The overall aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of operations and its management. The operations are the organizations core activity that has to be managed, planned, and controlled in order to meet the interests of organizational stakeholders. The course takes its point of departure in the necessity to recognize the linkage between a companys business idea and strategies, and operations management as a foundation for creating competitive advantages. The strategic perspective will be further developed when different levels of analysis of the organization of operations and typologies of operations are discussed. Thereafter, a more applied approach is introduced in which different models for designing, planning and controlling operations are introduced and evaluated. Concepts discussed in this part of the course include for example supply chain management, enterprise resource planning, lean operations, just in time, and total quality management. In this second part of the course, knowledge and skills developed in the first part of the course are applied and deepened. This is done by a) an individual work where students chose a topic, within the area of operations management, which they study in depth by focusing on contemporary research within the area, and b) a group case assignment where operations in a smaller company/ industry are designed and planned.
Förväntade studieresultat
After completing the course, the student should be able:
to describe and discuss what impact different competitive strategies have on the organization and the management of operations
to apply and evaluate different models used for designing, planning and controlling operations
design and plan the operations in a smaller company
to reflect upon operational aspects of everyday practices
to search, evaluate and present scientific articles
to apply theories and concepts on practical problems and discuss practical solutions based on a theoretical foundation.
Behörighetskrav
Univ: Företagsekonomi C, 15 hp. Gymnasium: Engaelska B.
Svenska för grundläggande behörighet för högskolestudier (om kursen ges på svenska).
Undervisningens upplägg
The teaching methods consist of lectures, calculation exercises, and literature and case seminars. The first part of the course will be focused on of lectures and calculation exercises, whereas the second part of the course consists of more individual and group assignments.
Examination
The following grading system will be used:
Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd, Vg, 75% or more),
Pass (Godkänd, G, 50% or more)
Fail (Underkänd, U, less than 50%).
Examination consists of:
individual written exam encompassing 50%
individual written report and oral presentation of a topic chosen, encompassing 25%.
a written case report and presentation of the group work, encompassing 25%.
In order to pass the course, the student must complete all parts of the examination i.e. reach 50% of the points of each part. To receive the grade pass with distinction, the student must reach at least 75% of the total points on the course.
In case of failure on seminar participation or individual and group assignments, compensating assignments must be completed in accordance with instructions given on each occasion.
Students who do not pass at the time of the normal written examination will be offered an opportunity to sit a further examination within 2-3 weeks. Beyond that, additional examination opportunities normally arise every academic year, one week prior to the start of the autumn term.
When a student has failed an examination on two occasions, he or she has a right to have another grading teacher. A written request for an alternative examiner should be handed to the director of studies no later than two weeks before the next examination opportunity.
Rules and regulations concerning the production of academic texts and correct referencing will be applicable to all written assignments.
Guest lectures during the course might be used as basis for examination.
Student who has passed an examination can not redo the examination to get a higher grading.
Grades on the course are awarded when students have passed all examinations and compulsory course elements.
Academic credit transfer.
Academic credit transfers are according to the University credit transfer regulations.
Övriga föreskrifter
This is a course at the D-level in a MSc-degree at Umeå University. The course can also be included in study programs in Business Administration and Economics at Umeå School of Business.
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