SBUS45640 Competitive Advantage through Operations

Academic Year 2023/2024

This module examines the challenges of managing operations and shows how operational excellence can be a source of competitive advantage. It introduces the basic concepts behind operations management and addresses the strategic impact of operations management on a firm’s competitive advantage. It delves into the challenges of maintaining operational excellence as a firm grows and highlights the importance of keeping operational complexity under control. The module is designed to expose participants to basic theory, to management techniques and to a range of scenarios allowing them to understand the concepts behind operations management.

This module will also take you into the world of executing strategy at an operating level. You will be introduced to the leadership imperatives inherent in a strategy execution context and you will develop your ability to deal with the common causes of sub-optimal execution. Of particular importance will be appraising the people factor – recognising the need to win the hearts and minds of employees. Through the play of an interactive computerised simulation you will gain a practical appreciation of the operational challenges inherent in executing strategy. You will also consider the implications of the material for your own work context. The course does not require any prior knowledge of operations management. Teaching methods include lectures, case study workshops and business simulations.


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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

• Apply the rudiments of process analysis to business operations
• Assess the role of business operations in the establishment of competitive advantage
• Evaluate the role of operational complexity in the development and maintenance of competitive advantage
• Illustrate how corporate headquarters’ strategic priorities are perceived at the business level, and executed through business operations.
• Analyse the role of the front-line manager in the execution of operations strategy, as well as in the initiation of innovation and change.
• Assess the key contextual contingencies that can impact the execution of operations strategy






Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

16
Specified Learning Activities

60
Autonomous Student Learning

40
Total

116
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module has a detailed study guide. Students are required to complete the module pre-reading or pre-work prior to attending the seminar sessions. The sessions themselves will be a combination of lectures, group discussion, in-class presentations, case study discussions and classroom exercises. A heavy emphasis in the seminars is on teasing out the implications of theory for practical application in a workplace context. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Individual post-module assignment. Unspecified n/a Graded No

70
Journal: Individual post-module learning journal. Unspecified n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Written feedback to be provided within 20 days of assignment deadline.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Paul Ryan Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 

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