International business Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International business - Movie Review Example Among those victims is a senior risk-management executive, who was working on a major analysis just when he was let go. As the person is leaving he hands a USB drive to an analyst who works late in the night. The data on the usb disturbs him and turns out to be first rumbling of the storm. He unlocks information that could prove to be the downfall of the firm and further finds out that both the market and the company are about to crash. On this he calls his seniors and colleagues in and informs them about the companys financial disaster which follows an emergency meeting and a long panicked night until dawn when the owner of the company John Tuld arrives. The owner is informed of the financial crisis which the company was facing over the past 40 months the company have packaged a series Mortgage Backed Securities (Mbs) into one tradable commodity. The idea was quite profitable but it requires a month to layer the products that is, they have to hold the products for a longer time than desired and they are based on mortgages and risk is elevated. The company’s (MBS) have decreased by 25%, and that was the rate at which the losses will exceed even the current value of the company. The company based on historic patterns, had exceeded their levels of volatility that is their historic volatility has exceeded the limits. They were already facing the crisis as the company has broken through for the past 5 days. The owner was told it will take weeks to clear the problem and if they stop buying it will be noticed and they were left with 60 traders only. The owner inquires how bad the situation was and he was told that the company was al ready in a crisis, the young analyst also informs him that him if the assets were to be decrease by just 25%, it will exceed the value of the company. The decision made by the owner was to

Kant's Perpetual Peace Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Kant's Perpetual Peace - Assignment Example Therefore, he advanced an honorable approach to similar address factors. In the current world, nations have formed international treaties to cease tensions and guide resource allocation (Kant, 2007). The treaties like the Nile Treaty guide the equitable sharing water resources in the African Nations thereby reducing resource-driven conflicts. Besides, the Geneva Conventions promulgated in the year 1949 helped to cool the tension of the World War II. It described the fundamental rights of wartime captives and offered protection for the bordering people and the wounded thereby minimizing the prevalence of the war. Nations also formed treaties to combat global terrorism and enhance peaceful coexistence of the nations. The most notable include the Protocol for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts and Convention on Offenses and Acts Committed on Board Aircraft (Cassese, 2006). The treaties so far have protected citizens of various countries against acts of terrorism that can trigger incidence s of war. It is an approach borrowed from Kant’s Perpetual Peace framework. Kant also indicated that global peace shall arise if the worldwide community and neighbors respect the sovereignty of other nations. Respecting the independence of other nations, entail respect of the countries institutions and symbols of unity. These include the presidency, the national flag, and the constitutions. In addition, valuing the sovereignty of other nations include observance of the cultural heritage and non-interference.

Cambodia And Climate Change Environmental Sciences Essay

Cambodia And Climate Change Environmental Sciences Essay Our global environment has irregularly changed from year to year. There are many scientific evidences showing that climate change is caused by two factors including natural causes and human activities mainly affecting to the global atmosphere due to the emission of greenhouse gases, such as Carbon dioxide (CO2), Methane (CH4), Nitrous Oxide (NO2), and other industrial gases. The change of climate by human activities has caused negative impacts including global warming, sea level rise, increased natural disaster (cyclone, flood, and drought) and has impacted economic development. Obviously, Climate change is real and happening in Cambodia that it cannot avoid. Cambodia is considered to suffer much due to its high levels of poverty and poor infrastructure to cope with natural disasters and other longer-term effects of climate change. Hench, Cambodia is likely vulnerable to Climate Change and Global Warming and in the mean time the rest of the world is concerning that it comes to be dis cussed and debate. The term climate change is often associated with the term global warming. Climate change can be defined as the significant changes in the climate of the Earth, such as precipitation, temperature or wind, which lasts for long period of time, for decades or longer. Global warming can occur from a number of causes, both man-made and naturally occurring. Global warming is also commonly associated with the warming that occurs as a result of increased emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities. (What is Climate Change and the Difference between Climate Change and Global Warming) Global warming and climate change can impact agriculture and food production around the world due to: the effects of elevated CO2 in the atmosphere, higher temperatures, altered precipitation and transpiration regimes, increased frequency of extreme events, and modified weed, pest, and pathogen pressure. Cambodia is one of the developing countries which tends to give less impacts of climate change than in wealthy industrialized countries. Anyways, Cambodia is likely to suffer from the impacts of climate change and global warming that it need to adapt to those changes, especially in terms of droughts, floods, soil erosion and the loss of biodiversity. This in turn will affect land productivity and people will become poorer. In the mean time, Cambodia is an agricultural country that many hectares of land are growing rice. After rice, we keep the land idle, which means we dont grow year-round. As a matter of fact, rice production can contribute to climate change, through flooded fields and the use of chemical pesticides and nitrogenous fertilizers. Agricultural can also potentially help mitigate climate change through soil carbon sequestration by practicing sustainable agriculture practices. (Workshop, May 27-28,2010) More importantly, man-made have impacted most on climate change and global warming. Population growth has disturbed the balance between our ecosystems on our planet as the atmosphere and seas pollution, destruction of the rain forests, fire burning out of control, alteration of sensitive ecosystems, and destruction of the ozone layer. These activities have created an unprecedented Climate Change and Global Warming. Obviously, in Cambodia there is a big space between the rich and the poor as poverty remain the big problem that many poor people live in the disorder condition. Usually people who live next to the river, lakes or sea, mostly water quality is not good since water is polluted by wastes, rubbishes, poisonous chemical substances from pesticides of farmers and industrial wastes or accidents that lead to the endanger of people health. In addition to Cambodias disorder infrastructure which pollutes the clean air due to the smoke of those machines as well as many old vehicles rem ained in the cities produce too much harm on environment. Moreover, Cambodia had faced many wars that left many explosives on many hectares of land which is not only the greatest danger of humanity, but may also have a long-term cumulative effect on the earth climate. Developing countries like Cambodia have been severely affected by climate change and lack the resource to tackle on its own, Hun Sen said at the opening ceremony Monday at the countrys first National Forum on Climate Change. Even though there is a strict environmental policies adopted by developed and developing countries, in somehow the rule of law and economic development is still weak and Cambodia in some way was affected. For instance, there are reports that tons of toxic waste is deposited in Cambodia by other nations. In November 1998, a large quantity of mercury-laden waste from Taiwan was dumped in Sihanouk Ville, a famous tourist and port area in Cambodia. Due to health concerns, thousands of residents fled from the area, resulting in several accidents along a bumpy, narrow road with at least four dead and 13 injured. Surprisingly, a month later another case was found involving more than 650 tons of film scraps from Taiwan again. In addition, several months prior to this, th e Sihanouk Ville police found waste materials including x-rays, used cassette and videotapes from South Korea. (New York Times). Cambodia is a victim of climate change, and developed countries should shoulder more responsibility in reversing the effects of global warming, said Prime Minister Hun Sen (National  Forum  on  Climate  Change). For this reason the rich was blamed to be more responsible that they have more resources to settle this matter and huge countries should not blame less-developed countries.   Climate Change and Global Warming give direct and indirect impact on the country, community and individual level. On the country level, Cambodia which largely depends on agriculture is vulnerable to agricultural inactivity and losses due to natural disasters. Therefore it will experience slow economic growth due to the global recession and economic crisis which lead to poor and underdeveloped health infrastructure that aggravate health problems and further burden the government. Many livelihoods will be affected by natural disasters. Not only homes and properties, agricultural produce and health, but even community as a whole that result in facing the economic downturn, hence it will lead to more social crime. For instance, by the end of the century, higher sea levels in the Mekong Delta, where nearly half of Vietnams rice is grown, may inundate about half (~1.4 million ha) of the deltas agricultural lands. Compared to developed and other developing states, Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States have released relatively small amounts of fossil fuels and thus contribute little harm to climate change and global warming. Yet they seem to be suffered the most. Developing countries in Asia like Cambodia has the least capacity to adapt to Climate Change and Global warming and is therefore in need of whatever external support in order to cope with these issues. Low adaptive capacity has made Cambodia among the most vulnerable region despite it is relatively low suffered from Climate hazard. However, still other areas with high adaptive are vulnerable due to their high population densities and closed location to Climate hazard of sea level rise and floods namely Jakarta and Thailand (John E .Newby/WWF Canon, October 2009). It has been known for some time the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change due to changing weather patterns, particularly severe floods and droughts that lead to immense poverty, hunger and disease. The rising sea level, along with other climatic changes, threatens the very survival of many SIDS. Approximately 860 million people in LDCs and SIDS will be adversely affected by climate change, many of them becoming environmental refugees. (Hamilton, 2005). Many SIDS rely on one or few economic activities, especially tourism or fisheries, both of which are highly influenced due to natural disasters. Climate change is expected to impact aquatic ecosystems, and alter the distribution and production of fish. Fish migration routes, spawning and feeding grounds, and fishing seasons are all likely to change, and the impacts on fishing communities are uncertain. Rising seas, more severe storms, and saltwater intrusion in the deltas will damage the regions aquaculture industry, which is based on species with limited saline tolerance, such as catfish in the Mekong Delta. Cambodia and Vietnam are among the most vulnerable on recent climate change impacts on fishery in 130 countries that is heavy dependence on fisheries, high exposure to climate risks, and limited coping capacity (Mirza, 2003). Apart from that Asian is the places of interest for tourists, including wildlife areas and parks may be disrupted with less tourism due to Climate Change and it also has significantly impacted on agriculture and decreasing in the supply of water and soil moisture during the dry season, which put the stress on the available of water supplies and increasing the need for irrigation. Rice growing areas may also be affected which gives a bad effect on agricultural trade, economic growth and the development (McLeman, 2005). For instance, farmers who directly depend on agriculture are vulnerable to extreme events which can destroy their entire crop due to floods or droughts that occur unpredictably or at the wrong time of the cropping cycle (Warner et al. 2009). The participations from other NGOs and INGOs are really necessary in order to cope with Climate Change and Global Warming. For instance, UNDPs climate change work in Cambodia focuses on strengthening the capacity of government to respond to climate change, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing and building partnerships, as well as supporting research into the impacts of climate change on the countrys economic and human development. For the fulfillment on Climate Change in Cambodia, UNDP has supported the Ministry of Environment to produce various technical reports since 1999 with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The work of UNDP has not only helped the country fulfill its obligations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), but to strengthen governments capacity to respond to climate change, mainly through the Cambodia Climate Change Office (UNDP release ). Climate Change and Global Warming is the hot issue that it is not concern in the region Cambodia itself but as the globe issue; therefore it need to be involved from everyone and other institutions. As a poor country like Cambodia we need some fund in respond to Climate Change and Global Warming for we cannot cope with such a problem alone. According to the project by the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance, Cambodia is supported its capacity to develop and strengthening preparedness for climate change risk; for instance, to communities that are vulnerable to climate change and other natural hazards. To run this project, CCCA grants will be implemented that requires the support from the Government and civil society, as well as with technical support by external development partners. More than 80 per cent of Cambodians rely directly on agriculture for their livelihoods, but global warming is likely to affect rainfall patterns, possibly causing crop failures and food shortages. Moreover, the impact of climate change will be an unprecedented and increasing global threat to life, livelihoods and life-supporting systems. Actually, Cambodias contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is low which ranked number 109 by the World Resources Institute, with emissions of only 0.29 tons of carbon dioxide per head of population each year. Nonetheless, Cambodia is suffered from the effects of global warming due to excessive emissions in other parts of the world. Like other countries in Southeast Asia, Cambodia is expected to experience higher and more intense rainfall. The effects are likely to include more severe water scarcity and more frequent floods, resulting in crop failures and food shortages. A remarkable loss of biodiversity will cause a decline in ecosystem services. C oastal communities and eco-systems are likely to be affected by rises in sea levels as well. Hench, higher temperatures and humidity will create conditions for increased incidence of malaria and dengue fever. In respond the Cambodia Climate Change Alliance (CCCA) was announced at the forum by the EU and UNDP and formally launched in February 2010. Despite Cambodia is likely to be hardest hit by climate change, Cambodia was selected to be a pilot country which was funded in the form of pooled and non-targeted resources on the basis of contractual agreements between each donor and UNDP by development partners (UNDP/Arantxa). In regard to the environmental protection, includes sustainable management and sustainable use of natural resources in responses to Climate Change and Global Warming, both international level and national one are together trying to cope with it. In this spirit, Cambodia has been working hard to fulfill its own obligation as it fully supports the efforts to address climate change based on the key principles of the United Nations Framework of Convention on Climate Change, which require specific needs and special circumstances of developing country parties, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Consequently, Cambodia have acceded the Kyoto Protocol on 04 Jul, 2002 (UNDP, 2004). Moreover Cambodia has completed National Adaptation Program of Action to Climate Change (NAPA) in late 2006 to address the urgent and immediate needs of the country adapt to climate change (Trisurat, 2009). Besides national concern, there are also concern form international actors and outsider states on this problem. In this regard, UNFCCC has created the High-level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing, chaired by Norways Prime Minister Stoltenberg. Moreover, the US has pledged US$5 million to catalyze efforts to mitigate emissions of Black Carbon, and other countries Norway, Canada, Sweden, Denmark and Finland have joined in this effort and may also pledge contributions (Otero, 2010). According to the concern from some head of states has risen that solutions to the problems of climate change should be reinforced and coordinate in an integrate manner within the framework of sustainable development (8th Asia-Europe Summit Brussels, 2010). At first Cambodia could not fulfill National Adaptation Program of Action to Climate to Climate Change (NAPA) only until in late 2006 that it succeed in the fulfillment to address the urgent and immediate needs of the country adapt to climate change. It is clear that least developed countries like Cambodia and others are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to their limited adaptive climate change capacities. It is clear that weather related change and complex man-mad disaster are increasing frequency and severely in one nation can affect to various part of the world. Their impact on the environment and on climate cannot be overlook. Therefore, broad commitments to address climate change should be agreed at a regional level to ensure that the actions of one country do not negatively affect or undermine the efforts of their neighbors. Though the results of environmental and natural depletion may not be visible now, it will be a heavy burden for Cambodias next generations, who will have difficulty in ecological system. It illustrates that Cambodia is facing the risk of unsustainable development for its next generation. Immediate action is required to tackle hence the government and all other stakeholders must come up with strong policies and fast action to combat climate change. In short, Climate change is closely linked to human activities not only in wealthy industrialized countries people and their livelihoods but also other less developing countries. In particular Climate Change will impact the social and economic in small islands, and also affecting key sectors such as tourism and agriculture, and resulting in risky infrastructure due to Climate variability, including extreme events such as storms, floods and sustained droughts. Therefore the negative impacts of climate change could create a new group of refugees, who may migrate into new settlements to seek new living. Indeed, LDCs and SIDS have neither the financial resources nor the technical capacities to meet their adaptation needs due to climate change and global warming. Consequently, the international community needs to provide stronger financial and technical support to the LDCs and SIDS through the special funds under international frameworks. . In respond special effort needs to be done. Obviously, Cambodia is likely to experience the impacts of climate change and therefore must be prepared to adapt to the changes on the environment, especially in terms of droughts, floods, soil erosion and the loss of biodiversity. Consequently, they will need to adopt sustainable practices on agriculture by reducing the vulnerability of soil based agricultural production systems through the management of soil fertility, management of the cycle of soil more efficiently in grasslands and cropping systems. (Canon, Oct,2009). Moreover, there should be the participating of NGO network members and the government in order to increase their understanding on the issue and what everyone can do is to save water, against pollution, forest protection, wildlife or animals and environmental reservation, recycle, reuse the energy recreation that is a part of daily life. Therefore, in respond to address Climate Change, we should improved energy efficien cy and better use of alternative and renewable energy. We must encourage investment in clean development mechanisms and therefore, green economy must be considered at the top priority of the development agenda. Hence, all countries need to consider setting their own Green House Gaze in the limited target and promote sustainable management of natural resources. Moreover, the regions governments and people need to identify a way to sustainably develop their economies, alleviate poverty, and conserve the regions extraordinary species and ecosystems. The region should improve environmental management capacity and more effective conservation in order to adapt to and reduce the unavoidable climate change impacts (Canon, Oct,2009).

Economic and Environmental Benefits of Global Organic Production Essay

Economic and Environmental Benefits of Global Organic Production Although organic production as an entity is controversial, it is gaining momentum across the world in terms of sales. Organic foods have become more popular as people become more concerned about what it is they are consuming. This increased demand for organic products has lead to organic production on a global scale. With an increase in global organic production have come many benefits both economically and environmentally. Organic agriculture's aim is, 'to augment ecological processes that foster plant nutrition yet conserve soil and water resources. Organic systems eliminate agrochemicals and reduce other external inputs to improve the environment and farm economics' (Pimental, et al). Organic production is not only beneficial to the population as a whole but to the small time farmers who are attempting to survive in a capitalist world. In the U.S., 'National Organic Standards Program prohibits the use of synthetic chemicals, genetically modified organisms, and sewage sludge in organically certified production' (Pimental, et al). These types of eliminations mean less costs and more environmental benefits. Organic production is a step towards self-sustainable farming. As this movement spreads across the world, sales continue to climb with a higher demand for organic products. This demand creates a larger profit margin making it a logical move for small farmers to switch to organic production. ?Organic food sales total more than $7 billion per year and are growing at double-digit rates? (Pimental, et al). When farmers begin to think in terms of profit instead of yield, organic production becomes a viable move. Farmers benefit from this style of agricul... ...thout damage to the land or through killing off key species in the ecological web. The globalization of organic production provides hope for the future through the sustainability of the small farmer and the environment. An increase in profit margins will allow farmers who are struggling to survive against big corporations an edge. For the environment, this means sustainability of soil and biodiversity. It also means the elimination of chemicals that are harming water sources and the health of people. In the end, the globalization of organic production is a beneficial move whether organic foods are better for people or not. Works Cited Pimental, David; Hepperly, Paul; Hanson, James; Douds, David; and Seidel, Rita. ?Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems?. Vol. 55 No. 7. BioScience, July 2005.

Learning Team Reflection Essay

Alan Litchman and Laura B. Trust, Co-Presidents of Finagle a Bagel, own a bagel business in Boston (Parrino, Kidwell, Bates, 2012). Alan and Laura met in business school and after gaining business experience in other industries they purchased the bagel business with the intent of growing it as much as possible. They have two primary target markets: 1) retail stores and 2) wholesale accounts with large institutions. In this paper, we will briefly discuss a few of the strategies they used to manage their working capital. The owners of Finagle a Bagel were tired of working for other people so they decided to buy one new business. They have used several financial concepts to manage the financial accountability of their small business. They have controlled costs from the beginning of the process to the delivery of the product, as well as the administrative costs. Other items that have been highlighted are the management of cash flow, payback, and the schedule of cash entries, which has allowed the company to pay its debts. They have established a good relationship with the banks in order to negotiate the time frame for payments and rate. Suppliers are also a key success factor for the company, as the payment terms are negotiated to match the flow cash. The company’s focus is to maintain its financial management so that the business may grow and return large profits. The Finagle a Bagel also has a policy of recognizing the hard work of their employees. The owners believe that managers and employees are responsible for the success of the company. Together, the company is growing in a sustainable and financially healthy way. According to Alan Litchman, when making any investment, first one has to understand what the demand for the new product is going to be, and what kind of product can be made with the new equipment (Parrino, Kidwell, ba tes, 2012). Alongside his wife, Mr. Litchman explained how important it is to understand the company’s performance and opportunities to better apply capital investment in the company. They both explained, in their own words, the importance of setting up strategies and planning before putting a new product on the market. The couple also spoke about debt. Laura Trust said that debt is ‘a necessary evil’ and sometimes taking debt has its benefits if compared to finding capital through other means, such as pursuing a partner (Parrino, Kidwell, Bates, 2012). In this case they did not want to take a venture capital partner because the owners wanted to have authority  when making business decisions, thus avoiding ‘working for someone else’ (Parrino, Kidwell, Bates, 2012). This shows that the owners prefer a business structure like a sole proprietorship. Lastly, the fact that interest rates have been dropping for small business also supported their decision to take on debt to invest in the company. The couple is very educated when making business decisions, as they understand that even when a company has financial resources, the business gains more by obtaining financial resources from banks with small interest rates, while allowing the resources they have to generate dividends with higher interest rates. This is generally called borrowing ‘cheap money’ (Investopedia, 2014). Finally, credit is also discussed. They mentioned trade credit, which is the amount of time given to pay back vendors for the products bought. The longer the term, the better, as it allows time to receive revenue before having to pay the debt. This is another very important recommendation on how to properly use cash flow and avoid taking on debt. Overall, Alan Litchman and Laura B. Trust demonstrate a thorough understanding of how to manage their capital so that their small business continues to grow and increase their net profits, despite economic challenges in the community and the country. References Investopedia. (2014). Cheap Money. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cheap-money.asp Parrino, R., Kidwell, D., Bates, T. (2012) Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, (2nd Ed) John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Navistar Company Essay

Executive Summary Trimco is a main supplier to Navistar. Navistar relies heavily on Trimco at their assembly plant. Navistar and Trimco must improve their quality management systems in order to have the right parts, in the right number shipped at the right time without any damages or defects. Navistar and Trimco must start imploring a more collaborative approach to their business process. Navistar needs to address their policy problems. Our last minute design changes seriously disrupt the supply process. The robbing of parts also creates a snowball effect of problems in other areas, or down the line. Trimco has several problems including high employee turnover, mixed technological capability with respect to manufacturing processes, and a lack of internal control. Areas of deficiencies must be jointly identified and solutions to these deficiencies must be collaboratively tackled. With these improvements, the cycle time from customer order to delivery should be reduced, which would allow a higher level of customer service at an overall lower cost. The delivery times for the custom-designed trucks should decrease with the recommended implementations. Navistar must identify the problem to Trimco. Trimco must be aware of these deficiencies and collaborate with Navistar to remedy these. Navistar must then look at the problem internally. Top management has given them support in this matter and they must be utilized. Input across different business functions must be taken. Working with other departments will help identify issues that were previously not seen. Incomplete parts can be monitored with a quality control system that compares parts ordered or required with actual parts sent. Last minute design changes must be stopped, as they are not sufficient to let Trimco manufacture the parts on time. Quality of the parts can be addressed by raising awareness of the issue, and by also ensuring packaging and handling of parts are done in meticulous order in order to reduce damages. The â€Å"robbed† parts must be stopped as it cr eates additional problems. It is a short-term fix that produces long-term negative effects. Issues Identification There are several issues for both Navistar and Trimco. I have asked shipping and receiving at both Navistar and Trimco to record the frequency of the trim problems as well as the root causes for each occurrence over a 6-month period. Firstly I will outline the problems here at Navistar. I find that we are storing/handling parts following improper receiving procedures, which include lost, misplaced, and damaged materials. Often parts contained within kits were damaged to the point where they could not be installed into truck interiors causing added costs for Trimco, and delay our assembly here at Navistar. We have also accepted parts that are defective. These parts sometimes went undetected until installation. These parts had to be either scrapped or returned to Trimco for replacement and credit. We must collaborate with Trimco in order to reduce their costs in this area. Communication between Trimco and Navistar will help reduction in total supply chain costs, which is a key measure in the strategic initiative that we are trying to plan in order to reduce these issues. Another issue is the robbing of parts for higher priority uses, which are caused due to supply failures. This of course translates to even more supply failures. This has caused continual shortages, lost stock, (which is the highest reason identified for trim part shortages) and excessive ordering. Another issue is last minute design changes. Navistar needs descriptions or specifications in describing the need in sufficient detail to ensure that the correct goods are ordered in the correct quality, at the correct time, at the correct place. It is considered one of the most important keys to successful strategic management. This is an issue for both Navistar and Trimco in that Navistar has to rework the parts, or order new parts to fill the demand. Specification outlining must be looked at in a strategic sense with Trimco and Navistar communicating different ideas in order to make these situations minimal. Another issue is the JIT suitability. Safety stock is still required which would beget calling it a just in time system. This must be addressed on both sides. Issues for Trimco include quality control problems. Shipping defective material, incorrect material, and even damaged parts, causes increased cost and decreased productivity for both Trimco and Navistar. Another issue for Trimco, which was also an issue for Navistar, was JIT suitability. It seems that at times Navistar expectation can be too high with the last minute specification changes,  which can lead to incorrectly punched parts, or incorrectly sent parts that has been an issue. Environmental and Root Cause Analysis The main cause of the issues for both Trimco and Navistar are quality issues. Both the supply plant and we the assembling plants are running into quality issues. Trimco Industries is a large supplier of automotive trim parts. It is also a very large Navistar supplier. Trimco faces several problems including mixed technological capability with respect to manufacturing processes; high employee turnover that affects employee training and awareness levels that impacts its ability to meet customer needs effectively. Shipping is an issue in that it lacks internal process. Correct parts aren’t always shipped, and the shipping of materials is not sufficient as damaged parts are ranked second as a reason for trim part shortages. Internally we have some issues as well. The last minute design change that we allow to occur, seriously disrupt the supply process. The stealing policy that allows workers to rob parts from one job for another only worsens existing problems. Inventory count, and easy identification of parts is negatively affected. This represents a short-term solution that equates to problems in the long run. The control over incoming parts seems to be an issue that needs to be addressed. Parts that are missing, damaged, defective or incorrectly sent, are being identified too late for Trimco to send appropriate replacement parts in time for assembly. Parts that are being stored at Navistar are being damaged between the time they are received from Trimco and the time they are required for production. This can equate to inefficient packaging, t even mishandling in our receiving area. This damage would indicate that inappropriate storage and handling procedures are being used at Navistar and Trimco. Navistar operates in a highly competitive industry. It has a long-standing history, and reputable background, but there is always pressure to reduce margins in any way possible in order to stay competitive in the industry. Navistar is in the cus tom truck business and currently has a 28.6% share in the North American market. At any given time 50-80% of our orders can be customized. Customers took time in designing their trucks to their specifications and expect timely delivery with impeccable quality. Missing and/or parts are directly impacting both the customer and bottom line costs. This represents 60% of trim part shortages. Trim shortages account for an estimated $200,000. This is a very generous estimation with the estimated cost potentially being far higher than this figure. The processes used both at Navistar and at Trimco are not sufficient to respond to last minute design changes, maintain a continuous supply of defect-free and correctly ordered parts, prevent internal stealing of parts and control the damage of parts during shipment. The quality management programs at both Navistar and Trimco need improvement to effectively change their current processes. All processes, both Navistar and Trimco’s must be in control, centered, and possess minimal variation. Strategically, if these problems were resolved, this would improve Navistar’s offering to our custom-designed truck customers. Trimco also has a high rate of attrition, which adds to the overall cost. This rate of turnover affects the training levels of employees and their ability to control processes, to respond to last minute design changes and to ensure the accuracy of trim part shipments. The cost of this employee attrition is high in many respects. Employees are paid $23 an hour in 1997. When these shortages occur there will be overtime needed which equates to $34.50 per hour. The constant turnover also has training costs, which can’t be measured in the employee’s hourly wage. The JIT system utilized is perhaps too stringent on time, especially with the issues at hand. A balance must be reached between a JIT system’s tightness and the ability of both the supplier and customer to work together to ensure a smooth and efficient supply chain system. There is not one root cause but rather two. The quality management programs at both Navistar and Trimco need improvement to effectively change their current processes. Strategically, if these problems were resolved, this would improve Navistar’s offering to the custom-designed truck customer. Navistar and Trimco’s JIT system must also be looked at. Alternatives and/or Options Again supplier relationships come to the forefront. Communication with Trimco is necessary in order to get a better understanding of Trimco’s problems, and where we think we can help. The JIT system utilized is   too stringent on time, especially with the issues at hand. A balance must be reached between a JIT system’s tightness and the ability of both the supplier and customer to work together to ensure a smooth and efficient supply chain system. Navistar employs a strategic centralized purchasing structure where all communication is done at Navistar headquarters. An alternative would be to have collaboration at both companies’ headquarters as to get a better line of communication. Another alternative would be for a better ERP system to be implemented. This would require additional costs, and would be a strategic move for the long run, but this could help with specification issues, as well as demand on both levels. Recommendations and Implementation The quality management programs at both Navistar and Trimco need improvement to effectively change their current processes. Strategically, if these problems were resolved, this would improve Navistar’s offering to the custom-designed truck customer. Some options that can help both Navistar and Trimco would be to delve deeper into their supplier relationship. Both parties can conduct a careful study of the processing line for both Navistar and Trimco in order to obtain a complete understanding of both companies manufacturing processes. The first step would be to notify Trimco of the supply problem. We understand the problem, and Trimco has had added costs, but we need to communicate with Trimco and have them understand how the supply problem effects Navistar’s bottom line, and ultimately how it affects our customers. This step should help open the lines of communication and help facilitate the beginning of the process. Next step would be to internally have top management involved. Top management already supports quality improvement efforts as it’s so important to Navistar’s bottom line. Let them know of the issues being faced. Support from management will help facilitate the necessary authority needed with Navistar to gain cooperation amongst the needed employees to help identify and resolve the supply problem. Upper management is primarily concerned with financial impact, but they must be aware of the impact of the problem both to the customer and those finances. The policy issues surrounding the problem with respect to last minute design changes and robbing and the deficiencies associated with Trimco must be communicated. Next would be to gain input from stakeholders. Input and feedback must be taken from other Navistar employees. Communication with Trimco is also vital in order to access additional data related to the problem as well as potential solutions to effectively resolve th e interior trim supply problem. Navistar can start by gaining input from the shipping manager, line manager, line employees, the chaser, quality managers, and design engineers. Trimco should also gain input from the shipping manager, shipping employees, and design engineers. This method will have multiple outcomes. It will start by identifying the problem to the company as a whole. The impact of the workers can be better communicated by identifying the issue. Feedback can be attained based on this as well. Line employees and shipping employees are first hand with respect to being effected by the problems, and they may voice their concerns. An added benefit of this will be that several implementation issues will be addressed before encountered. Communication and brainstorming will help identify the problems before implementation and this will be facilitated through a team approach. The design changes need to be stopped as it causing major delays and issues with Trimco. We must collaboratively agree to a set time frame that is feasible for both parties. Navistar can look at Trimco’s operation thoroughly—from design through manufacturing and delivery. Supplier relationship can take a bigger role, as Trimco is a major Navistar supplier. Communication is vital between Trimco and us. Some options and alternatives to other problems: To tackle incomplete shipments. A better EDI or implementing a joint ERP systems in which Trimco can improve control over parts being sent to Navistar with tracking being done in the ERP system. This will cost Trimco both financially and time wise, but will have a longer strategic impact in their business operations. An option to the parts quality problem would be to have Trimco have a better process when sending out parts to Navistar. Trimco needs to stop sending defective parts to Navistar, as Navistar has used these parts and ultimately had to scrap and replace them later on in their production. This is added cost and inefficiencies. Also damaged parts are second highest behind missing parts. Trimco will need to improve packaging and packing of shipping containers. On Navistar’s end, better storage of materials must be looked at in order to prevent the damage of parts while awaiting assembly. Parts can be stored in strategically   bins, or Navistar can look at other options such as storage towers. There would be added cost, but parts can be easily located, and can be much safer from damage. Monitor and Control Collaboration and communication between Trimco and Navistar is paramount in the monitoring and controlling of this outcome. Quality departments for both companies will be heavily involved in the monitoring of this implementation. Monitoring in the form of regular reports on defects, damages, and incorrect parts must be implemented in both companies. Reports to be conducted by shipping managers and line managers. There will be regular intervals where these figures will be displayed and addressed in a collaborative setting between the two companies. Integrating other business functions will be crucial as budgets can be looked at. Costs associated with these implementations should reflect a decrease in added costs and addressing expenses and looking at the budget can monitor this. The bulk of monitoring will go to the quality departments through internal reporting and tracking of damaged, defective, and incorrect parts.

Hiroshima Bombing essays

Hiroshima Bombing essays In August of 1945 nuclear weapons were exploded upon the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. Following the bombing of the cities the Japanese immediately surrendered to the Allied Nations. The cost of the war was devastating. Never has there been such destruction brought down by a simple blast of splitting atoms. Killing as many as 240,000 Japanese citizens, the dropping of the bombs became one of the most written about contemporary historical topics (Hiroshima s monumental decision to drop the bombs was developed from a complex background. While Truman emphasized that the bombings were the result of military reasons, clearly there were the influences of the political, diplomatic issues and many other pressures that enforced his decision. Truman did believe that the bomb would be used specifically for military use. He knew of the ferocious fighting currently taking place in the Pacific, and naturally had a desire to minimize what he felt would inevitably be a long, bloody struggle. And adding even more pressure from a military standpoint came when a second invasion was discussed (Rhodes). The invasion would require risking several American soldiers to fight a violent fight against the Japanese on mainland Honshu. Thus, it seemed that military pressures lied most heavily on Trumans mind. After the dropping of the bombs President Truman quoted in The New York Ti...