PQR, Inc. produces office supplies for big box retailers. This is a highly competitive market and the requirement for maintaining a continuous inventory of product for retailers is a high priority for PQR. Recently, the firm experienced shipping delays from overseas suppliers. Which of the costs associated with shortages would be MOST critical for PQR?
In a highly competitive market like office supplies, the most critical cost associated with shortag-es is typically lost sales. If PQR, Inc. experiences shipping delays and cannot maintain continuous inventory, customers are likely to turn to competitors to meet their needs. This can result in im-mediate lost sales and potentially long-term loss of customer loyalty. The cost of lost sales often outweighs other costs like idle workers or production downtime because it directly affects revenue and market share. Reference:
* Chopra, S., & Meindl, P. (2015). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Op-eration. Pearson.
* Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & Supply Chain Management. Pearson UK.
Which of the following describes a market structure where there are few sellers and many buyers and where price is controlled by either an industry leader or a cartel?
An oligopoly is a market structure where a few sellers dominate the market and many buyers ex-ist. In such a market, prices and output levels are often controlled by the leading firms or through collusion, such as forming a cartel. These firms hold significant market power, which allows them to influence prices and other market factors. Oligopolies are common in industries where high en-try barriers exist, such as telecommunications, airlines, and oil and gas. Reference:
* Perloff, J. M. (2016). Microeconomics: Theory and Applications with Calculus. Pearson.
* Mankiw, N. G. (2014). Principles of Microeconomics. Cengage Learning.
During an inventory review, a supply manager confirms that parts used for the maintenance of equipment sold during the previous year are still being stored in the warehouse. These parts cannot be used on current equipment. Which of the following BEST describes these parts'
Parts that were used for maintenance of equipment sold in the previous year but cannot be used on current equipment are best described as obsolete. Obsolete inventory refers to items that are no longer usable or saleable due to advancements in technology or changes in market demand. These parts should be identified and removed from active inventory to free up space and reduce carrying costs. Reference:
* Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2017). Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management. Pearson.
* Chopra, S., & Meindl, P. (2015). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Op-eration. Pearson.
MNO, Inc. is a national retail home goods chain formed of local franchisees. Each franchisee uses its own returns processing systems. A key advertising point for MNO is its liberal return policy, which is part of its overall focus on excellent customer service. While feedback from customers is positive regarding MNO's return policy, there have been inquiries as to why stores handle returns via different processes. MNO's supply manager suggests the implementation of a reverse supply chain to deal with this issue and possibly yield cost enhancement opportunities. In order to implement this, which of the following is the FIRST course of action the supply manager should take''
Implementing a reverse supply chain requires first defining a consistent return process that can be integrated into the existing forward supply chain. This ensures that all franchisees follow the same procedures for handling returns, which enhances efficiency, customer satisfaction, and potentially reduces costs. Standardizing the return process also allows for better tracking and management of returned goods, improving overall supply chain performance. By addressing this foundational step first, MNO, Inc. can ensure a smoother implementation of the reverse supply chain. Reference:
* Rogers, D. S., & Tibben-Lembke, R. (2001). An Examination of Reverse Logistics Practic-es. Journal of Business Logistics, 22(2), 129-148.
* Blanchard, D. (2010). Supply Chain Management Best Practices. John Wiley & Sons.
An engineering team requests assistance from a supply manager to resolve an issue related to a new product under development. The product is seasonal, and the organization has a short lead time to bring the product to market. Given this situation, which of the following is the BEST course of action for the supply manager to take7
Given the short lead time and the need for rapid market entry, leveraging an existing strategic supplier's capabilities is optimal. This approach minimizes delays and leverages established relationships and processes, ensuring the product can be developed and delivered efficiently.
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