Supply Chain and Logistics Management Assignment -

Learning Outcomes of the Module - On completion of this module the student should be able to:

1. Understand the place and role of supply chain and logistics as operational functions of business organisation

2. Describe the main constituent parts of logistics and supply chain management.

3. Comprehend basic concepts of inventory management, warehousing, forecasting, quality management and the information systems in supply chain management.

4. Demonstrate the ability to identify problems and tasks, critically analyse situation and recommend a solution within the supply chain and logistic functional framework.

5. Understand the interconnectivity of logistics with other business functions including marketing, information technology, quality management and operations.

Case - TRANSFER OF CARGO ACTIVITIES FROM MUSCAT TO SOHAR CRITICAL TO BOOSTING TOURISM AND FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Questions to be answered by the student and Special Instructions:

Read the case above, students are required to select one logistics/supply chain company or service provider or similar logistics related institution in Oman and familiarize themselves with that institution's systems and operations fully so as to do the assignment as required. This is without exception. This assignment is very much hands-on and application based in line with current Oman and global trends and thrust to get students fully immersed in industrial functions of their discipline well before they graduate and bridge the theory-industry/practice gap for strategic fit and compliance. Students are required to visit the selected organisation to interview management on all functional areas before answering the assignment. The analysis will be based on the interviews and other secondary data to be collected by the student. An interview script must be attached as an appendix at the end of the assignment as proof and you state clearly who was interviewed and his/her position in the company.

Q1. Linking with the above case do a comprehensive history of the systems, procedures, market, suppliers, support industries and operations of the chosen organization and how they have been affected by the movement of shipping to Sohar Port. Then do a comprehensive SWOT analysis of the selected company/organization then analyse the challenges and opportunities facing the organization, and their causes, and offer possible solutions as a logistics and supply chain student. Interviewing management is a requirement and would help shed light on most issues, besides your own experience in researching the organization. Justify your answer with applied examples right through. (Doing a comprehensive history of the systems, procedures, market, support industries and operations of the chosen organization and SWOT Analysis and how they have been affected by the movement of shipping to Sohar Port attracts 16 marks and analysis of the major challenges and opportunities facing the company in the logistics and supply chain field and their causes, with reasons why these challenges are there).

Q2. The emergency of Duqm as a Special Economic Zone has completely shaken Oman and created a hussle and bussle in economic activities in Duqm. You are required to do an analysis of the impact on the Oman economy of the establishment of Duqm as a Special Economic Zone (covering opportunities and challenges faced). You must interview either Duqm Muscat Office or the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry or Ministry of Industry and Commerce or Ithraa or ASYAD or Oman Logistics Centre or Tanfeedh to get required answers. An interview script must be attached as an appendix at the end of the assignment as proof of interview and you state clearly who was interviewed and his/her position in the company. (Critical analysis of the impact on the Oman economy of the establishment of Duqm as a Special Economic Zone attracts and critically explaining what opportunities and challenges do they face and how the challenges could be overcome and opportunities exploited to the maximum attracts).

Q3. Get import and export figures for Oman plus FDI figures for Oman from 2013-2017. Critically relate those figures to the above case and analyse those figures, trends and dynamics and explain why Oman is lagging behind United Arab Emirates in the logistics sector. Critically explain what Oman needs to do to attract global and local investment in logistics, industry growth, innovation, R & D, dynamism, maximize confidence and expansion. Issues related to easy of doing business, new business registration turnaround, new business formation cost and rules and commitment/attitude/competence of government bureaucrats need to be addressed versus world best practice and GCC competitors. (Critically relating those figures to the above case and analysing those figures, trends and dynamics and explaining why Oman is lagging behind United Arab Emirates in the logistics sector is 14 marks, and critically explaining what Oman needs to do to attract global and local investment in logistics, industry growth, innovation, R & D, dynamism, maximize confidence and expansion attracts).

Journal articles: Students are required to use a minimum of ten (10) relevant journal articles in the body of the assignment and reference them correctly under Reference section. Any assignment without the required journal articles will not qualify for A Grade as a rule.

Attachment:- Assignment Files.rar