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 Unit Code Managing Operations KAP004-6 Level 7 Credit Value 15 Location of Delivery Summary/Overview Aims Kaplan Higher Education, Singapore 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. 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 1 Learning Outcomes On completion of this unit you should be able to: 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. 2 Make recommendations for the implementation of change within the planning, design and introduction of operations strategies for an organisation. Demonstrate skills associated with the planning, design and introduction of 3 operations strategies for an organisation. Assessment Criteria To achieve the learning outcome you must demonstrate the ability to: 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. Discuss ways in which operations management can be used to improve an organisation's competitiveness 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 Pre-requisites/Restrictions Student Activity (10 notional learning hours = 1 credit) One Term 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. Communication Actively engage in face-to-face discussions with your tutors and MBA colleagues. Skills Development Information Literacy Be expected to extend your learning through accessing and evaluating supplementary materials (e.g. books, journals, online journals) as appropriate. Research and Evaluation Be critically evaluating and extending theory through case studies in agreement with your tutor. Assessment Strategy Creativity and Critical Thinking Be required to collaborate in groups to analyse case studies in class. 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 1 2 3 4 5 6 Submission week (assignments) or length (exam) 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, 11 th 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 Portfolio Department/School/Division Unit Co-ordinator University of Bedfordshire Business School Full Time MBA & Full Time PG Human Resource Management Management and Business Systems 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 (dd/mm/yyyy) Nature of Update FTQSC Minute Ref: