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MN50344: Managing operational processes

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2013/4
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Modular (no specific semester)
Semester 1
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 100%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take MN50340 or take MN50339
Follow this link for further information on unit content 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.
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN50344 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

School of Management
Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2013/14 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2014/15 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2013/14.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.