What will I learn on this module?
The module aims to help you with using knowledge of business and management to understand the management of innovations in supply chains. The module is delivered to you using weekly lectures and seminars.
Within this module, you will cover five main topics:
• Types of innovations (e.g., product innovation, process innovation, organisational innovation, supply chain innovation and eco innovation).
• Innovation processes.
• Knowledge management for innovation.
• Relating in business networks for managing innovations.
• Introduction to selected process and organisational innovations in supply chains.
The module will lead you to the development of a basic understanding of the different facets associated with supply chain innovation. In doing so, it will expose you to a wide range of supply chain innovation theories and frameworks. You will become aware of the role the management of supply chain innovations plays in the wider business context. Furthermore, you will gain an understanding of the role of knowledge management in relation to the management of innovations in supply chains, the drivers for these innovations, the ways in which such innovations can be managed and different aspects associated with the relational nature of managing supply chain innovations.
On completing the module you will have developed an understanding of different types of supply chain innovations, approaches to managing knowledge for supply chain innovation and the relational nature of such innovations. You will also be able to Identify contemporary professional practice in business and management and understand how it is informed by theory and research.
How will I learn on this module?
The one hour interactive webinar-based lecture per week will provide you with a theoretical underpinning of the module content, supported by two hours of class-based seminar activities per week, which will give you an opportunity to apply some of the theories to selected case study scenarios, allowing you to become conversant in various issues associated with supply chain innovation.
The module has a supporting reading list that provides you with an opportunity to read around the area of supply chain innovation.
Your directed study will support the work you have undertaken in the contact sessions. You will be expected to keep up-to-date with your seminar activities and the reading of academic journal articles.
Independent learning time is set aside for learning activities, self-identified by you, to gain a deeper and broader knowledge of the subject.
The use of case study based seminars means that you will receive formative tutor feedback continuously.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
Support will be provided to you by the member of academic staff leading the module and providing the lecture input, alongside other academic staff members. The use of a teaching team allows that subject specialist staff will deliver lectures and seminars.
The seminar sessions will be delivered to groups of up to 25 students and will be facilitated by a group of academic staff with subject expertise who can offer support and guidance.
Your module is also supported by an e-learning portal, which accommodates lecture material and seminar instructions, supportive learning resources, alongside assessment details and various support facilities such as electronic reading list comprising your “recommended to purchase” and to read book(s), academic reports, conference papers and journal articles that are relevant to principles of operations and supply chain management. The module lectures will be supported by electronic recordings available through the module e-learning portal.
The module summative assessment contains two individual assignments. The first one is about topics from the first 6 weeks of teaching; the second one is about topics from the second 6 weeks of teaching. This will encourage your active participation in the learning process throughout the semester. The eLearning portal will be used to permanently host these assignments after release to ensure that you can access the information required at all times.
Adequate assessment support such as a marking guide, marking rubric, assessment briefing and assessment surgery will be provided for you. Seminar time will be dedicated to assessment briefing and associated formative feedback. There will be electronic recordings of the briefing and guidance for both assessment components.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.
What will I be expected to achieve?
Knowledge & Understanding:
Assess and critically appraise knowledge of contemporary supply chain innovation theories and their application to the analysis and interpretation of business case studies. [MLO1]
Critically appraise knowledge of supply chain innovation in the wider business context. [MLO2]
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
Critique creative and critical thinking skills that involve independence, understanding, justification and the ability to challenge supply chain innovation theories in relation to different kinds of business scenarios. [MLO3]
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment:
You will receive feedback on your seminar case solutions, seminar answers and activities during seminars. This will happen through discussions with your peers and your tutors. Formative feedback will be provided to support you in the preparation of your summative assessment through the module seminars.
Summative Assessment:
The module assessment consists of two individual assignments disseminated at two different times during the semester, both of 1,500 words.
This will encourage your active participation in the learning process throughout the semester.
The eLearning portal will be used to permanently host these assignments after release to ensure that you can access the information required at all times.
Your work on these assignments will provide you with further chance to apply supply chain innovation theories to practice situations. Each individual assignment will contribute to 50% towards the overall module mark and both assignments will assess MLO1-MLO3 inclusive.
Pre-requisite(s)
None
Co-requisite(s)
None
Module abstract
It is expected that you will enter employment with an appropriate level of understanding and proficiency regarding supply chain innovation theories and their practical application. Thus, this module will introduce you to the extensive research around supply chain innovation, specifically organisational theory aspects in the context of managing innovation in supply chains, supplier development for innovation, new business models and new technologies. Such debates are heavily informed by high-ranking journal publications to encourage critical debate. Based on this, the module provides you with essential business skills, giving you a theoretical understanding of various supply chain innovation frameworks supported through case study based seminar activities. This will prepare you to tackle the two individual assignments. The understanding, critical evaluation and practical application of supply chain innovation theories are directly transferable to your working life, through part-time employment, placement or full-time graduate role. Your additional experiences within the module centre on support reading giving you additional awareness of the broad applicability of the module content across the wider business and management subject area.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Full Time
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
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