*PLEASE INDICATE THE SOURCES/REFERENCING FOR EACH QUESTIONS*

Question 1

Supply chain strategy seeks to leverage the resources and skills of diverse entities in the supply chain to deliver exceptional value to the end customer. This is achieved by leveraging the capabilities of other chain members to create value for the end customer. The management of a consultancy firm is considering whether to develop this expertise in-house or to contract out these services to other independent experts in that area. Discuss the conditions that would favour outsourcing the services and others that would favour keeping the expertise in-house. What trade-offs must the firm consider in making these decisions? Explain. Question 2

There are several factors that can impede external process integration along the supply chain. These will cause information distortion, longer cycle times, stock-outs, and the bull whip effect, resulting in higher overall costs and reduced customer service capabilities. Describe and discuss FOUR of these factors that were discussed in the lectures.

Question 3 Performance measures help the firm and its supply chain to understand their critical value-added processes. They also communicate expectations, within the company and the chain, and promote the appropriate behaviour needed, amongst the firms' employees and its entities. In this respect, there are several indicators that provide critical leverage towards improved environmental and economic performance for a company's product. Describe THREE economic performance measures and ONE environmental measure. Then outline what can the company do to keep its product costs low when implementing sustainability in the firm.