DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Part 1

1. Discuss situations in which each of these supply chains might be the appropriate choice for a firm:

a. International distribution systems.
b. International suppliers.
c. Offshore manufacturing.
d. Fully integrated global supply chain.

2. Discuss a recent example of an unknown-unknown risk that proved damaging to a supply chain. Explain specifically how each of the following strategies might have mitigated this risk:

a. Invest in redundancy.
b. Increase velocity in sensing and responding.
c. Create an adaptive supply chain community.

3. You are the CEO of a small electronics manufacturing firm that is about to develop a global strategy. Would you prefer a speculative strategy, a hedge strategy, or a flexible strategy? Would your answer to this question change if you were the CEO of a large electronics firm?

4. Discuss some examples of regional products and of true global products. What is it about the products that makes them better suited to being regional or global products?

5. You are the manager of a regional bakery. Contrast the issues you would face if your firm is located in each of the following countries:

a. Belgium
b. Russia
c. Singapore
d. Canada
e. Argentina
f. Nigeria

6. Answer these questions about the case at the beginning of this chapter:

a. Other than a need to expand, what other reasons would Wal-Mart have for opening stores globally?
b. Why would it be beneficial for Wal-Mart to have suppliers in different countries?
c. Why would Wal-Mart want strong centralized control of its stores? Why would Wal-Mart want strong local control of stores?
d. What pitfalls and opportunities, other than those mentioned in this case, will Wal-Mart face over the next few years?

Part 2

1. List two low clock speed products, two medium clock speed products, and two fast clock speed products.

2. How does a low clock speed impact the product design strategy? How about a fast clock speed?

3. Give an example of a product appropriate for each of the boxes in Figure 11-3.

4. Discuss some examples of products that are designed to lower shipping and storage costs.

5. How does the proliferation of products, models, and options make the supply chain more difficult to manage?

6. What are the advantages of downward substitution? What are the disadvantages?

7. What are some products or industries that have been damaged by excessive part standardization?

8. Discuss some examples of modular and nonmodular products and processes.

9. How do standardization strategies help managers deal with demand variability and the difficulty of making accurate forecasts?

10.What are the advantages and disadvantages of integrating suppliers into the product development process?

11.You are the CEO of a medium-sized apparel manufacturer, and you are considering a mass customization strategy for some of your products. How will you decide which, if any, of your products are appropriate candidates for mass customization?

Part 3

1. In what way is a universal power supply a postponement strategy?

2. What are the costs and benefits of a universal power supply (feel free to make assumptions)?

3. How would such costs and benefits be different over the product life cycle?

4. Besides deciding on a universal power supply, what other operational improvements can you suggest to HP Boise?

5. What would be your recommendations about the adoption of a universal power supply?