3) How is technology in operations affecting competition at the worldwide level?

Technological innovations have been tremendously important to global competition. Real-time RFID-based information and tracking systems in particular have allowed companies to streamline their operations and expenses by tailoring supply and even production to consumer demand. Furthermore, as operations (in general) become more and more capable of being fulfilled mechanically, that allows reductions in personnel previously required to accomplish tasks now performed mechanically and automatically.

4) What are pros and cons associated with outsourcing a number of supply chain activities?

The most obvious benefit of outsourcing supply chain activities would be the reduced costs associated with using overseas labor for tasks ordinarily performed by much higher paid domestic employees. One potential negative associated with outsourcing would be less direct control and oversight...

Another potential negative would be the bad publicity resulting from any ethical violations overseas or from the use of foreign workers whose conditions of employment in their home countries falls very short of those required by law domestically.
5) Are integrated services more appealing to B2B or B2C industries? Why?

Integrated services are more appealing to B2B industries, primarily because of the additional operational layers and complexity involved in B2B services. Whereas most B2C services are complete in one transaction, those involving B2B relationships usually involve multiple databases, facilities, operations, and technologies. Without efficient systems and services integration among multiple entities, it would be largely impossible to establish or maintain a high level of operational performance. From the B2B perspective, services integration is a significant factor in determining the most compatible and potentially profitable business partners.