Sample Critical Debate Report.pdf - This is a sample report...

Critically debate the following
topic:
The appropriateness of “Lean” in international supply chain
design
This is a sample report from another module at
postgraduate level. You should always refer to
you own assignment brief/specification.

i
Executive Summary
The report addressed the concept of lean supply chain design and the theory behind the
implementation of the strategy. It critically debates the appropriateness of lean in international
supply chain design. Globalisation has enabled companies to expand their supply chains and
reach new markets. Therefore, international supply chains must synchronise internal and
outsourced functions.
It identifies and evaluates the steps to lean thinking (Specifying Value, Identifying and
mapping the value stream, Create value added flows, Customer Pull, Strive for Perfection).
Key criticism include: inevitably increases the risk of the firm depending on external
collaborators and thus a lot of trust is required, can discourage innovation as it concentrations
too sternly on standardisation.
There are many defences of lean. The misinterpretation that one size fits all, is an individuals’
perception issue rather than the system itself. The report concludes that lean is not fit for all.
For lean to operate at a beneficial level, companies need to be competing in a settled market. It
does not work where demand is unpredictable.

ii
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................. i
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... ii
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 1
Lean ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Criticisms of Lean .................................................................................................................................... 5
Alternative models for International supply chain design ...................................................................... 7
The Agile Supply Chain ........................................................................................................................ 7
A hybrid strategy ................................................................................................................................. 9
Six Sigma ........................................................................................................................................... 11
Defence of Lean .................................................................................................................................... 13
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 15
References ............................................................................................................................................ 16

1
Introduction
The aim of this assignment is to critically debate the appropriateness of lean in international
supply chain design. Globalisation has enabled companies to expand their supply chains and
reach new markets. Therefore, international supply chains must synchronise internal and
outsourced functions, so that the right products are produced and distributed in the right
quantities, to the right location, at the right time, to minimise waste in terms of cost, whilst
achieving high levels of quality and customer satisfaction (Qrunfleh and Tarafdar 2013).
Thus, it can be reasoned that it is vital for companies to move from single company thinking,
to the extended enterprise thinking. Christopher (2016) argues that supply chains can be
leveraged as a competitive advantage, offering both a cost and a value advantage to a
company, guaranteeing that customer value is always met whilst costs are driven down.
However, without the correct supply chain design and management capabilities, it is possible
that cost, and value advantages can become diminished and damage the company.
The evolution of multi-channel retailing to omni channel retailing means, “ all routes to
market are served through the same supply chain,” sharing facilities and inventory (M.