Question 1
Evaluate the validity of the pilot research undertaken by Marsden.For example was the supply chain orientation of the research sufficiently rigorous? What other sources of information could have been explored in the timescale required?
Evaluation of pilot research undertaken
1.Supply chain orientation of research not rigorous enough
Suggested improvements to Pilot research
1.Mary already new she would get very little response to her questionnaire to the 5 large players in the supermarket industry, but still went ahead with the idea, which in return resulted in a small amount of data received and a lot of wasted effort and time. Possible improvements could involve adding more initiative for supermarkets to respond by sharing the results with competitors.
2. Mary's questionnaire to the public could also have been improved by asking a larger amount of customers and questions. Questions such as customers perceptions of value. Another point that should be made here is that Mary is the head of the marketing department and should be doing more feasible work than doing "donkey work".
English: Supermarket check out, London January 200...
Mary G
Steve Megli, co-general manager of Intel’s Assem...3.A larger internal study should have been pursed.
Other sources of information which could have been used
1.How many variety of skills do workers have
2.How quickly can employees react to problems
3.How committed are employees to quality improvement
4.What is the total running cost of lean production compared to historical data
5.How much value has been added to the customer
6.Compare historical profit margins to present profit margins
7.Compare supply costs past and present
8.Compare product obsolete rates
Question 2
What factors influence your own selection of a grocery retailer? Rank these as either "order winning" or "order qualifying" factors. Do you believe that your own preferences can be generalised to a wider population...