Course content

This course addresses the challenges of the complex Engineer-To-Order (ETO) environment, including mechanical, construction, shipbuilding, offshore supplier, and other types of project-based industries. These types of industries, typically producing one-of-a-kind and/or highly customized products including a high service content, face several unique challenges that seldom are addressed in traditional operations management research. Hence, this course focus on how to incorporate contemporary research on Industry 4.0, lean operations, planning and control techniques, production strategies, product platforms, and supply chain management practices, into an order fulfilment process including design and engineering activities with a high degree of uncertainty. The course encourages research that aims to improve ETO operations in terms of productivity, sustainability, and to embrace digitalization as a mean to decrease uncertainty and increase effectiveness.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

• Profound and specialized knowledge about central problems related to management of logistic operations in the supply chain of ETO manufacturing enterprises, with emphasis on management and design, digitalization, and decision support
• Thorough understanding of the ETO supply chain system, its components and processes, utilization of digitalization and the establishment, management and improvement of supply chains
• Understanding and application of relevant models, analytical tools and methods
• Insight into what constitute core technologies within the respective processes
• Training in scientific solution of industrial problems and report-writing

Skills

• Ability to apply acquire knowledge for developing holistic solutions within management of industrial supply chains and identify opportunities for innovation
• Ability of scientific reflection and argumentation
• Ability to transform theories to practical application based on well-founded choices of relevant alternative solutions
• Critically and independently evaluate analytical tools, methods, technical models and solutions
• Carry out an independent and technical engineering research project under supervision
• Scientific renewal and adjustments on own initiative

General competence (attitudes)

• Understand the role of logistics in a broader industrial and societal perspective
• Cooperate and contribute to multidisciplinary interaction
• Communicate technical logistic problems and solutions to specialists and the general public
• Hold an international perspective on one’s one profession an develop the ability of international interaction

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and study group. Self study. Write scientific article.

The course is completed subject to a sufficient number of applicants.

Further on evaluation

To pass the course a score of at least 70 percent is required.

Recommended previous knowledge

TPK 4135 Manufacturing Logistics and TPK 4160 Supply Chain Management.

Required previous knowledge

All students taking this course must be enrolled in a PhD program at NTNU or a different university.

Course materials

Articles and chapters from books. Lecturing materials.