Introduction to Course

There is a great deal of confusion regarding exactly what supply chain management (SCM) involves. In fact, most people using the name supply chain management treat it as a synonym for logistics or as logistics that includes customers and suppliers. However, successful SCM requires crossfunctional integration of key business processes within the firm and across the network of firms that comprise the supply chain. The challenge is to determine how to successfully accomplish this integration. The distinction between logistics and supply chain management is identified and a framework for SCM is presented. A class session will be devoted to each of the eight supply chain processes as well as to topics such as: the management components of supply chain management; electronically linking the supply chain; integrating supply chain strategy to corporate strategy; supply chain mapping; supply chain metrics; developing and implementing partnerships in the supply chain; and, implementing supply chain management