Author: chris

Discussion Post 3

EBay.com is an international company that deals in the online auctions whereby people from different locations in the world have a platform to sell and buy things via the internet. The company was founded in the year 1995 when the electronic commerce was in vogue coupled by what people knew as the ‘dot.com’ bubble-which was the popularization of the internet resulting in huge demand for the internet. The company soon spread its presence by contracting with other companies to provide services such as electronic ticketing of plane tickets. Thus, electronic commerce can be defined as the sale and provision of services or goods via electronic means such as the internet and computer networks. Whereas internet business can be defined, as conduct or provision of goods and se4rvices via the worldwide web relying on the presence of a virtual stores (Harvard Business Publishing).

The transformation of EBay from electronic commerce was necessitated by the growth in demand for in time services by the consumers who wanted a platform that would enable them to purchase goods and services at the comfort of their offices or homes. In addition, competition by new and existing market players in the market forced the company to redefine its strategy in the market such that it could remain a force to reckon with in the market. The returns attributed to adoption of an internet business strategy in comparison to an electronic commerce model would best arrive at a conclusion on the best model for the business (Burn &Barnett, 2002).

In a dynamic information technology era that things are changing with each passing day, there is need for strategies that conform to the diverse information technology market. New innovative products and services are developed almost on a daily basis hence the company outlines ways to keep up with the pace of an evolving market (Harvard Business Publishing). To keep in line with the presence of competitors the company incorporates what is known as the five competitive forces that aid in the survival of a volatile market. The five forces that drive competition that necessitated for new strategies by EBay, which are the presence of identical products and services in the market at relatively lower prices. Existing competitors who are not new to a market re-evaluate their own strategies and opt to develop new products or services that are appealing to consumers. Innovation is driving force for staying relevant in a volatile market especially in the age of information technology.

The presence of new entrants is also a major factor that necessitates formation of new strategies in the market. New entrants in the market come up with new identical products that are maybe better in different aspects, this might reduce the market influence of the company, thus a company is forced to implement new ways that will ward off the new competitors and maintain their market share or even increase their market share (Burn &Barnett, 2002). Moreover, increase in the bargaining power of the consumers in the market calls for development of new strategies in order to meet the new market conditions and trends without suffering operational losses. Furthermore, an increase in the bargaining power of suppliers such that they are able to increase the prices of their supplies without prior negotiation prompts the company to think new ways that will enable survival in a market that has high operational costs.

In a dynamic and evolving market, the driving force is competition. The use of the five forces to the advantage of EBay is never bound to fail because such forces are applied through out all kinds of markets. However, failure of such strategies would necessitate the new ways of ding business such as new marketing to re-establish the presence of the company in the market. Pricing is also another determinant when a customer is tuck between choosing EBay and other competitors. The use of pricing would attract more consumers because the current trends show that consumers have become price sensitive even for meager differences in price (Burn &Barnett, 2002).

Providing consumers with competitive prices for provision of services would ensure that EBay has a substantial number of clients and remains a force to reckon with in the market. Improved quality of service is another factor that can be changed in the market. Some consumers pay for service at whatever price so long as the services meet the best quality in the market. Quality should never be compromised to maintain customers who are loyal to EBay. In addition, quality should be improved to improve the goodwill of EBay in the company (Harvard Business Publishing).

Research and development of new products can be an advantage to the company such that new innovative products can be developed with focus son the consumer needs and preferences in mind when developing the new products. This creates competitive advantage over other competitors in the market.

 

 

References

Burn, J., Marshall, P., & Barnett, M. (2002). E-Business strategies for virtual organizations. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Harvard Business Publishing .The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYF2_FBCvXw
 

 

 

 

 

Ali-Kindi History Focusing on Cryptography

Introduction

Cryptography is a technique that is used by people when they are communicating in the presence of a third (Stallings, 2011). In the past, the use of cryptography was not as wide as present. Many people are using coding information so that unwanted third parties cannot view them. For instance, terrorists use coded information to communicate when they are preparing to make terrorism attacks. In this case, the other groups that are being targeted use cryptography to encode this information to establish the plans of the enemies (Stallings, 2011). The process of encoding involves creating of ciphers. For this reason, it is good to understand, the history Ali-Kindi, who is believed to have initiated cryptography, and how he created this idea.

Discussion

Abu Yusuf Ya qūb ibn Ishaq al-Sabbah al-Kindī commonly known as Ali-Kindi is a Muslim philosopher (Khan, 2008). In most case, he is referred by people as the philosopher of the Arabs. This is because he was the first Arab philosopher. He was born in Kufa as a descendant of the Kinda tribe (Khan, 2008). He pursued his education in Kufa be later on going for further studies in Baghdad. He became an Arab philosopher, physician, musician and a mathematician (Khan, 2008). For this reason, he became a prominent figure in the house of wisdom and received appointments from several Abbasids of the Abbasid dynasty. It is worth noting that Ali-Kindi was one time employed as a calligrapher due to his beautiful work of calligraphy.

In his appointments, Ali-Kindi played several roles in his appointments. One of them was to interpret Greek reading to Islamic. This led to the promotion of Greek reading to the Muslim world. As a result, he ended up writing many original readings from adapted from Greek incorporated to Islam. Secondly, he was expected to introduce Indian numerical to Islam and Christianity. In all his work, it required him to break a code so that he could be able to translate a reading into Islam. As a result, he initiated cryptography by developing ciphers using mathematics to break codes.

Ali-Kindi began cryptography in his early stages when he was appointed by Abbasid. At first, he did not think of breaking codes and developing ciphers so that he could be able to understand the hidden meaning. He used to work normally and translate the different Hindu or Greek readings into Islam and Christianity. However, through the performance of his duties, Ali-Kindi noted that when he was translating there was a common occurrence in trends in most of the readings. This showed that there was a hidden code in the readings and it required a code to break them.

After realizing this, Ali-Kindi started using his mathematics knowledge to create ciphers for the purposes of breaking the codes. He did this by using several Indian readings that he was meant to translate to Islam and Christianity (Olson, 2011). He studied the readings carefully so that he could come with a common frequency where he will be able to create ciphers that will break the hidden code in the readings. At first, it was not that easy for Ali-Kindi because there were several instances where e failed to break the code leading to frustrations. At one point Ali-Kindi almost quit developing codes due to the amount of time and energy he had spent developing ciphers to break the codes.

Finally, at around Ad 800 Ali-Kindi developed the first ciphers that were used to break the codes in the different readings. It was so fascinating that he was able to cipher many readings and translate them with the shortest time possible. In the beginning, people did not understand cryptography because they saw it be a complicated method. Additionally, not many people were literate like Ali-Kindi, henceforth it was a bit difficult for the people because the knowledge that Ali-Kindi had was not available to everybody even those who were learned. For this reasons, Ali-Kindi decided to write a book explaining the different codes.

Ali-Kindi wrote the book for making people understand the process of cryptography. In the book, Ali-Kindi described his first cryptanalysis techniques where he used Arab phonetics, syntax and polyalphabetic ciphers (Olson, 2011). In this process, Ali-Kindi also established the first descriptions on frequency analysis using the cryptanalysis frequencies. In this case, Ali-Kindi was trying to educate people how to cipher information and encode from its raw for to a way that is readable by the third party.

Finally, Ali-Kindi continued to write other books based cryptography so that he could be able to educate people. After his death, Most of his work was lost due to the wars that were occurring between in the Islamic community where the different dynasties were fighting. Additionally, the different libraries present at that time were also destroyed by the different invasions that were constantly occurring (El-Konaissi, 2003). For this reason, most of his work in cryptography took time before other scholars and historians could revise and apply.

Conclusion

Cryptography is one of the techniques of hiding encoding information between two parties who do not want a third party decipher. In the recent past, after the different terror attacks, different governments have introduced cryptography as part of their security system so that they can know what their enemies are planning and at the same time, they can transfer information from a place to without being. All of this can be attribute to the Arab Philosopher Ali-Kindi who first initiated cryptography when he was translating Greek and Indian writings into Islam and Christianity.

 

References

El-Konaissi, A. (2003). Early Muslim concept of epistemology. Gent: Communication & Cognition.

Khan, M. M. (2008). Muslim 100: The lives, thoughts and achievements of the most influential Muslims in history. Leicestershire: Kube.

Olson, C. J. (2011). Voices of Oman: A different Mid-East story, an oral history of the Omani renaissance. London: Stacey International.

Stallings, W. (2011). Cryptography and network security: Principles and practice. Boston: Prentice Hall.

Finding Solace in Fantasy

Introduction

Grieve, frustrations, stress and depressions make people to feel alone and alienated, as though they were the only people existent in this planet. In most cases, these feelings make the affected people engage in fantasies. Some fantasies portray what the subjects would wish to accomplish, become or experience while some fantasies give the audience the state the subjects are in. The poem written by Robert Frost, Acquainted with the Night and the song done by Radiohead, Subterranean Homesick Alien, are examples of people going through such emotions. The writers of both works are lonely, alienated yet they yearn for solace through their thoughts and fantasies while “Acquainted with the Night” emphasizes on solitude; however, “Subterranean Homesick Alien” stresses on finding solace in fantasy.

Discussion

One of the main themes in these two works is the theme of solitide. The word “night” used in both works is a representation of the solitude in the personas. In the poem, the writer uses “I have been one acquainted with the night” (stanza one, line one) while the songwriter uses the words “late at night when am driving” (stanza five line two) in order to bring in the night aspect. Night hours portray loneliness. They portray the hardships, sorrow and sadness in a person’s life. However, these two writers also portray different aspects of the night. While the persona in the poem uses the night to wallow in his misery and the state of his misfortune, the persona in the song uses the night to fantasize on an adventure that would cheer him up.

To explain this further, the persona in Acquainted talks about how he has “outwalked the furthest city light,” (stanza one line three) and “looked down the saddest city lane,” (stanza two line one). These lines are reflections of the misery he has gone through yet he seems to take advantage of it in order to fantasize. He tries to give the audience a description of the depth and the intensity in his misfortune. On the other hand, the persona in the song is using the night to fantasize. He would “wish that they’d [aliens] swoop down in a country lane, late at night when [he is] driving,” (stanza five lines one and two). This fantasy shows that the persona is ready to explore another adventurous part of his life despite his misery. He is ready to look at the world from a fresh perspective since he would be watching the world when he is in an alien’s ship.

Additionally, the word “I” is also used to emphasize on the solitude in the personas’ lives. In Acquainted, the persona has used the word “I” in each of the stanzas apart from the forth one. The persona has also used the word “1” in all the stanzas apart from the third and forth stanzas. However, these two personas used the word in order to portray different aspect of their lives. In Acquainted, the word is used in order to put more emphasis on the character’s misery. The persona was the only one going through these troubles without the consolation or the comfort of any other people. On the other hard, the song bends towards the persona’s wish to get away from his troubles and vie the world from a different perspective, “show me the world as I’d love to see it,” (stanza five line four).

Since it is already established that the personas in the works are in solitude, it is also revelatory that they view their solitude in diverse perspectives. For example, the persona in the song is willing to associate his life with other individuals while the persona in the poem repels them. In the second and third lines of the poem stanzas, he states that, “I have passed by the watchman on his beat, And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain”. This showed that he is not ready to show other people of the pain he is going through either by words or by his body expressions. This further explains why he is avoiding eye contact. On the other hand, the persona in the poem explains that he would “tell all his friends” about his adventure in the alien’s ship although they would think that he had become mad.

In both works, the cause of the solitude and the loneliness has not been identified. Both personas in the works just talk about their reactions to the unknown miseries although they do not specifically point out the source of their misery or the misery/misfortune. This aspect of the works shows that they are not willing to tell the audience about themselves. They are not willing to reveal more about themselves to the audience. However, the persona in the song gives more hope to his situation as compared to the persona in the poem. While the poem ends with the persona’s wallow of how he has been acquainted with the night, the persona in the song explains that he will successfully come through the situation. The last stanza of the song explains that he is ready to show his friend the stars and the meaning of life even though they would shut him away.

Conclusion

Both works portray the theme of solitude, which is one of the main themes in the works. However, they portray diverse aspects of the theme. While the persona in the poem is focuses on his misfortune and himself, the persona in the song fantasizes of ways in which he could take advantage of his misery. He also wants to engage with others in order to avoid focusing on his negative side of life. He is also sure that he will positively make it through the misfortune even though he will be shut away by his friends. The persona in the poem avoids other people contact whether it is emotional or physical. He starts by giving the audience a hopeless dimension to his problems and ends the poem in the same note. In the poem, the persona will end up in solitude.

 

Works Cited

Frost, Robert “Acquainted with the Night”. Literature: An introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Writing, (11th Ed). Ed. By X.J.  Kennedy & Dana Gioia. New York, NY: Logman, 2009. Print.

Radiohead. “Subterranean Homesick Alien”. OK Computer. Parlophone and Capitol Records, 1997.

 

IT Research Proposal

Synergy in Information Systems

Introduction

Synergy refers to the resultant effect realized by merging two agents with the aim of having a greater resultant effect than the sum of the individual effects of the merging agents. Technically, through synergism, one plus one equals three as opposed to two. Synergy in the information realm is an emerging research topic owing to the significant potential in understanding and calculating the business value of IT. Other fields such as healthcare, chemistry and biology have conducted in depth studies on the topic and in the process bringing about significant benefits on the respective fields.

However, the same is yet to be realized in the realm of information technology especially in the field of information systems. This can change if the field of IT intuitively merges the corporate field with the well-defined computer science field. The field of information systems only contains scanty and yet inconclusive research in information regarding the benefits of executing synergies in information systems. In particular, we find current research attempting to find out the analyzing the IT business value face this topic by relating computer science directly to the performance of the corporate firm.

This approach is neither reliable nor can it provide into conclusive results mainly due to its reductionism nature. This is because the approach tends to disregard the synergistic significances that are brought about by information technology. In addition, this approach tends to overlook the potential transitional variables between IT and the performance of corporate industries where business value tends to be dependant upon (Herbig, and Genestre, 1996).

It has been widely acknowledged that the combined benefits that arise from the combination, incorporation and utilization of IT and industrial organizational resources are not conclusively known by the present literature in information systems business value. Researchers are therefore encouraged to look into the analysis of cross-unit synergies in information systems since the field still lies ignorant of the present instruments that capture synergies that are IT related and are incorporated by business firms. Research in the realm of information systems indicates that synergies that result from the mergence of IT and corporate resources are not conclusively realized in the IT business value literature. This apparent lack of knowledge has the effect of underrating the business value of IT.

In view of this apparent gap, emerging studies in information studies attempt to look into synergy in Information Technology and how it influences performance of business entities. These studies indicate that the synergistic mergence of information systems and other business organizational resources can bring about the improved effectiveness and efficiency of business performance. This view is availed through a resource-based view’s (RBV) perception. As an illustration, a research conducted by Tanriverdi (2006), indicates that the synergy of information systems resulted into about two percent of the variance in the performance of business entities. This figure represents a good proportion in terms of economic value.

Another research that asserts this result is that conducted by Zhu (2004). The research adds that synergy through the mergence of IT and corporate organizational resources certainly bring about a value proposition that is based on the business’ performance. Due to the essential nature of synergy in information systems in realizing the business value of IT in addition to its emerging significance as a crucial research topic and because information systems synergy has not  been conclusively researched in terms of its significance and potential, it is therefore imperative that an insightful research on the subject matter is conducted.

The execution of such a research will bring about the inclusion of potential IT synergy construct into the corporate business resource value research framework. This will act as a transitional element and assist in the realization of additional variances in corporate performance that are brought about by factors closely knitted with IT.

Research Significance

Scholastic Significance

The inclusion of information systems synergy model into the research structure of IT business value forms one of the basic significance of the anticipated study. Although current studies regarding the research on the aspect of quantitative corporate value of IT seem to have taken a divergent direction from that of looking into the productivity inconsistency, the frailty of conjoining information systems leads directly to how a business entity performs. This has received much criticism because the reductionism approach fails to take into account the synergy that may result into enhanced corporate performance. In fact, the benefits of overall IT synergy have been utterly ignored by the existing It corporate entities value literature.

This scarceness of information regarding information synergy wile analyzing the corporate entity value of IT tends to underrate the significance of information synergy in the enhancement of the performance of business entities. Moreover, it realizes limitations concerning the potential transitional variables that exist between information systems and the performance of corporate firms and their outcomes through which business value is highly dependent.

Based on this, the involvement of the information system synergy into the corporate entity value research construct as a transitional element will bring about a more conclusive image in terms of the IS payoff in addition to supplementing the research construct. This adds to the need of increasing research efforts into the lacking connection between IS investment and the performance of business entities. This also conforms to Barua et al.’s (1995) transitional value proposition. With this regard, the intended study purposes to significantly decrease the present limitations of the business value of IS and assist in the illumination of additional variances in business entity performance that are realized by IS related aspects through the consideration of IS synergy (Berg, M. (1999).

The involvement of the IS synergy strategy model into the IT organizational value research construct necessitates the operational of the model. This operation is not reliant on a legitimate conceptualization of IS synergy. Currently, the present studies are now attempting to conceptualize the effects of IS synergy that are present between IT and other corporate resources. However, these are limited in terms of having a received definition of IS synergy. This is especially so in the context of IT corporate value research. In fact, the way the term synergy is conceptualized in the IS literature tend to be thrown around at the convenience of the researcher. This makes the term ambiguous and consequently unreliable.

This lack of a legitimate definition of IS synergy out rightly leads to inherent limitations in coming up with cumulative knowledge. Therefore, it is beneficial to initially conceptualize IS synergy. This is necessary if the IS literature for any relevance of consequent processes that include the investigation of the concept. This is primarily because effective conceptualizations form the foundation of science upon which further prepositions can be forwarded. Only after the full and definite conceptualization of IS synergy that those who intend to research on the topic can are able to account and override the limitations involved in the analysis of the performance resulting from IS on corporate business entities and further enabling the increase in comparable studies that lie within the same theoretical base.

In addition, a relevant conceptualization of the synergy of IS brings about legitimate and reasonable concept extensions and associations that tend to be critical in highlighting research boundaries, outlining possible historical experiences and moderators, in addition to the development of a structure or a nomological association for systematic and conclusive research. The nomological network comprises of possible historical experiences and knowledge and moderators pertaining to the synergy of IS. These make it possible to perform empirical analysis of the synergy of IS in addition to other related factors. This further provides deep knowledge regarding the underpinning resource framework through which strategies for proper execution and attainment of competitive advantage can be set up and supports the current research structure on the corporate value of IS.

With this in mind, the conceptualization synergy of IS enables the development of the research on the theoretical foundation for information systems that are particularly related to synergy. The tools for analyzing the synergy of IS founded on the conceptualization of synergy are one of the academic benefits of the intended study. The design of a relevant tool for the analysis of the synergy of IS forms a natural addition to the term since the characterization of synergy of IS insightfully and definitely outlines concept expansion and association.

The definition of concept expansion and association does not merely serve to indicate the properties upheld by IS synergy but also goes to the lengths of specifying the  category of items that are relevant and are identified by IS synergy. Although researches are urged to conduct more studies focusing on the analysis of cross-unit IS synergies, these are yet to be properly undertaken. With this regard, the development of an instrument will enable the answering of preceding calls and the fulfillment of the research limitation in addition to making it possible for studies conducted in the future to effectively analyze the synergy of IS in a way that is predominantly formal and systematic.

In summary, the inclusion of the synergy of IS framework in the current IT corporate research construct to provide pertinent information required the initial conceptualization of the synergy of IS. Secondly, the above needs to by set in operation. The conceptualization of the synergy of IS, the design of an instrument for the measurement of IS synergy can be associated with the performance of corporate business entities. This can be performed together with the inclusion of the IS synergy framework into the research construct of the IS business value and provide pertinent information on the way organizational factors influence the synergy of IS and how information systems synergy contributes to the overall performance of the business entity. The results of the research will further develop a foundation for future research regarding business strategies that result into efficiency in the allocation and utilization of resources for the production of optimal benefits that are synergistic in nature.

Practical Significance

The tool that is designed by the intended study for the analysis of IS synergy and the relational representatives and historical experiences provide a foundation for the development of a measuring tool or a score-card that enable business entities to analyze the level of synergy that exists between their IT and other recourses of the firm. The proper analysis of IS synergy brings about practical importance for the business entities since by measuring the synergy; it is possible for the administration to properly and effectively manage it.

Although the IS synergy is impossible to be conclusively managed, the ability of evaluating it enables the business entities to achieve invaluable information on the performance of its resource allocation and mergence and realize the altering ability of complementary resources. Here, the firms are able to realize the synergetic effect where a combination of two or more agents brings about a greater combined effect in comparison to the sum of their individual effects.

Furthermore, the measuring instrument for the benefits of resource allocation can be used as a tool for self-diagnostic. Its utilization will enable the business firms to analyze critical areas of their organizational structure that is important for enhancing and capturing synergy. This self-diagnostic tool enables the business firms to identify recourse allocations that tend to provide minimal benefits and later execute the relevant correctional measures. As an illustration, in using the measuring instrument, business entities are able to measure the competence of their information systems and their capabilities that are critical for the exploitation of the IS synergy. In fact, the capture of synergies is the overall ambition of large business firms and lies at the helm of corporate strategy (Eisenhardt and Galunic 2000).

In addition, the intended study goes to the lengths of providing business entities with the relevant knowledge pertaining to the appreciation of why and how some of these are limited in generating or capturing optimal IS synergy that comes about from the combinational utilization if instruments of information technology and the assets of the corporate firm. In particular, the IS synergy framework and its historical experiences including research can bring to light aspects that are crucial for consideration if the corporate entities are to realize IS synergy and representatives of IS synergy from enabling the enhancement of the performance of the business entity.

Finally, since the intended research goes to the lengths of bringing to light the advantages that can be realized when proper aspects information services and other organizational resources are merged together for enhanced combination, the business entities end up being more assured when obtaining and allocating recourses that posses the desired characteristics. As an illustration, business entities normally identify productive investments by taking into account and the analysis of financial indicators that include the return on investment (ROI) and others. However, when the prospective synergistic impacts are realized, business ventures that bear negative return on investment (ROI) or net present value (NPV) can still be considered for purchase since these may bear the relevant characteristics that are complementary to already acquired resources. The combination of these two resources has the potential of producing benefits that transcend financial justification (Bossen, 2002).

Research Questions

With this regard, the proposed research purposes to pursue conclusive answers to the following research questions.

• What is the meaning of information systems synergy regarding corporate ventures?
• What are the historical experiences and representatives that are associated with the production, capture and realization information system synergy?
• How much variance is brought about by IS synergy in the performance by business entities?

Literature Review

The performance of literature review brings to light that IS synergy takes into account the synergies that are realized at the resource and process level in addition to the one that come about from the intra and inter organizational communications. First, Bharadwaj, (2000), finds that synergy is realized within the information technology recourses. This realization is inclusive of the company assets and capabilities. As an illustration, Meredith and Camm (1989), find that the synergies are produced when a company utilizes different manufacturing technologies that are perceptive when utilized in combination through the connecting together and the working off information sources that are common.

In addition, El-Najdawi and Stylianou (1993), find that the aspect of a decision support system (DSS) and an expert system (ES) having various similarities, they result into significant synergies that can be effectively reaped resulting in enhanced quality and effectiveness through the combination of these two systems. Further more, Jih et al. (2005), acknowledges on the ability of effecting electronic commerce efficiently. This results in the development of synergistic results. Zhu, (2004), attests that there exist synergies that enhance each other mutually are present when legacy information technology systems and Internet-based e-commerce capabilities are intricately combined together. This level contains synergies mainly manifest themselves in the form of minimized costs, enhanced quality and improved operating efficiency. The cost savings and other aspects such as enhanced efficiency are realized because of the association or the complementally aspect that is involved in the IT aspects (Clark, T. and Hermens, 2001).

Theoretical Basis and a Tentative Research Model

The intended research endeavors in the answering of the research questions through the implementation of the resource based view in combination with the relational view. The primary reason to this is that the resource-based view contains critical tools that are relevant in the analysis of synergies at the resource level. The adoption of the relational view makes it possible to come up with concise specification of association between the relevant resources.

Research Design

The proposed research attempts to acquire the sought research results through the incorporation of an approach that involves different methods. This approach tends to take into account a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. In essence, there are up to three particular stages whereby each of the stages is intended to develop varied but yet interrelated results.

The first stage is one regarding the conceptualization process of the synergy of information systems. This process utilizes the information technology construct and interconnects with the second stage whereby the conceptualization of the information system synergy can be developed. The third stage involves the empirical and quantitative analysis and testing of the information system synergy. This is approached on how it acts as a missing link between investment on information technology and the level of performance of the business entity. The first two stages by far follow on the construct production and development advance   as suggested by Churchill (1979).

Permissions:

            The main area where permission will have to be sought for is the corporate company. Permission to conduct the survey within the company will involve submission of a copy of the research proposal specifically underpinning the underlying benefits to both the company and the society in general realized from conducting the survey.

 

Stage one

Step 1: The specification of the field

Step 2: Authentication

Step 3: Purification

Stage Two

Step 1: Pretest

Step 2: Initial pilot test

Step 3: Display of the items

Stage Three

Step 1: Acquisition of data

Step 2: Location of the research

Step 3: Conducting survey

Step 4: The analysis of the collected data

Conclusion

The proposed study looks into the concept on information systems synergy through the development of a concise definition that illustrates the concept connotation and extension, analyzing the background research of information system synergy and empirically analyzing the IS synergy’s impact on the performance of business entities.

 

References

Clark, T. and Hermens, A. (2001). “Corporate developments and strategic alliances in e-learning”, Education + Training, Vol. 43 No. 4, pp. 256-67.

Barua, A., Kriebel, C.H., and Mukhopadhyay, T. “Information Techologies and Business Value: An Analytic and Empirical Investigation,” Information Systems Research (6:1), 1995, pp. 3-23.

Berg, M. (1999). Accumulating and Coordinating: Occasions for Information Technologies in Medical Work. In Computer Supported Cooperative Work, 8(4), pp. 373-401.

Bharadwaj, A.S. “A Resource-Based Perspective on Information Technology Capability and Firm Performance: An Empirical Investigation,” MIS Quarterly (24:1), 2000, pp. 69-196.

Bossen, C. (2002). The Parameters of Common Information Spaces: the Heterogeneity of Cooperative Work at a Hospital Ward. In Proceedings of the Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, pp. 176-185.

Eisenhardt, K.M., and Galunic, D.C. “Coevolving: At Last, A Way to Make Synergies Work,” Harvard Business Review (78:1), 2000, pp. 91-101.

Herbig, P. and Genestre, A. (1996). “An Experiment of Cross-cultural Differences in Service Quality”, Journal of Consumer Marketing. Vol. 13. No. 2, pp. 31-42.

Tanriverdi, H. “Information Technology Relatedness, Knowledge Management Capability, and performance of Multibusiness Firms,” MIS Quarterly (29:2), 2005, pp. 311-334.

Text Aloud Software

Introduction

Currently, technology is evolving at an extremely high speed. New computers with greater speeds are been created while new software are built in with new application everyday. One of the areas that have great improvement due to the technological change is education. In the past, it was extremely difficult for teachers to teach those students who had disabilities in reading. This is because many students are not able to read while others have disabilities. For instance, there are blind students who cannot be able to read. However, technological researchers have introduced new software that enables the students to listen what is written rather than reading the materials. Therefore, an evaluation of the software, how it is applied, costs of the software and the language choices of the software made.

Discussion

Text aloud software is a type of text speech which converts all text documents in the personal computer like Microsoft Word, Emails, Web page and many others into a natural speech of any language depending on the user (Nextup.com 2012). This means that a student can access a book in the internet with the help of the software without even having to read the procedures to be followed to access. This is because the software is reading aloud for the purposes of the student to understand. Additionally, after accessing the book, the software reads aloud while the student is listening (Nextup.com 2012). In this case, there is nowhere the student is expected to read. For this reason, it has made it easy for the student to study leading to increased rate of literacy.

In the past, when the text aloud software was first initiated, voice generation was limited to few applications. For instance, the languages used were limited and the documents to be read were limited. In this case, it was not adequate for the students to read the documents. However, the software has evolved and it has a variety of voice generations (Nextup.com 2012). For example, almost all the European languages are applicable using the software. Secondly, the software is not limited to text speech only. There is software that has come up which have other interactive applications providing the users with more information from what is written in the document (Nextup.com 2012).

Similarly, in the past, the software could only be used with limited appliances. For instance, only certain computers were able to use this software. Recently, there scope applicable with the software has been widened (Nextup.com 2012). People are able to access the software with almost any type of computer they are using. For example, the different files can be listened in a personal computer or creation of audio files for ipods, iphones and other potable devices depending on what the user decides to use (Nextup.com 2012).

Text aloud software is extremely readily available in the market. In the web, there is free trial software that can be used by the customers to check their efficiency. Upon the review of the trial version of the software, a person is expected to buy permanent software depending on the applications of the software. In this case, the costs of acquiring the text aloud software are extremely cheaper.

Conclusion

The improvement of technology today has raised the level of literacy all over the world. The introduction of text aloud software has made it easy for the students to learn easily and quickly. Additionally, the software has been upgraded several times to increase the number of languages it can convert together with other applications. Moreover, the manufacturers have made it flexible for the users since they can now use it with their potable devices. The astonishing fact is that this software is readily available for the and cheap.

 

Works cited

Nextup.com. Our Exiting Text aloud 3 new release here. March 21, 2012. Web. March 21, 2012.

Nextup.com. New Features in Text Aloud 3. March 21, 2012. Web. March 21, 2012.

 

 

Explain how the law of diminishing marginal returns works

            The words ‘diminishing returns’ illustrate a market condition that is depicted by a reduction in marginal output coupled by an increase in a single factor of production while the rest of the factors of production remain constant (O’ Sullivan, et al, 2007). However, when another factor of production is added to the production process while the rest of the factors remain constant will lower the unit returns (Chapter 9: Production, 266).

For example, Dell Incorporation deals in the manufacture of computers and softwares. Dell in a production process adding a single factor such as materials results in wastage because it would be an overestimate of the consumer demand resulting in losses or cost overrun. This increases the cost of production as it becomes expensive to purchase materials (Blink & Dorton, 2007). Thus, the costs eat into the profits resulting in diminished returns. Hence, when an investment is made in the production process on one factor of production, then there results a decrease in returns because of the diminishing effect (Chapter 9: Production, 266).

The law of diminishing returns is usually found in short run production. Dell in its current market would find it difficult or the barriers of exit would deny dell the chance to exit a market thus only one factor is kept in variation to keep costs low. While at the same time, the company examines the current market state to weigh options of increasing production by increasing the factors of production resulting in a long run production. This is because the barriers preventing a company from exiting a market might be too high in comparison to costs of staying in a market (O’ Sullivan, et al, 2007). A company opts to keep a single factor of production such as capital to seek profitability while preventing cost overrun or losses. In addition, the fixed factors are because of minimizing costs may be because of volatile market changes. Moreover, the constant factors help the company to re-strategize on how it will remain profitable to seeking an alternative market (O’ Sullivan, et al, 2007). A company in a short run production cannot increase production of its goods because of the constraints that come with the costs of exit out of the market and entry into the market (Chapter 10: Costs, 304).

How the long run is cost-structure derived from the short run cost structure

In economics, short run period refers to the period where one input or factor of production is fixed whereas the other functions of production are not constant, whereas the long period refers to a period, during which all the factors of production are not constant (Blink & Dorton, 2007). For example, when a company like Nike enters into a market, all factors of production are kept varied as in the case of a long run such that the company can weigh the options of exit or entry into the market. The long run is depicted by the ability of a company to increase or reduce factors of production depending on the current market conditions. An improvement in market conditions may force Nike to increase capital to hire more labor and seek adequate space for more production of the goods or provision of services to the consumers (O’ Sullivan, et al, 2007). This is predominant in a market with many competitors and low barriers to exit and entry into a market. The presence of many competitors in the market means that no single company can influence market prices (Chapter 10: Costs, 319).

In a short run period, the need to keep one factor of production constant while the rest are varied is because of staying constant despite changes in the economic conditions. The short run is depicted by full utilization of the law of diminishing returns whereby the increase in the varied factor of production can result in substantial losses by the company. In relation to Nike, the barriers, preventing it from leaving a market such as high costs of exit might prevent it from doing so (Blink & Dorton, 2007). This might also be due to the inability to adjust its size, thus when a company keeps factors like capital varied and the rest constant, this might be due to such constraints in the market preventing it to seek a more profitable alternative (Blink & Dorton, 2007). Increase in one factor might result in losses and overrun costs or worse still the failure of a company if it had not projected such cost overruns. In a short run, the exit costs are high meaning that a single company has the ability to influence the market prices of goods in the market (Chapter 10: Costs, 321).

 

References

Blink, J., & Dorton, I. (2007). Economics: Course companion. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

O’Sullivan, A., Sheffrin, S. M., & Prentice-Hall, Inc. (2007). Prentice Hall economics: Principles in action. Boston, MA: Pearson/Prentice Hall.

 

Course: Assignment 12: Ecosystem Capital: Use and Restoration Chapter 7

Major Systems and Their Goods and Services

1. List seven services performed by natural ecosystems:
a. decomposition of waste matter

1. provision of clean drinking water by nature
2. Elimination of excess carbon from the atmosphere and detoxification of the environment

d provision of good climate for existence

1. Pharmaceuticals, biochemicals
2. energy such as biogas and hydropower

g Mineral production

h Crop pollination
2. The loss of which natural service led to
a. Siltation and flooding of rivers in Bangladesh. Climate regulation

1. Eutrophication of Chesapeake Bay waste management and detoxification
2. How much would it cost to duplicate the water purification and fish propagation capacity of a single acre of tidal wetland? $100,000 per year
   4. We can compensate for the losses of natural services. (True or False)
   true
   Conservation, Preservation, Restoration
   5. Any resource that has the capacity to renew or replenish itself is called a renewable resource.
   6. The aim of conservation is to preserve or prolong use.
   7. The term conservation implies complete denial of any use of a natural resource.
   (True or False) False
   8. The term preservation implies complete denial of any use of a natural resource.
   (True or False) False
   Public and Private Lands in the U.S
   9. Nearly 75 percent of U.S. land is publicly owned.
   10. The majority of U. S. public lands are in the Nevada states and Utah.
   11. The purpose of the Wilderness Act of 1964 is to (conserve or preserve).
   National Forests. Conserve
   12. Managed commercial forests in the East are on (private or state or federal) lands. Federal
   13. Managed commercial forests in the West are on (private, state, or federal) lands. State
   14. Deforestation is no longer a problem in the United States.
   (True or False) False
   15. Only 30 percent of the original U.S. forests are left.
   16. Most U. S. forests are (old or second) growth forests. Second
   17. U.S. taxpayers make money from the sale of national forest lumber.
   (True or false) true
   18. List four factors that characterized “New Forestry”.
   a. high annual precipitation
   b. can be found in both temperate and  tropical regions in thee world.
3. they are very humid due to high precipitation.
4. support variety of organisms

Trends and Future Conditions of Wal-Mart

The retail industry has been characterized by dynamism and unpredictable trends. The market is continually changing calling for move savvy entrepreneurs who are able to decipher market trends and project future customer needs to stay in touch with the market. Wal-Mart is currently the largest retail company in the globe. The company boasts of worldwide outlets with its base in the United States of America. However, the company also has to come to terms with the dynamic market trends and approach them decisively to maintain its global market niche. Market trends such as market structure, the effect of new entrants in the market, prices, technology and other aspects such as productivity and cost structure including government regulations indicate that company is highly likely to stay at the top in the future (Krafft, & Mantrala, 2006).

There is the undeniable fact that the company’s growth is unstoppable if the company is to abide by its values, mission statement and goals. This indicates the company’s market structure is likely to stay the same. Through the application of the concentration ratio method, it is evident that the company’s annual sales will remain higher in comparison to other market players in the industry. However, these other players are still bound to give the company a run for their money since their presence in the market is bound to remain. Bearing in mind that the company is an oligopoly, the company will continue with its expansionist strategy, opening up new stores and launching into new markets using strategic pricing. This growth will mean that some companies that will have to fold up while others registering minimized sales. The company will continue growing based on its cartel model and the restriction of new entrants into the market. Although this may lead the company into being a monopoly in certain markets, its low-pricing strategy will ensure the customers benefit from competitive prices and a wide variety of choices (Jefferys, & Knee, 1962).

The future indicates that there will also be new entrants in the market. This will consequently have the effect of having Wal-mart price its products even lower. The company maintains the advantage of having a wide variety of suppliers thus reaps the benefit of purchasing from the cheapest supplier. Having suppliers from all over, the world also ensures that the company can acquire the best quality raw materials. This ensures that the company avails to the customer products that are both of high quality and relatively low prices in comparison to the new entrants. In this case, new entrants will minimally affect the company’s position in the competitive field or its potential. However, the new entrants may have the effect of having the company reviewing its image, take careful consideration of the local cultures and look into new products to cater to the high-income shoppers.

Changes in prices highly affect the structure of the company. This is mainly because is founded on the policy of providing products at the lowest prices. Future trends on prices indicate that these will continue to rise. This is mainly attributed to the global inflation levels. Since the company, is not capable of controlling global inflation, then future increase in prices will negatively affect the company in keeping up with its policy of availing products at cheap prices (Heilbrunn, & American Marketing Association, 1995).

Technological advances are inevitable. However, such will end up cementing the company’s position at the top in the market. This is primarily because the company highly adopts new technology and uses its for its won advantage. This can be evidenced through the way the company has adopted E marketing into its organization structure and now consumers can now purchase commodities at remote locations. Changes of wages and benefits in the future are bound to influence negatively Wal-Mart’s potential in the market, its position in the competitive field Government regulations are also bound to change in the future. This is because the company boasts of having employed very many employees. If each of these employees is going to have their wages and benefits increased, the increase in costs may therefore be passed on to the consumer. This is primarily because the world is now crossing over into globalization whereby states are being compelled to abandon policies that restrict free market. Globalization and the inception of free market have been known to favor multinational companies highly in comparison to local companies. Wal-Mart, being a multinational company, is also bound to benefit from this and therefore facilitate its growth (Baumohl, 2005).

 

References

Baumohl, B. (2005). The secrets of economic indicators: Hidden clues to future economic trends and investment opportunities. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Wharton School Pub.

Heilbrunn, J., & American Marketing Association. (1995). Marketing encyclopedia: Issues and trends shaping the future. Chicago: American Marketing Association.

Jefferys, J. B., & Knee, D. (1962). Retailing in Europe: Present structure and future trends. London: Macmillan.

Krafft, M., & Mantrala, M. K. (2006). Retailing in the 21st century: Current and future trends. Berlin: Springer.

 

OSHA Standards and Bubba’s Materials Handling, Inc

1. Highest priority standards

1. Other working surfaces, 1910.30-the company has many machines, which have to be located in the appropriate manner, so as to guarantee safety
2. Powered platforms for building maintenance, 1910.66- the company has permanent powered platforms for building maintenance
3. Manlifts, 1910.30-the company uses manlifts to transport goods where they should be
4. ventilation, 1910.94- some of the activities in the company cause contaminated air
5. Occupational noise exposure, 1910.95- some of the activities during the fabrication process are noisy
6. Compressed gases (general information), 1910.101-the company uses different compressed gases in some of the machines
7. Acetylene, 1910.102-the company uses acetylene in welding, and has to ensure that it is stored and used safely
8. Flammable and combustible liquids, 1910.106-some of the liquids and chemicals  used in the company such as acetylene and xylene are combustible
9. Storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas, 1910.110- the company uses LP gas to power forklifts
10. General requirements for dipping and coating operations, 1910.124- the company uses coating operations when it paints
11. Eye and face protection, 1910.133- this is especially important in almost all the company operations such as welding and painting
12. Safety color code for marking physical hazards, 1910.144- the company deals with flammable material
13. Permit-required confined spaces, 1910.146-the company fits the profile of a confined space. It is large enough for employees to enter and work, and it is not designed for continuous occupancy
14. Powered industrial trucks, 1910.178-the company uses trucks to transport the finished goods to storage, and load them for transportation.
15. Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting, 1910.253- the company uses oxy-acetylene torch in welding

1. Written programs required by the company

1. Chemical safety program-It is important for the company to have a chemical safety program so that employees can know how to handle chemicals, and thus protect themselves from chemical hazards. All corrosives and flammables should be identified, and have safety precautions.
2. Confined space entry-the employees should know all the confined spaces. It is important to know of all the confined spaces, so that one can know of the possible hazards. Having a program for confined space entry will enable the employees to know of the safety procedures such as safe work, rescue, exit, and entry procedures.
3. General safety and health policy rules- Bubba’s Materials Handling, Inc has many activities and procedures. The general safety and health policy rules will enable the employees to know what to do when they encounter problems and issues that are not covered by specific regulations. Employers should ensure that the employees have a safe working environment in all the departments and sections of the company
4. Industrial hygiene-the company should inform all the employees about the possible heath hazards in the company. The program is necessary because it lets the employees know the person who is authorized to handle any hazardous chemicals, and the persons responsible for handling the company equipment

Standards requiring training

1. Storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas- this is a highly sensitive area in many organizations and companies using LP gas. Employees need to have training in this area so that they can know how to handle LPG. Employers should not assume that the employees know how to use the gas properly. In case an accident happens and the gas leaks, it can be easy to ignite a fire and the results can be disastrous
2. Eye and face protection some employers assume that employees know how to use protective equipment in the right way. However, this is not the case, as employees often end up using the equipment in the improper manner. The equipment fails to protect the employees, and this results to accidents and injuries at the work place
3. Powered industrial trucks-powered industrial trucks such as forklifts and manlifts can be hazardous to the employees, if they do not know how to use it well. Although the employees may have had experiences as truck drivers elsewhere, the employers should continue training them, especially if they change the model or make of the machines that the employees know
4. Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting-it is important to train employees how to use oxygen-fuel machines for welding and cutting because this will reduce accidents in the work place. Employers should ensure that employees know how to use all the equipment, especially because it contains flammable gases, which can be dangerous
5. Safety color code for marking physical hazards- employers should inform the employees when they have marked all the physical hazards with color codes. Employees need to know the color that relates to a specific color code so that they can avoid accidents in the workplace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference:

OSHA (n. d.). Occupational safety and health administration. United States Department of Labor. Retrieved from http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owasrch.search_form?p_doc_type=STANDARDS&p_toc_level=1&p_keyvalue=1910

GDP in UAE

 

 

Year	GDP %
1995	8.14
1996	8.24
1997	7.17
1998	7.15
1999	7.01
2000	6.19
2001	6.21
2002	6.17
2003	11.9
2004	6.14
2005	6.25
2006	6.18
2007	6.19
2008	6.17
2009	1.60
2010	6.21
2011	6.19

 

The gross domestic product of UAE has been stable through out the Years. However, it has been decreasing since 1995. One of the reasons is the economic global crisis, which have had a negative effect on every country in the world. In the year 2009, there was a significant drop of the GDP. This was caused by the unstable world oil prices and other factors affecting the economy. In 2010, the GDP regained its normal figure and it is expected to improve in the coming Years. The improvement will be facilitated by the stable political environment and the increased economic activities. The government is also implementing measures, which will boost the economy (Mehaan & Heddi, n.d ).

 

Mean

The mean GDP of the seventeen years is 6.21%. The gross domestic product for this country has been stable for the last ten year. Only in 2009 when there was a significant drop to 1.60%.

Median

The middle figure is 8.2. Therefore, this is the median of this data.

Standard deviation

This shows how much this data has deviated form its mean. This data’s standard deviation is 10.37%

 

Skewness 

The distribution of these figures is skewed to the positive side. It is 8.04

Quartile

This is the difference between the lower and upper quartile. It is 5.39.

Hypotheses test Steps

This project will include a hypotheses based on the improvement of the GDP. The X and Y are from a normal distribution and they are independent.

1. To test the hypotheses, the t distribution table will be used because the size of sample is large.
2. The appropriate degrees of freedom will be determined. This will help assist in reading the table.
3. The confidence interval should also be determined before calculation.
4. The final answer should show be a range, where the actual figure lies (Freedman, Pisani & Purves, 2007).

Conclusion

These statistics methods assist in analyzing and interpreting data. For example, the measures of dispersion are used to evaluate how much the data has deviated from the mean (Kendall, et al, 1994). The results of the hypotheses test will determine whether there is any growth in the GDP. It is possible to predict the performance of GDP, using these measures. When the government of UAE implements better economic strategies, the GDP is expected to grow (Boudreau & McClave, 2008).

 

Reference:

Boudreau, N. S., & McClave, J. T. (2008). Student solutions manual, Statistics for business and economics 10e: McClave, Benson, Sincich. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Freedman, D., Pisani, R., & Purves, R. (2007). Statistics. New York [u.a.: Norton.

Kendall, M. G., Stuart, A., Ord, J. K., Arnold, S. F., & O’Hagan, A. (1994). Kendall‘s advanced theory of statistics. London: Edward Arnold.

Meehan, Paul & Heddi, Mustapha (n.d.). United Arab Emirates : Economic Data : Intute World Guide. (Intute.) Intute.