Browsing by Author "Meron Mesfin"

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    Evaluation of writing tasks: Grade Nine New Textbook in focus By Meron Mesfin Advisor: Dr.
    (Addis Ababa University, 2015-05) Meron Mesfin ; Italo Beriso
    The main purpose of this study was to analyze the extent to which the writing tasks (activities) in the currently in use Grade 9 English textbook are well structured and organized in such a way that they could promote writing skills. The writing tasks were identified and analyzed base on the basic components of communicative tasks as well as the evaluation checklist for the communicative tasks suggested by Nunan (1989). Textbook analysis (content analysis), focus group discussion and questionnaire were the instruments used by the researcher, for availably sampled teachers and randomly selected students. To evaluate and interpret the data, the researcher wed qualitative methods. Findings of the study revealed that most of the writing activities do not fulfill many of the relevant criteria stated in the checklist which enable the students to communicate through writing in and outside the classroom. The findings also indicated although the goals (Objective) of the writing tasks clearly stated in the textbook for the students and teachers, they lack variety. Similarly, the contents as inputs are familiar to the students and satisfy the needs and interests of the learners but they do not provide enough information due to lack of adequate authentic materials together with their implementation. In a similar fashion, the activities in the course book satisfy the principle of meaningfulness, purposefulness, real worldliness and suitability of the use of pair/group work, yet they lack motivational values, variety, and authenticity; and are barley limited in including stages of tasks and topics raising high level of thought. Furthermore, the roles of students and teacher are clearly stated in the textbook, teacher’s guide and syllabus in giving guidance, facilitating and counseling roles to the teacher leaving the entire task to the learners. However, in a few activities the teacher’s roles are not clearly stated. Finally, the settings of the activities are flexible rather than fixed even if they do not provoke the use of pair/group work to a large extent. It is, therefore, recommended that textbook writers consider incorporating the six basic components of communicative tasks in the learner’s textbook when preparing the materials.
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    Supply Chain Integration Practices and Its Role on Supply Chain Performance: The Case of Universal Food Complex Plc
    (Addis Ababa University, 2022-06) Meron Mesfin; Shiferaw Mitiku (PhD)
    Supply chain integration practices are considered a powerful weapon to optimize performance of the organization. The objective of this study was to analyze the supply chain integration role on organizational performance the case of universal food complex. Analysis of the supply chain integration dimensions requires determination of major components: external integration, internal integration, supplier integration, customer integration, information integration and measurement integration identifying enablers and challenges of supply chain integration. The problems of integration, uncertainty, longer lead and cycle times, high inventory level, ineffectiveness and inefficiencies in today’s supply chain were the critical factors that initiated this study for investigation. Both descriptive and an explanatory research design was employed with a sample of 70 employees through stratified sampling that was 91% of the response rate. A questionnaire was used as research tool for collecting data. Available data on these factors was gathered, processed, formatted and thoroughly checked for continuity and consistency. The supply chain integration and organizational performance of supply chain data were in filled using the Five Point Likert-Scale .The relationship between independent variables lack of information technology, lack of information sharing, lack of management commitment, lack of trust, government regulation, uncertainty, bullwhip effect, inter organizational factors, technology, information communication technology and top management support and dependent variables supply chain Performance are also cross-checked from Pearson correlation matrix. To predict supply chain performance from supply chain integration dimensions, the multiple linear regression model were adopted. The analysis indicates that independent variables, supply chain integration with respect to the six dimensions. The study recommends relationship management; information communication technology and performance evaluation should be used to improve the degree between supply chain integration dimensions and organizational performance to achieve optimal performance with all chain partners, the company should continuously improve its supply chain integration procedures. Keywords: supply chain, integration, internal integration, external integration, responsiveness, reliability, ICT, technology, government regulation.