Reference no: EM132393907

BUSS 1502 Supply Chain and Logistics Management Individual Assignment- Fall 2019, Middle East College, Oman

Learning Outcomes of the Module - On completion of this module the student should be able to:

1. Understand the place and role of supply chain and logistics as operational functions of business organisation.

2. Describe the main constituent parts of logistics and supply chain management.

3. Comprehend basic concepts of inventory management, warehousing, forecasting, quality management and the information systems in supply chain management.

4. Demonstrate the ability to identify problems and tasks, critically analyse situation and recommend a solution within the supply chain and logistic functional framework.

5. Understand the interconnectivity of logistics with other business functions including marketing, information technology, quality management and operations.

Questions to be answered by the student and Special Instructions: Answer each question using the case as a reference point and relevant literature sources.

Having read the case, students are required to familiarize themselves with the operations of any of the following Special Economic Zones or Logistics Clusters in Oman:- Ibri Export Zone and Logistics Cluster, Khazaen Economic City, Sohar Economic Free Zone, Muscat Economic Free Zone in Rusayl, Salalah Economic Free Zone, Nizwa Free Economic Zone, Al-Buraimi Free Economic Zone, Sur Economic Free Zone or Duqm Economic Free Zone in Oman. Students must familiarize themselves with that Zone or Cluster's systems and operations fully so as to do the assignment as required. Alternatively students may interview any logistics/shipping and forwarding company or ASYAD or Oman Logistics Centre, or Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) or Minsitry of Industry and Commerce or Public Authority for Industrial Estates to explain the operations of the selected Economic Free Zone or Logistics Cluster (state which logistics organisation you selected for your interview and assignment). This is without exception. This assignment is very much hands-on and application based in line with current Oman and global trends and thrust to get students fully immersed in industrial functions of their discipline well before they graduate and bridge the theory-industry/practice gap for strategic fit and compliance. Students are required to visit the selected organisation to interview management on all functional areas before answering the assignment. The analysis will be based on the interviews and other secondary data to be collected by the student. An interview script must be attached as an appendix at the end of the assignment as proof and you state clearly who was interviewed, at which organization/company and his/her position in the company/organisation. Failure to do what is stated here results in heavy penalties through mark deductions.

Q1. Linking with the above case do a comprehensive analysis of the strategic purpose/objectives and value of the selected Special Economic Zone or Logistics Cluster to the national economy of Oman, its market, suppliers, support industries and operations of any one of the following critical organisations in the Oman logistics industry:- Ibri Export Zone and Logistics Cluster, Khazaen City, Sohar Economic Free Zone, Muscat Economic Free Zone in Rusayl, Salalah Economic Free Zone, Nizwa Free Economic Zone, Al-Buraimi Free Economic Zone, Sur Economic Free Zone or Duqm Economic Free Zone in Oman. Thereafter do a comprehensive SWOT analysis of the selected Economic Free Zone (do in proper table form a professional and clear SWOT Analysis) and analyse the many opportunities available to the organization to exploit, then analyse the risks and challenges faced by the same Economic Free Zone which management must address for better performance. Interviewing management is a requirement and would help shed light on most issues, besides your own experience in researching the organization. Justify your answer with applied examples right through. (Doing a comprehensive analysis of the strategic purpose/objectives and value of the chosen Economic Free Zone to the national economy, its arket, suppliers, support industries and operations of the chosen Economic Free Zone as well as its SWOT analysis and finally analysing its systems and procedures, and the many opportunities available to the organization to exploit attracts 30 marks and then analysing the risks and challenges faced by the same Economic Free Zone which management must address for better performance attracts 12 marks). Interview script must be attached or face penalties.

Q2. Get import and export figures for the selected Economic Free Zone plus its Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) figures from 2014-2018. A proper table is required for these statistics. Critically relate those figures to the above case and analyse those figures, trends and dynamics and explain why Oman is lagging behind United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in Special Economic Zone performance. Critically explain what Oman needs to do to attract global and local investment in the Special or Free Economic Zones. Issues related to global national competitiveness (of the World Economic Forum), ease of doing business, customs clearance lead time (for imports and exports), new business registration turnaround, new business formation cost and rules and business ownership rules need to be addressed versus world best practice and GCC competitors. (Critically relating those figures to the above case and analysing those figures, trends and dynamics and explaining why Oman is lagging behind United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in Special or Free Economic Zone performance is 21 marks, and critically explaining what Oman needs to do to attract global and local investment to Special Economic Zones attracts 21 marks).

Journal articles: Students are required to use a minimum of ten (10) relevant journal articles in the body of the assignment and reference them correctly under Reference section. Any assignment without the required journal articles will not qualify for Grade as a rule.

Word limit: 3000 words. You are required to record number on words on cover page of assignment.

Attachment:- Supply Chain and Logistics Management Assignment File.rar