Supply Chain and Operations Management MSc

The emphasis in this module is on formulating (modelling) and solving models with spreadsheets. The topics covered include:

• modelling principles
• optimisation and linear programming
• network models
• introduction to integer programming
• key concepts of probability and uncertainty
• decision theory
• queuing systems
• simulation

This module provides a general introduction to the management of operations. This includes an introduction to the core concepts and theory within operations management with many examples of good practice. These examples take the form of short videos in class, a number of cases, and visits to three different operations. Students will be working in teams for assessed coursework, with a final exam.

Core concepts and theory include:

• The transformation module, and an introduction to competitive priorities, and structural/infrastructural requirements
• Operations for products and services, and how they differ
• Understanding processes; Little's Law
• Introduction to lean theory 
• Introduction to quality and services management
• Introduction to supply chain management 
• Challenges in contemporary operations management

This material will be developed and expanded on in modules covering more specialist areas.

The module covers:

• definitions and classifications of projects
• objectives in project management - time, costs, quality
• activity identification
• resources and resource management
• critical path method, programme evaluation and review technique, and resource scheduling
• performance measurement and costs
• project lifecycles and models
• project teams and leadership in project management
• managing risk in projects
• critical chain planning method
• analysis of project success and failure
• Monte Carlo Simulation
• project management software

The module takes a dual approach covering both the business processes and the quantitative models and techniques necessary for supply chain planning and management. It is divided into three major parts.

1. Supply chain concepts and definitions:
   • Fundamental planning and control concepts for supply chain and operations planning: classification of operational and supply systems
   • Inventory - forms, functions, decisions, models
   • Capacity - definitions and planning
2. Forecasting for supply chain and production management:
   • Planning, scheduling and control approaches: aggregate planning, hierarchical planning and control
   • MRP-based planning and control
   • JIT principles, kanban systems
   • Theory of Constraints (TOC)
   • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
3. Supply chain collaboration:
   • Planning and control across the supply chain
   • The bullwhip effect
   • Supply chain collaboration approaches – continuous replenishment
   • Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI)
   • Collaborative Planning Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR)

The module content is divided into three major parts:

1. Strategy – Context of operations and supply chain strategy; the range of strategic decisions within and between operations; the impact of competition on operations and supply chains; supply chain strategies for coordination and integration; topical strategic issues faced by various industries and sector in their operations and supply chains, for example, sustainability, new technologies, etc
2. Performance measurement – Concept and importance of performance measurement within operations and supply chain management; selection and application of key performance indicators; importance of intra and inter-organisational benchmarking and approaches to target setting
3. Current practice – Current operations management, supply chain management, and logistics approaches in a range of industries/sectors; pertinent issues and drivers of change in practicing operations and supply chain management, including sustainability

There are two main divisions of the material:

Quality management

• Historical introduction to the development of quality management thinking
• The need for quality, definitions, ideas and concepts of quality
• Quality gurus: Deming, Juran, Crosby, Taguchi, etc
• Variation and quality improvement, problem-solving tools, Kaizen, Six Sigma
• Culture change for Total Quality Management (TQM); empowerment, team-building, motivation
• Business excellence awards (MBNQA, EFQM)
• Quality Management Systems (ISO 9000); auditing and certification
• Quality economics, quality performance measures, benchmarking
• Supply chain quality
• Service quality

Quality techniques

• Process capability: Variation risk management, loss functions, capability assessment
• PCIs, non-normality, Six Sigma approaches
• SPC charts: Shewhart charts for attributes and variables
• CUSUM, EWMA
• Acceptance sampling for attributes and variables
• Advanced quality planning - QFD and FMEA
• Quality data management
• Taguchi statistical robust design
• Total preventative maintenance

The module aims to allow you to synthesise, apply, and extend the knowledge you have gained in the taught component of the programme by engaging in primary data collection. Through investigating a current research topic and gathering original data, you will develop a deeper theoretical and practical understanding of contemporary issues in your area, while also enhancing your research, communication, and data analysis skills.

The Business Project requires students, working as groups, to undertake research in a topic which is relevant to business, management, marketing, finance, accounting, or information system. You must choose their research topic that is relevant to your named degree programme. The specific topic is subject to a formal approval process.

The module is intended for you to apply knowledge, concepts, skills, and techniques, acquired during the taught stage of your programme to real-world, business scenarios. You will be presented with real-word business problems for which you are required to review relevant literature, conduct research, analyse data, and formulate viable solutions.

Module content is organised around four themes:

1. More ‘advanced’ forecasting techniques (including more advanced time series and causal models)
2. Inventory modelling (quantity discount models; joint replenishment; reorder point – lot size systems; periodic review models; news vendor model; (S-1, S) model; multi-warehouse situations)
3. Shop floor control: WIP and Little’s law; introduction to operations scheduling and sequencing
4. Introduction to distribution logistics modelling, reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chains

This module is aimed at giving you an understanding of behaviour in an economic context. You will learn the use of methods to measure economic preferences as: trust, risk, cooperation, social preferences and social identity. These measures are used in economics and finance to explain human behaviour and decision-making processes. In addition to this you will “play” games in the classroom to get a first hand impression of the structure and meaning of the games used in the lectures.

Together we will understand how rational behaviour predictions conflict with human “bounded rational” decision making. You will analyse studies of bounded rational behaviour, labour markets, asset markets, experimental behavioural finance, social dilemmas, preferences, public goods, reciprocity, bargaining and contests.

This module covers:

• Basic concepts of business intelligence, analytics and decision support systems
• Data warehousing
• Data visualisation
• Data mining, text mining and web mining
• Big data
• Implementation of business intelligence systems and decision support systems: case studies
• Software package for business intelligence and analytics

The module covers the following: 

• Strategic issues in the location of businesses in a global context
• Location modelling and the analysis of factors influencing the optimum selection of country, region and location
• The facilities planning process and the optimum design of layouts
• Quantitative approaches to location and layout modelling
• Types of manufacturing layouts including cell manufacturing and layouts to support lean operations
• Material handling and packaging solutions
• Warehousing, storage, cross docking and order picking approaches
• Logistics challenges and solutions for next generation manufacturing and service operations, including omni-channel retailing

The E-Business module is aimed at future managers and business people who want to know how information and communications technologies (ICTs) can help them to be successful in their careers by understanding how companies use these technologies.

Aims of the module:

• To familiarise the strategic management issues and technology developments associated with e-business
• To provide a solid strategic business view of the uses of web technologies and information systems
• To help understand how and why e-businesses are successful or not, i.e. what makes them 'tick'

The module covers:

• Strategic sourcing concepts
• Supplier management
• Supplier segmentation
• Category management
• Negotiation
• Retail buying
• Services sourcing
• Compliance
• Sustainability
• Procurement organisation

The module focuses on international transport and logistics management in the context of the global economy. It covers operational, technological, economic and regulatory issues relevant to contemporary transport and logistics practice.

Specific topics covered include:

• modes of transport in a modern society
• modal and inter-modal transport characteristics
• organisation, regulation and competition in international transport and logistics
• freight costs and pricing
• trade and customs procedures