IB3K1-15 Global Sourcing & Innovation
Introductory description
This course focuses on outsourcing, offshoring and insourcing of professional services including examples from business process outsourcing (BPO), IT outsourcing (ITO), and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO).
Module aims
The course covers two broad areas: (1) global sourcing models including outsourcing, offshoring, captive centers, and crowdsourcing; and (2) innovation through such sourcing models. It draws on economics and management theories as well as real-world examples from managerial practice. The goal is to help identify the challenges of global sourcing as well as the costs, risks, rewards, and strategies involved in sourcing decisions.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
This course focuses on outsourcing, offshoring and insourcing of professional services including examples from business process outsourcing (BPO), IT outsourcing (ITO), and Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO). The course covers two broad areas: (1) global sourcing models including outsourcing, offshoring, captive centers, and crowdsourcing; and (2) innovation through such sourcing models including open innovation. It draws on economics and management theories as well as real-world examples from managerial practice. The goal is to help identify the challenges of global sourcing as well as the costs, risks, rewards, and strategies involved in sourcing decisions.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Discuss historical and economic perspectives on outsourcing and offshoring.
- Define the critical success factors in managing outsourcing relationships and distributed teams.
- Explore the process of achieving innovation through sourcing strategies.
- Analyse a business situation to identify key influencing factors of the outcome, and their effect. Apply theoretical frameworks to practical situations.
Indicative reading list
Reading lists can be found in Talis
Subject specific skills
Identify the trade-offs among global sourcing models (Domestic Outsourcing, Offshore outsourcing, Domestic
In-sourcing Captive Models).
Transferable skills
Explore the process of developing a sourcing strategy.
Examine the benefits and challenges of different sourcing strategies for different geographies.
Business analysis of real world scenarios.
Working in teams.
Presentation skills.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%) |
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 1 hour (6%) |
| Private study | 49 hours (33%) |
| Assessment | 74 hours (49%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
Private Study.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Group Presentation and Assignment (15 CATS) | 30% | 22 hours | No |
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Group presentation and assignment: 15 minute in-class presentation, and a write up a 1500 word summary. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Individual Assignment (15 CATS) | 70% | 52 hours | Yes (extension) |
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Individual essay: Case Study analysis (2500 words). |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Written feedback to individual case study analysis and to group coursework.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 4 of UGEA-RN21 Undergraduate German and Business Studies