Learning objectives

The objective of this course is to provide first-year Ph.D. students with a structured and critical
overview of current trends in supply chain management research. The module emphasizes conceptual
clarity, theoretical contribution, and methodological rigor by engaging students with recent academic
work published in top-tier journals.
Class 1 will focus on introducing fundamental new trends and approaches to supply chain
management, offering an overview spanning across selected papers published in top-tier supply chain
management journals (JBL, JSCM, JOM, IJPDLM, IJLM). In Class 2 a particular focus will regard
the role consumers have today in the academic debate and from a managerial point of view. Ad hoc
attention will be paid to how a literature review paper has been conducted on this topic by illustrating
the key steps of a review process. In Class 3 the topic of innovation in logistics & supply chain
management will be deepened and discussed to provide an in-depth understanding of how innovation
can revolutionize supply chain management practices and foster competitive advantage

Program

Class 1 (2h)
An overview of trending topics in Supply Chain Management
Class 2 (2h)
Role of consumers in the supply chain- a rievew process example
Class 3 (4h)
Innovation management in supply chains

Didactic methods

This course is designed to allow the students to have an overview of some up-to-date research topics and complement in this way their specific domain of research for supply chain disciplines. At the end of the three classes, students will be able to identify and select some of the key dimensions characterizing supply chain evolution as a discipline. For class 1: general trends; for class 2:
consumers’ role in the supply chain; for class 3: innovation within the supply chain.

Learning assessment procedures

Grade Components:
1. Class Preparation, Participation, (50%)
2. Contribution and Discussion (50%)
3. Assignment, Research Paper & Presentation (0%)

Assessment

Grading Scale:
A. Excellent
B. Very good
C. Good
D. Sufficient
In-Class Procedures:
Open discussion, presentations, and critical analysis of selected recent papers from:
• Journal of Business Logistics (JBL)
• Journal of Supply Chain Management (JSCM)
• Journal of Operations Management (JOM)
• International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management (IJPDLM)
• International Journal of Logistics Management (IJLM)

Scheduled Lessons