5B001E - The Hidden Engine: How Supply Chains Power Sustainable Business 01 Sep 2026 - 31 Aug 2032 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 5B001E
Module Title: The Hidden Engine: How Supply Chains Power Sustainable Business
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Business Management
Faculty Sub Group: Business Management
Module Leader: Scott Parfitt
Module Team: Luke Evans, Amy Nguyen,
First Intended Intake: SEP 2026 Final Year of Intake: 2031
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100078 - business and management
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2026
Valid To 31 Aug 2032

Module Aims

The main aims of the module are: 

  • Aim 1 To develop students’ understanding of the strategic and operational roles of procurement, logistics, and operations within contemporary supply chains. 

  • Aim 2 To enable students to critically evaluate sustainability and carbon literacy concepts, including Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, in relation to procurement and supply chain decision-making. 

  • Aim 3 To equip students with the applied skills and analytical capabilities required to balance efficiency, innovation, and environmental responsibility in global supply chain management. 

Content Summary

This module equips students with the knowledge and skills required to understand, apply, and analyse the interconnected functions of procurement, logistics, and operations within contemporary supply chains. Procurement is introduced as a strategic enabler that goes beyond cost reduction to deliver value, innovation, and sustainability, while logistics and operations are explored as mechanisms that ensure efficiency, resilience, and competitive advantage in a global context. 

A distinctive feature of this module is the integration of carbon literacy, enabling students to recognise the environmental impact of supply chain decisions across Scope 1 (direct), Scope 2 (indirect energy), and Scope 3 (value chain) emissions. This framework helps students evaluate approaches that support carbon reduction and sustainable practices at organisational and network levels. By embedding carbon literacy within the study of procurement and supply chain operations, students gain a holistic understanding of h,w organisations can balance economic performance with environmental responsibility. 

The focus on both strategic and operational dimensions ensures that students develop applied insights alongside analytical skills, preparing them for managerial roles in today’s complex, digitally connected, and sustainability-driven business environment.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lectures 12
Practical Classes and Workshops 44
Groupwork 50
Guided Study 114
Formative Assessment 20
Summative Assessment 60
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Apply principles of sustainable procurement, logistics and operations to contemporary supply chain scenarios.
LO2 Analyse the role of sustainability and carbon literacy at both the individual level and within supply chain management, considering their application in theory and practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Portfolio 1 students will need to produce a Carbon Literacy Reflection, of 750 words, students will complete a group reflection (20 minutes equivalent), worth 60% of their grade. 10% of the mark will be allocated for students engagement and conduct throughout the module, reflecting the workplace behaviours required of Business & Management graduates. 20 750 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Portfolio 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Essential Reading: 

  • Baily, P., Farmer, D., Crocker, B., Jessop, D. and Jones, D. Procurement Principles and Management in the Digital Age. 12th ed. (2022). 

  • Lysons, K. and Farrington, B. Procurement and Supply Chain Management. 10th ed. (2020). 

  • Mangan, J., Calatayud, A. and Lalwani, C. Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management. 5th ed. (2025). 

  • Tate, W., Ellram, L.M. and Bals, L. Handbook of Theories for Purchasing, Supply Chain and Management Research. (2022). 

  • Mena, C., van Hoek, R.I. and Christopher, M. Leading Procurement Strategy: Driving Value through the Supply Chain. (2021).