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AnishM919
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Joined: Thu Oct 27, 2016 3:51 pm
 

Can somebody please evaluate my AWA essay.

by AnishM919 Thu Jan 12, 2017 12:16 pm

"Over time, the costs of processing go down because as organizations learn how to do things better, they become
more efficient. In color film processing, for example, the cost of a 3-by-5-inch print fell from 50 cents for five-day
service in 1970 to 20 cents for one-day service in 1984. The same principle applies to the processing of food. And
since Olympic Foods will soon celebrate its 25th birthday, we can expect that our long experience will enable us to
minimize costs and thus maximize profits."

The argument claims that over time, the costs of processing go down because as organizations learn how to do things better, they become more efficient. And that Olympic Foods which is in its 25th year of operations, because of this principle will minimize costs and maximize profits. Stated in this way, the argument manipulates facts and imparts a falsified version of the situation. It also fails to mention several key factors on the basis of which it could be evaluated.

First, the argument readily assumes that as an organization ages, they learn how to do things better, become more efficient, therefore decreasing the cost of processing. This statement is a stretch and not substantiated in any way. There are numerous examples in certain areas of business and commerce, where organizations because of their dynamic business model become efficient and rather successful right from their inception. For instance, IndiGo Airlines started of as a low cost carrier with a very efficient operating model, eventually leading to high profits. Although in its introduction stage, patronage to the airline grew considerably within the first year. Hence, it is not age but other internal and external factors that correspond to profits in any given market. The argument would have been much more clearer if the author gave explicit examples of how the age factor in an organization led to profits.

Second, the author gives a false example of the color film processing industry. It is stated that the cost of a 3-by-5 inch print fell from 50 cents for five-day service in 1970 to 20 cents for one-day service in 1984. This decrease might have been a result of decrease in the cost of raw materials or of labor costs. It might also happen that there was some political intervention to reduce the costs. The author fails to mention these factors that would have been crucial in assessing the argument.

Finally, the argument states that the principle of age against efficiency applies to the food processing industry. This is completely unacceptable. The sustainability of a food processing company depends on the quality of produce it manufactures. However efficient the organization is, it is bound to face a turmoil if any discrepancy in the quality is found.

Hence, the argument proposed is flawed for the above mentioned reasons and is therefore unconvincing. It could be greatly strengthened if the author mentioned every relevant piece of information. In order to assess the value of a certain situation, it is necessary to have full knowledge of all the contributing factors. Without that, the argument remains unsubstantiated.