Abstract
This paper examines the legal issues that small to medium-sized electronic commerce enterprises face from the 1998 Data Protection Act (within the European Union).

From the Paper
"The 1998 Data Protection Act puts legal constraints upon Small to Medium sized Enterprises. The new Act does not venture far from the rules set down by its predecessor, but principle seven and eight now assert that an individuals personal data should be held securely, and should not be transferred to a country outside the European Union with inadequate Data Protection laws. Trade between Small to Medium sized Enterprises inside the European Union with organisations outside have now become difficult, even illegal in certain circumstances. Organisations across the World are now defining ground breaking legal models for World Wide Data Protection. It is seen as only a matter of time before its implementation."

Tags:kingdom, united

Abstract
This paper looks at how material requirements planning (MRP or MRPI) was developed in the 1960?s, to enable companies to calculate the number of different components necessary and when they were needed. It traces its development over the years and identifes the main differences between materials resource planning (MRP), its predecessor materials resource planning II (MRP II) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) as well as the pro's and con's of the MRP II concept. Using a basic diagram, the three fundamental functions of MRP are explained which are netting, batching and time phasing.

From the Paper
"Distinguishing MRPII from the original MRP concept is a simple process. MRPI is simply the process of identifying the amount of components required and at what time they are required. This developed into closed loop MRP, which calculated the workload required to fulfil the orders and compared this to the capacity available. MRPII expands on this by calculating the cost of proposed MRP runs, this allowed managers to identify viable production-runs and allowed them further control over the operation. In calculating the costs MRPII works in the opposite direction to MRPI, it starts at the lowest level of the BOM and works its way up until the net-requirements of the finished product is determined."

Tags:batching, bom, netting, operations, phasing, processes, time

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that information technology plays a major role in every business, ranging from a small corner shop to a large multinational organization, as it can be an important source of competitive advantage. This essay is based on a hypothetical scenario concerning a newly-established business, making and selling greeting cards to specialist shops and retailers but not directly to the public. The writer discusses how information technology can improve the way in which the business operates. The writer then suggests a new vision and mission statement and discusses any changes that will be required to the IT system following a change in the business's strategy to begin selling greeting cards directly to the public.

Outline:
Introduction
Task 1 - Using IT to Improve Business Operations
Task 2 - Selling Greeting Cards Directly to the Public. New Vision and Mission Statement and Changes to IT System
Conclusion
References
Appendix

From the Paper
"When starting a business, the establishment of organizational objectives and strategy to be followed is critical in order to gain competitive advantage. The IS strategy should be designed to reinforce the organization's overall business strategy, in this case, to only sell our products to specialist shops and retailers. In preparing a practical strategy four elements must be considered: the business vision, Information Technology, key people, and application systems. To establish sound objectives and an appropriate strategy, the external, as well as the internal factors that can influence a firm's operations have to be identified. These can be determined by conducting PESTLE and SWOT analysis. Moreover, Porter's Five Forces Model developed in 1980 sets out to identify the factors that can influence an organization's competitiveness."

Tags:storing, communicating, application, systems

Abstract
Investigation into whether websites need to use the latest tools and techniques in order to be succesful. To do this, the paper websites from a variety of categories are evaluated from a design and business perspective. Using this approach, the sites are analyzed to determine how well they serve their purpose. In addition, three of these websites are further analysed on the basis of modifications that could be make to improve their design, functionality and business potential.

From the Paper
"How many times, over the past few years, have you had to update your computer system as a result of newer versions of software being released? With rapid changes in technology recently we seem to need to update browsers, e-mail software, and plug-ins such as "flash" every few months. Websites also need to keep up with changes in programming languages and techniques, but this does, however, present a problem; which version of HTML, Java etc do web designers use. Do they use the latest software when it is released to keep ahead of competitors, at the risk of excluding users without the correct system set-up, or do they stick with the version users are familiar with."

Tags:business, computer, engineering, flash, google, graphic, hardware, internet, java, navigation, program, software, structure, technology

Abstract
This paper evaluates the London Ambulance service and its CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) project with reference to five stages of project management, linking the theories prescribed and the actual practice. Suggestions and solutions are offered at all stages. The paper includes diagrams.Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Overview of London Ambulance Service
Brief Overview of the Subject
Defining the LAS CAD Project
Creating the Project Strategy
Detailed Planning of LAS CAD Project
Base Design
Cost and Schedule
Contract Terms and Conditions
Development of CAD Project
Implementation and Control of LAS CAD
System Problems
Change Management
HR and Training
Cultural Issues
Review and Learning
Ideal Project Management Solutions for LAS CAD and Conclusion
Appendix I : Cause and Effect Diagram
Appendix II : Problem and Cause Analysis
List of References
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Thus the implementation process actually required certain changes to be made within the workplace, but those areas of change were not focused on properly. Some of the important changes, as spotted by Sommerville (2004) in his case study, are: Re-configuring the control room, using only system proposed resource allocators and separate allocators for different call sources. These changes would have paved theway for an efficient implementation, but the changes were not well communicated and hence the new practices seem to have come as a surprise to most of the staff. The PMBOK guide (2000), when discussing communications planning, states: "Communication planning involves determining the information and communications needs of the stake holders: who needs what information, when they will need it, how it will be given to them and by whom"(p.119)."

Tags:system, options, communication, RHA

From the Paper
""The usability factor of any website is a crucial element in determining whether it is to be a success or failure. There have been numerous, well documented cases recently, of dot com failures, undoubtedly, some of these could have been prevented if the sites had made more of an effort to be more user friendly, clear and concise."

Tags:technology, activity, business, commerce, context, inspection, design, development, heuristic, interaction, internet, navigation, page, structure, template, user, walkthrough

Abstract
This paper analyzes the subject of Knowledge Management by comparing two papers, "Managing Knowledge for Personal and Organizational Benefit" by Catherine Bailey & Martin Clarke, and "Knowledge Management in Small and Medium Sized Companies: Knowledge Management for Entrepreneurs" by R.P. uit Beijerse." The papers are analyzed and evaluated as separate papers and as well as compared and contrasted, with references from other sources.

From the Paper
"Both articles emphasize the importance of the individual, however the Bailey and Clarke article focuses more heavily on the benefit to the organization from the individuals development, the Beijerse article is more general in terms of knowledge within all aspects of the workplace, analyzing the structure, strategy and culture. Many other authors have analyzed the contribution of individuals knowledge to the benefit of an organization, "brings together business processes, as well as the activities, skills and expertise of individuals within the business." (Phelps A, 2000)"

Tags:business, company, comparison, computer, individual, information, internet, literature, nonaka, organization, organization, personal, review, theory, web

Abstract
This feasibility study, carried out for a knowledge management project, is based on a fictitious organization, an insurance company, that is expanding rapidly and needs to implement a database system to store client details and general information. The report includes a presentation of the use case (report section 2), analysis of Organizational and Technical Requirements (section 3), Proposition of a Solution (section 4), Implementation Strategy (section 5) and Evaluation Strategy (section 6). Conclusions are also drawn regarding the knowledge management project (section 7).

Tags:admin, analysis, computer, evaluation, implementation, insurance, internet, opportunities, organization, problems, sales, solution, strategy, technical, web

Abstract
This paper discusses and examines the approaches of systems theory and systems thinking by analyzing the Jograni organization and its operational management. The paper also takes a look at the strategy issues that face Jograni, now and in the future.

Systems Theory
Review of Systems Theory
Von Bertalanffy
Systems Theory Approach to Organizations
Systems Theory Approaches to Operations Management
Input-transformation-output
Open Systems
Boundary
Environment
Sub-systems
Jograni Handicrafts
The Transformation Model
Open Systems
Environment
Boundaries
Subsystems
Feedback and Control
Emergent properties
Conclusions
Strengths and Weaknesses of Systems Theory as an
Approach.
Operational Strategy and Management
Appendix
Management Theory
Operation Strategy
Role of Operations Strategy
Bibliography
Section 2.
Operational Strategy and Management - Jograni
"Jograni's Future"
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Systems theory highlights the existence of "sub-systems" within a system. Each system can be broken into sub-systems and these interact with each other. This was shown to be of great importance by Katz D and Kahn R (1966) any change made in one sub-system will have implications for the others and therefore be related to the consequences for the system of the whole organization."

Tags:management, operations, strategy, tasks, constraints, decision, objectives, performance, management, core, Bertalanffy, transformation, services, systems, subsystems, Jograni

Abstract
This essay analyzes what the contingency theory is; what the basic features of contingency theory are and which are the main contingencies which affect the structure or design of an organization. It also discusses the main criticisms against or disadvantages of the contingency theory and the relation between contingency theory and matrix organization. It asks how the contingency theory can be practically applied through a matrix organization. The paper then defines matrix organization and specifies its different forms, while looking at its advantages and the disadvantages.

From the Paper
"What must be the ideal structure of an organization? This is a question which great management thinkers from Adam Smith to Argyris and Weber to Woodward tried to answer. But none of them was able to give a perfect answer. Be it be the Classical Approach or the Human relations one, the Systems Approach or the most modern Contingency Approach none of these theories were fully correct and none was able to give a one best universal structure of organization. In reality it is not possible too. The Contingency Theorists were the first to project this fact."

Tags:advantage, approach, management, overlay, systems, thinking, thought