MG2135 Operations Management
Table of Contents
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Main Objective of the assessment
To write a report that critically analyses and reflects on an operations management theme; and provides a company analysis from an operations management perspective.
Description of the Assessment
The individual coursework assignment relates directly to the learning outcomes of this module and should consist of two parts – A, and B:
PART A: STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW (1000 words, 40% weighting)
In Part A, provide a state-of-the-art review of a major operations management topic (examples listed below) specifically discussing the existing body of knowledge, trends, opportunities and challenges in this field using up-to-date academic journal articles.
A state-of-the-art review should consider the current research in the given area or concerning the given topic, but also reflect on the relevant historical development. It often summarises 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 literature 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. The review must report on the key findings and insights generated by extant research in the area.
For the review, select only one of the major operations management fields and focus on that. Some examples are given below:
- Performance improvement techniques (in relation to specific performance dimensions) – e.g., delivery planning for improving speed
- Innovative design of operations processes (in manufacturing, service, logistics, etc.) – e.g., agile prototyping in manufacturing
- Supply network design: outsourcing versus insourcing – e.g., decision-making criteria for outsourcing
- Disrupting technologies for operations – e.g., 3D printing, or, Internet of Things (IoT)
- Inventory planning and control – e.g., inventory management of fast moving versus slow moving goods
- Supplier and procurement management – e.g., supplier selection methodologies
- Operations that support corporate social responsibility – e.g., end-of-life recycling management
- Reverse logistics – e.g., collection network design
- Sustainable operations – e.g., carbon footprint reduction in logistics
- Service operations management – e.g., operations management in healthcare, hospitality, etc.
- Service quality management – e.g., statistical quality control, TQM, etc.
IMPORTANT NOTE 1: The literature review should focus on “operations management” aspect of the topic, rather than strategic, entrepreneurial, ethical, or other managerial lenses.
IMPORTANT NOTE 2: If the topic of your choice is not among the options above, you should confirm it by contacting the module leader.
To conduct the analysis and review, search and use journal articles/papers published in high ranked academic journals. Examples include:
- Journal of Operations Management
- Production and Operations Management
- Management Science
- Manufacturing and Service Operations Management
- International Journal of Production Economics
- International Journal of Operations and Production Management
- Supply Chain Management: An International Journal
- International Journal of Production Research
- Production Planning and Control
- Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
NOTE: The academic journal ranking lists published by Chartered Association of Business Schools (ABS) give a good reference for determining the rankings of academic business/management journals.
Finally, present your state-of-the-art review in 750 words in the chosen operations management field. Pay attention to referencing style and consistency.
PART B: COMPANY ANALYSIS (1500 words, 60% weighting)
In Part B, you are expected to critically analyse the operations and management processes of one of the UK-based Manufacturing companies, from an operations management perspective. You are required to assess the company 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 1250 words (not including words in figures) encompassing the operations management principles covered in module. Please make sure you include the following operations management concepts in your analysis:
- A brief background of the chosen company
- An overview of the company’s operations (or the specific area of your focus, e.g., procurement or distribution); use process mapping tools to illustrate this
- A critical analysis of the operations transformation processes for the product / service of the company. If the company has more than one product / service, you may focus on one of them.
- Performance management and KPIs in the company (or the specific area of your focus) along with a trade-off analysis among the different KPIs
- An evaluation of the company’s operations in terms of two specific operations management themes discussed in lectures (refer to the “study themes” in the study guide)
- An application of appropriate tools and techniques to analyse the complex operational issues of the company and (where appropriate) development of viable courses of action (tools and techniques are different concepts, diagrams, tables provided in each chapter of the core reading book)
- An analysis of current operational challenges facing the company and recommendation for potential improvements in companies operations.
Overall Requirements for Submissions:
- 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 in the coursework (minimum five journal articles and other articles of your choice) as per Brunel University Library’s referencing style.
- 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 not including references, title page, words in figures, and appendices.
Assessment Criteria
UG mark bands, degree equivalent and grade point bands [Senate Regulation 2] are:
| Indicative Mark Band | Degree class equivalent | Grade | Grade Point |
| 90 and above | 1 | A* | 17 |
| 80-89 | 1 | A+ | 16 |
| 73-79 | 1 | A | 15 |
| 70-72 | 1 | A- | 14 |
| 68-69 | 2.1 | B+ | 13 |
| 63-67 | 2.1 | B | 12 |
| 60-62 | 2.1 | B- | 11 |
| 58-59 | 2.2 | C+ | 10 |
| 53-57 | 2.2 | C | 9 |
| 50-52 | 2.2 | C- | 8 |
| 48-49 | 3 | D+ | 7 |
| 43-47 | 3 | D | 6 |
| 40-42 | 3 | D- | 5 |
| 38-39 | Fail | E+ | 4 |
| 33-37 | Fail | E | 3 |
| 30-32 | Fail | E- | 2 |
| 29 and below | Fail | F | 1 |
Submission Instructions
Coursework must be submitted electronically via the University’s WISEflow system. The required file format for this report is Adobe PDF. Your student ID number must be used as the file name (e.g. 0123456.pdf). You must ensure that you upload your file in the correct format and use the College’s electronic coursework coversheet. Please note that submissions of ‘.pages / .docx etc’ documents will not be accepted and must be converted to approved format.
The electronic coursework coversheet must be completed and included at the beginning of all coursework submissions prior to submitting on WISEflow.
Marking criteria:
| Criteria | A (A*, A+, A, A-) | B (B+, B, B-) | C (C+, C, C-) | D (D+, D, D-) | E/F (E+, E, F) |
| Content (60%): correctness and completeness of analysis; | 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 satisfactory 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 (20%): narrative; grammar and punctuation; spelling; language use; length | 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 words. There are no long, | 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 incorrectly used words. There are | 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-used words, and/or long, confused | The writing quality and style is adequate. There is a reasonable narrative. The grammar and punctuation is adequate. There are a number of spelling mistakes, incorrectly- used words, and/or | Many, or all, of the following apply: poor writing quality and style; poor narrative; the grammar and punctuation is poor; there are many spelling mistakes, incorrectly used words, and/or |
| confused or unwieldy | very few, if any, long, | or unwieldy sentences | long, confused or | long, confused or | |
| sentences which | confused or unwieldy | which detract from | unwieldy sentences | unwieldy sentences | |
| detract from legibility. | sentences which | legibility. Material | which detract from | which detract from | |
| Material taken from | detract from legibility. | taken from other | legibility. Material taken | legibility; material taken | |
| other sources is | Material taken from | sources is well | from other sources is | from other sources is | |
| accurately paraphrased; | other sources is very | paraphrased; the | only adequately | inadequately | |
| the text/style/content | well paraphrased; the | overall text/style/ | paraphrased; some of | paraphrased; the | |
| is that of the writer. It is | overall text/style/ | content is generally | the overall | references are either | |
| within the word limit of | content is for the most | that of the writer. It is | text/style/content is | non-existent or |
2500 words and is not | part that of the writer. | within the word limit of | that of the writer but | inadequately cited and | |
| less than 2250 words in | It is within the word | 2500 words and is not | with some of the style | presented; it is either | |
| length. | limit of 2500 words and | less than 2250 words in | of the original source(s) | above the word limit of | |
| is not less than 2250 | length. | evident. It is within the | 2500 words and is not | ||
| words in length. | word limit of 2500 | less than 2250 words in | |||
| words and is not less | length. | ||||
| than 2250 words in | |||||
| length. | |||||
| Structure (10%): | The account is | Very good | The coursework is | The structure of the text | Many, or all, of the |
| segmentation; | presented in a | demonstration of the | presented in a | is adequately | following apply: the |
| sequencing | professional manner; | aforementioned | satisfactory report | highlighted by use of | introduction may be |
| there is very clear and | criteria, but lacks the | format, meeting most | appropriate sections | missing or, if present, | |
| logical sequencing. | clarity in structure and | of the aforementioned | and paragraphs; there is | lacks an adequate | |
| presentation. | criteria; there may be a | reasonably clear and | overview and | ||
| few limitations in the | logical sequencing. | motivation for what | |||
| logical flow between | follows; the structure of | ||||
| the sections, making | the text is inadequate; | ||||
| parts of argument less | the ordering lacks a | ||||
| easy to follow. | clear and logical | ||||
| sequence. | |||||
| References / | Excellent use of | Very good use of | Good use of references | Adequate use of | Weak use of references |
| Referencing (10%) | references which are | references which are | which are for the most | references which may | which are not |
| accurately cited and | accurately cited and | part accurately cited | not always be | accurately cited or | |
| presented in the text | presented in the text | and presented in the | accurately cited or | presented in the text or | |
| and in the references | and in the references | text and in the | presented in the text or | in the references | |
| Section with consistent style. | section. | references section. | in the references section | section. |
Academic Misconduct, Plagiarism and Collusion
Any coursework or examined submission for assessment where plagiarism, collusion or any form of cheating is suspected will be dealt with according to the University processes which are detailed in Senate Regulation 6.
You can access information about plagiarism here.
The University regulations on plagiarism apply to published as well as unpublished work, collusion and the plagiarism of the work of other students. Please ensure that you fully understand what constitutes plagiarism before you submit your work.
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College’s Coursework Submission Policy
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Extenuating Circumstances Policy
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