Monthly Archives: May 2012

The challenges in estimating health system response to waiting time measurement systems

Posted on May 27, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 25, 2012) titled “Long Medical Waits prove hard to cure” describes different waiting time measurements and the consequent dysfunctional system response. Measuring the waiting time experienced by patients served or focusing on … Continue reading →

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Pipeline flow direction in Canada to accomodate tar sands output growth

Posted on May 27, 2012 by aviyer2010

A article in the Economist (May 26, 2012) describes the increased oil production from the tar sands in Alberta, Canada, estimated to gow to 72 % of Canada’s output by 2020 (from 58 % now). But getting that oil, which … Continue reading →

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Can coordination of health care save 30 % of costs ?

Posted on May 27, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (May 23, 2012) describes an effort by UCLA’s Health System to save 30% of costs by coordinating the hospital, patient, doctors and health insurers. These reductions will come from decreasing the number of … Continue reading →

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The deceptive global supply chain for Mercury

Posted on May 26, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (May 28, 2012) describes the demand for mercury in Colombia, to extract small gold deposits, the lethal impact of vapors and errant disposal, and the global supply chain for its supply. Mercury exports were banned by … Continue reading →

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Should GMO food be labeled ?

Posted on May 25, 2012 by aviyer2010

An artcile in the New York Times (May 25, 2012) describes an unlawful effort to put stickers identifying food conatining GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) – now prevalent in most corn or soyabeans grown in the US. Proponents of GMO foods … Continue reading →

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From fashion show to web sales in a day

Posted on May 25, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (May 23, 2012) titled “Trying to Click Online”  describes sales of Oscar de la Renta fashion items, immediately after the fashion show, in the website TheFancy.com, with five sweaters sold within 24 hours … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, Ecommerce, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 19 Comments

Making TVs in Detroit ?

Posted on May 24, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 23, 2012) describes a decision by Element Electronics to assemble 46 inch flatscreen TVs, to be sold for $ 499 at Target, in a plant in Detroit. The company claims that the … Continue reading →

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Samsung and Sony attempt to enforce their prices at retailers

Posted on May 24, 2012 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (May 23, 2012) describes a move by Samsung and Sony to force retailers to sell at manufacturer recommended prices or risk consequences. These might include loss of financing to market new products or restricted supply. … Continue reading →

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Should oil field truckers have special rules even if they cause accidents ?

Posted on May 23, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in New York Times (May 14, 2012) described exemptions for oil field truckers that lets them take 24 hours off for 60 hours of work over seven consecutive days vs 34 hours for commercial truckers. This exemption was … Continue reading →

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Uniqlo’s strategy for low priced apparel

Posted on May 23, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (May 22, 2012) describes the Japanese apparel retailer Uniqlo’s low price strategy for T-shirts ($ 9.90) and cashmere sweaters ($ 79.90). The company claims that it does not follow fashion fads but, instead, … Continue reading →

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