Business Studies

• Operations topic focuses on strategies for effective operations management in large businesses
• Students learn to examine contemporary business issues to:

  • Discuss the balance between cost and quality in operations strategy
  • Examine the impact of globalisation on operations strategy
  • Identify government policies affecting operations management
  • Explain why corporate social responsibility is crucial in operations management
• Students learn about the role of operations management:

  • Strategic role including cost leadership and good/service differentiation
  • Interdependence with other key business functions
• Influences on operations management include:

  • Globalisation, technology, quality expectations, cost-based competition, government policies, legal regulation, environmental sustainability
  • Corporate social responsibility and ethical responsibilities
• Operations processes involve:

  • Inputs: transformed resources (materials, information, customers) and transforming resources (human resources, facilities)
  • Transformation processes influenced by volume, variety, demand variation, and visibility
  • Outputs: customer service and warranties
• Operations strategies encompass:

  • Performance objectives: quality, speed, dependability, flexibility, customisation, cost
  • Technology, supply chain management, outsourcing, inventory management, quality management
  • Overcoming resistance to change, global factors
• Operations strategies include:

  • Performance objectives: quality, speed, dependability, flexibility, customisation, cost
  • Technology, supply chain management, outsourcing, inventory management, quality management
  • Overcoming resistance to change, global factors, and new product or service design and development