OVERALL COURSE BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The supply chain management course is divided into two modules: ‘Purchasing and Supply Chain Management’ and ‘Global Supply Networks’. Students may register for both modules, or they may register for only one module. The assessment allows students to gain credits for one module or for the whole course (both modules).

Supply chain management (SCM) is an increasingly important and popular function in private and public sector organizations in both manufacturing and service sectors. SCM has strong roots in the more established business functions of logistics and purchasing but is a more holistic concept that spans both internal functions and external business partners, taking in upstream suppliers and downstream distributors and customers. SCM includes the key processes of sourcing, manufacturing, delivering and returning. Therefore, sourcing – or purchasing & supply management (PSM) – is at the heart of SCM and is our main focus and point of departure in Module 1.

Module 2 shifts the focus from PSM to global supply networks and thereby changes the focus from the level of the firm, dyadic (two party buyer/ supplier) relationships and chains to an holistic focus on complex supply networks. The rationale for this change in focus is the increasing realization that supply chains are not simple linear structures but complex inter-organizational networks with a global span. This reality has been caused by extensive use of global (out-)sourcing strategies across industries and presents organizations with new complexities, risks and opportunities. Where in the past SCM professionals required mostly technical skills and competencies, there is now a need for a more strategic approach and new skill and knowledge sets. The Supply Chain Management course, therefore, focuses distinctly not only on technical and operational tools and techniques but also on the behavioural or soft skills and competencies that are required for the management of supply relationships, chain and networks.

MODULE 1 BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

In Module 1 ‘Purchasing & Supply Chain Management’ (PSCM) we examine the concepts, principles and practices of PSCM, with a particular focus on its role in organizations. PSCM has grown as a discipline both in practice and in education in recent years and therefore now offers excellent career opportunities. Many companies have elevated PSCM to a strategic function; it is important that future managers understand the potential contribution of PSCM not only to achieve cost savings but also to create value for the organization as a whole. The recent focus on supply chain risk and sustainability has further boosted the focus on PCSM as organizations are faced with long-term global risks and turbulence as well as economic, environmental and social challenges. This course therefore examines the principles, concepts and approaches of Purchasing and Supply Chain Management and its role in reducing costs and improving customer value.

MODULE 1 INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs):

Having completed this course the student is expected to show an ability to:

1. Understand the role of PSCM in organizations and in their relationships with suppliers and customers
2. Define Purchasing and SCM concepts
3. Understand the contribution of purchasing to new product development and innovation
4. Explore supply chain planning and control techniques
5. Assess the use and relevance of information and communication technologies in SCM
6. Illustrate and explain the purchasing process
7. Explain the meaning and importance of PSCM strategy
8. Analyse different organisational structures of the PSCM function
9. Explain the importance of supplier relationship concepts and develop effective supplier relationship management strategies
10. Make effective make or buy and outsourcing decisions and evaluate the challenges of outsourcing
11. Design different sourcing strategies
12. Assess the relevance and challenges of sustainable PSCM, especially in terms of potential environmental and ethical risks in the extended supply chain
13. Evaluate the concepts and methods of supplier assessment and evaluation
14. Explain the role of supplier development in achieving supplier performance improvement
15. Evaluate the particular challenges and constraints of public sector procurement and humanitarian aid supply chain contexts

MODULE 2 BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

In Module 2 ‘Global Supply Networks’ we move beyond the systems levels of organizations and dyadic relationships to focus on managing and managing in chains, networks and systems of networks. This module aims to equip you with the necessary holistic way of thinking about examining, understanding and strategically improving global supply networks. Globally leading organizations not only know which other organizations are in their upstream supply networks or downstream customer / client networks, they strategically position themselves in those networks to align with their business strategy. Potential sources of risk that may impact on an organization may reside in indirect rather than direct relationships. Positive development of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) may enhance innovation in a network. Using examples and case studies we will explore contemporary issues and approaches to being more strategic in networks. Global supply networks give rise to cultural, ethical and sustainability challenges as well as geographic and logistical particularities. Global trade agreements and countertrade account for a quarter of global business transactions.

MODULE 2 INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs):

1. Explore and understand the drivers and processes of global sourcing
2. Critically evaluate current trends in global sourcing, backshoring and reshoring
3. Apply concepts and techniques of lean and agile supply chains
4. Apply supply chain and network mapping techniques
5. Design appropriate supply network types and configurations depending on different product and market situations
6. Evaluate and classify different types of supply network risk and the role of resilience
7. Explain the concept of closed-loop supply chain
8. Examine and understand successful innovation in supply networks
9. Explore the concept of service-based supply chains and challenges of buying logistics services
10. Evaluate ethical and sustainability challenges in global supply networks

Final assessment: grade will be the result of:

1. individual exam
2. group assignment: one for each module 

will be uploaded to Beep