INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Case Assignment
Read the articles provided in the Background page.
Then answer the following questions in a 3-4 page paper:
1. Discuss the decision criteria that should be considered when assessing the pros and cons of entering into a Vendor Managed Inventory arrangement with major suppliers?
2. Does a Vendor Managed Inventory system support a “lean” approach to supply chain management? Explain!
3. Has globalization of supply chains encouraged or discouraged Vendor Managed Inventories?
4. Why is information technology such an important element when entering into a VMI agreement? Explain using examples from Eka Chemicals and Interfast.
Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module
Assignment Expectations
The paper should demonstrate critical thinking skills, clarity of thought, and breadth of understanding in addressing the role of inventory management in an organization. Expectations focus on the work showing an understanding of how effective inventory management benefits an organization and why it is important to optimize the turnover rate. Specific elements of the assignment assess if the work exhibits critical thought, analytical thinking, and logic skills in determining how and if a Vendor Managed Inventory is a feasible option for achieving effective inventory management objectives.
Module 1 – SLP
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
The TUI session long project is not a term paper due at the end of the course. Rather, the SLP acts as a vehicle to give the topics of each module a personal, concrete expression. These modular session long project assignments are due at the end of each module.
Pick an organization to examine throughout the rest of the course. It may be one you work for or it may not; you will be examining this organization for all five modules of the SLP assignments. For this first SLP I want to know about the structure of your reference organization and its inventory management. In 2-3 pages tell me about the organization, make sure you cover following areas:
1. The name of the organization
2. Its primary business
3. Why you chose this business
4. Its inventory management procedures
Submit this for grading by the end of this module.
The paper should have a cover sheet and a references page, these do not count in the paper page count. You should have 2-3 pages of written text. Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module.
SLP Assignment Expectations
The expectations for the assignment focus on the work displaying an understanding of what is involved in inventory management and how effective inventory management benefits the reference organization. Specific elements of the assignment assess the selection feasibility and rationale of the case study organization to support the module topics. It is also expected that the work will show critical thinking skills in evaluating the effectiveness of current inventory management practices applied to the reference organization.
Module 2 – Case
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Case Assignment
Using the library process as described in the Background page, find and read the article listed below and then in a 3-4 page paper answer the following:
1. Describe the quality control implications of the major changes that have taken place in food chains today compared to the past.
2. Why is it important to understand cultural diversity and political differences when implementing quality control initiatives at the global scale?
3. Discuss the role and importance of the “6-Ts” (Traceability, Transparency, Testability, Time, Trust, and Training) relative to food supply chain quality management.
Search for this article in Proquest:
Aleda V Roth, Andy A Tsay, Madeleine E Pullman, John V Gray (2008, Jan) Unraveling the Food Supply Chain: Straegic Insights from China and the 2007 Recalls,Journal of Supply Chain Management, Tempe, Vol. 44, Iss. 1; pg. 22. 18 pgs.
Abstract:
The March 2007 pet food recall and a rapid progression of comparable incidents have exposed the real potential for food supply chain contamination and disruptions. When organizations source via multilayered supply chains with poor visibility they are particularly vulnerable. In this paper, we develop a conceptual framework called the “Six Ts” of supply chain quality management – traceability, transparency, testability, time trust and training – which are relevant for any product but are especially critical to the preservation of public welfare through a safe food supply. We describe the globalization of food supply chains and present data on the trends of U.S. food import volumes, both in aggregate and specifically from China. We also highlight the inherent difficulties and risks posed by global food supply chains, using those originating in China as an example. Finally, we provide a research agenda and questions to be addressed regarding the application of the six Ts in global food supply chain management.
Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module.
Assignment Expectations
Expectations for the assignment are concerned with the work displaying an understanding of why quality initiatives, such as Six Sigma, are an important element in managing a logistics system. It is expected that the paper will contain critical thinking, logic, and synthesis skills in assessing the management challenges of introducing quality principles into a global supply chain.
Module 2 – SLP
QUALITY MANAGEMENT
Welcome to the second SLP for this course. This is a very simple assignment. I want you to look at the logistics system of the organization you are examining and in a 2-3 page paper answer the following question.
Is quality integrated into the organization’s logistics process?
Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module. Use the same format as your module one paper.
SLP Assignment Expectations
It is expected that the SLP assignment demonstrates an understanding of how and if quality is integrated into the logistics of the reference organization. Expectations for the paper are focused on the work demonstrating a critical assessment of current practices and their effectiveness.
Module 3 – Case
LOGISTICS PLANNING
Case Assignment
Read the five journal articels provided in the Background page.
Then in a 3-4 page paper answer the following questions:
1. Discuss the major factors responsible for making yesterday’s supply chain networks less relevant today. Be sure to include in your discussion any other issues the authors may have missed that you would consider important.
2. Assess the feasibility of the design solutions provided in the Napolitano article for addressing the challenges faced in today’s “down” economy.
3. Determine if Burlington Coat Factory, IKEA, and Electrolux effectively utilized the design suggestions discussed in the Ironside and Napolitano articles in the redesign of their logistics networks
Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module.
Assignment Expectations
Expectations for the assignment are based on the paper showing an understanding of what is involved in logistics system design and planning and why it is important for organizations to develop a comprehensive plan. It is expected that the work display critical thinking and logic in performing a comparative analysis of the changes taking place in supply chain networks. It is also anticipated that the work will show how elements of the planning process can be applied to specific case study organizations in demonstrating how they have revamped and redesigned their logistics plans to address the challenges of todays economy.
Module 3 – SLP
LOGISTICS PLANNING
Welcome to the SLP for the third module of the course. Take a look at your organization and the way it plans its logistics operations then in a 2-3 page paper answer the following question.
Does your organization maximize its logistics efficiency through good systems design and planning?
Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module. Use the same format as your module one paper.
SLP Assignment Expectations
It is anticipated that the paper demonstrates an understanding of what is included in a logistics system and plan, and why it is important when applied to the reference organizations management approach. Expectations focus on the work utilizing critical assessment skills and demonstrating an understanding of key elements of a logistics plan in assessing if the reference organization is utilizing comprehensive logistics design and planning to optimize logistics efficiency.
Module 4 – Case
FACILITIES LAYOUT
Case Assignment
Warehouses of the Future
Read the Required articles as specified in the Background Page.
Then answer the questions below in a 3-4 page paper:
1. What are the major design issues that should be considered in building a warehouse and/or distribution center that will accommodate future trends in logistics?
2. Discuss why it is important to consider the location of the warehouse network in the design of warehousing and distribution center facilities?
3. Are the changes Kroger implemented in its grocery distribution system compatible with design layouts that attempt to optimize technological convergence, material flow, and automation? (Explain)
Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module.
Assignment Expectations
Demonstrating an understanding of the roles of technology, location, and facility layout play in supporting an effective logistics management effort is the major expectation for the fourth module case study assignment. It is expected that the paper demonstrate critical thinking skills, depth of understanding of key concepts, and logic in evaluating, synthesizing, and integrating recent innovations in automation and information technology when applied to the optimal design and layout of facilities.
Module 4 – SLP
FACILITIES LAYOUT
Welcome to the fourth SLP assignment of the course. For this SLP take a look at the layout of your organization’s facilities then in a 2-3 page paper answer the following question.
Are the organization’s facilities designed for logistics efficiency?
Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module.
SLP Assignment Expectations
The expectations for the SLP assignment focus on the work displaying an understanding of the relationship between facility design and effective logistics management. It is anticipated that the paper will demonstrate analysis skills and clarity of thought in assessing if and how the reference organizations layout and facility design supports logistics efficiency.
odule 5 – Case
PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
Transportation Excellence
Read the Required articles on transportation in the Background page.
Then in a 3-4 page paper answer the following:
1. Why are organizations showing more interest in TMS (Transportation Management Systems) today compared to the past?
2. Describe the major types of tasks a TMS can offer in helping to achieve transportation excellence.
3. How does a modern TMS system enhance customer service while at the same time generate cost savings for transportation?
4. Why have some critics (based on background materials) suggested that many organizations that have adopted TMS systems at this time have not fully utilized the full capabilities of these sophisticated systems? Explain!
Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module. Use the same format as your module one paper.
Assignment Expectations
Expectations for the assignment are focused on the work demonstrating why there is increased interest in adopting Transportation Management System (TMS) technology. It is expected that the paper will display an understanding of the elements needed for achieving transportation excellence, synthesis skills in showing the relationship of TMS to other advanced technologies related to automation and process improvement initiatives, and critical thought in assessing the customer service, productivity, and profitability benefits of implementing an advanced TMS for optimizing management of the transportation component of the supply chain.
Module 5 – SLP
PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
Welcome to the fifth SLP of the course. For this module take a look at the logistics structure of the organization then in a 2-3 page paper answer the following question.
How can the transportation processes be improved in your organization?
Submit your assignment for grading by the end of this module. Use the same format as your module one paper.
SLP Assignment Expectations
It is expected that the work demonstrate critical thinking skills and clarity of logic in assessing the transportation processes of the reference organization. Creativity is also expected in demonstrating how the transportation component could be improved to achieve transportation excellence.