Your term research paper should be single-spaced, and approximately 10-12 pages

in length (excluding graphics, title page, and references).

Conduct an in-depth exploration of a topic in supply chain management that has n
ot been fully
covered in this course. the Web can be a valuable resource. Possible topic areas
for the paper include the following:

. sourcing
. procurement
. reverse logistics
. third-party logistics
. multi-modal logistics
. warehousing and distribution
centers
. SC risk management
. SC security
. international trade agreements
. Six Sigma
. ISO standards implementation
. trust in the SC
. incentive alignment
. collaborative planning, forecasting,
and replenishment (CPFR)
. vendor managed inventory (VMI)
. service SC
. SC reference models
. e-commerce and supply chain
management
. SC software vendors/solutions
. green SCM

(Supply Chain Research) Marking Guide

Research Paper Component

Weight
Writing (spelling, grammar, organization, and report structure)

10
Definition of the problem/question and clarity of research objectives

. You should address one main question or problem within your paper; you
may have several research objectives. For instance, your topic may be

Green Supply Chain Management in Canadian Organizations , while your

research objectives are aimed at assessing the state of green supply chain
management in Canadian organizations and identifying main barriers to its
implementation in Canada. The grade in this area will be based on how
clearly the problem/topic and research objectives are stated and addressed
throughout the paper. In the previously stated example, the marker might
ask the following questions in assigning this grade: Does the paper identify
issues that are particular to the Canadian context (such as legal or cultural
issues)? Does the paper stay focused on green supply chain management?
Does the paper actually assess the state of green SCM?

10

Introduction

. Introduce your topic clearly, so you give your readers a good sense of
what you are going to write about.

. Establish the topic's importance. Ask yourself questions such as "Is this a
little researched topic?" and "Does it have strong strategic, operational, or
competitive implications for organizations?"

10
Comprehensive literature review

. Thoroughly review literature/research that reflects on your topic.

. Bring in concepts and theory from the course where appropriate.

25
Analysis/discussion

. Analyze the literature you have reviewed. It is not enough to simply tell
the reader what the literature says; you need to assess what is being said.
Identify gaps in the information (this signals new research areas),
problems that are emerging, areas of growth and opportunity, etc.

. Where appropriate, bring in concepts and theory from the course to aid the
analysis.

30
Conclusion

. Stress the main contributions from your paper (what should the reader
take away from reading the paper?)

. Identify the implications of this contribution what does it mean for

organizations? If possible, what does it mean for researchers?

15