Amazon Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Amazon - Case Study Example Some aspects of Amazon’s operations are characteristic of a manufacturing organization while some are characteristic of those of a service organization. The manufacturing aspects are manifest in the company’s library of software. Although Amazon provides this software for free to merchants and independent programmers, it charges a fee when these users use the software to sell their products and services through Amazon. Amazon’s operations that are characteristic of a service organization include the online platform it provides to its customers, which enables them to purchase goods through a simple mouse click. The marketing of Kindle and Kindle-related products also has aspects of both manufacturing and service provision. Kindle is a software-hardware platform that enables users to access electronic print material. The manufacturing component is manifest in the Kindle electronic device which Amazon manufactures and sells to customers. The service component is manifest in the access to electronic print material that Kindle provides to users at a fee. Therefore, when marketing Kindle, Amazon has to market both the unique features the device provides and the unique services that customers can obtain through it (Griffin, 627). Q2 Amazon’s operations almost entirely depend on technology in one way or another. In most cases, the technology involved is computer technology. Firstly, Amazon’s service operations are anchored on the internet. Amazon’s business platform is located on the internet and, therefore, the company has to invest in computers and accessories that facilitat e internet access and software development. Similarly, Amazon’s customers have to get on the internet in order to access the company’s platform. To do this, they require the use of computers, iphones, tablets, cell phones or any other device that provides internet access. Furthermore, operations that facilitate service provision at Amazon’s facilities are highly automated. Workers use computer programs to monitor and manage customers’ orders. Finally, a system of automated bins and chutes is responsible for sorting goods and moving them to and fro the shelves (Griffin, 626). Amazon’s manufacturing operations are also highly dependent on computer technology. The manufacturing operations include the development of software programs for Amazon’s library of software service and the production of the company’s Kindle device which is a software-hardware platform that provides instant access to electronic books, newspapers, magazines, journa ls and other electronic print material. The development of software is a manufacturing activity that involves the development of software programs from scratch using computers as well as software developing tools and programs. This software is availed to merchants and independent programmers who may use it to sell their products through Amazon at a fee. In addition, Amazon develops Kindle’s software using computers and software developing tools. Finally, Amazon manufactures the Kindle electronic device whose hardware component is based on computer technology (Griffin, 626). Since Amazon does not have facilities or resources for manufacturing electronic devices, it usually contracts other companies with that ability to manufacture the device on its behalf. Q3 Amazon has