Internatioanl Logistics - Monitoring Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Internatioanl Logistics - Monitoring - Essay Example International suppliers more so should be monitored with a not of keenness considering the distance that may separate the two businesses and the logistics involved in making cross border transactions. The importance of monitoring supplier activities is to ensure the timely detection and correction of faults that may arise in the course of doing business. Based on the performance of the supplier, the business is in a better position to make good and timely decisions and so avoid unpleasant surprises. The monitoring of performance and identification of areas likely to be faced with problems can improve the efficiency of a supply chain. Efficient supplier monitoring also involves aspects such as costs, quality, performance assessment, social responsibility, timeliness of deliveries as well as business-supplier relationship. For efficient international supplier monitoring, there is need for the use of real-time information, visiting steady reaction sites, accurate reports of situation an d constant client accessibility. These monitoring services help in resource optimization, review of supplier achievement as well as future decision making. Cost control One of the key factors that determine the success of a business is cost of suppliers. As the organization does business with an international supplier, it really needs to closely monitor global trends in the cost of related products, foreign exchange rates and airfreight costs. The business needs to get updated with packaging, transport, and unloading related costs. Transportation cost is a core issue in the cost of logistics. For this reason continuous monitoring of transport activities is a major concern of businesses. In monitoring transportation, the company may consider monitored related risks in terms of delay risk and safety. Delay risk involves the use of departure, transfer and destination points as well as real time data and transport time as inputs in calculating and warning of a delay. However with the im proved technology there are better methods of monitoring logistic information. Essentially, the suppliers costs of packaging, transportation and unloading should be reasonable and sensitive to the needs of the business. Relationship with Supplier An organization needs to maintain a good relationship with its suppliers. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships will in effect financially benefit both parties. The company has its responsibilities when it comes to dealing with suppliers such as making prompt payments and promptly submitting complaints and claims in the event of damages. In order to maintain a positive relationship with international suppliers, the business may consider meeting their contacts face to face with an aim of seeing how their activities are carried out as noted by Business Link (2011). The suppliers should also be contacted regularly and updated with strategic changes promptly so that they may also adapt to such changes. Better deals may come in the way of the business if it maintains a healthy rapport with a supplier and becomes one of its important customers (Business Link 2011). Quality control The products and services that suppliers provide to a business greatly impacts its performance in the market. This being the case, the business should ensure that its suppliers deliver quality services and products. Monitoring the

Max Weber Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Max Weber - Research Paper Example Weber was highly inspired by German idealism and specifically by neo-Kantianism. The most significant influence of neo-Kantianism thought on Weber was the idea that reality is basically disorganized and perplexing, with all the balanced order coming from the way in which the individual mind focuses its attention on particular areas of reality and arranges the perceptions that come as an output. Social Action Max Weber viewed sociology as a science of social action. His early focus in sociology revolved around subjective meanings that individuals attach to the actions that they take and their interpretations of concepts within a particular social context (Elwell, n.d.). According to this, Weber categorizes action in four different ways. The following kinds of action can be taken. Zweckrational (the means used to achieve the required goal are rationally chosen). Wertrational (the goal one is trying to achieve might not be rational, but rational ways are used to attain it). Affective ac tion is rooted in the emotional state of an individual instead of rational thinking. Traditional action is the action that is guided or regulated by customs, habits, or traditions. According to Weber, there are many factors in action behind human behavior, and he believed that most of the behavior exercised by individuals is a mix of the above mentioned actions. He advocated that a distinctive shift in the motivation of individual behavior is a distinguishing feature of a modern society (Elwell, n.d.). Major part of his work investigates the factors that gave birth to the idea of rationalization in the western society. Weber believes that social action is an illustration of the use of an ideal type. An ideal type provides the fundamental method for comparative and historical study (Elwell, n.d.). It also helps the researcher when he or she is studying a specific area of the society. This ideal type cannot be a real phenomenon; it is a classic hypothetical example against which the r eality could be compared (Barnard, Burgess, & Kirby, 2004). Theory of Rationalization According to Weber, rationalization refers to the increasing human control over the social environment. As per this theory, there are three basic points that are individual cost-benefit analysis, the bureaucratic arrangement of organization, and understanding of reality without searching for explanations in mystery, magic, or supernatural beliefs (Allan, 2005). The process of rational thought is the sensible application of knowledge to arrive at a preferred outcome. It leads to competence, cooperation, efficiency, and power over both the natural and the social surroundings (Elwell, n.d.). It also makes individuals come out as free, as he or she breaks the net of traditional thoughts and illogical belief systems. In his later works on bureaucracy, Weber discusses rationalization in detail. Weber advocates that bureaucracies are goal-defined organizations devised according to rational factors in orde r to effectively achieve their goals (Elwell, n.d.). The bureaucratic cooperation of the actions of numerous people has become the main structural characteristic of modern societies. As regards the concept of rationalization, Weber stayed doubtful. He saw it as a two-sided phenomenon. On the