SCM

There is a growing interest in the impact of supply management on organizational competitiveness. The purchase of goods and services by most organizations represent a significant level of spending. For example, close to 60 percent of sales revenue goes to outside sources in the North American manufacturing sector. Even in the nonprofit and service organizations, 20-50 percent of the total budget is often spent in this area. It is obvious that in every organization there should be a serious concern over value received for these funds spent and how suppliers and supply management can contribute effectively to organizational goals and strategies.

In this course we cover areas that will strengthen your content knowledge to be a more effective negotiator. The four classes will typically cover: (1) quality issues, (2) social capital – where we will cover ethics and environmental issues, and (3) outsourcing and supplier evaluation, and (4) global negotiations.

My objective in this course is to add value to you. This added value consists of the following capabilities that you would apply to improving the operating system:

C The ability to assess the quality philosophy as it applies in the purchasing department. And to familiarize with the mathematics of quality control and inspection. And to understand what constitutes a best buy?

C The ability to assess and incorporate environmental issues in your purchasing activities. And to assess how environmental issues impact the quality of the product.

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 any of the topics, 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 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.

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 9, April, 23, and May 7.

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 7.

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.

Dates	Topic	Readings
March 26	Quality issues in purchasing	handouts
April 9	Social capital – ethics, environment, and minority suppliers	handouts
April 23	Understanding and Managing the Outsourcing needs of an Organization & Supplier Evaluation	handouts
May 7	Global negotiations	handouts

Date	Case Due	Groups Presenting the Case	Group Cross Questioning on the case
April 9	TBA	1 and 6	2 and 3
April 23	TBA	2 and 5	1 and 4
May 7	TBA	3 and 4	5 and 6

Project and Presentation	90 + 10 points
3 Group case analysis & presentation	90 + 10 points
Group cross questioning	10
3 Journal entries	90
Exam	150
Class participation and attendance	50
Total	500 points