School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
MN50344: Managing operational processes |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Masters |
| Period: | Modular (no specific semester) |
| Period: | Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| CW 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take MN50340 or take MN50345 or take MN50352 |
| Description: | Aims: This module introduces the basic principles of Operations Management: opening up narrowly defined notions of 'operations' and illustrating how all organisations are essentially defined through their operational capabilities. Throughout the course, students will experience, analyse, discuss and contrast a range of service, manufacturing, for-profit and not-for-profit organisations. Learning Outcomes: The primary learning objectives are to: 1. introduce the basic concepts of operations management and illustrate the strategic significance (potentially positive and negative) of operational capabilities. 2. demonstrate the value of employing an operations 'lens' on all organisational activities. In particular this helps students understand the critical interfaces between key organisational functions. 3. provide familiarity with the language, concepts and application of operations management tools and analyses. 4. provide, through the use of a wide variety of case and video material, simulations, games, presentations, discussion papers etc. the opportunity to develop specific and general analytical skills. Skills: Academic/Intellectual Skills (T, F, A) * systematic understanding of operations management - as both a functional discipline and a lens on organisational behaviour. * increased awareness of, and critical understanding of, theoretical constructs and practical models developed in the response to current operations management challenges; * enhanced ability to move back and fore between theoretical and practical perspectives. Professional Practical Skills (T, F, A) * ability to analyse live operational issues in service and manufacturing, and for-profit and not-for profit, environments; * recognition of the personal ingredients necessary to operate more effectively as a reflective practitioner: including team-based and leadership roles. Transferable/Personal/Interpersonal Skills (T, F, A) * ability to manage and work in international teams with an increased awareness of issues such as culture, gender, etc.; * facility to communicate including presenting and marketing themselves and their ideas; preparation and production of effective analytical reports and improvement plans. Content: In terms of its conceptual coverage, the course is structured around four key operations management content themes: strategy; design; planning/control, and; improvement/implementation. * The primary focus is the for-profit enterprise (although issues of public and 'third sector' operations will also be discussed) and the service/manufacturing balance of the teaching material reflects the composition of GDP in most advanced economies (i.e. approximately 75% service). * Every attempt is made to ensure that the material and teaching methods capture and retain student interest: mixed media, case studies, visits and guest speakers, together with a variety of hands-on exercises and simulations are used. |