Please answer all questions!
Sunshine Trucking wants to improve their competitive position and is conducting an analysis using the value chain and generic strategy models. They would like to identify specific areas for which information systems could enhance their competitive position. A number of findings have emerged from their analysis but some questions still remain. The adoption of global position system (GPS) technologies to track truck locations could help the company offer more flexible scheduling, providing better service to customers. What value chain component would be primarily affected by the adoption of such a technology? Sunshine Trucking has a customer relationship management system that allows the sales staff to track every contact with a customer, whether by phone, e-mail, internet order, or personal sales call. This customer relationship management system supports which primary activity. Sunshine Trucking is considering an information technology option that would enable them to route trucks, plan loads, and manage fuel consumption much better than the competition. This is a unique system which they believe the national competition will have difficulty replicating. They estimate that they can still make a profit while charging lower prices than the competition across the country. They are considering which strategy? Sunshine Trucking requires fuel and repair parts to keep its fleet running. Sunshine has an inter-organizational information system connected to its suppliers. This system allows Sunshine to order fuel and repair parts on line and track the shipment status of those goods. This system supports which primary value chain activity? Sunshine Trucking's competition provides customers with specialized equipment for tracking individual items contained in each shipment. This Radio Frequncy Identification (RFID) system works by placing a small RFID device containing digital information with the shipment. This device can be read by a special RFID reader. For example, placing the RFID reader on a warehouse loading dock can allow data to automatically be processed, providing customers with a detailed list of all items in the shipment as the truck is unloaded. Sunshine Trucking has found that several key customers are willing to pay more for this competitor's product. The competitor is using what type of strategy? Consider that Sunshine Trucking could decide to specialize only in the transportation of orange juice for the Florida Citrus industry. This would require that equipment be specialized and maintained to certain health standards. Under this approach, Sunshine would procure special equipment that would retain the quality of orange juice while in transit. Suppose that the Citrus industry is highly concerned with product quality in transit and is willing to pay a premium to prevent product deterioration in transit. What type of strategy would Sunshine Trucking be pursuing? Sunshine Trucking decides to adopt enterprise resource planning (ERP) software from SAP which now offers ERP systems to mid-sized businesses. The major impact of this system will be on which secondary value chain activity? Sunshine Trucking purchases an information system designed to track purchase contracts with a number of suppliers. These suppliers provide fuel, marketing materials, office supplies, etc. This system supports which secondary value chain activity? Sunshine Trucking has procured an online system that allows prospective drivers to apply for jobs. It allows managers to schedule interviews for hiring. Once hired, the system keeps track of personnel records and supports management of the company's work force to include unique data required for the trucking industry. This system supports which secondary activity
