ITC eChoupal Case

Stakeholders in ITC’s eChoupla project The eChoupal project stakeholders include the International Business Division (IBD), which is a division in ITC limited, farmers, processors, government and commission agents. IBD is a major shareholder in the project since the eChoupal was initialized by the division’s chief executive (Upton and Fuller 227).Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on ITC eChoupal Case specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More IBD is mandated with developing business for ITC limited and streamlining its operations in a profitable manner. In this regard, IBD executives act as the eChoupal project managers. IBD is responsible for streamlining the ITC supply chain by ensuring that it changes the conventional Choupal system to a digital eChoupla system. The soybean processors within the ITC are major shareholders of the new system. The processors access the system to know the current tonnage of p roduce required for processing (228). In this regard, the processors can make adequate plans on how to handle processing operations, storage and transportation of farm produce into the processing facilities. Farmers are a formidable group of stakeholders who use the eChoupla system. Famers provide input to the eChoupla system (229). Farmers’ knowledge on prices and information that affects the growth of the produce is influenced by the use of eChoupal. Moreover, the eChoupal system is designed to serve the farmers. In fact, the farmer is perceived to be the system’s end user. Farmers access important information regarding the market price of the produce, as well as access soybeans global prices. The eChoupal is a linkage between the farmer and the ITC limited. Commission agents are an important aspect of the ITC supply chain. The agents help ITC in gathering information from the field, as well as buy farm produce on behalf of the company. Commission agents conveniently buy soybeans on behalf of the company at the local markets. This is critical in reducing ITC transportation cost. However, the conversion of commission agents into Samyojak is convenient for eChoupal set up in local villages. The Samjoyak is also mandated to facilitate transactions between ITC and farmers using the eChoupal (236). The Sanchalak is a major stakeholder in operating the eChoupal. The Sanchalak is the leading operator of the eChoupla system in the village and also the linkage between ITC and farmers (234).Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Classical mistakes by ITC during the eChoupal implementation Prior the implementation of the eChoupal system, ineffective stakeholder management is evidenced in ITC case. The conventional Choupal system allows exploitation of farmers by commission agents. This mistake did not allow communication between ITC and farmers. Th e negligence of farmers by ITC is risky and cause reduced confidence among farmers. Moreover, the flow of information among stakeholders is inhibited by lack of information channels and controls. The farmer is left without any knowledge concerning prices and improved farming practices. Lack of user involvement is evidenced in the conventional Choupal system. IBD involvement with commission agents is ill-advised considering that commission agents do not advise farmers on prices. By not involving farmers in decision making, IBD fails to motivate farmers in their productivity. This is a dangerous precedence since ITC is a major exporter of soybeans in the global market. It is a mistake for ITC to develop a system without conducting relevant research. The conventional Choupal system was not based on a research-oriented development. This resulted to misrepresentation of ITC by IBD and consequently commission agents. The conventional Choupal did not consider the location of local markets and access of information by farmers. Lack of proper research in developing eChoupal resulted to unrealistic expectations by IBD. Initially, IBD undermined the efforts of farmers and the commission agents. Undermined motivation is risky since farmers may lack the morale to produce soybeans. On the other hand, unmotivated commission agents are vulnerable to manipulating the system for unscrupulous profits. The conventional market transactions were noisy and often led to dissatisfaction of farmers. Noisy offices are susceptible to corruption and manipulation of transaction standards and procedure. In fact, this led to farmers selling their produce at different prices within a period of two days. Lesson for Information Technology (IT) project implementation in future Implementation of IT projects requires input from all stakeholders (Olander and Anne 324). This is done to ensure that the system users are able to understand the significance of using IT as a tool of change. Developer-bas ed estimates are critical in making IT projects a success. In this regard, scheduling of an IT project in relation to its function is done in precision (Nelson 73). Avoiding poor estimation of an IT project is essential since the project timeline influences the success of the project.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on ITC eChoupal Case specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Using appropriate risk management practices is significant in IT project development, implementation and success. In this regard, identification of possible risks, analysis of risks, planning, resolution and monitoring of risk management is necessary (75). Finally, quality assurances in IT projects require maintenance under all cost. Therefore, project managers are required to maintain standards in project test planning (Nelson 76). Moreover, project design and code reviews are to be developed and measured against during project evaluation. In a ddition, the quality of a project depends on a continuous testing and assessment (Markus and Benjamin 62). Works Cited Markus, M. Lynne, and Robert I. Benjamin. â€Å"The magic bullet theory in IT-enabled transformation.† Sloan Management Review 38.2 (1997): 55-68. Print. Nelson, R. Ryan. â€Å"IT project management: infamous failures, classic mistakes, and best practices.† MIS Quarterly Executive 6.2 (2007): 67-78. Print. Olander, Stefan and Anne Landin. â€Å"Evaluation of stakeholder influence in the implementation of construction projects.† International journal of project management 23.4 (2005): 321-328. Print. Upton, M. David and Fuller, A. Virginia. â€Å"The ITC eChoupal initiative†. Harvard Business School Review (2004): 227-246. Print. This case study on ITC eChoupal Case was written and submitted by user Cesar Mcleod 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.

The Concept Map in an Essay

The Concept Map in an EssayA concept map in an essay should be an easy way to show how the writer sees the world, thus making your reader's experience when reading your essay more meaningful. What better way to pull the reader into your narrative than by leaving them with a clear idea of what the reader is reading about?A concept map in an essay should not only show where the reader is going, but it should also establish where he is, what he is thinking and why. This ensures that the reader will be compelled to get more information on the topic so that the author can continue the story.The first step in planning a well-written essay is to gather a list of possible topics. These could be history, current events, human psychology, and sports. If you want to be innovative you could also look at pop culture, religion, and literature as the topics of a future essay.Once you have the topics for the essay ready, brainstorm on what each of them is supposed to represent. Themes are used in th e educational field to help teach students different types of concepts that will be used to help explain various topics to them.Once you have a theme that you feel you can build around, you can then create a concept map. A concept map can be a very useful tool for a writer, especially if the essay topic has to do with one of the topics in the theme.For example, you could have a map illustrating the concept of vacationing. Since the theme of vacationing is 'find something new', then a map representing that would give you the idea of what sort of things you might find when you go on a vacation.A map can also be used in the essay as a summary of the data that the writer uses in the rest of the essay. A map can be useful in mapping what the writer is actually saying, so that the writer can then focus on discussing what the reader actually needs to know. It is a useful tool for helping the reader, rather than just a list of the things the reader needs to know.

Free Essays on Confederate States

Confederate States of America, the name adopted by the federation of 11 slave holding Southern states of the United States that seceded from the Union and were arrayed against the national government during the American Civil War. Immediately after confirmation of the election of Abraham Lincoln as president, the legislature of South Carolina convened. In a unanimous vote on December 20, 1860, the state seceded from the Union. During the next two months ordinances of secession were adopted by the states of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. President James Buchanan, in the last days of his administration, declared that the federal government would not forcibly prevent the secessions. In February 1861, the seceding states sent representatives to a convention in Montgomery, Alabama. The convention, presided over by Howell Cobb of Georgia, adopted a provisional constitution and chose Jefferson Davis of Mississippi as provisional president and Alexander Hamilto n Stephens of Georgia as provisional vice president. The convention, on March 11, 1861, unanimously ratified a permanent constitution. The constitution, which closely resembled the federal Constitution, prohibited the African slave trade but allowed interstate commerce in slaves. Jefferson Davis (1808-89), first and only president of the Confederate States of America (1861-65). Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Christian (now Todd) County, Kentucky, and educated at Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, and at the U.S. Military Academy. After his graduation in 1828, he saw frontier service until ill health forced his resignation from the army in 1835. He was a planter in Mississippi from 1835 to 1845, when he was elected to the U.S. Congress. In 1846 he resigned his seat in order to serve in the Mexican War and fought at Monterrey and Buena Vista, where he was wounded. He was U.S. senator from Mississippi from 1847 to 1851, secretary of war in the ca... Free Essays on Confederate States Free Essays on Confederate States Confederate States of America, the name adopted by the federation of 11 slave holding Southern states of the United States that seceded from the Union and were arrayed against the national government during the American Civil War. Immediately after confirmation of the election of Abraham Lincoln as president, the legislature of South Carolina convened. In a unanimous vote on December 20, 1860, the state seceded from the Union. During the next two months ordinances of secession were adopted by the states of Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. President James Buchanan, in the last days of his administration, declared that the federal government would not forcibly prevent the secessions. In February 1861, the seceding states sent representatives to a convention in Montgomery, Alabama. The convention, presided over by Howell Cobb of Georgia, adopted a provisional constitution and chose Jefferson Davis of Mississippi as provisional president and Alexander Hamilto n Stephens of Georgia as provisional vice president. The convention, on March 11, 1861, unanimously ratified a permanent constitution. The constitution, which closely resembled the federal Constitution, prohibited the African slave trade but allowed interstate commerce in slaves. Jefferson Davis (1808-89), first and only president of the Confederate States of America (1861-65). Davis was born on June 3, 1808, in Christian (now Todd) County, Kentucky, and educated at Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, and at the U.S. Military Academy. After his graduation in 1828, he saw frontier service until ill health forced his resignation from the army in 1835. He was a planter in Mississippi from 1835 to 1845, when he was elected to the U.S. Congress. In 1846 he resigned his seat in order to serve in the Mexican War and fought at Monterrey and Buena Vista, where he was wounded. He was U.S. senator from Mississippi from 1847 to 1851, secretary of war in the ca...

9 LinkedIn Marketing Tips for Small Businesses

9 LinkedIn Marketing Tips for Small Businesses On July 10, 2014, Social Media Examiner quoted me in their compilation article 9 LinkedIn Marketing Tips From the Pros. Since I often receive questions about how companies can use LinkedIn for their marketing efforts, I thought it would be valuable to share this post with you. If you are a job seeker, all but the first of these tips apply to you! Here’s what you’ll learn about strategies to boost your LinkedIn marketing: Use LinkedIn Sponsored Updates to build credibility and exposure. Use LinkedIn’s analytics to make sure you’re getting sufficient value from your investment. (I have not used this feature but it might be the right strategy for some businesses.) Add Rich Visual Content to Your LinkedIn Profile to spice up its look and feel! Implement Influence Networking (Build real, personalized, ongoing relationships) to stand out from your competitors. Offer Value in Discussion Groups (Provide quality content to prospective buyers) to establish thought leadership and trust. Optimize Your Personal Profile (How to Write a KILLER LinkedIn Profile is a great start for this!) Tag Your Connections in Posts using the @ symbol followed by the person’s name. Focus on Small, Local Discussion Groups to make the biggest impact with your discussion participation (this was my contribution to the article!) Develop Relationships Instead of Adding Connections, through both your personal and company pages. Don’t Treat LinkedIn Like an Online Version of Your Resume – instead, be creative with your presentation of what you can do for your customers. Sell yourself based on the problems you can solve. (If you are a job seeker, you might be thinking you need to have an online version of your resume. But you can take a creative approach rather than create a carbon copy on LinkedIn. Consider what will sell you the best to a prospective employer and write your profile that way!) For expanded information on each one of these points, check out the full article at 9 LinkedIn Marketing Tips From the Pros. And if you’re a small business looking for ongoing LinkedIn marketing support, please contact us at teesupport@theessayexpert.com. We have experts we can refer you to!

How Have the Yoruba People Contributed to Modern Mathematics Essay

How Have the Yoruba People Contributed to Modern Mathematics - Essay Example Although people normally think of mathematics as coming from a European tradition, there is also a strong African tradition of mathematics.   This tradition goes all the way back to ancient Egypt when early mathematicians devised the formulas necessary to build the Great Pyramids.   It is the basic assumption of the current report that two important additions to mathematics made by Africa include innovations from Egypt and from the Yoruba tradition, and that these additions have direct relationships to the modern world today, in terms of connecting mainstream mathematics with African traditions. First of all, there is the Egyptian tradition, as mentioned in Lumpkin’s in-depth research on mathematics.   As noted, Egypt had a rich tradition of mathematics and geometry in very ancient times.   Ancient times can be connected to modern times, as this author notes because today they feel â€Å"fortunate to have been alerted to a reference to "an Egyptian zero" while discussing AE mathematics with Egyptologist Frank Yurco in Chicago. This reference was based not on a mathematical papyrus, but on balance sheets in papyrus Bulaq 18† (Lumpkin, 2009).   This Bulaq was a bookkeeping record kept by the ancient Egyptians thousands of years ago, showing that although these years have passed, we have something in common with the ancient world.   The idea of true zero is a very mathematically advanced one that has been discovered by many cultures.   It is not just Europe but also places like Africa and China, where the ancient meets the modern in mathematical theory.à ‚   People in bookkeeping today are still using true zero to do such tasks as making absolute transfers.   â€Å"There was also a zero reference level marked on construction lines used as early as 2700 BCE. These lines, still visible at Old Kingdom  pyramids and tombs, show the beginning of metricizing space† (Lumpkin, 2009).   The ancient Egyptian Africans used these advanced mathematical concepts to build their monumental architecture, just like architects today.

Individual report of approximately 1,000 words Coursework

Individual report of approximately 1,000 words - Coursework Example nancial gain through gain in sales, reduced cost of operation, reduction in project overruns and reduction in the time taken to create strategic changes. The performance management objective also involves motivating the workforce by optimizing plans, improving employee engagement, creating transparency, and conducting professional development programs. For improved management control - a flexible, responsible management is required. The management should display data relationships, help audit and comply with the legislative requirements, simplify communications and provide documented system for communications. Spreadsheets are electronic tools similar to various other IT tools; however the code and underlying structure is unknown (MacMillan, 2000). The main advantage of using spreadsheet is that it is easy and simple to use. Moreover, no specific training is needed for using spreadsheets and employees can easily create, distribute, manipulate and access the data of spreadsheets. However, there exist risks of uncontrolled spreadsheet used, which should be analysed to reduce errors. Spreadsheets are used for countless business functions and accounting calculations. It can be used for tracking workflow, for creating accounting estimates and for key financial reporting. Spreadsheets provide instant snapshots of a situation, which can be used for driving critical decisions. The research is based on production and service data of a firm which has been used to calculate the total expense and derive the selling price of finished products. The allocated costs related to printing, finishing, quality control and material handling has been provided in columns along the labour hours and machine hours. The expense on employees, requisitions and maintenance is also given to get the calculations. The relocation cost of the admin department is derived from the formula - Allocated Costs per Employee x Employees without Administration (for printing). Excel sheet has been used

Applications Of Chemical Equilibrium In Industrial Processes Environmental Sciences Essay

Applications Of Chemical Equilibrium In Industrial Processes Environmental Sciences Essay From the simple processes of dissolution and crystallization in a saturated sugar solution to a complicated industrial process of oxidation and reduction in industry chemical equilibrium plays a major role. Chemical equilibrium is the balance in the rate of two opposing reversible reactions with no change applied to the system with applied constant pressure and temperature. In a system where carbon monoxide is reacting with oxygen gas to form carbon dioxide there will be quantity of carbon monoxide left in the solution for as long as the reaction is placed. This is due to this reaction being a reversible reaction, although carbon monoxide and oxygen gas are synthesizing to form carbon dioxide, a contradicting reversible reaction is taking place, the decomposition of carbon dioxide to form carbon monoxide and oxygen gas. Figure 1: Chemical EquilibriumAs shown in Figure 1, in a reversible process, the rate of reaction for products turning into reactants [forward reaction] slows down as more reactants are changed into products simultaneously the rate of reaction of products changing into reactants [backwards reaction] speeds up. At a certain time for a specific temperature and pressure, the rate of reaction for both would be equal with no further change in the system.reaction-rate-time-graph.gif Still, when the system is under influence of a change in temperature or pressure the reversible reaction would be affected. Le Chateliers principle generalizes this in if a system in equilibrium is subjected to a stress the equilibrium will shift in the direction which tends to relive the stress. (Le Chateliers Principle) If the system is under the influence of a temperature altering the system will oppose this change. If an increase in temperature causes the increase in the rate of an endothermic reaction then the system will oppose this reaction by lowering the temperature thus favoring the endothermic reaction. Similarly, if the decrease in temperature increases the rate of the endothermic reaction, then the system opposes this stress by favoring the exothermic reaction. Pressure, is another variable contributing in affecting the state of equilibrium that affects gaseous reaction only. If an increase in pressure is applied, then the system opposes this change by aiming to lower the pressure favoring the side with less gas molecules. Likewise, if a decrease in pressure is applied then the system opposes this change by increasing the pressure favoring the side with more gaseous molecules. Several process in industry depend on Le Chateliers principle, the Haber-Posch process, the contact process, and the Ostwald process. In the Haber process nitrogen gas from air reacts with hydrogen gas from natural gas [mainly methane] in order to provide ammonia gas. Since ammonia is a crucial substance in agriculture for the manufacturing of fertilizers it is vital to produce as much as possible in the lowest time possible. N2(g) + 3 H2(g) is in equilibrium with 2 NH3(g) ΆH=-92KJ mol-1 The previous equation shows the chemical equation for the formation of ammonia. In order to obtain the highest amount of ammonia the reaction needs to be stimulated forward. An increase in pressure would influence the system. By increasing the pressure, the system will oppose this stress by decreasing the pressure favoring the side with less gas molecules thus the forward reaction providing more ammonia gas. The process takes place in a pressure of 200 atm. Since enthalpy of reaction is negative, then the forward reaction is an exothermic reaction. To induce the system into manufacturing further ammonia gas the temperature needs to be lowered. Yet, the low temperature would cause fewer collisions between particles causing the process to take more time. A compromise is put into action. The temperature is increased to 400-450ËÅ ¡C with adding an iron catalyst. The iron catalyst works on lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur thus ensuring that reaction takes time in as short time period as possible. (Clark,1) Nitrogen gas is easily liquefied under high pressures and is collected separating it from nitrogen and hydrogen gas which are recycled. Similar to the Haber Process, the contact process is an exothermic reaction in which sulphur dioxide gas is oxidized to produce sulphur trioxide, an initial step into forming sulphuric acid. (Clark,1) 2 SO2(g) + O2(g) is in equilibrium with2 SO3(g) ΆH=-197KJ mol-1 In this process also, a high temperature of around 400-450ËÅ ¡C is used with vanadium pentaoxide catalyst and a high pressure of 100-200kPa. In addition, the Ostwald process is in which nitric acid is formed in several steps; the oxidation of ammonia is a highly exothermic reaction which takes place in it. (Clark,1) 4 NH3(g) + 5 O2(g) is in equilibrium with4 NO2(g) + 6 H2O(g) Ά=-950KJ mol-1 To insure the highest possible amount of nitrogen dioxide formed a high pressure is used, with a great temperature of 900ËÅ ¡C and a platinum-rhodium catalyst. (Clark,1) Although sufficient solutions to producing essential products were obtained, limitations are found when considering the economic factor. In the contact process, using a platinum catalyst would be more efficient but since it is highly expensive and susceptible to poisoning thus the platinum-rhodium catalyst is used. Moreover, high pressure is expensive to produce. First, extremely strong pipes and containment vessels need to be built to withstand such pressure, and the maintenance and running of high pressures are costly. (Clark,1) Nitric acid is widely used in jewelry industry, when combined with hydrochloric acid it forms Aqua Regia, a reagent that is capable of dissolving important metals such as gold and platinum. It was often used in 1940 and 1965 as an oxidizer in liquid-propellant rocket engines. (Article Trader) The Haber process has been identified as environmentally destructive. It abrupt the nitrogen cycle, pollutes ground water, and increases the levels of atmospheric nitrogen dioxide, a potential greenhouse gas. Yet, if it wasnt for nitrogen fertilizers farmers wouldnt be able to prosperous as much. Sulphuric acid may show signs of harm and injury on plants reducing yield of certain crops, it may also dissolve in water droplets in clouds causing acid rain. It results in the damaging of wildlife and vegetation. Acid rain close to ground level can also cause damaging to building and statutes. On the other hand, sulphuric acid may reduce the invasion of pests or fungal diseases on plants causing plants to become healthier. Likewise, Nitric acid plays a major role in agriculture forming ammonium nitrate fertilizers. (Environment Agency) In the health factor, the excessive exposure to sulphur dioxide may harm the eyes lungs and throat. Furthermore, nitric acid is highly corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membrane. (Environment Agency)Contact with dilute nitric acid concentrations may cause skin irritation, deep painful burns, and hardening of epidermis, while eye contact may cause severe burns and permanent damage. Inhalation of high concentrations may cause respiratory irritations with possible fatal effects. Ingestion of nitric acid results in the burning and corrosion of mouth, throat, and stomach. A dose of 10mL is fatal to humans. (Article Trader) Science has proven to bring forth various solutions. Chemistry is no separate part of industry. It provides it with the most suitable and contemptible answers. Chemical equilibrium plays a major role in aiding to provide the utmost concentration of product needed. Several conflicts and damaging factors might be the result of such industrial processes but are all main reason behind erecting and the prosperity of the human society.