No formal pre-requisites are defined. However, a basic knowledge of Production Management is suggested.
During the course, the student acquires the necessary elements and concepts to critically analyze and understand the structure, dynamics, relationships and organizational policies of modern supply chains.
At the end of the course, the student has an extensive overview of the main topics that compose the typical knowledge of a supply chain manager: from demand planning to the configuration of the supply chain, from inventory management to the analysis of operational risks (supply chain risk management).
The course provides both theoretical notions and practical insights allowing the student to understand how real supply chains operate.
The student learns the specific language used in the supply chain field, which enables him to communicate appropriately in the workplace.
During the course, some seminars - held by managers and business representatives - are organized in order to offer students opportunities for discussion and contextualization of what learned in class. Further communication on this point will follow during the course.
The course contributes to the educational objectives of the course of study related to the technological-industrial area, in particular with reference to the design and management of production, logistics and distribution systems.
1. Introduction, definitions and basic concepts: Supply chain and SCM definitions; Context and background.
2. Supply Chain strategies: Push-pull supply chain; Lean vs agile supply chains.
3. Supply Chain contracts: buyback, revenue sharing contracts.
4. Supply Chain network design: Facility location; Determinants of facility location; Facility location models.
5. Inventory management: Supply chain inventory management; Single-site vs multiple site inventory management. The newsvendor model.
The course contents are discussed in lectures and case discussions, with particular attention to the interaction with the students who have the opportunity to formulate questions and propose topics for further discussion.
Lectures aim to introduce and discuss the methods and the principles of management outlined in the objectives of the course.
The course material consists mainly of the slides available on the course page on the University website. Such slides are complemented with further readings from the recommended books in the bibliography. The slides serve as a support to the classroom discussion: therefore, during the discussion in the classroom, further details not present on the slides may be provided.
The password to access the material published on the course web page is communicated during the first lecture of the course. If unable to attend the first lesson, please contact the professor by e-mail.
The exam consists of a written test. The test is mandatory and deals with questions which involve calculations, theory, and concepts related to all the course contents.
In particular, the standard test is composed of:
- 20 True/false questions: the student must motivate in writing and in summary his/her true/false answers. In marking the answers, the motivation provided by the student is considered as an integral part of the answer.
- 2 Open questions: the student must answer the questions showing understanding of the concepts and ability to summarize information, clarity of exposition, and link to real cases or cases discussed during the lectures.
The exam rules for non-attending students are the same as for attending students.
Non-attending students are however invited to contact the professor to evaluate any supplementary materials.