Lawrence P. Ettkin

Technologies in support of mass customization strategy: Exploring the linkages between e-commerce and knowledge management

Abstract This paper explores two major interdisciplinary techniques facilitating mass customization strategies—e-commerce and knowledge management. The linkages between the two serve to validate the strategic shift toward mass customization. Internet-enabled e-commerce provides capabilities for firms to reach global buyers and suppliers and is increasingly recognized as a way to support the gathering of knowledge, specifically customer preferences. Knowledge management provides frameworks needed to manage intellectual capital as a valuable organizational resource for supporting customized preferences. Knowledge management makes mass customization a more viable strategy for manufacturers as they work to meet changing customer needs and desires. This article posits the linkage between e-commerce and knowledge management can support firms as they gather customer preferences and evaluate the data to advance mass customization. A profile for firms to assess their readiness for mass customization, specifically considering available knowledge management and e-commerce linkages, is provided along with areas for future research.

Supply chain forecasting – Collaborative forecasting supports supply chain management

Supply chain management is built on the principles of partnerships and the development and use of the connections that exist between the links of the chain to provide information that will increase the efficiency of all members in the chain. Success stories abound describing lower costs, shorter lead times and increased customer service. Collaborative forecasting applies supply chain management concepts to the forecasting function and uses available information and technology to force a shift from independent, forecasted demand to dependent, known demand. Eventually, the future of forecasting may evolve to the point where forecasting is not even necessary. Demand information will be supplied completely by supply chain partners and the need to predict demand will be eliminated.

Is your organization ready for TQM? An assessment methodology

The TQM literature suggests that success comes to organizations ready for a change in climate. Perceptions of management and employees are important to assess because these groups function as if perceptions are real. Determining levels of readiness or conversely resistance to change is an important step, yet few organizations assess readiness in starting a TQM implementation. Highlights key assessment criteria and discusses the variables used to survey both managers and employees regarding these characteristics. Identifies ways to use the variables to develop a survey instrument as well as to diagnose and identify potential ways to remove potential hurdles to TQM. Indicates that both manufacturing organizations and service providers can use these variables to implement continuous improvement processes better.

Shielding your company against information compromise

With the growth of information technologies and with more firms partnering, a major concern for organizations today is the protection of competitive information from thieving. Firms must develop an understanding of the multidimensional flavor of defensive intelligence and its challenges in a bureaucracy, examine companies’ vulnerabilities and implement some basic defensive intelligence measures in order to protect their organization’s knowledge. Organizations must address major areas of vulnerabilities, including employees, partners and public information. Firms can take specific actions to minimize successful acts of espionage such as protections preventing unauthorized use of information systems. Companies should develop a set of priorities and determine where and to what degree security procedures need to be implemented. Beyond security, employing proactive measures can provide a valuable weapon for the long‐term prosperity of your firm.

Sharing knowledge with conversational technologies: web logs versus discussion boards

Knowledge has become an important resource for organisations in their quest to achieve competitive advantage. In order to efficiently manage such a resource, organisations are using information technology to acquire, store and communicate data, information, and knowledge. Both traditional and modern conversational technologies were originally developed for other purposes, and later were adopted for knowledge management. This paper compares web logs (blogs) to discussion boards, as two alternative conversational technologies in the process of knowledge sharing and retention. The results of an experimental study show that blogs are more successful technologies when used to communicate tacit knowledge and when they are intended for a general audience. On the other hand, discussion boards can be used more efficiently to communicate specific, explicit knowledge to a specialised audience. Our findings suggest that knowledge communication and retention rates can increase when the above two conversational technologies are combined with traditional face-to-face communication methods.

A simulation‐based apheresis platelet inventory management model

The primary goals of apheresis platelet (AP) inventory management are to meet demand and minimize waste. AP inventory management is complicated by unpredictable demand for a product with a shelf life of only a few days and by hospital requests for APs that match the ABO types of patients identically.

Development and assessment of effective teaching: an integrative model for implementation in schools of business administration

Schools of business administration have experienced a return to the importance of teaching effectiveness as external competitors are vying for declining student populations. To better assess teaching skills and offer suggestions for improvement areas, outlines the role of the key groups involved in assessment of faculty teaching and proposes an integrated development model for implementation.

A Generic Simulation Model to Manage a Vaccination Program

The main purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how a computer model can be used as a decision making tool regarding vaccination programs. These programs include vaccination against traditional influenza, avian influenza, H1N1 (swine flu), or other diseases. Specifically, the proposed simulation model is used to investigate the impact of herd immunity, to estimate the vaccination rate for which a given disease is placed into an endemic state, and to calculate the overall cost of a vaccination program from a societal perspective. In addition, the tool can help to define an optimal vaccination rate which will result in the minimum overall cost for a vaccination program. The paper demonstrates several advantages of simulation over other decision making methods. Simulation is used to “mimic” the behavior of the disease, test a range of alternative solutions for different scenarios, and to finely adjust the model and reflect possible vaccination scenarios.

A Methodology for Using Simulation to Optimize Emergency Mass Vaccination Parameters

For any preparedness plan to be effective it must be put to test or verified. Simulation methodology shows high potential for studying disaster and mass vaccination preparedness. Unlike physical drills, simulation models are less expensive, take less time to be conducted, and are well suited for testing alternative solutions. The decision makers can modify and analyze the model in order to test and evaluate numerous scenarios and operating parameters. In this paper, we offer a systematic approach that can be used with simulation analysis by practitioners to develop operating decisions for emergency preparedness in general and mass vaccination clinics in particular. An actual mass vaccination center in a county health department of a southern state is used to illustrate the proposed methodology.

Viewpoint: The Risk of Information Compromise and Approaches to Prevention

Abstract With the growing popularity of competitive intelligence, few firms consider the opposite side of data collection — defensive intelligence (DI). This viewpoint article addresses the reasons for information compromise and lack of control measures in organizations. Specific sources of vulnerability to counter intelligence are outlined and ways to secure operations are presented. Finally strategies for employing proactive measures for DI are suggested as a way to ensure the long-term prosperity of an organization.