An Introduction To The Operations Management Concepts Business Essay

An Introduction To The Operations Management Concepts Business Essay Operations Management has been defined by Krajewski, et al. (2007) as the control and direction of the processes of the organization that changes its input materials to products and/or services for its customers. This report will compare how Mercedes-Benz and Honda manage their operations. The comparison might be useful because it would help identify various ways an organisation could be run in order to meet its goals and objectives. The report will give a brief background of the two organizations mentioned above and then would move on to the comparison of their marketing strategies and competitive priorities. Finally, the importance of frameworks such as capacity planning, inventory management, supply chain design, Total quality management and performance measures, would be discussed and how they could be useful in helping an organisation function efficiently and effectively. A) COMPANY BACKGROUND OF MERCEDEZ BENZ [MERCEDEZ-BENZ U.S. INTERNATIONAL, inc. (MBUSI)] and HONDA [HONDA MA NUFACTURING OF ALABAMA, LLC. (HMA)]. MERCEDEZ-BENZ (MBUSI) Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc. (http://www.mbusi.com) was established for the main purpose of manufacturing the M-Class. The M-class was such a huge success that they decided in August 2000 to expand the facility not only to manufacture more units of It, but also to include the R and GL-classes to its product list. The expansion not only doubled the plant size but also the labor force. The plant consists of a body shop, paint shop and two assembly shops. MBUSI receives orders from their 135 worldwide markets. MBUSI uses the â€Å"Just-in-Time† (JIT) philosophy which implies that they do not stockpile large amounts of the inventory they use to assemble their cars. HONDA (HMA) HMA (http://www.hondaalabama.com) manufactures the odyssey, ridgeline and pilot models for the world wide market. HMA’s investment in Alabama is over $1.4billion with the construction of a new Honda Engineering facility, on-site con solidation center and steel blanking operation. One of their goals is to be able to produce goods with high quality and sell at a reasonable price. HMA can be referred to as a Zero Landfill Facility due to the fact that they are committed to the principle of â€Å"Reduce, Reuse and Recycle†. They have made efforts in curbing energy use during their production processes, and this has earned them an energy star award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A.1) OPERATION/TRANSFORMATION PROCESS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS MERCEDEZ-BENZ (MBUSI) The manufacturing process for both models begins in the Body Shop where the components that comprise the metal body are welded together. From the body shop, they are taken to the ultra-clean Paint Shop where the cars are painted. Finally, they end up in the Assembly where it becomes a new Mercedes-Benz M, R, or GL-Class ready for shipping. From beginning to end, these vehicles are created with style, functionality, and quality in min d (http://www.mbusi.com). HONDA (HMA) Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA) has the largest output for Honda light trucks. It has the capacity to create over 300,000 odyssey minivans, pilot sport utility vehicles, Ridgeline pick-up trucks and V-6 engines annually (http://www.hondaalabama.com).

Research Progress Report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Research Progress Report - Assignment Example There are several vehicles that authorities can employ to realize the genuine, effective participation of citizens in the governance process. One such vehicle is community councils. Following the amalgamation of Toronto in 1998, six community councils were established. The community councils were meant to serve as the platform for â€Å"participating† the residents of Metropolitan Toronto, the new amalgamated city. The notion of "amalgamation" entails merging smaller local authorities with one larger municipality to form one large metropolitan area. Promoters of city amalgamations argue that it is more cost-effective to provide services and goods to one larger municipality than in several small local government areas(Schwartz, 2010). However, many scholars are of the view that amalgamation has not worked for Toronto and that the community councils are weak. This paper compares the Toronto model with two others: New York and Montreal. Scholars consider New York a success and Montreal, like Toronto, a failure. Based on the findings of the case studies, the author recommends two reform options for Toronto. Until 1997, Toronto had a two-tier regional government. The Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto comprised the upper tier while the lower tier comprised the municipalities of North York, East York, Scarborough and Toronto and the borough of York. In late 1996, the premier of Ontario proposed the amalgamation of Metropolitan Toronto. They argued that the move could save $645 million during the transition and $300 million a year afterthat (Schwartz, 2010). However, a report by KPMG revealed that the transition cost the government of Ontario $275 million while they managed to save only $135 million a year. As of 2008, the city’s budget stood at $8.1 billion, up from $5 billion in 1997. Only the number of politicians fell, but increases in the councilors staff and office budgets have canceled any cost

Imagine that you are participating in a professional conference, and Essay

Imagine that you are participating in a professional conference, and your role is to offer commentary on three papers that examine early modern Europe and make claims about religion and violence - Essay Example By the beginning of 16th century, the medieval church and all it represented ventured into a period comprised of profound crisis. At this time, the church was approximately fifteen centuries old. Most of the church history comprised of continuous confrontation of problems from within its organization and from without. However, by 1500, these problems rose to the surface and made the church shake at its very foundation. Political philosophers had rejected the idea presented by the claiming that popes were superior to kings. These disagreements acted as major contributors of religious wars and violence in early modern Europe (Whitford 345). According to theorists like Karl Marx, there was no need to reform the church since his secular theory based on the notion that religion and faith were nothing more than cement that held society together. Another way in which religious fanaticism led to insurgence of violence and religious wars in early modern Europe is by allowing local church bishops control all of the bankers, merchants, and artisan economic and commercial activities. When philosophers describe modern Europe, in this instance, they talk about France, Italy, England, Spain, Scandinavia, Germany, and the Low Countries. These business people from Europe’s largest cities conflicted with the local church bishops who controlled business activities, an idea that the former resented. Merchants, bankers, and artisans believed that they would have more money and power if only the church could cease controlling their money making and producing business (Greyez 187). Even capitalism had not yet infiltrated into Europe, it is evident that there was development of secular concept of acquisition and work. Additionally, fanaticism facilitated the endemic upsurge of religious violence and wars in that, in the 16th century, there were numerous reformers who criticized the church openly for its