The CEO panicked. The forecasting team had not adjusted their models. They kept ordering based on last year’s data. By week three, shelves were empty. By week five, angry retailers switched to a competitor, JungleFruit Inc.
Name the specific type of SCM technology (e.g., IoT sensors, blockchain, RFID, AI-based demand sensing) most likely responsible for the spoilage reduction. Then, describe two non-technical barriers to implementing such a system (e.g., employee resistance, data silos, supplier unwillingness). Finally, write a one-paragraph response to the quitting manager that defends the use of data-driven SCM while respecting their experience. Bonus Question (Extra Credit – Integration) The Story: Looking back, all of FreshFruit’s failures—forecasting, inventory, sourcing, logistics, sustainability, and technology—were connected. The viral demand spike caused the rushed sourcing. The bad contract caused the logistics scramble. The logistics failure made the sustainability effort desperate. supply chain management midterm exam questions
Meanwhile, a small farm in Costa Rica ( RioAzul ) offered better quality and a flexible contract. But switching would trigger a $200,000 penalty to break the VietDelta deal. The CEO panicked
Instructions: Read the story below. Then answer the questions that follow. Each question tests a specific SCM principle illustrated in the narrative. Assume you are the new Supply Chain Director. Part 1: The Glory Days (Forecasting & Demand Planning) The Story: FreshFruit Co. was a mid-sized distributor of organic tropical fruit in the Midwest. For a decade, they used a simple rule: "Order 20% more than last year’s same month." It worked well until a viral TikTok video featured their "Dragon Fruit & Lychee Smoothie Bowl." Overnight, demand for dragon fruit exploded by 600%. By week three, shelves were empty
Draw (or describe in words) a causal loop diagram showing how one failure triggered the next. Identify the single root cause that, if fixed first, would have prevented the most damage. Justify your choice in two sentences. End of Exam.