West Marine Case free essay sample

Once West Marine can determine their root cause for error in their supply chain, corrections can be made. Decision Criteria Analysis of alternatives Perhaps the easiest approach to the acquisition of BoatU. S. is to leave BoatU. S. ’s current demand and forecast planning untouched and separate from West Marine’s planning processes. This would be inexpensive and non-disruptive to the current corporate culture. The drawbacks, however, could be a slow steady decline in profitability and reliability of the BoatU. S. brand, hence the reason for the acquisition in the first place. However, management can use the testament of various metrics in the Supply Chain at West Marine since the EB Marine acquisition, and implement a SOP and CPFR system into the BoatU. S. brand line. The benefits to implementing such a comprehensive SOP and CPFR plan are clear in the literature such improved customer satisfaction, increased in-stock percentages (2-8%), and inventory reductions of 10-40%. We will write a custom essay sample on West Marine Case or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page (Lapide) These benefits will be a crucial help to the BoatU. S. brand and better align them with their competitive competencies. Which includes catering to a more sophisticated boater who highly values customer service. Improving in-stock percentages will solve a current problem in BoatU. S. ’s stores with high volume/high margin items missing from stores; perhaps adding to customer service as well. (p. 21) Also, the reduction in inventory will contribute to relieving the dilapidated distribution center in Maryland. Giving management time to evaluate the need for a new better planned warehouse, or renovate the current one for more efficient operations. Recommendations and Justification of Decision Our team proposes West Marine’s management proceed with the acquisition of BoatU. S. and immediately devise and implement a strong Sales and Operations Planning strategy to strengthen the internal demand planning and forecasting within BoatU. S. To accomplish this, top management must take a top-down as well as a bottom-up approach with clear financial performance goals. First, comprehensive information systems must be installed to collect accurate point-of-sale and warehouse data and report it in a way managers can make decisions. Here are my thoughts. While the adoption of the CPFR has shown improvement in supply chain issues, they need to incorporate a SOP program to shape the demand and improve forecasting and planning. Having recently adopted the CPFR standards, are they up to implementing another big endeavor such as this? I think they should take on the acquisition of Boat US as a pilot program. Not only should they adopt the current CPFR standards that have shown improvements, but they should also begin the top down and bottom up planning efforts as described in the SOP literature. As I mentioned in an email, the case narrative doesn’t mention any in-depth planning from the top- level management. They do state that product clusters have people responsible for setting prices and determining margins independently. Also, West Marine’s performance measures are pretty much all financed based, that is they are focused on ROI, EPS and so on. By focusing on the collaboration with the suppliers, they are addressing concerns such as stock outs and delivery times, but how are these translating in to the overall company goals?

Literary Analysis of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man essays

Literary Analysis of A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man essays A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is an extraordinary story about Stephen Dedalus and how he is effected by the Catholic religion. Stephen grows up with his nationality and faith playing a gigantic role in his life. His community has many religious expectations that he learns to live by. Eventually, Stephen decides that that is not what he wants out of life. He eventually gives all of it up to pursue his dream of being a writer. While Stephen is young, his Irish nationality and Catholic faith heavily influence him. At Clongowes Wood College, he attended a strict Catholic boarding school. In the beginning Stephen is lonely and homesick while attending the school, but as time goes by, he finds friendship among the other boys. While at school, he is a devout Christian. He had to undress and then kneel and say his own prayers and be in bed before the gas was lowered so that he might not go to hell when he died (Joyce 30). He would pray like this because the Catholic faith made him feel like a sinner and Stephen did not want to go to hell. Stephen planned to end up in heaven when he died. Stephens first sexual experience takes place with a Dublin prostitute. He had only wanted to be held by her. His lips would not kiss her. With a sudden movement she bowed his head and joined her lips to his and he read the meaning of her movements in her frank uplifted eyes (Joyce 109). He then lost all strength and surrendered to her kiss. This began to make him feel guilty and shameful. He then tries to reconcile his physical desires with the stern Catholic morality of his surroundings. During a period of time, he completely ignores his religious upbringing, throwing himself with debauched abandon into a variety of sins. Some of these sins include masturbation, gluttony, and more visits to prostitutes. Eventually he goes on a three-day religious retreat, Stephen hears a trio of fiery sermons about sin, ju...

Buddhism and Vegetarianism

Buddhism and Vegetarianism All Buddhists are vegetarians, right? Well, no. Some Buddhists are vegetarians, but some are not. Attitudes about vegetarianism vary from sect to sect as well as from individual to individual. If you are wondering whether you must commit to being a vegetarian to become a Buddhist, the answer is, maybe, but possibly not. It is unlikely the historical Buddha was a vegetarian. In the earliest recording of his teachings, the Tripitaka, the Buddha did not categorically forbid his disciples to eat meat. In fact, if meat were put into a monks alms bowl, the monk was supposed to eat it. Monks were to gratefully receive and consume all food they were given, including meat. Exceptions There was an exception to the meat for alms rule, however. If monks knew or suspected that an animal had been slaughtered specifically to feed monks, they were to refuse to take the meat. On the other hand, leftover meat from an animal slaughtered to feed a lay family was acceptable. The Buddha also listed certain types of meat that were not to be eaten. This included horse, elephant, dog, snake, tiger, leopard, and bear. Because only some meat was specifically forbidden, we can infer that eating other meat was permissible. Vegetarianism and the First Precept The First Precept of Buddhism is do not kill. The Buddha told his followers not to kill, participate in killing, or cause to have any living thing killed. To eat meat, some argue, is taking part in killing by proxy. In response, it is argued that if an animal were already dead and not slaughtered specifically to feed oneself, then it is not quite the same thing as killing the animal oneself. This seems to be how the historical Buddha understood eating meat. However, the historical Buddha and the monks and nuns who followed him were homeless wanderers who lived on the alms they received. Buddhists did not begin to build monasteries and other permanent communities until some time after the Buddha died. Monastic Buddhists do not live on alms alone but also on food grown by, donated to, or purchased by monks. It is hard to argue that meat provided to an entire monastic community did not come from an animal specifically slaughtered on behalf of that community. Thus, many sects of Mahayana Buddhism, in particular, began to emphasize vegetarianism. Some of the Mahayana Sutras, such as the Lankavatara, provide decidedly vegetarian teachings. Buddhism and Vegetarianism Today Today, attitudes toward vegetarianism vary from sect to sect and even within sects. On the whole, Theravada Buddhists do not kill animals themselves but consider vegetarianism to be a personal choice. The Vajrayana schools, which include Tibetan and Japanese Shingon Buddhism, encourage vegetarianism but do not consider it to be absolutely necessary to Buddhist practice. Mahayana schools are more often vegetarian, but even within many Mahayana sects, there is a  diversity of practice. In keeping with the original rules, some Buddhists might not purchase meat for themselves, or choose a live lobster out of the tank and have it boiled, but might eat a meat dish offered them at a friends dinner party. The Middle Way Buddhism discourages fanatical perfectionism. The Buddha taught his followers to find a middle way between extreme practices and opinions. For this reason, Buddhists who do practice vegetarianism are discouraged from becoming fanatically attached to it. A Buddhist practices metta, which is loving kindness to all beings without selfish attachment. Buddhist refrain from eating meat out of loving kindness for living animals, not because there is something unwholesome or corrupt about an animals body. In other words, the meat itself is not the point, and under some circumstances, compassion might cause a Buddhist to break the rules. For example, lets say you visit your elderly grandmother, whom you have not seen for a long time. You arrive at her home and find that she has cooked what had been your favorite dish when you were a child- stuffed pork chops. She doesnt do much cooking anymore  because her elderly body doesnt move around the kitchen so well. But it is the dearest wish of her heart to give you something special and watch you dig into those stuffed pork chops the way you used to. She has been looking forward to this for weeks. I say that if you hesitate to eat those pork chops for even a second, you are no Buddhist. The Business of Suffering When I was a girl growing up in rural Missouri, livestock grazed in open meadows and chickens wandered and scratched outside hen houses. That was a long time ago. You still see free-ranging livestock on small farms, but big factory farms can be cruel places for animals. Breeding sows live most of their lives in cages so small they cannot turn around. Egg-laying hens kept in battery cages cannot spread their wings. These practices make the vegetarian question more critical. As Buddhists, we should consider if products we purchase were made with suffering. This includes human suffering as well as animal suffering. If your vegan faux-leather shoes were made by exploited laborers working under inhumane conditions, you might as well have bought leather. Live Mindfully The fact is, to live is to kill. It cannot be avoided. Fruits and vegetables come from living organisms, and farming them requires killing insects, rodents, and other animal life. The electricity and heat for our homes may come from facilities that harm the environment. Dont even think about the cars we drive. We are all entangled in a web of killing and destruction, and as long as we live we cannot be completely free of it. As Buddhists, our role is not to mindlessly follow rules written in books, but to be mindful of the harm we do and do as little of it as possible.

KSAs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

KSAs - Essay Example In order to produce an accurate report within the assigned deadline, it became necessary for me to combine all of the sources of information and create one sole source for the student data, which would permit easy access of the data to the Director. The final outcome: By developing a more organized system of data maintenance, it simplified the process of analyzing and summarizing information for the report, which in turn decreased the amount of time needed to compile and complete the report by the assigned submission deadline. The increased time also ensured the accuracy of the report. At the University of Maryland in the Student Support Services office, I was the first point of contact for both students and parents interested in the Summer Transitional Program. This program is designed to assist first generation/low-income students in making the transition from high school to college through the completion of a six-week intensive academic course load. Students who were invited to apply to the program were those students who were denied fall admission by the university’s Undergraduate Admissions office. Following the release of the early decision letters by the admissions office, I immediately began fielding telephone calls and receiving visits by students, parents, teachers and high school counselors inquiring about the program application process, requirements, costs and other questions and concerns. I assisted these potential students by communicating the necessary information verbally on the telephone or in person, and/or in writing through the forms of a letter, or email. At the University of Maryland, the spring semester is a very busy time for the Student Support Services office. In addition to assisting the current students in the program, the office is also in the midst of accepting applications and formulating the first-year student cohort for the upcoming

Strategy case analyses Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategy case analyses - Assignment Example According to the European Commission, & Statistical Office of the European Communities (2007), in recent years, tourism has become the largest and most progressive industry with international revenues generated in tourism in 2011 reaching about 1.030 billion dollars. The market share of new destinations-former transitional, underdeveloped and developing countries have been on the rise. Their market share has increased from 30 percent in the 80’s to 47 percent in 2011 and was estimated to reach 57% by the end of 2013 (p 23). In many countries, tourism is the preferred option for economic and social development and it is, therefore, included in their political and developmental strategies. An example is Kenya, where tourism is the core of the economy after agriculture. Tourism is an unpredictable industry influence by a number of factors. Events like economic recession, natural disasters, terrorism acts, weather conditions and government policies significantly affect this industry. These determine where and how people spend their holidays. For example, an increase in the frequency of terror attacks and bombing may cause governments to issue travel advisories and alerts to its people not to visit the affected areas. This industry relies on advertisement and promotional tactics employed by the travel companies, governments and airlines. For example, in the UK, the Tourist Information Center (TIC) located all over the country serves the purpose of promoting and marketing tourism to local and international tourists. The key players in this industry in the UK include travel agents and tour operators like Thomas Cook and low cost airlines like Jet2, Easy Jet, Monarch and Ryaniar. Companies identify and implement a strategic plan by matching its capabilities with the demands of its environment in this process. It analyzes the initiatives and measures undertaken by top management in a company regarding resources and performance in

Motorcycle and financial services Essay Example for Free

Motorcycle and financial services Essay Abstract The strength of Harley-Davidsons brand and dominant market position give the firm a wide moat, in our opinion. However, weaker consumer spending and tight credit markets are presenting the firm with some significant near-term challenges. In addition, we believe the firm must carefully broaden the appeal of its brand to secure its long-term success. Harley-Davidson is a cult brand that resonates around the world. There are more than 1 million members of the Harley Owners Group, and every year several hundred thousand Harley fans attend biking events at Daytona, Fla. , and Sturgis, S. D. Its no wonder that over 50% of Harleys revenues are generated from repeat sales and these sales are at premium prices to other motorcycle brands. In addition, with almost a 50% share of the U. S. market, Harley also achieves economies of scale greater than most of its competitors. A Harley is not just a bike it is an investment. brand loyalty, its economies of scale, and its network of mostly exclusive dealers have created significant barriers to entry, and as a result, Harley has achieved historical operating margins of over 20% and returns on invested capital of over 40%, excluding the financial services segment. JIT Principles JIT is an operational strategy which helps in making inventory levels lean. An organisation which goes for synchronous manufacturing incorporates JIT to have lower inventory levels. Synchronous manufacturing encompasses techniques of JIT to achieve the target. Organisations which have implemented JIT and are using synchronous manufacturing have a very lean system. It has minimum wastage and the highest possible quality. These organisations are cost effective and generally have higher margins than their competitors. This results in higher level of efficiency in the organisation and a better work environment. BPI helps in management of inventory and related operations. It is very important that organisation understand the importance of new methods and reengineer their processes in line with the requirements. The minimum level of inventory which is required as WIP is determined by the organization and then control efforts are put in so that there is always the minimum level available and it would never cross the maximum level. This is done because one cannot hold high levels of inventory because it comes at a very high cost and is an occupational and can be a operation hazard. The strength of Harley-Davidsons brand and dominant market position give the firm a wide moat, in our opinion. However, weaker consumer spending and tight credit markets are presenting the firm with some significant challenges and we believe the firm must carefully expand the appeal of its brand to secure its long term success. Harley-Davidson is a cult brand that resonates around the world. There are more than 1 million members of the Harley Owners Group, and every year several hundred thousand Harley fans attend biking events at Daytona, Fla. , and Sturgis, S. D. Its no wonder that over 50% of Harleys revenues are generated from repeat sales and these sales are at premium prices to other motorcycle brands. In addition, with almost a 50% share of the U. S. market, Harley also achieves economies of scale greater than most of its competitors. The intensity of the firms brand loyalty, its economies of scale, and its network of mostly exclusive dealers have created significant barriers to entry, and as a result, Harley has achieved historical operating margins of over 20% and returns on invested capital of over 40%, excluding the financial services segment. Despite its strong brand, sagging consumer spending on high-ticket items is likely to continue to depress volumes in the near term, and we expect the economic downturn to prolong the period of failing sales through 2010/11. The firm has already cut production in an attempt to trim costs in line with faling demand. in addition, just over half of Harleys motorcycle revenues are derived from retail sales made on credit. We think that the lack of available funds on the wholesale markets and the shrinking of the number of qualifying customers will make it difficult for the companys financial services division to continue to support retail sales by providing credit to customers. Harley must address some long-term challenges. The firm has been focused on a narrow demographic group (around 89% of customers are male) and the median age of Harleys customers has been on a long-term upward trend. We believe that the firm must find ways to broaden the appeal of its brand without alienating its core customer base. Harley has grown in recent years in the international market , and revenues generated abroad have risen to 25% of total revenues in 2007 from 19% in 2004. Although the firm has recently introduced a performance motorcycle for the European market, I think that it may find it difficult to deliver customized products for overseas markets while supporting its brand franchise. Risk Harleys revenues could be severely hurt by a further weakening of the global economy and increased reductions in consumer spending on high-ticket discretionary items, and the firm may not be able to securitize its receivables if the asset-backed security market is slow to recover. Harleys sales are focused on a thin demographic segment: 35- to 54-year-old males. In our opinion, the firm must broaden its appeal in order to secure its long-term profitability, but any missteps in marketing its products to other demographic segments could damage the brand. Harley-Davidsons brand resonates around the world, and it has particular strength in its key target market of 35- to 54-year-olds. Â  Historically, Harley has generated free cash flow at around 15% of revenues, allowing the firm to develop a strong track record of returning cash to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases. Â  Through the downturn, Harleys management has been careful to maintain spending on research and development and marketing, important steps in maintaining the strength of the brand, in our opinion. The firm has worked successfully with its network of dealers to significantly reduce dealer inventory over the last 12 months. Â  Harleys core demographic, the baby boomer generation, is aging, and thats likely to reduce demand for Harleys products in the future. In order to mitigate the negative impact on revenues, the firm must improve its penetration in other segments. * Harley is likely to continue to face some severe short-term head winds, with anemic consumer spending likely to hurt revenues through 2010. The large inventory of used Harley motorcycles is likely to contribute to Harleys near-term challenges, as a greater number of under-pressure consumers may opt for a cheaper used model in the secondary market. Â  The turmoil in the credit markets is likely to raise the cost of the short-term capital required to fund HDFS. Â  Despite raising the retail rate on its loans, I expect the operating margins of HDFS to come under severe pressure through 2009. HDFS may also find it difficult to raise financing for retail credit in the wholesale markets. This could restrict the number of loans the firm can make to customers and thwart the firms attempts to support retail sales volumes. Inventory Management in Harley Davidson Growth: Historically, the strong spending power of the baby boomers, Harleys core demographic, has been favourable for the motorbike manufacturer. As the baby boomers age, however, I expect slowing domestic revenue growth to be only partially mitigated by international expansion. Profile: Harley-Davidson is the worlds leading manufacturer of heavyweight motorcycles, parts, and accessories. It sells the Softail, Sportster, Dyna, Touring, and VRSC models under the Harley-Davidson name, and it also manufactures the Buell brand. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides wholesale financing to dealers and retail financing and insurance brokerage services to customers. Strategy: Harley leverages its strong brand to sell a broad range of motorcycling-related products. The firm is attempting to broaden its appeal to more demographic groups by expanding its product line-up. It is also focused on international expansion, and it has introduced a new performance-based bike in an attempt to increase its share in overseas markets. Management: I think the quality of corporate governance at Harley-Davidson is above average. I applaud the firm for splitting the chairman and CEO roles between two individuals, although I am concerned that the relationship between the two individuals serving in these roles may weaken the chairmans ability to provide independent oversight. CEO James Ziemers career at Harley blossomed under the leadership of former CEO and current Chairman Jeffrey L. Bluestein. In addition, although nine of the firms 12 directors meet the NYSE definition of independent, a total of six of them have served on the board for over a decade, and I believe that their long-term relationships with management, together with some related-party transactions, may further compromise their independence. Having said that, the Harley-Davidson board does contain a solid range of legal, accounting, and executive experience. Management compensation is skewed to long-term incentive components, and I think that this aligns the interests of the management team with those of shareholders. The firm has a strong track record of returning cash to shareholders, both through dividend disbursements and share buyback programs. Harley Reports Lower 3Q Earnings I am leaving our fair value estimate for Harley-Davidson in place following the release of third-quarter earnings, which were in line with our expectations. Revenue fell 8% year over year, to $1. 42 billion, as the economic downturn hurt retail sales volume, which declined 14%. The bright spot was international sales, but only a small part of the 11. 3% rise in international revenues was attributable to volume increases; most of the increase was caused by favourable currency movements. At Harley-Davidson Financial Services, the customer finance division, third-quarter earnings fell 28% from the same period last year, to $35. 6 million, because of lower securitization income and the write-down of some finance receivables held for sale. I was pleased to note that the firm is being proactive in securing alternative sources of funding for the finance division, in the event that it cannot raise funds in the unsecured debt market. However, we expect that Harleys funding requirements would be met comfortably by its bank credit facility, if required. Supply side Economic Scenario Given the continued macroeconomic deterioration and tightness in credit markets, I am raising our fair value uncertainty rating for Harley-Davidson. The companys growth has decelerated during the last three years, and year-over-year shipments were down 15% last quarter. In addition, we see significant downside risks to the contribution from Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Last quarter, financial services income was down 43% because of a $20 million reduction in securitization gains. Financial income was also affected by a $6 million write-down in retained securitization interests. Since that time credit markets have seized up, and its likely the firm will report increasing charge-offs on consumer loans in the coming quarters. Summary Business process reengineering is very critical for companies and industries which survive on innovation. Sometimes there are cases when old processes in the company are dying and their is a pressing need to rejuvenate then. This process of is known as business process reengineering. A company that does not innovate dies out in the market. Old operations over time die down and new process needs to be rebuilt into the system. This is where the concept of business processes engineering is very critical. The objective of the paper is to critically evaluate symptoms which suggests organisation to go for business process reengineering then come up with one of those symptoms and write a detailed analysis of it. References: http://www. emeraldinsight. com. / Gao, F, Li, M. Clarke, S. (2008). Knowledge, management, and knowledge management in business operations. Nonaka, I. (2005). Knowledge Management: Critical Perspectives on Business and Management. Taylor Francis. Tait, A Richardson, K. A. (2010). Complexity and Knowledge Management Understanding the Role of Knowledge in the Management of Social Networks. IAP Goldman, A. (n. d. ). Eliminating Bottlenecks. Retrieved 28th March, 2011, from http://www. gaebler. com (n. d. ). Retrieved Mar 27th, 2011, from Customer Relationship MAnagement: http://www. customerthink.com (n. d. ). Retrieved Mar 27th, 2011, from More is not value Proposition: http://sinekpartners. typepad. com Auction site. (n. d. ). Retrieved MAr 27th, 2011, from Harley Davidson Value: http://harleyauctionsite. com Harley Davidson USA. (2011, MAr 27). Retrieved Mar 17, 2011, from Harley Davidson: http://www. harley-davidson. com Impact Factory. (2010, Feb 2nd). Retrieved mar 27th, 2011, from http://www. impactfactory. com http://www. h-dsn. com/genbus/links. jsp Management Research Review. (2000) Johan Van Nimwegen, Brian H. Kleiner, Volume 23 issue 7/8.

Comparison of Platos The Last Days of Socrates and Hesses Siddhartha

Comparison of Plato's The Last Days of Socrates and Hesse's Siddhartha       The Last Days of Socrates and Siddhartha are sources that reveal information about religious or philosophical ideas in the cultures that they focus on. While vast differences exist between the Greek and Indian values that shape their philosophies, they make similar assumptions as they attempt to make sense of the world. Understanding the dichotomous relationship of the soul and the body is integral to grasping the similarities and differences between the classical Greek and Indian paths because the way in which these concepts are understood defines the very nature of truth.    Socrates, the main character in The Last Days of Socrates, and Siddhartha, the central figure in Siddhartha, are both portrayed as learned men searching for truth. The author of The Last Days of Socrates, Plato, conceived the document as a representation of Socrates' method of inquiry. Although it is a primary source from the period (429-347 B.C.E.), the reader must consider that The Last Days of Socrates is a re-creation of events that may have happened, not a verbatim account. Siddhartha is a secondary source that explains an Indian philosophical journey through the perspective of a twentieth century German author. Thus, one must consider the author's bias towards his subject and remember that the ideas presented are one scholar's interpretation of the legend. By attempting to compare and contrast both sources' approaches to truth, one can make some observations about the way Greek and Indian cultures view truth; keeping in mind that the sources each merely represent one account of the historical events and ideas.    Intrinsic to Siddhartha and Socrates' searche... ...th. By becoming aware of the separation of the soul and the body, the indestructible and immortal nature of the soul, and the impossibility of the soul understanding truth while bound to the body, one can begin to understand how this dichotomy has shaped Indian and ancient Greek philosophy.    Works Cited Baumer, Franz.   Hermann Hesse.   New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1970. Field, G.W.   Hermann Hesse.   Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1970. Hesse, Herman. Siddhartha. Dover Publications, 1998. Plato, The Last Days of Socrates.   Trans. Hugh Tredennick and Harold Tarrant.   London: Penguin, 1993. Welch, Carolyn Roberts.   Cliff's Notes on Hesse's Steppenwolf and Siddhartha. Lincoln: Cliff's Notes Inc., 1973. Ziolkowski, Theodore.   The Novels of Hermann Hesse: A Study in Theme and Structure. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1965.

The Rattler

Eva Wambura 8/29/12 Period 2 The Rattler Rough Draft In the passage â€Å"The Rattler† the writer uses details about the man, details about the snake, and details about the setting to lead the reader to feel sympathy for both the man and snake. The detail that shows sympathy for the man is when he’s out for a walk and he unexpectedly comes across the snake. The man’s first instinct was to â€Å"let him go on his way† and he would go on his. This shows that the man wasn’t really aggressive and really did not want to hurt the snake. The man then goes on to decide if he should kill the snake or not.But he â€Å"reflected that there were children, dogs, horses at ranch, as well as men and women† and his â€Å"duty, plainly, was to kill the snake. † His indecision leads you to have more sympathy for the man because he came on to his decision only because he thought it was his duty and if it wasn’t for that he would have let the snake go. Even after killing the snake the man didn’t â€Å"cut off the rattles for a trophy† and imagined seeing the snake â€Å"as he might have let him go, sinuous and self-respecting† showing that he felt guilty of taking the life of the snake.The details of the snake show more sympathy for it than for the man. When the man first comes upon the snake the â€Å"head wasn’t not drawn back to strike† and â€Å"was not even rattling yet, much less coiled. † This was a sign that the snake wasn’t going to attack the man but was merely watching to see what the man was going to do. When the man got his hoe to attack the snake with it â€Å"shot into a dense bush†. The snake’s action shows his nonviolent behavior by defending itself another way then just attacking the man. Then the snake â€Å"shook his fair but furious signal, quite sportingly†.It’s warning the man that if he continued further he has no choice but t o attack. But soon the man â€Å"hacked about, soon dragged him out of it with his back broken. † The details of the setting show sympathy for both the man and the snake. The man was just having his â€Å"first pleasant moment for a walk after long blazing hours† and thinking he was the â€Å"only thing abroad† encountered the snake and thinks that it’s endangering his people. In sympathy for the snake the man is the one who stepped into the snake’s habitat. The man not only trespassed but also ended up killing the snake in its own home.When the man and snake crossed paths the â€Å"light was thinning† and â€Å"the scrub’s dry savory odors were sweet on the cooler air†. The beauty of the setting makes you think that the snake was on its own walk through the desert. Even though man killed the snake for the good of others you can’t help but feel sympathy for both characters due to the details of the setting, the man, and the snake. The man doesn’t want to kill and doesn’t take satisfaction in taking life but goes on instead and kills the snake because of his duty even though the snake was minding its own business and wasn’t bothering anyone.

Environmental Studies Essays – Environmental Management Systems

Will Environmental Management Systems and associates Environmental Reporting enterprises aid the construct ofSustainable Development in application?The International Organization forStandardization ( ISO ) is a federation of non-governmental organisations ( NGOs ) created to lucubrate and better international criterions. The ISO initiallycreated general direction criterions ( the ISO 9000 Series ) for organizationsand industries that acknowledged the value of a systematic attack tomanagement. However, as economic growing and the environment have frequently been inconflict with one and other ( and industries today face many political, socialand economic force per unit areas to better their environmental public presentation – Gale, 1996 ) the ISO further developed the 14000 Series, which applied the same managementsystem as the 9000 Series to companies ‘ environmental issues ( The LexingtonGroup, 2005: 5 ) . The rules behind the ISO 14000 Series apply to any organisation, public or private, whose activities, merchandises or services interact straight or indirectly with the environment ( The Lexington Group, 2005 ) . The ISO 14000 Series rapidly becametheenvironmental policy criterion for companies to follow, and since its constitution in 1996 1000s of organisations have adopted the Environmental Management Systems ( EMSs ) . EMSs are used in the public and private spheres, at all graduated tables, from national to local authorities, and from big multi-national corporations to little in private owned concerns. This essay will discourse if, and towhat extent, EMSs ( and specifically the Environmental Reporting subordinate ) will help the construct of sustainable development in application. This essay isstructured as follows: foremost, it discusses the most of import of the ISO 14000standards, the EMS ; 2nd, it considers another ISO 14000 constituent, Environmental Reporting ; 3rd, it analyses and considers the variables andapplication of sustainable development ; 4th, it turns to a few instance studiesto exemplify how EMSs work in pattern ; and eventually, it draws some conclusionsabout how effectual these criterions are in helping the construct of sustainabledevelopment. Environmental Management Systems As discussed in the Introduction, the ISO 14000 Series was developed to use the ISO ‘s widely recognizedmanagement systems to a company ‘s environmental issues ( The Lexington Group,2005 ) . The EMS, or ISO standard 14001, rapidly became the internationallyrecognized model for environmental direction, measuring, rating andauditing ( GreenBiz, 2005: 1 ) . To name a few illustrations, the duties ofthe EMS include: making a elaborate environmental policy for an organisation, analyzing the environmental impact of its merchandises, activities and services, set uping environmental aims, helping the organisation in meetingits legal and regulative demands, supplying preparation to employees, andoverseeing the company ‘s auditing process. The EMS meets international criterions, but is tailored to specific operations, leting companies to command the environmental impact of their activities, merchandises, and services ( GreenBiz, 2005: 1 ) . Though an organisation could, ofcourse, set up these really guidelines and parametric quantities themselves, companiesoften find that ISO 14001 adherencehelps to run into the ever-increasingenvironmental criterions and concerns of the planetary market place ( GreenBiz,2005:1 ) . Other likely benefits for a company efficaciously implementing an EMSare legion and include, among others: . a more effectual and systematic attack to pull offing itsinteractions with the environment ( The Lexington Group, 2005 ) ; . bettering cost-effectiveness ( by salvaging the money and staff timenecessary to pull off environmental personal businesss independently – The Lexington Group,2005, every bit good as by bettering efficiency and in bend cut downing the costs ofenergy, stuffs, all right and punishments – Morrow and Rondinelli, 2002:162 ) ; . leting companies to convey their environmental policies moreeffectively to neighboring communities and other stakeholders ( The LexingtonGroup, 2005 ) ; . and bettering their image and pulling clients through theestablishment of a strong image of corporate duty ( Morrow andRondinelli, 2002: 163 ) . All of these benefits, of class, increase the likeliness that companies will assist lend to sustainabledevelopment. However, the cost and benefits of an EMS ( and in bend, theprobability that the EMS will play a function in sustainable development ) fluctuateconsiderably depending on a scope of standards. These might include: the type oforganization, its bingeco-efficiency, the organisation ‘s possible environmental impacts or hazards, the extent towhich a company antecedently implemented facets of environmental sustainability, and the premium placed on sustainability by the organisation ‘s stakeholders andcustomers ( The Lexington Group, 2005 ) . Whilst this subdivision has outlined EMSs and their possible beneifts, the undermentioned subdivision will discourse Environmental Reporting, its association and influence on EMS, and its part to the sustainable development of organisations. Environmental Coverage Corporate coverage is an essentialcomponent of concern direction. It is defined as the voluntary publicpresentation of information about an organisation ‘s non-financial public presentation -environmental, societal and economic – over a specified period, normally afinancial twelvemonth ( Department of Environment and Heritage, 2005: 1 ) . These can bemade public in a assortment of ways, including as a stand-alone papers, on a companywebsite, or as a constituent of an Annual Report ( Department of Environment andHeritage, 2005 ) . An Environmental Report is a cardinal constituent of the ISO 14000 Series, and an indispensable measure to increasing transparence and, as a consequence, answerability in a company ‘s environmental patterns ( Department of Environment and Heritage, 2005 ) . The pattern of Environmental Reporting is going more common because of force per unit area from stakeholders, every bit good as a general public demand for increased openness on environmental issues ( Kolk, 1999 ) . Further, some states have now begun to enforce legal duties on houses to bring forth Environmental Reports ( Kolk, 1999 ) . A Corporate Environmental Report ( CER ) is, in kernel, a agencies to leaving a company ‘s environmental performance.Arguably, the most of import map of the CER is to let the organizationto evaluate its observation of the environmental policies, ends and objectivesset out in its EMS ( United Nations Environment Programme, 2005 ) . It is alsoused to: exhibit a company ‘s EMS and corporate duty ; show tokey stakeholders, every bit good as to clients, that it is following with theirdemands ; assist a company path its ain advancement and place internal strengthand failings ( United Nations Environment Programme, 2005 ) ; and measure itscurrent public presentation and put farther hereafter ends. The general social demand for increased transparence on environmental issues, and in bend environmental coverage, is exemplified by the fact that the most complete studies are published by industries with hapless or controversial public images, i.e. , the chemical or lumber industries ( Davis-Walling and Batterman, 1997 ) . In so long as there is objectivityand honestness, environmental coverage can be conducted either internally orexternally ( Rice, 2005 ) . Undeniably, for environmental coverage to beworthwhile, it must be believable, and there is increasing force per unit area from twospecific waies to verify environmental studies: foremost, there is asignificant move from environmental statements and purposes to quantified, comparable, verifiable, and even verified information ( Kolk, 1999: 225 ) ; andsecond, the demand of independent, third-party confirmation andcertification as an about expected component of every worthwhile attempt ( Rice, 2005: 1 ) . Though Environmental Reporting hasa large function to play in helping the long-run sustainability of an organisation, it is however a procedure plagued with jobs. Research seems to indicatethat environmental coverage is typically lacking and non of a standard tosatisfy the information demands of assorted categories of study readers ( Deegan andRankin, 1999 ) . An independent survey of the environmental studies of the Fortune50 houses found that none provided information that was sufficient forcomprehensive or comparative analyses of environmental public presentation ( Davis-Walling and Batterman, 1997: 1432 ) . Research suggests that one of thebiggest jobs is that a company can get down its environmental reportingwhenever it wants, and that this frequently leads to dissatisfactory consequences. Environmental Reporting, so, typically comes before the EMS, and could therefore merely act as a statement ofobjectives, and non the researched and analysed study on the achievement ofenvironmental aims under an EMS that it ‘s meant to be. To be practicaland effective ( and non merely a statement of environmental policies ) environmental coverage should truly be developed farther along theimplementation of the ISO 14000 Series. Additionally, it should be a continuousprocess, and referred back to once more and once more in an effort to consolidate theEMS and efficaciously analyze the companies ‘ advancement. This chronology supports the ISOspecification that organisations seekuninterruptedbetterment: bycontinually describing, as opposed to supplying a one-off initial study, organisations can repeatedly measure and accommodate their EMS. In kernel, it isimportant to underscore that the CER is a agency to environmental betterment andgreater answerability, non an terminal in itself ( United Nations EnvironmentProgramme, 2005: 1 ) . Consideration of the variables and application of Sustainable Development The term ‘Sustainable Development'was foremost used in 1987 inOur Common Future, besides known as theBrundtland Report of the United Nations ‘ Commission on Environment andDevelopment ( WCED ) . The definition offered by the Brundtland Report is stillthe most normally used today, and describes Sustainable Development merely, andarguably mistily, as development that meets the demands of the present withoutcompromising the ability of future coevalss to run into their demands ( WCED, 1987:43 ) . Sustainability is frequently regarded as the ‘buzz-word ‘ of development policy in the 21stCentury. Indeed, as The Economist competently stated: No 1 in their right head is against ‘sustainable development ‘ . Everyone thinks it would be terrific if there were less poorness, less pollution, less disease, less war, less corruptness ( 2002 ) . As an umbrella-term, its WCED definition has been instrumental in making a consensus, but less helpful in making and sketching a model for its accomplishment. Presently, there are in the part of 70 different definitions for Sustainable Development, and each allows organisations to construe the term in whatever manner they see fit. For that ground, EMS and Environmental Reporting are particularly of import for giving public and private administrations likewise, from a national to a local degree, the standardized model necessary non merely for showing their committedness to the pattern of sustainability, but for doing progress towards its existent accomplishment. As mentioned in the Introduction, economic growing and the environment are frequently regarded as being at odds, andthe ISO 14000 Standards are peculiarly of import for assisting organizationsand industry to make their coveted degree of sustainability, and to incorporatethe environment into their general model. Determining an EMS is anorganization ‘s first, and most critical measure in set uping what itsenvironmental facets are, and how it is traveling to cover with them. That said, any organisation can develop an EMS, and though it is an of import startingpoint, it proves small about an organisation ‘s sustainability in and ofitself. Environmental Reporting is hence indispensable non merely to move as the company ‘s ain environmental audit, but to show to stakeholders and society that they are so carry oning themselves in a sustainable mode. Furthermore, accomplishing sustainability is a complicated and long-run ( if non lasting ) procedure ; Environmental Reporting allows a company non merely to measure its achievements, but besides the chance to re-evaluate its mark. The undermentioned subdivision outlines some instance surveies of how organisations have used EMS and Environmental Reporting to minimise their environmental impact. Case Studies This subdivision will show a fewcase surveies to exemplify the value of EMSs and Environmental Reporting. Eachcase survey has been selected to demo scope in the pertinence of thestandards every bit good as to show their usage in both the populace and privatesectors. Solid Waste Management Division, Department of Public Works. Berkeley, California, USA. Description The Solid Waste Management Divisionis Berkeley ‘s municipal waste aggregation and disposal installation. It collectsplant dust, garbage and recycling from about 40,000 residential andcommercial belongingss, every bit good as runing a transportation station, anoil-recycling terminal, and a slump and buy-back recycling Centre. The SolidWaste Management System decided to implement an EMS ( affecting approximately 25 per centum of their 102 employees ) for a assortment of grounds, including: improving thefacility ‘s environmental public presentation, every bit good as employees participation inthis betterment ; doing the peculiar division consistent with the City'soverall environmental rules ; the EMS ‘ value as a marketing/publicrelations tool ; the decrease of costs ; and eventually, an increased competitiveadvantage. Decisions Through implementing an EMS, theSolid Waste Management Division was able to jointly find whatenvironmental impacts the installation had, or might hold in the hereafter. These werethen ranked and ends set to decrease the environmental impact of the facility.These included: extinguishing 98 per cent of dust atoms, cut downing theelectricity used by 250Kwh yearly, bettering the control of hazardousmaterials brought into the site by 75 per cent, adding three mailings per yearto enhance consumer engagement in recycling aggregation, cut downing waterconsumption by 25 per cent, and cut downing figure of pickups scheduled to reducefuel ingestion and emanations. Some of the direct benefits andcontributions to Sustainable Development have been: a decrease in airpollution for the full City of Berkeley ; deriving regard and bettercooperation from the Department of Public Works, including budget alterations ; andconsultation by other City of Berkeley Departments and other Solid Wastepractices all over the United States. Additionally, carry oning an EnvironmentalReport to find the effects of the EMS allowed the installation non merely to hum betterments that it had already made, but to analyze them and put newtargets such as: revising the occupation descriptions, rerouting to cut down the numberof stat mis covered each twenty-four hours, and implementing a new dust suppression system. Beacon Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, United Kingdom. Description One facet of the Beacon Council'sEnvironmental Reporting System is a to the full computerised monitoring andtargeting ( M & A ; T ) system for measuring public presentation at all 600 of theirbuildings. Datas from all public-service corporation suppliers ( including electricity, gas, coal, oil, biomass, and H2O ) are recorded in the specializer system. These are thenmonitored and benchmarked against national public presentation, and make the abilityto instigate disciplinary action to better public presentation. Decisions As reported by the Beacon Council, the M & A ; T system carries out the undermentioned maps: sets energy marks andmonitors public presentation ; sets energy budgets and controls expenditure ; validatesand verifies measures and recovers overcharges ; and proctors and reduces CO2emissions. The continual coverage of the M & A ; T system has been critical in itsconstant monitoring and improving of the Beacon Council ‘s environmentalsustainability. Gillepsie Decals, Inc. Wilsonville, Oregon, USA. Description Gillepsie Decals, Inc. is a40-employee screen-printing company in Oregon. To develop an EMS, the companytook the undermentioned stairss: foremost, it developed its environmental policy ; 2nd, it identified the company ‘s environmental facets and so ranked them in orderof importance ; and 3rd, it set out environmental ends and developed programsto achieve them. Decisions The company made a figure ofimprovements and took important stairss towards accomplishing environmentalsustainability. Two notable illustrations are: one, they reduced the sum ofwaste ink by developing criterions for ink commixture, and a computing machine record ofcolours and mixes for repetition occupations ; and two, they reduced their H2O use by requestinginformation from other companies on their H2O recycling systems, bypurchasing bottled imbibing H2O for employees ( and thereby bettering employeespirits ) ; and by put ining low-flush lavatory theoretical accounts. Gillespie ‘s have stated their committedness to uninterrupted environmental betterment, and have decided to develop other environmental facets in the hereafter. It is ill-defined whether Gillespie ‘s carried out Environmental Reporting, but it is evident that this procedure would be utile for both corroborating the environmental betterments already made, and finding what remains to be done to accomplish the coveted degree of sustainability. Decision EMS and Environmental Reportingwill so assistance in the construct of Sustainable Development in application. TheCase Studies in the old subdivision demonstrated some of the positive resultsof an organisation ‘s execution of an EMS. All three illustrations illustratedhow an EMS, and Environmental Reporting, contribute to the improvedenvironmental public presentation of the establishments in inquiry. The Gillespie CaseStudy was a really small-scale illustration of EMS that demonstrated how the systemcould work even for a little company. Furthermore, the first two instance surveies surely are a presentation of how the EMS and Environmental Reporting can lend to more than merely their establishments environmental public presentation. In the Berkeley illustration, it showed non merely how an EMS can lend to Sustainable Development for the individual establishment, but besides how this affects the metropolis as a whole, and can act upon similar establishments nation- ( or even world- ) broad. The Beacon Council Case Study is a utile illustration of how EMS can do non merely environmental sense, but fiscal sense as good. The first two illustrations besides servedto exemplify what a critical constituent Environmental Reporting truly is. Theyvalidated Rice ‘s line of concluding that for an EMS to be effectual, theEnvironmental Reporting non merely has to happen, but occur continuously.Environmental Reporting demands to be pushed farther down the time-line of theISO 14000 Series, and be something that occurs after the EMS has beenimplemented ( so it acts non merely as a statement of aims but as an actualreport ) , and on a continual footing because sustainability it non a one-off andsimple accomplishment. The Gillespie illustration is hence a utile illustration of how EMS can be effectual, but without consistent re-evaluation and uninterrupted coverage, the first set of alterations are improbable to be followed by another set. If this is the instance, an organisation ‘s environmental public presentation will at best remain dead, but more likely diminution, alternatively of continuously bettering. This will surely non help the construct of Sustainable Development in application. EMS and Environmental Reporting arenot, nevertheless, the Panacea for Sustainable Development. Reviews of thestandards that are proffered merely because they do non vouch SustainableDevelopment are contrary, and hazard throwing out the babe with the bathwater, or rejecting the indispensable with the unessential. EMS and EnvironmentalReporting are instead two individual parts of a possible solution with an infinitenumber of constituents. They should be seen, and valued, as such. Plants Cited Berkeley, City of ( 2005 )Solid Waste Management Division, Department of Public WorksCase Study, available from Eco-efficiency is the primary manner in which concerns can lend to theconcept of sustainable developmentThe vision of eco-efficiency is merely toproduce more from less. Reducing waste and pollution, and utilizing fewer energyand natural stuffs is evidently good for the environment. It is alsoself-evidently good for concern because it cuts companies ‘ costs, excerptsfrom the Bulleting of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development ( The Lexington Group, 2005: 6 ) .

The Sign of Four Essay Example

The Sign of Four Essay Example The Sign of Four Paper The Sign of Four Paper The opening lines suggest that Holmes is a drug addict, alternating between morphine and cocaine, displayed when Watson asks:What is it today? I asked, morphine or cocaine? The drugs have physically taken their toll on Holmes, his white fingers take the needle before injecting the drug in to his sinewy forearm. Watson clearly objects to Holmes use of drugs, but is reluctant to protest, despite his knowledge of the dangers of drugs. Holmes accepts Watsons medical opinion, possibly because he is an army surgeon, however this is one of the rare times where Holmes acknowledges what Watson has to say. Watson is in awe of Holmes, he admires his great powers and repeatedly describes Holmes in an admirable fashion. Holmes can not stand being without work, and he takes drugs to pass the time, because he is restless. His mind rebels at stagnation. Holmes has an inflated opinion of himself, as he describes himself as superior over the police force, and that when Gregson, or Lestrade, or Athelney Jones are out of their depths which is their normal state, the matter is laid before me.  Holmes tends to show no emotion throughout the novel, the first time he shows this is in his critiscism of Watsons work you have attempted to tinge it with romantiscism. He says detection ought to be treated in an unemotional manner. Watson however, displays emotion frequently and it often hampers him in his work, but the romance was there he replies to Holmes critiscism. Watson looks up to Holmes almost like an older brother, and writes A Study in Scarlet specifically to please (him). Watson is irritated by (Holmes) egotism. His egotism surfaces again when he speaks of his French detective colleague. Watson describes the way the Frenchman speaks as a pupil to his master. Holmes is very knowledgable. He has several monographs, and he uses his knowledge to help him in his detection. Holmes takes the smallest details in to account or has Watson puts it an extraordinary genius for minutiae. Holmes uses his observations to deduce his answer, often assuming the most logical explanation, but not expecting an entirely accurate answer. Morstan seems confident from the way Watson describes her, she has a firm step. She possibly had a wealthy upbringing, but has recently come in to financial trouble. She is dressed in perfect taste but her clothes suggested they were created with limited means. Her lip (trembles) as she meets with Holmes, showing she is nervous.  Holmes delights at the prospect of a challenge, he rubbed his hands and his eyes glistened, for it means he has something to tax his mind with. He takes note of everything, opening his notebook. Marston must have been deeply saddened choking sob, and she can recall every detail, such as the exact day of the disappearance third of December 1878. It appears that many people seek guidance from Homles, examples include the Frenchman, Watson, Marston and later Athelney Jones. Watson must feel affection for her, as he gives her a admirable description in the opening paragraph, and that he replied ferverently to her question. He confirms this by calling her an attractive woman after her departure. Holmes is indifferent to this, prompting Watson to call him inhuman sometimes, rearding his lack of emotion. Holmes tells Watson not to allow your judgement to be biased by personal qualities. Holmes appears to be more upbeat when his mind his taxed. Holmes speaks to Watson as a pupil. He asks him questions that he already knows the answer to. Holmes is almost a mentor to Watson. At the end of the paragraph, Watson tries to convert to Holmes pattern of thinking by calling Marston a unit.  Holmes suffers from severe mood swings, a mood which alternated with fits of the blackest depression this is probably caused by his drugs. Watson seems to do a lot for Holmes, he poured out (tea) for him, but Holmes does not seem to do much in reply, concerning house keeping. When it comes to detective matters, Watson never disagrees with Holmes, ever. Holmes is very confident in his ability, which links in with his egotism. However, he takes no chances, and took his revolver with him.  Marston must have been close to Papa as she has a pet name for him. Watson describes a very gloomy scene outside, the mud coloured clouds drooped sadly. While Marston and Watson are slightly affected by emotion, Holmes rises superior over something as petty as emotion. Watson and Marston seem like excited children compared to the unflappable Homles.  Watson has clearly been used to a wealthy lifestyle, he shows this in the scornful way he describes the third rate house. Holmes shows this same first classness about him when he describes the area as not very fashionable. Watson is very distrustful towards the bald headed man as he gives a very negative description of him and his home. The home is described as sordid and common. Thaddeus lives with quite luxurious and Oriental furnishings such as a hookah. Watson has become very defensive for Marstons sake, which could be taken as sign of his affection for her. Thaddeus seems to be a trusting man towards his close companions, but he opposes the police or rough crowds. He describes Bartholomew as more superior to him. He must also have had a very wealthy upbring as he speaks of having to pay a large sum to hush it up. Major Sholto seems to have been greedy and more concerned of damaging his reputation than anything else, even at the expense of his friend. While Thaddeus seems very apologetic, and in giving the pearls to Marston he attempts to apologise, Bartholomew appears to have inherited his fathers greediness, and was reluctant to give over the pearls. Thaddeus seems to be in awe of his brother, who used Holmes-like methods to find the treasure. Thaddeus seems to be able to rise above the temptation of the treasure, whilst the others, apart from Holmes, seem entranced by the thought.

B2b In SmeS Perspectives And Future Challenges

? B2b In Sme? S: Positions And Future Challenges? , Essay, Research Paper Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose and Content The Forrester study ( Feb. 2000 ) in an article entitled? eMarketplaces Boost B2B Trade. ? Predicts that? B2B ( concern to concern ) e-commerce will make $ 2.7 trillion in 2004. While Internet trade between single spouses will go on to boom, eMarketplaces will fuel most of the growing making 53 % of all online concern trade in five years. ? These figures would propose that it is imperative that SME? s embrace the e-commerce universe that is blossoming around them, to disregard it, could be the concern equivalent of harakiri. In this thesis entitled? B2B in SME? s: Positions and Future Challenges? , The chances and challenges faced by SME? s in the B2B environment will be examined in item. Disruptive engineerings and reiterating forms in retailing will be reviewed and the new developing schemes and concern theoretical accounts available utilizing the Internet will be discussed and the benefits they bring to both purchasers and Sellerss will be investigated as portion of the research survey. Primary research will be conducted, analysed, reviewed and presented to exemplify the manner in which SME directors? position B2B commercialism. The research inquiries steering the reported work will be detailed subsequently. 1.2 E-commerce: An Introduction Electronic Commerce ( e-commerce ) is a agency of utilizing the power of computing machines, the Internet and shared package to direct and have merchandise specifications and drawings ; commands, purchase orders and bills ; and any other type of informations that needs to be communicated to clients, providers, employees or the public. ( thirty ) E-commerce is the new, profitable manner to behavior concern which goes beyond the simple motion of information and expands electronic minutess from point-of-sale demands, finding and production programming, right through to invoicing, payment and reception. E-commerce utilizations cardinal criterions and engineerings including Electronic Data Interchange, Technical Data Interchange, Hypertext Mark-up Language, extensile Mark-up Language, and the Standard for Exchange of Product theoretical account informations. E-commerce is made possible through the expanded engineerings of the Internet, the World Wide Web, and Value-Added Networks. The Internet is making unprecedented and apparently infinite chances for both its concerns and clients. Yet it is altering so fast that the velocity of alteration and the sheer figure of picks available to companies frequently overwhelm directors and clients likewise. In add-on to this the regulations of the Web are somewhat different to those of traditional concerns. E-commerce is non constrained by the regulations that have restricted companies historically in the normal codifications of concern behavior. Companies can now put new criterions in profitableness and efficiency. This is turn leads to the consumer, in either the concern to concern ( B2B ) sector or concern to client ( B2C ) sector, acquiring the right merchandise, in the right clip, to the right topographic point for the right monetary value, this will be referred to as the retail merchants mission. ( Thirty ) An extra property of the Internet is that it lacks a cardinal authorization, in other words, there is no? Internet, Inc. ? which controls the Internet. Beyond the assorted government boards that work to set up policies and criterions, the Internet is bound by few regulations and replies to no individual administration. 1.3 Disruptive Technologies ? A riotous engineering enables advanced companies to make new concern theoretical accounts that alter the economic sciences of their industry? . ( Christensen and Bower 1995 ) In retailing the Internet is non the first such break that came with the outgrowth of the section shop and was closely followed by the mail order catalogue. Then followed price reduction section shops and eventually, in the early 1990? s came the Internet, the 4th disrupter. Internet companies such as Amazon.com are altering the manner things are bought and sold. These Internet companies pose powerful menaces to rivals with more conventional concern theoretical accounts. ? As with earlier breaks, Internet retailing has ab initio focused on simple ware. The inquiry is how fast will e-tailers travel upmarket? ? Evans and Wurster ( 1999 ) 1.4 Retailing Forms ? The Past may non state us everything about the hereafter of electronic commercialism but it reveals more than we anticipate? Christensen and Tedlow ( 2000 ) . Retailing since its origin has been all about profitableness. Profitableness is mostly determined by two factors: borders and the frequence at which stocks can be turned over. However, while such breaks change the economic sciences if an industry they do non needfully hold to consequence profitableness. Department shops in the early 1900? s were gaining a gross border of 40 % this coupled with an mean stock list turnover of three times per annum, gave an one-year return on capital invested of 120 % . The price reduction section shops so operated with gross borders of 23 % with one-year stock list turnover of five, giving 115 % , a figure rather similar to their predecessors. The 4th retailing break is now underway, instituted by the Internet, a company like Amazon.com can turn their stock list over a astonishing 25 times a tw elvemonth, a simple generation now determines that a gross border of 5 % is merely necessary to vie with their traditional challengers. It is clearly seeable that the Internet is presenting unusually good on three out of four points of the retail merchant? s mission, with the exclusion being clip. 1.5 Deductions for SME? s in Ireland The reported work seeks to analyze such alterations in an Irish context and measure the deductions of Internet alterations for the SME sector in Ireland. Specifically, the undertaking will analyze managerial attitudes and sentiments towards B2B commercialism and the challenges faced by such companies in the germinating Internet economic system. The undermentioned research inquiries are of significance to the survey: Is there an apprehension of e-commerce, the Internet and B2B amongst SME directors? Are they familiar with the ways of to the full using B2B? What are the chances for engagement in B2B? What are the benefits for engagement in B2B? Are at that place effects if non? What investings are necessary in preparation and development? What manner will it consequence bing concern relationships? Chapter 2 The Evolving E-commerce Economy 2.1 Introduction This thesis will analyze B2B minutess in an SME context and will seek to find the nature and extent of B2B among little concerns in the Southeast part. The alteration the Internet offers, is the improved efficiency in interchanging information. The dealing costs have declined and it is easier and cheaper for a company to interchange information with other companies. Enormous information engineering investings are no longer needed to interact with supply concatenation spouses electronically. The solutions should be within range for all companies independent of size. 2.2 Definitions of E-commerce ? E-commerce is the ability to execute minutess affecting the exchange or usage of goods or services between two or more parties utilizing electronic tools and techniques? . Treese and Stewart ( 1998 ) Some chief engineerings have made e-commerce feasible? World Wide Web, Electronic Data Interchange ( EDI ) , Electronic Fundss Transfer ( EFT ) and E-mail. ? EDI is the inter-organisational, computer-to-computer exchange of concern certification in a criterion, machine-processable format. EFT was designed to optimize electronic payments with electronically provided remittal information. ? Kalakota and Whinston ( 1997 ) E-commerce provides the capableness of purchasing and merchandising merchandises and information via telephone lines, computing machine webs, and other electronic agencies. The Internet, the largest web of computing machine webs, is the medium normally favoured for electronic commercialism because it allows an administration to cut service costs while increasing the velocity of service bringing. E-commerce is considered a primary agencies by which administrations may spread out quickly into the high growing emerging markets of the universe. This is possible because, foremost as multinational companies become skilled in their usage of the Internet, they will be able to prosecute planetary electronic commercialism more expeditiously, salvaging of import advertisement, communicating, and administrative costs. Second, the Internet can increase reactivity by advising single clients when new merchandises in their countries of involvement become available and by making customised merchandises and services. Third and eventually, multinational companies utilizing the Internet can increase their cognition about consumer wonts, be able to specify tendencies, and turn consumer statistics into long-run client relationships. Boudreau et Al ( 1998 ) 2.3 B2B E-commerce Forrester Research defines business-to-business e-commerce as? inter-company trade in which the concluding order is placed over the Internet? . The definition is constricted, since the order is merely one of the minutess needed between merchandising spouses. It is? Information and telecommunication enabled coaction across horizontal and perpendicular value ironss? . ( Eloranta 2000 ) E-business creates a platform for co-ordinating demand/supply ironss and wider concern webs. Another facet at micro degree is that e-business makes it possible to capture a huge figure of one-to-one relationships. E-business theoretical accounts are? all the concern theoretical accounts utilizing the Internet as a agency of information bringing? ( Huttunen 2000 ) . This definition is embracing, since it includes all sorts of relationships. B2B e-commerce was born out of an effort to work out an administrative job. It developed a new computing machine criterion to manage these demands, which became known as EDI, Electronic Data Interchange. Today its descendent, XML, a igniter, simpler informations interchange criterion is used by B2B sites. Simple e-commerce sites foremost appeared in 1992. The early e-commerce sites were practical catalogues, merely naming merchandises for sale. Ordering was off-line, through electronic mail, phone or facsimile. By 1996 the engineering had advanced greatly to bring forth practical shops with shopping carts, client histories and, with the development of protocols such as Secure Socket Layer, enabled clients to order and pay for their purchase on-line straight by recognition card. ( World Wide Web. Shelron.com? E-commerce: A Brief History? . 2000 ) B2B e-commerce rapidly became popular with consumers and providers. For clients, it was fast, easy and efficient, leting them to compare merchandises, monetary value and service before purchase. For providers, it allowed them to make an limitless international audience, 24 hours a twenty-four hours, 7 yearss a hebdomad at decreased costs. Today e-commerce is widely used and turning fast. B2B is the largest, fastest turning and most profitable market. Harmonizing to the Internet Development Company ( IDC ) , this twelvemonth, it is expected to account for two tierces of universe broad e-commerce. B2C is besides expected to turn, boosted by Broadband ( high-speed ) Internet entree to more online families. Future progresss include digital money and e-wallets, and # 8216 ; personal agents # 8217 ; that aid users find what they are looking for and of class WAP phones. Sites can work with fulfilment Centres supplying clients with first-class service and providers with information, and ca n back up the newest tendency for human interaction in e-commerce client service. 2.4 The Importance of the Internet in B2B trade In an AT Kearney Report ( AT Kearney, 1999 ) possible channel schemes that the Internet offers are outlined as follows: a ) Selling B ) Electronic selling, advertisement and publicity degree Celsius ) Digital distribution of goods and services vitamin D ) After-market merchandises and client support In the country of operations, the undermentioned utilizations of the Internet have been listed ( AT Kearney, 1999 ) : a ) Online publications and communications B ) Procurement and sourcing degree Celsius ) Digital co-operatives vitamin D ) Transportation system and logistics vitamin E ) Digital supply concatenation degree Fahrenheit ) Digital constellation g ) Global communicating and production H ) Integrated enterprise resource planning systems I ) Variable pricing 2.5 Some Impacts of the Internet on Business-to-Business ( B2B ) E-commerce It has already been suggested that the Internet will revolutionize the traditional ways of making concern ; and it will besides convey alterations for the B2B sector. These may be detailed as follows: a ) Entree to more spouses, clients or providers If within consumer concerns there exists an chance to make a broad group of consumers, in the B2B country at that place besides exists an chance to make more providers, even globally. It is non a job to portion gross revenues and stock list information with more providers with company benefits through lower buying monetary values. B ) Outsourcing and specialization Manufacturers and distributers are in a more hard state of affairs. While demands have grown, velocity, truth, service degree and customisation demands are high. While specialization is needed, outsourcing has become more attractive as it is more cost-efficient than earlier thanks to more efficient communicating. Henriott ( 1999 ) However, non all companies outsource their production. They fear losing control over rational belongings and quality or leaking inventions to rivals. They besides want to maintain in touch with clients and industry tendencies. Engardio ( 1998 ) degree Celsius ) The altering function of the client Relationships may alter in B2B e-commerce. Customer know-how is employed in many e-commerce instances, as the client has the installation to configure the merchandise required and in some instances the control of the supply concatenation is besides client controlled. The client is now more demanding and is pleased to acquire information about the bringing phases. A more active client now exists and performs tasks old carried out by the provider. The terminal consequence, a more satisfied client. Henriott ( 1999 ) , Slywotzky ( 2000 ) In incorporate supply chains the spouses become more loyal, the relationships deeper and the ties between the companies stronger. However, the Internet offers the client a manner to seek out lowest monetary values and forms a menace for strong trueness. Slywotzky ( 2000 ) Prahalad ( 2000 ) Customers are equipped with more information utilizing e-commerce. They become more demanding and this requires the supply concatenation to be flexible, speedy and accurate. As clients control the supply concatenation, the power displacements from providers to clients. vitamin D ) The altering constructions Lancioni et Al. ( 2000 ) in an article? The Role of the Internet in Supply Chain Management? Predict that supply ironss will shorten as a effect of B2B e-business. Companies may be in direct communicating with clients, industrial or consumers, when it is a inquiry of gross revenues or selling. But, because outsourcing additions, there will be instances where supply chains become longer and/or more complicated. vitamin E ) Better service degrees The article farther lineations that? quality degrees of the operations will increase in B2B e-commerce. Tradeoffs are no longer needed, ends refering service degrees and stock list degrees, for illustration, are no longer options. However, the demands and outlooks have grown excessively. What was antecedently regarded as an first-class service may now be taken as a given. degree Fahrenheit ) Collaboration ? In the country of supply concatenation direction, the usage of the Internet is on a rather low degree. A study of the function of the Internet in supply concatenation direction? ( Lancioni et al. 2000 ) indicated that the Internet seems to be used merely in individual minutess. The study did non concentrate on coaction or the alterations in the construction of a supply concatenation caused by the Internet. There appears to be huge possibilities that remain fresh. 2.6 The Impact of B2B E-commerce for Irish SME? s Jim Coffey, SoftCo CEO, addressed the Chartered Accountants in Business Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland, 26 September 2000. He saying that? B2B ecommerce is all about set uping win-win trading relationships. Astute concerns view the Internet as a omnipresent web, enabling them to streamline their supply ironss, enter moneymaking new markets and trade electronically. The New Economy demands that administrations rethink their existing concern schemes, as those that do non take an aggressive attack and follow new and advanced concern theoretical accounts could happen themselves at a terrible competitory disadvantage? Further McGowan has suggested that? I see electronic commercialism is nil less than a revolution, which will alter the footing of making concern? McGowan ( 1999 ) Electronic Commerce represents as Kieran McGowan justly pointed out nil less than a revolution in the manner concern is carried out. As the reported work has indicated before, e-commerce basically changes the concern environment. It leads to different mediators, new merchandises, new markets and new concern consumer relationships every bit good as new channels for spreading cognition and for interaction in the workplace. The potency is immense as Irish B2B ecommerce minutess are predicted to turn from $ 500million in 1996 to $ 62 billion by the year-end 2000. McGuinness ( 1999 ) The SME sector is critical to the economic success of the Irish state, given the part of little concern to economic growing and occupation creative activity. Business with under 50 employees account for 98 % of the state # 8217 ; s concerns and more than 90 % of Irish concerns employ fewer than 10 people. Harmonizing to the National Competitiveness Council # 8217 ; s Annual Competitiveness Report 1998, SME # 8217 ; s are an indispensable component of national fight. A well-developed and vivacious SME sector will be an of import beginning of invention. Most new houses begin in the SME sector and they can besides be a genteelness land for new merchandises and services. 2.7 The Irish Situation Given the above statistics, it would be just to state that B2B e-commerce offers legion chances to concerns, but are Irish SME? s taking advantage of the chances afforded to them by e-commerce, specifically in the concern to concern context. The Annual Competitiveness Report 1998 points out that in general IT applications are used less by SME? s than by larger concerns. The chief grounds for this are the high costs associated with the applications, their hapless suitableness to the demands of the little concern and the SME? s ain deficiency of IT knowledge. The study besides points out that SME? s are besides at a disadvantage with respect to telecommunication costs. Unlike larger endeavors they are non they are non in a place to negociate bulk price reductions. Given these barriers it would look improbable that Irish SME? s are prehending the chances offered by ecommerce. A recent study by the Information Society Commission besides had some distressing statistics sing the usage of information engineering by SME? s. While 62 % of big companies in Ireland see new engineerings as indispensable, merely 22 % of little companies do. A distressing 25 % of SME? s feel that new engineerings will hold small or no impact on their fight. These are issues of importance. 2.8 the Southeast state of affairs Mary Harney T.D. , An T? naiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment officially launched the Wales A ; Ireland e-commerce ( WIRECOM ) enterprise in Ireland. WIRECOM is an Interreg supported inaugural designed to assist SMEs in the South East of Ireland and West Wales place how e-Commerce can help in the development of their concern. It is envisaged that, with the aid of WIRECOM, Southeast SMEs will be better prepared and resourced to vie in the e-commerce universe of the hereafter. Talking at the launch the T? naiste said # 8220 ; The planetary nature of modern communicating engineerings will shrivel the planet and make off with the obstruction of distance. This presents many chances for little concern. Small concern has the quality of flexibleness, rapidly accommodating to a quickly altering environment and reacting to new market conditions and alterations originating from such things as economic restructuring, technological alteration and new production methods. Today # 8217 ; s launch of an advanced new e-Commerce enterprise, will ease advanced SMEs in successfully viing in the planetary marketplace. # 8221 ; Initial research by the WIRECOM undertaking squad has revealed that the acceptance of e-commerce by SMEs in the South East of Ireland is dawdling behind that of the National norm.# 8220 ; We have found that although there is strong general consciousness of e-Commerce amongst the concern community in the South East, there is still a reluctance or awkwardness to implement e-Commerce tools such as e-mail and online merchandising which is at discrepancy with National tendencies. # 8221 ; said Patrick Munden Project Manger WIRECOM.# 8220 ; Merely 35 % of fabrication companies in the South East usage electronic mail and an even lower figure ( 12 % ) have implemented web sites or electronic catalogues # 8221 ; , he continued. These statistics when viewed against the recent findings of the Information Society committee, which stated that the National norm for e-mail use is 80 % and Website execution at 55 % , indicate that concern in the Southeast is dawdling behind. The WIRECOM undertaking will turn to these issues and is offering free e-Commerce ratings to selected SMEs in the Southeast which will be undertaken by experient concern advisers from the South East Business Innovation Centre, in association with research helpers from the Waterford Institute of Technology. Advisers will see the SME, learn its procedures, discourse its concern issues and place how e-commerce can better concern efficiencies. Research will so set up how e-commerce is impacting on that SME? s peculiar Industry and place what providers, rivals and clients are making online. A study is so presented to the SME detailing the options available and urging possible schemes for the best manner frontward. If an SME has already implemented e-commerce tools, such as a Website, the undertaking advisers can give a non-biased position of its effectivity and will place selling techniques to increase the site? s productivity and the overall benefit of the site to the SME. The undertaking is unfastened to all little and average sized companies in fabrication or Internationally Traded Services in the Southeast part and is being operated in concurrence with several bureaus in West Wales where a similar programme for Welsh SMEs is presently in operation. The undertaking is funded by the EU Interreg II Programme and will be running until March 2001. Chapter 3 B2B: The Challenges and Potential Benefits for the SME Sector. 3.1 Introduction: B2B E-commerce Potential Benefits and Challenges A 3 Com proficient paper Anon 2000: ? Business to Business Electronic Commerce. Market Landscapes and Solutions? States there is a broad scope of possible benefits actuating today? s SME? s to set about B2B e-commerce enterprises, including the followers: a ) Cost decrease via improved logistics and direction. The chances range from basic electronic information bringing to easing transactional exchanges of information. Such applications can make tighter links among concern spouses, bettering the efficiency of the assorted support maps involved in conveying merchandises to market. B ) Improved competitory position. Rapid growing, efficient decrease of merchandise time-to-market, and optimization of merchandise distribution channels contribute to a superior competitory place. degree Celsius ) Improved internal information entree. Quantitative and qualitative betterments to information entree for forces can give large final payments for the SME. Business countries such as the development of concern chances and concern scheme are peculiarly rich in this regard. In the emerging networked economic system, established companies are happening that they must follow B2B e-commerce in order to fend off competition. Newer, smaller, and/or other-market companies are come ining new markets as traditional barriers fall. Unless bing SME? s prepare to run into this competitory challenge, these new participants may be better positioned to heighten their supply ironss, acquire to market more rapidly, or purchase engineering to gain procedure efficiencies. 3.2 Challenges to Implement Operations Models Enabled by the Internet ? Gaining those immense possibilities the Internet offers is non an easy undertaking. Implementing a new operations theoretical account is hard. The companies must hold on rules, specifications, duties and cost sharing. This undertaking is expensive and time-consuming. ? Lee, Whang, ( 1999 ) Besides the whole industry may hold to be restructured. ? A Company must be able to transform itself to vie efficaciously in the new state of affairs. It is hard to alter established concern patterns. This state of affairs attracts new advanced companies, because they don? Ts have old constructions and methods? Prahalad, Ramasvamy ( 2000 ) . ? Material handling may go a hurdle for implementing a new concern theoretical account. Many authors propose, that outsourcing transit or repositing or constellation is a solution? Wilson ( 1999 ) Requirements are high for such jobbers. Implementing a cost-efficient bringing solution that is fast, accurate and flexible and is able to custom-make merchandises may be a hard equation to work out. 3 Com farther adds that? Businesss successful with B2B e-commerce are those that have learned to turn to several cardinal challenges? a ) Identify/measure quantifiable concern aims Businesses must accurately mensurate the impact an e-business enterprise has on a concern procedure in order to guarantee that enterprises are presenting on their promises. A common ground for non making this is a deficiency of apprehension of the relevant engineerings and their e-business deductions. B ) Define concern procedures. To back up measuring, concern procedures must be good defined. Companies should make theoretical accounts of bing procedures and interactions, finding the relevant events, clip frames, resources, and costs associated with the concern procedure. This theoretical account is so used to assist streamline and measure new electronic procedures, and serves as a benchmark for finding return on investing. degree Celsius ) Identify distinguishable value-propositions of equal value-chain entities. Each concern entity in the value concatenation must clearly understand the value propositions of each other entity. An e-commerce-enabled application may stand for value to one participant but have impersonal or even negative value to others. Enterprises with such instabilities can gnaw the concern confederation they were intended to back up. vitamin D ) Align concern administrations with IT architecture. The concern must be organised to let the demands of lines-of-business ( LOBs ) to be reconciled with the common architectural model developed by IT. IT may move as a accelerator within the endeavor to organize assorted LOB enterprises within the range of an e-business commission. A LOB may besides defend e-business enterprises, while the IT group maps as affair, guaranting architectural unity across the LOB enterprises. vitamin E ) Understand security issues. Even the most demanding security considerations can be addressed cost-effectively for the huge bulk of concerns. The nucleus security issue is unchanged. Security demands must be accurately identified and matched with appropriate mechanisms. degree Fahrenheit ) Ensure organisational/operational flexibleness. Business dealing growing, expanded markets, and increased information handiness can go resistless alteration agents. However good organised the concern was before deployment of e-business enterprises, the state of affairs will needfully alter as the consequence of the enterprises. Administrations must preposition themselves in their construction every bit good as in executing to boom in a significantly more dynamic environment. Businesss must put accomplishable ends and parametric quantities and run within them. ? Do non assure following twenty-four hours bringing if this is unattainable. ? SMEs have challenges similar to that of large concerns but they do non hold the benefits of economic sciences of graduated table, which make it riskier for SMEs to put in E-business engineering. The Challenges are frequently the same for SMEs whether they pattern conventional or practical concern. A major challenge for the SME is whether they have the fiscal resources to put in engineering and other related costs for developing an E-business, or including E-business as a scheme to their existing operations. Human resources need to be in topographic point to run into the demands, so holding staff to develop a new type of concern, holding the appropriate accomplishment base within the administration, pulling and retaining employees with applicable accomplishments are all critical for the SME. This may be really hard in today? s concern clime but it is indispensable to run E-business decently. Finding sufficient clip to put in the development and execution of an E-business bundle is besides a critical factor. Hazard taking can be dashing for an SME compared to larger administrations, peculiarly in ventures that are still comparatively new, unfamiliar and unsure. 3.3 B2B E-Commerce Quality Challenges Speer ( 2000 ) in an article: ? Requirements in E-Commerce Testing? provinces that? The importance of quality confidence and proving mechanisms is supported by the well-publicised clangs of outstanding e-commerce sites, and relentless concerns about bandwidth, security, and privateness. In an intensely competitory market place, rigorous quality criterions are associated with concerns that survive. With the competition merely a chink off, quality must be an active scheme alternatively of simply a motto. ? If, during peak purchasing seasons a ample fraction of effort ed Web purchases fail, or if users complain of dropped connexions, so the economic and public dealingss effects can be terrible. The same is besides true when inaccurate records are generated about minutess or clients can non find at the clip of telling if the coveted points are in stock or when bringing can be expected, or if the purchased goods neer arrive. Cardinal inquiries about whether it is safe to shop online and, if safe, so if truly cheaper, faster and more convenient than on Main Street, are asked and answered in each possible customer’s site trial experience. If the visitant experience is negative due to decelerate response times, straight-out clangs, or misdemeanors of privateness, consumer assurance can be undermined. Chapter 4 B2B Strategy and the Future 4.1 Syndication 4.1.1 Syndication an Introduction Werbach ( 1999 ) opens in an article from the Harvard Business Review entitled? Syndication: The Emerging Model for Business in the Internet Era? that? There? s no inquiry that the Internet is turn overing the old regulations about competition and scheme. But what are the new regulations? Many of them can be found in the construct of syndication, a manner of making concern that has its beginnings in the amusement universe but is now spread outing to specify the construction of e-business. As companies enter syndication webs, they will necessitate to rethink their merchandises, relationships, and even their nucleus capablenesss. ? The form of content and concern relationships on the Web is tied to an old construct, and that construct is syndication. Traditionally based on the closed universe of the media, it may be the theoretical account that allows the Web to stay unfastened as it grows. As with most new mediums, the Internet incorporates elements of media that existed in the yesteryear. Syndication trades are the lifeblood of today # 8217 ; s broadcast medium, overseas telegram and newspaper industries, an illustration of this is the sketch heroic poem? The Simpson? s? , which at any given clip on NTL? s web in operation in Ireland they may look on three different channels at the same time. In such agreements, entities that create content ( Gracie Films ) license it out to distributers ( NTL ) , who integrate it with their ain and other offerings ( Network 2, BBC 2 and Sky One ) . Several major Web-based companies adopted the syndication attack early on, though the market has remained reasonably limited. Werbach ( 1999 ) suggests. ? On-line syndication is now poised to detonate, but even as it changes the Internet, the Internet will alter syndication. On the Web, the construct applies to commerce every bit good as content, and shortly it will widen to dynamic applications. Syndication will germinate into the nucleus theoretical account for the Internet economic system, leting concerns and persons to retain control over their on-line character while basking the benefits of monolithic graduated table and range. The Internet is a communications medium, a platform for commercialism and a distributed computer science environment, all at one time. ? Syndication unambiguously cuts across the linguistic communication of content, commercialism and computer science. Though normally seen as an artifact of traditional inactive media, syndication tantrums absolutely with the Web # 8217 ; s fluidness and interactivity. The foundations for permeant Web-based syndication are now being laid, but everyone is still seeking to calculate out merely what the constructions on top will look like. Software sellers, service agency? s, content Godheads, synergistic bureaus and merchandisers are cheating to specify the theoretical accounts for syndication webs. Competitive conflicts are being fought in both criterions organic structures and distinct market places. Whether they realise it or non, all the participants are viing around a deep but under-appreciated Internet challenge: distributed information direction. 4.1.2 Why should Syndication Work? Werbach ( 1999 ) explains? Up to now Web syndication engineerings and patterns haven # 8217 ; t generated much attending outside narrow communities of involvement. But shortly, syndication will be perfectly cardinal to the development of most Net concerns. At the same clip, it # 8217 ; s the hereafter theoretical account for the 1000000s of independent and personal Web-sites that give the Internet its verve. The Internet is acquiring so large that no 1 can be everyplace. Syndication allows sites to widen their presence out to their clients, and gives those clients tools to aggregate the information and maps they wish to see. Syndication works so good on-line because everything takes the signifier of information. In the physical universe, syndication involves a batch of printing, collection and driving picture reels about. On the Web, as the transportation of content becomes simpler, the relationships can go more complex. Add to that the ability to assemble information dynamically or even to put to death applications with rights and privileges assigned among assorted parties, and things start to acquire interesting. Syndication has been traditionally rare in the concern environment for three grounds. First syndication works merely with information goods ; this is because information is non a consumable Merchandise, it remains available and infinite sum of people can utilize the same information. Second, syndication requires modularity. Syndicated goods are non normally merchandises in themselves, despite holding considerable value. Shane Ross? s concern subdivision in? The Sunday Independent? is really popular, nevertheless, would it be purchased as a individual entity? Finally, to guarantee the success of syndication many distributers are required. There would be small point of making many different combinations and constellations of content if there is merely one distributer or the content Godhead controls distribution. This would put a chokehold or monopolize the state of affairs, as was the instance in the early yearss of film in the US, with Warner Bros. declining to demo MGM movies in their theaters and visa versa. 4.1.3 The Three Syndication Roles Werbach ( 1999 ) high spots that within syndication webs concern can play one or more of three functions. a ) Originator Originators create as their name suggests original content. The Internet increases the range of conceivers in two ways. It expands the range of the original content and makes it easier for companies to circulate their content globally. It is possible to syndicate any merchandise, service or procedure once they can be as information. B ) Syndicator Syndicators bring together content from a figure of beginnings and so do it available through digital information. This relieves the distributer from holding to happen and negociate with huge Numberss of conceivers to garner the content they require. Syndicators are rare in the physical concern universe except in the amusement field, but it is going increasingely popular as concern theoretical account on the Internet. degree Celsiuss ) Distributor Distributors are the clients confronting facet of the concern. Distributors utilizing syndication to take down the cost for geting client content. This allows them to increase value to clients. Syndication allows conceivers to spread out their range and rush their time-to-market, both critical elements for success in a Web concern. It besides makes it possible for smaller, less commercially oriented sites to portion the benefits of the Internet economic system. 4.1.4 Syndication Summary As Werbach has discussed, ? The true trademark of the Internet is choice. ? With syndication, any information can be anyplace, because the nexus between creative activity and distribution is broken. There will be many possible waies between companies and their audiences. Many of these waies will be at the same time. The great chance for engineering and service suppliers lies in voyaging the tangle, taking advantage of the best distribution concatenation for a given client at a given minute. 4.2 E-Hubs: The New B2B Markets 4.2.1 Introduction ? As concern to concern commercialism displacements to the Internet, companies that have control over the online markets can exercise enormous influences on the manner participants carry out minutess, form relationships and gaining control profits. ? In an article? E-Hubs: The New B2B Marketplaces. ? Kaplan and Sawhney ( 2000 ) examine the subject of efficient and profitable customisation from a B2B lens by analyzing four types of E-Hubs in the B2B market place, these E-Hubs Lashkar-e-Taiba companies purchase precisely what they want and precisely how they want to purchase it. Kaplan and Sawhney place four types of E-Hubs: 1. MRO hubs 2. Output Directors 3. Exchanges 4. Catalog Hubs 4.2.2 MRO Hub MRO ( Maintenance, Repair, and Operating ) hubs are horizontal markets that enable a systematic sourcing of operating inputs. Systematic sourcing of inputs involves negotiated contracts with qualified providers, because the contacts tend to be long term, the purchasers and Sellerss build up a stopping point relationship. By and large used with low value goods with comparatively high dealing costs supplying mostly increasing efficiencies in the procurance procedure. 4.2.3 Output Manager Output directors are besides horizontal markets that enable topographic point sourcing of operating inputs. Topographic point sourcing is when the purchaser? s end is to carry through an immediate demand at the lowest possible cost. Commodities trading for oil or steel are a good illustration of topographic point sourcing. There is now relationship between purchaser and marketer in fact it is possible for the purchaser non to cognize whom they are covering with. Output directors create topographic point markets for common operating resources like advertisement or labor. This allows companies to spread out or contract their operations on short notice. This type of E-Hub adds the most value in state of affairss with a high grade of monetary value and demand volatility, such as electricity or with high fixed cost assets that can non be liquidated rapidly such as work force. 4.2.4 Exchanges Exchanges are perpendicular markets that enable topographic point sourcing of fabrication inputs. They enable procurement specializers to smooth out the extremums and the vales in demand and supply by quickly interchanging the trade goods or close trade goods required for production. The exchange hub maintains relationships with purchasers and Sellerss, this makes it easy for them to carry on concern without the holding to flesh out the castanetss of a relationship with all the connected paperwork. 4.2.5 Catalog Hubs Catalog hubs are perpendicular markets that enable systematic sourcing of fabrication inputs. They automate the sourcing of non-commodity fabrication inputs, making value by cut downing dealing costs. Catalog hubs conveying together many providers to the easy to utilize Web site. They are industry specific and can be purchaser or marketer focused. The B2B Matrix What Businesses Buy? How Businesses Buy? Systematic Sourcing Spot Sourcing Operating Inputs Manufacturing Inputs MRO Hubs MRO.com BizBuyer.com Catalog Hubs Chemdex PlasticsNet.com Output Directors Steptstone.com AdAuction.com Exchange Hubs e-Steel PapersExchange.com Fig. 1.The B2B Matrix 4.2.6 Aggregation and Matching There are obvious differences between systematic and topographic point sourcing this in bend makes the market mechanisms for MRO and Catalog hubs rather distinguishable from that of Yield troughs and Exchange Hubs. E-Hubs creates value by two basically different mechanisms, collection and matching. E-Hubs under collection brings together a big figure of purchasers and Sellerss under one practical roof. They can cut down dealing cost by supplying one halt store. The collection mechanism is inactive in nature, as monetary values are pre negotiated. An of import facet of collection is that the add-on of another purchaser benefits merely the marketer and the add-on of another marketer benefits merely the purchaser. The ground behind this is that in collection both the purchasers and Sellerss places are fixed. Unlike in the collection mechanism the matching mechanism is non-static and brings purchaser and Sellerss together in a dynamic existent clip environment. Matching used topographic point sourcing where monetary values are determined at the minute of purchase ; it is possible for the purchase to take topographic point in the signifier of an auction. The functions of the participants in matching is unstable, purchasers can be Sellerss and frailty versa. Therefore the debut of any new traders in to the mechanism can be good to both parties. 4.3 Choiceboards: The age of the Choiceboard Slywotzky ( 2000 ) suggests that, ? Thankss to the Internet an option to the unhappy theoretical account of supplier-customer interaction is eventually going possible. In most markets clients will be able to plan or depict the exact merchandise or service that they want and supplier will be able to present it with out via media or hold, this is made possible through Choiceboards. Choiceboards are synergistic on line systems the allow persons to plan their ain merchandises by taking from a bill of fare of properties, constituents and monetary values. The client can now travel from being the merchandise taker to merchandise shaper. ? In? The age of the Choiceboard? , Slywotzky ( 2000 ) , a direction adviser, looks at this synergistic on-line system that allows consumers to custom-make the merchandises or services they order. He anticipates that Choiceboards will rule commercial activity this decennary, as the U.S. economic system displacements from a supply-driven to a demand-driven system. Slywotzky theorises that? because the companies that control Choiceboards will besides command client relationships, ? these companies will be the industry powerhouses that? harvest the king of beasts # 8217 ; s portion of the net incomes? . The same chances exist for SME? s in the B2B sector. Dell are already runing a successful on line constellation where clients are planing their ain forces computing machines. 4.4 Hypermediation: Commerce as Clickstream Carr, a senior editor at Harvard Business Review, argues in an article entitled? Hypermediation: Commerce as clickstream? 2000, that electronic commercialism has greatly enlarged, non eliminated the jobber # 8217 ; s function in online concern a phenomenon he calls? Hypermediation. ? Those who stand to profit most from electronic commercialism, he says, will be the overplus of Internet mediators such as jobbers and retail merchants ; content suppliers ; developers of affiliate sites, hunt engines, and portals ; Internet service suppliers ; and package shapers. The emerging economic construction of e-commerce, he says, indicates that? net incomes lie in intermediate minutess, non in the concluding sale of a good. ? Carr refers to this as? net income for chinks? . Furthermore, he foresees the most net income fluxing to the proprietors of specialized content sites and the applied scientists who are progressing e-commerce engineerings. Chapter 5 Primary Research Objectives and Methodology 5.1 Introduction This chapter shall depict the intents of the research that was undertaken and detail the methods that were employed in the pursuit of these aims. The literature reappraisal has highlighted the impacts that B2B ecommerce is holding on the Irish SME and the manner they in which they conduct concern. The hereafter challenges and alterations for the SME have besides been reviewed. The reported work? B2B in SME? s: Positions and Future Challenges? seeks to analyze such alterations in an Irish context and measure the deductions of the Internet and related engineerings on the SME sector in Ireland. Specifically, the reported work will analyze managerial attitudes and sentiments towards B2B ecommerce and the challenges faced by such companies in the germinating Internet economic system. In order to finish such an scrutiny primary research will be conducted, analysed, reviewed and presented to exemplify the ways in which SME? s directors view B2B ecommerce. 5.2 Aims of Primary Research The aims of the research may be outlined as follows: 1. To look into the degrees of apprehension of B2B ecommerce issues in Irish SME? s 2. To detail the extent to which directors are familiar with the chances for take parting in B2B ecommerce 3. To analyze the cost of engagement for SME? s in B2B ecommerce 4. To look into the challenges for troughs of SME? s in take parting in farther ecommerce enterprises 5.3 Secondary and Primary Research The secondary research that was examined in the literature reappraisal was undertaken utilizing concern diaries, books, newspaper articles, the Internet, desk research and libraries. Ecommerce was introduced with a simple history and background. Followed by the chances and challenges faced by the SME director in the B2B ecommerce environment. Disruptive engineerings and reiterating forms in retailing, the challenges, hurdlings and benefits of e-commerce from the SME? s directors point of view were reviewed. Finally the new developing schemes and concern theoretical accounts available utilizing the Internet were discussed and the benefits they bring the B2B ecommerce environment. The primary research is to be conducted across a random choice of SME? s in the south E of Ireland. These SME? s were selected across a wide spectrum of industries and service suppliers runing from fabricating companies to linemans, from transport/logistic companies to retail stores. The list was derived partly from the Industrial Development Authority ( IDA ) and partly from the? Business and Shopping Guide? . This was done in order to acquire a wide cross subdivision of SME? s. 5.4 Methodology The information to be collected is quantitative, based on a questionnaire. This questionnaire contains 28 inquiries, which will be forwarded to 100 SME? s via electronic mail, station and from concern relationships. Upon reception of the questionnaire the receiver will be asked to return their completed questionnaire to the writer within a period of two hebdomads. Once the completed questionnaires have been completed, analysis of the information will take topographic point and the consequences will be presented, analysed and discussed. Due to rush of response electronic mail will be utilised to send on and return the questionnaire. However the writer appreciates that this may bias the findings of the research, so a lower limit of 25 per centum of questionnaires will non be sent via electronic mail or any other electronic medium. 5.4.1 Quantitative versus Qualitative Research Quantitative research designs strive to place and insulate specific variables within the context of the survey. It is a difficult scientific discipline with a narrow focal point and is concise, it? s logical thinking is deductive and logistic. Quantitative research involves nonsubjective measurings where the decrease to Numberss allows for the testing of the hypothesis and the derivation of statistical informations. In quantitative research there is cogency because of the chance to generalize. Quantitative information is collected under controlled conditions in order to govern out the possibility that variables other than the one under survey can account for the relationships identified Qualitative design focuses on a holistic position of what is being studied via paperss, instance histories, observations and interviews. Qualitative informations are collected within the context of their natural happening. Qualitative research involves the aggregation, analysis and reading of informations that are non easy reduced to Numberss. Quantitative research has been selected as the methodological analysis for primary research in the reported work because it should give a wide overview of the attitudes and sentiments of SME director? s and B2B ecommerce. Quantitative research is undertaken cognizing that it does hold disadvantages, such as, low response rates, response times, and possible misinformation due to miss of apprehension of the inquiries posed. 5.4.2 Questionnaire 1. How many Employees are at that place in the Company? 2. What is the specific industry/service supplier sector that your concern is involved in? E.g. Electronicss, contract cleansing, retail mercantile establishment. 3. Is there an Information Technology ( IT ) section within the Company? 4. How many Personal Computers ( Personal computer? s ) are at that place in the Company? 5. Make your company have entree to the Internet? 6. Make your company have entree to e-mailing installations? 7. Department of energies you company hold it? s ain Web site? 8. Is there an apprehension of Business to Business ( B2B ) ecommerce within the company? If so give a brief account of what you understand this to be. 9. Make your company use the Internet to do purchases? 10. Make your company use the Internet to do gross revenues? 11. Is your company committed to B2B ecommerce? 12. Make your company believe that B2B ecommerce it is merely another passing craze? Please rate your reply, strongly hold, unsure or strongly differ 13. If the company is already involved in B2B ecommerce is this portion of the company? s strategic program? 14. If so are at that place specific marks for the B2B ecommerce set? 15. If so are these marks monitored? 16. Is your company aware of the deductions of non being involved in B2B ecommerce? 17. What costs did your company experience in going involved in B2B ecommerce? 18. Make your company have to utilize external advisers when puting up your B2B ecommerce? 19. If yes, are these advisers still necessary for the right care of your IT and B2B ecommerce related systems? 20. Was developing and development necessary among your bing staff to derive entry into B2B ecommerce? 21. Has any extra preparation / retraining taken topographic point since get downing in B2B ecommerce? 22. Make your company hire forces specific to the B2B ecommerce map? 23. Make your company experience barriers in deriving entry to B2B ecommerce? Please item e.g. Security issues, velocity of response, bringing clip, methods of payment. 24. Make your company experience any troubles with bing concern relationships whilst following B2B ecommerce? 25. Have your company experienced any troubles since get downing B2B ecommerce? 26. Make your company utilize its engagement in ecommerce as a selling tool? 27. If yes how would you rate the following statement? The usage of B2B ecommerce promotes the company as a progressive forward believing concern? Please rate your reply, strongly hold, unsure or strongly differ 28. Make your company believe that there is no hereafter for companies who are non involved in B2B ecommerce? Please rate your reply, strongly hold, unsure or strongly disagree. Mentions Kafta S J. 2000: ? eMarketplaces Boost B2B Trade? The Forrester Report February 2000 Christensen CM. and Bower JL. 1995: ? Disruptive Technologies: Catching the Wave? Harvard Business Review January? February 1995 Evans P. and Wurster TS. 2000: ? Geting Real About Virtual Commerce? Harvard Business Review November? December 1999 Product No.4525 Christensen CM. and Tedlow RS. 2000: ? Forms of Disruption in Retailing? Harvard Business Review January? February 2000. Product No. 4681 Treese GW and Stewart LC 1998: ? Planing Systems for Internet Commerce? Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1998. Kalakota R and AB. Whinston 1997: ? Electronic Commerce-A Manager # 8217 ; s Guide. ? Addison Wesley Longman, Inc. 1997. Boudreau MC and Loch KD, Robey D et al.1998: ? Traveling planetary: Using information engineering to progress the fight of the practical multinational administration? . Associated Press, 1998 Eloranta E. 1999: ? A Literature Survey About Current Issues in B2B E-commerce? Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Helsinki University of Technology 1999. Huttunen M. 2000: ? The Role of Business-to-Business e-Business in Demand-Supply Chain Management. ? A Seminar Work, March 6, 2000, Helsinki University of Technology. World Wide Web. Shelron.com? E-commerce: A Brief History? . 2000 Kearney AT 1999: Digital Pioneers # 8211 ; A White Paper on the Practical Applications of Electronic Commerce: ? Separating Ballyhoo from Reality. ? Henriott LL 1999: ? Transforming Supply Chains into eChains? , Supply Chain Management Review Global Supplement, Spring 1999. Engardio P 1998: ? Souping up the Supply Chain: Today # 8217 ; s supercontractors are turning makers into theoretical accounts of efficiency? . Business Week, New York, Aug 31 Slywotzky AJ 2000: ? The Age of the Choiceboard, ? Harvard Business Review January # 8211 ; February 2000 Prahalad R 2000: ? Co-opting client competence? . Harvard Business Review January? February 2000 Lancioni RA, Smith MF and Oliva TA 2000: ? The Role of the Internet in Supply Chain Management? . Industrial Marketing Management, vol. 29, Jan 2000, New York, January 2000 McGuinness J 1999: ? The Impact of Ecommerce on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises? Report prepared by Deputy John McGuinness on behalf of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business May 1999 Anon 2000: ? Business to Business Electronic Commerce. Market Landscapes and Solutions? 3 Com Technical paper 2000 Lee HL and Whang S 1999: ? Sharing Information to Hike the Bottom Line. ? www-gsb.stanford.edu/research/reports/1999/whang_lee.html Prahalad R and Ramasvamy N 2000: ? Co-opting client competency. ? Harvard Business Review January # 8211 ; February 2000 Wilson T 1999: ? Transportation/Logistics: Shippers Deliver the Logistics Goods # 8211 ; transit service suppliers revamp traditional concern theoretical accounts to streamline client? s supply chain. ? Internetweek, Manhasset, October 1999 Anon 2000: ? Business to Business Electronic Commerce. Market Landscapes and Solutions? 3 Com Technical paper 2000 JB Speer Jr.2000: ? Requirements in E-Commerce Testing? Microsoft Enterprise Services White Paper E-Commerce Technical Readiness 2000 Werbach K. ? Syndication: The Emerging Model for Business in the Internet Era. ? Harvard Business Review May? June 2000. Product No. 4703 Kaplan S and Sawhney M. ? E-Hubs: The New B2B Marketplaces? Harvard Business Review May? June 2000. Product No. 469X Carr N.G. ? Hypermediation: Commerce as Clickstream? Harvard Business Review January? February 2000. Product No. 4681 Bibliography Mentions Kafta S J. 2000: ? eMarketplaces Boost B2B Trade? The Forrester Report February 2000 Christensen CM. and Bower JL. 1995: ? Disruptive Technologies: Catching the Wave? Harvard Business Review January? February 1995 Evans P. and Wurster TS. 2000: ? Geting Real About Virtual Commerce? Harvard Business Review November? December 1999 Product No.4525 Christensen CM. and Tedlow RS. 2000: ? Forms of Disruption in Retailing? Harvard Business Review January? February 2000. Product No. 4681 Treese GW and Stewart LC 1998: ? Planing Systems for Internet Commerce? Addison Wesley Longman Inc. 1998. Kalakota R and AB. Whinston 1997: ? Electronic Commerce-A Manager # 8217 ; s Guide. ? Addison Wesley Longman, Inc. 1997. Boudreau MC and Loch KD, Robey D et al.1998: ? Traveling planetary: Using information engineering to progress the fight of the practical multinational administration? . Associated Press, 1998 Eloranta E. 1999: ? A Literature Survey About Current Issues in B2B E-commerce? Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Helsinki University of Technology 1999. Huttunen M. 2000: ? The Role of Business-to-Business e-Business in Demand-Supply Chain Management. ? A Seminar Work, March 6, 2000, Helsinki University of Technology. World Wide Web. Shelron.com? E-commerce: A Brief History? . 2000 Kearney AT 1999: Digital Pioneers # 8211 ; A White Paper on the Practical Applications of Electronic Commerce: ? Separating Ballyhoo from Reality. ? Henriott LL 1999: ? Transforming Supply Chains into eChains? , Supply Chain Management Review Global Supplement, Spring 1999. Engardio P 1998: ? Souping up the Supply Chain: Today # 8217 ; s supercontractors are turning makers into theoretical accounts of efficiency? . Business Week, New York, Aug 31 Slywotzky AJ 2000: ? The Age of the Choiceboard, ? Harvard Business Review January # 8211 ; February 2000 Prahalad R 2000: ? Co-opting client competence? . Harvard Business Review January? February 2000 Lancioni RA, Smith MF and Oliva TA 2000: ? The Role of the Internet in Supply Chain Management? . Industrial Marketing Management, vol. 29, Jan 2000, New York, January 2000 McGuinness J 1999: ? The Impact of Ecommerce on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises? Report prepared by Deputy John McGuinness on behalf of the Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business May 1999 Anon 2000: ? Business to Business Electronic Commerce. Market Landscapes and Solutions? 3 Com Technical paper 2000 Lee HL and Whang S 1999: ? Sharing Information to Hike the Bottom Line. ? www-gsb.stanford.edu/research/reports/1999/whang_lee.html Prahalad R and Ramasvamy N 2000: ? Co-opting client competency. ? Harvard Business Review January # 8211 ; February 2000 Wilson T 1999: ? Transportation/Logistics: Shippers Deliver the Logistics Goods # 8211 ; transit service suppliers revamp traditional concern theoretical accounts to streamline client? s supply chain. ? Internetweek, Manhasset, October 1999 Anon 2000: ? Business to Business Electronic Commerce. Market Landscapes and Solutions? 3 Com Technical paper 2000 JB Speer Jr.2000: ? Requirements in E-Commerce Testing? Microsoft Enterprise Services White Paper E-Commerce Technical Readiness 2000 Werbach K. ? Syndication: The Emerging Model for Business in the Internet Era. ? Harvard Business Review May? June 2000. Product No. 4703 Kaplan S and Sawhney M. ? E-Hubs: The New B2B Marketplaces? Harvard Business Review May? June 2000. Product No. 469X Carr N.G. ? Hypermediation: Commerce as Clickstream? Harvard Business Review January? February 2000. Product No. 4681