Knowledge and understanding: (a) understand the role and complexity of the supply chain; (b) understand the problems faced in inventory management, supply network design, supply network management, outsourcing and procurement; (c) understand the role of quantitative models in logistics management; (d) learn quantitative and IT tools to support managers in reducing the logistic costs and improving the service level. The focus is on international transportation and distribution logistics.
These tools provide a basis for originality in developing and applying ideas to simplified versions of real cases studied in the course. Moreover, they could be used within a research context, when the student will prepare the master thesis.
Applying knowledge and understanding: develop spreadsheet models concerning inventory management, network planning, demand forecasting, international transportation and logistics, interpret the results, and suggest solutions to support decisions. The quantitative and IT tools learned in the course will allow the student to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments within broader and multidisciplinary contexts, whenever the ability to make complex decisions is required.
Making judgements: The student will be able to evaluate the areas in which the acquired tools are applicable, to use advanced quantitative methods and to evaluate critically the results, in order to define practical management policies.
Communication skills: the student will be able to communicate the description of a complex logistic system, the cost effectiveness of different solutions and the impact of the solution applied by the manager on the logistics system, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, clearly and unambiguously. Moreover, the student will be able to produce and discuss a technical report on a real case.
Learning skills: At the end of the course, the student will be able to: (1) identify and frame a management problem in a logistic context, at either strategic, tactical or operational level, according to a scientific / technological approach; (2) identify the quantitative tools suitable for dealing with it; (3) autonomously search for innovative approaches and solutions.