SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
Syllabus
EN
IT
Learning Objectives
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Develop a basic understanding of supply chain management through the lens of sustainability. Develop a sound knowledge on the key drivers of sustainable purchasing processes and models with respect to global and multitier supply chains, their inter-relationships with the overall strategy, with sustainable suppliers and with the role of green and reverse logistics.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Apply analytical and problem solving skills necessary to develop solutions for a variety of sustainable Supply Chain processes and understanding what information should be exchanged for a sustainable supply chain activity, how Information technologies can support sustainable supply chain management , their inter-relationships with sustainable suppliers and with the green and reverse logistics.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS
Identify key issues within sustainable supply chain within different industries and learning to quantify the improvements that various sustainable supply chain strategies can offer.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Summarize and present sustainable Supply Chain strategies. Discuss the implication of implementing analytical tools for sustainable Supply Chain Management.
LEARNING SKILLS
Analyse critically Sustainable Supply Chain decisions. Discuss the implication of designing, planning, or operating a sustainable supply chain.
Sustainability is fast emerging as a major strategic consideration for business leaders. Organisations are increasingly under scrutiny from a range of stakeholders, including, customers, investors, legislators, governments and pressure groups regarding the impact their operations are having on the wider environment and society. Issues such as global warming, depletion of natural reserves, waste management, emerging producer responsibility legislation, air transport, corporate social responsibility reporting are just a few examples of the complex nature of the area.
This course is designed to introduce students to the subject of sustainability from a supply chain perspective. Specifically, the objectives of the course are to provide students with:
• Understanding and critical awareness surrounding the concepts of sustainability
• Understanding and critical awareness of the sustainable supply chains and sustaina-ble suppliers
• Comprehensive understanding of the role of green and reverse logistics
• Conceptual understanding of emerging supply chain sustainability models with re-spect to global and multitier supply chains
• Ability to evaluate and appraise emerging supply chain sustainability models and strategies
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Develop a basic understanding of supply chain management through the lens of sustainability. Develop a sound knowledge on the key drivers of sustainable purchasing processes and models with respect to global and multitier supply chains, their inter-relationships with the overall strategy, with sustainable suppliers and with the role of green and reverse logistics.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Apply analytical and problem solving skills necessary to develop solutions for a variety of sustainable Supply Chain processes and understanding what information should be exchanged for a sustainable supply chain activity, how Information technologies can support sustainable supply chain management , their inter-relationships with sustainable suppliers and with the green and reverse logistics.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS
Identify key issues within sustainable supply chain within different industries and learning to quantify the improvements that various sustainable supply chain strategies can offer.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Summarize and present sustainable Supply Chain strategies. Discuss the implication of implementing analytical tools for sustainable Supply Chain Management.
LEARNING SKILLS
Analyse critically Sustainable Supply Chain decisions. Discuss the implication of designing, planning, or operating a sustainable supply chain.
Sustainability is fast emerging as a major strategic consideration for business leaders. Organisations are increasingly under scrutiny from a range of stakeholders, including, customers, investors, legislators, governments and pressure groups regarding the impact their operations are having on the wider environment and society. Issues such as global warming, depletion of natural reserves, waste management, emerging producer responsibility legislation, air transport, corporate social responsibility reporting are just a few examples of the complex nature of the area.
This course is designed to introduce students to the subject of sustainability from a supply chain perspective. Specifically, the objectives of the course are to provide students with:
• Understanding and critical awareness surrounding the concepts of sustainability
• Understanding and critical awareness of the sustainable supply chains and sustaina-ble suppliers
• Comprehensive understanding of the role of green and reverse logistics
• Conceptual understanding of emerging supply chain sustainability models with re-spect to global and multitier supply chains
• Ability to evaluate and appraise emerging supply chain sustainability models and strategies
Prerequisites
No pre-requisites
Program
The course is structured into 3 main sections:
The first one includes the basic concepts of Supply Chain Management and its sub-functions. They will be described as follows and will occupy the first 6 hours of the course.
1. Basic concepts of Supply Chain Management
2. Description of the Procurement function in the private and public sector
3. Production and logistics in general principles
4. Indicators and metrics in Supply Chain Management
5. Applications and efficiency of SCM
The second part is dedicated to the themes of Sustainability in the Supply Chain, from an Ecological, Social and Economic point of view. The points of analysis are the following and will occupy approximately 18 hours of lessons.
1. Overview of sustainable supply chains, including an eco-design perspective
2. Green sourcing and supplier collaboration
3. The social aspect of SCM
4. The economic aspect of SCM
5. Sustainable global supply chains
The third part is related to the innovative aspects of sustainability that includes about 18 hours of lessons and describes the following points.
1. The impact of Innovation in SCM
2. Sustainability and Innovation in SCM
3. Technologies supporting SCM
4. Digital Supply Chain and economic benefits
5. Innovation as a driver for sustainability in SCM
The first one includes the basic concepts of Supply Chain Management and its sub-functions. They will be described as follows and will occupy the first 6 hours of the course.
1. Basic concepts of Supply Chain Management
2. Description of the Procurement function in the private and public sector
3. Production and logistics in general principles
4. Indicators and metrics in Supply Chain Management
5. Applications and efficiency of SCM
The second part is dedicated to the themes of Sustainability in the Supply Chain, from an Ecological, Social and Economic point of view. The points of analysis are the following and will occupy approximately 18 hours of lessons.
1. Overview of sustainable supply chains, including an eco-design perspective
2. Green sourcing and supplier collaboration
3. The social aspect of SCM
4. The economic aspect of SCM
5. Sustainable global supply chains
The third part is related to the innovative aspects of sustainability that includes about 18 hours of lessons and describes the following points.
1. The impact of Innovation in SCM
2. Sustainability and Innovation in SCM
3. Technologies supporting SCM
4. Digital Supply Chain and economic benefits
5. Innovation as a driver for sustainability in SCM
Books
Sarkis J. and Dou Y., Green Supply Chain, Routledge, 2018 as mandatory book
Bibliography
Opzional materials
• Several videos on the general topic of sustainability are available in the Virtual Academy of Sustainability developed by the University of Bremen and available at:
http://va-bne.de/
• Mena, C. (2014) Sustainable Procurement, in Mena, C., Van Hoek, R. and Christopher, M., Leading Procurement Strategy, pp. 171-196 (this book chapter provided by the lecturer)
• McKinsey and Co. (2011). Resource revolution: Meeting the worlds energy, ma-terials, foods, and water needs (available from: http://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability-and-resource-productivity/our-insights/resource-revolution)
• Guide Jr, V.D.R. and Van Wassenhove, L.N., 2002. The reverse supply chain. Harvard business review, 80(2), pp.25-26.
• Lovins, A.B., Lovins, L.H. and Hawken, P., 2007. A road map for natural capi-talism. Harvard Business Review, 85(7/8), 172-176.
• Lubin, D., & Esty, D. (2010). The sustainability imperative. Harvard Business Review, 8( 5), 43– 50.
• Nidumolu, R., Prahalad, C.K. and Rangaswami, M.R., 2009. Why sustainability is now the key driver of innovation. Harvard Business Review, 87(9), 56-64.
• Several videos on the general topic of sustainability are available in the Virtual Academy of Sustainability developed by the University of Bremen and available at:
http://va-bne.de/
• Mena, C. (2014) Sustainable Procurement, in Mena, C., Van Hoek, R. and Christopher, M., Leading Procurement Strategy, pp. 171-196 (this book chapter provided by the lecturer)
• McKinsey and Co. (2011). Resource revolution: Meeting the worlds energy, ma-terials, foods, and water needs (available from: http://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/sustainability-and-resource-productivity/our-insights/resource-revolution)
• Guide Jr, V.D.R. and Van Wassenhove, L.N., 2002. The reverse supply chain. Harvard business review, 80(2), pp.25-26.
• Lovins, A.B., Lovins, L.H. and Hawken, P., 2007. A road map for natural capi-talism. Harvard Business Review, 85(7/8), 172-176.
• Lubin, D., & Esty, D. (2010). The sustainability imperative. Harvard Business Review, 8( 5), 43– 50.
• Nidumolu, R., Prahalad, C.K. and Rangaswami, M.R., 2009. Why sustainability is now the key driver of innovation. Harvard Business Review, 87(9), 56-64.
Teaching methods
The delivery method includes various methods, including video-recorded lessons and also in web conferences, with a part of interactive teaching with the creation of active multimedia environments. Including the integrative delivery with e-tivity and participation in discussions; collaborative activities and case studies. The various online activities will guarantee the full quality of understanding.
Learning tests will be administered at the end of the course.
Learning tests will be administered at the end of the course.
Teaching methods
The course is delivered in a variety of ways, including asynchronous and synchronous online activities. Asynchronous online activities account for 80% of the course content. The course content is divided into teaching units.
For asynchronous online activities, platform-based activities are planned, including video-recorded lessons, with an interactive component involving the creation of active multimedia environments. This includes supplementary teaching with e-tivities and participation in discussions, collaborative activities, and case studies.
The synchronous online teaching component includes face-to-face lessons delivered on the MS Teams platform, including company testimonials.
The various online activities will ensure full understanding.
For asynchronous online activities, platform-based activities are planned, including video-recorded lessons, with an interactive component involving the creation of active multimedia environments. This includes supplementary teaching with e-tivities and participation in discussions, collaborative activities, and case studies.
The synchronous online teaching component includes face-to-face lessons delivered on the MS Teams platform, including company testimonials.
The various online activities will ensure full understanding.
Exam Rules
Student assessment is based on various assessment activities throughout the course, including asynchronous and synchronous online activities and a final oral exam.
ASSESSMENT OF ASYNCHRONOUS AND SYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITIES (50%)
Specifically, asynchronous and synchronous online assessment activities comprise 50% of the final exam grade. Specifically, learning assessment activities will be conducted as follows:
- On-platform monitoring activities, i.e., activities in asynchronous online discussion or collaboration environments (multiple-choice tests, forums, blogs, wikis, e-tivities, critical comments on topics covered, formative self-assessments, ongoing tests, and other activities)
- Discussion activities and contributions with questions and comments during synchronous exam activities, such as during company testimonials or other topics of interest.
- The level of participation and the validity of the student's actions will be considered for each activity. A proportional score will be calculated and added to the final exam grade.
- The score for this activity ranges from 1 to 15, representing 50% of the final exam grade. The instructor will assign grade points based on the activities completed and considering the level of participation and quality of the activities, as well as proactivity and dynamism.
ORAL EXAM (50%)
The second part of the exam is based on a purely oral exam, to be taken during the exam sessions scheduled at the end of the course and during the standard exam sessions. 50% of the student's assessment is based on an oral exam, the final exam of the course.
The oral exam lasts approximately 20 minutes and consists of three open-ended questions, one for each different section of the program, including the training activities of company testimonials.
The student must demonstrate an adequate understanding of the topics of Sustainable Supply Chain Management, from basic concepts to applications in the corporate world, and therefore the ability to combine theory and practice by referencing the case studies presented in class.
The exam score is assigned using a numerical grade, ranging from 1 to 5 for each question based on the quality of the answer, for a total of 15 points.
NOTES
Honors are awarded to deserving students who demonstrate particular originality and learning, for example, with critical statements and suggestions for problem-solving and improvements to company procedures. They are also awarded for participation in asynchronous online activities, which are a key part of the assessment.
Among the key aspects considered for passing the exam are:
- Clarity of responses to oral questions, including correct language and the ability to accurately identify the answer to the question.
- Ability to summarize responses and clarity of presentation.
A minimum score of 18 out of 30 points is required to pass the exam, which is awarded with a grade out of 30, plus honors.
ASSESSMENT OF ASYNCHRONOUS AND SYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITIES (50%)
Specifically, asynchronous and synchronous online assessment activities comprise 50% of the final exam grade. Specifically, learning assessment activities will be conducted as follows:
- On-platform monitoring activities, i.e., activities in asynchronous online discussion or collaboration environments (multiple-choice tests, forums, blogs, wikis, e-tivities, critical comments on topics covered, formative self-assessments, ongoing tests, and other activities)
- Discussion activities and contributions with questions and comments during synchronous exam activities, such as during company testimonials or other topics of interest.
- The level of participation and the validity of the student's actions will be considered for each activity. A proportional score will be calculated and added to the final exam grade.
- The score for this activity ranges from 1 to 15, representing 50% of the final exam grade. The instructor will assign grade points based on the activities completed and considering the level of participation and quality of the activities, as well as proactivity and dynamism.
ORAL EXAM (50%)
The second part of the exam is based on a purely oral exam, to be taken during the exam sessions scheduled at the end of the course and during the standard exam sessions. 50% of the student's assessment is based on an oral exam, the final exam of the course.
The oral exam lasts approximately 20 minutes and consists of three open-ended questions, one for each different section of the program, including the training activities of company testimonials.
The student must demonstrate an adequate understanding of the topics of Sustainable Supply Chain Management, from basic concepts to applications in the corporate world, and therefore the ability to combine theory and practice by referencing the case studies presented in class.
The exam score is assigned using a numerical grade, ranging from 1 to 5 for each question based on the quality of the answer, for a total of 15 points.
NOTES
Honors are awarded to deserving students who demonstrate particular originality and learning, for example, with critical statements and suggestions for problem-solving and improvements to company procedures. They are also awarded for participation in asynchronous online activities, which are a key part of the assessment.
Among the key aspects considered for passing the exam are:
- Clarity of responses to oral questions, including correct language and the ability to accurately identify the answer to the question.
- Ability to summarize responses and clarity of presentation.
A minimum score of 18 out of 30 points is required to pass the exam, which is awarded with a grade out of 30, plus honors.