Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module BUSI4AN15: Supply Chain Risk Management

Department: Management and Marketing

BUSI4AN15: Supply Chain Risk Management

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap
Tied to N2PB09

Prerequisites

  • Data Science for Business (BUSI4X915)

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To introduce how to identify, assess and prioritise supply chain risks
  • To assess how supply chain risks impact supply chain and organisational performance
  • To explore and identify the appropriate risk mitigation strategies and plans to build resilient supply chains
  • To develop understanding of analytical methods which can be used for supply chain risk assessment and mitigation.

Content

  • Identification, assessment and prioritization of supply chain risks
  • Assessment of the impact of supply chain risks on supply chain and organisational performance
  • Developing risk management processes within an organisation and with supply chain partners
  • Building a business case for supply chain risk management
  • Developing robust strategies to build supply chain resilience
  • Managing product recalls
  • Stress testing of supply chains.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module, students should be able to:
  • Develop a critical understanding of the impact of supply chain risks on supply chain performance
  • Develop specialised knowledge of appropriate risk mitigation strategies and analytical techniques which can be used to ensure that supply chains are resilient and sustainable
  • Develop a critical understanding of processes for risk management within an organisation and across the supply chain.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module, students should be able to
  • Identify, assess, prioritise and monitor supply chain risks
  • Develop appropriate risk mitigation strategies to build resilience across the supply chain
  • Critically analyse supply chain data, and develop data-driven recommendations for building resilience in supply chains
  • Design risk management processes within an organisation and with supply chain partners.
Key Skills:
  • Effective written communication
  • Planning, organising and time management
  • Problem solving and analysis
  • Data presentation and visualisation, interpreting and using data
  • Reflecting and synthesising from experience and diverse perspectives.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • On-site teaching will typically include a mix of taught input, group work and discussion, use of case studies to emphasize real-world applications, and industry-informed sessions. Online learning will be divided into study weeks and will typically include activities facilitated by the teaching team and specially produced resources. Facilitated activities will make use of a range of educational technologies to include digital collaboration spaces and live online sessions. Learning resources vary according to the learning outcomes but typically include: video content, directed reading, reflective activities and opportunities for self-assessment.
  • The summative assessment (individual reflective portfolio) will enable students to further develop their understanding and reflect on their acquisition of skills, articulation of their knowledge and understanding, their ability to apply what they have learned in a particular context, and synthesising their learning from the module combining their own experience and diverse perspectives of team members. The portfolio, for example, can include reflections on the industrial relevance of specific concepts, frameworks, tools, reflections on discussions with fellow students about their own experiences on developing risk management processes, case examples of organisations building resilience in supply chains and lessons learnt from those.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
On-campus workshops (a combination of taught input, groupwork, discussion, case discussions and industry-informed sessions in blocks 4 Over a 4 day teaching block 3 hours 12
Online guided learning (a combination of facilitated sessions*, guided activities) 8 weekly 6 hours 48
Preparation, reading and other independent study 90
Total 150
*This could cover synchronous live sessions (e.g. Zoom), will typically feature 1-2 synchronous (webinar) sessions and asynchronous (e.g. discussion boards, reading activities, video etc.

Summative Assessment

Component: Portfolio Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Individual portfolio 3000 words (maximum) 100% Same

Formative Assessment:

The formative assessment serves to encourage students to study regularly and to monitor their learning progress. Students will undertake a series of activities aligned to the module content, which can include group presentations, case discussions, application of risk management tools and techniques for real risks faced in supply chains, individual or group reflections on specific topics, receiving ongoing feedback on theoretical knowledge and how it is applied. Tutors provide feedback on formative work and are available for individual consultation as necessary (usually by email and video call). Written feedback will be provided through email or on Learn Ultra.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University