Power Relations Effect Different Actors in A Supply Chain of Oil Essay

Power Relations Effect Different Actors in A Supply Chain of Oil Industry - Essay Example In his article, he considers Michael Porter’s concept and argues that this model, while it may seem when considered from a business manager point of view, seems to work but fails in terms of wider economics because, in real economic structures, other factors such as power play and influent has an effect on the value chain (Henderson, 1999). Oil supply has had a history of the power play as seen in the example of the seven sisters who were a consortium of seven companies based in the Middle East and who dominated the oil industry for over thirty years since the 1940s. Countries have vested interest in oil supply chain as a way to make sure that they can be able to sustain their economies (Bridge & Le, 2013). According to oil and energy experts, over ten calories of oil energy are used for the production of just one calorie of food energy. The energy in form of fertilizers, energy for farm equipment, chemicals packaging for farm pesticides etc also adds up to over ten calories o f energy to produce just one calorie of food. The same oil is also needed to power other areas of the economy, such as transportation and communication equipment. In most countries, the defence department depends on oil for over 70% of its operations. This leads to the concept of energy security. Energy security refers to the security related to the availability, or lack thereof, of oil energy. This brings in a lot of power play in the supply chain. The role of political power in the oil supply chain is much that there is even speculation that the reason why the United States has continually attacked the Middle East is for the purse of getting the oil reserves in this region. The same theory has been applied in the attack and killing of the leader of Libya, Muammar Gadaffi. Whether these conspiracy theories are valid or not, the truth remains that political power play is a major factor in oil supply chains.

Role of Inventors and Governments in Industrialization Research Paper

Role of Inventors and Governments in Industrialization - Research Paper Example Seeds could be planted at specific depths in proper rows and this was a tremendous improvement in Agriculture. Before the invention farmers would scatter seeds and this was very wasteful as most seeds would not take root. Many other machine inventors would contribute to the mechanization and automation of industrial processes. Discussion Natural resources were utilized to develop machine production processes. Coal and water power were a source of fuel for industrial processes. Construction of buildings, tools, and machines was done using iron ore. Rivers served as means of inland transportation of materials, goods, and people. In addition harbors for merchant ships were established.2 Industrialization began with the textile industry where the invention of the spinning machine spurred immense growth. The water frame which was invented in 1769 by Richard Arkwright ran on waterpower from rapid streams. Samuel Crompton invented the advance spinning mule in 1779 and it ran on water power and it produced stronger, consistent and finer thread than previous spinning machines.3 There was a ready market for cotton worldwide and supply for cotton from the American South. Advances in the textile industry triggered industrial development in various sectors. In transport, the landmark invention was the steam engine in 1765 by James Watt. Water transport exhibited tremendous improvement in England. A network of human-made waterways/canals was established. By 1850, inland channels that spanned 4,200 miles reduced the transport cost for both finished goods and raw materials. English factories were powered by steam-driven machinery towards the end of the eighteenth century. Steam driven locomotives were used to transport iron and various raw materials on land. George Stephenson successfully spearheaded the construction of the railroad in 1821.4 Indeed the invention and subsequent perfection of the locomotive had tremendous effects on industrialization. Manufacturers had a cheap means to transport finished goods and raw materials. Numerous jobs were created for both miners (provided coal for steam engines and iron for the rail tracks) and railroad workers.