LOG715 Business Cases in SCM (Spring 2024)

About the course

The course consists of three cases presented by companies, public organizations, or research institutions working in close collaborations with the former two. The cases will focus on managing supply chain problems in manufacturing or service industries, public organizations. Some examples of the topics that the cases may cover are developing purchasing and supply chain strategies, integration of IT systems, analysis of distribution systems, SC visibility, developing SC risk mitigating strategies, and so on. For each case, the students are to prepare a written report analyzing, discussing and proposing a solution to the logistical problems presented to them.The students are sometimes expected to collect secondary data when feasible and relevant to the presented business cases. The business cases vary from one year to another.

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master of Science in Logistics
• Exchange programme - Master's level

Recommended requirements

LOG 711 Supply Chain Management 1 or equivalent course. 

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

This course is primarily skill-oriented, and therefore, the delivery of new theories and concepts will be quite limited. Instead, the focus of the course is on development of skills of applying the knowledge of theories and methods studied in the first semester and the ongoing semester of the MSc in Logistics to solve practical challenges presented by the industry.

Knowledge

Upon completing this course, the candidate:

• will have in-depth knowledge of supply chain problems and complexity of real-life logistical challenges that faced by the invited companies 

Skills

Upon completing this course, the candidate:

• will be able to apply the knowledge of supply chain theories and concepts theory to solve real-life case companies problems in logistics
• will be able to identify the specifics of the business processes and activities presented in the form of a company case
• will be able to identify and solve the logistical challenges the companies are facing
• will be able to come up with comprehensive and meaningful suggestions on resolving these practical challenges presented in the form of company cases
• will be able to critically analyze the scientific literature relevant to the presented problems, figure out how well-discussed the problems at hand are, and which methodologies the existing literature suggests in order to address certain aspects of the real-life company cases
• will be able to communicate the solution proposal and the results in a form of a report which follows the rules of academic writing.

General competence:

• can apply the knowledge and skills to identify, analyze, and solve supply chain problems
• can communicate the results of the conducted analysis and conclusions both to the specialists and general public
• can contribute to critical thinking regarding the discourse on modern-day solutions and approaches to supply chain management, sustainability and logistics

Forms of teaching and learning

The presentation of the each case is arranged as a one-day seminar. One week after this seminar, the students attend a question-and-answer (Q&A) session for the presented case, where they may discuss the case with the teacher or the company representative. The purpose of these Q&A sessions is to clarify certain details of the problem context presented by the company, as well as discuss the application of relevant theoretical frameworks to complex practical SC problems with the course instructor. The attendance of all these activities is mandatory. Within approximately one month from the case presentation, the candidates are to submit the report proposing a solution to the problem presented to them. The students may work individually or in groups of two students (the group work will require more detailed and comprehensive solutions to be developed compared to individual submissions).

 

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

• Mandatory coursework: Other - please specify in the comments
• Courseworks given: 3
• Courseworks required: 3
• Presence: Required
• Comment: During the semester, the students will be asked to submit the drafts of their answers to each taskwithin a specified deadline (about one month from the case presentation), and then a feedbackwill be provided by the course instructor. This submission constitutes to mandatory courseworkrequirement: these reports must be handed in within the specified deadline, after which thesubmission is void and the work will not count as passed. Also, attendance of the companypresentations and the Q&A sessions is mandatory. If a candidate fails to attend a certain activity,the work corresponding to that case will not count as passed

Examination

• Form of assessment: Portfolio assessment
• Proportion: 100%
• Duration: 1 semester
• Grouping: Individual
• Grading scale: Letter (A - F)
• Support material: All printed and written supporting material

Syllabus

Materials on Canvas