electronics. The company has a complex supply chain that spans across multiple countries. It sources raw materials from South America, components from Asia, assembles products in Europe, and sells them worldwide. Recently, XYZ Electronics has faced several challenges including rising costs, delays, and quality control issues.Scenario:Due to a surge in global demand for its latest product, the XYZ Smartwatch, XYZ Electronics has been under pressure to increase production. However, several issues have arisen:c$)$ Quality Control: The quality of the microchips from one of the Asian suppliers has been inconsistent, leading to higher rejection rates at the assembly line.d$)$ Cost Management: Rising fuel costs have increased transportation expenses, affecting the overall cost structure.Questions:$($a$)$ Supplier Management $(5$ marks$)$: What strategies can XYZ Electronics implement to address supplier reliability issues and prevent future disruptions? Discuss at least two short$-$term and two long$-$term strategies.$($b$)$ Transportation and Logistics $(5$ marks$)$: How can XYZ Electronics optimize its supply chain to overcome transportation bottlenecks? Discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of using air, sea, and land transportation.$($c$)$ Quality Control $(5$ marks$)$: What measures can XYZ Electronics take to ensure consistent quality of microchips from their suppliers? Discuss the roles of supplier audits, quality standards, and collaboration in maintaining quality.$($d$)$ Cost Management $(5$ marks$)$: How can XYZ Electronics manage rising transportation costs effectively? Propose at least three strategies, including operational efficiencies and alternative transportation methods, and discuss their potential impact.This case study and the accompanying questions are designed to test your understanding of supply chain management concepts and your ability to apply them to real$-$world scenarios. Use relevant theories and models to support your answers. $$Please also give references.