BMM3003 - Introduction to Business Operations and Management

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of business operations and management.
Explain the key concepts of effective operations strategy.
Explain the role and scope of business management.
Contextualisation of knowledge within a real business.

Content:

Introduction: What is a business and why does it exist? What are the basic objectives of businesses? How do businesses establish their priorities and objectives? What types of businesses are there? The modern business environment.

Business operations: The Supply Chain from raw materials to consumer. Logistics and how businesses get the right goods, in the right quantity at the right time to the right place. Production; the difference between services and manufacturing. Principles of project management. Quality control processes.

Management: How are businesses organised? How has this changed? What is a manager? Principles of Human Resources management. Team Building and team working. Principles of leadership.

This will be contextualised in both a series of case studies, and the student's personal experiences. The intention is to make the module content as relatable to the individual as possible. Up to date examples will be drawn from the introduction to applications of business principles in a variety of contexts including public and private organisations. Students will be encouraged to research business topics of interest and discuss these in class (for example ethical issues in the news, Brexit etc).

Learning and Teaching Information:

This module will be delivered through a series of lectures, workshops, and student led activity. There will need to be a balance of the different modes of teaching and learning in order to effectively engage the target student audience. This will include making use of technology (presentation software, websites, social media etc) in order to communicate in the manner most commonly used by this student group.

Case studies will be used throughout, and the students will be encouraged to relate the principles to businesses that they are either familiar with, or have worked at in the past. The reading list will be focused on a single textbook, available online, and augmented with additional articles and case studies.

Learning will be supported with materials posted on moodle, and panopto videos prepared by the course tutor. Social media will be used to communicate regularly with the students to bolster the feeling that the study of business can be part of everyday life, thus addressing some of the concerns of the target student audience.

Workshops/Group Discussion and Activities
Contact Hours: 50
Intended Group Size: Cohort

Guided independent study
Hours: 250

Further details relating to assessment
The case study will be a short overview of the main methods used for operations and management within a business of the student’s choice. This will encourage engagement with the topic, contextualisation of the issues, and provide an introduction to business research skills. The Viva-Voce has been selected to allow for a low tension way to let the student talk their examiners through learning outcomes 2 & 3. The use of presentations was considered, but the nature of the target audience means that this method of examination may provide undue pressure for the student while a Viva can be run in a congenial and constructive manner.

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - Katie Lupton
Level - 0
Credit Value - 30
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 3YL

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