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Research Methodologies in Operations and Supply Chain Management, 7.5 Credits

Forskningsmetoder i verksamhetsledning och logistik, 7,5 Högskolepoäng

Established: 2025-05-08

Established by: Department of Engineering Science

Applies from: H25

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• show knowledge of scientific and theoretical approaches within industrial engineering and management.
• show knowledge of scientific approaches to and application of various industrial engineering and management research methods.
• show knowledge and understanding of scientific goals and problem formulation within industrial engineering and management.
• show knowledge of scientific writing, reference management, and communication of research results within industrial engineering and management.

Competence and skills

• identify and formulate scientific problems and goals based on the relevant research area.
• explain and discuss scientific concepts related to relevant research areas.
• evaluate, plan, and apply appropriate research approaches and research methods based on a scientific problem.
• structure and analyze empirical material.
• critically review, evaluate, and discuss scientific publications based on relevance and reliability.
• argumentation and communication of a scientific research plan within industrial economics, and justify method choices based on the requirements for content, language, and form.

Judgement and approach

• independently and critically evaluate scientific theories and research methods.
• assess relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects of research and development work.

Entry requirements

General entry requirements and approved result from the following course/courses: KMS610 Knowledge Management in Supply Chain Management 7,5 HE credits HFT700 Achieving Sustainable Improvement and Transformation 7,5 HE credits

The forms of assessment of student performance

Individual written examination. Written project plan and opposition in groups. Mandatory seminars.

Re-examination of seminars is conducted through individual written assignments.

Course contents

The course includes knowledge of scientific approaches and research methods, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, and the application to problem areas such as practical cases, projects, and experiments. The course focuses on the ability to participate in research and development work and knowledge of planning and using appropriate methods for research-based investigations. The course has a special focus on reading and writing scientific material to promote skills and the ability to reach a deeper methodological understanding of scientific work. The course includes theoretical and practical knowledge of research methods and provides practical instructions on how to make clear statements, phrases, and references related to various research subject areas in engineering science. Ethical considerations and guidelines for technical research are included such as scientific quality and evaluation criteria. Communication techniques and the presentation of research material are practiced.

The main field of study of ​​industrial engineering and management includes industrial organization and operations management, logistics, purchasing, quality management, change management and knowledge management, with industrial marketing, financial management, business development and environmental technology as related subjects. Industrial engineering and management is defined as an interdisciplinary subject that integrates technical, organizational and economic perspectives to analyze, plan and improve resource management and business processes. The focus is on creating sustainable and effective solutions in complex systems taking into account technical, ecological, social and economic aspects from a holistic perspective. The main areas of emphasis within the main field of study of ​​industrial engineering and management at University West are knowledge management in logistics, development of Lean and agile systems with digitalization, resilience in supply chains, decision models for data-driven decision-making, operations management and quality and operations development. The subject has a strong applied and technical profile and addresses practice-relevant challenges for companies and organizations.

Other regulations

Course grading: F/Fx/E/D/C/B/A - Insufficient, Insufficient- more work required before the credit can be awarded, Sufficient, Satisfactory, Good, Very Good, Excellent

Course language: The teaching is conducted in English.

General rules pertaining to examination at University West are available at www.hv.se.

If the student has a decision/recommendation on special support due to disability, the examiner has the right to examine the student in a customized examination form.

Cycle

Second cycle

Progressive specialization

A1F - Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Main field of study

Industrial Engineering and Management