Global sourcing and supply network management

This course provides in-depth insight into the strategic and operational challenges of sourcing and supply network management in a global environment. You will learn how to make informed sourcing decisions, manage risks in volatile contexts, recognize ethical considerations, and communicate complex supply strategies effectively. By building practical and analytical skills, the course prepares you to manage sourcing processes and supply networks for public, private, and third-sector organizations worldwide.

Topics Covered

• Sourcing strategy and make-or-buy decisions
• Assessment tools for evaluating relocation alternatives
• Supplier selection and contract negotiations
• Entry and exit modes in international markets
• Ethics in global supply networks
• Managing operations in volatile global contexts
• Resilience and risk in global supply chains
• Best practices and case studies from industry

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Apply key assessment tools and principles when making make-or-buy decisions in global sourcing.
• Recognize and evaluate ethical issues that may arise in international sourcing situations.
• Design strategic solutions for managing international operations in volatile or uncertain environments.
• Effectively communicate theoretical and model-based knowledge of global sourcing and supply network management to stakeholders in corporate, public, and third-sector organizations.

The course consist of a combination of lectures, casework, discussions and presentations. The course is designed as three-hour lectures, each with one main topic. In each session, a lecture is combined with discussions of the core literature or a case. All required readings should be completed before the actual lecture. Guest lecturers will facilitate application of global sourcing concepts and theories to real-life business situations. Mandatory attendance is required during guest lecture sessions. If the candidate does not attend he/she must hand in a two page assignment covering the topic lectured in order to get access to take the school exam.