Skip to main content Skip to navigation

WM910-15 Supply Chain Management

Department
WMG
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Karen Bradbury
Credit value
15
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

Supply Chain Management capability within business has, over the last decade in particular, taken on a much more significant role in enabling business to gain competitive advantage and deliver bottom line performance. As companies strive to identify their competitive edge, the application of supply chain concepts will continue to exert greater influence on overall business success. This module covers a wide range of topics in supply chain strategies, design, planning, operations and development. Emphasis has been laid mainly on the perspective of integrated supply process. Releasing value in business through relationship management, cost reduction and lean supply have been the key considerations. The module also provides many real would cases, which illustrate ways of achieving enduring business competitiveness.

Module aims

Supply Chain Management capability within business has, over the last decade in particular, taken on a much more significant role in enabling business to gain competitive advantage and deliver bottom line performance. As companies strive to identify their competitive edge, the application of supply chain concepts will continue to exert greater influence on overall business success. This module covers a wide range of topics in supply chain strategies, design, planning, operations and development. Emphasis has been laid mainly on the perspective of integrated supply process. Releasing value in business through relationship management, cost reduction and lean supply have been the key considerations. The module also provides many real would cases, which illustrate ways of achieving enduring business competitiveness.

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.

  1. Introduction to supply chain management
  2. Globalisation of supply chain development
  3. Retail supply chain design and planning
  4. Supply chain management frameworks
  5. Supply chain collaboration and integration
  6. Sustainability and supply chain
  7. Supply chain risk management
  8. Costing the supply chain
  9. Lean supply management
  10. Agile supply management
  11. Purchasing and supplier selection
  12. Supply relationship management
  13. Case studies, games and group activities
Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Understand the fundamental concept of integrated supply chain management.
  • Making educated decision on strategic outsourcing and vertical integration.
  • Understand customer driven orientation and value adding
  • Appreciate the critical importance of supply chain collaboration and integration.
  • Analyse and develop suppliers and customer relationships
  • Managing supply chain risks and costing issues.
  • Select and apply appropriate tools and techniques to plan, control and manage the supply chain to achieve overall efficiency and effectiveness.
  • Apply basic principles of lean supply for operational excellence.
  • Comprehend cultural and technological impact on global supply chain development.
Indicative reading list

Title: Managing the Global Supply Chain
Author: Phillip B. Schary & Tage Skjott- Larson;
Publisher: Copenhagen Business School Press (2007)

Title: Dynamic Supply Chains: Delivering Value Through People
Author: John Gattorna (2010)
Title: Operations Strategy Author: Nigel Slack & Michael Lewis; Publisher: Prentice Hall (2014) Title: Strategic Operations Management: a value chain approach Author: David Walters & Mark Rainbird; Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (2006)

Subject specific skills

Understand the scope and contents of supply chain management, be able to conceptualise real-world supply chains into a theoretical model or framework, be able to analyse the market and competitive business environment from a supply chain perspective, be able to apply relevant management frameworks and theories in strategic planning and design of supply chain, be able to make constructive and educated suggestions for supply chain improvement and development, be familiar with supply chain management tools that facilitate the management practices.

Transferable skills

Critical thinking, Problem solving, Self-awareness, Communication, Teamwork and working effectively with others

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 29 sessions of 1 hour (39%)
Practical classes 8 sessions of 1 hour (11%)
Other activity 38 hours (51%)
Total 75 hours
Private study description

No private study requirements defined for this module.

Other activity description

30 hours maintaining a self-reflective log-book
8 hours pre-reading

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
Assessed work as specified by department 100% 75 hours

A coursework of approximately 6,000 words. Students will be required to examine a relevant situation or practice within their company, undertake an analysis, apply theory and concepts from the background academic literature, compare best practice approaches to addressing issues and challenges, and make recommendations as to the applicability and likely efficacy of such approaches within the company context. This will constitute 100% of total assessment.

Assessment group R
Weighting Study time
Assessed work as specified by department 100%

100% Post Module Assignment

Feedback on assessment

Immediate oral feedback will be provided after case studies / practical workshops, which will be
focussed upon the learning targets of each session. Feedback will also be provided to any
questions which arise from students with the lecture session.

Written feedback of approximately 150-250 words will be provided for the Post-Module
Assignment within a four week period after the date of submission. This feedback will be focussed
upon the strengths and weaknesses of the work with regard to the module learning objectives
and the post-module assignment marking guidelines. Suggestions for improvement will also be
provided.

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of TESS-N1PX Postgraduate Award in Business Leadership
  • Year 1 of TESS-H1P1 Postgraduate Taught Engineering Business Management