MO9623 - Supply Networks

What will I learn on this module?

The module aims to provide you with the knowledge and skills of applying a variety of Supply Networks knowledge at the subject interface to support business decision making in this area of subject. The module is delivered to you using weekly lectures and seminars, principally concentrating on the development of your subject skills and interpretation of the subject area.
Within this module, you will cover ten main topics:
Supply Network Design,
Planning and Control;
Intermodal transportation;
Warehouse Planning and Control;
Warehouse Design Management;
Inventory Control Systems;
Network Management,
Operational Perspectives;
Network Architecture;
Lean Thinking via Process Improvement;

You will undertake various seminar and case study exercises to build the skills and expertise in these Supply Network areas to support your group and individual assignment work.

The module will lead you to the development of Supply Network (SN) skills and confidence in handling the knowledge gained. In doing so, it will expose you to a wide range of subject techniques in the Supply Network subject area. You will become aware of the role of the subject in the business context. Furthermore, you will gain an understanding of the role of the Network Manager and the development of various business problem solving models.

On completing the module you will be able to select and apply the appropriate SN techniques to support business problem solving in a variety of situations. You will have developed relevant skills to support the theoretical material introduced throughout the module.

How will I learn on this module?

The lectures will provide you with a theoretical underpinning of the module content, supported by a seminar which will give you an opportunity to practice the various techniques and topics studied, allowing you to build up a subject proficiency and the necessary skills of interpretation and communication of findings.

There will be a number of additional exercises housed on the module’s e-learning portal that will permit you to undertake further study independently. The module has a supporting reading list that provides you with an opportunity to see how the various decision making techniques are applied to further managerial and research-based problems.

Your directed study will support the work you have undertaken in the contact sessions. You will be expected to keep up-to-date with your lecture programme. In addition, you will be set a selection of exercises to complete in seminars. To aid with self-assessment on progress, solutions to these exercises will be made available to you on the e-learning portal where appropriate.
Independent learning time is set aside for learning activities, self-identified by you, to gain a deeper and broader knowledge of the subject. You may complete the review exercises, work with the electronic support tools (such as recordings of applications), or undertake further reading.
The problem solving nature of the seminars means that tutor (formative) feedback will be received continuously. Solutions to both seminars and directed learning activity on the e-learning portal will be aid knowledge and provide formative assessment.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Support will be provided to you by a member of academic staff leading the module and providing the lecture input. A team of academic staff are allocated to small seminar groups, which provides a closer, more personal academic support. These groups are typically based on study programme cohorts, so you will be taught here alongside fellow members from your particular degree.

Your module is supported by an e-learning portal, which houses lecture materials, seminar exercises and data files, alongside assessment details and various support facilities, alongside other electronic support facilities such as indicated above.

You will be provided with a wide-ranging electronic reading list that comprises of various academic reports, conference papers and journal articles that showcase the application of various quantitative techniques presented in the module.

The module assessment consists of two inter-related tasks (20%) Presentation and (80%) Individual Assignment which will be distributed throughout your teaching semester. This will encourage your active participation in the learning process throughout the semester. The eLearning portal will be used to permanently host these tasks after release to ensure that you can access the information required at all times.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critique and appraise a variety of Supply Network Management techniques and their application to the analysis and interpretation of business situations for a variety of organisational applications. (MLO1)
2. Understand and critically evaluate the role of Supply Network Management as an aid to decision making; through the selection of techniques to assist in the solution of business problems. (MLO2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Evidence skills in the handling of Supply Network Management techniques and the corresponding findings of its analysis and for progression to more advanced contexts. (MLO3)


Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

How will I be assessed?

The module assessment consists of inter-related tasks which will be distributed throughout your teaching semester.

This will encourage your active participation in the learning process throughout the semester.

The eLearning portal will be used to permanently host these tasks after release to ensure that you can access the information required at all times.

Your work on these tasks will provide you with further chance to practice the various areas of Supply Networks, as well as forming the pre-work for a group presentation at the end of the module.

A 20 minute presentation represents 20% of the module mark will be based on an investigation of an organisation identified by the group. An 80% individual assignment will allow students to individually use the presentation as a case study to further evaluate via secondary research the variation between Supply Network Management practiced by an organisation and an extensive literature review.

Both assessments address MLO1, MLO2 and MLO3

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

It is expected that you will enter employment with an appropriate level of Supply Network Management (SNM) understanding and proficiency in everyday business usage. This module provides these essential business skills giving you a theoretical understanding of various SNM applications supported through practical Case Study exercises. You will work on a number of key techniques linked to which are set to practical scenarios, supporting work for practice and specific items relating to your assessment. You will undertake assessment tasks leading to an assessed presentation which places emphasis on your findings and problem interpretation. These critical, analytical, practical and interpretative skills are directly transferable to your working life, through part-time employment, placement or full-time graduate role. Your additional experiences within the module centre on support reading giving you additional awareness of the broad applicability of the module content across the wider business and management subject area.

Course info

UCAS Code N205

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 3 years full-time or 4 year sandwich

Department Newcastle Business School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2024 or September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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