Master of Commerce in Supply Chain Management

Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Commerce in Supply Chain qualification is to enable learners to establish an academic platform for rigorous engagement with unique features, opportunities, and challenges related to supply chains in the contemporary global, pan-African, and local South African market environments.

This qualification aims to enable learners to apply scientific and industry-related research principles underpinned by their insight and experience in professional practice at an advanced level. It will consist entirely of a proposal and a dissertation. This requires learners to identify a supply chain-related topic/research problem within the pan-African environment. By focusing on supply chain-related issues on the African continent, the qualification aims to fill significant knowledge gaps related to supply chains in a complex, multi-faceted African economy.

Furthermore, the qualification will enable learners to produce knowledge, specifically aimed at solving real-world global and local challenges relating to economic integration and the critical role of supply chains. The learners will be positioned to specifically contribute to the body of knowledge related to the African Continental Free Trade Area and the critical role supply chains play in integration and continental economic and social development.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Communicate conclusions and reasoning clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
• Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks.
• Continue to advance knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to a particular profession.
• Identify unanswered questions or unsolved problems in the area of interest to design research questions that will extend understanding.
• Carry out rigorous research that will demonstrate innovation or professional expertise and extend general knowledge of the theory related to the topic or question.
• Act ethically and with a clear understanding of the social and environmental consequences of their discipline, research and any associated application.

Rationale

This qualification aims to address contemporary challenges in the global African market environments, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It recognises the evolving dynamics of the African environment and emphasises the importance of supply chains for the effective functioning of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The qualification aims to conduct research critical to understanding the pivotal role of supply chains in the success of AfCFTA. The qualifications seek to address knowledge deficiencies through academic research, providing advantages to the broader economic sector, society, and the continental economy. The qualification will deepen understanding of supply chains, particularly in the unique African context. Enhances Africa's productive economy, fosters regional economic integrations, and supports initiatives like AfCFTA.

The qualification targets a diverse audience, including African professionals and learners with backgrounds in Supply Chain, Management Sciences, Commerce, Marketing, and Social Sciences. The qualification highlights the potential for a Social Science background to benefit from policy-related research in African integration. The qualification outlines the learning pathway, allowing Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Supply Chain Management qualifying learners to progress to the Master's level and potentially pursue a Doctorate. The collaboration with significant stakeholders, such as Supply Chain Africa, was held to ensure industry relevance. This qualification envisages graduates operating in diverse roles, including positions in governments, private sector businesses, multinational corporations, regional and global organisations, academic institutions, and research sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has systems and mechanisms to evaluate and acknowledge prior learning. The methods in place are to choose potential RPL candidates, as well as the staff and resources needed to support these learners during the RPL procedure.

The RPL process entails the identification, documentation, assessment and evaluation of prior learning in relation to predetermined learning outcomes, so learners' prior learning will be acknowledged for admission into the Master's programme.

The RPL process involves portfolio building, attendance of knowledge enhancement workshops, presentations and or demonstrations, and if applicants are successful, they can be admitted into the qualification in the following academic year.

A maximum of 10% of a cohort of learners in a programme will be admitted through an RPL process.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Logistics, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Logistics, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in International Supply Chain Management, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Any other related field at NQF Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9, totalling 180 credits.

Compulsory Modules, NQF Level 9, 180 Credits

• Research Proposal and Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Demonstrate the ability to apply specialist knowledge of supply chain-related issues to engage with and critique current supply chain research practice.
2. Demonstrate the ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods and techniques to engage with advanced supply chain-related research to investigate complex supply chain problems.
3. Design and implement a strategy for processing and managing information to conduct a comprehensive review of current research in the area of the supply chain to produce significant insights.
4. Apply a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing, and applying quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and implement an appropriate enquiry process for the study area/issue/topic.
5. Communicate and defend ideas and products of research in an area of supply chain specialisation.
6. Apply ethical principles in the research, and understand the implications of complex moral issues in gathering data and intelligence, reporting on this, and implementing supply chain-related strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Critically apply relevant supply chain theory and application within an organisation or industry.
• Practically apply advanced skills to gather data and marketing intelligence related to supply chain challenges or opportunities.
• Discuss theories and their relation to the supply chain within the organisation or industry sector.
• Integrate supply chain research results with decision-making processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply research methodologies and techniques to supply chain and related management fields to identify complex problems.
• Examine the real-world impact of a solution or insight, and formulate research questions and hypotheses.
• Identify, conceptualise, and implement an appropriate research design to investigate a supply chain problem.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Investigate information sources to identify literature relevant to the research question.
• Review leading research to form a theoretical framework for exploring a complex supply chain problem.
• Apply advanced and specialised skills to critically engage with relevant research and write an integrated literature review.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Evaluate current processes of knowledge production, research design theories, research approaches, data sources and data types in the supply chain research environment.
• Apply and produce an appropriate research design to address a complex supply chain problem.
• Engage with and critique current supply chain research methods and practices, select and implement an appropriate method or combination of methods to address a supply chain problem.
• Apply different techniques to collect and analyse supply chain information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Utilise advanced research, analytical and writing techniques to defend ideas in a topic of specialisation.
• Analyse and present information on a specialist topic in a prescribed format.
• Compile and produce a whole dissertation in which innovative supply chain findings and recommendations are reported.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Identify, understand and apply ethical aspects of research and other ethical issues in the supply chain field.
• Critically contribute to developing and implementing ethical standards within supply chain research practice.
• Analyse the role of ethics in the contemporary business world and within the context of corporate governance.