Aims and Fit of Module

The aim of the module is to provide students automotive industry benchmark:

“Toyota: how it effectively manages and operates supply chain” 


The module covers an extensive range of subjects, including supply chain strategy, production planning, supplier management, logistics, etc. 


The module enables student to: 

(i)	understand Toyota Way of supply chain management in automotive industry, 

(ii)	understand process details with practical example how Toyota manage supply chain

(iii)	identify what is unique of Toyota from its best practice and know how non-automotive industry learn from the Toyota Way supply chain management. 

In that this is an optional module, to well utilise the university resource, the module delivery is subject to meeting a minimum number of students (10).

Learning outcomes

A. Synthesise the core pillars of the Toyota Production System (TPS)—specifically Heijunka (levelling) and Jidoka (autonomation)—to design a lean, yet responsive, automotive supply network.
B. Critically appraise the "Just-in-Time" (JIT) philosophy against the necessity for supply chain resilience in an era of persistent geopolitical and logistical volatility.
C. Formulate strategic interventions to mitigate the risks of "Single-Point-of-Failure" (SPOF) within the automotive component categories (e.g., semiconductors, battery chemistry).
D. Evaluate the friction between traditional Lean methodologies and the rapid-cycle demands of the transition to Electric Vehicle (EV) production and software-defined supply chains.

Method of teaching and learning

The module’s teaching philosophy aligns with Syntegrative Education. In line with this, the concepts in this module will be taught through a combination of lectures, discussions, and case-based dialogue, with an emphasis on active learning. The Syntegrative Education philosophy is also carried through in assessment, with a reduction in exams and an increase in coursework, especially project-focused, problem-based assessments. The delivery pattern provides students with space in the semester to focus on completing the assessments.

Besides formal lectures and case-based tutorials, the module is also expected to offer practice-based sharing by automotive industry experts, including an OEM plant visit.

Since this is an optional module, to utilise university resources effectively, the module delivery is subject to a minimum number of students (10).