Governors State University
College of Business and Public Administration
Global Supply Chain Management --- Syllabus
Course:
Title and Number: Global Supply Chain Management (MGMT 8400)
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: MGMT 7400
Text book: Sunil Chapra and Peter Meindl, Supply Chain Management 5th Edition.
Pearson.
Instructor: Dr. Feng Tian
Office: G288
Phone: (708) 534 4950
E-mail: ftian@govst.edu. Please note that e-mail is preferred to telephone messages.
Office hours: Thursday 5:30am – 7:30pm, or by appointment
Catalog Description: Studies global supply chain from a managerial perspective. Covers
supply chain design, planning and operation. Emphasizes the strategic role of supply
chains within a firm and between firms, and demonstrates how supply chains can be
designed to create competitive advantage. Topics covered include forecasting, materials
management, sourcing and procurement, distribution and logistics, transportation,
information flows, and supply chain optimization.
Rationale and intended audience: This is the first course in the Supply Chain Management
specialization in the MBA Program. It provides the skill sets necessary to learn and
manage the integration and coordination of activities within today’s increasingly complex
global supply chains. The course exposes students to the critical role of integrated supply
chains to create competitive advantage. The goal is to help students understand the
linkage between supply chain structures and logistical capabilities in a firm, and how a
firm’s supply chain affects the firm’s performance. Through the use of case analysis and
simulation exercises, the student will learn the practical aspects of managing supply
chains and this competency will help students for their career growth.
Expected Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Explain the role and significance of supply chains in a firm and between firms
2. Identify and evaluate supply chain design concepts
3. Learn the impact of globalization on supply chain management
4. Demonstrate the use of spreadsheets for the design and evaluation of supply chains
5. Align supply chain integration strategy with the conditions (involving uncertainty) of
supply and demand
6. Manage inventory efficiently and distribute inventory risks across time, products,
channels, and geography
7. Evaluate logistics networks and study their performance impacts on efficiency and
service levels
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Topical Outline:
Week Topic
1 Chapter 1. Understanding the Supply Chain
2 Chapter 2. Supply Chain Performance
Chapter 3. Supply Chain Drivers and Metric
Case: Seven-Eleven Japan Co.
3 Chapter 4. Designing Distribution Networks and Applications to
Online Sales
Case: Blue Nile and Diamond Retailing
4 Chapter 5. Network Design in the Supply Chain
Case: Designing the Production Network at CoolWips
5 Chapter 6. Design Global Supply Chain Networks
Case: BioPharma, Inc
6 Chapter 7. Demand Forecasting in a Supply Chain
Case: Specialty Packaging Corporation, Part A
7 Chapter 8 Aggregate Planning in a Supply Chain
Chapter 9 Sales and Operations Planning
Chapter 10 Coordinating in a Supply Chain
Case: Mintendo Game Girl
8 Chapter 11. Managing Economies of Scale in a Supply Chain: Cycle
Inventory
Case: Delivery Strategy at MoonChem
9 Chapter 12. Managing Uncertainty in a Supply Chain: Safety
Inventory
Case: Managing Inventories at ALKO Inc.
10 Chapter 13. Determining the Optimal Level of Product Availability
11 Chapter 14. Transportation in a Supply Chain
Case: Designing the Distribution Network for Michael’s Hardware
12 Chapter 15. Sourcing Decisions in a Supply Chain
13 Chapter 16. Pricing and Revenue Management in a Supply Chain
14 Presentation
Final Exam
(Some topics may be dropped or added, depending on class interest and time – these will
be announced)
Grade:
Class participation: 20%
Case Analysis: 25%
Homework: 10%
Project and presentation: 15%
Final exam: 30%
Grading scheme: A (90% and over), B (80% to 89.9%), C (70% to 79.9%), D (60% to
69.9%), F (below 60%)
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Class Participation: Class participation will be graded by both the quality and quantity. Regularly
engaging in discussion of cases and readings, asking questions that lead to better
understanding of a concept by the class as a whole, clarifying concepts, and sharing
professional experience about course topics constitute superior class participation and
contribute to our collective learning. Do not be afraid to make points that you may regard as
minor, ask clarifying questions, or otherwise contribute in small ways.
While no points will be given for attendance, you can’t participate if you’re not in
classroom.
Case Analysis: There will be five case analyses assigned through the trimester. The case analysis
should be written from the perspective of a data-driven middle manager. The target
audience is typically someone in a higher hierarchy. The body of your analysis should not
exceed two pages (excluding appendices). These two pages should be same format
requirement as the case analysis. Your appendix may contain as many exhibits as you
wish, as long as they are cited in the body of your memo.
For some cases, there is no one correct answer. However, this does not mean there are no
wrong answers. Since there can be more than one correct answer, you will be graded
according to the reasonableness of your assumptions, the thoroughness of your analysis,
and the merits of your final recommendations. You should assume that your target
audience is familiar with the problem; you do not need rehash the case’s entire plot.
Grammar, punctuation, and the writing style affect the grade.
Case write-up instruction will be provided.
Project and Presentation: Each student is expected to do a project consisting of a written paper
and an in-class presentation (10-15 minutes). The context of the project report should be
a topic specific to the area of Supply Chain Management. Topics can include but are not
limited to technical trends in supply chain information systems, current issues in supply
chain management such as global outsourcing, or specific company projects involving
supply chain management. It is encouraged that students use a particular topic relevant to
their work/experience, if possible, to utilize the course concepts in a more meaningful
way.
The paper may include several trade and industry references but it must also include a set
of references from academic sources to demonstrate a level of research into current
thinking on supply chain management and issues.
Topics and abstracts must be approved by the instructor. Project report writing instruction
will be provided.
Course Policies:
1. If you haven’t completed the prerequisites for this course, please drop the course.
2. BlackBoard will be used to enhance this course. All students should have a
BlackBoard account – please become familiar with it. If you don’t have a BlackBoard
account, please inform the instructor.
3. Grade of ‘incomplete’ must be requested in writing, with valid and verifiable reasons.
An incomplete grade is given only when substantial part of the course has been
completed and due to serious unforeseeable reasons, the student needs extra time to
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complete the course. If a student is granted an incomplete grade, it is the student’s
responsibility to finish the course work on time.
4. Make up exams will not be given except for medical emergencies. In such cases,
valid and verifiable documentation must be submitted.
5. Assignments must be done on schedule. Late submission will not be accepted. All
late submission will get “0” in corresponding grade part.
6. Grades will not be discussed through e-mail or phone due to privacy concerns. For
the final grade, please check the appropriate University web site after it is reported to
university registry office. You will of course receive feedback throughout the
semester.
7. Attendance of all classes is expected. If you miss a class due to unavoidable
circumstances, please look up material posted on BlackBoard, ask for material
distributed in that class, and put in the effort to make up the missed class. Obtaining
prior permission to miss a class does not relieve you of your responsibility to make up
the missed class.
8. Please turn off cell phones, and avoid any possible disturbance/disruptions in class.
9. Please do speak up in class; please be brief and relevant, and be considerate of others.
10. We will make use of online material and a number of websites will be recommended;
please be aware that some web sites may contain matters objectionable to you. The
instructor does look at the websites he recommends; but the links from them cannot
be vouched for. If you come across objectionable matter, please report them to the
instructor, and he may stop recommending those sites in the future.
11. All work submitted as yours must be so; all quotes must be indicated as quotes and
referenced. Plagiarism is a serious violation of academic integrity. Please refer to
‘academic honesty’ in the student handbook for more information.
Miscellaneous:
Learning is an active process where the student has to take the lead and seek help when
necessary. Remember that you can learn in spite of your instructors; but without your
own effort, no instructor can make you learn. In particular, work out the problems
yourself; seeing it being solved and doing it yourself are two entirely different things.
(Solutions to even numbered problems are given in the text itself).
However, the instructor is willing to assist you to the best of his ability. Whenever you
face difficulties in understanding the material and it is still unclear after the class, do not
hesitate to come and see me. Don’t wait until before the exam – it may be too late.
Advice: read the material, ask questions, attend all classes, understand what you do, ask
questions, work with friends, ask questions, be able to solve problems on your own, come
to office hours, clarify your doubts, ask questions, and take responsibility for your
education! (That is meant in a positive sense; the instructor is not abdicating his
responsibility)
There may be changes to this syllabus: they will be announced in class. The instructor
reserves the right to correct any errors in the syllabus.
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Disability: GSU is committed to providing all students equal access to all university programs
and facilities. Students who have a documented physical, psychological, or learning
disability and need academic accommodations, must register with Access Services for
Students with Disabilities (ASSD). Please contact the Coordinator of ASSD in Room
B1201 in person; by e-mail, assd@govst.edu; or by calling 708.235.3968. If you are
already registered, please contact your instructor privately regarding your academic
accommodations.
Statement on Academic Honesty Statement: Students are expected to fulfill academic
requirements in an ethical and honest manner. This expectation pertains to the following:
use and acknowledgment of the ideas and work of others, submission of work to fulfill
course requirements, sharing of work with other students, and appropriate behavior
during examinations. These ethical considerations are not intended to discourage people
from studying together or from engaging in group projects. The university policy on
academic honesty appears in the catalog appendix, which can be found on the website at
http://www.govst.edu/catalog/catback08.pdf#nameddest=appendix
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