MSc
Supply Chain and Logistics Management

Module Overview

This module is designed to introduce students to a wide range of Logistics and Operations Strategies and to a number of Digital Information Systems topics that make significant contributions to the understanding of organisations as systems seeking to remain viable and competitive within their environment. It is designed to respond to the core Quality Assurance Agency (QAA), Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) and Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) benchmarks and accreditation criteria that concern themselves with the associated topics and challenges surrounding the successful management of logistics and operations. The central theme is the alignment of processes and systems concerned with the delivery of the organisation’s overall strategy and meeting related operational objectives in both service and manufacturing environments.

Module Overview

In order to ensure organisational success, we must seek to manage relationships with upstream and downstream suppliers and customers to deliver increased customer value at less cost to the supply chain overall. It is often argued that an organisation is only as a good as its supply chain and that the global supply chain can be a key source of competitive advantage. In the age of globalisation, many organisations are only as good as their global supply chains. Global supply chains give the organisation access to strategic resources and enable them to compete in global markets. Procurement and Supply Chain Management as a discipline has changed considerably in many companies and organisations in the recent past. Considering the amount of money generally involved in the preparation and execution of procurement and supply decisions, this is not a surprise and it has been argued that an effective and efficient operating purchasing and supply function can make an important contribution to company results and also add significant value. Traditionally, the procurement department has acted as the intermediary which negotiates the agreements and contracts with suppliers and subsequently monitors their compliance to those agreements. However, this ‘traditional’ role is changing rapidly and procurement and supply chain managers are assuming more strategic roles within organisations, focused on achieving better performance from suppliers though approaches such as more active management of supplier relationships.

Module Overview

In keeping with the spirit of LIBS Masters programme, this module seeks to enable and facilitate innovation and creativity in terms of project focus, form and output as well as presenting a clear opportunity for students to develop and nurture key transferable business skills such as team working and leadership effectiveness, respecting individual and cultural diversity, professional communication in a range of complex contexts and reflecting on their own knowledge and understanding, prioritising self-development in new high-level skills. To achieve this, students will be expected to address a given business topic as a team, with each individual student undertaking a given managerial role. Although in a team, students will take responsibility for their own learning as they negotiate the form and output of final portfolio elements with an allocated academic supervisor who will act as the Project Sponsor. Individual Reflective Logs will be a key supporting element which will be agreed between students and supervisor, thereby ensuring mutuality of intent, process, practice and format of final submissions and overall assessment.

Module Overview

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the introduction of new technologies, products, infrastructures, or systems is essential yet increasingly complex. This complexity arises from conflicting stakeholder requirements, irreversible investments, operational constraints and associated risks. Consequently, effective project management has become crucial for businesses to respond flexibly and swiftly to customer demands. Managers now need project competence and a systems-oriented management style that transcends traditional functional roles throughout the project lifecycle. Project management is thus a vital management philosophy for navigating dynamic business environments and achieving innovative or unprecedented outcomes.

This module aims to equip students with the skills to deliver change or transformation through effective project management. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of tools and techniques required for project initiation, planning, execution, control and termination. Through diverse teaching methods, students will learn to plan and execute projects efficiently and effectively, considering the broader business context in which they operate.

Module Overview

In the global contemporary setting, ethical and sustainable practice are a key focus within all aspects of business and in particular the responsible approach and management of the supply chain network. The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply recognise that the global supply chain sector has a moral obligation to do better in the fight against modern slavery, intolerable working conditions as well as bribery and corruption. Equally, the supply network of organisations is estimated to be responsible for as much as 90% of harmful emissions that are damaging our planet. As such, supply chain activities are identified as a primary concern in the global pursuit to reduce greenhouse gas and many other damaging emissions to decrease the negative impact of climate change and human activity. Therefore, responsible supply chain strategy is gaining direct attention and is recognised as a major evolving challenge for many organisations as they strive to meet their moral, legal, and humanistic aspirations and targets to ensure a prosperous future for all and as such, organisational recognition as a responsible global citizen.

Module Overview

Strategy is the heart of every organisation. This module explores how strategy is conceived, how it affects the organisation and how the organisation can be designed to realise its strategy efficiently and effectively. The module aims to support students in developing their strategic thinking skills through a review of diverse theories, models and practical exercises.

Module Overview

The Supply Chain is a process concerned with the planning, implementation and control of the effective, cost-efficient flow and storage of goods and materials as well as related information, from the point of origin to the point of consumption for the purpose of meeting the end beneficiary’s requirements. The Humanitarian Supply Chain will typically involve military, governmental and private organisations of various sizes, motivations and abilities. Supply chain activities are approximated to account for as much as 60-80% of the total cost of the humanitarian response. Therefore, efficient and effective humanitarian supply chain management is vital from an economic standpoint, in addition to the moral imperative that is underlying humanitarian operations. Both academic and professional interest in humanitarian supply chains has grown significantly in recent years. Moreover, recent thinking in this area has also focussed on ethical and environmental aspects of the supply chain, tied strongly to a number of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.