This course deals with the topic of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM). Students will gain a deeper understanding of the tensions between economic rationales and environmental/social standards that underly outsourcing decisions. During the course, students will learn about different approaches that are currently in use to manage sustainability in global supply chains, and critically reflect on their effectiveness.

Topics (Session 1-5)

• Understanding sustainability risks in supply chains
• Sustainability standards and audits
• The role of collaboration for SSCM
• The role of purchasing in SSCM
• Sustainability in multi-tier supply chains

Session 6
Presentations case study 
 

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to reflect upon basic and advanced concepts of sustainability and their implementation and application in supply chain theory and practice. At the end of the course, students will be able to compare and critically assess these different approaches in terms of their effectiveness to ensure that supply chains conform with environmental and social standards. Finally, they independently prepare presentations on special topics related sustainable supply chains and thus gain the ability to argue, discuss and defend their work in front of others.

Please note that your attendance at this course must be at least 80%. This course is not offered in hybrid mode.

This course has the character of a seminar. Students have to prepare scientific articles beforehand and the contents of these articles are presented and discussed in class. Students will work on a case assignment in groups and present the results in the final session. 

The course is taught in a blended but not hybrid format - video lectures are made available before each session and have to be watched as a preparation for class. 

There are in total six classroom sessions on defined contents. The final grade is composed of the following:

• 40% In-class repetitions (4 x 10%)
• Case assignment (presentation and written report, 40%)
• Paper presentation and discussion (20%)

Grading scale:

• Excellent (1): 90% and above
• Good (2): 80% and above
• Satisfactory (3): 70% and above
• Sufficient (4): 60% and above
• Fail (5): < 60.0%

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