| Unit name | Dissertation in Global Operations and Supply Chain Management |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EFIMM0070 |
| Credit points | 60 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Dr. Luo |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Management - Business School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
The dissertation is a defining feature of the MSc in Global Operations and Supply Chain Management, offering a unique opportunity for intellectual exploration and practical application. This unit is crucial for developing a range of skills essential for the student’s academic and professional development, including independent research, critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, and project management. Undertaking this unit is not only an opportunity for the student to demonstrate their mastery of the subject but also to enhance their ability to make innovative and thoughtful contributions to the field. By engaging with complex issues in global operations and supply chain management, the student will emerge with a nuanced understanding and the ability to influence and lead in their future career. This unit is a platform to showcase their capabilities and explore the potential directions for their future journey in this sector.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The dissertation is a capstone of the MSc programme, a chance for the student to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the programme. It serves as a culminating academic and intellectual experience, allowing the student to explore a specific area of interest in depth. This unit is integral to the student’s learning journey, providing a platform to demonstrate their comprehensive understanding of the field, and making the student’s learning experience highly personalised and relevant. As a critical component of the programme, the dissertation enables the student to excel in the challenging world of global operations and supply chain management.
An overview of content
Every student will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, whose guidance they will use to do the research and complete the dissertation write-up (10,000-12,000 word limit). A dissertation demands self-motivation and good organisational skills. Students are expected to show initiative in choosing their topic of study and in executing the research. The unit will further develop skills in developing a research agenda, formulating appropriate research questions, conducting a literature review, planning a research programme, analysing data, and communicating the findings by a fixed deadline.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
The aim of this research project and associated dissertation is for students to undertake an individual inquiry relevant to global operations and supply chain management at Master’s level. It will give students the chance to work autonomously on a project of their choice and to both demonstrate, and develop communication, problem solving, research and project management understanding, knowledge, and skills. Upon completing the dissertation, Students will develop a heightened ability to work autonomously, and be equipped with refined problem-solving techniques, advanced research skills, and superior project management capabilities. The unit fosters a holistic development, enhancing not only academic and analytical skills but also empowering students with the confidence to articulate and defend their ideas.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Frame a clear, central research question;
2. Identify and critically review literature relevant to the topic and central research question;
3. Understand and apply an appropriate research methodology to investigate the chosen topic including research ethics process and considerations;
4. Analyse data and/or evidence, where appropriate, and draw apposite conclusions that answer the central research question;
5. Integrate conclusions into wider academic debates;
6. Produce a dissertation in a clear, well-written and grammatically-correct style, that conforms to the conventions of academic presentation.
Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions including lectures, tutorials, 1 to 1 supervision meetings, drop-in sessions, discussion boards and other online learning opportunities.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Every student will be allocated a dissertation supervisor, whose guidance they will use to do the research and complete the dissertation write-up. Supervision will mainly involve meetings, email and possibly other methods of communication. The supervisor can help the student in:
The student can draft chapters of the dissertation for review by their supervisor. The supervisor is permitted to provide feedback on an equivalent of one full draft of the dissertation once. The way the feedback will be provided – either chapter by chapter along the supervision period or the whole dissertation draft.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
A dissertation of 10,000 to 12,000 words (100%) [ILOs 1-6]. The dissertation will assess students' ability to frame a research question in the context of relevant literature, apply a suitable research strategy for either of qualitative, quantitative or library-based research study; analyse resulting data and draw relevant conclusions and integrate these into wider academic debates. The dissertation will also assess students' ability to produce a substantial piece of work independently and by a deadline, which also conforms to the conventions of academic presentation.
When assessment does not go to plan
If students are eligible for a reassessment they will be required to rework their dissertation to improve the original submission or submit an equivalent piece of work (10,000-12,000 words) (100%). [ILO 1-6 covered]
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EFIMM0070).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
