Management Functions

1543 Words4 Pages

Outline
I. Overview
II. Current Technology Assessment
III. Value Chain Analysis
A. Value Chain Defined
B. Value Chain and the Customer
C. Technology Supporting Business Functions in the Value Chain
D. Technology and Partnering Activities
IV. Social Contract
A. Social Contract Defined
B. Social Contract in History
C. Social Contract in the Business Perspective
D. Regional issues with Social Contracts
V. Global Issues
VI. Managing Changes
VII. Conclusion

Overview
“In 1991, Microsoft Corp. became the first software company to create its own computer science research organization. Microsoft has developed into a unique entity among corporate research labs, balancing an open academic model with an effective process for transferring its research to product development teams. Microsoft recognizes that to create the foundation for future technology breakthroughs, it is necessary to support long-term computer science research that is not bound by product cycles” (http://www.calibex.com/serv/calibex1/buyer/outpdir.jsp?search=microsoft+products). Today, the world-renowned scientists of Microsoft Research make up one of the largest, fastest-growing, and most highly respected software research organizations in the world — one that will help define and redefine the computing experience for millions of people for decades to come”
Microsoft offers a variety of products such as operating systems, business/personal management software, multi-media software, databases, and exchange servers. They also provide help centers online and provide services over the telephone to help you with any problem you are having with their products (http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?LN=EN-GB).
Value Chain Analysis
Before you can discuss Microsoft’s value chain, you must first understand what a value chain is. According to the Internet Center for Management and Business Administration, Inc., the value chain can be described as:
A way to analyze the specific activities through which firms can create a competitive advantage by modeling the firm as a chain of value-creating activities. (QuickMBS.com)
The article further describes the value chain as maintaining five primary activities (Inbound Logistics, Operations, Outbound Logistics, Marketing & Sales, and Services). The goal of these activities is to “create value that exceeds the cost of providing the product or service, thus generating a profit margin.” (QuickMBS.com) The primary activities can be defined as: “Inbound logistics include the receiving, warehousing, and inventory control of input materials. Operations are the value-creating activities that transform the inputs into the final product. Outbound logistics refer to the activities required to get the product to the customer, including warehousing, order fulfillment, etc. Marketing & Sales are those activities associated with getting buyers to purchase the product, including channel selection, advertising, pricing, etc. And Service, defined as activities that maintain and enhance the product’s value including customer support, repair services, etc.” (QuickMBS.

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