Category Archives: Global Contexts

Preventing cholera in Bangladesh by used folded saris

A New York Times article (Sept 27, 2011) describes the historic levels of cholera that persisted when sweetened drinks were strained using a sari (made of cotton fabric) because microorganisms are smaller than the pores in the fabric. A research … Continue reading

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Village Health volunteers and health care success in Thailand

A New York Times article (Sept 27, 2011) describes the role of Village Health volunteers – one million strong in a nation of 65 million, who watch for disease outbreaks, spread warnings wen detected and thus curb infectious diseases. These … Continue reading

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Lost cost diagnosis and Supply Chain Impact

An article in the New York Times (Sept 27, 2011) describes efforts in a lab to use small postage size paper bits to diagnose mold and bacteria.  One impact of a low cost test for mold is diagnosis of aflatoxin, … Continue reading

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Nokia volume drops and supplier impact

A Wall Street Journal article (Sept 27, 2011) describes the declining fortunes of Nokia and its impact in suppliers. These suppliers are described as finding that Apple and Android based smartphones are using custom built components that are closed to … Continue reading

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FDA responsible for generic drug shortages ?

An article in Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2011/06/24/drug-shortages-the-new-death-panel/) describes strong FDA enforcement of Good Manufacturing practices with zero tolerances for generic manufacturers. Any violation causes shut down of a production line, with alternate suppliers requiring lengthy permissions to ramp up to compensate. In … Continue reading

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Europe rules regarding airline emissions

A New York Times article (Sept 26, 2011) describes new European rules that restrict airline emissions to 97 % of their emissions from 2004-2006 with a free emissions 85 % of this limit. This number will drop to 95 % … Continue reading

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The New Kindle vs the iPad battle

A New York Times article (Sept 26, 2011) describes the impending release of a new tablet by Amazon.com and the ensuing battle with Apple. Amazon provides content – ebooks, music, entertainment – but adding email and games covers the bulk … Continue reading

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Internet productivity and future employment across supply chains

An article in the International Herald Tribune (Sept 24, 2011) describes a presentation by Yuri Milner, a Russian investor in Facebook and Zynga.  He describes internet based companies generating revenues of $ 100 million per employee compared to 10 to … Continue reading

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Panama Canal Expansion and US Trade and Domestic port Impact

A New York Times article (August 16, 2011) describes the construction in the Panama Canal, scheduled to be completed by 2014, that will permit ships that are 25 % longer and 50 % wider to pass through while relieving the … Continue reading

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College apparel and provider sourcing strategies

A New York Times article (Sept 23, 2011) describes frustration expressed by student groups at Ohio State and University of Southern California because contracts for manufacturing their school apparel was granted to a unit of the Dallas Cowboys that has … Continue reading

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