In addition to using this new department to create project assignments for otherwise idle personnel, this would become an essential path to preparing CGMS for competition in the long-term future. While the company's eroding schedule of future projects suggests economic downturn, it also underscores the risk of working in the fossil fuel sector. With future environmental and conservation concerns promising to impact mining operations such as those upon which CGMS depends, the company's newly minted R&D department would emphasize projects aimed at reducing the carbon footprint created by mining operations as well as investigating alternative fuel sources. Given the company's extensive resources and highly qualified personnel, it may have the opportunity to posture itself as a leader of future energy efficiency efforts. Ultimately, internal training and some measure of ERP-informed recruitment would be necessary to actualize this objective.

Finally, it is evidence that greater accountability is needed, if not to...
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