Run by School of History, Law and Social Sciences

15.000 Credits or 7.500 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Mr Ceri Evans

This module focuses on elevating candidates skills and understanding in how best to address a range of core management and strategic issues in procurement. This module will be particularly interesting for those occupying, or seeking elevation to, senior procurement positions. The module will cover a variety of topics, including how to structure the procurement function and how to develop appropriate and relevant procurement strategies for different types of organisation. It will also explore different sources of power and power positions, and will examine theory in relation to conflict and conflict resolution techniques. The module will also have a significant focus on socially responsible procurement and will address this topic from a number of core angles, specifically in relation to community benefits; engaging with SME suppliers; and human trafficking and public procurement.

• Structure of the procurement function: centralisation vs decentralisation debate.
• Managing Power & Dependency issues in buyer-supplier relationships.
• Engaging in Socially responsible procurement – SME suppliers.
• Engaging in Socially responsible procurement – Human Trafficking.
• Engaging in Socially responsible procurement – Community Benefits.
• Developing procurement strategies.

good

(60-69% / B- to B +) Displays accomplished ability within a specialized area of knowledge and skills, employing good quality skills to conduct research. Good work in this module will demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of current issues in this field of study. It shows a critical awareness of current problems, much of which is at, or informed by thinking at, the forefront of the academic discipline. Work at this level shows a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to the student’s own research. It shows an ability to apply knowledge in an original way, and to use established techniques of research and enquiry to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline. The conceptual understanding evidenced in the work indicates that the student can evaluate advanced scholarship in the discipline. The work shows an ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, and, where appropriate, propose hypotheses.

excellent

(70%+ A-to A*) Displays mastery of a complex and specialized area of knowledge and skills, employing advanced skills to conduct research. Excellent work in this module will contain the qualities recognized in good work, but will show them in a more consistent way, and at all points. It will demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding of current issues in this field of study. It shows a critical awareness of current problems, much of which is at the forefront of this academic discipline. Work at this level shows a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to the student’s own research or to advanced scholarship. It shows throughout an ability to apply knowledge in an original way, and to use established techniques of research and enquiry to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline. The conceptual understanding evidenced in the work indicates that the student can critically evaluate advanced scholarship in the discipline, and do so in a consistent manner. The work shows an ability to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them, and, where appropriate, propose hypotheses.

threshold

(50-59% /C- to C+) Displays ability within a specialized area of knowledge and skills, employing appropriate skills to conduct research. Work at threshold quality demonstrates an adequate knowledge and understanding of current issues in this field of study. It shows a critical awareness of current problems, some of which is informed by thinking at the forefront of the academic discipline. Work at this level shows a developing understanding of techniques applicable to the student’s own research. It shows an ability of apply knowledge in an original way, and to use established techniques of research and enquiry to interpret knowledge in the discipline. The conceptual understanding evidenced by the work indicates that the student can evaluate scholarship in the field.

1. Critically evaluate how the public sector can engage in socially responsible procurement by reducing risks related to human trafficking.

2. Critique how to develop suitable, acceptable and feasible procurement strategies.

3. Critically evaluate different structures for the procurement function and the implications of this.

4. Critically examine the various strategies that can be used to adopt an SME-friendly approach to procurement.

5. Critically assess how to manage power and dependency issues in buyer-supplier relationships.

6. Critically evaluate how community benefits can be achieved through public procurement.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT		100.00

		Hours
Lecture	Teaching will be in the form of a dynamic combination of pre-recorded lectures available on Blackboard and on-line live lectures facilitated by the lecturer, as well as case study analysis at designated times. Students unable to participate at the time of on-line live delivery would be able to download the recordings. The majority of the sessions will be pre-recorded, with the remainder to be on-line live lectures.	16
Private study	Participants will be provided with additional materials for private study and will also have access to the Bangor University library on-line library catalogues.	134

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
• Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

• Students will acquire critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, informed by the latest academic literature, legislation and case law.

Reading list

C.Mena, R.Hoek and M.Christopher. Leading Procurement Strategy (Kogan Page, 2014).

A wide range of further reading materials will be included on Blackboard at the end of each lecture. Participants will also have access to the Bangor University online library databases.

Optional in courses:

• M1AY: LLM Procurement Law, Strategy & Practice (Distance Learning) year 1 (LLM/PLSP)