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Faculty of Social Sciences, Economics, and Business Administration

Chair of Supply Chain Management

  1.  University of bamberg
  2. Faculties
  3. Social Sciences, Economics and Business Administration
  4. Subjects and Institutes
  5. Business Administration
  6. Chairs
  7. Chair of Supply Chain Management
  8. Studies
  9. Bachelor
  10. Introduction to Supply Chain Management

Introduction to Supply Chain Management (SCM-B-03)

Type: lecture
Type of examination: written exam, 60 min.
ECTS: 6
Cycle: winter term

Lecturer

Prof. Dr. Alexander Pflaum

Requirements

none

Content

The module Introduction to Supply Chain Management (SCM I) is designed as an introductory course. The background to this is the increasing importance of supply chain management in an economic world characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. Students will learn to understand key SCM strategies and the importance of data for increasing efficiency, diversification, agility, resilience and sustainability. However, they should also be able to recognize and justify the limitations of models, methods and solutions previously available for SCM and the need for a paradigm shift in SCM thinking. The module also looks at SCM against the background of relevant business management theories such as network, transaction cost and principal-agent theory. The module lays the foundations for further courses offered by the chair on the use of modern information and communication technologies in SCM and logistics and on the design of innovative services in this area. Building on the knowledge acquired in SCM I, the SCM II module (from summer semester 2025) looks at the transformation of traditional pipeline-like supply chains into circular structures in the sense of a circular economy and the digital technologies and solutions required for this.

Essential topics comprise:

  • Introduction to the topic of "Supply Chain Management"
  • Historical development: Interpretations, strategies, methods and tools of SCM along the timeline
  • Relevant basic strategies of SCM: "Lean" and "Agile" as central and complementary concepts
  • Lean SCM: Reduction of inventories and waste in the focus of management
  • Agile SCM: Management focus on adapting supply chains to changing conditions
  • The role of logistics service providers within global supply chains
  • Nothing works without data: software support for supply chain management
  • Industry 4.0 and SCM 4.0: The impact of digitalization on supply chain management to date
  • Supply chain risk management: Dealing with unexpected events in a VUCA world
  • Supply chain management and sustainability: from "ethical and sustainable sourcing" to "circular economy"
  • General considerations on the theoretical foundation of supply chain management
  • The need for a paradigm shift in supply chain management: "The Supply Chain of the Future"
  • The practical perspective: thoughts on the future of SCM from the perspective of the manufacturing industry

Note

This information is indicative only and subject to change.

Legally binding information on legal aspects of examinations is only provided by the Examination Board.