INTERNATIONAL TRADE OPERATIONS

　　ASSIGNMENT 1

　　For this assignment you have a choice of one from two options.

　　Option 1

　　“A clear majority are either in the process of evaluating their supply network, just completed an evaluation or are just about to start one.”

　　Steve Rowe, Managing Partner, RSR Research, 2012 Global Supply Chain Summit

　　It is clear from the above comment that retailers are currently focusing on the state of their global supply chains. As the internationalisation of retailing has increased on a global basis, continuity of supply has become a key issue for them. Retailers such as Wal-mart are operating in North and South America, Asia, Europe and the company also recently announced its entry into the emerging market of South Africa.

　　a) Assess the risks related to supplying multiple markets across the world

　　b) Suggest what actions retailers should take in order to maintain continuity of supply

　　Marking Schedule

　　Assessment of risk 40%

　　Suggestions 45%

　　Evidence of Research 10%

　　Structure, language, grammar etc. 5%

　　Marking Criteria

　　Assessment of Risk

　　Appropriateness of risks identified

　　Level of assessment

　　Suggestions

　　Appropriateness of suggestions to the international/global retail context

　　References

　　Number of references

　　Range of relevant references

　　Correct referencing in text and reference list

　　Presentation etc.

　

　　Structure

　　Work should be grammar checked

　　Use of appropriate language and terminology

　　Option 2

　　“Are global corporations cleaning up their supply chains? Trying to answer that question is like wrestling an octopus into a shoebox: no matter how hard you try, something dangles out somewhere.”

　　John Entine, Ethical Corporation, March 2012

　　It is clear from the above statement that ethical commentators still see the need to focus on the ethics of global supply chains. Most organisations publicise the fact that they are cleaning up their supply chains in response to demands from pressure groups and customers.

　　a) Assess the need for organisations to ‘clean up’ their supply chains.

　　b) Consider how this issue is being tackled by such organisations.

　　Marking Schedule

　　Assessment of need 40%

　　Consideration of actions 45%

　　Evidence of Research 10%

　　Structure, language, grammar etc. 5%

　　Marking Criteria

　　Assessment of Risk

　　Appropriateness of risks identified

　　Level of assessment

　　Suggestions

　　Appropriateness of suggestions to the international/global retail context

　　References

　　Number of references

　　Range of relevant references

　　Correct referencing in text and reference list

　　Presentation etc.

　　esay format

　　Structure

　　Work should be grammar checked

　　Use of appropriate language and terminology

　　Essay format. You may include appendices with supplementary relevant material, but this should not contain copies of your research articles. Each appendix should be numbered and give a title and source. The essay should not contain headings or sub-headings.

　　Your points should be supported by examples or statistics where appropriate. Your examples should come from a range of retailers.

　　Word limit 2500 words +/- 10%, this does not include appendices.

　　This assignment is worth 50% of your total mark for this module.

　　Submission – 28 November 2012, electronic copy via Turnitin by 23.59.

　　Learning Outcomes

　　1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the need for international purchasing and global sourcing and of its operational aspects

　　2. Assess the impact of operational aspects of importing and exporting on international business

　　3. Identify & evaluate appropriate international purchasing & global sourcing strategies

　　PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO COPY DIRECTLY FROM SOURCE MATERIAL, EVEN WHERE THAT MATERIAL IS REFERENCED. IF YOU WISH TO USE A QUOTATION OR DEFINITION THIS SHOULD BE PLACED IN INVERTED COMMAS AND REFERENCED. REFERENCES SHOULD BE IN THE HARVARD SYSTEM.