Module: Supply Chain Management

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Supply Chain Management
Module Code	MNA1094 (ITS: MT307)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

Supply chain management plays an integral part in all modern business. Modern business is carried out in a global environment with supply networks becoming increasingly complex and elongated. This complexity is being driven by increasingly shortening product life cycle, the addition of new production and supply markets and the rapid developments in information technologies. This module through lectures and in-class exercises introduces students to the theories, principles and practice of supply chains and supply chain management.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain what a supply chain is.
2. Assess and describe key supply chain management concepts and theories.
3. Describe and illustrate the detrimental effect of variation on overall supply chain performance, for example: demand fluctuations.
4. Analyse supply chain design decisions, for example the make V s buy conundrum.
5. Identify, analyse and report upon a real world operational supply chain.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Outline of relevant, theory and practice, participation in practical exercises
Assignment Completion	48	Supply Chain Analysis research and reporting
Independent Study	53	Reading, research and library work
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11088	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Paul Davis	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Practical/skills evaluation	Supply Chain Analysis - compare and contrast a single company type across five different country domains	40%	Week 8
Project	This is a case study based on the topics covered own the course - student must analyse a supply chain for one of two products Cocoa Coffee under the following headings Map of supply Chain 15 % Ethical Issues in the Supply chain 10 % Logistical Issues in the Supply Chain. 10 % Managing Risk in the Supply Chain. 5 % the balance off the marks is for a presentation of the findings which students must record and upload	60%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Supply Chain Introduction
This section introduces the students to the concept of supply chains and the need for supply chain management.

Demand Distortion in Supply Chains – The Bullwhip Effect
Through the use of a practical exercise students are introduced to the impact of inventory decision making in a supply chain. In particular the bullwhip effect is introduced and discussed.

Logistics & Supply Chain Transportation
This topic reviews the relationship between logistics and supply chain management including the key logistical decision areas.

Supply Chain Purchasing
Purchasing is a key component in supply chains. This section reviews the purchasing process in a supply chain context.

Supply Chain Performance Management
Traditional performance management and measurement are discussed and compared with more modern supply chain management techniques.

Information and Information Technology in Supply Chain Management
Information and IT are important facilitators for successful supply chains. The role of both information and IT are analysed in this section.

Outsourcing
What is outsourcing and what are the potential benefits of outsourcing? What are the risks associated with outsourcing - tactical and strategic?

Supply and Demand Planning
For a supply chain to operate efficiently, supply and demand must be well coordinated.

Supply Chain Design and Network Configuration
This topic reviews alternative supply chain designs and the complexities associated with supply chain networks.

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Chopra, S. and Meindl, P.: 2007, Supply chain management: strategy, planning, and operation,, Prentice Hall,
Dwivedi, A and Butcher, T: 2009, Supply Chain Management and Knowledge, Integrating Critical Perspectives in Theory and Practice Management, Palgrave,
Fawcett, S.E., Ellram, L.M. and Ogden, J.A.: 2007, Supply chain management: from vision to implementation, Prentice Hall,
Jonsson, Patrik: 2008, Logistics and supply chain management, McGraw-Hill,
Cousins, P., Lamming, R., Lawson, B. & Squire, B.: 2008, Strategic Supply Management, FT Prentice Hall,
Ballou, R: 2005, Business logistics/supply chain management : planning, organizing, and controlling the supply chain, Prentice Hall,
Harrison, A.,& van Hoek, R.: 2005, Logistics Management and Strategy, FT Prentice Hall,
Simchi-Levi, D., Kaminsky, P., and Simchi-Levi, E.: 2003, Designing and managing the supply chain: concepts, strategies, and case studies, McGraw-Hill,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None