Module Information

Module Identifier
ABM5220
Module Title
International Strategy and Operations
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Individual Report  3000 words Strategic Report  40%
Semester Assessment 1 Hours   Class Test  1 hr Class Test  20%
Semester Assessment Group report  4,500 words Group report  40%
Supplementary Assessment Individual Report Supply Chain  3000 words Individual report  40%
Supplementary Assessment 1 Hours   Class Test  1 hr Class Test  20%
Supplementary Assessment Individual Report  3000 words Strategic Report  40%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

* Conduct a strategic analysis of the organization to achieve assess the correspondence between factors in the external environment and the organization’s competences and resources

* Formulate strategic options for firms using strategic analysis, formulate and defend a strategic plan, and identify methods of implementation and the implications of strategic change

* Evaluate the relationship between operations and strategy, and critically review the design of operations systems

* Analyse the planning and control mechanisms in operations management, and also identify and discuss the contemporary operational issues that organizations face

* Critically evaluate the supply chain environment and understand the opportunities and constraints facing organizations

* Demonstrate a critical understanding of the nature and process of purchasing, physical distribution, logistics and materials management

Brief description

This module examines international strategy and operations management, including the international supply chain, an increasingly important aspect of business opportunities worldwide. The module examines techniques required for the design, operation and control of business processes and consulting, including methods for reducing supply chain risk. The module emphasizes the importance of customer/ supplier relationships, as well as the risks associated with supply chain management

Content

  • Definition of strategy
  • The internal and external strategic environment
  • Strategic positioning and purpose
  • Strategic choice and strategy selection and development
  • Strategic change
  • Basics of operations strategy design of products and services process strategy
  • Capacity and lay out planning forecasting demand
  • Quality management and statistical process control inventory management
  • Lean operations and JIT management
  • Supply chain management
  • Information management: data collection and analyses consulting

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number The module will develop a student’s ability to read and understand national accounts and other international economic data
Communication Discussion-based group seminars facilitate critical thinking and help to develop good presentation skills. Independent work on assessed essay helps to develop writing skills which will be of use when writing the assessment
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will improve their learning by undertaking directed but independent study and work. Time management will be crucial in preparation for the assessments
Information Technology The use of electronic journals and reports are highly relevant for the successful preparation of the report. In addition, although not required, students may choose to use electronic library databases. Use of spreadsheet models to demonstrate supply chain decision issues
Personal Development and Career planning The module provides content which may prove highly valuable for students in their later careers. Know ledge and understanding of contemporary issues in the operational environment as well as research skills dev eloped in connection with the preparation of assessed individual coursework contribute to transferable skills. This module equips managers with knowledge and tools to operate various functions across an organisation
Problem solving The module demands the participants to apply analytical skills to reason and understand the challenging nature of the subject. By introducing a variety of theoretical as well as empirical topics, the module enables students to develop creative thinking approaches to problem solving and to critically evaluate potential solutions to complex and challenging problems. These skills will have to be applied in seminar discussions, preparation of the written assessment and in the exam. Operations and supply chain management tools and techniques will be applied to business situations
Research skills Students will be mostly working with influential theoretical as well as empirical research papers published in operations and supply chain management journals. This will introduce them to a range of research methods, which will facilitate development of appropriate research skills necessary to produce high quality project reports. The students will have to prepare an individual report based on information that they will have to collect, having to arrange coherently in a written document all the relevant material gathered
Subject Specific Skills Use of strategic models to understand developing international issues Capacity for overseeing operations and supply chain management tools, data collection and analyses techniques and their application
Team work Team work ethics are encouraged in seminars. During seminars students w ill be encouraged to participate in interactive group discussions/presentations

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7