Group Assignment 2013. - Zoomin

Rev AHm 2013-04-08
Group assignment
KPP241 - Supply Chain Management 2013
Your task is to, as a group separate from other groups, discuss and answer the questions below. The
questions are connected to different topics dealt with during the course.
As a group, discuss and answer the 21 questions below connected to topics dealt with during the
course.
The following must be formally referenced to in the answers to each of the questions:
● Scientific literature, e.g. the course book
● Lectures including study visits
But you are also encouraged to add results from other sources.
Summarize your discussions and compile your answers in a report. Use references according to given
information.
Latest time and size for hand in, all in Word format:
2013-05-20 (09:00) Group assignment (report). 6- 12 A4, 15000 – 30000 characters. On first report
page ALL participating members with full name. Reference lists to be incl. in the no. of characters,
but less than 10% of total
All hand ins are enclosed to e-mail to both Antti and Jessica: antti.salonen@mdh.se,
jessica.bruch@mdh.se. E-mail and each document MUST be titled:
“Group No.”, Group assignment, KPP241”, i.e. including your “Group No
There will also be a seminar related to the group assignment on May 22 (09.15-12.00) where you will
present and discuss your findings. Note that attendance to the seminar is mandatory and part of the
course examination. Also May 27 may be used for seminars. At the seminar the work groups will be
separated into mixed seminar groups. More information about the seminars will be given later in
course. / Good luck!
1. Find and list at least three different definitions of Supply Chain Management and discuss which
one you agree with the most. Motivate your choice(s).
2. A company manufactures cars. Analyse the company’s supply strategy using Kraljic’s matrix. What
are suitable relationship levels for different typical purchase items?
3. Identify one real case (type of product/producer) for each of the following delivery patterns:
a) Batch delivery to stock.
b) Direct delivery to production.
c) Delivery through logistics centre.
d) Vendor-managed inventory.
e) In-plant store.
f) Direct delivery to customer’s customer.
4. Referring to the logistics system, list and describe the:
a) different classes of processes
b) main flows
c) different players

Rev AHm 2013-04-08
5. A company sells furniture on the Internet. What sub-processes take place from ordering a sofa to
delivery at the customer’s house?
6. Air traffic is based on hub-and-spoke systems. Identify hubs and spokes for two different
international airlines and demonstrate strategies for increasing capacity in such systems.
7. How can mathematical models be used as a means of optimizing transportation within supply
chains? Illustrate your discussion using an example.
8. Describe how does the ‘polluter pays’ principle influence throughout the supply chain; from
supplier, product development, manufacturing, distribution and retail.
9. What are the benefits with remanufacturing? Try to expand your answer to the non-obvious
benefits as well.
10. Considering a specific product, e.g. vehicle engine, which are the determining factors when
determining the design of the reverse supply chain (should it be recycled, remanufactured, reused,
sent to landfill?)?
11. Describe the main structure and function of the Intermodal Terminal (sv: kombiterminalen) in
Hällby in Eskilstuna. List your main lessons learned from the visit and what/if anything surprised you.
12. Describe the Bullwhip-effect (Beer game).
13. What is logistics/supply chain planning. Explain the major planning areas within logistics/supply
chain system.
14. “Manufacturing Planning” and “Forecasting” both can be made either manually or software
supported. Which of these approaches (manual or software supported) is your preferred approach
for each, and why.
15. Describe the main structure and function of the Eskilstuna Logistics Park in Kjula in Eskilstuna. List
your main lessons learned from the visit and what/if anything surprised you.
16. What has been the importance of the development of the internet for logistics and supply chain
management? Discuss how the internet can create opportunities for efficient logistics and supply
chain solutions.
17. List aspects on which a supplier can be evaluated. For three companies of your choice, list what
aspects/supplier features you think is of most importance for that company depending on what you
know about the company, its products, reputation, trademarks etc. (a basic example: Bang & Olufsen
is famous for exclusive products, therefore is probably quality one of their main requirements).
18. What kind of challenges could a Swedish company meet when starting up, and having,
collaboration with a Chinese supplier? (or vice versa)
19. Describe why cross-docking is an enabling technology for efficient product replenishment and
efficient consumer response.
20. What impact on demands can centralized warehousing have within the whole logistics system?
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of centralized warehousing.
21. How can the Six Sigma methodology be used to improve a supply chain?