Monday, January 27, 2020

Should A Company Employ The Matrix Structure Commerce Essay

Should A Company Employ The Matrix Structure Commerce Essay The reason we choose the matrix organization is because we know this structure will be very important in the future. Matrix organization is the best-know application of project management, a project structure imposed on top of a functional structure. Matrix organizations evolved to capitalize on the advantages of project and matrix structure while minimizing their disadvantages. An important aspect of the matrix structure is each person work on the project and has two superiors which are project manager and functional manager. The project managers report to a top-level manager and this will help a lot in decision making. Example users of matrix structure include bank, insurance, companies, chemical manufactures and colleges. The matrix organization combines the best feature of the project and functional structure. It is flexible, yet it offers the advantages of task specialization. Matrix structure is known for its ability to facilitate high-quality and innovative solutions to difficult technical problems. The project structure also gives people a degree of freedom that enhances their development as managers. Also of note is the fact that the matrix organization offers ample opportunity for job rotation on many projects. So should a company employ the matrix structure in order to have better management? The answer is yes. Why? Because in this modern life the matrix structure will help company perform better. Matrix structure also will make the company organization become more systematic and more efficient. The matrix structure will make the company become more systematic. In matrix organization there have functional manager and product managers. The work will be divided and job can be done easily. This will bring benefit to the company and matrix organization will minimize the weakness of the company. Every employee in the company that uses the matrix structure has their own work that need to be done. So the job is divided and can be done easily and more systematic. (Andrew 1993) Functional managers are in charge of specialized resources such as production, quality control, inventories, scheduling and selling. They will know in doing they own job and the work can be done with the efficient outcome. Colleges often use matrix organization to setting up the programs, for example industry seminars and adult education. (Andrew 1993) Product managers in charge of one or more products so they have their own specific jobs to be done. Project managers usually will report to top level managers. The examples of users of matrix structure include banks, insurance companies and colleges. (Andrew 1993) For example, Champion products Inc, creating the separate marketing department. Furthermore, this allows managers and employees more familiar and specific with the market. (Andrew 1993) However, the matrix structure also brings risk for the main company. In the matrix management structure, when one company operated loss, it will influence others. The main company supports it by more money, the market budget will be decreases, and this will be relative to the development of new product. Finally, the sales and profit will be influenced. Although the matrix management structure is easy to design and appears to have advantages, it may be difficult to implement. Problems can arise over shared responsibility, the use of resources in common and the question of priorities. ( Hannagan 2002) In a matrix management company, most of the data and information are shared, and it is a risk of duplication. Some managers may be not satisfied about the salaries or the job opportunity, when other company provide better reward, those managers will leave and take many useful resource, such as some valuable employees and customers information. For the main company, the loss is more than what we can imaginable. Those problems I mentioned have existed in IBM and Shell Oil firms. In 1980s, the Shell Oil Company applied the matrix structure, and it has been influenced in sales because of communication problems. Matrix structure has those problems, nevertheless, it is also a positive impact, which allowing teams to share information across task boundaries and enabling managers and staff to share skills and experience so that increase whole teams productivity. Matrix structure will give or open more opportunities for job. The company which uses matrix structure will hire many workers or employees. This will give more opportunity job to people to get a job, and it also decrease unemployment rate in the particular country. Many projects mean needs more employees so this will give or offer the opportunity job to people. (Andrew 1993) For example, if the company like mustang or Taurus comes out with new project or models, they will need employees such as engineering to work with them. (Kinichi Williams 2003) People in particular country will get more knowledge about international management. Employees maybe will train in other country to learn more about the company objective. It will add the employees knowledge. For example, the US firm, Bow Chemical. In 1970 many firms moved away from using the matrix structure but Bow believes this structure will bring advantages and will give good performance among employees. ( Paul, aleny 1993) Moreover matrix structure will give local people in particular country to get training, improving their skills and also can learn the skill of different management from different country. Some problem about cost and communication appeared in matrix structure, Using matrix structure will need more cost and more discussion than action. Its uncountable that using matrix management structure need high cost in a short term period. When a company wants to expand business in other country, it must prepare capital for building new factory, and hiring employees. For those companies that they dont have enough money for high cost and cover the loss in the beginning is high risk. Another problem is that too much democracy can lead to not enough action ( IreLand 2007). In the company, the matrix management will use much time to discuss the procedures in producing and increasing sales. However, at the end of discussing, just bit actions can be achieved, and sometimes the important decision for major project is also missed. Furthermore, the employees lazy emotion is easily appearing in matrix structure companies. To some extent, matrix structure has encouraged power struggles. The managers have ordered their employees help him apply the power, and used had ways and methods, these influence other department managers, even though have a bad impact on the company. For example, Ford Company has a problem in finance. Because the high management cost and expenses, it decreased the profit directly. Some situations have been happened in IBM, COCA-COLA, and Toyota Company. Matrix structure will save management time. Every country has the branches that handle about the products in a particular country, so its totally will save the management time. In matrix structure managers have three main major roles. The work is divided between functional and product managers. So they have the own task to be done. Its will save time and also separates the power or balance the power between the managers. (Jerald Greenbery 1999) Functional and product managers have specific jobs to be done in this structure the employee also must report their task to their manager so it make fair and balance powers between the managers. Moreover by using matrix structure the main company easy to make decision. Besides that they easy to get feedback from other company under them and it will help to improve their product and services. TRW systems group, Liberty Mutual Insurance and Citibank is some of the company that adopts matrix structure. This will help the company in doing the decision making. (Jerald Greenbery 1999) On the other hand, the main company also easily to control the company under them and adjust the marketing strategy. In this structure every employee got they own duties and all work hard to raise the return for the company with doing their specific task. Furthermore they can respond to the changing very fast and finding the best environment. However in controlling, matrix structure maybe will cause stressful among managers. But if looking for the benefit that the company will get benefit in future, Matrix structure totally useful. (Jerald Greenbery 1999) Dow Chemical, it believes that matrix structure will improve their management when other companies stop using the structure, Bow still continue using it because he believe that matrix structure will give improvement and make him easily to control the employees. Matrix structure is a permanent organization designed to achieve specific results by using teams of specialists from different functional area in the organization. For example, Ford UK produces motor cars aimed specifically at the UK and European markets and adapts its marketing and sales techniques to the requirements of these markets. UK can be treated as a distinct market requiring clear focus on the approach to it. There are many advantages by using the matrix organizations such as focus on end product, stimulus creativity, provides challenges and improves communication and understanding (Mondy Premeaux 1992) On the contrast, matrix structure has creative the problems in communication, management cost, and responsibility. These will influence companys performance even though to be a threat for a companys development and increase companys competition. However, in a long term, if the company can improve their management and use matrix structure effectively, it will show that matrix structure is very necessary and important strategy for those companies which aim to be the most successful survivors in the competitive market. In USA, one third of most successful companies have used matrix structure, and it illustrates how the matrix structure can help companies close to the famous and success.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Essay --

Marxism and Christianity are two influential doctrines which have shaped our world in profound ways. While they differ on certain fronts, one cannot help but wonder that if there were some way that the two could coexist, that their synthesis could change the course of humanity inevitably. This discussion will be divided into two sections. The first one will be a brief summary and critique of Karl Marx’s rejection of religion, Contribution to the Critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right. By dissecting this piece, it is hoped that we may cast doubt on its effectiveness; in the process of rejecting religion, Marx may have excluded many potential supporters from his revolutionary cause. As well, an attempt will be made to propose that atheism should no longer be a necessary central tenet of Marxism. The second section will be concerned with providing evidence of both early and contemporary Christian teachings which mirror Marxist principles. Finally, our discussion will turn briefly to Liberation Theology to confirm that Marxist and Christian schools can, and do converge. By pursuing these ends, this analysis will show that, at a fundamental level, Christianity shares many core principles with Marxism, and as such, Marxists are misguided in their dogmati c and mechanical rejection of religion and more specifically, of Christianity. For Marxists to realise their goal of a classless society that is based upon equality and justice, they must be more inclusive and allow those who practice religion, especially Christians who share similar aims, into their revolutionary dialogue. In his criticism of Hegel’s Idealism, Marx asserts that religious devotion represents a, â€Å"reversed world consciousness† , the result of wh... ... that both Marxists and Christians are concerned with the perils of human alienation and that each doctrine’s prescription to cure its causes is similar. Finally, Liberation Theology proves that Marxist and Christian ideals can synthesise and that their intercourse has created a new and possibly revolutionary stage of human existence. Christianity and Marxism both seem to have become detached from their original aims, which were to provide a method by which humanity may achieve the best possible life; for both, this will be realised through the practice of mutual aid, equality and love. All other points of contention between them seem polemical and counter revolutionary. One 20th century Christian revolutionary wrote that, â€Å"solidarity, in spite of all divergences, is absolutely essential if a revolutionary project is to be successful.† That is indeed the case.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Is College Debt To Much Essay

Everyone who wants to go to college is often faced with the same fact, how will I pay? Students often go with the options of taking loans, after much consideration and research, research sometimes based on essays written by authors. Even though Carey and Wilson both address the debt college could put someone in. Wilson provides a more convincing argument due to the fact that he gives more information on statistics of student loans, more information about loans, and an unbiased opinion. Before you make a big decision you should always know the risks and benefits. One way to ensure you make a good decision is, if possible look at statistics. In the essays â€Å"Why Do You Think They’re Called For- Profit Colleges?† by Kevin Carey and â€Å"A Lifetime Of Student Debt? Not Likely† by Robin Wilson they both take different approaches to using statistics about student loan debt in their writing. Carey does not use any statistics making his article harder to understand a nd his material credibility questionable. Carey states that, â€Å"The University Of Phoenix is on pace to reap $4 billion from federal loans† (Carey 216). This is one of the only times in his article Carey mentions how much colleges make from loans. He then says â€Å"Unfortunately, a large and growing number of graduates of for-profit colleges are having trouble paying those loans back† (Carey 216). Although Carey says it’s a large number of graduates that have trouble paying loans back he does not show any statistics to confirm it, which makes his information questionable. On the other hand Wilson uses an abundance of statistics in his article which makes the article easy to understand and a trustworthy source. According to Wilson, â€Å"Of the 65 percent who face debt, the average they owe is around $20,00† Andrews 2 (Wilson 257). Wilson also gives statistics on the amount of debt difference between undergraduate and graduate degrees, and public and private schools  graduates. Just the uses of Wilsons statistics makes me realize that debt is a manageable and wouldn’t overwhelm my life. The next point that really set these two essays apart was the amount of information given about loans. In Carey’s article he gives very little information about loans in general. He really just implies that student’s taking large loans are what are making for-profit colleges so profitable. He fails to give us information about why loans are needed, and what loans allow people to do. Unlike Wilson who again gives us plenty of material to see the pros and cons of loans. Wilson covers topics like interest rates, and borrowing risks. He also includes stories from people’s real life describing their personal success and struggles with student debt. These personal stories really helped me connect with Wilson’s article and understand the pros of taking loans. The last point that set these essays apart was the amount of bias in the articles. I felt Carey’s article was extremely biased towards one man named Michal Clifford. It shows Clifford as almost a monster. Carey says, â€Å"Entrepreneurs like Clifford, meanwhile, have been snapping up dying nonprofit colleges and quickly turning them into money making machines† (Carey 216). I on the other hand do not think its Clifford fault. He is just doing his job, and it seems he’s doing a very good job at it. One way or another the student has to pay for college and it’s going to be fairly expensive in this day and age, and I feel like Carey is just trying to put the blame on someone. Although Wilson acknowledges that there are some problems with students loans and some people will have a difficult time paying them back, I think he wrote a very fair and unbiased essay. Andrews 3 There are always two sides to every story and multiple ways of looking at things, as shown in these two essays both discussing student loan debt. Although these essays both challenged my mind and gave me new insight on student loan debt, I thought Wilsons essay was much more to the point. Also he included so much more in depth information that made the article interesting ,knowledgeable, and meaningful.

Friday, January 3, 2020

Asking for Directions in English

Asking for directions is important, but its also easy to become confused when listening to someone giving directions. This is true even in your own native language, so you can imagine how important it is to pay careful attention when listening to someone provide directions in English! Here are a few suggestions and tips to help you remember the directions as someone gives them to you. Take 2nd rightGo 300 yardsTake 1st left at the stop signGo 100 yards the shop is on your left. Make sure to ask the person giving directions to repeat and/or slow down.In order to help out, repeat each direction the person gives. This will help both you remember the names of streets, turns, etc., as well as help the person giving directions provide clear instructions.Make visual notes while the person describes the route.Once the person has given you directions, repeat the entire set of directions again. Here is a short dialogue. A number of questions are asked during this short scene. You may notice that some of these questions are not asked using the standard question form (e.g. Where do I go?), but that polite forms are used (indirect questions e.g. I wonder if you can help me.). These questions are often longer and are used in order to be polite. The meaning does not change, only the structure of the question (Where do you come from becomes Would you mind telling where you come from?). Giving Directions Bob: Excuse me, Im afraid I cant find a bank. Do you know where one is?Frank: Well, there are a few banks near here. Do you have a particular bank in mind? Bob: Im afraid I dont. I just need to withdraw some money from either a teller  or an ATM.Frank: OK, thats easy. Bob: Im going by car.Frank: Well, in that case, go straight ahead on this street until the third traffic light. Take a left there, and continue on until you come to a stop sign. Bob: Do you know what the name of the street is?Frank: Yes, I think its Jennings Lane. Now, when you come to the stop sign, take the street on the left. Youll be on 8th Avenue. Bob: OK, I go straight ahead on this street to the third traffic light. Thats Jennings lane.Frank: Yes, thats right. Bob: Then I continue on to the stop sign and take a right on 8th Avenue.Frank: No, take a left at the stop sign onto 8th Avenue. Bob: Oh, thanks. Whats next?Frank: Well, continue on 8th Avenue for about 100 yards, past a supermarket until you come to another traffic light. Take a left and continue on for another 200 yards. Youll see the bank on the right. Bob: Let me repeat that: I go about 100 yards, past a supermarket to the traffic light. I take a left and continue for another 200 yards. The bank is on the right.Frank: Yes, thats it! Bob: OK. Can I repeat this to see if Ive understood everything?Frank: Certainly. Bob: Go straight ahead until the third traffic light. Take a left, and continue on to the stop sign. Turn left onto 8th Avenue.Frank: Yes, thats right. Bob: Go past the supermarket, to another traffic light, take the first left and Ill see the bank on the left.Frank: Almost, youll see the bank on the right, after 200 yards or so. Bob: Well, thank you very much for taking the time to explain this to me!Frank: Not at all. Enjoy your visit! Bob: Thank you.