Operations Management: A Strategic Approach

`This reader is an outstanding piece of work. It captures the essence of operations management by providing an interesting and sometimes provoking set of readings. It also provides an excellent review of the topic. Its approach to operations management is both topical and comprehensive. The editors have done an outstanding job of including many of the significant recent developments in the area, particularly in the technology and operations strategy areas′ - Nigel Slack, Professor of Operations Strategy, Warwick University

How have consumer demands, environmental and ethical concerns, the advancement of technology and the globalization of business changed and redefined operations management?

This Reader explains new and emerging areas and re-evaluates some important mainstream issues. Leading specialists contribute their experiences and thoughts on four key areas. They are:

- Strategy - makes the case for regarding operations as a strategic asset in their own right

- Methodology - examines the myriad of approaches taken towards process improvement

- Technology - asks why problems associated with the implementation of technology continue to dog organisations

- Human Issues - repositions human input to the top of the operational agenda

Alison Bettley is Senior Lecturer in Technology Management in the Open University′s Faculty of Technology. She is chair of course T883 and also contributes to the Technology Strategy course that forms another core element of the university′s postgraduate programmes in Technology Management. Alison′s professional background in R&D and technical service management is reflected in her current research interests covering the strategic management of technology, the marketing of high technology products and the operations management of contract R&D enterprises.

David Mayle is an academic with the Open University Business School, where he currently chairs courses on Creative Management (B822 on the MBA) and on Managing Resources (B752 on the Professional Diploma). He is currently also chairing T836, Operations Management for the Faculty of Technology. After a period as head of the Business School′s Centre for Information and Innovation, he is now involved in the i10 project (a consortium of universities in the east of England). He is co-ordinating the design and production of a series of eLearning modules for use by business in the region. His other current research project concerns a study of value-based leadership for the 21st century. His most recent OU Reader was Managing innovation and change for the Creative Management course (Sage, 2002).

Tarek Tantoush is Staff tutor in technology at The Open University in the East Midlands for the Faculty, based in Nottingham. He is an academic programme co-ordinator for the postgraduate national office in Nottingham, managing a wide range of PG programmes in computing and technology. His particular interests include systems, manufacturing systems, operations management, organisational studies, and Islamic and Arabic studies. He has lectured and researched in most of these areas. He also managed research projects and has experience as a business technology advisor.