Company Supply Chain Analysis Project

Company Supply Chain Analysis Project The following assignment is to be completed by each student team, 2 or 3 students per team, and has two parts; a written report and a class presentation. The written, paper form is due in class on December 2, 2015. The class presentations will begin on December 9 and continue in the final exam period, the week of December 14, 2015. The assignment deals with the analysis of a student selected and Dr. Hartman approved Fortune 500 US based company. The analysis must present the manner in which the subject company manages the following two items: its supply chain and its use of big data and data analytics to enhance its business competitiveness. The assignment must be type written and should be at least 10 pages (double space) in length plus references. (A good rule of thumb is that you should have at least as many different references as number of pages in the paper excluding the reference pages.) Please cite your references according to APA style. You should utilize a number of sources of information including, but not limited to the firm’s annual report, stories and reports in the business and academic press and analytical reports from the investment industry. Articles presented in class along with the text are additional sources of theory which should also be included. Projects which do not include references to appropriate management theory will not receive full points. Note that Wikipedia (and other web-sites of similar style) is not considered an academically acceptable reference source and therefore reference material found there should not be cited. A total of 30 points may be earned. Although the team may select the subject company, it must obtain approval from Dr. Hartman prior to beginning the assignment. The following sections are meant to indicate the type of information that should be included in each. The description found below is not intended to be exhaustive but rather is meant to indicate to students the type of information that they should be considering in each section. The sections as herein described follow the plan of the Sanders text book as it is related to big data and data analytics. Students should feel free to apply sections and topics covered in the course that will give the most complete analysis of the manner in which the subject company approaches supply chain and data analytics management. Section #1- Appropriateness of Supply Chain (10 points) This section of the analysis should include some important facts concerning your subject company including its history, products or services, geographical location(s), financial information and its major competitors. Discuss the way the organization creates value and describe its supply chain in terms of its inputs, throughputs and output. Discuss the organization’s major issues, challenges or problems particularly as it is related to its supply chain. Section #2- Sustainability of Supply Chain (10 points) Describe and discuss the supply chain as it relates to sustainability, both natural and social. That is, describe the way the company’s supply chain impacts the natural environment and any changes that might be anticipated in the next several years particularly with regard to anticipated changes in the regulatory environment. Describe and discuss the sustainability of the company’s supply chain in terms of its relations with its human environment, particularly its possible effects in the realm of corporate social responsibility either in the US or in other parts of the world where its supply chain may reach. Section # 3- Use of data analytics and big data (10 points) Describe how data analytics and big data are used by the company to enhance its competitive position. You may use the Sander’s text’s structure of considering the effect of data analytics or big data on the company’s sell, make, move or buy decisions. Consider how data analytics and big data are used to support or strengthen the company’s overall corporate strategy. Class Presentation (10 points) Beginning on December 9, 2015 and finishing in the Final Exam period, all student teams will make an oral presentation of Sections #1-3 to Dr. Hartman and the class. This presentation should be about 20 minutes in duration and all team members are required to participate equally in the presentation. Note cards may be used by presenters but reading is discouraged. Business attire is requested (ties and coats for men, appropriate dress for women). Supporting visuals or samples are encouraged. Presenters should be prepared to answer questions posed by Dr. Hartman and the class.