module specification

This module aims to develop perspectives of business organisations and the underpinning knowledge of Operations and Supply Chain management. It provides students with an introduction to the operations management principles, processes and the environment within which the supply chain manager operates. Core to the module will be an examination of management decision-making and the range of tools and techniques that are used to support the Operations and Supply Chain process.

Students will use operations and supply chain management theoretical models, philosophies, and frameworks as an aid to informed analysis and management problem solving. The knowledge and skills relevant to the integrated management of operations activities, and operations from the perspective of global organisational and customer needs will be explored.

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• Interpretations of Operations Management
• Identification of the need, opportunity and challenge of globalisation to the operations of business
• Identification of the nature of materials management activities in different types of international organisations, and assessment of the impact of these activities on the operations performance of the organisation
• Principles of Purchasing. An analysis of the scope of purchasing and its approaches to the development and implementation of purchasing agreements across the globe.
• Managing the Quality of Goods and Services. An examination of the philosophies and techniques of managing quality across international supply chains.
• Managing Inventory. An analysis of the scope of stores and stock control and an introduction to a range of techniques relevant to different types of inventory policy.
• Sourcing and Partnerships. An examination of the nature of varying types of relationships between companies relevant to the management of supply chains.
• Global Logistics, Transport and Distribution. An analysis of the structural and organisational arrangements in relation to the movement and warehousing of goods in global supply chains; resilience and Third-Party Risk Management,
The learning will incorporate, through examples and case studies, the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME): sustainability, social responsibility, responsible leadership and ethics.

Managing Inventory and Global Logistics will incorporate the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. This integration will allow students to explore how emerging digital tools, such as predictive analytics, machine learning, and real-time data systems, are transforming inventory management and global logistics operations. Adding these contents in the above topics will encourage students to critically evaluate how these technologies contribute to greater efficiency, transparency, and sustainability across global supply chains, while also reflecting on the ethical and managerial implications of technology-driven decision-making in responsible business practice.

Weekly interactive lectures, seminars and discussions will cover the different themes outlined in the syllabus and also develop the various learning skills through practical exercises performed individually, in pairs and in groups. The teaching/facilitating process will focus on enhancing and boosting students’ confidence and commitment in their learning experience and collaborative work. Regular sessions will also be scheduled to improve such skills as note-taking, information seeking, critical reading and academic writing among others. Lecturers’ teaching materials will be made accessible to students on WebLearn and activity sheets will be provided to them during seminar sessions for problem-solving activities. 

Students learning progress is assessed using formative and summative assessments. While the formative assessment is continuous during the teaching period, there will be a single summative assessment component, carrying 100% of the overall module marks. This assignment will require students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of contemporary concepts, principles, and practices within operations and supply chain management. In addition to theoretical understanding, students will be expected to critically apply these concepts to practical organisational contexts. The assessment will also involve the systematic analysis and application of relevant tools, models, and techniques to support effective decision-making in operations management. Through this, students will showcase their ability to integrate academic knowledge with real-world problem-solving and strategic operational thinking.

Learning Objectives (LO):
LO1: To apply modern operations and supply chain management principles and practice, including the evolution of modern operations management theory/tools, to real global business cases.
LO2: To analyse the process of operations management decision-making.
LO3: To apply and analyse appropriate management frameworks which can be used for the planning and control of materials and services, from the viewpoints of quality, quantity and cost analysis.
LO4: To appreciate and utilise the range of tools and techniques available to aid efficient and effective operations managerial decision making.

Library reading list: MN5075 Operations and Supply Chain Management (OSCM) | London Metropolitan University https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/F07CD023-FC30-D826-7D1F-F04466D67812.html?lang=en-GB&login=1

Core books

•    Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A., Burgess, N. (2022). Operations Management, 10th   Edition, Pearson, London.
•    Heizer, J., Render, B., and Munson, C.  (2021).  Operations management sustainability and supply chain management (13th ed). UK: Pearson

Additional reading: 
•    Stevenson, W.  J., & Sum, C.  C.  (2024). Operations management (14th ed.). Asia: McGraw-Hill.
Journals: 
•    Journal of Operations Management
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/18731317 
•    International Journal of Operations and Production Management
https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/0144-3577 
•    International Journal of Production Economics
https://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-production-economics 
•    Supply Chain Management: an International Journal
https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/1359-8546 
•    General – Harvard Business Review, California Management Review, Financial Times, Economist, etc.
•    International Journal of Services and Operations Management
https://www.inderscience.com/jhome.php?jcode=ijsom 
•    Journal of Cleaner Production  
https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-cleaner-production
Some Related Associations and Societies for OM & SCM:
•    ASCM (Association for Supply Chain Management): http://www.apics.org/ 
•    POMS (Production and Operations Management Society): https://www.poms.org/ 
•    INFORMS (Institute For Operations Research and the Management Sciences): https://www.informs.org/ 
•    UKOMA (UK Operation Managers Association): https://ukoma.co.uk/ 
•    CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply): https://www.cips.org/  
•    IOSCM (Institute of Supply Chain Management): https://www.ioscm.com/ 
•    EUROMA (European Operations Management Association) : http://www.euroma-online.org/ 
•    CILT Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport: https://ciltuk.org.uk/ 
•    BCBS d577 (Principles for the Sound Management of Third-Party Risk) and the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) Consultation document: https://www.bis.org/bcbs/publ/d577.htm and Interpreting the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act: A definitive guide covering the legislative and compliance requirements of DORA. Source: Bloomsbury Professional.