87385 - International Supply Chain Management Laboratory

Learning outcomes

"The students understand contemporary issues in supply chain management, and know the role of technology as the enabler of its design and management. By the end of the course, the students are able to: - describe how a supply chain functions within organizations, in meeting enterprise and inter-company goals; - formulate a vendor selection and evaluation plan that can be used to effectively manage a supplier network; - describe key functions of logistics and explain its role in the supply chain; - familiarize with the design and implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) as the backbone of the enterprises information needs; - explore the functions of e-Procurement and the virtual marketplace in the supply chain. "

Course contents

Course Outline: International Supply Chain Management

1. Introduction to International Supply Chain Management

• Definition and Importance
• Historical Perspective and Evolution
• Key Concepts and Terminology

2. Global Supply Chain Strategy

• Strategic Planning and Supply Chain Design
• Global Sourcing and Outsourcing
• Competitive Advantage through Supply Chain Management

3. Supply Chain Network Design

• Network Configuration and Optimization
• Location Decisions
• Transportation and Logistics Network Design

4. Procurement and Supplier Management

• Global Sourcing Strategies
• Supplier Selection and Evaluation
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing

5. International Logistics and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Transportation Management Systems
• International Shipping and Freight Forwarding
• Customs and Trade Regulations

6. Inventory and Warehouse Management

• Inventory Management Techniques
• Global Inventory Positioning
• Warehouse Design and Operations
• Technology in Warehouse Management

7. Risk Management in International Supply Chains

• Identifying and Assessing Risks
• Mitigation Strategies
• Resilience and Business Continuity Planning

8. Information Technology in Supply Chain Management

• Role of IT in Supply Chain Integration
• Supply Chain Management Software
• Emerging Technologies (e.g., Blockchain, IoT, AI)

9. Sustainable Supply Chain Management

• Environmental and Social Responsibility
• Green Logistics
• Circular Economy and Closed-Loop Supply Chains

10. Performance Measurement and Improvement

• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Benchmarking and Continuous Improvement
• Lean and Six Sigma in Supply Chain Management

11. Case Studies in International Supply Chain Management

• Real-World Examples
• Industry-Specific Challenges and Solutions
• Student Presentations on Selected Case Studies

12. Future Trends in International Supply Chain Management

• Globalization and Supply Chain Trends
• Impact of Geopolitical Changes
• Digital Transformation and Future Technologies

13. Course Wrap-Up and Final Assessment

• Review of Key Concepts
• Final Project Presentations
• Written Exam or Comprehensive Assessment

Readings/Bibliography

Required readings consist of cases and articles that will be uploaded on Aula Virtuale. The instructor will provide detailed information at the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

This is an applied, case study based course. Conceptual understanding is developed through:

• Lectures by the instructor
• Readings from books and articles
• Case studies
• Class discussions to help students practice and evaluate their effectiveness at strategic problem solving and decision making in a setting that resembles a real working environment where management teams are typically responsible for such tasks.
• The team case analysis is intended to provide students with the opportunity to apply the core learnings from this course to other relevant contexts.
• Guest lecturers by expert practitioners are intended to enable students to familiarize and appreciate the complexity associated with the many challenges of designing and managing supply chains.

Please, note that this is a laboratory. Do not expect conventional frontal lectures. An active and lively discussion will be a permanent feature in every session.

Assessment methods

This course is part of the "INTERNATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT" I.C. The final grade of the I.C. is the weighted average of the scores obtained in the two courses which have different credits (6 for Strategic Alliances, 3 for ISCM Laboratory).

Final test

Students with teamworks

For the Strategic Alliances & Networks course, students will be evaluated with a written multiple choice test (maximum score: 18). This test must be integrated with four teamworks (maximum score: 12). Oral exams can be requested to eventually obtain the laude.

The exam will cover all the assigned readings. As to team case analyses, students will be requested to distribute in groups of 4/5. The list of group members is due at the end of the first lecture. The team is expected to (criteria for grading): a.- analyze the case, identify key problems/strategic issues, and logically apply the course material to the phenomenon under investigation; b.- provide a thorough and rigorous quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of the phenomenon; c.- draw implications and suggest realistic, workable, well-supported recommendations for high-level executives; d.- outline an implementation plan and discuss which insights are generalizable and under what conditions.

The outcome of the team analysis is a report (Word document) and a Powerpoint presentation. The project report should have no more than 3,000 words (tables, graphs and references do not contribute to the word count). Students can decide the format and the structure of the report. The PPT presentation should convey the key messages to an audience of high-level businessmen and potential investors (approximately 15 slides). Detailed guidelines for project works will be delivered during the very first session.

Students must successfully complete both elements of the teamwork.

Students without teamworks

Students will be evaluated with a written exam (maximum score: 30). The exam will cover all the assigned readings

Class participation and discussion. Informed and engaged participation is an essential part of this course and is expected from everyone. Students will be required to participate in lively class discussions that will be personally challenging. Students are expected to prepare the assigned cases and readings prior to each class . Discussion questions for the case will be set prior to each session, to enable you to focus your attention. Some of the cases are subjected to a number of interpretations. Thus, meeting with a study group will therefore be an integral part of your learning. Evaluation of class participation will emphasize the mastery of concepts and critical thinking skills of application, synthesis, and evaluation. Active engagement means that student is listening carefully to the comments of his peers and seeking opportunities to make comments that move the class discussion forward.

Evaluation grid. The test assessment grid will be as follows:

<18: insufficient

18-23: sufficient

24-27: average/good

28-30: very good

30 cum laude: excellent/outstanding

Teaching tools

The lecturer will provide students with further readings and insights on critical topics related to the management of international supply chains

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Lipparini