Objectives and Contextualisation

This module aims to provide the following skills:

• Ability to address LSCM problems in a holistic approach by taking into account general SC management concepts:
• Address problems of supply chain networks and supply chain network management using the appropriate terminology and the relevant techniques; obtain the knowledge of state-of-the-art in techniques and practices in SCM
• Demonstrate the critical thinking by analysing situations and selecting techniques to solve SCN problems.
• Demonstrate an understanding of and appreciation for the importance of the network-oriented approach to SCM; identify the network-related issues in SCM
• Identify the key risk factors to be considered when analysing a SC network
• Chose applicable inventory management strategy and to apply the strategy on warehouse and network level
• Identify trade-off issues of transportation, inventory and warehouse management and recommend strategies and actions to implement the strategies
• Demonstrate abilities to
• select and apply the appropriate technology for obtaining solutions for a variety of supply chain network management problems and evaluate their complexity
• distinguish supply chain modelling approaches and apply them to particular task solving on operational, tactical and strategic levels, evaluate alternative approaches
• understand the key drivers of supply chain performance and their inter-relationships with strategy
• work effectively in a team, including agreeing on task distribution and work on collaborative goals, apply time-management and present the results of team work
• Demonstrate abilities in oral and written communication both in the student's native language and in English. Demonstrate synthesis skills and ability in presentation techniques.
• Demonstrate information management skills: ability to retrieve and analyse information from different sources.
• Ability to analyse and face a new problem under a scientific perspective.
• Select and apply the most relevant analytical methodologies, strategies and current technologies to elaborate solid arguments based on quantitative models and analytical methods to convince and motivate decision makers, determine the adequate partners and then plan and coordinate the implementation of the solution.
• Intermediate MS Excel user functionality, familiarity with Pivot Tables.

This module has two course units. Supply Chain Network Management Technologies (Ass.Prof. Jeļena Pečerska) and Global Markets and Supply Chain (Lect. Rinalds Pļavnieks).

CU1: Supply Chain Network Management Technologies (6 ECTS)

The course Supply Chain Network Management Technologies focuses on essential technologies for effective supply chain networks management.

Supply chain networks (SCN) cover not only supply chain management (SCM) but also the management of SC participants' relationship. In frame of these activities, actions and interests of the participants must be harmonized. SCN should be analysed from participants, participants' relationship, and the whole network point of view.

The main objective of this training course is to form the vision of SCN management, based on comprehensive systems analysis and multilevel cooperation as a requirement for problem understanding and solution in SCN. In order to achieve the main goal, it is proposed to solve the problems of managing SC activities with the use of quantitative models for a single object, the system of objects and the small network of logistics objects.

Some aspects of risk management in SCs and SCNs are considered. The acquired knowledge forms the basis of decision-making in the management of web-based virtual enterprise both on the tactical and strategic levels. The supplychain operations reference (SCOR) model is concept is introduced for understanding of the relationship between SC processes and performance metrics. The obtained skills are applied in the analysis of the SCOR model metrics of the virtual enterprise.

The set of sub-objectives of this subject are:

• Introduction of a systemic approach to SCN analysis, based on multilevel cooperation Introduction of risk concept for SC
• Recognition of the need to adapt SCM techniques for use in the SCN
• Recognition of the importance of quantitative and qualitative modelling approaches for SCN management
• Customization of the SCOR model for the particular needs of a company, based on its supply chain strategy

After the course, students are expected to be able:

• to consider, interpret and use professional terminology in logistics and supply chain management area; to select and apply the appropriate technology for obtaining solutions for a variety of supply chain network management and design problems;
• to distinguish supply chain modelling approaches and apply them to particular task solving in operational, tactical and strategic levels;
• to understanding key drivers of supply chain performance and their inter-relationships with strategy and other functions. 

CU2: Global Markets and Supply Chain (3 ECTS)

The course Global Markets and Supply Chain(GMSC) is thought in the context of global economy and markets, with their drivers and needs for supply chain. In GMSC course current patterns of supply chain and transport interaction with global economy are studied.

The set of objectives of this subject are:

• To study tendencies in Supply Chain management methods (theoretical and practical) and key elements required from logistics to support modern entrepreneurship and supply.
• To study correlation between transport (all modes) corridors and economical (raw materials, production and consumption) markets.
• To analyse current transport market structure (air, rail, sea and road) on infrastructure, administrative, freight forwarding and carrier level.
• To analyse main industries (production and service), to understand their key logistic needs and Supply Chain management processes (strategic and operational) required to ensure their efficiency and functionality.
• To provide application differences of the Supply Network and Value Chain concepts, in different levels of Supply Chain.
• Carry out simulation covering main Supply Chain Management strategic tasks: to learn capabilities to analyse process in overall context (company/global logistic market level), analyse element impact on other segments (strategic and operational level), train to perform any of given task individually and successfully.

After the course, students are expected to be able:

• to define and use professional terminology of supply chain management.
• to choose the optimal solution for supply chain processes planning, using special methods.
• to define company's role into supply chain; characterize differences between supply chain and logistic channel.
• to create model of informational, financial and cargo flow for global market; assume supply chain flows; work out optimization project, systematize modelling results and theoretical information, working in groups and presenting results of works in groups.
• to evaluate customers' orders as well as to model order fulfilment process.