Red Cross: Importance of Planning and Control - Research Paper Example

Red Cross: Importance of Planning and Control Developments in software industry, information technology and media should be effectively used for donor retention and enlisting new donors for this purpose. The Ambulance service established by Kenya Red Cross to generate revenue is an example that reflects the need for generation of resources through business activities for humanitarian purpose. Based in Geneva an independent and neutral organization the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) employs about 12,000 people in 80 countries “works worldwide to provide humanitarian help for people affected by conflict and armed violence and to promote laws that protect victims of war” (ICRC, 2013a).

  National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have a long history of 150 years of service to humanitarian causes. Signing of the Geneva Convention of 1864 International Humanitarian was an important milestone. This has evolved into modern international law over the period of time in the history that upholds neutrality of the wounded soldiers for ensuring medical and other care on humanitarian basis. Objective of the research This paper seeks to research the importance of planning and control in the operations of Red Cross with a view to improve the performance levels of the national Red Cross Societies.

Importance and scope of the research: Ever increasing need for resources due to disasters, internal unrest, violence, terrorism and war necessitates efficiency in utilization of available resources through proper planning and control in tune with the unique environmental challenges which vary from case to case. The organization will be benefited if the improved management practices and the systems compatible with the technological developments are integrated into the system for effective management.

The strategies evolved on this basis could be modified based on the experience of the national societies and applied for enhancing the efficacy of the organizational performance. Research questions 1. Why planning and control are important in activities of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies? 2. How planning and control can improve performance of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies? 3. What are the barriers in establishing a system for effective planning and control in the operations of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies? 4. What steps can be taken to improve planning and control in Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies?

Methodology It is proposed to adopt qualitative analysis of secondary sources for the purpose of research. The secondary sources are rich with literature on not-for-profit organizations as well as planning and control which is the most researched subject over years. The research papers published in academic journals, newspapers, magazines, university publications, international organizations and other internet sources can be used for the purpose of research. Though the research studies cover surveys or interviews conducted for some other purposes, they are also relevant for the current research and used for analysis and discussion.

Analysis of secondary resources is less time consuming and cost effective. Library sources can be effectively used for collection of data. Google search and scholar.google.com would be useful in identifying the sources for literature review by using appropriate and relevant search terms. Library sources could be used for collection of required data. The data thus collected will be sorted based criteria such as content, its appropriateness and relevance to the research questions or objective for further analysis.

Literature Review Environmental factors influencing the operations Primarily it is important to understand the environment in