82231 - Food Supply Chain Management

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the students an understanding of how a food supply chain is structured, operates, performs and is managed to increase its competitiveness and sustainability. At the end of the course the students are able to: - understand the main concepts and theoretical approaches defining the value chains and supply chains' structures, strategies and dynamics; - approach the basic features of the main supply chain management tools and indicators; - understand the role of the main factors influencing the food supply chain management and its sustainability.

Course contents

Introduction: goals of the course - structure - evaluation

Theoretical approach:

• Definition of Supply Chain and Supply Chain Management

Background: why food supply chain management is relevant given the present globalization scenarios:

• The food systems main typologies and drivers
  • Localism
  • Commodification
  • Safety
  • Security
  • Fairness
  • Just in time
  • Customisation
  • Sustainability
• How companies react:
  
  • Procurement policies (Sustainable Agriculture Initiative members procurement policies, Soy Moratorium etc.)
  • Customer relationship
  • Stakeholders’ relationship (relation with NGOs, Investment funds, banks etc.)

Tools: How to manage a supply chain

-Drivers for supply chain relations analysis

• Supply chain coordination: definition + different contractual relationships classified according to progressive coordination levels (form spot market to Vertical integration)
  

• Transaction costs
  
• Collaboration, trust commitment
  
• Collaboration index: definition + case study
  
• Supply chain governance models (Gereffy approach):
• SCOR performance indicators:
• Class room exercise: the beer game
  

-Drivers for supply chain solution implementations: 2 hours

Case studies (meetings with representatives of relevant organizations)

Readings/Bibliography

Text: Teachers' own material (Lectures + links to relevant Papers on Food chain management)

Readings:

David Simchi-Levi, Philip Kaminsky and Edith Simchi-Levi (2003) Designing and Managing the Supply Chain: Concepts, Strategies and Case Studies, McGraw Hill Professional.

Martin Christopher (2016) Logistics & Supply Chain Management, 5th Edition, Pearson.

Teaching methods

- Lectures

- Teamwork

- Discussion with representatives of Relevant organizations

Assessment methods

Written test

Teaching tools

- Computer and video

- Material for teamwork (supply chain simulation game)

Office hours

See the website of Cesare Zanasi