A new study predicts that over the next 15 years, the global automotive industry will undergo the greatest transformation in its history.
In particular, the Automotive Landscape 2025 study, conducted by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, forecasts six significant automotive trends: (more…)
Smartphones are embedded into today’s corporate culture. But, if you use your smartphone for both business and personal purposes, you may be putting your company at risk.
A new study from AVG Technologies found that most people are surprisingly indifferent to the many serious security risks associated with the storage and transmission of sensitive data on iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices. For example: (more…)
A groundbreaking study from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) shows that companies are continuing to focus attention on risk management activities.
The 2010 Global Internal Audit Survey, released by the IIA last week, marks the culmination of a two-year effort to collect and analyze responses from 13,582 practitioners in 22 languages and more than 107 countries. According to the IIA, it’s the most comprehensive global study ever conducted on the practice of internal auditing.
The results show that: (more…)
The overall health of a supply chain often depends on the strength of small firms within the supplier network. That’s why last week it was great to see that Equifax has compiled some encouraging data regarding small business bankruptcy trends in the US.
The extensive Equifax analysis, which focused on the Q4 2009 to Q4 2010 timeframe, looked at bankruptcy trends among the nation’s more than 24 million small businesses. The study showed that: (more…)
Manufacturers and other businesses that rely on Japanese components and/or products are beginning to realize that the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis that have devastated Japan are likely to affect their supply chains for several weeks –and possibly even longer.
For example, The New York Times is reporting that Nissan has at least nine Japanese vehicle and parts factories and 35 suppliers that have been disrupted by the disaster. In the article, the chairman of Nissan Americas says he can offer no guess on the financial toll or when the company would return to normal.
Likewise, Honda has told US dealers that it will delay taking orders for Japanese-made cars and trucks that they would normally receive in May until the company has a better idea of its ability to ship them. And Toyota plants remain shuttered, as well. (more…)
