Course content

All organizations depend on input from suppliers to produce products and services and purchasing is increasingly recognized as a key business driver. This course gives an introduction to purchasing management and students will gain an understanding of the role purchasing has in organizations.

Important topics include:
- The role of purchasing in the value chain
- The purchasing process
- Purchasing and supply strategy
- Managing the supplier base
- Purchasing and innovation
- Purchasing and corporate social responsibility

Learning outcome

Knowledge:
- Have an understanding of the key concepts within purchasing: definitions, trends and challenges
- Have an understanding of the differences in the operational, tactical and strategic levels involved in purchasing management
- Develop an understand of the purchasing process and relevant supply chain strategies

Skills:
- Be able to master core terminology within purchasing management
- Be able to compare, critique and apply key purchasing models
- Be able to discuss and position empirical work in theories on purchasing management

Competence:
- Have an understanding of modern purchasing management and its role in the value chain
- Through the project report, student will obtain training in analyzing purchasing issues within a real organization.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, case discussions, group assignments and writing seminars.

Mandatory assignments:
Three mandatory activities must be approved prior to the exam. Passed mandatory activities are valid for later continuation exams.

Compulsory assignments

• Test
• Guidance seminar
• Guidance seminar

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Two years of study within business administration.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

Literature to be announced at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions