Modern businesses operate within vast global supply chains that connect suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, distributors, retailers, governments, and customers across continents. A single product may involve raw materials from one country, manufacturing in another, assembly in a third, and distribution to markets worldwide. The ability to design, manage, and adapt these interconnected networks has become one of the most important sources of competitive advantage in the global economy.
Supply Chains in a Global Economy is a practical, executive-oriented course designed to provide Junior MBA students with a comprehensive understanding of how global supply chains function and how business leaders manage complexity, risk, cost, speed, sustainability, and innovation across international operations. Rather than emphasizing technical logistics calculations, the course focuses on strategic decision-making, supplier management, procurement, transportation, trade, digital transformation, geopolitical risk, artificial intelligence, resilience, and operational leadership.
Students will explore the architecture of global supply chains, sourcing strategies, inventory management, international trade, logistics networks, digital technologies, sustainability, supply chain risk, resilience planning, customer fulfillment, and executive leadership. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on practical business application, enabling future leaders to make informed operational decisions that strengthen organizational performance and global competitiveness.
Course Objectives
By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to:
• Understand the structure and strategic importance of global supply chains.
• Recognize how supply chains create value and competitive advantage.
• Evaluate sourcing, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and distribution strategies.
• Understand international trade and cross-border operational challenges.
• Build resilient supply chains capable of adapting to disruption.
• Apply digital technologies and artificial intelligence to supply chain management.
• Balance cost, speed, quality, flexibility, and sustainability in operational decisions.
• Lead organizations through global supply chain complexity and uncertainty.
• Develop customer-centered fulfillment strategies that improve organizational performance.
• Understand supply chain leadership as a core executive competency.
