The Product Portfolio and Man's Best Friend

1982 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald C. Hambrick ◽  
Ian C. MacMillan

Boston Consulting Group's Dogs reconsidered: Their efficiency, superior product quality, and focus mean high performance.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Bachofer ◽  
Thomas Esch ◽  
Jakub Balhar ◽  
Martin Boettcher ◽  
Enguerran Boissier ◽  
...  

<p>Urbanization is among the most relevant global trends that affects climate, environment, as well as health and socio-economic development of a majority of the global population. As such, it poses a major challenge for the current urban population and the well-being of the next generation. To understand how to take advantage of opportunities and properly mitigate to the negative impacts of this change, we need precise and up-to-date information of the urban areas. The Urban Thematic Exploitation Platform (UrbanTEP) is a collaborative system, which focuses on the processing of earth observation (EO) data and delivering multi-source information on trans-sectoral urban challenges.</p><p>The U-TEP is developed to provide end-to-end and ready-to-use solutions for a broad spectrum of users (service providers, experts and non-experts) to extract unique information/ indicators required for urban management and sustainability. Key components of the system are an open, web-based portal connected to distributed high-level computing infrastructures and providing key functionalities for</p><p>i) high-performance data access and processing,</p><p>ii) modular and generic state-of-the art pre-processing, analysis, and visualization,</p><p>iii) customized development and sharing of algorithms, products and services, and</p><p>iv) networking and communication.</p><p>The service and product portfolio provides access to the archives of Copernicus and Landsat missions, Datacube technology, DIAS processing environments, as well as premium products like the World Settlement Footprint (WSF). External service providers, as well as researchers can make use of on-demand processing of new data products and the possibility of developing and deploying new processors. The onboarding of service providers, developers and researchers is supported by the Network of Resources program of the European Space Agency (ESA) and the OCRE initiative of the European Commission.</p><p>In order to provide end-to-end solutions, the VISAT tool on UrbanTEP allows analyzing and visualizing project-related geospatial content and to develop storylines to enhance the transport of research output to customers and stakeholders effectively. Multiple visualizations (scopes) are already predefined. One available scope exemplary illustrates the exploitation of the WSF-Evolution dataset by analyzing the settlement and population development for South-East Asian countries from 1985 to 2015 in the context of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11.3.1 indicator. Other open scopes focus on urban green, functional urban areas, land-use and urban heat island modelling (e.g.).</p>


Author(s):  
V. Truffault ◽  
◽  
E. Legast ◽  

Fruit vegetables are a rich nutritive source for the human diet and highly appreciated for their taste. Tomato, sweet pepper or cucumber crops have specific growth requirements linked to their physiology and their architecture (plant bearing fruits). Soilless culture system (SCS) are characterized by high performance, product quality and profitability for growers and solves agronomical issues such as input use efficiencies and out-of-season production. Recent advances in soilless cultivation of fruit vegetables are reviewed in this chapter: from climate and nutrients requirements to ‘speaking plant’-based approaches and establishment of fruit quality.


2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (8) ◽  
pp. 733-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florent Saucède ◽  
Hervé Fenneteau ◽  
Jean-Marie Codron

Purpose – The strategic nature of the fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) department for supermarkets and hypermarkets is unquestioned. Yet both practitioners and researchers have difficulty optimizing its performance. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key specific drivers of the performance of FFV departments with a special attention being paid to the deterioration of product quality. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used a two-step inductive modelling process relying on interviews with experts from within the sector and a multiple case study of four FFV departments belonging to a French retail brand. Findings – After highlighting that the deterioration of product quality on the shelves is a key particularity of FFV departments, the authors identify department upkeep and shrinkage control as key intermediate variables impacting the performance of FFV departments and show how these two parameters can be controlled using three main actionable levers: marketing, in-store logistics and procurement. Research limitations/implications – The discussion of managerial implications sheds light on other phenomena requiring further investigation: team management practices, the buying role of the department manager and tailored criteria for assessing performance. Practical implications – The research shows managers that optimizing department upkeep allows turnover to be generated which exceeds the sector average without impeding the productivity of the department. The authors stress that it is imperative to control shrinkage in order to meet margin performance objectives. Originality/value – This research is a step forward because it takes account of the elements distinguishing FFV from other fresh products to highlight the factors underlying high performance levels.


2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chevelle A. Cason ◽  
Stuart A. Oehrle ◽  
Thomas A. Fabré ◽  
Craig D. Girten ◽  
Keith A. Walters ◽  
...  

Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) analysis was utilized for the first time as a methodology for monitoring poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer surface transformations and product quality. Results were compared to high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and were found to provide a vastly improved analytical method for the characterization of dendrimer polydispersity and variance in a typical surface modification. The application of UPLC increased the average number of theoretical plates by a factor of 7 and reduced retention times of analytes by 36%, while improving the resolution capability to discriminate surface variances in dendrimers. The new UPLC procedures were used to monitor surface modification of [core: ethylenediamine]; (G = 4);dendri-poly(amidoamine)-(NH2)64(i.e., [EDA]; (G4);dendri-PAMAM-(NH2)64) to produce biotinylated dendrimer conjugates. The enhanced sensitivity and efficiency of the UPLC analyses allowed resolution of biotin substituent levels and a better characterization of the targeted dendrimer conjugates compared to traditional HPLC methodology.


2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 747-751 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliangiringa Kaale ◽  
Vicky Manyanga ◽  
Narsis Makori ◽  
David Jenkins ◽  
Samuel Michael Hope ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Barre ◽  
David Orlando Ramos ◽  
Charles Medovich ◽  
Gabriela Lovera ◽  
Matthew Hoch

PurposeThe paper provides insight on the customer experience through product performance (CxPP) initiative; which was developed by Johnson & Johnson Vision to monitor and conduct product performance improvements to enhance the customer experience effort and protect sales. The piece explains the basic tenets for CxPP execution and upkeep. It also explains the methods used to create, evaluate and monitor the CxPP initiative while illustrating the ways in which the initiative functions and adds value to any firm implementing it.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes a descriptive approach to explain the basic tenants of the CxPP initiative. The paper utilizes the define, measure, analyze, improve and control (DMAIC) framework to explain the tenets of the CxPP initiative. Each section of the paper utilizes descriptions of internal processes and research to further explain and justify implementation of the CxPP imitative across firms. Moreover, the piece explains the methods used to create, evaluate and monitor the CxPP initiative while illustrating the ways in which the initiative functions and adds value to the firm.FindingsAccording to JJV Quality Assurance experts, the CxPP initiative is a long-term approach that supports synergy across departments to enhance product quality, improve customer satisfaction and protect sales. By implementing the CxPP approach, JJV was able to uncover and solve four distinct defect categories that affect product quality and customer experience, thus demonstrating the importance and benefits of the CxPP initiative for any organization.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the chosen research approach, the study lacks specificity. As a result, it is recommended that future implementation of the proposed initiative opts for more testable propositions.Practical implicationsDue to competitive considerations, note that no empirical data will be shared in the findings. The scaling of the principles of this approach should be universal. But the execution; types of projects, type of customer need and feedback should be specific to each environment.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills an identified need to study the relationship between product quality, customer satisfaction and sales.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0261988
Author(s):  
Armin Tarrah ◽  
Shadi Pakroo ◽  
Milena Carlot ◽  
Camilla Nesto ◽  
Antonella Cirillo ◽  
...  

Generally, endospore contamination can occur from different sources during product manufacturing in many industries and therefore lower its quality by affecting physicochemical properties and shelf-life. Bacterial endospores can germinate inside the product and produce several enzymes, which can cause several undesirable changes. This study assessed the spores thermal resistance and applied a microwave decontamination technique toward herbal extracts (Tilia tomentosa and Centella asiatica) containing ethanol or glycerol. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, the detected contaminant endospores belonged to different Bacillus species, namely B. subtilis, B. zhangzhouensis, and B. pumilus. The thermal resistance assessment using inoculated endospores in the actual products revealed B. pumilus T2 as the most resistant endospore to the heat treatments tested in both T. tomentosa and C. asiatica extracts. Finally, a high-performance microwave technique was used to decontaminate T. tomentosa extract against the mixture of Bacillus spores. Results from the microwave technique indicate that the increase of temperature from 100°C to 105°C not only decontaminated the product but also could dramatically decrease the effective thermal treatment time (10 times), which can benefit the product quality. The results provided in this study considerably contribute to improving an original decontamination method for products containing glycerol and ethanol with the most negligible effect on product quality.


2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 2819-2823 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nambiar ◽  
R. D. Madurawe ◽  
S. M. Zuk ◽  
S. R. Khan ◽  
C. D. Ellison ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn response to concerns raised about the quality of parenteral vancomycin products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the product quality of all FDA-approved parenteral vancomycin products available in the United States. Product quality was evaluated independently at two FDA Office of Testing and Research (FDA-OTR) sites. In the next phase of the investigation, being done in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, thein vivoactivity of these products will be evaluated in an appropriate animal model. This paper summarizes results of the FDA investigation completed thus far. One site used a validated ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography method (OTR-UPLC), and the second site used the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for related substances provided in the British Pharmacopeia (BP) monograph for vancomycin intravenous infusion. Similar results were obtained by the two FDA-OTR laboratories using two different analytical methods. The products tested had 90 to 95% vancomycin B (active component of vancomycin) by the BP-HPLC method and 89 to 94% vancomycin by OTR-UPLC methods. Total impurities were 5 to 10% by BP-HPLC and 6 to 11% by OTR-UPLC methods. No single impurity was >2.0%, and the CDP-1 level was ≤2.0% across all products. Some variability in impurity profiles of the various products was observed. No adverse product quality issues were identified with the six U.S. vancomycin parenteral products. The quality parameters of all parenteral vancomycin products tested surpassed the United States Pharmacopeia acceptance criteria. Additional testing will characterizein vivoperformance characteristics of these products.


Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1780
Author(s):  
Chen-Kun Tsung

The assembly is the last process of controlling the product quality during manufacturing. The installation guidance should provide the appropriate assembly information, e.g., to specify the components in each product. The installation guidance with low quality results in rework or the resource waste from the failure products. This article extends the dimensional chain assembly problem proposed by Tsung et al. to consider the multiple dimensional chains in the product. Since there are multiple dimensional chains in a product, the installation guidance should consider inseparability and acceptability as computing the installation guidance. The inseparability means that the qualities of all dimensional chains in the part should be evaluated together without separation, while the acceptability stands for that the size of each product should be satisfied with the specification. The simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is applied to design the assembly guidance optimizer named as AGOMDC to compute the assembly guidance in the dimensional chain assembly problem with multiple dimensional chains. Since SA has high performance in searching neighbor solutions, the proposed approach could converge rapidly. Thus, proposed AGOMDC could be applied in real-world application for the implementation consideration. The simulations consist of two parts: the feasibility evaluation and the algorithm configuration discussion. The first part is to verify the inseparability and acceptability that are the hard constraints of the assembly problem for the proposed AGOMDC, and the second one is to analyze the algorithm configurations to calculate the assembly guidance with 80% quality. The simulation results show that the inseparability and acceptability are achieved, while the proposed AGOMDC only requires more than two seconds to derive the results. Moreover, the recommended algorithm configurations are derived for evaluate the required running time and product quality. The configurations with product quality 80% are that the temperature descent rate is 0.9, the initial temperature is larger than 1000, and the iteration recommended function is derived based on the problem scale. The proposed AGOMDC not only helps the company to save the time of rework and prevent the resource waste of the failure products, but is also valuable for the automatic assembly in scheduling the assembly processes.


Author(s):  
A. V. Crewe ◽  
M. Isaacson ◽  
D. Johnson

A double focusing magnetic spectrometer has been constructed for use with a field emission electron gun scanning microscope in order to study the electron energy loss mechanism in thin specimens. It is of the uniform field sector type with curved pole pieces. The shape of the pole pieces is determined by requiring that all particles be focused to a point at the image slit (point 1). The resultant shape gives perfect focusing in the median plane (Fig. 1) and first order focusing in the vertical plane (Fig. 2).


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