MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
1
of
5
Brunel Business School
Bachelor of Science
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
MODULE CODE
: MG2135
Written Coursework
:
Deadline
Thursday 10
th
December 2015
(12.00 noon, UK time)
on Blackboard
Learn
.
Introduction
This document describes the
coursework assessment
for
MG2135
to be prepared
individually by the student
. The
purpose of this coursework is to develop skills in tying together theory and practice so that you gain valuable insight into
the demands of
operations management as a realistic activity.
Coursework
Operations strategy should reflect the needs and requirements of the business’s market. No operation that fails to serve
its market is likely to survive in the long term.
The
individual
coursework
assignment relates directly to the learning
outcomes
of this module and
s
hould
consist
of
two parts
–
A
and
B
:
MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
2
of
5
Part A: State
–
of
–
the
–
Art
–
Review
(
1
000 words)
In Part A,
provide a
state
–
of
–
the
–
art
review
of
any one of
the
operations management field
listed below
specifically
discussing the
trends, opp
ortunities and challenges
in this field
using up
–
to
–
date
academic
journal articles
and other
articles
.
A state
–
of
–
the
–
art review
should
consider mainly the most current research in
the given area or concerning the
given topic.
It often summarizes current and emerging educational trends, research priorities and
standardisations in a particular field
of interest. The review
must
aim to provide a critical survey of the
extensive literat
ure produced in the past decade, a
synthesis of current thinking in the field. It may
offer new perspectives on an issue or point out an area in need of further
research.
i
For the review
, select
only one
of the operations management field below.
?
Operatio
ns performance
?
Process design
?
Supply network design
?
Process technology
?
Inventory planning and control
?
Supply chain planning and control
?
Risk management
?
Operations and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
To conduct the
analysis
and review
,
search
and use
journal
articles/
papers published in the
last
ten
years
in
some of
the
following
academic
journals
(
e.g.
)
:
?
Journal of Operations Management
?
Production and Operations Management
?
International Journal of Production Economics
?
International Journal of
Operations and Production Management
?
Supply Chain Management: An International Journal
?
Manufacturing and Service Operations Management
?
International Journal of Production Research
i
http://www.elsevier.com/__data/promis_misc/edurevReviewp01aperWriting.pdf
MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
3
of
5
?
Production Planning and Control
?
Journal of Manufacturing Technology
Management
Finally
, present your
state
–
of
–
the
–
art review
in
1000 words in the
chosen
operations management field by reading and
analysing papers published in the above listed journals in the last
ten
years.
Part B
: Company Analysis
(
1500
words)
In
Part
B
, you are expected to critically analyse the operations and
management
processes of any
one of the UK high
street retailers
, from an operations
management
perspective. You are required to assess how the retailer competes and
survive
s
in the highly compet
itive business environment by using the concepts, tools and techniques studied in this
module.
Once you have selected the
retailer
you would like to examine, prepare a
short
report of
15
00
words making
sure you
include the following o
perations
m
anagement
concepts in your analysis:
?
A
brief
background
of
the
chosen
retailer and
an overview of its operations.
?
A critical analysis of the operations transformation process for the product / service of the retailer. If the retailer has
more than one product /
service, you may focus on one of them.
?
A trade
–
off analysis among the operations performance objectives, namely: cost, quality, speed, dependability and
flexibility. Can the operations manager of the retailer overcome any of these trade
–
offs? Give some
rec
ommendations.
?
An evaluation of the company’s operations in terms of the specific operations management field selected in
Part A
.
?
An application of appropriate tools and techniques to analyse the complex operational issues
of
the
retailer
and
(where appropr
iate) development of viable courses of action.
Part A and B
Overall
Requirements
:
?
References:
A
“References”
section is required to be included at the end of the coursework. This section
will
include the details of all
the references used
for both Part A and B
in the coursework (
minimum five journal
articles
and other articles of your choice) as per Brunel University Library’s referencing style.
MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
4
of
5
?
Appendix:
Additionally, you may include an
“Appendix”
section after the “References” section. This section will
not be considered for calculating the number of words.
?
Total Word Count:
The assignment should be completed in report format of no more than
2500
words
in total
which exclude the title page and any
references and appendices
.
Assessment Criteria
UG grades and grade point bands
[Senate Regulation 2
(2009 starters onwards)
]
are: A* (17), A+ (16), A (15), A
–
(14), B+ (13), B (12), B
–
(11), C+ (10), C (9), C
–
(8), D+ (7), D (6), D
–
(5), E+ (4), E (3), E
–
(2), F (1)
For full details about the grade descriptors and Senate Regulation 2, please go to
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/administration/rules/senateregs/sr20910
Criteria
A (A*, A+, A, A
–
)
B (B+, B, B
–
)
C (C+, C, C
–
)
D (D+, D, D
–
)
E/F (E+, E, F)
Content:
correctness and
completeness of
analysis;
(60%)
Evidence of excellent
and comprehensive
research into the
subject matter. All
analyses are correct
and interpreted at an
exceptional level. The
examples and
theories are relevant
to the assessment
task.
Evidence of very
good research into
the subject matter. All
analyses are correct
and interpreted at an
excellent. The
examples and
theories are relevant
to the assessment
task.
Evidence of good
research into the
subject matter. All
analyses are correct
and there is a high
level evidenced by
interpretation of
theories and facts.
The examples chosen
are, for the most part,
relevant to the
assessment task
Evidence of
satisfactory
research
into the subject
matter. Most of
analysis is correct and
there is some
evidence of sufficient
interpretation of
theories and facts.
The examples chosen
are, for the most part,
reasonably relevant to
the assessment task.
There is no evidence
of sa
tisfactory
research into the
subject matter.
Analysis is incorrect
and/or incomplete.
The examples chosen
are likely not to be
reasonably relevant to
the assessment task.
Writing quality and
style:
narrative; grammar
and punctuation;
spelling; language
use; length
(20%)
The writing quality
and style is excellent.
There is an excellent
narrative. The
grammar and
punctuation are error
–
free. There are no
spelling mistakes or
incorrectly
–
used
The writing quality
and style is very
good. There is a very
good narrative. The
grammar and
punctuation are near
error
–
free. There are
very few, if any,
spelling mistakes or
The writing quality
and style is good.
There is a good
narrative. The
grammar and
punctuation is
reasonable. There
are a few spelling
mistakes, incorrectly
–
The writing quality
and style is adequate.
There is a reasona
ble
narrative. The
grammar and
punctuation is
adequate. There are a
number of spelling
mistakes, incorrectly
–
Many, or all, of the
following apply: poo
r
writing quality and
style; poor narrative;
the grammar and
punctuation is poor;
there are many
spelling mistakes,
incorrectly used
MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
5
of
5
words. There are no
long, confused or
unwieldy sentences
which
detract from
legibility. Material
taken from other
sources is accurately
paraphrased; the
text/style/content is
that of the writer. It is
within the word limit
of
2500
words and is
not less than 2
2
50
words in length.
incorrectly used
words. There are very
few, if any, long,
confused or unwieldy
sen
tences which
detract from legibility.
Material taken from
other sources is very
well paraphrased; the
overall text/style/
content is for the most
part that of the writer.
It is within the word
limit of
25
00
words
and is not less than
22
50 words in length.
used words, and/or
long, confused or
unwieldy sentences
which detract from
legibility. Material
tak
en from other
sources is well
paraphrased; the
overall text/style/
content is generally
that of the writer.
It is
within the word limit
of
25
00 words and is
not less than 2
2
50
words in length.
used words, and/or
long, confused or
unwieldy sentences
which detract from
legibility. Material
taken from other
sources is only
adequately
paraphr
ased; some of
the overall
text/style/content is
that of the writer but
with some of the style
of the original
source(s) evident.
I
t is
within the word limit of
2500 words and is not
less than 22
50 words
in length.
words, and/or long,
confused or unwieldy
sentences which
detract from legibility;
material taken from
other sources is
inad
equately
paraphrased; the
references are either
non
–
existent or
inadequately cited
and presented; it is
e
ither above the word
limit of 2500 words
and is not less than
22
50 words
i
n length.
Structure:
segmentation;
sequencing; (10%)
The account is
presen
ted in a
professional manner;
there is very clear
and logical
sequencing.
Very good
demonstration of the
aforementioned
criteria, but lacks the
clarity in structure and
presentation.
The coursework is
presented in a
satisfactory report
format, meeting most
of the aforementioned
criteria; there may be
a few limitations in
the logical flow
between the sections,
making parts of
argument less easy to
follow.
The structure of the
text is a
dequately
highlighted by use of
appropriate sections
and paragraphs; there
is reasonably clear
and logical
sequencing.
Many, or all, of the
following apply: the
introduction may be
missing or, if present,
lacks an adequate
overview and
motivation for wha
t
follows; the structure
of the text is
inadequate; the
ordering lacks a clear
and logical sequence.
References /
Referencing
(10%)
Excellent use of
references which are
accurately cited and
presented in the text
and in the references
section.
Very go
od use of
references which are
accurately cited and
presented in the text
and in the references
section.
Good use of
references which are
for the most part
accurately cited and
presented in the text
and in the references
section.
Adequate use of
references which may
not always be
accurately cited or
presented in the tex
t
or in the references
section.
Weak use of
references which are
not accurately cited or
presented in the text
or in the references
section.
v

MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
1
of
5
Brunel Business School
Bachelor of Science
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT
MODULE CODE
: MG2135
Written Coursework
:
Deadline
Thursday 10
th
December 2015
(12.00 noon, UK time)
on Blackboard
Learn
.
Introduction
This document describes the
coursework assessment
for
MG2135
to be prepared
individually by the student
. The
purpose of this coursework is to develop skills in tying together theory and practice so that you gain valuable insight into
the demands of
operations management as a realistic activity.
Coursework
Operations strategy should reflect the needs and requirements of the business’s market. No operation that fails to serve
its market is likely to survive in the long term.
The
individual
coursework
assignment relates directly to the learning
outcomes
of this module and
s
hould
consist
of
two parts
–
A
and
B
:
MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
2
of
5
Part A: State
–
of
–
the
–
Art
–
Review
(
1
000 words)
In Part A,
provide a
state
–
of
–
the
–
art
review
of
any one of
the
operations management field
listed below
specifically
discussing the
trends, opp
ortunities and challenges
in this field
using up
–
to
–
date
academic
journal articles
and other
articles
.
A state
–
of
–
the
–
art review
should
consider mainly the most current research in
the given area or concerning the
given topic.
It often summarizes current and emerging educational trends, research priorities and
standardisations in a particular field
of interest. The review
must
aim to provide a critical survey of the
extensive literat
ure produced in the past decade, a
synthesis of current thinking in the field. It may
offer new perspectives on an issue or point out an area in need of further
research.
i
For the review
, select
only one
of the operations management field below.
?
Operatio
ns performance
?
Process design
?
Supply network design
?
Process technology
?
Inventory planning and control
?
Supply chain planning and control
?
Risk management
?
Operations and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
To conduct the
analysis
and review
,
search
and use
journal
articles/
papers published in the
last
ten
years
in
some of
the
following
academic
journals
(
e.g.
)
:
?
Journal of Operations Management
?
Production and Operations Management
?
International Journal of Production Economics
?
International Journal of
Operations and Production Management
?
Supply Chain Management: An International Journal
?
Manufacturing and Service Operations Management
?
International Journal of Production Research
i
http://www.elsevier.com/__data/promis_misc/edurevReviewPaperWriting.pdf
MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
3
of
5
?
Production Planning and Control
?
Journal of Manufacturing Technology
Management
Finally
, present your
state
–
of
–
the
–
art review
in
1000 words in the
chosen
operations management field by reading and
analysing papers published in the above listed journals in the last
ten
years.
Part B
: Company Analysis
(
1500
words)
In
Part
B
, you are expected to critically analyse the operations and
management
processes of any
one of the UK high
street retailers
, from an operations
management
perspective. You are required to assess how the retailer competes and
survive
s
in the highly compet
itive business environment by using the concepts, tools and techniques studied in this
module.
Once you have selected the
retailer
you would like to examine, prepare a
short
report of
15
00
words making
sure you
include the following o
perations
m
anagement
concepts in your analysis:
?
A
brief
background
of
the
chosen
retailer and
an overview of its operations.
?
A critical analysis of the operations transformation process for the product / service of the retailer. If the retailer has
more than one product /
service, you may focus on one of them.
?
A trade
–
off analysis among the operations performance objectives, namely: cost, quality, speed, dependability and
flexibility. Can the operations manager of the retailer overcome any of these trade
–
offs? Give some
rec
ommendations.
?
An evaluation of the company’s operations in terms of the specific operations management field selected in
Part A
.
?
An application of appropriate tools and techniques to analyse the complex operational issues
of
the
retailer
and
(where appropr
iate) development of viable courses of action.
Part A and B
Overall
Requirements
:
?
References:
A
“References”
section is required to be included at the end of the coursework. This section
will
include the details of all
the references used
for both Part A and B
in the coursework (
minimum five journal
articles
and other articles of your choice) as per Brunel University Library’s referencing style.
MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
4
of
5
?
Appendix:
Additionally, you may include an
“Appendix”
section after the “References” section. This section will
not be considered for calculating the number of words.
?
Total Word Count:
The assignment should be completed in report format of no more than
2500
words
in total
which exclude the title page and any
references and appendices
.
Assessment Criteria
UG grades and grade point bands
[Senate Regulation 2
(2009 starters onwards)
]
are: A* (17), A+ (16), A (15), A
–
(14), B+ (13), B (12), B
–
(11), C+ (10), C (9), C
–
(8), D+ (7), D (6), D
–
(5), E+ (4), E (3), E
–
(2), F (1)
For full details about the grade descriptors and Senate Regulation 2, please go to
http://www.brunel.ac.uk/about/administration/rules/senateregs/sr20910
Criteria
A (A*, A+, A, A
–
)
B (B+, B, B
–
)
C (C+, C, C
–
)
D (D+, D, D
–
)
E/F (E+, E, F)
Content:
correctness and
completeness of
analysis;
(60%)
Evidence of excellent
and comprehensive
research into the
subject matter. All
analyses are correct
and interpreted at an
exceptional level. The
examples and
theories are relevant
to the assessment
task.
Evidence of very
good research into
the subject matter. All
analyses are correct
and interpreted at an
excellent. The
examples and
theories are relevant
to the assessment
task.
Evidence of good
research into the
subject matter. All
analyses are correct
and there is a high
level evidenced by
interpretation of
theories and facts.
The examples chosen
are, for the most part,
relevant to the
assessment task
Evidence of
satisfactory
research
into the subject
matter. Most of
analysis is correct and
there is some
evidence of sufficient
interpretation of
theories and facts.
The examples chosen
are, for the most part,
reasonably relevant to
the assessment task.
There is no evidence
of sa
tisfactory
research into the
subject matter.
Analysis is incorrect
and/or incomplete.
The examples chosen
are likely not to be
reasonably relevant to
the assessment task.
Writing quality and
style:
narrative; grammar
and punctuation;
spelling; language
use; length
(20%)
The writing quality
and style is excellent.
There is an excellent
narrative. The
grammar and
punctuation are error
–
free. There are no
spelling mistakes or
incorrectly
–
used
The writing quality
and style is very
good. There is a very
good narrative. The
grammar and
punctuation are near
error
–
free. There are
very few, if any,
spelling mistakes or
The writing quality
and style is good.
There is a good
narrative. The
grammar and
punctuation is
reasonable. There
are a few spelling
mistakes, incorrectly
–
The writing quality
and style is adequate.
There is a reasona
ble
narrative. The
grammar and
punctuation is
adequate. There are a
number of spelling
mistakes, incorrectly
–
Many, or all, of the
following apply: poo
r
writing quality and
style; poor narrative;
the grammar and
punctuation is poor;
there are many
spelling mistakes,
incorrectly used
MG2135 Operations Management Coursework Paper 2015
–
16
MG2135
Operations Management
Page
5
of
5
words. There are no
long, confused or
unwieldy sentences
which
detract from
legibility. Material
taken from other
sources is accurately
paraphrased; the
text/style/content is
that of the writer. It is
within the word limit
of
2500
words and is
not less than 2
2
50
words in length.
incorrectly used
words. There are very
few, if any, long,
confused or unwieldy
sen
tences which
detract from legibility.
Material taken from
other sources is very
well paraphrased; the
overall text/style/
content is for the most
part that of the writer.
It is within the word
limit of
25
00
words
and is not less than
22
50 words in length.
used words, and/or
long, confused or
unwieldy sentences
which detract from
legibility. Material
tak
en from other
sources is well
paraphrased; the
overall text/style/
content is generally
that of the writer.
It is
within the word limit
of
25
00 words and is
not less than 2
2
50
words in length.
used words, and/or
long, confused or
unwieldy sentences
which detract from
legibility. Material
taken from other
sources is only
adequately
paraphr
ased; some of
the overall
text/style/content is
that of the writer but
with some of the style
of the original
source(s) evident.
I
t is
within the word limit of
2500 words and is not
less than 22
50 words
in length.
words, and/or long,
confused or unwieldy
sentences which
detract from legibility;
material taken from
other sources is
inad
equately
paraphrased; the
references are either
non
–
existent or
inadequately cited
and presented; it is
e
ither above the word
limit of 2500 words
and is not less than
22
50 words
i
n length.
Structure:
segmentation;
sequencing; (10%)
The account is
presen
ted in a
professional manner;
there is very clear
and logical
sequencing.
Very good
demonstration of the
aforementioned
criteria, but lacks the
clarity in structure and
presentation.
The coursework is
presented in a
satisfactory report
format, meeting most
of the aforementioned
criteria; there may be
a few limitations in
the logical flow
between the sections,
making parts of
argument less easy to
follow.
The structure of the
text is a
dequately
highlighted by use of
appropriate sections
and paragraphs; there
is reasonably clear
and logical
sequencing.
Many, or all, of the
following apply: the
introduction may be
missing or, if present,
lacks an adequate
overview and
motivation for wha
t
follows; the structure
of the text is
inadequate; the
ordering lacks a clear
and logical sequence.
References /
Referencing
(10%)
Excellent use of
references which are
accurately cited and
presented in the text
and in the references
section.
Very go
od use of
references which are
accurately cited and
presented in the text
and in the references
section.
Good use of
references which are
for the most part
accurately cited and
presented in the text
and in the references
section.
Adequate use of
references which may
not always be
accurately cited or
presented in the tex
t
or in the references
section.
Weak use of
references which are
not accurately cited or
presented in the text
or in the references
section.
v