Supply Chain and Lean Management (MSB255)
This course provides an overview of Operation Management topics which are the foundation of both Supply Chain and Lean Management issues. The focus is on industrial relevant topics such as Supply Chain, Lean Management, Theory of Constraints, and Industry 4.0. These topics partly overlap and will be adressed in lectures, essays, presentations etc. How can the management of operations contribute to a profitable company or organization? Even though most of the references are from the manufacturing industry, the course content and methods are relevant to service and other organizations.
Course description for study year 2023-2024
Course code
MSB255
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
English
Content
The course provides an overview of basic issues in Operation Management. This may partially be a repetition for some students, but it will establish a common foundation for the main topics of Supply Chain and Lean Management.
The main topics that form the basis of lectures, assignments and other content will include:
- Supply chain/ value chain
- Lean Management
- Modelling tools for workflows
- Theory of Constraints
- Industry 4.0
These topics may change from semester to semester. The topics will be covered in lectures in collaboration with student groups in which assignment essays will be presented.
Each group will write a total of three essays, in accordance with a normal international journal template. All essays will be presented to fellow students and feedback will be given in a presentation and from the course tutor. The essays will count towards the final grade and can be updated before the final deadline.
While many of the cases and issues covered will be from industry, the methods and focus of this course are equally applicable to the service, retail, healthcare and tourism sectors.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students will:
- Have a fundamental understanding that includes the delivery of products and services
- Have knowledge of selected topics and methods regarding the operation and development of a company.
- Have knowledge on how to develop and run a profitable company that delivers products and services with limitations on schedule, quality and price. This is undertaken with an emphasis on supply chain and lean management.
- Understand the complexity and relations required in running a company.
Students will:
- Be able to explain core topics and develop an advanced understanding of core models, methods and theories that Operation Management with Supply Chain and Lean Management build upon.
- Be able to use different theories and models to analyse what is happening in a company in different situations, and be able to design their own analysis to recommend actions for a company.
- Be able to use theoretical models and concepts as a basis for developping a company's production and service deliveries.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Recommended prerequisites
Exam
Collection of essays and oral exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collection of essays | 1/2 | 1 Semesters | Letter grades | |
| Oral exam | 1/2 | 1 Hours | Letter grades |
The grade will be given in two equal parts:
• A collection of the three essays previously delivered and presented shall be handed in by the given final deadline. Students will have the opportunity to make improvements to their essays based on feedback given after the first hand-in of the essays and before the final deadline.
• An individual oral exam. A list of questions for the oral exam will be made available approximately one month before the exam. Questions from the list will be random selected at the exam
Permitted information:You are permitted to use any source of information for the essays, but these must be cited in the references.No assistance or additional material are allowed in the individual oral exam.
Coursework requirements
Course teacher(s)
Course teacher:
Ali TürkyilmazCourse coordinator:
Ali TürkyilmazCasual teacher:
Odd Terje HøieStudy Program Director:
Yuko OnozakaMethod of work
The course will utilize problem-based learning with project groups in adapted form. This means that the students will be working in groups of 3-5 throughout the whole semester.
The course is divided into parts that partially overlap.
- Part 1 comprises lectures that provide an overview.
- Part 2 comprises group work in assignment presentations in which the groups will prepare, document and present for the other groups. The assignments comprise essays, with topics given by the lecturer. The tutor will, as needed, provide further lecturing on the topics. The essays will be presented and handed in according to schedule. Essays in revised version are to be submitted for assessment of the final grade. These may be updated before the final deadline. Guidance will be provided during the writing process.
- Part 3 comprise preparing for and conducting the individual oral exam.
A semester plan will be provided at the beginning of the semester. Minor modifications will be made to the plan. All deliveries are via the online system Canvas. The final essay delivery will be at Inspera.
The oral exam, which counts for 50% of the final grade, is individual. Subjects about which students may be questioned in the exam will be made available around one month before the date of the oral exam.
Estimated workload
- Participation in lectures: 50 hours (3-4 hours per week)
- Reading and group presentations: 90 hours
- Group: essay writing: 75 hours
- Exam preparation: 55 hours
TOTAL: 270 hours
The course will have one three-hour lecture weekly. Two hours will also be available for guidance weekly. However, changes may occur.
Overlapping courses
| Course | Reduction (SP) |
|---|---|
| Supply Chain and Lean Management (MØA255_1) | 10 |