Tag: Supply Chain Management / Operations Management

Problem 10-3 (Static)
The time in minutes to replace vehicle wiper blades at a service center was monitored using a mean and a range chart. Six samples of n = 20 observations were obtained and the sample means and ranges were computed:
Sample
Mean
Range
1
3.06
.42
2
3.15
.50
3
3.11
.41
4
3.13
.46
5
3.06
.46
6
3.09
.45
Click here for the Excel Data File
Factors for three-sigma control limits for x¯ and R charts
FACTORS FOR R CHARTS
Number of Observations in Subgroup, n
Factor for x¯ Chart, A2
Lower Control Limit, D3
Upper Control Limit, D4
2
1.88
0
3.27
3
1.02
0
2.57
4
0.73
0
2.28
5
0.58
0
2.11
6
0.48
0
2.00
7
0.42
0.08
1.92
8
0.37
0.14
1.86
9
0.34
0.18
1.82
10
0.31
0.22
1.78
11
0.29
0.26
1.74
12
0.27
0.28
1.72
13
0.25
0.31
1.69
14
0.24
0.33
1.67
15
0.22
0.35
1.65
16
0.21
0.36
1.64
17
0.20
0.38
1.62
18
0.19
0.39
1.61
19
0.19
0.40
1.60
20
0.18
0.41
1.59
a. Using the factors in the above table, determine upper and lower limits for mean and range charts. (Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your mean value to 3 decimal places and range value to 4 decimal places.)
a1. Is the process in control? multiple choice 1 The process is in control. The process is not in control.
b. The time in minutes needed to assemble security cameras at a production facility was recorded for eight samples of 15 observations each, and means and ranges were computed. Using factors from the above table, compute control limits for the means and ranges. (Round your answers to 3 decimal places.)
Sample
Mean
Range
1
7.10
.52
2
6.92
.48
3
7.25
.50
4
7.54
.51
5
7.21
.46
6
8.01
.55
7
7.80
.53
8
7.63
.49
b1. Is the process is in control. multiple choice 2 The process is in control. The process is not in control.

Read the Midwest Health System: Information System Risks and Control Case Study and use the knowledge and learnings gained on IT Risk Management during the trimester to answer the following questions:
Question 1 – Midwest Health System’s Business Understanding
Based on the information provided, write a short summary of your understanding of the business.
Question 2 – Midwest Health System’s IT Risk Identification
Based on the information provided in the case study, identify five risks by providing the risk event, caus(e)/(s)ources, and the impac(t)/(c)onsequence (the bowtie method) .
Question 3 – Midwest Health System’s IT Risk analysis and evaluation
Define a scale that can be used to determine the inherent and residual risks, and a scale that can be used to determine the effectiveness and adequacy of the controls. Use the defined scales to assess the inherent risk, current control effectiveness and adequacy, and residual risk (based on current controls) of the risks identified in Question 2.
Question 4 – Midwest Health System’s IT Risk treatment
Provide additional controls for the identified residual risks with a treatment plan (avoid, mitigate, monitor, transfer, accept), and based on the additional controls, the new residual risk.
Question 5 – Midwest Health System’s Risk Appetite
Based on the risk case study, and the risk assessment that you have done, define MidWest Health’s risk appetite focusing on the risks that you have identified.
Question 6 – Midwest Health System’s IT Risk communication
Provide the CIO (Steve Nelson) with a recommendation, based on the risk assessment, treatment plan and appetite, on how to further strengthen MidWest Health System’s risk management framework and ultimately enhancing resilience and efficiency.

3.1
The following table gives the average monthly exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Euro for 2009. It shows that 1 Euro was equivalent to 1.289 U.S. dollars in January 2009: Page 4 of 5
3.1.1
Using a moving average with four periods, calculate the corresponding forecasts, including the exchange rate for January 2010.
3.1.2
Using a weighted moving average with four periods, calculate the corresponding forecasts, including the exchange rate for January 2010. Use 7, 4, 3, and 1 for the weights of the recent, second most recent, third most recent and fourth most recent periods, respectively.
3.1.3
Using an exponential smoothing method with α = 0.3 (assume the forecast for Jan. 2009 was at 1.275), calculate the corresponding forecasts, including the exchange rate for January 2010.
3.1.4
Evaluate the accuracy of each of these methods (i.e., 3.1.1 to 3.1.3) using the mean absolute percent error and fully explain the results.
3.2
An avid mountain biker, Lyle, always wanted to start a business selling top-of-the-line mountain bikes and other outdoor supplies. A little over six years ago, he and a silent partner opened a store called Trail Bikes and Supplies. The quarterly sales (in R1 000s) for the past four years are shown in the table below:
3.2.1
Explain and show empirically whether the dataset exhibit a trend pattern or not. [No graph or plot required]
3.2.2
Compute the seasonal indices based on the centered moving average and comment on the corresponding values.
3.2.3
Fit a trend line on the appropriate data (comment on the significance of the fitted line) and thereafter, calculate the actual forecasts for the year 2023.

Read the scenario below and answer the sub-questions 2.3 to 2.4.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AT NDIMA TRANSPORT
Mr Nhlanhla Ndima is a small business owner of a fleet of taxis operating as Ndima Transport. The business provides safe, reliable, and clean transport to passengers and aims to be one of the largest and safest fleets of taxis in KwaMashu. It is a convenient connection between townships and cities.
Ndima Transport employs two drivers for the local route and three drivers for the long-distance route between KwaMashu and Johannesburg. The long-distance drivers have a target of three trips to and from with a target of R15 000, while the local drivers have six trips from the Kwamashu taxi rank to Ntuzuma taxi rank with a target of R5 000. Each driver is responsible for booking services for their taxis and notifying Mr Ndima of the service date and showing proof of the car service in the service record book.
Taxi drivers at Ndima Transport are expected to work as a team, and during the performance appraisal, they are assessed on whether they are good team players. They need to be neatly dressed and interact in a friendly and courteous manner with the passengers. Passengers can directly lodge complaints about the drivers to Mr Ndima via the free sms number that is displayed inside each taxi. Ndima Transport provides R10 000 in December to the best-performing driver.
2.3 Explain to Mr. Ndima about the two prerequisites that should be met before implementing a performance management system (2 marks). Advise him if they are applicable in his business and motivate your answer with reference to the scenario and provide intext source referencing (4 marks).

Are subcontracting plans required for contracts performed entirely in Tonga?
Answer: No. The FAR requires a subcontracting plan when a contract has subcontracting possibilities and exceeds the threshold; however, the requirement to obtain an acceptable subcontracting plan does not apply to acquisitions that will be performed entirely outside the United States and its outlying areas. For a DoD acquisition performed entirely in Tonga, a subcontracting plan is not required unless another FAR or DFARS provision or an agency implementation requires it.
Citation: FAR 19.702 (requirement for subcontracting plans and exceptions) — see FAR 19.702.
Does the contracting officer have to amend the solicitation to include the new clause?
Answer: No, not automatically. When the FAR is changed by issuance of a new clause, the new FAR text is effective as specified in the final rule. If the final rule is silent about applicability to existing solicitations, the contracting officer is not required to amend an existing solicitation solely because the FAR was changed after the solicitation was issued; the new clause must be included in solicitations and contracts issued (or awarded) after the effective date as directed by the FAR and the final rule’s applicability language. If agency or component policy or the final rule specifically requires amendment of pending solicitations, the contracting officer must follow that direction.
Citation: FAR 1.108 (effect of changes to the FAR and applicability of new or revised clauses and provisions; apply FAR changes as specified in the final rule).
You are the contracting officer for a noncommercial acquisition for supplies with an estimated value of $1,350,000 that is being executed as a small business set-aside. Are you required to include the clause at FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, in your solicitation?
Answer: Yes. For a noncommercial supplies acquisition being conducted as a small business set-aside, the solicitation must include the Limitations on Subcontracting clause where applicable. Include the clause consistent with FAR guidance on small business set-asides and the limitations on subcontracting requirement.
Citation: FAR 19.502-2 (policy on set-asides for small business) and FAR 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting clause).
Can a contractor submit a claim by e-mail?
Answer: Yes. A contractor may submit a claim by e-mail provided the submission is in writing, signed by the contractor (and, for claims over $100,000, contains the required certification), and otherwise meets the requirements for a claim under the Contract Disputes Act and the FAR. If the contract prescribes a different method for submitting claims, the contractor must follow the contract.
Citation: FAR 33.207(a) and (c) (requirements that claims be in writing, signed, and certified when over $100,000).
FAR 23.106(b)(1) allows the head of an agency to exempt agency activities from the sustainable acquisition requirements in FAR subpart 23.1 in the interest of national security. Can the agency head’s authority to grant this exemption be delegated to the heads of contracting activities?
Answer: Yes. The FAR provides that the agency head’s authority under FAR 23.106(b)(1) to exempt agency activities from the sustainable acquisition requirements may be delegated (consistent with agency delegations). Heads of contracting activities may be delegated the authority to grant such exemptions where the agency head has authorized that delegation.
Citation: FAR 23.106(b)(1) (agency head exemptions for national security) and FAR 23.106 (delegation language authorizing delegation consistent with agency delegation practices).

Scenario: Using excels analytic solver…Zahara Blends, a growing beauty brand specializing in customizable hair oils, is planning a small-batch launch of premium blends. You’ve developed seven unique formulations, each with different profit margins, production costs, labor needs, and packaging requirements.Due to startup constraints, you have a maximum budget of $5,000,150 hours of available labor, and 250 bottles in stock. Your goal is to maximize total profit by selecting up to 4 products for launch. However, you must also respect brand strategy rules, such as avoiding product overlap, ensuring scent diversity, and aligning luxury blends with your base oils.
Decision Variables:
Yi: 1 if product i is selected for launch
Yi: 0 Otherwise
Decision Variables Table
Product
Product Name
Decision Variable
1
Argan Rosemary
Y1
2
Coconut Rosemary
Y2
3
Castor Peppermint
Y3
4
Jojoba Eucalptus
Y4
5
Argan Rose
Y5
6
Rosewater Hydration Mix
Y6
7
Luxury Gold Blend
Y7
Parameters of the Problem
Product Parameters
Product
Profit
Cost($)
Labor (hrs)
Bottles
Y1
120
750
20
40
Y 2
100
650
18
35
Y3
90
500
15
30
Y4
85
450
12
25
Y5
125
800
22
40
Y6
105
700
20
35
Y7
140
1000
30
45
Objective Function
Max: 120y1 100y2 90y3 85y4 125y5 105y6 140y7
Constraints
Budget:750y1 650y2 500y3 450y4 800y5 700y6 1000y7≤5000
Labor hours constraints:20y1 18y2 15y3 12y4 22y5 20y6 30y7≤150
Bottle supply constraint:40y1 35y2 30y3 25y4 40y5 35y6 45y7≤250
Max profit limit(only 4 products can be launched):y1 y2 y3 y4 y5 y6 y7≤4
Logical Constraints:
Avoid overlap (Argan vs Coconut Rosemary):y1 y2≤1
At least one floral scent product must be selected (Rose, Rosewater):y5 y6≥1
Luxury Gold Blend can only be launched if Argan-based product is selected:y7≤y1 y5

Scenario
ScenarioUber Technologies Incorporation, the rapidly expanding ride-hailing application, which allows its users to book and pay for taxis by using their smartphone has come under serious attack in many parts of the world, including the United States, Europe, Asia and Nigeria. In these destinations, Uber has faced sanctions, criticisms, and protests, such as the once trending social media campaign #DeleteUber, in which users were encouraged to stop using the Uber app.More recently, a ban on Uber has resulted in the stripping of its operating license in London (in 2017). The regulator, Transport for London, said, Ubers approach and conduct demonstrate a lack of corporate responsibility with several issues which have potential public safety and security implications.In its short-term existence, Uber has been accused of various bad CSR-related issues such as non-reporting of serious criminal offenses, improper background checks on drivers, hiring of unprofessional drivers, espionage, customer privacy issues, etc. The company has also had to combat its internal stakeholders.
TASK 1 :Instructions:
With reference to Uber, prepare a report concerning the impact of globalization on local businesses. To develop this report you must apply relevant theoretical concepts, models, relate with real-world example of your chosen organizational context and critically analyze your arguments and arrive at justifiable recommendations.
The report should also address the following:
Using PESTLE as a framework (and supporting examples) analyze the effects of globalization on national economies.
Evaluate the role of the EU and International institutions (e.g. IMF, WTO, etc.) on business organizations.

Question 1 0.3 pts
The definition for society may be thought of as a community, a nation, or a broad grouping with common traditions, values, institutions, and collective activities and interests.
Group of answer choices
True
False
Question 2 0.3 pts
Environmentalists are best understood as one of the many subgroups of society.
Group of answer choices
True
False
Question 3 0.3 pts
Stakeholders are the owners of shares in a corporation.
Group of answer choices
True
False
Question 4 0.3 pts
Ethics refers to issues of right and wrong, fairness, and justice.
Group of answer choices
True
False
Question 5 0.3 pts
Stakeholders include all of the following groups except
Group of answer choices
owners.
employees.
customers.
competitors.
Question 6 0.3 pts
Sustainability focuses on containing the environmental fallout of industrial production.
Group of answer choices
True
False
Question 7 0.3 pts
The CSR Pyramid is a stakeholder model; that is, each of its components addresses different stakeholders.
Group of answer choices
True
False
Question 8 0.3 pts
Friedman proposed that businesses never had any obligation to act ethically.
Group of answer choices
True
False
Question 9 0.3 pts
Corporate social responsiveness is focused on the action phase of management response to social demands.
Group of answer choices
True
False
Question 10 0.3 pts
Which of the following is not a characteristic of a socially responsible company?
Group of answer choices
makes products that are safe
makes above average financial returns
does not pollute air or water
recycles within the company

Integrating transaction processing systems (TPS) with ERP allows organizations to streamline services but does not reduce labor costs. True or False
Airbus announced three concepts for the world’s first zeroemission commercial aircraft. They are hopeful they can have these aircraft ready for service by 2035. This carbon-neutral technology would reduce the environmental impact of aircraft operations. The three concepts they are exploring include which of the following?
Multiple Choice
A turboprop design that can seat up to 100 people that uses a turboprop engine that is capsable of treveling more than 1,000 nautical miles.
An electric turbolan design that can seat 200 people and has a range of over 2,000 noutical miles.
An ethanol design that can seat 120 200 passengers with a range of over 2000 neritical miles.
A natural gas turboprop that is capable of carrying up to 100 passengers and has a tange of over 1,000 nautical miles.

Phases in decision making: Problem-solving loop illustrates the phases of decision-making developed in a somewhat circular path. Correctly order the following 4 phases of decision making from phase 1-4.
Group of answer choices
Phase 1 [ Choose ]
Select for Phase 1:
[ Choose ]
Decision; accept a decision put into effect, evaluate outcome
Alternatives; generate alternatives and assess their value
Consensus-building; select the best options, attempt to gain support
Identification/Clarification; identify problem, formulate goal, assess resources
Phase 2 [ Choose ]
Select for Phase 2:
[ Choose ]
Decision; accept a decision put into effect, evaluate outcome
Alternatives; generate alternatives and assess their value
Consensus-building; select the best options, attempt to gain support
Identification/Clarification; identify problem, formulate goal, assess resources
Phase 3 [ Choose ]
Select for Phase 3:
[ Choose ]
Decision; accept a decision put into effect, evaluate outcome
Alternatives; generate alternatives and assess their value
Consensus-building; select the best options, attempt to gain support
Identification/Clarification; identify problem, formulate goal, assess resources
Phase 4 [ Choose ]
Select for Phase 4:
[ Choose ]
Decision; accept a decision put into effect, evaluate outcome
Alternatives; generate alternatives and assess their value
Consensus-building; select the best options, attempt to gain support
Identification/Clarification; identify problem, formulate goal, assess resources