21947 Supply Chain Risk Management

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Business: Management
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Postgraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

Risk and complexity in supply chains are major issues faced by the industry in today's volatile environment. The concept of the resilient enterprise as defined by Yossi Sheffi (MIT, 2005) is a core concept of this subject. Organisational resilience stems from a growing need to manage the uncertainty of complex and interconnected modern societies and economies where managing risks encourages critical businesses to engender a more organic capability to deal with unexpected disruptions. It is in this context that this subject focuses on two strategically important concepts of complexity and risk in global supply chain management. Students are equipped with a wide range of skills to manage risk and complexity in supply chain sources and develop strategies to manage complexity and risk in uncertain conditions.

Topics include understanding resilience in supply chains; differentiating and recognising sources of risks in supply chains; the role of procurement strategies and insurance options in risk management; decision-making for risk management; and leadership in mitigating risks in complex supply chains. The risk management skills are used by multiple stakeholders including those who directly manage the intra- and inter-organisational operations, as well as those who plan and design the supply chain; manage customer expectations and deliver service experience to customers as an approach to boost resilience, and help maintain a competitive edge and drive profitability. Ethical implications and social responsibilities arising from risks in supply chains are also discussed.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1.	Design and explain the meaning of resilience and value of time, money and quality
2.	Discuss the types of supply chain risks, demonstrate the use of tools and processes, and their systematic application to solve supply chain risk problems
3.	Evaluate and analyse different supply chain risk factors and their mitigation strategies using quantitative tools
4.	Demonstrate a reflective approach to building organisational agility through adoption of professional risk and complexity management practices in supply chains

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This is a specific subject in the area of operations, supply chain and procurement that focuses on the necessary skills and capabilities required to deal with complexity and risk management in supply chains. The subject involves both quantitative and qualitative approaches to risk and complexity management in supply chains. Students will be able to design a supply chain risk management framework and apply tools and techniques to a wide range of complex business risk problems. The skills and knowledge gained from this subject can also be applied to solve complex business situations arising from risk, complexity and uncertainty. Students would also be able to apply critical thinking and advanced quantitative skills to solve supply chain risk and uncertainty problems.

This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes:

Intellectual rigour and innovative problem solving
Social responsibility and cultural awareness
Professional and technical competence

This subject also contributes specifically to develop the following Program Learning Objectives for the Master of Strategic Supply Chain Management:

Apply critical thinking and advanced analytical skills to develop creative solutions that respond to community, Indigenous and business needs within a strategic supply chain management context (1.1)
Evaluate and apply principles of law, ethics, sustainability and Indigenous values as strategic supply chain managers (3.1)
Integrate advanced knowledge of complex strategic supply chain management concepts, including Indigenous perspectives, and technical skills to lead professional practice in operations and supply chain management (4.1)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is taught using a variety of teaching and learning strategies. The strategies used emphasise active and applied approaches to developing key skills and knowledge. Classes adopt a blended learning approach that combines inquiry-based and experiential learning techniques. Through a flipped learning approach students are directed to access pre-read materials for each main content area. Lectures are delivered in a dialogic style to maximize critical engagement with the foundation concepts. Our time together in class is valuable, and as adult learners, you are expected to remain in control of your learning. This means that our time together will involve engaging, active learning, problem-solving and valuable skill-development which will draw upon, but not repeat, the content you have engaged with prior to class. You will be provided with valuable, real-time feedback to assist you in managing your learning. A combination of other methods may also be used to develop an understanding of the field. Such methods may include but not limited to guest lectures, real-world case analysis and videos. Students will use appropriate computer software such as Microsoft Project, Excel and Word processor to complete assigned tasks. You will be provided with valuable, real-time feedback to assist you in managing your learning.

Content (topics)

The meaning of resilience and value of time, money and quality
The nature, source and types of risks affecting complex supply chains
Understanding the relationship between information systems and integrative processes of risk and complexity management, as well as supply chain risk management
Understanding supply chain complexity management in practice
The role of procurement strategies, information technology, outsourcing arrangements, insurance costs, and resource planning to manage and mitigate risks in complex supply chains including conflict negotiation and its resolution
Decision making analysis for risk and complexity management in procurement and supply chains
Leadership, teams, relationships and team dynamics in mitigating risks and managing complexities in supply chains
Performance and evaluation of risks and complexities in procurement and supply chain.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Risk Analysis

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	30%
Length:	maximum 2500 words, excluding appendices and references
Criteria:	The criteria used to assess your work includes: i. Relevance of your answer to the question or task set ii. Clarity of expression iii. Creativity/innovation iv. Clearly documented analysis v. Logical planning and sequence vi. Appropriate written presentation of the work

Assessment task 2: Group Project

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3 and 4
Groupwork:	Group, group assessed
Weight:	30%
Length:	Group report: maximum 4000 words, excluding appendices and references Group presentation: 10 min for presentation. Everyone must participate.
Criteria:	The criteria to assess your work includes: i. Relevance of your answer to the question or task set ii. Clarity of expression iii. Creativity/innovation iv. Clearly documented strategies v. Logical planning and sequence vi. Appropriate written presentation of the work.

Assessment task 3: Research Project

Objective(s):	This addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 4
Groupwork:	Individual
Weight:	40%
Length:	maximum 2500 words, excluding appendices and references
Criteria:	The criteria used to assess your work includes: i. Relevance of your answer to the question or task set ii. Clarity of expression iii. Creativity/innovation iv. Critical literature review v. Ethical and social responsibility aspects in risk management vi. Logical planning and sequence vii. Appropriate written presentation of the work

Minimum requirements

Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total marks as well as meet the Management Discipline Group compulsory attendance requirement, as detailed in the Subject Outline.

Recommended texts

Paul, S.K., Agarwal, R., Sarker, R., and Rahman, R., (2023), Supply Chain Risk and Disruption Management: Latest Tools, Techniques and Management Approaches. (Springer Singapore)

https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-99-2629-9

Other resources

JOURNAL SELECTION

The following list of journals is just a guide. Check ABDC journal website to see journal ranking A*, A, B or C http://www.abdc.edu.au/pages/abdc-journal-quality-list-2013.html.

Your project or individual assignment might lead you into a more specialized area such as Supply Chain management or Service Operations management.

International Journal of Production Economics
European Journal of Operational Research
Supply Chain Management: An International Journal
International Journal of Production Research
European journal of purchasing and supply management
Harvard Business Review
International Journal of Operations and Production Management
International Journal Of Physical Distribution And Logistics Management
International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management
Journal of operations management
Journal of purchasing and supply management
Management Science
Operations Management Review
Sloan Management Review