Management - Southwest Airlines Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management - Southwest Airlines - Term Paper Example Southwest Airline is one of the most popular low cost American domestic airlines which was incorporated in Texas and commenced operation in 1971 with three Boeing 737 aircrafts serving 3 cities. Today it has nearly 400 Boeing 737 series of aircrafts and operates in more than 59 cities across America. In 2011, it completes 40 years of its existence. Its mission is to provide the customers with highest quality of personal services (company). It has been able to sustain its profitability through the turbulent phase of post 9/11 period and current recessive economy even though the rest of the important airlines like Pan Am, Eastern etc. were struggling to survive. Situation analysisAfter deregulation in 1978, the airline business had become highly competitive. It had used various mechanisms to enhance its operational efficiency. While its human resource strategy was its major organizational coup to maintain its customer centric image, its efficient use of air routes, cost effective strat egy in operation became critical to its success. As such main reasons that have contributed to its continued success are: human resource; customer service; and innovative cost effective strategy of operation. Schwenk (1997: 4) claims that ‘employee’s absolute commitment to a shared vision of change is seen by many leaders/ change agents as so important for their organization’s continued survival’. The organizational culture of the company is highly encouraging which believes in empowering its workforce. It also provides a facilitating environment of continuous learning and most importantly it encourages share in profits through stock ownership. After the 9/11 tragedy, the operations cost of SW Airlines as well as other airlines had considerably increased. The key reasons being: tighter security had required more rigorous screening; increase of overheads expenses vis-a-vis security screening, changes and reprogramming of its tracking of passenger informatio n details and management strategy etc; drastic reduction in the number of passengers due to terrorist threat. These were major challenges that required highly creative inputs to not only maintain trust of the customers but also the confidence level of the employees. In the tough times, Southwest airline maintained high degree of employees’ morale by not laying off any employee. Most importantly, the management initiative was able to inculcate tremendous confidence amongst its workers by ensuring that there was no cut back in the number of flights also. This was a hugely important factor which sent a positive feedback to the public and greatly boosted the confidence of employees. Addressing the problem Maintaining the confidence of the customer was major problem which was mainly met by its human resource policy and organizational culture. It was also a key element that led to the firm’s continues success. It retained its policy of non attrition and did not lay off any s taff. The company’s strategic plan was to improve customer service by increasing the number of customer service agents. This helped the passengers to get more personalized service. The empathetic attitude of staff, emotional

Project Administration in Construction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Project Administration in Construction - Essay Example Good project managers attempt to make sure that the work is done right first time and that key accidents take place on the project. Whilst adherence to subsisting design decisions is the key concentration of quality regulation, there are exceptions to this standard. To begin with, unexpected circumstances, inaccurate design decisions or transformations needed by an owner in the facility purpose may need re-examination of design at the time of construction. Whilst these transformations might be influenced by the issue for quality, they stand for the occasions for re-design with all the attendant goals and restrictions. The other thing is that some designs depend on informed and suitable decision making during the building process itself. Since such decisions are founded on greater information regarding real site settings, the facility design could be more cost effective as a consequence. Safety during the building project is as well affected highly by decision made at the time of fore casting and design process. Some designs or building strategies are generically hard and hazardous to carry out, whilst other, comparable strategies possibly will minimize the likelihood of accidents. A range of distinct companies are possible for quality and safety regulation during building process. One widespread paradigm is to have a group accountable for quality guarantee and another group chiefly accountable for safety inside an organization. Supervisors and quality assurance personnel will be engaged in a project to stand for a range of distinct. Each of the parties directly concerned with project possibly will have their own quality and safety supervisors, including the owner and the architect. The inspector will be the contractor from the company. Over and above on-site inspections, samples of material will regularly be tested by a specialized laboratory to assure adherence. The supervisor to assure adherence with regulatory expectations will as well be involved. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regularly carry out site visits of work places alongside authorized inspection agencies. OSHA supervisors are expected by statute to give citations for all average infringements identified. Whilst the whole host of participants engaged in the building process will need the services of the supervisor, it cannot be stressed too boldly that the supervisor will just concentrate on formal check on quality regulation Quality regulation must be a key goal for all the members of this project team. Managers must be accountable for preserving and enhancing quality regulation. Worker engagement in quality regulation must be sought and awarded, including the introduction of novel ideas. Most crucial of all, quality enhancement will serve as a catalyst for enhanced efficiency. Provisions of work quality are an essential aspect of facility designs. Provisions of needed quality and components stand for the necessary documentation to illu strate a facility. Overall specifications of work quality are accessible in various areas and are issues in publications. For instance, excavation should proceed an adequate distance to allow inspection and other events. Concentrate pavements of greater strength amount to cost savings by delaying the time at which re-constructions are needed. On the contrary, concrete of substandard quality will require more regular covers or other re-construction processes. Contract specifications with modifications to the amount of a