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MEEN40280

Academic Year 2023/2024

Operations Strategy (MEEN40280)

Subject:
Mechanical Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Mechanical & Materials Eng
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Vincent Hargaden
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is a core module on the Master of Engineering Management programme. It is designed for students who are based in industry and who have at least five years professional engineering work experience.

This module is delivered in an intensive format from weeks 6-12 of the trimester. Each week there will be a four hour workshop session (on campus weeks - Fridays & online weeks - Saturdays).

Operations Strategy deals with the creation, management and improvement of operations and supply chain strategies, processes and practices so they are effectively executed across the entire supply chain. These decisions determine the long term capabilities of an operation and the contribution operations makes to the overall strategy of a firm.

This module is designed to explain and evaluate strategic issues in operations and supply chain management. It is expected that students will be able to apply theories and concepts in a practical setting. Students should approach this module as a "capstone" module in that it will provide opportunities to synthesise the elements from previous modules taken in the MEM programme, both operations themed modules (e.g., operations management, supply chain design, quality management) and business themed modules (e.g., global strategic management, marketing etc).

For the class participation assessment component, this module will use the Alternative Numeric Scale (where 95%-100% is A+, 90%-94% is A etc).

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Synthesise operations strategy theories and frameworks, with particular emphasis on identifying how operations can be a source of competitive advantage for the firm.
2. Critique the alignment of a firm's operations strategy with its overall competitive strategy.
3. Construct a case study based on an engineering firm which can be used to demonstrate the importance of alignment between operations and competitive strategy.
4. Apply both oral and written communication through continuous in-class discussions and written reports.
5. Assess published academic and practitioner research related to operations strategy to support in-class discussions and written reports.

Indicative Module Content:

Operations Strategy - Concepts & Competencies
Operations Strategy – Linking Competitive Priorities
Operations Strategy – Linking Competitive Priorities
Supply Chain Coordination
Developing Service Operations Processes & Capabilities
Competing on Service Process Design
Competing on Quality
Supply Chain Design - Strategic Outsourcing
Integrated Supply Chain Strategy – People, Planet, Profit

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Lectures

24
Small Group

24
Total

108

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will make significant use of the "case method" as a teaching and learning tool. In order to ensure its success, advance preparation is vital for students (and lecturer). Students are required to prepare each case carefully in advance (individually and/or in groups), analyse the issues (including data analysis) and be prepared to contribute positively throughout all sessions.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

This module is designed for postgraduate students based in industry and who have at least two to five years professional engineering work experience.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
:
-

Equivalents:
Operations Strategy (EEME40050)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Attendance: Participation during case study discussion sessions Throughout the Trimester n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No
Continuous Assessment: Industry based teaching case study development
 Varies over the Trimester n/a Graded No
60
 Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Van Mieghem, J. & Allon, G. (2014) "Operations Strategy - Principles & Practice", Dynamic Ideas, 2nd edition. ISBN:978-0-9899108-6-6
Van Mieghem, J. (2008) "Operations Strategy - Principles & Practice", Dynamic Ideas (publisher), ISBN 0-9759146-6-9
Slack, N. & Lewis, M. (2020) "Operations Strategy", 1st/2nd/3rd/4th /5th/6th edition, Pearson
Hill, T. & Hill, A. (2017) “Operations Strategy – Design, Implementation & Delivery”, Palgrave Macmillan
Hill, T. & Hill, A. (2009) "Manufacturing Operations Strategy", 3rd edition, Palgrave Macmillan, ISBN 978-0-230-52091-2
Robert H. Hayes, Gary P. Pisano, David M. Upton, and Steven C. Wheelwright (2005) “Operations, Strategy, and Technology: Pursuing the Competitive Edge”, Wiley
Hines, T. (2013) “Supply Chain Strategies – Demand Driven and Customer Focused”, 2nd edition, Routledge, ISBN 978-0-415-68319-7.
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