Management and Information Systems of Ginsters Company - Case Study Example

MANAGEMENT AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO REPORT Background Information Project Portfolio management refers to the criteria of running various business projects. The management criteria entail each project based on its value and strategy. The portfolio is designed to achieve a specific objective in the business. In addition, project management involves various initiatives to enhance the value of the business by improving performance at different levels of operations (Fritz and Schiefer, 2009). Companies adopt different portfolio management techniques to enhance performance. Various considerations arise during the process of developing management information portfolio. First, the contribution of each project to the achievement of the portfolio is considered to justify the adoption of the portfolio. Secondly, the manager examines the performance effectiveness of each project in the portfolio. Thirdly, the developer of the portfolio reviews the negative impact of the project on the performance of other projects in the company (Fritz and Schiefer, 2009). Finally, the manager contemplates the dependent and independent projects in a specific portfolio. Ginsters Company operates in a demanding market due to the increased competition in the region. In addition, the company’s operation costs tend to increase because of the long distribution chain. Development of a reliable and appropriate management portfolio for the distribution channel is essential in enhancing the performance of the organisation (Mail Online, 2010). Challenges Ginsters Company produces and distributes Cornish pastry, which is in the food industry. The food industry is among the most sensitive sectors in various economies. Management of various processes in the industry requires an appropriate approach to the ethics. There are various ethical issues in the food industry (Strbac, 2008). First, the manufacturing process of the food should embrace cleanliness and health of the consumers (Laudon and Laudon, 2002). In addition, various manufacturers of food products in the world should embrace good practices in their distribution channels in order to enhance the value of the food. Second, the marketing, manufacturing and distribution of the food product are major ethical issues. In this case, the manufacturing process adheres to various ethics such as cleanliness in the systems and use of appropriate raw materials (Fritz and Schiefer, 2009). In addition, the distribution channel should uphold the freshness of the food product in order to promote health among the consumers. Thirdly, the environment is a sensitive ethical issue in the food industry. In this case, the company’s operating in the industry should observe appropriate environmental regulations in the world (Laudon and Laudon, 2002). In addition, the distribution and waste disposal activities lead to various environmental, ethical issues in the industry. The distribution channel of the company affects the society in various ways. First, the environment is a major social issue that is affected by the operation of the company. The Cornish pastry is distributed to the depot through the road, which leads to emission of carbon in the atmosphere. Secondly, the health of the consumers is a social issue that arises from the operations of the company. The long distribution chain affects the products freshness, which influences the health of the consumers. In addition, the products have various dietary effects on the health different members of the society (Mail Online, 2010). Potential Solutions Tesco is the main distributor and retailer of the company’s products in the region. Tesco operates on an online retailing, which helps in enhancing the market for the Ginsters’ Cornish pastry (Mail Online, 2010). In addition, the distribution channel of the organisation leads to various social and ethical issues, which hinders effective operations of the company. Additionally, the distribution channel causes an increase in the operations cost for the company because of the distance between the factory and distribution centre (Bottani and Rizzi, 2008). There are various solutions to the social and ethical challenges Ginsters Company. First, the organisation can use various management technologies to enhance efficiency in their distribution line. The primary cause of the challenges facing the company is the distribution channel. Application of the management and information system in the operations of the company facilitates its distribution channel (Laudon and Laudon, 2002). The system promotes communication between the distributors and the production plant, which is essential in establishing the appropriate amount of the products based on the market demand. In addition, the system enables the management to identify effective distribution channels in order to minimize the time taken by the products ion transit. The use of a management information system is essential because it minimises the environmental impact of the company during the distribution process (Fritz and Schiefer, 2009). The current distribution strategy of the Ginsters Pastry Company relies on road transport that contributes heavily to the carbon emission in the atmosphere. In this case, adoption of the modern communication approach between the company and its distributors helps to minimize the distribution chain and frequency (Weigelt, 2012). Consequently, the company affects less on the environment because of the reduction in emission of carbon to the atmosphere (Rai and Tang, 2010). The use of an information system also promotes communication between the company and the distributors, which is essential in reducing wastage in the distribution channel (Joshi, 2013). Secondly, the company can optimise on the location of the Tesco stores in order to minimize various social effects (Laudon and Laudon, 2012). Ginsters Company can adopt a distribution channel that does not rely on the distribution centre at Avonmouth. The company can use a distribution channel that minimises the operations costs by supply Tesco store with its products. The location of the Tesco store enables the organization to minimise the cost of transporting products to and from Avonmouth. In addition, the company can avail its products to various retailers on an online platform in order to minimise the distribution process time and frequency (Weigelt, 2012). Reflections of other Opinions The challenges encountered by the company in its distribution process attract attention of other managers in the organisation. There are different opinions provided by the managers regarding the solution of the issues presented by the distribution channel of the company. The food sector is among the most sensitive sectors in the world (Mail Online, 2010). A company, which is operating in the sector, faces various challenges regarding ethical, social and costs aspects. First, most of the managers proposed the need to establish a feasible, ethical framework in the distribution channel at the company. Presently, the company lacks a reliable approach to ethical issues in the industry. In addition, there are no guidelines to control the impact of the business’ operations on the environment. The managers proposed the creation of a framework that determines the effects of the distribution line on the environment (Joshi, 2013). Additionally, the managers identified the internet as a major platform for reducing pollution in the company’s distribution channel. Secondly, the managers proposed the adoption of an approach to enhancing the relations of the company with the public. Public relation is an effective marketing strategy, which are utilised by different organizations worldwide. In addition, it enables the organization minimise various challenges resulting from social issues (Bottani and Rizzi, 2008). The managers’ proposal aims at reducing the social effects of the company’s operations by incorporating corporate social responsibility in its operations. Thirdly, the managers highlighted the need to remove the distribution centre at Avonmouth in order to promote efficiency in the distribution channel. The process of transporting goods to Avonmouth increases the cost of distribution and carbon emission to the atmosphere. In addition, the process promotes the rate of product’s spoiling. In addition, it increases the costs incurred by the retailers and wholesalers of the products in distributing pastries from Avonmouth to other parts of the world. The removal of the distribution centre at Avonmouth serves in promoting the Business to business engagements of the company (Laudon and Laudon, 2012). According to the managers, this initiative will promote fair business activities between the company and its retailers and the wholesalers. The initiative enhances pricing competition in the market because the retailers avail the products at low prices to the consumers, which is essential for enhancing competition. Finally, the managers proposed the use of information technology in the distribution channel in order to promote communication between the company and the retailers (Bottani and Rizzi, 2008). The managers proposed various management and information systems approaches the companys distribution channel such as internet, B2B trading, support and global systems. The framework developed for enhancing the effectiveness of the distribution process comprises most of the approaches, which are proposed by other managers. The managers focused on the concept of minimizing pollution, cost and social effects of the business’ operations in the society. The solution involves various initiatives of minimising the distribution distance and frequency in order to reduce pollution. The concept that is omitted in the current framework is the aspect of public relations in the distribution channel. Public relations are the major strategy for eradicating social issues, which are caused by the operations of the business (Fritz and Schiefer, 2009). The concept of public relations is essential in the distribution channel because it promotes efficiency in the operations of the business. In addition, good public relations enable the company to embrace various environmental regulations, which is crucial to reducing pollution. The solutions presented by various managers regarding challenges facing the company are applicable because of different reasons. First, the approaches identified by the managers, focus on reducing pollution that hinders effective operation of the business. The aspect of minimising pollution in the distribution channel is essential in eradicating social and ethical issues resulting from the distribution line. Secondly, the aspect of enhancing public relations is crucial in establishing a feasible solution to the challenges facing the company (Fritz and Schiefer, 2009). Public relations are enhanced through the participation of the organisation in various activities in the society. The concept of enhancing public relations is feasible because it involves the use of minimal resources in order to enhance competition. Finally, the concept of incorporating information systems in the management of the distribution channel is feasible because it involves the initiative of adopting various B2B systems. The systems enable the organisation to communicate effectively with its partners in the distribution channel in order to eradicate the social and ethical challenges (Turban, McLean and Wetherbe, 2002). The senior management requires a reliable and appropriate opinion regarding the solutions to the challenges facing the company. The opinion is presented to the senior management after conducting adequate research on the issues affecting the organization. The ideas presented to the senior management encompass various aspects of technological approaches to resolving the challenges. In addition, the senior management is provided with feasible opinions in order to incorporate the ideas into the operations of the business. Conclusion Distribution is a major aspect of the operations of various businesses worldwide. The effectiveness of the distribution channel enables the business to minimise costs and challenges presented in its distribution channel. Ginsters transport its products to the centralised distribution facility that results in different ethical and social issues. The ethical issues resulting from the distribution channel include health and dietary aspects of the product. The long distribution channel limits the quality of the products, which compromises the health of the consumers. In addition, the company operates in the fast food industry, which raises ethical issues regarding the dietary composition of their products. The distribution channel leads to emission of carbon in the atmosphere by the tracks, which transport the product. Environmental sustainability is one of the most sensitive issues in the current corporate world. Most companies implement various initiatives to minimise inappropriate disposal of waste and emission of carbon in the atmosphere. The solutions for the ethical and social issues facing the company include the use of information technology and short distribution channel. In this case, the company communicates effectively with the retailers and suppliers in order to enhance the quality of the products. In addition, the use of B2B systems is essential for managing communications between the company and its partners, which is essential for enhancing competition for the companys products in the market. The opinion presented to the senior management should contain adequate information regarding the distribution channel for the business like cost, ethical and social issues. References Bottani, E. and Rizzi, A. (2008). Economic assessment of the impact of RFID technology and EPC system on the fast-moving consumer goods supply chain. International Journal of Production Economics, 112(2), pp.548-569. Fritz, M. and Schiefer, G. (2009). Tracking, tracing, and business process interests in food commodities: A multi-level decision complexity. International Journal of Production Economics, 117(2), pp.317-329. Joshi, G. 2013. Management information systems. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Laudon, K. and Laudon, J. 2002. Management information systems. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall. Laudon, K. and Laudon, J. 2012. Management information systems. Boston; Munich, Pearson. Mail Online, (2010). Cornish pastys 250-mile journey from the factory to the Tesco store next door. [online] Available at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1307305/Cornish-pastys-250-mile-journey-factory-Tesco-store-door.html [Accessed 16 Mar. 2015]. Rai, A. and Tang, X. (2010). Leveraging IT Capabilities and Competitive Process Capabilities for the Management of Interorganizational Relationship Portfolios. Information Systems Research, 21(3), pp.516-542. Strbac, G. (2008). Demand side management: Benefits and challenges. Energy Policy, 36(12), pp.4419-4426. Turban, E., McLean, E. and Wetherbe, J. 2002. Information technology for management. New York: J. Wiley. Weigelt, C. (2012). Leveraging supplier capabilities: The role of locus of capability deployment. Strat. Mgmt. J., 34(1), pp.1-21. Read More