Course Syllabus

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Global Supply Chain Management 

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2024 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:  Business, Economics and Management 
Faculty Members:

Amanda Bille and Andreas Wieland (current students please use the Canvas Inbox)
Time & Place:

Fridays  08:30-11:25 Classroom: F24-306

 

Please note that this syllabus may be subject to (minor) changes over the next months. Readings will be uploaded closer to the first module. 

 

Course Description

Supply chain management was often an underestimated corporate function, which in many cases was limited to operational logistics and procurement processes. Many companies have increasingly become aware of the strategic importance of their supply chains. They realize that they are part of global value creation processes and that decisions should not stop at the boundaries of their own company. The ecological (climate and biodiversity crises) and social problems (e.g., child labor, modern slavery) can only be solved through transparent and collaborative supply chains; interruptions in internal processes can only be avoided with resilient supply chains and a supply chain risk orientation.

 

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

  • Critically discuss different perspectives on supply chain management
  • Understand relevant supply chain strategies
  • Understand the complex social and ecological contexts of global supply chains
  • Identify and discuss the structure of global supply chains
  • Apply critical thinking on contemporary issues in society
  • Find solutions for issues that companies are facing today

 

Faculty

Amanda Bille (she/her)

Amanda Bille is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Global Sustainable Production, University of Southern Denmark. Bille’s research is centered around providing political and ethical perspectives on supply chain management that make it possible to embrace the complexity of the 21st century. She is in particular interested in corporate responsibility as well as power structures. She is a part of the Danida research project ESAM, where she is researching workers' rights in garment factories in Myanmar. She holds a PhD from Copenhagen Business School in supply chain management.

Andreas Wieland (he/him)

Andreas Wieland is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management at Copenhagen Business School. His current research reinterprets global supply chains as social-ecological systems. His articles have appeared in journals such as the International Journal of Logistics Management, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management,Journal of Business Logistics, Journal of International Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, and Supply Chain Management: An International Journal. He is the European Co-Editor of the Journal of Business Logistics and Co-Chair of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals’ European Research Seminar. He is also the Editor of the blog scmresearch.org.

 

Readings

Module 01: Introduction to the Course

 

Module 02: Bullwhip Theory and Postponement UPDATED

 

Module 03: Strategic Supply Chain Management

 

Module 04: Environmental Sustainability in Supply Chain Management

 

Module 05: Social Sustainability in Supply Chain Management

 

Module 06.1 and 06.2: Case-based Teaching: Solving Contemporary Issues

No readings

 

Module 07: Supply Chain Risk Management

Module 08: Resilient Supply Chains

 

 

Module 9+10: Process Analysis

 

Module 11: Network Analysis

 

Field Studies

On January 24 there will be a field study to the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark (M/S Museet for Søfart) in Elsinore (Helsingør). More information at https://mfs.dk/ (also in English). Important notice: Our meeting point is 14:00 at Helsingør station, where your trains arrive, i.e., at the beginning of the tracks (Helsingør is a terminus). Please make your own travel arrangements and be on time at Helsingør station. For more information about train connections from Copenhagen: https://rejseplanen.dk/

On the second field study (February 27), we will take a boat trip through the canals of Copenhagen. We meet at 10:00 a.m. at the fountain with the storks at Amagertorv (Metro: Gammel Strand). We hope for good weather. Just to be on the safe side, bring rain jackets maybe :-)

Guest Lecturers

When relevant, we will include interesting guest lecturers to attend to sessions. These can be professionals from Danish and multinational companies or other researchers, who will share their view on supply chain management.

 

Approach to Teaching

This course lays the foundations for understanding global supply chains and managing them. The course covers key theories, tools and concepts including bullwhip theory, postponement, lean and agile strategies, resilience, sustainability, social responsibility, supply chain risk management, process analysis, and network analysis. The course combines different forms of teaching, including lectures given by the teachers, case studies, and student presentations.

The course consists of 1 modules (160min each):

  • Module 01: Introduction to the Course
  • Module 02: Bullwhip Theory and Postponement
  • Module 03: Strategic Supply Chain Management
  • Module 04: Environmental Sustainability in Supply Chain Management
  • Module 05: Social Sustainability in Supply Chain Management
  • Module 06: Case-based Teaching: Solving Contemporary Issues
  • Module 06: Case-based Teaching: Solving Contemporary Issues
  • Module 07: Supply Chain Risk Management
  • Module 8: Resilient Supply Chains
  • Module 9: Process Analysis 1/2
  • Module 10: Process Analysis 2/2 
  • Module 11: Network Analysis

 

Expectations of the Students

The sessions will include several opportunities for the students to discuss contemporary supply chain management issues. We encourage active participation both in the class discussions and in group discussions. In our classroom, there are no wrong answers and we highly value critical reflection on the theories and cases that we discuss.

While we do want to stress that all assignments have to be handed in before the deadlines, we do acknowledge that special situations may arise. Please let us know, if you cannot meet the deadlines. In case of substantial delays, this will be reflected in the final grade.

We will use laptops/tablets actively in some classes. Therefore, we allow laptop/tablet use in class, but only to the extent that the students are focused on the teaching. Excessive use of laptops/tablets on non-SCM related matters may impact the final grade for participation.

 

Evaluation

The grade consists of four parts: (1) individual participation in class, (2) group presentation in module 6, (3) process analysis assignment, (4) 5-page essay on contemporary SCM issues.

The students are evaluated based on individual participation in class. We will evaluate how active the student has been in class and whether the student engages in the group work and class discussions in each session. 

In module 6 and 7, we will have a visitor from a Danish coffee company and solve contemporary SCM issues with them. This will result in a group presentation during module 7, where the students present solutions. The students will be given feedback on this and will be graded individually. 

Finally, the students have to write a 5-page essay on contemporary SCM issues using the theories from class. We will share more about the essay at the first session. Students will be given a grade based on the learning objectives of the course.

Grading

Assignment

Percent
Individual Participation

20%

Group presentation (Module 6)

30%

Process analysis assignment

20%

5-page essay

30%

 

Course Policies:

Academic Honesty: Plagiarism and Violating the Rules of an Assignment - DIS expects that students abide by the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic work. DIS assumes that all students do their own work and credit all work or thought taken from others. Academic dishonesty will result in a final  course grade of “F” and can result in dismissal. The students’ home universities will be notified. DIS

reserves the right to request that written student assignments be turned in electronic form for submission to plagiarism detection software. See the Academic Handbook for more information, or ask your instructor if you have questions.

Attendance – You are expected to attend all DIS classes when scheduled. If you miss multiple classes the Director of Teaching and Learning, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow up with you to make sure that all is well.  Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness.

Specifically:

 - An unexcused absence is any absence not due to illness AND not notified to the instructor in advance of class, unless specifically agreed otherwise with the instructor in advance.

 - A late arrival is any case where you are not ready to start class at the designated time (i.e. coming through the door at start time will count as a late arrival).

Your participation grade will be docked 10% for two unexcused absences and 10% for each additional unexcused absence. Your participation grade will be docked 5% for 2 late arrivals, and an additional 5% for each subsequent late arrival.

 

Disability and Resource Statement Any student who has a need for accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the Office of Academic Support (acadsupp@dis.dk) to coordinate this. In order to receive accommodations, students should inform the instructor of approved DIS accommodations within the first two weeks of classes.

 

Academic Regulations 

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due