MO9703 - Strategic Procurement and International Logistics

What will I learn on this module?

This module aims to provide you with an appreciation of the synergy between strategic procurement and international logistics management. The focus is given to processes that add value through the production and delivery of services and products in the supply chain, and the tools needed to manage these processes effectively. Furthermore, you will be given a comprehensive understanding of contemporary approaches to strategic procurement and logistics management throughout the supply chain. On completion of the module ,you will be able to critically analyse the approaches to managing procurement and logistics management used by a variety of product and service organizations operating in a global business environment. The content of the module comprises various key parts which are listed below.

Introduction to purchasing and SCM
The purchasing processes
Supplier - quality management, evaluation and selection
Negotiation and Contract management /incoterms
Supplier management and development - creating a world-class supply base and worldwide sourcing
Digitalisation of procurement and IT benefits evaluation
Supply chain continuity management
Knowledge management and innovation management in supply chains
Outsourcing/re-shoring management and power in supply chains
Change management in supply chains

Scope of Materials Management and International Logistics
The effects of ROI and Profits
Customer Service
Purchasing - the 5 'rights'-Partnership Sourcing
Inventory Management - Strategy MRP and ERP
Channel and Network Strategy
Materials Handling and Storage
Information Technology in International Logistics

How will I learn on this module?

Critical reflection on knowledge, experience and practice underpins the learning and teaching philosophy along with the explicit development of competence. This is key to your learning on the module. To put this in place, the module will use both lectures and interactive seminars covering the key issues in the key issues in strategic procurement and international logistics. The lectures will provide the theoretical basis of the module, with the seminars permitting the linkage of this theory to contemporary business practice relating to procurement and logistics. This set up will allow you to reflect individually on the content delivered during the lectures and to advance your thoughts and considerations at an individual level of learning prior to considering various taught frameworks collectively from a more practical perspective during your seminars.

Your module is supported by a teaching and learning plan, which outlines the formal sessions, together with the tutor-directed study and independent reading. An interactive approach to lecture sessions will draw upon the directed learning undertaken and your own experiences. Throughout, the emphasis will be on high levels of your participation, both individually and within small groups or teams particularly in the seminar settings where your learning will be centred on case study consideration. You can expect the reflective-practitioner approach to learning to be embedded in all seminar sessions through undertaking activities which facilitate you to apply theory to ‘real-life’ situations, critically analysing and making recommendations for appropriate ways forward for procurement and logistics from both organisational and individual perspectives, informed by international developments.

Directed learning will centre upon a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for interactive activities and use of the discussion board on the e-learning platform. Independent learning will centre upon you identifying and pursuing areas of interest in relation to the subject area.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The module is supported by a teaching and learning plan which outlines the formal lecture and seminar sessions, together with the tutor-directed study and independent reading. An interactive approach to lecture sessions will draw upon the directed learning undertaken and your own experiences. Emphasis will be on high levels of participation, both individually and within small groups or teams, particularly in the tutor-led seminar sessions. You will experience a reflective-practitioner approach to learning to be embedded in all seminar sessions through undertaking activities which facilitate you to apply theory to 'real-life' situations, critically analysing and making recommendations for appropriate ways forward for the organization/individual.

To support your seminars, you will, guided by the teaching and learning plan, engage in directed learning. This will centre upon a range of activities including pre-reading, preparation for interactive activities and use of the discussion board on the e-learning platform. This is further reinforced by your independent learning.

You will be supported through the module with dedicated tutor-led seminar sessions covering the module’s summative assessment. The e-learning portal plays a significant role in supporting your learning. It will provide a source of lecture and seminar materials, alongside an electronic reading lists and recordings of lectures and sessions relating to guidance for your module assessment.

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:
• Understand and critically evaluate individual or organisational decision making on strategic procurement and international logistics management contexts. [MLO1]
• Understand and critically assess the application of contemporary developments in strategic procurement and international logistics management. [MLO2]

How will I be assessed?

The summative assessment for the module will be one individual assignment.

Individual Assignment (100%)
Individual assignment: (4,000 words): a critical evaluation of various aspects of strategic procurement and international logistics management undertaken with reference to practical organisational contexts. This will be submitted electronically, with appropriate feedback provided against set criteria.

This will assess MLO1 and MLO2.

Formative feedback is provided through academic and peer interaction in the weekly seminar activities relating to the various case studies deployed which are aligned to the theory presented in the lectures, alongside guidance relating to the summative assessment for the module.

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

This module aims to provide you with an appreciation of the synergy between strategic procurement and international logistics management. Focus is given to processes that add value through the production and delivery of services and products in the supply chain, and the tools needed to manage these processes effectively. Module content comprises two key areas, purchasing and supply chain management, and materials management and international logistics. You will be given a comprehensive understanding of contemporary approaches to strategic procurement and international logistics management throughout the supply chain. For example, you will be introduced to some of the digital aspects in supply chains and supply chain continuity management and how these aspects can be managed from a strategic procurement and international logistics perspective. In addition, you will be introduced to the advantages of various aspects of digitalisation in relation to international logistics and strategic procurement. On completion of the module, you will be able to critically analyse the approaches to managing procurement and international logistics management used by a variety of product and service organizations operating in a global business environment which will inform an individual report-based assessment. Research-rich learning plays crucial role in the module, particularly placing you as the participant through enquiry-based and research tutored interventions which inform both your interactive seminars and your summative assessment. These interactive seminars also serve the purpose of formatively assessing your understanding of the concepts taught during the lectures and their practical applications.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 16 months Full Time
3 other options available

Department Newcastle Business School

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start January 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

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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