Western Illinois University

College of Business and Technology

Global Logistics & E-Commerce: SCM-529

Spring 2004

Course Overview

There is a growing interest in the impact of supply management on organizational competitiveness. Logistics services represent a critical aspect of the supply chain for manufacturing, service, and nonprofit organizations. Decisions involving logistics can affect customer-service performance, financial investments in inventories, warehousing facilities, and transportation equipment. These decisions become more complex when one considers the global marketplace. The creation of zones of economic activity as with NAFTA, EU, APEC, and the easing of trade laws and tariff structures through WTO have helped to create a global marketplace. Today, it is common to see a company design a product in one country, manufacture it in another country, and sell it in other countries. While globalization promises enormous strategic benefits by coordinating operations located in different countries, it is imperative for managers to understand the process of moving inputs and outputs between countries in the global marketplace.

Taking the perspective of global logistics manager, the key question to ask throughout the course is: How can I ensure that logistics contributes effectively to organizational objectives and strategy and that organizational objectives and strategy properly reflect logistics inputs?

Course Objectives

My objective in this course is to add value to you. This benefit consists of the following capabilities that will allow you to improve the operating system:

C                      The ability to assess the legal, political, and technical environment in the global marketplace.

C                      The ability to assess the potential contribution of the global logistics functions to the corporate and business strategy of a company.

C                      The ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of global logistics service providers, logistics management organizations, policies, and practices.

C                      The ability to identify and analyze the major decisions and problems facing managers in this area and to apply the appropriate concepts, tools and techniques in their resolution.

Course Materials

C                      The Management of Business Logistics: A Supply Chain Perspective, by Coyle, Bardi, and Langley, 7th edition, published by South-Western/Thomson Learning.

C                      International Logistics, by Pierre David, 2004, published by Atomic Dog

C                      Cases will be used to provide real life application of the topics. You may be asked to do additional readings.

Grading:

Individual project and presentation:

Each student will work on a project of in an area that relates to the course objective. The topic will be decided in consultation with the instructor. These projects are designed to explore a specific area or facet of your work that relates to Global Logistics, but may not be covered in detail during the regular course. The class will benefit by learning from your knowledge, given your rich work-experience. You may use power points and/or video to communicate with the class. Please prepare for 7-10 minute presentation. This will be followed by questions and answers.

Group Case Assignment

Group assignment will consist of three cases that you will complete in groups of two to three students each. The written analysis of the case will be due at the beginning of the class period. The analysis should be typewritten. There is no page limit. However, in the past good case analyses have been typically 6-8 pages long (double space) and are accompanied with exhibits. How to approach a case will be discussed in the first class.

Each group will make a case-presentation once during the course. The date of your group-presentation will be made known to you in the first class. Please prepare for 12-15minute presentation using power points, which will be followed by questions.

Group Cross questioning

For each case discussed in class, two other groups will be assigned the task of preparing and cross-questioning the other group(s) that present the case. At least 7 questions need to be listed. A typewritten copy of these questions has to be submitted to me before the class.

Journal Entry

A two to three page (single space) detailed entry discussing the topic of the week that is substantiated by your personal experience. You can borrow the experience of your colleagues at workplace if your own work does not help substantiate the topic and/or rely on articles in magazines. The dates for journal entries are April 3, April, 17, and May 1.

Exam

The schedule contains one take home exam. The exam will have 3-4 essay questions. You will have three weeks to finish the exam. Exam will be due on May 1.

Class Participation and attendance

Class participation is evaluated on the individual's initiative of being the lead discussant, involvement in class discussions and the learning process. Your participation in class will provide the basis for my judgement of your normal level of day-to-day preparation. You should be prepared in each class (assigned text and cases) to participate voluntarily and when called upon. It is your responsibility to advise me and get assistance if you are unable to participate. Behavior that is considered as disrupting the class will be marked negatively. Regular attendance is essential. If you miss one class, or a substantial portion of any of the four Saturday sessions, you will not be able to successfully complete the course.

Grade A = total points 450 or higher

Grade B = total points between 400 to 449.9

Grade C = total points between 350 to 399.9

Grade D = total points between 300 to 349.9

Grade F = below 300

The book will be complemented by literature from other texts and articles that will be provided in the form of handouts and power-point notes. I will be happy to provide you with additional reading material, should you desire.

Case Presentation Schedule

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