Category Archives: Operations Management

Solar Roadways hopes to charge cars as they run on roads

A company called Solar Roadways (http://www.solarroadways.com/intro.shtml) claims to have a prototype installation of solar panels embedded in roads that can charge cars as they drive. Given that vast road network that can be harnessed with embedded solar panels, the company … Continue reading

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Coffee fed cows producing milk for Starbucks in Japan

An article in Sustainable Brands (http://www.sustainablebrands.com/news_and_views/chemistry_materials/jennifer_elks/closed-loop_upcycling_its_finest_starbucks_sourcing?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=innovation&utm_campaign=may14&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRoku6XMZKXonjHpfsX56eotX6SwlMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4DRcFqI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFTrTBMbVxyLgOXxk%3D) titled “Closed Loop Recycling at its Best”, describes the fermentation of used coffee grounds to create a cattle feed, with the milk from the cattle being used at Starbucks stores in Japan. The concentration … Continue reading

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Will Stihl’s strategy of sales through small dealers sustainable ?

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (April 28, 2014) titled “Big-box Cutter” describes Stihl’s strategy to sell chain saws through small dealers, avoiding big box sales or internet sales. By selling through small dealers for whom they account for a significant portion … Continue reading

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Will Amazon’s delivery trucks permit competitive same day delivery?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (April 24,2014) titled “Amazon, in a Threat to UPS, tries its own deliveries”, describes a plan by Amazon in San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York, to operate its own Amazon logo delivery … Continue reading

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Indian firm Tata building the Land Rover in a joint venture in China

An article in the Financial Times (April 20, 2014) titled “JLR China chief says Changshu factory will rival UK for quality”, describes a new plant in China, owned by China automaker Chery and the Indian Tata group that owns Jaguar … Continue reading

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Testing alternate modes to get California Salmon to the ocean and back

An article in the New York Times (April 19, 2014) titled “Swim to Sea ? These Salmon Are Catching a Lift”, describes two alternate paths to move salmon from drought stricken areas to the ocean. With priority being for California … Continue reading

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Tracking Emergency Room patients across hospitals to decrease costs and improve care

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (April 7,2014) titled “Hospitals share data to prevent ER abusers”, describes an effort in Washington state to pool data regarding ER patient treatments to prevent wasteful spending. With 20% of patients accounting for over 4 ER … Continue reading

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Trucking Salmon to the ocean to ensure future fishing

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (april 7,2014) titled “In California,salmon hitch a ride to the sea”, describes the low water levels in California rivers this year prevent the young Chinook salmon from finding their way along the rivers to the ocean. … Continue reading

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Hazardous crude oil cargo on trains – no information sharing with towns on routes

An article in the New York Times (April 15,2014) titled “Despite Rise in Spills, Hazardous Cargo Rides Rails in Secret”, describes laws that permit railroads to keep their hazardous cargo secret from towns where spills occur. With increasing amounts of … Continue reading

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Understanding the logic for Tesla’s proposed $5 billion battery plant

An article in the Wall Street Journal (April 2, 2014) titled “Does Tesla Need a $5 Billion Battery Factory” describes Tesla’s planned mass market electric cars (the GEN III) priced at $35,000 and the current $25,500 cost of the 85 … Continue reading

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