Week 08 - Quiz (LSCM)

Which of the following is a primary characteristic of a "Global Pipeline" in supply chain management?

• Short, predictable lead times.

• Reduced need for pipeline inventory.

• Extended lead times and increased complexity due to international borders.

• Uniform regulatory environments across all regions.

A key driver for companies to engage in global supply chain management (globalization) is often to:

• Strictly limit their market to domestic consumers.

• Avoid any form of supply chain risk.

• Access lower labor costs or tap into new, growing international markets.

• Reduce the overall variability of lead times.

One of the significant challenges in managing a global pipeline, stemming from increased distances and multiple handoffs, is:

• Decreased reliance on third-party logistics providers (3PLs).

• Reduced pipeline inventory.

• Diminished visibility and control over goods in transit.

• Simplified customs and regulatory procedures.

How do currency fluctuations primarily impact a global supply chain?

• They simplify payment processes for all transactions.

• They solely reduce transportation costs.

• They can affect the cost of purchasing materials from foreign suppliers and the profitability of international sales.

• They eliminate the need for customs documentation.

Which strategy is most effective for enhancing end-to-end visibility within a complex global supply chain?

• Relying on manual updates from individual partners.

• Implementing advanced tracking systems (e.g., IoT, GPS) and integrated IT platforms.

• Reducing the number of distinct products offered.

• Centralizing all inventory in a single global warehouse.

"Postponement" is a particularly useful strategy in global supply chains because it allows companies to:

• Ship all finished goods directly from a single factory to global customers.

• Delay final product customization until closer to the target market, reducing finished goods inventory risk and improving responsiveness.

• Eliminate the need for any regional distribution centers.

• Purchase all raw materials from a single, distant supplier.

When designing a global supply network, placing Regional Distribution Centers (RDCs) closer to customers typically aims to:

• Increase the overall lead time for delivery.

• Reduce total inventory costs by pooling.

• Enhance responsiveness to local market demands and customer service.

• Centralize all production operations.

To mitigate geopolitical risks and supply disruptions in a global pipeline, a common strategy is:

• Increasing reliance on a single, low-cost supplier.

• Avoiding all international trade.

• Diversifying suppliers and production sites across different regions.

• Focusing solely on domestic sales.

Which of the following best describes the "Leagile" approach when applied to managing a global pipeline?

• A purely forecast-driven system with high inventory levels.

• A strategy that combines Lean efficiency for upstream standardized processes with Agile responsiveness for downstream customization.

• A system that prioritizes speed at all costs, regardless of efficiency.

• A method that eliminates all physical distribution channels.

A significant challenge related to "Customs & Regulatory Complexity" in global supply chains involves:

• Ensuring all international transactions are conducted in a single currency.

• Navigating varying import/export duties, tariffs, product standards, and documentation requirements across different countries.

• Predicting internal manufacturing lead times with perfect accuracy.

• Minimizing the number of products sold internationally.