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Supply chain management

Supply chain networks are recognised as the organisational form that assures business sustainability through supply continuity. Supply chain management is a fundamental skill in today’s competitive business environment, and organisations that excel in this function see the benefit in their performance. This module will provide you with an in-depth insight into supply chain theory, design and best practice, taking into account issues such as ethics, sustainability, risk and resilience management. This will enable you to question and reflect upon your organisation and its role in the supply chain. 

Qualifications

BB849 is an optional module in our:

Module

Module code
BB849
Credits

Credits

  • Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.
  • One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.
  • You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.
  • For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.
15
Study level
Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU postgraduate modules correspond to these frameworks.
OU Postgraduate
SCQF 11
FHEQ 7
Study method
Distance learning
Module cost
See Module registration
Entry requirements

Find out more about entry requirements.

Module details Entry requirements Module registration Study materials

What you will study

This online module is designed for those who want to gain sound knowledge and insight into supply chain management. It will appeal to supply chain professionals and managers in other professions.

You'll be provided with an in-depth insight into the theory, problems, solutions, and best practices in the area of supply chain management. You'll have opportunities to question and reflect upon your organisation and its role in the wider supply chain. Additionally, it will help you to develop your ability to identify opportunities for improvement of product design, manufacturing processes, sourcing strategies, and market development.

This module is made up of the following nine units:

  • Unit 1 introduces you to the core concepts of supply chain management and reviews how supply chain management has become a fundamental function for organisations in today’s business environment.
  • Unit 2 focuses on the performance objectives of supply chains and two particular types of supply chains – lean supply chains and agile supply chains – looking at how performance is measured in each of them.
  • Unit 3 gives you an insight into supply chain design concerning how organisations optimise control and performance through either vertical integration or outsourcing processes and activities.
  • In Unit 4, you'll participate in a practical simulation of managing a typical but simplified supply chain and learn from the challenges you encounter in attempting to address the problems generated by supply chain dynamics. This work will be assessed through a reflective tutor-marked assessment that will encourage you to relate your knowledge and experience to theory and to identify the challenges of implementing best practices.
  • The four subsequent units cover supply chain relationships; sustainability from environmental, ethical and economic perspectives; risk and resilient actions and strategies; and supply chain costs and financial issues.
  • In the final unit, you'll study in more depth the supply chains within the public sector, mining sector and automotive sector.

The module aims to develop an understanding of the:

  • nature of supply chain management, and approaches to address the relevant business decisions in this area
  • supply chain management theories, including supply chain dynamics, supply chain risk and resilience management, and supplier relationship management
  • impact of the external context on supply chain decision-making, including internationalisation and globalisation, current social and technological changes, and government policies and regulation
  • challenges of implementing supply chain solutions in context.

You will learn

On completion of the module, you will:

  • understand what is meant by supply chain management and the activities involved in its effective practice
  • understand the concept of supply chain dynamics, be aware of the potential solutions to demand amplification and the difficulties of implementing effective solutions
  • be aware of the types of supply chain risk, their impact on supply chain effectiveness and organisation viability
  • understand different types of supply chain disruption, how to mitigate and deal with them to improve company resilience
  • conduct analysis of supply chains to identify strengths and weaknesses in their design and performance
  • demonstrate reflective and critical thinking by writing reports that investigate, analyse and critique supply chain practices.
  • understand the challenges of your own supply chain practice.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your assignments and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. You will contact your tutor by telephone, email or via your tutor group forum on the BB849 website.

Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

Professional recognition

If you’re considering studying this module as part of the MBA, then if you also study Sustainable creative management (BB842), the MBA would be recognised by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK as you can demonstrate the sector-specific skills and knowledge to the standards required of a Chartered Member with CILT(UK).

CILT-logo.jpg

Course work includes

1 Tutor-marked assignment (TMA)
End-of-module assessment

Future availability

Supply chain management starts twice a year – in May and November. This page describes the module that will start in November 2024 and May 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in November 2028.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Entry requirements

You will need to ensure that you have the knowledge and experience to study at postgraduate level. Please note that if you wish to study this module as part of a qualification you must meet the entry requirements for that qualification and any requirements regarding the order of study.

The module requires 150 hours of study over six months.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Register

Start End England fee Register
03 May 2025 Oct 2025 £1680.00

Registration closes 17/04/25 (places subject to availability)

Register
01 Nov 2025 Apr 2026 Not yet available

Registration closes 16/10/25 (places subject to availability)

Register
This module is expected to start for the last time in November 2028.

Future availability

Supply chain management starts twice a year – in May and November. This page describes the module that will start in November 2024 and May 2025. We expect it to start for the last time in November 2028.

Additional costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

Ways to pay for this module

We know there’s a lot to think about when choosing to study, not least how much it’s going to cost and how you can pay.

That’s why we keep our fees as low as possible and offer a range of flexible payment and funding options, including a postgraduate loan, if you study this module as part of an eligible qualification. To find out more, see Fees and funding.

Study materials

What's included

An extensive variety of specially written resources are presented in different media (print and online) and designed exclusively for this module, audio-visual material, published articles, case studies, a set of interactive tools to help you develop your management thinking abilities and access to The Open University library.  

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

If you have a disability

Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Other alternative formats of the module materials may be available in the future.

Elements of this module are delivered online and include the use of real-time online discussions and an interactive whiteboard space; consequently, time spent using a computer and the internet will be extensive. If you use assistive technology or have a hearing or speech impairment and have concerns about accessing this type of virtual environment and materials, you can visit the system provider's website for information and contact The Open University to discuss it further before registering.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our disability support pages.

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