What is global sourcing? Are there different levels of global sourcing?

What are some of the differences, including cultural differences, between VCI and Ellison? Can these differences affect the success of the company's global sourcing projects?

Why is this company pursuing integrated global sourcing? Describe the global process that VCI/Ellison has implemented.

The assessment of worldwide suppliers creates an extensive workload. Discuss how VCI/Ellison supports the analysis requirements faced by each global sourcing team.

Discuss the concept of a "wave." Why does executive management want each global sourcing project to last six months and move through a lock-step series of steps?

What was the role of consultants when developing and executing VCI/Ellison's global process? What are the advantages and disadvantages of relying on external support?

Discuss the importance of negotiation in VCI/Ellison's global process. How does the company ensure that its teams are prepared to negotiate?

What are some of the advantages and outcomes that VCI/Ellison has realized from its global efforts?

VCI and Ellison historically competed as regional companies, which the supply bases was structured to support. Why might this present a challenge as the companies try to take a combined and coordinated global view of supply management?

Assuming these two companies are successful in their worldwide sourcing efforts, what must the company do to improve its global sourcing process?