Would Businesses Gain Competitive Advantage If Dss, Gdss?

Explain how businesses can benefit from each technology. i. Autonomic computing The computer system have self-management capabilities. An autonomic computing system must include the following features: monitoring, analysis, planning, implementation, and Knowledge Base, and several parts constitute a circulatory system. They need to constantly run and perfect. The goal of autonomic computing can automatically manage itself and maintain its reliability. It is able to work autonomously intelligent middleware. Some of data no need to save it and that only need to be monitored it.Because the data gave the network a big load. So autonomic computing can be handle it. Growing the number of users and connected devices. Business need more equipment and maintenance personnel it. Autonomic computing system can help company solves problem. The responsiveness and flexibility of the system can handle the unpredictable things. It has self-management, self-healing and adaptive functionality, the comp any does not have to hire a lot of staff to monitor the system. ii. Virtualization Virtualization is a subset of the process performance logical group, or computer resources.User can use a better way than the original configuration to access these processes. New virtual part of these resources is limited erected from existing resources. eg, geographical or physical configuration. Generally within the meaning of virtualized resources include computing power and data storage. Server virtualization software technology refers to the use of the substance of the host hardware or operating system of the end-user hidden, and set one or more abstract hardware platform. The hardware platform is flexibility configuration for the operating system.Such like the face of a real hardware. As a result, a variety of different operating environments (eg, Windows, Linux, etc. ) can operate simultaneously on the same physical host, but its independence as the operation of the general in a different phys ical host. iii. Green computing â€Å"Green computing† refers specifically to people's efforts to reduce the use of information technology hardware energy consumption. Many energy generation still relies on coal and oil, and process a large amount of carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. his reducing energy consumption, also known to reduce carbon emissions. From power management can save a lot of energy expenditure. The power management of energy-saving measures include computer shutdown when not shorten the computer into hibernation, turn off the screen saver, the machine is set to low-power sleep mode, and the total power off when work. (eg. E-mail can reduces paper-consuming. ) Energy-saving mode of the computer in order to reduce the company's electricity costs. Define an enterprise resources planning (ERP) system.How do ERP systems help businesses achieve operational excellence? Applications of enterprise manufacturing, financial, marketing and other related funct ions to achieve a balance. Internally, it is the integration of the corporate body of diverse resources to achieve the effective application of organizational resources through optimal planning and allocation system. Externally, through the network and system can do the combination of main customers and partners to form a horizontal or vertical integration of the global competitiveness of the virtual enterprise entity.ERP is major of contribution about strategic management for the enterprise. Today, only the information technology in the pursuit of flexible production, rapid assembly, rapid delivery and product life cycles continue to shorten trend. The combination of the information and corporate resources. Making the right decisions at the crucial moment, satisfied the customer needs or wants in a timely manner. It was able to grasp the market opportunities. ERP plus e-commerce applications and ERP combined with the concept of supply chain management. This extending to the entire internal supply chain.ERP system is the information system of the enterprise marketing, finance, personnel, general affairs and production operations to be effectively integrated to enhance the operational efficiency of enterprises. Nowadays. The speed and intensity of today's global industrial competition, general MIS system is already unable to meet the actual needs of the enterprise, For example: you can not immediately grasp the supplier of production information and customer sales situations, resulting in insufficient or excess production, or the failure to satisfy orders in a timely manner, resulting in the loss of business opportunities.So ERP enterprises to take advantage of supply, production, sales and other information to achieve the ultimate goal. Would businesses gain competitive advantage if DSS, GDSS, and ESS are widely used? DSS is not an endorsement, it is to solve the practical problems of organizations and businesses. If you make a decision-making, it must be base d on a â€Å"standard†. For the human nature, They like to use subjective judgement to make a decision. tend to use subjective, intuitive standard, and not necessarily have a scientific, informative standard. GDSS have independent of time and space limitations.Decision makers can easily to exchange information with each other and share information to reduce the one-sidedness. Decision-makers can overcome the negative psychological impact, unreservedly to express their views. Stimulated the thinking of policy-makers make the problem of the program is as perfect as possible. Prevents small collectivism and personality of the decision-making results. It can improve the satisfaction and confidence of the decision-making groups, members of the decision-making results. The greater of the effect is more significant if the group is bigger.In this society, competitiveness is increasing and it depends on the best of decision making. So that any of companies often believe their own hist ory and their former transactions and activities to make decisions. When the business make decisions, That is usually to use a decision-support system and firm-wide data. These systems can automate certain decision procedures. They can submit information for different appearance of the decision situation. They can help managers existing decision procedures. It can valuable to explore the consequence of alternative organizational scenarios.Using GDSS can ameliorate how groups make decisions and ameliorate the decision which have been made by an independent people. On the other hand, these systems don't automatically lead to make better decisions unless the decision problem or the situation is easy to understood and the systems are advisably designed. Read the article on the next page, then answer the following questions. A. Assess the organization and technology issues for using social media to engage with customers. The marketing power of social media is growing, it is no longer mak es sense to consider. t carry advantage of social media's own ability to involve with customers organized in three clusters in the exhibit. Efforts to use social media to tips and an active response program to engage with people. Company through the social media can be a pass a message for people. Create word-of-mouth and It can be one- by- one to attract social group. B. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using social media for advertising, brand building, market research, and customer services? Advantages Social media to enhance product quality. Consumers can comment and criticize the product. So that products must have excellent quality.If the product quality is poor , The manufacturers will be exposed and ultimately fail. This is why good products are often less funds invested in traditional marketing reason. The existence of social media makes good products to get their own users and fans follow them. Social media to follow the rules the secondary sale principle simil ar to the media, by user popularity uplift brand and reputation. Thought the impact and social reputation is increasing the impact and social reputation of the brand. Market research that means product sales in order to improve the quality of decision-making.The advantage is mainly to improve research efficiency and saving cost of the investigation, survey data processing. unlimited to the restrictions of geographic area. But the online market research can not be easily can be achieved. Disadvantages Social media weak control brand image. It makes many business to the high degree of freedom for the masses to participate into the development of the multi-surface radioactive. In internet, both good and bad. If it is good, it will clearly more conducive to business. If it is bad, it is caused by a viral divergence will bring very serious consequences.Employees using social media at work that might bring a lot of uncertain risk. For example, social networking sites are not regular, carr y the virus and malicious software. In social media, all employees of the business will replace the company's image. However, once a staff encountered a problem not their work area. And this does not know or the payable answer and it will bring a negative impression to the company. C. Should all companies use Facebook and Twitter for customer service and advertising? Why or why not? What kinds of companies are best suited to use these platforms? No, the data of FACEBOOK have many users.But it does not mean that 60% of users can see the ads. FACEBOOK can be turned off Some features about blocked advertising. And high exposure that customers hate it. Because I was one example of this kind of audience. Highly visibility does not mean high click-through rate. Internet users for online channels that provide customer service to high value, these channels including social media and instant communication. Retail companies This type of company is more emphasis on the sales performance of dis tributors and individuals. They do not attach importance to the organization and leadership structure.

Mscquiz1

Chapter one – A The U. S, and indeed much of the world, has been described as a â€Å"knowledge society. † How does this affect productivity measurement and comparison of productivity between the U. S. and other countries? Illustrate with an example. Productivity is the ratio of out puts (goods and services) divided by inputs (resources and capital). The creation of goods and services requires changing resources into goods and services; the more efficiently we make this change, the more productive we are, and the more value is added to the good or services provided.By applying the ten decisions of operation management (om) help us to be efficient: developing and using the correct strategy helps us to be effective. The measurement of productivity is an important way to evaluate a country’s ability to provide a high stander of living for its people. Only through the increase of productivity, improve the stander living, and labor, capital and management receive high salary. When productivity increase using the same resources, the prices will go down, and if labor and capital increase without increase in productivity raises the prices. The U.S has been able to increase productivity at an average rate of almost 2. 55 per year which has double the U. S. ‘s wealth every 30 years. Three factors are important in improving the productivity; such as, labor, capital, and management. In order to improve the labor productivity, the labor force should be better utilized with a stronger commitment; training, motivation, team building and human resource strategies, and improved education are some of the techniques which contribute to increase productivity. The effective sue of capital increase the productivity, and management accounts for over half of the annual increase productivity.The postindustrial societies are known as knowledge societies, and using knowledge and technology are essential in postindustrial societies. In these societies much of th e labor force has migrated form manual work to technical and information processing tasks require on going education. Compare to other industrialized countries, the U. S. remains the world leader in overall productivity and services productivity; despite having the same problems with service productivity as other countries. The productivity challenge is difficult.A country cannot be world class competitor with second class inputs such as poorly educated labor insufficient capital, and dated technology. High productivity and high quality out puts require high quality inputs, including good operation managers. Since education is foundation to efficient operation in a technological society, countries are focusing on highly skilled workforce which is essential for global competitiveness. Example: From the text Siemens, the multi-billion-dollar German conglomerate, has long been known for its apprentice programs in its home country.Due to education is often the key to efficient operation s in a technological society, Siemens has spread its apprentice-training programs to its U. S. plants. These programs are laying the foundation for the highly skilled workforce that is essential for global competitiveness. Chapter One – B David Upton is president of Upton Manufacturing, a producer of G0-kart tires. Upton makes 1,000 tires per day with the following resources: Labor:400 hours at $12. 50 per hour Raw Material:20,000 pounds per day at $1 per pound Energy:$5,000 per day Capital:$10,000 per day . What is the labor productivity for these tires at Upton manufacturing? Productivity = units of output hours of labor Productivity = 1,000 400 = 2. 5 units per labor hours b. What is the multi-factor productivity for these tires at Upton manufacturing? 400 * 12. 50 = $5,000 a day Productivity = _______ _Output__________________ _______ Labor+ material +Energy+ Capital+ Miscellaneous = _____________ 1,000___________________ $5,000 + $20,000 + $5,000 + $10,000 + 0 = 1,000 un its $40,000 = 0. 25 unit per $ c. What is the percent change in multi-factor productivity if Upton can reduce the energy bill by $1,000 without cutting production or changing any other inputs? Productivity = _______ _Output__________________ _______ Labor+ material +Energy+ Capital+ Miscellaneous = _____________ 1,000___________________ $5,000 + $20,000 + $4,000 + $10,000 + 0 = 1,000 units $39,000 = 0. 02564 units per $ Percentage Change in multi-factor productivity = 0. 02564 0. 025 = 1. 0256 or 2. % Chapter Two –A In order to sustain a competitive advantage, restaurants must employ one the following three strategies: 1. ) Cost leadership; 2. ) Response; and 3. ) differentiation. Give one original example (one not mentioned in the text) of each of three restaurant chains that you could associate with each one of these strategies. (Use a fast food restaurant for only one of your three examples. Strategy is an organization’s action plan to achieve the mission: the strat egy exploits opportunities and strengths neutralize threads and avoid weaknesses.The firms achieve missions in three conceptual ways: differentiation, cost leadership, and response which mean that operations managers are abele to deliver goods and services that are better, or at least different, cheaper and more responsive. The three strategic concepts can generate a system that has a unique advantage over competitors, and provides an opportunity for operations managers to achieve competitive advantage. Differentiation is concerned with providing uniqueness: a firm’s opportunities for creating uniqueness are not located with a particular function or activity, but can arise in virtually everything that firm does.The opportunities creating this uniqueness are limited only by imagination due to most products include some service, and most services include some products. So, effective operations mangers assist in defining everything about product or services that will influence t he potential value to the customers. Example: In Differentiation, the best example that will fit the description would be Illusitions (Thai Cuisine) where you sit around a big pan in the middle and they cook the food in front of you which takes about 10-15 minutes. The difference is the uniqueness of the style of cooking.I have heard that in Thailand, the food is eaten when it’s very hot. So by having a big pan in the middle, kind of brings the essence of Thai food. They also provide the samples of different foods for you to try. Cost leadership entails achieving maximum value as defined by the customers. It requires examining each of the ten operations management decision in a relentless effort to drive down costs while meeting customer expectations of value: a low cost strategy does not imply low value or low quality. Example: The best example which can fit in the description of Cost leadership is McDonald.They provide fast food in low prices which are unbeatable and provid e an exceptional quality. They have grown tremendously in few years in national and international perspective. They are the one of the largest fast food chains in US and other countries. Response is define as including the entire range of values related to timely product development and delivery, as well as reliable scheduling and flexible performance. Flexible response is ability to match change in a marketplace where design innovations and volumes fluctuate substantially.The reliability of scheduling is another aspect of response: it manifests it self in reliable scheduling and it has value to end customers. Quickness is an other aspect of response; the operation mangers who develop system that respond quickly can have a competitive advantage. The operation management can increase productivity and generate a sustainable competitive advantage. Example: The restaurant that I think is suitable for this criterion is Olive garden. They serve with love and tradition. It has a different environment then any other restaurants.It gives a very cozy feeling. The people eat there are mostly families. Chapter Two – B In your own words (i. e. , not using sentences or phrases taken form the text or other resources), explain the difference between an international strategy and a transnational strategy. Identify on company (not mentioned in the text) that employs an international strategy and one that employs a transnational strategy. The difference between the international strategy and transnational strategy is that international strategy is on international level.The company takes its products to a different country and launches it in that country. They introduce their product in a different country where the competition is low and also the costs are low. Some companies have their raw products come from a different country where they pay less for their purchases. Some companies such as Whirlpool started out in a US state Michigan which now has more than 50 plants i n different countries that make washing machines, refrigerators, and stoves. The biggest reason is the cost and cheap labor.On the other hand, transitional strategy is when a US company takes its products to a different state where their competitors are few and also the product margin is high and costs are low. In the field of Transitional strategy, one of the most common examples is Wal-Mart. They are dominating the market because they have low prices and acceptable quality. They have different plants in different states in US. They compete with their competitors in every way which is cost, quality, and expediency. They buy goods from different states in US and other countries.

Building Trust through E-Commerce

Suppose I am selling merchandises online – for instance, gift items for everyone – I know exactly how to convince my prospective buyers to trust my web site. Through the concept of â€Å"Free Information for All,† I would educate my web visitors, in the simplest way possible (without giving essential information to competitors), about the process of storing their credit card information and securing it from hackers and viruses.The rationale behind â€Å"Free Information for All,† is aiming at the minds of the potential customers, to make them think, feel and believe that they know all they need to know about where their credit card information is going. Images, such as secured vaults and huge powerful computers, will be used to instill in the minds of the viewers that my web site could not be any safer. In fact it is 100% safe and error-free. As for the action steps that I would take, I will begin by advertising banners and links that features a reverse ps ychology-inspired message, â€Å"Do not trust every online shop you see.Click to find the tricks of scammers. † Then, when they’re in my web site already, they will read another message, â€Å"Trust only those who can tell you everything you need to know about your shop and your account. Experience worry-free online shopping. † The second step is for me to make good on my word. Eventually, I will post â€Å"Testimonials† from the marketing department and from real people with pages in My Space. This will create a crisp, friendly feel in the website, and it will convince more people that my business and services are no hoax.The final step is just to ensure that my customers will enjoy a 24/7 customer support online and via toll-free number. Customers love to be pampered. I will pamper my customers, make them trust me, and make them go back to my store, with their friends in tow. Survey source: Safety in Numbers. June 25, 2002. The Resource for Security Exe cutives. November 10, 2006. .

Solar Energy Systems Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Solar Energy Systems - Research Paper Example The available fossil fuel stocks are believed to be sufficient enough for thirty or forty years more if the consumptions continues in the present rate. Even though explorations are going on for finding out new fossil fuels sources, the outcomes are not much encouraging. In short, it is necessary for the mankind to identify alternate energy sources which are capable of replacing fossil fuels. Even though plenty of energy sources are in discussion for future use, all of them have some kind of drawbacks. The recent tsunami attack on Japan’s nuclear power stations and the subsequent problems raised many questions about the logic of relying heavily on nuclear power in future. Solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, hydroelectric power etc are some of the other energy sources which are discussed at present as future energy source. However, solar energy seems to be alternate option in future when we consider its renewable nature. Chapo (2004) mentioned that â€Å"On a smaller scale, there are solar panel packs that fold out like a small ledger and are used to power up anything from laptops to cell phones† (Chapo). One of the most difficult problems associated with the utilization of solar energy is the problems in converting solar energy into other forms of useful energy. The current solar energy conversion technologies are extremely poor and therefore we can use it only for purposes like boiling water and in solar devices such as calculators, watches etc. In other words, the available technologies to convert solar energy into useful forms of energy are expensive now. This paper analyses different topics related to Solar Energy Systems. A solar collector consists of a network of pipes through which water (or in colder climates, antifreeze) is heated. Collectors come in various sizes, with 4 by 8 feet (1.2 x 2.4 m) the most common. The three most common mounting systems for solar

Team building and small business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Team building and small business - Essay Example The present study would focus on the concept of team building. Team building and self directed workers within the business industry have penetrated over the years. Many businesses around the world are incorporating the issue of team building their business development. The philosophy behind team work suggests that business managers mash workers into groups that work cohesively in order to achieve business objectives. If team members are not to be cohesive they will fail to work and lessen business activities, and a non productive team fails to bring benefits to the organization and can easily lead to the collapse of business. It is for that reason; that managers are accountable for all factors that ensure that the teams are well managed for effective business production. Successful business managers know that building a team spirit is the core for small business development. Team building is based on the daily routines that occur within the small business. Good business team just doe s not occur on their own they are built by business managers. The notion of building and growing a well structured team is critical to the ongoing survival of a small business. This means that the process of coming up with a strong team that can work positively towards achieving the business objectives, leads to development of small business. For the business managers, to develop a good team they have to consider performance of each individual as they work to achieve business objectives.... Secondly balancing short term results against long term capabilities, and growth opportunities, third balance performance expectations, and lastly balancing the motives of human behavior. Small business Sustaining business development means adopting business strategies and activities than the need to meet the attainments of the business, and all its stake holders which lead to sustaining and enhancing the resources that will be needed in the future. Research studies show that successful business managers do share certain character traits (Stokes, 2006). These character traits do help them take control of their small business, and to ensure that these businesses flourish with a lot of success. These small business managers apply different marketing strategies to ensure that they get the target market for their goods. For them to achieve a better marketing strategy they need to plan and set target goals after which they implement the planned strategy (Fuller, 2006). For these to take p lace successfully the small business thus requires a well built growing team that is critical to the ongoing process of the small business, therefore, this paper evaluates the statements that building and growing a well structured team is critical to the ongoing survival of a small business Small business face numerous challenges due to in effective management making the business not to fit in the difficult challenging markets and cope with the growth patterns in the market. These challenges are normally influenced by the following challenges (Wickhalm 2006). Inadequate accounting systems Poor location Lack of marketing skills Lack of a capital budget Inadequate provision for contingencies Lack of management skills Excessive inventory Incompetence

Whistle Blowing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Whistle Blowing - Assignment Example Through whistle blowing, employees are able to act on matters that are out of the set code of conduct. According to Johnson (2003), whistle blowing helps in building a safe working place, protects the name, and earnings of the organization. At times, an employee may desist from reporting potentially harmful practices in the organization as it often raises differences in the organization. It is important to note that whistle blowing may lead to division among various parties in an organization (Johnson, 2003). The other people who are affected by whistle blowing tend to dehumanize the whistle blower in various ways. In the long run the whistleblower may desist from the act (Johnson, 2003). Ethics hotlines are a crucial tool in enhancing reporting of the irregularities in an organization (Corey, Marianne & Callanan, 2011). It is, therefore, important for an organization to have ethics hotlines. To begin with, ethics hotlines help avoid the conflicts that arise from whistle blowing (Corey, Marianne & Callanan, 2011). Additionally, hotlines help the employees access some immediate help in case there is an urgent need. Corey, Marianne & Callanan (2011) outline that, hotlines are imperative in ensuring that the employees develop a trustworthy culture in the organization they work. This can be indicated to be a merit in strengthening organizational governance. However, ethical hotlines have numerous disadvantages such as cost. There is often mistrust of the independence of the hotlines. Employees may fear to make calls since the person that is operating the hotline may be the target or may recognize the person that is being reported. Lastly, the hotlines often raise securit y concerns (Corey,

Macbeth Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Macbeth - Assignment Example After the king is dead, Macbeth utters these words to show how deeply he is moved by his death. Macbeth shows how much he loved the king and how his life was just perfect when the king was alive. If he had died before the king’s departure he wouldn’t have been alive to see him fall – such an emotional stir it creates in the minds of the listeners! The reason for this ‘love’ for the king simply dripping from his words is because Macbeth is now afraid, that Macduff knows it was him who killed the king. So to show his utmost devotion and servitude for the late king, he uses this concealed treacherous love bloom in the hopes of ridding himself of the stench of king’s blood. Such equivocation doesn’t really have two meanings, it is nothing but deceit, an artful lie to let the world know how much Macbeth loved the king. It is words like these that help evil geniuses like Macbeth build an honest repute with fraudulent methods. Macbeth was a general in King Duncan’s army it would have been so foolish of him to have openly criticized the king or to openly challenge him. His equivocal words like the quote above helped him to rank higher from Thane of Glamis to Thane of Cawdor and then to become the king of Scotland. In this last quote Macbeth gives his reason for not killing Banquo when he is talking to the murderers. The equivocation is in the sense that he is addressing murderers yet his intent is to share it with Banquo. Killing a man doesn’t really require killing him with one’s own hand. The better option is to get someone else do the job, this way there is always enough doubt to get away with the murder. Macbeth uses words such as â€Å"could† and phrases like â€Å"yet, I must not†. This is classic equivocation, deceit to let thanes know that he had all the resources to kill Banquo but he didn’t as they both share common friends (enough reason