Deliverable Length: 400–600 words

Primary Discussion Response is due by Friday (11:59:59pm Central), Peer Responses are due by Tuesday (11:59:59pm Central).

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

• There has been a sea change regarding the challenges and therefore the required elements of a company’s material control system. This has caused the firm to evolve from having a purchasing agent, typically reporting to the chief financial officer (CFO), to a more professional purchasing manager trained in high level negotiating skills, to a materials director, conversant in how all the elements of a supply chain fit together, to a global sourcing manager, and now a global supply chain director.
  • Has globalization been a factor in this evolution, or are other factors at play? Why or why not?
  • What added elements are now required of a material control system as a result?
• What would be the impact on large retailers in a country if a dock strike occurred for inbound shipping containers; what could they do to mitigate this risk? How does this differ from the impact of a dock strike if globalization had not been so popular?

Responses to Other Students: Respond to at least 2 of your fellow classmates with at least a 100-word reply about their Primary Task Response regarding items you found to be compelling and enlightening. To help you with your discussion, please consider the following questions:

• What did you learn from your classmate’s posting?
• What additional questions do you have after reading the posting?
• What clarification do you need regarding the posting?
• What differences or similarities do you see between your posting and other classmates’ postings?

For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web resources, and all course materials.