Assess The History And Trends Of Operations Management
Assess the history and trends of operations management, focusing on
The final project for this course is the creation of a project management plan. In Milestone One, you will submit the operations management section (Section I) of your project management plan. Assess the history and trends of operations management, focusing on the business or company from your business plan in the Marketing and Strategy course. Provide rationale for the selection of your business development opportunity. Detail initial estimates of demand based on your forecasts and justify your selection of forecasting methods.
Determine site location(s) and provide specific quantitative rationale for your selection. Consider the underlying business information needs of the new business and what information requirements will be needed. Outline the management information structure of the proposed business information system for your new business opportunity as part of the overall proposal based on the feedback received from Module Two. Consider specific IS concepts in Chapter 12 to outline your proposed system. For example, what elements do you plan to incorporate into your management information system?
What linkages in the information structure are proposed? Prompt: Assess the history and trends of operations management, focusing on the business or company from your business plan in the Marketing and Strategy course. Specifically, you should assess the significant forces that have shaped operations management in recent history and answer the following: ï‚· How did these forces impact the business operations of your company? ï‚· If your company does not yet exist, how do you envision these forces will impact the business operations of your company? ï‚· Critique the key obstacles and issues that confronted company management during the evolution of operations management into the modern era. How did your company’s management handle these obstacles? If your company did not exist then, how do you think they would have responded to these issues? ï‚· Assess changes to operations management philosophies and organizational structures in response to the evolving complexity of business operations. In other words, what has changed and why? Analyze the business operations of your selected company. Consider questions such as these in your response: o What organizational processes does the company use? o How do the business operations support the strategic plan, mission, and vision of the company? o What factors affect productivity and profitability? ï‚· Determine the key trends in production, quality, resource, and information management with a focus on the business operations of your company. ï‚· Assess the impact of these key trends on the business operations of your selected company and on the business product, service, or other idea in your business plan.
Paper For Above instruction
The evolution of operations management has been a pivotal force shaping modern business success, driven by a myriad of technological, economic, and organizational developments. For my selected company, a hypothetical organic food delivery service, understanding these forces is essential to crafting an effective operations strategy that aligns with broader business objectives and current market trends. This paper critically assesses the significant forces influencing operations management, explores historical obstacles, analyzes adaptations in organizational structures, and evaluates the key trends affecting productivity and profitability in the industry.
Significant Forces Shaping Operations Management
The landscape of operations management has been heavily influenced by technological advancements, globalization, and evolving consumer expectations. The advent of digital technologies, including automation, cloud computing, and data analytics, has revolutionized how businesses manage processes, optimize supply chains, and enhance customer engagement (Heizer, Render, & Munson, 2020). For my company, integrating data analytics allows for precise demand forecasting and inventory management, reducing waste and improving delivery efficiency. Globalization has expanded market reach but also introduced complexities related to supply chain coordination across borders, necessitating sophisticated information systems to track and manage inputs (Fisher, 2018). Furthermore, shifting consumer preferences toward organic and sustainable products have driven companies to enhance transparency, quality controls, and sustainable practices (Kumar & Rahman, 2021).
Impact on Business Operations
These forces have profoundly impacted business operations by compelling companies to innovate continuously and adopt flexible, technology-enabled processes. For my organic food delivery service, technological integration enables real-time order tracking, dynamic routing, and personalized customer communication. However, the increased reliance on advanced systems exposes operations to cybersecurity risks, requiring robust security measures. Additionally, the pressure to meet high standards for organic certification and sustainability adds operational complexity, demanding rigorous supply chain management and quality assurance processes (Cheng & Chiu, 2022). From a strategic standpoint, these forces influence how resources are allocated and how operational agility can be maintained in a competitive environment.
Obstacles and Management Responses
Historically, the evolution of operations management faced obstacles such as resistance to change, supply chain disruptions, and capacity constraints. In the early days, companies struggled with labor efficiencies and limited technological support, while modern challenges include aligning technological upgrades with organizational culture (Meredith & Shafer, 2019). My company's management approach would involve proactive change management strategies, including staff training, phased technology implementation, and supplier partnerships to mitigate disruptions. Ensuring alignment with sustainability goals and consumer expectations adds further complexity, requiring adaptive leadership and continuous improvement frameworks.
Changes in Operations Management Philosophies and Structures
Modern operations management emphasizes a shift from mass production to flexible, customer-centric models. Lean management, Six Sigma, and agile methodologies prioritize waste reduction, quality improvements, and responsiveness (Slack, Brandon-Jones, & Burgess, 2021). Organizational structures have transitioned from hierarchical to more decentralized and team-oriented models to facilitate faster decision-making and innovation. For my company, adopting a flexible organizational structure supports rapid response to market shifts, customizing delivery routes, and adjusting product offerings based on customer feedback. These changes reflect the increasing complexity and dynamism of contemporary business environments.
Business Operations Analysis
My company's operational processes revolve around procurement, inventory management, order fulfillment, and delivery logistics. The company employs an integrated supply chain management system, utilizing ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) tools to synchronize activities from supplier procurement to customer delivery. These processes support the strategic objectives of providing fresh, organic products reliably and swiftly, which aligns with the company's mission to promote healthy lifestyles and sustainability. Factors such as supplier reliability, transportation efficiency, and regulatory compliance directly impact productivity and profitability (Christopher, 2016). Continuous improvement initiatives focus on reducing lead times and minimizing waste, enhancing competitive advantage.
Key Trends in Production, Quality, Resources, and Information Management
Key trends influencing operations include automation in procurement processes, the adoption of IoT (Internet of Things) for real-time tracking, and increased emphasis on quality management systems. Specifically, integrating IoT sensors allows for monitoring environmental conditions during transportation, ensuring product quality (Kumar et al., 2022). Quality management standards, such as HACCP and ISO 22000, have become integral to ensure compliance and customer trust. Resource management has shifted towards sustainable sourcing and energy-efficient logistics, reducing carbon footprint. Advances in information management focus on predictive analytics and AI-driven demand forecasting, which optimize stock levels and reduce waste (Singh & Khandelwal, 2020).
Impact of Key Trends
These trends substantially impact operational efficiency, product quality, and customer satisfaction. For example, IoT-enabled tracking minimizes spoilage and guarantees freshness, strengthening brand reputation. Sustainable sourcing reduces costs related to waste and energy, positively influencing profitability. AI-driven forecasting improves inventory accuracy, reducing stockouts and excess inventory, thereby enhancing resource utilization (Feng & Zhang, 2022). Overall, embracing these trends positions my company competitively within the organic food industry, aligned with growing consumer demand for transparency and eco-friendly practices.
References
- Cheng, D., & Chiu, R. (2022). Supply chain resilience: Strategies for sustainable growth. Journal of Business Logistics, 43(2), 123-135.
- Feng, Y., & Zhang, J. (2022). Artificial intelligence in supply chain management: Impact and challenges. International Journal of Production Economics, 107(1), 22-35.
- Fisher, C. (2018). Global supply chain management. Pearson Education.
- Heizer, J., Render, B., & Munson, C. (2020). Operations Management (13th ed.). Pearson.
- Kumar, S., & Rahman, Z. (2021). Sustainability in food supply chains: Drivers and challenges. Sustainability, 13(5), 2311.
- Kumar, V., Singh, R., & Sharma, G. (2022). IoT-enabled supply chain visibility: Benefits and barriers. Journal of Supply Chain Management, 58(3), 45-58.
- Meredith, J. R., & Shafer, S. M. (2019). Operations Management (12th ed.). Wiley.
- Slack, N., Brandon-Jones, A., & Burgess, N. (2021). Operations Management (9th ed.). Pearson.
- Smilar, M., & Choudhury, S. (2017). Trends in quality management systems. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 28(3-4), 253-272.
- Singh, P., & Khandelwal, S. (2020). Big data analytics in supply chain management. International Journal of Information Management, 50, 253-262.