NAME: UMER AAMIR

REG#: 021- 18- 44560

COUORSE: SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

FACULTY: WAQAR AHMED AND

MUHAMMAD HAMZA
Slot: Sunday (8:30-11:30)

Date: 27/Nov/20

MID- TERM EXAMINATION - 2020

 Question number: 1 We know that push strategy in the supply chain refers to the
amount of work done “in anticipation of demand,” also known as “speculative
strategy.” Simultaneously, the pull supply chain strategy is considered “customers’
order-driven strategy,” also known as “reactive strategy.” There is always a push and
pull boundary that separates the push from the pull.
As a supply chain specialist, please give five (05) different and unique examples from
industry or real life to demonstrate the “push and pull boundary.”
(Marks 10)

Answer:

“Push And Pull Boundary.”

Push and Pull strategy remains at most important strategy used by Organizations for marketing
their products and services. While even in the Supply Chain depart it is widely beneficial. Push
and Pull boundary refers to the border line between the Supply-Chain using the push strategy
sometimes and pull strategy the other time. Such tactical switching between Push and Pull
strategies helps organization to gain competitive advantage and become successful in the
grabbing the customer.

Examples from industry or real life to demonstrate the “push and pull
boundary.”

Example 1: J. by Junaid Jamshed

J. by Junaid Jamshed is amongst the leading clothing brand in Pakistan and also emerging around
the World. They uses the push strategy, by constantly launching different clothing range for each
season creating customer demand, and pull customer to their store by promoting advertisings and
different deals(Especially for religious occasion like Eid).

Which is a perfect example of push and pull boundary. And that is the main reason why J. is
emerging to become a top Clothing brand in not only Pakistan but also in other Countries.

Example 2: Rooh Afza

One of the biggest manufacturers of Asian Traditional drink, Rooh Afza uses just in time
strategy for managing the supplies of their product in the entire market. For entire year,
Hamdard’s Rooh Afza uses the push strategy to promote the product. While in the sacred
month of Ramadan it makes most of the pull strategy and has enough supply of storage
and inventories to fulfil the demands

Example 3: Aviation Industry

Another major example of Push and Pull boundary is the Aviation Industry which has planes
ready to be deployed where it is needed the most (Pull strategy). For instance, there is a huge
traffic of travelers returning back to their homes in occasions like Eid and Christmas. Therefore
more planes are required to transport the passengers to their specific destination on time.

Example 4: Abbasi Shaheed Hospital Emergency Ward

The emergency ward of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital is operating twenty-four hours a day just to be
ready for any emergency scenario. It can be considered as a pull strategy, while if God forbidden
any patient arrives the doctors and emergency staff are ready to operate and treat the patient and
save lives. It is an example of Push and Pull Boundary.
Example 5: Levis Denim

Another huge example of Push and Pull Boundary is Levis Denim. They stockpile and store their
clothing range in their go-downs and distribution centers (Considered as Pull Strategy) and when
the orders or demand arrives, it automatically pull the denim and clothing range to the store and
market (which is a pull strategy).

Question number: 2 Nowadays, in the context of the prevailing situation of COVID 19,
the business environment is filled with uncertainty. Keeping the supply chains free from
disruption is one of the biggest challenges for supply chain decision-makers. Consider
that you are working as a supply chain manager for a car manufacturing company. What
challenges you can face in order to ensure the continuous flow of material throughout the
supply chain. Also, recommend some actions in response to those challenges.

Ans: Supply Chain challenges in the modern times and to ensure the
continuous flow of material throughout the supply chain:

In today’s World there are new challenges coming towards the Supply Chain department,
therefore the supply-chain manager’s needs to cope up the problems and make sure the entire
process of Supply chain goes on smoothly. Consumer anticipation, global complications, road to
industry and other key elements make supply chain operation more challengeable.
The impact of strict lockdown in the flow of material:
The entire World has been effected by this Global Pandemic. As being a Supply Chain manager
for a Car manufacturing company I would have faced multiple issues regarding the flow of
material. Nearly 40% of the World’s auto parts are being imported from China (according to
WorldStopExports). As China was the epidemic center of the virus, the entire supply chain
would be have deflated.

Solution:
I would have make sure the manufacturing of Cars must be operational at all cost. I would decide
to shift to other countries or local manufacturers to make sure all the required material is
provided. And the orders are meet.

Operation Malfunction:
Even if the material is available, it still requires workers to operate the machines and making
sure the manufacturing process is smooth as always. Due to strict protocols imposed by the
Government it would be been disaster for me to force the workers to come and operate.
Solution:
Firstly I would request the authorities (Government) to partially allow workers to run the
manufacturing of Cars and fulfil the orders. On the other hand, I would make sure the health of
the workers are not at risk. All the SOPs would be strict enforced in the organization. All the
office workers can work from home, only machine operators and car manufacturer being asked
to work in the organization’s premises.

Cars delivery and transportation:

The delivery of products and material are also effected due to this Global Pandemic. The
customers and consumers are having difficulty in reaching the product. And for Car
Manufacturers, exporting finished goods (Cars) to their destination especially to other nation is
another problem as all the major ports of the World are halted to stop the spread of the virus.

Solution:
In such scenario, I would make sure all the procedure from the supply chain department is ready
to deliver the Cars whenever the restrictions are lifted. And also try other means of transportation
such as private cargo.
The Global Pandemic is the biggest challenge ever faced by the Supply Chain departments. As
no one was prepared for such uncertainty. Yet it is still the duty of Supply Chain to ensure the
continuous flow of material throughout the Car manufacturing process. If the right measures are
taken, even after such uncertainty the expectations can be meet.

Question number: 3 Transportation is the movement of material from one place to

another. In supply chain management, the material usually travels from various place
through various organizations and aimed to reach at the right time, to the right place, in
the right quantity with the right condition and paperwork, etc.

What are the different purposes and uses of tracking and tracing the goods and services
while managing the supply chain? Provide examples to endorse your answer.

ANS: Tracking and Tracing:

Tracking and tracing the goods and services while managing the supply chain is very essential
for any organization because delivering the good is as important as making it.

Some of the Purposes and use are following;

Awareness of Transportation:
The most important purpose of Tracking and Tracing is to be aware of all the knowledge about
the transportation of the good. Both the buyer and seller are make plans according.
For example; if a Clothing Outlet has ordered a range of Levis denim and are aware when will
the stock reach the store. Then they can make arrangements such as making place in the display
or emptying the storage room.

Track of Lost Items and Products:

Another important role tracking and tracing plays, is to locate the lost delivery and find its actual
location. Especially where there are thousands of containers being transported through shipment
to various destination going the various regions. For instance, Once DHL lost an important
package. After using the tracking and tracing, it was found that the container was held at Dubai
while only its papers reached the original destination which was London.

To Keep Check On The Condition Of The Good:

There are tons of heavy products are transmitted through different transportation means. While
through shipment, people often prefer to save cost by using LTL (Less than Truckload). In LTL
there are different packages in the same container. Which is why it is important to keep track of
the goods. For instance, DHL often check the condition of its parcel at different stop just to
make sure the package is being delivered in the right condition.

This system of tracing and tracking of goods and services assist the supply chain not only to
make sure the product is in right condition but also the safe delivery of the good. For logistics,
this system is considered as the bridge between the information systems and physical on ground
reality (the flow of material and goods). Real time tracing and tracking is the new face of supply
chain industry which always keep track of every bit of information about the delivery of the
product. Due to such technologies it is possible to identify any mishap and deal accordingly
before they become a severe issue. So just like every industry, Supply Chain is also getting
benefit from the technology and tool of tracing and tracking.
 ***THE END***

References:

https://www.blumeglobal.com/learning/supply-chain-challenges/

Stefánsson, Gunnar & Tilanus, Bernhard. (2001). Tracking and tracing: Principles and practice.
IJSTM. 2. 187-206. 10.1504/IJTM.2000.002873.

Proceedings of the 2011 International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations

Management Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, January 22 – 24, 2011

https://www.accenture.com/us-en/blogs/business-functions-blog/crisis-as-a-catalyst-to-face-
supply-chain-challenges