Postponement and the wealth of nations

In this paper, Fair Value Chain Creation (FVC2;), as an approach that applies and extends principles of Fair Trade to exports from developed countries to the less developed countries, is being introduced. It awards a Fair Value label to goods which undergo further value adding in the host market. FVC2; attempts to utilize a label pointing at made for rather than made in by emblematizing the degree of Fair Value involved. Building on logistics and manufacturing postponement allows FVC2; to balance value chains in such a way that both stakes (North - South; developed countries - developing countries; country of origin - host market) are going to profit. Developing countries can increase their share in value chains originating from Northern countries. In turn, this enables those developed countries and corresponding manufacturers to level their resources. While postponing none-core activities to the developing countries and the respective host markets, manufacturers can focus even more on core processes. In fact, FVC2; mostly employs humans instead of machines. It makes labor a promoted option. Based on free-market mechanisms, like opportunity costs and the production possibilities frontier, the authors prove FVC2; being an attempt in the market and on the structure of global value chains. Fair Value Chain Creation is driven by enhanced global logistics performance. Thus, and in contrast to Fair Trade, FVC2; requires no price premium being paid by the consumer and therefore no stringent inspection of its application. Nonetheless, every labeling initiative requires an authority to prevent malpractice. The authors show, before such an initiative can be put into practice, that it is particularly evident to define the developing gap enabling to specify the potential and spectrum of FVC2;. This gap arises from globalization and enhanced logistics performance (foremost postponement). --Fair Trade,Fair Value Chain,Fair Value Creation,Postponement,Wealth of Nations

ESDA2008-59477 AN APPROACH FOR AN AUTOMATED AND MARKET-DRIVEN OPTIMISATION OF PRODUCT RANGES AS PART OF THE PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT (PLM) FRAMEWORK

ABSTRACT From the perspective of systems theory, looking at a defined product range of a company, it is possible to describe the main influences as well as restrictions from the market on it. After figuring out, which of those variables are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely, there is the potential to create sensed values for a "market-driven optimization of product ranges"-feedback loop. The controller of the circuit affects the reference to become the optimal product range for the customer. Therefore a second model or subsystem is needed, which commits the optimum product range in respect to economic interests of the quoting company. Changes in market demands will have, under the restrictions of intra-corporate economic targets, direct effect on the product ranges. Prior achieving that interlinking between market and product, the controller and its functions need to be determined. Rules have to be developed and evaluated in relation to proper feedback on market demands

Development of International Educational Systems by Competence Networking based on Project Management

AbstractThe globalization demands new kinds of concepts and models to ensure the provision of skilled labor by international educational systems based on advanced competence networking. The success depends on the professional use of the latest project management theory, methodology, and practice. Multinational multi-projects fail and are aborted. A reason for that could be the deficiency of project readiness. The project management approach should be integrated into other management subsystems such as information, knowledge, competence, network management etc. One of the most important challenges is to ensure the communication and information transfer for competence balancing and sharing. A successful and efficient cooperation is only possible under equivalent partners. It creates the necessary trust. Beginning with the presentation of the need for cooperation and the exchange of knowledge for global and fair growth, the relationship between education, competence development and applied project management will be explained for educational transfer systems. Subsequently, the application of the approach will be illustrated by the planning, designing, implementing, and further developing of a large-scale Sino-German cooperation in higher education. The success of the project and the sustainability will be guaranteed. The roll-out to other network partners on a national and international scale is in progress

Differences Between Omnivores and Vegetarians in Personality Profiles, Values, and Empathy: A Systematic Review

Numerous medical studies have documented vegetarian diets as having various health benefits. Studies have also compared vegetarians with other dietary groups from a socio-psychological perspective. The objective of this review is to investigate the differences between vegetarians and omnivores in terms of their personality profiles, values, and empathy skills. A search was conducted across three electronic databases. Non-randomized, observational, cross-sectional, and cohort studies were eligible. Outcomes provided information about the differences between the above-mentioned dietary groups regarding their personality profiles, values, and empathy skills. A shortened version of the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias for the included studies. Of the 2,513 different studies found, 25 (total number of participants n = 23,589) were ultimately included. These studies indicate that vegetarians significantly differ from omnivores in their personalities, values, and ability to be empathetic. Omnivorism is associated with an increased orientation toward social dominance, greater right-wing authoritarianism, and, in line with this, a stronger tendency to be prejudiced. Vegetarianism is associated with greater openness and empathy. The values of vegetarians are based more on universalism, hedonism, stimulation, and self-direction, whereas the values of omnivores are based more on the idea of power. To answer a narrowly defined and clear question, issues such as animal ethics, animal rights, and environmental protection are not considered in this review. The findings of this review, showing marked differences in personality correlating to the choice of diet and the increasing influence of plant-based diets on a global level, indicate that further studies about vegetarianism are warranted

Ketogenic diet and fasting diet as Nutritional Approaches in Multiple Sclerosis (NAMS): protocol of a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common inflammatory disease of the central nervous system in young adults that may lead to progressive disability. Since pharmacological treatments may have substantial side effects, there is a need for complementary treatment options such as specific dietary approaches. Ketone bodies that are produced during fasting diets (FDs) and ketogenic diets (KDs) are an alternative and presumably more efficient energy source for the brain. Studies on mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis showed beneficial effects of KDs and FDs on disease progression, disability, cognition and inflammatory markers. However, clinical evidence on these diets is scarce. In the clinical study protocol presented here, we investigate whether a KD and a FD are superior to a standard diet (SD) in terms of therapeutic effects and disease progression. METHODS: This study is a single-center, randomized, controlled, parallel-group study. One hundred and eleven patients with relapsing-remitting MS with current disease activity and stable immunomodulatory therapy or no disease-modifying therapy will be randomized to one of three 18-month dietary interventions: a KD with a restricted carbohydrate intake of 20-40 g/day; a FD with a 7-day fast every 6 months and 14-h daily intermittent fasting in between; and a fat-modified SD as recommended by the German Nutrition Society. The primary outcome measure is the number of new T2-weighted MRI lesions after 18 months. Secondary endpoints are safety, changes in relapse rate, disability progression, fatigue, depression, cognition, quality of life, changes of gut microbiome as well as markers of inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy. Safety and feasibility will also be assessed. DISCUSSION: Preclinical data suggest that a KD and a FD may modulate immunity, reduce disease severity and promote remyelination in the mouse model of MS. However, clinical evidence is lacking. This study is the first clinical study investigating the effects of a KD and a FD on disease progression of MS