• identify and illustrate the basic flows and problems that logistics and supply chain management solve in an international environment
• enumerate, describe and offer remedy for different conditions that set the context for managing the global supply chain e.g. risk and sustainability
• enumerate and describe the different processes, activities and considerations with respect to each supply chain function e.g. procurement, production, logistics and distribution
• identify and contrast the different strategies that are applicable in the design of supply chains
• reflect on the most prominent theories and dilemmas in international logistics and SCM

An increasing level of internationalization has moved the focus from national to international logistics and other value chain activities. On the supply side, local or domestic suppliers have been replaced by a complicated pattern of international sourcing. The organization and management of production processes has changed into more flexible and specialized forms. New inter-organizational relationships between firms in vertical systems are emerging. On the demand side international markets have become more important, and many companies are reconfiguring their international logistics systems. International competition has forced companies to be both market/customer oriented and cost effective at the same time. Mass customization, flexibility and time compression are keywords in this development.

The scope of the supply chain spans the entire set of organizations from the procurement of materials and product components to delivery of the finished product to the end consumer. In a global context this means that sourcing, production and distribution have to take into account differences and similarities between various markets. This includes transport systems, distribution channels, communication systems, competition, and technology. Both logistics and supply chain management are key within these developments. While scm focusses on the design of various flows (e.g. flows of goods, information and nominal goods) between a point of origin and a point of consumption, logistics helps to solve specific connection problems. Both resolve problems that can refer to technical as well as organizational issues, depending on the level of analysis.

The aim of the course is to give students knowledge and understanding of the global supply chain functions in a dynamic, international environment, and to enable students to analyze and evaluate alternative ways of organizing and managing its value networks and systems. The course will focus on concepts, structures, network relationships and processes in global logistics and supply chain management. The typical problems, which occur in these networks, are challenging potential thesis topics of theoretical and practical interest. Supply Chains and logistics networks pose transaction cost, resource allocation, network design and flow optimization decisions.

Some of the central issues of the course are:

- The concepts of logistics and supply chain management

- Structuring the global supply chain

- Inter-organizational relationships in the global supply chain

- Development of global supplier strategies and networks

- Logistics and supply chain information systems and standard applications

- Third party logistics

- Logistics excellence as a competitive strategy

Expected literature Mandatory Literature:

Course book:

Hsuan, J., Tage Skjøtt-Larsen, Aseem Kinra, and Herbert Kotzab: Managing the global supply chain, 4th edition 2015, CBS Press ISBN: 978-87-630-0325-4. (MGSC)

Reading list: additional readings in the form of articles and cases will be assigned during the course.