1) On the efficiency of foreign exchange markets in times of the COVID-19 pandemic

Autores: Aslam, Faheem

Aziz, Saqib

Nguyen, Duc Khuong

Mughal, Khurrum S

Khan, Maaz

Journal: Technological Forecasting and Social Change

Año: 2020

ABSTRACT: We employ multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MF-DFA) to provide a first look at the efficiency of
forex markets during the initial period of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has disrupted the
global financial markets. We use high-frequency (5-min interval) data of six major currencies traded in forex markets
during the period October 1, 2019 to 31 March 31, 2020. Before applying MF-DFA, we examine the inner dynamics of
multifractality through seasonal and trend decompositions using loess. Overall, the results confirm the presence of
multifractality in forex markets, which demonstrates, in particular, (i) a decline in the efficiency of forex markets during
the COVID-19 outbreak and (ii) heterogeneous effects on the strength of multifractality of exchange rate returns under
investigation. The largest effect is observed for the Australian dollar, which shows the highest (lowest) efficiency before
(during) the COVID-19 pandemic, assessed in terms of low (high) multifractality. The Canadian dollar and the Swiss Franc
exhibit the highest efficiency during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our findings may help policymakers shape a comprehensive
response to improve forex market efficiency during such a black swan event.

2) A supply chain network economic model with time-based competition

Autores: Ma, Jun

Zhang, Ding

Dong, June

Tu, Yiliu

Journal: European Journal of Operational Research

Año: 2020

ABSTRACT: This paper presents an integrated model for time-cost competition between supply chains with
heterogeneous customers. The firms in our model can offer various time options for their production/service to time-
sensitive customers. This gives rise of a new concept of time-based supply chain, which we call T-chain, to be the basic
element in the competition and extends the inter supply chain competition to a new dimension of time. Assuming the
customers are heterogeneous in time-cost bi-criteria decision making, we integrate the discrete choice theory into
supply chain network competition and formulate the equilibrium conditions as a multinomial logit based variational
inequality problem. Numerical examples are presented for model illustration and managerial insights such as profit
maximization for a firm who participates in this supply chain network.

3) Examining the value of flexible logistics offerings

Autores: Giannikas, Vaggelis

McFarlane, Duncan

Journal: European Journal of Operational Research

Año: 2020

ABSTRACT: In the order fulfilment and retail industry, the provision of fast and low cost delivery services has received
significant focus over the last decade. What is often neglected is other factors that contribute to a customer’s overall
experience like customisation and flexibility of deliveries, especially in cases when a customer’s needs and plans change
between order placement and order delivery. This paper explores the value of a flexible type of logistics offering in
which the customer is able to change the order requirements (such as delivery date) after the order has been placed. In
particular, we focus on the interactions between a retailer and a customer in agreeing and executing such logistics
orders. We examine the benefits of this type of flexible logistics offerings because flexibility and customisation are
critical factors for the success of omni-channel commerce. Such offerings are clearly connected with recent
developments in digital technologies as these technologies are essential for the implementation. Our results indicate
that flexible logistics offerings can be beneficial both for retailers and for customers. They also highlight the importance
of receiving orders that do not fully meet the requirements of a customer.

4) Product variety, customisation and business process performance: A mixed-methods approach to understanding
their relationships

Autores: Lyons, Andrew Charles

Um, Juneho

Sharifi, Hossein

Journal: International Journal of Production Economics

Año: 2020

ABSTRACT: This research presents findings from a sequential, mixed qualitative and quantitative method comprising five
case studies and a survey of 162 different manufacturing sites where we examined how increases in product variety
influence the performance of a wide range of business processes within and across the value chain of engineering,
manufacturing, procurement, logistics and sales. We also identified the advantages associated with an increase in
product variety and investigated the relationships between business process performance and degree of customisation.
Drawing on value chain and resource-based logic, a product variety increase was found to have a differential impact on
business processes and was partly contingent on the levels of customisation offered. The results provide both a better
understanding of the implications and relative costs associated with product variety increases on key business processes
and activities and highlight key areas of business process capability development in order to mitigate the effects of
variety increases. The study also provides an example for researchers on the process and advantages of using mixed
methods. The results are valuable for manufacturers considering extending their product range in order to provide more
choice for customers.

5) A patent-based approach for the identification of technology-based service opportunities

Autores: Kim, Chulhyun

Lee, Hakyeon

Journal: Computers & Industrial Engineering

ABSTRACT: One of the most crucial activities for new technology-based service development is an opportunity
identification. Previous studies have mainly been customer-centered, lacking data and quantitative methodologies. This
study proposes a new approach to identify technology-based service opportunities based on business method patent
analysis. First, patent co-classification analysis is applied to construct interrelationship matrices. Second, the analytic
network process is employed to derive the priorities of technology-based services. Third, data envelopment analysis
window analysis is conducted to calculate the importance and its increase rate of technology-based services. Finally, a
portfolio map is constructed to identify and manage opportunities for technology-based services. A case study of mobile
services is performed to provide the operation of the proposed approach. It is expected that proposed approach could
help planners of technology-based service firms to reduce the uncertainty in the fuzzy front-end stage of new
technology-based service development.

6) Virtual Reality enriched Business Model Canvas Building Blocks for enhancing Customer Retention

ABSTRACT

The upcoming digital transformation is a present key challenge for companies. Nevertheless, this key challenge is also a
megatrend, which goes along with great opportunities like production- and process optimization, possible new data-
driven business models and new perspectives for interaction with customers. Osterwalder’s Business Model Canvas
provides companies a template and guideline for documenting the existing and developing new business models. Two of
the key questions when describing the existing business model as well as when developing a new one is: “Who are our
most important customers and for whom are we creating value?” These questions regarding the customer segments go
along with the channels and the relationship between producer and customer. Due to everywhere available connectivity
to the internet, customer segments may change and new customer segments expect new communication channels and
a different producer/customer relationship. Virtual Reality is a cutting-edge technology with potential in various areas
like product development, product presentation, and remote support. However, remote support can be more than an
expert/expert communication for guided maintenance work, it has the potential for reaching new customer segments,
setting up new communication channels and thus creating new customer relationships. All this together bears the
potential for a Virtual Reality driven Customer Retention.

Análisis: Un aspecto que los negocios no deben dejar de lado es mantener siempre satisfechos a los clientes ya
existentes, no solo es adquirir nuevos clientes, además la retención es necesaria debido a la creciente competencia. Este
articulo me genera curiosidad sobre ese modelo de negocios y que uso se le da a la realidad virtual en la busca de la
retención de clientes.