Faculty
Prof. Herbert Kotzab, Assoc. Prof. Günter Prockl

Course Coordinator
Assoc. Prof. Günter Prockl

None

This course is designed for providing students with a strategic framework used to better understand, analyze and solve the problem areas, dilemmas and issues that occur when managing supply and distribution networks of companies.

Doing so, managers need to consider flexibility, speed, customer-orientation and cost-efficiency simultaneously. This management style includes short-term Agility management, long-term Adaptivity management and network based Alignment of supplier and customer processes (= Triple A). Thus one of the central issues of the course is the question on how value can be created within networks by being service- and customer focused as well as acting in a sustainable manner.

This course is structured into three integrated modules. The first module is dedicated to the introduction of the key concepts of value creation and network management. Here, contemporary supply and demand chain management challenges are discussed. Based on different cases and the analysis of best practices, the constituting elements of a Triple-A Management are established.

The second module concentrates on the assess­ment of existing types and approaches of networks from the viewpoint of Triple-A-Ma­nagement. When looking at the production, sourcing and distribution processes that occur in value networks, specific key challenges are then elaborated upon and the most common pitfalls of network based management are discussed. This refers to the building of trust, the creation of partnerships, and the utilization of power and governance structures as well as the application of innovative Information Technology. Furthermore, specific threats related to a modern networked economy such as Sustainability issues, Terrorism, Integrity, and Security are covered within this context.

The third module then takes the step from diagnostics to change management. This includes a presentation of innovative management approaches and related toolsets for the Design, Configuration and Mobilization of Triple-A-value network management as well as risk management or disaster classification.

This course gives students the necessary capabilities in diagnosing and solving problems related to the management of supply and distribution networks within different industries and different company settings. Students are provided thereby with the required theories, models and tools for solving such problems.

At the end of the course, the individual student should be able to demonstrate knowledge on the drivers and generic ideas of the management of supply and distribution networks, its activities and processes. The objectives for this course in relation to what students will achieve are that students

- understand the key challenges related to the management of supply and distribution networks

- identify supply and distribution network problems based on systems thinking and network theory

- suggest possible strategies on how to solve these problems

- are able to evaluate different possible solutions

- are well versed in the most common supply and distribution network management terminology

are aware of the dilemmas posed on real life cases

Mini project to hand in during week 50