INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS LOGISTICS TITLE: Company case report (written document) STATUS: Individual Assignment VALUE: 60%, including 6% for Harvard referencing and 6% for positive marking. WORD LIMIT: 6,500 words (+/-10%) (Excludes appendices and reference list) Purpose of the Task Research on one organisation and write a report based on the following questions. 1. Executive summary (8 marks) Summarise two (2) key points/ findings in each of the following areas; - integrated logistics, - customer accommodation, - procurement and outsourcing and - international expansion [each point 1 mark x 8 = 8 marks] 2. Provide an introduction of the organisation and describe its business. Your answer should include the following; a) Company background (employees and outlets) b) Profit and revenue performance (last 2 years). c) Product portfolio (Quality of products and the strength of its brand) d) Services (8 marks) 0m 1m 2m a) Company background No relevant information Very brief Relevant information b) Profit and Revenue performance (2 years) No relevant information Provide 1 year data only Provide both years data c) Product portfolio No relevant information Very brief; only able to describe one factor Relevant information; able to describe both factors- quality and strength d) Services No relevant information Very brief description ; partial list of services Relevant information; able to provide full list of services and describe well. [Total 8 marks] 3. Research into any two (2) areas of integrated logistics. Discuss, provide an example and analyse how each of the identified areas affect the firm's operations. (12 marks) Topic 2 0m 1m 2m 3m Any TWO of the following integrated logistics: order processing, inventory, transportation, warehousing/ packaging and/ or facility network. Discuss No valid information Student was only able to superficially discuss the impact on firm's operations. Student was able to discuss in details the impact on firm's operations Example No example provided Relevant example Analysis No analysis Very superficial analysis with no impact mention. Some analysis with mention but unclear. In-depth analysis with clear impact highlighted. 6 marks for each integrated logistics x 2 = 12 marks 4. Discuss three (3) levels of customer accommodation with one (1) valid example each to describe how the organization satisfies its customers during the transaction phrase. (12 marks) Topic 3 Levels of customer accommodation 0m 1m 2m 3m Customer service (availability, operational performance, service reliability) Discuss No valid information; not able to provide the level Brief information Some valid information Comprehensive information Example No example provided Relevant example Customer satisfaction/ expectation (reliability, responsiveness, access, credibility, tangibles, knowing the customers) Discuss No valid information; not able to provide the level Brief information Some valid information Comprehensive information Example No example provided Relevant example Customer success (knowing your customers and how your capabilities can enhance customers' performance) Discuss No valid information; not able to provide the level Brief information Some valid information Comprehensive information Example No example provided Relevant example 5a. Discuss any two (2) procurement strategies used by the organisation. Support with a valid example each. (8 marks) 5b. Highlight 2 benefits and 2 risks of outsourcing to the organisation. Suggest one strategy to overcome the risk identified. (14 marks) Topic 5 5a. 0m 1m 2m 3m Any TWO of the following Procurement strategies: - Insourcing or outsourcing - User buy - Supplier operation integration - Kraljic purchasing model (leverage or routine purchase) Discuss No valid information Correctly identify the procurement strategy and provide some brief information Correctly identify the procurement strategy and provide some Some valid information Correctly identify the procurement strategy and provide some Comprehensive information Example No example provided Relevant example 4 marks for each strategy x 2 = 8 marks 5b. 0m 1m 2m 3m Any TWO of the following Benefit of outsourcing: - Cost savings in terms of reduced investment, - Pooling of risk - Better focus on core competencies - Leveraging higher technology No valid information Correctly identify benefit and provide some Brief information Correctly identify benefit and provide Some valid information Correctly identify benefit and provide Comprehensive information 3 marks for each benefit x 2 = 6 marks Any TWO of the following Risk of outsourcing: - Lose competitive advantage if too reliant on outsourced partners - Difficult to instil quality control - Lose ability to pursue own agenda rather follow partners' agenda No valid information Correctly identify risk and only brief information provided. Correctly identify risk and some valid information provided. Correctly identify risk with comprehensive information provided. 3 marks for each risk x 2 = 6 marks A strategy to overcome the risk No valid information Indication of some suitable strategy Relevant and suitable strategy 2 marks for the strategy = 2 marks [14 marks] 6a. Provide three (3) reasons, with supporting facts, why the organisation pursues international expansion. (6 marks) Topic 6 Reasons are; - Increase revenue, - Achieve economies of scale - Achieve sustainability - Reduce direct cost (any 3 of above. Each point 1 mark and supporting facts 1 mark = 2 marks x 3 = 6 marks 6b. Highlight two (2) main forces, with supporting explanation, that affect the organisation's ability to pursue international expansion. For each of the force, recommend a strategy to overcome the challenges. (10 marks) 0m 1m 2m 3m Any TWO of the following Main forces: - Market familiarity (culture, customers' preferences) - More lengthy performance cycle - Transportation mode - Familiarisation of national trade policies (documentation, trade tariffs) - Information systems integration List No listing Correct listing Explanation No valid explanation Valid explanation Strategy No valid information Some evidence to recommend a suitable strategy with Brief information Able to recommend a suitable strategy with valid information Able to recommend a suitable strategy with Comprehensive information 5 marks for each force x 2 = 10 marks [10 marks] 7. Provide conclusion (highlight 2 key findings) (2 marks) Conclusion, each finding 1 mark x 2 2 marks Positive marking (10 marks) Positive marking (10 marls) The positive markingbreakdown of 10 marks is as follows: Criteria 0m 1m 2m 3m 4m Word Length Mark out of 3 Bullet points Unclear Incomplete sentences Clear but incomplete Sentences Clear complete sentences NA Language, grammar & spelling Mark out of 4 Incomprehensible language Lots of errors in language & expression Some error in language & expression Minimal error in language & expression Well written language and expression Presentation Mark out of 3 No proper structure Lots of errors in structure Some errors in structure No error in structure NA Harvard referencing (10 marks) Harvard referencing (10 marks) Criteria 0 mark 1 mark 2 marks 3 marks 4 marks References in the reference list and their correct formatting using Harvard style [Mark out of 4] Incorrect technical aspects of referencing Lots of errors in technical aspects of referencing, May deviate from Harvard style. Errors with some correct application of Harvard style of referencing. Few errors in the referencing list, per Harvard style of referencing. References are consistently accurate. No errors in the referencing list, per Harvard style of referencing. References are consistently accurate. Use relevant academic sources (journal articles, text-books, etc.) [Mark out of 3] Not enough suitable reference sources Use at least 3 relevant academic sources Use at least 4 relevant academic sources Use at least 5 relevant academic sources Criteria 0 mark 1 mark 2 marks Citation of sources and use of direct quotes [Mark out of 3] Insufficient number of citations and/or over-relying on direct quotations Use some direct quotations without or with limited analysis. Some errors in technical aspects of citations Quotations and citations are mainly accurate and relevant. Work shows some integration of citations, (i.e. with relevant analysis). Mostly correct application of Harvard style. Well cited throughout the whole/ entire piece of work. Adhere correctly to Harvard style.