Lean Management and Value Stream - An Example of BMW Essay

Lean Management and Value Stream - An Example of BMW - Essay Example Automobile firms are trying to keep up with the market changes and shifts in consumer behaviour by designing an adaptive manufacturing process. Based on this consideration, the research will focus on the utilization of lean manufacturing and value stream mapping in BMW. As defined by Vokurka (2006), value stream mapping is implemented for identifying the state of the current status of the operations process and conniving a better process for future operations of the company. Wilkinson and Dale (2007) noted that most of the firms often misdirect their value chain process by focusing on the rectifying the mistakes in the existing operational process which also affects the layout designed for future process. The manufacturing process of BMW is basically run on a centralized structure which allows the company to manage the functions in all its subsidiaries. The international business of BMW is receiving its supply from only manufacturing units established all over the world (BMW, 2014). The manufacturing process of BMW is co-ordinated with by creating a holistic approach in all the manufacturing units of the business. BMW maintains their manufacturing process by creating demands for their luxury products and reducing the supply of the products (BMW, 2014). The growth of their product line has however now transformed from a luxury brand and has expanded their consumer base from niche market to the mass market also. However, Ballou (2007) criticised that often organizations tend to lose potential market space and consumer base by reducing their supply which hampers the brand availability of the firm. The manufacturing process of BMW mainly is formed on the basis of innovation in production, designing, and presentation of their products to the mass market. The process of production can be better explained by observing their Value Stream Mapping.

Mexican Healthcare system Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mexican Healthcare system - Article Example The improvement in the healthcare system in Mexico continued throughout the 19th century registering a great status improvement in the 1990s, where the mortality patterns were found to match with those the most developed societies. The government of Mexico has established a three-tire health system that takes care of all its citizens at subsidized rates. The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) was established in 1943 to cater for the welfare of all employees in the private sector and their dependants within the country, which works as a tripartite system involving the joint funding by the employer, the federal government and the employee. The Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE) on the other hand caters for the social welfare and the health needs of the government employees (Johnson & Stoskopf, 2010). The difference in the healthcare systems between the USA and Mexico lies in various fundamental concepts. First, there is a disparity in the covera ge of the healthcare system in the USA and Mexico, where all citizens in the country are covered through the three-tire healthcare system; while in the USA the healthcare system does not cover all citizens (Garman, Johnson & Royer 2011). Secondly, the cost aspect presents another disparity, where the cost of healthcare in Mexico is lower, compared to the USA. Another major difference is that in Mexico, most of the healthcare system falls under the public sector, while in the USA, most of the healthcare is provided by the private sector (Johnson & Stoskopf, 2010). Characteristics of the consumers, providers, payers, and regulation policies in Mexico, compared to USA The characteristics of the consumers in the Mexican healthcare system varies from those of the USA consumers in that, the Mexican consumers do not necessarily need to have a healthcare insurance to be able to access subsidized healthcare, while in the USA, the consumers need to be covered by a health insurance scheme to b e able to access subsidized health service (Garman, Johnson & Royer 2011). The characteristics of the providers on the other hand, varies greatly between Mexico and the USA, since public the healthcare providers in Mexico operates under government sponsorship, thus providing subsidized healthcare service to the citizenry. On the other hand, the providers in the USA comprises the private sector as the main player, thus the access to subsidized services are a preserve of a few, who can afford health insurance. Nevertheless, the USA government accounts for a larger share of healthcare provision and financing, accounting for 46% financing of the healthcare system, while the Mexican government accounts for a slightly lower share, financing 44% of the healthcare provision in the country (Johnson & Stoskopf, 2010). The regulation policies also differs, though to a smaller extent, with the USA providing an open and optional feeding system, where the patients are free to choose the menu, whi le at the same time being allowed outside food. On the country, the Mexican health system offers a single brand of food, while prohibiting outside food in the health facilities (Garman, Johnson & Royer 2011). The staffing, appointment and timeliness policies also differs in both country, with the USA applying an adequate staffing policy for its healthcare, as well as upholding a strict appointment and timeliness policy, as the fundamental aspects of healthcare pro

Information Systems in Business Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Information Systems in Business - Coursework Example Because it will make the ship current and historical information about the weather easily available, it will make the ship decision support possible without affecting operation system and lastly, the information will be consistent. Since the company store a lot of information data mining will assist in extracting information from the volume of data in the system without asking specific questions like the food content (week 7, slide 2). iii) One of IBM ECM solution software product is FileNet. It is a document management engine that brings together enterprise content, security, and storage features with workflow that is ready to be used and it has process management capabilities. Its features include centralized access and better control, delivery of active content in motion, and it can be integrated with Microsoft SharePoint and MS office (http://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/en/filecontmana). One of the Microsoft ECM solution software is SharePoint. It can manage documents, records, and digital assets. It can control the life cycle of documents in an organization and it can provide content for audio and video (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff602190%28v=office.14%29). The relationship between business entities are shown by the entity relationship diagram (ERD) and entity relationship model (ERM). When the entities are identified, it will assist the organization to clarify what they are interested in. entities are related in 1:1 (one to one) or 1: M (one to many). This relationship assists in linking up the information during the extraction from different tables in database. This relationship benefits the organizations in different ways, one is that it makes it easy to understand the picture of the current data, allow data to be independent and enable development of logical design. Entity relationship is made up of four components, namely, entity, attributes of entity, unique identifier, and relationship. Entities

Deconstruction of an Advertisement Essay Example for Free

Deconstruction of an Advertisement Essay Each day we are inundated with thousands of advertisements which contribute to shaping and defining our world views. As a capitalist society ads are crucial to attract the attention of the consumer. They are everywhere, whether it be a billboard, a commercial or a radio announcement, advertising reaches out and touches almost everyone living in our modern world. The effectiveness of an advertisement campaign has a huge influence on the purchaser. Ads are carefully constructed to appeal to the consumer in order to sell a product and to make a profit. An effective ad appeals to the emotion of the consumer as â€Å"80% of decisions are influenced by dormant emotions in the subconscious. †( ) through the ingenious construction of ad campaigns a consumers purchases are greatly influenced. The CK one ad campaign for the Calvin Klein brand is an excellent of the example of the thought and assembly needed in order to create an effective advertisement. Through the deconstruction of the CK one ad found in the April 2011 issue of Elle Canada it will be shown why the ad was created, how it’s used to grab the attention of its target audiences, and the use of hidden messages and social issues that are being expressed. The target audience of the CK One ad is clearly directed towards women as it appears in a magazine called Elle! Elle Canada has a 90% female readership ( ) whose ages generally range from a younger segment to a middle segment (18 to 34 and 35 to 54). Elle Canada has a large age demographic due to the fact that their articles encompass a broad audience and the magazine contains ads that focus on the younger market as well as advertisements focusing on middle aged women. Although Elle Canada has a large readership age range, the CK One ad seems to be targeting more directly the 18-24 and 24-35 age range. The advertisement incorporates a focus on social media and a ‘rebellious’ look which is often directed towards the younger market. Young people who are still questioning authority and who are still defining themselves will see the dark eye makeup and lassiez-fair ‘detached’ attitude of the model and feel attracted to the ad. Furthermore the ads target audience is aimed towards 18-34 year olds because it uses ‘technology’ to capture the audiences attention. The model is ‘trapped’ in the CK One box and in order to get in the box, the bottom left hand corner of the ad tells you that you can â€Å"Download the App at CKONE. COM†. The ad is definitely towards the 18-34 age group because ‘getting in the CK box’ with a rebellious young woman is ridiculous notion unless you’re a young person with very little responsibility. Finally, although the spending power of the older age groups is greater (Diversity: Targeting the Ever-Changing Marketplace, p35) it is trendy to market to and advertisers remain youth obsessed. The targeted income level for this advertisement seems to be for those from the middle-middle, or upper-middle class. Calvin Klein is an iconic American brand that is moderately expensive and is featured in respected magazines. The median income of and Elle Canada reader is around $70 000 ( ) therefore is it logical to assume that Calvin Kline is directing its ads at those who are willing to spend a little more. This advertisement would also be directed towards the Emulator-Achiever or Emulator groups. Emulators are young and impressionable people who will buy products to help them fit in (Duncan, p75). Emulators would be attracted to this ad because it offers the chance to fit in and join the CK One box; all you have to do is download the app! On another note, this ad would also be directed towards Emulator-Achievers because this group feels more comfortable with uptown brands such as Tiffany, Gucci or Stella Mcarthy and Calvin Klein is a very well known and respected American Brand. This brand offers prestige and it fits in with typical ideas of American wealth. Finally it appears that this advertisement is slightly more targeted for Caucasian’s. The model is Caucasian and there isn’t a single background model or object indicating the inclusion of any other racial groups. Although minorities represent a huge market and are predicted to exceed 1. 5 trillion in buying power, ( Diversity: targeting the ever changing market) Calvin Klein still uses mainly Caucasian models. Despite the fact that the ad features a white woman it could still be directed to a variety of racial groups because the model doesn’t necessarily represent a stereotypical white american girl; almost anyone can be a rebellious youth regardless of your ethnicity. Although her beauty and figure represent the social ideal her ebellious look is not necessarily the ‘norm’ and therefore enables more people to relate to it. Determining the target audience enables us to better interpret and understand the construction of an advertisement. Based on a target market, advertisers use eight main elements to create an ad that speaks to the heart. Ads that create emotional appeal are based on these eight elements; models, setting, copy, sound, color, point of view and details (Dun can, p77). In terms of the CK One ad, the model that was chosen was a young white attractive looking female. The model is in black lingerie and she is in a sexual pose. There is a hyper-sexualization of the model as her cleavage is very prominent and being pushed up against her bra. The models hair and makeup are messy with a ‘bed head’ look which suggest rebelliousness and late night partying which is considered both fun and exciting. Finally the facial expression of the model suggests a sexual and confident attitude. More over the model is very slim and her skin is flawless, her face is clear and her hair is blonde. The ‘perfection’ of the models skin and face reflect the ideals of society. Despite the models dark makeup and ‘bed head’ look she is our societies ideal with her blonde hair and beautiful figure. These ideals that the ad is promoting are completely unrealistic for the average female and it creates body image issues and warps both female and males idea about what an average person should look like. Furthermore through the continual use of impossibly beautiful models our society becomes body obsessed and through this many women and men experience body image issues. The CK One ad has been specifically and ingeniously positioned to promote the preferred reading. Most notable is the is the models physical position within the ad; her body, more specifically her cleavage, is framed between her hands which are pressed against the screen. The positioning of the models hands also frames the word, fuck, which has been discreetly positioned within the ad. The F is seen by the table which is cut off by the models buttocks, the U is seen in the models cleavage and the CK is to the right of the model, at chest level. Furthermore, through the technical code of camera angles the model is close-up with a slight low angle. These technical codes suggest power and intimacy with the model. The Ck One ad could be promoting their products by relating the suggested feelings of power and sexuality with the purchase of the product. The oppositional reading who be through a critical point of view that it is impossible to obtain any type of lasting feeling with a purchase of a material item. As for the captions, they are the only thing that has any coloring which draws attention to them. The most noticeable caption in big bold lettering that says CK One _Jeans_Underwear_Fragrance_ which is right next to the models cleavage. This caption is necessary to inform the reader what is being advertised because the model is only wearing plain black underwear it would be likely to assume that it was the only product. On the bottom left-hand corner of the Ad is says â€Å"Get in the CKONE box Download the app at CKONE. com† this caption really allows us to tie in the key concepts of the ad. The Calvin Klein ad also employs a font that ads to the incorporation of digital media. Lastly the fifth line of writing on the bottom left-hand corner says â€Å"Scan Ad to Reveal More† which could be referring to the hidden message (the word fuck) within the ad. Through the captions is it’s very clear that this Calvin Klein ad is trying to incorporate digital media and sex with the purchase of there products. In terms of the coloring of the advertisement, it is very unique because it supposed to represent screen to a computer or gaming device. The coloring is mostly black and white apart from the bright green which is used to draw attention to the captions. The color green is generally a calming color which represents wealth and well-being however it can also be used to symbolize envy or jealousy. The use of green indicates that Calvin Klein is a desired brand. Furthermore the green coloring is also placed just above the models forehead, this use of specific placement of the color could indicate 1st level cropping in which a models forehead is removed. By covering the top part of the models head with a different color advertisers objectify the model and remove any signs of her intelligence. On another note, the lighting that is used is artificial however it ties in with the setting. The setting is white relatively bare room, which is the ‘Ck One box’. The only furnishings are a stool, a table, two wooden boxes and game console. There is also a door with a visible knob; this indicates that the model is trapped in the ‘box’, however it is an exclusive place that you can get into- if you purchase the product and download the app. However this is where the oppositional reading come in; through the download of an ‘app‘ you will not enter the Ck one box you will not become a gorgeous model. The Ck One ad is trying to promote digital media therefore the bare setting could be used to represent whats behind your screen when you download the app. The limited settings also enable us to focus more closely on the model and the attitude she is giving. Gender representation also plays a key role the preferred reading of this Ad. Although the model is selling lingerie there is an irrelevant sexualization of the model ( Duncan, p. 46) The bra and panties that are being advertised are relatively plain and not the focal point of the ad; instead the ad is marketing the models body. The models cleavage is pouring out of her bra which actually distracts the audience from the bra itself, instead readers are led to believe that this lingerie will help them have the ‘perfect’ body. Furthermore, as mentioned previously, the ad also includes dismemberment. The presence of the green color above the models forehead which suggests objectification. Also the models legs are cut off below the knee which causes the reader to mostly focus on the core body of the model. This greatly objectives the model and females as a whole in advertising. Furthermore, there is also a bit of clowning present because majority of people do not stand in such a contorted position as the stance of the model. Although the model isn’t necessarily in a foolish or silly position her stance certainly is unnecessarily contorted in order to appear more sexual. These gender representations lead to the final conclusion that women are sexual objects to be looked at and played with (Duncan p. 48) All the elements used to construct the ad lead us to the general meaning of the ad: Sex. The meaning is so clear that it is even explicitly written within the ad. The models ‘look’ establishes the preferred reading. The preferred interpretation is that through the purchase of the CK One clothing line you will gain confidence and become sexually appealing while being fun and rebellious. Advertisers use body obsession and female insecurities to help sell products because through the preferred reading consumers believe that will look like the model through the purchase of the product (Duncan p14-15). This leads to us the oppositional reading, it is completely impossible and unrealistic to think that through the purchase of a product you will automatically you will automatically become beautiful and sexualy appealing. The reality is that most photographs of models have been retouched and realistically even the models dont look as good in real life. Calvin Klein has always used a variety of controversial ads ranging from pictures of a half-naked Kate Moss to an ad featuring young children wearing only Calvin Klein underwear. Shock advertising is used in order to generate more press and more profits. The Ck One is not an exception with its use of the subliminal message featuring the word fuck it is a clear example of shock advertising. Ultimately the theme of the ad comes down to rebellious sex. The CK One ad uses a variety of different elements in order to sell its products. First it employs the use of stereotypical gender representations. Although the model is in a ‘powerful’ position as she is staring directly at the camera and looking slightly downwards, she still in an overly sexual stance with very little clothes on. The models brain has been covered with a different color giving off the impression that she is laking intelligence. The model is beautiful and has a ‘perfect’ body. The advertisers played upon female insecurities and there desire for perfection in order to attract customers and make a profit. Another aspect that the advertisers used to attract attention to the ad was the rebellious look and the incorporation of digital media. The ad gives false promises that through the purchase of Calvin Klein clothing you will be a sexy, young rebel who fits in to the CK One box. Consumers should alway be aware of the image a brand is trying to portray and the affect it has on its target audience. Advertisers are trying to sell a message and our consumer society should be aware of how the advertisements shape and impact our everyday lives.

Antimicrobial Activity of Coconut Water | Research Proposal

Antimicrobial Activity of Coconut Water | Research Proposal Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the common term for the heterogenous group of conditions in which there is growth of bacteria in the urinary tract.1 UTIs occur in 3-5% of girls and 1% of boys. After the first UTI, 60-80% of girls will develop a second UTI within 18 mo. In boys, most UTIs occur during the 1st yr of life. UTIs are much more common in uncircumcised boys. The prevalence of UTIs varies with age. During the 1st yr of life, the male : female ratio is 2.8-5.4 : 1. Beyond 1-2 yr, there is a striking female preponderance, with a male : female ratio of 1 : 10.2 According to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, UTI accounted for nearly 7 million office visits and 1 million emergency department visits each year.3 UTIs are caused mainly by colonic bacteria. In females, 75-90% of all infections are caused by Escherichia coli, followed by Klebsiella spp. and Proteus spp. Some series report that in males older than 1 yr of age, Proteus is as common a cause as E. coli.2 UTI can cause significant morbidity if not properly identified and treated. Therefore early recognition and prompt treatment is important to prevent late sequelae, such as renal scarring, hypertension, and renal failure.4 Coconuts, which are native in our country, play an important role in the society. Not only do they provide shelter and livelihood for mankind but they are also the source of important physiologically functional components. Nowadays, coconut has been gaining too much popularity because of its potential antimicrobial benefits.5 Coconut water is incredibly healthy and one of the best drinks to hydrate the body. Besides helping to remove toxins from the body and aiding digestion, coconuts have amazing anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties that help to cure the disease.6 It contains high levels of lauric acid, a substance responsible for these properties.7 However, no study has been done to document or confirm its antimicrobial properties against UTI pathogens, thus, this study was conceptualized. Thus, it is the aim of this study to explore adjunctive treatment for urinary tract infection. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Lauric acid which is found in high quantity in Virgin coconut oil was proven to have antibacterial activity against various viruses, protozoal and bacterial pathogens. However, one study conducted here in Davao City dated September 2004 showed that commercially available virgin coconut oil has no antibacterial activity against the urinary tract pathogens, E. coli and K. pneumoniae.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Urinary tract infection is a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year. It is treated with various antibacterial drugs which are readily available in the market. However due to the increasing cost of these drugs, many people cannot afford them and sort to self medication with natural remedies. The result of this study will aid the community on using an adjunctive medicine that is readily available for the treatment of one of the common diseases in children. OBJECTIVES General Objective: To determine the antibacterial activity of coconut water using the zone of inhibition on Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis (most common causes of UTI). Specific Objectives: To determine the zone of inhibition of coconut water on E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis To determine which among the bacterial pathogens in UTI is the most sensitive to coconut water. DEFINITION OF TERMS Zone of inhibition this is the clear area formed around the filter paper disc after 24 hours incubation of the petri dishes. Control disc impregnated disc with Amikacin and Cotrimoxazole used as standards for comparing the zone of inhibitions of coconut water against common urinary tract pathogens. Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts METHODOLOGY The study will be conducted in a school microbiology laboratory wherein the preparations of the materials and the interpretation of the results will be done. The young coconut fruit will be freshly obtained from the tree and then the water will be separated from its pulp. The test organisms, E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis will be obtained from positive cultures isolated from urine cultures of both pediatric and adult patients. Sensitivity testing for each organism will be performed to determine the type of antibiotic that will be used as control for the study. The Mueller-Hinton Agar will be used as the medium for the susceptibility testing. The Schieler and Schull filter paper will be used to prepare 6mm disc using a puncher. The materials that will be used in the experiment proper will be sterilized in the autoclaved at 15psi for 15 minutes. After sterilization, the agar will be dispensed in the sterilized petri dishes with a depth of 5mm and allowed to solidify. Three trials with 9 cultures of each bacterial strain will be tested using the Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion Method. Each bacterial strain will be made into a broth suspension and streaked evenly onto the surface of the medium using a sterile cotton swab. The sterile filter paper disc will be dipped into the coconut water. The prepared discs will then be allowed to dry for 3-5 minutes after which, they will be on the agar using a sterile forceps and gently pressed down to ensure contact. For the control, commercially impregnated discs with Amikacin and Cotrimoxazole will be used. The plates will be incubated at 37oC for 24 hours and will be investigated for antibacterial activity using the zone of inhibition. The zones of inhibition will be determined in millimeters using a digital caliper. The measured zones of inhibition will be classified as follows: 0mm-6.99mm as negative, 7mm-12.99mm as weak, 13mm-19.99mm as moderate and >20mm as strong.

A Dream of Equality :: Free Essay Writer

A Dream of Equality   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  On January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta, Georgia. King was born in a nice community that had a low amount of crime with many of his neighbors being very religious. Martin Luther King Jr.‘s father was a well respected clergyman in the community. His father did his best to protect his family from the harsh realities of racism and segregation and was the person most responsible for King becoming a man of faith. Throughout his early childhood, King and his brother Alfred Martin were subject to strict corporal punishment from their father. But all his life King still had nothing but love and respect for his father. When he was twelve years old, King began doubting his faith. When he left to Morehouse College he thought about entering the fields of medicine or law. After graduating from Morehouse with a degree in sociology, King attended Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania and earned a bachelor’s degree in divinity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the first stands against discrimination that King was a part of dealt with public transportation. In Montgomery, Alabama, the first ten seats in a public bus were reserved for whites only and the last ten seats were reserved for blacks. But if there were empty white seats towards the front of the bus and the rest of the seats were full, blacks were forced to stand. After years of being mistreated by racist bus drivers, the African American community had had enough and decided to boycott the bus system in Montgomery. On December 5, 1955, a group of black ministers asked Martin Luther King Jr. to be the spokesman for the protest. King accepted the job and inspired the black community to boycott the bus system. In his speeches, King emphasized basic Christian values and American democracy. He maintained a balance of militancy and moderation. King inspired people to be angry about what was going on and at the same time inspired them to maintain their composure and be responsible. The goal of the bus boycott in Montgomery was to get the city to hire black bus drivers. Blacks all over Montgomery stopped using the public buses. In order to help the people that were boycotting to get to work, the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) organized a car pool. However, soon after the car pool started police began stopping the drivers, questioning, and arresting them.

Effect of cashless police in nigeria Essay

Vol. 1 (2), pp. 040-043, April 2013. Research Article Impact of Cashless Economy in Nigeria *Omotunde Muyiwa1, Sunday Tunmibi,1 and John-Dewole A.T.2 1 School of Computer Science, Mathematics and Information Technology, Houdegbe North American University, Republic of Benin. 2 Department of Computer Science with Electronics, Faculty of Information Technology and Applied Sciences Lead City University, Ibadan. Nigeria. *Corresponding Author’s email: folatunde2004@yahoo.com ABSTRACT This paper studied the impact of cashless policy in Nigeria. The policy was introduced by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in December 2011 and was kick-started in Lagos in January 2012. Survey research was adopted with questionnaire as data collection instrument. Responses from the respondents show that cashless policy will increase employment; reduce cash related robbery thereby reducing risk of carrying cash; cashless policy will also reduce cash related corruption and attract more foreign investors to the country. The study, therefore, shows that the introduction of cashless economy in Nigeria can be seen as a step in the right direction. It is  expected that its impact will be felt in modernization of Nigeria payment system, reduction in the cost of banking services, reduction in high security and safety risks and also curb banking related corruptions. Keywords: Cashless economy, Cashless policy, Lagos State, Nigeria. INTRODUCTION Cashless economy is an economy where transaction can be done without necessarily carrying physical cash as a means of exchange of transaction but rather with the use of credit or debit card payment for goods and services. The cashless economy policy initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is a move to improve the financial terrain but in the long run sustainability of the policy will be a function of endorsement and compliance by end-users (Ejiro, 2012). The CBN cash policy stipulates a daily cumulative limit of N150, 000 and N1, 000,000 on free cash withdrawals and lodgments by individual and corporate customers respectively in the Lagos State with effect from March 30, 2012. Individuals and corporate organizations that make cash transactions above the limits will be charged a service fee for amounts above the cumulative limits. Furthermore, 3rd party cheques above N150, 000 shall not be eligible for encashment over the counter with effect from January 1, 2012. Value for such cheques shall be received through the clearing house. All Nigerian banks were expected to cease cash in transit lodgment services rendered to merchant-customers from January 1, 2012. The policy through the advanced use of information technology facilitates fund transfer, thereby reducing time wasted in Bank(s). Wizzit, a fast growing mobile banking company in South Africa has over three hundred thousand customers across South Africa. Likewise, M-PESA was introduced in Kenya as a small value electronic system that is accessible from ordinary mobile phones. It has experienced exceptional growth since its introduction by mobile phone operator (Safaricom) in Kenya in March, 2007 and has already been adopted by nine million customers, which is about 40% of Kenya’s adult population. Wizzit and other mobile financial services including MPESA in Kenya are helping low income Africans make financial transaction across long  distance with their cellphones, thereby reducing their travel cost and eliminating the risks of carrying cash and also avoiding most banking charges (Akintaro, 2012). It is assumed that the proper implementation of mobile phones and other technologies can aid the implementation of cashless policy and hence, the growth of cashless economy in Nigeria. The introduction of the implementation of cashless policy (policy is program of actions adopted by government) began in Lagos State, Nigeria. Why Lagos? According to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN, 2011) Lagos state accounted for 85% of POS and 66% of cheques transaction in Nigeria. Cashless economy aims at reducing the amount of physical cash circulating in the Nigeria economy and thereby encouraging more electronic–based transaction. According to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN, 2011) the policy is expected to reduce cost incurred in maintaining cash-based economy by 90% upon its full implementation in Nigeria. This study aims to look at the impact of cashless economy in Nigeria. www.gjournals.org 40 Greener Journal of Internet, Information and Communication Systems Vol. 1 (2), pp. 040-043, April 2013. 2. BRIEF LITERATURE REVIEW Cashless economy is not the complete absence of cash, it is an economic setting in which goods and services are bought and paid for through electronic media. According to Woodford (2003), Cashless economy is defined as one in which there are assumed to be no transactions frictions that can be reduced through the use of money balances, and that accordingly provide a reason for holding such balances even when they earn rate of return. In a cashless economy, how much cash in your wallet is practically irrelevant. You can pay for your purchases by any one of a plethora of credit cards or bank transfer (Roth, 2010). (2004) observed that developed countries of the world, to a large extent, are moving away from paper payment instruments toward electronic ones, especially payment cards. Some aspects of the functioning of the cashless economy are enhanced by e-finance, e-money, e-brokering and e-exchanges. These all refer to how transactions and payments are effected in a cashless economy (Moses-Ashike, 2011). Marco and Bandiera (2004) argue that increased usage of cashless banking instruments strengthens monetary policy effectiveness and that the current level of e-money usage does not pose a threat to the stability of the financial system. However, it does conclude that central banks can lose control over monetary policy if the government does not run a responsible fiscal policy. Echekoba and Ezu (2012), in a research carried out in Nigeria, observed that 68.2% of the respondent complained about long queues in the bank, 28.9% complained of bad attitude of teller officers (cashiers) while 2.89% complained of long distance of bank locations to their home or work places. Likewise, in her 24th NCS national conference in December 2011, CBN data shows that 51% of withdrawal done in Nigeria was through automated teller machine (ATM), while 33.6% was through over the counter (OTC) cash withdrawals and 13.6% through Cheques. Payment was also done through point of sales machine (POS) which accounted for 0.5% and web 1.3%. Therefore, if the introduction of ATM in Nigeria cash withdrawals system reduced OTC withdrawal; then it will implies that introduction of cashless policy supported by application of information technology can achieve more to reduce over dependent on cash payment in Nigeria economy system. However, Akhalumeh and Ohioka (2011) observed some challenges with the introduction of cashless policy. Their findings show that 34.0% of the respondents cited problem of internet fraud, 15.5% cited problem of limited POS/ATM, 19.6% cited problem of illiteracy and 30.9% stayed neutral – the respondent not been sure of problem been expected or experienced. While in some quarters there was fear of unemployment, some believe it will create more jobs especially when companies manufacturing POS machine are cited in Nigeria. More so, data sourced from Central Bank of Nigeria portal shows that Lagos state, with a population of 17 million people, only has sixty one  Point Of Sales, twenty bank branches and twenty four ATMs per 100,000 people which are far less to satisfy the needs of the population. These data verify the claim of Echekoba and Ezu (2012) on the problem of cash based economy and cashless policy in Nigeria. For effective cashless implementation in Nigeria availability of sufficient and well-functioning infrastructure (notably electricity), harmonization of fiscal and monetary policy, regular assessment of the performance of cashless banking channels, consideration of the present state and structure of the economy, redesign of monetary policy framework and greater efforts towards economic growth whilst managing inflation should be considered (Odior and Banuso, 2012). 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This study was carried out, using accidental sampling method, in Lagos state, Nigeria. A total of 500 traders, students and civil servants were sampled. Questionnaire was used as data collection instrument, with questions on demographics and benefits of cashless economy in Nigeria. The major statistical technique used was descriptive (use of frequency tables and charts). 4. RESULT 4.1 Demographics responses on gender show that male respondents accounted for 55.6% while the female respondents are 44.4%. Figure 1 and Figure 2 presents the responses on age and occupation, respectively. For age, majority of the respondents are between 18 to 25 years, this is followed by those between 26 to 40 years while the least number are between 41 to 60 years. For occupation of the respondents, the highest percentage (44.4%) is traders, followed by students (33.3%) and civil servants (22.2%). www.gjournals.org 41 Vol. 1 (2), pp. 040-043, April 2013. Greener Journal of Internet, Information and Communication Systems 41-60 years 22% 18-25 years 45% 26-40 years 33% Figure 1: Age of Respondents 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Traders Students Civil servants Figure 2: Occupation of Respondents 4.2 Benefits Table 1 shows the view of respondents on benefits of cashless economy in Nigeria. The lowest percentage, 11.1% of the respondents, believed that cashless policy will increase employment. A higher percentage, 22.2% of the respondents, believed that cashless policy in Nigeria will reduce cash  related robbery thereby reducing risk of carrying cash. The highest percentage of the respondents believed that cashless policy will reduce cash related corruption (33.3%) and cashless policy will attract more foreign investors to the country (33.3%). Table 1: Benefits of Cashless Economy in Nigeria Benefits of Cashless Economy Increase employment Reduce cash related robbery Reduce cash related corruption Attract more foreign investment Total Percentage (%) 11.1% 22.2% 33.3% 33.3% 100% www.gjournals.org 42 Greener Journal of Internet, Information and Communication Systems Vol. 1 (2), pp. 040-043, April 2013. 5. CONCLUSION The study, impact of cashless economy in Nigeria, focused on the three major categories by which Nigerians can be divided – traders, students and civil servants. More number of traders was sampled, compared to students and civil servants, because they are more into business and financial transactions. More so, a higher number of respondents within the age bracket of 18 and 25 years show that apart from students, quite a number of Nigerian youth are  also into trade. This study shows that the introduction of cashless economy in Nigeria can be seen as a step in the right direction. It is expected that its impact will be felt in modernization of Nigeria payment system, reduction in the cost of banking services as well as reduction in high security and safety risks. This should also include curbing banking related corruptions and fostering transparency. It is also assumed that the introduction of cashless policy in Nigeria will help to reduce the amount of bills and notes circulating in the economy. This should, therefore, reduce handling operation cost incurred on conventional money, as well as reduction in cash related crimes. It should also help to provide easy access to banking services for Nigerians. REFERENCES Akhalumeh, P.B., and Ohiokha, F. (2011): Nigeria’s Cashless Economy; The Imperatives. International Journal of Management & Business Studies. vol.2 pp. 12 – 17. Akintaro, S. (2012): Going Cashless. IT & Telecom digest, online magazine, august,2012 CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (2011): Towards a Cashless Nigeria: Tools & Strategies. Nigerian Journal of Economy. 3(2), 344 – 350. Echekoba, F.N., and Ezu, G.K. (2012): Electronic Retail Payment Systems: User Acceptability & Payment Problems in Nigeria. Arabian Journal of Business & Management Review. vol.5, pp. 60 – 63. Ejiro, O. (2012): What Nigerians Think of the Cashless Economy Policy. Nigerian Journal of Economy. 4(6), 97 – 102. Humphrey, D. B. (2004): ―Replacement of cash by cards in U.S. Consumer Payments, Journal of Economics and Business, 56, 211–225. Marco, A. and L. Bandiera (2004): -Monetary Policy, Monetary Areas and Financial Development with Electronic Money, IMF Working Study, IMF. Moses-Ashike, H. (2011),â€Å"Cashless Economic can Reduce Risk of Carrying Huge Cash†, [Online] Available: http://www.businessdayonline.com/†¦/22217. Odior, E.S., and Banuso, F.B. (2012): Cashless Banking in Nigeria: Challenges, Benefits & Policy Implications. European Scientific Journal. Vol 8, pp. 12 – 16. Roth, B. L. (2010). â€Å"The Future of Money: The Cashless Economy – Part 1†. [Online] Available: https://www.x.com/†¦/future-money-cashless-economy—part-i. Woodford M. (2003). â€Å"Interest & Price: Foundation of a Theory of Monetary Policy†, Princeton University Press. www.gjournals.org 43