SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Catalog description

Supply chain management (SCM) has been critical to the survival and the success of a firm in today's global markets where competition has become fierce more than ever. In addition, rapid information and technological changes and heightened requirements and expectations from customers require firms to improve and transform their traditional functions such as purchasing, productions, logistics, information systems, marketing and finance. The supply chain consists of all procedures and activities that are necessary for a firm to bring products and/or service to customers. The objective of supply chain management (SCM) is to coordinate and integrate all the aforementioned process and activities to meet customer's expectations in the most efficient and effective way. On the other hand, firms encounter substantial challenges and competitions from the supply chain. These challenges are originated from: a. complex supply chain structures; b. higher expectations and a variety of competitions; and c. profits and utilities are usually optimized locally individual firm, rather than globally - whole supply chain. The challenges also bring significant opportunities. Many global companies have gained substantial competitive advantage by implementing advanced supply chain design and integration strategies. In the meantime, technology advancement, industrial innovation and research have led to rapid growth in our knowledge of how to manage supply chain effectively. This course covers advanced supply chain management topics and techniques. We will learn important concepts, principles and strategies of SCM as well as advanced tools and techniques to solve real supply chain problems. We focus on practice-oriented learning process and enhancing analytical and problem-solving skills, through discussing and analyzing innovations and cutting edge research as well as real business cases in SCM. Students are also expected to conduct independent research on real supply chain issues and problems and provide solutions through independent research projects.