Overview

The Supply Chain Management module from The Open University UK is delivered online, and is designed for those who want a sound knowledge of and insight into supply chain management, and will appeal to both Supply Chain professionals and managers in other professions.

This module will provide you with an in-depth insight into the theory, problems, solutions, and best practice in the area of supply chain management.  It will provide you with opportunities to question and reflect upon your own organisation and its role in the wider supply chain.  It will also help you to develop your ability to identify opportunities for improvement of product design, manufacturing processors, sourcing strategies, and market development.

In Unit 4 you will participate in a practical simulation of managing a typical, but simplified, supply chain and learn from the challenges you encounter in attempting to address the problems generated by supply chain dynamics.  This work will be assessed through a reflective tutor-marked assessment (TMA) that will encourage you to relate your knowledge and experience to theory and identify the challenges of implementing best practice.   The subsequent units, leading up to the end of module assessment (EMA), cover supply chain relations, sustainability, risks, and supply chain costs and financial issues.  The final unit you will study in more depth the supply chains within three specific areas including the public sector, the mining sector and automotive sector.

The module aims to:

• develop an understanding of the nature of supply chain management, and the approaches to addressing the relevant business decisions in this area.
• develop critical understanding Supply chain management theories, including supply chain dynamics, supply chain risk management, and supplier relationship management
• develop critical understanding of the impact of the external context on supply chain decision making, including internationalisation and globalisation, social and technological change, and government policies and regulation.

• develop an understanding of the challenges of implementing supply chain solutions in context.

Career opportunities:

If you’re considering studying this module as part of the MBA, then if you also study Sustainable creative management (BB842), the MBA would be recognised by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK as you can demonstrate the sector-specific skills and knowledge to the standards required of a Chartered Member with CILT(UK).