MO0495 - Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Risk

What will I learn on this module?

The module will present you with the fundamental principles of contemporary Supply Chain Risk Management and Sustainable Supply Chain Management within a business context. This research informed module explores the ways in which good practice in these fields underpinned with theoretical relevance can contribute to optimisation of operational efficiency, organisational excellence, minimising organisational and environmental risk, achieving sustainable competitive advantage for the fruition of broader ‘triple bottom line’ (TBL) benefits.

You will develop the ability to apply strategic thinking to contemporary issues of risk impacting on the 21st Century Supply Chain and its associated Networks. You will be equipped with a thorough understanding of the tools and techniques necessary to analyse, evaluate and implement best practice to Supply Chain Risk Management and Sustainable Supply Chain Management.

The syllabus consists of:

Supply Chain Risk Management
• Risk definition in the context of Supply Chain Management.
• Risk identification and assessment - techniques and tools.
• Risk considerations at outset before choice of contractual approach or in progress adjustments to forms of contract.
• Development and justification of risk-driven management decisions.
• Supply chain vulnerability and risk response strategies.
• Risk management philosophies, processes and procedures.
• Risk analysis techniques.
• Risk transference strategies including insurance.
• Industry based real-world case studies and scenarios illustrating macro and micro-level risks, and approaches to supply chain risk management.

Sustainable Supply Chain Management
• Sustainability concepts and frameworks
• Sustainable Supply Chain Management philosophies, processes and procedures
• Environmental legislation
• Sustainable design of products
• Strategic role of sustainability in green supply chain management
• Closed-loop supply chains
• Facilities and location planning decisions
• Transportation decisions
• Supplier management

How will I learn on this module?

This module will use a wide range of research rich and technology enabled learning tools and strategies to develop your understanding of this integrated approach to business. To do this effectively it will be supported with the introduction of key Supply Chain Risk Management and Sustainable Supply Chain Management concepts underpinned with theoretically rich and inter-disciplinary knowledge supported directly from contributions from industry. The exciting challenges facing practitioners in operations and supply chain management will be highlighted with a particular focus placed upon fostering ethical thinking and sustainable development approaches.

The module is broken in two blocks including “Supply Chain Risk Management” and “Sustainable Supply Chain Management”. There are some theoretical, conceptual and practical aspects to be investigated and learnt. There is also opportunity for you to understand the integration of these two blocks as two key management approaches in twenty first century organisations.


Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for interactive activities and use of the discussion board on the e-learning platform.

Independent learning will centre upon you identifying and pursuing areas of interest in relation to the subject area or by providing deeper/broader knowledge and understanding of the subject through a range of learning activities that might include extended reading, reflection, research etc. Critical reflection on knowledge, experience and practice underpins the learning and teaching philosophy along with the explicit development of competence.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The module is supported by a teaching and learning plan which outlines the formal sessions, together with the tutor-directed study and independent reading. An interactive approach to lecture sessions will draw upon the directed learning undertaken and your own experiences. Throughout, emphasis will be upon high levels of participation, individually and within small groups or teams. You can therefore expect the reflective-practitioner approach to learning to be embedded in all seminar sessions through undertaking activities which facilitate them to apply theory to ‘real-life’ situations, critically analysing and making recommendations for appropriate ways forward for the organisation/individual.

The module is also supported by the e-learning portal housing lecture and seminar materials and the module tutor will be one of small teaching team of subject experts delivering the module.

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:
• Critically evaluate supply chain risk management strategies in a range of organisational types in Service, Retail and Manufacturing situations against current best practice in this fast paced and multi-disciplinary field. [MLO1]
• Demonstrate significant knowledge and understanding of appropriate tools and techniques of analysis necessary in the critical evaluation of supply chain risk management, vulnerability and resilience and sustainable supply chain management. [MLO2]

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:


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

How will I be assessed?

ssignment (80%)
An individual assignment (3000 words). This element of assessment requires the production of an academic report comprising two parts. The report requires a critical analysis of a selected organisation's approaches to Strategic Supply Chain Risk Management and Sustainable Supply Chain Management resulting in an individual assignment critique submission showing the acquired student knowledge development over the module delivery period. The assignment will need to focus on two separate parts including:

1. Part A: Strategic Supply Chain Risk Management
2. Part B: Sustainable Supply Chain Management

This will assess MLO1 and MLO2.

Group poster presentation (20%):
A group poster presentation that would focus on practical aspects of Supply Chain Risk Management and Sustainable Supply Chain Management for improvement of supply chain efficacy expanding upon examination of potentially relevant triple bottom line outcomes. The group of students will select a real–world case study within a particular sector/industry and will critically evaluate supply chain risk management and/or demonstrate the level of sustainable supply chain improvement opportunities, barriers and/or potential for improvement of sustainable supply chain management and operational effectiveness. This should demonstrate key theoretical understanding underpinned with a proportionally balanced level of academic literature and if appropriate, white and grey literature sources. These groups will be established for seminar activities from the outset of the course.

This will assess MLO1 and MLO2.

Feedback on your summative performance in this module will be provided as follows: Your assessment will be returned to you with annotated comments directly related to the assessment task. You will also be provided with a written comment on actions to be taken to improve performance in assessment overall.

Formative feedback will be provided throughout the module, particularly in relation to seminar tasks. Students should, however be aware that formative feedback can, and will, occur in any communication with an academic tutor.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module aims to develop your ability to apply strategic thinking to contemporary issues of risk impacting on the 21st Century Supply Chain and its associated Networks. It will provide you with a thorough understanding of the tools and techniques necessary to analyse, evaluate and implement best practice to Supply Chain Risk Management and Sustainable Supply Chain Management.
This module will use a wide range of research rich and technology enabled learning tools and strategies to develop your understanding of this integrated approach to business. To do this effectively it will be supported with the introduction of key Supply Chain Risk Management and Sustainable Supply Chain Management concepts underpinned with theoretically rich and inter-disciplinary knowledge supported directly from contributions from industry. The exciting challenges facing practitioners in operations and supply chain management will be highlighted with a particular focus placed upon fostering ethical thinking and sustainable development approaches.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 2 years full-time (with advanced practice in second year) commencing January 2021
4 other options available

Department Newcastle Business School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Fee 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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