Operations Management
Every Business has a core business for which it was founded. This may be a product or service that must be exchanged for money to be reinvested into the production process, settle obligations and bring returns of some sorts to their owners. This course helps you understand what to manufacture, how, when, etc in a way that sustains the business and its various stakeholders in an around it.
Production is evolving these days as the types of products can now range from anything like electronic, physical and virtual services, requiring a contemporary approach to the department that actually makes the company’s merchandise available for the final consumer. This requires us to dig deeper into the nature of the previously-known-as-production department, analysing its environment, focus, how to optimise its functions and simplify its decision making so that it keeps a continuous supply of the right goods at the right time for the business.
• Introduction/Evolution of the Production/Operations Management • The cooperation between Operations, Marketing, Finance and Top Management • New Product Development Strategies • Production Budgeting, Planning, Execution, Monitoring, Control and Evaluation • Supply Chain Management • Various Types of Production techniques and Inventory Management practices • Total Quality Management • Operations by Projects • Supply chain management
On successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- demonstrate a critical awareness and understanding of Operations Management at the master's level that provides a basis for developing and/or applying new ideas, often within a research context.
- apply knowledge, critical understanding, and problem-solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments within broader (or multidisciplinary) contexts related to their field of study (Operations Management)
- assimilate knowledge and formulate opinions with incomplete or limited information, but that include a reflection on social and ethical responsibilities.
- communicate their assumptions, and knowledge regarding Operations Management and the rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously.
- use the acquired skills to allow them to continue to study in a manner that may be largely self-directed and autonomous.
- integrate knowledge from other courses of the master program and practical business and formulate critical judgments with incomplete data.
The course is offered as self-study in e-learning. The learning material is provided in the form of lectures, literature, and lecture notes. Independent learning is required. In the case of paper submissions, further research is expected in compliance with the given scientific standard. LIVE course sessions are offered to support the students with questions regarding the content. Students are supported in their scientific work by corresponding online seminars.
All lectures and learning materials are made available in the online campus GHU Campus. All lectures are recorded and are available for download 24/7. The lecture notes, as well as additional material provided by the lecturer, can also be accessed in the GHU Campus.
Documents for exam preparation consisting of lectures and lecture notes. Additional material provided by the lecturer serves as independent files and can be used to work on the exams. The examination comprises theory questions, reflection, and case study and is intended to confirm all learning objectives.
The assessment consists of a 5000-word Operations Management essay and assesses all learning outcomes. As a master-level assignment, the essay requires a command of a complex and specialized area of knowledge and skills. This implies that, in addition to demonstrating a sound grasp of the ideas and concepts relevant to the topic of theessay, students will show that they can evaluate aspects such as conventions of approaches, their internal consistency, relevance, and applicability, as well as strengths and weaknesses.
To reach an assessment, students will consider competing approaches and draw on critiques put forward in scholarly literature. The position adopted in the assignment and any claims made must be based on a careful, coherent, and logical arguments, need to be appropriately supported with evidence from relevant scholarly sources, and should be presented in a coherent piece of writing. Sources must be referenced appropriately in-text and in a quote/reference list as set out in the GHU Referencing Guidelines.