Supply Chains are only of interest to the customers when they go wrong

The truth of the above statement is shown for instance in the latest scandal over horsemeat in processed meat products. The inclusion of horsemeat in branded food products without the knowledge of the supermarkets, the processors and their customers has caused significant reputational and financial damage to the industry.

1. By taking as an example a Supply Chain that you are familiar with, identify and discuss the major obstacles that must be overcome to manage that Supply Chain successfully (60% of the overall assignment grade).

2. How should purchasers (or buyers) within your chosen Supply Chain prepare for potential breakdowns in their Supply Chain? (40% of the overall assignment grade).

Typical examples of Supply Chains may include: production of fresh milk, automobile manufacturing, outpatient appointments or accident and emergency departments in public hospitals, banking services, supermarkets etc.

Some of the data for this assignment may be live’; for instance the horsemeat scandal was reported extensively in the newspapers, on the media and also in parliamentary accounts. You should use these sources for information on what may go wrong with your Supply Chain. Material for most Supply Chains is easily available and is included in books and articles. Theory of supply chain strategies, relationships and response to breakdown is to be found in textbooks and peer review journal articles.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
The maximum word count is 2500 words (+/- 10%). You will also need to take the following into account when completing your assignment:

€¢    Quality of executive summary (does it give a brief complete summary of your paper for an executive to read?)
€¢    Establishment of relevant theory (e.g. what do we mean by supply chain obstacles?)
€¢    Allocation of credit and sources used (have I included references and citations to the material I have used?)
€¢    Clarity of argument
€¢    Overall report presentation including spelling and grammar
€¢    Adherence to nominated word limit (+/- 10%)
€¢    Word processed (letter size 12, times new roman, 1.5 space), fully referenced (Harvard Referencing System)