Managing Strategic Resources and Operations
Module description
This module provides a fundamental underpinning for the design of sustainable business strategies by focusing on how to achieve the efficient and effective management of resources and operations. You will be introduced to a range of operations management concepts, within the context of operations as transformational systems. A key theme will be how to eliminate MUDA (waste) which can arise in over-production, waiting, conveyance, processing, inventory, motion and correction. The module will provide you with the means to analyse operations activities and design solutions to overcome wasteful operational processes and issues.
Internationalisation: Internationalisation is a core theme exemplifies in the use of international cases and video material used in class. The importance of international alliances is explored in the topics of buyer-supplier relations, inventory management, supply and innovation.
Sustainability: The term “Muda” or waste is explored in depth in terms of how to avoid non value-added activities, is a core theme. Inventory management, managing quality and process choice and layout go into much depth about to ensure avoidance of waste, which goes to the very essence of Sustainability. New business models will be explored and their potential consequences and outcomes considered.
Employability: In this module, you will develop skills in presenting and team-work dynamics in regular presentations in class
Ethics and Corporate Responsibility: the module will look at corporate responsibility as part of several topics, especially in regard to new business models.
Research in Teaching: the module will use research articles in addition to the core text;
Full module specification
| Module title: | Managing Strategic Resources and Operations |
|---|---|
| Module code: | MBAM906 |
| Module level: | M |
| Academic year: | 2017/8 |
| Module lecturers: |
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| Module credit: | 10 |
| ECTS value: | 5 |
| Pre-requisites: | None |
| Co-requisites: | None |
| Duration of module: |
Duration (weeks) - term 1: 4 days |
Module aims
In short, the aims of the module are to:
- Introduce you to the basic framework, scope, and management of activities involved in operations management
- Understand some of the complexities in operations
- Appreciate the strategic importance of operations management
- Identify emerging trends impacting on the sustainability of organisations.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. identify, apply and critique the strategic frameworks of operations management.
- 2. model organisations as systems and sub-systems.
- 3. describe the main design factors and their alternatives which shape operations management.
- 4. explain and apply a range of fundamental operational improvements.
- 5. explain and apply quality management concepts.
- 6. analyse organisations using standard benchmarking.
- 7. synthesise from a range of operations management methods and apply within problem contexts.
- 8. critically evaluate the role of operations within different business models.
- 9. explain the evolution, challenges and consequences new business models and green production.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 10. apply appropriate theoretical principles to analyse complex organisational problems.
- 11. contribute solutions to the transformation of business processes in pursuit of greater efficiency.
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 12. present analytical findings effectively.
- 13. manage independent study and research using library and internet resources
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | 72 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 28 | Lectures & facilitated group discussions |
| Guided Independent Study | 72 | Reading, Research, Writing |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| In class discussions/feedback on case studies | 30 40 minutes in class | 3 - 6 | Oral |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | 40 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | 60 | 2 hour | 1 - 13 | Written feedback |
| Corporate challenge or individual assignment for students unable to take the challenge | 40 | Powerpoint deck | 1 - 13 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | Re-sit Examination | 1 - 13 | Term 3 |
| Individual assignment | 2000 words | 1 - 13 | 6 weeks after briefing |
Syllabus plan
Strategic operations management: the major areas of responsibility in operations management and their strategic importance.
Supply chain management: power, value, inter-firm relationships and value stream management. Process choice and strategy in manufacturing and services; types of layout; cutting edge practices.
Scheduling and capacity management: impact on key competitive areas such as cost, delivery, speed and delivery reliability.
Improving operations through total quality management, benchmarking, business process reengineering and process mapping; Six Sigma and waste reduction.
Services operations management: concepts, definitions and practices; service strategy; delivery systems; image and differentiation in services; lean thinking in services.
Emerging trends: Green production, evolution, challenges and consequences
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Brown, S, Bessant, J, Lamming R and P Jones (2013) Strategic Operations Management, 3rd.,Routledge
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Origin date
16/09/2014
Last revision date
07/08/2017