Afrodizzia by Chris Ofili

Free Essays on Sales Report

Sales Case Analysis #1 Overview Case 1.4 provides a comprehensive portrayal of the competitive nature of sales, and the nerve-racking aspects a company encounters while attempting to establish beneficial product superiority. Specifically, the case revolves around â€Å"Mediquip S.A’s† attempt and failure to sell a piece of medical equipment called, the computer tomography (CT) scanner. Moreover, the case focuses on Kurt Thaldorf; a sales engineer for Mediquip S.A., and his unsuccessful effort to finalize a deal with the buyer; Lohmann University Hospital. In addition, the other major contenders in the CT scanner market are FNC, Eldora, Magna, and Piper. From a sales management standpoint, it is apparent that the essential problem in Medquip S.A.’s inevitable loss, derives from its inability to distinctively present a beneficially competitive, comparative, and lucrative offer. Recommendations Mediquip, S.A.’s failure to close a deal stems from their elemental inadequacies. Consequently, this refers to their deficiency in planning and preparing for possible issues prior and during the sales process. This goes hand-in-hand with the three interrelated sets of the effective management process being; formulation, implementation and evaluation of a sales program. It was obvious when they initially presented their sales price was unacceptable if they wanted to compete with the other contenders. Realistically speaking, if they had developed a plan and researched the external and internal environmental influences on the sale, they would have been better prepared. For example: If they had researched the possible offers of other competitors, they might’ve rethought their price and approach of their sale. Rationale If I was managing sales I would simply rationalize every decision and alt... Free Essays on Sales Report Free Essays on Sales Report Sales Case Analysis #1 Overview Case 1.4 provides a comprehensive portrayal of the competitive nature of sales, and the nerve-racking aspects a company encounters while attempting to establish beneficial product superiority. Specifically, the case revolves around â€Å"Mediquip S.A’s† attempt and failure to sell a piece of medical equipment called, the computer tomography (CT) scanner. Moreover, the case focuses on Kurt Thaldorf; a sales engineer for Mediquip S.A., and his unsuccessful effort to finalize a deal with the buyer; Lohmann University Hospital. In addition, the other major contenders in the CT scanner market are FNC, Eldora, Magna, and Piper. From a sales management standpoint, it is apparent that the essential problem in Medquip S.A.’s inevitable loss, derives from its inability to distinctively present a beneficially competitive, comparative, and lucrative offer. Recommendations Mediquip, S.A.’s failure to close a deal stems from their elemental inadequacies. Consequently, this refers to their deficiency in planning and preparing for possible issues prior and during the sales process. This goes hand-in-hand with the three interrelated sets of the effective management process being; formulation, implementation and evaluation of a sales program. It was obvious when they initially presented their sales price was unacceptable if they wanted to compete with the other contenders. Realistically speaking, if they had developed a plan and researched the external and internal environmental influences on the sale, they would have been better prepared. For example: If they had researched the possible offers of other competitors, they might’ve rethought their price and approach of their sale. Rationale If I was managing sales I would simply rationalize every decision and alt...

New york city Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

New york city - Research Paper Example New York City is on the Atlantic seacoast. It has a challenging geography for settlement because the Hudson River dissects the boroughs, cutting them off from one another and creating the island of Manhattan. As a result, there are many bridges that connect the boroughs of New York City. The climate of the city is a Continental climate type with a hot summer. Legends tell of the Dutch settlers buying the island of Manhattan for a few strings of beads. This is part of the foundation mythology of New York City. After the British took over, the great harbor in New York caused trade to flourish. New York City became America’s biggest city in 1790 and has stayed that way ever since. The arrival of immigrants into America from Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries happened mostly in New York City. Many of them were allowed into the country through Ellis Island. Here they became United States citizens. Over the years, neighborhoods and boroughs in New York City have changed. Places that were once the homes of Jews or German immigrants are now home to immigrants from Pakistan or Vietnam. New York City is the most ethnically diverse city in the world. More languages are spoken there than any other place on earth. New York City has seen many waves of immigrants over the course of its history. The city is marked by a humid-continental climate with a hot summer. New York City enjoys seasonal changes. The seasons are distinct in regards to temperature but not with rainfall. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 31 F. The hottest month is July with an average temperature of 76 F. Rainfall is evenly distributed through the whole year, averaging between three and four inches each month (Climate Data, 2010). The Atlantic Ocean has a moderating influence on the climate of New York City but does not dominate it. Other things that affect the climate on a micro scale is the phenomenon of the urban heat island. This

Contract law assessed coursework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Contract law assessed coursework - Essay Example These apartments prove to be in great demand, and Eileen and Paul have a change of mind and ask Anne to either pay rent or vacate the flat. They also ask Mike to enhance the rent with retrospective effect, from the time of completion of the flats. For advising Eileen and Paul in respect of their problems with Mike and Anne, the following issues have to be considered. Whether, there is any legally binding contract between Anne and Eileen and Paul. Whether Eileen and Paul can demand the arrears of rent from Mike, with retrospective effect. The principle of Promissory Estoppel has to be examined for answering these issues. In general, consideration is a very important factor in contracts, and renders a promise enforceable. The promisee has to provide something in exchange for the promise, which is termed as consideration. In the absence of consideration, a promise is in general, rendered unenforceable. In essence, the promisee has to provide something to the promisor, in exchange for th e promise (Capper, 2008, p. 105). In our problem, Mike was paying rent at a lower rate, since the construction work was in progress in the building. However, he had been paying a much higher rent, initially. The following case law indicates the attitude of the courts in deciding issues related to the principle of promissory estoppel. In Williams v Roffey, the court held that the performance of a previous contractual duty was consideration for a subsequent contract. The reasoning behind this ruling is the proper performance of the original contractual obligation would give rise to a practical benefit for the parties to the contract (Williams v Roffey Brothers & Nicholls (Contractors) Ltd, 1991).If the promisee performs something with regard to an earlier contract, which benefits the promisor, then the performance is considered as good consideration. The only requirement is that the performance must have resulted in some practical benefit to the promisor. However, in Re Selectmove Ltd , the appellate court held that the promise of the plaintiff to the Inland Revenue required the payment of arrears. As there were no immediate payments by the plaintiff, there was no good consideration (Re Selectmove Ltd, 1995). In Central London Property Trust Ltd V. High Trees House Ltd, sparse occupancy, occasioned by the World War, had caused the landlord to charge reduced rent. Subsequently, occupancy increased to the extent that there were no vacant flats. The tenants opposed the landlord’s attempt to charge the higher rent, and the court ruled that the tenants had to pay higher rent from the time of full occupancy (Central London Property Trust Ltd v High Trees House Ltd, 1947). This case constitutes the best decision in the Commonwealth and England. It deems reliance to be the basis for altering a contract (Teeven, 2002, p. 350). However, higher rent was not permitted from the very beginning; this constitutes the principle of promissory estoppels. Moreover, in Tool Me tal Manufacturing Co Ltd v. Tungsten Electric Co Ltd, the patent owners had promised to defer periodic payments due to them, from the outbreak of war (Tool Metal Manufacturing Co Ltd v. Tungsten Electric Co Ltd , 1955). The House of Lords held this promise to be binding during the period of suspension. This decision suggests that the principle of estoppel is in general, suspensory. As per the decision in Central London Property Trust Ltd, Mike has to pay the enhanced rent only after the completion of the construction of flats. However, Eileen and Paul demanded him to

IDiscusson board reply645 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

IDiscusson board reply645 - Coursework Example Several Christian principles focus on our relationship with others. In his message to the scribes, Jesus speaks of the importance of relationships. He utters that the greatest commandment is, â€Å"Hear, o Israel! The Lord, our God, is the one and only Lord. And, you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, your entire mind, and all your strength. The second is also important: Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these† (KJV Mark 12:29-31). Creation’s account according to Genesis presents an example that provides an account of God’s decision-making, organizing, planning, controlling, and leading. Business commonly accepts the account as management functions that are critical to the success of an organization (Drucker, 2014). God’s principal set of command provides us with a foundation and a sense of our â€Å"mission and purpose.† God further calls us to be â€Å"master over all life, the fish in the sea, birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals† (KJV Genesis 1:26). Simply, just like in an organization, God commissions humans to manage the resources provided by

System Application and Product Training Effectiveness

System Application and Product Training Effectiveness CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Overview of the study This section gives overview of the study of SAP training satisfaction in Felda Authority and Development Board (FELDA) and the impact that SAP brings towards accounting processes in FELDA, including the rationale, brief past literature, reasons for carrying out this study and significance contribution of this study. (ERP) Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are software systems that enable companies to enjoy real time business environment and share common data across the organization (i.e. Gargeya and Brady, 2005, Spathis and Constantinides, 2003, Nah et al., 2001) that assure able to meet business requirement (Bradley and Lee, 2007). ERP systems are commonly used to replace legacy systems which require high maintenance (Bradley and Lee, 2007). There are many selections of ERP. However, the top five ERP system vendors are System Application and Product (SAP), Peoplesoft, Oracle, J.D. Edwards and Baan (Equey and FragniÃÆ' ¨re, 2008). Little and Best (2003) sum up majority of international organizations range from medium to large sizes have adopted ERP. Of these, the most popular choice is won by SAP R/3 (Little and Best (2003). (SAP) System Application and Product (SAP) R/3 is an ERP system (Little and Best, 2003), originally developed and marketed in Germany. In the 1990s, SAP became better recognized outside Germany and attracted many companies due to its various benefits and functionalities (Martin and Cheung, 2000). It is comprised of a collection of modules including financial accounting, sales and distribution, materials management, production planning and human resources (i.e. Martin and Cheung, 2000, Finney and Corbett (2007). All modules are integrated with each other (i.e. Little and Best, 2003, Nah et al., 2001). The R/3 smoothen the progress of monitoring and controlling job, where it can be designed to be fit with companies roles and assigned to users performing these roles (Little and Best, 2003). (How ERP works) As found by Gupta (2000), traditional systems take care of each business transaction separately. Amazingly, ERP discontinues treating these transactions individually. More astonishingly, data generated by various departments are stored in the same database for the use of multiple users, from multiple units, for multiple purposes at multiple places (Gupta, 2000). A transaction generated by one unit can automatically updates any other unitsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ transaction. The interconnections ensure that common information in a unit can be obtained by any other unit. This also brings means that ERP allows real time data processing (Vathanopas, 2007, Gupta, 2000, Nah et al., 2001). However, these functionalities require involvement and support of all level of employees from top management downward to shop-level employees (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). (Benefit SAP-6) R/3 helps in separating duties in an organization (Little and Best, 2003). Other than R/3 usefulness, one of ERPà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s major strengths includes the restructuring companies to a better position (Nah et al., 2001, Willis and Willis-Brown; 2002; Kim et al.; 2005; Hong Seng Woo, 2007). While ERP may empower management and serve employees, customers and suppliers needs (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002), this may lead to greater companies value (Spathis and Constantinides, 2003). The study of Spathis and Constantinides (2003) prove ERP offer huge significant benefits on accounting information and management processes. In addition to that, the sample company in Amoako-Gyampah (2004) study of which a healthcare products organization with over 20,000 employees worldwide chose SAP R/3 as they claim SAPà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"s tight integration philosophy met their business need for integration. Furthermore, ERP offer seamless data integration or cross-functional within the c ompanies (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). This corroborates the purpose of ERP where it is designed to provide one common source of data. Lastly, ERP adopters may enjoy the productions of real-time data which is shared across the organization (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004, Mustacello and Chen, 2008; Finney and Corbett, 2007). (Cost SAP -6) Perhaps, one of its shortcomings is the pain during implementation (Gargeya and Brady, 2005). For the adopters, the organizationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s long term implementation process may cause fatigue and dissatisfaction. Worse, this also may cause imperfect system design and testing (Trimi et al., 2005). Moreover, the greatest disadvantage of an ERP system (Trimi et al, 2005) is stiff and expensive to implement (Bradley and Lee, 2007, Gargeya and Brady, 2005, Spathis and Constantinides, 2003). Implementation costs include software, hardware, consultant fees, cost for staff to operate the system and the very large cost component of user training (Trimi et al. 2005). This leads to over budget, in average of 189 percent for many companies, especially failed projects (Gargeya and Brady, 2005). The complexity of the system is another major complaint (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002, Bradley and Lee, 2007). Consequently, companies will face high resistant to change from employee s (Spathis and Constantinides, 2003) as employees do not insist to learn new ERP system due to its non-user friendly features compared to old system (Bradley and Lee, 2007, Pijpers and Montfort, 2006). (CSF) With all the costs and disadvantages of ERP, increasingly we hear of the fall short of ERP implementations (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002, Nah et al., 2001, Finney and Corbett, 2007; Gargeya and Brady, 2005). Resultantly, there has been long-drawn-out investigate concerning on critical success factors (CSF) of ERP implementations (Finney and Corbett, 2007; Gargeya and Brady, 2005, Kim et al., 2005, Hong Seng Woo, 2007; Mustacello and Chen, 2008). Accordingly, as suggest in prior literature, in order to ensure success of SAP implementation, CSF needs to be identified (Nah et al., 2001; Finney and Corbett, 2007; Kim et al., 2005, Hong Seng Woo, 2007); Gargeya and Brady, 2005; Mustacello and Chen, 2008). These factors may act as impediment and in worse case may be the focal grounds of a failure of implementation project (i.e. Nah, Lau and Kuang, 2001; Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002). Finney and Corbett (2007) who compile and analyze current literature of CSFs of ERP implementation, found five mostly cited categories. It includes top management commitment and support, business process reengineering (BPR) and change management, system development and testing, training and education and the best and brightest project team. This study will add up this list focusing on good project management (Nah et al. 2001, Kim et al.; 2005, Gargeya and Brady, 2005, Hong Seng Woo; 2007, Mustacello and Chen, 2008), proper planning (Finney and Corbett, 2007; Gargeya and Brady, 2005, Nah et al. 2001), effective communication (Finney and Corbett, 2007; Hong Seng Woo, 2007; Mustacello and Chen, 2008, Nah et al. 2001), feedback from employees (Nah et al., 2001; Finney and Corbett, 2007) and monitoring and eva luating performance (Nah et al., 2001; Finney and Corbett, 2007). (Importance of training) To outweigh the implementation costs, sufficient training should be given to employees. The training effort is ample and is a challenge to deliver effectively in a timely manner (Martin and Cheung, 2000). Trainings help companies by offering a smoother transition for the employees to accept the new system. Vathanophas (2007) argued there can be a hierarchical level of ERP training. The ERP consultants first train the IT staff that in turn train the individual departmental representatives or key users. These key users then teach their own departmental users or end users. It can be said that ERP implementations can be more successful if training is structured and focused. Training should give rise to satisfaction feel among users to boost their confidence level. (TAM) Theoretically, the technology acceptance model by Davis, suggests successful implementation requires user acceptance (Bradley and Lee, 2007). Since ERP is such a complex technology (Gargeya and Brady, 2005), organizations undertake training as an approach to gain the advantage of technology acceptance. Thus, this study seeks to explore the relationship of training to ERP project success (i.e. accounting processes). The variables used are: User perception of ease of use User perception of usefulness (Job position and business division) Job position and business division may theoretically see to influence SAP training satisfaction (Okpara, 2004). Differences are widely known to augment in the perceptions and attitudes of different hierarchical organizational members toward innovations and technology (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). Managers perceived that technology would be easier to use compared to end users (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). Concerning the need for more training and education, Bradley and Lee (2007) found that all level of employees show the need for more training. While difference job position gives different perception on ERP training, Ifinedo (2007) reported a positive relationship between organizational structures that facilitate ERP adoption. As a consequence, ERP will be less successful in companies where tasks are less specialized and organizational tasks are not properly segregated. (Accounting processes) ERP provide huge benefits to accounting processes in company (Spathis and Constantinides, 2004). ERP systems provide companies the ability to improve business processes by integrating both financial and non-financial data among all functional areas within an organization. The study of Spathis and Constantinides (2004) highly rated à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“increased flexibility in information generationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“increased integration of accounts applicationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“improved quality of reports-financial statementsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? as perceived accounting benefits may be achieved in using ERP system. Problem statement (Present situation) To remain competitive, FELDA have undertaken business process re-engineering of using SAP to replace the old legacy system. Throughout the Felda Group of Companies (FGOC), the implementation is executed by phase, since 2002. Currently, 20 companies are formally using SAP and have formal SAP system in place. (Wrong with present situation) Numerous complaints received by the Customer Support Centre in term of the complexity of the system. Many problems logged at Customer Support Centre, requiring guidance on the use of the system. Worst, the problems logged are rising especially during account closing or stock count. Although training prior to implementations had been conducted, many refresh training after the implementations are requested by different companies independently. Many employees of finance unit claim SAP make daily job become difficult due to complexity of SAP. For instance, they feel reporting purpose using SAP takes time to perform. Yet, some of them feel SAP really helps especially during account closing. Countless criticisms on these harms, blaming on the several major issues faced during implementation of SAP were not fully solved. (Needs to be done) Consequently, this study seeks whether users of different groups of employees (i.e. job position and business division) are satisfied on the adequacy of SAP training given by Felda Prodata Systems Sdn. Bhd. (FPSSB) and external consultants. Moreover, the impact of SAP on accounting processes will be explored. Research objectives The main objectives of this study is to examine whether users (i.e. staff of finance department in FELDA) are satisfied on the adequacy of training given prior and post the implementation. The breakdown objectives of this study are: To determine the critical success factors of SAP implementation in FELDA. 1H- H01 To gain insight on perception of groups of employees (i.e. job position and business division) of finance department in FELDA on training adequacy. 2H- H02, H03 To analyze the relation between training and education satisfaction, and perceptions of ease of use and perception of usefulness (i.e. effectiveness and efficiency) on SAP system in the finance department in FELDA. 1H- H04 To explore the impact of SAP implementation on the accounting processes at FELDA. 1H- H05 4 Research questions What are the critical success factors in implementing SAP in FELDA?  · Do different groups of employees (i.e. job position and business division) of finance departments in FELDA perceive training adequacy differently?  · Do training and education satisfaction have impact on perceptions of ease of use and perception of usefulness (i.e. effectiveness and efficiency) on SAP system in the finance department in FELDA?  · How does the implementation of SAP affect the accounting processes at FELDA? Definition of terms Satisfaction of user on the SAP training will act as the independent variable. The dependant variables are the perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) of SAP. Davis (1989) cited in Bradley and Lee (2007) explains the perceived usefulness is attributed by efficiency (perform job faster) and effectiveness (achieve desired results in performing the job). There are other variables use in this study to look for differences in perception of training satisfaction, including job position and business division. Overview of research methodology SAPà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s website lists many of the worldà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s largest companies as its clients (Trimi et al. 2005). To remain competitive (Spathis and Constantinides, 2003), FELDA have undertaken the Felda Group of Companies (FGOC), the implementation is executed by phase, since 2002. Currently, 22 subsidiaries are formally using SAP and have formal SAP system in place. FELDA face many problems in installing SAP such as resistance to change among employees and useless training which did not achieve the purpose it brings (Bradley and Lee, 2007). The data collected is from Felda Group of Companies (FGOC) who formally used SAP in place. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the effect of training satisfaction on use and usefulness. ANOVA was used on survey data to look for difference in perception of training satisfaction by job position and business divisions. Significance of this study This study is interesting to examine as to fill in the gap in the literature by providing empirical evidence on the adequacy of SAP training conducted at FELDA and the impact on accounting benefits that SAP brought in. FELDA organization may use it in improving their business operation activities. It is a hope that this study can also be used by other companies in dealing with ERP implementation. Summary As FELDA is using SAP system formally, this study focuses on SAP training satisfaction in FELDA in relation to the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use among finance department staff in FELDA. The CSFs of SAP implementation and its impact on FELDAsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ accounting processes are also explored. Regardless of the seamless integration offered in a real-time environment, ERP also badly comes with numerous disadvantages including cost overruns, fatigue implementation and less user-friendly characteristics. By proposing a model on the basis of the Technology Acceptance Model by Davis, this study hopes to support any existing literature on the adequacy or appropriateness of SAP training and the impact on accounting benefits. Organization of dissertation This study is organized as follows. Chapter 1 briefly highlights the literature review, research methodology, rationale and reasons for carrying out this study. Chapter 2 debates literature reviews on previous studies related to SAP. This is followed by Chapter 3 on the research methodology adopted in this study. Chapter 4 describes and discusses the findings of the study. The final chapter concludes with major findings, limitations of the study and recommendations on future research. CHAPTER 2 LITERATURE REVIEW This chapter reviews the literature concerning ERP and SAP definition as well as past studies conducted on benefits and costs of ERP and SAP, and the need of training on ERP. Related literature describes userà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s satisfaction on ERP training and the impact of job position and business division on perceive ness of SAP training adequacy. The chapter then highlights some theories relevant to the ERP impact on accounting processes. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Enterprise resource planning (ERP) come into view as a system for a whole business that offer to share data throughout the entire organization, generate and access information in a real time world (Vathanopas, 2007, Gupta, 2000, Trimi et al., 2005, Finney and Corbett, 2007; Gargeya and Brady, 2005, Kim et al., 2005, Hong Seng Woo, 2007; Mustacello and Chen, 2008, Nah et al., 2001) five years ago (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002). It is one of the most popular software system emerged in this world (Hong Seng Woo, 2007). Realizing its huge benefits, ERP systems have been widely implemented by numerous firms throughout the world (i.e. Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002, Gupta, 2000). According to Equey and FragniÃÆ' ¨re (2008), as at 2001, there are more than 100 ERP suppliers. Of these, only five are the current market leader, of which System Application and Product (SAP), Peoplesoft, Oracle, J.D. Edwards and Baan. Little and Best (2003) sum up majority of international organizations range from medium to large sizes have adopted ERP. And again, of these, the most popular choice is won by SAP R/3 (Little and Best (2003). System Application and Product (SAP) The call for for ERP systems has permit SAP R/3 to dominate the ERP system market (Little and Best, 2003). SAP was opted in reorganization project of large companies in 16 countries in Europe (Martin and Cheung, 2000). Soliman and Youssef (1998) highlight, according to a Fortune magazine survey, there are over 7,000 companies in 50 different countries using the SAP R/3 system. While SAP R/3 is currently the most leading ERP system (Little and Best, 2003), industry watchers and consultants rated SAP as the best system that able to fit with companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s requirement (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). SAP R/3 is an ERP (Little and Best, 2003). It is an integrated software system, originally developed and marketed in Germany (Martin and Cheung, 2000). It a product of the German software company, SAP AG. (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). In the 1990s, SAP became better known outside Germany (Martin and Cheung, 2000). Its centre of attraction is its high level integration and vast functionality (i.e. Amoako-Gyampah, 2004, Gupta, 2000). It is comprised of a collection of modules including financial accounting, materials management, sales and distribution, production planning and human resources (i.e. Martin and Cheung, 2000, Finney and Corbett, 2007). All modules are integrated with each other (i.e. Nah et al., 2001). The R/3 means that facilitates the monitoring and controlling job, where it can be designed to be fit with companies roles and assigned to users performing these roles (Little and Best, 2003). How ERP works Old system or ERP perform the same function of storing data and information, process and present them whenever requested by user. However, for traditional system, there is no link between the systems being used by different departments or units. According to Gupta (2000), traditional systems take care of each business transaction separately. An ERP does the same thing in a different modern manner. Surprisingly, ERP discontinues treating these transactions individually. Data generated by various departments are stored in the same database for the use of multiple users, from multiple departments, for multiple purposes at multiple places (Gupta, 2000). The software is capable to integrate data from several different functions of an organization such as finance, human resources, logistics, marketing and manufacturing (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). In simpler words, user from finance unit can view common data keyed in by human resources unit. ERP allows real time data processing (Vathanopas, 2007, Gupta, 2000, Nah et al., 2001). The emergence of ERP in early 1990 led to linkage between departments such as accounting and sales management (Gupta, 2000). For instance, a purchase order entered by procurement unit sends a materials request to store unit. At the same time, the purchase order transaction appears as an expense on general ledger. Supplier also can monitor latest stock level and whenever the materials run low, they can add the stock without having to be notified by client. The interconnections ensure that common information in a unit can be obtained by any other unit. This makes it simpler to see how the entire business as a whole is operating. ERP systems by their very nature offer cross-functional transact and information system (IS) is widely used in an organization. The wave of changes covers inside out the company where it modifies the way employees does their jobs and how the company operates (Hong Seng Woo, 2007). Hence, the implementation inevitably enquires the involvement of all level of employees from top management downward to shop-level employees (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). Benefits of ERP vs. cost ERP adopters seem to experience one or two opposite outcomes. For some, ERP aids in restructuring companies to a better position (Nah et al., 2001, Willis and Willis-Brown; 2002; Kim et al.; 2005; Hong Seng Woo, 2007). For instance, ERP may empower management and serve employees, customers and suppliers needs (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002). This may bring greater companies value (Spathis and Constantinides, 2003). As found by Willis and Willis-Brown (2002), ERP facilitates companies in term of information pertaining to customers. Customerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s data is collected such as pattern of orders, product preferences and any complaint or satisfaction received. Conversely, suppliers are responsible in monitoring their own inventory level supplied to their client. When the materials run low, they can add the stock without having to be notified by client. In contrast, employees may have facilities to take the ERP with them. This service is referred as mobile ERP, where it is one of the greatest opportunities today. One example is that ERP allows the setup of pricing and promotion programs automatically attached with invoicing and billing. In addition to that, the satellite-based global positioning system (GPS) technology offers another excellent opportunity. Companies can use the ERP system in better tracking the status of materials such as the movement of tagged inventory from receiving, work-in-process, inspection, packaging and distribution. R/3 helps in separating duties in an organization (Little and Best, 2003). The R/3 facilitates the monitoring and controlling job, where it can be designed consistent with companiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ roles and assigned to users performing these roles. The SAP system itself restricts usersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ access to certain functions within the system, which means that users have to be authorized to perform a certain action. These authorizations are associated with roles. And the roles are assigned to users. These authorizations are necessary for users or staffs to perform their duties. If a staffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s authorization profile contains no authorizations then the staff cannot have access to respective action on the system. ERP advantages have been well explained in the study of Spathis and Constantinides (2003). The study explores ERP system benefits on accounting information and management processes for companies adopting ERP system in Greece. The most highly rated perceived benefits achieved involve increase flexibility in information generation, improved quality of reports-financial statements, increased integration of applications and easy maintenance of databases. This clearly suggests that ERP has significant impact on accounting procedures. The evidences of Spathis and Constantinides (2003) study also support the argument that ERP is successful in fulfilling the adoptersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ business purposes and requirements. The integration of applications, the production of real-time information for decision making, improves both accounting information and business operations. The sample company in Amoako-Gyampah (2004) study of which a healthcare products organization with over 20,000 employees worldwide chose SAP R/3 as they claim SAPà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"s tight integration philosophy met their business need for integration. ERP transaction systems meant to offer companies with seamless data integration and it appears that this benefit is likely to be understood by employees regardless of their position within the companies (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). The integration involved the automatically update of different modules at different locations within the organization at different time periods. For example, say ordering goods was being completed at one location, pricing was being started at another department and financials would have nearly been completed at another location. ERP are designed to eliminate multiple sources of data, eliminate multiple data entries and provide more accurate and timely data. This corroborates the purpose of ERP where it is designed to provide one common source of data. Companies adopting ERP enjoy integration business applications using real-time information. The productions of real-time data are shared across the organization. This is important in business environment where effectiveness and efficiency in operations and real-time data are among crucial factors for business success (Spathis and Constantinides, 2003). Consequently, generation of timely information improves decision making process, planning and monitoring of ERP adopters. Despite ERPà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s promises, the greatest disadvantage of an ERP system (Trimi et al, 2005) is stiff and expensive to implement (Bradley and Lee, 2007, Gargeya and Brady, 2005, Spathis and Constantinides, 2003). In fact, Trimi et al. (2005) conclude ERP is expensive by their nature. Generally, software development represents about 80 percent of total implementation cost. Implementation costs include software, hardware, external consultant fees and internal staff for installation, and not to forget a very large cost spent on training of staff to operate the system. Studies have shown that, for every dollar spent on ERP software, 3 to 10 dollars might be required for the users training (Amoako-Gyampah, 2004). For the adopters, the organizationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s long term implementation process may caused fatigue and dissatisfaction. Worse, the level of dissatisfaction appears to be arising (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002). The main problem faced by ERP implementers is the decision to customize or not in suiting the system with the organization (Gupta, 2000). Company adopters will demand ERP to meet their needs. They spend excessive time trying to retrofit the business process to ERP. Thus, the companies which customize will end writing more code of which requiring more time and cost. It can be said that the changeover may take a longer time causing cost overruns (Spathis and Constantinides, 2003). Since most external consultants are charged on man-hour basis, project time overruns substantially inflate costs. Many companies, especially failed projects, found themselves over budget, in average of 189 percent (Gargeya and Brady, 2005). Inflating implementation costs that exceed budget has caused many companies to trim project efforts. Companies will then attempt relying heavily on limited-knowledge internal expertise. Generally, the decision was forced by over price set by external knowledgeable consultants. The result was improper setup and configuration (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002). Theoretically, Trimi et al. (2005) see many projects failures as a result of imperfect design and implementation of the system. The lack of knowledgeable and skilled staff resulted in the failure to implement some very useful features or in a worse case, critical operations (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002). For instance, the critical failure would be associated with the companiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ ability to rapidly respond to situation with real-time information. Given any new arises or major SAP upgrade (Gargeya and Brady, 2005), changes are required to respond throughout the system (Trimi et al., 2005, Gupta, 2000) probably denying many of unique customizing or specific business process related to the respective companies. Different companies are unique which they have different cultures, their own way of doing things, operates with different procedures and business requirements. They do not wish to be assimilated into one corporate culture. Companies carry their unique business pr ocess which requires unique ERP customizing. Gargeya and Brady (2005) found Sobeyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s, an $89 million Canadian grocery chain, abandoned the implementation process as it feel SAP could not handle its requirements. In a nutshell, planning an ERP project cannot be taken lightly (Gargeya and Brady, 2005). Another major complaint (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002) is the lack of user-friendly systems (Bradley and Lee, 2007). Few staffs may use the system as their perceptions of ease of use of the systems are set at a lower level. Personnel claim it is difficult to capture data at the inception of a particular transaction (Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002). The main hurdle (Gupta, 2000) faced was high resistant to change (Spathis and Constantinides, 2003). Staffs do not insist to learn new technologies due to attachment to old system (Bradley and Lee, 2007, Pijpers and Montfort, 2006). Not surprisingly, many companies suffer guilt of making simplistic assumptions as they realized culture changes do not occur magically. These changes characterized by human psyche. If staffs are not ready or willing to change, change simply will not occur. Unisource, a $7 billion companies, terminate its SAP implementation plan due to internal problems of unable in dealing with cultural change (Gargeya and Brady, 2005). Critical success factor in implementation of ERP The difficulties and failure in implementing ERP have been widely cited in the literature (i.e. Nah, Lau and Kuang, 2001; Willis and Willis-Brown, 2002). For instance, Allied Waste Industries, Inc. decided to pull $130 million budgeted on SAP development and Waste Management, Inc., terminated SAP installation after spent about $45 million from expected $250 million on the project (Kim et al., 2005). Thus, it is important to identify predictors for the success of ERP implementation (Nah et al., 2001; Finney and Corbett, 2007; Kim et al., 2005, Hong Seng Woo, 2007); Gargeya and Brady, 2005; Mustacello and Chen, 2008). Critical success factor (CSF) can be defined as any element or situation that can be characterized as necessary in order to succeed in any ERP implementation (Finney and Corbett, 2007). Below are the list of CSFs which are widely debated in the literature (Nah, et al., 2001; Finney and Corbett, 2007; Kim et al., 2005, Hong Seng Woo, 2007); Gargeya and Brady, 2005; Mustacello and Chen, 2008). (Training and education) As ERP is not easy to use, training users in using ERP is important even for highly educated personnel or highly information technology (IT) skills personnel (Hong Seng Woo, 2007, Nah et al.; 2001, Mustacello and Chen; 2008, Gargeya and Brady ;2005, Finney and Corbett, 2007 and Gupta; 2000). Hong Seng Woo (2007), Nah et al. (2001) and Mustacello and Chen (2008) stress that sufficient training can help enlighten the opportunity for ERP system success. Heavy investment in training, support and education should be emphasized such as hands-on job (Finney and Corbett, 2007), on-site support staff and support centre (i.e. helpdesk, online user manual) (Nah et al., 2001). It is common that training effort is downplayed or ignored, because it does not provide huge quant

Reading Poetry by the Morning Moon :: Personal Narrative Essays

Reading Poetry by the Morning Moon Wind sweeps a stray cloud across the sky, exposing half of a gray-mottled moon. It’s nine-thirty in the morning, and the moon looks like an island in a pellucid sea. Sitting in the mossy crook of a hickory tree, my legs dangle above the creek. A walnut leaf drifts past, on its way through the valley, destined for the river and finally the bay. For a moment, I think of taking off my sneakers and socks, rolling up my jeans, and dipping my toes into the soft silt lining the creek bed. The meandering stream is only shin-deep and with four strides I could sit on the other shore. In the October chill, however, I reconsider; instead, the smells - mud, fish, decaying leaves - intoxicate me. â€Å"My tongue, every atom of my blood, form’d from this soil, this air.† I know it’s a romantic idea, reading â€Å"Song of Myself† on a stream bank. In fact, if Walt Whitman’s spirit were to brush by me in the gusting wind, I’d probably hear him say: Close the book and watch. Listen. A shriek pierces through the orange and gold treetops like a blast of steam escaping a teakettle. Looking up, I see the silver belly of a red-tailed hawk as it glides in circles below the moon. â€Å"I fly those flights of a fluid and swallowing soul,† writes Whitman. He, too, must have witnessed the swooping undulations of a ruddy-winged bird. His heart, like mine, unburdened. From my rough but solid seat in the hickory tree, I hear, at first, the sounds of Annville’s busy thoroughfare - the drone of engines, squealing brakes, the chime of a church bell. Soon, however, other noises trickle into my consciousness. Water over fallen branches. Staccato crackles of a squirrel in the brush. My own breathing. The world has been reduced to a microcosm in which I am the center. In this cosmos there are no thoughts of the future, only a mingling of the present and past. Maybe it’s my solitude, or perhaps it’s the wind caressing my face with the smell of wet leaves, but I feel suddenly close to my home, a farm that is sixty miles west and a mountain away from this hickory tree on the Quittie. Closing my eyes, I see the familiar wisp of smoke curling from our brick chimney, the crooked lightning rod on the barn roof, and the mountains that surround the valley, Hidden Valley, like the walls of Jericho.

Motivation and the Brain Essay

I certify that the attached paper, which was produced for the class identified above, is my original work and has not previously been submitted by me or by anyone else for any class. I further declare that I have cited all sources from which I used language, ideas and information, whether quoted verbatim or paraphrased, and that any and all assistance of any kind, which I received while producing this paper, has been acknowledged in the References section. This paper includes no trademarked material, logos, or images from the Internet, which I do not have written permission to include. I further agree that my name typed on the line below is intended to have, and shall have the same validity as my handwritten signature. A healthy lifestyle, complete with eating well, takes motivation and constant strong dedication to achieve. When the motivation to see the action completed is at its most compelling state, it can only be placated once the behavior has been fulfilled. A lifestyle that involves healthy eating should be what everyone strives to achieve, but all too often there are roadblocks. The continuous development of understanding regarding eating disorders has expanded beyond what use to just be looked at as anorexia and bulimia or disorders that just associated with malnutrition. Just as eating too little can have a negative effect on a person’s health, so can overindulging, or eating too much of the wrong things. In America today the emphasis is the on-the-go lifestyle, which places a higher incentive to eat junk food as the main staple in one’s diet. The fast food is a quick fix to satisfy the compelling need of hunger. What causes a person to more than satisfy or willingly ignore the motivation to eat is under constant scrutiny; science is finding the links between hormone and gene dysfunction and the onset of eating disorders. There are both intrinsic and extrinsic factors associated with eating healthily, these factors play heavily on how a person chooses to live their lifestyle. Brain Structure and Healthy Eating To start on the path of a healthy eating lifestyle one should begin in the brain. The ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and the lateral hypothalamus (LH) explain the neurological mechanisms of hunger and satiety (Pinel, 2007). The VHM and the LH seem to work together as a sort of stoplight for a person’s hunger and satiety. The hypothalamus is in charge of changing energy into fat stores, by doing this, the hypothalamus creates an incentive to increase ones calories. To put this into psychological terms, the hypothalamus uses the need for energy to create a psychological force or need for hunger and then food, then calculating the rate and amount of fat storage within the body. More than three years ago, geneticists conducted a study with the findings reported the startling discovery that nearly half of all people in the U.S. with European ancestry carry a variant of the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene which causes them to gain weight — from three to seven pounds, on average — but worse, puts them at risk for obesity (University of California, 2010). The FTO gene was studied in mice at a lab in Oxford. One set of mice was administered extra copies of the FTO gene, and fed the standard diet along with the other mice. The mice with the added gene gained 22% more weight than the mice with only one set. It was discovered when the FTO gene becomes overactive there is a tendency to consume more food. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Factors Intrinsic and Extrinsic factors are the factors that work with healthy eating; these factors need to be considered when diet habits are evaluated. Hereditary factors, or intrinsic factors, such as certain types of eating disorders, can affect many generations within a family. Healthy eating and the act of maintaining a healthy eating lifestyle can be influenced by an eating disorder. An example of this would be a person with an undiagnosed case of anorexia might not be able to control their need to diet, thus stifling their ability to have and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Environmental factors, extrinsic factors, also have the ability to influence someone who is trying to eat healthy. For example, a person working in an ice cream store is likely to gain weight and become obese simply because they have access to fatty food multiple days during the week. Another extrinsic factor, which may influence someone’s eating habits, is how they were raised and taught to eat by their family. If the parents are unhealthy eaters, this will rub off on their children who will then grow up to be unhealthy eaters. Michigan State University conducted a study of families with children ranging in the one to three years old age range. The study found the mothers who considered their children to be picky eaters were the ones who did not offer fruits and vegetables as often. This study also learned extra attention must be placed on the family approach for eating good healthy food. When the mother and father makes an increased effort to feed their family healthy food the resulting outcome is a more positive role modeling. Eating healthy with eating disorders Eating healthy is not always possible, especially with someone who has an eating disorder. Even though the reasoning behind a lot of eating disorders is not very clear, there are many factors that are associated with them. Hormones, the environment, genetics, and neurological malfunctions can all be linked to eating disorders. Another factor that is commonly seen in people with an eating disorder is the family dynamic during their puberty years. Families who report being less supportive and less encouraging of the open expression of feelings are particularly prone to producing adolescents afflicted by eating disorders (Dixon et. al., 1989). When some neurological structures malfunction it can effect how people react to food, CT scans of teens exhibiting signs of anorexia show decreased size and functionality of the thalamus, hypothalamus, and other neurological structures (Chowdhury & Lask, 2000). Science has not figured out yet if it is food association that causes neurological problems, or if it is the neurological problems that contribute to the food association problems. Stanford University has been conducting studies of anorexic patients in therapy; they have come to the conclusion that the therapy works more effectively if the family of the patient were involved with the therapy as well. The researchers were able to see a full anorexic remission rate of 42% as apposed to the 23% of those patients who elected to have individual therapy sessions. For these reasons, the motivation following eating disorders such as anorexia and obesity surrounds a broad array of environmental incentives and psychological drives. Conclusion In conclusion, the structures within the brain that work with appetite and satiety are the lateral hypothalamus, aka LH, and the ventromedial hypothalamus, aka VHM. Hunger and the process of eating can be brought on by outside or environmental factors like family gatherings, the quantity of food available, the amount of variety of foods available, and the deliciousness. There are also biological factors that affect a person’s hunger. Some of these are; the obesity associated gene within a person, adolescence and puberty, what the family dynamic is like, and where one works. Reference: Chowdhury, U., Lask, B. (2000). Neurological correlates to eating disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 8(2), 126-133. Retrieved May 15, 2009, from EBSCOHost Database. Deckers, L. (2010). Motivation: Biological, psychological, and environmental, Second Edition. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Dixon, K.N., Jones, D., Lake, M., Nemzer, E., Sansone, R., & Stern, S.L. (1989). Family environment in anorexia nervosa and bulimia. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 8(1), 25-31. Retrieved May 15, 2009, from EBSCOHost Database. Michigan State University (2010, December 16). Mothers’ diets have biggest influence on Pinel, J.J. (2007). Basics of biopsychology. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Stanford University Medical Center (2010, October 11). Family therapy for anorexia twice University of California – Los Angeles (2010, April 20). Obesity gene, carried by more than a third of the US population, leads to brain tissue University of Oxford (2010, December 6). Overactive FTO gene does cause overeating

Barack Obama - Terms as President

Barack Obama - Terms as President President Barack Obama served two terms in the White House and ended up being more  popular than his predecessor, George W. Bush, at the the time he left office, according to public opinion polls. But Obamas popularity didnt mean he  could have run for a third term, as some conspiracy theorists suggested. U.S. presidents have been limited to serving only two four-year terms in the White House since 1951, when the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was ratified.   Obamas terms as president began on Jan. 20, 2009. He served his last day  in office  Jan. 20, 2017. He served eight years in the White House and was succeeded by Republican President Donald Trump. Obama, like most ex-presidents, hit the speaking circuit after leaving office. The Third Term Conspiracy Theory Conservative critics of Obama began raising the prospect of a third term early in his tenure in the White House. Their motivation was the raise money for conservative candidates by way of scare tactics. In fact, subscribers to one of former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrichs email newsletters were warned of a specific scenario that must have seem rather frightening President Barack Obama running for, and winning, a third term as president in 2016. Conspiracy theorists believed the 22nd Amendment limiting presidents to two terms in office somehow would be wiped from the books by the time the 2016 campaign rolled around, after Obama had won re-election to a second term in 2012. That, of course, never happened. Trump pulled off an upset against Democrat Hillary Clinton. Spreading Rumors About a Third Term The email from Gingrich Marketplace, which is managed by the conservative group Human Events, claimed Obama would win a second term and then go on to win a third term that would begin in 2017 and last through 2020 despite a constitutional ban on such a thing. The truth is, the next election has already been decided. Obama is going to win. Its nearly impossible to beat an incumbent president. Whats actually at stake right now is whether or not he will have a third-term, wrote an advertiser to subscribers of the list. The message itself was not written by the former 2012 presidential hopeful. The email neglected to mention the 22nd Amendment, which reads in part: No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice ... The Notion of a Third Term in Wartime Still, even some pundits writing in the mainstream media raised the question of whether Obama could serve a third term, depending on world events at the time a second term would expire.  Faheem Younus, a clinical associate professor at the University of Maryland and founder of the website Muslimerican.com, wrote in The Washington Post that attacking Iran could give Americans reason to keep Obama as president for a third term. Wartime presidents can sell a Double Whopper to a vegetarian, Younus wrote.  As the festinate decision of bombing Iran turns into a global conflict, dont expect our constitutional law professor turned president to decline his partys suggestion: if it can be ratified; it can be repealed. Repealing the 22nd Amendment - which some argue was never vetted publicly - is not unthinkable. The notion of a third term was not unthinkable at one time. Before the ratification of the 22nd Amendment,  Franklin Delano Roosevelt  was elected to four terms in the White House - in 1932, 1936, 1940, and 1944. He is the only president to have served more than two terms. Other Obama Conspiracy Theories Obama critics spread numerous conspiracy theories during his two terms in office. At one point, nearly one in five American wrongly believed Obama is a Muslim. Numerous widely circulated emails erroneously claimed Obama  refused to recognize the National Day of Prayer. Others believed his signature accomplishment, an overhaul of health care in the United States, paid for abortions. The most nefarious of the conspiracy theories, one propagated by Trump himself, was that Obama was born in Kenya and not Hawaii, and that because he was not born here he was not eligible to serve as president. So maybe a third term for Obama wasnt such a crazy idea, all things considered.

outsiders genra essays

outsiders genra essays The word genre is defined as a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, marked by a distinctive style, form, or content. (www.doctionary.com) Some of these genres are, comedy, horror, thriller, and or action. The novel written by S.E. Hinton titled The Outsiders may fall into a wide variety of different genres. One of the most distinctive genre formation called is bildungsroman. This term arrives from the German word meaning an upbringing or education novel. (Scamurra, note) The Outsiders emanates a sense of tests and tasks, and eventually Ponyboy comes to maturity when he realizes the futility and distinctive life he has been leading. It is this epiphany that makes The Outsiders a Bildungsroman. In the novel The Outsiders Ponyboy Curtis starts off in a state of innocence and immaturity. Ponyboy shows innocence and immaturity every time he mentions the long feud between the Greasers and Socs. Ponyboy believes that Greasers and Socs are completely different individuals: ... Were poorer than the Socs and the middle class. I recon were wilder, too. Not like the Socs, who jump Greasers and wreck houses and throw beer blasts for kicks... (page 6) Ponyboy clearly states Greasers and Socs are different from each other. Another aspect that proves Ponyboys innocence is he is only fourteen years of age; ...treating me as if I was six instead of fourteen... (page 6) very obviously Ponyboy notifies the readers he is fourteen years old. Ponyboy also does not use his integrity sometimes which shows a great deal of immaturity: ...I make good grades and have a high IQ and everything, but I dont use my head...( page 7) Ponyboy says he is a smart person, but he does not use his full potential a...

Strategic Management and Leadership (3) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Strategic Management and Leadership (3) - Essay Example The political environment of the location insisted on selling off the German Subsidiary of GM, Opel to the other investors formed by the coalition of Canadian-Austrian Brand Magna and Russian bank Sberbank but the company did not agree to that. Funding were being offered by government business regulating agencies to the company to remain in the European market with an assurance of providing 5,500 jobs to the people in the Vauxhall unit of the company (Boston, 2009). More emphasis given on the restructuring of the system in order to resist the effect of the economic crisis and form an entirely new system to provided emergence of new opportunities for business and the employment activities (Brunello, 2009). Buyer Bargaining Power – The complications between GM and German authorities including the other involved companies influenced the buyers’ decision over GM products. It indicated the strengthening of the bargaining power of buyers. Competitive Rivalry – The competitive rivalry between GM and other European brands have increased because of the controversial situation of Opel in European market. To perform in such kind of highly competitive environment GM adopted approaches of product differentiation as it supported the company to develop its unique image in its customer group. Threat of New Entrants – The economic condition of the location does not have potential capability which allows any new organization to enter the market as the economic condition gradually became worse. GM remained out of such kind of pressure as due to several big brands it becomes tough for any company to start its own business in the automobile sector. Resources – The Company possess a strong resource backing for both tangible as well as intangible resources. Forming strategic partnership has also benefited the organization in generating resources for its production process. To confirm the availability of its resources the

The Dramatic Change of Operations Management of Irelands Food and Essay

The Dramatic Change of Operations Management of Irelands Food and Beverage Industry - Essay Example The sector employs 47,000 people directly in over 650 companies; agriculture employs another 110,000 people. Ireland has undergone significant changes since the beginning of the 'Celtic Tiger' phase in the early 1990s. Notable has been the development of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector and that Ireland now has the second highest GDP per capita in the European Union (EU). According to John Linnane, a lecturer in food production in his article, A History of Irish Cuisine, Food production inevitably was the principle preoccupation of the mass of the population and, as it was in most societies of that era, it took up most of their working day. Evidence for agricultural activity during the centuries BC is rather surprising, for periods up to 200 years the level of agricultural activity seemed to have declined then increased and declined again. During the periods of decline the consumption of meat and dairy products increased. Periods of forest clearing for agriculture were followed by periods of secondary re-growth of the cleared forests and a return to dependence on livestock, hunting and gathering. This intermittent cycle of forest clearing and planting lasted up until the 3rd century AD when a dramatic expansion of permanent agriculture occurred. Aspects of social changes include domestication of variety of animals, the clearing of forests, plus the co llection of wild edible plants for immediate use, cultivation or storage. Approximately 5,000 years ago this extended to the cultivation of a variety of edible grass seed and leaf plants. The best example of this kind of agriculture in Ireland where the evidence still exists to this day is the Ceide fields in County Mayo, considered to be more than 5,000 years old. The establishment of single-crop production (oats and barley) is believed to have occurred in these fields, which in turn led to long-term storage and elementary processing of food. Alongside and following the establishment of crops, the rural controlled grazing of animals also began. With these dramatic changes came the creation of relatively stable family units. The increase in the quantity and dependability of the food supply somewhat loosened the natural restraints of starvation, disease, and similar forces that held in check the potential growth of the population which began to expand rapidly, and the Irish moved tow ard a civilisation which had its own political organisations dominated by the Druid Priesthood and the Ruling Class. As the food and drinks sector depends upon the interests of agriculture, fisheries, research, retail, manufacturing and export markets, it faces a number of government agencies which were related to the above sectors. This offers a number of problems and priorities according to IBEC. The industry keeping in view the above problems, was lounging for a single window approach with the government regarding its business. This is the thing they feel that is necessary for the survival and in future thriving of the industry. Even the critical sector agriculture which provides food security for the people depends on this industry to make good