Organizational Technology Plan

Human Factors in Technology-TEC 401

University of Phoenix

Introduction

Johnson and Johnson, the world's most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products is on the forefront of innovation in the health care supplier industry, consumer services, pharmaceutical, medical devices and diagnostics markets. Johnson and Johnson employs over a hundred thousand resources worldwide in over 54 countries. Johnson and Johnson has created innovate new solutions to age-old problems along with being providing a means by which new health-related issues can be prevented. Being able to keep track day-to-day operations of an organization in a global perspective is an achievement in and of itself; but Johnson and Johnson goes far beyond the call of duty.

Johnson and Johnson is able to succeed in nearly every endeavor. Johnson and Johnson has stood the test of time from a historical perspective, and continued to come out ahead in every undertaking. A major part of this organization’s success is due to its sound technical infrastructure that continues to change and grow with time. Subsequent sections will discuss what CellSearch is and how Johnson and Johnson uses technology along with webcasts and day-to-day use of live streaming video. Johnson and Johnson has learned through error, and competitors, that one of the ways to success is through the use of technological advancements. Johnson and Johnson revels in technology to benefit and to deploy the correct proven growth while adding value to the organization, and improving customer relationships.

Overview

Johnson & Johnson is a global American pharmaceutical, medical devices and consumer packaged goods manufacturer that was founded in 1886 founded by brothers Robert Wood Johnson, James Wood Johnson & Edward Mead Johnson. “The company is headquartered in New Brunswick, NJ while the consumer division is located in Skillman, NJ. The corporation includes 230 subsidiary companies with operations in over 57 countries and products sold in 175 plus countries” (Wikipedia, 2006, para. 3).

In the late 1920’s Johnson & Johnson added consumer products and created a separate division for surgical products in 1941. The company expanded into pharmaceuticals, toiletries and woman’s products 1970’s. Currently some of the product offerings include Band-Aid bandages, Tylenol medications, and Neutrogena skins care and beauty products. Recently Johnson & Johnson expanded into areas such as biopharmaceuticals, orthopedic devices and internet publishing.

In June 2006 Johnson and Johnson announced plans to further expand its consumer products division with the purchase of “Pfizers’ Consumer Healthcare division, adding well-known products such as Listerine, Rolaids, Sudafed, Benadryl, Neosporin and Visine” to the Johnson and Johnson family of products. (Wikipedia, 2006, para. 5)

Johnson and Johnson sales hit $50.5 billion in 2005, with net of $10.5 billion. “Sales have increased each year for 73 consecutive years and double-digit earnings increased for 21 consecutive years. Dividends have been issued to shareowners beginning in 1944 and have risen each year for 44 consecutive years” (Johnson and Johnson, 2006, para. 5).

“Johnson & Johnson’s management team consists of the Office of the Chairman: William C. Weldon, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Robert J. Darretta, Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer and Christine A. Poon, Vice Chairman. The Board of Directors consists of 13 members, three of whom are women and two are persons of color. The Executive Committee consists of 14 members, including four women and two persons of color. This group makes up the principal management team responsible for the operations and allocation of the company's resources (Johnson and Johnson, 2006, para 3).

Several executive committee members serve as chairmen of group operating committees, comprised of managers who represent key operations within the groups, as well as management expertise in other specialized functions. These committees oversee and coordinate the activities of domestic and international companies related to each of the Consumer, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices & Diagnostics divisions. “The international companies are run primarily by natives of the country in which they are located” (Johnson and Johnson, 2006, para. 6).

Current Technology Assessment

Veridex, LLC a Johnson & Johnson company has been recently granted clearance by the Food and Drug Administration for a technology called CellSearch System to be used as an aid in the monitoring of metastatic breast cancer. This product identifies and counts circulating tumor cells in a blood sample to predict progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer earlier than the current standard of care. “Cell Search also helps physicians predict if treatment is effective at any time during therapy, this is an achievement no other diagnostic approach has been able to accomplish. The results can inform physicians of potential treatment decisions” (Johnson and Johnson, 2006, para. 6).

Johnson and Johnson uses Streaming Media Player to teach people about the company’s diverse products, services and initiatives throughout the Johnson and Johnson family of companies. Of course, use of this program requires Windows Media Player in order to view the film. The quality of the image that is being viewed depends on type of modem and the speed of a connection the user has. Johnson and Johnson also uses conference calls and webcasts for earnings calls every quarter (Johnson and Johnson, 2006, para. 7)

Value Chain Analysis

The integrity of worldwide pharmaceutical supply has been challenged by rigid global manufacturing responsibility with specialized production equipment, and long lead times for materials. This combination makes the drug manufacturing environment ripe for significant process improvement. As stated in Johnson and Johnson’s credo, the company’s first responsibility is its customers, then to employees, community and to stakeholders. Since early in the 19th Century, Johnson & Johnson has been taking advantage of building customer's trust. Customers of Johnson and Johnson have come to know elements of Johnson and Johnson’s brand