module specification

Operations management is the area of business activity concerned with the production of goods and services. It includes the responsibility for ensuring that all business/organisational operations are efficient in terms of minimising costs by using as few resources as possible, and effective in terms of maximising quality and meeting customer requirements. It is concerned with managing the transformational processes that convert inputs (in the form of materials, labour and energy) into outputs (in the form of goods and services). It is important therefore that learners seeking employment in the business world fully appreciate the integral organisation of manufacturing, production and/or delivery systems, and their interfaces with internal as well as external customers and suppliers, if goods/services are to be produced on time, to cost and compliant with regulations and legislation.

The aims of this module are to encourage students to:
• Develop a critical appreciation of the operational problems of an organisation.
• Critically analyse the operational elements of businesses including procurement, logistics and supply chains.
• Critically review the operational efficiency and effectiveness of a given organisational design.

• Strategic Operations Management
• Logistics, Procurement and Supply Chain Management
• Human Resources and Strategic Operations Management
• Managing Transformation Process
• Managing Quality
• Managing Inventory
• Capacity and Scheduling Management
• Managing Service Operations
• Health, Safety, Environmental and Regulatory Compliance

The module will be delivered through weekly teaching sessions in the form of 12 lectures, two revision and feedback sessions, 10 group tutorials, four workshops with industry experts, and two field trips.

The lectures will aim to focus on the theoretical knowledge and understanding whereas group tutorials will focus on the application and analysis of these using a variety of means including case studies, problem solving, business simulations, micro-presentations, discussion and debates. Articles from various magazines and journals will be used in addition to directed reading from text books and online learning resources/web materials.

Industry experts with relevant experience will be invited as guest speakers during the two workshops (total duration of 6 hours) with a focus on career skills, employability issues and experience of business operations. These may take place in the employer’s workplace if this is relevant to the content and intended learning experience for these sessions. Field trips may be a part of or additional to these workshops, depending on topicality, opportunity and relevance.

On completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Critically analyse business functions, processes and challenges involved in managing business operations.
2. Critically evaluate the synergy between business operations and strategic planning relevant to manufacturing and service industries.
3. Determine appropriate models, techniques and frameworks applicable to supply chain management .
4. Apply a variety of best practice techniques and analytical frameworks commonly used by managers to help them enhance the effectiveness of business operations.
5. Justify how quality management approaches and techniques are applied to improve operations in a given organisation.

Core Books
• Brown, S., Bessant, J. and Lamming, R., (2013) Strategic Operations Management. 3rd edition, Abingdon: Routledge
Recommended Books
• Johnsen, T.E., Howard, M. and Miemczyk, J., (2014) Purchasing and Supply Chain Management.  Abingdon: Routledge
• Slack, N., Chambers, S. and Johnston, R.; (2010) Operations Management. 6th edition, Essex: FT Prentice Hall
• Paton,  S., Clegg,  B., Hsuan,  J., and Pilkington,  A., (2011) Operations management, New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Journals and Other Resources
Production and Operations Management
The International Journal of Operations and Production Management
Journal of Operations Management
http://www.bloomberg.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/HarvardBusiness
http://www.forbes.com/business/