Standards for electronic message systems

Electronic message systems (EMS) are beginning to proliferate. Nearly two dozen commercial message systems already exist. At least two private message systems already carry several million messages annually. There will soon be dozens of EMS communities, each with thousands of users. However, unless dramatic breakthroughs in standards are made soon, each of these communities will be isolated, unable to exchange messages. This article describes the major stadardization issues raised by EMS: message structure standards; delivery standards; address identification standards; and, user interface standards. The problem of how to set EMS standards is also discussed.     

A taxonomy of competitive retailing strategies

An important aspect of any scientific investigation involves classifying the phenomena being studied. This research focused on a taxonomic analysis of the limited domain of competitive retailing strategies employed by U.S. supermarket chains for generic brand grocery products. Using cluster analysis, an empirically derived taxonomy was developed, and the characteristics of firms in each of the four strategic groups were examined. In addition, the performance of particular strategic groups was analysed. Firms in one of the strategic groups (aggressive initiators) consistently indicated higher levels of success.     

Evaluating the bases of supplier segmentation: A review and taxonomy

A taxonomy of segmentation bases is presented which builds a multi-disciplinary approach to the categorization of suppliers. Supplier segmentation, from a purchasing perspective, still appears to be in the early stages of providing a coherent strategic intent behind supplier assessment. Whilst fragmentary in nature, current portfolio models are grouped into two principal taxonomic constructs of power and dependence and relational factors. In particular, the prevalent use of transaction cost economics (TCE) in portfolio modelling provides a foundation for purchasers to appraise risks from supplier opportunism. We augment existing approaches with reference to inter-organisational theory and the resource-based view to show different modes of inter-firm value creation that act as constituents of a strategic intent for segmentation. Our resulting taxonomy draws together a holistic view of supplier segmentation covering supply market conditions, product/service characteristics, supplier characteristics, buyer characteristics, and buyer-supplier relational factors.     

Regulatory inhibitions on the development of electronic message systems in the USA

The present regulatory environment for electronic message systems in the USA is characterized by complex overlapping and blurring of jurisdictions. The author makes an argument for general deregulation of the market for EMS to allow for more competition and investment, and that, where regulation is required, the FCC be the sole regulatory agency.     

A taxonomy of business-level strategies in global industries

This study presents a taxonomy of business-level strategies in global industries. Empirical data suggest there are four broad strategies: domestic product niche, exporting high quality offerings, international product innovation, and quasi-global combination. A discussion of the characteristics and performance differentials of each strategy type is provided as well.     

Effective product-service systems: A value-based framework

Manufacturers increasingly engage in servitization and as a result offer services in combination with their products (i.e., product-service systems, PSS). However, while servitization in theory seems to be a promising strategy, in practice, the bundling of services with product offerings does not always result in the expected performance outcomes. In this paper, we propose a framework that helps manufacturers to overcome this servitization paradox. The underlying premise of our framework is the need to give primacy to the value customers derive from PSS. The framework builds on the idea that products and services differ with regard to the value that is created by the tangible elements and the interaction moments between manufacturers and customers; this is presented in a 2 × 2 matrix. Subsequently, this paper provides guidelines for identifying PSS that are effective in terms of value creation. First, the product and service elements of the PSS should have sufficient autonomous value to be sold separately on the market. Secondly, they should come from different quadrants of the 2 × 2 matrix. Lastly, the combination of product and service elements should create synergy. Through a survey among product and service developers and an experimental auction among customers we validate our ideas.     

A taxonomy of technological settings,with related strategies and performance levels

In this study, businesses were categorized into six groups on the basis of their methods of production, rates of innovation, and product sophistication. Technology, strategy, and performance-related variables were then used to successfully relate these categories to archetypes in three existing conceptual typologies. Although the strategies of the six groups differed significantly, their profitability levels did not.     

如何确保会计电算化网络的安全运行

开展会计电算化工作是促进会计基础工作规范化和提高经济效益的重要手段和有效措施。目前在大中型企业已普遍使用会计软件处理会计核算业务,有的还实现了财务分析和财务管理工作的电算化,网络财务的概念也逐渐深入人心,山东电力集团的内部结算系统正是网络财务的体现,会计电算化的实现充分发展和深入了经营管理工作。但是随着会计电算化的普遍推广,会计电算化网络的安全问题已日渐突出,对会计电算化网络的安     

民间工艺品图案寓意

当前,声光电玩具占据着玩具产品的流行趋势．然而,在打造玩具民族品牌和中国玩具的特色文化时。把泱泱中华上下五千年的历史文化融入其中,不失为一个突破点。在此趋势之下,创新设计蕴含中国传统文化色彩的玩具,在新时期中国玩具行业的创新发展中被赋予了新的历史任务。外形图案作为民间特色玩具的重要组成部分,对民间工艺品图案寓意的了解,将成为在民族特色玩具设计创造中的必修课。     

A taxonomy of internationally dispersed technology units and its application to management issues

Internationally dispersed technology units are classified using a system based upon three clearly defined dimensions: Type of technical work (research, development or support); functional areas with which the technology unit collaborates in its work (marketing, manufacturing, marketing and manufacturing, or none); and geographic area of collaboration (local, international). The resulting eight category taxonomy is shown to provide an improved platform for organizing and integrating the literature on the management of internationally dispersed technology units and for articulating theoretical issues in ongoing programs of empirical research.     

Modelling food and agricultural systems: A state-of-the-art study

The author provides a comprehensive survey of the recent models which have been constructed to analyze interacting factors in the field of food and agriculture. She discusses the ways in which over 20 models consider: the interrelationships between population and development, and environment and agriculture; international relationships; and technological change and investments.     

Information needs in US telephone industry regulation: A systems approach

After an initial discussion of current regulatory data problems in the common carrier telecommunications industry, the author proposes an alternative to the traditional regulatory process of the Federal Communications Commission. This proposal is essentially that the traditional control mechanism of rate-level regulation can be made more effective if, in addition, a comprehensive system of continuing industry surveillance is implemented.     

The patient trajectory: A modelling tool for planning rural telemedicine systems

The authors present an analytical tool developed and applied to plan for the use of telecommunications technology to link a non-physician health care provider in a rural satellite clinic to a central source of medical expertise. The principal result obtained is that narrowband technologies appear nearly two- thirds as effective as broadband technologies in averting patient travel.     

The shaping of inventory systems in health services: A stakeholder analysis

Although many studies have addressed the diagnosing and redesign of inventory systems in an industrial setting, the field of operations management seems to lack a thorough understanding of the process of shaping inventory systems in a health care setting. In this article, a contribution is made to fill this gap by exploring the process of reshaping a hospital inventory system of medicines by means of an exploratory case study. In doing so, we concentrate on the question how the outcomes of this process are affected by the different stakeholders involved. Our case study indicates that decisions made during this reshaping process are heavily influenced by the dynamics of the relationships and interactions between the stakeholders involved in the project. Based on our case study there are also some strong indications especially in a health care setting, the existence of multiple stakeholders having a multi-goal focus regarding the inventory system can have a strong influence on the outcomes of inventory projects. For project managers it is important to be aware of these characteristics and circumstances in order to help health service organisations to develop and use inventory systems more effectively.     

Travel time models in automated storage/retrieval systems: A critical review

This paper presents a brief, critical review and a comparative study of some design aspects of automated storage/retrieval systems with special emphasis on travel time models. These aspects include improving throughput rate, changing retrieval sequencing rules, using order batching algorithms, applying various dwell point strategies and increasing the storage/retrieval machine capacity. Some of the results and discussions used in this paper have been adopted from available sources and the rest have been compiled and/or calculated from the recent literature as mentioned therein. A conclusion is made on the salient issues prevailing in the design of automated storage/retrieval systems.     

Investments in tracking and tracing systems in the food industry: A PLS analysis

Traceability and related concepts, such as trust and transparency have gained greatly in relevance in food supply chains. This study seeks to answer what exactly determines firms’ investments in traceability systems by developing and testing a theoretical framework using partial least squares methodology and empirical data from 234 companies of the German food industry.The results reveal that high external pressure to implement improves the image of tracking and tracing systems in the sense that their use enhances a firm’s status, increases the intention to use those systems and fosters their perceived usefulness in the eyes of agribusiness executives. The hypothesized negative effect of costs on perceived usefulness and the intention to invest could not be verified.     

Genetically modified food labeling: The impacts of message and messenger on consumer perceptions of labels and products

We analyze responses to a survey designed to elicit consumer reaction to various approaches to labeling genetically modified (GM) foods. Consumers were shown sample labels that differed with respect to claims concerning the presence and potential effects of GM ingredients and the agency that certified these claims. A sample of 1898 US consumers rated 3681 labels with regard to the credibility and adequacy of the information content, with regard to perceived health and environmental impacts of the product and with regard to purchase intent. Simple claims that a product contains GM ingredients are viewed as most credible while simple claims of no GM content are viewed as most adequate. Label claims certified by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are, in general, viewed as most credible and adequate and products with FDA certified claims are perceived to have fewer long-term health problems. Several practical policy implications of the results are discussed, including how different label messages may impact consumer reactions in markets involving GM products.     

The energy efficiency of local food systems: A comparison between different modes of distribution

The possible contribution of local sales chains to the reduction of energy consumption has been hotly debated in recent years. Some authors establish a link between the reduction of distances traveled by food and lower energy consumption due to transportation, while others hold that local supply chains have a poor energy performance. This article engages this debate by comparing the rates of energy consumption attributable to different modes of distribution of fruits and vegetables in a region of France.