QUIZ ARTICLE Global Supply Chains in a post-pandemic World PDF

**[Quiz Article: Global Supply Chains in a post-pandemic World]** Here are 35 multiple-choice questions based on the *\"Global Supply Chains in a Post-Pandemic World\"* article: 1. What major event exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains? - A\) Brexit - B\) Covid-19 pandemic...

**[Quiz Article: Global Supply Chains in a post-pandemic World]** Here are 35 multiple-choice questions based on the *\"Global Supply Chains in a Post-Pandemic World\"* article: 1. What major event exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains? - A\) Brexit - B\) Covid-19 pandemic - C\) U.S.-China trade war - D\) European debt crisis 2. Which of the following highlighted weaknesses in global supply chains during the pandemic? - A\) Increase in consumer spending - B\) Technological advancements - C\) Trade restrictions and shortages - D\) Growth in e-commerce 3. What is one reason companies may increase domestic production post-pandemic? - A\) To enhance global reach - B\) To reduce reliance on risky sources - C\) To minimize production costs - D\) To take advantage of globalization 4. Why do companies continue to rely on low-cost global production? - A\) It offers higher profit margins - B\) Consumers demand low prices - C\) It improves product quality - D\) It supports domestic employment 5. What is the challenge for companies wanting to make their supply chains more resilient? - A\) Ensuring competitiveness - B\) Increasing customer base - C\) Reducing product variety - D\) Shortening supply chains 6. What is a key step in uncovering hidden supply chain risks? - A\) Cutting costs - B\) Mapping the full supply chain - C\) Focusing only on major suppliers - D\) Reducing product range 7. Which of these materials are critical for mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccines? - A\) Steel components - B\) Microprocessors - C\) Nucleoside phosphoramidites - D\) Organic solvents 8. Why do many companies not map their entire supply chains? - A\) Lack of technology - B\) It's time-consuming and costly - C\) It's not necessary - D\) There are too many suppliers involved 9. What does the "China plus one" strategy aim to achieve? - A\) Increase reliance on Chinese suppliers - B\) Diversify production beyond China - C\) Centralize production in China - D\) Enhance Chinese technology 10. Why might companies consider regional production strategies? - A\) To reduce lead times - B\) To align with local cultural preferences - C\) To minimize global footprint - D\) To handle regional crises more effectively 11. Which of the following is an example of a product category that may be easier to source outside of China? - A\) Microprocessors - B\) High-density interconnect circuit boards - C\) Furniture and clothing - D\) Precision castings 12. Why might shifting production away from China be challenging for sophisticated products? - A\) Limited alternative sources - B\) Higher demand globally - C\) Reduced consumer interest - D\) Fewer regulations elsewhere 13. What logistical issue affects Southeast Asian countries compared to China? - A\) Limited workforce availability - B\) Fewer marine liner services - C\) Higher production costs - D\) Reduced government support 14. Why is it impractical for companies to completely cut out China from their supply chains? - A\) Lack of innovation elsewhere - B\) Dependence on Chinese workforce - C\) China's deep supplier networks - D\) High costs of alternative sources 15. What are the potential downsides of holding safety stock? - A\) Higher transportation costs - B\) Risk of obsolescence and tied-up cash - C\) Reduced inventory management needs - D\) Increased dependence on suppliers 16. What is one benefit of process innovations when moving production? - A\) Faster shipping - B\) Lower raw material costs - C\) Opportunity for major process improvements - D\) Greater reliance on existing assets 17. Which technological advancement has made automation more attractive? - A\) Reduced equipment costs - B\) High demand for labor - C\) Improved workforce availability - D\) Decrease in safety regulations 18. How can continuous-flow manufacturing impact pharmaceutical supply chains? - A\) By reducing product prices - B\) By lowering dependency on imported APIs - C\) By increasing shelf-life of drugs - D\) By simplifying product designs 19. What is another term for additive manufacturing? - A\) Injection molding - B\) Continuous production - C\) 3D printing - D\) Laser cutting 20. How might new technologies change the traditional strategy of economies of scale? - A\) By reducing production capacity - B\) By enabling larger facilities - C\) By allowing smaller, distributed factories - D\) By centralizing operations 21. What supply chain strategy did the Covid-19 pandemic force companies to rethink? - A\) Offshoring labor-intensive work - B\) Reducing product pricing - C\) SKU proliferation - D\) Global marketing strategies 22. Why might companies reconsider SKU proliferation? - A\) It increases flexibility - B\) It simplifies demand forecasting - C\) It complicates production switching - D\) It lowers costs 23. How can diversification benefit supply chains? - A\) By increasing inventory levels - B\) By spreading risks across multiple sources - C\) By reducing the need for safety stock - D\) By lowering operational costs 24. What role does automation play in returning production to higher-cost countries? - A\) It increases transportation costs - B\) It minimizes labor needs - C\) It reduces product quality - D\) It increases local employment 25. Why is holding intermediate inventory recommended? - A\) To align with just-in-time practices - B\) To prepare for potential supply disruptions - C\) To increase production speed - D\) To decrease warehousing needs 26. How can companies address the reliance on a single supplier for a crucial component? - A\) By increasing orders from that supplier - B\) By developing alternative suppliers - C\) By reducing production capacity - D\) By focusing on cost reduction 27. Which of the following illustrates a "regional production" strategy? - A\) Sourcing all components globally - B\) Concentrating production in one country - C\) Producing goods close to their primary market - D\) Centralizing supply chain management 28. What is one reason companies may relocate their supply chains? - A\) To increase product complexity - B\) To strengthen environmental standards - C\) To minimize transportation challenges - D\) To take advantage of cheaper labor markets 29. Why is process flexibility important in supply chains? - A\) To quickly switch production as needs change - B\) To increase the number of suppliers - C\) To reduce transportation times - D\) To enhance product quality 30. What risk does just-in-time inventory management pose in a global supply chain? - A\) Decreased product demand - B\) Increased operational costs - C\) Vulnerability to supply disruptions - D\) Reduced supplier relationships 31. Why is it important to assess alternate sources for high-risk components? - A\) To increase production complexity - B\) To simplify supply chain management - C\) To ensure resilience against disruptions - D\) To lower manufacturing costs 32. What can additive manufacturing help alleviate in supply chains? - A\) Dependence on traditional suppliers - B\) Increased demand variability - C\) Labor shortages in manufacturing - D\) Transportation inefficiencies 33. How can companies reduce their dependency on lean inventories? - A\) By outsourcing production - B\) By investing in local suppliers - C\) By holding additional safety stock - D\) By increasing global footprint 34. What is one challenge of moving production from China to Southeast Asia? - A\) Lack of skilled labor - B\) Fewer direct shipping routes - C\) Higher production costs - D\) Lower market demand 35. Why is it important for firms to maintain some presence in China despite supply chain risks? - A\) China is the largest economy globally - B\) China offers the highest quality labor - C\) China's extensive supplier networks - D\) China provides the lowest production costs