Brief Bio: Dr. Wisner earned his Ph.D. in Supply Chain Management from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona; his M.B.A. from West Texas State University, Canyon, Texas; and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico. He is the author of the text for this class, and also a second textbook-- Process Management: Creating Value along the Supply Chain. His research interests are in quality assessment and improvement strategies along the supply chain. His articles have appeared in numerous journals including Journal of Business Logistics, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Supply Chain Management, Journal of Transportation, Production and Operations Management Journal, and Quality Management Journal. He has also taught courses and performed research internationally, including universities in Surabaya Indonesia, Sao Paulo Brazil, Madrid Spain, Helsinki Finland, Hamilton New Zealand, and Turin Italy.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Textbook: Principles of Supply Chain Management: A Balanced Approach, 2^nd Ed., 2009, by Joel Wisner, Keah Choon Tan, and Keong Leong; Cengage/South-Western. (Note: Do not use the 1^st edition. There have been many changes in the new edition). Used copies are probably available, and a former UNLV MBA student has begun a textbook retailing company, so go check his prices: www.thecollegesuperstore.com. He claims his prices are very low (and no, I don’t get any “kickbacks”).

COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES

The course goal is to familiarize students with the discipline of supply chain management, which enables firms to better coordinate inbound and outbound information and material flows, manage quality, and perform customer service activities relevant to purchasing, logistics, and operations processes that occur along a supply chain. The primary course objective is to ensure that students can diagnose real problems and recommend adequate solutions pertinent to specific situations that occur in supply chains. A secondary objective is to provide a forum for a written and oral discussion of supply chain issues.

Topics include: the relationships between profitability, supplier management, customer relationship management, quality, and productivity; the management of incoming supplies and services; managing quality and inventories within the firm; storage and delivery of products and services to customers; managing service capacity and waiting times; and finally discussions of sustainability and internal and external customer service. The course is designed to examine a firm as a complete business, operating within an integrated network of external suppliers, internal suppliers, internal customers, and external customers.

Learning objectives: By the completion of this course, students should be able to--

· Critically analyze an industry and a specific firm within an industry.

· Synthesize important relationships across business disciplines.

· Apply economic and behavioral concepts to strategy formulations.

· Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing ideas and arguments associated with business issues.

· Explain and apply analytical constructs to business problem solving.

· Use business information to estimate/assess the impact of decisions, behaviors, and external factors on the firm.

· Design and interpret several different performance measures specific to business outcomes.

EXAMINATIONS AND GRADING

There will be 2 exams: Exams are open-notes, closed-book and are multiple choice and short answer, based on lectures, homework, and the textbook. Some questions will require calculations. Students are allowed to use any notes/Power points during each test (no limit), but not the book. Students are encouraged to review their exams in my office or before/after class (I do not give them back).

Course Grading Scheme:

Course Element

Percentage

Grading Scale

Midterm Exam (1^st half)

Final Exam (2^nd half)

Group Research Project

Three Case briefs

Oral Project Presentation

Total

100

93% and higher

90 to less than 93%

87 to less than 90%

82 to less than 87%

80 to less than 82%

77 to less than 80%

73 to less than 77%

A-

B+

B-

C+

Your grade will be determined using the grading criteria above. Grading is not an exact science. Any cutoff point places some students just a point or two below that line. Being just below a cutoff point is frustrating, but is not sufficient reason to request a grade change. There is no set grade distribution for this class. I will grade as fairly as I can, and you will receive the grade you earn.

Extra Credit: If you arrange for a speaker to come to class to discuss one of the following: purchasing/SRM issues, quality or customer service issues, inventory management issues, logistics/transportation/warehousing issues, or CRM issues, I will increase one of your test scores by 10% points. A student can only do this once, and the speaker, topic, and timing must first be approved by me. This will be done on a first-come-first-served basis, and only 3 talks total can be scheduled per semester. If your group finds a speaker, I will give everyone who participated 5% points extra credit on one test.

Note on scores/grades: I will post your scores along with your end of semester grade on my website only if you give me a secret, 4-digit, alphanumeric code on your 1^st assignment or via email (it cannot contain any part of your name or ssn!).

CASE BRIEFS

You must submit a 1-page case brief on the night we discuss each case, showing each question and then a brief answer for each question. There are 3 cases to be discussed. Late cases will be penalized. No email cases; no more than 1-page; must be typed not hand-written; can include a cover page; and any font-size or spacing is acceptable. I will circulate the cases to the class when I finish grading them, so if you prefer keeping your score private, use a cover sheet.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Students are required to complete a team project (3 or 4 students per team, no more/no less), which analyzes and critiques the supply chain management activities of an actual, LOCAL organization or part of one (preferably one where one of the group members is employed). THIS IS A MAJOR OBJECTIVE OF THE CLASS. A summary of a portion of the project (not the entire project) must be presented to the class during the semester. Projects must be based on current organizations (not from someone’s memory). If you need help identifying a company, let me know. If you have to disguise the name of the company, this is fine, just let me know.

Research Project General Description: To complete this project, your team must investigate, analyze, evaluate, and make recommendations about the supply chain management capabilities of an organization (or division/dept./subsidiary of an organization). To do this, arrange to talk with or interview managers or other appropriate personnel in the organization. Starting topics/questions to guide the development of your project’s content are listed below. At a minimum (i.e., to achieve a reasonable grade) the written report should provide thoughtful and detailed coverage of these topics. Only papers that creatively integrate these topics along with others not covered by the questions below will be considered for higher grades. In this regard, your team is required to consult with me about the direction and progress of your project during the semester, (ie, TALK TO ME FREQUENTLY!!).

Final comment: these papers are not meant to be marketing or advertising papers; stick to the SCM topics summarized below. Nuts and bolts information is required (ie, show me the details).

Specific Project Guidelines:

A. Organization Background (1-page)

· What services and/or products does the organization/dept. provide? Where is it? How big is it? What industry is it in?

B. The Organization’s Supply Chain

· Who are the primary customers? Internal or external? What is their demand pattern? Describe how demand forecasting is performed. Provide examples using data, if possible. Are customers segmented? How? Are they ever “fired”? Describe the relationships with these customers. Are they monitored as to buying levels or patterns?

· Who are the primary suppliers? What products or services does your firm purchase? How do they order? Do they use an EOQ? When? Do they use safety stock? How much? Provide calculations if possible. Do they have key supplier/partners? How many? Describe the nature of these relationships.

· Describe any key supplier partnerships in detail. How are suppliers selected? Performance monitored? How? Provide examples if possible.

· Are there any key logistics companies involved? Discuss trucking and warehousing services used. How are they selected? Managed?

· Diagram the firm’s supply chain. Show supply chain members and the product/customer/information flows.

C. Make sure you describe each of the following aspects of the supply chain, using examples wherever possible:

· Types of transportation/logistics services used and methods for selection, evaluation.

· Inventory levels, safety stocks, and purchasing practices

· Any warehousing or storage activities

· Order processing activities

· Describe how forecasts are created

· Customer service activities

· Supply chain partners (both suppliers and customers)

D. Performance monitoring

· How does the firm monitor suppliers’ performance (if not covered above)?

· How does the firm monitor its own performance?

· List all measures used, how often performance is monitored, and what corrective actions are used.

· Does the firm use statistical process control to monitor and improve internal quality?

· Does the organization monitor total supply chain and service response performance? Customer service performance? Provide examples using data if possible.

· What notable improvements, if any, has it made in these areas over the past 3-4 years?

E. The Organization’s Service Processes

· What types of services are provided to customers?

· How do customers flow through these processes?

· What is the nature of service-response logistics at the establishment?

· Where does waiting occur in its service processes?

· Characterize their queuing systems. Use examples and data if possible.

· What does the organization do to manage wait times? Calculate it if possible.

· What is the organization’s service capacity? Quantify it if possible.

· What does the organization do to manage service capacity? Manage demand?

F. The Organization’s Production Processes

· What products/services does the firm produce? How are they produced?

· Are customers/suppliers used in new product development activities?

· What types of product quality monitoring and improvement activities are performed? Provide examples if possible.

· How are products stored internally? Moved through the facility?

G. Information Systems

· What systems are used to track inventories/customers/suppliers (MRP, ERP, DRP, CRM, SRM, WMS, etc.). Describe these systems and applications, how long they have been used, and problems.

· New systems being purchased? What suppliers are used for the systems?

H. Recommendations

· What are your group's recommendations for improving this organization's supply chain management performance in each of the areas discussed?

· Critique their SCM capabilities.

· Explain and justify your recommendations. Be as thorough as possible. THIS IS THE KEY OBJECTIVE OF THE PAPER, SO PUT SIGNIFICANT EFFORT INTO THIS PART.

Project Outline and Written Report: A brief outline of your team’s project that identifies the company, the students in your group, and the topic areas to be covered is due no later than September 16. The final written report for the project is due on the WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO FINALS WEEK. It should not exceed 15 pages of written text (quality before quantity), not including exhibits, and should include an appropriate bibliography. Make your project a report, not an essay. Use headings like the ones shown in the guideline above. You will also evaluate via email, the overall contribution each member of your group made to the research project during the semester (Grade A – F). If it is determined that one or more individuals in a group contributed unsatisfactorily or not at all, their grades for the project will be reduced accordingly. Note: If you do not contribute to the project, you could receive a zero. You should perform this project as if you were a consultant hired by the firm to help them improve their SCM capabilities. Make sure you provide value to the project.

Project Oral Presentations: Each team member will orally present a portion of their project to the class. Presentations will be evaluated and judged on content, style, and timing (it is imperative that your presentation fit into the time requirements for class, ie, about 15-20 minutes; if the presentation goes too long, your team will be told to stop). Each team member’s oral presentation will be evaluated as follows (note—flipping the overheads does NOT count as your presentation):

Content (SCM activities)	50%
Presentation Impact (PP’s, speaking skills & time)	50%
	100%

Team presentation style is limited by your imagination and the dictates of good taste. Remember, you will be trying to teach your audience about some aspect of the project in a memorable way. Don't just read from the project report—pick out the most important items and concentrate on making those as interesting to the audience as possible. Practice the presentation so the team can deliver it in about 15-20 minutes TOTAL. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PRESENT YOUR ENTIRE PROJECT. Make sure the presentation is split evenly by each of the group members (ie, everyone needs to present something for about 3-4 minutes). If for some reason, a group member is unable to present part of the project, this problem needs to be discussed with the instructor, so an accommodation can be made. These presentations can be made any time during the semester—do not wait until the project is completed. The presentation might be about just one aspect of the project. FINALLY—DRINKS, CANDY AND OTHER “FREEBIES” ARE NOT ALLOWED AS PART OF THE PROJECT PRESENTATION.

Group work can be frustrating, but also very rewarding. Since groups are used extensively in business, this is an opportunity for you to work on your "group" skills. Problems (e.g., schedule conflicts, personalities, etc.) will arise—unless they are serious, work on solving them within your group. Take responsibility and be professional. PULL YOUR WEIGHT.

Final thought regarding project: Start early and discuss the project often with me. This is a major part of your grade.

OTHER INFORMATION

Wisner’s classroom rules:

· Do not come to class late or leave early. These activities are very disruptive. Respect the instructor and your fellow students. If we have a speaker, I will lock the door prior to the start of his/her talk. Turn off your cell phone during class.

· Do your own work—on cases and on tests. If you are looking around during a test, I will assume you are cheating and ask you to move. If you copy someone else’s work, I will give you a zero and potentially have you removed from class.

· No hats allowed during tests. No cell phones out or on during tests.

· Come to class ready to talk, learn something, teach something, ask questions, and have fun. This is why we are all here.

Students with Disabilities: The Disability Resource Center (DRC) coordinates all academic accommodations for students with documented disabilities. The DRC is the official office to review and house disability documentation for students, and to provide them with an official Academic Accommodation Plan to present to the faculty if an accommodation is warranted. Faculty should not provide students accommodations without being in receipt of this plan.

UNLV complies with the provisions set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, offering reasonable accommodations to qualified students with documented disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137, and the contact numbers are: Voice (702) 895-0866, TTY (702) 895-0652, fax (702) 895-0651. For additional information, please visit: http://studentlife.unlv.edu/disability/.

Academic Misconduct: “Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV’s function as an educational institution.” An example of academic misconduct is plagiarism: “Using the words or ideas of another, from the Internet or any source, without proper citation of the sources.” See the “Student Academic Misconduct Policy” (approved December 9, 2005) located at: http://studentlife.unlv.edu/judicial/misconductPolicy.html.

Copyright Concerns: The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws. The university will neither protect nor defend you nor assume any responsibility for employee or student violations of fair use laws. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability, as well as disciplinary action under University policies. To familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, you are encouraged to visit the following website: http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright/.

UNLV Writing Center: One-on-one or small group assistance with writing is available free of charge to UNLV students at the Writing Center, located in CDC-301. Although walk-in consultations are sometimes available, students with appointments will receive priority assistance. Appointments may be made in person or by calling 895-3908. The student’s Rebel ID Card, a copy of the assignment (if possible), and two copies of any writing to be reviewed are requested for the consultation. More information can be found at: http://writingcenter.unlv.edu/

Religious Holidays Policy: Any student missing class quizzes, examinations, or any other class or lab work because of observance of religious holidays shall be given an opportunity during that semester to make up missed work. The make-up will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor no later than the last day at late registration of his or her intention to participate in religious holidays which do not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the test or examination at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the university which could not be avoided.

Tutoring: The Academic Success Center (ASC) provides tutoring and academic assistance for all UNLV students taking UNLV courses. Students are encouraged to stop by the ASC to learn more about subjects offered, tutoring times and other academic resources. The ASC is located across from the Student Services Complex, #22 on the current UNLV map. Students may learn more about tutoring services by calling (702) 895-3177 or visiting the tutoring web site at: http://academicsuccess.unlv.edu/tutoring/

CLASS SCHEDULE

Session Topic

8/24 Introductions; syllabus discussion; course overview; group sign-ups.

8/26 Ch. 1; sign up for groups.

8/31 Ch. 2 lecture. Final group sign-ups. Discuss group projects.

9/2 Sit with group members permanently. Ch. 3 lecture. Discuss group projects.

9/7 Holiday

9/9 Ch. 4 lecture. Discuss group projects.

9/14 Discuss, turn in Case Brief 1—Service Purchasing at the Sunny Hotel (on CD). Discuss homework, Ch. 1-4

9/16 Ch. 5 lecture. Project outlines due.

9/21 Finish Ch. 5. Discuss projects in groups and as a class.

9/23 Ch. 6 lecture.

9/28 Ch. 7. Discuss homework Ch. 5-7.

9/30 Review for exam. Discuss projects.

10/5 Mid-term exam, Ch. 1-7.

10/7 Discuss Exam. Start Ch. 8 lecture.

10/12 Finish Ch. 8.

10/14 Discuss/turn in Case Brief 2—Lean Implementation and Supply Chain Development at Oak Hills (on CD). Work on projects.

10/19 Ch. 9 lecture. Work on projects.

10/21 Ch. 10 lecture. Project presentation.

10/26 Discuss homework, Ch. 8-10.

10/28 Ch. 11 lecture. Work on projects.

11/2 Ch. 12 lecture. Project presentation. (Note: 11/2 is final day to drop).

11/4 Ch. 13 lecture. Project presentation.

11/9 Discuss/turn in Case Brief 3—The Peanutty Food Co. Supply Chain. Project presentation.

11/11 Holiday.

11/16 Ch. 14 lecture. Discuss homework, Ch. 11-14.

11/18 Project presentations.

11/23 Project presentations. Open discussion/critique of projects.

11/25 Discuss projects.

11/30 Project presentations. Open discussion/critique of projects.

12/2 Review for final. Projects due. E-mail group feedback to me (ie, grade your

group members; if I don’t get an email, I will assume you graded everyone as an A).

12/7 Final exam, Ch. 8-14, 810-1010 pm (Note—this is 1 hr. later than normal class time).

THANK YOU! CHECK MY WEBSITE FOR GRADES AFTER 12/14. HAVE A GREAT BREAK!