What Drives Toyota Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

What Drives Toyota - Essay Example The OM301 concept entails that an organization assesses its management to ensure that it best serves to achieve the goals of the organization. One aspect that makes Toyota so successful is their quality management. Toyota has developed a tradition of not just manufacturing cars, but manufacturing better cars. This is one of the aspects that drive Toyota Company. The production process at Toyota can be described as threefold. The first fold is making cars, then making cars better and then teaching everyone how to make cars better. With a ratio of eight robots per car in the painting stage, the quality of the color outlook of the car is guaranteed to be standard (Iyer et al, 2009). The cars further spend a relatively standard time in the color painting stage to keep the quality in check. Toyota Company has always strived to manage their production processes in a way that not only guarantees quality but also saves time. In the color painting stage, for example, Toyota Company managed to reduce the amount of time taken to paint a car from ten hours to eight hours. In 2004, the company used to take time to interchange the hose pipes supplying paint to the robots. The company can be seen to have employed the idea from the OM301 concept of improving processes in an organization. After one car had been painted and another one needed to be painted with a different color, the hose pipes had to be removed from that gallon, thoroughly washed and then fixed to the desired gallon. The process could waste up to 30% of the total paint that was bought by the company. Toyota Company came up with a system where the task of interchanging the hose pipes was left to the robots (Iyer et al, 2009). There was no cleaning that was required as the cylinders containing the paint now had each their own hose pipe. The process now took only a few seconds. The company was able to save 30% of the paint that previously went to waste. Management efficiency had

Sustainable management futures Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sustainable management futures - Assignment Example The concept of CSR consists of attractive or good business ethics and is associated with what could be evaluated ethically or morally good (Robins, 2008). According to Waddock (2004) CSR is â€Å"The separation of company responsibilities which associates with a corporate discretionary/voluntary associations with its community and societal stakeholders.† Corporations view integrating an active CSR subsistence as a contrivance to boost their gung ho benefit with exterior and interior stakeholders (Branco & Rodrigues, 2006).This essay examine the CSR activities and behaviour of Sainsbury in its home country and overseas and evaluates it ethical and environmentally responsible behaviour by applying relevant moral theories and sustainability replicas to date and create recommendations. Sainsbury plc is UK’s leading food merchant with interests in financial and non-food services. The group consists of Bells Stores, Sainsbury’s Supermarkets, Sainsbury’s Bank and Jackson’s Stores. It has more than 145,000 employees working under various groups. The business of Sainsbury business is constructed on a dedication to services and quality since 1869 and its main is to give the best products to its customers at an affordable price. In the year 1996, Sainsbury began official reporting with regards to ecological impact. This reporting was further broadened to Corporate Social Responsibility as reply to greater demand among its shareholders. This essay is further divided in various sections that will help us evaluates it ethical and environmentally responsible behaviour by applying relevant moral theories and sustainability replicas to date and create recommendations. Corporate Social Responsibility and Sainsbury CSR means a lot to Sainsbury, as it means offering their consumers abundant range of good and quality food products at a reasonable price. Besides this it also means offering a fair price to it suppliers a reassurance that they have a consumer for their goods. To Sainsbury, this means enriching their communities via career and employment development prospects along with making profits for their shareholders. Moreover the right usage of valuable resources such as electricity and water and perseverance of the local surroundings is yet another aspect for them. Sainsbury’s major CSR objectives are as follows: Perk up energy efficiency Heave colleague responsiveness of energy expenses and ecological effect Transporting produces more economically by reducing the miles travelled by deliverance fleet and utilising electric motor vehicles in its domicile delivery flotilla. In the theoretical structure Sainsbury’s rank greatly for its Corporate Social Responsibility activities particularly with regards ecological issues. Sainsbury’s has spent in energy competence projects, as well as refrigeration, lighting, ventilation and heating showing the corporate enduring financial dedication to CSR actions. Wi th the help of Carbon Trust, Sainsbury has also made a 5 site waste and energy study in order to perk up existing practice in waste and energy management. In addition, in 2010 they drew strategy to alter 20 percent of its house delivery flotilla to electric motor vehicles (Mintel, 2008) which justifies its high score in the theoretical structure for its inbound logistics. Sainsbury’s CSR Strategies The 1st monitoring strategy in order to assist dairy

Apple with Porters Model and Core Capabilities Essay Example for Free

Apple with Porters Model and Core Capabilities Essay Introduction Apple Inc was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak with another 20 employees, the company started in Steve’s garage. Apple inc and its subsidiaries or collectively Apple is a manufactures, design and owner of variety of high technology included media player, portable music player, personal computer, smart phone, tablet as well as selling the related digital products like software, network services, third party digital content and application for Apple’s products. Apple first announced new innovated laptops called the Mac book and the most important step for further success is the accessing the MP3 player with their own iPod in 2001. Moreover, they even entered the recently mobile phone industry with the Smartphone- Iphone in 2008. Apple has been changing the entire of the market with the position of the world’s largest producer of PC’s main marketshare holder. The featured products of Apple in the recent years include Iphone, Ipad, mac, Ipod high reted platform and its application for consumers in the iOs and Mac Os. From being Pc producer at the beginning of 80’s, with controlling a small share of industry, after several circumstances it changed to be the success organisation due to its Mac computers and other products are profitable. But there is only temporary issues for Apple to claim its market lead position in the PC industry. Apple success analysis with Porter’s strategies and Core Capabilities Goal and structure of this report In this report, a review of the current situation of personal computer industry and Apple’s PC Business and discuss: Review the of Apple by giving a brief introduction of the organisation and history of the products that are developed by Apple. Critically evaluate Porter’s five forces model and Porter’s generic strategies and discuss the extent to which these ideas by giving our strategic advice to aid the company in attaining sustainable for competitive advantage within the PC industry. Critically discuss the concept of core competencies and explain how the Apple could build on its core capabilities to enhance their further strategy. We end this report with our recomendation and our conclusion on the subject. Business background Apple several times confirmed to bring the best user experience to their consumers thourgh their innovative products. Besides, Apple’s strategy creates a unique power to develop its own unique platform with superior quality with the simplest design and easy to approach. Apple continues to invest in research and development and marketing to maintain their products’s positions in markets. As a part of plan, Apple has been expanding its platform to delivery of third party digital content and applications via the itune which allows customers to download applications, books, music through either iOs’s products namely iPhone, iPad or Mactonish as well as Windows computers. Apple also has been supporting the information technology community in the world for the development of third party software and hardware products. Apple’s strategies in plan include both expanding its sale market to close reach more consumers and serve a superior before and after purchases su pport experience. Porter’s Five forces Competitive Force 1: Rivalry among Existing Firms Apple mainly get involve two field in the hardware industry are the personal computer and portable devices markets. According to the Credit Suisse First Boston, it is estimated that personal computer growth in 2005 will be approximately 8%, which is 3% lower than 2004. And concentration in this market which is controlled by a few very large competitors who have a great deal of capital invested in the firms, namely, Dell, HP Compaq, Gateway, and Apple. In 2005, Dell and Apple are speculated to have the most potential to increase market share in the PC market due to lack of new product introductions by other firms and the anticipation of Microsoft Longhorn in 2006. If Apple is able to increase its market share by a few percentage points, its profits and ability to spend on marketing, and research and development (RD) could allow them to become a much more serious player. Currently, Apple dominates the portable music industry music market with an estimated 90% for hard disk based players, and 65% of the total portable music market. In both the personal computer and portable music markets, component costs are large part of the total hardware costs, but through Apple’s product differentiation and higher pricing they are able to counteract the price wars that usually ensue under such conditions. Finally, there are little to no exit barriers in either market, which could be advantageous in ousting some of Apple’s competition in the future. Competitive Force 2: Threat of New Entrants There are no many large companies that take the huge shares in market, who these are Dell, Hp, Compaq. There are large economies of scale in PC market, and it limits the new threat of entrants. The threat of entry, therefore, puts a cap on the profi t potential of an industry (Porter 2008 p 4). A new entrant have to create advantages to compare the old strong ones in computer market. And that is not the only one barrie which limits new entrant, patents of forms are legal barriers where late rival can not be competitive giant. The more patents on personal computer designs, the more competitive the leaders can get, which is not an easy for new entrant and get over with out huge amount of start-up capital in the modern market. Moreover, basically, there are two main operating systems for PC: windows and Mac OS X, and the second one is impossible to get license for new entrants. Apple is comfortable with enjoying the one of first starter in hardware manufactors of creating innovative products include Iphone, iPod while numerous portable devices in markets in last five years which are not different from others or the advantages are not enough to controll the market like Apple has been doing. The threat of a counter of consumers who eventually are being shy away from company’s dominace. The fact is the phenomenon when Microsoft is on the top of OS market and some of consumers are heading to another ocean and Mac oS and Linux are samples. Eventhough it is not an immediate threat, Apple could be aware of that. Competitive Force 3: Threat of Substitute Products On the side of PC, Apple’s market contains a huge number of products from above rivals. Especially, each of competitors possess a wide range of products in term of designs, prices, functions. It would seem as Apple PC can be replaced anytime in case of Apple’s products do not against the same level products. When the threat of substitutes is high, industry profitability suffers (Porter 2008 p7). In the last few year, Apple has reduced the concentration in PC and portable music player, it is not only because it do not create economical benefits or lack of competition. Apple recently focus on the smart phone side because it is now more competitive and provide more profit than others. The new smart phones have annouced in every season with new design and function, in term of price and level, Iphone always stays on top luxury phone while Nokia, Samsung or HTC still take pole on the low price phone to get more customers. They could be out of perform of Apple in both speed and quality, the company has set apart from other by keeping core capilities and be unique in the market. Apple would have to stay on the old road to be innovative and price- quality in conscious of loyal users as well as leading the market as the strategy against rivals. Competitive Force 4: Bargaining Power of Buyers Apple since start-up moment, always concentrate on differentiation itself from rivals by keep inside of unique way. Apple’s product represent for the symbol of innovation, luxury and high technology, by the feature of innovation, Apple sets them apart from market. The buyers less concern in term of price when give decision to purchase a product from Apple’s stores. In market, Apple create their own position for their products as it is difficult to get the same products with similar functions as well as stylish look. Moreover, customers of Apple have low relative bargaining power to consider buying a high volume of Apple’s products. Businessess are much more concern bargaining power when it end up purchasing PC or devices of Apple, in the other side, individual buyers are not literally controlling over Apple to their prices. Once Apple sells to end consumer, it has basically secured future purchases of the related products due to a lack of substitutes and third party replacement. It is more likely monopoly and give customers less relative bargaining power and substitutes to shop for better options or their demands of software and hardware upgrade. Competitive Force 5: Bargaining Power of Suppliers The company applied the strategy to take partner with various suppliers for manufacture Apple’s components for their products. In fact, Apple does not apple any limit for single supplier for process of assemble final products. This is an ace for Apple to deal with suppliers and give them less bargaining power concerning price. It is not rare in modern business, Apple used to be an alliance with Foxconn to assemble most of products, especially new Iphone and Ipad. Besides, they uses both Nvidia and ATI for video cards in computers to avoid any negative bargain in price negotiation. According to Apple report, This is the same for its motherboards (ASUSTeK and Ambit Microsystems), Display units (Samsung, Toshiba, International Display Technology), storage devices (Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Western Digital, Seagate), and CD/DVD drives (Samsung, Hitachi Global, and LG. Phillips Co.). Powerful suppliers capture more of the value for themselves by charging higher prices,limiting quality or services, or shifting costs to industry participants (Porter 2008 p5). Porter’s Genetic Cost Leadership Strategy Cost Leadership corresponds to the â€Å"no frills† experience, like the low-cost airline carriers, who choose the cost leadership strategy to achieve competitive advantage. Differentiation Strategy Apple make differentiation by making products feel uniquely from those companies or more appealing to customer demand. It is count on your several impacts, like industry, market, consumer demand, and the nature of organisation and services. This is known as differentiation strategy (Grant 2005:241-242).The key success factor of the differentiation strategy is to make it either very difficult or high level of price for rivals to replicate Apple’s ones. To achieve that, the companies have to focus on: * Research Development; * Production and delivery of high-quality and unique products or services; * Marketing and sales to create awareness and desire for it’s unique products. Focus Strategies Apple is playing on niche markets. Companies pursuing Focus Strategies have a deep understanding of a particular market and the unique needs of it’s customers. They can therefore develop unique lower cost or differentiated products or services for that specific market. These companies usually have a very strong brand loyalty amongst their customers and tend to monopolize that segment (particularly in smaller markets), making it less attractive to competitors thus mitigating the risk of attack from other niche players, new entrants or broad market competitors looking to enlarge their customer base through product or service specialization. Steve Jobs and Apple’s Core Capabilities Core Strengths For one, Apple has a powerful footing in the personal computer market by being â€Å"different† with its innovative style and ease of use. Its operating system is developed in house, leaving it free from the tangles of the dominant like Microsoft operating systems. Central to an approach to strategy is organisation core capabilities which explains how company creates values and achieves superior performance, it also is the proven strength that it is different from other organisations in the market because of tacit knowledge, historical investments over time, relationships, human capital, and its culture (Lynn Perry Wooten p 7).In most of cases, there are include customer service, brand value, quality of products, organisational culture, human resources, and financial strength. Since the return of S. Jobs, Apple’s core capability approach the definition of innovation and easy to use for every end users, and digital products stick to lifestyle of consumers via functions and designs. Apple concentrate on development and sales of its core products include OS, software to hardware and portable devices. Market Opportunities Since Apple is already recognized as one of the main leaders in the portable music market they have the ability to further increase their company image and quality image reputation. This will allow Apple to maintain their already well established clientele as well as attract new customers. The closed system is sealing the core of Apple’s strategy since Mac Os or iOS will not give license , only accept music and video through iTunes and recently the only partner of Apple in the US is ATT for sale of iPhones. The begin of Apple is starting dominating in the market, it creates a concious in typical consumers’s mind that the design of Apple’s one is technically symbols of art of simple and fashionable. Apple engineers and designers figure that the products shoul have to look like and designate its features, and they bring that to life, wrapped with a user-friendly interface. Recommendation for the company to build based on core capabilities Use SWOT Analysis to determine your company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in each Generic Strategy scenario; Use Porter’s Five Forces to assess the balance of power and how it might affect your company; Use the Congruence Model or the McKinsey 7S Framework to determine what performance drivers your company would have in each scenario; Cross-analyze the results of each finding and work out which Generic Strategy provides the strongest set of options. Reduce cost across the value-chain by engaging with specialist suppliers; Make smart investments in specialized technology to increase production efficiency; Eliminate activities in the value-chain that are superfluous in you target segment; Adopt JIT production; * Limit production to specialized products for your target segment. In a Differentiation Focus Strategy companies can: * Make its products or services increasingly specialized; * Increase differentiation through innovation and your specialized knowledge of your target customers’ needs. Conclusion From our analysis and research we can lead the following statement: eventhough with superior products, Apple still stay on top with a bewared threats from rivals in their sides of markets of high tech products and digital contents. This can be explained by their own success in last ten years with the counters from both consumers and competitors. Futhermore, the bigger the company is, the more innovative and responsible the structure of Apple needs to be maintain the values of culture in organisation as well as speed of growth in development of Apple in future. By being opposite the side of strength inside the company, competitors have been learning from them and concentrate on the weakness of the core capabilities of strategy which Apple stays on the unique nature beyond the market. Reference 1. Building a Company the Steve Jobs’ Way: A Positive Deviance Approach to Strategy- Lynn Perry Wooten, PhD 2. Comprehensive Business Analysis 3. THE FIVE COMPETITIVE FORCES THATby Michael E. Porter SHAPE IN ESSENCE, the job of the strategist is to under-STRATEGY 4. http://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2012/09/12/apples-new-foxconn-embarrassment/ 5. http://www.apple.com 6. http://www.forbes.com/markets/2005/01/21/0121automarketscan05.html 7. Porter’s Genetic strategy http://thousandinsights.wordpress.com/articles/on-strategy-planning/porters-generic-strategies/

The concepts of Leadership and Management

The concepts of Leadership and Management In recent years, there has been ongoing debate as to whether or not there is an obvious distinction between the concepts of Leadership and Management (McCartney Campbell, 2006).Although leadership and management are vital to organisations many theorist argue that both terms are profoundly different and that both exist as two separate entities (Bennis Nanus ,2003; Hughes, Ginnett Curphy ,2002; Shriberg, Shriberg Kumari, 2005 ; Zaleznik, 1977, cited by McCartney Campbell, 2006 ). Bennis Nanus (2003) argues that managing is to bring about, to accomplish, to have charge of or responsibility for and to conduct, whereas leading is to influence and provide direction (p.20). Bennis Nanus (2003) asserts that Managers are people who do things right and leaders are people who do the right things (p.20). Hence, the connotation can be interpreted as an association between efficiency and effectiveness, vision and rational and finally innovation and logic (Sampson Daft, 2009). Although Benn is Nanus (2003) statement is mostly true there appears to be an indistinguishable region, due to the fact that leading is considered as one of the four functions of management and that leaders occasionally use certain managerial skills to achieve personal and organisational goals. This essay will provide linkages between theoretical arguments of both Leadership and Management first by providing a theoretical definition on both terms followed by a well developed argument on the basis of whether or not both terms are distinct or that one paradigm is a subset of the other (Koontz, 1964, as cited in McCartney Campbell, 2006). Numerous management texts often define management as a set of activities directed at an organisations resources with the aim of achieving organisational goals in an efficient and effective manner (Griffin, 2002, p.7, as cited in McCartney Campbell, 2006). Sampson Daft (2009) describe leadership as the ability to influence people to the attainment of organisational goals through interpersonal relationships that co-exists between leaders and followers. Colvard (2003) argues that although managers provide leadership and vice versa, managers do not perform the unique functions of leaders. Similarly, Bennis Nanus (2003) emphasised that leaders generally carried out a different organisational purpose than that of managers, as leaders required different sets of skills to meet organisational goals. In contradiction to Colvard and Bennis Nanuss statements , Caldwell (2003) claims that in current times innovation is as much essential in management as in leadership, as managers no longer pe rform their traditional role of directing and controlling work procedures but act more often as facilitators (Kirton 1980; Kanter 1989) . In recent years there has been much written on the difference between leadership and management (Sampson Daft, 2009). One of the many viewpoints suggested is that both management and leadership require distinct skill sets that vary from one another to such a degree that they are unlikely to become uniform (Zaleznik, 1977, cited in McCartney and Campbell, 2006). Often the Distinctions between management and leadership are associated with power, personal history, motivation and even empowerment. Contemporary leadership texts maintain their position in regards to the differences argued between both concepts, with references to Benniss quote. An alternative notion on leadership and management is that one paradigm is a subset of the other, therefore signifying the ability of an individual to possess both leadership and managerial skills. Koontz (1964) implied that managers possess leadership skills even though it accounts for small fraction in the functions of a manager. In contrast, Bennis and Nanus (1985) considered leadership as being the most comprehensive concept of the two by presenting it as the preferred alternative to management. Many other theorists believe that leadership and management are complimentary skill sets that are both necessary for organisational success (Kotter, 1990). Russells (2001) described individuals who possessed both sets of skills as leader-manager. As there are many perspectives, it appears that the debate concerning whether leadership and management skills are distinct interpersonally or whether they can coexist intrapersonally has not yet been fully resolved (Yukl, 2002). Both Zaleznik (1998) and Kotter (1990) emphasises that leadership and management may be similar and yet very distinct. Managers set up and account for whereas leaders establish direction. Managers control while leaders motivate. Managers produce high standards and consistency in a specified timeframe. Leaders produce the potential for dramatic change and possibly even failure (Kotter, 1990). The vast amount of research on the issue of the difference between the concepts and leadership and management indicate that leaders manage and sometimes managers lead (Bass, 1990). There is more to leadership than managing and vice versa as leadership is a small quantity in the functions of managment. Leaders and managers may be differentiated by attitudes, goals and values. Generally many leadership theorists argue that the functions of leaders and managers are theoretically different .However the two concepts occasionally blended, but act as two different functions. Kotter (1995) distinguishes management as the process by carrying out structured procedures and policies as method of dealing with change. The main difference argued in the distinction between leaders and managers is related to source of power and the amount of conformity it creates within the followers (Sampson Daft, 2009). Sampson Daft (2009) classify power as the ability to influence the behaviour of others (Mintzberg, 1983; Pfeffer, 1981) (p.554). In general there are five sources of power, legitimate, reward, coercive, expert and referent, which can subsequently be further divided to position and personal power (French Raven, 1960, as cited in Sampson Daft 2009). Management power comes from organisational structure by promoting stability and resolving problems in order to fulfill their task and achieve organisational goals (Zaleznik 1977; Sampson Daft 2009).leadership power, however , comes from the personal sources and interests of the leader (Sampson Daft 2009) .Legitimacy of managers depends upon employee acceptance, whereas legitimacy of a leader depends on the reception of their subordinates (Bass 1990). The great man theory focuses on leaders who have achieved a level of greatness (Kakabadse and Kakabadse, 1999). This theory presumes that a great man or individual possess the essential skills to perform as a leader. Many theorist have investigated the behaviour of leaders and how this impacts on leadership effectiveness (Yukl, 2006), the function of leadership (Shamir, 1995), as well as on contingency approaches (Baker, 2007; Fiedler, 1967). It is believed that the behaviour of a leader, rather than their personal traits determines leadership effectiveness as well as the overall achievement of organisational goals (Sampson Daft, 2009). The focus of recent research has shifted from personality traits toward the behaviour displayed by leaders. Different patterns of behaviour were grouped together and labeled as styles. The best known theory was Blake and Moutons leadership Grid .The leadership grid measured a leaders concern for people and the task at hand. the model consist of five major management styles; team management whereby set tasks are accomplished by committed workers. Secondly Club style management is when the primary focus is shifted from being task oriented to worker orientated. Authority compliance management happens when the primary focus is on efficiency in operations/productions. Middle of the road management is a style that reflects an even amount of concern on the task at hand as well as the concern for the works. Lastly , Impoverished management occurs when managers arent concerned with the task as well as the workers, taking a laissez- faire approach . This theoretical approach is often effectiv e in allowing managers to consider different actions or methods in reaching organisational goals.   In contrast, contingency leadership theories focus on the application and effectiveness of leadership styles to the different operating environments that can be found in the workplace (Sampson Daft, 2009). The contingency approach assumes the leadership behaviour is dependent on a wide variety of chance events or situations. This approach is used to identify the conditions of a task, managerial job and person as parts of a complete management situation and attempt to integrate them all into a solution which is most appropriate for a specific circumstance (Sampson Daft, 2009). Frederick Fiedlers contingency model emphasises the importance on leadership style, position power and the situation in which that leader operates. Fiedler associates the effectiveness of a leader as by assessing group situations. Fred Fiedlers Contingency Model also expects that the success of leaders will depend upon their characteristics (Sampson Daft, 2009). Path- Goal theory concentrates on leaders providing rewards individual accomplishment of objectives by illustratively providing a path to the achievement goals and the removement of barriers.   There are four primary styles of leadership styles in the path- goal theory. Firstly is supportive leadership occurs when leaders sympathises with the workers needs. Directive leadership is the situation in which leaders set out the performance goals by providing specific guidelines to allow subordinates towards the achievement of organisational goals. Thirdly, achievement oriented leadership occurs when leaders emphasises the importance of achievement of difficult tasks whereby employees are awarded according to their achievements .lastly participative leadership occurs when leaders consult with sub ordinates about work and the path in which to take to resolve problems. Leaders should adopt a style with which they complement the organisational situation to ensure that both the work is compl eted within the set period of time. Recent work on leadership has begun to distinguish leadership as something more than just the ability to influence and motivate people (Sampson Daft, 2009). Research has found that some leadership approaches are more effective than others. These types of leadership are catogorised as transformational and transactional leadership. Transformational leadership occurs when leaders broaden their horizons in order to fulfill organisational goals and the needs of employees .Burns (1977) argued that it was possible to distinguish between transactional and transforming leaders. Bass (1985) suggested transactional forms can be drawn upon and transformed. Thus, resulting in transformational leadership being efficient in the accomplishment of organisational goals

Need for a New Health Care System Essay -- Politics Health Care Medica

Need for a New Health Care System   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the major problems nagging America is the need for a new health care system. The number of uninsured Americans needing medical treatment is rising. Medicare, a major part of the American health care system, is projected to go broke in 2019 according to USA Today?s article, 'Congress refuses to swallow cures for ailing Medicare.' I have seen this ruin people?s pursuit of happiness. I worked in a nursing home for the past five years. Many elderly patients run out of money to support themselves for their long term care. When they go on Medicare, only certain treatments and prescription drugs are available. This causes them to worsen in condition physically and mentally. I believe that with a national health care system, similar to the one in Canada and some European nations, this destruction of life and happiness will be decreased.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The problem with Medicare is that it is not efficient and is in serious financial problems. One huge concern stated in the USA Today?s article, ?Congress refuses to swallow cures for ailing Medicare, is that the baby boomer generation is about to become eligible for Medicare, and there is currently barely enough money to cover the current population of beneficiaries. Medicare is not the only problem with the American health care system. Increasing amounts of uninsured people, increasing prescription drug costs, increasing amounts of prescription drugs per individual, and the trend toward more expensive drugs are some of the other factors troubling the current health care system (Hansen 2). We all pay for the uninsured through increased medical bills and insurance premiums (Hansen 3). Prescription drug costs are rising due to the increases in research and development costs (Hansen 3). People are requiring more medication and do not tend to shop for the best price, instead they buy what is recommended and sometimes the most expensive (Hansen 2).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We cannot just lower the cost of prescription drugs and expect a huge effect on medical costs. We still are going to be faced with the failure of Medicare and the increasing amount of uninsured Americans. With the increase in the number of uninsured Americans, the increase in the cost of health care will come. With the baby boomer generation coming to eligibility age for Medicare, it is inevitable that Medicare will run dry. Thi... ...o emotional depression. One of our three unalienable rights that our country gave us is the pursuit of happiness. With the current health care policies, many elderly are being restricted of this right. With a national health care system, the country as a whole would benefit. Our national health would improve, uninsured citizens would be eliminated, costs would fall, and Medicare would be revived. Works Cited Axworthy, Lloyd and Spiegel, Jerry. ?Retaining Canada?s health care system as a global public good.? Canadian Medical Association Journal 167.4 (2002): 1-3. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. University of Iowa, Main Library. 18 Dec. 2004 . ?Congress refuses to swallow cures for ailing Medicare.? USA Today (2004): 1-2. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. University of Iowa, Main Library. 18 Dec. 2004 . Hansen, Christopher W. ?Perspective on drug costs.? Vital Speeches of the Day 70.10 (2004): 1-8. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. University of Iowa, Main Library. 18 Dec. 2004 . McCarthy, Michael. ?US doctors group calls for national health-care system.? Lancet 362.9384 (2003): 1-2. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. University of Iowa, Main Library. 18 Dec. 2004 . Need for a New Health Care System Essay -- Politics Health Care Medica Need for a New Health Care System   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the major problems nagging America is the need for a new health care system. The number of uninsured Americans needing medical treatment is rising. Medicare, a major part of the American health care system, is projected to go broke in 2019 according to USA Today?s article, 'Congress refuses to swallow cures for ailing Medicare.' I have seen this ruin people?s pursuit of happiness. I worked in a nursing home for the past five years. Many elderly patients run out of money to support themselves for their long term care. When they go on Medicare, only certain treatments and prescription drugs are available. This causes them to worsen in condition physically and mentally. I believe that with a national health care system, similar to the one in Canada and some European nations, this destruction of life and happiness will be decreased.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The problem with Medicare is that it is not efficient and is in serious financial problems. One huge concern stated in the USA Today?s article, ?Congress refuses to swallow cures for ailing Medicare, is that the baby boomer generation is about to become eligible for Medicare, and there is currently barely enough money to cover the current population of beneficiaries. Medicare is not the only problem with the American health care system. Increasing amounts of uninsured people, increasing prescription drug costs, increasing amounts of prescription drugs per individual, and the trend toward more expensive drugs are some of the other factors troubling the current health care system (Hansen 2). We all pay for the uninsured through increased medical bills and insurance premiums (Hansen 3). Prescription drug costs are rising due to the increases in research and development costs (Hansen 3). People are requiring more medication and do not tend to shop for the best price, instead they buy what is recommended and sometimes the most expensive (Hansen 2).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We cannot just lower the cost of prescription drugs and expect a huge effect on medical costs. We still are going to be faced with the failure of Medicare and the increasing amount of uninsured Americans. With the increase in the number of uninsured Americans, the increase in the cost of health care will come. With the baby boomer generation coming to eligibility age for Medicare, it is inevitable that Medicare will run dry. Thi... ...o emotional depression. One of our three unalienable rights that our country gave us is the pursuit of happiness. With the current health care policies, many elderly are being restricted of this right. With a national health care system, the country as a whole would benefit. Our national health would improve, uninsured citizens would be eliminated, costs would fall, and Medicare would be revived. Works Cited Axworthy, Lloyd and Spiegel, Jerry. ?Retaining Canada?s health care system as a global public good.? Canadian Medical Association Journal 167.4 (2002): 1-3. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. University of Iowa, Main Library. 18 Dec. 2004 . ?Congress refuses to swallow cures for ailing Medicare.? USA Today (2004): 1-2. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. University of Iowa, Main Library. 18 Dec. 2004 . Hansen, Christopher W. ?Perspective on drug costs.? Vital Speeches of the Day 70.10 (2004): 1-8. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. University of Iowa, Main Library. 18 Dec. 2004 . McCarthy, Michael. ?US doctors group calls for national health-care system.? Lancet 362.9384 (2003): 1-2. Academic Search Elite. EBSCOhost. University of Iowa, Main Library. 18 Dec. 2004 .

Da Vinci Surgical System Essay -- Robotics Surgery

-The Da Vinci Surgical System- What is the Da Vinci Surgical System? The Da Vinci Surgical System is a large purpose-built robot controlled by a surgeon that performs minimally invasive surgical procedures on patients. The system incorporates an ergonomically designed surgeon's console, a patient-side module with four interactive robotic arms, each with interchangeable surgical instruments and a 3-dimensional endoscopic vision system. Powered by high-tech supercomputers, the surgeon's hand movements are scaled, filtered and then converted into precise movements of the surgical attachments. The designers of the system are a team of doctors, engineers and biomedical engineers at a company called Intuitive Surgical. The motivation that these designers had was to develop a surgical technique that would be minimally traumatic for patients and one that would speed up recovery time. The Industry The Da Vinci robot is part of the Biomedical Engineering industry. The industry is concerned with the application of engineering principles and techniques to the medical field. It combines expertise from medical and engineering disciplines to improve healthcare systems. The industry is very innovative and most universities now offer training in biomedical engineering. This is because it has always been a highly specialised field and required a designer to have both medical and engineering training and experience. Research and development is a very important aspect of this industry and it is very draining on a company's funds. Great emphasis is also placed on product placement and marketing. Though these products are usually marketed towards industry professionals such as doctors and hospital management. The physical location and... ...rent control systems. These results would then been amalgamated and the development process would then begin. Continual assessment of the development process is essential. If the current development strategies are unsuccessful, new research would be undertaken to identify problems and try to minimise them. R&D is essential in ensuring the success of an innovation. With a strong R&D program products are more likely to be introduced as a market-leading product, as a successful product and as a profitable product. What is Robotic Surgery? Robotic Surgery is an emerging technology that utilizes purpose-built robots to perform surgical procedures on patients. At present these robots are not autonomous, they are controlled by a surgeon at all times. Thesuarus Wiki Intuitive surgical Howstuffworks http://www.amdocs.com/successstories.asp?CustomerID=76&SID=603

What Has Suddenly Made People Across the World Willing to Pay Three to Four Times More for a Cup of Coffee Than They Used to?

Topic: Topic Question No. 3, McDonald’s (from Week 12 case study ‘China’s Big Mac Attack’ ) and its strategic appreciation using SWOT analysis and its possible future developments -Introduction- This paper analyses possible development in McDonald’s’ future based on the strategic appreciation using SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats). Firstly, the paper briefly explains the outline of the case study. Secondly, it identifies the organisation’s current mission, objectives and strategies. Then the argument moves onto SWOT analysis. In this part, the paper analyses the environment in which McDonald’s is given, and the opportunities and threats are identified. The organisation’s resources are also analysed and it identifies strengths and weaknesses. In next chapter of the paper, it conjectures possible future strategies formulated within the organisation. Subsequently, the implementation of strategies is discussed. Lastly, the evaluation of results carried out by the organization concludes this paper. The case study entitled ‘China’s Big Mac Attack’ written by James L. Watson focuses on how McDonald’s – a leading American fast-food franchise – could accomplish to break down a barrier of Eastern Asian dietary habits and expand its franchisee territories. According to the case study, McDonald’s ought to be considered not only as an outstanding international mega-hamburger chain but also as a representative of the cultural message transmitted through Hollywood and other American culture. The author points out that even though McDonald’s franchises outside the United States are mostly operated and managed by non-American franchisees, its distinguishing double arches of McDonald’s always represent the United States of America as Stars and Stripes does. This fact shows both pros and cons, which are explained later on in this paper. In China, a rise of new middle classes and its single-child family policy accelerate the expansion of McDonald’s chain, which is also caused by a rise in the amount of money and attention lavished on children. This enormous social and cultural change is certainly a reason why McDonald’s managed to have become so prominent in China. This globalization (Westernization or in other words Americanization) has also caused new type of localization. Just as any other multinationals such as Nokia, Sony, General Motors and Starbucks, McDonald’s is no longer American company but Chinese, German, Brazilian, Indian and Japanese company. The detail is explained afterwards. It also must be noticed that McDonald’s has changed people’s behaviour in China e. g. lining up when they order or wait for meals. McDonald’s stunning strategy is not only exclusive in its franchise but also its unique management system. Hamburger University in Oak Brook, Illinois – McDonald’s world-wide management training center – is designed exclusively to instruct personnel employed by McDonald's Corporation or employed by McDonald’s Independent Franchisees in the various aspects of the business. (www. mcdonald’s. com) The author notices the importance of McDonald’s in China as a public space where local students and elderly gather and socialize. McDonald’s proudly shows its highly guaranteed food quality management. This trust also helped McDonald’s to become a dominant fast food chain in China. An imitation of brand image and products is considered to be harmful and aging population due to single-child family policy may well require McDonald’s to change its customer target segment. What’s McDonald’s’ current mission, objectives and strategies? Every organization holds its own mission, objectives and strategies – so does McDonald’s. McDonald’s was firstly founded in Illinois, the United States, in order to provide affordable meals to everyone anywhere. As the company grows, the company has continuously developed its brand image and moved its customer target segment onto children. (http://www. mcspotlight. org/media/press/index_mcds. shtml) The child-friendly atmosphere and its family-oriented space provided by McDonald’s has amazed substantial number of customers. McDonald’s greedily sought after its market overseas. According to the case study, McDonald’s today has more than 25000 outlets in 119 countries, and most of the corporation’s revenues now come from operations outside the United states, and a new restaurant opens somewhere in the world every 17 hours. Above all, it is most likely that McDonald’s current objective is to acquire the market share and pursue further establishment and standardization of its strong brand image. As strategies, recently McDonald’s rapidly expands its market share in developing countries as depicted in the case studies in China, Russia and East Europe and moreover India. It uses the image of a lighter side of American sub culture and represents a ‘gate to the world’ for customers mainly in developing countries. As to be shown in its clean toilet policy, shops are kept clean and they create a good family-friendly atmosphere. On the top of it, its strict food safe guarantee system is one of the stunning strategies of MacDonald’s. Mac’s child-friendly strategy is a key of its expansion strategy. American-style birthday parties, Ronald Room, toys and happy meals are concrete examples of the strategy. Also ‘localization’ policy must be noticed at this stage. James Cantalupo, the president of McDonald’s Corporation, remarks that his strategy is to become as much a part of local culture as possible and protests when people call McDonald’s a multinational or transnational. I like to call us multilocal,† he told The Christian Science Monitor in 1991. The another eminent strategy introduced by McDonald’s is ‘self-service’. Customers line up, self-seat and clean up by themselves. It facilitates customer rotation within shops and enables cost-saving shop keepings. SWOT analysis consists of an organisation’s strengths and weaknesses, and its e nvironmental opportunities and threats. SWOT analysis is useful to identify a strategic niche that the organization might exploit. [pic] Identifying the organization’s opportunities Firstly, the environment in which McDonald’s is given varies from place to place. Analysing the environment is a critical component of the strategy process since successful companies have a strategy that aligns well with the environment. Wherever people dwell in the world, there is always a demand for fast food restaurant. McDonald’s main consumer target, middle-classed family, is everywhere in any countries. Thinking of other competitors within the same market such as Hungry Jacks (Burger King), Jack in the Box and KFC, McDonald’s focuses more on the children as a target rather than the other age groups. This can differentiate McDonald’s from other fast food chains. The external environment seems to be best-suited to MacDonald’s. (see ‘opportunities in the environment’ in the above figure. ) Secondly, resources that McDonald’s acquires are well-known brand name, distinguishingly unique, safe and nutritious food, an abundant workforce supply due to its relatively easy manual work, and its strong franchising management system. As stated above, McDonald’s has achieved to build its powerful brand name over years and its trust, reputation and core customers are considered as precious assets of the company. The fact that anyone can open a new McDonald’s anywhere using its strong brand name facilitates its fast growth. Its original franchise management theory is also one of the resources McDonald’s owns. (see ‘organisation’s resources/abilities in the above figure. ) According to the environment and resources noticed above, the organisation’s opportunities are determined. (see ‘Organisation’s opportunities in the above figure. ) Positive American image is one of the positive external environmental factors. So is wide recognition of its brand image. But more importantly, an ease of access reasonable part-time workforce specializing manual work, the fact that it only needs limited ingredients available everywhere such as potato, chicken, etc should be remarked. Especially, in a developing country such as China, the radical social change can be an opportunity for McDonald’s. As noticed above, single-child policy and a rise of middle classes and a collapse of outdated Confucian family system resulted from rapid expansion of McDonald’s in China. On the contrary to this, there are some threats – negative external environmental factors. Being a representative of American cultural imperialism can be harmful when a strong Anti-Americanism outbreaks outside the U. S.. MacDonald’s in Mexico City, Rome, Macao, Rio de Janeiro, Prague, London, Jakarta and Beijing have been attacked and boycotted by protestors. Another environmental threat is its food safety. Mad Cow disease and Foot and Mouth disease caused a slaughter of thousands of livestock in Europe. The market has been immensely damaged including a supply chain of Mac’s ingredients. There is a big concern for franchisees of McDonald’s in China i. e. rapid aging population caused by single-child family policy. This rapid environmental change may well eventually force MacDonald’s to switchover its targeted customers to elderly people. The plagiarism of McDonald’s idea and strategies done by the competitors is also considered as a critical threat. Some fast food chains can be mighty rivals for McDonald’s if they tried to be more localized and lower the price. Strengths (activities the firm does well or resources it controls) of McDonald’s are its promotion strategy mainly focusing on children, being capable to provide the same menus, tastes and design of shops all over the world, and its strict quality control not only over food quality but also over quality of shops. A huge customer capacity and its fast rotation generate a massive amount of sales in a short time. Talking about weaknesses of McDonald’s, it is firstly pointed out that a typical image of McDonald’s is ‘junk food’. It means that the food obtained at McDonald’s is unhealthy, bad for diet, tasteless and low quality. As many can easily realize that McDonald’s cannot compete with luxurious cuisine restaurants in terms of its variety, taste, quality, nutrition and luxurious image. Those who care for health and weight may try to avoid McDonald’s due to its ‘junk food’ preconception. SWOT analysis and grand strategies Valuable strengths Critical weaknesses Abundant environmentalcritical environmental opportunities threats Now, based on the above-stated SWOT analysis, possible developments in the organisation’s future are outlined. According to the SWOT analysis, and other investigation into Mac’s activities, McDonald’s is currently implementing ‘Corporate Growth Strategies’ which is placed in the left above of the figure above. It is acquiring valuable strengths and abundant environmental opportunities. Since McDonald’s’ market share is rapidly growing, McDonald’s may well be taking corporate growth strategies until it reaches a maturity stage or moves onto a decline stage. McDonald’s is still one of the fastest growing companies and considered to be on a growth stage. The corporate strategies implemented by McDonald’s are still active and it will most likely hold current strategies in the future. By implementation of its strategies, McDonald’s will seek markets mainly in developing countries as its markets in developed countries are mostly saturated. Next possible destinations may include South-East Asia, Sub-continental region, South America and East Europe including Russia. It might firstly emphasis its American image initially then it will be eventually localized and integrated into each of the societies naturally as it is perfectly exemplified in China. -Conclusion- Consequently, the possible results, which McDonald’s will show are evaluated. This Mac type globalization is not exclusive to fast food chain. It is also observed in other industries, for example, computer and communication industries. McDonald’s is no longer small company, which is always influenced by the environment it is given but conversely, it can change and influence the environment itself. McDonald’s will continue to expand itself until people start becoming satiated with its tastes and image or a strong rival against McDonald’s emerges. But McDonald’s will probably change the strategies or its targeted customers in order to survive. Even if McDonald’s starts declining, the strategies used by McDonald’s will never be forgotten since they are one of the most prominent and effective management strategies ever to have been established. BIBLIOGRAPHY BOOK Robbins, S. , Bergman, R. , Stagg, I. , Coulter, M. , 2000. MANAGEMENT 2ND EDITION. NSW: Pearson Education Australia Pty Ltd. JORNAL Watson, J, W. , May-June 2000. ‘China’s Big Mack Attack’ Foreign Affairs. Pp. 120-134. WEB SITES http://www. mcdonalds. com/ http://www. media. mcdonalds. com/secured/index. html http://www. mcspotlight. org/media/press/index_mcds. shtml ———————– Corporate growth strategies McDonald’s Corporate stability strategies Corporate stability strategies Corporate retrenchment strategies Firm Status Environmental Status