NMIMS Semester 3 December 2023 International Trade Assignments
Operations and Supply chain strategies
1. How can the full set of logistical and cross-functional drivers be used to create strategic fit for a PC manufacturer targeting both time-sensitive and price-conscious customers?
2. “SCOR model links business processes, performance metrics, skills and practices into a unified structure” Comment.
3. Yomato is an Indian multinational restaurant aggregator and food delivery company. Company reported first-ever profitable quarter brought a whole lot of cheer among management. Company is also planning to expand its business to other countries as well.
a. Explain various competitive dimensions in detail that company needs to rework to get sustainable profitability.
b. You are appointed as consultant for the Yomato. Suggest some corporate level strategies that ultimately helps them.
Project Management
Q1. Assume your company has got the contract to build a new airport in Goa. It is a very important project for you and your company. How are you going to manage the different stages of the project? (10 marks)
Q2. The activity involved in a certain project have been identified as follows:
Job Time
(weeks)
No. of Men
required
Precedence
requirements
A 5 1 –
B 10 1 A
C 8 2 A
D 6 3 B,C
E 7 1 B,C
F 4 2 E
G 4 2 D,F
H 2 1 G
- For the above project draw the network (using the MS word line function) and determine the critical path.
- If there are three men available at any one time how long would the project take and how would you allocate the men to the activities?
- If there are no restrictions on the amount of labour available, explain how you would schedule the activities? (10 marks)
Q3. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) that runs Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VISP) at Bhadravati in Karnataka decided to close the unit last year. Founded in 1954, SAIL operates and owns five integrated steel plants at Bhilai, Rourkela, Durgapur, Bokaro and Burnpur (Asansol) and three special steel plants at Salem, Durgapur and Bhadravathi. SAIL has declared VISP a loss-making unit. Please suggest:
a. A transition plan for the project and factors that might affect the smooth termination of the projects. (5 Marks)
b. List down the contents of Closure report and the post closure activities you would suggest to be undertaken.
International Business
Q1. In our country many products from China dominate our markets and have made production unprofitable for Indian manufacturers. In your opinion should we allow the entry of Chinese products in our country? (10 Marks)
Q2. Countries like US have at times stated “America First” as their policy. Do you consider that our country should adopt “India First” policy? In this context, explain how countries can create barriers to promote their own products. (10 Marks)
Q3. Read the following case study carefully and then answer the questions that follow:
A BBC anchor remark on India while discussing ISRO’s historic lunar mission – Chandrayaan-3. The anchor asked question to a person who was reporting from India – whether India should really be spending money on a space program the size of Chandrayaan-3 in the wake of poverty in the nation. He claimed much of India’s population lives in poverty and over 700 million Indians don’t have access to a toilet. An Indian Industrialist tweeted that a large part, our poverty was a result of decades of colonial rule, which systematically plundered the wealth of an entire subcontinent. Yet the most valuable possession we were robbed of was not the Kohinoor Diamond but our pride & belief in our own capabilities. Ironically India is home to the largest number of hungry people. Around 213 million go hungry and are malnourished people as they do not get proper two meals a day. Food distribution channels are weak and about 10 % of the stored food grains is being wasted and eaten up by rats and birds while human population is deprived of food.
a) Explain whether India should continue to fund space programs, and do International business in space technology to other countries, or invest in making of Toilets? (5 Marks)
b) Explain whether India should continue to export food grains to various other countries? (5 Marks)
India’s Foreign Trade
Scenario:
Indian agriculture produce Start-up Company called Bharat Agro Tech (BAT) in collaboration with Israeli agriculture Tech Company having their agreement for Technology transfer with one-time payment for technology transfer.
BAT has 500 acres of land on 30 years lease in Nasik, Maharashtra. They have built in situ fresh agriculture produce Cleaning, Packing Cold store unit. They grow fresh vegetables like Red Onion, Cucumber, Carrot, Beetroot, Moringa, and Green Pepper in 200 acres land and 250 acres they grow fruits like Grapes (All varieties), Papaya and Pomegranate. In the remaining 50 acres they grow different varieties of Roses. They are having all the experts from the field of agriculture and Horticulture from India and Agro technology from Israel. Their agriculture produce is 100% Organic and for that they have certificate also. BAT is 100% export oriented Start-up Company, their focus is on exporting to GCC countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait.
Q1. You can take any one country from above mentioned countries, discuss how you will move forward in finding market profile of identified market. You need to discuss on regulatory requirements of the target market, market survey (secondary) major non-tariff barrier and competition.
Q2. Please discuss on logistics, which is very important to ensure the product will be shipped on priority by air/sea.
Q3 a) You need to discuss what are the benefits BAT will get it from the State & Central government keeping in mind it is 100% export oriented start-up company.
b) What is your suggestion for BAT for marketing of their produce overseas? Do you recommend them to develop a good brand name for their products explain briefly?
Export Import Procedures and Documentation
Q1. You are working with a Customs Broker company. One of your clients seeks your advice on whether to import goods on Ex works, FOB basis or CIF basis. They don’t want to opt for any other incoterms. Please explain the three incoterms and advise them suitably.
Q2. Your friend wants to import some interior decoration goods from China for his home i.e. personal purposes. He seeks your guidance on obtaining IEC certificate to import goods for his purpose use. Give a good write up to your friend on this.
Q3.You have been shortlisted for a job of Export & Import Manager. During an interview you have been asked to give your views on the following questions:
a) What are the different type of payment terms prevailing in the international market today on imports?
b) What is your option of payment term for safe transaction and why?
Customs Shipping and Insurance
Q1. You are appearing for a written test as a part of the selection process for the post of Export Import Manager in an international organization. You need to answer the following question based on the Customs Act 1962:
Question: List 5 points under the title “Confiscation of improperly imported goods”
Q2. You are heading EXIM dept in an organization. In one of the Management meeting Finance Director requests you to explain the various types of bills of entry for his academic interest. Give a write up on all bills of entry that are in use.
Q3. You are attending a webinar on Customs clearance of export goods. The webinar conductor asks you the following questions
a) What is shipping bill and where it is used?
b) How many types of shipping bills are in use and explain them
