This student field study included a comprehensive evaluation of a leading consumer electronics manufacturer with final assembly and test operations in Mexico, but suppliers based primarily in China. The students evaluated the company’s global supply chain and developed specific recommendations for performance improvement.

Customer service is a key differentiator for semiconductor companies for whom the production process can take several months. Service levels can be improved through die banking—holding inventory at a semi-finished level and then completing it in response to actual customer demand. In this field study, Stanford students developed a quantitative model to optimize inventory held in die banks and finished good in order to achieve the targeted customer service level of 95%.

This field study involved development of a model for fixed and variable logistics costs for a major retailer. While annual budgeting was based on steady-state volume assumptions, actual volumes varied significantly by season, resulting in difficulty in evaluating performance throughout the year. The model allowed executive management to better understand the impact of volume fluctuations and which costs were within their sphere of influence.

This student field study focused on identifying the salient transportation‐related components in greenhouse gas production, then constructing a data model and repeatable methodology for calculating emission levels. The model was used to provide specific recommendations for reducing the overall carbon footprint. Details