Abstract

The United States Integrated Textile Complex (USITC) consists of fiber, textile, apparel, and retail firms who manufacture and distribute natural and synthetic fiber products. In today`s competitive global economy, USITC companies who team together to form supply chains require relationships which promote responsiveness to consumer demand, encourage business partnerships, and make effective use of resources. These supply chains, or pipelines, are being analyzed to improve time and cost performance. Enterprise analysis is the application of analysis methods and simulation tools to predict integrated performance of these pipelines. Through the use of scenario analysis, various alternatives in pipeline coordination and configuration can be assessed. Simply put, the end result is to design the pipeline so that the product the customer demands is delivered, in the right place, at the right time. In September 1996, industrial participants of the Demand Activated Manufacturing Architecture (DAMA) project completed the Phase 1 pipeline analysis study. The analysis identified opportunities to improve productivity and efficiency among five supply chain members, and proposed a generic modeling architecture and methodology that, if implemented, would identify actions necessary to improve supply-chain coordination among its members. The architecture and methodology are being pursued during the Phase 2 analysis, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of FY 1997. The goal of the Phase 2 analysis is to propose actionable recommendations to supply-chain members leading to a reduction of pipeline lead-time by 50%. Document type: Report

Abstract

A summary is given of research evaluating the economic effects of existing and prospective federal policies governing intercity and international freight and passenger transportation enterprises in the economy of the United States. The analysis encompasses all modes of transportation, including rail, motor, water, air and intermodal coordinative institutions, and focuses upon the impact of alternative regulatory policies. However, other federal policies including subsidy, taxation, procurement, government ownership and investment, special programs for particular transportation industry problems and impacts of general national policies on transportation will be included when relevant. Economic evaluation includes the study of efficient resource allocation and distributional effects of alternative policies together with consideration of both partial and general equilibrium effects. The research is interdisciplinary in scope, drawing upon engineering, economics, statistics, law and administration. Document type: Report