OVERVIEW
This chapter—the last of three chapters devoted to management and organization focuses on the management responsibilities associated with operations management (or simply production). We define operations management as all the activities managers engage in to produce goods and services. We discuss global competition and show how U.S. firms are attempting to regain a competitive edge on foreign manufacturers. We also introduce careers in operational management and explain how a student, as an operations manager, can fit into the production process. We describe the conversion of resources into products and services through the focus of the conversion, its magnitude, and the number of production processes used by a business. We also note the relationship of operations management to the growing role of services in our economy. Then we examine more closely three important aspects of operations management: the need for new-product development, planning for production, and operations control, which includes purchasing, inventory control, scheduling, and quality control. We conclude with a discussion of two contemporary issues in operations management: the factors involved in recent productivity trends, and the impact of robotics, computer manufacturing systems, and flexible manufacturing systems.
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Learning Objectives
After studying this chapter, students should be able to:
1. Explain the nature of production.
2. Outline how the conversion process transforms raw materials, labor, and other resources into finished products or services.
3. Describe how research and development lead to new products and services.
4. Discuss the components involved in planning the production process.
5. Explain how purchasing, inventory control, scheduling, and quality control affect production.
6. Summarize how productivity and technology are related. |
Format for Discussion Questions: Typed, (Question in bold) followed by double space and then your answer.
Assignments may be
submitted in class paper copy, email, or via Blackboard.
Late assgnments will recieve a maximum of 50% credit
CLASS PREPARATION
READ Chapter 8,Video Case8.1 Be prepared to discuss the questions at the end of the case
READ RUnning a Business Part III Finagle a Bagel's Management, Organization, and Product Finesse be prepared to discuss the questions at the end of the case
Answer Discussion Questions 1,3,5,6
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