Introductory description

Operations management involves transforming inputs (capital, labour and materials) efficiently and effectively into outputs valued by the end customer in manufacturing or service environments. Logistics is recognised as a key function in meeting market requirements quickly, flexibly and without incurring punitive inventory costs. To be competitive companies need to manage operations and logistics both internally and externally across all their supply chains. This module will give students a comprehensive understanding of tools and techniques involved in operations and logistics management. This will enable students to evaluate which tools, techniques and technologies are most applicable in different industrial contexts.

Module aims

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.

• Relationship of Logistics and Operations Management strategy with other business strategies
• Theory & principles of supply chain management
• Basic planning & control techniques:
  o Forecasting demand
  o Capacity management
  o Scheduling and sequencing
  o Inventory management
  o Planning & control systems and methodologies (Material Requirements Planning, Manufacturing Resource Planning, Just In Time)
• Examples of applications of logistics and operations management in a range of industries, including manufacturing and service environments

Learning outcomes

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

• Comprehensively understand the interrelationships and interdependencies between capacity, inventory and delivery performance.
• Critically evaluate how to manage capacity, inventory and delivery to achieve effective and efficient operational performance.
• Compare and contrast different tools and techniques for the planning and control of logistics and operations management and justify their use in a variety of operational environments.
• Demonstrate awareness of appropriate technology and critically appraise how it can be applied to improve operations management within a supply chain.

Indicative reading list

Bowersox, D. J., Closs, D. J. and Cooper, M. B. (2013). Supply Chain Logistics Management. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Chopra, S. and Meindl, P. (2016). Supply chain management: strategy, planning, and operation. 6th ed. Harlow, Essex, England: Pearson.
McKinnon, A; Browne, M.; Dr Anthony Whiteing, A.; Maja Piecyk, M (2017). Green Logistics: Improving the Environmental Sustainability of Logistics. Kogan Page.
Harrison, A., Van Hoek, R. I. and Skipworth, H. (2014) Logistics management and
Chapman, S. (2016). Introduction to Materials Management (8th Edition). Pearson.
Christopher, M. (2016). Logistics & Supply Chain Management. Harlow, England: Pearson.
Manas, J. (2015). The resource management and capacity planning handbook: a guide to maximizing the value of your limited people resources. New York: McGraw Hill Education.
Myerson, P. (2012) Lean supply chain and logistics management. New York: McGraw-Hill. Nick T.
Relph, G, Milner, C; (2015), Inventory Management: Advanced Methods for Managing Inventory within Business Systems, Kogan Page, ISBN: 0749473681
Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A. (2018) Operations and process management: principles and practice for strategic impact. Fifth edition. Harlow, England: Pearson.
Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A. and Johnston, R. (2016) Operations management. Eighth edition. Harlow: Pearson.
Waller, M. A. and Esper, T. L. (2014). The definitive guide to inventory management: principles and strategies for the efficient flow of inventory across the supply chain. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Wang, Y. and Pettit, S. J. (eds) (2016) E-logistics: managing your digital supply chains for competitive advantage. London: Kogan Page.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Knowledge, critique and practical application of operations management, logistics, associated supply chain management

Transferable skills

Critical thinking, problem solving, communication, professionalism, team working