This course will provide students the systematic outline of distribution. The major themes are: Distribution structure and functions, Marketing channel decision, Wholesaling/Retailing, Retail marketing and strategy, IT and distribution, retailing internationalization.
Through lectures, case studies and group work, the course enables students to have a solid foundation in distribution.
By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
1) Explain the social functions and structure of distribution in Japanese main industries.
2) Explain how to design and management the marketing channel.
3) Explain major types, functions, and strategies of retailers and wholesalers.
4) Explain the impact of IT and internationalization and solution for its tasks.
Distribution, marketing channels, retailing, wholesaling, retail internationalization
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Lecture, discussion, group work and presentation by students.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction: distribution, commerce and marketing | Understand the definition of distribution and difference between distribution, commerce and marketing. |
Class 2 | Distribution structure and functions (1) | Understand the functions of distribution and the concept of channel flows. |
Class 3 | Distribution structure and functions (2) | Choice one industry and research on its distribution system. |
Class 4 | Marketing channel decision (1) /Case studies by students(1) | Explain how to design the marketing channel. |
Class 5 | Marketing channel strategies and issues (2) /Case studies by students(2) | Explain the concepts of vertical integration, channel power and channel conflict |
Class 6 | Wholesaling/Case studies by students(3) | Explain the characteristics of the Japanese wholesaling sector. |
Class 7 | Retailing (1)/Case studies by students(4) | Explain the retailer marketing. |
Class 8 | Retailing (2)/Case studies by students(5) | Explain the characteristics of the Japanese retailing sector. |
Class 9 | IT and distribution (1)/Case studies by students(6) | Explain the impact of IT on distribution. |
Class 10 | IT and distribution (2)/Case studies by students(7) | Will be instruct in the class. |
Class 11 | Retailing Internationalization(1)/Case studies by students(8) | Explain the general situation and outline of retailing internationalization. |
Class 12 | Retailing Internationalization(2) | Will be instruct in the class. |
Class 13 | Retailing Internationalization(3) | Will be instruct in the class. |
Class 14 | Final presentation (1) | Prepare slides and give a presentation. |
Class 15 | Final presentation (2) | Prepare slides and give a presentation. |
None required.
Handouts will be distributed at the beginning of class when necessary and elaborated on using PowerPoint slides.PowerPoint documents that are to be used in class will be made available in advance via the OCW-i system. Students are expected to use these documents for preparation and review purposes.
Class Discussion Attendance 20%
Group Work (case studies 20 points, group research 30 points) 50%
Debrief Paper (A4 size, at least 4 pages, single-space) 30%
Students must have successfully completed Marketing (IEE.D203) or have equivalent knowledge.
Study pace and timing is subject to change.