supply chain management degree online

supply chain management degree online

The Benefits and Opportunities of Pursuing a Supply Chain Management Degree Online

1. Introduction to Supply Chain Management

The objectives of the supply chain are often in opposition to one another. An important factor in having the supply chain operate at an optimal set of objective measures is the state of information flow between supply chain members. Sharing information and creating plans that integrate member firm activities can improve efficiency and responsiveness within the supply chain. Such information sharing and integration are facilitated by the development and use of principles that can lead to successful supply chain management. The main focus for supply chain management is synchronizing the flow of products, services, and information from raw material suppliers through factories and warehouses to end customers. Properly managing such coordination and information has the potential to create a highly profitable supply chain that responds to competitive demands quickly, at a lower cost, while satisfying the end-customer demands with the highest quality product and service.

In today’s fast-paced, technologically advancing world, new concepts are coming into play that are essentially changing the nature of economies and societies. One such new concept is the notion of a global economy. In what has come to be known as the global economy, goods and services are created and consumed locally, but partners in supply chain communities may originate from any part of the world. Supply chain partners work together to use collaborative planning and shipment coordination to enhance supply chain efficiency and effectiveness. This implies that in a global economy, a fashion retailer might have design, manufacturer, distribution, and advertising partners that operate in California, Bangalore, London, and Tokyo, respectively. This has led to the concept of a supply chain. A supply chain consists of all parties involved, directly or indirectly, in fulfilling a customer request. The supply chain not only includes the manufacturer and suppliers, but also transporters, warehouses, retailers, and customers themselves. In a successful supply chain process, supply chain members work to share pertinent information, forecast demands and plan production and inventory so that they can reduce costs and lead time while producing enough product to prevent stock-outs.

2. Advantages of Online Learning in Supply Chain Management Education

A student who is considering a career in supply chain management has a variety of educational choices that will help him or her achieve this goal. Prospective students should consider the job opportunities and educational requirements for jobs in supply chain management as they select a path for learning. A student who is considering a career in supply chain management has a variety of educational choices that will help him or her achieve this goal. Prospective students should consider the job opportunities and educational requirements for jobs in supply chain management as they select a path for learning. With this increase in demand, students seeking careers in supply chain management need to decide to make a commitment to pursue education and training in this field prior to entering the workforce. With the myriad of different opportunities available to students who seek a professional career in supply chain management, it is important for graduate educators to better understand their student body and the varying employment opportunities that are presented to their students. This paper will use graduate data gathered from Northern Illinois University’s College of Business CSCIIS (Course and Instructor Information System) database to first describe students enrolled in a Graduate Supply Chain Management course. Then, the occupational titles and industries of the employers that are hiring these professionals will be specified. Finally, an example of the advice and counseling that should be shared with these students considering careers in the private sector will be given.

3. Key Skills and Knowledge Gained in an Online Supply Chain Management Degree Program

Students will get an insight into the broader fields with Business Ethics, Diversity and Equal Opportunity, and Business Communications being widespread core modules. A constant theme throughout the course is global awareness and the international perspective which is held in many core and specialist modules. With the rise in global customer and provider bases, it is vital that any business function is aware of what is happening on a world stage. Part of the program should involve supply chain planning and logistics modules. Here you examine the implications and desired outcomes in terms of asset availability, lead-time, and response. This section tends to form the core of many programs as you will need to understand the strategies of supply chain distribution. In addition, further specialist information is taught within the planning and logistics strand. Students should receive a comprehensive grounding in the best practices as they affect their area of competence. The final section worth mentioning involves the area of supplier and marketing. By the end of the degree study, it is anticipated that the program members have gained considerable expertise in a range of key disciplines.

A quality online supply chain management degree program should combine general business management with vocational knowledge that is specific to the discipline. Those majoring in supply chain management will graduate with a number of key skills and pieces of knowledge that will prove vital in their future career role. The research skills that are learned provide a base of theory and understanding of certain critical areas. Course members will have extensive knowledge and understanding of how major trends from globalization through to ethical behavior have an impact on the supply chain. This is also reflected in the understanding of sustainability which is common on most courses. Organizational behavior and strategic management knowledge enable students to see how decisions fit into an overall business framework. Ultimately, students should be able to apply an understanding of interpreting business indicators for informed practical decisions.

4. Career Opportunities and Potential Salary Growth with a Supply Chain Management Degree

Graduates can find employment with manufacturing firms, large retail operations, non-profit organizations, government, and retail service industries. Potential for salary growth is quite strong. Individuals with a Bachelor’s degree start with significant salary opportunities averaging $50,000, and then growing to over $80,000 with experience. From there, workers may go on to earn over $100,000 a year, developing a lucrative career path within supply chain management. The opportunities are numerous: graduates of a quality program only have to choose the direction they want their career to follow.

There are endless benefits to pursuing a supply chain management degree through an established educational program. Graduates of these programs will gain a wealth of knowledge and will develop the leadership, teamwork, flexibility, creativity, and effective communication qualities necessary to excel at any position in this highly skilled discipline. Graduates will have numerous career opportunities available to them from procurement, accounting, management, commercial banking, and other finance-related roles, to operations, sales, distribution, and warehousing, or any other role in the flow of a product or service from the supplier to the consumer.

5. Conclusion: The Value and Future of Online Supply Chain Management Education

Would you not agree that with the technology available, our responsibility as educators, as well as our students’ needs, should drive us to greatly increase educational access and flexibility, whenever possible? Ultimately, economics teaches that supply and demand influence price and quantity. In my opinion, traditionally-delivered education is very much like a non-competitive, unresponsive supplier. I fear it will not maintain its position, were it required to compete, in terms of cost or convenience or meeting special needs, requirements, and schedules. On the other hand, degree programs like these, supported by instruction and collaboration within a ‘virtual global classroom,’ have the potential to deliver substantial interactive value to participants, at a price that can confidently support multiple sections, that is, without excessive tuition increases or compromise to quality standards.

Given the economic and competitive benefits of streamlined and efficient supply chains, the opportunities for graduates with a business education followed by targeted training in this area will continue to grow. However, developments in technology and, most especially, the internet have removed traditional physical limitations related to time and space, while making possible the establishment of virtual learning communities. Using network technology, WMU’s web-based logistics programs deliver instruction and facilitate interaction among students, faculty, and other key stakeholders, any day of the week, any time of day or night, anywhere. These are programs that offer an outstanding education, without regard to your location and availability. Obviously, then, for the participants, there are also specific advantages of convenience and efficient use of time and energy.