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MODULE NAME: MODULE CODE:

LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT 1A: INTRODUCTION LSCM5121/d/p/w

ASSESSMENT TYPE: TAKE-HOME EXAM (PAPER ONLY)

TOTAL MARK ALLOCATION: 120 MARKS
TOTAL TIME: 21 HOURS (midnight to 9PM on the same day)
By submitting this assessment, you acknowledge that you have read and understood all the rules
as per the terms in the registration contract, in particular the assignment and assessment rules in
The IIE Assessment Strategy and Policy (IIE009), the intellectual integrity and plagiarism rules in
the Intellectual Integrity and Property Rights Policy (IIE023), as well as any rules and regulations
published in the student portal.

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Please adhere to all instructions. These instructions are different from what is normally
present, so take time to go through these carefully.
2. Independent work is required. Students are not allowed to work together on this
assessment. Any contraventions of this will be handled as per disciplinary procedures in The
IIE policy.
3. No material may be copied from original sources, even if referenced correctly, unless it is
a direct quote indicated with quotation marks.
4. All work must be adequately and correctly referenced.
5. You should paraphrase (use your own words) the concepts that you are referencing, rather
than quoting directly.
6. This is an open-book assessment.
7. Assessments must be typed unless otherwise specified.
8. Ensure that you save a copy of your responses.
8.1. Complete your responses in a Word document.
8.2. The document name must be your name.student number.Module Code.
8.3. Once you have completed the assessment, upload your document under the
submission link in the correct module in Learn.
Additional instructions:
• Answer All Questions.

© The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2023

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Referencing Rubric
Providing evidence based on valid and referenced academic sources Markers are required to provide feedback to students by indicating
is a fundamental educational principle and the cornerstone of high- (circling/underlining) the information that best describes the
quality academic work. Hence, The IIE considers it essential to student’s work.
develop the referencing skills of our students in our commitment to
achieve high academic standards. Part of achieving these high Minor technical referencing errors: 5% deduction from the
standards is referencing in a way that is consistent, technically overall percentage. – the student’s work contains five or more
correct and congruent. This is not plagiarism, which is handled errors listed in the minor errors column in the table below.
differently.
Major technical referencing errors: 10% deduction from the
Poor quality formatting in your referencing will result in a penalty of overall percentage. – the student’s work contains five or more
according to the following guidelines a maximum of ten percent errors listed in the major errors column in the table below.
being deducted from the overall percentage. Please note, however,
that evidence of plagiarism in the form of copied or uncited work If both minor and major errors are indicated, then 10% only (and
(not referenced), absent reference lists, or exceptionally poor not 5% or 15%) is deducted from the overall percentage. The
referencing, may result in action being taken in accordance with examples provided below are not exhaustive but are provided to
The IIE’s Intellectual Integrity Policy (0023). illustrate the error.
Required: Minor errors in technical correctness of Major errors in technical correctness of
Technically correct referencing referencing style referencing style
style Deduct 5% from overall percentage. Deduct 10% from the overall percentage.
Example: if the response receives 70%, Example: if the response receives 70%, deduct
deduct 5%. The final mark is 65%. 10%. The final mark is 60%.
Consistency Minor inconsistencies. Major inconsistencies.
• The referencing style is generally • Poor and inconsistent referencing style used in-
• The same referencing format consistent, but there are one or two text and/or in the bibliography/ reference list.
has been used for all in-text changes in the format of in-text • Multiple formats for the same type of
references and in the referencing and/or in the bibliography. referencing have been used.
bibliography/reference list. • For example, page numbers for direct • For example, the format for direct quotes (in-
quotes (in-text) have been provided for text) and/or book chapters (bibliography/
one source, but not in another instance. reference list) is different across multiple
Two book chapters (bibliography) have instances.
been referenced in the bibliography in
two different formats.
Technical correctness Generally, technically correct with some Technically incorrect.
minor errors. • The referencing format is incorrect.
• Referencing format is • The correct referencing format has been • Concepts and ideas are typically referenced,
technically correct throughout consistently used, but there are one or but a reference is missing from small sections
the submission. two errors. of the work.
• Concepts and ideas are typically • Position of the references: references are only
• The correct referencing format referenced, but a reference is missing given at the beginning or end of large sections
for the discipline has been from one small section of the work. of work.
used, i.e., either APA, OR • Position of the references: references are • For example, incorrect author information is
Harvard OR Law only given at the beginning or end of provided, no year of publication is provided,
every paragraph. quotation marks and/or page numbers for
• Position of the reference: a • For example, the student has incorrectly direct quotes missing, page numbers are
reference is directly associated presented direct quotes (in-text) and/or provided for paraphrased material, the
with every concept or idea. book chapters (bibliography/reference incorrect punctuation is used (in-text); the
list). bibliography/reference list is not in
• For example, quotation marks, alphabetical order, the incorrect format for a
page numbers, years, etc. are book chapter/journal article is used,
applied correctly, sources in information is missing e.g. no place of
the bibliography/reference list publication had been provided (bibliography);
are correctly presented. repeated sources on the reference list.
Congruence between in-text Generally, congruence between the in-text A lack of congruence between the in-text
referencing and bibliography/ referencing and the bibliography/ referencing and the bibliography.
reference list reference list with one or two errors. • No relationship/several incongruencies
• There is largely a match between the between the in-text referencing and the
• All sources are accurately sources presented in-text and the bibliography/reference list.
reflected and are all accurately bibliography. • For example, sources are included in-text, but
included in the bibliography/ • For example, a source appears in the text, not in the bibliography and vice versa, a link,
reference list. but not in the bibliography/ reference list rather than the actual reference is provided in
or vice versa. the bibliography.
In summary: the recording of In summary, at least 80% of the sources are In summary, at least 60% of the sources are
references is accurate and correctly reflected and included in a incorrectly reflected and/or not included in
complete. reference list. reference list.

Overall Feedback about the consistency, technical correctness and congruence between in-text referencing and bibliography:

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Question 1 (Marks: 20)

Q.1.1 You have been asked to join the procurement department project team at the (10)
Department of Education where you are completing your internship. They are in
the process of submitting a tender for the provision of textbooks and need help
understanding the Legislative Framework, specifically the Preferential
Procurement Policy Framework Act 5 of 2000 (PPFA).

Explain this legislation in detail and provide two examples to support this
explanation.

Note: you are required to provide a paraphrased overview of the concept before
providing application points related to the scenario.

Q.1.2 Public procurement processes are marred by corruption in South Africa. State (10)
Owned Enterprises (SOE) have not been held accountable for major
transgressions that have led to widescale corruption.
• Provide a paraphrased definition of corruption.
• Discuss two ways in which the South African SOEs have used corruption
related to the supply chain.

Note: you are required to provide a paraphrased overview of the concept before
providing at least two application points

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Question 2 (Marks: 20)

Supply chain quality management in the pharmaceutical industry
Ubiquitous outsourcing across the medical supply chain makes quality management more complex
and challenging, and well-publicized quality issues and incidents are provoking medical device and
drug manufacturers to invest in tools that ease and enhance supply chain quality management.

TraceLink's digital supply network and suite of applications for supplier relationship management
are helping firms in the healthcare sector foster collaboration and obtain the shared end-to-end
visibility they need to improve quality across the healthcare value chain.

Effective supply chain quality management helps organizations identify and resolve problems with
products or business processes before they lead to major problems like supply chain disruptions,
drug shortages, and lost revenue.

Source: Tracelink Inc. 2023. Supply Chain Quality Management. [Online]. Available at: https://www.tracelink.com/agile-
supply-chain/supply-chain-quality-
management#:~:text=Supply%20chain%20quality%20management%20is,and%20improve%20on%2Dtime%20delivery.
[Accessed 12 June 2023].

Q.2.1 In light of the above statement, explain the concept of Quality as it relates to the (5)
supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry.

Note: you are required to provide a paraphrased overview of the concept before
providing at least one application point.

Q.2.2 Explain any three components of quality in relation to Tracelink and the (15)
pharmaceutical industry.

Note: you are required to provide a paraphrased overview of each component

before providing application points for each.

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Question 3 (Marks: 25)

The evolution of the internet has changed the contemporary business environment forever.
Companies such as Take-a-Lot and Bid or Buy are using this technology, specifically the Internet, to
ensure the be-all and end-all of business activities are easy and convenient for online customers.

In an essay, explain whether you agree or disagree with the incorporation of the Internet (as part of
the Fourth Industrial Revolution) into an organisation’s supply chain, for companies such as Take-a-
Lot and Bid or Buy.
Your essay must include, but is not limited to:
• Your stance, i.e., either agree or disagree.
• Explain any four relevant theoretical points to justify your stance on the inclusion or exclusion
of the Internet in a supply chain.
• At least four application points.

NB: Your answer should be a minimum of 1 000 to a maximum of 1 200 words (1 ½ - 2 pages).
Markers are to stop marking after the threshold of 1 200 words (or two pages) has been
reached. More marks will be awarded for the quality of your paraphrasing of theoretical
concepts.

Criteria Points for Consideration Marks

1. Structure of essay • Correct essay structure. /3
and clarity of writing • Logical and coherent flow.
• Academic tone and clear writing.
2. Content • Paraphrased overview of at least four theoretical /8
points related to the inclusion of the Internet in the
supply chain
• At least four application points /12
3. Overall Argument • Comprehensiveness of answer. /2
and synthesis • Balance of breadth and depth.
Total /25

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Question 4 (Marks: 40)

Read the excerpt below and answer the questions that follow:
Now let’s find out how Apple’s supply chain works.
Apple is famous for its simple and accurate supply chain planning processes. Here is what they
consist of:

Research and Development. At this stage, the company develops new technologies, designs new
products, licenses the intellectual property and purchases third-party businesses.
Concept testing. This activity involves market research, product testing and quality assurance.
Pre-launch. During the pre-launch stage, the company fixes the found issues, provides software for
the new products and makes prepayments to the suppliers.
Launch. After the launch, the company makes the demand forecast for the next 150 days.
Quarterly reviews. During the quarterly reviews, the company checks the inventory levels, analyzes
the product life-cycles, adjusts the demand forecasts and monitors the current sales levels and costs
trends.

And this is how the supply chain management Apple processes take place:
Sourcing. At this stage, Apple acquires components and materials from their suppliers, and then
ships them to the outsourced assembly plant in China.
Manufacturing. The products are manufactured at the assembly plant in China.
Warehousing. The manufactured products are shipped from China directly to the consumers who
order them online (drop shipping) by using the services of third-party shippers such as FedEx or
UPS. They can also be shipped to the central warehouse location in California.
Distribution. The products are distributed from the central warehouse location to retail stores,
wholesalers and network carriers.
Return. At the end of a product’s life-cycle, the consumers can participate in the recycle/reuse
program and send the products back to nearest Apple stores or specialized recycling plants.

Such simplified supply chain management has brought Apple much success. One of company’s
secrets is that it treats its hardware products – MacBooks, iPads and iPhones – as perishable
inventory with expiration date. For example, the inventory for certain food products need to be
refreshed as quickly as possible, and this is also true for Apple products. Have you ever heard of,
seen, or stood in queues in Apple stores every year when a new iPhone was released?

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If yes, then you can see that the company is really capable of achieving such fast inventory
turnovers. They combine innovation and sleek design with revolutionary supply chain strategies
that can serve as a role model for a range of technology companies.

We hope that now you are inspired by the supply chain of Apple and maybe someday your business
will become the next Apple.

Source: Shrum, A. 2018. A Look at Apple’s Supply Chain Management. [Online]. Available at:
https://www.dynamicinventory.net/apple-best-supply-chain-management-company/ [Accessed 12 June 2023].

Q.4.1 Explain the concept of inventory in relation to Apple. (5)

Note: you are required to provide a paraphrased overview of the concept before
providing at least one application point.

Q.4.2 Explain the four types of inventory based on its position in the supply chain that (20)
Apple would have in their supply chain.

Note: you are required to provide a paraphrased overview of the types of

inventory before providing at least one application point for each.

Q.4.3 Discuss the key difference between cycle stock and safety stock in relation to (10)
Apple.

Note: you are required to provide a paraphrased overview of the concept before
providing at least one application point for each.

Q.4.4 Which mode of transportation is most suited to move manufactured goods from (5)
China to Apple’s stores in the United States? Justify your choice.

Note: you are required to provide a paraphrased overview of the concept before
providing at least one application point.

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Question 5 (Marks: 15)

As a logistics and supply chain management student you have completed key aspects of the
discipline throughout this module, namely inventory management, warehouse management,
purchasing management and public supply chain management.

This question requires you to reflect on your knowledge and understanding of supply chain
management. You are required to write a one-page report where you reflect on:
• The importance of supply chain management in an organisation.
• Do you think supply chain management has the ability to enhance the performance of an
organisation? Why/why not?
• What was your experience of learning the discipline of supply chain management? I.e.,
working through the prescribed textbook, Learn content and class discussions.
• Explain what your challenges and difficulties were when learning content related to supply
chain management.
• Which component within the supply chain discipline you enjoyed learning about the most
and could this be a potential career path? Why or why not?

Note: this is a reflection-type question and does not require research, but rather your opinion and
insights into the module you have completed.

END OF PAPER

© The Independent Institute of Education (Pty) Ltd 2023

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