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习题答案
Discussion Questions
1. Howdo you define logistics in terms of your own contexts of country, culture andlifestyle?
Supply chain management refers to the planningand management of all activities involved in sourcing and procurement,conversion, and all logistics management activities. Importantly, it alsoincludes coordination and collaboration with channel partners, which can besuppliers, intermediaries, third-party service providers, and customers. Inessence, supply chain management integrates supply and demand management withinand across companies. However, there are many cultural differences across aglobal supply chain including for example the efficiency and effectiveness ofdifferent countries according to their economic development and country tradepractices. This discussion can set a tone for the class and also lead intoissues discussed further in chapter 11.
2. Do you agree that logistics is a sub-set ofsupply chain management, i.e. the unionist view, and if not why do you prefereither the re-labelling or intersection view?
Theunionist concept considers that logistics is a sub-set of SCM due to a widersupply chain and business process perspective of SCM. Indeed, the CSCMPdefinition above represents a unionist view. However, do some students considerthat SCM is nothing more than a re-labelling of logistics due to a lack ofunderstanding of what SMC is, or an attempt to differentiate oneself fromlogistics? Further, are logistics and SCM fundamentally different such thatthey intersect in certain areas but not in others? This discussion, whichincludes figure 1.2, should demonstrate levels of understanding in the classregarding the concepts and functional areas within each topic.
3. How might the history of military logistics inform businesslogistics in the 21st century?
Anexample from the American Civil War is provided to show the detail required ina military supply chain. Some might argue that military supply chains were thefirst to consider concepts of lean and just-in-time, agility and strategy toeffect good military campaigns. Such concepts are part of modern businesssupply chains and of course nowadays there is interaction between the militaryand businesses to share best-practice learning. The discussion can also beextended to critical incidents stemming from natural disasters such asearthquakes and floods to consider how the military, and businesses andnon-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross or Red Crescent, cometogether to undertake humanitarian relief efforts.
4. Based on the ongoing recession in thissecond decade of the new Millennium, what do you believe will happen to logisticscosts around the globe in the next few years and why?
The cost of logistics and SCM has been fallingsince the 1970s as businesses have enjoyed efficiencies in operations asdiscussed in chapter 9, due in part to firms sourcing and manufacturingglobally to reduce labour and materials costs. However, as noted in chapter 11global supply chains have become more costly and recent trends indicate thatsome firms may be sourcing closer to their home nations. Further, priceincreases in raw materials and oil increase business risk as discussed in chapter13.
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