Recent orders
Evaluate the productivity using quantitative analysis
Operation Management
Name
Affiliation
Question 1
Items Previous Time Current Time
Customers 300 500
Training Cost 7000 10000
Employee Cost 10(6000)=60,000 8(6000)= 48,000
Total Expenses 67,000 98,000
Production Rate 12,333 19,600
a) Evaluate the productivity using quantitative analysis
Based on the production analysis above it is clear that the productivity increased from 12,333 to 19,600
b) Analyze the validity of your answer in a) by considering the various issues related to the productivity measurement.
This is considered because the productivity rate increased and that the number of employee reduced hence the reduction in cost of production. In addition, the number of customers increased by almost 80%. Despite the fact that the cost of training and that of the software existed it did not out way the increase in customer base which met increase in sale and revenue.
Question 2
Supplier A Supplier B Supplier C Supplier D
Research capability 10 7 6 6
Ease of cooperation 5 5 6 8
Cost of services 1 9 9 5
Quality of services 5 8 4 7
This will each be calculated by the assigned weight as below:
Supplier A Supplier B Supplier C Supplier D
Research capability 33.33 23.3 20 20
Ease of cooperation 25 25 30 40
Cost of services 5 45 45 25
Quality of services 16.6 40 13.33 23.3
Totals 79.9 133.3 108.33 108.33
Evaluate which supplier should be selected
Based on the above analysis of the suppliers it is clear that the best supplier to get from the above is supplier B. The supplier has higher score as compared to all the others based on the assigned weights offered to them.
Considering the strategy of the firm, would you change your selection in part a), why?
With respect to the differentiation strategy that the company is yet to adopt, it is clear that there is no other alternative supplier that will be selected as opposed to the one selected in a above. Supplier B is the one who can be able to work under differentiation strategy since quality of service they offer is outstanding and that they are also among those that are ease to corporate with.
Question 3
By using 2-sigma for the control limits, propose a tool to monitor future average timings of the process. (3 marks)
The best quality control limits is Pareto charts. This is because it offers the best analysis framework for the above proposed timing. The process is a long one as well as very complex hence it calls for an evaluated tool such as Pareto in order to get a reliable analysis.
b) Discuss if the process is in control. (1 mark)
The process is considered to be in control since it is able to indicate the most reliable timing for the assigned task.
c) Criticize the tool by discussing its shortcomings and how other tools can help. (2 marks)
However, the use of 2-sigma as an analysis tool has a lot to be considered. It has various shortcomings. One of the short coming is that it does not offer reliable risk deviations as compared to other quality tools. Therefore other tools are able to offer relevant error as well as risk variables that could be considered valuable for the study above.
Question 4
a) Discuss how the quality strategy will focus on increasing revenue versus reducing production costs
Once the company is able to beef up the quality of its products, there comes increase of sales hence the revenue of the company will definitely increase in order to meet the current needs and demands of the organization. On the other hand, the production costs of the company will also reduce because most of the client will get their products first hand and this will reduce the cost of transportation or distribution (Slack, Chambers & Johnston, 2010). Likewise, the production costs will be reduced as quality of the products will hinder the company from having recall of products. Thus, quality strategy is the right step towards the company’s success.
b) Provide examples on how the company can use 4 TQM tools to improve their quality
The first tool that the company can use it brainstorming. It is able to use the tool to increase quality as team members of be able to think creatively to get quality management solutions. The second is using of flowcharts; the company will be able to design flow chats to be able to monitor the production process hence make sure all the steps in the process meet its quality goals. The third is using focus groups in order to get the right preferences of the customers. The last is using Pie chats to get the right data analysis in order to compare current quality and other years.
c) Discuss their inspection strategy by considering their priority on where to inspect and purpose the inspection has
The inspection strategy is here to make sure that the products are able to meet the intended standards. This is done to have an end product that is quality preferred by the clients.
References
Slack, N., Chambers, S., & Johnston, R. (2010). Operations management. Pearson Education.
Evaluate a victims assistance program
Evaluate a victim’s assistance program
Name
Institution
Evaluate a victim’s assistance program
Victim Assistance Program is run by the U. S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and aims at apprehending human traffickers and more so, providing assistance to victims of human trafficking (U. S Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2011). Speaking to the program manager, it can be understood that it takes a lot to make it work due to the large numbers of victims and the complexities involved in dealing with trauma. The emigration victims have numerous experiences and challenges that make their situation complicated. This program strives to ensure that the concerns of the immigrants are addressed and that they are not oppress or used by unscrupulous employers or exploited sexually among others. Some of the activities the program takes part in are: filing court cases for victims, helping them all through the court proceedings, counseling victims and the families too, helping them overcome assault issues and also provide financial aid where the need arises.
Contrary to modern-day ways, slavery victims are pushed into prostitution, involuntary labor, labor and other inhumane activities. Limon (2010) reports that the victims have no option other than engaging in what they are forced to do. Such persons suffer under their employers and in most cases find themselves in helpless situations as they are without their passports and other important travel documents. People who have been victimized through human trafficking activities suffer and go through a lot of trouble at their work places. Their families too undergo a lot of difficulty knowing that their relatives are being tortured in some far away region of the world. Still some families have to contend with not knowing the whereabouts of their loved one, since the trafficker may lure victims and gat the outside their countries without the knowledge of their family members or friends. This assistance program serve to provide assistance to both the immediate victims of human trafficking and the families that are left in the dark about their loved ones. As the program facilitate reconciliation human trafficking victims with their family member in the home of mother countries.
The victim population in this case is mostly made up of the young persons, in the age bracket of 20- 45. This is the age bracket in which most persons are searching for employment, and could get to the point of desperation that pushes them into the arms of opportunistic employers (Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance, 2012). There are also cases of children trafficking, who are then used as sex workers. This single occurrence produces multiple effects on the family, societal and national levels especially if the labor is exported in another region. The most prominent quality of the victim is vulnerability brought about by their poor economic statuses which bring about recidivism.
Recidivism refers to the recurrence of undesirable behavior in persons treated for it or who have once suffered from it (Office of Justice, 2012). In connection to this, it would refer to the returning of a former slave to the same situation due to desperation, in most cases. There are rare cases of recidivism in slavery due to the torture that they undergo; this is according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2007). Most have died and others scarred for life in their ‘workplaces’. Depending on what region of the world that one is enslaved, the types of crimes experienced vary. In the Arabic world, there are a lot of sexual offences committed against slaves. Such are a huge problem as they violate ones right and go against the codes of employment for whatever type of employment. Being overworked and poor pay are other common problems experienced.
There have been a number programs put in place to solve this problem, though most have failed. Due to the extremity of desperation to seek employment, it has been hard to fully eliminate this problem of recidivism. Attempts to enlighten the masses on the dangers of unclear ways of getting employed and what might happen when they return to places they have been rescued from have not been unsuccessful. Attempts by regional government to curb this problem have proved futile too.
The program adopted by the ICE has to some extent been a success due to the techniques employed for the program (ICE Victim’s Assistance Program, 2010). Persons working for or with this organization have numerous responsibilities towards service for the victims of human trafficking crime. There are victim advocates who work one-on-one with the victims and their families and offer counseling services. In the event that a person enslaved died while still away from home, the ICE has the duty to help the family with burial proceedings and also support the bereaved family until they are in a position to get on their feet, in the case where the deceased was the sole breadwinner of the family.
This Victim Assistance Program by the ICE has been largely effective and has been so due to the aid accorded to them by members of the public who alert them of any suspicious activities in their neighborhoods. Besides that, human rights activists have also contributed to this success. The activist have managed to get many people thinking of the rights of their fellow human beings and also manage to get people talking against exploitation whenever the see anything they consider exploitation or oppression. However, the organization is faced with quite a number of challenges. Owing to the fact that they have to offer financial assistance to victims, at times, provision may be an issue due to limited resources. For the organization, it at times proves to be cumbersome to go up against well organized underground groups. Lack of vast personnel for the team is an issue too, and as a result the organization has at times to rely on volunteer workers, which reduces the effectiveness of the services offered (ICE Victim’s Assistance Program, 2010).
Another limitation of the organization is that, it exposes the victims to attacks by former employers. In the event that a victim’s word or action causes losses to human trafficking a group, there is a risk that they will be in danger for bad mouthing an otherwise ‘reputable employment organization. This increases the issues that the ICE has to deal with, besides all the strain they already have endured.
The U. S Immigration and Custom Enforcement agency was created in 2003 through a merger of the investigative and interior enforcement elements of the U. S Customs Service and Immigration and Naturalization Service. It is the principal investigative arm of the U.S Department of Homeland Security and stands as the second largest investigative agency in the federal government. Currently, it has a workforce of over 20,000 professionals in all its offices in the 50 states. It has also established offices in 47 foreign countries around the world.
This program initially started in the United States of America to serve victims of slavery in it area of jurisdiction has since spread out to offer this rare but essential service to affected persons. The organization has cooperated with persons from other parts of the work to carry out rescue missions to free enslaved persons. By this, a larger population has been served and humanitarian grounds have generally improved for all persons, especially those prone to exploitation due to desperation. This therefore increases the effectiveness of the program as it serves a wider population.
The population of persons served by this is a vague one, as anyone is prone to slavery activities, with the exception of the weak and the elderly. In some parts of the world, children are also captured for use as sex workers and household assistants. This is mostly for abandoned children, especially those living with caretakers who deem them as unnecessary burden, and hence sell them off as slaves. The strong-bodied persons are however at higher risk of being wanted for such activities as they have the capacity to serve and work effectively for long and under hard conditions.
The goals of this program are numerous and all are directed at rehabilitating victims of human trafficking and making their life better. It also aims at curbing further illegal activities on such and enlightening the public on how to tell if they were under a situation on being enslaved. Other roles of the ICE include: housing, healthcare, food and other basic needs on rescue. Victims are also entitled to legal assistance and case management aid when legal issues are involved (ICE Victim’s Assistance Program, 2010). In the event that legal proceedings take long, victims are to be allowed to rebuild their lives as they await legal decision to be made by getting job authorization and learning English or whatever language is used in the region they find themselves enslaved.
The length of the program is long tem as the problems it deals with are long term. It has permanent employees for that matter and at terms contracts temporary volunteers when there is an influx of cases to be handled. The delivery style for the organization is complex as it incorporates rescue services and needs police assistance. Other aspects of the program too adopt a one-on-one format as they assistance has to be felt by the victim and the family too. In the case that the ICE is not in a position to handle the case, it then connects the victim to another organization that can do that (U. S Department of Health and Human Services, 2011).
By any parameters used, the activities of the victim’s assistance program by the ICE have been largely successfully. It has helped a lot of victims rebuild their lives and those of their families too. Governments have done a lot in support of this programs and hence improving its services and its sphere of influence to other regions. There are improvements that can be taken to boost the activities of the ICE.
One of these could be widening its scope of influence in other parts of the world where such crimes are rampant. In many parts of Africa, there are high incidences of slavery that go unaddressed as the concerned governments have not put this as one their priorities. They also lack the capacity to handle the long term complications that follow in slavery rescue and rehabilitation missions. This calls for more investment in such programs so as to save lives and show progress in the world that we are living in today.
The strategic plan by ICE for 2010-2014 is one that aims at improving its capacity and generally, all its services. It is a comprehensive plan that tries to lay out how ICE will effectively meets its responsibilities of criminal investigation. Some of the main priorities are protecting the border against illicit trade through smart and tough interior immigration enforcement. By this, the ICE will have been reached a point of actualization and can easily carry out its activities. In sum the ICE program seem to being about a relief to the victims of human trafficking and their families despite the numerous challenges the organization is facing and could use all the support it can get form volunteers and informers.
References
Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance (2012). Colorado Network to End Human Trafficking (CoNEHT). Retrieved on 27th April 27, 2012 from http://www.coloradocrimevictims.org/human_trafficking.html
ICE Victim’s Assistance Program (2010). Information for Victims of Human Trafficking. Retrieved on 27th April 2012 from http://www.ice.gov/about/overview/
Limon. L. (2010). National Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program FY 2012. Retrieved on 27th April 2012 from http://www.refugees.org/about-us/in-the-news/press-releases/national-human-trafficking.html
Office of Justice. (2012). Recidivism. Retrieved on 27th April 2012 from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=tp&tid=17
U. S Department of Health and Human Services (2011). Fact Sheet: Victim Assistance. Retrieved on 27th April 27, 2012 from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/trafficking/about/victim_assist.html
U. S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (2011). Assistance Program Helps Human Trafficking Victims. Retrieved on 27th April 2012 from http://blog.usa.gov/post/8344558132/assistance-program-helps-human-trafficking-victims
Against gun ownership
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Course
Tutor
Date
Against gun ownership
The issue of whether people should carry guns is a matter of great debate in the US and other developed countries. The issue of gun ownership is sensitive subject because it is seen as a factor that has a great impact on the national security of the citizens. American citizens feel safer when people are not allowed to carry guns. They therefore believe that other citizens should not be allowed to bear guns in campuses, market places, bars hospitals or restaurant. The prerequisite to regulate carrying of guns and the right to own them are not often mutually exclusive.
Today guns have perceived to be used in gang activity, for celebration, murder and hunting. “People are left wondering why a gun is necessary while you are drinking your morning coffee, in elementary school classrooms, in bars, or in the locker room of your local sports arena”(Schoolinmamma 1).Although it is perceived this way the US Gun Owners association argue that the usage of guns is and should be more for self-defence and not for other violent acts. While guns are seen as good weapons for self-defence not all individuals can handle guns. This is greatly determined by the particular individual’s responsibility in carrying and usage of the gun. Although the society has formulated and passed laws restricting the use of guns to its citizens, most citizens do not want to people to own guns.
The ownership of concealed weapons by household individual provides for safety for many citizens but at the same time increases chances of incidences of suicides and homicides. Strawberry clearly explains, “Certain individuals cannot handle a firearm safely, and some individuals choose to use firearms inappropriately. (Strawberry, “Gun control” 1) Although most people have been trained on the use of guns some irresponsible people may careless shoot other family members and cause injury and even death. Improper storage of these weapons of mass destruction, may lead to accidental injury by small children who have no knowledge of their use. Some people may own guns but have little knowledge of on their use therefore can cause most accidents. This explains why the US has the greatest number of gun-related homicides cases. Incidents of accidental shooting are on the rise due the careless use of firearms. Unintended shooting have increased due to many people being allowed to own guns. This may be facilitated by responsible adults by being afraid of some issues, intoxicated by drugs or by simply anger.
Specifically, many people who misuse guns have been found to do so under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Since many people take alcohol, it is possible that the level of gun abuse would increase if everyone is allowed to own guns or if the laws relating to gun ownership are relaxed.
While many people look at the second amendment as the law that allowed gun ownership, they fail to understand the context under which it was enacted. At the time, the country had security issues after the civil wars that led to independence. There were many armed rebels who were not under any formal command. However today, many police officers are employed and security has been beefed. The threat posed to the citizens without guns is not as much as it was in 19th and 20th centuries.
Having much gun ownership freedom may lead to more problems, more so in schools. If the law is not tightened, many youth, such as college students will be armed and carry the guns to schools. This is because at 18, they will be of majority age and will be deemed adults. However, because of their erratic behaviours, emotional instability and carelessness, they pose greater security risk than safety to their colleagues and the general public. Because of gun ownership, students have suffered in their hands of their colleagues. Some have been raped, bullied and intimidated by their colleagues. With more liberalized gun ownership, such cases will be on the increase.
Sometimes the guns owned by people and can fall into wrong hands and cause accidents. Children can easily access these weapons easily especially when they are kept carelessly and a loaded weapon may cause a lot of destruction not only to them but also others when they fire. Mentally ill people may also access these weapons and cause some shooting which can either injure or kill people.
The use of guns by the society has made it possible for all type of people to own guns. From college students, farmers, teachers all people own different types of concealed weapons (guns). Due to the rise societal issues like cases of divorce, separations and other relationship issues the cases of suicides have been on the rise. Gun ownership has facilitated these suicidal cases. People who own these guns take advantage by easily taking their own lives using their own guns.
People in every place are prone to misunderstandings. In everyday life people tend to make mistakes to each other in every aspect of life be it a teacher to a student and vice versa, a student to a parent, a worker to his boss we all make mistakes. Misunderstandings could cause some people to be angry to others and develop hatred towards them. These people may be led to use violent to satisfy their rage. Some may resolve to even use gun to injure or kill others because of this. Whereas these people were lacking guns chances of committing such crimes could not have been there.
US government should restrict or completely prohibit the possession of guns by its private citizen because of many reasons. When these foreign or private citizens carry these guns especially in public places like markets and restaurants they intimidate the public. This makes the public be suspicious of these people and connecting them to an impending crime. They therefore go further and call the police and this may cause a waste of human resource especially the law enforcement. The act of these citizens carrying these guns also risks their lives from the rest of the public as it may be seen as an act of threat to the public. The public may be violent or frightened by these people. In this resolve when these private citizens are seen with their guns they are usually intimidated and told to explain their motives therefore get harassed.
Although responsible people especially adults are usually trusted to own and carry guns it makes it difficult for law enforcements units to distinguish these persons from real criminals. Police may find it difficult to distinguish between a real criminal and the person who is licensed to carry a gun.
When citizens are allowed to carry guns they tend to be violent at times. Short tempered people and those with ill minds tend to use guns inappropriately. Most of them especially the college students who have been allowed to carry guns tend to form small gangs with the aim of intimidating others. They may resolve to do robbery and other evil acts for example rape and bullying at the expense of possessing these weapons. Others who do game hunting may go further to do illegally hunting.
Criminals especially robbers tend to arm themselves if they learn their victims are armed. This usually increases the chances of these innocent citizens being attacked by these robbers. Armed ‘victims’ may signal offenders that there is need to use a strong force because of the need to overpower the victim.
Although there are many disadvantages of allowing citizens to possess guns, the aspect of protecting oneself from attacks is also paramount. Any citizen usually feels secure when he or she has a gun especially when he or she is alone.
In conclusion the use and ownership of guns should be allowed only under restriction. Those given the opportunity to own should be held accountable of the acts using their guns. People who were assigned guns should be trained and advised on the use of these guns. While it’s a personal duty to guarantee one’s safety the government should also be responsible for the safety of every citizen whatever owns a gun or does not.
Works cited.
Anderson, Terry and Gardener, Thomas. Criminal Law. Cengage Learning,2011.
Ayoob, Massad. Gun digest book of concealed carry. Gun digests books,2012.
Crain, Ernest and Santos,Adolfo. Texas Politics Today. Cengage Learning,2009.
Eimer, Bruce. Armed-The Essential guide to concealed carry. Gun Digest books,2012.
Rowell,Lee. Survive a catastrophe in Surbia without firearms. Ebooklt publishers,2013.
Siegel, Larry. Criminology-The core. Cangage Learning,2008.