SCM 301
Spring 2010
The Pennsylvania State University – Lehigh Valley
SCM 301: Business Logistics
Syllabus and Course Information
Instructor
Class Hours
Office
Office Hours
Email
Telephone
Text
: Dinesh R. Pai
: M 6:30-9:00 PM
Location: Saucon 318
: 213 L, Saucon
: MW 2:30–4:00 PM/By Appointment.
: drp18@psu.edu (Please DO NOT mail to ANGEL Mail)
: 610-285-5029
: Management of Business Logistics: A Supply Chain Perspective by
Coyle, Bardi, Langley, South-Western Pub; 7th ed., ISBN-10:
0324007515
Course Mission and Learning Outcomes:
Over the past decade, Logistics or Supply Chain Management (SCM) has gained
increasing focus in all forms of organizations. Supply Chain Management focuses on
managing material and information both within and outside of an organization including
aspects of globalization and low-cost country sourcing, product design collaboration,
demand planning and forecasting, inventory management, distribution, procurement, and
logistics. This course explores the basic issues underlying SCM and the challenges
facing companies to achieve effective management of their supply chains. Supply chain
management is described as a set of approaches utilized to efficiently integrate suppliers,
manufacturers, warehouses, and stores, so that merchandise is produced and distributed at
the right quantities, to the right locations, and at the right time, in order to minimize
system wide costs while satisfying service level requirements.
Course Learning Outcomes:
 You will explain the role of logistics and supply chain management (SCM) in
enhancing the overall performance of an organization.
 You will compare inventory management models and apply appropriate models to
given situations.
 You will explain the role of procurement and strategic sourcing in achieving
competitive advantage for an organization.
 You will evaluate various transportation options and select appropriate options for a
given problem.
 You will discuss the role of warehousing in SCM, and apply warehouse designing
techniques in a given situation.
 You will discuss the application of Information Technology in SCM.
We will use a combination of theory, simulations, numerical examples, and practical
applications to reinforce above concepts and tools.
1 of 4
SCM 301
Spring 2010
Teaching Philosophy
The course is designed to make learning an enjoyable experience. We will look at real
world supply chain cases to assimilate the intricacies of managing a supply chain. To
achieve this, I intend to deviate from the largely understood traditional means of learning
i.e. prolonged lecturing which does little more than providing information. Instead, I
plan to have an interesting mix of learning strategies comprising of Readiness
Assessment Tests (RATs), Application Exercises (APEXs), Case Studies, Short Videos,
Home Assignments and of course some lecturing. The objective is to provide you an
opportunity to become more actively involved in the learning process. However, you
must accept responsibility for your learning and complete all the in-class and after-class
activities sincerely and on time. I encourage you to participate in the class activities and
discussions, as also interact with your peers outside the class. Feel free to visit me in my
office* or wherever we meet on campus to discuss your queries. Good luck!!!
Student Evaluation and Grading
There will be one mid-term examination and one final examination. A typical exam will
include a mix of objective (multiple choice and T/F), and subjective and/or computational
questions, based on the material presented in the class, RATs and assignments. The
point’s breakdown for determining final grades is as follows:
Assignments (15%)
You will have an assignment almost every week. Assignments will comprise of
reflection paper and occasionally a problem set. See the ‘Reflection Paper Guidelines’
for grading standards. All assignments should be submitted typed (double space) using
MS Word software.
Class Participation (25%)
Class participation includes your involvement in the class discussions (more specifically
the quality of your observations and inputs in leading a class discussion), your
performance in the RATs (individual as well as team), APEXs and Case Studies.
Midterm Exam (30%)
Mid-Term will be a take-home exam comprising of a case study, a couple of numericals,
and some multiple choice questions.
Final Exam (30%)
Final exam will be an in-class (during the finals week) comprising of a case study, a
couple of numericals, and some multiple choice questions.
Make-up exams will be given in exceptional circumstances and with proper
documentation only.
Final letter grades will be assigned using the following scale (expressed in terms of the
percentage of total possible points earned):
2 of 4
SCM 301
Spring 2010
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
D
F
Letter Grade
Percentage >= 93 90-92 87-89 83-86 80-82 77-79 70-76 60-69 < 59
Attendance
You are strongly encouraged to attend every class. Since a large portion of the learning
in this course will come from in-class discussions, APEXs, and RATs, a missed class is a
missed opportunity to participate in class and to learn from your peers. In the event that
you must miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain a copy of any materials
distributed during your absence and to find out what you may have missed, including
homework’s. You MUST check your ANGEL account AT LEAST twice every week.
Students with Disabilities
Penn State welcomes students’ with disabilities into the university’s educational
programs. If you have, or think you may have, a disability (including an ‘invisible
disability’ such as a learning disability, a chronic health problem, or a mental health
condition) that interferes with your performance as a student in this class, you are
encouraged to arrange support services through Linda Rumfield in Disabilities Services,
610-285-5124, Room 134 Saucon.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible
manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The
Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are
expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the
University's Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity,
respect other students' dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an
environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts.
Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of
falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the
fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of
work completed by others.
Policies, rules, sanctions and procedures regarding academic integrity can be found in the
Academic Policies, Rules & Procedures for Students (http://www.psu.edu/ufs/policies),
and the Lehigh Valley Campus web site (http://www.lv.psu.edu/academicintegrity/).
3 of 4
SCM 301
Spring 2010
Course Schedule*
Week
Topics
1
Introduction to Supply Chain & Logistics
11-Jan Chapter 1: Supply Chain Management
Chapter 2: Dimensions of Logistics
Video: The Container Story (@60 mins)
Video: Supply Chain Management at
Regal Marine
No Classes
2
3
Sourcing and supplier management
Chapter 4: Procurement and Supply
25-Jan Management
4
In-Class Activity
Inventory and forecasting
1-Feb Chapter 3: Demand Management
5
Inventory Management I
Read: When Supplier Partnerships Aren’t….
Partnerships at Motorola
Case: Meditech Surgical (Group 1)
Read: Benetton - Global logistics in action
Video: Forecasting at Hard Rock
Case: Tires For You (Group 4)
Video: Inventory Control at Wheeled Coach
Game: Inventory Simulation Game
Inventory Management III
Beer Game
Transportation and logistics I
Chapter 9: The Transportation System
Chapter 10: Transportation Management
You will play the Game in Groups
Video: Logistics - Made in Bremen
Case: Westminster Company - A System
Design Assessment (Group 6)
Spring Break
9
11
No Classes
Video: Product Design and Supplier
Inventory Management II
10
Transportation and logistics II
15-Mar Chapter 8: Warehousing Decisions
Read: The Supply-Chain Management Effect
Read: Which Supply Chain Design?
M L K Jr. Day
8-Feb Chapter 6: Managing Inventory Flows in the SC Case: Dell Computers (Group 5)
Chapter 7: Inventory Decision Making
6
15-Feb
7
22-Feb
8
1-Mar
Out of Class Activity for the Week
Spring Break
Case: Bath King Industries (Group 3)
Simulation Model: Warehouse
Read: Four Steps to Forecast Total Market
Demand
Read: How IKEA Designs Its Sexy Price
Tags
Read: Managing Supply Chain Inventory –
Pitfalls and Opportunities
Read: Supply Chain Hero
Read: Instructions for the Inventory
Simulation Game
Read:
Read:
Read:
Read:
Instructions for the Beer Game
How Philips Reduced Returns
The New Wave in Giant Ships
New Hope for Trucks and Trains
Spring Break
Read: Thinking Ahead
Read: Lessons from a Coffee Supply Chain
Marketing and channel restructuring
Information and electronic mediated
22-Mar environments
Chapter 12: Logistics and SC Information Sys.
12
Product design and new product introduction
Video: E-Commerce and Teva Sports Sandals Read: The Bullwhip Effect in Supply Chains
Read: Internet Fulfillment - The Next Supply
Case: Catnap Pet Products (Group 2)
Chain Frontier
29-Mar Service and after sales support
Chapter 3: Customer Service
Case: Customer Service at WoodsonChemical Company (Group 4)
13
Location
Chapter 14: Network Design and Facility
5-Apr Location
14
Reverse logistics and green issues
12-Apr Outsourcing and strategic alliances, SC Risk
15
Chapter 11: Logistics Relationships and 3PL
Metrics and incentives
19-Apr Chapter 13: SC Performance Measurement
Chapter 15: SC Finance
16
Global issues
Video: Product Design at Regal Marine
Read: HP-The Power of Postponement
Read: Out of Touch with Customer Needs Spare Parts and After Sales Service
Video: Where to place Hard Rock’s next Café Read: 7 Keys to Facility Location
Case: Western Pharmaceuticals (A), (B)
Read: Location means Business
(Group 5)
Read: The Green Supply Chain – An
Video: JIT at Arnold Palmer Hospital
Overview
Read: Managing Risk To Avoid SC
Case: TBD (Group 1)
Breakdown
Read: The Outsourcing of Logistical
Activities
Case: Cooper Processing (Group 3)
Read: Supply Chain Metrics
Case: Performance Control at Happy Chips
Read: Performance metrics in SCM
(Group 6)
Case: Red Fish, Blue Fish, LLP - A Sequel
(Group 2)
26-Apr Chapter 5: Global Logistics
Chapter 16: Logistics and SC Challenges for the
Future
Read: Sharing Global Supply Chain
Knowledge
Read: Cut-Rate Swedish Retailer Enters the
Italian Market
* Please note that the course schedule is tentative and minor changes based on instructor’s discretion are
possible.
4 of 4