SCM 47205 MODULE 01 INTRO TO SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
STUDYGUIDE 1_4 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWER 2026
Module 01: Intro to Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management - What is SCM? - Slides 02-04, 15-18, 21-22
•Supply Chain Management: -
efficient integration of suppliers, transporters, manufacturers, warehouses, retailers and
all other parties associated with the delivery of the final product.
•Operations Management: -
design, operation, and improvement of the production systems that efficiently
transforms inputs into finished goods and services, maximizing productivity.
•Logistics: -
coordinated planning and execution of:
• Preparation of packaged product
• Movement itinerary
• Storage itinerary
• Production distribution throughout the supply chain
• Reverse logistics: -
All operations related to the reuse of products and materials.
•Procurement: -
process of obtaining services, supplies and equipment in conformance with corporate
regulations
•3 flows: -
materials, information,
and money Be able to
explain slides 2, 14, 18
•Supply chain visibility: -
being able to clearly see your chain of supplies for the foreseeable future
Corporations – Goals and Terminology – Slides 04-13, 20-21
•Primary goals of a business and Ties to SCM: -
, sustainable long-term profits AND maximize return on investments (ROI)
•Core competencies: -
primary skill or knowledge difficult to learn, copy, acquire (intangible)
Competitive Priorities
•Productivity: -
Organizational
perspective
What did I make? (outputs)
What was the cost? (inputs)
•Value: -
customer perspective
What do I get? (quantity, quality, size)
What is the price? (money, waiting, warranty)
• Seven types of organizational waste: -
1. Defects
2. Overproduction
3. Transportation
4. Motion
5. Waiting
6. Inventory
7. Over-processing
• Business Models: -
1. Business to consumer company (B2C)
2. Business to business company (B2B)
, A. Brick and mortar
B. Internet only
C. Click and mortar
Strategy and Management - Slides 19, 22
• Understand concepts expressed in Slide 19 and Slide 22
Understanding Module 01
These questions are intended to help you see if you understand how this module’s
topics all tie together.
1. The textbook indicates "effective supply chain management relies on high levels
of trust; cooperation; collaboration; and honest, accurate communications."
Briefly explain what this means and why it is true.
It means that all of these things work together in order to run as smoothly as
possible.
2. Provide three problems retail consumers encounter that can be blamed on an
ineffective and/or inefficient supply chain. What in the supply chain could
cause these problems to occur?
Late delivery-shortage in supply, suppliers being late, employees not
being able to perform as expected. Defective goods-bad handling
throughout manufacturing process
High price-Inefficient manufacturing process
3. Think of a company. Relate everything in this module to that company: Define
the business model; Consider supply chain requirements, Etc.
Amazon-internet only business model,
, Module 02: Buy It
CASE: Building Deep Supplier
Relationships HARVARD DIGITAL
PACKET
1. How do American suppliers feel about Japanese and American
car manufacturers? American car manufacturers hate their
suppliers, choose suppliers based on lowest cost. While Japanese
manufacturers are loyal, and help improve the suppliers.
2. What is kieretsu?
Close-knit networks of vendors that continuously learn, improve, and
prosper along with their parent companies.
3. What did American companies do to copy the Japanese partnering
model? Despite the efforts of American car manufacturers, why
did cost resurface as the key criterion? American companies
created supply chains that superficially resembled those of their
Japanese competitors; they didn’t alter the fundamental nature of
their relationships with suppliers. First, companies were more easily
able to source globally, notably from China. They jumped to the
conclusion that immediate benefits outweighed the long-term
benefits of investing in relationships. Second, the development and
spread of internet-based technologies allowed companies to get
suppliers to compete on cost more efficiently—and more brutally—
than they used to.
4. How long does it take American and Japanese automakers to design
a new car? Why are the Japanese faster?
U.S automakers take two to three years to design new cars, Toyota
and Honda have consistently been able to do so in just 12 to 18
months. Suppliers rated Toyota among the best and Honda above
average at promoting innovation.
5. Japanese cars are seen as durable, reliable and high in
quality. Do they struggle in decreasing manufacturing costs?
No
STUDYGUIDE 1_4 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWER 2026
Module 01: Intro to Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Management - What is SCM? - Slides 02-04, 15-18, 21-22
•Supply Chain Management: -
efficient integration of suppliers, transporters, manufacturers, warehouses, retailers and
all other parties associated with the delivery of the final product.
•Operations Management: -
design, operation, and improvement of the production systems that efficiently
transforms inputs into finished goods and services, maximizing productivity.
•Logistics: -
coordinated planning and execution of:
• Preparation of packaged product
• Movement itinerary
• Storage itinerary
• Production distribution throughout the supply chain
• Reverse logistics: -
All operations related to the reuse of products and materials.
•Procurement: -
process of obtaining services, supplies and equipment in conformance with corporate
regulations
•3 flows: -
materials, information,
and money Be able to
explain slides 2, 14, 18
•Supply chain visibility: -
being able to clearly see your chain of supplies for the foreseeable future
Corporations – Goals and Terminology – Slides 04-13, 20-21
•Primary goals of a business and Ties to SCM: -
, sustainable long-term profits AND maximize return on investments (ROI)
•Core competencies: -
primary skill or knowledge difficult to learn, copy, acquire (intangible)
Competitive Priorities
•Productivity: -
Organizational
perspective
What did I make? (outputs)
What was the cost? (inputs)
•Value: -
customer perspective
What do I get? (quantity, quality, size)
What is the price? (money, waiting, warranty)
• Seven types of organizational waste: -
1. Defects
2. Overproduction
3. Transportation
4. Motion
5. Waiting
6. Inventory
7. Over-processing
• Business Models: -
1. Business to consumer company (B2C)
2. Business to business company (B2B)
, A. Brick and mortar
B. Internet only
C. Click and mortar
Strategy and Management - Slides 19, 22
• Understand concepts expressed in Slide 19 and Slide 22
Understanding Module 01
These questions are intended to help you see if you understand how this module’s
topics all tie together.
1. The textbook indicates "effective supply chain management relies on high levels
of trust; cooperation; collaboration; and honest, accurate communications."
Briefly explain what this means and why it is true.
It means that all of these things work together in order to run as smoothly as
possible.
2. Provide three problems retail consumers encounter that can be blamed on an
ineffective and/or inefficient supply chain. What in the supply chain could
cause these problems to occur?
Late delivery-shortage in supply, suppliers being late, employees not
being able to perform as expected. Defective goods-bad handling
throughout manufacturing process
High price-Inefficient manufacturing process
3. Think of a company. Relate everything in this module to that company: Define
the business model; Consider supply chain requirements, Etc.
Amazon-internet only business model,
, Module 02: Buy It
CASE: Building Deep Supplier
Relationships HARVARD DIGITAL
PACKET
1. How do American suppliers feel about Japanese and American
car manufacturers? American car manufacturers hate their
suppliers, choose suppliers based on lowest cost. While Japanese
manufacturers are loyal, and help improve the suppliers.
2. What is kieretsu?
Close-knit networks of vendors that continuously learn, improve, and
prosper along with their parent companies.
3. What did American companies do to copy the Japanese partnering
model? Despite the efforts of American car manufacturers, why
did cost resurface as the key criterion? American companies
created supply chains that superficially resembled those of their
Japanese competitors; they didn’t alter the fundamental nature of
their relationships with suppliers. First, companies were more easily
able to source globally, notably from China. They jumped to the
conclusion that immediate benefits outweighed the long-term
benefits of investing in relationships. Second, the development and
spread of internet-based technologies allowed companies to get
suppliers to compete on cost more efficiently—and more brutally—
than they used to.
4. How long does it take American and Japanese automakers to design
a new car? Why are the Japanese faster?
U.S automakers take two to three years to design new cars, Toyota
and Honda have consistently been able to do so in just 12 to 18
months. Suppliers rated Toyota among the best and Honda above
average at promoting innovation.
5. Japanese cars are seen as durable, reliable and high in
quality. Do they struggle in decreasing manufacturing costs?
No
