Global Operations and Supply Chain Management

Individual Assignment：

Prepare a report on the operations of a company with which you are familiar.

In your report, you must critically analyse the company’s operations by applying theory and learning from topics covered during the course and using the one or several concepts from literature provided in the module Moodle. In your analysis, show how the company hopes to achieve a competitive advantage through these aspects of its operations management.

• Module Textbooks:

Christopher M. (2016), “Logistics and Supply Chain Management”, 5th Edition, FT Publishing, ISBN (print): 978-1-292-08379-7.

Slack N. et al (2013), “Operations Management”, 7th edition, Pearson, ISBN (print): 978-0-273-77620-8.

• Other useful sources：

 Journal of Operations Management

 MIT Sloan Management Review

 Harvard Business Review

 The Economist

 The Wall Street Journal

 The Financial Times

 Business Week

 Fortune

For example, you might decide to analyse elements of the industrial strategy and forecasting or inventory management of the company, or you might to analyse KPIs and performance analysis. You must choose at least two topics, as long as they are from different sessions.

In your report, you should draw on and apply both the theory presented in class and from the textbook or any relevant literature.

Report Guidelines

• Assignments should be typed using size 12 font, Times New Roman font style and 1.5 line spacing, 2.5cm margins
• Harvard reference style: please follow the document of Harvard referencing guide.
• Word count: 3,000 words, excluding reference section and appendices.
• The report should follow the following format:
  • Title Page
    • Student names and numbers, Report title
  • Executive Summary
    • 200 words (max) which gives the reader a summary of the entire report contents and main themes
  • Introduction to the selected topics
    • 400 words (max) which gives the reader some background information on the company and the relevant key points of the area of operations examined.
  • Discussion and Analysis of the company’s operations in the areas chosen.
    • Describe the company’s operations and analyse them in the context of the relevant theory.
    • Show where and how the company seeks to gain a competitive advantage.
  • Limitations to the company’s current practices.
    • Explain what you think are the limitations to the company’s current application of the theory and how it might be improved.
  • Summary, conclusions and recommendations
    • Briefly summarise your report and state what conclusions you have come to in regard to the company’s current operational activities.
    • Make recommendations for future action by the company.
  • List of References
  • Appendices
    • If necessary, additional information such as detailed calculations supporting your views can be put in an Appendix and reference can be made to it in the main part of the report.