Examples of previous projects
Below are a few examples of company-based projects that our students have conducted as part of their Masters course:
Reducing wastage in the blood supply chain : Learning from good inventory management in hospitals
The aim of this thesis was to identify ways to reduce the wastage of this scarce, valuable resource, which is vital for many patients. The main constraints of blood inventory management are the limited shelf-life of 35 and 5 days for red blood cells and platelets respectively and the strict regulations regarding storage, handling and temperature control. The complexity is increased by dependence on donors, the scarcity of the components, and the serious consequences of shortages. To identify ways of reducing wastage, over 20 academic models were analysed and appraised. To understand where wastage occurs, blood centres and hospitals were visited and the blood supply chain processes were analysed and mapped.
Application of supply chain management principles to assist a social enterprise to become a financially self-sustaining carpet producer
Reduced costs and improved service within the supply chain can lead to increased revenues, which in turn can reduce reliance on donated support, allowing a charity’s carpet operation to move toward financial self-sufficiency. A literature review, semi-structured interviews and financial data analysis were conducted to discover opportunities for increased market access and to formulate supply chain strategies to service these markets. Short term and long term recommendations with respect to supply chain management principles were provided.
Outsourcing of logistics functions – An assessment of the outsourcing decision process for logistics functions of an automobile manufacturer
The main aim of the thesis was to investigate the outsourcing decision process for logistics services at one automobile manufacturer. The first part of the thesis explored and identified the major factors, which influenced the outsourcing decision according to academic writers. The second part of the thesis provided an overview of the extent of logistics outsourcing and analysed and assessed the outsourcing decision process employed. Finally the thesis recommended which factors should be considered in future logistics outsourcing decisions.
Making cost, performance and efficiency comparisons between the finished goods warehouses of a major alcoholic spirits producer
This thesis examined the global finished goods warehousing network of one of the world’s largest alcoholic spirits and beverages producers. It began by establishing an initial overview of the various locations in the network based on a Pareto analysis of their average case throughputs and their other basic ownership, usage and operational characteristics. It then established a basic overall cost to output comparison between the warehouses identified in the network and set out a basic framework of key performance indicators that might be used to maintain an ongoing overview of the different locations identified. Finally, a number of models using Data Envelopment Analysis were run on a sample set of the warehouses identified to support further analysis of the various locations and draw further conclusions about their relative input-output efficiency.
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