| Unit name | Supply Chain Technology and Digitalisation |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIMM0075 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Zhang |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Nil |
| Co-requisites |
Nil |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
The unit deals with the digital, technological aspects of global operations and supply chain/network processes. It will introduce students to a range of digital technologies (e.g. Sensors, IoT’s, RFID, Bar code, etc.) and issues related to information systems in global operations, logistics and supply chains. The theories and principles underpinning supply chain technologies and their implementation in practice are presented and discussed. The interactions between supply chain entities, physical items and transportation are considered, analysed and examined. This unit will also enrich the practical skills and knowledge of students related to supply chain technology, enabling them to effectively contribute towards a supply chain, global operations, and logistics-related role. Indicative content includes; Supply chain technology, Technological advancement in supply chains, Radio frequency identification (RFID), NFC Chips, Electronic data interchange (EDI), E-procurement, E-business, E-SCM, Information systems, Material requirements planning (MRP), Enterprise resource planning (ERP), Warehouse management systems (WMS), Virtual enterprises, Challenges and barriers to technology implementation, Digitalization of supply networks including automation, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data analytics for supply chains.
The overall aims of this unit are to:
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
A series of lectures (2 hours/week) will be provided on the topics related to supply chain technology. Lectures will also include short case studies and real-life problems to understand the key technologies used in global operations, logistics and supply chain operations. Online and multi-media resources will also be used to communicate the knowledge effectively.
Each lecture will be followed by a tutorial/seminar (1 hour/week) to review the key themes learnt. Students will be asked to analyse/discuss short-case studies in groups to enhance their learning. A simulation exercise will be used to understand and stimulate the discussion on the importance of information technology in supply chain and logistics operations.
Students are encouraged to undertake structured reading on the topics covered in the lecture and raise any query with the tutor in the class or outside the class through discussion boards on BlackBoard, journals, e-mails and telephone.
The unit structure offers 30 contact hours in total. The remaining 170 learning hours will be spent in independent study and in the preparation of assessment.
Formative assessment
This will include an individual analysis of a case study and feedback on the outline and theoretical concepts relevant to the case (ILO’s 1,2). A formative group presentation analysing supply chain management, with peer review feedback and formative assessment by tutor (ILO’s 1, 2).
Summative assessment
This unit will be in two forms – An assignment/essay (60%) and a Group Supply Chain Project and Presentation (40%).
In the individual assignment, students will critically analyse different aspects of the supply chain technology, show how academic thinking can shape their analysis, and make recommendations for improvement based on academic theory and best practices. An individual report/essay with the word limit of 2000 words will submitted for assessment. Details of the individual assignment will be on Blackboard and introduced during learning activities (ILO’s 2, 3).
In the Group project (3000 words) students (5/6) will analyse a digital supply chain to demonstrate their critical understanding of the theories and technologies. They will apply these to a real world global supply network. They will recommend and formulate changes to the supply network based on available technology and theoretical concepts researched (ILOs 3, 4).
A group mark will be awarded and apply to all group members. Participation and individual contributions will be assured and assessed through group journals, formative feedback and assessment, peer contributions and questioning individuals during the group presentation. A conflict identification and warning system for individuals not fully contributing will run and those students who are not contributing to the group work will not receive the group mark. The formative assessment also identifies noncontributing students at an early stage where warning action will also occur.
All learning materials will be on Blackboard in advance and students can download and read the material before the learning activity. Teaching materials are prepared from several books, case studies, newspaper articles and international journals. The following references for books, journals and papers illustrate readings for the unit.
Core Text
Jacobs, F.R., Chase, R.B. and Lummus, R.R., 2014. Operations and supply chain management. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Ross, D.F., 2016. Introduction to supply chain management technologies. Crc Press.
Suggested Readings
Christopher, M., 2016. Logistics & supply chain management. Pearson UK.
Mangan, J., Lalwani, C. and Lalwani, C.L., 2016. Global logistics and supply chain management. John Wiley & Sons.
Lambert, D.M. and Cooper, M.C., 2000. Issues in supply chain management. Industrial marketing management, 29(1), pp.65-83.
The following international journals could also give important information related to new developments in global operations and supply chain management area:
