What is meant by value chain? Explain value chain significance in MIS? For MB0031 Assignment

This is an assignment of Management Information Systems for MBA of SMU. The subject code is MB0031 which is related to MIS. Question of assignment is – “What is meant by value chain? Explain its significance in MIS?”

The connection between the producers and buyers may be reinforced, at least to the level of customer loyalty, and perhaps to the point of establishing a partnership between them. Such a relationship imposes ‘Switching casts’ on the buyer, because its internal process becomes adapted to the beneficial peculiarities of the particular factor of production, and use of an alternative would force internal changes. Hence product differentiation also serves as an entry barrier. In addition, a continuous process of product differentiation may produce and additional cost advantage over competitors and potential entrants, through intellectual property protections, such as potent, and the cost of imitation.

The activities performed by a particular enterprise can be analyzed into primary activities, which directly adds value to the enterprises factors of production, which are together referred to as the ‘value chain’, and supporting activities.

There is always a mention about what IT contributes to corporate strategy. It was recognized that corporation achieved a significant competitive advantage by adopting suitable IT concepts in building up their strategy. It quickly become incumbent on its competitors to neutralize that advantage, and hence to avoid ‘competitive disadvantage’ (Vitate 1986, warner 1987, Brouns eau 1990). The notion of ‘competitive advantage’ and ‘contestable’ competitive advantage came in light (Clemons 1986, Feeny andlves 1989, clborra 1992). Though many kinds of advantages which can possibly be derived from innovative use of IT, it is possible to quickly neutralize by others. A distinction needs to be made between the sustainable of the original advantage, and of any derived advantage.

An enhancement to the porter framework of competitive strategy was the notion of ‘alliance’ (Barrett and Konsyanski 1982, Gummesson 1987, EDP Analyzed 1987, Johnston and vitale 1988, Rockart and short 1989 Wiseman 1989, Konsyanski and Mcfarian 1990 ford 1990, Bowersox 1990). This referred to chains or clusters of organizations which collaborate in order to gain competitive advantage over others, similar organizations, or to neutralize the advantage of one or more competitor organizations. The innovation in IT and its strategies importance to enterprise is compatible with the company’s existing characteristics and advantages (Beath and Ives 1986, Clemons and Row 1987, Ives a and Vitale 1988, Hopper 1990). One policies and outline of factors that influence organization’s strategic goals is summarized in the following levels.

MIS and Characteristics of Management Information System for MB0031 Assignment of SMU

“Define MIS? What are the objectives and characteristics of MIS?” is the question of SMU MBA assignment of MB0031.

About MIS:

MIS is popularly known as the Management Information System. MIS is considered as one such method of generating information which is used by management of organization for decision Making, control of activities, operations etc.

During the period 1940 to 1960 computers were commercially used for census and payroll work. This involved large amount of data and its processing. Since then the commercial application exceeded the scientific applications for which the computer were mainly intended for.

MIS is an information System which helps in providing the management of an organization with information which is used by management for decision making.

Objectives of MIS:

Managers play a key role in any organization. They are responsible for taking decisions appropriate to the need of the market. Information systems have become the main tool used by managers in decision making. Managers perceive information as the driving force to achieve success in any business. Hence there is a need for MIS as:

Support of its business process and operations

Support of decision making by its employees and managers

Support of its strategies for competitive advantage-Gaining a strategic advantage

The major roles of the business applications of a Management Information System may be represented in the pyramid form as shown below:



Characteristics of MIS:

MIS is mainly designed to take care of the needs of the managers in the organization.

MIS aids in integrating the information generated by various departments of the organization.

MIS helps in identifying a proper mechanism of storage of data.

MIS also helps in establishing mechanism to eliminate redundancies in data.

MIS as a system can be broken down into sub systems.

The role and significance of MIS in business and its classification is explained. It is possible to understand the various phases of development in MIS based on the type of system required in any organization.

About Business Plan and its Purpose for SMU MBA MB0036 Assignment

“What is a Business Plan? What purpose does it serve?” is the question of SMU MBA MB0036. The MBA assignment question is related to Strategic Management & Business Policy of Sikkim Manipal University.

What is Business Plan?

A good business plan will help attract necessary financing by demonstrating the feasibility of your venture and the level of thought and professionalism you bring to the task.

The first step in planning a new business venture is to establish goals that you seek to achieve with the business. You can establish these goals in a number of ways, but an inclusive and ordered process like an organizational strategic planning session or a comprehensive neighborhood planning process may be best. The board of directors of your organization should review and approve the goals, because these goals will influence the direction of the organization and require the allocation of valuable staff and financial resources.

Your goals will serve as a filter to screen a wide range of possible business opportunities. If you fail to establish clear goals early in the process, your organization may spend substantial time and resources pursuing potential business ventures that may be financially viable but do not serve the mission of your organization in other important ways. A liquor store on the corner may be a clear money-maker; however, it may not be the retail to assistant your community desires.

The following are examples of goals you may seek to achieve through the creation of a new business venture:

What purpose does it serve?

Revenue Generation – Your organization may hope to create a business that will generate sufficient net income or profit to finance other programs, activities or services provided by your organization.

Employment Creation - A new business venture may create job opportunities for community residents or the constituency served by your organization.

Neighborhood Development Strategy – A new business venture might serve as an anchor to a deteriorating neighborhood commercial area, attract additional business to the area and fill a gap in existing retail services. You may need to find a use for a vacant commercial property that blights a strategic area of your neighborhood. Or your business might focus on the rehabilitation of dilapidated single family homes in the community.

Describe the Positive Aspect of Trade Liberalization for MBA MB0037 Assignment of SMU

“Describe the positives of trade liberalization” is the fourth semester SMU MBA assignment question of International Business Management of MB0037.

Liberalization is another aspect of globalization. Both are two faces of one coin. Liberalization is known for free trade and business. In the global era, liberalization has a greater positive aspect for trade and business.

Liberalization gives a policy to make an economy open to trade and invest across the world with suitable growth. In the capitalist and imperialist era, no country has achieved economic success and substantial increases in living standards for its people without being open to the rest of the world.

To open up economy to the global economy, a country has developed competitive advantages in the manufacture of certain products in the global world of market. For examples, we can take some countries that have opened their economies in recent years such as – India, Vietnam and Uganda, have experienced faster growth and more poverty reduction.

Liberalization advocates the aspect of free trades. In the recent era, free trade has given so many befits for the poor especially. Liberalization has created many new jobs for unskilled workers also.

Free trade has been the most successful aspect for developing countries and industries. It has changed culture and society also with new working culture. Developing countries would gain more from global trade liberalization as a percentage of their GDP than industrial countries, because their economies are more highly protected and because they face higher barriers.

Although, there are only benefits from improved access to other countries’ markets, countries benefits most from liberalizing their own markets. The main benefits for industrial countries would come from the liberalization of their agriculture markets. Developing countries would gain about equally from liberalization of manufacturing and agriculture. The group of low-income countries, however, would gain most from agricultural liberalization in industrial countries because of the greater relative importance of agriculture in their economies.

In the recent era, in every field of life protection has been removed. Liberalization is taking part as open trade. This concept is very harmful for an undeveloped country and it sovereignty. Liberalization has never followed any barrier in its growth. So, in the age of liberalization or globalization only that fish can survive that are big.

Global Aspect of Globalisation in the Current World for MB0037 Assignment of MBA

“Write a short note on ‘Globalization’” is the assignment question of International Business Management of SMU MBA MB0037. This is the fourth semester question of Sikkim Manipal University of MBA assignment.

Globalisation is a historical process rather than political or economical. It is the result of human innovation and technological progress. Globalization has shown the increasing integration of economics around the world. It has taken a greater aspect in the world particularly, through trade and financial flows. Globalization has covered the broader culture, politics and environmental dimensions of globalisation.

Today, globalization is well known topic across the world. The word has taken a common term. It is referred as the extension beyond national borders of the same market forces that have operated for centuries at all levels of human economic activity – village markets, urban industries or financial enters.

Global markets promote efficiency through competition and the division of labour – the specialization that allows people and economies to focus on what they do best. Global market offer greater opportunity for common people also to tap into more and larger markets around the world.

In the global market, people can access more capital flows, technology, cheaper imports and larger export markets. Today, commerce and finance are more developed and deeply integrated in global world.

The global era has raised many questions related to social, political and workers. Does globalisation harm worker’s interest? Many theoreticians don’t believe in this question. However, this is right question. Globalisation is the parallel world between the rich and the poor. Capitalist globalisation is always very harmful for workers.

In the global world, only big giant can survive. Globalization has given the theory of third world countries also. In the financial world, globalization is known as the basic elements of periodic crisis of an inevitable consequence of globalization.

National sovereignty question is also related to the globalization question. In the financial market national sovereignty is never followed however, the question always has taken place in political era.

For an MBA student the topic is very current and situational. Understanding about the topic is much wrathful in the global era. To handle a position in any company is much related to the company’s interest in globalisation.

Positioning Strategies Adopted by Edible Oil Companies Assignment for SMU MB0030

“Positioning Strategies Adopted by Edible Oil Companies” is another assignment question of SMU MBA assignments for MB0030. It is in the continuation of business portfolio of a beverage company using BCG matrix and Process and Bases of Automobile Market Segmentation.

Each firm needs to develop a distinctive positioning for its market offering. Positioning is the act of designing the company’s offering and image to occupy a distinctive place in the target market’s mid. Each company must decide how much deference to promote to its target customers. Many marketers advocate promoting only one central benefit and rosser reeves called it is “a unique selling proposition” some of the USP’s includes “best quality”. “best service”, “Lowest price”, “best value” “safest”, “more advanced technology” etc. If a company hammers a way at one of these positioning and delivers on it, it will probably be best known and recalled for this strengths.

Not everyone agrees that single – benefit positioning is always best. Double – benefit positioning may be necessary if two or more firms claim to be best on the same attribute. There are even cases of successful triple – benefit positing.

As the companies increase the number of claims for their brand, they risk disbelief and a loss of clear positioning. In general, a company must avoid four major positioning errors.

a. Under positioning: Some companies discover that buyers have only a vague idea of the brand. The brand is seen as just another entry in a crowded marketplace.

b. Over Positioning: Buyers many have too narrow image of the brand.

c. Confused positioning: Buyers might have a confused image of the brand resulting from the company’s making too many claims or changing the brand’s positioning too frequently.

d. Doubtful positioning: Buyers may find it hard to believe the brand claims in view of the product’s features, price or manufacturer.

Positioning maps:

Two dimensional graphs of how a product, brand or company is perceived versus competition.

Before identifying the positioning strategies for the product, marketer prepares its perceptual maps. These maps are drawn an important buying dimensions of consumer for company products as well as competitor products.

Process and Bases of Automobile Market Segmentation for MB0030 SMU Assignment

This is the next assignment question of SMU MBA assignments for MB0030. It is in the continuances of business portfolio of a beverage company using BCG matrix.

In the market process segmentation, we can include – Identify existing and future wants in the current market. Examine the attributes that distinguish among segments and evaluate the proposed segment attractiveness on the basis of measurability, accessibility and size.

Now, we will discuss about market segmentation bases: -

Geographical segmentation: - Dividing the market into different geographical units such as nations, states, regions, cities or neighborhoods. The company can operate in one or a few geographical areas or operate in all out play attention do local variations.

Demographic segmentation: - In demographic segmentation the market is divided into groups on the basis of variable such as age, family size, family life-cycle, gender, income, occupation, education, religion race, generation, nationality and social class. Demographic variables are the most popular bases for distinguishing customer groups. One reason is that customer’s wants, preferences and usage rates are often associated with demographic variables.

Psychographic Segmentation: In psychographic segmentation, buyers are classified into different groups on the basis of life – style or personality and values. People within the same demographic group can exhibit very different psychographic profiles.

The Eight VALStm Group: Using the self-orientation and resources dimensions. VALS defines eight segments of adult consumers who have different attitudes and exhibit distinctive behaviour and decision making patterns.

Innovators are successful, sophisticated, active, take-charge people which high self-esteem and abundant resources. They are leaders in business and government and are interested in growth, innovation, and change. They seek to develop, explore and express themselves in a variety of ways, sometimes guided by principles and sometimes by a desire to have an effect or to make a change. They seek to develop, explore and express themselves in a variety of ways, sometimes guided by principle and sometimes by a desire to have an effect or to make a change.

Bases for posting the product overcome the positioning the product overcome the positioning difficulties enables the company to solve the marketing – mix problem. Thus seizing the “high-quality position” requires the firm to produce high quality products, charge a high price, distribute through high-class dealers advertise in high – quality media vehicles.

Automotive: Hyandai Santro

Headline: India’s best-loved family car is now also India’s simplest car to drive.

Subhead: Hyundai Introduces Santro Zip Plus Automatic.

No Shifting gears, no clutch, no problems.