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Breaking the Trade-Off Between Efficiency and Service (Spanish version)
Frei, Frances X.Article HBS-R0611EService and Operations Managementdiagnosing the behavioral problem, designing an operating role for customers that creates new value for both parties, and testing and refining approaches for influencing behavior.Starting at €8.20
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Putting the Service-Profit Chain to Work (HBR Classic) (Spanish version)
Heskett, James L.; Jones, Thomas O.; Loveman, Gary W.; Sasser, W. Earl, Jr.; Schlesinger, Leonard A.Article HBS-R0807LService and Operations Managementinvestment in people, technology that supports frontline workers, revamped recruiting and training practices, and compensation linked to performance. They also express a vision of leadership in somewhat unconventional terms, referring to an organization's "patina of spirituality" and the "importance of the mundane." In this article, Heskett, Jones, Loveman, Sasser, and Schlesinger take a close look at the links in the service-profit chain, which...Starting at €8.20
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Does America Really Need Manufacturing
Pisano, Gary P.; Shih, WillyArticle HBS-R1203G-EService and Operations ManagementToo many U.S. companies base decisions about where to locate production largely on narrow financial criteria. They don't consider whether keeping manufacturing at home makes more sense strategically or take into account the impact it might have on their ability to innovate. The result has been an exodus of manufacturing from America, which has weakened the capabilities that domestic firms need to keep inventing high-quality, cost-competitive prod...Starting at €8.20
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Just in Time for the Holidays (HBR Case Study and Commentary)
McNulty, Eric; Johnson, M. Eric; Brandstatter, Horst; Hausman, Warren H.; Omrod, AnneArticle HBS-R0512A-EService and Operations ManagementIt's the busiest time of year for North Pole Workshops. Production is in high gear, and the elves are on overtime in the sprint toward Christmas. But an unexpected spike in demand for one toy may leave children around the world disappointed on Christmas morning, whether they've been naughty or nice. At the same time, another toy's popularity threatens to plummet, leaving Santa and his elves faced with the prospect of millions of unloved plaything...Starting at €8.20
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Getting to Grips With Take-Back Laws
Atasu, Atalay; Van Wassenhove, LukArticle ART-1892-EService and Operations ManagementAs diverse environmental legislation is being formulated around the world, companies may find themselves in a ¿gray zone,¿ as the authors explain in a new paper on the subject. This presents challenges but also opportunities for companies to clarify operations in four areas: forming a network, rethinking product design, setting up a closed-loop supply chain, and adopting new technologies and business models. The authors believe that individual pr...Starting at €8.20
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Five Pillars for Doing Business in Africa
Mudida, Robert; Lago Esteban, AlejandroArticle ART-2670-EEconomics, Service and Operations Management, StrategyCompanies around the world are setting their sights on Africa as a new frontier for business. However, as with other emerging economies, African ones are tricky to navigate for the uninitiated. This article introduces the five pillars that companies need to consider in the African context. First the authors highlight the main macroeconomic trends; then they present a road map for companies planning to enter African markets. They draw on personal ...Starting at €8.20
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Inventory-Driven Costs (Spanish version)
Callioni, Gianpaolo; De Montgros, Xavier; Slagmulder, Regine; Van Wassenhove, Luk N.; Wright, LindaArticle HBS-R0503JService and Operations Managementcomponent devaluation costs for components still held in production; price protection costs incurred when product prices drop on goods distributors still have on their shelves; product return costs that have to be absorbed when distributors return and receive refunds on overstock items; and obsolescence costs for products still unsold when new models are introduced. By developing metrics to track those costs in a consistent way throughout the PC...Starting at €8.20
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Don't Tweak Your Supply Chain-Rethink It End to End (Spanish version)
Lee, Hau L.Article HBS-R1010CService and Operations ManagementWith the best of intentions, companies up and down supply chains experiment with isolated efforts to improve sustainability-only to encounter a long string of unanticipated consequences, often in the form of financial, social, or environmental costs. That's partly because most firms respond in a piecemeal way to pressure from customers, shareholders, boards, employees, governments, and NGOs. For instance, they demand that suppliers change their m...Starting at €8.20
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Taking the Measure of Mood (Spanish version)
O'Connell, PatrickArticle HBS-F0603FService and Operations ManagementThe Inn at Little Washington, a top U.S. restaurant, takes "know the customer" to a new level. Co-owner and Executive Chef Patrick O'Connell explains.Starting at €8.20
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Aligning Incentives in Supply Chains (Spanish version)
Narayanan, V.G.; Raman, AnanthArticle HBS-R0411FService and Operations ManagementIf the firms work together to serve consumers, they will all win. However, they can do that only if incentives are aligned. Companies must acknowledge that the problem of incentive misalignment exists and then determine its root cause and align or redesign incentives. They can improve alignment by, for instance, adopting revenue-sharing contracts, using technology to track previously hidden information, or working with intermediaries to build tr...Starting at €8.20