The strategic management literature suggests that effective supply chain management offers enormous potential to unlocking competitive advantage. This module explores specific supply management strategies for tapping that potential, providing students with a broad-based understanding of the factors, mechanisms and processes relevant to establishing and maintaining effective supply chain management and improvement. In doing so, this module builds on students’ knowledge developed in BS2541 Purchasing and Supply Chain Management.

The module content has also received recognition by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)’s. Students who successfully complete this module as part of the BSc Business Management (Logistics & Operations) pathway, will be able to apply for modular exemptions for the Diploma in Procurement and Supply, should graduates later wish to pursue CIPS professional qualifications.

A. Knowledge and Understanding

• Identify and evaluate a range of world-class techniques for performance improvement.
• Appraise key logistics concepts, both traditional and contemporary

B. Intellectual Skills:

• Critically appraise the role of supply management within the supply chain as a vehicle for achieving competitive advantage.
• Demonstrate analytical and written communication skills by presenting their arguments clearly and concisely in written form in accordance with appropriate scholarly conventions in assessed work and in response to examination questions.

C. Discipline Specific Skills:

• Analyse the strategic factors that impact the planning, policy formation and effectiveness of supply chain management.
• Critically appraise the application of world class performance improvement techniques.

D. Transferable Skills:

• Develop analytical, communication and learning skills through workshops and seminars.
• Develop critical ability in the interpretation of empirical evidence.

The module comprises 44 hours of lectures and tutorials spread over two semesters.

Teaching methods will involve a combination of formal lectures which includes some sessions delivered by outside industry experts and visiting academics. More informal tutorial sessions are designed to encourage discussion and participation. Students will be encouraged to explore the application of concepts learned through the use of contemporary case studies.

Indicative study hours: 200

Formal assessment consists of one key element: continuous assessment.

The continuous assessment coursework will be presented as a formal report. This will assess the students’ ability to solve complex problems relating to supply management in a systematic manner.

Informal assessment is provided through interactive lecture sessions in which students are required to work in teams to tackle problems presented through case studies and to formally feedback their collective view.

The context of supply chain management; World-class performance improvement techniques; Strategic supply commercial relationships; Key inhibitors to supply chain integration; Change management within the supply chain; Risk Management; Environmental Considerations; Lean and Agile Philosophies; project management, collaboration; category management.

van Weele, A.J. 2014. Purchasing and supply chain management: analysis, strategy, planning and practice. 6^th ed. Andover: Cengage Learning.
Available at Aberconway library. 

Cousins, P. 2008. Strategic supply management: principles, theories and practice. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall. 
Available at Aberconway library and online at:  http://bit.ly/28PHMvn

Lysons, K. and Farrington, B. 2012. Purchasing and supply chain management. 8^th ed. Harlow: Pearson. 
Available at Aberconway library and online at: http://bit.ly/28LR2F0

Hines P. 1994. Creating world-class suppliers: unlocking mutual competitive advantage. London: Pitman. 
Available at Aberconway library.

Womack J. et al. 2007. The machine that changed the world: the story of lean production. London: Simon & Schuster. 
Available at Aberconway library.

Given the advanced nature of the module, students are expected to make use of relevant journals:

Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management

Journal of Business Logistics

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal

Supply Management: CIPS