A95323 Manufacturing and Logistic

Students will be able to:

1. Analyse the existing processes in a company, both manufacturing and services, with particular reference to production and logistics.
2. Measure process performance in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.
3. Identify the areas of process improvement and the advantages obtainable through the use of modern information technology and of the new operations management systems.
4. Manage improvement processes in a manner consistent with company strategies and resources.
5. Define the role of operations and supply chain in an organization and its interactions with business functions such as accounting, finance, and marketing.
6. Use descriptive models and incorporate cost drivers to improve general business decision making.
7. Design quality management strategies, techniques and tools for improved customer satisfaction.

Students will have knowledge and understanding of the factors that condition the capacity of a production system and logistics, in order to guarantee high levels of customer service combined with increasing levels of productivity.

Course Content

The ability to manage in a competitive manner the processes of production and distribution of goods and services is indispensable for the purpose of achievement of the objectives of growth and company profitability. Learning the concepts and techniques of operations management is therefore an essential skill in management training. To this end, the course will cover the following topics:

1. The methods for analysing the existing system (AS IS) and defining the processes required in the future (TO BE).
2. The main performance measurement systems for production/logistics functions and specifically, productivity, capacity, quality, service level and stock level.
3. The differences between various types of production, such as one-unit production, batch production and continuous production.
4. The differences amongst companies producing goods and services.
5. The formulation of production and logistics strategies in relation to the corporate strategy.
6. The modern approaches to the improvement of operations with particular reference to "lean manufacturing" and "supply chain management".

The teaching methodology is differentiated between the first and second part of each lesson.

In the first part we start with the theoretical framework presented by the course instructor, individual reading of the text of brief case studies, their discussion in small groups of students or involving the whole class. The theory and discussion of cases are always supported by the material prepared by the teacher, published on "myliuc.it" and by watching specific videos of the cases under discussion. The active participation of the students during the first part of the course mainly takes place through group work focusing on the analysis and improvement of a process chosen by the group and related to a company to which the group has access for the collection of necessary information.

The second part of the course includes both the use of the computer lab for the discussion of more complex cases requiring the use of computerised simulation application models and traditional teaching with case studies and business games.

Attending students: Attending status is acquired on the basis of classroom attendance (at least 70% of the lessons). The final mark is given by the weighted average of the following components:

1. First part of the course (weight 55%): written exercises from the book answered individually and ability to answer at the Discussion Questions found at the end of each chapter of the reference text.
2. Second part, in-depth modules (weight 45%): written group exercises or online group projects

Failure to deliver one of the required papers or one of the group exercises automatically determines the loss of the attendant status.

Non-attending students: The final mark will be determined on the basis of the final written test (100% weight).