Developing and Applying a Selection Model for Corrugated Box Precision Printing Machine Suppliers

Corrugated box printing machines are precision equipment produced by markedly few manufacturers. They involve high investment cost and risk. Having a corrugated box precision printing machine (CBPPM) supplier with a good reputation enables a corrugated box manufacturer to maintain its competitive advantage. Accordingly, establishing an effective CBPPM supplier selection model is crucial for corrugated box manufacturers. This study established a two-stage CBPPM supplier selection model. The first stage involved the use of a modified Delphi method to construct a supplier selection hierarchy with five criteria and 14 subcriteria. In the second stage, an analytic network process was employed to calculate the weights of criteria and subcriteria and to determine the optimal supplier. According to the results, the five criteria in the model, in descending order of importance, are quality, commitment, cost, service attitude, and reputation. This model can provide insights for corrugated box manufacturers formulating their CBPPM supplier selection strategy.

Feasibility of Implementing a Breast Reconstruction Database

Objective: To assess whether implementing a breast reconstruction database would be feasible in terms of time commitment, cost, and overall benefits in a tertiary-care hospital. Methods: A survey was sent to 40 Canadian plastic surgeons who have a practice focused on breast reconstruction. The survey assessed demographics, practice characteristics, database use, and opinions on database construction. Univariate descriptive analyses were performed on all variables. Results: Thirty-one surgeons responded to the survey (77.5%). Most were from Ontario (29.1%) and worked in an academic center (83.9%). Of all, 45.3% of surgeons performed more than 50 breast reconstructions yearly. Six (19.4%) surgeons utilized databases that were all started for quality improvement and research purposes. Databases included variables such as demographics, type of reconstruction, complications, surgeons involved, and type of implants. Data are input by research assistants (50%) for approximately 4.2 hours per month at a cost below 200$CAD per month. Databases are funded by research grants (50%), hospital funds (33.3%), and/or division funds (16.7%). Of the surgeons without databases, 60% have considered starting a database. Barriers include being too busy (72%) and impressions of the cost being too high (32%). Surgeons commonly felt that a database would be beneficial at their practice (80%), provincially (77.4%), and nationally (67.7%). Conclusions: Plastic surgeons are open to the idea of constructing a breast reconstruction database and that the costs and time required are lower than expected. Grants or integration with existing databases should be pursued on a provincial level first prior to pursuing a national database.

Adoption of Human Resources Management Policies for Practices: Harvard Model versus Religious Model

The paper set out to explore two different models of Human Resources Management as a policy for practice that will be adequate for adoption by any organisation. The Harvard and Religious models were the two models critically examined vis – a – vis their implications on the practice of Human Resources Management (HRM). It was revealed that Harvard model of HRM is a content model as it is contingent on specific core issues (work system, reward system, employees’ influence and flow of people) in human resources management while Religious model of HRM is a process model as it is based on identification of relationship among components units (management and employees) Harvard model of HRM as a policy is embedded in the organisation through congruence, commitment, cost effectiveness and competence and Religious model of HRM is anchored on value based ideology through morality, honesty, sincerity, fairness and integrity. The two models are practicable but Harvard model of HRM has no exception to a particular party in business organisation while Religious model of HRM is averse to development of trade union in organisation. Therefore, the adoption of the two models will make world of work conducive, however, Harvard model of HRM aligned more with the nature and belief of business. However, combination of the two models to give a contingency – hybrid model will make the workplace to be better than adopting one of the models.

Options Approach to Risk Analysis in Transportation Planning

The applicability of the real-options approach to risk management to the metropolitan transportation planning process is described. The options approach to risk analysis brings to investment decisions the insight that there is an inherent value in option-creating actions (by resolving uncertainty, enabling flexibility, or uncovering new and relevant information) and a cost associated with exercising options (irreversible commitments of resources and time). The options approach moves investment decision making from simply choosing whether to build a project to a regime that considers a range of possible decisions, with the potential value of each decision measured in terms of its option-creation value and irreversible commitment cost. This approach is specifically designed to maximize the value of investments having the characteristics of transportation projects that are subject to uncertainty and risk in their outcomes. Also described is the new options approach; examples that illustrate the value of different kinds of options are given. By recognizing the value of improved information—and actions to obtain it—the options approach can give real impetus to improved planning methods. Because the analysis tools provided by the options approach make it possible to value the additional information that improved planning can provide, recommendations are provided on how—and in what parts of the metropolitan transportation planning process—the new tools of risk analysis can most appropriately be applied.