Study Guide

Objective

Students
- are able to understand and describe the value chain and its importance for the company's efficiency
- understand the role of logistics as a competitive advantage - the value of good logistical systems.

In addition, the student should be able to:
-Evaluate their own work and that of others
-Critically study and give feedback to report works
-Crictically evaluate different technical methods
-Account for and discuss opinions
-Argument and reason around technical questions

Content

Routing methods, location selection
The MIT Beer Game
Efficient warehousing
Transport simulations
Tracking-technology, future technology

Location and time

Time: See course calendar (in Peppi) for course schedule
Place: Novia-Vasa-Engineering or online (Moodle)

Materials

We do not actually use a textbook, instead we use resources from here and from there - but if you learn the best by reading a proper book from A to Z, I recommend:
Krajewski, Lee J.; Malhotra, Manoj K.; Ritzman, Larry P. (2019). Operations Management: Processes and Supply Chains. Pearson. Twelfth edition. ISBN: 978-1-292-25993-2
Murphy, Paul Regis; Knemeyer, Michael A. (2015). Contemporary Logistics. Pearson. 11th ed. ISBN: 978-1-292-00484-6

Teaching methods

Project-based learning, lectures, exercises, feedback-sessions and self-studies.

Employer connections

One excursion or guest lecture during the course.

Exam schedules

By performing weekly project works and by participating in feedback sessions (with discussion) or self-development activities and excursion or guest lecture you collect points that lead to the final grade.
The first return box closes automatically the evening before the week's lecture. The report submitted here is assessed and scored within one week. The second submission box will remain open until the course starts again next year (if you have no grade by then you start again from zero points). These "late" submissions are graded within one month.
Course grade within one week after the last project, or within one month after the last submission.

Completion alternatives

Can be completed without attendance in class - you can do the projects on your own and can perform self-development activities instead of participating in feedback sessions (see more about these in Moodle).

Student workload

The student is expected to spend a total of 10 hours of work per week on the course in order to reach the European goals of 25-30 hours of work per credits obtained. 3 hours of local education (or equivalent amount of time spent on studying online material and doing self-development activities) and 7 hours of work on own time.

Content scheduling

Week Project
1 Supply Chain Management
2 Location Problems
3 Routing Problems
4 Transport Simulation
5 Costs of Transport vs. Warehousing
6 The Beer Game
7 Tracking Technology
8 Internet Logistics
9 Green Logistics and Return Logistics
10 AI in Supply Chain Management
11 Excursion/Guest Lecture (can be held at other time)
12 Conclusion

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Knows many of the core concepts of the area
Knows the connection between inventory, tied capital and profitability
On request, can analyze an existing supply chain, supplier selection or storage selection
Knows the importance of logistics and supply chain in the manufacturing process.
Can participate in a discussion about logistics and supply chains

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Can understand texts that deal with the current theme
Understands how the distribution and storage processes affect profitability and cash flow
Can independently analyze and improve a premade plan
Can make a plan for developing logistics and supply chains
Can hold a presentation about logistics and delivery chains

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Can take advantage of versatile literature on logistics and inventory management
Can propose improvements in the supply chain that can affect the company's profitability and cash flow
Can evaluate and propose improvements for a plan
Can argue for and against different strategies and models for logistics and supply chain
Can describe and explain the role and influence of logistics and delivery chains to third parties

Assessment methods and criteria

By performing project works and by participating in feedback sessions (with discussion) or self-development activities and excursion or guest lecture you collect points that lead to the final grade.
For participation in project work, the following points are awarded:
Failed = 0p (The work is obviously deficient, parts are left unfinished)
Accepted = 1p (A good work)
Excellent = 2p (Demands that you show significant initiative, creativity, enthusiasm)
For participation in a feedback-session (constructive, detailed feedback) = 1p
For completion of a self-development activity (serious, analytical) = 1p
For active participation in an excursion/guest lecture (discussing, writing) = 1p
Points Results
24->31 = 5
22->23 = 4
20->21 = 3
17->19 = 2
15->16 = 1

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Insufficient knowledge and/or course effort to achieve a grade of 1

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Knows many of the core concepts of the area
Knows the connection between inventory, tied capital and profitability
On request, can analyze an existing supply chain, supplier selection or storage selection
Knows the importance of logistics and supply chain in the manufacturing process.
Can participate in a discussion about logistics and supply chains

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Can understand texts that deal with the current theme
Understands how the distribution and storage processes affect profitability and cash flow
Can independently analyze and improve a premade plan
Can make a plan for developing logistics and supply chains
Can hold a presentation about logistics and delivery chains

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Can take advantage of versatile literature on logistics and inventory management
Can propose improvements in the supply chain that can affect the company's profitability and cash flow
Can evaluate and propose improvements for a plan
Can argue for and against different strategies and models for logistics and supply chain
Can describe and explain the role and influence of logistics and delivery chains to third parties

Qualifications

Logistics and ERP