How to Write the Milestone 2 Supply Chain Constraints Paper
Three critical elements. One 3–4 page paper. A rubric that expects you to go beyond generic supply chain theory and connect every argument to Walmart’s real situation in South Korea. Here’s how to approach each section without wasting a single page on content the grader doesn’t need.
Milestone 2 looks simple on the surface — three questions, a few pages. But the rubric makes it clear that “partially meets” and “meets” expectations aren’t the same thing, and the difference usually comes down to specificity. Anyone can say “there will be transportation challenges.” The students who score full marks say which ones, why they exist in South Korea, and exactly how Walmart should address them. That’s what this guide helps you set up.
What This Guide Covers
Assignment Requirements at a Glance
Three to four pages. APA format. Three to five references. Three critical elements, each worth 32 points on the rubric. Don’t treat the word count as a suggestion — at 3 pages you’re writing tight, focused content. Every paragraph needs to earn its place.
Milestone 2 Checklist
Understanding the South Korea Context First
Before you write a single section, you need to know what kind of market you’re dealing with. South Korea isn’t a logistics problem — it’s actually one of the world’s best-performing logistics countries. The World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index consistently ranks South Korea in the top tier globally for customs efficiency, infrastructure, and timeliness. That changes how you frame your constraints.
Walmart isn’t entering a country with weak roads or underdeveloped ports. South Korea has world-class infrastructure. The challenges are different — regulatory, competitive, and cultural. Understanding this distinction is what separates a paper that earns 100% from one that earns 75%.
What South Korea Does Well
Context you need before framing constraints.
- Busan is a top-10 global container port by volume
- Dense, modern highway and rail network
- High smartphone penetration and e-commerce infrastructure
- Strong cold-chain logistics for food retail
- Highly educated, efficient workforce
Where the Real Challenges Are
These are the areas your paper should focus on.
- Dominant local retail conglomerates (Lotte, E-Mart, Shinsegae)
- Complex import regulations and labeling requirements in Korean
- Dense urban delivery environments with traffic and zoning constraints
- Cultural preference for local brands and fresh, local produce
- Walmart’s own failed prior attempt in South Korea (sold to E-Mart in 2006)
In 2006, Walmart sold all 16 of its South Korean stores to local competitor E-Mart after struggling to compete. This history is relevant context for your paper. It shows that the constraints aren’t purely logistical — they’re competitive and cultural. If your paper doesn’t acknowledge this, it’s missing a critical piece of the South Korea-specific picture. You don’t need a full section on it, but it informs why your bottleneck and constraint analysis must go beyond generic supply chain theory.
Section I-A: How to Approach Bottlenecking Issues
A bottleneck in supply chain is any point where the flow of materials, information, or production slows down and creates a backup. For an international facility, that means looking at where delays are most likely to accumulate — from order to shelf. The rubric wants you to identify these for South Korea specifically, then explain how to avoid them.
Think in Terms of Flow — Where Does It Slow Down?
Work through Walmart’s supply chain from source to store. Where does complexity, volume, or regulation create a chokepoint? For an international facility in South Korea, the most defensible bottlenecks to discuss are import clearance and customs processing, local supplier onboarding, and internal distribution center capacity during peak demand periods.
Structure tip: Identify 2–3 specific bottlenecks, explain why each one exists in the South Korea context, then name a concrete avoidance strategy for each. Don’t list ten bottlenecks without depth — two well-explained ones score higher than six vague ones.| Potential Bottleneck | Why It Exists in South Korea | Avoidance Strategy Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Import customs clearance delays | South Korea’s Korea Customs Service requires detailed documentation for foreign goods, with mandatory Korean-language labeling for food and consumer products | Pre-clearance programs, dedicated customs broker partnerships, advance shipment notices |
| Local supplier integration | South Korea’s supplier networks are often tightly linked to domestic conglomerates; Walmart would need to establish new vendor relationships from scratch | Localization strategy — partnering with Korean manufacturers early, using intermediary import agents |
| Distribution center throughput during peak seasons | Korean retail peaks (Chuseok, Lunar New Year) create sudden demand spikes that a new facility without local operational experience will struggle to anticipate | Demand forecasting tools, safety stock planning, seasonal staffing agreements |
| Last-mile urban delivery congestion | South Korean cities (Seoul, Busan, Incheon) are extremely dense; traffic restrictions and delivery time windows create narrow delivery slots | Off-peak delivery scheduling, micro-fulfillment centers in high-density zones |
Walmart’s business model depends on high-volume, thin-margin operations with extremely fast inventory turnover — this is the EDLP (Every Day Low Price) model. Any delay in the supply chain directly compresses margins. When you write about each bottleneck, reference this model by name and explain why that specific bottleneck is more damaging to Walmart than it might be to a competitor with different margins or inventory strategies.
Section I-B: How to Approach Transportation Constraints
The rubric asks you to identify transportation constraints at the facility location and then explain how Walmart can minimize their impact. Two layers to this: getting product into South Korea (inbound international logistics), and moving it from the facility to end customers (domestic distribution).
Inbound Supply Chain vs. Domestic Distribution
Inbound covers international freight — ocean shipping from US or other sourcing countries to South Korea’s ports. Domestic covers the road, rail, and urban delivery network inside South Korea. Most students only address one. Your paper needs both, because the rubric is asking about “the international facility” which implies the full logistics picture.
Key distinction: South Korea’s port infrastructure is excellent. So frame inbound constraints around lead time variability (ocean freight from the US to Busan takes 2–3 weeks), import tariffs and trade agreement requirements under KORUS FTA, and the dependency on international freight carrier reliability — not around port quality, which is actually a strength.Inbound Transportation Constraints
- Ocean freight lead times — 2–3 weeks from US West Coast to Busan; long lead times demand accurate demand forecasting
- Carrier reliability and port congestion — global shipping volatility (as seen post-2020) creates unpredictable delay risks
- Tariff and duty costs — even under the KORUS FTA, some product categories face duties that affect landed cost calculations
- Cold-chain integrity for perishables — maintaining temperature control across a long international transit is a technical and cost constraint
Domestic Distribution Constraints
- Urban traffic and delivery windows — Seoul and other cities restrict large vehicle access during peak hours
- High land costs for warehouse locations — warehousing near urban centers is expensive; suburban locations add transit time
- Consumer expectation for same-day delivery — South Korean consumers are accustomed to extremely fast e-commerce delivery from local players like Coupang
- Limited truck size in dense areas — large articulated trucks are restricted in some urban delivery zones
Name the Strategy and Explain It — Don’t Just List It
For each transportation constraint you identify, name a specific mitigation strategy, explain the mechanism, and connect it back to Walmart’s operational priorities. “Use better logistics providers” is not a strategy. “Establishing a 3PL partnership with a South Korean logistics provider (such as CJ Logistics, one of the country’s largest freight and last-mile operators) to leverage their existing urban delivery network” — that’s a strategy.
Strategies worth developing: 3PL partnerships with local Korean logistics providers; multi-modal transport planning (sea + rail); leveraging the KORUS FTA for tariff reduction on eligible product categories; urban micro-fulfillment centers to address last-mile constraints; safety stock buffers to absorb ocean freight variability.Section I-C: Push or Pull System — Making the Call
This is where a lot of papers go vague. You need to pick one — push or pull — argue for it clearly, and then explicitly show how the bottlenecks and transportation constraints from I-A and I-B influenced that decision. That connection is worth 32 points and most papers only hint at it.
Push vs. Pull Isn’t a Universal Answer — It’s a Context-Dependent Judgment
A push system produces and ships based on demand forecasts — inventory is pushed through the supply chain in advance. A pull system responds to actual customer demand — inventory moves only when a signal (like a sale) triggers replenishment. Walmart’s domestic US model uses a sophisticated hybrid, but for a new international facility starting from scratch, you need to argue for the approach that best fits the constraints you identified.
The rubric wants to see the connection: Your push or pull recommendation must reference specific constraints from I-A and I-B. A paper that says “pull is better because it reduces waste” without connecting to South Korea’s long inbound lead times, local demand uncertainty for a brand-new market entrant, or domestic distribution constraints will partially meet expectations at best.When Push Makes Sense for This Situation
Ocean freight from the US has 2–3 week lead times (I-B). Demand in a new market is uncertain and difficult to forecast precisely (I-A, local supplier integration). A push approach allows Walmart to build safety stock buffers that absorb transit variability. Argue push if you emphasize lead time risk and market entry uncertainty.
When Pull Makes Sense for This Situation
South Korea’s tech infrastructure supports real-time POS data and demand signaling. Local sourcing (which reduces lead times) becomes more feasible as the facility matures. Consumer expectations for freshness and fast replenishment align with pull logic. Argue pull if you emphasize local sourcing development and demand responsiveness.
Can You Argue a Hybrid?
Some operations management frameworks support a push-pull boundary — push for slow-moving, high-volume staples with long lead times; pull for fast-moving perishables sourced locally. This is defensible, but check if your assignment rubric allows it. If you go hybrid, you still need to name a primary system and justify the split using the constraints from I-A and I-B.
Every strong Section I-C answer follows this logic: “Given the [specific bottleneck from I-A] and the [specific transportation constraint from I-B], a [push/pull] system is more appropriate because [mechanism]. Specifically, the [long inbound lead times / local demand uncertainty / urban delivery constraints] mean that [push/pull] allows Walmart to [specific operational benefit].” If your I-C answer doesn’t reference something you said in I-A or I-B, rewrite it before you submit.
Finding 3–5 APA Sources That Actually Work
Three to five references. APA format. That means peer-reviewed journal articles carry the most weight — but for an applied business paper like this, credible industry and government sources are also acceptable alongside journals. Here’s what to look for.
World Bank Logistics Performance Index (LPI)
Free, publicly available, peer-cited in academic literature. The LPI scores South Korea on customs, infrastructure, international shipments, logistics competence, tracking, and timeliness. This gives you quantitative backing for any claims about South Korea’s logistics environment. Cite it as: World Bank. (2023). Logistics Performance Index. https://lpi.worldbank.org/
Peer-Reviewed Supply Chain Journal Article
Search Google Scholar or your library database for “Walmart international supply chain,” “push pull system retail operations,” or “supply chain constraints South Korea.” The Journal of Operations Management, International Journal of Production Economics, and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal are strong sources. Filter for 2015 or newer to stay current.
Operations Management Textbook (Your Course Text)
Your course textbook almost certainly has chapters on push/pull systems, bottleneck theory, and transportation constraints. Cite it directly. It’s an expected source for definitions and frameworks, and using it shows you’re grounding your argument in the course material — which graders look for.
KORUS FTA or Korean Trade Documentation
The US–Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) directly affects import tariff structures for Walmart goods entering South Korea. The US Trade Representative (USTR) or the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) are credible sources. This supports your transportation constraints section on tariff and duty costs.
Walmart’s Own Annual Reports or SEC Filings
Walmart’s annual report covers its international operations strategy, supply chain investments, and distribution model. This is a primary source that gives you credibility when making claims about Walmart’s approach to international expansion. Cite as: Walmart. (Year). Annual report. Walmart Investor Relations. Available at walmart.com
Ask these three questions about every source: Is it from a credible publisher, government body, or peer-reviewed journal? Is it published within the last 10 years (or a classic text with enduring relevance)? Does it specifically support the claim you’re making — or are you force-fitting a general article to look like it applies? If you can’t answer yes to all three, keep looking. For more on structuring references correctly, see the citation and referencing guide on this site.
Mistakes That Get Points Deducted
Generic Bottlenecks With No Country Tie
“Walmart may face supply chain bottlenecks such as demand variability and supplier delays.” This could be written about any country. The rubric rewards specificity to South Korea — not general supply chain theory.
Name the Specific South Korea Context
Tie every bottleneck to a South Korea-specific condition: the dominance of local conglomerates, Korean customs labeling requirements, the Chuseok demand spike, or the density of Seoul’s urban delivery environment. Country-specific = full marks.
Section I-C With No Reference to I-A or I-B
Writing a generic push vs. pull argument without connecting it to the bottlenecks and constraints you identified earlier. The rubric explicitly asks for this connection — a self-contained I-C section is an incomplete answer.
Make the Connection Explicit
Use transition language that references earlier sections: “Given the import clearance bottleneck identified in Section I-A and the ocean freight lead time constraint from Section I-B, a push system is preferable because…” The grader should be able to see the thread clearly.
Only Covering Inbound Transportation
Focusing only on getting goods into South Korea and skipping the domestic distribution layer. Both layers are real constraints — and both matter for facility operations.
Address Both Inbound and Domestic Layers
Cover international freight (Busan port entry, ocean lead times, KORUS FTA tariffs) and domestic distribution (urban delivery constraints, 3PL partnerships, last-mile challenges in dense Korean cities). Two layers, both addressed.
Ignoring Walmart’s 2006 South Korea Exit
Writing as if Walmart is entering an entirely unfamiliar market without acknowledging why previous attempts failed. This history informs the constraints — especially the competitive and cultural ones.
Use the History as Context, Not Just a Fun Fact
Briefly note that Walmart’s 2006 exit from South Korea was driven by competitive pressure from local retailers and a failure to localize the product mix. This directly supports your analysis of supplier integration bottlenecks and cultural market constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need Help With a Supply Chain or Operations Management Paper?
From location justification reports and milestone assignments to full supply chain analysis papers — our operations management writing team covers undergraduate and graduate-level coursework.
Supply Chain Assignment Help Get StartedThe Paper Isn’t About What You Know — It’s About How You Apply It
Every student writing this assignment knows what a bottleneck is. The grader knows you know. What the rubric is testing is whether you can take that concept and apply it to a real company in a real country with enough specificity to actually be useful. That’s the difference between 75% and 100%.
South Korea is not a generic “challenging international market.” It’s a technologically advanced, highly competitive retail environment where Walmart has already tried and failed once. Your paper should reflect that. Every section — bottlenecks, transportation, push vs. pull — should feel like it was written specifically for Walmart in South Korea, not lifted from a general chapter on international supply chain management.
Section I-C is where the paper comes together or falls apart. If you can write a clear recommendation and then point back to two or three specific things you identified earlier — that bottleneck, that transportation constraint — the grader sees a coherent argument. That coherence is what “clearly communicates to a specific audience” means on the rubric’s clear communication criterion.