20306 - DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS AND INTERNATIONAL RETAILING
CLMG - M - IM - MM - AFC - CLAPI - CLEFIN-FINANCE - CLELI - ACME - DES-ESS - EMIT
Department of Marketing
Course taught in English
MONICA GROSSO
Course Objectives
The course analyzes, in an international perspective, the complexity of vertical relationships within the distribution channels. The course adopts an empirical approach. An interactive business game allows students to learn by doing the various elements that intervene in manufacturers-retailers relationships (contract signing, brand-private labels competition, collaboration, etc.). This is a particularly critical topic. It is indeed from the firm’s ability to successfully manage channel relationships that a sustainable competitive advantage based on integrated distribution networks derives.
Course Content Summary
- Distribution choices and internationalization policies.
- Bargaining policies.
- Distribution contracts.
- Competition within distribution channels: brand vs. private labels.
- Collaboration within distribution channels.
- Integrated distribution networks.
Detailed Description of Assessment Methods
Attending students
- StoreWars simulation:
a. Individual preparation test : 25%
b. Individual participation in class: 25%
c. Group performance in the simulation: 20% - Final written exam: 30%
The final exam consists in a series of brief questions testing what students have learnt from the simulation.
The grade of the Simulation is valid only for the 2 first date of the exam in summer 2012, listed in the table below.
Non Attending students
Final written exam composed of open and closed questions on the book.
Textbooks
Attending students
- Slides provided in class by the Professor
- StoreWars material provided in class by the Professor
Non Attending students
- LEVY, WEITZ, Retailing Management, 7th edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 2008.