Global sourcing (5 cr)

Objective

At the end of the course you:
can identify key objectives and responsibilities of purchasing and recognise different types of purchasing policies and procedures?
will be familiar with the reasons why firms pursue global sourcing, together with the associated obstacles hindering global sourcing efforts?
know about ethical and environmental responsibilities of suppliers and buyers?
will be familiar with the special nature of public procurement and sourcing of complex services?
can identify the key steps in the purchasing process and the role of e-procurement tools in the process?

Content

Why do sourcing decisions have both operational and strategic importance to businesses?
How to select and evaluate suppliers and configure supply networks?
How do factors such as cost, risk and globalisation affect sourcing decisions?
What can organisational buyers do to ensure that they are not involved in unethical sourcing?
How does existing regulatory framework affect decision making in public procurement?
What are the differences between the purchasing of services and the purchasing of goods?
How can e-business be leveraged for sourcing decisions?

Course material

Arjan van Weele: Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, 7th edition
Selected articles
Contributory literature will be announced later.

Timing of exams and assignments

Written examination will be held in the end of the course. A detailed schedule will be announced in Learn prior to the course.

Course part description

Active own work – mostly virtually/online - in pair and/or in team is highly addressed.
The Learn as a Learning Management System will be used weekly.
Contribution of peer learning will be applied throughout the course in creating new knowledge and mindsets.
The aim is to create together a conducive learning context with the help of the team collaboration and co-working sessions: developing problem-solving skills with different angles, and different solutions.
Critical thinking needed (as in GS there are lots of ethical decisions to deal with)
Introductory lecture plus a workshop, weekly assignments online, and larger written cases (totally 3).

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Written casework with presentations, active participation to teamwork with peers both in class and online, and written examination. To pass the course, all parts have to be completed.

Qualifications

Supply chain management 5 ECTS credits