Bachelor of Commerce in Operations Management
Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Generic Management
Purpose and Rationale
Bachelor of Commerce in Operations Management
Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Commerce in Operations Management is to provide current and prospective operations managers with theoretical knowledge to manage effectively and efficiently within an operational environment, and to provide input up to a strategic level within such an environment. This will be achieved by providing enough theoretical knowledge and by providing opportunities, both in the learning environment and in the assessment process, to demonstrate the application of this knowledge within a business context.
The qualification offers entry-level operational skills, knowledge, and skills necessary for a middle-level line manager. The qualification focuses on strategic issues such as strategic management with a special emphasis on the knowledge required for strategic operations management. The second focus aims to assist learners to understand and to stay abreast of the very rapidly changing field of information technology, artificial intelligence, and robotics and the impact that the latest developments in information technology are having on the very nature and structure of operations management.
This clearly has a direct bearing on the ability of the business to participate as a global player, and a learner from this qualification should not only be knowledgeable about the latest trends in these fields, at the time of qualification, but should also be equipped to keep up-to-date with the evolving changes. In addition to preparing learners for the workplace, the qualification also provides learners with a theoretical academic foundation for them to pursue further studies.
Outcomes:
Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
- Understand and apply fundamental management knowledge and skills in an operations environment.
- Implement quality management processes in such environments.
- Be familiar with and be able to guide employees in the basic areas of operations management, and quality management including statistical process control, just in time (JIT) and material requirement planning (MRP), and risk and occupational health, safety, and environmental issues.
- Demonstrate the basics of operations management at branch, national and international levels.
- Apply the very latest information on the role of information systems in the management of production, warehousing, inventory management, and automation.
- Provide a meaningful and value-adding contribution to the strategic management and corporate governance of a large national South African company.
Exit Level Outcome:
With the rapidly changing nature of the business environment, particularly in the field of information technology, an important exit level outcome of this qualification will be the demonstrated ability of the learner to keep up to date with these changes and to access current information in this changing environment. While the first two years of study will provide a solid theoretical foundation for a practicing manager, the exit level outcomes of the third year will match the level descriptors appropriate to an NQF Level 7 qualification. The emphasis of the assessment at this level will be on the ability to "review, consolidate, analyse and synthesize information, with sound reasoning, in order to investigate complex problems and to propose feasible solutions" related to the fields of study. This will be based on the knowledge frameworks studied in the lower levels of the qualification.
Applicability:
The qualification has also been designed to be applicable in a wider range of applications. As such the qualification provides a good foundation in the fields of general management and supply chain management in addition to the specific field of operations management.
Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on and address complex problems, applying evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
- Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods of enquiry in the Operations Management field of practice, and their suitability to specific investigations### and the ability to select and apply a range of methods to resolve problems or introduce change within a practice.
- Demonstrate integrated knowledge of the central areas of business operations and cost management, including an understanding of and the ability to apply and evaluate the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of that field, discipline, or practice### and detailed knowledge of an area or areas of specialisation and how that knowledge relates to accounting practices in an organization.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply Human Resource practices in an organization.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop appropriate processes of information gathering for a given context or use### and the ability to independently validate the sources of information and evaluate and manage the information.
- Demonstrate the ability to practice wider disaster management strategies including the drawing up of procedures and protocols and the proactive implementation of these in order prevent or minimize the consequences of an incident.
- Demonstrate the ability to initialize a logistics management plan.
- Apply knowledge to analyse the latest trends and practices in operations management as well as the factors that impact on the operations.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply all aspects of Operations Management in an organisation.
- Implement Occupational Health and Safety procedures and Risk Management in a workplace.
- Demonstrate the detailed knowledge of project management in Operations Management.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate purchasing practice methods.
- Determine total quality management monitoring and evaluation systems.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage processes in unfamiliar and variable contexts, recognising that problem solving is context and system bound, and does not occur in isolation.
- Apply the Supply Chain processes and procedures in Operations Management.
Assessment Criteria
The assessment criteria outlined above cover a wide range of competencies that learners will need to demonstrate in order to successfully complete their studies in the field of Business Management. The assessments are designed to evaluate the application of theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios, the ability to conduct research, understand cost and management accounting principles, apply human resource management strategies, analyze the impact of information technology on operations and supply chain management, develop incident management plans, understand logistics management, practice effective management skills, implement quality control measures, apply strategic problem-solving techniques, understand supply chain management concepts, and implement occupational health and safety policies.
The assessments include both formative and summative methods to ensure that learners receive constructive feedback on their progress and are able to demonstrate their competence in the subject matter. Formative assessments include self-assessment activities, case studies, knowledge tests, report writing, contact sessions, and project-based assignments. These assessments help identify gaps in knowledge and provide opportunities for additional support to learners who may need it.
Summative assessments, on the other hand, occur at the end of each study cycle and are used to determine whether learners have achieved the required level of competence. These assessments include formal written examinations, oral assessments, tests, and assignments. The final examination typically makes up 60% of the final mark, with assignments contributing 40%. Learners have multiple opportunities to write the final examination, with additional support provided for those who may need to resubmit assignments or retake exams.
Overall, the integrated assessment strategy ensures that learners are thoroughly evaluated on their ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, conduct research, analyze data, demonstrate management skills, implement quality control measures, and understand various aspects of business operations.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.