Final Summary Paper

John Lauer

ENGL 250

Summary Paper

1/24/14

Connecting Product Design, Process and Supply Chain Decisions to Strengthen Global Supply Chain Capabilities

By Erika Marsillac, James Jungbae Roh

               This scholarly article starts with an overview of the key concepts related to products, processes, and supply chains for worldwide companies. Each of these concepts is covered in depth and specifically analyzed. The focus of the paper is the concepts behind the relation between product design and how it changes process and supply chain practices on a local and global scale. This was analyzed through using a 3DCE theory base. This approach helped with comparing and contrasting the relationships and dependencies of product, process, and supply chain behaviors and capabilities. This article includes a review of all the terminology later used in explaining the data, along with a research methodology of multiple companies, an analysis of the data, and a conclusion to sum up the study and lead future researchers in the right direction.

               In previous research, many companies have emphasized the importance of product design as a large contributing factor of the total cost of making and transporting products. This is so important because it affects so many processes, such as the cost of making a product, what equipment is needed to make it, how will it have to be marketed, what transportation will it need to get to stores, etc. All of these factors are the reason why companies are working day after day to maximize profit and minimize cost.

               This study was executed using the 3DCE system or the three dimensional concurrent engineering system. This process was introduced by Fine in the late 1990s. 3DCE addresses product, process, and supply chain development and design and is used to examine the influences of each area in relation to the other. The process can be used to determine how those areas develop and evolve over time and most importantly, 3DCE explores how those areas can be leveraged and changed to improve international and global behavior among supply chains.

               In the meat of the article, there is the research and the case analyses of the study. All of the research was gathered from multiple case studies. The results were derived from adopting firms and reviewing reports of current and expected future numbers outcomes and benefits. Many cases were reviewed and in each case, three categories were focused on which included: major changes in product design, the scope and scale of process and supply chain modifications, and the relationships between product design changes and process and supply chain modifications. Each of these areas was analyzed among four companies and for the sake of space, the findings will not be reviewed in this paper, but are very interesting to read and review.

               After all the results were observed, many if the findings were related to each other. There were eight propositions they came up with. Starting with proposition one stating that, “Product design changes that are more substantial and complex, generate more substantial and complex changes in the process of supply chain systems.” If you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. If you create a more complex product, then you will have to make more changes to the supply chain system so that you can make the product correctly and manufacture it in a systematic way. That was just an example if one of them and you can find the other seven in the article, but they all relate product design to competitive companies and how they react to changes and implementation throughout their processes.

               Some of the findings were actually very straight forward. For instance, process changes were found to be particularly influenced be the number of product design changes with some change also being extended to manufacturing lines. In relation to supply chain behavior, the influence of product design was connected to the level of product design change implemented. The complexity of the supply chain and product design makes it more challenging to manage and carry out production in a company in a cost effective way.

               So for this matter, we turn to the question of,” Who is this information for to use?” All of this information helps managers make the big decisions, the people who practice these measures, and the researchers who continue the analysis of the topic. These results provide those people with the knowledge to better understand and make operational decisions when determining courses of actions in a functioning production chain. Although these results are only samples, they have the potential to lead companies in the right direction for success.

               The aftermath states that there are many relations between product design, process, and supply chain decisions that affect global supply chain capabilities. Future research may expand this investigation and further better describe and illustrate the design nature for operations planning. It may also bring about more practical applications for the research. The authors thank the case study company representatives, anonymous reviewers for their time to improve the article, and you, for absorbing the article and using the information.

Works Cited

Marsillac, Erika, and James James Jungbae Roh. "Connecting Product Design, Process and Supply Chain Decisions to Strengthen Global Supply Chain Capabilities." International Journal of Production Economics 147 (2014): 317-29. Sciencedirect.com. Science Direct, Jan. 2014. Web. 31 Jan. 2014. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925527313001758>.

Memo Assignment

John Lauer

ENGL 250

Memo Assignment

1/29/14

DOG

In this scenario, my company is based off the already existing company Caterpillar Inc. or CAT. So I’m a worldwide, multi-million dollar tractor company. Caterpillar is a huge industry that emphasizes engineering greatly, so this definitely relates to my field.

Memo

January 29, 2014

To: All DOG Employees

From: Chief Executive Officer Lauer

Subject: New Worldwide Partner, Communication Ethics Standards to be followed by All Employees

Beginning this new quarter, there will be a new company working for us run by CEO Chairman Ms. Rachel Smith. Her company designs and builds small stock cars for racing in worldwide events. There company is booming and they need our help to improve industry and take their company to the next level. Some of you will be working and communicating with employees of her company so you need to know the proper measures to take when talking with her staff.

First off, her company is very close to ours in that it has the same standards and engineering background that we have kept with for years, so as always, keep communication brief and to the point. Long emails are not effective emails if they waste time with unneeded extra explanation. Her team is here for answers and effective time management over the next quarter. She is trying to boost industry capacity and production tenfold, so be professional as always and keep to direct conversations. She is also our business partner, so don’t be afraid to be blunt about circumstances and speak forward to improving her company.

In the end, you’re all adults and know how to talk in a professional manner to fellow business partners so this is just a friendly reminder.

Regards,

John Lauer

Summary

John Lauer

ENGL 250

Summary Paper

1/24/14

Connecting Product Design, Process and Supply Chain Decisions to Strengthen Global Supply Chain Capabilities

By Erika Marsillac, James Jungbae Roh

               This scholarly article starts with an overview of the key concepts related to products, processes, and supply chains for worldwide capabilities. Each of these concepts is covered in depth and specifically analyzed. The big thing that is the focus of the paper is the concepts behind the relation between product design and how it changes process and supply chain practices on s local and global scale. This was analyzed through using a 3DCE theory base. Comparing and contrasting the relationships and dependencies of product, process, and supply chain behaviors and capabilities.                              

Writing in my Field (Engineering)

When looking and how my field in particular writes, I have to think about some different aspects of what my field does in there job and what they will be communicating to others. For instance... in an engineers day at work, they work on several projects and go to meetings and discuss ideas and plans. When writing in a field like this, everything must be concise and correct all the time. It must be easily read and interpreted. So big words or lengthy explanation is not the answer in most cases, unless something needs to be further explained in depth.
My classes have showed me through what my teachers want us to turn in for assignments and how writing should be executed in those situations. A lot of what engineers do has final, concise answers so it makes sense that writing has the answer and precise explanations.
As for finding really what writing is like in my field, I should ask real engineers how they write and maybe even job shadow one.

Scholarly Sources

Retail Channel Structure Impact on Strategic Engineering Product Design

by Nathan Williams, P. K. Kannan, and Shapour Azarm

http://ejournals.ebsco.com.proxy.lib.iastate.edu/Direct.asp?AccessToken=3PXMXX181TQ2STSQ0E1SEONOQNEZ8LD-M&Show=Object&msid=941693160

Connecting product design, process and supply chain decisions to 
strengthen global supply chain capabilities
by Erika Marsillac, James Jungbae Roh

http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0925527313001758/1-s2.0-S0925527313001758-main.pdf?_tid=0df9dbd6-820c-11e3-a767-00000aab0f02&acdnat=1390247583_8a759485cd61387501f2fa545b8e9452

Reading Games: Strategies for Reading Scholarly Sources

John Lauer

ENGL 250

Reading Games: Strategies for Reading Scholarly Sources

By Karen Rosenberg

Thought Piece

My Thoughts…

               My first thought… wow that was a long article. But guess what?! All Scholarly sources are on the longer side and may be even longer then twelve pages, so I need to get used to longer readings. I have never liked reading books or any long text. Non-fiction, such as scholarly sources, has always been more enjoyable for me to read than fiction. Things that are of real life always make more sense to write about because they actually affect us and they matter for the betterment of the world. I enjoy them more because it seems more useful to read something that was worth telling people about than reading about Jimmy, the magical seahorse, who saved his pet dragon from the ferocious Snow Leopard of Gonovan City. Even though those kinds of stories are fun, they don’t help advance the world’s technology, assist with national crises, or keep the neighbor from killing your family.

               Now this article covered a lot of good ideas about what you should look for in scholarly sources and how to read and analyze them. It was quite helpful and insightful to read, but what I thought was most interesting about the article was the idea of reading academic texts like you are entering a conversation. When I read this, I couldn't help but stop and think about what that might actually mean. Whenever I read something, I usually try to absorb the main points and ideas from the writing, and then I go on to figure out how I use that information. The bad thing is that a lot of the time I don’t like to read. So when I do, I sometimes start “blankly reading”, which means I read the words, but don’t understand or absorb anything from the text. This causes me to go back and reread the material. How can I fix this? Well for the longest time I figured I would always be this way because I never would like to read. But when this idea of a “conversation” was presented, it made me think of something. What if while I read an article, I also stopped at points in the writing and had a conversation with the text in my head about what I was reading about? Then I would reiterate the ideas and it would help me remember the information better. This could help my comprehension skills in doing my homework and learning in classes. Having a conversation with the text is simply responding to the ideas and information you are reading about and talking about it in your head to yourself. This is a simple concept, but not many people do it because it takes more time and it feels weird talking to yourself while reading a book. Most of the time I just want to rush to get through the reading so I can do the assignment and do something more fun, but if I take the time to try to improve my writing and be a better reader, then I can see myself improving in my studies in college.

               When I think about myself as a reader, I usually don’t put my skills very high. Since I have never liked reading, I have never worked to get better at it. I have always struggled reading long, boring text, but if I start conversing with the writing while I read, I might be able to improve my reading and start enjoying it. Since I’m in college now, I will be reading more of what I’m interested in, so this is the perfect time to start diving in to my major and be proactive in what I want to learn. When you go to college, a lot of what you do is study, so why not make it worthwhile, go the extra mile, and really indulge in reading. Plus most of the material professors give is usually good, unlike high school teachers who just cover the anonymous basics of subjects.

               This paper overall gave me a good look at what scholarly sources look like and how to interpret them. So now I am better prepared for finding good information when I need it. Thanks!

J-Lauer out.

Portrait of a Writer

John Lauer

ENGL 250

Portrait of a Writer

1/17/14

Who am I as a Writer?

               As a writer, I have had a roller coaster ride of experiences with it. From starting English classes early on and hating everything about grammar and writing, to partially enjoying journals and free writing in junior high, to having really easy writing courses in high school that I just thought were a waste of time. My experiences have also been affected by the teachers involved. I have always had a repulsive tongue to writing, but whenever I have the chance to really write whatever I want with no consequences, I actually kind of enjoy it. I have always seen writing as something of low importance and almost a waste of time. As an engineer, I think of writing as something that must be precise and short, as used to explain something, but writing can also be melodic and beautiful like a song. The freedom of writing is amazing, but when there are rules and rubrics that your writing must follow, it feels like your trapped in a jail cell by your teachers and writing is no longer enjoyable. Those things that block you from your potential in writing only turn you away from it, and make it feel more like a job. Even though writing is not my favorite thing, I do enjoy it every once in a while and it’s good to take time to let your mind be free and let its creative juices flow.

               There are many aspects of writing, but as there is in everything, there are pros and cons. Writing started as just a way to communicate to other humans on paper way back when. Then throughout history it was introduced in so many different ways that now, it is taught extensively to students. Some writing classes promote creative writing and give you more freedom in what you want to focus on in your papers. While other courses keep you very restricted and give you specific rubrics that you must follow. I think that these classes turn students away from writing and give them a negative view of it. Even though other forms of writing are also important to learn, in my opinion you have to balance restricting students and letting them run free with writing. In high school I had a journalism class and for one of our papers we got to write about anything we wanted and could be as creative as we wanted. That was one of my favorite papers because it was completely open to all possibilities and gave me that journalistic freedom that made writing fun. That teacher also had a very easy look on papers. What I mean by that is he wasn't too judgmental on how we wrote. He gave us tips or corrected small grammar, but didn't mark down our grade because of something he didn't like. I really appreciated the class as a result of that because even though it was a boring English class, I got to write about stuff that I liked, and could learn more about those things at the same time.

               All people have potential to be good writers, but as a writer myself I believe my background has brought me up to be a good writer. Not only have I had some good language arts teachers that have helped me, but also supportive parents that have pushed me to be a good student and earn above average grades, which has made me focus on the many things that school helps you improve, one being writing. My LA teacher in junior high was one of the most influential teachers I've ever had. Mr. Vandenberg was one of the coolest teachers and he also took teaching very personally and cared about his job. He made literature and writing interesting and made you think and care about the meaning of the writing. I would say that he saved me from completely “writing” off writing and becoming a non-caring writer. Sense then I have always given thought in my writing and don’t just write a paper and not care about what I produced. I always proof read my work and make sure that it represents the best work I can do and show my teacher. Writing a paper can be tough, but it’s really tough if you don’t give a shit about it. You have to care about what you’re doing and do that best you can. That’s the only way you will move up in life and have a successful career and family. Anyone has the potential to write good writing if they give some thought to it and care about the writing itself.

               Now when you want to write, how do you start? Well depending on the situation, I do different things to prepare. If the situation is more informal and free, then I wouldn't say you have to write down an outline or anything. I usually just collect some thoughts in my head and start writing and let the creative juices flow. But in most situations, when the writing is more formal, must be planned, and flow in a logical way, I have a different plan of actions that I follow. I first make sure to read the assignment with the rubric and idea I’m supposed to build off of. Then I start writing down ideas of what I can talk about and start putting those in a logical order that will make sense to the me and the reader. Then I make sure that my ideas are concrete and I think about how the paper might look with those topics. I also write down some quick notes next to each topic that can be put in each paragraph and where I can mention them. After a little brainstorming, I just start going it. In my opinion, the best way to write is to “just do it” Nike. I use my notes to guide me along the way, but then I write most of the paper and finish the draft. After the draft I read over the paper and make slight adjustments to my work. Preceding that is close to the finished product. Finally I’ll look over what my paper was supposed to contain and make sure I followed all the guidelines. If the writing requires research or a works cited then that is done in the beginning of the paper writing process. I haven’t had any problems with writing like this and it seems to work well for me. It is always good to write in a systematic way when needed because it helps the build and integrity of your papers.

               The last things I want to focus on are what can aid the writing process for me, but also block my writing groove. When writing anything, I’m always constantly thinking of how it is read and what makes sense. I also think about what I can put in the writing that is still related to the paper, but will make reading it more enjoyable. For example, in my first thought piece, I added a part at the end that showed my mind thinking about the paper I just wrote and it related to the paper and reason for writing the paper too. Putting clever things like that in your writing can make a good paper a great paper. This kind of thinking can aid in freeing your mind and writing more fluently. On the other hand, there are also things that can block me when I’m writing. The biggest things that can keep me from writing are worrying about grammar and sentence structure. When my mind is working, it sometimes doesn't come up with the best way to say something. So I constantly find myself reformatting my sentences so they make more sense logically and grammatically. This slows down the writing process and causes me to forget about things I wanted to write about. Another problem is my attention span. I usually can focus really well, but I don’t love writing papers, so if I’m not in the mood, I won’t really want to write. This will cause me to let distractions take my mind off the paper and I will let myself waste time with other things. This can definitely be a problem when trying to complete a paper. All of these and more can block someone from writing, but if I have the will and want to get my writing done, then I’ll get down and dirty and do it.

               After reflecting on myself as a writer, I realize that writing is something that has been a good experience for me, and that I am pretty good at. As a responsible student, I have always taken my work seriously and do my best, so writing is just one of those things that follows suit. I will always enjoy the occasional writing, but the experiences I have had with it will help me later in my real job and give me the skills to do well at it. As I think of writing, I will always remember the escape it gives me to share my thoughts with others and ultimately make me a better person in and out of the classroom.

               

Thought Piece 1 : Calming the Inner Critic and Getting to Work

John Lauer

ENGL 250

Calming the Inner Critic and Getting to Work

By Allegra Goodman

Thought Piece

My Thoughts…

               When writing, what do we focus on? The grammar… the ideas… or what people will think of it? I believe that the “inner critic” inside of our minds is most influenced by the overarching eyes that will be looking at our writing. As humans, we have the natural tendency to care what people think of us. If we stopped caring about other people’s opinions of us, would the inner critic go away? Or would we still find fault in our own writing? Longing over every page of and essay or book, realizing we aren't perfect and there must be something wrong in every paragraph. The realization is that we will always have the inner critic in our head; we just have to realize when he is on duty. Can we get him to take more vacation days per year? Maybe we can, but only if we start thinking about our writing differently.

               Writing is something that people do. Whether it is for school, a job, or pure enjoyment we all do it at one point. Some people like writing and love producing works of art with words. Others, like myself, look at writing as unenjoyable, stupid, and unneeded if it is purely creative and not used to educate and/or for betterment of the world. As an engineer, I look at literature in a different way than other people. But I know writing is important and I know that it is needed for the world. It is used in so many different ways that it is involved in everyone’s job or daily life. The reason I mention this is because the way we look at writing affects how we write and how much the inner critic really affects us. If we care about our writing, then the inner critic will control us so much more than if we are writing just because we have to for a class and don’t actually care about the meaning of our writing. I feel that if you don’t care about your writing in a class setting where it will be graded, then you don’t care about your grade and/or the class itself. Which is why in every setting, you should have the inner critic in your head to some degree. I believe that the bother-some inner critic is most determined by how confident we are with our own writing. If we are confident with knowing that not everyone will like our writing, we will be able block the inner critic more. For me, when I write, I just try to write grammatically correct and have my ideas in a good order. Writing can’t be perfect because everyone has a different opinion so I guess in theory, there will always be something wrong with your paper. Some people can write close to perfect papers, but writing will always be up for interpretation and you must except that you are writing for you and for you to be happy with it. The inner critic does help you think about how your paper will be portrayed and makes you think in a way that will help you produce writing that will please more people, but don’t let it block you. Don’t let it keep you from writing what you believe. Freedom of speech was written in the constitution for a reason. As writers, we owe it to ourselves to write what we want and be accepted.

               In the end, the inner critic will always be there. Don’t let it get you! Be confident and know that your writing does not need to be controlled by it. You don’t need others approvals because writing is free to whatever you want it to be. If you find yourself getting stuck then it may not be the inner critic. It might just be writers block and that means you just need a break. Even to someone who doesn't like writing, even I can enjoy just writing my own thoughts down and knowing that all writing just needs to be thought provoked and done with a purpose. Even though I’m an engineer, writing will be a part of my job, so I have and always will make an effort to improve and do well when doing it. Just keep the mind clear and keep writing with the inner critic in mind. He loves to mess with you, but you have to remember his presence and be one with your writing.

               John’s Mind (First thought piece done… not too bad in my opinion… but inner critic thinks paragraph two needs some work… screw him... I’ll leave it… hopefully I’ll get a good grade… alright time for my next class… J-Lauer out.)