A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON MARKETING/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT CROSS-FUNCTIONAL INTEGRATION IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE

A substantial body of literature is written on the benefits of cross-functional integration between marketing and Supply Chain Management (SCM), nevertheless, a major gap was identified regarding concrete actions needed to be taken to effectively implement such integration and measures to realise and evaluate the integration's impact on performance. Previous research has failed to support the claim about the positive impact of marketing/SCM cross-functional integration on performance. This research proposes a framework to conceptualise marketing/SCM cross-functional integration in order to optimise Supply Chain Performance (SCP) and overall business performance through identifying a set of integrative marketing capabilities and a measurement taxonomy to assess the impact on performance. Due to the novelty of the research, scarce studies and limited cross-functional effective practices, purposive sampling of specific case studies had to be followed. The case studies were selected from the Egyptian Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) market. Five Multinational Companies (MNC) fulfilled a set of criteria to be used as the research case studies and to reflect a global perspective. The research was divided into three phases, exploratory, explanatory and descriptive. The exploratory phase used a semi-structured research approach. At the exploratory phase, the cross-functional integration status between the marketing department and the SCM departments was examined. Moreover, a set of integrative marketing capabilities was explored. These capabilities are claimed to have the ability to impact SCP and business performance if well aligned between the demand creation side of the organisation (marketing and sales) and the demand fulfilment side (SCM). In addition, a list of integrative practical SCP measurements were investigated at this phase in an attempt to compile a measurement taxonomy capable of assessing the impact of integrating/aligning the identified marketing capabilities with SCM. At the second phase, the explanatory phase, the study attempted to support the results of the exploratory phase. The explanatory phase was divided into two parts, Part A and Part B. This phase employed a more structured approach. Part A resulted in defining the strength of the relationship/influence between each identified marketing capability and each SCP attribute (reliability, agility, responsiveness, cost and asset management). Part B resulted in a proposed comprehensive measurement matrix of 28 Performance Indicators (PI) capable of assessing the impact of marketing/SCM cross-functional integration on SCP and business performance. Thus, a conceptual framework was developed to visualise the measured impact of marketing/SCM cross-functional integration on performance through illustrating the influence of integrating each marketing capability on each SCP attribute and that this influence can be measured by specific corresponding PI. Moreover, in order to practically illustrate a cross-functional integration process, a descriptive research phase was conducted. The integration processes of each case study were mapped and in-depth observations were undertaken to follow and understand the level and scheme of cross-functional integration between the marketing department and the SCM department at the case studies. The descriptive phase resulted in a practical cross-functional integration process model based on the best practices of the five MNCs. This research phase followed an unstructured research approach to fully comprehend the cross-functional integration phenomenon. Finally the cross-functional integration process of Unilever Mashreq, a core case study, was demonstrated and the results of its integrative Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were shown in order to serve as a real life example reflecting the integration impact on performance. The research provides an original contribution to knowledge by developing a conceptual framework that can benefit companies by offering a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of the marketing/SCM cross-functional integration leading to improved SCP and overall business performance. Moreover, this research also presents a practical integration model to marketing and SCM executives with key cross-functional processes that facilitate implementing successful practices between the demand creation side of the organisation, the marketing department, and the demand fulfilment side of the organisation, the SCM department

Senior Supervisors Group- Risk Management Lessons from the Global Banking Crisis of 2008

Studies referenced in the exercise include Senior Supervisors Group, Observations on Risk Management Practices during the Recent Market Turbulence (March 2008); Financial Stability Forum, Report of the Financial Stability Forum on Enhancing Market and Institutional Resilience (April 2008); Institute of International Finance, Final Report of the IIF Committee on Market Best Practices: Principles of Conduct and Best Practice Recommendations (July 2008); and Credit Risk Management Policy Group III, Containing Systemic Risk: The Road to Reform (August 2008). In addition, U.S. firms were asked to consider recommendations and observations in President\u27s Working Group on Financial Markets, Policy Statement on Financial Market Developments (March 2008)

Diagnostic SWOT appraisal of the wicker handicraft entrepreneurship development in Kashmir, India

Critical analyses of the perceptions on SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) have become a fundamental element of multi-criteria decision making for developing wicker handicraft entrepreneurship. The study examined the effectiveness and prioritization of entrepreneur's perceptions towards SWOT categories and factors and provided insights for developing wicker handicraft entrepreneurship in Pulwama district of Kashmir. Data were collected through structured interviews and focus group discussions of 100 wicker handicraft entrepreneurs of 20 villages selected by multi-stage random sampling. Simple descriptive statistics were used for the data analysis. Results showed that the factors like income generation (19.30%) and employment generation (19.00%) were viewed as most important strengths while labour intensive and less remunerative livelihood (18.80%) and seasonal subsistence (18.70%) were identified as main weaknesses. Further, poverty alleviation (20.70%), preservation of traditional art craft (19.00%) and improvement in public-private relations (17.50%) were adjudged as strong opportunities whereas limited marketing facilities (20.70%), lack of co-operative societies (18.90%) and harassment by officials in withies collection (16.50%) were seen as chief threats. The challenges (weaknesses and threats) (50.40%) for wicker handicraft entrepreneurship outweighed the prospects (strengths and opportunities) (49.60%) while the internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) (54.80%) prevailed over the external factors (opportunities and threats) (54.20%). F statistics (p<0.05) indicated significant differences between the internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats). The results projected the basis to the policymakers to prioritize and address the prominent challenges and reinforce the prospects for conceptualizing, formulating and implementing the strategies for strengthening the wicker handicraft entrepreneurship

Endocytic intermediates involved with the intracellular trafficking of a fluorescent cellular prion protein

We have investigated the intracellular traffic of PrPc, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein implicated in spongiform encephalopathies. A fluorescent functional green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged version of PrPc is found at the cell surface and in intracellular compartments in SN56 cells. Confocal microscopy and organelle-specific markers suggest that the protein is found in both the Golgi and the recycling endosomal compartment. Perturbation of endocytosis with a dynamin I-K44A dominant-negative mutant altered the steady-state distribution of the GFP-PrPc, leading to the accumulation of fluorescence in unfissioned endocytic intermediates. These pre-endocytic intermediates did not seem to accumulate GFP-GPI, a minimum GPI-anchored protein, suggesting that PrPc trafficking does not depend solely on the GPI anchor. We found that internalized GFP-PrPc accumulates in Rab5-positive endosomes and that a Rab5 mutant alters the steady-state distribution of GFP-PrPc but not that of GFP-GPI between the plasma membrane and early endosomes. Therefore, we conclude that PrPc internalizes via a dynamin-dependent endocytic pathway and that the protein is targeted to the recycling endosomal compartment via Rab5-positive early endosomes. These observations indicate that traffic of GFP-PrPc is not determined predominantly by the GPI anchor and that, different from other GPI-anchored proteins, PrPc is delivered to classic endosomes after internalization

Agonist-Directed Desensitization of the β2-Adrenergic Receptor

The β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonists with reduced tachyphylaxis may offer new therapeutic agents with improved tolerance profile. However, receptor desensitization assays are often inferred at the single signaling molecule level, thus ligand-directed desensitization is poorly understood. Here we report a label-free biosensor whole cell assay with microfluidics to determine ligand-directed desensitization of the β2AR. Together with mechanistic deconvolution using small molecule inhibitors, the receptor desensitization and resensitization patterns under the short-term agonist exposure manifested the long-acting agonism of salmeterol, and differentiated the mechanisms of agonist-directed desensitization between a full agonist epinephrine and a partial agonist pindolol. This study reveals the cellular mechanisms of agonist-selective β2AR desensitization at the whole cell level

The Role of Medical Interpretation on Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Asian American and Pacific Islander Women

We examined whether the impact of medical interpretation services was associated with the receipt of a mammogram, clinical breast exam, and Pap smear. We conducted a large cross-sectional study involving four Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities with high proportions of individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). Participants were recruited from community clinics, churches and temples, supermarkets, and other community gathering sites in Northern and Southern California. Among those that responded, 98% completed the survey rendering a total of 1,708 AAPI women. In a series of multivariate logistic regression models, it was found that women who typically used a medical interpreter had a greater odds of having received a mammogram (odds ratio [OR] = 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21, 2.83), clinical breast exam (OR = 3.03; 95% CI = 1.82, 5.03), and a Pap smear (OR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.38, 3.97) than those who did not usually use an interpreter. The study provides support for increasing language access in healthcare settings. In particular, medical interpreters may help increase the utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening among LEP AAPI women

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Traditional wicker handicraft by the <i>Shaakhsaazi</i> communities of rural Kashmir

350-355Wicker handicraft, the technique of basket and furniture weaving, is a well-known forest based cottage industry of Shaakhsaazi communities, playing an eminent role in the socio-economy and cultural heritage of Kashmir. The study is an attempt to document the indigenous knowledge pertaining to wicker handicraft practices. Multi-stage random sampling was employed to select one hundred Shaakhsaazi households from twenty sample villages in district Pulwama of Kashmir. The data were collected using ethnographic research methods, interviews, observations and discussions. In all, the historical and socio-religious aspects of Shaakhsaazi communities, collection of wicker species, processing practices, tools used in weaving, weaving techniques, livelihood mainstay, problems and prospects and gender analysis in wicker handicraft are discussed

Sustainable benefits in application of lean in prefabrication production process

Prefabrication is recognised as an appropriate solution to overcome several problems in construction such as low productivity, high waste production, inferior working conditions and insufficient quality. Even though prefabrication offers many benefits, significant number of inefficiencies could be identified from its production process. Lean Production Principles are recognised as a paramount concept, which enables to address such production process related inefficiencies. This study aims to investigate how application of Lean principles help to mitigate inefficiencies in Prefabrication Production Process (PrefabPP) and thereby learn how such an application leads to sustainability. Observations and semi-structured, interviews were conducted to collect data within selected three case studies in Sri Lanka (prefabrication production yards) targeting executive level professionals who engaged in 'prefabrication bridge beam production The collected data were analysed using code-based content analysis and mapped using tables and matrices. Findings revealed several inefficiency issues in PrefabPP which were highly moderately severe and less severe. The study revealed that by adopting lean principles into process. severe, PrefabPP that it will offer several key benefits to PrefabPP and its customers. Moreover, the results indicated that the application of Lean Production Principles to PrefabPP offers long-term benefits to construction by contributing towards sustainability. Thereby study offers some useful implications to prefabrication companies, construction professionals, researches and those who deal with sustainability issues