Operations Management and Strategy

The course is designed to give students a first look into one of the most fundamental functions of any organisation, its ‘operations’ and its relationship with strategy. The operations function of a business, whether it be in manufacturing or services, has the responsibility of making whatever it is the organisation will sell (whether it’s a product or service). During the semester, we will study this core function extensively and see the vital role it plays in strategy as well as analysing some of the important decisions that must be made by operations managers when it comes to design, planning and control and improvement of the organisation’s industrial engineering system.

Only available to students on: Mgt/Mgt Specialism; IMABS and IM.

Optional on BSc Management, International Management and ITMB.

On completion of this course unit the student should be able to use the operations management frameworks and techniques presented to develop strategies, design, plan and control operations.

• To give the students a general understanding of how a business operates, both in manufacturing and services.
• Students should understand the range of frameworks, tools and techniques taught in this module and how they relate to an organisation.
• Students should be able to analyse the operations of an organisation using the tools taught in this module.
• Students should be able to evaluate the operations of an organisation and understand how this output relates to strategy.

Week	Content
1	Introduction to Operations Management and Strategy
2	Design in Operations Management – Process Design
3	Design in Operations Management – Layout and Flow
4	Supply and Demand
5	Inventory Management
6	Reading Week
7	Supply Chain Management
8	Lean and Improving Operations
9	Quality
10	Revision Session

 

9 two hour lectures

 

 

• To give the students a general understanding of how a business operates, both in manufacturing and services.
• To develop a wider understanding of operations management regarding characteristics, performance and strategy.
• To develop knowledge and critical understanding of how the key operations management principles, theories and concepts may be used in the support of strategic decision making.

 

• Show critical awareness of strategic and operational issues associated with different business environments. 
• Express reasoned arguments about operations and supply chain strategy 

• Using library, electronic and online resources.

• Apply subject level knowledge to real world operations.  
• Improve own learning through planning, monitoring and critical reflection on the course content.
• Ability to think critically about operations and supply chain problems and formulate written argument to support your own analysis.   

This course has two forms of assessment, including 20% multiple choice quizzes (MCQ) and 80% examination (2,200 word essay)

Special Assessment for exchange students only. The special assessment for this course is an essay weighted at 100%. Details of the topics and submission procedures will be made available on Canvas.

 

Extensive break-out sessions in lectures provides students with real time, targeted and specific formative feedback.I In addition turning point quizzes administered in lectures will give real time formative feedback to learners.

 

Slack et al. (Operations Management)

Pre-requisites: None
Co-requisites: None
Dependent courses: None

Programme Restrictions: BSc Management and Management (Specialisms), BSc International Management, Information Technology Management for Business.