vcc.ca
OPMT 4140: Supplier Ecosystems and Enterprise Risk Governance
Effective date
January 2027
Department
Global Supply Chain Management
School
Hospitality, Food Studies and Applied Business
Description
This course explores advanced approaches to supplier selection, segmentation, performance management, and relationship governance, emphasizing long-term value creation, innovation partnerships, and total cost of ownership. The course positions suppliers not merely as transactional vendors, but as interconnected ecosystem partners operating within dynamic global networks.
Building on this foundation, the course integrates enterprise risk governance principles into sourcing and supplier strategy. Students develop the capability to identify systemic vulnerabilities across multi-tier supply networks, assess geopolitical, financial, operational, and ESG-related risks, and design governance frameworks that enhance transparency, accountability, and resilience. Through applied analysis, learners evaluate how strategic sourcing decisions influence enterprise-wide risk exposure, business continuity, and organizational sustainability.
Credits
3.0
Year of study
4th Year Post-secondary
Prerequisites
OPMT 3240.
Corequisites
None
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe and assess the criteria and strategies for selecting and onboarding suppliers
- Measure and assess supplier performance using key performance indicators (KPIs)
- Develop strategies for resolving conflicts and enhancing cooperation with suppliers
- Identify, categorize, and analyze different types of supply chain risks including operational, financial, environmental, geopolitical, and demand-related risks
- Assess and mitigate risks associated with suppliers including supplier audits and risk transfer strategies
- Develop business continuity and disaster recovery plans for supply chain resilience
- Distinguish the ethical considerations and social responsibility involved in supply chain risk management
- Utilize generative AI to model and analyze complex situations, what-if scenarios, enabling them to proactively identify and predict supply chain risks, their corresponding impact on operations, and recommend actions to mitigate those risks
- Utilize generative AI to analyze diverse data sources, including financial reports, performance metrics, and customer feedback, to comprehensively evaluate supplier performance
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
None
Hours
Lecture, Online, Seminar, Tutorial: 45
Total Hours: 45
Total Hours: 45
Instructional Strategies
Lectures and presentations, Case studies, Group discussions, Problem-solving scenarios, Group projects
Grading System
Letter Grade (A-F)
Passing grade
D
Evaluation Plan
|
Type |
Percentage |
Assessment activity |
|
Participation |
10 |
|
|
Quizzes/Tests |
10 |
At least two quizzes |
|
Assignments |
10-20 |
Two or more group assignments |
|
Project |
20 |
Group project; includes case study and presentation |
|
Midterm Exam |
15-25 |
|
|
Final Exam |
15-25 |
|
Course topics
- Introduction to supplier management Supplier selection and evaluation Risk assessment in supplier evaluation Supplier relationship management Supplier collaboration, innovation, and performance improvement Types of supply chain risks Risk identification and assessment Supply chain risk mitigation strategies Business continuity and disaster recovery Global sourcing and supplier risk management Environmental and sustainability risks Ethical considerations in supply chain risk management Resilient Supply Chain Strategies Risk Management in Supply Chain Finance
Notes:
- Course contents and descriptions, offerings and schedules are subject to change without notice.
- Students are required to follow all College policies including ones that govern their educational experience at VCC. Policies are available on the VCC website at:
https://www.vcc.ca/about/governance--policies/policies/. - To find out if there are existing transfer agreements for this course, visit the BC Transfer Guide at https://www.bctransferguide.ca.