SUPPLY CHAIN DESIGN, PLANNING AND ANALYSIS - 2024/5

Module Overview

The module creates an understanding for the students about the role and importance of supply chain management and logistics for industries. It expands the perspective of students about the application of business analytics in different areas of supply chain management and provides knowledge to them about the challenges which supply chains are facing, e.g., environmental issues. The objectives of the module are:

Providing theoretical and practical knowledge about:

• The principles, elements, and performance dimensions of logistics and supply chain management.


• The strategies used by companies when managing their supply chains by considering the types of products and the specifications of their market.


• The role of digitalisation and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in managing logistics and supply chain operations. 


• The role of sustainability practices across supply chains. 


• The importance of logistics and supply chain management in eCommerce.

Module provider

Surrey Business School

Module Leader

MIRZA BEIKI Vahid (SBS)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

The module content is indicated below:

• Supply chain principles and concepts


• Supply chain management and logistics strategies


• Sustainability of logistics and supply chain operations


• Procurement strategies


• Manufacturing strategies


• Digitalization and Information and Communication Technology (ICT)


• Integration and inter-organisational collaboration in supply chain


• eCommerce and supply chain management.


• Past, present, and future of supply chain management.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

An alternative assessment to the group assignment is an individual report. 

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate critical awareness and understanding of the issues, challenges and opportunities faced by Supply Chain and Logistics Management professionals Both formative and summative assessments will be used in the module.

Thus the summative assessment for this module consists of

• a group assignment, which will demonstrate the critical appraisal and application of theoretical frameworks and concepts.


• an end of semester exam which will bring together the knowledge and critical awareness of supply chain and logistics management

Formative assessments: Case studies, class debates, and simulations will be used to assist students in determining their knowledge of the concepts and aid the lecturer in focusing on areas requiring further support. The use of case study work will aid the development of critical awareness. Verbal feedback in tutorials and case study reviews (following work conducted as part of guided learning) will be used to assess the development of knowledge and understanding.

Feedback:  Verbal feedback is provided to the students during the seminars when they do and present their findings of their case studies and simulations. Written detailed constructive feedback in form of comments are provided on the students' submitted assessments, i.e., coursework and written exam.

Module aims

• Providing a deep understanding for the students about the importance of supply chain management and logistics for businesses.
• To broaden the perspective of students about the application of technology (e.g., analytics) in different areas of supply chain management which are many, e.g., logistics planning, manufacturing, and sustainability of operations.
• To inform students about the challenges of supply chain management in the changing world that we are living in.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to encourage deep learning and critical review through the use of case studies linked to conceptual frameworks presented in the lectures. Team working will be encouraged through the use of case studies and simulations. Teamwork is critical to the success of implementing and delivering success through supply chain and logistics management.

The teaching and learning methods include the use of theory as well as class exercises and discussions that will demonstrate the practical application of such theory. These sessions will be, supported by captured content as well as guided learning exercises, which will allow students to understand the subject area deeply and engage with additional learning.

Lecture notes, additional content and learning exercises will be posted through SurreyLearn. Lectures will be designed to build upon the prereading of the course text. Lectures will incorporate the use of case studies, simulations, videos and group discussions. In relation to the topics taught, during the seminars mini-cases will be used to make students apply theory in practical contexts. A simulation of supply chain is also used to provide the students with a close-to-reality' experience of managing a supply chain.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MANM532

Other information

Employability: The module is very practical, containing theoretical and industry-based knowledge in form of case studies and simulation for helping the students to learn about the challenges of supply chain management in practice and solutions for them. These are the real-life challenges to cope with at companies.

Global and Cultural Capabilities: Globalisation of supply chains, outsourcing and sourcing supplies from different parts of the world are taught through the module, by using different case studies.

Digital Capabilities: The module provides rich knowledge on digitalisation of supply chains by introducing different technology used for it.

Resourcefulness & Resilience: Knowledge on resilience of supply chains in terms of the capabilities for adapting to change in the environment are provided to the students.

Sustainability: The module provides knowledge on the advancements of supply chain management field in terms of sustainability practices. Environmental and social considerations in managing supply chains are taught as a main theme through the module.

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2024/5 academic year.