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Management case study, weaknesses

Management case study, weaknesses

The weaknesses are the factors that can be controlled by the management yet slow the organization’s ability to obtain or maintain a competitive advantage. The two weaknesses as in this case study is inadequate technology and skills and the poor business physical location. Organizational weaknesses deter a business growth and reduce the product or service value. The organizational weaknesses also thwart a company form achieving its objectives and missions. The lack of technology slows down business communication, interactions between the company and market, and entry of the new market. The lack of technology also deters the company from gaining a competitive advantage over its competitors. It is through technology that that communication is an organization is enhanced. For instance emails are a means of sending instant messages with or little interruption to the recipient. Technology also helps in product improvement and invention of new products in the market. Limited technology therefore prevents a company from growing.

Technology also helps in a company product’s marketing. Majority of the modern marketing are internet based. Technology has helped business operate globally and all businesses are able to operate in any market through internet. In this case study, the business lacks website and so cannot fully operate in all market segments and thus its weakness.

Second assignment

The three market structure types are: Free market, Oligopoly, and Monopoly. In the free market structure, there is perfect and free competition. A free market is characterized by the policy that profit maximization is increasing the difference between revenue and production cost. Suppose a company can ensure it minimizes its production cost and maximize its revenue then the company is maximizing the profit. In other words, profit maximization is achieved suppose a company’s revenue is greater than the production cost.

In the free market structure, product maximization can be achieved by decreasing production cost or increasing the market price of product and services. However, since there is perfect competition in free market, a company would lose its market share by increasing its price. The company has therefore to reduce its production cost and this can be done by using latest technologies. The other method for reducing the production cost is through having direct access to the market where middle men are reduced. The other way of profit maximization is through increased sales and this can be achieved by increasing distribution and marketing to cover the whole market. The increased distribution leads to increased sales. Marketing ensures customers are aware of the product and the advantages customers get form the product or services are clearly spelt.

Management Capabilities Practising Maori Values to be an Effective Manager at Kiwi Minerals Limited (KML)

Management Capabilities: Practising Maori Values to be an Effective Manager at Kiwi Minerals Limited (KML)

Student’s Name

Course Code and Number

Instructor’s Name

Date of Submission

Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u Executive Summary PAGEREF _Toc89158367 h 21.Introduction PAGEREF _Toc89158368 h 42.Capabilities of the PD PAGEREF _Toc89158369 h 42.1 Budget Management PAGEREF _Toc89158370 h 52.2 Leadership PAGEREF _Toc89158371 h 63.Maori Values PAGEREF _Toc89158372 h 73.1 Kaitiakitanga PAGEREF _Toc89158373 h 73.2 Manaakitanga PAGEREF _Toc89158374 h 83.3 Whanaungatanga PAGEREF _Toc89158375 h 94.Corporate Social Responsibility issues PAGEREF _Toc89158376 h 94.1 CSR Disclosure Issue PAGEREF _Toc89158377 h 104.2 Environmental Issue PAGEREF _Toc89158378 h 125.Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc89158379 h 13References PAGEREF _Toc89158380 h 14

Executive Summary

In a contract with the government of New Zealand, Kiwi Minerals Limited (KML), a silver and gold mining corporation, was tasked with exploring and mapping the silver and gold deposits that are available on the Mahia Peninsula. Because this is a large project, the organization intends to hire a project director whose managerial qualities will be critical to the project’s success. Due to the fact that a substantial amount of the land is owned by the local Iwi, specific Mori values will be important to the project’s overall success. It is possible that the project will encounter a number of challenges in respect to corporate social responsibility while in operation. In a contract with the government of New Zealand, Kiwi Minerals Limited (KML), a silver and gold mining corporation, was tasked with exploring and mapping the silver and gold deposits that are available on the Mahia Peninsula. Because this is a large project, the organization intends to hire a project director whose managerial qualities will be critical to the project’s success. The papers covers the essential leadership capabilities, Māori values essential to the project, and corporate social responsibility that determine the future of the project.

Introduction

Kiwi Minerals Limited (KML), a silver and gold mining organization has been contracted by the government of New Zealand to explore and map the available silver and gold resources that is available in Mahia Peninsula. Being a significant project, the organization plans to recruit a project director whose managerial capabilities are key to the success of the project. Since a considerable portion is owned by the local Iwi, there are certain Māori values that will also be significant to the project. The project might also face a number of issues in relation to corporate social responsibility when working. The purpose of this paper is identifying the management capabilities needed for the project director to ensure the project’s success, identification of Māori values and their significance in relation to the project as well as how they may be implemented and the potential advantages of incorporating indigenous world perspectives. Lastly, the paper will also address the issues in relation to corporate social responsibility that KLM will probably face when carrying out the project.

Capabilities of the PD

In the modern business world of today, project management is one of the most sought-after qualities. Nevertheless, project directors are not solely tasked with the duties of a project. The world has become a competitive market where project directors project directors are required to expand their skillset and competency on a constant basis across different spheres. Among the most essential capabilities that the project directors are inclusive of time management, risk mitigation, task management skills, team management, planning and strategic thinking, effective communication, leadership skills and budget planning. Considering the fact that the project has a specific budget and a tight timeframe, among the most essential capabilities that the project director ought to have in ensuring the success of the project time management, budget planning and leadership skills.

2.1 Budget ManagementA project director’s primary role is to ensure that a project is completed on time as stated earlier, within the allocated budget, and to the highest quality standards possible. Each project’s core is made up of these three elements: budget, timeframe, and quality. However, while both time and quality are important in the project lifecycle, nothing else can proceed forward without the appropriate funds, which necessitates a well-planned and accurately predicted budget (Kwon, Hyukchun, and Chang, 2019). The truth is that a considerable number of project directors focus the majority of their energy on keeping the project on track. They tend to devote the majority of their time organizing and controlling the timetable and often overlook budget monitoring and management. For example, effective managers are expected to ensure that all expenses adhere to the allocated budgets. All project operations are inextricably linked to project finances (Eyibio & Daniel, 2020). The timeframe and sort of utilised resources, processes, and operations within the domain of a project are usually dictated by the quantity of available or needed cash. When it comes to project finances, a miscalculation, poor decision making, or a lack of sufficient oversight could spell the collapse of the project.

With regards to underestimating project costs, there are numerous scenarios that could arise, all of which have adverse effects. The consequences on fulfilling the clients’ requirements are first and paramount (Ali et al., 2021). For example, an effective manager is expected to advise clients accordingly while relating back to shareholder goals and objectives. Inability to meet the project’s agreed-upon objectives and quality requirements may have a severe impact on the credibility as well as future professional development of the Kiwi Minerals Limited (KML). Furthermore, this could harm the company’s reputation and have a detrimental effect on all members of the team. Project budgeting is frequently done in tandem with the establishment of the project timeline during the early stages of project development. Both the projected durations of jobs and the resources given to the project influence the procedures involved in budgeting. Budgeting can be considered as a control tool that allows one to evaluate and quantify actual expenditures against the budget. In the implementation of a project, the budget is frequently a pretty fixed parameter. Whenever a timetable starts to slip, the expense is impacted accordingly. 

2.2 LeadershipThe project managers of today must efficiently oversee and manage employees, provide a real direction, gain buy-in, encourage, instruct, and motivate teams, and handle conflict (Garcés, 2020). Individuals and groups can become discouraged and burned out if they perceive that the project director does not have appropriate leadership skills, which can affect the project’s quality and timeliness (Khamaksorn, 2016). To prevent this, modern project management necessitates the development of leadership abilities that enable project directors to lead strategically as well as operationally. For example, from a tactical standpoint, effective managers must comprehend the project’s business value proposition and have the capacity to successfully articulate it to task flows and teams (Novo, Landis, & Haley, 2017). They must be capable of articulating the task stream’s role and contribute to the project in terms of the anticipated business value proposition.

As projects become more complicated and move faster, it’s critical to be able to gain buy-in from group members on both elevated strategic positions and tactical duties (Podgórska & Pichlak, 2019). This necessitates sensitivity, empathy, and clarity, which are all necessary for self-awareness, leadership growth and emotional intelligence (Podgórska & Pichlak, 2019). For example, a manager is expected to be sensitive to the corporation’s demands in order to ensure coherence; empathy for workflows, their demands, and job loads in order to successfully load balance groups; and conciseness of direction, risks, deliverables, and mitigation measures in order to maximize time and resources.

Maori ValuesIt is important to recognize that Māori people have a unique cultural identification and that their viewpoint, when contrasted to contemporary culture in New Zealand, is frequently different. Whakapapa and the duties given to them as descendants bind Mori as traditional caretakers of this land, and thus establishes their obligations to and for coming generations (Jolly et al., 2015). The people of Māori have co-habited with the environment from generation to generation and have established an all-encompassing and sophisticated understanding of its ecologies, which is connected with their comprehensive cultural heritage; this expertise is the backbone of the authenticity of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

3.1 KaitiakitangaWhen it comes to environmental challenges, as well as the safeguarding of ancient traditions for the benefit of coming generations, kaitiakitanga entails conserving, safeguarding, and sheltering – all of which are important aspects of this practice. It has serious repercussions whenever the obligation of kaitiakitanga is not treated with the seriousness it deserves, as it has resulted in the loss of mana as well as treasures, and also the harm and depletion of natural resources. The function of kaitiakitanga continues to be solely a duty of the Maori community, as it has been for centuries. This is a profound sense of accountability that includes taking care of the environment and natural resources as well as one’s own health. Thus, it is critical that an organization that employs Mori values adheres to the ideas of kaitiakitanga when conducting business with them. This may include promoting recycling, protecting the environment, and managing the utilization of natural resources, to name a few initiatives. Companies that fail to adhere to kaitiakitanga standards may see a loss in mana in their workers’ perspectives, which may lead to unproductive behaviors. It is possible that implementing kaitiakitanga within organizations will lead to more positive views and honour from Mori employees, as well as pro-social attitudes toward colleagues and the company. Mining is an industry that has for quite sometime be associated with negative impacts on the environment such as deforestation, water pollution, soil erosion, habitat loss among others. Considering the fact that KML is an organization that is involved in the mining sector, it will be crucial the project director incorporate Kaitiakitanga in its business operations.

3.2 ManaakitangaManaakitanga is a civility of kindness, respect, modesty, and hospitality – being a personally liable host, showing concern for everyone else, making individuals feel at home, showing respect, and conserving natural resources.  In general, it relates to the relation that exists between the host and the guest. If the host does not demonstrate that they have the capacity to care for their guests, the host runs the possibility of getting their mana, which is dignity or status diminished, which is particularly true from the standpoint of the guest and of the Māori community. These values should be considered valuable members of decision-making teams in the approach to policy development and decision-making, since they can contribute a unique indigenous point of view to the mutual purpose of preserving and protecting the different qualities of the nation’s culture and environment. Among the key values possessed by the people of Maori include; kaitiakitanga, manaakitanga, whanaungatanga, and whakamanatanga. Adopting these Maori values in contemporary companies is an essential focus within the New Zealand communities since it has an effect not only within the firms as entities in their own right, but also the people of Maori.

Adoption of manaakitanga within a company necessitates appropriate hospitality, which includes creating a friendly workplace atmosphere and giving opportunity for employees to display their cultural identities. Thus, the organization can profit from affective commitment behavior on the part of its employees, such as pro-social behaviour and commitment. They will be welcomed and experience a higher feeling of belonging as a result, and they are more inclined to be devoted to exhibiting their cultural identities in order to improve the organization’s reputation.

3.3 WhanaungatangaWhanaungatanga also Whakawhanaungatanga is a concept that acknowledges whakapapa as a connecting mechanism that connects persons throughout generations (Marek, 2020). Whakawhanaungatanga places a high emphasis on interpersonal relationships. Māori are entitled to the support of their family members, regardless of the physical distance from them. This value extends beyond whakapapa ties to encompass non-related persons who have formed bonds with one another in the same way that kin have. There is a shared accountability for each other as well as inclusion of others in the larger situation. When whakawhanaungatanga is implemented in the family context, people who support participation in decision-making report increased joint action and favourable outcomes as a result of the implementation.

Establishing true employer-employee connections, including employees in decision-making procedures, and assisting employees through joint goal setting to enhance their skill and knowledge are all ways that an organization might implement Whakawhanaungatanga. As an added benefit, whakawhanaungatanga can assist in the development and achievement of work-life balance as well as the participation of families in workplace decisions, such as adjustments to working hours and career paths. Whakawhanaungatanga inside an organization will promote workers’ prosocial behaviour and strengthen their dedication, leading to a reduction in employee turnover in the long run. KML can incorporate this value in the project to ensure minimal probabilities for employee turnover.

Corporate Social Responsibility issuesCorporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to the social obligation that a company undertakes on and carries out. A firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) is concerned with how they use their own expertise in an appropriate fashion to generate money for the business while also protecting the interests of community as a whole. Organizations are not only interested with their personal interests and welfare, but they are also interested with the interests and wellbeing of the entire society. Additionally, corporate social responsibility provides an overview of how a firm monitors their business operations in order to have a generally positive influence on the general public. Among the difficulties involved in the beginning of CSR initiatives are numerous that are associated to a firm’s concern conduct in its social environment, beyond from the corporation’s economic sector, with which the firm has historically been associated. In order to enact corporate social responsibility, the company must consider the welfare of the general public in addition to its own financial interests when conducting business. In order for the firm to be effective, it must not be self-interested in believing that its own interests are the primary goal. They must not believe that increasing the stock price and short-term profits are the most valuable factors for the organization to focus on. The corporate’s commitment to serving the community is a vital goal, one that is on parity with its commitment to profit. There are several issues related with CSR that KML will likely face inclusive of but not limited to disclosures, environmental, and role of government.

4.1 CSR Disclosure IssueThe disclosure of CSR documentation provides information on what businesses have accomplished or working towards for the betterment of the public. This documentation also contains information about the actions taken by businesses to improve the wellbeing of community, as well as what they intend to do in the coming years to further the well and interests of the community in which they operate (Kamaliah, 2020). Typically, the disclosure is made in a social responsibility report, which is published on the firm’s site or in the annual report of publicly traded corporations, as necessary. Certain companies have been mandated to reveal their annual reports in order to maintain a positive image in the eyes of the public and the country’s administration, and the vast majority of them follow the rules in order to create a good public image.

The disclosure of a firm’s corporate social responsibility is absolutely critical to its stakeholders. The disclosure is often taken into consideration by the corporate’s stakeholders as it demonstrates whatever the firm plans to do and has already executed for the betterment of the public in question (Coffie et al., 2018). According to recent research, the vast majority of investors prefer to put their money into companies that are heavily involved in social responsibility. With an enthusiastic involvement in CSR initiatives, KML can improve their corporate brand in the community. With a growing group of shareholders investing in the corporation and a greater number of key players cooperating with them, it can be advantageous to the corporates. Certain businesses choose to disclose their CSR information on their own will. Generally speaking, the causes can be divided into three categories: pressure from the country’s administration and its citizens, enhancement of the company’s image, and top-level management consciousness. Organizations are also disclosing their CSR information since they believe that it is their responsibility to inform the general population about what they have already accomplished and will do in the coming years for the benefit of the public. For KML, this will particularly be of major concern in regards to the values of Maori people. As stated earlier, Maori values Kaitiakitanga which places more emphasis on a sense of accountability that includes taking care of the environment and natural resources. Being an organization that deals with the mining of gold and silver, which is an industry that has always had a negative image in relation to environmental conservation. Disclosing CSR information will probably have an impact the future of the organization. Such information may entail how the organization may conduct its activities while keeping into account environmental protection for the benefit of Maori people. The CSR disclosure will surely meet the stakeholder’s demands while ensuring the future of the KML project. CSR will eliminate disruptions such as public unrest which is usually common from the surrounding communities in the mining areas.

4.2 Environmental IssueFor quite some time, mining was limited to the process of exploiting a place until its mineral wealth were depleted, followed by the process of exploitation of a new location. The mining industry in these locations used a no-holds-barred attitude, which meant that local people perceived mining operations as both an economic driver and a menace to the natural setting, with detrimental environmental impacts on the air, soil and water. Nowadays, there is a better understanding of sustainable development challenges, and even the consideration with the environmental protection has grown to be a concern with the society in which the business operates. A key factor in this is the increasing regulatory stress on concerns such as waste, contamination, occupational health, and safety in especially hazardous occupations, all of which are becoming increasingly essential. Along with societal and legal pressures, these factors have contributed to a greater level of public awareness of these issues. The discussion over mining operations and sustainable development has shifted to a focus on sustainability on a global as well as a national scale over the previous (Pons et al., 2021). However, although some research highlights the good effects that mining operations can also have, there still exists some ambiguity around the relationship between “sustainable development” and mining operations. One of the most persuasive arguments against the mining industry leading to sustainable development is following the fact that mineral resources are limited and at the same time non-renewable, and as a result, subsequent generations will have less opportunity to utilize these resources than they do today. Using corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, KML operations could be perceived as more environmentally responsible and this may ensure its survival in the future. Reinvestment methods such as investing the revenue earned in the creation of key infrastructure for local communities have the capacity to boost sustainability levels in the industry. Any adverse impact ought to be remedied as soon as possible, that might help in enhancing mining’s name and reputation.

Conclusion

When it comes to the current corporate world of today, project management is one of the most highly desirable skills. Project directors, on the other hand, are not solely responsible for the tasks associated with a project. The landscape has grown into a competitive market in which project directors are obliged to constantly broaden and deepen their knowledge and skillset across a variety of domains of expertise. One of the most important qualities possessed by project directors is the ability to manage time and risks effectively. Other key abilities include task management competencies, team leadership, strategic planning, communication skills, overall managerial skills, and financial management. Due to the fact that the project will be conducted in regions where the indigenous people live, it will also be prudent for KML to adopt the values of the people within the organization to ensure its success. Lastly, CSR is also another area of concern that will determine the future of the project. The organization must act socially responsible to ensure its success in the long term.

ReferencesAli, H., Chuanmin, S., Ahmed, M., Mahmood, A., Khayyam, M., & Tikhomirova, A. (2021).

Transformational Leadership and Project Success: Serial Mediation of Team-Building and Teamwork. Frontiers in psychology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.689311Coffie, W., Aboagye-Otchere, F., & Musah, A. (2018). Corporate social responsibility

disclosures (CSRD), corporate governance and the degree of multinational activities: Evidence from a developing economy. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/JAEE-01-2017-0004Eyibio, O. N., & Daniel, C. O. (2020). Effective Resource Budgeting as a Tool for Project

Management. Asian Journal of Business and Management (ISSN: 2321-2802), 8(2). https://doi.org/10.24203/ajbm.v8i2.6190Garcés, G. A literature review on leadership qualities among Project Managers of building

refurbishment Una revisión bibliográfica sobre las cualidades de liderazgo entre los Gerentes de Proyectos de rehabilitación de edificios. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-50732020000100045Jolly, M., Harris, F., Macfarlane, S., & Macfarlane, A. H. (2015). Kia Aki: Encouraging

Māori values in the workplace. Retrieved from http://www.maramatanga.co.nz/sites/default/files/14INT05%20-%20Monograph%20Internship%20UC.pdfKamaliah, Kamaliah (2020). Disclosure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its

implications on company value as a result of the impact of corporate governance and profitability. International Journal of Law and Management, 62(4), 339–354. http://doi:10.1108/ijlma-08-2017-0197Khamaksorn, A. (2016). Project management knowledge and skills for the construction

industry. In International Conference on Civil, Architecture and Sustainable Development (Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 89-94). https://doi.org/10.15242/DIRPUB.DIR1216416Kwon, Hyukchun, and Chang Wook Kang. “Improving project budget estimation accuracy

and precision by analyzing reserves for both identified and unidentified risks.” Project Management Journal 50, no. 1 (2019): 86-100. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F8756972818810963Marek, SA (2020). Indigenous Urban Geographies of Empowerment: Māori Urban

Geographies of Whakamanatanga. Space populations societies. Space populations societies, (2020 / 1-2). https://doi.org/10.4000/eps.10001Novo, B., Landis, E. A., & Haley, M. L. (2017). Leadership and its role in the success of

project management. Journal of Leadership, Accountability, and Ethics, 14(1), 73-78.

Podgórska, M., & Pichlak, M. (2019). Analysis of project managers’ leadership

competencies: project success relation: what are the competencies of polish project leaders? International Journal of Managing Projects in Business. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-08-2018-0149Pons, A., Vintrò, C., Rius, J., & Vilaplana, J. (2021). Impact of Corporate Social

Responsibility in mining industries. Resources Policy, 72, 102117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102117

Management by Batemen and Snell 5th Edition

Management by Batemen and Snell 5th Edition

Student’s Name

Institutional Affiliation

Course Tittle

Professor’s Name

Date

Effective Leadership

When well defined, effective leadership signifies executing a company’s vision, including exhibiting a strong character and setting the culture and the tone for that specific organization. According to Management by Batemen and Snell 5th Edition book, effective leadership denotes a person’s ability to ethically impact, motivate, and enable other individuals to donate towards effectively attaining ethical objectives of an organization. Leadership is all about securing resources, creating and planning, and finding out for and improving errors (Bateman & Snell, 2019). Effective leadership exhibits trustworthiness, honesty, integrity, and ethics. Effective leadership does not entail what the leader achieves but instead what the organization or the general group achieves. Effective leaders influence followers, whereas followers influence leaders. This leadership trails ethical results through ethical means.

An effective leader needs to act in line with how he/she speaks and get the right to be accountable for others’ success in the company. It involves clear communication skills. An effective leader must have transparency, act decisively, and balance hard truths with optimism. Such leaders care about others and create personal connections and bring together individuals and assist them in finding purpose and working towards achieving certain common objectives. Effective leadership empowers and inspires persons to comprehend their fullest capabilities and connect their abilities to accomplish mutual goals (Bateman & Snell, 2019). Apart from providing guidance, direction, and inspiration, effective leaders exhibit passion, confidence, ambition, and commitment. They cultivate the talents and strengths of their individuals and establish teams dedicated to attaining their objectives. Effective leadership shines when things are roughly the same way when things are good. They are respected and not feared by the persons around them, who as a result, become inspired to work harder and make major contributions to the advancement of the organization. With good leadership, communication is open and daily. They have good employee retention and high morale.

Reference

Bateman, T., & Snell, S. (2019). Management: Leading & Collaborating in Competitive World, 13e.

Management as an act of bringing different people together

Management as an act of bringing different people togetherScientific research is a dynamic and robust practice employing different methods in investigating phenomena. This includes; comparison, description, modeling and experimentation. Even though these given methods are defined independently in the consequent module, many of these approaches are used particularly in combination or overlap. In the management’s art and science, managers need a lot of time in setting their goals and building their plans. They can increase their success chances by taking advantages of their brain chemistry.

An organization formation shows that a leader is supposed to take control of all the activities done in the organization. This work done by the leader is what is referred to as management. Management is mainly used in defining the works done by the managers. Management study is learning of the beliefs and the attitudes of the people and the organization. It also includes managers understanding and their environments; the organizations’ ethical and social responsibilities; decision making; organizations’ innovation change; managing productions of a given operation; controlling inventory and methods used in negotiating and communicating among others (Gr).

Management is an act of bringing different people together in order to get desired objectives and goals by using the resources available effectively and efficiently. It comprises of organizing, leading, staffing, controlling and planning an organization. On the other hand, resourcing consists of deploying and manipulating financial resources, natural resources, natural resources and technological resources. Management may be viewed as one of the ways used in adjusting plans, meeting goals and measuring quantity. This is applicable in conditions where there is no planning at all. Management can be considered to consist of various functions such as planning, commanding, forecasting, organizing, controlling and coordinating. Many people think that management is the same as business administration thus excluding management in areas that are not in the commerce field. Examples are in the public sectors and charities. Each and every corporation needs to manage its people, work, technology and processes so that they maximize effectiveness. Moreover, different people refer to the departments in the university that teach management as school of business.

In case of making profits in work, management satisfies a range of shareholders. This basically involves making profits for the stakeholders, create products that are valued and at a reasonable cost. Additionally, provide gratifying employment prospects for employees in an organization. In many governance and management models, investors votes mainly for the board of directors then it is the responsibility of the board of directors in hiring senior management (Griffin, 2012). To add on that, management functions through different functions such as; organizing, planning, leading, staffing, motivating and controlling. There are basic roles of management. Interpersonal role that entails interaction and coordination with employees. Decisional role that needs good decision making. Informational role entailing analyzed information, handling and sharing.

In conclusion, almost all organizations have three levels of management: the first level managers, middle level managers and top-level managers. They perform different tasks and they are classified in an authority hierarchy. A pyramid is mostly resembled by the number of managers in each level in most companies. Top level managers are expected to broaden policies and lay down their goals. They are also supposed to give direction and guidance. The middle level managers monitor group performance indicators and resolve problems in the working groups. The first level managers are responsible in providing career planning, motivation and supervision (Griffin, 2012).

Reference

Griffin, W. R., 2012. Management. Stamford: Cengage Learning.

Management and Organizational Behavior Quiz. Discuss the diff between groups and teams

Management and Organizational Behavior Quiz

Discuss the diff between groups and teams?

A group is an informal rather informal and often meets in order to come up with a solution to a short term problem. A group often comprises of four or more people who come together around a common objective and have impact on each other. On the other hand, a team is a syndicate that comes up with feasible solutions to long-term problems. A team usually has a formal set up and has good coordination and structure. In addition, a team usually has a group of people. Therefore, a team can develop into a team provided it has well-coordinated effort aimed at achieving a common goal. Lastly, it is not always necessary that a group will constitute a team since a team needs a well-coordinated effort, collective effort and common resource.

Name the five dimensions of the general environment and describe each dimension

The five dimensions include:

Economic Dimension- this usually encompasses inflation, tax rates, interest rates, recession, rates of charitable contribution, strength of dollar, unemployment and NASDAC

Technological dimension includes the internet, online bill, email and bar code technology.

The Sociocultural dimension- this includes aging baby boomers, low-carbon foods, pro-union sentiment and Population Migration towards the South and Southwest.

The Political-Legal dimension which encompasses welfare forum, gay marriage statues, the USDA and Americans with Disabilities Act

International dimension encompasses exchange rates, international outsourcing, language difference and Varying Environmental and Labor Policies.

Management and Leadership in Nursing

Management and Leadership in Nursing

Name of Student

Institution

Management and Leadership in Nursing

The current nursing environment is faced with many challenges, from nursing shortage and nurse turnover to issues elated to adoption of technological changes in nursing care practice. The challenges pose a great need for strong leadership and management skills and competencies in order to maintain and improve on the standards of nursing care delivery. As such, nurse leaders and managers are likely to adopt different leadership, management theories and principles in an attempt to be effective in their discharge of duties. Additionally, one’s personal and professional philosophy is likely to affect their approach towards leadership and management. While some approaches are better in some situations, they perform poorly in other scenarios. This essay discusses the different approaches that a nurse manager is likely to adopt, as compared to a nurse leader in addressing the challenge of nursing staff shortage and turnover, in a nursing hospital case scenario.

The nursing shortage is a thorny issue in many nursing settings. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) (2014) projects that; because of the aging baby boomers, and the continuously rising need for health care, the nursing shortage will remain for some time. According to AACN, there are efforts through nursing schools, nursing organizations, the media and the government to give extra attention to this issue. However, it is likely that the problem will last for long. As such, nursing settings must deal with the issue skillfully since quality health care delivery cannot be compromised.

Although nurse managers and nurse leaders are often times confused to be similar, a difference exists between a nurse leader and a nurse manager. Jain and Sharma (2013) defines a leader as a person who influences the others in the accomplishment of an objective and also gives direction for an organization in a way that brings coherence and cohesion. According to these authors, leaders do not enjoy delegated authority, as managers do. Instead of asserting personal power, a leader asserts the power that comes from his/her colleagues in their group. In their discharge of duties, leaders have been found to focus on empowering, motivating, influencing and inspiring others. In the nursing context, a nurse leader will have good interpersonal communication skills and a positive inter-professional collaboration skills. The leaders that are naturally true are also energetic and sincere in their deeds (Jain and Sharma, 2013). Even though leaders are risk takers, true leaders do so in a careful manner that does not make others to appear reckless.

On the other hand, a nurse manager exercises a power that has been given to them by someone else in formal arrangement. Unlike leaders, who can assert power informally, managers exercise formal power, given to them through an established system. As such, mangers have specifically defined duties and responsibilities. Their roles include controlling the process, controlling the work of others and day to day decision-making. While leaders may lead with their natural-born knowledge, managers are prepared to coordinate both financial and human resources. In their duties, managers are encouraged to follow the rules strictly, centrally to leaders, who can compromise some set rules to provide direction in a situation. In order to perform their control role effectively, managers reward and punish workers as they discharge their duties.

In the hospital scenario faced with shortage of nursing staff, a nurse manager is likely to approach the issue differently compared with a nurse leader. It is agreeable that the management and leadership will maintain the standards of care with the available scarce human resource before employing more nurses. In the short-run, as the organization seeks to employ, nurse managers would handle the situation differently from nurse leaders. Considering McGregor’s theory X and Y, a nurse manager is highly likely to adopt theory X, while a nurse manager is likely to adopt theory Y. McGregor’s theory X assumes that the staff or employees naturally dislike work, and that they are naturally unmotivated (Mind Tools, 2014). This theory also assumes that workers are looking for opportunities to avoid responsibility and they need to be directed. In that case, the workers may need to be directed at every step, and, if need be, they are threatened in order to meet organizational objectives. Since workers are viewed as having no ambition to work, the management assumes that they need to be enticed to work. Considering this, the management is likely to assume an authoritarian style of leadership in order to meet the care needs in a hospital setting faced with a shortage of nurses (Jain and Sharma, 2013). As seen earlier, a manager has the role of controlling. The nurse manager, thus, can apply controls, which will not be limited to rewarding and punishing the scares human resource in order to meet the care needs with the available staffs. From a nurse manager’s point of view, for work to be accomplished by the few staffs available, they have to be forced and be followed step by step (Sullivan, 2012). The nurse manager will assume that applying an authoritarian style of leadership is unavailable to meet the required standards of care.

On the contrary, a nurse leader is likely to adopt theory Y in the case scenario of shortage of nurses in a hospital. As seen from the definitions, a leader focuses on influencing and inspiring people, rather than applying rules to make them work. Contrary to a manager, a nurse leader leads by forming strong working relationships with the workers. The leader assumes that the leaders are willing and motivated to work, and he/she is ready to inspire more willingness onto the workers (Sullivan, 2012). In light of this, the nurse leader will offer a participative style of leadership, and try to reason with the few staffs available about the challenge of the nursing shortage, and that nursing care has to be delivered to the standards. The nurse leader is, thus, highly likely to apply the servant leadership style to the situation at hand. The nurse leader will be concerned with the individual needs of the staff members and try to meet them in order to motivate them to be more dedicated to meet the required work standards. The nurse leader is, in the same way, likely to offer transformative and democratic leadership, contrary to the nurse manager who will offer aristocratic and authoritarian leadership.

The approach taken by the nurse leader best fits my personal and professional nursing philosophy. I believe a person should not be coerced to work; they should be motivated to work. Through the application of servant and transformative leadership, the leader identifies with the workers, and the workers are likely to be more comfortable as they offer their services. In addition, making sure that the workers understand that their services are highly crucial, valued and appreciated is an element of motivation.

In sum, management and leadership in nursing are distinct concepts. A nurse leader is likely to adopt different approaches to manage a crisis compared to a nurse manager. In the clinical nursing scenario of shortage of nurses, a nurse manager is likely to apply McGregor’s theory X, while a nurse leader is likely to apply theory Y. I presume that theory Y is the best in this case, and it fits very well in identifying with my personal and professional philosophy.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). (2014). Nursing shortage. Retrieved from http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage

Jain, S., & Sharma, K. M. (2013). Leadership management: Principles, models and theories. Global Journal of Management and Business Studies, 3(3), 309-318.

Mind Tools. (2014). Theory X and theory Y: Understanding team member motivation. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_74.htm

Sullivan, J. E. (2012). Effective leadership and management in nursing. Bloomington, MN: Pearson.

Management

Management

Students Name

Institution of Affiliation

Course Title

Date

The primary purpose of an employee handbook is to ensure a consistent means of communications that concerns the policies resources as well as the best practices for everyone in a firm (Armstrong & Taylor, 2014). The handbook is, therefore, a guide to which allows the employers and managers as well as the staff to get an understanding of their expectations regarding the roles and responsibilities of each one of them. Despite the handbook being of significant assistance to the organization, there are grief consequences the results from the incorrect and the ineffective use of the handbook. Despite the lack of any legal requirements for the provision of a handbook to an employee, it aids in support of best practices and can, therefore, be used as a confirmation of the procedures in the case of being called into question regarding the legal purposes.

Various challenges result from the incorrect use of the handbook due to mistakes have done when developing and implementing the handbook. The omission of the legal review of the handbook is one of the errors that can lead to the ineffective use of the handbook (Reason, 2016). It is highly recommended that an organization have a legal counsel review of the handbook before it is distributed for implementation. The review by the legal counsel makes it possible to identify the mistakes as well as the misleading information. Having the omissions in the handbook, therefore, can lead to the organization having difficulties with the implementation of the handbook in the firm.

There is the challenge of inconsistent utilization of the handbook in the organization during the implementation (Ostroff & Bowen, 2016). The employers, employees and the managers are to use the handbook manual for the everyday activities. They should avoid making decisions and as well the approach of issues without prior consulting from the handbook. The consistent use of the handbook ensures the identification of mistakes and as well provides the review of the applicable policies. In addition to the inconsistent utilization, not including an employee acknowledgment page in the handbook is another challenge during the development of the handbook. Obtaining a signed acknowledgment receipt of the handbook from the employees for the personnel file provides a level of consistency as well as proof to which an employer makes the employees aware of the handbook. The lack of the acknowledgment page for the employees may, therefore, be a challenge to the implementation of the handbook.

There also arises a challenge in the implementation of the handbook in the event of the omission of the state-specific policies along with the federal requirements. The exclusion of the policies thereof is a violation of the conditions and if not followed may result to an employer becoming legally liable becoming a challenge in the use of the handbook. During the development of the handbook, it is important to avoid as much as possible the use of misleading information, promises or even an implied contract in the details of the policy or even the process. The language used should be comprehended and ensure that the outcomes are not guaranteed. Besides, the language used should ensure that there is no perception of any implied agreement so that there will arise no conflict during the implementation of the handbook.

A regular review of the handbook should be endorsed in an organization as there are challenges that may result from an inadequate analysis of the handbook (Bryson, 2018). It should be noted that the policies and practices tend to change on a daily basis and it is possible to have a previously written handbook to contain policies that have already been replaced. Regular updates of the handbook are therefore essential to keep the handbook updated with the current policies in the firm and therefore avoid inconveniencing the employees. Another challenge arises when a newly revised handbook is not presented to the employees, and this implies that the staff are not aware of the changes done in the handbook and therefore continue to use the outdated one. Through this, the employees may be led to confusion as they are not aware of the changes and thus become a significant challenge during the implementation of the updated handbook. It is therefore mandatory that the employees get notified of the updates done in the handbook regular to reduce the events of confusion and misunderstanding.

Taking into consideration that the firm has an employee number that amounts to 38 in total, provides health care services and that had previously not had any handbook made, I would recommend a handbook for the employees that in between 20 to 49 as that is the current state. Therefore the expected federal labor laws would include (Hood, Hardy & Simpson, 2016); the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1993 and the Consolidated Omnibus Benefits Reconciliation Act (COBRA) of 1986). But since the company seeks to enlarge its market boundaries and increase the number of employees from 38 to 51, the handbook would need to be revised to allow the inclusion of the new labor laws for 51 employees. Therefore the new federal labor laws would include; Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, EEO-1 Report filed annually w/EEOC if organization is a federal contractor, Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 (for employers who offer mental health benefits). Also, Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (for employers who provide mental health benefits) and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (for employers who provide health care benefits).

There are various policies that I could recommend regarding the behavior of the employees so that the organization’s image is boosted and raised (Wilensky, 2015). Some of the policies include; Sexual harassment policies, anti-discrimination policies, company property policy, social media policy and the drug, alcohol, and smoking policies. The above policies will guide the behavior of the employees throughout their tenure in the firm. Besides, the dress code policy, compensation, and benefits policy, leave policy as well as the exit policy would be stipulated and emphasized such that each policy explains clearly the procedures that fall under a specific category and therefore provides for the welfare of the employees. Again, considering that the firm will have multi-state operations, special considerations on the location and culture will need to be adhered to minimize any result of harm to the employees.

ReferencesArmstrong, M., & Taylor, S. (2014). Armstrong’s handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers.

Bryson, J. M. (2018). Strategic planning for public and nonprofit organizations: A guide to strengthening and sustaining organizational achievement. John Wiley & Sons.

Hood, J., Hardy Jr, B., & Simpson, L. (2016). Workers’ compensation and employee protection laws in a nutshell. West Academic.

Ostroff, C., & Bowen, D. E. (2016). Reflections on the 2014 decade award: Is there strength in the construct of HR system strength?. Academy of Management Review, 41(2), 196-214.

Reason, J. (2016). Managing the risks of organizational accidents. Routledge.

Saila Huq, S. (2018). Human Resource Management Practices and Policies followed and applied by The City Bank Limited.

Wilensky, H. L. (2015). Organizational intelligence: Knowledge and policy in government and industry (Vol. 19). Quid Pro Books.

List five benefits and drawbacks to strategic outsourcing. You may use any mix of benefits and drawbacks in your response.

Management (Take Home Final Exam)

Presented by

Institution

Section A

Question three

List five benefits and drawbacks to strategic outsourcing. You may use any mix of benefits and drawbacks in your response.

Benefits

Strategic outsourcing increases the profitability of an organization by enabling effective distribution of resources. Outsourcing ensures a firm acquires new experts from other companies who use their knowledge in increasing productivity within the assigned departments.

An organization becomes more flexible and can easily adapt to changing market situations hence achieving a competitive advantage. When an organization contracts another organization, it makes its operations more flexible by learning new methods of conducting businesses to achieve a competitive advantage.

The transparency of the company is enhanced as people focus more on core competencies.

The organization gets access to skilled expertise

It ensures better risk management whereby an organization can easily take control of risks by using contractors to highlight them and advice on their mitigation measures

Drawbacks

Outsourcing encourages loss of managerial control in an organization

When an organization signs a contract with another company to perform the functions of a certain department, the management and control of that particular department turns falls in the hands of the outsourced company. This leads to the contracting company losing managerial control over some areas.

High hidden costs

Once an outsourcing company is contracted, it performs all assigned duties covered in the contract while the contracting company caters for other extra costs in line with the contract. The extra costs slowdown implementation of organization’s strategic plans.

Loss of organization’s strategic alignment

An organization fond of outsourcing other companies is unable to carry out its strategic processes because it always depends on others for business advices. In addition, the management lacks quality strategic commands when it comes to implementing changes aimed at increasing company profitability.

An organization experiences poor quality control

Strategic outsourcing decreases the control in an organization because, many essential operations are conducted by the contracted companies. In addition, the organization has difficulties organizing its employees especially those under the contracted company.

Decreased company loyalty

Strategic outsourcing makes an organization lose its loyalty. Other companies who used to transact businesses with the organization minimize their interaction.

Question four

Explain the differences between related and unrelated diversification. And provide an example of each?

Related diversification takes place when an organization expands its existing product lines and business (Braksick, 2007). For example, a phone company might decide a strategy of diversifying its services introducing wireless gadgets and services such as wireless internet through purchasing a company offering wireless services. On the other hand, unrelated diversification occurs when occurs when an organization introduces a new product lines or market different from its core business activities. For example, the same phone company could decide on starting a broadcasting station for both television and radio programs.

Question 5

A diversification strategy can increase firm profitability, list only five means

Reducing risks of failure

Diversification allows an organization to depend on many customers and loss of one customer does not introduce any risks of failure.

Decreased pricing pressures

The Company has the capability of maintaining its prices because of a wide range of customers to choose from.

Increased organizational competitiveness

Diversification allows an organization to focus many hence giving an opportunity for growth and development. The company therefore; ends up increasing its competitive advantage

Diversification increases firm performance and output

Diversification encourages sharing of resources across businesses that lead to reduced costs of production and high profitability.

Question 10

Name five (5) advantages and disadvantages of vertical integration strategies

Advantages

Vertical integration strategies encourage control over the value chain because retailers are more involved in production and distribution process.

Vertical integration strategies offer an organization the ability to control costs during the whole distribution process

Vertical integration strategies increase the competitive advantage on a firm by blocking competitors from accessing principal markets

Vertical integration strategies increase differentiation by giving a company access to more production inputs, effective distribution of resources and encouraging retail channels.

Vertical integration strategies encourage investment in specialized assets like human assets.

Disadvantages of vertical integration strategies

They lead to higher costs when a firm fails to manage new strategies effectively

Lack of competition may lead to owners of supply and distribution channels producing low quality products.

It increases high potential for legal repercussion leading to a monopoly market situation

It may lead to competitive disadvantage where old strategies corrodes with new strategies

High investments results into reduced flexibility and increased bureaucracy.

Section B

Question 3

When firms enter international markets, they often are confronted with pressures of cost reductions to remain competitive. Please provide 4 situations whereby firms will face the need to reduce their costs in order to remain competitive

If other firms selling the same products market them at lower prices: A firm that enters the international market while selling its products at higher prices than its competitors will be forced to reduce the price in order to be at the same level

The quality of products also triggers the company to reduce prices upon entering the international market. New entrants into the international market might discover their products are of low quality hence are forced to sell them at lower than normal prices in order to make customers buy them.

Many businesses offering the same product also opts an organization to reduce its prices in order to attract more customers.

Promotion and advertisement: A new business needs to promote and advertise its products upon entering the international market to do this they have to offer their products at lower prices than normal.

Question 4

In some markets, firms discover that in order to remain competitive they must “localize” their product, including modifications of the entire marketing mix. What situations might bring about these marketing modifications?

Understanding marketing fundamentals of marketing assists business owners in creating a perfect market entry strategy using market mix modifications. Current marketing challenges require an organization to create a sustainable business environment in order to remain competitive (Armstrong & Kotler, 2011). Some of the situations that bring about market modifications include the following. Firstly, the firm might realize it is using a product distribution strategy that affects the entire market mix. On such a case, the firm can modify its means of distribution in order to meet the new market demands. Secondly, when a firm enters a new market it may come across different business laws. The firm will have no other alternative but to modify its marketing mix operations to fit the new market rules and regulations.

Question 6

Firm’s distinctive competencies may play a role in determining the choice of international entry mode. What entry mode would a highly tech firm most likely prefer? Explain why.

A high tech firm would look for an international market entry mode that offers best opportunities for making profits. Licensing is the best entry mode for high tech firms into the international market. Licensing entry mode favors companies with protected assets because they form the key differentiating factors in their marketing channels. For example, Sony Electronics is a high the firm that would require its products licensed to trade in an international market upon entry in order to maintain its brand name. Sony would license its characters to manufacturers and marketers in all categories such as music system and television sets as it focuses on its core business goals and competences. Sony’s licensing agreements in many countries allows it an easier entry to new markets without many challenges (Arnold, 2003).

Section C

Question 1

Competitive advantage is the key to creating customer value and superior profitability. Construct a model of competitive advantage. Be sure to properly use the following terms: resources, capabilities, superior quality, superior innovation, superior efficiency, superior customer service, distinctive competencies, value creation, generic strategies and superior profitability. Additional labels will enhance your illustration.

The figure below shows an example model of competitive advantage.

Figure 1: Competitive advantage structure

From figure 1, a firm’s competitive advantage requires adequate resources, distinctive competences, capabilities, superior customer service, efficiency, distinctive competences and superior quality control. Cost advantage leads to value creation resulting to superior profitability of the firm.

Question 2

Construct a model that shows the relationship among the following: distinctive competencies, a firm’s business model and the set of strategies that configure its value chain that leads to competitive advantage for the firm.

Figure 2

Question 3

Explain how quality affects a firm’s profitability. A model that includes the terms reliability and productivity will greatly enhance your response.

The profitability of a firm is greatly affected by the quality of operations. To start with, the quality of people managing the firm contributes a lot to its success. Managers who are ready for changes and perform according to the current business environment have a high probability of increasing productivity of a firm and make it acquire more profits. Secondly, the performance of employees in a firm determines how much profits it receives. A firm whose employees understand the meaning of reliability and efficiency at workplace produce quality services that enhance firm’s growth and development. In addition, higher concentration of employees to their duties encourages perfect behaviors and increased profitability. Thirdly, the quality of products and services offered in a firm contributes to its profitability. A firm that understands the value of its customers through offering effective customer services and producing quality goods always receive more profits in return. Finally, the quality of the operations on a firm influences its level of profit. A firm with an effective structure whereby flow of information is free and fluent from the top management to the bottom level management receives many gains when it comes to productivity. Effective communication of ideas, strategies and plans improves growth and productivity that in turn leads into increased profits (Fulmer & Conger, 2004).

Quality of employees productivity

Performances of employees

Quality of products and services

Quality of operations. Example, firm structure management and effective communication

Profitability

Figure 3: effects of quality on firm’s profitability

References

Arnold, D. (2003). Strategies for entering and developing international markets: Modes of

market entry. Pearson FT Press. Retrieved from:

http://www.ftpress.com/articles/article.aspx?p=101588&seqNum=2Braksick, L. W. (2007). Unlock behavior, unleash profits: developing leadership behaviour that

drives profitability in your organization (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.

Fulmer, R. M., & Conger, J. A. (2004).Growing your company’s leaders how great

organizations use succession management to sustain competitive advantage. New York: AMACOM.

Peters, T. (2013). The benefits of outsourcing. Retrieved from:

http://www.outsource2india.com/why_outsource/articles/benefit_outsourcing.asp

Man with a Movie Camera film

Man with a Movie Camera film

Name

Professor

Course

Date

Man with a Movie Camera film

The documentary, Man with a Movie Camera, seems to be a straight reportorial documentary, but it does not give the impression of the reality presented and remains unaffected by the film medium. Alternatively, Dziga Vertov proclaims editing with cinematography manipulative power as the aspect tends to shape tiny scenes multitude of daily reality to highly idiosyncratic to an experimental documentary. At the same time, Vertov name is linked to an editing technique, which he equates the eye with a filmmaker gathering shots from different places and then links them in a creative manner for the spectator. It is evident that Vertov theoretic writings tend to compare the camera lens to the eye with the use of both theoretical and practical approach.

The documentary borrows a similar idea as the basis for the whole associational form. It is a celebration of the power of a documentary filmmaker to control people reality perception by using special effects and editing. In the film, the opening image confirms a camera in a close up position. A double exposure effect makes the film camera operator climb the giant camera top and come up with an extreme long shot. He sets up a camera on what seems like a tripod for some time and then climbs down. The play shot scale in a single image seems to emphasize the cinema power to alter reality in magical way. The cinematographic special effects appear as a motif in the entire film and with no intention of being visible like a science fiction documentary. Instead, Vertov flaunts the aspect that he makes us of the camera to alter the daily realities. Such an example is evident when he makes use of pixilation in objects animation. Another scene shows him conveying radio sound by a dancer superimposed images and a hand-playing piano in a black background. The virtuosic motif with special effects tends to culminate into the famed final shot. The camera is also personified at various points in the film, which is linked with human beings actions being edited.

A brief segment in the film illustrates the lens of the camera focusing and later blurry flower shots coming into focus. It is instantly followed by a comic juxtaposition, which rapidly intercuts two aspects’ woman fluttering eyelids, while drying her face using a towel and venetian blinds sets opening and closing. Lastly, another show demonstrates lens camera with a diaphragm also closing and opening. The eye of a human being is equated to venetian blinds with the lenses being the eye, which opens and closes in the process keeping out or accepting light. Later on pixilation permits the camera to move independently and walk on three legs. The film belongs to documentaries genre, which become of great significance in the 1920s.The opening of the documentary, has a camera operator busy filming as he passes between curtains of a movie theater, which is empty while moving towards the screen. The next action that follows is the theater opening as spectators start to come, an orchestra starting to play with the commencement of the play.

The film first watched by the audience seems to be of a city symphony depicting the normal day of town life. There is an asleep woman, empty streets, closed shops as few people start appearing to awaken the city. The film’s applies a rough development principle, which progresses from waking up, daily activities to leisure time. The early waking up segment sees the camera operator setting out all his equipment as if he is starting to work again. The action tends to create one of the many deliberate inconsistencies in the film. Seemingly, now the camera operator appears in his own film as Vertov emphasize the aspect by cutting back instantly to the sleeping woman who was the first thing we had seen before in the film within a film. Throughout the documentary, same captions as well as effects are filmed, edited, and eventually viewed in a scrambled order by the onscreen audience. Towards the end of the documentary, the audience in theater watches the camera operator on the screen, while filming on a moving motorcycle. Various motifs in the films used in the earlier segments return, although in a fast motion. It is evident that the simple that the simple ordinary city symphony orders remains broken and jungled. He creates an extraordinary time scheme, which emphasizes impossible cinema manipulative powers. The film does not show one city and instead mixes the footages that have been filmed in Kiev, Odessa and Moscow. This means that that the camera operator moves easily during the ‘day’fiming.

Vertov cinema view in relation to the cityscape is conveyed well in one shot, which makes usage of extraordinary focused composition against the camera found in the foreground and looms over remote buildings. Although the film is a city symphony, it goes past the genre. Apart from the exuberant power celebration of the cinemas, the film has different explicit and unspoken meanings, which at times might be missed by viewers who do not understand Russian. The film aims at praising as well as criticizing Soviet society aspects after the decade revolution. The film has many juxtapositions comprising of machines as well as human labor. Vertov pints out the weak points associated with the contemporary life like the evident class inequalities. The shots taken in a beauty shop depicts other people bourgeois values, which have survived the famed revolution.

Leisure time sequence, which is almost evident at the end of the film, conflicts with the shot where workers are participating in outdoors sports, as chubby women seem to be exercising in weight loss gyms. He also take time to analyze drunkenness as main social problem in Russia as evident in the first shot in the inner film, which shows a deserted person sleeping outdoors next to a big bottle advertising a café. At the same time, a shop front easily noticeable advertises alcoholic drinks like wine with many shots of workers clubs, which were formerly churches. There is also a scene, whereby the camera operator also visits a bar with the contrast between the two places made clear by associational crosscutting. A woman shooting at specific targets in one of the clubs shoots away beer bottles, which disappear by stop motion from crates in the bar.

The documentary is viewed as Vertov argument on filmmaking as he opposes the narrative form and usage of professional actors. He prefers usage of camera techniques in films together with an editing table, which creates effects on the audience. The camera operator wakes up to go to work in the morning just like all other workers. At the same time, like them h makes use of a machine during his filming as the camera crank is compared to a cash register crank at various points. The projector’s moving parts in the theater is likened to factory machines evident in different sequences. Vertov demonstrates further how the film being watched the audience and the audience within are a product of specific labor. The editor at work who is Vertov wife together with the real editor of the documentary are seen at work. Her gestures, which involves scrapping and then using a brush to put cement on it to make splices are cut in with beauty parlor shots where a manicurist tends to wield a similar brush together with a nail file.

Various scenes in the film illustrate similar shots in different contexts in both the screen and the screen in the movie theater. They are not supposed to be viewed as recorded reality moments but also pieces put together by film workers to make it whole. The camera operator has to resort to different means, although at times dangerous to get his shots. He climbs a big smokestack and crouches across various stacks for filming of oncoming train by riding a motorcycle using one hand cranking the camera to capture the race action. The art of filmmaking is presented as a craft unlike an elite oriented craft. Vertov hope is that the Soviet public finds his filmmaking entertaining as well as educational judging from the audience delighted reactions in the theater. The implicit meaning seems to relate to a sysmptomatic meaning evident in the film.

Conclusion

Vertov’s fascination film is evident in his experimentation with the material as he layers, tilts and crosscuts the film to create unusual effects and improve the narrative. He constantly makes uses of the camera’s whole potential with careful selection of the right aspect for an individual subject. Elements such as fast panning and cutting to evoke high pace in growth, work and development as well as slow motion helps in understanding human as well as animal body, which are in such as motion, stopping, together with handheld movement. Vertov finds the film’s comparable to magic as he films the performance of a magician as well as captures the mesmerized children’s faces. Another scene shows the editor as magician by bringing the movie alive for spellbound audience watching in the theatre. Apart from the form or the film being a medium, Vertov’s manifesto seems to carry a solid ideological content. He dislikes fiction film genres as well as fake romanticism, which drive humankind to long for prosperity and comfort.

It is evident that he believes in realism values instead of giving the audience together with the society artificial emotion. In the film, he sets a man in motion to ensure he is physically and mentally active to the machine that makes him a new man. The film captures activity, work, enthusiasm and production as he watches human beings together with their machines work together for the creation of a new society ,which is classless .Such a society understand that all genders are equal with athleticism celebrated in the same way as a inquisitive mind, and sincere soul ,which views work as important like leisure. Vertov’s perfect society believe that leisure is also active and comprise of sports and maintenance of motion. The documentary is a celebration of growth, vitality, and energy being optimistic as well positive.

man Vs Machine III

Man versus Machine in the Workplace:

Investigating the role of Artificial Intelligence in the Increasing Levels of Unemployment

Managerial Research Analysis (BUS 518)

January 25, 2015

Proposed Research Topic:

New Technology and the End of Jobs

Human beings are slowly being replaced with machines in almost every sector as well as industry by technology revolution. Many people are getting eliminated from their jobs permanently as the work category and job assignments continue to sink even further. Jobs are also being restructured and others are disappearing because of the continuous adoption of technology. There is continued unemployment and according to findings, global unemployment is at its record high since the great depression back in 1930s. An estimated 800 million people are un employed and this figure could even rise further. Millions of graduates who are hopeful for employment opportunities, who are continually entering the work force are continually finding themselves jobless. It is now clear that the rising figures of unemployment indicates a short term adjustment to a market so powerful and powerfully driven by forces that drive the global economy towards a new direction. The global market is looking forward towards an exciting world of high tech automated production, abundant materials that are unprecedented, and booming world commerce. In the US alone it is estimated that 2 million people are being eliminated annually from their jobs by corporations. In return the jobs that are created are low paying low sector jobs. The worrying factor is that this transition is all over the world. Even the developing nations are increasingly eliminating employees with built state of art which tech facilities used for production CITATION Bai13 l 1033 (Bailey, 2013).

Technology has changed to the disadvantage of human labor. There is what is referred to as “Big Data” by scientists. This is the use of computers to thrive on information from the international website, barcodes are placed on nearly every product. More information is passed across the internet every second twice the total amount of information that was stored on the entire internet some 20 years back. Giving an example with Wall-Mart, the store is capable of collecting approximately 50 million cabinets of information from the customer’s transactions every 1 hour. This is far much the capability of a human if they were to be left to handle the transactions, according to Andrew McAfee and Erick Brynjolfsson, (2012). Computers can make sense of so much data than human beings.

It is true that the world is changing technologically and this the major force towards unemployment, because machines are replacing human labor but corporations are taking this as an advantage to gain Return on Investment. ROI refers to the capital invested in a company and the return realized from the capital based on then net profit of the business. It is important to understand that profit and ROI are two different things. Profit is used to measure the performance of the business. ROI is not necessarily the same as profit. However ROI can be used to gauge the profitability of the business. It is used to identify the past and potential financial returns of a business looked by the managers as a project. This is because it can portray how successful a business is expressed in ratios or percentages. It is also used to describe financial returns and increased efficiencies in the organization. It is also used to calculate the much of a value an investment is.

ROI has been used in line with Artificial Intelligence (AI). It worth knowing that it is customer demand that drives today’s business and the demand patterns varies from period to period. Because of these variables it has become very difficult for organizations to develop accurate forecasts, which refers to the process of estimating future events. Forecasting reduces uncertainty and used to provide benchmarks used to monitor performance. Combinations of AI and emerging technologies have been used to improve the accuracy of forecasts to contribute to organization enhancement. It is perceived that the use of machines to replace human labor is more effective and contributes to profitability and improved ROI. This has also fueled investors to replace human labor with machinery and computer software.

There is a saying that goes that whatever is measured gets done. Human nature can also be measured. It is true that many workers constantly re-prioritize their work activities. It is also worth understanding that not everyone in an organization will work towards a common goal, that is, the success of the organization. It is therefore important to measure performance against input. Metrics have the attention of both manufacturing and business leaders. It is important to measure sectors in business activities and provide improvement where necessary. The following are some of the manufacturing metrics utilized mostly by process, discrete, and hybrid manufacturers:

Improving customer expectations and responsiveness such as on time delivery and manufacturing cycle time, Metrics to improve quality such as yield, consumer rejects, material returns, supplier quality incoming, Metrics for improving efficiency such as capacity utilization, throughput, overall equipment effectiveness, schedule of production effectiveness, Metrics for reducing inventory like WIP Inventory/ Turns, Metrics on increased flexibility and innovation like rate of new product introduction, and Engineering change order cycle time. Metrics for Ensuring Compliance, Metrics for reducing maintenance like percentage planned, Metrics for cost reduction and increasing profitability like net operating profit, productivity in revenue per employee, energy cost per unit, productivity in revenue per employee, and manufacturing cost as per percentage of revenue.

Variables Definitions Metric References

ROI Return On Investment-this is a business term used to identify the past and potential financial returns. It helps to indicate how successful a business is. Metrics on Improving Costumer Experience and Responsiveness-Manufacturing cycle time,

On-time delivery to Commit

Bailey, R. (2013, February 8). Were the Luddites right? Smart machines and the prospect of technological unemployment. Reason, 45(1), 48.

AI Artificial Intelligence-this is a computer science emphasizing on intelligent machines working and relating like humans. Metrics on improving quality-Customer rejects,

Yield

Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2012). Technology’s influence on employment and the economy. In Race against the machine: How the digital revolution is accelerating innovation, driving productivity, and irreversibly transforming employment and the economy (p. 10). Lexington, MA: Digital Frontier Press.

Metric These are quantifiable measures used to assess the position and status of a venture. Metrics on Improving Efficiency-effectiveness,

Through put,

Capacity utilization,

Grint, K., & Woolgar, S. (2013). The machine at work: Technology, work and organization. John Wiley & Sons.

Inventory These are stock held by a business in form of materials or goods for the purpose of repair, resale, or raw materials waiting processing. Metrics on Reducing inventory- Work in progress inventory turn Sachs, J. D., & Kotlikoff, L. J. (2012). Smart machines and long-term misery (No. w18629). National Bureau of Economic Research.

WIP Work In Progress- these are materials that are partly finished. They are materials that are already in the production process but have not yet turned to a fully finished product. Metrics on Increased flexibility and innovation-Engineering change,

Rate of new product introduction

Hart, M. (2013). Educating cheap labour’r. The learning society: Challenges and trends, 96.

Big Data This is the use of computers to thrive on information from the international website, barcodes are placed on nearly every product Metrics on Cost reduction and profitability-Productivity in revenue per employee,

Net operating profit

The agricultural industry has seen numerous changes in the previous 100 years. Since the conception of the modern horticulture in 1900, we have pushed ahead to the period of computerized improved farming where everything that is carried out before seeding and up to after harvesting produces data that can be broke down or analyzed. Big Data officially changed the horticulture industry a ton and in the impending decade this will get to be unmistakable or visible in every aspect of farming in the Western world and progressively likewise in the Developed world. There are three ranges that will be influenced the most by the chances of big data: reduced costs of operation and improved efficiency, crop and animal efficiency and improved productivity, optimization of crop prices and mitigation of weather conditions CITATION Gri13 l 1033 (Grint, 2013).

In the agricultural industry, the internet of things and industrial internet are adversely affecting agricultural equipment such as sprayers, tractors, harvesters, milking machines and soil cultivators. Farmers are now capable of getting information thanks to the sensors that have been deployed in machines such as tractors, cow milking and several others. These machines offer information in real time 24/7 even in the absence of the farmer. These machines act as smart machine that are capable of talking and can coordinate with each other to give the farmer the overall condition of the farm. They can predict problems and even take action before adamage can be realized. The farmer can take action immediately he sees a problem dismayed by the sensors and if the problem is very serious, a service employee will visit the farm.

These sensors have led to increased productivity in many processes of agriculture. They also predict failure and maintenance and also safe the farmer fuel and energy for harvesting and transportation by optimizing the best driving conditions especially in large farm because they can predict shorter routes to drive and help save a lot of fuel. These computers are integrated and they pass information to each other making the entire process manageable by only 1 person. These machines are managed by diagnostics to make sure that optimal settings are in place. These data are passed to the farmer who will then analyze them to ensure continuity of effective operation now and in future. Big Data technologies are continually making precision agriculture interesting. This includes recognition, understanding, exploitation of information capable of quantifying variations in crops and soil. This has helped the farmers a lot especially in optimization of the crop productivity CITATION Sac12 l 1033 (Sachs, 2012).

Not just yields and crops can be enhanced with huge information, additionally the farm animals will gain from enormous information innovation. Having sensors in the sheds will allow input on the states of the animals. Sensors can consequently measure the animal’s weight and conform bolstering if needed. Contingent upon the conditions in the shed or the states of the creatures, sustaining can be balanced too. The creatures will get the right nourishment and the perfect sum at the right minute. There are also chips inserted on the animals that can monitor their health conditions. Sick animals can receive medication through the food there are given and conditions of the sheds adjusted in any case they are affecting the animals. The heard can also be traced via the smart phone with the help of the chips placed on them. These sensors also display the mental health of the animals. Big Data flips around the customary horticulture industry. Despite the fact that the ventures can be significant for ranchers, the potential advantages of applying huge information advancements on the field are gigantic CITATION Har13 l 1033 (Hart, 2013).

I used both primary and secondary data collection methods to collect data. Under primary data collection, I collected the data myself by through qualitative and quantitative methods. I used observations, interviews, focus group interviews and questionnaires.

The following were the sourced of data I used:

Primary Data: interviews-I will use forms that will be completed by the respondents. Interviews are better for complex questions that I will be asking even though being expensive than questionnaires. Questionnaires: these are forms that are completed and returned by respondents. I will use this method of data collection because it is cheaper and they allow the respondents humble time to give feedback to the questions asked. Focus group interviews: I will identify a group of a particular group of people especially the farmers and people employed in the agriculture industry and conduct an interview on them. Observations: I will use direct observation to collect data. I will try and find observer programs to help me with the exercise.

Secondary data sources: Previous researches: I would use previous researches on how smart machines are affecting employment in Agriculture industry; official statistics: statistics published by government agencies or other public agencies on economic and social development and environment; Mass media products: data from media houses on development in the Agricultural and horticultural industry and how machinery is affecting employment in the industry; Government reports: the government publications and reports on Agricultural Industry and how smart machinery and Big Data is affecting employment; Web Information: searching the international network for data on Big Data and smart machinery and how they are affecting employment in Agricultural industry; Historical data and information: the history of smart machinery and Big data.

References

Bailey, R. (2013, February 8). Were the Luddites right? Smart machines and the prospect of technological unemployment. Reason, 45(1), 48.Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2012). Technology’s influence on employment and the economy. In Race against the machine: How the digital revolution is accelerating innovation, driving productivity, and irreversibly transforming employment and the economy (p. 10). Lexington, MA: Digital Frontier Press.

Grint, K., & Woolgar, S. (2013). The machine at work: Technology, work and organization. John

Wiley & Sons.Sachs, J. D., & Kotlikoff, L. J. (2012). Smart machines and long-term misery (No. w18629).

National Bureau of Economic Research.Hart, M. (2013). Educating cheap labour’r. The learning society: Challenges and trends, 96.