As countries like China and India become leaders in manufacturing, the costs of their expertise rises, diminishing their advantage against U.S. counterparts. At the same time, convoluted and increasingly risky supply chains dependent on inexperienced vendors have turned once stable brands like Boeing into the perfect “reshoring” case study. The following video explains why outsourcing can be bad for business. The consumer: Does the consumer benefit? Are prices lowered by outsourcing? Why or why not? Efficiency and productivity: Does outsourcing enhance efficiency and productivity? Why or why not? Competition: Does outsourcing encourage competition? Is this a good thing? Why or why not? Developing countries: Does outsourcing benefit developing countries? Why or why not? International stability: Does outsourcing foster international cooperation, respect, and stability? Why or why not?

How do companies generally get a leg up on the competition? Can you provide any instances of similar methods?

please no plagiarism just need your opinion. Do you feel the current system of global supply chains is sustainable? why or why not?

Read the following case study based on Wal-Mart and answer the questions that follow, not all the answers can be found in the case study, you may be required to conduct additional research. Measuring Wal-Mart's impact on South Africa What exactly will Wal-Marts presence do to South Africa’s retail supply chain? A recent study tried to measure just that. According to the Supplychainforeseight research study, South Africa’s local retail sector is prepared to deal with Wal-Mart’s proven plan for success. Local retail businesses will try and compete with Wal- Mart by emphasizing communication and increasing customer service. The local retailers are also expected to try and ‘streamline the supplier base,’ which could result in more stable, cost-effective contracts with suppliers. “Walmart might be defined as a supply chain business that happens to be a retailer; as opposed to supermarket chains, who are retailers who happen to be in the supply chain business,” industry consultant…