Managerial Perspectives and Supply Chain Management D 30 credits

About the course

The course highlights key issues for understanding and dealing with the challenges facing contemporary organizations in a globalized world. It integrates profound theoretical insights with practical applications. The course ends with a module focusing on Supply Chain Management. 

Common expected learning outcome:

• communicate central concepts for the course in English, both orally and in writing (applies for module 1-3)

The core course consists of four modules, which will be further described below:
Module 1. Perspectives on Strategy, 7.5 credits
Module 2. People - the Human Side of Organizing , 7.5 credits
Module 3. Project Management, 7.5 credits
Module 4. Supply Chain Management II, 7.5 credits

The core course consists of four modules, which will be further described below:

Module 1. Perspectives on Strategy, 7.5 credits
This module highlights key challenges facing contemporary organizations in a globalized world. The students will gain an interdisciplinary understanding of the business context and the intertwined nature of its events and processes. Alternative theoretical perspectives on strategy will be presented to provide a comprehensive platform for strategic decision making in the forthcoming core modules. Students will practice strategic thinking from both an internal and external perspective. The module  integrates theoretical insights with practical applications in a learning environment characterized by active participation, both individually and in groups.  Students will also practice making strategic analyses, identifying options, and recommending appropriate solutions that are both rooted in theory and actionable. During the module, students will also be introduced to methods of working in international teams and the code of academic conduct, e.g. referencing, or how to avoid plagiarism and cheating.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• describe and analyze the foundations of strategy and strategic perspectives,
• propose solutions to cope with internal and external strategic challenges and complexities,
• propose appropriate strategies to meet key dilemmas concerning for example innovation, products, process, organization, marketing and business models,
• critically reflect upon the consequences of strategic choices and assess the need for developing the organizational capabilities and  knowledge base,
• understand and be able to apply an academic approach to avoid plagiarism in academic work.

Focus of instruction
In addition to lectures and guest lectures, the learning is supported by cases and seminars. The module requires significant amount of independent study. This means reading the assigned compulsory book chapters and articles. The module also requires a significant amount of group work. Case studies are carried out in groups with a written case report and an oral presentation. The group work is introduced with activities supporting the students in effectively working in groups characterized by equality, diversity and multiculturalism.
Students are also introduced to academic conduct, for example how cheating and plagiarism can be avoided and referencing techniques. 
 
Module examination modes
The examination consists of written group assignments, a written individual hall exam, and an individual computer based examination  on plagiarism and referencing. Attendance at seminars is mandatory and is thus a requirement to pass the module. A passing grade for each examined part of the module is required to pass. Note as well examination modes below for the course as a whole.

Module 2. People - the Human Side of Organizing, 7.5 creditsIn the second module, focus is turned to the human side of organizations, with the objective to show the importance of considering individual perceptions and identity construction, as well as group interaction, in order to effectively manage and lead an organization. Additionally, the module will address a variety of themes on human side complexities that may also contribute to shape organizational processes.

Expected learning outcomes

• explain how organizational processes emerge in human interaction through from a social identity perspective,
• critically reflect upon issues of commitment, collaboration, group dynamics, leadership, etc. from the social identity point of view,
• utilize the social identity framework to analyze and solve human problems in organizational contexts,
• critically scrutinize alternative themes relating to current concerns regarding human side complexities in organizational processes and apply one of these themes on a real-life organizational practice,
• integrate social identity theory and assigned theme on human side complexities to critically examine organizational processes and develop solutions to related problems.

Focus of instruction
The learning is supported by lectures, seminars, individual- and group assignments. 

Module examination modes
The examination consists of active participation in seminars and successful completion of written group assignments and written individual assignments, and a written individual hall exam. A passing grade is required for each part of the module. Note as well examination modes below for the course as a whole.

Module 3. Project Management, 7,5 credits
The third module is associated with the current trend "projectification" of business and public organizations who increasingly rely on projects in their operations. The overall aim of the module is to provide an understanding of the challenges of working in and with projects. To fulfill the aim, the module takes its point of departure in methods and processes traditionally associated with project management, but the focus of instruction is behavioral consequences of temporality (e.g. leadership, team dynamics, organizational routines). The first part of the module aims to create a common basis for understanding what a project is, and the practice in terms of a selection of common methods for planning and control of the single project. Some attention is given to the project within the surrounding organization. In the second part of the module we use the insights from the first part to thoroughly explore the consequences of working in and with projects. The aim is to prepare the student for working with projects by addressing common challenges related to human behavior in temporary settings.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• explain and discuss the nature of projects within the context of organisations
• explain and apply a selection of commonly used tools and methods for project management
• analyze and discuss challenges and opportunities associated with working in a temporary setting, from an individual and organizational point of view

Focus of instructions
Learning in the first part of the module is supported by lectures. This part of the module is partly assessed in the final exam, and a group assignment. Learning in the second part, that relates to behavioral consequences of working in temporary settings, is provided by lectures, literature seminar(s) and workshop(s). This part of the module is assessed by individually written short reflective memos on the literature, active participation in literature seminars and workshops and the final exam. The group assignment consists of applying traditional project management methodologies to the planning of a project of the student´s choice. The project will address a current challenge in society and should have the potential to make a significant impact.

Module examination modes
The examination consists of seminars, group and individual assignments and an individual written hall exam. A passing grade is required for each assignment.

Module 4. Supply Chain Management II, 7.5 credits
Supply chain management has evolved from an operational issue, focusing on the optimization of an organization's incoming goods, to a strategic issue of understanding effects of logistical systems on the overall supply chain. This supply chain typically encompasses multiple organizations interlinked locally, regionally and globally. Supply chain management II is an advanced course on supply chain issues with considerations not only for the immediate organization, but also for the overall industrial network, society in general and the environment. This means that sustainable development is of high importance in the course. In this context, climate change and transportation are given particular attention and are related to global, national and local circumstances and commitments. Among other important areas treated in the course are reverse logistics and outsourcing  In reverse logistics, organizations need to cater for not only products produced but also incorporate waste management. In outsourcing, organizations has a direct and indirect moral and contractual obligation to handle the environmental footprint and labor rights issues created by the overall supply chain.

Expected learning outcomes
After completing this module, the student should be able to:

• demonstrate analytical and integrative skills on issues of the efficiency and effectiveness, of supply chain networks using different theoretical and value perspectives
• apply acquired knowledge to enable strategic decision-making based on supply chain considerations, including stakeholder dialogue
• analyze the impact of challenges in supply chain management networks, including resource constraints, environmental risks and labor rights
• analyze the increased role of reverse logistics and outsourcing on supply chain management
• demonstrate skills in the evaluation of the need for adaptation within retail and logistics due to climate change
• demonstrate skills in working with and presenting advanced and integrative real-world supply chain problems in organizations.

Focus of instruction:
The learning is supported by case-studies. Students will work with one large case where conventional issues of supply chain management, such as localization, transportation, cost efficiency, customer orientation and optimization, will be at the core together with issues of environmental sustainability and global responsibility. Students' basic understanding in supply chain management will now extend to a strategic level. In essence, students will work on a scientifically based evaluation report where they are to use their own prior knowledge of the subject matter together with contemporary research in the field of supply change management with a distinct environmental perspective.

Module examination modes
The examination consists of a project assignment, an individual written examination and seminar participation. A larger case will be used throughout the course where each student will fulfil a specific assignment within the overall case structure. A passing grade is required for each part of the module.