Module: Operations Strategy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Operations Strategy
Module Code	MNA1113 (ITS: MT5151)
Faculty	DCU Business School	School	DCU Business School
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

Operations Strategy inextricably connects an organisations business strategy and its operations management. Whereas operations management is primarily focused on the near to medium term, operations strategy is concerned with shaping the long-term capabilities of an organisation in the course of designing, producing and distributing products and services to its customers. This module critically exams the impact and role of operations strategy in relation to an organisations overall competitiveness.

Learning Outcomes

1. Evaluate and describe the interconnected nature of operations management and operations strategy
2. Critically appraise the differences between services and products
3. Discuss and critique the significant factors in the design of operations
4. Evaluate the role of sustainability and corporate social responsibility in Operational Strategy
5. Determine and illustrate the importance of measuring and managing the creation of service operations
6. Critically show how successful companies have designed and implemented operation strategies in practice
7. Discuss how the individual components of an organisational system can contribute to the overall success of the organisation
8. Appraise the role of global operations in operational strategy development

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Group work	25	No Description
Assignment Completion	30	No Description
Independent Study	46	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20748	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Melda Hasiloglu Ciftciler	Module Teacher	Pj Byrne, Raymond Treacy

Section Breakdown
CRN	21531	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Pj Byrne	Module Teacher	Raymond Treacy

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Group presentation	Group presentation on a defined contemporary operations theme.	20%	Once per semester
Assignment	Individual assessment and development of operational strategy for a defined operational problem.	50%	n/a
Participation	This will involve engagement with discussion forums on defined weeks and general active participation in live discussion sessions.	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

An introduction to operations management, an its role in designing, producing and distributing products and services

Operational design and modelling

Operations strategy and its relationship with both business strategy and operations management

Operational/Process Modelling - Process Improvement

The evolutionary role of operations and its future trends

Sustainability - An important dimension of modern operational strategies?

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Slack, N. and Lewis, M.: 2017, Operations Strategy, 5th, Pearson,
Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., Johnston, R. and Betts, A: 2015, Operations and Process Management, 4th,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None