A Brief Analysis of The Steel Industry
analytical Essay
1473 words
Steel Industry
In the early part of this century was a time when industry was booming with growth around the installation of major railroads. With this growth came the transatlantic cable, the telegraph, and a whole lot of steel. Steel would be needed in the construction of these new transportation systems and communications were now possible between businesses and industries. (Wren, 2005)
This paper will first discuss the development of the steel industry. Next, it will examine steel, and in the impact it had on the transportation industry. Finally, it will discuss systematic management practices of this time and how they gave birth to the scientific approach that is still in use today.
Steel
The steel industry was needed for almost everything. Alfred D Chandler Jr. could see the potential market value early on.
According to Wren:
Chandler traced the history of various firms and delineated four phases in the history of the large U.S. enterprise:
1. The initial expansion and accumulation of resources
2. The rationalization of the use of resources
3. The expansion into new markets and lines to help assure the full use of resources;
4. The development of a new structure that rationalized the renewal of growth.
For many companies, the phases started and ended at different times, depending on the state of technology and the firm’s ability to react and capitalize on market opportunities. Chandler further noted two facets of industrial growth:
1. Horizontal growth from 1879 to 1893- which occurred when producers of similar fields combined through mergers, pools, or trusts to gain economies of scale, and
2. Vertical growth from 1898 to 1904- which occurred when firms moved backward or forward in ter...
... middle of paper ...
...vents/pande01.html
English Online. (Ed.). (n.d.). The Industrial Revolution. Retrieved April 23, 2012, from English-online.com Web site: http://www.english-online.at/history/industrial-revolution/industrial-revolution-manufacturing.htm
History.com. (Ed.). (n.d.). Andrew Carnegie. Retrieved April 23, 2012, from History.com Web site: http://www.history.com/topics/andrew-carnegie
Kernsanalysis.com. (Ed.). (n.d.). An Overview of Management. Retrieved April 24, 2012, from Fredrick Taylor Scientific Management Web site: http://www.kernsanalysis.com/sjsu/ise250/history.htm
Vectorstudy.com. (Ed.). (2008). Henri Fayol Management Gurus. Retrieved April 25, 2012, from Vector Study.com Web site: http://www.vectorstudy.com/management_gurus/henri_fayol.htm
Wren. (2005). The History of Management Thought (5th ed.). Danvers, MA: Wiley & Sons. (Original work published 1976)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the early part of this century was a time when industry booming with growth around the installation of major railroads. with this growth came the transatlantic cable, the telegraph, and steel.
- Analyzes how alfred d. chandler jr. could see the potential market value early on. he traced the history of various firms, rationalized the use of resources, and expanded into new markets.
- Explains that chandler noted two facets of industrial growth: 1. horizontal growth from 1879 to 1893- which occurred when producers of similar fields combined through mergers, pools, or trusts to gain economies of scale.
- Analyzes how chandler understood that companies needed to have a minimum efficient scale. carnegie later adopted england's method of iron production.
- Explains how daniel mccallum organized and managed transportation railroads. he organized a hierarchy of management and subordinates by identifying each job and job description and hiring specifically to fill each position.
- Describes wren's principles of management, including good discipline, detailed job descriptions, accurate reporting of performance, pay, and promotion based on merit, a clearly defined hierarchy of authority of superiors and the enforcement of personal responsibility and accountability throughout the organization.
- Recommends a proper division of responsibilities, adequate authority, prompt reporting of dereliction of duty, and daily reports and checks that will not embarrass principle officers nor lesson their influence with their subordinates.
- Argues that mccallum's systematic management style was spreading through different industries as a practice.
- Explains that taylor advocated the systematic training of workers in "the one best practice" rather than allowing them personal discretion in their tasks. taylor believed that the workload would be evenly shared between the workers and management
- Explains how the ideas that were put into motion so many years ago have evolved into management styles of today. henri fayol proposed that there are five primary functions of management.
- Analyzes how max webber developed a set of principles for an "ideal" bureaucracy, which included fixed and official jurisdictional areas, firmly ordered hierarchy of super and subordination, thorough and expert training, official activity taking priority over other activities.
- Explains that management is an ever-evolving science which has been studied since the industrial revolution. the steel industry was probably the biggest raw material which was integrated throughout every other major industry in the world.
- Cites american experience, andrew carnegie, and english online. the industrial revolution. retrieved april 23, 2012.
- Cites history.com, andrew carnegie, and fredrick taylor scientific management. henri fayol management gurus.
Related
- analytical
- opinionated
- comparative
- explanatory
- The Transcontinental Railroadanalytical essayThere is no refuting that the railroad companies transformed business operations and encouraged industrial expansion. The raw materials required for construction of the transcontinental railroad directly resulted in the expansion of the steel, lumber and stone industries. (Gillon p.652) The railroad stimulated growth in manufacturing and agriculture providing an efficient manner to ship raw materials and products throughout the country. Which in turn, increased consumerism and introduced t...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the transcontinental railroad was the most monumental change in america in the 19th century. the federal government provided land grants and financial subsidies to railroad companies to ensure the construction.
- Explains that the pacific railroad bill of 1862 launched the transcontinental railroad construction project.
- Opines that the transcontinental railroad transformed business operations and encouraged industrial expansion. the railroad stimulated growth in manufacturing and agriculture, which increased consumerism and introduced the department store and chain store.
- Explains that railroad companies grew rapidly and in complexity, employing workers across the country. they developed accounting and financial practices that also rated performance.
- Explains that the transcontinental railroad, the federal land grants and the subsequent formation of large corporate companies were not without corruption and flaws.
- Argues that the railroad industry boosted the economy and created new opportunities in a variety of industries. it also created the first big businessmen or robber barons which developed new corporations.
- Analyzes how the transcontinental railroad changed the american landscape both physically and culturally. it helped establish government regulations, taxation, and support of public transportation.
686 wordsRead More - The Steel Industry in the USAopinionated essayThe Steel Industry in the USA Steel has been part of the greatest achievements in history. It was
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the steel industry in the usa has been one of the greatest achievements in history.
- Explains that steel is the backbone of bridges, the skeleton of skyscrapers, and the framework of automobiles in the 21st century.
- Explains that iron has been a vital material in technology for well over 3,000 years, but until the industrial revolution, its mining, smelting, and working were largely done by individuals and small groups.
- Explains that steel making in the 18th century was laborious and time-consuming. henry bessemer invented a blast furnace method for making steel.
- Explains the least costly method of making steel using scrap metal as its base. steel scrap from many sources is placed in an electric arc furnace where the intense heat produced by carbon electrodes melts the scrap, converting it into molten steel.
- Explains that the small initial capital investment required to start and operate an eaf mill has helped drive the growth of the production method.
- Explains that the growth of eaf’s comes partly at the expense of integrated mills.
- Proposes that 163 acres of industrial land would be converted into a historical, cultural, and commercial complex that would pay homage to the area’s steel making history.
- Analyzes how the steel industry has undertaken a dramatic modernization program in the past decade. more than $50 billion has been invested in new plants and equipment.
- Explains that computers are essential to most technological advances in steel production, from production scheduling and machine control to metallurgical analysis. modernization has meant learning new skills to operate sophisticated equipment.
- Explains the increasing specialization of steel production as various producers attempt to capture different niches in the market. domestic steel prices declined significantly during 1998 and 1999, allegedly because of subsidized, low-priced steel products
- Explains that the steel industry appealed to the government for vigorous enforcement of trade laws in response to alleged dumping and received support from the u.s. department of commerce in the form of antidumping duty margins.
- Explains that the u.s antidumping act of september 8, 1916 allows civil actions and criminal proceedings against importers who have imported or sold foreign-produced goods in the united states at prices which are ‘substantially less’ than the prices at which the same products are sold in a relevant foreign market.
- Opines that the 1916 act should have been displaced by u.s. membership in the world trade organization as wto rules supercede.
- Explains that the u.s. failed to respond to the 1916 antidumping act and the eiu forced wto consultations with the us.
- Explains that sen. robert byrd inserted the continued dumping and subsidy offset act of 2000 to support the ailing steel industry in his neighboring states.
- Explains that the "byrd amendment" allows american companies to receive proceeds from duties levied on foreign rivals for alleged "dumping" — selling goods at below-market prices.
- Analyzes how the cdsoa program paid out $230 million to 900 claimants in 2001, and the amount rose to $329 million in 2002.
- Explains that the eu and eleven other countries brought about a complaint. they claim their countries and economies are being punished twice because first they are fined and then those fines are handed to competitions.
- Describes steel 201 as a program for the domestic steel industry, which allows the president, congress, or the industry to request protection against damaging importations of steel.
- Opines that if the byrd amendment continues, steel companies will continue to file suits and collect tariff monies.
- Explains that tariffs are meant to save the steel industry from going under, and our economy is going to pay a high price now and in the future.
- Explains that politicians have dug in their heels to protect the steel industry. u.s. policy-makers have declared antidumping a sacred cow off limits to revision and discussion in any future trade agreements.
- Opines that the byrd amendment has no intention of being repealed. they are protecting the steel industry without concern for other industries that will be affected by retaliation from countries that have filed complaints against the u.s.
- Cites adam c. maassel, ball state university, steel manufacturing, the brown and white, u. sl geological survey, mineral commodity summaries, jan. 2001.
- Describes the provisions of the united states antidumping act of 1916 and the dumping and subsidy offset act (byrd amendment).
1440 wordsRead More - How Transcontinental Railroad Changed Americacomparative essayRailroads were America’s first big business and contributed a great deal towards advancing industrialization. Beginning in the early 1870's, railroad construction in the United States expanded substantially. Before the year 1871, approximately fourty-five thousand miles of track had been laid. Up until the 1900's another one-hundred and seventy thousand miles were added to the nation's growing railroad system. This growth came about due to the erection of transcontinental railroads. Railroads supplied cities and towns with food, fuel, materials, and access to markets. The railroad system made way for an economic prosperity. The railroad system helped to build the physical growth of cities and towns. It even became another means of communication. Most importantly, it helped to produce a second
In this essay, the author
- Explains that railroads were america's first big business and contributed a great deal towards advancing industrialization.
- Explains how the railroad system helped people get supplies that they normally couldn't get. the faster goods were being shipped, the faster factories were having to produce those goods.
- Explains that railroads were superior to water routes in that they provided a safer, less hazardous mode of transportation. the baltimore and ohio railroad was chartered around 1826.
- Explains that the california gold rush and nevada silver rush pushed americans further west with the promise of economic prosperity. the homestead act also aided in the westward expansion.
- Concludes that the railroad system helped the country grow in more than one way. it opened the door for economic stability, access to materials and supplies, and expanded cities and towns.
- Cites how the transcontinental railroad changed america. the editors of publications international, ltd.
- Explains the industrial revolution and railroads, and the american memory timeline in the late 19th century.
641 wordsRead More - WriteWork. "The 19th Century 'Railroad Boom.'" WriteWork . N.p., 1 May 2003. Web. 28 Feb. 2011.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the nineteenth century america was a period of history following long lasting wars and new start to new changes in society.
- Explains that the industrial revolution paved the way for major changes in the modern society.
- Explains that the railroad system was inconsistent and was not at its full potential at the time.
- Explains that the railroad industry in the united states was able to create its own monopoly, and continued to rise to the top of the ladder.
- Explains that the industrial revolution was rooted in industrialization, especially heavy industry like the railroads. railroads opened areas to commercial farming, coal mining, and steel production.
- Explains that the late 18th century in other words was known as the age of railroads. it brought the nation together as one unit.
- Cites barnett, john, "the five greatest advancements of the 19th century."
- Opines that brinkley, alan, the unfinished nation. a concise history of the american people.
- Analyzes lambert, tim, and google's local histories. "technology in the 19th century."
- Analyzes mack, pamela e., "transportation." clemson education, 27 sept. 2002.
- Explains milner, c.a., ii, o'connor, and sandweiss' the oxford history of the american west.
- Analyzes ophem, marieke van's "the iron horse: the impact of the railroads on 19th century american society."
- Analyzes pette, jack, and roger hensley's "19th century trains".
- Explains scheiber, h., vatter, and underwood faulkner. american economic history.
- Opines that the 19th century 'railroad boom' was written by writework.
- Explains that the railroads played an important role in world war i and ii, as it transported supplies and personnel.
2238 wordsRead More - Civilization in a Global Economyexplanatory essayindustries there was direct continuity. Yet it differed from it in a number of crucial aspects. First, it had a direct effect on real...
In this essay, the author
- Explains the world economy of the nineteenth century, explaining how it functioned and how the west benefited from the global market involved.
- Explains that the rapid rate of pathbreaking inventions (macroinventions) slowed down after 1825, and picked up steam again in the last third of the century.
- Explains that the second industrial revolution was, in many ways, the continuation of the first, but it differed from it in a number of crucial aspects.
- Explains the western definition of "civilization", explaining the various indices used to determine the level of advancement of any given society.
- Explains that western means political, cultural, or just geographical, like the map centered around europe and the us.
- Explains that western civilization has its foundations in the hebrew and greek tradition. the romans and germanic tribes are other influences.
- Opines that western civilization has undeniably shaped our societies on a global scale and not just in europe and the americas.
- Identifies the "zones" of civiliztion that can be identified during the late nineteenth-early twentienth centuries, and explains the relationship between them.
- Explains that while industry ruled within the inner zone, the outer zone was still locked in the agricultural era. the wealthy within these zones were landowners and often abused their power on the peasants.
- Explains that the third zone was outside of europe and had the roots of the common modern phrase of "3rd world countries." they were opposed to modernizing and were dependent upon by europe for certain commodities.
822 wordsRead More - Sandvik ABcomparative essaySandvik’s expansion was facilitated through a strategy of unrelated diversification predicated upon innovation. Technologies, such as cemented carbide fueled, product development and gave rise to new business areas. Such advances, coupled with a strong emphasis on internationalization, drove growth for a long time. However, growth slowed during the 1970s and into the 1980s. Much of the growth achieved during this period was a result of acquisitions.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that sandvik ab began operations as a small steel company in sweden. the company recognized early on the importance of creating innovative techniques and products.
- Explains that sandvik's expansion was facilitated through a strategy of unrelated diversification predicated upon innovation.
- Explains sandvik's organizational structure consisted of divisions where managers had to report to both divisional management and functional management at the parent company. coromant emerged as the highest return business in the portfolio.
- Explains that sandvik's ceo, clas ake hedstrom, is still looking for ways to further integrate and produce synergies amongst its business areas.
- Recommends hedstrom utilize a bottom-up approach in implementing any changes, which permits managers from all business areas to participate in the process.
517 wordsRead More - The Railroad Boomexplanatory essay"Railroads were the first big business, the first magnet for the great financial markets, and the first industry to develop a large-scale management bureaucracy. The railroads opened the western half of the nation to economic development, connected raw materials to factories and retailers, and in so doing created an interconnected national market. At the same time the railroads were themselves gigantic consumers of iron, steel, lumber, and other capital goods". (Tindall, Shi)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the transcontinental railroads brought the east and west together and created opportunities for everyone across the us.
- Explains that railroad companies and business people approached legislators to convince them to support railroad expansion, which led to the passage of land grant bills.
- Explains that the railroad brought east and west together, allowing goods to go to market more cheaply, federal shipping costs were reduced, and jobs became available due to railroad construction and new settlements along the new railroad routes.
- Explains that railroad construction in the united states grew dramatically during the 1870's. the first transcontinental railroad was completed on may 19, 1869.
- Explains that four of the five transcontinental railroads were built with assistance from the federal government through land grants.
- Explains that life for railroad construction crews was difficult. they had to lay tracks across and through many "national geographic features" such as rivers, canyons, mountains, and desert.
- Explains that the railroad system opened the way for the settlement of the west, stimulated the development of town and communities, and tied the country together.
- Describes albuquerque, new mexico's railroad boomtown, which began in 1706 as a village of farmers with wool-based textile industry.
- Explains that the railroad allowed mining companies to prospect in outlying areas and be able to bring their raw materials to the centers of industry for processing.
- Explains that the railroad opened up new opportunities for cattle farmers. the secret to making more money from the cattle industry was to find a way to slaughter cattle in the midwest and shipped the "dressed" carcasses east and west.
- Explains that the railroad created a more economic means of transporting grains and produce from the breadbasket of america to the markets in the population centers of the coast.
1300 wordsRead More - Szostak, R. 1991. Role of transportation in the industrial revolution : A comparison of england and france. Montreal, QC, CAN: McGill-Queen's University Press.
In this essay, the author
- Compares the ottoman empire and early modern europe during the 16th and 18th centuries. the period of 1500s through 1700s marks a change in society thought and how people were treated.
- Analyzes how sir william eton's article, a survey of the turkish empire, had a great impact on their research on the ottoman empire.
- Analyzes how adam's smith’s wealth of nations caught their attention in class. the article signified the evolution of the english economy of moving away from mercantilism capitalism.
- Analyzes how the two states expanded, grew, and changed point of view within the time period.
- Analyzes how the two states grew during the 15th through the 18th centuries. the protestant movement, the industrial revolution, and the fall of feudalism influenced the growth of the ottoman empire.
- Explains that the ottoman empire was expanding their lands during the same time period of early modern europe, and with the taking control of their capital constantinople, they are at the peak of military strength.
- Explains that the protestant movement was addressed with violence and wars in west europe, while the islam dominated ottoman empire tolerated different ideals and religions.
- Explains that the catholic church dictated to the people that heaven was attainable only through the church itself not based on the person. the printing press spread ideas in large amounts of copies and new radical views.
- Analyzes how the ottoman empire is taking in new land and at least saying they were tolerant to different religions and traditions.
- Compares western europe and the ottoman empire in the realm of religion. both countries tolerated change in beliefs and dealt with it with tolerance.
- Explains that the industrial revolution changed how people lived, worked, and traded with others. the difference between the middle ages and early modern european states was usage of the workforce.
- Explains that the industrial revolution changed other fascists of life for those living in that period. it kicked off the economy through mercantilism for early modern europe.
- Analyzes how the ottoman empire saw the economic grow through the ability of their military to obtain new land and agriculture.
- Compares the mercantile mind set in the west and the growth and agricultural dependency in eastern europe. industrialism spread throughout the world and machines are still in practice today to fabricate merchandise quickly and efficiently.
- Concludes that the period being examined for both states shows that they are growing but the process is different. western europe had a change in how they thought and progress techniques through machines and moving away from non-mechanical agriculture.
- Explains that western europe had a hard time allowing change, while the ottomans were conquering lands and tolerating other religions as long as there was only one god.
- Explains the modern history sourcebook: william eton: survey of turkey 1799.
- Explains jaber, kamel s. abu, and the millet system in the nineteenth-century ottoman empire.
2130 wordsRead More - Carnegie And Rockefeller Summaryanalytical essayThe author(s) argue that is was the engineers who were the true entrepreneurs of the age, not the chief representatives, such as Carnegie and Rockefeller. As stated, “As designers of the railroad routes, gravity-defying skyscrapers, and new system if the shop-floor management, they oversaw the technical aspect of economic growth and development.”
In this essay, the author
- Argues that engineers were the true entrepreneurs of the age, not the chief representatives, such as carnegie and rockefeller.
52 wordsRead More - How important the evolution of management has been on people as well as organizationsanalytical essayScientific management theory (1890-1940) mainly dealt with organizations that were large and industrialized. During this time, organizations focused on routine tasks that utilized science and technology for the public in efforts to reduce inefficiency, use of resources effectively by proper organization of men, machines and materials (p. 179); improving municipal administration to reduce costs by way of firing inefficient workers, improving and opening channels of communication between workers and managers, revamping budgeting procedures and expecting cooperation and workplace participation by employees at all levels. Cooke believed that it was not the system, but the public’s confidence in the system that made scientific management effective. (p. 186).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the evolution of scientific management theory (1890-1940), focusing on routine tasks that utilized science and technology for the public in efforts to reduce inefficiency.
- Explains that bureaucratic management theory was created by max weber to divide organizations into hierarchies, establishing strong lines of authority and control. cooke saw the vital gains brought together by bridging labor and management in mutual collaboration.
- Explains that human relationship movement theories (management) brought a more humanistic approach to sterile and scientific management theory. this theory was the forerunner of the human resource department in organizations today.
- Explains that progressive management covers a wide spectrum of management topics where the knowledge is applied to the workplace and verifying the application.
- Explains that systems theory has become an intrinsic part of management science today. it allows managers to manage from a broader base and perspective by anticipating various parts of the organization and its needs.
- Analyzes how the industrial revolution was influenced by infusions of capital, division of labor, and the need for economical predictable performance.
- Explains that people seek satisfaction through organized efforts, giving rise to management as an activity. during the renaissance cultural rebirth established preconditions for the industrial age.
- Opines that historical management thought can be applied to contemporary business contexts in theory and practice.
1325 wordsRead More