CORE COURSES
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Background
Trade liberalisation, globalisation and the new international division of labour pose new
challenges on the manufacturing process. Global production and sourcing necessitates the
integration of manufacturing with advanced marketing strategies and logistics support.
This is facilitated by the advances in communications and information technologies that
have been real catalysts in logistics control and inventory management, as well as in the
more efficient and effective management of the distribution process. Awareness of the
value of time has led to advanced Just-in-Time inventory control, and flexible
manufacturing systems. In addition, the widespread dissemination of information to
consumers is influencing their price/quality decisions, leading to enhanced emphasis on
Total Quality Management. These developments pose significant challenges on transportation
systems: decisions on the sourcing of inputs, manufacturing, assembly, packaging and
warehousing now assume a global perspective, and transport systems play an important part
in linking all this together. This is done in such a way as to optimise total operations,
minimise costs and prices and lead to increased consumer welfare and growth.
Objectives
This course offers students a thorough understanding of the complexities of international
transport logistics as well as of the Decision Support Systems (DSS) required to
optimize it. DSS are introduced and some successful applications of DSS
related to planning, vessel routing, warehousing and product distribution are taught. The basic
philosophy of this course is rooted in the belief that in an era of intensified
competition, global production and outsourcing, managers and policy makers with an
in-depth understanding of the complex transport-distribution networks are definitely in
possession of a strong competitive advantage. Such an understanding becomes essential for
effective management, given that transport is no longer an activity outside the domain and
control of the manager, but an integral part of company strategy and a critical factor for
export / import performance.
Recommended Reading
Coyle, J.J., E.J. Bardi & C.J. Langley (1996), The Management of
Business Logistics, Minneapolis: West, 6th ed
Peters, H. (1989), Seatrade, Logistics and Transport, Policy and
Research Series nr. 6, Washington: Worldbank
ECMT (1997), New trends in Logistics in Europe, ECMT Round Table 104,
Paris: OECD
Benson, D., R. Bugg & G. Whitehead (1994), Transport &
logistics, New York: Woodhead-Faulkner
