SCENARIO

Artificial Intelligence $($AI$)$ is no longer just an industry catchphrase. According to the Accenture, AI is the new UI

report despite scepticism of AI as just another technology buzzword, its momentum is very real. Eighty$-$five percent of

executives surveyed stated that they will invest extensively in AI$-$related technologies over the next three years.

The report goes on to say that with AI in place, interactions with customers will move from straightforward transactional

models to multidimensional conversations spanning a variety of complementary channels. Within the manufacturing sector,

this could take the form of an AI chatbot.

This takes me to my first prediction $$ the rise of the augmentation of human ability. Chatbots or $$digital citizens$$ have

enabled or augmented human ability by allowing manufacturing businesses to make decisions much faster.

What is important is the fact that the chatbot is not replacing the human element in customer service, but rather adding

value by offering customers a $24/7$ touchpoint. Technology is simply enhancing human abilities in order to place the

customer at the centre of a business.

Consider the scenario that you are a supply chain manager in a South African company that manufactures clothing. You are

required to undertake some research in order to understand the value chain of the production of clothing. This will help

enhance the application of project theory to the supply chain of clothing.

Analyse the following questions and develop your response to each one by clearly showing how you will manage the project

using strategic supply chain management principles.

Note: students are required to read beyond the scope of the scenario and module guide to answer the questions that follow.

Foundations of literature include primary and secondary sources.

QUESTION $1(25$ Marks$)$

After your appointment as a supply chain manager, there is an opportunity for you to showcase the importance of a supply

chain manager. Use this opportunity to discuss the role of a supply chain manager in managing the flow of activites and

reiterate how you will apply the role of a supply chain manager to ensuring that you prudently manage this high profile task.

Use the scenario to support your answer.

QUESTION $2(25$ Marks$)$

An organisation's competitive strategy defines, relative to its competitors, the set of customer needs that it seeks to satisfy

or meet with its products and services. Apply the success factors for the value chain of the production of clothing by

illustrating the organisation's competitive strategy through its customers' priorities.

QUESTION $3(25$ Marks$)$

As a managing director at a clothing manufacturing company in Durban, South Africa. You would like to assess how

the Company can vary the supply of its various fabric options in order to meet the anticipated variability.

In a detailed essay, investigate the various approaches your small business may utilise to manage supply in order to solve

the issue of product unavailability.

QUESTION $4(25$ Marks$)$

As the appointed Supply Chain manager, you have summoned your team to a project meeting to analyse the associated

risks and contributing factors for global supply chain flows. Advise your team on the driving forces for globalisation in order

to understand the future course of global trade.