Purchasing and supplies Essay Example for Free

Purchasing and supplies Essay Purchasing can be traced as far back as 2800 BC in cuneiform clay tablets purchasing orders. Curiously only during the past two countries has purchasing been addressed in trade books and text books. In 1832 Charles Babbage addressed purchasing in his book â€Å"On the Economy, Machinery and Manufacturing† The first book devoted specifically to purchasing, â€Å"The Handling of Railway Supplies: The Purchase and Disposition† published in 1887 was authored by Marshall M. Kirkman. The first college textbook on purchasing was authorized by Howard T. Lewis of Harvard University in 1933. Although interest of purchasing and supply function has been a phenomenon in the 20th, it was recognized as independent and importing function well before 1900. Growth of interest and attention to purchasing was rather uneven in the early 1900’s but by 1915, several books on purchase had appeared and several articles had been published in trade press primarily in the engineering journals. Yet prior to World War I (1914-1918) most firms regarded the purchase function primarily as a clerical activity. However during the world war, the ability to obtain raw materials supplies ad services needed to keep the factories and mines operating were the 3 key determinates of organizational success. Attention was given to the organization policies and procedures for purchase functions, and so it emerged as a recognized management activity. Historically since management interest has focused on research and development, marketing, finance and operations, purchasing has frequently been subordinated to these functions. Mangers are however becoming aware impact on the bottom line that does any other functions. It is with such insights the purchasing has evolved and evolves through the following four stages. Passive stage- Purchasing function has no strategic direction and primarily reacts to the requests of other functions, This stage is characterized by: a) High proportion and individual communications due to purchasing low visibility b) Supplier selections based on price and availability. Independent stage- Purchasing functions adopts the latest purchasing techniques and processes, but its strategic direction is independent of the firms competitive strategic. In this stage; a) Performance is based primary on cost reduction and efficiency measures. b) Coordination links are established between purchasing and technical discipline. c) Top management recognizes the importance of professional development. d) Top management recognizes the opportunities in purchasing for contribution to profitability Supportive- Purchasing function support the firm’s competitive strategy by adoption purchasing techniques and products which strengthens the firm’s competitive position In this stage; a) Purchase is included in sales proposal teams. b) Suppliers are considered a resource with emphases on experience motivation and attitude. c) Market product and suppliers are continuously monitored and analyzed. iv) Integrative stage- Purchasing strategy is fully integrated into the firm’s competitive strategy and constitutes part of an integrated effort among peers to formulate and implement a strategic plan. In this stage; a) Cross-functional training of purchasing professionals executive is made available b) Permanent lines of communication are established among other functional areas. c) Professional development focuses on strategic elements of the competitive strategy d) Purchasing performance is measures in terms of contributions to the firm’s success 1.3 The Role of the Purchasing Department The purchasing department is expected by the management to fulfill the following five rights Right Time Right Price These rights are also referred to as the principles of purchasing. In order to undertake these rights the purchasing department delineates the following as in roles;   To support company operations with an uninterrupted flow of materials and services. ii)To buy competitively- Keep abreast of the forces of demand and supply that regulate prices and material availability on the market; understanding suppliers cost structure and ability to help reduce it further; price negotiation to help reach a fair price. To buy wisely- Continual search for better vales that yield the best combination of quality service and price; reconciling users needs with suppliers capabilities by use of cross functional teams; To keep inventory investment and inventory losses at a practical minimum. To develop good relationship with suppliers community and good Continuing relationship with active suppliers- good relationship with potential suppliers is invaluable. To achieve maximum integration with other departments of the firmUnderstanding major needs of user departments and provide such support as; standardization of programmes, future price forecasting, make or buy analysis and providing a repository of information and data from suppliers. To handle the purchasing and supply management function proactively and in a professional cost effective manner- Continual analysis of activities to eliminate those that only marginally contribute to the effectiveness of the organization and establishing policies and procedures that achieve departments objectives in the most cost effective manner 1.4 The Contribution of Purchasing Department to the Overall Firm’s Performance As a function, purchasing is common to all types of business operations. The purchasing department however is an organizational unit of a firm whose duties may include responsibility for part or all of the purchasing function and additional activities as well. As a matter of fact, the purchasing function is usually performed most effectively and efficiently by a centralized unit made of buying specialist who a time may work in conjunction with a more comprehensive cross-functional team of specialists. Prior to the 1950, the purchasing department was a clerically oriented order placing unit. In the ensuing years however, managerial emphasis has focused on specialization of individual buying activities, professionalism and contribution to the firm’s profit. This emphasis by the management on the purchasing department has been borne out to of the realization of the profit potential of purchasing as a function. Every shilling saved in purchasing is equivalent to a new shilling in profit. The profit margin of a firm is usually given as.

Comparing the Power of Love in Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Beloved :: Comparison Compare Contrast Essays

The Power of Love in Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Beloved There are several common themes in the film Beloved and the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin. They both deal with the effects of slavery on the white and black communities. They both address the brutal treatment of blacks within slavery, including the sexual mistreatment of black women by their masters. A prevalent theme out of both works is the power of a mother’s love for her children. The film Beloved paints a grim picture of what it was like to be a black woman in the 1860’s. Like the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin, it takes us through the story of an escaped slave in the South traveling to the North in order to gain freedom. The main characters, Sethe, in the movie Beloved, and Eliza, in the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin, are both mothers who want nothing more that to see their children delivered from the bonds of slavery. Although the film and the book were created using very different styles, their objectives are somewhat similar. In Stowe’s book Uncle Tom’s Cabin we follow Eliza through a dramatic escape from her plantation after she learns about the impending sale of her only son. Determined to take him out of slavery or die trying, she runs away in the night with him holding on to her neck. Stowe focuses much attention on the power of maternal love. She felt strongly against slavery because it often broke the bonds of maternal love by ripping children away from the mothers. Families were continually being torn apart by the auction block; Stowe wanted the reader to be aware of the effects of this horrible institution. Logic tells us that no mother would ever willingly put her children or herself in danger. However, through Eliza’s character in Uncle Tom’s Cabin we see the desperation that many women had to experience to save their children. Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, though fictional, did more to change the hearts of Americans who were standing on the edge abolitionism than any other work at that time. In fact, near the conclusion of the Civil War she was invited to the White House in order that President Lincoln might meet the â€Å"little woman that started this big war.† Stowe felt that she had an obligation to inform the world of what really went on in the South, what life was really like for slaves.

Business: Public Relations and Press Release

The website is http://www.jpmorganchase.com/corporate/About-JPMC/about-us.htm. The sender is JPMorgan Chase’s public relations and communications department. Looking at the variety and richness of messages heralding the successes and profitability of the bank, it is obvious that the message is intended for a variety of stakeholders like investors, potential investors, shareholders, customers and potential customers, employees and even its competitors. Analyze the integrated business communication.Integrated business communication is defined as â€Å"†¦the process of planning, executing and evaluating unified messages that create stakeholder relationships and build brand recognition.† (Stuart, Sarow, and Stuart, 2007,p.14) The press release section uses information from public relations, management, organizational changes, marketing and incorporate these into a series of dynamic message that paints a picture of the company as a whole making it possible for stake hol ders to form a comprehensively positive image of the company. For example, if one looks at the press release of April 25th of 2013, one realizes it heralds through its title â€Å"Chase Ranks #1 in Mobile Banking Functionality† a technological milestone that not only places the company ahead of its competitors, but also entices prospective customers who might see this as a plus.In this particular press release,  many stakeholders are targeted at the same time. In another press release dated April 17th 2013 titled â€Å"100.000 Jobs mission Announces 64,628 U. S Veterans hired Through First Quarter2013†, the company uses public relations technique to announce its position as an outstanding responsible corporate citizen through offering employment to a target under-privileged group. This particular release serves also as a public relationship announcement to prospective veterans that employment is done on the spot. This is an image building and publicity stunt that als o targets a wide variety of stakeholders. Assess the media richness of the section.To achieve its communication strategy, the company uses both audio and video presentations, emails, news feeds, downloadable data and links to other pertinent information that may be important sources of enrichment to its readers or stakeholders. Of particular interest is its use of webcasts and live feeds or reproduced information that can be viewed live or at the stakeholders’ convenience by way of archived presentations. Describe how the message is framed.Framing according to Robert Entman is â€Å"selecting, and highlighting some facets of events or issues, and making connections among them so as to promote a particular interpretation, evaluation and /or solution†, (Stuart, Sarow, and Stuart, 2007,p.18). This is exemplified in the very setup of the website and the various breakdown of the message into sections, topics, dates in a coherent and easily accessible way through internet ac cess and other communication tools. For example, the topics are arranged beginning with investor relations, financial information, CIO reports, annual report and proxy, shareholder presentations, corporate responsibility to feedback link in frequently asked questions. A cursory look at the table of contents shows that there is a deliberate attempt at presenting a unified message about the company to its stakeholders that paints a bright light, vision and growth with special attention to the shareholders.Identify opinion leaders.Opinion leaders that are targeted by the communication are shareholders, prospective employees, employees, customers, prospective customers, government regulators, generally known as stakeholders. Make recommendations  for improving word choice.The choice of words while technically appropriate to its audience, may be confusing to the rank and file customer and investor who may not understand the use of technical words. This is seen in the earnings reports, and other communiquà ©s in the website. I would also recommend that concrete words be used to avoid ambiguity. A more simple but concise language devoid of ambiguity, double meaning laden with cramped up facts and data is recommended considering the targeted audience and general public to whom the message is addressed.

A Problem Question on Contract Law - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2028 Downloads: 2 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Law Essay Type Cause and effect essay Topics: Act Essay Contract Law Essay Did you like this example? Introduction A contract refers to an agreement between two or more parties which is legally binding in the eyes of the law. Based on Contract Act 1950, section 2 (h), an agreement that is enforceable by law is a contract. Any other agreements that is not enforceable by law is said to be void, section 2 (g). Therefore, section 2 (j) a contract which is ceases to be enforceable by the law becomes void when it ceases to be enforceable. A contract consists of 6 elements which is proposal (section 2) and acceptance (section 7). The agreement made must be certain and lawful to fulfill the requirement of entering a contract. The consideration (section 26) of a contract have to be in price theory or the benefit and detriment theory. Next, certainty (section 30) said that the terms and agreements of a contract need to be certain and clear. Besides that, all party in the contract have to be free consent, section 10. Lastly, section 11 capacity said that minors, person that disqualified from contracting by any law and unsound mind are not competent to enter a contract. Ah Beng Ah Beng wished to sell his 3-year old motorcycle. He have the intention to create legal relations, commercial contract. In a business contract the presumption is that there is an intention to create legal relations. Unlike domestic contract where agreement made between parties are stated as no intention to create such a legal relations. For example, agreement between spouses, between parent and child and agreements between friends. Case law Balfour v. Balfour. The husband promised to pay a monthly allowance as maintenance to his wife. The court held that it was not a legally enforceable agreement, the parties should be attended by legal consequences. According to section 2 (a), when one signifies to another his willingness to do said to make a proposal, Ah Beng is the offeror before he advertised the sale in a local newspaper. After the advertisement,he becomes an acceptor. Advertisement consist of two types of offer, Bilateral and Unilateral offer. Unilateral offer is a party (X) undertakes to do something is another party (Y) decides to accept by performing some lawful act specified by X. For instance, Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. Carbolic Smoke Ball company made an offer to the pubic by issuing an advertisement saying that whoever still suffered from influenza after taking their product (a drug) will get  £ 100 in a specified manner and for a specified period of time. Mrs Carlill sued the company for the promise reward. The court held that the advertisement is an offer to the world. Referring to the Bilateral case law Majumder v. Attorney General of Sarawak 1967, a newspaper advertisement stated a medical officer war required and set out the salary scale. The Federal Court held that the advertisement in the newspaper for the post of a medical officer was an invitation to treat. Therefore the advertisement by Ah Beng i s a Bilateral Contracts, where both parties make promises to one another, a mutual exchange of promise and this leads to invitation to treat. For example, a job advertisement is not an offer but an Invitation to Treat. The applicant is the offeror for the job and if it is accepted, the promisor is obligated to perform by giving the applicant a position and remuneration in accordance with the advertisement, a promise for a promise. Ah Beng and Ahmad Ah Beng called his colleague Ahmad who had previously told him that he is looking for a used motorcycle for his son for RM 2,500.00 in cash. As they discussed, Ahmad asked Ah Beng to hold the offer till end of the month and Ah Beng did not give an affirmative answer. Based on section 2 (a) , when one signifies to another his willingness to do said to make a proposal. Therefore Ah Beng is the offeror and Ahmad is the acceptor. However, the contract is not valid. There are components under Contracts Act 1950 to determine whether a contract is valid or invalid. When Ah Beng offered Ahmad at the first place, Ahmad request for extension, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“until the end of the monthà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ , setting a new request to Ah Beng. According to section 7 (a), conditional acceptance is no acceptance. Case law Branca v. Cobarro. Ahmadà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s act has caused the contract to be invalid. Moreover, at the end of the conversation Ah Beng did not give an affirmative answer to Ahmad , section 7 (a) Acceptance must be absolute as referring to case law of Kam Mah Theatre Sdn. Bhd. v. Tan Lay Soon 1994. The acceptance given by Ahmad must be absolute and unqualified in order to make the contract between him and Ah Beng valid. After two days, Ahmad rang up Ah Bengà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s house to inform that he is interested to buy the motorcycle and will go over the next day to make the payment of RM 2,500.00 after seeing Ah Beng has advertised to sell the motorcycle for RM 2,800.00 on the local newspaper. Unfortunatel y Ah Beng was not in and Ah Bengà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wife is the person who was answering the call. Based on section 4 (1) , a communication is complete when it comes to the knowledge of the person to whom it is made. Refers to case law, R v. Clarke. Clarke was an accomplice to the murder of two policeman, the Australian published a notice granting pardon and a reward of A$ 1,000. Clark supplied the information but he admitted that at the time he gave the information he had forgotten about the reward money. The court held that he was not entitled to the reward as he was not aware of the reward at all. The contract is therefore invalid as Ahmad did not deliver his messages and offers to Ah Bengà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s knowledge and not conforming to Section 4(2)(b). However, the contract can still be valid if Ah Beng give authorization to his wife to accept the offer on behalf of Ah Beng. This is illustrated in the case law Powell n Lee, the court held that there was no authorized communic ation made by the acceptor. Ah Beng and Maniam Maniam read the advertisement and went over Ah Bengà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s house to look for the motorcycle. Maniamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s act is to inquire more information about the motorcycle. The conversation between Maniam and Ah Beng signifies that the advertisement made by Ah Beng regarding the motorcycle is uncertain as there are informations about the motorcycle that Ah Beng did not mention clearly in the advertisement such as the model of the motorcycle, colour of the motorcycle, accident free and current condition of the motorcycle have not been told from the advertisement. This have caused uncertainty for the consideration of an agreement, therefore invalid contract based on section 30. This scenario can be referred to the case law, Karuppan Chetty v. Suah Thian 1916, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“lease at $35.00 per month as long as he likeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  is unacceptable by the court therefore declared void for uncertainty. Maniam notic ed that the battery was weak and both of the tyres were worn off during the inspection of the motorcycle. Ah Beng immediately offered the price to RM 2,700.00 and has become the new offeror, on the other hand Maniam become the new acceptor. As the negotiation going on, case law Lau Brothers Co v. China Pacific Navigation Co. Ltd 1965, no agreement will be formed under negotiation. However Maniam agreed to bring the cash on the next day expecting Ah Beng to replace the two tyres with the new ones. It is a new condition set by Maniam, leading to a counter offer. Based on section 7 (a), the acceptance made must be absolute and unqualified. Therefore the contract is not valid as Maniamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s counter offer is a rejection of the initial contract, contracts subject to contract. The contract would only be valid if it is free consent from both parties. Refers to case law Hyde v. Wrench 1840, the defendant offered to sell his estate to the plaintiff on 6th of Jun for  £1, 000. On 8th of June the plaintiff made a counter proposal, 27th of June the defendant refused to accept his offer. Two days later the plaintiff wrote to the defendant that he was prepare to pay  £1,000, the defendant refused. The court held that there was no acceptance as by rejecting the original offer the plaintiff had destroyed the offer. In effect the plaintiff is now making a new offer. By asking Ah Beng to replace the worn off tyres with new ones, Maniam has become the offeror again whereas Ah Beng as the acceptor of this new agreement. At the end of the day, Ah Beng did not give response to Maniamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s further request. Based on section 7 (b), Mental acceptance is no acceptance, silence will not amount to acceptance. Refers to case law Felthouse v. Bindley, plaintifà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s uncle offered to buy a horse from plaintiff for  £30 adding à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“If i hear no more about him, i consider the horse mine at the priceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ . The court held that the plaintiffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s silence did not amount to acceptance of the offer. In this case, Ah Bengà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s reaction towards Maniam is not an acceptance to the contract, therefore the agreements between Ah Beng and Maniam is invalid. Ah Beng and Jack A classmate of Ah Bengà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s 16 year old son, also came to know about the advertisement. Jack immediately went over to Ah Bengà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s house and gave five hundred ringgit in cash to Ah Bengà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s son with a promise that he will pay the balance the next day after he gets it from his parents. Section 10 (1) states that if the agreements are made by free consent of parties for a lawful consideration are not hereby expressly declared to be void. Jack is willing to enter the contract by offering his money Ah Beng without being forced. Based on section 11 Capacity as per Age of Majority Act 1971, said that the age of majority to enter a contract is at the age of 18 and above. Case law Tan Hee Juan v. Teh Boon Keat, a minor entered into a contract of transferring land. The court held that the contract was void. Jack is a minor, 16 years old and incapable of entering a contract. Moreover, section 69 said that the necessaries suited to his condition in life is not valid. Case law Nash Vs. Inman (1908) a minor, who was already having sufficient supply of clothing suitable to his position, was supplied further clothing by a tailor. Unlike case law Scarborough v. Sturzaker 1905 where the minor needs a motorcycle to travel to work for 12 miles (19 km ) distance everyday. In this case, a motorcycle is necessaries suited to the condition in life. However, there are few exception for necessity which is valid contract. Such as marriage contract, case law Rajeswary v. Balakrishnan 1958. Case law Government of Malaysia v. Gurcharan Singh 1971 stated that scholarship contract is valid for a minor as education is a necessity nowadays. Insurance is also a valid contract for a minor. Based on Insurance Act 1963, a minor can enter an insurance contract if he is above ten years old. According to section 66, obligation of person who has received advantage under void agreement or contract that becomes void. When a contract becomes void, any person who has received any advantage under the agreement is bound to restore it, or make compensation for it to the person from whom he received it. Therefore, Ah Beng is obligated to restore balance, return the five hundred ringgit to Jack. Referring to case law, Thong Foo Ching Ors v. Shigenori Ono 1998. Conclusion In conclusion, non of the person above have a valid contract with Ah Beng. First, the communication is yet to be complete between Ah Beng and Ahmad as Ahmad called and Ah Bengà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wife is the person who answered the call (section 4 (1) Communication). Next, being silence did not amount to acceptance of the offer (section 7 (a). Therefore invalid contract with Man iam as Ah Beng remain silence. Next, the capacity of both parties must be competent to enter a contract in order to make it legal, section 11 Competent to contract. In this case the contract between Ah Beng and Jack is invalid due to the age of Jack, minor (16 years old) . Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A Problem Question on Contract Law" essay for you Create order