Necessary conditions for determining a business strategy
Necessary conditions for determining a business strategy in an organisation
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What are the necessary conditions for determining a business strategy in an organisation? How can organisations work to include HR issues within a business strategy?
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According to Cascio & Boudreau (2012), there are various ways of determining strategies in a business which include: linkage, monitoring and control, annual business plan, human resource, organization structure together with action planning. In order for an organization to set up a business plan, it ought to come up with a standard and more detailed action plans that add the required details in their strategies that later will be implemented for the business to be profitable. Each of these actions, steps are assigned to one individual whose responsibility is to ensure that they are implemented to accomplish the conditions of determining a business strategy. In order to ensure these actions are accomplished, some money has to be set aside that will be used to implement the actions and a specific date is set when the actions will have to be ready.
Juul-Andersen (2013) states that, annual business plan is also a condition that has to be met when choosing a right business strategy in any organization. When running any given business the organizers are aware of some plans that they have to meet annually for their business to be successful, therefore, there is a need to set funds aside that will be used to run these plans. Due to this financial issue, these organizers meet and reason together on how and where to get the required finances necessary to run their business plans efficiently. However, the organizers tend to even ballpark these financial requirements so that they can have enough time to deal well with their financial matters clearly (Director, 2014). These organizers have to be committed to the plans on the table for the sake of the business success with an aim of gaining more money from it. This method of planning early for financial matters helps the business partners not to be shocked by financial matters when it comes to budget time and it also helps link strategic plans to their business plans.
In order to secure a successful organizational structure, the people in charge of its implementation have to ensure that the intended strategy fits the current structure. They even go an extra mile to inquire if the intended structure fits the current structure for the sake of avoiding mistakes and revising the structure, which is a waste of time and resources. In any given organization, when trying to develop new products, plans concerning the product need to be well organized by ensuring that there is necessary commitment and developments in the business so as to produce a good strategy of doing so. The new product mostly needs a humming factory and a high manufacturing support, which is well structured to be able to process the product as required, and this makes it a well preferred condition for a business strategy (Eigenhuis &Dijk, 2008).
According to Christensen (2005), monitoring of business plans helps to ensure that in case a strategy is derailed back it is therefore kept on track even if it calls for the change of schedule, change of strategy employed, change of action steps or even change of the business objectives. The well-known organizations that have been successful in matters of strategy implementation consider the use of human resource. Human resource is a highly valued condition by investors in a business whereby, it comes out as a good business strategy in their organization. Cooke &Saini (2010) states that, human resource does not involve a lot, but only entails that the business management team should consider the communication needs of the business. The actions of any business need to be articulated and the people who are in charge of doing that are fully aware of the strategy that is about to be implemented and what can be done to make it appropriate for that business at the given time. When a strategy is now implemented, managers are always aware of each effect on human resource needs that come as a result of its implementation; hence it is better to be more informed on the change that is needed for the sake of the strategy and how fast it can be provided. There is a need to also to know the implication of the human resource on the strategies to avoid choosing a wrong strategy that may be more costly. This calls for more training on the side of employees for them to be able to know how to handle and even understand the changes imposed through the strategy implementation. Some employees who have worked in organizations where the same strategies were applied also tend to be employed in the new businesses who have just introduced the strategies since they are experienced (Christensen &Higgs, 2008).
Cascio & Boudreau (2012) argue that another condition for all strategies in the organization to be effective calls for direct linkage of all of them for the sake of an organization’s success. An organization can best work to include human resource issues within a business strategy by ensuring that they have good superordinate goals, they have a good staff, employ the best skills in their business and have a good organizational structure. An organization also needs to implement all the strategies required for a successful business and good style of management with regard to best business systems (Director, 2014). The importance of human resources is most effective when the business has become has achieved a lot of knowledge from experienced workers and even when its technology has highly advanced. Human resource strategies are best applicable where a business employs cost leadership strategies, since leaders can best manage the business and keep it at ease. In order for cost leadership to be effective there is a need to focus on its efficiency with a close range to earning more dollars and producing more dollars with respect to the volume of the products produced. To some extend business human resources tend to be more complex in a case where that business is competing on different platforms or industries. Therefore, it becomes easy to structure incentive systems that align the interests of the business with an aim of making it more successful and most prominent. The integration between business strategies and human resource management can be grouped into three theories which are: resource-based theories, interactive theories and behavioral theories. Behavioral theory is just a list of assumptions which demands that for a business to be successful, certain behaviors should be evident among the employees. In a case like this, human resource management is an elicit method that is used to ensure that all employees have the right attitude and good behavior in job since their behavior is the key bridge to the business strategy and the firm performance. According to Cooke (2010), the employees’ behavior in a given business is the best method to help in achieving the best results in an organization; hence, human resources tend to vary following the firm’s required codes and ethics. Environmental characteristics are linked to the human resource management and are less connected to the product-market strategy; hence this makes it not to interfere with market products having no similar characteristics.
A good case example of a company that has integrated HR in their strategy system is the Tata Consultancy Services, which is a large software company in India. Their program involves in training engineers from divergent fields to improve their efficiency concerning their duties in the organization. Aditya Birla group of companies is also another example of firms that have made initiatives by ensuring that the business strategy is integrated with the HR strategy. Implementation over strategy formulation is one of the characteristic implemented by the human resource management to generate selected strategy formulation. It has been proven that people are more adaptable and reliable as compared to strategies, since they can reason on their own and make informed choices. The management choice and dominance are as a result of many models relying too much on product life cycle and a catalyst. Resource based view of the firm is best realized in a firm when it is immobile to save on time and cost (Robinson & Robinson, 2005). For human resource to take the top most rank it ought to be subsisted with other resources by ensuring that it competes with other firms, and also poses unique characteristics for it to be able to compete with their competitors and have a positive value to the firm.
Bibliography
Cascio, W. & Boudreau, W. 2012. Short Introduction to Strategic Human Resource Management (Cambridge Short Introductions to Management). Cambridge University Press
Christensen, R. 2005. Roadmap to Strategic HR: Turning a Great Idea into a Business Reality. AMACOM
Christiansen, L., & Higgs, M. 2008. How the alignment of business strategy and HR strategy can impact performance: A practical insight for managers. Journal of General Management. Vol. 33 Issue 4, p13-33
Cooke, F., & Saini, D. 2010. (How) Does the HR strategy support an innovation oriented business strategy? An investigation of institutional context and organizational practices in Indian firms. Human Resource Management. Vol. 49 Issue 3, p377-400
Director, S. 2014. Pearson Financial Analysis for HR Managers: Tools for Linking HR Strategy to Business Strategy (paperback). FT Press; 1 edition
Eigenhuis, A. & Dijk, R. 2008. HR Strategy for the High Performing Business: Inspiring Success through Effective Human Resource Management. Kogan Page
Juul-Andersen, T. & Minbaeva, D. 2013. The Role of Human Resource Management in Strategy Making. Human Resource Management. Vol. 52 Issue 5, p809-827
Robinson, D. &Robinson, J. 2005. Strategic Business Partner: Aligning People Strategies with Business Goals. Berrett-Koehler Publishers
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You might recall from Week 3 the importance of ethical reflection when determining the impact of your actions as a public administrator. Engaging in a similar type of reflection when reviewing literature in the field also can help you determine the possible impact of the latest theories and research on the field of public administration. How might the human rights readings from this week affect your role as a public administrator? Did the readings change your perception of human rights?
For this Assignment, you reflect on your perception of human rights and its role in public administration. You also examine the potential implications that human rights literature might have for public administrators.
The Assignment (3–4 pages in APA format): Your Assignment should include the following:
• A detailed and objective description of the human rights issues presented in this week’s readings
• An explanation of the nature of the issue(s) and its significance to you as a public administrator
• An explanation of what the readings meant to you in the context of your feelings, values, knowledge, and experience
• An explanation of the implications these readings might have for public administrators
• A summary of one of the following:
• What you learned about yourself as a public administrator based on your reaction to the readings
• What you learned about global governance from examining these readings
• Why this knowledge is important to you as a developing public administrator
• How you might apply this knowledge in your future practice
Note: Provide specific examples and cite your references.
Support your Assignment with specific references to all resources used in its preparation. Provide a reference list with all resources included in the paper.
Your Assignment must demonstrate both breadth and depth of knowledge and critical thinking appropriate to graduate-level scholarship. It must follow APA Publication Manual guidelines and be free of typographical, spelling, and grammatical errors.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Human Rights Reflection
Human Rights Reflection
A detailed and objective description of the human rights issues presented in this week’s readings
According to (De Schutter, 2012), it’s possible to achieve self-determination at the national level if the international economic environment can be reshaped, and that internationally recognized human rights provide an effective basis for the realization of this objective. De Schutter presents the ‘double-mind’ problem that indicates the requirements for countries to comply with their human rights commitments at home while at the same time being discouraged from doing so in practice due to the fact that the international environment has not evolved to favor this. Nevertheless, it is very artificial to separate human rights and trade because fair trading provides a basis for fairness in human treatment.
Twiss (2011) also suggests that the human rights movement in all its moral, political and legal aspects provides the most effective basis for a practicable global ethic both in the present and the foreseeable future. This is supported by the contemporary efforts depicted by the movement to intersect explicitly with politics and other areas of international law (Benedek, 2007).
During the initial development of human rights as a branch of international law, it was viewed as an introduction of the Copernican revolution in that through human rights, international law was being used as a regulatory mechanism of state-citizen relations that hitherto were shielded almost wholly from international scrutiny. However, in the contemporary world, there is need for another Copernican revolution in three dimensions: to make possible for use of human rights as a guide of the exercise of the powers of international organizations, to make sure that transnational corporations apply their influential abilities in supporting human rights, and to monitor the influence of measures adopted by states on their national territorial surroundings. There is also a need for development of coordination forms at the international level which have been discouraged by the specialized regimes and organizations. Mitigation of the negative effects of fragmentation is not enough; we need to work towards improving convergence. Finally, we should not be contented with status quo.
An explanation of the nature of the issue(s) and its significance to me as a public administrator
Twiss’s concern is that many globalists tend to overlook the defining similarities between human rights and other spheres of international law because they misconstrue the open-textured nature of human rights and the human rights regime. (De Schutter, 2012) notes that there is need to solve the ‘double-mind’ problem and that it is not enough to guard against violations of human rights in the global economy. Rather, we should plan a transition and slowly transform the structure itself, piece by piece. These issues are significant in public administration because they give insight on implementation of human rights. Public administrators need to develop structures to secure the participation of citizens in public decision-making based on human rights public policies. It is also important for a public administrator to ensure that poor, vulnerable and discriminated people have a say and take part in the public decisions, and not only influential stakeholders. There is need to consider the human rights of the most vulnerable groups in all decisions (Aguilar & Zavala, n.d).
• An explanation of what the readings meant to you in the context of my feelings, values, knowledge, and experience
Twiss’s tactical use of examples of recent human rights developments to show how human rights movement significantly incorporates the goals, norms, and features of global ethics created a reflective encounter with my feelings as to the manner in which the goal of good life for all can be achieved. With regard to knowledge, the readings challenged my deep-rooted misconception that human rights are simply an expression of neo-liberal economic hegemony. I realized that human rights are in fact firmly rooted in relational and mutual understandings of communities and individuals that coordinate strong notions of communal and individual entitlements among present and future generations over all matters relating to survival and flourishing of the entire world. Accordingly, all the readings appealed to my values in the sense that the most important aspect of leadership respect for human rights in the broad sense. These readings also indicated that my professional experience should be tailored in with the promotion of human rights across all dimensions of life.
An explanation of the implications these readings might have for public administrators
These readings might affect public administrators in that they may consider promoting the establishment of social capital and building capacity to enhance the technical and institutional quality of the participation of citizens. The readings might challenge public administrators not to entertain status quo and to take up necessary steps to promote human rights in all dimensions of the leadership. They may be compelled to promote transparency and accountability of the governance process and its results. In essence, public administrators are likely to reconsider the definitive similarities between human rights and other fields of international law.
What I learned about global governance from examining these readings
Global governance greatly affects state-citizen relations and it cannot go unchecked. Effective global governance can best be achieved if human rights are properly incorporated in all its dimensions. This is because human rights inform global ethics due to the fact that human rights movement is well-entrenched throughout the world and it forms a solid basis for democratic leadership and protection of vulnerable groups in the global society.
Benedek W. (2007) ‘The World Trade Organization and Human Rights’ in: Wolfgang Benedek, Koen De Feyter, Fabrizio Marrella, Economic Globalisation and Human Rights, pp. 137-169. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
De Schutter, O. (2012). The Role of Human Rights in Shaping International Regulatory Regimes. Social Research: An International Quarterly, 79(4), 785-818.
Twiss, S. B. (2011). GLOBAL ETHICS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: A REFLECTION. Journal of Religious Ethics, 39(2), 204-222.
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For an organization to be successfully innovative, it must be based upon the higher level principles of innovative organizing. Unfortunately, only a limited number of leaders of these high technology companies see the manufacturing process development as one of the main source of competitive advantage. This is why, over the last ten years, trends indicate that more companies are deciding to outsource the manufacturing process to other third party contractors. The reason for such an action is that these high tech companies are trying to avoid the expenses of the manufacturing process as well as having to lose focus on the process of product research and development. They view this research and development to be the major source of competitive advantage. Contrary to this, research conducted in the pharmaceutical industry between 1985 and 1995 suggests that such a view greatly costs organizations as it negatively impacts their competitive health. Different studies support the idea that such high tech companies that encourage the development of organizational capabilities so as to support an innovative, efficient, and effective process development, are better placed to introduce new products faster. This is alongside the higher yields and also the controlled processes that will present the company with a better cost advantage over competitors. With such a step, less capital investment and fewer development resources are usually required, compared to what the competitors will have to apply. Apple has managed to be chosen constantly as the most innovative company in the world. This is because its strategy for innovation is inclusive of amazing new products as well as innovative business models. It always pioneers into untapped business spaces thereby creating new market niches. This is why its innovation strategy is the best to use so as to enable Microsoft/Nokia mobile phones division to also be more innovative. The aim of this report is to properly analyze Apple’s innovation strategy and innovative organizational structure, particularly focusing on the iPhone and iPad products, so as to identify factors that can also be implemented by Microsoft/Nokia mobile phones division to make it more innovative.
Background of Apple Company
Apple Inc., an American multinational corporation, was co-founded by Steven Paul Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in 1976 (Finkle & Mallin 2010: 50).Among its best known hardware are the iPhone and iPad products. Research conducted in June 2014 showed that Apple has 425 retail stores in fourteen different countries (‘Event Brief of Q1 2014 Apple Inc. Earnings Conference Call – Final’ n.d.). With an approximate of $446 billion market capitalization, this company is the largest publicly traded corporation in the globe (Mallin & Finkle 2011: 65). In 2012, this company had 72,800 permanent employees who worked fulltime, 3,300 temporary employees working fulltime as well (Sahoo 2012:39). In 2014, its five year growth was registered at averagely 39% for the top line growth and 45% for the bottom line growth (‘Event Brief of Q1 2014 Apple Inc. Earnings Conference Call – Final’ n.d.).
The period between 2007 and 2010 acted as the time when Apple finally started achieving success with its mobile devices. The iPhone and iPpad products introduced innovations in mobile phones and personal computers respectively. With these devices, software applications could only be purchased in a store implemented by Apple, thus the company created a new business model. In mobile phones, touch screens had already been noted before, however, Apple introduced a user interface with specific preprogrammed touch movements that was unique and interesting to consumers (Mallin & Finkle 2011: 66). The cofounders made a great effort to push this company towards attaining an innovative structure. Together, they encouraged innovation as they also innovated, and hired innovative employees. They also had good marketing skills that enabled the public to be informed effectively about the benefits of any newly innovated products, thus sales were boosted within months of release.
The release of the iPhone and iPad products gained Apple great success. This is proof that innovation success goes hand in hand with commercial success. This company managed to increase its customer base by introducing products that would also be important for the newly introduced business model. Therefore, Apple does not rely on specific products, but on unique products, although they perform similar functions. Thus, customers with different needs will always find what they want from the products of this company. As a result of innovation, Apple frequently introduces new products, month after month.
Why iPhone and iPad products can be called Innovative Products
The iPhone and iPad can be referred to as innovative products judging from how the ideas involved in the new product development were noted to be promising. The new product development process will only be successful once there has been a creation and evaluation of the new product ideas. These two tasks can be influenced positively when there is more than one idea and idea creators, when decisions are made as a group and not as an individual, and when there are methods that combine idea creation with evaluation. These three factors can be combined with the aid of idea markets method. This method makes use of virtual idea stocks to act as a representation of new product ideas, enable participants to order and trade stock shares on the virtual marketplace, and thus uses the market efficiency and resulting stock prices as determinants of the likelihood that the new product ideas will be successful (Soukhoroukova, Spann & Skiera 2012: 105).
First, the iPhone and iPad products were generated as a result of many ideas and idea creators, as expected in the idea markets method. This company has employed thousands of employees to work in the different stores around the globe. Therefore, the company has a big number of idea creators, a factor that will also benefit the company as it presents many ideas since each creator will come up with a unique idea for new products. The new product idea quality is important for the commercial success of the final product. However, it is always difficult to choose which idea creator is the best, or what the new product idea should consist of. This is usually as a result of the stochastic nature of creativity, whereby even better ideas may arise unexpectedly where there is actually no demand, and the fact that diversity of skills from the many idea creators may improve the chances that an unconventional new product idea may be developed (Soukhoroukova, Spann & Skiera 2012: 107).
To increase the number of idea creators, Apple Inc. has made it clear that innovation is everyone’s task, and not the task of specific developers (‘DATAMONITOR: Apple Computer, Inc’ 2008:6). Therefore, to make the most of its idea creators, the company makes use of diverse sources including employees, suppliers, customers and researchers (Breen 2014:5). This is very important as all these groups offer important feedback for the organization to use to its advantage. Through feedback from consumers, the company will know what the current trend is all about. This will enable employees to focus on that direction when developing new product ideas. Suppliers and researchers also contribute since during their activity, they can identify a gap in the market. Since this point of having many ideas and idea creators for high quality new product ideas has been achieved, the iPhone and iPad products qualify as innovative products.
Second, Apple has always focused on group decisions rather than individual decisions when it comes to product development. When the different idea creators engage in an exchange of opinions, even better product ideas are developed. This is usually because some ideas may be improved when used alongside other ideas. When it comes to decision making, doing so in a group improves the quality of the outcome. This is because participants may learn from each other, and hence be better placed to understand why a certain idea may not be of quality, and why it should not be implemented. This also makes the decision making process to be accurate in that it will reduce bias. Apple’s iPhone and iPad products are an example of innovative products in that not one individual is involved in the decision making process of the product development, but instead a group of individuals are involved (Castelluccio 2013:59). Hence, these products were developed only after a group of experts decided that the ideas were reliable and promising. If only one person was involved, then the products would not qualify as innovative since the decision making process would have been biased. Eventually, they would not have been as successful in driving the company upwards in its industry. Hence, they are innovative products as they are the result of more than one great idea combined together.
Third, iPhone and iPad, according to the idea markets theory qualify as innovative products since Apple combines idea creation with evaluation (Cusumano 2011:26). Most techniques used in idea generation either support creation of ideas or the evaluation of these ideas. Although participants can be very imaginative when the two actions are separate, a threat is posed whereby creators cannot receive immediate feedback on the ideas they form. It is important to use these two factors side by side as it saves time, reduces costs of screening, and saves resources. Thus, with immediate evaluation and feedback, more time will be saved that can be used for working towards the more quality ideas. Thus, their screening will be more critical and there will be extra resources to be used in the in-depth analysis and implementation of the new ideas. This is what makes iPhone and iPad products to be considered innovative products.
Idea evaluation for the iPhone and iPad that make them innovative products can also be analyzed through the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. This method takes a hierarchical approach to the idea evaluation and decision making processes. A single idea is assessed on multiple criteria before it is structures according to its relative importance (Borade, Kannan & Bansod 2013: 969). The reason why the iPhone and iPad products are innovative products is that Apple ensured to only implement the best ideas brought forward. All ideas cannot be effective for a single product; however, more than one can be used together. Judging from the success of these two products, it is clear that the company took time to identify what the resulting product would consist of, its target market, and its benefits. Since the success was amazing, it is highly likely that only the best ideas were implemented. This is because the target market is highly satisfied with the products being released constantly by Apple Inc. For instance, the iPhone and iPad products were introduced alongside another business model, the app store, that was intended to provide these devices with various applications required (Simmons 2007: 35). Apple saw an opportunity and used different ideas side by side to promote sales while also fully satisfying customer needs.
Apple’s Innovation Strategy Behind the iPad and iPhone
Strategy can be described as an integrated yet overarching approach of how a company intends to achieve its objectives. There are three types of innovation strategy; offensive innovation strategy, defensive innovation strategy and imitative innovation strategy. Apple’s strategy behind the iPad and iPhone is the imitative innovation strategy as the company works towards modifying the already existent products to provide an even more sophisticated and unique product (Davis, Muzyrya & Pai-Ling 2014: 39). Therefore, instead of focusing on creating entirely new products, this company works on identifying areas of improvement and thus works towards promoting these. Thus, the focus is on producing thinner, faster and lighter iPads instead of cheaper hybrid and new offerings. The new innovations made at the current time, will therefore, not lead to the development of new products, but instead will be used to further improve the already available products. For example, the innovations developed for the iPhone 5S are expected to soon be used to further improve the cheaper iPhone 5C (Connolly 2011: 18). The difference is in price and quality as this strategy is supposed to ensure that all customers willing to spend different amounts will be able to get what they need from Apple.
The iPad and iPhone have proven to be the best innovations to drive Apple to commercial success. This happened because Apple was able to implement new product ideas that could be used side by side to facilitate profits. Therefore, the new products were implemented alongside a new business model. Hence, the company was able to use new ways to create, deliver and capture value for consumers. For example, the iPhone is a product that has been matched with the App Store where consumers can go to when they need to purchase software and other applications to customize their iPhones (Maisto 2014: 8). Therefore, the innovation strategy used by Apple is not the development of new products frequently, but the improvement of already available products with the aid of quality ideas. If Apple only focused on new product developments, then chances are high that a similar level of success would not have been achieved. For an innovation to become successful, it must first be acceptable to the customers in the marketplace. Once this happens, the product will sell faster and effectively, thus leading to commercial success. Therefore, commercial success and innovation success may be driven by the New Product Ratio (NPR). The strategy of Apple can be looked at from two perspectives. First, it featured an introduction of new products that were not actually present in the market place. Thus, it attracted a majority of the population as it offered the satisfaction of a need which was not being met by other companies. This is why the innovation became highly successful and, hence commercial success was also achieved.
Another means through which innovation success can drive commercial success is by offering product improvements. This is the current strategy adapted by Apple after the iPhone and iPad were successfully introduced. Instead of working towards other new products, the company has decided to first make use of the available products by introducing new innovations that improve the products (Connolly 2011: 20). When a product is further developed, customers view it as an entirely new product as it may feature newer features and have various capabilities that were not present previously. Thus, the present strategy used by Apple for the iPhone and iPad products is still capable of driving commercial success as it can promote innovation success.
The strategy used by Apple may also be analyzed from how the company is adapting innovation across various industries. So far, these two products have a link in the hardware, software, entertainment, and also logistics (Maisto 2014: 8). So far, the company has managed to master most of the parts of all these industries so as to improve its competitive advantage. In the development of the iPhone and iPad, Apple had a choice of outsourcing some of the manufacturing activities such as software development. However, to improve its profitability, it decided to develop its own software that would be used for the products as operating systems. For instance, the iPhone uses the iPhone operating system (iOS). Most of the applications involved in this product were developed by Apple and not a third party contractor.
Innovations across industries, therefore has a commonality in that in all industries, customers are in search of a product or service that will meet their unsatisfied needs. Therefore, in any industry, a new and unique product that meets an unmet need will flourish. And by providing consumers with everything they need all in one place, the company will be boosting its customer base. Apple managed to grab this new opportunity by introducing the iPhone and iPad and also producing software, entertainment applications and many more that would make these products even more exciting to use. This factor has greatly improved the competitive advantage of the company in that it will appear at the top of all industries as it has more to offer than companies specializing in a specific industry.
Apple’s innovation and design process are usually influenced by commercial, social and political factors. Design is more of invention while innovation is aimed towards implementing this invention. The strategy used by Apple, therefore, is influenced by the above factors in that the company has to adhere to certain rules when developing any new innovation and design ideas. In developing its products, Apple has to consider the commercial, social and political situations first before moving ahead. For example, social influences may be positive in the process of innovation and design as it can provide information on what consumers are really in need of (Castelluccio 2013:60). Therefore, this information will influence innovation and design by providing ideas that can be used to develop new and exciting products. Social influences may also limit innovation towards a specific direction, a factor that is not entirely positive. This is because it may lead to the innovation of similar products with no new ideas, as most consumers will want to purchase a phone with features similar to what was noted in a friend’s mobile phone. Innovation and design may also be influenced by commercial factors such as the enforcement of various legislations and policies. As a result, Apple may realize that it is expensive to be innovative and to come up with a unique design. Lastly, political influences on innovation arise from the fact that innovation is usually considered to be a political aspect. If the research and development process is seen to be promising, the government may offer to fund the innovation and design process. Such an action will definitely be a positive influence on the process as it will not cost the company to indulge in deeper research. This will also promote the innovation policy within an organization.
The Components of Apple’s Organization that made it an Innovative Organization
Apple did not become a successfully innovative company until years after it was founded. There are certain factors that played a major role in making this company an innovative organization. At the beginning, Apple was merely a computer manufacturer. Today, it has developed into a company offering a wide range of products including different consumer electronic devices and a pioneering business model (Edwards 2005: 2). Therefore, there is more to the high performing iMac computer, amazing MacBook notebooks and the multifunctional operating system Mac OS X. All the consecutive new innovative products are what enhance Apple’s share price to increase drastically. In 2000, the increase was $ 12, and in 2010, the increase was more than $ 200 (Finkle & Mallin 2010: 50). Currently, the competitors have found a reason to worry over losing to Apple. This is as a result of its innovation that came about through many factors. First, the company managed to create and implement an innovative culture, compared to the previous situation. Before this implementation, employees worked individually and selfishly (Nussbaum, Berner & Brady 2005: 63). They were not united and hence always engaged in fighting amongst them. Therefore, despite the presence of highly skilled employees, the company could not be productive as a result of the culture which inhibited collaboration. This collaboration is an essential element for innovation.
This situation changed upon the return of Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, in 1997 after being ousted in 1985 (Stone 2011: 39). As the company’s leader once again, Jobs encouraged calculated and well thought increases in R&D spending, and frequent launching of new products and upgrades. It is important to note that Apple did not apply the exact principles of innovation as developed by scholars. Instead, the company developed its own principles, which turned out to be more effective in enabling it to achieve its objective (Stone 2011: 40). Steve Jobs managed to encourage the company employees to work together by clearly educating them on the importance of adapting a product oriented culture. With such a culture, employees understood that they all have a common goal, thus, must work together towards ensuring they get the best results possible. Aside from having an innovative organizational culture, the leadership of this organization has also encouraged the development of an innovative organization. Ever since Steve Jobs, the next leaders have not taken steps to interfere with what he started. Jobs understood that for the organization to become innovative, he had to stir them towards that direction (Hof, Burrows, Hamm, Brady & Rowley 2004: 198). Therefore, through transformation leadership style, Steve Jobs encouraged and supported various forms of innovations presented by employees (‘Apple Inc.: The Steve Jobs Effect’ 2012: 3). He encouraged employees to work on what they love. He made this rule having in mind the fact that innovation cannot happen without passion. Therefore, employees got the opportunity to work on their various ideas and present them for evaluation. This is what resulted to the many innovation products that followed shortly.
Another factor that contributed to Apple’s innovation is how it does not simply focus on customer needs, but focuses on providing for all these needs, alongside ensuring an improvement of the customer experience (Nussbaum, Berner & Brady 2005: 65). This is what happened with the iPhone and iPad products. Therefore, it also relies on creativity and not only customer feedback. This is a factor that has encouraged the company to use different ideas to create ways of promoting customer interactions. The customers experience is very important, as many people look for a product that will make things easier for them. Therefore, the company assumes that customers, at times, may not have a clear idea of what they want. However, by offering them a high quality product that improves their experience, they will definitely like it.
Apple also managed to become innovative through the business model it adapted after implementing iPhone and iPad products. This new App store business model enabled the company to create and deliver value to customers, thus increasing their level of satisfaction (Schlender & Chen 2000: 70). The App Store will not be beneficial to consumers without the iPhone. This is why Apple has designed a model that captures value beyond the product.
Conclusions and Recommendations
From this analysis conducted on Apple Inc., it is clear that innovation requires great effort. There are many factors that have promoted the innovativeness of Apple. First, the company was careful when choosing ideas to implement for new products. To improve the quality of the new product ideas, employees were encouraged to work together and appreciate one another’s inputs by creating an innovative organization culture ad structure. This was very important as it promoted various working conditions that enhance innovation. Second, the company has developed a strategy for two of its most prominent products; the iPhone and iPad. Instead of focusing its innovation on the development of new products for release, the company focuses on the innovation that will improve the already available products. This is in line with the time frame set by the company that within every 10 years a new product must be developed. Therefore, the company is still on schedule, despite the various claims that it is losing its innovativeness. These two products were implemented within the past 10 years, and the current innovations are supposed to improve their quality and hence the quality of user experience. Third, this company had a leader who knew exactly how to achieve innovation. Some of the tactics used by this leader have never been mentioned in any management model, however the result was amazing. Every leader, therefore, must learn to understand the ideas that will work for its organization, just as Steve Jobs did for Apple. For instance, he understood that innovation will need the employees to work together, a factor that was not present in the current culture. Therefore, he decided to show them that they were not competing against each other, but instead they needed one another. This was very important as the organization soon realized that they need to share ideas so as to come up with good and competitive new products.
The Microsoft/Nokia mobile phone, therefore can borrow a lot from Apple’s innovative strategy. First, the division needs to take extra caution when choosing the ideas of new products to implement. This is because not all ideas are of high quality. Therefore, it is important to incorporate this process with the evaluation process. This will enable the division to develop a habit of ranking ideas in terms of their importance and quality. Thus, only the best will be implemented. To improve the chances of ending up with top quality ideas, the division should also adapt a system of involving everyone in the organization, in the innovation process. Employees with different skills may be asked to work side by side so that they may have a better position of borrowing ideas from one another and coming with an eventual proposal that is of high quality.
Next, Microsoft/Nokia mobile phone division needs to adapt a reasonable product development strategy. This is important as it saves costs and time, and also maximizes revenue for the already available products. Thus, instead of always wanting to develop new types of mobile phones, the leaders need to encourage employees to think of ways and ideas that can b implemented for the already available mobile phones to make them more effective. Third, the company needs to ensure that this department has a leader who is effective in his job. The leaders should be encouraged to use a leadership style that will not limit employee innovation, but instead one that will support it.
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A Report Outlining Main Arguments for and Against the Use of Feasibility Studies to Determine Potential Business Success
Introduction
Feasibility study is the process of analyzing and evaluating the potential of a business or a project that has been proposed. This study entails extensive researches and investigations on the possibility of business success or failure, thus, the information collected becomes pertinent in decision making. The need for feasibility studies has been growing owing to the increase in the number of business failure especially during their first five years of operations. As a result, investors are more willing to spend and finance such studies as they evaluate the validity of a business idea. Specifically, feasibility studies answer the question raised by an entrepreneur regarding the need to either seize or cease a project idea. It has been established that the application of feasibilities studies is extensive such that the information collected from the evaluation can be used in myriads of ways apart from the primary role which is to approve a proposed venture (Lumpkin & Dess, 2006, p 142). The information is as important to banks, venture capitalists and other primary stakeholders as it is to the entrepreneur since it acts as a business plan and thus stating the weaknesses and strengths of a proposed business.
Essentially, competitive analyses and financial analysis could be helpful in determining if a given idea might be a waste of time and resources thus saving the stakeholders the resources that could have otherwise gone to waste. On the same note, it is appreciated that a venture that is economically viable and feasible has to promise that it will generate cash flows that will be profitable. For the entrepreneur to be assured of sustainability, risk assessments have to be conducted so as to identify the intensity of risks the business is likely to face both in the short run and long run. By so doing, the probability of its meeting the goals set by the founders of the business are met. Unlike some entrepreneurs have been made to believe that feasibility studies can only be performed on start-up business ventures, Young (2010, p 380) is of the thought that existing businesses can still conduct feasibility evaluations. This is likely when making arrangements for mergers and takeovers, transfer of businesses or even when an organization wants to launch a new product. Based on this introduction, this report seeks to assess the feasibility of the Community Crusaders business plan which is a sole proprietorship owned by Ian White. The mission of the company makes it vulnerable to financial risks. As a result, the need to outline the main arguments for and against the use of feasibility studies to determine potential business success is raised.
Literature Review
The area of feasibility study and its application in business has not elicited much research in the past. This implies that the topic, unlike other topics related to entrepreneurial business management has not attracted much attention among business researchers and theorists. According to Dana (2010, p 47), feasibility studies also known as feasibility analysis, can combatively be referred to as a cost-benefit analysis. The analysis seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of a new system or a new expansion before it is added onto the business. He further suggests that feasibility studies can be sub divided into two schools of thought; time based study and cost based study. Dana (2010, p 47) goes ahead to argue that the information derived in both studies provide a comprehensive assessment of the organization in terms of profit margins and levels of stability. For instance, the cost based study majors on analysing the probability of a business to be sustainable and successful by calculating operational and developmental costs. Operational costs denotes costs realized during production thus they are necessary in facilitating the functional aspects of the business while developmental costs form the bulk of acquiring the factors of production and setting up a business. Pinson, (2004, p 54) seconds that making calculations related to costs could be helpful in evaluating the chances that a business will either fail or succeed. For example, undertaking a cost analysis on the Community Crusader business venture will enable Mr White to get the near accurate operational and developmental costs for setting up the project. Cost based evaluations often include deep routed considerations that entail a full analysis of the macro environment and the microenvironment. Economic factors are ranked highly while other influential factors such as government regulations and policies or political factors come in handy when calculating costs to be incurred by Community Crusaders business.
Dana (2010, p 50) describes the second sub-division for feasibility studies as being time-based. This explanation is made in form of a hypothesis, which is grounded on the need to establish the time that it will take for the entrepreneur to start enjoying the profits. Such a study is focused on timing, thus, it analyzes the future of a business in terms of profitability. It takes into account commodity value as well as inventories held by the organization. Time based studies are therefore focused determining the ability of the firm to generate profits over an extended period. It is therefore advisable that Community Crusader has to undertake a time based evaluation or study of the proposed community growth start-ups after which Mr. White can decide on the projects that will have a higher chance of sustainability based on estimated calculations of Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate Returns (IRR) (Georgakellos & Marcis, 2009, p 231). Mr. White will find these two studies to be of extreme importance to the business startup as the time based study will estimate the duration required to gain back the money invested in the various high risk ventures. Unlike Danev who classified feasibility studies based on time and cost, O’Brien and Marakas, (2011, p 488) identified five sub divisions of feasibility studies that can be applied to businesses. The different areas include; technical, economic, operational, legal and scheduling. Technological feasibility comes handy with system evaluations, which can be helpful to the Community Crusaders Company when analysing whether the technical expertise of the employees and their ability to contribute towards continued organizational success. In fact, the feasibility study makes provisions for a section where a brief description on the company’s prospects can be made. Secondly, the report gives an analysis of human and economic factors while making provisions for possible solutions to identified problems. In fact, the first stages of the analysis often entail and analysis of the business in terms of its technical requirements and legality.
In the event that the business activities to be undertaken by Community Crusaders are illegal according to the law, then the idea will not go through the other stages of the study. This section is contained in the legal feasibility study where all the components of the system are analysed for compliance. For instance, the tax system, the Information and Technology system, the inventory system and all the other systems will have to be tested for compliance (Ciavarella & Buckholtz, 2011, p 490). The third grouping is operational feasibility, which measures the ability for the management to handle emergencies, solve problems, resolve conflicts and embrace random opportunities. Assessments made at this stage also ascertain the possibility that the business will fit into the competitive pressures set by the industry in which it intends to operate. The nature of operations undertaken by Mr White as the manager for Community Crusaders has to ensure that it conforms to a design that promises efficiency, reliability, supportability, usability, maintainability, disposability, affordability and sustainability (Brinkman, 2010, p 19). In order to be effective, operation feasibility has to be undertaken during the early stages of business design so that the different organization processes can be synchronized in a way that will maximize on profitability. The process of meeting operational efficiency for Community crusaders has to be aided by the input of operation engineers as well as managerial experience. This is because, it is often believed that a system that incorporates operational and technical characteristics into its design increases the chances that it will serve the purpose it was intended for.
Nykiel, (2007, p 22) identifies that there are more advantages of carrying out feasibility studies on a business start-up since the section on economic feasibility helps determine the economic benefits likely to be gained from undertaking a given business venture. The process of assessing this feasibility includes identification and quantification of the expected benefits by use of a cost/benefit analysis. On the other hand, technical feasibility is focused on analysing the technical resources held by an organization and how these resources can be applied to the proposed system so as to increase on the chances of business success (Bentley & Whitten, 2007, p 32). Basically, this section entails a comprehensive evaluation of the software and hardware. Schedule feasibility is an equivalent of the time based analyses. In the event that Mr White delayed the completion of the Community Crusader Company, then there will be an increased chance that the business will fail. The section on scheduling seeks to estimate the time frame for undertaking business projects and the cost implications associated with delayed completion. In reality, increasing the payback period could reduce the chances of business success thus it becomes advantageous for the owner of Community Crusaders to consider undertaking a feasibility study. Other authors seeking a more classified analysis of a start-up business are likely to go an extra mile into considering other feasibility factors such as the market feasibility, resource feasibility, cultural feasibility and financial feasibility.
Example of a feasibility study and discussion
An example of a feasibility study in support of the literature theory stated in the previous section is shown in the XYZ Company, which intends to invest in the production of widget parts. The objective of the project is to determine the appropriateness or the feasibility of producing plastic widgets. The information provided by the company include part drawings of the projected design, description of the part requirements, production information and other information that was requested by the feasibility advisor. The executive summary for the feasibility study identified that the manufacturing process required various components, which included an injection mould made of a polypropylene material. The problem arose from the fact that there were several types of moulds and each would have a considerable impact on the sustainability and profitability of the business. The materials included the single cavity, centre sprue gate (SC, CSG), single cavity, hot runner edge gated (SC, HREG) 3 and multiple tab gates or fan and the two cavity, hot runner edge gated, multiple tab gates or fan (TC, HREG) (Benjamin & Fabrycky, 2010, p 90). A feasibility study for this project could only be possible after the identification of material estimates and the moulding process, tools to be used and the costs of the parts as shown
in the figure below.
Figure 1: Tooling and Purchased Cost Estimate
This table makes it subtle that the project of manufacturing widgets is complicated by the fact that the machinery used differ in quality and costs. Additionally, the total cost of a machine might be cheap but the spare parts are so costly. This implies that the XYZ Company will have to incur more costs when the machine breaks down than if it had purchased a machine that is expensive but has low cost spare parts. Apparently, an advantage of feasibility study is made evident in this case since it provides a comprehensive report on the estimated costs for the tool and that of the spare parts. This advantage is seconded by a chart which presents a graphical representation of the relationship between the part costs and the possible production volume. As a result, it enables XYZ to have a basis for decision making and this becomes the prerequisite for
determining potential business success.
Chart 1: Part cost versus production volume
The executive summary of the feasibility study for XYZ factory depicts a summary of the findings made after the feasibility study, recommendations made and the conclusion. In part, the study identifies that the two-cavity tool is likely to produce low cost widget parts with a cost range that is medium. All the estimates fall within the range of data given by the management at XYZ except for SC, HREG, which exceeds the annual cost of the produced parts. A decision is not determined at this time on the best production tool to select among the three and so the feasibility study is important helping guide the recommendation process. It is only after the study that it is made lurid on the best tool, operation design and additional costs that will be incurred in assembling the parts, decorating and packaging them. In so doing, it is established that XYZ has to consider making sure that the maximum cost for the produced products does not exceed $5.00. The recommendation made at the end of the study shows that the feasibility study guided the feasibility advisors into giving a conclusion that was unlike the request posed by the owner of the XYZ Company. Because of this, it is essential that the management alters their plan to suit the advice given by the advisors since they have a foresight of the hurdles the business is likely to face in selecting between the three given production machines.
The feasibility study used in the case of XYZ Company follows the theoretic outline presented by Dana, (2010, p 52). The framework used includes the classification of the study into two parts; cost based and time based. The cost based analysis helps in determining the costs of the machines to be acquired by XYZ and the estimations for the costs of the products as well as the spare parts. The analysis is made over an extended period of time which then assures the management that the statistical data presented in the report is well researched and that there is a higher probability that the venture will be profitable if a given machine is preferred instead of the other (Deakins & Freel, 2009, p 41). This is strategically done by calculating and distinguishing developmental costs from the operational costs. The cost based information is elaborated in the part cost and tooling estimations section which stages a coherent discussion weighing between the use of a PTC spreadsheet to estimate the costs or a local tool maker. The calculations on the part costs are made using spreadsheets from PTC. Ostensibly, PTC uses estimations derived from cycle times, material costs, machine costs and tool costs. Several inputs are needed when making the spreadsheets for feasibility studies. The resultant figures show the estimated amounts of money to be paid by XYZ Company when purchasing molded parts from a molder. The other production costs are varied according to volume of widgets produced and these costs include the cost of the tools (10% amortization) over an extended period of 5 years and a scrap rate of 5%. The probability that XYZ could manufacture these parts in-house is also considered in the analysis. On the other hand, the time based feasibility study comes in handy in seconding the findings made in the first research (Herrmann, 2009, p 90). It uses the time series charts to present evidence on the possibility that the business will be profitable over an extended period of time. The feasibility study relating to the case of XYZ analyses the possibility of breaking even with the sales and costs in the near future even as the machines might start to break down.
Assessment of feasibility study
As a feasibility advisor for the Community Crusaders start-up business owned by Mr. Ian White, it is necessary to conduct a feasibility study that will match up to the organization proposed mission of investing in the high growth start-up projects in the community. The importance of these assessments is raised with the realization that most of the proposed projects are have high financial risk. According to economics, high-risk ventures are often more profitable since most investors tend to shy away from such projects (Gelderen & Bosma, 2008). In the event that Mr. White becomes successful in the proposed high growth community start-ups, then there is a higher chance that he will be very successful. But prior to making such a decision, it is mandatory to consider the financial costs and time implications associated with undertaking these high risk projects. The realization that similar firms or firms operating in competing business environments have incorporated the use of feasibility studies should act as a trigger that will help in identifying the near proximal facts related to undertaking the proposed projects (Hmieleski & Corbett, 2006, p 45). Therefore, the following considerations have to be made by Mr. White when making a decision on whether or not to use feasibility studies. First, he has to answer the question: why undertake a feasibility study?
The answer to this question lies in the facts presented in the following argument where the pros and the cons of feasibility studies are highlighted while also a comparison is made between the use of feasibility study and a business plan. First of all, Mr. White must be aware that coming up with a new venture is a difficult process. It is not only involving but tiring and time consuming. In spite of this, most of these ideas do not materialize to become as big as the entrepreneurs ever imagined. In fact, some of the businesses that become operational fail in the first six months. Thus, before making any investment, it is very advisable to ascertain the economic viability of the project. The advantages to be realized from the project have to outweigh the disadvantages and the potential risk factors likely to be experienced. A feasibility study is the most preferred tool to achieving these objectives. Without it, then the number of start-up failures could be much higher. High growth community projects are often capital intensive and involving in terms of expenditure, planning and operations. The importance of feasibility studies is therefore seen in its ability to identify areas of focus while providing alternatives that could be undertaken by the entrepreneur so as to maximize on the expected returns or increase the chances of business success (Jeffrey, 2007, p 37). This scenario is supported by the case study on XYZ where the management is notified on the availability of three manufacturing machine. Each of the machines has its advantages and disadvantages thus the management has to make a decision based on the information.
The second major reason for using feasibility studies is to narrow the alternatives faced by an entrepreneur. There are instances under which an entrepreneur might have several business proposals. As much as each of these proposals might look lucrative when analyzed from an entrepreneurs’ viewpoint, a feasibility study might help identify finer details that will make one of the projects stand out from the rest thus, the project will be prioritized over the others. The third advantage is that the feasibility studies provide information that is substantial to guide decision making. Apart from the documentation of important quantitative information, it is an evidence that an entrepreneur took time to investigate on the subtle factors associated with investing in a certain project. These documents are vital when soliciting for external financing for the projects. On the flip side, using feasibility studies has been associated with certain limitations or demerits. The feasibility study cannot substitute a business plan. The plan comes after a feasibility study especially when the project is in its developmental stages. A business plan tends to respond to the issues raised in the feasibility study where most of the outcomes identified in the feasibility study will form a basis for writing a business plan. First of all, the feasibility study does not identify new concepts or ideas regarding the project. The ideas have to be identified by the entrepreneur before the study can be conducted. The feasibility study is therefore dependent on the assumptions developed by the entrepreneur thus an impartial or unrealistic proposal will lead to a misleading study thus its effectiveness will be significantly reduced. According to Michele (2008, p 111), the leaders of a business might be pressured into skipping a feasibility analysis because there is a high chance that an existing business has succeeded and so are the chances that the new venture will succeed. At times the reports presented by the feasibility advisors and consultants do not reflect the real time information that can guide an entrepreneur into making viable decisions. This means that the read advantages of a feasibility study can only be realized if the study is done accurately.
There are differences between a feasibility study and a business plan. Whereas a feasibility study investigates the possibility of success, a business plan provides an outline towards the realization of the proposal made in the feasibility study. A feasibility study is an affirmation that a business is likely to succeed thus it can help narrow down different project scenarios while a business plan will only deal with one project (James, 2014, p 9). A feasibility study is followed by a business plan, which means that in the event the feasibility study discontinues a certain project a business plan will not be made.
Recommendations for the Organization
Reflecting on the discussions derived from the case study of XYZ Company, assessments and critical thoughts revolving around the need to conduct feasibility studies, it is evident that a feasibility study plays a pivotal role in managing start-up ventures. As a feasibility advisor, I will encourage Mr. White to consider writing up the business proposals for the different high growth community projects then they can be studies by use of the two classifications identified in the literature review. The sub-groupings for the feasibility study to be conducted will include undertaking a cost based and time based feasibility study on these businesses (Matson, 2010, p 90). The cost based study will identify all the economic parameters concerning financing and financial risks while time based studies will identify the time frame for initiating the project and the possibility of breaking even. On a general scale, the feasibility study for Community Crusaders has to follow the following format which begins with an executive summary section. It is in this section that assumptions are documented which then leads to making of inferences on the important findings and recommendations. The introduction section describes the projects and makes a justification on why the community development project is viable. It also introduces the general settings of the project and the needs identified in the immediate environment/ market needs. Third section has to state the industry background where basic information on the industry, feasibility and implications and the economic conditions identified in the industry. The fourth section has to contain information on marketing where the market potential will be analysed, the attributes of the market will be noted in relation to the limitations or ease of entering and penetrating the market. Technical and operational characteristics will form the bulk of the fifth section which will handle concerns regarding labour supply, technical skills, location considerations and the operational capacity and the subsequent efficiency of the Community Crusaders project. Sixth section will consider financial projections such as; revenues, net income, costs, capital requirements, pro forma cash flow statements, accumulated equity and financial plan for the company. The seventh section will have a summary and recommendation for the project followed by an appendix section.
Conclusion
In conclusion, feasibility studies provide a window through which an investor can peep into the viability of a business idea and determine if it is worth risking both time and money. A standard feasibility study has to entail a summarized cost and time analysis which is sub-divided into groupings that will facilitate guiding the data collection process (Justis & Kreigsmann, 2009, p 39). The finance section and marketability section represent the most important sections thus they have to be meticulous. The finance section analyzes the financial risks and implication of the business on the industry as a whole. While assessing financial risks, it has to be noted that the high risk ventures are often more profitable since most investors tend to shy away from such projects. But prior to making such a decision, it is mandatory to consider the financial costs and time implications associated with undertaking these high risk projects. The realization that similar firms or firms operating in competing business environments have incorporated the use of feasibility studies should act as a trigger that will help in identifying the near proximal facts related to undertaking the proposed projects. Likewise, the marketing section incorporates a critical look at the market factors that would either undermine or promote the marketability of the products and services. The market analyses are important when investing in high growth community investments since it assesses the potential of selling the products and services to the community. A feasibility study, therefore, identifies the potential output of a project thus the management has a decision to make between continuing with the project or abandoning it in the event that the output falls below the desired input.
References
Benjamin, S. & Fabrycky, W. (2010). Systems engineering and analysis. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd.
Bentley, L. & Whitten, J. (2007). System Analysis & Design for the Global Enterprise. London: Kogan Page Limited.
Brinkman, E. (2010). Research about business success- and fail factors of starters (Master thesis). Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.
Ciavarella, M. & Buckholtz, A. (2011). The big five and venture survival: Is there a linkage? Journal of Business Venturing, 1(9), 465-483
Dana, L. (2010). Nunavik, Arctic Quebec: Where Co-operatives Supplement Entrepreneurship. Global Business and Economics Review Journal, 12 (1), 42–71.
Deakins, D. & Freel, M. (2009). Entrepreneurial activity, the economy and the importance of small firms: Entrepreneurship and small firms. London: McGraw-Hill Education.
Gelderen, M. & Bosma, N. (2008). Success and risk factors in the pre startup phase. Small Business Economics Journal, 24 (4), 365-380
Georgakellos, D. & Marcis, A. (2009). Application of the semantic learning approach in the feasibility studies preparation training process. Information Systems Management, 26 (3), 231-240.
Herrmann, N. (2009). The whole brain business book. London: McGraw-Hill.
Hmieleski, K. & Corbett, A. (2006). Proclivity for improvisation as a predictor of entrepreneurial intentions. Journal of Small Business Management, 44 (1), 45-63.
James, W. (2014). Your Small Business Adventure: Finding Your Niche and Growing a Successful Business. New York: ALA/Huron Street Press.
Jeffrey, N. (2007). Psychology: concepts and applications. Illinois: Cengage Learning.
Justis, R. & Kreigsmann, B. (2009). The feasibility study as a tool for venture analysis. Business Journal of Small Business Management, 17 (1), 35-42.
Lumpkin, G. & Dess, G. (2006). Clarifying the entrepreneurial orientation construct and linking it to performance. Academy of Management Review, 21, p. 135-172.
Matson, J. (2010). Cooperative feasibility study guide. New York: ABC Press.
A technology solution to a business problem in a specific company or organization that adds value
Order Instructions:
Objective
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Provide an opportunity for students to apply a technology solution to a business problem in a specific company or organization that adds value to the organization.
Guidelines
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Week 1: Begin thinking of a business problem that could be solved with a technology solution for a company or organization you are familiar with. Use the Q&A Forum to ask questions and discuss your ideas about the project. See the Course Project Technical Areas for ideas.
Week 2: Complete the Course Project Proposal using this format:
Course Project Proposal (1-2 pages, 75 points, due week 2, properly cite any external sources used)
Cover page
1.Subject of Course Project
2.Business problem statement
3.Name of the company or organization
4.Brief description of proposed solution
5.General benefits it will provide the organization
6.Audience to whom you are presenting the recommendation
SAMPLE ANSWER
Introduction about the company
Apple Inc. is an American multinational corporation dealing in designing, developing and selling of various consumer electronics such as personal computers, online services and computer software. The company well known products include ipod media player, Mac line of computers, iphone Smartphone among many others (Linzmayer, 1999). The company was founded in 1976 by 1976 and has evolved over the years to become the world second largest company in information technology after Samsung Electronics (Carr, 2013). It is as well credited as the largest world mobile phone maker. To regain this position, the company must make its decisions well by considering different options. The supply channel is a very critical problem that requires insightful thinking before reaching a solution.
Business problem statement
Apple Inc. increased supply channel conflict with its B2B supply channel is a matter of great concern. The company keeps terminating its distribution agreements with its distributors’ which is unfavorable for business (Apple Inc., 2010). The company has adopted a strategy which is meant to actively edge out it distributors by establishing self-owned stores. This is a strategy seen as strange by many since it is virtually impossible to build or establish stores globally (Muneesh & Sareen, 2012). As matter of fact its sales would drastically decrease before it covers any substantial ground in constructing the stores. Constructing its stores in various regions across the globe is an expensive affair that will cost the company lots of money. This strategy as well would take quite long time before completion, as the processes may be lengthy. Using already established distributors seems to be the most essential opportunity as the infrastructure is already in place. This option will as well take short period and the company will continue to enjoy large market share increasing its revenue. Since Apple Inc. is a company involved in provisions of technological solutions it can do better than avoid solving the supply channel conflict by building stores.
Proposed solution
The proposed solution for Apple Inc. in solving its B2B supply channel conflict is through e-commerce rather than the mechanical solution they have adopted.
E-commerce has shown great potential in solving B2B channel conflict.
E-commerce will reestablish harmony between the company and its distributors (Muneesh & Sareen, 2012).
This strategy involves carefully and in consultation with the channel partners resolving issues causing conflict such as pricing, promotion, distribution, communication and coordination.
A high-level solution involves ensuring that Apple Inc. increases its sales significantly through e-commerce adoption in conflict resolving.
General benefits to Apple Inc.
To start with, to Apple supply channel conflict will be a thing of the past, which will translate to more sales. The company’s sales will increase significantly, since its products will be offered through more than one channel that is self-owned stores, distributor’s stores and online (Muneesh & Sareen, 2012). Thirdly, the company will have opportunity to focus on the clients’ needs through product development.
Audience
These recommendations are directed to company’s top management who make decisions that affect the company’s entire operations. The top management have been unable to generate a solution that will eradicate conflict on the supply channel thus these recommendations will go a long way towards assisting them rethink the earlier strategies.
Preliminary analysis of leadership and organizational behavior concepts
Leadership and organizational behavior play a critical role when making certain decisions. The leadership of the company must be flexible and accommodate other people advice on this important undertaking. The leadership is required to evaluate the options putting in mind the kind of results they want to achieve in future. Organizational behaviors as well are important in reaching an amicable solution. The organization has a positive public image as one of the company that meets the interests and needs of the audience when producing its products. Therefore, the decision should as well consider the organization behaviors and perception.
Muneesh, K., & Sareen, M. (2012). Trust and technology in B2B e-commerce: Practices and strategies for assurance. Hershey, PA: Business Science Reference.
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2,000-word essay with supporting visual documentation, accurate referencing. Describe and analyze an experimental design or designer’s work on exhibition at Feral Experimental at UNSW galleries, drawing on a theoretical framework discussed during the semester and critically engaging with design discourse on a contemporary issue, such as globalization, sustainability and consumerism.
SAMPLE ANSWER
The Kindred Design on Globalization
The Feral Experimental Exhibition describes several topics from different designers. The show therefore describes the content of the presentations alongside all the designs, the consequences to both the surrounding and the design itself. The topics areas addressed are the cooperative design, the design involving speculation the design that engages people through participation and the one through each person is involved.
The speculative design process does not concentrate on a given problem that needs to be addressed. The design focuses on a given starting point that is very influential upon which a given design emanates (Galeffi, 2009, 199-200).
Participatory design was initially referred to as the Cooperative design (Co-design) (Karakas, 2011). This design basically incorporates every player in a given field in the development of a particular design in order to ensure the outcomes are relevant. Those involved in this scenario include those who employee people, the general public, clients, partners and the consumers (Steen, 2013, 201).
Interaction Design addresses the issue of how people carry out themselves in a given field. It develops systems, services, information technology and the surroundings (Karakas, 2011, 199). This design mainly organizes the digital world to enhance its utilization by the people
Exploratory Experimental Design tries to solve a particular problem in research especially in areas with very limited or no research work having been carried out at all. The main aim is to come up with new ideas or add new information to the already existing one.
Kindred Spirits is a design that is a cooperative research project which was designed in collaboration with the people of the drug rehabilitation clinic in Netherlands (Matisoff & Edwards, 2014, 133). The design was developed by Susana CamaraLeret hence became part of the research project of the government. The project was intended to portray an imaginary clinical setting composed of a mixture of creatures with different characters. The design specifically tries to explain about a person who is self-centered and shares the attitudes, features, beliefs and feelings only with oneself. The Kindred spirit comes into two forms that include a crustacean with claws to handle anything and a trumpet-like creature that speaks to the hearts of the people. The crustacean offers a relaxing environment hence good to listen to. This is in relation to its brainwaves that offer that conducive environment which makes someone feel relaxed. On the other hand, trumpet-like creature is very cooperative and listens to every issue. This creature therefore influences the surrounding hence one is able to appreciate and give in to the every event
Therefore, Kindred spirits is the close relationship between the normal needs of every creature and the excellent and most appealing needs in our everyday life. Consequently, Kindred spirit project harmonizes both what people imagine about and what they desire in real life situation. It also develops hands on feeling in order to make people have other options in life in future. As a result of this design, people are made to reform especially in things that they are so used to.
The main agenda of this design is to influence how people think hence change their mindset. This is mainly achieved by making someone feel relaxed in the mind hence be able to influence others through conversation. The design involves contribution in the comprehension and development of very important roles for the designers in very many aspects. With this approach, those involved especially the designers have to play a critical role in sorting out challenges in the society hence the beginning of the introduction of this design. Through this design therefore, the designers are well equipped with the necessary skills to come up with solutions to every problem. In addition, the designers are able to make the economy more competitive through the strategic role design. This eventually benefits both the designers and the society which becomes more flexible. Besides, the strategic designers will come up with new ways of solving problems that had never been imagined of.
Kindred spirit design is therefore applied in coming up with appropriate solution to globalization. According to Guy (1997), globalization sorts out problems in the society by offering a chance for enhancement in flexibility, improvement in quality and generation of better ways of designing liberalization of economic trade. He further states that globalization involves interaction of several aspects in the society especially in the advancement of information technology, advancement in the strategic moves especially in the manufacturing industry. Furthermore, he suggests that consumer culture results from the exponential growth of demand. The design profession is imbricated in this process because it creates a demand for its services through the excessive production typical of market expansion. In addition, he defends market expansion, rarely discusses the eco-effects of design innovation/over-production. Julier (1997) believes the consumer is a self-determining agent involved in the “exercise of private, personal choice within the market”, but he also concedes that consumerism “concerns the manipulation of needs and wants by dominant institutions”.
Rather than seeing inequality as the most apt term to describe how contemporary capitalism creates unequal relations between producers and consumers, Julier (1997) suggests that the concept of mutuality better characterizes the closeness that exists among the different form of economies that are present on earth. The varied views about reduction of the world into a very small village states that the world has to comply with the requirements of the multinational bodies in the whole world. The view of this idea is that such kind of ruling means that the developing countries are only being forced to adopt foreign values that do not belong to them. Therefore the big challenge is how to address the question as to whether reduction of the world into a very small village has any help to the third world countries. The argument is that, the reduction of the world into a very small village has only helped specific people.
According to Gui (1997), who was influential in the Design for Need and Appropriate Technology debates of the 1970s and 1980s, sees the effects of globalization on design as being a very important part towards improving people’s lives around the world. The writer therefore supports industrialization and designing as the means to bringing development in both the developed and the developing countries in the world. To begin with, Bonsiepe (1997) relates underdevelopment of most countries to the selfishness of some multinational organization whose interest is to exploit countries around the world. The writer further states that the reduction of the world into a very small village is the main reason as to why the developing countries are very poor. This also applies to some countries in the western nations. In addition, the writer reports that, reduction of the world into a very small village is the reason as to why there is increased rate of pollution of the environment. Therefore, these organizations embrace capitalism and always think that the resources are always present and should be exploited. In addition, they perceive environmental pollution as a very insignificant factor.
While Julier (1997) provides a useful description of how globalisation operates in design, he does not address the tensions and inequalities produced by globalisation. In contrast, Bonsiepe ( 1997) agrees that these approach of utilizing resources around the world due to the reduction of the world into a very small village is the main cause why people have no power to express how this move is affecting the environment. The writer is against all forms of this design especially the ones involved in promoting this ideology to the entire world. The writer further rubbishes the current move for different nations to associate in terms of what they consume. He further states that, independence beyond just choosing or deciding on what one wants to consume.
Market as a euphemism that obscures how corporations exert power over consumers, while exploiting the notion of consumer sovereignty for profit. The main concern rising from the world reducing into a global village is whether the current move promotes independence among nations or just countries that depend on others for survival. The writer therefore relates this move to the artistic work in a theatre in that reduction of the world into a very small village is not beneficial to the common people but to the few who are in control of all the affairs. In further analysis of the fetishisation of designed objects he draws attention to design’s role in branding to penetrate world markets in globalisation.
Third, a key factor in the proliferation of design through branding, Foster argues, is the
expanded role of the media and computing in the promotion of consumerism. On this basis, he argues that the inflation of design creates passivity in citizens, moulding them as consumers whose social role is reduced to making choices.
Within a context of the design globalised world, Foster observes a recurrence of the past ways of doing business in the current society and that the people involved are not ready to change their ways of thinking. The writer does not see any positive thing about this move but rather exploitation of people, meaning they “exist in the shadow of old genres”, He argues spectral artworks suggest regret for what has been lost. He says that this works reconcile so many forgotten works of art hence they make someone remember about the past sufferings making someone see no meaning of advancement from the past into the present world., and according to conflicting perspectives products. Artworks that evoke historical precedents also prompt memories of alternatives to globalization, and thereby interrupt the totalizing impulses of globalisation. In other words, alternatives exist in historical references that, although incomplete, are available to develop as viable substitutes to the socio-cultural dominance of global capital.
Foster defines such options as a mix between the future and the present. He contends that unresolved issues of the past are revisited in contemporary spectral artworks. Although Foster concedes the spectral quality of such artworks may be a “weak critique”, he insists they question the concepts that underpin globalisation by recalling the “wish symbols” and “forfeited dreams” of the culture in which it occurs assumptions about the structural coherence of the field of visual art in relation to society in the contemporary context of globalization.
Bonsiepe (1997) and Julier (1997) perceive globalization differently thus, Bonsiepe relates the economic decline of some nations to certain multinational companies who have selfish interests. The author perceives reduction of the world into a very small village as a way in which people look at the different blessings of wealth that countries own in both the developing and the developing countries. He further observes that, globalization results into enhanced environmental mass wastage due to need for amassing wealth by every individual. To such people who exploit resources, their main agenda is utilizing the resources without caring about tomorrow especially the effect it has to the environment. While Julier (1997) provides a useful description of how globalisation operates in design, he does not address the tensions and inequalities produced by globalisation. In contrast, Bonsiepe (1997) contends that the design should always focus on responsible use of the resources in order to take care of the future generations and also how to conserve and preserve the environment.
Conclusion
Designers and the public in particular develop their understanding of the world, the design of a toaster, and other people according to implicit theoretical frameworks. The world operates differently hence one need to understand different theories in order to comprehend these uncertainties. Planning in terms of designing therefore depends on having a fairly accurate understanding of the factors influencing a design situation.
In most cases, when researchers talk about a theory, they are actually talking about ideas that are relied on to understand a situation, but that have also been formalized in a philosophy or ‘capital-T’ theory. Externalizing implicit or unconscious theories is an important part of research because it makes ideas and assumptions open and available for questions to be asked about them without a formalized theory that pulls together many separate indistinct thoughts or assumptions. Therefore design researchers cannot really analyze or criticize their own and others’ designs and ideas.
In any research work, determination of the success of the design used is vital. Economic growth therefore based on productivity is the highest social value. This means that design success is evaluated solely within a quantitative framework according to economic measures. On the other hand, positivist refers to the fact the only information that is true is that information that has been researched through a scientific process.
Positivism follows scientific method in its rejection of all sources of data that cannot be backed up with empirical evidence. Positivist design analysis, therefore, holds that design, like science, can only be based on objective truths or universal laws. The focus on economic growth to evaluate a design’s success and the scientisation of design analysis rejects reflexivity in design practice and therefore the critical premises of experimental design (Fry, 1994, 89-100).
References
Benyus, Janine M., Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature (New York: HarperCollins, 2002). First published by William Morrow, 1997.
Bonsiepe, Gui, Interface: An Approach to Design, ed. Dawn Barrett (Maastricht: Jan van Eyck Akademie, Department of Design, 1999).
Draxler, Helmut, ‘Letting Loos(e): Institutional Critique and Design’, Art after Conceptual Art, ed.s
Galeffi, A 2009, ‘Biographical and Cataloguing Common Ground: Panizzi and Lubetzky, Kindred Spirits Separated by a Century’, Library & Information History, 25, 4, pp. 227-246.
Karakas, F 2011, ‘Positive Management Education: Creating Creative Minds, Passionate Hearts,and Kindred Spirits’, Journal Of Management Education, 35, 2, pp. 198-226.
Matisoff, D, & Edwards, J 2014, ‘Kindred spirits or intergovernmental competition? Theinnovation and diffusion of energy policies in the American states (1990–2008)’, EnvironmentalPolitics, 23, 5, pp. 795-817.
McDonough, William, and Michael Braungart, Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make
Steen, M, Arendsen, J, Cremers, A, De Jong, A, De Jong, J, & De Koning, N 2013, ‘Usinginteractive model simulations in co-design: An experiment in urban design’, Codesign, 9, 1, pp.2-16 .Things (New York: North Point Press, 2002).
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Product development strategy adopted by an energy company as it attempts to build an effective international innovation strategy.
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This is a report.
Choose two components of the new product development process e.g. idea generation, product development, market analysis, commercialization or product launch and describe and analyses the product development strategy adopted by an energy company as it attempts to build an effective international innovation strategy.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Introduction
The dynamics of technology, competition, and markets have resulted to significant changes to almost all sectors of the global market and one of the activities that have remained most powerful is new product development (Ullman, 2009). Therefore, as global market continue to become more competitive due to increased provision of high quality products and services which are available in a wide range from numerous companies at affordable prices, adoption of new product development on regular basis through a comprehensive innovation policy remains the most important factor to any company a competitive edge in the international market (Bruiyan, 2011). This is attributable to the fact that companies that embrace innovativeness and creativity continue to strongly support their processes of new product development mainly because they make them unique in the market by using innovation and research to produce unique and high quality products. According to Ulrich and Eppinger (2004) new product development process involves all the steps involved in the entire process of developing and introducing new products to the markets. Therefore, in literature new product development is widely defined as the process through which a market opportunity is transformed into a finished product ready for sale either tangible or intangible (Krishna and Ulrich, 2001). However, in order for a new product development process to be successful it is always essential to have a clear understanding of consumer wants and needs, the nature of the market as well as the competitive environment (Kahn, 2013).
This report discusses the new product strategy at Total Energy Company in its attempts towards building an effective international innovation strategy. The reason for choosing Total Energy Company as the case study company for discussion in this report is motivated by the fact that the company has embraced almost all the components involved in the process of new product development, but the report will mainly focus on two components of the process such as idea generation and product development as the key initial stages of new product development process.
Background of Total
Total is a French international energy company operating in over 130 countries that began in 1920’s, then engaging in oil production in the Middle East region (Total, 2014). Over the years the company has widely expanded its operations globally together with diversification of its operations into refining, marketing of petroleum products, as well as production and marketing of chemicals. After almost a century of existence, Total has grown to become one of the leading energy companies in the world based on its cutting edge of innovativeness and new product development (Total, 2014). Total’s oil production activities began in 1924 majorly in the Middle East region, subsequent to the beginning of the expansion of the oil exploration to other countries in 1929 aimed at discovering and developing new resources. At the same year the company began its refining activities. The company’s chemicals business started in the 1960’s when the company’s retail network expansion also continued to grow eventually becoming the presently existing global operation network (Total, 2014).
Throughout Total’s history, the company has always embraced an unwavering emphasis on innovation whereby it discovered its first offshore fields in Gabon in the year 1961. In 1975, the company made its initial foray into solar energy which it has continued to grow until today (Total, 2014). The company also began its initial operations in deepwater drilling in the Mediterranean in 1986 (Total, 2014). Apart from focusing on developing new products through innovation, the company has also embarked on making sure that its customers get value for their money by producing high quality products at affordable prices where in 2011, for instance, the company created the network for Total Access consisting of low-price stations throughout France in order to make sure that its customers obtain its products conveniently and affordably (Total, 2014).
Energy is undoubtedly the most vital factor for improvement of living standards and economic development. This is attributable to the fact that modern day lifestyles rotate around the availability of energy because it helps in driving progress, but to ensure this trend is sustainable changes in the utilization and management of energy are inevitable and Total has been in the front line to use innovation in developing new products that are more efficient and effective (Total, 2014). Total has operations in about 130 countries and it is amongst the top international oil companies as well as a leading natural gas operator, petrochemical producer, refiner, and lubricant and fuel retailer (Total, 2014). Total Energy Company employees also leverage on their acknowledged expertise across the globe towards discovery, production, refinery and distribution of oil and gas for effective provision of products and services to the company customers globally (Total, 2014). The company has also been using its innovation strategy in developing new products, particularly energies that are likely to partner oil and gas. In addition to producing new and improved products that are related to oil and gas, the company has also embarked on producing products that are entirely new from their areas of specialization including solar energy and biomass energy (Total, 2014).
Through its new product development strategy, the company has managed to place itself to be among the market leaders in the global energy sector through its cutting edge exploration and production, gas and power, refining and chemicals as well as production of new and renewable energies particularly solar and biomass (Total, 2014).
Idea Generation
According to Cooper (1990) stage-gate model is definitely the widely used approach to managing development of new products which consists of ideas generated from the need for product improvement, as well as extension of product line and product launch through product innovation. All sections at Total are involved in product development ranging from top level management to the lowest cadre of level employees through strong leadership and integration across the company. Idea generation through innovation and new product development not only involves technical research, but also the total company technology, internal organization of the company, the entire marketing, the consumers and the customers, as well as the technological ambience which surround the company such as the physical and social environments and the competitors presents around the company (Krishna and Ulrich, 2001).
Considering that idea generation is the most crucial step in the new product development process, then this is the step at which the ideas developed through the research & development (R&D) process are refined in order to ensure that they are developed to new products (Smith and Reinertsen, 1998). In a company setting idea generation is definitely the protocol or precursor for the subsequent steps in an idea generation process where a new product is envisaged to be developed. At Total Company research and development (R&D) remains very critical in determining the viable ideas and those which are not. At this stage the company should be able to know if the market research done has provided valid and/or reliable results since the subsequent step in the research process can not be carried out without his/her consent which is often done on the basis on the initial instructions provided by the individual person (Krishna and Ulrich, 2001). Furthermore, the company has been able to highlight the necessary steps that should be followed during the research and development (R&D) process in order to make sure that the company’s production has been improved on the basis of the records kept by marketing and supply staff (Krishna and Ulrich, 2001). This is attributable to the fact that the generated ideas are eventually transformed into viable products that can be marketed and supplied to the general public in order in any viable commercialization of the idea generation towards a product generation.
Product Development
This is undoubtedly the most involving and costly step in the new product development process since it includes prototype development, simulations and designs all the way to the eventual or desired product. At this stage the actual product is produced prior to its commercialization and marketing in order to make sure considerable volumes of the product are sold to ensure the company’s competitive edge is sustained (Yan-mei, 2009). According to Kim and Wilemon (2007) BAH model suggests that the most crucial outcome of any new product production process is to see a finished product from the entire process of new product development where innovation was at the center stage.
Therefore, the considered product development is vital towards making sure that the process is effectively completed. The company has been very proactive towards implementing its industrial property policy aimed at protecting its innovations which has made the company to be amongst the leading energy companies in terms of patents registration. For instance, in 2012 Total in conjunction with Peugeot developed a new car model known as the Peugeot 208 Hybrid FE Concept which had the capacity to produce very low carbon emissions. This was achieved by levering on the cutting-edge expertise of the company staff together with that of its partners. This vehicle is to accelerate to significant speeds within a very short period of time and emit very low levels of carbon into the environment (Total, 2014).
Moreover, Total has been in the forefront towards making sure that its innovations and new product development are aimed at reducing environmental. This has been necessitating the company to make sure its petroleum products have the least negative impact to the environment. For example, in 2009 through its innovativeness the company developed a new diesel product that significantly improved fuel efficiency known as Excellium Diesel which acts as an automotive diesel likely to achieve an average of 2.5% fuel efficiency improvement. This newly developed product has been boosting engine efficiency through its enhancement with specific additives aimed at preventing engine clogging (Total, 2014). This product was also chosen for the Total Ecosolutions label award which the company began to identify the most innovative services or products that offers the best environmental standards or energy performance. The company has been very active in making sure that in the company’s R&D strategy there is a very strong link between the idea generation and product developments stages in the new product development process. This has ensured that Total is able to consistently produce new products into the markets through its cutting edge innovation (Total, 2014). Therefore, by embracing innovation and implementing an appropriate risk management strategy, the company been able to constantly develop new products throughout its history as a mode through which it achieves its competitive advantage against its competitors. The company policy towards innovation and new product development has also been very critical towards ensuring that it remains a frontrunner in the energy sector globally (Total, 2014).
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evidently clear that Total has embraced innovation as an integral part of its day to day operations as a way of matching its solutions towards environmental and energy challenges. Total company has inherently embraced innovation as a way of enhancing new product development to ensure that the company maintains its cutting edge competitiveness in the international market through production of high quality and unique products at affordable prices. Thorough screening of new ideas likely to result to new product development has been in the forefront towards making sure that the company maintains its vigor in innovativeness and new product development both of which are essential in ensuring the company remains competitive in the international market. Thus, idea generation and product development considered in this report seems the most important components of new product development process embraced by the company to make sure it continues to leverage on its innovativeness and risk management for posterity and achieving more global competitiveness.
Reference List
Adler, S.P. (1995) “Interdepartmental interdependence and coordination: The case of the design/manufacturing interface”. Organization science, Vol. 6 Iss: 2, pp. 147-167.
Bruiyan, N. (2011) “A framework for successful new product development”. Journal of industrial engineering and management, Vol. 4 Iss: 4, pp. 746-770.
Cooper, R. (1990) “Stage-gate systems: A new tool for managing new products”. Business Horizons, Vol. 33 Iss: 3, pp. 44-55.
Hargadon, A. (1997) “Technology brokering and innovation in a product development firm”. Administrative science quarterly, Vol. 42 Iss: 4, pp. 716-749.
Kahn, K.B. (2013) The PDMA handbook of new product development, (3rd edition). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Kim, J. and Wilemon, D. (2007) “Sources and assessment of complexity in NPD projects”. R&D Management, Vol. 33 Iss: 1, pp. 16-30.
Krishna, V. and Ulrich, K. (2001) “Product development decisions: A review of the literature”. Management Science, Vol. 47 Iss: 1, pp. 1-21.
Smith, P.G. and Reinertsen, D.G. (1998) Developing products in half the time, (2nd edition). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
Ullman, D.G. (2009) The mechanical design process, (4th edition). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Ulrich, K. and Eppinger, S.D. (2004) Product design and development, (3rd edition). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Yan-mei, Z. (2009) “Cost-benefit of interface management improvement in design-manufacturing chain”. Chinese academy of science and technology management, Vol. 14 Iss: 3, pp. 380-384.
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For this paper it is critical that the writer include specific examples and ideas in the respond to the three main points been raised in this paper, and also the writer must clearly respond to each of the point .
Bottom of the Pyramid Markets
The bottom of the pyramid (BOP) market refers to the four billion people in the world who live on less than two dollars per day. These individuals are typically found in less developed countries. According to World Bank projections, the population of the BOP markets could increase to more than 6 billion people by 2050.
Some people suggest that BOP markets are not viable markets. Most people in the BOP markets live in rural villages or urban slums, have very low literacy rates, and usually do not hold legal title or deed to their assets. They are also hard to reach via conventional marketing channels or promotional vehicles.
Despite these sobering statistics, several articles and books have been written about the abundant market opportunities available in the BOP markets. These authors claim that managers of multinational companies are socialized to dismiss automatically the BOP markets because they judge the market solely based on income or selections of products and services appropriate for developed countries. They urge the managers of these multinational companies to go beyond the usual market opportunity recognition paradigms and meet the challenges posed by these BOP markets, challenges such as how to balance between low cost and high quality considerations in order to reap benefits in these BOP markets.
After reviewing the resources for this week, respond to the following:
• How should multinational companies manage the challenges posed in new product development for BOP markets?
• What are the ethical and strategic implications of marketing to or not marketing to these populations?
• How would this marketing differ from international marketing to more traditional populations?
• Be sure to include specific ideas and examples in your response.
Resources
Readings
Course Text
• Marketing Management
Chapter 20, “Introducing New Market Offerings”
This chapter describes the new product development process and how to most effectively market a new product or service.
Chapter 21, “Tapping into Global Markets”
This chapter discusses the challenges involved in doing business in a global market and outlines how companies can best develop international marketing programs.
Articles
– Anderson, J., & Billou, N. (2007). Serving the world’s poor: Innovation at the base of the economic pyramid. Journal of Business Strategy, 28(2), 14–21. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database.
The authors of this article discuss the challenges of reaching customers in developing nations who often have limited income. They then suggest possible approaches to effectively serve this market.
– Nijssen, E., & Douglas, S. (2008). Consumer world-mindedness, social-mindedness, and store image. Journal of International Marketing, 16(3), 84–107. Retrieved from Business Source Premier database.
As communication technologies are more widely adopted, consumers are able to access information on products, as well as global, social, and ethical issues. The authors of this article develop measures of how this free-flow of information impacts consumers’ views of corporations and whether this type of information influences purchasing decisions.
SAMPLE ANSWER
Products from various markets that are delivered to the bottom of the pyramid segment have been increasing steadily. Multinational companies have found it easy to penetrate these customers despite them encountering a lot of challenges. The challenges faced by these multinational companies in their bid to venture the market include: non-existence distribution channel, corruption, poor infrastructure, war and even lack of robust and enforceable legal frameworks (Anderson & Bilou, 2007). The companies to some extend faces racial conflict, and end up facing enthusiasm from other companies who serve poor people and they are mostly stifled by violent in surgeries. Some companies have developed unique products with the heart to deliver them to their consumers despite others unable to do so due to insurmountable challenges. These companies have improvised strategies of dealing with these challenges which include experimentations, which involve the delivering of service propositions and unique products to most of their world needy consumers. These multinational companies have been able to curb these challenges by taking the responsibility of serving the poor and in return they even gain significant profits in such businesses. Moreover, these companies have also been able to be successful despite the mentioned challenges because they are affordable in the sense that they make their products and services that can within the reach of the bottom pyramid segment (Rhyne, 2009). These companies are well accepted by the people and are aware of the challenges faced by the poor people and so they have an easy time in their dealings.
The choice of operating or not operating at the bottom of the pyramid segment has ethical implications for both the businesses and their clients (Nijssen & Douglass, 2008). Ethically, a business should be in a position to serve their clients, regardless of their social ladder and their physical location. Customers are more sensitive to environmental challenges, and they are informed about the income gap between the rich and the poor in developed and developing countries where they can’t enjoy rights of good wages to be able to climb up the pyramid. It is the responsibility of a business not to neglect any portion of the population and serve all their customers equally. Moreover, it is advisable not to sacrifice the welfare of others because all clients are important in one way or another and those who have should share with those who are challenged by earning low salaries that keeps them at the bottom of the pyramid. The dignity of people should be the most important aspect of any society whereby their welfare is to be considered so as to ensure that they are not always at the bottom of the pyramid.
There is a great challenge of distributing products to the bottom of the pyramid due to lack of established infrastructure that can promote the transport and communication to such persons (Kotler &Keller, 2011). This is a great challenge since it is proved that companies need to improvise better methods of goods distribution to the locals whereas on the other side of international marketing goods are easily availed to the consumers easily. Many customers at the bottom of the pyramid are very much inaccessible to the media where they can get to see product advertisement and so only the one at the top of the pyramid get access to media hence familiarize themselves with many products (Prahalad, 2006). Many people in developing countries survive on daily wages and so money to them may be a problem and this makes them not to be able to afford goods the same way those at the top of the pyramid do. With regards to international marketing, infrastructure is already in place for businesses to exploit and this makes it very easy for them to reach their clients. Moreover, international marketing differs from the bottom of the pyramid marketing in the sense that the former fetches high prices per unit of goods sold.
References
Anderson, J., & Billou, N. (2007). Serving the world’s poor: Innovation at the base of the economic pyramid. Journal of Business Strategy, 28(2), 14–21
Nijssen, E., & Douglas, S. (2008). Consumer world-mindedness, social-mindedness, and store image. Journal of International Marketing, 16(3), 84–107
Prahalad, C.K. (2006).The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid: Eradicating Poverty through Profits. Wharton School Publishing; 1 edition
Rhyne, E. (2009). Microfinance for Bankers and Investors: Understanding the Opportunities and Challenges of the Market at the Bottom of the Pyramid. McGraw-Hill; 1 edition
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The deadline is in 24 hrs not as shown as it was to enable us to get the agreed price.
SAMPLE ANSWER
The Montara Oil Spill
Description of the Issue
The world has been experiencing various disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, and other forms of natural disasters that pose threat to all living things. However, in August 2009, Australia was attacked by an oil spill that took place in Montara oil field in the Timor Sea, which was named Montara oil spill. Montara development project is owned by a company known as PTTEPAA, a subsidiary of Thai production public company limited (PTTEP) and PTT Exploration Company (Cheremisinoff, 2011). The development is situated at Timor Sea that is approximately 250 kilometers in the western side of the Australian coast. The spill occurred after the blowout and fire in the wellhead platform of Montara. Surprisingly, the lick continued for the next 74 days without stoppage although the government and the company worked hard to stop it. The intervention to stop it became successful on the third of November. Within this time, the leak was spreading and threatening the lives of people along the shore. Australian marine safety authority reported that the slick was about 170km from the coast of western of Australia and was moving towards the shore (Guertin, & Neville, 2011). Thai technicians estimated that the flow was about 1500 barrels in the early stages which reduce late to 400 barrels.
The issue in Relation to Common Good and Social Justice
The Montara Oil Spill is an issue of common good or social justice. One of the most dangerous disasters is oil spill. The spill poses threats to all of living things since it interferes with the food chain. Benestad (2012) says that the effects of oil spill stays for years before it ends. An example is Exxon Valdes oil spill which still has the effect on the environment. The issue of montara oil spill looks at the welfare of animals and human beings. Oil on the surface is capable of preventing the passage of oxygen into the sea. In this case, animals including fish are killed destroying the food chain at that point. It is an issue of common good in that, the oil on the surface of the sea can easily explode to an extent that kills plants and animals. The government and the companies involved took a lot of time to stop the slick, however, the companies looked at the welfare of individuals who were affected and rewarded handsomely. On top of that, as assign of social justice and common good of the future generations, the government employed strategies and rules that governs oil exploration so that individuals are not threatened and lives at their best of state. Guertin and Neville (2011) say that by doing that, the government and the responsible companies looked at the welfare of the society which is the principle of common good and social justice.
Stakeholders and their Perspective
There are various groups known as the stakeholders who are involved in this issue in one way or the other. Such stakeholders include the company who was responsible, the Australian government where the issue occurred, the people of Timor who were affected by the issue, and the environment which was affected by the issue. Their perspectives that are discussed here evaluates whether they showed a concern of common good or social justice.
The companies such as Thai-based Company, PTTEP Australasia (PTTEP AA) did not show the common good of the community at the early stages of the slick. Any person can agree that with the help of the government and global companies, the slick could not stay for 74 days. It is therefore the obligation of the company to act as fast as possible because its present in the country is what has caused the spill. Later on, the companies accepted their responsibility that showed social justice. Scibilia et al. (2012) argue that by just agreeing that they were responsible, some people forgive them. The company has pleaded guilty of the act. Fitzpatrick pleaded to be guilty and says that “Mistakes were made that should never be repeated.” The chief executive ken says that “From the outset we have admitted responsibility for the incident and deeply regret it occurring,” in this manner the gentlemen showed their concern for the community about the incidence. The company went ahead and compensated those who were directly affected by the incidence. The company has also changed the culture of operation which assures people of unlikelihood of such incidences in future to protect communities and its people.
Secondly, show of social justice by the Australian government has been criticized in several ways. First, the country prioritizes the economic development and leaves people and the environment at a risk. Even before the incidence happened, the government new that exploration of oil along the shore is not only unhealthy, but also put a lot of threats to the sea. A good way they would have shown the social justice and common good is any prohibiting exploration of the oil in the area. Two, other than just acting after 74 days to get the solution, the government took long duration before compiling t reports about the incidence. It seems that the government is less interested in the community affairs. Martin Ferguson The minister of resource and energy says that the penalties will be put up to $ 320 dollars for companies that will be engaged in such in incidences. According to Cook and Wasson (2013) such kind of penalties would have been long time ago after observing the effects of oil spill of Exxon Valdes. As much as there are mitigation processes about natural disaster, the Australian government has not shown social justice by just giving a fine of $1.7billion to such a wealthy company.
The people of Timor are considered to have suffered the negative side of the social justice. This is through the Australian, Indonesian government and the company. Both of the above parties took considerable time to mitigate such a deadly accident. Report through questionnaire identifies the three groups as very irresponsible and slow in matters that concern several lives. Although the directly affected people were evicted and given shelter by the government after the company compensation, indirectly affected people up to now pose threats to the future generation. The report revealed that there are possibilities of liver intoxication that results from oil compounds. These later problems have not been addresses by either the governments or the company. Therefore, if these conditions are genetic as said by Benestad (2012) the future generation is likely to be affected. All these acts violate the principle of social justice and common good as the future generation is liable to suffer the sins they never committed. It is for these reasons that the people of Timor have seen the other side of common good.
The role that the environment plays to both human beings and animals was violated. The oil spill has affected the life of marine animals and fishes. The lives of birds were also threatened as their wing got stuck on contact with the oil. The mitigation process of using dispersant chemicals reached west Timor which resulted to loss of livelihood of many individuals. The interest of economic development has passed the interest of the environment which host animals and plants. If the government and the companies were in deed considering the common good of individuals, they would have not used another chemical that could pose more threat to people. The compensation does not reclaim the affected land. The company and the government delays on the safe process of montara reclamations so that it becomes to be the home of fauna and flora again.
Analysis of the Issue in Relation to the Stakeholders’ Perspective
There are stakeholders that became part of the issue to see a change in future. Their main reasons are governed by the principles of common good and social justice. These stakeholders believe on the principle of human flourishing which states that “to live within an optimal range of human functioning, one that connotes goodness, generatively, growth, and resilience” (Appleby & Kenny, 2010). Flourishing is the opposite of both languishing and pathology, which are defined as living a life that feels empty and hollow. Flourishing is an optimistic psychology notion, which is a degree of overall life well-being of individuals and is seen as important to the idea of personal success and happiness. These stakeholders are the government, the environment leaders, people of Timor and the religious leaders.
Environmental leaders argue that the environment is the home of all living things and should be kept at high level of sanity. Pritchard, the Director of the Environs Kimberley environment group argues that he was disappointed by the fine that was given to the company. He says “it was an absolutely massive oil spill,” he argues that the fine was too small for an oil exploration company. The environmentalists argue that making the environment clean by all parties is a social justice and common good for both current and the future generation. It is for this reason that Pritchard says that reclaiming the Montara region is more beneficial than compensating the individuals. The point of environment reclamation arises from Exxon Valdes that has taken years to be reclaimed and still pose threats to sea animals and fish. Leaders of the environments’ arguments are based on the reports that the long existing compounds of oil can intoxicate even the future generation. As a result, they say that the common good of people and social justice will only come after the environment where man leaves is made safe for their existence. Benestad (2012) adds that in making political and economic decisions, states should focus and evaluates the effects on such decisions on the environment which is the home of people.
When the interests of individuals come to be the priority of the nation, social justice becomes the order of the day (Renn, Baram, & Lindøe, 2014). That is the stand of Timor people. In this situation, the government gives the economic development a priority and neglects the citizens. Melé (2014) says that when the economic principle become the priority of the state, the leaders can do anything including sacrificing the citizens to gain political and economic fame. As the stakeholder of the issue, the agreement between the companies and the government to allow the oil exploration on shore without proper precaution of spills which have been seen in other countries was a move to violate the social justice and common good of the citizens. Thus, there point concerning social justice is that people’s interests in a country should come first before the economic interest. In this case, people of Timor are likely to get intoxicated; they have been evicted from their place of living hence the principle human flourishing is violated as people of Timor live under condition that they must survive.
The religious leaders draw their argument from religious perspective and sandwich it with human flourishing. They say that no human being should suffer the consequences of other human beings. The act of subjecting innocent individuals to serious suffering such as contacting liver diseases does not only violates religious principles but is also injustice. The religious consequences of the act are harsh and can lead to total demolition of the company out of the country. Religious leaders also agree with environmental leaders that the company has been given small fine that is incomparable to the effects It has caused to the future generation that will be affected by the oil compounds since it takes years to disappear from the environment. In a bid to stop future explosion, the religious leaders called for an environment that regards God’s creations as important aspects in the world. Hence, a culture that respects them should be fostered.
The fact that the government has employed and initiated acts such as a fine of $320 billion on companies that may be caught in such incidence in future will assist to guard the common good. In this manner, the companies will ensure that every aspect of precaution and mitigation actions is put in place to avoid human humiliation and violate the social justice. The government has also provided the shelter of the evictee after compensation that calls for the principle of human flourishing. Although people of Timor are complaining of future effects of the oils spill, the government has solved the current problem.
Evaluation
Following this discussion, it important to negotiate a balance that exists between social justice and development; environmentally sustainable development and just development. After evaluating those aspects regarding this case study, a definition of social justice, human flourishing, and common good will be automatically seen. Therefore, the oil company should put the interest of its citizens first before the development interest. The company should also look for better solutions of such predicaments if they happen in future. If those factors are observed, both the company and the government will be institutions that foster human flourishing, common good, and social justice.
References
Appleby, B., & Kenny, N. P. (2010). Relational Personhood, Social Justice and the Common Good: Catholic Contributions toward a Public Health Ethics. Christian Bioethics: Non-Ecumenical Studies In Medical Morality, 16(3), 296-313
Benestad, J. (2012). 4. Seeking the Common Good through Justice and Social Justice. In , Catholic moral thought (p. 143). The Catholic University of America Press.
Cheremisinoff, N. P., & Davletshin, A. R. (2011). Emergency Response Management of Offshore Oil Spills : Guidelines for Emergency Responders. Salem, MA: Scrivener
Cook, E., & Wasson, K. (2013). The Common Good and Common Harm. National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly, 13(4), 617-624.
Guertin, L., & Neville, S. (2011). Utilizing Google Earth to Teach Students about Global Oil Spill Disasters. Science Activities, 48(1), 1-8.
Melé, D. (2014). ‘Human Quality Treatment’: Five Organizational Levels. Journal Of Business Ethics, 120(4), 457-471.
Renn, O., Baram, M. S., & Lindøe, P. (2014). Risk Governance of Offshore Oil and Gas Operations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
Scibilia, D. P., Giamario, P., & Rogers, M. (2009). Learned Piety: Education for Justice and the Common Good in Jesuit Secondary Education. Peace & Change, 34(1), 49-61.
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Assessment Item 1: Reading Log
Rationale
Reading logs help students interact with reference materials. They provide a record of what students have read and a starter to discuss what they achieved by reading it. They help students reflect on themselves as readers.
Reading log entry criteria
1. The correct citation of the reference;
2. The main thesis of the reference;
3. Any predictions or applicability to future states or about what might happen next;
4. How you felt about what you have read in terms of accuracy, applicability, reliability, validity and generalizability;
5. Issues in the reading that you agree with;
6. Issues in the reading that you disagree with
7. Why the material read is useful (or not).
The Task
1. For each module (Module 1, 2 and 3) pick two articles from the course reference resources/bibliography plus one that is not on the list (has been discovered by literature searches etc.) So for each module you will select 3 articles, 2 that are in the course and one non-course. This means you will be writing a total of 9 entries in your reading log.
2. Using the above seven (7) criteria listed in the rationale section, write at least 200 words and no more than 300 words on each of the reference materials selected
3. For the article that is non-course (that you found by literature search) you must supply a copy of the reference by:
scanning and attaching to your reading log; or
supplying a hyperlink to the actual article.
Failure to do so will mean that all marks (see mark allocation below) for that part of the log will be forfeited.
4. This means you will supply a total of three (3) non-course supplied reference materials, one for each module.
5. The non-course supplied reference must be applicable to the course module being studied prior to the due date of the Reading Journal Entry.
6. Each set of three (3) readings for each of the modules are worth a total of 100 marks and when aggregated, this accounts for 40% of the total mark for this subject. See mark allocation below.
Marks
Mark allocation for Assessment Item – Reading Logs – For each group of three references per module:
1 x non-course supplied reading entry 200 words log
entry 40 marks
2 x Course supplied reading entry 200 words log entry 60 marks
TOTAL
100 marks
Assignment submission
• Students are to submit each of their Reading Log Entries via Turnitin Submission points below. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO OTHER FORM OF SUBMISSION WILL BE ACCEPTED.
• Use the Turnitin draft submission point below to upload your draft reading logs. Turnitin will produce a text-matching report. Carefully check and consider
the text matching report before submitting your final copy. (Please note that there are two submission points, one draft and one final, so that you can
review your submission in the draft folder and make necessary changes before submitting your final copy in the final folder).
Before you submit it is important that you read the following documents:
• Instructions for submitting your assignment via Turnitin.pdf
• Viewing your marked assignment
• Interpreting Turnitin originality/text-matching report.pdf
• Please be aware that e-mailed word documents will not be accepted. Late mark penalties will apply as per University policy and re-stated in the assessment
plan section of this course web site.
• The due dates and times given above under due dates are the latest that students may lodge their Reading Log Entries. Entries after that date will incur
late penalties as per University policy.
Marking criteria
Criteria Marks
Citation 2
The main thesis 8
Predictions and applicability 15
Opinion on accuracy, reliability and validity 15
Issues you agree with 20
Issues you disagree with 20
Why is this article useful/not useful 20
Topic M1 Health Care Systems
The following l provides the Bibliography for this MODLE
1-Bibliography
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2016) Australia’s Health http://www.aihw.gov.au/ Accessed January 2016
Curtis, S., & Taket, A. (1996). Health and societies: Changing perspectives. London:
Arnold.
Detels, Roger; Beaglehole, Robert; Lansang, Mary Ann; Gulliford, Martin, Oxford
Textbook of Public Health, 5th Edition, Copyright (c) 2009 Oxford University Press. Ovid
Technologies Accessed 6 January 2011
Duckett S J (2007) The Australian Health Care System – 3rd University Press
Roemer, M. I. (1985). National strategies for health care organisation: A world overview.
Ann Arbor, MI: Health Administration Press.
Wall, A. (Ed.). (1996). Conclusion. In Health care systems in liberal democracies (pp.
183.199). London: Routledge.
WHO, Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the
International Health Conference, New York, 19-22 June, 1946; signed on 22 July 1946
by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization,
no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948.
World Health Organization. (2000). The world health report 2015. Geneva: Author.
Retrieved (n.d.), from http://www.who.int/whr32
World Health Organisation, (2013) Social Determinants of Health, The Solid Facts
Doggett, J (2017) A new approach to primary care for Australia, June 2007
Duckett S J (2017) The Australian Health Care System – 3rd University Press Edition Oxforrd.
Palmer G and Short S Health Care and Public Policy: An Australian Analysis 3rd Edition, 2000
Macmillan Publishers Australia Pty Ltd
Saunders P and Davidson P Rising Poverty is Bad for Our Health Medical Journal of Australia, Vol 87
No 9 Nov 2007 p 530-531
World Health Organisation, (2013) Social Determinants of Health, The Solid Facts
3- Bibliography
Aday, L. A., Begley, C. E., Lairson, D. R., & Slater, C. H. (1998).
Introduction to health services research and policy analysis. In Evaluating the healthcare system: Effectiveness, efficiency, and equity (2nd ed., pp. 1.3,
247.273). Chicago: Health Administration Press.
Aday, L. A., Begley, C. E., Lairson, D. R., & Balkrishnan, R. (2014). Introduction to Health Services Research and Policy Analysis. In L. A. Aday (Ed.), Evaluating the healthcare system: effectiveness, efficiency, and equity (3rd ed.). Chicago, USA: Health Administration Press.
Armstrong, B. K., Gillespie, J. A., Leeder, S. R., Rubin, G. L., & Russell, L. M. (2007). Challenges in health and health care for Australia. Med J Aust,
187(9), 485-489. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442459734
Braveman, P., & Gruskin, S. (2013). Defining equity in health. J Epidemiol Community Health, 57(4), 254-258. doi: 10.1136/jech.57.4.254
Courtney and Briggs (2014). Health Care Financial Management. Chruchill-Livingstone. Sydney.
Courtney, M. D., & Briggs, D. (2014). Health care financial management. Marrickville: Elsevier Australia.
Department of Health, National Health Service, (2018) Real Involvement Working with People to Improve Health Services October 2008
Department of Health Commissioning and System Management (Patient and Public Empowerment). (2018). Real involvement: Working with people to improve.
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