In the last decade supply chain management has captivated the interest and attention of top executives of global companies and is now considered to be one of the key concepts for competitiveness for companies in the age of globalization. Mastering supply chain management can enable companies to increase market shares, reduce costs, improve customer service, and increase market values through improvements in return to assets. Integrating supply with demand is a fundamental challenge to managers today. To compete successfully in today's market place, companies need to manage effectively numerous activities from design to forecasting to manufacturing and distribution of their products of services to heir customers.

Supply chain management deals with the management of materials, information and financial flows in network consisting of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers. The coordination and integration of these flows within and across companies are critical in effective supply chain management. This coordination is particularly challenging since it depends on the individual (and many times conflicting) interests of the supply chain members.

 

The main objective of this course is to introduce participants to key concepts, best practices, innovative ideas, practical thinking and critical thinking of integrative demand and supply chain management. Students will learn major concepts and frameworks available for supply chain management. and will develop the ability to evaluate supply chain performance and formulate a supply chain strategy taking into account changes in the market as well as the competitive environment. An important component is the focus on supply chain coordination.