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Operations and Supply-Chain Management in Agribusiness

Course developers

Prior knowledge

Ekon5152, Research Methods

Ekon5154, Agricultural economics and policy

VadZ5089, Strategic Management of Agribusiness

VadZ5090, Agribusiness Planning and Evaluation of Investment Projects

Replaced course

VadZM001 [GVADM001] Operations and Supply-Chain Management in Agribusiness

Course abstract

The course is aimed to provide students with in-depth understanding of operations and supply chain management process in agribusiness settings. The course specifically deals with operations and supply chain management strategy, management of logistics, supply, process management and technology and innovations with a specific interest in food and agribusiness activities. The course also focuses on agribusiness supply chain network management internally and internationally, with emphasis on integration, cooperation and networking as well as ongoing processes in the bioeconomy and the circular economy.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge
1. Students will be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the production processes and supply chains and their strategy in agri-food business- Test, examination work
2. Demonstrate the knowledge and complex understanding of production and supply chain business process management in agri-food companies- Group work, case studies, examination work
3. Demonstrate a conceptual knowledge and understanding on the analysis of production and supply chain processes in agri-food enterprises - Test with calculations
Professional skills
1. Reasonably explain and discuss production and supply chain strategy and management process in agri-food companies - Case studies; Study tour
2. Independently apply statistical and mathematical analysis methods and calculation-based methods for production and supply chain analysis - Test with calculations, examination work
3. Independently apply the theoretical aspects of production and supply chain management and to make decisions for the innovative development of agri-food companies- Examination work
Soft skills
1. Independently employ theory, methods and problem-solving skills- Test, group work, examination work
2. Find, critically assess, and creatively use information for assignments and solving problems- Case studies, examination
3. Cooperate and communicate with others- Group work, examination work
Competence
1. Define and critically analyse problems in the production and supply chain of agri-food business, justify the solutions and decisions made and, if necessary, do an additional analysis- Group work, examination work

2. Integrate knowledge and skills from various fields into an assessment of the production and supply chain management solutions in agri-food businesses- Examination work, case studies

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Theoretical basis of operations and supply chain management. (lectures 4 hours; practical work 4 hours)
2. Operations and supply chain strategy in agri- food companies. (lectures 2 hours; practical work 4 hours)
3. Process selection and layout decisions in operations and services for agri-food enterprises. (lectures 4 hours)
4. Business processes in agri-food production companies. (lectures 2 hours; practical work 6 hours)
5. Organization of logistics in agri-food companies. (lectures 4 hours; practical work 6 hours)
6. Supply chain management in agri-food enterprises. (lectures 2 hours)
7. Sales and production planning in agri-food companies. (lectures 4 hours; practical work 4 hours)
8. Strategic planning and supply chain forecasting in agri-food enterprises. (lectures 2 hours; practical work 2 hours)
9. Innovative approaches in operations and supply chain management in agri-food companies. (lecture 4 hours; practical work 4 hours)

10. Integration of new products and services in the operations and supply chain of agri-food enterprises. (lectures 2 hours)

Requirements for awarding credit points

The course includes test, case study, group work and test with calculations. Cross-examinations carried out during the practical work and examinations within the prescribed time. Final assessment of the study course - an exam, which consists of a written exam paper (research) and a presentation.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Within the framework of the study course description for independent work is given 140 hours. Independent studies (work) are organized as follows: preparation for the test (20 hours), preparation for case analysis (10 hours); preparation for group work (10 hours) preparation for test with calculations (20 hours for test), preparation of exam paper (80 hours)

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final grade in the study course is formed by:
15% Multiple choice test – Theoretical basis of production and supply chain management
15% case studies- Strategies of operation and supply chain in agri-food companies
10%Practical group work- Business processes in agri-food production companies
20% Test with calculations - Sales and production planning in agri-food companies

40% exam (30% written exam work +10% presentation) - Innovative approaches for production and supply chain management in agri-food companies/ Integration of new products and services in to the production and supply chain of agr-food companies

Compulsory reading

1. Bozarth C. C., Handfield R. B. Introduction to operations and supply chain management. 5th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall, 2020.
2. Grant D. B., Trautrims A., Wong C. Y. Sustainable logistics and supply chain management. New York: Kogan Page, 2017. 286 p.
3. Sarkar S. The supply chain revolution: innovative sourcing and logistics for a fiercely competitive world. New York: AMACOM, 2017. 240 p.
4. Chopra S., Meindl P. Supply chain management: strategy, planning, and operation . Boston: Pearson, 2016. 528 p.
5. Dani S. Food supply chain management and logistics: from farm to fork. London; Philadelphia: Kogan Page, 2015. 260 p.
6. Cordon C. The Value chain shift: seven future challenges facing top executives. Switzerland: IMD, 2014.
7. Walters D. Operations strategy: a value chain approach. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2002. 390 p.
8. Greasley A. Operations management. Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. 562 p.
9. Safety in the agri-food chain. Edited by P.A. Luning, F. Devlieghere, R. Verhé. Wageningen: Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2007. 684 p.
10. King R., Hand. M., Gómez M. Growing Local: Case Studies on Local Food Supply Chains. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2014. ebook

Further reading

1. Seitz W.D. Economics of resources, agriculture, and food. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1994. 477 p.
2. Simons L. Changing the food game: market transformation strategies for sustainable agriculture. Sheffield, UK: Greenleaf Publishing, 2015. 248 p.
3. International Journal of Production and Operations Management. ISSN: 0144-3577
4. Journal of Supply Management. ISSN: 1478-4092
5. International Journal of Logistics Management. ISSN: 0957-4093

6. Journal of Agricultural Economics. ISSN 1477-9552

Periodicals and other sources

1. Supply Chain Management. ISSN: 1359-8546. Emerald Publishing

2. Operations Management Research: Advancing Practice through Theory. Electronic ISSN: 1936-9743. Springer

Notes

Compulsory course for the ESAF academics Master's Degree Program Agri-food Business Management