Define the "Triple Bottom Line" (3BL) in the context of sustainable supply chains. Model Answer: The Triple Bottom Line evaluates supply chain performance across three dimensions: Profit (economic viability – e.g., cost reduction), People (social responsibility – e.g., fair labor practices), and Planet (environmental impact – e.g., carbon footprint). A sustainable SCM strategy optimizes all three, not just profit. Question 7: Explain the difference between cycle stock and safety stock . Model Answer: Cycle stock is the inventory expected to be sold during a normal order cycle (e.g., the average inventory between deliveries). Safety stock is extra inventory held to protect against demand variability or supply lead time uncertainty. Cycle stock covers expected demand; safety stock covers the unexpected. Question 8: What is the "cross-docking" strategy in warehousing? Model Answer: Cross-docking is a logistics practice where incoming goods from suppliers are directly unloaded from inbound trucks and loaded onto outbound trucks with little to no storage in between. It reduces inventory holding costs and cycle time. It is widely used by retailers like Walmart. Part 4: Process & Diagram-Based Questions Midterms often include a process flow diagram. You might be asked to calculate throughput, identify bottlenecks, or re-sequence tasks.
Use the provided in this article to create a mock exam under timed conditions. Practice the calculations until they become automatic, and practice the long-form essays until you can fluently discuss trade-offs. SCM is a science of systems, and the midterm is your opportunity to prove you can optimize the whole, not just a part. supply chain management midterm exam questions
The new VP of SCM wants to shift to a responsive (pull) model: produce smaller batches (1,000 units), use air freight (2 weeks, but 5x more expensive), and replenish stores twice a week. Define the "Triple Bottom Line" (3BL) in the
By: SCM Academic Resources
Which of the following is the primary cause of the bullwhip effect in a supply chain? A) Increased customer demand for a product B) Lack of communication and order batching between supply chain tiers C) High transportation costs D) Over-reliance on just-in-time (JIT) inventory Answer: B. The bullwhip effect occurs when small fluctuations in demand at the retail level cause progressively larger fluctuations upstream (wholesaler, distributor, manufacturer). Order batching, price fluctuations, and lack of information sharing are the main drivers. Question 2 (Calculation – Economic Order Quantity - EOQ) A company uses 10,000 units of a component annually. The ordering cost is $50 per order, and the holding cost is $4 per unit per year. What is the EOQ? A) 250 units B) 500 units C) 1,000 units D) 2,500 units Answer: B. EOQ = √(2DS/H) = √(2 * 10,000 * $50 / $4) = √(1,000,000 / 4) = √250,000 = 500 units. Question 3 (Conceptual – Push vs. Pull) In a pure "pull" supply chain model, production is initiated by: A) A sales forecast for the next quarter B) A warehouse reaching its minimum stock level C) An actual customer order D) A seasonal promotion plan Answer: C. Pull systems (e.g., make-to-order) are demand-driven. Push systems (e.g., make-to-stock) are forecast-driven. Question 4 (Calculation – Little’s Law) A call center for a logistics company averages 60 active customer inquiries per hour. The average time to resolve an inquiry is 5 minutes (0.0833 hours). What is the average throughput rate (arrivals per hour)? Using Little’s Law: Inventory = Throughput Rate × Flow Time A) 12 per hour B) 300 per hour C) 720 per hour D) 5 per hour Answer: C. Rearranging: Throughput Rate = Inventory / Flow Time = 60 inquiries / 0.0833 hours = 720 inquiries per hour. Question 5 (SCOR Model) In the SCOR model (Supply Chain Operations Reference), the process of managing supplier relationships, sourcing goods, and issuing purchase orders falls under which category? A) Plan B) Source C) Make D) Deliver Answer: B. "Source" covers procurement activities. "Plan" covers demand/ supply balancing. "Make" covers production. "Deliver" covers order management and transportation. Part 3: Short-Answer & Definition Questions (2–5 points each) These questions require precise language and real-world examples. Question 7: Explain the difference between cycle stock
Looking for more resources? Check your textbook’s chapter on Logistics, the SCOR model, or case studies on Zara and Amazon Prime for real-world applications of these principles.