Category Archives: Global Contexts

Is the inability to source custom screws a reason why it is difficult to build iPhones in the USA ?

Posted on January 31, 2019 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (January 28, 2019) titled “A Tiny Screw shows why iPhones won’t be “Assembled in the USA”” describes the difficulties that Flextronics, Apple’s assembler of the high end Macbook Pro in Austin, Texas, faced … Continue reading →

Posted in Capacity, competitiveness, Cost, delivery, emb2021, Global Contexts, logistics, Operations Management, ordering | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Should the lower shipping prices from China to the US end ?

Posted on October 21, 2018 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 17, 2018) titled “No More Mail Privilege for China as U.S. to end deep discounts in packages” describes the classification of China as a “tier 3” country while the U.S. is a … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer, Cost, delivery, Global Contexts, logistics, manufacturer, Prices | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Preventing child labor use for cobalt mining

Posted on October 21, 2018 by aviyer2010

An article in Fortune (September 1, 2018) titled “Blood, Sweat and Batteries” describes artisanal mining by over 10,000 children using hand tools in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the source of 67% of the world supply of cobalt. With … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Capacity, cobalt, consumer, Cost, Global Contexts, mining, Prices | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

GE’s program to speed up US Imports through US ports

Posted on March 9, 2018 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (March 6, 2018) titled ” GE Units Expands program to speed up U.S. imports through supply chains”, describes GE Transportation’s work with the port of Long Beach in California to speed up imports … Continue reading →

Posted in Capacity, Cost, delivery, Global Contexts, logistics, mgmt5612018, technology | Tagged , , , , , | 62 Comments

Mass faintings at Cambodia factories producing shoes for Asics, Nike and Puma

Posted on June 26, 2017 by aviyer2010

An article in The Guardian (June 24, 2017) titled ‘Cambodian female workers in Nike, Puma and Asics factories suffer mass faintings” lists the 10 hours per day, 6 days per week schedule faced by workers with short term contracts that … Continue reading →

Posted in Capacity, consumer, Cost, Global Contexts, Liability, Operations Management, productivity | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Shoe Manufacturing moving from China to Ethiopia as costs increase

Posted on June 1, 2017 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 1, 2017) titled “Chinese maker of Ivanka’s Shoes Looks for Cheaper labor”, describes the Chinese shoe manufacturer, Huajian International, moving some of their production from China to Ethiopia in response to decreased … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Capacity, China, consumer, Cost, delivery, Global Contexts, logistics, Made in USA, shoes, supplier, Supply Chain Issues, technology, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bird flu and global poultry supply chain impact

Posted on March 23, 2017 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (March 22, 2017) titled “Bird-Flu Outbreak Brings Pain for Poultry Producers in Asia”, describes the emerging cases of H7N9 bird flu in China, with over 140 human deaths in China this year alone, … Continue reading →

Posted in Capacity, chicken, competitiveness, consumer, Cost, disruption, Global Contexts, Supply Chain Issues, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 26 Comments

The Danish “hygge” fashion trend in Britain

Posted on November 27, 2016 by aviyer2010

An article in the Guardian (November 22, 2016) titled “The hygge conspiracy” describes the marketing of the Danish concept of “hygge”, which implies cosiness, as a fashion trend. Cashmere cardigans, sewing patterns, wallpaper etc are all linked to this concept … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer, Global Contexts, labeling, product, Service Operations | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Will Sweden’s proposed tax breaks for repair and reuse of products improve outcomes ?

Posted on October 2, 2016 by aviyer2010

An article in the Guardian (September 19, 2016) titled “Waste not, want not: Sweden to give tax breaks for repairs” describes a plan to cut value added tax for repairs of bicycles, clothes and shoes from 25% to 12 % and … Continue reading →

Posted in consumer, Global Contexts, Operations Management, ordering, Service Operations, Sustainability, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Understanding the reasons for GM’s shift of work from Mexico to Canada

Posted on September 30, 2016 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (September 20, 2016)  titled “G.M. Job Shift From Mexico Tests a Trump Premise”, describes a decision by General Motors to shift work from an automobile engine plant in Mexico to Canada and shutting … Continue reading →

Posted in Capacity, competitiveness, consumer, Global Contexts, Made in USA, manufacturer, Operations Management | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment