what is the design and implementation of supply chain strategies within the sector

Global Supply Chain Management (MASTER LEVEL)

Theories in class: 1) Introduction to GSCM 2) Demand Management and Forecasting 3) Inventory and Procurement Management

Marking Scheme

Please remember that marks for assignment will also be awarded in relation to presentation and structure, and aspects such as use of examples, figures, tables, illustrations and statistics that indicate wider/independent reading.

Relates to Learning Outcomes:

• Analyse and critically evaluate the ways in which supply chains are adapted in view of specific market dynamics and environments.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of global lead-time management and time-compression.
• Critically analyse the theory, concepts and models of global supply chain management to interpret and understand complex and ambiguous risks in global logistics and supply chain environments.
• Locate, summarise and synthesise a range of information from published literature and electronic sources on GSCM.

               Assignment 1:

A modern supply chain is a dynamic network of great complexity. Thus, organisations should strive for developing supply chain strategies, configuring supply chains to maximise performance and coping with technological changes.  

Based on the above statement, you are asked to choose  oil and gas industry, and critically discuss:

(i) what is the design and implementation of supply chain strategies within the sector

(ii) how do the organisations configure their supply chains through collaboration, lean principles and agility, and,

(iii) how advanced technology (e.g., big data analytics, Internet of Things, cloud computing) are utilised by companies within the sector to maintain their competitive advantage.

For each question above, you should support your arguments by bringing into the discussion 1-2 examples of companies that belong to the industry.

Assessment Criteria

This assignment represents 50% of your overall module mark. The maximum word count is 3000 words (+/- 10%). You will also need to consider the following when completing your assignment:

• Quality of executive summary (does it give a brief complete summary of your paper for an executive to read?)
• Establishment of relevant theory (e.g. how supply chain environments are differentiated from region to region?)
• Allocation of credit and sources used (have I included references and citations to the material I have used?)
• Clarity of argument
• Overall report presentation including spelling and grammar
• Adherence to nominated word limit (+/- 10%)
• Word processed (letter size 12, times new roman, 1.5 space)
• Fully referenced (Harvard Referencing System) with min 25 references.