APICS Updated CSCP Exam Questions and Answers by kamari

According to the APICS CSCP - Supply Chain Management Certification, a point-of-sale (POS) system is a technology that captures sales data at the time and place of purchase by scanning bar codes or RFID tags on products or using other methods of identification. A POS system can transmit sales data in real time to other systems in the supply chain, such as inventory management, demand planning, replenishment, or distribution. A POS system enables pulling products through the supply chain, as it triggers orders based on actual customer demand rather than forecasts or schedules.

Investing in redundancy is the most appropriate strategy for managing unknown risks in a global supply chain. Here’s a detailed explanation:

• Unknown Risks: These are risks that cannot be predicted or quantified accurately, such as natural disasters, political instability, or sudden supply chain disruptions.
• Redundancy Strategy:
• Risk Mitigation: Redundancy helps in spreading risk across multiple sources and ensures continuity in the supply chain despite unforeseen events.
• Resilience: Building redundancy into the supply chain enhances resilience, enabling the company to respond and recover quickly from disruptions.

References

• Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & Supply Chain Management.
• Sheffi, Y. (2005). The Resilient Enterprise: Overcoming Vulnerability for Competitive Advantage.

• SWOT Analysis: SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It is a strategic planning tool used to identify internal and external factors that can impact an organization.
• Internal Positive Factors: These are the strengths of the organization (Option A). Publishing them might not necessarily lead to a strategic action.
• Internal Negative Factors: These are weaknesses (Option B), and emphasizing them is usually an internal effort for improvement rather than an actionable outcome.
• External Positive Factors: These are opportunities (Option C). Taking advantage of these involves leveraging external conditions that can benefit the organization, leading to growth and competitive advantage.
• External Negative Factors: These are threats (Option D), and while controlling them is important, taking advantage of opportunities is a proactive strategy that can yield significant benefits. References: Strategic Management textbooks, SWOT Analysis tools and applications.

The most important driver of supply chain change is customer perceptions of value because:

• Customer-Centric Focus: Modern supply chains are increasingly customer-centric. Understanding and meeting customer expectations for value in terms of quality, price, and service drives competitive advantage.
• Adaptation to Demand: Changes in customer perceptions of value necessitate adjustments in supply chain strategies to ensure the right products are available at the right time and cost, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Innovation and Improvement: Responding to customer perceptions encourages innovation and continuous improvement within the supply chain to offer superior value propositions.
• Market Differentiation: Companies that align their supply chains with customer value perceptions can better differentiate themselves in the market, leading to increased market share and profitability.

Health and safety concerns (Option A), competitor actions (Option B), and government regulations (Option C) are also important but are typically reactive factors. Customer perceptions proactively shape strategic supply chain decisions.

References

• "The Supply Chain Revolution: Innovative Sourcing and Logistics for a Fiercely Competitive World" by Suman Sarkar.
• "Strategic Supply Chain Management: The Five Core Disciplines for Top Performance, Second Editon" by Shoshanah Cohen and Joseph Roussel.