Do you think call center outsourcing negatively affects customer service? Explain.
> What is cloud computing, and how can companies benefit from this technology in solving supply chain forecasting problems?
> Is the use of a large number of suppliers a good idea? Why?
> Why is widespread adoption of CPFR below expectations?
> How can purchasing help to improve the competitive edge of an organization?
> What are the eight tasks associated with the CPFR model? Why is sharing data important in CPFR implementation? What are the benefits of sharing information?
> What are the key features of CPFR? Why would a company consider adopting CPFR?
> What is a tracking signal? What information does the tracking signal provide that managers can use to improve the quality of forecasts?
> Explain the key differences between the weighted moving average and the simple exponential smoothing forecasting methods.
> What is sustainable sourcing and how does it differ from ethical sourcing? From green purchasing?
> What is a fair trade product?
> The following sample information was obtained by taking four doughnuts per hour for 12 hours from the Fawcett Bakery’s doughnut process and weighing them: For the data shown above, a. Find the x and R for each sample. b. Find the x a
> What are some of the risks of ethical sourcing? How about the potential advantages? Do you think ethical sourcing is a good practice?
> Describe several international logistics intermediaries. Could they also be considered3PLs?
> What are the key capabilities of supplier relationship management software?
> Describe the differences between integrative and distributive negotiations, and when each should be used.
> What makes supplier alliances fail? How can firms reduce the failure rate?
> Discuss the advantages and risks of supplier co-location.
> The forecasts generated by two forecasting methods and actual sales are as follows: (a) Compute the MSE, the MAD, the MAPE, the RSFE and the tracking signal for each forecasting method. Which method is better?Why? MONTH SALES FORECAST 1 FORECAST 2 2
> Describe the differences between vendor managed inventories and co-managed inventories, and when it might be advisable to do either of them.
> Why is early supplier involvement a good way to integrate the supply chain?
> When would firms want to insource a product or process? How is this different from co-sourcing?
> What are the advantages of using SRM solutions to manage suppliers?
> Why would a firm want to monitor its purchasing performance?
> Could your firm use a 3PL to improve its ethical or sustainable purchasing practices?
> What is a 4PL? When would you use a 4PL instead of a 3PL?
> What are the benefits of ISO 9000 certification?
> What do you think the most pressing global logistics problem is? Why?
> What is a 3PL provider? What advantages could a 3PL provider give to a small firm? A large firm?
> Would a firm ever want to outsource a core product or process? Why or why not?
> What are the benefits of sustainable sourcing? Can firms actually make money from sustainable sourcing? Do you think it is a good practice?
> When would your firm want to use an e-procurement system?
> Describe the e-procurement system and its advantages over the manual system. Are there any disadvantages to the electronic system? Do you think the e-procurement system will ultimately replace the manual system? Why or why not?
> Why do organizations use supplier certification? What are its benefits?
> The owner of the Chocolate Outlet Store wants to forecast chocolate demand. Demand for the preceding four years is shown in the following table: 1 ...................................................................... 68,800 2 .......... .............
> What is the difference between and MRP system and an ERP system?
> Are environmental concerns influencing purchasing decisions? What are the benefits of ISO 14000 certification?
> When should a firm outsource instead of making the items in-house?
> Define the term supply chain management in your own words, and list its most important activities.
> Given the following production plan, use a (a) chase production strategy, and (b) level production strategy to compute the monthly production, ending inventory/ (backlog), and workforce levels. A worker is capable of producing 100 units per month. Assume
> Explain backward vertical integration. What are the advantages of outsourcing compared to backward vertical integration?
> What does the term, “third-tier supplier” mean? What about “third-tier customer”? What about the “focal firm”? Provide examples.
> How is lean thinking associated with supply chain management?
> Why should an organization invest in supplier development programs? What are the challenges of supplier development activities?
> The bills of materials for a finished product E, inventory status, and other relevant information are given below. Compute the planned order releases and projected on hand inventory balances for parts E, F, and M. A B F 2 required 3 required 2 requir
> Why are small value purchase orders problematic? How can purchasing more effectively deal with this problem?
> What is “segmenting customers” and why is it perhaps the most important activity in CRM?
> Crop-Quick Inc. replenishes its three distribution centers in Boston, Denver and Houston from its Las Vegas central supply warehouse. The distribution schedule for one of its products for the next six weeks is shown below. Use proper distribution require
> Define the term Customer Relationship Management. What has caused this definition has changed over the past 20 years?
> Could self-service websites be used in place of call centers?
> Are call centers good for CRM?
> Describe the types of customer service that come before, during and after the sale. Why are they important to CRM?
> What person or people at Toyota is (are) most responsible for the development of the JIT concept?
> How do various social media impact an organization’s CRM methods? Should firms use social media for attracting new customers?
> How can firms help to assure the privacy and security of their customers’ information and data?
> What sort of problems generally occur with a firm’s existing CRM applications?
> How do you think CRM performance should be measured? Suggest several performance measures.
> What is the most common mistake made, when designing and implementing a CRM program?
> Describe the purpose of a material requisition, a purchase order, a request for quotation, and a request for proposal. Does the material requisition serve the same purpose as the purchase order?
> When would you want to use value-of-service pricing instead of cost-of-service pricing?
> What are some intermodal transportation alternatives?
> List the legal forms and modes of transportation. Which mode is the least expensive? Which mode carries the most freight? Which mode is growing the fastest? Shrinking the fastest?
> Define risk pooling and the advantages and disadvantages of centralized warehousing. What assumption does risk pooling make?
> Why should an organization be concerned with supplier relationships?
> Describe three different types of warehouses and the advantages of each.
> What are the most common logistics management software applications and why are they beneficial to users?
> What are the impacts of logistics on environmental sustainability? How can these be minimized?
> Can 3PLs be effective supply chain partners? Why?
> What are 3PLs and why are they used? Why is their use growing so rapidly? What are 4PLs and why are they used?
> Why is logistics so important for successful supply chain management?
> How is lean production associated with JIT?
> What does the bullwhip effect refer to and what causes it? How then, would you try to reduce the bullwhip effect?
> Explain why lean production and Six Sigma are so important to successful supply chain management.
> What are the two types of process variation, and which one does statistical process control seek to eliminate? What can be done with the other one?
> What are the two most widely used ISO standards, and why are they so popular?
> Describe Deming’s Theory of Management and how it can be used to improve quality?
> Describe Six Sigma’s origins and the main parties involved. Why do you think the concept is called “Six Sigma”?
> Discuss the linkage between lean systems and environmental sustainability.
> What is kaizen, and why is it so important for successful lean production?
> What are kanbans and why are they used in lean production systems?
> What are manufacturing cells, and why are they important in lean production?
> What are the four foundation elements of supply chain management? Describe some activities within each element.
> How can reverse logistics have a positive impact on the environment? On profits? On customer service? On repeat purchases?
> Why should lean layouts be visual?
> What are the advantages and disadvantages of making small, frequent purchases from just a few suppliers? How do we overcome the disadvantages?
> Given the following inventory information, construct an (a) ABC analysis by annual dollar usage, (b) ABC analysis by current inventory value, and (c) an ABC inventory matrix. Is the firm stocking the correct inventories? ITEM NUMBER UNIT COST ($) AN
> Given the following information for an important purchased part, compute the (a) EOQ, (b) total purchase cost, (c) annual holding cost, (d) annual order cost, (e) annual total cost, (f) reorder point, (g) number of orders placed per year and (h) time bet
> Given the following information for an important purchased part, compute the (a) economic order quantity, (b) total purchase cost, (c) annual holding cost, (d) annual ordering cost, (e) annual total cost, (f) reorder point, (g) number of orders placed pe
> The weekly requirement of a part is 950 units. The order cost is $85 per order, the holding cost is $5 per unit per year and the part cost is $250 per unit. The firm operates fifty-two weeks per year. Compute the (a) EOQ, (b) annual holding cost, (c) ann
> Describe and provide examples of dependent and independent demand.
> Explain whether the continuous review or periodic review inventory system is likely to result in higher safety stock. Which is likely to require more time and effort to administer? Why?
> What is the purpose of the EOQ and the ROP? How can they be used together?
> What is the ABC inventory matrix, and how is it used to manage inventory?
> What is reverse logistics? How does it impact supply chain management?
> What is the profit-leverage effect of purchasing? What is the return on assets effect of purchasing?
> Describe the four basic types of inventory.
> Is a level production strategy suitable for a pure service industry, such as professional accounting and tax services or law firms? Can these firms inventory their outputs?
> Compare and contrast chase versus level production strategies. Which is more appropriate for an industry where highly skilled laborers are needed? Why?
> Describe the relationships among MRP, closed-loop MRP, MRP-II, and ERP.
> Describe aggregate production planning, master production planning, material requirements planning, and distribution requirements planning. How are these plans related?
> Describe long range, medium range, and short range planning in the context of the materials plan and capacity plan. How are they related?
