Essays and Research Papers on Management & Business

A 4 page paper differences in assessing customer satisfaction in different sectors of operation. Total Quality Management (TQM) as a philosophy still is alive and well, although its components – such as continuous improvement and customer satisfaction – receive direct and intense attention. The purpose here is to assess components of customer satisfaction ...

A 9 page paper discussing AcuScan's inability to decide which of two alternatives it should pursue. The paper recommends to the CEO that AcuScan market itself to an entirely new market segment – such as banks and building security businesses – to increase sales and market share of its current product. In the ...

The use and management of knowledge by companies is of critical importance to survival in a competitive environment. This 16 page paper looks at the international document company Xerox and how it has managed knowledge, including elements such as soft systems thinking and the creation of social capital. The paper looks at the theory and ...

This is a 6 page paper that discusses setting fees as a consultant. The writer comments on indirect or overhead costs that need to be considered as well as the direct costs associated with the job. Two methods of calculating one's fees are reported. The writer then states the fees for a two-day supervisor's workshop ...

This 13 page paper examines the development and strategy of the UK supermarket chain Tesco. The paper is written in 4 parts, the first part examines the strategies followed after the war including diversification and the development of differentiation. The second part looks at the value of CRM with the loyalty card system and the ...

This 10 page paper responds to four questions. The first discuses economies of scale and centralized procurement procedures. The second discusses change and the procurement process, emphasizing overcoming resistance. The next discusses how information technology affects supply management. The last section comments on a person moving from a job in local authority procurement to ...

It has been noticed that innovations at the beginning of a product lifecycle tends to be radical, and the product becomes more popular the innovation slow down into incremental developments. This has been seen in many industries, from cars to computers. This 9 page paper considers how and why this pattern of innovation may be ...

A 4 page paper discussing IBM's and Lenovo's reasons for agreeing to the sale of IBM's PC business. Analysts are optimistic about Lenovo's ability to sell IBM PCs despite IBM's inability to succeed with the products. As Dell is experiencing problems and announced in late October 2005 that it would miss sales targets ...

This 4 page paper looks at for different organizational structures that are based on networks; the strategic network, the team based structure, the lattice based structure and the adhocracy. After explaining the four structures the similarities are discussed. The bibliography cites 3 sources.

A 3 page paper discussing resistance to a new conflict management system. The scenario is that an organization has designed and implemented a new conflict management system but employees are largely ignoring it as a mark of registering their resistance to it. The purpose here is to assess possible reasons for that resistance, ...

Countertrade is becoming increasingly popular. This 5 page paper consider show it is being used in order to manage and minimise risk, especially in international trade and how it is used in terms of global financing. The bibliography cites 9 sources.

An 8 page paper discussing some of the pressures facing Southwest Airlines in 2005 and steps it could reasonably take to mitigate its business risks. Southwest still can claim no layoffs and no unprofitable quarters for all of its history, but most of the legacy carriers it competes with are operating under bankruptcy protection ...

This 10 page paper addresses four questions. Assessing supplier relationships for improvement; price versus total cost of ownership; Taguchi's model and quality management; and integrating a large supply chain. Examples are provided throughout the paper. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

A 5 page paper consisting of speaker notes for an available PowerPoint® presentation of a marketing plan for a single-location confectioner specializing in coated popcorn produced according to a newly-patented process. The marketing plan recommends instituting online sales and entering agreement with a third party gift business, as well as hiring a knowledgeable, no-spam ...

A 4 page paper describing and answering questions about a simulation of change management for CrysTel Communications, a fictional company. The paper provides a summary of the change process the company used; stakeholders; risks; and measurement. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page project plan enabling a hospital to charge reduced prices for prescription drugs for uninsured and underinsured patients. In the past it has been impossible for any hospital to charge reduced prices for prescription drugs for fear of charges of fraud by Medicare. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ...

This 49 page paper examines the natural gas industry from the perspective of an oil company. The paper looks at why gas and oil are important, the nature and origins of gas, how it was first used and developed into a commercial product. The paper then examines the ways in which exploration and drilling occurs, ...

A 3 page paper discussing differences in employee relations with consultants and lower-end outsourced employees such as temporary production workers. Focusing on the consultant, the paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the relationship from both the consultant and the contracting company perspective. Because outsourced individuals are or represent suppliers, the organization is ...

This 7 page paper looms a three examples of how different TQM tools have been used to improve customers’ satisfaction by a range of firms. The paper looks at a manufacturing firm, a firm offering an after sakes service and a not for profit organization. The bibliography cites 6 sources.

A 7 page paper consisting of speaker notes for a 12-slide PowerPoint® presentation that is also available. Published in 2005, the qualitative study surveys members of the Boards of 18 companies included on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and identifies an appropriate Board approach to establishing and maintaining sustainability, one that can be ...

A 3 page paper discussing the state of alternative fuel choices in 2005 for the purpose of assessing the feasibility of Lotus Rental Car of adding alternative-fuel cars to its fleet. DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM, Isuzu, Mercury and Nissan all offer flex-fuel vehicles designed to operate on either gas or ethanol, or any combination. ...

This 12 page paper examines the business model that is used by Stelios to establish a new car hire, or car rental, company to compete with companies such as Hertz, Alamo and Avis by offering lower prices. The paper is written in four parts. The first part of the paper identifies the characteristics of the ...

A 3 page paper reviewing the benefits and purposes of activity-based costing (ABC) and assessing piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons as to whether ABC is a valid approach for that company. The paper concludes that ABC absolutely is a valid approach for Steinway and could assist the company in identifying areas in which it ...

This 7 page paper examines the way in which Cadbury Schweppes approach and embrace the concept of corporate social responsibility considering if this is a genuine approach or one undertaken merely to enhance profit. This is assessed with reference to the declared strategies and the observed practices of the company. The paper then considers ...

A 24 page paper presenting a strategic plan for a home health and hospice provider of nursing care. HHH stands poised to enter a phase of growth that was not envisioned at the time of its founding. All of health care is in flux and continues to evolve. Even though there have ...