Distinguish Between A Business Function And A Business Proce

distinguish Between A Business Function And A Business Process Desc

1) Distinguish between a business function and a business process. Describe how a business process cuts across functional lines in an organization. How might a manager organize his or her staff in terms of business processes rather than functional departments? What benefits there be with this type of organization? What challenges would it pose?

2) How could a university organize its business education around business processes rather than business functions? What would be the benefits to students?

3) Assume your uncle raises bees for honey on his farm. You help him package the honey and sell it on the Internet. Reproduce Figure 1-1 for this small business example. Add a one-sentence description for each function as it relates to selling this artisan honey online.

4) Go to the Amazon Web site, and step through the process of buying an item without actually purchasing the item. Based on this experience, describe the flows of information between Marketing and Sales, Accounting and Finance, and Supply Chain Management at Amazon. How easy is it to buy that item?

5) Using the internet, research your state’s regulations for employing teenagers – such as minimum age of employment. Do the same for a neighbouring state. Are the two state regulations same? Why would it be important for Human Resources to communicate this information to a hiring department?

6) Think of the last time you bought a high-tech electronic item. How does the process of buying the item cut across the store’s various functional lines? What information from your receipt would need to be available to the business functions? Which business functions would need that information? How could your receipt help in the process of returning that item?

7) Assume you own and run a small ice cream shop located on the grounds of a private pool. You want to maximize sales and decide that allowing customers to buy on credit could be a big driver of sales since most people come to the pool without cash. What information do you need to keep track to make sure a given customer doesn’t go over their $20 credit limit? What problems might occur?

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the distinction between a business function and a business process is fundamental in organizational management. A business function refers to a specific department or specialized unit within an organization, such as marketing, finance, or human resources, each responsible for certain operational activities. Conversely, a business process is a series of interconnected activities or tasks that deliver a specific service or product to a customer, often crossing multiple functions. This process-oriented view emphasizes the flow of work and information across departmental boundaries, facilitating a more integrated approach to organizational activities.

Business processes cut across organizational boundaries by linking functions to serve broader organizational goals. For instance, the order fulfillment process involves marketing (ordering), finance (billing), logistics (shipping), and customer service, illustrating how processes span multiple departments. Managers aiming to optimize organizational efficiency might organize staff around core business processes rather than traditional functional silos. This process-oriented organization fosters collaboration and accountability across departments, leading to improved communication, streamlined workflows, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Benefits of this approach include increased flexibility, reduced redundancies, and a customer-centric focus. By aligning staff around processes, organizations can quickly adapt to market changes, innovate more effectively, and improve overall service levels. However, this structure also presents challenges such as the need for substantial cross-departmental coordination, potential role ambiguity, and resistance to change from staff accustomed to traditional functional hierarchies. Transitioning to a process-based structure requires comprehensive training and a cultural shift towards collaboration and shared objectives.

In a university setting, organizing business education around processes like student admission, course registration, or alumni engagement could improve operational clarity and learning outcomes. For example, rather than focusing solely on separate courses in marketing, finance, or management, integrating these into process-driven modules offers students a holistic perspective. This approach helps students understand how different functions collaborate to achieve organizational goals. The benefits include enhanced practical skills, better preparation for real-world challenges, and increased employability as graduates understand the end-to-end processes involved in organizational operations.

For example, in the context of honey sales, various functions are involved. The marketing function promotes the honey through online platforms; sales process handles customer inquiries and order processing; the finance function manages payments and record keeping; and logistics and distribution ensure timely delivery. Packaging and labeling are operations-based functions linked to production, while IT supports online transactions. Each function plays a vital role in delivering customer value and ensuring business efficiency.

At Amazon, the information flow during an online purchase involves multiple departments. When a customer adds an item to their cart, marketing uses browsing data to personalize recommendations. Upon checkout, sales data is transmitted to finance for billing, and payment processing is handled seamlessly through secure channels. The supply chain management system verifies inventory levels, initiates shipment, and updates order status. The entire process demonstrates how integrated information systems enable smooth cross-functional data flow, making online shopping convenient. The ease of purchase reflects Amazon's sophisticated infrastructure that minimizes barriers and simplifies the consumer experience.

Researching state regulations on teenage employment reveals that these laws can vary significantly. For instance, State A might set the minimum employment age at 14 with restrictions on working hours, while neighboring State B might allow employment from age 15 with different limitations. Such discrepancies highlight the importance of effective communication within Human Resources. Accurate knowledge ensures compliance, reduces legal risks, and helps design appropriate onboarding policies. HR must keep hiring managers informed to avoid violations that could lead to penalties or legal challenges, especially in a competitive labor market where compliance influences hiring decisions.

Buying high-tech electronic items typically involves multiple functional departments: sales assist in product selection; inventory management tracks stock levels; finance processes payment; customer service handles inquiries and returns. The receipt issued contains critical information like purchase date, product details, serial or model number, price, warranty information, and store contact details. This data enables the business functions to verify warranty claims, manage returns or exchanges, and update inventory records. The receipt becomes an essential document for resolving after-sales issues, ensuring accurate record-keeping, and supporting customer satisfaction.

Running a small ice cream shop authorized to extend credit involves tracking each customer's purchase limits accurately. Essential information includes customer identification, current credit balance, and credit limit (e.g., $20). A simple ledger or point-of-sale system can monitor credit usage. Potential problems include fraudulent activity, billing errors, or consumer disputes that might result in exceeding credit limits. Systematic record-keeping and prompt updates are vital to prevent financial losses and maintain trust. Implementing safeguards like pre-authorized accounts or verifying identity before credit extension can mitigate these risks.

References

• Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive advantage: Creating and sustaining superior performance. Free Press.
• Hammer, M., & Champy, J. (1993). Reengineering the Corporation: A Manifesto for Business Revolution. HarperBusiness.
• Dumas, M., Roth, R., & Anderson, K. (2013). Business Process Management: Practical Guidelines to Successful Implementations. Wiley.
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• Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. (2005). Blue Ocean Strategy. Harvard Business Review, 83(10), 76-84.
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• US Department of Labor. (2023). Child Labor Laws and Regulations by State. Retrieved from [Official Government Website]
• Amazon. (2023). How Amazon Makes Shopping Easy & Convenient. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com
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