ALLAMA IQBAL OPEN UNIVERSITY, ISLAMABAD

(Department of Business Administration)

Course: Introduction to Supply Chain Management (9541) Semester: Spring, 2025

Level: PGD Credit Hours: 03

Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50

ASSIGNMENT No. 1

Note: Attempt all the questions.

Q. 1 Explain how supply chain management ensures the efficient flow of goods, services, and information. (20)

Q. 2 Describe suppliers, manufacturers, warehouses, logistics, retailers, and customers in a supply chain. (20)

Q. 3 How does supply chain management contribute to cost reduction and operational efficiency? (20)

Q. 4 What is the difference between supply chain management (SCM) and logistics? (20)

Q. 5 Discuss the role of digital tools in tracking and optimizing supply chain activities. (20)

Guidelines FOR ASSIGNMENT # 1

The student should look upon the assignments as a test of knowledge, management skills, and communication skills. When you write an assignment answer, you are indicating your knowledge to the teacher:

• Your level of understanding of the subject;
• How you think;
• How well you can reflect on your knowledge & experience;
• How well you can use your knowledge in solving problems, explaining situations, and describing organizations and management;
• How professional you are, and how much care and attention you give to what you do.

To answer a question effectively, address the question directly, bring important related issues into the discussion, refer to sources, and indicate how principles from the course materials apply. The student must also be able to identify important problems and implications arising from the answer.

For citing references, writing bibliographies, and formatting the assignment, APA format should be followed.

ASSIGNMENT No. 2

Total Marks: 100 Pass Marks: 50

This assignment is a research-oriented activity. You are required to obtain information from a business/commercial organization and prepare a report of about 1000 words on the issue allotted to you to be submitted to your teacher for evaluation.

You are required to select one of the following issues according to the last digit of your roll number. For example, if your roll number is P-3427180 then you will select issue # 0 (the last digit): -

Issues:

1. Supply Chain Disruptions
2. Globalization and Trade Barriers
3. Sustainability and Environmental Concerns
4. Digital Transformation and Technology Integration
5. Cybersecurity Threats
6. Ethical and Social Responsibility Issues
7. Inventory Management Challenges
8. Cost Volatility and Inflation
9. Shortage of Skilled Labor
10. Resilience and Risk Management

The report should follow the following format:

1. Title page
2. Acknowledgements
3. An abstract (one-page summary of the paper)
4. Table of contents
5. Introduction to the issue (brief history & significance of issue assigned)
6. Practical study of the organization (for the issue)
7. Data collection methods
8. SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats) relevant to the issue assigned
9. Conclusion (one-page brief covering important aspects of your report)
10. Recommendations (specific recommendations relevant to the issue assigned)
11. References (as per APA format)
12. Annexes (if any)

GUIDELINES FOR ASSIGNMENT # 2:

• 1.5 line spacing
• Use headers and subheads throughout all sections
• Organization of ideas
• Writing skills (spelling, grammar, punctuation)
• Professionalism (readability and general appearance)
• Do more than repeat the text
• Express a point of view and defend it.

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