"Automobiles: Strategy-based Lean Production System"

The present situations and future prospects of the Japanese automobile industry are discussed. Selected topics in this paper include the following: analyses of the basic product-industry characteristics of the automobile (e.g., product architecture); the mature of the dynamic competition in the world auto industry; competitive performance (e.g., productivity) of the Japanese auto makers; organizational capabilities of better Japanese firms in production, development and procurement; overall environments in the 1990s; the concept of "balanced lean" system and its adaptation to environmental changes; new flexible production systems that cope with volume fluctuation; architectural strategies of the auto firms; modularization of parts; M&A and alliance; future of the automobile technologies and architectures; future of the capability-building competition.

Z-boson as "the standard candle" for high precision W-boson physics at LHC

In this paper we propose a strategy for measuring the inclusive W-boson production processes at LHC. This strategy exploits simultaneously the unique flexibility of the LHC collider in running variable beam particle species at variable beam energies, and the configuration flexibility of the LHC detectors. We propose their concrete settings for a precision measurement of the Standard Model parameters. These dedicated settings optimise the use of the Z boson and Drell-Yan pair production processes as ``the standard reference candles''. The presented strategy allows to factorise and to directly measure those of the QCD effects which affect differently the W and Z production processes. It reduces to a level of 10^{-4} the impact of uncertainties in the partonic distribution functions (PDFs) and in the transverse momentum of the quarks on the measurement precision. Last but not the least, it reduces by a factor of 10 an impact of systematic measurement errors, such as the energy scale and the measurement resolution, on the W-boson production observables.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure

An investigation into current production challenges facing the Libyan cement industry and the need for innovative Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) strategy

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate maintenance and production problems in the cement industry in Libya with particular emphasis on future implementation of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). Methodology/ Approach - The paper presents the use of case study approach of production data and history, field visits, a survey methodology using a detailed questionnaire with employees and interviews with top and middle managers in four cement factories. Findings - It has been found that the four factories under investigation have low productivity and production levels when compared with the design values. There is no clear TPM strategy and it has been also found that the lack of training and personal development is the main cause of this problem. In addition, employees are found not to be motivated as a result of the lack of poor management strategy and reward structure. Implications - Based on the findings, a new framework for TPM has been developed. This TPM strategy could be implemented in other Libyan factories as a result of the potential similarities in the cultural and environmental aspects. Practical implications - The current challenges have been identified and comparative analysis is developed into a model for the implementation of TPM. Originality/Value of pape r- The paper highlights limitation is the cement factories in Libya in relation to TPM and production strategies. The importance of adopting a realistic strategy and framework by managers is discussed. This work is developed as collaboration between Academia and Libyan Cement industry for solving productivity problems and develop a strategic framework of TPM for improving the Libyan industry

A review of the Yorkshire and Humber regional waste strategy

Managing waste has become a primary issue for regional planners. This article reports on the institutional process underpinning the region’s strategy and the stages in its production. It emphasises that there has been a watering down of the target for household waste production without appropriate explanation

Strategy-Proofness and Efficiency Are Incompatible in Production Economies

In a production economy where a single private good is produced via a non-linear concave technology, no direct mechanism satisfies strategy-proofness and efficiency if the preference domain contains the class of linear preferences.

HIGHER BORO PRODUCTION FOR FOOD SECURITY : AN INTEGRATED STRATEGY

Achieving self-sufficiency in foodgrain production by 2012, reduction of prices of essential commodities, and poverty reduction were amongst the most important election pledges of the new government. These commitments are of complementary nature. Attainment of food security at the national and household level can contribute towards fulfilling the above mentioned three commitments. Attaining food security at the national level depends on the availability of food from domestic production and imports from the international markets, whereas food security at the household level depends not only on availability of food, but also on the ability to purchase food by the household. Households with adequate income can buy food from the market if it is available, but low-income households face problems to buy food when food prices are high. For such low-income groups, government distributes food through priced channels such as Open Market Sale (OMS), and non-priced channels like Vulnerable Group Development (VGD), Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF), Food for Works (FFW), etc. Therefore, a major challenge of the government is to balance the interest of producers and consumers through government procurement and Public Food Distribution System (PFDS). This paper attempts to arouse interest for an integrated strategy for food security through higher Boro production. It discusses input delivery strategy needed for higher Boro production as well as a mechanism for public procurement and distribution of foodgrains to ensure social protection and social safety net.food security, BORO PRODUCTION, procurement, distribution, foodgrain

Examining green production and its role within the competitive strategy of manufacturers

Purpose: This paper reviews current literature and contributes a set of findings that capture the current state-of-the-art of the topic of green production. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review to capture, classify and summarize the main body of knowledge on green production and, translate this into a form that is readily accessible to researchers and practitioners in the more mainstream operations management community. Findings: The existing knowledge base is somewhat fragmented. This is a relatively unexplored topic within mainstream operations management research and one which could provide rich opportunities for further exploration. Originality/value: This paper sets out to review current literature, from a more conventional production operations perspective, and contributes a set of findings that capture the current state-of-the-art of this topic

Organic vs local claims: substitutes or complements for wine consumers? A marketing analysis with a discrete choice experiment

This study aims to understand people's preferences concerning five different extrinsic characteristics of wine and among them organic production. Consumers' preferences were assessed by means of a choice experiment on a sample of people living in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia (north-eastern Italy). The wines considered in the hypothetical market were differentiated considering the area of origin, landscape features, production method (organic or conventional), wine denomination of origin label and price. According to our results, denomination of origin labelling is the most important factor considered by all respondents. More than one quarter of the sample is interested in purchasing organic wine and willing to pay more for it. In this respect, organic production combined with a good communication strategy in order to increase the knowledge about its benefits can be a good marketing diversification strategy. Therefore, organic production seems to be a necessary (for at least 27% of people) but not sufficient condition in characterizing wine quality: it should be supported by an appropriate promotion of the product characteristics