1. Chapter 2 – Operations and Supply Chain Strategy Text Overview Discussion Questions
2. Operations function (pgs. 18 – 20). How is value created by operations and supply chains? (3 pts.)
3. Operations Strategies (pgs. 20 – 25). Distinguish amongst them. (4 pts.)
4. Corporate and Business Strategies (pgs. 21, 22). Discuss them. (3 pts.)
5. Strategic Alternatives (pg. 26 – 28). Distinguish between Imitator and
6. Innovator (4 pts.)
7. Note: Questions below will not be graded, but can be discussed with me.
8. Distinctive Competence (pgs. 24, 25, 28). What is meant by the term?
9. Supply Chain Strategy should be aimed at achieving sustainable competitive
10. advantage for the entire chain (pgs. 30 – 32). Why shouldn’t each firm’s focus be on themselves?

Chapter 16 – Supply Chain Decisions

 Text Overview Discussion Questions

1. Supply Chain (pg. 343). Define the term (3 pts.)
2. Sketch a working example of the Supply Chain (3 pts.)
3. Discuss primary metrics for SC Performance measurement (pg. 347). (4 pts.)
4. Extra Credit: SC Risk and Resilience (pgs. 358 – 361). Discuss the 3 aspects
5. of a SC Mitigation Framework. Give reasoning for each. (4 pts.)

Note: Question below will not be graded, but can be discussed with me

E. Functional Silos span departments and aspects of a firm (pg. 352). Look at the

PPT set (slide 7) for a representation of them. In the past, these were found to impede cross-functional decision-making (pg. 11). Discuss how this occurs in the real world, with an example.

SCM 371 – Wk. 2 DQ Set Page 1 of 2

SCM 371 Operations Management

1. Issues in Supply Chain Management: Progress and Potential
2. What is a Supply Chain (pg. 5)? (3 pts.)
3. Previously, supply chains were thought to be completely independent of one
4. another. Now they often use same suppliers and even have same customers
5. (pgs. 1, 2, 5, 6, 10). How can firms compete if that takes place? (4 pts.)
6. If the supply chain is large, how can the firm effectively manage to improve
7. customer loyalty (pgs. 7, 8, 9)? (3 pts.)
8. Note: Question below will not be graded, but can be discussed with me. D. How does the consumer benefit from a Supply Chain (pg. 5)?
9. Using ISO 14001 to Promote a Sustainable SC Strategy
10. What does the standard represent (pg. 71, 73)? (3 pts.)
11. How much emphasis should be placed on Competitive Advantage (pg. 72)?
12. Discuss why? (3 pts.)
13. Extra Credit: Some firms can actually see whether or not their efforts
14. facilitate Competitive Advantage. Give two working examples. (4 pts.)