Provide specific examples of ways administrators might apply systems theory to their work. Finally, explain how leadership and management roles within human services organizations contribute to their overall functioning.

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Social workers use the person-in-environment approach to understand the relationship between individuals and their physical and social environments. This ecological perspective is a framework that is based on concepts associated with systems theory. Systems theory guides social workers when they assess how factors in the environment such as school, work, culture, and social policy impact the individual. Although social workers commonly use the systems approach to focus on the individual, they may apply this approach to human services organizations as well. Human services organizations exist within the context of the social, economic, and political environments, and any type of change in one aspect of the environment will influence the organization’s internal and external functioning.

For this Assignment, consider how administrators of human services organizations may apply systems theory in their work. Also, consider what you have discovered about the roles of leadership and management and how these contribute to an organization’s overall functioning.

Assignment (2–3 pages in APA format): Explain how systems theory can help administrators understand the relationships between human services organizations and their environments. Provide specific examples of ways administrators might apply systems theory to their work. Finally, explain how leadership and management roles within human services organizations contribute to their overall functioning.

provide an evaluation of factors that might support or impede your efforts in adopting evidence-based practice or evidence-based programs.

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Imagine if the microbiologist relied on intuition when examining cells for a cancer diagnosis. Consider the consequences if a teacher relied only on perception when assigning grades.

Evidence-based practice provides an alternative to relying on intuition or another individual’s authority when implementing interventions. Evidence-based practice enables social workers to scientifically and systematically evaluate interventions, validating time honored approaches and gaining a greater understanding of why and when they are effective. In other cases, the evidence-based research may indicate a different approach is warranted to successfully implement an intervention.

 

Consider the following quotation: “Often times, potential users of research knowledge are unconnected to those who do the research, and consequently a huge gap ensues between research knowledge and practice behaviors” (Barwick, M., Boudell, K., Stasiulis, E., Ferguson, H., Blase, K., & Fixsen, D., 2005). Social workers must work to close the gap perceived by the authors of this quote.

In your previous research course, you addressed the concept of evidence-based practice. However, it is important not to fall into a habit of using the term “evidence-based practice” without a clear understanding of its meaning. In particular, it is important to understand what standards of evidence must exist to classify an intervention or a program as evidence based. In this assignment, you are to clarify your understanding of the nature of evidence-based practice and analyze the challenges and opportunities for implementing evidence-based practice in your current social work practice.

To prepare for this Discussion, read the Learning Resources that provide information about different aspects of the evidence-based practice concept.

Post a description of the distinguishing characteristics of evidenced-based practice. Then provide an evaluation of factors that might support or impede your efforts in adopting evidence-based practice or evidence-based programs.

Explain how a business can assess international business opportunities giving examples. Do you think the size of the company matters in assessing an international business opportunity? Give reasons for your answer.

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Assignment 1: Discussion Questions—International Business Decision Making

The various factors impacting international business may be brought together into a process for evaluating international business opportunities. Choosing the right mode of entry is the next step.

Research evaluation of business opportunities and modes of entry using your textbook,  University online library resources, and the Internet. Respond to the following:

  • Explain how a business can assess international business opportunities giving examples. Do you think the size of the company matters in assessing an international business opportunity? Give reasons for your answer.
  • In your opinion, what would be the single most effective way for a potential international business to gain entry into an international market? What are the apparent risks of the mode of entry you recommend? For at least one other mode of entry, explain why it would be less effective compared to the one you chose.

Write your response in 400 words or less. Apply current APA standards for writing style to your work. All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.

By Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Assignment 2: Presentation—Starting an International Business

Business decisions are not made on a hunch or some vague idea of a good place to do business. Professionals assess business opportunities and modes of entry to choose the best alternative.

Research the topic using your textbook,  University online library resources, and the Internet. Based on your research, develop a presentation. Your role is of an educational specialist in international business and your audience is a group of middle managers.

Discuss the following in your presentation:

  • Steps to analyzing international business opportunities with specifics of what is involved in each step
  • Alternative methods for gaining entry into an international business opportunity or market

Submit your work in a 10-slide PowerPoint presentation. Use the speaker notes area to write the information supporting the slides. Apply current APA standards for writing style to your work. All written assignments and responses should follow APA rules for attributing sources.

What are the data analysis procedures (using both descriptive and inferential statistics) for the quantitative component of the program evaluation plan?

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Data Analysis Procedures

This discussion will help you prepare the data analysis section of your research design for your Program Evaluation Plan project. Your peers and instructor will provide feedback that will help you refine your plan. This is an extended post and should comprise 300–350 words.

As part of your Program Evaluation Plan project, you might propose collecting surveys, scored assessments, transcribed conversations, observational notes, clinical records, or other forms of data. You will analyze this data with the goal of answering the basic questions of the evaluation and uncovering other useful information. For this discussion, first post details about the following aspects of your project:

  • Population.
  • Clinical areas of concern.
  • Clinical intervention and program services.
  • Questions to be answered by evaluation.

Then, describe step-by-step data analysis procedures you will use to answer the following:

  • What are the data analysis procedures (using both descriptive and inferential statistics) for the quantitative component of the program evaluation plan?
  • What are the data analysis procedures for the qualitative components of the program evaluation plan?

Use published scholarly articles to find examples of data analyses that pose evaluation questions similar to yours. Discuss how these studies used and justified similar data analysis procedures that could also be used in your evaluation plan.