NATIONWIDE TELEPHONE 

Background:

Nationwide Telephone has been a manufacturer of quality low-cost cordless 2.4-gigahertz telephones since 2001. The firm has based its business strategy on automation, fast deliveries, and reliable service. Nationwide is one of the first low-cost telephone manufacturers still producing and selling telephones in the United States. Competition, especially from the Far East, has made this an increasingly difficult endeavor. 

The most important segment of Nationwide’s sales has been the promotional “Gift with Purchase” market. Magazine publishers currently compose Nationwide’s largest customer base. Positive growth has been forecasted in the promotional incentive market for the next five years. To meet market demand, Nationwide manufactures two models of telephones in a variety of colors. 

The firm’s plant is located in Nogales, Arizona. The plant was built near the major sources of supply, which are in Mexico. Nationwide procures all its components from Mexico except for the plastic items. The plastic components are purchased in the local domestic area. Nationwide has ruled out the use of a maquiladora,* due to the highly automated nature of its production process. As a capital-intensive firm, Nationwide also concluded a maquiladora was not a feasible alternative because of the increased risks of having its equipment in a foreign country. 

Roger Stoga is the president and founder of the company. He has an engineering degree from Michigan Tech and an M.B.A. from Purdue University. He attributes Nationwide’s ability to stay competitive to two factors: (1) automating its process and (2) procuring highly labor- intensive materials in Mexico. 

The plant employs only 200 people, of whom 140 are responsible for the actual assembly work. With the help of automated assembly machines, Nationwide has been able to meet market demand and keep labor and manufacturing costs down. 

Supply Management:

Steven Young is the supply manager. He employs two supply analysts, Jan Newman and Bill Bush. Jan has been with the company for a little over a year and is a graduate of Arizona State University. She has a strong background in price analysis. Bill is the eldest and most experienced member of the Nationwide staff. He is expected to retire later this year. Jan purchases all the electronics and wire harnesses, while Bill concentrates his efforts on the plastics and hardware. 

Supply Management System: 

The manufacturing process is highly dependent on timely deliveries from its suppliers. Local sourcing is used to assure prompt delivery and to keep supplier lead times short. Supply 

*Maquiladora plants are located in northern Mexico. Basically, foreign materials are imported duty free, processed (using low-cost labor), and then returned to the country of origin without customs duties being imposed in either Mexico or the country of origin. 

  

management focuses its efforts on maintaining a small supplier base. 

The driving force of the supply management system is to obtain low-cost, high-quality materials as a means of staying competitive. As a standard procedure, supply management prepares annual re-costing reports of its suppliers. Currently, requests for quotations are sent to potential suppliers to compare with the current supplier’s prices. The supply professionals are to sort through the various bids and choose the lowest one submitted to use as a basis for negotiating future part pricing. 

Developing Situation:

Over the last six months, Roger has been noticing a drop in sales, while expenses have begun to increase. A careful evaluation of production costs revealed a recent increase in the plastic component prices. Since plastic components account for 40 percent of the telephone’s cost, the rise in price significantly affected profit. 

Injection molding makes plastic components. Injection molding is a process whereby a thermoplastic material, usually in pellet form, is heated to its melting point. The melted material is then pushed into a mold via an injection molding machine and held in the closed mold while it is cooled into a solid shape. The solidified part is ejected from the mold and the process begins again. 

On further investigation, Roger noticed Nationwide is sole-sourced by one injection molder in the local area, ABC Plastics. Nationwide has been buying solely from ABC since it consistently submitted the lowest bid. Quality and delivery have been generally good. 

Roger called Steve into his office to discuss the situation. Roger said to Steve, “As you are aware, our sales this quarter have been weak and expenses have been increasing. I have gone through our material price sheets and noticed plastic part prices have been steadily increasing. Why is that?” Steve replied, “Bill has made me aware of the problem, but he has not been able to determine the cause of the price changes. He has stated that ‘ABC refuses to divulge any cost information.’” Roger said firmly, “We have to understand what the problem is and get it fixed now!” 

Steve was pondering his options and alternatives to solve this problem. He knew if he did nothing to rectify this situation quickly, Nationwide would not be able to price its telephones competitively. 

Steve also knew that Jan had been successful in obtaining price reductions; therefore, Steve decided to ask Jan to work with Bill to develop an action plan to get the escalating plastic material prices under control.
 

1. How could Nationwide’s supply department have prevented the price escalations?
    
2. How does the competitive condition of the plastic component industry impact the use of price analysis?
    

A minimum of 200 words is required for each answer.
 

Discuss in detail: (a) the reasons for and characteristics of storing this information in a relational database (including talking about referential integrity and how many primary and foreign keys would be in such a database), and (b) what types of various IT controls and considerations Hiroshi should make to address his concerns.

Hiroshi Yoshimura is chair of the Panda Preservation Project, which maintains a database of all panda bears across the globe. The database design includes a relational database comprising two tables. The first table stores the name, birth date, and other characteristics of panda bear parents that have been registered. In this table, each panda bear parent is uniquely identified by a registration number.

The second table stores the name, birth date, and other characteristics of panda bear kids that have been registered. In this table, each panda bear kid is uniquely identified by a registration number. This second table also includes the registration numbers of each panda bear kid’s parents. The panda bear kids in the second table are linked to their parents in the first table by means of the registration numbers of both parents.

Physically, the database is housed in an information system located on a wildlife preserve. As such, Hiroshi has concerns about potential physical threats to the system, such as storm or water damage, or power failure. Hiroshi also worries about the correctness of the information being entered into the database, as it is entered by many PPP workers and volunteers across different sites, often remotely, without any centralized, consistent training on the system.

paper #1 dana

 

The covid-19 global pandemic and the connection of the developing international slowdown call into inquisition involving the wide range of financial revelations and requiring innovative clarifications to different interlinked societal predicaments. Therefore, progression and the expanse of the virus created a system of economic trade that affected the social outcome that influences the market’s supply and demand concept. Market manufacturing is the primary outcome with the most prevailing views for establishing the cultural behavior’s insight into the potential to guarantee a level of impartiality in supplying stores (Hathaway, 2020). Moreover, the global threat of the covid-19 pandemic affects various cultures to impose structural adjustment in contrast to multiple circumstances that involve many social situations. Therefore, one specific area affected is that of a country that works hard to maintain its self-sufficiency. Because the virus reaches Africa’s nation, that presents the destructive rule of neoclassical ideas that impact the finance notions (Howard, 2021).

However, since the pandemic hit generated a high demand for sufficient personal protective equipment (EPP), which also plays a more significant part in protecting the people due to lack of examinations and vaccines; that are not readily available compared to other countries. Therefore, a limited supply of medical items that are needed to fight off the virus is a much-needed aspect that influences the production interests and availability. The diagnoses of economics and related methods have expanded globally and have dominated both the Westland and Africa. So, mainstream distribution means are restricted in their ability to imagine the fundamental and institutional difficulties of improvement, which have become even more challenging with African countries at the more moderate end of the nationwide supply trade (Howard, 2021). The covid-19 pandemic created an additional motivation that involves the social discussion concerning the imperfections in the greater outlook in economic practices that affected control and reduce administration management and expense (Ranald, 2020). The global finance practices system maximizes economic expense with the general policy situation involving supply and demand series for the market economic exchanges with the pandemic motivation.

References

Hathaway, T. (2020). Corporate Planning in the Coronavirus Economy. https://www.developingeconomics.org

Howard, S. (2021). The pathology of economics. https://www.developingeconomics.org

Ranald, P. (2020). Covid-19 Pandemic Slows Global Trade and Exposes Flaws in Neoliberal Trade Policy. Journal of Australian Political Economy, 85, 108-114.

paper#2 J.

 

In modern crime theories, some believe that there are predisposed genetic markers that could indicate the potential to criminal behavior, or antisocialism. A look into the novel virus COVID 19 might shed some light on whether or not this theory could hold water. Genetics is a recent phenomenon that studies DNA and certain traits people might pass on with their DNA. It is believed that if certain genes could indicate the potential for certain problems, then recognizing the risk of any given problem identified through genetics, can be avoided.

With the virus COVID 19, studies are being done to indicate the most vulnerable. In recent research it has been discovered that Black and Asian ethnic groups have a higher risk of complications that White ethnic groups (Pan, D., etc., 2020) There are several factors that can be associated with this as Black ethnic groups have a higher complications with cardiovascular disease and diabetes while Asian ethnic groups have a higher percentage with complications with coronary artery disease. These comorbidities could make COVID 19 high risk infections. Other studies have shown that men have a better chance of being infected with the COVID 19 virus due to a strong reaction with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor which is an X chromosome linked gene (Darbeheshi and Rezaej, 2020).

Just like modern bio criminology, just because you are predisposed to certain behaviors and illnesses, it does not mean you will contract the virus, or that you would act on criminal behavior. These identifications would have identified earlier treatments and therapies that could help combat the effect an illness can have on a person.

References

Darbeheshti, F. and Rezaej, N. (2020), Genetic Predisposition Model to COVID 19 Infection, National Center for Biotechnology Information, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7202332/

Pan, D., Sze, S., NinhaI, J., Bangash, M., Pareek, N., Divall, P., Williams, G., Oggioni, M., Squire, I., Nellums, L., Hanie, W., Kaunite, K., and Pareek, M. (2020) The Impact of Ethnicity on Clinical Outcomes in COVID 19: A Systematic Review, The Lancet Regional Health, https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(20)30148-6/6/text

paper#3 latesha

 

Various factors expose a person to becoming a victim of crime. Just as the criminals have careers in crime, some people can also be told to become repeat victims of crime. In an article analyzing the routine activities theory, Holt and Bossler (2008) argues that the lifestyle activities theory can explain why some people become an easy target for criminals. After reviewing the article, I realized that one activity that makes me prone to becoming a cybercrime victim is using one password to signup to many websites. The hackers normally target weak websites and use the obtained passwords to access the more secure sites. Apart from cyber risk, there other activities that put me at risk of physical crime. For instance, carrying a lot of cash puts a person at risk of being mugged. Also, going home late in the night puts me at risk of becoming a victim of crime. 

Each of the activities that put me at risk of becoming a victim of crime can be reduced. For instance, to avoid being a cyber-attack victim, I should ensure that I use a strong password for every website. In an article analyzing the implications of simple passwords, Li, Wang, and Sun (2017) states that people should use strong passwords and change them regularly to avoid being hacked. Also, I will be using credit and debit cards and avoid carrying large sums of liquid cash. I will also avoid traveling at night so that I can minimize the probability of being attacked. Some of the changes might be impractical, such as traveling at night. This is because I might get some job assignments or travel far distances, which might make me get home late. In such a situation, I would ensure that I alert my family members and get a person to accompany me for security. 

References 

Holt, T. J., and Bossler, A.M. (2008). Examining the applicability of lifestyle-routine activities theory for cybercrime victimization.  Deviant Behavior,  30(1), 1-25.

Li, Y., Wang, H., Sun, K. (2017). Personal information in passwords and its security implications.  IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security,  12(10), 2320-2333.

paper #4 Kimmy

 

When I think about what puts me at risk of exposure to criminally inclined persons, I think about what my wife is always telling me; she tells me I am not on duty. I have a terrible habit of seeing things that people are doing wrong even when off duty, and I want to act on what they are doing. The trouble with this is that the people doing wrong do not know who I am or that I am a law enforcement officer. Now that I think about it, this could turn me into a victim. As a law enforcement officer, I know the bad areas of the city I work. Going to these bad areas out of uniform could lead to someone who may recognize me as a law enforcement officer and could retaliate against me.

Another exposure to a criminally inclined person that I find myself doing is in Tennessee; it is against the law to hold and use a cell phone while driving. I sometimes will pull up next to a person using their cell phone and look at them while using their phones because cell phone use while driving has been proving to cause accidents and fatalities (Rocco and Sampaio, 2016). Law enforcement is a stressful job, and law enforcement is considered the most stressful occupation out of all public service jobs (Suresh, Anantharaman, Angusamy, and Ganesan, 2013). It can be so stressful that I should not take the job home with me when I am off duty. There have been many officers who have died because of the stress of the job

To reduce me from exposure to criminally inclined person, I should listen to my wife’s advice. When I am off duty, I should not act as a law enforcement officer in non-life-threatening situations; If anything, I should call dispatch and be a good witness when the on-duty police arrive at the scene.

Reference

Rocco, L., Sampaio, B. (2016). Are handheld cell phone and texting bans really effective in reducing deaths? Empirical Economics, 51(2), 853-876. https://doi-org.bethelu.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s00181-015-1018-8

Suresh, R. S., Anantharaman, R. N., Angusamy, A., And Ganesan, J. (2013). Sources of job stress in police work in a developing country. International Journal of Business and Management, 8(13), 102.

Prepare to be able to answer any of the following questions.

1. Define family and identify the basic features that typically are associated with the American family.

2.  Use the Cohen text to write a brief two paragraph synopsis of one chapter 6-12.

3.  Identify and discuss four qualities that are present in successful marriages.

4.  Identify and discuss specific problems that confront dual working married couples.

5.  Family disagreements involving in-law relationships frequently involve the groom’s mother and the daughter-in-law. Use your knowledge of sociology to explain why these problems often occur.

6.  Use the text and lectures to identify the primary issues that frequently precipitate divorce.

7.  Explain current trends regarding ages of the couple at:

 marriage, fertility rate, percentage of working mothers, stay at home mothers/fathers, any other statistic you would like to include.

8.  Compose and answer your NON FACT BASED question.  An example of a fact based question is “Which team won the 2020 Super Bowl?”

9.  Discuss the sociological consequences associated with the increased number of cohabiting couples.

10. Futuristic Sociology: Focus on dating and marriage: The year is 2041. What significant changes do you anticipate will have been incorporated into either or both activities?

  

SOCW 6530 wk 5 peer responses 

Respond to the blog posts of three colleagues in one or more of the following ways:

Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.

MUST RESPOND TO EACH ONE SEPARATELY CITE EVERYTHING AND FULL REFERENCES 

PEER 1 Alicia Simpkins  

Intervention in social work refers to the stage where “the social worker should monitor client progress, and the client should bring to the social worker’s attention any challenges, obstacles, or threats to carrying out the action-plan” (Scarnato, 2019). So during this time, the social worker and client work together to ensure that the client is working towards accomplishing any goals. Typically, there are theories used during this time as a method to guide social workers on how to help clients address areas of concern, goals, etc.

In my field placement, we often move towards an intervention following a lengthy assessment. In the assessment, we are able to determine client needs and goals, or resources they may already have, etc. From there we are able to determine an appropriate intervention for the client/clients. For example, group IOP sessions are often the solution for our clients who struggle with substance abuse. With this particular solution, they are able to get the support they need and are able to rely on feedback from peers as well as the group facilitators in order to aid in their wellbeing. They also participate in CBT-based sessions once per week with the licensed counselor that we have on staff, in order to work towards establishing their goals as well as improving their overall mental health.

References

Scarnato, J. M. (2019). The Generalist Intervention Model for Social Work. Retrieved from MSW Careers: https://mswcareers.com/generalistinterventionmodel/

PEER 2 David Jones  

Interventions are used in most helping professions across the board. When individuals seek services, they are usually experiencing some type of social stressor. A social stressor is an event, series of events, or crisis experienced by a vulnerable individual, family, group, or community that moves the social condition to the status of a social problem (Garthwait, 2017). Social workers should have a wide variety of interventions to assist in bringing back homeostats to the individuals or family. The theory used by the social worker will determine the type of intervention used. 

Within my current field placement at A New Vision for You, Cognitive behavioral therapy is used often. Cognitive behavioral therapy interventions consist of combating negative/false belief systems and retraining ones thinking to rational, positive thoughts. The way in which I address interventions in my field are to first, I had to learn what the agency preferred. Garthwait, 2017, suggested these following questions to consider: What social problems are addressed by your agency? How does your agency mission and programs address the social problem? How is this social problem related to other social problems? How is this social problem defined and understood? 

Personally, I like to use worksheets, to help individuals visual a certain intervention, for substance abusers, worksheets and homework assignments are a great tool to utilize when trying to help them change their false beliefs. I have been able to observe my supervisor within my field and learned new interventions such as Motivational Interviewing (which involves enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence), Empowerment, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) (a short-term form of psychotherapy that helps you identify self-defeating thoughts and feelings, challenge the rationality of those feelings, and replace them with healthier, more productive beliefs). There is room to grow and learn new techniques, therefore I am always open to what other social workers have found beneficial in their practice. 

Reference: 

Garthwait, C. L. (2017). The social work practicum: A guide and workbook for students (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. 

PEER 2 Seshna Ritchie  

 Social workers offer intervention to people, families, and gatherings, which empower them to address their needs and issues. The primary reason for these interventions is to help clients in alleviating problems and improving their prosperity. According to Laureate Education (2013), interventions are a chance to offer social workers an opportunity to look at the relatedness through them an evaluation. In my agency, I have addressed interventions through the generalist intervention model. According to Karpe (2015) in the practice setting Social Workers to utilize the generalist intervention model, a multilevel approach that allows social workers to work within a variety of environments, whether it be on a micro, mezzo, or macro level. It rests on 4 major premises:

1) Human behavior is inextricably connected to the social and physical environment
2) Opportunities for enhancing the functioning of any human system includes changing the system itself, modifying its interactions with the environment, and altering other systems within its environment
3) Work with any level of a human system—from individual to society—uses similar social work processes
4) Generalist practitioners have responsibilities beyond direct practice to work toward just social policies as well as to conduct and apply research.

In hospice social work, we provide a lot of therapeutic emotional support and use an empowerment approach to address end-of-life grieving. However, due to the fast rate at how the patient may transition or their level of cognitive awareness, we use generalist theory as it crucial in the steps of engagement and assessment. At times, it is rare for a patient to stay on services for longer than 3 months with terminal illness.

Reference

Karpe, R., (2015). Social Work Practice: Engage, Assess, Intervene, Evaluate. https://sites.google.com/site/robertsseniorpresentation/social-work-practice-engage-assess-intervene-evaluate

Laureate Education (Producer). (2013d). Intervention [Audio file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu