GRA 6717 Purchasing and Supply Management

GRA 6717 Purchasing and Supply Management

Course code: 
GRA 6717
Department: 
Accounting and Operations Management
Credits: 
6
Course coordinator: 
Lena Elisabeth Bygballe
Course name in Norwegian: 
Purchasing and Supply Management
Product category: 
Master
Portfolio: 
MSc in Business - Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Semester: 
2025 Spring
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Master
Teaching language: 
English
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

Purchasing and supply management (PSM) consitutes a key business function in many companies. In many companies, purchasing costs constitute over 50% of the cost of goods sold (COGS). Therefore, suppliers represent a substantial cost for companies but they also provide value and opportunities for innovation. In addition, suppliers play a key role in a company’s risk management and strive for sustainability. Companies therefore largely depend on their suppliers, and proper PSM is needed. A common challenge of the PSM function across industries and sectors, is the need to navigate in an environment that is besieged with challenges. These include compliance to new regulations and demands related to net zero ambitions, resource scarcity, volatile raw material prices, industry 4.0, and unexpected disruptions like pandemics, geopolitical issues, wars, natural hazard incidents, etc. How PSM can play a strategic role, by developing appropriate strategies, capabilities, processes, systems, and supplier relationships, is at the core of this course. The course is a mix of theoretical insights and high level analyses on the one hand, and application of practical tools and examples on the other.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge
  • To understand and explain the role and function of PSM in an organization
  • To understand, explain, compare, and evaluate key PSM concepts, models, and frameworks
Learning outcomes - Skills
  • To apply appropriate PSM models and concepts in analyzing and coping with PSM challenges
  • To develop and implement appropriate PSM strategies that support the organization’s overall strategy and sustainability
  • To communicate and behave in a professional manner
General Competence
  • To reflect on how PSM is influenced by trends and challenges in society
  • To reflect on the role of PSM in contributing to a sustainable society
Course content
  • The role of purchasing and supply management in a company and society at large: definitions, trends, and challenges particularly related to sustainability
  • Purchasing and supply strategy at multiple levels
  • The purchasing process
  • Conditions & applications
Teaching and learning activities

The course is a mix of readings, lectures, case studies, group work, and discussions. Students are expected to actively participate.

Software tools
No specified computer-based tools are required.
Additional information

Continuous assessment will no longer exist as an examination form from autumn 2023. For questions regarding previous results, contact InfoHub.

It is the student’s own responsibility to obtain any information provided in class.

Qualifications

All courses in the Masters programme will assume that students have fulfilled the admission requirements for the programme. In addition, courses in second, third and/or fourth semester can have specific prerequisites and will assume that students have followed normal study progression. For double degree and exchange students, please note that equivalent courses are accepted.

Disclaimer

Deviations in teaching and exams may occur if external conditions or unforeseen events call for this.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Submission PDF
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
60
Grouping: 
Group (2 - 3)
Duration: 
2 Month(s)
Comment: 
Term paper about a chosen topic from the course. The size of the groups might be adjusted to situation.
Exam code: 
GRA 67172
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination when next scheduled course
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Submission PDF
Exam/hand-in semester: 
First Semester
Weight: 
40
Grouping: 
Individual
Duration: 
3 Hour(s)
Comment: 
Digital home exam
Exam code: 
GRA 67173
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination when next scheduled course
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
Total weight: 
100
Sum workload: 
0

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 6 ECTS credits corresponds to a workload of at least 160 hours.