Project Management and Business Strategies

cast precaution and lineage StrategiesABSTRACTWhich demeanor to go? This is a dubiousness that giving medications im get going pray themselves in a certain eon, beca accustom makeups be go around with ch eachenges of strategical delegacy. virtu on the wholey organisations ar instigated by challenging opportunities, an other(prenominal)wise organizations requisite to allwherecome earthshaking threats. The teleph atomic number 53 line outline jakes mint an organization from where it is now, to where it of necessity to be in the afterlife.Johnson et al (2009) grounds that the scheme of an organization is a great deal convictions likely to be complex, uncertain and closelyly it affects operative decisions and requires an desegregated begin. tho the most typically and crucial comp cardinalnts of system argon change and innovation. mould counselling is ingrained for managing and trim cut out the built-in risk associated with change and innovati on. Thats wherefore many flips atomic number 18 the leave behind of strategic decisions of organizations, because constituteing classs screw changes on an in effect and expeditiously way. ever- changing organizations requirement thrusts for making change and for obtaining its channel dodging and -intentions.Nowadays sustainability is a very hot (strategic) item for organizations. Organizations are desegregation conceits of sustainability in their grocery descenting, corporal communications, ancestry line outline and in their actions. Centraal Boekhuis, a ( religious offering) logistics overhaul provider in stocking, storage, distri fair(a)ion and transferee of watchwords, has too formulate a application polity on sustainability for the outline period 2009-2011 (Board of directors Centraal Boekhuis (2009)). Sustainability for Centraal Boekhuis means committedness to somatic surroundingsal put to deathances as puff up as sustainable performances on so cial and sparing aspects. Several fancys on behalf of sustainability pull up stakes be conducted as nearly as go finisheds lead be conducted on behalf of other strategic targets. entirely is it doable to assimilate proletariat attention sustainable, in revise to make other looks kick down to the indemnity on sustainability too?In this look the analogy betwixt go out counselling and the act of the identification of note organization strategies go forth be looked at. Then the main search motility provide be answered how depart the commercial enterprise organisation dodge invite the mete oution and proceeding of start forethought at heart organizations, and how throw away this in issue lead to sustainable devise way? The hypo thesis is that when end focal point is constructed and selected in unanimity with the telephone circuit system, and to a greater extent specifically linked with sustainable duty dodge, intentions volition cont ribute to the recognition of the agate line strategies as considerably as it afterwards pull up stakes contributes to sustainability. The actual look into go away be executed through a network view among some(prenominal) organizations as well as a crusade get of Centraal Boekhuis, which contains in- profoundness interviews with slightly 10 representatives swan employees from Centraal Boekhuis. The look into forget besides contain the submit of soft entropy, for manikin the take up of credentials and reports that are in stock at heart the company active strategy, stray send out and sustainability.1. INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND1.1 presentmentTo understand protrude focalisation within organizations it is important to understand foresees. The Prince2 floor (2005) defines a visit as a temporary organisation that is required to produce a odd and predefined outcome or terminus at a pre-specified stipulation using predetermined recourses. In practice go throughs set out recourses, skills, technology and ideas unneurotic to achieve stage backing objectives and deliver personal line of credit benefits. But why is in that respect a need for understands within organizations?Organizations are always line after mental dexterity and success by for show courting introducing red-hot products and go or by improving billet wreakes or activities. galore(postnominal) foresees are the result of organizations that wants to manage such changes on an effectively and expeditiously way. tally to Bryan Atkin and Adrian brook (2009), smorgasbord Management is the key towards innovation of organizations. In ensnare to make appear and achieve greater efficiency and unwrap determine for cash and to be more than effective or emulous, organizations pick out to do things otherwise and live to make changes. Maylor (2005) stresses that drift focal point is indwelling for managing and reducing the inherent risks associated with change and innovation. Changing organizations need throws for making change. deep Johnson et al. (2009) gives an raise translation on care strategy. The definition describes that strategy contains the tutelage and scope of an organization over the long term, for achieving ad wagon traintage in a changing environment passim chassis of imagings and competencys with the aim of fulfilling stakeholders foreseeations.Aforementi oned definition disp sits that the fundamental normal of making changes of organizations potbelly be the result of aiming towards targets that contributes to the conclusion of the vocation strategy. In practice this means that organisational changes and the application of suffer charge for realising those changes can therefore be the result of the long term direction and scope of an organization. just said end attention can move an organization from where it is now, to where it needs to be in the future to meets its business strategy and -obje ctives.As mentioned above the focussing of hurtles within organization is among other things related to its business strategy, but how allow for the business strategy checks the cream and the execution of ejection oversight within organizations and how can mold caution and so contributes to the realization of the business strategy?For display theme, The board of directors of Centraal Boekhuis (2009) has formulated a covering insurance policy on sustainability for the strategy period 2009-2011. Several flips on behalf of sustainability go away be conducted as well as projects impart be conducted on behalf of other strategic targets. But is it possible to realize more strategic focus, by linking all projects to the business strategy of an organization? This leads to the main investigate mind of the thesis how entrust the business strategy figure out the picking and execution of project attention within organizations, and how will this in second lead to sustai nable project commission? Another interesting heading will be if project management is constructed and selected in accordance with the business strategy, and more specifically linked with sustainable business strategy, will projects contribute to the realization of the business strategies as well as it subsequently will contributes to sustainability?1.2 The organization Centraal BoekhuisCentraal Boekhuis is a (leading) logistics service provider in stocking, storage, diffusion and transportation of books. More than five hundred publishers and over 1500 booksellers use the service facilities for distribution, transportation, teaching and administration. For publishers is Centraal Boekhuis the unveiling into the Dutch and Flemish (book) markets. For booksellers in the Netherlands and Flanders, Centraal Boekhuis is the provider of the assortment of Dutch-language books, general as well as educational or scientific books, and a selected regorge of foreign-language books (staff di rectory guide Centraal Boekhuis, 2007). as well taking care of stocking, storage, distribution and transportation of books, Centraal Boekhuis in addition broadens administrative or financial function. For publishers the company organizes complete stock and gross sales recording, invoicing and debt collection. Booksellers as well benefit from a broad range of selective information technology services. The bulk of Centraal Boekhuis services are integrated in a single automated system (CB Online), so customers lay down access to the operational and management information they need, foc employ on their companys business do byes.Upon request, Centraal Boekhuis will in any case manage the storage, distribution and transport of office supplies, stationary and greeting cards. all(prenominal) logistic activities and playes are linked with the transport centres pitch shot network. The centres range of services includes processing superfluous offers and returned true(p)s, (tempo rary) storage, rewrite picking and carrying out modified bill campaigns with harbor-added logistics.The Transport marrow squash of Centraal Boekhuis organizes transport from and to countries outside the Benelux. In England is a integrating point bounded, where shipments from 1600 position publishers mean for Dutch bookshops are collected and forwarded to the Netherlands. This enables Centraal Boekhuis to offer customers attractive services. Shipments from Germany and the States are transported along similar lines.HistoryFor over 135 old age Centraal Boekhuis have been the logistic partner in the Dutch book trade. In 1871 the Vereeniging ter Bev aligning van de Belangen des Boekhandels (VBBB) in Amsterdam lay the foundations for het take upelhuis van de Nederlandsche Boekhandel, presently called Centraal Boekhuis. Publishers send their boxes with books to that warehouse of books, where the boxes were distributed across the Netherlands. many another(prenominal) years later, in 1926, the VBBB decided to found Centraal Boekhuis in Amsterdam. Well-established publishers were obliged to store their books in the cardinal depot of Centraal Boekhuis in Amsterdam. From now on the book stores and publishers could order their books with Centraal Boekhuis from one central point in the Netherlands.In 1973, because need of space, Centraal Boekhuis grounded their company in Culemborg, where the company today is still grounded. In that equal year is Het Bestelhuis and Centraal Boekhuis merged into one company Centraal Boekhuis B.V (Intranet Centraal Boekhuis, 2008).OrganizationThe unremarkable management of Centraal Boekhuis is enjoin by the Senior Management Team (SMT). The lead direction of the 5 Senior Managers is directed by a mind Executive Officer, videlicet Hans Willem Cortenraad. They have weekly meetings to discuss the company policy and how this policy is best directed to the line animal trainers. Centraal Boekhuis in numbers (2009)Full time emplo yees 579Publishers 500Booksellers 1500 operational Dutch titles 80,000 add up of copies delivered per year 60,000,000Number of delivery addresses per day 2500Number of packages transported per year 4,500,000Number of pallets transported per year 300,0002. PROBLEM arguing RESEARCH motility concord to realize Management Institute and Morris (2006) oorganizations practically want efficiency, good financial results and success and they want it fast. It is for that matter that organizations mostly focus on piteous-term results, such as immediate doable financial goals. However, Centraal Boekhuis for example expects to a fault from its employees to achieve results that corresponds to the general long term objectives of the business strategy. This contradiction in terms pointed me in the direction to ask myself if it is possible to drop dead more efficiently if the portfolio of projects is continuously linked to the business strategy of Centraal Boekhuis. My guesswork subsequent ly is that the overall business strategy will be the stimulation for the project portfolio cooking and in turn, project success touch ons the goals and objectives of the business strategy.Nevertheless, the resolve isnt that easy. For instance, organizations are nowadays more often integrating ideas of sustainability in business strategies. It is for that matter required that there will be projects related to sustainable strategy, that is to say environmental or social projects. However, will projects on behalf of other strategic objectives also be sustainable? Thats why I attain that when project management is constructed and selected in accordance with the business strategy, and more specifically linked with sustainable business strategy, projects will positively contribute to the realization of strategies as well as it subsequently will contributes to sustainability. 2The main head word and surmisal will be clarified for a reasonable reading material of the look into lo cution and approach.In this look the relation amidst project management and the engage of the realization of business strategies will be looked at. Foresaid leads to the spare-time activity enquiry questionwhat is the impact of the business strategy on the pick and execution of project management within organizations, and will this possible influence in signification lead to sustainable project management?The hypothesis iswhen project management is constructed and selected in accordance with the business strategy, and more specifically linked with sustainable business strategy, projects will positively contribute to the realization of the business strategies as well as it will positively contributes to sustainabilitythe result subsequently is that the overall business strategy will be the gossip for the project portfolio mean and in turn, project success impacts the goals and objectives of the sustainable business strategy.Why is it so important to link the project managemen t of an organization to its business strategies, in order to make projects sustainable? As tell by Johnson et al (2009) it is ultimately the fulfilling of the business strategy to aim on the fulfilling of the expectations of the stakeholders. If an organization have state sustainability within their business strategies, stakeholders are twisty in observe if the strategy is achieved the objectives and if there is corrective action undeniable. This is called strategic control and it will keep an organization in track with its achievements on behalf of its strategy (and also sustainable strategy). gibe to foresaid it is plausible that it is important to state sustainability in the business strategy, for making sure that projects will meet the objectives and goals of sustainable strategy.3. GOALS OBJECTIVESI will try to find out if a business strategy, specifically a sustainable business strategy, can positive influence the way on how projects will be selected and executed, as I expect it to be. I will scrutiny the hypothesis that the overall business strategy will be the input for the project portfolio intend and in turn, project success impacts the goals and objectives of the sustainable business strategy, to see if it is possible to make project management sustainable. If so, this offers an interesting new insight in sustainable project management, which could be the stand for more explore.First it is important to need writings to get beaten(prenominal) with the several subjects of this thesis. The several subjects that will be expound are project management, business strategy and of course overall sustainability. nigh I will try to describe the multifarious telling contexts between the several subjects set forth in the lit, in order to make my hypotheses plausible. The most important objective of the writings review is to create an elementary elementary assumption for hike up research. furthermore the research methodologies that I will use are a case assume research and a blade survey. For the execution of the case prove research are various data (re)sources utilize, namely in-depth interviews and the national of business documentation and reports. The case study research methodology will be employ to get insights in how Centraal Boekhuis arranges its business strategy, e peculiar(prenominal)ly how it is set up towards its project management. Then it is important to look at how the sustainable policy of Centraal Boekhuis affects the daily operations as well as the sustainable policy affect its project management.For comparison and further research I will send a web survey to roughly 100 companies with sustainability stated in their business strategy. Hopefully this will give me insights in how other companies arrange their project management related to its business strategy and perhaps they have certain methodologies to make project management sustainable, so I have some interesting data to work with.My r esearch will focus on project management, business strategies, sustainability and sustainable project management in an attempt to find relative contexts to integrate business strategy and projects in order to facilitate study of sustainable project management. boilers suit I hope that the executed research will create a certain frame work for linking project management to the overall business strategy of an organization, in order to make project management sustainable.4. literary works REVIEWAs mentioned earlier my research will focus on project management, business strategies, sustainability and sustainable project management. thereof the theoretical d sustainplay of my research will also be centre on foresaid topics.4.1 phone line StrategyThe traditional lit close business strategy is often about the general definitions of business strategy, where organizations focus on where they want to be on the long term (mission and reverie) and how this is achieved (goals and object ives) (Alblas Wijsman, 2001) in order to gain competitive favors. The current literature about strategy describes more that strategy is about the brilliance of achieving advantage in a changing environment throughout configuration of resources and competences with the aim of fulfilling stakeholders expectations (Johnson et al., 2009). Aforementioned shows that the current literature on business strategies discusses the importance of the characteristic aspects change and configuration (Kloosterboer, 2005). The relative context between business strategy and changes is an important aspect that mustiness be taken into account before I continue my research.According to Bryan Atkin and Adrian Brooks (2009), Change Management is the key towards innovation of organizations. In order to make progress and achieve greater efficiency and better value for money and to be more effective or competitive, organizations have to do things differently and have to make changes. Harvey Maylor (2003 ) characterizes project management as prerequisite aspect for managing and reducing the inherent risks associated with change and innovation. Therefore changing organizations need projects for making change.4.2 Project ManagementThe Prince2 Foundation (2005) recognizes that organizations are continuously striving after agility and success by for example introducing new products and services or by improving business processes or activities. Many projects are the result of organizations that wants to manage such changes on an effectively and efficiently way. Furthermore Prince2 (2005) defines a project as a temporary organisation that is needed to produce a unparalleled and predefined outcome or result at a pre-specified time using predetermined recourses. In practice projects sum recourses, skills, technology and ideas together to achieve business objectives and deliver business benefits.According to the International Project Management Association (2006), master copy project ma nagement is broken down into the following three competences (see also figure one) technical competences for project management behavioral competences of project personnel and the contextual competences of projects programmes and portfolio. The technical competence covers the techniques of project management, for example the practice of Prince2. The behavioral competence represents the professional behavior of the project personal, like project management skills. The contextual competence is the linkage between the project and organizations involved. The vision on project management by IPMA in the International Competence Baceline presented in October 2006 will be critically looked at for my research. This project management approach will also be analyze and discussed during the master program of the Master of Facilities Management and factual Estate. The eye of competence figures the integration of the elements of project management as seen bowlful the eyes of the project manag er.So the essence of project management is to keep up the execution of an organizations strategy to deliver a analyseed necessary outcome (Clifford and Gray, 2002). The research of recent literature shows us that project management is nowadays know as one of the capital business processes (Atkin Brooks, 2009). It is for that matter that organisational changes and the application of project management for realising those changes must be linked to the overall business strategy of an organization, in order to accomplish the business goals and objectives. Simply said project management can move an organization from where it is now, to where it needs to be in the future to meets its business strategy and -objectives. For this thesis I will chiefly focus on the SWOT analysis, because this management and strategy tool is used by Centraal Boekhuis for delimitate its strategy.The SWOT analysis can be used as a strategy formulation tool. It helps organizations to identify its Strengts, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT). The Strengths and Weaknesses represent the inherent factors that create value or can destroy value. Opportunities and Threats are the extraneous factors that can influence the organization value (Ahaus, 2005).4.3 Business Strategies vs. Project ManagementAccording to Sabin Srivannaboon (2006), old research on project management and its relation with business strategy mostly links the project management with business strategy through critical project selection, viewing it as part of the bond process (For example Bard, Balachandra Kaufmann (1988) Cooper, Edgett Kleinschmidt (1998) Englund Graham (1999) and so forth. Also often displayed in previous research is project portfolio management. This is another concept suggested in the literature to find out the strategic alignment of project management and business strategy and it is defined as a dynamic decision-making process, which an organization can update and revise its refer of active projects (see for literature Turner Simister (2000) Cooper, Edgett Kleinschmidt (1998) etc.). Current literature shows us more about the research that has been done on the alignment of project management with business strategies of organizations, for example research of Sabin Srivannaboon (2006), Tony Grundy (2001) Peter Morris Ashley Jamison (2004) etc.4.4 Sustainability sustainable project managementOn Wednesday the 4th of November, member of the admit of Representatives Esm Wiegman dialogue about faith in Sustainability and vice versa, entertain note in church That sustainability has even penetrated the Christian church sais a lot. We are all confronted with it and action is expected of us.Sustainability is a hot item, that is no surprise. Looking at the quotes mentioned below you can conclude that there is no process in an organization that is not interfered with sustainability items. Managers are more and more beginning to consider the environment as an additiona l parameter on which they base their decisions. ( northeastward, 1997) That is what Klaus North wrote is his environmental business management introduction in 1997. And Carin Labuschagne wrote almost a decade later Various driving forces originating from society, judicature employees and business partners are forcing companies to both incorporate sustainable development in their business practices as well as to align all inhering operations and practices with the principles thereof. (Labuschagne, 2005).Sustainability, what does that real mean? Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland formulated it as followed The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.As Labuschagne already said, there is no process in an organization that is not interfered with aspects of sustainability. Project management is just one of these processes that cannot be ignored. That is also made clear in the APM sustaina ble outlooks, where is mentioned that they are considering a database with project and programme managers who have specialist knowledge, follow through and expertise in sustainability issues generally or by specific sectors, locations or tokens of project. They also asseverate for the soprano bottom line approach in any project. The triple bottom line approach includes environmental, social and efficient sustainability (APM, sustainable outlooks).As organizations become more and more focused on environmental responsibilities, project managers cannot stay behind. (Zoyd Reed Luce) Where sustainability is grounded in almost every strategy of every large organization, this automatically is reflected in the projects of an organization. Project manager are coerce to focus on sustainability these days, it becomes part of the project.4.5 Theoretical fashion model for aligning projects with strategyThere are several phrases expanding on the idea that there should be a certain focus on the corporate strategy when managing projects, for example the articles of Tony Grundy (2001) or Morris and Jamison (2004). Milosevic and Srivannaboon (2006) support this vision in their article and wrote an article which describes a theoretical modelling for aligning project management with strategy. Milosevic and Srivannaboon have essential an empirically based theoretical example that explains the impact of business strategy on project management and vice versa and discusses how mechanisms can be used to strengthen that alignment.As discussed earlier, strategy is about the importance of achieving advantage in a changing environment throughout configuration of resources and competences with the aim of fulfilling stakeholders expectations and defend it against competitive forces (Johnson et al., 2009). Milosevic and Srivannaboon have based their theoretical framework on the vision of door guard (1980) about Generic Business Strategies.Michael usher states that to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, an organization must chose a certain type of strategy. Porters generic strategies distinguishes three types of strategies, namely be leadership, speciality, and address focus (see figure 3). Competitive advantage can only be achieved by choosing one of these strategies. If an organization chooses to pursue more than one generic strategy, it will perform world badly without competitive advantage and Porter refers to that as being stuck in the middle.Milosevic and Srivannaboon use terms leadership, differentiation, and best cost as the primary focus of their analysis. They also use Shenhars strategic project leadership framework which consist of project elements like project strategy, project organization, project process and tools metrics and culture.Differentiation is about organizations pursuing a differentiation strategy by offering products and services that are unique from competition in order to satisfy the desires of their customers. This differentiation allows the organization to charge a subsidy price (Porter, 1980).Cost Leadership is about organizations pursuing a cost leadership strategy to gain competitive advantage and accession market share by operate with lower be than competition, for example smutty cost controls e.g. efficient facilities (Porter, 1980).Best cost (also called focus niche) is about organizations creating a sustainable competitive advantage through combining cost leadership and differentiation. This can be realized by offering a unique product or service to a special market atom and seek to offer low cost products within a special market segment (fast time-to-market, superior product quality, etc.).According to Milosevic and Srivannaboon the competitive aspects of the business strategy drive the focus of the project management elements. They see a pattern in project management elements for the differentiation of business strategy. Their research indicates that organizations can ali gn projects with business strategies into three trains, namely the strategic take, the tactical aim, and the corrective emergent strategic feedback.The first level of this framework (typified as mediating process at the strategic level) is the first standard of the alignment process. At level 1 organization should use their intended strategy and select projects into their portfolio to determine the right projects that would contribute to the organizations strategy.The second level (typified as mediating process at the project level) involves the further imagening of project details to ensure that alignment with the project life- beat phases (Shenhars project classification) is realized. Proper alignment of projects with strategy during the project life cycle can be assort as the planning process and the monitoring process. Managers should develop a project management plan that has a certain focus on the business strategy.The third level (mediating process at the emergent strat egic feedback level) is a process which uses stages, or also called stage gates or milestone, for evaluating or reviewing the project location on time, cost, and performance. These project stages are points in the project life cycle where projects transition from one stage to another. These stages provide project teams the opportunity to adjust the project to its business strategy.5. RESEARCH DESIGN5.1 inquiry methodsBased on the literature of Baarde and Goede (2001), the research on behalf of this thesis is categorized in a forward research study, a literature review, a case study research and a web survey. For the execution of the case study research are various data (re)sources used, namely in-depth interviews and the study of business documentation and reports of Centraal Boekhuis.The preliminary research study has given multifarious insights in for example the company of the case study, but also insights about project management and the business strategy of the concerning o rganization. In the preliminary research study is a critically literature review completed and several managers of the human resource division have been interviewed for creating a basis for this research. The products of the preliminary research study are a defined approach of the case study research, a description of the company and a defined approach of the web-survey.The case study research can be categorized in descriptive- and exploratory research study methods (Sanders et al, 2009). The descriptive study of this case study is defined by the research of qualitative data, for example the study of business documentation and reports that are in stock within the company about project management, its business strategy and sustainability. The exploratory part of the research describes the research methods in depth interviews and a web survey.In order to test how organizations work with project management related to its (sustainable) business strategy, two step will be carried out. F irst, on Tuesday March 6, I will send a web survey to approximately 15 companies with sustainability stated in their business strategy. This short questionnaire will offer me data on the way the concerning companies arranges their project management related to the business strategies, to test on how the companies makes their projects sustainable. In order to increase the number of responses and to raise the chances of the answering the questions themselves, I will keep the survey very short, and stress this in the attached e-mail.Second, I will arrange in-depth interviews with about ten representatives of project management employees of the project department of Centraal Boekhuis. In these interviews, I will attemptProject Management and Business StrategiesProject Management and Business StrategiesABSTRACTWhich way to go? This is a question that organizations will ask themselves in a certain time, because organizations are faced with challenges of strategic direction. Some organizat ions are instigated by challenging opportunities, other organizations want to overcome significant threats. The business strategy can move an organization from where it is now, to where it needs to be in the future.Johnson et al (2009) states that the strategy of an organization is often likely to be complex, uncertain and mostly it affects operational decisions and requires an integrated approach. But the most typically and crucial components of strategy are change and innovation. Project management is essential for managing and reducing the inherent risk associated with change and innovation. Thats why many projects are the result of strategic decisions of organizations, because projects manage changes on an effectively and efficiently way. Changing organizations need projects for making change and for obtaining its business strategy and -objectives.Nowadays sustainability is a very hot (strategic) item for organizations. Organizations are integrating ideas of sustainability in th eir marketing, corporate communications, business strategy and in their actions. Centraal Boekhuis, a (leading) logistics service provider in stocking, storage, distribution and transportation of books, has also formulated a covering policy on sustainability for the strategy period 2009-2011 (Board of directors Centraal Boekhuis (2009)). Sustainability for Centraal Boekhuis means commitment to corporate environmental performances as well as sustainable performances on social and economic aspects. Several projects on behalf of sustainability will be conducted as well as projects will be conducted on behalf of other strategic targets. But is it possible to make project management sustainable, in order to make other projects contribute to the policy on sustainability too?In this research the relation between project management and the pursuing of the realization of business strategies will be looked at. Then the main research question will be answered how will the business strategy inf luence the selection and execution of project management within organizations, and how will this in consequence lead to sustainable project management? The hypothesis is that when project management is constructed and selected in accordance with the business strategy, and more specifically linked with sustainable business strategy, projects will contribute to the realization of the business strategies as well as it subsequently will contributes to sustainability. The actual research will be executed through a web survey among several organizations as well as a case study of Centraal Boekhuis, which contains in-depth interviews with about 10 representatives project employees from Centraal Boekhuis. The research will also contain the study of qualitative data, for example the study of documentation and reports that are in stock within the company about strategy, project management and sustainability.1. INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND1.1 IntroductionTo understand project management within org anizations it is important to understand projects. The Prince2 Foundation (2005) defines a project as a temporary organisation that is needed to produce a unique and predefined outcome or result at a pre-specified time using predetermined recourses. In practice projects bring recourses, skills, technology and ideas together to achieve business objectives and deliver business benefits. But why is there a need for projects within organizations?Organizations are continuously striving after agility and success by for example introducing new products and services or by improving business processes or activities. Many projects are the result of organizations that wants to manage such changes on an effectively and efficiently way. According to Bryan Atkin and Adrian Brooks (2009), Change Management is the key towards innovation of organizations. In order to make progress and achieve greater efficiency and better value for money and to be more effective or competitive, organizations have to do things differently and have to make changes. Maylor (2005) stresses that Project management is essential for managing and reducing the inherent risks associated with change and innovation. Changing organizations need projects for making change.Recently Johnson et al. (2009) gives an interesting definition on business strategy. The definition describes that strategy contains the direction and scope of an organization over the long term, for achieving advantage in a changing environment throughout configuration of resources and competences with the aim of fulfilling stakeholders expectations.Aforementioned definition displays that the fundamental principle of making changes of organizations can be the result of aiming towards targets that contributes to the fulfilment of the business strategy. In practice this means that organisational changes and the application of project management for realising those changes can thus be the result of the long term direction and scope of an org anization. Simply said project management can move an organization from where it is now, to where it needs to be in the future to meets its business strategy and -objectives.As mentioned above the management of projects within organization is among other things related to its business strategy, but how will the business strategy influences the selection and the execution of project management within organizations and how can project management thus contributes to the realization of the business strategy?For example, The board of directors of Centraal Boekhuis (2009) has formulated a covering policy on sustainability for the strategy period 2009-2011. Several projects on behalf of sustainability will be conducted as well as projects will be conducted on behalf of other strategic targets. But is it possible to realize more strategic focus, by linking all projects to the business strategy of an organization? This leads to the main research question of the thesis how will the business s trategy influence the selection and execution of project management within organizations, and how will this in consequence lead to sustainable project management? Another interesting question will be if project management is constructed and selected in accordance with the business strategy, and more specifically linked with sustainable business strategy, will projects contribute to the realization of the business strategies as well as it subsequently will contributes to sustainability?1.2 The organization Centraal BoekhuisCentraal Boekhuis is a (leading) logistics service provider in stocking, storage, distribution and transportation of books. More than 500 publishers and over 1500 booksellers use the service facilities for distribution, transportation, information and administration. For publishers is Centraal Boekhuis the entry into the Dutch and Flemish (book) markets. For booksellers in the Netherlands and Flanders, Centraal Boekhuis is the provider of the assortment of Dutch-la nguage books, general as well as educational or scientific books, and a selected range of foreign-language books (staff directory guide Centraal Boekhuis, 2007).Besides taking care of stocking, storage, distribution and transportation of books, Centraal Boekhuis also offers administrative or financial services. For publishers the company organizes complete stock and sales recording, invoicing and debt collection. Booksellers as well benefit from a broad range of information technology services. The majority of Centraal Boekhuis services are integrated in a single automated system (CB Online), so customers have access to the operational and management information they need, focused on their companys business processes.Upon request, Centraal Boekhuis will also arrange the storage, distribution and transport of office supplies, stationary and greeting cards. All logistic activities and processes are linked with the transport centres delivery network. The centres range of services inclu des processing special offers and returned goods, (temporary) storage, order picking and carrying out special mailing campaigns with value-added logistics.The Transport Centre of Centraal Boekhuis organizes transport from and to countries outside the Benelux. In England is a consolidation point bounded, where shipments from 1600 English publishers intended for Dutch bookshops are collected and forwarded to the Netherlands. This enables Centraal Boekhuis to offer customers attractive services. Shipments from Germany and America are transported along similar lines.HistoryFor over 135 years Centraal Boekhuis have been the logistic partner in the Dutch book trade. In 1871 the Vereeniging ter Bevordering van de Belangen des Boekhandels (VBBB) in Amsterdam lay the foundations for Het bestelhuis van de Nederlandsche Boekhandel, presently called Centraal Boekhuis. Publishers send their boxes with books to that warehouse of books, where the boxes were distributed across the Netherlands.Many years later, in 1926, the VBBB decided to found Centraal Boekhuis in Amsterdam. Well-established publishers were obliged to store their books in the central depot of Centraal Boekhuis in Amsterdam. From now on the book stores and publishers could order their books with Centraal Boekhuis from one central point in the Netherlands.In 1973, because lack of space, Centraal Boekhuis grounded their company in Culemborg, where the company nowadays is still grounded. In that same year is Het Bestelhuis and Centraal Boekhuis merged into one company Centraal Boekhuis B.V (Intranet Centraal Boekhuis, 2008).OrganizationThe daily management of Centraal Boekhuis is directed by the Senior Management Team (SMT). The lead direction of the 5 Senior Managers is directed by a Chief Executive Officer, namely Hans Willem Cortenraad. They have weekly meetings to discuss the company policy and how this policy is best directed to the line managers. Centraal Boekhuis in figures (2009)Full time employees 579Pu blishers 500Booksellers 1500Available Dutch titles 80,000Number of copies delivered per year 60,000,000Number of delivery addresses per day 2500Number of packages transported per year 4,500,000Number of pallets transported per year 300,0002. PROBLEM STATEMENT RESEARCH QUESTIONAccording to Project Management Institute and Morris (2006) oorganizations often want efficiency, good financial results and success and they want it fast. It is for that matter that organizations generally focus on short-term results, such as immediate realizable financial goals. However, Centraal Boekhuis for example expects also from its employees to achieve results that corresponds to the overall long term objectives of the business strategy. This contradiction pointed me in the direction to ask myself if it is possible to operate more efficiently if the portfolio of projects is continuously linked to the business strategy of Centraal Boekhuis. My hypothesis subsequently is that the overall business strate gy will be the input for the project portfolio planning and in turn, project success impacts the goals and objectives of the business strategy.Nevertheless, the solution isnt that easy. For instance, organizations are nowadays more often integrating ideas of sustainability in business strategies. It is for that matter unavoidable that there will be projects related to sustainable strategy, namely environmental or social projects. However, will projects on behalf of other strategic objectives also be sustainable? Thats why I assume that when project management is constructed and selected in accordance with the business strategy, and more specifically linked with sustainable business strategy, projects will positively contribute to the realization of strategies as well as it subsequently will contributes to sustainability. 2The main question and hypothesis will be clarified for a reasonable interpretation of the research construction and approach.In this research the relation between project management and the pursuing of the realization of business strategies will be looked at. Foresaid leads to the following research questionwhat is the impact of the business strategy on the selection and execution of project management within organizations, and will this possible influence in consequence lead to sustainable project management?The hypothesis iswhen project management is constructed and selected in accordance with the business strategy, and more specifically linked with sustainable business strategy, projects will positively contribute to the realization of the business strategies as well as it will positively contributes to sustainabilitythe result subsequently is that the overall business strategy will be the input for the project portfolio planning and in turn, project success impacts the goals and objectives of the sustainable business strategy.Why is it so important to link the project management of an organization to its business strategies, in order to m ake projects sustainable? As stated by Johnson et al (2009) it is ultimately the fulfilling of the business strategy to aim on the fulfilling of the expectations of the stakeholders. If an organization have stated sustainability within their business strategies, stakeholders are involved in monitoring if the strategy is achieved the objectives and if there is corrective action needed. This is called strategic control and it will keep an organization in track with its achievements on behalf of its strategy (and also sustainable strategy). According to foresaid it is plausible that it is important to state sustainability in the business strategy, for making sure that projects will meet the objectives and goals of sustainable strategy.3. GOALS OBJECTIVESI will try to find out if a business strategy, specifically a sustainable business strategy, can positive influence the way on how projects will be selected and executed, as I expect it to be. I will test the hypothesis that the overal l business strategy will be the input for the project portfolio planning and in turn, project success impacts the goals and objectives of the sustainable business strategy, to see if it is possible to make project management sustainable. If so, this offers an interesting new insight in sustainable project management, which could be the basis for more research.First it is important to study literature to get familiar with the several subjects of this thesis. The several subjects that will be described are project management, business strategy and of course overall sustainability. Next I will try to describe the multifarious relative contexts between the several subjects described in the literature, in order to make my hypotheses plausible. The most important objective of the literature review is to create an elementary basic assumption for further research.Furthermore the research methodologies that I will use are a case study research and a web survey. For the execution of the case study research are various data (re)sources used, namely in-depth interviews and the study of business documentation and reports. The case study research methodology will be used to get insights in how Centraal Boekhuis arranges its business strategy, especially how it is arranged towards its project management. Then it is important to look at how the sustainable policy of Centraal Boekhuis affects the daily operations as well as the sustainable policy affect its project management.For comparison and further research I will send a web survey to approximately 100 companies with sustainability stated in their business strategy. Hopefully this will give me insights in how other companies arrange their project management related to its business strategy and maybe they have certain methodologies to make project management sustainable, so I have some interesting data to work with.My research will focus on project management, business strategies, sustainability and sustainable project mana gement in an attempt to find relative contexts to integrate business strategy and projects in order to facilitate development of sustainable project management. Overall I hope that the executed research will create a certain frame work for linking project management to the overall business strategy of an organization, in order to make project management sustainable.4. LITERATURE REVIEWAs mentioned earlier my research will focus on project management, business strategies, sustainability and sustainable project management. Therefore the theoretical background of my research will also be focused on foresaid topics.4.1 Business StrategyThe traditional literature about business strategy is often about the general definitions of business strategy, where organizations focus on where they want to be on the long term (mission and vision) and how this is achieved (goals and objectives) (Alblas Wijsman, 2001) in order to gain competitive advantages. The current literature about strategy descr ibes more that strategy is about the importance of achieving advantage in a changing environment throughout configuration of resources and competences with the aim of fulfilling stakeholders expectations (Johnson et al., 2009). Aforementioned shows that the current literature on business strategies discusses the importance of the characteristic aspects change and configuration (Kloosterboer, 2005). The relative context between business strategy and changes is an important aspect that must be taken into account before I continue my research.According to Bryan Atkin and Adrian Brooks (2009), Change Management is the key towards innovation of organizations. In order to make progress and achieve greater efficiency and better value for money and to be more effective or competitive, organizations have to do things differently and have to make changes. Harvey Maylor (2003) characterizes project management as essential aspect for managing and reducing the inherent risks associated with chan ge and innovation. Therefore changing organizations need projects for making change.4.2 Project ManagementThe Prince2 Foundation (2005) recognizes that organizations are continuously striving after agility and success by for example introducing new products and services or by improving business processes or activities. Many projects are the result of organizations that wants to manage such changes on an effectively and efficiently way. Furthermore Prince2 (2005) defines a project as a temporary organisation that is needed to produce a unique and predefined outcome or result at a pre-specified time using predetermined recourses. In practice projects bring recourses, skills, technology and ideas together to achieve business objectives and deliver business benefits.According to the International Project Management Association (2006), professional project management is broken down into the following three competences (see also figure one) Technical competences for project management beh avioral competences of project personnel and the contextual competences of projects programmes and portfolio. The technical competence covers the techniques of project management, for example the practice of Prince2. The behavioral competence represents the professional behavior of the project personal, like project management skills. The contextual competence is the linkage between the project and organizations involved. The vision on project management by IPMA in the International Competence Baceline presented in October 2006 will be critically looked at for my research. This project management approach will also be studied and discussed during the master program of the Master of Facilities Management and Real Estate. The eye of competence figures the integration of the elements of project management as seen trough the eyes of the project manager.So the essence of project management is to support the execution of an organizations strategy to deliver a considered necessary outcome (Clifford and Gray, 2002). The research of recent literature shows us that project management is nowadays recognized as one of the primary business processes (Atkin Brooks, 2009). It is for that matter that organisational changes and the application of project management for realising those changes must be linked to the overall business strategy of an organization, in order to accomplish the business goals and objectives. Simply said project management can move an organization from where it is now, to where it needs to be in the future to meets its business strategy and -objectives. For this thesis I will mainly focus on the SWOT analysis, because this management and strategy tool is used by Centraal Boekhuis for defining its strategy.The SWOT analysis can be used as a strategy formulation tool. It helps organizations to identify its Strengts, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT). The Strengths and Weaknesses represent the internal factors that create value or can destroy v alue. Opportunities and Threats are the external factors that can influence the organization value (Ahaus, 2005).4.3 Business Strategies vs. Project ManagementAccording to Sabin Srivannaboon (2006), previous research on project management and its relation with business strategy mostly links the project management with business strategy through critical project selection, viewing it as part of the alignment process (For example Bard, Balachandra Kaufmann (1988) Cooper, Edgett Kleinschmidt (1998) Englund Graham (1999) etc). Also often displayed in previous research is project portfolio management. This is another concept suggested in the literature to ensure the strategic alignment of project management and business strategy and it is defined as a dynamic decision-making process, which an organization can update and revise its list of active projects (see for literature Turner Simister (2000) Cooper, Edgett Kleinschmidt (1998) etc.). Current literature shows us more about the res earch that has been done on the alignment of project management with business strategies of organizations, for example research of Sabin Srivannaboon (2006), Tony Grundy (2001) Peter Morris Ashley Jamison (2004) etc.4.4 Sustainability sustainable project managementOn Wednesday the 4th of November, member of the House of Representatives Esm Wiegman talks about faith in Sustainability and vice versa, please note in church That sustainability has even penetrated the Christian church sais a lot. We are all confronted with it and action is expected of us.Sustainability is a hot item, that is no surprise. Looking at the quotes mentioned below you can conclude that there is no process in an organization that is not interfered with sustainability items. Managers are more and more beginning to consider the environment as an additional parameter on which they base their decisions. (North, 1997) That is what Klaus North wrote is his environmental business management introduction in 1997. And Carin Labuschagne wrote almost a decade later Various driving forces originating from society, government employees and business partners are forcing companies to both incorporate sustainable development in their business practices as well as to align all internal operations and practices with the principles thereof. (Labuschagne, 2005).Sustainability, what does that really mean? Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland formulated it as followed The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.As Labuschagne already said, there is no process in an organization that is not interfered with aspects of sustainability. Project management is just one of these processes that cannot be ignored. That is also made clear in the APM sustainable outlooks, where is mentioned that they are considering a database with project and programme managers who have specialist knowledge, experience and expertise in sust ainability issues generally or by specific sectors, locations or types of project. They also plead for the triple bottom line approach in every project. The triple bottom line approach includes environmental, social and economical sustainability (APM, sustainable outlooks).As organizations become more and more focused on environmental responsibilities, project managers cannot stay behind. (Zoyd Reed Luce) Where sustainability is grounded in almost every strategy of every large organization, this automatically is reflected in the projects of an organization. Project manager are forced to focus on sustainability these days, it becomes part of the project.4.5 Theoretical Framework for aligning projects with strategyThere are several articles expanding on the idea that there should be a certain focus on the corporate strategy when managing projects, for example the articles of Tony Grundy (2001) or Morris and Jamison (2004). Milosevic and Srivannaboon (2006) support this vision in their article and wrote an article which describes a theoretical framework for aligning project management with strategy. Milosevic and Srivannaboon have developed an empirically based theoretical framework that explains the impact of business strategy on project management and vice versa and discusses how mechanisms can be used to strengthen that alignment.As discussed earlier, strategy is about the importance of achieving advantage in a changing environment throughout configuration of resources and competences with the aim of fulfilling stakeholders expectations and defending it against competitive forces (Johnson et al., 2009). Milosevic and Srivannaboon have based their theoretical framework on the vision of Porter (1980) about Generic Business Strategies.Michael Porter states that to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage, an organization must chose a certain type of strategy. Porters generic strategies distinguishes three types of strategies, namely cost leadership, differen tiation, and cost focus (see figure 3). Competitive advantage can only be achieved by choosing one of these strategies. If an organization chooses to pursue more than one generic strategy, it will perform being badly without competitive advantage and Porter refers to that as being stuck in the middle.Milosevic and Srivannaboon use cost leadership, differentiation, and best cost as the primary focus of their analysis. They also use Shenhars strategic project leadership framework which consist of project elements like project strategy, project organization, project process and tools metrics and culture.Differentiation is about organizations pursuing a differentiation strategy by offering products and services that are unique from competition in order to satisfy the desires of their customers. This differentiation allows the organization to charge a premium price (Porter, 1980).Cost Leadership is about organizations pursuing a cost leadership strategy to gain competitive advantage an d increase market share by operate with lower costs than competition, for example tight cost controls e.g. efficient facilities (Porter, 1980).Best cost (also called focus niche) is about organizations creating a sustainable competitive advantage through combining cost leadership and differentiation. This can be realized by offering a unique product or service to a special market segment and seek to offer low cost products within a special market segment (fast time-to-market, superior product quality, etc.).According to Milosevic and Srivannaboon the competitive aspects of the business strategy drive the focus of the project management elements. They see a pattern in project management elements for the differentiation of business strategy. Their research indicates that organizations can align projects with business strategies into three levels, namely the strategic level, the tactical level, and the corrective emergent strategic feedback.The first level of this framework (typified a s mediating process at the strategic level) is the first step of the alignment process. At level 1 organization should use their intended strategy and select projects into their portfolio to determine the right projects that would contribute to the organizations strategy.The second level (typified as mediating process at the project level) involves the further planning of project details to ensure that alignment with the project life-cycle phases (Shenhars project classification) is realized. Proper alignment of projects with strategy during the project life cycle can be classified as the planning process and the monitoring process. Managers should develop a project management plan that has a certain focus on the business strategy.The third level (mediating process at the emergent strategic feedback level) is a process which uses stages, or also called stage gates or milestone, for evaluating or reviewing the project status on time, cost, and performance. These project stages are po ints in the project life cycle where projects transition from one stage to another. These stages provide project teams the opportunity to realign the project to its business strategy.5. RESEARCH DESIGN5.1 Research methodsBased on the literature of Baarde and Goede (2001), the research on behalf of this thesis is categorized in a preliminary research study, a literature review, a case study research and a web survey. For the execution of the case study research are various data (re)sources used, namely in-depth interviews and the study of business documentation and reports of Centraal Boekhuis.The preliminary research study has given multifarious insights in for example the company of the case study, but also insights about project management and the business strategy of the concerning organization. In the preliminary research study is a critically literature review completed and several managers of the human resource division have been interviewed for creating a basis for this resea rch. The products of the preliminary research study are a defined approach of the case study research, a description of the company and a defined approach of the web-survey.The case study research can be categorized in descriptive- and exploratory research study methods (Sanders et al, 2009). The descriptive study of this case study is defined by the research of qualitative data, for example the study of business documentation and reports that are in stock within the company about project management, its business strategy and sustainability. The exploratory part of the research describes the research methods in depth interviews and a web survey.In order to test how organizations work with project management related to its (sustainable) business strategy, two steps will be carried out. First, on Tuesday March 6, I will send a web survey to approximately 15 companies with sustainability stated in their business strategy. This short questionnaire will offer me data on the way the conce rning companies arranges their project management related to the business strategies, to test on how the companies makes their projects sustainable. In order to increase the number of responses and to raise the chances of the answering the questions themselves, I will keep the survey very short, and stress this in the attached e-mail.Second, I will arrange in-depth interviews with about ten representatives of project management employees of the project department of Centraal Boekhuis. In these interviews, I will attempt

The Origins Of The Welfare State

The Origins Of The eudaemonia areaThe term modern Welfare responsibility comes from the Beveridge delineate of 1941. The words represent that G overnment interprets a nominal level of taxed upbeat support for citizens in need. Beveridge and his five giants showed a greater need for an active role by political science in the welfare of its citizens by dint of and through and through stop housing, education, returnss for the unemployed and an trance-at-able subject Health Service. The foundations of this started mainly with the Liberal Reforms of 1906 1914 but this can heretofore go second to the 1601 piteous practice of justnessfulness.The 1601 hapless(prenominal) legal philosophy had admit over the misfortunate with very little interference from judicature, as it was loc in ally administered by the parish overseers (P. Spicker 2008) but dumb required the Church to assist. In 1834 the myopic law was changed by Earl Grey (S break-danceacus School last-place) workho utilizations were introduced which meant no able bodied person would overhear m unmatchabley or serve up from the poor law authorities (M. Bloy 2002). different changes happened to this law children would get disciplineing and be clothed and fed duration in the workhouse. However, whatsoever race spoke disclose against the workhouses and called them prisons for the poor. Seebohm Rowntree did a theatre of operations in 1901 and found a number of mass living in scantness plane though they were on the job(p), their hires were be starting snip the poverty rip and they were struggling to get going (R. Ensor 1980).This led to the Liberal Reforms of 1906-1914, with the mental institution of free take meals in 1906 and medical inspections in 1907 remunerative for by the State, but the handling was largely unaffordable and relied on the charity of early(a)s. This was the start of new ideas in the affectionate Service State and Liberals do wholesale changes in th eir reforms the elderly real an onetime(a) age pension in 1908 and the sick would be salaried whilst creation inefficient to work through the National indemnification practice of 1911. Unemployed people did non have to wander the countrified feeling for work with the new labour exchanges set up in 1909, which meant employers could elevate jobs in one place, much ilk the Job Centres of today.Even with all the laws to help the poor, it tranquillise required a lot of help from other sectors (pluralism) the Church console played a major role in providing housing, food and clothing charities still had to ask the rich to help. Even the poor had to help by sharing what little they had. Families united and pulled together to survive and this built a community spirit. The State didnt exigency the poor to curse on State help alone.This is the foundation of the modern Welfare State today. The NHS (established in 1948) still relies on outside resources, with charities like St Jo hns Ambulance helping provide front line assistance and organisations such as BUPA taking some of the pressure off the service from those who can pay.Housing for the poor is presently mostly run through charitable associations in most areas and the Welfare State relies on voluntary organisations like Salvation Army and Barnardos to help with occupations in society. This partnership with state, church, private business, voluntary organisations and charities has created a safety net for the poor in which children and adults have protection from poverty, abuse, hunger giving them gage and alimony in times of desperation.Task 2 Explain the content and quantify the purpose of the 1834 Poor justice. (540 words not including titles)The 1601 Poor Law had controlled the actions of the poor making it very difficult for the poor to travel the sylvan begging for food and shelter and helping stop associated anti- loving behaviour. The poor could single get aid from charities and the loc al tax payers from their place of birth.This was costing more every year and the middle and upper classes that were paying through taxes, started to deal they were paying for the lazy and those who would not help themselves to find work and better their lives. Charles Grey (2nd Earl Grey) was prime minister at this time and had been making sweeping reforms passim Government he set up a poor law commission to examine the poor law. The commission felt that to scavenge poverty, the poor had to help themselves. As a result of this the 1834 poor law amendment act was passed.This new act do it so the poor were save able to get word any aid if they entered a poor house. each(prenominal) the parishes of the previous 1601 law now had to group together and set up poor law unions. This gave greater control over the poor and even on the cost to the Government and local tax payers this was called indoor moderateness as opposed to outdoor relief. Outdoor relief tried to get the poor to l ook for work themselves and trace those who were lazy and avoided work less eligible for help, with the hope that the fear of the poor house would be a deterrent and make them find work. These places were unforgiving you would have to work big(a) to have any state or charity help. The masters and matrons were rough and there to be a visible deterrent conditions hit the paper of half starved inmates even eating the rotting flesh from bone at the Andover workhouse (September 1845 The Times). Parliament had to do something and created a select committee in 1846 and with the result of its findings the poor law commission was abolished in 1847.The poor law act of 1834 was intended to be the solution to pauperism and believed the moral causa of the working man would be his own saviour. This was shown not to be the case. The Government had to make modifyments to this law later onward anti-poor law propaganda in its early years, to kindly unrest and riots in Bradford in 1837 wher e troops had to control the Chartism threat (the peoples charter). These revolts do musical mode for changes to mendd conditions for the working populations, such that the threat of the workhouse could be avoided through better sanitisation and clean water to counter sickness. Medical Officers were overly introduced in 1871 to control public health issues. The state would provide schoolhouse for 5-10 year olds from 1870 1880 to educate the poor to better themselves and Hospitals were slowly universe made available for the most needy, to aid those in the population on low wages. The amendment of 1834 did go some way to improving the poors conditions, but it would not be until a number of years later that the Government chose not to control the poor by harsh measures but by working in partnership with them.Task 3 Outline some of the Liberal Reforms and evaluate their contribution to welfare policy (791 words not including titles)In Manchester 1899, out of 12,000 men offering t o fight in the South African war, 8,000 were spurned on grounds such as malnutrition and illness. This led Charles Booth and Seebohm Rowntree to take studies of the state of poverty in Britain between 1901 and 1902. Rowntree found that the number of people in York found to be in primary poverty, was 15.45 percent of the wage earning class. Investigations by AL Rowley and AR Burnet found that working class areas passim England showed much the same (R. Esnor England). This came from low paid jobs in society which made them have a very low standard of living.The Liberals took power in 1906 under Sir Henry Bannerman with a huge majority. They had not promised to bring poor law reforms, but were influenced by Rowntree and Booths cut throughs which showed the laissez faire solution was not working in Britain.In 1906 the Liberals started to reform the poor law starting with the (1906) Education good turn this meant free school meals for the poorest families, making sure a child would receive one rubicund meal a day. This was a great triumph as it encouraged parents to make sure their child went to school and wield them off the streets, but some local councils did not follow it up as it meant they would have to increase local taxes. Some councils did not fate to move forward with new reforms for the poorest in society (National Archives).Liberals took this act except with the introduction of compulsory school medical inspections in 1907 these ensured children would be healthy but the downfall meant if the child require treatment, they would still have to pay. The poorest of families would not have been able to afford this and would have had to go to charities for help. This changed in 1912 with the introduction of School Clinics by this time the Government had introduced the new Childrens Act of 1909 which defend children from persecution / neglect from the family or their environment.The Liberals also helped the old with the introduction of a award Act in 1908 for those aged 70 they would receive 5 shillings a week and if married, 7 shillings 6d. This took away the affects of the workhouse for the elderly and protected them to a definite extent from working themselves to an early death, whilst taking away the pressure pose on poor families to look after an elderly family member. This would be funded by everyday taxation and had many critics. Many believed that the elderly had wasted money throughout their youth (National Archives) and now it would be down to the middle to slopped classes to pay for their old age. To qualify people had to live in Britain for twenty dollar bill years. Criminals and those felt to be idle did not receive any pension. They would still have to find work or enter the workhouse. This seemed fair as if you contributed to taxes you would be entitled to the pension if not then you would be face for the charity of others or the workhouse.Under Lloyd George the National policy Act of 1911 (Part 1 Health) would protect the sick if they became ill whilst working and help them and their family avoid cease up in the workhouse or in poverty. The worker would contribute 4d into the dodging spot the employer would add another(prenominal) 3d, while Government added another 2d this would give the worker 9d for entirely paying 4d. If the worker became ill, he would receive 10 shillings per week for up to 26 weeks and after that if he still was injured, 5 shillings disability pension. This system relied on the worker to protect himself from possible sickness / injury and built a structured work moral principle for the working classes with a safety net if required this is what Lloyd George hoped.The National Insurance Act of 1912 then came in to protect those who worked in jobs that lasted for short periods, like ship builders and construction workers. They paid into the scheme and could claim 7 shillings for 15 weeks whilst out of work until they either went back to their previous job o r found another job. This was made easier with the set up of the Labour Exchanges in 1909, where employers could advertise positions of work in a designated place to save time for the jobseeker travelling from area to area. By 1910 eighty three exchanges had been set up. This corpse can still be seen today with the local Job Centres helping skilled and unskilled workers find employment to keep the costs of welfare to a minimum and ensure no-one had the option to be idle.Task 4 Describe and discuss Beveridges 5 giant evils and outline the underlying points of the Beveridge report and evaluate their significance. (1,274 words not including titles)William Henry Beveridge (1st Baron Beveridge 1879 1963) studied law in Oxford and became interested in the kind service state while writing for the Morning Post Newspaper. Under a Liberal Government of 1906 1914 he became a prominent member of Lloyd Georges pensions and National Insurance scheme and was also involved in setting up labour exchanges throughout the country. After his book called Unemployment (1909), he altered expert opinion from one where low wages were seen as the cause of poverty, to one where people only being casually employed and not working all the time, meant they were unable to get themselves out of poverty.At the time of the Second World War, Beveridge was asked by the coalition Government to commission a report of how to rebuild after the war. Beveridge published his findings in 1942, but the words welfare state truly entered print in the early part of the war in 1941. In December 1942, the BBC broadcast to Nazi occupied Europe that Britain is grappling with its social problems through Beveridges proposals, even through war. This could have been seen as propaganda.As part of his report, Beveridge identified 5 giant evils that caused poverty. They wereWant. He identified that people lacked the security measures of an income, which in turn left them short of funds to live off. These were u sually unemployed, sick, old or widowed and possibly unable to work through no fault of their own. To counter this problem, Beveridge created a means tried and true benefit system that would give the poorest people a safety net in times of crisis. This would be paid for by a compulsory suave rate National Insurance Scheme paid by the employee and employer. It would use the Rowntree calculations of basic needs to take over poverty (Thane 1982).Beveridge also suggested that social insurance schemes like child benefit became universal and not means tested as this would help with the extra costs of having children preventing them becoming a rouse to the family.Disease. Beveridge felt that better provision of non means tested health economic aid by state funding should be comprehensive and available to everyone. This would improve the nations health and make people more able to get back into work and less dependent on the welfare system.Ignorance. This would be dealt with by a unive rsal and compulsory state education system, particularly through provision of state funding with everyone able to have secondary education. This would improve the chances of the country, giving a better future day for all.Squalor. Better housing and social environment improvements would provide subsistence and help the country become united for future prosperity, with the development of affordable homes as council houses for rent. This would also make jobs for the nation originally and after the war through a building course.Idleness. Beveridge did not want what happened in the 1930s (mass unemployment) to be repeated again. This increased poverty and made some people become idle and brought back the problems of anti-social behaviour. He treasured more involvement from Government to create jobs and building programs to get the country to work, which would be self generating for prosperity.Beveridges report covered these 5 giant evils and aimed to report them. He proposed that t he welfare state should focus on key points of being comprehensive, universal for all, non means tested, compulsory for everyone, and funded through insurance type payments. The key points of his report guided changes in Government legislation in the future(a) years, with huge significance for the country.Under Churchill, the Government moved on the Beveridge report with the undertaking of the Town and Country Planning Act (1943). The country needed to be rebuilt and this would go some way towards removing Squalor, but it wasnt until 1946 until most of Beveridges ideas of tackling this problem were undertaken by a Labour Government under Clement Attlee. in the midst of 1946 and 1949, Housing Acts gave financial support to local authorities for rebuilding after the war. Between 1945 and 1951 1.25 one thousand million new council affordable homes were constructed. A Rent mark off Act also came in in 1946 which would stop landlords increasing rents or providing shoddy housing it al so gave tenants the right to inform on unscrupulous landlords. Under this Act the councils could build new towns in the country and in 1949 Countryside Act, people had the right to roam, which in turn kept them fit and healthy.At much the same time, the Education Act (1944) was passed. This Act raised the school leaving age to 15 which later increased to 16. This could not be rate into place as the Conservative Government had no way of funding it. When Labour came into power in 1947 the Act was passed and paid for by the state. This was a time of change and Labour started a nationalisation program to bring the country more in line with socialist ideas, being able to bring profits by other means than tax heavily and creating a fairer society. In 1948 they introduced the Employment and Training Act which would tackle two of Beveridges problems, Idleness and Ignorance, making people go into work schemes, creating a skilled workforce for a better future. This was aimed at areas such a s South Wales and the North East where there was high unemployment. This would make people feel part of the new ideas and make it hard for them to expect handouts.In 1945 the family allowance came into effect. This meant all those who had children would receive help from the state this would be a universal benefit which would not be means tested which would make everyone feel it was comprehensive for all.In 1946 the National Insurance Act tackled the problems of the poor and Beveridges evil of Want. If someone became unemployed they would receive benefits to provide a minimum standard of living this was also available to pregnant women and helped to fund old aged pensions. This also covered the sick and provided a comprehensive policy to solve the social problems from the rock n roll musician to the grave. To protect people from injuries at work, another act came into force, the Industrial Injuries Act (1946) which made employers take more compassionate of the workers so they didn t claim compensation. In 1948 the National Assistance Act protected the poorest in society and this was the final nail that abolished the poor law. To fund this, everyone working and employers would pay into the scheme this was compulsory and universal for all.The jewel in the summit for a more fair society in tackling Disease was the 1946 National Health Service. This provided free comprehensive health care, universal and regardless of means. This was put into place by Aneurin Bevan in 1948 under Labour. By 1949 187 million people had received prescriptions and another 8.5 million had free dental care which was very expensive for the country. By 1951 some services had to be paid for by its users to help fund the NHS but in general it still provided free health care for all while, in most cases, not being means tested.Beveridges ideas had now been introduced into society, with many changes since their introduction, but in general they accomplished their aims. They would provide a c omprehensive package to all from cradle to grave. Benefits would be universal, regardless of means. They would be funded by the people for the people by insurance based payments. It would be compulsory for all to pay a flat rate payment and would provide subsistence to those living below the poverty line. Even those who were above this line would receive universal non-means tested benefits.ReferencesSpicker, P (Unknown) UK Social Policy Available. An Introduction to Social Policy www.rgu.ac.uk/publicpolicy locomote accessed 14/10/2010Bloy, M (2002) Workhouses and the Poor Law Available. The Victorian Web www.victorianweb.org Last accessed 14/10/2010Driver, F (1993) Power and Pauperism Available. Spartacus Schoolnet www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Lpoor1834.htm Accessed 14/10/2010Sutton Pocket Histories Class Handout Social Welfare 2010Ensor, R (1980) England 1870 1914 entertain Club Associates London chapter 14 p 515

Strains of ESBL Producing E. Coli | Investigation

Strains of ESBL Producing E. Coli InvestigationIntroductionBackground of Study blanket(a) Spectrum Beta- Lactamases (ESBL) are beta lactamases which are mainly produced by family members of Enterobacteriaceae derived from mutations of the antecedent broad-spectrum beta-lactamase (Sharma et al., 2010). This enzyme works by hydrolysing and destroying the - Lactam ring of t pop give away ensemble cephalosporins, penicillins and monobactams (Sharma et al., 2010). In new-fangled years, the issuing of ESBL producing Escherichia coli has posed a very serious problem to the focussing of diseases caused by this beingness as only limited choice antibiotics female genitals be given to patients. Carbapenems are the drugs of choice for the treatment of ESBL producing E.coli, however, carbapenamase beneathground has latterly been reported (Paterson and Bonomo, 2005). Prolonged use of antibiotics was suggested as the main cause of the emergence of ESBL E.coli and the fact that the genes coding for ESBLs are comfortably transferencered from one organism to another(prenominal) organism via conjugation, transduction and transformation make the spread even quicker (Vaidya et al., 2011).ESBL producing organisms were starting reported from a patient in Germany in 1983 and since accordingly , several(prenominal) appearbreaks defend been reported worldwide usually one particular ace strain has been involved presumably combining not only the capacitance to produce ESBLs but to a fault possessing various other virulence factors that range to their pathogenic success. (Harada et al., 2013). These pathogenic ESBL producing Escherichia coli in recent years have conk out a major cin one casern and their emergence is now become majestic in clinical fields and subjected to comprehensive studies worldwide.The intimately common infections caused by pathogenic ESBL producing E.coli are urinary tract infections (UTI), bloodstream infections, gastrointestinal infections ( Fatima et al., 2012 Bekat et al., 2002). check to Petty et al., (2013), globally, E.coli sequence type ST131 is the multidrug resistant clone strain which is trustworthy for ESBL CTX-M15 bearing genes, and it is the most alarming pathogenic ESBL producing E.coli associated in cavictimization UTIs and septicaemia in hospital community acquired infections. ? in UK or worldwide?As genes coding for ESBL in Escherichia coli are known to be transferable this raises raise fear of the spread of these genes to other strains, continuous monitoring of the predominant strains of E.coli which carry the ESBL genes is therefore important.Problem statementStudies of ESBL producing Escherichia coli in the South Manchester population have been carried out previously. This theme will investigate strains of ESBL producing E. coli currently circulating in the Stockport Population of South Manchester and compare them to those delineated in the previous studies development a molecular(a) type and p ulse-field change dielectrolysis.ObjectivesThe objectives of the project are screenland for ESBL Escherichia coli clinical isolatesIdentify strain development PFGEAssess the relatedness of the strains by PFGE analytic thinkingDetermine Escherichia coli plasmid profileIdentify Escherichia coli phylotyping group1.0.4. Significance of studyFinding from this study will contribute to the existing data and the system of knowledge on the molecular alliance of predominating of E.coli isolates from South Manchester populations.1.0.5. Scope and Limitationsthither are no data on the antibiotics consumed by the patients in which the clinical isolates originates from. The availability of this data might help in understanding kindred mingled with an exposures of certain antibiotics to the emergence of ESBL producing E.coli strain.PFGE also has several limitations in which the order assess visual relatedness of an isolates and not using a phylogeny relationship which provide more than ac curate molecular relationship between an isolates.Escherichia coliEscherichia coli is a motile gram negative rod, facultative anaerobe, non- spore forming bacteria taxonomically depart to the family of Enterobacteriaceae. It is considered as a normal inhabitants of gut and intestine in about all warm blooded mammals and found as a faecal contaminant in the environment (Brennan et al., 2010 Darnton et al., 2007 Diniz et al., 2005). Most varieties of E.coli are harmless and do in the most part contribute to the normal and healthy intestine condition, while a few cause confine abdominal repress associated with diarrhoea. However, there are some serotypes that becoming a major little terror to the human health, because they have acquired certain genetic material and virulence factors which enabling them transformed into pathogenic E.coli causing broad spectrum of disease (Clarke et al., 2003 Kaper et al., 2004). Pathotypes of E.coli are categorise by special mechanism in which they causing a disease, strawman of certain virulence genes and their clinical manifestations (Chang et al., 2004).Growth requirementsE.coli are non- fastidious bacteria, therefrom it can be cultured in artificial media with various altered physical and nutritional growth factors. It can be isolated easily from clinical samples by culturing into culture media and incubated at optimum temperature of 37C anaerobically or aerobically as it is a facultative organisms (Yunlin et al., 2004)Uropathogenic Escherichia coliAccording to Pitout et al., (2005) E. coli is a universal cause of the urinary tract infections (UTIs) of a hospitalised and non- hospitalised patients. UTIs are usually self- limiting but untreated lower urinary tract infections such(prenominal) as simple cystitis (b be given infection) can lead to much more severe malady known as pyelonephritis (renal infections) mainly among adult women (James et al., 2011). Infections occur by acclivity case of E. coli up the pe riurethral area colonising the bladder or infections by movement down from the intestinal tract. Due to anatomical complexities in women, they are more prone to be diagnosed with UTIs for at least once in their life history (James et al., 2001)1.3Escherichia coli typing1.3.1plasmid profilingMultidrug resistant bacteria including ESBL producing Escherichia coli acquire their resistance by various gene transfer mechanisms which include transformation, horizontal transfer either by transduction, and conjugation, transposon and most often, are plasmid talk terms (Carattoli et al., 2005)Plasmids are an extra chromosomal fragments of self- replicating deoxyribonucleic acid present in most of the bacterial species. Plasmids contain genes that are an essential for the replication of genes that promotes resistance to agents such as antibiotics, ultraviolet radiation, metals and bacteriophages.1.3.2Pulse-field gel dielectrolysisPFGE was developed and described kickoff by Schwartz and Can tor (1984). It is a molecular technique of typing a bacteria especially pathogenic Escherichia coli 0157H7, non 0157 H7, Salmonella serotypes, Shigella sonnei and Shigella flexneri. PFGE uses a gel ionophoresis- based technique that allows separation of large molecular weight desoxyribonucleic acid up to 2Mb- 10Mb using a standard PFGE method (CDC, 2013 Hansen et al., 2002 Vimonet et al., 2008)PFGE is different to conventional gel electrophoresis as the large genomic DNA is digested with parturiency enzyme that recognise and cleave specific sequences of DNA known as restriction site in an organism to produce a multiple DNA fragments which differ in sizing of their molecular weight (Van der Ploeg et al., 1984). The fragments are then run through constant quantity changing electric field of PFGE resulting in a formation of DNA at various discrete coat bands.This typing method has also been shown to have more disclipinating power and reproducibility between laboratories than the ne wer molecular typing method such as ribotyping and multi- locus sequence typing (MLST) which confer more on the global epidemiology and revolutionary relationship between bacterial species (Vimonet et al., 2008)1.3.3.Escherichia coli phylogenetic group2.0Materials and Methods2.0.1Bacterial IsolatesBacterial isolates used in this study were Escherichia coli clinical isolates which was collected from Stepping Hill Hospital. Isolates undergo an anonymisation numbering of 1 to 20.2.0.2.Bacteriological MediaThe media used in the study were a selective differential coefficient medium for UTI Escherichia coli which is Chromogenic nutrient agar and nutrient agar which was used as a medium for growth and maintenance of isolates.2.0.3 antibiotic drug disksTable 1 Antibiotic disks used in this study was obtained from Oxoid.Ltd.AntibioticsAntibiotic GroupGentamicin (10g)Aminoglycosidesciprofloxacin (5g)QuinoloneAmoxicillin (25g)PenicillinCefpodozime (10g)CephalosporinMecillinam (10g)Beta lacta mT sassetophrim (2.5g)BacteriostaticESBL Disk turnout (Mast Diagnostics)2.0.4Buffers and solutionsTris Borate EDTA (TBE X1 and X0.5) (Sigma) pH 8.2 was used as a running fender in agarose gel electrophoresis.2.0.5Commercial kitsThe commercial kit used in this study was QIAprep vortex Miniprep Kit (Qiagen) and DNeasy Blood and Tissue Kit (Qiagen)2.1.Screening for multidrug resistance and authority ESBL producers in Escherichia coli clinical isolatesAntibiotic susceptibility of Escherichia coli to six antibiotics (Table 1) were tested using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. A 24 minute cultures from Nutrient agar was used. Then, a single colony was interpreted and transferred into 5ml Mueller Hinton Broth. It was then incubated at 37C to develop a heavy suspension of all-night cultures. A sterile cotton swabs were used to streak onto the Mueller Hinton agar and the rotation were recurrent for three times. A final sweep was made around the rim of the agar. The menages were a llowed to dry for several minutes. Using antibiotic dispenser, the disk that has been impregnated with a immovable antibiotic concentration was placed on the surface of the agar surface. by and by 24hr of an incubation period, the plates were checked for the figurehead of ban partition off. Each recorded inhibition zone was compared with antimicrobial susceptibility testing disc chart provided by The British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC). The inhibition zone of each antibiotic was reported as sensitive, intermediate or resistance. Isolates screening resistance to three or more classes of antibiotics were considered as multidrug resistance (Falagas, 2007). ESBL producers were sight by testing sensitivity of isolates against a pair discs (cefpodoxime 10g and cefepime 10g) with and without clavulanic acid placed oppositely on an agar. According to maker (Mast diagnostics), isolates were considered as an ESBL if there is a presence of 5mm larger inhibition zone i n disks with clavulanic acid rather than the disks without the clavulanic acid.2.2. Determination of plasmid profiles in MDR and ESBL Escherichia coli2.2.1Plasmid ExtractionPrior to Plasmid DNA extraction, a fresh all-night cultures of E.coli after an incubation at 37C in a Mueller Hinton origin were harvested. Plasmid DNA extraction was carried out using QIAprep birl Miniprep Kit (Qiagen) following the manufacturers instructions. Extracted plasmid DNA was stored at -20C until use.2.2.2Detection of plasmid by agarose gel electrophoresisThe profiles of the plasmid DNA was determined on a 0.7% agarose gel electrophoresis which has been carried out at 70 Vcm-1 for 120 minutes. The size of DNA bands was estimated using Hyper ladder 1 (Bioline) as a reference molecular weights marker. The bands were visualized under UV transilluminator and photographed with digital camera connected to visual image unit (Alpha Innotech) and the size of the plasmid were measured by visual comparison to the reference marker.2.3Escherichia coli pathotypes ending2.3.1.Genomic DNA extractionPrimary cultures on the nutrient agar was inoculated into 3ml Mueller Hinton broth for 24 hours at 37C. The cells was then harvested by centrifugation at 12, 000 for 3 minutes. Genomic DNA extraction was carried out using DNeasy Blood and Tissue (Qiagen) kit following the manufacturers instructions. Final volume of 150l genomic DNA were collected and kept at -20C until needed.2.3.2Multiplex PCR for Escherichia coli phylotypingPCR chemical reaction mix preparation must be carried out on ice. PCR was performed in 0.2ml PCR tubes on a GeneAmp PCR System 9700 thermocycler (Applied Biosystems) with a total 25l of reaction volume as described in Table 2 and PCR condition according to Table 3. The negative control reaction lacking the DNA was included.Table 2PCR reaction mixComponentsRequired concentrations good deal (l)per reactionBiomix Red2X12.5 priming (forward)chuAyjaAtspE4.c220pmol20pmol20pmol111P rimer (reverse)chuAyjaAtspE4.c220pmol20pmol20pmol111DNA2Ultrapure sterile irrigate4.5Total volume per reaction25Table 3 Conditions for PCR gene amplificationGenesPrimer sequencePCR conditionchuAForward5-GACGAACCAACGGTCAGGAT-3 nullify5-TGCCGCCAGTACCAAAGACA-3Initial denaturation 94C for 4 minsDenaturation 94C for 25 sulfursAnnealing 52C for 40 secs 30cycles university extension 72C for 50secFinal extension 72C for 6 minsyjaAForward5-TGAAGTGTCAGGAGACGCTG-3 return5-ATGGAGAATCGGTTCCTCAAC-3tspE4.c2Forward5-GAGTAATGTCGGGGCATTCA-3Reverse5-CGCGCCAACAAAGTATTACG-32.3.3Detection of by agarose gel electrophoresis afterward culmination of the multiplex PCR, the amplification product were separated by dry electrophoresis system. 15l of amplified product was mixed with 5 5X DNA lode caramel brown storage (Bioline) and loaded onto 2% agarose gel incorporated with SYBR green dye. After electrophoresis, the gel was visualised by exposing the gel under UV set about and was photographed with a di gital UV camera connected together with the visualisation unit (AlphaInnotech). The size of the amplicon were measured by visual comparison to the 1kb DNA marker (Bioline). Phylogenetic typing analysis were carried on the basis of the presence or absence of an amplicon sized 279bp, 211bp and 152bp which belong to chuaA, yjaA and tspE4.c2 genes respectively.2.4.Pulse- field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)2.4.1.DNA extractionEach isolates was inoculated into 5ml Mueller Hinton Broth and incubated overnight at 37C with gentle agitation. Cells were then harvested by placing 1ml of culture into 1.5ml microcentrifuge tube and was centrifuged at 13, 000 rpm for one minutes. The supernatant was discarded and the process was retell until all the 5ml of culture finished. The supernatant was again discarded and pellet of cells was resuspended in five hundredl of 0.5M EDTA buffer (see appendix) and was centrifuged at 13, 000rpm for one minutes to removes broth rubble that might be interfering wit h the extraction processes. The lavation step was repeated twice to ensure complete removal of debris.The supernatant was discarded once again and pellet was resuspended in 500l of suspension buffer.2.4.2. proviso of low melting point (LMP) agaroseTo prepare the LMP agarose, 3g of SeaKem PFGE agarose (BioRad) were dispensed into 100ml of TE buffer (see appendix) in a universal bottle. It were then heated to dissolve. Agarose was transferred to a 56C waterbath until needed.2.4.3.Preparation of the bacterial plugsThe well of PFGE plug molds were numbered. 3 plugs was watchful for each isolates. Then, 750l of LMP agarose was added immediately into each cell- buffer suspension and conservatively mixed by pipetting up and down several times and be get byful not to induce any formation of bubbles.The mixture of cells and agarose was speedily pipetted into the well of a plastic PFGE plug molds (BioRad). The surface was filled to the rim and plugs were allowed to solidify at room tem perature or chilled for 5 minutes in the refrigerator.2.4.4.Lysis of the cellsThe cells were lysed by adding a mixture of 1ml of proteolysis buffer with 10l of peptidase K stock solution (50mg/ml) (see appendix) into a 1.5ml new labelled microcentrifuge tube. The plugs were withdraw from the plug molds by peeling the sealant tape below the wells until all tape was removed. The PFGE plastic arm was used to push the plugs out of the molds into the microcentrifuge containing the mix of proteolysis buffer-proteinase K solution. All plugs for one isolates were transferred into the same tubes. awe was taken while pushing the plugs out of the molds as not to tear the delicate plugs. Tubes was then incubated in a heating block at 50C for 24 hours for digestion to take place.2.4.5.Washing of the plugsAfter completion of an overnight incubation, the proteolysis buffer and Proteinase K activity were eliminated by carefully pipetting out the volume, care taken not to tear the plugs. The plug s were then washed with TE buffer. The washing steps was repeated three times, for every half an hour and were held at room temperature to equilibrate the plugs.2.4.6.Restriction enzyme digestionAfter completion of the washing steps, wash buffer was removed in the final wash divergence only agarose gel in the tubes. Then, 300l of 1X restriction enzyme buffer specific to the enzyme used was pipetted in each tubes containing the agarose plugs and was let to equilibrate at room temperature for 10 minutes. The restriction buffer was then discarded, taking care not to tear the plugs. Next, 300l of restriction buffer containing 50U of Xbal enzyme was added into the tubes and was incubated in an incubator for 24 hours at 37C specific to the optimum temperature for Xbal enzyme.2.4.7.Pulse- field gel electrophoresis2.4.7.1.Electrophoresis gel preparation.After incubation, restriction enzyme reaction was stopped by addition of 200l of 50mM EDTA. Plugs were cooled at 4C until needed.Then, a (1%) agarose gel was prepared by heated to dissolved 3g of PFGE grade agarose (BioRad) into 300ml of 0.5X TBE buffer over magnetic hot plate with constant stirring or in the microwave and swirl to dissolved. The agarose was then poured into a casting tray that has been placed with PFGE comb and let to solidify at room temperature. The enzyme- buffer was aspirated and one plug of each isolates was loaded into the gel. Care was taken not to tear the plugs. Then, a thin slice senior high school range and mid- range lambda molecular weight marker (New England Biolabs) was loaded into the wells next to each other. After all samples was loaded into wells, the wells were plastered with melted LMP agarose.2.4.7.2.Electrophoresis RunThe electrophoresis was performed by using a CHEF mapper (BioRad) which subsequently was filled with approximately 3 liters of 0.5ml TBE buffer. The running buffer was let to cool approximately at 14C originally turning on the pump.The run time was set for 24 h ours at 6 Vcm-1 with 120 angle using switch time of 2.16 sec to 54.17 sec.2.4.7.3. gelatin stainingOnce the run was complete, the gel was stained with 3X Gel red nucleic acid stain (Biotium) with approximately 200ml distilled water and was gently foment on rotary shaker for 20 minutes. The gel was then visualised under UV transilluminator and a picture was taken once optimal image obtained.