Discussion Questions

  1. Why should a purchaser evaluate the cost of making an item instead of simply evaluating the purchase price? Is this true for all types of products? Why or why not?
  2. List some of the reasons suppliers are reluctant to share detailed cost information. What can purchasers do to convince suppliers that shared cost data will not be exploited?
  3. Is global sourcing always the lowest-cost option on account of the low labor rates? What other types of data have to go into this decision?
  4. What is the difference among a fixed cost, a semivariable cost, and a variable cost?
  5. Discuss the different pricing strategies a seller can use along with the key features of each. Provide examples of current marketplaces where these types of pricing arrangements are shifting dramatically.
  6. Can you provide examples of suppliers or industries that are currently utilizing a price volume model, market share model, competition pricing model, and revenue pricing model?
  7. What types of cost information are available on the Internet? What types of price information are available on the Internet? Is this information reliable?
  8. Under what conditions does a buyer have the most supply management leverage over a seller?
  9. When does a seller have the most leverage over a buyer?
  10. What is the total cost of ownership concept? What are some of the challenges that must be overcome when implementing a total cost measurement system?
  11. What are the benefits from measuring the total cost of ownership for a purchased item? Are there any potential disadvantages of this approach? If so, what are they?
  12. How is the price of an item established in a target pricing contract? What makes target pricing attractive to a buyer and seller?
  13. Can a company use a target pricing model without a follow-on cost-savings sharing agreement? Why or why not?
  14. If a buyer and seller do not have a close working relationship, how can a buyer obtain cost data to perform a cost analysis for a supplier before awarding a purchase contract?
  15. What happens if a supplier cannot meet a purchaser’s initial target price? How is this issue resolved?

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