Ask Me: Poem Analysis Essay

This is one of my favorite poems as it has allowed me to relate in so numerous ways when it comes to life. All through my life there have been many ups and downs, and many people that have come and gone; but no matter what the series of events that I have come across have made me who I am today. There have been many people that have played important roles in my life but as William Stafford entails people will come and go; and people will play all kinds of roles in your life. When people make inquiries from me whether I would take anything in my life back if i had a chance, I answer with no since the people I have been involved with and the blunders I have made shaped who I am today. The poem is written in the future tense; from the first person perception of â€Å"I†. This is style isvery different from other poets. Stafford reaches out to audiences in the first line with the words â€Å"ask me†. Stafford writes of a future occasion when questions will be asked of him. It begins with a dialogue between the orator and another person. We have no reason to believe that the orator is not Stafford himself. The other person could be the audience, but sounds more like a close companion or at least somebody who knows him well. The poem begins: â€Å"Some time when the river is ice ask me mistakes I have made. Ask me what I have done in my life.†(Stafford) In these two sentences, he brings in two things: first, what the poem is regarding (his life), and second the main metaphor (the river iced over). For the rest of the first stanza he talks of the consequence other people have had whether good or bad. Or somewhat he is asking the listener to ask him; which is odd since the second verse begins: â€Å"I will pay attention to what you say† (Stafford). The second stanza reddens out the metaphor of the ice-covered river. That while it looks immobile; what’s beneath is a different story: â€Å"We know the current is there, concealed; and there are comings and goings from miles away† The river in the rhyme, for Stafford, as it has been for many poets although the ages, is an image and metaphor for the orator’s life. Fascinatingly in an interview, when he is talking about himself he make use of the same image:â€Å"I keep following this kind of concealed river of my life, you know, whatever the subject or impulse which comes, I follow it along gullibly (Stafford). And I don’t have any sagacity of its coming to a sort of upsurge, or of its petering out either.† The poem is saying that there is a difference to be made, between how immobile and peaceful the ice-covered river may look on the facade; this could be how human beings remembers their life, a sequence of actions and events frozen in recall. And what is beneath, that actions and blunders cannot be seen in isolation, but are managed and influenced by events and people. In the same way the path of a river is influenced by things that govern its course. Stafford gives us the eventual life lesson concealed within life’s blunders. We all ask ourselves and others as well if our choices are slip-ups. But in reality no choice in life is a slip-up, but an example in which we learn from. You will always have people within your life that are there to upset you or help you, but in the end what is done is your option. We as humans are not ideal and shouldn’t hide behind â€Å"the ice† for the â€Å"mistakes† we have made, for in our life is already planned out for us it’s our choice on what road to take. Stafford gives us encouragement within his rhyme; permitting us to see ourselves for who we are and not what we do. Work cited Stafford, William. â€Å"Ask Me.† Gioia, X. J. Kennedy and Dana. Literature. New York: Pearson, 2010. 643. Book

Internet Marketing Essay

For my assignment I work for an internet consumer magazine, I have been asked to produce an article and will then analysis the benefits of internet marketing to customers. Customers have gained massively from the use of the internet. As the number of users of the internet increases more and more customers will shop online. Listed below are some of the benefits of the internet for the customer. Customers stay updated Customers are kept updated with product information either via the website or emails. With the internet now becoming mobile, through 3G technology and Wi-Fi, customers can be kept updated almost in real time. Customers can compare online One of the greatest advantages for the customer is that they can compare products or services they wish to purchase from the comfort of their own homes. Instead of visiting a number of different retail outlets, the user simply has to open different window tabs to compare prices or features of the product/service they wish to purchase. Many retailing websites offer the facility where different products they sell can now be easily compared. There is also price comparison websites that customers can use to get the best possible price for their products. Clear product information for the customer Websites offer clear product information on the product or service. There is little chance of misinterpretation or mishearing what the sales person said. Transparent pricing Pricing online is very clear and transparent for the customer. Customers can take advantages of pricing that may change regularly or take advantages of special offers that last for a limited period. Track your purchase Consumers have to pay for their product /service before they receive it. It is important that consumers feel reassured when this happens. Many websites allow consumers to track their purchase from order, dispatch to transportation before delivery to their home address. Again this reassures the consumer and makes them feel that they are obtaining a good service online. Reduction in personal carbon footprint. As consumer spend more time shopping online and use their cars less. Their personal carbon footprint is reduced. 24/7 Shopping There is no time restriction on when a consumer can shop online. Many online sales now start at midnight on a particular day encouraging customers to shop all hours of the day.

Legal Aspects Associated With Performance Management Programs - Part Assignment

Legal Aspects Associated With Performance Management Programs - Part II - Assignment Example Meanwhile, quote (year) noted that any legal outcomes that proceed from the inefficiencies of one person in the implementation of performance management systems could bring the reputation of the entire organization to disrepute. I must admit that I agree with you on all three types of claims that can be brought up on employers regarding performance management system as you mentioned. Certainly, defamation can arise as there is personal sabotage against certain employees to run their professional reputation down. Discrimination could also be the result of bias and preference of selected employees over others. Then also, negligence can occur as there is apathy towards the entire performance management system. But one thing that I am particularly impressed about on your post is the admission that any of these forms of claims or breaches can come with serious cost for all parties. As indicated by quote (year) long periods of litigation and investigations aimed at setting scores between employees and employers can cost the organization precious man hours. It is therefore important that the right things will always be done to avoid any legal

Wk4 DQ elementary Math Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Wk4 DQ elementary Math - Coursework Example The mind of an average student does not have this ability. My use of manipulative is to enhance understanding of abstract ideas. In addition, mathematics is not an attractive subject to most students. I therefore, use manipulative to make the subject interesting among students. The importance of set theory as an elementary mathematics course has often been overlooked. Set theory is the basis of mathematics (Vaugh, 2001). The importance of set theory is more evident in higher mathematic courses than in courses taught at elementary schools. In elementary schools, all mathematics problems are carried on the set of natural numbers (1, 2, 3†¦). This aspect makes people to assume basics factors about set theory such as axioms (Vaugh, 2001). Set theory is the basis of higher mathematics such as Algebra, Geometry and complex Analysis. To introduce set theory in an elementary school I will use real life scenarios. In this case, I will take the classroom as a set. Students will represent objects in the set while different groups of student who have similar characteristics will represent subsets within the main set. I will also use set builder notation to teach the

Critical Thinking in the Classroom Management Bloom's Taxonomy as a Essay

Critical Thinking in the Classroom Management Bloom's Taxonomy as a Learning Tool - Essay Example (Athanassiou et al, 2003). In the context of learning new matters and finding out early benefits to be derived from it, it is necessary to organize the required operation into sequences, in order that this is laid out and gained in capabilities or derivation of information, and also evaluating the results repeatedly, so that they could be used effectively to measure results and make necessary needed corrections, if need be. The systematic instruction designs in terms of what the students need to know, or should be able to do, when the rendering of instructions are completed. The necessary links needs to be established between the mode of instruction and the perceived results that would be derived. It is seen that over the years, the fundamental model of systematic instruction design has changed over time, but the basic element of ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement and Evaluate) remains intact. (Business Performance, 2008). In the first stage, the problem is defined in its proper context, and the areas in which it would be used are delineated. In the present study, it is seen that the main area of focus is correctly and cogently defined, in that this aspect would form the core of the undertaken work and would have an important bearing on the course of the proceedings. (Holland, 2005). The solution for the issues would have direct bearing on the scope of its definition and purpose: (Holland, 2005). Next, the ADDIE method analysis would be considered at later stage. It is seen that according to this Bloom classification, cognitive is the most simplest and result evaluation is the most difficult aspect. (Malachowski, 2002). Further, it could be said that the Addie Model mainly concerns itself with the following five aspects: 1. What are the main objectives that need to be achieved 2. What kind of skill sets, information systems and attitudes need to be developed and honed 3. The usage of resources and strategies 4. Structure of content of learning materials 5. Assessment of the evaluation and feedbacks that the learner's comprehension have met with the key objectives needed (Strickland, n.d.). The aspects of analysis in the context of this strategy could be seen in terms of the following: 1. How organizations and training program objectives could impact upon the classifications of the management of classroom and the use of learning tools for critical thinking. 2. Confirm regarding the operational efficacy of training to suit these requirements 3. Contextually, it is also necessary to speak out the administrative requirement of training. 4. Determine strategies for the shifting of learned skills into work processes 5. Preparation of a complete evaluation of project risks, assumptions and opportunities available. 6. Compile the significant factors of training vendors/trainers 7. Determine the target members, program entry and its requirements and the special requirements of participants and their special needs. 8. Assess extent of knowledge and training of participants a

Financial Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial Accounting - Essay Example Turnover 21,134 Cost of sales 15,345 Gross profit 5,735 Distribution costs 2,520 Administrative expenses 1,417 Operating profit 1,798 Investment income 80 Finance costs 11 Profit before taxation 1,867 Taxation 581 Profit after taxation 1,286 Â   Â   Profit attributable to: Â   Parent 1,206 Non-controlling interest 80 Â   1,286 Â   Â   A consolidation schedule is provided Appendix 1. It shows how the figures for turnover, cost of sales and gross profit were arrived at. The Statement below represents the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position of Chambers and Subsidiary for the period ending 2012. The relevant calculations are shown. ... In fact, internally generated goodwill cannot be recognised as an asset while goodwill that has been acquired is recognised as an asset (IFRS.org 2012a). If a self constructed asset is constructed to be used in the business it is treated in the same manner as an acquired asset. However, self constructed assets which are produced for sale as part of the normal activities of a business are dealt with under IAS 2 Inventories. The two assets are not quite comparable as one set is something you can see and touch physically while the other is not. However, there is no reason why goodwill that is internally generated should not be recognised as an asset. Goodwill is something that a business generates internally, although it can only be recognised when someone acquires it. We are all aware that when a business is sold goodwill is the excess over the fair value of the separable assets that the buyer/acquirer is willing to pay. The fact that someone is willing to pay for it means that they ha ve placed a value on it. That value could be anything and the fact that someone places a value on it and is willing to pay means that it is measurable – whether objectively or subjectively. Casta et al (2011) indicates that some of the models that have been created to value internally generated goodwill cannot explain how goodwill was created. However, the fact that we know from the definition that goodwill arises from the reputation that has been built up a business over time means that the creation of goodwill can be explained. There are also other factors such as the area in which the business is located; the employees as it relates to their experience, competence, efficiency and reliability; and a host of other factors (Wood and Sangster

Bible and the Odyssey Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Bible and the Odyssey - Essay Example â€Å"Deceiver, creator, acculturator, unmasked liar, survivor – these qualities of the trickster do apply to the deceiving, ethically ambiguous survivor Abram of Genesis 12: 10 – 20† (Niditch 45). Abram is portrayed as a trickster; this is because he is the Israelites’ progenitor and the traditional initiator of Yahwism, and the first contributor of covenant with God (Niditch 45). The tale of Abram in Genesis 12 outlines the particular trickster morphology that is common pattern of the narrative components; in this case, the trickster plays his or her role. This morphology is unique to both the Israelite literature and other literatures found throughout the universe (Niditch 46). The Odyssey offers an example of trickster morphology in which one of the incidents creates an important link to the larger part of the epic narrative chain. In Book 9, Odyssey speaks of his capture or imprisonment and escape from the hands of Cyclops Polyphemos. The minimized st atus of the heroes occurs when they become captives and a source of food, simple nourishment, for their unacculturated captor, who consumes Achains by the handful. The trick or deception created by Odyssey is to â€Å"make the Cyclops drunk, to blind him, and then escape tied to the monster’s sheep as they leave his cave to reach pasture† (Niditch 47). As part of his deception, Odyssey makes the giant believe that he is nobody. However, the hero creates a sophistication of himself through the revelation of his deception. Out of his boldness, he discloses his actual character to the wounded son of Poseidon. In this way, he becomes the hero of prisoners of Poseidon, and the prisoner of sorts. The Odysseus men are supposed to die at the sea and Odyssey has to suffer more statuslessness and wandering (Niditch 47). Just like Genesis 12, Genesis 26 traces the pattern of deception from the marginal status to the enhancement of the underdog tale. Genesis 26 is full of trickste r; this is because deception is revealed and there is deception (Niditch 51). The deception found in Genesis 26 is due to a direct response to a threat. In other words, the perceived threat is dealt with deception. The revelation of the reduced status in Genesis 26 comes before the heroes’ status is improved. This is in contrast to Genesis 12 where deception results in the heroes’ improvement and the revelation of their reduced status (Niditch 52). The theme of deception is evident throughout the Odyssey. There are many examples where individuals (particularly Odysseus and goddess Athena) use deception. The reason for acts of deception vary, however, Homer evidently indicates the significance placed on being clever. Athena uses deception as an act of disguise whereas Odysseus uses deception as an act of storytelling. Athena as a young man appears to Odysseus after he wakes up on Ithaka confused of his whereabouts. Athena disguises herself in order to test Odysseus; in other words, Athena wants to see if Odysseus is still on his toes. In response, Odysseus tells Athena (disguised as a man) a fake story about himself. The purpose behind Athena’s cover up is Homer’s means of continuing to stress about how smart Odysseus is. Homer evidently states his perspective of Odysseus when Athena states that â€Å"Of all men alive / you are the best in plots and storytelling† (13.351-52)†

Criminal investagation questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Criminal investagation questions - Essay Example This would have other far-reaching consequences such as undermining the deterrence objective of legal punishment. Linking the suspect with the cigarette butt would for example dilute evidence, leading to acquaintance, and therefore promoting the criminal’s future involvement in crime. I would therefore disclose ownership and explain that the cigarette smoking occurred unconsciously (Berg 33). Upon arrival at a crime scene and I am not sure if the suspect has fled, I would inform the people of my position as a security officer and ask them to obey orders. I would then ask the people to put their hands where I can see them and then frisk the people to ensure that none of them is armed. I would then record their statements. I would not assume that the suspect has fled and would not consider the people as victims until I review all of their statements. In order to protect my partner, the victims, and myself, I would frisk the five people to ensure that none is armed. This is because a victim, if present and armed, may take advantage of any of the other parties to aid

Global cultural exchange Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Global cultural exchange - Essay Example Even if the Early Middle Ages (approx. y. 500-800) were times of uncertainty, disorder, invasions and cosmic insecurityi, the period to come, years 800-1500, also known as the High and the Late Middle Ages, was a period of significant cultural development. Therefore, if in the Early Middle Ages we can talk about a sort of cultural indetermination, when people with different beliefs (barbarians, adepts of ancient religions, Christians, the newly emerged Muslims) were thrown in the same pot with no further instructions, then the High and Late Middle Ages bring out the cultural determination, the establishment of linguistic, religious and cultural boundaries and this is when we can observe explicit examples of cultural exchange. Still, I would like to clearly emphasize the fact that cultural interaction wasn’t a goal in itself during this time; it was more of an adjacent process to the phenomenon of medieval travel, which, at its turn, was a result of three major purposes: trade, diplomacy/conquest and missionary. Merchants that engaged in long-travel trade had two main routs available, which linked Europe, Asia and Africa: the silk-road, for luxurious goods and the sea-routes, for more common goods, such as stone, steel and building materials. Major trading cities and ports grew rapidly, becoming a meeting place for foreign merchants, traders, brokers, who ultimately exchanged knowledge, religious ideas, philosophical beliefs, stories, legends and other cultural elements. Missionaries wanted to spread their religious ideas on other territories, an ambition that also became a form of cultural exchange. Diplomatic missions and conquest ambitions appeared as a result of cultural and territorial delimitation, but also implied a cultural interaction between the conquerors and the natives. Thus, in this paper, I would like to analyze the cultural exchange between the Christian world and the Islamic world with an emphasis on the Levant area and the Iberian

Examination of historical context Research Paper

Examination of historical context - Research Paper Example But above all these, the question of the status of Jerusalem is perhaps the most complex and intractable. Placing this modern problem in a historical context can help us to understand why this city is at the heart of any talk of Middle East peace. The establishment of Jerusalem as the capital of a united Jewish state is a great source of nationalistic pride for secular and religious Jews alike. David the King made it his seat of power and it remained as such for nearly 1,000 years. In addition to this national pride felt for this place, the sacred nature of Jerusalem binds the Jews to his place as well. Jerusalem was the site of the first temple built by Solomon. The remaining wall of the second, reconstructed temple still stands and is considered a sacred site for modern orthodox Jews. For reasons both nationalistic and religious, Jerusalem is a vital place for Jewish identity. This is clear from the sacred writing found in the Nev’im where it states, â€Å"Rejoice for Jerusalem and be glad for her, All you who love her! Join in her Jubilation, All you who mourned over her [for]†¦I will extend to her Prosperity like a stream, The wealth of nations like a wadi in flood.† (Isaiah 66:10,12). It may be this fe rvor for controlling Jerusalem that led the Israelis to declare Jerusalem as the capital of their new nation in 1949, just two years after agreeing that it should be a divided, internationally controlled heritage city. In 1980, Israel did away with any partitioning, declaring Jerusalem a unified city. Christians look with a religious attachment to Jerusalem because so much of the life of Jesus Christ occurred there. Sacred sites such as the hill of Golgotha and the Garden of Gethsemane have long attracted pilgrims from all over the world. The attachment to Jerusalem took a decidedly political turn for Christians after its annexation by Muslims. In 1095, at the urging of Pope Urban II, Christians took up arms to

Control Mechanisms in Management Essay Example for Free

Control Mechanisms in Management Essay The four control standards the team chose to explore in regard to McDonald’s are performance, performance vs. standards, corrective action, and reinforce successes. The team will compare and contrast these control mechanisms, and determine the effectiveness of each. The team will also examine the positive and negative reactions to the use of these controls. Performance Standards â€Å"A standard is an expected performance for a given goal or target that establishes a desired performance level, motivates performance, and serves as a benchmark against which actual performance is assessed† (Bateman, 2009, p. 576). Performance standards relate directly to the success of the company. McDonald’s has set standards for customer service, and customer satisfaction. The standards are communicated to the employees by the store manager and training manager. Management sets attainable goals to motivate employee performance; he or she communicates these goals clearly, and revaluates these goals. Evaluating Performance Companies should evaluate the performance of employees and management to ensure the goals of the company are achieved. In the past McDonald’s evaluated their own-operators on a regular basis until the mid-1990s. McDonald’s discontinued evaluation that resulted in lower customer satisfaction. McDonald’s reinstated performance evaluations in 2001 to improve customer satisfaction. Today regional managers inspect and evaluate franchises on a regular basis. Forms with standard operation procedures enhance the evaluation process, and this information is input in McDonald’s database for further review. Today’s managers can input the evaluation from his or her company PDA. Performance vs. Standards â€Å"The managerial principle of exception states, which control is enhanced by concentrating on the exceptions to, or significant deviation from, the expected result or standard (Bateman, 2009, p. 578). Companies compare the performance of employees by evaluating how well the employee followed the standards or guidelines set by the company. Corrective Action and Reinforce Successes During the work process errors happen and managers should address these problems with his or her employees. Errors happen but managers also see the success of employees meeting or exceeding company goals. Companies should reward employees who meet or exceed the goals of the company. Compare and Contrast McDonald’s main goal is to develop sustainability. The leaders of McDonald’s have set standards of financial growth, customer service, product quality and safety, and corporate responsibility and conduct to achieve this main goal. Considering McDonald’s dominance in the fast-food industry, it is safe to say they have been successful at achieving their performance standards. McDonald’s has been a success because management takes immense care in measuring their performance, comparing their performance to their standards, and taking corrective action to get their performance on the right track. Management analyzes many reports to measure the company’s performance, such as customer satisfaction surveys, the annual report and corporate responsibility report, and performance audits. Management also observes their operation to measure performance. From analyzing these performance reports and audits, management can compare performance to their standards, past performance, and goals. For instance, the six-year summary in the 2011 Annual Report shows McDonald’s earned nearly three billion dollars in total revenue growth between 2010 and 2011 (McDonald’s, 2011). By comparing performance, management can identify deviations from their standards and goals and make corrections. Initiatives such as Employee Value Proposition, Leadership Development Framework and healthier menu items are examples of corrective action taken to improve performance (McDonald’s, 2009, pgs. 6 -7). McDonald’s management can execute these four performance controls successfully by having the drive to improve, building a culture of values, and constantly working toward sustainability (McDonald’s, 2009, pg. 5). McDonald’s worldwide success for many decades adds credence to management’s effectiveness in executing all four performance controls. Determine Effectiveness The four control standards the team chose to explore in regard to McDonald’s work well together, as is evident by the success of the company. The fast-food industry is hard to be successful in unless the company has the right combination of plans and controls. McDonald’s is a leader in this field because the company uses just the right amount of each. The McDonald’s control standards do not act well together unless there are people who make the standards work together. There have been times when some of the control standards have been in need of further guidance. During such times corporate management has had to change some of the ways the controls work. This is to ensure McDonald’s operates to the best of its abilities for effectiveness. Examine Positive and Negative Reactions From examining McDonald’s awards and recognition, it appears McDonald’s has received a very positive reaction to how they use these controls. Such awards include Fortune Magazine’s 2012 number 11 â€Å"Most Admired Company in the World,† Forbes Magazine 2010 â€Å"Most Admired Companies,† 2010 â€Å"Corporate Award† from the Executive Leadership Council (McDonald’s, 2012). Internally, McDonald’s has received positive reaction or at least buy-in, considering their performance and employer awards, to their performance controls, more than likely from their efforts in taking care of their people. McDonald’s has implemented leadership development and employee value proposition programs, and diversity and inclusion and social responsibility initiatives that have promoted employee satisfaction and trust in the company (McDonald’s, 2012). Also their business relationship model between their employees, suppliers, and owner/operators has developed strong communication throughout its operation. Although McDonald’s has been widely successful, they have also failed from time to time. In 2001, University of Michigan rated McDonald’s as one of the poorest-performing retailers from a year-long customer satisfaction study (Zuber, 2001, P. 1). More recently, ConsumerAffairs.com holds hundreds of consumer complaints of McDonald’s service, showing that even a successful giant like McDonald’s still has room for improvement. Controls Affect on Functions The four control standards the team chose to explore are performance, performance vs. standards, and corrective action, and reinforce successes. These controls affect the four functions of management in numerous ways. Pakhare (2011), Effective and efficient management leads to success, which is the attainment of objectives and goals, that an organization sets for itself. Of course, for achieving the ultimate goal, management needs to work creatively in problem solving and execute all the four functions† (Para. 1-12). Since we have a basic understanding of these functions we can see clearly how they are in direct relationship to the control standards we have chosen. With each control standard we see how they closely work with each function. This particular formula is commonplace in many organizations on a global level. The analysis shows that McDonald’s has a good plan of control mechanisms in place, and good functions of management to support the corporation. This has been a key factor of the corporation’s long success in a business where many do not last long. The company has many beneficial areas to back up why they are one of the world’s favorite places to eat and probably will continue to be as successful for many years to come. References McDonalds. (2011). 2011 Annual Report. Retrieved from http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/content/dam/AboutMcDonalds/Investors/Investors%202012/2011%20Annual%20Report%20Final.pdf McDonalds. (2012). Awards and Recognition. Retrieved from http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/awards_and_recognition.html McDonalds. (2012). Our Company. Retrieved from http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company/mcdonalds_system.html McDonalds. (2009). Worldwide Corporate Responsibility Online Report: The values we bring to the table. Retrieved from http://www.mcdonalds.at/presse/maps/McDCSR.pdf Pakhare, J. (2011). Management Concepts The Four Functions of Management. Retrieved from http://www.buzzle.com/articles/management-concepts-the-four-functions-of-management.html Zuber, A. (2001). McD restructures to beef up performance. Retrieved from

The Alternative Tourism Development Tourism Essay

The Alternative Tourism Development Tourism Essay Currently, most tourism trends are considerable of green mode tourism market as seen the declined of mass-tourism line in many countries. The form of healthier tour influenced tourist who has personal interests of tour activities such as sport, recreation, adventure and nature conservation. Worldwide acceptability as Tourism is one of many Industries which is non-polluting Industry and continue rapidly growth. Numerous countries perceive to majority income, therefore Tourism Industry generate job to the destination At the same time, the more tourism growth is the more anxious of negative impact to the host country. Over the past decade or so, tourism form as Mass tourismor Traditional Tourism which emphasize a large group of tourist several countries particular in developing country mass tourism is being extremely promoted. However, It was realized that mass tourism become the main majority social and environmental effected meanwhile, the kind of mass tourism not rather contribute a full measure of ecomomic as its convinced. In United Nations Foundation Report 2002 stated that  ¿Ã‚ ½Resposible tourism is the job of everyone involved governments, local authorities, the tourist industry and tourisms themselves (2001, p.12) To mend an effect from mass tourism, many research has commence as an appropriate alternative tourism model and hilight to responsible to the host country. New form of tourism appear as Eco-toursim, Soft Tourism, Green Tourism,Responsible tourism, Motivated Tourism, Conservative Tourism etc,. entirely mean of Alternative Tourism. Bicycle tourism proposed the possible for alternative which is can be applies to encourage destination sustainable economic development. Although much research has been implement into application of bicycle tourism with in country, just few research in Thailand about their feasibility can be applies in big city as Bangkok Metropolis where contain of tourist attraction. Tourism Authority Of Thailand (Marketing Plan 2009) Currently promoting tourism as a main marketing plan in the same previous slogan of Amazing Thailand additional of Seven Wonders of Amazing Thailand in oversea market. One of theme call Nature The Beauty of Natural Wonders which present green tourism mode to perceive of environmental value and enegy conservation in the forms of Seven Green and bicycle tour is in mode of green logistices hilight on tourism activities using environment friendly transport. According to TAT informationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ³Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬ °Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ­Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¹Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ­Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬ ¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ²Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ £Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸-à  Ã‚ ¹Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ­Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬ ¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â€š ¬Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸-à  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ µÃƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â€š ¬Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ µÃƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ±Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã… ¡sprot and recreation à  Ã‚ ¹Ã†â€™Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â€ž ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸-à  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ µÃƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ²Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬ ¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬   à  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â€š ¬Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ µÃƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ±Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã… ¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ²Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ £Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ µÃƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ±Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ £Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¢Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ²Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â€ž ¢It is obvious that Bicycle Tourism in Thailand have encourage just rural ar eas while rarely in big city as Bangkok. In order to drive a significant of bicycle tourism to be use as an alternative and indicate or influence steakholder to better understand. This project would insist upon base on the fact of domestic cyclist and bicycle tourist demand in services providing to use as a guideline . 1.2 Objective The research was undertaken to analyses cyclist perception and motivation, developed demand model of cycling travellers in Bangkok destination. The purpose of study was to indicate the cycle tour market is significant to encourage sustainable tourism development. The key objectives of this research were: 1. To highlight cycling tour advantages when development and applies to local communities. 2. To indicate significant cycling tour for sustainable tourism. 3. To encourage and motivate to tour organization promote cycling tour as an alternative tourism. 4. To assist or guide government to implement cycling for the perfect alternative tour in Bangkok. 5. To indicate the bicycle tourism market is a potential trend to applies in order to assist green mode tourism. 6. To indicate and evaluate if the cycling tourist demand meets the services provide. 2. Literature Review Definition The Alternative Tourism Alternative Tourism has widely define as : à  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ «Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ²Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ³Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‹â€ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ³Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ±Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬ Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ²Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¡ à  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ­Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¹Ã¢â‚¬ °Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ²Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬ ¡2-3 à  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ãƒ  Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â€ž ¢ As described in Eadington Smith (1992, p. 75), Richard (2002) presents Alternative Tourism as: Alternative tourism define as tourism that is consistent with natural, social and community value, which allows hosts and guests to enjoy worthwhile interactions and shared experiences. Richard S. David T. J. 2002, Tourism Development Concept and Issue, Aspects of Tourism, Cambrian Printers Ltd., Great Britain. Ateljecvic, I. Doorne, S. (2000). Staying Within the Fence: Lifestyle Entrepreneurship in Tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 8(5),pp378-92. Alternative tourism concept would supervise for environment from stakeholders such tourists, tour agents and local host. On the other hand, these tourism form will also custody of environment, culture heritage and local livelihood in the destination. Awang, Hassan Zahari s study(cited in Ateljevic Doorne 2000) Most important of all, Alternative tourism is the significant form which focus on a tiny group of tourists and countryside visit more than urban. The hilight on Alternative Tourism as the gist of how the tourist choose what they really attend whether travel places, accommodations, tour agents including every travel activities in the tourism line. The Bicycle Tourism defined as: Several issue of bicycle term but rarely denote bicycle as a part of tourism, however Sustrans (1999, p.1) has defined bicycle tourism as: Recreational visits, either overnight or day visit away from home, which involve leisure cycling as a fundamental and significant part of the visit. Wen Li (2003) defined bicycle tourism as a positive activity, which includeds both transportation and recreation experiences. Wen,H.C., Li,H.C.2003, A strategic study of bicycle tourism in Taiwan, Journal of the Eastern Asia Society for transportation Studies, vol.5, October, pp.1675-1683. Ritchie outlines the tourism activity using bicycle tour has more significant mode of vacation or holiday transport (1998). Bicycling is the form of non-polluting activities and people ride bicycles for a widely purposes such as recreation, personal business or even for work. Ritchie,B.W. (1998). Bicycle tourism in the South Island of New Zealand: Planning and management issues. Vol.19, no.6, pp.567-582 To classify the bicycle tourism Faulks, Ritchie Fluker (2006) agreed that to identify bicycle tourism in order to present the size and scope of cycle tourism thus, the definition will base on activity and the use of a bicycle on holiday. The different sectors were Touring, Community cycling events, Competition and Mountain Biking. Faulks P., Ritchie B. Fluker M.(2006). Cycle Tourism in Australia: An investigation into its size and scope. Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre, Australia. Types of bicycle tourism can be classified to three main types (Sustrans 1999)as following: A.Cycling Holidays, the definition base on the main purpose of cycling holiday visit both domestic and overseas.Cyclist may organised trip using tour operator or self-organised with short and long period(Sustrans 1999,p.1). B. Holiday Cycling, the definition differ from above, the Holiday cycling mean of traveller selected cycling as one of travel activities on holiday(Sustrans 1999,p.1) C.Cycling Day Visits defined as making short trip ride from one place to another as a leisure and residences were most commonly. Therefore, Central government promoting cycling as a choice of tour activities with provides services to meet tourist demand, Stakeholders wills benefits. The Bicycle Tourist definition Many researchs have been defined bicycle tourist in different ways however, They has been introduced the definition by Richie(1998, pp.568-569) as: A person who is away from their hometown or country for a period not less than 24 hours or on night, for the purpose of a vacation or holiday, and for whom using a bicycle as a mode of transport during this time away is an integral part of their holiday or vacation. This vacation may be independently organised or part of a commercial tour and may include the use of transport support services and any type of formal and/or informal accommodation. 2.2 The Development of Bicycle Tourism 2.3 The Demand For Bicycle Tourism Requirements of Bicycle Tourists both demestic and international 2.4 The Domestic Bicycle Tourism Tourism Authority of Thailand presents the bicycle tourism in the mode of Eco-tourism activities and shows that bicycle tour has available in Bangkok for instance, The Grand Palace areas and provide informations of another bicycle trip in various areas .( Tourism Authority of Thailand 2010). According to informations it is obvious that bicycle tourism has set in tourism market plan and it is probable that the potentials of an alternative tourism development in Bangkok. Tourism Authority of Thailand 2010, Colorful Thailand:Ecotourism, viewed 20 December 2010, . -Bicycle tour organisation It is primarily found that many tour agents in Thailand but few significant with cycling tour market, furthermore,observed that bicycle tourism perform an act of charity or member club. Bangkok Hash House Biker one of mountain biking club presents the event in occasionally and arrange trip once a month for rider.( Bangkok Hash House Biker 2009)http://www.bangkokbikehash.org/AboutUs.html Tour de Thailand presents as a fully supported charity bike ride from North to South of Thailand http://www.bangkokbikehash.org/AboutUs.html -Supple for bicycle tourism 2.5 The Motivation of Bicycle Tourist As previous researched Lamont found that the attracting destination for independent bicycle tourists were the regions ability of cycling support provided such as a potential of cycling infrastructure, magnificent scenery, aiding service for industries and accessibility (Lamont 2008). Lamont J.M.2008, Wheels of change: a model of whole tourism systems for independent bicycle turism, Proceedings of Re-creating tourism: New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Research Conference, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand, 3-5 December, Lincoln University, Christchurch,pp.1-22.viewed 22 December 2010,. Furthermore, to originate ardor use of bicycle tourism sufficiently, the host must be supplement such a promotional, marketing and widely information and events of cycling provided (Pucher buehler 2009) Pucher J. Buehler R.2009, Cycling for a Few or for Everyone:The Importantce of Social Justice in Cycling Policy,Wolrd Transport Policy Practice, vol.15, no.1, pp.57-64,viewed 22 December 2010, . Sustainable Development definition: Methodology The methodology for this research has been selected in order to obtain data and generalize about the development area of bicycle tourism in Bangkok Metropolis. Type of research The principal purpose of this study is to gain primary information about significant bicycle tourism in order to purpose guidance for bicycle tourism development more efficiently. To investigate the main purpose of study an exploratory will be applies. McKenzie Danforth (2009,p.43) state exploratory research, preliminary research conducted to increase understantding of concept, to clarify the exact nature of the problem to be solved or to identify important variables to be studied. McKenzie K. Danforth S. 2009, Problem Definition, Exploratory Research, and the Research Process.A Marketing Research Proposal. St.George, viewed 22 December 2010,. Data Collection The quantitative and qualitative will be used to achieve the objectives of the research. The quantitative data collection comprise with opened-ended and closed-ended questionnaire will applies into two way. Firstly, the self-completing will design for the online monkey survey will design for a people who yearn for bicycle tourists, or who have undertake cycling as a tour activities previously in order to investigate people with an interest in cycling tour more importantly, the online survey will be logical drive to obtain data both domestic and abroad. The questionnaire will be contribute towards Tourism Authority of Thailand website to assure the survey outcome realibility. Secondly,questionnaire in the same pattern will be conducted with holiday cycling tourist in the visiting area. The qualitative collection, interviews will carried out with Bangkok Bicycle Club member in order to investigate whether the cyclist requirement meet the demand. 3.3 Sampling Design The sample from entire population has been selected therefore, to attain the intensity of study purpose. Sample is a unit of target extracted from a population and aim to be representative of that population(OECD 2003). OSCD 2003, Sample Design,Business Tendency Survey Handbook STATISTICS DIRECTORATE, viewed 23 December 2010, The Quota Sampling design as Survey Monkey online questionnaire in order to gathering primary data from bicycle rider through internal and external. According to OECD: A quota samples is one in which in which each strata identified in the target universe is represented by a specified number (a quota) of respondents. Quota samples are also described as representative samples because the selection of a quota of respondents from each stratum is intended to guarantee that the sample represents, or mirrors, the target universe. Quota samples are also widely used in political opinion polls and consumer opinion surveys (2003,p.2). The Purposive Sampling will be used in order to gathering secondary data in form of cyclist perspective from Bangkok Bicycle Club. As decriped in Teddlie Yu(2007,p.80),Tashakkori Teddlie(2003) presents  ¿Ã‚ ½purposive sampling techniques involve selecting certain units or cases  ¿Ã‚ ½based on a speci ¬Ã‚ c purpose rather than randomly Tashakkori, A., Teddlie, C. (Eds.). (2003a). Handbook of mixed methods in social behavioral research.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Teddlie C. Yu F.2007, Mixed Methods Sampling: A Typology With Examples, Mixed Methods Research, vol.1, no.77, pp.77-100, viewed 23 December 2010, Sampling size will be composed of 100 questionnaires created for bike rider, who online search for sport activities in Thailand destination. While interview survey technique will be conducted with the sample population among 10-15 interviwees with in Bangkok Bicycle Club representatives. 3.4 Questionnaire Survey 3.6 Interview Survey The semi-structured interview will be use Contribution of The Study It is expected that the key finding of this project will be guide and evaluate significant of current bicycle tourism sector therefore, to the better understand of all steakholder to be used for as an alternative tourism development in Bangkok Metropolis. Acknowledgments The author would like to acknowledge the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Center(STCRC) for funding a supplementary scholarship, and the Australian Regional Tourism Research Centre for the provision of resouces used in this research. Finally, the publishers of Australian Cyclist magazine are sincerely thanked for their generous assistance. References: Introduction Part 1.Thailandtourism Sport Recreation: Biking http://www.tourismthailand.org/see-do/events-festivals/sports-recreation/biking/destination/0/cat/31/?sort=2bymonth=start_date=end_date=keyword=refine=cHash=f88c8a3490pageno=2pagesize=10 2. Thailand tourism plan 2552 http://www.oknation.net/blog/SIAM1932/2009/11/26/entry-3

Supplier Relationship Importance And Supply Chain Management

Supplier Relationship Importance And Supply Chain Management In todays increasing economic environment, organisations are looking for new techniques to improve their competitive advantage. The focus of my research is in the area of purchasing which have now become a strategic function and a key reason in positioning competitively among all other competitors. The paper discusses that in recent years, the relationships between buyers and suppliers have been continuously receiving a considerable attention for effective operations within organisations. Traditionally, supplier-buyer relationships were regarded as adversarial, arms length transactions. However, the approach towards managing this relationship is changing and moving towards a more collaborative approach due to the fact that now suppliers are important sources to gain competitive advantage to operate in global markets in terms of their expertise, knowledge and ability of sharing risks. [Research paper Journal] The research aims to provide an understanding of supplier relationship management, factors of supplier evaluation and selection process, and the elements that contribute to the establishment of a productive customer/vendor relationships. Such a study is important for buyers to build and maintain effective relationships with their suppliers for consistent cost reductions while working together to mutually create revenues and other benefits. The paper recommends that this information may work as a reference guideline for buyers when initiating cooperative relationships with their supply sources resulting in advanced purchasing and strategic supply chain management in their organisation. The research method adopted in this dissertation is secondary exploring various business journals, business websites, textbooks and articles. Due to continuous new product developments, product innovations and increase in costs, managing supplier relationships will further become crucial in the near future. Due to this reason, therefore, this paper discusses the requirement of supplier relationships and how this shift in organisational strategy towards building relations has and will going to change the employees role, companys processes and organisational goals. The findings from this research provides an evidence of how companies have improved their supply chain operations through understanding the importance to develop effective supplier relationships as part of their core business activity for not only to achieve success within procurement department but also to successfully complete other supply chain cycle such as maintaining production flow at all times, planning accurately, inventory handling, logistical issues and achieving financial benefits. Examples included findings from large organisations of Hong Kong, Rolls Royce, GE, and Japanese firm Toyota. The main conclusion that can be drawn from this research is that every organisation must emphasise the need to actually develop world class suppliers that helps in building long-term relationships, reduction in costs, improved QCDS (quality, cost, delivery and service) criteria, improved customer service, mutual information sharing, reducing the NPI (new product inspection) costs and becoming world class organisation in the market. Introduction Nowadays, the majority of Organisations believe that their companys real assets are embedded in the quality of the relationships shared between the business and their stakeholders such as clients or customers, employees and suppliers. Developing and managing supplier relationship will be the main subject throughout this project. The objective of this research is to investigate the importance of the need to focus more on building collaborative relationships with their strategic suppliers by large manufacturing companies. With increase in globalisation and restructuring of several organisations, procurements role has changed focusing more towards costs, quality, flexibility and technology. [Herbig and OHara, 1995; Goh and Lau, 1999] In the previous years (traditionally), purchasing was considered as a secretarial function in which the buyer-supplier relationships were viewed as being adversarial and unsurprisingly results in a win/lose outcome. Before, business operations from manufacturing to assembling the finished goods were prepared in-house but now many organisations have moved towards a more combined approach where manufacturing firms have started concentrating more on their core competencies only and rest outsourcing nationally and internationally to satisfy their customer expectations. Organisations are going lean i.e. working towards continuous improvement, adopting just-in time and total quality management and eliminating wastes. This highlighted the requirement for most of the lean organisations to grow cooperative supplier-buyer relationships to achieve real productivity, improved design and quality that are unattainable unless the supplying partners assist in product innovation. Hence, several manufacturers have recognized their ability to become world class competitors based on establishing high levels of trust and cooperation among their suppliers. [They and Briggs (1994)] For example, highlighting the case of Rolls Royce, the engine manufacturer, that outsources 70% of their material from external supply chain and thats the reason Rolls Royce try to encourage their suppliers to work openly and jointly contributing to their performance. Rolls Royce belief in building good supplier relationships assures quality and competitiveness to their product offerings and helps to achieve customer standards. The growing face of domestic and global competition has led to understand the manufacturing companies to practise global sourcing which is a strategy to improve companies competitiveness in the international market through reducing costs, improving quality, increased exposure to universal technology, and improving delivery and reliability. A connection or association is known as a relationship. Relationships are said to be when individuals, organisations and internal or external groups to an enterprise interact. At recent times, relationship marketing describes long-term marketing strategy that emphasise on building and maintaining long-term relationships with customers rather than just focusing on one-time sale approach. At business level, relationship marketing is applied to variety of purchasing supplier relationships in the context of a broader network of interconnected purchasing, supplier and competitor organisations. Supplier relationship is defined as a systematic approach to supplier evaluation, selection and ongoing relationship management with the goal of cutting the costs of goods and services boosting profits? Supplier relationship management is a proactive approach of an ongoing business links to secure a competitive advantage within the organisation, focusing more on overall relationships between the supplier and the customer (buying organisation) rather than focusing on specific contracts. The idea is to develop trust and understanding of each others requirements and interests while providing assistance to each other. For example, Rolls Royce sends their experts to their sub-contract suppliers to improve their technology and performance standards. Such relationships bring profit and provide competitive advantage. [http://www.ogc.gov.uk/process_supplier_performance_and_contract_management_6368.asp] Today, most of the companies have realised that doing business jointly with their strategic suppliers will enhance their organisational ability to respond quickly to demand changes, focus on core business only and hence, results in implementing best practises. For example, Rolls Royce believes their supplier make very essential contribution to their business performance as over 70% of their manufacturing costs comes from external supply sources. focus more on their core competencies such as encouraging suppliers to work with transparency, openly and together to enhance continuous improvements. rather than Small to Medium size Enterprises and many local businesses use Transactional Purchasing whereas Large Enterprises use Relationship Purchasing to compete strongly in this economic climate. Transactional Purchasing Relationship purchasing Focus on short, discrete purchasing Focus on supplier retention Short-term orientation Long-term orientation Arms length Closeness Simple buyer-seller relationship Complicated, including internal relationships Emphasis on price, quality and delivery in the offered product No Innovation Emphasis on price, quality, delivery other factors, like innovative design as a collaborative exercise b/w purchaser and supplier Moderate supplier contacts High level of supplier contact with each contact being used to gain information strengthen the relationship Little sharing of information Significant sharing of information, including cost information and transparency Introducing Supply chain management The project is focused on process for choosing world class suppliers, importance of building supplier relationships, various supplier development approaches and process of negotiation required in purchasing that plays a vital role in todays supply chain management. Explaining what is supply chain management and its various elements that are necessary for the movement of goods and services within the business. Supply chain management consists of the intra and inter-organisational co-ordination of business functions that act as both transformative and support functions. This emphasises managing supply chain effectively must be a key activity within the businesses. [Mentzer et al. (2001)] Supply chain combines flow of materials, goods, and information (includes money) that floats within and between organisations linking with a variety of tangible and intangible facilitators, e.g. relationships, processes, activities and integrated information systems. Different views of supply chains are implemented in terms of a process when operations are emphasised, a logistical channel when emphasises marketing, a value chain whey looking at value added activities, and a demand chain when considering customer satisfaction. [Peck H. (2006)] Key elements of supply chain The key elements of supply chain are that links with each other by the movement of products. The following explains that supply chain starts and ends with the customer: [http://logistics.about.com/od/supplychainintroduction/a/into_scm.htm] Customer This is the customer that starts the value chain by deciding to make a purchase of a particular product for example, in an aviation industry procuring turbine blades or a fan shaft which is offered for sale by an organisation. At this stage, the customer contacts the sales team and places purchase order with a right quantity and delivered on a right date. If in case, this product needs manufacturing then the purchase order includes a requirement that must be fulfilling by the production facility. Planning The requirement for planning occurs when customers purchase order is received and processed with other existing orders. Production plans are created by the planning department to generate products to accomplish the customers order. If manufacturing requires, then raw materials are purchased to complete the process. Purchasing The list of materials e.g. raw materials and services is obtained which is required by the production department to complete the purchase order. Then purchasing team issues purchase orders to procure raw material from selected suppliers on their manufacturing site on a requisite date. Inventory The raw materials that are received from suppliers are checked for quality and moved into the warehouse. The invoice is received for the parts that are delivered by the supplier and then materials are stored until there is a demand from a production area. Production According to the production plan, the raw materials from the inventory are moved into the production area where product manufacturing takes place and creates the finished product. Once the parts are completed, they are again sent back to the warehouse and stored prior to delivery to the ultimate customer. Transportation Logistics department then finds the most efficient shipping method in order to achieve on-time delivery at the right date mentioned by the customer. After goods are received by the customer, an invoice is sent by the organisation (supplier) for delivered products. Outlining Case study: GE-Aviation In this project, there will be discussion on relationship purchasing within aviation industry considering GE Aviation as a case study. Suggesting methods of procurement and ways of maintaining GEs existing and new relationships with suppliers. On-line procurement is one of the major processes that I will be focusing in my project which GE adopts within their business that not only reduces the cost and saves time but also provides the right amount of communication with its suppliers at the right time. For example, GE-Aviation has its own department for RB211 jumbo jet engine where there are teams responsible for engineering, operations, purchasing and billing. The engine gets repaired and maintained on site. For RB211 engine type, GEs biggest supplier is Rolls Royce who is the OEMs and can provide material many times. Using SAP software within the whole organisation saves a huge amount of time for purchasing transactions and also makes easy for GE purchasing team to analyse demand raised and provide forecasting to their suppliers for each product by just looking into the system and working through its historical past. GE uses Relationship Purchasing in which they believe to maximise their revenue it is very important to have good supplier relationships. Some of the key approaches/strategies required before working towards building relationships are as follows: Selecting a world class supplier Companies that outsources internationally their materials opens the opportunity to identify potential suppliers, evaluate and reasonably short list them that result with the best supplier. This is considered as one of the most important process to perform by the procurement team that aims to choose the best supplier that ensures reliable supplies with low risk involved and maximises the overall value to the buyer. The following are the seven key steps involved in supplier evaluation and selection process: (Fig 7.5 Supplier evaluation and selection process [pg 163]) Recognise the need for supplier selection The first step is to recognise the actual need for selection of supplier. Purchasing team must work with new product development department in order to recognise future buying behaviours. Purchasing groups proactively select suppliers and anticipate demands rather than wait until a demand rises. The process to start this evaluation arises due to the following scenarios: Through new product development Poor performance received from existing internal and external suppliers Closure of the contract Procuring new tools and equipments Thinking to expand business into new markets or products Due to inadequate capacity of existing suppliers Throughout outsourcing and re-engineering analyses Deciding to reduce the size of the supply base Identifying the main sourcing requirements All the way through evaluation process, procurement team must keep an eye on what they are intended to do. Acquiring materials is not just important but also focus to meet specific requirements set by the other internal customer and indirectly by other supply chain members. For example, an aviation company like GE that makes engines has to buy all the machinery and spare parts along with buyers taking care to ensure a perfect quality products are delivered on time. Establishing sourcing strategy Developing purchasing strategies results in long term alliances that buyers look each time to compete in todays growing competition. Several vital strategic decisions that affect the selection of suppliers are: Picking single or multiple suppliers Creating short-term or long-term contracts Suppliers wish to develop working partnerships rather than arms length relations Working with suppliers that can provide support with product designs rather than those who cannot modify designs Having choice of local, domestic, foreign or global suppliers Therefore, sourcing strategies and policies must be carefully re-evaluated during supplier selection as requirements changes frequently in shorter times because of changing market conditions, changing consumer preferences and accustomed corporate goals. Identifying potential suppliers This stage identifies a list of suppliers that can actually have the capability to deliver of what is required by the customer. Buyers can use various numbers of sources to develop the preliminary list of supply sources by a quick search of company websites as well as long and detailed search for companies that can support with design and make specialised products. A rule of thumb must take place to determine the effort to be used into supplier selection by comparing the existing suppliers efficiency and strategic importance of an item because too much effort and expensive resources are wasted; too little effort and potential suppliers might be missed in this initial search criteria. Following are the sources of information widely-used to identify potential suppliers: Current suppliers Using existing suppliers who are already on the preferred list which are consistently meeting buyers requirements that reduces the purchasers time and effort in evaluation of supplier capabilities. But at the same time, existing supplier may not always provide the world class long term results and that is the reason why organisations scan information continuously to recognize potential new sources. Sales representatives and agents Marketing information received from these individuals can become a valuable source of information for new product offerings. Buyers keep this information in their file for future reference even if there is no urgent requirement for a supplier service. Internet searches Nowadays suppliers launch customer websites as part of their marketing approach and help the buyers with detailed information from a simple search of possible suppliers. Various other websites can also help in discovering and assessing important information like reviews, comparisons, comments, analyses and case studies of potential suppliers. Experience Experienced individuals working within purchasing team generally carries a wide knowledge about various capable suppliers as experienced buyers have already worked in a particular industry for many years and familiar with the main suppliers and their features. Internal sources Operating different business units within large organisations, each may have their own procurement department. Therefore, other units in the same organisation becomes a valuable source of information exchange to buyers through informal meetings, formal team sessions, an internal database, purchasing newsletters, etc. Limit suppliers in the selection pool At this stage, the procurement team must consolidate and analyse the information gathered on potential supply sources that helps them to make informed decisions. Getting a long list of suppliers is just the initial task but buyers then have to eliminate the weakest suppliers until they attain the strong shortlist. Therefore, the final supplier is then selected from this list. The following are the entry qualifiers features that influence buyers final decision [Howard (1998)]: Financial strength Appropriate business strategy Strong supportive management Proven manufacturing capability Design capability There are also many reasons that influence buyers decision to procure material on the following basis: Buying directly from the original manufacturer or distributor Original equipment manufacturers mostly offer lower prices that avoid the costs of wholesalers and retailers along with profit margins. The final choice must be considered on the basis of four factors including the size of the purchase, the manufacturers policies of direct sales, availability of storage at buyers facility, and the required additional services. Local, national, international and global suppliers Choosing international suppliers are more favourable as they usually offers the best price along with technical support but these have to be balanced by higher shipping costs, stocks, communication problems and common risks involved. Also, choosing local suppliers are considered more responsive to fluctuating demands, small deliveries and regular changes in purchase orders using Just-in-time method that not only supports local suppliers and allows the buyers to enhance local economy but also helps in building community goodwill. Large or small suppliers Usually buyers focus on suppliers capability to do the work rather than selecting on the basis of its size. But a buyer must keep in mind the unexpected increase in demands that can only be dealt by larger firms providing extra capacity to overcome these fluctuations. At the same time, in order to create a diversified supply base, buyers intentionally deal with smaller suppliers. Multiple or single sourcing When there are numerous different suppliers available then it becomes very difficult to make a decision of how many to use? Most of the organisations have chosen a trend to reduce the supply base that will benefit them accordingly. Determining method to select supplier This is the last stage where buyers are left with four to five suppliers in their shortlist and decide to evaluate these remaining organisations by looking at the alternatives in more detail for example, using supplier-provided information, supplier/customer visits, preferred list of suppliers and third-party information. Supplier-provided information Detailed information can be acquired through requesting price quotations. Information received from quotations are then used to understand the product description and supply which is then followed by another requests of a detailed cost breakdown of the price quoted by suppliers initially that must include the costs of labour, materials, overheads and profit as buyers also require operational details to finally evaluate them. Supplier visits One of the most efficient ways of getting an overall view of suppliers capabilities and performance is to visit suppliers facilities by a cross-functional team. Generally, these visits are expensive and time consuming so a buyer must balance their desire to gather as much information as possible confidentially. The following table shows important information points that a buyer must collect during its visit: Management capability Quality management Technology levels Planning and scheduling effectiveness Financial strength Personnel relations E-business capabilities Sophistication and efficiency of operations ISO certifications Skills, knowledge and experience of workforce Evidence of good management and housekeeping Types of inventory Nature of the goods inwards, stores and outwards areas Environmental practices Employee employment contracts Any significant changes planned or expected Contact details of key decision makers Use of preferred suppliers This is a list of suppliers created by the purchasers to reward their best suppliers that consistently meets their strict performance criteria. The list can also be used as an incentive to improve the existing suppliers performance and assessed accordingly. External or third-party information This consists of all the other information available about a potential supplier. For example, Total quality management is a system that insists suppliers to meet the quality standards as similar to buyers and generates a flow of related information throughout the supply chain. Selecting supplier and signing agreement This is the final step to choose the supplier followed by signing a contract. This includes different purchasing orders required for routine and major items, i.e. using standard purchase orders for routine items whereas, detailed negotiation is required to agree on specific details for major items that increases the complexity in the purchase order. Supplier evaluation criteria After considering various steps in selecting suppliers, the buying organisation must analyse the following questions with the supply organisation in order to progress outside their traditional purchasing relationships and possibilities for long term relationships with them: [Spekman (1988)] Has the supplier signified a dedication or willingness for a longer term relationship? Is the supplier enthusiastic to perform resources to develop this relationship? Is the supplier willing or able to participate at the early stage or throughout the stage of product design? Has supplier brought any unique service to the business? Is the supplier showed their interests or commitment towards customers problems and effectively solving them together? Is the supplier is interested in improvements and innovations in the operations? Is there any openness of sharing and exchanging information between both companies? How much knowledgeable is the supplier about the customers industry and business? Is the need for confidentially exchanged information taken seriously? Supplier management and development In todays time, the need to improve supplier performance is open in large or small organisations and for this reason; the purchasing teams must introduce a supplier relationship management (SRM) approach to achieve their organisational goals and success in global purchases of technology. Therefore, this calls for managing resources efficiently throughout supply chain collaborations, dedication required from supply managers, creating standardised best practices effectively and tools required for tracking and evaluating the results. The process must begin with effective supplier performance measures required to undertake strategic supply or procurement decisions for the organisation. [Minahan T. And Vigorose M. (2002)] Effective supplier performance measurements What to measure The factors important to assess the performance includes: Delivery performance The purchase orders that are sent to suppliers involves all the appropriate information on deliveries, with quantities, lead times and due dates. Therefore, it is buyers responsibility to check regularly that how well a supplier actually meets their expected conditions. Cost performance There are many ways that can measure cost performances for example, monitoring real price delivered by the supplier after adjusting increase in the prices (inflation). Quality performance In order to measure quality, the best criteria for buyers is to check that products are delivered in 100% perfect condition with no defects. This also includes comparing previous performances, latest performance with mutually agreed standards and various other figures. Other qualitative factors in supplier performance Factor Explanation Problem solving Suppliers attention to provide solutions to the problem Technical skills Comparing suppliers manufacturing capacity with other business suppliers Reporting progress Suppliers incomplete reporting of existing problems and identifying and communicating other potential problems Corrective action Suppliers timely response to requests for corrective actions and requests for changes Cost-reduction plans Suppliers enthusiasm to find techniques that helps to reduce the total purchase cost New-product development support Suppliers capability to reduce time and cost required for new product development Buyer/seller compatibility Rating subjectively how well a purchasing firm and a supplier work together Therefore, the above are various other factors that help the buyers to measure the suppliers technical ability and closeness of both parties relationships. Reporting frequency This includes preparing reports to provide a clear feedback to supplier on their performance. Purchasing management must communicate with their buyers to send these reports by reviewing them weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually which is then followed with more face-to-face team meeting that reviews their actual performance, discussion on targets, identify potential improvements, examine changes, and so on. Any problems (for example, supplier fails to meet the required standard) occurred during crucial time must be addressed with special reports and meetings to avoid any financial and operational problems. Use of measurement data Procurement staff can make use of data collected from its measurement systems in many ways including: Identifying suppliers which are not meeting the performance goals and highlighting areas that calls for improvements, followed by corrective actions taken to raise the performance to acceptable levels or else finding new suppliers. It helps in discovering excellent performances achieved from supplier which then helps identify preferred suppliers that qualify for long term alliances. It also recognises the worst performing suppliers that are continuously not improving and needs to be removed from supply base whereas offering more work to superior suppliers. Supplier measurement techniques There are three techniques discussed for evaluating performance of suppliers, each differs in their use, level of subjectivity, resources required and implementing cost. Categorical techniques These techniques considers a particular aspect of performance, for example lead time and classifies a set of categories for performance rating as excellent, good, fair or poor and therefore, helps buyers in deciding which supplier is good or bad. This is an easiest system of measurement, easy to use, comparatively inexpensive and also the most subjective. There are some drawbacks of using this technique as they do not provide a clear analysis of performance, slower than automated systems and regarded as the lowest of the three techniques in terms of reliability. Scoring model This method overcomes the subjectivity of categorical technique by calculating a weighted score for different performance categories. This is more reliable and requires reasonable implementation cost providing flexibility for buyers to change the categories included as well as weights allocated to each. Cost-based techniques -This technique is the most comprehensive that can help the buying organisation to look for the total cost required for doing business with a particular supplier by identifying the lowest purchase price is not always the lowest cost of acquisition. Hence, this technique works through collecting data from the purchasing firms information system, analysing the total cost including the additional occurring costs whenever a supplier fails to perform as per expected by the buyer. This can be calculated using formula of supplier performance index (SPI) SPI = Total pur Supplier Relationship Importance And Supply Chain Management Supplier Relationship Importance And Supply Chain Management In todays increasing economic environment, organisations are looking for new techniques to improve their competitive advantage. The focus of my research is in the area of purchasing which have now become a strategic function and a key reason in positioning competitively among all other competitors. The paper discusses that in recent years, the relationships between buyers and suppliers have been continuously receiving a considerable attention for effective operations within organisations. Traditionally, supplier-buyer relationships were regarded as adversarial, arms length transactions. However, the approach towards managing this relationship is changing and moving towards a more collaborative approach due to the fact that now suppliers are important sources to gain competitive advantage to operate in global markets in terms of their expertise, knowledge and ability of sharing risks. [Research paper Journal] The research aims to provide an understanding of supplier relationship management, factors of supplier evaluation and selection process, and the elements that contribute to the establishment of a productive customer/vendor relationships. Such a study is important for buyers to build and maintain effective relationships with their suppliers for consistent cost reductions while working together to mutually create revenues and other benefits. The paper recommends that this information may work as a reference guideline for buyers when initiating cooperative relationships with their supply sources resulting in advanced purchasing and strategic supply chain management in their organisation. The research method adopted in this dissertation is secondary exploring various business journals, business websites, textbooks and articles. Due to continuous new product developments, product innovations and increase in costs, managing supplier relationships will further become crucial in the near future. Due to this reason, therefore, this paper discusses the requirement of supplier relationships and how this shift in organisational strategy towards building relations has and will going to change the employees role, companys processes and organisational goals. The findings from this research provides an evidence of how companies have improved their supply chain operations through understanding the importance to develop effective supplier relationships as part of their core business activity for not only to achieve success within procurement department but also to successfully complete other supply chain cycle such as maintaining production flow at all times, planning accurately, inventory handling, logistical issues and achieving financial benefits. Examples included findings from large organisations of Hong Kong, Rolls Royce, GE, and Japanese firm Toyota. The main conclusion that can be drawn from this research is that every organisation must emphasise the need to actually develop world class suppliers that helps in building long-term relationships, reduction in costs, improved QCDS (quality, cost, delivery and service) criteria, improved customer service, mutual information sharing, reducing the NPI (new product inspection) costs and becoming world class organisation in the market. Introduction Nowadays, the majority of Organisations believe that their companys real assets are embedded in the quality of the relationships shared between the business and their stakeholders such as clients or customers, employees and suppliers. Developing and managing supplier relationship will be the main subject throughout this project. The objective of this research is to investigate the importance of the need to focus more on building collaborative relationships with their strategic suppliers by large manufacturing companies. With increase in globalisation and restructuring of several organisations, procurements role has changed focusing more towards costs, quality, flexibility and technology. [Herbig and OHara, 1995; Goh and Lau, 1999] In the previous years (traditionally), purchasing was considered as a secretarial function in which the buyer-supplier relationships were viewed as being adversarial and unsurprisingly results in a win/lose outcome. Before, business operations from manufacturing to assembling the finished goods were prepared in-house but now many organisations have moved towards a more combined approach where manufacturing firms have started concentrating more on their core competencies only and rest outsourcing nationally and internationally to satisfy their customer expectations. Organisations are going lean i.e. working towards continuous improvement, adopting just-in time and total quality management and eliminating wastes. This highlighted the requirement for most of the lean organisations to grow cooperative supplier-buyer relationships to achieve real productivity, improved design and quality that are unattainable unless the supplying partners assist in product innovation. Hence, several manufacturers have recognized their ability to become world class competitors based on establishing high levels of trust and cooperation among their suppliers. [They and Briggs (1994)] For example, highlighting the case of Rolls Royce, the engine manufacturer, that outsources 70% of their material from external supply chain and thats the reason Rolls Royce try to encourage their suppliers to work openly and jointly contributing to their performance. Rolls Royce belief in building good supplier relationships assures quality and competitiveness to their product offerings and helps to achieve customer standards. The growing face of domestic and global competition has led to understand the manufacturing companies to practise global sourcing which is a strategy to improve companies competitiveness in the international market through reducing costs, improving quality, increased exposure to universal technology, and improving delivery and reliability. A connection or association is known as a relationship. Relationships are said to be when individuals, organisations and internal or external groups to an enterprise interact. At recent times, relationship marketing describes long-term marketing strategy that emphasise on building and maintaining long-term relationships with customers rather than just focusing on one-time sale approach. At business level, relationship marketing is applied to variety of purchasing supplier relationships in the context of a broader network of interconnected purchasing, supplier and competitor organisations. Supplier relationship is defined as a systematic approach to supplier evaluation, selection and ongoing relationship management with the goal of cutting the costs of goods and services boosting profits? Supplier relationship management is a proactive approach of an ongoing business links to secure a competitive advantage within the organisation, focusing more on overall relationships between the supplier and the customer (buying organisation) rather than focusing on specific contracts. The idea is to develop trust and understanding of each others requirements and interests while providing assistance to each other. For example, Rolls Royce sends their experts to their sub-contract suppliers to improve their technology and performance standards. Such relationships bring profit and provide competitive advantage. [http://www.ogc.gov.uk/process_supplier_performance_and_contract_management_6368.asp] Today, most of the companies have realised that doing business jointly with their strategic suppliers will enhance their organisational ability to respond quickly to demand changes, focus on core business only and hence, results in implementing best practises. For example, Rolls Royce believes their supplier make very essential contribution to their business performance as over 70% of their manufacturing costs comes from external supply sources. focus more on their core competencies such as encouraging suppliers to work with transparency, openly and together to enhance continuous improvements. rather than Small to Medium size Enterprises and many local businesses use Transactional Purchasing whereas Large Enterprises use Relationship Purchasing to compete strongly in this economic climate. Transactional Purchasing Relationship purchasing Focus on short, discrete purchasing Focus on supplier retention Short-term orientation Long-term orientation Arms length Closeness Simple buyer-seller relationship Complicated, including internal relationships Emphasis on price, quality and delivery in the offered product No Innovation Emphasis on price, quality, delivery other factors, like innovative design as a collaborative exercise b/w purchaser and supplier Moderate supplier contacts High level of supplier contact with each contact being used to gain information strengthen the relationship Little sharing of information Significant sharing of information, including cost information and transparency Introducing Supply chain management The project is focused on process for choosing world class suppliers, importance of building supplier relationships, various supplier development approaches and process of negotiation required in purchasing that plays a vital role in todays supply chain management. Explaining what is supply chain management and its various elements that are necessary for the movement of goods and services within the business. Supply chain management consists of the intra and inter-organisational co-ordination of business functions that act as both transformative and support functions. This emphasises managing supply chain effectively must be a key activity within the businesses. [Mentzer et al. (2001)] Supply chain combines flow of materials, goods, and information (includes money) that floats within and between organisations linking with a variety of tangible and intangible facilitators, e.g. relationships, processes, activities and integrated information systems. Different views of supply chains are implemented in terms of a process when operations are emphasised, a logistical channel when emphasises marketing, a value chain whey looking at value added activities, and a demand chain when considering customer satisfaction. [Peck H. (2006)] Key elements of supply chain The key elements of supply chain are that links with each other by the movement of products. The following explains that supply chain starts and ends with the customer: [http://logistics.about.com/od/supplychainintroduction/a/into_scm.htm] Customer This is the customer that starts the value chain by deciding to make a purchase of a particular product for example, in an aviation industry procuring turbine blades or a fan shaft which is offered for sale by an organisation. At this stage, the customer contacts the sales team and places purchase order with a right quantity and delivered on a right date. If in case, this product needs manufacturing then the purchase order includes a requirement that must be fulfilling by the production facility. Planning The requirement for planning occurs when customers purchase order is received and processed with other existing orders. Production plans are created by the planning department to generate products to accomplish the customers order. If manufacturing requires, then raw materials are purchased to complete the process. Purchasing The list of materials e.g. raw materials and services is obtained which is required by the production department to complete the purchase order. Then purchasing team issues purchase orders to procure raw material from selected suppliers on their manufacturing site on a requisite date. Inventory The raw materials that are received from suppliers are checked for quality and moved into the warehouse. The invoice is received for the parts that are delivered by the supplier and then materials are stored until there is a demand from a production area. Production According to the production plan, the raw materials from the inventory are moved into the production area where product manufacturing takes place and creates the finished product. Once the parts are completed, they are again sent back to the warehouse and stored prior to delivery to the ultimate customer. Transportation Logistics department then finds the most efficient shipping method in order to achieve on-time delivery at the right date mentioned by the customer. After goods are received by the customer, an invoice is sent by the organisation (supplier) for delivered products. Outlining Case study: GE-Aviation In this project, there will be discussion on relationship purchasing within aviation industry considering GE Aviation as a case study. Suggesting methods of procurement and ways of maintaining GEs existing and new relationships with suppliers. On-line procurement is one of the major processes that I will be focusing in my project which GE adopts within their business that not only reduces the cost and saves time but also provides the right amount of communication with its suppliers at the right time. For example, GE-Aviation has its own department for RB211 jumbo jet engine where there are teams responsible for engineering, operations, purchasing and billing. The engine gets repaired and maintained on site. For RB211 engine type, GEs biggest supplier is Rolls Royce who is the OEMs and can provide material many times. Using SAP software within the whole organisation saves a huge amount of time for purchasing transactions and also makes easy for GE purchasing team to analyse demand raised and provide forecasting to their suppliers for each product by just looking into the system and working through its historical past. GE uses Relationship Purchasing in which they believe to maximise their revenue it is very important to have good supplier relationships. Some of the key approaches/strategies required before working towards building relationships are as follows: Selecting a world class supplier Companies that outsources internationally their materials opens the opportunity to identify potential suppliers, evaluate and reasonably short list them that result with the best supplier. This is considered as one of the most important process to perform by the procurement team that aims to choose the best supplier that ensures reliable supplies with low risk involved and maximises the overall value to the buyer. The following are the seven key steps involved in supplier evaluation and selection process: (Fig 7.5 Supplier evaluation and selection process [pg 163]) Recognise the need for supplier selection The first step is to recognise the actual need for selection of supplier. Purchasing team must work with new product development department in order to recognise future buying behaviours. Purchasing groups proactively select suppliers and anticipate demands rather than wait until a demand rises. The process to start this evaluation arises due to the following scenarios: Through new product development Poor performance received from existing internal and external suppliers Closure of the contract Procuring new tools and equipments Thinking to expand business into new markets or products Due to inadequate capacity of existing suppliers Throughout outsourcing and re-engineering analyses Deciding to reduce the size of the supply base Identifying the main sourcing requirements All the way through evaluation process, procurement team must keep an eye on what they are intended to do. Acquiring materials is not just important but also focus to meet specific requirements set by the other internal customer and indirectly by other supply chain members. For example, an aviation company like GE that makes engines has to buy all the machinery and spare parts along with buyers taking care to ensure a perfect quality products are delivered on time. Establishing sourcing strategy Developing purchasing strategies results in long term alliances that buyers look each time to compete in todays growing competition. Several vital strategic decisions that affect the selection of suppliers are: Picking single or multiple suppliers Creating short-term or long-term contracts Suppliers wish to develop working partnerships rather than arms length relations Working with suppliers that can provide support with product designs rather than those who cannot modify designs Having choice of local, domestic, foreign or global suppliers Therefore, sourcing strategies and policies must be carefully re-evaluated during supplier selection as requirements changes frequently in shorter times because of changing market conditions, changing consumer preferences and accustomed corporate goals. Identifying potential suppliers This stage identifies a list of suppliers that can actually have the capability to deliver of what is required by the customer. Buyers can use various numbers of sources to develop the preliminary list of supply sources by a quick search of company websites as well as long and detailed search for companies that can support with design and make specialised products. A rule of thumb must take place to determine the effort to be used into supplier selection by comparing the existing suppliers efficiency and strategic importance of an item because too much effort and expensive resources are wasted; too little effort and potential suppliers might be missed in this initial search criteria. Following are the sources of information widely-used to identify potential suppliers: Current suppliers Using existing suppliers who are already on the preferred list which are consistently meeting buyers requirements that reduces the purchasers time and effort in evaluation of supplier capabilities. But at the same time, existing supplier may not always provide the world class long term results and that is the reason why organisations scan information continuously to recognize potential new sources. Sales representatives and agents Marketing information received from these individuals can become a valuable source of information for new product offerings. Buyers keep this information in their file for future reference even if there is no urgent requirement for a supplier service. Internet searches Nowadays suppliers launch customer websites as part of their marketing approach and help the buyers with detailed information from a simple search of possible suppliers. Various other websites can also help in discovering and assessing important information like reviews, comparisons, comments, analyses and case studies of potential suppliers. Experience Experienced individuals working within purchasing team generally carries a wide knowledge about various capable suppliers as experienced buyers have already worked in a particular industry for many years and familiar with the main suppliers and their features. Internal sources Operating different business units within large organisations, each may have their own procurement department. Therefore, other units in the same organisation becomes a valuable source of information exchange to buyers through informal meetings, formal team sessions, an internal database, purchasing newsletters, etc. Limit suppliers in the selection pool At this stage, the procurement team must consolidate and analyse the information gathered on potential supply sources that helps them to make informed decisions. Getting a long list of suppliers is just the initial task but buyers then have to eliminate the weakest suppliers until they attain the strong shortlist. Therefore, the final supplier is then selected from this list. The following are the entry qualifiers features that influence buyers final decision [Howard (1998)]: Financial strength Appropriate business strategy Strong supportive management Proven manufacturing capability Design capability There are also many reasons that influence buyers decision to procure material on the following basis: Buying directly from the original manufacturer or distributor Original equipment manufacturers mostly offer lower prices that avoid the costs of wholesalers and retailers along with profit margins. The final choice must be considered on the basis of four factors including the size of the purchase, the manufacturers policies of direct sales, availability of storage at buyers facility, and the required additional services. Local, national, international and global suppliers Choosing international suppliers are more favourable as they usually offers the best price along with technical support but these have to be balanced by higher shipping costs, stocks, communication problems and common risks involved. Also, choosing local suppliers are considered more responsive to fluctuating demands, small deliveries and regular changes in purchase orders using Just-in-time method that not only supports local suppliers and allows the buyers to enhance local economy but also helps in building community goodwill. Large or small suppliers Usually buyers focus on suppliers capability to do the work rather than selecting on the basis of its size. But a buyer must keep in mind the unexpected increase in demands that can only be dealt by larger firms providing extra capacity to overcome these fluctuations. At the same time, in order to create a diversified supply base, buyers intentionally deal with smaller suppliers. Multiple or single sourcing When there are numerous different suppliers available then it becomes very difficult to make a decision of how many to use? Most of the organisations have chosen a trend to reduce the supply base that will benefit them accordingly. Determining method to select supplier This is the last stage where buyers are left with four to five suppliers in their shortlist and decide to evaluate these remaining organisations by looking at the alternatives in more detail for example, using supplier-provided information, supplier/customer visits, preferred list of suppliers and third-party information. Supplier-provided information Detailed information can be acquired through requesting price quotations. Information received from quotations are then used to understand the product description and supply which is then followed by another requests of a detailed cost breakdown of the price quoted by suppliers initially that must include the costs of labour, materials, overheads and profit as buyers also require operational details to finally evaluate them. Supplier visits One of the most efficient ways of getting an overall view of suppliers capabilities and performance is to visit suppliers facilities by a cross-functional team. Generally, these visits are expensive and time consuming so a buyer must balance their desire to gather as much information as possible confidentially. The following table shows important information points that a buyer must collect during its visit: Management capability Quality management Technology levels Planning and scheduling effectiveness Financial strength Personnel relations E-business capabilities Sophistication and efficiency of operations ISO certifications Skills, knowledge and experience of workforce Evidence of good management and housekeeping Types of inventory Nature of the goods inwards, stores and outwards areas Environmental practices Employee employment contracts Any significant changes planned or expected Contact details of key decision makers Use of preferred suppliers This is a list of suppliers created by the purchasers to reward their best suppliers that consistently meets their strict performance criteria. The list can also be used as an incentive to improve the existing suppliers performance and assessed accordingly. External or third-party information This consists of all the other information available about a potential supplier. For example, Total quality management is a system that insists suppliers to meet the quality standards as similar to buyers and generates a flow of related information throughout the supply chain. Selecting supplier and signing agreement This is the final step to choose the supplier followed by signing a contract. This includes different purchasing orders required for routine and major items, i.e. using standard purchase orders for routine items whereas, detailed negotiation is required to agree on specific details for major items that increases the complexity in the purchase order. Supplier evaluation criteria After considering various steps in selecting suppliers, the buying organisation must analyse the following questions with the supply organisation in order to progress outside their traditional purchasing relationships and possibilities for long term relationships with them: [Spekman (1988)] Has the supplier signified a dedication or willingness for a longer term relationship? Is the supplier enthusiastic to perform resources to develop this relationship? Is the supplier willing or able to participate at the early stage or throughout the stage of product design? Has supplier brought any unique service to the business? Is the supplier showed their interests or commitment towards customers problems and effectively solving them together? Is the supplier is interested in improvements and innovations in the operations? Is there any openness of sharing and exchanging information between both companies? How much knowledgeable is the supplier about the customers industry and business? Is the need for confidentially exchanged information taken seriously? Supplier management and development In todays time, the need to improve supplier performance is open in large or small organisations and for this reason; the purchasing teams must introduce a supplier relationship management (SRM) approach to achieve their organisational goals and success in global purchases of technology. Therefore, this calls for managing resources efficiently throughout supply chain collaborations, dedication required from supply managers, creating standardised best practices effectively and tools required for tracking and evaluating the results. The process must begin with effective supplier performance measures required to undertake strategic supply or procurement decisions for the organisation. [Minahan T. And Vigorose M. (2002)] Effective supplier performance measurements What to measure The factors important to assess the performance includes: Delivery performance The purchase orders that are sent to suppliers involves all the appropriate information on deliveries, with quantities, lead times and due dates. Therefore, it is buyers responsibility to check regularly that how well a supplier actually meets their expected conditions. Cost performance There are many ways that can measure cost performances for example, monitoring real price delivered by the supplier after adjusting increase in the prices (inflation). Quality performance In order to measure quality, the best criteria for buyers is to check that products are delivered in 100% perfect condition with no defects. This also includes comparing previous performances, latest performance with mutually agreed standards and various other figures. Other qualitative factors in supplier performance Factor Explanation Problem solving Suppliers attention to provide solutions to the problem Technical skills Comparing suppliers manufacturing capacity with other business suppliers Reporting progress Suppliers incomplete reporting of existing problems and identifying and communicating other potential problems Corrective action Suppliers timely response to requests for corrective actions and requests for changes Cost-reduction plans Suppliers enthusiasm to find techniques that helps to reduce the total purchase cost New-product development support Suppliers capability to reduce time and cost required for new product development Buyer/seller compatibility Rating subjectively how well a purchasing firm and a supplier work together Therefore, the above are various other factors that help the buyers to measure the suppliers technical ability and closeness of both parties relationships. Reporting frequency This includes preparing reports to provide a clear feedback to supplier on their performance. Purchasing management must communicate with their buyers to send these reports by reviewing them weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually which is then followed with more face-to-face team meeting that reviews their actual performance, discussion on targets, identify potential improvements, examine changes, and so on. Any problems (for example, supplier fails to meet the required standard) occurred during crucial time must be addressed with special reports and meetings to avoid any financial and operational problems. Use of measurement data Procurement staff can make use of data collected from its measurement systems in many ways including: Identifying suppliers which are not meeting the performance goals and highlighting areas that calls for improvements, followed by corrective actions taken to raise the performance to acceptable levels or else finding new suppliers. It helps in discovering excellent performances achieved from supplier which then helps identify preferred suppliers that qualify for long term alliances. It also recognises the worst performing suppliers that are continuously not improving and needs to be removed from supply base whereas offering more work to superior suppliers. Supplier measurement techniques There are three techniques discussed for evaluating performance of suppliers, each differs in their use, level of subjectivity, resources required and implementing cost. Categorical techniques These techniques considers a particular aspect of performance, for example lead time and classifies a set of categories for performance rating as excellent, good, fair or poor and therefore, helps buyers in deciding which supplier is good or bad. This is an easiest system of measurement, easy to use, comparatively inexpensive and also the most subjective. There are some drawbacks of using this technique as they do not provide a clear analysis of performance, slower than automated systems and regarded as the lowest of the three techniques in terms of reliability. Scoring model This method overcomes the subjectivity of categorical technique by calculating a weighted score for different performance categories. This is more reliable and requires reasonable implementation cost providing flexibility for buyers to change the categories included as well as weights allocated to each. Cost-based techniques -This technique is the most comprehensive that can help the buying organisation to look for the total cost required for doing business with a particular supplier by identifying the lowest purchase price is not always the lowest cost of acquisition. Hence, this technique works through collecting data from the purchasing firms information system, analysing the total cost including the additional occurring costs whenever a supplier fails to perform as per expected by the buyer. This can be calculated using formula of supplier performance index (SPI) SPI = Total pur