MSc Global Logistics Operations and Supply Chain Management
1 year Full-Time | September Start

In this module you will learn about a comprehensive range of research methods and business analytics techniques. This will equip you with the knowledge and practical skills necessary for you to conduct research at Masters’ level and prepare you to complete a Master’s Dissertation, Consultancy Project or Management Enquiry. By the end of the module you will know how to apply both quantitative and qualitative data collection and business analysis techniques. In quantitative techniques you will learn about sampling, questionnaire design, statistical inference, and hypothesis testing while qualitative techniques covered will include methods such as interviewing and focus groups. Analysis methods such as content analysis and thematic analysis will also be covered. In addition, you will gain some understanding of research philosophy (positivism and interpretivism) and research ethics and you will be able to write a research proposal to bring these ideas together.
Furthermore, this module will provide clear, critical, and analysis of data, you will also be able to consider the use of analytics implementation skills, where you will be introduced to analytics software such as SPSS. SPSS statistics analysis is one of the powerful solutions that is designed to help businesses and researchers to solve problems by various methods (geospatial analysis, predictive analytics and hypothesis testing).

This module aims at educating you in the field of forecasting and predictive analytics to respond to the job market needs using a variety of methodologies. Your journey shall be a quest to distinguish the "true" signal from a universe of "noise" through the lenses of forecasting and predictive analytics. To be more specific, this module covers the typical methodological steps of a prediction exercise, statistical modelling, and artificial intelligence methodologies for prediction via applications in different business settings. This module teaches you fundamental techniques used for predictive analytics: regression, classification, clustering, Bayesian and other machine learning approaches and models. You will learn how to perform forecasting using time-based data to predict future values from a model. You will get practice with classification and use various techniques for clustering and linear regression to solve common business problems; as well as learn techniques for assessing the effectiveness of your solutions.

In this module, you will learn about the role of a project and project manager in logistics, supply chain and operations management, and the concepts and techniques required to manage the core aspects of a project.

The main topics covered include fundamental theories, knowledge, and techniques required to manage projects in a contemporary logistics, supply chain and operational setting.

These topics include:
• Defining project characteristics, lifecycle, and activities.
• Understanding how projects drive change and achieve strategic goals in logistics, supply chain and operations.
• Realising the role of project manager in various organisational structures and cultures.
• Managing core project aspects, such as stakeholder relationships, scope, cost, schedule, and risk.
• Focusing on systems and structures as the means of systematising operations and working practices.

Drawing on contemporary project management research and business case studies on logistics, supply chain and operations, this module will develop your knowledge, skills, and confidence in managing projects in a global logistics and supply chain environment. Your learning will take place though lectures and workshops. You will be exposed to a wide range of project management literature as well as business cases on operations and supply chain management to broaden your understanding of project management in a global environment.

On completing this module, you will be able to utilise appropriate project management techniques and skills to manage different projects effectively and efficiently in operations and supply chain management. You will be able to critically challenge the assumptions and practices in contemporary settings.

Studying away from your home country can differ due to cultural and language differences in teaching and assessment practices. This

module is designed to support your transition to postgraduate level study in the use and practice of subject specific skills around assessments

and teaching provision in your chosen subject. The overall aim of this module is to further develop your abilities to read and study effectively

for academic purposes; to develop your skills in analysing and using source material in seminars and academic writing and to develop your

use and application of language and communications skills suitable for a postgraduate level of study.

The topics you will cover on the module include:

• Understanding postgraduate assignment briefs.

• Developing advanced academic writing skills, including citation, paraphrasing, and summarising.

• Practising advanced ‘critical reading’ and ‘critical writing’

• Planning and structuring postgraduate level academic assignments (e.g. essays, reports and presentations).

• Avoiding academic misconduct and gaining credit by using academic sources and referencing effectively.

• Speaking in postgraduate seminar presentations.

• Presenting your ideas

• Giving discipline-related postgraduate level academic presentations, experiencing peer observation, and receiving formative feedback.

• Postgraduate level speed reading techniques.

• Developing self-reflection skills.

This module engages you in personal and professional development in order that you develop and hone your teamworking, management and leadership skills, capabilities and attributes, and in so doing, enhance your employability. On this module, you will not only prepare for your first job after you graduate but also kickstart your commitment to life-long personal and professional learning. In the first part of the module you will be supported in a self-analysis by a range of activities, including the completion of self-administered tool-kits to demonstrate an increased self-awareness and self-understanding. This will also involve applying theoretical frameworks and researching contemporary literature for a more in-depth understanding of self. A key outcome of this process is how you will be able to exploit this development in order to lead, and manage, more effectively in your future careers. The second part of the module contains activities which enable you to build on your self-analysis and explore further your strengths, weaknesses and areas for development in the context of your career development plans. You will receive guidance on how to craft professional, postgraduate CVs, LinkeIn profiles, and supporting documentation to meet the needs of employer. Furthermore, you will use your understanding of self to help you to understand the key issues and specific challenges that you face, with your skills profile, in relation to your employability prospects in your target profession/industry/sector. This will also include the development of knowledge into the global graduate market, (including routes such as self-employment and developing your career with an existing employer) drawing upon local, national and international examples.

This module addresses global contemporary operations and supply chain issues, challenges, strategies and tools and will develop you as an active learner. The mission of this module is three-folded:

1. This module aims to provide you with an underpinning knowledge about supply chain and operations improvement, whilst investigating the ongoing developments in theory and practice within the global context. You will learn strategic theories and gain knowledge associated with performance improvement inside, outside and beyond the organisations that enable value chain strategies to be put in place. The key themes include:
• Global Operations and Supply Chain Strategy
• Quality Management Models, Strategies and Systems
• Industry 4.0
• Robotic Process Automation
• Service Operations Improvement
• Performance Measurement and Benchmarking
• Process Improvement strategies
• Lean Management
• Location Management
• Supplier Development
• Global Supply Chain issues
• Process and product Design
• Postponement
• Global Logistics and Transport

2. This module aims at developing your practical problem solving skills in the global operations and supply chain context by analysing contemporary issues through interactive case study analysis in each of the weekly seminars. You will have opportunity to analyse cases relevant to the various theoretical themes and discuss with your tutor, fellow students and team members to answer the relevant questions with the facilitation of your seminar tutor. Your development in linking theory into practice is supported by regular seminar-based analysis of contemporary case studies that align to the different theoretical themes presented in the modules through the lectures. This practical seminar work further supports your development in team-based research and underpins the module’s assessment activities.

3. This research-informed module also aims at developing your research skills. You will have opportunity to learn more about critical reading and writing of peer reviewed academic journal articles individually and with your seminar group. You will develop your team-based research skills including collaboration, research framework development and oral presentation.

On completing this module, you will be able to demonstrate your developed capability to analyse global operations and supply chain issues, underpinned by relevant knowledge and be able to implement suitable improvement strategies and tools.

This module is designed to equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills and techniques to be able to formulate Logistics and Supply Chain Management understanding of Strategic Supply Chain Relationships and related Innovation Management. The module emphasises the contribution of Logistics and Supply Chain Management disciplines to organisational strategy. Exposure to contemporary developments in this arena will allow you to evaluate and assess the potential for the adoption of these developments as complementary or alternative procedures in the management of the supply chain, with particular focus on managing innovation in supply chains through reference to international supply chain relationships. Examples of such developments includes the role of blockchain technology and the development of globally integrated supply chains. There is a strong emphasis on relationships within your learning, with consideration given to the logistics partnership, supplier and partnership development, making change happen and developing frameworks for managing change. The international focus of the module is recognised by consideration of cross-cultural management and exploration of intercultural encounters taken from the supply chain management perspective. The integrative nature of operations management is reinforced through consideration of its interface with disciplines such as marketing. Your strategic and cross-functional understanding is further reinforced through participation in a business simulation, where in teams, you operate in a competitive environment as new-market entrants. This will provide opportunity to make strategic-level decision, further reinforcing the strategic importance of operations as a sole function and one working in an integrative way with other disciplines such as finance, marketing and human resources.

This module aims to give you an in depth understanding of the fundamental principles of contemporary supply chain sustainability, resilience and risk within a business context. This research-informed module provides a series of evidence-based lectures, designed to create a better understanding of key logistics and supply chain challenges and issues, with a focus on social, economic and environmental considerations and environmental policies. It will help you to understand how key stakeholders operate, regulate, decide and function in the real world. It will identify, prioritise, reflect and conceptualise green supply chain management / sustainable supply chain management together with risk and risk-resilience concepts in the context of business continuity against the key priorities of environment, economy, safety, public health, social inclusion, accessibility and integration. You will learn of contemporary sustainability and supply chain issues from the perspective of local and global supply chains and urban cities. The international perspectives that inform the module include both first world and emerging economy perspectives. This module demonstrates how the overarching global drive for sustainable supply chains, chain resilience and risk are key in the push for sustainable cities and delivering more sustainable, flexible and resilient chains of supply in the UK and beyond.

The module explores the ways in which good practice in these fields underpinned with theoretical relevance can contribute to the optimisation of operational efficiency, manage waste streams, build in risk-resilience, socially just, transparent and accountable supply chain organisations and contribute towards the Circular Economy. It also examines organisational excellence, how contemporary organisations mitigate/adapt to risk and can play a role in improving conditions such as public health, social justice and environmental risk and seek sustainable competitive advantage(s) for the fruition of broader ‘triple bottom line’ (TBL) benefits.

The content of the module comprises several key parts which are listed below:
• Moving from ROI and Profits to a Circular Economy
• Risk: Vulnerability, Disaster and Resilience Management
• Scenario Planning
• Climate Change, Carbon Footprinting and Life Cycle Assessment
• Green Supply Chain Management
• Sustainable Development, SDGs and the ‘Supply Chain Code of Conduct’
• Global sustainability implications for developing countries and their economies
• Ethics, CSR, Vested sourcing/outsourcing
• Environmental Standards and Compliance
• EIO - Environmental Input-Output Analysis
• Waste Management

This module aims to provide you with an appreciation of the synergy between strategic procurement and international logistics management. The focus is given to processes that add value through the production and delivery of services and products in the supply chain, and the tools needed to manage these processes effectively. Furthermore, you will be given a comprehensive understanding of contemporary approaches to strategic procurement and logistics management throughout the supply chain. On completion of the module ,you will be able to critically analyse the approaches to managing procurement and logistics management used by a variety of product and service organizations operating in a global business environment. The content of the module comprises various key parts which are listed below.

Introduction to purchasing and SCM
The purchasing processes
Supplier - quality management, evaluation and selection
Negotiation and Contract management /incoterms
Supplier management and development - creating a world-class supply base and worldwide sourcing
Digitalisation of procurement and IT benefits evaluation
Supply chain continuity management
Knowledge management and innovation management in supply chains
Outsourcing/re-shoring management and power in supply chains
Change management in supply chains

Scope of Materials Management and International Logistics
The effects of ROI and Profits
Customer Service
Purchasing - the 5 'rights'-Partnership Sourcing
Inventory Management - Strategy MRP and ERP
Channel and Network Strategy
Materials Handling and Storage
Information Technology in International Logistics

This option is offered as an alternative to the NBS Masters’ Dissertation on all 1-year MSc programmes and in the second semester of year 2 on the 2-year programme variants with Study Abroad and with Advanced Practice (if the students select an Internship in semester 1), again as a Dissertation alternative. It is also offered as alternative to the Management Investigation on the MBA.

On this consultancy based module you will enhance your individual effectiveness and employability skills by locating the learning and development in an organisational context. In doing so, you will promote personal and group development, commercial awareness, and a range of inter-personal, intellectual and practical skills and knowledge centred on and demonstrated through a group negotiated real-time work-based project.

The content of the management report will be unique. The nature and scope of the area of your investigation will be defined and agreed in collaboration with the organisation and the University supervisor. The syllabus will include:

• Conducting research in organisations.
• Identifying researchable questions.
• Consultancy and project management skills.
• Research methods and doing a literature review
• Presentation, communication and report writing skills.
• Analysing findings.
• Writing recommendations and action plans.
• Reflecting on work based experiential learning.

In undertaking this project based module, you will critically reflect and evaluate upon organisational practices and their relation with academic theory, and in doing so, provide practical and actionable recommendations through an investigative management report.

The assessment for your module consists of a Group Consultancy Report (7,000 words) and Final Client Presentation, weighted at 60%, alongside an Individual Assignment comprising a Literature Review (4000 words) and a Reflective Learning Statement (2,000 words), weighted at 40%.

In this module you will gain an understanding of the academic skills that are required to produce a Masters Dissertation. By the end of the module you will have written a 15000 word Masters dissertation. The areas included are:

• Justification for the choice of topic
• Appropriate understanding, awareness and critical analysis of existing and up to date literature evidenced by a comprehensive and well-referenced literature review with an extensive reference list
• Selection, justification and application of an appropriately rigorous methodology - including limitations of the approach selected
• Clear statement of the findings of the research
• Critical analysis of the findings
• Explicit links between the analysis and the conclusions supported by critical argument
• Evidence of original work or thought for example in the form or context of the data collected, analytical process or application of findings

The Masters’ Management Enquiry module is a student-led individual project that enables you to undertake a significant piece of assessed

work commensurate with a capstone module and is offered as an alternative to the Masters’ Dissertation and Masters’ Consultancy Project.

The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to demonstrate an authentic engagement with managers and/or professionals in your

discipline (this enquiry has to be discipline specific), and to integrate the knowledge you have developed during your programme to explore

the theory in practice. The learning on this module is experiential and problem based, where the focus is upon you discovering, probing and

questioning key practice-based issues. Through the module you will be offered the opportunity to develop and enhance key transferable

employability skills including; time management, project management, communication (written, aural and verbal), negotiation, persuasion and

influence, discovery, initiative, problem-solving and analysis.


The module has five thematic areas; explore, review, engage, reflect and connect. These form the key elements of the assessed submission

which is a single 15,000 word report.


Part A (35%, 5,000-5,500 words)

Explore: Interviewing a manager and/or professional in your discipline. In this interview you will either explore a key issue which you feel the

discipline is facing or, alternatively, explore with the manager or professional the key issues that they feel they are facing in practice. It is

expected that you will apply non-verbatim documented conversation and provide evidence of the key ideas emerging within the submitted

enquiry report (e.g. within the appendices).

Review: Critically examining the academic and practitioner literature to support the exploration, displaying an ability to critically assess and

appraise the knowledge of your discipline related to a specific key issue arising from your exploration.


Part B (65%, 9,500-10,000 words)

Engage: Displaying an authentic engagement with the discipline problem/issue identified in Part A, by collecting/generating and analysing

further live data (beyond the initial interview) regarding the discipline problem/issue. This live data may be primary data (e.g. further interviews

with, or questionnaire to, managers and/or professionals in practice) or secondary data (e.g. industry data). Application of appropriate,

ethically-considered, research methods and appropriate qualitative or quantitative data analysis.

Reflect and Connect: Demonstrating an ability to critically evaluate and reflect on the issues arising from the Management Enquiry.

Demonstrating how you have connected and fed-back to the participants of the Enquiry (usually the manager and/or participants) your key

findings to provide clear prioritised, well-justified, practical and actionable recommendations for change/enhancement/improvement to existing

practice to show how the recommendations would potentially affect workplace professional decision making.