E-Business Supply Chain Management

Optional Module – Route A

10 credits

This module examines supply networks as extended operations that deliver products and services, drawing on concepts from operations management and from other disciplines. The emphasis is very much upon inter-organisational networks, rather than those between organisations and consumers. The central theme of the module is that e-business practices and technologies and supply network concepts and practices are inextricably linked: each facilitates the other.

On successful completion of the module students should be able to realise the following learning outcomes:

• understand and critically evaluate the key principles of supply chain management

• explain and evaluate the inter-relationship between ICT and supply chain management practices and strategies

• identify, and propose solutions to, supply network management problems in specific cases

The following topics will be explored:

Introduction to Supply Chain Management: Organisations, Chains, Networks

Processes, Service and Performance Objectives

Characteristics of Demand and Supply

Capacity and Inventory in Supply Networks

Capabilities in Supply Networks

Outsourcing and Service Providers

Inter-organisational Relationships

ICT and Network Embeddedness

ICT from the inside out – MRP, ERP, SEMS

ICT between organisations – E-Procurement, CRM

Emerging Issues in SCM.

Select bibliography:

Saunders, M. (1997) Strategic Purchasing and Supply-Chain Management, London, Pitman
Gadde, L-E and Håkansson, H. (2001), Supply Network Strategies, London, Wiley
Slack, N. and Lewis, M.(2002), Operations Strategy, Harlow, FT Prentice-Hall
Christopher, M. (1998), Logistics and Supply Chain Management, London, FT/Pitman
Timmer, P (2000) Electronic Commerce: Strategies and Models for Business-to-Business Trading, Chichester, Wiley
Weill, P. and Vitale, M.R. (2001) Place to Space: Migrating to eBusiness Models, Boston, HBS Press
Poirier, C. and Bauer, M. (2001) Using the Internet to Revolutionize your Business, Berrett-Kohler

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