Information Technology and its effects in Working practices Essay

Information Technology has a great effect on society today, changing lives of many people in school, home and at work. I will be looking at how information technology has had a great effect in working practices. Technology has changed the lives of both employees and employers bringing both advantages and disadvantages. The topic, which I will be looking at, is teleworking and what are its advantages and disadvantages to both the employee and the employer. Teleworking Teleworking, sometimes called telecommuting, means working from home using modern technology to keep in touch with your business. Often teleworkers are based at home but they can also work from telecenters and satellite offices. Heathcote (1998) says Teleworking involves carrying out work away from the office and communicating with the employer through the use of computer and telecommunications equipment. Jobs can be relocated to places where it is more attractive, more convenient or cheaper to live. At present, teleworking is most advanced in the U.S. with only 3% of European employees engaged in teleworking along with an estimated 20 million worldwide. Predictions are that by the year 2006, the number could increase. Teleworking is facilitated by the recent rapid advances in the power of enabling technologies coupled with a significant reduction in their prices. These technologies include e-mail, ISDN, PCs, high speed modems and so on. Tools Needed For Teleworking To enable an employee to efficiently work from home they need the right equipment to enable them to do so. This is why the correct tools are essential. Here are the results of a survey conducted by (Http: 1) 99% of teleworkers have a PC.Teleworkers ask for ‘financial recompense for wear and tear on own equipment (and home PC hard disk space)’. 95% use the telephone for business calls.Teleworkers ask for ‘an additional phone line to work online and talk on the phone’. 87% own a modem:99% use the internet for research, retrieving information for their job and the email. Teleworkers request ‘cheaper internet access/cheaper ISDN lines’. Only 63% use a fax in their teleworking routine.Teleworkers request ‘lower telecommunication costs offered to teleworkers by the service sector’. Teleworkers also use: – 24% Photocopier 19% ISDN 4% Videoconferencing 3% Tools Equipment is usually bought from the employees themselves although now more and more employers are responsible for providing equipment for employees. This also includes costs for damages and any upgrades that might be needed. Advantages and Disadvantages for the Employee Some employees find that the advantage of teleworking is that they have flexible hours, they can still work when they want to and still be able to spend time at home with the family and there normal household jobs. However some people teleworkers find that this is a disadvantage as they are unable to separate work from family life, which is a cause of tension in the home as they are unable to talk to family members. Working from home is also known to reduce stress of employees as they find that they can work better in the comfort of their own home rather than in a busy office environment.  Although this is not always the case as some employees find that working at home is a distraction from their work especially if they have young children in the home that need them constantly. They also find themselves becoming lazy and try to put off doing work as long as possible and do not have the enthusiasm that they would have in their work than if they were working in an office. Another advantage of teleworking is that teleworkers are able to work in teams and can do their work together by contacting each other through telephone, e-mail or fax. Many teleworkers however disagree with this as they say that they do not have enough support from the office or work mates and it is difficult to contact them and communicate over a telephone. Johnson. M. (1997). Another advantage is that there is more work opportunities for employees. This is a specific advantage for the disabled and people from other countries. Disable who would not normally be able to work can work from there own home without having to travel, which can be a problem and have all the equipment that they need. This can also mean better work opportunities for people who cannot work during normal office hours. Many employees benefit from not having to move away from home to work. This means that they save money on travel costs such as petrol and car repairs. It also means that they spend extra hours working that a normal person would spend travelling to work. Constant delays and traffic is also a known cause for stress and can make workers tired when they arrive at work. A disadvantage for teleworkers is that they can become unsocial as they stay at home and do not get to meet new people or socialise with friends. However some employees say that they are glad that they do not have to socialise with colleagues especially if they find it difficult to get on with people and they work better when they don’t have someone looking over their shoulder checking on them Zabar.D.J. (2002). Teleworkers have less chance of being promoted or having any bonuses this can make them feel less enthusiastic about their work. Advantages and Disadvantages for the Employer An advantage to employers is that they can save on costs such as workspace, electricity, heating and lighting. Although there are other costs to the employer such as paying for communication costs and some employers will provide equipment for their employees as well. Employers have also said that employees that who work at home produce better work although as I have mentioned before this is not always the case. As employees become lazy when they do not have a supervisor to watch them. Another advantage is that employers have flexible staffing they can now employ more experienced and more knowledgeable staff from around the world. A disadvantage is that it is difficult for employees to see how well they are working and if they are putting their full amount of effort into their work â€Å"If I can’t see them, I can’t control them.† Also as information is constantly going to be sent through the Internet the company is more prone to hackers who want to steel or view their confidential data. What Would Improve Teleworking For Employees A survey conducted by (http: 2) asked a majority of teleworkers what would improve teleworking for them. The results are as follows: – 10% say they would like better support from the office 23% say that would like more communication with employees 30% say that they would like to have better equipment 37% say that they would like a better home working environment I have taken these results and have produced them on a graph: – These statistics were received from (http:3) I then converted these figures in form of a chart. General Statistics These statistics were also received from http: 3: – In 1993 there were only 130,000 people teleworking, or half a percent of the workforce. A year later this figure jumped to 560,000. Teleworking statistics were first introduced in the Labour Force Survey in 1997 and have grown by an average of 13 percent a year. Over the period 1997 to 2001, the total increase in teleworking is up by between 65 and 70 percent, with further growth predicted. The majority of teleworkers are men (67 percent), while they make up only 53 percent of the workforce. Teleworkers are predominately from the following industry groups: professional; managerial and senior officials; and associate professional and technical. Although the self-employed are strongly represented among teleworkers, their share is decreasing. International comparisons show that teleworking in the UK is just above the average for ten EU countries covered by a recent survey. Germany and France have the smallest proportion of employed people working as teleworkers, while Finland has the highest proportion. From the above it is evident that there are both advantages and disadvantages to both the employee and the employer. Even with disadvantages teleworking is still said to be expanding all over the world and it has been predicted that it will carry on doing so. Bibliography Heathcote. P.M. (1998) Information Technology, Payne Gallway: Ipswich Http: 1, Teleworking Today, Available online at http://www.si-cbx.com/teleworking/twfacts.html. Date of download 10th of November 2002 Http: 2, Teleworking, Available online at http://www.teleworker.org/articles/teleworking.html. Date of Download 10th of November 2002 Http: 3, Teleworking in the UK, Available online at http://www.national.statistics.gov.uk/telworking.htm. Date of download 12th of November 2002 Johnson. M. (1997) Teleworking in Brief, Butterworth-Hienman, Kent Lynch .F. (1999), Information Analysis, AT Foulks Ltd, Middlesex Zabar.D.J. (2002), Teleworking and Telecommuting, Made Ez Products, Reading.

Child of the owl essays

Child of the owl essays This chapter starts out with Casey visiting Barney in the hospital. A few days before, Barney had been beat up by some losers(5) in an alley because he just won lots of money racing horses. Barney tells Casey that he wont be out of the hospital very soon, and that he wants Casey to go and live with her uncle Phil. Casey doesnt want to, but soon submits to Barney, because thats the only thing she can do for him now. She goes to live with Phil the Pill, but doesnt last long. Phil despises the attitude that Casey uses with him and his family, so he sends her to live with Caseys grandmother Paw-Paw. Casey and Paw-Paw get along fine, but Casey isnt used to Chinatown, and all the people there. She realizes that she is one of them, but yet she feels alone. Paw-Paw enrolls Casey into a Catholic school that has an hour of Chinese class everyday. Casey got along okay before Chinese class, but when that started, she found out that it would be hard. Casey didnt understand any or the Chinese everyone was speaking, and the teacher thought she was stupid and also accused her of cheating. After that, Barney called Casey and told her to meet up with him. They talked, and Casey found out that Barney had started gambling again, and that he owed the bookie a lot of money. Barney then told her that they still had to wait awhile before they could live together again. Casey went home alone, and Paw-Paw came home soon after. Casey starts crying, and Paw-Paw asks if she feels alone inside. Casey is surprised that Paw-Paw knows, so Paw-Paw shows her the owl charm and tells her the owl story. After she hears the owl story, she no longer feels alone. Casey becomes curious about her mother, Jeanie, and asks Paw-Paw about her. Paw-Paw talks a bit, and then invites Casey to go see a Chinese movie. After watching two movies, Casey starts to appreciate the Chines ...

A Guide to Understanding Homeschool Laws

A Guide to Understanding Homeschool Laws Homeschooling has been legal in all 50 U.S. states since 1993. According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, home education was illegal in most states as recently as the early 1980’s. By 1989, only three states, Michigan, North Dakota, and Iowa, still considered homeschooling a crime. Interestingly, of those three states, two of them, Michigan and Iowa, are today listed among the states with the least restrictive homeschooling laws. Although homeschooling is now legal across the United States, each state is responsible for drafting its own homeschool laws, which means that what must be done to legally homeschool varies depending on where a family lives. Some states are highly regulated, while others place few restrictions on homeschooling families. Homeschool Legal Defense Association maintains an up-to-date database on the homeschooling laws in all fifty states. Terms to Know When Considering Homeschool Laws To those who are new to homeschooling, the terminology used in homeschool  laws may be unfamiliar. Some of the basic terms you need to know include: Compulsory attendance: This refers to the ages children are required to be in some type of school setting. In most states that define a compulsory attendance age for homeschoolers, the minimum is usually between the ages of 5 and 7. The maximum is generally between the ages of 16 and 18. Declaration (or Notice) of Intent: Many states require that homeschooling families submit an annual notice of intent to homeschool to either the state or county school superintendent. The content of this notice can vary by state, but usually includes the names and ages of the homeschooled children, the home address, and the parent’s signature. Hours of instruction: Most states specify the number of hours and/or days per year during which children should be receiving instruction. Some, like Ohio, state 900 hours of instruction per year. Others, such as Georgia, specify four and one-half hours per day for 180 days each school year. Portfolio:  Some states offer a portfolio option in place of standardized testing or professional evaluation. A portfolio is a collection of documents outlining your student’s progress each school year. It may include records such as attendance, grades, courses completed, work samples, photos of projects, and test scores. Scope and sequence: A scope and sequence is a list of topics and concepts that a student will learn throughout the school year. These concepts are usually broken down by subject and grade level. Standardized test:  Many states require that homeschool students take nationally standardized tests at regular intervals. The tests that meet each state’s requirements may vary. Umbrella schools/cover schools: Some states give the option for homeschooled students to enroll in an umbrella or cover school. This may be an actual private school or simply an organization established to help homeschooling families comply with the laws  in their state. Students are taught at home by their parents, but the cover school maintains records for their enrolled students. The records required by cover schools vary based on the laws of the state in which they are located. These documents are submitted by parents and may include attendance, test scores, and grades. Some umbrella schools help parents choose curriculum and offer transcripts, diplomas, and graduation ceremonies. States with the Most Restrictive Homeschool Laws States that are generally considered to be highly regulated for homeschooling families include: MassachusettsNew YorkPennsylvaniaRhode IslandVermont Often regarded as one of the most regulated states,  New York’s homeschooling laws require that parents turn in an annual instruction plan for each student. This plan must include information such as the name, age, and grade level of the student; the curriculum or textbooks you intend to use; and the name of the teaching parent. The state requires annual standardized testing in which students should be at or above the 33rd percentile or show a full grade level improvement from the previous year.  New York also lists specific subjects that parents must teach their children at various grade levels. Pennsylvania, another highly-regulated state,  offers three options for homeschooling. Under the homeschool statute, all parents must submit a notarized affidavit to homeschool. This form includes information about immunizations and medical records, along with criminal background checks. Homeschooling parent Malena H., who lives in Pennsylvania, says that although the state is â€Å"†¦considered one of the states with the highest regulations†¦it really isnt that bad. It sounds overwhelming when you hear about all the requirements, but once you have done it once it is pretty easy.† She says, â€Å"In third, fifth and eighth grades the student has to take a standardized test. There is a variety to choose from, and they can even do some of them at home or online. You must keep a portfolio for each child that has a few samples for each subject taught and the results of the standardized test if the child is in one of the testing years. At the end of the year, you find an evaluator to review the portfolio and sign off on it. You then send the evaluator’s report to the school district.† States with Moderately Restrictive Homeschool Laws While most states require that the teaching parent have at least a high school diploma or GED, some, such as North Dakota,  require that the teaching parent have a teaching degree or be monitored for at least two years by a certified teacher. That fact puts North Dakota  on the list of those  considered to be moderately restrictive with regards to their homeschool laws. Those states include: ColoradoFloridaHawaiiLouisianaMaineMarylandMinnesotaNew HampshireNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOregonSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeVirginiaWashingtonWest Virginia North Carolina is often considered a difficult state in which to homeschool. It requires maintaining attendance and immunization records for each child. North Carolina also requires that children complete nationally standardized tests each year. Other moderately regulated states that require yearly standardized testing include  Maine, Florida, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. (Some of these states do offer alternative homeschooling options that may not require annual testing.) Many states offer more than one option to legally homeschool. Tennessee, for example, currently has five options, including three umbrella schools options and one for distance learning (online classes). Heather S., a homeschooling parent from Ohio, says that Ohio homeschoolers must  submit an annual letter of intent and a  summary of their intended curriculum, and  agree to complete 900 hours  of education each year. Then, at  the end of each year, families â€Å"†¦.can do state-approved testing or have a portfolio reviewed and submit the results... Children must test above the 25th percentile on standardized tests or show progression in their portfolio. Virginia homeschooling mom, Joesette, considers her state homeschooling laws reasonably easy to follow. She says parents must â€Å"†¦file a Notice of Intent each year by August 15, then supply something to show progress at the end of the year (by August 1). This can be a standardized test, scoring at least in the 4th stanine, a  [student] portfolio†¦.or an evaluation letter by an approved evaluator.† Alternately, Virginia parents can file a  Religious Exemption. States with Minimally Restrictive Homeschool Laws Sixteen U.S.  states are considered minimally restrictive. These include:   AlabamaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaDelawareGeorgiaKansasKentuckyMississippiMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew MexicoUtahWisconsinWyoming Georgia requires an annual Declaration of Intent to be filed by September 1, annually, or within 30 days of the date you initially begin homeschooling. Children must take a nationally standardized test every three years starting in 3rd grade. Parents are required to write an annual progress report for each student. Both the test  scores and progress reports  are to be kept on file but are not required to be submitted to anyone. Although Nevada is on the minimally restrictive list, Magdalena A., who homeschools her children in the state says that it is, â€Å"†¦homeschooling paradise. The law states only  one regulation: when a child turns seven...a notice of intent to homeschool should be filed. That is it, for the rest of that childs life. No portfolios. No check-ups. No testing.† California homeschooling mom, Amelia H. outlines her state’s homeschooling options. â€Å"(1) Home study option through the  school district. Material is provided and weekly or monthly check-ins are required. Some districts provide classes for home study kids and/or allow kids to take some classes on campus. (2) Charter schools. Each one is set up differently but they all cater to homeschoolers and provide funding for secular curriculum and extracurricular activities through vendor programs†¦Some require that kids meet state standards; others simply ask for signs of ‘value-added growth. Most require state testing but a handful will allow parents to generate a portfolio as a year-end assessment. (3) File as an independent school. [Parents must]  state the curriculum goals at the start of the school year†¦Getting a high school diploma through this route is tricky and many parents choose to pay someone to help with the paperwork. States with the Least Restrictive Homeschool Laws Finally,  eleven states are considered very homeschool-friendly with few restrictions on homeschooling families. These states are: AlaskaConnecticutIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaMichiganMissouriNew JerseyOklahomaTexas Texas is notoriously homeschool-friendly with a strong homeschool voice at the legislative level. Iowa homeschooling parent, Nichole D. says that her home state is just as easy. â€Å"[In Iowa], we have no regulations. No state testing, no lesson plans submitted, no attendance records, nothing. We dont even have to inform the district that were homeschooling.† Parent Bethany W.  says, â€Å"Missouri is very homeschool-friendly. No notifying districts or anyone unless your child has previously been public schooled, no testing or evaluations ever. Parents keep a log of hours (1,000 hours, 180 days), a written report of progress, and a few samples of [their students’] work.† With a few exceptions, the difficulty or ease of complying with each state’s homeschooling laws is subjective. Even in states that are considered highly regulated, homeschooling parents often state that compliance isn’t as difficult as it may appear on paper. Whether you consider your state’s homeschooling laws restrictive or lenient, it is essential to make sure you understand what is required of you to remain compliant. This article should be considered a guideline only. For specific, detailed laws for your state, please check your statewide homeschool support group’s website or Homeschool Legal Defense Association.

Management and Control of Corporation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4750 words

Management and Control of Corporation - Essay Example Moreover, Romano (1998, 2359) states that although ‘both the states and the federal government regulate securities transactions, the current regulatory arrangements are a far cry from competitive federalism; the federal securities regime, consisting of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, applies to all publicly traded firms and is a mandatory system of disclosure regulation, bolstered by antifraud provisions; while the federal laws do not preempt all state regulation, states cannot lower the regulatory standards applicable to firms covered by the federal regime because its requirements are mandatory; they have also been prevented from raising regulatory standards on some occasions’. Moreover, in the summer of 2002, Congress ‘passed the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2) in response to a barrage of corporate governance crises and flagging investor confidence in the securities markets’ (Song, 2003, 257). Â  The historical background of the Securities legislation in the U.S. (included the proxy rules) can be rooted in 1929. To a more analytical description of the main events related with their establishment, Burk (1992, 23) stated that ‘investment bankers in the 1920 s were driven by a desire to gain influence over others and to make huge fortunes off their influence; all of them were not, of course, but enough was to set the tone; they took advantage of the mass market for securities, created to sell war bonds during the First World War, by peddling corporate securities of questionable value at artifically high prices; The result was not a permanent prosperity, as some predicted, but a crash, which saw stock prices lose ninety percent of their value over the course of three years, and an economic depression, which lasted for the better part of a decade’. Â  

Motivation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Motivation - Research Paper Example While the growth needs include, needs to know and understand, self-actualization and aesthetic needs. These are the most fundamental and important needs, and they must be met first before one is motivated for other aspirations. These needs comprise the basic needs, which include food, shelter, and clothing. Individuals cannot perform well if they have not taken food. For example, a student who has not taken break first or supper has difficulties in concentrating in class. This is because his mind is thinking of how he will get food to satisfy his need for hunger. Owing to this, various schools have started programs where food is given to students or offered at an affordable price for them to meet this need. It is appropriate for individuals or students to be provided with shelter or a home. This is a relaxation place relax after their days work. Schools have ensured that they provide the students with hostels where students go to unwind after their study. Finally, clothing is necessitated to meet physiological requirements. It is due to this reason students are provided with uniform s because learning cannot take place when people are naked (Griffin and Moorehead, Pg 92). This is the second category of needs that individuals are motivated to meet after the realization of physiological needs. Safety needs are those that make a person feel free from physical, mental, and emotional harm. Security needs are the needs met when people feel that their fears and anxieties are suppressed. The school ensures physical needs are meet by provision of tight security around the school, typically in form of guards who will ensure that strangers cannot harm the students. Discipline committee ensures that the freshmen do not experience bullying; this ensures the realization of their physical needs. Mental harm is reduced by ensuring that the timetable is not clashing

Globalisation and Challenges of the Muslim Religion on Its Influence Essay

Globalisation and Challenges of the Muslim Religion on Its Influence to the Family and Its Function in the Middle East - Essay Example This essay declares that majority of the humans all over the world follow one religion or other. Even the non-believers might have followed some religion, before becoming non-believers. However, religion is not a static concept or entity, which will be contained in one place or in a particular period of time, but it could spread to various places, and importantly could evolve and change based on certain world events. One of the events, which is having impacts on religions, and thereby in the way that religion impacts lives is globalization. Globalization is the process, in which the geographical and other social boundaries are broken, with interaction happening between people in various spheres of life, including economics, social, cultural etc. Because of this interaction, and its impacts on various ‘spheres’, the religion also gets impacted. As the report stresses family is also an omnipresent concept followed in all the countries and cultures of the world. Humans will not normally exist or thrive in isolation, he/she will be in the midst of others, and family is something, which majority of the humans are born in. That is, with biological connection established, when they are born, families get formed naturally. However, in the current times, the definition of family has had some competing definition due to the nature of change in family dynamics and composition. In general, it can be defined as a thing, in which group of individuals will live collectively particularly in a house or home, preferably under the control of one head. â€Å"A family is group of two people or more (one of whom is the householder) related by birth, marriage, or adaptation and residing together; all such people (including related subfamily members of one family)† (Mather 2004, p.2). When one focuses on family from the perspective of Func tionalist theory, it is clear that the institution of family plays many key roles. As a vehicle of socialization of individuals with the family from birth throughout the life stages. Functionalist acknowledges the socio-emotional support. As a means of production Family as a means of regulating sexual activity. Transmits social identity and social status of individuals within a given family, community or society. However, with the rise of single parent families, families with same sex couples and even families where the partners live together outside of marriage, traditional definitions of family are being broken, particularly in the Western world. Dhami and Sheik (2001, p.57) ascertain that, â€Å"We live an era in which the nature, function, and structure of the family have been thrown into question. Many, for example, would consider an unmarried couple, a single mother, and homosexual couples as equally legitimate expressions of the family unit.† At the same time, when one focuses on the family from the perspective of Islam, the family is defined as ‘divine institution’. That is, Dhami and Sheik (2001, p.57) further argue that, â€Å"Islam takes a more conservative stance, arguing that the family is a divinely inspired institution, with marriage at its core.† Thus, when religion or particular religious beliefs are focused, it interprets family differently. Religion

Rogers Chocolate Essay Example for Free

Rogers Chocolate Essay Introduction R gers’s Chocolates is Canada’s oldest chocolates company that was formed in 1885 in Victoria, British Columbia by Charles Rogers. The company specialized in producing different varieties of ward winning hand-wrapped, high-quality chocolate brands as well as premium novelty ice cream which it sold through its retail outlets, sales through wholesale delivery, online/phone sales, and through Sam’s Deli restaurant in British Columbia. The goal of the organization is â€Å"to double or triple the size of the company within 10 years† (Zietsma, 2007) Rogers’ target market is both end users and consumers who buy chocolates to indulge themselves or to give as a gift. Rogers’ target buyers are new and existing chocolate buyers that love quality chocolates. Demographics tend to be mainly women ages 25-55 years old with middle to high household income of $50,000 upward. They generally have college education and are professionals, white-collar workers, managers, or owners. The majority will be frequent travelers on cruise ships and Internet users. In order to develop a successful growth plan for the Rogers’ Chocolates, it is very important to get an integrated understanding of the external and internal environment effecting the chocolate industry in whole and Rogers’ Chocolate in particular. An organization’s external environment represents the opportunities and threats while focusing three major areas that include general, industry and competitor environment. The firms understanding of the external environment is matched with its knowledge about the internal environment (resources, capabilities, core competencies, organization, management etc.) in order to develop a strategic growth plan that will bring competitive advantage and above-average returns. External Analysis P. E. S. T Analysis: Political/Legal: * Legal issues regarding child labour in cocoa farms. * African countries are more affected by child labour. * Large manufacturers are seeking a redefinition of the term â€Å"chocolate† under USFDA guidelines so that they can produce cheaper version of the product and still call it chocolate. Economic: * Falling growth rate in the chocolate industry due to economical factors. * Due to seasonal vulnerability of the product, it is hard to manage inventory resulting in higher costs for wasted material. * Higher cleaning and maintenance costs for the equipment for large producers. * Sociocultural: * Increasing trend towards healthier diet, organic food, low-trans fat and no-sugar chocolate. * More demand for dark chocolate due to its heart-healthier anti-oxidant properties. * Consumers and employees stressing on more corporate social responsibility. * Human rights concerns on forced labour in West Africa. * Environmental concerns influencing packaging, procurement and operational decisions. Technology: * Less focus of private and government supported RD expenditures. * Farmers are less efficient in growing cocoa beans because of lack of proper knowledge, education and training. Industry Analysis: Even though there had been a gradual decline in the growth of chocolate industry as a whole, there is still opportunity in the premium chocolate sector of this industry, which is growing at 20% annually. The Canadian market size for chocolates was US$167 million in 2006 and it was projected to grow at 2% annually. The change in demographics with aging baby boomers and their emphasis on brand and quality has given an opportunity to traditional chocolate manufacturers like Hershey’s and Cadburys to shift their focus on the production of premium quality chocolates. Rogers’ Company is faced with many factors that are directly influencing the company, its competitive actions and competitive responses in the overall industry. The Five Forces of Competition Model: Michael Porter’s five forces of competition is an analytical tool that can be for Rogers’ Chocolate to measure the intensity of the industry competition and an industry’s profit potential. Threat of New Entrants: Hershey’s and Cadburys are moving towards the premium chocolate market through the acquisition or upmarket launches (Zietsma, 2007). The profit potential present in this sector supported by its 20% annual growth rate make it very attractive for large organizations to come forward and avail this opportunity. There is a low threat of new entrants prevailing in this chocolate industry because of the high capital requirements and expected retaliation by current manufacturers. Current players in the industry also possess some barriers to entry for new entrants by maintaining economies of scales with their large production capacity and keeping their product differentiation with their specialized and novelty chocolate products. Even though there are low switching costs and easy access to distribution channels, but still the brand loyalty of the customers including the Rogers’ Chocolate itself make it harder for new firms to come into the competition. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: There is a high bargaining power of suppliers because of the need of the key ingredients required for chocolate manufacturing and limited number of suppliers for this industry. Since cocoa trees require tropical climate, it forces the main producers in the west to import them from countries in West Africa or other hot places where suppliers are dominated by few large companies The chocolate and cocoa industry relies on suppliers to deliver high quality products that meet food regulations and consumer taste tests. If the suppliers’ product is not available or does not meet the quality expected, the industry will suffer greatly. This dependency on the suppliers’ product and the absence of substitute products increases the suppliers’ bargaining power. Bargaining Power of Buyers: Even though there are no substitute products for the manufacturing of chocolate, the buyer groups are still powerful because they purchase a large portion of the industry’s total output. Since there are many wholesale buyers of cocoa beans for the manufacturing and selling of the chocolate, it increases the bargaining power of the buyers that forces suppliers to lower their prices or increase their product quality. Another condition that affects the power of buyers is product differentiation. If the product is undifferentiated, the buyer has the power to play competitors against each other and reduce the cost. The chocolate and cocoa industry has a differentiated product, which reduces the power of buyers. The industry has several large players that have brand identification and customer loyalty, which makes it hard for buyers not to use a particular supplier. Threat of Substitute Products: Majority of the chocolate sales occur during the Christmas season and people buy chocolates to give as Christmas gifts or during the Valentine’s Day or Halloween. Other types of gifts during these occasions are considered as substitute products that may include flowers, jewellery, stuffed toys etc. Many people consider chocolate as unhealthy while some people can use other flavours such as lemon, vanilla, peanut butter or mint instead of chocolate that brings a low to moderate threat of substitute products to replace chocolate. Intensity of Rivalry Among Competitors: The presence of a many and equally balanced chocolate producers increases the rivalry among the competitors by permitting vigorous actions and responses by the competitors. With the slow industry growth, chocolate industry for instance, markets become more intense as companies battle to increase their market shares by attracting competitors customers. It results in more price wars, marketing and advertising battles between the competitors. Another factor that intensifies the competition and rivalry among competitors is the high storage and fixed costs that pushes chocolate producers to maximize their production capacity. In order to sell this excess capacity, organizations give purchase rebates and other special discounts to customers that increases the competition. Standardization and differentiation along with low switching costs in chocolate industry also fuels competition. Competitor Analysis: Competition in the chocolate industry in Canada is led by some regional brands along with a few larger producers. Major players in the market include Godiva (Nestle), Bernard Callebaut, Lindt, Purdy and a few local premium chocolate companies like Laura Secord and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company. There are many factors influencing the competition in this industry that include variations in the price points and quality of different premium chocolate product lines. Each individual company has its own unique technique to boost itself from its competitors. Many companies have their own fancy packaging styles for their products’ delivery that target different customers helping them in getting above average returns. Widespread distribution of products and attractive presentation and displays are some other effective tools that are adapted by many companies in this business offering them good returns on their investment. A company with good and intense marketing and advertising along with widespread geographical location gains more market share compared to the one that is limited to a certain area. Some companies have focused more on their mall outlets while some have taken spots in different tourist attractions. For some companies, retail sales are more promising than wholesale strategy, which shows that selling strategy plays an important part in the success of a company. Even though all forces stated above hastens competition among these chocolate companies, product quality surface to have least impact on extent of competition (Zietsma, 2007). Attractiveness and profitability of chocolate products is determined by how the product is moulded, coloured, and packed (Ellis, M.et al, 2007). Key Success Factor Analysis: Numerous factors that can add up to the successes of Rogers’ Chocolate are as follows: Understanding and Satisfying Consumer Needs Part of the external analysis is to scan, monitor, forecast and assess the timing and importance of environmental changes and trends. In order for Rogers’ Chocolate to get strategic competitiveness, it’s very important that it understands the trends in the chocolate industry that are moving towards premium chocolate with high-quality and high-taste matched with classy packaging, beautiful retail experience and fair pricing. Rogers’ Chocolate already has award-winning reputation with its friendly customer service, pretty theme in its retail outlets with images and aromas. Customers buy premium chocolates for special events or for corporate gifts, so it’s very important that special focus is put on their attractive and unique packaging. Rogers’ Chocolate has it all. Rogers’ Chocolate needs to focus on the sale of its wholesale orders that constitute 30% of the total sales but it has been declining gradually due to inclination of the buyers towards other cheaper brands. It needs to reconsider its pricing strategy, marketing and relations with these customers. Extensive marketing in order improve brand awareness: Regardless of Rogers’ Chocolate being the dominant player in the chocolate industry, it only occupies 7% share in the $167 million market. Premium chocolate is a growing sector with high profit potential and Rogers’ Chocolate has the ability to avail this opportunity if it extends its marketing strategy in order to grow in the near future. Pricing Strategy: Price of chocolate product also affects success of producing firm. Company’s Price of the product determines consumption rate of the product. Whether price is regulated by the organization itself or state-based decision, it affects demand of the product. Demand and price of any product are inversely related. Low market demand implies low net sales, which makes success of the company to be uncertain. Another aspect of price factor is in determination of production cost. Lower prices than other producers of the same type of commodity make production cost expensive. On the other hand, high price reduces market demand of any product. In a case where different companies sell similar product at different prices, companies using extreme prices are at risk of failing Geographical Distribution: It is very important for the success of the company to have a widespread geographical distribution of its products. A company with many locations is more likely to have its customers familiarized with its products and image. Brand loyalty increases when customers know that their preferred brand is located not too far from them. Product Diversification: Product diversification is applied in cases where stiff competition exists in the market. Instead of maintaining production of only one type of chocolate product, modification in shape, color, and different composition ensures further success of a company. Internal Analysis: Strengths: * Well-established and reputable Brand * Experienced Management Team * Rich history and tradition in Canada * Award winning recognition * Revenues * Loyal customers * Devoted Employees and Passionate Employees * Quality products hand wrapped Weaknesses: * Production process – not efficient and no measuring capabilities * Demand forecasting – difficult due to seasonality of sales * Management’s and Employee’s resistance to change. * Management team conflicts * Packaging * Lack of brand image and customer awareness * Cost of setting up and cleaning equipment * Inventory Management – Out of Stock and Over stock – production planning issues * Decrease in Wholesale * Online Sales only 4% Opportunities: * Growth in European and Asian markets * Retail and Online expansion * Increased production capacity * Trends and shifts in consumer confectionary market * Kiosks in airports * Organic trade line Threats: * Economy and demand fluctuations * Competitors * Decreased number of tourists. * Environmental concerns and human rights concerns expressed by some consumers * USFDA guidelines for â€Å"redefining† chocolate Rogers’ Chocolate has 24,000 sq. ft. production facility with 110 non-unionized retail and production employees. 75 employees work in retail while 35 in the production. Hand making and hand packing made the chocolate production very labour intensive while big portion of the costs were that of set-up time and cleaning time for the equipment during the batch processing. There are no means of measuring the productivity and efficiency in the plant. Another issue faced by the Rogers’ Chocolate is its inability to forecast the demand and hence the production of its products due to the seasonality of the sales. This problem is dealt with excess production to deal with the out-of-stocks during the peak seasons. The delays in the import of art tins for assortment from China also throw the schedule off for the next product in production line. Rogers’ Chocolate has a very low turnover rate because of its historic heritage of 120 years and strong family values. Some workers were third-generation Rogers’ employees with strong commitment and passion for the company. However, it created a problem for the company because employees were resistant to any change in the company. Rogers’ Chocolate was also involved in the local community service by employing people with disability and a group of brain-damaged individuals. The organization had a very good and friendly corporate culture where people respected each other on first-name basis. Compensation packages offered to the employees were also very competitive in order to retain the experienced employees. Rogers’ Chocolate has the potential of growth with its present resources. The company has a well-managed and competent workforce, which is the driving force for the entire organization. The board of directors consist of educated and experienced people who have good know-how of the industry. The production facility and other tangible and non tangible assets permit Rogers’ to come forward to lead the industry. It has all the right business tools that are required by an organization in order to succeed. Rogers’ has access to the main markets of the country that include its retail outlets, wholesale sales and online sales. All these resources and its ability in making premium chocolate with high quality and high taste make it a potential threat to its competitors. If utilized properly, these resources and capabilities can allow Rogers’ Chocolate to formulate a strategy to earn above average returns. Recommendations: * Focus on strengthening current retail operations than wholesale. * Roger’s good corporate social practices will also focus on human rights (labour laws), packaging, procurement and operational decisions. * Increase brand awareness to capture more market share. * Focus growing the retail business into new geographic markets. * Continue to grow complementary business lines (i. e. Ice Cream) * Develop core competence in operations management to drive efficiencies and reduce inventories. * Upgrade technology in production to increase capacity * Create new product lines and packaging to broaden the customer base. * Franchise Sams Deli. It has large amount in administration expenses. * Franchise retail chocolate stores. * Offer promotions on special events like Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Valentine’s Day etc. * Keep existing customers happy with special discounts and customer loyalty programs.