Exercise Assignment #2

1. Identify an example of a company that competes on one of the competitive priorities discussed in the chapter (e.g. consider companies you have read about, that are in this book; it could even be a company you shopped at on your way home or have worked at).
2. What is the companys product? What is the companys competitive priority?
3. Identify specific aspects of the companys supply chain that enable the company to compete in this way (e.g. vertical integration or special relationship with suppliers or specialized technology).
4. Zara is discussed in the Chapter opener. What is Zaras competitive priority? Give examples of how Zara ensures this strategy. Do you think this strategy will continue to be effective in the future? Why or why not?

Tip: It is okay to make assumptions about a company. As long as you are able to justify your decision based on your assumptions it is fine. The idea is for you to learn the consequences of supply chain decisions and how decisions are interconnected.