MQ2OAI: Operations and Infrastructure

Module code: MQ2OAI

Module provider: Business Informatics, Systems and Accounting; Henley Business School

Credits: 20

Level: 5

When you'll be taught: Full year

Module convenor: Mr Nigel Spinks, email: nigel.spinks@henley.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: No placement specified

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students:

Talis reading list:

Last updated: 19 November 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Efficient and effective delivery of goods and services to both external and internal customers forms a key component of an organisation’s strategic performance. Successful delivery of goods and services requires effective and efficient operations and supply chain management, which are, in turn, based upon effective delivery systems and processes. This module builds on the Introduction to Business Management module in stage 1 and introduces core concepts in the design, management and improvement of operations and supply chains in today’s organisational context. 

The module aims to develop knowledge and critical understanding of the management of operations, infrastructure and supply chains. Students are supported to apply these skills as they scrutinise the way their currently organisations operate and to develop evidence-based recommendations for improvement. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

To know and understand: 

• Evaluate core tools, concepts and theories within operations and supply chain management.  
• Critically select and apply relevant theories, concepts and tools to the design, ongoing operation and improvement of the processes and systems through which their own organisations deliver goods and services.  
• Develop insights into the management of operations and supply chains in organisations today. 
• Explain the theory and practice of quality assurance 

Additional outcomes 

Skills 

• Develop and deliver operational plans; set targets and key point indicators, manage resources, and monitor and measure outcomes to establish operational effectiveness, efficiencies and excellence  
• Produce reports that clearly present information & data, using a range of interpretation & analytical processes  
• Demonstrate collaborative working with internal and customers and suppliers  

Module content

The module covers the following topics: 

• Operations management and operations strategy. 
• Process design and analysis. 
• Capacity and inventory management. 
• Supply chain management. 
• Operations improvement and quality management 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching and learning takes place through a blended learning approach. The teaching and learning methods comprise a combination of self-study via a range of online materials on the Canvas learning platform, weekly one-hour virtual seminars with a Learning Coach, and face-to-face workshops with Faculty. 

Materials on Canvas include content on-screen, videos, PowerPoint presentations, journal articles, book chapters, practical activities and reflection points.  

Study hours

At least 13 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

This module is subject to the Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes policy, which can be found at:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties to work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted up to one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark; 
• where the piece of work is submitted more than one calendar month after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Facilitated learning activities are undertaken during the seminars and workshops, including formative feedback on these activities.

Reassessment

Additional costs