Supply Chain & Operations Management

Assignment Brief

In this paper you have to apply modern supply chain management points that include the evolution of modern operations management theory. Next you have to analyze the process of chain management decision making. Then apply appropriate frameworks which can be used for planning and control of materials and services. Lastly appreciate the range of tools available to efficient supply chain management in decision making.

Supply Chain & Operations Management

Assessment Information

This assignment is designed to assess learning outcomes:

1. Apply modern supply chain management principles and practice, including the evolution of modern operations management theory, to business cases.
2. Critically analyse the process of supply chain management decision making.
3. Apply and critically analyse appropriate management frameworks which can be used for the planning and control of materials and services, from the viewpoints of quality, quantity and cost analysis.
4. Appreciate and utilise the range of tools and techniques available to aid efficient and effective Supply chain managerial decision making.

This assignment is an individual report of 2250 word +/- 10%

Describe and analyse the supply chain for a product of your choice and discuss how Lean can be implemented in this particular supply chain.

In addressing this report, you should ensure that you include the scope of your product’s journey and the following aspects in your discussion:

• How supply chain tools can be applied to your chosen product
• What issues and problems may exist within this supply chain
• How Lean can be applied to your specific product
• How Lean models and tools can be used and adapted.

Sample Answer

Supply Chain and Lean Management in the Production of Smartphones

Introduction

Supply chain management has become one of the most important areas of modern business strategy. In today’s global market, products do not simply move from a factory to a consumer. Instead, they pass through a highly complex network of suppliers, logistics providers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. The smartphone industry is a perfect example of such a complex system, where parts are sourced from different regions of the world, assembled in large factories, and distributed globally.

This report analyses the supply chain of smartphones, applying modern operations management principles and supply chain management theories. It discusses the evolution of operations management, the decision-making process in supply chains, and the frameworks used for planning and controlling materials and services. It also evaluates the issues faced by the smartphone supply chain and explores how Lean principles and tools can be implemented to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and deliver higher value to customers.

Evolution of Modern Operations and Supply Chain Management

Operations management has shifted dramatically over the past century. In the early industrial era, the main focus was on mass production and cost reduction. Henry Ford’s assembly line system in the early 20th century aimed to standardise processes and achieve economies of scale. However, this approach often led to waste, inflexibility, and poor quality control.

By the mid-20th century, operations management began to evolve, with significant contributions from Japanese manufacturing. The Toyota Production System introduced ideas such as just-in-time (JIT), continuous improvement (Kaizen), and respect for people. These concepts laid the foundation for Lean management, which emphasises the elimination of waste, efficient use of resources, and continuous pursuit of customer value.

In recent decades, supply chain management has expanded beyond factory operations. It now covers the entire journey of a product from raw material extraction to end-user consumption. Modern supply chain management theories include systems thinking, network theory, and the integration of digital technologies. The focus is not only on efficiency and cost reduction but also on sustainability, resilience, and risk management.

Overview of the Smartphone Supply Chain

Smartphones have one of the most globalised and complicated supply chains in the world. A typical smartphone contains over 200 individual components, sourced from multiple countries. For example, semiconductors may come from Taiwan or South Korea, display panels from Japan or China, batteries from China, memory chips from the US, and sensors from Europe. These parts are transported to assembly factories, often in China or Vietnam, where they are combined into the final product. From there, finished smartphones are distributed through global logistics networks to retailers and end users.

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