L4-D3-供应源搜寻2017年11月试题及答案

D3/2017年11月 CIPS 四级：采购与供应文凭（Diploma in procurement and supply）
《供应源搜寻》Sourcing in procurement and supply
日期 2017 年 11 月 15 日 星期三
时间  开始 9:00   结束 12:00   历时 3 小时
考生注意事项：Instructions for Candidates：
本试卷由五道必答题组成，每题20分，共100分。
This examination has FOUR compulsory questions worth 25 marks each.
1. 在未得到监考官允许之前，请勿翻阅试卷。
Do not open this question paper until instructed by the invigilator.
2. 请将答案填写在答题纸上。
All answers must be written in the answer booklet provided.
3. 请将草稿也写在答题纸背面，交卷前请将草稿部分作一删除记号。
All rough work and notes should also be written in the answer booklet.

请在考试结束后交回试卷
请在回答问题之前花费20分钟来仔细阅读分析案例信息。
You are advised to allow 20 minutes to read carefully and analyse the information in the case study before attempting to answer the questions .

试卷结束
END OF QUESTION PAPER

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英方公布试题答案及评分参考

Question:
a) Explain with the aid of a suitable diagram the term ‘supplier tiering’.
b) Explain THREE possible consequences for PBL if it decides to ‘tier’ their supply chain.
Learning outcome addressed 1.4
Command word explanation: Explain – give reasons for or account for something
Examples of good content/good approaches in answers:
a) Supplier tiering is the structuring of suppliers into a number of levels (tiers) to enable the buying organisation like PBL to establish strategic long term relationships with a smaller number of key first tier suppliers. The rest of the supply chain is managed on behalf of PBL, i.e. each tier managed by the level above it. Candidates have to provide an appropriate diagram to illustrate tiering.
b) Consequences of tiering might include the following:
 Need to involve key stakeholders – top management, users, etc. – in the crucial and strategic exercise of selecting and contracting first tier suppliers.
 Allocation of considerable resources and time to comprehensive prequalification, appraisal, selection and negotiation processes to develop collaborative solutions and agreements.
 With fewer suppliers to manage, PBL can focus on managing and improving strategic relationships with the 1st tier suppliers to ensure that they manage their own supply chains effectively.
 Need to minimise risk by ‘drilling down’ through the tiers by appraising and monitoring policies, systems and performances to ensure that the lower level supply chains are robust (e.g. in connection with quality, ethical or labour standards).
 Loss of direct control and visibility of suppliers in lower tiers, and need to persuade the first-tier suppliers to adopt some specific/beneficial suppliers as subcontractors or lower-tier suppliers.
 Reduction in supplier base interactions avails time to pursue a more strategic focus on such areas as sustainable sourcing, global sourcing or supplier relationship development.
 More and better supply chain improvements and innovations may be available from sharing information and collaborating with expert first-tier suppliers.
Examples of content for merit/distinction grade answers:
a) Appropriate/illustrative diagram, brief definition of tiering and explanation of its strategic relevance in supplier base rationalisation/supply chain management of an organisation like PBL scored higher marks.
b) Good answers presented 5 consequences of tiering with sufficient depth of detail, and in context with PBL, e.g. procurement freed up to pursue more strategic and innovative approaches like JIT.
Examples of poorer content/poorer approaches in answers:
a) Some poorer answers presented wrong content/diagrams such as Supplier Preferencing or Kraljic matrices. Weaker answers also lacked in sufficient detail or application.
b) Most weak answers tended to be poorly structured, used bullet points or tended to focus on aspects that had little relevance, such as supplier selection criteria.
Concluding comment: The performance in this question from most candidates was average and there were candidates who were not well prepared for this learning objective.
Question:
a) Explain TWO benefits for PBL of pre-qualifying potential suppliers before engaging them in a tender process.
b) Describe FOUR criteria that PBL may use to pre-qualify potential suppliers.
Learning outcome addressed: 2.1
a) Command word explanation: Explain – give reasons for or account for something
b) Command word explanation: Describe – give a full account of something
Examples of good content/good approaches in answers:
a) Benefits of supplier prequalification might include:
 An established list of pre-qualified suppliers reduces the amount of investigations needed for individual tenders and purchases.
 Pre-qualification of suppliers should reduce the time and cost of tendering in the longer term – it reduces the number of stages in the future competitive tender processes.
 PBL will be assured that the suppliers on the approved list have been assessed as suitable and capable of fulfilling its existing requirements.
 The pre-qualification process provides an opportunity for procurement and technical specialists to work together and provide a list of pre-assessed and qualified suppliers.
 Pre-qualification is also an important opportunity for PBL to embed qualitative criteria (such as CSR or ethical aspects; innovation; etc.) in the supplier selection process without compromising the more quantitative criteria traditionally applied at the contract award stage.
b) The supplier prequalification criteria may be derived from one or a combination of the following models:
 Carters 10 Cs - competence or capability, capacity, commitment, control systems, cash, consistency, cost, compatibility, compliance and communication.
 FACE 2 FACE - Fixed Assets or Financial Stability; Ability to deliver or Ability work with; Cost of acquisition or Commitment to quality; Efficiency or Environmental aspects.
 Lysons and Farrington’s Eight perspectives of supplier selection – Financial stability; Production Capacity; Human Resources; Quality; Performance; Environmental & Ethics; IT development; Organisation Structure.
 Other generic criteria/approaches might include – aspects of 5 rights; supply chains/networks; sustainability, technical capabilities, human resources; geographical location; etc.
Examples of content for merit/distinction grade answers:
a) Higher marks were awarded to candidates for explaining development of a reliable supplier list/base for PBL, establishing appropriate supplier selection criteria, creating efficiency in future tendering processes by weeding out unsuitable suppliers, etc. Answers with application to PBL received more marks, e.g. in connection with reducing the large suppler base.
b) Most candidates gained high marks in this question on supplier prequalification or selection criteria. Higher marks were awarded for answers with application to the case study –e.g. finding suppliers that help in reducing PBL’s costs for it to effectively compete with other suppliers.
Examples of poorer content/ poorer approaches in answers:
a) Identifying and explaining two supplier pre-qualification criteria – such answers were suitable for part (b). Other poorer answers presented the process of pre-qualification instead of the benefits.
b) Poorly structured answers containing numerous one-line bullet points, or candidates who attempted to include all theoretical models like Carters 10 Cs, 5 Rights, Face 2 Face, etc. Other weaker answers confused criteria with tools applied such as RFI, Questionnaires, interviews, etc.
Concluding comment: Part (a) had most answers from the candidates in the pass grade and part (b) also had very good performance.
Question:
a) Define and calculate TWO key short term liquidity ratios for Bella Seats Ltd for both years.
b) Calculate the gross profit to sales percentage and the net profit to sales percentage for both years.
c) Discuss, using the data provided and the results from the calculations above, the financial stability of Bella Seats Ltd.
Learning outcome addressed: 3.2
Command word explanation: Define – explain the exact meaning of a word or phrase
Command word explanation: Discuss – consider something by writing about it from different points of view
Examples of good content/good approaches in answers:
a) The following short-term liquidity ratios determine organisation’s ability to meet its short term financial commitments.
The current ratio is calculated by dividing current assets (stock, debtors and cash) by the current liabilities (creditors and short term loans). The ideal ratio is 2.0:1 signifying that the current assets can adequately cover the current liabilities.
The acid test ratio (or quick ratio) is similar to Current ratio, but excludes stock from the calculation, because stock may be difficult to realise and/or may not achieve its balance sheet value. A ratio above 1.0:1 would signify financial stability as cash and debtors can sufficiently pay off current liabilities.
Below are the two-year short term liquidity ratios for Bella Seats Ltd (rounded to 2 decimal places, although other rounding is acceptable): -
$(000s) 2015 $(000s) 2016
Current Ratio 4002/1979 = 2.02:1 4260/1916 = 2.22:1
Quick Ratio (4002-1870)/1979 = 1.07:1 (4260-2105)/1916 = 1.13:1
b) Below are the two-year gross and net profit to sales percentages for Bella Seats Ltd (rounded to two decimals, but different rounding is also acceptable): -
$(000s) 2016 $(000s) 2015
Gross Profit to Sales Percentage (1490/5300) x 100 =28.11% (1426/5956) x 100 =23.94%
Nett Profit / Sales Percentage (629/5300) x 100 =11.87% (452/5956) x 100 = 7.59%

c) The short term liquidity ratios are above the ideal and therefore a sign of sound financial stability for Bella Seats Ltd. There is also an improvement in these ratios from 2015 to 2016.
The profitability ratios also display a profitable organisation. Although there was a drop in the turnover figures, the profitability ratios still show a significant improvement from 2015 to 2016.
The provided raw data attracts plenty of scope for evaluation/comment in connection with Bella’s financial stability and management during the two years. The comments may relate to the liquidity/profitability calculations or other perspectives deriving from the provided data.
Examples of content for merit/distinction grade answers:
a) Higher scoring answers used concise identification/presentation of the short term liquidity ratios (i.e. current ratio and Quick (acid test) ratio including the correct formulae. Calculating the two liquidity ratios for Bella Seats Ltd for 2015 and 2016 using the correct figures provided. Some good candidates gained less marks for missing out calculations for one of the years or failing to ‘define’ the ratios.
b) Higher scoring answers used the correct percentage formulae and calculation of the two ratios for Bella Seats Ltd for 2015 and 2016 using the correct figures provided.
c) Answers that that combined detailed analytical comments from the overall data provided and calculations from 3a & 3b in order to have a comprehensive assessment of the financial stability also gained higher marks.
Examples of poorer content/poorer approaches in answers:
a) Poorer answers presented ‘gearing’ which is not a ‘short term’ liquidity ratio. Applying wrong formulae (e.g. adding x100), wrong/missing calculations or use of wrong figures (e.g. cost of sales).
b) Applying wrong formulae (e.g. not adding x100), wrong/missing calculations or use of wrong figures (e.g. ‘cost of sales’ instead of ‘sales/revenue’) were also examples of seeker answers.
c ) Insufficient content (e.g. a paragraph with a few sentences) or narrowed perspective (e.g. limited to the ratios in 3a&b). The marks allocated to this question demanded breadth and depth of discussion.
Concluding comment:
The overall performance was generally high for parts a & b but part c was under-achieved in most cases.

Question:
Explain FIVE benefits for PBL in using e-tendering compared to a paper-based tendering system.

Learning outcome addressed: 4.4
Command word explanation: Explain – give reasons for or account for something

The benefits for PBL in using e-tendering might include the following: -
• Consistency: - of tendering procedures and embed tender best practice in PBL. This will help promote procurement centres of excellence that define and apply standardised processes documents and contract terms.
• Process efficiencies: The reduced tender cycle times due to less labour-intensive repetitive tasks and paperwork. This comes through, for instance automation of imminent tender alerts; contract notice creation; documentation preparation/distribution (cut/paste e.g. expressions of interest, ITT, contract terms, etc.); opening procedures; evaluation/scoring; supplier enquiries and contract award notifications.
• Security: Bids are securely emailed/registered to the e-tendering system's 'electronic vault' and buyers can monitor/manage the process through a 'front end' web function, enabling them to respond to any queries.
• Speed and accuracy: e.g. potential suppliers can view the ITT on PBL’s portal; download the relevant documents; Automated analysis/evaluation is fast and accurate and provides quick feedback to bidders.
• Transparency and fairness: All suppliers receive the same information and tracking, and they are evaluated to the same (automatically enforced) criteria and time-scales. This is due to the in-built security features.
• Cost reduction and sustainability: Electronic processes promote paperless functions which help to reduce the financial and environmental cost relating to postage and stationery and storage/office space.
• Collaboration: E-tendering provides a platform for cross-functional collaboration, facilitating internal communication and data sharing, e.g. by providing single point information on procurement matters.
Other functions of e-tendering systems might include archiving, supplier base data management, and even the complete contract lifecycle management including retendering.
Examples of content for merit/distinction grade answers:
Higher scores were given for clearly identified benefits explained in connection with PBL, e.g. the efficiency it brings to the small buying staff or in terms of its capacity to access the international sources for PBL.
Examples of poorer content/ poorer approaches in answers:
Some answers were too short for this full 20 marks question. Others tended to duplicate/repeat some benefits (e.g. speed, fast, quick, less time, etc.); or to focus on content relating to peripheral themes such as e-purchasing, e-auctions, etc.
Concluding comment: This question was answered well with many candidates gaining merit or above marks.

Question:
a) Outline why an understanding of exchange rates will be important for PBL in international supply markets.
b) Describe THREE ways that PBL might manage currency and exchange rate risks.

Learning outcome addressed: 5.2
Command word explanation: Outline – give the main features, facts or the general idea of something
Command word explanation: Describe – give a full account of something
Examples of good content/good approaches in answers:
a) The answer might include such content as: -
An exchange rate is the price or value of one currency expressed in terms of another currency. Exchange rates can therefore fluctuate due the forces of demand and supply. Exchange rate fluctuations represent a financial risk for international sourcing since the supplier will normally quote a price in its own currency -the buyer will need to purchase the currency to pay for the goods. Any weakening of PBL’s domestic currency after agreeing on price and before payment will increase the amount required to purchase the required foreign currency – thus the imports will become more expensive. PBL would rather want the domestic currency to appreciate in value so that less money is required to purchase the foreign currency – thus the imports will be cheaper.
b) PBL can manage currency and exchange rate risk in any or a combination of the following: -
• Getting the supplier to quote prices in PBL’s own domestic currency - might be a tough negotiation, unless the purchaser has greater leverage or can offer concessions in exchange.
• Negotiate prices on an estimated rate that will apply at payment time - if fluctuations are not extreme – perhaps with a contract proviso for renegotiation if the exchange rate fluctuates beyond specified tolerances.
• Agree to pay for the goods at the time of contract (i.e. at today's known exchange rate) before delivery/due date to exploit a positive exchange rate – an example of a technique known as ‘leading’. The reverse is ‘lagging’ - making a payment after the due to exploit exchange rate improvements at the expense of the supplier (there might be ethical, reputational and relationship risks).
• Use available tools of currency management, such as a forward exchange contract, which enables the importer to 'hedge' the risk by contracting now to purchase the overseas currency at a stated future date, at a rate of exchange agreed now.
• If exchange rate risks are severe, a purchaser may have to consider temporarily sourcing from the domestic market, from a single currency market such as the EU, or from other markets with less volatile currencies.
• PBL may sell its vehicles to customers in other countries and acquire foreign currency need to pay for imports from those countries or elsewhere financially convenient.
• PBL may agree with its suppliers that all transactions will be made using a third currency that may be more stable than the currency of either party. This means that exchange rate risk may be shared.

Examples of content for merit/distinction grade answers:
a) Answers defining exchange rates and their effect on prices and hence PBL’s competitiveness in the market as stated in the case study received higher marks.
b) Good answers presented 3 methods of managing currency and exchange rate risks -with sufficient depth of detail and application to the case study.
Examples of poorer content/poorer approaches in answers:
a) Poorer answers saw candidate’s theory dump incorrect content e.g. relating to international trade such as applicable law, incoterms, tariffs, political stability, etc.
b) Weaker answers to this part of the question used superficial content in bullet points, or irrelevant content such as PESTLE and SWOT.
Concluding comment: The performance by candidates for this question was varied but average overall in both parts.