Date of Defense

4-23-2024

Date of Graduation

4-2024

Department

Marketing

First Advisor

Sime Curkovic

Second Advisor

Bret Wagner

Abstract

This Honors Thesis presents the creation of an introductory textbook on supply chain management designed to bridge the knowledge gap for undergraduate students and entry-level professionals. Recognizing the growing complexity and critical importance of supply chain operations in today’s globalized economy, this textbook aims to provide a comprehensive, accessible, and practical foundation in supply chain principles and practices. This textbook is structured to cover fundamental concepts, methodologies, and real-world applications of supply chain management, as well as provide students with advice from Western Michigan University’s very own supply chain professional. Subsequent chapters focus on topics from supply chain finance to industry 4.0 to exchange rates to what to expect in the future of supply chain. Each topic is explored at a surface level to provide students with just a glimpse of what they can expect in Western Michigan University’s supply chain program and the industry as a whole. One of the distinguishing features of this textbook is it is written from a student’s perspective. Provided with documents, articles, and books by Sime Curkovic, this textbook is an adaptation of this professor’s materials with the goal of creating a more understandable collection of information for new undergraduate students with little knowledge of supply chain. Along with the provided documents, much research was conducted to fill any gaps of information. With the use of supply chain industry websites and journals, information was collected on the more current supply chain as well as predictions regarding the future. One major aim of this textbook is to inform students during their first couple semesters at Western, what supply chain is and if a major in supply chain is for them. To enhance learning and engagement, the textbook incorporates interactive elements near the end of the book. These tools are designed to reinforce key concepts discussed throughout the course of the textbook as well as provide students with a chance to try solving supply chain issues on their own.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Restricted

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