Stock control and recording Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Stock control and recording - Literature review Example The following literature review includes the various books, articles and journals to explore the research topic of stock control and recording (Hart 2006). Operations management Operations management can be described as the area of management study that dealt with concepts of design engineering, management information system, industrial engineering, production management, quality management, accounting, and inventory management to facilitate the function of planning, scheduling, use and control of service organization as well as of manufacturing organization. In simpler terms, operations management is a process of converting inputs such as information, labor, material into the outputs in the form of goods and services. Also, in this process efforts are made to minimize the cost and maximize the net operating profit. Thus, highest level of efficiency is achieved by administration of business practices through operations management. Along with this, resources are acquired, developed an d utilized to achieve the organizational objectives (Shim and Siegel 1999). All functions of operation, tactical and strategic level are included in the range of the operational management. Thus, operations management includes the issues related with production scheduling and control, equipment maintenance policies, inventory management, traffic and material handling and quality control and inspection (Lewis and Slack 2003). Process mapping/flow charting/value stream mapping Process mapping is also known as flow charting, value stream mapping and process charting. It is a technique of converting business workflow and processes in to step-by-step diagram and visual. It has been complimented as one of the oldest and most valuable techniques for streamlining work. This technique can provide best results if used by experienced facilitators. An existing process can be understood in a better manner as well as can be improved. Thus, the main benefit as well as the objective of the process mapping is improving the business result. The diagram of process mapping defines all the aspects related with organization like business of the organization, responsible people of the organization, what is the standard of the process and how success of a business determined (Bicheno and Elliot 1997). Thus, it clarifies all the requirements of the internal business process. Process mapping is important to get control over the organization as it helps in developing an understanding in the basic processes of business. In the procedure of process mapping, process map is achieved as output. Thus, it is the final diagram with all the shapes of arrows and ovals which depicts the process from beginning to end. Each action within a process is depicted by each shape. Creating a process map requires through understanding of every step within the process such as resources, inputs and outputs. Inputs are gathered from the employees who are closest to the process (Bettley, Mayle and Tantoush 2005 ). Along with this, other techniques are also used to gather the inputs or information like surveys, observation and brainstorming. Furthermore, there are different shapes which are used to form a process map. For example, a rectangle is used to represent action step, cylinder represents databases whereas parallelograms represents inputs and outputs (Madison 2005). Then, different steps are followed to construct a process map, which are as follows: Step 1: Determination of Boundaries which specifies where

The Central Intelligence Agancy (CIA) Assignment

The Central Intelligence Agancy (CIA) - Assignment Example The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is the leading independent intelligence agency of US government which is responsible to provide the national security concerns to US government. It was formed under National Security Act of 1947. The agency controls sensitive nature of work and therefore directly reports the security concerns to the senior policymakers of US government. Senate and President of United States decide the appointment for director of Central Intelligence agency, who is responsible for all the operating, budgeting and human resource matter of the Agency. The Director of CIA works as a National Human Source Intelligence Manager (HUMINT) (FAS, 2009, 1). The history of intelligence activities in United States started in the period of George Washington but since World War II these activities are properly coordinated and directed by government. For this purpose, a New York lawyer â€Å"William J. Donovan† was appointed as the first coordinator of information. He then became the head of the Office of strategic Services (OSS) in 1942 when US entered in World War II. The responsibilities of OSS were to collect and analyze information. However, it was dissolved after World War II along with other agencies and the functions of OSS were transferred to state and War departments (DNI, 2011, 7). After some time, President Truman (The US President of that time) felt the need of Intelligence organization and decided to create a separate intelligence agency of United State. Truman, under National Security Act 1947, established Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).... These staff includes the human resources, protocol, public affairs, legal issues, information management, and mission innovation (FIA, 2009, 1). VISION The Agency has a vision to secure the world from threats. The vision statement of CIA is â€Å"One Agency. One Community. An Agency unmatched in its core capabilities, functioning as one team, fully integrated into the Intelligence Community† (CIA Website) The statement clearly reveals the future direction of CIA. The agency wants to be the unmatched intelligence agency in the world. It wants to create secure and peaceful environment in United States. It wants second to be none. MISSION & GOALS OF CIA â€Å"We are the nation’s first line of defense. We accomplish what others cannot accomplish and go where others cannot go. We carry out our mission by: Collecting information that reveals the plans, intentions and capabilities of our adversaries and provides the basis for decision and action. Producing timely analysis tha t provides insight, warning and opportunity to the President and decision makers charged with protecting and advancing America’s interests. Conducting covert action at the direction of the President to preempt threats or achieve US policy objectives. † (CIA Website) The mission of CIA reflects the true picture of intelligence. The agency is number one in providing intelligence services. Its primary purpose is to collect the information which is against the peaceful environment and interest of America. The agency also analyze the information in order know the hidden threats and then convey it to the US official decision makers. Finally the agency implements the action plans according to the direction of decision