Protein Characterization by Electrophoresis

EXPERIMENT NO. 15 PROTEIN CHARACTERIZATION BY ELECTROPHORESIS Abstract The molecular weights of protein extracts were assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Two sets of four protein samples, standard bovine serum albumin (BSA), invertase, egg albumin, and casein, were prepared; one set containing ? -mercaptoethanol (BME) while the other did not. These were then analyzed through SDS-PAGE with 12. 5% resolving gel, prepared using 2 M Tris-HCl at pH 8. 8 and stacking gel, prepared using 0. 0625 M Tris-HCl at pH 6. . Results showed multiple bands located on the upper half of the gel, which suggested heterogeneity of the mixture and that the samples were heavy molecules. Introduction Proteins are biological macromolecules composed of one or more polypeptides, which are polymers of amino acids. Structurally diverse, these molecules also serve a myriad of functions from enzymes, which are the biological catalysts of many physiological reactions, to components that maintain the structural integrity and organization of cells (Pratt and Cornelly, 2011). Because of this, it has been a constant effort among chemists to extract and isolate proteins to determine the mechanisms by which they act and produce the results of their reactions. Further knowledge of their biological action could translate into the discovery of many resources that could facilitate humans’ and other species’ daily lives. Electrophoresis is an analytical tool through which one can examine the movement of charged molecules in an electric field. Many modern electrophoretic techniques use a polymerized gel-like matrix as a support medium. The molecules’ migration is dependent on the applied electric field, the rigid, mazelike matrix of the gel support, and their size, shape, charge, and chemical composition. The movement of a charged molecule in an electric field is given by: v=Eq? f (1) where v is the velocity of the molecule, E is the electric field magnitude, q is the net charge of the molecule, and f is a frictional coefficient dependent on mass and shape of the molecule. Hence, it is observed that under a constant electric field magnitude, the movement is dependent on the charge-to-mass ratio of the molecule. Since each molecule is expected to have unique charges and sizes, their mobility under the electric field would also be different. Gels used in electrophoresis with different pore size may be produced by using different concentrations of cross-linking agents. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) allows enhanced resolution of sample components due to separation based on molecular sieving and electrophoretic mobility. Because of the presence of a continuous network of pores in the gel, large molecules do not move easily through the medium compared to smaller ones. Two types of gels are used: the resolving and stacking gels, each having different concentrations of acrylamide and of different pH and ionic strengths. The denaturants sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), a detergent, and ? -mercaptoethanol (BME), a reducing agent, are frequently used in PAGE. The action of these two denaturating agents cause the production of polypeptide chains of constant charge-to-mass ratios and uniform shapes due to the SDS molecules binding with the hydrophobic regions of the denatured polypeptide and masking the native charge of the protein by its negative charge. This restriction, coupled with the fact that mobility of the SDS-protein complexes are based on molecular size, forms the basis of the electrophoretic determination of purity and molecular weight (Boyer, 1993). This experiment will utilize SDS-PAGE to assess the molecular weights of the extracted proteins invertase, albumin, and casein, along with standard bovine serum albumin. The effect of the presence of ? -mercaptoethanol was also investigated. Methodology With the glass plates clean, the gel apparatus was first set up with the comb inserted between the glass plates. It was made sure of that the set-up would not leak by allowing a little amount of distilled water to enter it, which was discarded afterwards. A mark, one centimeter below the teeth of the comb, was placed on the glass plate. The resolving gel, at 12. 5% gel, was then prepared in an Erlenmeyer flask. Using a micropipette, 1450 ? L of 40% stock acrylamide, 775 ? L of 2% stock bisacrylamide, 875 ? L of 2 M Tris-HCl at pH 8. 8, and 1500 ? L of distilled water were measured and mixed in the Erlenmeyer flask. Afterwards, 47 ? L of 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and 40 ? L of freshly prepared 10% ammonium persulfate (APS) were added to the mixture. Then, ten microliters (10 ? L) of tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) was added and, after mixing it by swirling not more than three times, the mixture was poured into the gel apparatus with the aid of a micropipette up to the mark. The gel was then overlaid with a small amount of isobutanol-water mixture before it would start to harden. After the gel has completely polymerized, the isobutanol mixture was removed from the apparatus. Two pairs of two resolving gels were prepared as one pair would be used for samples containing ? mercaptoethanol and another pair for those that do not contain the said chemical. The stacking gel was prepared by taking 265 ? L of 40% stock acrylamide, 140 ? L of 2% stock bisacrylamide, 350 ? L of 0. 625 M Tris-HCl at pH 6. 8, and 940 ? L of distilled water and mixing all four in an Erlenmeyer flask. Afterwards, 25 ? L of 10% SDS and 60 ? L of 10% APS were added to the one in the flask. Immediately before the solution was added, 5 ? L of TEMED was added to it and swirled not more than three times, similar to that done with the resolving gel. This mixture was then rapidly transferred by a micropipette over the resolving gel and, after placing the comb over it, left to harden. The samples were prepared by getting 100 ? L of the protein sample, 20 ? L of distilled water, and 80 ? L of loading buffer with ? -mercaptoethanol in plastic tubes for the electrophoresis of the samples containing ? -mercaptoethanol. For those samples not containing the latter reagent, 80 ? L of the loading buffer was added. The same procedure was done for 100 ? L of bovine serum albumin. These were then placed in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes after which these were immediately immersed in an ice water bath for 3 minutes. The protein samples used were invertase, albumin, and casein. The loading buffer was prepared by mixing 2. 5 mL of 10% SDS, 2. 5 mL of 0. 625 M Tris-HCl at pH 6. 8, 2. 5 mL of 10% glycerol, and 5. 0 g of 0. 02% bromophenol blue, and diluting to 25 mL with distilled deionized water. Eight tubes were done all-in-all. The gel slabs were then placed in the gel chamber. The gel chambers were then filled with gel running buffer, making sure that the gel was completely immersed. This buffer was prepared by mixing 3. 0 g Tris base, 14. 4 g glycine and 1. 0 g SDS, and diluting to 1 L with distilled deionized water.. The set-up was then placed on a level surface. At this point, the comb was removed in one fluid motion to ensure that the wells would have straight edges. Ten microliters (10 ? L) of the samples with ? -mercaptoethanol was loaded into the wells using a micropipette. With the voltage set at 100 V and the protective electrode covering placed over the set-up, the gel was run until the dye reaches a level of 1 cm above the bottom of the gel slab. This was done again for those samples without the ? -mercaptoethanol. After the gels have been run, the gel slabs were transferred from the glass plates to a flat-bottom container where a small amount of staining solution was added until the slabs were completely immersed. This solution was prepared by mixing 50 mL of methanol, 10 mL of glacial acetic acid, and 0. 25 mg of Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250, and diluting to 100 mL with distilled deionized water. After that, the background staining was removed by several washings of destaining solution. This solution was prepared by mixing 25 mL of 95% ethanol and 5 mL of glacial acetic acid, and diluting to 100 mL with distilled deionized water. Results and Discussion Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) served as an effective tool in the characterization of protein standards and extracts because of the gel’s high resolving power for molecules up to 106 Da, accommodation of larger sized samples, an inert enough matrix with respect to the migrating entities, and physical stability of the matrix (Boyer, 1993). Polyacrylamide gels were prepared by the catalyzed and cross-linked polymerization of the acrylamide-bisacrylamide mixture. The polymerization reaction was facilitated by ammonium persulfate (APS), the polymerizing agent, due to its inherent instability and, hence, its tendency to decay and to give rise to molecules initiating these polymerization. Tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) was introduced to catalyze the decay of APS. Figure 1 presents the general equation for the polymerization reaction of the acrylamide-bisacrylamide mixture (Encor Biotechnology, Inc. , 2011). Figure 1. The polymerization reaction of the Acrylamide-bisacrylamide in the presence of ammonium persulfate and TEMED as the polymerizing agent and the catalyst respectively (Thermo Scientific, Inc. , 2011) Polymerization proceeded with the opening of an acrylamide double bond, allowing it to react with another acrylamide to produce a linear polyacrylamide. Cross links were generated through the incorporation of bisacrylamide into the linear polyacrylamides. Since molecular oxygen would react with the free radical sulfate ions (SO42-) thereby inhibiting polymerization, degassing was necessary. Furthermore, the tendency of molecular oxygen to react with SO42- would also be the reason why it would be necessary for PAGE gels to be poured into tubes or between glass plates instead of horizontal apparatuses. However, the degassing step was not done due to the unavailability of a degassing chamber. Isobutanol was added on top of the gel to also prevent the entry and accumulation of O2 (Encor Biotechnology, Inc. , 2011). Gel pore size is inversely proportional to the concentration of acrylamide. Therefore, to generate a broad and efficient range of protein separation, a discontinuous gel system was formulated, having a low acrylamide content on top and a high acrylamide content at the bottom. The capability of Tris-HCl to facilitate the propagation of electric current through the matrix qualified it as an appropriate loading buffer. It allowed the proteins to be drawn by the current through the sieving matrix slab (Thermo Scientific, Inc. , 2011). The polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses set-up had three important features. First, a stacking gel was cast over a resolving gel. Second, the two gel layers had different ionic strengths and pH. Third, the stacking gel had a lower acrylamide concentration and a lower pH. These conditions allowed the protein molecules to first concentrate into a tight band before entering the resolving solution. In this experiment in particular, the charge of the protein was kept uniform all throughout using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), a powerful detergent that would denature the protein and would leave it evenly negatively charged. Also, ? -mercaptoethanol was added to cleave the disulfide bonds, enforcing completely disrupted secondary, tertiary, and quarternary structures. Prior to the loading of the sample, the discontinuous gel system was immersed in a glycine-Tris buffer prepared at pH 8. 8. At this pH, the two form of glycine – its Zwitterion ion and glycinate – would exist in equilibrium. H3N+CH2COO- – H2NCH2COO- + H+(2) When the voltage was turned on, the entry of buffer ions (glycinate and H+) to the stacking gel (pH 6. 8) shifted the equilibrium to the left, increasing the concentration of glycine’s Zwitterion ion, which would have a zero net charge, and therefore, would be electrophoretically immobile. Since the protein molecules would still be anionic at pH 6. , they would replace the nonmobile glycine molecules in order to keep the current running. As such, the relative mobilities of the ions in the stacking gel would be Tris base > protein sample > glycinate. Furthermore, the thin band observed in the upper gel would actually pertain to the protein molecules sandwiched between the Tris-base and the glycinate ions . The resolving gel, on the other hand, had a pH of 8. 8. When the ionic front reached it, the equilibrium of glycine species shifted to the right. The increase in pH and decrease in pore size retarded the movement of proteins and rendered the glycinate ions greater mobility. The relative rates of movement then became Tris-base > glycinate ions > protein samples. From there, it was the mass of the protein molecules that governed their mobility and thus identified them (Boyer, 1993). For qualitative analysis of results, the Coomassie brilliant blue dye (R-250), being the most popular staining reagent for the electrophoresis of protein samples, was used. Its mechanism of binding to the basic and hydrophobic groups of proteins manifested in the dull, reddish-brown to intense blue color change of the solutions. The staining method was started with the water wash of the gel cast to remove the electrophoresis buffers from the matrix. The matrix was then washed with methanol followed by glacial acetic acid to prevent the diffusion of protein bands form the matrix. The treatment with the dye followed. Lastly, destaining measures were employed to get rid of excess dye from the background gel matrix. This would allow a clear visualization of the bands that had formed (Thermo Scientific, Inc. , 2011). Figures 2 and 3 are photographs of the two gels after incubation and subjection to the dye. Figure 2. Photograph of 1st gel Figure 3. Photograph of 2nd gel In figure 2, multiple bands existed. This could suggest that the samples had other components. These could come in the form of other proteins, contaminants, or other impurities. Nonetheless, any of these possibilities suggest one thing; the sample is not pure although there are occasional times when homogeneous samples result to multiple bands due to degradation during the electrophoresis procedure (Boyer, 1993). Also, the identity of the proteins could have been determined if there were standards or â€Å"markings† to compare these bands with. However, there were none. The only information that could be extracted from the photographs could be that the proteins in the samples were heavy that they were only located on the upper half of the gel. Conclusion The separation of biomolecules according to charge, size, and shape through electrophoresis could give significant information such as the purity, molecular weight, and, hence, the identity of the biomolecule. In this experiment, the multiple bands produced in the gel set-ups suggested that the samples were heterogeneous. Their location in the gel suggested that the proteins were relatively heavy ones. To gain more valuable information rom these data, it is recommended that a set of standard solutions be also run on the gel so that they could be used as references for the identification of the proteins in the samples. Also, the protein’s exact molecular size could be determined by preparing a calibration curve from a set of standard solutions of proteins, with of course, known concentration. The curve should be a plot of the logarithm of the molecular weight of the protein versus its mobility in the gel matrix. From this curve, the molecular weight of the protein in the sample solutions could be extrapolated. References 1. Boyer, Rodney. Modern Experimental Biochemistry. Third Edition. San Francisco, USA: Benjamin/Cummings, 1993. Scribd. Web. 29 November 2011. 2. Encor Biotechnology, Inc. â€Å"SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). † Encor Biotechnology, Inc. Protocols. Encor Biotechnology, Inc. , 2011. Web. 30 November 2011 < http://www. encorbio. com/protocols/SDS-PAGE. htm>. 3. Thermo Scientific, Inc. â€Å"SDS-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). † Thermo Scientific, Inc. Protein Methods Library. Thermo Scientific, Inc. , 2011. Web. 30 November 2011 < http://www. piercenet. com/browse. cfm? fldID=21518847-2D72-475F-A5B9-B236EC5B641E >.

Compare the Characters of Ralph and Jack. Essay

How does Golding influence the reader’s responses to his characters? In the beginning of Lord of the Flies, Ralph is aware of the fact that he is on a deserted island, but is in a sort of daydream. He’s very rude and immature towards Piggy and acts awkwardly towards Piggy, as if there was no one else on the island. â€Å"This is an island. At least I think it’s an island.† The author tells in that line that Ralph is possibly in a daydream and can’t tell fantasy from reality. When it is only Ralph and Piggy at the start, he is rather lazy, sleepy and quick tempered, but not the least bit worried about being abandoned on an unknown island. â€Å"Now the shell was no longer a thing seen but not to be touched.† Ralph discovers the conch, which’s something that interests him but doesn’t know what it is so he turns to Piggy for knowledge. Ralph realizes that the conch is something valuable just by looking at it, but doesn’t know that it is very significant and would become the symbol of his future leadership. â€Å"The creature was a party of boys marching approximately in step in two parallel lines and dressed in strangely eccentric clothes.† The author places the reader in Ralph’s body so that they see everything he seeing. This gives us an insight into Ralph’s mind, which influence our views about him. Jack appears wearing a ‘cap badge’ and a cloak, which tells the reader that Jack has some type of hierarchy, he is the one leading the choir and they all seem to obey him. The author description of Jack is very unappealing and devilish, and through the description of his eyes we can work out that he probably very short tempered. As soon as he meets Piggy he starts bullying him and putting him down, as if he’s already organized in his mind who should speak and who shouldn’t. â€Å"He’s not fatty,’ cried Ralph, â€Å"his real name’s Piggy.† Ralph defends Piggy because he feels sorry for him, but makes the situation worse by being careless and breaking his promise. Ralph suggests that the children should have a chief because he wants to bring law order to the island. When they are voting for a leader Jack exclaims that he should be chief as if it were a natural thought for him because he comes from a private school, where as Ralph is middle classed, therefore he probably attended a grammar school education. Ralph wins the election, although the choir votes for Jack unhappily, because of his leadership characteristics and mainly due to the blowing of the conch. â€Å"The choir belongs to you of course.† Ralph tries to make peace with Jack after the voting and reminds him that he still in charge of the choir, and this shows that he has got natural leadership qualities although he doesn’t know how lead yet. Jack meets his first hurdle in becoming a savage when he has to cut the throat of a pig but his ideas of civilization prevents him from doing so. Jack has still has sanity in the beginning and agrees with the making of rules, but doesn’t intend to keep them because he wants to punish people and have fun by destroying things in the process. The author introduces the idea of there being a snake on the island, which the little children observe at night, which is slightly in contrast to the Garden of Eden where a snake is the symbol of evil. â€Å"There isn’t a snake thing. But if there was a snake we’d hunt it and kill it.† The author doesn’t actually let us see into Jack’s mind but from the outside we know that he is very cunning and clever, by turning situations to his advantage. He tries to get power by offering protection to the little children and increasing their confidence in him, so that they would support him and not Ralph. â€Å"The conch doesn’t count on top the mountain.† Here Jack is undermining the conch and its importance to annoy and re-establish his assumed superiority over Piggy. Also this way he is attacking Ralph at the same time, because the conch is the main reason why Ralph gets elected. Jack wants everyone else to obey the rules, but doesn’t keep to them and therefore is very hypocritical about what he says and does. He knows the smaller children want to have fun and uses that to his advantage by fooling around and bullying Piggy. The author describes Jack as a sprinter and gives him the characteristics of native hunter when he is in the forest, and gives him animal forms turning from ‘dog-like’ to ‘ape-like’, which gives the reader the impression that Jack is animal and no longer a human. When Jack goes after the pigs you can tell that he is more determined than ever because the author puts in ‘the promise of meat’, which tells the reader that he has gained the hunter’s instinct. When Ralph and Jack interact again they almost get into an argument, but then they talk about the â€Å"little’uns† and open up their feelings to each other and end up agreeing on the construction of the shelters, although Jack is thinking about killing a pig first and not on being rescued, while talking. â€Å"He looked in astonishment, no longer at himself but at an awesome stranger.† Jack paints his face, gets some leaves for his new mask, because he wants to look like savage and the twins, Bill and Roger become frightened of him so he gains a certain control over them. Some of the older boys now enjoy hunting, killing pigs for their meat and boasting about how they participated. The author is making Jack the snake and its like he’s luring them to eat the forbidden fruit, which means there also turning into savages as well. Ralph starts to protect Piggy, this is due to the fact Jack inflicted bodily harm on Piggy. He starts to side with Piggy even when Jack apologized, because he knows that Piggy is being victimized too much. He realizes the importance of Piggy’s brains and has support him to maintain authority. â€Å"Jack, Simon, Maurice, most of the hunters, on Ralph’s right; the rest on the left.† The group has basically separated into two groups, Jack and his loyal hunters and Piggy and the little’uns. This is a very important incident as Jack can now put down Ralph’s authority because he has the backing of half the group. Ralph boosts his authority by giving orders to everyone and starts to plan a decent environment to live in, but Jack is still stirring up trouble. The author has been clever about creating intensity because he has brought in two different characters, which are complete opposites of each other. On coming on the island, Jack already leads the choir, wants to be chief and doesn’t get elected, while on the other hand Ralph doesn’t know anyone, has no wish to be leader but becomes leader and has to mould into the role of being a leader. The author also shows how Jack changes from being civilized to turning into a primitive savage and how other boys follow him. Ralph learns a lot from his mistakes and adjusts so that he can uphold his position. The author also lets us see Ralph innermost thought so we know what type of person he is, but we only get to view Jack from the outside, which influences are sympathy towards Ralph. He also introduces the ‘snake-thing’, which is linked to the Garden of Eden and always gives the reader a sense of evil. The first five chapters are in complete contrast to the book Coral Island, which is a book about children who help each other out, when they are left on a desert island.

Change and Conflict Theories and Change Agent Essay

What does it take to for an organization to become successful? Research suggests that an effective institution is one that is infused with competent, motivated employees who have been molded to succeed. However, this process takes effort from both sound management and motivated employees. If either is not fully committed, then failure is sure to follow. On the other hand, if done properly, any organization will become enriched with employees who will constantly strive for perfection. The bottom line is that a well-mentored and motivated employee helps produce a successful organization. Before any organization can institute change, the management team must identify and understand the concept of change theory. In other words, he or she should have a clear picture of those internal and external forces that create successful situations and those circumstances that hinder progress. Three basic types of organizational change theories come to mind; they are environmental change, teleologica l change and life cycle change. The lecture notes describe environmental change, â€Å"that which involves situations and the environment around an individual or group. Environmental change is unplanned and a result of changes in the environment (South University, 2013). An example is Florence Nightingale’s Environmental Theory Defined Nursing: â€Å"The act of utilizing the environment of the patient to assist him in his recovery† (Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2010). This theory focuses on changing and influencing the environment in order to put the patient in the best possible conditions such as, having access to fresh air, pure water, cleanliness and sanitation. Nightingale considered a clean, well-ventilated, quiet environment essential for recovery (Nursing Theorists, n.d.). Teleological change theory is a repetitive sequence of implementation, evaluation and modification of an end state based on what was intended (Van de Ven & Sun, 2011). Teleological change or planned change is purposeful social construction among individuals within the organization undergoing change and individuals do not recognize the need for change (Van de Ven & Sun, 2011). Changes occur because management sees the need for change but may fail from lack of plans. This can be improved by teambuilding and training (Van de Ven & Sun, 2011). Another change theory is life cycle theory which describes the process of change as progressing through different stages and activitie s over time (Van de Ven & Sun, 2011). In most organizations, life cycle changes are based on  routines learned in the past for managing repeated changes in efficient and effective ways and how individuals are able to adapt (Van de Ven & Kangyong Sun, 2011). Organizations go through different life cycles similar to those of people. For example, people go through infancy, child-hood and early-teenage phases, which are characterized by rapid growth over a short period of time. Comparably, organizations go through start-up, growth, maturity, decline, renewal and death. A leader should take time to explain the change, how it will benefit the organization and how it will help to achieve the organization’s vision. The effect of change on the staff must be thought out and a plan must be implemented to avoid confrontational consequences. Most importantly, leaders should constantly communicate every detail as simply, clearly and extensively as possible. Conflict Theories Conflict theory focuses on the negative aspects of society. Contemporary theory say conflicts are expected between human beings, beneficial and are the result of change (Conflict management, n.d.). Social conflict pertains to each individual advancing their own interest, conflicting with the interests of others. Social conflict theory uses one’s own desires. Conflict evolves from two individuals wanting the same thing or wanting two different things. Thomas (1976), put conflict into two categories: cooperative and assertiveness (South University, 2013). The ones who end up controlling the majority of these resources exert their power over others with the use of inequality causing social conflict over the struggle of power. This way of thinking is derived from Karl Marx who saw society as being split into different groups all competing for the same social and economic resources. Social conflict theory is complex by inequality and conflict that cause social change. Organizationa l conflict is a dispute caused by apparent conflict of needs, values and interests between people working together. Organizational conflict theory enhances productivity, decision-making, cooperation, communication and employees who work together (Organizational conflict, 2013). Organization conflict in the workplace occurs from personality differences and personal problems such as childcare issues or family issues. Organizational factors that cause conflict are leadership and management styles, budget constraints and disagreements among staff members (Organizational conflict, 2013). Organizational conflicts can  also occur when two or more departments within the same organization compete for the same limited resources, such as budget, equipment and the need for additional staff. Organizational conflict can be negative to staff and the faculty. This constant competition can create stress and result in poor outcome for patients. This implies as an individual develops, they need to be given more responsibility and the opportunity to develop their potential (Organizational conflict, 2013). Another type of conflict is interpersonal conflict. This occurs when two nurses disagree on an issue. Interpersonal conflict can be noticeable when a person verbally attack s someone. Thus, the result can be damaging to the medical facility if patients witness the conflict (Dodge, 2009). Intrapersonal conflict may occur for a nurse who feels overwhelmed as she struggles to balance her job requirements with her personal life and beliefs (Dodge, 2009). Conflict resolution With the change in health care, conflict is certain to happen. Managing and addressing conflict and facilitating a healthy work environment is essential (South University, 2013). According to Follet and Deutsch, conflict could be constructive and not viewed as a weakness. Follet studied the effectiveness of handling interpersonal conflict in an organization with domination, compromise and integration (South University, 2013). In 1976, Thomas devised an effective way to handle conflict by accommodating, avoiding, collaborating with members of management and encouraging compromise (South University, 2013). Accommodating is the willingness to meet the needs of others at the expense of one’s own needs; in essence, keeping the peace is more important than â€Å"winning† a small battle. Avoiding conflict is trying to evade the conflict completely. This is a weak and ineffective approach. Collaborating is trying to meet the needs of all people involved. This style is important in order to bring together different viewpoints to make a decision or to agree on a solution. Competing is when one takes a firm stand on what he believes is true. This style is used as a position of power and expertise then used in situations that need an immediate answer. Compromising is when one tries to find a solution that satisfies everyone. This style is effective when the cost of conflict is higher then the cost of losing (Manktelow & Carlson, n.d.). Change Agent The Change Agent is a person who brings a positive change to the health care environment. Nurses play the role of change agent by bringing improvement (Nursing, 2011). An effective nurse leader, as a change agent, resolves conflict by incorporating communication with conflict resolution to get what they need accomplished on a day-to-day basis. Nurses dislike conflict and like to avoid it at all cost. Nurses take a passive approach to conflict management, calming the situation and not addressing it directly. Nurses do not confront the behavior for fear that it will only make matters worse (Blake & Young, 2013). The Change agent must identify the problem, the importance of the problem, address the people involved, and have the confidence to resolve it. Change agents need to implement plans to achieve and change goals (Grossman &Valigra, 2008). They must be proactive in order to address the issue or problem before it becomes a major conflict. An example of a conflict is a family memberà ¢â‚¬â„¢s request for a second opinion regarding the patient care. The nurse leader should have a nurse intervene and go to the family in order to help relieve their anxiety. She should be an active listener and remain calm. Nothing sets people off more than when they feel they are being ignored or patronized. It is easy to become emotional but it is not worth getting into a volatile discussion that ends in confrontation. Finally, she should seek a solution and work to come up with a solution or a compromise good for both parties. Nurse leaders use conflict resolution with collaboration. Both parties of the conflict confront the problem. The nurse leader takes equal concern for both sides by listening and communicating with the parties. Then both parties can collaborate and identify what they can agree on and evaluate the differences for a solution (South University, 2013). A situation that comes to my mind deals with a supervisor and a subordinate. During this interpersonal conflict, I witnessed on many occasions two strong-willed personalities clash that often ended in verbal altercations. In these situations, the subordinate is a highly self-centered female who cares little about those within hearing distance. On the other hand, our supervisor is very laid back and genuinely well- liked by most people. However, when the two came together, they clashed over the speed in which my co-worker completed her tasks. Although, she was very thorough with her work, it often meant that  she could not handle the same load as the others in the office. Therefore, as co-workers, we had to pick up the slack. This person did not deal well with how the conflict was resolved which often ended up with counsel for insubordination. The tension between the two grew more intense over a period of three to four years. This conflict ended when our supervisor resigned. Nurses in health care today use avoidance as a style for managing conflict which is usually counterproductive. This leads to stress and further conflict. Nurses who repeatedly avoid conflict hold onto the feelings of irritation, frustration or anger with themselves. Avoidance does not solve the problem or prevent the conflict. Competition can result from one individual or group gaining up on another. Attempts to solve conflict with power and control will result in unstable situations and negative communication. Lastly, competitive individuals fail to identify the concerns and needs of others (Handling conflict, n.d.). Conclusion In conclusion, for an organization to be successful, the management team and leaders must identify and understand the concept of change theory. Nurse leaders need to be aware of conflict that can occur with change in the health care environment. Nurses have difficulty with change because it can be related to interpersonal conflict, social conflict or organizational conflict. An effective leader is a change agent by being proactive, be an effective listener and have great communication. A change agent must identify the problem, the importance of the problem, know the people involved and have the confidence to resolve it. Nurses in health care today hinder the resolution of conflict by avoiding the conflict. The nurse leader can help by steering the conflict to a positive outcome. References Dodge, A. (2009, November 10). Types of Conflicts in Nursing | eHow. EHow. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from http://www.ehow.com/about_5630265_types-conflicts-nursing.html Habel, M., RN, MA. (2013). The Power of Change | CE365-60 Content. The Power of Change | CE365-60 Content. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from http://ce.nurse.com/content/ce365-60/the-power-of-change/ Handling conflict. (n.d.). SAGE – the Natural Home for Authors, Editors and Societies. Retrieved October 19, 2013, from http://www.sagepub.com/ Manktelow, J., & Carlson, A. (n.d.). Management training and leadership training, online. Mind Tools New Articles RSS. Retrieved October 19, 2013, from http://www.mindtools.com/ Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2010, November/December). 24th Annual Conference of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (16), 366-387. Retrieved from http://jap.sagepub.com Blake, N., PhD, RN, CCRN & Young, C. (n.d.). How to be an effective charge nurse. Nursing Theorists. (n.d.). Nursing Theorists. Retrieved October 19, 2013, from http://currentnursing.com/nursing_theory/nursing_theorists.html Oberleitner, M. (n.d.). Theories models and frameworks from administration and management. University of Illinois at Chicago – UIC. Retrieved October 19, 2013, from http://www.uic.edu/ Organizational conflict. (2013, October 15). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 19, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organizational_conflic t South University Online. (2013). Leadership in a Diverse Society: Week 3: Conflict Theories. Retrieved from www.myeclassonline.com Van de Ven, A. H., & Sun, K. (2011, August). Breakdowns in Inplementing Models of Organization Change. Academy of Management Perspectives, 25(3), pp. 58-74. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from http://www.neeley.tcu.edu

Review of Stephanie McCurry's book MAsters of Small Worlds Essay

Review of Stephanie McCurry's book MAsters of Small Worlds - Essay Example McCurry’s thesis stresses quite frequently on the significance of the role of gender and the patriarchal nature of the yeoman society, which she portrayed as being almost characteristic to the low country yeoman society. McCurry’s thesis is well argued and some of her sources are well researched as well. But not all of McCurry’s arguments are convincing. In fact, in most cases McCurry provided very little pertinent evidence for her arguments. The concepts of political and social unity however have been presented with some well examined evidence such that they seem more plausible than McCurry’s other arguments which are not only based on insufficient data but are argued such that the concepts themselves are open to several interpretations. McCurry bases most of her arguments concerning the yeoman society on the Low Country’s geographical factors. However, one finds that McCurry, in her aim to explore the principles of the culture and structure of the yeoman society has attempted to broaden the geographical precincts of the low country. Perhaps McCurry felt compelled to do so in order to present pertinent data for her arguments. It might be that McCurry did not find enough data to back up her thesis and arguments. Extending the geographical area of the low country (to cover certain areas believed to be in the â€Å"Middle Country†) might have given McCurry the possibility to explore more evidence from those areas, thereby making her thesis a tad richer with weightier data. The extending of geographical boundaries also gave McCurry the opportunity of exploring the similarities and connections of the working relationships between wealthy slave owning families and the farming families with no slaves. The ideal example to justify the hypothesis that the extending of the low country topography gave McCurry more data to work with is the instance when McCurry used the personal diary of a woman (believed to be

Should women be allowed to be drafted in the military Research Proposal

Should women be allowed to be drafted in the military - Research Proposal Example By means of banning women from warfare also damages their military professions. Even if women merely accounts for a small fraction of the military, they still perform a most important role. Their functioning has generated assistance from the public for boosting the responsibility of females inside the military. America is not the sole country that has concerns with women inside the military. Army examiners have come up with an innovative study which concludes that, as soon as a woman is appropriately trained she happens to be as tough as a man (Women in Combat). Several explorers after examining how women functions in these standings came to the similar conclusion. Their presentation has led the world to apprehend that women are exceptionally useful in warfare. Even if many females are not enthusiastic to go into combat, still there are women who is capable and desire to go accomplish the job. Nowadays, the modern civilization has begun to obtain cognizance of the budding function of women inside a more multifaceted world of male adjusted professions. Modifications in viewpoints have turned out to be more perceptible although some still anticipates a few of them to formulate it. On the other hand, those who are unconditionally fated to be successful have mounted similarly with their male equivalents. Women are at present are being observed to propagate even inside the planet of men in uniform. Be enough to declare that they have plagued almost every space inside this society.   They appear to eat very similar food. They make use of the same sink. They sleep together inside one barracks, though in detached cubicles, also they even utilize the similar screeching steel bunks. They jog within the same speed; they sweat at any time where everybody sweats. They go anywhere everybody goes. They satisfy themselves towards an atmosphere where a life of soothe and freedom is all too far away from reality. In brief, they too, may

Team Work Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Team Work - Research Paper Example As the discussion stresses departmental teams are also long term since they ensure proper manning of their lines of responsibilities at all times to encourage efficiency. Short term teams are self managing and handle frequent system challenges for instance addressing employee discipline issues. During this implementation time, members of the team hold formal and informal meetings where they freely interact with one another. This is the time they evaluate their performance and find out if indeed they are within the set deadlines. Teams play a pivotal role in the workplace and are lauded as the best human resource practice since it acts as learning time for employees. The members present their incomplete ideas in a discussion, and they humbly argue out the case, the strongest option is later adopted by the team as findings. These resolutions are binding upon every member, and the team is wholly accountable for them. This paper outlines that un the article, â€Å"How to Build a Teamwork Culture† by Susan Heathfield, she says that teamwork is core to organizations which value cooperation when handling office tasks. Employees trust that all issues pertaining to planning, decision making and task execution are best undertaken together, this helps in ensuring accuracy since input from different minds reduces risk factors. For instance, decision making on product diversification requires input from the marketing team who roll out campaigns to gauge market response. The finance and accounting team also computes the right prices to offer the new product in the market. These two and other relevant departments get together by holding frequent meetings where they all share their points and areas of concern.  

Introduction to Accounting and Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Introduction to Accounting and Finance - Essay Example A mixing, filling, and labeling machine would cost me 45.000 pounds to purchase and install and I would need to invest 20.000 pounds in advertising. Initial stock of supplies would cost 6.000 pounds and I would have to employ two workers at 2.000 pounds/month each to cover two shifts with the machine. My gross salary is set at 4.000 pounds per month as I will be responsible for management and sales. We would start working immediately to set things up so our salary, accountant, and rent would include two additional months, i.e January through August in 2011 instead of six, while other costs and revenues are calculated on the basis of six months. I would have to pay accountant 200 pounds a month and that includes end year financial and tax statements. Marginal Costs Statements Our marginal costs are variable costs of supplies and marketing costs for selling additional products. The formula is Cost per additional jar = variable costs (or in our case costs of supplies for a jar) but in r eality we cannot purchase supplies in such small quantities so increments should be set per 100 jar package. Our marginal costs per unit between anticipated 15.000 unit sales and maximum capacity of 20.000 units are 50 pennies per jar or 2.500 pounds per month. ... Quantities over 20.000 units per month would probably cost more to make than quantities around 15.000 as I plan. If we were able to sell 20.000 units per month i.e. 5.000 more than we anticipated, and there would be no bottlenecks in production, we would get additional income of 10.000 pounds per month that would cost only 2.500 pounds per month. Our pretax profits would rise for 90.000 pounds a year. 3) Breakeven Point Breakeven point is a level of sales where revenues equal expenses. To calculate this point we have to divide our fixed costs on enough units. Formula is Breakeven Production = Fixed Costs / (Selling Price – Variable Costs) Breakeven Production = 13.200 L per month/1,5L per unit = 8.800 units per month In our case everything except supplies represent fixed costs. Our rent is set regardless of the products we make and sell, we have to pay salaries regardless of production and sales, we have to pay the accountant, advertising, and amortization and miscellaneous is completely detached from sales we make. The only real variable cost of producing additional unit is therefore the cost of supplies. From the graph below we can see that we anticipate to reach Breakeven point in second month of production and by fourth month we intend to reach our sales target that will remain constant until and if we decide to add capital investment and labor. 4) Proformance Financial Reports a) Proforma Cash Budget Proforma Cash Budget January February March April May June July August September November December Inflows 50,000 20,000 32,455 60,221 15,822 13,122 9,122 4,233 2,445 2,124 3,600 Investment for 40% stake in the company 4,300 10,324 9,800 5,787 6,458 5,457 9,500 3,100 1,200 2,457 3,000 Net Sales 12,122 12,000 12,800 14,500 10,300 8,000 16,000

American culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

American culture - Essay Example It is true that there is a known level of resistance that confronted African-American culture during the early stages of the development of its literature (McLloyd 45). However, it is true that this was the beginning of their triumph. In an era known as the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, African-American literature has made black identity a â€Å"counterforce to the rationality and sterility of the capitalist modernity† (Glick 417). This means that the emergence of black culture as shown by the development of African-American literature served as a defiance of the traditional and conservative but capitalistic culture that white Americans have established. In short, black American literature served to overthrow the white American system that financially exploited African-Americans through slavery. This sense of freedom brought with it a renewed sense of identity which reflects in black literature, such as in Frederick Douglass’ Narrative of the Life of Frederick Dougla ss, where young Douglass fights back the white landowner Mr. Covey and says, â€Å"†¦but at this moment – from whence came the spirit I don’t know – I resolved to fight† (Douglass 62). He then says, â€Å"â€Å"I seized Covey hard by the throat, and as I did so, I rose† (62). In fact, the phrase â€Å"I rose† is rather demonstrative of the reversal of role of the black slave and the white capitalist landowner. Through Douglass’ book and other similar examples of African-American literature, the blacks have redefined themselves in the 1920s through their literary work. Although white Americans viewed the emergence of the black culture as â€Å"sexualized exoticism packaged and sold as blackness† as shown by the excesses brought about by interracial parties of Harlem jazz musicians, it is definitely different when it comes to African-American literature (418). Literature has become the defining factor in the cultural change s that the blacks experienced (Holloway 110). Through literature, the black culture is reborn and revived without the impurities of the slavery period. In Zora Neale Hurston’s â€Å"Story in Harlem Slang,† the main character of the story, who is a black woman, shouted to the white thieves, â€Å"If your [feet] don’t hurry up and take you ‘way from here, you’ll ride away [and] I’ll spread my lungs all over New York and call the law†¦And I’ll holler like a pretty white woman!† (Corbould 869). This means that literature was an instrument which African American writers used in the 1920s in order to assert their identity amidst white domination. Moreover, the emergence of African-American literature enhanced the development of a black culture that was actually a mixture of black and white elements. According to Morrison’s Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination, â€Å"In American literature, construct ions of white national identity depend on their juxtaposition with representations of darkness, whether through the literal presence of black characters or through more metaphorical manifestations of racial difference† (Harrison-Kahan 419). This means that the perpetuation of differences between blacks and whites in black literature will simply further aggravate the social differences between them as well as the racial discrimination that whites had always had for blacks. The solution implied by Morrison was therefore the merging of white and black cultures in literature. A number of Harlem Renaissance writers responded

Diabetic patient Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Diabetic patient - Assignment Example Treating diabetes has become one of the most significant challenges for the healthcare providers around the globe. Approximately 3 million people are affected by the disease in UK alone while there is substantial majority which does not even know about their association with diabetes Hence it is important to critically analyze the different affecting variables for diabetic patients while investing the most appropriate medications. This paper aims to study the importance of diabetic medication especially using Betty Neuman’s Mode in NANDA format. Moreover, it will develop a teaching learning intervention for such patients while analyzing healthcare disparity. Importance of Diabetic Medication Diabetes is a common disease prevailing in the world today. It is a lifelong health stipulation which actually occurs due to increased amount of glucose in blood. Primarily the body is unable to utilize all the excess glucose in this condition because of poor performance and lack of insuli n production in the pancreas (What happens when you have diabetes?, 2012). Insulin is a hormone which helps the glucose to enter into the blood cells. Glucose is an essential source of instant energy which facilitates us in playing and working. However, when an individual encounters diabetes then it becomes significantly difficult for the victim to perform his/her daily tasks efficiently leading towards other dangerous conditions. Diabetic Medication is very important in order to control the level of glucose. This subsequently helps people in fighting against the disease while performing their routine duties. Although the diabetic medication cannot completely cure the disease but it plays a vital role in combating the adverse outcomes and hence patients are required to take these medicines lifelong. Neuman’s Mode in NANDA format is significantly used for treating the diabetic patients (Neuman& Fawcett, 2010). Before discussing the real impact of this methodology on patients i t is important to first analyze the narrow characteristics of Neuman’s system model. Initially Neuman assumed certain things, for instance, he supposed that patients are entirely different from one another and that their responses to variable treatments are also unique. They are primarily influenced by numerous stressors and the overall external environment which creates hindrance in their medical recovery. Hence according to Neuman it is important to first cater to all these factors in order to treat a diabetic patient. The major components of his theory are basic structure, environment, open system, defense line, reaction, resistance, reconstitution and prevention(Betty Neuman's System Model, 2012). The Neuman’s system model is applied on diabetic patients through investigating their problems in the light of environmental stress, interpersonal factors, influence of social environment and the physical examination. It motivates the patients so that they can help themse lves in their fast recovery. Thereafter it defines a clear treatment methodology to provide comprehensive care with the help of nurses (Neuman & Fawcett, 2010). Although Neuman’s NANDA format is found effective in curing the disease to some extent but on the whole it lacks the knowledge of diabetes and the symptoms of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Moreover, it does not have an ability to formulate a follow up plan while on the other hand it has insufficient resources to identify the core reasons of diabetes. Developing a teaching and learning intervention The behavioral change theories tend to study a particular disease, physical issue or a mental problem in the light of behaviors which are triggered by the socio-economic and environmental factors. Today theorists and researchers believe that most of the diseases can be cured only by making an intervention in the behavioral patterns of the patients (Hayden, 2009). For instance, in order to cure diabetes nurses can play a sig nificant role

Psychedelia and Vietnam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Psychedelia and Vietnam - Essay Example In this way one considers that the narrator in the song speaks about having to avoid mortar shells. In great part the specific musical components contribute to this song’s message. In this way the guitar is low-key and thoroughly allows the vocals to shine through. Another prominent recognition is that Paxton’s voice is subdued, yet contains a significant degree of ethos, leading the listener to empathize with his message. Another prominent song with a war message is Johnny Wright’s ‘Hello Vietnam’. This song is less explicit in its criticism of the Vietnam War. While the song alludes to the arbitrary nature of the war, it is more concerned with articulating a story about a lost love going abroad to fight in the war. This seems to be the song’s most effective part. To an extent the song can even be interpreted as embracing the war. In this way the song speaks of American’s mission abroad and the importance of stopping communism before it becomes a larger problem. Specifically, the song implements a lyrical metaphor in comparing communism to a fire that must be put out or risk a larger problem. In terms of the specific musical components, to an extent one can argue that they interfere with the song’s message. The song adopts a lackadaisical country western musical approach that seems more concerned with the love story than conveying any sort of meaningful politi cal message. Finally, Sgt. Barry Sadler’s ‘Ballad of the Green Berets’ presents another perspective on war. While the first two songs made specific comments on the Vietnam War, this song instead constitutes a firm embracement of American military values. In this way, as the title suggests, the song functions as a ballad for the Green Berets. To a large extent the Green Berets are presented as heroic and brave individuals. While the song lacks a political message, this may actually be its strongest part;

Collaborative project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Collaborative project - Assignment Example collaboration plan had little or no impact on student learning, you have the opportunity to reflect on the plan and identify possible alternative approaches that could be used in the future. The collaboration task format is based on the Kentucky Teacher Internship teacher performance assessment model. It supports Kentucky Teacher Standard VIII, Collaborates with Colleagues/Parents/Others. The format has been modified for application to teacher preparation. You will collaborate with one or more other professionals to design and implement a plan for a student whose learning could be enhanced by collaboration. Be sure to review carefully the appropriate guidelines before completing this form. Edward has a learning disability which affects hearing processing. Like many students with invisible disabilities, such as learning and mental impairments, he is sensitive to the attitudes and thoughts of fellow classmates and teachers regarding his need for special facilities in class. In the meeting I discussed in detail with the subject teachers/concerned teachers about the performance of Edward in their subjects specially the marks percentage which he got in monthly, quarterly and annual examinations. I also enquired in explanatory way about his concentration in each class. Besides all this, activities of Edwards were monitored and discussed in the meeting. The main impact of the collaboration plan on this student’s learning is that on spot assessment is possible. Because of this plan I evaluate students grades/marks frequently like monthly, quarterly and annually. Moreover, I also monitor his activities and interests on regular

Zeus As Hero Essay Example for Free

Zeus As Hero Essay One of the reasons why Zeus is a hero is because he defeats his mighty and powerful father Cronos along with the titans, and shares the glory with his many brothers and sisters. On my opinion I think a hero is someone that does something without thinking of themselves. Someone that is willing to take the risk for the sake of someone else. A hero is someone that will always be willing to help and take any major risk. This paragraph will explain how Zeus is a hero because he has demonstrated Bravery, Sharing, and his powerfulness. This paragraph will determine why Zeus is brave and will give three example of him being brave. The first example of Zeus being brave was when Zeus defeated his father Cronos; this example is one of the greatest examples because it explains all three of Zeus’s characteristics. Zeus showed himself being brave because he faced one of the most powerful gods in the world. Not only that but Cronos eager to kill Zeus and swallow him whole. The second example of Zeus being brave is when Zeus caught lightning bolt to protect his best friend Pan, Zeus was then aware he was a god. The third and final example of Zeus being a hero is when Zeus transformed into a bull and dared to take Queen Europa out of her boundaries when she was specifically under many rules of her father and one day would become Queen. But, she luckily got to become Queen of Crete and built many ships for them and Zeus. These actions prove that Zeus is a true Greek hero. The next paragraph will show how Zeus is able to share, and examples will be given to show you why. This paragraph will determine why Zeus is able to share and will give three carefully detailed examples. The first example of Zeus being able to share is when he gives Crete a magnificent gift; King Minos was in desperate need of a wall, a warrior and an army. They pleaded to Zeus to give them these three wishes and Zeus put it all into one huge gift. He gave them Talus a great bronze giant that will protect Crete no more than a thousand years. Each nine years they would bless Zeus for his gift. The second example of Zeus being able to share is when he defeats the titans and frees his brothers and sisters, not only that but Zeus gives his brothers and sisters a part of the world. Poseidon got the sea, Zeus claimed the sky, Hades took the underworld, ECT The third and final example of Zeus being able to share is when he grants queen Europa’s wish. She is then freed from her father’s rules and became Queen of Crete. The next paragraph will tell you how Zeus is loyal in the storeys told about Zeus. This paragraph will identify why Zeus is loyal, It will provide three examples from multiple storeys in the book. The first example of Zeus being loyal was when he made Queen Europa Queen of Crete she became loyal back to him by building the ship that he had requested from her. The second example of Zeus being loyal is when he promised and did give each of his brothers and sisters a piece of the world everyone then worshipped Zeus for what he’d done. The third and final example of Zeus being loyal is when Zeus agreed with Rhea to go defeat his awful father Cronos and to reclaim his brothers and sisters and become king. The next paragraph will conclude why Zeus is brave, loyal and able to share. Zeus has many characteristics that make him a hero. He has demonstrated Bravery, being able to share, and loyalty in many of the myths. For example, Zeus defeats Cronos that trapped his many brothers and sisters and the many invincible titans. Therefore, Zeus is a true Greek hero.

Impact of Competition on Bank Performance

Impact of Competition on Bank Performance INTRODUCTION This study focuses on a research set forth to examine the linkage of competitive obsession and/or excessive competitiveness to financial impacts (credit boom/crunch) on the banking industry. Organisations concern for the survival of business at all costs has transformed into a strong credence that they can control and dominate human, physical, natural and intangible resources, thereby direct the business world now and in future. This has induced an underestimation of some immeasurable and unfathomable trends in business. Now the business world is being battered with harsh economic and financial struggle. Hence Ezer and Demetis (2007:57) states: â€Å"Our obsession with control has become part of our validation as a species.† At this time all countries and a huge number of firms has been impinged on, by recent the credit crunch. 1.1 Background There are huge reasons for the competitive activities of countries, banks and Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). Some of these reasons are to maximise wealth and minimise cost. In the 1970s the banks were not highly driven by competitive force (Black and Strahan, 2002). Countries and Multinational Enterprises take advantage globalisation and free trade. However, the banking industry today has become quite competitive and involved in subprime lending. The increase in competition among banks led to less proficient screening aptitude and credits granted to less worthy customers (Rajan, 2008). In addition, MNEs engage in drastic activities across nations termed as an abuse of free trade. The recent economic situation emerges quite troublesome for everyone. Credit concerns are now crucial and are imperative in ensuring successes in international business. This requires the aid of banks as MNEs are in battle with an unpleasant financial crisis. Nevertheless, would these banks who are also hit by the credit struggle, save themselves, talk more of aiding the MNEs or any other business and/or customers. The financial market crisis began early in 2007 and has resulted to losses in the market and loss of confidence in financial institutions across the globe (World Economic Forum, 2008).The causes of the credit crunch are traced to a number of identified causes (Johnson and Kwak, 2009). To mention a few are subprime investments, government neglect of banking activities, and the abuse of free trade, mainly but not wholly originating from the United States. Some of these causes are still in repetition dated back to 1966 and are yet to be eradicated. Financial crisis originating in the 1960s has been re-occurring in the 70s, 80s and of present, hence, it is not a novel issue. What is yet to be known is why the credit crunch keep re-occurring from similar causes, and the possible existence of a common element among these ‘causes which is unseen or rather covered in a veil, that could make or break the achievement of a Companys objective. This common element could be termed extreme competitiveness or competitive obsession. It is unknown if competitive obsession could have contributed to the credit crunch. A study and understanding of this problem could proffer solutions and thus, possibly promote international business and financial integrity on a global scale. 1.2 Research Purpose This research is not focused on identifying and putting blames on various organisations or their activitities that might have caused the credit crunch. The aim of this study is to identify the relationship between competitiveness- its obsession and the credit crunch, and to determine whether this competitive obsession is found within the activities of the organisations that might have caused the credit crunch. 1.3 Research Questions The questions to be researched will be principally concentrated on the grounds/motivations in which business, banks and regulators take drastic decisions and engage in dangerous activities that might have led to the credit crunch. The answers to find out will thus be: What this ground/motivation is? What is the existence of this ground/motivation among different institutions? What the relationship of this ground/motivation could have to the credit crunch? 1.4 Implication of the Dissertation This study develops a new theoretical model, which incorporates two â€Å"issues† which can be found today (competitive obsession and the credit crunch) in to the notion of global economic challenges in respect to nations and MNEs. The practical significance of this study involves proffering some guiding principle/course of action for globally competitive firms in the course of competitive/strategic decisions that is accountable. How firms react to the pressures of international competition and the chances of taking comparative advantage on the macro level has been deemed importantly stressed by Herrmann (2008), describing his research as only the beginning of a broader analysis. This study tends to continue from Herrmanns research, but relating it to the credit crunch. There are obviously exclusions in the literature, but the association of competitiveness and the credit crunch are very hardly studied in some intensity. This study tries to make the association of these two is sues overt. 1.5 The Structure of the Study 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction Competitiveness and the credit crunch are two different broad issues, which however are not new in the literature. Firms aspire to have a competitive advantage/edge to survive in the global market; nevertheless, the extreme cases of this competitiveness that could be very fruitful or drastic are not put in to so much consideration. Furthermore, the extreme cases of credit facility (over or under extending), might or might not have presented a favourable business condition. 2.2 Review of Studies An attempt to review the whole issues on competitiveness and the credit crunch would be a task of great difficulty, size and strength. Both subjects have been in academic and organisational practice for a very long time. Hence, the re-evaluation of literature will highly pinpoint a survey as well as case research done. Given huge amount of data and research carried out through the years, some important studies have been omitted. Apologies are made for such omissions while, other studies which might be perceived as of less significance, are been utilised. 2.3 Sections of Review There are large amounts of literature works significant to this study, however, this chapter will focus on: Background : History, Present Future Competitiveness and the Credit Crunch Defined Competitive Obsession- Favourable or Unfavourable National and firm competitiveness [Porters Diamond] Competition in the Banking Industry Government/country competitiveness 2.4 Background: History, Present and the Future The early years of this millennium has faced corporations with credit problems connected with the boom in the stock market. As this financial catastrophe receded, came the rise and boom of the housing sector, which subsequently transformed in to the unavoidable credit crunch (Cooper, 2008). Financial crises has always come and gone. the early crisis of 1990 affecting countries like Mexico, Russia, Norway and Sweden and the Asian crisis of 1997 involving countries like South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Hong Kong (Allen and Gale; 2007, Nesvetailova, 2007). The causes of these financial crises and/or credit crunch were sought after and found (Johnson and Kwak, 2009). Some of these causes were generic to some Nations while others were particular to a Nation. It is found common among nations that blames were laid on the inconsistent macroeconomic policies of government and financial institutions (Allen and Gale; 2007, Nesvetailova, 2007; Turner, 2008; Cooper, 2008). Some particular causes found in the nations like the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) are the sub-prime lending and housing boom (Rajan, 2008), the abuse of free trade by the promoters of free trade (Turner, 2008), and corruption in nations like Indonesia (Allen and Gale; 2007). Can the misdeeds of government and financial institutions be associated to competitiveness? Porter (1998) portrays that competitive advantage of nations convey new government and business functions for the attainment of competitiveness and success. Constantly, government is ineffectual in whatever it gets to do as she constantly fall short in her industrial policies and in tackling the issues of competitive lead (OShaughnessy, 1996). Hartungi (2006), stress the competitive impacts of globalisation among nations, in the flow of labour and capital. Thus, government of nations, especially the developing ones are being threatened by competition from other nations. In consequence, these governments deregulate and hence make weak their policies for fear of alien investors relocating their businesses to another nation (Hartungi 2006; Buiter, 2007). Turner (2008) on the other hand echoes the abuse of free trade as firms utilise the benefits of free trade by carrying their dealings across var ious nations, with the aim to maximise their profit at the least cost. Thus, while (Hartungi; Buiter) accuses the government, Turner accuses the Multinational firms. Notwithstanding, both government and Firms actions are rational justified to be a move to beat competition. The future of the economy, given this recent credit crunch is still bleak and insecure. There are no quick or magic solutions to this credit troubles. Most banks still hold back on granting credit and economic endeavors are still seriously threatened and extremely bad (Lorenzen, 2009). 2.5 Competitiveness and the Credit Crunch Defined Competitiveness, which is found at the heart of business firms and nations, has always been an inevitable desire, as firms and nations struggle for survival and to outperform one another by gaining a competitive edge, comparative/absolute advantage. Given different circumstances and/or surroundings, competitiveness itself, has defined and implied differently by academic scholars/ authors. Since the theories of Adam Smith in the 1770s and Ricardo in the early 1960s, the models of Porter (1980) and Krugman (1994) prior the other current ones, accentuated by Cao (2008) and Chikà ¡n (2008) national and firm competitiveness, given the global competitive force is still obsessive. The rationale behind competitiveness stays the same; changes are found to exist on strategies engaged to accomplish it, the means of maintaining competitiveness in a rapid and constant change of business environ and processes. In the literature, competitiveness has been widely defined. The Office of Competition and Economic Analysis (OCEA) (2009) echo, â€Å"Competitiveness means different things to different people. To an economist, it may mean how well a country is performing compared to other economies, as embodied in the standard of living and changes in national productivity. To a policy maker, it may mean how a new regulation changes the ability of affected businesses to compete. To a business owner, it may mean changes in profitability as reflected in market share for its goods and services in a low-cost market place.† Hence there are no specific or clear definition of competitiveness could be generally satisfactory, rather they are given different interpretations to best match ones requirements or task (Aiginger, 2006; Ketels, 2006; Siggel, 2006; OCEA, 2009). Garelli (2006: 3), from an economic and management perspective defines competitiveness as â€Å"a field in economics that reconciles and integrates several concepts and theories from economics and management into a series of guiding principles driving the prosperity of a nation or an enterprise.† With regard to the credit crunch, which is the second concern, finance and credit availability has always been the blood of every enterprise that ensures the running of its business operations. The credit crunch or credit crises, financial squeeze, or financial crises have been termed differently by different nations, firms, scholars and institutions. Some authors further use these terms sequentially. Hence, for example, the credit crunch might have resulted from a capital crunch or the financial crises have led to a recession. However, the implied meaning remains the same. This financial instability has long existed, as well as economic theories such as the efficient market theories (EMT), Keyness and the Minskyan theories and hypothesis. Watanabe (2007:642) defines the credit crunch as â€Å"the reduction in credit supply available to borrowers, particularly bank lending supply, for some lender specific reasons.† Watanabe further describes a difference between financial crisis and the credit crunch as thus: the financial crisis involving banks breakdown, financial mismanagement and volatility, while the credit crunch involving a incidental hindrance of banks lending activities, arising from capital shortage. Similarly, Ryder (2009:76) states, â€Å"The uncertainty in the global financial markets has led to a dramatic reduction in the availability of affordable credit, or credit crunch.† 2.6 Competitive Obsession- Favourable or Unfavourable The history of excessive competition is traced to the course of economic development and evolution of industrial formation in different countries in the globe, arising from changes in demand leading to a poor economic cycle or even recessions (Cao, 2008). One of the strong criticisms of competitive obsession is that of Krugman (1994) and (Cao, 2008) on excessive competition. Krugman bases his arguments on three points- (1) that apprehensions on competitiveness, are as an empirical issue, baseless; (2) that the definition of economic setback as one of international competition is nevertheless striking to lots of people. Finally, that obsession with competitiveness is incorrect, dangerous, distorting domestic policies and a threat to the international economic system. Hence, thinking competitively will one-way or the other lead to bad policy making. Both Krugman and Cao, stress the misinformed and common thinking in economic theory that intensification of competition can improve economic and social welfare. Aiginger (2006) in his competitiveness defined stresses its non-exclusion of strategies to harm neighbouring countries. Thus, assumptions have been made about obsession being a negative term (Dance, 2003). On the other hand, excessive/obsessive competitiveness has been identified to improve welfare (productivity and social) in an economy, as well as the possibility of positive externalities and spillovers (Brahm, 1995; Aiginger, 2006). Norcia and Flener (2008) in the retail experience, suggests that a means to not just survive but excel in the recent financial crisis is to become more obsessed, with the customer experience for example. Obsession with customer experience is further identified as Mr Philip Green, the owner of Bhs, achieved a historical largest profit for the company, by being obsessed with customer value, price, quality and market (Mazur, 2002). Identifying competitive obsession as good however, is dependent on it being properly focused (Dance, 2003). This research however, neither supports nor opposes the impact or effects of competitive obsession on firms as well as on the economy, but tries to find out if competitiveness and its obsession might have resulted to the recent credit crunch. 2.7 National and Firm Competitiveness [Porters Diamond] Chikà ¡n (2008: 24-25) presents the definition of both firm and national competitiveness: â€Å"Firm competitiveness is a capability of a firm to sustainably fulfil its double purpose: meeting customer requirements at a profit. This capability is realised through offering on the market goods and services which customers value higher than those offered by competitors.† And â€Å"National competitiveness is a capability of a national economy to operate ensuring an increasing welfare of its citizens at its factor productivity sustainably growing. This capability is realised through maintaining an environment for its companies and other institutions to create, utilize and sell goods and services meeting the requirements of global competition and changing social norms.† Chikà ¡n further stresses the existence of a structural homogeneity with the two definitions, as both are described as capabilities, sharing similar root in economic and social thinking, involving strategic governance and the thought of sustainability. Thus, Garelli (2006) stipulates that firms play their main role of achieving economic benefit, while nations provide the necessary framework to maximise the economic benefit, hence their fate is entangled and cannot be managed singly. The interconnection of competitiveness at national and firm level has been presented by Porters (1990) diamond framework. As concerns gaining sustainable advantage, Porter (1998:71) throws the question himself â€Å"which firms from which nations will reap them† Porters model is useful to analyse competitiveness and its various factors (Garelli, 2006; Chikà ¡n, 2008), thus, in this literature it will be used to analyse the banking industry. The different components of the diamond theory are used to summarise the activities of banks at national and firm level: Factor conditions: these are factors of production as well as infrastructure. Innovation and efficiency via technology are inputs for banks competitiveness (Berger and Mester, 2001; Black and Strahan, 2002; Balgheim, 2007). Demand conditions: customers are increasingly becoming more demanding of banks and less loyal (Balgheim, 2007). On the micro level, mainly households and businesses take on banking dealings, such as deposits, loans and other financial services (Goddard and Wilson, 2009). On the other hand, household in some countries avoid placing their savings in financial institutions and rather buy physical goods (Barth et al, 2006). Related and supported industries: this factor takes account of cluster theory, which endorses firms concentration. The banking systems are becoming more concentrated, and the correlation of this concentration and competition is becoming vague (Carbo et al., 2009). Firms strategy, structure, and rivalry: these are managerial actions and strategy in addition to domestic rivalry. as bankers detect a rival struggle to win in the inter-bank lending competition, they assume firms to show more potential than they had reasoned (Ogura, 2006) Government: is another factor considered to determine competitiveness based on its influence on social norms and macroeconomic policy (Ketels, 2006; Chikà ¡n, 2008). However, Michael Porter disbelieves government to be a fifth determinant of competitiveness (Garelli, 2006). Davies and Ellis (2000) summarised some of the limitations of Porters model- to involve omissions of object of analysis, that productivity at national level is confused with industry level success; confusion of trade factors with respect to comparative advantage; flaws in methodology and mode of reasoning; and a refutation of the assertions of the competitive advantage of nations. 2.8 Competition in the Banking Industry Competitiveness cannot extricate itself from the conception and veracity of competition (Herciu and Ogrean, 2008). Goddard and Wilson (2009) describes banking competition as vital because a failure in the market or an anti-competitive behaviour by banks could have extreme consequences on the productive effectiveness, the welfare of the consumer and the growth of the economy. This explains further the development of competition in banking to be a highly relevant exercise paving way for good policies that could effectively regulate and supervise the banking and financial services sector (Goddard and Wilson 2009; Carbà ³ et al., 2009). At the 1970s, there were little or no competitive strains on banks, favourable government ruling and strong barriers of entry into the industry (Berger and Mester, 2001; Black and Strahan, 2002). Nonetheless, by the early 1980s, government rulings no more favoured the industry, technology and policy changes reduced the barrier entry, and competitive strains were on the increase (Berger and Mester, 2001; Black and Strahan, 2002). The increase in competition has a two effect as depicted by (Black and Strahan, 2002)-limiting the credit accessibility to new and small businesses, while also increasing its credit accessibility to big firms that are credit worthy. In recent times, competition has become highly on the increase, banks loosen their creditworthiness assessment in sub-prime lending and non-worthy customers get access to credit (Marquez 2002; Ogura, 2006; Rajan, 2008). The consequence of this is of three ways- reducing the impact of observational learning; reducing the credit risk engaged by every bank, while on the other hand; increasing the total risk engaged by the whole banking industry (Ogura, 2006). 2.9 Government/country competitiveness Competitiveness is a crosscutting issue that is influenced by the decisions of many different government agencies and is subject to a strategic goal for foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction (Ketels, 2006). Siggel (2006); Herciu and Ogrean (2008) presents a view of a country competitiveness arising from the harbouring of internationally competitive firms, industries, as well as government policies and regulations. The central or apex bank of a country is an agent of government, thus, understanding the macro/micro level competitiveness and its inter-linkages to the credit squeeze would require a study of internationally competitive banks and the central bank. 3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Macro Economic competitiveness- methods suggested by Authors National competitiveness has been measured with indicators such as business competitiveness index of the world economic forum (WEF) (Ketels, 2006; Herciu and Ogrean, 2008; Chikà ¡n, 2008). The world economic forum (WEF) which engages its competitive analysis on global competitive index (GCI), sets out 12 determinants/ and or pillars of competitiveness – Institutions, Infrastructure, Macroeconomic Stability, Health and Primary Education, Higher education and training, Goods market efficiency, Labour market efficiency, Financial market sophistication, Technological readiness, Market size, Business sophistication, and Innovation. 3.2 Firm Level – Competition in Banking- methods suggested by Authors The measure of competition in the banking industry is significantly subject to barriers on entry, internationally and at home (Barth et al, 2006). They stress- entry requirements and restrictions of foreign entry/ownership of domestic banks as two of the variables that could be used to qualitatively confine the degree to which competition in the banking sector is controlled. Nevertheless, some researchers [(Goddard and Wilson, 2007; 2009; Carbà ³ et al., 2009)] draw inference from the observations of firms behaviour derived from theoretical models. Furthermore, the measurement of competitiveness differs broadly in terms of definition, scope, drivers and geographical location (Ketels, 2006). Irrespective of the measures that are put in use, the important issue is ensuring that these different measures make similar suppositions about competitive behaviour (Carbà ³ et al., 2009). Various studies and research has been engaged to understand the credit crunch on a macroeconomic level and on the financial aspects of firm Kang and Sawada (2008). However, the researchers environment and sense of direction in identifying and resolving problems, as well as the interested organisation and society subscribing to it, determines his/her research process or methodology (Ghuari and Gronhaug, 2005). 3.3 Adopted Methods for this Study The main purpose of this present study is to examine the interrelationships of extreme competitiveness among firms and the financial impacts. This will be evaluated on a macro and micro level. The intended methodology will differ as well as emanate from the methodology utilised by the above reviewed researchers in a number of ways: On the macro level, the interrelationships of firms and financial institutions will be evaluated by drawing form secondary data (GCI published by the WEF for 2008/09). For this study, however, the interrelationships will be evaluated utilising only two (2) – Institutions and Financial market sophistication, of the twelve determinants of competitiveness, rather than the combination of all the 12 determinants of competitiveness. A collection of primary data via questionnaire: this questionnaire is intended not just to ascertain or measure competition on the bank firm level competition but going further to evaluate how this competition are driven by business factors such as changes in policy and business strategies. To support the data collected via questionnaire will engage in an interview to give room for some of the top bank personnel to justify and give opinions on the issue of competitiveness and the credit crunch. 3.4 TRIANGULATION This research will triangulate its primary and secondary data collection method qualitatively and quantitatively. This approach will be important when considering the reliability and validity of data, and in trying to find similarities and differences existent in these different sources of data. Thus, the result of one research strategy are cross checked against the result of another research strategy (Bryman and Bell, 2007; Saunders et al, 2007). Thus, the methodology utilised for this research will draw data qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative as it will engage in statistical measure and manipulations and qualitative as it will also engage in interviews and survey reports. 3.5 FIRMS AND FINANCIALINSTITUTIONS – A SECONDARY APPROACH The secondary approach utilised for the purpose of this research will draw data from the global competitive report of the world economic forum (WEF), as well as textbooks, articles and journals by electronic and manual means. Drawing data from secondary sources provides a channel as to the essential research work that needs to be carried out, as well as sufficient background information to ensure a direction for research (Cooper and Schindler, 2008). The GCI prepared by the WEF, derives its data from the executive opinion survey (EOS) as well as from other globally recognised data sources such as the International monetary fund (IMF), organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD) and national sources. Institutions as described by the WEF, comprises the interaction of individuals, firms and governments to create wealth and income in the economy, thus, having a potent connection on development and competitiveness. Financial sophistication on the other hand, emphasises a thorough review of risk ensuring an appropriate creative channelling of resources use. In order to emphasise the connection and link of Institutions and Financial market sophistication, we adopt the correlation index calculation. A way of measuring the relative strength of correlation between two variables is done through a correlation coefficient (r) (Francis, 2004). Hence the product moment correlation coefficient formula: r = n∑xy- ∑x∑y √({n∑x^2 )- à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬â€œ(∑x)à £Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬â€^(2 )} {n∑y^(2 )- (∑y)^(2 )} Where r = product moment coefficient formula and is a number which lies between +1 and – 1 When r is far from zero (closer to +1 or – 1), there is a strong correlation When r is close to zero, there is a large dispersion and variables uncorrelated r= 0 signifies zero correlation r= 1 signifies strong/direct connection between variables. r= – 1 signifies strong/inverted connection between variables. Where x and y = variables to be measured, And n = number of (x, y) variables 3.6 Test of Robustness The essence of the robustness test is to check the stability of findings from secondary analysis done above, in the sense of whether smaller or larger deviations could prejudice performance of the model or data findings to a large extent. Thus, the existence of gross errors in a small fraction of observation is regarded as a small deviation, the main aim of robust measures being to preserve against errors (Huber and Ronchetti, 2009) Using a dataset of over 100 countries surveyed by the world economic forum, variables on a selected number of countries are drawn. To identify a relationship between competitiveness and the credit crunch (based on two pillars afore mentioned), this research uses the â€Å"robustness/ruggedness approach†, which has been effectual in Baxter and Kouparitsas (2004) in analysing its datasets of over 100 countries. Using this approach, a variable is identified to be a robust determinant of another vis-à  -vis the recent credit crunch, if the correlation coefficient of both variables is far from zero (0). 3.7 Secondary sample collection The systematic sampling method has been selected to take in to account a sample of 15 countries, which will be used for the measurement of connection between variables. This method of sampling has been found to create ease of use, especially where there is an inexistence of a sampling frame. The procedure of the sample systematically selected is as follows: A hundred and thirty- four (134) economies have been covered in the 2008-2009, global competitiveness report by the world economic forum (WEF). Thus sampling 15 countries will be a selection of every 134/15 (8.93th) country. If every eighth (8th) country is selected, 8 x 15= 120, so the last 14 countries will certainly not be selected. On the other hand, if every ninth (9th) country is selected, 9 x 15= 135, definitely the final country selected does not subsist(see appendix 2). One of the disadvantages of systematic sampling is that the sampling technique is not strictly random, since the selection of a random starting point would mean all subjects are pre-determined (Francis, 2004) However, for the sake of the study 8.93th will be approximated to 9th, as it is more free of bias compared to selecting every 8th country. The countries selected are shown in the table (1). Table 1 Column1 S/N Country Country Rank/no Random Starting Point 1 Japan 9 2 Australia 18 3 Saudi Arabia 27 4 Tunisia 36 5 South Africa 45 6 Latvia 54 7 Turkey 63 8 Ukraine 72 9 Egypt 81 10 Georgia 90 11 Algeria 99 12 Albania 108 13 Mali 117 14 Nepal 126 15 135 Source: reproduced from the global competitive report (2008-2009) 3.8 Primary Data Collection The purpose of the research is to identify the existence of competitive obsession or excessive competitiveness particularly on the actions and reactions of banks and the government on a macro and micro level interrelationship. To draw a wide range of data on competition among these institutions, the quantitative and qualitative approach is engaged. 3.9 Quantitative research: the questionnaire This research will use questionnaire administered on bank staffs to collect data for quantitative analysis. This aspect of research will engage its analysis univariately in frequency tables, diagrams and percentage of variables, using the Microsoft excel. Subsequent on that, the data findings will be endorsed with that of the qualitative and secondary data. The questionnaire is purposeful on the views of bank staffs relative to competitive actions that might have contributed to the credit crunch. The questions posed will therefore indirectly address the three (3) key research questions, then similarities and differences in answers triangulated with other research methods to be utilised in the

Play And Creativity In The Curriculum

Play And Creativity In The Curriculum Some have argued that play is childrens work but I would say that it is far more than this. Play is their self-actualisation, a holistic exploration of who and what they are and know and of who and what they might become. (Broadhead 2004, p. 89) Since nineteen century, learning has been constructed and reconstructed within the frameworks of three main theoretical perspectives, whether understood as adult-led process, child-led individual process of discovering knowledge, or socially constructed experience. This essay will discuss in depth the contribution of play and creativity to young childrens well-being and improving childrens lives; what is play and creativity and why they are important; the three theories or instructions versus exploration are fundamentally diverse in their understanding about the development of childrens cognition and application in learning environment, yet their persistence in contemporary school system is evident. An evaluation of the intervention of different theories will be based on the important work of Skinner, Piaget, Vigotsky etc. and different curriculum developed and used all over the world as TeWhaariki, Reggio Emilia and Early Years Foundation Stage. This essay underlines the importance of play and creativity of young children in their early years, considering historical point of view, theoretical and examples from own experience, practice and observations. Within western societies, the optimal conditions for early learning are frequently viewed as environments where play, both unstructured and structured, adult-led and child-led, solitary and social, provides the majority of the learning opportunities (Wood 2010). In the last century theories of play replaced or developed earlier learning theories and previous ways of thinking. Ideas taken of psychologists like Piaget, Vygotsky and Bruner have lead to create educational framework and curriculum, as the High/Scope curriculum developed from the US Head Start project in the 1960s (Schweinhart and Weikart 2003), and the Te Whaariki curriculum developed by the New Zealand government in the 1990s (Ministry of Education 1996) . the last decade the Foundation Stage was introduced in England and Wales (QCA 2000) where play has been described as the key way in which children learn. Recently, the findings of the EPPE project (Sylva et al 2004) made practitioners thinking how to get the right balance into the curriculu. The main object is how to implement potentially instructive play activities which need to be supported by effective adult interactions into the learning process. In the meanwhile the debate on the value and nature of play for young childre n and for their development continues. The benefits of play for children and young peoples physical, intellectual, social and emotional wellbeing are no longer questioned. The Early Years Foundation Stage stands up behind this philosophy which we can see from the Appendix 1. Play is innate. Childhood play is an instinct that is pleasant and important when we look at the learning and development of young children (see Appendix 2). Play is different and flexible. Often we cannot use terms as right or wrong way when consider play. There are enormous ranges of different types of play. They can be active or subdued; they could involve imagination or exploration. Furthermore play could involve others or carried out alone. The essence of play is best described perhaps with the 12 Principles of play (Bruce, 2011). Those principles underline any present playwork practice which we could describe as good practice. Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally motivated and directed. Children and young people rule and control the meaning and fulfill of their own play, by listening their own instincts, ideas and interests. This is done in childrens own way for their own purposes and reasons. All children and young people need to play. The impulse to play is innate. Play is a biological, psychological and social necessity, and is fundamental to the healthy development and wellbeing of individuals and communities. (Gleave, 2012) Recent research shows that to be able to respond and function effectively in our complex society requires interactions with others. Those interactions need to be managed actively (Sawyer et al., 1997). In addition one of the beliefs which is used in therapeutic play is that imaginative play affect the aggression levels and promote emotional intelligence as state by Holland (2003). Furthermore, the more play is cooperative, the more children might connect with/or understand other childrens knowledge. This understanding is underpinned with their respond and emotional engagement with the surrounding environment. Interactions like those will increase childrens understanding of other childrens perspectives. They can become experts for one another, scaffolding their own and their peers learning experiences. When children interact with peers they are more creative, the dialogue they build with each other or the play is like a practise to reality and helps them develop social skills. Their learning and creativity is stronger than when an adult tells then what to do, or leads them to a game, there is not as much personal/inner involvement when its adult led. Recently observations try to focus more on play between children, not on their interactions with adults. This is to recognise that into communication with peers which are equally engaged, exist the potential to improve childrens learning development. It will arise along their actions and interaction. As an example see Appendix 2. Often play goes hand by hand with creativity. As a concept creativity has been vastly researched for more than fifty years, and they still remain disagreements what creativity is and how it develops (Lynch Harris, 2001). Part of researches underline that creativity involves process of flexible thinking and being original, also problem solving and being capable to redefine and elaborate (Meador, 1997). The other part of researchers point to personal characteristic which could help some individuals to become more creative, for example tolerance for uncertainty, willingness to overcome obstacles, openness to growth, possession of personal motivation, acceptance of sensible risk-taking, wanting to be recognized, and willingness to strive for such recognition (see Sternberg, as cited in Lynch Harris, 2001). Moreover, others support the thinking that people cannot be generally creative in all areas but more often into specific fields, as art, machinery or woodwork (see Gardner, as cited in Lynch Harris, 2001). The cultivation of creativity is a base on which programs and strategies are produced for positive outcomes and underpin the well being of young children. Such programs which include creative problem-solving skills help children to become successful adults. Adults who will question the accuracy of information and put this information into constructive use (see Todd Shinzato, as cited in Brockman,2012). Moreover, Sautter (1994) suggests that children being involved in creative activities improve their motivation. Practitioners in the mental health field discovered that creative activities can be used to protect children from stress (see Honig, as cited in Brockman). Creative thinking allows both young people and adults to avoid boredom, resolve personal conflict, cope with increasing consumer choice, accept complexity and ambiguity, make independent judgments, use leisure time constructively, and adjust to the rapid development of new knowledge (Strom, 2000, p. 59).Furthermore, in our century we are witnesses of rapid scientific and technological development, so people need to be inventive and flexible. Therefore, in order to keep up with nowadays accelerating developments, it is important for adolescents to be creative thinkers (see Fryer, as cited in Brockman). In addition to the above, the study Trough a different lens by Meynard (2010) shows that moving away from a subject-centered approached, particularly when they are prescribed outcomes in the Framework, towards child-led learning and play, may be extremely challenging for the practitioners. The project is based on Reggio Emilia pedagogy. While in England and Wales early years education policy appears to have shifted direction in relation to curriculum, pedagogy and underpinning theories of learning, by contrast the infant and toddler centres of the municipality of Reggio Emilia are rooted in a coherent, well-defined theory of knowledge which resonates with sociocultural principles. In the Reggio Emilia approach it is important the collaboration between all participants. They believe that young children symbolically represent their ideas through, for example, drawing, painting, dance, singing, speaking, mime and play. Instead of curriculum lead activities, organic projects are used as a vehicle for learning. However, having used to lead childrens play, the practitioners found it hard to not interrupt and their believes challenged. One of the teachers states: Children who I initially thought of as low ability, fidgety boys I now feel have fantastic problem solving skills à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ this approach has made me question what I thought was a bright child and has turned on its head how I rate the children in my class. From the above study is evident the influence of different approaches have on the adults role in relation to childrens play. For example learning for behaviourism is adult-led, emphasising on the external environmental influences on learning and outcome focused; the most effective teaching technique in class room in the sixties and seventies was the programmed instruction, an operant conditioning method developed by Skinner in a behaviourist fashion which went in four steps. Giving a task to perform in their play, observing the child, if incorrect repeat again in an easier manner, if correct reward. This processes lacks imagination of the activity, leads children to understand learning as a stressful experience and create anxiety which in turn interferes with school performance and social and psychological development.(Gavrielle L.2008). Although Skinner acknowledged children need to explore knowledge for themselves and that creativity is born within social interaction, it was not until the constructivist theory of Jean Piaget (1896-1980) when society and school acknowledge the need for children to explore knowledge for themselves. In contrast to behaviourist believes, Jean Piaget argued learning happens inside the child, should be child-led, with little if no emphasis on teaching. According to Piaget instructions were the inhibition for exploration. In a computational study, Bonawitz and colleges compared the outcomes of play with a same toy given by an experimenter in two conditions. In the first condition children were instruct how to use it, and in the second they were just given the toy to play with. The results of this study show significant differences between the times children of both conditions played with it. Also, the toy had more features then the one shown by the experimenter and the children in the sec ond condition seems to show higher exploration in contrast to the first. (Bonawitz E., et al, 2010). In a contrast, Lev Vygotsky (1896-1934) was the one to outline the importance of some adult guidance in childrens development; introducing Zone of Proximal development (ZPD) as the difference between what the child can not do by himself and what he can achieve with help from more able adult/peer; an adult-led theory in which the teaching and assisted performances were the key for successful development. In conclusion, the importance of how play is used to encourage creativity was outlined; the implication of the above theories is evident in the present educational curriculum. The frameworks influenced by Piaget discovery learning theory have been revolutionary for educational practices. The above examples show the importance to find the right balance between adult and child-led play and creativity which are fundamental for childrens learning and development.