21741 Value Chain Management

Subject level: Postgraduate

Handbook description

Operations management is about the way organisations produce goods and services. Everything we buy, eat, read and wear has to be produced. Every service we receive from hospitals, banks, local government, the local cinema, etc., has to be produced. This subject provides a broad introduction to planning, design, implementation and improvement of operations. Topics covered include operations strategy; various approaches to operations planning and control; quality management; performance measurement; supply chain management; and operations improvement. Teaching methods include case studies and a hands-on simulation exercise.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. understand the critical need for effective operations management in the design, operation and improvement of value chains
2. understand the factors that contribute to similarities and differences between operations
3. understand the relationship between business strategy, operations strategy and process design
4. use a number of analysis techniques to assess and improve value chain processes and performance
5. understand approaches to planning and controlling operations and the areas of application of different approaches
6. understand the process of setting up an effective performance measurement system
7. understand different approaches to the design of jobs and processes and the importance of taking a socio-technical perspective
8. understand challenges in the area of value chain management related to social, environmental and technological issues.

Contribution to graduate profile

This is broad based introductory subject in the area of operations management that focuses on the design and improvement of value chains. The subject exposes students to an important body of knowledge related to the design, planning, control and improvement of value chains. Participants should be able to apply what they have learned in a wide range of complex business situations. The subject involves both quantitative and qualitative approaches to process and value chain analysis. Students should also find that the skills and knowledge gained from this subject will be advantageous when they undertake the subject Strategic Management.

Teaching and learning strategies

The subject will be taught using a combination of lectures, case studies, video material and experiential exercises. These classes will be supplemented with both printed and electronic learning materials. The UTS web-based communication tool UTS Online will be used to facilitate learning.

Content

• Introduction to the subject, the value chain concept
• Operations strategy
• Design of products processes
• Simulation workshop — value chain design in action
• Quality planning and quality management
• Operations planning and control including ERP, JIT and project management
• Operations improvement
• Value chain management
• Performance measurement
• Introduction to service operations
• The operations challenge.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Process Analysis (Individual)

Assessment item 2: Assignment (Group)

Assessment item 3: Examination (Individual)

Required text(s)

Slack, N, Chambers, S and Johnson, R, 2007, Operations Management, 5th edn, Prentice Hall

Faculty of Business, 2006, Guide to Assignment Writing, University of Technology, Sydney (available from the Co-op Bookshop) or at: www.business.uts.edu.au/resources/guide.pdf

Indicative references

Evans, R and Lindsay, WM, 2008, The Management and Control of Quality, 7th edn, Thomson, South-Western

Fitzsimmons, JA and Fitzsimmons, MJ, 2008, Service Management: Operations, Strategy and Information Technology, 6th edn, McGraw-Hill

Hill, T, 2005, Operations Management, 2nd edn, Palgrave Macmillan

Journals (a selection only — most can be accessed electronically through the UTS journal databases)

Specialised journals in the area of operations include:

• International Journal of Operations and Production Management
• International Journal of Quality and Reliability Management
• International Journal of Production Research
• Management Science
• Decision Sciences
• Management Decision
• International Journal of Service Industry Management
• Total Quality Management
• Managing Service Quality

General management journals which occasionally have articles on operations include:

• Academy of Management Review/Executive/Journal
• Harvard Business Review
• Interfaces
• California Management Review