University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Bryan School of Business and Economics
Department of Information Systems and Operations Management
SCM306 Fall 2013
Syllabus
START DATE:
August 19, 2013
PLACE AND TIME:
This is an on-line course so there are no regularly scheduled “face-to-face” class sessions. The
course material includes annotated material and PowerPoint slides for each chapter along with
relevant video content as supplemental material for each chapter. The instructor can be
contacted by e-mail or by phone and appointments can be made to meet in person if needed.
Students will read the textbook, watch on-line content, read journal articles, read case studies
and tour supply chain operations to develop an understanding of core concepts. Case Studies,
Discussion Board posts and Blogs will enable students to share ideas with other class members
in order to enhance the learning experience of all. Discussion Board questions will be based on
reading materials from the textbooks, assigned journal articles and other web-based material.
The professor can be contacted by e-mail or by telephone for any questions. If a student wishes
to have a face-to-face conversation, this can be set up at mutually convenient times to meet in
Bryan Room 421 at UNCG. i do have office hours on Monday from 2pm to 5pm.
FACULTY MEMBER:
Larry R. Taube
E-Mail: lrtaube@uncg.edu
Department of Information Systems and Operations Management
Phone Numbers: (336) 334-4987 (office) and (336) 209-0833 (cell)
APPOINTMENT TIME:
Office hours by appointment, and Monday from 2pm to 5pm.
Please send an e-mail message or call to arrange a meeting time. I am very interested in
meeting with you and discussing the topic and your career in Transportation and Logistics!
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE:
This course presents core knowledge related to the areas of Transportation, Logistics and
Distribution (TLD) management within supply chain operations. It provides deep insight into the
key functional areas and complex activities required with moving goods through the supply
chain from manufacturing to the end customer. Particular focus will include apparel distribution,
operations servicing large retail customers, domestic and global transportation and endconsumer requirements.
CREDITS:
3.0 credit hours
FOR WHO PLANNED:
This is a required course for the undergraduate Supply Chain Management Concentration,
which is part of the Bryan School's Online Degree Completion (ODC) Program. The material
should also be valuable for anyone who is interested in TLD and supply chain operations.
This link provides more information about the ODC program:
http://bae.uncg.edu/isscm/undergraduate/bs/scm-concentration/
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After completing the course students will be able to successfully:
1. Evaluate multiple methods and tools used by today’s Supply Chain managers in
Transportation, Logistics and Distribution (TLD) Operations.
2. Discuss contemporary issues facing carrier management including profitability,
industry consolidation, security, insurance availability, and labor shortages.
3. Evaluate various domestic and international transportation modes/alternatives and
provide strategic recommendations for a series of customer deliveries.
4. Evaluate design structures for integrated customer-centric and supplier-centric
logistics.
5. Describe the specific functional elements involving cycle time, velocity, and
inventory in order to achieve warehousing operational effectiveness in both cost and
service.
6. Analyze a variety of plant layouts and locations for contemporary, customer-focused
warehousing facilities as part of a total logistics network.
7. Apply learned methodologies to the analysis of various logistical systems and
practical supply chain scenarios and case studies.
8. Highlight and explain supply chain technologies for transportation management,
warehousing management and customer service focused systems.
9. Focus on relevant warehouse measurements for distribution operations that
underscore plant performance, customer service and cost optimization.
SCM306_Fall_2013_Sylllabus
REQUIRED TEXTS, READINGS, & REFERENCES:
There are two books required for the course. The first is a Custom Text from Prentice Hall; the
author is Dr. Taube (ISBN: 9780536420862). This will be used for the Distribution & Warehouse
Section of the course. The second Book is a Custom Transportation Text from Cengage; the
author is Dr. Coyle (ISBN: 9781285138619). Custom books were created to select specific
areas of coverage versus an entire text in an effort to minimize the book costs. Both books can
be ordered from the UNCG on-line bookstore. It is also important that participants keep abreast
of current events that are relevant to the subject of economic development, and attempt to
relate them to course materials.
Supplemental readings and other materials relevant to this course are accessible through our
Blackboard online course management software. You must have an active UNCG email
account to access Blackboard.
EVALUATION AND GRADING:
Deliverable
Total
Discussion Board Posts: 12@ 10pts each:
120
Cases: pick 5 of 6 cases @ 30pts each and write up in specified format:
150
Journal Articles: 3 articles @ 25pts each and write up in specified format:
75
Tours/Speakers or Alternate Journal Article: (4 of 5) @ 30pts each
120*
Profiles of a Transportation and a Warehousing Firm:
125
Presentation via You Tube or other method:
75
665
*If you cannot attend tours and speakers, you must substitute the supplemental journal
articles for credit. Tours/speakers are very valuable components of this course!
All assignments are to be posted in Blackboard by the required date. The Course
Calendar posted in Blackboard provides assignment due dates for all Deliverables.
GRADING (Letter grades): A (618-665); A- (599-617); B+ (579-616); B (545-615); B- (532-614);
C+ (519-613); C (478-518); C- (466-477); D (432-465); F (Below 432)
____________________________________________________________________________
The following criteria will apply to the letter grading of assignments.
A: Student’s work reflects a deep understanding of the different aspects of supply chain
management as evidenced by case analysis submissions, assignment, class discussions and
performance on the final exam. The student’s work often incorporates outstanding features
beyond average expectations.
B: Student’s work meets expectations and reflects a good understanding of the material being
covered. The student is able to integrate important concepts of supply chain management in the
completion of assignments, case analyses, and participation in online discussion boards.
C: Important expected components are present in assignments, case analyses and the written
and oral Profiles presentations.
SCM306_Fall_2013_Sylllabus
Continuous Improvement of Course: Students are given the opportunity to provide feedback
on the course content and instruction. This is a critical element and 100% participation is
expected. Use the Course Feedback forum to provide feedback on the course – what you like,
what you don’t, suggestions for improvement, etc. You may post anonymously or self-identify
whichever you prefer.
ACADEMIC HONOR CODE:
Each student is required to sign the Academic Integrity Policy on all work submitted for the
course. Refer to UNCG Undergraduate Bulletin.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
The student is expected to actively participate in all electronic discussions and complete all
assignments on schedule. Failure to participate will result in a lowering of a student’s average.
Participation based upon informed synthesis of reading material (assigned as well as other
retrieved information by the students from relevant publications) is expected.
COURSE GRADING METHODOLOGY:
Discussion Posts: Blackboard discussion forums – one for the introduction / welcome and for
each chapter in the textbook – will be used to host student participation. Each week, students
are expected to: 1) read the appropriate chapter in the text; 2) review the online content; 3) read
the assigned readings, and then 4) contribute to the discussion forums. Each Discussion Forum
will correspond to one week’s assigned reading or a pertinent topic related to the covered
areas. Students may contribute to threads that they were not assigned if they wish. All students
are responsible for reading all threads each week. At the end of each week, the instructor will
evaluate each student’s contributions and assign a participation grade in the Blackboard grade
center.
•
•
•
Level of analysis/argumentation: You must present a thoughtful argument and
interpretation, not a mere summary of facts. (Note: it does not matter which side of an
issue you argue, only how well or how poorly you make the argument.)
Use of evidence: The material you select to support your thesis must be relevant and
must clearly back up your argument.
Clarity of communication: You must present the evidence and express your argument in
a clear, comprehensible manner.
Case Analysis: Individual case analyses are designed to challenge the student’s analytical
skills and highlight key learning elements from the course content. The written analysis
represents each student’s recommendations on the situation(s). Much of the grade beyond a
"passing score" depends on the student's ability to go beyond the "average" solution and
provide innovative approaches, solutions, and appropriate implementation.
Journal Articles: Academic Journal Articles are presented on specific topics relative to the
course material covered. Write-ups include answering the questions provided for each article
listed on Blackboard. Write-ups should be presented in a similar format to the Case studies and
include a student’s higher level understanding of the subject matter being discussed.
Tours and Speakers: The course provides an opportunity for students within a close proximity
of UNCG to take part in plant tours or hear speakers on certain supply chain subject matter. The
complete tour/speaker schedule is provided in the Course Calendar section on Blackboard.
SCM306_Fall_2013_Sylllabus
Students that can make these events are encouraged to attend to receive “real world” insight
from industry professionals and see supply chain practices “hands-on”. If students cannot
attend there is an alternate journal article requirement. These are listed in the course calendar
section.
Profiles of a Transportation/3PL and of a Warehousing/Distribution Center Firm
Identify a Transportation/3PL Firm within the following categories: truckload, ocean
container/ocean bulk, inland water, 3PL, pipeline or rail intermodal/carload/unit train. Provide
two or three suggestions to Dr. Taube within two different categories; he will assign you one.
Your individual Profile should include ALL of the following topics:
Types of equipment - categories and number as well as capacities
Territory served
Services offered
Key financials (Revenues; Operating Income; Net Assets; Cash)
and financial ratios (ROA; Debt/Equity; Coverage; Current)
Company Website and its functionality
Bibliography with at two full-text article from trade and business press
Repeat the above set of instructions with a Warehousing/Distribution Center Firm. You will
probably focus more on their locations and the services provided by each location.
The two profiles should be submitted on 12/7 (or before), and you should design a 5 minute
presentation that discusses ONE of the two profiles. This will be submitted online (due the
same day).
Each Firm Profile should include the following sections:
a) Introduction: List the objective of the paper and scope of your analysis.
b) Body: This includes the main sections of your paper.
c) Conclusion: Discuss your conclusions about the competitiveness of the firm(s).
d) References: List all the references you used in your paper.
e) Appendix sections: Tables, annual reports, statistics, and other relevant information.
Students must submit their targeted two firms for approval/discussion via email to the
Instructor at: lrtaube@uncg.edu by 9/5/13.
Presentation: Each student must submit a corresponding presentation, preferably in an
Annotated PowerPoint presentation or You Tube video format. You need to present orally
ONLY ONE of the two companies you wrote a Profile on!
SCM306_Fall_2013_Sylllabus
Course Schedule and Deliverables
SCM 306 - FALL 2013 - COURSE CALENDAR
WEEK
Week 1: August 19
READING/REVIEW REQUIREMENTS
Learning Module(LM) 01 Blackboard (Bb)
ASSIGNMENT/DELIVERABLE
Ch.1: Logistics and the Supply Chain in Prentice Hall Text (PH)
Respond to Discussion 01 Posting
Chapter 1 Slides in Week 1 Learning Module in Bb
in Bb by 11:59pm 8/26/12.
Sample Case/Article Write-Up & Guidelines in the Course Documents Section in Bb
Submit SCFF Article Write-Up by 11:59pm
Supply Chain and Fast Fashion (SCFF)- Journal Article
8/26/12 via Bb.
Course Syllabus/Course Calendar
Week 2: August 26
Ch. 2: Supply Chain Concepts in (PH)
LM 02- Bb
Respond to Discussion 02 Posting in Bb
Chapter 2 Slides in Week 2 Learning Module in Bb
by 11:59pm 9/2/2012.
Case Study: Johnson Toy Company (JTC)
Submit JTC Write up by 11:59pm 9/2/12 in Bb
Submit Research paper Topic via email
Week 3: September 2
Ch 3: Log.Systems, Analysis, Design and Integration (PH)
LM 03 - Bb
by 9/3/12.
Respond to Discussion 03 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 9/9/2011.
Chapter 3 Slides in Week 3 Learning Module
Submit ASC Write-up by 11:59pm 9/9/12
Agile Supply Chains in a Volatile Market (ASC)- Journal Article
Week 4: September 9
Ch 4: Logistics Information and Technology (PH)
LM 04 - Bb
Respond to Discussion 04 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 9/16/11.
Case Study: JIT in Kalamazoo (JIT)
Submit JIT by 11:59pm 9/19/12 in Bb.
Ch 4 Slides in Week 4 Learning Module
Week 5: September 16
LM 05 - Bb
Ch 5: Order Management and Customer Service (PH)
Respond to Discussion 05 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 9/23/12.
Case Study: Cheezy Wheezy (CW)
Submit CW Write-Up by 11:59pm- 9/24/12
Speaker Presentation: Clarkston Consulting (see Schedule below for Details)
Submit Speaker Write-Up by 11:59pm-9/24/12
Alternate Journal Article - Technology- Internet Role in SCM (IRS)
Submit IRS Article by 11:59pm - 9/24/12
SCM306_Fall_2013_Sylllabus
WEEK
Week 6: September 24
LM 06 - Bb
READING/REVIEW REQUIREMENTS
Ch 4 in Coyle Text (CT): Costing and Pricing for Transportation
ASSIGNMENT/DELIVERABLE
Respond to Discussion 06 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 9/30/12.
Transportation Cost Slides in Module 6
Fuel Costs, Cheaper Transport and Best Practices in Module 6
Submit Tour Write-Up by 11:59 - 9/30/12
DC Tour - Replacements Limited (see Schedule below for Details)
Submit FCTI Article by 11:59pm 9/30/12
Week 7: October 1
LM 07 - Bb
Alternate Journal Article: Fuel Costs Transport Impact (FCTI)
Ch 5: Motor Carriers and Ch 13: Private Transportation and Fleet Management (CT)
Respond to Discussion 07 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 10/7/12.
Chapter Slides and in Module
Submit Tour Write-Up by 11:59pm - 10/7/12
Terminal Tour -Southeastern Freight Lines - SEFL (see Schedule below for Details)
Submit DLP by 11:59pm - 10/7/12
Week 8: October 8
LM 08 - Bb
Alternate Journal Article: Demystifying LTL Pricing (DLP)
Ch 6: Railroads and Chapter 7: Airlines (CT)
Respond to Discussion 08 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 10/14/11.
Chapter Slides and Intermodal Model
Submit HT by 10/21/12 11:59pm
Case Study: Hardee Transportation (HT) Parts 1&2
Week 9: October 15
FALL BREAK
Week 10: October 22
LM 09 - Bb
Ch 8: Water Carriers and Ch 10: Global Transportation Planning (CT)
Respond to Discussion 09 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 10/28/11.
Chapter Slides and Global Shipping, Ocean Transport Content
Submit Speaker Write-Up by 11:59pm 10/28/12
Speaker Presentation: Globe Express (See Schedule below for Details)
Submit RIT Write-Up by 11:59pm 10/28/12
Week 11: October 29
LM 10 - Bb
Alternate Journal Article: Role of International Transportation in SCM (RIT)
Ch 8: Distribution Center, Warehouse and Plant Location (PH)
Respond to Discussion 10 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 11/4/12.
DC Tour: Liberty Hardware Mfg. (see Schedule below for details)
Submit Tour Write-Up by 11:59pm 11/4/12.
Chapter Slides
Submit WD by 11:59pm 11/4/12.
Alternate Journal Article: Warehouse Design (WD)
SCM306_Fall_2013_Sylllabus
WEEK
Week 12: November 5
LM 11 - Bb
READING/REVIEW REQUIREMENTS
Ch 9: Warehousing Management (PH)
ASSIGNMENT/DELIVERABLE
Respond to Discussion 11 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 11/11/12.
Chapter Slides
Submit WM by 11:59pm 11/12/12.
Journal Article: Warehouse Metrics (WM)
Submit SC by 11:59pm 11/12/12.
Week 13: November 12
Case Study: Sandy's Candy (SC)
Ch 10 Protective Packaging and Materials Handling
Respond to Discussion 12 Posting in Bb
by 11:59pm 11/19/12.
Chapter Slides
Submit LSC by 11:59pm 11/19/12.
Case Study: Let There Be Light - Lamp Shade Company (LSC)
Week 14: November 19
Week 15: November 26
THANKSGIVING WEEK
Course Wrap Up - Topic Summary Feedback/Discussions
Final Paper and Presentation - Questions and Preparations
Week 16: December 3
Final Paper and Presentation Due
Submit Final Paper and Presentations to Bb
by 11:59pm 12/7/12
Date
9/20/2012
Speaker/Tour Schedule
Speaker Presentation: Clarkston Consulting - World Class Global Supply Chain
Technology Solutions for Consumer Products and Life Sciences Companies
speakers: Paul Garrison - Managing Partner and Sebastian Valencia- Senior Consultant
Time/Location
6pm UNCG - Bryan School Building
Room: TBD (will send Bb Announcement)
9/25/2012
DC Tour - Replacements Limited - Ultimate Customer Service, Direct to Consumer
Order Processing, High SKU Volumes
Tour Leader: Anne Embrey: Director of Operations
6pm - Replacements DC: Address:
1089 Knox Rd. McLeansville NC 27420
phone: 336.697.3000
10/2/212
Domestic Transportation Tour- Southeastern Freight Lines -SEFL Domestic Transportation, Regional Transport Networks, LTL Container Shipping
Tour Leader: Marty Coleman - Freight Terminal Manager
6pm - SEFL Freight Terminal: Address:
8718 West Market St. , Greensboro, NC
27409; phone: 336.393.0279
10/23/2012
Speaker Presentation: Globe Express: Global Transportation, Ocean Carriers, Freight
Forwarding. Speaker: Bill Smith - Director of Supply Chain Management
6pm UNCG - Bryan School Building Room
Room: TBD (will send Bb Announcement)
10/30/2012
DC Tour - Liberty Hardware: Import Operations, Complex Material Handling/IT
Systems, High Volume Processing serving Major Retailers
Tour Leaders: Ted Griffin: Director of Operations / Terry Thornett: Senior Operations
Manager
6pm - Liberty Hardware DC: Address:
140 Business Park Dr. Winston Salem, NC
27107; phone: 1-800-542-3789
Please Note:
All Tours and Speakers begin promptly at 6pm.
No outside guests or visitors are allowed without instructor permission arranged prior
to visits or presentations.
For Safety Purposes all physical facility tours require wearing closed toe shoes.
Students wearing open toe shoes cannot take the tours.
If you cannot attend the tour or presentation an alternate Journal Article or Case
Write-Up Assignment is Required in place of a Tour Write Up.
SCM306_Fall_2013_Sylllabus
Helpful Internet Sites
The following websites may be useful for your reference and to enhance your learning
experience:
www.supplychainlink.com
www.inddist.com
www.logisticsworld.com
www.trafficworld.com
www.nawd.org
www.mheda.org
www.warehouselogistics.org
www.packagingdigest.com
www.exportinstitute.com
www.tradecompass.com
www.supply-chain.org
www.nistevo.com
www.clm1.org
www.nitl.org
ww.cpfr.org
www.transporttopics.com
www.mmh.com
www.mhia.org
www.warehousemag.com
www.americanshipper.com
www.automotivesourcing.com
www.logisticsworld.com
www.gartner.com
www.scdigest.com
Certainly sites may be very useful for both your paper and for your career interests!
SCM306_Fall_2013_Sylllabus
Course Governance and Expectations
PREAMBLE – OUR COMMITMENT
The administration, faculty, staff, and students of the Bryan School of Business and Economics
at UNCG are committed to professional and ethical behavior in all areas of their academic and
professional lives. The principles and expectations established in this document and the
addendums encompass many aspects of professional behavior and integrity. It is not an
exhaustive list, since change is part of life both inside and outside the university.
This set of Guidelines constitutes a statement of values and expectations; concerns and issues
are still best addressed by conversations between the individual faculty member and student. If
further discussions are necessary, please contact the faculty member’s Department Head.
EXPECTATION OF ALL LEARNING COMMUNITY MEMBERS
The first sentence of the UNCG Student Code of Conduct is: “Members of the UNCG
community respect fundamental principles for ensuring a campus environment conducive to
peaceful and productive living and study. These principles include five values: honesty, trust,
fairness, respect, and responsibility.” All university members (students, faculty, and staff) have
a responsibility to uphold these five values, and this is true in the Bryan classroom environment
and related academic activities.
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS
Students in the Bryan School must conform to all existing principles found in UNCG’s Academic
Integrity Policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Further details may be found at the following
sites: "http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/complete/" and
"http://studentconduct.uncg.edu/policy/code/" The attached addendum lists specific
expectations of students regarding the learning process and environment at the Bryan School.
EXPECTATIONS OF FACULTY
Faculty in the Bryan School must conform to all existing UNCG codes and policies, and their
teaching roles are of particular relevance to these Guidelines (see
"http://provost.uncg.edu/faculty/h_section4.asp" for further details). The attached addendum
lists specific expectations of faculty regarding the learning process and environment at the
Bryan School.
____________________________________________________________________________
Footnote 1: This document does not constitute a binding contract between students and the
University.
Footnote 2: Portions of these Guidelines were modeled after the Professional Standards
developed by the College of Business at Illinois State University. We thank them for their
contributions!
Footnote 3: The syllabus has been developed to cover all of the pertinent subject matter. It is
being presented in a final format. However, if needed dates, schedules and topics may be
adjusted.
SCM306_Fall_2013_Sylllabus