...would be Maintaining Boundaries. The flexible schedule system being implemented by Wal-Mart does have business value, but at what cost? Wal-Mart rationalizes the system by focusing on improving customer service. “Our main goal is to ensure that we have the correct number of associates in our stores needed to serve the customers shopping which we believe results in better customer service hour by hour” (clwill.com). The problem is that many associates of Wal-Mart have been affected by the flexible schedule in a negative way. The flexible schedule makes it difficult for employees to plan babysitting needs or prevents them from having Wal-Mart as a second or third job. That means workers may not know when or if they will need a babysitter or whether they will work enough hours to pay that month's bills. Rather than work three eight-hour days, someone might now be plugged into six four-hour days, mornings one week and evenings the next (Maher, Kris 2007). 2. What ethical principals apply to this case? How do they apply? There are two ethical principals that apply to this case for Wal-Mart. The first is the The Golden Rule, which states “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” While management and others in the organization determined that flexible scheduling in order to reduce costs and ensure the store have the appropriate number of associates at the right time, one could argue that management would not find the same scheduling strategy appealing to their own roles...
Words: 1883 - Pages: 8
...DCS5138 Management Information Systems CASE STUDY 1 Flexible Scheduling Good or Bad for Employees? With nearly 1.4 million workers domestically, Wal-Mart is the largest private employer in the United States, Wal-Mart is also the nation’s number one retailer in terms of sales, registering nearly $379 billion in sales revenue for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2008. Wal-Mart achieved its lofty status through a combination of low prices and low operational costs, enabled by superb continuous inventory replenishment system. Now Wal-Mart is trying to lower costs further by changing its methods for scheduling the work shifts of its employees. In early 2007, Wal-Mart revealed that is was adopting a computerized scheduling system, a move that has been roundly criticized by workers’ rights advocates for the impact it may have on employees’ lives. Traditionally, scheduling employee shifts at big box stores such as Wal-Mart was the domain of store managers who arranged schedules manually. They based their decisions in part on current store promotions as well as on weekly sales data from the previous year. Typically, the process required a full day of effort for a store manager. Multiply that labor intensity by the number of stores in a chain and you have an expensive task with results that are marginally beneficial to the company. By using a computerized scheduling system, such as the system from Kronos that Wal-Mart adopted, a retail...
Words: 2932 - Pages: 12
...create a schedule that is favorable to their needs. 2. What ethical principles apply to this case? How do they apply? Both sides, Wal-Mart and its employees, should be guided by the Candidate Ethical principle of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Would Wal-Mart want its employees to treat customers as callously as the employees feel they have been? Do the employees want Wal-Mart cheating against them like many of them might on their availability slips? Wal-Mart must consider Descartes’ rule of change. While the new scheduling system may bring only small changes now, what happens if the corporation continues making similar small changes to the detriment of its employees? What will those incremental changes do to the employees’ morale in the long run? 3. What are the potential effects of computerized scheduling on employee morale? What are the consequences of these effects for Wal-Mart? Computerized scheduling will cause employee morale to suffer. The higher paid experienced associates feel the system enables managers to pressure them to quit since they are...
Words: 328 - Pages: 2
...QUALITATIVE RESEARCH Chai Latte (PR#:09/0750/01) Transcript |Type |: |Group | |Number |: |3 | |Gender |: |8 Males | |Nationality |: |Saudi | |Category |: | | |Location |: |Jeddah | |Moderator |: |Mohammad | |Date |: |19/7/2010 | |Transcriber |: |Aya Ali Salem | INTRODUCTION |M. |Please introduce yourself to the group. Please tell us your name, age, your profession and your hobbies. | | ...
Words: 1534 - Pages: 7
...Chapter 5: CPU Scheduling Operating System Concepts – 8th Edition Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne ©2009 Chapter 5: CPU Scheduling Basic Concepts Scheduling Criteria Scheduling Algorithms Thread Scheduling Multiple-Processor Scheduling Operating Systems Examples Algorithm Evaluation Operating System Concepts – 8th Edition 5.2 Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne ©2009 Objectives To introduce CPU scheduling, which is the basis for multiprogrammed operating systems To describe various CPU-scheduling algorithms To discuss evaluation criteria for selecting a CPU-scheduling algorithm for a particular system Operating System Concepts – 8th Edition 5.3 Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne ©2009 Basic Concepts Maximum CPU utilization obtained with multiprogramming CPU–I/O Burst Cycle – Process execution consists of a cycle of CPU execution and I/O wait CPU burst distribution Operating System Concepts – 8th Edition 5.4 Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne ©2009 Alternating Sequence of CPU and I/O Bursts Operating System Concepts – 8th Edition 5.5 Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne ©2009 Histogram of CPU-burst Times Operating System Concepts – 8th Edition 5.6 Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne ©2009 CPU Scheduler Selects from among the processes in ready queue, and allocates the CPU to one of them Queue may be ordered in various ways Switches from running to waiting state Switches from running...
Words: 3375 - Pages: 14
...interrupt or trap: 1) Upon modification of the program counter (PC) register, a nonexistent programed memory location, unimplemented in the microcontroller, is addressed. Answer: Event categorize as address error trap. 2) The stack pointer (SP) value exceeds the value of the SPLIM (Stack Pointer LIMit – set by the user) register, i.e. the stack is exceeded from the upper side. Answer: Event categorize as stack error trap. 3) User is trying to access the instruction y = t /0. Answer: Event categorize as arithmetic error trap 4) Ahmed is trying to open a document by double clicking on mouse. Answer: interrupt 5) Typing in MS word using keystroke. Answer: interrupt Q5: Select a mechanism for the given policies: 1) Process scheduling Sol: The process scheduler is the component of the operating system that is responsible for deciding whether the currently running process should continue running and, if not, which process should run next. There are four events that may occur where the scheduler needs to step in and make this decision: 1) The current process goes from the running to the waiting state because it issues an I/O request or some operating system request that cannot be satisfied immediately. 2) The current process terminates. 3) A timer interrupt causes the scheduler to run and decide that a process has run for its allotted interval of time and it is time to move it from the running to the ready state. 4) An I/O operation is complete for a process that requested...
Words: 1247 - Pages: 5
...Employers and Workers The pace of life dictates ever changing priorities and requires acceptance, tolerance and flexibility. While a source of income is still required, the company where one is employed may not have as much influence if the career detracts significantly from the non-work related needs of the individual. Furthermore, if companies are insensitive to employee needs, and work becomes a significant source of stress, not only does worker productivity lessen but that company’s name and reputation as an employer may hinder its own ability attract necessary quality employees. Employees and employers alike are looking for ways to increase worker satisfaction. One increasingly attractive solution is the growing acceptance of a flexible work week and schedule. Prominent employers like Kraft Foods, Texas Instruments and First Tennessee Bank have implemented these changes for their workers to boost productivity while increasing job satisfaction (Forbes). Employers are also using these flex schedules as a way of attracting and retaining their employees. For example, “In 1999 only 18 companies on Fortune magazine’s list of Best Places to Work offered telecommuting. Today, 79 do (ABC News).” The definition of flexibility encompasses a wide range of topics such as: • Flextime (compressed work weeks and shift flexibility) • Telecommuting • Paid Time Off (personal days and vacation by the hour) “Business leaders are learning how to position flexibility as a powerful...
Words: 342 - Pages: 2
...COMP3361 Operating Systems I Mid-term Review and Study Guide Basic Concepts: What is an operating system? A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware - basic functions? 1.) OS is a resource allocator 2.) manages all resources 3.) decides between conflicting requests for efficient and fair resource use 4.) OS is a control program 5.) controls execution of programs to prevent errors and improper use of the computer 6.) a program running at all times on the computer, usually called the kernel 7.)everything else is either a a.) system program: associated with the OS but not part of the kernel b.) application program: not associated with the OS user/kernel modes of operation? 1.) The operating system must ensure correct operation of the computer system. To prevent user programs from interfering with the proper operation of the system, the hardware has two modes: user mode and kernel mode. Various instructions (such as I/0 instructions and halt instructions) are privileged and can be executed only in kernel mode. 2.) Kernel Mode In Kernel mode, the executing code has complete and unrestricted access to the underlying hardware. It can execute any CPU instruction and reference any memory address. Kernel mode is generally reserved for the lowest-level, most trusted functions of the operating system. Crashes in kernel mode are catastrophic; they will halt the entire PC. 3.) User Mode In User mode...
Words: 2427 - Pages: 10
...Scheduling (when to do the job) is the process by which all resources needed for specific jobs are allocated, coordinated, and synchronized at the proper time and place, with necessary access, so that work can be executed with minimal delay and completed by the agreed upon date, within budget estimates. The schedule establishes when jobs will be done and what resources can best be applied to their performance. Resources include manpower, materials, tools and special equipment. Access refers to when the equipment will be prepared and accessible so that it can be worked on in safe (locked out/tagged out) condition, with necessary precautions taken, permits obtained, and any specialized documentation, drawings, or information in hand. Proper time relates to job start, duration of execution, and completion within the time frame agreed upon with the internal customer during the weekly coordination meeting. The Weekly Expectation Scheduling is the locus from which all maintenance activity is executed. Scheduling should be viewed as the “point” function and “marketing arm” of the system because it yields the earliest tangible results (often within weeks of start up). All individuals and groups perform better and accomplish more with clearly established, communicated and published expectations. When the maintenance function is managed without a weekly schedule, there are no specific expectations as to what is to be accomplished with the resources for which payroll checks will be...
Words: 2773 - Pages: 12
...Impact of flexible scheduling on employee performance regarding stress and work-family conflict Abstract Stress, work-family conflicts and flexible scheduling are three of the most important elements in organizational studies. The focus of current study is to understand the effect of Stress, work-family conflicts and flexible scheduling on employee’s performance and also to understand whether flexible scheduling helps in reducing stress and work-family conflicts or not. A survey has also been conducted to strengthen the idea comprising of a sample of 70 employees from different organizations. 53 of them responded and the respond rate was 75%. Descriptive statistics is used to analyze the data. Results show that stress and work family conflict negatively affect the employee performance and flexible scheduling has a positive effect on employee performance. Primary study as well as literature review showed that flexible scheduling also helps in reducing stress and work-family conflicts. However, results are strongly based on the literature review i.e. secondary data. Introduction Work family balance is one of the most emerging concepts in the field of business and in the corporate world. Organizations are trying to reduce this conflict for the betterment of organization as well as for the employees. Western researchers have done a considerable work on this concept of work-family balance (Berg et al., 2003; Frone, 2003; Rossi, 2001; Marcinkus et al., 2007; Young, 1999). Actually...
Words: 2000 - Pages: 8
...Business Communication Trends Michelle Gordon XCOM/285 August 11, 2013 Shannon Owens Business Communication Trends The definition of business communication is the sharing of information between people within an enterprise that is performed for the commercial benefit of the organization. In addition, business communication can also refer to how a company shares information to promote its product or services to potential consumers. (WebFinance, 2013) Communication plays a critical role in student’s on-line day to day activities. A on-line student has to be flexible to balance school and family. Some of the flexibility options allow you to work anytime and anywhere. You are able to make your own schedule and incorporate it into your daily routine. The University of Phoenix requires you to participate four days a week. This means you have to log into your student portal at least four days and participate in class discussions and weekly discussion questions. If for some reason you could not participate you are required to check in with your instructor. Checking in will ensure you will not be dropped from your class. An on-line student is capable of meeting personal needs because you are able to go to school from anywhere. All you need is an Internet connection and a computer. You can take your on-line classes on vacation with you if needed. You can juggle so many personal tasks as an on-line student. For example, if you have a doctor’s appointment and need to answer some...
Words: 390 - Pages: 2
...Flexible Work Schedule Survey Kasey Taylor LeTourneau University BUSI 4623OL: Business Research Methods October 25, 2012 Abstract The purpose of this survey was to determine whether or not flexible work schedules have a positive impact on productivity in the workplace. The survey was given to all employees at the end of a training class and turned into the instructor to give to the human resource department. The written survey consisted of 10 questions ranging from demographics to personal needs. We found employees with spouses and or children under the age of 18 were in favor of flexible work schedule having a positive impact for them personally on their productivity. The survey also revealed the need for individuals to feel they have some control and flexibility in their work schedules, which leads to a balanced personal and business life. Flexible Work Schedule The purpose of this survey was to determine whether or not flexible work schedules have a positive impact on productivity in the workplace. “Flexible work schedules” refer to choices pertaining to the location and/or time that work is conducted, whether it is formal or informal. Formal being policy from HR department that is written. Informal meaning the immediate supervisor has approved this flexible arrangement. The survey was emailed to 2,000 employees and 526 participants completed the survey. The survey consisted of several questions ranging from the use of flexible work arrangements to their level...
Words: 688 - Pages: 3
...بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Name: -------------------------------- Group:---- Level:------- Major:------------- |المملكة العربية السعودية |[pic] |KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA | |وزارة التعليم العالي | |Ministry of Higher Education | |جامعة الإمام محمد بن سعود الإسلامية | |Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud Islamic University | |كلية علوم الحاسب والمعلومات | |College of Computer & Information Sciences | CS231: Operating Systems 1st Mid-Term Exam 2nd semester of 1430/1431 Exam Duration: 1:30H Marks: out of 20 I. Multiple choices [6 Marks, 1 for each]: 1. Which of the following is not shared by different threads of the same process? a. Global variables b. Program counter c. Open files d. None of the above 2. Which of the following process state transitions is NOT correct? a. RUNNIG to READY b. READY to RUNNIG c. WAITING to RUNNING d. WAITING to READY 3. Which of the following programming examples, multithreading provides better performance than a single-threaded solution? a. A web server that responds clients service requests b. A web browser that can process...
Words: 693 - Pages: 3
...job in the ready queue if a higher Arrives priority job requires service. 1.) First Come First Served (FCFS) - executes jobs in their order of arrival (the job that comes first will get to the CPU first). - implemented easily using a first in first out (FIFO) queue. - FCFS is non-preemptive. - PROBLEM: the average turnaround times and waiting times are HIGH. 2.) Shortest Job First (SJF) – the job with the shortest estimated time is the next one to receive service. - cannot be implemented at the short term scheduling level since there is no way to know the length of the next CPU burst. - can be implemented at the long term scheduling level by asking users to estimate their job time limit. - can be preemptive or non-preemptive. - SJF gives the minimum average waiting time. - PROBLEM: long jobs may never get to execute. 3.) Priority Scheduling: the highest priority job is the next one to receive service. - Priority scheduling can be preemptive or non-preemptive. - PROBLEM: starvation – a low priority job may never be...
Words: 906 - Pages: 4
...|To: |Positrol Workholding | |From: | | |CC: | | |Date: | | |Re: |Job Process Scheduling | | | | Introduction The difference in the job process scheduling will be measured based on table 1 that was given. We are comparing the differences between First Come, First Served (FCFS), Shortest Operating Time (SOT) and Earliest Due Date (EDD) to find which sequencing rule may work the best. Highlights Lateness: The findings (SOT) had the best average of lateness (-3.8), but would still have 3 jobs come up short. On the other hand (EDD) had a slightly lower average at (-2.1), but had no jobs arrive late. With that being said both of these alternative had better averages than the (FCFS) method that positrol workholding is currently using. Jobs: To have the best efficiency and make sure the customers are happy, most jobs should be completed on time which is not the case for the methods (FCFS) and (SOT). They both would have 3 late jobs, whereas (EDD) method would have 0 late jobs, meaning they would all be completed on time. Flow Time: The last...
Words: 1183 - Pages: 5
