OVERVIEW

The course aims at providing knowledge of some math programming techniques to solve strategic, tactical and operational problems arising in supply chain management. The definition of evaluation criteria for possible solutions, the development of mathematical models and heuristic methods for determining the optimal solution, Pareto solutions are the focus of the course.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing tools to face strategic, tactical, and operational decisions in Supply Chain Management; it will provide management techniques (mathematical programming, scenario analysis). The consolidation of the proposed methodologies is supported by the development of case studies; models will be implemented and solved thanks to spreadsheet Excel and optimization software.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims at providing decision support methods to face strategic, tactical, and operational decisions in Supply Chain Management.

The course will provide management techniques such as decision theory, math programming, and scenario analysis. The consolidation of the proposed methodologies is supported by the development of case studies; models will be implemented and solved thanks to optimization software and spreadsheet Excel. The case studies analysed will allow the development of awareness of personal learning level, of ability to apply the studied techniques, and understanding of one's own needs in terms of skills development.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• analyse a decision problem and understand the best way to face it

• apply different criteria to evaluate the alternatives by using to Payoff Table

• formulate a decision problem and implement a mathematical linear programming model (integer-binary)

• solve some of the typical problems in supply chain management (network design, production, distribution, inventory)

• evaluate the level of personal learning and the ability to apply the techniques studied, understanding any need to develop further skills

• critically analyse the solutions obtained by assessing their correctness and feasibility

• carry out scenario analyses and compare the alternatives

PREREQUISITES

Matrices and linear systems

Functions of a real variable

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lectures in Italian are integrated with individual/group works and lessons involving the use of PCs (spreadsheet Excel /optimisation software). 

Some lessons will be dedicated to the presentation and discussion of case studies.

During the course, homework will be assigned via AulaWeb.

Thanks to participation in working groups it is possible to obtain the following Open Badge: 

Ability in learning to learn - advanced level
Project creation proficiency - basic level

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Serena Scotto (scotto@economia.unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

9 ECTS course

Analysis of some problems in the supply chain management: production, scheduling, transportation, and distribution problems; network design problems; inventory management and forecasting. Project management: analysis of costs and times.

Methods: Decision theory,  Linear, Integer, and binary programming, multi-objective optimization, graph theory, what-if analysis, and CPM tecniques. Some software will be used for solving the analysed problems (i.e. LINDO, MPLand/or Excel)

6 ECTS course

Analysis of some problems in the supply chain management: production, scheduling, transportation and distribution problems; network design problems.Project management: analysis of costs and times.

Methods: Decision theory, Linear, Integer and binary programming, graph theory, what if analysis, heuristics. Some software will be used for solving the analysed problems (i.e. LINDO, MPL and/or Excel)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Hillier, Lieberman, Introduction to Operations Research, McGraw-Hill 2009.
Clement, Robert T., Reilly, Terence. Making hard decisions with decisiontools suite, South Western Pub, 2013.
Slides and papers on AULAWEB

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

DANIELA AMBROSINO (President)

CARMINE CERRONE

ANNA FRANCA SCIOMACHEN

ELENA TANFANI

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course is in the first semester, following the calendar and schedule defined by the Department of Economics.
Schedule and classrooms are available at the Easyacademy link.

Class schedule

OPERATIONS RESEARCH FOR MANAGEMENT

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam includes:

1. A written test with open-ended questions and simple exercises for the application of the tools analyzed and/or used during the lessons.

2. The development and presentation of a group project.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The knowledge on the topics covered in class will be assessed through the written examination

The ability to apply knowledge and communication skills and other personal competencies (learning to learn and project creation) will be assessed through the projects work and thier presentation.
The evaluation will concern:
1) the work in the classroom
2) the organization of the work for the information collection  
3) compliance with deliveries
4) project presentation (ppt: completeness/ logical sequence of the contents; oral presentation: language appropriateness)

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

See the webpage dedicated to incoming-erasmus-students

The course is worth 9 ECTS but is also available for 6 ECTS. See the dedicated program.

Additional information for students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) 

At the beginning of the lessons, contact the instructor to agree on the compensatory and dispensatory tools to be used.

Based on the results of the teaching evaluation, more attention is dedicated to:

- The distribution between the theoretical and practical parts of the course
- The organization of the preparatory work for project development.