Course syllabus - Global Operations Management

Objectives

The aim of this course is to provide students with the opportunity for developing understanding for, and learn how to apply, knowledge within the area of operations management, with focus on the global dimension, in order for the students to be prepared to contribute to the design, operation and optimization of both production systems and industrial production networks. The aim of this course is also to train and improve students' writing skills and skills related to teamwork. Finally, sustainability and responsibility are perspectives integrated in several parts of the course, including teamwork in relation to equal opportunities.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student shall be able to:
1. Describe and discuss with peers how to apply the main concepts, methods and models used for planning, operating, and optimising the production of (that is the transformation of goods, labour and energy in) goods and services, as for instance process layout, production system, lean production
2. Identify problems and opportunities in the design, implementation, operation and optimisation of global industrial networks; and produce basic scientific and properly structured written analyses of such problems and opportunities by referring to and autonomously integrating different scientific texts
3. Describe and evaluate how operations are related to larger systems by applying operations strategy tools
4. Describe and evaluate how to monitor global operations performance in order to optimise their efficiency and effectiveness, inclusive their sustainability
5. Identify and debate improvement possibilities for global operations, inclusive more sustainable systems, related to technological development, as for instance advancements in digital technologies and energy efficiency
6. Work in teams by planning and executing teamwork with the support of digital technologies and by planning, executing and evaluating teamwork (taking equal opportunities into consideration) by applying academic and practical knowledge

Course content

This course combines lectures with different kinds of teamwork in order to offer insight on important areas of operations management, and to give students the possibility to apply such insights on practical cases/problems. Students' previous knowledge and interests are mobilized through workshops/seminars and teamwork. Students are also trained in scientific writing through different activities. Finally, there is also some focus on teamwork and how to improve it, in particular by paying attention to issues related to equal opportunities and by using digital technologies as a supporting tool in teamwork.

Tuition

Lectures, workshops/seminars, group work and group assignments

Specific requirements

45 credits within the MSc programme in Industrial Economics, which includes 7.5 credits in the field of Industrial Economics and Organization and 7.5 credits in other engineering subjects.

Examination

Assignment (GRU1), 1 credit, grade Pass (G) (learning outcomes 1, 5)
Assignment (GRU2), 2,5 credits, grades 3, 4, 5 (learning outcome 2)
Assignment (GRU3), 1 credit, grade Pass (G) (learning outcome 6)
Assignment (INL3), 1,5 credits, grades 3, 4 eller 5 (learning outcome 3)
Assignment (INL4), 1,5 credits, grade 3, 4 eller 5 (learning outcome 4)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass with credit, Pass, Fail