Beer Game

The beer game demonstrates the value of sharing information across the various supply chain components. In practice, supply chains are usually more complex and much harder to manage. Current research has investigated that in practice the bullwhip effect is due to the following reasons ... 

Kimbrough, S.O., Wu, D.J., Zhong, F. Computer the beer game can artificial manage supply chains Deci. Support Syst. 33, 323-333 (2002)... 

An example of this phenomenon is made clear in an exercise called The Beer Game as described in The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge. This is a board game using poker chips signifying inventory, preprinted playing cards indicating the fluctuations in demand at the retailer, and small forms on which the players write their orders to their suppliers. The scenario is that a retailer who sells beer is served by a distributor. The distributor is served by a warehouse, which is served by the manufacturer. Therefore, there are only four elements in this simple supply chain. There is a four-day lead time between each of the elements. 

What is interesting abont the beer game is that it has been played so many times yet the patterns of behaviour generated in the game are remarkably similar The beer game introduces the players to the phenomenon known as the buUwhip effect . In practice, this phenomenon is observed in all forms of the supply chain but especially in retail supply chains. 

There are various versions and hybrids of beer game in the public domain. Our aim in this case study is to demonstrate with the aid of a simple distribution operation (Charlie s warehouse) how the systems dynamics of supply chain behave in a controlled environment. 

What is the bullwhip effect in supply chain management What are the key factors contributing to the bullwhip effect and how would you reduce their impact Explain how the simulations on the beer game can help assess the impact of forecast errors contributing to the bullwhip effect . 

Alcopops and spirit mixed drinks are gaming much popularity in the Western world, reaching impressive growth rates in recent years. Due to its specihc color and taste, beer cannot be directly used in such applications. Recently, NORIT process technology (NPT) has developed a method of beer decolorization that enables breweries to produce clear alcohol-water mixtures that can be used in premixes or alcopops (Source http //www.noritpt.nl). For beer-based drinks, the NPT membrane-based technology is able to produce a water-alcohol mixture with the taste and smell of beer. For premixes, alcopops, and comparable products, the taste and smeU can also be removed in an additional step, using activated carbon. 

Do you think that beer manufacturers should be legally able to promote drinking games Should the alcohol beverage industry be as restricted in its advertising as the tobacco industry ... 

The best excuse is that of Dennis Mitchell, a member of the gold-medal-winning US team in the 4 x 100-m relay at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. In a test six years later, his sample proved positive for testosterone. He said that he d had five bottles of beer, and sex with his wife at least four times. .. it was her birthday, the lady deserved a treat . This impressed the public, but not the authorities, who banned him for two years. 

Other products sold at Seven-Eleven stores inclnded soft drinks, nutritional drinks, alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, game software, music CDs, and magazines. 

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