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When the number of warehouses increases, transportation costs between manufacturing facilities and warehouses are likely to increase. This is because each additional warehouse introduces new destinations for shipments, leading to more frequent and smaller shipments from manufacturing facilities to each warehouse. This fragmentation of shipments generally increases the total transportation costs, as larger shipments are typically more cost-effective due to economies of scale. Additionally, managing a larger number of shipping routes can add complexity and logistical costs.References:

• "Logistics and Supply Chain Management" by Martin Christopher
• "Designing and Managing the Supply Chain" by David Simchi-Levi, Philip Kaminsky, and Edith Simchi-Levi

• Supply Chain Risk: The total supply chain risk refers to the likelihood of disruptions and the potential impact those disruptions can have on the supply chain's ability to function effectively.
• Reducing Supplier Base: When a company reduces the number of suppliers for commodity-type components, it becomes more dependent on a few suppliers. This increases vulnerability because any disruption at one of these suppliers (e.g., financial instability, natural disasters, or quality issues) can have a significant impact on the company's operations.
• Comparative Analysis:
• Conclusion: Reducing the supplier base for commodities is most likely to increase total supply chain risk due to increased dependence on fewer suppliers, leading to higher exposure to supply disruptions.

References:

• Chopra, S., & Sodhi, M. S. (2004). Managing Risk to Avoid Supply-Chain Breakdown. MIT Sloan Management Review, 46(1), 53-61.
• Monczka, R. M., Handfield, R. B., Giunipero, L. C., & Patterson, J. L. (2016). Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. Cengage Learning.

• returned for neutralization.
• Options Breakdown:
• Correct Answer Justification: The scenario describes a recovery process where the hazardous material in the product is managed to ensure safety and compliance.

References:

• Hazardous materials management literature
• Reverse logistics and product recovery studies

• Commodity Products: These are raw materials or primary agricultural products that can be bought and sold, such as copper or coffee. They are typically standardized and interchangeable with other products of the same type.
• Procurement Strategy: An effective procurement strategy for commodities focuses on cost efficiency and risk mitigation due to the high volatility and price sensitivity of these products.
• Driving Down Cost: This involves negotiating better prices, leveraging economies of scale, and implementing cost-saving measures to ensure the company purchases commodities at the lowest possible price.
• Reducing Risk: Risk reduction strategies include diversifying suppliers, using forward contracts to lock in prices, and implementing robust supply chain risk management practices to protect against price fluctuations, supply disruptions, and geopolitical risks.

References:

• Monczka, R. M., Handfield, R. B., Giunipero, L. C., & Patterson, J. L. (2016). Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. Cengage Learning.
• Chopra, S., & Meindl, P. (2016). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation. Pearson.