GRA 8132 Operational Management - RE-SIT EXAMINATION
APPLIES TO ACADEMIC YEAR 2012/2013
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GRA 8132 Operational Management - RE-SIT EXAMINATION Responsible for the course Jon Lereim Department Department of Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Term According to study plan ECTS Credits 6 Language of instruction English Introduction The focus of this module is on how to design, plan, implement and manage the operations processes in industries and service organizations for maintaining and improving production processes with respect to cost effectiveness and sustained competitive advantage. The operations environments are frequently characterized by an ever increasing pressure to improve the operations processes and corresponding improved output results with respect to production rate, capacity, regularity and reliability, cost effectiveness, competitiveness, quality and customer satisfaction. These harsh requirements lead to the demand for excellent leadership and management of operations and production. It requires a management attitude and understanding that are founded on cross-functional competencies with the desire to achieve operational and commercial performance related to customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and impact on society and on the respective business results of a financial as well as a non-financial nature. Deriving appropriate key performance indicators associated with corresponding strategy maps is a part of this effort. Furthermore, the students shall be capable of assessing alternative investments for operations improvements, whether that is through investing in new operations facilities and equipment, or through extension and upgrading of existing production facilities. Cost effective operations and lean manufacturing are relying on smooth and smart materials management and supply chain management. These processes must be fully integrated in the business operations processes for the company of consideration. In this context the demand for standardization is critical, both on component standardization as well as on system standardization. The challenges are to meet both the demand for further standardization and at the same time meet the individual request for customization. These topics are particularly important in the global business world, with numerous suppliers and sub suppliers. Commercial Management of operations is to hunt ever more cost effective solutions and operations. It must combine the understanding of lean manufacturing with business excellence. That means not only focusing on cost cuts, but as much on cost efficiency and effectiveness and on product attractiveness and competitiveness in the respective markets. It request innovation combined with efficiency and effectiveness. That may be achieved in a business system model reflecting effectiveness and degree of standardization combined with innovation and agility. The delivery of products and services must meet all specified and expected quality standards and requirements set by the customer, which require a thorough understanding of the importance and impact of a Total Quality Management approach in operations and for continuous improvements. In this context the students shall learn about how to benchmark and what are relevant parameters for benchmarking and for continuous improvements.
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