Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Spring 2014
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
Abstract
This course introduces the concept of Supply Chain management and evaluates the core
fundamentals of Logistics within commerce. From corporate giants to small businesses, product
manufacturing industries operating within all verticals constantly strive to optimize logistics and
operations techniques and practices. In addition to identifying supply chain trends and evolution,
the relationship between domestic and foreign goods supply is explored.
Supply Chain Management provides the foundation for the success of a corporation. The
evolution of the role of logistics in commerce, has created dependency, sub-disciplines of study
and opportunities to analyze the direct impact in various industries and sectors. Growth trends,
combine the need for logistical efficiency, with environmental factors, strategic positioning, laws
and policy adherence, and cost maintenance. The understanding, analysis and optimization of
logistical components is fundamental to the growth and progression of corporations globally.
Prerequisites
Students should have completed an undergraduate level microeconomics course (i.e. E-10a:
Principles of Economics), and a strategic management course (i.e. E-5000: Strategic
Management).
Strong English reading; writing and comprehension skills are necessary. Assignments and Case
study analysis require strong writing ability, while assigned articles are often complex and
difficult to grasp with just one reading.
Course Objective
The intention of this course is to educate students on the fundamental role supply chain
management plays in the American and Global economy, while stimulating critical thinking on
the topics of economic reasoning, business negotiation, and opportunities for growth.
The course will generally be useful for students pursuing careers involving Operations, Business
Logistics and Management. Managers who want to explore opportunities for cost reduction
through Supply Chain efficiency, and students who are interested in understanding how
optimization can improve revenue streams, will find this course beneficial. While the general
nature of the course is not heavily analytical, basic economic and management knowledge is
essential.
In addition to supporting an understanding of the Supply Chain Management concept, this course
will strive to evaluate current trends, growth opportunities, global patterns and niche markets,
within the area of Logistics. In fulfilling these objectives, the course will use a holistic approach,
and rely on seminars from expert guest lecturers, relevant case studies, journal analysis, and
textbook readings.
Date
Jan 29/14
Feb 5/14
Feb 12/14
Readings / Assignments
Course Outline, Instructor
Bio, Course Syllabus
Paragraph Assignment
Chapter readings (1, 3)
Feb 19/14
Feb 26/14
Mar 5/14
Mar 12/14
Mid-Term Exam
Mar 19/14
Guest Speaker
9
Mar 26/14
Apr 2/14
11
Apr 9/14
Apr 16/14
13
Apr 23/14
15
Apr 30/14
Required Readings
This course requires the purchase and use of the following textbook:
Supply Chain Management (US Edition)- Fifth Edition
Sunil Chopra
Pearson Education Publishing
ISBN-10: 0132743957
In addition to the required text, the majority of the course will be focused on current events
evaluated through the reading of case studies, comprehensive articles and other assigned
readings.
The cases which will be evaluated include the following:
1. Evolution of the XBOX Supply Chain
2. AIC Netbooks : Optimizing Product Assembly
3. Unsafe for Children: Mattels Toy Recalls and Supply Chain Management
4. BMW Of North America: Dream It. Build It. Drive It.
5. Crocs: Revolutionizing an Industrys Supply Chain Model for Competitive Advantage
6. Half a Century of Supply Chain Management at Wal-Mart
Guest lecturers will be in attendance throughout the course and will be discussing various events
on Supply Chain related practices in industry.
Grading Breakdown
Class Participation and Discussion
Case Study Assignments (5 * 7%)
Mid Term Exam
Final Exam Project
25%
35%
15%
25%
100%
Whether you copy verbatim or simply rephrase the ideas of another without properly
acknowledging the source, the theft is the same. A computer program written as part of your
academic work is, like a paper, expected to be your original work and subject to the same
standards of representation. In the preparation of work submitted to meet course, program, or
school requirementswhether a draft or a final version of a paper, project, take-home exam,
computer program, placement exams, application essay, oral presentation, or other workyou
must take great care to distinguish your own ideas and language from information derived from
sources. Sources include published and unpublished primary and secondary materials, the
Internet, and information and opinions of other people.
You are expected to follow the standards of proper citation and to avoid plagiarism. Two
sources, prepared by the Harvard College Writing Program, are available for reference: the
Harvard Guide to Using Sources and Writing with Internet Sources: A Guide for Harvard
Students. There also are online tutorials, tips for avoiding Plagiarism, and other helpful
information in Resources to Support Academic Integrity. Please consult these resources
throughout the summer to ensure you meet the appropriate standards.
All assignment and exam submissions are to be turned in by 11:59PM on the due date by email
(zphiroz@fas.harvard.edu). Late assignments and exam submissions will be subject to a penalty
of 25% per day. Exceptions will be considered should extenuating circumstances exist.