Operations Management

Operations management is important, it is exciting, and it is challenging. It is concerned with creating the products and services upon which we all depend and creating products and services is the very reason for any organization's existence, whether that organization is large or small, manufacturing or service, for profit or not for profit. Operations management is also at the centre of so many of the changes affecting the business world - changes in customer preference, changes in supply networks brought about by internet-based technologies, and changes in the extent of environmental responsibility that we expect from companies.

This revised and fully updated edition of this book continues to provide a clear, well-structured and comprehensive treatment of the subject, balancing a logical approach with the insights that come from operations practice around the world. This text looks at how operations can be managed in order to support and contribute to the strategic objectives of an organization. It is relevant to manufacturing and service operations and is written from a European perspective with examples from different countries.

It is divided into five parts for ease of use. In the first part, a clear general overview is provided of the nature and scope of operations management. Part two looks at the nature and design of operation processes and Part three examines planning and control. Part four looks at ways in which operations can be improved through an examination of failure prevention and recovery and in the final part, the main points discussed thus far are brought together in a look at the strategic role of operations. It includes management techniques such as TQM and JIT.

Operations management is important, it is exciting, and it is challenging. It is concerned with creating the products and services upon which we all depend and creating products and services is the very reason for any organization¿s existence, whether that organization be large or small, manufacturing or service, for profit or not for profit. Operations management is also at the centre of so many of the changes affecting the business world ¿ changes in customer preference, changes in supply networks brought about by internet-based technologies, and changes in the extent of environmental responsibility that we expect from companies. This revised and fully updated edition of Operations Management continues to provide a clear, well-structured and comprehensive treatment of the subject, balancing a logical approach with the insights that come from operations practice around the world. New edition features:

• Greater emphasis on the important topics in current operations practice, such as Supply Chain Management, Internet-based technology, Process design, and Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP)
• A Glossary that provides brief explanations of the key terms used in the book
• An updated set of boxed examples from real operations, including one to begin each chapter and establish the broad principles that will be covered
• More 'Worked examples' covering both qualitative and quantitative techniques
• An extended set of 'Critical Commentaries' that propose alternative views to those discussed in the chapter.
• A set of 'Study Activities' at the end of each chapter. These are short exercises, often involving some degree of investigative work, that can be tackled in groups or individually
• An enhanced Companion website that includes student study guides, many more short case examples with worked answers, hints on how to approach the study cctivities and new multiple choice questions.

Classic features: THE authoritative, managerial view of the subject A clear structure based on a model of operations management that distinguishes between design, planning and control, and improvement ¿Boxed¿ examples that explain the issues faced by real operations in both Service and Manufacturing organizations Case Exercises that provide opportunities to test your understanding Recommended further readings, now with comments on their content and use 'Key Questions' at the beginning of each chapter with matching 'Summary Answers' at the end This market-leading book is vital reading for everyone interested in operations management whether studying for undergraduate and masters degrees or professional qualifications.