MRK 3521 Distribution

MRK 3521 Distribution

Course code: 
MRK 3521
Department: 
Accounting and Operations Management
Credits: 
7.5
Course coordinator: 
Eirill Bø
Course name in Norwegian: 
Distribusjon
Product category: 
Bachelor
Portfolio: 
Bachelor of Marketing Management - Programme Courses
Semester: 
2023 Autumn
Active status: 
Active
Level of study: 
Bachelor
Teaching language: 
Norwegian
Course type: 
One semester
Introduction

The distribution course deals with the construction of supply chains and the implementation of logistics processes. Selection and management of different organizational forms in the supply chain is central. The same applies to the physical and administrative processes associated with acquiring, handling, storing and transporting raw materials and finished goods.

There are close ties between the subjects of logistics and marketing. In this course, you will learn about how these subject areas are connected within the subject of distribution. You see the challenges from both subject areas, simply put, the logistics side of the course explains the physical flow of the goods and how the channels can be operationalized and the marketing part presents how the chain is built up. One looks at how "space" in the marketing mix model links logistics and marketing together.
Management of supply chains requires that you see all the actors in a holistic perspective. The logistics processes go across the traditional functional areas within the companies and they include both suppliers and customers. The way in which the processes are carried out has a decisive effect on both competitiveness and profitability. The challenge related to e-commerce and assessment of different channels for customers is central. As professional areas, logistics and marketing have undergone a development where the main focus was on sub-areas to a holistic view of supply chain management where sustainability is a central point.

After completing the course, students should have an understanding of the managerial challenges involved in entering into binding collaborations that supply chains represent, and a basic insight into logistics processes. They must have an understanding of what sustainable supply chains entail.

Learning outcomes - Knowledge

After completing the course, students must have:

  • Knowledge of alternative forms of cooperation between companies in the supply chain
  • Knowledge of what sustainable supply chains entail
  • Knowledge of multi- and omnichannels related to distribution
  • Knowledge of online platforms
  • Knowledge of automation, robots and drones
  • Know the driving forces behind the choice of forms of cooperation between companies in supply chains
  • Knowledge of the connection between management, power and conflict management.
  • Knowledge of how customer relationships are connected in a network of industrial relationships (from relationships to networks)
  • Know logistics models for managing supply chains. Examples of this are the DuPont analysis, the total cost analysis, ABC analyses, inventory models and other classification models.
  • Examples of terms that students should be able to axplain:
    • Delivery service
    • Logistics costs customer and supplier relations
    • Vertical integration
    • Franchising
Learning outcomes - Skills

After completing the course, students should be able to explain how, with a customer-focused and market-oriented starting point, you combine economic, social and political perspectives to analyze marketing channels and physical product flow. Students will be able to:

  • Assess and classify a company's various relationships and be able to understand how these are mutually influenced
  • Carry out a distribution analysis to find the most effective channels from producer to end customer.
  • Carry out a supplier analysis and know how they can make the purchase as efficient as possible and how you should and can establish close relationships with certain suppliers.
  • Carry out a stock analysis, and be able to calculate forecasts for future sales
  • Assess the correct and cost-effective delivery service between the links in the supply chain
  • Assess and analyze various distribution costs related to the "last mile"
  • Map and assess the consequences of choosing different ways to organize the supply chain
  • Assess different forms of influence and implementation of strategies in the supply chain based on power and dependency relationships
General Competence

After completing the course, students should be aware that effective distribution channels can come into conflict with the goal of protecting the environment. They must also develop an ethical awareness related to handling suppliers in a purchasing context.

Course content
  • The concept of logistics
  • The marketing concept
  • Sustainable supply chains
  • Service levels and market coverage
  • Transport, forecasts and inventory management
  • Last mile distribution
  • On-line platforms
  • Automation/robot/drones
  • Purchasing
  • Marketing channels
  • The marketing channel's different service levels and market coverage
  • Customer service
  • Environment
  • Power and conflicts
  • Logistics challenges with online shopping
Teaching and learning activities

The course will be completed through lectures and exercises as well as tests in It`s learning, a total of 45 course hours. Excel is used in the course.

In this course, students will participate in a digital supply chain game, RealGame. This game will strengthen the understanding of challenges in a supply chain and will give students a good basis for the exam.

E-Learning

Where the course is delivered as an online course, the lecturer will, in collaboration with the study administration, arrange an appropriate combination of digital learning resources and activities. These activities will correspond to the stated number of teaching hours delivered on campus. Online students are also offered a study guide that will provide an overview of the course and contribute to course progression. The total time students are expected to spend completing the course also applies to online studies.

Software tools
Software defined under the section "Teaching and learning activities".
Additional information

Starting in the autumn of 2023, the form of evaluation in this course has changed from one exam code (MRK 35211) to two exam codes (MRK 35212 and MRK 35213).

A re-sit examination is offered in the former exam code MRK 35211 in autumn 2023 and last time in spring 2024.

Qualifications

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Disclaimer

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

Required prerequisite knowledge

No spesific prerequisites is required.

Assessments
Assessments
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Structured test
Weight: 
30
Grouping: 
Individual
Duration: 
90 Minute(s)
Comment: 
Mid-term exam - Home
Exam code: 
MRK 35212
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Exam category: 
Submission
Form of assessment: 
Structured test
Invigilation
Weight: 
70
Grouping: 
Individual
Support materials: 
  • No support materials
Duration: 
3 Hour(s)
Exam code: 
MRK 35213
Grading scale: 
ECTS
Resit: 
Examination every semester
Type of Assessment: 
Ordinary examination
All exams must be passed to get a grade in this course.
Total weight: 
100
Reduction description

Dette kurset er overlappende med kursene ELE 3715 Logistics and Marketing Channels (7,5 studiepoeng), MAD 1214 Logistikk (7,5 studiepoeng) og MRK 3520 Logistikk og markedsføringskanaler (7,5 studiepoeng). Man vil derfor ikke kunne få uttelling for kombinasjoner av disse kursene i en Bachelorgrad.

Student workload
ActivityDurationComment
Teaching
30 Hour(s)
Group work / Assignments
5 Hour(s)
Digital resources
10 Hour(s)
Prepare for teaching
45 Hour(s)
Student's own work with learning resources
110 Hour(s)
Sum workload: 
200

A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 7,5 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 200 hours.