Discussion: Current SCM Topics Assignment Instructions
From the three current SCM topics found below, select the oneyou would like to research. This will be the topic of your Discussion Thread: Current SCM Topic.
Thread
• Begin by stating the name of your topic.
• In 500–750 words, address the following items:
o Explain the background of the situation from a broad perspective.
o Explain the potential consequences of the situation as it is explained, along with several alternative responses to it.
o Present your proposed response to the situation, along with justification for its selection.
o Include the following headings: background of the situation, potential consequences/alternative responses, proposed response.
o You must reference at least 2 scholarly sources in addition to your textbook. Use peer-reviewed articles, such as those found in supply chain management journals. In addition to the 2 scholarly articles and the textbook, you may use newspapers and magazines (Fortune, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, etc.) as found in the Liberty University Online Library.
Replies
• You must respond to at least 2 of your colleagues’ threads with replies of 350-500 words. For both replies:
o Reply to threads on the topic which you did not address in your thread.
o Analyze your classmate’s thread, identifying at least one strength and one weakness in his or her reasoning.
o You must reference at least 1 scholarly source for each reply.
Note about responses: Seek to understand your colleague’s approach, rationale, and facts presented in his or her post. Aim to communicate your own understanding of relevant facts, your values, and your perspective of the topic.
This is an important assignment that requires significant research efforts; do not wait until the last minute to complete this assignment.
Topics
1. As a distribution manager for a large retail chain, you plan to present to company management your plans for a green logistics process that will in large part replace the organization’s present eco-unfriendly methods of shipping merchandise. You plan to point to research indicating that consumers are willing to pay more products delivered in ways that save energy, and you say that doing this will improve company image. What are the aspects of your plan? What type of resistance are your ideas likely to encounter?
2. The manager of supply chain and logistical operations at your mid-sized automotive parts manufacturing company is interest in learning the benefits of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into the organization’s supply chain operations. You have been asked to present a summary of your findings. What applications will you propose? What benefits do you expect to see?
3. A member of the procurement staff at your organization has suggested implementing the use of social media in your supply chain management activities. If you decide to do this, how would it be used? What tasks will it assist in performing? Which media will be used? On what basis would you approve or disapprove of its use?
