Course syllabus for Management of physical distribution

Course syllabus adopted 2022-05-03 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameLedning och styrning av fysisk distribution
  • CodeTEK620
  • 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 37114
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0118 Examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		0 c0 c7.5 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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 elective for the students of the Master s programme Supply Chain Management. Other students may be accepted if there is room available. Admittance will be decided on a case-by-case basis. As a minimum, applicants should have taken basic courses within the fields of
(i) business administration (at least 7.5 hec),
(ii) general/operations management (at least 7.5 hec), and
(iii) supply chain management (at least 7.5 hec)

Aim

The aim of the course is to give extensive knowledge of the management of physical distribution, including the flow of goods from the shipping of finished products, transported via a number of nodes and actors, to the end customers/consumers. The course will provide an understanding of the relationships between cost, service and revenues, as well as environmental impact of distribution systems and how these are influenced by different factors, including price mechanisms. The physical distribution is viewed from the perspective of an individual company, a shipper or a logistics service provider.

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

  • Analyze and explain how physical distribution systems are managed.
  • Define and analyze resource utilization from a financial as well as environmental perspective while considering contextual influences.
  • Explain the general requirements and cost structures of different distribution systems.
  • Analyse and review economic models used in distribution.
  • Explain the relationships between cost and price for logistics and transport services in physical distribution, including defining fixed and marginal costs as well as environmental effects.
  • Use tools for quantitative analysis of distribution system data.

Content

The course contains the following topics:
  • The demand for distribution services and how logistics and distribution services are procured.
  • Cost structures connected to the different physical distribution structures and combinations of modes of transport.
  • Components and functions of the physical distribution system and their coordination and control.
  • Division of roles and responsibilities along the distribution chain.
  • The role of logistics service providers in physical distribution.
  • The use of information systems to control the movement and the tracking and tracing of goods.
  • Price models for physical distribution services, and marginal cost pricing in relation to average cost.
  • Resource utilization with regards to financial, organizational and environmental issues.
  • Customer value and consumer surplus.

Organisation

The course is built up around lectures, seminars and cases. Theory is combined with examples of practical applications in the industry. The course includes a mix of lectures, which introduce and explain the course material, and guest lectures, which give different actors and practitioners view on distribution. In order to stimulate the students learning and develop their analytical ability group assignments are included. These assignments are presented in seminars to facilitate discussion and reflection.

Literature

Textbooks, journal articles and hand-outs. An up-dated literature list is announced on the course web page before the course starts.

Examination including compulsory elements

Written assignments and a written exam.

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.