Computer Evolution Evidenced in the essays Toward An...

In the essay Toward An Intelligence Beyond Man’s by Robert Jastrow, the author showed his view on computer intelligence and predicted that computer intelligence will be a new kind of evolution. Jastrow stateed that computer nowadays is as intelligent as human brain; they can communicate with human, learn from experience, and raise logical questions. The more complex the computer, the better they imitate human. He predicted that computer will as important as life in future years. Then, Jastrow used the example of Arthur Samuel and IBM computer to show computers can learn faster through motivation, even they do not have emotions and drives as human do. He also points out that computer and human brain share some characteristics; they both†¦show more content†¦Levy said the years of making AI imitates human brain is over. AI nowadays aims to handle complicated task that human brain are unachievable. In the 50’s, scientists tried to imitate humans’ logic-bas ed reasoning but failed. In the 80’s, graduate students tried to develop AI’s own reasoning pattern. The AI researchers use algorithms to derive artificial intelligence, and the computer is very effective in running those programs. Besides, he showed a researcher in MIT develop AI in biological approach, by imitate physical behaviors of living creatures. Levy said the product of AI development appears everywhere, searching engine is one of the example. AI is not building the full function brain, but specifying in a certain ability or function. Another example is the car automatic braking system. However, by using an example of computer calculation Levy stated AI may sometimes unexplainable as it has different reasoning and logic pattern as human. He also thought AI may perform too fast and intelligent and they scare human. Someone doubts AI may turn out controlling human, but Levy thought we have to adapt AI. He thought it is irrelevant to fear the AI gone rogue as it becomes part of humans’ life. In his essay, Jastrow showed his prediction about computer intelligence will be a new kind of evolution and surpass human from 30 years ago. From Levy’s essay, its content had gave feedback to

The Conflict Of The Civil War - 968 Words

Throughout the history of the United States, nothing has served as a catalyst of societal restructuring and reform as war. Following the internal conflict of the civil war, the country experienced a state of peace with a focus on reconstruction and betterment of the overall public. These years of peace came to a close with the eruption of the extremely controversial Spanish American war, the first bloodshed America administered on foreign soil. Following the quelling of the controversial feelings the American public had towards external intervention, global conflicts have served as a necessary element of societal growth. From the beginning of the Spanish American war, through the end of disheartening engagement in Vietnam, war has†¦show more content†¦The war cemented the idea that the United States was a guardian of liberty abroad as well as created a cultural connect between the North and South. The country had won the war not as two separated segments, but a single c ommunal front. This mindset carried on throughout later conflicts. This cultural concept is most noticeably questioned during the period of the Vietnam War. Mainly students, antiestablishment hippies, and minority groups in particular opposed this war on moral grounds. Their beliefs were that Vietnam was â€Å"an unjust, evil, and futile war.†1 Photographs and corresponding’s from the battle front that were printed in the media further cemented the idea that the United States was contributing to unjust and unnecessary blood shed. Martin Luther King preaches his beliefs on the subject. â€Å"Polls reveal that almost fifteen million Americans explicitly oppose the war in Vietnam†¦ the Vietnamese people proclaimed their own independence in 1945†¦ yet our government refused to recognize them.†2 This lack of moral basis for war shook the countries belief in America, the great defender of freedom. War has also drastically effect the United States e conomic status. Going into the Spanish-American war, the country was plagued by poverty of its citizens. â€Å"Look over the world today- poverty everywhere.†3 As a whole, the country was poor with exception of some families in the North. Life in the workplace was

Global Marketing and Various International Strategies

Question: Discuss about the Global Marketing and Various International Strategies. Answer: Introduction: According to Dos Santos et al. (2013), every organisation in todays competitive business world tries to expand its business after earning the expected sales revenue as global marketing will help an organisation to cater the international customers for holding a best position in the global market. Woolworths, a famous supermarket chain in Australia intends to open outlets in Johannesburg in order to increase its customer base and market share. The target market of Woolworths is various locations in Johannesburg to capture minimum 31% of the market. Even the management of Woolworths has planned to enter the Johannesburg market in a process of joint venture with local companies. At initial stage, Woolworths opens only three supermarket outlet in Johanesberg and the business exerts plan to open more than seven supermarket by next two years (Woolworths.co.za., 2016). The positioning strategy of Woolworths has been developed only after analysing its competitor company Edgars market strateg ies. However, the positing strategies of Woolworths involve its creative and unique product and making a proper positioning statement. The marketers have make an appropriate competitor analysis and identifies own unique positioning strategies with innovative ideas. Marketing Mix There was an economic turmoil during the era of 2008 in the global economy; therefore, the business experts of Woolworths have planned to expand its business during 2010 in various location of Johannesburg, South Africa after a thorough consultation with the finance managers of the company. However, the retail sector was not affected because of the global economic downturn. The marketing mix strategy of Woolworths helps the company to know the constant changing purchasing behaviour of the customer. Igumbor et al. (2012) have mentioned that marketing mix reflects the actual desires of the customers of the targeted market in successful manner. The marketing mix strategy involves product place, price and promotion. Figure 1: Marketing Mix (Source: Wagiciengo Belal, 2012) Product Woolworths is specialised in selling the groceries product such as fruit, vegetables, meat and packaged foods and other stationary products such as DVDs and magazines. All offered grocery products of Woolworths are 100% fresh and it is the attracting part of this supermarket for capturing the target market in Johannesburg (Woolworths.co.za., 2016). All the offered products of Woolworths maintain a world class standard as the main priority of the management is to provide the consumers the healthy groceries. Place Woolworth operates in various location of Johannesburg including Morningside shopping centre, Cresta shopping centre. Woolworths Food is located in Rustenburg road. Woolworths intends to open three more store in various location of Johannesburg for business expansion with a strict following of the global marketing strategy in appropriate manner. The head office of Woolworths that is in New South Wales of Australia controls and handles every business operations of Woolworths in Johannesburg. Price The price of the products of Woolworths varies according to the availability. Even the management provides seasonal sales on such fixed products, which attract the customers of Johannesburg (Woolworths.co.za., 2016). However, the marketers have thoroughly analysed the pricing strategies of competitor companies in the retail industry of Johannesburg and tries to offer a bit low price for their products in order to attract both the new and existing customers. Promotion The marketers of Woolworths have used both the raditional and modern platform of promotion. Woolworths provide advertisements of products seasonal sales and discounts on the magazines, local newspaper of Johannesburg. Pereira Ruysenaar (2012) have mentioned that the effectiveness of the social media platform cannot be neglected in todays technological world. The management of Woolworths uses the social media platform such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, log and official online website of the company in order to aware the customers about the availability and features of every products. The promotion process actually helps to attract the new generation of customers as mainly 80% young generation of Johannesburg access various social media (Woolworths.co.za., 2016). Table 1: Marketing Mix (Source: Triegaardt, 2014) The marketing mix of Woolworths maximises the chances to achieve a continual and steady success in the business operation. Even marketing mix strategies help to provide the products according to the requirements and demand of the customers in particular marketplace. This above-mentioned 4Ps is effective to meet the established goals and objectives of Woolworths in Johannesburg. Product Strategy As Woolworths intends to open new supermarkets in various location of Johannesburg, therefore, the marketers and business experts employ effective and potential strategies to capture the market. Atkins Maroun (2015) have stated that the market entry strategies of an organisation should be made on cutting down the basic operation cost and expectation of low return of sales revenue than expectation. However, Woolworths is a famous supermarket retail chain in Australia, which expands its business in various location of South Africa including Johannesburg, Tanzania, Uganda and Nigeria. The product strategies of Woolworths in Johannesburg include improved products than the existing products in the market offered by the competitor companies such as Tesco, Walmart, Macro Wholefoods Ltd. and Aldi. Even Woolworths have concentrated on the niche market just after its entrance in the retail industry of Johannesburg. Battersby Peyton (2014) have mentioned that the process of innovation during the entry of a company in a completely new marketplace should be incremental or radial. Woolworths develops various new channels to distribute the products in various location of Johannesburgs Woolworths supermarket. All the products of Woolworths are offered to the consumers according to their demands and criteria. Pricing Strategy Sanchez Rodrigues Potter (2013) have suggested that pricing strategy plays an important role for an organisation, which is making its move in other countries for business expansion. As Woolworths appeared in the retail supermarket industry of Australia, when there is already the other supermarket chains such as Aldi, Walmart and Tesco have enjoyed a stable position in the marketplace. Factors Justification Average income R781,032 R96,088 GDP GDP growth of Woolworth in Johannesburg is calculated at 2.0% in the last year. Tax Woolworths tax and interest rates increase by 54.32% in this continuing year because of its excellent performance in the retail industry of Johannesburg (Woolworths.co.za., 2016). Currency exchange rate Currency exchange rates vary as it operates through the partnerships of franchises. Average competitor price The average competitor price is 15% lower than the other existing competitor companies are. Product cost It has been reduced by 12% in this present year. Distribution cost Distribution cost remain same like the previous year Labour cost Labour cost has been increased by 17.32%. Material cost Raw material cost has also been developed by 31% because of the price hike of the source of raw materials in the retail industry of Johannesburg. Marketing cost Marketing cost has been improved by 21% in this current year because the management of Woolworths have planned new way of channels of marketing fr attracting the new generation of customers in Johannesburg. Table 2: Pricing strategy (Source: Brzel Thauer, 2013) At the initial stage of market entrance in Johannesburg, Woolworths keeps the price of its offered products low than the products of other competitor companies in order to steal the consumers of those companies and can earn minimum level of sales revenue of its expectation. The management of Woolworths have employed modern technologies in order to reduce the cost productivity and operation process. The business experts of Woolworths have developed a completely new pricing strategy to enter the retail market of Johannesburg, such as promoting and launching products on online platform (Woolworths.co.za., 2016). Figure 2: Pricing strategy (Source: Chinomona Dubihlela, 2014) As opined by Nhamo Swart (2012), the psychology of the consumer determines the purchasing power and preferences of the customer. Therefore, the management of Woolworths keeps the price of its products after a thorough market research of the buying behaviour and preferences of the targeted consumers. Wolworths have maintained the factors such as market penetration, skimming and relationship bundling. Place Nattrass Seekings (2012) have referred that place is significant for expanding any kind of business in various location across the world. The selection of appropriate channel design mix can be considered as challenging process for Woolworths as it is new in the retail industry of Johannesburg. The marketing goals and market segments of every company usually vary from the other (Rudansky-Kloppers, 2014). Woolworths employs the social media platforms as an effective medium of distribution and marketing channels. Even the business experts of Woolworths manage these channels with resolving conflicts in between the organisation employees and management, evaluating employee performance and the existing products. Preferred intensity of distribution involves not only the goal of an organisation with increasing the existing value of the entire business targets. Even it involves the distinctive competencies, willingness and ability to take risks during the critical challenges encountered by t he company. Woolworths has selected the location of its supermarket in a popular and crowded place in order to attract a large number of targeted customers. Communication Promotional Mix Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) plan involves the awareness of the customers to the brand loyalty of the particular organisation. Hamann (2012) has mentioned that integrated marketing communication helps to archive the established goals and objectives of an organisation in appropriate manner. Woolworths business experts and managers have used IMC as an important tool and vehicle for brand positioning in strategic manner with a potential integration of a particular mode of communication and marketing channels, which ensure a consistent, clear and transparent message for the maximum reach to the targeted and segmented consumers of Johannesburg in South Africa. With the help of appropriate promotional mix strategies, Woolworths have become most trusted and recognised retail brand in the retail industry of Johannesburg (Woolworths.co.za., 2016). Woolworths is efficient and capable enough to provide a world class shopping experience to its targeted and segmented consumers as it w ill help to retain the present saes revenue. It will also open up a perfect scope and possibility for earning more sales revenue at the end of the year by denoting and determining a stable and strong position in the market share. People According to Kruger Fourie (2015), people involve the employees, targeted customers and the shareholders of an organisation. In the case of Woolworths in Johannesburg, the entire success of this supermarket lies on its retaining capability of its targeted customers. Woolworths enjoys more or less 80% happy customers in various location of Johannesburg, who prefer to shop only with Woolworths rather than other existing companies in Johannesburg. The management of Woolworths engage more than 10,256 inhabitants of Johannesburg as their efficient, potential and trustworthy employees of the organisation (Woolworths.co.za., 2016). Even the suppliers of Woolworths are enough supportive, which helps the business experts to make effective strategies according to the demand and criteria of the segmented and targeted customers as the suppliers of this company includes dairy producers, farmers and other associative, who contribute more than R600 billion into the company economy every year. The suppliers also speed up the delivery process as Woolworth also provide the facilities of doorstep delivery of daily products to its customers in certain fixed location from its outlets and supermarkets. The demand of the customers helps the business experts of Woolworths to come up with completely new, unique and innovative product to attract both the new and existing customers of Woolworths in Johannesburg. Hughes et al. (2015) have stated that customers are always hold the centre position of any kind of business as it has enough capability to determine the ultimate business future of an organisation and to retain a stable position in the particular marketplace where it operates its business in perfect manner. Economic Evaluation The entire process of economic evaluation differs with the transforming decision of the consumers for crave of completely new products in the market (Mortimer, 2014). As Woolworths have entered into the market of Johannesburg with innovative product, which is completely unknown in the retail industry of Johannesburg therefore, the customers cannot accept these products at initial stage. Rudansky-Kloppers, (2014) has reflected the fact that total market calculation is required before targeting and retaining the customer base of a particular country. As Woolworths has established its goal to achieve minimum 13% after its entrance into the retail market of Johannesburg, therefore, the economic evaluation of Woolworths involves an important process of a systematic and specific identification, valuation and measurements of the outcomes and inputs of the alternative business operation, functions and activities. As opined by Hughes et al. (2015), the basic purpose of economic evaluation helps to identify the adequate course of business action, which is completely based upon the available evidence within the specific marketplace. Woolworths economic evaluation suggests the comparative analysis of various alternative courses of the existing business actions, which can be calculated both in term of consequences and costs of the business operation of this company. Woolworths target, those customers, who are adaptive enough with the changing demand of the retail industry, therefore the expected revenue of this company after the present annul year is minimum 14.235. However, the financial managers of Woolworths will decide effective strategies to increase the sales revenue by 30% at least at the end of next five years (Woolworths.co.za., 2016). Both the internal and external factors can determine the economic evaluation of Woolworths in Johannesburg. In order to reduce the operational cost of the business, the management of Woolworths sources the local suppliers and manufacturers. References Atkins, J., Maroun, W. (2015). Integrated reporting in South Africa in 2012: Perspectives from South African institutional investors.Meditari Accountancy Research,23(2), 197-221. Battersby, J., Peyton, S. (2014, June). The geography of supermarkets in Cape Town: supermarket expansion and food access. InUrban Forum(Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 153-164). Springer Netherlands. Brzel, T., Thauer, C. (Eds.). (2013).Business and Governance in South Africa: Racing to the Top?. Springer. Chinomona, R., Dubihlela, D. (2014). Does customer satisfaction lead to customer trust, loyalty and repurchase intention of local store brands? The case of Gauteng Province of South Africa.Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences,5(9), 23. Dos Santos, M. A., Svensson, G., Padin, C. (2013). Indicators of sustainable business practices: Woolworths in South Africa.Supply Chain Management: An International Journal,18(1), 104-108. Hamann, R. (2012). The business of development: Revisiting strategies for a sustainable future.Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development,54(2), 18-29. Hughes, A., McEwan, C., Bek, D. (2015). Mobilizing the ethical consumer in South Africa.Geoforum,67, 148-157. Igumbor, E. U., Sanders, D., Puoane, T. R., Tsolekile, L., Schwarz, C., Purdy, C., ... Hawkes, C. (2012). Big food, the consumer food environment, health, and the policy response in South Africa.PLoS Med,9(7), e1001253. Kruger, H., Fourie, L. C. (2015). Online product and/or service brand offerings in South Africa.South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences,7(3), 440-458. Mortimer, G. (2014). Who is the South African retail giant behind the David Jones bid?.The Conversation, (10). Nattrass, N., Seekings, J. (2012).Differentiation within the South African Clothing Industry: Implications for Wage Setting and Employment. Centre for Social Science Research. Nhamo, G., Swart, R. (2012). A proposed scholarly framework for measuring business responsibility to climate change in South Africa. Pereira, L. M., Ruysenaar, S. (2012). Moving from traditional government to new adaptive governance: The changing face of food security responses in South Africa.Food Security,4(1), 41-58. Rudansky-Kloppers, S. (2014). Investigating Factors Influencing Customer Online Buying Satisfaction In Gauteng, South Africa.The International Business Economics Research Journal (Online),13(5), 1187. Sanchez Rodrigues, V., Potter, A. (2013). A comparison of FMCG logistics operations in the UK and South Africa.European Business Review,25(4), 351-364. Triegaardt, J. (2014). Pursuing a social development agenda in the context of globalisation: a South African perspective.Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk,45(1). Wagiciengo, M. M., Belal, A. R. (2012). Intellectual capital disclosures by South African companies: A longitudinal investigation.Advances in Accounting,28(1), 111-119. Woolworths.co.za. (2016). Woolworths Online Shopping | Buy Clothes, Food, Homeware, Gifts, Beauty Fashion | Woolworths.co.za.Retrieved 30 September 2016, from https://www.woolworths.co.za/

Sustainability in Modern Supply Chains

Introduction The most crucial aim of an effective supply chain management arm of an organisation is to ensure that the supply chain management system reduces the cost associated with supplies. For this research, sustainability is defined as a matter of concern for many businesses that influences their supply chain when it comes to the costs associated with jeopardy, wastes, and the surroundings within which the businesses operate.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sustainability in Modern Supply Chains specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The supply chain is there to offer a plausible bond between the business’ inputs and outputs. This argument means that products and services need to be availed just whenever they are required in a manner that will sustain the increasing number of products that need to be availed in the market. Fundamentally, supply chain administration involves the supervision of the p rogress of goods and services, finances, and information from the point of production to bulk sellers and then to the end consumers. It also encompasses â€Å"coordinating and integrating these flows both within and among companies† (Ketchen Hult 2006, p. 573). Supply chain management is an important function in an organisation since â€Å"organisations increasingly find that they must rely on effective supply chains or networks to compete in the global market and the networked economy† (Ketchen Hult 2006, p. 574). From this perspective, this paper deploys the concepts of supply chain and logistics management to discuss various ways in which supply chain can be sustained in the modern world of excess supply of commodities both in the local and international markets. The paper argues that the establishment of successful relationships and closer alignment of strategic intent in modern supply chains is important for sustainability in the modern supply chains. An effort is also made to identify and discuss the impacts of sustainability relating to every participant associated with such collaborations from the paradigm of theoretical approaches to supply chain and logistics management. Sustainability of Modern supply Chains Faced with the modern problems that are associated with the processes of production and distribution of products, supply chain managers need to have plausible information about the implications of supply chain and logistics strategies on physical and environmental participants.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This requirement is pivotal in helping to resolve various challenges associated with supply chain management in business environments characterised by the changing trends. Such trends link with globalisation coupled with the concerns of intensive competitions and the need for securing and protecting the plac e within which the organisations are established. There is also the need for â€Å"reliable, flexible, and cost-effective business systems that are capable of supporting customer differentiations† (Bullinger, Kuhner Van Hoof 2002, p.3533). More than it has been experienced before, the current chain management personnel encounter a myriad of complex and dynamic supply chain problems, trends, and developments, which are incredibly hard to predict. To resolve this stalemate, deployment of sustainable supply chain strategies is critical. This argument means that, in the future years, supply chain managers will have to understand various suitability issues that are articulated to the business and company operational environments. Paying attention to the principles of corporate social responsibility constitutes one of the issues that may help to compose sustainable supply chain management. Consideration of CSR in supply chain management implies that organisations have to behave in a socially responsible manner while establishing distribution networks for their products coupled with treatment of the resulting wastes from the distributed products. For the last one decade, concerns of environmental sustainability have transgressed from â€Å"an obscure fringe concept to mainstream concern at the highest level of corporate governance† (Maloni Brown 2006, p.35). These changes have taken place following changes in the environment of business and the excessive anxieties for climatic changes together with the concerns of energy security from various stakeholders and advocacy groups across the globe. Maloni and Brown (2006) reveal how â€Å"regulatory directives oblige companies to consider the environmental impacts of their products and operations† (p.43). While deriving strategies that are necessary for ensuring sustainable supplies, it is important to evaluate the relationship between the strategies and such directives to determine whether they are in conflict.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Sustainability in Modern Supply Chains specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This process involves the attempts of ensuring that an organisation is socially responsible. This argument means that, apart from serving its own interest and the interest of the owners through the adopted supplies chain management approaches, concerns are also paid on the protection and preservation of the environment of the organisation. This case implies that an organisation must comply with the pressures by various environmental advocacy groups. CSR is an incredible concern in the derivation of strategies for ensuring sustainable modern supply chains especially following the heavy emphasis for an organisation to produce and distribute green products in the effort to curb environmental degradation. Adopting green strategies for supply chain management is not only a measure for ensuring a sustainable supply chain management but also a measure of ensuring that an organisation behaves and acts in a socially responsible way. Ensuring a sustainable supply chains calls for the deployment of a number of principles. Supplies chain principles must be directly related to the concerns of the people to whom the products are meant to be distributed. Firstly, sustainable supply chain forms and acts as entities for respect coupled with preservation of human rights. This argument implies that they must ensure and guarantee their commitment to prevention of abuse of human rights. In this extent, Maloni and Brown (2006) reckon, â€Å"supply chain management entities need to ensure that there is no forced labour, child labour, or discriminatory practices† (p.41). As suggested by the application of the concepts of green supply chains, sustainable supply chains have to factor that environment does not suffer from any harm due to its operations. This claim means that sustainabl e supply chain entities need to encourage the implementation of various eco-friendly technologies.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One of such strategies involves phasing out paper documentations. Leclerc (2012) support this strategy by further informing, â€Å"while there are advantages to the paper, the sheer amount used and the innovative technology have made it apparent that it is the time for a new direction† (p.68). Arguably, the most preferred direction is the one that would ensure that the approaches of supply chains become cost effective in a bid to make an organisation experience the advantages of competitive advantage. The practice of effective supply chains should ensure the reduction of inventory levels. Unfortunately, tracking supplies using paper files is an immense hindrance to the creation of sustainable supplies chains because it â€Å"is much more difficult to keep track when it comes to inventory and similar data files† (Leclerc 2012, p.68). Although one of the green approaches to the creation of sustainable chain supplies driven by the perspectives of green supply chains is th e recycling of paper, a more effective way is the establishment and embracement of technological ways of maintaining supplies data through mechanisms such as holding data in soft form. In fact, within the last few years, many organisations have strategically focused on programs for the creation of sustainable supply chains. The strategy involves a transformative process that is meant to outline various comprehensive road maps for detailing various approaches that are implementable to ensure that business partners remain committed to the achievement of green technology in supply chains. In this context, Aronsson and Brodin (2006) assert, â€Å"for an organisation to be actively engaged in building a sustainable supply chain, it starts with the right supply chain strategy, which will be inclusive of customer service levels, financial results, operation costs, and environmental targets† (p.395). Sustainability in the current supply approaches initiates with simple but also signi ficant practices that seek to optimise supply chain decisions. The beginning point is guaranteeing that inventories are availed at the respective areas at the required period and in the appropriate amounts. Proper supply operation requires â€Å"synchronisation of supply practices to ensure improved operations in transportation efficiencies right from consumption of fuels to carbon emissions† (Leclerc 2012, p.68). This strategy has the aftermaths of reducing carbon prints for organisations. Indeed, carbon prints are one of the methodologies of determining the extent to which an organisation has embraced sustainable supply chains. Carbon footprints are computed from the consideration of inventories of greenhouse gas emissions within a company, product and facility, or any other alternative entity. Such gases include methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide among others as defined by Kyoto Protocol. Each of these gases contributes a given proportion to global warming. Any sus tainable supply chain strategy must ensure that the contributions of each of the gases fitting in the definition of greenhouse gas emission have reduced impacts on global warming. Establishing successful relationships and closer alignment of strategic intent in supply chains is important for sustainability in the modern supply chains. In fact, according to Linton et al. (2007, p. 4), â€Å"the focus on optimising operations has moved from a specific facility or organization to the entire supply chain.† This argument implies the need for collaboration relationships with various supply chain partners as will be discussed in the next section to show how each partner contributes towards sustainability of the supply chain in organisations. The bottom line is that each of the partner has a crucial role to play right from the initial stage of the chain, for instance, â€Å"processing of raw materials to delivery to the customer† (Linton et al. 2007, p. 4). Financial communiti es have recognised that sustainability is central to the improvement of shareholder’s value through perfection of cash flows. It is also important in â€Å"upgrading of asset utilisation, customer satisfaction, and brand recognition† (Maloni, Brown 2006, p.41). These critical aspects help in building the competitive advantage of an organisation. Indeed, competitive advantage is one of the supply chain management strategies that are vital success factors for sustainability. An organisation may decide to pursue different types of competitive advantages among them being differentiation and low cost. With regard to Ciliberti et al. (2009), there are valid generic mechanisms of achieving excellence coupled with market success. Such mechanisms include differentiation, cost leadership, and focus. The significance of these strategies in relation to sustainable supply chain is pegged on the idea that the most significant strategies for supply chains are the ones that would tru ncate into low costs both to an organisation and in terms of social costs. Consequently, sustainability in supply chains can be enhanced in an organisation by aiming to be the lowest cost leaders within any industry. These cost leadership strategies include â€Å"economies of scale, proprietary technology, and preferential access to raw materials† (Ciliberti et al. 2009, p.119). From the perspectives of deferential strategy, organisation seeks to supply products, which are unique in any industry. Such products also deserve to create value to their consumers. It is from this line of thought that the perspectives of green sustainable supplies have emerged in the discipline of supply chains and logistics management. Many advocates of the above school of thought contend that adopting strategies that will ensure an organisation supply’s green products is imperative in ensuring that the products produced and distributed by an organisation result in low social costs to their consumers. Such costs include reduction of the extents of global warming by reducing the emission of green house gases (Orsato 2006). Christopher (2005) emphasises that an organisation seeking to succeed in the efforts to achieve sustainable chain supplies needs to â€Å"focus on one or more attributes that customers perceive as important, which usually lead to low cost levels† (p.78). In the globalisation era, impacts of global warming are one of the issues that are considered incredible by customers. For this reason, sustainable supplies and chain management concepts need to be organised around the perceptive of going green. Impacts of Modern Supply Chains and Supply Chain Collaboration Creating sustainable chain supplies requires the interplay of myriads of stakeholders. These stakeholders must work in collaboration with each other. According to Linton (2007), any successful relationships must go hand in hand with alignment of strategic intents. For instance, in the sustai nability chain, manufacturers have the impact of ensuring that they produce products in sustainable ways. This strategy is important since supply chain initiates from the manufacturing of products before logistical arrangements are made to distribute the products. A good example of how the manufacturing component of supply chain may ensure a sustainable supply chain is evidenced by the case of Apple Company. Apple Company has implemented an approach of sustainable supply chain through supplier score carding. The aim of supplier score carding is to permit business establishment to evaluate the existing suppliers in a proactive manner. This strategy helps in the determination of whether it is appropriate to seek new suppliers in case the existing suppliers distribute and dispose product-related wastes in a manner that exerts social costs to the societies consuming the products. Therefore, this argument means that there should be close collaborations between the organisation and the ma nufacturers to boost sustainability of the existing supply chain. As a collaboration effort of manufacturers to enhance sustainable supplies, vetting process for suppliers to ensure that they are oriented towards the best practices for social corporate responsibility in the distribution of products is critical. As noted by Leclerc (2012), Apple Company is one the companies, which has managed to achieve this concern as evidenced by the â€Å"†¦endless efforts to create publicity regarding the working conditions at the Foxconn facility in China that produce iPads and iPhones† (p.68). When such corporations inculcate mechanisms for putting in place sustainable supply chain practices, consumers of products rest assured that the products they consume are made through processes that are responsible having low tendencies of influencing social costs among them being deterioration of the environment in which they interact with the products. Otherwise, these key stakeholders need to be well served in the supply chain as they have the impact of determining whether manufacturers will continue with their role or not in the supply chain. As discussed before, sustainable supply chain strategies are driven by the strategic effort of an organisation to adopt a low-cost strategy as a competitive approach. This argument reveals a myriad of strategies that must be in place in any supply chain applying to all stakeholders. One would wonder the role of strategic connections of these various existing strategies. Therefore, for any successful relationships between the stakeholders in any supply chain (suppliers, clients, and the organization), there is the need to ensure that the strategies are aligned, are complementary, or are similar all along the SC so that they all aim for the same sustainability goals. From an Apples’ company’s perspective, â€Å"low scoring suppliers often put the company’s brand equity at risk, threaten the efficiency and dri ve costs up† (Leclerc 2012, p.67). Low scoring may be attributed to failure of an organisation to meet the demands for adoption of best standards with regard to labour practices and respect of human rights. With such a business portfolio, it becomes hard to place and avail products to customers in large quantities due to negative associations of the process through which the products are produced. This case means that poor reception of the products is likely to emanate thus impairing with sustainable supply chain strategies. Many nations including the U.S. have enacted policies that prevent supply and subsequent sale of products that are produced with child labour. This case has caused many companies such as NIKE to face negative publicity due to the allegations of producing their products with child labour in their Asian-based factories. Such allegations pose a heavy challenge for the NIKE Company to adopt sustainable supply chain strategies especially in the nations, which h ave enacted policies that ban the sale of products produced with child labour within their markets. From this argument, it sounds imperative to infer that any sustainable supply chain strategy needs collaboration and compliance with the established legal provisions with regard to supply of products within a nation. Sustainable supply chain is a function of all persons and agencies involved d in the whole supply chain until the products of an organisation are consumed followed by waste disposal. These persons and agencies are key stakeholders in the supply chain who have the impact of ensuring smooth flow of goods right from their production to their consumption. For instance, green technology and green product communities will be interested to know whether the products supplied by a given organisation through its supply networks meet the concerns of environmental protection. In the case of issues coming up that the products supplied by a given organisation fail to meet the demand pl aced on such an organisation, organisations have to deal with the challenge of redesigning their products to meet the emerging new demands. While collaboration with the concerned parties in the process of redesigning is necessary, an organisation has existing and loyal customers who must be supplied with products and services. To establish a successful balance of all the interested parties in the company’s products and services, an organisation has to increase its communication and collaboration efforts to ensure that its supply chain remains sustainable in the short-term and long run. Bakshi and Fiksel (2010) support this line of argument by further adding, â€Å"with the scope and the sheer size of supply chains around the world, collaboration and communication must be at a premium to reduce the margin of error, thus conserving resources† (p.1355). This argument means that sustainability in supply chain management can be enhanced through some programmed inter supplie r communication strategies. Such strategies cut across many sustainable supply efforts including sending automated emails to inform customers on the new advances in product evolution coupled with tracking and linking of information via strategies such as instant messaging. Linking all customers and interest groups to the developments in the supply chain concerns and the mechanisms adopted by an organisation to ensure that such concerns are being met call for the creation of the means through which collaboration between customer and other people is executed on a single page. In this context, Ketchen and Hult reckon, â€Å"Supplier B and Supplier C should even collaborate on their separate processes to increase working operations with Company A† (p.574). This argument implies that effective collaborations and communication as a means of accomplishing sustainable supply chains cannot be achieved without the deployment of technology. Indeed, real time communication, as a strategy enhanced through deployment of technology in supply chain, can increase the chances of having an accurate supply chain that is capable of preventing inefficiency coupled with the waste of resources in the distribution channels. The argument here is that sustainable supply chains also need collaboration with technology experts who can invent new strategies for waste minimisation. Such an effort entails consolidation of technology tools such as software in supply chains. Technology is the integrating facet for many functions of an organisation. Supply chains can also credibly benefit from these noble roles of technology, which aid in driving the competitive advantage of many organisations across the globe. With regard to Bakshi and Fiksel (2010), this goal can be realised through collaboration and or by â€Å"consolidating service providers to simplify data management and networking of supply chain operations† (p.1351). This step goes far in eliminating time consuming and inef ficient supply chain technologies such as the use of paper to reflect and document transactions. Although collaboration with technology experts is important, it is inefficient to have multiple service providers because they â€Å"make it very complicated for leadership to troubleshoot if anything goes wrong along the chain† (Bakshi Fiksel 2010, p.1351). Indeed, software is currently in place to allow organisations to follow up the whole process of supply chain through a distinct gateway. This strategy enables an organisation to trace accurately the places where problems that are likely to impair the cost effectiveness strategy for sustainable supply chain. Such software integration is crucial in helping an organisation to establish the best solution for solving the recurrent problems in supply chains coupled with how to maintain supply chain integrity. Attempts to maintain a sustainable supply chains involve heavy commitment of organisations’ resources to alter proces ses. The question that arises is- are such attempts justified? Justifications for Sustainability of Supply Chains The marketing theory provides incredible justification for the creation of a sustainable chain supply within an organisation. Several decisive factors help in determining the nature of a business environment. They include demand and supply coupled with the general environment within which an organisation operates. These factors help in the determination of the appropriate competitive advantage that an organisation can adopt for long-term success (Bullinger, Kuhner Van Hoof 2002: Chopra Meindl 2004). Supply side factors include employees, competitors, and suppliers. An organisation seeking to have a sustainable supply chains must organise its long-term and cost effective strategies to meet the capabilities of employees to deliver its products in a socially responsible manner (Christopher 2005). This role must be done in a manner that offsets the capabilities of the comp eting supplier in the same industry especially those industries that deal with substitute commodities. The modern business environment is characterised by competition among organisations on who is able to engineer the best strategies that will ensure that the chain supply strategies adopted satisfy all stakeholder and interest groups. One of the competitive strategies is ensuring that organisations manufacture and distribute environmentally friendly products. Orsato supports this strategy by positing that sustainability issues within the supply chain studies have resulted in empowering environmental protection organisations such as Greenpeace to exert even more pressure on the chain supplies and logistics professionals to develop supply strategies that ensure that the environment remains safe to both flora and fauna (2006, p.128). From the perceptive of demand of products and services, customers are becoming concerned about the impacts of product in terms of costs such as social cos ts that are likely to be created by the nature of goods and services supplied to them. McKinno (2010) adds that customers also â€Å"increasingly recognise the value of supply chain services and quality as they are less likely to select products and services based on price† (p.27). It is through thinking of supply chains from these dimensions that has seen corporations such a Dell and Apple outperform other organisations in the adoption of sustainable supply chains. Indeed, in today’s business operations, apart from an entire organisation being in competitions with other organisations, respective supply chains of organisations are in constant competition with one another. Existing theories provide substantive grounds for advocating for sustainable chain supplies. Sustainable supply chain is essential in driving competitive strategy for an organisation. Theory and practice evidence two major types of supply chains, which can help to drive the competitive advantage for a n organisation. With regard to McKinno (2010), they include, â€Å"costs leadership and differentiation strategy (lean, cost, efficiency-driven) supply chains and agile fast service driven supply chains† (p.36). Lean supply chains are one of the ways of enhancing sustainable supply chains that fit with cost leadership strategies. Conclusion Modern supply chains are faced with an incredible challenge of ensuring that they reduce their costs. This case is essential in ensuring that organisations remain competitive. In the paper, it was argued that supply chain costs go beyond the costs of distributions of products, which are often reflected not only in the final prices of commodities and services but also in terms of social costs. Based on these assertions, the paper considered embracement of the concept of CSR as one of the ways of ensuring that supply chains remain sustainable and competitive. Other issues considered in the paper in relation to the sustainability of modern su pply chains include the effects of the strategies of supply chain on the environment especially with immense consideration of the need to produce green products to ensure protection of the environment. Based on this concern, the paper argued that the subject of creating sustainable supply chains comprises interplay of a variety of stakeholders. The goal of an organisation seeking to have a sustainable supply chains is to ensure harmonisation of all stakeholders with sustainable strategies for supply chain. It was held that this goal could be achieved through collaboration of all involved stakeholders. References Aronsson, H Brodin, M 2006, ‘The environmental impact of changing logistics structures’, The International Journal of Logistics Management, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 394–415. Bakshi, R Fiksel, J 2010, ‘The Quest for Sustainability’, Supply Chain and Logistics Management, vol.49 no.6, pp. 1350-1358. Bullinger, J, Kuhner, M, van Hoof, A 2002, â₠¬ËœAnalysing supply chain performance using a balanced measurement method’, International Journal of Production Research, vol. 40 no.15, pp. 3533–3543. Chopra, S Meindl, P 2004, Supply chain management: Strategy, planning, and operation, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Christopher, M 2005, ‘Logistics and supply chain management: Creating value-adding networks, Prentice Hall, Horlow. Ciliberti, F et al. 2009, ‘Codes to coordinate supply chains: SMEs’ experiences with SA8000’, Supply Chain Management: an International Journal, vol. 14, no. 2, pp.117-127. Ketchen, G Hult, T 2006, ‘Bridging organisation theory and supply chain management: The case of best value supply chains’, Journal of Operations Management, vol.25 no. 2, pp. 573-580. Leclerc, Y 2012, ‘Sustainability and The Supply Chain: How to Reduce Cost and Save the Environment’, Manufacturing business technology, vol. 2.no. 1, pp. 67-71. Linton, J et al. 2 007, ‘Sustainable Supply Chains: An Introduction’, Journal of Operations Management, vol. 559 no. 8, pp. 1-7. Maloni, M Brown, E 2006, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility in the Supply Chain: An Application in the Food Industry’, Journal of Business Ethics, vol. 68 no. 1, pp. 35-52. McKinno, A 2010, Green logistics: Improving the environmental sustainability of logistics, Kogan Page, London. Orsato, R 2006, ‘Competitive Environmental Strategies: When does it pay to be green?’, California Management Review, vol. 48, no. 2, pp. 127–143. Appendix Authors Strategy brought in and its purpose to the specific stakeholders (client, supplier, etc) The author’s Contributions in the Academic Debate in Addressing the Issue of Collaborations Aronsson, H Brodin, M 2006 Introduce the strategy of enhancing sustainable supply chain by paying central focus on the impacts of supply chain on consumers The authors contribute to the debate on colla boration in sustainable supply chain by establishing the necessity of addressing the needs of the customers. They argue that for an organisation to be actively engaged in building a sustainable supply chain, it starts with the right supply chain strategy, which will be inclusive of customer service levels, financial results, operation costs, and environmental targets Bakshi, R Fiksel, J 2010 Their strategy for establishment of sustainable supply chains is looking for generic mechanism of acquiring market success. Their argument is that successful collaboration in supply chain cannot be attained without consideration of the ways of enhancing markets success. Bullinger, J, Kuhner, M, van Hoof, A 2002 Develop the roles of supply chain management in customer differentiation Contribute to the supply chain debate by arguing out that although collaboration of the elements that makes up the arms of supply chins is vital, principle focus of supply chain should be delivery of value to c ustomers To them, this is done through creation of reliable, flexible, and cost-effective business systems that are capable of supporting customer differentiation. Chopra, S Meindl, P 2004 Develop the roles of inter-supplier communications as a strategy for building sustainable chain supplies The authors contribute to the debate of collaboration in sustainable chain supplies by arguing out that suppliers needs to collaborate and communicate effectively on mechanism that are acceptable among them all for enhancing sustainable supplies. Christopher, M 2005 Author’s strategy for sustainable chain supply is paying attention to the costs factor of products In the context of collaborations in sustainable chain supplies, the author maintains that global warming costs attributed to supply chain practises matters to customers. Therefore, there should be close collaboration between the supply chain arm of an organisation and the green movements Ciliberti, F et al. 2009 Pursue co st leadership strategy for enhancing sustainable chain supplies. The authors argue that cost leadership strategies include â€Å"economies of scale, proprietary technology, and preferential access to raw materials† (Ciliberti et al. 2009, p.119). To achieve these authors argues that collaboration by all organisational stakeholders is vital. Ketchen, G Hult, T 2006 Develop theoretical paradigms defining the purposes and function of supply chain management in an organisation Discuss the need for collaboration of the facets that comprise effective supply chain management in and organisation. Leclerc, Y 2012 Evaluates the roles of technologies that are used to effect supply chain in enhancing sustainability of supply chain strategies adopted by an organisation. The author contributes to the debate on supply chains by insisting that collaborations of an organisation with people consuming the products being supplied to them can be enhanced through eco-friendly supply chain tec hnologies. Such technologies are considered by the researcher as sustainable Linton, J et al. 2007 According to the authors, an effective strategy for effective supply chains is focusing an entire organisation on delivering products in manner that is efficient The authors argue that all the entities forming an organisation should aim at enhancing sustainability in supply chains. To them, this task should not be left to supply chain personnel within an organisation only. It is a matter of concern of all stakeholders who are interested in the success of an organisation Maloni, M Brown, E 2006 Discuss the role of social corporate responsibility in supply chain Discuss the environmental responsibility as an essential organisational collaboration effort with the communities within which an organisation is established as a strategy of social corporate responsibility pivotal for enhancing effective supply chains. McKinno, A 2010 Emphasises that sustainable chain supplies can be atta ined through inculcation of mechanisms of realising competitive advantage. From the paradigm of collaboration as a strategy for sustainable chain supplies, the author argues that sustainability in terms of gaining competitive advantage cannot be achieved without effective collaboration of all organisational stakeholders. To him this is a major milestone in enactment of costs leadership strategies for sustainability. Orsato, R 2006 His strategy for sustainable chain supplies is embracing the concerns of green products. The author contributes to the debate of collaboration in sustainable supply chains by arguing that the supply chain arm of an organisation needs to pay attention to matters raised by the green products movements. This research paper on Sustainability in Modern Supply Chains was written and submitted by user Brielle L. to help you with your own studies. 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