Course syllabus for Purchasing and supply management

The course syllabus contains changes
See changes

Course syllabus adopted 2022-05-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameInköp och strategisk leverantörsamarbete
  • CodeTEK416
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPSCM
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyIndustrial Engineering and Management
  • DepartmentTECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 37119
  • Maximum participants65
  • Minimum participants10
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0116 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		7.5 c
  • 25 Okt 2021 am J DIG
  • 05 Jan 2022 am J DIG
  • 19 Aug 2022 am J DIG

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

The course is compulsory for master’s students Supply chain management. Other students can be accepted if
- there are vacant places, and
- they also follow TEK119 Distribution networks (the course goes during the same study period)

Aim

An increasing portion of the total spending of manfuacturing- and service-based organisations resides outside their boundaries, and hence their direct control. Their cost efficiency, ability to innovate, and value propositions to customers depend upon the way purchasing processes are organised, and on relationships with suppliers. As consequence, a key foundation of success is the way an organisation manages its relationship with external suppliers of goods and services. The aim of this course is to provide students with an appreciation and understanding of key principles and theories of purchasing and supply management, and the role of this in the particular organisation. This takes place in a wider context of global complex supply chains.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Knowledge, understanding and subject specific skills. Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:
1. Understand established principles, theories and practices of purchasing and supply management, critically evaluate these, and link to various aspects of performance (financial measures as well societal aspects).
2. Understand the role of purchasing and supply management in the organisation, in relation to other supply chain management processes, and the focal company in the context of its wider supply network.
3. Understand and explain purchasing management processes, supply strategies and supplier relationships in various contexts.
4. Analyse and critically assess robustness of supply strategies.
5. Relate supply strategy to externalities such as scarcity of natural resources, climate change, ethcial and environmental issues and costs
Transferable skills. Through the teaching and learning activites, students are furthermore expected to:
6. Demonstrate the ability to persuade, convince and argue effectively.
7. Manage time and tasks effectively in the context of individual study and group work activities and take responsibility for carrying out agreed tasks
8. Prepare and make effective business presentations, individually and in teams
9. Communicate in writing or orally (ideas, knowledge, arguments or proposals) with brevity and clarity
10. Demonstrate motivation and initiative through establishing familiarity with the business community, in particular the types of industries, managers and decisions that relate to purchasing and supply management.

Content

This course adapts the following definition of purchasing management:
Purchasing management refers to all activities necessary to manage supplier relationships in such a way that their activities are aligned with the company's overall business strategies and interests. It is focused on structuring and continuously improving purchasing processes within the organization and between the organization and its suppliers (van Weele, 2010:11). The term supply management underlines the inter-organisational nature of these tasks as well as their potential strategic impact. The various teaching and learning activities address the following:
  • Role and relevance of purchasing in the 21st century organisation
  • Organising for effective purchasing performance
  • Make-or-buy (outsourcing)
  • Sourcing strategies (including products vs. services)
  • Managing various types of supplier relationships
  • Supplier selection, assessment and development
  • Total cost of ownership
  • Supplier interfaces
  • Supply chain risk and disruptions
  • Carbon footprint, codes of conduct, and triple bottom line (economic, social and environmental aspects)
  • Implications of Internet-based marketplaces for purchasing
  • Purchasing in different industrial settings
  • Supply chain theory

Organisation

The course will be delivered as a series of presentations and discussion sessions of theoretical concepts, their managerial implications for managers and relationships with other areas of supply chain management.

Literature

Core textbook(s) in purchasing and supply management complemented by journal articles available through on-line databases at Chalmers library. See more detailed outline and list of readings on the course web page before the course starts. Students are expected to take active part in all learning and teaching activities, and to be active in class-discussions, group work, and to individually prepare for each session.

Examination including compulsory elements

Written work (group, individual), guest lectures and presentations.
Each compulsory course elements must be passed to pass the course overall.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.

The course syllabus contains changes

  • Changes to module:
    • 2022-05-02: Digital exam Changed to digital exam by Emilio
      [0116 Examination 7,5 credit] Changed to digital examination
  • Changes to examination:
    • 2022-05-02: Digital exam Changed to digital exam by Emilio
      [0116 Exam 7,5 hp] Changed to digital examination
    • 2022-05-02: Digital exam Changed to digital exam by Emilio
      [0116 Exam 7,5 hp] Changed to digital examination