Module Catalogue

NBS8118 : Purchasing and Supply Chain Management

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to proof of pre-requisite knowledge.
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Christian Hicks
  • Owning School: Newcastle University Business School
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The aim of this research-informed module is to provide students with an understanding of the theory and practice of supply chain management and purchasing in today’s global environment. The module also covers international supply chain management strategy and tactics, supplier selection, evaluation and development, planning and inventory, managing demand and forecasting the role of information technology and ethics in modern procurement practice.
The module clearly emphasises the importance of purchasing with other corporate functions and other upstream and downstream partners in the overall supply chain. Students are encouraged to engage with relevant academic literature. Case studies enable students to consolidate their knowledge and gain insight into how theories and concepts can be applied. The module will form a platform for further academic study or professional development where appropriate.
Within the programme curriculum selected critical skills are given particular emphasis: the use of academic literature, research and analysis using qualitative and quantitative techniques, problem-solving, leadership and decision making, communication skills and the development of cross-disciplinary management abilities.

Outline Of Syllabus

Module content includes: 1) introduction; 2) strategic supply chain management; 3) supply chain performance; 4) planning and inventory; 5) managing demand and forecasting; 6) strategic purchasing; 7) supplier selection, evaluation and development; 8) ethics; and 9) management of specifications and make vs. buy.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture112:0022:00PiP
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion166:0066:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyDirected research and reading150:0050:00N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching62:0012:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study150:0050:00N/A
Total200:00
Jointly Taught With
Code Title
NBS8120
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will introduce the key themes on the module, group activities will allow students to apply their knowledge, students will present back to class and receive formative feedback and the examination will examine the students' knowledge and critical understanding on the subject

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written Examination1801A100N/A
Exam Pairings
Module Code Module Title Semester Comment
1Dual Award Shadow module
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Case study1MMultiple case studies
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Summative Assessment
The end of semester unseen, closed-book examination tests the students general knowledge of the subject, the ability to think and analyse problems, their understanding of appropriate theories and research and their critical comprehension of the subject.

Formative Assessment
Most lectures include case studies which allow the students to work in groups, present their findings and receive oral feedback.

The final lecture – is based upon a “University Challenge Game” (Christmas ‘lecture’) – students are divided into teams that are invited to answer revision questions using the University Challenge format. The staff provide extra support/feedback and answer questions that can’t be addressed by the teams.

Reading Lists

Timetable