Minor Buses is faced with the threat of aggressive competition from Major buses. Although the bus companies did not have direct completion in the past, new Major buses owners have launched direct competition against Minor buses. Minor buses have their operations between villages A, B, C, D, and E. Minor buses use three different routes. A total of eleven buses are used on a daily basis while two buses are kept as spare. The major route of operation for Manor Buses is a route between villages A and C via B. This route is assigned a total of eight buses on daily basis. The other routes, A to D via C and C to E, are assigned one and two buses respectively. Route 1 is the most profitable route for Minor buses. Having served the route for a long time, Minor Buses has been able to develop loyalty from its customers.
Major Threat
The main competitor to Minor Buses is Major Buses Company. This company runs its operations from village C. The first Major Buses route is between C and F via village D and C. The other route has been between village C and G via route B. Although sharing some routes, Minor Buses and Major Buses have not been having direct competition. With new owners, Major Buses intends to increase its completion against Minor Buses. In addition, Major Buses intends to start operation in Minor Buses’ strong route, route 1.
Major Buses’ new owners are known for their aggressive competitive tactics. Taking into consideration that bus operations are not regulated in the area, Minor Buses must act fast to increase its competitive advantage.
Investment Option
Minor Buses must take advantage of the royalty that it has from its customers. Minor Buses must work to increase this royalty as well as increase its strength in bus services. Taking into consideration that Major Buses has strengths in high operational capacity and capital base, Minor Buses must seek to capitalize on customers’ royalty. With 1.5 pounds, Minor Buses can buy new buses, lease or buy second-hand buses. The short and long-term implications of either of the investment options should be considered before deciding on the option to take. For Major Buses to continue with its operations between village C and A, it must be able to make profits within the first eighteen months. In consequence, Manor Buses must increase its competitive advantage on this route to ensure that Major Buses Company is not able to make a profit within this period.
There are two major factors that were considered in the analysis of the best investment option: the period of time that is taken for investment money to be recovered and the accounting rate of return (Pogue, 2004, p. 566).
Among the three investment options, buying second-hand buses is the best investment option. Since Minor Buses has a long-term investment in bus services, it should not opt for leasing. Buying new buses, green second-hand buses, and white second-hand buses have 3.4199, 4.02, and 4.18 accounting rates respectively. In addition, the investment options have 2.74, 2.35, and 2.19 years payback periods respectively. These figures indicate that buying fifteen white second-hand buses is the best investment option.
To protect itself from aggressive competition from Major Buses, Minor Buses must increase its competitive advantage in their areas of strength. Minor Buses should consider buying fifteen white second-hand buses to increase their capacity.
References
Pogue, M., 2004, Investment Appraisal: A New Approach. Managerial Auditing Journal.Vol. 19 No. 4, pp. 565-570
The basic description of a car is a motorized vehicle that gets a person from point A to point B in maximum comfort, style, and the least amount of time. Since the vehicle has been serving the mankind for over 100 years, we tend to take it for granted. We do not even realize that cars are not just cars, these motorized horses have different types or classifications. These classifications are usually based upon engine displacement, the number of passengers, and the type of use. For this essay, I will be classifying automobiles based upon their major groups and types of use. There are typically 5 classifications in that area composed of cars, buses, trucks, vans, and motorcycles, but I shall narrow the discussion down to the 3 most basic and most publicly used and needed automobile types.
The first automobile I would like to classify is the highly common Motor Car. Usually seating up to 5 people, this type of automobile is most often used to ferry passengers to and from various destinations. Composed of 4 wheels and doors, it is usually used for city driving, giving a comfortable ride over smooth, cemented roads. The passenger capacity is limited because its main design is geared towards luxury and comfort. It often has bucket seats, carpeted interiors, and houses an entertainment system of some sort either in the form of a radio or more recently, an onboard television and DVD player.
Next up is the Bus. This workman’s car is used in the public transport section of society often seats anywhere from 8 to 200 people. Although more commonly used as public transport, buses have also been known to be used by the tourism industry to bring tourists on sightseeing tours. Although the single-decker bus is the most commonly seen and used, there is also double-decker, articulated, midi, and minibusses. the most luxurious type of bus is known as the coach.
Finally, we come to the monster of all cars, the workhorse of the automobile industry, the Truck. Often with a minimum of 8 tires with which to ferry its heavy load of goods or materials, it is driven by specially trained drivers who pass a professional driver’s exam before one can drive the huge “beast” of the road. Most often, the drivers of such vehicles spend days on the road driving the goods from state to state. Therefore, some trucks come outfitted with a comfortable bed, bathroom, mini entertainment system, and an onboard 2-way radio with which the driver stays in touch with their exit and entry ports.
Having discussed the 3 main classifications of automobiles, I must make mention that every classification comes with its sub-classifications because the automobile industry is simply growing at a very fast pace. there are also the fuel classification cars, size classification, passenger classification, motor displacement, etc, I will save that discussion for another paper. In the meantime, you have now learned about the basic car classifications and how each type is defined depending upon the type of use.
The XIXth century saw the breakthrough in science and industrial technologies with the invention of diesel engine. Nowadays the machines operating on this type of fuel are so numerous that no one can imagine the world without them. Diesel engines are use in the car engines, motorcycle mechanisms, and on larger machinery. There exist many different types of diesel that are used for their specific purposes.
In this paper I’m going to provide the overview of types of different diesel engines, focus on their maintenance, examine the advantages and disadvantages of it and offer the alternatives to it the scientists put forward in their miscellaneous reports on diesel.
To proceed with types of diesel engines it is necessary to provide the definition of diesel fuel that is exactly what engines burn to produce energy. “Diesel fuel in general is any liquid fuel used in diesel engines” (Wharton, 1991, p. 76). Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of a diesel engine, initially used coal to start the engine; nowadays the fuel market relegated this kind of fuel and provides up-to-date technology and fuel (Nitske, Wilson, 1965, p. 42).
The most common is “a petroleum fuel oil, but alternatives that are not derived from petroleum, such as biodiesel, biomass to liquid (BTL) or gas to liquid (GTL) diesel, are increasingly being developed and adopted” (Wharton, 1991, p. 76).
Now let’s dwell upon two main types of diesel fuel.
Petrodiesel
Petroleum diesel is produced out of oil. It’s used as vehicle, car and ships fuel. It’s more productive that gasoline. When used as vehicle fuel it is characterized by high compression ratios and generally better performance than petroleum gas fuel. This is accounted for the fact that diesel engines running on petroleum fuel compress the air inside with high pressures and temperatures where the fuel reacts with the air as opposed to other fuels that use sparks to ignite first (Adams, 1948, p. 75).
Petroleum diesel has proved to be very efficient and less problematic than other fuels. Its advantages embrace fewer costs in comparison with petroleum, less consumption and it is less belligerent to environment. However, it has its disadvantages. Firstly, the demand on petroleum diesel fuel rises in the cold seasons as it is used as heating oil, which certainly leads to the increasing cost of fuel. Secondly, it is difficult to start the engine in very cold weather as petroleum diesel’s properties decreases and it takes more time to bring it in working condition. Some additives are used for this purpose however not always efficiently.
Biodiesel
Another type of diesel, biodiesel, was invented as a solution of poignant problem of environmental pollution and high price of petrodiesel. These factors sound very cogent in favour of the use of biodiesel. Biodiesel is produced out of vegetable oil or animal fats. It’s more environmentally-friendly alternative to petroleum diesel though it also produces emissions. The way it is burned in the engines is similar to petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is of higher quality than petrodiesel and sometimes is used as additive to it (Holt, 2004, p. 207).
Engines running on diesel require little water supply, productive and very convenient. Diesel engine presents a type of internal-combustion engine. As it has been already mentioned it doesn’t use spark for ignition that’s why it is called internal-compression engine. Following the axiom that any machinery requires good maintenance let’s pass on to the points that must be followed to keep it in good condition. Contrary to gasoline engines diesel engines don’t require very complicated maintenance. The most essential points that the owner of a diesel engine should follow are presented in the manual that comes with engine. However, it’s necessary to cover all the difficulties or problems that may occur when using diesel engines.
Noise and vibration
Diesel engines are not characterized by lull performance and despite all the efforts of producers they still produce mach noise and vibration. Despite this fact the brash vibration and noise may indicate some problems in the work of the engine. It may result in engine’s breakdown through damaging some of its parts or leaking pipes (Lilly, 1999, p. 65). It’s lucid that these problems should be diagnosed and solved immediately. To prevent damaging the engine the maintenance should be kept on a day-to-date basis, otherwise your engine may turn facetious when you least expect it.
Maintaining diesel in cold weather
The posit that diesel fuel is very inefficient in the cold weather appears to have verisimilitude. Many owners of cars running on diesel fuel testify to the difficulties to start the engine when the temperature is below zero. The reason for it is that the air in the engine gets cold and the fuel injected into the cylinder of the engine can’t react with cold air. To prevent this to happen it’s wise to supply your engine with diesel fuel that has additives that fasten the process of compression and keep the fuel in liquid state and facilitates the maintenance (Judge, 1967, p. 129).
Changing filters and oil
The good performance of your diesel engine much depends on the quality of fuel and oil you use and the frequency of filter change. Nigel Calder, author of the definitive Marine Diesel Engines says: “If you keep the fuel uncontaminated and properly filtered, and you change the oil and filter at the prescribed intervals (generally every 100 to 150 running hours), most diesels will run for years without giving trouble” (Calder, 1987, p. 143). The filters should be checked and replaced if necessary. It is more safe to entrust this procedure to professionals as even minor mistakes in installing new filters may lead to failure of the engine. In case the level of oil is higher or lower than it should be after you’ve changed the filters one should also check if the oil needs change. A low level of oil could show the leakage, if the level is high address the car service.
Other important factors that affect the performance of the engine are temperature and cleanness of the air that is supplied into the engine (Pascoe, 1999, p. 3). For this purpose the air filters are installed into the machinery that uses diesel. The filters, as it’s easy to understand, clear the air that is used for compression and prevent dirt and different contaminants to get into the engine. One more feature of these filters that they not only clear the air in the engine, they can cool it if necessary. Usually diesel engines use hot air, but some turbo charged engines need to get cool air.
Cooling system
It’s no secret that alongside producing energy out of heat the engine gets warm itself. Coolers are implemented into the engine to cool the system. “Early engines were cooled by water; modern practice is to employ closed systems with a radiator and a thermostat” (Dempsey, 2008, p. 341). All diesel engines are supplied with three coolers: “the heat exchanger, oil and fuel cooler – and most likely a transmission cooler” (Pascoe, 1999, p. 3). The coolers should be not economized on as they directly pertain to the good condition of the engine. Any owner should understand that neglecting the annual inspection of coolers can be a fatal mistake. The failure of the coolers may entail overheating of the whole system. The coolers may be expensive to be serviced; but if the coolers brake down the engine may become a write off.
The common maintenance operations
The inspection of all parts of diesel engine should be conducted every month. It is better to repair small mistakes than to deal with big ones. Following adage “never put off till tomorrow what you can do today” (Speake, Simpson, 2004, p. 385). could be a wise idea. The constant check of the system also reduces the cost of repair of big problems.
So, it is advised to conduct cooling system check and cleaning annually, change coolers and filters when it is require in the manual, inspect the engine for fractures, the pipes for leaking, change engine oil.
Besides, it is necessary to run the engine at least every five days, warming it up for some seconds and run it for some time in order to keep it constantly in good condition. If the engine is not used for a long period of time it may result in rustling of cylinder and other parts of the system. So it’s generally not accepted to race after an extended disuse. It’s suggested that engines should be run at normal speed initially and then only allowing it to speed up.
The cost of maintenance
Considering all the above mentioned it becomes clear that keeping diesel engine may be a bit expensive. Moreover, diesel engines cost more than usual petroleum engines. As compared with other types of engines, it requires more frequent change of oil, fuel, air filters and coolers, as well as water separation. It’s believed that the period of exploitation of diesel engines is less than gas engines.
To conclude I’d like to point out main advantages and disadvantages of diesel. With costs on petrol raising every day diesel engine is a good option to consider. If following all the instruction of the maintenance of a diesel engine it may be very convenient and unproblematic in exploitation. It’s necessary to mention that diesel engines produce a lot of hazardous emissions that besmirch the air with the chemical substances, such as sulphur and make the lavatory out of the planet. This poses a major threat to human health that’s why nowadays much attention is attached to alternative types of fuel, such as biodiesel or gas, which may reduce the amount of chemicals in the atmosphere.
Though the process of substitution of diesel engines on gas or biodiesel may seem lethargic and pensive it is predicted that at least half the machinery can use alternative fuel in the course of time. Gas engines run smoother, cost less and less contaminate the atmosphere. Biodiesel also pollute the air less and very similar to usual diesel in its characteristics.
So, it is clear to see that there are a lot of options to decide between diesel fuel and engines, to priorities your demands and needs and only then choose the kind of diesel that best suits you.
Reference
Adams O. L. (1948). Diesel operation and maintenance. Prentice-Hall.
Calder N. (1987). Marine Diesel Engines. International Marine Pub. Co.
Dempsey P. K. (2008). Troubleshooting and repairing diesel engines. McGraw-Hill Professional.
Holt J. D. (2004). The diesel engine. Society of Automotive Engineers.
Judge A. W. (1967). High speed diesel engine. Chapman & Hall.
Lilly L. R. (1999). Diesel Engine Reference Book. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Nitske W. R. Wilson C. M. (1965). Rudolf Diesel: pioneer of the age of power. University of Oklahoma Press.
Pascoe, D.H. (1999). Diesel maintenance or lack thereof. Web.
Speake, J. Simpson J. A. The Oxford dictionary of proverbs. Oxford University Press, 2004.
Wharton A. J. (1991). Diesel engines. Butterworth-Heinemann.
America is the country of great opportunities and of great disappointments as well. People come to America from all over the world having dreams of getting jobs and being able to feed their families and have proper standards of living (Noon and Blyton, 2002). However, the situation with the Giant Three plants in Detroit, i. e. Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler, proves that in America people are also subjected to exploitation and unemployment.
The article by Pilkington (2008) depicts vividly the situation in the city of Detroit where the bulk of citizens are employed by car manufacturers that experience their worst times ever. Therefore, people face staff cutting, salary decreases, etc. and cannot be sure anymore that they would have money to buy food for their families. As Detroit is basically built around the car factories, in case of the collapse of the latter, Detroit citizens will be left with no jobs and no means for living at all.
Drawing from this, the article by Pilkington (2008) touches upon the internal Detroit issues that, however, have considerable nationwide political and social effects. The latter can be considered using Marx’s exploitation theory and the deskilling theory by Blaumer. Both these theories consider the role of people in the production process and argue that businesses use the skills of employees without caring of people’s lives at all (Best, 2009).
Thus, political issues presented by Pilkington (2008) concern mainly the request of help that the CEOs of the Giant Three made to the US Government. They asked for $25 billion as they lost $73 billion over the past three years, but they came to ask for help on their personal corporate jets. The irony of the situation illustrates Marx’s theory of exploitation according to which the privileged few benefit from the work of their employees who are left without means of living and survival (Best, 2009).
The latter is also considered in the article by Pilkington (2008) who vividly describes the lives of ordinary people in the area near the car factories in Detroit. The author appeals to readers’ emotion by depicting closed stores and abandoned homes from which people deprived of work had to escape looking for the ways to survive. Here, the exploitation theory by Marx comes again into play as the high ranking officials of GM or Chrysler will definitely recover the recession while numbers of people are left without jobs (Best, 2009).
Many scholars view this situation to be the natural result of Ford’s mass production initiatives that were intended as positive actions aimed at bringing access to cars to more people (Noon and Blyton, 2002). But mass production led to automation and lack of jobs for the people employed before. As a result, Ford’s mass production ideas, also called Fordism, led to the gradual decline of his own creation (Best, 2009).
And here Blaumer’s deskilling theory comes into play with the notions of alienation and conflict. The former referrers to the process of losing professional skills by GM, Chrysler, and Ford workers, who do not have practice for long periods of time. The latter, i. e. conflict, reflects the tension to arise between the employers and employees in case if people do not find alternative employment options shortly (Best, 2009). Thus, the situation described by Pilkington (2008) is the first stage of Blaumer’s theory but it promises to escalate into a more serious issue in the near future.
To conclude, the gradual decline of Ford, Chrysler, and GM plants in Detroit is the result of Ford’s mass production initiatives and the improper management of the companies mentioned. Human resources policies were aimed mainly at increasing productivity while the needs of people were forgotten, which led to the high unemployment rates in the city and to the decline of automotive industry of Detroit.
Reference List
Pilkington, E 2008, ‘The Road To Ruin’, The Guardian, A3.
Noon, M and Blyton, P 2002, Realities Of Work, Palgrave Macmillan; 2nd edition.
Best, B 2009, Thoughts of Exploitation Theory, Polecon.
Railway transport development in America can be understood better if we first and foremost look at the genesis of American transportation in general. Those who built the first railways in America were faced with a lot of problems like political differences, social misunderstanding as well as topographical. Although they were confronted by these problems, they were still determined, and at last, they made it. This achievement marks the most inspiring achievement in the history of America.
The development of railroads has brought a great difference in the transport system of America.1 In the early nineteenth century, the largest number of residents of what is now the United States of America was principally concentrated in the region lying next to the Atlantic coastline. The west was sparsely populated and the pioneers started venturing into the west though faced with a lot of challenges. Many of them died along the way due to diseases and massacres. The latest colonists went after the pioneers down into the great river valleys ahead of Allegheny Mountains. This innovative region was largely subjugated by Ohio, Missouri, and the Mississippi rivers as well as their streams.
The pioneers made use of these interior shipping canals presented by nature. During this period, that is when steamboats were invented in 1783. They also started building canals though without the motorized assistance which are readily accessible these days. Later, several thousands of miles of canals were built which became the main means of transport, including linking New York to New Orleans. Some canals were built to combine both canals and railways since they realized that the canals were best suited for railway transportation.
Between 1800 and 1840 several railways were contracted and constructed including the Delaware and Hudson channel as well as Railroad Company; others included the Paterson and Hudson line which was finished in 1834 and the Boston and Providence Railroad opened in 1835.
Having these and other improvements, there came a need for appropriate locomotives. The first locomotive in America which was driven by steam upon a track came from Stevens John who built a multi-tubular boiler in his homestead; however, it was not fitting for money-making purposes. Moreover, a locomotive brought from England in 1931 by the name ‘John Bull’ tends to be the earliest engine to run on the Pennsylvania Railroad; thus making the basis of the present railway carriage in the US.2
This paper will discuss how the railway transformed transport in American when it was first constructed. In addition, the paper will identify the problems encountered in the construction of the railway, the benefits of its construction, and the effects, both positive and negative, of the railway.
Problems Encountered In Transport before Construction of Railways
Most of the American land was covered with rough terrains as well as huge forests. This made it very difficult to transport goods from one place to another. With the improvement of technology and industrialization, some companies had come up, such as coal mining, agricultural-based companies, and timber companies. These companies faced a lot of problems in transporting raw materials from sources to their destination. They used manpower which was not efficient for large production.
Most of them would fall sick and die on the way. The only better means of transport that was available was the use of animal-driven carts. However, these carts could not pass through rough terrain or in thick forests. This was a great hindrance to the development of the companies as well as the development of technology. For long journeys, these people had to clear forests and level rough terrains to make ways. This delayed the goods being transported. Furthermore, these people were confronted by wild animals as well as a massacre.3
Bad weather was another factor that affected the transportation of that time. Due to thick forests, there was a heavy downpour that disrupted transportation at that time. Perishable goods that were being produced like onions, which had been introduced by British colonies, would get worse while still being transported. This was a big blow to the economy at that time. Other than those people who lived on shorelines who would access boats for transportation, the rest in the interior land would face a lot of problems. The few canals that had been developed could not serve everybody. Transportation in America was very poor before the construction of railways.4
Benefits of Railway Construction in America
Environmental problems
The St, Paul & Pacific Railroad corporation which was later as called the Great Northern Railway corporation focused on the environmental possibilities of the hinterland. This was to shape western development most efficiently. During the winter season, there was a lot of ice that fell and covered most of the land. This made transportation very difficult. With the introduction of the railway as a means of transportation, they were able to overcome this challenge to some extent.
This is because railways were constructed in a way that trains could not derail. Some places which were covered by ice became good fertile land for agriculture after the development of rail. This led to the habitation of these lands and people started practicing farming in those valleys. A good example is the valley floor of the Red River, where there was a post-ice-lake. When this lake drained, it left two smaller lakes, Manitoba and Winnipeg. The land that was left after the draining of this lake became a good farming area. This brought about economic development.5
Change of traffic direction
From the second decade of the nineteenth century, there was an increase in the river traffic from the five states of the old Northwest down to New Orleans. There was a monopoly of western transportation by the steamboats in the Mississippi – Ohio basin. Crops from the western farms were moved southwards to New Orleans and the Gulf, while eastern finished goods were moved up the Mississippi to western and northern markets.
By 1850, there were more than six hundred steamboats of 135,000 total tons that were operating on the western rivers. Ten years down the line, the number of western steamboats had increased by two hundred and 196,000 tons. During the same time, western rail mileage had grown eight times with most of the running in an east-west direction. Rail routes, though higher in cost per mile, were often shorter and more direct than river routes.
Those who preferred steamboats as means of transport by the 1850s were found to prefer railways by the 1870s. This is because there was the development of rail routes that were shorter as compared to the river routes. Between 1852 and 1856, the amount of wheat that arrived in Chicago increased nine times, while there was a four-time increase in the amount of corn transported. This is because they used railroads as means of transport. Therefore railroads improved the traffic as well as providing another option, thus reducing the problems that came as a result of monopoly from steamboats.6
Area served
There was a great hindrance to transportation in the interior lands since they could not access water transportation. The ships could only operate along the shorelines. As a result, so many people could not be served. The canals that had been constricted could also not serve many people as they were few and there were no branches. When the railroads were constructed, other branch lines were built as well connecting various cities. This increased the area that was being served. Most people from the interior could access the services of railroads. Consequently, there was the development of the economy, mainly along the railroads. People would settle near these lines since they could access the means of transport.
Regular schedules of trafficking
There are certain seasons when the boats could not commute due to low levels of water. Ocean tides also affected greatly water transportation. The Pacific currents and Atlantic currents were also a hindrance to water transportation. When the railroads were established, there were regular schedules of the railroads. Furthermore, their year-round services were other merits of railroads over the steamboats. These schedules provided consistency even in production. This is because farmers, as well as manufacturers, were aware that there would be a means of transport. This boosted economic growth. It also brought innovations in the States. Other companies emerged. The loss of traffic by the steamboats in seasons of low water was maintained and overcome by the railroad.7
Speed of travel
By mid-century, the boats were drifting away from the business as the number of people using them declined while that using trains increased greatly. By 1860, the passengers using railroads could travel from Boston to St. Louis in two days (forty-eight hours) or from New York City to Charleston in sixty-two hours.
The passengers could buy tickets; check their baggage as well as noting the speed performance of their train in the recently available schedule books. With the development of new and better engines, these trains could move faster. Unlike the boats which relied on the direction of wind and currents, the train could move at a higher speed thus reducing the time taken in commuting. Since only one train could use a certain route at a time, this eliminated traffic jams, thus increasing the speed of travel.
Other transformations
The railroads offered linkages to other places like ports, borders as well as remote areas. This resulted in an exchange of goods and services. Countries could be able to export as well as import goods. This increased the rate of business thus there was growth in the economy of different States. Forward linkages from railroads contributed mainly to the process of export-led growth. This is mainly seen in Latin America. As a result of increased business, there was a transformation in the transport systems in America. Due to the exportation of goods, wastages were avoided and this brought about human interactions in America.
There were railroad transport policies that were developed that favored rail transportation in some areas like Mexico. Mexico is one of the areas that had poorly developed transport systems before the construction of railways. After the railroads were developed, there was a great transformation in Mexico such that up to date it remains as an example of what can happen when railroads are constructed in areas with low economic growth due to poor transport systems. There was growth in the export trade due to improved transport structure.
The invention of the train led to the invention of other automobiles that were being used to interlink most interior parts with railroads. These led to the transformation of American transportation.
Effects of Railroads Construction
There are positive effects as well as the negative effect that rose due to railroad development.
Positive effects
There was growth in the economy. Since the steamboats could not reach the interior people, the economy only grew along the shorelines. When the railroads were developed, there was growth in the economy in the interior places since people could access the railroads. There was also intermarriage that was mainly brought about by tourism and long-distance travel. Business trips also contributed to intermarriage. These intermarriages brought about the transfer of skills and also contributed towards attaining peace and unity. Tourism is one of the companies that emerged as a result of railroad development. People could travel for leisure as they toured their country.
There was also an increase in the security of travelers. Before the construction of the railroads, travelers would be killed along the way by wild animals. They also faced hostility from different communities. When the railroads were developed, people could travel safely without being exposed to these dangers.8
Railroads construction was the main key to industrialization. It provided good transportation of raw materials from the source to the industries as well as taking the finished goods to the consumers. Heavy goods like gold and iron were transported via railroads. There was also the development of education in many areas. People could travel easily to access better education. This led to the development of schools and especially those of higher learning.9
Negative effects
There were various demerits of the railroads in the American transport system. First, it resulted in the declination of the usage of boats. This led to retarded growth of the shorelines.
Also, forests were cleared to pave way for railway construction. This harmed the environment of the State. Some ice-lakes dried up due cutting down of trees. This also destroyed the natural beauty of the State as well as displacing the wild animals.
Since the terrain where the railroads would pass had to be somehow level if the railroad had to pass through where people lived, they had to be displaced. This would result in loss of property as well as land.10
Conclusion
There have been major changes in the railroad construction. There were inventions of electric trains that can move at very high speed. This has greatly transformed transportation in America. Most of these trains now travel in underground tunnels that are built with the most modern technology. It is one of the key factors that have led to industrialization in America. These electric trains have been introduced in the most crowded streets without creating inconveniences. This has greatly reduced traffic jams in these streets. They have also boosted the retail trade in these streets. For instance, there have been great improvements in retail trade in Boston.
In Philadelphia, they are constructed in the most crowded and exclusively dedicated to business. This has greatly reduced the nuisance of omnibuses by driving them off. This is because one coach can carry three times the number carried by the old omnibuses. Consequently, the numbers of the vehicle in the streets are greatly reduced and hence reducing the number of accidents reported. This has reduced in general the accidents-related deaths. There is no comparison between trains and busses. This is because the coaches of the train are wide, roomier, easily accessible, and more convenient. Thus the development of railroads has brought a great difference in the transport system of America.
Bibliography
Anonymous. The Street railways of America: a review of a pamphlet recently issued entitled Facts respecting street railways; also, the correspondence which appeared in the “Daily News” respecting the effect of street railways in increasing trade and improving property in the streets through which they run. London, P.S. King publishers. 1867. Web.
Haber, Stephen H. How Latin America fell behind: essays on the economic histories of Brazil and Mexico, 1800-1914. California: Stanford University Press. 1997. Web.
Hilton, George Woodman. American narrow gauge railroads. California: Stanford University Press. 1990. Web.
Mancall, Peter and Benjamin, Heber Johnson. Making of the American West: People and Perspectives. Califirnia: ABC-CLIO. 2007. Web.
Murphy, Jim. Across America on an Emigrant Train. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 2003. Web.
Strom, Claire. Profiting from the plains: the Great Northern Railway and corporate development of the American West. WA: University of Washington Press. 2003. Web.
Stover, John F. The Routledge historical atlas of the American railroads. New York: Routledge. 1999. Web.
Footnotes
Anon, The Street railways of America: a review of a pamphlet recently issued entitled Facts respecting street railways; also, the correspondence which appeared in the “Daily News” respecting the effect of street railways in increasing trade and improving property in the streets through which they run (London, P.S. King publishers, 1867), p. 4.
George Woodman Hilton, American narrow gauge railroads (California: Stanford University Press, 1990), p. 80.
Jim Murphy, Across America on an Emigrant Train (New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2003), p. 30
Claire Strom, Profiting from the plains: the Great Northern Railway and corporate development of the American West (WA: University of Washington Press, 2003), p. 10. Web.
Claire Strom, Ibid, p. 15.
John F. Stover, The Routledge historical atlas of the American railroads (New York: Routledge, 1999), p. 22. Web.
John F. Stover, Ibid.
Jim Murphy, Ibid, p. 30.
Claire Strom, Ibid, p. 20.
Peter Mancall and Benjamin Heber Johnson, Making of the American West: People and Perspectives (Califirnia: ABC-CLIO, 2007), p. 64. Web.
The key feature of the automobile industry is globalization, and the critical necessity to act locally. Every company is trying to invent a marketing strategy suitable for the entire globe, however, strategies of each company differ depending on the marketing region. The aim of the paper is to focus on the marketing strategies applied by KIA and Audi, and define the differences in their marketing strategies, as well as define the key differences of the product positioning.
Audi Marketing Strategy
The marketing strategy of Audi AG involves the strong positioning of the brand. Audi is associated with the reliability, endurance, and prestige. Therefore, the key accent is made on the history of the brand, as well as the benefits that an owner will get by giving preference to Audi. As it is emphasized by Koehler (2010), Audi AG is one of the companies that compete with rival models by launching low-priced models. This is achieve by low-cost manufacturing process. However, the key profits are raised from various marketing initiatives, like exploring new growing markets and marketing regions for promoting the brand name.
The marketing strategy involves coping with economic threats, and improvement of the marketing positions that may be weakened by these threats. Considering the fact that most automobile markets are saturated with numerous manufacturers, the only competence solution is to offer products of higher quality, and for lower prices. Hence, these discounts decrease the profit margins of most manufacturers.
The company is making a strong emphasis on management, and is deeply involved into the training process. Talented and experienced managers are regarded as the engine of future prosperity of the company, and grantors of its continued growth.
Kia Motors
The key strategic solutions that are offered by KIA motors involve direct strategic planning, extended public relations which helps to improve marketing communications, as well as system of reports. As for the marketing actions, implemented by KIA, it should be emphasized that the company is aimed at offering high quality production for the wide audience. Hence, as Ramrattan (2009, p. 33) states:
KIA Motors launched five major products over a 15 month period – Soul, Forte, Forte Koup, Sorento and Sportage and a new in-vehicle communications technology, “UVO powered by Microsoft”; oversaw communications for Kia’s first manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia.
As for the media marketing, KIA motors is involved into promoting the brand name in various social media platforms, games, cell phone applications, and web video services. This helps to approach the target audience closer, and show that KIA is one of the most popular and widely spread vehicles.
The entire marketing plan is long-term, and it is divided into several short-term plans that are intended for achieving the short-term goals, and further achievement of larger goals.
Comparison
On the one hand, the companies offer similar products to similar target audiences. However, these are various vehicles, with different history, technical parameters and design. Therefore, the marketing strategies differ in accordance with the target audience’s requirements. Audi is mainly intended for those who value prestige, endurance, and long history of the brand. (Boyer and Charron, 2010) KIA is mainly targeted at youth, as media applications will not catch Audi’s audience, for example. Anyway, the companies cope with the possible difficulties effectively, and they are able to promote their brand names globally, making emphasis on particular benefits and advantages of their products.
Reference List
Boyer, R., Charron, E. (2010). Between Imitation and Innovation: The Transfer and Hybridization of Productive Models in the International Automobile Industry. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Koehler, I. (2010). Overcoming Stagnation: Product Policy and Marketing in the German Automobile Industry. Business Review, 84(1), 53.
Ramrattan, L. B. (2009). Dealership Competition in the U.S. Automobile Industry. American Economist, 45(1), 33.
The flight assistants are the persons who are employed by various airlines in order to do several jobs on the aircraft and to make sure that there is safety in the aircraft. They also make sure that the passengers are comfortable and they aboard the flight for commercial purposes. The main role of attendants is more directly in contact with the passengers because it is more in the restricted quarters and constantly travels times are shorter on the aircrafts.
Their job gyrates around the passengers’ wellbeing to a very greater coverage as matched up to the other forms of haulage (Mathis, 2007). Their role is not confined to the services of the customer’s services; it is mostly involving and also ensuring that the passengers get the pleasure of travelling. The assistant administrator searches for implementable arrangements for the flight, the available accommodations and the rental transportation (Mathis, 2007).
Job Analysis and Description
The flight assistant usually coordinates and supervises the functions related to the cargo that are in the flights. This also includes the supervision and also the inspection of the ULD operations and also the weighing of the cargo before it is loaded to the aircraft of the company. The assistants also prepare and give out the appropriate load plan, the weight and the balancing of the documents in the air craft.
The assistants also make sure that the revenue cargo that is loaded on the aircraft of the company under their authority is inspected properly, packed, weighed and labeled, and also ensures that the cargo is loaded, given out and also restrained on the company’s aircraft as per the polices and also the procedures of that company. This should also be inclusive of the regulations of the government that are applicable. This enhances the safety of the flight, the safety of the cargo, the equipment and the people who are working on the aircraft.
The flight assistant also makes sure that the required loading equipment and the ULD are on the aircraft, and the all the equipment are inspected in a proper manner, stowed and also inventoried. They give reports on the damaged, the lost and the destroyed owned and the leased ULDs of the company as required by the company (Mathis, 2007).
The assistant also directs and makes supervision on all the labor groups on contract who are assigned to load, handle and also offload the aircrafts that are assigned to them. They also train and give instructions to the labor groups to ensure safety in the handling of the equipment of the company and the cargo as per the requirement and the rules and the procedures of the company. This is done to make sure that there are no damages in the aircraft or any injury to the persons working on the aircraft.
The assistant also prepares, gives out and makes verification on the accuracy of the cargo and also the government documentation required to accompany the aircraft and also any cargo that is assigned to them. They make sure that all the plans of the flight, the information of the weather and any other operation of the flight that are related to the documentation that is available and collected for the crews of the flight on the operation.
They fly with the flight as on the onboard loadmaster and they perform all the duties that are issued by the pilot in the command. They make co ordinations with all the contract aircraft and the organizations that handle the cargo, the caterers, fueling, the airport authorities and the government agencies that are associated with the flight when the flight operations of the company or the personnel in the station are not present to attend the tasks.
They ensure that the deliveries of the catering to the aircrafts that are assigned to them are filled correctly and they have been stocked with enough dry supplies and they also make sure that all the baggage of the crew are stowed properly and also secured before the flight departs. The assistants perform simple duties of the housekeeping while on the flight and they also make sure that the trash and the old debris is not in the aircraft and also they ensure that any other task that is needed to keep the plane neat is attended to.
Job Evaluation
The job evaluation involves the methods of testing the performance of the employees. It usually involves the traits and the tasks outcome. The individuality of the workforce is tested according to their characters like the handiness and the abilities that the individual has and also the person’s attitudes and personality. The traits are always simple to put into the test once the employer is in apposition to study the employees’ personality, though the traits cannot be directly be compared to the performance of the individual.
The behavior of the employee is also evaluated; this is done to ensure that the organization is secured from the public interference for the purpose of the job satisfaction. In a case of this type the behavior of the individual that is so much desirable is put into the test and rewarded to improve on the attitude of the person. The tasks outcome is also put into the test; this is done to make sure that the most suitable performance is realized. The organization should put clear and also goals that are measurable to ensure that they are able to evaluate the performance of the workers.
Evaluation of the job performance is commonly conducted by the immediate supervisors who are in a position to supervise the work that is being presented by the employee. The evaluation should be used to motivate the employee and also help to promote the job performance. The assistants make sure that the given program is sound, properly executed, and all the systems are ready and well placed for the requirements of the aircraft. This is inclusive of the tests and also the strategies that that monitor the assessment of the people who make the decisions.
The performance of the aircraft engineering staff is to give the technical performance of the operations of the flight as the main backup and the assistant of the operations of the flight for the aim of giving support to the performance of the software by the method of the database program and the training of the crew and the operational subordinate staff.
They monitor the analysis of the performance of the route that is used in the system of the air path planning of the flight. They design and engineer the runway and clear the landing obstacles. They control the management of the flight computer database. The technical analysis and the reporting staff provide the performance of the aircraft with the data and the analysis of the operation of the staff. They prepare the reports that support the acquisition of the operational data that is required to make sure that the compliance and also optimize the efficiency of the aircraft.
The administration staff that deals with the documentation and the navigation data acts as the main assistant of the operations of the flight. The assistants coordinate the distribution of the navigation of the revised data base to the aircrafts when they are due. The Quality Assurance usually completes the verification of the data in the application of the software performance and the maintenance of the status of the currency.
Job evaluation usually aims at focusing on the future of the organization; it also focuses on the past and also the present performance. Evaluation usually gives methods for assessing the organization’s achievement which involves creating a good relationship and also incorporating all the possible principles and also the strategies that gives courage to the individuals.
Recruitment: Process and Predictors
The recruitment and the process of selection must be fore planned, put into the implementation, and correctly evaluate in order to make sure that the every employee who has the power is given opportunities that are equal so as to enable the person have competition on the given position.
The flights helpers are expected to be competent and also proficient. A qualification that is obtained from high school or its comparable is considered as the least criterion but the most considered workforce are the once who have acquired the degrees from aviation colleges. Experience is an added advantage; this is because the attendants have to be in a position to comfortably interact with people of different kinds.
The most desirable areas include persons who are disciplined in the areas of communication, travel and tourism and in the field of psychology. The people who are employed must have profitably completed the necessities like the evacuation, the methods of the fire fighting, the medical emergences, and various processes of the security that is implemented by the FAA.
The persons must also be licensed to attend a variety of the aircrafts in spite of the hauler. The airlines opt to take into service tactful and also balanced quick-witted persons who can converse clearly and intermingle unreservedly with strangers.
The procedure of the selection should be inclusive of the directed methods so as to put into the analysis the requirement and also aim of the process of the given position, the organizational culture, and finally to make selections and also hire the very best personnel.
Recruitment should be aimed at the purpose of selecting the most qualified personnel, who are also compatible to the environment and the culture of the organization. Recruitment outlines the guidelines and also the recommended policies and practices in the process of the recruitment in order to get suitable applicants. The employers should decide on the number of the vacancies that are available, the time when the recruitment should take place an also the profile that is apt for the interested applicants.
The information that is given to the applicants should be patent on the requirement needed for the health, the vision and also the hearing. Potential candidates must be encouraged to satisfy the department that the applicant meets the requirements and have also enclosed their certificates together with the application. Most of the works that are done on the aircraft requires specific levels of education, and also the recommended learning abilities. In this case there is a minimum requirement in the education level and must be clearly stated as a main requirement in order to be employed as a flight attendant in any company.
Self selection has been a powerful method to that enables the employer to get the most apt applicants. This should be enhanced by issuing the relevant and clear information concerning the needed requirement in the selection and also the training of the controllers of the air crafts.
Performance Appraisal: Process and Criteria
Appraisal is a process that is used in the assessment of the performance of an employee and also the employer this is conducted to make sure that the performance of the organization is improved. It is conducted to make sure that both the employer and the employee are working towards a common goal (Torrington, 2005).
It helps in the realization of the success or the failures of the employee. It is conducted to ensure that there is a career development. This process helps in obtaining, and recording of the information about the importance of the employee in the improvement of the job performance.
Appraisal is the method of that the technicians are made aware of how the individual performance is compared against the development of the standards of the performance that usually result to the final performance by the end of the appraisal period (Torrington, 2005).
In review the recital of the employee’s post is weighed up. It is a leading and supervising the progression of the line of business. It is a way of getting hold of, putting into the scrutiny, and also copying some information about the relative significance of a affiliate of staff to the business.
The main purposes of the appraisals are aimed at providing the employees with feedback related to their performance. It helps in the identification of the needs of the trainees and the document t of the criteria that is used to give rewards to the organization. It usually forms the basis of the decisions of the personnel, the increments of the salaries, the measures that are related to the discipline and also the discussions on the promotions (Torrington, 2005).
While selecting the system of the appraisal, the human resource managers should put into consideration of the needs of the organization for the purpose of the appraisals on the performance. The process of the coaching on the performance should be effective in order to avoid the collapsing of the appraisal interviews.
Appraisals enhance all the aspects of communication and also the evaluation of the supervisor and also the employees. It identifies ways of improving the employees in order to succeed in life. They help in the realization of the requirements and also the plans that are put in place by the individual.
Appraisals help in the recognition of records that are more stable and also permanent for the history of the work of the employee (Waldrop, 2008). It usually serves as a method of deciding on the salaries and includes the aims of meeting the development of the career of the employee.
The employer should inform the employees about the materials that they are required to give in order to discuss the methods that are involving the position of the employee. The person who is employed should give the required materials to the supervisor by the dates that they are needed.
The employer should put into writing the reviews that are based on the discussions that are made between the employer and the employee in the course of the working period whether it is on the permanent or the contract basis (Waldrop, 2008).
Conclusion
After going through and finishing the preliminary schooling, the air travel helpers are usually given to some people who have been on the areas of their own airline’s bases. The newly employed flight attendants mostly are placed on the set aside positions and are positioned in either the staff flights that are extra or either to fill in for the members of the crew that are not feeling well, or are leaves, others who have gone for vacation, or are rerouted.
At the times when the older employees are absent or if they are off duty, the set aside flight attendants have to be on hand in order to report on behalf of the flights assistant who are out on short notice. They are usually set aside and remain on keep back for about one year. This is common in all the cities, in some of the cities, it sometimes take a duration of about 5 up to one decade or at times longer this is done in order to make advances from the set aside status (Waldrop, 2008).
The Flight assistants are who no longer on the set aside offer on the monthly basis for the customary assignments, this is because the assignments are mostly based on the seniority of the staff that is usually on the best attendants who have acquired good experience, and usually have their option of the assignments. Headway always takes long in the contemporary times than it was existing in the past; this is because the experienced flight assistants are mostly remaining in the career for a longer time than they used to do in the past.
Some of the flight helpers have been promoted to be the superintendent, who usually move from the senior or the leading flight attendant, they also find the flight attendant, also to the flight helper supervisor, and then on to pedestal executive, and lastly to the administrator or the vice president of the in retreat operations. At times they may also take some more additional tasks, for example the enlisting, giving instructions, and also raising the products of the in-flight. Their personal experience at times may meet the requirements that are needed for the abundant airline-related jobs that usually involve the direct contact with the community, such as the hesitation of the voucher representative or the communal relations consultants.
The Flight assistants who are not willing to travel and this mostly for the various reasons may at times be transferred to a rank as an organizational assistant. With supplementary education, some of the flight assistant may make decisions on how to transfer to some other fields in the department of the airline where they do some work, like the jeopardy of the administration or the human resources. The flight assistants have to be flexible and must be willing to be reposition to various units in the same institute. The flight assistants are very useful and they should be responsible because the deal with people of various races and origins.
References
Mathis, R. L.(2007). Human resource management. New York, N.Y: South Western Pub.
Torrington, D. (2005). Human Resource Management. New York, N.Y: Prentice Hall.
Waldrop, S. A. (2008). Everything Human Resource Management Book. New York, N.Y: Adams Media.
The case study is based on the British Railways and its adoption of innovative and technological change due to increased competition from the emerging airline industry. The case demonstrates a situation where the British railways introduce a new technology by replacing an older technology. The centralized research team of the railways was asked to study the areas where modernization of technology was necessary. The research team found the necessity to modernize the railways and introduce new technology removing the older versions. However, introduction of a new technology in a traditional organization leads to the problem of low level of acceptance and understanding of the new technology. Therefore, in transforming a traditional organization to a highly technology based environment met with resistance to change.
Main body
The case study analysis will first try to determine the current situation of British railways. This process will help to understand the requirements of the organization and the changes that are unavoidable. Second, the paper will try to determine the process of implementation of the changes that had been identified as necessary in the first part of the analysis. Here the change management will be dealt with the internal issues that a manager faces rather than the external issues. The method and concepts that is used for the analysis is described below.
The first step for the analysis is to understand the project’s profile and complexity in order to ascertain the present condition of British railways and the areas where it needs to change. For this process, diamond approach to project management (Shenhar & Dvir, 2007). This will help us to understand the competitiveness of the British railways. This will help to understand the external environment and the change that are required for the organization in order to remain competitive. This analysis allows us to understand the processes that actually make the organization more competitive, and the process creates wealth and competitive advantage. Thus, policy and industry analysis can demonstrate the need of the business and to what extent these needs are necessary. In the case analysis of the British railways, this will be applied to the British railways of the 1960s and 1970s. This analysis will enable us to understand the aptness of the timing of the implementation of the new technology, the external environment, and the product complexity of the new technology. The analysis will allow the timing of the project implementation, the design of the project made by the research team, and the complexity of the new product that led to resistance to acceptance of the new technology in British railways. Therefore, the analysis will allow us to understand the complexity of the transportation industry and the effect it has on the various stakeholders. Second, the paper will present recommendations for implementation of the project. This section will demonstrate the possible ways of implementing technological change within the organization. This is an important part of the case analysis, for the traditional setting of the British railways created a lot of hurdle for the implementation of the new technology, as there were inherent resistance to change acceptance. Therefore, due to high level of resistance to change due to the traditional nature of the British railways, the management team must pay a lot of attention to the implementation of the project.
The following section describes the diamond approach to project management and how this model can be used in identifying the issues related to the British railways in the 1960s. This will also help in identifying the measures to be taken for implementation of the strategy for the new technology in a traditional environment and identifying means of reducing the resistance to change.
Application
The diamond approach is used to determine the project environment of British railways and determining the areas where change is necessary for the organization. Managerial decision making for new technology implementation in an organization tend to be inclined to ascertain five dimensions that determine the success of the project (Shenhar & Dvir, 2007). These are:
Project efficiency – this implies that projects must meet the goals set for time of implementation of the project and the budget.
Effect on customers – the change process must meet the customer needs and achieve the benefit and satisfaction of the customers as well as their loyalty.
Effect on team – the project team must be satisfied with the project, should be retained, and must gain personal growth through the process.
Success for the business – the after-effect of the project implementation should be higher ROI (return on investment), higher market share, and growth of the organization.
Future outlook – the project must make the future outlook clear with aim to attain new technology and new markets in order to bring forth higher growth.
Each of the above mentioned dimensions have a probable sub-measures that can help the managers to identify the various areas where the new technology needs to be implemented and wherein change is necessary. In this section, the diamond model is used to determine the present condition of the British railways prior to the initiation of the project.
British railways were a traditional organization that required changes in technology in the 1960s to compete with the ever-growing airline industry. Therefore, the research team identified that the organization must adopt new technology in order to maintain competitiveness. Therefore, the project management team was established to implement new technology in the railways for greater efficiency. Project management has been defined as “temporary organization and process set up to achieve a specified goal under the constraints of lime, budget, and other resources, and “project management the managerial activities needed to lead a project to a successful end.” (Shenhar & Dvir, 2007, p. 94) Therefore, in case of British railways a method of implementation of the new technology had to be devised in order to meet least amount of resistance. According the diamond model approach of Shenhar & Dvir (2007) there are four bases based on which a project can be analysed. These are novelty that shows the important aspects of a project that are new. In case of British railways, the novelty of the product is derivative as it was not a new technology in the 1960s and therefore was derived from the existing product base. The second dimension is technology that shows where the technology of the project exists on a scale of low-tech to super high-tech technology. British railways being a traditional organization used a medium technological environment. Therefore, due to the increased competition in the transportation industry from other substitutes like air travel that provided a faster model of transport, providing customer with fast travel opportunity as essential for the competitive edge for the railways. Complexity of the project is assessed in the section that shows how complex the project and the implementation process are. The fourth dimension that is assessed is pace that shows the urgency of implantation of the project. Thus, this dimension measures if the process is fast, normal, time-critical or blitz (Shenhar & Dvir, 2007).
Figure 1 shows a four-axis graph that demonstrates the nature of the project after implementation and the present situation of British railways. The figure 1 shows that the technological environment of British railways was that shown by the green line before the project was initiated. Therefore, there was obvious need for technological advancement as the railways was now competing against the airways that were much faster and technologically advanced mode of transportation. Therefore, technological advancement was necessary. Further, the complexity of the operations was lower, which might be due to the low technology in use. The time that is required for the project to be implemented is at the earliest to increase competency. The diamond model demonstrates that the British railways were in a situation where in the organization had to move towards a higher level of technology that would evidently increase complexity of operation. Due to increase in complexity, the risk factor will also increase. This may lead to reluctance to accept the new technology. Further, the new technology will provide novelty value to the railways and its offerings. Thus, new technology is desirable in case of railways so that the organization can beat competition from others like airlines that use high technology bases for its operations. Therefore, in order to bring forth the changes in the British railways one of the major problems that seem evident would be to implement change. As there is a large shift from the present culture that is nor traditionalist and low technology based, a higher technology platform would increase the risk as well as uncertainty and hence create problem for implementation and acceptance. Therefore, change management is essential in a case like that of British railways where there is a shift from low technology to high technology as such kind of situation meets with higher degree of resistance.
Theory Section
This section will relate change management requirement and theory in project management. The changes expected out of the new technology are quite different from the set up of the railway that existed in the 1960s. Therefore, a large scale change in the organization and management was expected due to the implementation of the new technology. The main problem identified by the research team is resistance to change that may be faced by the project. Traditional organizations are reluctant to change and are not adaptive and receptive of any change making process. Therefore, the projract will face change management issues. In this section, change management theories for a project are discussed that can be applied for reducing the issues for British railways.
Organizations must be adaptive to the changes in its environment in order to survive (Gareis, 2010). Therefore, change management is essential in order to reduce complexity of operations as well as increasing efficiency. Thus, here change refers to the basic development of the organization (Gareis, 2010). Therefore, change can be of various types and can lead to various outcomes. Therefore, in case of project based environment, the best way to allow the internal environment to adopt a change management or project management situation is through increasing adaptability (Lehmann, 2010). It is suggested, that when a change team is in charge for the implementation of a new project, then there must be an increased coherence and adaptability in the organization (Lehmann, 2010). In this, case it is essential to identify the stakeholders who are supportive of the change:
“So, an inner logic can be readable between proposals and actions: if change needs to be formulated, several special tasks as steering teams must be in charge of; if part of change is already defined, management of cooperation and collaboration can be envisaged; besides, the scope of the community of change involved should reflect change stakes and available resources. It is essential here to define precisely willing people and other supportive stakeholders.” (Lehmann, 2010, p. 336)
This approach is a useful amalgamation of the mineral and the organic approach to change. The mixed approach absorbs in the good aspects of both the methods. For instance, in case of mineral approach, the stress is on design and the zoom is on methodology. In case of a change management process, entailing high level of technology shift design and methodology cannot be overlooked. Therefore, cooperation from the internal stakeholders is essential for the implementation of the process. However, this approach is autocratic in nature, as the stakeholders do not get to understand the need for the change. Therefore, the organic approach stresses on sense making that allows stakeholders to understand the necessity for implementing the change. Thus, the focus of the organic approach is on collaboration and human elements. In case mixed these two are brought together in order to let the stakeholders know the importance of the project as a process of sense making as well as stick to the design of the project. Therefore, an amalgamation of both the processes of change is required in order to implement the change process.
Leadership too plays a critical role in change management process (Michaelis, Stegmaier, & Sonntag, 2009). Effective leadership can influence the psychological construct of the stakeholders and increase trust on change management process. Michaelis, Stegmaier, & Sonntag (2009) suggests that charismatic leadership can facilitate in increasign the acceptance of a change managemtn process. Therefore in case of charismatic leaderhsip, “followers identify with the leader, encouragement to re-examine assumptions, the status quo, and old ways of doing things are likely to be successful.” (2009, p. 402) In another leadership theory, it is suggested that transformational leadership can lead to educed resistance of the change process (Michaelis, Stegmaier, & Sonntag, 2009). Frutehr the trust in top managemtn is an essential feature for successful change managemetn. Michaelis, Stegmaier, & Sonntag show that “both sentiments regarding top management and immediate managers are important and complementary for successful innovation implementation.” (2009, p. 411) therefore trust, leadership, and adaptibility are three important elements in a change management process.
Application Theory
This section discusses the situation of British railways in the 1960s and how the issues can be solved using the theories that has been discussed in the previous sections. Further, this section will provide recommendations for the railways for adopting a change management process. The change that was being brought about in British railways was in the form of Advanced Passenger Train (APT) and in other areas like signalling, designs of coaches and making them lightweight, railway tracks, etc. Thus, in accordance to the project management for developing technologically advanced trains for the railways, APT was made and the design of the proposal was drawn. However, once the first phase of the implementation was brought about, it caused union problems as train drivers. ASLEF, the train drivers union, banned any movement of APT(E) and their demand were for higher wage for driving trains that moved at higher speed. Thus, this led to further modification of the design of the train in the drivers’ compartment, which was earlier designed for one-man driving.
The APT project was found to be a failure in the 1960s due to the outdated organizational practices of a traditional engineering organization. The main cause was low level of acceptance of the new technology and understanding of the technology was low. The organizational culture was not receptive of the new technology. one of the most essential features of organizational adoption of new technology is found to be organizational culture (Claver, Llopis, Garcia, & Molina, 1998; Hoffman & Klepper, 2000). As in case of British railways, the company was a traditional engineering organization that was reluctant to accept the changes brought forth by the APT.
Further adoption of new technology occurs at two levels – at organization and at individual level (Frambach & Schillewaert, 2002). Research shows that individual and intra-organizational acceptance of change is based on the beliefs of the future outcome of the project and change (Frambach & Schillewaert, 2002). Therefore, attitudinal components play a vital role in stimulating technology acceptance. This was not done in case of APT.
APT was implemented solely based on design and methodology as is done in case of mineral change management approach. As it was a high technology based system, the importance of technology, design and methodology could not be overlooked. However, there was a no effort given in order to acclimatize the new technology with the employees who would directly deal with the APT. In case of the first trial of APT(E) just a day’s trial was given to the driver who was going to drive the train. Thus, there was almost no knowledge of the new technology that could have increased acceptance. Therefore, the organic change approach was completely missing in British railways. Lack of knowledge can lead to non-diffusion of the new technology (Attewell, 1992). Therefore, knowledge barriers created a great problem for technology diffusion in British railways.
User involvement in new technology implementation is a must for increasing the level of acceptance (Ives & Olson, 1984). Unwanted attitude from the potential users for the new technology can lead to non-acceptance and failure of the technology (Aladwani, 2001). However, in case of British railways, the employees were informed about APT only after the official publicity through media. Therefore, the adoption of a new technology by the organization was not informed to the employees. This may have led to apprehension and non-acceptance of the technology.
Another issue with APT was non-acceptance from the Board. Acceptance of top management of the change process and endorsement plays a crucial role in acceptance of the change process. Lack of top management acceptance and support would not lead to acceptance of the overall organization as there would be a lack of trust on the new technology (Leonard-Barton & Deschamps, 1988; Cooper & Zmud, 1990; Henderson & Venkatraman, 1993). In case of British railways, there was lack of support from the Board for the project APT that may have led to lower level of trust among the employees and led to greater degree of resistance. As there was no acceptance from the top management regarding the new technology, no communication was sent to the workers regarding the benefits of the new technology. Further, there also arises the problem of unrealistic worker’s expectations that may resistance to new technology (Aladwani, 2001). This was seen in case of British railways as the union demanded for higher pay for drivers, and then the project design had to be changed due to the demand for workers to incorporate two drivers instead of one in the drivers’ cabin.
Conclusion
The change management process in British railways failed due to various reasons. The essential problems faced by British railways were the adoption of the new technology by the top management and the workers. The Board of Directors did not support APT, and with lack of top management support, no change management program can become successful. Due to lack of support of the management, there was no communication made to the workers and the direct users of the new technology. This led to their dissatisfaction and increased their apprehension regarding the system. One way of avoiding such problem was to generate top management support for the project. Further complete transparency and involvement of the workers in developing the technology was essential to break the initial barrier to adoption. Continuous communication of the change process in all steps right from technology development to implementation would have increased the mental preparedness of the employees to accept the technology. Without employee support and high degree of resistance, the project was bound to become a failure.
References
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DaimlerChrysler Smart ForTwo Hybrid is the new generation of cars in the world. Being one of the first to manufacture this kind of vehicle, the Daimler Chrysler does not expect to remain the only one on the market. The tendency to environmental protection is observed all over the world. People become conscious of world resources and seek another way to satisfy their needs. Thus, the market for environmentally friendly vehicles will only grow, involving more and more companies.
Furthermore, people are interested to pay less for the services they get. 20% of respondents express their interest in hybrid cars because of the economy on fuel that costs much (Mateja 2006). The demand for the product rises frequently as people are interested in using products of high quality, low prices, and safe for the environment they live in.
Size of the market
The size of the hybrid car market, for now, is not big as it moves slowly. The leading countries where the hybrid car market grows steadily are The USA and Japan. Dwelling upon the segment of the hybrid cars on the American market, it is notable to stress that it was about 1.3% (212,000) of the total scope of the light-vehicle market in 2005 with the prediction to be 3.5% of the American market in 2010 (Hybrid Car Overview 2005). Based on the sales report of the hybrid cars in 2010 it is possible to conclude that the market grows dynamically. It is summarized by SBI calculations that “sales of hybrids accounted for 99% of all-electric vehicle sales in 2009 worldwide” (Hitchings & Peckham 2010, p. 15). Notably, half of the sales cover Japan automobile market.
Recent growth trends
The main trend of the modern hybrid cars industry is focused on the Mini models. The size still plays a significant role in the American motor market development. But, at the same time, the style also matters. It appears to be interesting to know that “automakers are looking to capitalize on what they perceive as budding interest in small cars and, in terms of fuel-efficient options, it seems the more the merrier” (Schefter 2007, par. 7). The DaimlerChrysler Smart ForTwo Hybrid ideally meets the customers’ requirements in the relation to trends. Thus, a great many different competitors try to increase the tension in the car market, namely Audi, Volvo, Toyota’s Scion, Honda, and other brands that also develop in the chosen direction.
The industry structure change over the next five years
It is crucial to mention that primarily smart cars were considered to be the city runabout models which are not suitable for long distant traveling. The demand for Hybrid cars requires the manufactures to seek ways and any other facilities to make the products available for long distances. The five years is the term that may be convenient for the affair.
Five years ago, Art Spinell predicted that till 2009 “if gas prices go higher than $3, sales could reach 60,000 or 70,000 units, but regardless of gas prices, they should have no trouble selling 30,000” (Mateja 2006, p. 1). The prediction has been realized. Considering the increasing demand for the cars like DaimlerChrysler Smart ForTwo Hybrid, it may be predicted that the sales will increase about 50-605 in the next 5 years if to predict the same tendency of the fuel price increase.
Reference List
Hitchings, M. & Peckham, J., 2010. Hybrid-Electric Car Sales up in 2009 Despite Recession. Global Refining & Fuels Today, 2(35), pp. 15.
Hybrid Car Overview, 2005. Hybrid Car. Web.
Mateja, J., 2006. DaimlerChrysler Smart car landing in the U.S. in 2008. Knight-Ridder Tribune Business News. p. 1.
Schefter, K., 2007. DaimlerChrysler Smart Car. Green Car. Web.
Railroads in the 19th century were very significant for a number of reasons. Apart from just serving the purpose of transport, they were used logistically during the civil war. Before the civil war, the railroad was also used tactfully by slaves who were escaping. Even after the civil war the railroads still proved to be significant means of transport for carrying out trade. This essay will briefly explore the importance of the railroad in the 19th century to America.
Long before the civil war, the railroad was very significant to the then slaves. The railroads were used by the slaves to escape from the south to the north. The term Underground Railroad was coined because the slaves could escape from the farms without their being traced them thus the assumption that the slaves were using some railroad which was underground to escape. It should be noted that the slaves did not actually use the railroads though in some instances it has been reported that some of the slaves could be hidden in the wagons on their way to the north (Railroad 1).
The significant point to note is that if the railroad could not have been there then the slaves could have not escaped to the north as they heavily depended on the conductors of the locomotives to direct them north. The railroad made it possible for a number of slaves to escape to the north where slaves were relatively cared for. The railroad, therefore, made it possible for the slaves to infiltrate the north as they fled the south looking for freedom. The attitude against slavery by the northern states was not welcomed by the southern states and it is believed to be one of the contributing factors leading to the break out of the civil war (Railroad 1).
The railroads were also very significant during the civil war this time for both the north and south states. The railroads were used to carry out many tasks. Transport was a major purpose the railroads were used for. The locomotives could be used to bring supplies to the fighting armies in the field. The locomotives also moved heavy fighting weapons to where they were required. The railroads made it possible for scouting to be carried by using locomotives. The locomotives could be driven towards the enemy regions to gather information on what was happening after which they could speed back without being caught. Generally, the railroads made it possible for easy movements of the armies and what they needed from one point to another. The railroads were also used to convey messages from one station to another as they were the quickest means of transport (Koenig 1).
Even after the civil war, the railroads were still significant as they made it possible for trade to be carried out and brought about much development. Heavy agricultural supplies could be quickly transported over the railroads. The railroads provided easy and cheap means of transporting manufactured goods from factories as well as raw materials to the factories. This made it possible for the union to develop quickly after wasting a lot of resources during the civil war (Long 1).
In conclusion, the railroads were the main means of transport in the 19th century in America. They were used extensively for transport. The slaves in the southern states escaped with the assistance of the railroads which were offered through the locomotive conductors who knew the way to the north so well. The railroads were also significant during the civil war as they assisted to move supplies to soldiers in the field. Finally, after the war, the railroads were used to transport raw materials to the factories and finished goods away from the factories.