Skip to main content
 

BUSI55215: Operations and Supply Chain Management

It is possible that changes to modules or programmes might need to be made during the academic year, in response to the impact of Covid-19 and/or any further changes in public health advice.

Type Tied
Level 4
Credits 15
Availability Available in 2023/24
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Management and Marketing

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • To provide students with an in-depth understanding at an advanced level of the complexities of managing operations and supply chains. Emphasis is placed on critically evaluating the principal processes which add value, primarily in manufacturing but also in service sectors.

Content

  • The nature and scope of operations strategy
  • Design of products and services
  • Process design
  • Management of materials
  • Planning and control
  • Quality management
  • The nature and scope of supply chain management
  • Supply network design
  • Inter-organisational relations, e.g. partnerships, trust and power

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • By the end of the module, students should:
  • be able to understand the challenges involved in identifying, acquiring and managing the various resources which are required in both manufacturing and service industries;
  • be familiar with the language required to discuss the use of the main operations and supply chain management techniques with functional experts;
  • have specialist knowledge of the pitfalls in trying to manage the complexities of operations sand supply chain management within the business context;
  • have a critical appreciation of the assumptions, implications and limitations of operations and supply chain management.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • By the end of the module, students should:
  • be able to recognise the need/opportunity to use the main operations and supply chain management techniques.

Key Skills:

  • Written communication; Planning, organisation and time management; Problem solving and analysis; Using initiative; Computer literacy.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The bulk of the module will consist of conventional class-room teaching. It will include lectures delivered by guest speaker practitioners, and the use of case studies, to emphasise real world applications and issues.
  • The summative assignment will test students' knowledge and understanding of the subject-matter and their ability to apply it in a particular context.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures101 per week2 hours20 
Seminars4Fortnightly1 hour4Yes
Preparation & Reading126 
Total150 

Summative Assessment

Component: AssignmentComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Written assignment2,500 words maximum100Same

Formative Assessment

Group presentation

More information

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our Help page. If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the Help page, or a query about the on-line Postgraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us.

Current Students: Please contact your department.