Distance MSc in Operational Research - Operations Strategy

Credit Value: 3
Tutors: Robert van der Meer

Class aims

Students should understand the concept of an operations strategy; and - through the use of case studies - be able to explore various strategic issues in operations.

Learning outcomes

1 Subject specific knowledge and skills

1. Describe key models and concepts in business strategy
2. Analyse key concepts in operations strategy
3. Analyse a number of specific decision areas in operations strategy; principally, the strategic management of process technology, operations capacity and the supply network

2 Cognitive abilities and non-subject specific skills

1. Present a reasoned argument in writing based on a thorough knowledge and understanding of the relevant academic literature and supported, where required, by appropriate quantitative analysis.

Content/Structure of class/Lecture Programme

• Introduction to business strategy (I)
• Introduction to business strategy (II). Introduction to Operations Strategy.
• The strategic management of process technology and operations capacity.
• The strategic management of the supply network.

Supplementary Reading

The following may be of use but are not required:

• R Hayes, G Pisano, D Upton and S Wheelwright (2005). Operations, Strategy, and Technology - Pursuing the Competitive Edge, Wiley; ISBN: 0-471-65579-1
• Operations Strategy Nigel Slack, Mike Lewis Harlow (Essex, UK): Pearson Education Ltd, 2002 ISBN: 0-273-63781-9 Available from Amazon (UK)

management science DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE Graham Hills BUILDING 40 GEORGE STREET G1 1QE
t:0141 548 3613/3141 f:0141 552 6686
contact-mansci@strath.ac.uk