Unit 5 Discussion Board The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment requires the active participation of students and the instructor to create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit, DB participation will be assessed based on both level of engagement and the quality of the contribution to the discussion. At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts from students. The first contribution must be posted before midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two additional responses are required after Wednesday of each week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the university tracks class attendance and participation. The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended, no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit. Library research Your supply chain manager thinks that theories taught in The Goal by Eliayhu Goldratt may have direct applicability to your company and the decisions being made. Your supply chain manager is probably your most knowledgeable subordinate and is the leading candidate to replace you someday. Because you want to stay a step ahead of him, you decide to study the area, so you go to the library and Internet and begin research. • • Describe the theory of constraints. Read about key elements and applications of Goldratt’s theory of constraints. Post, with explanation, at least 3 elements that you found most important and applicable to the company. o For example, a plant where every machine is running at 100% utilization is an inefficient plant. Grading Criteria Describe the theory of constraints. Read about key elements and applications of Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints. Post, with explanation, at least 3 elements that you found most important and applicable to the company. Response to peer posts APA citation and references % of grade for this assignment 30% 30% 35% 5% Please refer to the following multimedia course materials: • Unit 5: Using the Theory of Constraints In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion Board and comment on other postings. You will be graded on the quality of your postings. For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials. Unit 5 Individual Project The Dulac Box plant produces wooden packaging boxes to be used in the local seafood industry. Current operations allow the company to make 500 boxes per day, in two 8-hour shifts (250 boxes per shift). The company has introduced some moderate changes in equipment, and conducted appropriate job training, so that production levels have risen to 300 boxes per shift. Labor costs average $10 per hour for each of the 5 full-time workers on each shift. Capital costs were previously $3000 per day, and rose to $3200 per day with the equipment modifications. Energy costs were unchanged by the modifications, at $400 per day. You have been asked to prepare a research paper that addresses the following elements: • • • • What is the firm's multifactor productivity before and after the changes? Why is it important to be aware of the productivity changes? Analyze implications of changes in the parameters of the productivity calculation. Evaluate application of productivity concept in terms of the firm's business operational goals and requirements. Present your findings as a 4-5 pages Word document formatted in APA style. Submitting your assignment in APA format means, at a minimum, you will need the following: 1. 2. 3. 4. TITLE PAGE. Remember the Running head: AND TITLE IN ALL CAPITALS ABSTRACT. A summary of your paper…not an introduction. Begin writing in third person voice. BODY. The body of your paper begins on the page following the title page and abstract page and must be double-spaced (be careful not to triple- or quadruple-space between paragraphs). The type face should be 12-pt. Times Roman or 12-pt. Courier in regular black type. Do not use color, bold type, or italics except as required for APA level headings and references. The deliverable length of the body of your paper for this assignment is 4-5 pages. In-body academic citations to support your decisions and analysis are required. A variety of academic sources is encouraged. REFERENCE PAGE. References that align with your in-body academic sources are listed on the final page of your paper. The references must be in APA format using appropriate spacing, hang indention, italics, and upper and lower case usage as appropriate for the type of resource used. Remember, the Reference Page is not a bibliography but a further listing of the abbreviated in-body citations used in the paper. Every referenced item must have a corresponding in-body citation. This assignment will be assessed using the additional criteria provided here. Please submit your assignment. For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials. Unit 5 Individual project It is time for you to finalize your findings for your boss. He is expecting your analysis of your division’s operations and to produce a plan to improve operations with an eye for reducing costs. Your boss wants you to summarize your recommendations in no more than 2–3 pages. Include your thoughts on the list below. 1. 2. 3. Should production remain in Mexico or be brought back to the United States? a. If so, where would you recommend? b. Is the quality of production a consideration because of cheaper labor in Mexico? c. Could the quality of production be managed and monitored better if it was in the United States? d. Do transportation costs play a big enough factor to consider moving back to the United States? Should the product distribution network be changed? For example: a. Production in Mexico, central warehouse (NAW) in St. Louis, regional distribution centers in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, Colorado, and California. b. Close NAW, ship from Mexico directly to regional distribution centers listed in letter "a" above. c. Close NAW, create a new central warehouse in Texas near the Mexico plant, ship to regional distribution centers in letter "a" above (with a distribution center in St. Louis/Chicago region). d. Close NAW, create a new central warehouse in Texas near the Mexico plant, ship directly to customers. e. Hire a professional distribution company to handle distribution. Can the sales forecast process be improved? If so, how? To review the company scenario, click here. Grading Criteria Should production remain in Mexico or be brought back to the United States? Should the product distribution network be changed? Can the sales forecast process be improved? If so, how? Report thesis is clearly defined and supported with substantial, relevant information. Ideas are presented logically and precisely. Conclusion is cogent and stimulating. At least three noncourse related sources are used with proper APA citation and references The sentences are skillfully constructed, effective, and varied. Words used are vivid, accurate, and original. The writing is without serious flaws in grammar or mechanics. APA conventions are consistently followed. % of grade for this assignment 20% 20% 20% 20% 10% 10% Please refer to the following multimedia course materials: • • • Unit 5: Supply Chain Performance and Management Unit 5: FAQ: Decisions in Business Unit 5: Supply Chain Location and Efficiency Please submit your assignment. For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.
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