TAKE HOME TEST worth 40%

eProcurement and Supply Chain

Technologies

INSTRUCTIONS:
You must answer ALL 3 (three) questions All answers must be typed.

Each answer must not exceed 1000 words.

All answers must be typed into one document.
Ensure supporting references are included and have been appropriately written.

Failure to observe these instructions will result in loss of marks.

You must answer ALL THREE questions

Question 1

“Customer relationship management systems help firms achieve customer intimacy”. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Critically discuss your answers. Your answer must also include a detailed discussion on how CRM can create competitive advantage from an operational and analytical perspective for firms. Support your arguments with examples from industry. (10 marks)

Question 2

“Public procurement amounts to a great share of the public sector’s overall budget. Purchasing volume and value is at the same level (or even higher) than many private counterparts.” (Arlbjørn and Freytag, 2012:204) Write an argumentative essay on how the adoption of e-procurement solutions can effectively lead to the reduction of purchasing expenditure by public procurement staff. Next, using at least three examples, critically discuss the importance of ‘sustainable procurement’ in public organisations. (10 marks)

Question 3

Well-designed standards are the foundation for clear, understandable exchanges between trading partners. By using them, you can keep costs down and reduce complexity in your supply chain.

a) Critically discuss the role and prominence that standards play in procurement and supply chain management with particular reference to GTINs and GLNs and any other standards for the Healthcare industry. (12 marks)

b) Next, critically discuss how EPC enabled RFID technologies are quickly transforming the retail supply chain in the apparel, fashion and footwear (AFF) sector. (8 marks)

(20 marks)