Course Details in

Module Title	LH Strategic Purchasing and Supply Management
School	Birmingham Business School
Department	Management
Module Code	07 23769
Module Lead	Dr C. M. Lonsdale
Level	Honours Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-30 hours Guided independent study-70 hours Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module discusses in detail how organisations might effectively manage their supply inputs. Such inputs could be basic supplies, IT services or critical manufacturing sub-assemblies. In a world where many organisations have been very active over the last 10-15 years in outsourcing, the effective management of these inputs can be critical for the success of the organisation overall - particularly in industries with low margins. The module is organised in accordance with the different stages of the purchasing and supply management process ¿ from the specification decision to the development activities that might occur during the contractual period. The module also revisits the outsourcing decision, bringing to the fore issues of strategic positioning within supply chains. To discuss the challenges that the purchasing and supply management process poses to managers, the module accesses a range of different literatures: strategic management, organisational buying behaviour, information economics, inter-organisational relations, behavioural economics, institutional economics, contract law and conflict theory. Whilst making extensive use of theory, the module also draws upon considerable original case evidence. By the end of the module, students should not only have a firm grasp of the economic concepts relevant to the purchasing and supply management process, but also recognise what a challenging and critical activity the process is for many of the organisations for which they will work in the future.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student should be able to: Show a detailed and sophisticated understanding of the objectives of managing the purchasing and supply management process Demonstrate a critical understanding of how the management of supply is linked to the strategic posture of the organisation Explain the standard purchasing and supply management process Critically evaluate the economic concepts that are relevant to the different stages of the process Apply those concepts to real-life business and public sector situations Develop a complete demand and supply management plan for an area of expenditure Explain the main criteria underpinning the outsourcing decision
Assessment	23769-01 : Assignment : Coursework (75%) 23769-02 : Group Case Exercise : Group Assessment - Coursework (25%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: One individual 2500 word essay worth (100%) Reassessment: As above
Other
Reading List