a webinar QA session. Help them develop new skills by letting them tackle new topics. Regularly ask for feedback. Give regular praise for good work. 4. Offer Ongoing Support If you think a writer did a great job, tell them. If you have any criticisms, balance it out with something positive. And let writers know you’re always there if they need any advice. To create a more supportive environment: Don’t set unrealistic deadlines. Allow writers to show some creativity. Provide preliminary research for each project. Don’t micro-manage every project. Don’t overload writers with work. Let writers know the best times to communicate with you. 5. Provide Rewards for Great Work Occasional rewards will boost motivation and encourage good work. It doesn’t have to be monetary. For example, acknowledge writers in company publications, offer extra writing opportunities, or give them a mention on social media. 6. Pay a Fair Price Paying writers an hourly rate often leads to problems further down the line. First, the writer isn’t motivated enough to finish a project. Second, it’s difficult to know beforehand precisely how long a project will take. This can lead to crossed lines and blurred boundaries. Instead, it’s a good idea to negotiate a per-article or per-word fee. While there is a lot of variety in terms of pricing, you should expect to pay about $0.10-0.50 per word for a high-quality article, depending on the subject matter, the type of content, and the writer’s skill and experience. For writers that do extensive research, conduct interviews, or take on in-depth projects like white papers, expect to pay more. 7. Refine the Process Managing a team of freelance writers isn’t just about creating a content schedule and making sure writers stick to deadlines; it’s about building lasting working relationships and helping your writers put out their best work. As with any relationship, consistency is key to getting the most out of people: Paying them fairly and on time. Giving them plenty of notice for new projects. Not overloading writers Being open to feedback and suggestions. If you stick to these guidelines, you’ll attract high-quality freelancers, build a more scalable, efficient content creation process, and be able to meet content demand for years to come. More than Just a Boss The most successful managers are able to get the most out of the talent they hire. It isn’t just about controlling a team; it’s about being a good communicator, collaborator, coach, and motivator. It’s also about trusting your writers to deliver great content without interfering too much. Managing a team of writers can be challenging, but if you remember these essential tips, you can nurture a productive writing team that you can depend on for years to come.

Free Essays on Global

The central theme to this course is the concept of sustainable development. According to Dr. Peterson’s lecture on January 9th, sustainable development is â€Å"the development of a society that is just and desirable for both our and future generations.† Dr. Peterson also outlined six problems dealing with sustainable development. In this paper I will relate the countries of Nigeria and China to the problem of natural resource use and industrialization and the other five problems of sustainable development utilizing material from lectures, discussion, labs, movies, and the text. The first problem associated with sustainable development is natural resource depletion and rapid industrialization. Nigeria and China are both experiencing problems related to industrialization and the use of natural resources. Industrialization and the natural resource used go hand in hand, because the natural resources extracted from the environment in a said country is the main source for sector of the economy. The natural resource is used to produce a product, which in turn provides capital. The Nigerian society is highly dependent on non-renewable resources, namely oil, which serves as the basis of its economy. In Nigeria, oil production is estimated to peak between 2010-2050. In China, one main natural resource is hydroelectric power, used by the rapid industrialized cities. One of the prices paid for industrialization and extracting a natural resource is the Three Gorges Dam in China. The creation of the dam will result in a 350 square mile reservoir, yet 1-2 million inhabitants will be forcibly removed from their homes. Since the silt flow of the Yangtze River will be altered, farming and soil fertility will be significantly altered. And, not to mention, the endangered river dolphin will undoubtedly be driven to extinction. All these consequences will be paid for the price of 18 billion watts of power to spur economic and industrial ... Free Essays on Global Free Essays on Global The central theme to this course is the concept of sustainable development. According to Dr. Peterson’s lecture on January 9th, sustainable development is â€Å"the development of a society that is just and desirable for both our and future generations.† Dr. Peterson also outlined six problems dealing with sustainable development. In this paper I will relate the countries of Nigeria and China to the problem of natural resource use and industrialization and the other five problems of sustainable development utilizing material from lectures, discussion, labs, movies, and the text. The first problem associated with sustainable development is natural resource depletion and rapid industrialization. Nigeria and China are both experiencing problems related to industrialization and the use of natural resources. Industrialization and the natural resource used go hand in hand, because the natural resources extracted from the environment in a said country is the main source for sector of the economy. The natural resource is used to produce a product, which in turn provides capital. The Nigerian society is highly dependent on non-renewable resources, namely oil, which serves as the basis of its economy. In Nigeria, oil production is estimated to peak between 2010-2050. In China, one main natural resource is hydroelectric power, used by the rapid industrialized cities. One of the prices paid for industrialization and extracting a natural resource is the Three Gorges Dam in China. The creation of the dam will result in a 350 square mile reservoir, yet 1-2 million inhabitants will be forcibly removed from their homes. Since the silt flow of the Yangtze River will be altered, farming and soil fertility will be significantly altered. And, not to mention, the endangered river dolphin will undoubtedly be driven to extinction. All these consequences will be paid for the price of 18 billion watts of power to spur economic and industrial ...

Academic Success in a K-12 classroom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Academic Success in a K-12 classroom - Essay Example to continue their education even after they have qualified the â€Å"continuing professional development.† Teachers may acquire a lesson plan to facilitate and help the student learning and prepare them for their future life. In short, it is the teacher who molds the personality of his/her students. (Oxford, Pergamon 1985) A teacher has an important and a significant role in facilitating the students in order to ensure their achievement goals and targets. Helping the students to achieve their long-term and short-term goals is an eloquent and rewarding responsibility. Goal setting is a process that actuates a student to stay focused and to prevent them from spending time on distractions. Once the students develop the manner of setting short-term goals they can more easily follow the path of achieving the life they wish to lead. I, in my class, implemented a few strategies which ensured that all the students achieved the objectives. I did so by making the students understand the term â€Å"critical thinking†, because to achieve different goals and objectives, critical thinking is an important factor to be acquired by the students. I implemented several critical reading strategies which would help the students to learn accordingly. This is to show the students how to implement critical reading str ategies. Similarly I also made the students practice critical thinking techniques in their homework so that they could learn from the lectures that were being delivered. Moreover I also had them to contemplate as to how the process of critical reading would affect their own learning and facilitate them in the future projects. Some students seem eager and ardent about learning, but many require their instructors and teachers to motivate and actuate them. A few strategies that I usually brought into practice to encourage the academically weak students to flourish revolved around increasing their self esteem. I provided these students with positive feedback to animate and

The Role of Micro and Macro Factors In Business Decision Making Essay

The Role of Micro and Macro Factors In Business Decision Making - Essay Example This paper illustrates that economics enables firm’s in making the decision related to the production such as infrastructure and input cost, number of units, number of labor and their wages, and utility expenses, etc. are in a way to meet the market demand profitably. Additionally, the pricing decisions with profit margins are conducted on the basis of the competitive landscape of the business. All these plays defining a role in the future revenue stream for the business. Also, economics enables firm’s in making the decision-related to the production such as infrastructure and input cost, number of units, number of labor and their wages, and utility expenses, etc. are in a way to meet the market demand profitably. Additionally, the pricing decisions with profit margins are conducted on the basis of the competitive landscape of the business. All these are critical to maintaining the economic objective of achieving profitability for the firm. In addition to this, a manufa cturing concern like other businesses is also required to understand the macroeconomic factors. For example, government policies in the UK are attractive for local and international wind energy producers. These investments have the role in generating employment. The unemployment level and labor policy of the government will determine the cost of labor for the business (both skilled and unskilled). It also has an impact in determining the future demand for the business product. UK government has also lowered taxation to attract investors in the energy sector. In addition to these fiscal and monetary policy implications, GDP of the economy that determines the purchasing power of the people, etc. Also, the international trade regulations and policies of the country are also important to understand in case the input is imported from abroad or is to be exported to other countries. Hence, business economic play a guiding role in surviving and running and business successfully.

MKTM003(1) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

MKTM003(1) - Essay Example What is Marketing Before going to discuss the futuristic approach towards strategic marketing, let us get a better understanding of what marketing actually is. Marketing means to promote a product or to make the people aware of the products of the company. Companies launch marketing campaigns for creating awareness among the public about the newly manufactured products. A marketing campaign not only includes defining marketing goals of a company but also includes development of marketing strategies to achieve those goals. Role of marketing in the promotion of new brands can never be denied. Marketing not only helps the companies achieve higher levels of profits but also helps them establish their brands in any international market. Marketing plays a vital role in making any new product or brand popular and successful. According to Perez (2010), creation of an effective marketing plan is extremely important for a company because it helps the company create the entire business plan for carrying out the business activities. It is due to effective marketing plans that most of the new products get recognized all over the world in a very short span of time. 2. The Strategic Imperative - A Future Focus Masters (2011) states, â€Å"Strategic marketing is a consumer-based approach to product promotion that identifies market segments and attempts to make them more profitable by providing superior value†. ... According to Cooper (2000), strategic marketing improves productivity of a company. Productivity of a company depends on some critical factors, such as, customer satisfaction and employee retention. Let us take example of hospitality industry. If the customers will be satisfied from the food and beverages provided to them by any specific restaurant, they will work as a source to attract more people towards the restaurant, which will ultimately help the company achieve competitive advantage in the industry. Tatum (2011) states, â€Å"A strategic marketing plan is an approach to structuring marketing efforts in a manner that identifies and meets consumer demand†. In future, the objective of developing an appropriate strategic marketing plan will only be achieved when all departments of the companies will work in proper collaboration with each other. They will not only need to work together to create a marketing plan by researching customer attitudes and designing metrics to meas ure performance but also they will have to help the authorities in the implementation of those plans effectively. Some of the main factors which marketers consider while developing strategic marketing plans include needs and demands of the customers, ways in which a customer’s needs can be met, potential market segments, and changing trends in the customers’ taste. Marketing professionals develop the strategic marketing plans in three stages. In the first stage, they segment the market according to the geographic, demographic, psychographic, and behavioral aspects. In the next step, managers develop profiles of the market segments by considering the revenue potential, profitability potential, and market share potential of the company. In the last

Background Information On Undernutrition Health And Social Care Essay

Background Information On Undernutrition Health And Social Care Essay Malnutrition could be defined as an imbalance between nutrients and energy supply to the cells and the bodys requirement for growth, maintenance and specific functions (1). That is, malnutrition could be over nutrition, in which case the bodys nutrients and energy supply exceeds what the body requires, or undernutrition, in which case the nutrients and energy supply does not meet the bodys demand. An example of over nutrition is obesity whiles and example of undernutrition is marasmus or kwashiorkor. Malnutrition is responsible for about 5.6 to 10 million child mortality annually, 1.5million of these deaths is as a results of severe malnutrition (). Nutritional status of an individual reflects the balance between the nutrients consumption and its utilization in the processes of growth, health maintenance and reproduction (). Thus, it extends from nutrient levels in the body, the end products of metabolism to the functional activities that they control (). Undernutrition is disturbing because it is responsible for more than a third of all child deaths in developing countries (1). It blunts the mind, affects the productivity of its victims and brings about poverty (24). It is important to address the issue of undernutrition if there is any hope of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially MDG 1 which is to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger. Proper nutrition helps give every child the best start in life. Beside every child has a right to adequate nutrition. However, there are a significant proportion of children who are denied this right for reasons that could easily be prevented. An estimated 13 million children under 5years globally are severely undernourished and 50% of them die from preventable causes (1). Interestingly, 99% of the child deaths occur in the developing countries (24). Up to date studies point out that, one in three children less than five years in the developing world are undernourished with sub -Saharan Africa and Asia having high rates, of 40 per cent and 35 per cent respectively (24). Currently, it is estimated that one-third of children less than five years of age in developing countries are stunted (low height-for-age), whiles significant proportion of them, are also deficient in one or more micronutrients (24). Studies shows that, a child with severe undernutrition enrolls late in school and also affects his or her performance in school (26).This contributes significantly to the increased rates of school drop- out and undoubtedly contributing to the issue of meaningful access and educational outcome (25). This could be attributed to the fact that, the harm caused by undernutrition to children during the first two years, especially between 6 months and 24months is irreversible because it is the period of rapid brain development (25). In order to ensure that all children achieve optimal nutrition as well as low incidence of infectious disease and infant mortality from malnutrition, it is important that we understand the factors that contributes to undernutrition (23). CONCEPTUAL FRAME WORK OF CHILD UNDERNUTRITION. According to the United Nations Childrens Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the theoretical outline of child malnutrition shows numerous interventions that can decrease morbidity and mortality associated with malnutrition (23). To prevent or manage malnutrition, the factors implicated needs evaluation. In addition, the various causes of malnutrition overlap, that is: immediate causes, underlying causes and basic causes (23). Figure 1: conceptual framework of childhood undernutrition 1.2.1 IMMEDIATE CAUSES The immediate causes of childhood malnutrition is classified as, insufficient diet as well as stress, trauma, diseases (such as HIV, TB etc) and poor psychosocial care. Poor dietary ingestion may refer to poor breastfeeding practices, early weaning, delayed introduction of complementary feed. It is known that the stage from birth to two years of age is the significant period for the promotion of good growth, health, behavioral and cognitive development (24). Therefore, optimal infant and young child feeding is crucial during this period. Regrettably, this period (especially between 6 to 24months after birth), is often marked by growth faltering, micronutrient deficiencies as well as common childhood illnesses such as diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections (ARI) (24). The WHO therefore recommends Optimal feeding practices during this period, which involves early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life, continued breastfeeding for up to two years of age and beyond, timely introduction of complementary feeding at 6 months of age, frequency of feeding, solid/semisolid foods, and the diversity of food groups fed to children between 6 and 24months of age (1). Exclusive breastfeeding is an excellent way of providing adequate food for a babys first six months of life (21). An estimated 1.4 million deaths occurs globally among under five children every year because of inadequate or suboptimum breastfeeding (22). The most recent data suggest that, in the developing world, 36 per cent of 0-5 month olds are exclusively breastfed, whiles 60 per cent of 6-8 month olds are breastfed and given complementary foods and  55 per cent of 20-23 month olds are provided with continued breastfeeding (22). Also among newborns, 43 per cent started breastfeeding within the first hour after birth (22). Adequate complementary feeding of children from 6 months to two years is critical in preventing undernutrition. Proper timing of complementary feed introduction also helps prevent undernutrition. Early beginning of complementary food is found to be associated increased risk of acute respiratory tract infections, eye infections and high malaria morbidity. This is because, when complementary feeding is initiated, it results in reduced breastmilk consumption which could results in the loss of passive immunity from the mother to the child (23). Thus causing higher morbidity especially when unhygienic foods are used, as a results of development of diarrhoea (23). This is supported by a study done in India, which shows that growth curves weaken by 4months of life as a consequence of early initiation of complementary feeding (23). Evidence further shows that, complementary feeding practices are generally poor among developing countries, thus children continue to be vulnerable to permanent o utcomes like stunting and impaired cognitive development (24). Currently in Ghana, there is widespread child malnutrition, contributing to the continuous high child mortality (25). About 39% of all Ghanaian 2 year olds are moderately or severely stunted with the incidence rising in the Northern regions (25). Studies show that undernutrition is more prevalent in the rural than the urban areas of the country (3). Almost one in five children under age five in Ghana are underweight (18 percent) and 3% are classified as severely underweight (25). Nearly a quarter of children (22%) are stunted or too short for their age and 5 percent are wasted or too thin for their height (1). 1.2.2. UNDERLYING CAUSES: It include inadequate levels of household food security, inadequate care of infant and children, low levels of education of mother/caregivers, inadequate health care and insanitary environment (23). 1.2.3. BASIC CAUSES OF MALNUTRITION This is also called the root causes of malnutrition and it include deprived and control of resources (such as political, social, ideological and economic), degradation, of the environment, poor agriculture, war, political instability, urbanization, population growth and seize, distribution, conflicts, trade agreements and natural disasters, religious and cultural factors (23). PROBLEM STATEMENT. Globally it is estimated that 60 million children have moderate acute and 13 million have severe acute malnutrition(SAM) (23) . 50% of 10 to 11 children below five years die from preventable causes such as undernutrition (23). Studies have also shown that 9% of children in the sub-saharan Africa have moderate acute malnutrition whiles 2% of them are severely malnuhrised (23). One of the identified factors contributing to high mortality rates from undernutrition is because, only severe cases of malnutrition are reported with most of them reporting late. According to a press released by the Central Regional Nutrition Officer on 20th September 2011, Four hundred and twenty seven (427) severe malnutrition cases among children were recorded (from January to June, last year) by the Central Region Health Administration, with Agona West having the highest of 113 followed by Upper Denkyira East with 83 cases. Eighty two percent (82%) of the cases were children from zero to two years. Fifty four per cent (54%) are females with forty six percent (46%) being males (4). According to the Ghana demographic and health survey report released in 2008, out of a total number of 246 children from the central region involved in the study, 47.8% of them had height for age below -3SD (indicating severe stunting), 22.6% had weight for age below -3SD (indicating severe wasting) and 13.7% had weight for height below -3SD (indicating severe undernutrition) (19). According to the report, out of 292 children born in the region over the period of the research, 9 9.3% were breastfed (19). Out of this, 55.5% of them breastfeeding was started within an hour after birth whiles 79.1% of them were breastfeed within 24hours after birth (19). The burden of undernutrition cannot be ignored when considering the health of a country, most importantly in a developing country like Ghana. Although Ghana recently attained a lower middle income country status, the prevalence of undernutrition has been persistently high. More needs to be done in terms of childhood nutrition if the millennium goals 4 is to be achieved. Undernutrition reduces an increased susceptibility to infections, slow recovery from illness and poor outcomes from simple medical conditions. The critical window , which is the period of birth up to two years (24 months) of life, is an important period of preventing undernutrition . If undernutrition is not taken care of during this critical period, it may lead to irreversible damage for future development towards adulthood such as low intellect which may eventually affect productivity. RATIONAL OF STUDY. Infant and child morbidity and mortality as well as the economic ability of the country will always continue to be a problem if the nutritional status of young children(6 to24months) is overlooked. If infant and child mortalities goes high, the government spends huge sums of money to reduce or prevent them. This could be avoided by just identifying and addressing the factors that are associated with undernutrition. For example, an inexpensive way of ensuring good child nutrition is to educate mothers to engage themselves in good child feeding practices such as exclusive breastfeeding for 6months and timely introduction of quality complementary feeding. This study seeks to assess the nutritional status of children 6months to 24months in order to identify those who have any form of undernutrition which is indicated by stunting, wasting and underweight. This will help identify the common factors that contributes to undernutrition so that programmes could be geared towards children 6 months to 24 months as a whole. STUDY HYPOTHESIS: Childhood undernutrition is influenced by socio-demographic factors, child feeding practices and the health history of child and mother/caregiver pair. GENERAL OBJECTIVE To assess the nutritional status of children 6months to 24months attending child welfare clinic in the cape coast metropolis and examine the factors associated with it. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES The specific objectives are to: Determine the socio demographic background of mother/caregiver and child (6 to 24 months old) pair. Determine the nutritional status of children between the ages of 6months and 24months. Determine the child feeding practices of mothers/ caregivers and its association with child nutritional status. Identify the common food items used in complementary feeding of children 6 to 24months. Determine the health history including acute (diarrhoea, respiratory tract infection, anemia and malaria) and chronic illnesses such as TB and HIV) of children between 6months and 24months and their association with undernutrition. CHAPTER 2 2.1. INTRODUCTION Worldwide, hunger and malnutrition are the two most significant public health challenges (23). Malnutrition increases the risk for illness and death with millions of both children and women being affected as a results of infections, poor and inadequate diet (23). Reports suggest that infants and young children are the most venerable to malnutrition because of their increased nutritional needs to support growth (23). Nutritional disorders arise from imbalance between supply of protein-energy and the bodys demand for them to ensure optimal growth and function (23). This imbalance includes both inadequate and excessive nutrient intake; the former leading to malnutrition in the form of wasting, stunting and underweight whilst the latter results in overweight and obesity (23). Malnutrition is often used to in place of PEM (protein energy malnutrition), which is commonly regarded and its severe forms are called marasmus, kwashiorkor and miasmic kwashiorkor (23). SAM is a term used to describe a combination of all the different forms of PEM, it refers to weight for height 2.2. PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION Globally, the nutritional status of children is improving with the exception of sub-Saharan Africa. This progress is however hindered by poverty, infection and inefficient governance (22). In a study conducted among developing countries, was second to Asia in terms of the number of children who are stunted, underweight and wasted (23). Table 2.1. Prevalence of PEM among children under 5years in developing countries, 1995. REGION WASTING /% STUNTING /% UNDERWEIGHT /% Africa 39 28 8 Asia 41 35 10 Latin America and Caribbean 18 10 3 Oceania 31 23 5 (Muller and krawntel, 2005). In the state of the worlds children report released in 1998, malnutrition resulted in about seven million deaths which are about 55% of all child deaths (23). Of these, three quarters are mild to moderately malnourished without obvious signs of problems (23). According to a press released by the Central Regional Nutrition Officer on 20th September 2011, Four hundred and twenty seven (427) severe malnutrition cases among children were recorded (from January to June, last year) by the Central Region Health Administration, with Agona West having the highest of 113 followed by Upper Denkyira East with 83 cases. Eighty two percent (82%) of the cases were children from zero to two years. Fifty four per cent (54%) are females with forty six percent (46%) being males (4). In the 2008 Ghana demographic and health survey, out of a total number of 246 children from the central region involved in the study, 47.8% of them had height for age below -3SD (indicating severe stunting), 22.6% had weight for age below -3SD (indicating severe wasting) and 13.7% had weight for height below -3SD (indicating severe undernutrition) (19). In the report, out of 292 children born in the region over the period of the research, 99.3% were breastfed (19). Out of this, 55.5% of them breastfeeding was started within an hour after birth whiles 79.1% of them were breastfeed within 24hours after birth (19). 2.3. CLASSIFICATION OF MALNUTRITION Malnutrition, defined in this context as nutritional deficiency, is a serious public health problem that has been linked to a substantial increase in the risk of mortality and morbidity. It is normally used to describe protein energy malnutrition. Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) refers to a group of related disorders which include marasmus, kwashiorkor and marasmus-kwashiorkor (2). Marasmus involves inadequate intake of protein and calories and is characterized by emaciation or wasting (2). Kwashiorkor refers to an inadequate protein intake with reasonable caloric (energy) intake and it is characterized by edema (2). Therefore the major clinical difference between marasmus and kwashiorkor is the wasting which is seen in marasmus but absent in kwashiorkor and edema which is present in kwashiorkor but absent in marasmus. Moreover, in the intermediate state of marasmus kwashiorkor, there is both wasting and edema. Studies suggest that marasmus represents an adaptive response to starvation, whereas kwashiorkor represents a maladaptive response to starvation (2). Children, usually present with a mixed picture of marasmus and kwashiorkor, hence the term protein- energy malnutrition is commonly used in child malnutrition (2). Pati ents with protein-energy malnutrition may also have deficiencies of vitamins, essential fatty acids, and trace elements (2). In marasmus the insufficient energy intake to match the bodys requirements causes the body draw on its own stores thus resulting in emaciation (2). In kwashiorkor, because there is adequate carbohydrate ( caloric) consumption but inadequate protein intake leads to decreased synthesis of visceral proteins (2).This result in hypoalbuminemia (low albumen in blood) which contributes to extravascular fluid accumulation as a result of reduced intravascular oncotic pressure (2). Another effect is the impaired synthesis of B-lipoprotein thus leading to a fatty liver (2). Marasmus and kwashiorkor could both be associated with impaired glucose clearance that relates to dysfunction of pancreatic ÃŽÂ ²-cells (2). Protein-energy malnutrition also involves an inadequate intake of many essential nutrients such as zinc, vitamins e.t.c (2). The WHO classifies malnutrition into moderate and severe malnutrition (23). Malnutrition is classified as severe when there is the presence of symmetrical edema (malnutrition edema), weight-for-height SD-score 2.4. ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIONAL STATUS The severity of malnutrition varies in terms of its clinical, biochemical and physiologic features. These features are also affected by the age of the child, nutritional deficits and infections. Diagnosis of child malnutrition is made by taking a detailed dietary history and demonstrating the presence of clinical features, which are weight loss, slow growth/ growth retardation, childs physical activity and energy levels, the recent history of diarrhoea, immune-suppression and many other features. The assessment of nutritional status according to weight-for-height, height-for-age and presence of nutritional edema is the WHO standard criteria for diagnosing undernutrition (1). Whilst the child with edematous malnutrition could easily be identified by most clinicians, wasting as a form of malnutrition could easily be missed if anthropometric measurements are not done. Growth assessment in terms of anthropometry is routinely done at child welfare clinics and at the end of all physical examination of a child during all hospital visits (1). 2.5. COMPLICATIONS / EFFECTS OF UNDERNUTRITION In 2000, the WHO estimated that malnourished children numbered 181.9 million (32%) in developing countries. In addition, an estimated 149.6 million children under 5 years are malnourished when measured in terms of weight for age (2). Approximately 50% of the 10 million deaths each year in developing countries occur because of malnutrition in children under 5 years (2). In kwashiorkor, mortality tends to decrease as the age of onset increases (2). Marasmus usually occurs in children under 5years; this may be due to the fact that this period is characterized by increased energy requirements and increased susceptibility to viral and bacterial infections (2). Also weaning (the gradual withdrawal of breast milk and the commencement of nourishment with other food) occurs during this high-risk period (2). Weaning is usually complicated by geography, socio-economy, hygiene, public health, culture, and dietetics (2). Due to the complex nature of weaning, it could become ineffective when the f oods introduced provide inadequate nutrients, when the food and water are contaminated, when the access to health care is inadequate, and/or when the patient cannot access or purchase proper nourishment (2). Since low intake of calories or an inability to absorb calories is the key factor in the development of kwashiorkor, variety of syndromes could be associated with kwashiorkor (2). Clinically children would have poor weight gain or weight loss (slowing of linear growth) and behavioral changes such as, irritability, apathy (characteristically, the child is apathetic when undisturbed but irritable when picked up), decreased social responsiveness, anxiety, and attention deficit (2). In marasmus, the child appears emaciated with significant loss of subcutaneous fat and muscle wasting. Other features include; xerotic, wrinkled, and loose skin; loss of buccal fat pads given rise to what is called monkey face (2). In protein-energy malnutrition, more hairs are in the telogen (resting) phase than in the anagen (active) phase, a reverse of normal (2). Kwashiorkor typically presents with failure to thrive, edema, moon face, a swollen abdomen (potbelly), and a fatty liver (2). Skin changes are c haracteristic and could progress over few days, thus the skin becomes dark, dry, and then splits open when stretched, revealing pale areas between the cracks(2). Globally, the most common cause of malnutrition is inadequate food intake (2). Preschool-aged children in developing countries are often at risk for malnutrition because of the following factors: their dependence on others for food; increased protein and energy requirements; immature immune systems causing a greater susceptibility to infection; and exposure to non-hygienic conditions (2).Another important factor is ineffective weaning as a result of ignorance, poor hygiene, socio-economic factors, and cultural factors (2). Diseases such as gastrointestinal infections can and often do precipitate clinical protein-energy malnutrition because of associated diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, increased metabolic needs, and decreased intestinal absorption (2). 2.6. TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE UNDERNUTRITION In the first step in the treatment of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), which is also known as the initial phase/stabilization phase, the aim of treatment is to correct fluid and electrolyte abnormalities and to treat any infections (2). Macronutrient repletion or dietary treatment with F75 and F100 should be commenced within 48 hours under the supervision of nutrition specialists (2). Other treatment action in this stage includes, correcting hypoglycemia, hypothermia and dehydration among others. The second step in the treatment, referred to us the rehabilitation phase, may be delayed 24-48 h in children. The aim is to supply macronutrients by dietary therapy to rapidly replenish the energy stores depleted by malnutrition (2). After a week, intake rates should approach 175 kcal/kg and 4 g/kg of protein for children (2). A daily multivitamin should also be added (2). Any child who is at risk of nutritional deficiency should be referred to a registered dietitian or other nutritional professional for a complete nutritional assessment and dietary counseling (2). Subspecialty referrals should be considered if the underlying cause is not poor nutritional intake e.g. if clinical findings indicate malabsorption, a gastroenterologist should be consulted (2). Children with poor nutrition as a result of inadequate intake and/or neglect should be referred to the appropriate social agencies to assist the family in obtaining resources and providing ongoing care for the child (2). The last phase which is ignored by most health workers is the follow up, its to be done at appropriate intervals to enable the child and mother/caregiver pair to have counseling and guidance. 2.7. CHILD MALNUTRITIONAL STUDIES In a randomized community based trial of the effects of improved, centrally processed complementary foods on growth and micronutrient status, infants fed with weanimix had better iron stores and vitamin A status than those fed on nonfortified foods(13) . Therefore, mothers practicing complementary feeding should be encouraged to use fortified foods such as weanimix, NAN 1e.t. c. The study, however used limited food variety and also did not include simple local foods like groundnut paste, millet e.t.c. As said by a case-control study, on Risk factors for severe acute malnutrition in children under the age of five, there is an association between severe acute malnutrition and inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices (16). This suggests that, adequate or proper child feeding practices could prevent childhood undernutrition. Hence efforts, aimed at reducing child undernutrition needs to emphasize the proper feeding of children. In reference to a study on undernution as an underlying cause of child deaths associated with diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, and measles, significant proportion of deaths in young children worldwide is attributable to low weight-for-age (underweight). The study also showed, 52.5% of all deaths in young children were attributable to undernutrition, which is different form 44.8% for deaths because of measles to 60.7% for deaths because of diarrhea (). This shows that, the fight against childhood killer disease should involve the fight against undernutrition since it is a significant co-morbidity for child mortality. A different study, on a multilevel analysis of individual and community effect on chronic childhood malnutrition , revealed that individual and community characteristics are important predictors of childhood malnutrition(). This indicates that, there are individual factors which are dependent on the child as well as environmental factors which are determined by the community. Thus the geographical location as well as individual traits could predispose a child to undernutrition. Another study also revealed that, Household Food Security is inversely proportional to undernutrition (). This indicates that once food security levels in households increases, the prevalence of undernutrition decreases. Several factors affects food security, such factors includes; conflicts, war, political instability, famine, poor food storage systems e.t.c. In this regard, policies addressing these factors will improve food security levels in the country which will intern improve child undernutrition. A crosectional study on potentially modifiable micro-environmental and co-morbid factors associated with severe wasting and stunting in children , identified social class and feeding practices as the significant risk factors associated with wasting (). This indicates that, improving the living standard of citizenry ultimately improves the incidence of childhood undernutrition. A research on Prevalence of Malnutrition and Effects of Maternal Age, Education and Occupation Amongst Children showed high prevalence of stunting, medium wasting and underweight had no statistically significant association with educational level and occupation of the mothers(). Thus indicating that, mothers/caregivers do not need to have high educational level or white color job to prevent or reduce child undernutrition. Therefore, policies aimed at educating mothers/caregivers should be directed to everyone without prejudice of the persons work or educational level. 2.8. CONCLUSION Child undernutrition is a problem that affects individual, society, ethical, moral and political levels. Factors associated with it cuts across socio-demographic, health and geographical location. CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY 3.1. Study design: This was a crosectional study involving 100 child and mother/caregiver pair sampled from five health facilities randomly selected. The study was conducted over a one month period. Mothers/Caregivers of children between 6months and 24months old were eligible for participation and were randomly selected after they had consented. 3.2. Study setting: The Cape Coast Metropolitan is bounded on the south by the Gulf of Guinea, west by the Komenda / Edina / Eguafo /Abrem Municipal, east by the Abura/Asebu/Kwamankese District and north by the Twifu/Hemang/Lower Denkyira District (4). The Metropolis covers an area of 122 square kilometers and is the smallest metropolis in the country and is also the capital city of the Central Region of Ghana (4). The total population of the cape coast metropolis is 217,032 with a population growth rate of3.1%(5). Generally, there are two rainy seasons in the metropolis (4). The peak of the major season is in June (4). The vegetation is divided into dry coastal savanna stretching about 15 km inland, and a tropical rain forest with various reserve areas (5). The major economic activities are agriculture andfishing (5). 3.3. Samples seize: The formular used in calculating the sample seize is: Sample Size = n [1 + (n/population)] Where n = Z ÃÆ'- Z [P (1-P)/(DÃÆ'-D)] P = True proportion of factor in the population, or the expected frequency value D = Maximum difference between the sample mean and the population mean, Or Expected Frequency Value minus (-) Worst Acceptable Value Z = Area under normal curve corresponding to the desired confidence level The prevalence of undernutrition among children under 5 years in Ghana was 28.60% at the end .of 2008 (3). The population of children between 6months and 24 months of age registered at the health facilities within the cape coast metropolis, attending child welfare clinic is 238. The desired confidence level used was 95% with the value of Z = 1.960, from the confidence level. The confidence limit (D) of 4% (i.e.  ±4). Hence, n= 1.960ÃÆ'-1.960[0.286 (1-0.286)/(0.04ÃÆ'-0.04)] = 489.804 Therefore sample seize = 489.804 = 160.1714 [1+(489.804/238)] Hence the sample seize was ~ 160. 3.4. Sampling: There are ten health facilities within the cape coast metropolitan catchment area. These ten health facilities include both rural and urban Health centers, CHIP centers, University hospital, Metropolitan hospital and a Regional hospital. These health facilities were subjected to random selection and five of them were selected to participate in the study. The random selection was done by assigning all the facilities to numbers and these numbers were written separately on small sheets of papers and folded. Five different individuals, who are have no idea about the study nor were the health facilities involved, at separate times asked to pick one of the folded papers. All the health facilities had equal chance of selection. The selected health facilities included the Central Regional Hospital, Akotokyire CHPS Center, Adisadel Urban Health Ce

Benifits Of Trapping Essay -- essays research papers

Trapping Benefits   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the spring of 1996 Farmer Johnson's field was inundated with water. This high water level wasn't due to natural flooding or heavy rains but a well built line of mud, rocks and logs 200 feet long that crossed the river near his property. Beavers were the cause of this years crop failure. Farmer Johnson decided the best thing he could do was call the county trapper. The trapper came and removed most of the beavers and opened up the dam. The beavers, upon seeing the broken dam and losing the other beavers, decided to build downstream further where no one would be plagued by excess water. This shows just one example of how trapping can be beneficial.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Due to trappings benefits to the community, nature, and the individual trapper, it should be a welcomed outdoor activity. Trapping is the taking of wild fur bearing animals for the animal’s meat and the fur which is also called a pelt. These pelts are used to make clothing, shelters, and are sold for money. Trapping has a very long history going back to early anthropologic history and classic Native American cultures . Trapping was the main reason for the United States to be explored and settled by whites in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s as trappers and traders went west looking for beaver and other valuable furs(McCraken and Cleve 8-9). Trapping , when done ethically and responsibly, will provide these three compliments to those involved. First, it is a benefit to the surrounding ecosystem, secondly the trapper gains new knowledge and ideas, and thirdly the surrounding community gets the benefits from the trapper towards nature.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Those against trapping say it is too cruel and inhumane for the benefits it provides. Some people say trapping is past it’s time and we no longer have a need for the pelts animals provide, the benifits it provides, or the life that a trapper lives. Some even go so far as to say trapping can’t control a fur bearer population. Groups such as The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Greenpeace do not agree with the idea of trapping due to their beliefs previously stated. Through the following supports I hope to prove the benefits will far outweigh the negatives and that it has a place in today’s society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The benefits to the trapper ar... ... don’t learn as fast or aren’t as cautious are removed so it has some of the same effects as natural selection. So the oppositions argument that trapping isn’t natural isn’t quite true. With trappers outdoors they would be one of the first ones to notice if something was out of place or out of balance within nature so that a disaster or change in animal habits can be noticed and averted if necessary. The trapping license dollars went towards habitat management such as 31,800 acres of prescribed burning and 109,000 acres of water level management(Minnesota 119). These certainly helped the very fur bearers which from which the monies came from. Trapping has a much greater impact on wildlife today than most people give it credit for but the supports contained within should disprove any doubts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As fellow animals we have a right to use what is here on this earth but as humans we have a great responsibility to not abuse the natural resources of the planet. When done properly trapping can have extensive positive effects on an environment. Hopefully we will continue to see trappers well into the twenty first century taking their place in the circle of life.

‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ by Tennessee Williams Essay

Look at scene IV of ‘Streetcar’ What does the scene tell us about the relationship between Stella and Stanley, and how does Williams portray this? In order to analyse this scene, there needs to be a clear understanding of what has happened prier to it. Scene three is set at Stanley’s poker game, when Mitch leaves the game, to chat to Blanche, Stanley becomes more and more annoyed, and smashes a radio. Stella yells at him, and he starts to beat her. The men pull him off. Blanche takes Stella and some clothes to Eunice’s apartment upstairs. Stanley goes limp and seems confused, but when the men try to force him into the shower to sober him up he fights them off. They grab their winnings and leave. Stanley stumbles out of the bathroom, calling for Stella. He phones upstairs, then phones again, before hurling the phone to the floor. Half-dressed he stumbles out to the street and calls for her again and again: â€Å"STELL-LAHHHHH!† Eunice gives him a piece of her mind, but to no avail. Finally, Stella slips out of the apartment and down to where Stanley is. They stare at each other and then rush together with â€Å"animal moans.† He falls to his knees, caresses her face and belly, then lifts her up and carries her into their flat. Scene four occurs early the next morning, Stella lies serenely in the bedroom, her face aglow. She is described as having a â€Å"narcotised tranquillity that is in the faces of Eastern idols†. Colour and light are huge themes here, Stella holds â€Å"coloured comics† there are â€Å"Gaudy pyjamas† on the floor and â€Å"summer brilliance† in the window. The colours theme within the play, is Williams’s way of telling us that the romance in Stella and Stanley’s relationship is pushed in favour of the couples sexual relations. This being 1949, Williams cannot express this outright. Blanche, who has not slept, enters the apartment the complete opposite of Stella’s serenity. She is worried and demands to know how Stella could go back and spend the night with Stanley after what he did to her. Stella feels  Blanche is making a big issue out of nothing. â€Å"You’re making an awful fuss of this† Yet Blanche goes on about how she must figure out a way to get them both out of this situation, how she recently ran into an old friend who struck it rich in oil, and perhaps he would be able to help them. Stella pays little attention to what Blanche says; she has no desire to leave. She says that Blanche merely saw Stanley at his worst. Blanche feels she saw him at his most characteristic-and this is what terrifies her. Blanche simply cannot understand how a woman raised in Belle Reve could choose to live her life with a man who has â€Å"not one particle† of a gentleman in him, about whom there is â€Å"something downright–bestial†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Stella’s reply is that â€Å"there are things that happen between a man and a woman in the dark–that sort of make everything else seem–unimportant.† This is just desire, says Blanche, and not a basis for marriage. A train approaches, a signal for an emotional outburst, and while it roars past Stanley enters the flat unheard. Not knowing that Stanley is listening, Blanche holds nothing back. She describes him as common, an animal, ape-like, a primitive brute, and in part this is true. Stella listens coldly. Under cover of another passing train, Stanley slips out of the apartment, then enters it noisily. Stella runs to Stanley and embraces him fiercely. Stanley grins at Blanche. This fierce embrace is a clear rejection by Stella of everything Blanche has just said about Stanley–she does not believe her at all. By Stanley’s grin it also shows he has the upper hand, for all his â€Å"ape-like† qualities he is seen as the master here. If the bond between Stella and Stanley is animal, it is also spiritual. These are the flip sides of the ‘primitive’ coin–the dual world of instinct and the supernatural. Stella in this scene offers a glimpse at the mystical side of attraction and desire. She glows transcendently; as mentioned her face is likened to that of an Eastern idol. Her calm is anomalous, as if she has  just taken part in something holy. Blanche fails to see the magic in what to her seems an abusive and dangerous relationship, because she has never reconciled her identity with her own profound desire. The divide is too great between her aristocratic sense of self and the â€Å"animal† urges that have at times controlled her. Blanche herself invokes the streetcar named Desire as a metaphor of what she believes Stella feels. Stella throws the metaphor back at her: â€Å"Haven’t you ever ridden on that streetcar?† Blanche’s answer, â€Å"It brought me here,† is truer than Stella knows. â€Å"A Streetcar Named Desire† by Tennessee Williams Essay A Streetcar named Desire is a play both grimly naturalistic and poetically symbolic, written by playwright Tennessee Williams. It is set in New Orleans post the depression and World War II. The characters in A Streetcar Named Desire are trying to rebuild their lives in post-war America. Much of the characters and themes found in Williams’s dramas were derived from the playwright’s own life. Alcoholism, depression, desire, loneliness, and insanity were all included. Typical of Williams’ style, Streetcar portrays the main character as Blanche DuBois, a, faded Southern belle who represents the culture and beauty of the past and her evident distaste for her younger sister, Stella’s, husband, Stanley Kowalski, a lower class Polish man who is the personification of modern practicality, crudeness, cynicism, and brutality. Through this play we follow Blanche and her descent into madness and lunacy. This play is written in the style of theatre is known as expressionism/naturalism. Expressionism in drama and art was a movement that rejected traditional methods of representing objective reality. Instead, expressionists exaggerated and distorted aspects of the outside world in order to ‘express’ certain moods and feelings. Expressionism continues to be an important influence on experimental theatre and art. Williams has used this style to portray his themes, ideas and characters in the play A Streetcar Named Desire. The character of Blanche, was actually a ‘repertoire of the womanly characteristics’ displayed by Tennessee Williams. Naturalism can refer to the technique of portraying life in a scientifically detached manner; however, it is generally used to refer specifically to a nineteenth century movement in art and literature where the artists or authors claimed to be objective observers. Naturalist writers were strongly influenced by evolutionary theory, and saw human beings as creatures constrained by heredity and environment, rather than as beings with free will. In regards  to Streetcar Williams’ sought to depict working-class characters as psychologically evolved beings to some extent, he attempts to portray these ‘blue-collar’ characters on their own terms, without romanticizing them. Although these two styles of theatre seem to contrast and clash the playwright has used them to complement each other. He has used elements of naturalism but somewhat challenged the conventions of this particular style and effectively entwined it with forms of expressionism. The context of a play is very important as it gives an insight of the playwright’s purpose of the play. One of the intentions of the play is to depict an Americans attempt of rebuilding their life post depression and World War II. His experience as a known homosexual in an era and culture unfriendly to homosexuality also informed his work. William’s most memorable characters, many of them female, contain recognizable elements of their author. His vulgar, irresponsible male characters, such as Stanley Kowalski, were likely modelled on Williams’s own father and on other males who tormented him during his childhood. In Streetcar, Williams challenged the values and attitudes of society in the portrayal of a multicultural society where everyone is equal, in regards to their race and culture. â€Å"†¦you’ve got to realize that Blanche and I grew up in very different circumstances than you did† Although the playwright has shown that racial class doesn’t matter, it is obvious that social stature still does. The rich and the poor are still separated. Since Blanche and Stella were raised in Belle Reve they subconsciously believe they are superior to ‘commoners’ like Stanley. The central themes of this play are fantasy and illusion, cruelty, the primitive and the primal, loneliness and as the title of the book suggests, desire. Scene seven, the scene which we chose to perform, discusses the theme of cruelty, on Stanley’s behalf, loneliness from Stella and fantasy and illusion from Blanche. The only unforgivable crime, according to Blanche, is deliberate cruelty. In this scene Stanley attempts to ‘reveal’ Blanche as the low life prostitute she has become to Stella, hopefully  convincing her to ‘side’ with him. He does this by being self-righteous, arrogant and demanding. Blanche however, oblivious of Stanley’s knowledge of her past, is in the bath once again ‘cooling’ herself off, singing ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon’ the popular 1940s ballad summarizes Blanche’s situation with regard to Mitch. She is in a state of pure oblivion that adds to her fantasy world. Williams juxtaposes Blanche’s merry rendition of this song with Stanley’s malicious revelations about her character, creating a situation of tense dramatic irony as Blanche sings about a future that will never come true. The song describes the fanciful way one perceives the world while in love, but it also foreshadows the fact that Mitch falls out of love with Blanche after his illusions about her have been destroyed. In turn Stella feels lonely because she is isolated. She is torn between the man she loves and her sister. A Streetcar Named Desire written by playwright Tennessee Williams is a play both naturalistic but poetically symbolic as it is written in the theatre styles of expressionism and naturalism. In performing a scripted piece it is imperative to learn of the text’s historical and authors context to fully realise and understand the development of characters, themes and ideas. â€Å"A Streetcar Named Desire† by Tennessee Williams Essay Over the last few lessons in drama we have been working on a number of tasks to do with Tennessee Williams’ â€Å"A Streetcar Named Desire†. These tasks involved using movement as well as words; some were naturalistic and others were much more abstract. Our first task was to walk like different characters from the play, focusing on the way they used certain parts of their body to show their personalities. First we had to walk like Stanley. Most of us walked with a confident swagger, sticking our chests or pelvises out to indicate his masculine pride. When we were asked to sit down in character, we sat back in a relaxed manner, opening our legs and perhaps loosely crossing our arms or draping them over the back of our chair, indicating total self-assuredness. Next we were asked to play Blanche. I decided to portray her as a fidgety person, constantly smoothing her clothes, fixing her hair or touching her face, to show her insecurities and lack of confidence. I also walked with short, dainty steps, to show how fragile and slight she is. When we sat down, I leaned forward slightly, with my shoulders slightly hunched, to show her vulnerability. Finally we were asked to portray Stella – standing upright, slightly tense as if waiti ng to heed to Stanley’s latest demands – and Mitch – big, awkward, slightly more hunched and less confident-looking than Stanley. After this task, we were asked to depict Stanley and Blanche as animals. For Stanley, nearly everyone acted like a wolf or a fox – strong, territorial, sly, always hunting and watching. For Blanche, I chose to act like a small bird, which would preen and look pretty but would be fidgety and nervous and would fly away when frightened. Our next task was to get into groups and act out scenes taking place before the play begins, which would reveal something interesting about our characters. I was in a group with Emily, and we were told to act out a scene from when Blanche and Stella still lived at Belle Reve. Emily played Stella and I played Blanche. Our scene began with Blanche climbing through the window of the room she shares with Stella, late at night. Stella, who has been studying, admonishes her for being so late and tells her how worried she has been. Blanche, who has been drinking but claims she â€Å"limits herself to one†, has just met a young man who reads poetry, who, as we know, will later commit suicide. It is revealed that Stella is the clever sister, who has the potential to make something of herself, and Blanche is the wilder, worldlier sister who relies on her beauty to have fun. This explains why Stella left Belle Reve and had the ability to get a husband and a home of her own, and why Blanc he was left behind, unwilling to grow up and surrender her beauty. Millie and Genna also played Blanche and Stella at Belle Reve. Their scene involved Blanche taking Stella out on the town for the first time. Blanche is very domineering and worldly, and Stella is naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve and nervous about the shortness of her dress. Stella wears white, showing her innocence, and Blanche wears red, showing her corrupted virtue. Jack and Owen played Mitch and Stanley. They gave Mitch a deep personality, having him hint about wanting to settle down with a wife and worrying about his mother. They also showed Stanley’s love for Stella, as he talks about her in a very loving and tender way to Mitch. Next Felix and Flick, playing Stanley and Stella, showed how Stella was very like Blanche when she first met Stanley, unused to this more working class environment, yet being excited by Stanley’s attentions. Finally, Angelika and Hugo, playing Stella and Stanley, show Stella as being naà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ve and Stanley being mysterious and inquisitive, trying t o figure her out. In our next task we did Hot Seating. One by one, we were asked questions in character about our views on different events in the play. I chose to be Eunice, because although she is not a main character in the play, she is good friends with Stella and her husband is friends with Stanley, and she lives in the flat above them, so she would have a very clear idea of what life would be like for them. I chose to give her the opinion that Stanley’s hitting Stella isn’t good, but is acceptable, and is just a part of marriage that cannot be avoided. I was particularly impressed by Emily’s portrayal of Stella after having her sister taken away. She made it clear that Stella was heartbroken, and although she claimed to believe Stanley, she let on that she had no choice but to believe him. I also liked Alex as Blanche, gushing and acting pleasant and sweet to try and cover up her past, but when difficult questions were brought up her act fell and she would refuse to talk abo ut it. Our final task was to act out the scene where Blanche has been stood up by Mitch on her birthday and use freeze-frames to mark the most important moments in that the scene. I was in a group with Felix and Alex. Felix played Stanley, Alex played Blanche and I played Stella. The moments we marked were: Stanley throwing plates off the table; Stella and Stanley on the porch with Blanche on the phone, trying to reach Mitch; Stanley giving Blanche a ticket back to Laurel; and Stella going into labour. For each of our important moments, we froze in position for four seconds, before doing an action and moving onto the next moment. There were subtle differences between each group’s piece; instead of using an action, as we did in ours, Millie, Flick and Jack used an important line of text in each of their moments, which I found very effective. Although I found these tasks challenging (especially as I knew we were on camera), I enjoyed interpreting different characters in new ways. I also worked with different people to whom I normally would, which was a good experience and made me enthusiastic and eager to work with them again in future lessons.

Coal Is Just Not Black Gold

COAL IS JUST NOT BLACK GOLD PREFACE Drawing upon the organisation in which author is familiar – Coal India Limited, largest coal producing company in the world, In this paper he critically analyses few existing policies implemented by Government of India and Coal India Limited in mining industry from past few decades, works through the complex problems around Coal mining in India and identifies few human resource management related problems and how they have contributed for the company’s stagnation in recent years. The author then critically analyses the issues, compare it with relevant literature and evaluate the limitations.Based on the literature and observations, he then proposes few strategic recommendations to improve organisational effectiveness both to Law makers and to company. INTRODUCTION Coal India Limited (CIL) is a Government of India Undertaking, Maharatna (Country’s Jewel) company which employees 400,000 people approximately as of April’12. In ended last financial year, with net annual sales of 15 billion dollars, and a net annual operating profit of 3 billion dollars approximately by producing coal from its 466 Coal mines across India and selling it to Power generation companies.It is the biggest and only listed company in the sector, where private companies are not allowed to compete, Thus accounting to 80% of Annual national production of Coal in India. CIL has five unions, which represent all the employees in the company. Since the company is only major coal producer and acts more like a monopoly in the sector, wages are low compared to Industry average in other countries. Coal India apart from producing coal on its own also gives few coal mines to private third parties for contract.These mines are smaller in size and remote for the company to allocate resources, hence they are contracted. This strategy of contracting coal mines and not having enough regulations around Coal production has led to few private contra ctors preferring illegal means of employment in these coal mines and not allowing private competitors to compete with Public sector companies COAL IN INDIA Indian Coal Industry currently occupies third position by producing 400 metric tons per year ( mtpy), after US (1100 mtpy and China 2400 mtpy.Within the country Coal mining is nationalized and accounts for 60 per cent of electricity production. Coal being crucial resource for economic growth, it is safeguarded by government by passing many acts, Indian Mines Act of 1952, Mines and Minerals Regulation and Development (MMRD) act are the key legislative act meant for protecting labour working in mining industry and governing mining and exploration in India respectively.After further revision in 1993 and 2002, National Mining Policy was outlined by Government of India whose objectives are mineral development through exploration in both Onshore and Offshore fields. Policy is meant to promote mineral industry standardize training and r esearch, considering future needs of the country with minimal impact of nature and ensure safety and health of all people involved in the industry. These objectives do make a progress in standardizing the rules, however it has to clearly describe how the law handles informal mines and how to deal with illegitimacy under current law.According to a Journalist expert of small mines Chakravorty (2002), Illegal mines in India constitute of 88 per cent of the total reported mines in count, producing approximately 10 per cent of the total value of mineral production of the country. This number has increased in the last decade , where 30 per cent of illegal mining. These mines comprise of poor people toiling for lowest wages and almost negligible security, health and safety conditions. According to MMRD Act, Mines Act and other Environmental Acts, all minerals are broadly classified into â€Å"Major† and â€Å"Minor† and rest the responsibility of mining with the state.MMRD ha s further classified mines has Class A or Class B determined based on the mechanical equipment used and Labour employment the mine generates. Based on financial investment, Labour work, Depth of deposits and technology deployed, mines are simplified to different Classes and given for contract. Typically Class B mines are given for contract to subsidiaries by CIL , One such example is Eastern Coal Fields, in state of Meghalaya, where even though they mines are Small, they are labour intensive and needs to have high security and health standards.National Institute of Small Mines (NISM) , a governing body has classified mines based on the production amounts. From various acts above, it can be understood that legal definitions hinge on physical dimensions of mine, which is in turn is used to determine the effort and time required to mine. However for a complex economic activity like mining with close social linkages and unique to the nature of the mine, such reductionist approach and si mplifying mines obscures the diversity of mining practices across scales.As large formal processes of mineral extraction, processing and use cannot be applied to such small mines they tend to be rejected and Illegitimated. Clearly, existing laws have loopholes which are inadequate in handling perennial Informal and Illegal mining. Also Illegal miners cannot lobby for recognition, since current structure of the sector is monopolistic with over 80% reserves under CIL. This situation has resulted in dire consequences and well-being of Local society around colliery areas and environment. COAL INDIA , A MONOPOLYCoal India Limited (CIL) established in 1970, is responsible for mining the coal, while the ownership of which is vested with the state. Consequently the organization has played a critical role in meeting state’s growth plans. The decision making on mineral resources is influenced by engineers, geologists, bureaucrats and political groups and governance is solely vested wit h CIL. The Coal Mines Nationalisation Bill, 2000 allows state governments to mine coal only if CIL certifies with no Intention to mine certificate.The Ministry of Coal ( MoC ) has awarded CIL a near monopolistic power, giving rise to tight control on its country’s reserves and lack of transparency in many areas. Because of lack of more advanced technology for procuring coal and other social costs, it is also noted that mining cost of Coal in India is 35% higher than other exporting countries like Indonesia, Australia, because of poor productivity ( 3 tonnes / man shift ) as compared to 12 tonnes / man shift in Australia.As a solution privatising of coal sector is attempted, however it is still in preliminary stage. The challenge to policy makers in this regard is to ensure how to safeguard the wealth from illegal mining and environment within the region, at the same time benefit people in mining areas by making laws that do not outcaste people and their livelihoods as illegit imate also ensure greater transparency and standardization in pricing of coal.In coming years, demand for coal in the country is expected to increase multi fold, according to IEA 2006, Reuters 2007, hence the need for government to restructure the sector is critical to not only to answer many global implications concerning climate changes and Kyoto Protocol and but also streamline the definite increase in informal collieries which will continue to meet the demands of local consumers and ensure they meet minimum security and health standards of living. SOCIAL IMPACTCoal India Limited has destroyed environment in many coal traces with no or little concern for social implications, Inspire of Forest and environment controls. This behaviour can be attributed to sole monopoly power vested with one company on nation’s coal production. There were other instances of violation of human rights noticed while employee people at Coal mines One such example, It was noted that at Janita Hill s, Meghalaya , India. 5000 children less than age of 18 was trafficked from Assam, Nepal and Bangladesh and employed by coal mines in Meghalaya which are contracted to private contractors by CIL .Many such instances were noticed not only in eastern part of India , but also across many nations’ coal traces in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka states. Inspite of the Mines Act , 1952 which doesn’t allow bonded labourers or people below the age of 18 to work. Sometimes even without environment degradations, large mining projects have impacted social lives with serious implications for the livelihoods of local communities around in and around coal traces, where people were forced to leave their traditional occupations for scavenging in left over coal traces, which are not economically viable for contractors.Such instances were noticed in Jharkhand, where government and company officials have neglected social and cultural issues around the mining areas for years impacti ng the livelihoods of people living in these areas. This has created a need for extreme leftist or Maoist Movements to resist such acts– as observed by Chandra Bhusan, Associate Director of Centre of Science and Environment. According to him Indian Mineralised tracts are mostly in conflict Zones, since Company officials, technical experts and governing bodies never seriously engaged with social issues.Current legal instruments are anti-poor and of colonial vintage and unable to deal with today’s realities. Many Civil Non-Governmental Organisation groups have taken a non-violent approach to use existing judicial mechanisms such as filing Public Interest Litigation(PIL) to bring justice to local communities whose daily lives are impacted. Ex : PIL filed against Eastern Coalfields Limited by Mazdoor Sabha in Country’s Apex court. Although Supreme Court Panel has lashed against CIL, It remained unresponsive SOCIAL LICENSE TO OPERATEOver the past 2 decades many chang es were noticed in global mining industry. There is increased and concerted global efforts where nine major global companies supported a global scale project called Mines, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) Project ,whose direct outcome is to the increasing charges of environmental destruction and irresponsibility on coal mining companies to care socio-cultural changes caused by them in areas of operation are laid out and followed globally.MMSD group of companies agreed that Mining Company in developing countries not only needs Legal license to operate but also Social License to Operate. Under this backdrop At CIL, mining engineers who make all the plans , mining project itself assumes more importance over people living in these mining operations. This view was observed from many bureaucrats in India, CIL uses their rationale that Land Acquisition Act or Coal Bearing Areas Act does not provide assistance for Local people around the impacted areas, thus ignoring local needs and perpetuating illegal mining under its belt.ILLEGAL COAL MINING AND UNSAFE WORKING CONDITIONS In energy-hungry country like India, demand for coal has increased in the last 2 decades, coal production remained fairly stable, causing coal prices to surge in recent years. The lack of reform and rising demand have spawned a seedy underbelly of â€Å"Coal Mafia† and a class of workers that illegally scavenge the mines for coal. The Coal Nationalization act in 1952, revised in 2000 has made it legal for just the centre or state governments to authorize coal mining, i. . , only government owned companies, its subsidiaries and contracted third parties. Apart from illegally mining, scavenging from abandoned mines is another source of obtaining coal. In West Bengal state for instance Raniganj-Jharia region there are many abandoned mines by CIL subsidiaries which have neglected filling up the mines with sand, as per regulation , consequently villagers have ready access to scavenge.It was also observed that open abandoned underground mines release hazardous gases like Carbon Monoxide which are hazardous and can kill people who go to scavenge left over coal. Scavenging can occur in both underground and open cast mines. The later assumes greater significance. In these areas Poor Security of mines storage and transportation was observed where coal is transported with head baskets into awaiting trucks. Coal India also delivers coal to local sale dumps located near the mines and big dumps, pilferage takes place regularly on major highways from long distance.In eastern India, It's not unusual to see women and children work the unsafe mines with the most rudimentary tools. Most are drawn to it in the hopes of earning a better  income. According to World Bank, over 20 million people depend on mineral resource extraction for living. When this number is compared with formal mining industries it is immensely large. PAUPERIZATION IN COAL MINING AREAS IN INDIA In colliery areas where CIL operates, significant amount of social and environmental transformation takes place over a period of time.Within bureaucratic and political circles the notion that Coal as a commodity is being excavated for greater common good by a Central government owned body like Coal India Limited, represents lack of attentions to people’s interests and social impacts of mining coal. Decay of social fabric, erosion of traditional livelihood, rising levels of urbanisation are some of the socio impacts which vary according to physical proximity of the mine to livelihoods.Between 1971 and 2001, people in Ranijang region in west Bengal have slowly moved away from agriculture as an occupation to mining and scavenging , even in non-colliery areas. Women especially from downtrodden caste and below poverty line are most impacted by this migration. In areas of Jharkhand gradual pauperization of people around coal mining areas have taken place in which traditional land and water rig hts in the region in which they live are lost and few negligible short term benefits of mining are accrued which will is leading to steady extinction of tribal people in remote coal mining areas.In most of the cases, links between the legal and illegal coal mines are more complex than above example. Both the groups either co-exist or coal mining company complains against scavenging to local authorities as law and order problem, however bureaucratic reply is usually pointing the company should take care of its resources. Hence in the existing legal setup both parties formally or informally will try to co-exist peacefully.Similar setup exists between large scale and small scale transportation in centralized control manner controlled by mafia group. Part of the root cause for such inefficient maintenance, transportation and distribution systems lies with CIL and its subsidiaries where they are not standardized and do not consider domestic consumer, In the entire eastern region CIL does n’t have large depot to cater the needs of domestic consumers. Hence often industry owner applies for a license to grant coal to fire the furnaces or generate power.This permission is difficult to get and consumer need to bribe any intermediate parties from company officials, bureaucrats and politicians leading to significant overhead cost for the company, there by preferring a shorter and simpler coal extracting methods by joining hands with mafia system or illegal mining. STRATEGY MAKING PROCESS FOLLOWED BY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND COAL INDIA In the above sections, various issues faced by the community, company and the system at large are explained.To understand the issue in hand better and to analyse the issues lingering the sector better, Government’s and Company’s behaviour with larger society is compared with few Strategy making processes. According to author, current system has a predefined set of objectives and is thriving to achieve that without consider ing other subjects involved in entire scenario. This behaviour aptly fits into Classical approach highlighted by Grant (2008).The reductionist approach by MMRD and other acts by the Government can be mapped to this approach Government trying to oversimplify the complexities involved in various mines based on certain factors like Size, productivity etc. , such approach leads to formation of clear goals to the Company and doesn’t allow the company to recognize the emergent behaviour of the employees, people livelihoods in affected areas. Below is a modified representation of Grant’s Classical approach of Strategic Human Resource Management.Figure 1 : Common elements in successful Strategies , Adopted from Grant ( 2008: 7) Author notices that because of monopolistic nature of coal mining sector in India and sufficient support from political circles, there isn’t sufficient pressure on the company for Profound understanding of all the groups involved. In Most of the cases, Long term agreed objectives takes more priority over other priorities mentioned like Profound Understanding of all groups involved, Regular Appraisals of employees involved and Environmental awareness.Hence the company will focus on financial targets to achieve more than Social Impact it creates in thousands of people it impacts. Thus it can be stated that Classical approach readily doesn’t fit in or help in solving the issue. Current Intended strategy of Government of India, behind Nationalization of Coal mining in 1952 is to protect the reserves from exploitation by private parties is well understood, however with the changing times , growing demand and involvement of various other socio-political and technological factors, Intended Strategy is not being completely realized.There is a deliberate effort on its part , to ensure current intended strategy works by allowing illegal mining and scavenging by local people in coal mining areas in order to peacefully co-exist and continue to mine in coal traces. However by comparing the number of court petitions filed by local tribes in Jharkhand, WestBengal living nearer to various collieries, comparing the productivity / person and high cost of mining compared to other export countries it can be understood that , slowly they are moving towards an unrealized strategy where focus is only on net volumes realized and not considering environmental impact .EMERGENT STRATEGY OF STRATEGIC HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT In practice organization approach can be explained by Emergent Strategy approach as suggested by Mintzberg (1987) are relevant. According to March (1976) and Mintzberg (1987), planned strategies are not always realized; strategies can often emerge and evolve over a period of time. The Strategy should be moulded over action . Similar such fluid approach can be applied, where an additional dimension as mentioned below in Emergent strategy is required to recover from unrealized strategy and to streamlin e the company’s goals.Privatization of coal mining along with a holistic review of existing mining policies impacting the sector is the emergent strategy to improve the productivity, transparency of coal production and livelihoods of people involved. However its application remains a challenge. Figure 2 : The Emergent Strategy, source from the strategy concept, California Management Review, Mintzberg. H, 1987. Systemic Approach of Strategic Human Resource managementOn similar lines to Emergent Approach of Strategic Human resource management, Whittington(1993,2001) systemic approach provides more answers to the issue, where Strategy is shaped by the social system the company operates within. This strategy is shaped by cultural and institutional interests of broader society, since organisations and decision makers are embedded in network of social relations, hence adept understanding of the needs of the society at large and acting accordingly should be key . OUTCOMES Profit-Max imising PROCESSESDeliberate Emergent Pluralistic Classical Evolutionary Systemic Processual OUTCOMES Profit-Maximising PROCESSES Deliberate Emergent Pluralistic Classical Evolutionary Systemic Processual Figure: 3Whittington’s (1993) generic perspective on strategy Author believes Emergent and Systemic approach to planning a strategy is apt and required by all parties involved( both policymakers and industrialists ) in order to operate in complex world with various socio-geo political limitations. This it can be concluded that to effectively manage human esources and to improve organisation performance , integration between human resource management and business strategy holds key for its success. (See Holbeche, 1999; Schuler and Jackson, 1999). EMPLOYEE RELATIONS IN COAL INDIA Coal India has both union and non-union based workers. Starting from 2009, it has been recruiting more than 1000 employees every year from premier management and technology schools across India. This i s one of management initiatives taken to inject fresh blood and reduce the average age of its labour force.While the decision to recruit young highly talented workforce as change agents is appreciable, 30 to 40 per cent of these employees quit every year for below reasons. 1) Staff felt they were demoralized by senior staff from the beginning. 2) Apart from salary issues, the staffs were under-utilised and faced hostility from seniors. 3) While recruitment, the staff were promised a grade above engineers however not fully implemented even after raising the concern to top management.Hence realized there are limited growth options. Treasurer of Coal Mines Officers Association of India partially accepted the conditions and commented this situation reflects the larger problem of stagnation within the organization It is understood , if the situation continues, the county’s top coal producer is likely to grapple with unprecedented HR crisis across its executive cadre because of lim ited growth options and 6000 of their employees mostly from executive cadre getting retired every year.Falling on relevant literature , Kochan . T , 2000 has stated that Asian model of employee relations is designed to support an economic strategy that emphasises human resources as a competitive asset- A strategy that requires a highly skilled and committed workforce and a cooperative labour management culture and system. In Coal India, it can be observed that there are required structures in place like Unions for labour management, since the company is too big, management of resources is challenging.Since the company works in a monopolistic structure, there isn’t healthy competition which will push the management to focus on current internal and external problems with more vigilance rather than its current laid back approach and bureaucratic functioning. It can be noted that HR strategies should operate consistently as is a vital part of the overall business plan (Stroh and Caligiuri, 1998).Within the organisation senior management there should regularly conduct analysis regarding the kind of HR competencies needed in the future, and accordingly core HR functions (of procurement, development and compensation) should work together collectively to meet such needs. (see Holbeche, 1999). The 2 core aspects which organization has to focus is Integration of HRM into the business and corporate strategy, and the devolvement of HRM to line managers instead of personnel specialists, thereby ensuring company doesn’t have power blockages and allow it to function smoothly.Brewster and Larsen (1992: 411–12) define integration as ‘the degree to which the HRM issues are considered to formulate long term business strategy’ and devolvement as ‘the degree to which HRM practices involve line managers has responsible rather than personnel specialists’. Similarly (Budhwar and Sparrow 1997; 2002; Hope-Hailey et al. , 1997; Truss et al. , 1997; Sisson and Storey, 2000) also highlighted the concept of devolvement for quicker response in large scale organizations. This process, highlights the need of prioritizing the issues and developing/ training more motivated employees for effective control.Instead of having a narrow hierarchy with in organization, there by leading to stagnation, it can be learnt from this theory that local problems should be resolved by local managers at grassroots level affording more time for senior management. Applying this theory to Coal India Limited, It can be understood that mine managers should be more proactive is liaising with local governments and bureaucracies to form an amicable solution for betterment of society as well as company. Company senior management should work closely and provide required assistance and authority to mine managers to perform their duties.In this context, the Coal India Limited management can learn from other global peers to understand how to deal with empl oyee relations related issues effectively. Below is the summary of one such example stated by an author Young-Kee Kim, in his report on Employee relations. LG group from its inception till 1987 achieved high rates of economic growth with support from Government by suppressing unions, however in the period of 1987-89 it has faced severe hostility and strikes from its workers because of which resulted in 740 million dollars of loss. Post 1990 till 2005, as a result of research and many extensive internal surveys the roup has laid importance to new group level policy that emphasis the promotion of human dignity for employees and the maximisation of customer satisfaction. Voluntary employee participation in workplace organisational improvements has been identified as a critical success factor. Consequently the rapid realisation of co-operative labour relations and enlightened ER practices has been recognised as tasks of major significance my member firms. * Company has evolved gradually from Passive support of Management perception of union to active partnership with unions.. It gradually made a cautious move from not just maintaining a stable labour relations climate in order to avoid labour disputes, it has invited a voluntary participation of employees and union leaders in management activities. * Unions characteristics of providing weak employee support to being professional in their activities and finally Employee Relations have moved from just dealing with basic issues to providing autonomy and participation of employees From the above example it can be understood that Firstly, without management innovation, co-operative Employee Relations cannot be achieved.For Labour management relations to be a positive sum game, these innovations should enable the company to achieve superior performance and the capacity to provide employees with better rewards. Secondly, much time and effort is required from top management to develop a constructive labour management cult ure. The Employee relations department cannot achieve the development of co-operative employment relations by itself. The labour management relationship should be viewed as a profit – creating relationship, rather than a cost –creating one.Thirdly, the company should support increased independence and professionalism on the part of the union and provide education for union leaders. A union that lacks professionalism is unable to get a full support of its members and lacks effective management strategies for administering union business because of high turnover of union officials. Fourthly, to be successful all these activities should be conducted consistently and systematically over time. Many companies only seriously consider the labour management relationship when faced by a critical problem.Such focused attention tends to fade when the strike is settled. As explained in the above example, LG group has chosen a different path and spent a year analysing its Employee r elations. CONCLUSION IS PRIVATISATION A SOLUTION ? Currently both globally and in India, demand for coal is on the rise, thereby increasing the prices of coal. Due to the volatile times passing through, similar to other commodity sectors like Iron, steel, Coal Mining industry will also undergo divestment and monopoly of Coal India Limited will break. However privatisation is not a panacea for all issues lingering the sector.Time has come for Policy makers, bureaucracy and other parties involved come together to answer few critical questions while restructuring the sector. 1) How to deal with thousands of people making their livelihood from illegal mining of coal ? 2) Will the government able to accept few realities like people living in local region , have rights on mineral resources to strength the lower strata and provide a sense of security to their livelihood ? 3) Can the government, restructure the sector with more robust, full proof, social informed laws protecting and respect ing the rights and interests of all involved ? ) With experience from privatising other commodities, after privatising coal mining ,it can be estimated that mushrooming of small coal mining leases can be experienced in an open market scenario. Hence laws and policies safeguarding the interests should be more inclusive than before. Where policies and laws have to deliver sustainable benefits to local and global communities, unlike current laws that are focused only on mitigating the negative impacts of mining on the environment and marginalizing small groups over national priorities.Government policies need to take a more holistic approach in understanding about production of â€Å"Illegal mines† as well as marketing and distribution chains through which legally mined coal is illegally distributed. It is vital to integrate local interests in mine management plans to provide access to resources for local people and co-exist peacefully for inclusive growth.. References : Books a nd Internet Links * Bamber J, Park F, Lee C, Ross P and Broadbent K, 2000, Employment Relations in the ASIA-PACIFIC Changing Approaches, Allen and Unwin, Australia. BeardWell J ; Claydon T, 1994, Human Resouce Management – A Contemporary Approach, Pearson Education Limited, Great Britian. * LG Group ( 1994) LG Labour – Management Relations Long-term Model Report * http://www. thehindubusinessline. com/companies/article2470720. ece * http://economictimes. indiatimes. com/coal-india-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-11822. cms * http://articles. economictimes. indiatimes. com/2011-10-18/news/30295579_1_iits-and-iims-new-recruits-cil * http://www. firstpost. com/business/labour-pangs-for-coal-india-scrip-melts-in-the-heat-67084. tml * http://in. reuters. com/article/2012/10/12/tci-coalindia-idINDEE89B08G20121012 * http://www. dnaindia. com/money/report_coal-india-to-face-india-s-first-class-action-suit-in-15-days_1770358 * http://www. livemint. com/Companies/jEkLsitce5Qt0w x3gyS3sM/Coal-India8217s-UK-shareholder-to-file-petition-in-Indian. html * http://ibnlive. in. com/news/meghalaya-braveheart-fights-against-child-labour-in-coal-mines/266778-3. html * http://www. amusingplanet. com/2011/05/child-labor-in-indian-coal-mines. html * http://www. elshcoalmines. co. uk/forum/read. php? 4,50329,50370#msg-50370 * http://www. mining. com/los-angeles-times-uncovers-child-labour-in-indias-coal-mines/ * http://articles. timesofindia. indiatimes. com/2012-11-14/guwahati/35111450_1_child-labourers-coal-mines-meghalaya-government * http://www. businessinsider. com/photos-indias-illegal-coal-mines-2012-10? op=1 * http://www. thesundayindian. com/en/story/the-unfortunate-social-costs-of-coalgate-and-such-scams/42442/ * http://papers. ssrn. com/sol3/papers. cfm? abstract_id=1716581 *