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Staffordshire University
BUSINESS SCHOOL
MODULE HANDBOOK 2011-12
FTA Operations Management
Module BSB10214-5
Level 5
Student Name:
Module
Leader
Roy
Edwards
Email:
roy.edwards@staffs.ac.uk
Tel:
01782
294148
Room: B275
Leek Rd,
Stoke
Module website: See Blackboard
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Academic and Vocational Rationale
This module is designed to develop an integrated understanding of how
operations managers deliver value to the customer through operational activities.
A range of theoretical concepts & models will be utilized to develop this
integrated framework.
Operations management is developed from both the perspective of the
organisation and the customer. The module will provide a framework within
which customer value can be understood, delivered, managed and satisfied.
The management of customer value will need to consider the challenges of
globalisation, social responsibility, how to manage and harness knowledge and
technological change.
Learning Outcomes
1. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE AND
UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONCEPTS AND
PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONS IN AN
ORGANISATION
Knowledge &
Understanding
2. EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE
INFORMATION AND IDEAS IN VERBAL or
NON-VERBAL FORMS
Communication
3. EVALUATE AND APPLY UNDERLYING
CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF
OPERATIONS IN AN ORGANISATIONAL
CONTEXT
Analysis
Teaching and Learning Strategies
A wide range of teaching and learning strategies and activities will be used within
this module. For example, case studies, group work, mini-presentations,
discussions, reading learning materials and texts and using the module website
etc. Students will be developing the skills and confidence necessary for their
understanding and application of subject knowledge through these activities.
The learning strategy for the module requires students to commit 150 learning
hours (including assessment) of this there will an intensive 12 hours of class
support and 138 hours of independent and self directed study.
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Extensive learning support material will be provided on Blackboard for the
module.
The lecture / tutorial pattern may vary with some activities taking place in
workshop groups.
Module Outline Content
The study of operations is split into 6 areas of study which are separated into 6
sessions with each session being subdivided into more specifically defined topic
areas
Understanding and defining the role of
Operations
Session
1



effective operations management
the activities of operations management
the strategic role of operations
The design of products and services
Session
2
Session
3






Key text Chapter
1
2
3
Key text Chapter
the volume variety effect on design
from concept to specification.
4
5
Planning and control of resources
Key text Chapter
capacity management
inventory control
lean production
supply networks
11
12
15
13
Key text Chapter
Workforce management and job design
Session
4
Session
5


the design of jobs
behavioral approaches to job design.
Operations improvement
9
9
Key text chapter
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

measuring and improving performance
quality management and excellence
models
The operations challenge
Session
6



globalisation
social responsibility
environmental responsibility
17
18
Key text chapter
21
21
21
Assessment
Instructions to candidates:
Section A
27 Multiple choice questions @ 2% each
6 Yes/No questions @ 1% each
= 54%
= 6%
Section B
5 Short answer questions @ 8% each
= 40%
You should answer all questions
Section B – Short answer questions (40%) Section B of the examination paper
will contain only 5 questions. These questions will be selected, by us, from the
pre-published list of 8 possible questions given below. You will be required to
write answers to all 5 of these questions. You will NOT KNOW WHICH 5
questions have been selected for the paper until you sit the exam. It is expected
that your response to each question would be no more than 150 words, This
exam paper has the requisite spaced lines for each of the written answers. Only
in exceptional circumstances will additional answer books be accepted and these
should be clearly marked in the usual way with your student name and number.
You will NOT be allowed to take material, notes, articles or books into the
examination with you.
Please note that higher marks will be given where the exam paper as a whole
reflects:
 Independent thought and ability to apply operations concepts to practical
effect.
 A structured approach that utilises appropriate terminology and relevant
models and frameworks where necessary.
 A good balance between the practical and theoretical aspects.
 Accuracy and clarity of style in presenting answers.
This is a closed book examination and Staffordshire University regulations for
examinations apply
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Reading & Resources
Key Texts (expect to buy):
The following texts give a good overview of most of the topic areas covered in the
first semester and are key texts for this module.
The module core text is
Slack N, Chambers S & Johnson R (2010), Operations Management, 6th Edition,
Prentice-Hall.
Nigel Slack text website
An introduction to operations management by Nigel Slack
“Operations Management is very important to all organisations.
Operations is around as everywhere, everything you buy in shops
has been made, every service that your experience has been
created from the radio station you listen to the restaurants you
frequent and the public transport you use. It all comes courtesy of
Operations Management.
Operations Management is really exciting it can make or break so
many different companies. Most disasters you hear about it on TV
are because people got the operations wrong - most successes you
read about is because the organisation has got a really good
operating model.
Operations Management is also challenging it poses some really
interesting questions of today like should you outsource parts of
your business? – What are the ethics of using suppliers from third
world?
Hope you find it interesting - It will certainly be useful!!”
See Nigel Slack's Introduction to operations and his text
Meet the Author
Other supporting texts are
Heizer J. & Render B. (2008), Operations Management, 9th Edition. Prentice
Hall, (ISBN 10 013 813454-5)
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Johnston R. & Clark P. (2008). Service Operations Management. 3rd Edition. FT
Prentice Hall. (ISBN 978 14058 4732 2)
Johnston & Clark text website
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