Analyse and critically evaluate the ways in which supply chains are adapted in view of specific market dynamics and environments.

Assignment Brief

Global Supply Chain Management

Assignment 2:

The global supply chain is more than direct ownership of production and distribution. It is also a network of relationships with both internal and external partners. It requires establishing relationships with organisations operating under completely different political, economic, and physical environments.

Based on the above statement, you are asked to choose a large enterprise, which has become over the years the cornerstone of the supply chain (e.g., Nike, Tesco, IKEA, Samsung, Ford, Apple, P&G, DHL, Nestle) and critically discuss:

1. how it manages to establish close coordination  across  the  globe  (including  any  outsourcing/offshoring decisions  and location-specific advantages)
2. how  distinctive R&D investments helped the company to increase its revenues,
3. what are the supply chain risks and the associated mitigation strategy
4. how advanced technology means/tools (e.g., 3D Printing, Big Data analytics or Internet of Things) help to maintain the competitive advantage.

Assessment Criteria

This assignment represents 50% of your overall module mark. The maximum word count is 3000 words (+/-­‐‑ 10%). You will also need to consider the following when completing your assignment:

• Quality of executive summary (does it give a brief complete summary of your paper for an executive to read?)
• Establishment of relevant theory (e.g. how supply chain environments are differentiated from region to region?)
• Allocation of credit and sources used (have I included references and citations to the material I have used?)
• Clarity of argument
• Overall report presentation including spelling and grammar
• Adherence to nominated word limit (+/-­‐‑ 10%)
• Word processed (letter size 12, times new roman, 1.5 space)
• Fully referenced (Harvard Referencing System).

 

Criteria	Marks
Use of theory	30
Examples	30
Quality of argument	10
Reference to course ideas	10
Citation and References	10
Conclusions	10

Marking Scheme

The assignment must be submitted via OnlineCampus. Please remember that marks for assignment will also be awarded in relation to presentation and structure, and aspects such as use of examples, figures, tables, illustrations and statistics that indicate wider/independent reading.

Relates to Learning Outcomes:

• Analyse and critically evaluate the ways in which supply chains are adapted in view of specific market dynamics and environments.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of global lead-­‐‑time management and time-­‐‑compression.
• Critically analyse the theory, concepts and models of global supply chain management to interpret and understand complex and ambiguous risks in global logistics and supply chain environments.
  • Locate, summarise and synthesise a range of information from published literature and electronic sources on GSCM.

Assessment Housekeeping:

You are required to follow the University’s regulations regarding plagiarism and citing sources and references used. Assignments may not be submitted late. Marking penalties for late submission will follow the University regulations for PMC

Sample Answer

Global Supply Chain Management: A Case Study of Apple Inc.

Executive Summary

Apple Inc. is one of the most successful technology companies globally, with a complex yet highly efficient global supply chain. This essay critically explores how Apple manages close coordination across the globe, including outsourcing and offshoring, leveraging location-specific advantages. It analyses Apple’s investment in Research and Development (R&D) and its role in revenue growth. It also examines key supply chain risks and the company’s mitigation strategies, and how advanced technologies like Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT), and automation support competitive advantage. Apple’s supply chain is not only a logistics operation but a strategic network integrating innovation, risk management, and technology to maintain global leadership.

1. Introduction

Global supply chains are complex networks involving internal operations and external partnerships across varied political, economic, and geographical environments (Christopher, 2016). Apple Inc. is a prime example of a company that has mastered global supply chain coordination. With a market capitalisation exceeding $3 trillion in 2024, Apple’s success is underpinned by its ability to innovate, manage risk, and utilise advanced technology to deliver high-quality products efficiently (Statista, 2024). This essay evaluates Apple’s global supply chain, including outsourcing decisions, R&D impact, risk management, and use of technology.

2. Global Coordination and Outsourcing Strategy

Apple has established a highly coordinated global supply chain. While Apple designs its products in the United States, it relies on outsourcing and offshoring for manufacturing, especially in Asia.

2.1 Outsourcing and Offshoring

Apple outsources production to contract manufacturers such as Foxconn (Taiwan) and Pegatron (China), enabling cost efficiency and flexibility. These partners handle assembly, while component suppliers are located globally—e.g., Samsung (South Korea) for chips, TSMC (Taiwan) for processors, and Japan Display for screens (Dedrick et al., 2011).

2.2 Location-Specific Advantages

• China: Offers skilled labour, infrastructure, and economies of scale, making it ideal for high-volume production.

• India: Increasing role in iPhone assembly to reduce dependence on China and benefit from favourable government policies (Reuters, 2023).

• Vietnam and Malaysia: Emerging hubs for component production due to diversification efforts amidst geopolitical tensions.

Apple leverages low labour costs, strong logistics networks, and tax incentives in these regions to maintain efficiency.

2.3 Supply Chain Coordination

Apple ensures global coordination through:

• Tightly controlled supplier relationships with regular audits.

• Vertical integration in software and design.

• Use of ERP systems and real-time data sharing to monitor performance and demand globally (Kaplan, 2018).

Continued,,,