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Example research essay topic: Value Chain Social Contract - 1,581 words

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I. Overview II. Current Technology Assessment III. Value Chain Analysis A. Value Chain Defined B. Value Chain and the Customer C.

Technology Supporting Business Functions in the Value Chain D. Technology and Partnering Activities IV. Social Contract A. Social Contract Defined B. Social Contract in History C. Social Contract in the Business Perspective D.

Regional issues with Social Contracts V. Global Issues VI. Managing Changes VII. Conclusion Overview "In 1991, Microsoft Corp. became the first software company to create its own computer science research organization.

Microsoft has developed into a unique entity among corporate research labs, balancing an open academic model with an effective process for transferring its research to product development teams. Microsoft recognizes that to create the foundation for future technology breakthroughs, it is necessary to support long-term computer science research that is not bound by product cycles" (web). Today, the world-renowned scientists of Microsoft Research make up one of the largest, fastest-growing, and most highly respected software research organizations in the world - one that will help define and redefine the computing experience for millions of people for decades to come" Microsoft offers a variety of products such as operating systems, business / personal management software, multi-media software, databases, and exchange servers. They also provide help centers online and provide services over the telephone to help you with any problem you are having with their products (web). Value Chain Analysis Before you can discuss Microsoft's value chain, you must first understand what a value chain is. According to the Internet Center for Management and Business Administration, Inc. , the value chain can be described as: A way to analyze the specific activities through which firms can create a competitive advantage by modeling the firm as a chain of value-creating activities. (Quick MBS.

com) The article further describes the value chain as maintaining five primary activities (Inbound Logistics, Operations, Outbound Logistics, Marketing & Sales, and Services). The goal of these activities is to "create value that exceeds the cost of providing the product or service, thus generating a profit margin. " (Quick MBS. com) The primary activities can be defined as: "Inbound logistics include the receiving, warehousing, and inventory control of input materials. Operations are the value-creating activities that transform the inputs into the final product. Outbound logistics refer to the activities required to get the product to the customer, including warehousing, order fulfillment, etc. Marketing & Sales are those activities associated with getting buyers to purchase the product, including channel selection, advertising, pricing, etc.

And Service, defined as activities that maintain and enhance the product's value including customer support, repair services, etc. " (Quick MBS. com) Microsoft's objective is to provide a product that satisfies the needs of the customer. The establishment of the value chain was designed just for that reason. The Microsoft Research team is continually developing new technologies to enhance the customers overall service. According to the Microsoft Research website, a Microsoft Research spokesperson stated: At Microsoft Research, we have an insatiable curiosity and the desire to create new technology that will help define the computing experience. Whether inspired by a suggestion from a customer or simply the search for a better way, we " re driven to innovate and push the state-of-the-art in computer science as far as our imaginations can reach. (Microsoft Research.

com) This development of new technologies offers support to all aspects of Microsoft's business functions and their value chain. In an e-article discussing the effects of the internet on the value chain analysis of Microsoft, Sanjiv Side, CEO, i 2 Technologies stated: The Microsoft Value Chain Initiative enhances i 2 's Value Chain Planner solution by providing a unique opportunity for all participants in the supply chain to replace billions of dollars of trapped inventory with information and to significantly enhance performance for the end consumer. (Microsoft. com) An example of this would be utilizing a virtual warehouse to store customer downloadable products. This allows Microsoft to provide desired products without generating a huge surplus of inventory and the ability to reduce infrastructure costs. Tracking the customers' wants allows operation to develop better products with the customers' interests in mind.

These same technologies facilitate the flow of the value chain by identifying product needs and helps direct marketing strategies with sales and services to the consumer. With the introduction of the internet, Microsoft was provided with the means of tracking their products worldwide. The tracking of their products allows the organization to direct sales and marketing strategies toward identified consumers interested in a particular product. This same technology also allows online surveys, conducted by the consumer, and facilitates the controlling function of management throughout the value chain process. The internet also assists Microsoft with collaboration efforts with universities and product groups with joint partnering activities. These activities are beneficial for the customer because it gives the consumer a stake in the development of new products and identifies antiquated / obsolete products.

Examples of these activities include full integration of Microsoft products with the products of other leading technological organization through the help of consumer inputs and data exchanges. This collaboration allows Microsoft to better respond to the customers' needs and provides the much needed edge to remain at the forefront of the computer software industry. As a leader within the software industrial and dependent upon the consumer, Microsoft must fulfill certain social responsibilities. Social Contract The concept of Social Contract has been in place since the early sixteenth century. Microsoft Encarta defines social contract as: A voluntary agreement among people defining the relationship of individuals with one another and with government and by this process forming a distinct organized society. (Microsoft Encarta) Socrates and Plato wrote on opposite sides of this issue. Plato's book Republic showed he believed social contract is a source where laws come from, while Socrates, at first was on the same page when he was incarcerated, then rejects the idea that social contract is the origin of laws for that time period.

In the marketplace, social contract is the basis or bare facts that bring a partnership to the table. Under certain circumstances would the contract in question set the "laws" that each party would adhere to. A basic contract is a framework for all agreements; the corporations will set its bylaws to reflect that framework. In the instance of employees, depending upon the state, a contract of employment is not needed. Although, in those cases, the contract that the company will pay an individual for services that he or she provides is an understood and needs not to negotiate. In this predicament, the employee is given guidelines that are to be met.

States that require a contract for employment, not only does the employer dictate what is expected of the potential employee, negotiation of pay reflects the minimum the position that is being applied for, and an hierarchy is laid out for all to see. The states that do not require a contract are often known as "an employment at will state" and until recently companies in these states did not provide a contract for employment, however, companies have started to put their expectations for the said position are laid out as if it was a state that required it. The reason for this is to clearly show what the expectations of the conditional employment are. In the United States, the issues are simple; either you are on a contract for employment, or either party can terminate employment for any reason at all. Overseas, is a different story, the basis of the contract is still valid, however, countries such as India, have a social system that dictates what position will be taken by the class structure that the person is in.

Which indicates no matter how good a job someone is doing, this person can only be promoted within the class to which they were born. Some indicate that will be a good to minimize cost, but the overall aspect of employee happiness would be an issue. At Microsoft, that is not the case. Everyone in the company can voice their opinion and be listened to and have that thought process weighed to improve the product. The reversal of the social contract in this company put its employees, unlike other companies, on the same plateau as the president of the company. Of course, a version of the social contract can still be seen by the manner in which that person dresses.

As a rule, there is no set dress code for this company, but those who have higher positions do dress accordingly for that position. Having these "perks" in place combined with an attractive employee package help to keep everything on the idea that everyone is important there, not just the executives. REFERENCES Calibex (2005) Calibex Compare and Save. Retrieved on May 17, 2005 from website web D'Agostino, Fred, 'Contemporary Approaches to the Social Contract', The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (summer 2003 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed. ), URL = web Friend, C. (2000). The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

Retrieved May. 13, 2005, from Social Contract Theory Web site: web Microsoft (2005) Microsoft Drives Value Chain Initiative with Leading Transportation and Logistics Solution Providers. Retrieved May 13, 2005 from web. Microsoft Corporation (2005) Microsoft Help and Support. Retrieved on May 17, 2005 from website web Microsoft Research (2005) Turing Ideas Into Reality.

Retrieved May 13, 2005 from web Quick MBS. com (1999 - 2004) Strategic Management, The Value Chain. Retrieved May 12, 2005 from web


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Research essay sample on Value Chain Social Contract

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