Overview
Please review all three Articles, and provide a general review of the students response to the article. Three Articles: 100 - 150 words per article.
Article One
For this assignment, Id like to use one of my favorite companies, Smith and Wesson. For a firearms manufacturer, there are many reasons to relocate facilities or relocate specific projects. Mostly due to local laws or state laws. The United States is very diverse when it comes to laws regarding firearms and the differ greatly state by state. Oftentimes, firearms companies find states with the least amount of regulations in order to manufacture what they aim to produce. Furthermore, the stakeholders hold equity in the involvement of being made in the USA. The target demographic prefers manufacturers who support local businesses. However, according to an article I read, there are many hurdles to companies being established in the united states, but locate their manufacturing outside of the united states. This is different than a foreign country importing into the united states, albeit that has its own set of hurdles such as tariffs and federal laws (Brauer, 2013). On the other hand, if the company were to be international, the stakeholders can branch out and sell to other countries, especially if the country they are based in. Resources in this case are pretty plentiful and can be delivered as raw materials around the world. However, the con is that the country who purchases the most firearms per capita (United States) would require taxes, tariffs and laws to import their product.
Reference:
Brauer, J. (2013). Demand and supply of commercial firearms in the United States. The Economics of Peace and Security Journal, 8(1).
Article Two
Apple is one of those organizations that thrives in the success of its employees. The more successful and motivated their employees are, the better the organization will be. With that being, Apple take inconsideration the talent around an area, the distance to a innovation hub (a space where collaboration, generating new ideas) are welcome and where an environment can be in a positive light. One of Apple’s headquarters is in Cupertino, CA, a place where the weather is always perfect and an environment that welcomes positivity.
Apple uses factor-rating system that allows us to consider many different types of criteria using simple point-rating scales. (Jacobs & Chase 2024) This is where factors are rated depending on what benefits it will give the company or organization if that location is chosen. Apple is always driven by the people that works there, so the happier their employees are the more productive they’ll be.
References:
Jacobs, F. R., & Chase, R. B. (2024). Operations and supply chain management (17th ed.)
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/223617.pdf
Transportation is a critical component of supply chain operations, responsible for efficiently moving both work-in-progress and finished goods. Key considerations when planning transportation include cost, speed, reliability, mode selection, and sustainability. Depending on delivery timelines, distances, and product characteristics, planners must choose between air, rail, truck, or ocean freight. Organizations are increasingly considering the environmental impact and using real-time tracking and transportation management systems (TMS) to optimize logistics performance. Walmart is a prime example of strategic transportation planning. As one of the largest retailers in the world, Walmart operates its private truck fleet and uses a hub-and-spoke distribution model to streamline deliveries. It implements cross-docking in its distribution centers, transferring products directly from inbound to outbound transport with minimal storage, reducing lead times and inventory costs. Walmart also uses rail transport for longer hauls and invests in route optimization technologies and electric vehicles to enhance sustainability (Jacobs & Chase, 2024). Maersk Line, a global leader in container shipping, combines ocean freight with intermodal rail and truck services to provide end-to-end logistics solutions. It owns and operates port terminals through APM Terminals, allowing greater control over cargo flow. Maersk uses blockchain via the TradeLens platform to improve shipment transparency and reduce delays. Additionally, the company is committed to sustainability, investing in carbon-neutral vessels and green methanol fuel to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 (Rushton et al., 2022). Both Walmart and Maersk illustrate how advanced logistics planning, supported by technology and sustainability efforts, can create resilient and efficient transportation networks.
Reference
Jacobs, F. R., & Chase, R. B. (2024). Operations and supply chain management (17th ed.).
Rushton, A., Croucher, P., & Baker, P. (2022). The handbook of logistics and distribution management (6th ed.).