Tag Archives: Supply Chain

Export US gas or keep it to reduce energy costs at home

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 31, 2012) describes a US decision to hold exports of natural gas, whose generation capacity has grown rapidly. Countries like Japan want to use liquified US gas in the future to replace … Continue reading

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Battery manufacturing capacity rampup and short and long term impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 31, 2012) describes the US government’s $ 1.26 billion investment in battery capacity, and demands for rapid ramp up and hiring to create 6400 jobs. The slow growth rate implied only 2000 … Continue reading

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The challenges in estimating health system response to waiting time measurement systems

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 25, 2012) titled “Long Medical Waits prove hard to cure” describes different waiting time measurements and the consequent dysfunctional system response. Measuring the waiting time experienced by patients served or focusing on … Continue reading

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Pipeline flow direction in Canada to accomodate tar sands output growth

A article in the Economist (May 26, 2012) describes the increased oil production from the tar sands in Alberta, Canada, estimated to gow to 72 % of Canada’s output by 2020 (from 58 % now). But getting that oil, which … Continue reading

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Can coordination of health care save 30 % of costs ?

An article in the New York Times (May 23, 2012) describes an effort by UCLA’s Health System to save 30% of costs by coordinating the hospital, patient, doctors and health insurers. These reductions will come from decreasing the number of … Continue reading

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The deceptive global supply chain for Mercury

An article in Bloombergbusinessweek (May 28, 2012) describes the demand for mercury in Colombia, to extract small gold deposits, the lethal impact of vapors and errant disposal, and the global supply chain for its supply. Mercury exports were banned by … Continue reading

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From fashion show to web sales in a day

An article in the New York Times (May 23, 2012) titled “Trying to Click Online”  describes sales of Oscar de la Renta fashion items, immediately after the fashion show, in the website TheFancy.com, with five sweaters sold within 24 hours … Continue reading

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Making TVs in Detroit ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (May 23, 2012) describes a decision by Element Electronics to assemble 46 inch flatscreen TVs, to be sold for $ 499 at Target, in a plant in Detroit. The company claims that the … Continue reading

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Samsung and Sony attempt to enforce their prices at retailers

A Wall Street Journal article (May 23, 2012) describes a move by Samsung and Sony to force retailers to sell at manufacturer recommended prices or risk consequences. These might include loss of financing to market new products or restricted supply. … Continue reading

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Should oil field truckers have special rules even if they cause accidents ?

An article in New York Times (May 14, 2012) described exemptions for oil field truckers that lets them take 24 hours off for 60 hours of work over seven consecutive days vs 34 hours for commercial truckers. This exemption was … Continue reading

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