This is an individual assignment that requires you to write a brief report (1,500 words) addressing one of the following:
Option 1
(a) Describe the demand characteristics of a product for a specific distribution channel (e.g. on-line, supermarket, specialist retailer) and a specific country and determine whether the ideal supply chain for that product (in the specific distribution channel and country) should be agile, lean or a combination of both (60% of marks).
(b) Use two real-world company examples to illustrate and justify what you think is ‘good’ and/or ‘bad’ business practice in supply chains of the product you chose in (a), or supply chains of products that are similar to your product in terms of demand characteristics (40% of marks).
Option 2
(a) Draw a diagram that illustrates the flows of materials, components, final products, services and information along at least three tiers of the supply chain of a product of your choice (40% of marks).
(b) Provide a brief explanation for each node and link in the chain (what they do, why they do it and how) and the information needed at each stage for the effective working of the supply chain (40% of marks).
(c) Provide at least one clear and specific recommendation for improvement, by drawing from real-world practice or SCM theory (20% of marks).
Your report can be written in the style of a business report, or as an academic essay. You do not need to include an executive summary, but you MUST reference all the information sources used throughout and provide a detailed list of references at the end.
For option 1, you could choose the same product whose transformation process you analysed last year as part of the Operations Management module. However, you should bear in mind that the level of your analysis is now the product’s supply chain, not the product’s production process within the firm. This means that the research you did on your product last year may be relevant but it will definitely not be enough.
For option 2, there are plenty of Youtube videos, academic papers, news articles and reports discussing the supply chains of companies such as Zara, IKEA, Walmart, Coca Cola etc. However, a single source will not be enough to address the three objectives. You are allowed to choose such a product/supply chain, if you are genuinely interested in studying it. However, this option may be most suitable for someone with deep familiarity with a particular company’s supply chain (e.g. through an internship, previous work experience, family business).
