A collaborative framework in outbound logistics for the us automakers

The competitive landscape of the U.S. automotive market has transformed from the traditional Big Three players to too many viable players. In 2008-2009, the harsh market conditions, excess production capacity, capital asset redundancies, and many inefficient strategies submerged as the roadblocks for the US automakers to stay competitive and profitable in the North American market. In this new competitive era, cross-company collaboration in product development, standardizing and communizing supply base, sharing flexible manufacturing platforms, using common inbound and out bound logistics service providers and warehousing etc. can play vital roles for the US automakers to reduce overall cost and return to profitability. Through the horizontal collaboration in the outbound logistics operations, these companies can create close-knit business partnership and act faster than the foreign rivals in delivering finished vehicles at the optimum cost. The optimization of outbound logistics operations through consolidation and collaboration among OEMs has tremendous potential to contribute to the profitability by lowering the cost of transportation, in-house inventory, transportation time, and facility costs. The collaboration in the intra- and inter-OEM outbound logistics operations is a critical area that the US automakers need to pay attention and prioritize in their cost reduction initiatives. This research presents an integrated collaboration framework for the outbound logistics operations of the US automakers. In our framework, we propose three potential levels for the US automakers to form outbound logistics collaboration: operational, tactical, and strategic. Our research proposition is to improve the performance of outbound logistics systems of automotive OEMs by means of horizontal collaboration between plants and competing OEMs. The proposed research thus relates to the literature on logistics system design and management and horizontal collaboration in supply chain management. The collaboration framework is demonstrated through a real world case study in US automotive industry. The contribution of this research is the introduction of a framework for intra- and inter-OEM collaboration and the development of novel logistics network design and flow models integrated with inventory models, lost sales, and expedited shipment. Besides the contribution to the academic literature, the proposed collaborative distribution system is a new concept in the automotive industry. Hence, this novel research work will also benefit to the practitioners. Keywords: Operational Collaboration, Tactical Collaboration, Strategic Collaboration, Frequency based Inventory, Customer Patience and Lost Sales, Expedited Shipments

Brand establishment of Premier Cement

This internship report is submitted in a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Business Administration,2011.Cataloged from PDF version of Internship report.Includes bibliographical references (page 27).Premier Cement Mills Limited is one of the leading manufacturing cement companies in Bangladesh. Among 120+ Cement Company it has established its brand name at a certain height. World class machine and quality product ensured by BUET test in every three months has give them a strong position in the market, along with river side production house in Muktarpul, Munshiganj. They are now producing Ordinary Portland and Portland Composite cement, and to sell their product they are using direct and indirect channel, and currently they have 8% market share in Bangladesh. To create brand awareness and brand association with the brand they basically use different kinds of promotional activities like-leaflet, mini leaflet, banner, poster, and electronic media, Mesban, Mason and Engineer Meeting, Newspaper Advertising etc. Among promotional activities Cash++ and Eid 2 Eid offer are most popular in which they are giving discount based on scratch card and gift items based on raffle draw. Evaluate brand performance depending on three months working experiences of brand department is not an easy task. Even then through brand audit, four steps of Brand Building, Perceived quality, Brand Power Grid Model, I tried to high light the position of Premier Cement Mills Limited’s Brand position. I also add some finding of Premier Cement Mills Limited, depending on my practical knowledge I gave some recommendations at the end of the report. PCML is conduction their business successfully in Bangladesh. Depending on my experience and field visit, it is clear that they are in a good brand position. But though are exporting 8% of their productions to India and having a good increasing market in Bangladesh, they should give more emphasis on creating a stronger brand in Bangladesh first. For this they have to add more branding activities which will helps them to increase brand image.MD. Nazmul HassanB. Business Administratio

Human Capital Investment and the Gender Division of Labor

We use a model of human capital investment and activity choice to explain facts describing gender differentials in the levels and returns to human capital investments. These include the higher return to and level of schooling, the small effect of healthiness on wages, and the large effect of healthiness on schooling for females relative to males. The model incorporates gender differences in the level and responsiveness of brawn to nutrition in a Roy-economy setting in which activities reward skill and brawn differentially. Empirical evidence from rural Bangladesh provides support for the model and the importance of the distribution of brawn.brawn, health, schooling, gender

Splice tests of plain steel bars in concrete

Fifteen splice specimens reinforced with plain steel bars, including three specimens instrumented with both steel and concrete strain gauges, were tested under monotonically applied four-point loading to develop a database of reliable bond test results and contribute to the development of a reliability based bond provision for plain steel bars to evaluate historical concrete structures. The maximum applied load for the specimens and their observed failure behaviour are reported. In addition to that, a strain compatibility analysis, average bond stress distribution, and flexural section analysis within the lap splice length of the instrumented specimens are also reported. All of the specimens failed in bond within the lap splice length. The load capacity of two specimens reinforced with plain steel bars was 60% of the reported load resistance of specimens with identical geometry and reinforced with deformed bars. The CEB-FIP Model Code provisions for average bond stress of plain steel bars underestimated the maximum applied load recorded for the tested specimens by 16% on average. An empirically derived equation to predict the bond capacity of plain steel bars was determined to be proportional to both the splice length and the nominal bar diameter. Observed cracks in the shear spans remained vertical and suggest the development of arch action within this region. The formation of a large crack at one end of the lap splice length and a review of the load versus deflection behaviour indicated a sudden bond failure of the specimens. Removal of concrete cover at the ends of the lap splice length following testing of the specimens showed evidence of slip of the lapped bars. Instrumented splice specimens provided evidence of bond loss within the lap splice region. As-measured steel strains were higher than those measured for the surrounding concrete due to a loss of strain compatibility. The average bond stress distribution within the lap splice length became more uniform as the applied load approached the maximum applied load. The flexural analysis calculated based on concrete strains above the neutral axis and steel strain provided a reasonable estimate of specimen capacity

Co-operative Investment policy for Growth and Development of Small and Medium Size Businesses and Improve the Poverty Condition in Bangladesh

The research focuses on the assessment of SMEs (Small and Medium Size Enterprises) & its impacts on socio-economic spheres; it focuses on the effective ways for growth & development of SMEs in Bangladesh for socioeconomic development. Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world with low GDP/capita and minimum purchasing power. 24.8% of the total population of the country does live below the national poverty line ($2/day), while 6.5% of them do live in extreme poverty [4]. To bring the vast population out of the vicious circle of poverty and accelerate the economic growth are the target and attention of the country. To pave the way for first & foremost task is either to create direct employment or create condition to create employment to reduce the unemployment rate & accelerate the source and level of disposable income. Growth & development of SMEs, which create self-employments and employments for low and semi-skilled workers, are the target and attention of the country. But the ways for growth & development of SMEs in Bangladesh are not smooth enough. They are frequently confronted with structural, managerial, financial, and social challenges. For sustainable development large population groups are needed to get the ways for their own development. The research was conducted by structural and semi-structural questionnaires and face-to-face interview of 150 recipients of social classes and ages in rural and urban areas in Bangladesh. The aim of the paper is to analyze the effect of Co-operative Investment Policy through “Co-operative Society Micro-saving Bank” and ‘’Innovative SME Model’’ for growth and development of SMEs and MIAs (Micro Industrial Activities) and its impacts on socio-economic development. The target is to aggregate impoverished individuals’ micro saving, limited capability, little working skills & experiences to create them depositors, investors, successful entrepreneurs & skills workers through establishing co-operative society micro-saving bank and involving them in entrepreneurial activities

Factors influencing the development of social entrepreneurship in Bangladesh

6-8 December, 201

Prevailing Status and Treatment Seeking Awareness Among Patients Attending in The Orthodontics Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University

Background: Malocclusion is problem since antiquity. But people’s perception about the problem varies with their geographical location and cultural background. The problem seems to be more acute in developing countries like Bangladesh. Objectives: The present study was undertaken to assess the awareness about aesthetic problem of malocclusion and treatment seeking behavior among the patients attending in orthodontic department of BSMMU. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Orthodontic, Faculty of Dentistry, BSMMU, over a period 24 months from January 2008 to December 2009. A total of 110 participants who were suffering from malocclusion and came for dental treatment were the study population. Results: The mean age of the patients was 21 years and the youngest and the oldest patients were 8 and 32 years old respectively with female to male ratio being roughly 3:2. Graduate or postgraduate level educated patients were predominant (53.6%). Over 70% of the respondents viewed malocclusion as an aesthetic problem, 50% as functional problem, 55.5% social problem and 69.1% oral problem. Two-third (67%) told that malocclusion was a treatable condition. Approximately 43% of the patients identified trauma as a cause of malocclusion, 40% gingivitis or periodontitis and 35.5% dental caries. About one-third (32.7%) of the respondents was of the opinion that certain habits should be avoided to prevent malocclusion, 15.5% told timely treatment of malocclusion, 30% told prevention of early loss of teeth due to caries, 12.7% were in favour of the use of a space maintainer in places of premature loss of a deciduous tooth. Over 90% of the respondents held the view that symptoms of malocclusion, its prevention and different treatment options should get the priority in educating the society about malocclusion. However, 80% of the respondents told that causative factors should discussed. Regarding ways of behaviour change communication (BCC), TV got the first priority (94%) followed by newspaper (92%), teacher (88%), school health programme (84.5%), friends (76%), health educators (43.6%) and poster got the least priority (30.9%). Conclusion: The study concludes that a substantial proportion of the patients of malocclusion are not aware of the causes and consequence of malocclusion. However, the patients are aware that malocclusion is an aesthetic problem and can be corrected. Key words: Malocclusion; aesthetic problem; treatment seeking behavior. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bsmmuj.v4i2.8637 BSMMU J 2011; 4(2):94-9

What are the Alternatives of PG Plus Tests for Modified Asphalt Binders?

For characterizing the polymer modified binders, different state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) use different time consuming and empirical Performance Grade (PG) Plus test methods. Furthermore, the PG Plus tests are silent when asphalt binders are modified with chemicals such as polyphosphoric acid (PPA). But, the effects of the polymer are not accurately identified through these conventional tests such as Elastic Recovery (ER) and tenacity. The main goal of this study is to recommend alternative test method(s), which can possibly be pursued by using, a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR). Thus, Multiple Stress Creep and Recovery (MSCR), ER-DSR, Frequency Sweep, and Binder Yield Energy Test (BYET) are being explored to find their effectiveness. Three PG binders (PG 64-22, PG 70-22 and PG 76-22) have been selected for this investigation. These binders have been prepared with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer, PPA, or a combination of both. Further, chemical tests such as SARA (Saturate, Aromatic, Resin, and Asphaltene) analysis and FTIR (Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy) are also being explored to fulfill the objectives. Preliminary findings suggest that the PG Plus tests deem to be obsolete. Also, a single test procedure is not sufficient to identify the presence and effectiveness of modifiers in the PG binders