Category Archives: Service Operations

Immigrant networks, trust and supply chain speed

Posted on November 18, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Economist (Nov 19,2011) describes a hypothetical example of a Chinese trader in Indonesia who, seeing a market opportunity for umbrellas, uses his cousin in Shenzhen to quickly source and ship product for sale in Indonesia.  Contract … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, Global Contexts, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Borders bookstore operations and its trajectory to extinction

Posted on November 16, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in bloombergbusinessweek (nov14, 2011) describes supply chain choices by Borders bookstores in its path to extinction. The company’s origins and growth were fueled by careful title sales tracking and inventory management, but its merger with Waldenbooks created an … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecommerce, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple’s supply chain strategy – more insights

Posted on November 7, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in bloombergbusinessweek (Nov 7,2011) describes Apple’s plans to invest $ 7.1 billion in its supply chain and commit $ 2.4 billion in prepayments to suppliers. It describes Apple’s decisions to buy such large volumes of high-end drills that … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Defense support for biofuels for aircraft and impact

Posted on October 31, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Bloombergbusinessweek article (oct 31-Nov 6, pg 44-45) decsribes plans by the navy and Marines to shift 50 % of their fuel to renewbale sources by 2020, the Army 25 % by 2025. Sources include camelina (an oil bearing plant), … Continue reading →

Posted in Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Barnes & Noble swapping book space for e-readers

Posted on October 29, 2011 by aviyer2010

A Wall Street Journal article (Oct 29, 2011) describes a plan by Barnes & Noble to double the square feet devoted to e-readers to 2000 sq ft in a 26,000 Sq ft store. The space will be freed up by … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecommerce, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple’s use of supply chain as a strategic weapon

Posted on October 25, 2011 by aviyer2010

A New York Times article (24 Oct 2011) describes Apple’s low price strategy – iPhone 4GS priced at $199, iPads at $499 etc, with competitors barely managing to match prices for similar or lower specification products. The article suggests that … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Increased restructuring and manufacturing’s future

Posted on October 25, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street journal ( Oct 24, 2011) states that while close to 70% of S&P companies beat earnings,  significant number are focused on restructuring operations. The size of this spend varies from $100 million at Danaher, … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Contexts, Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cross State Pollution Rules and Impact

Posted on October 25, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the Economist (Oct 15,2011) describes the issues surrounding CSAPR or Cross State Air Pollution Rule. The rule by the EPA requires power plants in 28 states to  decrease sulphur dioxide emissions by 27% and nitrogen dioxide by … Continue reading →

Posted in Operations Management, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues, Sustainability | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple iPhone model changes and planning by case makers

Posted on October 19, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in bloombergbusinessweek (Oct 17,2011) describes pressures faced by iPhone case manufacturers, a $ 450 million market, when new iPhones models are announced by Apple.  Rely on leaks and rumors regarding the new phone and invest in tools in … Continue reading →

Posted in Collaboration, Global Contexts, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Contradictory trends – Retail Sales forecasts at odds with imports trends

Posted on October 19, 2011 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (Oct 11, 2011) describes the contradiction faced by shipping companies. Growth in retail sales have inspired strong retail growth forecasts into the future. But dropping manufacturer shipments at ports suggest demand downturns at … Continue reading →

Posted in Global Contexts, Service Operations, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment