A supply chain is a network of supply, manufacturing, assembly, distribution, retail and logistics firms that serves to procure materials, transform these materials into intermediate and finished products, and distribute these products to end-customers. The concept of a supply chain has validity in both the product and service domains. What distinguishes the demand chain from the supply chain is the objective of systemically managing the entire flow of information, materials, finance and services across organisational boundaries from point-of-consumption to point-of-origin. Products are ‘pulled’ through the network of firms in response to customer requirements.
The perspective of demand chain management is relevant for retail-focused supply chains with consumers the ultimate customer. The demand chain must address criteria that resonate with the consumer (choice, product characteristics, channel choice, customer service) as well as broader concerns (environmental sustainability, social responsibility, traceability) which have implications for firms further upstream. The rise in power of multinational retailers competing in multiple regions across the globe mirrors the increasing sophistication of global supply chains in leveraging differentials in factor costs, spreading the benefits of R&D, accessing new markets and gaining new suppliers. This is not without risk as increased global integration increases the exposure to as well as the extent of disruption in addition to negotiating the complexity of global regulation.
The student will become familiar with the perspective of the demand chain and explore the importance of demand chain management for contemporary retailers.
- Demand & Supply chain definition and concepts. Global supply chain fundamentals.
- Demand chain strategy (3D- product strategy, operations strategy, supply chain strategy).The importance of strategic fit
- Demand and customer relationship management- customising supply chain solutions, service level agreements
- Supply base management- supply base strategies, international procurement, total cost of ownership
-Supply chain risk- the resilient supply chain. Supply chain risk assessment
- Supply chain performance management. Performance management systems.Identifying trade-offs
- Ethical / Sustainable supply chain management. International standards. The role of Codes of Conduct
- Demand chain visibility. Integration, enabling technologies, ERPII & Cloud-based
systems, e-supply management
The teaching ethos will allocate considerable autonomy to the student in engaging with the learning process- i.e. a significant degree of student-centred learning. The module will incorporate a range of learning / teaching methods including: lectures, tutorials, class assignments, class discussions and case studies.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 50 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 50 |