Assignment
Assuming the role of consultant to the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Timbuk2, review the case scenario on page 43 of your text, and then select two peer-reviewed articles and two industry-generated articles to support your analysis. Create a case analysis for the COO that critically evaluates the actions taken at Timbuk2. Be sure to structure your paper in a way that clearly addresses the following five elements:
1. Introduction - Summarize the internal and external factors leading to the Timbuk2 decision to source assembly in China. Keep in mind that this exercise offers you the opportunity to apply course concepts to the situation at hand and to demonstrate a high level of critical thinking in all aspects of the assignment.
2. Literature Review - Identify published opinion within each of the four required articles that supports your position(s) on each topic.
3. Analysis - Review the decision to make some of the Timbuk2 products in China. Do you affirm or disagree with this strategy? What do you believe will be the longer-term impact of this sourcing decision on quality, sales, and employee welfare?
4. Synthesis - Identify and recommend strategies to move the company not only to a position of maintaining current levels of quality and sales, but improving in each of these measures of success.
5. Conclusion - Present a summary of information and recommended solutions with consideration given to the implementation of strategy and the implications for sustainability.
Length: 5-7 pages, not including assignment coversheet, title page, and reference page(s). Use topic section headings for each of the five elements listed above. Remember to cite your sources within the text of your document. If you have in-text citations, they must appear on the references page.
Your response should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by providing new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should also reflect professional business writing and current APA standards.