Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

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

Rationale

The role of strategic procurement practices in modern organisations has increased in importance because of the global nature of supply and the effect these have on business profitability. This unit builds on work in a prior unit to provide skills in strategic procurement.

Aims

This unit is designed to provide knowledge of strategic procurement practices and practical knowledge of the role of procurement within the contemporary logistics industry. This unit extends the study of procurement and its place in a modern firm.

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. Explain concepts, terminology and functions as related to strategic procurement activities.
2. Complete procurement procedures to remedy supply needs and challenges.
3. Evaluate strategies and formulate recommendations about procurement management that influence corporate performance.
4. Communicate business analysis and decisions related strategic procurement in a seminar setting and in written form.


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

Content

This unit focuses on the range of strategies available to procurement professionals. Strategic procurement is examined within the business paradigm of the supply chain and as a part of the logistics operations of a firm. The range of topics include; The procurement policy of a firm, strategic procurement characteristics, procurement planning for stock, contingency, distribution and strategic importance, procurement team development, government procurement methods, advanced procurement planning with financial analysis, budget and capital equipment planning. Control requirements in procurement activities. Risk assessment and the role of procurement. Project procurement requirements.

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 strategic procurement management. The tutorial seminars will focus upon presentations and select cases presented to pose specific procurement and supply chain management challenges. It is envisaged that industry speakers will form part of the approach to learning.

Assessment

In addition to the specific knowledge and skills detailed above, this unit also contributes towards developing generic skills that are of use to students throughout their degree and beyond. These generic skills are seen to be desirable by the Faculty of Business, drawing from feedback from employers.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: Tutorial Programme
Description: Presentation and Supporting Paper
Individual presentation and supporting paper on a topic allocated in the tutorial programme
Length/Duration: 15 minutes oral presentation and 1000 words for written paper.
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Weighting: 30% (Presentation: 10%, Supporting Paper: 20%)
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 & 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), PC (3.1), (3.2)
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 3 onwards

Assessment name: Written Research Assignment
Description: A written paper on an issue/s of strategic procurement
Length/Duration: 2,000 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), (1.2), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 11

Assessment name: Final Exam
Description: Final examination
Length/Duration: 2 hours with 10 minutes perusal
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: 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: 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.

References
Baily P, Farmer D, Jessop D, Jones D, 2008, Procurement Principles and Management. 10th edn, Financial Times Prentice Hall, London. (CIPS)
Burt DN, Dobler DW, Starling SL, 2003, World Class Supply Management: The Key to Supply Chain Management. 7th edn, McGraw-Hill Irwin.
Cousins P, Lamming R, Lawson B, Squire B, 2008, Strategic Supply Management: Principles Theories and Practice. Prentice Hall (CIPS).
Lysons K, and Farrington B, 2006, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management 7th edn, Prentice Hall, (CIPS).
Van Weele AJ, 2010, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management: Analysis, Strategy Planning and Practice 5th edn, South-Western, Cengage.

Other Resources
Any additional resources can be found at the unit's Blackboard site.

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: 12-Jun-2012