Principles of Good SCM
Please begin by reading Anderson et al. (1997), with particular attention to their seven SCM principles. All of these will be covered in the following modules, if not in the same sequence as the authors.
During this session long project, you will analyze a logistics firm such as UPS, FedEx, Maersk Line (ocean shipping), DHL Aviation, Landstar System (trucking), CSC (railroad), or Kinder Morgan (pipelines). Almost every company uses logistics in some way, but in a logistics course, companies that specialize in it are more useful as case studies.
Please select a publicly traded, for-profit corporation. Such organizations are required to publish annual reports, and make other information available to the general public. They are also more likely to have a strong presence on the Web.
Please do not select a company whose main activity is transporting passengers, such as United Airlines or Greyhound Corp. Owing to the high value and unique requirements of their “cargo,” transportation companies are different in many ways from other logistics firms.
If possible, choose a company with which you have some experience, either as a customer, employee, or the friend or relative of an employee. Further, you should read all four SLP assignments in advance, and choose a company for which you can find the required information.