Logistics and Risks in Supply Chains
Logistik och risker i försörjningskedjor

MTTF30, 7.5 credits, G2 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2025/26
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED I
Date of Decision: 2025-03-28
Effective: 2025-05-05

General Information

Main field: Technology Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: First cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Mandatory for: R3
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

Supply and distribution of material and necessities to different parts of a society are important both in normal times as in crisis, independent of it is to private companies, public organizations, or to e.g. refugee camps or disaster areas. Logistics is the knowledge area regarding material flows, and its complexity increases when different organizations are connected into supply chains. As private companies are dominating actors in most different supply chains, it is important to understand their perspectives on logistics.

The course provides basic knowledge about logistics and supply chain management (SCM), i.e. approaches and principles used to plan, organize and manage activities in the flow of material from suppliers through the company to its customers to satisfy customers (and other actors) demand as well as the related return flows. A company’s aim are normally to give good customer service, having low costs, little tied-up capital, and small sustainability impact. The course will focus on how to design effective flows through a company’s logistics systems, i.e. the material flow from suppliers through the organization (often a company) to its customers, and In addition, the course provides an overview of the flow of information that is related to the physical flows, and gives the student awareness of how logistics can affect results and profitability.

The course also gives basic knowledge about supply chain risk management. The focus is on how different types of risk, related to logistics activities and resources in a supply chain, can be identified, assessed and managed. The course will also discuss how these capabilities can be developed. 

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• have a holistic view of logistics and the logistics system.
• have knowledge about the role logistics play in the organization with an emphasis on both structural and operational issues.
• have knowledge about supply chain risk management.
• have knowledge about key terminology, frameworks, methods and tools both for logistics analysis and supply chain risk management.
• independently provide details about terminology for logistics and supply chain risk management.
• understand the importance of cross-functional collaboration in the logistics system and for supply chain risk management.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• have the ability to identify, describe and analyse the material and information flows within an organization and its supply chain.
• have the basic skills to analyse and assess how logistics changes affect the organization’s profitability.
• have the ability to, both independent and in cross-functional teams, be able to use theories, key terms, frameworks, methods and tools both for logistics analysis and for supply chain risk management.
• have the ability to identify, assess and suggest mitigation strategies for supply chain risks.
• be able to use engineering methods to analyse a logistics system and supply chain risks.
• be able to orally present, elaborate on, and have the ability to discuss one's own as well as other students' analyses.
• be able to communicate and work in a cross-functional team with other actors in a supply chain.
• have the ability to, in a cross-functional team, analyze and manage challenges related to logistics and supply chain risk management. identify, describe and analyse the material and information flows within an organization and its supply chain.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

•  have an understanding of logistics opportunities.
• be able to apply critical and creative thinking related to logistics and supply chain risk management.
• have an engineering-oriented approach to an organizations logistics challenges and opportunities, especially regarding risks.

Contents

The course consists of four parts: strategy, process/structure, planning and control, and supply chain risk management. The first part defines a supply chain, basic concepts, goals and strategies for supply chains. Part two is concerned with the structure of purchasing and supply networks, materials handling, production, and distribution to costumers. Part three covers forecasting, planning and control of inventory and capacity, and purchasing planning. The concluding fourth part is concerned with methods and tools for supply chain risk management and organizational aspects related to needed capabilities.

An important part of the course is to apply the knowledge in a educational simulation game, which initially focus on analysis and change of a company’s logistics configuration (strategy, process/structure, management) and later focus on supply chain risk management.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

To qualify for a final grade, the student must have passed a written examination, passed all compulsory assignments including the simulation game satisfactorily. Compulsory attendance may occur in certain parts. The final grade is given based on the sum (totally 100 points) of the assessment of each module (written examination (60), game (25), and aasignment (15)). To be approved a student needs at least 50 points in total and all modules approved.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0124. Name: Logistics and Risks in Supply Chains - Written Examination.
Credits: 5.0. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: The grade from the written examination is 60 points (of 100) when results from written examination, games and assignments are summed to get the final grade of the complete course. The module includes: Covers literature and lectures and theoretical reflections of the simulation game.
Code: 0224. Name: Game and Assignments.
Credits: 2.5. Grading scale: UG - (U, G). Assessment: Passed assignments and participation in the simulation game.. The grades from the simulation game and assignments counts for 40 points and our are combined with the written examination (60 points) to get the final grade of the complete course. The module includes: In the assignment, the students will work in groups to analyze and solve challenges in a simulation game, and then describe and orally present the analysis, and write a reflection on learning and cross-functional development.

Admission

Admission requirements:

• VRSA01 Introduction to Risk Assessment and Risk Management and (MIOA12 Managerial Economics, Basic Course or MIOA01 Managerial Economics, Basic Course or MIOA15 Managerial Economics, Basic Course)

Reading list

• Olhager, Jan, 1955-: Supply chain management : produktion och logistik i försörjningskedjor. Lund : Studentlitteratur, 2019, ISBN: 9789144130392.
• Scientific articles (in English) on Supply chain risk management.

Contact

Examinator: Professor Andreas Norrman, andreas.norrman@tlog.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.tlog.lth.se/english/education/courses/

Further information

Participation is mandatory for the first session. Absence from the first class session may result in an automatic drop from the course.