SUPPLY CHAIN & INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABILITY
How Does Sustainability Relate to the Supply Chain Curriculum?
The Purpose of the "Courses" Page
The "Courses" page is meant to show you connections between sustainability and core courses in a particular business major. In some cases, these connections may not yet be a part of the course. We are working on that! If you are a student, you can ask for these connections to be a part of the course. If you are a faculty member, you can integrate them in as you see fit.
Course descriptions are adapted from the Penn State University Bulletin. This is not a comprehensive list of courses in the major. Learn more about this major at Penn State Smeal Undergraduate Education.
SCM 301: Supply Chain Management
Introductory course providing an overview of logistics and supply chain management with emphasis on cost and service trade-offs, technology integration, third-party logistics, and performance measurement.
Sustainability questions to consider:
- How can we incorporate environmental and social considerations into SCOR: Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, Return processes?Â
- How can we link operational performance with environmental and social impact?
SCM 404: Demand Fulfillment
Explores how customer demand is managed and fulfilled in B2B and B2C markets, focusing on the movement of goods, information, and funds from order receipt to completion. Emphasizes distribution operations, transportation, inventory control, and the strategic and financial impacts of demand fulfillment.
Sustainability questions to consider:
- How can SC managers minimize overall negative environmental impacts with forecasting, IM, transportation, & distribution network design?
- How to efficiently manage inventory / material flows with respect to both costs and emissions?
- How to consider sustainability when optimizing transportation methods?
SCM 405: Manufacturing and Services Strategies
Investigates manufacturing and service strategies within supply chain networks, emphasizing quality management and the strategic use of operations and information technologies.
Sustainability questions to consider:
- How can we integrate green manufacturing into best practices to reduce costs?
- How can we minimize waste and maximize efficiency?
SCM 406: Strategic Procurement
Provides in-depth analysis of procurement and supplier management with emphasis on strategic sourcing, supplier evaluation, make-versus-buy decisions, and the impact of technology in global supply chains.
Sustainability questions to consider:Â
- How can sustainability considerations be
appropriately incorporated into supplier selection decisions? - How does lack of environmental/social impacts throughout the supply chain increase supply risk?
- How can sustainability help to promote strategic supplier relationships?
- Why are social and human rights / labor issues important to purchasing decisions?
SCM 421: Supply Chain Analytics
Provides a spreadsheet-based, example-driven approach to learn about important supply chain models, problems, and solution methodologies.
Sustainability questions to consider:Â
- How can sustainability considerations be incorporated into analytical models of supply chain operations and risk?
- How can decision support tools integrate multiple dimensions of sustainability?
SCM 450W: Strategic Design & Management of Supply Chains
Capstone course focused on the strategic design and management of supply chains across manufacturing, distribution, and logistics. Emphasizes inventory management, cross-functional collaboration, and systems thinking. Applies quantitative tools to support data-driven decision-making and long-term value creation.
Sustainability questions to consider:
- How does supply chain sustainability mitigate risk?
- How can sustainability drive supply chain innovations?
Explore More Sustainability-Focused Courses
Curious about how sustainability fits into your academic journey? Browse additional courses and programs at Smeal and Penn State that highlight sustainability in business, society, and the environment.
ADVANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF SUPPLY CHAIN & INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND SUSTAINABILITY
Learn what sustainable supply chain is all about and its importance
Learn the important things to know in this field
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