1. A CROSS-FUNCTIONAL CURRICULUM FOR SUPPLY CHAIN EDUCATION AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.
- Author
-
Closs, David J. and Stank, Theodore P.
- Subjects
UNIVERSITIES & colleges ,SUPPLY chains ,BUSINESS logistics ,SUPPLY & demand ,CURRICULUM - Abstract
This article examines cross-functional curriculum for supply chain education at Michigan State University (MSU) East Lansing, Michigan. Supply chain organizations require individuals who can effectively comprehend and manage integrated operations both within enterprises and between supply chain partners. Faculty in purchasing, production/operations management, and logistics/ transportation operate independently, often duplicating teaching, research, and outreach efforts. Separate programs prohibit students from understanding critical elements of supply chain management in favor of in-depth knowledge in one area. MSU business faculty enjoy a rich history of cross-functional collaboration. The first step toward integration was the creation in 1978 of a program in materials and logistics management that emphasized the relationships among procurement, production, and logistics. While the start-up costs of developing new classes and courses are high, the prospective value gained by students, recruiters, and faculty appears thus far to justify the effort.
- Published
- 1999