3. Consumers have much more influence in the marketplace today. What factors have led to this "empowered consumer" situation? How has this factor changed supply chains in the last 10 to 15 years? Will this influence continue, and what will be the impact on supply chains?

6. Supply chain managers should be concerned about four flows in their organizations.
Describe these four flows and why they are important. How are they related to each other?

7. During the 1980s and 1990s, managing the transportation function in supply chains was recognized as being important but not critical. Has this perspective changed, and, if so, how and why? What special challenges does transportation face in the future?

9. Why is information so important in supply chains? What are the challenges to the successful development and implementation of effective information? What is the role of technology and information management?

1.What interactions need to take place among the marketing, manufacturing, logistics, and finance departments? Explain the logistics department's role in the introduction of the new product.

2. Why is it necessary for the logistics department to be cognizant of all the details (quantity, timing) of the new product introduction?

Chapter 2 Study Questions

2. Why is logistics important on a macro level, and what contributions does logistics make in the economy?

3. How does logistics add value in the economy? How does logistics add value for firms?

5. Compare and contrast the four major subdivisions of logistics discussed in this chapter.

6. Explain the relationship between manufacturing and logistics. What are the tradeoffs between the two areas?

8. Logistics encompasses a relatively large number of managerial activities. Discuss five of these activities and why they are important to logistic systems.