Organizational Structures

Organizational structures have existed for a long time and it is not a new phenomenon in management. An organizational structure is the hierarchical organization of authority and duties of organizations and it comprises of activities like allocation of duties, supervision and coordination that is intended to make an organization realize its goals.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Organizational Structures specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The structure of organizations can be in many forms considering the different goals and objectives to be achieved. It is through organizational structure that power, roles and organization’s way of operations and performance are determined. Organizational structures offer the platform on which the basic operating processes and events rest. It also decides on the specific personnel who may take part in the processes of decision-making and to the limit their ideas decides the actions of the organization. In an organization where there exists centralization, decision making capabilities are bestowed on the top managers and the departments are under strict control. Organizations should develop structures because they provide the specific guidelines for operation and brings members together. When an organization adopts the required organizational structure, the management process becomes more effective. The way an organization’s structure develops will depend on which organizational structure category it will fall. When referring to tall structures, we see the top most managers being the CEO and different management levels. As growth in the organization sets in, the management levels increase too but the slim span of control enables strict employee supervision. On the other hand, flat organizational structures are characterized by fewer management levels, quick decision making processes, faster communication and a wide span of control (Ellis, 2003). Southwest Gas Corporation is an American company that provides energy supplies. It buys transports and distributes natural gas. Southwest Gas Corporation has transformed a great deal, from the usage of traditional structures to contemporary designs and this has seen it adopt a flat organizational structure. This organization focuses mainly on customer satisfaction considering the fact that its employees work with freedom.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The department in this company comprises of accounting and finance, human resource, marketing and distribution departmrnts.The departmental heads are the team leaders who are responsible for coordinating and supervising their departments. A trick to business growth in today’s ever changing global economy is controlled by innovation and creativity (Southwest Gas, 2007). An organization like Southwest Gas that has const ant contact with its customer base gets to know better their market and respond to its needs. Innovativeness results to potential re entry into the market with better products and services hence making organizations with flat structures remain relevant in the market. A flat structure offers employees with the opportunity to grow and succeed (Southwest Gas, 2007). Organizational design may refer to a formal way of binding together technology, human resource and information in an organization. The design process starts with strategy creation. Matrix involves the process of allocating duties to professionals from different departments to develop or oversee a single or more projects. Personnel from marketing and finance departments may be required to design marketing strategies and determine budgets when introducing a new product or service in the market (Ellis, 2003). A functional structure is based on the basic organizational functions like accounting, human resource, marketing and fi nance. An executive in a small company may hire managers for these areas, managers may employ coordinators. When the organization expands in the future, managers may assume the roles of directors. Customer design ensures that the organization positions its employees in a manner that they are able to understand its customers. Offering products and services to different customers may require that departments come up with structures and design that meet the diverse needs of different customers. There are many managerial levels in tall organizational structures. In a bureaucratic structure, there exist specific extents of standardization that is good for larger and complex organizations to adopt a tall structure. Max Webber characterized bureaucratic structures as being hierarchical, having well defined organizational roles and responsibilities, and recognition of performance (Ellis, 2003). Large organizations are mostly characterized by tall organizational structures. British Gas Compa ny a good example of a tall organizational structure. British Gas is a British-owned organization that deals with energy supplies and its deals stretch from the United Kingdom to North America. Activities at the British Gas are divided into business units by products, services, and functions focusing on customer needs.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Organizational Structures specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The active departments in the British Gas company are the finance and marketing departments, headed by departmental heads who assume the roles of team players. Team structure is applied in the British Gas company as every member of this organization works as a team member. The team leaders are also known as service managers. There is span of control at British Gas as each team has a manager or a leader. Employees who start their career as apprentice may later be service managers and/or operational managers a s they progress in their careers (British Gas, 2012). Qualcomm Incorporated is an American organization that deals with next-generation technologies and 3G networks. Qualcomm Incorporated is another tall structured organization that applies traditional organizational designs namely divisional and functional structures. However, contemporary design is evident when team structure is employed. This organization is divided into two units based on functional and product departmentalization. The administrative or the functional units comprises of Human resource, marketing, financial and global development departments. These departments are responsible for worldwide coordination of the organizations operations (May, 2005). At Qualcomm, there is work specialization where various tasks are given to different individuals depending on their specialization. Qualcomm’s departmentalization consists of functional and product departmentalization that includes the business and administrative units. The business Unit is further divided into subunits considering product departmentalization. The finance department is headed by a manager who oversees budget allocation. Product marketing is done by the marketing department headed by a sales manager. The head of the Human resource department is responsible for employees’ welfare and well being. Many employees have teamed up hence the unity of command is minimal. Qualcomm is quite decentralized because teams are their own decision makers (May, 2005). Organizational structure highlights hierarchical authority and the roles of different individuals in the organization. Organizational structures offer the platform on which the basic operating processes and events rest. The way an organization’s structure develops will depend on which organizational structure category it will fall.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Organizational design process starts with strategy creation. Offering products and services to different customers may require that departments come up with structures and design that meet the diverse needs of different customers. Large organizations are mostly characterized by tall organizational structures. A trick to business growth in today’s ever changing global economy that is controlled by innovation and creativity requires that centralization be discarded. References British Gas. (2012).British Gas. Retrieved from www.britishgas.co.uk Ellis, C. (2003). The flattening Corporation. MIT Sloan management Review, 4(4), 5. May, L. (2005). Organizational structure and designs. Retrieved from www.emaytrix.com/mgmt307/section 7.php Southwest Gas Corporation. (2007). Pro of the Southwest gas Retrieved from http/www.swgas.com/about/aboutus/index.php?val N†¦ This essay on Organizational Structures was written and submitted by user Samson Barton to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

partial-birth abortions and abortions

This is about my views on the controversial subject of partial-birth abortions and abortions. There are many views on these so-called practices of neonatal medicine from the extremists who demonstrate how "powerful" they are by blocking abortion clinics, to the protesters that say people have the choice to kill an unborn child. That is why I think that all these protests, "demonstrations", etc. are not only useless but also tarnishes the civility of both opposing organizations. Should modern day man lower himself to the level of legalized killers or should they raise themselves above the people and doctrines they hate so much to destroy the foundations from which they[pro-choice] build upon? I want to start off with saying that I believe that people should not have the choice wether or not to keep an unborn child under any circumstances. They need to suffer the consequences of their actions. They already made the choice of the risk of conception. The two people who concieved the child need to face up to life. The law is sheltering people from life. I think that the people who do have abortions don't see abortion as killing a child, they see it as a solution to an unwanted problem. Teenage pregnancy should not be a problem, there is no reason to have to worry about it, there should be protection used if physical contact should happen. The two people who concieve a child in high school are not at the mentality level for a child. The child is better off in an orphanage. This is where I change sides, if a child is concieved while either person is in high school, an early abortion should be legaly demanded. The high schoolers have their entire lives infront ! of them and a child wont drastically change all of that. I also think that people who concieve from a crime(ie. rape), they also should be allowed to have an abortion. As I have said before that I take no sides, I also don't remain neutral. I am pro-life o

Compare & Contrast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Compare & Contrast - Essay Example The word â€Å"Fall† on the other hand (need I say more), connotes perhaps a â€Å"Fall from Grace.† This season reminds one primarily of old age, rot and decay. The scent in the air is of aging pines and burning autumn leaves damp with the cold feeling of a tomb. That same cold rainy dampness often creates an ache in the body that hints at mortality. Yes, there is a time of vibrant colors, leaves turning crimson and gold, but they soon fall to the ground wither and brown. While it is true that the blooms of flowers in spring also fade, they do so in a much more graceful way. Petal by petal fall and decorate the landscape, and just as suddenly they simply vanish. Leaves, on the other hand, have to be gathered up or they simply decompose and decay where they are. For me it seems that the world waits for spring to arrive. Winter is a time of rest and as the spring thaws surfaces, life begins again. Spring is a season of renewal and rebirth, which never comes early enough and can never outstay its welcome. It has often been said that Spring comes in on the wings of robins. The appearance of robin redbreast is the announcement that winter is over and Spring has come to stay. All the birds follow suit after that, cardinals, blue jays, goldfinch and all seem to come out of nowhere and into the here and now. Spring itself seems to magically appear. One day there is only the hint of enclosed blossoms on the Cherry trees and the next day spring seems to be in full bloom. Fall seems to be the season of the crow. The loud â€Å"caw-caw-caw† of this ravenous raven seems to echo through the woods and streets and towns in falls. Cemeteries look appropriately adorned with brown fall leaves blowing about and leafless desolate trees whose empty branches whip in the wind. The crows perch on he limbs in an attempt to replace the missing leaves and dot the trees with their dower countenances. Fall, like the crow,

Frosted Plc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Frosted Plc - Essay Example 135). To be understandable, the company has to distinguish between basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share should be calculated by dividing the net profit or loss for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. For the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per share, the net profit attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of shares outstanding should be adjusted of the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. If the number of ordinary or potential ordinary shares increases as a result of capitalisation, bonus issue, share split or other reasons, the calculation of earnings per share and diluted earnings per share should be re-calculated retrospectively (Tiffin 2004, p. 137). Materiality means that insignificant amounts should be ignored. ... To do so, it should be able to (a) help them assess past, present, or future events and to (b) confirm or amend past assessments they have made (IASB framework n.d.). Disclosure of relevant information is closely related to the concept of materiality - what is material is likely to be relevant. Relevant information also includes changes in number of shares in issue during the year and the dilution of earnings per share caused by the conversion of potential ordinary shares to ordinary shares (Tiffin 2004, p. 138). Reliability is influenced by the use of estimates and by uncertainties in the recognition and measurement of items. These uncertainties are dealt with by disclosure and by practicing prudence in preparing financial statements (IASB framework n.d.). An enterprise should disclose (a) the amounts used as the numerators for any earnings per share figures and a reconciliation of the amounts to the reported net profit or loss for the period and (b) the weighted average numbers of ordinary shares used as the denominator of any earnings per share figure. A reconciliation among the differing numbers of ordinary shares should be given where appropriate. Basic and diluted earnings per share should be presented, with equal prominence, on the face of the income statement. If an enterprise discloses additional earnings per share figures, example excluding a one off, exceptional cost, then the calculations should be as for basic or diluted earnings per share figures. All earnings per share figures should be disclosed with equal prominence (Tiffin 2004, p. 137). Substance over form means that the underlying business position matters rather than the legal form. For example, equipment may be leased over 5 years-60 monthly installments being paid;

Gender and Ethnicity in Relation to Childhood Inequality Essay

Gender and Ethnicity in Relation to Childhood Inequality - Essay Example According to the report findings individuals are socialized by the society to both behave carryout duties and responsibilities and live like either males or females. This segregation based on gender however causes massive cases of unequal treatment among males and females. This discrimination is because of the roles that the society has specifically constructed for either gender. These equalities are experiences in a variety of aspects within life. These include massive income disparities among workers, preference of males for positions of leadership, and employing only females’ job descriptions. As the research stresses young children based on their sex, begin to be cultured by the society to conform to what the social order considers to be the roles, responsibilities and duties set aside for members of either gender. This socialization of the children results in numerous inequalities. In most societies the male gender is considered to be more superior and important that the female. Based on this children begin to face constant unequal treatment from very early in life. In certain societies around the world, unequal treatment of children has been quite rampant. This is because of the how the society views members of either gender. The society from time immemorial has often considered the girl child to be of lesser value than their male counterparts. Most of the societies around the world would prefer the male child.

Analysis of Dell: Resource Based Views (RBV)

Analysis of Dell: Resource Based Views (RBV) Under RBV, focus is put on whether Dell can identify and configure its unique cluster of internal strategic resources and capabilities [Henry P.127]; [Collis and Montgomery, 1995, Stalk et al., 1992] to achieve a competitive advantage in its markets to maximize profits. According to Barney (1991), to generate competitive advantage, a resource must be valuable, rare, costly to imitate and non-substitutable that can enable the firm to obtain full benefits of the resources to realize a competitive advantage. In the computer market, we can basically identify Dells good customer service and support, production efficiency [Resource-based theory: creating and sustaining competitive advantage By Jay B. Barney, Delwyn N. Clark, P.135, Oxford University Press, 2007], competitive product price, partnership and cooperation with different business all contribute to its success. However, the most significant attribute that make it outperform its competitors is its organisational capability in operations and supply with its direct model, which can basically be divided into direct sales and direct supply. Direct sales Dell is a pioneer in the market to sell computers by going direct to customers, bypassing the resellers. For home customers and small businesses, it sells products directly through internet, telephone or e-mail; whereas for large corporate and institutions, it sells products directly by their sales team using one-to-one contract. Direct Supply Dell applies a build-to-order manufacturing system in which it orders only the components that its customers need, thereby maintaining low level of inventory [P.189 Ch13, Direct from Dell]. Dell has established close relationships with suppliers, which enable it to enjoy many of benefits of vertical integration like constant supply of raw materials and lower factor costs. By having suppliers hubs located near the manufacturing plants and an efficient supply chain with the use of i2 Supply Chain software, Dell can have any components it needs shipped to the plant directly and easily. [Mergers Acquisitions By J. Fred Weston, Samuel C. Weaver, 2001 P.56]; Dell: Building a World-Class Supply Chain Solution, http://cache-www.intel.com/cd/00/00/10/17/101709_i2dell.pdf]. This enables Dell to fully and efficiently serve various orders from different customers. With the help of Dells well-known logistic system, Dell can ship the finished product within 48 hours after a customer place the ord er. Core Competence of Dell Although strategists have distinguished resources from capabilities and have different definitions for core competences [Strategy P.252], the simplest idea is that resources and capabilities that meet the four criteria of Barney (1991) become a source of core competencies. [Strategic Management Competitiveness and Globalization, 2006 Nelson] Core competence is formally defined as the set of firm-specific skills and cognitive processes that give rise to the [med- to long-term] competitive advantage. [McGee and Segal-Horn (1997) also cited in Strategy analysis and practice]. Is Dells capability in operations and supply with its direct model (CDM) a core competence to it? According to Prahalad and Gary Hamel (1990), to be a core competence, at least, the attribute has to: (1) provide potential access to a wide variety of markets; (2) make a significant contribution to the perceived consumer benefits of the end product; (3) be difficult for competitors to imitate. Firstly, CDM changes the traditional way of selling through resellers. It attracts a large group of customers that would have bought standard product and then separately do the customization to buy products from Dell straightaway. This is especially important to business customers who need specialized configuration and software. Moreover, CDM does not only apply to PC but also other product like server and laptop and other products. Therefore, CDM facilitates Dell to enter different markets in which customers requires customization. Secondly, CDM does bring a lot of perceived consumer benefits. Enjoying customized products is probably the best one. Besides, the build-to-order manufacturing system enables it to virtually eliminate excess cost tied into buying too many components and speed up its configuring and delivering process. [Direct from Dell] Moreover, compared with other competitors (e.g. Gateway) that continuously deliver massive stocks into warehouse, Dell can cut the cost by (1) getting rid of middleman and distributors; (2) preventing frequent adjustment of inventory level and sales staff; (3) reducing inventory costs and related overheads; and (4) preventing problems raised by unsold, obsolete products. Customers are thus benefited by getting lower product price and enjoying the latest available technologies from their new product this is supported by the much higher turnover rate in Dell than its competitors (107times compared with HPs 8.5 times in 2004).   Thirdly, it is hard for other competitors to imitate Dells CDM because they cannot replicate Dells resource combination due to the existence of social complexity and causal ambiguity [Henry P.140] Moreover, if they go direct, they may undercut their retailers and then violate the distribution channel contracts they have signed. [P.7 How Dell Does it] Furthermore, by using CDM, Dell has maintained a database of customers purchasing pattern for further targeting. By now, Dell is able to forecast customers demand with 75% accuracy to address them far better than its rivals. Implication As this distinctive CDM that developed internally and are enhanced as it is applied [Parahalad and Hamel, 1990] gives Dell a sustainable competitive advantage in mid to long term over its competitors, it is a core competence to Dell. In this dynamic computer market where the business environment changes frequently, it is more likely that internal resources and capabilities can provide a secure foundation for Dells long-term strategy. Using RBV, CDM can be identified as one of the most important key resources factors as it is a unique and difficult-to-emulate configuration of skilled practices and that lies at the root of the competitiveness of a firm. [St Andrews][Harvard], and it should be exploited by appropriating in the long term. However, in the short term, Dells CDM may somehow hinder its recovery as the worlds largest PC manufacturer. This is because if the demand for PC in corporate market (which accounts for 80% of Dells revenue) increases in a very short period of time due to the economic recovery, component costs may be driven up, giving Dell a disadvantage in comparison with other PC producers that may have large stock on hand. [http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/18779.html] Therefore, Dell should relatively procure more components or make an agreement with its suppliers to reduce such effect. References Ed. Law, J. (2009). resource-based view. A Dictionary of Business and Management, Oxford Reference online, Oxford University Press, viewed 29 December 2009. [online] Mahoney, J.T. and Pandian, J. R. (1992). The Resource-Based View Within the Conversation of Strategic Management. Strategic Management Journal, 13(5), 363-380 Fahy, J. and Smithee, A. (1999). Strategic Marketing and the Resource Based View of the Firm. Academy of Marketing Science Review. 1999 Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management. 17(1). 99-120. Prahalad, C.K. and Hamel, G. (1990). The core competence of the organization. Harvard Business Review, 68(3). 79-91 Henry, A. (2008). The Internal Environment: A Resource-Based View of Strategy. In Understanding Strategic Management, pp. 125-148, Oxford University Press, New York. Holzner, S. (2006). How Dell Does It Using Speed and Innovation to Achieve Extradinary Results, pp. 1-30, McGraw-Hill, Acworth Berry, M.M.J. and Taggart, J.H. (1994). Managing technology and innovation: a review, RD Management, 24(4), p.341-53 Brooks I. (2000). Business Environment. In: Brooks I., Weatherston J. eds. The Business Environment: challenges and changes. 2nd Edition. Harlow : Financial Times/Prentice Hall, Ch.1, p.13 Monck, C.S.P., Porter, R.B., Quintas, P. and Storey, D.J. with Wynarczyk. P. (1988). Science Parks and the Growth of High Technology Firms, London: Routledge. Morrison M. PEST/PESTLE Analysis Tool and Template-The Environment Scan. [Online]. (http://www.rapidbi.com/created/the-PESTLE-analysis-tool.html). (Accessed 28th Oct 2008) http://www.library.uq.edu.au/training/citation/agps_6.pdf http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199288304/henry_ch05.pdf http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dkLtQyAe45gCprintsec=frontcover#v=onepageq=f=false http://www.s-as-p.org/files_papers/Robert%20Chia.pdf (st Andrews) http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/788157_751308121_739446696.pdf (untitled in mms) http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/18779.html http://www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/operations/Dell%20Supply%20Chain%20Management-Operations%20Case%20Study.htm http://www.amsreview.org/articles/fahy10-1999.pdf http://www.gaebler.com/Dell-Direct-Model-to-Success.htmareerbuilder.com/ http://onwinning.blogspot.com/2007/11/resource-based-view-and-core.html

The Chryslids - Plausible :: The Chrysalids

The Chryslids   - Plausible    â€Å"The Chrysalids† by John Wyndham is an entertaining yet plausible story. It compels the reader to think about human nature and our attitude to the world around us that we often take for granted. The setting of â€Å"The Chrysalids†Ã‚   is several hundred years after a nuclear war. What is left of civilization is a few small towns here and there all over the countries of the world.  Ã‚   The population is by the leadership what the â€Å"true image† is apparently meant to be.   If you are not of the true image then you are sent to live in the fringes. Many people and animals are born with birth defects caused by the nuclear radioactivity that is still present from the nuclear destruction of previous years. The population that is considered of the â€Å"true image† are cruel to the â€Å"freaks† or â€Å"mutants†. Some of the people in the novel are also very bigoted like David’s father. He thinks he is the king of the castle and can’t be wrong. If he says something it should happen like where he has an argument with the inspector about the giant horses or when he burnt that families cat because it didn’t have a tail eg â€Å"It is your moral duty to issue an order against these so called horses!!† Various people including David’s father all agree that deviants are from the devil and should be castrated or thrown out of society. Another thing is that people are forced to agree with the laws and if they don’t they are also thrown from society where they would either be killed or spend the rest of their miserable lives in the sloughs of the fringe people. Their attitude towards the world is OK I suppose. They don’t really use that much of the worlds resources in Waknuk or any of the other little towns around. They don’t need to think about how much longer the supplies of these materials are going to last because all that they are using at the moment is trees, which they seem to have plenty of, and water which they get from wells and rivers. There food they grow or hunt and cook and bake things over open fires I would assume.