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2017/2018  KAN-CSCEO1023U  Supply Chain Business Project

English Title
Supply Chain Business Project

Course information
Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for MSc in Economics and Business Administration
Course coordinator
  • Britta Gammelgaard - Department of Operations Management (OM)
Main academic disciplines
  • Supply chain management and logistics
Last updated on 19-12-2017

Relevant links
Learning objectives
To achieve the grade 12, students should meet the following learning objectives with no or only minor mistakes or errors:
  • Characterize and discuss prevalent methods and methodology in SCM research
  • Identify and discuss a relevant and non-trivial theory or practice based SCM problem
  • Develop and discuss an appropriate research design and methodology for solving a SCM problem
  • Develop a theoretical framework to analyze real-life primary data
  • Critically evaluate results (validity and reliability issues)
  • Develop an action plan for a theory based consultancy project and reflect on implementation issues. Alternatively, generate implications for practice for research projects
  • Manage the project work and external relationships with respondents and project sponsors in a professional way
Examination
Supply Chain Business Project:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance.
Individual or group exam Oral group exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 2-4
Size of written product Max. 40 pages
Assignment type Project
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Spring
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
Make-up/re-exam will take place in the Fall with a report submission deadline in October. If the student did not pass the regular exam, a new or a revised project, cf. advice from the examiner of the ordinary exam, must be handed in by the new deadline.
* if a student is absent from the oral exam due to documented illness but has handed in the written group product she/he does not have to submit a new product for the re-take. However the group product must be uploaded once again on Digital Exam.
* if a whole group fails the oral exam they must hand in a revised product for the re-take.
* if one student in the group fails the oral exam the course coordinator chooses whether the student will have the oral exam on the basis of the same product or if he/she has to hand in a revised product for the re- take.
Course content and structure

The overall learning objective of the business project is to transform SCM concepts, models and theories into concrete advice and/or problem solutions of importance for businesses. Alternatively, to conduct a project that develops small scale new knowledge of relevance for SCM theory and/or practice.

 

The course consists of two introductory lectures; a written project report and an oral exam based on the report. The first lecture sets out with an introduction and discussion of methodological issues when approaching SCM problems in practice. Next, an overview of methods used in SCM research is presented and discussed. Especially qualitative methods and the data collection process are emphasized. The second lecture will highlight the challenge of getting access to data and collaborating with case companies to reach recommendations for practice. Finally, project management issues are presented and discussed.
 
The project report must contain an introduction with a problem discussion,  research question(s) and research design. In continuation, the methodology must be discussed and accounted for. Development of a theoretical framework and data, analysis then follows, and conclusion plus suggestions of further studies finalises the project. For most projects it will further be relevant to include a proposal for an action plan for management in the case company. Alternatively, implications for practice must be stated.
Teaching methods
Dialogue lectures, seminar: preentation of work in progress + peer feedback. Supervision of project work.
Feedback during the teaching period
Peer feedback seminar.
Student workload
Introductory lectures and preparation 20 hours
Project work and supervision 130 hours
Exam and exam preparation 20 hours
Peer feedback seminar 36 hours
Expected literature

Carter, C. R., Rogers, D. S. and Choi, T. Y. (2015), “Toward the Theory of the Supply Chain”, Journal of Supply Chain Management, 51(2), pp. 89-97.

 

Frankel, Robert, Dag Naslund and Yemisi Bolumole (2005): “The “White Space” of Logistics Research: A Look at the Role of Methods Usage”. Journal of Business Logistics, Vol. 26, No. 2, pp. 185-209.

 

Gammelgaard, Britta (2004), “Schools in Logistics Research? A Methodology Framework for Analysis of the Discipline”, International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, vol. 34, no. 6, pp. 479-491.

 

Gardner, John T. and Cooper, Martha C. Cooper (2003), “Strategic Mapping Approaches”,  Journal of Business Logistics, Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 37-65.

 

Mello, John and Daniel Flint (2009), “A refined view of grounded theory and its application to logistics research”, Journal of Business Logistics, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 107-125.

 

Pedrosa, A.M., Näslund, D., Jasmand, C., (2012), “Logistics case study based research: towards higher quality” International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics management, 42(3), 275-295.

 

Solem, Olav (2003), “Epistemology and Logistics: A Critical Overview”, Systemic Practice and Action Research, vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 437-454.

 

A list of relevant litereature on methodology for SCM business projects and theses is provided.
Last updated on 19-12-2017