Logistics Management Essays (Examples)

Linear programming is beneficial in production scheduling, production planning, and logistics management. The use of linear programming will help Klein industries in solving complex problems and in improving quality decision. The linear optimization model is outlined as follows: Total Profit ($) = 20.50 small + 34.00 medium + 42.00 large Production constraints are: 14,000 <= small <= 21,000 6,200 <= medium <= 12,500 2,600 <= large <= 4,200 Time constraints are: 0.40 small + 0.70 medium + 0.80 large <= 23,400 0.60 small + 1.00 medium + 1.20 large <= 23,400 1.40 small + 2.60 medium + 3.10 large <= 46,800 Based on the calculation, the amount of every type of air compressor that the company should products in order to maximize profit is 16,158 for large, 6,200 for medium and 2,600 for small. In addition, the profit units are outlined as follows:   Small Medium Large Unit profit $20.50…

logistics planning more important than any other type of business planning? Explain and be sure to make a good argument for your position.

Stressing the importance of logistics planning is not intended to discount the importance of other types of planning for an organization. However, without logistics planning, the company's other types of planning -- strategic planning and creative planning -- cannot be leveraged to their maximum potential. Logistics planning allows for cost savings, first and foremost, and other types of planning for the organization must take into consideration logistics given that if something is not logistically feasible in terms of transport or the supply chain, even attractive and effective plans cannot be brought to fruition.

Still, logistics planning is a relatively new concept. "Logistics as a business concept evolved in the 1950s with the increasing complexity of supplying businesses with materials and shipping out products in an increasingly globalized…

References

Logistics. (2012). Logistics Degree. Retrieved from:

 http://logisticsdegree.net/2012/logistics-what-it-is-and-why-its-important-to-your-company/

Introduction
The automotive industry segment within the economy of the United States is a fundamental employer as well as a key donor of the American Gross National Product. The automotive industry segment is one that faces intense and comprehensive competition not only locally but also internationally. In recent times, the automotive industry has experienced deterioration in the revenues and profits generated and a decline in the market share as well as a lack of major employment opportunities. Within this similar timespan, the automotive industry has experienced major problems owing to the increases in the level of importation of vehicles and their corresponding parts from Europe and Asia as they have attained a greater market share as well as sales volumes. The purpose of this report to is to examine the different strategies and tactics employed by General Motors and Toyota Motor Corporation. These two companies are some of the biggest…

Reverse Logistics

There were no case studies presented in Chapter 3. The author cites a few, and provides one- or two-sentence descriptions, but nowhere in Chapter 3 does the author illustrate a complete case study from which conclusions about reverse logistics methodology can be drawn. Instead, Chapter 3 was a review of case studies, wherein the author utilized studies found in academic journals, rejecting what is actually being done by people with money in the game in reverse logistics. This methodology has its merits -- the author is correct that academic case studies will follow a fairly similar format that is reliable and theoretically free from bias. The author also found that academic case studies are sufficient in number to draw conclusions. For example, the author cited under IT for reverse logistics four case studies for "customer," two for "manufacturing" and three for "distribution." While I disagree that it makes…

Westminster Company case study to analyze the firm's logistics. Aspects like supply chain, cost factors, and design of the company's logistics system will be discussed. isk definitions are also included among other aspects evaluated in the paper.

Instituted in the year 1923, Westminster Company is among the largest 'consumer healthcare product' producers. The company, its logo, and the merchandise it produces, are renowned locally, and worldwide. The firm's active living groups comprise a healthcare center, residential living, and support services. Westminster has offices in Latin America, Pacific im, and Europe, as well.

With globalization and market expansion, the firm is now faced with fresh challenges with regards to customer satisfaction (Case Study Images Provided by Customer). Consequently, three alternative strategies may be applied to deal with this issue, namely, Point of Sale (POS) information system, individual customer specifications, and reduction of order cycle duration. The following question will have to…

References

Bhattarai, H. (2011, August ). Logistics Management Information System Software Used in The Antiretroviral Therapy Program In Karnat Aka State, India: Recommendations For Improvement . Retrieved June 22, 2015, From  Http://Apps.Who.Int/Medicinedocs/Documents/S21037en/S21037en.Pdf 

Case Study Images Provided By Customer

(2015, March 18). Free Term Papers, Research Papers, Essays, Book Notes | ***.com. Case Study Of Westminster Company - College Essays - Sukhidhillon. Retrieved June 22, 2015, from http://www.***.com/essays/Case-Study-Of-Westminster-Company-69699355.html

(n.d.). ***** - term papers, essays, book reports, research papers. Westminster Company Case Study - Term Papers - Isaacpr. Retrieved June 22, 2015, from http://www.*****/essay/125696/Westminster-Company-Case-Study

Logistics in Aviation

Aviation logistics: Competitive advantage and technological innovation

Prelude

In the modern era, the worldwide logistics and supply chain is very cut throat and keeping an edge over others is important for all the firms in operation. Worldwide competition in aviation logistics business is cut throat with numerous firms. Firms in this business survive only when they maintain an edge over their rivals in the business in order to keep the clients in check. Most of the firms are very lenient to their clients as they listen to their client's needs and requirements, complaints along the way, implementing long-term marketing programs as well as short-term. Companies also make use of their resources in order to acquire competitive edge over their rivals in the marketplace which leads to satisfactory profits (Sakchutchawan, 2011). The resource advantage theory stipulates that having edge in resources paves way for competitive edge in the…

References

Abrahamsson, M., Aldin, N., & Stahre, F. (2003). Logistics platforms for improved strategic flexibility. International Journal of Logistics: Research & Applications, 6 (3), 85-106.

Bardi, E.J., Raghunathan, T.S., & Bagchi, P.K. (1994). Logistics information systems: The strategic role of top management. Journal of Business Logistics, 15(1), 71-85.

Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120.

Bowersox, D.J., and Daugherty, P.J. (1995). Logistics paradigms: the impact of information technology. Journal of Business Logistics, 16 (1), 65-80.

The performance of each team member depends on the performance of all others, this being a team project. Constraints include time and financial resources; as such improvement requires permanent improvement effort.

isk Management. No risk has been identified related to the project's completion.

Monitoring and Controlling Mechanisms. The data analysts will develop a metric system to measure each member's performance on a weekly basis. This weekly performance will be submitted to the project manager for potential adjustments.

V. Operations management plan

Operations Strategy. An easy way to understand the meaning of operations strategy is to break the word into the two separate words: operations and strategy - these words being the opposite of each other (Slack & Lewis, 2002). 'Operations' is about the functions and procedures regarding the day-to-day processes, while 'strategy' is about the direction and scope of an organisation over a long period of time. The operations strategy…

References:

Aberdeen Group. 2008. Operational KPIs and Performance Management -- Are Your Daily Decisions Based on Fact?,  http://www.aberdeen.com/ 

Cooper, M. & Lambert D. 2000. Issues in Supply Chain Management. Industrial Marketing Management, vol. 29: pp. 65-83.

Johnson, J. C. And Wood, D.F. 1996. Contemporary Logistics, N.J.: Prentice Hall Upper Saddle Creek.

Keah C.R.K. And Handfield, R.B. 1998 .Supply Chain Management: Supplier Performance and Firm Performance. International Journal of Purchasing and Materials Management: pp.2-9.

Management

Undercover Boss is a great show for illustrating core management concepts. A season five episode features the CEO of the Larry H. Miller Company, owner of the Utah Jazz along with eighty other concerns. This episode features issues related to occupational health and safety, customer service and marketing. In the episode about Modell's Sporting Goods, a family-owned business that has been around since 1889, issues related to logistics, wages, and social justice come to the fore. In the first season episode featuring the CEO and president of 7-11, issues related to management and corporate structure, customer service, and quality assurance are brought to light. These three episodes can all be used to better understand textbook concepts, from the particular skills managers need to succeed to ethics and social responsibility. Of these three episodes, the most engaging was the one about Modell's because of the way the owner came to…

References

Schermerhorn, J.R. (2012). Exploring Management. 3rd edition.

Undercover Boss Utah Jazz:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Tc3qCOj68&feature=youtu.be 

Undercover Boss Modell's:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jadl9usH3s&feature=youtu.be 

Undercover Boss 7-11:

Management and Leadership DIscussion

For decades, school management processes have been popular among schools around the nation. School management processes put more responsibility on the local teacher and administrator basis in order to influence more positive results. The success of student learning depends heavily on "community participation, decentralization or teacher empowerment" (Wohlstetter & Mohrmon, 1994). This allows principals to step up and take a managerial approach to implementing individual and strategies unique to the needs of their schools. Ultimately, there are then variations within leadership processes. Thus, "some school districts dictate that structure, as in San Diego; others leave it up to the schools themselves, but hold the principal accountable for ensuring that all parties are given the opportunity to contribute, such as in Prince William County" (Wohlstetter & Mohrmon, 1994). The principal is thus a facilitator of change and an innovator that works to motivate individual teachers and administrators…

References

Murray, Martin. (2012). Total Quality Management. Manufacturing. Web.  http://logistics.about.com/od/qualityinthesupplychain/a/TQM.htm 

Spillane, James P., Diamond, John B., Burch, Patricia, Hallett, Tim, Jita, Loyiso, & Zoltners, Jennifer. (2013). Managing in the middle: School leaders and the enactment of accountability policy. Northwestern University. Web.  http://www.sesp.northwestern.edu/docs/mngingmiddleSPIDIABUR.pdf 

Wohlstetter, Priscilla & Mohrman, Susan A. (1994). School-based management: Promise and process. Issues and Research in Educational Finance. Web.  http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/CPRE/fb5sbm.html

Management

Yes, managers are important to organizational success. But this is a logical fallacy question. All organizations, both the successful ones and the utter failures, have managers. So the question isn't about whether managers are important to success -- mathematically there is 100% correlation between having managers and being successful, but also 100% correlation between having managers and being unsuccessful.

Then there is the issue of where organizational success comes from. First, one must define success -- is it profitability? Or exceptional profitability? Short-term, long-term? And there are a lot of variables that contribute to organizational success, not just the actions of management. Further, to determine whether managers are integral to success, and to what degree, would require a control. It is almost impossible to define a control. You could say the managers at Google are really good, but unless there is a parallel universe Google with different managers, how…

References

Burns, T. & Stalker, G. (1961). The management of innovation. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership Historical Research Reference in Entrepreneurship

Courtright, J., Fairhurst, G. & Rogers, L. (1989). Interaction patterns in organic and mechanistic systems. The Academy of Management Journal. Vol. 32 (4) 773-802.

Eyre, E. (2015). Mintzberg's management roles. MindTools.com. Retrieved July 5, 2015 from  http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/management-roles.htm 

MSG (2015). Steps in strategy formulation process. Management Study Guide. Retrieved July 6, 2015 from  http://www.managementstudyguide.com/strategy-formulation-process.htm

Salee Company Limited suffers this setback. Therefore, it should align itself in a position to maximize profits by looking in to the ways of reducing the loss. Mr. Somsak Pruksawan of the Salee Industry Public Company Limited admits that every organization, large or small businesses suffers various types of obstacle when performing businesses. Their problem is the management of the waste and the plastic defects. The management of the company notes that the company faces various difficulties. These problems range from the upstream of supply chain processes to the end customers or the consumers of their products. The material cost varies with the mass of material that that facilitates the process and the price unit of that material. The heaviness of material is vividly a result of the proportion volume and material density. However, the fraction's maximum wall widths play a role (Lindsay, 2010, p.57).

The weight of raw material…

Bibliography

Packham, D. (2010). Mould sticking, fouling and cleaning. Shropshire: Rapra Technology.

Groover, M.P. (2010). Fundamentals of modern manufacturing: Materials, processes, and systems. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.

ASM International. (2009). Characterization and failure analysis of plastics. Materials Park,

OH: ASM International.

The content language adopted for white collar workers will be a simple, plain one as the goal is for the message to be understood best and used by the employees in their interaction with the customers. In global communication campaigns, the language will be the same for white and blue collar workers and therefore a simple and plain one for everyone. In specific communications, the language can increase in complexity if the auditorium that needs to receive the message had a higher education level.

The content will take under consideration the cultural differences between the corporate headquarters country (e.g. UK) and the local offices (e.g. Korea) and adapt global campaigns to the local requirements. Additionally, the content will be designed to match company objectives and how these objectives can be understood by personnel. Therefore, a specialized team will be dedicated to understanding the personnel, the company values the personnel needs…

Reference List

Acosta, C., Leon, V.J., Conrad, C., Gonzalez-Cervantes, R. And Malave, C.O. 2004. Case Study on Culture and the Implementation of Manufacturing Strategy in Mexico. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, vol. 23(3): pp. 173-181.

Davis, Alison. 2005. Applying Employee Demographics. Strategic Communications Management. August 1st,  http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/computer-software-management/943392-1.html 

Hofstede, G. 1984. Cultural Dimensions in Management and Planning, Asia Pacific Journal: pp.84-99.

Internal Comms. 2006. The Top Seven Macro-Trends in Internal Communications. April edition, www.internalcommshub.com

There are some disadvantages to the transactional leadership style, however. This style is often considered to be inferior in times of crisis when strong transformation of the business is required. Should FedEx's core business move beyond the "cash cow" stage of maturity, the company may lack the vision to radically transform itself (for example, if jet fuel costs become too high to offer overnight courier service profitably). The company has succeeded thus far with its leadership style in part because it has had the same leader for its entire history -- the ability of FedEx to develop transformational leaders has not yet been tested. In addition, the company has been able to utilize their current business model profitably since the years following its inception, and there has been no crisis that threatened this cash flow significantly.

That said, FedEx does have within its leadership style the ability to make changes…

Works Cited:

Smith, F. (2010). What the Marine Corps taught me can be seen every day in FedEx. Military.com. Retrieved August 30, 2010 from  http://www.military.com/veterans-day/famous-veterans/frederick-smith.htm 

Epstein, M. (1998). Hiring veterans: A cost-effective staffing solution. HR Magazine. Retrieved August 30, 2010 from  http://www.allbusiness.com/human-resources/workforce-management-hiring-recruitment/708916-1.html 

Row, H. (1998). The 9 faces of leadership. Fast Company. Retrieved August 30, 2010 from  http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/13/9faces.html 

MindTools.com. (2010). Leadership styles. MindTools.com. Retrieved August 30, 2010 from  http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_84.htm#transactional

Management: Annotated Bibliography

Anyim, F.C. (2012). The Imperative of Integrating Corporate Business Plan with Manpower Planning. International Journal of Business and Management, 7(8).

This article talks about how traditionally, manpower planning as human resource activity is something that is utilized by institutions to make sure that they have the proper number and the accurate types of individuals that are performing jobs at the right places and during the right time all in a proposal to achieve business purposes. The article also explains how Business plan looks to recognize the many issues critical to the achievement of the association. The article likewise emphases on how the organization can be better positioned and equipped to contend effectually in the marketplace, while manpower planning, and contribute to the industry by providing the means (individuals) to complete the results from the planning procedure. This essay is beneficial gives theoretical explanations and inspects the authoritative…

Works Cited

Anyim, F.C. (2012). The Imperative of Integrating Corporate Business Plan with Manpower Planning. International Journal of Business and Management, 7(8).

Bewayo, E. (2005). Business Plans: Why Do We Teach Them? Northeast Business & Economics Association (NBEA) -- Established in 1973, 492-495.

Boni, A.A. (2012). The pitch and business plan for investors and partners. Journal of Commercial Biotechnology, 18, 38 -- 42.

Brush, S. (1993). Developing a hotel business plan: A how-to manual. Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly, 34(3), 72.

Management

Patents are a source of protection for intellectual property in any industry. The value in a patent is that it allows a company that has developed a product or proprietary technique to enjoy monopoly power over that, thus enabling the company to recoup its investment in the development of the proprietary product or technique. Patents are published as a matter of public record, and this is not deemed harmful because of the strength of law protecting patents. The typical response of competitors to patents is that they either build on the patent in a meaningful way, so as to receive their own patent for a new product that may be built on the original product. Alternatively, a competitor may develop a similar product that performs the same function as the one covered by patent, and receive its own patent on the new product. Patents typically can only be held…

References

Cadigan, S. (2015). Nurturing a culture of innovation. Inc. Magazine. Retrieved July 25, 2015 from  http://www.inc.com/steve-cadigan/nurturing-a-culture-of-innovation.html 

Morah, C. (2015). Patents are assets, so learn how to value them. Investopedia. Retrieved July 25, 2015 from  http://www.investopedia.com/articles/fundamental-analysis/09/valuing-patent.asp 

QuickMBA (2010). The value chain. QuickMBA.com. Retrieved July 25, 2015 from  http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/value-chain/ 

Waldron, D. (2013). Online education companies facing new disruption. Seeking Alpha. Retrieved July 25, 2015 from https://seekingalpha.com/article/1703392-online-education-companies-facing-new-disruption

Management

Wal-Mart's challenges in the Global market

Wal-Mart as the world's leading retailer has been spreading very fast extending its power across the world market. This began with the nine countries in South America, Asia, and Europe. This expansion is likely to extend even in the near future. As the company attempts at penetrating the hypermarket culture in different countries, it has encountered a battery of severe problems in the process of its global operations. Joint ventures and acquisitions of local businesses have become a major challenge in nationalism economies. Therefore, strict rules and regulations imposed by governments have blocked Wal-Mart's business operations. Late entry and miscalculating competitors have destroyed location opportunities and tampered with Wal-Mart's relationship with local suppliers. The company experienced big challenges in the global market due to its inability to adapt to new local cultures. In addition, sex discrimination, unions, and low wages prompted employees to…

References

Brunn, S.D. (2006). Wal-Mart world: The world's biggest corporation in the global economy. New York: Routledge.

Hitt, M.A., Ireland, R.D., & Hoskisson, R.E. (2008). Strategic management: Competitiveness and globalization. Mason, Ohio: Southwestern.

Jha, M. (2011). Retail Management. Michigan: Gyan Publishing House.

Kneer, C. (2009). The Wal-Mart Success Story. California: GRIN Verlag, 2009

Management

Economies of scale reflects a situation where the cost of something declines when more is produced. With larger quantities, bargaining power increase, and there are opportunities for greater systems efficiency. Economies of scope reflects a cost saving when a company produces two or more goods (The Economist, 2008). For example, if McDonalds only produced Big Macs, it would be inefficient because there is not enough demand for those to keep the restaurant busy. By adding other products, the restaurant can become more efficient because it is working closer to capacity and there are always customers.

Transaction costs are the costs associated with a transaction. In some cases, there are fees and commissions that have to be paid in order to do something. Those costs do not add any value in themselves, but they are costs that are necessary to doing the transaction.

Economic Value Added (EVA) is basically the…

References

IFM (2015). Porter's generic competitive strategies. University of Cambridge. Retrieved July 10, 2015 from  http://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/dstools/porters-generic-competitive-strategies/ 

Porter, M. (2008). The five competitive forces that shape strategy. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved July10, 2015 from  https://hbr.org/2008/01/the-five-competitive-forces-that-shape-strategy 

The Economist (2008). Economies of scale and scope. The Economist. Retrieved July 10, 2015 from  http://www.economist.com/node/12446567 

Subramaniam, N. (1999). The European automotive industry. Tripod. Retrieved July 10, 2015 from  http://cometonada.tripod.com/segmentation.htm

As is shown in the case, CCBCC begins with an intensive commitment to the initial collaborative planning phases of ensuring front end alignment with their distribution channel partners. Joint business plans ensure the company has the ability to effectively plan for spikes in demand more effectively than traditional, and less flexible means allow for. The collaborative planning phase of the CPF Model is essential for ensuring a high degree of logistics coordination and collaboration has been achieved (Bonet, 2005). The collaborative forecasting process including sales forecasting, exception management and resolving expectations, all essential for making a strategic commitment to CPF function correctly, are also evidence in the CCBCC implementation (Ireland, 2005). Finally the steps of creating and fine-tuning order forecasts, defining identifying exceptions and resolving exceptions to drive orders are also evidence in how CCBCC creates demand management workflows with the applications installed. It is very important to realize that…

References

Barratt, M., & Oliveira, a. (2001). Exploring the experiences of collaborative planning initiatives. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 31(4), 266-289.

Bonet, D. (2005). A new approach for understanding hindrances to collaborative practices in the logistics channel.International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 33(8), 583-596.

Crampton-Thomas, P. (2006). Enabling profitable growth through demand driven supply networks. Supply Chain Europe, 15(2), 18-21. R

Ireland, R. (2005). Abc of collaborative planning forecasting and replenishment. The Journal of Business Forecasting,24(2), 3-4+.

Integrated Management Framework

The notion of Operations Management (OM) resembles that of a tree with various branches attached to it; although each of the branches represents a separate icon, their roots are linked. Here, the various branches stand for Logistics, Purchasing, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Management Information Systems (MIS), Accounting, Engineering and Marketing. All have a different persona but play a significant role in the implementation of Operations Management and therefore the executor is required to have adequate knowledge of these functions.

OM is not only about the different operations of a business, it affects every facet of the organization starting from the core business activities to the tiniest detail applicable. For that reason, the traditional approach to encourage the operational point-of-view regarding the OM enterprise is not appropriate. Also, other factors such as reporting lines, performance measures, budgets and reward structures accompanied by the cultural aspects continue to sway…

References

Andersen, B., Henriksen, B., Wenche, W. (2006). Holistic performance management: an integrated framework. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management 55. 1/2; 61-78.

Barratt, M. And A. Oliveira. 2001. Exploring the experiences of collaborative planning initiatives. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management 31(4): 22 .

Beamon, B. And T. Ware. 1998. A process quality model for the analysis, improvement and control of supply chain systems. International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics 704-715.

Bonner, J.M. 2005. The influence of formal controls on customer interactivity in new product development. Industrial Marketing Management 34(1):63-69.

Business Studies

eflection on Logistics Module

Logistics is a critical consideration in strategy development; creating and marketing the greatest products, and stimulating a high demand with an effective strategy will provide a firm with little value unless there is the ability to satisfy the demand created. The satisfaction of that demand requires a suitable logistics strategy, with the firms' ability to manage the inflow of inputs required to create products and then manage the outward flow so that the customers will be able to access the finished goods. The study of logistics has highlighted the degree to which this is often overlooked as a key competition of strategy formulation, with the logistics processes taken for granted.

Logistics is an interdependent competent of general strategy creation, a little research on the topic shows that it has the potential to play an important supporting role in major strategies; the Toyota method of…

References

Fiestras-Janeiro, M.G; Garcia-Jurado, I; Meca, A; Mosquera, M.A. (2011), Cooperative game theory and inventory management, European Journal of Operational Research, 210(3), 459-466

Wheelen, Thomas L; Hunger, David L, (2008), Strategic Management and Business Policy: Concepts and Cases, Pearson

Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA is primarily charged with ensuring that the Americans are all safe in case of any emergency. This is the basis of all their engagements and departments that exist therein. The range of emergencies that are included in the FEMA field of operation are natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, wild fires, earthquakes and man made (both internal and external aggression) disasters that can adversely affect the lives of the Americans.

The roles of FEMA in a situation of emergency are conventionally grouped into the following categories as indicated by FEMA (2010a);

Life safety: this is usually the first and most important priority of FEMA since it is the sole reason for the existence of the agency and the agenda for their response to any emergency situation.

ecovery and restoration; this involves ensuring that the businesses run normally and that the population is employed once again after…

References

Church World Service, (2011). Responding to Emergencies-Our Approach. Retrieved August 1,

2011 from  http://www.churchworldservice.org/site/PageServer?pagename=action_what_emerg_approach 

FEMA (2010a). Emergency Management Guide. Retrieved August 1, 2011 from  http://www.fema.gov/business/guide/section2g.shtm 

FEMA (2010b). FEMA's Organization Structure. Retrieved August 1, 2011 from http://fema.eyestreet.com/about/structure.shtm

International Channel Management

The Japanese Distribution System has been under a lot of scrutiny and assessment and analyses by foreigners, and these analyses have attempted to find out the reason behind the absolute 'no go' principle that they find when they attempt to export any product to Japan. In a basic comparison between Japan and the United States of America, for example, while there is one single retail store for every 68 persons in Japan, in America, there is one retail store for every 120 persons. (Japanese Business Environment) The Japanese Distribution is virtually in the midst of a big controversy today, wherein the distributive structure and the various trade practices followed by the Japanese are under question. (A new perspective on the Japanese distribution system: structure and trade practices) The fact is that the Japanese Distribution System came into being during the early years of the seventeenth century, when…

References

Auckerman, William. Japan Net Penetration doubles in past year. Retrieved From

http://isp-planet.com/research/japan_net_grows.html Accessed on 18 March, 2005

Bilateral Trade Relations: Japan. Retrieved From

http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/issues/bilateral/countries/japan/index_en.htm Accessed on 18 March, 2005

Industrial Organization vs. esource-Based View of Management

Analyzing the Differences Between esource-Based and Industrial Organization-Based Views of Strategy

In identifying the common and differing aspects or themes of the industrial organization (I/O)-based strategy which is also often referred to as the Competitive Forces Approach (CFA) (Porter, Stern, 2001) versus the esource-Based View (BV) (Barney, Ketchen Jr., Wright, 2011) this analysis identifies the differences and similarities between the two views. A major factor that previous analysis of these two views of strategies have either not covered at all or have only partially mentioned is how knowledge creation and its speed of transformation into a competitive asset, predicated on external conditions, is actually an asset (Dyer, Nobeoka, 2000).

Most relevant to managing a 21st century enterprise is the ability to respond intelligently and quickly to unforeseen events, capitalizing on opportunities and mitigating risks. Organizations are having to find a middle ground or…

References

Jay B. Barney, David J. Ketchen Jr., & Mike Wright. (2011). The Future of Resource-Based Theory: Revitalization or Decline? Journal of Management, 37(5), 1299-1315.

Cao, G., Wiengarten, F., & Humphreys, P.. (2011). Towards a Contingency Resource-Based View of IT Business Value. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 24(1), 85-106.

Conner, Kathleen R.. (1991). A Historical Comparison of Resource-Based Theory and Five Schools of Thought Within Industrial Organization Economics: Do We Have a New Theory of the Firm? Journal of Management, 17(1), 121.

Jeffrey H. Dyer, & Kentaro Nobeoka. (2000). Creating and managing a high-performance knowledge-sharing network: The Toyota case. Strategic Management Journal: Special Issue: Strategic Networks, 21(3), 345-367.

The authors contend in this phase that once the constraint has been identified, it needs to also be isolated so that controllable and uncontrollable areas can be defined. The control mechanism, often called a buffer, shields the constraint from extraneous effects and other variables so that strategies can be defined for minimize constraint variation first, and eventually externalizing the constraint (Lepore, & Cohen, 1999). Buffers often are managed to a series of metrics or key performance indicators to assure that any external factors or forces are not significantly influencing it over time. The greater the variability in a constraint the greater the need for a buffer to be agile and capable of shielding the constraint from the effects of extraneous factors so approaches can be found to minimize it (Lepore, & Cohen, 1999). This is an essential step for eventually minimizing constraint variation and externalizing it.

The authors clearly are…

References

Lepore, D, & Cohen, O. (1999). Deming and Goldratt: the theory of constraints and the system of profound knowledge- the Decalogue. Great Barrington, MA: The North River Press.

Park, S., Ntuen, C., & Park, E.. (2009). A new paradigm of Six Sigma: Knowledge-based Digital Six Sigma. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 20(9), 945.

The 3M model is also one that thrives on internal competition between ideas for further funding, the progression to the next stage of the innovation process, and the development of prototypes and finished products. What unifies all of these elements together is the strong focus on innovation that is predicated on team-based assignment and requirements (Allio, 1993). There is also a strong focus on minimizing variation in new products once defined and in production using Six Sigma, a technique for minimize product variations over time (Hindo, 2007).

eferences

Constraints eferences

Bernardi, d. S. (2010). Theory of constraints contributions to outbound logistics. Management esearch eview, 33(7), 683-700. Link:

http://ebiz.uoregon.edu/poms2008/FullPapers/008-0518.pdf

Goodrich, D.F. (2008). The relationship of the theory of constraints implementation to change management integration in professional service organizations. Nova Southeastern University). Link: http://gradworks.umi.com/33/12/3312014.html

Gupta, M.C., & Boyd, L.H. (2008). Theory of constraints: A theory for operations management. International Journal of Operations…

References

Allio, M.K. (1993). 3Ms sophisticated formula for teamwork. Strategy & Leadership, 21(6), Link:  http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/31538/1/0000461.pdf 

Hindo, B. (2007, Sep 17). 3M: Struggle between efficiency and creativity. Business Week (Online),, 1.

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_24/b4038406.htm 

Shapiro, A.R. (2006). Measuring innovation: Beyond revenue from new products. Research Technology Management, 49(6), 42-51. Link:  http://www.allbusiness.com/technology/3997709-1.html

Supply Chain Management and Concentrated Clusters

Distribution Systems

Author's Notes

Concentrated Clusters and Improvement in Supply Chain Management and firm's overall performance

Clusters are geographic concentrations which comprise of interconnected organizations or associations that manufacture products or deliver a service to a particular industry or field. Clusters are mainly a mix of companies belonging to the same industry or located in the same technological facility sharing resources like infrastructure, suppliers and distribution networks. It mainly consists of three or more companies with downstream extension to channels and customers and lateral extension complementary goods' manufacturers including companies with industries related skills, technologies and inputs (Cognizant 20-20, 2011).

Concentrated clusters have immensely wide benefits to each firm's performance, particularly performance pertaining to supply chain management efficiency. There are certain common characteristics which clusters hold and thus benefit the firms in improving their overall performance and supply chain management are; physical proximity, complementary…

References

Cognizant 20-20 Insights. (January 2011). Cluster Manufacturing: A Supply Chain Perspective. Retrieved September 2, 2012, from Cognizant Official site website:  http://www.cognizant.com/InsightsWhitepapers/Cluster-Manuf.pdf .

Brown, R. (March 2000). Cluster Dynamics in Theory and Practice with Application to Scotland. Regional and Industrial Policy Research Paper (pp. 6-8). Glasgow G1 1QE: United Kingdom. Retrieved September 2, 2012, from e-innovation website: http://www.e-innovation.org/stratinc/files/library/34.pdf.

DeWitt, T., Giunipero, L.C., & Melton, H.L., (2006). Clusters and supply chain management: the Amish experience. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 36(4), 289 -- 308. Doi: 10.1108/09600030610672055.

Army has been modernizing its logistics function for the past half century, and a wide range of legacy systems remain in place. For example, logistics automation systems, collectively termed the Standard Army Management Information Systems (STAMIS) have been deployed by the combat service support community to provide improved logistics support to warfighters. Although these systems have proven valuable to warfighters in the field, supporting these legacy systems has become a challenge for Army logisticians due in large part to their lack of interconnectability. These legacy systems also have a number of limitations that require updating and efforts have been underway to replace these systems with more efficient approaches to provide warfighters with the materiel and information they need to prosecute military actions on the 21st century battlefield. The purpose of this study was to provide empirical observations and views from Army subject matter experts to determine what constraints may be…

References

Academy of Management. The Academy of Management Review. Briarcliff Manor: Oct 2008. Vol. 33, Iss. 4; pg. 825

Andersson, Ake E. (1981). Structural Change and Technological Development. Regional Science and Urban Economics, 11(3), 351. Retrieved November 13, 2008

Besaw, B. (2005, August). Army Logistician (Improving Logistics Automation Support). Army

Logistics University. Retrieved September 18, 2012, from http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/sepoct05/logautosupprt.html

A comparative study of logistic operation in the military vs. commercial organization

The past two decades have witnessed drastic transformations in civilian as well as military logistical settings. The commercial sector has been transformed by mass retailing, technological advancements, deregulation impacts, supply chains, etc. which have posed challenges to the commercial logistical setting. Simultaneously, military logisticians saw the Cold War era and associated strategies, a whole new kind of enemy, evolving military employees and sustained combat maneuvers within Third-World settings (Rutner, Aviles & Cox, 2012). Both groups have encountered tough choices, in addition to being pressured to review and perfect their corresponding logistical processes. But the question of whether both have been growing at the same rate remains to be answered.

Contemporary corporations are required to simultaneously achieve reduced costs, superior quality and superior logistics performance. They are facing increasing pressures to modify their offering to address changing requirements, promote…

Development of technology has also improved the management of global logistics by encouraging firms to implement the EP systems. The global logistics planning as well as execution processes are still behind mostly when it comes to logistic management and supply chain. Therefore, creating a web-based system (EP) will create interactions with people around the world when purchasing goods and services online. The system created will also help the firms in managing the global transportation carriers, rates and execution in an environment.

Technology has improved the management of global logistics by impacting on the supply chain processes. The customers are now digitally connected by allowing the firms to have their personal portals updated again and again with the tracking numbers put in place.

Technology has also contributed to transparency in a supply chain, improving the links in the firms' chain, a trend that should be replicated among al big logistics companies…

References

Albright Brian, (2002). New technology reads 'hidden' bar codes. Frontline Solutions,3(12):47-49.

McCarthy, Jack, 2002, the wireless road taken. InfoWorld, 24(47): 38-40.

Compare Business Products, (2009). Technology impact on supply chain. Retrieved September 26, 2012, from  http://www.comparebusinessproducts.com/briefs/technology-impact-supply-chain

Improvements to Target's Logistics Processes

As one of the leading retailers in North America, Target Corporation (NYSE:TGT) has one of the most advanced logistics, supply chain management and planning systems and series of processes in the retail industry. Target has specifically designed their entire value chain to deliver higher-end electronic products that can compete with WalMart, specifically in the areas of flat screen televisions, laptop computers and increasingly, Apple-branded iPads and iPod products. Target is also using their advanced supply chain processes including Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and eplenishment (CPF) to compete in the high-end women's clothing lines that WalMart is not choosing to compete in (Target Investor elations, 2012). At the close of their latest fiscal year, Target was operating approximately 1,760 stores in 49 states. Target finances its operations through its retail and credit card business units, using the profits from those two operations to finance the operations of…

References

Columbus, L. (2008, The perfect order meets customer expectations. Supply & Demand Chain Executive, 9(4), 37-38.

Copacino, W.C. (1993). Creating the perfect order. Logistics Management, 32(2), 27-27.

Henderson, T.P. (2001). Kmart, Target outline best practices for ensuring vendor supply chain compliance. Stores, 83(3), 74-78.

Debra Hofman (2004, September). The HIERARCHY of SUPPLY CHAIN METRICS. Supply Chain Management Review, 8(6), 28-37.

Project Management

The project selected for this study is the opening of a new restaurant in New York City. This restaurant will be named: "Home Grown." It will be fashioned after the restaurant-creation in the television program "Fifteen" in the U.K. Food Network, a cable television channel has decided to open the restaurant by hiring fifteen trainees. The trainees will be taught all the requisite skills to chefs. Along with that they will also be able to assess the related needs of the restaurant industry. Jamie Oliver, the mastermind behind "Fifteen" in the U.K. has been selected to head this project along with his sous-chef who would be monitor the daily operations in NY City. The restaurant is to open on Christmas Eve, 2004 and it is hoped that it will be a success. Food Network has a budget of ten million dollars earmarked for this project. Any profits from…

Bibliography

Ayers, James B. (2001). Handbook of supply chain management. Boca Raton, Fla.

Alexandria, Va.: St. Lucie Press;

APICS.

Baar, James E, & Jacobson, Stephen M. (2004). Forecasting-What a Responsibility. Cost Engineering., 46, 1, 19

I. Major Factors
The management of Dream Beauty Company, a manufacturer of consumer beauty supplies and cosmetics, is concerned with the increased costs of its supply chain management. The firm’s supply chain costs recently reached an all time high of $130,000, which could be attributable to various factors including additional sales and increased costs for order fulfillment. Currently, the Dream Beauty’s total order fulfillment is averagely three days despite the order size. Dream Beauty Company has received 3600 orders, provides excellent customer service, and has a discount policy for the channels it services.

II. Major Problem
Despite its highest standards of customer service and industry benchmark in order fulfillment, Dream Beauty Company is experiencing problems in increased supply chain costs and needs to examine the effectiveness of its three-day order fulfillment cycle.

III. Possible Solutions
Dream Beauty’s major problem can be addressed through several potential solutions because of the various…

Operations Management

Supply Chain Management at Dell Computer Corporation

Supply chain management systems have historically been designed to bring increasingly higher levels of automation and standardization of processes throughout supplier relationships, fulfillment, quality management and services. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century the concentration on lean supply chain performance sought to drill out every errand and unnecessary step and costs from supply chain collaboration, planning and execution (Foreman, Gallien, Alspaugh, Lopez, Bhatnagar, Teo, Dubois, 2010). This was especially the case in high technology industries including personal computers where the greater the level of standardization, the higher the level profits and lower the costs. Lean supply chain management and manufacturing was the approach Compaq took to establishing an early market share lead, yet was quickly challenged by Dell with its innovative uses of build-to-order supply chain management and rapid mass customization selling techniques (Gunasekaran, Ngai, 2005). The intent of…

References

Foreman, J., Gallien, J., Alspaugh, J., Lopez, F., Bhatnagar, R., Teo, C.C., & Dubois, C. (2010). Implementing supply-routing optimization in a make-to-order manufacturing network. Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, 12(4), 547-568.

Gunasekaran, A., & Ngai, E.W.T. (2005). Build-to-order supply chain management: A literature review and framework for development. Journal of Operations Management, 23(5), 423-451.

Gunasekaran, A., & Ngai, E.W.T. (2009). Modeling and analysis of build-to-order supply chains. European Journal of Operational Research, 195(2), 319.

Kapuscinski, R., Zhang, R.Q., Carbonneau, P., Moore, R., & Reeves, B. (2004). Inventory decisions in dells supply chain. Interfaces, 34(3), 191-205.

everse Logistics Trends and Practices

everse logistics is a concept that has attracted considerable attention in the recent past because of the new interest in its processes. The increased interests in reverse logistics occur regardless of the little information regarding the size and extent of reverse logistics processes and activities. As the interests on reverse logistics have grown, the concept and its processes have been characterized by the emergence of new trends and practices. The focus of this project is to describe the current state of reverse logistics and attempt to determine and evaluate trends and practices. The determination of the recent trends and practices in reverse logistics incorporates examining the degree of its activities and processes in supply chain management. The author will focus on determining existing practices and trends, assessing them, and generating information regarding the trends in today's reverse logistics practices.

Overview of everse Logistics Processes

In…

References

Greve, C. & Davis, J. (2010, April). Recovering Lost Profits by Improving Reverse

Logistics. Retrieved February 28, 2015, from http://grevedavis.com/files/2010/04/Greve-Davis-View-of-Reverse-Logistics.pdf

Hawks, K. (2006). What is Reverse Logistics? Reverse Logistics Magazine. Retrieved February 28, 2015, from  http://www.rlmagazine.com/edition01p12.php 

O'Reilly, J. (2005, July). Rethinking Reverse Logistics. Retrieved February 27, 2015,

Logistics in the Business Organization

Why have supply chain management issues often been ignored by senior management?

As an organization becomes more and more profitable, the managers perceive a lesser need for addressing issues in the supply chain (Dutton, 2009). One of the key causes encompasses the profitability of the company and the focus is on profit margin generated. With regard to companies that generate greater profit margins, while transport and logistics form a meager part of expenses, managers barely dedicate their time in supply chain management. Instead, they have a tendency of laying emphasis on what generates greater proceeds. Nonetheless, when the organization is in turmoil and having poor returns, managers will acknowledge the need for having an effective and efficacious supply chain. This is owing to the fact that every minimal expense will have an impact. As a result, every probable solution is sought after, when the margin…

References

Ahmed, K. (2015). Where Tesco Went Wrong with Its Suppliers. Retrieved 20 January, 2016 from:  http://www.supplychain247.com/article/where_tesco_went_wrong_with_its_suppliers/college_of_business_at_illinois 

DHL Website. (2015). The megatrend as a possible revolution in logistics. Retrieved 19 January, 2016 from: https://www.dhl-discoverlogistics.com/cms/en/course/technologies/connection/rfid.jsp

Dutton, G. (2009 Jan) The Rise of the 4PL, World Trade: Vol. 22, Iss. 1, pg. 20 [ProQuest doc ID: 228243277]

Dutton, G. (2009) Selling the supply chain upwards. World Trade, Troy, 22 (9): 34, 37.

Logistics

Case

Benchmarking methodology

A benchmark is defined as an agreed upon or standard reference point that is utilized to measure quality or value. In the business environment, the benchmarking process is a process through which a company agrees upon standards to measure its progress. The benchmarking process can be used both externally and internally. There are two fundamental parts of a benchmarking process, namely: performance assessment and continuous improvement. There are also three basic types of a benchmarking: the first is where comparison is done using internal data, the second is where the company assesses relative service performance and the last is where one evaluates supply chain performance of various organizations, even though the organizations may not necessarily be competing ones. The benchmarking process entails the use of other processes such as data analysis and reporting. When done properly, benchmarking can help bring about product innovation. Product innovation can…

References

Blanchard, D., & IndustryWeek, (2006). Protecting The Global Supply Chain. Retrieved February 8, 2016, from  http://www.industryweek.com/regulations/protecting-global-supply-chain 

Closs, D. J. (2008). A framework for protecting your supply chain. Logistics Management, 47(9). Retrieved from  http://trid.trb.org/view.aspx?id=872237 

Dutton, G. (2009) Selling the supply chain upwards. World Trade, Troy, 22 (9): 34, 37

Frey, B. S. (2009). How can business cope with terrorism? Journal of Policy Modelling, 31(5), 779-787.

Improvement at Wal-Mart Stores

How can the logistics processes be improved in your organization?

The logistic process of Wal-Mart provides results that have propelled the retail giant to the top income earning company in 2007. They are the first store to assume the first place in sales in the Fortune 500 magazine, exceeding giants in the energy sector: Chevron and Exxon Mobil; and manufacturer: General Motors. Wal-Mart's growth is based on the organizational structure established on logistic excellence, and logistics are vital. Logistics is about supply chain; having the right supply chain is no longer just an interesting opportunity. It is a survival skill. The fallacy is that Wal-Mart is in the retail business, but in reality, it is in the distribution business. Wal-Mart is obliged to bring products from the docking station to the client's doorstep in less than 72 hours and calls for the highest efficiency level in…

Revese Logistics Tends and Pactices

Dake Nash

RLMT 401 Revese Logistics Data and Secuity Resilience -- Summe 2015

Revese Logistics Tends and Pactices

Revese Logistics (RL) entails the management of mateials fom thei points of use to the disposal o ecovey stages. In this case, focus elates the cuent pactices and tends in RL as employed in vaious oganizations. The pape addesses diffeent aspects elating to RL that include pefomance metics, etuns pocessing, and collaboation. Pesent pattens in RL emanate fom esults of typical etun pocesses. Futhe, the pape endeavos to discuss economic challenges expeienced in evese logistics and othe supply chain issues.

Intoduction

In most cases, supply chain management (SCM) eseach entails the fowad flow pocess. The pocess engages the tansfomation of aw mateials into final poducts (Dekke & Fleischmann, 2012). Futhe, the flow pocess incopoates the movement of goods fom the supplies to the end consumes. Howeve, little…

references and overstocking by companies. Because of the present marketing practice and severe competition, firms adopt return policies that are liberal. Numerous stores do not enforce return restrictions due to the possibility of losing their customers (Li & Olorunniwo, 2007). A 1999 work by Rogers and Tibben-Lembke studied RL activities in general, at the initial stage, reaching the conclusion that reverse logistics would have a key role; an improvement in information systems is essential. Tibben-Lembke (2002) in an independent study discovered that numerous firms are only now starting to understand RL's significance. Subsequently, scholars researched various RL aspects, including information systems, resources, environmental issues, financial impact, and process industries. Richey and colleagues surveyed Automobile Aftermarket Industry Association members in 2005, and demonstrated that RL could be made more efficient and effective by means of resources, through devising innovative strategies; moreover, resources could help surmount challenges (in case of early entrants) as well as attain high quality (in case of late entrants). Daugherty and Myers surveyed catalog sales firms selling electronics, in a 2002 research, and found no link between financial/operational performance and information systems skills, owing to RL's unpredictable and erratic nature. A 2003 paper by Murphy and Poist contributed to the rather limited body of empirical work pertaining to green logistics; study findings reported a broadening of logistical scope by green concerns, in addition to impacting the manner in which logistics managers carry out their jobs. Mollenkopf and Closs, in 2005, illustrated numerous potential financial effects of RL: assets, expenditure and returns. Lastly, a 2006 work by French and LaForge looked into process industry re-use practices, contrasting existing primary findings on individual industries.

Companies that can create and effectively monitor RL processes linked to product returns can develop a mutually advantageous position for themselves and their customer base. A better understanding of factors pertaining to product returns and RL can help identify areas in manufacturing and supply chain management where modifications to

TANSPOTATION & LOGISTICS FIELD --

Challenges Issues, and Trends in the Logistics and Transportation Field

The complexity of logistics in terms of the split channels, a higher variance in products and demand for customer focused solutions has been on the rise. There have been several trends that indicate that there are many challenges down the line as global trade becomes even more interactive and complex (Editorial Staff, 2013).

Trends

Studies point to the following trends.

Emergence of New Technology: Most companies have realized that there is need to make use of new technology. esearch shows that 60% of major companies plan to invest heavily in data analysis tools in the coming five-year period. The tools are meant to enhance a holistic handling and precise and proactive connection of data so as to boost control and planning outcomes (Editorial Staff, 2013).

A Structural Change Freight by Air to Freight by Sea:…

REFERENCES

Ciemny, W., Closs, D. J., Costa, O., Davidson, J., Harrington, J., Lafrance, S., Law, A., Neel, W., Norek, C. D., Ravi, P., & Seiersen, N. (2005). Global Transportation Trends. Logistics Quarterly, Vol II, Issue 5, 1-29. Retrieved from www.logisticsquarterly.com

Editorial Staff. (2013, August 9). New Study Reveals Nine Key Trends of Global Logistics. Retrieved May 9, 2016, from Supply and Demand Chain Executive:  http://www.sdcexec.com 

Nevhagen, P. (2014, June 10). 5 global logistics trends. Retrieved May 10, 2016, from GreenCarrier: www.greencarrier.com

channel management practices that have been developed via thorough research and analysis of the world's leading companies?

Channel management is a process that entails managing the relationship between a vendor and the third parties used by them to get goods and products into client's hands, while making sure that the post-sales services and support are still of high quality. A channel can be either a one- or two-tier relationship. In the one-tier relationship, a vendor is selling products directly to a reseller; in the two-tier relationship, a vendor is selling to the third parties indirectly through a distributor. Effective channel management can help to greatly increase revenue and profit margins for vendors through creating incentives for channel partners to promote or market their own branded services and support; it is also useful to be able to achieve the right overall pricing for the end users[footnoteef:2]. [2:

KPMG. (2011). Leading practices…

References

Chapter 8: Distribution Channels and Supply Chain Management in High-Tech Markets (n.d.).. Retrieved July 14, 2015 from https://ulib.derby.ac.uk/ecdu/CourseRes/dbs/markinno/Mohr_J_2(Chapter8).pdf

Childerhouse, P., & Towill, D.R. (2003). Simplified material flow holds the key to supply chain integration. Omega, 31(1), 17-27.

Choon Tan, K., Lyman, S.B., & Wisner, J.D. (2002). Supply chain management: a strategic perspective. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 22(6), 614-631.

Council of Logistics Management (CLM). (2000). What it's all about. Oak Brook, IL: Council of Logistics Management.

Transportation logistics field has experienced a number of significant changes in recent years due to innovations in technology, and there are a number of emerging concepts that have surfaced over the past 1 to 2 years as a result. To determine the facts, this paper provides a review of the relevant literature to identify several of these emerging concepts, including a detailed discussion concerning their respective importance in the transportation logistics management (TLM) field. An analysis concerning the direction these emerging trends will take in the future and their potential future impact within the TLM field is followed by a summary of the research and important findings concerning these issues in the conclusion.

eview and Analysis

The concepts that are emerging in the TLM field today may have appeared as so much science fiction just a few years ago, but concepts such as 3D printing, drone deliveries and driverless vehicles…

References

Frey, T. (2012, December). Creating cars that talk to the roads. Journal of Environmental Health, 75(5), 38-40.

Grace, J. (2014, Fall). The end of post-sale confusion: How consumer 3D printing will diminish the function of trademarks. Harvard Journal of Law & Technology, 28(1), 263-271.

Robinson, A. (2015, January 14). The future of logistics: Are 3PL companies ready to adopt these four emerging technologies? Cerasis. Retrieved from  http://cerasis.com/2015  / 01/14/future-of-logistics/.

Rule, T. A. (2015, January). Airspace in an age of drones. Boston University Law Review, 95(1), 155-160.

Highway Funding Structure: Wal-Mart's Innovations in Logistics

The United States has one of the most complicated road systems in the entire world. These complexities have a number of head aches, but also some serious luxuries that allow American motorists to enjoy traveling in a more streamlined manner than anywhere else on the globe. As more and more cars get on the road, there is ultimately more pollution. As such, companies like Wal-Mart are taking innovative initiatives to help generate greater levels of sustainability in transportation services.

The majority of funding for highway structures throughout the country comes directly from the tax payers. In fact, the research suggests that "federal highway spending is funded mainly through taxes on gasoline and other motor fuels that accrue to the Highway Trust Fund" (Berman, 2010, p 3). This is an enormous cost, and one which carries with it a number of both positives and…

References

Berman, Jeff. (2010). Wal-Mart rolls out ambitious sustainability plan. Logistics Management. Web.  http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/wal-mart_rolls_out_ambitious_sustainability_plan 

Kile, Joseph. (2011). The highway trust fraud and paying for highways. Congressional Budget Office. Web.  http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/121xx/doc12173/05-17-highwayfunding.pdf

Zongshen +d

Innovations in strategic planning

Organizational analysis of Chinese industrial firm, Zhongqing Zongshen Automobile Industry Manufacturing Co., Ltd., offers much in terms of understanding the global powerhouse as an industrial economy of scale. If China's macro-economic position is one of increased export growth, then micro-analyses enable us to uncover the ingenuity and strategies behind the giant. Zongshen Motorcycle brand is one of the core subsidiaries of Zongshen Industrial Group, with consumer recognition in the capital market. The mission of the company is to improve the quality of life of human beings through innovation of clean, convenient and safe transportation tools (Zongshen, 2010).

In 2008, expansion of the two-wheeled motorcycle concern in its multi-scale strategic plan encouraged growth through: domestic sales, import and export agreements, and key & important component distribution. The integrated strategy resulted in substantial returns, with export sales at $100 million alone. The Company reports cumulative assets…

REFERENCES

Dispute Settlement: Dispute DS340 China -- Measures Affecting Imports of Automobile Parts (2008). World Trade Organization. Retrieved from:  http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds340_e.htm 

DOHA Declaration on Anti-dumping GATT Article VI, Section 7. WTO (2009). Retrieved from:  http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dda_e/implem_explained_e.htm#antidumping 

Flannery, R., & Huang, P. (2003). No HOGs here. Forbes Global, 6(17), 26.

PESTLE (2010). RapidBi.

Strategic Management Concept: Outsourcing

Strategic Management: Ourtousrcing

Definition of outsourcing

Outsourcing is defined as the contracting another person or company to perform a specialized function (Lacity and Hirschheim, 1993). Outsourcing can also be defined as contracting out a business process to a third party. In the current business environment, all business will outsource in some way. The term outsourcing not only refers to the large contracting of firms to perform specific functions, but also refers to any non-core activity that a business contracts out to another company. For example, an insurance company could outsource its janitorial operations to another company, which would ensure that the insurance company can focus on its core business. Outsourcing ensures that a business can concentrate on its core business and its overall strategy (Grossman and Helpman, 2005). The firms contracted to perform or offer the service have the necessary expertise and have specialized in the…

References

CHAN, F.T., KUMAR, V. & TIWARI, M.K. 2009. The relevance of outsourcing and leagile strategies in performance optimization of an integrated process planning and scheduling model. International Journal of Production Research, 47, 119-142.

DUHAMEL, F., GUTIERREZ-MARTONEZ, I., PICAZO-VELA, S. & LUNA-REYES, L.F. 2012. The Key Role of Interfaces in IT Outsourcing Relationships. International Journal of Information Technologies and Systems Approach (IJITSA), 5, 37-56.

FEENSTRA, R.C. & HANSON, G.H. 1996. Globalization, outsourcing, and wage inequality. National Bureau of Economic Research.

FEENSTRA, R.C. & HANSON, G.H. 1999. The impact of outsourcing and high-technology capital on wages: estimates for the United States, 1979-1990. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 907-940.

Supply Chain Management

Intangible Qualities of a Public Transportation System

Among the intangible qualities of a public transportation system include; safety, riding comfort, ease of using the service, convenience in use and reducing stress to individual commuters and the road systems. If a public transportation system is safe from accidents and crime commuters will find them ideal for use in their day-to-day activities. Commuters' daily preference for public transportation system would make the service provision more viable and easy to maintain. Subsequently the public transport system would flourish and remain for a longer period. iding comfort comprises of availability of a sitting area while waiting, comfortable seats in the buses or commuter train and cleanliness. This attribute factors in the perception of satisfaction with the atmosphere during travel allowing commuters to embrace public transport system in their daily errands. Subsequently the public transport would have a reliable demand sufficient to…

References

Christopher, Martin, & Denis R.T. (2001). An Integrated Model for the Design of Agile Supply Chains. International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 31(4), 235-246.

Henke, C. (2007). How Customer-Appealing Design and Branding Win New Riders: Data and Best Practices. Presented at APTA Bus and Paratransit Conference, Nashville, TN.

Operation Management

What should your competitive priorities be and what capabilities do you want to develop in your own core and support processes?

To begin with, so as to establish an online grocery delivery business, there are a number of factors (both internal and external) that need to be taken into account so as to ensure success of the business. Prominent among them is partnership with the grocery stores. In this instance, there will be the partnership between two brick and mortar grocery stores that presently are not engaged in any kind of grocery delivery business. In addition, we must be assured that we will have consumers who are ready and prepared to pay the additional dollars for the service. Taking this into consideration, the ideal consumer for this service is an individual who leads a considerably busy and chaotic life, barely has the time to visit the grocery store,…

References

Collier, D. A., Evans, J. R. (2009). Operations Management Goods Services and Value Chains. South Western College Publication.

Fazel, F. (1997). A comparative analysis of inventory costs of JIT and EOQ purchasing. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 27(8), 496-504.

Ward, P., McCreery, J., Ritzman, L., Sharma, D. (1998). Competitive priorities in operations management. Decision Sciences, 24, 9: 1,035 -1,046.

Wal-Mart is also the company's most significant competitor when it comes to supply chain performance and the ability to manage tens of thousands of suppliers to predetermined performance objectives as well (Norek, Pohlen, 2001). Target, another significant competitor, is using an up-scale marketing message to position itself away from Wal-Mart and Sears/K-Mart. Target is also challenging Wal-Mart for leadership in consumer electronics including plasma and flat-screen televisions as well (Frazier, 2006). There is also competition from May Company primarily in apparel nationally, and with several smaller regional retailers who concentrate on clothing and furniture to a limited extent. Of these competitors, Wal-Mart has been the most effective as the company's unique value proposition focuses on enhancing and adding buying power to their customer's budgets. In fact it is known that Wal-Mart, for the Value Shopper, is a major means of making ends meet (Frazier, 2006). This translates into a significant…

References

Mya Frazier. (2006, February). Marketing in Bentonville: Now it's serious. Advertising Age, 77(7), 1,38.

Soo-Young Moon. (2005). An Analysis of Global Retail Strategies: A Case of U.S. Based Retailers. Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambridge, 7(1), 219-222.

Christopher D. Norek, Terrance L. Pohlen. (2001). Cost knowledge: A foundation for improving supply chain relationships. International Journal of Logistics Management, 12(1), 37-51.

Transitioning of the Defense Transportation System Toward Complementing Best Practices in Supply Chain Management Efficiently and Securely

Distribution managers need to appreciate that management of defense supply chains is a rapidly-growing global phenomenon, with an overlap existing in management levels; right from the strategic national-level stakeholders to lower sustainment units at the activity levels. Strategic distribution changes have the potential of immensely impacting tactical implications. This paper aims to help absorb a few important precepts required for globally receptive logistics decisions. Distribution and material managers ought to review and internalize defense supply chains early on in the course of their career. The process of distribution is complex. Thus, material distribution management must include electronically sustainable supply-chain information systems for realizing true synchronization. After all, defense transport systems are CASs (complex adaptive systems) integrating comprehensive, dynamic components, and aim at discussing complex supply-network systems together with their co-evolutionary, dynamic processes. The…

References

Arthur, W. B. (1999). Complexity and the economy. Science, 284(5411), 107-109. doi: 10.1126/science.284.5411.107

Choi, T. Y., Dooley, K. J. and Rungtusanatham, M. (2001). Supply Networks and Complex Adaptive Systems: Control vs. Emergence. Journal of Operations Management 19 (3): 351-366

Christopher, M., & Holweg, M. (2011). "Supply chain 2.0": managing supply chains in the era of turbulence. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 41(1), 63-82. doi: 10.1108/09600031111101439

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