When it pays to be inflexible

Article Abstract:

Insead business school professors Lars-Hendrik Roller and Mihkel Tomback studied 5,000 North American businesses to ascertain the impact of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS) on business performance. Research results reveal that there is a positive correlation between performance and the degree of flexibility in the businesses' manufacturing methods, and that flexibility was more important in the growth phase of product cycles rather than in the mature phase. Results also indicate that a competitive edge can be gained through the application of FMS, but that the high capital costs involved can eliminate the advantage of FMS as the costs often cannot be recouped.

Research, College faculty, Technology application, Corporations, Flexible manufacturing systems, European Institute of Business Administration, Roller, Lars-Hendrik, Tomback, Mihkel

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Who pays for it?

Article Abstract:

It has been possible to reach agreement on a draft budget for the European Union for 1997 with almost no dissent at all. This is mainly because most European Union members are now net contributors to the budget, and therefore do not have much interest in expanding it. Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Spain are now the only large net recipients, and most European Union members are strongly in favour of European Union austerity. European monetary union will prevent members having control over interest rates, so it will be necessary to find a way of making fiscal transfers from rich to poor countries.

Finance, European Union

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Optimism pays off!

Article Abstract:

A psychologist claims that majority of children, as opposed to adults, have positive attitude based on their affirmative language. Studies further reveal that positive thinkers are healthier and have longer life spans. They also live more happily and feel more content with their lives.

Psychological aspects, Optimism

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