BE411-5-SP-CO:
Operations and Supply Chain Management

The details
2023/24
Essex Business School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
27 November 2023

 

Requisites for this module
BE400 or BE401 or IA711
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

BE437

Key module for

BSC N200 Business Management,
BSC N201 Business Management (Including Foundation Year),
BSC N202 Business Management (Including Year Abroad),
BSC N204 Business Management (Including Placement Year),
BSC N260 Business and Human Resource Management,
BSC N261 Business and Human Resource Management (including Placement Year),
BSC N262 Business and Human Resource Management (including Year Abroad),
BSC N263 Business and Human Resource Management (Including Foundation Year)

Module description

This module builds upon the basic understanding of management, and in particular it provides an insight into the management of operations. Operations Management is concerned with how organisations produce goods and/or services.


Since the production of goods and/or services is the reason why organisations exist, it is clear that the effective and efficient management of operations is a central concern for all managers, regardless of the size or sector location of their organisation.


Managers should be able to create and maintain the necessary conditions for productive work, often in a climate of resource constraints and increasingly in a global context. The Operations Management module aims to engage the students in a critical evaluation of the various models of operations management and an analysis of the range of processes, skills and competencies required for the successful management of operations.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To provide an understanding of the theory and practice of Operations Management.

  • To develop reasoning skills applicable to innovation, technological and operational problems and opportunities.

  • Through class discussion and participation, to develop the students’ critical reading skills and enable them to present a clear case analysis with reference to academic theory.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Understand the theory and practice of Operations and Supply Chain Management.

  2. Develop, through discussion and debate, reasoning skills applicable to a range of Operations and Supply Chain Management issues in organisation.

  3. Critically analyse both academic theories and dominant managerial practices of Operations and Supply Chain Management.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • Eleven 1-hour lectures.
  • Nine 1-hour classes.

Lectures will focus on the concepts, issues and theories related to Operations Management. This formal lecture each week will present an overview of each topic and provide the stimulus for your further investigation of the subject area. It is essential you appreciate that the lectures are only designed to provide you with a starting point for your studies. Your lecture notes alone are unlikely to be of sufficient scope to enable you to pass the module successfully. One of these lectures will be a revision lecture.

Classes will enable to you actively engage with your reading through case study analysis, close reading of theoretical and empirical research-based texts, in-class discussion, group work and student presentations. Classes are NOT another lecture. Whilst they involve structured activities, they are intended to be student-led. It is therefore imperative that you prepare thoroughly before the class through reading, taking notes and preparing responses to questions. Attendance is compulsory and will be monitored.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   ESSAY      
Exam  Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
40% 60%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
40% 60%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Nicholas Beuret, email: nicholas.beuret@essex.ac.uk.
Nicholas Beuret & Jordan Lazell
ebsugcol@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 73 hours, 73 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Essex Business School

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