The Operations Function – OM in the News

Is Amazon Pushing Its Warehouse Workers Too Hard?

Fast delivery can be taxing for Amazon workers.

The Feds are investigating possible safety issues and failure to disclose injuries at Amazon. Their findings could spell legal trouble for the company. One of the safety hazards allegedly involves an unrealistic pace of work, which resulted in physical injuries. Work pace is often tied to performance standards. Is Amazon guilty of setting an unrealistic work pace or is it unrealistic to assume that all employees can achieve the standards?

Video Spotlight:

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2022-08-03T19:03:59+00:00August 6, 2022|Tags: competitivness, delivery, job design, lead time, productivity|

EV Stations: A Vision to Fuel the Future

The winner of an international competition envisions electric vehicle charging stations that offer far more than traditional gas stations.

Since charging an EV can take 20 or 30 minutes, the designer of the winning station included features like exercise equipment, massage therapy, a garden, and stores in additional to traditional gas station fare. He also suggests placing the stations in interesting places, such as near a trailhead or a community site of interest, to offer customers interesting ways to pass the […]

By Lisa M. Spencer|2022-02-17T23:51:55+00:00February 17, 2022|Tags: applied research, new product development, product design, product life cycle, service design, sustainability|

$1.9 Billion in Subsidies Not Enough For Samsung to Choose New York

Samsung was offered $1.9 Billion in incentives to locate their new US-based chip plant in Genesee County, New York.

However, they decided to locate in Taylor, Texas. Taylor offered a $981 Million package. The facility is expected to bring 1,800 Samsung jobs to the community.

Video Spotlight:

Samsung turned down subsidies worth $1.9B (Jan 6, 2022, Investigative Post)

This post is based on the Investigative Post article, Samsung turned down subsidies worth $1.9B, by […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2022-02-05T07:21:32+00:00February 5, 2022|Tags: facility location, location|

Climate-Proofing Your Cup of Coffee

An old, forgotten coffee species may be the crop of the future.

Stenophylla, a coffee plant once grown in Sierra Leone, offers hope to small growers whose livelihood is threatened by climate change. A wild plant was re-discovered in the forest. Its natural hardiness and rich flavor make it a promising substitute for the arabica species enjoyed by consumers around the world.

Video Spotlight: Tasting the Lost Species That Might Save Coffee (April 24, 2021, James Hoffmann)

This […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2022-01-12T21:45:01+00:00January 14, 2022|Tags: shortage, sourcing, sustainability|