Systems Strategy and Dynamics
PROF. LUIGI GEPPERT; PROF. MAURO BERNUZZI
COURSE AIMS
A socio-economic framework such as the current one is increasingly dominated by
situations of continuous change, with the process of making business decisions
being complex, difficult to structure, and less and less related to specific models.
Such process requires the support of appropriate methods and tools for
representing and measuring the dynamic complexity of the firm; such methods and
tools can be employed for improving and expanding the level of understanding of
the phenomena.
Systems dynamics will cover such methods and tools, allowing for the creation of
micro spheres and “management flight simulators” where space and time can be
compressed, inflated and frozen so as to allow the manager to explore the effects of
long-term decisions, to evaluate new strategies, and to develop and comprehend
complex systems.
The principal objective of the course is to apply the basic concepts and tools of
systematic thought and of the systems dynamics, that can be used for:
– improving the process of analysing and evaluating business decisions;
– constructing appropriate dynamic micro spheres that represent similar business
situations, where the identification of the "winning" decision becomes the
critical success factor.
In particular, such concepts are to be applied to the management of the supply
chain, which constitutes its basic decision-making theme and the venue for
application, in relation to:
– purchases/sales management;
– supplier/customer relationships;
– outsourcing strategy;
– planning and forecasting (local and distributed);
– ERP and techniques for managing industrial and logistics processes;
– inventory management and management of working capital;
– performance measurement.
COURSE CONTENT
After providing an essential overview of supply-chain management and an
appropriate introduction to dynamic modelling of both systems and the
relationships with business decisions, the course looks at the means for planning
and constructing appropriate dynamic simulators (micro spheres) that exemplify
recurring decision-making situations within companies, and that deal with issues of
applied strategic management of the supply chain. In particular, the students will
be organised into teams so as to get involved in the analysis of already tested
simulations.
READING LIST
The course material is contained in lecture notes and slides prepared by the professor, a
series of articles for more in-depth study, and a variety of strategic simulation cases that
exemplify real decision-making situations.
The following textbooks are recommended with regard to the part of the course dealing
with the study of the supply chain:
S. COHEN-J. ROUSSEL, Strategic Supply Chain Management, McGraw Hill.
J.W. MARTIN, Lean Six-sigma for Supply Chain Management, McGraw Hill.
TEACHING METHOD
The course is organised in two modules, appropriately integrated and not sequential,
with two different professors. Module I illustrates typical supply-chain issues, whereas
Module II integrates and expands on such issues through the illustration of systems
dynamics addressed to decision-making processes. The instruction is based on lectures on
theory and assignments to be completed in class and at home. The environment considered
suitable for class assignments is that of several work stations, each of which is equipped
with a computer (for every 5-6 students). The course may also include presentations by
managers who are using dynamic simulation.
ASSESSMENT METHOD
Students attending class on a regular basis will be graded on the basis of several written
tests during the academic term, and depending on the number of students enrolled, also
through class participation.
NOTES
Further information can be found on the lecturer's webpage at
http://docenti.unicatt.it/web/searchByName.do?language=ENG or on the Faculty notice
board.