SCM 7362 Logistics Management and Systems, Spring 2019

Instructor: Dr. Powell Robinson

Office: 334 Melcher Hall - Room 260B
E-Mail: eprobinson@uh.edu

Class Time: Thursday 6:00-9:00pm

Office Hours: Monday & Wednesday 3:00-5:00
Course prerequisites: completion of SCM 6A01 or SCM 6301.

Course Description
Supply chain management is the integrated management of the flows of materials, products, services
and cash from the suppliers to the final customer and back again, with logistics management serving
a critical role in managing these flows. The rapid enhancements in technology and the global
expansion of business has increased the complexity of logistics management and an increasing
demand for business professionals trained in the logistics management discipline. Core topics
include: logistics strategy, forecasting and inventory management, international transportation
management, distribution network design, import/export operations, logistics information systems,
customer service and emerging trends in logistics.

Course Objectives
This course introduces the students to fundamental business logistics concepts, the relationship
among logistics and other business functions, and the principle tools and analytical models used to
support logistics management decision making. This course is fundamental for all students interested
in procurement, operations management, distribution, transportation and marketing career paths.

Course Materials
 Textbook: Information will be drawn from leading Logistics Management textbooks. No
book is required for the course.
 Supplemental Readings: The course will utilize several readings from leading business
journals, such as the Harvard Business Review, Sloan Management Review, Business
Horizons and others.
 Business Cases: Business cases examining basic logistics concepts and emerging trends will
be analyzed during the course.
 Instructor lecture notes: As posted on blackboard.

Course structure and grading:

 Exam 1 : 30%
 Exam 2 : 30%
 Analytics Assignments: 15%
 In Class Contribution 15%
 Homework/Assignments 10%

Logistics Analytics Topics (Examples)

 Forecasting Consumer Product Demand in Retailing Distribution Systems
 Transportation Routing to Support Offshore Energy Production
 Facility Network Optimization
 Logistics Management and Systems
Course Schedule

WEEK TOPIC
Jan 17 Course Introduction
-- LN: Intro to SCM
-- LN: Logistics Role and Factors
-- In class reading: “Plant Location Puzzle”

Jan 24 Global Dimensions of Logistics and Transport Fundamentals

-- LN: Global Dimensions of Logistics
-- LN: Transportation Fundamentals
-- Read: “State of Logistics Report, 2018”. Identify and be prepared to discuss in-class three
major points identified in the report.
-- Read: CSX Performance. Be prepared to discuss in-class your evaluation of CSX as an
investment opportunity. What do you feel will be the major drivers of CSX performance
in the next 6 months? Are CSX’s fundamentals sound? Buy or No Buy?

Jan 31 Transportation Pricing

-- LN: Pricing Economics
1. What is price elasticity of demand and what role does it play in pricing decisions?
2. “Monopolists (railroads) are regulated to protect the consumer: Pure competition is
regulated to protect the firms (truckers).” Use market structure theory and pricing
economics to explain the logic behind these statements.
-- LN: Transportation Pricing

Feb 7 Transport Analytics: Vehicle Routing

-- LN: Vehicle Routing
-- Vehicle Routing Analytics: “Coastal Logistics, Inc.” Be prepared to discuss the business
problem and ask any clarifying questions related to the problem, software and discussion
questions.
-- Coastal Logistics Software. Posted on Blackboard.

Feb 14 Vehicle Routing (continued) and Forecasting Introduction

-- CASE “Canaan Group: Port Metro Container Transload Service”, HBSP Course Pack
-- LN: Forecasting: Time Series Models and Error Measurement

Feb 21 Forecasting (continued)

-- Coastal Logistics, Inc. due at start of class.
-- Exam 1
-- LN: Forecasting: Trend, seasonality and promotional events
-- Forecasting Analytics Assignment: distributed and discussed after Exam 1

Feb 28 Transportation Strategy and Inventory (Order Quantity and Safety Stock)
-- CASE: EKOL Logistics: Thinking Outside the Box”, in HBSP Course Pack
-- LN: Inventory Management
Mar 7 Inventory Management - Fair Share Allocation and Distribution Requirements Planning
--LN: Forecasting Analytics assignment due at start of class.
--LN: Inventory Management

Mar 14 SPRING BREAK

Mar 21 Order Management and Customer Service

--LN: Order Management and Customer Service
--LN: Managing Order Fulfillment and E-Commerce Operations

Mar 28 Distribution & Omni Channel Network Design

--CASE: Walmart China: Supply Chain Transformation, in HBSP Course Pack

Apr 4 Network Design Modeling

--Network Design Analytics assignment handed out.

Apr 11 Network Strategy

--CASE: “Hidrovias do Brasil: navigating Unchartered Waters”, in HBSP Course Pack

Apr 18 Logistics Strategy

--Network Analytics Assignment Due
--CASE: “Rethinking Distribution Logistics at VASA, Pilkington”, in HBSP Course Pack

Apr 25 Strategic Challenges for Logistics Management

--CASE: “Frontier Services Group: building A Pan-African Logistics Provider (A)”, in
HBSP Course Pack

May 2 Final Exam 6:00-8:00 pm