Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Supply Chain Management

The Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Supply Chain Management will provide learners with an erudite as well as a good grasp of the advanced issues in supply chain management. This qualification will empower learners with the competencies (knowledge, insight, skills, values and attitudes) necessary to positively contribute to the management of a modern integrated supply chain.

The concentration of the qualification is on the application of theoretical concepts/frameworks/constructs and the refining of the cognitive process resulting in learners being able to select the best course of action among several alternatives in a supply-chain context. The qualification will equip and imbue learners with the abilities to function at a strategic level by developing a good command of fundamental strategic supply chain management issues. More importantly, the qualification will equip learners with the skills to be analytical in making and implementing supply chain decisions.

The qualification places a significant emphasis on problem-solving; therefore, learners are equipped with the knowledge to assertively approach a plethora of unusual situations in each of the core supply chain areas. Moreover, the qualification will expose learners to quantitative techniques and models for decision making in supply chain management.

The qualification also places emphasis on the skills and knowledge required to excel in a global environment were economies and cultures had been drawn closer together. They have become more interconnected through global networks of trade and the spread of technology. The qualification will equip learners with presentation skills that will allow them to become effective communicators and team players capable of assimilating theoretical constructs learned, with the pragmatic requirements of the world of work.

The modules in the qualification cover the critical supply chain areas. The research modules provide much of the foundation for knowledge that makes possible the innovations and advancements in the supply chain field, thereby creating social, economic and environmental impacts.

With the current skills need and the lack of Honours' level qualifications in Supply Chain Management, this qualification aims to produce learners who will have the following attributes:

• Analytical thinking.
• Ability to effectively direct a team towards an objective.
• Statistical and mathematical skills for decision making.
• Ability to identify, diagnose and solve supply chain problems.
• Ethical conduct.
• Social responsibility.

Rationale

Supply chain management has been gaining traction as one of the most critical functional areas that make up contemporary organisations. Supply chain management plays an integral part of an organisation's success and in the world. Efficient supply chains and networks allow organisations to expedite the delivery of products to the end-user, increase firm competitiveness and customer satisfaction while maintaining an ecological balance. Therefore, the qualification will broaden the learners' supply chain knowledge within a business framework to develop a thorough understanding of Supply Chain theory as well as the skills necessary to apply the theory.

The qualification aims at promoting wider access to Postgraduate learning in the supply chain management field. The qualification act as a catalyst that will precipitate and foster the development of supply chain professionals across the globe. The qualification is multifaceted and inherently interdisciplinary because it draws knowledge from other fields of study such as operations management, logistics management and purchasing management. The disciplines are combined into a single, streamlined and indispensable functional area of business.

The qualification responds to the current national and global situation in which there is an over-supply of available workers and an under-supply of qualified talent. These needed skills, coupled with the scarcity of Honours degrees in Supply Chain Management, have served as motivating factors in the design and development of this qualification.

The qualification is therefore designed for professionals who already have the practical experience and for qualifying learners with a cognate undergraduate degree.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution uses Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access, advance standing and credits

The following learners are eligible for RPL

Access

• Learners who lack the minimum requirements for entry into formal learning programmes for higher education qualifications but have a wealth of appropriate learning and knowledge accumulated through experience.
• Learners who have exited formal education at a time in their educational careers but have since accumulated experience through work and a series of short courses.

Advance standing

• Learners wanting admission to study at a higher level than the learner's prior knowledge and skills and formal studies would have allowed, including exemption where applicable.

Credits

Learners who have exited formal education at a time in their educational careers but have accumulated credits and are seeking formal recognition for (an) incomplete/complete qualification/s are eligible.

Current RPL processes

• The learner will be informed of documents to be completed and additional documentation that must be provided for pre-screening of such a learner.
• The representative will discuss the RPL process and documentation that must be presented to the institution in the form of a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE).
• Application dates must be communicated.
• The time frame available to complete the PoE must be communicated.
• The timeframe to register for the qualification after the results of the PoE is made available must also be communicated to the learner.
• An RPL Advisor is at the disposal of the learner to provide guidance and offer clarification to the student during the compilation of the PoE.
• An RPL Committee (sub-committee of the Assessment Committee) will evaluate the application form and may suggest entry tests or access modules a Portfolio of Evidence (PoE).

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor degree with Business Management/Supply Chain Management/Marketing as a major, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 126 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 130 Credits

• Advanced Supply Chain Business Processes, 20 Credits
• Advanced Cost Management, 20 Credits
• Advanced Supply Chain Management, 20 Credits
• Advanced Research: Theory, 20 Credits
• Advanced Supply Chain Research: Report, 30 Credits

Electives Modules, Level 8, 20 Credits (Choose one module)

• Advanced Strategic Operations Management, 20 Credits
• Advanced International Trade, 20 Credits

1. Evaluate advanced Supply Chain Management integration strategies across organisations and companies.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of complex strategies and their application in Supply Chain Management.
3. Demonstrate the use of a wide range of skills to solve complex supply chain problems.
4. Conduct research to solve supply chain problems.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the general principles of managing processes of purchase and supply, and the necessary information technology that underlies this, and to apply these principles.
6. Understand the code of ethical behaviour in the fields of the supply chain as well as analyse the wider supply chain environment and identify the prevalence of risks.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Critically evaluate the interactions which take place in a Supply Chain.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of logistics systems.
• Identify and explain the focus of world-class warehouse operations.
• Understand the nature and scope of Operations Management functions.
• Understand the strategic role of purchasing in the value chain.
• Plan for, and understand engagement in global procurement.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Critically evaluate supply chain theories, strategies and plans and identify appropriate supply chain strategies.
• Demonstrate an understanding of engagement in high-level decision making within the supply chain.
• Design and develop supply chain strategies.
• Develop appropriate push/pull strategies to meet supply chain requirements.
• Understand how to engage in sales and operations planning.
• Understand how to engage in logistics plan at a strategic level.
• Develop reverse logistics strategies.
• Assess the requirements for making decisions related to each part of the operations function.
• Make effective managerial decisions to achieve effective utilisation of resources.
• Understand how operations management decisions can influence the overall strategic objectives of an organisation.
• Explain how effective operations strategies are developed.
• Understand forecasting for decision-making purposes.
• Develop and implement supply strategies.
• Apply appropriate techniques to manage contracts with suppliers.
• Systematically develop strategies to drive forth innovation in the procurement function.
• Demonstrate high degrees of accountability, ethics and responsibility in Supply Chain practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Assess problems and formulate appropriate response strategies.
• Demonstrate awareness of triple bottom line issues in Supply Chain Management.
• Develop responses to deal with demand variability in a Supply Chain.
• Apply the principles of sustainability and ethics to practice.
• Critically evaluate suppliers and supplier performance.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Ensure consistency and linearity between research ideas, objectives, questions, design and methods.
• Distinguish between the qualitative and quantitative approaches to research, as appropriate.
• Understand the different research design methodologies and their respective suitability to study objectives.
• Select and apply a research design that is consistent with research objectives and questions.
• Critically apply available research methodologies to answer the study questions and achieve study objectives.
• Apply the analytical skills and knowledge gained in the qualification to a supply chain area of research.
• Develop critical and practical research questions.
• Read current literature in a specialised business area and critically analyse and synthesise contending theoretical standpoints.
• Design, plan and execute a research study.
• Capture, analyse and interpret business data.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the implications of the theory for decision making and practice.
• Provide recommendations for business-related problems aligned to leading practices in supply chain management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Use appropriate tools to process and manage logistics and transport data and information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify appropriate responses which can be used to counter risks.
• Understand the impact of supply chain risks on supply chain performance.
• Develop strategies to foster collaboration in the supply chain.

Integrated Assessment

Formative and Summative Assessment

The assessment process for each module is made up of two components, namely, formative assessment (assignments) and summative assessment (examinations). Learners must complete one assignment and one examination, or a project, per module.

Assignments allow learners to assess their progress, while feedback indicates where each learner may require additional focus before writing their examinations.

Unless specifically stated, the assignments per module (2 assignments) contributes 40% towards the final mark, and the other 60% will be made up from the examination. A high mark in an assignment will normally not compensate for a poor mark in the examination. Although assignment marks will contribute towards the final mark, learners do not have to earn credits for admission to the examinations; they are automatically accepted by registering for the examination. An assignment mark cannot be carried over to the next academic semester. If a learner has submitted assignments, but has not written the exam for that particular module within one academic semester, new assignments must be provided.

Learners wishing to write examinations in either semester are required to register for these modules with the institution on or before the examination closing date. Learners may write examinations twice a year. Examination sessions are held in May and October of each academic year.

Supplementary examination opportunities are provided twice a year during July and December with specific rules and procedures.