Solutions Manual - Complete chapters
Also included Case Studies solutions
Chapter 1 - Introduction
In-class exercises and discussion points
4 different perspectives
Figure 1.2 provides a good platform for student discussion. It outlines four different
perspectives on the distinction between logistics and SCM:
• Traditionalist
• Re-labelling
• Unionist
• Intersectionist
As we note in the text, we adopt the unionist perspective in this book. Ask students whether
they agree with this or not, and if not explain why.
Importance in both services and manufacturing contexts
As is noted in the chapter, we are witnessing increased and highly successful application of
logistics and SCM principles in a services context also. Ask students to take a services
context with which they are familiar – perhaps for example they may work part-time in a
supermarket or at some stage have been a patient in a hospital – and ask them to outline
where they think logistics and SCM principles can be best applied. Indeed most people can
relate to medical / hospital examples (see the Triage caselet on page 14) and these can
provide useful material for discussing how, with process improvements and other initiatives,
better service can be delivered in hospitals, often at lower total cost.
Cost savings and service enhancements
Following on from the above, students can be asked to consider the issue of making cost
savings while simultaneously enhancing service. In many students minds these two
dimensions will be seen to be mutually exclusive (i.e. you can’t have both together at the
same time). But of course as we outline in the text, you can! Ask them to give examples
where this is possible - the IKEA caselet is useful in this regard.
Supply chain transparency
There is growing interest in this topic with governments and other stakeholders increasingly
concerned that supply chains are not infiltrated by unethical and criminal practices – chapter
17 touches on this topic too. Ask students to think of examples of such practices.
Size of the logistics sector in your economy
The caselet (‘The role of logistics in national economies’) on page 8 discusses the size and
importance of logistics in the context of a national economy. Ask students to try and ascertain
Also included Case Studies solutions
Chapter 1 - Introduction
In-class exercises and discussion points
4 different perspectives
Figure 1.2 provides a good platform for student discussion. It outlines four different
perspectives on the distinction between logistics and SCM:
• Traditionalist
• Re-labelling
• Unionist
• Intersectionist
As we note in the text, we adopt the unionist perspective in this book. Ask students whether
they agree with this or not, and if not explain why.
Importance in both services and manufacturing contexts
As is noted in the chapter, we are witnessing increased and highly successful application of
logistics and SCM principles in a services context also. Ask students to take a services
context with which they are familiar – perhaps for example they may work part-time in a
supermarket or at some stage have been a patient in a hospital – and ask them to outline
where they think logistics and SCM principles can be best applied. Indeed most people can
relate to medical / hospital examples (see the Triage caselet on page 14) and these can
provide useful material for discussing how, with process improvements and other initiatives,
better service can be delivered in hospitals, often at lower total cost.
Cost savings and service enhancements
Following on from the above, students can be asked to consider the issue of making cost
savings while simultaneously enhancing service. In many students minds these two
dimensions will be seen to be mutually exclusive (i.e. you can’t have both together at the
same time). But of course as we outline in the text, you can! Ask them to give examples
where this is possible - the IKEA caselet is useful in this regard.
Supply chain transparency
There is growing interest in this topic with governments and other stakeholders increasingly
concerned that supply chains are not infiltrated by unethical and criminal practices – chapter
17 touches on this topic too. Ask students to think of examples of such practices.
Size of the logistics sector in your economy
The caselet (‘The role of logistics in national economies’) on page 8 discusses the size and
importance of logistics in the context of a national economy. Ask students to try and ascertain
