MSc in Procurement and Supply Chain Management

This module offers advanced insights into the theory, practices, processes, and contemporary perspectives in Sustainable Procurement within an international context. In today's global landscape marked by climate crises, environmental degradation, and significant social disparities, the integration of sustainability into procurement practices is imperative. Therefore, this module seeks to familiarise participants with essential procurement concepts while providing guidance on incorporating sustainability into all procurement activities.

The supply chain management module aims to provide learners with advanced knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern supply chains. With recent disruptions highlighting the vulnerability of global supply networks, this module emphasises the need to both understand and address these varied challenges, while incorporating increasing sustainability requirements in a rapidly developing technological environment.

The evolving ESG, and sustainable finance legal and regulatory landscape, is having a significant impact on the financial services sector, and organisations and their financing policy and decision-making. This module looks at this changing environment and considers the impact on capital markets, investment and trading, including products, pricing, risk and return.
The importance of being able to identify and manage financial risk is essential and the module considers the responsibilities of both investors and the investment product provider.
 

This module will equip learners with the practical skills necessary to develop and implement effective circular procurement strategies. Through interactive exercises and simulations, learners will learn how to evaluate different circular procurement models, such as product-as-a-service and closed-loop supply chains and identify the most suitable approaches for specific organizational contexts. They will also explore methods for integrating circularity criteria into procurement policies, contracts, and supplier relationships, enabling them to effectively incorporate circular principles into procurement decision-making processes.

Business Research Methods is a crucial module in the MSc programme, preparing learners for the dissertation/ Industry Project, which constitutes a third of the credits earned. In this module, learners will gain knowledge and insight into the nature, purpose, and significance of business, commercial and academic research. The module will guide learners on how to conduct a critical literature review using the best practices to develop a critical approach. Workshops will cover various primary data collection and analysis techniques. Learners will develop an understanding of both quantitative and qualitative research methods and learn how to effectively choose and apply them in their research. Learners develop the skillsets to argue and defend their work in a professional manner.
 

This module examines the role played by leaders in organisations globally, particularly how leadership determines organisational culture and responds to internal and external influences, not least ethical and environmental challenges, and how leadership both drives and responds to organisational change. The module encourages learners to critically examine leadership models in organisations with which they may be familiar; to gain knowledge and understanding of new models; to consider how they can reflect and modify their own current or future leadership and management behaviours; and to recognise the importance of continuous reflective practice and development for those in leadership roles worldwide. Learners undertaking this module typically come from a wide variety of international backgrounds and the cross-cultural fertilisation that this makes possible is highly beneficial.

This module provides learners with technological skills and tools which can be brought to bear across the knowledge and competencies developed in other modules. The module also cultivates professional competencies like communication and teamwork, alongside commercial awareness and understanding of global business dynamics within technology-driven supply chains. 

This module is divided into three parts.

Part 1 introduces the learners to fundamental functions in spreadsheets and how to apply the skill to perform quantitative analysis approaches in logistics and supply chain management. Learners will explore how to use spreadsheets to model various problems in supply chain and logistics management. 

Part 2 will be exposed to Power BI and Google Looker and the learner investigate how the mainstream supply chain information systems work, how information technology can improve the efficiency of supply chain management, and what are the up-to-date information technology used in logistics and supply chain management to allow for greater visibility, better integration and ‘leaner’ supply chains in more sustainable systems of control and delivery. This session will include a guest presenter showing how Power BI is applied in a real-world context.

Part 3 Introduces the concepts and practical application of machine learning into the supply chain sector. Identifying how it can provide efficiencies and value to create competitive advantage. 

The Business Negotiations module  equips students with the essential knowledge and skills required to engage in effective and ethical negotiations within the context of supply chain management. The objectives of the module include providing students with a comprehensive understanding of negotiation theories, strategies, and tactics relevant to sustainable supply chains. 

Students will learn to analyse negotiation situations through the lens of sustainability, considering environmental, social, and economic factors. They will develop proficiency in communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making techniques tailored to the complexities of modern supply chain negotiations.

Through interactive simulations, case studies, and practical exercises, students will enhance their ability to negotiate fair and mutually beneficial agreements while upholding ethical standards and advancing sustainability goals within supply chain relationships.

This module relate to the supply chain impact on communities and society, on environmental aspects, and on ethical trading and business conduct from a sustainable procurement perspective. The module looks at the alignment of sustainable goals, targets and metrics of any organisation with their supply chain to create and maintain a resilient compliant sustainable supply chain.

The aim of this module is to equip learners with a comprehensive understanding of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), focusing on its implications for sustainable procurement practices. By exploring the directive's requirements, learners will learn how to integrate sustainability into procurement strategies effectively, ensuring that their organisations not only comply with regulatory standards but also contribute positively to environmental and social objectives.

This module builds significantly on the outcomes of the semester 1 modules Sustainable Procurement and Supply Chain Management. 

This module introduces and develops the concepts, perspectives and tools associated with the European (EU) Voluntary Small, Medium, Enterprise(VSME) standard, recommended. It provides conceptual understanding and places the concepts and tools within the complexities of  the EU Green Deal, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and other related EU directives that are or can be applicable to SMEs. 

This central aim of the module is to ensure learners possess the understanding and tools to critically assess, embed and promote the variety of sustainable purpose, policies, actions, targets and metrics to build resilience and compliance across all links in the supply and value chain. 

This module provides a foundation in the international trading structures that underpin international logistics management. It develops learners’ strategic and critical thinking and practical understanding of the global market place, the dynamics of international trade and the key enabling international trade agreements and trade/transport routes. It connects in with learning in other modules, specifically in inventory management, supply chain management and sustainable procurement. The module is designed to build the competencies needed to work in a professional environment, together with developing soft skills (namely teamwork, oral and written communication and IT skills).

The Dissertation provides an opportunity for learners to enhance their research and business communication skills and contribute significantly to their chosen field through inquiry. By drawing on substantial research, literature, concepts and techniques, learners will combine management theory and practice. They will be assisted in devising the research question, designing an appropriate methodology, critically reviewing relevant literature, and creating the dissertation report. 

The Dissertation by Practice - Industry Report module involves an in-depth exploration of a specialised area or issue central to procurement and supply chain management. Drawing on substantial relevant research, literature, concepts and techniques learners will seek to combine management theory and practice to address real-world workplace research questions. These research projects will be performed under supervision, on behalf of, and in conjunction with, industry. Industry may opt to have learners complete the dissertation externally, or on an employed basis, where the learner carries out the project in the workplace itself. The research questions and projects will generally be sourced by the school but, in cases where prior approval is sought, can also be sourced by the learner.

Study Mode: Full-Time

Limerick 

EUR 8,150.00

Study Mode: Part-Time

Dublin

EUR 10,200.00

Limerick

EUR 4,800.00 per year

Study Mode: Full-Time

Please refer to the Irish/EU Living Abroad Fees section.

Study Mode: Full-Time

Dublin/Limerick

Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.

Non-EU students: a Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.