Spreadsheets in education of logistics managers at faculty of organizational sciences: an example of inventory dynamics simulation

Abstract

This paper analyses spreadsheets application in logistics education. Spreadsheet software can be used very effectively for analyzing logistics and supply chain issues, in order to allow students to harness the power of logistics management by creating of useful spreadsheet model of logistics problems. Main objective of the paper is presenting of approach of modeling logistic problems as discrete controlled object in spreadsheet. This concept allows clear separation between a discrete object (a low of behavior and the control domain), a performance criterion, and a method used to find an optimal solution. Benefit of approach, described in the paper, is in the easier understanding and solving of logistics problems for logistics management students. Approach is applied and tested in the education of logistics managers at Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade. Primary purpose of paper is contribution to the development of spreadsheet application in logistics management education, through the presentation of inventory control problem, modeled as a discrete controlled object in spreadsheet.