DSS (Decision Support Systems) in Indian Organised Retail Sector

Indian organised retail industry is poised for growth. Rapid state of change due to speedy technological developments, changing competitive positions, varying consumer behaviour as well as their expectations and liberalized regulatory environment is being observed in organized retailing. Information is crucial to plan and control profitable retail businesses and it can be an important source of competitive advantage so long as it is affordable and readily available. DSS (Decision Support Systems) which provide timely and accurate information can be viewed as an integrated entity providing management with the tools and information to assist their decision making. The study, exploratory in nature plans to adopt a case study approach to understand practices of organized retailers in grocery sector regarding applications of various DSS tools. Conceptual overview of DSS is undertaken by reviewing the literature. The study attempts to describe practices and usage of DSS in operational decisions in grocery sector and managerial issues in design and implementation of DSS. Comparision across national chain and local organized retailer in grocery sector reveals that national chain having implemented ERP partially are mostly using the same for majority of operational decisions like inventory management, CRM, campaign management. Two local players use spread sheets and in house software to make the above operational decisions. The benefits realized remain the same across the retailers. Prioritization as well as quantification of benefits was not communicated. The issues of coordination, integration with other systems in case of ERP usage, training were highlighted. Future outlook of DSS by the respondents portrayed a promising picture.

Does Mass Customization Enable Sustainability in the Fashion Industry?

Fashion industry evolves today as one of the largest yet among the top of the most polluted industries in the world. Fashion has become cheap and affordable; hence, the consumption has risen to an unsustainable level. Water and energy consumption, hazardous chemical usage, resource depletion, and waste generation are among the key environmental impacts created by the fashion industry. To foster the sustainability in the fashion industry, development of new business models that minimize the environmental damage is urged. This chapter reviews the possibility of a mass customization strategy to become a sustainable business model in the fashion industry. Seven key elements that could possibly enhance sustainability are discussed, and it is concluded that further advancement of technologies and growing consumer desires to purchase sustainable products will make mass customization a viable sustainable business model

Feasibility Study of Collaborative Education Model in Higher Education under the Background of “Internet+”

This study investigates the application of the collaborative education model in higher education within the “Internet+” context. It examines how rapid advancements in information technology have reshaped higher education, fostering the collaborative education model. The study combines literature review and empirical research to analyze the model’s core elements, implementation strategies, and impact on higher education. It delves into the transformations in teaching, learning, and management due to “Internet+”, and defines the collaborative education model’s concept, principles, and significance. Key elements like instructional design, student participation, and teacher roles are explored, highlighting interdisciplinary integration, teamwork, and teacher transformation. The study discusses implementation strategies such as planning, technological support, and faculty training. Empirical research, including case studies, interviews, and observations, assesses the model’s effectiveness. The paper concludes by summarizing findings, acknowledging limitations, and suggesting future research directions for enhancing the collaborative education model in higher education

Construction of A Personalized Service Model of ABC Community Fresh E-commerce Based on Small Data

The homogenization of products and services in the development of community fresh e-commerce is more serious, and providing personalized services to community customers has become a new development key point. From the perspective of small data research, this paper proposes an e-commerce service model that uses small data to provide personalized fresh products for community customers. Taking ABC community convenience store as the research object, the paper analyzes the application of community customer small data in the personalized service of community fresh convenience store to improve the loyalty and satisfaction of community customers and promote the development of community fresh e-commerce

Investigating the feasibility of supply chain-centric business models in 3D chocolate printing: a simulation study

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Science Direct via the DOI in this record.3D chocolate printing provides the technology for manufacturing chocolates layer-by-layer, thus offering customers enhanced product value and personalized consumption experience. As business models in the chocolate industry are closely associated with the profitability of the supply chain constituents, it seems appropriate to investigate the financial viability of these supply-chain centric business models prior to their introduction in the real world. In this paper we present two business models pertaining to the supply chain for 3D printed chocolates; we evaluate the financial viability of these innovative models through the use of computer modelling and simulation. The study is based on the commercialization efforts of a UK based 3D chocolate printing technology provider (Choc Edge). The results of the study indicate that 1) the retailer dominant supply chain model is a potentially disruptive business model innovations that are enabled by the 3D food printing technology, and as such, may pose a challenge to traditional high end chocolate products; 2) the manufacturer dominant model helps manufacturers gain more profits while retailer profits tend to be stagnant.We would like to thank the financial support of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and the Bridging the gap of EPSRC in the UK and Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation of Ministry of Education in China (Grant number: 14YJC630130)

THE MARKETING PLAN FOR WEIDUOLIYA WESTERN-STYLED RESTAURANT IN CHENGDE

This bachelor thesis is done for the academic study on International Business and Marketing Logistic at Satakunta University of Applied Sciences (SAMK) in Finland. The purpose of this study is to create a marketing plan for Weiduoliya western-styled restaurant in Chengde, China. The author has seen the massive growth in foreign restaurants business over the past five years in China. This marketing plan is to support running student’s own restaurant business after her graduation. The author is really interested in writing a marketing plan due to the great business opportunity and large demands of foreign food in Chinese market. The theoretical part of this study is to learn and understand the marketing planning process, and sources are gathered through various marketing books, articles and online documents. An efficient marketing plan helps small business to achieve its marketing objectives easily. The qualitative research methodology is applied in this study. It was conducted with an in-depth semi-structured interview with the experienced local foreign restaurant manager in November 2011 and in July 2013. Secondary data was collected by reviewing documents, and personal experience in eating in a foreign restaurant. On the basis of the results of this research, the marketing plan for Weiduoliya western-styled restaurant is created that includes business mission, marketing analysis, marketing objectives, marketing strategy, marketing mix and implementation and control

Evolving a software development methodology for commercial ICTD projects

This article discusses the evolution of a “DistRibuted Agile Methodology Addressing Technical Ictd in Commercial Settings” (DRAMATICS) that was developed in a global software corporation to support ICTD projects from initial team setup through ICT system design, development, and prototyping, to scaling up and transitioning, to sustainable commercial models. We developed the methodology using an iterative Action Research approach in a series of commercial ICTD projects over a period of more than six years. Our learning is reflected in distinctive methodology features that support the development of contextually adapted ICT systems, collaboration with local partners, involvement of end users in design, and the transition from research prototypes to scalable, long-term solutions. We offer DRAMATICS as an approach that others can appropriate and adapt to their particular project contexts. We report on the methodology evolution and provide evidence of its effectiveness in the projects where it has been used

Does IT Payoff? Strategies of Two Banking Giants

Nominee for Best PaperBanks have long been among the most intensive users of information technology (IT). Globalization has further accentuated banks' reliance on IT, leading to further increase in their IT investment. It is not all that clear, however, whether these investments pay off. This case presents the complexities involved in measuring IT investment by comparing and contrasting the IT strategies of two of the world's largest banks: HSBC and Citigroup. Will the IT investment strategies adopted by HSBC and Citigroup enhance their operational efficiency or strategic positions? Which of the two banks will have higher returns on their IT investments in the long run? How should they measure such returns?link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Digitalization and the geographies of production: Towards reshoring or global fragmentation?

The relationship between digitalization and the governance and geographies of global value chains has not been explored systematically. This contribution discusses how digitalization affects the variables that determine the localization of manufacturing, i.e. the substitution of work through automation, the deepening of the customer-producer relationship, the rationalization of distribution through digitalized logistics networks, and the increased modularization of supply chains through standardization and 'platformisation'. The results of the theoretical exploration defy expectations of a straightforward 'reshoring' of production through the combined effects of automation and benefits through a co-localization of companies within their target markets. Tendencies that would support a stronger integration of production in advanced economies are instead being undercut by ongoing countertrends towards fragmentation. The contradictory tendencies of a geographical integration of manufacturing and target markets on the one hand and geographical fragmentation through sophisticated supply-chain organization on the other will affect the technologically facilitated processes of value chain restructuring in a sector-specific manner