*Two Question Assignment*
Write (2) 200-250 words reply to the questions below. APA 6 format, in-text citation, Please provide a copy of all references used. Use at least two (2) scholarly references to substantiate your work.
Assignment Details:
#1 Research a real-world company, such as Walmart, Starbucks, or Apple, that has expanded operations internationally. Write 200-250 words on international supply chain management using the company that you researched as your focus. Your response should answer the following questions:
- What are the main elements of a global supply chain organization?
- What are the steps involved in producing an order and shipping it to the customer in a global environment?
- What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of expanding operations internationally or sourcing goods internationally?
From manufacturing to the distribution of goods on an international scale, what are the main elements of a supply chain?
- What are the steps involved in producing an order and shipping it to the customer?
- What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of international operations?
For this discussion, I highly recommend you select a publicly-traded company. As discussed in the Live Chats, public-facing companies are required to provide a significant amount of information to the public, IRS, Stockholders, etc., including financials and activities (internally and externally). These are called reportable items and include all logistics and supply chain activities, functions, costs, risks, advantages, disadvantages, goals, and so forth.
An easy way to identify a public company is starting with the Fortune List, here’s the link to the Fortune 500 List with information from 500 public companies, what the companies do, their industries, reach, etc https://fortune.com/fortune500/
Once you’ve selected the company you want to research navigate to the company’s website and ensure the company has a global presence. Then navigate to Investor Relations, this is a good way to identify what logistics and supply chain operations the company has (remember every company is different) and answer the assignment questions. I highly recommend navigating to the 10K Annual Report and starting your search there.
**Post Recommendation Structure**
Paragraph 1
Introduction to the selected company (1 to 2 sentences). Identification if the selected company is a global supply chain organization OR a manufacturing/distribution organization (1 sentence). **THIS WILL DRIVE WHICH SET OF QUESTIONS YOU ANSWER**
Paragraph 2 (Global Supply Chain Organization)
Identify the supply chain elements of the selected company (1 sentence). Define and explain those identified elements (3 to 4 sentences)
Paragraph 2 (Manufacturing/Distributor)
Identify how the selected company receives orders from their customers (1 sentence). Explain the steps from order identification through the final delivery (3 to 4 sentences). It’s ok if the company does not elaborate significantly here, what’s important is how the logistics involved in the facilitation of the delivery
Paragraph 3 (Global Supply Chain Organization)
Identify how the selected company receives orders (1 sentence, these can be internal or external). Explain the steps from the order identification, production of the product (or service), and facilitation of the logistics (3 to 4 sentences).
Paragraph 3 (Manufacturing/Distributor)
Document what the selected company identifies as an advantage (s) and disadvantage (s) to operating internationally (1 to 2 sentences). Provide an example of the advantage (s) (1 sentence). Provide an example of the disadvantage (s) (1 sentence).
Paragraph 4 (Global Supply Chain Organization)
See paragraph 3 for Manufacturing/Distributor BUT align this context to either operational expansion or sourcing goods internationally
Assignment Details:
#2 Review and reflect on the knowledge you have gained from this course. Based on your review and reflection, write at least 200-250 words on the following:
- Identify 2–3 concepts from the course that you are able to say helped you the best in understanding the supply chain and logistics.
- Has this course given you tangible considerations that you can apply in your life?
- What approaches could have yielded additional valuable information?
