COMM 441 - Advanced Business Logistics

Business logistics is the set of activities involved in the flow of materials and products through an organization and through the supply chain to the market. This course examines and applies management tools and principles to these supply and distribution problems. Emphasis is first placed on developing a broad overview of the logistics field: what are its principle activities, decisions and how these activities produce value by supplying customer service through order fulfilment. Next, a thorough grounding in concepts, alternatives and tools for the primary activities of logistics: inventory, transportation, warehousing and order processing are presented. This provides the basis for examining issues in logistics system design, including stock location, sourcing, number and location of facilities and flow management. The inter-functional coordination is reviewed by examining how logistics is coordinated or integrated with marketing and corporate strategy, if time permits. Various problems and case assignments seek to encourage problem conceptualization, the application of quantitative methods, and the utilization of computing capability for solving logistics problems in specific areas and for designing the logistics system. An optional term project is used to allow students to: be proficient in one or more tools or process areas of business logistics, pursue a subject in depth, apply tools and principles to realistic problems and develop writing, oral and team skills.

Learning objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

• achieve an understanding of the business logistics concept.
• see how logistics activities produce value in the business organization.
• be familiar with analytical methods appropriate to logistics decision making.
• be able to address real world problems in logistics by applying the concepts and tools of business analysis.
• be able to increase logistics decision making effectiveness through experience in problem formulation and solution
  recommendation.
• be able to apply systems concepts to logistics problems.
• be able to integrate logistics strategy with marketing, production and corporate strategy.
• achieve a proficiency in the application of one or more tools applicable to logistics problems.
• have entry level proficiency in one or more logistics processes.

Corequisite: COMM 204

Note: COMM 441 will no longer be offered after 2015W. It is presented here for historical reference.