Topics for Discussion 1. How can effective goods supply chain management support environmental sustainability? 2. Explain why the goods analogy of a supply chain is inappropriate for services. 3. Discuss the implications of service outsourcing on employees, stockholders, customers, and host-country economy when a firm outsources a call center overseas? 4. How has social media affected the growth of the service industry in the past five years? 5. What features of social media have service firms leveraged in developing their competitive strategies? 6. Identify areas within a few selected service industries (e.g., health care and hospitality) that can benefit from external consultants. 7. How would you train yourself to be a successful consultant in the service sector? 8. Identify activities that compare Walmart's vertical integration efforts with maintaining an arm's-length relationship with suppliers