Abstract A discussion of the recent problem of mandatory overtime, the legislation and its effects on the worker. The essay is a two-article complementary critique on eliminating the unsafe working practice of mandatory overtime.
From the Paper "Nurses are becoming tired and overworked! As an Emergency Room RN , I can sympathize with the emerging nursing shortage. Mandatory overtime is becoming commonplace, and it is unsafe. In Mandatory Overtime-when enough is enough, M. O?Leary looks at why the nursing profession is not treated like other jobs that deal with the responsibility of human lives. ?When pilots fly, they do not have to work unsafe overtime because lives are in their hands. Semi- truck drivers also do not have to work unsafe overtime because lives are in their hands.? (O?Leary, 2000) Now, the mandatory overtime discussed is not the type when a nurse needs to stay later and catch up on charting. We all know it gets busy. This overtime is the type that employers require one to stay for a set number of hours after their regular hours have already been worked. ?As a result we must take additional actions in order to protect nurses from being forced into unsafe staffing environments by the growing risk of unsafe overtime.? (O?Leary, 2000)"
Abstract Napster is a program allowing users to directly transfer music files without the aid of a centralized file server. Full-length songs may be exchanged in mere minutes through the program, and neither the artists nor the record companies are compensated for their work. The daunting prospect of consumers freely downloading complete libraries of music propelled the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to successfully sue Napster for trafficking in piracy. This paper analyzes the arguments made by both sides, investigates the virtues of the verdict, and discusses other court outcomes that would have been more beneficial to all parties involved. In addition, lawsuits of other file-sharing applications are discussed, including the likely outlook of Internet peer-to-peer sharing for the future.
From the Paper "The advent of the Internet has enabled users to promptly and effortlessly share information between one another as never before. While the vast majority of individuals embrace this new technology as a blessing, the capacity to impart so much data has produced a crisis regarding copyright infringement. Napster is a program allowing users to directly transfer music files without the aid of a centralized file server. Individuals are able to gain access to an immense library of copyrighted music, thus rattling the record industry.1 Full-length songs may be exchanged in mere minutes through the program, and neither the artists nor the record companies are compensated for their work. The daunting prospect of consumers freely downloading complete libraries of music propelled the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to successfully sue Napster for trafficking in piracy. The following will analyze the arguments made by both sides, investigate the virtues of the verdict, and discuss other court outcomes that would have been more beneficial to all parties involved. One such result would incorporate monthly fees and bonus features into the software, which would appease the RIAA's concerns and also allows Napster to continue its operations. In addition, the lawsuits recently launched against Morpheus, Kazaa, Grokster, and My.Mp3.com are predicted to result in the continuance of their operations, given that illegitimate files are removed from their respective systems."
Abstract As Internet usage for both personal and professional purposes continues to increase, it is essential that e-based businesses keep a close eye and open mind on the evolvement of web-based technologies. E-business is booming, but without a strategic plan in place that provides flexibility, many companies will miss the E-business train. The author of this paper feels that the key to ensuring that a company will emerge stronger and more successful in the struggle for e-survival will come from its ability to use new Internet business tools, and not to completely abandon them. One of these tools is the many Internet surveys now available. They can provide organizations with the ability to monitor, analyze and identify trends as to where their customers are coming from (e.g., both geographically and intellectually), who they are in relation to demographics, and what their preferences are. This report reviews survey methodologies and results from the Graphics Visualization and Usability (GVU) Center of Georgia Institute of Technology, and from the Survey.Net of the InterCommerce Corporation.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Differences in Data Collection Methods
Strengths of GVU and Survey.Net's Methodology
Limitations to GVU and Survey.Net's Methodology
Overall Differences in Findings
Conclusion
Appendix A (Research Methodology Chart)
References
From the Paper "The latest GVU survey (Survey #10) was completed in May 1999, and the latest Survey.Net survey was completed in March 2001. Although the increase in time from one survey to the other undoubtedly has some effect to the results, for the purposes of this report, we will eliminate the date factor.
The GVU survey and the Survey.Net utilized the same basic data collection method. They both relied strictly on online responses. Survey.Net did not specify the criteria used to collect data, but GVU went into a little detail. The company placed announcements on Internet related newsgroups; it sponsored banners that were randomly rotated through high-exposure sites and advertising networks; it placed announcements in popular newspapers and trade magazines; and it distributed announcements of the survey to its survey mailing list. I?m guessing that although GVU used another form of media (i.e., newspapers and magazines) to advertise the survey, participants were still required to post their responses via the Internet."
Abstract This paper attempts to educate the reader about the four major classes of drugs. Physical and emotional reactions to the various drugs will be discussed. A discussion on government regulations regarding drug use and mandatory screening are also described. The reader is challenged to take a position regarding mandatory drug testing of individuals employed in the aviation field.
From the Paper "When one thinks about substance abuse, one normally thinks about drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. We can go on forever. Drugs are classified into four categories: stimulants, depressants, psychedelics, and inhalants. Each of these different types of drugs causes different effects on the human body. The average person can think of a neighbor, friend, or family member who is a substance abuser. It seems that he or she rarely stops and thinks about what drugs and other chemicals can do to our body. Think about how they can impair the proper judgement of an airline pilot, flight crew, aircraft mechanics. Drug abuse onboard an aircraft can result in serious injury or death in both the user and innocent passengers."
Tags: drugs, workplace, abuse, aviation, substanceflight, crew, testing, government
This paper looks at discriminatory practices including bias in hiring, promotion, job assignment, termination, compensation, and various types of harassment, focusing specifically on the United States.
Abstract The following paper is a discussion on the main body of employment discrimination laws, which are composed of federal and state statutes, with a look at some state constitutions which provide additional protection where the employer is a governmental body or the government has taken significant steps to foster the discriminatory practice of the employer. Hypothetical fact patterns are posed where several issues are raised, such as the pay differential between employees.
From the Paper "The Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution limit the power of the federal and state governments to discriminate. The Fifth amendment has an explicit requirement that the federal government not deprive individuals of "life, liberty, or property," without due process of the law. See U.S. Const. amend V. It also contains an implicit guarantee that each person receive equal protection of the laws. The Fourteenth Amendment explicitly prohibits states from violating an individual's rights of due process and equal protection. See U.S. Const. amend XIV. In the employment context the right of equal protection limits the power of the state and federal governments to discriminate in their employment practices by treating employees, former employees, or job applicants unequally because of membership in a group (such as a race or sex)."
Abstract The paper defines inventory as all goods and materials used in production and distribution including raw materials, component parts, sub-assemblies, finished goods, and the various products and supplies required in the production and distribution process. The author of the paper shows that Inventory can be a liability as well as an asset: excessive, finished (goods) inventory requires larger warehouses and that many times this is the first indication of bad decisions in the production and process stages. The paper shows that improving product-availability and reducing overall working capital investments, without jeopardizing the company performance is a tightrope that most inventory managers have to walk. The paper uses Toyota car manufacturers as an example of successful inventory management.
From the Paper "Inventory personnel have to constantly track market conditions and price trends. Software has to be designed to input these trends to determine the inventory requirements and the Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) (Business Open Learning Archive, online). The inventory manager has also to be in constant contact with the production and the sales department, in order to ensure that stock outs at the sales end do not occur as a result of material shortage at the production end. Computerized systems have helped simplify the purchasing system and have help improve the efficiency of data recording."
Tags: manager, supplier, kanban, system, Just, in, time, (JIT), system, Optimum, Product, Timetables, (OPT), software, Toyota, business, management
Abstract A paper which discusses the legal and ethical issues involved in operating globally. It is noticed that many multinational companies can run into trouble when establishing their businesses overseas because they fail to take local laws and culture into consideration. The paper shows that this can be avoided if the company pays attention to the religious and cultural beliefs of the people in foreign countries and also abide by the trade and business laws of those lands.
From the Paper "It is also important to take into account their religious beliefs because religion normally plays an important role in all third world countries. For example in Pakistan, they wouldn"t allow a fast food chain to operate if it doesn"t use HALAL meat. By HALAL, they are simply referring to meat, which has been prepared according to their religious rituals. It is important thus to follow those practices because there is no chance of gaining any success if a fast food or any other restaurant chain forgets to take into account this important law. We are taking examples of restaurants only for the sake of ease and convenience in explanation of laws, but it must be kept in mind that laws applies to every business no matter what its nature is."
Abstract The author states that Starbucks grew from a small start-up to a multinational billion-dollar empire. It has become an immensely successful business not only because it has a backup from shareholders? only but also because management pays close attention to the various segment of the business. Although there are some signs of weaknesses, the effects of these weaknesses will not be prominent until much later.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Success
Internal Environment
Financial Resources
Performance and Management
Operations Requirements
Human Resources Demands
Marketing
Capabilities and Concerns
Conclusion
From the Paper "Ironically, the company has spent less on advertising, only $20 million as compared to other companies of its magnitude. The company depends on word of mouth to promote its products. That is the reason why it focuses on brand equity and quality at all levels of its management, right from the management decision to coffee processing timing. "
Abstract The paper examines the claim that unions are a cause of corruption in many industries in the USA due to the misuse of their power and influence. It looks at the harm done by the unions in the economical, social, political and religious arenas. It brings up corruption in federal grants, unionism in schools, corruption effects in heavy manufactured goods industry and unionism abuse at a steel mill.
From the Paper "Unionism refers to the power that resides in a group of people sharing common interests. This force, influence, or power exists by virtue of unification. Unions exist throughout the United States each created under the slogan of "safeguarding the rights of the respective union's members". However, the case does not remain the same once the presence of power and the ability to exercise it is realized. Today, these unions are a cause of corruption in many industries nationwide due to the misuse of their power and influence where by they cause great economical, social, political and religious harm to the country."
Abstract Using the Ford Motor Company as an example, this paper looks at the concept of management of change and the future. It studies the current management trend that will shape Ford, manufacturing trends and globalization. It concludes by making proposals for the company's future.
From the Paper "Perhaps the most catastrophic incident in the life of the Ford Motor Company has been the bad publicity of Firestone fiasco. As a result of the discrepancies of claims, the poor quality of the products as well as the neglect of management at all levels, the company had to recall thousands of units. This is not mention the scandal that resulted in loss. According to one author, while the company had been busy promoting, there was no one who would take care of the product."
Abstract This paper analyzes the book "Absolut : Biography of a Bottle" by Carl Hamilton and discusses the story of how Absolut Vodka emerged as an unknown product and with a unique marketing strategy managed to conquer the United States market.
From the Paper "The first step in the story is the proposal Gunnar Broman, head of Sweden's top advertising agency, made to New York executives in 1978. At this time the belief was that all good vodka came from Russia. In reality, vodka had been being produced in Sweden for centuries, but the cultural belief in America was that vodka came from Russia."
Abstract The paper shows that more than two years after its collapse, the state of the Thai Baht was still being discussed as one of the crucial economic international events of 1997, one that threatened to bring the world's developing economies to the brink of chaos. The paper investigates the cause of this crisis and the results which are still felt today.
From the Paper "However, this bubble, created by industrial expansion and an overvalued currency, could not last indefinitely. Thai domestic factors began to come into play. The country began to be marked by rising wages of low-skilled laborers and consequent cost increases in production of exportable goods. This eroded Thai competitiveness in labor-intensive goods vis-a-vis late-starting industrial states such as China and Vietnam. Thailand's trade deficit mounted. Also, newly-rising industrial states such as China and Vietnam were attracting new and greater rates of foreign investment, diverting funds that had once been invested in Thailand for the same purposes. Thai exports, which recorded a hefty growth of 24% in 1995, flattened to an almost negligible percentage a year before the baht's collapse."
Tags: International, Monetary, Fund, Bank, of, Thailand, banking, short-term, debt
Abstract The paper shows that a performance measurement system is an important tool in managing an organization as it allows an organization to define what is important to it and helps an organization ensure that its objectives are met. It shows, too, that the more complex an organization becomes, the more important an effective performance measurement system becomes. The paper covers areas such as key performance indicators (KIP's) and balanced scoreboards.
From the Paper "With many departments, management can lose sight of overall objectives. Having to assess and define the measurement system allows the company to clearly define what is most critical to its success. An effective management system then allows the company to monitor these factors and have a clear picture of the progress of the company. This is essential for monitoring the operations of the company and ensuring strategic objectives are being met."
Abstract This paper examines the history of General Motors and its current economic status. The writer explains the four geographical regions that GM operates in, and compares the results of each of these. It then looks at GM's sales - its major successes and its less popular cars. The current economic slump in the United States has also had its effect on GM and this problem is analyzed, including examining the latest financial reports of the company.
From the Paper "General Motors was founded in 1908 and has been the largest manufacturer, designer, building and marketer of cars and trucks throughout the world since 1921. It sells vehicles in more than 200 countries worldwide and maintains assembly, manufacturing, distribution or warehousing operations in 53 of these countries. In 2000, it sold 8.6 million cars and trucks ? constituting 15.1% of the entire world vehicle market (the world's biggest share) at $4.5 billion net sales and $184.6 billion in revenues. (General Motors). It envisions itself as the enduring world leader in transportation products and related services, whose goal is "to maintain this position through enlightened customer enthusiasm and continuous improvement, driven by the integrity, team work and innovation" of its employees. (General Motors)"
Tags: motor, vehicle, transport, market, global, ford, loss, manufacture, car
Abstract This paper considers how computers have influenced the workplace environment and provides a competitive advantage to its users. The paper also examines how the value may not be as great as perceived by considering the productivity paradox. The author notes that the computer technology is only as good as the programmers running it.
From the Paper "The commercial environment has changed over the last few decades. One of the most influential factors has been the development of the computer. The technology has created a social and commercial revolution, increasing the speed and accuracy of communication reducing man hours for tedious tasks and creating new methods of analysis and business practice. However, there are many conflicting reports regarding the way that computers have been used and the benefits they may bring. Therefore, computers in the workplace may be seen as essential, but the value they add is sometimes questionable. In this paper we will consider the way that computer technology may be used and some of the problems we may find in seeking to assess the way it will adds to the value chain. However, when we look at computers, we must understand that it is not only computers that we need to consider, but the programmes that they run, as without these they have no value."
