Supply Chain Management Analysis of Walmart

by | Sep 12, 2024 | Management

 

Choose an organization operating in any part of the globe (preferably a super market, hyper market chain (or) a fast-food industry or an electronics equipment manufacturer/distributor, automobile manufacturer or automotive parts or retail products / services.

The organization that you choose should either manufacture or market or distribute some products / services. The competition in these businesses majorly depends upon price, quality, timely delivery and service (which are core aspects of Supply Chain Management). Hence there is immense pressure on all the organizations in these businesses to keep the four aspects mentioned to their supreme best.

As these businesses are the most emerged industries in the recent past, the supply chain has seen huge transformations. These businesses are getting to the maturing stage and so as the transformations in the supply chain management of these business become more and more competitive, the customer gets only the best products / service.

Note: In case your chosen organization is operating in many countries and deals with many products, it is enough you consider the operations in any one country and indicate some materials that are part of the business and select 2 or 3 materials out of them for providing answers to the questions given below.

Students can make use of graphs, tables, illustrations, maps, pictures, images to add clarity to your answers.

Examine and evaluate your chosen organizations Supply Chain, describe its basic working, strategy used by them, key drivers for achieving an integrated supply chain. What is the SCM model used?
Go through the typical Working of the chosen Organizations logistics process, Is there a role for reverse logistics for your chosen organizations products / services? If there is a role, explain the process that is applicable.
Analyse and understand the different modes of transportation employed by your chosen organization. Indicate whether the current arrangements are effective. Suggest improvements for making the transportation sustainable and new modes of transportation.
What is the Warehouse design used by the chosen organization and provide your idea on the appropriate warehouse design that will be suitable for the future. Justify your choice with proper reason.
Given the nature of the products that you have selected for your chosen organization, what is the type of Inventory management control that your chosen organization should adopt? Give reasons.

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


This question has been answered

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

 

Supply Chain Management Analysis of Walmart

Introduction

Walmart, a leading multinational retail corporation, operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. Known for its cost leadership strategy, Walmart’s success is largely attributed to its efficient supply chain management (SCM). This essay examines Walmart’s supply chain processes, strategies, and logistics operations, focusing on grocery items and electronics as the selected product categories.

Supply Chain Overview

Basic Working of Walmart’s Supply Chain

Walmart’s supply chain is designed for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The core components include:

1. Supplier Relationships: Walmart maintains strong relationships with suppliers to ensure high-quality products at competitive prices. It employs a Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) system where suppliers are responsible for managing inventory levels.

2. Distribution Centers: Walmart operates a network of distribution centers strategically located to facilitate timely delivery to stores. This centralization allows for bulk purchasing and minimizes transportation costs.

3. Technology Integration: Advanced technologies, including RFID (Radio-frequency identification) and data analytics, are employed to track inventory levels in real-time, optimize stock replenishment, and manage demand forecasting.

Supply Chain Strategy

Walmart’s supply chain strategy revolves around the following key drivers:

– Cost Leadership: By leveraging economies of scale and negotiating lower prices with suppliers, Walmart ensures low prices for customers.
– Timely Delivery: A robust logistics network enables Walmart to achieve rapid replenishment cycles, ensuring that shelves are stocked with minimal delay.
– Quality Control: Continuous monitoring of product quality through supplier audits and customer feedback enhances overall product standards.

SCM Model Used

Walmart utilizes a Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory model, which minimizes inventory holding costs while ensuring product availability. This model aligns with their overall strategy of providing low-cost goods efficiently.

Logistics Process

Typical Working of Logistics

Walmart’s logistics process is characterized by:

1. Transportation: A fleet of trucks transports goods from distribution centers to retail outlets. Efficient routing and scheduling minimize fuel consumption and maximize delivery speed.

2. Cross-Docking: Products are received at distribution centers and immediately transferred to outbound trucks without long-term storage, reducing handling time and costs.

Role of Reverse Logistics

Reverse logistics plays a significant role in Walmart’s supply chain, particularly for electronics:

– Returns Management: Customers can return defective or unwanted products at any store. These items are inspected, refurbished when possible, and either resold or returned to suppliers.
– Recycling Programs: Walmart has initiatives for electronics recycling, ensuring responsible disposal of outdated devices.

Transportation Modes

Modes of Transportation Employed

Walmart uses various transportation modes:

1. Trucking: The primary mode for transporting goods between distribution centers and stores.
2. Rail Transport: Utilized for bulk shipments over long distances due to cost-effectiveness.

Evaluation of Current Arrangements

While Walmart’s transportation arrangements are generally effective, there is room for improvement:

– Sustainable Practices: Implementing electric or hybrid vehicles can reduce the carbon footprint.
– Modal Shifts: Increasing the use of rail transport for long-distance shipments can further lower emissions.

Warehouse Design

Current Warehouse Design

Walmart’s distribution centers are designed for efficient flow, with features like:

– Automated Systems: Use of robotics for sorting and packing goods.
– Open Layouts: Facilitate quick movement of goods and easy access to inventory.

Recommended Warehouse Design for the Future

A modular warehouse design could enhance efficiency:

– Flexibility: Modular designs allow for easy reconfiguration based on changing demand.
– Sustainability: Incorporating green technologies (e.g., solar panels) would align with Walmart’s sustainability goals.

Inventory Management Control

Recommended Inventory Management Control Type

For grocery items and electronics, Walmart should adopt a ABC Analysis Inventory Management System:

– Justification:- Prioritization: Classifying inventory into A (high value), B (moderate value), and C (low value) allows focused management efforts on high-impact items.
– Efficiency: Streamlining stock levels based on sales patterns helps maintain optimal inventory without excess stock.

Conclusion

Walmart’s supply chain management exemplifies best practices in efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and customer service. By leveraging advanced technologies, maintaining strong supplier relationships, and implementing sustainable practices, Walmart continues to lead in the competitive retail market. Ongoing investments in logistics improvements, warehouse design innovations, and strategic inventory management will be crucial for sustaining its position in the industry.

 

 

This question has been answered.

Get Answer