Abstract The paper relates that the FDA has been accused of being too slow as well as lacking oversight and in need of even more periodic reviews of previous approvals. The paper discusses the pressure from patient groups as well as doctors and pharmaceutical companies to expand the FDA approval and testing process to include experimental drugs. The paper devotes time to the politicization of the FDA and the accusations of bias towards the pharmaceutical companies. The paper also reveals that many American pharmaceutical companies are now outsourcing their clinical trials, which might make it more difficult for the FDA to follow every step of the trial method and results.
From the Paper "Just what does the FDA do? Government documents state that the FDA seeks to protect the public health by ensuring the purity and security of foods; the safety and effectiveness of drugs, medical devices, biological products, and radiation-emitting products; and the safety of cosmetics. The FDA oversees the review and approval of new medicines and medical devices. It also monitors the safety of dietary supplements, though it does not review and approve the supplements before they are sold.
"The FDA helps to ensure that people receive accurate information about the foods and drugs that they use. The agency calls for the truthful description of product benefits and risks and for safety and honesty in packaging. In fact, the information about contents and dosage found on food packages was developed by the FDA."
Abstract This paper explains that Medicare, which is the health insurance program by the United States Federal government, provides medical treatment to qualified recipients and is run by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Part D is the new outpatient prescription drug benefit. The author points out that, because the enactment of Medicare Part D makes the United States Federal Government the biggest client of pharmaceuticals in the U.S. and possibly the world, drug development and approvalprocess will be notably affected by this law through the direct involvement of CMS in application reviews. The paper stresses that, by using a system of risk corridors, which compares actual incurred drug benefit costs to estimated costs submitted in bids, Medicare limits the profits and losses of Part D drug plans.
Table of Contents
What is Medicare?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Its Influence on the Health Care Industry
Economics
How CMS Affects the Operation and Finance of Medicare Part D
From the Paper "CMS is also working with other health agencies such as the National Cancer Institute with regards to research and development of drugs. A new policy gives them additional powers to pay for off-label uses of a new drug or device, so long as patients are in involve in studies to gather new data that may be beneficial to future patients. This policy however raised certain concerns from industry players as to fears the agency will reject compensation of new cures or procedures unless the post-approval studies are paid for by sponsors. Nonetheless, guidelines have already been drafted to address this concern."
Abstract The current IT Service Request system or flow of data is out of date, slow and too dependant on manual interaction such as management approval and outsource hand-off. This project re-engineers the processes of this flow creating a new IT Service Request management system that encompasses the data flow, process flow, automation through information technology and process ownership. Overall, the entire flow of IT service requests are visited to determine where unnecessary steps can be taken out, where steps can be shortened, and where steps can be automated.
From the Paper "The organizational structure of the company is in a traditional tall functional structure. The sub-organizations are split into their respective functional areas such as engineering, human resources, finance, manufacturing, information technology, etc. There are a total of three levels of business separations at the high level of company organizational structure.
The above shown organizational chart represents a sample of the high level corporate structure. At the first level resides the corporation. Next is the separation of independent businesses within the Raytheon Company structure. Finally, the last high level organization is the Business Unit which represents the specialized business areas within the major area of business. For example, Electronic Systems, Raytheon Company deals with all defense electronics technologies. Within the Electronic Systems business, there are several business units such as Missile Systems and Tactical. Within each business unit, there exists an entire structure of functional management. "
Abstract This essay explores the emotions and feelings in the decision making process. It does this by first defining what is meant by the decision making process. It then looks at emotions and feelings in consumer psychology, relating how this impacts on the decision-making process. The essay also views the role of these emotions and feelings in the decision-making process in the South African context, and discusses various ways in which emotions and feelings can be used in a marketing strategy to enhance marketing communication (i.e.: the combination of advertising, the sales force, public relations, packaging and any other technique in which that the company provides itself and its products) and a company's total product (i.e.: the entire set of characteristics involved in the marketing strategy).
From the Paper "The most perverse and influential assumption in consumer behavior research is that a decision making process precedes purchases (ie: that the consumer goes through a complex process of deciding what and where to purchase, before the actual purchasing itself). Many definitions of the decision making process exist, but most agree that two or more actions occur within it and, therefore, choice must occur. In addition, individual consumer's "evaluative criteria" facilitate the forecasting of each alternative's consequences for the consumer's goals or objectives. Further, the chosen alternative is determined by an evaluative procedure, and information sought from external sources or retrieved from memory is processed in the application of this evaluation process (Olshavsky & Granbois, 1991). Interestingly, there is evidence that a significant proportion of purchases may not be preceded by a decision process, and that for many purchases, a decision process never occurs."
Abstract In order to demonstrate the need for process overhaul within closed systems, this paper discusses controlled process overhaul within the context of maintaining a nano-reef aquarium. Process overhauls can be systematic or intermittent, depending upon need, but the intended result of any process overhaul is improving the performance of the system or a subset that is dependent on the system.
From the Paper "Process assessment and overhaul are instrumental in maintaining systems (Schonberger & Knod, 2001). Indeed, the more specific the system, the greater the need for controlled forms of overhaul. Controlled overhaul differs dramatically from uncontrolled overhaul in that it selectively determines specific aspects of the process that are not functioning appropriately and works to change their functionality through overhaul. Process overhauls can be systematic or intermittent, depending upon need, but the intended result of any process overhaul is improving the performance of the system or a subset that is dependent on the system."
Discussion of the way to make the process of obtaining a mortgage for a home mutually satisfying for both the buyer and the lender and anyone else involved in the process.
900 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 5 sources, 2002, $ 35.95
Abstract Obtaining a mortgage for a home is a fairly complex process, and one that can be very intimidating to the prospective buyers. However, if the buyers work hand-in-hand with lenders and others involved in the process, they will emerge both satisfied and happy.
Explains the concept of synchronizing business and technology to improve the business process, and examines three companies that tried to implement such a plan but failed.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 6 sources, 2002, $ 53.95
Abstract Synchronizing business technology planning for harmonious operations offers unique opportunities for change. The idea of synchronizing business and technology planning to improve business processes seems to be a simple concept. The leaders of an organization build a business plan and set goals to be reached in a specific time period. They identify methods to achieve the goals (strategies and tactics), ways to measure achievement, and then communicate the plan to their organizations. All corporate activities become focused on achieving the goals. Assessments and mid-course corrections are made and achievements measured. The cycle of planning, communication, action, and assessment becomes an ongoing process. The process fails when the corporation fails to integrate one or another aspect of the plan. FoxMeyer, Grey Hound and Adidas are three companies that implemented BPR and failed.
Abstract This paper identifies the steps and criteria involved in developing a process consultation within an organization. An assessment includes an understanding of the current system, the potential for acceptance of change and compliance with system processes that cannot be altered. The paper shows that the consultant must maintain a positive approach throughout this process in order to be successful."
From the Paper "A process consultation project requires extensive attention to detail and consideration of the steps that are necessary for the consultation strategy to be successful from start to finish. In this specific case involving Liberty Mutual, the current needs require an assessment of human resources capabilities, employee needs, and product design specifications. In promoting these endeavors, the consultant must examine each process, one at a time, in order to identify strengths and weaknesses in the current strategies. The following discussion will identify the key action steps, timelines, data, information, resources, and people that are necessary to achieve the desired assessments, which will best utilize company capabilities and resources in the appropriate manner."
Abstract This paper discusses several tools and resources for implementing process consultation projects. These tools and resources are measured in relation to their overall importance in the process implementation project. Further, these tools and resources are utilized to measure the relative merits of the implementation processes found in the course simulations.
From the Paper "The practice of process implementation is nothing more than the practice of implementing change. To effectively implement change the first tool in the process consultant's or change agent's arsenal of resources is to identify what Schein, Kahane, and Sharmer (2001b) identify as an organization's "common will" (p.9). This is essentially identifying what the particular corporate or organizational culture is and how receptive it may be to change and process implementation. If a corporate culture is resistant to change, and the corporate leadership has not instituted effective cultural reeducation measures, then the change agent or process consultant will need to institute these measures before the process implementation project can begin."
Abstract This paper discusses Process Consultation and what it means to be a process consultant. The paper is written as if it is a real life situation whereby an organization - Liberty Mutual - is the client and ABC consulting is the process consultant. The outline of the project includes discussion surrounding the description of the project, intervention planning, entry and contracting, discovery and dialog, feedback and decision to act, engagement and implementation, and final recommendations.
From the Paper "As we move through the 21st century, constant change is the norm, and continual improvement is necessary to remain and maintain corporate competitiveness (Cash, 1979). With the spread of globalization and increased competition, constant corporate evaluation and system improvement is needed in order for companies to maintain market share. Process consultation involves working within the human environment of the organization, in which the consultant attempts to determine and identify interpersonal dilemmas that hinder operational efficiency (Thompson, 1972). Process consultation is challenging in a sense, because it is the consultant who must demonstrate his or her operational improvement expertise. The consultant plays a role similar to that of a change agent, in that solutions are suggested rather than imposed, and it is the consultant's responsibility to help the organization work out its own solutions and to focus energy on attaining objectives (Walker, 1975)."
Abstract The paper discusses the idea behind the saying that 'you learn something new every day'. It looks to the school of psychology of cognitive psychology that examines processes such as problem solving, memory, and language and determines that there is some truth in the saying. The paper examines information processing and determines methods of processing and storing information.
From the Paper "Conventional wisdom says that 'you learn something new every day'. There is some truth in that saying. Every day our brains must process new information. Whether the new information is as simple as someone else's car being parked in the same space that we have been using at work, or as complex as scientific theories we are studying at school, our brains record, process, and store a myriad of unique bits of information on an ongoing basis. There are times when even the human brain needs assistance in the processes of cognition and memory. Most people use certain patterns of information process to aid in their own learning. As a college student who also holds down a job and who tries to maintain a personal life, I use several methods of processing information. I will use this paper to address my methods of processing and storing information."
This paper is an in-depth analysis of the motives of Ted Bundy prior to and during his serial murders. The analysis uses a sub discipline of Cognitive Theory- Information Processing theory to examine Bundy's motives prior to and during his murders.
2,600 words (approx. 10.4 pages), 7 sources, 2002, $ 78.95
Abstract This paper is an intensive examination of serial murderer Ted Bundy and the motivations behind his killing spree. In order to analyze this murderer, the paper uses a sub discipline of Cognitive Theory- Information Processing theory to examine Bundy's motives prior to and during his murders. It not only examines the man himself, but also looks at his victims, his family life and other environmental factors that may have led to his transformation.
From the paper:
"This cognitive representation of pleasure does not end with Bundy's first sexually motivated encounter, instead, this becomes a continuum in which another stimulus is introduced. The third stimulus, which is the actual murder, essentially strengthens Bundy's need and desire to rape and brutally sodomize women. Bundy's predisposition to sexually violent behavior was finally released. By breaking the barrier, Bundy's pathological processes overcame his inhibitions, which led him to crave more. Bundy had made the final decision to kill, solving his problem, he now lived uninhibited by any moral dilemma, and would keep murdering for the sake of self-gratification. It is really quite sickening to imagine that by mutilating, torturing, raping and murdering one could experience pleasure. Not only did Bundy experience great pleasure, but derived satisfaction and motivation to keep killing."
Tags: analysis, bundy, cognitive, information, murder, processing, serial, ted, theory
Abstract This paper researches and presents an understanding of the core concept of Business Process Reengineering in a government setting so as to improve and innovate the business process in the agencies in concern.
Abstract For several decades, drug use has shaped the American criminal justice system. Drug and drug related offenses are the most common crime in nearly every community. The paper shows that in order to handle this explosion of drug related cases, the court system has devised a drug case processingprocess.
Abstract This paper ananlyzes the hypotheses presented in Robert Boyd and Peter Richerson's seminal work "Culture and the Evolutionary Process." The reviewer considers assumptions presented in the book which underline the relationship between science and culture in promoting human evolution. The paper also shows links between Boyd and Richardson and earlier research in the field. The reviewer concludes that the discussions and analyses in "Culture and the Evolutionary Process" uncovers explanations and generates further understanding of how humans and human society came about, and continues to develop in the present.
From the Paper "Boyd and Richerson provide two general assumptions that lead to their hypothesis, which posits that science and culture significantly influence each other in understanding the human evolutionary process. In the words of the authors, "process-oriented "scientific" analyses help us understand how history works, and "historical" data are essential to test scientific hypotheses about how populations and societies change" "
