Operations Strategy
Objectives
In the last years we have seen a lot of references to manufacturing of the future. Industry 4.0, Internet of Things, Additive manufacturing, 3D Printing, Machine learning, Open Innovation, Service 4.0, Supply Chain 4.0 are frequent terms in a diversity of publications and media.
But, what is their relevance for the development and management of the processes used to produce and deliver goods and services? How will operations change?
To analyze, and search for answers, these questions in order to prepare the future we need to know, and understand, the past and the tools we have been using. This is the objective of this course.
This course provides a framework to describe and formulate an operations strategy and understand and evaluate the key decisions in operations that have a substantial impact on a firm's competitive position. Thus, the word strategy has two connotations: formulating an operational strategy (long-term plan) and making strategic (important) operational decisions.
General characterization
Code
2451
Credits
3.5
Responsible teacher
Utku Serhatli
Hours
Weekly - Available soon
Total - Available soon
Teaching language
English
Prerequisites
n/a
Bibliography
Classes Articles to be defined (some will be available through moodle, others will available through internet sources) Notes developed by the instructor Slides of the classes
Teaching method
Students are expected to read/prepare a case, or an exercise, before classes. It estimated that it will take between 1 hour and 1 and half hours to read/prepare each case.
A learning process improves when one looks back and evaluates the topics discussed in class. With that objective, each student might be asked to email a note commenting on some of the questions discussed in the previous week (A note around 1-2 pages).
Evaluation method
The evaluation of the students will be based on class participation, home assignments, a group project, and final exam. Class participation will be evaluated considering the quality of the comments and contribution to the development of the class. The project involves reading papers about an issue relevant to the topics of the course, submitting a report, and preparing a presentation.
GRADING: Class participation: 10%; Assignments: 15% Group project: 25% Final exam: 50%
Subject matter
Operations Management vs Operations Strategy
Resource Perspective and Market Perspective
A preview of things to come - how does the course work?
Content and Process
Operations Strategy Content: Performance Objectives and Decision Areas
Principle of Focus: operational focus increases operational efficiency Focused processes as an extreme case of a perfect fit between value proposition and operations strategy (alignment).
Capacity Decisions
Impact of Uncertainty and Variability
Forecasts
Shouldice case study
Zara's Operations Strategy
Business Model Innovation
Strategic Sourcing and Supply Management
Vertical Integration vs horizontal Integration
Supply Chain Contracts
Supply Chain Simulations
Bullwhip Effect
Student Presentations
Programs
Programs where the course is taught: