Strategic Management Practices in the Airline Companies in British Aviation Industry - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1763 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Management Essay Type Narrative essay Did you like this example? Area of Study. Strategic Management in the Airline Industry Proposed Title. Strategic Management Practices in the Airline Companies in British Aviation Industry Introduction. Strategic management is being considered as one of the effective management tools in strengthening organization performance through effective decision making and systematic strategic formulation and implementation. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Strategic Management Practices in the Airline Companies in British Aviation Industry" essay for you Create order Strategic management was found to be an effective management tool in transforming a more complex airline sector to a more responsive and innovative administration. This study intends to investigate to what extent strategic management practices are being adopted and practiced by the Airline companies in British Aviation Industry. The airline industry has become a significant and very competitive sector in the global economy as many airline companies entered into the market and trying to become market leader through creating competitive advantages and using effective financial corporate strategies. Generally organizational success depends on the successful strategic management practices. Since large amount of new entrants operate in the saturated industry, the importance of strategic management practices in the airline industry has grown up rapidly after the deregulation of the industry. The strategic management decisions play significant role and lead the organization towards its goa ls and objectives. According to Ibarra et al, (1995) the main reasons for business failure are the lack of understanding of the strategic position, poor strategic planning, confusing corporate culture, ineffective organisational structure, poor financial predictions, and lack of confidentiality in the future. Many of these reasons can be successfully managed through the development and implementation of effective strategic management practices. Aim and Focus of the Study The aim of my research is to explore the importance of the strategic management practices in the successes of the business in the airline industry. While strategic management is widely practiced by many firms and other profit oriented organizations in UK, its adoption by airline sector particularly in British airline companies at operational level is questionable. Strategic planning in airline companies is still insubstantial and unknown in the sense that there is an absence of documented proof of its practice (Werner Delfmann 2005). This study is undertaken to fill this knowledge gap. It is imperative to study on how strategic management is being adopted by airline companies as a tool of enhancing their performance and achieve competitive advantages. Airline companies in British Aviation industry are chosen as the setting because of their significant role to the UK economy. Context for the Research Research Objectives. The main objective of the study is to examine the adoption and importance of strategic management practices in airline companies in British Aviation industry. In so doing, the study will seek: I. to investigate the extent to which strategic management is adopted by the airline companies, in line with the strategic management framework that suite its environment; II. to find out factors that contribute and impede the smooth adoption of strategic management in the airline companies; III. to see how factors such as management plans, policy and system, organ ization culture and organization structure have impact in adopting strategic management in the airline companies; and IV. to identify how effective strategic management practices enable the companies to enjoy competitive advantages. Research Questions 01. What is the extent of adoption of strategic management practices among the airline companies in terms of; Mission and objective setting; Corporate appraisal and environmental analysis Strategy formulations and choice Implementing strategies Control and feedback mechanism 02. What are the contributing and impeding factors in the airline companies in successfully adopting the strategic management practices; 03. How do factors such as leadership traits, organization culture and organization structure have impact in the degree of adoption strategic management by the airline companies. Significance of the study. Finding of the research will increase the level of knowledge and understanding of the subject of strategic management and its application by airline companies. This research will be significant in terms of 1. Identification of the concept and framework of strategic management that takes into account the nature of work and environment of airline companies. 2. Support and enrich theory and model of strategic management in airline companies. 3. Generate greater awareness among airline organizations on the importance of having a proper and practical strategic management framework to support organizational effectiveness; 4. Provi de useful knowledge on factors that might have impact and contribute to the successful adoption of strategic management in airline organizations. The objective of the study is basically three main parts. Firstly is to examine the extent of adoption of strategic management practices in the airline companies and secondly is to see how factors such as leadership traits, organization culture do and organization structure have impact in the adoption of strategic management that suite the environment of airline companies. The third and final part is how strategic management practices help the organisations to achieve competitive advantages. Gathering of data on the extent of strategic management adoption in the airline companies will be based on models of strategic planning by notable strategic management gurus such as Steiner (1979) and Glueck (1982). Lieterture Review Strategic management is defined as a systematic process for managing the organization and its future direction in relation to its environment in a way that will assure continuous success as well as secure from surprises (Ansoff 1984, Berry 1995). Strategic management encompasses the process of determining organizationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s mission and goals; managing strategy formulation; strategy implementation; and strategy control. Strategic management can be viewed as a series of steps covering the tasks of analysing the opportunities and threats that exist in the external environment; analysing the organizationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s strengths and weaknesses within the internal environment, identifying agency stakeholders, establishing organizationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s mission and goals, formulating strategies by matching the organizationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s strengths and weaknesses with the environmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s opportunities and threats, implementing the strategies and finally engaging in strategy control activities to measure the implementation progress and ensure achievement of the s tated goals. Research Methodology. Research methodology is the strategy which is significant to determine the way through which research objectives could be accomplished effectively (Goddard Melville, 2004). According to Collis Hussey (2009), the research methodology refers the overall approach perspectives to the research as a whole and is concerned with some issues such as why you collected certain data, what data you collected, where you collect data, how you collect data, and how you analyzed data. My research intends to explore how strategic management practices contribute to the companyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s success with the analysis of top 5 airline companies in the British Aviation industry such as IAG, Lufthansa Group, Air France (KLM), Ryanair, and Easyjet. It is important to collect the relevant and reliable information about those companies in order to investigate the extent to which strategic management practices of those companies are essential to their à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"success. The data can be collected in two major ways namely primary and secondary data collection methods. The primary data of the top 5 airline companies in British Aviation industry will be collected using well-structured questionnaires, interviews with superior officers, direct observations and other primary data collection methods. My analysis is also concerned with the performance of financial management of those companies, therefore using secondary data is much more meaningful, reliable and easily accessible. The relevant and reliable financial and non-financial data as a result of strategic management practices of those companies will be collected to investigate the importance and contribution of financial strategy in the organizational success. For a better understanding of the companiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ performance, quantitative and qualitative information are also collected. A perception survey will be conducted to measure variables using structured questio nnaire. Questionnaire will be sent to the airline company professionals. Measurement will use Likert Scale. In addition, interviews will also be conducted at selected airline companies to solicit views from selected respondents especially top management in the airline companies. There are number of secondary data collection methods being used to collect the information of selected airline companies such as, previous research conducted relating to the IAG, Lufthansa Group, Air France (KLM), Ryanair, and Easyjet official statistics from their publications, annual reports of both companies, experts opinion reports, magazines, newspapers and journals, massmedia including BBC and CNN, government reports, historical data and information,web information and so on. The analysis part of my thesis contains two main parts; Quantitative and qualitative analysis. Qualitative analysis will include mission and vision analysis, SOWT analysis, PESTEL analysis, market trends, competitive analysis and so on. In quantitative analysis financial information will be analysed using statistical software such as SPSS, Lotus and excel.Data from 5 major airlines companies in terms of airfare, passenger volume, service quality, passenger-kilometres, traffic level, alliance partnersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ profitability and their stock value during the period of 2003-2013 will be collected. Revenue will be divided into 5 categories: schedule passenger service, schedule freight service, mail, non-schedule service and incidental service. Cost will also be divided into 5 categories: labor expense, fuel, flight, ground property and other materials. Revenue and costs will be treated endogenous variables since they are mutually influence each other. For the method of analysis, a panel regression model will be used. Furthermore, all airline companiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ performance will be analysed using Balance Scorecard (BS Model) and benchmarking each other. References. Books. John Ogilvie (2008), Management Accounting Financial Strategy-Charted Institute of Management Accounting (CIMA). Ross, Westerfield Jordan, 2000, Fundamentals of Corporate Finance- ninth edition, Mc Graw-Hill International Edition. Baker, H.Kent (Harold Kent) 1994, Survey Research in Corporate Finance; bridging the gap between theory and practice, Financial Management Association Survey and Synthesis Series. Ansoff, H. Igor (1965), Corporate Strategy, Penguin Books. S.Rajitha Kumar and M.Sarngadharan, 2011, Financial Analysis for Management Decisions, PHI Learning. Baker, H.Kent 2005, Understanding Financial Management; a practical guide first edition. Ethridge, D.E. 2004. Research Methodology in Applied Economics: Organizing, Planning, and Conducting Economic Research. 2nd edn. USA: Wiley-Blackwell. Werner Delfmann 2005, Strategic Management in the Aviation Industry; first edition, Ashgate. Journals. Vlad Vaiman, Huge Scullion, David Collings (2012) , Talent Management Decision Making, Research Paper Volume 50 Issue; 5, 2012 pp 67-78. Flynn, N and Talbot, C (1996) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Strategy and Strategists in UK Local Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ , Journal of Management Development, _ Vol. 15, Issue 2. P.K. Jain, Surendra S.Yadav (2005), Financial Management Practices in public sector enterprises; a study of capital budgeting decisions, research paper, Jounal of Advances in Management Research, Volume; 2 Issue;1 2005 pp 40-52. G.H.Lawson (1969), Profit maximization via financial management, Management Decision, Volume;3 issue 4, 1969 pp.20-38 Electronic Sources. British Airways (2012), Annual reports and accounts2012 (Online) British Airways Plc, https://www.iairgroup.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=240949p=irol-reportsannual (Accessed on 13 May 2014). IATA (2013), Annual review 2013 (Online), 2013 IATA, Retrieved from https://www.iata.org/about/Documents/iata-annual-review-2013-en.pdf (Accessed on 13 M ay 2014) Ryanair (2013), Final annual reports (Online), 2013, Ryanair, Retrieved from. https://www.ryanair.com/doc/investor/2013/final_annual_report_2013_130731.pdf (Accessed on13 May 2014).

Essay Chapter 5 the American Revolution Summary - 1726 Words

CHAPTER 5 The American Revolution: From Elite Protest To Popular Revolt, 1763-1783 SUMMARY This chapter covers the years that saw the colonies emerge as an independent nation. The colonial rebellion began as a protest on the part of the gentry, but military victory required that thousands of ordinary men and women dedicate themselves to the ideals of republicanism. I. STRUCTURE OF COLONIAL SOCIETY In the period following the Seven Years War, Americans looked to the future with great optimism. They were a wealthy, growing, strong, young people. A. Breakdown of Political Trust There were suspicions on both sides of the Atlantic that the new king, George III, was attempting to enlarge his powers by restricting the liberties of†¦show more content†¦Just when affairs reached a crisis, the English government changed again. Lord North headed a new ministry and repealed all of the Townshend taxes except for the duty on tea, which North retained to demonstrate Parliaments supremacy. E. Last Days of the Old Order, 1770--1773 Lord Norths government did nothing to antagonize the Americans for the next three years, and a semblance of tranquility characterized public affairs. Customs collectors in America, however, contributed to bad feelings by extorting bribes and by enforcing the trade acts to the letter, while radicals such as Samuel Adams still protested that the tax on tea violated American rights. Adams helped organize committees of correspondence that built up a political structure independent of the royally established governments. F. The Final Provocation: The Boston Tea Party In 1773, Parliament aroused the Americans by passage of the Tea Act. This act, designed to help the East India Company by making it cheaper for them to sell tea in America, was interpreted by Americans as a subtle ploy to get them to consume taxed tea. In Boston, in December 1773, a group of men dumped the tea into the harbor. The English government reacted to the Tea Party with outrage and passed the Coercive Acts, which closed the port of Boston and put the entire colony under what amounted to martial law. At the same time, Parliament passed the Quebec Act, establishing anShow MoreRelatedCritical Review On Give Me Liberty 1642 Words   |  7 Pages Critical Review of From Slavery to Freedom, Chapter 5: â€Å"Give Me Liberty† By: Brittanie Bartz Date: 9/28/15 Instructor: Dr. John Davis Franklin, John Hope (2010-01-20). From Slavery to Freedom (Page 85). McGraw-Hill Higher Education -A. Kindle Edition. The conquest of the American Revolution has a rather dynamic history of struggle between two nations, one nation wanting economic power, and the other nation wanting economic independence. This rebellion caused anRead MoreThirteen Colonies and New England944 Words   |  4 PagesCHAPTER 3 Settling the Northern Colonies, 1619–1700 Focus Questions 1. What religious turmoil in the Old World resulted in the little colony of Plymouth in the New World? 2. Why was the initial and subsequent colonization of the Massachusetts Bay Colony more successful than Plymouth? 3. How did the colony of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colony contribute to the origins of American independence and government? What were the contributions to American independence and government fromRead MoreAccording To Elliss Preface, Explain What Is So Phenomenal About The Founding Of The United States1747 Words   |  7 PagesHonors US History I: Summer Reading Assignment Chapter Summary Questions Preface: The Generation 1. According to Ellis’s preface, explain what is so phenomenal about the founding of the United States? One reason why the founding of the US is so phenomenal is because the founding fathers were able to create a nation with a government, out of people who were against any type of political power (due to all previous corrupted rulers). There were also many people who were against the idea of a â€Å"bandRead MoreTitle/Author: A Tale of Two Cities / Charles Dickens Date of Publication/Genre:1859 / Historical700 Words   |  3 Pagespopular authors of all time. Many of his novels, including this one, has never gone out of print. He has been praised for his intricacy and realism. Historical information on the period of publication: This is a time post both French and American revolution, although conflict still exists in France at this time. Unification of Romania occurs in January. Origin of Species published by Darwin. Slight political conflict with Wales and Queensland in Great Britan. Harpers Ferry event in the UnitedRead MoreHealth Wearable Technology1693 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦3 Introduction†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..4 Review of the Literature†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..6 Methodology†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 Findings†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..11 References†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..12 Appendix A†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦14 Health Wearable Technology !3 Abstract Innovations in technology paved way for a newRead MoreEnglish As A Global Language1701 Words   |  7 PagesChapter One Summary Mr. Crystal starts his informational book about English as a Global Language by giving examples of how often we see the english language around our daily lives in the United States and other countries around the world. He proves this by saying, â€Å"Wherever you travel, you see English signs and advertisements. Whenever you enter a hotel or restaurant in a foreign city, they will understand English, and there will always be an English manu.† I personally think this is an awesome exampleRead MoreCommunist Manifesto : Understanding Today s World1429 Words   |  6 PagesManifesto consists of four chapters: Bourgeois and Proletarians, Proletarians and Communists, Socialist and Communist Literature, and Position of the Communists in Relation to the Various Existing Opposition Parties. However, only first two chapters will be summarized. The first chapter explains of the relationship between the Bourgeois and the Proletariat, and the second chapter explains of the relationships o f the proletarians and the Communists and the methodologies of the revolution. Moreover, the followingRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States1239 Words   |  5 Pages to defend the nation from foreign invaders, provide welfare and to secure freedom. 4.The constitution has a plan for achieving its objectives by using 3 different branches of government. These branches are Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. 5.Legislative - made up of the two houses of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives), and makes laws. 6.Executive - President is part of this branch, signs bills into laws. 7.Judicial - oversees the court system of the U.S., interpretsRead More Black Panther Party Essay1538 Words   |  7 PagesJunior College in 1965. After Newton attended Merritt Junior College he studied law at the San Francisco School of Law. At Merritt Junior College they organized a Soul Student’s Advisory Council. This Council was the first group to demand that African-American studies be included in the college curriculum. The two men split with the council when Newton and Seale wanted to bring a squad of Black youths on campus to perform drills in commemoration of Malcolm X’s birthday the year after his death. This isRead MoreThe Relationship Between Revolution, State Reform, And Industrialization2739 Words   |  11 PagesThe relationships between revolution, state reform, and industrialization came in a succession form. The ideas that were brought to light during the revolutions later defined how the states were reformed. The reformed states would later take on industrialization. During the American and French Revolutions some ideas were brought up that later defined the state formations. The idea of popular sovereignty allowed for states to become more democratic. This idea to allow the people to have some authority

Purchasing Management for Sheng Chee Company - MyAssignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about thePurchasing Managementfor Sheng Chee Retail Company. Answer: Introduction Sheng Chee Retail Company is commonly recognized as a fresh food and beverages company, with its headquarters in Singapore. The company started as a food vending company but with time, it has diversified to sale of soft drinks, wine and spirits. However food sales remain their core activity which in turn contributes to up to 70% of the annual revenue. The retail company has multiple suppliers for raw products and machinery in the company. Its main target customers are students in nearby colleges and residents of the estates within the town. Sheng Chee does not face a lot of competition from the surrounding competitors. This is because of the highly specialized products. The main goal of the company is meeting the customers expectations and exceeding their requirements. The success of the organization is attained by attracting and retaining the confidence of the target market and other engrossed party (Bodie, 2013). Understanding the current and future needs of the customers is their objective. The retail company is aiming at opening new branches within Singapore and other parts of the world. It also aims at having online services for their customers. Supplier Selection Criteria and Issues The companys suppliers are different depending on the type of raw material needed, price of the products, and quality of the products. According to Nair et al. (2015), most global companies considers the prices of commodities and ignores the quality and reliability of the products and services bought. This is a major shortcoming of the company as it may in turn result to poor quality products to the customers. The retail company aims at ensuring that there is always enough supplies to run the stock. It also ensures high quality at affordable cost. It does all this to make sure that the target customers are satisfied or the products exceed the customers expectations. There are various factors that the company should consider while choosing the suppliers (Gupta, 2016). The effective suppliers should provide products and services that match or exceed the needs and wants of the business. It would therefore be irrational if the purchasing manager was unaware of the business needs and want s. Christopher (2016) suggests that one of the most sought skills in hiring a purchasing manager is cost management and reliability. In light of this suggestion, the purchasing manager of the retail company in this case should ensure that the selected suppliers are reliable and the operations cost of supplying and purchasing stocks are maintained at minimal levels (Pazhani et al., 2016). The purchasing manager should ensure that the suppliers are reliable. This means that if the suppliers fail you may fail the customers too. The suppliers should provide the business with quality supplies consistently (Abdollahi et al., 2015). This will help the business remain dependable to the market. The business purchasing manager should put in to consideration clear communication and strong services with the suppliers. The best suppliers should keep in touch with the business, know what the business needs at a particular time and know how they can serve the business better. The suppliers should also communicate with the business in case of suspected delay of supplies due to unavoidable circumstances. The purchasing management should also ensure that the suppliers have enough cash flow such that they can supply anything the business wants at any time (Johnson, 2014). The business can check the credits of the suppliers to make sure that they will not go out of business when they are needed the most. For effective supplies from the suppliers there should be strong partnership bonds. The purchasing manager has the responsibility of proving the importance of the supplies to the business. This will be beneficial to both the business and the suppliers. Sheng Chee Retail Company can acquire such suppliers through various methods which include, trade associations, exhibitions, business advisors, recommendations or through the trade press. For instance, if the needs a supplier for food spices, the trade association can probably have associates with the matching needs. The trade magazines also advertise potential suppliers who may suit the business needs. The purchasing manager can also acquire reliable suppliers through exhibitions where the managers get to talk to various potential suppliers who are relevant to the business. Through business acquaintances and friends in the same line of business assists the purchasing managers get reliable suppliers. Directories such as Thomson and Yellow Pages can be used by purchase managers while searching for suppliers locally (Pazhani et al., 2016). ICT for Purchasing Operations Information and communication technology refers to all networking devices, systems and applications that allow people and organizations to interact in the digital world. It makes the world a global village. Sheng Chee Retail Company uses Information technology when purchasing products and services from the suppliers. It uses newspapers and trade press which is quite inconvenient since not all suppliers are usually on the trade magazines and newspapers. Additionally not every purchase manager is able to access the trade press or newspapers in times of need. The Retail Company ought to use the improved news of information and communication technology. They include use of electronic point of sale (EPOL). This type of device is used to control the amount of stock in the company. It is also used to collect data from loyalty cards from the customers, know how frequent the customers spend in the retailer company and award them if they are regular customers (Rodrguez-Escobar Gonzlez-Benito, 2015). The EPOL is also used to perform the sales analysis. The EPOL will have a lot of advantages to the company, some of which include; there will be only few cases of ran out products in the shelves. There will always be fresh foods in the shelves as the stock is monitored digitally. Products can also be paid for using the electronic fund transfer which is easier for many customers. The managers will have up-to-date sales analysis that is more accurate than the manual one that was used in the old times. The customers will also be dealt with quickly at the checkout. The organization can also use the EPOL to analyses the customers buying patterns and know the customers to get offers for goods and services that they might be interested in. ICT can also be used to store and protect important information about the past purchases .through electronic storage systems. It help store customer files that may be vital to the integrity of the business. Using strong passwords the business organization can secure important information away from hackers or being swept away. The company can remotely communicate with the suppliers easily through emails which are relatively fast and reliable. The suppliers and company can hook up through video conferencing equipment and internal chat rooms (Yeh, 2015). ICT can also ensure that the customers work remotely with the company. Such that they can get access to the companys electronic network and fresh food can be delivered at their door steps without them necessarily going to the retail company. Purchasing Cost Analysis Like any other organization, it is very important to consider the price of the purchases, analyzing the cost of storing the products and the costs incurred if the organization had not bought the products. The purchasing manager should recommend several tools while analyzing the purchasing costs (Hingley, 2017). To begin with the purchasing should consider the cost analysis. The cost of the products and services should be the first thing to check on. The cost goes further to the cost of transporting to the company, the cost of storage and handling cost too should be looked at. Some suppliers want part of the payments to be paid in advanced. This also contributes to the total cost analysis (Heizer Barry, 2013). Therefore, several days before delivery, the purchasing manager should have paid for the purchases. The total cost also entail the holding cost which is the amount of money charged to store goods in case the retail company has an overstock of a particular. Talk (2016) stipulate s that a rational purchasing manager should recommend the least total cost analysis yet the most reliable supplier in the industry. Additionally, it is important to analyze the inventory analysis. This refers to the cost of storage of the products as well as the cost of not having the items in the retail company for sale or manufacturing. For instance it would be expensive for the company to purchase machinery that will not be put in work. It would be easier and more sensible if the company did not buy the machine. In fact, this would lead to losses incurred to the company (Pazhani et al., 2015). It would negatively influence sales and productivity. Best use of suppliers should be also analyzed by the purchasing managers. For any procurement analysis, one should know the number of suppliers the company has, what products each supplies to the company and what particular day and price. Conclusion In conclusion, the purchasing manager should recommend the maverick spending. This is when an order from one supplier is of low quality or high prices yet can be ordered from another supplier at a cheaper price. This helps the organization in cutting the cost of production and maximization of profits. Moreover, the retail company should take into consideration the delivery time analyses. Sheng Chee being a food specialized retail company deals with a lot of perishable products. The suppliers should therefore inform the purchasing manager about the delivery date and if possible the specific time in order to prepare the storage area as most of the food stuffs is perishable. In addition some products require quite a large amount of money to purchase which can cause havoc in the company especially if it has a tight cash flow. It is there necessary for the suppliers and the purchase managers to keep in touch. References Abdollahi, M., Arvan, M., Razmi, J. (2015). An integrated approach for supplier portfolio selection: Lean or agile?.Expert Systems with Applications,42(1), 679-690. Bodie, Z. (2013).Investments. McGraw-Hill. Christopher, M. (2016).Logistics supply chain management. Pearson UK. Gupta, S. (2016).Operational considerations in purchasing management (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Texas at Dallas). Heizer, R., Barry, R. (2013).Operation Management, Sustainability and Supply Chain management(Vol. 11). Pearson, UK. Hingley, M. (2017). Introduction to the special issue of Journal of Business Industrial Marketing Contemporary Purchasing Practices.Journal of Business Industrial Marketing,32(2). Johnson, P. F. (2014).Purchasing and supply management. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Nair, A., Jayaram, J., Das, A. (2015). Strategic purchasing participation, supplier selection, supplier evaluation and purchasing performance.International Journal of Production Research,53(20), 6263-6278. Pazhani, S., Ventura, J. A., Mendoza, A. (2016). A serial inventory system with supplier selection and order quantity allocation considering transportation costs.Applied Mathematical Modelling,40(1), 612-634. Rodrguez-Escobar, J. A., Gonzlez-Benito, J. (2015). The role of information technology in purchasing function.Journal of Business Industrial Marketing,30(5), 498-510. Talk, O. M. (2016). Operations management. Yeh, H. (2015). Effects of Ict's Innovative Applications on Brand Image and Customer's Purchase Intention.International Journal of Organizational Innovation (Online),7(4), 31.

Military Downsizing

Table of Contents Introduction Stakeholders Impacts Management of Downsizing in the Military Recommendations Conclusion References Introduction Downsizing first gained popularity, as an organizational change, in the 1980s and early 1990s in America. It is an effort to make organizations lean and mean to withstand an increasingly tough industrial climate (Baumol, Blinder, Wolff, 2003).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Military Downsizing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This essay discusses downsizing as an organizational change in the U.S. military. It describes stakeholders’ interests and the approach used in management of change. Furthermore, the essay recommends actions that would minimize adverse effects of downsizing. Stakeholders The military serves the national government’s responsibility of keeping the nation safe from external aggression. The military forms a triad together wit h economic and political elements to guarantee national security. A number of structural policies and strategies guide the military; these provide explanations on the business of the military and the values it upholds. The main policy governing the military is the national security policy. Under the national security policy, there are the strategies for formulation, economic planning and political planning of the military. The military has limited resources, however, the threats it deals with are global. Therefore, the military has to exercise a judgment of the most important interests to pursue based on its substance and intensity. The strategic planning process powers the decision to downsize the military. Historically there have been two approaches for planning the military downsizing. One approach is threat based which prevailed during the Cold War. The magnitude and frequency of threats during this period informed the calculated size of the military. In addition, the national c ommand decides on the appropriation of regional and functional commands in a precise way that is coherent to key policy makers. Another approach to planning occurs when threats are ambiguous. Under this condition, threat scenarios are unclear and less useful to planning. Therefore, military planners consider general missions and their objectives. They develop approaches to deal with uncertain conditions.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 Thus, the military strategic plan at any given time is always about shaping up the international environment. Secondly, it is a consideration of a response to the continuum of crises and lastly, a preparation for the present and future uncertainties. Global conditions facing the military are dynamic. Furthermore, there is a lack of consensus on the specific interests, which the military should protect and promote. A combination of the lack of consensus and the risk of short-term factors influence politicians to advocate for deployment of military from one crisis to the next. The military needs to have always a grand strategy to meet the high expectations using its limited resources. The judgment to the correct size of military force is a political one and considers the prevailing conditions of a given time. The judgment includes an explicit and implicit grand strategy committing public resources, a summary of the expectations of vital interests and a demarcation of likely problems (Gargan, 1999). The main cause of downsizing in the military is to save on cost. Military stakeholders, namely Congress and the public identify civilian workforce as a significant cost driver. Moreover, civilian reductions are necessary in line with the restructuring of the military and the reduction of military funding from the state. Between 1993 and 1999, the DOD carried out a 19 per cent reduction of its civilian workforce. The civ ilian workforce reduction happened on specific workforce groups within the military. These groups included the procurement, finance functions, supervisors and headquarters staff (Cameron, 1998). Impacts The consequences of downsizing the military in the last decade have been an increased workload on the military. The workload has resulted to an increased tension between personnel and the resources available. The main culprit of this tension is the quality and quantity of combat training. Gradually the quality of life of military personnel also deteriorates. Moreover, the limited use of the existing military equipment contributes to their premature aging. Deployment present new demands to personnel and have had a negative impact for the highly skilled ones.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Military Downsizing specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For example, air force pilots find it hard to cope in their depl oyed positions and decide to quit. The result is an insufficient supply of expertise. Additionally, the existing personnel faces a hard time meeting their workload requirements. Although publicly the Pentagon appears ready for any war, in the event that there are two consecutive wars, it cannot win because it lacks the resources to meet its basic strategic goals. Long-term impacts of downsizing include the inability of assigned units to respond to conflict situations. Moreover, fewer units lead to a reduced number of command positions throughout the military. Unfortunately, for the military, promotion to a higher rank requires one to have the necessary experience and downsizing limits these positions for promotion. The limited numbers of high-ranking positions prompts officers to micro manage out of the fear of making mistakes that would deny them a promotion (Cameron, 1998). Another setback for the military as it downsized was the loss of its core competence. As the military contra cts out core functions, it has to relearn their execution. Outsourcing allowed military personnel to gain employment elsewhere but came at a price for the military to learn how to use products designed elsewhere (Huntington, 1999). Management of Downsizing in the Military According to Cameron (1998), large organizations have an uphill task when they decide to downsize and mostly end up worse off. Analysis of the impact of downsizing for any organization will use two variables of overall effectiveness and performance factors that associate with organizational improvement. Current public debate supports the downsizing of the military. This is not surprising given the present level of national debt and a military size rivaling a combination of other militaries in the world. One argument for the downsizing of the military is to increase its reliance of new technologies. However, political interests in Congress limit the number of military bases that can be closed; consequently, this lim its the gains in technological use (Huntington, 1999). Congress is always willing to shrink military budget when there is no war but has to consider the impact of other industries depending on military expenditure. Most military units contract constituents and this fact presents a dilemma to congressional representatives on where to cut the military budget. A huge sum of the military budget goes to personnel hence, downsizing efforts first target personnel.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 Similar to other government levels, the military employs hiring freezes to limit its growth. Additionally, it lets positions disappear by deliberately failing to promote individuals to vacant positions. Another common approach has been to induce early retirements by offering cash incentives (Nat, 2010). The beginning of military downgrading in early 1990 focused on eliminating excesses and redundancies. As the downsizing got underway, the redundancies no longer formed part of the reasons for downsizing due to their elimination. Similarly, there was need for frequent communication between units that performed well and those that did not. However, later on, it was no longer necessary because of the realization of downsizing targets. Within the military, overall downsizing has had bad effects however; positive effects on the top management are worth mentioning. This positive effect is likely to be a result of the different way in which the military responded to downsizing issues. Where as normal organizations wait for a crisis to prompt their downsizing, the military anticipates this change in advance. Secondly, on the issue of vision, the military at any given time has an articulated strategic vision of the future while most organizations have a short-term vision. The military looks at its competencies in the future and carefully analyses its activities to streamline them. On the other hand most organizations move into an across the board downsizing effort without any prioritization. In terms of resources, the military focuses on its work requirement and cases of minimum resource levels while a typical organization will undertake a massive cutback to reduce the bottom line. The military uses a multi scenario approach that creates flexibility and target specific functions. Contrariwise, normal organizational downsizing strategy is to use a single approach and target workers. On human resource, the military considers personnel to be resources while normal organizat ions see personnel as costs. The military downsizing of the last decade happened during a transformation of the strategic role of the military. The entire organization was moving from a war strategy to a peacekeeping strategy. Under such circumstances, normal organizations would focus on the survival of the present crisis. The military, while looking at the present crisis, also analyzed its core competency after the downsizing. There was a consensus on the overall goal of the organization and each level of military was engaged in identifying its central competency (Gargan, 1999). During the last decade, the military undertook a resource requirement survey to determine how much the organization can endure while retaining its capability of accomplishing its strategic vision. Workload and skill transportability analysis formed the main criteria for determining the correct interpretation of the survey. Moreover, alternative employments methods, identification of disruptions in current e mployment levels in relation to the military mandates employment levels for individual units and a projection for future growth were other key considerations. The military used a transitional strategy to move current employees into positions and units that ranked higher in priority on the downsizing program. Positions that did not form a strategic importance to the goal of the military become transitional and their occupants effectively become transitional employees. Gradually all transitional employees relocated into positions that are more important, rendering the transitional position obsolete (Gargan, 1999). Recommendations The difference in the success of the top command downsizing and that of the overall military lays in its execution. The military downsizing effort relies on a specific headcount rather than cost savings or revenue increase as in many organizations. Thus, it is very difficult for the military to execute the downsizing. Furthermore, a limited budget amid a proj ected resource requirement increase further ties the hands of the military. Stakeholders comprising of the public and Congress would not allow the military to increase its head count. Proper leadership plays a key role in downsizing. When leaders are visionary, motivate their organization and are accessible, then organizational downsizing will have positive results. Additionally, the procedure used in downsizing influences its impact on employees. The procedure used should fairly redesign work and provide sufficient time for planning and preparation. There should be proper management of procedures such as reduction of redundancies and wait times. Teams’ execution of work is appropriate and the workflow should be synchronous with other operations of the organization. Above all, there should be no mention or presentation of downsizing as a threat within the organization (Baumol, Blinder, Wolff, 2003). Management of the effectiveness and performance improvement of downsizing is possible because these factors depend on actions rather than the environment. Actions can be planned and implemented; however, environmental factors are beyond the control of managers. Cameron (1998) further notes that the manner of downsizing presents no significant effect on its effectiveness. Thus, it does not matter whether downsizing happens through layoffs, buyouts or any other means. Moreover, Cameron (1998) disputes the importance of changes done in the appraisal systems and reduction of management levels. Although these factors form the focus downsizing reports, they influence little improvement in efficacy and performance. These factors become important when they are absent; however, their minimization also acts as a procedural effect of downsizing. The main factors accounting for real impact of downsizing lay under management control. Conclusion The real impact of downsizing the military is subject to interpretation bias. Different stakeholders have their own perception of the effectiveness, processes and procedures. Nevertheless, there are key points emerging from the whole process of organizational change that should form the benchmark for successful downsizing. In the initial stages of downsizing, an always-present and visionary leadership is important. Secondly, there should be a fair and gradual implementation of the program. The staffs remaining and those leaving the organization need supporting and an equal participation chance. Lastly, the effectiveness of downsizings depends on its perception stakeholders. Therefore, its presentation needs to demonstrate that it is an opportunity for crucial improvement of the organization. References Baumol, W. J., Blinder, A. S., Wolff, E. N. (2003). Downsizing in America: reality, causes and consequences. New York, NY: Russell Sage Foundation. Cameron, K. S. (1998). Downsizing: an extreme case. Research in Organizational Behavior, 20, 185-229. Gargan, J. J. (1999). To defend a nation: an overview of do wnsizing and the U.S. military. Management, 2(3), 221-232. Huntington, S. P. (1999). The lonely superpower. Foreign Affairs, 78(2), 35-49. Nat, W. (2010). Downsizing the military needs to happen. Web. This research paper on Military Downsizing was written and submitted by user Kenny Hartman to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Leach and Leech - Commonly Confused Words

Leach and Leech - Commonly Confused Words The words leach and leech are homophones: they sound alike but have different meanings. Definitions The verb leach means to empty, drain, or remove. The noun leech refers to a bloodsucking worm or to a person who preys on or clings to another. As a verb, leech means to bleed with leeches or to act as a parasite. Examples Batteries are difficult to dispose of and contain harmful heavy-metal compounds that may leach into the soil.The river water was more corrosive than the Detroit systems and caused more lead to  leach  from its aging pipes. Lead can be toxic, and children are especially vulnerable.(Reuters, Michigan Attorney General Sues Frances Veolia in Flint Water Crisis. The New York Times, June 22, 2016)Similar to bloodletting, leeches were used to draw out the bad blood that medieval physicians believed caused many of their patients ailments.The sun rose in a cloudless sky, the same as before. We passed a large island without grass or tree or bush.  The sun  was a leech  that sucked the moisture from our flesh.(Scott ODell, The Kings Fifth. Houghton Mifflin, 1966)She  called him a leech, said hes always sponging off the rest of us.(Swati Kaushal, A Girl Like Me. Penguin, 2008) Idiom Alerts The expression leach away (something) or leach (something) away means to gradually erode or wash away.- Normally the excess salt would be  leached away  as rainwater percolates down through the soil. In dry climates, however, where there isnt enough rain or irrigation to drive the water down that far, salts can accumulate in the root zone.(Ann Larkin Hansen,  The Organic Farming Manual. Storey, 2010)- Nathan? Are you awake? The sweetness quickly  leached away  at the touch of Roiphes nasal voice, leaving a sourness tinged with anxiety, which, Nathan understood, was his default reaction to Roiphe.(David Cronenberg, Consumed. Scribner, 2014) Practice: Leaches or Leeches? (a) Its not pollution that makes the water so black; tannic acid naturally _____ into the river from cypress and pine trees growing along the shoreline. (Bruce Hunt)(b) In modern medicine, _____ are used in reconstructive surgery to provide a vacuum effect that helps stimulate blood circulation. Answers to Practice Exercises (a) Its not pollution that makes the water so black; tannic acid naturally leaches into the river from cypress and pine trees growing along the shoreline.(Bruce Hunt)(b) In modern medicine, leeches are used in reconstructive surgery to provide a vacuum effect that helps stimulate blood circulation.

Locke And The Rights Of Children Essays - Rights, Empiricists

Locke And The Rights Of Children Essays - Rights, Empiricists Locke and the Rights of Children Locke firmly denies Filmer's theory that it is morally permissible for parents to treat their children however they please: "They who allege the Practice of Mankind, for exposing or selling their Children, as a Proof of their Power over them, are with Sir Rob. happy Arguers, and cannot but recommend their Opinion by founding it on the most shameful Action, and most unnatural Murder, humane Nature is capable of." (First Treatise, sec.56) Rather, Locke argues that children have the same moral rights as any other person, though the child's inadequate mental faculties make it permissible for his parents to rule over him to a limited degree. "Thus we are born Free, as we are born Rational; not that we have actually the Exercise of either: Age that brings one, brings with it the other too." (Second Treatise, sec.61) On top of this, he affirms a postive, non-contractual duty of parents to provide for their offspring: "But to supply the Defects of this imperfect State, till the Improvement of Growth and Age hath removed them, Adam and Eve, and after them all Parents were, by the Law of Nature, under an obligation to preserve, nourish, and educate the Children, they had begotten." (Second Treatise, sec.56) Apparently, then, Locke believes that parents may overrule bad choices that their children might make, including self-regarding actions. Leaving aside Locke's duty of self- preservation, his theory permits adults to do as they wish with their own bodies. But this is not the case for children, because their lack of reason prevents them from making sensible choices. To permit a willful child from taking serious risks to his health or safety even if he wants to is permissible on this theory. Parents (and other adults as well) also seem to have a duty to refrain from taking advantage of the child's weak rational faculties to exploit or abuse him. On top of this, Locke affirms that parents have enforceable obligation to preserve, nourish, and educate their children; not because they consented to do so, but because they have a natural duty to do so. 2. The Problem of Positive Parental Duties The first difficulty with Locke's theory of childrens' rights is that the positive duty of parents to raise their children seems inconsistent with his overall approach. If, as Locke tells us, "Reason teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his Life, Health, Liberty, or Possessions." (Second Treatise, sec.6), it is difficult to see why it is permissible to coerce parents to provide for their offspring. In general, in Locke's scheme one acquires additional obligations only by consent. Even marriage he assimilates into a contract model: "Conjugal Society is made by a voluntary Compact between Man and Woman " (Second Treatise, sec.78) We should note that in section 42 of the First Treatise, Locke affirms that the radically destitute have a positive right to charity. "As Justice gives every Man a Title to the product of his honest industry so Charity gives every Man a Title to so much out of another's Plenty, as will keep him from extream want, where he has no means to subsist otherwise." But this hardly rules out relying on voluntary charity if it is sufficient to care for all those in "extream want." Quite possibly, this right would never have a chance to be exercised in a reasonably prosperous society, since need would be minimal and voluntary help abundant. Moreover, it is hardly clear that the duty to provide for the extremely needy rests only on some sub- group of the population. This passage seems to make it a universal duty of all of society's better-off members. For these two reasons, then, it would seem hard to ground positive parental duties on the child's right to charity. For if the number of children with unwilling parents is sufficiently tiny, and the society in which they are born sufficiently rich, the preconditions for exercising the right do not exist. Moreover, there is no reason for parents, much less the parents of a particular child, to have a duty to that child; more plausibly, all

Jean-michel Basquiat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Jean-michel Basquiat - Essay Example His artistic out-put was later described as Neo-Expressionism ( Etier, 2010), defined as :- Although he no longer lived on the streets in his later years, the graffiti influence was always there in Basquiat’s works, as was evidence of his place as part of the African diaspora. He was also a drug user and often the works were also created under the influence of drugs. His work moved on from pure graffiti into other areas, so he became hard to fit into just one category. His work ‘Flexible’(1984) has been called ‘a bridge between traditional tribal art, graffiti art and modern socio-political propaganda ‘ and so crosses many boundaries (Rakaa 2013) or acts to give these differing genres some unity. Basquiat was precocious, in that his artistic genius flourished and was recognised very early when he was still in his early twenties, especially after he participated in a joint exhibition alongside other young artists of the time in 1980 ( Brooklyn Museum, 2014), but his artistic life, his whole life, ended with his early tragic death in 1988, still in his twenties. He was considered black, yet had few black friends, and according to Hoban, did not want to be known as a black artist, but as a famous artist. With that end in mind he was driven to produce thousands of images, not only on conventional surfaces such as canvas, card and paper, but also on the easily available surfaces of a variety of found objects, such as refrigerator doors, book margins and elsewhere ( Brooklyn Museum, 2014). The word Graffiti most commonly refers to writing or drawings scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illegally on a surface in a public place. It can also be said to refer to a style or group of styles, even if produced licitly, as for instance to decorate a youth centre on even on line as in Graffiti Creator ( undated) . Some people think the art form began in New York in the late 1960s, whereas others associate it with the Second World War, but it is