Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management

Purpose

The Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Supply Chain Management (SCM) offers a combination of theory and practice in the field of Supply Chain Management. The qualification enables learners to develop an integrated conceptual understanding, synthesis and application of specific issues in supply chain management, management skills and planning skills. It will also enable learners to demonstrate integrated knowledge of Economics.

In addition, the qualification is aimed at equipping first-line managers with the necessary skills required to fulfil their management role within the supply chain environment and to be able to engage in processes across the value chain sector so as to create sustainable value for organisations.

The Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management provides an overview of supply chain management practice in a national and international context.

Upon completion, the qualifying learner will be able to

• Demonstrate an understanding of the individual functional areas of business management which ultimately form a synergistic whole that directs a business towards its goals.
• Gather, process and record relevant information to compile statements of comprehensive income, statements of changes in equity and statements of financial position.
• Solve economic problems in different economic systems, e.g. how different organisations make decisions as well as how prices are determined.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the modern integrated approach to the management of the supply of materials and services to organisations and insight into the impact of such an approach.
• Demonstrate knowledge of logistics management.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of ethics to business in general and to supply chain professionals.

Rationale

The qualification is directed towards persons occupying or intending to occupy junior and middle management positions in private and public sector organisations and who are also aspiring towards senior management positions. The qualification is of special interest to those who wish to pursue a career in Supply Chain Management. The qualification is designed to provide the learner with a theoretical understanding and working application of the principles, competencies and practical skills essential for the effective management of organisations, with specialisation in the Supply Chain function. The BCom (SCM) also offers persons in employment the opportunity to improve their qualifications and to become more knowledgeable about the discipline.

The Bachelor of Commerce in Supply Chain Management is designed to

• Contribute to regional and national goals by facilitating capacity building and human resource development.
• Empower learners with knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to function and engage in the processes and inter-relationships across the business sector.
• Recognise and cater for the career needs of learners who are in full-time employment.
• Broaden the social base of learners in higher education by targeting learners with work experience.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Institution's RPL policy allows for access to further learning. Learning that has been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal means is recognised for the fulfilment of the requirements of this qualification or part of the qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning is performed by means of an integrated assessment. It is required that through assessment practices, the learner should demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification.

RPL is subject to quality assurance by the relevant accrediting entity. Where prior learning is recognised for advanced standing, credit will be given for prior certificated learning in accordance with established practice at South African Higher Education institutions.

Entry Requirements

To gain access to this qualification, an applicant is required to have a

• Senior Certificate (SC) with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) passed with Bachelors' Degree admission.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV), Level 4 passed with Bachelors' Degree admission.

The qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5, 120 Credits

• Business Communication, 15 Credits.
• Business Statistics, 15 Credits.
• Accounting, 30 Credits.
• Business Management I, 30 Credits.
• Economics, 30 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Business Information Systems, 15 Credits.
• Commercial Law, 15 Credits.
• Business Management II, 30 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management II, 30 Credits.
• Logistics Management II, 30 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7, 120 Credits

• Ethics and Corporate Governance, 15 Credits.
• Project Management, 15 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management III, 30 Credits.
• Logistics Management III, 30 Credits.
• Operations Management, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the individual functional areas of business management which ultimately form a synergistic whole that directs a business towards its goals.
2. Gather, process and record relevant information to compile statements of comprehensive income, statements of changes in equity and statements of financial position.
3. Understand how prices are determined.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of the modern integrated approach to the management of the supply of materials and services to organisations and show insight into the impact of such an approach.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of logistics management.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of ethics to business in general and to supply chain professionals.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Explanations are provided of what resources are used when business decisions are made.
• A functional understanding of general management principles is understood and applied.
• The relationship between organisation and management is explained.
• Organising as a management function is discussed and its relationship with other managerial functions is explained.
• The scope and challenges of management are discussed.
• Workforce diversity and the management thereof are explained.
• The negotiation process is described.
• The nature of communication and its function in an organisation are described.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The fundamental concepts and principles of accounting are understood and applied appropriately.
• The financial data for a business are recorded, classified and interpreted.
• The financial statements for different forms of ownership i.e. sole proprietor, partnerships, close corporations and companies are prepared.
• Cash flow statements are prepared.
• The financial transactions related to organisations and societies-not-for-gain are recorded.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The economic activity of an organisation is measured and the prices of goods and/or services are determined under conditions of perfect and imperfect competition.
• The principles of the market mechanism, the market forces of demand and supply, their interactions, and economic problems are understood.
• The basic theories of consumer behaviour, production and costs, market structures, pricing and distribution, including collective bargaining and wage determination across different labour market structures are understood.
• The appropriate economic theories and principles are applied to the analysis of managerial situations and the decision-making processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The strategic importance of good supply chain design planning, how logistics can affect customer and product profitability and operations are understood.
• The factors which effect supply chain performance, e.g. facilities, inventory, transportation, information, sourcing, and pricing are evaluated.
• Analytical methodologies for supply chain analysis in a managerial context are identified and applied.
• A supply chain management theory that underpins a commitment to quality, timeliness and continuous improvement is utilised.
• Supply chain theories that impact on planning, administering and the evaluation of projects are understood and utilised.
• Supply chain methodologies are used to plan and coordinate warehousing activities effectively.
• A supply chain relationship management theory is used to understand and manage the networking of downstream firms that provide input and are responsible for the delivery of the end product or service to the customer.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The role of logistics in the economy and the organisation and importance of logistics as a source of competitive advantage is explained.
• A distribution channel is designed, selected and managed.
• The principles of logistics management are applied.
• An understanding of the role that transportation plays in a supply chain is understood.
• The importance of planning for logistics managers is demonstrated.
• An evaluation of the logistics performance of an organisation is undertaken and improvements are recommended.
• The products of the company are classified according to their significance for logistics management.
• The best storage model for a company is utilised depending on their logistics process.
• Storage, maintenance and handling systems that are required in different logistic situations are identified and analysed.
• Guidelines for stock management so as to optimise resource acquisition decisions are implemented.
• Materials distribution inside a company are planned with respect to their various production and logistics facilities.
• Analytical techniques are used to manage distribution routes.
• The different processes involved in reverse logistics between the company's production and logistics centres are explained and organised.
• Technologies needed for the traceability of materials in the logistics chain of the company are identified and selected.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• The concepts of ethics and business ethics are understood and applied in the management of supply chain functions.
• Business situations and decisions are analysed and evaluated from an ethical perspective.
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) concerns about the environment and health and safety are taken into account when making decisions in a business environment.
• Corporate governance principles are used to develop values which are embedded in business organisations.
• Areas of concern regarding ethical conduct in procurement are understood and actions taken to limit their occurrence.
• An established code of ethical supply management conduct is reviewed.
• The relationship between organisation and management is explained.
• The logic of organising is discussed and its relationship with other managerial functions is explained.
• The scope and challenges of management are discussed.
• Workforce diversity and the management thereof are explained.
• The negotiation process is described.
• The nature of communication and its function in an organisation are described.

Integrated Assessment

The Institution is committed to assessment practices that are open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable to ensure that no learner is disadvantaged. Learning, teaching and assessment are in line and integrated with each other.

The term integrated assessment implies that theoretical and practical components should be assessed together. Formative and summative assessment methods are employed during integrated assessments to assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies.

A variety of methods must therefore be used in assessment. Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through modules. These assessment methods include:

• Case studies.
• Report writing.
• Interpretative and analytical problem solving in the written examination.
• Work based assignments.
• Self-assessment activities in the course material.