35000 - BUSINESS LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN ​​MANAGEMENT.

Subject type: Mandatory

Coordinator: Maria Dolors Celma Benaiges

Trimester: First term

Credits: 3

Academic year: 2025

Teaching course: 1

• Spanish

This course offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals and key strategies for planning, managing and optimizing logistics operations in organizations. It focuses on the study of the supply chain, which is the process that encompasses all activities from the acquisition of raw materials to the delivery of the final product to the customer.

The course explores topics such as supply chain design and operation, efficient inventory management, route and transport optimization, coordination between suppliers and distributors, as well as the importance of technology and information systems in modern logistics.

In addition, the current challenges that companies face in a global and competitive environment are analyzed, such as resilience to possible disruptions or disasters, sustainability and regulatory compliance.

The main objective of the subject is to provide students with the necessary tools to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain, allowing them to understand its strategic importance for business success and customer satisfaction. Upon completion of the course, students will be prepared to face logistical challenges in an innovative way and develop solutions that add value to organizations.

Important notes:

It should be borne in mind that the TecnoCampus will make available to teachers and students the digital tools necessary to be able to carry out the subject, as well as guides and recommendations that facilitate non-present work in the classroom when necessary.

The classroom (physical or virtual) is a safe space, free of sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic and discriminatory attitudes, whether towards students or teachers. We trust that together we can create a safe space where we can make mistakes and learn without having to suffer prejudice from others.

Topic 1. Introduction to Business Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

The introduction to the subject begins with the identification and explanation of definitions and concepts that are relevant to understanding business logistics and supply chain management (GCS). A brief historical evolution of business logistics and GCS is made from a business management perspective. The theoretical foundations of business logistics and GCS are presented. And it explains the main decisions that are taken in the field of business logistics and GCS, as well as their impact in terms of time, cost and quality of service. It concludes with an exposition on how business logistics and GCS contribute to the strategic positioning of companies today.

Topic 2. Design and analysis of Business Logistics and Supply Chain Management in different sectors, companies and competitive contexts.
The contents of this topic describe and deepen the link between business logistics and supply chain management with the customer / market. Based on the market analysis and the definition of the level of service to be offered to customers, the design of business logistics and supply chain management begins. The next steps are to identify the key components that make up the design of business logistics and supply chain management. The determination of the criteria to be taken into account in this design. And finally, the performance of different validation tests of such a design.
Once the design has been defined, we move on to analyze how the variability of demand affects the dynamics of information and material flows, with special emphasis on the well-known bullwhip Effect.
Finally, we address the study of examples of business logistics and supply chain management in different sectors, companies and competitive contexts using the concepts of strategic / competitive positioning of the company, production process, operations strategy, cycle of product life, logistics strategy, sales forecast point, order penetration point, maximum commonality point, decoupling point, strategic inventory point in the supply chain, product "customization" point (productive postponement and logistics), bottlenecks in the supply chain and Core Business point.

Topic 3. Business Logistics Strategies: Integration, coordination and collaboration in Supply Chain Management.
We will know the processes of integration, coordination and collaboration between the actors of the supply chain through the study of the business logistics strategies that the World Class Enterprises are implementing in their processes of supply, production and distribution. both domestically and internationally. Among others, the following logistics strategies will be studied: Efficient Consumer Response, Efficient Assortment, Quick Response, Efficient Replenishment, Continuous Replenishment, Collaborative Planning, Forecasting and Replenishment, Just in Time, Purchase Order, Vendor Managed Inventory, Supplier Managed Inventory .
 

Topic 4. Outsourcing of logistics services.
We will begin with a taxonomy of the multiple logistics service providers -Third Party Logistics, Lead Logistics Provider and Fourth Party Logistics- in order to describe their role and the role they play in sourcing, production and distribution operations both domestically and internationally. . To then understand the reasons why companies outsource logistics services (pros and cons), discover the optimal levels of subcontracting and analyze in detail the processes of selection, evaluation, contractual formalization, implementation and monitoring and control of logistics operators.

The grade for the subject will be based on various individual and group continuous assessment activities in the classroom with a weight of 20%. of the final grade and in a Final Subject Project carried out in groups with a total weight of 80%.These activities will evaluate the degree of achievement of the skills worked on during the subject.

To pass the subject, a minimum overall grade of 5 is required in the continuous assessment of the subject (individual activities + Final Subject Project). If the requirements established above are not met, the subject will be failed. The grade assigned will be the minimum obtained in the sections evaluated.

Additionally, completing the Final Subject Project is a necessary condition to pass the subject. A minimum grade of 5 is required. If the grade of the Final Subject Project is less than 5, the subject grade will coincide with the grade achieved in the Final Subject Project. If the Final Subject Project is not submitted on time, the student will receive the grade of "Not presented".

Lack of academic authenticity and originality

The evaluation process is based on the personal work of the students and presupposes the authenticity of the authorship and the originality of the exercises carried out.

Lack of authenticity and authorship occurs through plagiarism or copying:

• Plagiarism: the use of written sources (books and articles, including the didactic modules of the classroom) or documentation present on the network, without mentioning their origin and passing them off as one's own. Include the verbatim copy of the text even if the source has been cited.

• Copying: the total or partial use of identical texts taken from the works of others or of the same student (self-plagiarism), without correctly referencing the sources. It includes the use of material obtained fraudulently through websites such as Studocu.

In the event of detecting plagiarism or copying in the submissions of AC activities, the consequences for all those involved will be the following:

• The activity delivered in the case of the AC and the subject in the case of being a repeat offender during the AC are suspended. 

• Regardless of the student who caused the copying/plagiarism, the suspension for misuse of the continuous assessment system will fall, equally, on all the students involved - regardless of the existing link between them.

The teaching staff responsible for the subject will inform the students involved of the consequences of plagiarism/copying by means of a message addressed to their personal mailbox and to the classroom itself in case the detection is carried out in person.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools

In general, the use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Bing Chat, GitHub Copilot, and others is permitted for your study and practice. However, it is strictly forbidden to use them to prepare the answers to the assessment activities.

Ethics and academic integrity are critical when using generative AI tools. The university appeals to your ability to make ethical and responsible decisions when interacting with these technologies. The academic prestige of your degree is based on your own genuine effort and learning. These tools should not replace your commitment to real work.

In the event that the authorship of an assessment test is not clear, the teaching staff may request clarification. Also, in the face of the detection of answers obtained by means of generative AI tools, the measures of lack of authenticity and academic originality will be applied.

Chase, R. (2018). Operations Management: Production and Supply Chain. 15th. ed. McGraw Hill Inter-American Editorial.

Chopra, S. (2019). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation. 7th ed. Perason.

Hugos, M. (2018). Essentials of Supply Chain Management. 4th. Ed. John Wiley & Sons Inc.