Research Paper - Strategic Purchasing and Logistics

Weekly Assignments and Discussions

A logistics network simulation titled "Cincinnati Seasonings" is an integral part of ASCM 629. Its purpose is to illustrate the interplay of manufacturing, transportation, warehousing, and retail sales as these facets impact inventory management. Weekly assignments illustrate the concepts that are presented within the weekly readings and PowerPoint presentation summaries. Assignments for Weeks Two through Six and Seven through Nine are included in the Course Schedule within the Syllabus. The assignment for Week Ten is for a student to summarize their learning achievements in a paper. This paper is posted during the Week Eleven SCM Globe discussion for other students to read and comment upon.

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Cincinnati Seasonings Summary Paper – 100 points

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Please summarize your Week 2 through 9 Cincinnati Seasonings learning as an approximately ten-page paper. The paper will follow the outline below. The outline sub-topics should be used as subheadings within the summary paper.

I. Introduction (up to 20 points)

A. Overview of Cincinnati Seasonings

B. The initial supply chain scenario

II. Accomplishments (up to 20 points)

A. What went well

B. How could you have improved

III. Comparison (up to 20 points)

A. Week Two's outcome compared to Week Nine's results

B. What if (select one of the items below and run the simulation to report on the outcome):

1. What would happen if you began using larger trucks that had higher operating costs per kilometer but could also carry twice as much cargo?

2. The Cincinnati factory is located on rail lines; what would happen if you located the warehouses so that they were also located near rail lines? Could you lower transport costs?

3. Would it make sense to use air transportation to move products in this supply chain?

4. Is it better to expand the existing factory to support demand from the new stores or better to keep existing factory as is and build a new factory closer to the new stores?

IV. Conclusion (up to 20 points)

A. If you were to do the simulation series over, what would you have done differently?

B. Recommendation: How could this learning experience be improved?

Formatting (up to 20 points)

Please do not omit any of the listed subtopics while preparing your Cincinnati Seasoning summary paper. Aspects that are not covered will result in fewer points awarded for that section. A discussion within each aspect is required for a full score of 100 points for the summary paper. This paper will be due in each student's assignment folder by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the Sunday at the end of Week 10. Students will then share their paper with others during the Week 11 conference as a posting attachment. Please post the paper by Tuesday during Week 11 so that other students have an opportunity to read and respond during the Wednesday through Sunday of Week 11.

APA format is required. See this link and sample paper provided in announcement for more info: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

I. Introduction /20 points

A. Overview of Cincinnati Seasonings

B. The initial supply chain scenario

II. Accomplishments /20 points

A. What went well

B. How could you have improved

III. Comparison /20 points

A. Week Two's outcome compared to Week Nine's results

B. What if (select one of the items below and run the simulation to report on the outcome):

IV. Conclusion /20 points

A. If you were to do the simulation series over, what would you have done differently?

B. Recommendation: How could this learning experience be improved?

Formatting /20 points

APA format is required. See this link and sample paper provided in announcement for more info: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

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