37) Distinguish between first-tier and second-tier suppliers in a supply chain and provide an
example.
38) Supply chains have been in existence for over a century. What is different about supply
chains in the 21st century from those in existence 100 years ago?
1) Electronic commerce refers to the use of information technology solutions to automate
business transactions.
2) The drive for efficiency has decreased the level of globalization in the world economy.
3) E-commerce is the component of a supply chain that is the most susceptible to breakdown.
4) To avoid supply chain problems, firms must manage relationships with their downstream
suppliers as well as their upstream customers.
5) Which of these statements about recent trends in operations and supply chain management is
best?
A) A lower level of competition exists thanks to an increased level of globalization.
B) The rate of change in markets is actually lower once inflation is factored in.
C) Managers tend to make decisions with less information than they used to.
D) Customers demand for standardization in goods and services has increased.
6) An electronic commerce system:
A) is used to transmit information upstream only.
B) can improve the speed and quality of business communication.
C) is used to transmit information downstream only.
D) links everyone in the supply chain except customers.
7) Which of the following is NOT a trend in operations management?
A) increased use of electronic commerce
B) increased globalization
C) decreased delivery times
D) decreased customization
8) Efforts to improve cooperation among firms in the supply chain can be characterized as:
A) globalization.
B) domestic focus.
C) relationship management.
D) electronic commerce.
9) Among all supply chain functions, ________ is the most susceptible to breakdown.
A) production
B) logistics
C) supplier selection
D) relationship management
10) ________ is the use of information technology solutions to conduct business via electronic
transfer of data and documents.
11) ________ is the term that describes efforts to improve operations by increasing supply chain
members’ willingness to cooperate.
12) Briefly discuss the three important trends in business that have focused attention on
operations and supply chain management.
13) What is the most impactful trend in supply chain management over the last quarter century?
Justify your choice.
14) Of all the activities of supply chain management, which poses the greatest challenge and
why? Cite examples in popular media.
15) Which of the major operations and supply chain activities do not deal directly with
customers? Explain why this is so.
1) The professional society for persons interested in operations and supply chain management is
called APICS.
2) Forecasting counts suppliers and customers among its key interorganizational participants.
3) Scheduling and managing the flow of work through an organization and supply chain belongs
to the logistics function of a supply chain.
4) There is no need for an organizational interface between the finance function and the
operations and supply chain management function.
5) The organization that provides national and institutional leadership in purchasing and
materials management is:
A) APICS.
B) ISM.
C) CLM.
D) ASQ.
6) Which job title would be given to someone responsible for supervising production in a
manufacturing setting?
A) Supply chain manager
B) Production manager
C) Supplier development manager
D) Purchasing manager
7) What are the primary duties of a logistics manager?
A) Creating timely, cost effective import/export supply chains
B) Managing private, third party and contract carriage systems to ensure timely delivery and
cost-effective transportation
C) Using analytical and quantitative methods to understand, predict and improve processes
D) Identifying global sources of materials, selecting suppliers and managing ongoing
relationships
8) Which department is least likely to interact with the purchasing function?
A) Engineering
B) Finance
C) Human resources
D) Operations
9) A(n) ________ acquires knowledge in a specific market in which the organization purchases
significant quantities of materials and services.
10) A)n) ________ plans and controls production in a manufacturing setting.
11) The ________ is a leader in education and all aspects of quality improvement.
12) ________ is an operations activity with the purpose of designing and implementing the
transformation processes that best meet the needs of the customer and firm.
13) The ________ function of an organization manages the movement of physical goods
throughout the supply chain.
14) Choose any two non-operations business functions. Provide examples of an operations or
supply chain activity that interfaces directly with each business function you have chosen.