Question 1

Describe the major arguments put forth by Edward Deming.

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Question 2

There are five strategic levels for global purchasing that can be undertaken by a global company. At which level do companies engage in international purchasing activities as part of the firm's overall supply chain management strategy?

Accepted Answer

There are five strategic levels for global purchasing that can be undertaken by a global company. Companies at level III engage in international purchasing activities as part of the firm's overall supply chain management strategy. As such, at the level III stage, companies begin to recognize that a well-formulated and well-executed worldwide international purchasing strategy can be very effective in elevating the firm's competitive edge in the marketplace.

Question 3

Discuss the strategic objectives of the production and logistics functions of an international firm.

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Question 4

A major aspect of a(n) _____ is a belief in global learning-the idea that valuable knowledge does not reside just in a firm's domestic operations.

Accepted Answer

A major aspect of a transnational strategy is a belief in global learning-the idea that valuable knowledge does not reside just in a firm's domestic operations; it may also be found in its foreign subsidiaries. Foreign factories that upgrade their capabilities over time are creating valuable knowledge that might benefit the whole corporation.

Question 5

The process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods, and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value or proper disposal.

Accepted Answer

Reverse logistics is the process of planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, cost-effective flow of raw materials, in-process inventory, finished goods, and related information from the point of consumption to the point of origin for the purpose of recapturing value or proper disposal.

Question 6

What are the three main factors that affect the decision of locating production?

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Question 7

The typical _____ is dedicated to the production of a family of parts or products through the use of four to six machines capable of performing various operations.

Accepted Answer

Flexible machine cells are a common flexible manufacturing technology. A flexible machine cell is a grouping of various types of machinery, a common materials handler, and a centralized cell controller (computer). Each cell normally contains four to six machines capable of performing various operations. The typical cell is dedicated to the production of a family of parts or products. The settings on machines are computer controlled. This allows each cell to switch quickly between the production of different parts or products.

Question 8

Discuss the effect of country factors on the decision of where to locate production?

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Question 9

A multinational corporation uses both its own employees from inside the firm and an external supplier to perform certain tasks, often in concert with each other.

Accepted Answer

Co-sourcing occurs when a multinational corporation uses both its own employees from inside the firm and an external supplier to perform certain tasks, often in concert with each other.

Question 10

_____ is the outer packaging envelope that allows for easier handling or product transfer among international suppliers, manufacturers, distribution centers, retailers, and any other intermediaries in the global supply chain.

Accepted Answer

Unit-load packaging-through palletizing, shrink-wrapping, or containerization-is the outer packaging envelope that allows for easier handling or product transfer among international suppliers, manufacturers, distribution centers, retailers, and any other intermediaries in the global supply chain.

Question 11

Briefly describe the Six Sigma methodology.

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Question 12

When a multinational corporation buys products or services from one of its suppliers that produces them somewhere else, whether domestically or globally, it is referred to as _____.

Accepted Answer

Outsourcing refers to when a multinational corporation buys products or services from one of its suppliers that produces them somewhere else, whether domestically or globally. In that sense, it also refers to external purchasing in relation to purchasing strategy.

Question 13

_____ implies that a firm may be able to customize its product range to suit the needs of different customer groups without bearing a cost penalty.

Accepted Answer

The term mass customization has been coined to describe the ability of companies to use flexible manufacturing technology to reconcile two goals that were once thought to be incompatible: low cost and product customization. Mass customization implies that a firm may be able to customize its product range to suit the needs of different customer groups without bearing a cost penalty. Research suggests that the adoption of flexible manufacturing technologies may increase efficiency and lower unit costs relative to what can be achieved by the mass production of a standardized output.

Question 14

Packaging is intended to achieve a set of multilayered functions, which can be grouped into (1) perform, (2) protect, and (3) inform. Which of the following is one of the functions of the "perform" group?

Accepted Answer

Packaging is intended to achieve a set of multilayered functions. These can be grouped into (1) perform, (2) protect, and (3) inform. Perform refers to (1) the ability of the product in the package to handle being transported between nodes in the global supply chain, (2) the ability of the product to be stored for typical lengths of time for a particular product category, and (3) the package providing the convenience expected by both the supply chain partners and the end-customers. The other items listed refer to the "protect" group of functions.

Question 15

_____ refers to shared decision-making opportunities and operational collaboration of key global supply chain activities.

Accepted Answer

Global supply chain coordination refers to shared decision-making opportunities and operational collaboration of key global supply chain activities.

Question 16

_____ refers to the movement of raw material, component parts, and finished goods throughout the global supply chain.

Accepted Answer

Transportation refers to the movement of raw material, component parts, and finished goods throughout the global supply chain. It typically represents the largest percentage of any logistics budget and an even greater percentage for global companies because of the distances involved.

Question 17

What is logistics? Discuss the relationship between production and logistics.

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Question 18

There are five strategic levels for global purchasing that can be undertaken by a global company. At which level do companies engage in global purchasing activities that are integrated across worldwide locations and functional groups?

Accepted Answer

There are five strategic levels for global purchasing that can be undertaken by a global company. Level V involves engaging in global purchasing activities that are integrated across worldwide locations and functional groups. Broadly, this means that the firm integrates and coordinates the purchasing of common items, purchasing processes, and supplier selection efforts globally, for example.

Question 19

Packaging, which comes in all shapes, sizes, forms, and uses, can be divided into three different types:

Accepted Answer

Packaging comes in all shapes, sizes, forms, and uses. It can be divided into three different types: primary, secondary, and transit.

Question 20

How does the type of technology a firm uses affect its decision of where to locate production?

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Quiz 17: Global Production and Supply Chain Management