Need to answer 4 questions for the below article httpwwwbusi

Need to answer 4 questions for the below article. http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-08-02/amtraks-grand-plans-for-its-northeast-line iust need 2 to 4 sentences discussion for each question. What are the reasons and justifications for Amtrak\'s modified operating strategy? How can operations managers maintain a viable operating strategy for their enterprises? What is the role of government in helping needy businesses? How should this role be funded? What is the future of government subsidies to business?

Solution

What are the reasons and justifications for Amtrak\'s modified operating strategy?

Demand is growing rapidly. As a result, Amtrak is asking the government to provide more money. The additional money will be used to renovate traffic around Washington square as well as creation of a route between Boston and Washington with a bullet train that travels in excess of 200 mph.

How can operations managers maintain a viable operating strategy for their enterprises?

The managers need to look for efficiency improvements as well as put in cost cutting measures to make the enterprises operate effectively. Their operating strategy needs to look at the customer value chain it provides, differentiation among competitors and the proactive use of technology

What is the role of government in helping needy businesses? How should this role be funded?

This is a very debatable topic and depens on who you ask. Personally, I think governments role needs to be much less than it is now. We are a free market society based on capitalism. If a business cannot succeed based on the value and quality of their product or service, then they should not be in business to begin with. As far as funding, it should be done based on usage. If someone uses the business or service, then they should pay for the funding. not someone else. If necessary, it could be one through a usage tax such as sales tax if the program is to be government based.

What is the future of government subsidies to business?

They have to decrease. Especially as our government continues to rack up excessive debt and cannot pay for things. Cuts are going to have to be made in several areas over time, including government subsidies to business. To what degree and how fast depends a lot on who is in the presidential office as well as what part controls the house and senate. The current adminstration promotes hands-on government with more spending. While they realize cuts must be made they are resistant to do so and when they do it is a slow process. Future admistrations may believe in a more hands-off government thall allows the free market to operate by not subsidizing business as much.