Example exam questions Section A - multiple choice 1. A bill of lading is issued when there is something wrong with blank. the merchandise, while a bill of lading leaves the name of the consignee a. Wet, unsold b. Uninsured, negotiable c. Soiled, to-order d. Damp, affreightment e. None of the above Answer = C (soiled and to-order) 2. The downstream supply chain is: a. exclusively inside an organisation b. involved with procurement of material from suppliers c. the distribution of products or delivery of services to customers d. both the first and third answer above e. none of the above Answer = C (the distribution of products or delivery of services to customers) Section B - short answer 1. What are 4 types of inventory? Why do firms often try to reduce their inventory holdings? Types include raw materials, work in process/progress, in-transit, and finished goods. Why reduce inventory? It ties up working capital, takes up too much space, hides errors, and costs additional money to buy, store, transport, insure, handle. [a real exam answer should be half a page, but these are the key points] 2. Describe the principles of Lean manufacturing. Identify value and eliminate waste, improve flow and pull, limit and errors, and continuous improvement to seek perfection. [A good answer would explain about muri (overburden), mura (uneveness), and muda (waste). A really good answer would name the eight wastes or compare the principles of lean manufacturing with the principles of lean services.] Section C - long answer Sample long answer question based on a case study - Premium meals to Asia ExportMeals is a recently established Australian company aiming to develop and export premium pre-prepared meals to the Asian market, with a specific focus on China. The company aims to source Australian premium meat, vegetables, and noodles or rice to create high-quality "value-added" meals that will be cooked, chilled, and flown to Asian wholesalers and retailers for consumers. ExportMeals believes that Australia's reputation for clean,
"green" (environmentally sustainable), and high-quality produce will offer a competitive advantage and business opportunity. The company will be headquartered in Melbourne. The company is planning high-volume meals factories located in Victoria, and will source produce from Victoria, Tasmania, and NSW. The ExportMeals Board of Directors has asked your advice as an expert in global supply chain management. Question: What are the global supply chain management risks, issues, and opportunities for the company? What makes international supply chain management different from national supply chain management? What additional factors need to be considered? What advice would you give to the Board of Directors? Explain in several structured pages the differences such as export and import, customs clearance, exchange rates, time zones, legal and contractual differences, international commerce terms of trade (Incoterms), language differences, cultural differences, and the international complications from scale, lead times, risks, government regulations, and the many other factors that make international supply chain management more complex. A really good answer would also provide some specific advice on the case