Supply Chain Management: A Learning Perspective

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/supply-chain-management

Introduction

# Course Review: Supply Chain Management: A Learning Perspective In the modern world, the intricate networks that deliver our everyday products and services often go unnoticed—until something goes wrong. If you've ever wondered how the eggs end up on your breakfast table or how your smartphone reaches your hands, the Coursera course "Supply Chain Management: A Learning Perspective" is a brilliant introduction. This course, taught by Professor Bowon Kim, offers both philosophical foundations and practical insights into the multifaceted world of supply chain management (SCM). ## Overview The course begins with a compelling premise: the understanding of supply chains is essential to appreciating the products and services we often take for granted. From breakfast to transportation, everything we consume is a result of intricate supply chain processes. Throughout the course, students explore how effective supply chain management can create real value for customers and companies alike. ### Course Structure & Syllabus Breakdown The course is structured into ten comprehensive chapters, each tackling significant aspects of supply chain management: 1. **Re-opening Introduction** - Professor Kim sets the stage, discussing the philosophical and moral implications of supply chain management. 2. **Introduction to Value, Value Creation, and Supply Chain Management** - This chapter defines supply chains and illustrates their importance in delivering customer value. 3. **Management Capability** - A focus on essential operations capabilities—controllability, flexibility, and integrating capabilities—necessary for competitive advantage. 4. **Learning Perspective** - Unpacks the dynamics of learning capabilities in SCM and introduces the learning propensity model. 5. **Quality Management** - Delve into the multi-layered concept of quality and its significance, covering total quality management (TQM) and statistical process control (SPC). 6. **New Product Innovation** - Explores the new product development process and compares traditional and cross-functional approaches to innovation. 7. **Supply Chain Strategy I: Structural and Infrastructural Dimensions** - Discusses the design of effective supply chains and key factors to consider. 8. **Supply Chain Strategy II: Coordination for Value Creation** - Emphasizes the importance of coordination in supply chains and introduces concepts like vendor-managed inventory (VMI). 9. **Supply Chain Globalization and Sustainability** - Examines the global aspects of supply chain management and the importance of sustainability in creating competitive advantages. 10. **Final Exam** - A culmination of the knowledge gained throughout the course, reviewing key concepts through a multiple-choice test. ### Course Highlights - **Expert Instruction**: Professor Bowon Kim’s teaching style is both engaging and informative, making complex concepts accessible and relatable. - **Practical Insights**: The course doesn't just focus on theoretical aspects; it applies knowledge to real-world scenarios, enhancing learning and retention. - **Comprehensive Coverage**: From foundational knowledge to advanced strategies, the syllabus covers a wide range of topics essential for understanding supply chain dynamics. - **Final Assessment**: The final exam is an excellent way to reinforce learning and ensure comprehension of the course material. ### Who Should Enroll? This course is highly recommended for: - **Business Professionals**: Individuals working in logistics, operations, procurement, or management roles seeking to enhance their understanding of supply chain processes. - **Students**: Those studying business, supply chain management, or related fields who want a strong introduction to key concepts. - **Entrepreneurs**: Anyone looking to start a business that will require supply chain management knowledge to ensure operational efficiency. ## Conclusion "Supply Chain Management: A Learning Perspective" stands out as a pivotal course for anyone looking to grasp the essential frameworks and strategies that underpin effective supply chain management. Its blend of theoretical grounding and practical application makes it an invaluable resource. As globalization and sustainability continue to shape our world, knowledge in this area is not just beneficial—it's essential. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to anyone interested in enhancing their supply chain knowledge and skills. With the insights gained, participants can better appreciate the journeys of the products they consume every day and the efficiencies behind the scenes. Sign up on Coursera today and embark on this enlightening learning journey!

Syllabus

Re-opening Introduction

In this chapter, Professor Bowon Kim briefly introduces students to this course. It is about philosophical and moral foundation of a supply chain management.

In this chapter, we will learn what a supply chain is, what supply chain management is all about, and why it is important to grasp the fundamentals of supply chain management in creating real value for the customers.

Effective SCM requires the firm to have strong operations capabilities. One can group various operations capabilities into three representative capabilities: Controllability, flexibility, and integrating capability. In order to be competitive in the market, the firm must retain high levels of these capabilities. In this chapter, we will discuss what the management capabilities are and the relationship among these capabilities.

Learning is an essential part of any creative activity. In this chapter, we will learn what the learning capability is and its dynamics in supply chain management. We will also look into the learning propensity model and how the learning processes influence the performance of a supply chain system.

Quality is one of the most important factors that determine the utility. That is, the higher the quality, the larger the utility experienced by the customer. But, quality is not a one-dimensional concept. In fact, it is a highly complex, multi-layered one. In this chapter, we will explore this complex concept, 'Quality'. We will learn dimensions of quality, total quality management (TQM), quality dynamics and statistical process control (SPC) in detail.

New product innovation is the key to firm's success. In order to sustain successful business, the firm must design and manage its new product process effectively and efficiently. In this chapter, we will learn new product innovation and new product development process. Especially, we will look into and compare two approaches, traditional approach and cross-functional approach.

In order to optimize the supply chain performance, the firm must design its supply chain effectively. In this chapter, we will talk about how to design the effective supply chain and look into the designing factors of supply chain management in detail.

Coordination is the key dimension of infrastructure in supply chain management. In this chapter, we will talk about what supply chain coordination is and why it is important. And we will learn vendor-managed inventory (VMI) and postponement in detail.

Why is the effective SCM important for the firm to gain competitive advantage in the global market? In this chapter, we will consider crucial issues related to the question and deal with global supply chain management and value chain sustainability.

The final exam is based on the concepts and theories we have learned in this course. It includes 30 multiple choice questions.