Protek Manufactures has been a market leader in paper products for almost 55 years. While they have captured most of the market in West and South India, they still think that reaching out through new media is missing out in their marketing plan. They decide to explore social media for more innovative ways of reaching to their existing and new customers. Please discuss following points in light of the case.

19 Jan

Business Communication

1. According to Avani, a new age PR consultant, emails are obsolete and she thinks no one pays heed to email messages anymore. However, her seniors still support connecting with customers through emails as it still is the primary medium of business communication. Avani decides to explore skills of emailing effectively and goes through the three-step process for emailing – Planning, writing and completing email messages. Please elaborate on the three steps mentioned above.

2. After completing his MBA from one of the reputed institutes Rakesh interned with a market leader in Consumer Products company. He was offered a job as a junior manager on completion of his internship with the same organization. Now, after almost 1.5 years with the same organization as an assistant manager, he realized that he could have had better growth opportunities in other organizations. Hence, he wants to start exploring his options. However, since he never had to indulge in active job seeking, he feels a little lost and approaches a senior friend with some potential employers. Imagining you are his senior friend, please elaborate on some tips for translating general potential into presenting as skills for the employees.

3. Protek Manufactures has been a market leader in paper products for almost 55 years. While they have captured most of the market in West and South India, they still think that reaching out through new media is missing out in their marketing plan. They decide to explore social media for more innovative ways of reaching to their existing and new customers. Please discuss following points in light of the case.

a. Writing strategies for social media for Protek

b. Various social networks that will help Protek to reach to different set of audience.

Business Planning and Policy

12 Jul

Answer the following question.

Q1. How to develop a case study?

Q2. Explain international expansion theories.

Q3. What are the reasons for mergers and acquisitions?

Q4. What are the routes to gain competitive advantage?

Q5. How to strengthen core competencies?

Q6. Define mission statement. What are the characteristics of mission statement?

Q7. What is the importance and advantages of vision?

Q8. Define business policy. What are the features of business policy?

Warehouse Management

03 Jul

Q1. If you are in charge of an warehousing department what steps you will take to understand, its basic and formulated and structure

Q2. “Haphazard” inventory management is great cost. How will you take of:

(i) FMCG Goods

(ii) Perishable Goods

(iii) White Goods

Q3. As an auditor what will recommended for:-

(i) Unaccounted good

(ii) In process losses

Q4. Enumerate five major steps to put Management Control System for:-

(i) In Flow material

(ii) Scrap Materials

(iii) Issue and receipt of material

Q5. You have a diversified team to undertake stock what suggestions/rules you will put to them for:-

(i) RM

(ii) PM

(iii) WIP (Work in progress)

Q6. Enumerate the cost involved in selling in scrap material.

Q7. Give guidance to your coy to monitor/control inventory there IT Methodology.

Q8. Give your perception on spare part management so that your CEO, accepts the idea.

Taxation

03 Jul

Q1) a) Mr. Jayant an Indian Citizen, furnishes the following particulars of his income earned during the previous year relevant to assessment year 2008-09.

Sr.no Particulars Rs.
1 Interest on Nepal Development Bond (1/3 received in India) 21,000
2 Income from Agriculture in Bangladesh 40,000
3 Rent from Property in Japan received outside India 10,000
4 Income earned from Business in London which is controlled from                                                      Delhi (Rs. 15,000 received in India 35,000
5 Interest paid by an Indian company but received outside India 9,000
6 Past untaxed profit brought to India 33,000
7 Profit from a business in Thane and managed from outside India 50,000
8 Profit on sale of building in Mumbai but received in Sri Lanka 40,000
9 Pension from an Indian employer in India received in Rangoon 30,000

Find out his gross total income if he is i) Resident and ordinarily resident. ii) Resident but not ordinarily resident. iii) Non- resident in India for the assessment year 2008-09.

b) Mr Chetan who is an Indian citizen returned to India on 1st July 2007 on a visit. He left India on 25 September 2007. Prior to 1st April 2007 he was in India for more than 365days during the preceding four years 2003-04 to 2006-07. What is his residential status for the assessment year 2008-09?

Q2) Mrs Amrita joined XYZ Ltd., New Delhi, on 1st April 1982 as a Director. She receives the following emoluments during the previous year ending 31st March 2008. Determine the taxable income of Mrs. Amrita for the assessment year 2008-09, taking into account the following information:

a) Salary received                                                                                     Rs 16,000

b) Bonus received                                                                                     Rs 2,000

c) House Rent allowance                                                                         Rs 6,800

d) Salary in lieu of leave                                                                          Rs 12,000

e) Entertainment allowance                                                                   Rs 3,000

f) Company provides free gas and electricity (cost)                          Rs 6,000

g) Domestic servant (not being sweeper, watchmen or

gardener) paid for by the company                                                      Rs 12,800

h) Free education for her two sons in a school

maintained by the company (cost)                                                       Rs 12,000

i) Free lunch in office                                                                               Rs 10,000

j) Salary of cook                                                                                         Rs 12,000

Cook is engaged by Mrs. Amrita. She contributes i) Rs 13,500 towards contribution to a recognized Provident fund and ii) Insurance premium of Rs 15,000 on a policy of Rs 1,40,000 taken on her own life. Her income from other sources is Rs 26,000 Besides, Mrs Amrita owns the following properties:

a) House –I purchased on 1st July 2007 is given on rent (rent being Rs 2,000 per month). Construction of house was completed on 1st June 2007.

b) House –II constructed in 1973 is self –occupied. Expenses incurred for the two houses are as follows:

House I                       House II

Muncipal tax paid on 31st March 2008                               2,100                            6,200

Lease Rent                                                                                   200                            1,200

Fire insurance                                                                            2,300                               600

Repairs                                                                                         200                                 –

Collection charges                                                                          50                                 –

 

Q3) Following is the P&L A/c of M/s Impex Associates owned by Mr Narayan Vyas for the previous year ended 31st March, 2008:

Particulars Rs Particulars Rs
To Salaries 56,000 By Gross profit 3,40,000
To Travelling expenses 14,000 By Subsidies and cash Assistance from govt. 66,000
To Embezzlement of cash 10,000 By Export Award received From Government 42,000
To Professional Tax 1,500 By amount withdrawn from public provident fund A/c 52,000
To Insurance on health Of employees 2,250 By Dividend from Indian Cos. 1,00,000
To wealth tax 9,750    
To Diwali expenses 4,350    
To telephone & telex charges 5,650    
To Advertisement 17,500    
To depreciation 10,000    
To Interest on loan 15,000    
To Guest house expenses 8,000    
To expenses on scientific Research 2,12,000    
To Net profit 2,34,000    
6,00,000 6,00,000

Following additional information has been provided:

a) Salary includes payment of Rs 20,000 out of India on which no tax has been deducted at source.

b) The expenditure on scientific research allowable under the Income Tax Act is Rs 2,04,500.

c) Travelling expenses include Rs 2,400 incurred on travelling to Allahabad to attend Kumbhmela.

d) Diwali expenses include Rs 1,000 paid to son for purchase of cycle.

e) Interest on loan is paid outside India on which no tax has been deducted at source.

f) Advertisement expenses include Rs 2,500 on advertisement in a brochure published by a political party and remaining expenses of Rs 15,000 the benefits of which will accrue for the period of 5 years in all.

g) Depreciation allowable as per Income tax is Rs 8,650.

Compute the taxable income from business of Mr. Narayan Vyas for the assessment year 2008-09.

 

Q4a) i) Compute the capital gain in the hands of Mr Rohan who has transferred the following assets during the previous year 2007-08:

 

Name of the Asset Cost of acquisition Rs. FMV on 1st April 1981 Rs. Full value of                     consideration Rs.
Goodwill of a business 40,000 4,00,000
Tenancy rights of a                              commercial building 1,00,000 6,00,000
Route permit 50,000 5,00,000
Shares acquired in 1978 70,000 50,000 4,00,000

ii) Would your answer change if the Goodwill transferred is of a profession instead of business?

iii) What shall be your answer if the shares are sold through a recognized stock exchange on 1st December 2007

 

Q4b) The following incomes are received by Mr. Mohan during financial year 2007-08

a) Director’s fees Rs 2,000

b) Income from agricultural land in Pakistan Rs 5,000

c) Ground rent for land in Pathankot Rs 10,000

d) Interest on Postal Savings bank A/c Rs 100

e) Interest on deposits with Industrial Finance Corporation of India Rs 500

f) Dividend from a foreign company Rs 700

g) Rent from sub-letting a house Rs 26,250

h) Rent payable by Mr. Mohan for the sub-let house Rs 12,000

i) Other expenses on sub-let-house Rs 1,000

j) Winnings from horse – race (Gross) Rs 12,300

k) Interest on securities (Gross) Rs 4,000

You are required to calculate Income from other sources of Mr. Mohan for the assessment year 2008-09.

Supply Chain Management

03 Jul

Group A

CASE 1

 Supply Chain Management at Bose Corporation

 Bose Corporation manufactures audio premium speakers used in automobiles, high-fidelity systems and consumer and commercial broad-casting systems. Head quartered in Framingham, Massachusetts, Bose Corporation has plants in Massachusetts and Michigan as well as in Canada, Mexico and Ireland. Bose speakers are the best sellers in Japan, the world leader in consumer electronics. Bose’s competence is in its electronic engineering skills, ‘but the company attributes much of its business success to its tightly controlled materials management and excellent Integrated supply chain management.

Bose purchases most of its electronic and other components from independent suppliers scattered around North America, the Far East and Europe. About 50 percent of its purchases are from foreign suppliers, the majority of them are from the Far East. Its purchasing organisation while decentralized has some overlap that requires coordination between sides. Bose attempts to coordinate its globally dispersed supply chain so that material holding and transportation costs are minimised. This requires component parts to arrive at Bose’s Massachusetts assembly plant just in time to enter the production process. But because Bose must remain responsive to its customers, it sometimes must respond quickly to increases in customer demand for certain speakers so as to remain competitive. Since Bose does not want to hold extensive inventories at its Massachusetts plant, this need for responsiveness requires Bose’s globally dispersed supply chain o respond rapidly to increased demand for component parts.
Bose’s materials management function is responsible for coordinating the supply chain to meet both objectives — minimising transportation and inventory holding costs and yet responding quickly to customer demands. This function achieves coordination through a sophisticated logistics operation. Most of Bose’s imports from the Far East come via ships to the West coast and then across North America to its Massachusetts plant via train. Most of the company’s export also move by ocean freight. Bose does not hesitate to use airfreight when goods are needed urgently.

Bose has a long standing relationship with W.N. Procter. a Boston based freight forwarder and customs broker. Procter handles customs clearance and shipping from suppliers to Bose. Procter provides Bose with up-to-the minute electronic data interchange (EDI) capabilities which enable Bose to track parts as they move through its global supply chain. Procter provides several other services to Bose such as selecting overseas agents who can help move goods out of the Far East.

Procter’s well-established network of overseas contacts is especially useful when shipments must be expedited through foreign customs. Procter also is electronically linked into the US customs system, which allows it to clear freight electronically as much as five days before a ship arrives at a US port or hours before an international airfreight shipment arrives – This helps to get goods to Bose’s manufacturing plant several days sooner.

Bose has developed a detailed supplier performance system that measures on-time delivery, quality performance, technical improvements and supplier suggestions. A report is generated twice a month from this system to be sent to the suppliers providing feed-back about supplier performance.
Bose has written contracts with suppliers. After six months of delivery without rejects. Bose certifies the suppliers as qualified suppliers.

Bose uses a sophisticated transportation system which is the best EDI system n the US. This j system operates close to real time and allows two-way communication between every one of the freight-handlers’ 230 terminals and Bose. Information is updated several times daily. This state-of- the art system helps Bose’s managers to proactively manage logistics time elements in pursuit of better customer service.
Perhaps one of the most unique features of Bose’s procurement and logistics system is the development of JIT II. The basic premise of JIT H is: “the person who can do the best job of ordering and managing inventory of a particular item is the supplier itself” Bose negotiated with each supplier to provide a full—time employee at the Bose plant who was responsible for ordering. shipping and receiving materials from that plant, as well as managing on-site inventories of the items. This was facilitated through an EDT connection between Bose’s plant and the supplier’s facility.

Questions: –
1. Briefly present the salient features of the integrated supply chain management system at Bose?

2. Discuss how the strategy development process might work at a company like Bose?

3. What should be the relationship between Bose’s supply management strategy and the development of its performance measurement system?

4. Discuss the importance of quality of purchased components to Bose?

 

CASE 2  

 SKF Bearing’s Best Practices

“SKF’S outbound logistics outsourcing is characterised by strong control over quality norms and delivery schedules by SKF personnel”

SKF Bearings is one of the world’s biggest ball bearing manufacturing units, and they have: a sizeable presence i India. As part of its supply chain management practice. SKF Bearings handles the training, implementation and quality control activities themselves, while outsourcing the actual
operations to logistic solution providers. Outbound warehousing and transportation practices outsourced to logistic solution providers and national transporters.

(A) Inbound transportation and warehousing: Complete vendor outsourced, i.e. transportation and warehousing managed and handled by vendors.

B) Outbound transportation: Handled predominantly by national fleet operators, with some responsibilities of contingency transportaton outsourced to organised players.

(C) Outbound warehousing: Completely outsourced to organised players with five players handling different warehouses of the company.

SKF’s outbound logistics outsourcing is characterized by strong control over quality norms and delivery schedules by SKF personnel. Outbound warehousing which is a completely outsourced activity is controlled by SKF personnel by integrating the warehouses through their in-house developed ERP software platform.

Training of logistics company personnel to load/unload goods, assemble and disassemble and for integrating scheduling and supply orders is imparted by SKF. Through this, they have managed to achieve 100 percent order cycle fulfillment, bring down damaged/ short/over delivery instances to almost 0.25 percent of total annual order and train logistic personnel to meet all in-house developed quality norms.

Even though majority of their logistics partners have IT capabilities of their own, SKF Bearings doesn’t use them as they have integrated their own IT platform to schedule orders, keep track of consignments and to manage both effective and efficient distribution. Their warehousing costs are higher than their outbound transportation costs because of the extensive warehousing practices, but they have achieved gains through the application of internal control over implementation of  quality norms, strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a robust system of IT implementation throughout their supply chain, Future Plans: Moving slowly towards Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) for inbound sourcing and also looking at outsourcing more warehouse management responsibilities. Looking to implement more definitive 3PL solutions for outbound activities of the supply  chain, but will still, keep operational control in its own hands.

Questions

1. Discuss the activities involved in the supply chain of SKF Bearings?

2. Explain how .SKF establishes strong control over its outbound logistics?

3. What is meant by vendor managed inventory (VMI)?

4. What meant by third party (3PL) logistics solutions? Explain how SKF will be able to implement the same?

CASE 3                                                                                                           

Chrysler Unseats its Competition with Supplier Partnerships

When Lee lococea gave the co ahead to Chrysler’s Neon Project in I NO, he \\ as taking a big risk. Until that time; no American subcompact ear had been able to turn a profit for its manufacturer. l3ut Chrysler’s Neon ultimately reversed this trend: mainly because of the unprecedented partnerships Chrysler entered into with its suppliers in the earliest stages ot the Neon Project.

Robert Marcell. head of Chrysler’s small -car division, knew that such partnerships held the key to Chrysler’s success. In order to make a profit, Marcell had to meet stringent production schedules for which he had to bring suppliers on board early. This is crucial because outside companies would be furnishing 70 percent of the value of the car in the form of tyres seats, suspension, and other components.
In an  unprecedented move, Marcell allowed  engineers from key potential suppliers to dose the first Neon prototype during an October 1990 meeting. His team then issued a cost challenge. inviting suppliers to make use of sensitive Chrysler financial data and ideas in a mutual effort to Cut costs.
Companies who entered into this unique partnership found that collaborating with Chrysler was a two-way street. For exarple Johnson controls, Inc was initially to make the Neon’s seats within Chrysler’s price targets, but Chrysler was unhappy with their safety. Weight and comfort. After the supplier partnership agreement, ten Chrysler engineers moved into Johnson controls’ firm near Detroit to work with the engineers of Johnson controls. After working together for five days together the partners agreed on new weight, cost and performance standards that were so on target that they didn’t have to be changed again.
As a result of this unique partnership, Chrysler was able to accept higher component Costs from Johnson controls because of overall savings for Chrysler. At Chrysler’s request Johnson  designed some rear seats with the capability of folding down to expand trunk space. But Chrysler engineers insisted that Johnson design the special seats so that they could be installed the same  as other seats. This made each seat cost more, but Chrysler ultimately could save about $ one million overall in final assembly costs. Thanks to its successful partnership with Johnson controls and other major suppliers, Chrysler met its stringent cost and time deadlines for the Neon- and came out with Detroit’s first profitable subcompact car in the bargain.
Questions

1. Discuss the approach of Chrysler’s operations managers in developing arid building the Neon model?

2. Discuss the relevance of this case to the study of supply chain management?

3. What benefits a manufacturing firm can achieve from its suppliers, through outsourced manufacturing?

4. Discuss the differences between outsourcing and out-partnering?

 

CASE 4                                                                                             

Delphi Automotive Setting New Norms

“Logistics service provider and transporter evaluation is done on the basis of requirement levels met, which is 100  percent for any component before it goes on to the line”.
Delphi Automotive India Ltd. is the Indian arm of the global giant Delphi Automotive. The major components that Delphi supplies in the country are steering columns, half shafts, AC Units, Engine Management systems, Catalytic Converters and Wiring Harnesses. The Company also takes up sourcing requirements of clients based out of India.

Suppliers are generally selected on the basis o their proximity to the company’s four manufacturing units in India, which are located in Bangalore, Karnataka (two plants), one in Noida, Uttar Pradesh and one in Gurgaon (Haryana). Delphi believes in efficient sourcing from its suppliers. Nearby suppliers are required to supply the plant everyday while far flung suppliers are required to supply 2-3 times in a week. Delphi has streamlined the inbound process by procuring high volume, low cost items from nearby suppliers and high cost, low volume items from far flung suppliers.

Delphi Automotive India has outsourced the entire inbound sourcing part of the supply chain to its suppliers, totaling about 150. They are responsible for the inbound transportation and warehousing of components before the latter reaches any of Delphi’s manufacturing plants.

For outbound trá1sportation and warehousing. the company works with a mixture of national transporters and organised logistics solution providers, Its outbound warehousing has been outsourced to a trading company with capabilities in warehouse management.

To make sure that quality norms are adhered to and supply schedules are met, logistics service 1?rovider and transporter evaluation is done on the basis of requirement levels met, which is 100 percent for any component before it goes on to the line. This is a very Important service level definition on which logistic solution providers and transporters are evaluated.

Since the stock and inventory checking aspects of the supply chain have been automated, details of stocks and status of delivery can be tracked. Web enabled

consignment tracking facilities are provided by Delphi India to its foreign customers enabling the latter to track the status and location of their’ consignments at any given point in time. Indian customers are slowly being provided with this facility. Also, Indian customers can place orders from Delphi using the company’s extranet system as and, when the requirement arises.

Future Plans: Will slowly move towards a more structured system of logistics outsourcing, which would mean that it will increasingly start looking at more 3PL outsourcing arrangements.

Questions:

1. Explain the supply chain of Delphi Automotive.

2. Explain how Delphi Automotive manages its inbound sourcing.

3. Explain how Delphi Automotive manages its outbound logistics.

4 Suggest a suitable strategy for Delphi Automotive to Improve its supply chain effectives.

 

Group B

CASE 5                                                                                                    

Karnataka Engineering Company Limited

By 1983 (the case time context), the two-wheeler market had been liberalised and companies had to deal with the new realities. Logistics was one of the business activities which got a strong look. The case of Karnataka Engineering Company Limited (KEC) provides the background for analysing a key set of logistical concerns.

Strengthening the distribution network for finished products is one of the most direct ways of improving service effectiveness and cost efficiency of a firm’s marketing related operations. The cost of selling  up and operating different facilities in the distribution network have to be viewed vis-à-vis  the recurring transportation and inventory costs in the distribution network and increasingly, service measures such as response time to different sets of downstream customers.

In this case, the logistics manager s faced with the issue of designing a distribution network. ‘Two-wheelers have to be distributed from a single factory to several dealers. For illustrating the nature of the decision, one state (Andhra Pradesh) is taken up for detailed analysis. Here, it is assumed that distribution will be done state-wise, because of commercial (tax) considerations.

Five hierarchical decisions have to be made in this case; deciding on the number of warehouses, the location of those warehouses, the allocation of demand points to a warehouse, the selection of a shipment size, and an order processing and routing policy for the actual distribution from warehouse to demand points. Here, shipments from depots to dealers are through trucks or LCVs. Depending on the order processing discipline that is selected, one could have the possibility of meeting the demands of two or more dealers with a single trip. This would need a routing procedure.
Questions:
1. At what volumes is the opening of a warehouse in a state justified primarily on the grounds of the 4 per cent central sales tax for transactions across states?

2. How many warehouses do you think are required for the distribution of KEC’s products in Andhra Pradesh? What could the candidate locations of the warehouses be? What would be the criteria on which to select the candidates?

3. Determine the optimal selection of warehouses and the best allocation of demand points to the selected warehouses?

4. What are the best choices for shipment (truck) size from warehouses to demand points? Given the size, what routing would you recommend for a typical dispatch run?

Approach for Analysis

The problem here is a relatively complex one, in theory, because of the number of different but interrelated decisions that have to he made. Two options are suggested to approach this problem. One is to decompose the decision areas (typically in the order of the hierarchy described above) and calculate only the aggregate contributions from other decisions. For example, a shipment size can be assumed while deciding the number and location of warehouses (and that would determine the relevant costs), and this can be repeated for each significant option.

Another approach is to explicitly and simultaneously consider two or more interrelated decisions. This is a very common practice in, for example, location allocation models. This makes decision-making more accurate. But this is not always possible.

A combination of these two approaches may be helpful here. A reasonable set of scenarios for shipment size for making the upper-level decisions, a combined model for location and allocation, and again an aggregate consideration for deciding the number of warehouses (based on the fixed costs vis-à-vis the maximum savings in transportation) can be prepared. The routing decision can be separately made after the allocation decisions are made, for each shipment size possibility. For the location-allocation decision, even the number of warehouses to be opened can be left open, and a model developed based on Mixed Integer Linear Programming. The model size should be kept small enough that a simple solution should be obtained by running the model on a PC. Extensions of such models in m1aitleve1 distribution, where explicit consideration of warehouse location costs and transport link fixed costs have been combined with allocation decisions, have been among the most successful applications of models to practical decision-making. Karnataka Engineering Company Limited (KEC)*

Karnataka Engineering Company Limited, Raichur, entered the two-wheeler industry in 1981 with the production of mopeds. In 1983, they set up a scooter production line in Raichur. The two-wheeler scene in India was very much a seller’s market in the early years, with waiting times of several months for potential customers.

In 1987, there was a slump in the Two-wheeler market which affected all manufacturers badly. The market became extremely competitive. This forced KEC to look for ways to tackle the increased competitiveness. It was felt by the Staff Vice-President (Corporate Planning) that the physical distribution function was a source of competitive advantage which, if properly handled, could yield substantial dividends that would be visible in the immediate future.
KEC had set up a team to aggressively lead their marketing efforts in the slumping markets, called ‘Go For It’. At a meeting of ‘Go For It’, the Staff VP (Corp. Planning) put forth his ideas for rationalising the management of the physical distribution function, which was accepted by everyone, including the Managing Director. Prior to this meeting, he had circulated a letter to all concerned (Exhibit

1). The organisation structure of KEC is given in Exhibit 2. Value added by KEC based on 1986-1987 financial data is given in Exhibit 3

Present Distribution

 From Raichur, the two-wheelers are transported by specially adapted trucks, which can carry either 80 mopeds or 50 scooters or a combination of both. This phase of the distribution, called primary transportation, is organised at Raichur itself by the central marketing office.
KEC has 19 branches spread all over India. Exhibit 4 gives a list of the branches (along with the states/Uts) and their rnonh1y offtakés with  sales value. Every branch is manned by a branch manager, who is the 501C KE.C employee there. He wage labour for the loading and unloading operations. The econda1y tansport  arrangements transport from the branch to the dealers arc made by KEC Marketing offices located in most states. A list of the marketing offices is given in Exhibit 5.
The consultant, based on discussions with the Staff VP arid Chief Operating Officer, arrived at a framework for analysis, quite similar to the one outlined in Exhibit 1.

Branch Operating Costs and Locations

The operating expenses of a branch were estimated to be Rs 17,000 per month. The break-up is given in Exhibit 6. However, the actual average expenses were closer to Rs 21,000 per month. The inventory cost for each branch has been determined by examining the average branch inventory as given in Exhibit 7. It should be kept in mind that the period January-July 1988, on which the data is based, represents a slump in the market resulting in higher than normal inventories.

Given the costs, it can be determined that at 4 per cent central sales tax, the minimum throughput that would justify the setting up of a branch in a state would be Rs 4.25 lakh per month. This translates into 78 mopeds (at Rs 5,500 per moped) or 33 scooters (at Rs 13,000 per scooter) per month or any combination thereof. From Exhibit 4 it can be seen that it would be advantageous to locate branch warehouses in 18 states/UTs. New branches need to be set up in Goa, Orissa and Pondicherry.

The branch in Jammu and Kashmir can be discontinued. The north-eastern part of the country should be examined in greater detail with a state with  break up For the states where a branch  location is deemed Essential the next task was to determine how many branches should be opened iii each state arid where exactly they should be located.

The principal factor to examine when considering whether more than one branch is justified would be to see if the savings in total transportation costs (primary and secondary transportation costs) would be more than the additional cost of a new branch.

Distribution in Andhra Pradesh

The logistics expert decided to examine the case of AP in detail for an interim presentation to KEC. The existing position was that KEC had two branch warehouses at Adoni and Mahbubnagar,f serving roughly the northern and southern halves of AP. Exhibit 8 shows the locations of the dealer points on a map. Exhibit 9 gives the actual average monthly offtake to the dealer points in Al’ based on January-July 1988 data.
The marketing office at Hyderabad would collate the orders and issue instructions by telephone to the branch manager at Adoni and Mahbubnagar regarding secondary despatches. Actual routing decisions were the responsibility of the branch manager. Both the branch managers found it difficult to get through to dealers by telephone. Further, the Mehboobnagar branch manager frequently complained about difficulties in arranging secondary transport. It must be mentioned here that the principle that motivated KEC to select Adoni and Mahbubnagar as branch locations is that they are the first major towns in AP after crossing the border.

Transportation and Routing

To get a good handle on the nature of transportation cogs, the consultant defined a unit called the moped unit km. where one moped unit km is performed by transporting one moped unit for a distance of one kilometre. One scooter was taken as equivalent to 1.6 moped units as a full truckload carries 1.6 times more mopeds than scooters. He further set out to determine an average1 figure of the transport cost per moped unit km, both for primary and secondary transportation.

The truck rates for various truck sizes are given in Exhibit 10. An important decision here is the optimal size of shipment (which size truck to use). Exhibit 11 gives the distance math between the dealer points and potential branch locations. The potential locations were selected based on offtake levels, demand spread, quality of life, etc.

For primary transportation, it was found that the trucks were generally run at full capacity The 80 moped units capacity truck was normally used. To determine primary transport cost, the distance figures from Raichur to the potential branch locations are given as Adoni (70 km) Cuddappah (270 km), Hyderabad (190 km), Kurnool (100 km—not a good road, 170 km—by good road), Mehboobnagar (100 km) and Vijayawada (480 km via Hyderabad). For secondary transportation. six sample routings as given in Exhibit 12 were chosen to determine the transport cost per moped unit km.

The average pipeline inventory was also a cost consideration. At the national level, average pipeline inventory for primary transportation can be calculated given the average lead for mopeds as 700 km and for scooters as 900 km. A truck does average of 350 km per day. Secondary transport pipeline inventory was negligible, accept in large states.

The consultant now felt that he was ready to analyse the alternatives for branch location shipment size, etc.

EXHIBIT I

From Staff VP (Corporate Planning)

To COO (Chief Operating Officer)

All members of Go For It

The recent slump in the market for two-wheelers is hitting not only our bottomline but also the morale of the staff. We have been caught almost unaware by this and our sales forecasts look ridiculous. We are faced with the all too visible problem of a build-up in finished goods inventory at Raichur and the branches on account of lower offtake. The problem is so severe that sometimes trucks have had to wait for more than a week to unload at branch points.

An important, but unfortunately neglected area to which we must pay attention is our logistics function. If the right decisions are taken here, the potential to save money and provide an optimum level of service to the consumer exists. Studying our logistics requirements should lead to savings in transportation costs and inventory costs. The other benefit would be that our response time to orders would be acceptable to the customer without imposing unjustifiable additional costs. As a first step, it would be useful for us to recognise the significance of logistics costsas a proportion of value added to products. As I see it, the first-level decision should be to make up our minds as to which states we should have branches in. The financial advantage of having a branch warehouse in a state is that we then don’t have to pay the 4 per cent central sales tax which is based on interstate sales.

The second-level decision should be to determine where in a state the branch should he located and whether more than one branch would be justified. Related decisions would be the size of shipment, frequency of shipment. inventory positioning at branches and routing of primary and secondary transport.
As we do not have any suitable person in KEC who is qualified to examine the issues involved, I have identified an external management logistics expert to conduct the study.

EXHIBIT 3

Value Added Statement for 1986-87

  Mopeds Scooters Total
Sales 63.20 41.10 104.30
Raw Material and Component Cost (67% for mopeds) (69% for Scooters) 42.34 28.36 70.70
Value Added 20.86 12.74 33.60

EXHIBIT 4

State/UT-wise Monthly Average Sales (January-July 1988)

S.No State/UT Branch Location Mopels Scooters Sales Value (Rs 000)
1 Andhra Pradesh Adoni/M nagar 465/1460 78/210 3571.5/10760
2 Bihar Ranchi 360 125 3605
3 Daman Daman 15 300 3982.5
4 Delhi Delhi 65 30 747.5
5 Goa 55 50 952.5
6 Gujarat Vadodara 80 70 1350
7 Haryana Faridabad 60 20 590
8 Himachal Pradesh 10 10 185
9 Jammu & Kashmir Ja 5 25 352.5
10 Karnataka R 2400 150 15150
11 Kerala Cochin 80 60 1220
12 Madhya Pradesh Bhopal/Raipur 290/300 80/60 2635/2430
13 Maharashtra Mumbai 180 360 5670
14 North-east 30 35 620
15 Orissa 60 20 590
16 Pondicherry 65 25 682.5
17 Punjab & Chandigarh Chandigarh 300 180 3990
18 Rajasthan Jaipur 210 120 2715
19 Tamil Nadu Vellore 1100 120 7610
20 Uttar Pradesh Luknow/Varanasi 750/300 170/70 6335/2560
21 West Bengal Medinipur 100 40 1070
  Total   8740 2408 79374

Exhibit 5

Marketing Officer

Tamil Nadu                                                     Chennai

Karanataka                                                      Bangalore/Raichur

Andhra Pradesh                                              Hyderabad

Kerala                                                              Cochin

Maharashtra                                                    Mumbai

MP                                                                  Bhopal

UP                                                                   Lucknow

Bihar                                                               Ranchi

West Bengal                                                    Calcutta

Rajasthan                                                        Jaipur

Gujarat                                                            Ahmedabad

J & K                                                               Srinagar

Punjab & Haryana                                           Chandigarh

Delhi                                                               Delhi

Exhibit 6

Branch Opening Cost

Item                                                                 Rs/Month

Utility ect                                                        2000

Rent                                                                4000

Salary                                                              4000

Inventory                                                        11000

Total                                                               21000

Exhibit 7

Average Inventory Position at Branches (January-July 1988)

1          Adoni                                                  63                                              24

2            M’nagar                                             58                                            30

3            Ranchi                                               30                                            14

4            Daman                                               39                                            91

5            Delhi                                                  20                                            32

6            Vadodara                                           96                                            112

7            Faridabad                                          0                                              0

 

8            Jammu                                               29                                            25

9            Cochin                                               0                                              0

10          Bhopal                                               143                                          132

11          Raipur                                                55                                            59

12          Mumbai                                             63                                            109

13          Chandigarh                                        75                                            119

14          Jaipur                                                 115                                          53

15          Vellore                                               53                                            32

16          Lucknow                                           165                                          146

17          Varanasi                                             86                                            146

18          Medinipur                                          50                                            32

Average Inventory at Branches         63.33                                       64.22

19          Raichur (including finished goods inv.)1122                                    768

Exhibit 8

Andhra Pradesh-KEC Branches

EXHBIT 9

Average Monthly Offtake in Andhra Pradesh (January –July 1988)

Mopeds           Scooters          moped-units

From Adoni

1          Adoni                                                  25                    10                    41

2          Chittoor                                               90                    10                    106

3          Nellore                                                20                    15                    44

4          Ongole                                                20                    0                      20

5          Chirala                                                 50                    3                      54.8

6          Cuddappah                                         55                    4                      61.4

7          Hindupur                                             60                    7                      71.2

8          Anantapur                                           60                    10                    76

9          Kurnool                                               20                    3                      24.8

10        Tirupati                                                65                    16                    90.6

 

From M’nagar

11        Guntur                                                 95                    15                    119

12        V’Wada                                              205                  30                    253

13        Khammam                                           80                    15                    104

14        Warangal                                             65                    15                    89

15        R’Mundry                                           80                    0                      80

16        Kakinada                                             70                    4                      76.4

17        Vizag                                                   115                  6                      124.6

18        V’nagram                                            30                    5                      38

19        M’nagar                                               20                    10                    36

20        Hyderabad                                          600                  80                    728

21        Nizamabad                                          45                    15                    69

22        K’nagar                                               55                    15                    79

Total                                                   1925                288                  2385.8

EXHIBIT 10

Truck Rates (Rs per km)

Transporter 80 Mopeds or 50 Scooters(large truck) 56 Mopeds or 35 Scooters(medium truck) 20 Mopeds or 12 Scooters (LCV)
PC Rao Brother 6.00 4.80
Raichur Roadways 6.00 4.80
Adoni Travels 6.50 5.00 4.00
Mehboobnagar Trucking Society 6.90 5.50 4.60

EXHIBIT 11

AP Distance Matrix

S No. Adoni Cuddappah Hyderabad Kurnool M’nagar V’wada
1. Adoni 0 200 240 125 150 540
2. Anantapur 110 120 340 130 240 400
3. Chirala 360 210 380 280 280 90
4. Chittoor 340 140 515 320 450 420
5. Cuddappa 200 0 365 180 280 310
6. Guntur 390 270 320 250 410 30
7. Hindupur 230 180 475 240 330 470
8. Hyderabad 240 365 0 175 90 290
9. Kakinada 740 520 500 390 590 210
10. K’nagar 420 615 250 320 270 280
11. Khammam 430 400 190 290 270 130
12. Kurnool 120 180 175 0 125 290
13. M’nagar 150 280 90 125 0 380
14. Nellore 280 130 470 260 360 240
15. Nizamabad 435 515 150 330 285 360
16. Ongole 320 160 425 240 290 125
17. R’mundry 680 460 440 370 530 150
18. Tirupati 330 130 485 310 440 390
19. V’wada 540 310 290 290 380 0
20. Vizag 900 680 660 590 750 370
21. V’nagaram 950 730 710 640 800 420
22. Warangal 380 480 120 310 230 210

EXHIBIT 12

Sample Routings for Dealer Point Delivery (Based on Invoice Statements)

Shipment Number Routing

From 1               To 2

Offtake at 2

Mopeds3    Scooters4

Offtake at 2 Sector Distance
1 Adoni             Anantpur 12                __ 12 110
  Anantapur      Hindupur 8                  __ 8 120
2 Adoni             Trupati 10                25 50 330
  Triupati          Nellore __                15 24 120
3 Adoni             Cuddappah 40                  __ 40 200
  Cuddappah    Nellore 40                  __ 40 130
4 M’ Nagar         Hyderabad __                   30 48 90
  Hyderabad      Warangal __                    20 32 120
5 M’nagar           Hyderabad 24                     20 56 90
6 M’nagar          Vijayawada 30                      __ 30 380
  Vijayawada     R’mundry 30                      __ 30 150
  R’mundry         Kakinada 20                      __ 20 60

 

Analyze in minute details this  Case with reference to the Principles of Logistics and supply chain Management

Strategic Management

03 Jul

CASE STUDY: 1

The Ahmedabad based Astral Poly Technik Ltd. is manufacturing and provider of chlorinated poly vinyal chloride (CPVC) piping and plumbing systems. Mr Sandeep Engineer, its managing director reported a strategic decision of manufacturing and marketing the ‘Blaze master’ fire sprinkler system under an agreement with the $ 4 billion global speciality chemical company, Lubrizol, whose wholly-owned subsididary Noveon Inc makes ‘Blazemaster’ for this purpose, Astral signed a licence agreement with Noveon to manufacturing and market its fire sprinkler system under the brand name of ‘Blazemaster’ which is a trade mark of Noveon. The company, in order to strengthen its business plans, had taken a strategic decision to enter into a techno-financial joint venture with speciality process LLC of USA, which provided if the required technical expertise for manufacturing CPVC pipes and fitting for home and industrial applications. Astral was also going for an initial public offering to further its growth plans.

Q1) Explain the term strategic decision making?

Q2) Explain the process of decision making?

Q3) What is the basic thrust of strategic decision making?

Q4) Explain in detail the issues in strategic decision making?

 

CASE STUDY: 2

The essence of vision is a forward-looking view of what an organization wishes to become, mission is what an organization is and why it exists.

Several years ago, Peter F Drucker raised important philosophical questions related to business what is our business? What will it be? What it should be? These three questions though simply worded are in reality, the most fundamental questions that any organization can put it itself. The answers are based on an analysis of the underlying need of the society that any organization strives to fulfill. The satisfaction of that need is them, the business of the organization.

Q1) Define vision? And explain the benefits of a vision?

Q2) What do you mean by mission?

Q3) How are Mission statements formulated and communicated?

Q4) Explain in detail the characteristics of a Mission statement?

 

CASE STUDY: 3

The major market players in Indian Food processing industry include local companies such as Agro Tech Foods, Dabur, Gits, Parle and Foreign companies such as Nestle, Cadbury and Unilever.

The business environment in which the food processing industry exists could be explained in terms of opportunities and threats.

Opportunities just like High demand potential, low output from organized sector. Exports of agricultural and processed food have been rising, low cost Indian labour, younger population, changing lifestyle, nuclear families, increasing personal income, number of working women, etc.

Threats just like conservative Government policies, inadequate infrastructure for distribution and preservation, limited assess to appropriate technology for processing and packaging, high taxation on packaged items etc.

Just observed how the food processing industry in India is affected by different levels of the environment at the global and national level.

Q1) Explain the concept of Environment?

Q2) Explain in detail the characteristics of Environment?

Q3) Explain Internal Environment?

Q4) Explain External Environment?

 

CASE STUDY: 4

According to a doctoral study on the corporate takeovers in India the major reason for increased Mergers & Acquisitions (M & A) activity were, legal reforms, economic reforms, economic slowdown, and depressed stock markets, etc.

Statistics related to M & A in India are quite impressive. The market research firm found that Indian companies spent over US $ 23 billion in 2006, a jump of over 400 percent over that in 2005, in acquiring foreign companies, more than half of which were in Europe Inbound (Foreign companies talking over Indian companies) and Outbound (Indian companies talking over Foreign companies) mergers and acquisitions have increased dramatically.

Q1) Explain the term mergers and acquisitions?

Q2) What are the types of mergers and acquisitions?

Q3) Explain in detail the reasons for mergers and acquisitions?

Q4) What are the important issues in mergers and acquisitions?

Software Project Management

03 Jul

1. You have been appointed a Project manager for a major software products company. Your job is to manage the development of the next generation version of its widely used word-processing software. Because new revenue must be generated, tight deadlines have been established and announced. What team structure would you choose and why? What software process model(s) would you choose and why?

2. You have been asked to develop a small application that analyzes each course offered by a university and reports the average grade obtained in the course (for a given term). White a statement of scope that bounds this problem.

3. Use the COCOMO II Model I to estimate the effort required to build software for a simple ATM that produces 12 screens, 10 reports, and will require approximately 80 software components, Assume average complexity and average developer/environment maturity. Use the application composition model with object points.

4. Develop a spreadsheet model that implements one or two of the estimation techniques described in this chapter. Alternatively, a acquire one or more on-line models for software project estimation from web-based sources.

5. A system has 12 external inputs, 24 external outputs, fields 30 different external queries, manages 4 internal logical files, and interfaces with 6 different legacy systems (6 EIFs). All of these data are of average complexity, and the overall system is relatively simple. Compute FP for the system.

6. Give at least three examples in which black-box testing might give the impression that everything’s OK, while white vox tests might uncover an error. Give at least three examples in which white-box testing might give the impression that “everything’s OK,” while black-box tests might uncover an error.

Software Project Management

03 Jul

CASE STUDY 1

ACE is a premier real estate consultancy involved in real estate dealings for top notch companies in the country. As ACE is growing, the support staff at ACE offices is growing in numbers. The management at ACE realises the need for dedicated collaboration across its different offices spread across the country. The human resource department at ACE works in a distributed fashion. The Head Office of ACE has the core HR team and the regional offices have supporting HR staff along with supporting staff like site supervisors, accountants, legal executives and customer support. In all, there are 500 ACE employees spread across the country with almost 1500 telephone lines connecting them. The existing emailing system facilitates communication and collaboration partially. Keeping in consideration the case above, the management at ACE decides to get a software application developed to cater to the collaboration requirement of ACE.

ACE head office has an in-house technical team who have been taking care of the IT requirements till now. This team is known as the ‘Internal System’ in ACE. Mr. Sharma, one of the Vice Presidents in Senior Management chose Ms. Mary D’Souza from the Internal System team as the project manager for this assignment. Ms. Mary needs to co-ordinate with all the regional offices in the country to develop the software. She would need inputs from all offices to decide the functionalities of this application. This application would integrate the existing email facility and ensure that there are many more features which support the collaboration needs of the organisation.

Mr. Sharma briefs Ms.Mary of the above mentioned problem statement and the possible solution. Followed by this, Ms.Mary is instructed to do the needful.

Based on the above case, answer the following questions:

1. Prepare a business case

2. Draft the feasibility report

3. Identify the stake holders involved in this project with their suitable role and responsibilities

4. Under what circumstances can Ms.Mary outsource this work?

5. Identify few known quality principles/policies that can be implemented while developing this project.

 

CASE STUDY 2

Rakesh has been just assigned as the project manager to develop accounting software for a firm based in a country which has been hostile for quite for sometime. Rakesh has been deployed in the customer’s country with an initial team consisting of three members. Rakesh meets the customer Mr.David and starts the requirement gathering process. Mr.David recommends a team of 10 people from his company to facilitate the requirements gathering process. Rakesh with his three team members conducts the requirements gathering phase and comes with a rough estimate of the development time in weeks for the five modules that have been identified.

Module Name Development Time (in Person Weeks)
Pessimistic Optimistic Most Likely
A 7 3 4
B 4 2 3
C 8 6 7
D 15 5 13
E 20 1 16

Pretty soon Rakesh realises that he will need a bigger team to complete the project on time. Rakesh raises this human resource requirement to his head office in India. Head office suggests Rakesh that he needs to work with human resources from the local country. Head office approves him to go ahead with hiring in the local country.

Based on the above data/information, do the following:

1. Calculate the weighted average development time for each module

2. Standard deviation for each module

3. Calculate the standard deviation for the complete project and the estimated time frame for completion?

4. Assuming Rakesh has to finish this project 20 weeks. What is the team strength he would need to do it?

5. What are the possible issues Rakesh may face while hiring Human Resources from the local country?

 

CASE STUDY 3

Stefan has been working on a computer simulation project to forecast about the cyclones and storms. This project also involves understanding the impacts of these natural calamities and predicting the estimated damage to human lives and property. This project is sponsored jointly by 10 governments across the world. Stefan is the project manager with a team of 20 people and their profiles are listed below.

Designation Number

of People

Description
Programmers 12 Programming the modules based on the designs supplied by the team leaders.
Team leaders 3 Team leaders design the software modules and give them to the programmers

for programming. Team leaders are remotely based in the geographical

locations which are cyclone and storm prone. They work closely with the

subject matter experts who provide the technical details about natural

calamities. Team leaders travel to cyclone/storm hit areas and assist the

subject matter experts.

Subject Matter Experts 3 Subject Matter Experts are people with specialized knowledge and skills

related to storms and cyclones. These people keep on travelling to various

locations for studies and provide the development team with necessary data

and details.

Graphical Designers 1 These people design the Graphical User Interface for the software modules

developed by the programmers.

Accountant 1 Accountant keeps track of the project budgeting, costs and expenditures.

While the programmers are co-located in a relatively safe environment, the team leaders and the subject matter experts travel in a hostile environment.

Based on the scenario described above, perform the following:

1. Based on assumptions, identify minimum of five important risks involved in the project

2. Perform a qualitative risk analysis based on the answer for Q. 1 above

3. Perform a quantitative risk analysis based on Q.1 and Q. 2 above. Assume numerical value ranges for probability and impact (Exposure) of risks

4. Prepare a sample risk register for such a project

5. List out three positive risks in such a project

 

CASE STUDY 4

New Boston School is a reputed school in the city and has been in existence since last 75 years. With IT affecting all domains of life, the school has identified the need of a web based school portal to connect the school, students and parents/guardians. This will help the school maintain a transparency between its staff, students and parents. The business case has been drafted and approved. D-Smart Infotech, a local software development firm, has been awarded this project and Lillie has been identified as the project manager for this project from D-Smart Infotech. Lillie has completed the feasibility study for this project and D-Smart Infotech has decided to go ahead with the project.

The project deadline is very crucial and ends after one year of awarding the project. Since D-Smart Infotech is running short of human resources, it plans to outsource this project again to a third party vendor. Since Lillie has been assigned as the project manager, she has to identify, select and negotiate a vendor for this assignment. The school has awarded this project to D-Smart Infotech on the firm condition that the project should be completed within a year.

Based on the above scenario, answer the following:

1. Should a third party vendor be selected to do this software project? If yes, then what are the legal formalities D-Smart Infotech need to complete with New Boston School and the selected vendor?

2. What are the high level risks associated in such a project?

 

Shipping Management

03 Jul

Q1) Describe the Sustainable transport Mode?

Q2) Explain the Following?

a) Second line of Defance?

b) Changing Technology

c) Shipping Weakness and threats

d) Ship disposal

e) Cargoes

Q3) Who are the actors in shipping?

Q4) Case – 1      

Today shipping has become more globalize than the air line industry perceptions have changed nations and companies are willing to use ships that fly any flag provides they offer competitive freights to move cargo/people safely and effectively from point A To B national strategic interest has also receded since the advent of flag of convenience ships. For ship owners and operators of flag of convenience, their interest now loess in operating efficiency and maximizing profits recent examples of this phenomenon are Falklands, Iran / Iraq wars and the invasion of kauit in all these cases the limitations of these ships under their own flag did not pose a problem. The ships available far exceeded the logistical requirement for the conflicts, and chartering their vessels was relatively easy.

Questions

a) What does the above scenario show?

b) What does this prove?

c) What does it prove to our country – INDIA

Q5) Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the Indian?

Q6) Describe the advantages and disadvantages and standards of EDI?

Q7) Explain the cost and value service principle?

Q8) What is the principle of “WHAT THE TRAFFIC CAN BEAR”.

Q9) what are quality Management Systems?

Q10) Explain Impact of Competition on rates?

Q11) Describe the complete structure of shipping Operations?

Q12) Explain the following in brief?

a) Bulk Cargo market.

b) Iron Ore trade.

c) Coal trade.

d) Grain Trade.

e) Shipping Demand Forecast.

f) Operating Cost.

g) Ship Market.

h) Freight Market.

Q13) Explain Financial Management with the help of the following points.

a) Debt Equity Mix and Dividend.

b) Treasury Function.

c) Funds from international sources.

d) Trading activities.

e) Shipping Business.

f) Buying and selling of ships.

g) Foreign Exchange transactions

h) Diversification.

Q14) Case ——–II                                                                                        

  • The Indian cultural belief in “Karma” if it is for the upliftment of oneself
  • Indian society’s acceptance of creation of riches by a person by his/her ownefforts.Wealth is seen as God’s gift.
  • An almost mythical belief of bringing oneself above the masses both in excellence and in wealth. The impact of this belief is so deep that we have accepted the “lotus” as our national flower which blooms even in dirty ponds without its natural beauty and fragrance being affected.
  • A large sea coast and a large coastal population which earns its living from sea resources.
  • A growing offshore oil industry which provides support to the shipping industry, especially in times of depression in the shipping industry.
  • The existence of English as a widely spoken language which happens to be the lingua franca of the shipping industry.
  • Recent growth in net worth of non-resident Indians and Indian ventures abroad who can be both investors and users of shipping services.

Until now, my comments and questions have been straightforward but the problem ahead is to find the best possible solution which, if adopted or practiced, may provide a stimulus for the growth of the shipping industry.

The shipping industry, in view of its globalizes operations, is so complex in nature, high on capital requirement and low on returns (IRR), especially in comparison to some other industries, such as a manufacturing, in a overpopulated country like India

It will be difficult to attract existing industrialists from other sectors to the shipping industry unless sea transportation forms a captive part of their business or the government provides sufficient subsidies and protections as incentive.

Therefore, my friends, the burden for growth of Indian shipping lies on our shoulders, being the shipping managers in the forefront of the industry. Failure on our part will not be pardoned by the future generations involved in shipping.

Questions:-

a) Why will it not be pardoned by future generations?

b) How can executives and managers of that Indian shipping industry take advantage of these opportunities?

c) So now the question is: what level playing fields are relevant today?

d) Issues on which a ship-owner should commit himself to the nation?

Shipping Management

03 Jul

1) What are quality Management Systems?

2) Explain Impact of Competition on rates?

3) Describe the complete structure of shipping Operations?

4) Explain the following in brief?

a) Bulk Cargo market.

b) Iron Ore trade.

c) Coal trade.

d) Grain Trade.

e) Shipping Demand Forecast.

f) Operating Cost.

g) Ship Market.

h) Freight Market.

5) Explain Financial Management with the help of the following points.

a) Debt Equity Mix and Dividend.

b) Treasury Function.

c) Funds from international sources.

d) Trading activities.

e) Shipping Business.

f) Buying and selling of ships.

g) Foreign Exchange transactions

h) Diversification.

6) Case ——–II

The Indian cultural belief in “Karma” if it is for the upliftment of oneself

Indian society’s acceptance of creation of riches by a person by his/her ownefforts. Wealth is seen as God’s gift. An almost mythical belief of bringing oneself above the masses both in excellence and in wealth. The impact of this belief is so deep that we have accepted the “lotus” as our national flower which blooms even in dirty ponds without its natural beauty and fragrance being affected.

A large sea coast and a large coastal population which earns its living from sea resources. A growing offshore oil industry which provides support to the shipping industry, especially in times of depression in the shipping industry. The existence of English as a widely spoken language which happens to be the lingua franca of the shipping industry. Recent growth in net worth of non-resident Indians and Indian ventures abroad who can be both investors and users of shipping services.

Until now, my comments and questions have been straightforward but the problem ahead is to find the best possible solution which, if adopted or practiced, may provide a stimulus for the growth of the shipping industry.

The shipping industry, in view of its globalizes operations, is so complex in nature, high on capital requirement and low on returns (IRR), especially in comparison to some other industries, such as a manufacturing, in a overpopulated country like India

It will be difficult to attract existing industrialists from other sectors to the shipping industry unless sea transportation forms a captive part of their business or the government provides sufficient subsidies and protections as incentive.

Therefore, my friends, the burden for growth of Indian shipping lies on our shoulders, being the shipping managers in the forefront of the industry. Failure on our part will not be pardoned by the future generations involved in shipping.

Questions:-

a) Why will it not be pardoned by future generations?

b) How can executives and managers of that Indian shipping industry take advantage of these opportunities?

c) So now the question is: what level playing fields are relevant today?

d) Issues on which a ship-owner should commit himself to the nation?