A preliminary study published in Operations Research found that free flight routing could lead to a significant reduction in mid-air collision risk, with a potential safety dividend of up to 69%. The study also suggests that shortened flight paths could result in reduced fuel consumption and increased flight frequencies.
A new operations research model helps planners resolve conflicting demands by developing alternate relocation plans statistically, diagrammatically, and spatially. The most desirable policies generate incentives for stakeholders, including landlords, to participate in the housing mobility program.
A new operations research model has the potential to reduce America's high mortality rate for those with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) by as much as 20%, while also containing budget costs. The model helps dialysis centers optimize treatment and reduce financial burden.
A survey of black and white managers found that black managers report a slower rate of promotion and less psychosocial support than their white counterparts. The study suggests that organizations may be underutilizing qualified African-American employees, leading to resentment, boredom, stress, and turnover.
Experts warn of a high risk of 700-800 deaths in US airport runway collisions over the next two decades. The study, which analyzed data from 1983 to 2022, found that most fatal accidents involved large jet planes and occurred during reduced visibility conditions.
An interactive computer game can save lives by teaching potential heart attack victims to react swiftly at the first sign of a heart attack. The HEART-SENSE Game, developed by Barry G. Silverman and John Holmes, uses virtual personas and quizzes to educate users about early warning signs and the importance of calling 911.
The paper attributes the decline in homicide since the early 1990s to changes in drug markets, police response to gun carrying by young males, and economic expansion. Fewer handguns were used in homicides, especially among juveniles and young adults.
Using I.T. to reduce lead times and increase shipment frequency results in a significant 21% supply chain improvement for smaller batch manufacturing. In contrast, relying on electronic data interchange and early alerts yields only a 2.2% average supply chain gain.
A study finds that multinationals that adopt stringent global environmental standards in developing countries outperform those using laxer standards, averaging a $10.4 billion higher market value. The researchers suggest that firms that prioritize eco-efficient production systems may see increased productivity and profitability.
A new model analyzes how patient care plans, clinic profits, and drug manufacturer revenues are affected by outcome-oriented reimbursement policies. The model identifies key factors that influence the optimal treatment plan for individual patients, including initial condition, cost parameters, and insurance reimbursement guidelines.
A proposed kidney transplant system assigns priorities based on efficiency and equity points, reducing median waiting time from 24 to 14 months. The new policy increases the overall likelihood of transplantation from 45% to 61% and improves quality-adjusted life expectancy for African-Americans and women.
Researchers argue that online retailers focus too much on site hits and not enough on customer behavior patterns. By analyzing these patterns, retailers can identify frequent shoppers and target their marketing efforts more effectively to increase sales.
A recent MIT study found that online retailers, such as Amazon.com, charge higher prices than low-cost competitors like Books.com and CD Universe. The study reveals substantial differences in prices across retailers on the Internet, with top brands maintaining price advantages despite lower costs.
A recent study by Dr. Mani Subramani and Eric A. Walden found that Internet firms can earn almost double the profits of brick-and-mortar firms through partnerships. This is due to their ability to form strong relationships with partners, increasing investment and output value.
Air New Zealand won the INFORMS Edelman Award for its optimized crew scheduling project, which improves passenger service and reduces costs by over $15.6 million annually. The project uses advanced optimization methods to efficiently utilize crew resources, addressing a significant issue faced by airlines.
Jeppesen Sanderson was awarded the Franz Edelman Award for its successful implementation of optimization-based decision support tools, resulting in annual cost reductions of $3 million. The company achieved this through flexible planning and technology management, strengthening its competitive position and increasing operating profits.
Ford's Prototype Optimization Module (POM) reduced prototypes by one fourth, cutting weeks and millions of dollars from development. The module also promoted wider customer-oriented dialogue among design and test engineers and management.
The FAA was recognized by INFORMS for its Ground Delay Program Enhancement project, which has reduced delays by 90,000 hours and saved the airline industry over $150 million. The project uses collaborative decision-making tools to allocate arrival slots and issue ground delays.
IBM was recognized by INFORMS for its supply chain management project, 'Matching Assets with Demand in Supply Chain Management with PROFIT at IBM Microelectronics.' The project improved asset utilization by $80 million and customer responsiveness to under one day. The award is the second time IBM has received this honor.
A recent study updated the classic 'Stigler's Diet Problem' to reflect current dietary recommendations and prices. The results show that a woman's diet is approximately $115.40 cheaper than a man's, with daily costs of $535.27 for women and $651.27 for men.
A Harvard study challenges conventional wisdom, suggesting that online retailers can charge higher prices due to reduced price competition. The study reveals that consumer loyalty and convenience of the internet enable firms to increase prices, leading to higher profits.
A study found that auditors and salespersons distort information to support their preferred decisions, with auditors showing less distortion than salespersons. Holding professionals accountable lowered distortion for salespersons, but not for auditors.
A recent study found that communication drives the use of the Internet at home, with individuals using e-mail in more sessions and consistently than they use the World Wide Web. The study, which tracked 229 people's behavior over a year, shows that social uses of the Internet are strongly favored by novice users.
A study published in Marketing Science found that a professors' model for choosing films can improve profitability by 30-120% compared to movie exhibitors' own choices. The model, which uses operations research and quantitative techniques, recommends selecting fewer 'right' movies and running them longer.
A case study by INFORMS finds that organizations operating near safety borders rely on after-the-fact interventions rather than preparation. The study compares two nuclear facilities, highlighting the importance of anticipation, foresight, and countermeasures in staying within a zone of safety.
A recent study suggests that female and older computer users are more concerned about moral issues affecting the Internet, such as spreading computer viruses and sharing offensive games. The researchers found that younger respondents were less likely to view these actions as harmful.
Airline safety expert Arnold I. Barnett says flying with major carriers on the same route doesn't significantly reduce risk. The death-risk statistic for US domestic jet carriers is 1 in 7 million, and frequent flyers face minimal cumulative risk.
A new study forecasts movie performance for domestic and international markets using a Bayesian model that examines information like star quality, past film performance, and screen numbers. The model provides accurate updates as sales figures come in to help plan better marketing activities.
Researchers developed an electronic stock exchange that rapidly detects and shares insider information, imposing electronic penalties on insider traders. This approach can level the playing field and diminish the gains from insider trading.
A study by Boston University researchers found that delivering bad news via email is more accurate and less painful for the messenger than personal or phone delivery. The research suggests that electronic communication can increase honesty and accuracy in delivering negative information, challenging current norms.
A new study published in Marketing Science suggests that customers may prioritize brand risk over quality when making purchasing decisions. The research findings have important implications for marketing strategies, including the need to consider loyalty customers and potential trial experiences.
A new study suggests that consumers who strategically ration their vice purchases, such as buying cigarettes in small packs, end up paying a premium for self-control. This can lead to increased profits for tobacco and other industries. Researchers found that virtue consumers buy larger quantities even with shallow quantity discounts.
Researchers from Harvard & MIT found that adopting emerging dominant design and targeting new markets with architectural innovation are key to survival. The study draws on the volatile disk drive industry, where firms that incorporated dominant product design had a higher chance of survival than those that ignored its emergence.
Researchers from Wharton and UCLA suggest that shoppers consume more items purchased on sale at local stores to maximize value. The study also proposes a series of questions for shoppers to help them make informed purchasing decisions.
Despite the Asian recession, US firms remain in a strong position due to their dominance of knowledge processing and increasing return markets. However, the authors warn that if American firms fail to adapt, they risk losing market share to Asian companies, who are emerging as a formidable new elite.
A form of bait and switch could actually benefit consumers, say professors, as it drives prices down and stimulates in-store promotions. However, others contest this argument, citing fraudulent practices and the need for retailer competition.
A recent study by researchers at UCLA and Catholic University found that younger addicts, particularly those from minority groups, have lower chances of long-term recovery. The study analyzed data from over 800 narcotics addicts in California and identified key factors influencing relapse rates, including age of first use and ethnicity.
A portfolio optimization model (POM) developed in 1989 helps Chicago's Peoples Energy utilities balance costs by reserving natural gas supply, transportation, and storage. The model generates significant annual cost savings of $50 million since 1995, improving efficiency and decision-making.
A numerical analyst developed a math model with algorithms to distribute Seattle Mariners' season tickets fairly among a group of friends. The technique uses mixed-integer programming to satisfy diverse requests and preferences, achieving 46.7% success rate in assigning top-ranked games.
A study suggests that advertisers should schedule their commercials for the middle of programs and improve their media plans. The study also recommends that TV stations keep their lengthier breaks away from the beginning and end of shows. By doing so, advertisers can prevent channel surfing and optimize their ad placements.
A study found that team skill, managerial involvement, and common team experience are crucial for software development success. In contrast, technology's impact on performance was less significant, with structured methods having a positive but insignificant effect on production activities.
A new approach to experimentation using computer simulation and rapid prototyping could significantly reduce development cost and time in the computer, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The study found that firms can save millions of dollars by switching between these methods at the optimal point.
Researchers created a mathematical model that builds on current FAA ground-holding policies, aiming to reduce cost and improve efficiency in air traffic management. The model has been partially implemented in Europe and shows a potential improvement of up to 30 percent in reducing congestion.
A study by Dr. Barry Bayus found that PC product lifespans have not accelerated over time, contradicting conventional wisdom. Despite rapid innovation, manufacturers have maintained consistent product lifecycles within their lines, suggesting a balanced approach to strategy and R&D investment.
A study by INFORMS shows that introducing difficult-to-reuse syringes, also known as DTRs, into the current needle population does not reduce HIV rates among addicts. In fact, it increases the risk of exposure to infectious needles due to increased reuse of regular syringes.
The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) and the Operational Research Society of Israel (ORSIS) will hold an international convention at Tel Aviv University. Operations researchers use math and science to make sense of millions of details, impacting industries such as airlines, healthcare, and business.
Bosques Arauco's winning study utilizes operations research systems to improve efficiency and have a positive impact on forest plantations. The award recognizes outstanding work in operations research that has had a significant impact on the performance of the client organization, with notable annual savings.
The Spring '98 INFORMS conference, 'Bridging Continents & Cultures', brings together international researchers to share knowledge and ideas. The meeting will be held in Montréal, a city with a unique blend of European and North American cultures, offering attendees a warm and welcoming environment.
The Aviation System Analysis Capability (ASAC) is an integrated suite of models and databases that assesses the impact of new technologies on air transportation efficiency and safety. Developed by Logistics Management Institute, ASAC assists researchers in air traffic management analysis and aircraft technology analysis.
The TRAMAH model has been successfully tested in Maryland, achieving near 100% access to trauma system resources within 30 minutes for severely injured residents. By optimally locating fewer helicopter depots or replacing single trauma centers, the researchers saw significant improvements in response times and coverage.