Global Business Operations - MSc

The module will deliver the fundamental understanding as well as the applied aspects of supply chain, logistics, operations functions and global supply network in real businesses. The module will follow the supply chain flow to introduce each operational function including procurement, manufacturing, inventory, delivery and customer service and how each function works together to support the business as a whole.

The module will discuss operations management from both the company level and the whole supply network level. You will develop your understanding of the company and its supply network, the relationship of each company within the same network, as well as the multiple roles a company could play within different networks.  Through this module, you will be able to map out the global supply chain network, design global logistics, and shape the footprint map.

This module focuses on the key function of procurement, inventory, and warehouse management within operations and supply chain management. The module will introduce you to the areas of procurement, forecasting, inventory management and warehouse design, as these activities are all closely related to each other in practice.

The module will consist of two key themes. One theme is procurement and forecasting. You will learn the importance of procurement in business, the role of forecasting and management of inventory level and the bullwhip effect. You will understand these activities in an organisational context via simulation games. The second theme is inventory management and warehouse design. 

This module aims to develop your understanding of the main financial objective of the firm i.e. wealth maximisation and how it is achieved through alignment of financial decisions under constraints from within and outside the organisation. The module covers topics such as financial statements analysis, budgeting, cost-benefit analysis, time value money, investment appraisal, working capital management, sources of capital and choice of capital structure. You will be able to understand and apply key concepts and theories in accounting and finance and assess the implications of financial decisions for a business firm.

This module aims to equip you with the relevant knowledge regarding digital supply chain and transportation management. This includes the various systems that integrate different elements of the supply chain to provide the visibility and information required to drive supply chain operations and minimise waste.

This module will enable you to critically evaluate the tools employed for supply chain analytics. The increasing role of information technologies in the design and operation of modern supply chains will be analysed. You will be equipped with the practical knowledge necessary to use various open source analytical and supply chain simulation software, such as Excel, SPSS, Sim8 and Arena amongst others. This module integrates digital technology with more traditional business systems and business network practices to give rise to a notion of a smarter, more ‘autonomous’ supply chain.

This module is based on theoretical and practitioner based, learning approaches towards embedding key operations management principles, frameworks, methods and case studies on the formulation and implementation of operations strategy in manufacturing and related industries. Also, the module covers business strategy and the business status analysis models and tools, as well as discussing the relationship between business strategy and operations strategy. The module is in stage two of MSc Global Business Operations Course with the aim to develops your knowledge to higher and holistic levels. This includes theoretical and contemporary practice perspectives to catalyse an understanding of strategic decision making by organisations as well as a range of transferable employability skills.

Sustainability issues has attracted more and more attention from people, companies and governments. In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been set by United Nations to be a "blueprint” to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. This module will lay the foundations for robust ethical assessment and a critical understanding of corporate governance, social responsibility and supply chain sustainability.

The module also looks at sustainability in the context of supply chain management. The objectives of sustainability are to satisfy the triple bottom line – social, economic and environmental goals must be met. You will develop the understanding to apply the triple bottom line to operations and supply chain management in related topics such as ethical purchasing and supply chain, reverse logistics and corporate social responsibility. This module will provide insight into ethical theories, corporate governance, and circular economics.

The purpose of the Research Project module is to provide a framework for you to undertake a substantial piece of disciplinary-relevant research. It is founded upon Birmingham City Business School’s teaching and learning philosophy which integrates theory and practice