Assignment

Objective: This essay provides you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of supply chains, tradeoffs in supply chains and the value of coordination across the supply chain.Introduction: The supply chain is comprised of multiple links from production to final sale of a product to an end-user. Along the way, products are stored, delivered, placed into inventory and otherwise handled. Reducing costs along the supply chain provides opportunities to increase value to customers and increase profitability to sellers. The logistics involved in the supply chain are especially complex when international trade is involved.Deliverables: The essay for this lesson is required to be a minimum of 750 words that clearly demonstrate your understanding of the activity. Essays should have a clear introduction, thesis statement and conclusion, written in APA format (APAstyle.org). A minimum of three sources must be cited in-text and in the Reference list.

Activity Details:

Step 1: Read the following questions, and use what you have learned about this lesson's objective to summarize your responses.

Explain the steps in the strategic sourcing process.

What impact did the negative image of quality at American manufacturers versus Japanese manufacturers have on American supply chain practices?

How did American firms respond?

How can a business best use its resources to achieve coordination in an entire supply chain network?