APICS CSCP Exam - Topic 5 Question 97 Discussion

Actual exam question for APICS's CSCP exam

Question #: 97
Topic #: 5

[All CSCP Questions]

The primary risk associated with outsourcing innovative components to suppliers is:

Adecreased flexibility.

Bhigher carrying costs.

Cemployee turnover.

Dloss of competitive knowledge.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: D

Outsourcing innovative components can lead to several risks, but the primary risk is the loss of competitive knowledge:

Intellectual Property: When innovative components are outsourced, there is a risk that critical intellectual property and proprietary knowledge will be transferred to or accessed by suppliers.

Competitive Advantage: These components often embody the firm's core competencies and technological advantages. Losing control over these can diminish the company's competitive edge.

Dependency on Suppliers: Relying on external suppliers for innovative parts can reduce the firm's ability to rapidly adapt and innovate, leading to decreased flexibility and potential delays in response to market changes.

While decreased flexibility and higher carrying costs are concerns, they are secondary to the risk of losing competitive knowledge.

Pisano, Gary P., and Willy C. Shih. 'Restoring American Competitiveness.' Harvard Business Review.

Quinn, James Brian. 'Strategic Outsourcing: Leveraging Knowledge Capabilities.' Sloan Management Review.

by Mable at Sep 18, 2024, 02:08 PM

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Denny

5 months ago

Higher carrying costs (B) can be a concern too, but D feels right.

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Graciela

5 months ago

Wait, can we really lose that much knowledge? Sounds risky!

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Rossana

6 months ago

Not so sure about that, A might be more relevant.

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Wava

6 months ago

Totally agree, D is the biggest risk!

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Ivette

6 months ago

I think it's definitely D, loss of competitive knowledge.

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Shawna

6 months ago

I keep mixing up the risks. Is it higher carrying costs or employee turnover that’s more relevant here? I wish I had reviewed that section better.

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Alexis

7 months ago

I practiced a question similar to this, and I think the main risk is definitely about losing competitive knowledge. That really stuck with me.

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Allene

7 months ago

I'm not entirely sure, but I think decreased flexibility could also be a concern when outsourcing. It might limit our ability to adapt quickly.

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Jin

7 months ago

I remember discussing how outsourcing can lead to a loss of competitive knowledge, especially with innovative components. That seems like a big risk.

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Douglass

7 months ago

I'm a little confused by this question. I'll need to review my notes on outsourcing strategies to make sure I understand the potential risks involved.

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Vonda

7 months ago

Hmm, I'm a bit unsure about this one. I need to think through the potential risks more carefully before deciding on the answer.

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Janine

7 months ago

This question seems straightforward. I think the key is to focus on the risk of outsourcing innovative components, which could lead to a loss of competitive knowledge.

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Lynette

7 months ago

The options seem pretty clear-cut to me. I'm leaning towards "loss of competitive knowledge" as the primary risk, since that aligns with the focus on innovative components.

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Rebeca

7 months ago

This looks like a straightforward HSRP configuration question. I'll start by setting up the HSRP group on VLAN 100 with the virtual IP address of 192.168.1.1.

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Erick

2 years ago

Outsourcing innovation? That's like asking a toddler to build a rocket ship. I'll go with D and hope for the best!

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Gwenn

2 years ago

This question is just like my love life - full of risks and uncertainties! But I think D is the right answer here.

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Cheryl

2 years ago

But what about the loss of competitive knowledge? That's a big risk too.

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Elizabeth

2 years ago

I agree with Marnie, outsourcing can limit our ability to make changes quickly.

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Gary

2 years ago

Hmm, I'm torn between B and D. Higher carrying costs and loss of competitive knowledge both seem like major concerns to me.

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Trevor

2 years ago

A: That's true, but we can always find ways to manage carrying costs. Losing our competitive edge might be harder to recover from.

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Lou

2 years ago

B: I see your point, but higher carrying costs could also impact our bottom line significantly.

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Lashawna

2 years ago

Yes, losing competitive knowledge can also be a huge issue when outsourcing.

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Marget

2 years ago

D) loss of competitive knowledge.

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France

2 years ago

I agree, higher carrying costs can definitely be a major risk.

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Desmond

2 years ago

A: I think D is the bigger risk. Losing competitive knowledge could really hurt us in the long run.

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Laurel

2 years ago

B) higher carrying costs.

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Jennifer

2 years ago

A) decreased flexibility.

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Marnie

2 years ago

I think the primary risk is decreased flexibility.

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Vanna

2 years ago

I'd go with A. Decreased flexibility. You lose control over the development process when you outsource, and that's a recipe for rigidity.

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Letha

2 years ago

That's a good point, we could lose our edge if we rely too much on suppliers.

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Delfina

2 years ago

D) loss of competitive knowledge.

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Berry

2 years ago

I agree, outsourcing can limit our ability to make changes quickly.

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Jeanice

2 years ago

A) decreased flexibility.

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Roosevelt

2 years ago

Definitely D. Loss of competitive knowledge - that's the biggest risk when outsourcing innovative components. Can't afford to give away the secret sauce!

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