NBS8221 : Operations Management
NBS8221 : Operations Management
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Ying Yang
- Lecturer: Dr Yan Jiang
- Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
None
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
None
Aims
To introduce students to the increasingly important field of operations management. The aim of the module is to develop the students with a sound understanding and essential knowledge of operations management and strategies, and effective decision making skills through critical analysis, which will help them to make a significant contribution to organisations’ competitive effectiveness as well as to the wider environment of society as a whole.
Outline Of Syllabus
1. Operations Management:
• Introduction
• Products and processes design
• Layout design
• Inventory management
• Capacity management
• Planning and control
• People in operations and performance measurement
2. Operations Strategy:
• Historical context
• Competitive strategies
• Lean strategy
3. Operations Improvement:
• Operations improvement
• Operations changes
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
On the completion of the module students will be able to:
1) Assess and evaluate operations management functions.
2) Interpret operations management knowledge, solve complex problems and justify decisions.
3) Recognise and address operations strategies and their impact on business performance.
Intended Skill Outcomes
On the completion of the module students will be able to:
1) Investigate, assess and evaluate real world problems using analytical tools.
2) Conceptualise future challenges and opportunities in the dynamic operations context.
3) Propose and justify effective solutions by thinking critically and creatively to address complex problems in the operations management context.
4) Contribute effectively to business organisation by improving operations functions.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 62:00 | 62:00 | Time for students to complete formative and summative assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | PIP lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 5 | 3:00 | 15:00 | PIP lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 6 | 1:00 | 6:00 | PIP |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 11 | 5:00 | 55:00 | Estimated based on 5 hours per teaching week (not necessarily to do in that week) |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures introduce theoretical issues as well as practical issues and cases relating to operation management.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 70 | The exam can be set online if required |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code | Module Title | Semester | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operations Management | 1 | Dual Award Shadow Code |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 | M | 30 | 2000-word group essay with 4 group members |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | N/A |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The exam tests acquisition of a clear general knowledge of the subject plus the ability to think and analyse a problem quickly, to select from and to apply both the general knowledge and detailed knowledge of aspects of the subject to new questions, problem-solving skills, adaptability, the ability to work unaided, and to write clearly and concisely.
Formative feedback
The lectures on process design, inventory management, capacity management, and project planning and controlling have class exercises to help student understand and apply the formulations into different contexts. Feedback is offered after the exercises are completed and also in the lecture notes.
Two seminars offer a case study group discussion and a problem solving session. Feedback is offered during the seminars and also on Canvas.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NBS8221's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- NBS8221's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.