Quantitative Research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Quantitative Research - Essay Example This paper tries to analyze critically of two academic papers published in the European Journal of Business Management. One paper is titled â€Å"The Impact of Structural Capital on Business Performance in Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Companies.† The other is titled â€Å"The Effects of Customer Prospecting Methods on Sales Force Performance.† The papers have been selected to consider how they have approached their respective research methodologies to deal adequately with the research questions, but are analyzed separately. Both methods of research analysis will be considered; quantitative and qualitative, on how much they were used. The objective of the analysis is that it will try to highlight both the advantages and disadvantages of the research methodology used to arrive at the aims, objectives, and design and to propose an alternative strategy. This will result in either agreeing with the methodology or proposing a better methodology which could have adeq uately delivered on the research question. ... He sought to determine the influence of Structural Capital (SC) on Jordanian Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (JPM) Companies’ Business Performance. The study surveyed 132 managers by administering a questionnaire. Statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics and correlation were used. According to the paper, to confirm the suitability of the data collection instrument, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) test, Cronbach’s Alpha and factor analysis as they were used. The findings were that there were significant positive relationship between SC and JMP Companies’ BP. This indicates that, SC performance can be clearly explained productivity and profitability more than market valuation. Objectives and rationale As a major research question of the study is to find out, â€Å"if there is a relationship between the direct impact of SC and JPM organization’s business performance.† The main objective is to provide useful recommendations about performance measur ement within SC context by identifying and trying to define the main attributes of productivity. This will extend to the quality of SC by pointing out critical factors of SC and to find out suitable ways for measurement and management context. The study developed a hypothesis which states that there is no significant impact SC on JPM organization’s BP. It went further to divide the hypothesis into three mini hypotheses. The first states that there is no significant impact of systems and programs (S&P) on JPM Company’s BP. The second hypothesis states that â€Å"there is no significant impact of research and development (R&D) on JPM Company’s BP.† The last is that, there I no significant

Phones a Blessing or a Curse Essay Example for Free

Phones a Blessing or a Curse Essay Technology plays a significant role in our daily lives; technology has without a doubt, made our lives very easy for us. Technology, along with its unlimited advantages also has a lot of disadvantages. Technology is a gift to ourselves so that we can live our lives more comfortably but many people tend to abuse this gift for their own pleasure or personal gain. Cell Phone is one such device that has made our life so easy that we cannot even think of a world without it. This electronic device has multiple uses and functions. It has become an important part and parcel of our life. Without cell phones we usually feel incomplete. Trendy and stylish cell phones have become a part of fashion now days. It has now become a multi-utility device, and not just remain a communication device. see more:essay on mobile phone advantages and disadvantages wikipedia Uses of cell phones: †¢ Mobile phones are the most convenient and fastest means of communication. You can call anyone from anywhere and anytime. †¢ It is a great source of entertainment also. We can play games, listen to music, talk to your friends, send messages, and so on when we get bored. †¢ It can be used for capturing and storing important information. †¢ It can function as a radio. We can listen to music while driving and traveling. †¢ Mobiles can replace watches to check the time and alarm clocks that wakes us up. †¢ Our voice can also be recorded in our mobiles. †¢ It can be used as a torch when the light goes. †¢ Mobiles with cameras are used to take photos and making videos. We can also freeze our memorable moments. †¢ Mobiles also have calendars to check days and dates. †¢ We can download our favorite songs, wallpapers, ring tones, and movies in our mobile. †¢ If we lost the way, we can use our mobile and call for help. †¢ Use mobile phones in place of paper and pen. This saves paper, which in turn saves trees. †¢ Mobile phones having the facility of calculator help to do mental calculations.

Water Rationing in Malaysia

Water Rationing in Malaysia Definition of Water Rationing Water is the most essential single element required in order for people to accomplish the universal human right to a standard of living adequate for the health as well as well-being of himself and his family. Lacking of access to fresh water, health and well-being are severely jeopardized. This is because people cannot live without basic water supplies. Water is the important need so that people continue to survive. Without water, people could only survive for a few months before they had some serious health problems or even death. Fresh water protection is a huge responsibility that involves in the individual, industrial and even the government. Every single person has a vital role in trying to protect the continuous supply of fresh water. One of the main concerns regarding water is that of there will be enough water for the request within the next 25 to 50 years later. Current rising problem today is the lack of drinking water. Once every twenty years, the consumption of water is double. The supply of fresh water is not renewing at the same speed anymore. The lack of drinking water has caused a much larger problem. The problem is that the water is polluted. Currently, about half of the hospital beds in the world are filled with patients with water borne diseases. In the Malay Mail newspaper, it shows that â€Å"The water supply from the dams is not enough to supply water to more than 7 million users in the Klang Valley.† In the Klang Valley together with Wilayah Persekutuan and Selangor states, the current water rationing program initiated in last February 2014. It consists of alternating two days with water then two days with dry taps in the areas allocated by the government. Water rationing is not always regarding water shortage. Sometimes it is related to the demand is greater than the supply. Supply may actually be sufficient in certain place but in some places with irresponsible user, the water is water at an uncontrolled level which led to nowhere to find fresh water. Thus, the government will create a solution for this problem such as water rationing to meet the requirements of every citizen. During Malaysia water crisis in 1998, 4.2 million people had to survive on 2553 million litres of water per day. This resulted in a shortage of 105 million litres per day. For year 2014, 7.1 million people need about 4900 million litres per day but with only 4367 million litres per day is available. Figure 1 shows the comparison of water needed between year 1998 and year 2014. In year 1998, there are 1.8 million people in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur that were affected by a six month long water rationing exercise which is from March to September as the result of El Nino phenomenon. The dry weather and lesser rainfall weather during year 1998 led to almost critical water levels in four dams which is Batu, Klang Gates, Langat and Semenyih. El Nino is actually a band of warm ocean water temperature that occasionally develops off the Pacific coast of South America. The Causes and Effects of Water Rationing Water shortage that resulted in water rationing does not happen in a single day. There are many causes of water shortages. Some of the examples are population growth, overuse of water by industries, pollution, global warming, drastic weather changes and others more. One of the causes that result in water rationing is the growing water shortage in the growing demand resulting from the population increase. The increase of demand of fresh water is directly proportional with the increasing population. The increase in demand arises out of a few factors which include the direct consumption demands of the increasing population and the demand from development and food production to give food to the increasing population. But then, the fresh water is not increasing but decreasing rapidly due to the over usage. Thus this will lead to the demand is more than the supply in which related to water shortage. Climate change has affected the whole water cycle, decreasing water resources and resulted in water shortage. Global warming too has speeded up the hydrological cycle and amplified evaporation will make drought conditions more rampant. One of the example of climate change is droughts occur more occasionally in some certain area while will be hit by flash floods which could destroy dams and reservoirs. Land use changes have a variation of influences on water resources. Whilst decrease of vegetation cover may result in better runoff, it decreases groundwater infiltration as well as the storage capability of dams and lakes through siltation. The significant draining of wetlands or extensive deforestation may change the microclimate of a region. This is a consequence of people cutting trees for numerous reasons including illegally felling of trees for sale. Some of the cause of water shortage is mismanagement by government officials. The government official lacked of law enforcement to stop water from being wasted. Water shortage is the whole nation as well as global problem which are happening at an alarming rate. It can be effective to increase consciousness among all people regarding age towards the seriousness of water shortage and the benefit of saving water. This is very important as it could make people realize the importance of water and not waste them uncontrollably. The government should implement laws to solve the problem like having hefty fines to those who waste water and not just a tab on the wrist. Due to rapid industrialization and a lack of wastewater treatment system, a large number of surface and ground water is contaminated and thus not safely available for human use. Water contamination can result from a numerous causes which include agricultural return flows, industry, and domestic uses. Both surface and groundwater are regularly affected. Destruction of the riverine environment decreases the ordinary ability of a river to deal with with pollution. The largest water using sector is agriculture. This is a common reality worldwide. As population increases, ever greater pressure is placed on agriculture to produce food. This in turn results in increased water demand. Water scarcity and food security are therefore directly related. In addition, using additional water than is returned in rain, people are polluting the water that they have. For example, most of the pesticides as well as fertilizers used in agriculture, sewer overflows and oil and grease from road will run off into water system. The other source of excess nutrients such as lawn fertilizers, pet and farm animal waste, decaying plant material. Industrial plants waste water treatment plants can also contribute the level of toxic substance enter the river and lake which will resulted in polluted water. Politicians and decision-makers are the people who have highest influence on the distribution of improve water shortage budgets and the adoption of policy. Unfortunately, a lot of politicians do not agree with the parameters of practical water resource management and this result in judgements are being made on the basis of short-term political feasibility. The effects of water shortages are the most noticeable to the everyday man. More than half of the worlds hospital beds are filled by people suffering from water linked diseases as well as nearly 20% of deaths to children under age five being credited to water related issues. Water related diseases include a wide variety of well-known and feared ailments such as Malaria, Lice, dengue fever, Hepatitis and other more. Water shortage will pose major nation or global challenges as it would reduce agricultural production as well as lead to an increase in food and water prices. This will greatly affect consumers disposable income, businesses profits and economic growth. Water can also become a source of conflicts among communities, states and countries. Developing countries such as Malaysia are more harshly affected by water shortages problem. Lack of clean and fresh water will caused health concerns and human loss as a result of poor hygiene. A lot of people who cannot get supply of clean water on a regular basis will end up using unclean water from streams which are usually contaminated. Those who are using contaminated water will develop health complications like cholera, diarrhea and other more in the long run. Besides that, hunger is another negative effect related with water shortage. Water shortage will link to agriculture. With lesser water, the crops produce will be lesser thus in the long run will leads to hunger and thirst. Water Rationing Survival Water rationing means the water company will limit the fresh water supply to domestic and industrial area. During water rationing period it is needed for people to save water and prevent from wasting it. There are a few survival skills during water rationing such as greywater recycling. Greywater recycling is the waste water generated from washing machine and dishwasher is used for other stuff. The greywater can be used for cleaning the house compound, flushing toilet and many more. So, never pour water down the drain when there may be additional use for it for example watering a plant or garden, or for cleaning. This can be done by while taking showers, place a bucket in the showers to catch excess water and use the water for cleaning or flushing the toilet. This can be apply when washing dishes or vegetable in the sink. Next, it would be turning off the main water valves when it is not in used. As during water shortage, water is very limited. Thus when the local officials advice on the water rationing, it is better to off the main water valves to prevent those already in the tank is contaminated. Apart from that, during water rationing, it is best to repair broken or leaking pipes. This is to prevent extra water being wasted unnecessarily. This can be done by repairing dripping faucets by replacing their washers. Another method is to check for toilet tank leaks by adding food colouring into the tank. If the toilet is leaking, colour will appear in the toilet bowl within 30 minutes to an hour. It is good to check the toilet for worn out, corroded or bent parts. Most of the replacement parts are inexpensive, readily available as well as easily installed. During shower, it is better to take shorter shower instead of long bath. Replace the showerhead with ultra-low flow version. Some of the ultra-low flow version allows users to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs. In the shower, turn on the water to get wet and turn off after the body is wet then turn back on to rinse off. Repeat it when washing the hair too. Avoid flushing the toilet unreasonably. Throw of tissues, insects and other related waste in the dustbin rather than the toilet bowl. For the lawn, do not overwater the lawn. As a general rule, lawns only need watering every five to seven days in a week. Heavy rain will eliminate the need of watering for up to two weeks. If possible, do buy a rain gauge and use it to measure the rain that land on the lawn. Water lawns during the early morning hours when temperatures and are the lowest. This reduces water losses from evaporation. Another method is having bigger water storage. With less water used on days when the water is rationed, it is best to realigning the use of fresh water. Having extra storage in the house will be good if water rationing period is extended for a day or two. If the water storage is on the roof, it had to be big enough to store water for drinking, bathing and cooking. Recommendation to the Causes Identified There are a lot of steps that can be taken to solve water shortage issues. One of them is rainwater harvesting system. Rainwater harvesting system will cut down the usage of treated water used for car washing, toilet as well as general cleaning. This will save up on the water bills. One huge problem is finding sufficient space for the rain water harvesting system to be installed. It is not a small piece of device that one can just plug and play. Another recommendation for water shortage is desalinization. Desalinization is system which can filter the salty water through membranes and removing the salt through electro dialysis and reverse osmosis process. Desalinization process has worked for about 130 nations in North Africa and Middle East. With the use of this system, these nations are currently producing around six billion of fresh water daily. Since Malaysia is surrounded by sea, it is possible to introduce desalinization process. Besides this, another recommendation is to protect water catchment areas. Water consumption is normally divided into domestic, industry and agriculture. Most of the water consumption is for domestic sector as most of the industries and agriculture use raw water instead. Government should introduce more water catchment areas for example forest and lakes. These are the areas that must take into consideration of future need of raw water. These areas should be register as national park so no deforestation and no development could be done at that area. Thus, this would ensure the future supply of raw water. Government should improve the water supply infrastructures as a method to prevent water shortage. The government could build more service reservoirs to prevent water shortage. A service reservoir could store up to a minimum one or two days of storage of water. On top of that, government should use meters as a method to monitor how much water does people are sending down the drains, flushing in toilets and pouring over their gardens. Meter is the fairest way to charge for water and the people need to be held responsible for what they use. For example, a family of four uses as much water in a day as a sprinkler uses in an hour. If people are using sprinkle and swimming pool, they need to pay extra. Apart from that, the government should persuade and educate people to use less water. Small actions like turning off the taps during washing up could save a lot of water. For example, by turning off the tap while brushing teeth would save a lot of water. If a normal tap runs at five litres a minute, people do brush their teeth for two minutes for twice a day. It would be 20 litres that goes down the sink. Another method is by charging the water based on the water quality. A raw water quality based raw water tariff should also be in place to ensure the governments are receiving income by safe guarding the water catchment areas to secure raw water resources. Safe guarding water catchment areas will preserve the raw water quality and reduce cost of treating water which will be translated to affordable water tariff. Conclusion In conclusion, stopping water crisis from reaching tragic level needs more concern of people as well as governments. It can be an effective ways to increase consciousness among all people from all walks of life regarding the shortage of water and what people have to face in the future if the uncontrolled water usage is not stopped. Governments should implement laws to penalize uncontrollable use of water. People should be wiser and miser in using water. Everyone must think of better ways to discipline oneself so that water is not wasted. It is better to come up with precaution than solution. Finally, people should safeguard the environment and filter unwanted pollutants before it is release to the environment Reference Toltal Words: 2598 words 1

Essays --

Consequently, California higher education has increased in student fees in order to gain the amount of the state budget. Larry Gordon, Gale Holland, and Mitchell Landsberg, authors of the article â€Å"The California Fix,† have pointed out that CSU system has raised student fees by a total of 32% and is commanding 24 furlough days for all employees, including college presidents in 2009. Indeed, the UC system has a reduced freshman enrollment by 6% and hiking undergraduate fees by 9.3%. Then, Governor Jerry Brown has fund higher education but not enough. Laurel Rosenhall, author of the article â€Å"After Massive Cuts,† has revealed in 2010, state funding for CSU went up by more than 11% over in 2009 while UC moved up by more than 12%. In 2011, Brown decided to intend cutting $500 million each from the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems and another $400 million from a California Community College (CCC). Brown also has plans to ra ise fees on community colleges from $26-$36 a unit which means a full-time student would actually pay $1,080 per school year in fall 2011 (Rosenhall). According to Investment Weekly News, May 17, 2012, the California Student Aid Commission will resist to proposed Cal Grant cuts and the rearrangement of the Cal Grant Entitlement Program. The proposal of Cal Grant cuts will reduce college opportunity for students. This will affect the greatest free funding at the UC and CSU when the Governor’s proposal to eliminate Cal Grant which low income students cannot afford the rising cost of higher education. Michele Siqueriro, commissioner of the Campaigns for College Opportunity, explains that Cal Grant students whose family incomes are $50,000 a year for a family of four would lose t... ...ion in funding. However, California is struggling due to the economy so CSU will have to look for ways to modernize and educate students in difficult finaincal times (Dulaney). Although our parents thought the higher education system is the key to success, the budget cuts is causing the state and people to save money in California. Conversely, students are concern about the reductions that will extend the time it takes to gruaduate in four years. Most likely higher tuition is distressing many students to pay their student loans. For example, Dior Sweeney, a senior at UC Berkeley, has works two jobs while going to school, but he believes when he graduate that he will owe more than 20,000 student loans. He also worries about paying his tuition, rent, transportation, and food because the economy is effecting him to think that he will not get a job with a B.A. (Chea 7).

Lean Thinking Model and Its’ Positive Effects on Manufacturing Processes

Running Head: Lean Thinking Model Lean Thinking Model and its' Positive Effects on Manufacturing Processes June 11, 2009 Table of Contents Introduction4 Steps of the Lean Manufacturing Process5 Step 1:Identify the Value to Customers in Specific Products and Services5 Step 2:Identify the Business Processes the Delivers this Value to Customers8 Step 3:Organize Work Arrangements around the Flow of the Business Process8 Step 4:Create a Pull System that Responds to Customer Demands9 Step 5:Continuously Pursue Perfection in the Business Process10 Summary12 References14 Abstract The lean thinking model has many positive effects on the manufacturing process. The model aids companies in the significant reduction of both human and natural resources by removing waste from all aspects of the manufacturing process. Establishing sound processes will in turn help to eliminate waste in production, workforce, and management resources. The lean thinking model is a process with multiple steps involved to ensure effectiveness for a company. These steps are guidelines that do not fit every organization exactly since there are so many differences between businesses. The function of lean is to seek and find the value of your business. This process will determine the customer’s needs, allow for the removal of non-value added functions and tasks, and materials to become a lean business machine. Henry Ford and the Toyota Company depict an example of the lean thinking model. They invented, re-invented, and added to the lean thinking model over the years and have demonstrated that the model does elp create an efficient business. Introduction The Lean Thinking Model (or lean) falls directly in line with expectations of customers needs for a particular product line by totally reducing excess waste out of the process. A company using lean must optimize the flow of production processes in order to make it cost effective and an efficient process. The philosophy of lean is to remove all waste in the manufacturing process, prov ide reasonable pricing to the customer, which in turn will result in company profits and stability. Toyota is the forerunner of the Lean manufacturing process and has been utilizing, improving and perfecting this method since 1902 (Becker, 2009). Toyota’s hourly wage including benefits such as health care and pensions plans is significantly less in comparison to their other competitors. Toyota’s rate is $48. 00 dollars an hour where GM’s rate is $69. 00 dollars an hour (Hirschfeld Davis, 2008). With both the current economic crisis and government bailouts, some of Toyota’s automobile competitors obviously did not follow the lean manufacturing process. Therefore, Toyota is one of the top automobile companies today. The Toyota Production System is credited for Toyota because of their â€Å"sustained leadership in manufacturing performance† (Johnsoton, 2001). Toyota has adapted to changes within the automobile industry with excellence. They drive towards â€Å"continuously improving the micro levels of manufacturing processes through identification and systematic reduction or elimination of non-value adding activities† (Sullivan, 2008). Dennis Sowards stated it very well when he said, â€Å"For lean construction to be truly successful, it requires a cultural change in the company, not a few random uses† (Sowards, 2009). Not only must a company participate in a cultural change, they must develop a plan to change their processes and their way of thinking. Company programs lacking support and participation from employees’ typically are unsuccessful. There are five management steps contained within the Lean Thinking Model. This management step approach works well when applied to organize a company’s resources such as equipment and personnel. These resources are incorporated â€Å"†¦around the flow of business processes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and the products are â€Å"†¦pulled through this process in response to customer orders† (Garrison et al. , 2008, p. 13). A company will see many benefits from this process, which could include â€Å"lower inventories, fewer defects, less wasted effort, and quicker customer response times† (Garrison et al. , 2008, p. 13). Shown below are the five lean steps along with descriptions of each demonstrating the significant of how these steps contribute to the success of a company. Steps of the Lean Manufacturing Process Step 1:Identify the Value to Customers in Specific Products and Services In order to sustain business, a company must identify what the customer values in a product and service which will bring that customer back to buy again. A prime example where customers were disappointed by a product change is when the Coca Cola Company © released their new product called The New Coke ©. This occurred in 1985 after the Coca Cola Company © researched and marketed a new product formula, which they initially intended to replace their orginal Coca Cola © Classic formula. Have you seen New Coke © product invending machines or on the grocery shelves anywhere today? No. Because customers hated the new product and wanted their original Coca Cola © back. The Coca Cola © company did not find out what their customer wanted prior to changing their formula and their customers were highly offended. Lessons learned: The organization found out very quickly that their customer found absolutely no value in their new product. Coca Cola Company © spent four hundred million dollars for research, development and marketing of the new formula (Unknown, 2009). After 87 days of bad press, customer letters and phone calls with complaints against the new formula, the Coca Cola © Company pulled the New Coke © product off the shelves (Unknown, 2009). The organization could have prevented this issue. They could have sent out Coca Cola © samples to millions of customers rather than the initial two hundred thousand of taste testers (Unknown, 2009). The reason for this anology is that the target group of Coca Cola © lovers is in the millions, not in the thousands. To keep prices as low as possible, and create a sustainable competitive advantage, waste must be removed from the manufacturing process (Baker, 2006). This includes the office worker who wastes time with two hours of cooler talk, the shop worker who is standing idley by waiting for the production line to gear back up, or there are missing steps to the design flow process. For an organization to be lean, the idea must be implemented from top down, not from the bottom up. It must include support from all levels. When individuals are standing around and others are working excessively, there is an imbalance in the work flow process which could be corrected by implementing cross-training throughout various departments (Baker, 2006). Part of the waste reduction process is identifying all pocesses or business elements that create waste and then modifying them to reduce that waste. Most organizations think that the lean process is to clean and organize an office, for example, or shift personnel around without any thought to reduce non-value added functions. By pulling out those steps that do not add value from the customers point of view and by removing waste, a company may just have a sustainable product on their hands (Baker, 2006). A business that understands the customer’s values will be able to provide that customer with a product that they need. Remember, the lines of communication must remain open. Customer’s feedback for products is extremely important. The customer feedback provides an invaluable tool to maintain existing quality and steps to improve a product line if needed. The customer interaction is a part of the lean process. This step in the lean process takes constant maintenance and interaction between both parties on regular bases (Baker, 2006). Company’s that value their customer opinions helps the organization improve product lines, reduce waste, and adds value for success. What causes a customer to remain loyal to a particular brand and purchase it repeatedly? It is often that a customer finds value in a specific brand name, not just the item. For instance, some people will only wear Nike © tennis shoes, this is specific brand loyalty. The value of a reasonable priced item is typically a good second indicator, but not always. Product price versus the quality of the product is another comparison the customers will make prior to buying. It has been my personnel experience that a cheaper product of lesser quality will often need to replaced because it worn out too soon. If the quality of the product lasts as long as the customer feels it should based on the price of the item, then when it is time to replace it, they are more likely to venture back to the same brand. What the customer values in a particular product must be identified to meet their budgets need and keep them coming back as a repeat customer for the company. Customer loyalty is free advertising for the manufacturer. When customers are happy about the products or services that they receive from a business, they brag about the product and the organization. Bragging is free advertising of products or services. By acknowledging the value of customer feedback, making the customer feel good while using a particular product, the company may gain a loyal friend for life. Step 2:Identify the Business Processes the Delivers this Value to Customers After a business identifies what products and services the customer wants, needs and values, their business processes that deliver these products and services must be identified as well (Garrison, et. al, 2008, p 14). The next step is to lean out those processes to make them more efficient. During this step of the lean process, there are no departmental boundaries in the company’s organizational chart when determining what business process will deliver the identified value to the customer (Garrison, et. l, 2008, p 14). This element removes waste from both manufacturing and human resources. This ensures effective processes. Each business department has the opportunity to be lean. Step 3:Organize Work Arrangements around the Flow of the Business Process Effective layout for business flow is essentional to an efficient production line (Sullivan, 2008). The Lean Manufacturing system organizes process and p laces them in manufacturing cells based on the product that they are creating. The cellular approach takes employees and equipment from departments that were previously separated from one another and places them side-by-side in a work space called a cell† (Garrison, et. al, 2008 p 14). Every aspect from the equipment process line to the employee running the machines is organized in a cell. Training the employees to perform all the steps in their manufacturing cell ensures accurate and consistent skill training. This step ensures that the manufacturing of the product is completed in a sequential manner that follows detailed process steps. By applying this step, time reduction for an employee in the overall process will take place. For example, the employee would no longer have to run clear across the two-mile plant to obtain the nut for the bolt that was produced in their cell. The bolts and nuts would be in the same cell since it is part of the new process cell. This is a significant cost savings for the company, which is passed directly to the customer. Step 4:Create a Pull System that Responds to Customer Demands Creating a pull system to respond to customer demands starts by a customer placing a product or service order. A company reduces inventories to bare minimum levels because production will only occur after the customer orders something from the organization. â€Å"In an ideal situation the company would only purchase the raw materials needed for each day or shift of operation, with none left at the end of the day and immediately ship the finished goods to the customer† (Garrison, et. al, 2008 p 14). This sometimes can cause a problem. This type of workflow pattern can cause work stoppages because when orders are not coming in, workers are waiting for customer orders to perform work (Garrison, et. al, 2008 p 14). This problem can be alleviated by ensuring that cross training is conducted with those employees that may have to wait for orders. Just-in-Time (JIT) is another example of a pull system and is used at many large manufacturing companies such as Northrop Grumman, Ford and Toyota. When the JIT System is applied to a manufacturing process, materials are purchased for what is needed, when they are needed, and the quantities produced are based specifically on what customers order. The JIT system made Henry Ford and Toyota famous in their efforts to minimize waste and organize their manufacturing process successfully. For example, Toyota to this day does not start production on their vehicles until there is an order from a customer for a vehicle. Another excellent example of a company that uses the JIT process is Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. They are located on the James River in Newport News, Virginia and are the only manufacturer of nuclear aircraft carries for the United States Navy. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding developed the Nimitz class carrier for the Navy with the famous slogan of 90 tons of steel. The painting of all that steel is amazing to witness. In 1990, the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding environmental department estimated the waste paint volume at nearly 60% of the paint purchased. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding decided that something needed to change to reduce this double cost of extra paint purchased and waste. They began working with paint manufacturers and applied a JIT system with all paint purchases. The paint manufactures signed teaming agreements with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding to supply all paints JIT. The environmental department estimated a 25% reduction in waste from this JIT application. Only 25% reduction was seen as a great feat, but it was also disturbing. The environmental department with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding was concerned that there was not a 60% reduction. This led the company to further investigation of the painting application process. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding discovered that the paint distribution and application process was the culprit for the missing 35%. Their next lean step after discovering this problem was to eliminate it and they have since created processes to do just that. Step 5:Continuously Pursue Perfection in the Business Process A company must continuously review all aspects of their business in order for it to improve in the pursuit of perfection. This is not just production line review (Garrison et al. , p. 14). Quality control is a vital attribute in this step as well. Raw materials and parts are inspected for defects, including finished products manufactured in the shop and raw materials received from supplies to produce those products. Business and suppliers must work together to ensure each has a quality program that will enhance their product line, not hurt it with inadequate materials or products. The company’s production workers will inspect a second time since they are directly responsible for spotting defective pieces. A worker who discovers a defect immediately stops the flow of production and start working on trouble shooting a solution to correct it. Supervisors and other workers in the area will assist in determining the root cause of the problem and correct it before any further defective units are produced (Garrison et al. , p. 14). This way of thinking allows the company to ensure quick problem identification and solutions in their business process. It is not a common philosophy in manufacturing processes where the production line worker can stop the production line because they found an error in a part. Typically, the worker is required to inform their supervisor, the supervisor will inform the shop production manager and then perhaps senior management all while the production line is still running and generating defective parts. This entire succession of informing all those in the management chain can take hours or even days to accomplish. With lean manufacturing and the Jidoka system, the worker would stop production immediately, resolve the issues before any more defective parts are produced and subsequently scrapped as waste (Brodek, 2009). A very interesting aspect of lean is that the process relies on those working the deck plate to find defective or wasteful processes and solve the problem. Traditionally, an individual would go up the chain of management and those in upper management would make the corrective action decision. The Jidoka system is a process established by the Japanese that provides front line workers the ability and responsibility to stop the production line immediately when they find a problem (Brodek, 2009). They are then required to alert their fellow workers and problem solves the situation. If they are inexperienced in this problem solving process, other works or supervision may make suggestions for correction, but not before the individual that stopped the process attempts to solve it. This forces the new employee to acquire learned problem solving skills, which is invaluable in a manufacturing process line. Permanent and perfect solutions are expected result of the Jidoka system. Employees must understand that the Band-Aid approach is not acceptable in correcting company production or process problems. The entire company must pull together and problem solve, because by using the lean process, repeat defective parts are not acceptable. In 1926, Henry Ford could manufacture a car in four days and at that same time, Toyota and General Motors needed ten weeks to produce just one vehicle. Henry Ford’s Jidoka system vehicle manufacturing process is a great example of how reducing waste worked for Ford. Toyota studied the Ford process and applied lean manufacturing to their processes and reduced their vehicle manufacturing process from ten weeks to just two days (Brodek, 2009). That is impressive for any company. Another Application for the Lean Thinking Model â€Å"The lean thinking model can also be used to improve the business processes that link companies together. The term supply chain management is commonly used to refer to the coordination of business processes across companies to better serve end consumers† (Garrison et al, 2008, p 14). For example, Costco teams with their suppliers to ensure materials and products that they need are available based on customer demand. Both Costco and the supplier understand that their mutual success is highly dependent upon them working together as a team. Summary The significant benefits of the Lean Manufacturing Model include many different aspects. The first is the reduction of resources, human and natural. By removing waste from work scopes, production lines and management, the company will save money. Another significant benefit is the reduction of time for an employee and a given product on the production line will result in additional cost savings. By leaning out an organization’s processes, human resources, and materials in the production process, this elimination of non-value added steps would add the benefit of saving the company time and money. Other examples of the reduction in resources used include electricity, natural resources (metal, gas, electricity, and fabric) and personnel. Truly honing in on what the customer wants, needs and values will help create a process that defines those values. This is a key function of lean manufacturing. References Baker, W. H. (2006, May). Profit Online. Retrieved June 7, 2009, from Five Steps to the Lean Enterprise; creating a sustainable competitive advange: http://www. oracle. com/profit/features/p26lean_3. html Brodek, N. (2009). Mold Making Technology. Retrieved May 13, 20069, from Five Rules to Problem Solving in Your Shop: http://www. moldmakingtechnology. com/articles/010508. html Becker, R. M. (2009). SAE International. Retrieved May 16, 2009, from Lean Manufacturing and the Toyota Production System : http://www. sae. org/manufacturing/lean/column/leanjun01. htm Garrison, R. H. (2008). Managerial Accounting (12th edition). New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill COmpanies, Inc.. Hirschfeld Davis, J. a. (2008, December 11). USA Today. Retrieved June 7, 2009, from Auto bailout talks collapse in Senate over union wages : http://www. usatoday. com/money/autos/2008-12-10-house-approves-auto-bailout-bill_N. htm Johnsoton, S. J. (2001, November 26). Working Knowledge, Harvard Business School. Retrieved May 13, 2009, from How Toyota Turns Workers Into Problem Solvers: http://hbswk. hbs. edu/item/3512. html Sowards, D. (2009, March 01). snips Magazine. Retrieved May 15, 2009, from Lean and Mean: http://www. nipsmag. com/Articles/Feature_Article/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000539426 Frost and Sullivan. (2008, January 3). Frost and Sullivan Market Insite. Retrieved June 7, 2009, from Cellular Manufacturing : http://www. frost. com/prod/servlet/market-insight-print. pag? docid=116843703 (Sullivan, 2008) need to fix this one. The authors are Frost and Sullivan†¦no first names, but the citation is wrong Unknown. (2009 , June 9). Building Brands. Retrieved June 7, 2009, from Cost-effective promotions can build the brand too: http://www. buildingbrands. com/didyouknow/08_new_coke. php

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buy custom From Spaces of Places essay Without doubt, Joachim Blatter oversees that with the uprising dynamics of technology, he is not the only one who foresees that the network society is rising from nowhere to some space of flows.[i] These drastic and evolving changes have led the researchers to ask themselves empirical questions that have led to debate over time. It is questionable as to whether the multiplication of stages of governance as conferred to the federalism version is leading to a progression of deterritorialization where associations of supremacy currently are remarkably unbundling into more of a functionally differentiated system with variable and fuzzy government scales. Another, query that is being posed to the extent that the significant transformations from the government to the governance sector and the inclusion of actors of both from private and non-profit sectors in organizations, mainly of cross border superiority could go, besides the ties and mechanisms that do hold the actors involved together . Blatter in his article seeks to give answers to the questions that arise due to the technological changes that take place. Indeed, he portrays how the answers are empirical evidence from Western Europe and North American borderlands as they seek to give more clarifications that are more relevant to the question that individuals always ask themselves. Border regions obviously need justification as they are seen as the peripheral parts of the state territory and not the precursors of glocalization process. This is not the case as currently many borders are not peripheral as they are continuously achieving economic prosperity that is above the national average level. This is as a result of the decrease in the significance of the nation-state that has led to the prevalent increase in the relevance of the region. In addition, the global cities are taking over the national environment as it becomes globally linked. As a result, dramatic changes as the forces of transnational integration an d domestic decentralization as elements of glocalization are competing for dominance of national administration as it seeks to govern the regions that cross over the borders. Instrumental and identity-providing institutions have become one of the most significant elements of differentiation. According to functionalist and rationalist theories, they assume that there is an objective interdependence that exists between institutions and social actors, which serve specific purposes. Indeed, the ritual of representation has overseen activities that create mutual obligations with no specific purpose among the group members. As political institutions, are seen to be symbolic actions that considerably have influence upon political actors. However, these symbols do not seek to go contrary to the rules as it seeks to give correct information but to ensure that it stimulate emotion an empathy and reduce ambiguity rather than uncertainty as accorded to rules. Blatter therefore, clearly points out that for individual and social welfare to be attained instrumental institutions should ensure that includes all actors and pertinent resources. Transformation in the supremacy is to shift from to the territory centered to function centered as it moves from space of place to a space of flows. This is as a result of a network that is dominant in cases of being nearly decomposable is non-existent. Considerably, this networks and hierarchies have a difference in terms of their structure of interaction that arises from two dimensions. These two dimensions comprise of the interterritorial and intersectoral dimensions that design the structure of an ideal type. However, the existence of the two dimensions could make the structure blurred as direct contacts between the subnational actors of various types and inclusion of non-public-sector organization existing in trans-boundary institutions. Territorial and functional governance that exists have gotten different features and task performance. Ideal types of cross-border political institutions according to Blatter should be analyzed from their own dimensions and distinguished. These types of institutions include commissions, connection, coalitions and consociation. Commissions are usually characterized by a scientific, technical, or judicial approach so as to reduce cases of cross -border issues and disputes. This institution is liberal as there are national delegations and votes as members of a commission. Its national boundaries determine the geographic area of cooperation as it acts as an all-purpose institution that performs many tasks. Leading members in a commission include experts in the field of law and engineering as they seek to find appropriate measures and projects based on scientific-technical knowledge. Connection significantly helps in overcoming obstacles that could readily hinder the exploitation of positive and negative externalities and synergies. Blatter explains how connection the information that is being conveyed does not show the objective necessity that brings out coordinated action but does not reduce the transaction costs at all. As a result, it does not involve typical experts but involve the brokers who could either be planners and developers. Coalition as a cross-border political institution is not of objective necessity, this is because political actors arrange to join forces together in dispute or in conflict with another political actor and therefore, does not choose partners based on interdependence. Coalitions are extremely characterized as individuals with shared belief and common values as they move together dominated by the same motive. This links include horizontal linkages between the various partners in a geographicaal region. Consociation influences individual behaviors through symbolizing ideas with identities and images that cross-border political community. This cooperation that exists seeks to influence peoples identity in a holistic and affective way. Indeed, the four types of cross-border political institution have been pointed out in a vast number of nations the European Union is not an exception. These countries include the Upper Rhine Valley, California, Lake Constance region and Cascadia. Blatter explains that the cause of the differences between Europe and North America is as a result of deterritorialization. This is extremely seen through the sectors that make up institution in Europe is purely intergovernmental and complemented by institutionalized meetings of legislators. Whereas in North America institutions, are more open to direct involvement of private and non-profit actors. In addition, institutions in Europe share a common geographical definition in border regions. However, in North America, there is no congruence between the various institutions thus leads to general overlaps. In terms of the goals and tasks, European has developed encompassing programs and activities that exist in many policy fields whereas, in North America, there is similar broad aspiration that have to narrow down to suit the activity. With respect to temporal stability, Europeans has commissions that do not contrast so much with those in North America. In Europe, the vision is holistic and multifunctional as compared to North America that has bioregional concepts. from all orders made by people you bring! Your people also get 17% discount on their first order In order to look at the empirical study case, Blatter makes it quite obvious that we have to overcome unspecified notions like the territorial differences towards functioning, and thereafter, we look at a specific tie and links that are crucial for defining the new instruction of governance based on the common space of flows. Blatter explains that the two borders of North America have created social cohesion and built political institutions through material flow and flow of ideas. Blatter clearly illustrates that high performances in the specific fields outweigh the total failure in terms of cross-border cooperation. It is therefore, logical according to Blatter to conclude that Europe and North America are through the trend of glocalization. I correspond with Blatter views, opinion, and clear explanation that with the uprising dynamics of technology, he foresees that the network society is rising from nowhere to some space of flows. As a result of space flows in politics, there is an uprising significant mobilizing capacity with tremendous transformational powers. Significantly, it is true that today the government has become governance as a result of the transition. I also concur with Blatter that the political systems are adjusting to changes in technical and socioeconomic features of natural imperatives. Buy custom From Spaces of Places essay