Sustainable Supply Chain Management module (BU41008)

With increasing globalisation. companies are under pressure to prioritise social and environmental responsibility. 

Sustainable Supply Chain Management integrates environmental, social, and economic considerations. It does so to optimise operations, reduce impact and unethical practices, and to promote long-term viability, innovation, and responsible global commerce. 

This module introduces you to the essentials of Sustainable Supply Chain Management. You'll learn to navigate the complexities of sustainability in supply chain practices. You will gain valuable insights into challenges posed by factors such as:

• population growth
• resource depletion
• food shortages
• rising prices
• geopolitics
• matters related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• appraise key sustainability issues and their impact on organisations
• assess how businesses embed sustainable development in strategy and operations
• evaluate how sustainability can create competitive advantage
• plan, procure, and monitor resource use to meet organisational objectives
• present evidence and recommendations clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• analyse a supply chain to identify environmental, social, and economic risks and opportunities
• design practical improvements that reduce impacts and improve resource efficiency
• build a case for sustainability-led change, supported by data and relevant SDGs
• evaluate trade-offs between cost, service, risk, and sustainability in procurement decisions
• communicate evidence-based recommendations to managers, partners, and wider stakeholders

Assignments / assessment

• Group assignment (30%)
• Individual project management assignment (70%)
• No final exam

Teaching methods / timetable

You will learn through weekly lectures and tutorials over 11 teaching weeks, with one reading week before the group assessment; specific dates are to be confirmed.

You will also take part in activities which emphasise learning by doing, both individually and in teams.