Principles of Material Handling

Material Handling is the art of implementing movement of materials-economically and safely. In the classic sense, Material Handling is the act of creating Time and Place utility, as distinct from Manufacturing, which creates form utility. The proper application of Material Handling knowledge will result in the smooth integration of all the process in an enterprise into one efficient Production Machine. The principles presented here represent an accumulation of experience equivalent to untold years of practice. They are adapted from those stated in the literature, with certain changes made for clarification and with several new one added to round out the coverage of the field. In reviewing the principles it will be found that nearly every one applies to several aspects of Material Handling and aids in accomplishing one or more objectives. 1. Principle of Planning: All Handling activities should be planned. Description: If there is one principle on which all Continue reading

Why Businesses Need an Efficient Management Information System?

We are living in a time of great change and working in an Information Age. Managers have to assimilate masses of data, convert that data into information, form conclusions about that information and make decisions leading to the achievement of business objectives. For an organization, information is as important resource as money, machinery and manpower. It is essential for the survival of the enterprise. Before the widespread use of computers, many organizations found difficulties in gathering, storing, organizing and distributing large amounts of data and information. Developments in computer technology made possible for managers to select the information they require, in the form best suited for their needs and in time they want. This information must be current and in many cases is needed by many people at the same time. So it has to be accurate, concise, timely, complete, well presented and storable. Most firms nowadays depend on IT. Continue reading

Cost Reduction in Managerial Economics

The Institute of Cost and Works Accounts of London has defined cost reduction as “the achievement of real and permanent reductions in the unit costs of goods manufactured or services rendered without impairing their suitability for the use intended”. Thus, cost reduction is confined to savings in the cost of manufacture, administration, distribution and selling by eliminating wasteful and unnecessary elements from the product design and from the techniques and practices carried out in connection with cost control. Cost Control and Cost Reduction According to the Institute of Cost and Works Accounts, London, “cost control, as generally  practiced,   lacks the dynamic approach to many factors affecting costs, which determine the need of cost reduction.” In fact, cost control also known as cost management or cost containment; it controls the costs of the organization at the given level. Besides, cost control emphasis on ensuring that the cost does not exceed Continue reading

Case Study: eBay’s Business Model

Founded on 1995 by Pierre Omidyar, eBay was considered a pioneer in the online auction industry whereby people are brought together on a local, national and international basis to serve the purpose of creating a person-to-person community where ever individual could have an equal access through the same medium which is the Internet. eBay offers wide varieties of products and services for bargain hunters, hobbyists and collectors and sellers, changing the way people engage in trading hence eBay had changed the face of e-commerce from its inception. Today, eBay is continuously the brand preference with over 39 market presence and with $60 billion of the total value of sold items on the site’s trading platform. Basically, eBay introduced several crucial innovations tailor-made for the internet at the business level, a strategy which was conceived to be an improvisation. The online auction business model is where eBay served as the value-added Continue reading

Inflation: Meaning, Causes, and Effects

Inflation can be characterized as a rise in the general value level and therefore there is a fall in the estimation of cash. Inflation happens when the measure of purchasing power is higher than the yield of merchandise and ventures. Inflation additionally happens when the measure of cash surpasses the measure of enterprises accessible. Regarding whether the falling the estimation of cash will influence the elements of cash relies upon the level of the fall. Fundamentally, alludes to an expansion in the supply of money or credit with respect to the accessibility of stock and venture, bringing about higher costs. In this manner, expansion can be estimated as far as rates. The rate increment in the value list, as a rate for every penny per unit of time, or, in other words, years. The two fundamental cost lists are utilized when estimating inflation, the Producer Price Index(PPI) and the Consumer Continue reading

Major Criteria to Assess the Performance of Employees

The starting point for the performance appraisal process is identifying specific performance goals. An appraisal system probably cannot effectively serve every desired purpose, so management should select the specific goals it believes to be most important and realistically achievable. For example, some firms may want to stress employee development, whereas other organizations may want to focus on pay adjustments. Too many performance appraisal systems fail because management expects too much from one method and does not determine specifically what it wants the system to accomplish. The next step in this ongoing cycle continues with establishing performance criteria (standards) and communicating these performance expectations to those concerned. Then the work is performed and the supervisor appraises the performance. At the end of the appraisal period, the appraiser and the employee together review work performance and evaluate it against established performance standards. This review helps determine how well employees have met these Continue reading