Tag Archives: Supply Chain

Same day delivery offered by Google in San Francisco

An article in the New York Times (October 26,2012) describes same day delivery offered by Google in San Francisco. The company coordinates with retailers to deliver products ordered following Google searches. Linking the search with purchase and physical delivery closes … Continue reading

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

A novel solution to get pregnant women in Ghana, ready to deliver, to a hospital faster

An article in the New York Times (October 30, 2012) describes the benefit on women and children’s health if the mother delivers in a hospital. But getting the mother, who cannot afford to pay for a cab, to the closest … Continue reading

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

Do increases in accounts receivable by Chinese firms suggest anything ?

An article in CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/30/business/china-corporations-slowdown/index.html?hpt=hp_t3) describes increases in accounts receivable by Chinese firms – 83 % increase for machinery manufacturer Sany Heavy, 169 % increase for First Tractor, and a 69% increase for Zoolion. Some reports suggest that firms are … Continue reading

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

The economics of vertical farming in downtown locations in cities

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 15,2012) describes vertical farming – growing crops in greenhouses in cities – close to customers. A twelve floor vertical farm in Sweden is the largest such effort – claimed to save transport … Continue reading

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

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

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

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

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

Auditing conflict materials free suppliers and cost impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (October 9, 2012) describes the number of conflict materials free smelters as 27 out of 200 to 400 worldwide. With the Dodd-Frank law demanding that companies declare the extent of use of tin, … Continue reading

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

Global trade slows, but continues to be robust in pockets

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

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

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

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

Allocating kidneys to improve survival years for patients

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

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