Internet Enabled Supply Chain

I will use this method to grade all case assignments.

Each case has a maximum of 10 points that can be awarded.

For each case, I pose 5+ questions for each team to answer prior to the case discussion in class.  I choose 4 of the questions posed for grading.   An answer that is complete (e.g. per question instructions) and touches the themes from the case will receive 2 points each.  This represents (2 x 4) 8 of the possible 10 points.

I also award a maximum of 2 added points for any of the following:

• Unique, creative, insightful comments or analysis from the case materials
• The critical facts and ideas in the answer are presented in a clear, readable and compelling manner.

The following are examples of an answer to a possible case question.  The content (ideas) are the same in each example.  However, I believe that Example 1 presents them in a clearer, and more readable and compelling manner (e.g. would receive added points).

Example 1

Keys to Success:

More content available: providers bring sufficiently different content on one site obviating need to visit other sites or use different viewing options.

Free to use: users only need to register to watch much free content.

Popularity: Providers use social network platforms to attract more users / audience

Relationship with Partners: Understand each partner’s business to provide what they desire (profit, audience share, buzz, etc.)

Example 2

There are several keys to success. Having more content available as well as sufficiently different content on one site obviates need to visit other sites or use different viewing options. Providing viewing free of charge means users only need to register to watch much the content. Providers use social network platforms to attract more users / audience and drive up their popularity. A strong Relationship with Partners is also a key to success. The relationship allows understanding each partners’ business to provide what they desire most (profit, audience share, buzz, etc.).

For each case I will post on the course blog several (5+) questions to be answered.

One group will present this case in the class.  Their answers to the questions will be included in their presentation.

All other groups (including the group posting the correct answers) are required to submit a printout of their answers to the instructor at the beginning of the class.  All groups are to be prepared to discuss the case in the class.

Here are some tips for writing the case answers:

1. Answers should be brief and to the point (10 lines max).
2. Answers should be substantiated by proper reasoning from the case or other sources.
3. Avoid general statements such as “make customers happy”, “increase profits” etc without proper explanations.

Submission:

1. Submit the case study analysis via email to me (at Edward.Beaver@temple.edu) – no later than 2 hours prior to class time on the day the case study is to be discussed in class. The file should be in Microsoft Powerpoint (.ppt or pptx) format.
   I will enable this file for your presentation to the class.
2. Submit a printout of your presentation slides to instructor at the beginning of the class.
3. Late submissions will not receive assignment credit

Content:

1. Briefly (3-5 slides) discuss the company and the main points of this case.
2. Present a slide or two on how the company is doing now (e.g. through some web research – what their latest profit is or how they seem to be doing overall.)  If you can include some latest news about their supply chain, that’ll be great.
3. If appropriate, prepare a diagram of the complete supply chain (as given in the case). On the diagram, highlight the insourced and outsourced components.
4. Prepare 1-2 slides on each of the case questions posed (i.e. from the blog).

Presentation Style: Points will also be awarded for presentation style. Here are some tips that you may want to note:

1. Remember that the slides are not the presentation. Avoid reading verbatim from the slides.
2. Make sufficient eye contact with the class.  It is not a good idea to read prepared notes directly.
3. Make the slides sufficiently interesting.  For example, you can include pictures or videos related to the company.
4. Formal attire is not required for the presentation.

Although the answers to the case questions posed are to be submitted by the group, each individual student’s individual preparation and participation is critical.  Specifically:

1. Preparation. Each student must read the case.  Then work within their team to analyze the case, and then formulate an action plan.  Without this, the case discussion will mean little.
2. Presence. If the student is not present, she or he cannot learn and, more important, cannot add her or his unique thoughts and insight to the class discussion.
3. Promptness. Students who enter the classroom late disrupt the discussion and deprecate the decorum of the process.
4. Participation. Each student’s learning is best facilitated by regular participation.  More important, each student has the responsibility to share his or her understanding and judgment with the class to advance the group’s collective skills and knowledge.