The lecture is structured as follows:

• Introduction to Supply Chain Managementand Supply Chain Performance: Achieving Strategic Fit and Scope
• Supply Chain Drivers and Metrics
• Demand Forecasting in a Supply Chain
• Inverted Classroom: Introduction to Linear Programming (Please bring your laptops to class in this and the following 2 sessions)
• Aggregate Planning
• Sales &Operations Planning
• Beer Game and Coordination and IT
• Sourcing Decisions in SCM
• Digital Supply Chain, Smart Operations and Industry 4.0

After passing this course, students should be able to:

• Understand key principles of Supply Chain Management, including performance metrics, demand forecasting, sourcing decisions, and Industry 4.0, with a focus on global coordination across supply chains
• Use linear programming, aggregate planning, integer programming, and S&OP to optimize global SCM decisions considering cultural, economic, and geographical factors
• Work in intercultural teams on simulations and assignments, developing skills to navigate cultural differences, adapt communication styles, with emphasis on aligning team goals in global supply chain scenarios
• Understand how cultural, social, and political factors impact supply chain drivers, such as sourcing and performance metrics
• Critically engage with concepts of ethical sourcing, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability in a global supply chain context, reflecting on local vs. global practices and how they affect stakeholders from different cultures
• Engage in cross-cultural negotiations, decision-making and adapt to diverse communication styles

Attendance in the first lecture is mandatory for the participation in the course and SBWL. If an absence cannot be avoided inform the lecturer via email before class and provide some form of proof for the absence (e.g. medical confirmation) in the next session. In total, a minimum requirement for attendance of 80% is required to pass the course.

If the attendance falls below 80% for students receiving partial credit, students are graded with 5 (Nicht genügend). See further: Prüfungsordnung

Lectures, Case Studies, Inverted class room, Home work Assignments and In-Class Exercises

HW Assignments: 30%

Quizzes: 20%

Final Exam: 50 % 

Lectures start punctually. In case of in-class assignments, be aware that they are most likely to take place at the beginning of a lecture. If students are absent during the in-class assignments no make-up assignments are granted.

If a student misses the final exam, he or she can repeat the exam only if he or she provides sufficient proof of the necessity of the absence (illness, accident…). If the student misses a performance assessment worth less than 50% of the grade, (limited) opportunities to repeat the assessment can be provided optionally by the lecturers and in any case require sufficient proof for the necessity of the absence as well.

Cooperation with other students on homework assignments is encouraged. However, the final write-up must be done individually. ‘Duplicate’ homeworkwrite-ups are unacceptable and will receive a score of zero. (Any homework that is late will receive a score of zero.)

The final exam has to be passed with at least 40% of maximum points. (Passing the final exam is mandatory for positive evaluation of this course.)

All written text will be checked by WU's Turnitin system for the use of AI and for plagiarism, and points may be deducted.

Information for WU bachelor students (Not relevant for incoming students):

Administration to join SBWL SNS: ITL Homepage SBWl SNS

Additional questions per Email to sbwl-sns@wu.ac.at

Without exception, all SBWL Supply Networks and Services courses can only be attended after successful completion of the admission procedure. 

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

Lecturers: Office hours on demand and virtually, appointments via email

Tutor: via email