A Decision Support Framework for Curriculum Planning in Undergraduate Supply Chain Management Program: An Integrated Approach

Abstract

Curriculum planning is an important but complex and challenging decision-making problem at universities. There is a growing interest in curriculum planning problem. However, the body of research on curriculum planning process using analytical methods is still small. Additionally, prior research focused on planning of an individual curriculum or making study plan for students. Curriculum planning at the program level is an under-researched topic. A robust model has not been constructed to address curriculum selection and credit allocation problems simultaneously. To help educational leaders make the most appropriate curriculum plan corresponding to their goals with the highest level of utility achieved, this study presents a new decision support framework with integrated approach. In the proposed framework, based on the competency weights derived from the analytical hierarchy process method, the importance of each potential curriculum is evaluated using the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. An exploratory estimation is made to calculate the contribution values of competency development by each curriculum taught at different levels. Finally, multichoice goal programming with utility function determines the curriculum to be provided and corresponding credits to minimize the aggregate deviations from predefined goals with multiple aspirations. An application to curriculum planning of an undergraduate supply chain management program is presented to validate the flexibility and practicality of the proposed approach. The implications of the study are not restricted to curriculum planning of supply chain management program.

Unpacking Smart Campus Assessment: Developing a Framework via Narrative Literature Review

“…In addition, a most appropriate curriculum plan should be created, aligned with goals, and maintained to remain current and relevant. An integrated decision support framework addresses two key features of curriculum planning including curriculum selection and credit allocation [159]. Finally, universities require inventory management in their business operations, where the use of software automates inventories to streamline operations and ensure robust record management [160].…”

An Integrated MCDM Model for Sustainable Course Planning: An Empirical Case Study in Accounting Education

“…Ref. [5] designed a three-phase framework to develop a course plan for an undergraduate supply chain management program. A list of potential courses was proposed in the first phase, and the second phase evaluated the importance of each course based on the AHP and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method.…”

“…Equation (18) indicates the predecessor-successor relationship. In other words, the successor course z should be assigned to a later semester than its predecessor course v. O is the set of predecessor-successor pairs, and O = {(1, 5), (5,6), (1,7), (1,9), (9,14)}. Equation ( 19) is a binary (0-1) decision variable.…”

“…A welldesigned course plan is the prerequisite and foundation for developing a detailed course timetable of each semester, as well as the guideline for carrying out daily teaching and learning activities. The quality of the program-level course plan could impact a school's reputation and its attractiveness to potential applicants [5]. As the saying goes, "well begun is half done".…”

“…To enhance the quality of accounting education, this paper attempts to plan the courses of an undergraduate accounting program for sustainable development. Most of the previously published works on the PCPP describe research carried out in the field of pedagogy, and very few studies are conducted at the operational level [5]. Additionally, limited research has been undertaken to assess the relationship between courses and sustainability competencies [18].…”