DETERMINANTS OF STRATEGIC RISK MANAGEMENT IN EMERGING MARKETS SUPPLY CHAINS: THE CASE OF MEXICO

Risk mitigation in global supply chains has grown in importance in recent years, in tandem with globalization and both the commercial and security threats faced by firms both large and small. This study hypothesizes that a firm’s ability to manage risk strategy—and therefore support its competitiveness—is determined by a symbiotic triad of factors: the resources it utilizes; network systems; and performance criteria it employs. The study, comprising 24 in-depth interviews with electronics and IT firms, examines resource utilization through the Resource-Based View (RBV), assesses firms’ proclivity to engage in networks for risk mitigation and competitiveness; and highlights the importance of performance evaluation as a critically important component in supply chain management. Findings reveal that both buyers and suppliers believe that the symbiotic triad can provide them with a competitive advantage in addition to improving operational efficiency, effectiveness and quality. Future research should also extend this pilot investigation to other countries and industries, and utilize a larger sample of firms for quantitative as well as qualitative assessment.Risk management; emerging markets; Supply Chain Management; IT

Determinants of strategic risk management in emerging markets supply chains: the case of Mexico

Risk mitigation in global supply chains has grown in importance in recent years, in tandem with globalization and both the commercial and security threats faced by firms both large and small. This study hypothesizes that a firm’s ability to manage risk strategy— and therefore support its competitiveness—is determined by a symbiotic triad of factors: the resources it utilizes; network systems; and performance criteria it employs. The study, comprising 24 in-depth interviews with electronics and IT firms, examines resource utilization through the Resource-Based View (RBV), assesses firms’ proclivity to engage in networks for risk mitigation and competitiveness; and highlights the importance of performance evaluation as a critically important component in supply chain management. Findings reveal that both buyers and suppliers believe that the symbiotic triad can provide them with a competitive advantage in addition to improving operational efficiency, effectiveness and quality. Future research should also extend this pilot investigation to other countries and industries, and utilize a larger sample of firms for quantitative as well as qualitative assessment.La disminución del riesgo en las cadenas de suministro globales ha crecido en importancia en los últimos tiempos, junto con la globalización, así como las amenazas comerciales y de seguridad que las empresas, tanto grandes como pequeñas, enfrentan. Este estudio plantea la hipótesis de que la habilidad de una firma para manejar la estrategia de riesgo –y así sostener su competitividad- está determinada por una triada simbiótica de factores: los recursos que utiliza; los sistemas de interconexión; y el criterio de rendi-miento que emplea. Este estudio, que comprende 24 entrevistas a fondo con empresas IT y electrónicas, examina el uso de recursos a través del Resource-Based View (RBV), evalúa la proclividad de la empresa de interconectarse para mantener su competitividad y mitigar el riesgo; y resalta la importancia de evaluar el rendimiento como un componente crítico en la administración de la cadena de suministro (supply chain management). Los resultados revelan que tanto los compradores como los proveedores creen que la triada simbiótica les puede proporcionar una ventaja competitiva además de mejorar su eficiencia operacional, efectividad y calidad. En tal sentido, las investigaciones futuras deberán extender este estudio piloto a otros países e industrias, y utilizar una muestra más amplia de firmas tanto para la evaluación cuantitativa como cualitativa

Exploration of in Vivo Efficacy of Artemether-Lumefantrine Against Uncomplicated Plasmodium Falciparum Malaria in Under Fives in Tabora Region, Tanzania.

Tanzania adopted artemether-lumefantrine (AL) as first-line drug for uncomplicated malaria in 2006. Recently, there was an anecdotal report on high malaria recurrence rate following AL treatment in in the (urban and peri-urban), western part of Tanzania. The current report is an exploratory study to carefully and systematically assess AL efficacy in the area. Between June and August 2011, a total of 1,126 patients were screened for malaria, 33 had malaria, of which 20 patients met inclusion criteria and were enrolled and treated with standard dose of AL as recommended in the WHO protocol. Treated patients were followed up for 28 days to assess treatment responses. Before treatment (Day 0) and post-treatment (Day 7) plasma lumefantrine levels were determined to assess prior AL use and ascertain parasites exposure to adequate plasma leveles of lumefantrine, respectively. The cure rate was 100%. All Day 0 plasma lumefantrine were below HPLC detectable level. The median Day 7 lumefantrine concentration was 404, (range, 189-894 ng/ml). Six out of 20 patients (30%) were gametocytaemic and all cleared gametocytes by Day 14. One patient showed an increase in gametocytes from four on Day 0 to 68, per 500 WBC on Day 2. Artemether lumefantrine is highly efficacious against uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The elevation of gametocytaemia despite AL treatment needs to be evaluated in a larger study