Overview
This course examines the design, management, and evaluation of international sourcing and supply networks. Students trace the movement of materials, information, money, and risk from upstream suppliers through manufacturing, transportation, distribution, and final customers.
Topics include supply-chain strategy, supplier discovery and qualification, make-or-buy decisions, procurement processes, total cost of ownership, international trade documentation, Incoterms, freight modes, inventory, warehousing, forecasting, lead times, quality management, supplier relationship management, currency and geopolitical risk, disruption planning, traceability, labor rights, environmental impact, and circular supply chains. Quantitative activities develop competence in demand forecasting, order and inventory calculations, landed-cost comparisons, supplier scorecards, and network trade-off analysis. Students evaluate sourcing alternatives and defend recommendations using cost, service, risk, ethical, and sustainability criteria.
Learning Outcomes
- Construct a supply-network map showing material, information, financial, and risk dependencies across international operations.
- Evaluate international sourcing alternatives using total cost of ownership, service requirements, operational risk, ethical standards, and sustainability criteria.
- Calculate basic procurement and logistics measures, including demand forecasts, order quantities, inventory levels, lead times, and landed costs.
- Assess supplier capabilities and performance using qualification criteria, scorecards, quality indicators, and relationship-management principles.
- Analyze international trade documentation, Incoterms, freight modes, warehousing requirements, and distribution implications.
- Identify supply-network vulnerabilities and propose mitigation strategies for disruption, currency, geopolitical, quality, labor, and environmental risks.
- Defend a sourcing recommendation using operational data and balanced cost, resilience, responsibility, and customer-service considerations.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Lab | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Supply-network map and dependency analysis | 15.00% |
| Assignment | Quantitative procurement and logistics exercises (4 × 5%) | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Supplier evaluation and sourcing recommendation | 20.00% |
| Test | Practical test: landed cost, inventory, and forecasting calculations | 15.00% |
| Exam | Final examination | 30.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.