Animal Euthanasia

To Kill or Not To Kill In the past few decades, there has been a big uproar regarding the topic of euthanasia in dogs. Euthanasia used to be a term used to end the suffering of a life by putting them in a painless and permanent state of sleep. I believe that today, the term ‘euthanasia’ when referred to dogs has transformed to a word used to justify the mass murder of dogs across the world. Most people will agree that the only time a dog should be put down is when it is sick or suffering from pain. I believe that if a dog is euthanized for any other reason, the person in control is guilty of committing an abominable act.They do not call dogs â€Å"mans’ best friend† for nothing. With proper training, every single dog has the potential of making a good house pet and becoming an important part of an owner’s life. Most dogs that are being euthanized each year are not even suffering from any illnesses and are not aggressive either. They are just unlucky. The reasoning that is given by these shelters committing these vile acts is that there is an overpopulation of dogs in their shelters and not enough homes for all of them so they have no choice.The problem with this picture is the fact that many of these shelters breed dogs for the sole purpose of having them sold. Many of these dogs are being sold for sums well over a thousand dollars. The dogs that they are not able to sell are sent to shelters. These shelters fill up quickly because of these breeders who can’t sell their dogs and can only take what they have room for and can manage which leads to these breeders euthanizing their extra dogs, many times in the convenience of their own backyards.They figure that it costs them a lot less to murder their unsold dogs then the expenses they pay to take care of them while they wait for them to be sold. In the United States, an estimated 4 to 6 million dogs are euthanized in shelters each year. Pete Wedderburn, editor of Small Ani mal, says â€Å"It’s very disappointing that after all the noise that is made about how appalling it is, nothing changes. † Unfortunately, not everyone will agree with the fact that euthanasia amongst dogs should only take place when the dog is suffering from pain or terminally ill.Joy Leney and Jenny Remfy mention in their book Dogs, zoonoses, and public health why dog population management is necessary and very important. In their book they say â€Å"Some people love dogs. Some people hate them. Some dogs are man’s best friends. Others, or sometimes the same ones, are sources of injury, accident, disease and pollution. † (299) Dogs can breed and multiply their numbers very quickly but the breeding is not their fault. It is the fault of the breeder for breeding them in order to sell them.Once they are not sold, they either become stray dogs and usually end up being killed in the future or are sent to be killed right away. I believe that this is very inhu mane. Leney and Remfy continue to speak about the methods used to kill these dogs are beginning to be too costly because of transportation and drugs needed so kill shelters and breeders have come out with cheaper ways to get rid of their extra dogs. These new methods include ovens and gas chambers where they throw in large amounts of dogs at a time to be killed in order to save time and money.It makes me shiver how anyone who is responsible for these mass murders can live with their despicable acts. A simple solution to lower these rates of dogs being euthanized and to take control of the overpopulation of dogs is to alter the majority of dogs. Most shelters and animal organizations neuter dogs for no charge as well as give vaccines needed to prevent diseases from being transmitted. By altering dogs, the rate of dogs reproduced each day will drastically decrease. Each day 10,000 humans are born in the U. S. – and each day 70,000 puppies and kittens are born.As long as these b irth rates exist, there will never be enough homes for all the animals. Early age altering of dogs (6-14 weeks) has been practiced for over 25 years in North America. The perceived high cost of altering is not the problem since many shelters will happily do it for free. The problem is the lack of education dog owners have about altering their dogs. If the benefits were understood, more people would be altering their dogs. Euthanasia should be thought upon and observed very carefully before being put to use.It used to be a treatment but is now mostly used as a weapon to kill. . In the Irish Veterinary Journal, Pete Wedderburn believes â€Å"†¦the government ought to proceed with compulsory micro chipping, a license for life and a discounted license fee for neutered pets† (Wedderburn 530). This is one way to really help lower the number of dogs being euthanized. Furthermore, it will be thought upon twice before euthanizing a dog since the dog is now neutered and will not b e able to produce more dogs. Not allowing a dog to reproduce may be a bit cruel but a big step towards lowering the kill rate.Having the dog micro chipped and placed inside a database will also help influence the decision of a shelter or breeder of whether or not to put down a dog. There are numerous pet owners surrendering their dog due to personal reasons and inadequacy in taking responsibility for their dogs. This also adds to the overpopulation of dogs. According to a survey conducted by the American Humane Association, out of the 1000 shelters who responded to the survey, 2. 7 million of 4. 3 million animals (64 percent) are being euthanized. Out of this euthanized number, 56 percent are dogs.Majority of the animals in shelters were being euthanized since there is a standard period of time, ranging from several days to weeks, for unclaimed stray animals. However, there are â€Å"no kill† shelters run by private and animal welfare organizations. This alone is part of the solution to end the overpopulation of dogs. These â€Å"no kill† shelters make it an official policy never to euthanize animals unless it’s for medical reasons. If overcrowding is really an issue, then it may be necessary to send dogs to other shelters instead of murdering them.I am sure there are many animal cruelty prevention organizations that will be willing to take these dogs in and finding them a foster home until they are adopted into a permanent household. This will lower the rate of dogs being killed, give the dog a better life, and be a much more humane thing to do. In the book Redemption: The Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution in America, the author Nathan J. Winograd writes â€Å"The decision to end an animal’s life is an extremely serious one, and should always be treated as such.No matter how many animals a shelter kills, each and every animal is an individual, and each deserves individual consideration. And finally, to meet the challenge that No Kill entails, shelter leadership needs to get the community excited, to energize people for the task at hand. By working with people, implementing lifesaving programs, and treating each life as precious, a shelter can transform a community. † (Winograd 22-31, 229) The programs Winograd is referring to include free spay/neuter, rescue groups, foster cares, pet retention, medical and behavioral programs, ommunity involvement, volunteers and a compassionate director to control the friendly shelter. Winograd calls this the No Kill Equation. I don’t quite agree with Winograd that this equation is the key solution to lower the rate of dogs euthanized each year. I think that there are much easier and more efficient ways to lower the rates. It will take too long for all community shelters across the country to set up these programs in their communities. The right way to do this is to hire lobbyists to fight for the no kill shelters and animal welfare organiza tions and push the passing of a law against euthanasia on healthy dogs.All dog owners should be taught the benefits of neutering their dogs. The usage of microchips should be implemented by all shelters in order to manage the population of dogs. For every single animal euthanized in a shelter, there is a person outside of that shelter responsible for it. The responsibility to keep shelters from euthanizing animals lies with each of us as pet owners. If we adopt through rescue, choose a good match, spay and neuter, and keep our animals for their lifetimes, the shelters will be near empty, not overfull, and euthanasia can become a tragedy of the past.

My Identity/My School

I am a unique individual who enjoys the beauty of nature. I appreciate the things around me. Living life to the fullest is what I am up to; thus giving inspiration to others by treating them fairly regardless of their race and traditions make me fulfilled. Like other individuals, I am a sociable person who enjoys meeting new set of people. Meeting and knowing others’ personality is a great privilege and I find them helpful in making myself a better individual. As the saying goes â€Å"no one is an island†, so meeting another people gives me more ideas and views of what life is. There are times when I encounter difficulties in life, I immediately think that life is not worth living for but when I meet people whose problems are so complicated, that is the time I compare my situation to them and realize that I am blessed and I should not give up and quit immediately because there is always a solution in every problem. In addition, since humans compose of body, soul and spirit, I make sure that I do not only feed my body with supplements to make it strong but as well as my spirit. I strongly believe that my soul needs something in order to grow and live. I make sure to attend the Sunday church and not only that, I also read the word of God because that is the food of our soul. Going to church and have fellowship with my brothers and sisters in the Lord makes my week complete. I know I can face another week because I am strengthened not just physically but spiritually. On the other hand, in order to make myself active, I too indulge into different kinds of sports that can help me strong physically. I find sports very interesting because it does not only energize my body but it quickens my mind in how to play the game. The more I play; the good techniques and strategies creep in my mind especially if I play the sports with my family. I just like being with them. It is a good feeling to be with your love ones. No amount of money can measure or compare if your family is intact and having a good time all together as one. Playing sports is one of the ways we can bond each other as family. Further more, since I am an administrator (assistant principal) it is my philosophy to educate every student regardless of their backgrounds; thus, each one of them can learn more and be the most equip student if just given by the government the proper tools of technology, has a place conducive for learning, and safe environment. Feature Article  Country School  Allen Curnow Ethnic Identity: Aside from being an educator, I am an African American with strong beliefs about helping my fellow African American brothers and sisters as well as other ethnic groups that I encounter. Helping others by educating them is such a noble work. I would like to have them good education as I have. Giving them good education can make them competitive in every endeavor they are in. It does not mean that I am an African American I cannot already do the things which others do. In fact, my ethnicity is not a hindrance to be a successful educator. My ethnicity is not an issue in making me successful in life. I want other people realize especially those who look themselves as inferior to stand firm of what they believe in. I would like to inspire them that through education, they can make their lives fruitful and success is just on their hands if they will continue in educating themselves. Moreover, I would like to inculcate to the young learners that good education is the only wealth our parents leave that nobody can snatch or steal it away from us. Moreover, I would inspire them by telling them that our status and ethnicity in life cannot hinder our dreams to have good education and to be educated. School Community: The school I hope to create is a place that is safe and conducive for all learners. I want that school to be well-equip with materials related to the learning areas of the students. Since school activities are social activities, we must look into the routine found in adult society as a guide in laying the basis for routine in classroom organization and control. Much of the details of providing a good work space can be routinized. There should be a place where to put things out of the way, and everyone in the room should know where each thing goes. Routine should merely aid, in setting before the pupils, opportunities for educational experience. The ability to set up routine and to conform properly to it is in itself a worthwhile and necessary outcome of education. The complexity of the modern school, system calls for more routinization of our classroom procedure. It is, therefore, exceedingly important for the teacher to determine what classroom activities should be routinized and made into habits. The teacher will find the task much easier if the pupils are brought to see and understand fully the value of routine. Likewise, he should make it a point he wishes to develop. Certain classroom activities should be conducted in the most effective way to allow more time for essential learning activities. It is therefore necessary that daily activities can be turned into habits to facilitate speed and avoid waste of time. This is time-and-nerve-saving, and it is also good education Routinizing certain activities has a further value in that it prevents confusion and saves time. Confusion reduces the effectiveness of learning activities. Routinizing also aids in keeping the attention of the pupils upon their work. The following should make up routine activity. If considering discipline the teacher must remember that he is constantly faced with two behavior problems—one is the problem of what to do to take care of the immediate situation. This is the one tow which the teacher typically gives relative overemphasis. The other problem is the one of visualizing the long-time behavior patterns that the teacher is trying to develop in the learner. The learner must also be helped to organize long-time needs and goals and also visualize the behaviors that are likely to help him achieve these goals. In not only to plan present behavior to meet day by day situations, but must also have a vision of the goals of his behavior in the future that will be most satisfying. Teachers must help learners practice using both immediate and remote consequences, particularly the latter since these are more difficult to see.                                 

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Employee Rewards Trip and Final Gala Celebration Itinerary Event planner :Claudia Cortez Day 1: Depart Detroit Airport, Arrive Las Vegas, Evening Group On-Own Activities Date: December 1st, 2013 2:30 pm Eastern Time Zone| Departure from Detroit Airport American Airlines (Lunch on Own) (4 hours and 28 minutes)| 4:00 pm Mountain Time Zone| ArArrArrsdfasdfgsad Arriv Arrive at the Las Vegas Airport and take Citizens Area Transit (CAT) bus system Phone: CAT-RIDE to hotelto Caesars Palace| 5:30 pm| Arrive at the Caesars Palace3570 S.Las Vegas Blvd. , Las Vegas, NV| 6:30 pm| Dinner on Own & Individual Free Time| 9: 00 pm| Evening Group Activity VEGAS! THE SHOWPlanet HollywoodVenue: Saxe TheaterShow Time: 9pm (2 miles round trip transportation to destination from hotel and back) -Activity Description and Cost| 11:00 pm| Return to Hotel | | Total Travel Miles Airplane 30,000: CAT citizen Area Transit 30 miles| | Total Activity Fee $600 . 00| Day 2: Visit and Tour of Hoover Dam and Other Las V egas Attractions, Group Dining Experience, Lodging in Las Vegas December 2, 2012 :00 am | Continental Breakfast at the Caesars Palace Hotel | 9:30 am | Departure to Hoover Dam ( 30 mile round trip transpirations to destination from hotel and back) – Activity Description and Cost| 10:00 am | Arrival at Hoover Dam and Tour –Adventure Float Trip a 30 minute trip aboard a Coast Guard approved large comfortable raft, allow unique views only available from the water of the Modern Marvel. | 11:30 am| Departure back to hotel | 12:30 pm| Group Dinning Experience at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant3655 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV| 2- 7 pm | Free Time and Site Seeing | 8:00 pm| Group Activity House of Blues3950 S.Las Vegas Blvd. , Las Vegas, NVReturn to Hotel upon request| | Total Activity Fee: $300 : Travel CAT citizen Area Transit 20 miles | Days 3: Visit and Participate in Activities in Zion National Park and Springdale Utah, Lodging in Springdale December 3, 2013 10:00 am | De parture from Hotel to Sprindale Utah on Greyhound Bus (2 hours and 45 minutes)| 12:45 pm | Arrival and check in at hotel Bumbleberry Inn 97 Bumbleberry Lane P. O. Box 346 Springdale, UT 84767| 1:00pm | Lunch on Own| 2:00 pm | Visit the Zion History Museum with Shuttle System | 5:00 pm | Dinner at the Bumblerry Cottage Cafe with group| | Total Activity Fee $45|Days 4: Visit and Participate in Activities in Zion National Park and Springdale Utah, Lodging in Springdale December 3, 2013 8:30 am | Complimentary breakfast at the Bumbleberry Inn | 11:00 am | Check out of hotel | 11:30 am | Take Shuttle System to Zion National Park for Hiking Exhibition and Nature Tour | 12:30 pm | Lunch at the Zion National park on own | 2:00 pm | Departure to Bryce Canyon National Park Rubys Inn (1 hour and 52 minute )26 So Main, Bryce Canyon City, Utah 84764| | Total Activity Fee $20| Days 5: Visit and Participate in Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Ruby’s Inn December 5, 2013 :30 am| Complimentary breakfast at Ruby’s Inn | 10:00 am | Old Byce Town and Rock Shop | 12:00 pm | Lunch at the Cowboys Buffet and Steak Room| 3:00 pm| Guided ATV Tour Please bring bottled water, camera and scarf (for dust). Wear long pants or blue jeans and closed-toed shoes. | 5:00 pm | Dinner on Own & Individual Free Time| | Activity fee $115/Person | Days 6: Visit and Participate in Activities in Bryce Canyon National Park and Ruby’s Inn December 6, 2013 8:30 am | Complimentary Breakfast at Ruby’s Inn | 0:30 am | Ruby’s Inn Horseback Riding Thunder Mountain Ride (Full day )| 12:00 pm | Lunch During Horseback Riding Included| 5:00 pm | Return to Ruby’s Inn| 6:00 pm | Group Dinning at Rubys Inn Canyon Dinner | | Total Activity Fee $ 250/person| Day 7:Return Las Vegas, Evening Gala Celebration December 7, 2012 8:30 am | Complimentary Breakfast at Ruby’s Inn | 11:00 am | Check Out and Departure to Las Vegas Nevada on Greyhound (3 hours and 59 minut es) (Lunch at a quick stop McDonalds, Dairy Queen, Panera at Rest Stop Exit 53)| 3:00 pm | Check In and Arrival at the Caesars Palace3570 S.Las Vegas Blvd. , Las Vegas, NV| 5:00 pm | Evening Gala Celebration at the Romano Room Caesars Palace | | Total Activity Fee $50| Day 8 : Depart Las Vegas, Arrive Detroit Airport, Return to Firm Location December 8, 2012 8:00 am | Complimentary Breakfast | 10:00 am | Check out and departure to Las Vegas International Airport with Citizen Area Transit (CAT-RIDE)| 11:30 am| Lunch at the Airport on your own | 12:30 pm Mountain Time Zone | Departure from Las Vegas Airport | 2:00 pm Easter Time Zone | Arrival at Detroit Airport (4 hours and 23 mintues)| | Return to Firm Location |Expense ItemEstimated Cost Transportation (Firm Location to Airport)$ ___300____ Round Trip Airfare (Ticket Cost x 20 Participants)$ __13,400__ Rental Vehicles (2 Full-Size 15-Passenger Vans)$ ___620____ Gas (Total Trip Miles x 2 x $4. 25 Projected Gas Price)$ ____500___ Day 1 Lodging (10 Rooms x Room Rate)$ ___1,300____ Day 2 Lodging Costs (10 Rooms x Room Rate)$ ___1,100____ Hoover Dam Admission ( Cost x 20 Participants)$ ___160____ Parking (Cost x 2 Vehicles)$ ____20___ Dam Tour (Cost x 20 Participants)$ ____2,900___ Other Activity Costs$ ___500____Days 3-4 Lodging (10 Rooms x Room Rate)$ ____2,000___ Zion Entry Fee (Cost x 20 Participants or Per Vehicle)$ ____240___ Total Activity Costs$ ____1,000___ Days 5-6 Lodging (10 Rooms x Room Rate)$ ____2,300___ Bryce Canyon Entry Fee (Cost x 20 Participants or Per Vehicle)$ ___500____ Total Activity Costs$ ___700____ Day 7 Lodging (10 Rooms x Room Rate)$ ____1,300___ Day 8 Transportation (Airport to Firm Location)$ ____150___ Total Cost$ ___26,820____ As part of the Special Event Plan Assignment your Event Plan included a Gala Celebration.The contracted client has requested the following be included in the Gala Celebration: Cocktails/Cocktail Reception Formal Dinner Live Entertainment Photographer The Gala Celebration will begin at 5:00 pm at the Cesar Palace Roman Venue. Roman Venue down to the smallest detail, the unique setting of Romano will transport your guests to the eternal city. Quiet and intimate, Romano seats 35. Event will end at Midnight with the Marketing Vice President concluding the experience and giving out awards. Major consideration for the photographer was it was a family owned business at a very low rate cost to us.Our decision for the Entertainment was that we wanted to grab our attendees attention by having a Johnny Cash Impersonations to keep the entertainment in an exciting atmosphere. * 5:30 Cocktail and Cocktail Reception Lounge B at the Roman Open Bar $850 * 6:00pm Kyle Tippy CEO of Nation Wide Marketing Firm Key Note Speaker * 6:00 pm Formal Dinner will be served $4,000 * 8:00 pm dancing floor open * 11:00 Event Wrap up and Awards by Kevin Cola Vice President of Marketing * Live Entertainment by Ronnie Lee Twist $1,100 * Photographer by Trent Black Photog raphy $ 350

Marketing strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marketing strategy - Essay Example When organizations pay emphasis and use its resources towards a small part of the consumers, they are involved in the business of market niche and by serving this portion of the market; businesses can perform better and gain an added advantage over their competitors. The process of market segmentation lies between an organization’s marketing strategy that targets a huge market by producing goods and services that satisfy the needs and wants of a huge market or the overall market and a marketing strategy that is used to serve the needs and wants of individual consumers by producing goods and services that are unique and only appeal to a specific portion of the overall market. Those organizations and marketers who follow niche marketing strategy and work on their market segmentation practices are of the belief that one product does not has the ability to satisfy a huge market as consumers have different needs and wants. Secondly, they are even aware that an organization can neve r have enough resources to satisfy needs and wants of consumers on the individual level. This is why marketers are involved in the process of marketing segmentation and they divide a huge market into smaller segments and then the marketers create marketing strategy as well as products that satisfy the needs and wants of a particular segment. Market segments are created while giving importance to the characteristics of consumers, these characteristics are regarded as segmentation bases and can be utilized to create segments of a market, and the most commonly used segmentation bases include: consumer’s age, the place they live in, their income levels and the purchasing behaviors (STEVENS, 2012, p.32). There are several strategies of marketing that a marketer can use for his/her product, one such strategy is recognized as marketing at the mass level, and this is even recognized by the name of undifferentiated marketing (FERRELL, 2011, p.168). Such a marketing strategy

People Attitude Toward Death and God in the Holocaust Essay

People Attitude Toward Death and God in the Holocaust - Essay Example Over this issue God is autocratic and no leniency is shown to anyone. The meaning and impact of death needs to be known from the spiritual aspect to understand its implications properly. The greatest 'incarnation' of genocide-evil ever to be born on this Plant Earth, Adolph Hitler-did he not say when he finally realized that suicide was the only alternative for him, "Brutal force has not won anything durable" Death is the ultimate prerogative of the human being. It is the unavoidable inevitability. Let us understand it from the point of view of action-reaction theory. Every action has the reaction and the intensity of the reaction is in proportion to the intensity of the action. Over this no dispute exists between the scientists and the spiritualists. One of the rare agreements between the two contending forces; the two opposing forces; the forces that normally do not see eye to eye with each other! As per this theory, death happens to one individual or one million individuals at a t ime, not without a reason. Death is an act of divine retribution. Suddenness involved in the death, one must admit, is the grace of God! Awaiting death is tortuous and leads to serious psychological maladjustments. During war-time, prisoners of war, and the people live in fear of death. Simon Wiesenthal, in his book, "The Sunflower," describes such a situation thus: "And one piece of bad news followed another, each more alarming than the last. Today's news was worse than yesterday's, and tomorrow's would be worse still."(Wiesenthal, 1998, p. 4) The book by Anna Porter deals with the preventive measures to stall holocaust. Many in Israel were jealous of the honest attempts made by Kasztner to save the lives of Jews from certain death in the concentration camps. The man who accused him was Malchiel Greenwad, He "was a disappointed, angry, toothless old man with a black yarmulke and a small beard; his one ambition had been to become a journalist. ...Few people took Grnwald or his frequent outpourings of hate seriously. He was particularly hysterical in his attacks on the ruling Labor Party..." (Porter, 2007, p.375) Kasztner, who negotiated the deal with the Nazis, knew how tough the job was! Porter writes, "Kasztner looked out the window at the bare, grimy bricks of the courtyard. The sun lit up a corner where someone had hung a small basket of blue flowers, now withered. Perhaps the woman who had tended them had been dragged away to the Srvr prison, or Kistarcsa, or was already on her way to Auschwitz-Birkenau. "Because, Herr Hofrat, it was the best I could do. And we have to supply everything: medicines, baby food, blankets if -- God forbid -- winter comes and we are still waiting [for the war to end]Stern nodded."(Porter, 2007, p.203) Anna's book is about tough negotiations of Kasztner to save the lives of Jews and this aspect needs to be viewed from the point of view of political negotiations, for a great humanitarian cause. How can a 14 year old digest the intricacies of philosophical logic related to death The devastating novel by Imre Kertesz, "Fateless" is about the life in concentration camp, of Gyorgy Koves, a Hungarian Jew .He writes, " At the destination station under his feet was

Participation Questions Week 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Participation Questions Week 2 - Essay Example Why are companies interested in operational management today? Why is it important? What is the relationship between operational management and supply chain management? How are operations management functions performed at your organization? Companies are interested in operational management today because of how important it is to get daily work done efficiently, timely, accurately and at a low cost. It is necessary to ensure that the processes of creating a product actually works right and that improvements are made in customer service that can lead to cost reductions. Because every organization produces some product or service, an understating of modern or up-to-date approaches to managing operations is a good idea. In the past, manufacturing businesses showed more interest in the use of operations strategies and operations management but a business that offers a service can better offer that service in a more efficient manner if it treated the actual customer service as a product. According to the week one course overview, operations management refers to the direction and control of the processes that turn inputs into finished products or services and supply chain is the link between the suppliers of the material and services that convert throughout the process, the ideas and raw materials into the finished product. I work at a college and the operations management functions has so many levels. Because I work in the College of Continuing Studies, it is easy to see how the process for this particular level works. Most offices perform meeting and follow-up meetings that may be an expression of ideas that could possibly turn into a process. The follow-up meetings with expected target dates and action items seem to be the best way to ensure that the meetings have not just been a waste of time. I agree with your view that companies today are interested in operational management today

Any topic (writer's choice) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 269

Any topic (writer's choice) - Essay Example According to the essay the industry George’s company is operating in deals with goods with a short lifecycle, after which they lose their value. The shirts are only valuable for each event they are made for, after which their value falls and they can only be sold at a fraction of the price. Another product that can be considered similar is daily newspapers, which cannot be sold at the same price a day after. The company's sales cannot be determined with certainty, and probabilities are used to estimate expected sales. Probabilities are used to predict the number of attendees to the events and the number of attendees likely to buy the shirts as well. Demand side probabilities are afterward used to estimate the volumes of the supply side to order.From this paper it is clear that  decision alternatives George has to make are between orders of 5000, 7500 and 10000 shirts. A larger order has a volume discount. He also has to decide on the percentage of people attending the concer t interested in buying the shirts being 5%, 10% or 15% of the total attendance. Given his expectation of a medium attendance of 50000 grandstand seats and the guaranteed 20000 for the standing area, 10% of the total of 70000 gives a minimum of 7000 shirts. An order of 7500 shirts will cost $25250.  Compare this to his preferred order of 5000 shirts. They will cost $17750. Selling them to agents at $100 a dozen he will make $41600 from 416 dozens.8 surplus shirts sold at $1.50 each will generate $12.

Patriarchy, the System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Patriarchy, the System - Essay Example However, Johnson would want to show to us that these would not be able to present us the actual working social patterns in the society. In order for us to better grasp the vital thoughts of Johnson about patriarchy, being acquainted to the idea of a system, participation and resistance are important concepts that highlight the presence of male privilege and female gender oppression. We shall be able to discuss them in concrete and great detail for us to take hold of the ultimate concept that Johnson would want to share with us. The article entitled â€Å"Patriarchy, the System: An It, Not a He, a Them, or an US† is the actual work of Johnson depicting rich information about patriarchy as a system and how systematic male gender privilege informs sexism. This work is the actual reference of all the concepts and thoughts integrated into the work at hand. This paper explains what Johnson means by Patriarchy, the System, elaborating how male gender privilege and female gender oppre ssion consist of more than simply the actions of individuals. The work at hand also involves examples for us to understand how systematic male gender privilege informs sexism. ... nge of this system, but Johnson believes that the individual choices of actions could make a difference, and even could possibly initiate total system change. Johnson started to define Patriarchy as a system by elaborating some examples of other systems like capitalism and the game ‘monopoly’. For Johnson, in a capitalistic society, every worker has less power to level up with the capitalists and would never have any chance to exercise what they would want to do even if they could (p. 30). The reason is that they are strongly confined within the system that everyone is doing, and so it is hard for an individual to deviate from the entire working system. In a capitalistic society, the rule is to gain, no matter how detailed personal convictions may internally protest or showcase disapproval. For as long as the ultimate goal is achieved in the end, the whole system can be said that it conspires to create a necessary output. In addition, Johnson also provides a detailed exa mple by explaining the working concept of a game called ‘monopoly.’ According to Johnson, this game manifests actual working system, which aids the individual player to best the opponents. The purpose of the game is to win, but prior to winning, there is an actual system that everyone should participate and show no resistance particularly with the working rules (p. 34). The important points that surface in the above two examples are the actual concepts of ‘participation’ and ‘least resistance’ that could help us elaborate the complex system surrounding patriarchy. According to Johnson, socialization is a mechanism for training people to participate (p. 37). As we therefore participate in social systems, we are shaped as individuals leading us to participate in social life via

Ethical dilemma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Ethical dilemma - Essay Example The International labor Organization (ILO) 2007 statistics â€Å"there are about 218 million working children globally and accounting for about 20% of India’s GDP† (Gupta et.al 291). The annual cost of ending child labor includes the cost for providing income lost by the children and providing education. On the other hand, the benefit of eliminating child labor is more than seven times of that cost due to gains from increased human capital, fewer deaths from accidents and improved health (Gupta et.al 300). Therefore, child labor is a huge loss to the economy at large. The Kantianism principle would suggest all MNCs to apply strict child labor standards in all nations across the globe in order to eliminate overexploitation of children (Gupta et.al 301). The method used for acquiring the child labor such as kidnapping and buying children are harmful to the children. It results to health issues, compromising working and living conditions, underpayment, denies adults an opportunity for employment (Gupta et.al 291). The businesses with higher ethical standards have chance for long-term operations even though their income may not be very high. The consumers in host overseas countries expect MNCs to apply higher ethical standards than local companies (Gupta et.al 301) In conclusion, MNCs should set high child labor standards both in home country and overseas host countries to promote corporate social responsibility. The elimination of child labor will increase the productivity of the economy and eliminate exploitation of children. Gupta, Shruti; Pirsch, Julie & Girard, Tulay. An Empirical Examination of Multinational Ethical Dilemma: The Issue of Child Labor. â€Å"A Journal of Global Marketing, 23.† Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, (2010):

Short Answers 1. ULTRA 2. Marshall Gregori Zhukov 3.General George C Essay

Short Answers 1. ULTRA 2. Marshall Gregori Zhukov 3.General George C. Marshall 4. Anzio 5. Operation Fortitude 6.Kursk 7.The Fal - Essay Example 2. Marshal Georgi Zhukov was the leading Red Army strategist behind Soviet victories at Moscow, Stalingrad and at Berlin. He was instrumental in developing defensive strategies that led to the Germans’ defeat. A leading member of the Stavka, Zhukov â€Å"more than any other one man was responsible for the formulation and implementation of Soviet strategy.†? His victory at Moscow and subsequent counter-offensive at Stalingrad devastated the Wehrmacht and turned the war in the Soviets’ favor after a string of near-catastrophic losses during the early weeks of Operation Barbarossa. After driving the Nazis out of Russia, Zhukov ultimately led the Red Army to victory in 1945 at Berlin, taking the city despite fierce resistance. (Name) 3 3. General George C. Marshall was in large part architect of the Allies’ victory in World War 2. As the grand organizer of the Allies’ war effort, he orchestrated the invasion of the European continent. He also managed th e massive U.S. war effort on two fronts, balancing the need for overwhelming manpower and materiel between Europe and the Pacific. Ultimately, Marshall was â€Å"responsible for the building, supplying, and, in part, the deploying of over eight million soldiers.†? After the war, the Marshall Plan became the blueprint for recovery in Europe and set the stage for subsequent prosperity in Western Europe. Marshall was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1953. 4. Anzio, the battle subsequent to Operation Shingle, was an attempt by the Allies to outflank the German army and free the road to Rome. Strategically, the Allies sought to liberate Italy but were facing stalemate north of Naples.4 Despite a successful landing, the Americans and British were pinned down by the Germans but managed to hold the beachhead, finally breaking through to Rome and liberating the city. The fighting at Anzio occupied German troops that could not be committed to the defense of Normandy on D-Day, with the Germans eventually committing approximately 80,000 additional troops to the defense of Italy. 5. Operation Fortitude was the name the Allies used for a campaign of deception prior to the Normandy landings. Aimed at keeping the Wehrmacht off balance and confused, it led the German high command to believe that the Allied landing would take place at Pas de Calais. Ultimately, the objective of Operation Fortitude was to keep (Name) 4 the Germans from concentrating their forces in Normandy. One of the war’s most successful deception campaigns, Operation Fortitude had the desired effect: â€Å"As a result, (the Germans) embarked on relatively few defensive preparations, mostly along the Pas de Calais on the Channel Coast north of the River Seine.†5 6. The Battle of Kursk technically marked the end of the German initiative in the eastern war. From a tactical standpoint, the Soviet victory at Kursk was a triumph of the Red Army’s use of â€Å"redundant† defen se, or defense in depth, which utilized a devastating and meticulous combination of artillery, tank units and other defensive weapons. This approach proved the undoing of the Wehrmacht’s famous Blitzkrieg approach to offensive warfare. Designed to overwhelm a foe in a single massive stroke, the German Blitzkrieg broke against a series of Russian defensive positions. â€Å"

ILM-Level 2 (Problem Solving and making decisions) Assignment

ILM-Level 2 (Problem Solving and making decisions) - Assignment Example As during the last decades the energy and utilities industries have been influenced by the great changes in terms of pricing, regulatory and legislative mandates, the Government Utility Company provides necessary information to the companies, while it is directly accountable to the people and serves the interests of all members and consumers. Navigating modern challenges of securing energy supply at reasonable costs and optimizing operational efficiency and customer service, the Government Utility Company aims to turn such challenges into opportunities. When dealing with the consultants and contractors, the critical set of requirement is the approval which will be necessary for obtaining the required utility interconnection and for success completion of the certain project. To get such approval, the company should comply with the local rules and codes such as electrical safety and follow legal and procedural requirements. Besides, customer-centric approach is not the last thing of importance and while serving for consumers, it should be also paid much attention (Procurement guide: CHP siting and permitting requirements, 2015). In these terms, the Government Utility Company considers that the main problem for the consultants is the poor ability in provision of approvals to the customers that can cause problems further. Thus its offers the improvement opportunity in the existing services, especially taking into account that there is a room for improvement in terms of the approval to be needed on the regular basis and technical requirements for interconnection of electricity to the projects should be abided by contractors and consultants. Besides, regulatory intervention standardization and equipment certification increase risks of company’s failure to meet the customers’ needs by technical and contractual requirements for connection approval. Specializing in conducting consultancy practices in electric services, the Government Utility

Online Hotel Reservation Essay Example for Free

Online Hotel Reservation Essay -According to Mrs. Michelle Amir,co-fouder and CEO,says:,†I am proud to say that by the third quarter 2008 we will have succeeded in our goal to become a global hotel booking agency. During three consecutive years our company results have shown a tremendous annual increase of much more than 100 %. Over 2007 we boasted gross sales of over 36 million. We expect to reach 75 million in hotel reservation in 2008. The first quarter in 20087 looks promising. With over 13 million gross sales we start the year ahead of budget. We achieved this with a mere three destinations. Therefore,with so many more destinations,we expect our results to continue to increase significantly. We also expect many more repeat visitors and actual bookers due to the added cities. † -Callista Hospitality is a reservations and management system for motels, lodges and small to mid-sized hotels. It incorporates powerful, easy-to-use features which are normally available only in high-end, expensive reservations software systems. Electronic reservations, easy checkin/out, automatic management of online reservations and all changes in room availability, integrated and automatic guest call logging and allocation with user-defined margins per call type, multiple accounts per guest room, automatic confirmation emailing, user-defined in-house charge allocation, on/off peak calendar, complete guest history, integrated guest billing and automatic scheduled reporting for management, statistical analysis, financial analysis and operations and much more are all available in this innovative, inexpensive, easy-to-use system. A fully automated checkin wizard makes checkin fast and efficient even for the most novice user. The online hotel reservation is the only growing section between the different methods of reservation. The 40% of rooms in cities were reserved online in 2009 and this rate is increasing because there is more and more online reservation system. Online reservation systems are very useful because the traveller can compare prices, can see the other travellers opinions and ratings from the hotels and their services. In this way it is easier for the client to choose the right hotel. It saves time and money for travellers.

Aspects of microeconomics and macroeconomics

Aspects of microeconomics and macroeconomics On this assignment will be looking into different aspect of microeconomics and macroeconomics, will be taken into consideration the definition and concept of the whole question as follow below. Part 1 (Micro section) Q1 To help understands by defining Demand that is the quantity of a good which consumers want, and are prepared and able to pay for. In this case the demand of organic food and drink has fallen sharply, and the main influence for fallen on demand for those products are: price; income; the price of substitute goods; the price of complements; taste; demographic factors; advertising and expectations. Price is one of the most important factors and it shift demand curve when it rises, the effect is shown by a movement along the demand curve, because consumers are likely to substitute cheaper alternative goods. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikibooks/en/c/c1/DemandCurveMovementExample2.png The demand curve is downward-sloping, showing that as a price falls, demand rises, and vice versa. In this graphic, a reduction of price from P2 to P1 causes a rise in demand from Q2 to Q1. Usually, the more people earn, the more they will spend. The demand for most goods increase as income rises, and these goods are known as normal goods. And organic food and drink are normal goods, because the demand falls as consumers income falls, and vice versa. Demand can change sometimes, because of the expectation of price changes in the future. For example, post-Christmas sales may push customers to postpone spending until January. In an article entitled Food Price, Ellis makes the point that (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) The proportion of shoppers buying organic food dropped by five per cent in the previous year. In July 2009, research carried out by marketing consultancy Cohn and Wolfe also reported that British shoppers are turning their backs on premium foods, organic produce and Fair-trade goods. According to the Cohn and Wolfe report, 69 per cent of shoppers say they intend to stick to their belt-tightening shopping practices even after the downturn ends (). www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/foodprices.shtml#what_about_the_recession. Q2 The production possibility frontier illustrates the problems of scarcity and choice and the opportunity cost of resources allocation decisions. The opportunity cost of something is what you give up to get it. To understand the idea the economy, which produce two goods as manufacturing and financial services, with all resources employed, producing more financial services can only be achieved by some sacrifice on manufacturing services. It can be illustrated on diagram below shown. B A 0 The frontier shows all the maximum possible outputs given the economys existing quantity of resources. It can have any combination of goods along the line. Point A shows a society which is failing to use all of its resources to the full, either through inefficiency or unemployment. Point B is currently unachievable, but can be achieved throw economic growth. The shape of the curve is bowed outwards to the origin, is based on the notion of that society progressively allocates more resources to the production of a particular good, the opportunity cost of doing so will increase. In other words the curve is bold because the more input the less is the output. For example, UK economy is based on services because the government decide not to invest on manufacturing and thought the easiest way to make money is by providing financial services especially banks and shoppings only 13% of UK GDP comes from manufacturing. Now the services have been beaten by the recession, many banks are facing financial problems, because they use to lend money to people who were at lower income. Many of these people cannot repay their mortgage because they lost their jobs and they are haven their home been repossessed, it is causing serious problems on economy; records can be seen on graphic below. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7789844.stm Q5 It is important to be aware of the differences between theoretical models: a perfectly competitive firm; monopolistic competitive; oligopoly and a monopoly. But here only two will be taking into account. Perfectly Competitive Monopoly Very many small suppliers One supplier only Homogeneous goods; Suppliers products are a perfect substitute for one another One type of product only; no close substitutes available One market price Price set by one firm. Possibly price discrimination Demand curve of individual firm is horizontal. Demand curve of firm and industry is downward-sloping Perfect information Imperfect Information No barrier to entry in the long run Barriers to entry Clearly the assumptions essential perfect competitive extremely are not likely to apply in the real world; there is no market which obeys all the conditions. On the other hand, there are some that come close. The stock markets and foreign exchange are examples. Also complying with regulations the market is costly, as is training and equipment needed to operate in such a sophisticated, highly computerised market. As you can see, the conditions are not obeyed perfectly, but it may be that the markets are near enough the formal definition that displays the main characteristics of a theoretical perfectly competitive firm. The monopolist produces less, and charges more, than the perfectly competitive firm. He makes supernatural profits, which would be competed away in a perfectly competitive market in the long run. He may also be technically inefficient, operating at above minimum average cost. The monopolist equates marginal cost and marginal revenue. The perfectly competitive market equates marginal cost and average revenue. In perfect competition, each firm produces at the point where P=MC. PART 2 (Macro section) Q1 The economy is in recession because production is below its potential capacity, the term recession mean lack of money supplier. To respond this crisis the government is intervene through fiscal and monetary policy to increase aggregate demand, and the way for doing it is by supporting bank balance sheet; cutting in direct taxation(VAT -2.5); quantitative easing (bank of England) and employment level. Fiscal policy is basically about government taxation and expenditure. To help in this crisis the government has reduce the consumption tax VAT -2.5 to 15% to stimulate investment expenditure, but there was a big criticism about this idea, because reducing VAT did not cause long term impact in the economy, would cause more impact if they invest the  £12 billion building an public infrastructure to increase an aggregate demand. Monetary policy the bank of England is an independent monetary policy institution there a committee people appointed by government to make decision about interest rate, monetary policy is focus in regulating the money supplier in the economy through interest rate it has a big impact on aggregate demand. The bank of England has reduced its interest rate to 0.5% to boost the UK economy and start lending money to business and individuals. As the economy beginning to grown some others part of the economy will be automatically adjust, for example an increase on employment. Some companys worker has agreed to have a pay cut on their salaries to reduce people being redundant (BA Line). Automatic adjust as the economy beginning to grow the employment rate will decline http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7832714.stm According to Kyosaki, Robert, Rich dad poor dad 2, E, (2008), few people have anticipated the financial problems we face today were created more than 60 years ago by politicians and lawmakers predecessors. Q3 In the post-war period government have adopted four central objectives of macroeconomic policy: low inflation; full employment; rising economic growth and balance of payments. But full employment is too hard to archive especially there is a trend for national income to experience cycle of growth and contraction, i.e. boom and recession. These cause severe social problems as failing level of economic activity throws people out of work and causes business to fail. The term unemployment means those of working age who are without work, but who are available for work at current wage rates. Unemployment could still exist because of many causes mentioned below: Cyclical unemployment, this occurs due to a deficiency of demand, often refers to the fact that in such circumstances it is possible that prices will fall. Frictional unemployment, refer those people who are unemployed and jobs available rarely match perfectly, leading to an inevitable degree of unemployment. Technological unemployment, can occur when industry is growing and moving towards more efficient capital intensive methods of operation. Seasonal unemployment, relates to fluctuations in demand for labour directly related to cycles in demand for final product. Tourism and leisure industries are the best examples, these can contribute to regional problems as they are strong in particular areas. Some of the remedies that government can use to reduce the level of unemployment are: direct increase in government spending on public infrastructure; encouragement of business investment by offering grants and loans; encouragement of exports; subsidise firms in financial trouble, guarantee jobs for workers facing redundancy and to restrict imports of competing foreign goods and also using specific measures to get people back into work like new deal programme and so on. The relation between unemployment and inflation can be explained with Philips curve, by Professor AW Philips in the 1862-1958. Philips observed that the rate of change in money wages was inversely related to the level of unemployment. Rising money wages were identified as a source of inflation and the inflation appeared to be inversely related to the level of unemployment. http://welkerswikinomics.com/students/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/fig21-300269.jpg Q4 The globalization and the environment are linked, because for expansion of economic, environmental damage are produced that are essential to the process of globalization. Mander argue that Globalization is a human creation that aims to remove impediments, such as environmental laws that restrict companies access to resources and markets, environmental damage is therefore an intrinsic part of the globalization system. www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/samples/toc32870.pd The intention of having a globalized world and to lower trade barriers, protecting free trade and my environment, thus bringing the economic development in poor countries, so that people have access to information, improving their health and liability to environmental protection. The process helps to globalize the ideas run free from one country to another, increasing the availability of knowledge and other opinions, helping the development among the nations. But for many environmentalists and anti-globalists Globalization will lead to environmental disaster and will gradually lead to the destruction of the environment, because the vision of globalization and produced without precedents to environmental deterioration. Speth points out that Since the end of World War II economic expansion has produced enormous environmental damage and global economic development can be expected to bring about even more dire economic consequences. www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/samples/toc32870.pd He believes that with globalization the few developed countries are benefiting because there was an opening up huge markets for them, since many of these poor countries produce more effective products and efficient, doing so will be multinationals are setting up in places, boosting investment foreign direct investment, and generating many jobs open to residents, e.g. Asian Tigers of South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore demonstrated the great benefits of globalization and free trade. www.futureharvest.org/ news / globalization_pir. In the other hand, there is a great inequality and between rich and poor countries. Aislin It has been argued that poor countries are often exploited and pushed into the world trade forums. For example, it is evident when the rich nations are allowed to pay huge subsidies to their farmers, which leaves LDN is a disadvantage industrial Workers. http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/dailynews/TheNote_March5.html Q5 If imports goods are too high it may be possible to reduce demand for them in the economy by imposing tariffs to raise the price of imports goods to prevent unfair competition in the home market. Also to avoid buying product from the market were workers have been exploited to export their product cheap. This policy is likely to be met by retaliation from overseas countries, which will reduce exports putting the current account back into deficit. In addition, imposition of tariffs does not reduce expenditure if demand for imports is relatively inelastic, government policy favouring domestic suppliers may mean higher than necessary taxes to pay for the higher necessary purchase cost, and restrictions generally encourage smuggling and black market For example, a poor country that in main revenue comes from the tax on trade, if withdraw the tax trade its revenue will reduce significantly also the amount of investment on public infrastructure will be reduce, consequently many import goods may come into the market in a low price, causing the domestic goods serious problems on market as well as increase unemployment. The balance of payment also will be affected; because of lack of exportation it may cause government to borrow some money to balance the balance of payment.

Barriers to Implementing E-learning System in Organizations

Barriers to Implementing E-learning System in Organizations 1.0 General introduction/background This chapter deals with general introduction and the background of the research area. It also contains the problem statement, objectives/purpose, research question, and the structure of the thesis. In todays world of globalization, knowledge and learning is considered most vital element for acquiring competitive advantage (Longworth and Davies, 1996). For gaining competitive advantage firms and institutions are becoming more knowledge intensive, therefore they concentrate on managing and sharing knowledge to gain significant advantage of this knowledge (Hertog and Sluijs, 1995).Traditional education style has remained consistent without any changes been made to the system. This has enabled a large number of creative thinkers to ponder other possible educational approaches that could benefit the system (Gà ¼nes, 2008). On the other hand, technology is necessary in order to conquer, but it also a necessity to remain in competition. All the sectors, whether it is primary, manufacturing or tertiary, all of them have been forced to accept technology to become innovative and efficient (Gà ¼nes, 2008). Technology has not only radically changed the ways and methods of our works but is now beginning to transform the education system (Webster and Murphy, 2008).With the use of internet technologies, firms and institutions have outstanding opportunities to deliver education and different training techniques through strategic use of internet technologies (Lee, 2006; Kaohsiung; Taiwan, 2006). The use of Internet technologies combined with suitable learning strategies assists to provide an open, flexible and dynamic learning environment. As a result many corporations, government agencies and academic institutions worldwide have increased the use of internet and educational technologies to deliver instructions and provide training. This innovative approach of delivering information and education is known as E-learning (Khan, 2008). E-learning can be simply defined as the way of learning which delivers its contents through World Wide Web (Gulatee and Combes, 2007). Sharifabadi defined e-lear ning as â€Å"the term used to describe teaching and learning resources or experiences that is, in some way, delivered electronically†. (Gulatee and Combes, 2007; Sharifabadi, 2006, p.391). E-learning is a way of interaction through electronic mediums, mainly computers, by using videos, photos, texts and sounds for different educational purposes (Gulatee and Combes, 2007). E-learning system creates a learning opportunity for the convenience of those who dont have the opportunity to be physically available due to various reasons (Gulatee and Combes, 2007; Werry, 2002). Hence, during the late 1990s and early 2000 many virtual universities were established and more universities were offering online courses, but mixed results of the e learning systems were encountered (Gulatee and Combes, 2007). Different researches have pointed out many barriers in e learnings implementation, which lead to its failure. For example technological infrastructure, course content quality, finance support, learners computing skills, staff training, management support and organizations culture resistance (Romiszowski, 2003, Childs et al, 2005, Muilenburg and Berge, 2005). Organizations cultural resistance is considered as the most influential barrier in e learnings implementation process. The cultures resistance or resistance from the potential users negatively affects the implementation process. Unwillingness of the employees can create major problems for the managers and can lead to the system failure (Shields and Young, 1989, p. 22). Employees resistance and avoiding of the use of required procedures and rules could lead the system to failure even if it has been developed perfectly and is ready to use (Malmi, 1997, p. 475). In this instant the managers cannot gain full benefits of the new system unless they can create a change in the employees attitude (Yates, 1997, p. 164). Cultural differences among peers could create many problems in implementation of e learning system. Therefore, if the cultural issues are overlooked during implementation, their ignorance could act as a vital barrier in e learnings success. (AL-Hunaiyyan et al, 2008; Gujar and Sonone, 2004) 1.1 Problem statement There are different articles and books available in the market which mention about the usefulness and advantages of E learning. Web-based learning is a new medium of information technology; researchers have mentioned many different factors which act as barriers towards implementing E-learning system (Ngai et al., 2007). There are different factors cited by various authors which exist in their research papers that can help us to identify critical barriers. In addition, we are interested in finding out, to which extent an organization is dependent on the role of its culture, and how culture can lead to success or failure of the E-learning system. It should be noted that culture has a great impact in organizations and are important when decision making is involved in IT management. In this regard, an organization is said to be confronted with stiff resistance, consequently making IT management a difficult task (Childs et al, 2005). To overcome the barriers for implementing E learning, a n organization should try and manage these barriers accordingly because they are critical to any organizations general business model and can equally affect the organizations decision making process. 1.2 Research question What are the critical barriers of implementing e-learning system and what is the role of organizational culture in successful implementation of E-learning system? 1.3 Objectives and Purpose of the Research The purpose of this research is to describe and analyze the critical factors which may affect the implementation of e-learning system. Investigating the barriers of implementing e-learning system would help to lower down the barriers in future implementation. Moreover by examining the cultural influence of an organization towards e-learning systems implementation process, it will be easier to identify a complete outline for organizations to implement E Learning system and to make the system work efficiently and successfully. 1.4 Thesis design The structure of the thesis is principally focused on six chapters which include Chapter 1: Introduction/Background The Introduction gives brief overview of the research topic, including the purpose and objectives, problems and research question. Chapter 2: Research Design/Methods This chapter deals with the choice of topic, research process which indicates how these datas will be analyzed, data collection, validity and reliability, and method critique. Chapter 3: Framework of reference This chapter discusses relevant theories to give the reader an understanding of the barriers which come across E learning systems implementation processes cited by different authors. Chapter 4: Findings This chapter provides frequencies of different barriers for implementing E learning system described by different authors. Chapter 5 Analysis This chapter will describe the analysis based on the findings. Chapter 6: Conclusions This section finally concludes the lessons drawn from the findings 2.0 Research Design/Methods This chapter deals with the choice of topic, research process which indicates how these datas will be analyzed, data collection, validity and reliability, and method critique. 2.1 Choice of Topic Fisher (2007, p.31-33) suggested that authors should choose research area according to their interests, so they remain motivated and committed to complete the project. The authors belong to Pakistan, where E-learning system is not much in practiced in organizations. While, e learning system is already in use in Sweden, we found that E-learning system is a proficient tool in learning process. Therefore, it was quite intriguing for us to explore this topic. In addition, we were interested in finding out the barriers for implementation of E-learning system and to investigate the role of organizations culture for successful implementation of E-learning system. Fisher (2007, p.31-33) urges that chosen topic should be accessible and it is necessary to make sure that quite literature is available for making detail analysis. We are certain that our topic is enough interesting, significant and demanding for all researchers, businesses managers and Information Technology Management students. 2.2 Research Process There are various methodological approaches to carry out research i.e. Realist research, exploratory research, critical realism, standpoint research, action research and phenomenology etc, Fisher (2007, p.15). In addition, Fisher (2007, p.153-155) mentioned two kinds of discoveries e.g. Explorers and Surveyors. A kind of research where an open approach is used with conceptual framework but the authors are not sure about outcomes and results of the work they do, is called exploratory research. On the other hand surveyors discovery approach is pre-structured where surveyors are already inform of the results and out come of their work. According to these concepts our research is exploratory as we are dependent on secondary data. 2.3 Data Collection and source Fisher (2007, p. 45) states that data could be collected from existing databases, through questionnaires, conducting fieldwork or performing case studies as it depends on the kind of research. In this research entire data has been collected from available databases as the research is entirely based on secondary data collection method. Secondary source has been used in this research. The data was extracted from articles, books and websites, magazines, journals and articles with focus on critical barriers to e learning implementation. Fisher stated that (2007, P.158-161) data could be qualitative or quantitative depending on the method of research study. A quantitative approach has been used here in this research. No statistics has been used in this research and as all research has been analyzed by words not figures. 2.4 Access of information Secondary data has extracted from different sources. The required literature has been acquired by searching Mà ¤lardalen Universitys library. Furthermore, we have used online library (ebrary) as well as other librarys database such as Elin, Emerald, Eric and EBSCO for articles and journals, which have helped us to answer our research query. Going through a wide-ranging literature review, twenty five articles were identified that give answer to the research question from distinct angles. To identify the barriers to Implementation of E-learning system, keyword search criteria based on title contained; Ø Barriers of E learning system implementation, Ø Implications of E learning system in organizations, Ø Implementation of E learning system in large organization, Ø Challenges of E learning Implementation, Ø Limitations of E learning System, To describe and analyze the role of organizations culture for successful implementation of E-learning system in organization, keyword search criteria contained; Ø Cultural issues of E leaning system, Ø Cultural Influence on online Learning, Ø Cultural influence on student learning, Ø Analyzing cultural Influences on E learning Transactional Issue, Ø Cultural difference and influence on E learning, Ø Social and cultural impact on e learning Effectiveness, Ø A cultural Analysis of relearning for developed and developing countries, Ø Cross and Multicultural issues for e learning success, Ø Influence of organizational cultural in E learning, Ø Organizational resistance towards implementing E learning system. 2.5 Data Analysis According to Miles and Huberman (1994) the data analysis consists of three parallel flows of activity: (1) Data reduction, (2) Data display, and (3) Conclusion drawing/verification† (p. 10). Furthermore they suggested that data analysis components could be successfully integrated during data analysis, as it is an iterative and continuous process (Miles and Huberman 1994). They have stated three components of activities that describe analysis which are; First is ‘data reduction that is focused on selection, simplification and transformation of data (Miles and Huberman 1994). This process is applied in qualitative data. The objective of this is data is to help drawing final conclusion and verification. In this study data is taken from the studies where authors cited barriers to implement E-learning with focus on cultural resistance in an organization. Second is ‘data display i.e. data reduced in data reduction needs to be organized that help to draw conclusion easily. In table mentioned below, different factors related to critical barriers to implementation of E-learning system and the role of organizations culture is given below along with the frequency of each factor. Third is the conclusion based on drawing/verifying; describes the possible explanations, causal flows and propositions to be made. Therefore based on the findings and discussed analysis, conclusions would be drawn to signify the influential role of organizations culture towards the implementation process The above model is used for the analysis of this research. Moreover, this analysis emphasizes more on comparing various authors view on to analyze and describe the critical barriers and role of culture to employ E-learning system in organizations. 2.6 Validity and Reliability Validity is defined as â€Å"the degree which researchers have measured what they have set out to measure† (Kumar, 2005) whereas reliability means â€Å"the extent to which another researcher can reach the same conclusion by following the same research process† (Taylor et al., 2006). Several articles have been used to identify the barriers of implementing E learning system and to analyze the role of organizational culture. Besides, frequencies of more influential barriers have been generated to validate the barriers and cultural role in implementation process. 2.7 Method Critique Due to the limitation of time, a limited number of articles have been used to formulate the frequency to identify the critical barriers. It could be better to use more articles to strengthen our research as a number of studies have already been done in this area. However this study will describe and analyze the critical barriers for the implementation of E-learning system related literature and to gain a theoretical background. It was also discovered during analysis of this study that most of the authors mentioned the critical factors with mere repetition with diverse definitions. 3.0 Framework of Reference This chapter discusses relevant theories to give the reader an understanding of the barriers which come across E-learning systems implementation processes cited by different authors. 3.1 E-learning 3.1.1 What is E-learning? E-learning can be defined as learning and communication exercises across computers and networks or electronic sources. (Wong, 2007 ; Schank, 2002; Roffe, 2002 Tsai Machado, 2002; Sambrook, 2003; Fry; Wild, Grggs and Downing, 2002) have defined E-learning as â€Å"delivery of training and education via networked interactivity and distribution technologies.†According to Khan (2008), the word e-learning is used for an open, flexible, and diversed-learning environment. â€Å"E-learning can be viewed as an innovative approach for delivering well designed, learner-centered, interactive, and facilitated learning environment to anyone, anyplace, anytime by utilizing the attributes and resources of various digital technologies along with other forms of learning materials suited for open, flexible, and distributed learning environment† (Khan, 2008). In e-learning system Students are able to interact anytime from anywhere with different instructional material (text, sound, pictures, video and so on) through Internet. Furthermore, learners can even communicate with teachers and classmates both individually and as a group discussion with the use of message boards, instant message exchanges and video conferencing. (Al-Ammari and Hamad (2008); Andersson, 2009; Zhang and Zhou, 2003). (Lee, 2006) Therefore, E-learning has been defined variously, learning system using different carrying technologies and techniques like Computer Based Training (CBT), Internet-based training (IBT), Web-based instruction (WBI), distributed learning (DL), advanced distributed learning (ADL), distance learning, online learning (OL), mobile learning (or m-learning) or remote learning and learning management systems (LMS) (Khan, 2008). For managing learning environment like, registration of learners, scheduling learning resources, controlling and guidance of learning processes and analyzing learners performance are all accomplish in Learning Management System (LMS) (Gulatee and Combes, 2007; Brown, 2006). In 1970s and 1980s distance learning started becoming popular and sued to conduct through postal mail but in 1990s the rise of World Wide Web changed the nature distance learning. With the use of this technology learners can get a number of resources from their teachers like discussion forums, multimedia, chat, video conferencing and electronic black boards. These changes which have been brought in distance education are an attempt to provide easier access to students who live very far from universities, who are working or have other reasons for not being able to attend in person. In the US ‘in the academic year 2001-2, five million people took at least one course online, and three million were enrolled in online degree programs (Gulatee and Combes, 2007; Kazmer Haythornthwaite, 2005, p.7). It can be seen in these figures that distance education online has become a popular alternative to face-to-face instruction. 3.2 Implementation of E-learning One of the following three approaches is necessary for the implementation of the e-learning system: To strengthen the traditional face-to-face courses with support of new communication technology, enhancement of learning experience with in traditional courses by integration of online activities and delivery of entirely online courses. In this implementation the readiness of some influential factors like budgeting, infrastructure planning, human resource development (experience, skills, knowledge and attitude of the end users) are most common. Uhomoibhi (2006) stated that E-learning initiators, institutions must use and prepare strategies for adoption, diffusion and implementation. For a successful implementation of online environment where learners can actively learn and get support from well-organized approach is mandatory. Processes of planning, designing, development and evaluation are all parts of a successful implementation that could help to lower down the barriers of implementation. An e-learning system can only be successful if it is significant to all stakeholders e.g. instructors, learners; support services staff and the institutions itself. In order for learners to become quickly accustomed to E-learning, it must be made sure that it is easily accessible, efficient, well designed course, affordable, and has a facilitated learning environment. Instructors must feel a sense of accomplishment when learners meet the goals and objectives of the course in a successful way. Technical support staff should feel happy when learners receive reliable services without interruptions. One of the most important factors for institutions is the profit they earn as well as the satisfaction of the learner and a low rate of dropouts (Khan, 2005). A strong foundation is required in order to have an effective implementation of E learning. Aligning and communication are two important factors in implementation of e learning system. It is necessary to make sure the communication is in order. Involvement of key stakeholders at the decision making stage or any other early process is very important. Communication is also important for those who are directly responsible for the implementation; and professionals also suggest a horizontal leadership style so that everyone is responsible for their actions. This includes individuals who are critical to the implementations success which include line, functional and divisional leaders. There should be consistent scheduled meetings with these individuals to discuss the newly arising issues in the project to come up with a solution. Most of the pitfalls of e-learning are tied to technological issues so it is important to involve IT leadership throughout the project to mitigate the problems in implementation process. Creation of helpdesk for reporting of IT related issues is more important. While selecting the vendors it is important to make sure that the vendors have an outstanding and proven record. Strong communication and feedback from vendors is a necessary step for a successful implementation. 3.3 An overview of the critical issues in E-learning implementation Worldwide, E-learning arises as a new paradigm of advance education with a growing rate of 36.5% in the market, but still failures exist. As many companies are moving very fast to the adoption of e-learning in order to reap its benefits but they are facing significant barriers in its implementation and adoption, which leads them to implementation failure. (http://www.citeulike.org/user/jdellano/article/5315881) (Simmons, 2002, p.19). (Mungania, 2003) Hence, to mitigate this failure we have to investigate key factors that encompass different dimensions of an open, flexible and advanced distributed learning environment for diverse learners (Khan, 2005). Literature has mentioned a wide range of factors that can influence the successful implementation of e-learning e.g. some talks about pedagogical issues, faculty issues and organizational issues while some may have discussed about personal issues, cultural issues and some other issues. A broad range of factors that can influence the success of e-learning environments has been mentioned in the literature. However, there is no organized work to characterize collective group of most influential issues or factors, which could be seen as barriers. (Successful wala article) Distinct authors consider different barriers as most influential in implementation of e-learning.Wong (2007) has categorized e-learning limitations in three main areas; technological limitations, personal issues and other limitations. The lack of hardware, limited Internet coverage and low bandwidth are all consider as technological barriers in implementation of e learning. (Wong, 2007 ; Kathawala, Abdou, Elmulti, 2002; Hiltz, 1997). (Chadha Kumail, 2002, p.28).Roy (1996, p.9) // where u use this reference Personal issues are mostly related to learners and teachers. Teachers should give a complete guidance to the learners about this new and non-traditional system to prepare new learners psychologically (Wong, 2007 ; Kember et al., 2001; Dearnley, 2003). For learners the use of new technologies could be a disadvantage or barrier in e learning. So the lack information, communication and technological skills might be barriers to e- learning because learners could get frustrated from this unconventional learning environment.(Wong, 2007 ; Carr, 1999; Hamid, 2002; Angelina, 2002a, p.12) The freedom provided by E-learning could be a disadvantage for the learners as internal motivation and self discipline is required at its maximum which learners may find hard to achieve in order to complete their studies or assignments in time. As (Wong, 2007 ; Kearsley, 2000) Schott et al., 2003; Rivera and Rice, 2002; Abouchedid and Eid, 2004). In e-learning environment students are usually supposed to communicate in a text based environment so learners poor writing  ¨skills might be a disadvantage in e learning. Therefore, the inability of communicating efficiently of learners could create misunderstandings (Wong, 2007; Smith Rupp, 2004). Others limitations: e-learning provides 247 access. This infinite work might be a disadvantage for learners and particularly for teachers. This unlimited work could over stress teachers, resulting in a low quality services from instructors.(Abdou Elmulti, 2002;. Dringus, 2003; Newton, 2003; Kathawala, Schifter, 2004). Poor course design could appear a major barrier in implementation of e learning as it could frustrate the learners and teachers. (Young Bal, 2003; Smulders, 2003; Howell, Williams Lindsay 2003; Gordon, Young Bal, 2003; Svensson, 2004; Ivergard Hunt, 2005;). Cronje (2009) sees some influential barriers such as student barriers are related to lack of financial support from their families and cooperation among peers and from teachers (Cronje, 2009; Galusha, 1997). Faculty barriers the lack of funds is the most important one. Institutes attitude towards the lecturers that some time seems less prominent among their peers is considered another important barrier in successful e learning (Cronje, 2009; Galusha, 1997). Organizational barriers poor funding for three major costs areas are considered more crucial barriers e.g. Initial costs of the implementation process, maintenance and up gradation. Course barriers course design is regarded as most important one. Poor course design is one of reasons of inferiority of Distance learning. Conversion of teaching context in to electronic shape could not add any value to e learning (Cronje, 2009; Galusha, 1997) Boondao et al (2008) mentioned, â€Å"It is not possible, in the view of some scholars, to create a model of the good teacher without taking issues of culture and context into account†. The influence of culture cannot be ignored in successful implementation of e learning. Considering learners from different culture e.g. east and west, learners from both cultures have particular approaches and styles of learning. Therefore, lack of consideration of cultural issues during designing could prove as a barrier in successful implementation of e learning (Boondao et al, 2008). 3.4 Discussing the different critical barriers 3.4.1 A Framework for E-Learning These days an escalating amount of companies are implementing E-learning System (Mungania, 2003).. But as these companies try to take advantages of E-learning to gain strategic and competitive advantages in absolute urgency, there are significant number barriers to the implementation of E-learning come across to halt them (Simmons, 2002, p.19 and Mungania, (2003). As E-learning barriers are diverse and may include as personal, organizational, situational, instructional, and technological barriers. (Mungania, 2003) Moreover khans E- learning framework provides details on critical issues which may come cross E learning implementation process. Khans E-learning framework composed of eight dimensions: institutional, management, technological, pedagogical, ethical, interface design, resource support, and evaluation. 3.1 Institutional Issues Institutions need to build a complete plan for the successful implantation of E learning system (Khan 2005, p.23).Moreover Childs et al (2005) stated that institution should focus on cultural aspects for the implementation process of E learning system which have a significant effect upon the success of E learning process (Cronje,2009). E-learning needs to be integrated to all departments of the institution therefore a strong comment needed from the institution and the trainers Childs et al (2005). Moreover, E-learning implementation plan must be fully aligned with the institutions missions and strategic plans (Galusha , 1997; Belanger and Jordan, 2000). Therefore e-learning implementation process is paradigm shift for the institution as a whole which includes learners, instructors, administrators, technical and other support services staff (Romiszowski, 2004). To support institutions in strategic planning, change management and process development that are necessary to highlight their embedding process and issues which may occur in their organization (Childs et al (2005) and Khan 2005,p.23). Khan has divided institution issue into three parts administrative affairs, Academic affairs and Student services (Khan 2005,p. 24 ). Administrative affairs which includes organization and change (implementation of E learning system), budgeting and ROI , course information catalog, financial aid, course schedule, tuition and fees, registration and payment, information technology services, instructional design, whereas Academic affairs issues such as policies, instructional quality, faculty and staff support, intellectual property rights and so on (Khan 2005,p. 24 ). Moreover Student services deals with student support services for e-learning effectiveness. Some of the institutional related issues are mentioned below: Needs Assessment Needs analysis will assist institutions to examine the needs for their e-learning plan and establish its e-learning goals. (Khan 2005,p. 24 , Sue Childs et al.2005) Readiness Assessment Readiness Assessment critical factors should be considered are e-learning must be Open, flexible and distributed. There are three basic types of readiness: Financial Readiness which defines whether its e-learning initiative investment importance, Infrastructural readiness readiness which includes human resource readiness, equipment readiness, and technological skill readiness and cultural which are preferences of Learners instructors and the existing learning culture (Khan 2005, p.25). Organizational change E-learning engages a change of model to some level, a change in how you deal with knowledge and its information in organization (Khan 2005, p. 26 and Sue Childs et al.2005). Budgeting and return on investment Institutions should do costing before, during, and after the implementation of e-learning so that they are able to analyze return on investment and benefits of e Learning (Romiszowski, 2004 and Khan 2005, p.28-29). Program and course information catalog Institution should provide precise information about their courses, schedule and fees etc (Mungania 2003, Khan 2005, p.30). Financial Aid Financial aid services should be provided to support learners by using technological and human support services (Khan 2005, p.32). Policies Institutional e-learning policies must be communicated to all groups including instructors, learners, and support staff (Khan 2005, p. 35). Instructional Quality Instructional quality in e-learning creates meaningful learning environment (Khan 2005,p. 35, Muilenburg and Berge (2005), Gulatee and Combes (2007), Lum (2006), Park and Choi (2009). Faculty and Staff support For effective e learning instructor, faculty members as well as supporting staff should receive proper training to support the learners (Khan 2005, p.41). Intellectual property rights Institutions must give information to the learners, as well instructors about intellectual property rights (Khan 2005, p. 39). Learning Skills Development Well-designed learners guide can help those learners, supporting staff how have no experience with open, distributed and flexible learning environment which includes Library, Tutorial Services, and Support Network (Khan 2005, p. 39); ), Wong (2007). 3.2Management issues (Magalhaes, 2008) stated that lack of management support is number one barriers towards successful implementation of E learning system in institution. Management issues of e-learning in organization ref Barriers to Implementing E-learning System in Organizations Barriers to Implementing E-learning System in Organizations 1.0 General introduction/background This chapter deals with general introduction and the background of the research area. It also contains the problem statement, objectives/purpose, research question, and the structure of the thesis. In todays world of globalization, knowledge and learning is considered most vital element for acquiring competitive advantage (Longworth and Davies, 1996). For gaining competitive advantage firms and institutions are becoming more knowledge intensive, therefore they concentrate on managing and sharing knowledge to gain significant advantage of this knowledge (Hertog and Sluijs, 1995).Traditional education style has remained consistent without any changes been made to the system. This has enabled a large number of creative thinkers to ponder other possible educational approaches that could benefit the system (Gà ¼nes, 2008). On the other hand, technology is necessary in order to conquer, but it also a necessity to remain in competition. All the sectors, whether it is primary, manufacturing or tertiary, all of them have been forced to accept technology to become innovative and efficient (Gà ¼nes, 2008). Technology has not only radically changed the ways and methods of our works but is now beginning to transform the education system (Webster and Murphy, 2008).With the use of internet technologies, firms and institutions have outstanding opportunities to deliver education and different training techniques through strategic use of internet technologies (Lee, 2006; Kaohsiung; Taiwan, 2006). The use of Internet technologies combined with suitable learning strategies assists to provide an open, flexible and dynamic learning environment. As a result many corporations, government agencies and academic institutions worldwide have increased the use of internet and educational technologies to deliver instructions and provide training. This innovative approach of delivering information and education is known as E-learning (Khan, 2008). E-learning can be simply defined as the way of learning which delivers its contents through World Wide Web (Gulatee and Combes, 2007). Sharifabadi defined e-lear ning as â€Å"the term used to describe teaching and learning resources or experiences that is, in some way, delivered electronically†. (Gulatee and Combes, 2007; Sharifabadi, 2006, p.391). E-learning is a way of interaction through electronic mediums, mainly computers, by using videos, photos, texts and sounds for different educational purposes (Gulatee and Combes, 2007). E-learning system creates a learning opportunity for the convenience of those who dont have the opportunity to be physically available due to various reasons (Gulatee and Combes, 2007; Werry, 2002). Hence, during the late 1990s and early 2000 many virtual universities were established and more universities were offering online courses, but mixed results of the e learning systems were encountered (Gulatee and Combes, 2007). Different researches have pointed out many barriers in e learnings implementation, which lead to its failure. For example technological infrastructure, course content quality, finance support, learners computing skills, staff training, management support and organizations culture resistance (Romiszowski, 2003, Childs et al, 2005, Muilenburg and Berge, 2005). Organizations cultural resistance is considered as the most influential barrier in e learnings implementation process. The cultures resistance or resistance from the potential users negatively affects the implementation process. Unwillingness of the employees can create major problems for the managers and can lead to the system failure (Shields and Young, 1989, p. 22). Employees resistance and avoiding of the use of required procedures and rules could lead the system to failure even if it has been developed perfectly and is ready to use (Malmi, 1997, p. 475). In this instant the managers cannot gain full benefits of the new system unless they can create a change in the employees attitude (Yates, 1997, p. 164). Cultural differences among peers could create many problems in implementation of e learning system. Therefore, if the cultural issues are overlooked during implementation, their ignorance could act as a vital barrier in e learnings success. (AL-Hunaiyyan et al, 2008; Gujar and Sonone, 2004) 1.1 Problem statement There are different articles and books available in the market which mention about the usefulness and advantages of E learning. Web-based learning is a new medium of information technology; researchers have mentioned many different factors which act as barriers towards implementing E-learning system (Ngai et al., 2007). There are different factors cited by various authors which exist in their research papers that can help us to identify critical barriers. In addition, we are interested in finding out, to which extent an organization is dependent on the role of its culture, and how culture can lead to success or failure of the E-learning system. It should be noted that culture has a great impact in organizations and are important when decision making is involved in IT management. In this regard, an organization is said to be confronted with stiff resistance, consequently making IT management a difficult task (Childs et al, 2005). To overcome the barriers for implementing E learning, a n organization should try and manage these barriers accordingly because they are critical to any organizations general business model and can equally affect the organizations decision making process. 1.2 Research question What are the critical barriers of implementing e-learning system and what is the role of organizational culture in successful implementation of E-learning system? 1.3 Objectives and Purpose of the Research The purpose of this research is to describe and analyze the critical factors which may affect the implementation of e-learning system. Investigating the barriers of implementing e-learning system would help to lower down the barriers in future implementation. Moreover by examining the cultural influence of an organization towards e-learning systems implementation process, it will be easier to identify a complete outline for organizations to implement E Learning system and to make the system work efficiently and successfully. 1.4 Thesis design The structure of the thesis is principally focused on six chapters which include Chapter 1: Introduction/Background The Introduction gives brief overview of the research topic, including the purpose and objectives, problems and research question. Chapter 2: Research Design/Methods This chapter deals with the choice of topic, research process which indicates how these datas will be analyzed, data collection, validity and reliability, and method critique. Chapter 3: Framework of reference This chapter discusses relevant theories to give the reader an understanding of the barriers which come across E learning systems implementation processes cited by different authors. Chapter 4: Findings This chapter provides frequencies of different barriers for implementing E learning system described by different authors. Chapter 5 Analysis This chapter will describe the analysis based on the findings. Chapter 6: Conclusions This section finally concludes the lessons drawn from the findings 2.0 Research Design/Methods This chapter deals with the choice of topic, research process which indicates how these datas will be analyzed, data collection, validity and reliability, and method critique. 2.1 Choice of Topic Fisher (2007, p.31-33) suggested that authors should choose research area according to their interests, so they remain motivated and committed to complete the project. The authors belong to Pakistan, where E-learning system is not much in practiced in organizations. While, e learning system is already in use in Sweden, we found that E-learning system is a proficient tool in learning process. Therefore, it was quite intriguing for us to explore this topic. In addition, we were interested in finding out the barriers for implementation of E-learning system and to investigate the role of organizations culture for successful implementation of E-learning system. Fisher (2007, p.31-33) urges that chosen topic should be accessible and it is necessary to make sure that quite literature is available for making detail analysis. We are certain that our topic is enough interesting, significant and demanding for all researchers, businesses managers and Information Technology Management students. 2.2 Research Process There are various methodological approaches to carry out research i.e. Realist research, exploratory research, critical realism, standpoint research, action research and phenomenology etc, Fisher (2007, p.15). In addition, Fisher (2007, p.153-155) mentioned two kinds of discoveries e.g. Explorers and Surveyors. A kind of research where an open approach is used with conceptual framework but the authors are not sure about outcomes and results of the work they do, is called exploratory research. On the other hand surveyors discovery approach is pre-structured where surveyors are already inform of the results and out come of their work. According to these concepts our research is exploratory as we are dependent on secondary data. 2.3 Data Collection and source Fisher (2007, p. 45) states that data could be collected from existing databases, through questionnaires, conducting fieldwork or performing case studies as it depends on the kind of research. In this research entire data has been collected from available databases as the research is entirely based on secondary data collection method. Secondary source has been used in this research. The data was extracted from articles, books and websites, magazines, journals and articles with focus on critical barriers to e learning implementation. Fisher stated that (2007, P.158-161) data could be qualitative or quantitative depending on the method of research study. A quantitative approach has been used here in this research. No statistics has been used in this research and as all research has been analyzed by words not figures. 2.4 Access of information Secondary data has extracted from different sources. The required literature has been acquired by searching Mà ¤lardalen Universitys library. Furthermore, we have used online library (ebrary) as well as other librarys database such as Elin, Emerald, Eric and EBSCO for articles and journals, which have helped us to answer our research query. Going through a wide-ranging literature review, twenty five articles were identified that give answer to the research question from distinct angles. To identify the barriers to Implementation of E-learning system, keyword search criteria based on title contained; Ø Barriers of E learning system implementation, Ø Implications of E learning system in organizations, Ø Implementation of E learning system in large organization, Ø Challenges of E learning Implementation, Ø Limitations of E learning System, To describe and analyze the role of organizations culture for successful implementation of E-learning system in organization, keyword search criteria contained; Ø Cultural issues of E leaning system, Ø Cultural Influence on online Learning, Ø Cultural influence on student learning, Ø Analyzing cultural Influences on E learning Transactional Issue, Ø Cultural difference and influence on E learning, Ø Social and cultural impact on e learning Effectiveness, Ø A cultural Analysis of relearning for developed and developing countries, Ø Cross and Multicultural issues for e learning success, Ø Influence of organizational cultural in E learning, Ø Organizational resistance towards implementing E learning system. 2.5 Data Analysis According to Miles and Huberman (1994) the data analysis consists of three parallel flows of activity: (1) Data reduction, (2) Data display, and (3) Conclusion drawing/verification† (p. 10). Furthermore they suggested that data analysis components could be successfully integrated during data analysis, as it is an iterative and continuous process (Miles and Huberman 1994). They have stated three components of activities that describe analysis which are; First is ‘data reduction that is focused on selection, simplification and transformation of data (Miles and Huberman 1994). This process is applied in qualitative data. The objective of this is data is to help drawing final conclusion and verification. In this study data is taken from the studies where authors cited barriers to implement E-learning with focus on cultural resistance in an organization. Second is ‘data display i.e. data reduced in data reduction needs to be organized that help to draw conclusion easily. In table mentioned below, different factors related to critical barriers to implementation of E-learning system and the role of organizations culture is given below along with the frequency of each factor. Third is the conclusion based on drawing/verifying; describes the possible explanations, causal flows and propositions to be made. Therefore based on the findings and discussed analysis, conclusions would be drawn to signify the influential role of organizations culture towards the implementation process The above model is used for the analysis of this research. Moreover, this analysis emphasizes more on comparing various authors view on to analyze and describe the critical barriers and role of culture to employ E-learning system in organizations. 2.6 Validity and Reliability Validity is defined as â€Å"the degree which researchers have measured what they have set out to measure† (Kumar, 2005) whereas reliability means â€Å"the extent to which another researcher can reach the same conclusion by following the same research process† (Taylor et al., 2006). Several articles have been used to identify the barriers of implementing E learning system and to analyze the role of organizational culture. Besides, frequencies of more influential barriers have been generated to validate the barriers and cultural role in implementation process. 2.7 Method Critique Due to the limitation of time, a limited number of articles have been used to formulate the frequency to identify the critical barriers. It could be better to use more articles to strengthen our research as a number of studies have already been done in this area. However this study will describe and analyze the critical barriers for the implementation of E-learning system related literature and to gain a theoretical background. It was also discovered during analysis of this study that most of the authors mentioned the critical factors with mere repetition with diverse definitions. 3.0 Framework of Reference This chapter discusses relevant theories to give the reader an understanding of the barriers which come across E-learning systems implementation processes cited by different authors. 3.1 E-learning 3.1.1 What is E-learning? E-learning can be defined as learning and communication exercises across computers and networks or electronic sources. (Wong, 2007 ; Schank, 2002; Roffe, 2002 Tsai Machado, 2002; Sambrook, 2003; Fry; Wild, Grggs and Downing, 2002) have defined E-learning as â€Å"delivery of training and education via networked interactivity and distribution technologies.†According to Khan (2008), the word e-learning is used for an open, flexible, and diversed-learning environment. â€Å"E-learning can be viewed as an innovative approach for delivering well designed, learner-centered, interactive, and facilitated learning environment to anyone, anyplace, anytime by utilizing the attributes and resources of various digital technologies along with other forms of learning materials suited for open, flexible, and distributed learning environment† (Khan, 2008). In e-learning system Students are able to interact anytime from anywhere with different instructional material (text, sound, pictures, video and so on) through Internet. Furthermore, learners can even communicate with teachers and classmates both individually and as a group discussion with the use of message boards, instant message exchanges and video conferencing. (Al-Ammari and Hamad (2008); Andersson, 2009; Zhang and Zhou, 2003). (Lee, 2006) Therefore, E-learning has been defined variously, learning system using different carrying technologies and techniques like Computer Based Training (CBT), Internet-based training (IBT), Web-based instruction (WBI), distributed learning (DL), advanced distributed learning (ADL), distance learning, online learning (OL), mobile learning (or m-learning) or remote learning and learning management systems (LMS) (Khan, 2008). For managing learning environment like, registration of learners, scheduling learning resources, controlling and guidance of learning processes and analyzing learners performance are all accomplish in Learning Management System (LMS) (Gulatee and Combes, 2007; Brown, 2006). In 1970s and 1980s distance learning started becoming popular and sued to conduct through postal mail but in 1990s the rise of World Wide Web changed the nature distance learning. With the use of this technology learners can get a number of resources from their teachers like discussion forums, multimedia, chat, video conferencing and electronic black boards. These changes which have been brought in distance education are an attempt to provide easier access to students who live very far from universities, who are working or have other reasons for not being able to attend in person. In the US ‘in the academic year 2001-2, five million people took at least one course online, and three million were enrolled in online degree programs (Gulatee and Combes, 2007; Kazmer Haythornthwaite, 2005, p.7). It can be seen in these figures that distance education online has become a popular alternative to face-to-face instruction. 3.2 Implementation of E-learning One of the following three approaches is necessary for the implementation of the e-learning system: To strengthen the traditional face-to-face courses with support of new communication technology, enhancement of learning experience with in traditional courses by integration of online activities and delivery of entirely online courses. In this implementation the readiness of some influential factors like budgeting, infrastructure planning, human resource development (experience, skills, knowledge and attitude of the end users) are most common. Uhomoibhi (2006) stated that E-learning initiators, institutions must use and prepare strategies for adoption, diffusion and implementation. For a successful implementation of online environment where learners can actively learn and get support from well-organized approach is mandatory. Processes of planning, designing, development and evaluation are all parts of a successful implementation that could help to lower down the barriers of implementation. An e-learning system can only be successful if it is significant to all stakeholders e.g. instructors, learners; support services staff and the institutions itself. In order for learners to become quickly accustomed to E-learning, it must be made sure that it is easily accessible, efficient, well designed course, affordable, and has a facilitated learning environment. Instructors must feel a sense of accomplishment when learners meet the goals and objectives of the course in a successful way. Technical support staff should feel happy when learners receive reliable services without interruptions. One of the most important factors for institutions is the profit they earn as well as the satisfaction of the learner and a low rate of dropouts (Khan, 2005). A strong foundation is required in order to have an effective implementation of E learning. Aligning and communication are two important factors in implementation of e learning system. It is necessary to make sure the communication is in order. Involvement of key stakeholders at the decision making stage or any other early process is very important. Communication is also important for those who are directly responsible for the implementation; and professionals also suggest a horizontal leadership style so that everyone is responsible for their actions. This includes individuals who are critical to the implementations success which include line, functional and divisional leaders. There should be consistent scheduled meetings with these individuals to discuss the newly arising issues in the project to come up with a solution. Most of the pitfalls of e-learning are tied to technological issues so it is important to involve IT leadership throughout the project to mitigate the problems in implementation process. Creation of helpdesk for reporting of IT related issues is more important. While selecting the vendors it is important to make sure that the vendors have an outstanding and proven record. Strong communication and feedback from vendors is a necessary step for a successful implementation. 3.3 An overview of the critical issues in E-learning implementation Worldwide, E-learning arises as a new paradigm of advance education with a growing rate of 36.5% in the market, but still failures exist. As many companies are moving very fast to the adoption of e-learning in order to reap its benefits but they are facing significant barriers in its implementation and adoption, which leads them to implementation failure. (http://www.citeulike.org/user/jdellano/article/5315881) (Simmons, 2002, p.19). (Mungania, 2003) Hence, to mitigate this failure we have to investigate key factors that encompass different dimensions of an open, flexible and advanced distributed learning environment for diverse learners (Khan, 2005). Literature has mentioned a wide range of factors that can influence the successful implementation of e-learning e.g. some talks about pedagogical issues, faculty issues and organizational issues while some may have discussed about personal issues, cultural issues and some other issues. A broad range of factors that can influence the success of e-learning environments has been mentioned in the literature. However, there is no organized work to characterize collective group of most influential issues or factors, which could be seen as barriers. (Successful wala article) Distinct authors consider different barriers as most influential in implementation of e-learning.Wong (2007) has categorized e-learning limitations in three main areas; technological limitations, personal issues and other limitations. The lack of hardware, limited Internet coverage and low bandwidth are all consider as technological barriers in implementation of e learning. (Wong, 2007 ; Kathawala, Abdou, Elmulti, 2002; Hiltz, 1997). (Chadha Kumail, 2002, p.28).Roy (1996, p.9) // where u use this reference Personal issues are mostly related to learners and teachers. Teachers should give a complete guidance to the learners about this new and non-traditional system to prepare new learners psychologically (Wong, 2007 ; Kember et al., 2001; Dearnley, 2003). For learners the use of new technologies could be a disadvantage or barrier in e learning. So the lack information, communication and technological skills might be barriers to e- learning because learners could get frustrated from this unconventional learning environment.(Wong, 2007 ; Carr, 1999; Hamid, 2002; Angelina, 2002a, p.12) The freedom provided by E-learning could be a disadvantage for the learners as internal motivation and self discipline is required at its maximum which learners may find hard to achieve in order to complete their studies or assignments in time. As (Wong, 2007 ; Kearsley, 2000) Schott et al., 2003; Rivera and Rice, 2002; Abouchedid and Eid, 2004). In e-learning environment students are usually supposed to communicate in a text based environment so learners poor writing  ¨skills might be a disadvantage in e learning. Therefore, the inability of communicating efficiently of learners could create misunderstandings (Wong, 2007; Smith Rupp, 2004). Others limitations: e-learning provides 247 access. This infinite work might be a disadvantage for learners and particularly for teachers. This unlimited work could over stress teachers, resulting in a low quality services from instructors.(Abdou Elmulti, 2002;. Dringus, 2003; Newton, 2003; Kathawala, Schifter, 2004). Poor course design could appear a major barrier in implementation of e learning as it could frustrate the learners and teachers. (Young Bal, 2003; Smulders, 2003; Howell, Williams Lindsay 2003; Gordon, Young Bal, 2003; Svensson, 2004; Ivergard Hunt, 2005;). Cronje (2009) sees some influential barriers such as student barriers are related to lack of financial support from their families and cooperation among peers and from teachers (Cronje, 2009; Galusha, 1997). Faculty barriers the lack of funds is the most important one. Institutes attitude towards the lecturers that some time seems less prominent among their peers is considered another important barrier in successful e learning (Cronje, 2009; Galusha, 1997). Organizational barriers poor funding for three major costs areas are considered more crucial barriers e.g. Initial costs of the implementation process, maintenance and up gradation. Course barriers course design is regarded as most important one. Poor course design is one of reasons of inferiority of Distance learning. Conversion of teaching context in to electronic shape could not add any value to e learning (Cronje, 2009; Galusha, 1997) Boondao et al (2008) mentioned, â€Å"It is not possible, in the view of some scholars, to create a model of the good teacher without taking issues of culture and context into account†. The influence of culture cannot be ignored in successful implementation of e learning. Considering learners from different culture e.g. east and west, learners from both cultures have particular approaches and styles of learning. Therefore, lack of consideration of cultural issues during designing could prove as a barrier in successful implementation of e learning (Boondao et al, 2008). 3.4 Discussing the different critical barriers 3.4.1 A Framework for E-Learning These days an escalating amount of companies are implementing E-learning System (Mungania, 2003).. But as these companies try to take advantages of E-learning to gain strategic and competitive advantages in absolute urgency, there are significant number barriers to the implementation of E-learning come across to halt them (Simmons, 2002, p.19 and Mungania, (2003). As E-learning barriers are diverse and may include as personal, organizational, situational, instructional, and technological barriers. (Mungania, 2003) Moreover khans E- learning framework provides details on critical issues which may come cross E learning implementation process. Khans E-learning framework composed of eight dimensions: institutional, management, technological, pedagogical, ethical, interface design, resource support, and evaluation. 3.1 Institutional Issues Institutions need to build a complete plan for the successful implantation of E learning system (Khan 2005, p.23).Moreover Childs et al (2005) stated that institution should focus on cultural aspects for the implementation process of E learning system which have a significant effect upon the success of E learning process (Cronje,2009). E-learning needs to be integrated to all departments of the institution therefore a strong comment needed from the institution and the trainers Childs et al (2005). Moreover, E-learning implementation plan must be fully aligned with the institutions missions and strategic plans (Galusha , 1997; Belanger and Jordan, 2000). Therefore e-learning implementation process is paradigm shift for the institution as a whole which includes learners, instructors, administrators, technical and other support services staff (Romiszowski, 2004). To support institutions in strategic planning, change management and process development that are necessary to highlight their embedding process and issues which may occur in their organization (Childs et al (2005) and Khan 2005,p.23). Khan has divided institution issue into three parts administrative affairs, Academic affairs and Student services (Khan 2005,p. 24 ). Administrative affairs which includes organization and change (implementation of E learning system), budgeting and ROI , course information catalog, financial aid, course schedule, tuition and fees, registration and payment, information technology services, instructional design, whereas Academic affairs issues such as policies, instructional quality, faculty and staff support, intellectual property rights and so on (Khan 2005,p. 24 ). Moreover Student services deals with student support services for e-learning effectiveness. Some of the institutional related issues are mentioned below: Needs Assessment Needs analysis will assist institutions to examine the needs for their e-learning plan and establish its e-learning goals. (Khan 2005,p. 24 , Sue Childs et al.2005) Readiness Assessment Readiness Assessment critical factors should be considered are e-learning must be Open, flexible and distributed. There are three basic types of readiness: Financial Readiness which defines whether its e-learning initiative investment importance, Infrastructural readiness readiness which includes human resource readiness, equipment readiness, and technological skill readiness and cultural which are preferences of Learners instructors and the existing learning culture (Khan 2005, p.25). Organizational change E-learning engages a change of model to some level, a change in how you deal with knowledge and its information in organization (Khan 2005, p. 26 and Sue Childs et al.2005). Budgeting and return on investment Institutions should do costing before, during, and after the implementation of e-learning so that they are able to analyze return on investment and benefits of e Learning (Romiszowski, 2004 and Khan 2005, p.28-29). Program and course information catalog Institution should provide precise information about their courses, schedule and fees etc (Mungania 2003, Khan 2005, p.30). Financial Aid Financial aid services should be provided to support learners by using technological and human support services (Khan 2005, p.32). Policies Institutional e-learning policies must be communicated to all groups including instructors, learners, and support staff (Khan 2005, p. 35). Instructional Quality Instructional quality in e-learning creates meaningful learning environment (Khan 2005,p. 35, Muilenburg and Berge (2005), Gulatee and Combes (2007), Lum (2006), Park and Choi (2009). Faculty and Staff support For effective e learning instructor, faculty members as well as supporting staff should receive proper training to support the learners (Khan 2005, p.41). Intellectual property rights Institutions must give information to the learners, as well instructors about intellectual property rights (Khan 2005, p. 39). Learning Skills Development Well-designed learners guide can help those learners, supporting staff how have no experience with open, distributed and flexible learning environment which includes Library, Tutorial Services, and Support Network (Khan 2005, p. 39); ), Wong (2007). 3.2Management issues (Magalhaes, 2008) stated that lack of management support is number one barriers towards successful implementation of E learning system in institution. Management issues of e-learning in organization ref