Design of Operations Facilities and Systems
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| BUSI4494 | Business | 4 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- BUSI4494
- School
- Business
- Level
- 4
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
Strategic issues in the location of businesses in a global context. Location modelling and the analysis of factors influencing the optimum selection of country, region and location. The facilities planning process and the optimum design of layouts. Quantitative approaches to location and layout modelling. Types of manufacturing layouts including cell manufacturing and layouts to support lean operations. Material handling and packaging solutions. Warehousing, storage, cross docking and order picking approaches. Logistics challenges and solutions for next generation manufacturing and service operations, including omni-channel retailing.
Target Students
Only available for MSc Industrial Engineering and Operations Management OR MSc Logistics Supply Chain Management OR MSc Supply Chain and Operations Management OR MSc Information Systems and Operations Management students AND MSc Exchange students.
Classes
- One 2-hour seminar each week for 4 weeks
- Two 1-hour-30-minute lectures each week for 11 weeks
This module is taught through a combination of lectures and seminars.
Assessment
- 100% Exam (2-hour): Online exam.
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
To provide students the knowledge and analytical skills to evaluate the influence of markets, raw materials, labour, government policy etc on the strategic location of manufacturing and service facilities in a dynamic global economy. To provide analytical skills for the design and evaluation of layouts which optimise performance, minimise costs and support strategic business objectives. To provide students with the knowledge of warehousing and material handling solutions.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: This module develops a knowledge and understanding of:
• The management of the supply chain
• The management of resources
• The management of operations
• The management of logistics
• Information systems and business intelligence - the development, management, application and implementation of information systems and their impact upon organisations
• Tools and techniques for transforming (big) data into useful information for business analysis and decision support
• The importance of sustainability issues, including an understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising from the activities of people and organisations on the economic, social and environmental conditions of the future.
Intellectual Skills:
• Being able to think critically and be creative: manage the creative processes in self and others; organise thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise. This includes the capability to identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately
• Being able to solve complex problems and make decisions: establish criteria, using appropriate decision-making techniques including identifying, formulating and solving business problems; and the ability to create, identify and evaluate options; the ability to implement and review decisions
• Using information and knowledge effectively in order to abstract meaning from information and to share knowledge, including the use of quantitative skills
Professional Practical Skills:
• The ability to conduct research and enquiry into business and management issues either individually or as part of a team through research design, the collection and analysis of qualitative data, synthesis and reporting
• Effective performance within team environments and the ability to recognise and utilise individuals' contributions in group processes and to negotiate and persuade or influence others; team selection, delegation, development and management. Leadership and performance management: selecting appropriate leadership style for different situations; setting objectives, motivating, monitoring performance, coaching and mentoring
Transferable (key) Skills:
• Effective communication: networking, listening, oral and written communication of complex ideas and arguments, using a range of media, including the preparation of business presentations
• High personal effectiveness: critical self-awareness, self-reflection and self-management; time management; conflict resolution, displaying commercial acumen, the ability to continue to learn through reflection on practice and experience
• Soft skills: understanding the needs of others and empathy towards them; sensitivity to diversity in people and in different situations