MGMT S-5033 Course Syllabus (Draft)

Supply Chain Management

Summer 2015

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Zal Phiroz, MBA

zphiroz@fas.harvard.edu
647-393-1014

* Please note that this is a Draft syllabus and is subject to change.

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.
Proposed Class Schedule, Topics, Required Readings

Class Date Topic(s), Areas of Focus, Questions of Importance Readings / Assignments

1 Jul 13 / 15 Course information and introduction, the role of Course Outline, Instructor
Supply Chain management within organizations. Bio, Course Syllabus

“What is a Supply Chain?” Paragraph Assignment

“What is supply and demand?”
Chapter readings (1)

2 Jul 14 / 15 The nature of firms, evolution of Supply Chain Case study document
management. Supply Chain drivers and metrics (XBOX)

“How has technology influenced Supply Chains?” Chapter readings (3)

Case Discussion (VW Phaeton) Example Case Write-up

3 Jul 15 / 15 The role of Supply Chain management within fortune Chapter reading (5)
500 companies. Responses to growing economies.
Project Document
Case Discussion (XBOX)

Project Discussion

4 Jul 16 / 15 Design and development of a Supply Chain network. Guest profile and bio

“What must be considered when designing a Supply

Chain (domestic vs. global)?” Chapter reading (6)

Guest Speaker

5 Jul 20 / 15 Measuring and analyzing the value and efficiency of

a domestic and global Supply Chains network. Chapter Reading (7)

Case Discussion (Wal-Mart) Mid-Term Exam Case

(Wal-Mart)

6 Jul 21 / 15 Planning for supply and demand within a Supply Case Study Due (XBOX)
Chain.

“How is demand forecasted?” Chapter Reading (7 Cont’d)

Case Discussion (Wal-Mart)

7 Jul 22 / 15 Pricing and revenue management in a Supply Chain. Guest profile and bio
Understanding managerial levers, hidden costs, and
the impact of promotions and discounts. Case study document
(Crocs)
“How are pricing decisions made on all levels of the
Supply Chain?”
8 Jul 23 / 15 Economic effect of supply chains within corporate Chapter Reading (10)
America.
Case study document
Case Discussion (Crocs) (BMW)

Guest Speaker

9 Jul 27 / 15 Barriers of overall Supply Chains. Coordination Chapter Reading (10

within a Supply Chain. Cont’d)

Case Discussion (BMW) Mid-Term Due (Wal-Mart)

“Effect of forecasting, replenishment, management?” Reading discussion

10 Jul 28 / 15 Major barriers faced by Supply Chain networks in Case Study Due (Crocs)
North America. Ensuring Sustainability.
Chapter Reading (11)
“What is required to maintain Supply Chain
Sustainability?” Chapter Reading (9)

11 Jul 29 / 15 Managing variability within a Supply Chain network.

Chapter Reading (17)
“How does a Supply Chain adjust for change?”

12 Jul 30 / 15 Trends in the market, growth opportunities and areas Case Study Due (BMW)
which will gain focus.
Chapter Reading (18)
“Information Technology in Supply Chain
Management. What’s next?”

12 Jul 30 / 15
Final Exam (Individual Project) Due
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. BMW Of North America: Dream It. Build It. Drive It.
3. Crocs: Revolutionizing an Industry’s Supply Chain Model for Competitive Advantage
4. 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 25%

Case Study Assignments (3 * 10%) 30%
Mid Term Exam (Take-Home) 15%
Final Exam Project 30%
100%

Academic Honesty and Submission Policies

All students, including those in study abroad programs, are responsible for knowing and
adhering to Harvard Summer School policies and procedures
(http://www.summer.harvard.edu/exams-grades-policies/student-responsibilities#integ and
available in the 2015 Student Handbook).
Plagiarism is the theft of someone else’s ideas and work. It is the incorporation of facts, ideas, or
specific language that are not common knowledge, are taken from another source, and are not
properly cited.

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 requirements—whether a draft or a final version of a paper, project, take-home exam,
computer program, placement exams, application essay, oral presentation, or other work—you
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.

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