Mattel Catastrophe in China Essay - 1890 Words

Barbie was introduced to the world in 1959, and is one of the most iconic dolls ever produced. Barbie is manufactured by Mattel, which was founded in California in 1944, and has dominated the toy market ever since. Barbie helped to create a name and an Empire for Mattel, who later introduced products such as Hot Wheels and Polly Pocket. Mattel, for many years, had a great reputation and produced products that were safe and children loved. Mattel began moving their manufacturing operations overseas about twenty years ago, and until recent years had enjoyed continued success. When Mattel began moving a majority of their manufacturing operations to China and Mexico, they never would have imagined the controversy they would find themselves in†¦show more content†¦As children grow their bodies are able to absorb more lead than an adult (Pearce Robinson, 25-5). At the time of the recalls, China did not have regulations in place regarding the levels of lead in paint. In addition t o lead being found on paint used in children’s toys, Mattel would eventually end up recalling millions of products that contained unsafe, removable parts. In the end, Mattel ended up recalling 19 million toys made in China. There is a large cost advantage to doing business in China. Chinese manufacturers are able to manufacture products at a cost that is 30%-50% less than in the United States. The savings associated with foreign manufacturing is too much for most companies, including Mattel, to pass up. Everyday more American jobs are outsourced to China because of their ability to manufacture products for significantly less than in the United States. When it comes to manufacturing, China has a comparative advantage, or the ability to produce a good at a lower opportunity cost than another producer (Mankiw, Pg. 55). Not only have companies, such as Mattel, saved billions of dollars over the years, so has the American consumer. It is estimated that, since 1978, consumers in t he United States have saved approximately $100 billion by obtaining cheaper products from China (Ahlstrom Bruton, Pg. 4). It is no wonder jobs are continuously outsourced to other countries. Financially speaking, it seems products manufactured in China benefit everyone, wellShow MoreRelatedCrisis Management - Case Study6562 Words   |  27 Pagesthrough full-page newspaper ads (Dwyer, 1998). Mattel Mattel Inc., the countrys biggest toy maker, has been plagued with more than 28 product recalls and in Summer of 2007, amongst problems with exports from China, faced two product recall in two weeks. The company â€Å"did everything it could to get its message out, earning high marks from consumers and retailers. Though upset by the situation, they were appreciative of the companys response. At Mattel, just after the 7 a.m. recall announcement byRead MoreSupply Chain Risk Management6330 Words   |  26 Pagesthat reducing IBM Global Business Services Page  inventory buffers is an excellent means of cost savings in the short run, such strategies also place risk on operations when catastrophe hits. Supply chain visibility, or rather a lack thereof, can further compound problems. During the summer of 2007, toy maker Mattel repeatedly made the headlines for a recall of toys containing significant amounts of lead in the paint. In one specific case, the culprit seemed to be a sub-sub-contractor that decidedRead Morepaul hoang answers72561 Words   |  291 Pagesexpansion plans) Resistance from senior staff to relocate to China Lack of marketing knowledge to cater for a foreign (Chinese) target market Inaccurate or imprecise marketing research data Examination of external constraints, such as: †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Lack of cultural awareness (diversity) Language and communication problems Unfamiliarity with Chinese legislation (including employment laws) Less affluent people, in general, in China compared to USA or Europe [6 – 8 marks] There is a balancedRead MoreProject Mgmt296381 Words   |  1186 PagesProject Cost/Schedule Systems 471 Additional Earned Value Rules 471 Project Site Selection 540 Cross-Cultural Considerations: A Closer Look 541 Adjustments 542 Working in Mexico 545 Working in France 546 Working in Saudi Arabia 547 Working in China 549 Working in the United States 550 Summary Comments about Working in Different Cultures 552 Culture Shock 553 Coping with Culture Shock 554 Forecasting Final Project Cost 472 Other Control Issues 475 Scope Creep 475 Baseline Changes 477 The CostsRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 PagesISSUES: Team Performance Appraisals 250 Rate Selectively 251 Train Appraisers 251 The Performance Appraisal Meeting 251 International Performance Appraisal 253 Who Performs the Evaluation? 253 Evaluation Formats 253 DID YOU KNOW?: Performance Metrics in China 254 Summary 254 Demonstrating Comprehension: Questions for Review 255 Key Terms 255 256 HRM Workshop External Factors 272 Geographic Differences 272 Labor Supply 272 Competition 272 Cost of Living 272 Collective Bargaining 273 Communicating withRead MoreStrategic Marketing Management337596 Words   |  1351 Pagesinstead against the background of changes in the political/economic balances of power (e.g. the rise and then the relative decline of Japan over the past 40 years, the opportunities today in Central and Eastern Europe, and the economic development of China), and major changes in the physical environment. Concern with the physical environment has increased dramatically over the past few years, with the origins being traceable to the publication in the 1960s of Rachael Carson’s book Silent Spring (1963)

Personal Account of a Woman in the American Revolution Free Essays

I was a woman who had lived during the boisterous era of the American Revolution. It was a time when not only men were needed to gain the most coveted American independence from Britain. We will write a custom essay sample on Personal Account of a Woman in the American Revolution or any similar topic only for you Order Now One might wonder how a woman with no weapons or battle skills could contribute in the realization of American independence. As a woman of the 18th century, I was an ordinary housewife tending to my husband who was continuously fighting in battle against the British. I was always following him just as any woman and wife did for their men in battle. My husband’s task was to load the cannon so the gunner could fire a shot towards the British army. One fateful day, I saw how my husband was killed by a gunshot which ultimately ended his life. I was there trying to mend his wounds despite the fact that he was already dead. While I was in the middle of finding a place where I could place my husband safely in the barracks, the gunner summoned me to load the cannons. Everything was happening so fast that I had no time to think about my dead husband’s body. All I wanted to do was to fight for what he died for. I hurried to the cannon as fast as I could and loaded the cannon. It was not an easy job to lift cannon balls, but the raging adrenalin in my system helped me throughout. The cannon loading went on for a week until they finally found a more capable man to replace me. Afterwards, I was given the task to tend to the American soldiers. I cooked for them, washed their clothes, attended to their medical needs, and cleaned their wounds. We were like nurses and housewives in one who provided all the basic needs that our soldiers called for. It might have seemed like a simple job to take care of these wounded men as they have fought and died for the country’s liberty. However, one thing is for certain. The Declaration of Independence would not have existed without the full support and love of women in the American Revolution. How to cite Personal Account of a Woman in the American Revolution, Papers

Logistics Service Quality Conceptual Model

Question: Discuss about the Logistics Service Quality for Conceptual Model. Answer: Introduction: This report will take into account the broader perspective of logistics and how it functions in the Singapore market. The reports focus will be on Yusen Logistics, a company in Singapore whose ways of working will be highlighted here. In simple words logistics can be defined as the business plan structure for the proper supervision of service, information, capital flows and substance. Logistics requires a lot of planning, control and implementation of useful and competent flow of information along with storage of goods and services from the origin point to the point of utilization in parallel to the requirements of the customers (Bowersox, Carter Monczka, 2013). Logistics industry plays a huge role in emphasizing the reputation of business around the world whose stature rests on the quick delivery of goods and services with required excellence. Logistics gets better with upgradation of technology and business desires. Yusen Logistics: The company was established when Yusen Air Sea services came together with NYK Logistics Japan. In the year 2010 October, Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd was launched. The company offer services such as International Freight Forwarding (by air and ocean), transportation and contract logistics such as providing storage or warehousing meeting global standards. The primary objective of Yusen Logistics is to build up a strong base of trust and relationship with its customers and ensuring them of a long term successful transportation program. The company has a very well-managed supply chain team which has been putting together all the required processes to present a flawless distribution process to its customers. A supply chain which is well arranged and properly managed can develop efficiency immensely which in turn reduces overall cost through efficient processing of companys inventory (Monczka et al., 2015). No matter what the customer requires, Yusen has answer for all when it comes to supply chain solutions. In Singapore, Yusen is positioned across 7 planned locations equipped with hottest computerized control and management scheme with each providing distinctive features that covers up all the needs of supply chain solutions required by consumers. Back in 2015, Yusen succeeded in bringing in Japans finest foods to the Singapore shores. Yusen Logistics was chosen Oishii Japans (ASEANs largest exhibition for Japanese food and beverages) suggested freight forwarder. There is fierce competition among the logistics companies in the Singapore market but Yusen because of its strong financial ability has stand strong in the face of challenge posed by other logistics firms, especially CEVA logistics. Importance of logistics in the core areas of Production, Marketing and Finance of the firm: It is important for Marketing and Logistics to be on the same page while planning and accomplish short run function. However, developing intermediary and long term plans are also critical. Both Marketing and Logistics need to have collaboration between each other to establish the productivity and long-term worth of all promotional efforts. Inputs should be provided by Logistics and Manufacturing on cost and operations which are important from marketings perspective for correct evaluation of true costs of each promotion (de Souza et al., 2014). Marketing plays a major part in new product growth of firms. It works directly with a firms RD group to add to a firms product line. The firm must take into account the possible costs involved in the initial stages of new product development along with the requirements involved in delivering a product to the consumers. Yusen requires shipping refrigerated food products from Japan to Singapore, which sometimes can be restricted to one type only, meaning the current product line, may require any other products to be shipped in refrigerated transportation. It can also happen in case Yusen logistics decides to ship a new product which needs refrigeration (www.yusen-logistics.com, 2016). A strong association among the Marketing, Logistics and RD Department will ensure whether this new product needs to be developed with focus on the high incremental cost of delivering. A firms high-quality inter-departmental relationship guarantees proper utilization of information for best possible decision-making (Solakivi, Tyli Ojala, 2013). Advance planning needs to be done or else Logistics will be handicapped to attain the profit margin forecast for a new product. Production is the place where goods and services are finished and made ready for the market. Logistics is concerned with the movement involved in carrying the goods from house of the manufacturer to the retail counters or consumers in the most proficient way (Schnsleben, 2016). In recent times logistics has been boosted by the real time tracker technology which ensures a consumer to keep track of his belongings. Finance department is an important section of a firm with whom proper communication should be maintained at all occasions. Logistics need to have a cordial relationship too with its decisions depending on the cost data they work with (Stadtler, 2015). Moreover finance department too needs to toil with logistics to assist them in predicting cash flows and needing information on the status of finished products. Finance department have the responsibility of allocating funds to other departments with providing capital budgeting pronouncement affecting logistics. The relationship of logistics and finance extends to the point of inventory with proper monetary value related to units. Yusen logistics follows a Japanese concept named Gemba; wherein the areas in operations are identified and pointed for enhancement and understanding the processes thoroughly. The company also relates the industry-proven Kaizen principles to their work process to make it more thriving in order to enhance the customer service that offers quality improvement and cost savings (https://www.yusen-logistics.com, 2016). Yusen Logistics have gone one step further in injecting these Gemba and Kaizen techniques into their corporate culture. Its not about only performing them; its about living them everytime. It has lessened the operating costs and developed delivery performance along with improved practices. Order Processing in Yusen Logistics: The moment a customer processes an order, it triggers the logistics flow within the company. The time involved in order processing makes up the total delivery time. At Yusen Logistics, the following steps are being followed to process orders of customers: Order transmission: An order can be processed through telephone, mail or electronic data exchange web. To avoid any confusion or irregular use of logistics systems, the most apt means of transmission should be taken into consideration. Preparation: After the order is received, preparing the order to satisfy internal company requirements is important. It unites the order to logistics systems planning which includes price check, delivery conditions, customer creditworthiness and checking the availability of material in warehouse. Picking: With the orders being prepared and processed, goods are then picked in the storehouse. Picking is done in accordance to the order size and the urgency of such orders. Shipment: For shipping purpose relevant documents are to be made. The best optimum mode of transport and route of delivery is chosen, keeping in mind the safety issue of the product and the time required to deliver the same. Invoicing: Invoicing can be done at various points, be it at a pre-invoicing stage or at post-invoicing. The strength of posy-invoicing lies in the smooth flow of order to the warehouse, whereas pre-invoicing takes care of the official procedure. Recommending Improvements: Making order to delivery lead time logistics focus: Serving customers in the right way is an important factor in logistics. A customer is always concern about the amount of time taken by a logistics company between processing of order and receiving goods. The logistics company should focus on all the departments involved in the order completion process like credit control, production, warehouse and transport in tackling the problem (O'Connor, Derudder Witlox, 2015). Its necessary to look at the scenario of a logistics company from a customers point of view. Making Transport a customer service activity instead of a cost: Transport plays an important role in logistics but this factor is often sidelined or not taken proper care of. According to Thai, (2013), transport costs are generally kept low and are often bought from cheap suppliers which jeopardize the smooth work flow. Everything that a firm decides to do needs to be customer oriented. Many a times Logistics Company reduces cost through striking out next day delivery, but if customers want it that way, then the firm has to deliver it that way which may result in increased cost (Christopher, 2016). Logistics companies can offer different level of service to consumers where they can feel that they are taken good care of and can even result in premium charges. Reducing Stock Pipeline to cut down costs and improve service: Increasing stock with all the products proves that the firm is not aware about the needs and wants of the consumers. According to Rushton, Croucher Baker, (2014), it is important to understand the needs and buying behavior of the consumers and act accordingly with a proper order fulfillment form that equals their demand. This will only result in a faster and a more responsive supply chain function. Picking as soon as one can: Picking is involved every time a product makes its journey from one point to another. Logistics firm should be able to lessen the number of picks. With updated technologies, logistics firms do have the opportunity to allocate information and transmit it to where it is needed quickly with no involvement of cost (Prajogo Olhager, 2012). Its time to pick the right one and that too at a single time. Effectiveness of current inventory management in Yusen Logistics: In any supply chain process inventory is seen as one of the main apparatus of cost. The cost of inventory is a determinant factor on how a companys supply and distribution system is configured along with what inventory stockings strategies the firm has put into practice and where its inventory is being positioned (www.yusen-logistics.com, 2016). Todays economy is more demand-constrained which results in companies lowering their cost structure and improving the operational process capacity of their supply chains through adopting the best practices with optimizing the inventory approach. Yusen Logistics Inventory planning and control involves: Improvement of forecasting accuracy Reducing the purchase transaction and manufacturing costs Improving the inventory performance on a regular basis Assessing the practices of inventory management Reduction of costs through managing cycle stocks Recommendations: Sustainable relationship with Suppliers: Success of a logistics company depends on how well it communicates and relates to the materials suppliers and manufacturers to get the best possible price. A logistics company should enter into long term relationship with its suppliers through long term contracts which will lower the prices of products. Combining retail and Warehouse processes: Every store should be attached with a warehouse on the premises. Customers should be given the privilege to browse items on the main showroom floor. Cost per touch inventory tactic: Every time a product is being touched it means the product is on its way from one point to another which in turn only increases the price of the product. Good logistics company should focus on fewer touches on the products at it automatically lessens the cost associated with it. In-store Logistics: In-store logistical personnel should be stationed to handle inventory management at its stores or warehouses. Their jobs will be to keep check of the delivery notices, record deliveries and sorting out the correct goods to the proper sales area for dispatch to designated areas. Conclusion: The report took into account every possible details of Yusen Logistics and the way it works in the Singapore market. The firm has reached several heights in the supply chain field with a few changes required in the way it deals with its inventory management and order processing to make it more effective. It is not impossible for a firm of this stature having its presence globally to be a bit flexible and make the necessary changes as and when required to serve customer in a better way. During the shaping up of this project it was witnessed that Yusen Logistics internal departments have been working with each other pretty well in achieving the organizational goals. Every department has collaborated with each other in the proper functioning of the firm. Reference: Bowersox, D. J., Carter, P. L., Monczka, R. M. (2013). Materials logistics management.International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management. Christopher, M. (2016).Logistics supply chain management. Pearson Higher Ed. de Souza, R., Goh, M., Lau, H. C., Ng, W. S., Tan, P. S. (2014). Collaborative urban logisticssynchronizing the last mile a Singapore research perspective.Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences,125, 422-431. Ellram, L. M., La Londe, B. J., Weber, M. M. (2013). Retail logistics.International Journal of Physical Distribution Logistics Management. Food Logistics. (2015).Yusen Logistics. Retrieved 16 September 2016, from https://www.yusen-logistics.com/en/industries/food-logistics/ Kaizen. (2015).Yusen Logistics. Retrieved 16 September 2016, from https://www.yusen-logistics.com/en/services/warehousing-and-distribution/kaizen/ Monczka, R. M., Handfield, R. B., Giunipero, L. C., Patterson, J. L. (2015).Purchasing and supply chain management. Cengage Learning. O'Connor, K., Derudder, B., Witlox, F. (2015). Logistics services: Global functions and global cities.Growth and Change. Prajogo, D., Olhager, J. (2012). Supply chain integration and performance: The effects of long-term relationships, information technology and sharing, and logistics integration.International Journal of Production Economics,135(1), 514-522. Rushton, A., Croucher, P., Baker, P. (2014).The handbook of logistics and distribution management: Understanding the supply chain. Kogan Page Publishers. Schnsleben, P. (2016).Integral logistics management: Operations and supply chain management within and across companies. CRC Press. Singapore | Yusen Logistics. (2016).Yusen-logistics.com. Retrieved 16 September 2016, from https://www.yusen-logistics.com/en/south-asia/singapore Solakivi, T., Tyli, J., Ojala, L. (2013). Logistics outsourcing, its motives and the level of logistics costs in manufacturing and trading companies operating in Finland.Production Planning Control,24(4-5), 388-398. Stadtler, H. (2015). Supply chain management: An overview. InSupply chain management and advanced planning(pp. 3-28). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Thai, V. V. (2013). Logistics service quality: conceptual model and empirical evidence.International Journal of Logistics Research and Applications,16(2), 114-131.

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Analysis of the Stylistic Features in “Poetry” by Marianne Moore

Analysis of the Stylistic Features in â€Å"Poetry† by Marianne Moore Analysis of the Stylistic Features in ?Poetry? by Marianne Moore ?Poetry?, is one of Marianne Moore?s most famous poems. In it Moore starts out, ?I too, dislike it.? referring to poetry. However, this does not mean that Moore believed in practicing her poetry half-seriously. She simply believed that in order to create great poetry one would enjoy reading the work spiritually and physically. Moore has had several incarnations of the poem ?Poetry?, including one as short as four lines and one as long as thirty-eight lines. The four-line version was so brief that it allowed for a misinterpretation. However, the longer version defines the poem with her famous phrase, ?imaginary garden with real toads in them.? Moore?s poem, ?Poetry?, is a concrete poem in which Moore?s describes how when poetry is to abstract, it becomes ?self-destructive?. This is because the reader has to analyze the poem so much they lose the experience of reading and enjoying it.English: Alexander Blok's poem 'Noch, ulica, fonar...Her poetry is vivid and gives the reader a sense of experiencing the topic with imagery usage, especially when she describes the animals in ?Poetry?. Her contrast between having a poem being genuine and then another being raw makes the poem dramatic and appealing. The majority of her poem talks about what makes a good poem. This has to do with the poets? imaginary ability when writing a poem. Letting their imagination go but at the same time making it seem realistic. Moore?s state?s her idea in a loose style. The sentences are not choppy or right to the point rather they are long and descriptive. Moore?s stanzas are broken up in the middle of sentences and Moore?s third stanza is part of a sentence that doesn?t end till the following paragraph.Moore?s poem, ?Poetry?, is very unique because in it she...

Thematic Function Style in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window Essay

Thematic Function Style in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window - Essay Example Important Patterns the Plot On the surface the plot of the film seems rather simple: just a single set and a handful of characters, but upon close observation we realize that just by means of editing Alfred Hitchcock puts life in the plot, makes it suspenseful and attention-grabbing. Fawell (5) in his books suggests that Hitchcock believed that everyone was involved in something physical and nasty behind closed doors†. This belief can be assumed as a basis for creating Rear Window, where Hitchcock portrays the concept of voyeurism trough the central character of his film. But he applies the voyeurism concept in a positive manner by projecting parallel concepts of human loneliness and need for empathy. The opening scene shows a broken camera with a picture of an airplane taken at very close range. The protagonist, Jeffries is seated in a chair with his foot in a cast. In order to kill his boredom, Jeffries develops the habit of observing his neighbors through his rear window. He allocates nicknames to these people and observes their intimate lives through an impersonal distance. There are significant elements of voyeurism in his observations as he watches the ballerina dancing seductively in her underwear, a couple which sleeps on the balcony, a newly-married couple engaged in an intimate embrace that keeps pulling down the blinds, a pianist who is trying to woo women with his music, a spinster who is looking for love in the oddest of ways and an unhappy salesman who is frequently quarrelling with his wife. Hitchcock uses the technique â€Å"point-of-view† which enables the viewer to look at the entire film through Jeffries’s perspective. Through Rear Window Hitchcock uses voyeurism that results in a positive outcome as Jeffries through is odd interest in neighbors solves a murder mystery, saves his own life and salvages his relationship with Lisa. Towards the beginning of the film, Jeffries’s nurse Stella says â€Å"we’ve beco me a nation of peeping toms†, this is the central theme around which the plot of the film revolves. According to Fawell, Hitchcock blows up the single set from the window into a view of thirty-one city apartments that appear to be like an elaborate doll-house (4). The very concept of using an apartment building instead of neighboring houses contributes immensely to voyeurism. This is so because in case of a house with a rear window the other visible window could be of one neighboring house, which would have to be the killer’s then there would not be any significance of other characters. The very concept of voyeurism stands out when Jeffries observes the intimate lives of various characters residing in apartments of the opposite building, not just the killer’s. Hence although the protagonist in the film is firmly seated in one place, we are able to see multiple views through his eyes—or the eyes of the camera. This Hitchcock has executed to perfection with close-up shots, tracking shots and film montages. For example when Jeffries is talking on the phone

Discrimination in the Workforce Problem-Resolution Essay

Discrimination in the Workforce Problem-Resolution - Essay Example Now let us see what may be the goal to be formulated by the leader to achieve a better result where the problem of discrimination arises. AIM/GOAL The best way to combat workplace discrimination is to prevent it from happening in the first place. So the first and foremost aim or goal should be always ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1. Henry Kissinger US diplomat & scholar; national security advisor 1969-1975; Secretary of State 1973-1977; Nobel Prize in Peace 1973 3Solution for the discrimination of the workforce revolving around the elimination of the so called discrimination of work force in the workplace. OBJECTIVE It is vital for any organization to formulate the objectives to attain the above said goals.The desired objectives should be, 1. To achieve a change in someone's life and to improve their life opportunities, 2. To keep an accelerate quality of life for someone as long as possible in the face of infirmity and adversity, 3. To keep people safe from harm and harming themselves to others. (2) To achieve these objectives which are aim to eradicate the discrimination of workforce in the workplace some strategies must be brought in. STRATEGIES 1. To educate and make the leaders and the workers aware of their rights and...But the employer or leader is the sole and prime body to prevent such inactivity right before the outburst of the crisis for the well being of his dependents and also for the benefit of the company. As Henry Kissinger (1) the task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been. So for a leader it is import display varied leadership styles according to the demands of the diverse situations. To prevent the problems like discrimination of workforce and safe guard the interest of the employees the leader has to acquire the tactics like vision, strategy, communication, buy-in, motivation, empowerment etc. Besides he has to plan an overall goal to achieve the thriving end and also he must have precise objectives to gain this goal. Now let us see what may be the goal to be formulated by the leader to achieve a better result where the problem of discrimination arises. 3. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC),(2004) in Annual Federal Sector EXCEL Program for Government Employees, Managers, and Union Officials from August 30 to September 2, 2004 in Las Vegas, Nevada. disability. A strong prevention program helps employers comply with the law and breaks down barriers to employment opportunities.