SCM 414 Exam 2

CSULB, SCM 414 Global Supply Chain Management, taught by Dr. Ashraf, Fall 2025 (questions from Dr. Ashraf's study guide; also using some other questions from stephaniechavezz's Quizlet)

What was UPS’ global operations strategy when Mr. Abney took over as CEO in 2014? (HBP-1)

Special focus on the emerging economies

What does the term “Synchronized Commerce” refer to? (HBP-1)

Modifying supply chains to align goods, information, and funds to deliver more products and services to its customers

What does the term “Kaizen” refer to? (HBP-2)

A strategy where employees at all levels of a company work together to achieve regular, incremental improvements to the manufacturing process

How do Japanese automobile companies determine the pricing of their products? (HBP-2)

They start with the price of the product they believe the market can bear and then figure out the costs they can incur to make profits on that item

What does the term “EDLP” stand for? (HBP-3)

Every day low pricing

What type of distribution center does Wal-Mart use for high-turnover items like fresh food and other perishables? (HBP-3)

Cross-Dock DC

Why is RFID important for Wal-Mart? (HBP-3)

It increases stock visibility as stock moves in trucks through the distribution centers and on to the stores

Where does Apple manage its creative development from? (HBP-4)

United States

Where does most of Apple’s manufacturing take place? (HBP-4)

Asia

Why did Apple decide to pre-purchase all available holiday air-freight for its iMacs in 1998? (HBP-4)

To ensure timely holiday activities

What was the “India Inside” phenomena? (HBP-5)

Goods imported from India often go unnoticed by American consumers and the media

What is “China Plus One” policy? (HBP-5)

Begin investing in India while still maintaining China as the primary source

What advantage do companies that have invested in mapping their supply networks possess during disruptions? (HBP-6)

Better visibility into supply chains

Why haven’t many companies invested in a supply network mapping despite recognizing its importance? (HBP-6)

It demands extensive labor and time resources

Who was UPS’ major competitor in India in terms of volume share among international logistics service providers?

DHL

Why didn't UPS have the flexibility to experiment with different business models based on trial and error in India?

Competitors already had a head start in Indian supply chain

What happens when a logistics firm obtain Common Carrier Rights?

It allows the logistics firm to deliver packages to both private and commercial customers

On what model is UPS's delivery network based?

Hub and Spoke

What was India's open sky policy?

Foreign airlines are allowed to have any number of flights to India (after the agreement is signed)

What is UPS four quadrant growth strategy?

Focus innovating existing business operations internally and externally and, likewise, focus innovation on new entrepreneurial ventures both internally and externally

Why was India a difficult market to penetrate for UPS? Choose the most significant reason.

Fragmented nature of the market and large number of competitors already present

What does supplier keiretsu mean?

the goal for close-knit networks of vendors to continuously learn, improve, and prosper along with their parent companies

Which Japanese term means, “the place where the action happens”, or where value is created?

genba

Which Japanese term means communicating through visual cues? (ex visually organized switch colors)

kanban

Which Japanese term is defined as a top management meeting, that enables selective information sharing?

jikon

Which Japanese term means to “develop a ‘study group’ for suppliers, to figure out solutions for any problems that may emerge?”

jishuken

As part of the quality drive in the 1980s, US companies attempted to follow the Japanese model of partnering with their suppliers through long-term contracts. Why wasn't this movement successful?

The US companies realized it is more beneficial to globally outsource materials, especially, from China at a much lower cost

What was Ford's policy for obtaining the lowest prices for its components?

Sellers bid for the prices at which they were willing to sell their goods and services (Reverse Auctions)

What is the key difference between how American and Japanese companies foster rivalry among their suppliers?

US manufacturers set vendors against each other and then do business with the last supplier standing, whereas Japanese manufacturers promote competition with the support of their existing suppliers

Despite the low-wage cost opportunities offered by Chinese and Indian suppliers, Toyota and Honda have not switched suppliers. Why is that?

Suppliers' innovation capabilities are more important than their wage costs

What is a HI-LO pricing strategy?

Involves adjusting the retail price of items to optimize gross margins

Where is Walmart's headquarters located?

Arkansas

Which inventory management approach does Walmart use?

Vendor Managed Inventory

What was the initiative called by Walmart that aimed to reduct out-of-stock merchandise in stores through a redesigned distribution network?

Remix

During the 90s, which company was a competitor to Apple's operating system?

Microsoft

Unlike Samsung or Nokia, Apple prefers to control the entire supply chain internally.

True

In which department did Apple invest heavily to ensure innovation? (Hint: New Product Development)

Research and Development

What does Apple expect from its suppliers in return for purchasing capital equipment for them?

Supply assurance and achieving cost targets

In 2013, which company was responsible for the iPhone's final assembly?

Foxconn

Which supply chain feature of Apple most closely resembles that of Walmart?

RFID enabled visibility

Which firm invested $5.7 billion in India's telecom sector in 2020?

Facebook

Which of the following products/equipment is not currently being manufactured in India?

Tesla Model S