Definition And Conditions Of Decision Making Tourism Essays

Definition And Conditions Of Decision Making Tourism Essays Definition And Conditions Of Decision Making Tourism Essay Definition And Conditions Of Decision Making Tourism Essay As directors and enterprisers, we should hold assurance in our determinations, but can we? Discuss with respect to your ability as a determination shaper and the tools and methods available to help determination devising. Entrepreneur and directors are no longer able to hold assurance in their determination. Because even good directors make errors in their determination devising procedure. Therefore, there are many of the concern administrations seeking to happen out the best method of determination devising procedure. Nevertheless, many of them see terminal in failure or sink in the concern universe. Because, determination devising of administration, as it operates with in the administration, implies that increasing unexpected complexness in environment uncertainness. And this uncertainness means that determination shapers do non hold sufficient information about environmental factors, and they have a hard clip foretelling internal or external alterations. So, uncertainness increases the hazard of failure for organizational responses and makes it hard to calculate costs and chances associated with determination options. Therefore, any administrations want to success in their concern, it is indispensa ble to utilize suited determination devising tools and methods. To understand this essay better, specifying the term of determination devising is necessary. Harmonizing to Fitzgerald, determination doing involves the pick of an alternate from among a series of viing options ( 2002, p. 8 ) . And theories of determination devising are concerned with how such picks are made. This essay will explicate nature of determination devising, tools and methods of determination devising procedure and stairss in determination devising to help determination shapers. Finally, handiness of those tools and methods by directors and enterprisers will be discussed to help their determination devising procedure. First of all, nature of determination devising should be identified before it discusses about its tools and methods. The definition of determination devising is explained in debut. However, determination devising conditions are should be concerned before the existent determinations have been made because the determinations are non ever made under same sum of available information ( Rue A ; Byars, 2007, p. 76 ) . The conditions which give influence to determination devising procedure are: certainty, hazard and uncertainness. Situation of certainty agencies that determination shaper knows every alternate result from the determination so he/she can do determination exactly. For illustration, if director have to do determination on which conveyance service he/she will utilize between by air or by train to present their merchandise or service, it is obvious that air will take comparatively shorter clip but higher cost than train, and train will take longer clip but lower cost than aeroplane. Unfortunately, each alternate brings different results and this is non ever known in progress. Therefore, determination shapers are merely able to gauge their comparative chances of results. Harmonizing to Williams, perceptual experience of hazard means the sum of uncertainness or deficiency of predictability refering the result of a determination ( 2002, p. 86 ) . This is called a state of affairs of hazard. Generally, exact anticipation about chances of assorted results is impossible. Therefore, directors may do their determination based on past experience and historical information. However, Russo and Schoemarker said people do non larn easy from experience because is requires pro-found accomplishments ( 1990, p. 174 ) . Although, hazard can neer be eliminated from determination doing procedure, determination shapers can try to minimise its impact on their result with technique of larning from experience and prediction from historical informations. When there is really small or no dependable information to gauge the assortment of possible results fro determination shaper, this is called state of affairs of uncertainness. Furthermore, this means that the determination shaper does non hold any cognition that concerns the possibilities related with different results. In this circumstance, determination shaper may take one of several attacks. First attack is the maximax attack. Rue A ; Byars choosing the alternate whose best possible result is the best of all possible results for all options ( 2007, p. 77 ) . In the 2nd attack, the maximin attack refers comparing the worst possible results for each option and choosing the 1 that is least unwanted ( Rue A ; Byars, 2007, p. 77 ) . And the last attack is the risk-averting attack. This attack can be resulted in more effectual planning because it is chosen by the option with the least fluctuation among its possible results ( 2007, p. 78 ) . The conditions for determination devising occupy of import place in determination devising procedure by steering determination shapers which determination doing theoretical account they should utilize. Therefore, determination shapers should maintain in head those conditions before they make existent determination for administrations. Decision devising tools and methods in determination procedure support determination shapers to understand complex phenomena in managerial activities. Those tools and methods are able to maximize managerial options within determination doing procedure specifically and depict its state of affairss clearly. The tools are for furthering doing originative determination. And the methods have rational and intuitive methods for effectual determination devising. By utilizing these tools and methods, the ternary bottom line and director s corporate societal duty should be concerned together. Harmonizing to Williams, originative job resolution is non easy and using the tools requires clip, resources, and attempt ( 2002, p. 149 ) . However, to better the quality of administration s of import determination devising procedure, originative determination devising techniques are indispensable. These techniques are such as brainstorming, Gordon technique, nominal group technique, and synectics. Brainstorming can be explained as bring forthing a big measure of solution on a job to happen out its solution among them. By utilizing this tool, there is ab initio no unfavorable judgment and inquiry of thought should be allowed. Then combinations of solutions can be used as determination doing tool for betterment of administration. Gordon technique is similar with brainstorming but it can be differ from that group leader knows the exact nature of the existent job under consideration ( Rue A ; Byars, 2007, p. 84 ) . Nominal group technique is affecting few stairss as extremely structured technique. The order of stairss is listening entering voting-discussion concluding vote. This technique minimizes personal interactions to maximise their activity and cut down force per unit area from conformance with group determination. The synectics is a comparatively new technique used in originative determination doing procedure. This technique uses metaphorical thought to do the familiar strange and the strange familiar ( Rue A ; Byars, 2007, p. 85 ) . None of those techniques is a perfect tool for helping determination shaper s activity. Each technique should be considered as a merely tool that can ease proper determination doing procedure by determination shapers. Rational determination doing method is the most permeant and influential and to utilize rational determination doing efficaciously, this includes the undermentioned stairss: recognising and specifying the state of affairs, developing options, measuring options, choosing the best option, execution, and follow-up and rating ( Robbins, Bergman, Stagg, A ; Coulter, 2006, p. 208-212 ) . First, when job exist, it is necessary to happen out what sort of job it is including administrations current state of affairs. The spread between the current state of affairs and bing job can be identified in this measure. Second, developing options is for happening a cause of job in the state of affairs and garnering information refering the current province of personal businesss. Third, measuring options has a function for assisting determination shaper to measure a solution from among the available options. Forth, choosing the best options is taking the best option from among the evaluated options. Fi fth, execution refers that determination shaper is seting the determination he/she chosen into existent organizational activities. Sixth, the last measure is measuring the effectivity of the implemented determination by determination shaper. These stairss assist determination shaper to optimise administration s result. Fitzgerald believes that embedded within the rational theoretical account is the belief that directors really optimize their determination doing behaviors by intentionally taking and implementing the best options ( 2002, p.13 ) . On the other manus there are similar but somewhat different attack is included in rational method. That is satisfising attack. The difference between optimising attack and satisfising attack in rational method is satisfising is choosing the first option that meets the determination shaper s minimal criterion of satisfaction alternatively of choosing the best possible option from among every possible option ( Rue A ; Byars, 2007, p. 74 ) . Intuitive determination doing method is used when determination shaper decide organizational determination bases on intuitions and intuition ( Robbins, Bergman, Stagg, A ; Coulter, 2006, p. 216 ) . Furthermore, Robbins, Bergman, Stagg, A ; Coulter defined intuitive determination devising as a subconscious procedure of doing determinations on footing of experience and accumulated opinion ( 2006, p. 216 ) . That means an emotional determination is put into action by determination shaper from their head in determination devising procedure. The emotional fond regard can take director to hapless determinations or can be really existent particularly who are populating in the past . However, the key is director should non disregard when the available information exist. Intuition plays an of import function in determination devising procedure. Consequently, it can be said director s experience and opinion is of import when he/she faces the determination doing state of affairs. Learning from the yesteryear is non easy but one time it has become your cognition, it can be of import resource for determination devising as a determination shaper ( Williams, 2002, p. 153 ) . In decision, this essay discussed about definition and conditions of determination devising. The different conditions such as certainty, hazard and uncertainness give different influence on determination devising procedure. And the tools and methods have been identified as that can advance betterment of administration by determination devising and several stairss in determination devising methods to help determination directors and enterprisers. The tools in determination devising procedure allow bettering the quality of administration s of import determination. Then the methods in determination devising are more related to help determination shapers to set one of the possible options on existent action. Decision doing procedure can be improved by recognizing conditions of determination devising and using appropriate tools and methods to jobs determination shaper is faced. To be effectual and efficient in determination devising procedure, directors need to be unfastened to new inform ation and other s sentiment. If directors and enterprisers apply originative and sufficient determination doing accomplishments in their determination devising procedure, there are assorted solutions to accomplish their end or get the better of their job will be allowed without failure in determination devising.

Desertification Climate Change or Human Influences Essays

Desertification Climate Change or Human Influences Essays Desertification Climate Change or Human Influences Essay Desertification Climate Change or Human Influences Essay The Sahara is the largest of the deserts on the planet and expands from the west to east coast of northern Africa. Inhabitants have evolved to survive the harsh climate of the desert, however they now have to cope with the sprawl of the Sahara into the Sahel Desertification. There are contrasting opinions on the overall cause of the land degradation; some believe it is due mostly to the influence of humans and others consider changes in the climate to be primarily responsible for the spread of the desert. There are four main human interactions that are said to lead to desertification: overcultivation, overgrazing, deforestation and poor irrigation. These are influenced by population change and changes in social and economic conditions. Alan Grainger, author of Desertification: How people make deserts, how people can stop, and why they dont , is a strong believer in the irresponsibility of mans actions in the spread of the desert. He states Drought triggers off a crisis, but does not itself cause desertification In northern Africa, there is a high population growth (Mali NI=3%). With an escalating population there will be more need to intensify demand on farmland for various crops to be cultivated such as rice and cassava. This leads to several problems that put increased strain on the land. Some of these difficulties include a decline in the fertility of the soil, therefore each time crops are grown they become less successful until they will no longer grow and the land becomes useless, a desert. Also, the topsoil will become crusty by the evaporation of the little rain, which will then increase surface run-off for when it does rain, eroding the soil by gullying. In the 1960s a large-scale development of groundnuts in the Sahel is said to be significantly responsible for the drought of the early 1970s, as thought by Richard Franke and Barbara Chasin (Montclair State College, New Jersey, USA). Constant harvesting of the large areas of groundnuts due to encouragement from developed countries, like France with whom they could exchange this product for staple foodstuffs greatly reduced the amount of fallow land. This meant that nomads who had previously used the land for grazing had to move north where the grazing is then intensified, further increasing the rate of desertification. This political tie exacerbated a fragile situation. Farmers in the Sahel also cause problems when they graze livestock, mainly goats and cattle. Short-term sedentarisation produces overgrazing, especially when concentrated along walkways and water holes. The walkways are required to transport cattle from each settlement since new grassy land has to be found for the livestock when the essential resources end. This nomadic way of life increases the rate of land degradation by placing pressure on the land and the water resources. Overgrazing leads to a number of problems such as a decline in palatable grass species, especially perennials, which are good at holding the soil together and prevents erosion by rain or wind. Overgrazing is indeed a major cause of desertification Irrigation schemes were set up to help stem the problem of desertification. However, these were not managed properly causing further problems. A chain reaction occurs if there is bad irrigation that is summarised in figure 2. Saline soils have good structure and are fairly easily leached but can be reclaimed. Alkaline soils are very compacted and are not good at leaching. This means that the surface becomes difficult for roots of shrubs and trees to penetrate and the land is hard to reclaim. Deforestation is another one of humans influences on environmental change. In the Sahel four million hectares of trees are harvested every year. With deforestation, water evaporates from the soil, is drawn up by capillary rise, leading to a fall in the water table, leaving the topsoil dry and susceptible to wind-erosion. Richard St Barbe Barker, founder of The Men of The Trees Organisation shows concern over the effect of deforestation on desertification and says that When trees go, deserts come. Figure 2. Many authors consider land degradation to be caused by global warming and regional climate change. Tereba Togola, a Malian resident is one of these authors and asserts that climate change has taken place for thousands of years and the recent drought in the Sahel is just another one of the many cycles. Togola describes the climate patterns of 4500 years ago, when there were growing oscillations of aridity where dry periods were becoming more frequent. This brought on a period of desertification throughout the Saharan and Sahelian area. Many of the lakes in the region Lake Bosumtwi became dry as a result of the higher temperatures and diminishing amount of rainfall. Large southward population movements to the wetter granite massifs of the Adrar Des Iforas occurred due to the worsening weather conditions. With them, they brought the desert conditions. The sever weather conditions forced them to overgraze and overcultivate the land until it turned to desert where subsequently they had had to move even further south, continuing to erode the land. Authors McIntosh and Tainter illustrate that droughts can be connected with various natural phenomena. An increase in sea level pressure around the Azores and northern Sahara consequently creates increased anticyclonic activity and augmented winter northeasterly trades, pushing the ITCZ south. If the ITCZ moves south to the warmer southern hemisphere, the subtropical high-pressure area of the Hadley cell dominates the Sahel for much of the year, leading to drier weather and consequently the land degrades. The climate in the Sahel fluctuates greatly from generation to generation causing implications for the people dwelling there. McIntosh and Tainter say the precipitation variance prevents cultivators from having a regular growing pattern and having to move around to find suitable land. Another natural method of desertification is Sahelian fires that smoulder each year around March and April. These use the parched grasslands as a means of transportation to the surrounding area, destroying all vegetation in its path. The fires can actually be used to control the land by clearing it to produce improved land for grazing potential. Scientists at NASA say Benefits outweighed by the negative impacts f fires on soil fertility, leading to long-term declines in productivity. It could be said that researchers have failed to determine the definite cause of the degradation. However, both causes physical and human can lead to desertification. It seems possible that Alan Graingers theory is most convincing and is worth taking into account; climate change does not actually cause desertification but accelerates the degrad ation process by human reaction to it. Changes in climate have occurred for millennia leading to increased aridity and the evaporation of lakes in the desert area. The Spearmans Rank Correlation Coefficient on the appendix sheet shows if there is a relationship between area of the desert and agricultural population, and area of the desert and rainfall anomaly. Table 1 shows that there is not a statistical relationship and human population has no effect on the size of the desert. Table 2 shows a statistical relationship between the amount of rainfall. Although the spearman rank (appendix 1) illustrates that there is a connection, it is doubtful that rainfall deficiency is the individual cause. The climate has a strong influence on human actions and in this case humans have had to react to the climate change to sustain a good standard of living, which subsequently leads desertification. Therefore, climate manipulates the way of life of the people but it is the inhabitants themselves that cause the degradation by their exploitation of the land due to their intense farming methods and constant rhythmical travels in the Sahara. If humans were not to use the land so intensively it may have a chance to replenish before the severe drought approaches.

The Meaning of -N Desu in Japanese

The Meaning of '-N Desu' in Japanese The phrase –n desu (ã‚“ 㠁 §Ã£ â„¢), meaning it is, is sometimes used at the end of a sentence. It is also commonly used in conversation, though it might be difficult for beginners to learn. The phrase has an explanatory or confirmatory function. The difference between –masu (ã€Å"㠁 ¾Ã£ â„¢), another nominal ending for a verb, and  Ã¢â‚¬â€œn desu is very subtle. This makes it very hard to translate. The nominal ending  Ã¢â‚¬â€œn desu can be translated as it is the case that or it is for the reason that. However, there is no true English equivalent. –N Desu Versus –Masu One of the best ways to understand the subtle, nuanced meaning of –n desu is to compare it to  Ã¢â‚¬â€œmasu  by viewing how two sentences use these endings differently: Ryokou ni iku n desu ka? (りょ㠁“㠁† 㠁 « 㠁„㠁  ã‚“ 㠁 §Ã£ â„¢ 㠁‹ã€‚) Are you going to travel? Ryokou ni ikimasu ka? (  Ã£â€šÅ Ã£â€šâ€¡Ã£ â€œÃ£ â€  㠁 « 㠁„㠁 Ã£  ¾Ã£ â„¢ 㠁‹ã€‚) Are you going on a trip? In the first sentence, which uses –n desu, the  speaker assumes that the listener is going on a trip and just wants her to confirm it. In the second sentence, which uses –masu,  the speaker simply wants to know if the listener is going on a trip or not. Formal Versus Informal You also need to use a different form of  Ã¢â‚¬â€œn desu when it  is attached directly to a plain form of the verb in an informal situation. When the circumstances are informal, use –n da  instead of –n desu, as demonstrated in the table. The sentences are written first in hiragana, which is a phonetic syllabary  (or transliteration) made from simplified  kanji  characters. These sentences are then spelled using Japanese characters. An English translation follows on the right side of the table. Ashita doubutsuen ni ikimasu.明æâ€" ¥Ã¥â€¹â€¢Ã§â€° ©Ã¥Å"’㠁 «Ã¨ ¡Å'㠁 Ã£  ¾Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š(formal) I am going to the zoo tomorrow.(simple statement) Ashita doubutsuen ni iku.明æâ€" ¥Ã¥â€¹â€¢Ã§â€° ©Ã¥Å"’㠁 «Ã¨ ¡Å'㠁 Ã£â‚¬â€š(informal) Ashita doubutsuen ni iku n desu.明æâ€" ¥Ã¥â€¹â€¢Ã§â€° ©Ã¥Å"’㠁 «Ã¨ ¡Å'㠁 Ã£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š(formal) I am going to the zoo tomorrow.(explaining his or her plans for tomorrow.) Ashita doubutsuen ni iku n da.明æâ€" ¥Ã¥â€¹â€¢Ã§â€° ©Ã¥Å"’㠁 «Ã¨ ¡Å'㠁 Ã£â€šâ€œÃ£   Ã£â‚¬â€š(informal) Note how in Japanese, social context is very important. In English, the social situation, or position of the person you are addressing, would make little or no difference. You would tell a good friend at school or a visiting dignitary at a formal state dinner that you are going to the zoo using the same words. Yet, in a formal situation in Japan, you would use –n desu, but you would use  Ã¢â‚¬â€œn da if the circumstance were less formal. In the case of the first two sentences above, you would use –masu  in a formal situation but omit the ending altogether if the setting or circumstances were informal. Why Questions In Japanese, why questions are often completed with –n desu because they are asking for a reason or an explanation, as the table demonstrates: Doushite byouin ni iku n desu ka.Haha ga byouki nan desu.㠁 ©Ã£ â€ Ã£ â€"㠁 ¦Ã§â€"…é™ ¢Ã£  «Ã£  Ã£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£ â€¹Ã£â‚¬â€šÃ¦ ¯ Ã£ Å'çâ€"…æ °â€"㠁 ªÃ£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š Why are you going to the hospital?Because my mother is sick. Doushite tabenai n desu ka.Onaka ga suiteinai n desu.㠁 ©Ã£ â€ Ã£ â€"㠁 ¦Ã© £Å¸Ã£  ¹Ã£  ªÃ£ â€žÃ£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£ â€¹Ã£â‚¬â€šÃ£ Å Ã£  ªÃ£ â€¹Ã£ Å'㠁™ã â€žÃ£  ¦Ã£  ªÃ£ â€žÃ£â€šâ€œÃ£  §Ã£ â„¢Ã£â‚¬â€š Why don't you eat?Because I am not hungry.

Globalization of crime Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Globalization of crime - Essay Example This has seen globalized crime networks grow to a proportion where they now account for about 15 percent of the Global GDP (Glenny 2009). Glenny (2009), further points out that since the fall of the Berlin wall and the end of the communism, organized crime has quickly spread from the Eastern European countries and has become more diversified as it went global and eventually reached macro-economic proportions. The globalization of crime has resulted in the development of an intricate system of trade in a number of illicit rood where goods sourced from a market in a given continent are easily trafficked through another continent before they are eventually marketed in a third continent. The seriousness of the threat that is being posed by the globalization of crime has seen the UN Security council being forced to critically consider its overall implications in countries such as the Republic of Congo, Afghanistan and Somalia where it is severely threatening the stability of these countries. A recent report by the UN Security Council, points out that globalized crime has used a number of different avenues so as to achieve its relatively unprecedented success. Some of these criminal problems include human trafficking, counterfeit goods trafficking, cybercrime, maritime piracy, environmental resource trafficking, drugs trafficking as well as firearms trafficking. Human Trafficking: Trafficking in persons is now considered to be a truly global phenomenon with recent data reported by the UNODC indicating that the human traffickers now manage this trade in such a manner that it has now grown to now include victims drawn from about 127 countries spread out across 137 different countries. Two thirds of these victims are usually women with an estimated 79 percent of them being subjected to sexual exploitation. Most of the sexual

How Can Impoverished Countries with Weak Formal Legal Systems Deal Essay

How Can Impoverished Countries with Weak Formal Legal Systems Deal with a Past of Mass Human Rights Atrocities - Essay Example However, the prevailing economic, legal and political frameworks in these countries are major impediments to achievement of justice especially on human rights atrocities. This paper explores ways in which impoverished countries can deal with past injustices, with particular focus on human rights atrocities. In attempts to deal with the past human right atrocities, the impoverished countries have undertaken a rather unusual approach of forgiveness instead of punishing the perpetrators. Other countries forgive many of the alleged perpetrators and imposing punishment on few individuals considered most culpable of the atrocities. This form of addressing past injustices of human rights atrocities referred as â€Å"restorative justice† has become the most popular mechanism for the last four decades especially in developing countries. Several countries including Sierra Leone, South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana and Central African Republic in Africa have embarked and concluded restorative ju stice to address the past atrocities. Other notable countries in Africa include Nigeria, Morocco (Lyn and Kimberly 2004:2). Similarly restorative justice process has been undertaken in developed countries such as Northern Ireland. Establishment of truth and reconciliation commissions is the most commonly applied method of dealing with the past injustices in Africa. ... These include international humanitarian law, international tribunals, non governmental organizations and foreign military intervention to overthrow the regime responsible for mass killings (Benomar, 1993). According to Beckman and Butte(2008: p2), â€Å"international law comprises of principles and rules that are universally applied in dealing with the conduct of states and of international organizations in their relations with one another and with private individuals, global companies and minority groups.† The International Criminal Court a permanent international tribunal is one of the universal judicial organs established under the international law to arbitrate on the most serious crimes against humanity. These crimes include genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression (Beckman and Butte, 2008: p3). Most impoverished countries are normally in transition to democratic governance and emerging from conflicts, which cause widespread violations of human rights . The International Criminal Court through many subsidiary global committees on human rights examines all these crimes and determines which falls within its jurisdiction. The perpetrators who bear the greatest responsibility for crimes against humanity are charged in the International Criminal Court (Gary, 2000). Currently, several prominent persons in several sub-Saharan Africa accused of crimes against humanity are facing charges in the international court. Some of the countries in which the international court is arbitrating include Sudan, where the current president is wanted for committing crimes against humanity in Darfur, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya for the post election violence in 2008. In addition, individuals accused of committing transitional

Individual differences and second language acquisition Essay

Individual differences and second language acquisition - Essay Example ional or biological factors enhance the differences amid humans, and there are ways that individuals use to learn their variations, although their interaction and introspection with other individuals can be similar. In this regard, it is crucial to evaluate the individual differences that influence second language acquisition. Among the factors that will be evaluate include; age, learning styles, individual motivation, learning strategies, sex, personality and aptitude. One of the most influential individual differences that affect the acquisition of second language is age. Ehrman, Leaver and Oxford (2003) hold that children and young individuals have a better chance of acquiring a second language as compared to older individuals; the argument is that there is a certain age limit at which children have the ability to acquire a second language at a faster rate. Beyond that age, physiological transformations in the brain force it to lose its capacity to intake new functions of acquiring a new language. For persons that have been deprived off the ability for linguistic input require a trigger that enhances the acquisition of the first language and this occurs at a critical period. Zafar and Meenakshi (2012) cite a case in which a 13 year old girl that had been abused and kept away from any languages was rescued; unfortunately, regardless of the numerous efforts to teach her the first language so as she would communicate, Genie never learnt the languag e. This finding led to a long and controversial debate which sought to determine the appropriate time in which an individual can acquire a new language. In other words, scholars held that there is a critical period at which an individual can acquire a new language and it is controlled by the physiological transformations that take place in the brain. The explanation given is that as an individual becomes older, the level of self-conscious increases and it hinders the ability to learn a second language. The sensitive

Basic Approaches to Leadership - Contingency Theories Assignment

Basic Approaches to Leadership - Contingency Theories - Assignment Example Leadership is an â€Å"observable set of skills and abilities that are useful in any work society, community or society† (Kouzes & Posner, 2009). Leadership is best defined as - â€Å"the process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.† (Chemers, 1997). Over the years, many theories of leadership have been proposed: trait theories, contingency theories, situational theories, behavioural theories, participative theories, management theories and relationship theories. This paper is aimed at understanding the various contingency theories of leadership and identifying the one which is most accurate. Contingency Theory of Leadership Contingency theory of leadership was one of the first leadership theories that accepted that there is no single leadership style or model that would best suit all situations. Contingency theories were formulated on the idea that leaders need to adapt to different sit uations and need to be flexible. Behavioural leadership theories are the basis of contingency theories. According to contingency theory, leadership depends on the numerous environmental variables such as the situational demands, qualities of followers, workplace culture, job at hand, overall environment and the leadership style itself (Lussier & Achua, 2009). Contingency theory is based on the following four assumptions: A leadership style is dependent on the demands of the situation and a single leadership style is not applicable to all situations. Leadership is not a born talent and it can be learned Leadership is successful on only when the situational contingencies are understood Effective leadership is possible only when there is a match between the leadership style, behaviour or personality and situational demands (Lussier & Achua, 2009) Following are some of the contingency theories proposed: Fiedler Model: Fiedler model was proposed by Fred Fiedler and was the first continge ncy model. According to this, the effectiveness of a group or its performance was dependent on the match between the leadership style and degree of control the situation allowed to the leader. Hence, the effectiveness of the leader depends of the leadership style and 3 key situational factors: relationship of the leader and the follower, position power and task structure (Robbins, 2009). Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Theory: The situational theory proposed by Hersey and Blanchard focuses mainly on the characteristics of the followers. According to this, the characteristic of the followers is the main element of the situation and is the deciding factor in the leadership behaviour/style adopted by the leader. That is, the readiness of the followers to carry out a task influences the leadership style. A different leadership style is needed when the follower’s task readiness is low (needs training and constant guidance) and when the follower’s task readiness is high (posses right skills and attitude along with willingness and confidence). Therefore, a leader needs to be flexible and adopt to the situation. A leader can adopt any of the four leadership styles (delegating, participating, selling and telling) depending on the situational factors (Daft & Lane, 2007). Leader-Member Exchange Theory: This is a very interesting contingency theory that argues that leaders try to establish a special relationship with a small group who possess similar attitude, demographic and personality characters as that of the leader. That