Office Automation Essay

Office automation has made office work to be efficient nowadays for the organizations that have adopted the system. Office automation usually refers to a situation where office activities are computerized so that it becomes easier for them to be executed faster and efficiently. This had been facilitated by use of computer in the office and it has really help many companies to cut cost in terms of manpower. Office automation has been relied on by many companies to collect, store, create and transmit office information when they are needed in order to accomplish some basic activities in the office. (Laudon, K. C. and Laudon, J. P, 1994) Our organization has adopted a number of automation and collaboration software to enable them carry on their activities efficiently and to cut cost on wages and salaries. Collaborative software is a system that an organization adopts in order to ensure that the organization is working a coordinated manner when they are executing they office work in their day to day activities. Our organization has not been left in terms of automation as it has implemented some collaborative software to facilitate office activities. Some of the collaborative software that has been adopted by our organization is use of email and instant messaging. The use of email to communicate in our organization has facilitated conveying of messages and data from one point to another either within the organization or even outside the organization. Since the organization adopted the system, it has seen the organization be able to cut cost in term on the cost it incurred previously to send communication via other mode of transmission. However, when it comes to internal communication within the organization, our company has adopted intranet system where employees within the organization uses company mail to send emails to each others only. The use of email in the office has some advantage in that it is the cheapest means of communication, one can forward the mail to another person, one can open the mail from any computer in the world that is connected to the internet, and there is unlimited storage facility. Another advantage of using email to communicate is that the message can be stored in the receiver’s inbox even if he is not in the office. Some of the disadvantages of email are that it might not be used to communicate confidential information; people might misuse the facility and keep on browsing through the internet instead of working. Instant messaging is collaborative software that has been adopted by our organization to communicate within or outside the organization. This facility is very popular in our organization as one get feedback immediately after sending a message to the other person either within or outside the organization. The disadvantage of the facility is that since it requires instant feedback it cannot be used to communicate if the receiver is not there to reply to the message. The facility also cannot be used to communicate detailed information like data and for this case; it needs someone to use another facility. The facility also cannot be used where one want to attach something like a photograph or a map. (Laudon, K. C. and Laudon, J. P, 1994) The collaborative software adopted by our organization has been of great use in our organization to convey messages within and outside the organization. Our company has saved a lot when it adopted the facilities and abandoned the older mean of communication where they used fax or even letters and parcel which are slow and expensive.

Art of war Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Art of war - Essay Example I chose this quote because I understand the important role played by human labor in accomplishing any activity. This quote is relevant because people are the most important resource that any organization or company can have. Regardless of the nature of the organization or the type of activity being undertaken, the human resource is very important. Unfortunately, not all organizations or companies reward their people for the efforts they put in. This quote therefore helps us understand and appreciate the important role played by people in an organization or company. In the workplace setting, this quote can cause the management to come up with reward programs for their employees. In order to get the best of employees, organizations need to reward them for the work performed. Through this quote, managers can be made to understand the importance of keeping a motivated workforce as a recipe for success. For example, a company may come up with a policy of taking its employees for holiday every month as an appreciation for their efforts. Regardless of the reward programs adopted, this quote can cause senior management to rethink of how it treats its

Role of Nature and Nurture in Perceptions about Sensory Information Assignment

Role of Nature and Nurture in Perceptions about Sensory Information - Assignment Example The present assignment has identified that animals have the ability to distinguish objects, which becomes possible from their reactions to applications of stimuli. However, the nature of such perceptions relates to only surmising. Difficulties faced in examining animals relate to whether they fail to respond because of the need to perceive or because of the reluctance to do so. Recent research has clearly indicated that the great apes have similar language abilities as human beings, in terms of perceptions relative to sensory information. In fact, considerable controversy has been created by suggestions that there is a similarity in the language ability of apes and human beings (Terrace et al, 1979). The accuracy or inaccuracy of sensory information is determined by the distinction between sensations and perceptions and to what extent they vary in relation to how the different terms are defined. A second factor that determines the extent of accuracy in this regard is that perceptions are dependent upon the impact of learning through taste, touch, smell, and hearing. Thirdly, vision is the most important factor that is considered to impact sensory information. Researchers have been focusing upon the constituent components of visual perception and the need to analyze organized wholes because humans are prone to relate to patterns. Moreover, visual objects have the tendency to remain stable in spite of constantly altering stimulus characteristics such as contrast of figure arrangements, perspectives, and ambient light. This allows observers to relate perceptions of objects with objects as they are understood to be existent. In this regard, perceptions are known to be impacted by values, ideas, needs, expectations and conflicts (Baddeley, 2005). Sensory memory is believed to be the shortest-term component of memory because it retains pictures of sensory information following the ending of the initial stimuli. Sensory memory is also a virtual buffer for stimuli and comes from the five senses of touch, taste, smell, hearing, and vision that are absorbed accurately, although for a brief time. For instance, the accuracy of sensory information is evident from the fact that when we look at something, we remember what it looked like, even if it is observed for a single second. This is an example of sensory memory (Baddeley, 2005). There are a number of factors that contribute to the accuracy of sensory data. Just as it happens in any measurement system, sensory evaluation is also prone to being a source of error. There are factors that impact the accuracy and precision of sensory data and thus lessen its reliability. Psychological factors arise in view of using human subjects as tools of measurement. Despite instructions being issued and training being given by organizers to panelists, a great deal of confusion arises in regard to the details of the instructions and the choice of sensory scales. Thus, there is all likelihood that individual panelist s could have different interpretations of sensory characteristics and intensity levels. Moreover, the decision-making process could also change within the same study, thus creating uncertainties. Different panel members may have different focus levels whereby some could be distracted or experience fatigue, which impacts sensory abilities. A large number of experimental designs can strongly impact the reliability and accuracy of data. This is because it is crucial for samples to be presented, which also requires that they have to be standardized in the context of nonassociative coding, lighting conditions, temperature, and form.  

Critically Assess and evaluate total reward packages as a contributory Essay

Critically Assess and evaluate total reward packages as a contributory factor in employee retention A case study based on Marks & Spencers(the orderno - Essay Example This research focuses on a particular case study within Marks and Spencer, a major UK superstore to understand the impact of rewards, incentives and performance appraisal on employee motivation and performance. Marks and Spencer is a leading name in retailing within the UK. The company maintains that the rewards package given to its employees is flexible, competitive, focused on superior results and is aimed to support personal choices of personal lifestyles. The elements of the reward packages of the company include fixed and competitive pay rates, variable performance related pay and a wide range of other benefits (marksandspencer.com, 2006). In this study we prepare a detailed questionnaire to understand the impact of these benefits, payment and reward systems on employees and we also determine whether these rewards actually help in improving motivation and how this would relate to improved company performance. Marks and Spencer has boasted of 73% employee retention over 2004-2005 and retention may be considered as an important indicator of employee satisfaction and motivation (MarksandSpencer.com, 2006). Questionnaires are distributed to employees of Marks and Spencer to determine whether rewards systems given to them have a positive impact on their motivation and performance levels and aid them in heir decision to work for one company for a long period of time. The participants are employees of Marks and Spencer working in customer service divisions and 100 completed questionnaires are obtained and the data compiled are analysed for employee motivation and satisfaction levels that provide an indication of the employee retention level within a company. Marks and Spencer claims a high percentage of employee retention. The questionnaires are aimed to determine employee expectations, rewards given, job satisfaction, employee motivation, years of service and performance levels. Literature Review Companies use different means of rewarding employees and Brody et al (2001) discuss merit pay plans used by companies to motivate and reward employees. The theory of motivation would highlight that rewards and reinforcement for individual accomplishments should produce positive results although there may also be negative outcomes (Brody et al, 2001). Brody et al suggest in their study that when individuals are involved in hiring and merit allocation for employees, their prior commitments have significant effects on rewards allocated to the employees. This shows that a manager's personal involvement with employees can lead to increased merit allocation and rewards. This study highlights the factors that determine merit allocation and rewards which may not be completely dependent on employee performance and also large depends on interpersonal relationships within the workplace. Rewards could be largely based on performance ratings and it would be important to understand how employees perceive these ratings of their performance. Smith and Rupp (2004) state that a major purpose of having performance appraisals of employees is to determine individual merit which in turn help in determining whether merit pay or benefits would be given to

American Occupation in Japan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

American Occupation in Japan - Essay Example On a realistic echelon, the prime intention of this occupation was to defuse the military, restructure the educational scheme, grant power to the local level, and offer suffrage to women. To commence with, the tremendous success of this occupation was primarily the constitution (Tsutsui 268). The writing of the Japanese constitution occurred during this occupation and presently, it remains wholly unchanged. It is imperative to state that this served as the initial step of the occupation in democratizing Japan. The greatest predicament in the Meiji constitution (Tsutsui 270) was that it did not comprise a system of balance and checks since every component of the government would perform prior to the emperor’s name. Therefore, the constitution had to delineate the roles of the government with apparent responsibility lines. There was the creation of the House of chancellors, the House of Representatives, the cabinet, and judiciary with conventional purposes and responsibilities. The emperor reduced to a rank of common citizenship and the Japanese could no longer be submissive to him (Tsutsui 272). It is worth denoting that this was another mode of democratization. Moreover, this occupation attempted to reorganize the authority relationships in Japan. The Americans strived to break up bureaucracy, develop a sturdy labor movement and union, and finally reallocate resources throughout the economy (Tsutsui 275). Another goal of this occupation was social liberalization. The Americans strived to inculcate the human rights values into Japanese politics and societal ideas. It is imperative to state that the Japanese citizens had a fuzzy idea of human rights, but the Americans strived to delineate them in terms of liberty to dialogue and political freedom. It is worth denoting that this occupation founded a democratic model for Japan and laid the basis for many institutions. It was a successful operation as it ensured an indefinite excellent relationship between Ja pan and America (Tsutsui 278). However, this occupation had some limitations. Some points arise particularly from the American relationship with Japan. Despite the persistent application of mutual pressure by America on the policymakers of Japan, it is debatable on the extent of achievements. Concerning the wide adoption of American norms and practices, the record proves to be ambiguous as the market-oriented reform has been partial and inadvertent. Sino-American relation This relation mainly involved the Sino-American crises, mainly related to military affairs. They include the prime crisis that precipitated the involvement of the two nations in the Korean War, and the Taiwan crises in the 1950s (Swaine & Zhang, 133). A principal distinctive feature, of these crises is that they happened at a time when there was antagonism in the Sino-American relations. The nonexistence of any prime crisis during this lengthy interval clearly outlines that both Beijing and Washington saw a similar threat and did not view each other as latent adversaries. Moreover, they could reach a prompt understanding in order to prevent the emergence of another crisis, but these two sides hardy took management measures (Swaine & Zhang 133). The consistent invoked enemy image is another feature of the Sino-American crisis. Both sides shaped each other’s image before the Korean War in 1950 (Swaine & Zhang 134). The leaders in both countries immensely shared this

Stereotype paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Stereotype paper - Essay Example that sometimes, maybe many times, we are actually just as guilty as the next person of making incorrect snap judgments based upon another person’s appearance alone rather than any inherent qualities. These judgments are based more upon what we understand about that type of person from what we’ve been taught or by comparing them with other elements of our experience. Many of these understandings are shaped by the media outlets we pay attention to. I never believed I was a very judgmental person and didn’t really feel I acted on stereotypes until I had an experience that opened my eyes. At the time, I was working in an auto parts store and was the only person manning the store when a new customer walked in. It was a woman and, although I didn’t really stop to think about my reaction to her, I realize that it was based mostly on what I understood of this kind of woman on how her type was portrayed in the movies. There were few facts involved in my decisions regarding the girl. The woman was blonde, skinny, young and dressed fashionably well. Her big, blue eyes seemed overwhelmed at the materials in the automotive shop and she wandered around the aisles as if lost. Without even thinking about it, I made an instant assessment of her based upon her looks that qualifies as stereotyping. Her appearance was really the only fact I had to go on before making my assessment, but this was enough to me to feel as if I had correctly identified her personality and ability. The other fact I was working on was the fact that I had very few female customers. My typical customers were men, ranging in age from teenage through old man, and they were usually dressed in oil-smeared clothes that had little resemblance to their original color or shape. The few women who came into the shop were regulars and they were usually only distinguishable from the men in the length of their hair and the higher pitch of their voice. Comparison to what I knew was also strongly

Marketing Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marketing Plan - Research Paper Example It is quite profitable to establish a restaurant in the area where this industry is actually flourishing. Buenos Aires has a large tourist influx each year. Not only are the tourist influx, but there several business people who travel to this busy city every now and then. The main concern for the tourists and business people from different parts of the world is the food that they will be getting in the foreign country. The marketing plan is basically for a restaurant that has to be opened in the busy city of Buenos Aires. The restaurant will be situated in the city of Buenos Aires and will provide with the high-quality food. It will not only provide with quality food but also with a place that will be full of comfort. In a hospitality industry servicescape plays a major role. It is the ambience that attracts the customers. It is the servicescape that helps the target market to relate to a particular restaurant or any other service industry. The new restaurant will be targeting the to urists and business people and also the locals. The target market is further discussed under the heading of the target market of the marketing plan. Market Segmentation For any industry, market segmentation is a really important aspect. It helps to make a clear map of the target market and helps to trace out those segments that can provide with the maximum profits. Similarly for this restaurant market segmentation is done on the basis of profits. The target market has been segmented into tourists, locals, business people, children, adults, old age and minorities from different ethnic backgrounds. The market segment of tourists, locals and business people provide with the highest profitability. Thus these market segments have been targeted and are further discussed in the marketing plan. Target Market As mentioned earlier in the introduction and the market segmentation, the target market of the new restaurant will be the tourists and business people from all around the world who visi t Buenos Aires. Business people do not mean that they will be businessmen but it means people who are visiting the city for some official or work purpose. The age segment that the restaurant will be targeting is 16 years and above. The restaurant will not cater to the children market. In addition to the tourists and the officials, the restaurant will also be targeting the locals. The question arises that how will the restaurant target such diverse market segments. The answer lies in the set up of the restaurant and the menu that it will serve. The menu will include a wide variety of dishes. These dishes will belong to different cuisines. The restaurant will basically serve the Chinese, Italian, Mexican and Lebanese cuisines. The restaurant will be partitioned according to the different cuisines that it will offer. In addition to this partition, each parted portion will carry the respective theme. For example the part of the restaurant where Chinese is served will have a Chinese ambi ence and same goes for the other cuisines. This will give an exotic touch to the food and can also be the differentiation point for the restaurant. In order to serve the local target audience the restaurant will also provide with the local cuisines in addition to the world famous cuisines. Localization The restaurant will focus on the local trends as well. It will incorporate local culture along with the international cultures on the basis of which