【文章內(nèi)容簡介】 for redeployment by revising the supply chain arrangement. Free capital can be reinvested in other projects that would have otherwise not been considered. 10. Discuss and support the following argument: Supply chain arrangements may reduce consumer value.A somewhat more abstract but often cited potential downside of supply chain management could be labeled the dark side of collaboration. The argument is that the public does not benefit across the board from supply chain efficiency. Supply chain criticism es in two parts. First, the line of reasoning is that operating efficiency does not automatically translate to or guarantee lower consumer prices. Firms that collaborate may individually or collectively make larger profits and thereby generate large shareholder wealth. However, no mechanisms exist to guarantee that efficiencies will be passed on to consumers in the form of lower retail prices. In fact, the supporting logic is that as supply chains. The second criticism of supply chain arrangements builds on the premise that operating efficiency may not always be socially equitable. The argument questions the benefits of more precise matching of supply to demand in terms of the overall reduction in surplus goods.Chapter2：1. Illustrate a mon tradeoff that occurs between the work areas of logistics.Any illustration that demonstrates an inherent tradeoff between information, inventory, transportation, warehousing, material handling or packaging is acceptable. The following are a few examples of such tradeoffs:Information is increasingly being used as a substitute for inventory. For instance, a warehouse manager that is in constant contact with a supplier of his/her stocks need not hold traditional, high levels of inventory. By being “connected”, the supplier realizes when the warehouse is in need of product and can make acmodations of product processing and shipping accordingly. Improved, faster means of transportation also prevent manufacturers and merchandisers from holding high levels of inventory. Poor packaging can lead to product damage in transit. Management should either improve packaging or seek a transportation mode that is more stable and less damageinducing. Regardless, greater costs will be incurred upfront – though they are likely to be offset with reduced costs of product recollection and rework. 2. Discuss and elaborate the following statement: The selection of a superior location network can create substantial petitive advantage.The statement “The selection of Superior location network can create substantial petitive advantage” holds true with regard to logistical networks. The network design implies customer service and cost considerations. Added value (and perhaps a petitive advantage) may be derived from the “intimacy” of being located near customers. Networks that strive for the highest levels of effectiveness (superior service performance) often do so at significantly higher expense. Networks may also be designed for efficient product flows in order to lower transportation and inventory holding costs. Depending upon the petitive environment in which a firm operates, petitive advantage may result from either being located near the customers to provide superior service or through low cost service with the costefficient network design.3. Why are customeracmodation operations typically more erratic than manufacturing support and procurement operations?Market or physical distribution operations are typically more erratic because they are initiated by the customer, whose behavior cannot be controlled by the firm. Manufacturing and procurement operations, on the other hand, are initiated by the firm and considered to be within the firm’s span of control. However, better munications between the logistics organization and customers can reduce the uncertainty and erratic nature of marketdistribution operations. 4. How has transportation cost, as a percentage of total logistics cost, tracked since 1980The transportation costs as a percentage of total logistics costs in US has increased over the last 20 years. In 1980, the percentage was approximately 47 percent and this has increased to over 63 percent in 2004. Therefore transportation represents a significant portion of the overall logistics cost.5. Describe the logistics value proposition. Be specific regarding specific customer acmodation and cost.Logistical value proposition is a cost framework that aims to match of operating petency and mitment to meet the individual of selected groups of customers’ expectations and requirements. A welldesigned logistical network must have high customer response with low operational variance and minimum inventory mitment. However the binations will be different for different groups. Well designed and operated logistical system can help firms to achieve petitive advantage.6. Describe the fundamental similarities and differences between procurement, manufacturing support and customeracmodation performance cycles as they relate to logistical control.Procurement performance cycles consist of the many activities that maintain the flow of materials, parts, or finished goods into a manufacturing or distribution facility. The scope of procurement activities is limited. Although similar to the customer order processing cycle, shipments are generally larger and cycles often require much more time. Maintaining raw materials inventory is sometimes less expensive relative to finished goods, since time of delivery and material security is often less sensitive into facility than out to the customer. Another difference is that the number of suppliers of a firm is generally less than the number of customers, making the procurement cycle more direct.Manufacturing support performance cycles serve as the logistics of production. These functions maintain orderly and economic flow of materials and workinprocess inventory to support production schedules. The