• are well equipped with a sound understanding of the standard problems in an industrial environment, a modern repertoire of standard solutions, instruments and methods
• can use the most common manufacturing related logistics terminology in developing convincing arguments for specific solutions
• are able to describe, adopt and apply theory fundamentals of different disciplines into the field
• know and can apply relevant design criteria for designing manufacturing systems from the logistical point of view
• understand instruments and technological approaches and are able to provide appropriate selection criteria

When it comes to implementation and application, theoretical concepts of Supply Chain Management require some more reflection on the specific business context.

Industries like the automotive, consumer electronics or machine engineering industries are e.g. more burdened by complexity issues and are in principle more dominated by global manufacturing and assembling challenges than other industries like the textile or fast moving consumer goods industries. Customized or even individualized final products have to be assembled from numerous components that are sourced from many different actors along multi staged supply chains. Objectives like establishement of agility and innovation, or efficiency and leanness have to be met accordingly.

The focus of the course offered, is clearly set on the reflection and application of theoretical thoughts on those challenges, activities and processes within different industries. To analyze them systematically, two basic views are combined. The course starts with an introduction into the basic theoretical ideas of modern logistics and supply chain management and a short retro­spective view on historical roots, core concepts, models, and related theories. These basics are then elaborated upon and consequently applied further as a comprehensive framework that will guide the discussions and analysis. This will open the view to better detect underlying root causes and to include additional related theoretical approaches that may support arguments for innovative as well as pragmatic solutions.

The course is then split into single modules along a generic lifecycle for operative systems. Using case studies, presentations, and hands on exercises, the course is directed towards identifying prominent and less prominent but nevertheless important challenges and pitfalls within the configuration, mobilization and the perpetual adaptation of the systems. Such a close to practice view promises deeper insights into the real life challenges, interrelations, and practices, within some of the most important industries of modern economies. Students will discuss standard questions and standard solutions that are compared and assessed, but also linked to a set of related standard theories such as transaction cost theory, the resource-based view or location theory.

To the end, a discussion of relevant planning and controlling instruments and technologies, and a look out of the box on the applicability of the basic practices to more exotic industries and segments like trade fairies, construction supply chains or events are completing the course.

Some of the central issues of the course are:

• Theories related to logistics and flow systems thinking, like e.g. network theory, resource based view, or transaction cost economics, adopted for analyzing, designing, and mobilizing supply chains
• Frameworks and reference models of generic flows and processes within the manufacturing and logistics environment
• Concepts of complexity, agility, quality and their effects on management decisions in systems design and mobilization of processes
• Different approaches for designing, planning, mobilizing, and controlling of operations with their underlying assumptions on decision makers and planning philosophy;
• Application of planning technologies like ERP, APS, SCEM Systems and other instruments, methods and tools for designing, planning and controlling of supply chains
• Innovative logistical concepts and production related logistics services

Reference book –

Richard B. Chase, F. R. Jacobs, und Nicholas J. Aquilano: Operations Management for Competitive Advantage, Mcgraw-Hill, 2007

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