For each case assignment, your job will be to investigate the firm’s problem(s) in the context of Supply Chain Management strategies and prepare a written report. The format of your paper should be as follows and not exceed 5 pages (double spaced) excluding appendices.

Executive summary – a couple of short paragraphs which summarize the remainder of the report

Introduction/Background (1 /2–1 page) – This section is very important and should be concise, easy to read, and free from academic jargon, as well as quickly capture the reader’s attention. The background to the case should identify the protagonist and central characters (firms/employees) of the case and the situation and challenges they faced.

·      What is known? What is unknown?

·      What pressures are/were being faced?

·      Describe the state of affairs – symptoms and critical factors leading to the problem statement

Problem Statement:

A succinct problem statement discussing the business issues/challenges facing the protagonist, should be included, preferably in a single declarative sentence.  Identify the real problems and not the symptoms.

Strategy/Solution Analysis (1–2 pages) – the case will include a discussion of the actions taken by the protagonist and what impact the strategy/solution had on the identified problem(s). Support your position with evidence from the case, outside search and references, or personal experiences, as appropriate; logically discuss options, implications and tradeoffs. This section should include information on where the featured company is today as a result of the implemented decision/approach selected.  Discuss the impact on the featured company, SC members, and competitors (outside research).

Reflection (1–2 pages) – this is an important section of the case.  It will include your interpretation of the decisions made by the firm regarding how the featured company dealt with the identified problem(s). Did you agree/disagree – why? Your position should be supported by outside research (e.g. comparison to best in class, benchmarking, etc.).

Appendices – References and Charts – does not count towards the 5 pages

Citations must be referenced according to APA style. 

Appropriate references:  This is a library research paper and you must use at least 3 different sources, not including textbooks. These sources should be company websites, industry sources, periodicals, such as the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, and so on, and governmental sources such as the SEC. Wikipedia and other similar sources are not to be used in this course.