Task: Assessment consists of analytical problems that students need to solve and comment on individually. These problems have been designed to assess the students' capability in solving real world supply chain management problems.
This task involves two parts. Firstly, a written review and analysis of an HBR case study in 2500 words (20 marks) and secondly, you are required to research and examine industry reports on Supply Chain Management over the past three years and provide a critique around issues and challenges faced by Supply chains within 2500 words in the form of an HBR article (20 marks).
Part 1: HBR Case Study
3D Printing - Jolts on SCM
As a basic requirement you will provide a mapping of the existing Supply Chain/Network of the focal firm involved along with its core functions and processes, including analysis and evaluation of the network involved in delivering its products and services to its customers. Further, you will evaluate and analyse your supply chain and propose a solution to the problems identified in the case study through examining similar companies operating in Australia or around the world using Design Sciences Research (DSR) principles as much as possible (article by Aken, Chandrsekharan and Halman, 2016) as well as business model innovation (Osterwalder and Pigneur). In this analysis please note any changes that may have occurred in the past 3-5 years of thebusiness operation, eg. deployment of new technology to deliver services, are intermediaries still an important part of the SC, or have sales moved direct to customer etc should be identified through research. Your recommended solution should take a systemic approach. Subsequently you will map the new Supply Chain/Network for the focal firm and associated stakeholders. Additionally, you are to propose a disruptive business model for the case in question underpinned by digital transformation, using the business model canvas toolkit and the DSR principles. In accessing your information you can refer to the company's website or any other published information relevant to the assignment. It will also be beneficial to use the available academic literature to establish any industry or sector trends, as well as have academicrobustness in your arguments.
Assignment Submission structure:
The assignment should have a clear structure and should have two separate parts. Each of the parts of Assessment 3 should be independent of each other, but must be submitted as one single assignment within one submission file.
1. Individual Assignment Title page (Provided cover sheet through UTSOnline)
For part 1 the assignment structure should be as follows:
2. Executive Summary
3. Content, analysis etc of the Case study
4. Recommendations, conclusion and managerial Implications
5. References and Appendices, if any
For Part 2 of assessment 3 please follow HBR article format and structure as provided on the HBR website as you will be judged on the 5 criteria's listed above.
Assignment Submission format:
- Use Font 12 Calibri with single line spacing and submit the Microsoft Word file only.
- Max word count is 5000 words inclusive of references covering both components - as a guide split word counts as 2500 each for Parts 1 & 2 respectively - Only submit one file with both parts included.
- For Part 1, a review of literature is required along with a critical and academically robust report wherein you need to include in-text citations of references from the SSCM literature as appropriate (Preferably 20-25 top tier journal articles - see ABDC journal list for identifying top-tier journals).
- Your focus should be on SSCM components eg. Network design, warehousing, distribution, logistics, sourcing, risk management, sustainability, use of emerging technology etc into your analysis.
- You can select a specific industry and build your argument around it. Examples of industries could be automotive, aerospace, biomedical, tourism, fashion, apparel manufacturing, resource sector, etc. or you can base your essay on SSCM general industry trends or a recent industry topic as long as it is topical and contemporary.
- Marking Criteria broadly includes
(1) relevance of your answer to the question or task set
(2) clarity of expression
(3) creativity/innovation
(4) citations beyond the given subject material as applicable to the 2 parts
(5) logical planning and sequence
(6) appropriate written and/or oral presentation of the work
(7) application of theory, practical insights, and useful recommendations for implementation ensuring learning objectives are attained.