Unit Information Form (UIF) UIF1314
The UIF provides essential information to students, staff teams and others on a particular unit. Please refer to the University’s Guidance notes on Unit Information Forms before completing the details below
SECTION 1 - Changes made to Section 1 of the UIF will require Faculty level approval. If substantial changes to Units/Courses are required, consult with Sub Dean (Quality Enhancement) for advice
Unit Name Managing Operations
Unit Code KAP004-6
Level 7
Credit Value 15
Location of Delivery Kaplan Higher Education, Singapore
Summary/Overview
Operations Management has always been one of the key functions in an organisation since it is concerned with the production and delivery of the organisation’s products and services.
The competitive environment for operations demands new ways of thinking about the way we approach the
management of our own organisation and those we network with. Global sourcing and relocation are now commonplace for manufacturing and service organisations.
The unit first seeks to provide a fundamental understanding of operations management. This foundation is then
developed into the new ways in which organisations should be managed in the global context.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to enable you to:
Evaluate the principles and techniques associated with Operations Management both in manufacturing and service industries in the private and public sectors;
Critically assess the relationship between operations and other functions within an organisation, and the need for integration between marketing, operations and human resources which is essential for modern business to meet customer needs;
Evaluate the implications of taking a global perspective of operations management.
Core Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit you should be able to:
Assessment Criteria
To achieve the learning outcome you must demonstrate the ability to:
1
Identify different types of operating systems, evaluate the
appropriateness of different systems in various types of organisations, diagnose weaknesses in operating systems and suggest corrective measures to improve performance.
Produce an assignment report which investigates the role of operations management in a chosen industry, approved by your tutor, and establishes the critical features of the systems of the
organisation and clearly identify the outcomes required
Synthesise information from relevant sources and select effective ways of structuring this information, including use of images to clearly illustrate complex points.
2 Make recommendations for the implementation of change within the planning, design and introduction of operations strategies for an
organisation.
Discuss ways in which operations management can be used to improve an organisation's competitiveness
3
Demonstrate skills associated with the planning, design and introduction of operations strategies for an
organisation.
Identify and critically discuss a range of operations management concepts and options to improve an organisation's competitiveness.
SECTION 2 - Any changes made to Section 2 of the UIF will normally require Faculty level approval
Period of delivery One Term
Pre-requisites/Restrictions
Student Activity
(10 notional learning hours = 1 credit)
Activity Notional Learning Hours
Lectures/Seminars 24 Assessment 26 e-learning 10 Self-directed study 55 Group work 35 Other (specify) Total 150 Approach to Learning
Aims, objectives and learning outcomes are achieved through face–to–face interaction to provide an enjoyable combination of theoretical understanding and practical application. Theoretical awareness and evaluation will be facilitated through a detailed study plan and guided readings that are fully supported by the Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online (BREO) Virtual Learning Environment.
Lectures, video material and simulations will be used to convey the main concepts of the programme content. There will also
be extensive use of case study material to enable programme members to develop understanding and competence in analysing global operations problems and applying techniques to solving these problems. They will enable you to grasp the practical implications of global operations. Case studies will be used from a mixture of manufacturing, service and public sector backgrounds. Local case studies and examples of practice will be used where appropriate.
Skills Development
Communication
To help with the development of this you will:
Actively engage in face-to-face discussions with your tutors and MBA colleagues.
Information Literacy
To help with the development of this you will:
Be expected to extend your learning through accessing and evaluating supplementary materials (e.g. books, journals, online journals) as appropriate.
Research and Evaluation
To help with the development of this you will:
Be critically evaluating and extending theory through case studies in agreement with your tutor.
Creativity and Critical Thinking
To help with the development of this you will:
Be required to collaborate in groups to analyse case studies in class.
Assessment Strategy
This unit will be assessed through an individual assessment accounting for 50% and an end-of-term examination accounting for 50%.
You will be required to produce an individual assignment which investigates the role of operations management in a chosen industry, approved by your tutor, demonstrating how global operations management can be used to improve competitiveness. (2,500 words).
The assignment will involve a review of academic theory on the aspect of operations covered.
You will be assessed on the quality and depth ofyour analysis and argument. Bullet points alone will not achieve a high grade. Where appropriate your answers should be illustrated with sensible examples which relate to the points being made.
The closed book, two hour examination will require you to answer essay-type questions covering key areas discussed in the unit.
No Assessment Method* Description of Assessment Method Weight % Learning Outcomes Assessed Submission week (assignments) or length (exam) 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 RE Written assignment 50 x x June start
Week 32 (FT), Week 32 (PT) December start Week 6 (FT) Week 6 (PT)
2 EX Exam 50 x June start
2 hours
December start 2 hours
*The following codes for assessment methods apply:-
AR artefact PC Practical
CB computer-based PF Performance
CS case study PL placement
DI dissertation or project PO Portfolio
EX exam PR Presentation
GR group report RE Individual report
IT in-unit test OR Oral
LR literature review OT Other
SECTION 3 - Once initial approval of the unit has been given, the Unit Co-ordinator may make changes to this section, following appropriate consultation
Outline Teaching Schedule
1. The nature of operations
2. Business strategy and global competitiveness 3. Product/service design
4. Process design and layout 5. Quality management
6. Capacity and location planning 7. Project management
8. Supply chain management
9. Logistics, warehousing and inventory management 10. Scheduling, Materials Requirement Planning 11. Just-in-Time systems, lean
12. Environmental sustainability issues
Recommended Resources
Essential
Heizer, J. and Render, B., (2014), Operations Management: Sustainability and Supply Chain Management, 11th Global Ed., Pearson Prentice Hall
Background
Chase, R. B., Jacobs, F. R. and Aquilano, N. J., (2006), Operations Management for Competitive Advantage, 11th Ed., McGraw-Hill.
Fitzsimmons, J. A. and Fitzsimmons, M. J., (2008), Service Management: Operations, Strategy, Information Technology, 6th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York
Slack, N., Chambers, S. and Johnston, R., (2010), Operations Management, Sixth edition. FT Prentice Hall.
Slack, N., Chambers, S., Johnston, R. and Betts, A., (2009), Operations and Process Management - Principles and practice for strategic impact. 2nd Ed., FT Prentice Hall.
SECTION 4 – Administrative Information
Faculty University of Bedfordshire Business School
Portfolio Full Time MBA & Full Time PG Human Resource Management
Department/School/Division Management and Business Systems
Unit Co-ordinator Prof Ram Ramanathan
Version Number
Body approving this version Date of University approval of this version (dd/mm/yyyy)
Shared Units – Indicate below all courses which include this Unit in their diet
MBA, MBA (Hospital and Health Services Management), MBA (Information Technology Management), MBA (Finance), MBA (Marketing), (MBA Brand Management), MBA (Human Resource Management), MBA (Engineering Management)
Form completed by:
Name: Prof Ram Ramanathan Date: May 2013
Authorisation on behalf of the Faculty Teaching Quality and Standards Committee (FTQSC)
Chair: ……… Date: …..……….
Unit Updates Date
