The objective of this case study is to understand the context for which process improvement is effective and the challenges of implementing change. In 2015, a major apparel retailer pioneered a value stream mapping project that addressed the order writing process between its merchandising team and an external vendor. This case follows the development and execution of the project and the challenge of sustaining the improvements rendered. Thorough analysis supports the recommendation for continued organizational support, a post-event auditing process, and specific metrics to indicate the project's success.

This research focuses and discusses on the Supply Chain process within the mental health industry and its impact on the center for health empowerment education employment recovery. Our first approach was to research background information on mental health sector. With 115 billion dollars on mental health treatment investment annually nationwide, many citizens continues to struggle to find help. Due to such a complex structure of specific industry, we needed to focus more specifically, Arizona. Even within Arizona, we chose one organization to discuss their complex supply chain logistic issues. Through analysis of beneficiaries, technology system, finance management, employer, many educational programs, we were able to identify possible improvements. Through utilizing Supply Chain concepts, my co-author and I came up with few solutions that can greatly benefit the organization.

This thesis looks at a short-term solution to the truck driver shortage: transitioning U.S. military veterans into truck driver roles. Due to the adoption of self-driving trucks, the shortage is projected to end in 2022; however, freight companies may not be able to keep up with growing freight volumes until then. In the meantime, providing commercial driver's license (CDL) training on military bases has the potential to alleviate the shortage and veteran unemployment. A number of journal articles were read and interviews were conducted to determine the practicality of this solution. This thesis includes those findings and a number of considerations that should be made before implementing it.

This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive consideration of the full implications of engaging in real earnings management through 1.) an in-depth literature review of selected studies concerning real earnings management, 2.) supplemental interviews to consider real earnings management from various perspectives including supply chain management, accounting and management, as well as 3.) a final framework of the considerations that must be made to fully understand the implications of real earnings management. Though the ethics of real earnings management will be discussed, no determination will be made to support or discredit its use. The methods of real earnings management are plentiful and would benefit most from being judged on a case-by-case basis before coming to any firm conclusions.

The original goal of this project was to create a case study that would help figure out a way to figure out how to get better food, and more food, to areas where there is little to no logistical infrastructure in place. Specifically, the Navajo Nation in North Eastern Arizona where the road infrastructure is not as developed and without enough stores to saturate the region. A partnership with Peddler's Son Produce, a company who was hoping to expand their distribution services to North-Eastern Arizona and other lesser-served areas across Arizona, allowed for the creation of Logistical Route Simulations which allowed the expanse of what areas could be reached with cross-docking stations in various areas. After all the information of the route simulations was compiled, it was abstracted to a case study. There is no one solution of how to expand a company so what the case study does is give students all of the information for costs and potential routes and then tells them to decide how many stops should be taken at each city in each route, which routes should be taken, and which routes shouldn't, and which cross-docking station, or multiple cross-docking stations the company should choose. The Case Study also includes teaching notes for the professor doing it which have the completed logistic route simulations and all the data and information that was learned but not included in the case study. This case study can now be used to help others figure out how to create profitable logistics routes which serves the original goal of the project.

Within humanitarian logistics, there has been a growing trend of adopting information systems to enhance the responsiveness of aid delivery. By utilizing such technology, organizations are able to take advantage of information sharing and its benefits, including improved coordination and reduced uncertainty. This paper seeks to explore this phenomenon using organizational information processing theory. Drawing from complexity literature, we argue that demand complexity should have a positive relationship with information sharing. Moreover, higher levels of information sharing should generate higher responsiveness. Lastly, we examine the effects of organizational structure on the relationship between information sharing and responsiveness. We posit that the degree of centralization will have a positive moderation effect on the aforementioned relationship. The paper then describes the methodology planned to test these hypotheses. We will design a case-based simulation that will incorporate current disaster situations and parameters experienced by Community Preparedness Exercise and Fair (COMPEF), which acts as a broker for the City of Tempe and various humanitarian groups. With the case-based simulation data, we will draw theoretical and managerial implications for the field of humanitarian logistics.

This thesis conducts research into the emissions from ocean going vessels and the ports that they dock at and current methods that are being pursued to help reduce the environmental impact of the ocean shipping industry. The main emissions from the industry analyzed are particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen, oxides of sulfur and greenhouse gases. One method of reducing the environmental impact of the industry is through the improvement of the vessels. The vessels are currently being improved through the exploration of using liquefied natural gas (LNG) instead of bunker fuel. It has been found that LNG takes up less space, costs less, and has fewer emissions compared to bunker fuel, making it an ideal replacement as a fuel source. In addition to changing fuel sources, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has created emission control areas around the United States and its territories mandating the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel within a certain range of land. There are two emission control areas with one being for the United States, Canada, and the French Territories of North America and the other for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For the North American nations it is 200 nautical miles, while for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands it is 50 nautical miles. This is an external pressure encouraging current shipping companies to switch to LNG as a fuel source. A second method of reducing the environmental impact of the ocean shipping industry is to improve the ports. The ports are being improved by utilizing alternative maritime power, reducing the emissions of vehicles at the ports, and engaging all of the stakeholders of a port. Alternative maritime power (AMP) is the use of shore-side power sources to power the auxiliary engines of vessels while they are hotelling, at dock. AMP is also referred to as cold-ironing and is effective in reducing emissions from vessels because the auxiliary engines are powered by electricity as opposed to fuel. This is an expensive option to pursue because of the high investment costs, but the Carl Moyer Program provides analysis for the cost-effectiveness of projects to justify the high costs. The second facet of port improvements is decreasing the emissions from all vehicles at the ports. The Port of Los Angeles has gradually been phasing out trucks with old engines and even banning them from entering the port. Cargo handling equipment has seen similar restrictions to reduce emissions. Finally locomotives have seen requirements implemented causing them to improve their engines while implementing idling restriction technologies as well. These improvements have yielded tangible and effective results for the Port of Los Angeles. These initiatives have resulted in a decrease in emissions from the port since their inception in 2005 to 2011 (2011 being the last year that data is available). In that time frame diesel particulate matter has been reduced by 71% at 634 tons, NOx has been reduced by 51% at 8,392 tons and SOx has been reduced by 76% at a total of 4,038 tons. The final part of port improvements this paper looks into is the integration and engagement of all stakeholders. The Port of Los Angeles has all but approved the Southern California International Gateway Project (SCIG) by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway. This project included the cooperation of BNSF, local unions, and local politicians to create a new rail yard that contains the highest sustainability standards for any rail yard. SCIG will employ numerous local people, require trucks to take alternative routes, reduce the amount of trucks on the highway, and help get products to consumers more competitively and efficiently. This will result in reduced emissions, decreased noise pollution, and less traffic congestion on Los Angeles highways. In conclusion it was found that real, effective, and cost-effective projects are being undertaken to improve the environmental impacts of the ocean shipping industry.

The concept of constant feedback through direct access to advanced technological devices has shaped the way consumers approach shopping for desired goods. Nowadays, people want their items faster, cheaper, of higher quality, and on their schedule. Consumer preferences such as these have provided an avenue for innovative thinkers to develop new business categories through the assistance of websites and smart phone apps. An example of one of these up and coming fields is the e-grocery industry. With the swipe of a thumb, customers can order and have their groceries shipped directly to their doorstep, sometimes within hours of placing the order. As time progresses and firms learn from operating experience, culture shifts such as this shopping method may become the new norms in society. This thesis outlines a business proposal for existing retailers such as Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Target to get in front of the curve in this wave of online shopping and gain market share in this space through utilizing their current competitive advantage in logistics structures. We will attempt to encompass all aspects of the new venture by including an overview of the opportunity at hand, a census from the direct end customers providing proof of concept, methods for carrying out operational requirements, financial models forecasting future cash flows and returns on investment, established marketing materials appealing to end users, and a means to expand the outreach of the business. The end goal of this project is to provide a platform for an existing retailer to adopt into its current business structure and launch a trial run of the proposal in the near future.