The course is intended for students interested in general management or careers in consulting, operations, or marketing. Understanding how supply chain management impacts business performance is also of value for those aspiring to accounting and finance careers. Supply chains are networks of organizations that supply and transform materials, and distribute final products to customers. This course views the supply chain from a general manager's perspective. Supply chain management represents a great challenge as well as a tremendous opportunity for most firms. If designed and managed properly, supply chains are a crucial source of competitive advantage for both manufacturing and service enterprises. There is a realization that no company can do any better than its supply chain. This becomes even more important as product life cycles are shrinking, product and service variety is growing, and competition is intensifying. The course emphasizes the use of qualitative and quantitative analysis in making supply chain management decisions.