Marketing Supply Chain Network

Question: Task: Individual Research Report Assessment Details: At a minimum, your report must address the following issus: - A definition of the customers needs, wants, demand, product and market identified for the organisation - A discussion of the Orientation the company exhibits toward the market place - The major competitive issues facing the firm (for instance, the nature and level of competition, competitive strategy profiles, regulations, etc) - Segmenting, targeting and positioning issues relating to the organisation. Answer: Introduction Nestle is a champion among the most comprehended relationships in the matter of sustenance in the branch of coffee products. Coffee capsules of Nespresso are a product made by Nespresso, a working unit of the Nestl Group, created in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Nespresso coffee capsules are one of the principal products of Nespresso, and they have a focal impact accessible. The company Nespresso is operating mainly in the market of coffee machines. The machines of Nespresso brew espresso and coffee from the coffee capsules or pods in bar machines which is a variety of pre-apportioned single-use urn of ground coffee beans with added flavors. Moreover, the company is also selling its coffee capsules and coffee machines in the international market. The company had strated its journey in the year of 1976. As stated by Bhatta, (2011) an employee of Nestl, invented, patented and introduced the Nespresso system. Now, it can be identified as one of the major companies in its target marker. As opined by Janiszewska Insch, (2012) needs can be designated as the as goods or services that are required. Needs are imperative for survival. However, on the other hand, the idea of want represents something different. As mentioned by Tapp Spotswood, (2013) wants are goods or services that are not necessary but that we desire or wish for. In the case of Nespresso and its products, the company has utilized the want of the potential customer. The products of the company are typically upscale and of the best quality. Moreover, coffee can be identified as a lifestyle product. The offerings of Nespresso is the best quality coffee capsules as well as high quality coffee machines. The price of the products are relatively higher than most of its competitors. The premium pricing strategy of the company is targeting the affluent group of customers. The finest green coffee and the selected capsules and innovative machines are mainly targeting the high social class and the buyers with high purchasing power. In spite of this, by utilizing the idea of want of the customers the company is holding 15% of the global market (Brem, Maier Wimschneider, 2016). Customer preferences Product Coffee capsules made by Nespresso have its own standard and has set its own bench mark in the category of coffee capsules (Bhatta, 2011). In spite of the fact that Nespresso came into the scenario with its line of coffee powder., its smart move into the capsule section has earned it its name and given it an entirely different image in the coffee market. The key thought behind working on the coffee capsules was related to making something for the coffee machines of unique taste unlike the coffee powder and ensuring that the fragrance of the coffee does not leave the coffee. In such a case, the coffee capsules were made by the association with a point of view of making something suitable for single use with each capsule having their unique flavors stored (Peppers Rogers, 2011). While earlier coffee machines were obliged to the shops, the present instance of owning coffee machines could be seen in every family with most of them asking for that alliance allowing them in setting up their outlets. While portraying the product on three layers, the center product is, truly, the coffee capsule that is hugely improved than the powdered coffee as the capsules don't lose their flavor and in like manner, help in offering the coffee with an upgraded fragrance enhancing ones experience of having it (Baek, JeeHee, Bang, Han Na, Kim, EunJeong, 2012). The products are grouped according to the grade of the materials used and their impact on the human body. The lifecycle of the product can be seen when we check the movement of the product (Navarro, Tiwari, Turner, 2013). In any case, as coffee machines wound up being logically understood, the other rival associations on the other hand started making substitute things for the coffee machines that took after Nespresso's coffee capsules. Market identification: Nespressos target market can be identified as the affluent group of the customers. The company is mainly targeting the coffee lovers in the global market. According to the market research of the company it can be identified that the majority of the customers of the Nespresso products are the females. Most of the customers of the offerings of Nespresso are the middle-aged persons, mainly belonging to the 30 to 50 years of age group. Moreover, target customers of the Nespresso offerings are the higher income group. The company does not have any global boundary. The customers of the company are the people who possess a psychology of aristocratic behaviour. The brand Nespresso is one of the pioneers in the coffee business and the development of the coffee capsules has proven to be one of the most important accomplishments (Virn, 2008). The examination of the internal and external environment of the company reveals the special setting force which helps the management to plan their way ahead. With the aid of this practice the managers do get firm belief that they are working for the betterment of the product and also keeping intact the image of the brand itself. The examination of the external factors does help in keeping the relationship intact among the customers and the company. It has been seen that Nespressos progress in the growing days is also continuing to grow the client base. Market orientation As opined by Janiszewska Insch, (2012) marketing oriented companies focus on the customer needs and for them the opportunities arise from the changing needs of the customers or market. As stated by Tapp Spotswood, (2013) the marketing orientation of the company can be identified as consumer focused. The Nespresso has reviewed the food habit of the upper class people and identified the popularity of coffee within that group. Hence, they introduced best quality coffee capsule product in their product line with a premium pricing strategy. On the other hand, the marketing orientation of the company may also be identified as product oriented. The company claims that the quality is their passion (Brem, Maier Wimschneider, 2016). Hence, in the marketing strategy of Nespresso, the promotion of the quality of the coffee capsules acquires a great extent. The most important reasons of Nespressos success can be identified as marketing to the right folks and providing a genuine product. Nespresso has rightly identified the upscale customers as their target and providing the best quality product by making justification with the announced price level. Market competitiveness: The competitive issues: High price: The product has been priced scarcely higher than its competitors (Bloodgood Katz, 2004). Compromising in the aspect of quality can cause the brand to lose its clients, as it would suggest that the brand is wheeling and dealing on its quality. In such a case, looking over is a way that will be betterment for the brand quality. The concern on that has been set for prospects for growing advantage in the long run (Ferran, n.d.). As opined by Janiszewska Insch, (2012) the issue of strict competition cannot be ignored by a company which is operating in a market for a long time. In the case of Nespresso, Nestle is facing the same competitive issue. The coffee capsule product of Nespresso is facing huge competition from the coffee bin industries worldwide. The name of Senseo, Tassimo, Keurig and many others can be discussed in this regard. Limited distribution channel than the competitors: On the other, hand the issue of limited distribution channel cannot be ignored. As mentioned by Baek et al., (2012) the coffee capsule product of the company is not being available to the large extent of customers due to its lack of required distribution channels. The coffee capsules of Nespresso are not available in all outlets of similar products. Moreover, as the company is targeting only the upscale consumers, the product is only available in the official website, boutiques and the well-known departmental stores of the city areas. Furthermore, as mentioned by Brem, Maier Wimschneider, (2016) the product is hardly available in the markets outside the USA. Thus, it is reducing the customer response of the product. Competition with the substitutes: In addition, as opined by Alvarez, Pilbeam Wilding, (2010) tea can be a great substitution threat to the market of the coffee capsules of Nespresso. Tea is a greatly popular drink worldwide. Not only the aristocrats, but also the middle and low-income groups like to have tea. Moreover, the companies, which are operating in the tea market, have made themselves available to almost all level (income groups) of customers. Unlike Nespresso, their product is affordable for all income groups. Barriers of entry: However, the barriers of entry have to be discussed in this regard. The company is enjoying a huge economy of scale. Moreover, the startup cost will be huge for the companys trying to enter in the market. They have to compete with the economy of scale of the company. Moreover, the governmental issues cannot be ignored. The company is facing issues with the restricted recycling potential of the single-serve aluminum pods. As mentioned by Alvarez, Pilbeam Wilding, (2010) the company has not followed any any recycling programs outside of a few parts of Switzerland. It has made government involve in the business process of the company. Hence, the companys 38-point list of commitments is dedicated to fight this issue. The new entrants have to keep on mind these environmental regulations. On the other hand, the product and the technology of the company are of high quality and upscale. It will create a great barrier to the new entrants in the selected market. A barrier of entry to this cof fee market can be identified the product differentiation. Not a many company is providing the same quality product of the Nespresso. However, there are a number of companies, which are offering the customers the same pattern of product and in mush lower price than that of Nespresso. Market Segmentation Segmenting and targeting issues: If the market segmentation of the coffee capsule of Nespresso can be done, it can be noticed that the majority of the customers are coming from the affluent group. On the other hand, the company is getting the more customer base from the females. Moreover, this particular product of Nespresso can be identified as a popular drink among the middle age group. Now, it can be identified as a segmenting issue of the company. The company is targeting a very small range of coffee consumer in the world. It is reducing the potential profit level of the coffee capsule product of the company. The company needs to enhance its boundary of the target group. As mentioned by Brem, Maier Wimschneider, (2016) the target market of Nespresso is really narrow and high standard. It is restricting the huge customer base in the middle-income group of the global coffee market. As opined by Alvarez, Pilbeam Wilding, (2010) the company is deliberately targeting the consumers who are serious about their coffee. As mentioned by Brem, Maier Wimschneider, (2016) Nespresso machines are quite expensive- some are upwards of $800. The target market of the company may be providing it a tag of upscale drink, but it is limiting the profitability of the company. The company needs to increase the brand awareness among the potential customers and increase the market segment of the products. Market Positioning: The product has been made considering the necessities to be included in the complete pack. In such a case, the IMC has been achieved with a viewpoint to push the product among these circles. The progression has been done transversely over various channels that give the affiliation an ideal approach in managing regular interact with the goal customers (McDermott, 1998). The web progress goes for portraying the diverse flavors that the product offers; the structure that is related here is along these lines an arrangement of division from its adversaries. The brand goes for portraying to the customers that it can give the customers a comprehensive course of choices for flavors that are not given by the contenders. In such a case, the customers are additionally managed to go for the products, as they do not think much about spending more for a unique product that in like way gives the customer such a course of choices (Bejou Palmer, 2005) The positioning issues: As discussed by Baek et al., (2012) the positioning of a brand depends on a number of issues or variables. However, most importantly, the variables like, price level and product quality determines the brand positioning of a product. Figure 1: Brand position of Nespresso (Source: Alvarez Pilbeam Wilding, 2010) Here, in the above provided graph, it can be identified that the brand position of Nesspresso is high in both the quality and price benchmark. As mentioned by Alvarez, Pilbeam Wilding, (2010) in the case of the USA market, the company holds 7% market share. On the other hand, the luxury image of the brand has also positioned it to the higher range in the positioning map. It may become a threat for the companys profitability. As mentioned by Baek et al., (2012) with the global trend of economic slowdown, the rate of disposable income of the consumers is decreasing. In the cases of these life style products like coffee, this is hugely affecting the market. The company is creating a tag of upscale product, which is hurting the potentiality of the brand in the popular market. Hence, the company needs to acquire the market that has not been reached yet. For this, the company has to compromise with its price level. The company may launch small quantity of the product in a lower price and promote it as a product for everyone. It will help the company to reach the previously un-approached group of customers and thus get a better position in the brand-positioning map. Moreover, if the company can win the heat of this potential customer group and utilize the want factor, it will surely provide better level of customer base in the future. Conclusion Nespresso is having a reasonable relationship today and their product, the coffee capsules have correspondingly been preferred by the customers to a great extent proving it productive to an astounding degree. The product was initially dispatched to an area for the coffee machines in the shops. In such a case, it was a business product and meant for a particular customer base. Regardless, the rising occupations gave some people their very own coffee machines and like this; the product saw a positive turn in its game-plans. Consequently, it changed its status to a client product. This move brought up in the game-plans recommended that the product is now something indicated to be used by all brining more and more challenges for the business divisions working with it. In such a case, the product required a suitable moving structure that would help it in keeping up its place in the market place. All the USP of Nespresso has assisted in keeping up the product quality while helping in retai ning the division and uniqueness of the product from the ones offered by the competitors. References Alvarez, G., Pilbeam, C., Wilding, R. (2010). Nestl Nespresso AAA sustainable quality program: an investigation into the governance dynamics in a multià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ stakeholder supply chain network.Supply Chain Management: An International Journal,15(2), 165-182.https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/13598541011028769 Baek, JeeHee, Bang, Han Na, Kim, EunJeong,. (2012). The Effect of Brand Identity represented in Store Identity Elements on Brand Attitude and Purchase Intention - Focusing on Domestic Capsule Coffee Machine Stores -.A Journal Of Brand Design Association Of Korea,10(1), 25-36.https://dx.doi.org/10.18852/bdak.2012.10.1.25 Bejou, D. Palmer, A. (2005).The future of relationship marketing. New York: Best Business Books. Bhatta, K. (2011). Customer Behavior and Preferences: A Survey Report.Banking J,1(1).https://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bj.v1i1.5145 Bloodgood, J. Katz, J. (2004).MANUFACTURING CAPACITY, MARKET SHARE, AND COMPETITIVENESS.Competitiveness Review,14(1/2), 60-71.https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/eb046468 Brem, A., Maier, M., Wimschneider, C. (2016). Competitive advantage through innovation: the case of Nespresso.Euro JrnlOf Inn Mnagmnt,19(1), 133-148.https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/ejim-05-2014-0055 Chung, C. Tauchen, G. (2001). Testing Target-Zone Models Using Efficient Method of Moments.JournalOf Business Economic Statistics,19(3), 255-277.https://dx.doi.org/10.1198/073500101681019891 Ferran, E. Capital Market Competitiveness and Enforcement.SSRN Electronic Journal.https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1127245 HOWELL, A. (2011). Labor Market Segmentation in Urumqi, Xinjiang: Exposing Labor Market Segments and Testing the Relationship between Migration and Segmentation.Growth And Change,42(2), 200-226.https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2257.2011.00550.x Janiszewska, K. Insch, A. (2012).The Strategic Importance of Brand Positioning in the Place Brand Concept Elements, Structure and Application of the Positioning Statement.JOIS,5(1), 9-19.https://dx.doi.org/10.14254/2071-8330.2012/5-1/2 Matzler, K., Bailom, F., Friedrich von den Eichen, S., Kohler, T. (2013). Business model innovation: coffee triumphs for Nespresso.Journal Of Business Strategy,34(2), 30-37.https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02756661311310431 McDermott, P. (1998). Positioning planning in a market economy.Environ. Plann. A,30(4), 631-646.https://dx.doi.org/10.1068/a300631 Nakos, G., Brouthers, K., Dimitratos, P. (2013). International Alliances with Competitors and Non-Competitors: The Disparate Impact on Sme International Performance.Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal,8(2), 167-182.https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/sej.1169 Navarro, R., Tiwari, A., Turner, C. (2013).Improving product lifecycle management implementations by applying 'lean' principles.International Journal Of Product Lifecycle Management,6(4), 357.https://dx.doi.org/10.1504/ijplm.2013.063212 Peppers, D. Rogers, M. (2011).Managing customer relationships. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley. Tapp, A. Spotswood, F. (2013). From the 4Ps to COM-SM: reconfiguring the social marketing mix.Journal Of Social Marketing,3(3), 206-222.https://dx.doi.org/10.1108/jsocm-01-2013-0011 Tweedale, A. (2016). Systematic review for pre-market risk assessment.Environment International.https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2016.06.028 Virn, M. (2008).Gaming in the new market environment. Basingstoke [England]: Palgrave Macmillan. Zweimller, M., Winter-Ebmer, R., Weichselbaumer, D. (2008). Market Orientation and Gender Wage Gaps: an International Study.Kyklos,61(4), 615-635.https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6435.2008.00419.x

APUSH DBQ Sample Essay

APUSH DBQ Sample EssayThe APUSH DBQ sample essay is a free guide available on the APUSH website that helps you decide which of the APUSH subjects will be suitable for your class. This sample essay is a great resource to assist your teaching in identifying and providing helpful content for the APUSH course, whether it is a subject you are trying to teach yourself or if you have some additional time available for your APUSH course.The first question asked by the online source for the essay is whether you have knowledge of IBM. You will then be asked to write a brief introduction about yourself, the reasons why you should be allowed to take the APUSH test. The main topic for the first question is what level of education do you hold? If you are currently holding a college degree, you will have your path clear to teach your subjects.To gain knowledge on a subject, you must be able to write well. Therefore, it is important to do your research and learn the basics of the subject that you wi sh to teach yourself or improve on. This part of the guide gives you the resources for getting yourself familiar with the subject, learning more about the subject, and also exploring what your knowledge base is like as it relates to the subject. The application of technology is a very important part of this section as it relates to the subject of data mining.If you are not familiar with IBM, there is a list of topics that you can use as examples in your APUSH sample essay. These are listed in the area of 'EXPLORE' which shows the focus of the guide. They include but are not limited to:The APUSH DBQ sample essay covers several other topics that you can use as examples in your essay. These include but are not limited to:One of the things that makes the APUSH DBQ sample essay so valuable is that it allows you to use current events as a subject. These examples are broken down into two sections, one that examine current issues and the other to provide an example of how recent news relate d to your topic has impacted your school. After you write the essay, it will help you identify how the topic is impacting the school or district that you teach in. You will also find that your writing skills improve while completing this section of the essay.The next section of the APUSH DBQ sample essay is an example of a popular interview that was conducted during the past year. This section highlights some of the questions that were posed during the interview. The focus is on teaching students how to critically analyze a discussion in a classroom. You will see that teachers are using this guide as an opportunity to demonstrate the types of ideas that they were using when they were still in school.The final section of the APUSH DBQ sample essay is a discussion on how to define a concept. This section helps students understand how to properly answer the questions that the quiz asks for. The use of a dictionary as an example is also given as a guide.

Water Potential free essay sample

Water potential is the measure of free energy of water in a solution. The purpose of this lab was to find the water potential of a potato cell. The problem of this lab was, if there was a high molarity of solute, would it have a positive or negative water potential? The hypothesis of the experiment was, if there is a high molarity of solute then the water potential would be lower or negative. After obtaining potatoes, we cut them into pieces, weighed them, and then placed them in a solution overnight. In this lab, we explored the potato cell’s water potentiality. From the results, we found that it the higher the molarity of a solution is, the lower the water potential of the potato cell. This finding supports our hypothesis. Introduction: Water will always move from an area of high water potential to an area of low water potential. We will write a custom essay sample on Water Potential or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Water potential is the measure of free energy of water in a solution. Water potential is represented by the symbol ? (psi). Water potential is affected by two physical factors. One of factor is the addition on solute (? s); addition of solutes to a concentration will lower the water potential of that solute, causing water to move into the area. The other factor is pressure potential (? p). An increase of pressure potential raises the water potential. Water movement is directly proportionate to the pressure potential. The equation for water potential is: ? = ? p + ? s The water potential of pure water at atmospheric pressure is defined as being zero. The water potential value can be either positive, zero or negative. An increase in pressure potential results in a more positive value, and a decrease in pressure potential results in a more negative value. In contrast to pressure potential, solute potential is always negative; since pure water has a water potential of zero, any solutes will make the solution have lower or negative water potential. In general, an increase in solute potential makes the water potential value negative and an increase in pressure potential makes the water potential more positive. Methods and Materials: The materials used in this experiment were a large potato, peeler, apple corer, 250 mL beaker, paper towel, scale, six cups, knife, and about 100 mL solutions of: distilled water, 0. 2 M sucrose, 0. 4 M sucrose, 0. 6 M sucrose, 0. 8 M sucrose, and 1. 0 M sucrose. First, we poured 100 mL of assigned solutions into labeled cups. Then, my lab partner and I peeled a potato, and then sliced it. After slicing, we used an apple corer to cut it into pieces, and only using four pieces. Not including the skin. Then we weighed the mass of the potato pieces before placing it in the solutions assigned by our teacher, and recorded. After, we placed them in solutions, and covered them with plastic wrap to prevent evaporation. And we left it to stand overnight. The next day, we removed the cores from the cups, blotted them, weighed the mass of the potato cores, and recorded the change in mass. We recorded the class data, and then calculated the percentage change. We then graphed our data and class data for percent change, and then determined the molar concentration potato cores. Our hypothesis was that if there was a high solute potential then there would be a low or negative water potential. From the data, it clearly follows the rules of water potential. The higher the molarity is, the lower the water potential. The data verifies our hypothesis, making it true. Because there was a low water potential outside the potato pieces, it made the water inside the potato leave the cell, making it hypertonic. It is the opposite for the potato pieces in distilled water. There were no errors in this lab.

Ninth Grade Math Course of Study

Ninth Grade Math Course of Study When students first enter their freshman year (ninth grade) of high school, they are confronted with a variety of choices for the curriculum they would like to pursue, which includes which level of math courses the student would like to enroll in. Depending on whether or not this student chooses the advanced, remedial, or average track for mathematics, they might start their high school math education with either Geometry, Pre-Algebra, or Algebra I, respectively. However, no matter which level of aptitude a student has for the subject of math, all graduating ninth grades students are expected to comprehend and be able to demonstrate their understanding of certain core concepts related to the field of study including reasoning skills for solving multi-step problems with rational and irrational numbers; applying measurement knowledge to 2- and 3-dimensional figures; applying trigonometry to problems involving triangles and geometric formulas to solve for the area and circumferences of circles; investigating situations involving linear, quadratic, polynomial, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions; and designing statistical experiments to draw real-world conclusions about data sets. These skills are essential to continuing education in the field of mathematics, so its important for teachers of all aptitude levels to ensure that their  students fully comprehend these core principals of Geometry, Algebra, Trigonometry, and even some Pre-Calculus by the time they finish the ninth grade. Education Tracks for Mathematics in High School As mentioned, students entering high school are given the choice for which education track they would like to pursue on a variety of topics, including mathematics. No matter which track they choose, though, all students in the United States are expected to complete at least four credits (years) of mathematics education during their high school education. For students who choose the advanced placement course for mathematics studies, their high school education actually begins in seventh and eighth grades where they will be expected to take Algebra I or Geometry before entering high school in order to free up time to study more advanced maths by their senior year. In this case, freshmen on the advanced course start their high school career with either Algebra II or Geometry, depending on whether they took Algebra I or Geometry in junior high. Students on the average track, on the other hand, begin their high school education with Algebra I, taking Geometry their sophomore year, Algebra II their junior year, and Pre-Calculus or Trigonometry in their senior year. Finally, students who need a bit more assistance in learning the core concepts of math may choose to enter the remedial education track, which starts with Pre-Algebra in ninth grade and continues to Algebra I in 10th, Geometry in 11th, and Algebra II in their senior years. Core Math Concepts Every Ninth Grader Should Graduate Knowing Regardless of which education track students enroll in, all graduating ninth graders will be tested on and expected to demonstrate an understanding of several core concepts related to advaned mathematics including those in the fields of number identification, measurements, geometry, algebra and patterning, and probability. For number identification, students should be able to reason, order, compare and solve multi-step problems with rational and irrational numbers as well as understand the complex number system, be able to investigate and solve a number of problems, and use the coordinate system with both negative and positive integers. In terms of measurements, ninth grade graduates are expected to apply measurement knowledge to two- and three-dimensional figures accurately including distances and angles and a more complex plane  while also being able to solve a variety of word problems involving capacity, mass and time using the  Pythagorean theorem  and other similar math concepts. Students are also expected to understand the basics of geometry including the ability to apply trigonometry to problem situations involving triangles and transformations, coordinates, and vectors to solve other geometric problems; they will also be tested on deriving the equation of a circle, ellipse, parabolas, and hyperbolas and identifying their properties, especially of quadratic and conic sections. In Algebra, students should be able to investigate situations involving linear, quadratic, polynomial, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and rational functions as well as being able to pose and prove a variety of theorems. Students will also be asked to use matrices for representing data and to master problems using the four operations and the first degree to solve for a variety of polynomials. Finally, in terms of probability, students should be able to design and test statistical experiments and apply random variables to real world situations. This will allow them to draw inferences and display summaries using the appropriate charts and graphs then analyze, support, and argue conclusions based on that statistical information.

Alcoa Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Alcoa - Assignment Example The calculated ROE is consequently higher though the assets utilization ratios are worse in 2007 than 2006. e) In the third quarter of 2007, the sales figures are lower than in the previous two quarters. This is due to lower third party sales of all product segments. This has impacted the ROE. Sales in the fourth quarter are at about the same level as the third quarter. The reported net profit for the quarter is higher due to the restructuring adjustment from the agreement to sell the packaging and consumer business of the company. f) The Balance Sheet data shows that the increase in assets is due to major additions in Properties, Plant and Equipment which suggest a major increase in production capacity. Current assets and in particular receivables and inventories are lower in 2007 compared to 2006. Data on capacity utilization would therefore be relevant. Question 2 – Net income of 3 Q- 07 compared to 3Q – 06 Alcoa’s sales in the 3Q – 2007 were significantly lower at $ 7,379 million compared to the previous two quarters which were both around $ 8,000 million. Since Net Profit Margin from sale of products is the main driver for the company’s ROE, the stock market would take the reduced sales figure as the signal of lower ROE for the year. In the previous quarters Alcoa’s stock prices must have gone up on the higher sales numbers from the corresponding quarters of the previous year. a) Primary metals with 21.4% of third party sales in 2007 and flat rolled products with 29.9% of sales make up the bulk of Alcoa’s business. Primary metals contributed 45.5% of Alcoa’s after-tax operating income (ATOI) in 2007. This segment is therefore the most important for Alcoa. Flat-rolled products had an ATOI of only 6.3% in

Challenges of quantitative research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Challenges of quantitative - Research Paper Example There are two kinds of research styles which are qualitative and quantitative researches. The values and norms of these researches are completely different (Thompson, 68-70). The application of methods which are used for applying these researches requires development of specific understanding. There have been negating views which supplement the importance of both the researches. Quantitative research methods are used by the researchers when they wish to make statements of situations which might take place in a population. This research style is based on probabilistic measures which form the basis of the theory. In this form of study the researcher has access to the data set of the population. Based on this data of the population samples are taken for pursuing the research. The concepts of data collection which form essential components of quantitative researches include sampling error method, random sampling and sampling bias method of data collection (Thompson, 68-70). Quantitative method of research is used specifically when the researchers base their studies on chance (or probability). In this report a discussion will be presented on challenges of conducting quantitative research. Specific application of research strategy based on IT education and its application for conducting a quantitative research will also be discussed. ... The analysis aids in measuring the ways in which a large population of people behave in various different situations (Bernard et al., 175-198). The quantitative data is formed on the basis of research techniques and gathering of quantitative data (Mahoney and Goertz, 227-249). The results of this data are measured as expressed in the form of percentages or either it is represented numerically, for example when the companies wish to calculate the overall brand awareness of the customers they use the quantitative style of research. The answer to this question which is a major purpose of this research will give numeric representation let’s say 15% of the respondents are familiar with the brand and its presence in the markets. The advantages of quantitative researches are that all the variable used which includes dependent and independent variables and the associated results of those variables can be analyzed independently. With the use of quantitative researches hypothesis can be tested very effectively (Smith, 6-13). The major drawback of using quantitative method of analysis is that huge sets of data are required for calculation. The collection of such huge sets of data requires a lot of work (Cohen, 155-159). CHALLENGES OF CONDUCTING QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH The challenges which the researchers most commonly have to face while conducting the researches are availability and lack of details, missing variables, relative sampling of large data and methodological limitation (Firestone, 16-21). 1. Availability And Lack Of Details Quantitative researches are criticized for lack of details as the researchers face difficulty in collecting the data. The quantitative research methods require finding public opinion with the use of

Hcl Project Report Essay Example for Free

Hcl Project Report Essay Before I begin my documentation I must thank all the people behind the successful completion of my project. I am especially thankful to my industry guide Mr. Vinod Rai for his valuable and enlightened guidance. I am highly grateful to him for providing me an opportunity to undergo the project in his presence. Despite his hectic schedule he showed a keen interest in my research and helped a lot in broadening my vision for the topic. My thanks again go to him for providing me all the required help to compile the data and other information to materialize the study. I am also grateful to my faculty mentor Mr. Tarun Kumar Vashisth for his guidance and kind support throughout the project. I must also not forget to mention the names of people in the organization who pumped me with immense confidence and support without which it would have been impossible to complete the project, hence with warm regards I would like to thank Mr. Sunil Bhatt Mr. Shammi S. Bhatia Ms. Priyanka Ms. Parbhaker PREFACE This project is based on the study of working capital management in HCL Infosystems. An insight view of the project will encompass – what it is all about, what it aims to achieve, what is its purpose and scope, the various methods used for collecting data and their sources, including literature survey done, further specifying the limitations of our study and in the last, drawing inferences from the learning so far. HCL Infosystems Limited (HCL) is a leading domestic computer hardware services company. HCL is engaged in selling manufactured (like PCs, servers, monitors and peripherals) and traded hardware (like notebooks, peripherals) to institutional clients as well as in retail segment. It also offers hardware support services to existing clients through annual maintenance contracts, network consulting and facilities management. The working capital management refers to the management of working capital, or precisely to the management of current assets. A firm’s working capital consists of its investments in current assets, which includes short-term assets— cash and bank balance, inventories, receivable and marketable securities. This project tries to evaluate how the management of working capital is done in HCL Infosystems through inventory ratios, working capital ratios, trends, computation of cash, Inventory and working capital, and short term financing. DECLARATION I Ajay hereby declare that research project submitted to punjabi university, patiala in partial fulfillment of the degree of BBA on Working Capital is the result of my own hard work under continues guidance of Mr. Vinod Rai , HCL CDC Chandigarh.