How might the innovation strategy of a service sector firm differ from Essay

How might the innovation strategy of a service sector firm differ from that a manufacturing company And what particular issues - Essay Example However, today, both sectors are increasingly borrowing from each other in order to offer consumers tailor-made services and products. Manufacturing companies are coming up with â€Å"servicisation† strategies for their goods, while service firms are engaging in the â€Å"productisation† of services (Cunningham, 2007, pp. 31). It is my opinion that despite this growing interrelationship between the manufacturing industry and the service sector, the use of R&D in the latter is not clearly defined and most R&D-related activities are not assessed. In my opinion, most studies have always placed the service sector second to the manufacturing industry in as far as innovation is concerned. However, this is an old-fashioned way of looking at the service sector. Today, the service sector employees more people around the globe, in comparison to those people in the manufacturing industry. Most of these employees are very educated people with the capacity to innovate new and redesi gn existing ones to ensure consumer satisfaction. Accordingly, this paper aims at analyzing how a service firm might use R&D as an innovation strategy, in order to cater for the needs of the consumer and ensure business growth. Secondly, the paper aims at evaluating how differently a manufacturing company might use the same R&D innovation strategy in the production of goods. The third aim in this paper concerns an examination of the particular issues that a service firm may be required to address when coming up with R&D as a key innovation strategy. Accordingly, the main objective is to demonstrate that the service sector can be as innovative as the manufacturing industry in the use of R&D. The other objective is to elucidate the positive correlation that exists between the consumer and the service provider in the service sector in consideration of R&D activities. 2.0 Innovation approach- service sector versus manufacturing company Innovation is a key driver in the growth of economi c structures in both technologically advanced and third world countries. The service sector is becoming increasingly more crucial to economic development, and as such requires more innovation strategies to ensure the sustainability of global economic growth. According to Gallouj & Djellal (2010, pp. 301) most service innovation strategies involve redesigning existing services in response to new market needs and trends, while some strategies aim at coming up with entirely new services. One of the innovation strategies adopted by the service sector is the use of research and development (R&D) activities to identify and meet consumer needs. In the service sector, there are various sources of knowledge, with R&D being one of them. Baldwin & Gellatly (2003, pp. 130) state that research in previous decades revealed that the manufacturing industry was more likely than the service sector to use R&D as an innovation strategy. However, within the last two decades, the service sector has also begun to invest more in conducting R&D in order to meet consumer demands. According to the OECD (2005, pp. 143) between 1990 and 2001, R&D in the service sector increased at a 12 per cent rate in most developed countries. Service firms and manufacturing companies differ in their use of R&D as an innovation strategy, just as their products differ. In the manufacturing

Information Systems for Management- Research Conference Paper Essay

Information Systems for Management- Research Conference Paper - Essay Example Although there will be a good deal of positive emphasis on CRM's there will also include the other view point concerning the challenging areas that need improvements such as: project management, data conversion, customer relationships within the business, and the integrity of the CRM as a whole process. As stated previously, CRM's projectile aim is to consider the customer/business relationship first and foremost (ORC Macro, 2005). How a CRM goes about providing a company with a successful customer/business partnership is quite simple. It consists of a business process that uses correlating software along with traditional marketing methods such as: sales and other supportive measures to "retain and improve customer loyalty" (Penner & Ginsky, 2005). This type of strategy has proven very promising as a recent survey taken shows that 81% of some of the most reputable corporations have initiated CRM programming in the past three years and now have promising sketches to expand their basic CRM capabilities into 2004 through 2005 (Microsoft Business Solutions 2004, p.4). Factual evidence offers validity that CRM implementation is indeed on the rise and because of it almost 50% of firms utilizing CRM's services have had their revenue stack up very competitively against their competition over the past four years (Microsoft Business Solutions 2004, pp.1-4). Great prospects are available for CRM adaptation, which will soon be understood much more comprehensively through the research in this paper. CRM, in an integral whole part, forms the sound base structure for corporations to improve their already existing software systems. This creates a whole new highway of business which will be discussed later throughout this research project. Another area of focus this research will attempt to explore is the top three competitors which offer the services of CRM. These are: Oracle, Siebel and Sap, three of the most influential corporations offering some of the finest and top-notch software for all levels of companies. The main company focus will be Oracle due to the fact that it happens to be the most prestigious and quantifiable software corporation offering Integrated Customer Relationship Management solutions (Oracle, 2005). It happens to offer the most accurate, up-to-date key tools for customer success and the best thing is all entities within a company can draw on one main data source, if Oracle is the software of choice. Also, another reason the focus is so heavily on Oracle is due to the verifiable ability the software presents in assisting companies with their; "revenue, interaction costs, and customer relations" which stand unprecedented (Oracle, 2005). Study shows that this corporation leads Siebel and Sap, (han ds down), quite possibly due to the more user friendly interface of the system as well as the company's validated software track record also. The main purpose and aim of this research is to give validation and provide information into how CRM implementation aids in the long term success of a company. The fact that CRM does provide substantial assistance to companies in regards to building a more personal relationship with each customer, based on their own individual needs, and

Interpersonal Conflict Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Interpersonal Conflict - Essay Example The problem was that there were misunderstandings and miscommunications because she made a conclusion on her initial observations and she did not even give us time to explain our side. I was already trying to say something but she kept on going about how wrong our actions were and we were not supposed to be listening to other people's conversation. I was quiet but inside I was bursting to tell her about how wrong she was regarding her assumption and that she, too, were listening to other people's conversation. After our talk—or rather, after my friend and I listened and she said things—I felt annoyed with her because it was useless having that talk if she was the only one talking. She was being sensitive and insensitive at the same time. Also, she was not understanding the situation because she was just letting her emotions mix up with her logic. She was not being rational. Â  I think in her perspective she was seeing that we were obviously listening to her and that we were laughing at her. Also, since she heard only bits of the conversation, maybe she started sowing what data she had and then made a conclusion that were laughing at her because she was wrong. At the same time, I think she felt that maybe she needed to have a strong personality while she was talking to us so that we will not think that she was just some person we can laugh at. I think she thinks that she was telling us the right things and that we were very sorry that was why we were quiet.... Also, since she heard only bits of the conversation, maybe she started sowing what data she had and then made a conclusion that were laughing at her because she was wrong. At the same time, I think she felt that maybe she needed to have a strong personality while she was talking to us so that we will not think that she was just some person we can laugh at. I guess for her, the problem was that we were judgmental and disrespectful. I think the misunderstanding was caused by our youth and our inability to know when to make side comments and when not to. During the time that we were trying to settle the situation, since my friend and I were quiet, I think she thinks that she was telling us the right things and that we were very sorry that was why we were quiet. Personally, by comparing the two perspectives, I noticed that the issue was very simple to control and that it was easily fixed if we were able to do some things—both on my side and the girl's. Things like, if only my frie nd and I kept our voice down it would not have happened or if we just did not mind her it would not have started. At the same time, my friend and I should have been more assertive instead of just being quiet. On the other hand, she should have been more sensitive to let us explain our side. In other words, both parties had a fault, we were just too stubborn and too blinded by our own feelings to rationalize the situation and deal with it as smartly and as calmly as we could. Now that I am fully aware of the perspectives from both sides, I think if I were to remake that situation when we were trying to resolve the conflict it would sound like this: Me: Hey, you think we should talk to her? Friend: Yeah, I think we

Handwashing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Handwashing - Essay Example The level of the target audience also influences the teaching plan. There are varied formats of teaching plans, below is a formal teaching plan regarding environmental issues. The time allowed should be indicated in the plan. This facilitates management of time and ensuring maximum utilization of the allocated and extra time. The time factor is important in formulating the entire teaching plan. In creation of a realistic timeline of the plan the following strategic points should be considered. The list of required materials should include materials that should aid the teacher in explaining the topic. Materials to be used may include illustration charts showing graphical explanations about environmental issues affecting the community. Short films can also be used to explain through visual and audio recordings of the topic. The plan should include various categories of objectives. Behavioral objectives are the things the community or the targeted audience should be able to do at the end of the lesson(s).knowledge objectives includes what the community or students have learnt about environmental issues. The tutor should formulate a test to gauge the amount of information acquire by his/her audience. The objectives are guided by the following questions; The instructional component of the plan includes sequence of events that builds the environmental issues lesson. This includes the tutor’s own instructions about the topic under discussion. Introduction of this section can be through questions to gauge the understanding of the community about issues affecting the environment. The plan ought to include independent practices for the community to extend their skills in the environmental field of study. The practices may vary according to the demographics of the community’s setup. They may include practical lessons on preventing environmental degradations amongst other issues. The summary of the plan

Animal Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Animal Rights - Essay Example Torturing a cat or setting it on the fire by the way of childish prank is one of the key examples of wrongdoing in the literature of philosophy. It is true that all breathing animals have morale rights like human beings. They breathe and live like us. Most importantly God created the animals. Therefore, it can be stated that non-human animals also have the basic rights similar to the human beings. It is true that all the non-human animals play effective role in the society. Therefore, it is the responsibility of human beings to give proper value to these non-human animals. The non-human animals also can feel their joy, pain and sorrow similar to the human beings. Therefore, it can be stated that it is the responsibility of the human beings to be kind to the non-human animals. Question 2 It will be unsocial and unethical if the human beings treat the non-human animals as the â€Å"ends in themselves†. The non-human animals have the fundamental rights to live like the human bein gs. All the non-human animals have effective value, contribution and responsibility in the ecology (Regan 13). It is necessary to have all kinds of animals in the society as it helps to maintain the ecological balance. The human beings achieve huge benefits and advantages from these non-human animals. The non-human animals have important contribution in agricultural and industrial sectors. Therefore, animals have the right to die or get injured if they harm the human beings. Similarly, it is the right of the innocent non-human animals to live without fear in the society. Human beings should not hurt or kill the non-human animals considering the law of humanity. This law of humanity does not allow the human beings to torture or kill a non human animal. The human beings are mentally strong than these non-human animals. Human beings are known as social animals. They are more intelligent than the non human animals. It is true that, the non-human animals cannot think like the human being s, but they can feel and respond to external factors in similar way. Therefore, it can be stated that, human beings should not treat the non human animals as ends in themselves as it will violate the law of nature. Cows, dogs, cats and birds are the domestic animals. They give unconditional love to human beings. Similarly it is the responsibility of human beings to take care of their lives and needs. They cannot communicate with the human beings through their voice. But it is true that they can feel things in similar way. These non-human animals are called obedient animals. They are loyal to the owners. Therefore, the attitude of human beings towards these non human animals should be changed. In terms of fundamental rights of non-human animals and moral ethics, it can be stated that killing or torturing of animals should be stopped as it can hamper the ecological balance. Question 3 According to Kant’s argument, the non-human animals have souls as they are able to move. It is an ontological distinction between the non-human animals and matters. The non-human animals are not just matters or mere machines. The animals do have souls as everything in the nature is either animate or inanimate. Moreover, the non-human animal can feel the inner aspects, such as pain, joy and sorrow. Therefore, it can be stated that the non-human animals are an animated matter lack of inner spontaneity principle. According to the ethical view of Kant, the human beings have the ethical right to injure or kill the non human animals. Moreover, he argued that the non human animals should be killed without pain and quickly. This action should not be for the sake of entertainment and sport. According to Kant, the human beings should not perform the painful experiments on these non human a

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

International Business - Essay Example The operating systems under the software segment include Mac OS and other productivity and utility applications like I-work, Quick time player, and logic studio among others (Apple, 2013b). Apple is considered as one of the best software firms in terms of creativity and innovation. The company mainly distributes its services and product through retailers, whole sellers and exclusive Apple owned stores. Hewlett Packard, Dell, Google and Blackberry are the direct competitors of the company (NASDAQ, 2012). The current business environment is extremely volatile and changing. In order to thrive and survive in this competitive environment, companies will have to monitor and analyses the external as well as internal environment conditions before taking any business decision. Company philosophy Apple runs on the philosophy of creativity and premium (Simoes, 2001). Even though other companies are trying to cut down costs in order to increase sales and volume growth, Apple continues to price p roducts in the premium category. The company has established a loyal base of customers. Design and technology have always been the pillars of success for Apple. The other major marketing philosophy surrounding Apple is empathy, focus and Impute. Together, they provide a breakthrough competitive advantage to the company with respect to customer preference and market knowledge (Ghodeswar, 2008). Empathy concerns with understanding the exact needs to the customers (Witcher and Chau, 2010). The company has successfully embedded this philosophy with extensive research and evaluating the future trends and demands of the ever evolving customer. The second philosophy is focusing on only what is important and is necessary and removing all unimportant things from the activity plan. This increases the employee efficiency and overall productivity. The third philosophy is imputing which means that public and consumer form an opinion about the company. Thus, Apple makes sure that the image of the company is clean and balanced. External environment analysis PEST analysis will be helpful in evaluating the external environment of Apple. Political More than 50 percent of revenue of Apple comes from international markets. Thus, any change in the political scenario in the major international market will be crucial in overall growth of the organization. Economical The global economic crisis has impacted the company in an adverse way. With the high inflation rate and rising unemployment, consumers have shifted to saving mode. This has impacted the overall business of Apple, as most of its products are categorized as luxury and premium range. Fluctuating values of US dollars have also impacted the organization. Social The two major factors which have always been the forefront of Apple were designing and creativity. With the increasing disposable income, people are more attracted towards creative gadgets and technology (Beri, 2007). Apple has understood this market sentiment and cont inues to design innovative and user-friendly technology for the masses. Technological Apple throws in a large chunk of its revenue into product development and research phases. The sole purpose of this is to come out with new and innovative technology which provides competitive advantage to Apple. Opportunities and challenges An understanding of the current opportunities and

The words context Essay Example for Free

The words context Essay When addressing this question its important that I explain what I understand by the words context and truth. My view of the word context is something (such as time or setting) that surrounds a particular event and that can alter its meaning. Truth is what happened in reality. There are two types of truth.  The first one is my truth: its what I believe its true. For example I might say that if we laugh a lot throughout the day well sleep better. That is my truth only, since someone else might not believe that. Whether or not the rest of the people believe this, the truth will always be mine. In this case I think that context does not influence what I believe in; therefore in this case context doesnt affect truth. The second type of truth is universal truth. This is the truth that everyone in the world believes in. In my opinion there are few if none universal truths since not everyone agrees on something and these truths all depend on the context. For example consider this statement. 10 out of 10 people die. According to scientists that statement is true to them. Its thought to be a universal truth. However in the world there will be someone who believes that we dont die. Maybe even in some region on Earth various people believe that we never die. We also have to take into account the period that the statement was written in. Maybe in the next centuries with advances in medicine, people will live forever therefore if this statement was written in that time it would be completely false! As we can see time is a very important aspect when stating if something is true. The most famous examples of this is the fact that people in the 15th century believed that the world was flat, it was the truth, due to the fact that the sea was flat and after a certain distance boats would suddenly disappear, and they also believed that the sun orbited around the Earth. Galileo and Copernicus with more information later proved that the Earth orbited around the sun but still some people disagree with both these scientists. Here we can see how peoples perception of truth about something changes with new information. Well theres something which is always or should always be true. That is the law. Consider this: if the law says: If you murder someone youll be sentenced to death the truth is If you murder someone youll be sentenced to death and most people will argue for this law. What if you kill someone in self-defense? Youre still murdering someone. In this case you will not be sentenced to death since the context has changed the truth of what happened. As we can see theres no real truth not even in the laws of a country. What about in History? In History theres no real truth since in my opinion in this subject context is all. But if theres no truth then there shouldnt be History, there should only be various myths and stories told by the conquerors of the various nations and continents. How many times have we listened to the same story but told by various different people? Then how do we know which one is telling the truth? People have different perceptions of things therefore each one of them has their own truth. A single truth for everyone doesnt exist. Consider this for example: Im at school and Im playing around with some friends and I punch one of them. At that instance a teacher sees me punching him. The truth according to her is that I was fighting and I punched him. The truth according to me is that I was playing with him and accidentally punched him. We have to look at the context behind what happened to establish a truth. As well as in History, in Literature context is also very important to establish what happened. When analyzing a literature work its important to focus on things such as where its set and in what period its set in order to understand why some of those things happened. If were reading a book that focus on racism in the south USA we have to take into account that its set in 1950 where racism was a big issue in the USA. Of course that most things that happen during the story wont be true to nowadays and we also have to take into account that probably those racist events wouldnt have happened in a country like Portugal. On the other hand if we move from literature to numbers, logically 2 plus 2 will always equal 4 and 2 times 2 will always equal 4 as well, in any part of the world at any period during time no matter what the context is. Not reallyIt depends on what youre talking about, the context. Consider this for example: (In Physics 20C=293K and 40C =313K). If today I have 20 (apples) and tomorrow I have 40 (apples) then tomorrow Ill have twice as many (apples). If the temperature yesterday was 20 (C) and the temperature today is 40 (C) the temperature is not twice as more since 313K is not twice 293K. As we can see its important to look at the context and see what were talking about! After thoroughly thinking about this issue Ive reached some very interesting conclusions. In general context is all theres no doubt about that, which means theres no truth, which in turn means that History shouldnt exist and it also means that 20 x 2 does not equal 40. However that doesnt apply to my personal truth of some things in life since I believe that my truth is not always affected by the context.