Tag Archives: Cost

Global trade slows, but continues to be robust in pockets

Posted on October 8, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 1, 2012) describes the slowing of global trade flows. The Los Angeles port claims a 10.5 % drop in US exports shipped, while the Shanghai port reports a 6 % slowdown. While … Continue reading →

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Will passengers bear airline fuel risk for lower upfront fares ?

Posted on October 8, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (October 8,2012) describes an effort by Allegiant airlines, with ticket prices at $89, to share airplane fuel risk with passengers. The proposal – passengers pay a lower fare upfront and a fuel charge based on actual … Continue reading →

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Booming oil inventories in Catoosa, while East Coast price differences persist

Posted on October 5, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (September 27, 2012) describes growing oil stocks in Catoosa, Oklahoma where oil generated in the Dakotas come to wait. A shortage of pipeline capacity to the East Coast means that prices in the East continue to … Continue reading →

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Drug shortages and quality issues at backup compounding pharmacies

Posted on October 5, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (October 4, 2012) describes an outbreak of meningitis caused a fungus that contaminated steriod solutions supplied by a compounding pharmacy in New England. Hospitals ordered the solution, which was in short supply, from … Continue reading →

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Google’s “RE < C" initiative and impact

Posted on September 22, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Fortune (July 23, 2012) describes an effort by Google to initiate projects to drive the cost of renewable enery (RE) to becom elower than the cost of coal (C) based sources. Server farms account for 2% of … Continue reading →

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Allocating kidneys to improve survival years for patients

Posted on September 22, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (September 21, 2012) describes a new proposal to allocate kidneys to recipients using an index to estimate the quality of kidneys and directing 20 % of the kidneys at the top of this … Continue reading →

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The projected impact of insufficient port improvements on the US economy

Posted on September 22, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Supply Chain Management Review (Sept 17, 2012 http://www.scmr.com/article/the_american_society_of_civil_engineers_say_u.s._supply_chains_at_risk/?goback=.gde_115985_member_165825492) states that investments in US marine ports ad waterways upkeep from now to 2020 is planned to be $ 16 billion lower than required, while investments in airports … Continue reading →

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Lean increases productivity and profits at Harley Davidson’s York plant

Posted on September 22, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (September 21, 2012) describes the transformation of Harley Davidson’s plant in York, PA, from 41 buildings to 1, with workforce cut by 50 %, using 10 % temporary labor but with an operating … Continue reading →

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Can cheap, flexible robots assist workers to make US manufacturing globally competitive?

Posted on September 22, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (September 24, 2012) describes new robots announced by Rethink Robotics, priced at $ 22,000 and reprogrammable to assist workers with repititive tasks. Teaching the robot requires simulating the steps by moving its arms, after which the … Continue reading →

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Does WalMart gain by not selling Kindles ?

Posted on September 22, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (September 20, 2012) describes WalMart’s decision to stop selling Amazon’s Kindles once its inventory runs out. Retailers are concerned about customers browsing for online prices while in the store and buying products online. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecommerce, Global Contexts, Supply Chain Issues | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments