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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Operations Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111178  Master of Operations Management 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Finance, Economics and Accounting 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-16  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
83887  Master of Technology: Operations Management  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Master of Operations Management is to develop Postgraduate learners as researchers, who can enrich the body of knowledge within the Operations Management sector by providing critical insights into the discipline. The qualification will develop the learner's ability in the application of relevant research theory and methodology and will develop written and oral communication skills as well as analytical thinking skills which will allow learners to reflect and report on the research process and findings on an appropriate level.

Rationale:
In order to ensure continued articulation and progression, the institution has developed this qualification, to follow on from the Postgraduate Diploma in Operations Management, leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Operations Management. The Department intends to provide a research-intensive qualification that will add value to the services, products and stakeholders in the business sector. The qualification focuses on wider strategic and global issues facing manufacturing and services organisations and examines the use and application of techniques to enable operational effectiveness. This qualification provides the opportunity for learners to investigate and research the operational needs of organisations, in ways that could prove beneficial to the manufacturing and services environments.

Organisations are in competition by bringing developing new products and introducing them to the market and also by improving existing products and processes. These two aspects underpin the rationale for the Master of Operations Management, as its research focus endeavours to enrich the body of knowledge within the sector by providing the critical insights into the discipline. Given that Operations Management is an essential administrative tool that can assist with questions on organisational effectiveness and the establishment of work procedures and methods, the qualification is intended to explore and influence the quality of decision-making undertaken by future management professionals. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be applied in line with the institutions' policies and guidelines. The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Faculty will therefore endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant. The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment manages RPL according to the institution's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this qualification as set out in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment policy:
  • Through RPL a learner may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the institution.
  • Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
  • RPL in the case of a learner not complying with the formal entry requirements:
    > Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.
    > Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level.
    > Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification.
    > Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
    > Is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Dean's Committee.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Qualification in Management Services or Operations Management or Quality, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Investigate research problems creatively and innovatively by applying relevant inter-disciplinary knowledge in the chosen field of study.
    2. Apply creative solutions to complex operational management problems.
    3. Organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly, effectively and ethically.
    4. Plan and conduct applicable levels of investigation, research and/or experiments by applying appropriate operations management theories and methodologies.
    5. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with specific research audiences and the community at large. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify and assess research problem correctly.
  • Motivate for the choice of research topic chosen effectively.
  • Demonstrate the effective application of theoretical underpinnings of the discipline.
  • Integrate of relevant inter-disciplinary knowledge within the study, is illustrated.
  • Analyse operational challenges within the operations management environment.
  • Operational challenges within the operations management environment can be analysed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Use current innovative research within the discipline.
  • Construct feasible solutions to complex operational issues in the industry.
  • Integrate technology with solutions proposed.
  • Illustrate the impact of solutions on various processes, departments and systems within an organisation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Be cognisant of time and cost implications of the research study.
  • Demonstrate planning skills indicative of future managerial leaders.
  • Show evidence of ethical clearance.
  • Complete a research dissertation timeously.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Discuss relevant theoretical underpinnings for arguments critically.
  • Construct a well-developed literature review to support the research findings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Articulate the research problem and findings coherently.
  • Communicate with various stakeholders during all phases of the study in so far as they are affected by the research, using appropriate data analysis and interpretation.is evident.
  • Reference the final dissertation produced appropriately.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment of Higher Degrees is done in accordance with the Institution's Policy on Assessment.

    Integrated Assessment has application where a need exists to assure overall applied competence, to prevent disjointed learning experience and/or as a time effective assessment method. It has reference to formative, traditional summative and continuous assessment. General assessment principles and practices apply".

    Formative Assessment is conducted by utilising supervisor report and progress reports. The Summative Assessment is based on the completed dissertation submitted.

    For the full dissertation, two assessors will be required, one of whom will be an internal assessor (a full-time academic staff of the institution) and the other an external assessor. The assessors are appointed by the Faculty based on their scholarship and expertise. The recommendations of the external assessor are received by Faculty and transmitted to the learner's supervisor for further consideration, comments, corrections or improvements. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    University of Science and Technology in Hong Kong offers Master of Science in Global Operations. The qualification is developed to address the unique requirements of global operations. The research focus of this qualification will include global focus, as per the collaborative pursuits of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

    Newcastle University the United Kingdom offers Master of Science in Operations and Supply Chain Management. This qualification has a coursework component, however the research module focuses on key aspects of operations management. The qualification differs in its coursework and Supply Chain Management component; however, the focussed researched areas are similar to this qualification. These include the improvement of processes, systems and operational change management.

    University of Western Sydney in Australia offers Master of Business (Operations Management). This qualification has a coursework component, however the research module focuses on key aspects of operations management. Similarities occur in research focus, however in the Master of Business (Operations Management) offering, learners may conduct research as an internship or project. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master qualifications in Operations Management, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Operations Management, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.