Supply Chain Management in Emerging Economies

COURSE OBJECTIVE
ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH SKILLS – STUDENTS CAN CONDUCT A BASIC INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH PROJECT FROM START TO FINISH ACADEMIC SKILLS
After successfully completing this course, the student
• can analyze decisions related to international procurement, production and distribution networks and evaluate their impact on coordination and pricing within a supply chain and sustainability (Analysis)
• is able to recognize fundamental structures and to leave out irrelevant information, i.e., can create the strategy, structure and planning of a supply chain in a fact-based and structured manner (Abstraction)
• is able to put forward well-founded, substantiated points of view (Argumentation)

BRIDGING THEORY AND PRACTICE KNOWLEDGE: Demonstrates theoretical and empirical knowledge concerning the relevant areas in international business administration
After successfully completing this course, the student:
• Can explain contemporary concepts and theories on supply chain strategy and planning, specifically in the context of emerging economies;
• Can explain the topics of supply chain network design, outsourcing & sourcing strategies, contract design, incentive alignment, pricing and revenue management, sustainability and humanitarian logistics;

APPLICATION: Can propose a solution to an international real-life business problem by applying relevant theories and methodologies.
After successfully completing this course, the student:
• apply your theoretical knowledge on supply chains to detailed real-life case studies;
• make connections between the concepts discussed in order to successfully operate in an international context;
• is able provide companies with recommendations about their processes and possibly conduct consultancy on supply chain design and management.

QUANTITATIVE SKILLS
• can build models for (re) designing the physical flows while controlling the financial and information flows within supply chains;
• can analyze decisions related to international procurement, production and distribution networks and evaluate their impact on coordination and pricing within a supply chain and sustainability;
• can create the strategy, structure and planning of a supply chain in a fact-based and structured manner.

BROADENING YOUR HORIZON - STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO REFLECT ON THE ETHICAL AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL DECISIONS
After successfully completing this course, the student:
• describe the developments, challenges and opportunities in supply chain management of emerging economies;
• critically discuss the infrastructure constraints, the logistics inefficiencies, and limitations in service operations;
• discuss and formulate recommendations on how to create opportunities in potentially adverse conditions of emerging markets

COURSE CONTENT
The courses in this semester give emphasis on business international context and its implications in management practices. Period 5 specifically introduces you to the environment of emerging economies. This course focuses on the effective design and execution of global supply chains, with an emphasis on the opportunities and challenges that emerging economies present. More specifically, this course covers topics related to global supply chain strategies, global network optimization, outsourcing & sourcing strategies and contract design. The course furthermore tackles advanced supply chain concepts that are even more relevant in this context: supply chain coordination and incentive alignment, pricing and revenue management and sustainability. You are introduced to theoretical concepts with emphasis on key tradeoffs and phenomena, as well as best practice examples. We will pay particular attention to supply chain challenges and applications in emerging markets, including those related to humanitarian aid delivery. You are also exposed to models and problem-solving tools, applicable to the design and planning of supply chains in emerging economies. Upon completion, you should be able to look strategically at the full supply chain and successfully operate in an international context.

TEACHING METHODS
Lectures, Tutorials

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT
Written exam – Individual assessment (Interim)
Assignment(s) – Group assessment
Mandatory attendance tutorials

RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE
Business Mathematics
Global Supply Chain Management
Business Processes