Category: Supply Chain Management

What are some problems that can arise when each stage of a supply chain focuses solely on its own profits when making decisions? Identify some actions that can help a retailer and a manufacturer work together to expand the scope of strategic fit.
How could a grocery store use inventory to increase the responsiveness of the company’s supply chain?
How could an auto manufacturer use transportation to increase the efficiency of its supply chain?
How could a bicycle manufacturer increase responsiveness through its facilities?

Please write the attached instructions, use either one of the companies based on the availability of resources to answer the question. you can’t use more than one company per question.
each question has two parts: the answer for first part of a question will be derived from the research papers. however part two will always be taken from the company chosen.
please make sure to use as many visuals in each answer ( graphs, images, charts. at least 1 per question making a total of 3 for the report.

Assignment Instructions:
In examining the RAS Technologies case study, I have provided some questions to ponder below. These questions are meant to assist you with your analysis of the case.

Your analysis of the case will be provided in your presentation of your three alternative solutions and final recommendation. The report you submit should be between 4-7 pages…including cover page and references page.
2. Provide a BRIEF 1-paragraph summary and introduction to your analysis of the case study. (5 sentences or less)
(For Questions 3-8, your response should be at least 5 sentences.)
3. What is your assessment of the quality problem involving the recall of the RAS-200G?
4. How much responsibility should Girard accept for the quality problem and how much responsibility should RAS Technologies accept for the quality problem? Whose responsibility is it to confirm the performance capabilities of the sensor?
5. Should all RAS-200 series units sold over the last five years be recalled? What is your estimate of the total cost?
6. As Victoria Bradley, what are three possible actions that she can take and what would result from each action?
7. How do you recommend that Victoria proceed?
8. Include a conclusion and final overview of your analysis.
You may use titles or headings in your paper. You may include the questions as headings in your paper.
The paper should NOT be written in outline format with paraphrase and incomplete sentences.
APA formatting required

Prepare a short research paper explaining: Your company’s (I picked Amazon) operations are based in the USA. You need to explain how to source computer chips which will be used in the manufacturing of the computers for your company who is planning to build them in China (Operations). Please explain the process of global sourcing, outsourcing, supplier qualification process and whether you will manufacture overseas due to the plan to build the computers in China. Please explain how your company’s supply chain will flow and why you have designed it that way. Explain the key decisions you made and what factors they were based on. Explain how those decisions will impact the operations in your supply chain across the globe. Identify all companies you will be considering as vendors and explain why you selected them (Integration).
ADVICE: I would also recommend going through the main chapters in your book on topics like global sourcing/outsourcing/finding suppliers/qualifying suppliers and build your paper using those chapters as stepping stones. If you would like to include a supplier scorecard as an Appendix, maybe that is an idea (but not a requirement). Is your company ISO certified? Are you searching for ISO suppliers? If not- is that not an important consideration for your company for a certain reason or due to the product? Please refer back to the At A Glance pages if you need quick highlights of the Chapter content!
The paper should be double spaced in MLA format and contain at least 2 academic references NOT including textbook which can be used as well and as many websites needed, all will need to be MLA format on a separate reference page.
The minimum length is 800 Words. Use a Word document with a Works Cited page.
No title pages. Have a header with your name. Each page is to have your last name at the upper top right and page number.
The paper should be double spaced in MLA format and contain at least 2 academic references & 1 Online Reference (academic or not). You can use more online sources to help you get content to write this, please cite those sources.
Do NOT use AI; I will run your paper through AI detection.
The MINIMUM length is 800 Words.
Please be sure to cite all your sources used, even if they are not direct quotes, you still cite them at the end of the sentence and list them in your references.
I ran across this cool link this morning and wanted to share it! I thought you may just come back to this when you are ready to start working on your research papers, it reviews verb tense and has a link to MLA Guide. The MLA Guide is pretty cool- you can click the headings you need, then just type in the book, or electronic source.

Research the Bullwhip Effect and write a paper that describes it and explain why it is an important consideration in Supply Chain Management. Be sure to explain what complicating factors will exist in a Global Supply Chain that may complicate your ability to avoid the Bullwhip Effect.
Minimum Length 600 Words, MLA Format, Double Spaced and supported by at least 2 Academic References. Your textbook is not an academic resource, however can be used as an additional resource. You will need to have a Works Cited page.
No title pages. Have a header with your name. Each page is to have your last name at the upper top right and page number.
You can use more online sources to help you get content to write this, please cite those sources.
Do NOT use AI to write any part of your paper; I will run your papers through AI detection and issue you a zero.

Why is “Achieving Strategic Fit ” so important in a company that is concentrating on Supply Chains . How can this help to achieve long term company goals ?
Labor productivity is sometimes perceived to be driven by employee motivation. Fully outline and support effective ways to motivate hourly employees vs. salaried managers. If productivity of these workers is below expectation, what are good and poor ways to try to motivate them? What methods might work well with blue collar employees but not white collar employees, and vice versa? What methods might work well in the short run but not in the long run, and vice versa?
Select a comparable product for Nike and Adidas. Fully discuss the similarities and differences of the products and how each of the two companies approaches their marketing efforts to generate demand .
Fully describe the pareto principle . How are pareto charts used to identify root failures causes? What are examples of the 80/20 rule?
Research 2 companies of your choice. Explain how they have focused on uncertainty in the supply chain over the past few years with special emphasis on the following levers:
1. Capacity,
2. Inventory
3. Time
4. Information
5. Price
Discuss their successes and failures in these areas.

Please write the attached instructions, use either one of the companies based on the availability of resources to answer the question. you can’t use more than one company per question.
each question has two parts: the answer for first part of a question will be derived from the research papers. however part two will always be taken from the company chosen.
please make sure to use as many visuals in each answer ( graphs, images, charts. at least 1 per question making a total of 3 for the report.

After reading “The Goal” by Eliyahu Goldratt, answer and expand on the following questions,
Who is the main character and what challenges does he face in his personal and professional life?
-Who is “Herbie” and why is he important to this story? What was successful and not successful in terms of improving the hike?
-What is Jonah’s definition of a gain in plant efficiency? Please explain your answers.
-Why is global versus local optimization important? Give an example of the effects of local optimization from your reading.
-What is the 5-step (5 focusing steps) process of ongoing improvement? Give at least 1 example from The Goal for each step.
-What happened when the production constraint was addressed? Did the constriction move and to where? What was done about it?
-What are three key lessons you learned from The Goal? How can they be applied to healthcare?
-What is “The Goal” of a business, and what is your goal for your business/organization (or for your life)?
Font must be size 12 and single spaced

The bullwhip effect, a phenomenon where small fluctuations in consumer demand lead to amplified swings in inventory levels and production orders, poses a significant challenge to businesses, particularly Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) participating in Enterprise Supply Development (ESD) programs in Africa. This research aims to investigate and propose a collaborative model for B2B online marketplaces that can effectively mitigate the bullwhip effect and enhance the sustainability of African SMEs.
Background of Study
– Economic growth and the role that SMEs play in driving economic growth especially in developing economies like Africa.
– The mortality rate / failure rate of SME businesses globally with particular focus on developing economis like Africa and its implications.
– Introduce the concept of summply chain management (SCM) including definition and how it plays a critical role in SME businesses.
 Challenges in SCM for SMEs
 Elaborate on Bull Whip Effect (BWE) as one of the challenges in SCM that this study will particularly focus on.
 Summary of research to date on BWE and its impact on SCM for SMEs.
Context of Study
– Introduce the concept of digital transformation in SCM, the importance of Technology, Gen AI and Big Data Analytics in resolving some of the challenges in SCM especially BWE.
– Challeges faced by SMEs globally and developing economis in the SCM.
– What has been the response of businesses and governments globally to try and address some of these challenges.
– Introduce the concept of Enterprise Supplier Development programmes and why they were introduced.
– Include some examples of ESD programmes introduced in different parts of the globe especially in developing countries and if possible comparison of business-led vs government-led ESD programmes.
– Success rate and challeanges of these ESD programmes.
Problem Statement
The bullwhip effect, exacerbated by information asymmetry, demand uncertainty, and order batching, often leads to overstocking, stockouts, and increased costs for SMEs. These challenges can hinder their growth, limit their competitiveness, and ultimately contribute to business failure. ESD programs, while intended to support SMEs, may inadvertently amplify these issues if not accompanied by effective strategies to address the bullwhip effect. Highlight the main objective of the study.
Research Questions
What are the primary and secondary questions
Research Objectives
What are the objectives and sub-objectives?
1. Identify the root causes of the bullwhip effect in African SMEs participating in ESD programs.
2. Analyze existing B2B online marketplace models and their effectiveness in mitigating the bullwhip effect.
3. Develop a collaborative model for B2B online marketplaces that addresses the specific challenges faced by African SMEs.
4. Evaluate the potential impact of the proposed model on the sustainability and competitiveness of African SMEs.
Research Methodology
This research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques.
Qualitative Research:
• In-depth interviews: Interviews will be conducted with SMEs, ESD program managers, and experts in supply chain management to gather insights into the challenges faced by SMEs and the effectiveness of current practices.
• Case studies: Case studies of successful and unsuccessful SMEs will be analyzed to identify factors contributing to their performance and the role of the bullwhip effect.
Quantitative Research:
• Survey: A survey will be administered to a sample of SMEs to collect data on their experiences with the bullwhip effect, the use of B2B online marketplaces, and their perceptions of the proposed collaborative model.
• Data analysis: Statistical analysis will be used to identify patterns, correlations, and significant relationships between variables.
Theoretical Framework
The research will be grounded in supply chain management theories, including:
• Demand forecasting: Theories related to demand forecasting techniques and their limitations in the context of African SMEs.
• Information sharing: Theories on the importance of information sharing and collaboration in supply chains.
• Inventory management: Theories on inventory control methods and their applicability to SMEs.
Theories can include Stakeholder Theory, Socio Technical Theory and System Theory.
Proposed Collaborative Model
The proposed collaborative model will incorporate the following elements:
1. Demand forecasting: Shared demand forecasting platforms that leverage data analytics and machine learning to improve demand prediction accuracy.
2. Inventory optimization: Collaborative tools for inventory optimization, considering factors such as lead times, demand variability, and safety stock levels.
3. Information sharing: Real-time information sharing platforms to facilitate transparency and coordination among supply chain partners.
4. Collaborative purchasing: Group purchasing arrangements to leverage economies of scale and reduce transaction costs.
5. Risk management: Mechanisms for identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, such as disruptions and price volatility.
Expected Outcomes
The research is expected to contribute to the following:
• A deeper understanding of the bullwhip effect and its impact on African SMEs participating in ESD programs.
• A practical collaborative model for B2B online marketplaces that can effectively address the challenges posed by the bullwhip effect.
• Policy recommendations for governments and ESD program managers to promote the adoption of the proposed model.
• Improved sustainability and competitiveness of African SMEs through enhanced supply chain resilience.
Significance
The research findings will have significant implications for SMEs operating in B2B online marketplaces. By mitigating the bullwhip effect, SMEs can improve their supply chain efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. Additionally, the proposed collaborative model can serve as a valuable reference for policymakers and industry organizations seeking to promote sustainable and resilient supply chains.
Timeline
[Insert a detailed timeline outlining the key research activities, including data collection, analysis, and report writing.]
Budget
[Insert a budget estimate for the research, including costs for data collection, analysis, and report preparation.]
By addressing the bullwhip effect and fostering collaboration among African SMEs, this research aims to contribute to the sustainable development and growth of the region’s business ecosystem.

After reading “The Goal” by Eliyahu Goldratt, answer and expand on the following questions,
Who is the main character and what challenges does he face in his personal and professional life?
-Who is “Herbie” and why is he important to this story? What was successful and not successful in terms of improving the hike?
-What is Jonah’s definition of a gain in plant efficiency? Please explain your answers.
-Why is global versus local optimization important? Give an example of the effects of local optimization from your reading.
-What is the 5-step (5 focusing steps) process of ongoing improvement? Give at least 1 example from The Goal for each step.
-What happened when the production constraint was addressed? Did the constriction move and to where? What was done about it?
-What are three key lessons you learned from The Goal? How can they be applied to healthcare?
-What is “The Goal” of a business, and what is your goal for your business/organization (or for your life)?
Font must be size 12 and single spaced