Revision Class

AP3EB3 Supply Chain Management

NFB 2020-21
SCM Examination 2021

Key points
1. Exam is a 23-hour Take-home exam
2. Open book – you are allowed to access appropriate online resources,
books, notes etc but do this with caution as this will absorb time and may
have the potential to confuse you (information overload) and distract from
composing a well directed response to each question
3. The exam is scheduled for 11 May 2021. Note this exam will NOT appear
on your formal examination timetable
4. Exam will be accessible in the ‘Take-home examination 2021’ area of the
AP3EB3 BB site from 10am (UK time) on Tuesday 11 May 2021.
5. A word document containing your responses must be uploaded to the
AP3EB3 BB site by 9am (UK time) on Wednesday 12 May 2021 . This will
be submitted to Turnitin. Save your Turnitin receipt.
6. Make sure you submit your document well in advance of the 9am deadline
in case of technical issues.
7. Read and follow the guidance notes on BB in the ‘Take-home Examination
2021’ area
SCM Examination 2021

Exam Paper Structure

1. There are FIVE essay questions on the exam paper to choose from
2. You must answer TWO questions
3. Your response to each question has WORD LIMIT of 1200 words
4. Though you have 23 hours available to write your response the ‘indicative
time’ suggested is 2 hours.
SCM Examination 2021

What am I looking for in a ‘good’ answer

1. A response that addresses the question set (not one that you hoped
might be on the paper!)
2. A clearly structured response – (a) introduction setting the scene, (b)
key points (supporting evidence, different viewpoints, relevant SCM
theory, industry examples) to address each part of the question and
(c) a summing up/ conclusions at the end. Above all I am looking for
clarity and a demonstration of understanding. Go beyond description
to discuss/ debate/ review and evaluate.
3. Evidence that you have gone beyond the lecture material to add
value to your responses e.g. different relevant examples, different
perspectives from additional reading
SCM Examination 2021

Other points
1. Questions often link to more than one lecture so don’t
compartmentalise your revision too much
2. Like most disciplines SCM has its own set of terms. Use them
appropriately.
Examples:
SC efficiency
SC effectiveness
SC responsiveness/ agility
SC reliability
SC resilience
SC relationships (e.g. strategic alliances, RSP, 3PL)
SC performance metrics
SCM Examination 2021

Other points
3. Don’t forget the fundamental purpose of SCM (see definitions) and role of SCM –
how it is a powerful tool if used wisely to help firms achieve a competitive advantage
(costa and/or value advantage)
4. Distinguish SC design (engineering/ hardware) and SCM
SCM Examination 2021

Questions in the May/June 2020 Paper

1. Answer BOTH parts of the question.

(a) Explain why supply chain management and the ‘4 R’s‘ are
increasingly seen as critical to business success.
(40 marks)

(b) Critically review the options a company might consider to achieve a

more ‘responsive’ supply chain and why some businesses might need
to particularly focus on this attribute. Give examples from industry to
illustrate your answer.
(60 marks)
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2. The CEO of a company has asked you as a supply chain

management specialist to make a presentation to board
members on the case for the company focusing more on
sustainability and the ‘triple bottom line’. Critically discuss some
of the key arguments that you would cover in your presentation
and outline examples from industry that you could use to
illustrate these.
(100 marks)
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3. Explain why and how a company should manage risk in its

supply chain and some of the key challenges involved in supply
chain risk management. Include examples from industry to
illustrate the strategic importance of this issue.
(100 marks)
SCM Examination 2021

4. A new business start-up has asked for your advice on key

issues to consider in designing and managing the supply chain
for the product it is launching in the UK market. In the context
of an industry of your choice discuss the issue you would raise,
the advice you would offer and any assumptions you have
made.
(100 marks)
SCM Examination 2021

Exam Paper Structure

1. There are FIVE essay questions on the exam paper to choose from
2. You must answer TWO questions
3. Your response to each question has WORD LIMIT of 1200 words
4. Though you have 23 hours available to write your response the ‘indicative
time’ suggested is 2 hours.
SCM Examination 2021

Good luck all!