Tag Archives: Cost

A shortage of jute bags hurts storage of a bumper wheat crop in India

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 23, 2012) describes the large wheat harvest in India, but a shortage of jute bags. Indian law specifies that 100% of the wheat should use jute bags, to protect the industry and … Continue reading →

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Google’s “Made in the USA” media player

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 27, 2012) describes Google’s new media player assembled by a contract manufacturer in California, about a 15 minute drive from Google’s office. Rising wages in China, worries about intellectual property and an … Continue reading →

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Using UPS to outsource drug delivery

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (June 28,2012) describes pharmacists at UPS’s hub in Louisville filling prescriptions for insulin or other drugs for quick delivery to customers. The same supply chain allowed Walgreen to ship vaccines to Laos, with … Continue reading →

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Should broadband providers be permitted to charge by usage?

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 26, 2012) describes plans by some internet providers to use usage based pricing. Under this model usage for regular subscriptions will be capped or discounts provided for lighter usage. But content providers … Continue reading →

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WalMart’s supplier workplace allegations by third party activists and impact

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (June 29, 2012) describes allegations by the National Guestworker Alliance against WalMart’s seafood and vegetable suppliers regarding worker wages and working hours. But WalMart and the suppliers allege that the data was aggregated … Continue reading →

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Topshops within Nordstrom stores – a beneficial alliance for both ?

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (July 12, 2012) describes a decision to open Topshop stores within Nordstrom’s stores. The limited line of Topshop fashion apparel, with new items delivered weekly, will enable Nordstrom to increase the speed of … Continue reading →

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Fracking in the US and guar seed farmer impact in India

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the New York Times (July 16,2012) describes how growth in fracking for oil has resulted in increased demand for guar, a water absorbing seed grown primarily in India. With prices rising dramatically amidst growing oil company demand, … Continue reading →

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Programmable NFC Tags and supply chain impact

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (July 16,2012) describes programmable tags using NFC (Near Field Communications) technology on physical objects. These tags can be read by NFC readers or smartphones with the read capability. Uses include tags on spice jars that can … Continue reading →

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Legal copying, trends and demand generation

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (August 11, 2012) describes how legal copying, permitted in fashion apparel, financial instruments, food etc, help those industries. By speeding up adoption of new ideas and designs, these industries benefit from the buzz … Continue reading →

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The supply chain impact of shutting down the Federal Helium stockpile

Posted on September 2, 2012 by aviyer2010

An article in the Wall Street Journal (August 11, 2012) describes a plan to shut down crude helium reserves currently held by the US government that satisfy 33% of the world demand. Given that US pricing focuses on covering debt … Continue reading →

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