A New Approach to the Bi-objective Green Vehicle Routing Problem: Optimization in Newspaper Distribution

The purpose of this work is to present a methodology to provide a solution to a Bi-objective Green Vehicle Routing Problem (BGVRP). The methodology, illustrated using a case study (newspaper distribution problem) and instances from the literature, was divided into three stages: Stage 1, data treatment; Stage 2, metaheuristic approaches (hybrid or non-hybrid), used comparatively, and, Stage 3, analysis of the results, with a comparison of the algorithms. An optimization of 19.9% was achieved for Objective Function 1 (OF1; minimization of CO2 emissions) and consequently the same percentage for the minimization of total distance, and 87.5% for Objective Function 2 (OF2; minimization of the difference in demand). Metaheuristic approaches hybrid achieved superior results for case study and instances.

Amul's Lockdown Marketing Strategy

Mr. Michael Fernandes, creative man behind the Amul’s Butter Girl, was deep into thoughts. They just had a video conference meet with the other creative team to discuss on the upcoming strategy for promotion of Amul. The entire creative team had to meet virtually on account of the strict lockdown in the country due to the fast - spreading Covid 19 pandemic. Blue haired Amul butter girl had an enduring place on the billboards and on the hearts of the Indians. The Indians loved the Butter girl very much. Dr. Merian, Managing Director of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) said that due to the current lockdown situation people would not be able to come on the streets looking at the billboards relishing the Amul advertisements for at least three months now. Or maybe more. At the same time ban on newspaper distribution would prevent the advertisements to reach homes of the Indian buyers. The major promotional media for Amul, billboards and newspapers would be useless during this lockdown period. This had set Michael worrying. He was just not getting a way out. How should he reach the minds of the Indians without Amul Butter girl advertisements on the billboard and in newspapers? How should he promote Amul brand during this lockdown condition?

State Supervision of the Periodicals Distribution System in Russia in the Early 20th Century

В статье затронут малоизученный аспект государственного контроля за системой распространения периодических изданий в России на примере столичных городов в начале ХХ века. Цель исследования — выявить основные каналы распространения столичных газет в начале ХХ века и определить механизмы государственного контроля за системой дистрибуции периодической печати. На основе имеющихся архивных источников автор приходит к выводу, что основными каналами распространения столичной прессы были подписка, розничная продажа в разнос и в магазинах и на железных дорогах. К началу Первой мировой войны система дистрибуции периодических изданий постепенно менялась. Нормативные акты, принятые в конце XIX века, уже не позволяли эффективно контролировать распространение информации, а правительственные меры предпринимались запоздало или были незначительны. Существовавшая система государственного контроля за системой дистрибуции не могла оперативно реагировать на кризис, что способствовало распространению нежелательной для правительства информации среди населения, в том числе запрещенной литературы. Полученные результаты могут быть использованы в первую очередь при подготовке общих курсов по истории России, чтении курсов лекций и спецкурсов по истории журналистики. The article treats some under-investigated issues associated with the state supervision of the periodicals circulation and distribution system in Russia in the early 20th century. The aim of the research is to study the main channels of capital newspapers circulation and distribution in the early 20th century and to identify the mechanisms of state supervision of the periodicals distribution system. The analysis of archival materials enables the author to conclude that capital newspapers were distributed via subscription, retailing, train station retail, and delivery. During the pre-war period, the system of newspaper distribution was undergoing gradual changes. Normative acts issued in the late 19thcentury were no longer enough to efficiently control the spread of information; state measures were often insufficient and untimely. The existing system of state supervision of newspaper distribution failed to respond to the crisis, therefore the public had an access to information the government wished to conceal and to literature that was forbidden. The validity of the results of the research will be recognized by lecturers, by teachers who conduct Russian history classes, by teachers conducting classes in the history of journalism.

Daily news and daily bread: Precarious employment in the newspaper distribution sector in Durban, South Africa

Orientation: The outsourcing of newspaper distribution seems to be one of the sources of precarious employment for newspaper distribution contractors and their employees. Research Purpose: In an attempt to contribute to the debate on outsourcing, this paper explored the effects of outsourcing newspaper distribution on the labour market experiences of newspaper distribution contractors and their employees in Durban. Motivation for the study: The labour market experiences of workers in precarious employment, especially those in the lower echelon of newspaper distribution, are rarely known. Research Design, approach and method: The study is a qualitative research which sought to explore the experiences of newspaper distributors in Durban. In identifying the respondents non-probability sampling was used to identify information-rich respondents for interview sections. Also, the research used participant observation to deepen data from interviews. Main Findings: The research finds that the respondents were exposed to precarious employment conditions irrespective of whether they were contracted or not, seemingly because of outsourcing of newspaper distribution in Durban. Practical/Managerial Implications: The practical implication suggests that Basic Employment Act is not guiding how the respondents are being treated. Contribution/Value-Add: The paper specifically highlights the exploitation of newspaper distributors on the streets, as they are denied any form of employment benefits or employment security despite executing their job within severe working conditions.