Supply Chain Management

SCM 4390

Global Supply Chain Strategy

Facilitating Transition

Course Overview

SCM 4390 serves as the culminating experience for undergraduate students in the Supply Chain Management program. This capstone course challenges students to synthesize and apply knowledge from across the curriculum to develop and execute comprehensive supply chain strategies. Emphasizing innovation, sustainability, digitization, and global competitiveness, the course prepares students to lead in dynamic, high-stakes environments where strategic alignment and operational excellence are critical to success.

This course is taught by a former global executive in supply chain management, bringing decades of real-world leadership experience in managing complex, international supply chains. His industry insights and executive perspective enrich the course with practical relevance and strategic depth.

Course Purpose

The purpose of this course is to develop strategic thinkers who can design and manage supply chains that create value, mitigate risk, and respond to emerging trends. Students will explore the intersection of supply chain operations with corporate strategy, financial performance, and stakeholder expectations. Through immersive simulations and real-world case analysis, students will gain experience in making executive-level decisions that impact the entire value chain.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Evaluate and navigate strategic trade-offs in global supply chain design and execution.
• Integrate customer, operational, and financial perspectives to enhance enterprise competitiveness.
• Apply advanced analytics and scenario planning to support decision-making under uncertainty.
• Design supply chain strategies that incorporate sustainability, resilience, and digital transformation.
• Communicate strategic recommendations effectively to executive stakeholders.
• Lead cross-functional teams in the development and execution of supply chain initiatives.

Selection of Topics Covered

• Strategic Supply Chain Design and Segmentation
• Forecasting and Planning in Volatile Environments
• Risk Management and Global Supply Chain Alignment
• Integrated Operations: Sales, Procurement, Logistics, and Customer Management
• Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Analytics in Strategy
• Blockchain, AI, and Emerging Technologies
• ESG and Sustainable Supply Chain Practices
• Financial Impact of Supply Chain Decisions
• Total Value Optimization and Competitive Positioning
• Corporate Governance and Executive Decision-Making utilizing Business Financial Metrics

Course Pedagogy and Experiential Activities

The centerpiece of SCM 4390 is a semester-long, competitive simulation in which student teams act as executive leadership for a global manufacturing firm. Teams are responsible for managing end-to-end supply chain operations, including inventory, production, supplier coordination, customer service, and financial performance. The simulation emphasizes:

• Strategic agility and scenario-based decision-making
• KPI tracking and performance improvement
• Real-time problem solving and data interpretation
• Environmental and social responsibility in supply chain design

Students present their strategies and outcomes through formal Board of Directors briefings and a final Strategic Review Presentation, supported by a written Annual Report. Additional learning is reinforced through curated readings, case studies, and analysis of current global supply chain events.

Course Format and Assessment

Students engage with course content through lectures, simulation labs, executive briefings, and collaborative team work. Assessment is based on a combination of:

• Performance in the capstone simulation, including strategic execution and adaptability
• Team presentations and written reports that demonstrate strategic thinking and communication
• Individual assignments and quizzes that reinforce analytical and conceptual understanding
• Participation in class discussions and peer collaboration
• Two exams that assess integration of knowledge across the supply chain discipline