Discussion 6.1 supply chains
Discuss the following:
a. Why is increased coordination needed to manage supply chains?
b. Give three examples.
c. How can coordination be increased both internally within the firm and externally with customers and suppliers?
These questions correspond with discussion questions 5 and 6 at the end of Chapter 10 in your textbook.
Discussion 6.2:Production Disruption
Watch the B2E Case Study 9 scenario “Production Disruption.” Identify the ethical issues that may be unique to the field of Operations Management in this company and the ethical issues relating to corporate responsibility. Discuss ways to successfully role-model and promote ethical values and principles with B2E.
Discussion 7:PERT and CPM
Review the material in sections 14.5 and 14.6 of your text. These sections provide an overview of the PERT and CPM methods of project scheduling. In addition, watch the second video clip (2514 KB) profiling the construction of the “super bridge” at Alton, Illinois, which provides an interesting comparison of these two methods. After reading both sections from your textbook and watching the video clip discuss these concepts.
Discussion 8:Lean concepts
There is an explanation of the lean thinking concepts on page 15 of your textbook. After reading this, explain how the lean thinking concept could be applied to inventory management.
LP6 Assignment: Boeing
Read the profile of Boeing and the company’s 787 Dreamliner found in your textbook. This profile serves as an excellent example of how a company used an infrastructure change to improve its supply chain.
In making this improvement, which of the five ways of implementing an infrastructure change, identified in section 10.6 of your text, did Boeing employ? Research a company that has used the second main approach (i.e., a structural change) which is commonly employed by organizations to improve their supply chains. Write a brief profile of the company you’ve selected following the pattern of the Boeing profile you’ve just examined. The profile should be one to two pages in length.
Submit this profile assignment to your instructor via the dropbox “LP6 Assignment: Boeing.” This assignment is worth 100 points and will be graded according to the following scale.
LP7 Assignment: Materials Planning
Chapter 16 in your textbook sets forth the fundamental principles essential for understanding the concept of materials requirements planning. Create a basic outline that captures the key points of the chapter. As a guide for your outline, it will be helpful to note the “key points” that are listed at the end of the chapter (section 16.8).
For a refresher lesson in creating an outline, refer to the NAU Research and Writing Center’s Research Writing Guide Tips.
Submit your outline to your instructor via the dropbox “LP7 Assignment: Materials Planning.” This assignment is worth 100 points and will be graded according to the following grading scale.
LP8 Assignment: Virtual Supply Chains
Locate two articles on the topic of virtual supply chains. Synthesize each article into a one-page summary using your own words. Include the following:
Definitions of virtual supply chains
How virtual supply chains function
Advantages of virtual supply chains
Disadvantages of virtual supply chains
How virtual supply chains have reshaped business sectors
Submit this assignment to your instructor via the dropbox “LP8 Assignment: Virtual Supply Chains.” This assignment is worth 100 points and will be graded according to the following grading scale.