Why can a Home Depot with a few large stores provide a higher level of product availability with lower inventories than a hardware store chain such as Tru-Value, with many small stores?
> 1. Analyze Walmart and Amazon.com using the competitive forces and value chain models. 2. Compare Amazon’s business models and business Walmart and strategies. 3. What role does information technology play in each of these businesses? How is it helping t
> Reconsider the previous four questions for other companies such as Amazon, a supermarket chain, an auto manufacturer, and a discount retailer such as Walmart.
> How can Nordstrom expand the scope of the strategic fit across its supply chain?
> What level of responsiveness would be most appropriate for Nordstrom’s supply chain? What should the supply chain be able to do particularly well?
> Where would you place the demand faced by Nordstrom on the implied demand uncertainty spectrum? Why?
> The European Union emission trading scheme saw a lot of price volatility in Phase I. Many academics pointed out that much of the price volatility was because the program prevented the banking of allowances from the first phase to the second. Discuss why
> Discuss some reasons why we do not see more recycling or remanufacturing of products.
> Study the CSR reports for a couple of firms. Identify actions across a few supply chain drivers that have improved sustainability. Which areas has the company found challenging to improve?
> What are some problemSs with firms reporting their sustainability performance based on metrics that do not consider their extended supply chain?
> Describe the “tragedy of the commons” in the context of supply chain sustainability. What are some “mutually coercive” mechanisms that could be implemented to encourage supply chain sustainability?
> What are some challenges that limit the effort put in by supply chains to improve sustainability?
> 1. How important was supply chain management for Target Canada? How did it relate to its business model? Explain your answer. 2. Identify all the problems Target Canada encountered that prevented it from becoming a successful retailer. What were the mana
> How can a golf course use revenue management to improve financial performance?
> Demand for hairdresser is much higher over the weekend, when people are not at work. What revenue management techniques can be used by such a business?
> Explain the use of outlet stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue in the context of revenue management. How does the presence of outlet stores help Saks? How does it help its more valuable customer, who is willing to pay full price?
> What revenue management opportunities are available to the owner of a warehouse and how can it take advantage of them?
> What revenue management opportunities are available to a trucking firm? How can it take advantage of these opportunities?
> What revenue management opportunities are available to a manufacturer? How can it take advantage of these opportunities?
> In what ways can a retailer such as Nordstrom take advantage of revenue management opportunities?
> For products such as home appliances, toys, garments, and consumer electronics, what factors would influence selecting an onshore, near-shore, or offshore supplier?
> Why do you think assembly in the consumer electronics industry is performed by third parties, whereas assembly in the auto industry is almost never outsourced?
> An auto manufacturer sources both office supplies and subsystems such as seats. What, if any, difference in sourcing strategy would you recommend for the two types of products?
> 1. List and describe the security and control weaknesses at OPM that are discussed in this case. 2. What management, organization, and technology factors contributed to these problems? How much was management responsible? 3. What was the impact of the OP
> Most firms offer their sales force monetary incentives based on exceeding a specified target. What are some pros and cons of this approach? How would you modify these contracts to rectify some of the problems?
> For a manufacturer that sells too many retailers, why does a quantity flexibility contract result in less information distortion than a buyback contract?
> Explain why, for the same inventory level, a revenue-sharing contract results in a lower sales effort from the retailer than if the retailer has paid for the product and is responsible for all remaining inventory.
> How can a supplier with a lower price end up costing the buyer more than a supplier with a higher price?
> What factors led Walmart to own its trucks although many retailers outsource all their transportation?
> What are some ways that a firm such as Walmart benefits from good sourcing decisions?
> What are some key factors that influence the success or failure of same-day delivery?
> Discuss key drivers that may be used to tailor transportation. How does tailoring help?
> Do you expect aggregation of inventory at one location to be more effective when a company such as Dell sells computers or when a company such as Amazon sells books? Explain by considering transportation and inventory costs.
> What transportation challenges does online grocer Peapod face? Compare transportation costs at online grocers and supermarket chains.
> 1. What management problems typical of global systems was Crocs experiencing? What management, organization, and technology factors were responsible for those problems? 2. How did Crocs’ new systems and use of SAP Apparel and Footwear support its busines
> Compare the transportation costs for an online business such as Amazon and a retailer such as Home Depot when selling home-improvement materials.
> Walmart designs its networks so a DC supports several large retail stores. Explain how the company can use such a network to reduce transportation costs while replenishing inventories frequently.
> Why is it important to account for congestion when pricing the use of transportation infrastructure?
> What modes of transportation are best suited for large, low-value shipments? Why?
> How should limited supply capacity be allocated across multiple seasonal products?
> Zara has used local production in Europe to have short replenishment lead times. How does this capability of quick response help the company improve profits in a highly volatile trendy apparel marketplace?
> What are some scenarios in which postponing product differentiation across all products may not be profitable? How can tailored postponement help in such situations?
> How can postponement of product differentiation be used to improve supply chain profitability?
> A firm improves its forecast accuracy using better market intelligence. What impact will this have on supply chain inventories and profitability? Why?
> Consider two products with the same margin carried by a retail store. Any leftover units of one product are worthless. Leftover units of the other product can be sold to outlet stores. Which product should have a higher level of availability? Why?
> How would you characterize the competitive strategy of a high-end department store chain such as Nordstrom? What are the key customer needs that Nordstrom aims to fill?
> Consider two products with the same cost but different margins. Which product should have a higher level of product availability? Why?
> A new technology allows books to be printed in 10 minutes. Barnes & Noble has decided to purchase these machines for each store. They must decide which books to carry in stock and which books to print on demand using this technology. Do you recommend it
> In the 1980s, paint was sold by color and size in paint retail stores. Today paint is mixed at the paint store according to the color desired. Discuss what, if any, impact this change has on safety inventories in the supply chain.
> Why is Amazon able to provide a large variety of books and music with less safety inventory than a bookstore chain selling through retail stores?
> What is the impact of supply uncertainty on safety inventory?
> Describe the two types of ordering policies and the impact that each of them has on safety inventory.
> What are the pros and cons of the various measures of product availability?
> Explain how a reduction in lead time can help a supply chain reduce safety inventory without hurting product availability.
> What capabilities can local suppliers in high-cost countries develop if they are to effectively compete against overseas suppliers in low-cost countries? Discuss how each capability impacts the level of inventory in the supply chain.
> For each of the five levers—capacity, inventory, time, information, and price—identify an example where a supply chain has focused on this lever to deal with uncertainty. In each case, identify reasons why you think it is or is not an appropriate choice.
> Consider the purchase of a can of soda at a convenience store. Describe the various stages in the supply chain and the different flows involved.
> Consider FASB standards for accounting for contributions and answer the following: a. Outline revenue recognition criteria for resources restricted for (1) time and (2) purpose. b. Describe the difference in accounting for contributions with a condit
> Consider FASB standards for reporting by private not-for-profit organizations and answer the following: a. What are the financial reports required of all not-for-profits? What additional report is required for voluntary health and welfare organizations
> The Grant Wood Arts Association had the following trial balance as of January 1, 2017, the first day of the year: During the year ended December 31, the following transactions occurred: 1. Cash contributions during the year included (a) unrestricted,
> The Blair Museum Association, a nonprofit organization, had the following transactions for the year ended December 31, 2017. 1. Cash contributions to the Association for the year included (a) Unrestricted, $970,000; (b) Restricted for traveling displ
> The Ombudsman Foundation is a private not-for-profit organization providing training in dispute resolution and conflict management. The Foundation had the following pre closing trial balance at December 31, 2017, the end of its fiscal year: a. Prepar
> With regard to current GASB standards for pension reporting: 1. Distinguish between (1) Defined contribution plans. (2) Defined benefit plans. 2. Distinguish between defined benefit pension reporting for (1) Governmental fund statements. (2) For ent
> On July 1, 2016, a five-year agreement is signed between the City of Genoa and the Computer Leasing Corporation for the use of computer equipment not associated with proprietary funds activity. The cost of the lease, excluding executory costs, is $15,000
> On January 1, 2017, the Mount Rogers city water department leases a truck under a non-cancelable lease agreement meeting the requirements for classification as a capital lease. The present value (8 percent interest) of the minimum lease payments is $45,0
> Assume a government leases equipment to be used in governmental activities under a noncancelable lease, meeting the requirements for classification as a capital lease. Where the capital lease and the payments on the lease would be reported in the governm
> Beachfront property owners of the Town of Eden Beach requested a seawall be constructed to protect their beach. The seawall was financed through a note payable, which was to be repaid from taxes raised through a special assessment on their properties. Th
> The Great Lakes Maritime Institute is a public institution preparing cadets for careers in commercial shipping and includes instruction in piloting, navigation, maritime law, and other fields. 1. The Institute began the year with the following account
> Residents of a neighborhood financed the installation of sidewalks through a note payable. The note was to be repaid through a special assessment tax on their properties. When is it appropriate to account for special assessment activities in an agency fu
> Presented below is the Governmental Funds Statement of Revenues, Expenditures, and Changes in Fund Balances for the Trinity Parish Fire District, a special-purpose entity engaged in a single governmental activity. Prepare a combined Governmental Funds
> Presented below is the Governmental Funds Balance Sheet for the Warrenton Library District, a special-purpose entity engaged in a single governmental activity. Prepare a combined Governmental Funds Balance Sheet/Statement of Net Position in the format pr
> With regard to current GASB standards for other postemployment benefit reporting: 1. What are other postemployment benefits? 2. What are the reporting requirements of OPEB obligations for financial statements prepared using the economic resources measure
> Amherst City provides a defined benefit pension plan for employees of the city electric utility, an enterprise fund. Assume that the projected level of earnings on plan investments is $190,000, the service cost component is $250,000, and interest on the
> The City of Grinders Switch maintains its books in a manner that facilitates the preparation of fund accounting statements and uses worksheet adjustments to prepare government-wide statements. You are to prepare, in journal form, worksheet adjustments fo
> The following information is available for the preparation of the government wide financial statements for the City of Northern Pines for the year ended June 30, 2017: / From the previous information, prepare, in good form, a Statement of Activities fo
> The following information is available for the preparation of the government wide financial statements for the City of Southern Springs as of April 30, 2017: From the preceding information, prepare (in good form) a Statement of Net Position for the Cit
> List some of the major adjustments required when converting from fund financial statements to government-wide statements.
> Under the reporting model required by GASB Statement 34, fund statements are required for governmental, proprietary, and fiduciary funds. Government wide statements include the Statement of Net Position and Statement of Activities. Answer the following q
> Go to the GASB website (www.gasb.org). What is the mission of GASB?
> Answer the following questions with regard to infrastructure: a. What is infrastructure? b. What are the two methods that might be used to record infrastructure expense from year to year? How is the accounting different under the two methods? c. What
> The government-wide Statement of Net Position separately displays governmental activities and business activities. Why are internal service funds most commonly displayed as governmental activities?
> Identify the types of nonexchange revenues that are most likely to result in differences in the timing of recognition between the accrual and modified accrual bases of accounting.
> Presented on the following pages are partial financial statements for the City of Shenandoah, including: / Additional Information: 1. $856,700 of the capital assets purchased in fiscal year 2017 was equipment. All remaining capital acqui
> The City of Southern Pines maintains its books so as to prepare fund accounting statements and records worksheet adjustments in order to prepare government-wide statements. As such, the City’s internal service fund, a motor pool fund, is included in the
> The City of South Pittsburgh maintains its books so as to prepare fund accounting statements and records worksheet adjustments in order to prepare government-wide statements. You are to prepare, in journal form, worksheet adjustments for each of the foll
> Baird County maintains an investment trust fund for the School District and the Town of Bairdville (separate governments). Presented below is the pre closing trial balance for the investment trust fund, a private-purpose trust fund. Prepare
> Describe GASB requirements for accounting for investment trust funds. Include (a) A discussion of when the use of investment trust funds is appropriate. (b) The investments to be included and excluded. (c) The basis at which investments are to be report
> On July 1, 2016, the Morgan County School District received a $50,000 gift from a local civic organization with the stipulation that, on June 30 of each year, $3,500 plus any interest earnings on the unspent principal be awarded as a college scholarship
> On July 1, 2016, the City of Belvedere accepted a gift of cash in the amount of $3,200,000 from a number of individuals and foundations and signed an agreement to establish a private-purpose trust. The $3,200,000 and any additional gifts are to be invest
> The following information is available for the preparation of the governmentwide financial statements for the city of Southern Springs as of April 30, 2017: Cash and cash equivalents, governmental activities….……………………....$ 3,850,000 Cash and cash equiva
> Presented below is the pre closing trial balance for the Scholarship Fund, a private-purpose trust fund of the Algonquin School District. Prepare the year-end closing entries and a Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position for the year ended Decem
> A concerned citizen provides resources and establishes a trust with the local government. What factors should be considered in determining which fund to report the trust activities?
> Benton County maintains a tax agency fund for use by the County Treasurer to record receivables, collections, and disbursements of all property tax collections to all other units of government in the county. For FY 2016–2017, the follow
> Describe how the fiduciary fund categories could change under the GASB exposure draft for fiduciary funds? What current fund type would be discontinued, and where would those activities be reported in the future?
> Presented below is the pre closing trial balance for the Retiree Health Benefit Plan of the Alger County School District. Prepare (1) The year-end closing entries. (2) A Statement of Changes in Fiduciary Net Position. (3) A Statement of Fiduciary Net
> The City of Sweetwater maintains an Employees’ Retirement Fund, a single employer defined benefit plan that provides annuity and disability benefits. The fund is financed by actuarially determined contributions from the cityâ€
> Assume that a local government is the trustee for the pension assets for its police and fire department employees and participates in a statewide plan for all of its other employees. Individual accounts are maintained for all local governments in the sta
> With regard to current GASB standards for pension reporting, do the following: a. Distinguish between (1) Defined contribution plans. (2) Defined benefit plans. b. Distinguish between (1) Agent (2) Cost-sharing multiemployer plans. c. Define the f
> What are the required financial statements for a pension trust fund? What are the required supplementary information schedules?
> The following is a Statement of Cash Flows for the risk management internal service fund of the City of Wrightville. An inexperienced accountant prepared the statement using the FASB format rather than the format required by GASB. All long-term debt was
> Accounting and financial reporting for state and local governments use, in different places, either the economic resources measurement focus and the accrual basis of accounting or the current financial resources measurement focus and the modified accrual
