FREE LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT COURSE on ITUNESU

Supply Chain Management & Logistics: An introduction to principles and concepts.

To subscribe to this free iTunes U course, click  "Supply Chain Management & Logistics: An introduction to principles and concepts"   The course is only available on the iTunesU app Apple iPad, iPhone & iPod Touch utilising iOS.
In simple terms a supply chain is a network of organisations that collectively create and deliver a product or service that is valued by an end consumer. It is now recognised that competition is no longer between individual organisations but the supply chains they are part of. Therefore organisations need to work together to ensure competitiveness for all within the supply chain. Supply chain management can be defined as the management of relationships with all stakeholders, to deliver superior customer value at less cost to the supply chain as a whole. In order to do this Effective logistics is required i.e. the detailed coordination of complex operations involving people, facilities and supplies. 
This course is a collection of enhanced podcasts and videos which provide an introduction to the principles and concepts of logistics and supply chain management. By utilising the material all users will be provided with a foundation of terminology and concepts enabling them to move forward and investigate the topics in more depth.
It can be utilised in a number of ways by business professionals, educators and students.
  1. A business professional, from any function, can use the course as a means for reflection, identifying how the collaborative principles required within the supply chain can gain competitive advantage by increasing value and reducing costs
  2. Educators can use the course in a number of ways: a) as an introduction to more advance programmes b) Utilised within a course to provoke discussion. For example, a podcast or video can be viewed and group discussion or syndicate work questions set. E.g. Video XYZ discusses ABC, what are the strengths and weakness of this argument?
  3. Students of any discipline can use the course as an introduction to the topic providing them additional views, ideas and concepts that can be utilised and explored in more depth for assignments. Those considering specialising in the subject area of Logistics and Supply Chain management may also wish to take the course as a short pilot and introduction to see whether they really want to pursue the topic in depth.
My blog also provides further discussion on the concepts.  Further Free to download papers on the subject can be accessed at Cranfield CERES

Courses at The Centre for Logistics & Supply Chain Management that this material supports as pre-learning include:


The Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management (CLSCM) at Cranfield University is Europe's largest grouping of faculty specialising in the management of logistics and supply chains. As a major centre of excellence it has come to be recognised as Europe's leading centre for advanced research and teaching in these important fields. CLSCM provides a resource which encompasses taught programmes for graduates and executives, research and development capabilities and a continuing commitment to the dissemination of ideas and knowledge through publications and symposia. Many thousands of managers have attended the programmes and workshops led by Cranfield faculty.

For those wishing to research the topic in more detail I would recommend the following texts compiled by my colleagues at Cranfield School of Management.


Martin Christopher – “Logistics and Supply Chain Management” FT Publishing International (26 Feb. 2016) 
ISBN-10 : 1292083794 ISBN-13 : 978-1292083797
Alan Harrison et al “Logistics Management & Strategy: Competing through the supply chain” Pearson (10 Jun. 2019)
ISBN-10 : 1292183683 ISBN-13 : 978-1292183688

To subscribe to this free iTunes U course, click  "Supply Chain Management & Logistics: An introduction to principles and concepts"