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School of Management, Unit Catalogue 2011/12


MN50482: Supply management

Click here for further information Credits: 6
Click here for further information Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Click here for further information Period: Semester 2
Click here for further information Assessment: CW 30%, EX 70%
Click here for further information Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Click here for further information Requisites: Students on the MSc Management must take MN50169 before taking this unit. Students on the MSc International Management must take MN50452 whilst taking this unit.
Click here for further information Description: Aims:
To examine the principles, concepts and approaches employed in procurement and supply management.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this unit, the student should be able to:
* Describe the purchasing management process and the role of purchasing in modern organisations
* Describe the development of purchasing and supply from operational to strategic levels
* Evaluate emerging concepts and principles of supply chain and supply network management
* Identify the components of supply strategy
* Describe appropriate frameworks for developing inter-organisational relationship strategies and methods
* Evaluate the concepts and techniques of lean and agile thinking in supply networks
* Appreciate the particular challenges of managing procurement and supply in complex public sector supply networks
* Assess appropriate approaches to managing technological innovation within supply networks
* Articulate the implications of information and communication technology on supply management.

Skills:
Intellectual Skills
* Ability to evaluate and compare different theories and practices used in supply management (T and A)
* Ability to conceptualise purchasing and supply frameworks and methodologies that enables the student to link theory and practice meaningfully and the ability to appraise critically both theory and practice (T and A)
Professional Practical Skills
* Ability to assess the position of purchasing and supply management in a particular organization (F)
* Ability to operate effectively as part of a team (F and A)
* Ability to produce case study analysis (F and A)
* Ability to produce professional, critical business reports using appropriate referencing formats (T, F and A)
* Ability to make presentations in front of an audience (F and A)
Transferable/Key Skills
* Ability to describe and conceptualise the inter-connections between intra- and inter- organisations systems and processes (T and A)
* Ability to conduct in-depth research into business and management issues. (F and A)
* Ability to articulate the significance of different research methodologies and the implications of these on theories and models (T and A).

Content:
The field of purchasing and supply management is becoming increasingly important in today�s complex business environment. Whereas purchasing only two decades ago was a purely tactical function it is now rapidly becoming a key strategic responsibility. The recognition of supply chains and networks as vital parts of commercial survival has led to a greatly increased interest in supply management amongst both academics and practitioners.
The 'Supply Management' module aims to examine the principles, concepts and approaches employed in procurement and supply management. The focus of the module is especially on understanding key inter-organisational issues. When managed strategically, supply relationships can be a critical source of value and innovation. However, in many organisations relationships continue to hide immense amounts of waste due to out-dated modes of operation. Consequently, our interest is on how supply relationships can be developed, managed and assessed. Furthermore, the focus is on understanding how relationships are inter-connected within complex supply networks and the problems and opportunities these may provide.
The University of Bath School of Management is recognised as one of the world's leading centres for the study of Purchasing and Supply Management. The Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply (CRiSPS) is a focal point for much of this work, focusing on such issues as inter-organisational networking, customer-supplier relationship assessment, and cost and value transparency in supply relationships. CRiSPS works closely with a large number of private and public sector companies; these take an active role in research projects and often participate in the implementation of new theories and concepts. The expertise generated within CRiSPS and thee linkages with other research programmes, serves to underpin the theories, models and tools that are taught in this unit.
Click here for further informationProgramme availability:

MN50482 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

School of Management

MN50482 is Optional on the following programmes:

School of Management
NB. Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.