Edinburgh Napier University Online MBA in Logistics & Supply Chain Management

The module introduces a number of tools that can be used to measure the success, or otherwise, of an organisation – focusing on operations, supply chains and marketing strategy. Kaplan and Norton’s Balanced Scorecard model will be the key model explored. This is a set of measures that gives a fast but comprehensive view of the business. The Balanced Scorecard endeavours to collate important elements that reflect a business’s strategic position e.g. product and service quality measures, product and service development time, customer satisfaction, productivity and so on.

Overall the module emphasises the concept of integrative nature of business across key areas and what matters most in the need and desire to build high performing organisations that can endure in the complex, global business environment.

The large majority of businesses today operate in a variety of economic environments and their leaders must make economic decisions taking into account market specific information. This module covers the most essential analytical tools required for economic decision making such as: the concepts of economic systems, profit and utility maximisation, demand elasticity, market equilibrium, market structures, macroeconomic objectives, government policies’ (monetary, fiscal and trade policies) tools and their impact on businesses etc.

Businesses also require funding from shareholders and lenders at the outset and subsequently need to profits and positive cash flows for investment. They are in competition with other businesses for funding, just as much as they are competition for labour and market share. On this course, you will learn to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages to the business of a range of sources of finance. You will also learn how managers’ report on the financial affairs and financial position of the business and how financial reports can be analysed to evaluate business performance.

The module will cover the following topics:

• Organisation Strategy and strategic Leadership
• Determining the strategic Direction: Mission Vision and Values
• Strategic decision-making in Practice
• Transformational Leadership Approaches and Emotional Intelligence
• The Leader-Follower Relationship
• Team Leadership
• Strategic decision-making in Innovative Contexts
• Creating Systemic Innovation
• Authentic and Sustainable Leadership
• Current Trends in strategic Leadership

Learning outcomes of the module

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

• Examine and critique the underlying principles of key leadership theories
• Critically review how effective leaders foster an innovation culture in organisations
• Explore the dynamics underpinning the leader-follower relationship in organisations
• Review and critically the strategic role of leaders within organisations

The material covered in the module relates to two broad areas of study: the examination of organisational behaviour, including attitudes, perception, motivation, groups, teams and leadership; and understanding managerial processes, and the development of skills important in the management of people and processes – such as corporate social responsibility. Change management is increasingly important and therefore you will examine the topic by looking at both incremental and transformational change, and the importance of power, politics and conflict.

Focusing on the behaviour of people in a work environment, the module places an emphasis on understanding the vital role and importance of people in the change management process. You will develop an understanding of the dynamics of working organisations in a rapidly evolving business environment, specifically the significance of organisational culture. This in turn develops your ability to plan and carry forward sustainable system-wide change programmes.

Learning outcomes of the module

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

• Apply organisational behaviour theory to the business context
• Critically analyse the factors influencing individual behaviour in organisations
• Evaluate the nature, role and tasks of people management and identify effective management practice and skills
• Identify and analyse trends in transformational change management in organisations
• Illustrate through analysis and synthesis a robust understanding of International Leadership, management theories and concepts

The content of this module is informed by the Chartered Management Institute’s ‘Chartered Manager skills’, as well as the academic requirements of the MBA programme. The focus of this module is to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills to prepare you for a range of challenges in your academic and professional career.

Specifically, the emphasis is on developing research skills that will equip you with the expertise to undertake relevant and topical research allied to your MBA Project.

The core material covers:

• Critiquing academic and practitioner research from a range of published sources,
• Developing tools and techniques for writing a critical literature review,
• Methodological considerations,
• Research design,
• Research ethics,
• Qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection,
• Manual and computer-based techniques of data analysis and,
• Evaluating and communicating your research.

Learning outcomes of the module

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

• Critique a range of literature sources with the aim of developing a critical literature review for a selection of academic and management projects
• Critically identify and evaluate research methodologies, together with relevant methods and techniques for the collection and analysis of data
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of your own practice in conducting a research study in terms of typical ethical, political and individual dimensions of business research

This module contains no specific subject content, and therefore there is no formal delivery of any material. The individual and unique project topics selected by you will allow you to utilise the methods and techniques introduced in the Skills for Managers module to independently research and acquire detailed knowledge relating to your project. The emphasis is very much on individual development and demonstrating the critical research skills commensurate with postgraduate study. While you will receive supervision, the supervisor’s role is primarily one of facilitation and guidance, with you taking a pro-active stance to the assimilation and analysis of relevant literature, leading to the design and execution of appropriate research. The production of a project, critically reflecting on the research undertaken and presenting robust and evidence-based arguments, is the ultimate goal of this module. Although the project is subject-specific, the skills used within the project are transferable and relevant to a range of situations you may find yourself in, in your current or future organisation.

A number of exemplars will be available on the VLE to support you, and the guidelines for writing the project are given in the MBA Handbook.

Learning outcomes of the module

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

• Plan and design an MBA research project in a relevant business and management area which has the potential to make a contribution to subject discipline knowledge and improvements in organisational performance
• Review and critique the relevant body of knowledge relating to your chosen topic, leading to set of robust and clearly-defined aims and objectives
• Critically evaluate and defend the research approach adopted in the project research
• Execute, analyse and interpret research data leading to well-argued conclusions and recommendations
• Reflect on personal and professional development, as well as the approaches and outcomes of the research

This module applies key concepts of logistics and supply chain management to provide you with an understanding of the strategic and operational roles of logistics in the global business environment. Emphasis is placed on global and pan-European systems for materials sourcing and product distribution, to enable you to learn how businesses configure their supply chains to compete in today’s major trading blocs. Early topics identify key issues in global logistics and contrast international and domestic logistics systems. Subsequent topics explore the main components of global supply chains and the logistics activities involved in their management.

The module begins with an introduction to the characteristics of global logistics and a discussion of the role of logistics in international business. The module then covers the development of international trade, regional trading blocs and the logistics implications. The rise of global marketing and global logistics is then addressed in the context of the international business environment, requiring the management and operation of inbound supplies and sourcing, manufacturing, global distribution channels, international transport and international order management. Contemporary issues arising out of the former that will be explored in the latter part of the module include the rise of e-logistics and new developments and organisational issues in developing European and global logistics systems.

Learning outcomes of the module

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

• Understand contemporary concepts and principles of global logistics and supply chain management in theory and practice
• Critically reflect on the role of logistics in achieving the organisation’s international marketing and business development goals
• Critically engage with a range of technical considerations involved in planning and operating global supply chains
• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of global logistics systems.
• Critically assess the issues and problems related to the development of global and pan-European logistics systems

The ability to manage projects is a key factor that influences successful managerial performance and all organisations need managers equipped with such skills. Project management is the application of skills and knowledge to deliver the project objectives. The aim of this module is to provide students with an overview of the theoretical and practical tools needed to successfully manage projects.

This module offers the framework and tools necessary to prepare participants for better decision-making in their future managerial roles. By using an analytic approach and relating ideas to the basic principles of project management, it will provide an introduction to the basic principles for thinking clearly about managerial problems and dilemmas when successfully managing projects through their complete life cycle.

The module will introduce project selection and portfolio management techniques. The project life cycle: time, costs and quality, will be reviewed along with scope management. Issues around team building, conflict and negotiation will be explored and the evaluation of finished projects will be consider by reviewing success criteria, success factors and performance indicators.

Learning outcomes of the module

Upon completion of this module you will be able to:

• Analyse the principles, theories and practice of project evaluation and management
• Critically evaluate the project objectives of cost, quality and time and the trade-offs and interaction between these objectives
• Demonstrate understanding of critical human dimensions of project management.
• Apply a range of theories & concepts to analyse the operational challenges of managing projects
• Evaluate the costs & benefits of completed projects drawing lessons for future practice