Knowledge of the Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management – Design and Assessment of an Educational and Pedagogical Tool

Abstract

Abstract
Title: Knowledge of the Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management – Design and Assessment of an Educational and Pedagogical Tool
Authors: Ana Carolina Ramalheira Correia, Areej Ribhi Ibrahim Al-Sabban
Background: Traditional pedagogical methods in supply chain management (SCM) education often fail to effectively engage learners, resulting in reduced motivation, limited knowledge retention of fundamental SCM concepts, and a lack of confidence in their applicability. To overcome these challenges, digital game-based learning (GBL) is increasingly seen as a promising alternative to support theoretical courses across educational levels. However, existing games in the SCM area are rather complex and fail to account for entry-level learners.
Purpose: This study aims to design, develop, and assess an educational game-based learning tool to support SCM foundational courses at the university level. This tool is tailored to the Fundamentals of Logistics and Operations Management course at Lund University and, aligning with the academic curricula, seeks to enhance engagement, improve knowledge retention, and develop key SCM competencies for entry-level university students.
Methodology: This study was guided by the Design Science Research approach and grounded on the SCOR model as the conceptual framework for identifying SCM core competencies. To complement the literature research, empirical data were gathered in the form of semi-structured interviews with professors, practitioners, and game developers, as well as focus groups with students. Following an abductive approach, the design process was iterative, where qualitative analysis of user feedback and educational outcomes was key for developing a valuable tool.
Results: The output of this study was FLOM: From Chaos to Control, a digital web-based game to support Lund University´s MTTF25 course. By mapping entry-level core SCM skills and systematically integrating these competencies into the game design using the SCOR model, the tool aims to develop students´ hard and soft skills, which align with the course´s curriculum and objectives. By integrating theoretical elements in the game and setting a clear implementation and integration strategy for the course, the tool also ensures pedagogical effectiveness by bridging the gap that students, professors, and practitioners identified between theoretical understanding and practical applicability. The future relevance of the designed tool is further ensured by its adaptability and scalability potential, allowing it to fit into emerging trends and innovative educational methods in supply chain management. Future research should focus on long-term impact assessment, pedagogical significance of game parameters, and integration of additional elements, always aiming to enhance learning outcomes and successfully support education.
Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Game-Based Learning, Pedagogical Tool, Foundational Knowledge, SCOR Model, Design Science Research

Popular Abstract

In an increasingly interconnected and fast-paced world, the ability to manage Supply Chains (SCs), including how goods are sourced, produced, and delivered, is a vital skill. Yet, for many students stepping into the field of SC Management (SCM), the learning experience can be uninspiring as traditional lectures and textbooks often fail to capture the complexity and interactivity of real-life SC operations. As a result, students can struggle to connect theoretical knowledge with practical application, leading to gaps in understanding, low engagement, and poor knowledge retention.
Recognising this challenge, Areej Al-Sabban and Carolina Correia, as part of their Master’s thesis at Lund University, set out to create a solution that would make foundational SCM education more dynamic, accessible, and effective. Their project resulted in the development of FLOM: From Chaos to Control, an interactive, web-based digital game designed to teach SCM fundamentals to university students in an engaging and hands-on way.
FLOM is a pedagogical tool grounded in robust academic frameworks. Built around the SC Operations Reference (SCOR) model, the game mirrors real-world SC processes such as planning, sourcing, making, delivering, returning, and orchestrating. Virtually, players must manage a frozen burger´ SC by making decisions based on realistic constraints, balancing costs, resources, and sustainability, all while responding to dynamic scenarios. In doing so, they develop not only hard skills like logistics planning and demand forecasting, but also soft skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
The design of this game was guided by the Design Science Research methodology, which emphasises the creation of practical solutions to real-world problems. Extensive qualitative data were gathered through interviews with professors, practitioners, and game developers, alongside focus groups with students. This feedback was central to refining the game’s educational relevance, usability, and effectiveness.
The research showed that game-based learning significantly enhances student engagement, boosts motivation, and strengthens understanding of core SCM concepts. Unlike existing games that often cater to advanced learners or focus on high-level strategy, FLOM is tailored specifically for entry-level students. It bridges the gap between theory and practice by allowing students to gradually experience the consequences of their decisions in a risk-free, simulated environment and enables educators who seek tools to make complex content more accessible and impactful. Moreover, the research theoretically contributes to providing a structured, replicable model for designing educational games, tailored to SCM but adaptable to other fields. Another key contribution is a competency matrix that maps essential soft and hard skills to SCOR processes, providing educators with a practical tool to align teaching and assessment with industry needs.
FLOM offers educators a ready-to-integrate tool that aligns with academic curricula and addresses the shortcomings of passive learning methods. Its adaptable structure means it can be scaled across courses and institutions, responding to the growing need for innovative, skills-oriented education in logistics and SCM.
By bringing interactivity and realism into the classroom, this thesis contributes to a broader shift in education, where experiential learning and gamification are increasingly recognised as powerful tools for deepening understanding. FLOM stands as a model of how thoughtful design, grounded in both theory and practice, can enhance how essential knowledge is taught and retained. In essence, this research doesn’t just propose a new teaching method; it delivers a tangible solution that transforms the way SC fundamentals are learned, making education not only more effective but also more engaging and future-ready.

• author: Al-Sabban, Areej and Ramalheira Correia, Ana Carolina
• supervisor: Louise Bildsten
• organization: Production Management; Engineering Logistics
• course: MTTM02 20251
• year: 2025
• type: H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
• subject: Technology and Engineering
• keywords: Supply Chain Management, Game-Based Learning, Pedagogical Tool, Foundational Knowledge, SCOR Model, Design Science Research
• other publication id: 6033
• language: English
• id: 9191924
• date added to LUP: 2025-06-17 17:04:37
• date last changed: 2025-06-17 17:04:37