For many companies, supply chain management has become an important element of strategic advantage. However, to achieve a strategic advantage requires effective design and integration of multiple players and activities throughout the supply chain. In this course, students will gain an understanding of the definition and scope of supply chain management and an appreciation of the potential for businesses to improve bottom-line performance through an integrated, strategic approach to the management of their supply chains.

Efficient and effective management of the supply chain requires a system-wide view of the inter-relatedness of the various activities and processes involved in delivering products and services to the ultimate consumer. Within a firm, the traditional functions (such as sales, marketing, manufacturing, purchasing, logistics, and engineering) all play a role and must be able to coordinate activities to achieve a common set of supply chain goals. Externally, the need to integrate with customers and suppliers is increasingly critical. This course is designed to provide a basic understanding of the role of the various entities in managing the supply chain, the inter-relatedness of critical activities, and a strategic view of the importance of supply chain management to firms.  

We will use the LINKS Supply Chain Management Simulation to gain hands-on experience with the cross-functional impact of supply chain decision-making. This simulation will provide a rich learning experience and give you experience in: (1) analyzing complex data; (2) evaluating the costs and benefits of cross-functional trade-offs; (3) making critical supply chain decisions; (4) evaluating the consequences of those decisions; and (5) working to continuously improve based on experience.

You will be working in teams on the LINKS Simulation, as well as for many of your weekly assignments. You will be assigned to a team in Week One and will work with the same team throughout the semester.

• To develop an appreciation of the strategic value of Supply Chain Management and the functional impacts on supply chain success
• To develop an understanding of the elements of design critical to position the supply chain to achieve competitive advantage
• To develop the capability to identify supply chain cost and revenue drivers, and design customer fulfillment strategies to optimize financial performance
• To understand the contribution of strategic sourcing to the competitive advantage of the firm, and requirements for achieving strategic advantage through supply management
• To examine the importance of cross-functional integration and inter-firm relationships in achieving competitive advantage through supply chain activities and processes
• To understand the role of information technology and data management in effective supply chain management
• To understand the impact of globalization on supply chain management
• To identify current trends and best practices in Supply Chain Management:

Course Topics

The following topics will be covered in the order given.

• Supply Chain Management Overview
• Focus on the Customer
• Demand Forecasting
• Demand Forecasting Management
• Aggregate Planning
• Balancing Supply and Demand: Managing Variability
• The Basics of Inventory Management
• Strategic Sourcing and Procurement
• Global Sourcing
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Transportation and Distribution
• LINKS Introduction
• LINKS Advice for Effective Supply Chain Management
• New Product Development and Supply Chain Management
• Information Technology and Data Management
• Supply Chain Strategy and Strategy Assessment
• ERP and Supply Chain Execution Systems
• Decision Support Systems
• Supply Chain Information Technology Trends
• Supply Chain Process Integration
• Supply Chain Metrics
• LINKS Summary and Performance Review
• Trends in Supply Chain Management
• Supply Chain Management Summary

Technical Requirements

The LINKS Supply Chain Management Simulation is used in this course. You may purchase access to LINKS via this case-sensitive URL:

http://www.LINKS-simulations.com/register/NTUscm

In addition, you will be required to have Windows Media Player to view the lectures. For the standard technical requirements, please go to the link below: http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Files/DocsGeneral/Getting_Started_Guide.pdf

Textbook

Required: Principles of Supply Chain Management, Joel D. Wisner, G. Keong Leong and Keah-Choon Tan, Thomson/South-Western, ISBN:0-324-19187-1, 2005; plus Course Packet.

Disclaimer: The course syllabus may differ slightly from this course.  Descriptions will be provided in your online course. Textbook information is provided only to give more information about the course.  Do Not use this information to purchase a textbook.  Up-to-date information will be provided when you register.