Thursday, October 31, 2019

Potential Employees' use of Google and Facebook to Assess Applicants Assignment

Potential Employees' use of Google and Facebook to Assess Applicants - Assignment Example Technology which has remained indispensable to most organizations today is undoubtedly changing and advancing their internal operations. The work of human resource departments specifically has been made easier with the advent of technology especially social networks, because they can easily evaluate the integrity and moral life of the applicant outside the professional field. Most firms would wish their employees to uphold high level of integrity within and without job settings because everywhere they are they represent the organizations image. (Zeidner,2007) This paper will try to evaluate the legal and professional implications of applying the utilitarian approach of ethics which is purely meant to ensure employers full satisfaction with a least harm to the affected i.e. customers, employees, shareholders, community and the environment. The investigation will offer more information on the legal implications of invading applicant’s privacy and also the need for the applicants to enhance their privacy settings besides minding what they post to the public. The key question that this paper will address is on whether employers should invade the applicant’s privacy during recruiting processIn order to complete this research work successfully, there are different aspects of methodology which were used. One of them was the sampling of participants who included employers, employees and job seekers in the proportion of 5, 7, and 8 respectively. They were emailed structured questionnaire which was later received and the information collected was presented. The questionnaires were mainly used to collect primary data but there are also other ways through which data was collected such as interviews. Information was also collected from secondary sources of which mainly included books, academic articles and journals. The information collected in the secondary sources as presented earlier on makes it possible to compare what has been written and the information which was collected first hand through the questionnaires. Findings Throughout the data collected and analyzed and presented, there were a number of findings which were established. The most outstanding view was that applicants especially students be very careful with the posts they make because it could give poor judgment and career limiting effects. They believed that currently there is no proper legal framework regarding posts on face book. One employer stated that they found a provocative picture and content related to drugs abuse on face book page of the potential applicants’ wall which made him to lose the job. Applicants had the view that it is unethical for most employers to view their face book profiles. The findings sated that most students tended to drew a line between the

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Security of Information in Government Organizations Essay

Security of Information in Government Organizations - Essay Example Whatever format government organizations store their information, it needs to be protected properly (Aoufi, 2011). ISO 27002 claims that information safety is the central aspect of government’s information security that guarantees three features which are: integrity, availability and confidentiality of asset (Aoufi, 2011). Integrity is about protecting the truthfulness and extensiveness of information. This feature denotes to the necessity that information is secured from improper change Availability is certifying that only approved employers have access to information and associated assets when needed. This property refers to the protection of information from denial of service Confidentiality guarantees that information is accessible merely to those approved employers. This feature denotes to the security of information from illegal leak (Aoufi, 2011) There are no priorities regarding the importance about those three features. The importance of each of the features relies on the perspective of how they are implemented in government organizations. For example, information which is categorized as public is needed to assure availability and integrity and confidentiality is not needed (Aoufi, 2011). Information Security In Government Organizations Information security in government organizations are the promise that information, resources and facilities are protected against concession and people are secured in contradiction of workplace violence. Through information security government can guarantee its own security that supports the health, protection, economic welfare and safety of citizens. Security arises by forming trust among government, citizens and people within government organizations. Within government organizations there is need to certify that people... This essay stresses that in any government organization, the resources and operations are highly reliant on information technology to achieve the objectives and targets. Considering the high reliance, information becomes a strategic enabler for success of government organizations. Thus, defending information is main concern for any government establishments This paper makes a conclusion that through information security, government organizations can protect their information system from illegal accessing, leaking, distraction, alteration, inspection, coping or damaging. Government organizations possess several intimate information regarding nuclear operation, military operation, business deals, and employees. Most of those data are processed electronically and shared across organizations’ internal network. As the use of internet and computer increases and develops, the risk of leaking and stealing those high priority information has also increased. There are internal as well as external threats of government information. Thus, information security has become highly important and technologically advanced expressively in recent times. Government organizations are required to provide a great deal of effort for protecting information asset from external as well as internal threats. Through proper security measures government, organiz ations are able to ensure the integrity, availability and confidentiality of information.

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Counter-measures to the Bullwhip Effect

Counter-measures to the Bullwhip Effect Bullwhip Effect which is Supply Chain Demand Amplification caused due to distorted information moving from one end of a supply chain to the other causing tremendous inefficiencies. Companies can successfully counteract the bullwhip effect by thoroughly understanding its causes and effects. Several industry leaders are implementing innovative strategies that create new challenges such as integration of new information systems, definition of new organizational relationships, and implementation of new incentive and measurement systems. Various initiatives and remedies based on the underlying coordination mechanism, namely, information gathering and sharing, channel positioning, and operational efficiency can oppose the very effects. Through information sharing, demand information at a downstream site is transmitted upstream in a timely fashion. Channel positioning is the coordination of pricing, transportation, inventory planning, and ownership between the upstream and downstream sites in a supply chain. Operational efficiency refers to activities that improve performance, such as reduced costs and lead-time. Supply Chain strategies to counter measure Bullwhip Effect Following are few Supply Chain strategies employed to reduce or tame the Bullwhip effect and to improve business performance. Avoidance of Multiple Demand Forecast Updates Members of a supply chain conducts forecasting in association with its planning based demand input from their immediate downstream member in producing their own forecasts. Demand input from the immediate downstream member, results from that members forecasting, whose input is from its own downstream member. Solution to the recurring processing of consumption data in a supply chain is to make demand data at a downstream position available to the upstream site allowing both sites can update their forecasts with the same raw data in the current computerized scenario, manufacturers request sell-through data on withdrawn stocks from their resellers central repository warehouse. Although the data are not as absolute as point-of-sale data from the resellers stores, it offers considerably more information than was available when manufacturers didnt know what happened after shipping of their products. Electronic Data Interchange: Supply chain partners can use electronic data interchange (EDI) to distribute data. In the consumer industry, around 20 percent of orders placed by retailers of consumer products were transmitted via EDI in early 1990s.Now its grown to around 80%. The EDI basically facilitates information transmission and sharing among chain members. In the consumer products industry, this practice is known as Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) or a continuous replenishment program (CRP). Several companies such as PG, Campbell Soup, MM/Mars, Apple, Nestle, Quaker Oats, and Scott Paper uses CRP many of their customers. PG employs VMI in its diaper supply chain, starting with its important supplier, 3M, and their customers- Wal-mart. Apple Computer has a consumer direct program, i.e., it sells directly to consumers without involving the reseller and distribution channel. An advantage of the program is that it allows Apple to spot the demand patterns for all its products. Dell Computers is another company which sells its products directly to customers. Just-In-Time Replenishment: Long resupply lead times can aggravate the bullwhip effect. Improvements in operational efficiency can help reduce the highly variable demand due to multiple forecast updates. Hence, just-in-time replenishment is an effective way to mitigate the effect. Break Bulk Orders Order batching contributes to the bullwhip effect therefore companies need to devise strategies that lead to smaller batches or more frequent resupply. Electronic data interchange [EDI] can reduce the cost of the paperwork in generating an order. PG has introduced standardized ordering terms across all business units to simplify the process and dramatically cut the number of invoices. General Electric is electronically coordinating buyers and suppliers throughout the company. Nabisco perform computer-assisted ordering, paperless, thereby customers order more frequently. Assortments of different products: Another reason for large order batches is the cost of transportation. To tackle this cost, some manufacturers encourage their distributors to order assortments of different products. Hence a truckload may contain different products from the same manufacturer as an alternative of a full load of the same product. Thus for each product, the order frequency is much higher, the frequency of deliveries to the distributors remains unaffected, and the transportation effectiveness is preserved. PG has given discounts to distributors who are willing to order mixed-SKU (stock-keeping unit) lots of its products. Composite distribution for fresh and chilled food uses the mixed-SKU idea to make resupply more regular. Since fresh produce need to be stored at different temperatures, trucks to transport them need to have a variety of temperatures. Third-party logistics: The use of third-party logistics companies also helps make small lot replenishments economical. They give room for economies of scale that was not feasible in a single supplier-customer relationship. By consolidating loads from several suppliers located close by, a company can realize full truckload economies even without having the batches coming from the same supplier. PG coordinates regular delivery arrangements with its customers. Hence, it distributes the replenishments to all the several retailers evenly over a week. Stabilize Price Variations Reduction of both the frequency and the level of wholesale price discounting can control bullwhip effect caused by forward buying and diversions. The manufacturer can reduce the incentives for retail forward buying by establishing a uniform wholesale pricing policy. Everyday Low Price (EDLP): Retailers and distributors can aggressively negotiate with their suppliers to give them everyday low cost (EDLC). PG, Kraft, and Pillsbury have moved to an everyday low price (EDLP) or value pricing strategy. PG reported its highest profit margins in twenty-one years and showed increases in market share in early 1990s. Activity-based costing (ABC) systems facilitate companies to recognize the unnecessary costs of forward buying and diversions. When companies run provincial promotions, some retailers buy in bulk in the area where these promotions are held, then divert the products to other regions for utilization. ABC systems provide explicit accounting of the storage, individual handling, costs of inventory, transportation, and so on that previously were hidden and often outweigh the profit of promotions. Eliminate Gaming in Shortage The sharing of capacity and inventory information helps to lessen customers anxiety and, consequently, lessen their need to employ in gaming. Times when a supplier faces a shortage, instead of assigning products based on orders, it can assign in proportion to past sales records. Customers have no incentive to overstate their orders. General Motors has long used this method of allotment in cases of short supply. Sharing capacity information is insufficient when there is a genuine shortage. Few manufacturers work with consumers to place orders well in advance of the sales time. Thus adjust production capability or scheduling with improved knowledge of product demand. Counter measure to Generous return policies Generous return policies that manufacturers offer retailers heighten gaming. Without a penalty, retailers will continue to overstate their needs and cancel orders. Few computer manufacturers are starting to enforce more stern cancellation policies. Eliminate incentives for customers and distributors On eliminating these incentives, it can prevent demand accumulation and order staging. Minimizing incentivized promotions will cause the customers to delay orders and there by smoother ordering patterns. We need to understand the product demands at each stage of the supply chain. Basically increase the collaboration through shared demand information as discussed above. This shall ensure there are no information queues leading to information flow delays. A Methodological approach to solving the bullwhip problem The principal decision lies in whether to study the bullwhip problem in discrete or continuous time system. In discrete time [using Laplace transform and differential delay], the various system states [demand rates, inventory and WIP levels] and replenishment orders are placed at the equally spaced moments of time. In between these moments of time, no information about the system is known. In continuous time [using z transform] the systems states are monitored at all the moments of time and the rate of order is continuously adjusted. Neither of the representations of time is incorrect. Just that one representation of time may be more suitable for a given situation than the other. Consider for example, in a grocery supply chain, supermarkets total up demand that has occurred during the day, a replenishment order is prepared and the delivery is dispatched from the distribution centre overnight. This scenario is especially suitable for a discrete time analysis. On the other hand, a petrochemical plant might be able to constantly adjust its production of different grades of product to mirror the current demand rates for each grade. This type of scenario is more agreeable and suitable to a continuous analysis. Finally we can conclude that the bullwhip effect results from rational decision making by members within the supply chain. Companies can effectively counteract the consequence by thoroughly considering its underlying causes. Thus the companies can either let the bullwhip effect paralyze them or discover a way to conquer it and play it to their advantage.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Essay --

Rockets were first introduced in 1232 AD. Therefore, they have a very long and extensive history. At first, rockets were just used as weapons, but as early as 1806 they began being used for space travel. The first rockets that were made, were made in China. This was during the time that black powder was discovered. Several years later the largest rocket in the world was built which took 18 months to finish. Many of us don’t think of all the work that has been put into creating rockets. From the tiny weapons that were used to fight off enemies, to the 300 foot tall contraption that sends people to space, rockets have forever changed history and the way that space travel has developed. A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle that obtains thrust from a rocket engine. Rocket engine exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rockets are powered by engines, and engines work by action and reaction. Pushing the rocket forward and then throwing the exhaust backwards causes the rocket to go into the air extremely fast. While comparatively inefficient for low speed use, rockets are relatively lightweight and powerful, capable of generating large accelerations and of attaining extremely high speeds with reasonable efficiency. Rockets are not reliant on the atmosphere and work very well in space. Unlike ordinary engines, rockets carry their own supply of oxygen to burn its fuel. As rockets have gotten bigger and bigger so have the engines. The largest rocket in the world which took 18 months to build was NASA’s Saturn V model. Werner von Braun designed this rocket. He developed a rocket that got the first grou p of men to the moon in July of 1969. The technology of rockets was first k... ... influenced by the Mongol invasions of the previous few centuries. Chemical rockets are the most common type of rocket and they typically create their exhaust by the combustion of rocket propellant. Chemical rockets store a large amount of energy in an easily released form, and can be very dangerous. However, careful design, testing, construction and use minimize risks. In space, there are better ways of propulsion. Many of them get much more mileage, but they are slower and require an electric power source. Once we start to industrialize space, we will surely assemble large "space trucks" in low Earth orbit to haul payloads around space much more efficiently, using something else besides chemical rocketry. However, for people, who need to be transported quickly, we can assume we will be using chemical rocketry in the first stage of large scale space development.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

How Did Geography Affect Where Colonists Settled

Beginning in 1607, when ambitious English colonists settled in Jamestown, and continuing until the last of the thirteen colonies was established; geography was a substantial factor in the development of colonial America. The crops that essentially saved the colonists lives, such as tobacco, rice, and indigo, wouldn’t have grown without a certain type and amount of soil to grow properly. Also, the Appalachian Mountains and the dense forests provided a barrier for the colonists, preventing them from going too far west right away, and causing the colonies to form in the arrangement they did.Finally, the population was the most dense in middle colonies, such as New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania partly because of the mild landscape and fertile soil. Early in the 1600’s, John Rolfe and his wife Pocahontas discovered tobacco. It was soon heavily sought after in Europe, and quickly became a cash crop for Virginia. After establishing the tobacco industry in Virgin ia, many of the other colonies soon followed suit. Unfortunately, tobacco quickly drains the nutrients of the soil that it is planted on.Without the plentiful and fertile soil that these settlers were using, it would have been very difficult for the colonists to survive much longer. Tobacco wasn’t the only crop that the colonists discovered early on, however. In South Carolina, many rice and indigo plantations began to emerge. In order for rice to grow, it needs to be planted in a swamp, or some other sort of low-watered area. The swamps of South Carolina were a perfect place to grow rice, and was considered a rich man’s crop because of the labor it took to harvest and grow it.Without certain soil and growing conditions, it would have been very difficult for the colonists to sustain themselves in the early years of America. The natural landscape of what is now known as the United States also was a big part of how the original thirteen colonies developed. The Appalachia n Mountains stretch from Maine all the way to Georgia. This mountain range prevented the first colonists from going too far west. This, in turn, made it so that the population were more dense, and there was a higher concentration of people. The dense forests of the eastern seaboard disallowed for large cities to be created right away.This geological factor forced colonists to spread out within the perimeters of the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, without being too close together. Both of these factors could be overlooked easily enough, but did have a reasonable impact of the development of colonial America. Finally, the geography of the middle colonies, such as New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania played a big role on the development and population of this area. In the sixteen and seventeen hundreds, the above colonies were the most populated of the thirteen establishments.There was plentiful and fertile soil, in which tobacco was heavily grown. The Susqueh anna River also flowed through this region, opening the possibility of fur trade. Other minor rivers that were found in the middle colonies were gentle, which provided for easy transportation and fishing. The land in the middle colonies was broad and expansive, making it easy for even the middle class residents to create an enjoyable and profitable lifestyle. In conclusion, there were many factors that contributed to the development of the colonial America, but geography was clearly a sizable influence.If the geography of America wasn’t the way it was, the colonists who settled here may have not survived as well as they did. By the time the tobacco industry was established, and small cities began to rise, American came to realize that not only were they surviving, but they were thriving. This realization had to do with more than the fact that they had separated themselves according to religion, or put aside the issue of the Native Americans. There is no question that the lay of the land had a substantial impact on the development of not only colonial, but also current America.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Loren Inc

Case Study Format Program: Supply Chain Management Extension Certificate Case Study Format & Methodology You must use this format to prepare your case study analysis and recommendations for course assignments. Organization Background This section provides the context for the issue / organization being examined. It is necessary and important that the class be given a feel for the type of organization and industry being examined, the marketplace in which that industry operates, and the overall business environment in which the discussion and analysis will take place.Defining the Issue It is extremely important that the Learner / group clearly articulate what the problem / situation is to the class. It is essential that the immediate issue / situation, and other broader issues being examined, relate specifically to Supply Chain Management (SCM) material or service related issue(s). The key concern(s), problem(s), decisions(s), challenge(s) or opportunity (ies) must be clearly articulate d and detailed in order to ensure that the remainder of the discussion is meaningful and actionable.This issue(s) / situation must clearly be important to the organization, a source of major competitiveness or significant profitability / loss. The urgency of the situation must also be clearly articulated. Analyzing Case Data This is where a considerable part of the discussion should be contained: causes and effects (i. e. fishbone diagrams); constraints and opportunities; and, quantitative and qualitative assessments.People, materials, methods, equipment, money, and other factors all lead up to effects that must be examined and determined to be valid or invalid. From there, constraints or opportunities which will impact the analysis need to be examined and factored in to possible courses of action. Decision Criteria It is imperative that criteria be clearly established against which all possible alternatives will be measured or compared against. These criteria provide the basis for evaluation and assessment. They can be classified as quantitative as well as qualitative.Such criteria may include: profit; cost; return on investment (ROI); market share; capacity; risk; and / or, cash flow, to name a few. Qualitative criteria may include: competitive advantage; customer satisfaction; employee morale; corporate image; ease of implementation; synergy; ethics; safety; and / or goodwill, to name a few. There may be other criteria that the Learner / group have determined are essential to the decision making process. Ensure that the criteria chosen are clearly articulated and described.Alternative Analysis and Evaluation Each alternative must be clearly identified. The key advantages and disadvantages of each alternative must be listed and thoroughly discussed. The compare and contrast (pro and con) assessments of each alternative must be done against the decision criteria previously listed and discussed. A matrix format may be used in order to more accurately compare e ach of the alternatives. If multiple decision criteria are being used, weighting of each of the criteria must be applied.It is also important to look at the short and long term results of each alternative, and to assess the best, the worst, and the most likely outcomes for each alternative. Qualitative and quantitative analysis will be required. It will also be necessary for the student to use the various supply chain management tools and techniques learned throughout the certificate program to determine those possible outcomes.  © Mount Royal University Continuing Education, Supply Chain Management Extension Certificate, 2013 1 Action and Implementation PlanBased on the predicted outcomes and the comparative strengths and weaknesses of each alternative, the most logical conclusion and alternative should be the one selected by the Learner / group. However, a combination of alternatives may be the more reasonable approach, utilizing the strengths of various alternatives and elimina ting, where possible, the weaknesses of the selected alternatives. The proposed actions and implementation plan must minimize the disadvantages while taking advantage of as many of the strengths as possible.The action plan must be specific and include: who, what, when, where, and how. A contingency plan would also be useful in case things do not go as expected. The implementation plan should include a set of milestones and a schedule for everyone to measure their success against. Assumptions, Presentation & Organization It is important for the Learner / group to clearly identify all assumptions being made when they have been used, and to clearly articulate why case data was unavailable and / or not used.This reflects real life where not all of the information is available to make the most accurate decision possible. If the assumptions are not exactly correct, the implementation plan and contingency plan must be flexible enough to be able to react to any necessary changes. All assump tions used must be reasonable and be as â€Å"true-to-life† as possible.  © Mount Royal University Continuing Education, Supply Chain Management Extension Certificate, 2013 2