Innovative Organisations Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Innovative Organisations - Case Study Example In this paper, the author presents the characteristics of innovations of General Electric (GE). The presentation includes history of GE, innovation characteristics of GE, the most innovative service of GE and the perspective of how the author can contribute to the innovations of GE. Thomas Edison established the Edison General Electric Company in 1890. The series of innovations in GE started from the founder himself who invented one of the greatest products of this age - the electric lamp. In 1892, the Edison General Electric Company merged with their competition Thomson-Houston Company amidst common interests to for the "General Electric Company". The GE Global research still honours the heritage, legacy & dignity of Edison in their R&D activities (http://www.ge.com/company/history/edison.html). In the modern business world, GE has a wide range of products in the fields of lighting, electrical distribution, renewable energy, aviation, healthcare, business & consumer finance, Oil & Gas, water treatment & processing, railroads, media & entertainment and security (http://www.ge.com/products_services/index.html). In the area of process innovations, GE is one of the first companies of the world to implement Six Sigma successfully. Goldstein, Mark (2001. pp37, 39) a Six Sigma consultant comments that the foundations of this best practice that was implemented in GE Appliances in 1995 (and later on rolled out to the rest of GE Company by year 2000 as per the target set by Jack Welch) is yet to be seen in any other organization. GE proved that best practices cannot be adopted for the name sake rather the fundamental commitment to them by virtue of the foundations of innovative culture makes the difference. GE thrilled the entire world by demonstrating the level of value addition that they could achieve to their top line and bottom line - that means increased revenues at reduced costs. It is the sound fundamentals of innovative business processes of GE that has ensured them to be in profit even in these tough times. At the end of financial year 2008, GE has built an overall market cap of $105 bill ion with Price/Earnings ratio at 5.60, Price/Sales ratio at 0.58, Price/Book ratio at 1.0 and Price/Cash Flow ratio of 3.6. The return on equity achievement was 16.60, return on assets was 2.20 and Return on investment as 4.0. Except Price per book that is evaluated in most recent quarter, all other figures published are trailing twelve months (http://money.cnn.com/quote/snapshot/snapshot.htmlsymb=GE). The net income of GE in 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2008 is $16.72 Billion, $20.742 Billion, $22.20 Billion and $17.41 Billion respectively (http://money.cnn.com/quote/financials/financials.htmlsymb=GE&sid=2148&report=2& period=1). The company presented impressive financial performance in the markets amidst global financial turmoil. The strength of GE has been built as a result of their remarkable contribution to the mankind that has changed the lives of people and the global economies as whole. GE has a major financial services business that is going to pose trouble to the overall organization given the turbulent times in the current scenario and the questions

Persusive research paper on stem cell research and why it needs to

Persusive on stem cell and why it needs to continue and be funded by congress - Research Paper Example The present enthusiasm over prospective stem cell-produced remedies radiates from the new innovations of genetic biology. Though one cannot forecast the results from basic research, there is enough information available to suggest that a good deal of this enthusiasm is justified. This enthusiasm is not shared by those of the religious right. This faction is opposed to embryonic stem cell research which they claim as immoral and characterize as devaluing human life, much the same as does abortion, drawing a link between the two. This discussion will provide a brief overview of stem cell research and its benefits to society, the debate surrounding the issue and the arguments for continued research. Embryonic stem cells possess the ability to restore defective or damaged tissues which would heal or regenerate organs which have been adversely affected by a degenerative disease. Cell therapy has the very real potential to provide new cures for diabetes, cancer, kidney disease, macular deg eneration, multiple sclerosis and many other kinds of diseases. Cell therapy has also demonstrated a great potential to help repair and regenerate spinal cord injuries which would help paralyzed patients recapture lost body functions. The possibilities are limitless including greatly advancing the human lifespan because aging organs could be replenished. â€Å"We may even have the ability one day to grow our own organs for transplantation from our own stem cells, eliminating the danger of organ rejection† (â€Å"Future of Cell Therapy†, 2006). The three main objectives given for pursuing stem cell research are obtaining vital scientific information about embryonic development; curing incapacitating ailments and for testing new drugs instead of having to use animals. The scientific techniques for obtaining stem cells could lead to unparalleled advances and even cures for these and other ailments. It has been substantiated from animal research that stem cells can be diff erentiated into cells that will behave appropriately in their transplanted location. For example, the transplantation of stem cells following treatments for cancer has found much success for many years. There are numerous potential sources. The first is bone marrow stem cells. This type of stem cell is probably the most recognized of the stem cells. It has been used routinely to treat a variety of blood and bone marrow diseases, blood cancers and immune disorders. Leukemia is the most recognized disease that has been treated with a bone marrow transplant. New evidence suggests that bone marrow stem cells may be able to differentiate (the process by which an unspecialized cell acquires the features of a specialized cell) into cells that make up tissues outside of the blood such as liver and muscle (â€Å"Stem Cells In Use.† Learn.Genetics). The second type of stem cell is the adult stem cell. An adult stem cell is thought to be an undifferentiated cell, found among differentia ted cells in tissues or organs. These cells can renew themselves and can differentiate to become some or all of the major specialized cells types in the tissue and muscle it resides in. The primary function of this type of stem cell is to maintain and repair the tissue in which they reside. Because there are a very limited number of adult stem cells in each tissue coupled