Module overview
This module positions inter-organisational business relationships at the core of the analysis to enable effective strategic, operational, purchasing and logistical decision making. This is set in the context of global supply and demand markets. It provides a complement to international business strategy, marketing and operations topics.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- the underlying principles in organisation structure, law and negotiation and their application to strategy and operations;
- the effects of the Make or Buy option.
- the principles and practices of purchasing and supply management;
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- utilise oral and written communication.
- structure and solve problems;
- analyse the appropriateness of decision making methods;
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- differentiate strategic and operational purchasing decisions and the factors to be managed in both situations.
- evaluate the cost benefit of cooperation and competition in business transactions;
- undertake critical analysis of supply management situations;
Syllabus
Purchasing Principles and Processes in Context
- Overview of supply strategy;
- Theories of Inter-organisational Management;
- Links between policy, strategy and operation.
Role and position of Purchasing
- Organisational position, structure and resources for Strategic Purchasing and Supply;
- Intra-organisational relationships;
- Role of technology and e-commerce;
- Organisational structure for global operation.
Processes
- Contract law;
- Negotiation principles and practice;
- Purchasing as a cluster of interdependent processes;
- What processes are ‘done or bought’;
- Sourcing options including introduction to out-sourcing strategies/agents;
- Linking processes to strategy and the global context.
Supply Relationships, Chains and Networks
- Established interpretations of levels of supply management;
- Portfolios of relationships and their management.
Power and collaboration
- Role and position of power;
- Approaches which recognise power dimensions and strategies.
Performance Assessment Approaches
- The basics of performance measurement, in this context;
- Supplier assessment techniques;
- Relationship assessment and evaluation;
- Supply development strategies;
- Linking development to supplier relationship management.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Learning activities include:
- Lectures, a part of which are to be delivered by external consultants and other experts to bring practice into balance with theory
- Use of on-line materials
- An individual assignment reflecting on the lessons learned
- In-class case study/problem solving activities
- Private study
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Independent Study | 126 |
Teaching | 24 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
Macbeth, D. K. (2012). Contract Lifecycle Management. http://bookboon.com/en/business-ebooks/management-ebooks/contract-lifecycle-management.
Gadde, L-E., Hakansson, H and Persson, G. (2010). Supply Network Strategies. Chichester: Wiley.
Monczka, R, Trent, R & Handfield, R (2005). Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. Thomson, South-Western.
Hughes J, Ralf M and Michels B (1998). Transform Your Supply Chain. London: Thomson Business Press.
Cox, A., Sanderson, J. and Watson, G. (2000). Power Regimes. Earlsgate Press.
Griffiths M and Griffiths (2002). Law for Purchasing and Supply. Harlow: FT Pearson.
Cousins, P D., Lamming R C, Lawson B, Squire, B. (2008). Strategic Supply Management: Theories, Concepts and Practice. Pearson Education.
Rhodes, E., Warren, J. P. & Carter, R. (Eds) (2006). Supply Chains and Total Product Systems. Oxford: Blackwell.
Van Weele A J (2014). Purchasing and Supply Chain Management. London: Cengage Learning.
Ford, D., Gadde, L-E., Hakansson, H and Snehota, I. (2011). Managing Business Relationships. Chichester: Wiley.
Hines T (2013). Supply Chain Strategies: Demand-Driven and Customer-Focused. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.
Assessment
Formative
This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.
Class discussionsSummative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Coursework | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External