Intelligence
Essays

The progression of how enterprises measure information technologies' (IT) performance has been a progression from inward-centric metrics of performance to advanced analytics that capture contributions to strategic objectives. Chief Information Officers (CIOs) often measure their performance by cost reduction and system consolidation while Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) measure IT by the contribution to new business growth (Trkman, McCormack, de Oliveira, Ladeira, 2010). There are many strategic frameworks that enterprises use to map the contribution of IT, with the Porter value chain being the most prevalent (Porter, 1986). The intent of this analysis is to evaluate the most critical metrics that an enterprise can use to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of IT. These metrics also fuel the methods used to measure toe economic value of an IT department to a given enterprise as well. This aspect of measuring IT value will be defined in addition to evaluating the models used for measuring the economic vale of an IT department to a company. Finally there is a brief discussion of whether or not traditional financial ratios and measurements must be applied to measuring the value of IT or not. In reality these metrics are often only showing a part of the Return on Investment (ROI) of any IT investment. To get the complete picture of performance, enterprises needs to align their IT efficiency and effectiveness measures to specific strategy performance, and the Porter value chain is ideal for defining these interrelationships (Porter, 1986). Financial metrics only provide part of the insight into the ROI of IT needed.

The paper discusses the development of Pakistan's ISI intelligence service. It argues that due to the overreliance on ISI by Pakistani leaders in the last sixty years, the ISI has become "a kingdom within a kingdom," with enormous power and resources at its discretion. The paper also suggests that, while currently the Army is the only force that can control the ISI, the United States can help the civilian government to take control of the ISI activities in the future.

Over the last decade, business processes have grown significantly more complex and interdependent, requiring a high level of collaboration within and between departments, divisions and teams.

¶ … students' socioeconomic status (SES) is accountable for the overwhelming test score discrepancies existing across Alabama's school districts. This finding was made after a comparison of fourth-graders' reading test…

Navajo and European Witchcraft: A Brief Study

Serving the country is one of the greatest honors of American citizenship. Joining the military at a young age potentially provides funding for college tuition, valuable technological and vocational training, and a…

The effects of distributed and servant leadership within a middle school environment is best measured and made most relevant when student achievement scores, both in the short- and long-range, significantly exceed…

Heroic Archetypes: Hamlet, Oedipus, Beckett's Tramps, And The Hero Of The Future

Xiameter's success as a subsidiary of Dow Corning is predicated on the successful differentiation of an entirely new business unit based on the concept of reducing operating expenses and passing on the savings to the customer. The Web-only, highly automated approach to order fulfillment, complemented by a reduced product lien footprint and terms of sale that stressed velocity over complexity were also what many customers of the company were looking for (Bloemhard, 2012). Where Dow Corning succeeded and others have failed with e-commerce strategies revolved around the key factors and decisions that shaped the business model and marketing strategy for Xiameter. The advantages of needs-based versus end-user based segmentation are evident in the success of the Xiameter e-commerce strategy. These advantages o being needs-based are analyzed in this paper as well. The rapidly changing nature of the competitive environment is also discussed in the context of Xiameter's product and pricing strategies. These specific aspects of product and pricing are evaluated in the context of Ron Fillmore's greatest question in the case, which is whether the company should modify its business model or not. This analysis concludes with a series of recommendations and advice for Rom Fillmore as to the future direction of Xiameter. He has ample reason to be optimistic as the case alludes to, as the future of chemical purchasing will increasingly be mobility-based, a perfect transition for Xiameter to selling on smartphones and tablet PCs including the best-selling Apple iPad (Bloemhard, 2012). All of these factors speak to the efficiency of innovation processes within Dow Corning and the exceptional level of upper management support for the innovation process (Bacheldor, 2005). The determination and support shown by the CEO and senior management team are pivotal in the success of Xiameter. Analysis of Key Factors and Decisions that Shaped the Business Model and Marketing Strategy Galvanizing all aspects of success of the Xiameter business unit and its many implications on the Dow Corning supply chain, pricing, distribution, selling and service is the steadfast support of its senior management team. Making it clear that Xiameter was not to be taken lightly and the company would not fail, the CEO set a very solid foundation of change management early in the process. This commitment took even the most difficult factors and decisions and put them into a context of achievable challenges, defining a tone of determined effort. The decision to move forward with the Xiameter was extremely risky as Dow Corning was departing from its core strengths of a high service-based, high priced model of delivery of products. Dow Corning at the corporate level has long been seen as a trusted advisor in the chemicals industry, one capable of leading innovation and adoption within any new product area (Hunter, 2002). The decision to move quickly into a price-drive marketplace, supported by senior management, signaled that the top leaders of the company from the CEO down realized that pricing pressure and competitive threats were successfully attacking their core business and they would need to address it.

The paper investigates the causes of stuttering during childhood. Different definitions of stuttering and the changing theories explaining its development are discussed. The paper specifically emphasizes the psychological aspect of stuttering and how psychoanalytical approach can be helpful in diagnosing stuttering and developing effective treatment therapies.