Tag Archives: competition

Vertical integration in the US global pharmacy supply chain and impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 21, 2013) describes an alliance between Walgreens, Alliance Boots and AmerisourceBergen to consolidate their global purchasing of generic and branded pharmaceuticals and sell them through their US Walgreens retail stores and AllianceBoots … Continue reading

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The economics of the $6.75 shirt in Bangladesh

In an article in the Wall Street Journal (May 16, 2013), a manufacturer, Rubana Haq, describes the producer margins in a $6.75 shirt he manufactures. He claims that it costs $4.75 to buy the cotton cloth and $1 for the … Continue reading

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The competitive response to Apple’s decision to change its device connectivity

An article in the New York Times (May 6,2013) describes the accessory supplier’s response to Apple’s decision to change the connection for its devices. The new connection decision by Apple makes all existing accessories obsolete, with no advance notification provided … Continue reading

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Slower growth, higher margins as Amazon.com plays middleman

An article in the Wall Street Journal (April 26,2013) describes Amazon.com’s growth as lowing, from 34% last year to 22% for the same quarter this year, while margins increased by 33% to 26.6%. The author claims the slowdown is the … Continue reading

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Steel manufacturer’s competitive response to falling steel prices

An article in the Wall Street Journal (April 27, 2013) describes the decline in steel prices and the response by steel manufacturers. ThyssenKrupp is claimed to offer to pay freight costs to maintain market share. Further price discounts of 5 … Continue reading

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Should patent length vary by industry to spur innovation ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (April 24,2013) describes a proposal to vary patent protection length by industry, rather than the US standard of 17 years. It reports the chairman of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, as suggesting 3 years as … Continue reading

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The competitive retail supply chain impact of online US sales tax collection requirements

An article in the Wall Street Journal (April 22,2013) describes the proposed impact of a Senate bill requiring online retailers to collect sales taxes based on buyer location. The goal is to level the playing field for brick and mortar … Continue reading

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Manufacturing in Italy – choices made by the 300 year old Richard Ginori porcelain factory

An article in the New York Times (February 9,2013) describes the travails of the Richard Ginori porcelain factory in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy and its recent bankruptcy and closure. Once a high end porcelain tableware manufacturer, the trends in Italy away … Continue reading

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Nokia’s sharing of 3-D print files for cellphone cases and the future

An article in the BBC website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21084430 describes plans by Nokia to make 3-D print files available to customers so they can print cases on demand on 3-D printers. The ease of access to customizable cases thus lowers the customer’s … Continue reading

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Regulate sulphur content of ship fuels or offer more incentives in Hong Kong?

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (January 14,2013) describes the low sulphur content fuel (0.5 percent sulphur), which is 14% of permissible limits, used by the Maersk shipping line. The Hong Kong port offers a 50% reduction in port costs, but that … Continue reading

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