Tag Archives: Service

Climate neutral products from Eosta

An article in Sustainable Business newsletter describes Eosta (http://www.eosta.com/index.cfm?vid=64DD31DB-AB5A-D733-DF31869591EFD001), a Dutch company that sells fruits and vegetables claimed to be climate neutral. Use of organic fertilizer that does not release methane, avoiding mineral fertilizers and thus saving nitrous oxide and … Continue reading

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Will shifting patients to retail clinics for minor treatments improve service and lower costs

An article in the New York Times (October 10, 2012) describes the rise of retail clinics in Manhattan, with costs of care 30-40% below doctor’s offices and 80% lower than emergency care. The result of many retail locations is a … Continue reading

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Intellectual property rights on visible car parts in France and rising repair costs

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 9, 2012) describes a regulation in France that grants automakers intellectual property rights over the external looks of the car, thus guaranteeing that mirrors, bumpers, windshield wipers etc have to be purchased … Continue reading

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Ban plastic bags ? Or worry about unintended consumer costs ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 8, 2012) describes two sides of a decision to ban plastic bags. On the one hand, plastic bags clog up recycling equipment, create clean up costs and add up to $ 30 … Continue reading

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Will passengers bear airline fuel risk for lower upfront fares ?

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

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

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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The projected impact of insufficient port improvements on the US economy

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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Does WalMart gain by not selling Kindles ?

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

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The Google and Amazon product search competition

An article in the New York Times (September 10, 2012) describes the growing battle between Amazon.com and Google to lead in product search. As Google tries to improve its product search and provide more ecommerce services, it has decided to … Continue reading

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