The Office Layout Importance

The Office Layout Importance Introduction The main idea of this paper is to answer the question whether office layout is closer to the notion of the retail service layout or to the manufacturing layout. The office layout is closely related to the retail service layout as the main purposes of these notions are similar.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Office Layout Importance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Thus, retail service layout is aimed at minimizing the way a customer should come to the desirable product (Alavudeen Venkateshwaran 2008). The same is about the office layout as it is more effective when employees can easily reach the equipment they work with and the information they need (Roy 2005). Literature review There are a lot of different works related to the similar problem. Still, none of them provides the answer whether office layout is more associated with retail service layout or with manufacturing layout. According to Bicheno and Elliot (1997) retail service layout is aimed at maximizing â€Å"the profit per square or cubic metre of space† (p. 129). At the same time, almost supporting this idea Heragu (2006) states that manufacturing layout â€Å"is different from office layout because different weights are attached to the factors† (p. 23) which influences those facilities. The new layout of the office may improve the effect from communication (Eisinger 2002). Communication serves as the basis for both office and retail service as it is promoted by the layout (Boutellier, Ullman, Schreiber, Naef 2008). The incorrect office layout may lead to violation of employees’ privacy (Binyaseen 2010). The same deals with the retail service layout and the personal customer information. Discussion Thus, the information discussed above shows that there are much in common between retail service layout and office layout, that manufacturing layout cannot have similar characteristics. It is possible to say that the information mentioned above is closely related to the topic we are discussing. If the company wants to reduce the costs in the office, it can change the office layout with the purpose not to dismiss employees. The same is with the retail service layout which may be changed when some changes in the customer sector are necessary (Charlton 2003).Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Moreover, working with the customers and trading, the innovative technologies are used. The same is with the office layout. There are so many different companies which deal with this problem, like IKEA 2008 Office planner (IKEA 2010) and Easy Office Planning Software (SmartDraw 2010). It is important to remember that the proper use of the office layout in the organization can solve many problems. Wieden + Kennedy (2010) is the advertising agency. Working in the advertising business, it is important to collaborate with other members of the team and, at the same time, to be as if in another room. The decision made by the design company NEXT Architecture (2010) is a really interesting decision. On the one hand, people see each other the walls in the rooms are made from glass, on the other hand, there are walls and no one can hear anything (Momoy 2008). Conclusion In conclusion, office layout is closely related to the retail service layout as the purposes are the same, in spite of the fact that they are directed at the different targets. The research conducted in this paper helps understand the importance of layout in different spheres of business, either the employees are involved, or the customers of the company. References Alavudeen and Venkateshwaran. (2008). Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Delhi: PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd. Bicheno, J. and Elliot, B. (1997). Operations management: an active learning approach. New York: Wiley-Blackwell. Binyaseen, A. (2010). Office layouts and employee participation. Facilities, 28 (7/8) p. 348.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Office Layout Importance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Boutellier, R., Ullman, F., Schreiber, J., Naef, R. (2008). Impact of office layout on communication in a science-driven business. RD Management, 38 (4), pp. 372-391. Charlton, B. (2003). Office Interiors Space crunch. Crains Detroit Business, 19 (31), p. 11. Eisinger, J. (2002). The Optimal Office. Association Management, 54 (10), p. 56. Heragu, S.S. (2006). Facilities Design. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse. IKEA. (2010). IKEA 2008 Office planner. Web. Momoy. (2008). Wieden + Kennedy – Modern Advertising Agency Interior from NEXT. Web. NEXT Architecture. (2010). Web.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Roy, R.N. A. (2005). Modern Approach to Operations Management. New Delhi: New Age International. SmartDraw. (2010). Easy Office Planning Software. Web. Wieden + Kennedy. (2010). Web.

Use of Quasiconcave Utility Functions in Economics

Use of Quasiconcave Utility Functions in Economics Quasiconcave is a mathematical concept that has several applications in economics. To understand the significance of the  terms applications in economics, it is useful to begin with a brief consideration of the origins and  meaning of the term in mathematics. Origins of the Term The term quasiconcave was introduced in the early part of the 20th century in the work of John von Neumann, Werner Fenchel and Bruno de Finetti, all prominent mathematicians with interests in both theoretical and applied mathematics, Their research in  fields such as probability theory, game theory and topology eventually laid the groundwork for an independent research field known as generalized convexity.  While the term quasiconcave: has applications in many areas, including economics, it originates in the field of generalized convexity as a topological concept. Definition of Topology Wayne State Mathematics Professor Robert Bruners brief and readable explanation of topology  begins with the understanding that topology is a special form of geometry. What distinguishes topology from other geometrical studies is that topology treats geometric figures as being essentially (topologically) equivalent if by bending, twisting and otherwise distorting them you can turn one into the other. This sounds a little strange, but consider that if you take a circle and begin squashing from four directions, with careful squashing you can produce a square. Thus, a square and a circle are topologically equivalent. Similarly, if you bend one side of a triangle until youve created  another corner somewhere along that side, with more bending, pushing and pulling, you can turn a triangle into a square. Again, a triangle and a square are topologically equivalent.   Quasiconcave as a Topological Property Quasiconcave is a topological property that includes concavity. If you graph a mathematical function and the graph looks more or less like a badly made bowl with a few bumps in it but still has a depression in the center and two ends that tilt upward, that is a quasiconcave function. It turns out that a concave function is just a specific instance of a quasiconcave function- one without the bumps. From a laypersons perspective (a mathematician has a more rigorous way of expressing it), a quasiconcave function includes all concave functions and also all functions that overall are concave but that may have sections that are actually convex. Again, picture a badly made bowl with a few bumps and protrusions in it.   Applications in Economics One way of mathematically representing consumer preferences (as well as  many other behaviors) is with a utility function. If, for example, consumers prefer good A to good B, the utility function U expresses that preference as:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  U(A)U(B) If you graph out this function for a real-world set of consumers and goods, you may find that the graph looks a bit like a bowl- rather than a straight line, theres a sag in the middle. This sag generally represents consumers aversion to risk. Again, in the real world, this aversion isnt consistent: the graph of consumer preferences looks a bit like an imperfect bowl, one with a number of bumps in it. Instead of being concave, then, its generally concave but not perfectly so at every point in the graph, which may have minor sections of convexity. In other words, our example graph of consumer preferences (much like many real-world examples) is quasiconcave.  They tell anyone wanting to know more about consumer behavior- economists and corporations selling consumer goods, for instance- where and how customers  respond to changes in good amounts or cost.