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Can Lean Manufacturing Put an End to Sweatshops?

Harvard Business

Producers in less-developed countries compete by keeping costs low. Over the last thirty years, the lean approach — developed by Japanese automakers — has permeated the manufacturing sector in developed countries, but is much less commonly used in the developing world. Operations in a Connected World.

Apparel 34
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Is Your Company Actually Set Up to Support Your Strategy?

Harvard Business

For every company wrestling with evolutions in its strategy, success depends as much on matching the operating model to those evolutions as it does on the soundness of the strategy itself. But exactly how do today’s companies create or update an operating model to match adaptations or wholesale changes in strategy?

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How Chinese Companies Disrupt Through Business Model Innovation

Harvard Business

The American textile and apparel industries, for example, will tell you that the evidence can be found in the blood on the floor — their blood, on what used to be their floor. Experts continue to debate whether Chinese businesses are truly disruptive. For some industries in the West, this question appears a bit ridiculous.

Company 36
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The Biggest Obstacles to Innovation in Large Companies

Harvard Business

The responses , from 270 corporate leaders in strategy, innovation, and research and development roles, were illuminating. The culture at large companies is typically built on a foundation of operational excellence and predictable growth. To be constructive, we also asked about the things that foster innovation.)

Company 53
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Maximizing Agility and Leverage in the Global Organization

Kates Kesler

This is especially true in developing markets where competitors can move very quickly with few of the obstacles that big companies face. Agility and scale rarely co-exist in the design of the organizational operating model. In foods, beverages, health, beauty, and apparel local variations really do matter.

Agile 50
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Severe Weather Threatens Businesses. It’s Time to Measure and Disclose the Risks

Harvard Business

Research shows that abnormal weather disrupts the operating and financial performance of 70% of businesses worldwide. In the apparel sector, for instance, the unusually warm winter temperatures across Europe and the U.S. last year triggered shortfalls in sales, store closures, and job cuts.

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Companies Are Working with Consumers to Reduce Waste

Harvard Business

Operations in a Connected World. Some retailers and manufacturers—in the apparel, footwear, and electronics industries—have launched programs to make their customers interested in preserving their products and preventing things that still have value from going to the landfill. Insight Center. Sponsored by Accenture.

Company 28