Rajan Chandran

The Role of Packaging in International Logistics

The smooth operation of a logistics system in an international environment requires careful planning on the part of the firm. All aspects have to be planned for and every possible contingency examined. Once the shipment leaves the shipper′s dock it is out of his control until it arrives at the consignee′s location. International logistics systems work best when all the possible interfaces are planned for. One of the most important areas is packaging. It is the package that will determine whether the product arrives at a customer′s location in proper condition. It is the package that will give the transportation company the information it needs to move the product to the proper customer location.

Product Safety: The Role of Advertising

Abstract Product safety has become a major problem for businessmen, consumers and the government. While advertising does not directly contribute to all product related accidents, it does, inadvertently, have the power to promote unsafe behavior. Used in the right manner advertising can have a positive influence on the safety behavior of consumers. This article reviews the role of advertising in product safety and presents some guidelines for product advertising policies.

A Model for Managing Seasonal-Style Goods Inventories

The benefits of quantifying or modeling inventory problems have been well recognized in business management. Many retail businesses, including a substantial portion of small retailers, handle seasonal or style goods. However, in the retailing, marketing and small business management literature there is little or no discussion of models for handling seasonal-style goods inventory management problems. The purpose of this article is to present a basic model which has been developed in the management science/operations research literature.

Everything is Brandable

Seven products which achieved the commodity-to-brand transition were analyzed -for strategic and tactical factors related to product and brand position. Differentiating mix elements are presented to aid marketers of consumer durables and non-durables transitioning from commodity to brand.