TRident LOG490 full course (all cases+SLP +discussions) 2016

Module 1 - Case

Logistics in the Business Organization

Case Assignment

First, read Dutton (2009) and Rudski (2008), listed on the Background Info page.

In a well-constructed essay, please answer the following questions:

1. Why have supply chain management issues often been ignored by senior management?

2. How would you convince senior management to focus more attention on supply chain management? (Please incorporate examples drawn from the required readings.)

3. When promoting supply chain management initiatives to senior management, how would you utilize the expertise of external logistics and logistics management organizations?

Assignment Expectations

Critically analyze the role of logistics in modern organizations, and the reasons why senior management have often overlooked the importance of the function. Suggest and discuss alternative strategies for reducing this problem, to include the benefits of alliances with external logistics firms (the 3 in 3PL) and logistics management firms (the 4 in 4PL). Synthesize your previous study, and incorporate new material from this module’s Background readings.

General Case Expectations

· Write a well-constructed essay. Feel free to use tables and bulleted lists, if appropriate.

· The readings may not provide specific answers. In that event, you will need to “fill in the gaps,” using your understanding of the material presented in the module, and the background sources.

· Style and format must comply with the Writing Style Guide. (TUI Guide, n.d.) This is not an English course; however, errors in spelling, grammar and style will be penalized.

· Provide citations and references. Use of APA style is encouraged, but not required. Please see the TUI Writing Guide, or visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL, 2015).

· There is no page requirement. Write what you need to write, neither more nor less.

· Upload your Case before the end of the module.

Module 1 - SLP

Logistics in the Business Organization

The Session Long Project (SLP) is a series of essays on contemporary logistics issues, as they affect an organization of your choice. It may be an organization you work for, have worked for in the past, or one that interests you. Read ahead through all four SLPs: when selecting an organization, be sure to pick one for which you can find all the information you’ll need.

Each SLP consists of two activities:

Activity 1 (Assessment Phase)

Describe and discuss how your organization is affected by the logistics issues discussed in the module.

Activity 2 (Improvement Phase)

Describe how your organization could address the issues more effectively.

SLP 1 Assignment

Activity 1 (Assessment Phase)

Describe the organization you’ve selected, discuss where the unit responsible for logistics resides in the organizational chart, briefly describe the duties and responsibilities of the logistics unit, and note the level of recognition senior management gives the unit.

Activity 2 (Improvement Phase)

Assess if and how logistics operations could be more effectively and strategically integrated into the organizational structure. Explain.

SLP Assignment Expectations

Comprehensively discuss the logistics functions of the organization. Develop, explain and justify a scheme for performing those functions more effectively, with particular attention to the roles of senior management. Your scheme should be solidly grounded in the material discussed in this module.

SLP General Expectations

· Since this is a capstone course, you are expected to make full use of your detailed understanding of the material covered in this course, as well as earlier courses (LOG301, LOG302, and LOG401). You should display highly developed critical, analytical and expository skills.

· Don’t write in checklist form. Integrate the information you find into a well-constructed essay.

· You may not find specific information relating to this assignment. In that case, you will need to “fill in the gaps,” using your understanding of the company you’re analyzing, plus the sources listed on the Background Info page.

· Style and format must comply with the Writing Style Guide. (TUI Guide, n.d.) This is not an English course; however, errors in spelling, grammar and style will be penalized.

· Provide citations and references. Use of APA style is encouraged, but not required. Please see the TUI Writing Guide, or visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL, 2015).

· There is no page requirement. Write what you need to write, neither more nor less.

· Upload your SLP before the end of the module.

Module 1 - Outcomes

DISCUSSIONS 1.

Logistics 'R' Us

· Reflect in ePortfolio

· Submit Feedback

Actions for 'Logistics 'R' Us'

Previous Next

Show DescriptionHide Description

Please reflect on your personal experiences working for an organization, and on how those experiences are, or have been, shaped by logistics. From what you’ve seen, what is logistics? What do logisticians do? Are logistics, and the work of logisticians, central to the operation of your organization? Explain. Please include references to pertinent sources in your explanation.

Module 2 - Case

Logistics Providers, Traditional and Virtual

Case Assignment

After reading the background sources, please write an essay addressing the following questions.

1. Compare and contrast the functions normally associated with 4PLs to those of 3PLs.

2. What are the factors responsible for more and more companies relying on the services of 4PLs?

3. Explain why it is important to establish metrics that can help determine the “value” a 4PL can contribute to the supply chain, before entering into these agreements.

4. Would you consider Unyson’s logistics solutions, as devised for Big Lots, to be consistent with the role of a 4PL in adding value to a supply chain? (Explain and illustrate.)

Assignment Expectations

Describe, compare and contrast the roles of traditional logistics service providers with the roles of virtual logistics service providers. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of why virtual logistics services are important, the reason for increased specialization among third and fourth party service providers, and how these services support collaborative logistics management initiatives. Skillfully integrate information from previous logistics courses with information obtained from this course’s readings.

General Case Expectations

· Write a well-constructed essay. Feel free to use tables and bulleted lists, if appropriate.

· The readings may not provide specific answers. In that event, you will need to “fill in the gaps,” using your understanding of the material presented in the module, and the background sources.

· Style and format must comply with the Writing Style Guide. (TUI Guide, n.d.) This is not an English course; however, errors in spelling, grammar and style will be penalized.

· Provide citations and references. Use of APA style is encouraged, but not required. Please see the TUI Writing Guide, or visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL, 2015).

· There is no page requirement. Write what you need to write, neither more nor less.

· Upload your Case before the end of the module.

Module 2 - SLP

Logistics Providers, Traditional and Virtual

Each SLP assignment consists of two activities. See SLP 1 for a complete description of each.

Activity 1 (Assessment Phase)

Describe and assess your organization's experience, if any, with 4PLs (“virtual” logistics service providers [VLSP]).

Activity 2 (Improvement Phase)

Determine if your organization could more effectively use the services of 4PLs (VLSP). If your organization has no experience with 4PLs (VLSP), discuss the major advantages and disadvantages that might result from using a VLSP for the organization.

SLP Assignment Expectations

Integrate the background materials and previous course work, to assess the reference organization’s experience, if any, with virtual logistics service providers. Demonstrate critical thinking, logic, and an in-depth knowledge of the virtual logistics service concept and how it could either be introduced, or more effectively utilized, as part of the reference organization’s supply chain management.

Submit your assignment for grading by the end of the module.

SLP General Expectations

· Since this is a capstone course, you are expected to make full use of your detailed understanding of the material covered in this course, as well as earlier courses (LOG301, LOG302, and LOG401). You should display highly developed critical, analytical and expository skills.

· Don’t write in checklist form. Integrate the information you find into a well-constructed essay.

· You may not find specific information relating to this assignment. In that case, you will need to “fill in the gaps,” using your understanding of the company you’re analyzing, plus the sources listed on the Background Info page.

· Style and format must comply with the Writing Style Guide. (TUI Guide, n.d.) This is not an English course; however, errors in spelling, grammar and style will be penalized.

· Provide citations and references. Use of APA style is encouraged, but not required. Please see the TUI Writing Guide, or visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL, 2015).

· There is no page requirement. Write what you need to write, neither more nor less.

· Upload your SLP before the end of the module.

discussion

Electronic Data and Logistics

· Reflect in ePortfolio

· Submit Feedback

Actions for 'Electronic Data and Logistics'

Previous Next

Show DescriptionHide Description

When you send a package via UPS or FedEx, you get a receipt with a tracking number. If you’re interested, you can go online and use that number to track the package’s progress across the country, or around the world.

This is one small example of the intimate connection between modern data technology and modern logistics. Look around you, and identify one or two more. Please discuss them. Include citations and references for the benefit of your fellow students, who may wish to learn more.

Module 3 - Case

Benchmarking Logistics Performance

Assignment Overview

Read the required sources listed in the Background Info.

An organization can do things the same way indefinitely unless it stops to think about them. The process of stopping to think, and then acting, is called process improvement. DHL finds that it’s critical in driving down costs, both for itself, and for its partners. “Within the retail and consumer group at DHL Exel Supply Chain, we've already held almost 100 Process Improvement/DMAIC workshops this year, which have contributed to continuous improvements and identified effectiveness equating to four million pounds sterling.”

One thing to look at is the whole value chain— the flows of goods, information and money, business systems, business structures and functional silos, corporate culture, etc. “We offer our customers these as ‘Value Chain Assessments’ (VCA), where a customer may have a broad question—where is the risk in my supply chain? Where are my major costs and how can I impact them? Answering these questions is often easier said than done as many in-company logistics or supply chain managers lack visibility beyond their own supply chain operations. We can fill in the gaps in the picture—especially with today’s highly complex and extended retail supply chains. With a wide range of clients, 3PLs can provide benchmarking and information on best practice drawn from a range of industries, as well as practical deliverable solutions. Our VCA methodology challenges our customers to embrace change—but it also challenges our own teams to do likewise. Success is not in the delivery of VCA report—it's in being a catalyst to deliver benefits to our customers.”

Write an essay responding to the following questions.

1. Explain why a two-stage benchmarking methodology, which utilizes performance evaluation metrics followed by continuous improvement metrics, can be a useful tool for achieving competitive advantage.

2. Discuss why the inclusion of the second phase, related to continuous improvement, represents a step forward from traditional benchmarking approaches.

3. Evaluate the general adequacy of the major performance criteria used in the AHP article for assessing other organizations’ logistics. Feel free to suggest additions to, or modifications of, the performance criteria if you believe these are inadequate.

4. Describe the role a 3PL could play in implementing an effective benchmarking strategy.

Assignment Expectations

Display an in-depth understanding of benchmarking, benchmarking metrics, and how benchmarking is integrated into the strategic management effort. Display a critical assessment of the benefits and limitations of the two phases of a double Analytic Hierarchical Process approach to benchmarking. Display critical thinking, rigorous logic, and synthesis of the current course materials with previous courses to assess the relationship between the AHP approach and continuous process improvement.

General Case Expectations

· Write a well-constructed essay. Feel free to use tables and bulleted lists, if appropriate.

· The readings may not provide specific answers. In that event, you will need to “fill in the gaps,” using your understanding of the material presented in the module, and the background sources.

· Style and format must comply with the Writing Style Guide. (TUI Guide, n.d.) This is not an English course; however, errors in spelling, grammar and style will be penalized.

· Provide citations and references. Use of APA style is encouraged, but not required. Please see the TUI Writing Guide, or visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL, 2015).

· There is no page requirement. Write what you need to write, neither more nor less.

· Upload your Case before the end of the module.

Module 3 - SLP

Benchmarking Logistics Performance

Each SLP assignment consists of two activities. See SLP 1 for a complete description of each.

Activity 1 (Assessment Phase)

Refer to the organization you nominated in SLP 1. Describe and assess how benchmarking is used to evaluate logistics performance in the organization.

Activity 2 (Improvement Phase)

Explore how the organization could improve logistics operations by better use of benchmarking and performance metrics.

SLP Assignment Expectations

Display an understanding of how benchmarking is used to assess logistics performance in the reference organization, to include its implementation, and the use of qualitative and quantitative measures. Provide a critical analysis of whether the reference organization could improve its logistics operations through more effective use of benchmarking.

SLP General Expectations

· Since this is a capstone course, you are expected to make full use of your detailed understanding of the material covered in this course, as well as earlier courses (LOG301, LOG302, and LOG401). You should display highly developed critical, analytical and expository skills.

· Don’t write in checklist form. Integrate the information you find into a well-constructed essay.

· You may not find specific information relating to this assignment. In that case, you will need to “fill in the gaps,” using your understanding of the company you’re analyzing, plus the sources listed on the Background Info page.

· Style and format must comply with the Writing Style Guide. (TUI Guide, n.d.) This is not an English course; however, errors in spelling, grammar and style will be penalized.

· Provide citations and references. Use of APA style is encouraged, but not required. Please see the TUI Writing Guide, or visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL, 2015).

· There is no page requirement. Write what you need to write, neither more nor less.

· Upload your SLP before the end of the module.

DISCUSSION

Module 4 - Case

Logistics and Global Terrorism

Case Assignment

Read the sources referenced on the Background page. Then, write an essay responding to the following questions:

1. Is a security-oriented culture, with respect to the supply chain, just good business? Explain.

2. What are the benefits of viewing security issues beyond the individual firm?

3. Why is RFID technology viewed by many to be an important tool in securing a supply chain?

4. Which of the 10 security competencies discussed in the Closs, Speier, Whipple, and Voss article are likely to be the most challenging to implement? Why?

Assignment Expectations

Display an understanding of how terrorism, and other international developments, can threaten global logistics. Discuss measures that can be taken to reduce these threats. Demonstrate critical thinking, logic, and a thorough command of both current and previous course work.

General Case Expectations

· Write a well-constructed essay. Feel free to use tables and bulleted lists, if appropriate.

· The readings may not provide specific answers. In that event, you will need to “fill in the gaps,” using your understanding of the material presented in the module, and the background sources.

· Style and format must comply with the Writing Style Guide. (TUI Guide, n.d.) This is not an English course; however, errors in spelling, grammar and style will be penalized.

· Provide citations and references. Use of APA style is encouraged, but not required. Please see the TUI Writing Guide, or visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL, 2015).

· There is no page requirement. Write what you need to write, neither more nor less.

· Upload your Case before the end of the module.

Module 4 - SLP

Logistics and Global Terrorism

Each SLP assignment consists of two activities. See SLP 1 for a complete description of each.

Activity 1 (Assessment Phase)

Refer to the organization nominated in SLP 1. Discuss the major operational threats the organization's logistical functions face as a result of global terrorism.

Activity 2 (Improvement Phase)

What might the organization do better, to mitigate the terrorist threats to its logistics operations?

Armed forces personnel who cannot address these questions owing to security concerns should examine a larger question. What logistical threats does the nation face, and how can these risks be reduced?

SLP Assignment Expectations

Demonstrate an understanding of how domestic and global terrorism threaten the logistics of the nominated organization. Discuss how these risks may be mitigated. Creatively synthesize current and past course material to devise solutions that balance security with efficiency and effectiveness.

SLP General Expectations

· Since this is a capstone course, you are expected to make full use of your detailed understanding of the material covered in this course, as well as earlier courses (LOG301, LOG302, and LOG401). You should display highly developed critical, analytical and expository skills.

· Don’t write in checklist form. Integrate the information you find into a well-constructed essay.

· You may not find specific information relating to this assignment. In that case, you will need to “fill in the gaps,” using your understanding of the company you’re analyzing, plus the sources listed on the Background Info page.

· Style and format must comply with the Writing Style Guide. (TUI Guide, n.d.) This is not an English course; however, errors in spelling, grammar and style will be penalized.

· Provide citations and references. Use of APA style is encouraged, but not required. Please see the TUI Writing Guide, or visit the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL, 2015).

· There is no page requirement. Write what you need to write, neither more nor less.

· Upload your SLP before the end of the module

DISCUSSION

Global Logistics and Single Sourcing

· Reflect in ePortfolio

· Submit Feedback

Actions for 'Global Logistics and Single Sourcing'

Previous Next

Show DescriptionHide Description

Discuss single-sourcing strategies. In the post-9/11 world, what are some of the advantages and risks of these strategies? Please explain, supporting statements of fact with citations and references.