Case Study 17: "Amazon.com: Supply Chain Management" (Ivey 9B18D017_P) From the readings and from the course material, please respond to the following questions.

1. Do a thorough 4 perspectives analysis on Amazon' operational and supply chain strategy. As part of your analysis, include: a. A review of the 4Vs and VRIO models b. A review of how Amazon reconciles market requirements with its operational resources c. A review of how Amazon reconciles its top-down and bottom-up perspectives d. Based on the resulting from your 4-perspectives analysis, should Amazon modify its business plan and operating systems to account for its increasing size and global footprint?" Explain why or why not with reference to your analysis. 2. Operational Performance Objectives a. How might the operational performance objectives differ and conflict at the Supplier Network level and when assessing capacity at the Retail (Eg. Whole Foods) and Distribution (warehousing and last mile delivery) levels? Why? You are permitted to respond using a chart b. What trade-offs may be required for Amazon to increase its Operational Performance? 3. For each of the following supply chain levels within Amazon: a. Warehousing (3 Marks) b. Retail (3 Marks) c. Delivery (3 Marks) Answer the following questions: i. How is the risk of uncertainty managed at this level of the supply chain? How is forecasting/demand managed? Is it effective? Why/Why not? ii. Is there sufficient Capacity at this level of the supply chain? Is it Effective? Why/why not? Please explain using a generic timing capacity strategy. iii. Given the timing capacity strategy you are proposing, in your opinion, is Amazon utilizing economies of scale effectively at this level? Please explain Why/Why not? 4. Purchasing and Supply Strategy The case notes that Amazon defines its supplier arrangements as "first-party, second-party, and third-party sellers". a. Referring to our class material, explain the 3 types of supply arrangements that are used at Amazon? (3 Marks) b. For each of its supplier arrangements, explain Amazon's generic sourcing strategy and explain your reasoning for the strategy? (3 Marks) 5. Given what you have learned about Amazon in the case study and what you know about Amazon today, supported by any of the models learned in class, what would you consider to be 2 critical next steps in Amazon's its Supply Chain Development? Why? (marks are given for responses that reference and are related to the content learned in class).