Operations Management of the Forest Supply Chain

BM0002, Operations Management of the Forest Supply Chain, 15.0 Hp
Print syllabus

Syllabus

Finalized by: Ordföranden för programnämnden för utbildning inom skog (PN-S), 2023-12-22
Valid from : Spring semester 2026 (2026-01-19)

Level

Second cycle (A1N)

Main field of study

Bioeconomy management

Grading Scale

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Course language

English

Entry Requirements

Knowledge corresponding to 120 credits including 30 credits in economic subjects of which 15 credits business administration and English 6.

Objectives

The course will enable the student to plan strategically and operate the production and supply chains of forest- and other bio-based products to ensure customer value, profitability, and sustainability.

After completing the course, the student will be able to:

Apply key concepts in Operations Management and explain how they relate to sustainability and business strategy.
Apply appropriate Operation Management approaches to manage material supply, product flow, production planning, inventories, circular flows, and quality work.
Map and apply performance measures to monitor and suggest improvements of the operations.
Evaluate and apply approaches for life cycle assessment of forest- and bio-industry processes.
Evaluate and prescribe ways for better coordination of operations through information technology, operations, and planning,
Indicate and evaluate specific aspects of bio-based production and value chains.
Communicate, both orally, in writing and digitally about bio-based supply chain related issues.

Content

The course begins with a section on Production Economics including process analysis, product calculations, forecasts, material planning and quality control. It subsequently considers Supply Chains, their objectives, structure and components including the relationship with the business strategy. Furthermore, the course involves the design, planning, and coordination of production- flows and inventories in the supply network focusing on customer satisfaction, coordination and information management. Methods of environmental management and life-cycle assessment in production and flow chains are reviewed. Practice oriented, specific features for production planning and flow management in the forest industry and other biobased industries are considered.

The course includes lectures, guest lectures/study visits, seminars and exercises where the student analyse and assess real cases, as well as tasks to communicate their conclusions both orally and in writing.

Examination Formats and Requirements for Passing the Course

- Approved examination - Passed assignments - Completed mandatory elements

Responsible Department/Equivalent

Department of forest bioeconomy and technology

Supplementary information

Included in program

Forest Science - Master's Programme
Forest and Business Management (MSc)
Forest Bioeconomy (MSc)

Module set

Title	Credits	Code
Operations Management and LCA	11.0	0005
Project work	4.0	0006

The Course Replaces

SG0199, SG0222

Other Information

In order to assimilate the course in a good way, basic information about forest value chains (industrial processes and products) is recommended, as well as basic knowledge in statistics and easy optimization.

SLU is environmentally certified according to ISO 14001. Many of our courses address knowledge and skills that contribute positively to the environment. To further strengthen this, we have specific environmental goals for education. Students are welcome to suggest measures in the course design and implementation that lead to environmental improvements. For more information, see SLU’s website, www.slu.se. SLU is also a PRME-certified university, Principles for Responsible Management Education (http://www.unprme.org/).

Berk, J., & DeMarzo, P. (2024). Corporate Finance. Pearson.

Cashore, B., Auld, G., & Newsom, D. (2004). Governing through markets: Forest certification and the emergence of non-state authority. Yale University Press.

Chopra, S. (2019). Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation, Global Edition. Pearson**. Main coursebook. Acquisition is advised**.

**Drury, C. Management and Cost Accounting, 11 th edition. Chapters 2, 3, and 6, **

European Commission (EC). (2020). A New Circular Economy Action Plan: For a Cleaner and More Competitive Europe (Parts 1 and 2).

Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N. M., & Hultink, E. J. (2017). The Circular Economy–A new sustainability paradigm? Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 757-768.

Goetsch, D. L., & Davis, S. B. (2016). Quality Management for Organizational Excellence: Introduction to Total Quality. Pearson.

Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2024). Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management. Pearson.

Holweg, M., Maylor, H., & Schönsleben, P. (2023). How AI Fits into Lean Six Sigma. Harvard Business Review.

Kossila, L. (2022). Circular Logistics in the Nordics. Studentlitteratur.

Krajewski, L. J., & Malhotra, M. K. (2022). Operations Management: Processes and Supply Chains. Pearson.

Matthews, H. S., Hendrickson, C. T., & Matthews, D. H. (2014). Life Cycle Assessment: Quantitative Approaches for Decisions That Matter. Open Access Textbook.

Matilainen, A., Andersson, E., Lähdesmäki, M., Lidestav, G., & Kurki, S. (2023). Services for What and for Whom? A Literature Review of Private Forest Owners’ Decision-Making in Relation to Forest-Based Services. Small-scale Forestry. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11842-023-09541-3

Matzler, K., Bailom, F., Hinterhuber, H. H., Renzl, B., & Pichler, J. (2004). The asymmetric relationship between attribute-level performance and overall customer satisfaction: A reconsideration of the importance–performance analysis. Industrial Marketing Management, 33(4), 271-277.

Piercy, N., & Rich, N. (2015). The relationship between lean operations and sustainable operations. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 35(2), 282-315.

Rizos, V., Tuokko, K., & Behrens, A. (2017). The Circular Economy: A Review of Definitions, Processes, and Impacts. CEPS Research Report. (Reference literature)

Schulte, M., Jonsson, R., Hammar, T., Stendahl, J., & Hansson, P. A. (2022). Nordic forest management towards climate change mitigation: Time dynamic temperature change impacts of wood product systems including substitution effects. European Journal of Forest Research, 141(5), 845-863.

Toppinen, A., Mikkilä, M., Tuppura, A., & de Vries, G. (2019). Sustainability as a Driver in Forestry‐Related Services. In Services in Family Forestry (pp. 289-306).

Weetman, C. (2016). A Circular Economy Handbook for Business and Supply Chains: Repair, Remake, Redesign, Rethink. Kogan Page Publishers.