Essays on Global Supply Chain

In this paper, I will critically review what I studied in this module and comment on different learning experiences I had. This critical reflection of my learning experiences can assist me to identify the learning experience(s) that will have great influence on my future as well. I will also try to figure out how my preconceptions, thoughts, and expectations about operations and logistics management were changed during this module. I strongly believe that individual assignments and shared activities in this module changed my preconceptions, thoughts, and expectations about operations and logistics management notably. Previously, I was not much ...

The health care sector is one of the major sector of any country. In global prospective, the health care system is still undergoing development in poor countries. The goal of global health care is to provide efficient solution that will ensure that all processes are running smoothly. They failure of supply chain can make the full system disabled for certain amount of time. This issues are not really bounded to a community but also a major global issues. The poor countries are suffering most from it and thousands of people are dying each day because they don’t have ...

Introduction

Every business takes inputs from the society and processes them into outputs for members of the society. The supply chain “is a set of entities that are involved in the upstream and downstream flows of products, services, finances and/or information from a source to a customer”. Supply chain management is the management across and within the network of upstream and downstream organisations of both relationships and flow of material, information and resources. The purpose of this paper is to critically analyse the supply chain systems of various companies in order to draw conclusions on how they operate. In order ...

IKEA Analysis

IKEA’s vision is to create a better everyday life for many people. Providing quality and affordable furniture to all social status of people is the main goal of IKEA.

Linkage of vision/mission and goals to company/organization’s global supply chain operations

a) The linkage between IKEA’s vision and mission to its global operation chains can be rated as very high. IKEA has managed to improve the quality of its products maintaining the price at a constant, thereby, ensuring that many people are able to afford the product, thus, creating a better everyday life for many people. b) IKEA has a compliance function team of five managers whose primary responsibilities ...

One of the most common entry strategies for MNCs is the joint venture. Why are so many companies opting for this strategy as they attempt to expand into overseas markets (E.g. US based Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, entered Brazil in 1995 by forming a 60:40 joint venture with one of the country's leading business conglomerates, Grupo Garantia)? Please provide specific examples and a rationale for your response. It is extremely common for MNC’s to use joint venture to build local alliances when entering into business in a new country or market. Joint ventures allow the international ...

International Business and Global Logistics

International Business and Global Logistics

Introduction

Undeniably, the main objective of any business organization is to grow in terms of profitability and market. The high market competition that most organizations face tends to impede the realization of their objectives. Thus, companies adopt different strategies to aid their survival in the markets. Pricing and marketing strategies are the major approaches that most companies use to gain a competitive advantage over their rivals (Dessler & Phillips, 2007). Multinational companies face competition both at domestic and the world markets. Thus, they consider implementing various strategies to enhance their market positions. Besides pricing and marketing ...

Introduction

A global supply chain is composed of processes, interrelated entities, and resources that make and deliver products and services to customers across many countries (Drake, 2012). Due to globalization and increase in international trade, companies are operating and sourcing products and services in many countries. There has been a rise in multinational companies with plants or stores in different countries. This underscores the need for global supply chains to enhance the operations of these companies. Some companies use global supply chains to source for products.

Benefits of global supply chains

Global supply chains enable a company to compete all over the world. A company ...

Air Cargo Ships May Soon Alter Global Supply Chains

Air Cargo Ships May Soon Alter Global Supply Chains

Abstract

Most companies across the world applying sophistication in their supply chain designs are engaging in the use of air cargo as a competitive advantage regardless of the costs incurred. These aspects occur with the reflection that air cargo being perceived expensive in terms of an alternative method for supply chains that rely on ocean transportation. However, the focus on air cargo does not emerge on the basis of the accidents or even crisis situations in the incorporation of logistics strategies to global manufacturers. Research indicates that the focus on air ...

United Parcel Services (UPS) was established in 1907 to provide messenger services. UPS has become the world largest package delivery company and a leading supplier of transport and logistics services to businesses with global operations (UPS, 2016). The strong values of the founder, James E. Casey of customer service, fair rates, 24-hour service, and reliability gave the start-up an edge over its competitors in messenger service (UPS, 2016). Since its inception in 1907, UPS has overcome various challenges and had to transform itself in order to survive and thrive. The advent of the telephone and the automobile reduced the ...

Global Supply Chain is the network creation among companies worldwide, handling, distribution of particular goods and services and production (Skjott-Larsen, 2007). Global Supply Chain has some of its advantages and disadvantages as illustrated below.

Benefits and disadvantages of Global Supply Chain.

1. Global supply is extremely competitive, and there products of excellent quality with good prices will be available in the market without one searching worldwide. This because the product of required standard quality controls can be sourced quickly and efficiently. This advantage is never guaranteed because the easier access to a lot of the information for the product, Product review by customers’ means less control ...

Global supply chain is a system of managing the process of transferring a product from the supplier to the customer. This process involves a lot of aspects, and all of them have to be followed in order to deliver goods in pursuance of law. Some of them are currency and political stability, environmental and labor laws. A great impact to the supply chain is made by security and transportation cost, as abidance by worldwide-accepted rules can improve the whole company from economic and social sides. The management of supply chain depends on the rise of globalization; it evolves according ...

There is no service or manufacturing organization that can work alone or in isolation. It always needs suppliers and a supply chain in order to function in an effectual manner. Nowadays, realties as well as trends that are prevailing in the global economy are compelling the organizations to ensure management of supply chain as an essential element of business strategy. In recent years, most organization have started relying on external supply sources, by using outsourcing in order to reduce the cost, and utilize major competencies. Supply chain perspective of operations management has become important because of the role that ...

Introduction

According to the case study, Somerset had a good strategic marketing plan through a continuous launch of new products after every few years. This took place during the 20th C where the company experienced some positive effects after the application of the total quality management (TQM) in its furniture manufacturing. Somerset is known for the high quality products that are affordable in the domestic market. On the other hand, Somerset experienced stiff competition in the 1990s, high rate of labor and this made the proceeds of the company to decrease. While trying to solve the above problems, Somerset began ...

IKEA is considered as retailer internationalization since IKEA’s plan into entering a new location is organizing strategic objective, understanding the local nature of markets and using outlet as a retailer’s product. A strategic planning is required for IKEA when internationalizing into a new location they are moving into so as to be successful. Psychic distance and Uppsala model should be applied into their strategy and wherever they move into would be a success as IKEA already possess a strong brand image, also has strong relationship of network structure, large number of suppliers and customers would easily associate with them

Implementation of the Recommendations

With respect to the recommendation ...

E-business helps to link firms with customers, suppliers and other partners in trade. The business concept has evolved since the introduction and has even rapidly developed with the advancement in IT field. E-business refers to the transformation of business processes into ones that are more efficient. It also encompasses the acquisition of innovative concepts like dynamic pricing via auctions and directly selling to customers online. Businesses have in the recent past been striving to integrate e-business as one of their strategies.

SCM (Supply Chain Management) entails a set of activities used to integrate manufacturers, suppliers, stores and warehouses adequately. ...

1. Integration of supply chain activities provides the competitive advantage to the company and facilitate company to fulfill changing demands of the customers. Opportunity of the growth and profitability resides within the supply chain of the company. This statement has proven not only once but in several cases. Efficient supply chain is directly linked with the quality of products and services that companies are offering. In competitive business environment, customers want companies to be responsive towards their needs, which can only be achieved with effective supply chain management.

Growth and profitability of any company can be measured by analyzing ...

Introduction

Purchasing and supply management plays an important role in operations of companies because other functions of the companies depend on the procurement function. In this paper a number of issues will be considered including the role of supply management in the operational process, the strategies of negotiating prices, budgeting supplies, materials, and service, outsourcing procurement function, and the best supply management practices with examples. Supply management is one of the core functions of the company. The information presented below will attempt to justify the importance of supply management function.

Question 1

Purchasing and supply management is an important part of the operational ...

CombineNet ASAP Helps Primark Manage Its Global Supply Chain

Why is supply chain management so important at a company such as Primark? Primark employs the Free On Board policy, which means the transportation costs from its source markets all through to distribution in the European market are expensed to its account.

What set of business conditions prompted Primark to look into upgrading its supply chain management system?

An increased pressure on Primark to maintain low prices in the face of a recession, an increase in the UK’s value added tax (January 2011), rising cost of labor in China and an unprecedented spikes in shipping rates

What problems was Primark having managing its suppliers and global supply chain?

How to keep freight costs low when shipping large amounts of cargo from the various production sites in Asia ...

At the same time after the summary I need a recommendation

Supply Chain and Logistics Industry in UAE Economy Article Summary The greatest contribution of any organization is the supply chain and logistics which increases the pace of globalization. (Business Intelligence, 2012) The freedom score of the United Arab Emirates’ is 71.4% making it the 28th freest in the 2014 index. It is for this reason the UAE is ranked second in the Middle East. With an objective of further growth, the UAE recently organized a Global Logistics and Supply Chain Summit in Dubai. The main aim of the meeting was to address the challenges which are faced by ...

The Rise of Modern Logistics

Third Party Logistic Companies (3PL Companies) has served as an important link of businesses worldwide. Modern 3PL Companies can be traced back to Malcolm McLean, an American trucker, who was the first to conceptualize and put into practice the modern intermodal container. Being an owner of a small trucking firm, McLean has a first-hand experience with logistics. Accordingly, he observed that he had to wait for days before their cargo gets loaded and his trucks have to spend more time in the port than they are on the road. Similarly, the cargo ships are also experiencing the same predicament. Before the ...

Introduction

The increasing need for high expectations on supply chain performance is forcing organizations to reinvent with an aim of reducing the costs, increasing customer service, and lowering lead time with an aim of gaining a competitive advantage. The need to pursue the best network of manufacturing or production, supply and distribution facilities in relation to the market is propelled by different factors making it one of the highest priorities that managers have to address concerning supply chain management (Fabbe-Costes, 2009). The major role is mandated on supply chain planners towards offering sufficient and feasible plans. Through advanced planning systems (APS), ...

English

International business strategy Among the key decisions regarding the strategy and organization of businesses operating internationally is from where and who to make purchases of the materials, goods and services that are needed for their operations. The first issue that is involved in this decisional process is the level of internationalization of the business supply source, the chief alternative being regional or global sourcing, once suppliers provide products or services to divisions located in a specific region or all over the world, and sourcing locally when suppliers provide goods and services exclusively to a lone subsidiary (Steven, 1995; and Fagan ...

Negotiated Risk Analysis

There are various risks involved in the logistic industry as there are various parties involved. This results in the management of International Logistics to implement the proper risk distribution and negotiation so as to reduce the risks the company would have faced and distribute it to its various stakeholders.

Global Supply Chain Forum

In order for International logistics to distribute its risks effectively and reduce its risks, it resulted to the implementation of the Global Supply Chain Forum (GSCF) model. The firm wants to implement the model on a trial basis but there are pressures to make it a long-term project. Following the long-term orientation ...

Supply chain management (SCM) is continuous developing, planning, informing, controlling, and monitoring of events within and between supply chain links in order that an integrated supply process results that by and large meets strategic goals. Alternatively, Supply Chain Management is the method of deliberately managing the progress and storage of materials, parts and completed product from supplies, through the mechanized procedure and on to customers or end user, as well as the related information flows (Yeo and Ning, 2002:256). The world has become a global village; this means that one can get any product from whatever part of the ...

Abstract

Cargo transport is generally the transportation of goods over varying regions with commercial instincts. There are different modes of transportation employed to ensure successful mobility of goods. The mode to be used varies mainly on the type and size of goods, region over which the goods are to be transported, cost and to some extent the urgency required. Logistics generally refers to all the processes involved in the transportation of physical goods from their point of production or original locality to the intended destination. Different products possess different forms of logistics. In essence, the logistics differ for different products ...

Abstract

Problems in United States and other countries have an effect on the performance of business operations. These problems represent the general economic trends and factors that have an influence on businesses. General economic trends play a vital role in forecasting sales for businesses. The overall economic health, income levels and safety concern are critical factors that affect the extent of a business performance. These factors include inflation, efficient inventory control, interest rates, cooking the books, unemployment rates, consumer confidence intervals, shifting revenues and expenses and social political environment among others. Increased consumption levels and efficient inventory control systems as evidenced in ...

TABLE CONTENTS

Introduction.3

Background.3 IT and Global Supply Chain Management .5 Electronic Marketing 6 Electronic Logistics .7 Conclusion..8

References.9

The Role of Information Technology in Global Business Introduction In the world of international business, Information technology has become very important. (Proctor, K. & Scott, Y. 2011). Of late, many industries shift the way they operate their daily activities by incorporating the use of information technology at a higher level. They utilize the new technologies which are being invented. The latest inventions in the field of technology which are being used in global business are; smart phones and ...

Introduction

Nike Incorporation was formed in 1968 in Oregon. The company is a well known global brand producing footwear products which are designed to satisfy specific athletic uses as well as certain products which can be worn for leisure and casual purposes. The corporation has operations in more than 51 countries and has over 20,000 retail accounts internationally (Nike, 2012). Nike has 16 distribution centers outside United States and in 2011, 57 percent of its total revenue came from its international operations (Annual Report, 2011). Since Nike is a global firm, it has to face a number of challenges which include making ...

Module 11 Discussion

Summary

According to Friedman (2006), ‘The World is Flat’ Means ‘the Global competitive playing field is being leveled’ It is now possible for more people than ever to collaborate and compete in real time with more other people on more different kinds of work from more different corners of the planet and on an equal footing than at any previous time in the history of the world’ (p. 8). In chapter 12, he uses an example of Dell and how it deals with suppliers in many parts of the country. Dell has stores in many countries in world wide. ...

Bill Gates's foundation

Bill Gates’s Foundation was launched in 1995 with an aim of funding health initiatives globally. Currently is is rats as the largest charitable foundation in terms of funding. Have an active role in the fund is the best way. I believe that many foundations are not directly forced by the sponsors. Bill Gates’s foundation is not only offering technological support to the foundation but also getting a full time role is significant. Focusing on charity enables the Microsoft founder to tackle the issues of negative publicity that he isn't giving out to charity. The foundation becomes a key social ...

[Writer Name] [Institute Name]

1-What are the most important contributions of e-business to overall supply chain performance?

The important contributions of e-business to overall supply chain management include, provisioning of information, negotiation of price, contract and delivery, placement and tracking of orders, payments transfer. These contributions have not only reduces the time associated with each of these but also have significantly reduced cost of each. E-business has revolutionized supply chain management and has opened better ways to run it with informed decisions. Most of the supply chain components can be made more efficient and responsive by the implementation of e-business techniques.

How does e-business support an organization's global SCM initiatives?

Global supply chain management initiatives of an organization may include ...

The idea of collaboration between nations is a difficult one to ponder; there are often too many rifts in religion, society and notions of expansion to make peaceful relations easy. However, scholars throughout history have attempted to find ways to secure that magic formula for allowing countries to interact peacefully with one another; many of these theories have overly optimistic views on how nations and peaceful diplomacy works, while some attempt to find realistic common ground between two or more sets of people. Madeleine Albright's perspective on diplomacy rests on finding common ground through religion and faith. Conversely, Thomas Friedman ...

Abstract

This research paper attempts to understand the growing importance of SaaS (software as a service) in the near future. It tries to explain the benefits of SaaS in various verticals and functions, especially in logistics and supply chain management. The paper also shows how pioneers in this industry such as Projectplace can take the lead in innovations in SaaS itself due to the very need of improvements required in any product or service which goes through a life cycle from a nascent stage to a mature stage.

Introduction:

Software-as-a-service, more commonly known as SaaS, is a type of model in cloud computing. Before prodding further, ...