Prescribed Textbook

Required Textbook

Slack, N. and Brandon-Jones, A. (2019). Operations Management, 9th edition. Pearson Education UK. ISBN: 9781292253961

Where to Purchase Textbook?

Pearson Education Australia – Online store: This textbook is also available for order via the publisher’s online store. For information on textbook prices and online ordering, please refer to the Pearson Education Australia online store at https://www.pearson.com.au/9781292253961.

eBook disclaimer for open book exams: As notebook computers, iPads, tablets, PDAs and similar are not allowed in the exam room, the eBook version available for this textbook which would require a student to bring in a notebook computer, iPad, tablet, PDA or a similar device in order to view it, will not be allowed in the exam room. Students are advised to only get the hard copy version of the required text.

Unit Web Page

The web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au

Technology Used and Required

Students are required to have access to a personal computer and familiarise themselves with iLearn (https://ilearn.mq.edu.au).

iLearn will be used to post lecture slides, assessment details, student grades and as a means of communication between staff members and students.

Delivery Format and Other Details

• Number and length of classes: Five eight-hour seminar classes held over two weekend blocks unless indicated otherwise in the lecture schedule. Classes may vary due to public holiday(s)
• The timetable for classes can be found on the University web site at:  http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au/

Recommended Readings

Recommended Readings are provided via the links on the iLearn unit page.

Highly Recommended Journals

• Harvard business review (HBR)
• Journal of operations management (JOM)
• Production and operations management (POM)
• Journal of Supply Chain Management (JSCM)
• Manufacturing & Service Operations Management (M&SOM)
• International journal of operations and production management (IJOPM)
• McKinsey quarterly

Other Related Journals

• Academy of management review
• California management review
• Decision sciences
• International journal of technology management
• International journal of service industry management

Study Requirements

It will be assumed that the assigned reading for each session has been done prior to class. Class time will be spent ensuring that you have understood this material and exploring new developments and extensions to the basic concepts.

Class case discussions and project preparations will be used as methods for active participatory learning. The grade you obtain for them together with the participation grade will measure the effectiveness of the learning process. The primary output measures are written assignments, case study discussions and the final examination. Your understanding of the basic principles on which the unit is based will be measured by the final exam and your ability to apply them measured by the project, assignment and cases.

The mode of assessment will test your skills through a number of ways during this unit: situation investigation and analysis, report writing, verbal and written presentations, the ability to work effectively in teams, participation in class discussions, and examination.

If you are unable to attend a class session or have to arrive late or leave early, please let me know before the session concerned as this will have an obvious impact on the planned syndicate work. If this situation occurs, you should also arrange with a fellow class member to collect any handouts and other information for you.

Formal assessment for this unit is designed to recognise both individual and team effort. This is consciously done to reflect the business environment where effective teamwork is essential to the achievement of individual success. Please note that class “contribution” and not simply “participation” will be graded; there is a subtle but important difference between the two. After each session, notes will be made of those who made important contributions to the session, as well as other individuals who participated. All of you have significant work experience to contribute to the class: you are strongly encouraged to use that in order to make the class a more productive learning experience for us all!

Session

Topic

(The proposed program might be subject to some minor changes as the term progresses (TBA)).

1

Introduction to Operations Management

2

Operations Strategy

3

Management of Design 1: Processes; Process and Information Flows

4

Management of Design 2: Product and Service Innovation; Managing Projects

5

Supply Chain Management 1

6

Supply Chain Management 2

7

Planning and Control; Capacity Management; Inventory Management; ERP; Managing Risk and Recovery in Supply Chains

8

JIT and Lean Operations

9

Issues in Quality Management

10

Challenges of Operations Management; Revision and Review