Reference no: EM133985867

Assignment:

Homes is an omni-channel local brand that designs and sells household appliances. Currently, Homes has five physical retail stores in Singapore. Homes markets its products via its own website and serves only local customers. Jot Co. (Jot) is Homes' sole manufacturer and supplies stock to Homes from two factories in Indonesia. On average, Homes submits new product designs to Jot once a year for production. Jot makes orders once every 3 months on average. Both companies have worked together since the beginning. In recent years, Homes has increasingly experienced frustration dealing with Jot. Homes has received late shipments from Jot on several occasions. Production lines at Jot have been slow to adapt to Homes' requests (such as changes in designs and changes to order quantities). Homes feels that Jot should collaborate more to improve the performance of the supply chain. Since 2017, there were a series of labour strikes at major Indonesian ports that severely affected the shipments to Homes. (Note: Both companies are fictitious.)

(a) Assume Homes is considering to replace its long-time Indonesian manufacturer with two manufacturers from China. Explain three (3) most important factors that you think the management would have to consider when making this decision. You do not have to make detailed comparisons between the Indonesian manufacturer and the two Chinese manufacturers for each factor, but you should contextualise your answers.

(b) Now, Homes has expanded to serve overseas customers. Homes' chief executive wants to invest in the latest technologies which can either improve its customer service, collaborate more effectively with its suppliers and/or enhance internal decision-making. Suggest two (2) relevant technologies to the chief executive. In your discussion, indicate how the new technologies may be applied at Homes. Assume no budget restrictions.