Course Topics
The course is part of the subject-specific teaching programme and belongs to the Department of Business Administration. The course provides an introduction to modern methods of operations management (production and logistics management as well as service operations). Students will learn the main approaches to decision support in the design and operation of production and logistics systems in industrial and service operations. The main aspects of service operations are discussed. The following contents are covered, among others: 1. conceptual foundations of production, logistics and supply chain management (SCM) 2. models and model-based planning, linear optimisation 3. project planning (network planning technique) 4. basics of network planning 5. location planning on the level 6. location planning for given potential locations 7. configuration and operation of flow production systems and production centres (production islands) 8. basics of sales planning 9. time series-based demand forecasting 10. aggregated production planning (medium-term production planning) 11. determination of material requirements 12. lot size and order quantity planning 13. inventory management and safety stocks 14. round trip and route planning

Teaching format
Classroom teaching with interactive content and exercises Discussions, exercises, case studies and homework

Educational objectives
Knowledge and understanding Area: Understanding corporate management Knowledge of business and organisational models Knowledge of management and target agreements, plans and organisational functions Knowledge of methods of corporate decision-making and strategic management Knowledge of decision-making concepts and models for the introduction of new products, pricing, distribution channels and (digital) means of communication Understanding of social responsibility, consumer protection, sustainable marketing Knowledge of concepts, models and tools for critically analysing business and corporate strategies Understanding of various management theories and organisational behaviour and their significance in the context of different businesses and different business-economic contexts In-depth knowledge in the areas of international marketing, management of multinational companies, analysis of consumer behaviour or management of operational and technical functions In-depth knowledge and understanding of management control Knowledge of the underlying mechanisms for effective communication of theoretical and empirical business topics in three languages: Italian, German and English Ability to apply knowledge and understanding Area : Economics be able to recognise and analyse the evolution of corporate structures and the development of organisational forms be able to correctly apply management principles and theoretical models as well as empirical analysis tools to complex problems in typical management situations in the appropriate context be able to apply appropriate concepts, models, tools and techniques to analyse markets, market strategies, programmes and activities in teamwork and communicate research results in accordance with international professional standards in three languages: Italian, German and English be able to formulate strategies and identify critical steps in the implementation of a competitive strategy be able to apply appropriate analytical tools and models to evaluate the strategic choices and strategies adopted by companies be able to apply the specific tools of auditing in different contexts of business reality be able to communicate the results of strategic analyses prepared according to international professional standards in three languages: Italian, German and English Making judgements select the most appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis combine information and analytical methods, also using modern software packages, within the framework of a logical argumentation in order to find a solution Learning skills critically analyse and integrate data, information and future experiences, also using advanced software packages

Additional educational objectives and learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will - be familiar with the basic approaches of modern production and logistics management as well as service operations (knowledge) and - understand the central role these approaches play in solving decision-making problems in the area of production and logistics in production and service operations (understanding) and - have the ability to apply the methods learnt in operational practice (application of knowledge and understanding).

Assessment
Written examination and project work: Written examination with examination questions and written group work (case studies and homework) Case studies and homework can also be completed without being present.

Evaluation criteria
(1) Final exam with 70%, (2) case studies and homework with 20%, (3) participation with 10%. Examination (1) must be completed with a positive grade regardless of all other performances.

Required readings

Günther, H.-O. and H. Tempelmeier, Supply Chain Analytics, 13th ed., Norderstedt, (Books on Demand) 2020; formerly Günther/Tempelmeier, Produktion und Logistik (Every participant should have this book available.)

Günther, H.-O. and H. Tempelmeier, Übungsbuch Supply Chain Analytics: Operations Management und Logistik, 10th ed., Norderstedt (Books on Demand) 2020

Supplementary readings

Chopra, S., Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation, 7th edition, Upper Saddle River (Prentice Hall) 2018.

Bordoloi S., Fitzsimmons, J.A., Fitzsimmons, M.J., Service Management: Operations, Strategy, Information Technology, 10th edition, Boston (McGraw-Hill/Irwin) 2022.

Nahmias, St., Production and Operations Analysis, 8th edition, Boston (McGraw Hill) 2021.

Render, B.; R.M. Stair and M.E. Hanna, Quantitative Analysis for Management, 14th edition, Upper Saddle River (Prentice Hall), 2024.

Silver, Edward A., David F. Pyke and Douglas J. Thomas, Inventory and Production Management in Supply ChainsSystems, Taylor & Francis, 4th, 2017

Tempelmeier, H., Helber, S., und H. Kuhn (2023). Konfigurationsplanung von Produktionssystemen. In: Furmans, K., Henke, M., Tempelmeier, H., ten Hompel, M., Schmidt, T. (eds) Handbuch Logistik. Springer Vieweg, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54476-7_11-1

Further information
The slides for the course, exercise material and sample exams will be made available.