Workplace Observation :: essays research papers

In all the better places I have worked there has consistently been a dress arrangement. In the Army we wore BDU’S and I generally needed to have my hair up. At the point when I began functioning as a CNA again I needed to product a uniform â€Å"Scrubs† and there again they preferred are hair to be up. I think in each activity setting there ought to be a clothing regulation for one it will recognize you from every other person and it lets the representatives regard their activity. Language had never been a genuine enormous issue to need to blue pencil in the occupations that I have had. I think as a grown-up working in an expert setting you realize what to state when you can say and where you can say it. Easygoing dress, a work environment perk adequate all through corporate America, isn't out and out as regular in different pieces of the world. . (Tatiana D. Helenius)      Sloppiness in dress establishes a terrible connection, however it might make others question business accreditations or dependability. . (Tatiana D. Helenius) "In the worldwide arena," said DelVecchio, "the words 'traditionalist, conventional, formal' still particularly apply. In the event that you don't know, decide in favor of convention. Regardless of whether in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, or South America, casualness and an indiscreet disposition will leave even the most capable executive.† (Tatiana D. Helenius) In the event that it's resolved among your gathering that dealings will be directed in English, be chivalrous by maintaining a strategic distance from slang terms, for example, "in the loop," "push the envelope" and "should I CC you on that?" This guidance applies to composed interchanges, for example, faxes, also. (Tatiana D. Helenius) In political terms, "conflict" alludes to a continuous condition of threatening vibe between two gatherings of individuals. (Wikipedia: Verbatim replicating.) Strife as educated for graduate and expert work in compromise ordinarily has the definition: "when at least two gatherings, with saw incongruent objectives, look to subvert each other's objective looking for capability". One ought not confound the qualification between the nearness and nonappearance of contention with the distinction among rivalry and co-activity. In serious circumstances, the at least two gatherings each have commonly conflicting objectives, with the goal that when either party attempts to arrive at their objective it will sabotage the endeavors of the other to come to theirs. In this manner, serious circumstances will by their temperament cause struggle. In any case, strife can likewise happen in helpful circumstances, in which at least two gatherings have reliable objectives, on the grounds that the way wherein one gathering attempts to arrive at their objective can in any case subvert the other's endeavor.

Relationship Marketing in the Car Industry Essay

Relationship Marketing in the Car Industry - Essay Example This undertaking merits doing as a result of a progression of reasons. As a matter of first importance, the vehicle organization is one of the most significant divisions of the UK's economy. Subsequently, there is a need to search for manners by which this industry can be improved so as to help the economy. Also, by looking at the job that trust plays in relationship promoting, at that point vehicle organizations can comprehend the fundamental elements required to make relationship showcasing work for them. This venture will likewise be critical in giving data about different apparatuses and approaches in relationship promoting from car organizations. (Jackson, 1985) Past work in relationship promoting has concentrated on its center capacities. Levitt (1983) clarifies that relationship promoting is a type of showcasing that focuses on buyer fulfillment and maintenance. This is a move from customary methodologies that for the most part underscored on exchanges made at the retail location. A few creators have taken a gander at use of connections to the car business. Nilsson (2004) analyzed a contextual investigation of a vehicle organization in the US and took a gander at how this present organization's prosperity had been improved however relationship advertising. Different creators, for example, Kotler (2005):- DeYoung and Boldt (1988) and Berry (1983) Inspected manners by which relationship showcasing can be incorporated with other m... (DeYoung, 1987) RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIVES The significant target that the exploration will be attempting to accomplish is to figure out what the connection between organization picture and relationship showcasing is in the car business. This will be resolved through four explicit goals 1) What job trusts play in boosting relationship advertising in the vehicle business 2) What job does dependability play in improving relationship promoting 3) How can vehicle organizations apply relationship advertising in their promoting blend 4) What is the worth that relationship promoting brings to car organizations Through these examination targets, it will be conceivable to comprehend what makes car organizations fruitful as far as relationship showcasing and that would then be able to be connected to organization picture. At the point when organizations are viewed as effective by their present or future demographic, at that point all things considered, they have a decent picture or the other way around. (Jackson, 1985) Technique; RESEARCH DESIGN The examination will harp on the vehicle business in the United Kingdom. This will be done through a mix of approaches. Some driving vehicle producers like General Motors will be distinguished and gotten some information about their execution of relationship advertising. This will be examined through close to home meetings with their business individuals. Furthermore, the client lifetime esteem added to an organization through relationship showcasing will be determined for those picked associations. Clients will likewise be remembered for the exploration since they will be instrumental in evaluation of how fruitful they see certain organizations henceforth thinking about the organization picture. (Imagine programming, 2007) Individual meetings will be used when managing organization agents attributable to the

Ways to Improve Your Self-Awareness

Ways to Improve Your Self-Awareness © Shutterstock.com | PlusONEIn this article, you are going to learn about 1) an introduction to being self-aware, 2) the importance of self-awareness, 3) how the Johari Window works, and 4) how to improve your self-awareness.INTRODUCTION TO BEING SELF-AWAREThey say that, before knowing anything else, you have to know who you are first â€" your strengths, your weaknesses, your desires and motivations, your personal beliefs and perceptions. You have to be in touch with your emotions. In other words, you have to be self-aware.You have to have the capacity for introspection.The concept of self-awareness, or self-knowledge, is quite old although largely ignored.Today, world leaders, business executives, managers and pretty much anyone in positions of power are cognizant of the importance of being self-aware.Emotional intelligence has become a very important facet of an individual’s personality. Even when looking for a job, for example, employers no longer rely solely on documents that serve as proof of one’s intelligence and proficiency, as well as the level of his skills and expertise. They also take the person’s emotional intelligence in consideration, and one of the aspects of emotional intelligence is self-awareness.Often, we find the concept of self-awareness confusing. Our limited view makes us think that it is simply about knowing who we are, what we have and what we lack. But it is actually much broader than that.The self-aware person is someone:Who knows what he is good at, and what he lacksWho acknowledges that he still has much to learnWho readily admits that he does not know the answer or that he does not have the solutionWho owns up to his mistakes, accepting that something is due to his fault or shortcomings, and makes apologies for themWho actually listens during conversations and asks the right and necessary questionsWho think before acting, considering how their actions will affect othersWho are aware of other people’s social cues and are a ble to “read the atmosphere”Being self-aware is not something that is limited only to business people or professionals in their work settings. It is a quality that all human beings should possess.Watch this video and think about those important questions: Who am I with? What am I doing? Where am I doing this? THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-AWARENESS“Know thyself” is a phrase that you have probably heard one too many times before, and you probably even think that you do know yourself.However, once you start looking deeper, you are surprised at the things that you discover. You might even think, at one point, whether that person you are looking at, is really you. If you get to that point, you have to give yourself a pat on the back. It means you are starting to become self-aware.Why is it so important to become self-aware? What will we get out of it? Would it not be enough for us to have a vague idea of who we are, what we want, and what we feel, and start from there? After all, isn†™t life supposed to be one long journey of discovery? So it should be okay to be a bit unaware, shouldn’t it?Well, there is a bit of truth in that, but the journey has already started, and if you are on already walking that path, you might as well get started on working on your self-awareness.So let us identify the reasons why self-awareness is very important.For self-improvement: Self-improvement is considered to the main purpose of introspection. One cannot know that there is something within them that needs to be changed unless they recognize what is wrong or lacking with them and, for that, there is a need for introspection. When you are self-aware, you know and understand your own failings, weaknesses, and flaws. Once you know what they are, you can get to work in correcting and improving them.For establishment of your identity and individuality: Many people go through life not really entirely sure about their goals, much less their desires and short-term objectives. So they often find themselves caught in moments of indecision, and they end up not moving forward at all. They do not know who they are, so how can they expect to go anywhere? If you know who you are and you are clear on your identity, you will have more confidence â€" in making important choices and decisions, in your actions and in the conduct of your relationships with other people. You are able to identify what your areas of strengths are, so you know how to build on them. You will feel more empowered to make changes because you clearly know what aspects of yourself you would like to improve on. Ultimately, this will enable you to enjoy your uniqueness as an individual.For goal setting: Becoming self-aware is your first step towards mastering your life. You will be able to create what you want precisely because you KNOW what you want. Your self-awareness will give you the guidance that you need and point you to the right direction. Since you are in control of your emotions, you will kno w where to focus your thoughts, emotions, and efforts. You can set your goals, and go about achieving them, one by one.For harmonious relationships: Whether personal or professional, relationships take a lot of work, and they are vulnerable to emotional turmoil and upheaval. If you are in control of your emotions, you can also have control on how your relationships go. Getting a handle on relationships is a trait of a self-aware individual, because it means that they can easily adapt to an environment where they have to interact with other people.Leaders, in particular, are expected to have high levels of self-awareness, because one simply cannot lead without it. Being self-aware lends a sense of purpose and authenticity to a leader, and gives them the ability to be more open and the willingness to trust. This way, they are in the best position to maintain balance within the organization that they lead.Learn more about the impact of self-awareness on leadership styles.[slideshare id =40610299doc=herseymob10imch11-141022152834-conversion-gate01type=dw=640h=330]APPLICATION OF THE JOHARI WINDOW IN SELF-AWARENESSWe cannot talk about self-awareness without touching on the Johari Window, a tool that is popular for use in understanding relationships with oneself and with others. It is considered to be a very useful tool for the analysis of self-awareness so as to improve on it.The Johari Window has four regions or areas, representing the Self.Open Area â€" what a person knows about himself that is also known by other people. This is the part that is considered an open book. Everyone, especially you, knows about it. Of course, there may be differences in how you view yourself and how others see you, but the point is that you are aware of it, and so are the others.Blind Area â€" what a person does not know about himself, but is known by other people. There are things that others see in you, but you are completely unaware of. For example, some people may view you as some one who is arrogant or full of yourself, when you think that you are simply confident. Or they may think that you have the potential to be a good leader if you only try, while stepping up to lead is a concept that sounds very alien and scary to you.Hidden Area â€" what a person knows about himself, but is not known by others. These are the parts that you keep private, and refuse to show to others, for reasons that may be known only to you.There are people who claim to be leading “double lives”, where they show one side to others, but are keeping an aspect of themselves hidden from view.Unknown Area â€" what a person does not know about himself, that is also unknown by others. This is the part of yourself that no one knows about, least of all you. When they are tapped into or unleashed, you will be surprising both yourself and the people around you.Groups of individuals, employees and managers are often made to accomplish the Johari Window so they can get an idea of their levels of self-awareness. This has also become widely used in corporate settings, with the purpose of improving employees’ personal development, improvement of their communication skills, interpersonal relationships and teamwork or group dynamics.HOW TO IMPROVE SELF-AWARENESSDespite the large number of self-help books that supposedly teach you how to develop self-awareness, it is a reality that becoming self-aware is not something that one can learn in a formal setting, or simply from reading one or two books on the topic from cover to cover.Development of self-awareness takes time and a lot of effort on the part of the person trying to develop it. It requires a lot of practice, and the person has to pay a lot of attention on his own personality and behavior, and how it relates to external forces and factors.This is how you improve your self-awareness. Recognize your Strengths and WeaknessesTake a good, long look at yourself and identify the traits or characteristics that you think are y our strengths.Now look at the habits that you deem to be your weaknesses.Along with this, you also have to know what your priorities and plans are. What are the things that are important to you? What are those that take precedence above the others?Observe: Never underestimate the power of observation. Of course, you should start from observing yourself. How do you act under certain situations? How do you react to others in a specific circumstance? Then turn your observant eye outward. How do other people react to you? How they react to you will tell you a lot about yourself. For example, if you notice people acting warily around you, it may be because you give off the impression that you are easily provoked. If your subordinates rarely talk when you are around when they are chatterboxes when you are out of the room, it must mean that they have trouble interacting with you because you give them the impression that you are difficult to talk to.Write them down: It never hurts to keep a record. Keeping a journal is a great way of keeping a record of your journey towards improving your self-awareness. Writing your thoughts, emotions, and feelings is a good outlet; at the same time, it serves as an excellent source material or reference. Read what you have written, and you may discover something about yourself.Try new experiences: Sampling new things will teach you a thing or two about yourself. This is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something that you have never tried before. Because things are unfamiliar, you are bound to respond in new and different ways that you never thought possible. Travelling is also another way to discover things about yourself. You may not have known before that you have a penchant for learning new languages until you started travelling to new places. You may also discover that you have an untapped interest in history and culture.Take tests: There are several psychometric tests that you can try taking in order to as sess your level of self-awareness. The results will then tell you whether you need to make changes, and in what areas you should make them in. Some examples of these tests are the Myers-Briggs and the Predictive Index. One of the reasons that people shy away from these types of tests is because (a) they deem them to be a waste of time; (b) the results are not conclusive and, therefore, cannot be entirely trusted; and (c) they are afraid that they may not like the results.Anything that will help you improve your personality and self-awareness is not a waste of time.This is especially true if you are planning to improve your self-awareness; you will need all the help you can get. You also have to keep in mind that, in these tests, there are no definitive right or wrong answers. They are simply used to arrive at an assessment of your personality.As for the third reason, well, tough. If you go into this with preconceived notions of what the results are and you are not open to these noti ons being proven wrong, then it is clear that you are yet far from being self-aware.Listen to your Inner VoiceThere are several suggested ways to go about this.Meditate: This can be as simple as inhaling and exhaling, focusing on one’s breathing, or as elaborate as dimming the lights in the room, closing all the windows, lighting candles and scents, sitting down and closing your eyes, and reflecting deeply. The method of meditating will mostly depend on the person, on what he is most comfortable in and what works best. There are even people who view routine chores as part of their meditative process. It is easier for them to be in a reflective mood when they are, say, writing poetry, dancing, painting, or taking the dog on a walk.Yoga and tai chi: If you are healthy in both mind and body, you have a greater chance at improving your self-awareness. Both are disciplines that will help improve your outlook and your health at the same time. Obtain FeedbackActively ask family and frien ds: If you are curious how others perceive you, then go right ahead and ask them. Pick the family members and friends whom you trust will give you an honest and unbiased answer. Ask them what they truly think of you and your actions, and be gracious about it. You have to be careful how you ask them, though. Saying “tell me what you honestly think of me, but you have to be careful, or our friendship is over” is definitely going to go down the wrong way with your friends. Ask them to be straight with you, and that you will not take it against them, whatever their answer is. Whatever they tell you, you have to carefully take into consideration. Even if you initially do not agree and would actually like to protest to what they are saying, you should not immediately react negatively. Sit down and think carefully: Why did they say such things? Is there truth to their observations?Get regular feedback at work: You are lucky if you work in a company that has an effective formal feedback process for your evaluation. You can use the results to better assess your own strengths and weaknesses, and how they relate to your personal and professional growth and development.Undergo coaching: Coaching is highly encouraged, especially in corporate settings, to help employees increase their self-awareness. When an opportunity presents itself to undergo coaching by an external party, grab it. Through coaching, you will also receive feedback from the coaches that you can use to change or improve your perspective.Listen: This is probably one of the more crucial steps. When you are being given feedback, listen. You may find it difficult at first to accept what they are saying, especially if they are criticisms, and your first impulse may be to close your ears and say that they do not know what they are talking about. However, you should listen to what they have to say.Self-awareness is now one of the most important traits that every individual â€" not just employees and leaders â €" must possess in order to succeed in life. It is never too late to get started. We all have the capacity for self-awareness. We just have to improve on it, so it can take use where we want to go.

Sympathy for the Devil in Nathaniel Hawthrone´s The...

Although not commonly associated with Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the devil is mentioned the classic American novel. Hawthorne describes Satan as a tall, black man who lives in the woods, interacting with humans and witches to corrupt their souls. Portrayals of Satan throughout history have given him many different associations, one of the most well-known displays of him being in Dante Alighieri’s epic poem, Inferno and Peter Cook’s comedic film, Bedazzled. In these two depictions, the devil is shown malicious yet tragic figure, although his reaction his punishments vary. Satan, as in most pieces of literature and media, is depicted as a root of evil in the Inferno and Bedazzled. In Dante’s Inferno, the deepest circle of the†¦show more content†¦Dante describes the devil as trapped in a frozen lake, endlessly flapping his wings in an attempt to escape his prison, only to further solidify the ice that encases him. Although it seems th at Satan’s place in Hell seems just, Dante notes that the devil is crying, â€Å"With six eyes he wept, The while a sinner in each mouth he kept†¦ tears and foam unite with dribbling blood, that spurts from every bite Down his three chins,† (Dante). Dante demonstrates that Satan is not the ruler of Hell, but rather suffering in it as well. While many depictions of Satan view him as the ruler of all suffering, Dante suggests that Satan himself also suffers in Hell, sobbing for all eternity at his harsh punishment. Peter Cook’s devil is much less sympathetic, as he roams the earth free to rein torment on all of humanity. However, George Spiggott’s resentment toward God inspires sympathy in viewers as Spiggott describes God’s omnipotence and unjust power. Spiggott explains to Stanley, â€Å"All God has to do is raise his finger and he has a million sycophantic little angels to do his bidding; all I have is anger and sloth,† (Cook). Althoug h George Spiggott is a terror to all who cross his path, it is still possible to view him as a tragic figure inspired to rebel against God, as is Dante’s Satan. The devil is not typically viewed as a tragic figure, though Dante’s Inferno and Cook’s Bedazzled has Satan react differently to this. As stated

My Goals My Career Goals - 1375 Words

As a student, employee, son, brother, and Christian I have many responsibilities. The most important responsibility is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. My personal goals are to be married and have a child or children by the age of 30. Secondarily and far less pressing is to drive a full sized truck, and to comfortably afford it. My academic goals are very unclear. They directly correlate with my career goals which have not been set. But for the sake of this paper my academic goal is to first get my AA. And if I still have no set career goal, to move onto UCF to either study physical training or business. My career goals that I have set have more to do with retirement. This is due to the fact that I do not know what I would like to spend the rest of my life doing. One of my biggest Goals is to retire by the year 2042. That would put me at the age of 45. I think that leaves me with a lot of my life left to do what I’ve always wanted. And I can be very involved in my younger kid’s lives. My long term personal goal is to have a happy God gratifying family with my wife and kids. This goal is more important to me than any of my other goals. As I’ve grown older and out of my rebellious stage I have really seen the error of my ways and how I have been sinning very much. However now that I’m in college, I have my own job, my own car, I pay for everything that pertains to me including gas and insurance, and I have my own college plan that I pay for on my own I have really takenShow MoreRelatedMy Goals For My Career Goals1199 Words   |  5 Pageswonders how his or her life is going to end up; however, I know how my life is going to unfold because I am aware of my goals, challenges, and strengths. I have many goals for my career and life that will help me find new paths and dreams to pursue, and I will be able to find my ideal job and lifestyle. Also, it will allow me to succeed in a topic or subject. Although I do have many personal challenges which could set me back, I am sure my individual strengths will help me overcome the setbacks and willRead MoreMy Goals For My Career Goals910 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"A goal defines a plan of action, acts as a continuous progress report on how well you are doing as you move toward chosen goals, it identifies exactly what achievement or success is for each person, and it tells you when its time to reset goals† according to Dennis Congos. Goals play an important role, when you’re in college. I have many goals but my top three goals for my educational career at Colorado Christian University are, getting an average of a 3.9 GPA in every class, staying in school andRead MoreMy Career Goals : My Goals1184 Words   |  5 Pagesto yourself. No one can ever take your Knowledge away from you. With me earning my degree I am one step closer to my career field, which is the business side of the health field. Also, my family is my motivation, they are the reason I’m striving to do bett er in life. And that’s why I want to continue my academic success. My educational goal that I wish to achieve is obtaining my 4 year degree. Achieving this goal will make me feel like the best mother ever. I know it will be hard at times becauseRead MoreCareer Goals : My Career Goal905 Words   |  4 PagesCareer Goal: My career goal is to become part of a major computer engineering corporation. Objective 1: Obviously my first objective would be to obtain experience in my computer field. One reason to do this first is to make sure I have the education I need and, in addition, the background experience. The reason I want background experience is because, most computer companies require two years of experience in the field before they will hire you. This is the case in most cases, whether you haveRead MoreMy Career Goal : Career Goals1203 Words   |  5 PagesMy career goal is to receive my doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy. I would like to work with geriatric population because they are more vulnerable to disabilities from chronic illness that results in them being put into nursing facilities. I want to specialize my education on physical disabilities. I have experience working with the geriatric patients who are physically disabled and I hope to help them keep their independence. My goal is to help geriatric patients gain valuable skills in orderRead MoreMy Goals For A Career1626 Words   |  7 PagesWe all have goals that push us forward in life. My overall goal when it comes to a career is to pursue something where I can be happy and enjoy what I do, while also making enough money to live comfortably. This career for me is either a psychologist or a lawyer. Nonetheless, one may assume they are quite different but in fact, psychology is in every aspect of life, and even if I do not necessarily become a therapist, I know I will still be able to use aspects of it in whichever career I decide toRead MoreCareer Goals : My Career Essay1393 Words   |  6 Pagespsychology, my career assessments test showed me many options for my career goal path. For starters, my career interest profile results are broken into six main categories which are: social, artistic, investigative, enterprising, realistic, and conventional. According to my results, my career matches are as followed: preschool, primary, secondary, and special education teacher. I am 28% soc ial, 22% artistic, 17% investigative, 11% enterprising, 10% realistic, and 9% realistic. According to my PhoenixRead MoreMy Career Goals For A Career1142 Words   |  5 Pagesin your career you need to work within different business-related industries. Consequently, as a business manager working with multi-national companies for gaining more knowledge in the scale of economy with a profit advantage. It is believed that obtaining communication and international trading skills are necessary for self-entrepreneurship by experiencing from a related and specific environment such as working in large companies and learning skills. This report will be describing about my journeyRead MoreCareer Goals : My Career1861 Words   |  8 Pages Career Paper Phenix Patton In this paper, I will review my career choice, why I chose that career, why I believe I am fit for that career, and what I have to do to have the career I want. I will explore the advantages of my career, the disadvantages of my career, and how difficult leading a life with that career would be. I will also go over the results of several assessments I have taken in order to assess my best career interests, my aptitude for the career I choose, and a personality test. AllRead MoreMy Goals For A Career863 Words   |  4 Pages My goals for the start of my internship were simple, but quickly evolved. My goals were to gain experience and build my resume, while bringing the lessons I have absorbed in college, and using my skills as an engineer to assist the department of public works. Now my goals have become more specific; I would like to learn more about sewer system, I would like to develop my computing and design skills using the tools available to the Hydraulic section and I would l ike to mature as an engineering professional

Constructivism And Discovery Learning Education Essay Free Essays

In 1960 Bruner publishedA The Procedure of Education. This was a landmark book which led to much experimentation and a wide scope of educational plans in the 1960 ‘s. Howard Gardner and other immature research workers worked under Bruner and were much-influenced by his work. We will write a custom essay sample on Constructivism And Discovery Learning Education Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now In the early 70 ‘s Bruner left Harvard to learn at University of Oxford for several old ages ( 1972 – 1979 ) . He returned to Harvard in 1979.A Subsequently he joined the New York University of Law, where he is a senior research chap ( at the age of 93 ) .A TheoryA Bruner was one of the establishing male parents of constructivist theory.ConstructivismA is a wide conceptual model with legion positions, and Bruner ‘s is merely one. Bruner ‘s theoretical model is based on the subject that scholars construct new thoughts or constructs based upon bing cognition. Learning is an active procedure. Aspects of the procedure include choice and transmutation of information, determination devising, bring forthing hypotheses, and doing intending from information and experiences.A Bruner ‘s theories emphasize the significance of classification in acquisition. â€Å" To comprehend is to categorise, to gestate is to categorise, to larn is to organize classs, to do determinations is to categorise. † Interpreting information and experiences by similarities and differences is a cardinal concept.A Bruner was influenced byA Piaget’sA thoughts about cognitive development in kids. During the 1940 ‘s his early work focused on the impact of demands, motives, A ; outlooks ( â€Å" mental sets † ) and their influence on perceptual experience. He besides looked at the function of schemes in the procedure of human classification, and development of human knowledge. He presented the point of position that kids are active problem-solvers and capable of researching â€Å" hard topics † . This was widely divergent from the dominant positions in instruction at the clip, but found an audience.A Four Key subjects emerged in Bruner ‘s early work: A Bruner emphasized the function of construction in larning and how it may be made cardinal in learning. Structure refers to relationships among factual elements and techniques. See the subdivision on classification, below.A He introduced the thoughts of â€Å" preparedness for larning † andA coiling course of study. Bruner believed that any topic could be taught at any phase of development in a manner that fit the kid ‘s cognitive abilities. Spiral course of study refers to the thought of revisiting basic thoughts over and over, constructing upon them and lucubrating to the degree of full apprehension and mastery.A Bruner believed that intuitive and analytical thought should both be encouraged and rewarded. He believed the intuitive accomplishments were under-emphasized and he reflected on the ability of experts in every field to do intuitive leaps.A He investigated motive for larning. He felt that ideally, involvement in the capable affair is the best stimulation for larning. Bruner did non like external competitory ends such as classs or category ranking.A Finally Bruner was strongly influenced by Vygotsky ‘s Hagiographas and began to turn away from the intrapersonal focal point he had had for acquisition, and began to follow a societal and political position of larning. Bruner argued that facets of cognitive public presentation are facilitated by linguistic communication. He stressed the importance of the societal scene in the acquisition of linguistic communication. His positions are similar to those ofA Piaget, A but he places more accent on the societal influences on development. The earliest societal scene is the mother-child couple, where kids work out the significances of vocalizations to which they are repeatedly exposed. Bruner identified several of import societal devices including joint attending, common regard, and turn-taking.A Bruner besides incorporated Darwinian thought into his basic premises about acquisition. He believed it was necessary to mention to human civilization and archpriest development in order to understand growing and development. He did, nevertheless, believe there were single differences and that no standard sequence could be found for all scholars. He considered direction as an attempt to help or determine growth.In 1996 he published The Culture of Education.. This book reflected his alterations in point of views since the 1960 ‘s. He adopted the point of position that civilization shapes the head and provides the natural stuff with which we constrict our universe and our self-conception.A Four characteristics of Bruner ‘s theory of instruction.A 1. Sensitivity to larn†¦ . This characteristic specifically states the experiences which move the scholar toward a love of larning in general, or of larning something in peculiar. Motivational, cultural, and personal factors contribute to this. Bruner emphasized societal factors and early instructors and parents ‘ influence on this. He believed acquisition and job work outing emerged out of geographic expedition. Part of the undertaking of a instructor is to keep and direct a kid ‘s self-generated explorations.A 2. Structure of cognition†¦ .it is possible to construction cognition in a manner that enables the scholar to most readily hold on the information. This is a comparative characteristic, as there are many ways to construction a organic structure of cognition and many penchants among scholars. Bruner offered considerable item about structuring knowledge.A Understanding the cardinal construction of a topic makes it more comprehendible. Bruner viewed classification as a cardinal procedure in the structuring of cognition. ( See the subdivision below on classification. ) A Detailss are better retained when placed within the competition of an ordered and structured pattern.A To bring forth cognition which is movable to other contexts, cardinal rules or forms are best suited.A The disagreement between get downing and advanced cognition in a capable country is diminished when direction centres on a construction and rules of orientation. This means that a organic structure of cognition must be in a simple adequate signifier for the scholar to understand it and it must be in a signifier recognizable to the pupil ‘s experience.A 3. Manners of representation: ocular, words, symbols.A 4. Effective sequencing- no 1 sequencing will suit every scholar, but in general, increasing trouble. Sequencing, or deficiency of it, can do larning easier or more difficult.A Form and tempo of reinforcementA Classification: A Bruner gave much attending to classification of information in the building of internal cognitive maps. He believed that perceptual experience, conceptualisation, acquisition, determination devising, and doing illations all involved categorization.A Bruner suggested a system of coding in which people form a hierarchal agreement of related classs. Each in turn higher degree of classs becomes more specific, repeating Benjamin Bloom ‘s apprehension of cognition acquisition every bit good as the related thought of instructional staging ( Bloom ‘s Taxonomy ) .A CategoriesA are â€Å" regulations † that stipulate four thing about objects.A 1. Criterial attributes – required features for inclusion of an object in a class. ( Example, for an object to be included in the class â€Å" auto † it must hold an engine, 4 wheels, and be a possible agency of transit, A 2. The 2nd regulation prescribes how the criteral properties are combined.A 3. The 3rd regulation assignees weight to assorted belongingss. ( Example, it could be a auto even if a tyre was losing, and if it was used for haling lading it would be shifted to a different class of â€Å" truck † or possibly â€Å" new wave † .A 4. The 4th regulation sets acceptance bounds on properties. Some properties can change widely, such as colour. Others are fixed. For illustration a vehicle without an engine is non a auto. Likewise, a vehicle with merely two wheels would non be included in â€Å" auto † .A There a several sorts of classs: A Identity categories – classs include objects based on their properties or features.A Equivalent classs ( supply regulations for uniting classs. Equality can be determined by affectional standards, which render objects tantamount by emotional reactions, functional standards, based on related maps ( for illustration, â€Å" auto † , â€Å" truck † , â€Å" new wave † could all be combined in an inclusive class called â€Å" motor vehicle † ) , or by formal standards, for illustration by scientific discipline, jurisprudence, or cultural understanding. For illustration, and apple is still an apple whether it is green, mature, dried, etc ( individuality ) . It is nutrient ( functional ) , and it is a member of of a botanical categorization group ( formal ) .A Coding systemsA are classs serve to acknowledge centripetal input. They are major organisational variables in higher cognitive operation. Traveling beyond immediate centripetal informations involves doing illations on the footing of related classs. Related classs form a â€Å" cryptography system. † These are hierarchal agreements of related categories.A Bruner ‘s theories introduced the thought that people interpret the universe mostly in footings of similarities and differences.A This is a important part to how persons construct their alone theoretical accounts of the world.A ApplicationA Bruner emphasized four features of effectual direction which emerged from his theoretical constructs.A 1. Personalized: direction should associate to scholars ‘ sensitivity, and facilitate involvement toward larning, A 2. Contented Structure: content should be structured so it can be most easy grasped by the learnerA 3. Sequencing: sequencing is an of import facet for presentation of materialA 4. Support: wagess and penalty should be selected and paced appropriately.A Intellectual DevelopmentA Bruner postulated three phases of rational development.A The first phase he termed â€Å" Enactive † , when a individual learns about the universe through actions on physical objects and the results of these actions.A The 2nd phase was called â€Å" Iconic † where acquisition can be obtained through utilizing theoretical accounts and pictures.A The concluding phase was â€Å" Symbolic † in which the scholar develops the capacity to believe in abstract footings. Based on this three-stage impression, Bruner recommended utilizing a combination of concrete, pictural so symbolic activities will take to more effectual learning.A Bruner, J. ( 1960 ) . The Procedure of Education. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University PressA Harley, 1995A hypertext transfer protocol: //tip.psychology.org/bruner.htmlA LeFrancois, 1972A Sahakian, 1976 The Importance of Language Language is of import for the increased ability to cover with abstract concepts.BrunerA argues thatA languageA can code stimulations and free an person from the restraints of covering merely with visual aspects, to supply a more complex yet flexible knowledge. The usage of words can help the development of the constructs they represent and can take the restraints of the â€Å" here amp ; now † construct. Basically, he sees the baby as an intelligent A ; active job convergent thinker from birth, with rational abilities fundamentally similar to those of the mature grownup. Harmonizing to Bruner the kid represents the universe to himself in three different ways. Educational Deductions of Bruner ‘s Theory For Bruner ( 1961 ) , the intent of instruction is non to leave cognition, but alternatively to ease a kid ‘s thought and job resolution accomplishments which can so be transferred to a scope of state of affairss. Specifically, instruction should besides develop symbolic thought in kids. In 1960 Bruner ‘s text, A The Procedure of EducationA was published. The chief premiss of Bruner ‘s text was that pupils are active scholars who construct their ain cognition. Bruner ( 1960 ) opposedA Piaget’sA impression of preparedness. He argued that schools waste clip seeking to fit the complexness of capable stuff to a kid ‘s cognitive phase of development. This means pupils are held back by instructors as certain subjects are deemed to hard to understand and must be taught when the instructor believes the kid has reached the appropriate province of cognitive adulthood. Bruner ( 1960 ) adopts a different position and believes a kid ( of any age ) is capable of understanding complex information: A ‘We Begin with the hypothesis that any topic can be taught efficaciously in some intellectually honorable signifier to any kid at any phase of development ‘ . ( p. 33 ) Bruner ( 1960 ) explained how this was possible through the construct of theA coiling course of study. This involved information being structured so that complex thoughts can be taught at a simplified degree foremost, and so re-visited at more complex degrees subsequently on. Therefore, topics would be taught at degrees of bit by bit increasing difficultly ( hence the coiling analogy ) . Ideally learning his manner should take to kids being able to work out jobs by themselves. Bruner ( 1961 ) proposes that scholars ‘ construct their ain cognition and make this by forming and categorising information utilizing a cryptography system. Bruner believe that the most consequence manner to develop a cryptography system is to detect it instead than being told it by the instructor. The construct ofA find learningA implies that pupils construct their ain cognition for themselves ( besides known as a constructist attack ) . The function of the instructor should non be to learn information by rote acquisition, but alternatively to ease the acquisition procedure. This means that a good instructor will plan lessons that help student detect the relationship between spots of information. To make this a instructor must give pupils the information they need, but without forming for them. The usage of the coiling course of study can help the procedure ofA find acquisition. Bruner and Vygotsky Both Bruner and Vygotsky emphasise a kid ‘s environment, particularly the societal environment, more than Piaget did. Both agree that grownups should play an active function in helping the kid ‘s acquisition. Bruner, like Vygotksy, emphasised the societal nature of acquisition, mentioning that other people should assist a kid develop accomplishments through the procedure ofA scaffolding. The term scaffolding foremost appeared in the literature when Wood, Bruner and Ross described how coachs ‘ interacted with pre-schooler to assist them work out a block Reconstruction job ( Wood et al. , 1976 ) . The construct of staging is really similar toA Vygotsky’sA impression of theA zone of proximal development, and it non uncommon for the footings to be used interchangeably.ScaffoldingA involves helpful, structured interaction between an grownup and a kid with the purpose of assisting the kid achieve a specific end. Difference Between Bruner and Piaget Obviously there are similarities betweenA PiagetA and Bruner, but an importantdifferenceA is that Bruner ‘s manners are non related in footings of which presuppose the 1 that precedes it. Whilst sometimes one manner may rule in use, they co-exist. Bruner states that what determines the degree of rational development is the extent to which the kid has been given appropriate direction together with pattern or experience. So – the right manner of presentation and the right account will enable a kid to hold on a construct normally merely understood by an grownup. His theory stresses the function of instruction and the grownup. AlthoughA Bruner proposesA phases of cognitive development, he does n’t see them as stand foring different separate manners of idea at different points of development ( like Piaget ) . Alternatively, he sees a gradual development of cognitive accomplishments and techniques into more incorporate â€Å" grownup † cognitive techniques. Bruner viewsA symbolic representationA as important for cognitive development and since linguistic communication is our primary agencies of typifying the universe, he attaches great importance to linguistic communication in finding cognitive development. BRUNER AGREES WITH PIAGET BRUNER DISAGREES WITH PIAGET 1. Childs are PRE-ADAPTED to larn 1. Development is a CONTINUOUS PROCESS – non a series of phases 2. Childs have a NATURAL CURIOSITY 2. The development of LANGUAGE is a cause non a effect of cognitive development 3. Children ‘s COGNITIVE STRUCTURES develop over clip 3. You can SPEED-UP cognitive development. You do n’t hold to wait for the kid to be ready 4. Childs are Active participants in the acquisition procedure 4. The engagement of ADULTS and MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE PEERS makes a large difference 5. Cognitive development entails the acquisition of SYMBOLS 5. Symbolic idea does NOT REPLACE EARLIER MODES OF REPRESENTATION How to cite Constructivism And Discovery Learning Education Essay, Essay examples

Strategic and Operational Roles of Procurement within DHL

Executive Summary The aim of this paper was to analyze the strategic and operational roles of procurement at DHL. The company’s procurement function was analyzed using various procurement tools and concepts. Furthermore, secondary data was collected from a variety of sources that included the company’s website, peer reviewed journals and textbooks to complete the analysis.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Strategic and Operational Roles of Procurement within DHL specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The results of the analysis indicate that DHL uses a centralized procurement system to reduce costs. Its subsidiaries in overseas markets also participate in the procurement process by implementing the decisions made by the headquarters. The company has also embarked on implementing supply base optimization initiatives in order to reduce operating costs. DHL’s Procurement System DHL is the largest mail and logistics company in the world. The company was founded in German where its headquarters are located. Since its inception, DHL focused on rapid expansion by joining different markets in every continent. As a result, the company currently operates in over 200 countries and employs nearly four hundred thousand employees. DHL’s vision is to â€Å"remain the postal provider for Germany and become the logistics company for the world† (DHL 2013). In order to achieve this vision, the company focuses on providing excellent services. These include â€Å"dialogue marketing, press distribution, and corporate communications solutions† (DHL 2013). Moreover, the company provides mail delivery, transport/ logistics, and supply chain management services. Organizational Structure As a multinational company, DHL relies heavily on the effectiveness of its procurement department to access all the supplies that it requires to meet the needs of its customers. Currently, the company is organized into four divisions that have semi-autonomous divisional headquarters (DHL 2013). However, procurement and other functions such as finance and personnel are centralized. Figure 1: DHL’s organizational structure Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Procurement plays a vital role at DHL by facilitating effective and efficient sourcing of products/ services, supporting functions such as marketing and reducing operating costs. For instance, the procurement unit often assists the company’s sales team to perform activities such as reviewing response to requests for proposals (RFP) (DHL 2013). In order to leverage the capabilities of its procurement unit, the company has embarked on innovation and use of advanced technology. Furthermore, the company is collaborating with its suppliers to help them to achieve innovation, which in turn improves eff iciency in its supply chain. Business Conduct and Operational Activities DHL has strategically chosen to simplify its procurement system in order to achieve efficiency and effectiveness in its business and operational processes. The company’s procurement strategy focuses on the use of advanced information and communication technologies (ICT) and partnering with only a few certified suppliers. ICT is important to DHL’s procurement unit because it facilitates efficient flow of the information that is required to complete transactions such as placing orders. DHL’s business strategy is to streamline its operations in the markets it operates in by working with selected suppliers who are able to help it to reach customers in different geographical areas (DHL 2013). The company expects to reduce its direct and indirect costs by working with a limited number of suppliers. In particular, purchasing various supplies in large quantities from a single or a few suppliers is likely to reduce costs through discounts (Pooler, Pooler Farney 2004, p. 47). Working with a few suppliers also helps in centralizing procurement functions (Benton 2006, p.92). DHL has centralized its procurement functions in order to avoid duplication of roles in processes such as selection of suppliers and supplier relationship management. This leads to reduction of indirect costs associated with duplicating procurement activities (Weele 2009, p. 89).  Although DHL’s global procurement decision–making processes are centralized, the company encourages the participation of its overseas subsidiaries in strategy formulation (DHL 2013). In most cases, the company’s purchase decisions are made at its headquarters. However, the subsidiaries in various regions are responsible for implementing the decisions. For instance, the company has worldwide contracts with providers of services such as printing and labeling to enable its subsidiaries to purchase their supplies easily (DHL 2013). This strategy also reduces the costs associated with shipping materials from a centralized purchasing unit to the overseas subsidiaries (Ogden Carter 2008, pp. 5-28).Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Strategic and Operational Roles of Procurement within DHL specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Analysis of DHL’s Procurement Function The effectiveness of the procurement unit is partly determined by its position in the organizational structure (Yin Khoo 2007, pp. 7-24). The organization of the procurement unit illustrates the extent to which it is integrated into the business strategy (Yin Khoo 2007, pp. 7-24). In addition, the organization of procurement function determines its relationship with other departments, which in turn affects its effectiveness (Ashenbaum, Maltz, Barratt 2009, pp. 169-186). Figure 1 shows that DHL’s procurement function is a department under the globa l business services unit. In this regard, the head of procurement unit has limited ability to influence procurement strategies and policies since he or she reports to the head of global business services, who in turn forwards his concerns of the CEO. Generally, DHL’s procurement function plays a facilitation role since its involvement in various business processes is moderate. In particular, the procurement team is mainly concerned with the purchase of goods and services that facilitate the operation of other departments. (DHL 2013) These include printed materials such as envelops, as well as, maintenance, repair, and operational (MRO) services (DHL 2013). The effectiveness of the facilitation model that has been adopted by DHL’s procurement unit can be evaluated based on its effect on supplier selection, supplier relationship management, and purchase decisions. An ideal â€Å"procurement organization must balance the desire to leverage purchasing power through comple te ownership with the need to maintain the flexibility of individual business units† (Noor, Khalfan Maqsood 2013, pp. 802-826). This balance can be achieved by adopting an appropriate organizational structure that aligns procurement processes to the company’s needs (Noor, Khalfan Maqsood 2013, pp. 802-826). Moreover, procurement roles, responsibilities, and decision rights must be distributed in a manner that prevents tensions among business units (Pushmann Alt 2005, pp. 34-51). The facilitation model adopted by DHL is effective since it leads to distribution of decision rights according to what is being purchased. The limited involvement of the procurement unit enables the functional units to participate actively in the purchase of complex equipment such as aircrafts (DHL 2013). In this case, the executives in the air freight division are allowed to perform duties such as product specification and most of the sourcing activities. The rationale of this strategy is th at the functional units have good knowledge of each of the complex equipment that they use (Stolle 2008, p. 67). Thus, their involvement in the purchase process helps in avoiding the mistakes that might occur due to the limited knowledge of the procurement team (Stolle 2008, p. 68).Advertising Looking for coursework on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For products or services that are â€Å"less business specific such as repair and maintenance, the facilitation model promotes cooperation between the procurement team and the business units† (Stolle 2008, p. 69). For instance, DHL’s procurement team often provides technical assistance such as evaluation of requests for proposals, whereas the business units identify the product’s specifications. At the corporate level, DHL’s procurement team manages the entire process of purchasing standardized products and services such as office supplies. The advantage of this strategy is that it helps in reducing procurement cycle time and costs (Nicosia Moore 2006, p. 91). However, it can lead to tensions between the procurement team and other business units since the later is hardly involved in the purchase of standardized products. Centralization versus Decentralization The choice between a centralized and a decentralized procurement system is often difficult to ma ke because each system has its advantages and disadvantages (Farmer, Crocker Jessop 2008, p. 123). DHL uses a centralized procurement system where most of the purchase decisions are made at its headquarters. The subsidiaries and each division participate in the procurement process by identifying their supply chain needs and making purchase requests to the head office (DHL 2013). Moreover, they participate in product or service specification and make recommendations to the procurement team.  The centralized approach has the following advantages. Apart from reducing procurement costs, centralization facilitates control of contracting terms and practices (Farmer, Crocker Jessop 2008, p. 123). This helps in maintaining good relationships with the suppliers and sealing the loopholes that can lead to fraud. In addition, centralization leads to specialization and development of skills such as negotiation among procurement staff (Zaman 2011, p. 78). This has enabled DHL to secure the be st deals for its supplies throughout the world (DHL 2013).  Despite its benefits, the centralized system is likely to create the following problems. To begin with, it leads to delays when the company’s subsidiaries are making ad hoc purchases since requisitions have to be processed by the headquarters (Wincel 2004, p. 93). This can adversely affect operations if the goods are needed urgently. DHL has responded to this challenge by providing its subsidiaries with purchasing cards that allow them to spend a limited amount of money to make ad hoc purchases. This has enabled the company to reduce its purchasing costs by 50% and to acquire its supplies in time (DHL 2013). Nonetheless, a decentralized system would enable the company to achieve faster approval of ad hoc purchases (Cherif Maira 2011, pp. 860-877). Involvement of the Procurement Team According to Anderson and Katz (1998, pp. 1-13), the procurement team should be strategically involved in the purchase process at an early stage. Early and strategic involvement enables the procurement team to improve efficiency and reduce costs in processes such as planning and negotiation (Seshadri 2005, p. 98). Thus, DHL focuses on promoting cooperation and effective coordination of the activities of its procurement unit and other departments. This includes using advanced information technologies to share transaction information between departments (DHL 2013). In addition, the company has introduced training programs to improve its procurement team’s managerial skills. The training programs are expected to improve the procurement managers’ ability to work strategically with the functional leadership teams of the company’s suppliers. Apart from improving efficiency, early and strategic involvement creates clarity of the procurement objective that has to be achieved (Moser 2007, p. 145). Furthermore, it enables the procurement team to make accurate product or service specifications, which in turn leads to development of the best technical solutions (Sollish Semanik 2011, p. 117). However, pursuing strategic objectives in procurement is likely to eliminate the possibilities of cost reduction at DHL. Since the company works with a few certified suppliers, the difference between the prices quoted by the highest and the lowest bidders is likely to be very small (Sollish Semanik 2011, p. 119). In this case, the company will not be able to save on procurement costs. In addition, failure to achieve high savings is likely to have negative effects on the motivation of the procurement team since their effort is often measured in terms of cost performance. The procurement team will not be rewarded if they are not able to realize meaningful savings. Thus, they will have little or no incentive to participate in strategy formulation at the corporate level. Supply Base Optimization Supply base optimization refers to the process â€Å"of determining the right mix and number of supp liers to maintain† (Ogden Cater 2008, pp. 2-28). The objective of supply base optimization is to identify the ideal number of suppliers who are able to deliver the required goods in a timely and cost-effective manner (Ogden Cater 2008, pp. 2-28). DHL’s approach to supply base optimization involves switching suppliers and reducing the number of tier one suppliers (DHL 2013). In order to select the right mix of suppliers, DHL incorporates supplier development functions in its supply base optimization process. The process begins with identification of the company’s strategic supply chain needs. Once the needs are identified, the company recruits competitive suppliers and sets performance metrics to assess their achievements. The company uses a problem-solving approach to develop its suppliers. This approach involves cultivating open relationships with suppliers through feedback and sharing of information (DHL 2013). Supply base optimization initiatives can only be effective if they are supported by an appropriate supplier evaluation system (Chang, Tsai Hsu 2013, pp. 34-51). In addition, the company must be able to reward its suppliers by awarding them long-term contracts. This is likely to be a challenge to DHL since it lacks a clear guideline for rewarding its suppliers. In addition, DHL is likely to lose its competitive advantage by entering into long-term contracts with suppliers of commodities such as oil whose prices keep fluctuating (Vagstad 2000, pp. 949-963). For instance, the company might not be able to benefit from price reductions in the market after entering a contract for the supply of a particular commodity at a specific price. Recommendations DHL should consider the following recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of its procurement unit. To begin with, the procurement unit should be allowed to play a strategic role in the organization (Ukalkar 2000, p.78). The company should reorganize the procurement function by allo wing it to operate as an independent unit that reports directly to the CEO. This will improve the process of making strategic decisions by enabling the head of procurement unit to participate in strategy formulation at the corporate level.  The company should also rethink its supply base optimization objectives because reducing the number of suppliers does not necessarily lead to a reduction in costs. Specifically, the company should have an optimal number of suppliers in order to reduce costs (Weber Ellram 1993, pp. 3-14). The gist of this perspective is that the competition between suppliers will be minimal if their number is very small. Consequently, the possibility of reducing costs through low bids will be diminished. On the other hand, having a large number of suppliers will increase the cost of supplier relationship management. Apart from identifying the right number of suppliers, DHL should establish a better reward system for its procurement team. Cost performance should be used in conjunction with other metrics to evaluate the achievements of the procurement team (Benton 2006, p. 137). This will motivate them to participate in strategy formulation in order to improve the company’s efficiency.  DHL should also improve its supplier development approach by adopting advanced technologies such as e-learning. Currently, the suppliers are supported through periodic training programs and incentives to innovate. However, better performance can be achieved if advanced information technologies are used to enable supplier to access the company’s knowledge base to improve their performance (Doherty, McConnell Chadwick 2013, pp. 495-515). In addition, the company should establish a proper supplier reward system that recognizes performance and innovation. This will enable the company to benefit from its supply base optimization initiatives. Implementation Plan The company should begin its restructuring process by identifying its procurement need s and setting appropriate objectives. Once the procurement objectives are clearly specified, the company should redefine its organizational structure by establishing the procurement function as an independent unit that reports directly to the CEO. The Unit should be allowed to shape policy and to set guidelines for procurement functions such as purchasing and evaluating suppliers. Adopting advanced information technologies to support the suppliers should be considered as a strategic spend and a long-term corporate objective (Murray, Rentall Geere 2008, pp. 540-555). The company should focus on incremental improvement of its supplier development model through systematic acquisition and implementation of user-friendly information systems. The incremental approach will help in alleviating the resistance that is likely to be experienced if the improvements are implemented as a revolutionary change. Conclusion The procurement function is central to the success of DHL since it enables it to access key supplies that determine the quality of its services. However, the procurement function has not been given adequate recognition by being allowed to operate independently. The company has adopted a centralized procurement system to reduce its operating costs. Similarly, it has embarked on supply base optimization to reduce the costs associated with managing suppliers. However, these initiatives might not lead to cost reduction if they are not implemented effectively. For instance, a significant reduction in the number of suppliers will eliminate the opportunities for cost reduction through competitive bidding. Thus, the company should rethink its supply base optimization objectives and improve its supplier development model in order to achieve a competitive advantage in procurement. References Anderson, M Katz, P 1998, Strategic Sourcing, International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 23 no. 2, pp. 3-14. Ashenbaum, B, Maltz, A Barratt, M 2009, Organizational Alig nment and Supply Chain Governance Structure: Introduction and Construct Validation, International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 20 no. 2, pp. 169-186. Benton, W 2006, Purchasing and Supply Management, Sege, London. Chang, H, Tsai, Y Hsu, C 2013, E-procurement and Supply Chain Performance, International Journal of Supply Chain Management, vol. 18 no. 1, pp. 34-51. Cherif, O Maira, S 2011, Collaboration as an Anti-crisis Solution: The Role of the Procurement Function, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, vol. 41 no. 9, pp. 860-877. DHL 2013, Annual Report 2012. Web. Doherty, N, McConnell, D Chadwick, F 2013, Institutional Responses to Electronic Procurement in the Public Sector, International Journal of Public Sector Management, vol. 26 no. 6, pp. 495-515. Farmer, D, Crocker, B Jessop, D 2008, Procurement Principles and Management, MacMillan, London. Moser, R 2007, Strategic Purchasing and Supply Management, Butterworth-Heinemann. London . Murray, J, Rentall, P Geere, D 2008, Procurement as a Shared Service in English Local Government, International Journal of Public Sector Management, vol. 21 no. 5, pp. 540-555. Nicosia, N Moore, N 2006, Implementing Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, Butterworth-Heinemann, London. Noor, M, Khalfan, M Maqsood, T 2013, The Role of Procurement Practices in Effective Implementation of Infrastructure Projects in Pakistan, International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, vol. 6 no. 4, pp. 802-826. Ogden, J Carter, P 2008, The Supply Base Reduction Process: An Empirical Investigation, International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 19 no. 1, pp. 5-18. Pooler, V, Pooler D, Farney, S 2004, Global Purchasing and Supply Management, Routledge, New York. Pushmann, T Alt, R 2005, Successful Use of E-procurement in Supply Chains, International Journal of Supply Chain Management, vol. 10 no. 2, pp. 122-133. Seshadri, S 2005, Sourcing Strategy: Principles, Policy and Designs, Sage, London. Sollish, Fred Semanik, J 2011, Strategic Global Sourcing Best Practices, John Wiley and Sons, New York. Stolle, M 2008, From Purchasing to Supply Management, McGraw-Hill, New York. Ukalkar, S 2000, Strategic Procurement Management, McGraw-Hill, New York. Vagstad, S 2000, Centralized vs. Decentralized Procurement: Does Dispersed Information Call for Decentralized Decision-Making, International Journal of Industrial Organization, vol. 18 no. 6, pp. 540-555. Weele, A 2009, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, John Wiley and Sons, New York. Weber, C Ellram, L 1993, Supplier Selection Using Multi-objective Programming: A Decision Support System Approach, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, vol. 23 no. 2, pp. 3-14. Wincel, J 2004, Lean Supply Chain Management, McGraw-Hill, New York. Yin, X Khoo, L 2007, A Hierarchical Model for E-supply Chain Coordination and Optimization, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, vol. 18 no. 1, pp. 7-24. Zaman, N 2011, Procurement Management, Palgrave, London. This coursework on Strategic and Operational Roles of Procurement within DHL was written and submitted by user Emilia Z. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.