Q&A: Software in Supply Chains
Here is a diagram (sap scm) showing the different software modules used in supply chain management (per a leading I/T supplier – SAP).
Based on this, do you think MIS professionals need to understand supply chains? Why or why not?
Reading: week 2
This article describes how the internet has changed the supply chains: Link
100 second reflection for Week 2
Think for 100 seconds, and summarize the key things that you learned in the class in week 2 – Crocs case and Lecture about How the Internet Affects the Supply Chain?
Zappos.com Case
MIS 3537
Internet Enabled Supply Chains
Spring 2017
Due Date: February 6, 2017
Refer to the case “Zappos.com: Developing a Supply Chain to Deliver WOW!”. Answer the following questions briefly.
1. Is Zappos mainly a pull or a push supply chain? With an illustration of Zappos’ current supply chain, show the push-pull boundary of Zappos? Also show the push-pull boundary of Zappos’ Drop Ship model.
2. Show the evolution of Zappos’ supply chain in a diagram. What changes did Zappos make in its supply chain? Do you think that these changes are justified?
3. What are Zappos’ core competencies and sources of competitive advantage? How sustainable are they?
4. How would you expand the business? Would you add more products, more geographies, or by selling private labels?
5. How would you expect the environment of a more cost conscious customers to affect Zappos’ business? What can Zappos’ do to maintain sales in such an environment?
All groups (expect the group making the presentation) are required to submit a printout of their answers to the instructor at the beginning of the class. Also, be prepared to discuss the case in the class.
Instructions for the group posting correct answers
Every week, one group will post ‘correct’ answers to the case questions on the blog. Here are the instructions to that group:
- Please post your answers as a comment to the post which contains the case questions.
- The answer should be posted after we discuss the case in class (preferably before noon the following day).
- Please make sure that you post ‘correct’ answers based on the inclass discussion. Points will be deducted if you post incorrect answers to the case questions on the blog.
- Feel free to discuss any answer with me if you are not sure of the correct answer to any question.
Case Groups
All the assignments and cases for this course are to be submitted by groups. During the first class, you formed 8 groups of 4 – 5 students each. I strongly recommend you work to create diverse teams (major, background, …). Since case discussions and presentations will be distributed between the groups throughout the semester, changes to the groups will not be allowed.
All members of a team receive the same points for the case submissions / presentations. If you feel that one or more members are not doing their fair share, at the end of the semester you will have the opportunity to submit a Team Member Evaluation form to the instructor by email. All responses will be kept confidential.
Post the composition of each case groups as comments to this post (one post per group). Include the name and email id of each member in the post.
Reading: Week 1
100 Second Reflection for Week 1
Think for 100 seconds, and summarize the key things that you learned in the class in Week 1
Intro to course
What is the Supply Chain? Lecture
Introductions for Day 1
Post as comments on this blog post
Include at least one (1) Supply Chain you’ve dealt with and in what Role (e.g. customer, ___)
Crocs Case
MIS 3537 Internet & Supply Chains
Spring 2017
Due Date: January 30, 2017
Refer to the case “Crocs: Revolutionizing an Industry’s Supply Chain Model for Competitive Advantage” from the Harvard Business Publishing website
Answer the following questions briefly:
- What are Croc’s core competencies?
- How should they exploit these competencies in the future? Consider the following alternatives and comment how each alternative matches / does not match with Crocs core competencies.
- Further vertical acquisition into materials
- Growth by acquisitions
- Growth by product expansion
- What are the drawbacks of having too little or too much inventory?
- Is Crocs a high margin or a low margin company (compared to competitors)? How does a company’s margin impact its inventory decisions? In other words, should a high margin company carry more or less inventory?