  Managing Supply Chain Vulnerability: Lessons in Addressing Variability and Discontinuity Risks from the Personal Computer Industry (2006) Ref: busman0025 30,000 words – 140 pages in length Extensive and excellent use of literature Good use of business models Ideal for business students Outstanding dissertation Since the vulnerability of supply chains has been exposed to everyone by recent catastrophes, the importance of managing supply chain risks cannot be overstated. However, companies tend to lack of understanding about this issue and most of them ignore how to deal with it. In the present dissertation, a comprehensive literature review is carried out with the aim of exploring the recent concepts of supply chain vulnerability, supply chain risks and supply chain risk management. After a review of strategies that can be employed in order to reduce supply chain vulnerability, the case of the personal computer industry is examined through three case studies. This research provides examples of pioneering initiatives and results suggest the linkage of supply chain risk management with product uncertainty. This paper contributes to further the supply chain risk management research via the development of a definition of supply chain risk. The distinction between variability and discontinuity risks represents the underpinning of a theoretical framework for the management of supply chain vulnerability. The author also introduces the concept of convergence so as to describe the relationship between risk management and supply chain management. Additionally, the notion of risk management strategy is studied in the context of the supply chain. 1. Background The evolution of supply chains and its impact on vulnerability The reality of supply chain risks Uncertain times and the need to adopt a new mindset 2. Supply Chain And Vulnerability Supply chain management The concept of vulnerability in supply chain management Defining supply chain risks The concept of risk in supply chain management Supply chain risks categories A proposed distinction between variability and discontinuity 3. Supply Chain Risk Management The convergence of supply chain management and risk management Risk management A new research area: supply chain risk management The convergence of two fields The management of risk in the supply chain The complexity of the task The need for a proactive and collaborative approach The tradeoffs between risk management and efficiency Tackling supply chain vulnerability A change management approach Supply chain risk management strategy Addressing supply chain vulnerability: a chosen approach 4. Reducing Vulnerability To The Variability Risk Align supply chain strategy with product uncertainty Uncertainty and supply chain strategy The uncertainty framework Address international risks Global supply chain management and the operating exposure The limits of agility in an international context 5. Reducing Vulnerability To The Discontinuity Risk Increase supply chain security The range of security measures Combining security and effectiveness in the supply chain Improve supply chain resilience Resilience and the organisation Resilience and the network 6. Research Objectives And Methodology Purpose of the research Reflections on the literature review Research focus and objectives Research design Research methodology Research strategy Time horizon and sample Data collection method Assessment of the research design 7. The Case Of The Personal Computer Industry Presentation of the PC industry History Industry features Industry supply chain strategies The management of supply chain vulnerability in the PC industry Dell Computer Corporation Apple Computer Products Hewlett-Packard Company 8. Analysis Reflections on case studies Reducing supply chain vulnerability to variability Product uncertainty in the PC supply chain Initiatives implemented to address the variability risk Reducing supply chain vulnerability to discontinuity The impact of the earthquake The resilience of PC supply chains Conclusions on the PC industry 9. Recommendations General recommendations Adopt a new mindset Avoid typical mistakes in supply chain risk management Distinguish variability and discontinuity risks to refine your approach Understand how to reduce supply chain vulnerability Lessons from the personal computer industry Manage the variability risk to optimise supply chain efficiency Align supply chain risk management initiatives Beware of the discontinuity risk Recommendations for future research Build an empirically grounded definition of supply chain risk Test the convergence between risk management and supply chain management Investigate other industries Conclusions Bibliography Appendices How To Order 1. Select reference number busman0025 from the dropdown list 2. Click the PayPal button 3. Click the "Click Here" button on the PayPal page to submit your credit/debit card payment 4. We will email your chosen dissertation in PDF format within 24 hours |