MMM267 Business Logistics

Task Requirements:

In the Final Report, your aim is to explain further and critically analyse the SC challenges faced by a company of your choice and provide recommendations using relevant theories covered in this Unit. You must use relevant SC theories and concepts, empirical research literature plus non-academic resources (including textbook and organisation website) in support of your analysis.

This formal, academic report must adopt an analytical and critical perspective. You need to research your organisation thoroughly using non-academic sources, research the literature on supply chain management (SCM), use a wide range of theories and concepts to inform and underpin your critical analysis of the practical information obtained about the organisation, and offer recommendations for future improvements.

Please choose ONE of the following business organisations for your Final Report:

-  Mazda (automobile manufacturer)

Write a 2000 (+/- 10%) word research report critically analysing the current SCM challenges that are affecting your chosen organization or its industry. In your report, you are expected to demonstrate appropriate understanding and usage of relevant theories and concepts covered in this Unit.

Tasks for the Final Report:

1. Building on Task 3 of Progress Report, discuss two key challenges (pp. 24-25 of your textbook and/or LO13-3 of Chapter 13) of supply chain management using theories such as customers, technology, workforce, globalization, sustainability, optimizing supply chain affecting your chosen organization or its industry. These challenges could be either faced by your chosen organization and/or are relevant to the industry of your chosen organisation.

-  To know more about theories of supply chain challenges, begin your research by reading Chapter 1 and Chapter 13 of your textbook.

-  To find examples of challenges/risks, research your chosen organization’s website and/or any other non-academic sources.

-  Write one paragraph on each challenge. Each paragraph should provide a clear topic sentence and explain theory using examples of challenges/risks from your chosen organization.

-  Citations required; approx. 600 words; 300 words on each challenge; 10 marks

2. Drawing on your response to Task 1 in this section, provide two recommendations to overcome the current SCM challenges identified in Task 1

-  To meet the requirements of critical analysis, each recommendation should be justified with evidence of research and support from academic sources such as textbook and journal articles. Each recommendation must be backed up with appropriate theories.

-  Write one paragraph on each recommendation. Each paragraph should provide a clear topic sentence and supported by theory.

-  Citations required; approx. 400 words; 200 words on each recommendation; 5 marks