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The module provides a comprehensive introduction to the planning and management of contemporary supply chains and operations. The taught content takes a dual approach, covering both the business processes and the models, methods and techniques used in supply chain planning. The central role of digital information systems in planning and controlling enterprise operations is highlighted. The taught content is divided into three parts:  

• Concepts and Definitions in Supply Chain Planning and Management:
  • Fundamental concepts for supply chain and operations planning: classification of operational and supply systems.
  • Inventory forms and functions.
  • Capacity definitions and planning processes.
  • IT to support supply chain planning and management including MRPII, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and cloud-based systems. 

• Supply Chain Planning Models, Methods and techniques:
  • Qualitative and quantitative forecasting methods for supply chain and operations planning.
  • Inventory models for operations planning. Aggregate planning models and Sales and Operations Planning.
  • MRP calculations.
  • JIT principles, kanban systems
  • Theory of constraints (TOC)

• Supply Chain Collaboration: Planning and control across the supply chain.
  • Dynamic bullwhip effects.
  • Supply chain collaboration approaches including continuous replenishment, Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI), Collaborative Planning Forecasting and Replenishment (CPFR).
  • Blockchain approaches for supply chain traceability. 

For the group assignment, you'll investigate a real-world supply chain using industry research and mapping techniques. This practical project develops your understanding of contemporary supply chain challenges, with a focus on sustainability, resilience and effective planning.

The emphasis in this module is on formulating (modelling) and solving models with spreadsheets. The topics covered include:

• modelling principles
• optimisation and linear programming
• network models
• introduction to integer programming
• key concepts of probability and uncertainty
• decision theory
• queuing systems
• simulation

This module covers the following:

• Introduction to information systems in organisations including hardware, software, telecommunications, types of information system and systems development
• Relational database design
• SQL as a data definition language
• SQL as a data manipulation language
• Data manipulation in a language such as R

This module covers:

• designing information systems: tools of the trade
• systems analysis and design
• interface design
• relational databases and SQL in practice
• alignment of IS development and business strategy
• technology, organisation and change

This module covers:

• Basic concepts of business intelligence, analytics and decision support systems
• Data warehousing
• Data visualisation
• Data mining, text mining and web mining
• Big data
• Implementation of business intelligence systems and decision support systems: case studies
• Software package for business intelligence and analytics

Module content is organised around four themes:

1. More ‘advanced’ forecasting techniques (including more advanced time series and causal models)
2. Inventory modelling (quantity discount models; joint replenishment; reorder point – lot size systems; periodic review models; news vendor model; (S-1, S) model; multi-warehouse situations)
3. Shop floor control: WIP and Little’s law; introduction to operations scheduling and sequencing
4. Introduction to distribution logistics modelling, reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chains

The E-Business module is aimed at future managers and business people who want to know how information and communications technologies (ICTs) can help them to be successful in their careers by understanding how companies use these technologies.

Aims of the module:

• To familiarise the strategic management issues and technology developments associated with e-business
• To provide a solid strategic business view of the uses of web technologies and information systems
• To help understand how and why e-businesses are successful or not, i.e. what makes them 'tick'

This module explicitly focuses on technologies, planning and managerial issues associated with leading big data projects in business. Key concepts revolve around:

• using data analytics in context (integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches, introduction to survey methods and design)
• the full data lifecycle (including data management and security)
• introduction to organisational scale IT infrastructure
• ethics
• project management 
• presentation skills

The module focuses on international transport and logistics management in the context of the global economy. It covers operational, technological, economic and regulatory issues relevant to contemporary transport and logistics practice.

Specific topics covered include:

• modes of transport in a modern society
• modal and inter-modal transport characteristics
• organisation, regulation and competition in international transport and logistics
• freight costs and pricing
• trade and customs procedures