PDF L4M7 Study Guide

Explanation

In principle, use of any materials involves an environmental cost. Some packaging materials use a lot of natural resources and energy to produce. The journey taken by packaging from raw material to manufacturing and then to the initial user also incurs a 'carbon footprint'. The weight of packag-ing contributes to the fuel usage of vehicles while the volume used can add up to additional jour-neys or the use of larger vehicles. Finally, the reuse, return, disposal or recycling will also involve additional to the environmental cost.

In this question:

- 'Purchase the packaging materials in bulk' may incur additional fuel and carbon footprint in delivering these materials

- 'Try to reduce the costs of packaging' may prompt the organisation to use less eco-friendly and cheap materials like polystyrene chips

- 'Not use the packaging materials at all' can increase the environmental performance of packag-ing activities, but it also harms the products to be delivered and may cause other environmental problems (i.e. spillage of toxic chemicals into the environment)

So the correct answer should be: 'Adopt international environmental packaging standards'. The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has published several standards regarding packaging and environment, namely ISO 18601, ISO 18602, ISO 18603, ISO 18604, ISO 18605, ISO 18606.

Explanation

Multi-part pricing. The transaction price is calculated from using two or more metrics rather than just one. The most common economic example of a price structure beyond unit pricing is called a two-part tariff. Basically it can be described such that the “entrance fee” provides the privilege of purchasing the metered component. A common multi-part tariff is the two-part tariff in electricity, under which the customer pays a monthly fee for access and a usage fee for consumption of electricity. With this two-part tariff, the operator is able to charge a price equal to marginal cost for electricity, which is profit maximizing, and deviate from marginal cost pricing in the fee for access.

Freemium is an internet-based pricing strategy where a service is offered for free in the beginning, but the price is charged on the premium package with some additional features. However, freemium pricing strategy is different from the premium pricing strategy because freemium offers free sample which you can use without paying anything, you’ll only be charged when you want additional features.

Demand pricing is also synonymously used for dynamic pricing; it is a relative term used in the online platform. Dynamic pricing means different pricing is charged from the different customers depending upon the urgency, customer’s ability and demand of the customers.

Explanation

Safety stock is the stock held as a contingency or insurance against disruption or unexpected de-mand. Holding safety stock reduces the risks of stockouts, when an organisation is unable to meet an order or continue production due to lack of finished goods or input materials.

For single items, an extra investment in inventory (higher levels of safety stock) will always in-crease customer service levels. Conversely, higher service levels imply larger quantities of safety stocks and an increased investment in inventory. (Procurement and Supply Chain Management - 9th Edition)

However, high levels of safety stocks also increase the inventory cost. There must be a balance between inventory costs and customer service. Thus, calculating the should-be safety stock based on a determined service level has long been recommended by many professionals.

Explanation

Mounting or embedding RFID tags on metal can be tricky. Metal surfaces reflect energy emitted from RFID readers and create interference for RFID tag antennas, which means the tag isn't able to receive power and transmit information; however, specific RFID tags will work around metal sur-faces. RFID companies have patented technology that allows RFID to work when attached to metal surfaces and even embedded within metal products. As long as you choose the correct RFID equipment for your environment and application, you won't need to worry about interference from metal.