MN7030 - Digital Business Delivery (2026/27)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2026/27 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Digital Business Delivery | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Masters (07) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 20 | ||||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 200 | ||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2026/27(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
A business adds value through its operations, which today are typically highly dependent on the use of digital technology to link together organisations within the value network, connect with customers, improve delivery, personalise products and services, and match demand and supply. It is vital that managers and leaders understand both how business operations are designed, managed and improved, and the relationship between new product/service development and operations.
The potential for AI, the Internet of Things, big data and robotics to further increase the use of technology in the operational domain is already clear, whether using AI in legal process or robots to make burgers. An understanding of the links between technology and operations is critical for anyone aspiring to be a business manager, owner or entrepreneur.
Throughout the course of the module consideration will be given to the need for businesses to reduce their impact on climate change and to operate in a sustainable and ethical manner.
The module aims to:
· build knowledge and understanding of the key challenges of building and managing operations and technology systems
· strengthen awareness of the importance of reducing contributions to climate change and the current and emerging means to achieve this goal in business operations
· build knowledge and understanding of the role played by people in operational delivery including Lean and Agile working
· equip students to be able to analyse and recommend improvements to the operation of a business system, whether a start-up or a well-established enterprise
Prior learning requirements
None
Available for Study Abroad? NO.
Syllabus
· Introduction to Operations Management and Enterprise Systems (1,2,3)
· Capacity Planning (1,2)
· Lean operations (1,2)
· Quality management (1,2)
· Enterprise Resource Management and ERP systems (1,2,3)
· Supply chain management and systems (1,2,3)
· Knowledge management (1,2,3)
· Current and future digital technologies (3)
· New product and service innovation and development (1,2,3)
· Process design and technology enablement (1)
· Digital project management – linear and agile approaches (1,3)
· Risk assessment and management (1,2,3)
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Students will attend 3-hour weekly workshops during which time they will receive material in the form of lectures/discussions, discuss case studies and current issues. They will also complete a range of exercises to build practical skills in forecasting, process modelling, and capacity planning.
WebLearn will be used in support of blended learning to provide the reading list, lecture recordings, additional video material and items of topical interest
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Critique key practices and theories within the areas of operations management, service operations, and process management.
2. Critically evaluate the contribution of operations management and information systems to a business organisation’s performance and strategic aims
3. Critically evaluate the business operations implications of current and emerging digital technologies as constraints, opportunities and threats
Bibliography
Journals:
· Harvard Business Review
· International Journal of Operations & Production Management
· International Journal of Project Management
· International Journal of Procurement Management
· International Journal of Procurement Management
· Journal of Financial Risk Management
· Journal of Management Information Systems
· Journal of Purchasing & Supply Management
· Journal of Operations Management
· MIS Quarterly
· Project Management Journal
· Risk Management: An International Journal
Websites
www.apqc.org