Author: chris

Hardee Transportation.

CASE 5-1
Hardee Transportation
Jim O’Brien of Hardee Transportation has his hands full with the requests from his largest
customer. However, a new and possibly greater issue has presented itself to Jim:
the new hours-of-service rules. Hardee’s freight lanes and customer pickup and delivery
(PUD) operations are set to reflect the previous 10 hours of maximum drive time
for his drivers. The dispatch centers and bobtail patterns to service customer trailer
pools are also set up on the previous rules.
Jim’s customers don’t necessarily agree with his concerns. They argue that drivers
will actually have more continuous drive time under the new regulations. They also argue
that the reduced on-duty hours for drivers will reduce driver fatigue and result in
fewer accidents, lowering Hardee’s operating costs. Jim doesn’t agree. Even though
driving hours are increased, total driving time might actually be reduced. If PUD times
are increased at certain customer locations, driving time is reduced to comply with the
14-hour on-duty time.
This is a great concern for Jim because some of his largest customers have the longest
PUD times. Plus, some of these customers also require that the driver bobtails to
their shipping locations. Jim has approached his sales team with the request that they
require their customers to reduce loading and unloading times. If they can’t, Hardee
has no choice but to either increase detention charges or seriously consider dropping
those customers. Obviously, these two options were not well-received by the sales organization.
Sales perceived these actions to be against Hardee’s service strategy and were
fearful that some customers may rebel.

CASE QUESTIONS
1. Using the information in this chapter, how would you tell Jim to proceed?

Explain the potential impact of each pitfall on the organization and on the team.

In this week’s required reading, The Value of Valuing Employees, the author states that there are six pitfalls that a leader can fall into—poor behaviors that can make employees or followers feel as if they don’t matter. Comaford (2013) states that “When employees are made to feel that they don’t matter, it happens on an emotional level, not an intellectual one” (para. 6). You have been hired to prepare training materials to help entry level managers identify and understand pitfalls of leadership and how to prevent them. Think about each of the pitfalls mentioned in the reading. For each of the six pitfalls, provide a strategy that new managers can use to not fall victim to the pitfalls of leadership. Offer an example of what each strategy would look like in an example organization. Explain the potential impact of each pitfall on the organization and on the team. Support your statements with two outside academic sources other than the textbook, course materials, or other information provided as part of the course materials. Write a 3- to 4-page paper, using each pitfall as a separate heading in your paper. For this assignment, you will want to refer to the handout – Writing an Effective Essay. You may also want to view the sample paper, Does your paper look like this? and go to the CSU-Global Library’s APA resources for an APA Template Paper. Be sure your paper follows

Explain the impact of the mixed ideological foundation on the focus and structure of the policy.

In this assignment, you will examine the ideological struggles that underlie policymaking in the United States. This includes the following:

  • The historical legacy of fear of a strong central government and how this fear has influenced the development of the US Constitution.
  • The ideological divisions in the United States’ politics which fall primarily along a Conservative–Liberal continuum.

Research areas of social welfare policy using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet.

Select an area of social welfare policy in which you are interested. Respond to the following:

  • Identify the aspects of the policy that reflect a conservative perspective and the aspects that reflect a liberal perspective.
  • Explain the impact of the mixed ideological foundation on the focus and structure of the policy.

The political ideologies of a country are very specific to its cultural history. Keeping this in mind, respond to the following:

  • Discuss how the policymaking of one other country aligns with or differs from the United States due to its cultural history.
  • Provide examples to explain why the policymaking is similar or different.

Write your initial response in 300–400 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Cover the following items in your posts:

  • Provide a statement of clarification.
  • Provide a point of view with rationale.
  • Challenge a point of discussion, or draw a relationship between one or more points of the discussion.

Explain the positions a conservative politician or commentator, and a liberal politician would take on the policy.

 

In this assignment, you must examine the philosophical underpinnings of the economic system and its relationship to ethics and social justice by examining income support policies. You will also view the socially constructed ways of developing and distributing resources and implementing societal values. You will examine the “problem of justice” by considering the following:

 

  • The distribution of goods and services
  • An individual’s share in goods and services
  • The allocation of rights and duties

 

Research income support policies using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet.

 

Select two policies for examination from the list that follows. You can select from other types of income support policies; however, be sure to submit your choices to the facilitator for validation before continuing with this assignment.

 

  • Social Security
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

 

Then, compare and contrast the selected income support policies. Address the following:

 

  • List and describe each income support policy’s target population, means of funding, and intended outcomes.
  • Explain the positions a conservative politician or commentator, and a liberal politician would take on the policy. Address anything they might have in common ideologically and also describe their differences.
  • Give reasons and examples in support of your analysis.

 

Write a 2–3-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Analyze at least 10 photos; they should belong to one company but may be from different locations.

Step 1.                        Select a company/organization to analyze its layout decisions. (E.g.: Hospital, Shop, Hypermarket, Supermarket, University, Beauty salon, charitable organization …etc.). This includes the 7 main types of layouts and the different methods used within each type. ( choice& application one of those seven)

 

Step 2.                        Gather photographs of the company of your choice and analyze the layout of their layout decisions in detail and recommend changes that can improve their performance as an operation manager.

 

NOTE:

1-      You need to include and analyze at least 10 photos; they should belong to one company but may be from different locations. (example: We analyzed Google offices in Toronto, NYC, etc…).

You must write all references if any. Absence of references will be considered plagiarism.

 

– Companies that you may NOT use: Google offices, McDonald’s restaurants, coca cola product display, Harvard university, Microsoft offices, Apple stores, Nike main store in Tokyo, Baskin Robins, Arabesq, Paris Regional Medical Hospital, Walmart and Ikea

Identify the market structure in which this organization competes.

 

You will apply important microeconomics concepts toward the competitive strategies of an organization that operates in an industry of your choice. You will evaluate the differences between market structures and identify a group of competitive strategies consistent with the market structure that best aligns with the market in which the organization competes. You will assess how the market structure positively and negatively affects the organization’s ability to earn an economic profit over time and evaluate the effectiveness of the organization’s competitive strategies.

 

Select an industry. Identify an organization in that industry. Please include an in-depth introduction and conclusion.

 

Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper. 

 

Format consistent with APA guidelines.

 

Identify the market structure in which this organization competes. Clearly indicate why the market structure was decided upon and how this market structure differentiates from the other alternatives.

 

Describe the level of competition the organization will face if under each of the following market structures:

 

  • Oligopoly
  • Perfect competition
  • Monopoly
  • Monopolistic competition

 

Identify three or more competitive strategies of your choice that may be used by the organization to maximize its profits over the long run. Evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies in the market structure you identified. Consider the following:

 

  • Expected changes in supply and demand
  • Price elasticity of demand
  • Market structure
  • Government regulations

 

Make recommendations related to the strategies the organization might consider to maximize its profits and consider the following:

 

  • What are the ethical implications of these strategies?
  • Does this strategy align with the organization’s current values?
  • Does this strategy align with your own values?

 

Cite a minimum of 3 peer reviewed sources.

This is the book we are using in class  – Colander, D. (2013). Economics (9th ed). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Determine the possible circumstances under which the company should discontinue operations.

Assignment 2: Operations Decision
Due Week 6 and worth 300 points

Using the regression results and the other computations from Assignment 1, determine the market structure in which the low-calorie frozen, microwavable food company operates.

Use the Internet to research two (2) of the leading competitors in the low-calorie frozen, microwavable food industry, and take note of their pricing strategies, profitability, and their relationships within the industry (worldwide).

Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:

Outline a plan that will assess the effectiveness of the market structure for the company’s operations. Note: In Assignment 1, the assumption was that the market structure [or selling environment] was perfectly competitive and that the equilibrium price was to be determined by setting QD equal to QS. You are now aware of recent changes in the selling environment that suggest an imperfectly competitive market where your firm now has substantial market power in setting its own “optimal” price.
Given that business operations have changed from the market structure specified in the original scenario in Assignment 1, determine two (2) likely factors that might have caused the change. Predict the primary manner in which this change would likely impact business operations in the new market environment.
Analyze the major short run and long cost functions for the low-calorie, frozen microwaveable food company given the cost functions below. Suggest substantive ways in which the low-calorie food company may use this information in order to make decisions in both the short-run and the long-run.
TC = 160,000,000 + 100Q + 0.0063212Q2
VC = 100Q + 0.0063212Q2
MC= 100 + 0.0126424Q

Determine the possible circumstances under which the company should discontinue operations. Suggest key actions that management should take in order to confront these circumstances. Provide a rationale for your response. (Hint: Your firm’s price must cover average variable costs in the short run and average total costs in the long run to continue operations.)
Suggest one (1) pricing policy that will enable your low-calorie, frozen microwavable food company to maximize profits. Provide a rationale for your suggestion.
(Hints:

In Assignment 1, you determined your firm’s market demand equation. Now you need to find the inverse demand equation. Having found that, find the Total Revenue function for your firm (TR is P x Q). From your firm’s Total Revenue function, then find your Marginal Revenue (MR) function.
Use the profit maximization rule MR = MC to determine your optimal price and optimal output level now that you have market power. Compare these values with the values you generated in Assignment 1. Determine whether your price higher is or lower.)
Outline a plan, based on the information provided in the scenario, which the company could use in order to evaluate its financial performance. Consider all the key drivers of performance, such as company profit or loss for both the short term and long term, and the fundamental manner in which each factor influences managerial decisions.
(Hints:

Calculate profit in the short run by using the price and output levels you generated in part 5. Optional: You may want to compare this to what profit would have been in Assignment 1 using the cost function provided here.
Calculate profit in the long run by using the output level you generated in part 5 and cost data in part 3 and assuming that the selling environment will likely be very competitive. Determine why this would be a valid assumption.)
Recommend two (2) actions that the company could take in order to improve its profitability and deliver more value to its stakeholders. Outline, in brief, a plan to implement your recommendations.
Use at least five (5) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia does not qualify as an academic resource.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Analyze short-run and long-run production and cost functions.
Apply macroeconomic concepts to changes in global and national economies and how they affect economic growth, inflation, interest rates, and wage rates.
Evaluate the profit-maximizing price and output level for given operating costs for monopolies and firms in competitive industries.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in managerial economics and globalization.
Write clearly and concisely about managerial economics and globalization using proper writing mechanics.

Identify the topic within this project which will be analyzed in greater detail and a brief discussion about it.

In planning the production system, major decisions are made concerning the design of the product or
services as well as the design of the production processes. Entrepreneurs usually formulate new
businesses based on a unique product or a service idea. In existing firms, new products or services are
introduced when the competition for existing products increases or as existing products approach the end
of their product life cycle. Even after a few new products are launched, and even if these products are
successful, since they have limited life cycles, companies always seek and consider new product
possibilities. If a company continuously monitors new product possibilities, and if there is a product failure
among the current products, or if there is a significant change in the product market, then the company
can still be in position to release a new product to fill the void. Term project focuses on the design of the
products and services. The main topics in this process include:

1. The reasons, trends, and objectives of Product and Service Design
2. The Design Process
3. Research and Development
4. Standardization
5. Product Design
6. Service Design
7. Quality Function Deployment
8. Operations Strategy

There aren‟t many things more important to an organization than its products and/or services and there is
a rather obvious connection between the design of those products and/or services and the organization‟s
success. Consequently, organizations are vitally concerned about achieving outstanding product and
service design so they can compete in today‟s global marketplace.
The long-term competitiveness of any manufacturing company depends ultimately on the success of its
product development capabilities. New product development holds hope for improving market position
and financial performance, creating new industry standards and new niche markets, and even renewing
the organization.
The group is requested to outline how various ideas come through in product design and development
processes for any operations whether existed in local or any international company levels. The
challenges and benefits derived in its implementation for any company. Although the team members may
choose to cover multiple operations management concepts (related to product and service development
such as capacity planning, location decisions, forecasting, quality, inventory management, supply chains,
JIT etc. if needed) in their report, they are required to focus on one of the concepts in greater detail. The
report should cover operations management concepts and decisions at strategic, tactical and operational
5 AUM Academic Projects Academic Year: 2015-2016
levels within/without any organization. The chapter four is the key chapter providing all information, but is
not limited, so students will be provided extra material during the semester by course instructor.
The quality of the analysis will be dependent on the effort devoted to information search and the planning
carried out before the information gathering for product idea. Multiple information sources can be
targeted, including web resources (company official website, business news online), corporate
documentation, press releases, etc.
Final report has to be developed based on APA style (See course syllabus for more details).

V. DELIVERABLES & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Deliverable 1 (Week 5):
– Form groups of Three to Five students (its subject to change by instructor depend on class size,
etc.) and submit names to instructor by the week-1.
– Every group is required to determine designing a product (goods or services) that will be studied
for the project. A brief overview about the product idea, components, environmental analysis
(SWOT, position in the market, competitors and background information) should be highlighted.
Limit of text size will be provided in further brief. In addition to it, the report should also include an
overview of the aspect(s) of operations management the group will be investigating for this
project.
– The report at this stage should also include an initial table of contents illustrating the sections and
sub-sections that compose the final report.
– This deliverable should include a responsibility matrix that shows the proposed role of the group
members and their primary responsibilities.
– For the products students chose any topic/idea (with permission from instructor). Their product
idea should be fictional and open for creativity.
– You may look at the Chapter 4 “Product and Service Design” and also provided materials from
course instructors. Project work may include relevant pictures, charts and diagrams to illustrate
your discussion. The final report however, will be more detailed.
– Term project deliverable 1 is a group work, and should be submitted by only one member from
the group.
Deliverable 2 (Week 9):
– A 1500 word report building on the previous submission and indicating overview of the major
processes in the product design that you have chosen to do the project (with agreed upon). The
report should also discuss how they relate to the concepts we have learned in the class and
operations management in general.
– The report should cover operations management concepts and decisions at strategic, tactical and
operational levels within the organization in product design and development.
– Identify the topic within this project which will be analyzed in greater detail and a brief discussion
about it.
– Report should have a title clearly indicating the main theme of the project.
– Term project deliverable 2 is partly individual work; each member should be identified for the
responsible sections in the submitted work, but should be submitted by only one member from
the group. (main responsibility is on the group leader)
Deliverable 3 (Week 14):
– The report outline should follow the outline previously submitted. It should start with the
„introduction‟ and „product overview‟ sections, followed by the suggested headings and
subheadings in the outline, and at the end „Conclusion‟ and „Reference‟ sections. This final report
builds on the information that was submitted in the previous reports.
– The final report should be about (Minimum) 2000 words, not including Table of contents,
6 AUM Academic Projects Academic Year: 2015-2016
references and appendixes. All supporting data and information that is not directly part of the
report should be included in the appendix.
– The report may include pictures, diagrams and charts to illustrate and support your discussion.
– Should include a „Lessons Learned‟ section on how operations related improvements can be
made within the product development process based on your understanding of the concepts
learned in this course.
– The report should demonstrate student‟s understanding and their creativity capacity in new
product (goods or services) development. It should also be related to the concepts covered in
their report that can be used for further exploring operations management.
– Should have the depth and breadth of analysis similar to the “Operations Tour” in the different
chapters in your textbook.
– Report should be clearly organized in appropriate paragraphs with each section and subsection.
– For all formatting purposes it should follow APA style.
– In addition to your final submission on Turn-it-in, you need to submit a hard copy on the due date.
Comments from Support Team: Discipline: Operations Management

Codec implemented different pitch detection alghorithms and if Opus wants to implement another pitch detection method, which will be the most suitable for them.

Hello,

Due to a very busy schedule, I need help with one of my research papers.

I am new to ‘outsourcing’ papers, so I’m contacting multiple essay writing companies with this same question, hoping to find the most qualified writer for an acceptable price.

I need to do a research about digital signal processing, in the pitch detection field. And how the Opus codec implemented different pitch detection alghorithms and if Opus wants to implement another pitch detection method, which will be the most suitable for them?

In short, I need a writer who is familiar with:
* DSP
* Pitch Detection
* MATLAB
* Opus codec (pre)

The level of the paper has to be B.Sc, grad year.

Do you have a writer who could help me out with this?

I would like to know the next things:
Opus codec? How known are you with various pitch detection methods?