Learning objectives

The course provides a consistent knowledge of the activities and processes of logistics concerning the following operations: supply management, inventory and warehouse management, production planning and demand planning, distribution and service to the customer. The course also aims to deepen the tools that allow to achieve customer satisfaction, from a business to business and business to consumer perspective, integrating the activities of planning, implementation and control of logistics with the efficient and effective management of customer service . At the end of the course the student has to show to have acquired the following skills:
- knowledge of the main characteristics of the following topics: Logistics management, warehousing and inventory management; global customer service and LSA (Logistics and Service Agreements); demand planning; supply chain strategy (lean-agile); transportation management; e-commerce, distribution management and retail
- ability to understand and develop outsourcing and process optimization solutions.
- ability to develop solutions aimed at customer satisfaction (BtB and BtC)
- ability to integrate planning and organization activities in the logistics sector

Prerequisites and basic notions

The course has no prerequisites. It aims to allow the student to acquire adequate knowledge of the activities and processes inherent to logistics related to operations: procurement management, inventory and warehouse management, production planning and demand planning, distribution and customer service. . The course also aims to deepen the tools that allow you to achieve customer satisfaction, from a business to business and business to consumer perspective, integrating the planning, implementation and control of logistics with the efficient and effective management of customer service.

Program

The course will describe the main data science’s approaches and tools on the key themes of logistics management, operations management and supply chain management, in particular:

Logistics management
Supply chain management and network design
Warehousing and inventory management
Demand planning and management
Production strategy
Transportation management and optimization
Distribution management and retail management
Outsourcing and process optimization
Global customer service and LSA (Logistics and Service Agreements);
Service and E-commerce

An assignment is finally proposed to students as additional work during the course, that will offer extra points for the exam.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The Course is structured in lessons (using slides), working groups and case studies. A lecturer, prof. Trilce Encarnation, from the UMSL (USA) will participate in the course. She will offer her lessons in streaming, that can be attended either from home or in-class. Managers from companies will provide their practical insights on the key themes of the course.

Learning assessment procedures

The final exam is written and includes theoretical open questions and multiple-choice questions.
The student will study on the slides and materials provided by the professors. The reference book is: Christopher Martin, "Logistics and Supply Chain Management", 5th ed., Pearson.

Evaluation criteria

The assessment is based on the verification of: 1) the knowledge of the theoretical topics addressed during the lessons and of the texts under study; 2) the ability to apply theoretical concepts to the practical cases studied.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade is based on the sum of the final exam grade and the evaluation of an (opitional) project work, which will be assigned during the course.
The project work consists of the development of a business case and adds a maximum of 3 points to the final grade.

Exam language

inglese