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Academic Honesty Pledge  (Required) Regarding the Littlefield Laboratories simulations and case studies, I recognize that the simulations’ learning value comes from facing new situations with unknowns and ambiguity, and that sharing or passing on information about the simulations or case studies to other persons will damage their learning value. Accordingly, I will not share or pass on information about the simulations or case studies with persons who have not already successfully completed MBA 6150.

Costco has redesigned the packaging for its Tempura Shrimp. The previous packaging (shown behind) was larger and heavier, while the new packaging (shown in front) holds the exact same amount of tempura shrimp product but is smaller in size, eliminates a styrofoam tray and reduces paper and plastic packaging material by 250,000 pounds annually. Thinking back on various course topics, identify and discuss several issues and implications of the reduced packaging for Costco’s operations/supply chain.  (A response of a few sentences would be too short to demonstrate full understanding)

When a top-of-the-line, luxury Mercedes Benz car was purchased from the dealership, the new owner found two defects in the new car. How would one evaluate the quality of this car?

What does 3PL stand for?

Given the actual demand data shown below, what is the exponential smoothing forecast (rounded) for May using a smoothing coefficient of 0.35 and April forecast of 43?        Jan     42        Feb    46        Mar    41        Apr    48

Address the following elements in a discussion about supply chain management and the bullwhip effect: a) What is the bullwhip effect in supply chain management: b) How was it illustrated in our in-class supply chain management simulation game?  c) What change or action would be most effective in reducing the bullwhip effect?

Other things remaining the same, if the average aggregate inventory value goes down, then

For a manufacturing activity that has been offshored, what are some reasons why a company may consider nearshoring or reshoring? List and briefly explain several reasons or considerations.

This is an advertisement from a popular Ogden restaurant.  The restaurant’s advertisement illustrates several different considerations or actions taken by the restaurant for good operations/supply chain management.  Identify and discuss those considerations or actions by using terms, concepts and methods from the course. You can focus on considerations/actions that are directly connected to the advertisement’s content; it is not necessary to speculate about other issues that are not directly connected to the advertisement’s content. A response of just a couple of sentences would not be sufficient for demonstrating full understanding; likely, a full paragraph or so will be necessary  (2x points) 

Hi-Tech Inc. experiences demand for an item of 10 units per working day on average, with a standard deviation in demand of 2 units/working day. Each month typically has 20 working days. Lead time to replenish the item is 2 working days. If the company uses a re-order point of 20 units, what is the resultant service level? Note: This question can be answered by logical analysis without making detailed calculations.