Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc

Teesside University

This module develops your awareness and understanding of the factors that impact research design for business and management students. You explore the ethical principles underpinning business research, research methodologies, data type, collection and analysis, research methods and how to present a research proposal and dissertation.

Using a range of self-diagnostic tools to evaluate your personal strengths and areas for development, you develop a strong sense of awareness of your own skills and values and are introduced to a range of alternative debates on individual, group, leader and organisational behaviour. The skills developed will help your ability to perform effectively over time, with an awareness of differing cultural contexts and operating environments.

You will integrate your learning and development and synthesise knowledge and understanding of theory and practice through its application to organisational issues, which are demonstrably concerned with development within the organisation. You are supported throughout the process by a supervising tutor who will monitor progress and ensure that you are appraised of your on-going performance. Usually the dissertation should be completed within one year.

You develop a critical understanding of the international business environment, concentrating particularly on the impact of cultural differences on individuals and organisations, and the effects of developments in the global economy. Teaching on the module is divided into two parts. The cultural aspects look at topics such as the nature of culture and its implications for management, communication, conflict and negotiation. The economics part develops the tools needed to analyse some of the principal issues facing business in the global economy, for example, international trade, economic development and growth, shifts in world economic activity and the effects of policies on the environment.

You develop awareness and understanding of operational research and systems dynamics methods applicable to the analysis of logistics and global supply chain management operations within both the private and public sector. Further, the module will introduce spreadsheet-based simulation methods and will afford the student opportunity to develop theoretical and applied knowledge in logistics and supply chain management.

You develop a systematic understanding of the nature of organisations and how they function and a critical awareness of the current challenges facing contemporary organisations. You are encouraged to critically reflect on the leadership skills and values required to better support organisations through the difficult challenges they may encounter.

You gain a strategic overview of the definition of what makes a project, and are able to consider the organisational implications and expectations centred on project initiation and delivery. We show you the way projects are constructed (in process terms) and managed. We don't intend to turn you into deployable practitioners - this only comes with experience - rather provide you with a strategic overview of the nature of projects and provide a general understanding of what they may need to consider (including the language of projects) should you wish to undertake and/or participate in the management of projects in all their guises.