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MN50344: Managing operational processes

[Page last updated: 15 October 2020]

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2020/1
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: School of Management
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Modular (no specific semester)
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
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
* 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
* 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
* 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 there will be a balance of service and manufacturing in the teaching material
* 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 may be used.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

MN50344 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

School of Management

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2020/21 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2021/22 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2020/21.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change 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.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.