Unit information: Global Supply Chain Management in 2019/20

Unit name	Global Supply Chain Management
Unit code	EFIMM0074
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Burger
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Nil
Co-requisites	Nil
School/department	School of Management - Business School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The ultimate objective of global supply chain management is to link the market place, distribution network, manufacturing and procurement activity in such a way that customers receive the highest level of service at the lower cost; in the short and long term. The rise of the global supply chains raises strategic questions concerning new business models, local/global sourcing/purchasing, transportation/logistics, environmental sustainability, ethics and local economic development.

The aim of this unit will be to:

• Learn how multinational corporations (MNC) strategically manage and internationalize their supply chains by leveraging inclusive and sustainable growth agendas to penetrate emerging markets and remain strong incumbents. How these organisations seek sustainable competitive advantage over time is of particular interest.
• Introduce the theoretical and practical elements of the global supply chain management of MNCs that also consider the associated economic, social and environmental impacts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Evaluate what global supply chain management and global sourcing entails in the business world i.e. the nature and components;
2. Interpret the cultural differences and similarities between different countries/continents/global regions and analyse potential impact on the supplier relationships with a view to mitigating and reducing risk;
3. Critically appraise the leadership role of MNCs in the adoption of sustainable practices in emerging/existing markets;
4. Analyse and differentiate stakeholders of MNCs and their roles in pursuit of sustainability strategies.

Teaching Information

The learning process will be based on a combination of flipped learning style sessions with tutorials involving in-class discussion of each topic which is combined with hands-on experience of real business cases. More emphasis will be placed on research, case studies and other problem-solving activities. Some of these sessions may be hosted by guest lecturers from industry or other academic institutions.

Students will be expected and directed to read from a range of sources including academic journals. Students will interact and communicate within group activities enhancing practical leadership skills, including team, negotiating and influencing skills. They will work autonomously as well as interactively within group exercises.

The unit structure offers 30 contact hours in total. The remaining 170 learning hours will be spent in independent study and in the preparation of assessment.

Assessment Information

Formative assessment (ILOs1-2)

An individual, coursework assignment of 1500-word. The students will select a supply chain management issue and related challenges, and then use the relevant academic and practitioner-focused literatures to justify the selected issue is important and worthy to study.

Summative assessment (ILOs1-4)

The unit is assessed by means of a 4000-word individual essay based on a topic defined by the unit director and related to the teaching content. The students will be required to carry out a desk-based research based on a selected organisation to investigate a strategic supply chain management issue.

Reading and References

Students are encouraged to read extensively around their subject to inform their knowledge. Students should draw from a range of sources which may include academic texts and papers, practitioner books and journals, market reports and online sources.

Core Texts for this Unit:

J. Mangan and C.L. Lalwani (2016), Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 3rd edition, Wiley.

E-resources

Institute for Supply Management (publish world class research on global sourcing)

https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/scforum

Stanford’s Global supply chain forum

https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/scforum

Recommended Reading:

Each session has a number of recommended journal articles to read (See Black Board).