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WM9F5-15 Supply Chain Management

Department
WMG
Level
Taught Postgraduate Level
Module leader
Dawei Lu
Credit value
15
Module duration
2 weeks
Assessment
Multiple
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

The Supply Chain Management module delivers the fundamental knowledge that addresses business structure, relationship, and operational effectiveness from the supply chain perspective. The contents of the module are based on the most recent research findings and managerial experiences around the globe. The module is delivered through face-to-face lectures, seminars and online guided asynchronous learning. It is delivered mainly by the University's internal academic tutor, and supported and complemented by contribution from experienced external professionals and academics alike.

Module aims

The principal aims of the module are to prepare the students with advanced knowledge in the field of supply chain management, and to develop the essential skills to apply the knowledge when facing or anticipating real-world business cases.

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. Fundamentals of supply chain management
  2. Lean supply management
  3. Agile supply management
  4. Supply chain design and planning
  5. Supplier relationship management
  6. Strategic outsourcing
  7. Risk management in SC
  8. Value stream mapping
  9. Information driven SC
  10. Managing strategic changes in SC
  11. Bullwhip effect and Beer Game
  12. Decision making in outsourcing
  13. Kraljic Matrix for Purchasing portfolio analysis
  14. Supply chain cost analysis
  15. Global energy supply chains
  16. Supply chain sustainability
  17. Trends of digitisation in supply chain development
Learning outcomes

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

  • Formulate an advanced conceptual model from a real-world supply chain case in order to understand real-world supply chain problems and to mitigate them.
  • Critically evaluate supply chain strategies and their fit for the competitive environment.
  • Critically analyse the effectiveness of a supply chain’s managerial approaches.
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive familiarity with industry specific measures, standards, protocols, digital platforms, and specific tools within the supply chain management and logistics sector.
  • Interpret and apply new theoretical and practical ideas at the forefront of research and application of Supply chain Management from both academia and industry.
Indicative reading list

Supply Chain 4.0 concept, maturity and research agenda, 2019.
Supply Chain Disruption: Aligning Business Strategy and Supply Chain Tactics, Steve O'Sullivan, 2018
What does Industry 4.0 mean to supply chain, 2017.
Logistics & supply chain management - Martin Christopher, 2011.
Fundamentals of Supply Chain Management - Dawei Lu, 2011

International

The module takes more than 90% of international students.
The module is also delivered in 6 different countries internationally.
The module's materials are predominantly international in nature.

Subject specific skills

Understand the scope and contents of supply chain management
Conceptualise real-world supply chains into a theoretical model or framework
Analyse the market and competitive business environment from a supply chain perspective
Apply relevant management frameworks and theories in strategic planning and design of supply chain
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

Communication skill, presentation and articulation skill, team work and team leader skills, dependability, adaptability to much wider employment opportunities, business and related technology literacy.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 10 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (10%)
Seminars 10 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (10%)
Online learning (scheduled sessions) 6 sessions of 1 hour 30 minutes (6%)
Private study 51 hours (34%)
Assessment 60 hours (40%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

The private study hours are designed for students to carry out their independent learning. These complement the scheduled engagement hours. We are allocating an average of 2.25 hours for each taught session (1.5 hours). This time will be scaffolded with pre-reading, review, and exploration.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time
Assessed work as specified by Department 100% 60 hours

Post Module Assignment for SCM module is a case study based independent written report. A fairly detailed real-world case will be provided with the PMA instruction, but the case many change for every two runnings of the module. It is an open-ended report designed to encourage students' autonomous study and free-style discussion, to which there are no model answers. The two areas for student to explore are the theoretical model of the supply chain and the management practices that help to implement the model. Total word limit is from 3000 to 3500 words.

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

The reassessment is the same as the assessment except that the real-world case provided for the written report is going to be a different one.

Feedback on assessment

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 outcomes and the post-module assignment marking guidelines. Suggestions for improvement will also be provided.

Courses

This module is Core for:

  • Year 1 of TWMS-H1SD Postgraduate Taught Supply Chain and Logistics Management (Full-time)

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 1 of TWMS-H1S8 Postgraduate International Trade, Strategy and Operations (Full-time)