Sara Lonn and Julie Ann Stuart
In this paper, manufacturer dealer return policies are examined for high volume part sales for long‐life cycle products. Exclusive suppliers often use simple returns policies for…
Abstract
In this paper, manufacturer dealer return policies are examined for high volume part sales for long‐life cycle products. Exclusive suppliers often use simple returns policies for high‐value products to persuade their independent dealers to stock and price items aggressively. For low‐value products, a return policy problem occurs; dealer requests for low‐value returns are routinely rejected. Because a manufacturer may make over 500 return request decisions per day, a fast algorithm is required. Two fast algorithms that evaluate multiple factors are presented and tested for six months against dealer inventory requests at heavy equipment manufacturer, Caterpillar, Inc. The results show that the proposed algorithms may eliminate nearly 1,000 back‐orders per month. The results indicate that exclusive suppliers can modify their return policies to improve service to customers by analysing not only product value, but also inventory level and lead‐time.
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Julie Ann Stuart, Winston Bonawi‐tan, Sarah Loehr and Joyce Gates
To provide fashion catalog distributors with an approach to reduce costs from returns processing by considering an array of characteristics related to demand, lead‐time, and…
Abstract
Purpose
To provide fashion catalog distributors with an approach to reduce costs from returns processing by considering an array of characteristics related to demand, lead‐time, and inventory level.
Design/methodology/approach
Apparel return rates from catalog sales are frequently 10‐30 percent of shipped orders. Despite the magnitude of returns processing, return operations are characterized by high backlogs, inefficiency, and excess material handling. Typical catalog clothing returns processing considers the condition of the returned item, fashion obsolescence, and back‐order status to make disposition decisions. In the proposed algorithm, added considerations to select a disposition option for a return include inventory level, demand pattern, cost and lead‐time factors.
Findings
The current and proposed algorithms are tested using disguised data from a fashion catalog sales company. It is shown that the proposed algorithm fills back‐orders more quickly, while reducing the returns‐processing cost and time by over 20 percent.
Research limitations/implications
By combining the tasks, open packaging, credit customer, and evaluate item characteristics including backorder status at the first workstation, the training for staff at the first workstation is increased.
Practical implications
Fashion catalog distributors should examine their returns‐processing system for opportunities to reduce returns‐processing time and costs by consolidating and eliminating tasks and by considering inventory level, demand pattern, cost, and lead‐time when selecting a disposition option for a return. The proposed algorithm can be integrated into the information technology system at the fashion catalog distributor.
Originality/value
This paper addresses how to reduce inefficiency and excess material handling in returns processing at a fashion catalog distributor.
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The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with information literacy including instruction in the use of information resources, research, and computer skills related…
Abstract
The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with information literacy including instruction in the use of information resources, research, and computer skills related to retrieving, using, and evaluating information. This review, the twenty‐second to be published in Reference Services Review, includes items in English published in 1995. After 21 years, the title of this review of the literature has been changed from “Library Orientation and Instruction” to “Library Instruction and Information Literacy,” to indicate the growing trend of moving to information skills instruction.
Purpose: One of the objectives of this research was to identify whether “mad”, “bad” and “sad” frames, identified in modern news reporting in other Western nations, are also…
Abstract
Purpose: One of the objectives of this research was to identify whether “mad”, “bad” and “sad” frames, identified in modern news reporting in other Western nations, are also evident in historical newspapers in New Zealand, a nation geographically distant. Methodology/approach: Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze reporting of multiple-child murders in New Zealand between 1870 and 1930. Content was sourced from a digitized newspaper database and identified media frames were analyzed under the categories of “mad”, “bad” and “sad”. Findings: Historical New Zealand media constructed “mad,” “bad,” and “sad” frames for the killers, however, instead of being classified with a single frame many killers were portrayed using a combination of two or even three. In some cases, media ignored facts which could have provided an alternative portrayal of the killers. In other cases, no obvious frames were employed. Research limitations: This research does not include analysis of media frame building in modern news reporting. Originality/value: Media construction of frames for multiple-child killers in historical New Zealand news reporting has not been explored before.
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The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online…
Abstract
The following bibliography focuses mainly on programs which can run on IBM microcomputers and compatibles under the operating system PC DOS/MS DOS, and which can be used in online information and documentation work. They fall into the following categories:
The term “library management” covers many different aspects of the way that a library is operated and conjures up different concepts in the minds of different people, depending on…
Abstract
The term “library management” covers many different aspects of the way that a library is operated and conjures up different concepts in the minds of different people, depending on their own interests, agendas and requirements. Research into the subject is even more difficult to define because the application of research in one field can be vital to the development of another. Some researchers would not consider their research central to library matters at all, whereas the practising librarian might well see it as casting new light on a difficult area of understanding or development.
The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with information literacy including instruction in the use of information resources, research, and computer skills related…
Abstract
The following is an annotated list of materials dealing with information literacy including instruction in the use of information resources, research, and computer skills related to retrieving, using, and evaluating information. This review, the seventeenth to be published in Reference Services Review, includes items, in English published in 1990. A few are not annotated because the compiler could not obtain copies of them for this review.
Within the past few years, responsible educators, librarians, parents, counselors, social workers, therapists, and religious groups of all sexual persuasions and lifestyles have…
Abstract
Within the past few years, responsible educators, librarians, parents, counselors, social workers, therapists, and religious groups of all sexual persuasions and lifestyles have recognized the need for readily available reading material for lesbian and gay youth. Unfortunately, this material is often buried, because it is embedded in larger works. To meet this need, I have compiled and annotated 100 of the best works for young homosexuals, bisexuals, and heterosexuals. I have also included a few of the best works currently available on heterosexuality as a much needed source of knowledge for all young adults whether they are gay or straight, whether they remain childless or eventually become parents.
Historically, epilepsy was attributed to non‐medical causes such as demonic possession, a gift from God, witchcraft, and mental illness. Only with the advent of the…
Abstract
Historically, epilepsy was attributed to non‐medical causes such as demonic possession, a gift from God, witchcraft, and mental illness. Only with the advent of the electroencephalogram (EEG) in the 1930s did the medical profession begin to document the neurological basis for the condition. Now a wide range of anticonvulsants allow most epileptics to maintain partial or total control over their seizures. Nevertheless, many epileptics routinely face discouraging social limitations, such as difficulty obtaining a driver's license, employment discrimination, problems with dating and marriage, restrictions on sports and activities, and the expense of medication.
Beck discusses the need to improve library and information services for the deaf community. The technological support available to libraries to serve the deaf is identified and…
Abstract
Beck discusses the need to improve library and information services for the deaf community. The technological support available to libraries to serve the deaf is identified and described. Turnkey systems are found to be lacking in applications devoted to those who cannot hear or who are hard of hearing. Other technologies, like captioned videos, TDDs, and assistive listening systems, are examined for levels of service and excellence as well as cost. Examples of technology in transition and for the future are offered, along with experiments on speech and sound. These include inner ear implants, the “data glove” experiments, and tactile translators. Technological conflicts that may arise due to one person having multiple disabilities are presented with a discussion on the prevention of dangerous or difficult situations. Possible difficulties and ways to handle opposing technologies are examined briefly. Appropriate sections of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Guidelines are grouped with the technologies that aid compliance. Additional laws are mentioned where their inclusion is appropriate. Suggested guidelines for serving the deaf/disabled community are offered for librarians working in all library types.