Supply Chain Management: Competencies for a Globally Networked World

In-depth Expertise and Leadership Skills

The degree program imparts in-depth expertise in supply chain strategy, design, and planning, specifically preparing you for a career in a global environment. A central focus is on Data-Driven Management: You will learn how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to leverage complex data for making well-founded decisions and proactively controlling processes. This enables you to develop digital business models and design global supply chains that are not only more efficient but also more resilient and future-proof. Sustainability and resilience emerge as the result of intelligently optimized processes. In addition, essential leadership and innovation skills are acquired in the area of Future Focused Leadership to guide teams safely through global change and actively shape the transformation of the economy.

The Topics

• Artificial Intelligence & Generative AI
• Circular Economy & Circular Supply Chains
• Advanced Data Analytics & Forecasting
• Network Modeling & Simulation
• Digital Systems & Automation
• Future-oriented Economic Models
• Entrepreneurship & New Business Models
• Internationalization

The Modules 

The curriculum of this leading Master's program in Austria is based on six thematic pillars:

• M1: Strategic SCM & Global Value Network Architecture
• M2: SC Intelligence & Business Analytics
• M3: Corporate SCM & Integrated Business Planning
• M4: Digital Supply Chain Processes & Technologies
• M5: SC Transformation & Innovation
• M6: SCM-Leadership

M1: Strategic SCM & Global Value Network Architecture Analysis of the macroeconomic, geopolitical, and trade policy frameworks of supply chain management. Students design global network architectures, systematically assess risks, and develop resilient, future-oriented supply chain strategies.

M2: SC Intelligence & Business Analytics Artificial Intelligence and data governance, KPI systems and dashboards, machine learning methods, as well as network analysis and modeling. The goal is evidence-based judgment: from complex datasets to well-founded strategic decisions.

M3: Corporate SCM & Integrated Business Planning Integrated business planning along the entire value chain, alignment of sales, production, and procurement, cross-functional coordination and governance, as well as performance management. Supply Chain Management is anchored as a strategic value driver.

M4: Digital Supply Chain Processes & Technologies Process modeling and Business Process Management, digitalization and automation of supply chain processes, the use of agent-based artificial intelligence, as well as optimization models and algorithms.

M5: SC Transformation & Innovation Futures research and scenario techniques, innovation frameworks and design thinking, circular economy and sustainable supply chains, as well as digital business models and platform strategies. Students translate innovation impulses into viable transformation strategies.

M6: SCM-Leadership Systematic diagnosis of real supply chain systems in companies, evaluation of transformation processes, and derivation of strategic recommendations for action. This is complemented by excursions to leading companies and study-accompanying fireside chats with executives starting from the first semester.

Future Skills in SCM

• SCM – Big Picture: Understanding global value networks, geopolitics, and trade structures – identifying risks before they become visible.
• Corporate SCM: Strategically designing supply chains within the company – making digitalized, AI-supported, and data-driven decisions.
• Transformation & Innovation: Evaluating digital technologies, leading change, and developing viable strategies from ideas.
• SCM-Leadership: Leading cross-functionally, making evidence-based decisions, and taking responsibility for the entire supply chain.

Specialization & Internationalization 

Summer School, Innovation Week, elective courses at the FH OÖ (University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria), as well as study periods at international partner universities enable the targeted development of an individual competence profile.

Master's Thesis 

Independent academic processing of a practice-relevant topic: problem definition, research design, systematic literature review, as well as empirical or conceptual investigation, concluding with a presentation and defense.

AI is an Integral Part of Our Program 

AI is not just explained in our program, but actively applied: Students use current tools to forecast demand, model supply chains, and automate processes. They learn how good data quality is created, how AI results can be critically examined, and how these translate into well-founded decisions for global supply chains.

Didactics & Teaching Approach

• Practical Application and Individual Specialization No fewer than five awards for excellence in teaching underline the quality of education at the Steyr Campus. At the center is a consistently application-oriented teaching approach: Theoretical concepts are directly linked to real company content. Through the processing of real case studies and the implementation of concrete projects with industry partners, knowledge is transferred directly into practice. This close integration with the business world is strengthened by the Logistikum Steyr and the Association Network Logistics (VNL), meaning that current challenges and datasets from everyday professional life flow directly into the courses. The program is therefore always in tune with the times and optimally prepares students for the operational and strategic reality in companies.
• Maximum Flexibility through Optimized Blended Learning The focus is on modern teaching methods in accordance with the principle: "In-person classes must add value, online teaching must enable flexibility." A key unique selling point of this Master's program is therefore its efficient time model. In contrast to study formats with weekly compulsory attendance, the on-campus phases in the SCM Master's program are concentrated on just every other weekend. The alternating weekends are designed flexibly and location-independently using modern online teaching methods. This significantly reduces necessary commuting: Students save valuable travel time and costs, which enables a significantly better compatibility of career, private life, and academic further education.