Learning goals
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to
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Demonstrate mastery to the forefront of theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of
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Basic concepts of supply management (procurement, sourcing, commodity group strategy, cost saving approaches)
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Theoretical basis: cluster theory, social exchange theory, social capital theory and other theories as basis for the understanding of early supplier involvement in new product development
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Empirical findings: results of early supplier involvement including innovation in products, logistics and production
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Purchasing – r&d collaboration: organisation and pitfalls, including commodity group structures and project management failures
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Supply management approaches: cost vs. innovation oriented supply strategies, identification of innovative suppliers and preferred customer strategy, supplier development
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Further the student will be able to write a literature reflecting seminar paper respecting form and scientific requirements, as well as being able to present results to the audience
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Aim
The target of this course is threefold: in terms of content it aims at sharpening the understanding of how to size innovations along the supply chain, i.e. how to get innovations from suppliers or get upsteam partners involved in collaborative new product development projects. Second, our research has shown that this goes along with creating an understanding for the necessary inter- as well as intra-organisational linkages. In particular the course targets at providing a brief understanding for innovation students on how members of the purchasing department think and work, so as to prepare them to work in a cross-functional team. In its methodological approach, third, the course contains elements of a seminar. Students prepare theory and literature reflecting research papers on the subject, which will also sharpen their research skills.
Keywords
Supply chain management, innovation, technology management, purchasing, literature review, sourcing, supplier selection, new product development, early supplier inclusion
Content:
Course description
The first part of the course consists of a series of lectures which introduce the activities of the purchasing function for innovation management students. A brief introduction on the year cycle in purchasing and the design of sourcing strategies, purchasing organisation and governance will be given in order to create a basic understanding of the function. At the same time, a cost savings workshop following the lever method will be simulated.
The second part of the course consists in the elaboration on diverse aspects of the identification and development of innovations along the supply chain. The main focus is on innovations from and with suppliers. Students prepare a term paper on one of the topics covered, all evolving around different aspects of supply chain management and innovation. Students will prepare a mini-conference to present their findings to their peers. These literature research findings and the lectures from the book are part of the final exam. Assessment
Group paper (50%) and individual exam (50%).
Contribution to the programme learning goals
1.1 demonstrate mastery to the forefront of theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of advanced issues on the management of innovation with supply chain partners. Introductory understanding on the functioning and key activities of a purchasing department.
2.1 independently and critically describe, structure and analyse complex managerial problems and processes within the area supply chain innovation. Is able to work autonomously and self-reliant on his part of the group work and is able to work in multidisciplinary teams. The latter is fostered by the course SCM_i which brings together students with different educational backgrounds.
2.2 independently apply and/or test current theories, models and methods in the analysis of complex problems and processes within the area of supply chain innovation
2.4 independently set up and manage complex projects and processes in the form of a collaborative literature research project writing a term paper
3.2 systematically collect, assess and analyse information from all relevant sources using advanced means, which is particular important to prepare the term paper. The student has a thorough overview of the structure of research processes and is able to apply it to literature review. The student is able to integrate existing knowledge and research results for designing, validating, and selecting solutions in relatively complex cases. Moreover, the student has an overview of implementation methods and processes and is able to - critically analyze ongoing or finished implementation processes. Is able to conduct a bibliographic search and knows how to reference correctly
3.4 prepare a structured presentation in business style on a course topic in supply chain management and innovation to both specialist and non-specialist audiences
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