Author Archives: aviyer2010

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About aviyer2010

Dean and H. William Lichtenberger Chair in Management at the School of Management, University at Buffalo, State University of New York.

Choices for Dollar Tree as Commodity prices rise

Posted on January 22, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (January 22,2011) describes the dilemma faced by Dollar Tree – a retailer that charges one dollar for products.  Dollar Tree provides an interesting example of a retailer for whom retail price is not … Continue reading →

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China Control of Rare Earth Mines

Posted on January 21, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (January 21,2011, page B1) describes the takeover of 11  districts in China that have rare earth deposits.  This increased control will let the government be more strategic regarding exports of rare earths but also reduce … Continue reading →

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Flexible Outfits – Swiss Army Knife like transformations

Posted on January 20, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (January 20, 2011, E2) describes designers like Donna Karan, JNBY and Calvin Tran who have developed designs that can be worn as “a poncho, a dress, a kimono or a hooded cape” as … Continue reading →

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WalMart and Healthy Food

Posted on January 20, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (January 20, 2011, B1) described WalMart’s announcement to lower salt, fat and  sugars in packaged foods and decrease prices of fruits and vegetables over the next five years. Specifically the company plans to reduce sodium … Continue reading →

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Slow Steaming, Extra Slow Steaming and Antitrust Exemption

Posted on January 19, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Supply Chain Digest article (January 13, 2011,http://www.scdigest.com/ontarget/11-01-13-1.php?cid=4091) describes discussions between shipping carriers that transport between Asia and the US to slow down speeds and decrease their environmental impact. Slow steaming reduces speed from 25 knots to 18 knots and … Continue reading →

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U.S.Manufacturing jobs grow 1.2 %

Posted on January 19, 2011 by aviyer2010

A report in the Wall Street Journal (January 19, 2011) describes a 1.2 % growth in manufacturing jobs in the US in 2010, with a projected increase of 2.5 % in 2011. The article also states that while manufacturing output … Continue reading →

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Incorporating Manufacturing efficiency in Japanese farms using IT

Posted on January 18, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (January 18, 2011, page B5) describes the head of a Japanese commercial farm who uses information technology to optimize his farm’s output. The article describes the use of sensors to monitor temeprature, soil … Continue reading →

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Initiatives to protect the Global Supply Chain

Posted on January 18, 2011 by aviyer2010

Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, wrote an Op-Ed piece in the Wall Street Journal (Januray 6,2011) describing the challenges and efforts to protect the Global Supply Chain. Products ordered by consumers today may often involve components, subassemblies and packaging … Continue reading →

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US Factory Output, Capacity Utilization Increases

Posted on January 17, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (January 15,2011) reports that US factory output rose 0.8 % in December (from November).  Capacity utilization was reported to increase to 76 % from 75.4 % in November and business inventories increased 0.2 … Continue reading →

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The weak dollar vs Yen and Toyota’s production decisions

Posted on January 17, 2011 by aviyer2010

An Associated Press article (January 15,2011, http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Toyota-Rising-yen-could-force-apf-1661264517.html?x=0) describes the impact of the current 83 yen to the dollar exchange rate on Toyota’s decisions regarding production. Toyota has the largest Japanese production of all Japanese automakers, and the strong yen decreases … Continue reading →

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