Online MS Global Supply Chain Management Curriculum

This course seeks to introduce different phases of managing projects from conception to termination with particular emphasis on quantitative tools for planning, scheduling, resource allocation, monitoring, and control. In addition, topics such as risk management, communication, and conflict management will be covered. Students will also gain a working knowledge of both @Risk and MSProject software. By the end of this course, students will have: understood the importance and challenges of managing projects of various types and sizes; learned and applied tools for project selection, team formation, and requirements gathering; created detailed budgets and schedules; acquired analytical capabilities for monitoring projects and investigating variances in scope, budget, and schedules; and improved their ability to concisely communicate project information to senior management.

A supply chain includes supply, production, storage, distribution, and selling facilities that are connected by material, informational, and financial links. The goal of Supply Chain Management (SCM) is to maximize the economic value that can be generated by managing the strategic design of such supply network and choice of its capacity; the tactical planning of this capacity and related management of production, inventory, and logistics activities; and the operational control of the flows of materials, information, and money and the stocks of physical goods in this network. This course explores how firms can make better SCM choices using various analytical tools and high-level insights needed by supply chain managers and consultants.

Topics covered: supply chain performance; network design and flexibility, transportation, sourcing decisions; demand forecasting, supply and operations planning; coordination and contracting in supply chain; and risk management in supply chain.

Supply Chain Analytics focuses on data-driven and rigorous decision making in supply chain management. It is a complete problem solving and decision making process, and integrates a broad set of analytical methodologies that enables the creation of business value.

With the relentless trend of globalization, procurement has moved from fighting for organizational significance to playing pivotal roles in the success of global firms. In global firms’ profit and loss accounts, the share of material cost and the share of purchased services are growing continuously, underscoring the increasing strategic importance of sourcing and procurement management. This course will address the process of procurement including terminology, metrics, and decision making. We will also explore the sourcing decision and the strategic ramifications of producing/providing goods and services internally or purchasing them from external organizations.

Topics covered: classification of procurement methods, centralized vs. decentralized of procurement functions, building exclusive long-term supplier relationship vs. multiple sourcing, auction design and e-procurement, bargaining/negotiation, and outsourcing (core/noncore business activity).

Global supply chain involves the flows of materials and information among all of the firms in different locations that contribute value to a product, from the source of raw materials to customers. We will integrate issues from marketing (channels of distribution), logistics, and operations management to develop a broad understanding of a global supply chain. By taking a strategic perspective, we will focus on relatively long-term decisions involving the investment in productive resources, the configuration of processes, product designs, and development of partnerships with suppliers and channels of distribution. The course seeks to both improve your understanding of global supply chain strategies and enhance your analytical skills. The course will present several analytical techniques which would aid you in making decisions in the real world. In the meanwhile, the course will introduce you to various aspects, issues, and initiatives in nowadays business operations.

Topics covered: supply chain contracting under exchange risk; operational hedging via selecting capacity portfolio; global product design to mitigate regional demand risks; global product proliferation and its impact on inventory management; mass-customization and global sourcing strategy; and Impact of custom duty and exchange rate on global network design.

The last decade has witnessed the rapid development of manufacturing technology. The internet-triggered revolution, termed Industry 4.0, is expected to change the landscape of manufacturing. The course starts with introducing the basic concepts and models for manufacturing planning and control. Building on the basic knowledge, we discuss the recent trends in manufacturing management triggered by Cyber-Physical Systems (CPSs) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which underscores the importance of data-driven decision-making. Topics covered: aggregate plan, production schedule, and rolling horizon; the role of buffer versus just-in-time; cash-to-cash cycle planning; process control and yield prediction; individualized manufacturing; integrated production and preventive maintenance; manufacturing servitization; and integration of distributed manufacturing network.

In today’s business environment, companies rely on globally dispersed and complex supply chains to manufacture their goods and services. While this strategy provides a competitive advantage in cost, quality, or variety, it also brings significant challenges, especially in the context of environmental, social, and ethical practices. What are the environmental, social, and ethical practices that would move a supply chain towards the goal of sustainability? How can a firm ensure such practices are adopted throughout its entire globally dispersed supply chain? We answer these questions in this course through a mix of lectures, case discussions, simulations, and activities/exercises. Topics covered: life cycle analysis; introduction to circular economy: eco-effectiveness; design for sustainability; product stewardship and closed-loop operations: remanufacturing, recycling, and reuse; responsible and ethical sourcing; compliance with environmental and social regulations; servitization: a circular economy business model; and evaluating risks and opportunities for ethical and sustainable business strategies.