Dupont Since Dupont\'s Beginnings in the 19th

DuPont

Since DuPont's beginnings in the 19th century, the company has been continually at the forefront for: innovation, research and development. This is because they were focused on addressing host of different needs in society through: using various techniques to improve the lives of their customers and the different organizations they were working with. As, time went by the corporation continued to innovate and adapt to the various changes they were facing. Evidence of this can be seen with their expansion into a wide variety of areas including: biotechnology and the use of a host of different chemically-based products that are a part of many household as well as industrial items. This is a dramatic shift from DuPont's early beginning as a manufacturer of gunpowder in 1802. ("History of DuPont," 2011) To fully understand how these transformations have taken place requires: examining various technology / telecommunication issues and how other salient factors have affected the way this organization has evolved. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights as to how the corporation has adapted to these changes to become what they are today.

Technology and Telecommunication Issues

The advancement in technology and telecommunications are having a positive impact on DuPont. Over the years, these two areas have meant that engineers are more able to effectively collaborate on a host of different products. As, they can identify the latest techniques that can be utilized to: improve overall the quality of life for everyone. This is the point that various breakthroughs will occur that are having a positive effect on the kinds of products that are marketed to consumers. ("DuPont Engineering Polymers," 2011)

A good example of this can be seen by looking no further than the development of a Minilon. These are reinforced nylons that are using complex polymers to improve the quality and strength for of host of different products ranging from: nylon to various types of ropes. This is important, because the development of this compound was through: the use of technology and collaboration among engineers. Where, they were able to communicate from all around the globe to identify and understand those products that were most in demand. This is the point, that the company was able to make major changes in the lives of millions of people around the world by: utilizing these areas to create something that was superior to what was produced by competitors. ("DuPont Engineering Polymers," 2011)

Other Salient Factors that are Impacting the Company

There are number of different outside factors that have been having an effect on DuPont. A few of the most notable include: labor market issues, intellectual capital and various ethical and social responsibility issues. The various labor market issues that have been affecting the company have meant that their overall business model has been changing. As, they are focusing on ways to: reduce their underlying costs, in order to maintain their profit margins. Evidence of this can be seen by looking no further than the way they have been partnering with outside contractors to provide them with a host of different legal services. The reason why this has been occurring is because, the costs for their in house legal counsel has been increasing dramatically. This is due to the fact, that many of their staff members are holding senior positions at the company, which requires paying them larger bonuses and salaries. To deal with these issues, DuPont has been focusing on outsourcing many of these services to third party consultants. This is significant, because it is illustrating how the company has been adapting to these transformations by outsourcing many of these services as much as possible. ("Reengineering and Compensation," 2011)

The use of intellectual capital is providing DuPont with an edge that many firms do not have. This is because the company is using various techniques to change the way they analyze the different products and services that they are selling. A good example of this can be seen with the use of return on equity, net profit margins, financial leverage and asset utilization. Where, these factors allowed the company to begin first evaluating the strength of business, based on a number of different areas before anyone else was using them in 1919. This is significant, because these basic ideas allowed the company to identify what kinds of businesses made the most sense for them from an economic standpoint. (Burns, 2008)