Logistics Critical Thinkings Samples For Students

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Reverse Logistics
1. Reverse Logistics vs. Normal Logistics
Reverse logistics has been perceived predominantly as the process of product recycling. However, better and innovative perceptions concerning reverse logistics are evolving with the passage of time. CLM (Council of Logistics Management) defines reverse logistics as follows:
“The process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost effective flow of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value or proper disposal”. Reverse logistics is completely ...

Supply chain management involves the organization of the flow of goods (Jacoby, 2009). There are various practices within the supply chain management. These practices include: storage and movement of raw materials; finished goods; work in process; interconnected networks; and channels involved in the provision of goods to customers (Blanchard, 2010). The objectives of supply chain management include: the creation of net value; leverage of logistics; measurement of performance; matching supply with demand; and setting up competitive infrastructures. Supply chain management also involves activities which include: designing; planning; executing; controlling; and monitoring (Jacoby, 2009). Supply chain management relies a lot on ...

News Article:

The news article entitled “Command and Control: Managing Supply Chain Risk” written by the Deloitte Risk Journal Editor and published online in The Wall Street Journal presented relevant concerns regarding managing risks encountered in contemporary times as posed by external factors. As disclosed, various incidences of natural disasters, like typhoons and floods significantly disrupt supply chain management in various organizations which are affected by them. The author initially discussed effects sustained in an electronics organization in Malaysia that was affected by a severe typhoon which necessitated the closure of the supplies assembly lines. The impact on business organizations that relied ...

The lowest purchase price concept is the most obvious, yet the most primitive approach to evaluating procurement strategies. It includes the stated price of the item, offered discounts and the timing of the payment. Although it is an important aspect of procurement decision-making, it is only a tip of the iceberg of costs associated with a purchase.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) incorporates service cost and life cycle cost in addition to the previously described purchase price. TCO comprises of pretransactional, transactional and posttranslational components, allocating cost to each of them. Among the most significant elements to be considered are ...

Describe some of the strategies that firms can use to overcome the challenges related to transportation infrastructure congestion.

Transportation infrastructure congestion is a serious problem that many firms have to endure. Besides reducing efficiency, congestion causes an increase in the cost of production through extra costs incurred through delays and time wasted. It is therefore essential for any firm keen on maximizing profits to come up with adequate measure to address the problems of transport infrastructure congestion. A firm needs to set up a mechanism that will ensure that goods are delivered to customers in the shortest time possible, so that ...

Supply Chain Management Process Standards

Supply chain management is defined as follows by the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), “encompasses the planning and management of all activities involved in sourcing, procurement, conversion, and logistics management. It also includes the crucial components of coordination and collaboration with channel partners, which can be suppliers, intermediaries, third-party service providers, and customers.” (Myerson, 2016). This implies that supply chain activities and supply chain management are not the same things, as supply chain management is a broad concept of overlooking every supply chain activity. The difference between the two terms becomes even clearer when the standards set ...

Introduction to supply chain management.

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of the exit and voice relationship among suppliers
Improved communication efficiency amongst suppliers as information is sought enabling suppliers to participate altogether. Communication helps the industry grow creating a stable ground in which suppliers meet. Competitive advantages are also an advantage that occurs due to such a relationship. Costs can also be reduced and flexibility improved. Moral hazard is plausible as the suppliers may drive prices up thus affecting clientele and their market. Moral values may also be infringed as switching of suppliers may be hard for a business industry due to the flow ...

The internal and external analysis is crucial during the process of logistics strategic plan development. Internal analysis refers to identification process and evaluation of a project’s specific characteristics such as the core competencies, the capabilities, and available resources. The internal analysis elements include the mission, the set strategies, the plan’s current vision and the strategic objectives. The external analysis comprises the identification of different outside factors that are likely to have an effect on the development of the plan. The external analysis can be complex and diverse than the internal analysis. The external factors that the analysis ...

The transport industry, especially the trucking sector, has experienced and would continue to experience changes given the current economic climate. Economic uncertainty has brought about waves of speculation that have ultimately led to the drastic rise in fuel prices. The trucking industry has felt the direct effects of the ever-changing fuel market much more than any other industry in the United States (EPA, 2014). The rising fuel price has led to key industry players to devise ways of combating the problem. In coming up with ways of cutting the operational costs, the environment should also be put into consideration. ...

Business Continuity Plan for MDL

Business Continuity Plan for MDL

Introduction

Military Delivery Logistics (MDL) is a certified, U.S. Department of Defense approved contractor for the full range of logistics and product distribution services for the Federal, Defense, Intelligence, State and Local governments. It has a vendor network that allows access to more than 200,000 military standard and custom engineered products. It is based out of Santa Monica, California. It has a complex IT infrastructure to supply logistics services and has many terabytes of data that is critical. However, it has about five terabytes of data that is mission critical and has to be ...

The 21st century markets are characterised by increasing demands for a tailored logistic response. Business organizations are actively developing the required capabilities to realize a customized response to the desires of different customers. Companies will need to design and manage multiple pipelines in order to gain a competitive advantage in the present marketplace. Christopher and Towill (2002) argued that the route to competitive advantage lies through proper management of the supply chains. Based on the characteristics of demand, supply and lead-times, Christopher and Towill (2002) induced the possibilities for the supply chain management. By analysing these possibilities in respect to cost effectiveness, ...

As Vice President of Supply Chain Management System I cannot help drawing the attention of company to the lean production that was founded as an interpretation of the ideas firstly implemented by Toyota production system. The concept of "Lean" united two different approaches, while aligning the improved quality, high-speed processes and a wide range of goods and services. This concept is oriented on attainment of the lower costs ensuring high quality and high speed of processes. Modern aspects of the concept “Lean” play the vital role in company logistics and its implementation.
The transportation is the source of logistic ...

Analysis

Supply chain management
This is the process through which the flow of goods is managed from the initial stages of production by the supplier to the final consumers. It entails the achievement of among other components customer service, customer satisfaction and customer success.

Customer service

This is the provision goods and services to customers before, during and after purchase, to enhance level of customer satisfaction. Entities must identify and prioritize all activities to meet customer expectation better than the competitor. Basic ingredients of customer service delivery are availability, operational performance and service reliability.

Customer satisfaction

It is a measure of how firms satisfy ...

Introduction

This book details the processes and activities involved in the supply chain management. Some of the processes discussed in this book include purchasing of goods and services, processing of raw material, as well as distribution of finished products to the consumer market with the aim of meeting consumer needs. The processes of transforming raw materials into finished goods are also thoroughly discussed in this book. The author of this book explains that the supply chain is commonly found in both the manufacturing and service industry, where the degree of complexity of the supply chain varies from one industry to ...

Life cycle cost analysis is a method that is used in assessing the total cost of facility ownership. In its assessment, it takes into account all expenditures of purchasing, possessing, planning, design, construction and acquisition, operations, repairs, restoration and rehabilitation, devaluation and the cost of finance and replacement or disposing of a building or building system. It is an important economic tool of analysis in selection of alternatives that impact current and future costs.it compares the initial cost and the least alternative in a twenty year duration.it is also referred to as “cradle to grave” or “womb to tomb” cost and it ...

The primary objective of lean supply is to generate a system that is efficient and devoted to continuous improvement. Manufacturing firms that adopt lean supply strategies eliminate all possible causes of waste and enjoy well organized systems of production (Parker, 2007). Manufacturers have classified the lean production philosophy into four practices: just-in-time supplies, preventive maintenance of facilities, total quality management and human resource management (Dayna & Damien, 2005). These practices are vital in controlling production expenses and eliminating wastes arising from recalled products and spoilage. Just-in-time supply eliminates stockholding costs and reduces chances of waste due to storage.
Success of ...

Facilitator:

Inventory management plays a focal point in the management and running of the businesses. In some cases, under stocking and overstocking occur depending on the factors characterizing the business’s activities. Cost accounting in the business helps to maximize the benefits to standardize the returns (Varila, Seppänen & Suomala, 2007). The paper evaluates the cost factor of a fashion supplier and how technology can make the cost functions better.
The optimal level of product availability in the firm is determined by several factors. Firstly, Wallin, Rungtusanatham & Rabinovich (2006) asserts that the storage capacity of the firm plays a major role in ...

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 ...

Background Study

Encryption is critical in ensuring that virtual security for users and administrators is ensured. In a retail store of the case study model, client information integrity is paramount. With a client base of 5,000 subscribers and downloads of confidential monthly payments, the need for a secure and high-level security level cryptography is paramount. In this paper, a report of the necessity encryption methods adoption by the electronic store is presented. Also, the paper offers the solution of the public key encryption supported by illustrative diagrams for the negotiation stage. As the chief of information technology at the electronics ...

Organization Behaviour

1 Task 2 - Analyse the scenario
Motivation is the force that drives people into action and encourages them to exert more effort towards carrying out something. Employees who are well motivated are more comfortable and will have feelings of happiness and fulfilment. Johansson and Heide (2008) points out that besides, being well motivated workers tend to produce high-quality results and are more productive than their counterparts. In the case study, the workforce is less. They are overwhelmed in the course of their duty. They are not able to work overtime because their terms of service are contractual. The ...

This article gives an elaborate introduction of the processes and activities involved in the supply chain management. The processes like procurement of the materials, processing of the materials as well as distribution of these materials to the relevant destinations and customers. The processes of transforming raw materials into finished goods are also well catered for in this article. The article shows that the supply chain is commonly found both in the manufacturing and service industry where the degree of complexity of the supply chain varies from one industry to another as well as between firms. The article shows that ...

In the present case, Capability Ltd has given a document which was titled as ‘Memorandum of Terms’ and at the back of this document; two clauses have been inserted by a rubber stamp. Therefore the first clause states that the company is not responsible for any personal injury that may be suffered by the customer by performing the contract. In the same way, according to the second clause, the liability of the company for any damage that may be suffered by the home of the customer is limited to the sum of 500 pounds and at the same time it also ...

System modification is the alteration of the configuration of the system, developing new applications with an aim of improving the security of the system or boosting the efficiency of the system (Blanchard, 2004). The process reduces both maintenance and operations costs that would otherwise have increased the operating expenses.
When modifying the standard version of SAP system, it is necessary to create new data fields or use the fields that already exist in the standard system. The routine will also be affected. Personnel quantities, support and test equipment, computer resources, skill level, spares and repair parts, training, transportation ...

How would you measure and assess effectiveness of a production capability?

Production capability the total output that a plant or an enterprise produces in a given period with existing capital equipment. It involves the balancing of inputs for the manufacturer to match output demand. Effectiveness is the capability of producing the expected results. It also includes preservation and enhancement of assets. An effective production therefore is production that meets the desired production goal (Blanchard, 2012).

The following methods are used to measure and evaluate effectiveness of production capabilities:

- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE): it was a measure developed by the Japanese in the 1970s under the concept of Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). It is a function of production line availability, quality defect rate and process effectiveness ...

The integration process is making changes in the management and the flow of business management, and place more concentration to other hyperlinks. The process is enhanced since it is done repeatedly throughout the project Lifecycle. It is designed to attract customers especially the non-traditional IT, majors together with those interested in the integration process. The prime aim is to meet the employees and customers needs.
According to McAdam and McCormack on the changes of the structures of the organization, there is a need to make particular adjustments to enable the strategic decisions. In management, effective decisions are often desired, ...

- Steps involved
One: Performing a strategic assessment; the logistics of the department and company as a whole are assessed. Information concerning the goals of the supply chain is considered. The needs of customers in relation to the supply chain are also considered.
Two: Decision to create a relationship; the need to enter into a 3PL relationship is assessed. The supply chain is assessed to check if there are compelling facilitators and drivers for outsourcing.
Three: Evaluating alternatives; the drivers and facilitators are weighed. Input from other managers will be helpful. The company’s needs will be evaluated to establish ...

MOBILE MONEY TRANSFER

Original issue
Mobile Money Transfer is popular way of sending money in East Africa although its origin was in Kenya. The service enables people who use their mobiles to be able to send and receive money on their mobile phones. The customer is able to send money, receive money, buy credit, withdraw money and deposit money in their commercial bank accounts, pay their utility bills and even check their balance in their mobile phone as well as in their bank accounts. The program that enables this service to be sold was invented way back in 1998 but due ...

MOD 7 Discussion

Relationship management refers to the organizational strategy to maintain constant cooperation between the company and its audience. In this case, the relationship aims to become a partnership, rather than merely to reflect a transaction. In the supply chain, relationship management should be applied both upstream and downstream, thus managing the relationships with suppliers and customers respectively. The overall goal of the relationship is to improve joint profitability, which defines the effectiveness of the supply chain (Lambert, 2008).
The importance of building strong relationships with supply chain partners is manifested in several aspects. Firstly, close collaboration with suppliers allows negotiating lower prices ...

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) is one of the core software elements in most logistics information systems. It contains current and historic data, necessary for performance initiation and monitoring. In addition to Supply Chain transactions, such as order and inventory management and transportation, ERP facilitates financial and human resource activities. In order to promote supply chain integration, modern ERP systems include two more elements: Supply Chain Planning and Customer Relationship Management.

The most often quoted rationales for implementation of ERP systems are integration, consistency and economies of scale. Integration is usually facilitated by an ERP system both internally (within the ...