The purpose of the individual research writing assignment is to provide the opportunity to explore contemporary technologies that are emerging in modern supply chains. Through this exercise students gain critical knowledge and understanding about the evolving nature of modern supply chains. In doing so, companies improve the way they satisfy the needs of the customer with respect to efficiency, responsiveness, quality, and/or sustainability.

Examples of Emerging technologies in the supply chain include (but not limited to):

• 3D printing in SCM
• Blockchain and distributed ledgers in SCM
• Autonomous vehicles in transportation and logistics
• Robotics for customer service, manufacturing, picking, packing, sorting and delivery
• Big data and advance analytics in SCM
• Internet of Things (IoT) in SCM

The cover page should include the title of the report, the word count, your name and student ID. The writing assignment should be at least 1000 words (+10%, -0%) NOT including the executive summary, figures (diagrams), references or the appendices. Tables with written content should be included in the word count. All figures and tables must be labeled Figure X or Table Y, referred to in the narrative (specify what you want the reader to view) and embedded in the narrative of the report rather than appended to the end. The report may include an appendix that supports the analysis, with content such as calculations for performance metrics reported in the narrative or other relevant but less-essential information.

General Format

Executive Summary – summarizes the report in a distinct and precise manner.

Introduction – includes a description of the emerging technology that you are investigating, the producer of this technology, the focal company applying the technology and a summary description of its supply chain strategy.

Body – includes the major analysis which addresses where and how the company is or plans to implements the technology its supply chain and importantly, how the technology suits the supply chain strategy with respect to the logistical drivers (facilities, inventory and transportation) and cross-functional drivers (information, sourcing, and pricing). Support your analysis with references to the literature where appropriate. Note that some drivers will have more robust analysis than others depending upon the company and the technology chosen. This section is predominately reporting facts and describing what has occurred.

Discussion – includes your own insights and opinions about the findings derived from the analysis of the supply chain strategy of the company and the emerging technology.

Conclusion – includes a summary of how the emerging technology fits the company’s supply chain strategy and achieves its goals, the challenges it faces in the future and recommendations for the steps the company must take to maintain a competitive position in the future.

References – please use the Harvard style referencing and places references in alphabetical order according to the surname of the first author (see Google Scholar for more examples)

Example:  Moon, S., Bergey, P.K. and Iacobucci, D., 2010. Dynamic