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Purchasing and Procurement

Unit code: AMB204
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs

This unit examines the nature and importance of Procurement in the role of business today. Procurement has become increasingly important and valued by organisations that are part of global supply chains. The management and strategic control of procurement functions in modern businesses adds profit through cost control in businesses and that has gained significance in the drive to maintain profit in internationally competitive markets. Modern procurement professionals require the use of many skills to achieve these outcomes and this unit introduces students to the functions of purchasing and procurement in an organisation.

Availability
Semester Available
2013 Semester 1 Yes

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

All organisations require supplies and depend on a reliable and quality source of their supplies whether they are raw materials, components, spare parts, consumables or services. The management of these supplies is a complex logistics process and is often of strategic importance both in global and domestic markets. This unit is provided to examine the role of procurement and purchasing in this process.

Aims

This unit aims to introduce students to the functional area of purchasing and supply management, justifying its importance, placing it in context within the organisation, and providing an insight in to the processes involved in the efficient and effective fulfilment of the purchasing and supply function. In this unit the processes involved in purchasing and supply management will be examined along with coverage of the main issues confronting purchasing and supply chain management professionals in the modern organisation.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)

The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding

Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. analyse and evaluate the role and purpose of purchasing and supply management within an organisation and justify its importance in any organisation

2. critically examine and communicate the principles and practices involved in purchasing and supply management

3. develop and evaluate the procedures necessary to adopt a strategic approach to purchasing and supply management in order to establish appropriate supply arrangements and to maintain productive relationships with supplier networks

4. identify and apply the principles and recommended methods of managing the function of purchasing and supply so as to provide ongoing delivery of goods and services into the organisation to enable the organisation to achieve its goals

The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

  • Introduction to the study of Purchasing, Supply, and Procurement
  • Description and critical analysis of the purchasing and supply function in action within typical organisations
  • Functional arrangement and the interface of purchasing and supply within the organisation
  • Product and service specification, value analysis, and meeting internal client's needs
  • Supplier evaluation, selection and certification in a global context
  • Ethical and environmental issues to be considered in the management of purchasing and supply
  • Analysis of markets, cost behaviour and pricing methods
  • Negotiation and management of contracts for purchasing and supply arrangements
  • Gaining strategic competitive advantage through purchasing and supply
  • Practice and impact of global sourcing
  • Integration of e-commerce applications into the international purchasing and supply processes
  • Performance measurement and evaluation and the use of KPI's
  • Trends and expected difficulties with purchasing and supply management in the global supply chain.

    Approaches to Teaching and Learning

    Two hours of lectures a week plus one hour of tutorial/seminar. Lectures introduce the core concepts, functions and procedures of purchasing and procurement related topics. The tutorial work will focus upon select issues, cases and exercises designed to develop understanding in this area of knowledge.

    Assessment

    The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Skills and Other Graduate Capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

    - Receive feedback on your learning as you progress toward the development of knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes (formative assessment); and
    - Demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

  • Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation

  • Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary

  • Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation

  • Indirect: to the whole class

    • Assessment name: Examination (multiple choice)
    Description: Description: To be held during the lecture in Week 6.
    Length or Duration: 1 hour
    Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
    Weighting:30
    Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes:Unit Objectives: 1, 2 & 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1)
    Weight: 30%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Week 6

    Assessment name: Assignment
    Description: Description:An individual assignment based on issues covered in the unit.
    Length or Duration: 1,500 words
    Formative or Summative:Formative and Summative
    Feedback: By report criteria sheet week 13
    Weighting:30
    Relates to learning outcomes:Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
    Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes:Unit Objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
    Weight: 30%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Week 11

    Assessment name: Examination (written)
    Description: Description:A final examination of 2 hours with 10 minutes perusal. This exam consists of short answer questions.
    Length or Duration: 2 hours +10 minutes perusal
    Formative or Summative: Summative
    Feedback: By published examination results
    Relates to learning outcomes:Unit Objectives: 1, 2,3 & 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
    Relates to objectives: Relates to learning outcomes:Unit Objectives: 1, 2,3 & 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
    Weight: 40%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Central exam period

    Academic Honesty

    QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

    A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

    Resource materials

    Prescribed Text
    Monczka RM, Trent RJ, Handfield RB, 2011, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management 5th edn, Thomson South-Western, Mason Ohio.

    See Week 1 document for further resources.

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    Risk assessment statement

    There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
    view the Emergency video.

    Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

    Last modified: 20-Dec-2012