...and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/1472-5967.htm Environmental scan: influence on strategic direction Environmental scan Donald Chrusciel Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer the environmental scan as a valued tool for the facilities management (FM) operation to assist in determining strategic direction. Design/methodology/approach – After defining the environmental scan, its usefulness is explored from the perspective of a single case study public institution FM organisation. Once the information is captured, the potential analysis and value is discussed. Findings – The environmental scan is seen as a valuable tool in the FM organisation to solicit input from both the institution’s administration and the customer community leaders. Through this analysis, the FM organisation can refine its strategic direction by determining what it is doing well, what it should investigate doing, and what it should consider to stop doing. Research limitations/implications – The single case study does raise the issue of generalisability. However, given the nature of what can be gained from qualitative research, the reader is cautioned to take into account appropriate logic and environmental factors when considering transferability. Practical implications – The findings from the FM environmental scan serves to not only aid in determining strategic direction but can also assist...
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...Business Research Report Mobile Devices for Field Service Assessment Code: RWT1 Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Introduction 4 Research Findings 4 Recommendations 7 Conclusion 7 References 8 Executive Summary The purpose of this report is to investigate the possibilities of using mobile technologies for the company’s field service personnel and how this would affect the business in three main areas. In particular we want to investigate the use of mobile tablets to improve the efficiency of the field service call. Can our existing process be improved upon? We want to investigate the use of mobile tablets to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of each repair. Because sometimes a field technician may be required to make multiple trips to a customer location to finish a repair we want to see if these multiple trips can be minimized. Finally, we want to investigate how, if adopted, the use of mobile tablets will facilitate the lowering of day to day operational expenses. The following report outlines those findings. Introduction As partner in the Home and Office Computer repair business that utilizes after-sales support contracts from major PC vendors I have been tasked with investigating the use of mobile technologies for field service. Specifically the use of mobile technology with tablet pc’s that the firm can take advantage of and how this technology would best serve the technician in the field. It is expected that tablet pc mobile technology...
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...Sherman Computer Repair New Direction Sherman Computer Repair New Direction This paper will examine the Sherman Computer Repair Company and their external environment. Sherman Computer Repair (SCR) is an undersized company that repairs damaged computers. At present, SRC has three business locations where patrons can purchase repairs on broken hardware. At the location of all three business sites SRC employs three full-time computer techs, one on-site manager along with one receptionist. In addition, SRC also employs 12 mobile techs that provide SRC customers with the choice of reliable in house repair service. Sherman Computer Repair wishes to broaden their horizons by embracing computer assembly to fill the void left by a competitor called Synergetic. Sherman's approaching progress into the industry of computer assembly is one that carries risky implication for them. Sherman Computer Repair must first hire a new professional staff and obtain new technological expertise to make their company transformation successful. This paper will analyze how SRC can meet their goals and grow from the future business prospect. Sherman Computer Repair Organizational Design The Business Directory defines organizational design as formal and informal framework of policies and rules, within which an organization arranges its lines of authority and communications, and allocates rights and duties. Organizational structure is found to determine the manner and extent to which roles, power...
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...Occasional Paper 5 The Recovery of Trust: Case studies of organisational failures and trust repair BY GRAHAM DIETZ AND NICOLE GILLESPIE Published by the Institute of Business Ethics Occasional Paper 5 Authors Dr Graham Dietz is a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at Durham University, UK. His research focuses on trust repair after organisational failures, as well as trust-building across cultures. Together with his co-author on this report, his most recent co-edited book is Organizational Trust: A cultural perspective (Cambridge University Press). Dr Nicole Gillespie is a Senior Lecturer in Management at the University of Queensland, Australia. Her research focuses on building, repairing and measuring trust in organisations and across cultural and professional boundaries. In addition, Nicole researches in the areas of leadership, teams and employee engagement. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the contact persons in the featured organisations for their comments on an earlier draft of this Paper. The IBE is particularly grateful to Severn Trent and BAE Systems for their support of this project. All rights reserved. To reproduce or transmit this book in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, please obtain prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Recovery of Trust: Case studies...
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...Occasional Paper 5 The Recovery of Trust: Case studies of organisational failures and trust repair BY GRAHAM DIETZ AND NICOLE GILLESPIE Published by the Institute of Business Ethics Occasional Paper 5 Authors Dr Graham Dietz is a Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour at Durham University, UK. His research focuses on trust repair after organisational failures, as well as trust-building across cultures. Together with his co-author on this report, his most recent co-edited book is Organizational Trust: A cultural perspective (Cambridge University Press). Dr Nicole Gillespie is a Senior Lecturer in Management at the University of Queensland, Australia. Her research focuses on building, repairing and measuring trust in organisations and across cultural and professional boundaries. In addition, Nicole researches in the areas of leadership, teams and employee engagement. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank the contact persons in the featured organisations for their comments on an earlier draft of this Paper. The IBE is particularly grateful to Severn Trent and BAE Systems for their support of this project. All rights reserved. To reproduce or transmit this book in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, please obtain prior permission in writing from the publisher. The Recovery of Trust: Case studies of organisational...
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...Guidelines in Writing a Reaction Paper 1) What are the underlying issues? ⇨ Low demand in the aerospace and defense industry products, inaccurate forecast of some expenses, Since few customers buy relatively small numbers of multimillion dollar aircrafts and other aerospace systems, this products are considered low demand compared to consumer goods. Orders for new systems often involve long negotiations , but orders for spare components can be typically placed from the manufacturers catalog. 2) How the issues were resolved? ⇨ Through SSS (Studies, surveys and strategies.) First is to study the size of the market share and drivers of demand. It is also important how often major components fail and sent for repair. If a failed major components is beyond repair, it needs to be replaced with a new system. Followed by surveys and consultation of their customers. They are interested in finding out how changing customers demand for their products. Lastly the strategies which includes availability and reliability of data, right forecasting model, customer collaboration, sales and operations planning process and the measurement of forecast error. 3) What are the findings? ⇨ Due to relatively low demand and MRO, forecasting demand in the Aerospace and Defense industry is very challenging. The industry is currently going through major evolution in its forecasting practices in an effort to drive down cost and enhance service...
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...Cell research is a very controversial topic in today’s society. This topic brings up many ethical questions about it is right to do the research or not. Stem cells come from embryos that are only a few days old. The ethical issues that arise are many. If one believes that an embryo is a baby upon fertilization, then one would feel that this was unethical to do the research no matter what the benefits would be. On the other hand, some feel the benefits of what can be learned from stem cell research outweighs the ethical and moral dilemmas that are argued. This long debate brings about many questions about the ethical approaches, that there have been restrictions placed on the research in the lines of what type of embryos can be used for the research. Ethical or not there are always two sides to debate, stem cell research is no different. Throughout this paper I will discuss the ethical issues that stem cell research brings into light and the benefits that stem cell research brings into light that may just outweigh the ethical issues, then determine it these benefits and ethical issues really make stem cell research the most beneficial way to help cure diseases such as juvenile diabetes, Parkinson’s disease or even spinal cord or neck injuries. Argument for Research Stem Cell research can help scientist discover more about human cells and how they grow, change, and replace damaged cells within the body. The information that can be learned is priceless. Using this research has...
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...Semi-Tractor Table of Contents Page 1. Purpose 3 2. Safety 3 3. Research & Time Intervals 4 4. Engine 5-7 5. Transmission 8-9 6. Drivetrain 10 7. Suspension 11-13 8. Body and Frame 14-15 9. Paper Work 16 10. Final Inspection 17 11. References 18 Purpose The purpose of a PM Service on a Semi-Truck is to add longevity to the life of the vehicle. It allows the mechanic to fully inspect every component of the vehicle and make any necessary repairs as needed. This allows a safe and well maintained vehicle to transport any number of goods for a very long time. Safety Shut engine off! Lock and Tag if necessary! Chock wheels to prevent unintentional rolling of vehicle! Coolant and Oil may be extremely hot and under pressure! Low clearance under or around vehicle can cause injuries! Sharp objects may be present! Research & Time Intervals It is important to research the vehicle you are performing a PM Service on. Verify you have the proper filters, oil type, oil viscosity, and grease type so as to not cause damage to important components of the vehicle! Be sure that the service is performed within the scheduled time. A vehicle that does not get a PM Service at the recommended date can cause unnecessary failures of components, cause timely breakdowns, and costly repairs. Engine Tools Needed Supplies Needed * Begin by lifting the hood of the vehicle...
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...Run the “Business Regulation” Simulation. Develop a 1,400-1,800-word paper (including tables) in which you do the following: a. Identify the key facts, regulations, and legal issues in the simulation. b. Based on the simulation, identify several of Alumina’s values and stakeholders. What are the conflicts among the competing stakeholders, and how does this constitute an ethical dilemma? c. Analyze risks presented. Considering alternatives not contained in the simulation, recommend a solution for Alumina and evaluate it in the context of Alumina’s legal position. Justify your recommended solution. d. How well does your recommended solution address the ethical dilemma identified in item b? How well does it align with Alumina’s values? Learning Objectives See Week 3 objectives listed in the rEsource material or module. Required Reading Read the materials for Week 3 on your rEsourceSM course page. Read Ch. 7, 13, 14, 15, and 17 of Business: Its Legal, Ethical, and Global Environment. Assignments Run the “Contract Creation and Management” Simulation on your own before meeting with your Learning Team. Identify the elements of a contract and specify where (or if) they are present in the simulation. For purposes of helping you to analyze the assignment, divide the Learning Team into two sides, one representing the party needing the software and the other representing the party designing the software. Each party should identify...
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...Conduct? The definition of unprofessional is cited as follows: “not professional; not pertaining to or characteristic of a profession; at variance with or contrary to professional standards or ethics; not befitting members of a profession, as language, behavior, or conduct” (Dictionary.com, 2015). Hence, this paper will analyze the four (4) questions as outlined in the assignment overview and discuss them by using concepts learned in this course. Additionally, the writer of this paper will explain the rationale used for her responses. Question 1 Do you believe the Board of Education violated her right to privacy? The author of this paper does feel that the Board of Education violated Mrs. Pettit’s right to privacy. The reason for this belief has to do with the utilitarian concept to “always act to produce the greatest possible balance of good over bad for everyone affected by our actions” (Shaw, 2013). Mrs. Pettit, her husband, and the others who attended the function were engaging in this very concept. Additionally, this occurred in a private setting and the participants were consenting adults over the age of eighteen (18) and should be afforded a legal and moral right to privacy. However, the happiness enjoyed by these acts was eventually used against Mrs. Pettit as the consequences of her actions led to the revocation of her license to teach. But the question that comes to the writer’s mind is this: Why should one need to wonder whether or not one’s actions would result...
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...Running head: PUERTO RICO local law paper Puerto Rico local law paper Name School Instructor Course number 1) The concept of Mercantile Right in P.R. to tenor with the cases of the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico; Fish market Pink v. Lozada, 116 DPR 474 (1985) and Reece v. Ariela, 122 DPR 270 (1988). CONCEPT OF MERCANTILE RIGHT Mercantile right is the negotiation or traffic that applies to commerce for the purpose of making a profit. This right is protected by laws that give a person or business entity the right to engage in commerce. According to Tulane University Professor Vernon V. Palmer (2001), Puerto Rico's mercantile law stems from various sources (primarily Spanish and US) and has different statutes for different areas that are relative to commercial and industry. In 1995, Puerto Rico adopted Articles 5, 7, 8, and 9 of the United States' Uniform Commercial Code and as such, greatly affected by legal changes and decisions in the US. APPLICATION TO THE CASES FISH MARKET PINK, INC. v. OSVALDO LOZADA CREEK In June 1980, Lozado bought a boat that had been registered as a fishing vessel. In July 1980, Lozada (not a fisherman) sold a boat to Rosas. The sale included a loan amount for repairs necessary. In 1981, Rosas founded the Pink Company/Signature Fishing Market (???) and transferred the debt from a personal one to one of the business. In 1983 Lozada began collection attempts on the loan amount. The loan amount was being disputed by Rosas as not a valid...
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...West Coast Forum Research Work Group Sustainable Consumption & the Sharing Economy Summary of Research Findings and Gap Analysis Topic: How state and local governments are promoting sustainable consumption and engagement in the sharing economy RESEARCH QUESTION(S) • What is the state of knowledge about sustainable consumption? How is this defined or framed? What are the emerging trends? What potential roles can municipal and state governments play? • What barriers have been identified and how might these be overcome? • What strategies, techniques and policies are effective at promoting sustainable consumption through reusing, renting, repairing, and sharing products and materials? • What GHG reduction benefits can be achieved through these activities? • What strategies, techniques, policies and innovative approaches have not yet been tried but have been proposed that are considered to have greatest potential? Note: This research summary builds on the findings of a previous literature review “Changing Consumer Behavior” presented at the 2012 annual Forum meeting. Many of the issues and key findings related to sustainable consumption are addressed there. Sustainable consumption is a rich and nuanced topic for which extensive literature exists. While not the primary focus of this review, the concepts around sustainable consumption provide a context for exploring specific activities of individual consumers such as renting...
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...Articles Teaching Lean Manufacturing With Simulations and Games: A Survey and Future Directions Fazleena Badurdeen1, Philip Marksberry1, Arlie Hall1, and Bob Gregory1 Simulation & Gaming 41(4) 465–486 © 2010 SAGE Publications Reprints and permission: http://www. sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1046878109334331 http://sg.sagepub.com Abstract Problem-based learning focuses on small groups using authentic problems as a means to help participants obtain knowledge and problem-solving skills. This approach makes problem-based learning ideal for teaching lean manufacturing, which is driven by a culture of problem solving that values learning as one key output of manufacturing production. Thus, simulations that organize participants in teams for realistic manufacturing production problem solving are widespread as a way to use problembased learning to teach lean manufacturing. But a critical assessment of existing simulations for lean manufacturing instruction has been lacking. Accordingly, a literature survey is conducted and existing simulations are classified according to their emphasis on lean tools or the overall lean system; the degree of their focus on soft skills, if any; and their area of application, whether academic or industry. Four gaps are found in existing simulation designs: lack of stress on soft skills, a mistaken focus on “linear lean,” misunderstanding of the key role of the facilitator, and lack of realism. Future directions for study and...
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...New insights into how cells cope with stress could help combat neurological diseases and reduce the ravages of aging. Scientists have known for years that moderate stressors, such as a calorie-restricted diet, increase lifespan in a variety of organisms. Now new research is illuminating how this works at the molecular level. A particular protein is key in regulating at least one aspect of the stress response and may be a good model for anti-aging drugs. "What we have here is an essential protective pathway that now looks like a very effective therapeutic target," said biologist Richard Morimoto of Northwestern University. Most research on this protein, called sirtuin1 (SIRT1), has concentrated on its ability to regulate and protect mitochondria — cellular power generators that are corroded over time by reactive oxygen molecules. But SIRT1 also protects DNA in the cell nucleus. Morimoto’s findings, published Thursday in Science, give a precise mechanical explanation for the effects. Cells have evolved a particular response to stay alive in adverse conditions. When a cell starts getting too hot, too hungry or too oxygen-deprived, certain proteins migrate into the nucleus. There, they latch onto sections of DNA and cause heat-shock proteins to be produced. Heatshock proteins — so named because they were first discovered in cells experiencing high temperatures — cruise around the cell, fixing damaged or improperly folded proteins. "Proteins are very delicate," Morimoto said. "Any...
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...setting that requires change. DEVELOPING OR CREATING AN INDEX TO MINIMIZE RISKS OFPRESSURE SORE 1. Describe the current nursing practice. An instrument specifically designed to aid health care workers evaluate the dangers of pressure sores that a patient faces is called the Braden Scale. After assessment, the victim is categorized depending on six aspects: capability of physical activity, hydration and nutrition status, capacity to alter position, the ability to respond after sensing discomfort related to pressure, shearing or exposure of the skin to friction during locomotion, and skin exposure to moisture. If the overall score is lower it means the risk of pressure sore is higher (Changing Practice, Changing Lives: 10 Landmark Nursing Research Studies, n.d). Prior to this Change, Skin assessment was based on non- formalized risk assessment which varies with each clinical practice. 2. Discuss why the current nursing practice needs to be changed Using non-formalized risk assessment in Predicting pressure ulcer resulted in non-uniformity and personal clinical judgement which varies from one person to another. Using Clinical judgement is more effective where the staffs are experienced and their experience assist in appropriate predictability, but with novice staff, the use of clinical judgment is inappropriate. In a multisite trial, Braden scale was tested by clinics bringing together skilled nursing facilities, Veterans Administration or VA medical centers and hospitals providing...
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