Church to Connect Essay

â€Å"Our future is not to be found in our preservation but in our investment† (19). â€Å"The best way to predict the future is to create it† (20). â€Å"Fewer people are attending church because of the diminishing influence of Christ on the church itself. † â€Å"We equated being a good citizen with being a good Christian. We lived without persecution and soon found ourselves without conviction. We didn’t lose America; we gave her away! In our panic and powerlessness we turned to political means to seek to regain what we once had through spiritual awakening . Yet as a moral majority we could not accomplish what God could through Gideon’s few† (28). â€Å"Once we were called Christians by an unbelieving world and now we call ourselves Christians and the world calls us hypocrites. Is it possible that it wasn’t the nation that was becoming dangerously secular but the church? We were neither relevant nor transcendent. We have become, in the worst of ways, religious. We are the founders of the secular nation† (29). â€Å"The church became a refuge from the world rather than a force in the world. Predictability and stability became dominant themes†¦. The gospel shifted from a church on a mission to a church that supported missions† (30). â€Å"How could we ever think that the Christian faith would be safe when its central metaphor is an instrument of death? It is not a coincidence that baptism is a water grave depicting death and resurrection. It is no less significant that the ongoing ordinance of the Lord’s Supper is a reminder of sacrifice. How did we ever develop a safe theology from such a dangerous faith? †(33) â€Å"Institutions preserve culture while movements create culture† (34). â€Å"For years the bulk of American Christians who were committed to missions could only participate through giving and praying. Today, the call to crosscultural ministry doesn’t even require going; it just requires staying with a purpose† (45). â€Å"Where once the pagan lived in the country and the danger of the city was to be Christianized; now Christians tend to live away from the cities and view the urban dweller as the true pagan† (46). â€Å"Gideon was focused on mass; God was focused on momentum† (69). â€Å"It’s hard to believe that a movement born of visionaries and dreamers would become dominantly known for its traditions and rituals† (138). â€Å"Just because a person cannot read doesn’t mean she lacks the capacity to learn. One’s present condition is not an indication of potential, but of development† (211). III. SALIENT POINTS/ANALYSIS 1. The Need for the Church to Connect with this Generation The author speaks about how in the past 40 years communities have changed dramatically yet many local churches have stayed the same. This explains the irrelevancy and bankruptcy of the church in regards to being salt and light and functioning as agents of change for culture. Even the way the gospel is communicated has to be changed if we are going to reach this present generation. One of the dramatic changes in our environment is the shift from words to images. To do church in a way that is entirely textdriven is the kiss of death. People don’t read, they simply observe. Beyond the emergence of a postliterate society, we have a culture raised on entertainment (17). As McManus states, â€Å"While not many churches perform their services in Latin today, our language, style, music, and methods are pretty much Latin to the unchurched population† (81).

Mothers

The parent teacher meeting is an activity which fosters good interaction between the parents of the children and the school teachers. Most of the time, these interactions provide very beneficial effects to the total welfare of the students. Apparently, there are three major groupings which can be observed among mothers who attend these kinds of meetings-the â€Å"social†, â€Å"reserved† and the â€Å"unconcerned†. The social mother is the one who actually has all the energy in order to completely devote herself to the parent-teacher meeting. In terms of expenses, she actually manages to impart more amounts of money that what is required in fulfilling a project for the benefit of the whole class, in effect of her child. She is always willing to participate in upcoming school activities. It is also a fact that this type of mother will commit right away at the earliest possible time to an activity which is still to be scheduled. When it comes to interactions with the teacher, she always manages to ask questions about the performance of her child. To get more information, and possibly some commendations from the teacher is her prized reward. The next type of a mother who attends parent-teacher meetings is the reserved one. This kind of mother pays the exact amount needed in order to fund a certain school project. When it comes to school activities, she does not commit right away but will make sure that the teacher will be able to know her compliance as soon as possible. Although she manages to go to school activities, the intention is to serve as the guardian for her child and not for any other reasons. In terms of interacting with the teacher, this kind of mother will just accept whatever the teacher will tell her about the child and would not dare elaborate more about his performance. She will just take into considerations whatever advices the teacher would give. The last type is the unconcerned mother. Since she considers her child’s welfare less of a priority, she is the one who will always complain about the expenses to be incurred for school projects; would even demand for a detailed breakdown of where the money contribution is going to be used. When it comes to school activities’ planning, this type of a mother will almost always give out reasons just to skip those important child-parent interactions in school. These reasons are closed ended and would take no other course but to deny the invitation for a school activity. The unconcerned mother would not even care to talk to her child’s teacher for any other info about his performance in class. It is very clear that doing so is just a waste of time for her. Motherly care is considered to be the most effective factor in bringing up a well rounded child. Programs such as the parent-teacher meetings will definitely provide some more good avenues to improve whatever the conditions of school children are based on the assessment of the teachers. The three groups of mothers who attend the parent-teacher meetings in schools are the core individuals who will practically influence how their respective child will develop to become good citizens.                              

HP Finanical Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

HP Finanical Analysis - Essay Example Hewlett Packard is the United States’ 8th largest corporation. The company s is within the top 20 corporations in the world (House, 2009). In 2013, the company was able to improve its global business operations. The 2013 accounting period generated an estimated $12 billion cash inflow. The year also reduced it net debt amount to the favorably lower zero debt amount. The company allocated and estimated $3 billion for research and development of new company products. The 2013 period included the giving of $ 2.6 billion dividends and capital returns to the company’s stockholders. Further, the HP leadership entered into new market segments to boost it global revenues and profits. The company’s 2013 operations included introducing new innovative products to the current and future global market segments. The segments include the Moonshot Server market, global data and security segment. Initially, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard created the garage-based company with $538 investment during 1938. Using United States as base, the company is one of the top manufacturers and sellers of personal computers. In the computing business, the company delivers the global customers’ needs, which includes data storage, personal computing, hardware networking, software creation, servers, scanners, digital cameras, notebooks, printers, and several related services (Pham, 2013). The three year financial report clearly shows the company performed financially better in 2013, compared to the prior 2012 year, as shown in Exhibit A in the appendix of this paper (Hewlett Packard, 2014). HP generated high earnings from operations during 2013, $7,752 million. This is definitely higher than the prior 2012 loss, -$10,181. Consequently, the company’s net earnings for 2013 is $9,149. This is higher than the prior 2012 year’s dismal $10,181 million net loss (Noreen, 2008). The three year financial analysis shows the company fared financially

Social Welfare Democracy and Government ( Social work) Essay

Social Welfare Democracy and Government ( Social work) - Essay Example In effect, in a democratic system, the right to vote is an entitlement for each citizen because the government processes are based on the will of the people. Since not all citizens can be allowed to carry out government processes, a representative voted by the people would be the next best thing for a democracy. Inclusion is also about being made a part of the process. In the democratic scene, inclusion is an important element because it helps ensure that the conceptualization and implementation of policies encompass all members of society (Young, 2002). Therefore, in the process of ensuring the adequate implementation of democracy, everyone who is entitled to vote should do so because it allows them to be included in the democratic processes and it helps ensure that the spirit of democracy is carried out to its fullest extent (Young, 2002). Representative democracies are very much founded on the rule of the people as supported by the election of government officials. In the history of the United States and in other representative democracies, during our early years, only free white males were able to vote and in some areas, these voters had to be property owners as well (Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt, 2008). Women were not allowed to vote in the elections; and in the US, it was only until the 1920s when they were finally granted the right to vote. Today, the right to suffrage is universal. Since all votes count equally, regardless of gender, ethnicity, and economic standing, the only way to make fair decisions is to submit to the majority will (Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt, 2008). In order to ensure that majority rule does not become oppressive, provisions to protect the right of the minority groups have also been set forth. If no protection is granted to these minorities, the majority might end up violating the fundamental rights of other minority groups (Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt, 2008). In effect, it is important for everyone to vote in order to ensure th at their right is represented and protected; in order to ensure that even if the majority rule would apply, the rights of the minorities would still be represented in the bigger picture. In order to guarantee the continued existence of a democracy which represents the will of the people, there must always be free and competitive elections. Therefore, the opposition can have an equal right to win the elections (Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt, 2008). In order for elections to be totally free and open, freedom of speech and of the press must be respected so that opposition candidates can present their constructive criticism against the government (Bardes, Shelley, and Schmidt, 2008). Even as all citizens must have the right to vote, there may be certain restrictions to the exercise of this right. These restrictions are based on legal and proprietary provisions which are part of the democratic processes of different countries. In the United Kingdom, laws provide for certain criteria by wh ich citizens are qualified for the right to suffrage. First provision is that only individuals whose names appear on the electoral register are allowed to vote (Electoral Commission, 2006). In order to vote in the UK Parliamentary elections, the voter must be 18 years of age or over on the day of the elections. He must also be a British citizen, a Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Irish Republic who is residing in the UK. Finally, he must not be made

Economics Policy Public Goods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Economics Policy Public Goods - Essay Example If education is provided by the private market alone, it would result in imbalance, and hence, the market mechanism would not be able to match demand and supply. The reason for this is the fact that private forces are not concerned with the public interest; they are concerned about their own returns and nominal benefit. Therefore, the private market forces will only produce those goods which would lead to maximum profits. The private market forces ignore social costs and benefits, and therefore, will not produce the optimal quantity of merit or price-excludable public goods. Education would be under-produced by the private sector. All merit goods are considered good for the people, and the government desires to provide them in abundance. Merit goods have more social benefit than private benefit. Therefore, the private sector would not provide them optimally. Education has large external benefits relative to private benefits, that is, social benefits are greater than private benefits. Under the price mechanism, there would be few firms willing to provide education, and they would charge high prices. High prices would reduce consumption because some or many people might not be able to afford education.

Personal statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 22

Personal Statement Example I am registered for an accounting course and I plan to continue with the area of specialization. My desire for a high-level competence and my long-term passion for accounting motivate my application for the transfer. My uncle, who was a chief accounting officer, inspired my dreams to pursue accounting because of his financial and social success that I desired to have. The stories that he told us about the profession and its associated social status captured my interest into the subject. I have therefore had the passion for accounting and this has contributed to my desire for the transfer, into better qualifications. Completing a four-year program will also offer me a better opportunity for advancing my studies in the field. Reputation that your institution has, its qualified academic staff, its resources for research, and its favorable environment for studies are my main reasons for applying for a transfer to the University. These will help me to complete the program within the stipulated period. My application for a transfer to your institution is based on both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors. This guarantees my success in the program, if granted the opportunity, and I look forward to your kind

Food and Agriculture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Food and Agriculture - Essay Example Food can stay for extremely lengthy time before going bad by using methods such as canning and silos for storing grains. These methods make plants and animals to be pest and disease resistance, herbicide, cold and drought tolerance. However, some of these acts are very dangerous in human lives given that environment is largely polluted through the grass and the grains that these animals feed on. Study shows that chemicals used in genetically modified food enhance mortality rate in many species of insect larvae. Increase use of fertilizers in planting crops leads to addition of excess chemicals in the soil thus causing danger to organisms living under the soil. Overusing underground water seriously increases salinity in the soil (Pirro 2010). Although, the issue of food supply has sturdily been taken care of, the plentiful food gradually kills us. Countless children have developed allergies to the genetically modified food both in America and worldwide. Various diseases and disorders such as obesity, cancer, and diabetes have risen due to consumption of these foods that seem healthy in our own eyes yet are full of hormones and chemicals. The traditional way of growing food and rearing animals is the only sure solution to the American food problems (Pirro

An Urban Tourism Experience Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

An Urban Tourism Experience - Essay Example Through the development of a narrative of the experience of being out in the field, the study uses thematic descriptions in order to define the way in which the experience of Rome can be brought into context with the modern experience. The themes that emerge in the development of the case are defined by the overall Roman culture through which an understanding leads to a sense of pride in the Italian lifestyle. A definition of urban tourism can simply be made by stating that it is tourism that has a city or cities as a destination for holiday. A more complex version of the definition, however, involves the desire to seek out other cultures and explore social meaning and context through first hand experiences. While urban tourism needs an additional amount of information in order to have real meaning, the ability to go to an urban center and taste the nature of the culture through experience can expand the understanding that one has about that locale. The culture of a city comes from the incidental and unintentional things that are encountered. The development of an urban tourism encounter is based upon the development of a conglomeration of disciplines so that the holiday creates a sense of the environment, not just the concept of the outsider who is looking in on a culture as if it were a zoo. Many travellers see the world as if it is a zoo for their observation, but not a place in which to immerse oneself in the culture of a city is to discover something more than just what can be observed. Urban tourism types of travel have the ability to create a connection to the observed culture that is based upon seeing their world through eyes that have been taught to look. Through information from outside sources, through learning a bit of the language of the city that is the focus of the travel, and through looking for aspects of the city that are not intended for the eyes of the traveller, the culture begins to emerge. 1.1 Research Questions The following research questions have been developed in order to frame the inquiry that this study has endeavoured to create: What is the cultural experience that defines the urban tourism event in Rome? What appears to be the hidden culture that the facade created for tourists has tried to dissuade tourists from observing? What are the cultural meanings that the urban tourist can readily observe within the experience of the city of Rome? What experiences in the city of Rome can become part of a profile of its identity? 2. Literature Review 2.1 Urban Tourism Buhalis and Darcy (2011, p. 123) discuss the nature of tourism by writing that â€Å"Travel involves the movement away from home with its gendered responsibilities and expectations, as well as the movement towards other worlds and possible selves experienced within a relation to difference†. The experience of immersing oneself into another culture is defined both by the lived experiences of the indigenous population, combined with the public identity of the locale that has been created through carefully cult ivated perceptions about the regions.

Nursing as a Profession and its Impact on Society Essay

Nursing as a Profession and its Impact on Society - Essay Example The nursing profession has been assisted by the different domains and realms of the society because they have understood how nursing could provide a point of salvage and hope for the helpless and needy, suffering on a number of counts. The handicap factor is therefore assisted a great deal by these nurses who have made giant efforts to come out in the open and manifest their ethical selves time and again. Since nursing requires vigilance and competence, not everyone can qualify as a professional nurse in the first place. However the role of nursing within the society remains an important discussion all the same. Indeed there is no better way to serve humanity than to assume the role of a nurse. The society is benefited in more ways than one and this is documented in a number of different ways. This profession has given so much freedom to the nurses that now they can call it their respective careers. The Certified Nursing Assistant course at different hospitals has provided the studen ts of nursing with the skills that are very necessary to search for employment in the long term care facilities. Particular importance is laid on the fundamental principles related with nursing as well as development and the application of nursing skills in long term care facilities. ... take up nursing as a career since it is one of the most difficult jobs all over the world and the virtues that come along with are something to be written home about. Indeed nursing is a career that leaves quite a lot to speak about because this is something which goes a long way at developing relationships of people with one another and amongst the nurses as well. From the domains of the society, the profession of nursing is a very distinctive one. This is because nurses are being consistently monitored for their actions and what they bring to the healthcare regimes. They are also being told to remain attentive to their clients’ needs and requirements, and document hard work in entirety. The nursing premise is all the more important because it manifests hard work and commitment with the clients and showcases strength of character and maturity all this while. The nursing avenues receive a great deal of applause by the people for a host of reasons. This is because they do certa in things which no one else would be able to manifest at any given time. The role of the nursing profession has evolved over a period of time but its respect and dignity has not faded away one bit. This is the reason why many people would still like the nurses to attend to them when they are sick and to their family when they are unwell. This is an important aspect that has made the rounds of nearly all the societies in the world, in the past as well as even today (Johnstone, 1999). The role of the nurses within the society is being consistently monitored for a number of reasons, and mostly because they have to give their best time and again. There is absolutely no iota of weakness or failure that comes attached with their profession, and hence should be treated as such. The societal

Strategic Management Essay Example for Free

Strategic Management Essay * 1. 2012 Competitive Strategy ReportPrepared by:Sara Yeap0008VMVM0112 1 * UMW (United Motor Works) Holdings Berhad is founded by2. UMW Background Worth RM10 billionChia Yee Soh in 1917 as anautomobile repair shop (Bicycle) They aretoday and listed one of the top ten listed companies in Bursa Malaysia strongly operating in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Papua NewGuinea, Having more thanAustralia, Taiwan, China, India, Myanmar and Turkmenistan Having 5 strategic partners10,000 employees with 80% of them are Malaysians and UMW Corporation Sdn. Bhd. Holds the largest profitearning annually which operates all of their core businesses activities UMW Holdings Berhad UMW UMW UMW Australia UMW Oil Gas UMW Petropipe Malaysian Corporation Sdn. Ventures Vision: To become a truly(L) Berhad (L) Ltd. Ventures Shd. Bhd. Ltd. Bhd. Mission: â€Å"A Good Business Is Rooted Deep in the Solid Groundworld-class brand of Customer Satisfaction. †This saying from Chia itself had embedded in their operating culture continuously for years. They are to treat their customers with â€Å"Beyond Boundaries† is their newhonesty, loyalty, earnestly and the best. rallying call started in year 2008 2 * 3. UMW Background – Cont’UMW Core Businesses UMW Core Values: Honour in their continual efforts in building trusted relationships and behaving with the utmost integrity, resulting in quality products and services that stand the test of time Vibrant in their energetic and open-minded approach to new ideas that inspire fresh solutions to their partners and businesses Unshakeable in their commitment to their customers, partners, employees as well as the community at large, to persevere and strive for excellence in all their undertakings Pioneering as they lead the way with bold ideas that shape the futures of their industries 3 * UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd is the assembler,4. UMW Toyota Motor Shd. Bnd. A joint-ventureimporter and distributor of Toyota and Lexuscars in Malaysia company with 51% in hand while Toyota Motor Corporation (39%) andToyota Tsusho It assembles engines and parts from Thailand and JapanCorporation (10%). Having fourtogether with the body in which ismanufactured in Malaysia itself subsidiaries : Subsidiaries Responsibility Assembly Services Shd. Bhd. (ASSB) Local assembler/manufacturer of Toyota passenger and commercial vehicles. Automotive Industries Shd. Bhd. (AISB) Original equipment manufacturer of exhaust systems for national and non-national car companies Toyota Boshoku UMW Sdn. Bhd. (TBU) Manufacturing and assembling high quality and cost-effective Formerly known as Takanishi SIM Shd. Bhd. car seats, door trims and interior parts for all Toyota cars and Hino commercial vehicles assembled by ASSB using the JIT method. KAYABA (Malaysia) Shd. Bhd. (KYB-UMW) Manufacturer of high ASSB assembled a few Toyota models:quality shock absorbers and steering pumps. It alsoVios, Hilux, Innova, Hiace and Fortuner . The rest areimported. invested into PERODUA, local car manufacturer with a 38% share interests (biggestshareholder besides Daihatsu) 4 * 5. Analysis – Financial Market Share AnalysisFinancial highlights of UMW Toyota Group revenue registered an increase of 150% for both Toyota/Lexus and Perodua earnings in 2Q12 in compared with the preceding year’s corresponding quarter. Group profit before PBT (Taxation) increased by 27. 6% to RM433. 3 millions. (Appendix J ) Net profit attributable to equality holders of the Company increased by 44. 9% compared with the same quarter of 2011. Consolidated cash and deposits stands at RM2. 3 billion. Total market share in the automotive sector of Malaysia is approximately 50% (UWM Toyota Motor Perodua) as of 2012 FOREX conversion rate is better than year than preceding year (Appendix F) Despite global economy recession, Malaysia’s GDP is anticipated to grow 4-5% 5 * 6. Analysis – SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats The global Despite Toyota’s performance in Toyota holds the largest market Price leadership by local car share among the foreign carsfuel prices are has in Malaysian and global markets, the been steadily increasing, giving a manufacturers Malaysia and the third biggest production capacity is limited as Natural catastrophe in Japan and marketthe clear opportunity on the potential share after the two local car main production centers are located in increase in demand for Toyota’s Thailand affected Southeast Asia manufacturers-Proton and ThePerodua. Japan and US unlike many other fuel efficient cars production line Thestrong brand image of Toyota leading auto manufacturers which got The Malaysian automobile market both locally andenvironmental awareness globally manufacturing plants in low cost among Malaysians is growing is Toyota is the industry leader in locations. Onsaturated due to the slow growth top of that, the ASSB is which will tend more people to rate in population and the presence efficient manufacturing and only putting together the parts produce prefer hybrid cars like Toyota of strong competitors such as operations in terms of TQM (Total in those major production centers Prius. Honda, Volkswagen, Fords and Quality Management) and JIT (just- thereby incurring huge shipping costs The growth in the Malaysian Hyundai. in-Time) manufacturing and is and directly Market share droppedrising prices of Toyota economy is likely to increase the from 13% to moving ahead with RD and latest cars demand for Toyota cars 11% with Korean cars; Hyundai Toyota has movedtechnology especially in the away from niche Kia grabbing some of the shares. manufacture of hybrid cars with The prices of Toyota cars in objective toan segments and making cars on the eliminate waste specific needs of small customer Malaysia are higher than other groups. This has given a competitive countries due to heavy taxation on weakness in terms of limited product foreign cars.. differentiation (e. g. Toyota Vios is Profit largely affected by FOREX promoted as a car suitable for all fluctuations ages). 6 * 7. Analysis – PESTLE Analysis Politic Legal SocialThe Malaysian domestic automobile With the government grants and People tend to purchase different car Toyota produced variety of carsindustry is strongly protected by the other incentives, local cars are models and brands as a symbol of the ranging from luxury to medium-endgovernment. The revised National becoming more affordable creating social status ranging from the luxury and to economical models such asAutomotive Policy (NAP) gives tough competition for Toyota in the cars to the medium, economy and low Toyota Vios which catered to differentserious consideration in further Malaysian market. end cars. walks of life among the Malaysiansdeveloping the domestic automanufacturers such as Proton and TechnologyPerodua. Meantime, there’s no tax With the mainstream awareness of the Toyota has been the leader forimposed on some hybrid models negative environmental impacts from environmental friendly vehicleextended till 31st December 2013 as a automobiles and the increased technologies for a long time andsupport to moving towards green importance given to the precious energy Toyota was the first to commercially resources, leading car manufacturers are produce vehicles with such coming up with new technologies to technologies with its launch of the Economy manufacture fuel efficient cars. Also, Prius in 1997 and has been movingIn order to develop the domestic Heavy taxes on imported cars lead to Malaysia has recently announced its ahead with this technology ever since. automobile manufacturing industry, a significant increase in prices of plans on boosting the automotive sectorimported cars have been heavily Toyota cars to the end-customer. through production of electronic cars. taxed. Since 2011 the Malaysia government With this, it is likely to boost the salehas given 100 exemptions on of Toyota hybrid models such ascustoms duties and exercise duties Prius and Prius C. Environmentfor both hybrid and electronic cars. Environmental protection has become a The increased environmental hot topic recently and Malaysian awareness coupled with the taxDespite the recent global economic The good economic growth will customers are becoming more aware of incentives and the government’s targetcrisis, the Malaysian economy has have favourable impact on people’s the environmental concerns. on cutting down carbon emission, it isbeen steadily growing with an purchasing power thereby increasing obvious that Toyota has a bright futureexpected growth rate of 4% in 2012. demand for durables such as hybrid on its hybrid models. cars. 7 * 8. Analysis – Porter’s Value Chain Support Activities Primary Activities 8 * 9. Analysis – Porter’s 5 Forces Barganing Power of Buyer High Threat of New Entrance Low †¢Can easily switch to other brands if theyre cheaper †¢New entrants cant enter the market easily as it and better specifications such as Hondas new requires huge capital investment and the industry Hydrid models which are more lucrative than have already reached economics of scale Toyota Prius †¢Brand loyalty amoung the buyers. They wont easily †¢Local domestic manufacturer: Proton Perodua switched to new brand as purchasing a vehicle which holds a hefty 58% of market share in 2011.incurred high cost †¢Other substitues such as walking and busHow to reduce How to reduce itsbargaining power of Rivalry within the industry High selling price andbuyer to moderately maintain its quality †¢There are two major players in Malaysianlow to compare with automotive industry, two national cars which is simultaneously? National cars’ price? more affordable †¢Other top 8 auto companies presence in Malaysia such as Honda, Nissan, Hyundai, Volkswagen, etc asHow to overcome foreign brands. Currently Volkswagen and Honda What to do to staygovernment’s are moving aggressively with their strategy to own ahead of its strongprotection duty higher market share in Malaysia especially with rivalry? Hybrid modelstaxation over its GLC? Bargaining Power of Supplier Moderately Threat of Substitute Moderately High Low †¢There are a lot of substitutes in this industry. When †¢Various types of suppliers in vehicles industry such the price or specifications of the vechicle is lack of as cooling, electrical, braking, fuel supply systems favour, the substitutes will emerge distributed across the globe. †¢Besides a vehicles, buyer can opt for other †¢They own many interchangeable supplier and substitues such as bicycle, bus, train or even produced many components in the short time. walking to reach their destination with petrol price Supplier dont own the power to determine the hiking. However, it depends greatly on the price. consumers geographical location 9 * Toyota’s market share in Malaysia10. Analysis – Competitors Analysis dropped 1. 2% from 13% to 11. 8% because ofKorean car emerging fast (stylist Hybrid models are most expenses now compared with Honda (as forcheaper) Took too long tonow). Technology higher but losing out interms of price. produce hybrid cars, Toyota has 2 while Honda as 4 (onelaunching soon). 10 * 11. Analysis Findings SummaryCompetitors Analysis Toyota is doing fine in existing product but not in Hybrid models which are perceived lack of designs and variety to compare with its competitors, Honda. PESTLE Analysis Free duty tax on Hybrid models are only extended till end of year 2013. After that, it will be a lot more expense to own a Hybrid car whereby current price ranges are starting from RM90,000 – RM140,000Financial Analysis Toyota is doing great in year 2012 but the looking back to year 2011, its sales dropped tremendously from the impact of natural catastrophe. Value Chain Analysis Toyota inbounds logistic and operation relied in Japan and Thailand whereby sales and production from assembly plant in 2011 is badly affected by earthquake and floods (Appendix C). Only few models are assembled locally and majority models are imported from ThailandSWOT Analysis FOREX currency fluctuates every year and no guaranteed sales target achieved every year (Appendix B) Latest market dominance revealed by theedgeMalaysia that Toyota had reduced from 13. 1% to 11. 8% with more new models emerging from Hyundai Kia (theEdgemalaysia. com, 2012)Porter’s 5 Forces Threats from substitutions would increased if Malaysian’s government withdraw from the â€Å"no duty tax† on hybrid models and increased current taxation Toyotaon foreign cars FocusGrowth Target How to better and be COST LEADER? Lexus wants to boost 35% saleswith new modelwants 15% market share Differentiation Cost Leadership 11. * Collaborate and trained Perodua12. Recommendations Strategic Option 1 A win-winintensively to produce a Perodua first Hybrid Model Strategic Perodua increased technologysituation for both: Option 1 UMWskills Local car, cheaper (No shipping costToyota profits increased if sales well Backward Integration strategy on its supply andTax)Strategic Option 2 Propose to Perodua to manufacture itsStrategic Option 2value chain. – Backward engines Integration Implement strategic option 1 toaccessories locally. Why? To avoidbuildtrust, confidence, skillful enough and to test themarket natural catastrophes such asfloods earthquake in Toyota’s production Also reduce price as cost (shippingland. tax)reduced tremendously. 12 * 13. Recommendations Cont’ – Gantt Chart for Strategic Option 1Preparation – Planning – Analysis – Production – Testing – Documenting = 488 days 13 * 14. Implementation Control 1. Integration of UMW Toyota and1. Managing/sharing customer information Strategy Perodua team with other2. Implement Toyota manufacturing management, marketing (corporate systems (TQM JIT) into Perodua communications, brand existing system marketing, direct marketing) and IT staff3. Managing content quality 2. Utilize cross-functional teams and4. Unified reporting between both teams steering groups to exchange brilliant to align marketing effectiveness System Structure ideas Priority: 3 Priority: 1 Shared Improving and gradually change of1. Insourcing VS Outsourcing Values management style/culture among the2. Staff Development and training top managements and employees to3. Achieving senior management buy- share the same values especially in/involvement in this corporation Perodua adapting and adhering to4. Staff recruitment and retention Staff Toyota’s Hybrid Technology Skills Priority: 5 Priority: 2 Style Seek for specific set of skills into position Relates to role of highly innovative and fit (design exports, financial commitment as to influence dynamic analyst, project manager, automotive thinking and infiltrate into the team with 1. Gaining appropriate budgets and engineers, etc) to create an effective same voice demonstration to deliver value to share skill set amongst themselves Priority: 7 across the organization. Annual planning Priority: 6 approach 2. Deliberate techniques for aligning strategy with organizational and market strategy Priority: 4 14 * 15. References1. Biz. thestar. com. my (2012) Auto sales to speed up. [online] Available at: http://biz. thestar. com. my/news/story. asp? file=/2012/7/20/business/11696596sec=business [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 2. Ecmlibrary Research Library UMW Holdings Automotive Results View (2012) UMW Holdings Automotive Results View. [online] Available at: http://baby. boom. com. hk/portfolio/research/Malaysia/umwh. pdf [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 3. Ecmlibrary Research Library UMW Holdings Berhad (Automotive) (2012) UMW Holdings Berhad (Automotive). [online] Available at: http://www. ecmmoney. com/wp- content/uploads/downloads/2012/08/UMWH_120817_2QFY12. pdf [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 4. Insideline. com (2011) Toyota To Launch 10 More Hybrid Models By 2015. [online] Available at: http://www. insideline. com/toyota/toyota-to-launch-10-more-hybrid- models-by-2015. html [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 5. Klse. i3investor. com (2012) UMW Targeting 15% market share | i3investor. com. [online] Available at: http://klse. i3investor. com/servlets/ptres/6925. jsp [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 6. Managementstudyguide. com (2008) SWOT Analysis Definition, Advantages and Limitations. [online] Available at: http://www. managementstudyguide. com/swot- analysis. htm [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 7. Mypintar. com. my (2003) UMW. [online] Available at: http://www. mypintar. com. my/main/en/pintar-members-a-partners/46-umw [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 8. OSK Investment Banking (2012) UMW Holdings Improving 2012 Outlook. [online] Available at: http://www. osk188. com/adminv2/UserFiles/OSK188- Malaysia/Article/UMW%20Holdings_1QFY12_Results%20Review_20120530_OSK.pdf [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 9. Oup. com (1997) PESTEL analysis of the macro-environment. [online] Available at: http://www. oup. com/uk/orc/bin/9780199296378/01student/additional/page_12. htm [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 10. Tan, D. (2011) Budget 2012: Hybrid car incentives extended till 2013!. [online] Available at: http://paultan. org/2011/10/07/budget-2012-hybrid-car-incentives-extended- till-2013/ [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 11. Theedgemalaysia. com (2009) Single-digit growth for auto sales in 2012. [online] Available at: http://www. theedgemalaysia. com/highlights/198926-single-digit-growth-for- auto-sales-in-2012. html [Accessed: 20 Sep 2012]. 12. Theedgemalaysia. com.

Environmental Factors Affecting The Operations Management Commerce Essay

Environmental Factors Affecting The Operations Management Commerce Essay Increase emphasis is going towards reduce waste, recycle and reuse product parts. Societies and communities have stressed the need on enteritis whereby controls over waste disposals, global warming and other environmental issues are highly expected. Meeting Environmental quality standards are one of the key main aspects played by operations management The significance of this issue is demon- started by a set of standards termed ISO 14000. Developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), these standards provide guidelines and a cortication program documenting a companys environmentally responsible actions. Key environmental factors basically affecting operations management can be identifiable as MICRO and MACRO environmental aspects as: MICRO Labor inefficiency Organizational structure Organizational culture MACRO Technology Innovation Market/customers Economic conditions Governmental issues and regulations As far as the Alton Ltd is concerned one of the key environmental aspect can be indicated to be the change in economic environment of UK where the purchasing power of the people goes Down then adverse impacts could be expected. As a result visitors may demand even lower prices than 19 pounds per head having in mind the 2o million pound investments made to improve activities in the park. As a precautionary measure Alton can enter into a hedging deal if the economic conditions expected to be unacceptable. Higher labor cost would be another environmental fact that can bring down the profit margin if the company has no proper control over the number of employees assigned irrespective of peak or off peak. Different perception of work measurement( As far as work measurement is concerned it is a process of establishing the precise time duration that would be efficiently taken by a qualified worker at a designated degree of performance. In the view of work measurement there are number of techniques have been set up to full fill the purpose. Regardless of whatever the technique in use the basis consists of three phases an psychotherapy phase in which the job is spited into convenient, isolated components, commonly known as elements; a measurement phase in which the specific measurement technique is used to ascertain the time required (by a qualified worker working at a defined level of performance) to complete each element of work; a amalgamation phase in which the various elemental times are added, together with appropriate allowances (see below), to construct the standard time for the complete job. The techniques used to measure work can be classified into those that depend on direct observation of work, and those that do not. For example, some techniques, such as pre determined motion systems and the use of synthetic or standard data can provide times from simulation or even visualization of the work. However, the data on which such techniques are based were almost certainly based on earlier observation of actual work. Choosing a measurement technique The choice of a suitable measurement technique depends on a number of factors including: the purpose of the measurement; the level of detail required; the time available for the measurement; the existence of available predetermined data; The cost of measurement. It can be said that there is a tradeoff between some of these critical factors. For example techniques which derive times rapidly may result in relatively less suitable for some processes. Some purposes, such as the establishment of individual performance levels on short-cycle work. The main advantage of structured and systematic work measurement is that it enables a common platform for appraising and comparison of all types of work. The results obtained from work measurement are commonly used as the basis of the planning and scheduling of work, manpower planning, work balancing in team working, costing, labor performance measurement, and financial incentives. They are less commonly used as the basis of product design, methods comparison, work sequencing and workplace design. 2 Task two Various Operation strategies adopted by Tesco Ltd According to the given scenario (scenario 2) Tesco is a leading giant with its core strategic business unit being chain of super markets having its presence in overseas as well. Number of operational strategies can be quoted in the given scenario which is attributable to strategic, tactical and operational levels. According to Tesco with its reputation to value as a strategic measure it has launched a web page that facilitated non food items as well as financial services As per the tactical aspect Tesco has introduced different formats for shopping accompanied by It assisted improved customer relations that will affect long term sustainability of the entity Through operations management Tesco will be in a position to maintain its critical success factors like Own Brand image and tightened supplier relations that gains cost advantage, in turn will add value to its short, intermediate and long term decisions in a more favorable manner. For an example, given the fact its sales growth reads around 21.9%. Cost allocations, budget preparations and controlling distributions to high sale segments and assigning employees to appropriate outlets can be strategically determined through effective and efficient operations management. Strategic importance of operations management in the decision making process 3 Task three When it comes to designing of a product or services number of factors will affect the process such as Customer expectation Threat of substitutability Product or service viability Restrictions from government and various social organizations Access to raw materials and effect on the existing product portfolio. Conversely, if the designing stage can be implemented successfully then the company would end up with high earning potentials that will also contribute to stakeholder wealth maximization. Long term sustainability may also be foothold on that particular new designed product enabling newly emerged markets etc.. 4 Task four Capacity planning and control is an issue which is faced by almost every process in a given organization. Furthermore it can affect directly to the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation. Capacity planning and control is concerned with making sure there is some level of balance between demand placed on an operation and its ability to fulfill the demand. If an operation has too much capacity at any point in time it will be underutilizing it resources, paying out for machinery and facilities and often paying its staff but, because demand is lower than capacity, its costs are spread over two few customers. As a result the cost per customer will be very high. If it has too little capacity, its costs will be low (because its facilities will be fully utilized)however its capacity will be very poor as it is either turning customer away or making them wait for their product s or services. In light of this, it will undermine the companys success towards the future. Therefore there are serious consequences of getting the balance between demand and capacity wrong. Tesco can gain cost benefits with more appropriate allocation of supermarket space for fast moving items and also allocating employees at correct capacity without inputting more labor nor inputs that will lead to diminishing returns. Decisions are aimed at providing the total amount of capacity at the right place at the precise time. There are number of factors to be looked into before arriving at its final decision on where to establish, but the ideal locations are where the costs are at lowest. When it comes to the long term view capacity planning is largely determined by the size of the facilities provided. Like availability of a trained workforce, staffing levels in terms of market demand and need to make the stable workforce, number of people in operations, cost of land and premises. In the short course available capacity must be allocated for the relevant task by scheduling the number of people. Equipment etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Inventory planning and control systems Inventory control system is a process for managing and locating objects or materials. In common usage, the term may also refer to just the software components. Modern inventory control systems often rely upon barcodes and RFID tags to provide automatic identification of inventory objects. In an academic study performed at WALMART, RFID reduced Out of Stocks by 30 percent for products selling between 0.1 and 15 units a day. Inventory objects could include any kind of physical asset: merchandise, consumables, fixed assets, circulating tools, library books, or capital equipment. To record an inventory transaction, the system uses a BARCODE SCANNER or FRFID READER to automatically identify the inventory object, and then collects additional information from the operators via fixed terminals mobile computers Buffer inventory is required as: 1. Compensation for differences in the timing of supply and demand 2. Compensation for the uncertainties inherent in supply and demand 3. One or more stages in the operation cannot supply all the items it produces simultaneously 4. Material cannot be transported instantaneously between the point of supply and the point of demand (www.growingsmallbusiness.com) Today maintain inventory levels have become a tuff challenge. inventory not being managed would result in adverse manner where substantial expenses will incur.. Fortunately, there are management information systems that exist which use microcomputers and a variety of industry specific software. The cost of carrying inventory today has become a major expenditure and requires immediate attention. The benefits of inventory control far outweigh the costs. Any reduction in inventories, whether it is raw material, work-in-process, finished goods or supplies, can have a dramatic impact on your bottom line. Industry averages suggest that a 20 percent DETERIORATION in inventory is achievable with a computerized inventory control system. For a entity with a yearly sales volume of $1 million, such a reduction would result in savings of $14,400 per annum and would free up $48,000 of new dollars for reinvestment. For a entity with a yearly sales volume of $10 million, the figures are proportionately higher: $144,000 per year in savings and $480,000 in new dollars for reinvestment. 5 Task five Operations strategies that can be used for Tesco Basically retail industry involve in the business of sale of new or used goods to the end consumer for personal or household consumption purposes. Since the cut-throat competition is becoming tougher in retail space with increasingly growing supply and demand. In order to continuously improve on the processes and leverage on the core competencies, in the case of TESCO (OWN BRAND NAME AND ECONOMIES OF SCALE) there is a need for a foundation that provides accurate information wherever whenever require. This brings the need for the strategic management of supplies and inventory as far as retail industry is concerned. To change an in-store paper based environment of registering sales in retail shops to an online shopping environment, there is a need for integration would arise in order to enhance customer satisfaction, increase productivity and liberate sales from registering chores and extend market beyond traditional bounds. To sustain and over grow in the market place enriching category, item planning, streamlining product introductions and other business strategies alone will not be sufficient, nevertheless to improve the customer experience and further differentiate the brand real time visibility to sales and order status, in store kiosks, and service desk encasements and strategic technologies to track inventory have become the call. New efficiency I managing the stocks and collaborative forecasting and replenishment help ensure the product customers want are readily available on store shelves. For a leading retailer like Tesco inventory lying would be of great use since it holds on to substantial inventory levels that are associated with higher stock holding costs. Nevertheless risk of inventories being destroyed is also there resulting In disastrous effects. In contrast Tesco and Alton towers ltd are two extreme entities catering to different industries where Tesco is more physical assets and labor oriented whereas Alton is more or less into services.. In comparison both the entities have to have better control mechanism with efficient control over labor, resource management etc Project management and quality control Project Managers take decisions in planning and monitoring tasks and resources, control cost and budgets and identify and resolve issues associated with the project. To be successful the operation management should undertake the range of competing requirements for resources. The project managers must retain all levels of operation management by monitoring current projects in an aggregate form. They can provide the operation management tools and expertise to make informed decisions that improve the organization as a whole. Without a single point of project planning and control, decisions such as resource assignments and issue reorganization that are not effective. For an organization to accomplish project management successfully, they must organize the track for resource allocations throughout the organization. Compare and contrast between retail and service operations in the view of Tesco and Alton Ltd As far as the two entities are concerned Tesco would emphasize more on its product, distribution channels as well as employees working under the company. On top of that Tesco is currently maintaining strategic business units such as Tele communication, groceries, non food items and provision of financial services could be segregated from Alton Ltd which has one strategic business units operated in as a hotel and concerned on solely on providing customer friendly services in its theme park. In a broader scale Tesco with its chain of super markets operated in different geographical areas where activities would be concentrated based on its various economic factors, cultures etc nevertheless. Of its critical success factors namely brands, lower prices being maintained, and local approach for advertising and marketing will have to be maintained in order to operate at current capacity as well as future growth potential. CONCLUSION Concerning the facts included in the aforementioned report it can be concluded that Alton Ltd has future potential of having a steady growth in to the future whilst Tesco seems to be struggling to remain in Monopoly status through effective and efficient .operations management. On top of that it would be more appropriate Alton Ltd could further allocate the theme park separately for a certain age group and train the workers to undertake any jobs specialized to that particular area (area allocated to specific age group)also multi task capable workers would improve the efficiencies in the operations inside the park in a instance of absence of employee for a major task. Tesco will be required to minimize the regulation pressure currently confronted with and improve in customer base through innovative thinking such as launch of Tesco.com and maintaining better customer relations, Since Tesco is equipped with few strategic business units, its corporate level strategies are bound with these business units which will enable the company to evolve if the cooperate and business strategies are achieved through its effective operation management Better relationship with suppliers would enable Tesco to maintain economies of scale in an inflationary situation over its other key competitors. REFERANCES: (www.gorecroot.com) www.ims-productivity.com) www.ims-productivity.com

Conflict in the Twilight :: history

Conflict in the Twilight When has war ever been fair, just or necessary? Yet, we all wage wars. In my opinion all wars are a result of the breakdown of the rules of society which leads to the polarization of sensibility and reason. The root cause of the problem is usually trivial compared to the consequential disaster. No reason can warrant the taking of precious innocent lives; yet wars take place despite the wisdom and the best efforts of the human race, almost as if they are preordained. I don’t believe they are preordained, but they are certainly bred. As we are taught right from wrong each one of us builds an ideology based on teachings and experiences. This ideology, which is ideally meant to make one a better human being, becomes the reason for conflict when one is rigid and applies one’s standards onto others. As soon as the first bullet is fired both sides are on a roller coaster and they live off a mixture of ego, righteousness, comradeship, strategies, victories, setbacks and revenge. The situation grows to obsession and desperation and soon the gloves are off - the nastier the better. During WW II the British were fighting the war as gentlemen but British parliamentarian, Mr. R. T. Bower, said, â€Å"when you are fighting for your life against a ruthless opponent you cannot be governed by Queensberry rules†- the code that governs boxing. Speaking about the government policy of Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain he is claimed to have said â€Å"The government would rather lose the war under Queensberry rules than do anything unbecoming to an absolutely perfect gentleman†. â€Å"That kind of thing will not do† he said. Soon after Winston Churchill took over as Prime Minister the policy changed and covert operations were executed to set Europe ablaze by sabotage, assassinations and a host of other irregular warfare. It has happened in every war and on every side. In the twilight the right and the wrong look similar, such are the times that we live in. The ‘A’ bomb was invented and immediately used. It may have brought an end to the war but the Japanese people have yet to recover from the psychological trauma of the event. They shun violence and their constitution forbids them to send their troops out of Japan, not even for the United Nations, except, recently, as peace keepers. Their constitution was written for them by the Americans after the war but even after all these years of economic development, which has made them an economic super power, they are not willing to change that provision in their constitution.

Insider trading :: essays research papers

Insider trading has been a commonly discussed topic since Martha Stewart was accused, tried, convicted, and served a prison term for her involvement with the Inclon trading scandal. However, the definition of the term â€Å"insider trading† is not necessarily always connected with illegal activity. As a matter of fact, in some jurisdictions, â€Å"insider trading is no crime. Traditionally, it has been an expected, and perfectly acceptable prerequisite of certain sorts of employment.†(Insider Trading). But since the latter part of the 1960’s, stricter enforcement of insider trading practices have been put into place because of financial scandals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  First to be discussed is a concrete definition of â€Å"insider trading† as it is discussed in this essay. According to the â€Å"European Communities 1989 Insider Dealing Directive: insider trading is the dealing on the basis of materials unpublished, price-sensitive information possessed as a result of one’s employment.(Insider Trading)†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ivan Boesky pleaded guilty to the biggest insider-trading scheme discovered by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He made 200 million dollars by profiting from stock-price volatility on corporate mergers. What he actually did was cheat by using illegally obtained secret information about impending mergers to buy and sell stock before mergers became public knowledge/ Although insider trading is nothing new, the SEC knows it has become a threat to the public’s confidence, and they must enforce regulations to stop criminal activity. The SEC has put pressure on managers to regulate information leaks, promising strict legal enforcement if a business fails to police misuse of privileged employee information.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In his plea bargaining, Ivan Boesky agreed to pay one-hundred million dollars in fines and to fully cooperate with the SEC members in other investigations of insider trading cases. His cooperation has also led to major charges against Kidder Peabody, Martin Siegel, and other financiers. Without Boeskey’s help, catching other insider-trading criminals would have been almost impossible. Ivan Boesky even wrote a book about his involvement in the world of insider trading; he called it Merger Mania.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This case illustrated that there were real consequences to white collar crime. In addition to paying the fifty million dollar fine, he relinquished another fifty million dollars of his illegal trading profits. (He still had millions remaining, however, from his illegal gains.) His actual prison sentence was three years, yet he served only twenty-two months in the federal prison at Lompoc, California, which was known to have a â€Å"country-club† atmosphere.

Diversity Essay -- essays research papers

Encounters between people of different cultural backgrounds have existed forever.People have always thought bout things that were unusual in other cultures. But, those encounters were relatively slim in early days today, they are almost part of everyday life, At the same time, the interchange between cultures has jeopardized their very existence, and the emergence of a diverse culture, a fixation often referred to as globalization.. Primarily, what makes cultures different from each other is it looks at the process of what an individual goes through in an intercultural races, and how it adapts to culture changes in its environment.The individual learns its culture from its environment more then from its family, or from its social relationships. People found, that over time the world market, would change character to adapt to production and consumption and in its material also in its intellectual process. The intellectual creation of individual nations become common property. From the numerous national and local books, there comes a world literature between all cultures.If the environment changes, our internal learning structure gets disturbed, and we have to adapt after a certain pressure occurs this can well be a small adaption to ajust our behavior so that is new. Cultures do come together and new identities do arise. There are real communities that are formed and dissolved. People do go through many cultures, and identities. But the underlying culture still determine...

Parent Student Letter re Exams Jan

New Horizons classes will resume on a regular schedule during the Hampton City Schools exam week. Students will therefore be excused from New Horizons classes when they have exams at Hampton High School, but the student needs to share that with the New Horizons teacher in advance. Students may attend New Horizons when they do not have exams at Hampton High School. Please avoid scheduling dental and medical appointments during the exam period.If illness or some other emergency arises, which prevents a student from being in attendance for a scheduled exam, parents/guardians must communicate with the appropriate teacher(s) to reschedule. If justification for missing an exam cannot be validated and/or no communication occurs between the parent and the school, the student shall be considered unexcused and will receive a â€Å"O† for the semester exam, regardless of the class average. The Attendance Office may be reached at 896-5882 for emergencies during the exam period.If a studen t arrives with an unexcused tardy to an exam period, he/she may have the remaining time to complete the exam, however additional time will not be provided. If a student arrives with an excused tardy, the teacher may offer additional time prior to the completion of the exam week so that the student has the full 2 hours as needed. Transportation will be the student's responsibility. Monday, Jan aura 26th, and Tuesday, January 27th, will be Teacher Workdays. Students will not report on either day.The second semester will begin on a RED Day on January 28th. All 1st block class locations will be posted on the walls. Students may have different courses, teachers or room locations. Students will receive complete 2nd semester schedules from their 1st block teachers. We hope this information helps you prepare for the culmination of the 1st semester of the 2014-2015 school year. We wish all of our students success on their exams. Sincerely, The Hampton High School Administrative Team

Scientific Management

Course: Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) Module: Principals of Management Title: Explain Scientific Management. Comment on the contribution of this approach to the development of management thought. What are its limitations? 33 Submission Date: 8th of March 2010 Word Count 2183 â€Å"The Principal object of management should be to secure the maximum prosperity for the employer, coupled with the maximum prosperity for each employee† (Taylor, 1947) Introduction The Author will discuss Scientific Management under the following headings: Section 1 An explanation on Scientific Management. Section 2, The contribution of Scientific Management to the development of Management thought and Section 3 looks at the limitations of Scientific Management. What is Scientific Management? Bratton et al (2007: 355) defines scientific management as a process of systematically partitioning work into its smallest elements and standardising tasks to achieve maximum efficiency. The scientific management approach was developed at the end of the 19th Century; its father is commonly accepted to be Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1917) although some variations of the theory have been developed by Gantt and Gilbreth. The scientific management approach was set up to improve labour productivity by evaluating and setting up workflow practices. Taylor was Chief Engineer at the Midvale Steel Company his first-hand experience here led Taylor to recognise that labour productivity was largely inefficient due to a workforce that functioned by â€Å"rules of thumb† methods. In 1898 Taylor was employed as a consultant by the Bethlehem Steel works Company, where he applied his principles of scientific management through evaluating work in a scientific manner. Taylor gained this information with his â€Å"Time and Motion Study†, as Dale explains, Taylor employed a young man to analyse all the operations and the motions performed in each and to time the motions with a stopwatch. From knowing how long it took actually to perform each of the elements in each job, it would be possible †¦ To determine a really â€Å"fair days work†. (Dale 1963, p155) Taylor’s experience at Bethlehem Steel led him to develop four principals of management. The first being substitute rule of thumb work processes with processes based on a scientific study of the tasks. Taylor broke down each part of the production process into individual tasks to accomplish task specialisation. Taylor also used time and motion studies to establish the most proficient technique for performing each work task and giving rest periods. Secondly, managers should select, train, teach and develop the most suitable person for each job. Taylor hated â€Å"soldering†, and by introducing a piece-rate system of pay he eliminated the group process in which workers slowed their speed of work to suit the ordinary worker’s needs. Thirdly, comprehensive training and supervision to each worker must be given by management to guarantee the job is done in a scientific way and finally scientific management principals need to be applied to the planning and supervising of work and the workforce complete the tasks. The Principals of scientific management were widely accepted and spread as far as the Soviet Union where Taylor’s principals were included into a variety of five-year development plans. The most well-known application of Taylor’s principals of scientific management was in Henry Ford’s Model T. Frank Gilbreth (1868 –1924) and his wife Lillian (1878 – 1972), developed variations of Taylor’s scientific management, they were mostly concerned with the elimination of waste and like Taylor thought that a â€Å"One Best Way† to carry out a task could be found. Another contributor to scientific management was Henry Gantt (1856-1915) who was a protege of Taylor’s who designed the Gantt chart a straight line chart to display and measure planned and completed work as time elapsed. The contribution of Scientific Management to the development of Management thought Scientific management does play an important role in the 21st Century. Examples of scientific management can be seen in our car and computer industries, the hospitals and the restaurants we eat in and nearly all function more efficiently due to scientific management. In today’s economic environment scientific management is probably more important in today’s businesses then ever before. The Author will discuss this under the following headings: Scientific Study of work, use of incentives, division of labour and the selection and training of workers. Scientific Study of work The fundamental tools that result in increased productivity are time study standards and work design. For example in the production department of any company materials are requested and controlled; the sequence of operations, inspections, and methods are determined; tools are ordered; time values are assigned; work is scheduled, dispatched and followed up. A good example of scientific management in today’s society is any of the directory enquires numbers, staff read from a script and simple ask what number you want and then a computer reads out the number and even asks if you would like to be connected. Use of incentives According to Taylor workers were only motivated by money, in today’s workplace Taylor’s piece rate pay may have a different name â€Å"performance related pay† is how its new trading name and most of the Multi International companies now pay their workers a very basic pay and only rewards staff who excel at there jobs. According to Taylor one should â€Å"pay the worker, not the job†. In the Authors organisation Eircom all staff from the lines engineers to the managers are all paid by performance and this has helped to eliminate a lot of the ‘soldiering’ that used to take place. Division of Labour Scientific management gives managers control and this can be seen in many of our call centres whether its directory enquires or calling the bank ‘thank you for calling and how may I direct your call? ’ these scripts show us 21st Century management control. Management see these scripts as necessary to keep workers efficient and consistent but it is just modern day Taylorism which assumes that workers are dim and lazy. Selection and training of workers Finding the ‘best’ person for the job is still a challenge for many companies. Many companies now use automated curriculum vitae processing by computers with scientific personality testing to try and match the job to the right person. Employers are looking for employees to work hard, be flexible and to be skilled. It is imperative to get the right people, with the right skills in the right positions and at the right time. Choosing the right people may increase an organisations competitive advantage which is after all central to competitive success of any organisation. Limitations of scientific management Scientific management has been in a state of constant evolution since its adoption. The objective of the scientific management movement was to increase efficiency by carefully planning workers’ movement in the most efficient way. Taylor’s ideas and those of his followers led to time-and-motion experts with their stopwatches and clipboards observing workers, and seeking the ‘one best way’ in which every job could be performed. From the late 1920s, a ‘human relations’ school of thought emerged, challenging Taylorist beliefs in formal work structures and what was considered to be the over-simplification of the concept of motivation. Scientific Management was based on the assumption that workers were driven entirely by economic concerns but Human Relations researchers examined the behaviour of people at work and argued that social factors such as informal work groups and management styles influenced performance. As a result, the personnel management function began to focus on matching the needs of employees with those of management, through the creation of informal structures and managerial styles (Gormley 2009). The Hawthorne Studies conducted by Elton Mayo and his colleagues are exemplary early studies in this tradition and work on motivation by Abraham Maslow although their ideas were built on the original quantitative theories of measuring work as seen in scientific management they also discovered some of the limitations of ‘Taylorism’. The Author will now discuss the limitations of scientific management as discovered by Mayo, Maslow and Deming. Elton Mayo and the Hawthorne Studies The Bank Wiring Observation Room Experiments which involved a group of men being observed in their natural work setting with no changes to their working conditions but with an observer taking notes and interviewing them. The group had set there own standards and restricted their output. They had decided what their daily limit was and what constituted as a fair day’s work and this was not to be exceeded by any worker. The results showed Mayo that workers were dissatisfied with the scientific approach. Mayo’s results placed focus on the social context of work: in particular, worker motivation, group dynamics and group relations. The workers were joined in there opposition to management and were not motivated by the financial incentives offered for higher output. Data gathered at the Hawthorne plant (collectively known as The Hawthorne studies) suggested a positive association between labour productivity and management styles. Abraham Maslow (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs) Maslow was concerned with the issue of employee motivation and wanted to explain how workers could be motivated to achieve higher performance. Maslow focused on the paternalistic style of management focusing on employees’ social needs as the key to better relations and better erformance. This became known as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the needs which Maslow identified started with †¢ Physiological needs – food and shelter †¢ Safety needs – the need to feel secure †¢ Acceptance needs – the need to feel accepted by others †¢ Esteem needs – the need for self respect †¢ S elf Actualisation – the need for self achievement and fulfilment W. Deming and Total Quality Management Total quality management (TQM) sees quality as a key to organisational success and emphasizes prevention rather than the correction of mistakes. In the Authors opinion TQM is probably the modern day ‘Taylorism’ the four principals of TQM are. Plan Prepare and plan in a structured way by learning from the past and setting benchmarks for change. Do If your goal is far-reaching, start small and evaluate your results before going wider. Study Analyze the results of what you have done and find out how to apply what you have learned to future activities. Act – Do what you need to do to make your process better and easier to replicate In Demings 14 point management plan, Deming wanted everything to be uniform , in delivery times , prices and work practices. . Create constancy of purpose towards improvement. Replace short-term reaction with long-term planning. 2. Adopt the new philosophy. The implication is that management should actually adopt his philosophy, rather than merely expect the workforce to do so. 3. Cease dependence on inspection. If variation is reduced, there is no need to inspect manufactured items for defects, because there won't be any. 4. Move towards a single supplier for any one item. 5. Improve constantly and forever. Constantly strive to reduce variation. 6. Institute training on the job. If people are inadequately trained, they will not all work the same way, and this will introduce variation. 7. Institute leadership. Deming makes a distinction between leadership and mere supervision. 8. Drive out fear. Deming sees management by fear as counter- productive in the long term, because it prevents workers from acting in the organisation's best interests. 9. Break down barriers between departments. Another idea central to TQM is the concept of the ‘internal customer', that each department serves not the management, but the other departments that use its outputs. 10. Eliminate slogans. Another central TQM idea is that it's not people who make most mistakes – it's the process they are working within. Harassing the workforce without improving the processes they use is counter-productive. 11. Eliminate management by objectives. Deming saw production targets as encouraging the delivery of poor-quality goods. 12. Remove barriers to pride of workmanship. Many of the other problems outlined reduce worker satisfaction. 13. Institute education and self-improvement. 14. The transformation is everyone's job. Each of these management models teaches us something about the limitations of scientific management. Scientific Management is often associated with negative consequences both for workers, who may consider themselves to be victims of exploitation and for managers, who may find it difficult to motivate such workers or to deal with poor performance and resistance. Conclusion Considering that Frederick Taylor has been dead for nearly a century and in this time a knowledge explosion has taken place, Taylor’s track record is extraordinary. If Taylor, Gantt, Gilbreth and Lillian were alive today would they be happy with what has become management thought? In the Authors pinion many of the different management styles all share certain similar characteristics of scientific management and the Author believes that they would all find the total participation movement quite acceptable. The Scientific management theories discussed above evolved from the needs of the past to manage mainly the labour force. The needs of the present in the current economic climate may require similar recordin g of procedures as involved with time and motion studies during the Industrial Revolution in the past to regulate the workings of Finance in Banking and related areas mainly facilitated by the IT Revolution. Rest assured that changes in the past and the present and their successful resolution by scientific management will be replicated many times in the future and hopefully the resolutions will improve/maximise the return for the employer (stakeholder) and employee. In conclusion there is no single ‘best’ strategy or style of management. The ‘best’ solution is the one that is most fitting in relation to the particular needs of that organisation. Bibliography Bratton, J, (2007) Work and Organisational Behaviour, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, . Dale, E. (1973) Management, Theory & Practice. New York: McGraw-Hill. Griffin, R. (2009) Fundamentals of Management. (5th Edition), USA: South Western College Gunnigle, P, and Heraty, N. and Morley, M. J. , (2006). Human Resource Management in Ireland. (3rd Edition) Dublin, Gill & Macmillan. Taylor, F, (1947). Scientific Management . New York: Harper Row. Tiernan, S. and Morley, M. and Foley, E. (2006). Modern Management (3rd Edition) Dublin, Gill & Macmillan Scientific Management While this theory has made many positive contributions to management practice, there have also been negative implications. On a positive note, Taylorism has made an impact on the introduction of the 8 hour working day, minimum wage rates and incentive and bonus schemes, and more importantly, highlighted management as an important area of study, allowing for other theorists to improve on, or provide alternative management theories in response to scientific management such as more worker orientated theories, namely behavioural management. Taylor’s ideals have however been under constant scrutiny as managers highlight the shortfalls of scientific management. While the highly mechanistic way of practice may lead to increased productivity, it essentially works by dehumanising workers and viewing them simply as an ‘appendage of machinery. ’ Caldari argues (2007: 61) that Taylor’s ignorance of social considerations leads to conflict, low worker morale, and low trust between workers and neglect the ability for individual creativity to provide a positive input to the workplace. While Taylor’s theories have been subject to many criticisms, scientific management has made an instrumental contribution to modern management practice across the world. By placing emphasis on the management of workers, Taylor essentially highlighted the importance of management theory and paved the way for further development on management as an important element of business practices. Taylor created a way of replacing the ‘guesswork’ involved in the manufacturing process by replacing it with a scientific way of thinking, strict rules and procedures (Caldari 2007: 58). This form of management practice allows managers to more efficiently control and direct their labour force and similarly it provides space for managers to monitor the workforce, and identify inefficiencies and sources of waste in the manufacturing process. As Parker and Ritson discuss (2005: 1340), this allows managers to observe the labour force and ensure that appropriate work procedures are being followed and appropriate results are achieved. Thus, creating space for managers to correct these inefficiencies early in the manufacturing process and minimise waste, subsequently maximising profits. Therefore, although Taylor's contributions were considered controversial and even radical, his theory and dedication to management practice remains influential on contemporary business management, and he can be held responsible for laying the foundations for current strategic and systematic methods of planning and execution of tasks (Darmody, 2007: 1). Regardless of the benefits that may be gained from scientific work practices, criticism stemmed from the impression that Taylor had little concern with the psychology of workers. Taylor’s search for a healthy and efficient workforce however, stemmed from research conducted on the relationship between long working hours and fatigue. Taylor was concerned with the effect that working hours was having on productivity and upon results of such experiments, proceeded to introduce shorter working hours believing that with fewer hours comes higher efficiency, intensified laboured hours and improved employee wellbeing. It is upon this philosophy, that Nyl (1995: 2) argues scientific management; primarily Taylor’s thinking was instrumental in creating the 8 hour working day of which is still implemented in many businesses today. In despite of the above mentioned interest in worker well-being, Caldari (2007: 64) emphasises that Taylor naively assumed that with less, but more intense hours, increased productivity and wages, well being of workers would automatically improve. However, due to the intensely standardised and restrictive rules and procedures that scientific management brings workers are likely to feel unappreciated leaving the door open to the potential of conflict between workers and managers. In this case, a strict line of command is seen to have connection with low worker morale as high productivity is achieved at a price. Caldari cites Marshall (2007: 66) saying that â€Å"trust, esteem and affection for staff are a valuable business asset, of a kind which machinery cannot achieve. † This emphasis recognises one of the downfalls of scientific management in that it restricts the development of a cohesive ‘team’ like workforce, rather restricting management focus to individuals. The constraints that are placed on individuals prevent any worker initiative and eventually depriving a business of potentially important and vital input from employees. As Caldari (2007) points out, managers â€Å"can miss the opportunity of taking advantage of potential resources but also, and moreover, for society that it is likely to waste its more important kind of capital. † (p. 67) With this impression in mind, although Freeman’s discussion (1996: 2) focused primarily on the effect of scientific management in a Japanese business environment, he makes some interesting observations about Taylor’s mechanistic approach that can transcend cultural barriers. Freeman highlights that while criticism’s of Scientific management revolve around it being ‘anti-worker,’ scientific management and ‘democratic’ management (which pays closer attention to the psychology and respect for workers) do not necessarily have to conflict. It is held that while the needs of workers are of foremost importance, Taylor’s ideal of quality management allowed for reduction in waste and increased production in Japanese business practices. In this context, scientific management was instrumental in improving efficiency and creating quality constraints, which ultimately lead to increased profits. Freeman highlights (1996: 6) that by working with unions with an even handed focus on the interests of workers and productivity, business practice can meet a happy medium between scientific management and human relations in the management of business. This ideal emphasises that although some managers claim that there is no place in modern business practice for scientific management, it is possible for Taylor’s ideals to transcend time as managers adapt scientific theories and collaborate Taylor’s methods with other theorists that have followed in his steps. Taylor’s scientific management has resulted in both positive and negative implications for business practice over the 20th and 21st century. We can see its contribution to modern business management in that many of its principles are still used today for example, minimum wage, rest periods and incentives for workers who reach a specified target. While these theories were originally implemented in businesses such as Henry Ford’s car manufacturing, we can see that these processes continue to benefit managers today both in that very same business, and in the same ways in other industries including, and not limited to the hospitality industry where for example, detailed procedures and rules are enforced by a strict line of autocratic managers in a strict line of command at McDonalds or Hungry Jacks. It has been highlighted that although Taylor’s scientific management incorporates shortfalls with regards to the management of a workforce as far as viewing a workforce as valuable human resources rather than machinery, in today’s management practices, elements of Taylor’s theory are able to work in conjunction with often more palatable behavioural theories in order to control and monitor a successful workforce. Taylor was instrumental for creating a new ‘paradigm’ of management thinking and the scientific management theory does, and will continue impart to influence the way businesses operate and complete day to day tasks and assignments (Darmody, 2007: 1). Caldari, K. (2007). ‘Alfred Marshall’s critical analysis of scientific management. ’ The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought,14 (1), 55-78. Darmody, P. J. (2007). ‘Henry L. Gantt and Frederick Taylor: The Pioneers of Scientific Management. ’ AACE International Transactions, 151. Davidson (2008) Management: Core Concepts and Skills in ‘Management', John Wiley, Milton. Freeman, M. G. (1996) ‘Don’t throw scientific management out with the bathwater. ’ _Quality Progress,_ 29(4), Parker, L. D. Ritson, P. (2005) ‘Fads, stereotypes and management gurus: Fayol and Follett today. ’ Management Decision, 43(10), 1335. Scientific Management Course: Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) Module: Principals of Management Title: Explain Scientific Management. Comment on the contribution of this approach to the development of management thought. What are its limitations? 33 Submission Date: 8th of March 2010 Word Count 2183 â€Å"The Principal object of management should be to secure the maximum prosperity for the employer, coupled with the maximum prosperity for each employee† (Taylor, 1947) Introduction The Author will discuss Scientific Management under the following headings: Section 1 An explanation on Scientific Management. Section 2, The contribution of Scientific Management to the development of Management thought and Section 3 looks at the limitations of Scientific Management. What is Scientific Management? Bratton et al (2007: 355) defines scientific management as a process of systematically partitioning work into its smallest elements and standardising tasks to achieve maximum efficiency. The scientific management approach was developed at the end of the 19th Century; its father is commonly accepted to be Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1917) although some variations of the theory have been developed by Gantt and Gilbreth. The scientific management approach was set up to improve labour productivity by evaluating and setting up workflow practices. Taylor was Chief Engineer at the Midvale Steel Company his first-hand experience here led Taylor to recognise that labour productivity was largely inefficient due to a workforce that functioned by â€Å"rules of thumb† methods. In 1898 Taylor was employed as a consultant by the Bethlehem Steel works Company, where he applied his principles of scientific management through evaluating work in a scientific manner. Taylor gained this information with his â€Å"Time and Motion Study†, as Dale explains, Taylor employed a young man to analyse all the operations and the motions performed in each and to time the motions with a stopwatch. From knowing how long it took actually to perform each of the elements in each job, it would be possible †¦ To determine a really â€Å"fair days work†. (Dale 1963, p155) Taylor’s experience at Bethlehem Steel led him to develop four principals of management. The first being substitute rule of thumb work processes with processes based on a scientific study of the tasks. Taylor broke down each part of the production process into individual tasks to accomplish task specialisation. Taylor also used time and motion studies to establish the most proficient technique for performing each work task and giving rest periods. Secondly, managers should select, train, teach and develop the most suitable person for each job. Taylor hated â€Å"soldering†, and by introducing a piece-rate system of pay he eliminated the group process in which workers slowed their speed of work to suit the ordinary worker’s needs. Thirdly, comprehensive training and supervision to each worker must be given by management to guarantee the job is done in a scientific way and finally scientific management principals need to be applied to the planning and supervising of work and the workforce complete the tasks. The Principals of scientific management were widely accepted and spread as far as the Soviet Union where Taylor’s principals were included into a variety of five-year development plans. The most well-known application of Taylor’s principals of scientific management was in Henry Ford’s Model T. Frank Gilbreth (1868 –1924) and his wife Lillian (1878 – 1972), developed variations of Taylor’s scientific management, they were mostly concerned with the elimination of waste and like Taylor thought that a â€Å"One Best Way† to carry out a task could be found. Another contributor to scientific management was Henry Gantt (1856-1915) who was a protege of Taylor’s who designed the Gantt chart a straight line chart to display and measure planned and completed work as time elapsed. The contribution of Scientific Management to the development of Management thought Scientific management does play an important role in the 21st Century. Examples of scientific management can be seen in our car and computer industries, the hospitals and the restaurants we eat in and nearly all function more efficiently due to scientific management. In today’s economic environment scientific management is probably more important in today’s businesses then ever before. The Author will discuss this under the following headings: Scientific Study of work, use of incentives, division of labour and the selection and training of workers. Scientific Study of work The fundamental tools that result in increased productivity are time study standards and work design. For example in the production department of any company materials are requested and controlled; the sequence of operations, inspections, and methods are determined; tools are ordered; time values are assigned; work is scheduled, dispatched and followed up. A good example of scientific management in today’s society is any of the directory enquires numbers, staff read from a script and simple ask what number you want and then a computer reads out the number and even asks if you would like to be connected. Use of incentives According to Taylor workers were only motivated by money, in today’s workplace Taylor’s piece rate pay may have a different name â€Å"performance related pay† is how its new trading name and most of the Multi International companies now pay their workers a very basic pay and only rewards staff who excel at there jobs. According to Taylor one should â€Å"pay the worker, not the job†. In the Authors organisation Eircom all staff from the lines engineers to the managers are all paid by performance and this has helped to eliminate a lot of the ‘soldiering’ that used to take place. Division of Labour Scientific management gives managers control and this can be seen in many of our call centres whether its directory enquires or calling the bank ‘thank you for calling and how may I direct your call? ’ these scripts show us 21st Century management control. Management see these scripts as necessary to keep workers efficient and consistent but it is just modern day Taylorism which assumes that workers are dim and lazy. Selection and training of workers Finding the ‘best’ person for the job is still a challenge for many companies. Many companies now use automated curriculum vitae processing by computers with scientific personality testing to try and match the job to the right person. Employers are looking for employees to work hard, be flexible and to be skilled. It is imperative to get the right people, with the right skills in the right positions and at the right time. Choosing the right people may increase an organisations competitive advantage which is after all central to competitive success of any organisation. Limitations of scientific management Scientific management has been in a state of constant evolution since its adoption. The objective of the scientific management movement was to increase efficiency by carefully planning workers’ movement in the most efficient way. Taylor’s ideas and those of his followers led to time-and-motion experts with their stopwatches and clipboards observing workers, and seeking the ‘one best way’ in which every job could be performed. From the late 1920s, a ‘human relations’ school of thought emerged, challenging Taylorist beliefs in formal work structures and what was considered to be the over-simplification of the concept of motivation. Scientific Management was based on the assumption that workers were driven entirely by economic concerns but Human Relations researchers examined the behaviour of people at work and argued that social factors such as informal work groups and management styles influenced performance. As a result, the personnel management function began to focus on matching the needs of employees with those of management, through the creation of informal structures and managerial styles (Gormley 2009). The Hawthorne Studies conducted by Elton Mayo and his colleagues are exemplary early studies in this tradition and work on motivation by Abraham Maslow although their ideas were built on the original quantitative theories of measuring work as seen in scientific management they also discovered some of the limitations of ‘Taylorism’. The Author will now discuss the limitations of scientific management as discovered by Mayo, Maslow and Deming. Elton Mayo and the Hawthorne Studies The Bank Wiring Observation Room Experiments which involved a group of men being observed in their natural work setting with no changes to their working conditions but with an observer taking notes and interviewing them. The group had set there own standards and restricted their output. They had decided what their daily limit was and what constituted as a fair day’s work and this was not to be exceeded by any worker. The results showed Mayo that workers were dissatisfied with the scientific approach. Mayo’s results placed focus on the social context of work: in particular, worker motivation, group dynamics and group relations. The workers were joined in there opposition to management and were not motivated by the financial incentives offered for higher output. Data gathered at the Hawthorne plant (collectively known as The Hawthorne studies) suggested a positive association between labour productivity and management styles. Abraham Maslow (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs) Maslow was concerned with the issue of employee motivation and wanted to explain how workers could be motivated to achieve higher performance. Maslow focused on the paternalistic style of management focusing on employees’ social needs as the key to better relations and better erformance. This became known as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the needs which Maslow identified started with †¢ Physiological needs – food and shelter †¢ Safety needs – the need to feel secure †¢ Acceptance needs – the need to feel accepted by others †¢ Esteem needs – the need for self respect †¢ S elf Actualisation – the need for self achievement and fulfilment W. Deming and Total Quality Management Total quality management (TQM) sees quality as a key to organisational success and emphasizes prevention rather than the correction of mistakes. In the Authors opinion TQM is probably the modern day ‘Taylorism’ the four principals of TQM are. Plan Prepare and plan in a structured way by learning from the past and setting benchmarks for change. Do If your goal is far-reaching, start small and evaluate your results before going wider. Study Analyze the results of what you have done and find out how to apply what you have learned to future activities. Act – Do what you need to do to make your process better and easier to replicate In Demings 14 point management plan, Deming wanted everything to be uniform , in delivery times , prices and work practices. . Create constancy of purpose towards improvement. Replace short-term reaction with long-term planning. 2. Adopt the new philosophy. The implication is that management should actually adopt his philosophy, rather than merely expect the workforce to do so. 3. Cease dependence on inspection. If variation is reduced, there is no need to inspect manufactured items for defects, because there won't be any. 4. Move towards a single supplier for any one item. 5. Improve constantly and forever. Constantly strive to reduce variation. 6. Institute training on the job. If people are inadequately trained, they will not all work the same way, and this will introduce variation. 7. Institute leadership. Deming makes a distinction between leadership and mere supervision. 8. Drive out fear. Deming sees management by fear as counter- productive in the long term, because it prevents workers from acting in the organisation's best interests. 9. Break down barriers between departments. Another idea central to TQM is the concept of the ‘internal customer', that each department serves not the management, but the other departments that use its outputs. 10. Eliminate slogans. Another central TQM idea is that it's not people who make most mistakes – it's the process they are working within. Harassing the workforce without improving the processes they use is counter-productive. 11. Eliminate management by objectives. Deming saw production targets as encouraging the delivery of poor-quality goods. 12. Remove barriers to pride of workmanship. Many of the other problems outlined reduce worker satisfaction. 13. Institute education and self-improvement. 14. The transformation is everyone's job. Each of these management models teaches us something about the limitations of scientific management. Scientific Management is often associated with negative consequences both for workers, who may consider themselves to be victims of exploitation and for managers, who may find it difficult to motivate such workers or to deal with poor performance and resistance. Conclusion Considering that Frederick Taylor has been dead for nearly a century and in this time a knowledge explosion has taken place, Taylor’s track record is extraordinary. If Taylor, Gantt, Gilbreth and Lillian were alive today would they be happy with what has become management thought? In the Authors pinion many of the different management styles all share certain similar characteristics of scientific management and the Author believes that they would all find the total participation movement quite acceptable. The Scientific management theories discussed above evolved from the needs of the past to manage mainly the labour force. The needs of the present in the current economic climate may require similar recordin g of procedures as involved with time and motion studies during the Industrial Revolution in the past to regulate the workings of Finance in Banking and related areas mainly facilitated by the IT Revolution. Rest assured that changes in the past and the present and their successful resolution by scientific management will be replicated many times in the future and hopefully the resolutions will improve/maximise the return for the employer (stakeholder) and employee. In conclusion there is no single ‘best’ strategy or style of management. The ‘best’ solution is the one that is most fitting in relation to the particular needs of that organisation. Bibliography Bratton, J, (2007) Work and Organisational Behaviour, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, . Dale, E. (1973) Management, Theory & Practice. New York: McGraw-Hill. Griffin, R. (2009) Fundamentals of Management. (5th Edition), USA: South Western College Gunnigle, P, and Heraty, N. and Morley, M. J. , (2006). Human Resource Management in Ireland. (3rd Edition) Dublin, Gill & Macmillan. Taylor, F, (1947). Scientific Management . New York: Harper Row. Tiernan, S. and Morley, M. and Foley, E. (2006). Modern Management (3rd Edition) Dublin, Gill & Macmillan Scientific Management While this theory has made many positive contributions to management practice, there have also been negative implications. On a positive note, Taylorism has made an impact on the introduction of the 8 hour working day, minimum wage rates and incentive and bonus schemes, and more importantly, highlighted management as an important area of study, allowing for other theorists to improve on, or provide alternative management theories in response to scientific management such as more worker orientated theories, namely behavioural management. Taylor’s ideals have however been under constant scrutiny as managers highlight the shortfalls of scientific management. While the highly mechanistic way of practice may lead to increased productivity, it essentially works by dehumanising workers and viewing them simply as an ‘appendage of machinery. ’ Caldari argues (2007: 61) that Taylor’s ignorance of social considerations leads to conflict, low worker morale, and low trust between workers and neglect the ability for individual creativity to provide a positive input to the workplace. While Taylor’s theories have been subject to many criticisms, scientific management has made an instrumental contribution to modern management practice across the world. By placing emphasis on the management of workers, Taylor essentially highlighted the importance of management theory and paved the way for further development on management as an important element of business practices. Taylor created a way of replacing the ‘guesswork’ involved in the manufacturing process by replacing it with a scientific way of thinking, strict rules and procedures (Caldari 2007: 58). This form of management practice allows managers to more efficiently control and direct their labour force and similarly it provides space for managers to monitor the workforce, and identify inefficiencies and sources of waste in the manufacturing process. As Parker and Ritson discuss (2005: 1340), this allows managers to observe the labour force and ensure that appropriate work procedures are being followed and appropriate results are achieved. Thus, creating space for managers to correct these inefficiencies early in the manufacturing process and minimise waste, subsequently maximising profits. Therefore, although Taylor's contributions were considered controversial and even radical, his theory and dedication to management practice remains influential on contemporary business management, and he can be held responsible for laying the foundations for current strategic and systematic methods of planning and execution of tasks (Darmody, 2007: 1). Regardless of the benefits that may be gained from scientific work practices, criticism stemmed from the impression that Taylor had little concern with the psychology of workers. Taylor’s search for a healthy and efficient workforce however, stemmed from research conducted on the relationship between long working hours and fatigue. Taylor was concerned with the effect that working hours was having on productivity and upon results of such experiments, proceeded to introduce shorter working hours believing that with fewer hours comes higher efficiency, intensified laboured hours and improved employee wellbeing. It is upon this philosophy, that Nyl (1995: 2) argues scientific management; primarily Taylor’s thinking was instrumental in creating the 8 hour working day of which is still implemented in many businesses today. In despite of the above mentioned interest in worker well-being, Caldari (2007: 64) emphasises that Taylor naively assumed that with less, but more intense hours, increased productivity and wages, well being of workers would automatically improve. However, due to the intensely standardised and restrictive rules and procedures that scientific management brings workers are likely to feel unappreciated leaving the door open to the potential of conflict between workers and managers. In this case, a strict line of command is seen to have connection with low worker morale as high productivity is achieved at a price. Caldari cites Marshall (2007: 66) saying that â€Å"trust, esteem and affection for staff are a valuable business asset, of a kind which machinery cannot achieve. † This emphasis recognises one of the downfalls of scientific management in that it restricts the development of a cohesive ‘team’ like workforce, rather restricting management focus to individuals. The constraints that are placed on individuals prevent any worker initiative and eventually depriving a business of potentially important and vital input from employees. As Caldari (2007) points out, managers â€Å"can miss the opportunity of taking advantage of potential resources but also, and moreover, for society that it is likely to waste its more important kind of capital. † (p. 67) With this impression in mind, although Freeman’s discussion (1996: 2) focused primarily on the effect of scientific management in a Japanese business environment, he makes some interesting observations about Taylor’s mechanistic approach that can transcend cultural barriers. Freeman highlights that while criticism’s of Scientific management revolve around it being ‘anti-worker,’ scientific management and ‘democratic’ management (which pays closer attention to the psychology and respect for workers) do not necessarily have to conflict. It is held that while the needs of workers are of foremost importance, Taylor’s ideal of quality management allowed for reduction in waste and increased production in Japanese business practices. In this context, scientific management was instrumental in improving efficiency and creating quality constraints, which ultimately lead to increased profits. Freeman highlights (1996: 6) that by working with unions with an even handed focus on the interests of workers and productivity, business practice can meet a happy medium between scientific management and human relations in the management of business. This ideal emphasises that although some managers claim that there is no place in modern business practice for scientific management, it is possible for Taylor’s ideals to transcend time as managers adapt scientific theories and collaborate Taylor’s methods with other theorists that have followed in his steps. Taylor’s scientific management has resulted in both positive and negative implications for business practice over the 20th and 21st century. We can see its contribution to modern business management in that many of its principles are still used today for example, minimum wage, rest periods and incentives for workers who reach a specified target. While these theories were originally implemented in businesses such as Henry Ford’s car manufacturing, we can see that these processes continue to benefit managers today both in that very same business, and in the same ways in other industries including, and not limited to the hospitality industry where for example, detailed procedures and rules are enforced by a strict line of autocratic managers in a strict line of command at McDonalds or Hungry Jacks. It has been highlighted that although Taylor’s scientific management incorporates shortfalls with regards to the management of a workforce as far as viewing a workforce as valuable human resources rather than machinery, in today’s management practices, elements of Taylor’s theory are able to work in conjunction with often more palatable behavioural theories in order to control and monitor a successful workforce. Taylor was instrumental for creating a new ‘paradigm’ of management thinking and the scientific management theory does, and will continue impart to influence the way businesses operate and complete day to day tasks and assignments (Darmody, 2007: 1). Caldari, K. (2007). ‘Alfred Marshall’s critical analysis of scientific management. ’ The European Journal of the History of Economic Thought,14 (1), 55-78. Darmody, P. J. (2007). ‘Henry L. Gantt and Frederick Taylor: The Pioneers of Scientific Management. ’ AACE International Transactions, 151. Davidson (2008) Management: Core Concepts and Skills in ‘Management', John Wiley, Milton. Freeman, M. G. (1996) ‘Don’t throw scientific management out with the bathwater. ’ _Quality Progress,_ 29(4), Parker, L. D. Ritson, P. (2005) ‘Fads, stereotypes and management gurus: Fayol and Follett today. ’ Management Decision, 43(10), 1335.