How the sector matrix framework is useful for analyzing demand and Essay

How the sector matrix framework is useful for analyzing demand and supply in an industry - Essay Example A strategic management system is one that maintains good follow up on matters in the firm over time. It is important that management strategies be consistent and systematic (Ansoff 1979). According to Porter (1985), a firm’s competitive advantage is achieved by quality development of differentiation and leadership in the chain of that firm. Porter classifies these chain activities into two groups; the primary and the support activities. Primary activities are activities such as marketing and sales, inbound-outbound logistics, and service. Inbound logistics receive actual raw material during the beginning of the production process. Operations comprises of physical activities of processing raw materials. Outbound logistics involve storage of produced goods while marketing and sales refers to the actual and physical processes of sale of goods and marketing. Services relate to activities that follow after sale to customers. Support activities include technology advancement, firm infrastructure and management of human resource. Primary systems are aided by firm infrastructure which consists of the company’s culture and its systems of control. The human resource management engages in activities like hiring, firing and training staff. Technology advancement factors are useful support to activities during work process and procurement such as purchasing and obtaining material. Primary activities are those activities directly and physically involved in the production process while support activities comprises of those processes indirectly and not physically involved in production and sale of products created. Furthermore, Porter argued that support activity provides an anchor on speci fic primary activities while firm infrastructure support the entire line as a whole. Sector matrix is a long known phenomenon. Since organization of production processes was challenged, it has been a topic of debate. The challenges began after Porter. When observations made by scholars of management like Geffen came up with the commodity value chains. Value chains are further argued against the sector matrix Froud et al (1998). Maiden arguments made concern overall effect of a single factor such as firm infrastructure on the cause of competitive advantage. It is argued that competitive advantage is an aspect of many activities incorporated together to gain the firm a general step ahead. This argument led to value adding effect of more than one activity being achieved in production, marketing and delivery of products. Sector matrix system is developed especially for complex management structures. Though a popular system that is established effectively in many organizations, the matri x has its limitations. Sector matrix is a system of management with a number of managers in different departments who report to one overall manager. The strategy is excellent in some large firms. It is however yet to be adopted by other companies that follow trend and wish to use it. Sector matrix framework has been an issue of trying and making mistakes. It has created such downfalls and rising cycles for companies trying to incorporate it for the very first time. Sector matrix in general is only efficient in the long run. Some of the challenges faced by organizations with or trying to adopt the matrix include; decision process complications. These could be lengthy since major decisions have to involve departments while it could just be

Describe at least 5 scenes of the movie Rossie the Riveter Review - 1

Describe at least 5 scenes of the Rossie the Riveter - Movie Review Example Howard Miller. The Rockwell image seems to have a great deal more depth than the image created by Miller. It was proposed that this is not the tidy image that most people have in their mind when they think of Rosie. This ‘Rosie’ is quite dirty, with big strong arms, a leather bracelet, she wears overalls which are not common on women at this time, she carries a big riveting gun, se is wearing both welding goggles and a welding mask, she is defiantly standing on a copy of ‘Mein Kampf’ and she is hauling a metal lunchbox (Popular with men). However what is interesting is that this image that is considered masculine can also be considered quite feminine, because she is wearing makeup (Rouge, finger nail polish, lipstick etc.) and she is carrying her makeup and a handkerchief in her pocket, this ‘Rosie’ has her hair neatly pulled back, she is wearing women’s shoes, and she is eating a sandwich in a delicate manner. But what is most important from this image is that she is a worker, evidenced by her many badges (Security badge, blood donor badge etc.) Indicating that she really is an important part of the war effort. The next scene that will be discussed is in relation to determining who the ‘real’ Rosie the Riveters are. Many people have noted that there are indeed many actual World War II women that were real female defense workers named ‘Rosie’. The big changes that brought them into war work occurred in 1942 when more American men began to get drafted and many industries switched to war production. It was at this time that many companies started to recruit women as it was not possible for them to be drafted. What comes next is a description of the three main groups of women that were recruited to work in factories. The first were women already working who switched to higher paying defense jobs (Leaving traditional jobs to the point that more than six hundred laundries were closed). The