For this assignment, review the "Wal-Mart Changes Tactics to Meet International Tastes" case on pages 309-311 in the Designing and Managing the Supply Chain textbook and the article that you selected in the unit studies. The first reading describes Wal-Mart's challenges with global expansion. The second reading examines the advantages of sourcing, manufacturing, and selling globally, as well as the risks involved with expansion. In 3-4 double-spaced pages, analyze the risks and benefits to a global supply chain, and analyze mitigation strategies to address the risks. Complete the following:
- Analyze the reasons Wal-Mart would have for opening stores globally.
- Analyze the benefits for Wal-Mart to have suppliers in different countries.
- Compare reasons for Wal-Mart to have strong centralized control of its stores versus local control of its stores.
Analyze the risks associated with a global supply chain and propose mitigation strategies. In your analysis, be sure to:
- Identify themes in cultural differences across a global supply chain.
- Identify the potential negative impacts on working relationships within the global supply chain.
- Propose strategies to facilitate collaboration across cultures in global operations and supply chain management.