Use the globalEDGE™ site to complete the following exercises:
1. The travel of products by large transport containers
has become a primary method by which goods are
transported worldwide. Since your firm is involved in
the U.S. supply chain industry, a report is needed concerning
the 10 largest container ports outside the
United States. Using a Web site called Geohive as
your resource to provide such a list, analyze the relative
volume passing through each of the 10 largest
ports in your report. What is the relative difference between
the container ports ranking first and tenth in
your report?
2. Struggling to remain competitive in the medical devices
industry, your firm has decided to begin sourcing components
internationally. Though your firm’s current operations
are only in the United States and the Netherlands,
you must assess the relative costs for manufacturing
medical devices in a variety of cities worldwide. Your
manager, previously a consultant with KPMG, indicates
that the Competitive Alternatives surveys published annually
by KPMG may assist you. Develop two brief reports
to answer the following questions: (a) Which three
cities in the survey have the lowest and highest manufacturing
costs for your firm’s specific industry? (b) Do
you think that changing your firm’s sourcing strategy will
resolve the current problems?
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