Russell and Bromley Retirment Homes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Russell and Bromley Retirment Homes - Essay Example The main emphasis of the contemporary literature on operations management is on both human and technical aspects (Chase, et.al 2001). This means that needs of human beings are to be identified in order to better understand and solve the management problems. The main issues that can be easily identified are cleanliness, parking and meal issues. Another important problem is that the house keeper is aiming to keep the area manager happy instead of focusing on people. This is a grave problem and without solving this problem there is little hope for any kind of improvement. If managers are busy in satisfying their superiors rather than customers then it will adversely affect the business because the needs of the customers will be ignored (Klenke, K. 2008). The case study of Russell and Bromley Retirement Homes also shows lack of trust and confidence in the leadership of the house keeper. The residents are also not happy because there needs are not met. The unhappiness of the resident is t he consequence of the lack of leadership of the house keeper. A proper restructuring and redesigning of operations is required in order to improve the situation of the retirement home. Parking problem and meal issues can be resolved by properly defining tasks and changing the current process of servicing residents. Question 1(a) The definition of quality is often debated by management scholars. It will be useful to identify the different approaches used to define quality. There is a user based approach of quality which says that product or service should be without any error. This gives a perspective of quality from the end consumers of the product or service. Product based approach of quality argues that quality is providing perfect goods or services with particular characteristics. Then there is value based approach, manufacturing based approach and transcendent approach defines quality in terms of value, error free product or service and internal excellence respectively (Slack, C hambers & Johnson, 2010). All these approaches are valid and all of them give different perspective on quality. But however we will have to define quality in a general way too. Quality, in simplest of ways, is measured by degree of satisfaction which consumers derive from product or services (CBS Interactive Business Network, 2003). This definition is perfect with regards to the retirement home because perception of quality of the residents is not so positive. The key aspects of quality in Russell and Bromley Retirement Homes are cleanliness, timely meals, proper space for mobility, regular checkups and health care for retirees and cosy living conditions. All these can be considered as important aspects of quality. There are both implicit and explicit services that are related to the retirement home. Implicit services are those that have psychological effect like attitude of the cook or house keeper towards them and explicit services are those services that are visible to the consum ers like cleanliness and good and diverse menu (Fitzsimmons & Fitzsimmons, 2007). The quality of both implicit and explicit services is important for the retirement home. Question 1(b) The quality assessment tool which will be perfect for assessing quality or perception of quality in the retirement home is short face to face interviews or surveys. These two are the best because quality in the retirement home can only be defined in terms of customer satisfaction. It is the consumer perception of the

National Changes In Tuition Fees And Funding 2006 Essay

National Changes In Tuition Fees And Funding 2006 - Essay Example As has been scientifically proven, a slight change or shift in an equilibrium situation is bound to set off a reaction process that moves to contain the change could mean different things to different people going by the Betty and Adams illustration painted above. The obvious fact in education today is that there has being a regime change in tuition fees for new students and this sector and implications underlined. There are currently two tuitions fees types. The first indicates that new students are expected to pay 3,000 up from 1,200 that its initially was. This initial amount is however sustained for old students who are returning to campus. The expectation attached to this increase is that having been calculated and pegged till 2009 it will not be rising above this figure. Fees for sandwich and home foundation years are incidentally not part of this 3,000. One unique observation is however the fact that payment of these fees can be deferred until after graduation. The second tuition type is one in which a tuition fee loan is available, accessible without a no means test. This kind of loan is available to home students and EU nationals and it is paid directly to the university, it also has no age limit for applicants. 75% of students' loans for living costs are available without means test whole 25% is dependent on a means test. The sum of 6,170 is pegged as the maximum loan rates for those in London living a way from home while for those living in parental homes in London if is 3,415. The payment schedule for this loan is on an installment basis paid either in September or January and April. It has an age limit of 60years. Fees and living cost are repayable starting from the April after graduation provided that gross earnings stand at minimum of 15,000 per annum. So it is really dependent on how much the student earns after graduation. 9% of earning over 15,000 are paid through the tax system with an interest not above the approximate rate of inflation. This loan however will be written off after 25years if it remains unpaid. Grant such as the LA grants for living cost exists with a new 2,700 non-payable but means tested grant available to students. Income of 17,500 or less attract the maximum grant partial grants are awarded to families with income of between 17,500-37,425.Families with income above the upper limit of 31,425 are given no grant. Maintenance loans will be reduced by up 1,200 for some students who are receiving full grant or living at home e.t.c. where however the students qualify for social security benefits they shall have the maximum grant without and reduction from their maintenance loan. A minimum of 300 should be offer to students benefiting from the maximum 2,700 grant by institution of higher education charging the maximum 3,000 tuition fees. This is towards helping the students in course-related cost and are not expected to pay back. This compulsory payment to student is done by SLC in January. Additional bursaries are awarded as deemed fits by the institution. Also obtainable in the new tuition and