FOREIGN OPERATIONS METHODS
Course code
GRAV011
Course title
Foreign Operations Methods
Type of course
Compulsory
Stage of study
Graduate
Department in charge
Graduate school
Year of study
2nd
Semester
3rd
Number of Credits
6 ECTS; 36 hours of class work, 124 hours of
self-study, 2 hours of consultations (distant or
direct form
Lecturer
Associate Professor Bruce Ferrin, PhD
Prerequisites
Email of the lecturer
Date of the course
Form of studies
None
bruce.ferrin@wmich.edu, brufer@faculty.ism.lt
December 02 – December 18, 2014
Consecutive (evening)
Teaching language
English
Course Description and Aim
The success of every organization depends upon its ability to attract and retain customers in the
most productive manner. Constantly increasing competition in today’s global markets creates
continuously increasing customer expectations for cost, quality, and availability. To gain and
sustain competitive advantage, organizations must continuously improve process performance by
developing better methods for satisfying current and future customer needs, wants and
expectations.
This course is an overview of logistics management. The course has three objectives:
1.
Introduce logistics management.
2.
Develop basic understanding of the role of logistics in the business enterprise.
3.
Explore the contribution of effective logistics processes to organizational success.
Course Learning Outcomes
Course learning outcomes (CLO)
CLO1 Introduce logistics
management.
Study methods
Lectures, discussions, video,
self-study, case analysis,
group work
CLO2 Develop basic understanding of
role of logistics in the business
enterprise.
Lectures, discussions, video,
self-study, case analysis,
group work
CLO3 Explore the contribution of
effective logistics processes to
organizational success.
Lectures, discussions, video,
self-study, case analysis,
group work
CLO4 Demonstrate the importance of
Lectures, discussions, video,
Fall 2014
Assessment methods
Case analyses,
problems and group
tasks, article review and
final exam
Case analyses,
problems and group
tasks, article review and
final exam
Case analyses,
problems and group
tasks, article review and
final exam
Case analyses,
1
information systems in managing
global supply chains.
self-study, case analysis,
group work
CLO5 Illustrate impacts of use of
proper transportation services in both
domestic and global supply chains.
Lectures, discussions, video,
self-study, case analysis,
group work
CLO6 Familiarize students with
practitioner periodicals available in
the fields of logistics and SCM.
Lectures, discussions, video,
self-study, case analysis,
group work
problems and group
tasks, article review and
final exam
Case analyses,
problems and group
tasks, article review and
final exam
Case analyses,
problems and group
tasks, article review and
final exam
Quality Assurance Measures
We will explore a variety of logistics/supply chain management topics by using a combination of
lectures, class discussions and analyses of case studies and problem sets. We will also make use
of videos to illustrate the pragmatic significance of logistics processes in the global context and for
individual businesses.
Cheating Prevention
Academic ethical behavior will be the norm in the class. No forms of cheating or plagiarism will be
acceptable in the course. All ISM regulations on academic ethics will apply. (see: ISM regulations)
Course Content
CLASS
DATE
TOPIC
CLASS
HOURS
Chapter 1
2 Dec
14
3 Dec
14
4 Dec
14
9 Dec
14
10 Dec
14
11 Dec
14
15 Dec
14
Fall 2014
Chapter 2
Video: RFID: The Next Big Little
Thing
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Video: Aligning Supply & Demand:
Creating the Right Supply Chain
Chapter 6
Video: Negotiating for Business
Results
Video: Winners Don't Take All
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 8
4
4
4
4
4
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Video: Loading Docks
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Video: The Secret World of Air
Freight
4
4
ASSIGNMENT
In-class mini-case: KiddieLand and
the Super Gym
Homework mini-case: Just-in-Time
in Kalamazoo
Homework mini-case: Brant
Freezer Company
In-class mini-case: Red Spot
Markets Company
None
Homework mini-case: Tempo Ltd.
In-class mini-case: Handy Andy
None
Homework mini-case: Handout
In-class mini-case: Aero Marine
Logistics
In-class mini-case: Minnetonka
Warehouse
Homework mini-case: Let There
be Light Lamp Shade Company
Homework mini-case: HDT Truck
Company
2
CLASS
DATE
16 Dec
14
17 Dec
14
18 Dec
14
CLASS
HOURS
TOPIC
Chapter 13
4
Chapter 14
Video: Panama Canal Unlocked
Video: Suez Canal
Video: Return of the Pirates
Video: Emma Maersk
Video: Port of Rotterdam
Video: USCBP Vessel & Shipment
Searches
Video: USCBP Container Searches
Final Exam
Total
ASSIGNMENT
In-class mini-case: Chippy Potato
Chip Company
None
4
TBD
36
Assessment Methods
Task Type
Discussion of in-class mini-cases
Homework mini-cases
Final Exam
Total:
Selfstudy
hours
-64
60
124
% of final grade
18
42
40
100
Course requirements
Individual Class Participation [18%]
Active contributions to class discussions include preparation for cases and problems, willingness to
express solutions and opinions in class and to show respect for the opinions of others.
Case Analyses, problems and group tasks. [42%]
To prepare case analyses and problems which will be handed in at the beginning of class
according to the Course Content Assignment Schedule. Please prepare a case analyses or
problem set to hand in then. Also have a second copy of the case or problem set to use during the
class discussion of the case or problems. I expect your case analyses to address the questions
raised at the end of each case. No late work will be accepted.
Final Exam [40%]
The final exam is cumulative will cover all materials from the course sessions. There will be essay
and short answer questions as well as problems. There will be no multiple choice or true/false
questions.
Retake Exam
If a student’s cumulative score for the course is not passing, such students will have the possibility
to retake the final exam according to ISM rules. This applies only to the 40% weight for the final
exam.
Teaching methods
1. The course will consist of 4-hour blocks (see detailed timetable) taken up by lectures,
discussion, and exercises.
Fall 2014
3
2. The course is designed to achieve its aims through a combination of lectures and
interactive case-study sessions. The lectures are designed to encourage active
participation, collaborative and creative work, interactive communication and critical
thinking.
3. The course is interactive and requires a high level of involvement from the students during
the class sessions. Students are expected to come to class well prepared. Unless
otherwise noted, please read the articles and /or cases before coming to class.
Required Readings
 Paul R. Murphy,Jr & Donald Wood Contemporary Logistics, 10/E, ISBN-10: 0136110770
Recommended Readings
 Fisher, Marshall L., “What is the Right Supply Chain for Your Product,” Harvard
Business Review, March – April 1997, pp. 105 – 116, Reprint 97205.
 Zondag, Marcel M. and Bruce Ferrin, “Finding the True Voice of the Customer in CPG
Supply Chains: Customer-Centric Supply Chain Management,” Journal of Business
Logistics, Vol. 35, Issue 3, pp. 268 – 274.
 Lunnsford, J. Lynn, “Ugly in the Air,” Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2007, page A1.
 Wright, Robert, “Europe’s Shipyards Sinking under Weight of Competition,” Financial
Times, November 24, 2009, page 9.
 Lavigne, Grace M., “Supply-Chain Interference: Cargo Theft, Piracy and Disruption in
2013,” Journal of Commerce, May 2, 2014.
 Kovacs, G. K. Spens and D. Vellenga, “Transportation and Logistics Networks in the
Baltic States: Keys for Successful Economic Development and Integration into the
E.U.,” Economika, Vol. 68, Vilnius University Publishing House, 2004, pp. 121 - 134.
The textbook readings and cases are delineated in the course content section above. In addition
other readings/hand-outs may be provided to you.
Role of the subject in reaching learning outcomes of International Marketing and
Management programme
Required Readings
In the schedule presented above, I have indicated the class meetings for which case problems will
be discussed and for which we will review the background necessary for you to analyze the
assigned case homework problems. In addition to the assigned cases, other readings may be
assigned for some classes. I will post any such additional assigned readings on the e-learning
system for the course.
Role of the subject in International Marketing and Management programme
Special learning outcomes
S1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories and
their applications in the research field of international marketing and
management that provides an opportunity for originality in developing, applying
and implementing ideas in the areas of international management and
international marketing
CLO1, CLO2,
CLO3, CLO4,
CLO5, CLO6
S2. Analyse and assess internal and external international business
environment and derive managerial decisions on company’s governance and
international expansion and based on a set of environmental factors in
particular business situation, having particular regard to the importance of
cultural aspects in international business.
CLO3, CLO4,
CLO5
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4
S3. Analyse and assess the peculiarities of global business environment and
shifts in geo-economic situation, putting a particular emphasis on emerging
economies and their role in international business environment.
CLO5
S4. Have the ability to formulate judgments and take socially and ethically
responsible decisions in global business environment.
CLO5
S5. Analyse and critically evaluate various real-life business examples,
situations and experiences in dealing with multiple international management
functions (international human resource management, international consumer
behaviour issues, international marketing and negotiation strategies, advanced
corporate finance issues, innovation management and marketing
communication matters); be able to analyse mentioned functions both
separately and in integrative manner.
CLO1, CLO2,
CLO3, CLO4,
CLO5, CLO6
S6. Conceptualize, research and write a state of the art review of a chosen area
of investigation and generate empirical data on the phenomenon under
investigation; be able to evaluate the appropriateness of the use of qualitative
and quantitative research methods in particular context; be able to use
advanced qualitative techniques and quantitative data analysis methods.
CLO6
General learning outcomes
G1. To apply modern information technologies in data gathering, analysis and
communication.
CLO1, CLO2,
CLO3, CLO4,
CLO5, CLO6
G2. To apply systematic, critical and constructive thinking in problem
identification and solving.
CLO1, CLO2,
CLO3, CLO4,
CLO5, CLO6
G3. Able to communicate knowledge to specialist and non-specialist audiences
clearly and unambiguously.
CLO1, CLO2,
CLO3, CLO4,
CLO5, CLO6
G3. Develop a range of personal skills including argumentation, evaluation,
problem identification and solving, interactive and group skills, self-appraisal,
cross-cultural teamwork.
CLO1, CLO2,
CLO3, CLO4,
CLO5, CLO6
G4. Prepare research papers using to proper language, writing style and
general bibliographic citation requirements.
CLO1, CLO2,
CLO3, CLO4,
CLO5, CLO6
G5. Develop independent learning skills necessary to continue advanced
studies.
CLO1, CLO2,
CLO3, CLO4,
CLO5, CLO6
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