Discussion Questions On Designing And Managing The Supply Chain

The main elements of a supply chain include purchasing, operations, distribution, and integration. The supply chain begins with purchasing. Purchasing managers or buyers are typically responsible for determining which products their company will sell, sourcing product suppliers and vendors, and procuring products from vendors at prices and terms that meets profitability goals.

Recognized as one of the leading computer manufacturers, Dell uses an astonishing supply chain through pull-to-order procurement and just-in-time inventory management. Their strategy is highly efficient and drives costs to a minimum while allowing for minimal lead times and production times of under 4 hours for each order as their suppliers maintain levels of inventory based on forecasts within Dell warehouses near Dell assembly

From pioneering in memory DRAM semicon to exiting the low-margin DRAM market – Intel was primarily a Memory semicon manufacturer before it entered microprocessors in 1980s. Its added value in the memory industry in 1970s was very high because of its advances in MOS process to produce DRAM. However, with increase in competition and the advancement of Japanese conglomerates in the memory industry Intel was forced to play a chasing game to improve performance and reduce costs. In the mid-1980s, Intel’s market share in the core memory business was <1%, however it was continuing to invest in this domain. They finally exited the DRAM market, which was more of a cash burner with low-margins.

The Ford Motor Company’s Supply Chain Management ABSTRACT The influx of foreign automobiles that flood the United States market is higher than ever before and American companies are struggling to adapt to this decrease in market share. Ford is one of the organizations that has restructured its supply chain strategy to better integrate suppliers into their system reducing cost and

Reorders are placed at the time of review (T), and the safety stock that must be reordered is:

Supply-chain management consists of developing a strategy to organize, control, and motivate the resources involved in the flow of services and materials within the supply chain. A supply chain strategy, an essential aspect of supply chain management, seeks to design a firm’s supply chain to meet the competitive priorities of the firm’s operations strategy.

When implementing project 1, you face technical and market risk. How would you assess the risks embedded in Project 1?

An effective supply chain is the key to creating business value, and with expansion on the horizon. Good planning and willingness to adapt to changes are key to maximizing our results. In order to do this we have come up with a plan that will make Lady Americana mattresses a household name in our target expansion markets. In the state of Oklahoma, Lady Americana has already become a brand that has a bed in almost every home. The current systems in place are effective for todays operations, below are some challenges and recommendations to improve upon this to create an effective supply chain, that will grow with you as your business does.

"The ability to learn faster than competitors may be the only true sustainable competitive advantage." – Arie P. De Geus

In recent years, the importance management of supply chain has been a popular topic for a discussion and debates especially among the researchers, academician and practitioners. Still, the literature on supply chain management (SCM) especially in exploring the supply chain performance measurement is very limited. This limitation is due to the affected (in return) by many aspects of the firm’s environment and operations. The lack of investigation on understanding the supply chain measurement will affect the objectives and motivations of several supply chain concept even though there is a lot of literature on number of conceptual frameworks, discussion on characteristics, hierarchy and structure of performance measurement framework.

Richard Dana Associates (RDA) was brought in by the owners of a family-owned business with complex relationship issues at a time preceding an anticipated leadership transition. Following individual and group coaching sessions, RDA was able to help the leadership separate personal issues, and codify practices through formal policies to allow the leadership group to focus on business issues without personal complications. At the end of RDA's engagement, the client was well-positioned to begin developing a transition plan.

This paper analyses and discusses the supply chain process of Crocs Inc. in a competitive and dynamic footwear

3. The purpose of supply chain design is to shape a firm’s supply chain to meet the competitive priorities of its operations strategies.

The Purpose of GSCMP requirements Management Plan is to establish how requirements will be identified, analyzed, documented and managed.

This paper describes the basic philosophy to supply chain management in order to develop and implement comprehensive supply chain strategies for Sony Corporation in global operation. Sony is committed to fulfilling its responsibility to society as a corporate citizen, including managing its supply chain in a responsible manner. To achieve this goal, Sony is working with its business partners, suppliers and subcontractors to help ensure that they adhere to the same high standards as Sony in the areas of human rights, labor conditions, health and safety, and environmental protection.