ASSIGNMENTS
Part 1: Dell's Supply Chain
Many companies have achieved excellent success as a result of emphasizing online sales and an associated distribution network. Dell has been one of the most successful at that, by offering significant customization direct to end users. As noted in a prior edition of our textbook:
"Dell is able to exploit most of the responsiveness-enhancing opportunities offered by the Internet for customized servers. The company uses the Internet to offer a wide variety of customized server configurations with the desired chassis, processor, memory, and operating system. Customization allows Dell to satisfy customers by giving them a product that is close to their specific requirements. The customization options are easy to display over the Internet, allowing Dell to attract customers who value this choice."
"The Internet allows companies such as Dell and Apple to bring new products to market quickly. This is particularly important in the computer and cell phone industries, in which many products have short life cycles of a few months. Whereas the Internet allows a new product to be offered as soon as it is produced, the retail channel requires the entire supply chain to be stocked before customers can access the product."
"Its online sale of servers offers Dell the ability to reduce its inventories by aggregating them in a few geographic locations. Dell is able to further reduce inventories by postponing assembly of servers until after the order arrives."
"The Internet channel has allowed companies like Dell to make price changes quickly and efficiently based on product availability and demand. By being available all day, the online channel allows Dell to serve customers at a much lower cost than retail stores."
"One disadvantage for Dell of selling hardware over the Internet is the delay in fulfilling the customer request. Whereas a longer response time is not a big negative for customized servers, it is a disadvantage for Dell when trying to sell its standardized laptops online."
"Prior to 2007, both servers and laptops were configured to order in Dell factories. By 2014, servers were configured to order, but laptops, whether sold through retail stores or online, were typically assembled well in advance of the final sale." (Chopra &Meindl, 2016).
Dell presents a very interesting case in terms of a company evolving from primarily online direct sales to a multi-channel retail emphasis.
Read the "Online Sales and Omni-Channel Retailing" section in our textbook starting on page 88 (in particular as related to Dell), and also watch the Dell Direct Model video linked in the Resources and answer the following questions:
• Why has Dell's direct supply chain been so successful?
• What are the main supply chain challenges that Dell is now facing? Provide your recommendations for solving them.
• Why did Dell decide that selling its products via retail outlets was a viable solution? Do you agree with this distribution strategy? Why or why not?
Part 2: Applications of Social Media Paper
For this written assignment, you will apply psychological principles of social media to one of the eight provided topic areas. Follow the instructions in the Assignment Topic Areas media piece linked in Resources to choose your topic area, social media application, and some psychological concepts to consider in your paper. Then begin your research for scholarly resources from the Capella library and reliable web-based articles or articles found with your digital assistant (DA). Organize your paper using the following headings to ensure that you address each element of the assignment. Use the APA Example Sheet (linked in Resources) to properly format your assignment and refer to APA Style and Format on Campus for more details.
Instructions
Your assignment will be divided into the following headings in your paper:
• Topic Area
o Describe the topic area you have selected in detail so the reader is clear about your intended audience.
o Describe the current state of social media in your selected topic area. Which platforms or social media applications are currently popular with people from your topic area?
o Include citations to research that supports the popularity of your platforms or applications of social media.
Attention and Engagement
o Describe at least two principles of gaining attention or maintaining engagement with viewers or followers on social media in your selected topic area.
o Include citations to research supporting the psychological principles or concepts you are reporting.
Benefits of Social Media Use
o Describe at least two potential benefits of using social media with people in your selected topic area.
o Describe at least one psychological principle or concept related to the positive use of social media with your topic area.
o Include citations to research supporting your statements.
Risks of Social Media Use
o Describe at least two potential risks of using social media with people in your selected topic area.
o Describe at least one psychological principle or concept related to the negative use of social media with your topic area.
o Include citations to research supporting your statements.
Part 3: Case Study Analysis Worksheet
Use this worksheet and your understanding of the experiment to analyze assumptions and evidence in the video, Mary Ainsworth: Attachment and the Growth of Love, which covers the strange situation test.
To fill out the worksheet, work your way through the analysis components and include your responses in the boxes next to the components. There are notes in the margins to help you identify what is needed in each box. You will submit this worksheet to the Unit 2 assignment.
Name: [Delete this message and insert your name]
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Analysis Components:
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The main purpose of this research: [State as accurately as possible the purpose of the research developing a theory in child development.]
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The point of view: [Identify the position or point of view the video wants you to align with. Who, or what group, is represented?]
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The arguments (main points) the video makes: [Describe physical, social, and cognitive aspects of child development discovered.]
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What other theories seem to relate to this case study? [Summarize and cite at least one other theory to apply. Then compare and contrast it with the theory in the case to explain your rationale.]
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Imagine recreating this research. What would you change in order to obtain stronger results?
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Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.