title: Mitigating FMCG transport bottlenecks following an extended Cook Strait ferry outage in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Brutsch, Nathan

subjects: fast-moving consumer goods

abstract: This research aims to understand how an extended Cook Strait ferry outage would impact the movement of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) in New Zealand (NZ). The Cook Strait ferries are critical to the country’s freight system, serving as an extension of the main state highway and rail line connecting the North and South Islands. Despite the significance of the ferries, the ferry terminals are aged and lack redundancy, and they could fail in an earthquake. To understand how an extended terminal outage would impact the movement of FMCGs, data was collected through interviews with 30 industry experts in the transport and FMCG sectors, which was thematically analysed and supplemented with quantitative details to further understand the impact. The findings revealed numerous transport bottlenecks would surface in an extended terminal outage and a lack of preparedness in NZ’s freight system. To guide this research, a set of management tools known as the Theory of Constraints Thinking Process were used, enabling sense to be made of NZ’s domestic freight system following a Cook Strait ferry outage. Using these tools to generate visual diagrams, the cause-and-effect relationships between bottlenecks were identified, root causes were uncovered, and potential solutions were explored. Given that it is not a case of if a major disaster will occur, but when, it is important that progress is made towards addressing the identified root causes so that the impact from future disruptions is minimised and goods can continue moving.

text: Mitigating FMCG transport bottlenecks following an extended Cook Strait ferry outage in Aotearoa New Zealand This research aims to understand how an extended Cook Strait ferry outage would impact the movement of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) in New Zealand (NZ). The Cook Strait ferries are critical to the country’s freight system, serving as an extension of the main state highway and rail line connecting the North and South Islands. Despite the significance of the ferries, the ferry terminals are aged and lack redundancy, and they could fail in an earthquake. To understand how an extended terminal outage would impact the movement of FMCGs, data was collected through interviews with 30 industry experts in the transport and FMCG sectors, which was thematically analysed and supplemented with quantitative details to further understand the impact. The findings revealed numerous transport bottlenecks would surface in an extended terminal outage and a lack of preparedness in NZ’s freight system. To guide this research, a set of management tools known as the Theory of Constraints Thinking Process were used, enabling sense to be made of NZ’s domestic freight system following a Cook Strait ferry outage. Using these tools to generate visual diagrams, the cause-and-effect relationships between bottlenecks were identified, root causes were uncovered, and potential solutions were explored. Given that it is not a case of if a major disaster will occur, but when, it is important that progress is made towards addressing the identified root causes so that the impact from future disruptions is minimised and goods can continue moving.

year: 2024

title: Factors influencing the Landing Error Scoring System: Systematic review with meta-analysis.

authors: Hanzlíková, Ivana

subjects: Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries

abstract: OBJECTIVES: Systematically review the literature addressing age, sex, previous injury, and intervention program as influencing factors of the Landing Error Scoring System. 
DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. 
METHODS: Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science®, and Scopus®) were searched on 1 April 2020. Original studies using the Landing Error Scoring System as primary outcome and exploring age, sex, previous injury, and intervention program were included, assessed for risk of bias, and critically appraised. Three meta-analyses were performed using one random and two mixed effect models with dependent variables: sex, previous injury and intervention program, respectively. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation was used to evaluate the strength of the evidence. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018107210. 
RESULTS: Fifty-two studies were included. Pooled data indicated that females have higher Landing Error Scoring System scores than males (p<0.001, mean difference=0.6 error). Participants with previous anterior cruciate ligament injury have higher LESS scores than healthy controls (p=0.004, mean difference 1.2 error). Neuromuscular training programs lasting a minimum of six weeks and other intervention programs decrease Landing Error Scoring System scores (p<0.001, mean difference 1.2 error and p=0.042, mean difference 0.5 error, respectively). There is limited evidence suggesting that age may influence Landing Error Scoring System scores in clinically meaningful manner. Overall, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation ratings suggest very low strength of evidence. 
CONCLUSIONS: History of anterior cruciate ligament injury and undertaking neuromuscular training for a minimum of six weeks meaningfully altered Landing Error Scoring System scores. These findings, however, should be interpreted cautiously considering the very low Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation rating of the evidence.

text: Factors influencing the Landing Error Scoring System: Systematic review with meta-analysis. OBJECTIVES: Systematically review the literature addressing age, sex, previous injury, and intervention program as influencing factors of the Landing Error Scoring System. 
DESIGN: Systematic review with meta-analysis. 
METHODS: Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science®, and Scopus®) were searched on 1 April 2020. Original studies using the Landing Error Scoring System as primary outcome and exploring age, sex, previous injury, and intervention program were included, assessed for risk of bias, and critically appraised. Three meta-analyses were performed using one random and two mixed effect models with dependent variables: sex, previous injury and intervention program, respectively. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation was used to evaluate the strength of the evidence. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018107210. 
RESULTS: Fifty-two studies were included. Pooled data indicated that females have higher Landing Error Scoring System scores than males (p<0.001, mean difference=0.6 error). Participants with previous anterior cruciate ligament injury have higher LESS scores than healthy controls (p=0.004, mean difference 1.2 error). Neuromuscular training programs lasting a minimum of six weeks and other intervention programs decrease Landing Error Scoring System scores (p<0.001, mean difference 1.2 error and p=0.042, mean difference 0.5 error, respectively). There is limited evidence suggesting that age may influence Landing Error Scoring System scores in clinically meaningful manner. Overall, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation ratings suggest very low strength of evidence. 
CONCLUSIONS: History of anterior cruciate ligament injury and undertaking neuromuscular training for a minimum of six weeks meaningfully altered Landing Error Scoring System scores. These findings, however, should be interpreted cautiously considering the very low Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation rating of the evidence.

year: 2020

title: Indigenous voices

authors: Daya-Winterbottom, Trevor

abstract: Indigenous people and their communities have a vital role in environmental management and development, and states should (in accordance with principle 22 of the Rio Declaration 1992) recognize and duly support their identity, culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable development. This paper will critically analyse the normative influence of tikanga Māori, non-doctrinal methods for discovering tikanga Māori, the special rules for interpretation of tikanga, and the wider application of customary values.

text: Indigenous voices Indigenous people and their communities have a vital role in environmental management and development, and states should (in accordance with principle 22 of the Rio Declaration 1992) recognize and duly support their identity, culture and interests and enable their effective participation in the achievement of sustainable development. This paper will critically analyse the normative influence of tikanga Māori, non-doctrinal methods for discovering tikanga Māori, the special rules for interpretation of tikanga, and the wider application of customary values.

year: 2022-07-11