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Dr Mehrdokht Pournader

Businesses and their supply chains are facing increasing competition and uncertainty in what is now a truly globalised trade environment. To remain competitive, organisations need to think globally – ensuring supply chains meet customer demands while minimising costs and maximising responsiveness. From a strategic perspective, this involves making important trade-off decisions between cost, quality and flexibility of supply chains. Via structured learning activities (video lectures, quizzes, discussion prompts and written assessments) this course will equip you with the future-focused capabilities needed to design and manage effective, sustainable and efficient global supply chains of tomorrow.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Strategic supply chain management in global markets
Welcome to week 1 of Be global! This week you will start the discussion of global supply chains and supply chain management. You will examine a number of global supply chains and their components. You will explore global supply chains from various perspectives including their main product/service offerings and how it would affect the nature of supply chains and their characteristics. And you will investigate strategic fit in supply chains and the ways to ensure your supply chain strategies are well aligned with your operational capabilities and global market requirements. So are you ready to start this week?
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops skills in global supply chain design and management, which are highly relevant in industry
Taught by Dr. Mehrdokht Pournader, who is recognized for their work in global supply chain management
Examines global supply chain network design, which is a highly relevant topic for businesses seeking to expand globally
Builds a strong foundation for beginners in global supply chain management
Teaches principles of global supply chain network design, which are core skills for supply chain managers
Requires students to come in with some background knowledge of supply chain management

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Reviews summary

Strategic global supply chain management overview

According to learners, this course provides a strong strategic overview of global supply chains, focusing on key areas like logistics, sourcing, risks, and sustainability. Many found the content relevant and the video lectures clear, supported by helpful case studies that illustrate real-world applications. While highly recommended for understanding the big picture and building a solid foundation, a few reviewers noted it could be too theoretical and lacked practical depth for those seeking detailed implementation knowledge, feeling high-level at times. Overall sentiment is largely positive, particularly among recent reviews.
Lectures are clear and cases helpful.
"The video lectures were clear and the concepts were explained well."
"The case studies were particularly helpful in illustrating real-world applications."
"I appreciated the case examples used throughout the lectures."
Covers important, timely topics like risk.
"The content is relevant, although some modules could go into a little more depth."
"I found the section on risks and sustainability very timely and insightful."
"The content is very relevant to current business challenges."
"The risk management section was very important."
Excellent overview of global supply chains.
"This course provided an excellent strategic overview of global supply chains."
"Excellent overview for strategic thinking in global SCM."
"Provides a good strategic perspective on global supply chains. Useful for understanding the big picture."
Some topics covered too briefly.
"...some modules could go into a little more depth."
"...I found the coverage of disruptive technologies very brief and not detailed enough."
"Could be improved with more current examples and deeper dives."
More theoretical than practical for some.
"The course is okay, it covers the basics but feels a bit high-level at times."
"I was hoping for more practical examples or tools..."
"Disappointed. The course lacked practical depth. It was too theoretical for me."
"Not suitable for people already working in SCM."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Supply chain management: Be global with these activities:
Watch online tutorials on supply chain management
Enhance your understanding of supply chain concepts by watching online tutorials and videos.
Browse courses on Supply Chain Management
Show steps
  • Search for online tutorials on supply chain management topics.
  • Watch the tutorials and take notes on the key concepts.
  • Review the tutorials regularly to reinforce your learning.
Review 'Designing Effective Supply Chains'
Review the fundamentals of supply chain management, including supply chain design, logistics, and operations management, to prepare for the course.
Show steps
  • Read the first two chapters of the book, focusing on the concepts of supply chain management and its importance.
  • Identify the key principles of supply chain design, including network design, inventory management, and transportation management.
  • Review the different types of logistics activities, such as warehousing, transportation, and inventory management.
Connect with supply chain professionals on LinkedIn
Expand your professional network and learn from other supply chain professionals.
Browse courses on Supply Chain Management
Show steps
  • Create a LinkedIn profile and optimize it for supply chain management.
  • Join supply chain management groups on LinkedIn.
  • Connect with supply chain professionals and engage in discussions.
Six other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all nine activities
Attend a supply chain management workshop
Network with professionals and learn about the latest trends and best practices in supply chain management.
Browse courses on Supply Chain Management
Show steps
  • Find a supply chain management workshop in your area.
  • Register for the workshop and attend all sessions.
  • Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Discuss global supply chain challenges with peers
Engage in group discussions with fellow students to explore different perspectives on global supply chain challenges and develop a deeper understanding of the topic.
Show steps
  • Join a study group or online forum dedicated to supply chain management.
  • Participate in discussions, share insights, and ask questions related to global supply chain challenges.
Solve case studies on supply chain management
Apply your understanding of supply chain management principles to real-world scenarios by solving case studies.
Browse courses on Supply Chain Management
Show steps
  • Identify the key issues and challenges in each case study.
  • Analyze the data provided in the case study and identify potential solutions.
  • Develop recommendations for improving the supply chain performance.
Form a study group with other students in the course
Collaborate with peers to discuss course materials, solve problems, and learn from each other.
Browse courses on Supply Chain Management
Show steps
  • Identify other students in the course who are interested in forming a study group.
  • Schedule regular meetings to discuss course materials.
  • Work together to solve problems and prepare for assessments.
Create a supply chain simulation
Create a simulation model of a supply chain to test different strategies and understand the impact on performance.
Browse courses on Supply Chain Management
Show steps
  • Identify the key elements of the supply chain, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers.
  • Develop a mathematical model that represents the flow of goods and information through the supply chain.
  • Simulate different scenarios to evaluate the impact of different strategies on supply chain performance.
Develop a supply chain optimization plan
Create a comprehensive plan outlining strategies to optimize a specific global supply chain, applying the concepts learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Identify a specific industry or product category for your plan.
  • Analyze the current supply chain and identify areas for improvement.
  • Develop and evaluate alternative optimization strategies.
  • Present your plan and recommendations to the class or an external audience.

Career center

Learners who complete Supply chain management: Be global will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Supply Chain Manager
In today's competitive marketplace, businesses seek exceptional Supply Chain Managers to oversee their complex global supply chains. This course will prepare you for this role by covering strategic supply chain management in global markets, logistics drivers, principles of global supply chain network design, sourcing decisions, and risks and sustainability in global supply chains. With a solid understanding of these topics, you'll be well-equipped to make informed decisions, optimize supply chain performance, and drive organizational success.
Logistics Manager
As a Logistics Manager, you will play a vital role in ensuring efficient and cost-effective movement of goods and materials. This course provides a comprehensive understanding of logistics drivers, trade-offs, and strategies, equipping you with the knowledge to optimize logistics operations and contribute to overall supply chain effectiveness.
Global Supply Chain Analyst
Global Supply Chain Analysts are in high demand due to the complexities of managing global supply chains. This course will provide you with the analytical skills and knowledge of global supply chain management to perform in-depth analysis, identify trends, and develop recommendations for supply chain optimization and innovation.
Procurement Manager
Procurement Managers are responsible for sourcing goods and services to meet organizational needs. This course will provide you with a foundation in sourcing decisions in global markets, enabling you to make informed decisions, negotiate effectively, and manage supplier relationships to ensure cost-effective and sustainable procurement.
Supply Chain Consultant
Supply Chain Consultants play a crucial role in helping businesses improve their supply chain operations. This course will equip you with a comprehensive understanding of global supplyチェーン management, enabling you to assess, analyze, and provide recommendations for supply chain optimization, risk mitigation, and sustainability.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies within organizations. This course will provide you with an understanding of risks and sustainability in global supply chains, enabling you to identify environmental and social risks, develop mitigation strategies, and promote sustainable practices throughout the supply chain.
Inventory Manager
Inventory Managers are responsible for managing the flow of goods and materials within an organization. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to optimize inventory levels, reduce waste, and ensure efficient inventory management practices.
Transportation Manager
Transportation Managers are responsible for managing the transportation of goods and materials. This course will provide you with an understanding of logistics drivers and strategies, enabling you to optimize transportation operations, reduce costs, and ensure timely delivery of goods.
Warehouse Manager
Warehouse Managers are responsible for managing the operations of warehouses and distribution centers. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to optimize warehouse operations, ensure efficient inventory management, and maintain compliance with safety and regulatory standards.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for overseeing the overall operations of an organization. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding supply chain management principles and their impact on operational efficiency.
Project Manager
Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and delivering projects. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding project management principles and their application in supply chain management.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding business analysis techniques and their application in supply chain management.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing financial data and providing insights for decision-making. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding financial analysis techniques and their application in supply chain management.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding marketing principles and their application in supply chain management.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the human resources function within an organization. This course may be useful in providing a foundation for understanding human resources principles and their application in supply chain management.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Supply chain management: Be global.
This toolkit provides a comprehensive overview of logistics and supply chain management. It includes tools and templates that can be used to improve supply chain performance.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of supply chain management. It includes case studies that illustrate how companies have successfully implemented supply chain strategies.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of logistics management. It covers all the major topics that are included in the course, including transportation, warehousing, and inventory management.
This textbook provides a more in-depth look at the design and management of supply chains. It includes case studies that illustrate how companies have successfully implemented supply chain strategies.

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