Module Title
Module Number
JACS Subject Code(s) and % of each subject
ASC Category(ies )
Operations Management MBA 7061
N900 7
Level (0 - M) Credits ECTS Credit Module Value % Taught in Greek Module Type 7 20 10 2 0 Standard Taught Module Teaching Period Pre-requisites Semester Two None Module Leader School(s) Campus Gerasimos Kontos Cardiff School of Management Athens
Assessment Methods
Assessment Type Duration/Length of
Assessment Type
Weighting of Assessment Approximate Date of Submission
One final assignment Written assignment (6000) words
100% End of Semester
Aim(s)
Modern thriving enterprises demand constant levels of Business Operations management. The module aims to equip students with an understanding of business operations management and ways to measure and improve internal operations and those in the value chain. The module considers both the manufacturing and service environment operations and introduces the students to the relevant tools and techniques of operational improvement and performance management. It examines quality management tools techniques and philosophies in relation to both manufacturing and service operations The module also considers the business in relation to its value chain by examining the nature of extended supply chains and supply chain management.
The scope and richness of theoretical and empirical developments in the discipline of business operations and improvement management, offers potential for students to develop substantial skills in understanding the discipline, its role in new product / service development and in the formulation of successful, contemporary organizations. This will enable students to deal successfully with dynamic demands from markets and customers that are becoming even more sophisticated and knowledgeable.
Learning Outcomes By the end of this module students should be able to:
Create, analyze and critically evaluate new business models and improvement plans Develop case study analysis skills (specifically, identifying critical issues in case studies and applying course material to case studies Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of operations management in a variety of contexts Understand quality management tools and techniques and their application in a variety of operational contexts Appraise the application of theoretical approaches, tools, techniques and practices of operations management in the service and manufacturing environment. Evaluate and select the appropriate tools and techniques for diagnosing operational problems and for improving business processes Assess the business in terms of its value chain and the associated tools, techniques and practices for managing and improving it.
Learning and Teaching Delivery Methods
Contact time (lectures/workshops) 45 Hours Independent study 155 Hours Total 200 Hours
Indicative Content
The course structure will support students to gain the knowledge and skills they need for contemporary business operations management. Within this context, each module includes a case study suitable for class discussion. The cases are short enough to serve as illustrations, but have sufficient content to serve as the basis of the module
Introduction to Operations management Manufacturing operations and systems of production Service operations Operations management tools and techniques Quality management, tools and techniques Project Management The value chain model and analysis Supply chain development Problem solving Business operations improvement
Recommended Reading & Required Reading
Required reading
Slack, N, Brandom-Jones, A and Johnston R. (2013) Operations Management, 7th Edition. Pearson Education Limited. United Kingdom Johnson, R and Clark, G. (2012) Service Operations Management: improving service delivery. FT Prentice Hall. London.
1. Recommended reading
Jones, P. and Robinson, P. (2012) Operations management. OUP. Oxford. Fitzsimmons, J. and Fitzsimmons, M. (2010) Service Management: operations, strategy and information technology. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Boston MA. Walters, D. And Rainbird, N. (2006) Strategic operations management. Palgrave Macmillan. Basingstoke.
Academic Journals Harvard Business Review International Journal of Production Economics International Journal of Operations & Production Management Journal of Operations Management Production and Operations Management California Management Review
Access to Specialist Requirements