Personal Statement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Personal Statement - Essay Example Now, I want to pursue a higher degree in the field of Global Product Development and Management to gain an in-depth understanding of all issues and concepts related to this field. My educational background has played a vital role in building my interest in pursuing a higher degree in this field. I want to become a successful manager with a good knowledge of global manufacturing and engineering design, and that can be possible if I study under the guidance of highly qualified professors of Cranfield University. Studying under the guidance of highly qualified teachers of Cranfield University would allow me to grow intellectually in a proper manner. I want to be skilled in managing product engineering and development considering internal and external business environments and market conditions. I possess almost all qualities of a successful manager, such as, creativity, intelligence, visionary outlook, assertiveness, integrity, openness, and effective communication skills. With my focus ed mind and properly planned ideas, I think my academic interest and passion would help me get admission in the MSc program being offered by the Cranfield University. Some of my core academic strengths and abilities include: In-depth understanding of different concepts of global product engineering and development Excellent interpersonal communication skills, and Passion to develop new products which can create their place in international markets.... I have no restriction in staying or working in UK as I am a spouse of a British Citizen and has obtained an ILR (indefinite Leave to Remain). Therefore, I would be able to flourish my business as much as I can while staying in the United Kingdom. However, the stepping-stone towards the achievement of my professional goals is my master’s degree. I need to do masters in order to get a detailed and up-to-date knowledge of global product development and management. Here, I would like to mention that I need some financial support to achieve my academic goals. I have come to know that Cranfield University offers a Manufacturing Masters scholarship with an associated Ford based project to a highly qualified student of the University. I believe that such a scholarship can help me a lot in achieving my academic goals. I am a self-motivated graduate seeking to undertake a full time Masters course in Global Product Development and Management. My previous academic record is the main proof of my interest in systems engineering. I possess the required level of qualification and experience for award of the scholarship. The School of Audio Engineering, Malaysia, has awarded me with a Diploma in Audio Engineering in1993. Moreover, the Ministry of Education, Malaysia, has awarded me with the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic Certificate in General Mechanical in 1993. I have also obtained a Higher National Diploma in Engineering in 1996 upon completion of a BTEC-approved program at Coventry Technical College. Following my interest in engineering, I took admission in Bachelor of Engineering program offered by the University of East London. I completed my graduation from the university in 1999 with good marks in all subject related to systems engineering.

Application of the color combinations and principles of design Essay

Application of the color combinations and principles of design - Essay Example 31). Still life by Jacob van Walscapelle is a drawing showing fruits and flowers as the main life subjects. Light was used to emphasize on the sharpness of the fruits; with the peach being at its direction. The fine glass has a red wine, while the shorter one contains water. The grapes have their traditional pale purple shade showing maturity. In terms of principles of designs applied in the two paintings, rhythm is created in the first picture by having smooth transitions between all components of the pictures; there is no clear cut colour difference between the buildings and the field at the background. However, the audience can notice that the painting is detailed only under close scrutiny. The artist gave balance to the items in ‘Still life’ painting by arranging them at strategic points for the picture not to appear heavy at some points and light at the rest of the painting. In this respect, the tall glass is positioned at the left side; however, it balances with the huge pawpaw fruit situated at the right

E-commerce in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

E-commerce in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Analysis of innovation of e-commerce in small and medium-sized enterprises In the last decade large organisations have realised the increasing impact of new and cutting edge technology. Clark (1989) emphasized on the importance of technology to gain competitive advantage but at the same time he warned that building and maintaining such advantage will always be a challenge. Information technology in the form of internet has allowed organisations and their management to benefit from better quality information and better decision making. White (1997) adds that the internet is extremely effective in attracting computer literate people. Especially Internet has made a prolific influence on the business world. The internet has become an area where consumers are able to find what they need (Amor, 2002). This is clearly evident by the growth of internet in the last few years as shown in figure 1. Being involved with the new technologies brought many opportunities and easiness to reach products to consumers anywhere, anytime in the world (McKenna,2002). The new technological innovations have allowed organisations to conduct business in a completely new way by using online electronic transaction mechanisms and the concept of E-Commerce evolved(Gunasegaram Love, 1999; Westland and Clark, 1999). Today in most of the business and commerce sector IT has taken the form of E-Commerce. Figure 1 Growth of internet E-commerce is a major innovation, which has benefited industries across the globe even the Small and Medium Industries. The SME’s in Itself amount to a large part of the economy, at the moment there are12000 SME’s using EDI, electronic data interchange to further their businesses. Although the SME’s are contributors to the national economy of any country, the whole framework used to build them lacks transparency. There are problems around the financial resources available to keep them going; there is not enough legislative and administrative support from the government. On the business front these enterprises lack the right kind of management vigour, style, knowledge, and experience in handling more developed innovative technologies, which are inundating the markets. This is something they need to be aware of in order to survive the competitive environment. The SME’sdon’t have a single development system, which can safeguard theirinterests. They need an integrated approach, which encompasses threelevels, strategic, institutional, and enterprise. The government andthe public/private sector need to offer support for the fulfilment ofthis long-term strategy, which will make SME’s into profit centres’-commerce brings in a host of advantages as well as disadvantages tome’s and this project is an attempt to learn more and develop deeper understanding into the effect of technical innovations in e-commerce on Small and medium sized enterprises [Kyiv, 1997]. This study attempts to add to the existing literature by looking at hawse’s are approaching to incorporate e-commerce into their business strategy or how they are trying to improve their existing approach. This study will also evaluate consumer experiences of online shopping and how e-commerce has impacted on their expectations and goes on to suggest how online stores may need to improve if they are to meet these new expectations. 2. Aims and Objectives Aims The main aim of this project is to explore how the SME’s are important to the national economies and how the use of e-commerce help them gain a better position in terms of growth and profitability. There search context is based on SME’s in England to get an even background to this research question. As one knows technology and innovation always have repercussions, this project would also explore how theses ME’s deal with the disadvantages and convert them into viable benefits. This project will also find out to what extent do small firms use-commerce in their business processes and what are the barriers to the adoption of e-commerce? Customers as well as organization’s perspective towards e-commerce will be found out. Alongside the study will also try to find out how much electronic transaction have influenced the small-scale industry? Additionally this dissertation will also provide with accurate, up-to-date, research-based information about possible future trends in e-commerce. And lastly, this research will provide some suggestions and recommendations to be considered for the improvement of-commerce for small firms to develop ideas for further research in this context. This study on SME’s under different situations and circumstances would help present an overall portrayal and even help understand the issues under a magnifying glass when faced in certain sectors like manufacturing. To summarize some of the questions that will be addressed through this research are as follows: †¢ What is the status of SME’s in today’s global business environment? †¢ What is the contribution of the SME’s in the national and global economies? †¢ How will innovations like the Internet in e-commerce help the businesses in SME’s grow and become more profitable ventures? †¢ What are the problems/mistakes in the E-business strategy adopted in general by small firms in U.K? †¢ What are the problems faced by customers and organisations while dealing on internet? †¢ What are the factors that influence the development of e-commerce? †¢ Does e-commerce open up new markets for small scale industries in the United Kingdom? Objectives 1. Critically evaluate the relevant literature on small firms and the importance/usage of the internet. 2. Understand small firms’ problems and barriers to the use of e-commerce through articles, newspapers, interviews and surveys. 3. Gain specific knowledge of internet usage for small firms in business through interviews, publications and company information. 4. Provide recommendations to improve the usage of internet as a competitive tool. 5. The advent of the e-commerce, its advantages and disadvantages. 3. Literature Review E-Commerce E-commerce may be defined as â€Å"The sharing of business information, maintaining business relationships, and conducting business transactions by means of Internet-based technology† (Riggins Rhee, 1998, p. 90). Alternately it may also be defined as â€Å"Anything that enhances your relationships with an existing customer and increases the revenue you get from the customer.† (Sullivan, 1998, p.24). The Internet and Electronic Commerce have made the world market smaller place to trade in. The Internet has opened up many possibilities of organising and running an online business. It has created a universal platform for buying and selling of goods which has resulted in faster transaction times and reduced transaction costs. Colin Turner (2000), in his book on the information of e-economy, talks about the e-commerce business accomplishment and strategies. E-commerce has its benefits and shortcomings, along with this belief; the companies are also battling with the pressures of information technology revolution coming to an end. â€Å"Despite all the hype surrounding electronic commerce, and the recent failure of many of that com companies, it does present real opportunities to small entrepreneurs in many countries.† (Fatal and Janet, 2004) Classification of E-commerce According to the applications or the nature of transaction of E-commerce, it can be categorized as follows: Turban et al (2000) divided E-commerce into three categories in terms of its applications: a) Electronic markets: It refers to buying and selling goods and services at an electronic marketplace, where the business centre is not a physical building but rather a network-based location. The market handles all the necessary transaction, including response to information request, purchase acknowledgement, shipping notice, purchase/service delivery, payment acknowledgement, and the transfer of money between banks and so on. In electronic market, the principal participants transaction handlers, buyers, brokers, and sellers, are not only at different locations but seldom even know one another. The means of interconnection varies among parties and can change from event to event, even between the same parties. b) Inter-organisational systems: They are facilitating inter and intra-organization flow of information, communication and collaboration. An IOS (inter-organisational information systems) involves information flow among two or more organisations. Its major objective is efficient information and transaction processing. All relationships are predetermined and there is no negotiation, just execution. A typical IOS includes a company and its suppliers and/or customers. Through it, buyers and sellers arrange routine business transactions and information is exchanged over communications networks using prearranged formats. Its main types aired (Electronic data interchange), extranets, electronic funds transfer, electronic forms, integrated messaging, shared databases and supply chain management. c) Customer service: It is a series of activities designed to enhance the level of customer satisfaction, helping customers to resolve problems they encountered in any phase of the purchasing process. E-commerce plays a dual role in customer service. First, it provides customer service to a process that is done completely offline. Second, it provides help to online transactions. Types of customer service include answering customer inquiries, providing search and comparison capabilities, providing technical information to customers, allowing customers to track order status, and allowing customers to place an online order and so on. Kalakos Whinstone (1997) contended that there are three distinct general classes of electronic commerce applications: a) Inter-organizational Electronic Commerce: Like Turban et al above, Kalakos Whinstone consider that-commerce can be applied in following inter-organizational business: Supplier management: Electronic applications help companies reduce the number of suppliers and facilitate business partnerships by reducing purchase order (PO) processing costs and cycle times, and by increasing the number of Pops processed with fewer people. Inventory management: It shortens the order-ship-bill cycle and time of transmitting information. Businesses can also track their documents to ensure that they were received, thereby improving auditing capabilities. This also helps reduce inventory levels, improve inventory turns and eliminate out-of-stock occurrences. Distribution management: Electronic application facilitate the transmission of shipping documents such as bills of lading, pur chase orders, advanced ship notices, and manifest claims, and enable better resource management by ensuring that the documents themselves contain more accurate data. Channel management: Electronic application quickly disseminates information about changing operational conditions to trading partners. By electronically linking production-related information with international distributor and reseller networks, companies can eliminate thousands of labour hours and ensure accurate information sharing. Payment management: Linking companies with suppliers and distributors enables payment to be sent and received electronically. Electronic payment reduces clerical error, increases the speed at which companies compute invoices, and lowers transaction fees and costs. b) Intra-organizational commerce The purpose of intra-organizational applications is to help a company maintain the relationships that are critical to delivering superior customer value. Its applications are as follows: Workgroup communications: It enables managers to communicate with employees using electronic mail, videoconferencing, and bulletin board, hence increase the dissemination of information, resulting in better-informed employees. Electronic publishing: It enables companies to organize, publish and disseminate human resources manuals, product specifications and meeting minutes using tools such as the World Wide Web. Meanwhile, it reduces costs for printing and distributing documentation, faster delivery of information and reduction of outdate information. Sales force productivity: These applications improve the flow of information between the production and sales forces, and between the firms and customers. The goal is to allow firms to collect market intelligence quickly and to analyse if more thoroughly. c) Consumer-to-Business Electronic Commerce Social interaction: Consumers can communicate with each other through e-mail, videoconferencing, and news group etc. Personal finance management: El ectronic applications enable consumers to manage investments and personal finances using online banking tools. Purchasing products and information: Consumers can find online information about existing and new products/services. Turban et al (2000) further goes on to describe E-Commerce based on the types of transactions and are more popularly known as: B2B (Business-to-Business): Most of E-commerce today is of this type. It includes the IOS transactions and electronic market transactions between organisations. B2C (Business-to-Consumer): These are retailing transactions with individual shoppers. C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): In this category, consumers sell directly to consumers. C2B (Consumer-to-Business): In this category, consumers sell directly to organisations. Challenges to E-Commerce Although the Internet offers great deals of advantages to electronic commerce and businesses, it also provides a number of challenges. Some of these challenges as mentioned by Turban et al (2000) are discussed below: 1. Unsuccessful Business Models Not all companies that implement electronic commerce make benefits. Technologies changes so rapidly that keeping pace with change ultimately becomes too expensive or results in a failure. 2. Channel Conflicts Sometimes a company uses more than one distribution channel (Online as well as traditional channels) to sell its products and services. This can cause conflict between the dealers as it becomes important in such case to maintain a balance between the different channels. For e.g.it might be possible that a particular company tries to sell its product online at a lesser cost with some discount and maintains the original cost while selling it offline. This disparity can cause its dealers to create a problem. 3. Legal Issues Internet Law s are confusing and mostly non-existent. Also the Internet’s global and is used by individuals from different countries and thus it becomes difficult to decide which law to apply if a conflict arises. 4. Security Privacy This is the most important issue concerned with online transactions and businesses. Important information and valuable data like credit/debit card details, personal information, business plans and other company data can be easily leaked and tracked by hackers. Security risk in electronic payments has been one of the major reasons in making online businesses not to grow rapidly over the Internet. Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Different countries define small medium enterprises in different ways. Teethe and Burn (2001) define small medium enterprises (SME) as â€Å"firms with less than 500 employees. This is further broken down into micro companies, those with less than 5 employees; small companies, those with 5 to 20 employees and medium companies, those with between20 and 500 employees. On the other hand, the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI, 1999) define SME’s as firms with 250 employees or fewer. The European Commission (2003) defines SME’s as follows: microenterprises are enterprises with a maximum number of 10 employees, maximum turnover of 2 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of total of 2 million euros. While small enterprises are enterprises with maximum number of 50 employees, a maximum turnover of 10 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of a total of 10 million euros. Finally medium enterprises are enterprises with a maximum number of 250employees, a maximum turnover of 50 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of a total of 43 million euros. Figure 2 SME Thresholds (European Commission, 2003) Buncombe (1999) points out that a number of studies have attempted to collect information on the make-up of Botswanas SME sector, by gaining access to official statistics and by conducting field surveys in connection with various research projects. According to the report, he defines enterprises according to the number of employees, annual turnover, and level of formality. There is no real universally standard definition for Small firms. In a study carried by the ILO, more than 50definitions were identified in 75 different countries, with considerable ambiguity in the terminology used. For the purpose of this study the author will go with the definition of Small firms which defines Small firms as firms with 49 or fewer employees. From the foregoing definition of small medium enterprises (SME’s) by different researchers, it can be seen that the number of employees and turnover are the determinant factors in the definition of SME, but, the criteria is different from country to country. SME’s and E-Commerce Internet became a main way for effective marketing in business. It is one of the most effective media all over the world and this makes it compulsory channel to use for market entries. Specifically, small firms have major problems with strong companies and existing small firms about market entries in the market. They have to prove their identity in the market as an enterprise despite all these rivalry and difficulties such as web design, domain name, site security responsibilities to customers, etc. They have to let customers know that they are in the market and internet is an efficient way to do so. Furthermore, cost advantages which come with e-commerce are reasonable for market entry. Small firms have a lot of to do as they are new tithe market or they need to grow in the market. They try to cut costs and increase investments in their business. Internet provides great opportunity to small firms for their activities in the market. Even as they serve a local or regional market rather than a national or an international market, it might be difficult to enter market or to reach customers. E-commerce appears as the most efficient way to gain successor small firms in existing fierce rivalry. The small firms generally provide the majority of the jobs and are significant contributor towards the national economy (Baldwin, 2001).Small and medium scale enterprises are considered to be the core out’s economy. According to Smith et al (2000) 99% of UK business firms can be categorized as small businesses and they employ up to 58% out’s total workforce. Hence small firms are extremely important in UK’s economy and the government expends considerable resources to support this sector. The UK government admits that small firms are neglected and left behind while the larger companies getting advantage over small businesses in the e-commerce world (Simpson; Docherty, 2004) Thus it’s very important to study the problems and barriers encountered in adopting a new economy cycle by the sector which represents the majority of the countries businesses. Sadowski et al (2002) notes that even after the widespread use of internet technologies in the corporate world, the amount of Internet use varies to a great extent in the small-scale sector. The adoption of any new technology in this sector is influenced by the several variables as stated by Martens et al (2001). These factors may include the characteristic of the firm, its competitiveness, the influence it has on third parties in the decision process, the management strategy and the characteristic of the new technology itself. All these factors lead company to strategic advantage if they used as they should be. It is important that the company sustains strategic advantage from e-commerce. Competitive business environment makes this matter more important (Hiding, 1999).As long as the company provides well designed web-site that suits with business and its requirements, then strategic advantage can be sustained. Thomas H. Davenport (1993), in his book, ‘Process Innovation –Reengineering work through information technology talks about, how revolutionary approach to information technology and its integration in our business processes can change the scenario. This can dramatically change the way business is conducted in small and medium enterprises also improve the performance keeping in view the competitive environment. New technologies and process innovation brings a new commitment and strategic evolution to these enterprises. Resources like information technology and e-commerce are largely untapped by the SME’s but once that scenario changes, there will be a lot of improvisations and growth avenues. Mandel (2001) says that every technological innovation and discovery finally has it downturn. When these new opportunities like e-commerce come into play, all businesses want ashore of this market. In their rush to get more profits, the investments are so heavy and lacking direction that invariably it leads to a loss since the economy infrastructure cannot support it. This has been proven with the dotcom burst and doom. According to some authors, these SME’s can actually use the innovation of e-commerce to march forward and become integral contributors to the economies. Due to their sizes they lack the initiative and financial power to go all out and compete in different markets, e-commerce could be the solution to some of the marketing gaps, which hold them back from becoming more successful. Importance of SME’s to countries’ economies Baraka (2001) reports that growing evidence indicates that Small Medium Enterprises play an important role in promoting the national economic development of any country. They create a lot of new jobs and produce much of the creativity and innovation that fuels economic progress. Ninety present of the total number of companies in most countries is comprised of small medium enterprises, which provide on average 70% of job opportunities (OECD, 1997). 26% of OECD exports and35% of Asias export are directly produced by small medium firms as suggested by Tendon (2002). The existing literature from research in different studies points out that Small medium enterprises (SME) world-wide have found that Internet use has become a critically important aspect of their business. Porter(2001) supports this view and suggests that companies of all sizes should have a strategy of reacting to competitors and increased adoption of the Internet technology, which will lead to increase in competition within markets. He further points out that e-commerce reduces the difference among competitors offerings and frequently migrate competition to price rather than products features or brand perceptions. He also suggests that smaller businesses could improve their business competitiveness with either other small businesses or larger companies by adopting e-commerce. Porter (2001) is backed up by an earlier study (Jacobs and Rowland 2000). They suggest that smaller businesses have, in particular, been encouraged to adopt e-commerce as a means of improving their competitiveness, either with other small medium enterprises or with larger companies, where they have been promised that e-commerce can level the playing. According to Daniel and Wilson (2002), small and medium-sized enterprises are now increasingly making use of e-commerce. Daniel further suggests that â€Å"responding to competitive pressure was the main reason leading to companies to adopt e-commerce. Information sharing and communication between employees within the firm were found to bethe e-commerce activities where firms are realizing the greatest benefits. Hence, though the future of e-commerce is still unpredictable, it is important that developing countries, their governments and businesses should prepare for these new developments. Benefits of e-commerce to SME’s A growing number of organisations have implemented e-commerce in the hope of improving decision making, lowering costs and improving customer satisfaction levels. A major benefit of e-commerce is cost reduction as Tagliavini et al (2001) pointed out a correct adoption of-commerce could lead to a reduction of transaction costs and coordination costs. Also, Davies and Garcia (1999) argue that benefits for SME’s are faster communication, effective dissemination and collection of information and closer relationships throughout the supply chain. Meanwhile, Liu and Arnett (2000) suggested theatre-commerce can help business organisations cut costs, interact directly with customers, run more smoothly and in a timelier manner, and even better, it can help an organization outperform its competition. Further driving factors of e-commerce for SME’s are also identified by Auger and Gallagher (1997) as follows: access to an Affluent Customer Base, lower Information Dissemination Costs, lower Transaction Costs, broader Market Reach, increased Service, additional Channels for Customer Feedback and Consumer and Market Research. Reducing costs, better communication with customers, access to larger customer base, and extended market are the major benefits of using-commerce agreed by a number of authors. At the same time, the more detailed benefits of e-commerce to SME’s are summarized as follows: †¢ Innovative products, better services and exploring new market opportunities; †¢ Shift in value added and content components of what is made and sold; †¢ Changes to economies of scale and the traditional barriers and advantages of large enterprises; †¢ Untying work functions from specific locations and time constraints; †¢ Flattening and disaggregating of organisational structures; †¢ Scope for customization at low cost; and †¢ Commercialization of in-house content and know-how. However, a study conducted by Poon (1999) found that the benefits of Internet commerce could be classified into long-term and short-term benefits, direct and indirect benefits. He suggested that the short-term benefits should be achieved within a few months, while the long-term benefits may take longer and unable to be predicted. The use of e-commerce can benefit SME’s in terms of reducing costs and access to larger customer base in the short term, and business transformation in the future. The use of e-commerce will also have a great deal of effect on the SME’s business activities as Tagliavini et al. (2001)indicated that E-Commerce has an important influence on SME’s; range of activity, providing increased competition on a global scale and allowing them to access wider markets. From the above literature it could be rightly said that E-Commerce adoption is an essential business strategy for SME’s to obtain competitive advantage. Opportunities and Threats faced by SME’s There are major opportunities for new entrepreneurs and small- to medium-sized businesses to flourish in the maturing of e-commerce(Drew, 2003). The use of e-commerce has provided a variety of benefits for SME’s as well as a number of potential opportunities. â€Å"The Internet’s usually presented as an opportunity for smaller firms because it helps reduce transaction costs and level the playing field (Evans and Wurster, 1997). The opportunities for SME’s include expanding scope of marketing, wider and richer communication, reaching new market and reducing cost of operations and partnering with suppliers (Drew, 2003). According to a report conducted by Prevost (1998), there are variety of opportunities added to SME’s, including efficiency and productivity for business process, the development of new market opportunity (B2C andB2B) as well as access to global market. Also, the e-commerce give SME’s opportunity to exploit competitive and know how benefits as suggested by Tagliavini et al. (2001). Nevertheless, how to use e-commerce as an opportunity to SME’s will depend on the industry and firm factor implied by Drew (2003). These influenced factors include: The smaller firm’s technical and Internet knowledge; The rate at which the market is growing; The pace of innovation and change in the industry; The technical and Internet strengths of the larger competitors; The sources of competitive advantage for the smaller business; The strategic intent of the larger competitors; and The structure of the industry in which the firm competes. Generally, the market, industry structure, and macro-environment will be the major influenced factors that decide e-commerce as an opportunity or threat for SME’s. Therefore, although it is not doubt that e-commerce has provided a huge opportunity for SME’s in the range of business activities, the external and internal factors must be considered strategically while adopting e-commerce. However, Tagliaviniet al (2001) argued, the real opportunity of E-Commerce adoption force’s is still unclear(p.211). Global Trading The significant opportunity for SME’s is to extend existing market to international market addressed by a number of authors (OECD, 1998;Webb and Sawyer, 1998; Walczuch et al., 2000 and Giessen et al., 2001).Giessen (2001) remarks â€Å"the twin phenomena of globalization and-commerce pose new challenges and provide competitive opportunities for large and small firms alike†. It is an imperative opportunity force’s to access the global market, as the one of the important feature of e-commerce is global reach as stated by Loudon (2001). Therefore, ME’s are expecting the opportunity to extend existing market into globalization by using e-commerce. Undoubtedly, Internet has provided chance for SME’s to diminish the entry barrier and costs into global trading market as electronic commerce offers companies the possibility to sell internationally, effectively removing constraints of time and location and substantially enhancing their competitiveness, and it is the most imperative opportunity for SME’s to increase productivity andthe capability to entry markets and discover business partners globally(OECD, 1998). Indeed, the reach of global market is an exciting opportunity for SME’s to grow in terms of the size of company and competitive advantage. However, Jutland et al. (2002) proclaims that â€Å"globalization pressures arising from e-commerce operations often mean that SME’s have to acquire international trade knowledge. Publishing company’s website in the Internet is simple but trading in the global market is not so simple task for any of the SME’s. As Teethe and Burn (2001) points out that the challenge for SME’s are complicated byte general lack of clearly defined frameworks for analysis of the entire processes of strategy building, implementation and management with aspect to the emergent global information economy. However-commerce truly provides the great opportunity for SME’s to increase competence with lager firms in variety of business opportunities as well as an opportunity to extend trading geography. The various opportunities offered by e-commerce are the significant riving factors that encourage a firm to adopt e-commerce as its business operation. Threats Although the use of e-commerce has provided a huge opportunity force’s in range of business activities, e-commerce might become a threat for SME’s while trying to explore a variety of opportunity by using-commerce. As Drew (2003) indicates there are a number of threats of-commerce for SME’s. These threats include increasing competition from larger firms as the new medium allows larger firms to mimic the traditional strengths of SME’s in serving niche markets, developing customer intimacy E-commerce in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) E-commerce in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Analysis of innovation of e-commerce in small and medium-sized enterprises In the last decade large organisations have realised the increasing impact of new and cutting edge technology. Clark (1989) emphasized on the importance of technology to gain competitive advantage but at the same time he warned that building and maintaining such advantage will always be a challenge. Information technology in the form of internet has allowed organisations and their management to benefit from better quality information and better decision making. White (1997) adds that the internet is extremely effective in attracting computer literate people. Especially Internet has made a prolific influence on the business world. The internet has become an area where consumers are able to find what they need (Amor, 2002). This is clearly evident by the growth of internet in the last few years as shown in figure 1. Being involved with the new technologies brought many opportunities and easiness to reach products to consumers anywhere, anytime in the world (McKenna,2002). The new technological innovations have allowed organisations to conduct business in a completely new way by using online electronic transaction mechanisms and the concept of E-Commerce evolved(Gunasegaram Love, 1999; Westland and Clark, 1999). Today in most of the business and commerce sector IT has taken the form of E-Commerce. Figure 1 Growth of internet E-commerce is a major innovation, which has benefited industries across the globe even the Small and Medium Industries. The SME’s in Itself amount to a large part of the economy, at the moment there are12000 SME’s using EDI, electronic data interchange to further their businesses. Although the SME’s are contributors to the national economy of any country, the whole framework used to build them lacks transparency. There are problems around the financial resources available to keep them going; there is not enough legislative and administrative support from the government. On the business front these enterprises lack the right kind of management vigour, style, knowledge, and experience in handling more developed innovative technologies, which are inundating the markets. This is something they need to be aware of in order to survive the competitive environment. The SME’sdon’t have a single development system, which can safeguard theirinterests. They need an integrated approach, which encompasses threelevels, strategic, institutional, and enterprise. The government andthe public/private sector need to offer support for the fulfilment ofthis long-term strategy, which will make SME’s into profit centres’-commerce brings in a host of advantages as well as disadvantages tome’s and this project is an attempt to learn more and develop deeper understanding into the effect of technical innovations in e-commerce on Small and medium sized enterprises [Kyiv, 1997]. This study attempts to add to the existing literature by looking at hawse’s are approaching to incorporate e-commerce into their business strategy or how they are trying to improve their existing approach. This study will also evaluate consumer experiences of online shopping and how e-commerce has impacted on their expectations and goes on to suggest how online stores may need to improve if they are to meet these new expectations. 2. Aims and Objectives Aims The main aim of this project is to explore how the SME’s are important to the national economies and how the use of e-commerce help them gain a better position in terms of growth and profitability. There search context is based on SME’s in England to get an even background to this research question. As one knows technology and innovation always have repercussions, this project would also explore how theses ME’s deal with the disadvantages and convert them into viable benefits. This project will also find out to what extent do small firms use-commerce in their business processes and what are the barriers to the adoption of e-commerce? Customers as well as organization’s perspective towards e-commerce will be found out. Alongside the study will also try to find out how much electronic transaction have influenced the small-scale industry? Additionally this dissertation will also provide with accurate, up-to-date, research-based information about possible future trends in e-commerce. And lastly, this research will provide some suggestions and recommendations to be considered for the improvement of-commerce for small firms to develop ideas for further research in this context. This study on SME’s under different situations and circumstances would help present an overall portrayal and even help understand the issues under a magnifying glass when faced in certain sectors like manufacturing. To summarize some of the questions that will be addressed through this research are as follows: †¢ What is the status of SME’s in today’s global business environment? †¢ What is the contribution of the SME’s in the national and global economies? †¢ How will innovations like the Internet in e-commerce help the businesses in SME’s grow and become more profitable ventures? †¢ What are the problems/mistakes in the E-business strategy adopted in general by small firms in U.K? †¢ What are the problems faced by customers and organisations while dealing on internet? †¢ What are the factors that influence the development of e-commerce? †¢ Does e-commerce open up new markets for small scale industries in the United Kingdom? Objectives 1. Critically evaluate the relevant literature on small firms and the importance/usage of the internet. 2. Understand small firms’ problems and barriers to the use of e-commerce through articles, newspapers, interviews and surveys. 3. Gain specific knowledge of internet usage for small firms in business through interviews, publications and company information. 4. Provide recommendations to improve the usage of internet as a competitive tool. 5. The advent of the e-commerce, its advantages and disadvantages. 3. Literature Review E-Commerce E-commerce may be defined as â€Å"The sharing of business information, maintaining business relationships, and conducting business transactions by means of Internet-based technology† (Riggins Rhee, 1998, p. 90). Alternately it may also be defined as â€Å"Anything that enhances your relationships with an existing customer and increases the revenue you get from the customer.† (Sullivan, 1998, p.24). The Internet and Electronic Commerce have made the world market smaller place to trade in. The Internet has opened up many possibilities of organising and running an online business. It has created a universal platform for buying and selling of goods which has resulted in faster transaction times and reduced transaction costs. Colin Turner (2000), in his book on the information of e-economy, talks about the e-commerce business accomplishment and strategies. E-commerce has its benefits and shortcomings, along with this belief; the companies are also battling with the pressures of information technology revolution coming to an end. â€Å"Despite all the hype surrounding electronic commerce, and the recent failure of many of that com companies, it does present real opportunities to small entrepreneurs in many countries.† (Fatal and Janet, 2004) Classification of E-commerce According to the applications or the nature of transaction of E-commerce, it can be categorized as follows: Turban et al (2000) divided E-commerce into three categories in terms of its applications: a) Electronic markets: It refers to buying and selling goods and services at an electronic marketplace, where the business centre is not a physical building but rather a network-based location. The market handles all the necessary transaction, including response to information request, purchase acknowledgement, shipping notice, purchase/service delivery, payment acknowledgement, and the transfer of money between banks and so on. In electronic market, the principal participants transaction handlers, buyers, brokers, and sellers, are not only at different locations but seldom even know one another. The means of interconnection varies among parties and can change from event to event, even between the same parties. b) Inter-organisational systems: They are facilitating inter and intra-organization flow of information, communication and collaboration. An IOS (inter-organisational information systems) involves information flow among two or more organisations. Its major objective is efficient information and transaction processing. All relationships are predetermined and there is no negotiation, just execution. A typical IOS includes a company and its suppliers and/or customers. Through it, buyers and sellers arrange routine business transactions and information is exchanged over communications networks using prearranged formats. Its main types aired (Electronic data interchange), extranets, electronic funds transfer, electronic forms, integrated messaging, shared databases and supply chain management. c) Customer service: It is a series of activities designed to enhance the level of customer satisfaction, helping customers to resolve problems they encountered in any phase of the purchasing process. E-commerce plays a dual role in customer service. First, it provides customer service to a process that is done completely offline. Second, it provides help to online transactions. Types of customer service include answering customer inquiries, providing search and comparison capabilities, providing technical information to customers, allowing customers to track order status, and allowing customers to place an online order and so on. Kalakos Whinstone (1997) contended that there are three distinct general classes of electronic commerce applications: a) Inter-organizational Electronic Commerce: Like Turban et al above, Kalakos Whinstone consider that-commerce can be applied in following inter-organizational business: Supplier management: Electronic applications help companies reduce the number of suppliers and facilitate business partnerships by reducing purchase order (PO) processing costs and cycle times, and by increasing the number of Pops processed with fewer people. Inventory management: It shortens the order-ship-bill cycle and time of transmitting information. Businesses can also track their documents to ensure that they were received, thereby improving auditing capabilities. This also helps reduce inventory levels, improve inventory turns and eliminate out-of-stock occurrences. Distribution management: Electronic application facilitate the transmission of shipping documents such as bills of lading, pur chase orders, advanced ship notices, and manifest claims, and enable better resource management by ensuring that the documents themselves contain more accurate data. Channel management: Electronic application quickly disseminates information about changing operational conditions to trading partners. By electronically linking production-related information with international distributor and reseller networks, companies can eliminate thousands of labour hours and ensure accurate information sharing. Payment management: Linking companies with suppliers and distributors enables payment to be sent and received electronically. Electronic payment reduces clerical error, increases the speed at which companies compute invoices, and lowers transaction fees and costs. b) Intra-organizational commerce The purpose of intra-organizational applications is to help a company maintain the relationships that are critical to delivering superior customer value. Its applications are as follows: Workgroup communications: It enables managers to communicate with employees using electronic mail, videoconferencing, and bulletin board, hence increase the dissemination of information, resulting in better-informed employees. Electronic publishing: It enables companies to organize, publish and disseminate human resources manuals, product specifications and meeting minutes using tools such as the World Wide Web. Meanwhile, it reduces costs for printing and distributing documentation, faster delivery of information and reduction of outdate information. Sales force productivity: These applications improve the flow of information between the production and sales forces, and between the firms and customers. The goal is to allow firms to collect market intelligence quickly and to analyse if more thoroughly. c) Consumer-to-Business Electronic Commerce Social interaction: Consumers can communicate with each other through e-mail, videoconferencing, and news group etc. Personal finance management: El ectronic applications enable consumers to manage investments and personal finances using online banking tools. Purchasing products and information: Consumers can find online information about existing and new products/services. Turban et al (2000) further goes on to describe E-Commerce based on the types of transactions and are more popularly known as: B2B (Business-to-Business): Most of E-commerce today is of this type. It includes the IOS transactions and electronic market transactions between organisations. B2C (Business-to-Consumer): These are retailing transactions with individual shoppers. C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): In this category, consumers sell directly to consumers. C2B (Consumer-to-Business): In this category, consumers sell directly to organisations. Challenges to E-Commerce Although the Internet offers great deals of advantages to electronic commerce and businesses, it also provides a number of challenges. Some of these challenges as mentioned by Turban et al (2000) are discussed below: 1. Unsuccessful Business Models Not all companies that implement electronic commerce make benefits. Technologies changes so rapidly that keeping pace with change ultimately becomes too expensive or results in a failure. 2. Channel Conflicts Sometimes a company uses more than one distribution channel (Online as well as traditional channels) to sell its products and services. This can cause conflict between the dealers as it becomes important in such case to maintain a balance between the different channels. For e.g.it might be possible that a particular company tries to sell its product online at a lesser cost with some discount and maintains the original cost while selling it offline. This disparity can cause its dealers to create a problem. 3. Legal Issues Internet Law s are confusing and mostly non-existent. Also the Internet’s global and is used by individuals from different countries and thus it becomes difficult to decide which law to apply if a conflict arises. 4. Security Privacy This is the most important issue concerned with online transactions and businesses. Important information and valuable data like credit/debit card details, personal information, business plans and other company data can be easily leaked and tracked by hackers. Security risk in electronic payments has been one of the major reasons in making online businesses not to grow rapidly over the Internet. Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Different countries define small medium enterprises in different ways. Teethe and Burn (2001) define small medium enterprises (SME) as â€Å"firms with less than 500 employees. This is further broken down into micro companies, those with less than 5 employees; small companies, those with 5 to 20 employees and medium companies, those with between20 and 500 employees. On the other hand, the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI, 1999) define SME’s as firms with 250 employees or fewer. The European Commission (2003) defines SME’s as follows: microenterprises are enterprises with a maximum number of 10 employees, maximum turnover of 2 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of total of 2 million euros. While small enterprises are enterprises with maximum number of 50 employees, a maximum turnover of 10 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of a total of 10 million euros. Finally medium enterprises are enterprises with a maximum number of 250employees, a maximum turnover of 50 million euros and a maximum balance sheet of a total of 43 million euros. Figure 2 SME Thresholds (European Commission, 2003) Buncombe (1999) points out that a number of studies have attempted to collect information on the make-up of Botswanas SME sector, by gaining access to official statistics and by conducting field surveys in connection with various research projects. According to the report, he defines enterprises according to the number of employees, annual turnover, and level of formality. There is no real universally standard definition for Small firms. In a study carried by the ILO, more than 50definitions were identified in 75 different countries, with considerable ambiguity in the terminology used. For the purpose of this study the author will go with the definition of Small firms which defines Small firms as firms with 49 or fewer employees. From the foregoing definition of small medium enterprises (SME’s) by different researchers, it can be seen that the number of employees and turnover are the determinant factors in the definition of SME, but, the criteria is different from country to country. SME’s and E-Commerce Internet became a main way for effective marketing in business. It is one of the most effective media all over the world and this makes it compulsory channel to use for market entries. Specifically, small firms have major problems with strong companies and existing small firms about market entries in the market. They have to prove their identity in the market as an enterprise despite all these rivalry and difficulties such as web design, domain name, site security responsibilities to customers, etc. They have to let customers know that they are in the market and internet is an efficient way to do so. Furthermore, cost advantages which come with e-commerce are reasonable for market entry. Small firms have a lot of to do as they are new tithe market or they need to grow in the market. They try to cut costs and increase investments in their business. Internet provides great opportunity to small firms for their activities in the market. Even as they serve a local or regional market rather than a national or an international market, it might be difficult to enter market or to reach customers. E-commerce appears as the most efficient way to gain successor small firms in existing fierce rivalry. The small firms generally provide the majority of the jobs and are significant contributor towards the national economy (Baldwin, 2001).Small and medium scale enterprises are considered to be the core out’s economy. According to Smith et al (2000) 99% of UK business firms can be categorized as small businesses and they employ up to 58% out’s total workforce. Hence small firms are extremely important in UK’s economy and the government expends considerable resources to support this sector. The UK government admits that small firms are neglected and left behind while the larger companies getting advantage over small businesses in the e-commerce world (Simpson; Docherty, 2004) Thus it’s very important to study the problems and barriers encountered in adopting a new economy cycle by the sector which represents the majority of the countries businesses. Sadowski et al (2002) notes that even after the widespread use of internet technologies in the corporate world, the amount of Internet use varies to a great extent in the small-scale sector. The adoption of any new technology in this sector is influenced by the several variables as stated by Martens et al (2001). These factors may include the characteristic of the firm, its competitiveness, the influence it has on third parties in the decision process, the management strategy and the characteristic of the new technology itself. All these factors lead company to strategic advantage if they used as they should be. It is important that the company sustains strategic advantage from e-commerce. Competitive business environment makes this matter more important (Hiding, 1999).As long as the company provides well designed web-site that suits with business and its requirements, then strategic advantage can be sustained. Thomas H. Davenport (1993), in his book, ‘Process Innovation –Reengineering work through information technology talks about, how revolutionary approach to information technology and its integration in our business processes can change the scenario. This can dramatically change the way business is conducted in small and medium enterprises also improve the performance keeping in view the competitive environment. New technologies and process innovation brings a new commitment and strategic evolution to these enterprises. Resources like information technology and e-commerce are largely untapped by the SME’s but once that scenario changes, there will be a lot of improvisations and growth avenues. Mandel (2001) says that every technological innovation and discovery finally has it downturn. When these new opportunities like e-commerce come into play, all businesses want ashore of this market. In their rush to get more profits, the investments are so heavy and lacking direction that invariably it leads to a loss since the economy infrastructure cannot support it. This has been proven with the dotcom burst and doom. According to some authors, these SME’s can actually use the innovation of e-commerce to march forward and become integral contributors to the economies. Due to their sizes they lack the initiative and financial power to go all out and compete in different markets, e-commerce could be the solution to some of the marketing gaps, which hold them back from becoming more successful. Importance of SME’s to countries’ economies Baraka (2001) reports that growing evidence indicates that Small Medium Enterprises play an important role in promoting the national economic development of any country. They create a lot of new jobs and produce much of the creativity and innovation that fuels economic progress. Ninety present of the total number of companies in most countries is comprised of small medium enterprises, which provide on average 70% of job opportunities (OECD, 1997). 26% of OECD exports and35% of Asias export are directly produced by small medium firms as suggested by Tendon (2002). The existing literature from research in different studies points out that Small medium enterprises (SME) world-wide have found that Internet use has become a critically important aspect of their business. Porter(2001) supports this view and suggests that companies of all sizes should have a strategy of reacting to competitors and increased adoption of the Internet technology, which will lead to increase in competition within markets. He further points out that e-commerce reduces the difference among competitors offerings and frequently migrate competition to price rather than products features or brand perceptions. He also suggests that smaller businesses could improve their business competitiveness with either other small businesses or larger companies by adopting e-commerce. Porter (2001) is backed up by an earlier study (Jacobs and Rowland 2000). They suggest that smaller businesses have, in particular, been encouraged to adopt e-commerce as a means of improving their competitiveness, either with other small medium enterprises or with larger companies, where they have been promised that e-commerce can level the playing. According to Daniel and Wilson (2002), small and medium-sized enterprises are now increasingly making use of e-commerce. Daniel further suggests that â€Å"responding to competitive pressure was the main reason leading to companies to adopt e-commerce. Information sharing and communication between employees within the firm were found to bethe e-commerce activities where firms are realizing the greatest benefits. Hence, though the future of e-commerce is still unpredictable, it is important that developing countries, their governments and businesses should prepare for these new developments. Benefits of e-commerce to SME’s A growing number of organisations have implemented e-commerce in the hope of improving decision making, lowering costs and improving customer satisfaction levels. A major benefit of e-commerce is cost reduction as Tagliavini et al (2001) pointed out a correct adoption of-commerce could lead to a reduction of transaction costs and coordination costs. Also, Davies and Garcia (1999) argue that benefits for SME’s are faster communication, effective dissemination and collection of information and closer relationships throughout the supply chain. Meanwhile, Liu and Arnett (2000) suggested theatre-commerce can help business organisations cut costs, interact directly with customers, run more smoothly and in a timelier manner, and even better, it can help an organization outperform its competition. Further driving factors of e-commerce for SME’s are also identified by Auger and Gallagher (1997) as follows: access to an Affluent Customer Base, lower Information Dissemination Costs, lower Transaction Costs, broader Market Reach, increased Service, additional Channels for Customer Feedback and Consumer and Market Research. Reducing costs, better communication with customers, access to larger customer base, and extended market are the major benefits of using-commerce agreed by a number of authors. At the same time, the more detailed benefits of e-commerce to SME’s are summarized as follows: †¢ Innovative products, better services and exploring new market opportunities; †¢ Shift in value added and content components of what is made and sold; †¢ Changes to economies of scale and the traditional barriers and advantages of large enterprises; †¢ Untying work functions from specific locations and time constraints; †¢ Flattening and disaggregating of organisational structures; †¢ Scope for customization at low cost; and †¢ Commercialization of in-house content and know-how. However, a study conducted by Poon (1999) found that the benefits of Internet commerce could be classified into long-term and short-term benefits, direct and indirect benefits. He suggested that the short-term benefits should be achieved within a few months, while the long-term benefits may take longer and unable to be predicted. The use of e-commerce can benefit SME’s in terms of reducing costs and access to larger customer base in the short term, and business transformation in the future. The use of e-commerce will also have a great deal of effect on the SME’s business activities as Tagliavini et al. (2001)indicated that E-Commerce has an important influence on SME’s; range of activity, providing increased competition on a global scale and allowing them to access wider markets. From the above literature it could be rightly said that E-Commerce adoption is an essential business strategy for SME’s to obtain competitive advantage. Opportunities and Threats faced by SME’s There are major opportunities for new entrepreneurs and small- to medium-sized businesses to flourish in the maturing of e-commerce(Drew, 2003). The use of e-commerce has provided a variety of benefits for SME’s as well as a number of potential opportunities. â€Å"The Internet’s usually presented as an opportunity for smaller firms because it helps reduce transaction costs and level the playing field (Evans and Wurster, 1997). The opportunities for SME’s include expanding scope of marketing, wider and richer communication, reaching new market and reducing cost of operations and partnering with suppliers (Drew, 2003). According to a report conducted by Prevost (1998), there are variety of opportunities added to SME’s, including efficiency and productivity for business process, the development of new market opportunity (B2C andB2B) as well as access to global market. Also, the e-commerce give SME’s opportunity to exploit competitive and know how benefits as suggested by Tagliavini et al. (2001). Nevertheless, how to use e-commerce as an opportunity to SME’s will depend on the industry and firm factor implied by Drew (2003). These influenced factors include: The smaller firm’s technical and Internet knowledge; The rate at which the market is growing; The pace of innovation and change in the industry; The technical and Internet strengths of the larger competitors; The sources of competitive advantage for the smaller business; The strategic intent of the larger competitors; and The structure of the industry in which the firm competes. Generally, the market, industry structure, and macro-environment will be the major influenced factors that decide e-commerce as an opportunity or threat for SME’s. Therefore, although it is not doubt that e-commerce has provided a huge opportunity for SME’s in the range of business activities, the external and internal factors must be considered strategically while adopting e-commerce. However, Tagliaviniet al (2001) argued, the real opportunity of E-Commerce adoption force’s is still unclear(p.211). Global Trading The significant opportunity for SME’s is to extend existing market to international market addressed by a number of authors (OECD, 1998;Webb and Sawyer, 1998; Walczuch et al., 2000 and Giessen et al., 2001).Giessen (2001) remarks â€Å"the twin phenomena of globalization and-commerce pose new challenges and provide competitive opportunities for large and small firms alike†. It is an imperative opportunity force’s to access the global market, as the one of the important feature of e-commerce is global reach as stated by Loudon (2001). Therefore, ME’s are expecting the opportunity to extend existing market into globalization by using e-commerce. Undoubtedly, Internet has provided chance for SME’s to diminish the entry barrier and costs into global trading market as electronic commerce offers companies the possibility to sell internationally, effectively removing constraints of time and location and substantially enhancing their competitiveness, and it is the most imperative opportunity for SME’s to increase productivity andthe capability to entry markets and discover business partners globally(OECD, 1998). Indeed, the reach of global market is an exciting opportunity for SME’s to grow in terms of the size of company and competitive advantage. However, Jutland et al. (2002) proclaims that â€Å"globalization pressures arising from e-commerce operations often mean that SME’s have to acquire international trade knowledge. Publishing company’s website in the Internet is simple but trading in the global market is not so simple task for any of the SME’s. As Teethe and Burn (2001) points out that the challenge for SME’s are complicated byte general lack of clearly defined frameworks for analysis of the entire processes of strategy building, implementation and management with aspect to the emergent global information economy. However-commerce truly provides the great opportunity for SME’s to increase competence with lager firms in variety of business opportunities as well as an opportunity to extend trading geography. The various opportunities offered by e-commerce are the significant riving factors that encourage a firm to adopt e-commerce as its business operation. Threats Although the use of e-commerce has provided a huge opportunity force’s in range of business activities, e-commerce might become a threat for SME’s while trying to explore a variety of opportunity by using-commerce. As Drew (2003) indicates there are a number of threats of-commerce for SME’s. These threats include increasing competition from larger firms as the new medium allows larger firms to mimic the traditional strengths of SME’s in serving niche markets, developing customer intimacy

Companies Should Research Health Care Products For Use in Developing Na

Companies Should Research Health Care Products For Use in Developing Nations The industry of medical research and product development is an expensive and risky business in which the rate of failure far outweighs the likelihood of success (Glaxo). Only the largest companies can afford to invest large amounts of time and capital in projects that seem to have little chance of striking research gold--a drug that is effective, safe, and marketable for a profit. This creates an obvious problem: what incentives exist that would encourage companies to make a commitment to the development and distribution of products that are not likely to produce great returns, namely medicines that would be used mainly in third world countries? Are these companies morally obligated to earmark at least some of their profits to pursue such projects? What responsibilities do the governments of developing nations have to their citizens in providing and improving health care? Some of the most urgent current health issues in developing countries are the threats posed by drug-resistant TB and malaria, Hepatitis A and B, yellow fever, meningococcal meningitis, and typhoid fever (Alameda). Vaccines are available for all of the above infections except TB and malaria, but separate injections are required for each, some require follow-ups, and each injection costs as much as $75 (Alameda). This is an expense that is obviously not practical for most rural citizens in Africa and Southeast Asia, some of the areas where these diseases are most prevalent (Glaxo). No relief effort to date has the resources to make widespread distribution of these vaccines possible or practical. The very beginning of the battle is making products that will greatly increase the health o... ...of companies with the resources who would enjoy the benefits. In addition, it is obvious that the US on an international scale benefits from such efforts, and thus our government should be willing to support or conduct such research when necessary. Works Cited: Alameda Travel Vaccination Center. About the Vaccines: Alameda Travel Vaccination Center. http: www.netcantina.com/travelmed/homepage/.htm (6 March 1997). Belden, Peter. US Agency for International Development. Letter to the author. 8 March 1997. Glaxo Wellcome Inc. "A Timely, Two-Sided Attack on Malaria", Glaxo Wellcome Noticeboard, Glaxo Wellcome Research Centres. Glaxo Wellcome http://www.glaxowellcome.co.uk/netscape/world [contains links to all articles] (6 March 1997). Smallpox. Encyclopedia Britannica. vol. 10, 1994 ed. p. 887-8. Ryan, Dr. Thomas E. Physician. Letter to the author. 8 Mar 1997.

Claire McCloud Case Assignment Questions Essay

Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation Class Preparation for In-Class Discussion Feb 2, 2013 (Please prepare two page notes to bring to class) Claire McCloud Case Assignment Questions Please read the Claire McCloud case and the other three assigned articles about the management styles of Selina Lo (at Alteon), Andrea Jung (at Avon), and Christos Costsakos (at E-Trade). Prepare a two-page paper (with a word processor) to address the following questions: (Please hand in one copy of the notes at the beginning of the class.) 1. What are the pros and cons of Claire accepting the general manager position of the Fiber Optics division? What issues should Claire be considering in her decision to accept or decline the general manager position? Pros: A.Become CEO of a subsidiary company for Fiber Optics. Gain experience as an executive B.Fiber Optics is important fast growing business C. Cons A.She lacks technical R&D knowledge. B.She has no line management experience 2.List the functional areas of a business; i.e.., finance, R&D, Manufacturing, marketing, and rate each one with respect to the amount of industry specific knowledge that will be required for Claire to do the job effectively (what the company lacks currently) vs. what she possesses. What does Claire need to know about the technology? (You might set up a table to show your assessments.) 3. What are OWS’s strengths and weaknesses? How do they compare with Claire’s strengths and weaknesses? Function How important for the Company Company’s current strength McCloud’s Strength R&D +++ ++ + Production +++ + + Marketing & Sales +++ 0 ++ to +++ Finance +++ +++ +++ Human resource 4. What are the immediate short and long term tasks Claire will need to address if she accepts the job? Lay out a specific action plan for her to accomplish by i) the two months of her new job, ii) by the end of six months, iii) by the end of eighteen months. i)understand issue by informal meeting, and then call formal meeting to confirm issues. Finally report top management. Solve production issues. ii)solve marketing issue by visiting top 15 customers.

Media Education Of Debates Education Essay

Media instruction is the procedure of instruction and larning about media, the chief purposes are to develop a critical apprehension and an active engagement. Media instruction has for many old ages been in hunt of a infinite within the course of study, I hope in this assignment to look at how media instruction and media literacy have now found a topographic point within the course of study and have been translated by media instructors into pedagogical pattern. Children and grownups spend a big sum of their clip interacting with media of different types, from electronic mail, Internet, movies, newspapers and nomadic phones. These signifiers of media act as gateways to information, this information can frequently be filled with mass media messages, from advertizements to stereotypes. These messages are subconsciously taken in they have a monolithic impact on single consciousness and determinations ; they affect society as a whole. Media literacy helps to supply pupils with the tools that are necessary to enable them to read and entree information and to inquire inquiries. Media instruction can non entirely consist of production, pupils will non automatically get the critical cognition needed the media needs to be taught and challenged, the practical work does non by itself does non make an independent apprehension for the media. Media literacy should non be defined as a certain set of accomplishments or cognition, it should be looked at as the cardinal constructs of production, linguistic communication, representation and audience. â€Å" It is of import for media pedagogues to ever place unfavorable judgment at the head of our pattern, when incorporating production into the acquisition environment. †[ 1 ] Burn and Durran ( 2007 ) argue that media literacy has societal maps, and they prefer to see it as cardinal to the ‘3-Cs'model of media literacy. They province that audience can be studied in footings of their societal utilizations of the media even though as opposite numbers of manufacturers they have been traditionally seen as consumers of media texts. Social uses of the media average engagement and battle. They besides see the battle with the media as portion of wider cultural composites of gustatory sensation, involvement, pleasance, cognition and expertness which contribute to selfhood. Ofcom uses the undermentioned definition of media literacy ; ‘the ability to entree, understand and create communications in a assortment of contexts ‘[ 2 ]. The above quotation mark has parallels with Burn and Durran ( 2007 ) 3 C ‘s theoretical account. Henry Jenkins looks at the definitions of media literacy and looks at how it must non let pupils to disregard the accomplishments and cognition they already have to derive new cognition, that they must spread out their cognition. Culture in media instruction, the civilization is the values and ideals that are set by the pupils. â€Å" At least in the UK, research suggests that kids are now much more likely to be confined to their places, and much less independently mobile, than they were twenty old ages ago ; and while parents now spend much less clip with their kids, they are trying to counterbalance for this by giving increasing economic resources to child-rearing †[ 3 ] Buckingham ‘s point of position on media literacy is one of that it does non give the right replies but it allows the right inquiries to be asked. Throughout this assignment I am traveling to utilize my work with KS4 pupils making life as portion of the Gold Standard intercession programme. The pupils I work with have the ability to take advantage of an out of school experience. The pupils are welcomed into an educational environment but treated like grownups ; they become responsible for big sums of their ain acquisition. We do non anticipate pupils to walk through the door and go immediately engaged with what we are making, but we endeavour to set them in a place where they want to go occupied. Media instruction offers a new attack that looks at what pupils already know, non merely presuming that it is invalid. â€Å" develop a more automatic manner of instruction and acquisition, in which pupils can reflect on their ain activity both as ‘readers ‘ and as ‘writers ‘ of media texts †[ 4 ] The manner that Buckingham looks at how pupils have the ability to go ‘readers ‘ and ‘writers ‘ of media texts follows many analogues to my ain work with pupils. We get them to make an life and so discourse it, to understand why they have made the picks that they have. Burn and Durran look at how media instruction can be continued through the patterned advance of secondary school and how it can be taught across the course of study. Media instruction is non entirely a topic by itself ; media instruction can be used in many different capable countries. For case utilizing movie doing installations to make an reading of a Shakespeare drama, pupils would non merely be larning Shakespeare but besides larning by making.Hull City Learning CentresFacilitiesThe installations that are on offer at Hull City Learning Centres are as follows, at our East Centre, we have a intent built installation which houses, five instruction suites, each of these suites serves a different intent, each room has been specially designed to run into the demands of the pupils that require them. I am non traveling to travel into excessively much item about the suites as I am traveling to concentrate on the usage of merely one of the suites, but we have a grownup instruction room, a primary room ( which is geared up to KS2 pupils ) , and two KS4 suites, we so have a intent built media suite, which is the room that is used the most. This room has 26 iMac computing machines that double boot Windows and Mac OSX. Green screen shooting installation, HD cameras with illuming rig and sound equipment, it besides has an synergistic white board. The package we have on offer is the ‘free ‘ package bundled with the iMacs including iMovie and the iLife suite, we besides use a piece of life package called I Can Inspire or Pro Animate, I Can Animate is besides available on the Windows side of the machines.FunctionsHull City Learning Centres offer a broad scope of maps ; the chief one being KS4 intercession, working with schools to assist them accomplish the ‘Gold Standard ‘ which is accomplishing 5 A*-C classs at GCSE including Maths and English. The intercession courses that we run are ICT, Maths and English functional accomplishments, OCR subjects, multimedia, picture and life unit. However the chief intercession we offer is NCFE Animation which is the equivalent to 2 GCSE class Bs. We besides offer big instruction categories and KS2 intercession. We have two Centres across Hull, one Centre chiefly deals with the bringing of the Diplomas and the other focal points on intercession. The bringing of the Diplomas has become a large portion of what the CLC ‘s bash now, we deliver certain faculties on IT sheepskin and supply support and installations for the Creative and Media sheepskin. We besides have a conference room which can be used for picture conferencing and meetings, we are the host for a bulk of Local Authority enterprises and we besides support YHGFL ( Yorkshire and Humber Grid for Learning ) . Adult instruction categories are besides on offer a scope from the advanced CISCO networking to the most basic text processing degree 1. We work with the complete novice to the proficient experts, we offer class for grownups to accommodate their demands. We encourage household acquisition, and work with societal services and surrogate carers.ClientelesHull CLC is unfastened to all, we have on offer computing machines for people from the local community to come and utilize, we offer drawn-out installations for the host schools, we encourage schools to utilize as an out of the schoolroom experience. We deal on a twenty-four hours to twenty-four hours footing with people from all societal backgrounds, from primary school kids to our ‘silver surfboarders ‘ .AnimationI would wish to utilize my work with pupils in life as a instance survey in which to research a signifier of media instruction. The types of pupils that I work with tend to be pupils that do n't accomplish good in the normal schoolroom, nevertheless through the procedure of doing and making these pupils normally excel, they find that they can finish work to a high criterion and accomplish GCSE classs by making something that is fun. We find that media literacy has been a powerful tool for us to utilize, it has been noted that pupils that would usually be detached from reading and composing in school become engaged with it, this may be because there is a intent to what they are reading and composing.How we do itWe run the NCFE Animation class on a tight deadline, we have compressed 150 guided acquisition hours into 36 hours. This has been done to enable us to assist as many schools as possible, with every bit small break to the pupils ‘ clip tabular array. It besides helps us to guarantee that pupils attend, a just sum of our pupils have attending issues in school. The pupils that I work with semen to me with a image in their caputs, they are told by school that they are coming to derive an ICT making, when in fact this is n't the instance, pupils come and they complete an life making. To most of the pupils that I work with ICT agencies, databases and spreadsheets. â€Å" Yet, if media instruction is to assist bridge the widening spread between the school and the universe of kids ‘s out-of-school experience, it must certainly get down with the cognition kids already possess †[ 5 ] Buckingham discusses how pupils already have knowledge, through the procedure of this class we use pupils already bing cognition, we show them that they really know a just sum about life and they did n't gain. Once the pupils are introduced to life they instantly have a preconceived thought of what it is. They instantly think of The Simpsons and Family Guy but so few of them see computing machine games as life, they do n't see how life surrounds them. During treatments with the pupils about life, we open their eyes to merely how much it surrounds us, from advertizements to instruction. We get pupils to discourse their different sentiments and thoughts ; we get them to believe about how different groups of pupils may construe a certain piece of life We get pupils to look at lifes that are British, American, European and Asian. We get pupils to discourse how other civilizations use life for amusement and the differences between them. Media analysis is an of import portion of the class it enables us to assist pupils develop critical thought accomplishments, by working on their observations and readings. Students begin to look at how lifes challenge stereotypes and concealed motivations. Students begin to understand some of the ‘hidden messages ‘ in lifes. We do concentrate a batch of clip analyzing alive advertizements looking at who they are aimed at and how different types of life entreaty to different demographics. Before pupils begin believing about what they are traveling to inspire we present them to a assortment of lifes, we show them illustrations of professional work and what other pupils have produced, we get the pupils involved in group treatments about good and bad characteristics of the lifes, we get them to look non merely at the techniques used in the lifes, but we get them to look and believe about how music and sound have been used, we look at the usage of particular effects in station production.What the pupils learnWe spend more clip acquiring the pupils to understand life than bogging them down with complex life and redacting package, we opt for iMovie that comes bundled with the iMacs as our redacting package and Pro Animate as out life package, the package is simple and intuitive, it allows pupils to concentrate on the existent life and non acquire worried about the package. This is frequently a concern of our pupils, they frequently lack in assurance and a nervous about non merely utilizing an unfamiliar operating system ( most of our pupils are merely Windows literate ) but utilizing new package, so we demonstrate the package right at the beginning and show pupils that the package is nice and simple to utilize. We have now started to offer this intercession class to pupils that have particular educational demands and larning jobs, we do n't offer it as a speedy hole for GCSE classs, we offer them it as an experience as something that they can walk off holding made, we focus less on the theory facets of the class and dressed ore on the practical, acquiring pupils to seek different stuffs and techniques. These pupils have frequently been segregated at school and do n't frequently hold the same chances as the chief watercourse pupils. Even though few of these pupils had the ability to read or compose they made and life and instead than compose about what they have done a why, we record them. They are prompted with the same inquiries that other pupils have to compose about, it is clear from the responses that we get from the pupils that they have understood a huge sum of what has been discussed with them. They are able to explicate different signifiers of life and occupations that are available in the life industry. The rules of life are demonstrated through acquiring pupils to make a flipbooks, this introduces them to how life works, how much work goes into it. It is besides utilizing something that the bulk of pupils are familiar ; this enables pupils to larn through making. The custodies on manner of making it assist them to retrieve the procedure, instead than standing and stating pupils how to make it. Students are able to pull on their ain experiences and go engaged in the schoolroom. Surveies have shown that pupils whom are actively engaged in a subject can more actively associate it to the existent universe. ( Hobbs, 2006 ) .Bing originativeWe try and acquire our pupils to be every bit originative as possible when it comes to the practical component, we try and acquire them to look outside the box and off from the norm. This is sometimes difficult as these pupils have a preconceived thought of what ICT is and this is what they have been told they are analyzing, they do n't see how creativeness comes into it. â€Å" The word ‘creativity ‘ is used with many different significances in different contexts†¦ ..In peculiar, it carries a instead different significance in art instruction and media instruction, and in many ways life undertakings cross the boundary between these districts. †[ 6 ] We have to look at the discourses which make up the cultural contexts of these lifes this is outlined by Burn and Durran 2007. When a pupil comes up with a rubric for their life, the thoughts that spring to my head as a instructor and the thoughts that they have are really different, this comes from our difference in cognition. Students frequently look at making an alive piece for portion of a vocal, they print wordss off and make props to fit, and one case that springs to mind is a pupil that was making an life for a vocal that included wordss about returning with no weaponries, this pupil took the actual significance a drew an armless character, when in fact the context was weaponries as in arms and guns. Recently we decided to give the pupils a subject for their lifes the subject was ‘technology ‘ we mentioned iPods, phones, and MP3 participants, when the pupils returned the undermentioned twenty-four hours to get down inspiring the fluctuation of props collected from place for an life about engineering varied significantly from pupil to pupil, some brought in their nomadic phone boxes whilst other brought in patterning clay. I gave the full group the forenoon to work out how they were traveling to utilize their props to make an life advertisement engineering or a piece of engineering. I was nevertheless slightly concerned about how modelling clay could be used, but I allowed the pupil to continue. Once the group began inspiring in the afternoon it became clear the pupil with the modeling clay had great thoughts, she had made an iPod out of patterning clay, created some earphones. This pupil did n't experience the demand to utilize the existent artifact to inspire she fel t it would be better if she created it from abrasion ; she wanted to make her ain original piece of life.Researching and affinity infinitesWhilst pupils are on the life class they are expected to research a assortment of elements to make with the life industry, what is interesting is how reliant pupils are on the cyberspace, pupils take the information presented to them at face value, it is merely when you enter into treatments with pupils about how dependable the information they are is. Many pupils are cognizant that Wikipedia can be altered by anyone with an history but really few realise that this can intend the information is wrong and untrue. Henry Jenkins looks at this farther, he looks at how pupils need to ability to research, take notes, read books, understand and merge secondary beginnings. â€Å" to hold on what kinds of information are being conveyed by assorted systems of representation ; to separate between fact and fiction, fact and sentiment †[ 7 ] An affinity infinite is a topographic point practical or physical that ties people together, based around a shared involvement. I ‘m traveling to utilize Wikipedia as an illustration of an affinity infinite, and the manner that it is used for instruction. Wikipedia enables registered users to upload and redact information about a peculiar subject. Wikipedia like many other affinity infinites allows namelessness therefore it bridges a barrier that is frequently produced by age, sex, instruction, and race to call a few. Although Wikipedia could be filled with inaccurate information, which was a point I made earlier, within in affinity infinites there is normally unwritten regulations that you should merely do remark on things you know about, you should do certain that any quotation marks are accurately referenced. Wikipedia has created like many other affinity infinites an out of school topographic point to larn, it appears to be someplace that pupils feel comfy with. Affinity spaces let informal acquisition to take topographic point harmonizing to James Gee 2004, the usage of affinity infinites does nevertheless necessitate a pupil to be slightly self motivated. Affinity infinites are going far more huge for pupils they now have entree to a wealth of information on the Internet, they besides have the ability to inquire inquiries and articulation forums based around a topic that they are interested in. For case pupils I have worked with have created Facebook groups that they can all pass on about a joint undertaking, the ‘wall ‘ allows pupils post their thoughts and for them to acquire feedback. From my personal point of position and my engagement with the bringing of ICT/IT in an informal instruction scene, I have noted how classs have now slightly changed. The debut of the Diplomas has been a method of making this, what would hold been conventionally taught by ICT instructors in schools, pupils now have a mix of staff, staff like myself that originate from industry, I lead the multimedia unit of the IT sheepskin and give pupils an penetration into how a existent web design undertaking would work. We have staff that runs their ain concerns, we drag our technicians in and acquire them to assist us when it comes to the bringing of networking, we show the pupils the waiter room, they get to see it existent life non merely in images. Burn and Durran 2007 discuss how ICT has changed and now non merely allows pupils to make spreadsheets and databases, but now allows them to make artifacts that were one time merely created by extremely skilled experts. Affinity infinites are portion of informal instruction and tantrum in good with the manner of instruction and larning on offer at the CLC. Informal instruction has the ability to be advanced whereas formal instruction does n't be given to be. Affinity infinites are taking to a more originative manner of instruction and acquisition.Participatory civilizationHarmonizing to the five points of definition outlined by Jenkins 2006, is where cognition can be cascaded down from those that are experts down to those that are novitiates. â€Å" And yet kids — peculiarly younger children-are progressively take parting in cultural and societal universes that are unaccessible, even inexplicable to their parents. †[ 8 ] Childs are far stand outing their parents in their cognition of computing machines, as a instructor of ICT I have become quite cognizant of how of import maintaining my accomplishments up has become, many pupils arrive with a surprisingly huge cognition of many package applications and to enable me to trouble-shoot these package applications I have to cognize how they work, nevertheless, this is n't ever possible. Technology is traveling so rapidly that as staff we frequently become bogged down with what we have to cognize instead than looking at what we should cognize. â€Å" Participatory civilization shifts the focal point of literacy from single look to community engagement. †[ 9 ] The above quotation mark by Jenkins suggests how media operates in specific contexts that lead to the how and why they are being used. A computing machine does non bring forth an result without a user, intending engagement is necessary, the sum of engagement does depend on the user. Some users will merely touch the surface of what the computing machine can make and other will delve right down into the nucleus, some will even come on to go experts. Most immature people are active participants of computing machines through the undermentioned outlined by Jenkins 2006 ; Affiliations, many immature people are members of formal and informal online communities based around a specific subject. For case many immature people will be utilizing facebook, Myspace and bet oning forums. These societal sites allow users with the same involvement to pass on at the same degree, it allows experts to go through on cognition and novitiates to derive cognition. These types of associations are now going more evident in the schoolroom, with pupils making ‘groups ‘ to assist each other with class work. Expressions, this is the production of new originative signifiers, such as mash ups, picture devising, fan fictions. Users are able to entree these via web sites such as youtube.com, many students/young people when presented with a challenge now look it up on youtube. Youtube enable users to see and upload pictures, many videos that have been uploaded have been uploaded to demo how to make something, there is a wealth of information available on youtube. Many of the pupils that I work with when they have produced movies or lifes want to upload them to the cyberspace for the universe to see. Collaborative job resolution, this allows users to work together as a squad ; this allows jobs to be solved in a formal and informal manner. This method allows immature people to finish undertakings and develop new cognition. As discussed antecedently many pupils use Wikipedia which allows them to collaboratively work out jobs, even to a certain extent Facebook allows this with the map of being able to make groups. Circulations, determining the flow of media, this is frequently done through web provenders, web logs, podcast and on Facebook ‘statuses ‘ . Many immature people broadcast the media they wish to portion by updating their positions or posting to their walls. Participatory civilization is now going the head of instruction and the schoolroom, the accomplishments that are acquired through the legion signifiers of participatory civilization will help immature people in the development of accomplishments and the comprehension of the encompassing universe.The engagement spreadWith this in head, I sometime have a cognition spread, to increase my cognition and assist other pupils I get the pupils that know the package to sit and demo me how they did something, this is n't merely reenforcing their cognition but it is besides leting me to larn on the occupation. As mentioned antecedently as a CLC we work with everyone from the most basic of users to the most advanced. We try and encourage household acquisition, this is to assist cut down the engagement spread, most families have a computing machine that is normally monopolised by the adolescents, the parents frequently do n't acquire a expression in, which frequently means they do n't cognize what their kids are making or even how they are making this. We try and bridge this spread we invite KS3 and 4 pupils to the CLC for 10 categories in which we teach parents how to supervise and protect their kids when they are utilizing a computing machine, we besides teach the pupils how to utilize different package to finish different undertakings, we so spend six hebdomads working with them together to make a combined piece of work, frequently this takes the signifier of a picture, which they have filmed, edited and rendered to harrow. We show the parents how they can assist their kids how they can a cquire involved and we besides show them that they can make it. However, when these parents/carers arrive they are frequently daunted by the fact that their kid knows more than they do. We as a CLC are seeking to cut down the engagement spread farther by going involved with the Governments Home Access strategy, we are besides flying a strategy to supply wireless internet entree to all secondary age pupils, and we are flying it with one school and the environing country. Through surveies that have been carried out, it indicates that if a pupil has entree to a computing machine in their first twelvemonth of secondary school they are more likely to go through English and maths at GCSE.DecisionThe alterations in the civilization of instruction over the past few old ages have affected the methods of instruction. Media instruction and all of what comes with it is still developing and happening its topographic point within the course of study, it is get downing to stand out and is going something that instructor have to believe about. Media instruction is being used in all capable countries but how and why it is being used demands to be defined merely utilizing it for the interest of utilizing it, is n't a good usage of clip and resources. Students all need to be made cognizant of why they are doing the determinations that they are and how they impact their ain acquisition. There are nevertheless from my ain observations learning staffs that refuse to believe that media instruction is of import, they do non implant their lessons to utilize media of any description, even though the installations are on offer. There is off class the teaching staff that see media instruction as the ability to bring forth a ill formed PowerPoint presentation about the consequence of planetary heating. These members of staff demand to be educated in what is media literacy and media instruction and shown how to utilize it efficaciously within their lessons. We must go on to believe about whether media instruction can be used as a model for all media. Media instruction should let pupils and learning staff to develop accomplishments and apprehension of how they are take parting. Media instruction is n't a speedy hole to a deadening lesson program nor should it be used a method merely to jazz up a category. Students should go engaged in what they are making because they understand why they are making it, and how they are traveling to make it.