Course content

The course is a further specialization within relevant subjects of Purchasing Management and builds on subjects presented in the obligatory courses for this specialization in the 1st year of the programme. The course is organised as a series of seminars. The choice of subjects for the seminars may vary from one year to another, and is linked to the projects chosen in IØ3092 Strategic Purchasing Management, Specialization Project. Included is also a seminar series on research methods, tailored to what is relevant for the students in their projects and master thesis work.

Learning outcome

Position and function of the course in the study: The course is a compulsory specialization course in the second year of the Global Manufacturing Management master program. The course builds on the course TIØ4175 Purchasing- and Logistics Management.

The course will provide knowledge about the following: general knowledge about purchasing management (including supplier management), selected issues of logistics management, with a special emphasis on strategic challenges in global supply chains. The course will also provide general knowledge about the importance of research for management practice, different research methods as well as research methodology.

Specific and detailed knowledge will be provided about a limited number of themes within the fields of purchasing management (including supplier management and logistics management). Preferably, one or more of these themes is of direct importance for the specialization project chosen by the student. Typical examples of such themes are the strategic importance of purchasing and supply management, involving and developing suppliers, purchasing and supplier strategies, sustainable purchasing and purchasing and supply management in a global context. The course will provide competences in: relating research results published in scientific journals to the specialization project, discussing and positioning articles published in scientific journals in relation to their theoretical background, research method and relevance for the specialization project.

Other important learning outcomes: the students will learn to present and discuss theoretical concepts within purchasing management.

Learning methods and activities

The course is organised as a series of seminars. The student needs to participate in a minimum number of methodology and research seminars, but attendance to all is expected. Changes in the dates for the seminars may occur during the semester and all available teaching slots for the course may be used.

Required previous knowledge

TIØ4265 Strategic Management and TIØ4175 Purchasing and Logistics Management or the equivalent knowledge are required. In addition, the following courses are considered relevant (shown in random order): TIØ4285 Production- and Network Economics, TIØ4345 Management of Business Relationships and Networks, TIØ4235 Industrial Marketing and International Business. Students taking IØ3091 as part of the master program in Global Manufacturing Management must also choose IØ3092 Strategic Purchasing Management, Specialization Project.

Course materials

Course materials are given at the start of the course.

Credit reductions