Identify a "mainstream company" that has leveraged IS throughout their extended supply chain to achieve a competitive advantage. While the expectation is the firm is doing well, forces, vulnerabilities, and threats should also be discussed. Use concepts, frameworks, and models presented earlier in the semester to present your findings. The list of innovative IS leveraged by firms and their supply chain partners can include (but is not limited to) - IoT, wearables, cloud computing, AI, machine learning, blockchain, 3D printing, additive manufacturing, big data, cyber security, autonomous vehicles, robot process automation, drones, VR/AR, voice activated technology, cold chain technology, etc. Because these are mainstream organizations, references need not be scholarly in nature due to the fact that many of the SCM MIS topics draw from cutting edge advancements occurring in the private sector. News articles or trade journals may be used as sources of information. This case assignment must be completed individually and submitted by the specified due date on the course schedule.

Report sections should include the following: Background - Use this section to provide insight into the focal firm and SC Partners being researched. The background should include, at a very high level, the type of innovative IS leveraged by the firm and SC partners to achieve a strategic advantage in the marketplace. Relevant history of the firm should also be mentioned. The background should discuss what course concepts/frameworks/models will be used to analyze SC success in the forthcoming sections. Analysis - Apply models (i.e. Five Forces, Resource Based View, etc.), course content, and outside research to evaluate the current position of the firm and their extended SC in the marketplace. The discussion should be grounded in how innovative IS was used to gain/sustain a competitive advantage. Elaborate on how IS enabled them to achieve their leadership position in the marketplace (i.e. enhanced quality, customer service, improved processes, etc.). While the expectation is the firm is doing well, forces, vulnerabilities, and threats should also be discussed. Conclusions - This section should be your interpretation of the future state of the firm. Based on what you have learned to date in the course, this section should include any recommendations/adjustments the firm should make to ensure the integration of IS with their overarching supply chain strategy (i.e. how should the firm proceed?). This sections should flow from and be fully supported by the Analysis section.