Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Assessment - Individual Report - Analyse and evaluate the supply chain and logistics operations of a nominated enterprise

Assessment brief

You are to research only one (1) of the two (2) nominated organisations and then write a comprehensive report that describes, analyses and evaluates the supply chain and the associated logistics operations of that organisation.

Your report should concentrate on providing valid information that contributes to answering the following questions.

1. What is the history of the enterprise?

2. In what markets does the organisation operate and what is the scope of its operations?

3. Using both a descriptive narrative and a supporting diagram to illustrate your answer, what are the characteristics of the organisation's supply chain and logistical operational activity?

4. What are three (3) activities that the organisation is using to ensure its supply chain is sustainable and in what ways is the organisation influencing all elements of its supply chain to adopt sustainable practices?

5. How does the organisation collaborate with its suppliers and logistics partners to ensure end-customer satisfaction with its products or services?

You are expected to conduct your own research to help you answer these questions. As an indication, a satisfactory level of research would be evidenced by the presence of at least 12 references in the Reference List. Your Reference List must be formatted strictly to the Harvard style.

Your reference material may be in the form of texts, academic journals, business journals and reports, organisational websites and reports, newspapers, magazine articles and even transcripts of television and radio interviews and investigations.

On-line sources of information that have no established academic reliability such as Wikipedia, Slideshare, Business balls etc. are to be avoided.

When writing a formal business report, your submission must conform to the conventions that underpin the report structure. Every report should have the following sections:

• Title page
• Table of contents
• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Recommendations (if appropriate)
• References
• Appendices

You can decide early on which enterprise you will investigate and then use your lectures, tutorials and other reading to help you start to compile your report.

You are also advised to collaborate closely with your lecturer to seek advice on how to progress your research, analyse the enterprise and structure your report. This is not an assignment you can successfully complete at the last minute. It requires a disciplined approach over the first seven weeks of the trimester and this includes availing yourself of the opportunity to consult your lecturer in the Study Week.

The two organisations that can be used as the focus for analysis are:

1. IKEA, or
2. Unilever