During an inventory review, a supply manager confirms that parts used for the maintenance of equipment sold during the previous year are still being stored in the warehouse. These parts cannot be used on current equipment. Which of the following BEST describes these parts'
Answer : C
Parts that were used for maintenance of equipment sold in the previous year but cannot be used on current equipment are best described as obsolete. Obsolete inventory refers to items that are no longer usable or saleable due to advancements in technology or changes in market demand. These parts should be identified and removed from active inventory to free up space and reduce carrying costs. Reference:
* Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2017). Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management. Pearson.
* Chopra, S., & Meindl, P. (2015). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Op-eration. Pearson.
Which of the following describes a market structure where there are few sellers and many buyers and where price is controlled by either an industry leader or a cartel?
Answer : D
An oligopoly is a market structure where a few sellers dominate the market and many buyers ex-ist. In such a market, prices and output levels are often controlled by the leading firms or through collusion, such as forming a cartel. These firms hold significant market power, which allows them to influence prices and other market factors. Oligopolies are common in industries where high en-try barriers exist, such as telecommunications, airlines, and oil and gas. Reference:
* Perloff, J. M. (2016). Microeconomics: Theory and Applications with Calculus. Pearson.
* Mankiw, N. G. (2014). Principles of Microeconomics. Cengage Learning.
A supplier with a previously good performance record has recently been shipping parts with a number of flaws, making them unusable for production. The firm's supply manager would like to resolve these problems before taking more drastic measures. Which of the following actions should the supply manager take FIRST'
Answer : A
When a previously reliable supplier starts delivering flawed parts, the first step should be to ex-plore possible root causes. This approach helps in identifying any recent changes in the supplier's production processes, materials, or workforce that might be contributing to the quality issues. By understanding the root cause, the supply manager can work with the supplier to implement correc-tive actions, ensuring long-term solutions rather than temporary fixes. This collaborative approach also maintains a good relationship with the supplier and encourages continuous improvement. Reference:
* Monczka, R. M., Handfield, R. B., Giunipero, L. C., & Patterson, J. L. (2015). Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. Cengage Learning.
* Burt, D. N., Petcavag
A supply manager oversees three distribution centers. Which of the following will be MOST useful for understanding the capacity of these centers7
Answer : A
A Warehouse Management System (WMS) is designed specifically to manage and optimize ware-house operations. It provides real-time data on inventory levels, storage locations, and warehouse capacity, enabling supply managers to understand and maximize the utilization of distribution centers. A WMS can track and improve the efficiency of receiving, putaway, picking, and ship-ping processes, providing a comprehensive view of the warehouse's capacity and performance. Reference:
* Frazelle, E. (2002). World-Class Warehousing and Material Handling. McGraw-Hill.
* Richards, G. (2017). Warehouse Management: A Complete Guide to Improving Efficiency and Minimizing Costs in the Modern Warehouse. Kogan Page Publishers.
A supply manager is analyzing potential costs associated with the raw materials needed for a new product launch. Tooling costs are known, but the range of forecasts for future sales---and therefore demand for materials-varies widely. Given these circumstances, the supply manager should consider using which of the following?
Answer : B
A decision tree is an effective tool for evaluating potential costs and benefits under conditions of uncertainty, such as varying forecasts for future sales. It allows the supply manager to visually map out different decision paths and their associated costs, probabilities, and outcomes. This helps in comparing different scenarios and making informed decisions about the raw materials needed for a new product launch. Decision trees are particularly useful in situations with multiple possible outcomes and complex decisions. Reference:
* Clemen, R. T., & Reilly, T. (2013). Making Hard Decisions with DecisionTools. Cengage Learning.
* Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2017). Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management. Pearson.
Which of the following refers to the practice of buying a commodity on the open market for immediate delivery?
Answer : G
Spot buying refers to the purchase of commodities on the open market for immediate delivery. This practice is typically used to meet urgent needs or take advantage of favorable market conditions. It contrasts with forward buying, which involves purchasing for future delivery to lock in prices or quantities.
Which of the following forecasting methods is regarded as participatory7
Answer : C
The sales force composite method is participatory, involving input from the sales team who provide forecasts based on their knowledge of customer needs and market trends. This method leverages the insights of those directly engaged with customers, enhancing the accuracy of demand forecasts.