Inventory System free essay sample

Abstract The purpose of this study is to apply a MySQL database-equipped inventory system to a sample cellphone retail store where it would manage the store’s product inventory and improve the physical-writing of daily/monthly inventory reports for them to examine. It will be a process integration where we will install a computer system to help them generate an inventory report that they’ll just have to input certain data and the system would provide them of a formatted document. We haven’t actually produced any results yet since we are starting to process the system’s requirements and interface of a cellphone store and thus, this section of the abstract would be improve until the important data for this report is already obtained. II. Acknowledgements We would like to acknowledge the help of our Software Engineering course professor, Mr. Rolando Fajardo, for motivating us to strive hard and gave us the necessary sample materials to complete and further understand the completion of this documentation of our project. We will write a custom essay sample on Inventory System or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page We would also like to acknowledge the help and support that we got from our fellow colleagues here at Far Eastern University – Makati for the guidance and certain help they gave us while conducting and making this documentation III. Dedication We dedicate this documentation for all our batch mates and our fellow Information Technology students here at Far Eastern University – Makati as this documentation may inspire them to strive hard and further improve their skills as the future’s next leading programmers, designers and all other types of workers in the field of Information Technology. Introduction While it is somehow proven that physically-written reports are mostly fool-proof evidence of a legitimate or official document in certain businesses, it really takes too much time and effort for people to actually write these kinds of reports for their business. With a generation that mostly relies on technology nowadays, we do not consider anymore this kind of process of making it and now depending on computer to make one for us with just simply placing data in a certain program that would generate a well-designed report to be examined by people. Background of the Study In our technology-dependent generation right now, it is easy to say that written documents are already out of style right now since some computer applications or software are now integrated to analyse, formulate and produce documents that are well-formatted and well-designed by these programs. Our MySQL database-equipped cellphone inventory system would integrate the usual paper-recording of product inventory in certain store in which, we will apply this for a cellphone inventory store that usually updates their inventory for their stock availability, products sold and stock left in their store. We will integrate their system of updating it through a software inventory system that’s powered by a MySQL database to ease the burden of writing/recording and making an inventory report for daily or monthly sales report for their store. Research Paradigm Input Process Output New Product/Item (Details) Adding of New Item in Inventory (w/ Details) Report that a new item was added New Stock for Products Updating Inventory for new stock (Stock column) Report that stock column has been updated with new stock quantity Edit details of product Editing Inventory for details of a product Report that product details has been edited Delete product from Inventory Removal of Item/Product from Inventory Report that product has been removed from inventory Daily Sales Data Processing of store’s transactions Written/Formatted Report of Daily Sales Monthly Sales Data Processing of store’s transactions (w/in the whole month) Written/Formatted Report of store’s Monthly Sales Statement of the Problem The focus of this study is whether an inventory system equipped with a MySQL database would work for a cellphone store storing, updating, and deleting their products and its details for easy-completion of their store inventory. Significance of the Study We are motivated to pursue this study because of the application of an inventory system equipped with MySQL database for a cellphone store to integrate their store’s inventory system and to ease the paperwork usually needed to record the all of the products that go to their inventory Scope and Delimitation The scope of this study covers the adding, updating/editing, removing and other necessary tasks that a cellphone retail store does for their inventory management. This system integrates the written documents that were usually used before in writing an inventory report of their products and additional details that is necessary for it. The delimitation of this system is that it only covers the basic inventory process that these stores need for their inventory management. Additional features would be optional since our system would only be focusing on the main inventory process of the business. Added features are expected not to work efficiently or perfectly as of this moment since we are just integrating the basic functions of their inventory process. Definition of Terms Inventory an itemized list of current assets: as a catalogue of the property of an individual or estate or a list of goods on hand Inventory Management is vitally important for any business that sells a physical product. Cellular phone/Cellphone portable phone: a portable telephone operated through a cellular radio network Database collection of data on computer: a systematically arranged collection of computer data, structured so that it can be automatically retrieved or manipulated MySQL MySQL is an open source relational database management system (RDBMS) based on Structured Query Language (SQL). VI. Chapter 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES Foreign Literature(both should be from 2009-2014) Foreign Studies Local Literature Local Studies VII. Chapter 3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Specification of Research Design Respondents of the Study Research Instrument Data-Gathering Procedure/Source of Data VIII. Chapter 4 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Summary of FindingsConclusionsRecommendations Further for Further Studies BIBLIOGRAPHY APPENDICES Letter of Request for Permission to Conduct Survey Questionnaire Curriculum Vitae USER’s MANUAL ( separate document) Inventory System free essay sample A perpetual inventory tracking system is a method of immediately accounting for inventory sales in the inventory account, if there is no theft or spoilage. It is an inventory management system where store balances of inventory are recorded after every transaction. It eliminates the need for the store to close down constantly for inventory stock-taking as perpetual inventory systems allow for continuous stock-taking. Perpetual inventory systems keep a running account of the companys inventory. Perpetual inventory systems involve more record-keeping than periodic inventory systems. Every inventory item is kept on a separate ledger. These inventory ledgers contain information on cost of goods sold, purchases, and inventory on hand. Perpetual inventory management systems allow for a high degree of control of the companys inventory by management. Perpetual inventory management is generally used by companies who have the ability to scan the inventory items sold and who use  point-of-sale inventory systems. We will write a custom essay sample on Inventory System or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Perpetual inventory systems provide the business owner with a record of what is sold, where it was sold from, when it was sold, and for what price it was sold. As a result, it allows for businesses to have more than one location with one centralized inventory management system. Even with a perpetual inventory management system, the company still needs to shut down at least annually to do a periodic, or manual, inventory count. The scanned data should tell the business owner exactly what inventory should be on hand. The major advantage of doing a periodic inventory count is to determine how much inventory has been lost, stolen, or subject to spoilage. What is a Periodic Inventory System? A periodic inventory system does not require day-to-day tracking of physical inventory. Purchases, cost of goods sold, and inventory on hand cannot be tracked until the end of the accounting time period when a physical inventory is performed and ending inventory is compared against the sum of beginning inventory and purchases. Cost of ending inventory can be calculated by using the  LIFO or FIFO inventory accounting methods, or other less common methods. Inventory System free essay sample Technology in todays modern society is constantly evolving at a rapid pace. Almost every thing that surrounds us is all about technology. The need of technology is affecting almost every area of society, including companys businesses. In today’s business environment, even small and mid-sized businesses have come to rely on sales and inventory systems. Advanced system on sales provide more reliable recording of sales of the company. Sales and inventory makes the company more productive, efficient and convenient to the company and its clients. This sales and inventory system is meant to help the company to show to their customers that they are inline with the use of technology for its demand is extremely high. By providing more reliable recording of sales of the company, hoping to increase their sales and most to increase the profit of the company. Using the computerized way of inventory is much more superior and far quicker than using the manual system. We will write a custom essay sample on Inventory System or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Indeed, implementing sales and inventory system on a company is a big help because it lessen the work load of the employees and minimize the factor of human error. Inventory systems are use in many different companies today as a tool to make sure the company strives into success. Inventory systems serve several different functions for businesses; one purpose is promoting the sales function by ensuring that a sufficient amount of product is available for customers. Another purpose is shrinkage control, that is monitoring the frequency of loss, theft, or breakage of products received. Another very important function of inventory control systems is asset valuation; that is establishing the value of the products on the shelf for tax purposes at the end of the tax year. According to the Small Business Administration, all inventory systems strive to strike a balance between managing costs and the business advantages of a broad selection of goods to offer to customers. 1. 2Research Objectives 1. 2. 1 General Objectives The main purpose of this research is to develop a useful sales and inventory system for one of the franchise of Waffle Time. A system that has the capability to encode the different lists of products. To add, edit and delete. To add a new list in the existing list. To edit the current list. And to delete a list that do not exist anymore. We also aim to keep track the sales and inventory products. The sold products are deducted from the stored items in the inventory system. The sale must be the totality of the products purchased of the customer in the sales system. 1. 2. 2 Specific Objectives To design a user-friendly interface that can easily be familiarized by the user. To produce appropriate reports of the sales. To produce appropriate reports of the inventory. To develop a Sale and Inventory System for the Waffle Time business that will give solutions to the inconvenience caused of using the manual system. Scope and Limitation of the Research This research aims to create sales and inventory system that provides user efficient working environment and to provide more reliable and appropriate sales and inventory of the business. This system covers only the sales and inventory of the Waffle Time business franchise USLS branch (not sure if we can this branch). This system provides user-friendly interface resulting for each of the employee knows each and every usability features of the system. This system also helps in tracking records of the business.

Business Ethics Fleming

Business Ethics Fleming The customer is the most important stakeholder of any company. Companies exist to serve the needs of their customers. Therefore, it is vital for a company to ensure that it does not damage its relationship with the customers. Disregarding the wishes of customers would result in the collapse of a company (Thompson, et al. 2011).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Business Ethics: Fleming specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is what happened to Fleming Companies, which was the largest distributor of consumer-packaged goods in the US. The company habitually provided wrong billing to its customers. The company did not stop the malpractice despite regular complaints from customers. Fleming habitually engaged in accounting malpractice to boost its margin and restore its financial profitability. Senior executives of the company supported the company’s engagement in unethical conduct. As an executive of the company duri ng that period when it engaged in unethical conduct, I would have claimed that problems in the accounting systems were the major reasons why the company provided wrong billing to its customers. I would have claimed that the company was not defrauding its customers since it was willing to repay money that it owed customers due to wrong billing. Fleming used its muscle unfairly to engage in unethical activities. The company realized that it was a vital component in the supply chain of its customers. It was the major link between the suppliers and their customers. Therefore, damaging the relationship between the company and the suppliers would have limited the ability of the suppliers to access their customers. Fleming jeopardized the activities of its suppliers by engaging in unethical conduct. Fleming’s malpractices limited the ability of its suppliers to keep accurate financial records. Keeping accurate financial records enables companies to know their real financial position (Nikolai, Bazley Jones, 2009). As a manufacturer who sold its products through Fleming during the period when the company was engaging in unethical conduct, I would have looked for another distributor to handle my products. This was the main reason why Fleming engaged in unethical activities regularly.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition, the company was unwilling to stop engaging in unethical activities despite complaints from customers. By doing so, Fleming disregarded the wishes of its customers. Fleming’s unethical conduct made it difficult for manufacturers to determine the integrity of Fleming’s billings. The unethical conduct necessitated suppliers to countercheck billings from Fleming. This was an expensive and time-consuming activity. Therefore, looking for an alternative distributor was the best option for manufacturers who distrib uted their products through Fleming. As a Fleming shareholder during the period when the company engaged in unethical conduct, I would not have been pleased with the turnaround strategy that the company was employing. This is due to the fact that the strategy breached the trust that customers had on the company. Fleming disregarded the fact that customer loyalty was the main factor that led to the prosperity of the company. The unethical behavior of the company tarnished the image and reputation of the company (Thomson, et al., 2011). Therefore, I would have sold my shares before the discovery of this unethical practice. Discovery of the unethical practice threatened the existence of the company. Loss of the trust that customers had on the company would have resulted in massive exodus of customers from the company. Unfortunately, this is what happened after the Wall Street Journal reported the company’s unethical conduct. Therefore, selling my shares before this happend would enable me to safeguard my investment. Unethical practice led to the ultimate collapse of the Fleming companies. This is despite having acquired more than 100 new customers. Fleming’s case highlights the importance of customer loyalty in the competitiveness of a company. A company should not take advantage of its size to violate the wishes of its customers. References Nikolai, L. A., Bazley, J.D. Jones, J.P. (2009). Intermediate accounting. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Business Ethics: Fleming specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Thompson, A., Peteraf, M., Strickland, A. J. Gamble, J. (2011). Crafting executing strategy: Concepts and readings. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies.

A Machiavellian Analysis of Henry IV, Part 1

Analysing Henry IV part 1 as described in the Machiavellian analysis It can be difficult for the modern reader to appreciate the power struggle underlying HENRY IV, Part 1 (1H4). As causes of the War of the Roses and the struggles of the House of Lancaster recede from memory, it is useful to have a lens through which to examine the political and military machinations of Henry, Harry and Hotspur as they struggle to define both the future of England and their personal claims to leadership. The Prince provides such a lens. Written in 1513, just 83 years before the play, Machiavellis tract on foreign policy and leadership provides a deeper understanding of the actions of these three characters. As the play opens, Westmorland informs Henry IV that he has received a post from Wales that is loaden with heavy news, Whose worst was that the noble Mortimer, Leading the men of Herefordshire to fight Against the irregular and wild Glendower, Was by the rude hands of that Welshman taken, A thousand of his people butcherÃÆ'Â ¨d, Upon whose dead corpse there was such misuse, Such beastly shameless transformation By those Welshwomen done, as may not be Without much shame retold or spoken of (1H4 1.1.37-46). This missive was followed by even more uneven and unwelcome news that Percy has followed his uncles teaching and to his own use he keeps all the prisoners except the Earl of Fife (1H4 1.1.70-75). In this way, Henrys enemies are introduced and Hotspurs loyalty called into question. The first step in applying a Machiavellian analysis to this situation is to determine whether the struggle pertains to a hereditary principate or a mixed principality. Given that the Welsh and Scottish forces remain distinct and separate groups over which the English retain limited control, one is inclined to characterize this as a mixed principality, an entity that is not entirely new but like a graft freshly joined to an old kingdom (Machiavelli 5). Following this analysis, the loyalties of the combatants appear conflicted at best because the problems associated with such a state are derived from a natural difficulty which is that all men are ready to change masters in the hope of bettering themselves (Machiavelli 5). As the play opens, Hotspur and Worcester appear as exemplars of combatants who are struggling to change masters. Their loyalty to Henry conflicts with their loyalty to the Percy family. Under these circumstances, Machiavelli advises one of the best and most effective policies would be for the new possessor to go there and live (Machiavelli 6). While Henry remains firmly ensconced on the throne in London, both Hotspur and Harry venture forth in the world and engage in interactions that could conceivably achieve the benefit that Machiavelli says results from such relocation namely when you are on the spot, you can see troubles getting started and can take care of them right away (Machiavelli 7). Hotspur takes Worcesters advice to return to Scotland with the prisoners and Deliver them up without their ransom straight (1H4 1.3.257). Moreover, while he is in Scotland, he should enter negotiations and make the Douglas son your only mean / for powers in Scotland, which / will be easily granted (1H4 1.3.258-261). While not exactly the same as going and living there, these travels could serve much the same purpose as that imagined by Machiavelli in that they provide first-hand information. Unfortunately, Hotspurs temperament prevents him from making the most of such travels. Although the reader is not witness to Hotspurs negotiations with Douglas, the negotiations with Owen Glendower show that Hotspur is incapable of going and living there either literally or in the more metaphorical sense of being able to silence his own impulses long enough to learn first-hand Glendowers strengths as an ally. Instead of taking the opportunity to get a sense of the Welsh terrain and size up Glendower, Hotspur senselessly antagonizes him, insulting everything from his ability to speak English (1H4 3.1.114-117), his history of repelling Henry IV (1H4 3.1.65-67) and his magical powers (1H4 3.1.24-34). Curiously, although Harry neither relocates nor travels the distances traversed by Hotspur, his behavior seems to achieve more of the ends sought by the Machiavellian advice to go there and live there. We see him traveling a different kind of distance from the seat of power and playing an altogether different role with his companions at the Boars Head Tavern. Although only a temporary inhabitant of Eastcheap (1H4 39), his ability to step outside his customary role and observe life outside the palace makes him a more effective ruler in the long run. This is consistent with the Machiavellian adage that prince devote attention to learning because what he learns will be doubly useful; first he will become acquainted with his own land, and understand better how to defend it (Machiavelli 41). A Machiavellian analysis also sheds light upon the behavior of Henry, Harry and Hotspur during the Battle of Shrewsbury. Hotspurs allies betray him and leave him on the battlefield with little support. He continues to voice enthusiasm for battle despite Douglas characterization of the loss of Glendowers support as the worst tidings that I hear of yet (1H4 4.1.126). However, as he prepares for battle, Hotspur begins to vacillate. When Blount comes with gracious offers from the King (1H4 4.3.30), Hotspur explodes with his list of grievances against the king. However, at the end of this scene, he raises the possibility of accepting the kings offer, saying And maybe so we shall (4.3.112). Such vacillation opens him to the contempt and hatred warned against by Machiavelli who noted that what makes a prince contemptible is being considered changeable He should be sure that his judgment once passed is irrevocable (Machiavelli 50). In this time of crisis, Hotspur has not been able to win a popular base or exercise consistent judgment; had he survived, this vacillation (and his lack of reasoned responses) would hold him up to contempt and hatred. In holding out this opportunity for peace, Henry appreciates the Machiavellian maxim that military might is the poorest way to retain or win a mixed principality. Machiavelli notes that the whole state is harmed when the prince drags his army about with him from place to place. Everyone feels the inconveniences, every man becomes an enemy (Machiavelli 7). Blount tries to dissuade Hotspur, saying, you conjure from the breast of civil peace / such bold hostility, teaching his duteous land / audacious cruelty (1H4 4.3.43-45) and promises that you shall have your desires with interest / and pardon absolute for yourself (1H4 4.3.49-50). Henrys unexpected offer at reconciliation shows he understands that in the long run, defense by armies is useless with respect to mixed principalities (Machiavelli 7). While Hotspur and Henry weigh strategies and prospects for war, Harry goes into battle. His crisp, decisive actions are consistent with Machiavellis description of the military duties of the prince (Machiavelli 40). His victory over Hotspur shows that despite his questionable behavior earlier in the play, he has not fallen prey to the risk that being defenseless makes you contemptible (Machiavelli 41) or charges of mismanaging his clemency (Machiavelli 45). The Prince, therefore, provides an effective lens through which view the actions of Henry, Hotspur and Harry. Beginning with the characterization of the border skirmishes as a mixed principality, the relative strengths and weaknesses of these characters can be evaluated in Machiavellian terms. Only Harry appears to have metaphorically heeded the advice to go and live there. Despite his initial military successes, Hotspurs failure to heed this advice leaves him stranded without sufficient support at Shrewsbury. While Henry has the support of characters he spent time slumming with, Hotspur has shown himself to be worthy of hatred and contempt. In conclusion, The Prince provides a penetrating analytic tool to analyze the behavior of these characters, particularly with regard to their actions in Shrewsbury and its ultimate outcome.

Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Project - Essay Example After then, Net Present Value (NPV) for the whole project is computed. Financial and non-financial risks factors are discussed while highlight the issues that may hinder the overall progress and benefits attached with this project. Recommendation is the last part of this report in which the discussion is provided which focuses on the acceptance or rejection of this project. 1. Present Value of Cost of Project The cost of building a new facility in the form of electricity generator is compromised on two years cost. The cost of first year is $25 million whereas the cost for the second year is $28 million. If the time value of money factor is set aside, the total cost of building such generator is $53 million. After discounting this cost with the cost of capital of 8%, the present value is found to be $50.93. The following is the supporting calculations used to compute the present value of building up the generator. Years Cost of Generator    Discount Factor (8%)    Discounted Value of Cost    Present Value of Cost 0 -25 x 1.0000 = -25.00 = -50.93 1 -28 x 0.9259 = -25.93       2. Present Value of After-tax Cash Flows It is expected that after-tax profits earned by selling the electricity would continue over a period of 9 years once the generator facility is built. By leaving out the factor of time value of money, the total profits earned in the form of cash flows from the generator amounts to $75 million. However, if cash flows pertaining to each year are discounted by the cost of capital of 8%, it decreases the value of $75 million a lot such that the present value is summed up to barely $47.16 million. The following is the comprehensive computation, which is used for calculating the present value of sales of electricity. Years After-tax Profits    Discount Factor (8%)    Discounted Cash Flows    Present Value of Cash Flows 2 6 x 0.8573 = 5.14 = 47.16 3 7 x 0.7938 = 5.56    4 8 x 0.7350 = 5.88    5 9 x 0.6806 = 6.13    6 9 x 0.6302 = 5.67    7 9 x 0.5835 = 5.25    8 9 x 0.5403 = 4.86    9 9 x 0.5002 = 4.50    10 9 x 0.4632 = 4.17       3. Net Present Value Net present value computed for the overall project is computed as negative $3.76. Net present value states the amount, which depicts whether the project provides the excess of cash inflows over the cost of building the generator facility after considering the element of time value of money. Following are the detailed computations for calculating the NPV of the project under consideration: Years Cost of Generator After-tax cash flows Discount Factor (8%) Discounted Cash Flows NPV 0 -25 1.0000 -25.00 -3.76 1 -28 0.9259 -25.93    2 6 0.8573 5.14    3 7 0.7938 5.56    4 8 0.7350 5.88    5 9 0.6806 6.13    6 9 0.6302 5.67    7 9 0.5835 5.25    8 9 0.5403 4.86    9 9 0.5002 4.50    10    9 0.4632 4.17    4. Risks The project of building up a new generator facility, which is expected to work for the next ten years bring several risk factors . These factors can be split into two major categories namely as financial and non-financial factors. Financial risk factors are given below followed by the non-financial factors. Financial Factors a) Cost of Capital One of the most important risk factors associated with such financial projections is the estimating the most appropriate cost of capital, which is used as discount factor to discount the cash flows and initial investment in order to compute the present values. It is extremely subjective to estimate the cost of capit

Cell phone Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cell phone - Assignment Example In this light, deciding not to buy the cell phones for children has its advantages and disadvantages. Also, deciding to buy cellphones for the students has disadvantages and advantages that ought to be considered. Those against the idea of cells for students argue that they are disruptive and affect their concentration. On my part, I support the idea of equipping the students with the cell phones. There are several reasons for this stand that cannot be overlooked. For instance, the cell phones provide an easy channel of communication between parents and their children. In this light, the gadgets help ensure that parents can check on their children when they are not around. Secondly, I believe that the use of cellphones among the children from an early age helps open up their minds and increases the chance of innovation and the invention of technological gadgets. Moreover, the cell phones provide a source of leisure for the students and are crucial for their growth and development. However, this point may be invalidated on the basis that cell phones cause disruption among the pupils. Another point in support of cellphones for school-going children is that they help the students to research and learn new things through the Internet. The case study explains the effects that the cell phones have on students in Uganda who area allowed to use the cells not only at home but also in school. In the research conducted by Richard and his subordinates, the school allows students to carry their phones to school. According to the study, the availability of cellphones is a source of security for the students, which in turn helps boost their classroom confidence (Twebaze and Richard 23). Moreover, the students involved in the case study argued that keeping close contact with their parents at home helped give them the motivation to work hard. Richard adds that â€Å"cell phones not only allow the students to talk to their parents but also gives them a chance to expand

Sector Matrix Essay Example for Free

Sector Matrix Essay In buyer-driven commodity chains retailers, branded manufacturers and branded marketers which usually operate in labor-intensive consumer goods industries (e.g. footwear, toys, and consumer electronics) play key parts in setting up decentralised production networks in a variety of exporting countries. In producer-driven commodity chains, however, large manufacturers usually operating in capital and technology-intensive industries (e.g. automobiles, aircraft, and computers) play pivotal roles in managing production networks, usually in developed countries. Global Commodity Chains overlooks important concepts known as demand substitution and supply interaction, which occur in the motoring sector when lower income consumers rather purchase more affordable second hand automobiles from car dealerships than new automobiles from manufacturers e. g. when second-hand cars dilute the automobile market. Competition is thereby oversimplified by Gereffi’s framework as a process that takes place within an industry of firms using similar technologies to produce competing products. Furthermore, complementary goods e.g. spares and parts, repairs and servicing, fuel, tax and insurance, and finance generates a high percentage of revenue in the motoring sectors. Thus to maintain competitiveness within a sector, managers need to be familiar with the concept of demand complementarity. Gereffi, similarly to Porter, overlook the strategic importance of complementary goods, envisaging the processes that bring a commodity to the final product market. The sector matrix analysis mentioned by Froud (2006) fills these limitations; it constructs the demand side in terms of complementary and competing demands made by end users, and the supply side in terms of corporate consolidation of surplus from different activities inside and outside a specific demand matrix. Taking into account the weaknesses of Porter and Gereffi’sframework, Froud argues a need to abandon product-specific analysis for an alternative way of thinking, arguing that the firm should be seen as a unit t hat consolidates financial surplus from diverse sources of profit inside and outside an activity matrix. Rather than constructing the demand side in terms of substitutable end-products (e.g. new cars versus new cars), the Sector Matrix approach captures demand complementarity (e.g. new cars + services) and demand substitution (e.g. new cars versus used cars). Therefore, thesector matrix approach gives a better understanding of the automobile product market than the concepts of Value  Chains and Global Commodity Chains in that it captures the strategic importance of complementary services, simultaneously redefining competition. Solely manufacturing cars is financially unrewarding due to the problems associated with saturation in the automobile markets e.g. fierce competition due to competitor ability to manage product development and technology processing. For example, Ford understood that in order to continue to achieve superior shareholder returns they must sharpen consumer focus, that why their vision is to be the world leading consumer company that provides automotive products and services not just the world leading automotive company.Under this downstream vertical integration strategy, Ford purchased UK-based car-servicing company Kwik-Fit, broadening their subsidiary portfolio; already consisting of car rental company Hertz, and fi nancial services company Ford Credit. Furthermore, the Sector Matrix approach does not confine competition to the group of firms producing similar products; it extends the business relation to all the other firms that aspire to positions in the matrix. So, redefining competition may be a necessary exercise in order to effectively analyse the product market. Albeit useful, the applicability of Sector Matrix can be debated amongst academics, however. Froudrecognise that many industries (e.g. trainers and shirts) cannot be reworked as sectorsdue to their simple infrastructure. Other more complex industries e.g. health care are difficult to visualise in a sector matrix diagram due to vague demand function. Hence, while the Sector Matrix approach works well in the case of automobile industry, the universalism the framework is debatable.

The Roaring Twenties Essay -- America 1920s

The Roaring Twenties Rarely has the world seen such a unique decade in time as the Roaring Twenties. It was an age of prosperity and change. The United States experienced a recession that was followed by a period of unlimited prosperity. Although the United States encountered both positive and negative experiences, it proved to be very influential in the future. The 1920's were definitely "Roaring" in more ways than one. There were major changes in American Society during the 1920's that took place. Many new industries emerged during this decade that influenced society and the American way of life. Even the federal government had different feelings about the business industry. The characteristics of this decade made the 1920's one never to be forgotten in America because of its influence. During the 1920's a dramatic change occurred in American Society. American people experienced a period in their life that would not only affect the economy but even their own personal lives. African Americans had little to celebrate in this period except for the cultural movements such as Harlem Renaissance, which they introduced themselves. The 1920's were a period that reached both blacks and whites and forced everyone to pay attention. Racial incidents still took place throughout the United States before the 1920's. In 1920 the women?s suffrage was finally achieved with the nineteenth amendment. This was also a change because it left the women's movement confused and uncertain about its goals and its future strategies. Prohibition played a key role in the Roaring Twenties and the early years of the depression. It was the sale or manufacture of illegal alcohol. To prohibit the sale of illegal alcohol was an attempt to us... ...nist who put on many shows. He proved to be very influential and was a hero to American people. Lindbergh flew a single engine airplane across the Atlantic Ocean. He flew from New York to Paris in 33 hours and 30 minutes. Communications Industry also emerged throughout the Roaring Twenties. World War I influenced the commercial industry. The Radio was the main influence during the 1920?s. It was an Italian invention used during World War I. The radio was found in almost every American home for entertainment. The President broadcasted his in inaugural speech for the first time on the radio. The Radio allowed the American people to listen to political speeches. This was also an advantage for baseball fans. Baseball fans could listen to a live broadcast of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Overall the Radio was a huge influence in the 1920?s and is still now very important.