Operations Management Course Research Articles

Managing inventory at GoUNESCO

Learning outcomes This case calls out the following inventory management learning objectives in a project context: to understand the project categories of inventories and their drivers for planning purposes, to learn how to manage different categories of inventory and to learn the importance of effective allocation of inventory at different project locations. Case overview/synopsis GoUNESCO is a start-up formed with the objective of providing a platform for laypersons to engage with places of heritage value. Among others, one of the key components of this platform is “go heritage runs,” in short GHR. In the past three years, the popularity of runs organized under the brand GHR has been increasing, both in terms of locations and the number of participants in each location in successive years. Inventory planning and management for projects is tricky. Different categories of inventory have different implications of shortages or excesses. The case dwells into inventory planning and management of t-shirts and medals, to drive home this point. Complexity academic level The case can be positioned in service operations management or supply chain management courses while covering inventory management topics for both Master of Business Administration (MBA) and executive MBA students. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 11: Strategy.

Chronic Pancreatitis Presented with Spontaneous Bile Duct Rupture in a Child—a Case Report

Acute abdomen due to biliary peritonitis is mainly seen post laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Most common cause of primary biliary peritonitis is gall bladder perforation. Spontaneous bile duct perforation is a rare disorder, mostly seen in pediatric age group. Congenital anomalies, choledocholithiasis, and acute/chronic pancreatitis are some of the causes of spontaneous bile duct perforation. Early diagnosis and appropriate management is necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 9-year-old girl, with no past medical history, who presented with acute abdomen at a nearby hospital. She was referred to us after exploratory laparotomy, lavage, and drainage done outside. At our center, patient was evaluated clinically; operative findings from previous surgery were noted. After resuscitation, computed tomography of abdomen was done. Exploratory laparotomy was performed. Operative findings, management, and postoperative course are discussed.

Incorporating the academic performance of undergraduate students into the teaching material of an operations management course

In this research, we open an operations management window over the 16-year performance data of a state-funded teaching-focused business-school (SFTFBS) on graduation rates and time-to-degrees. We implement operations management concepts and tools such as systems thinking, operations strategy, process flow analysis, predictive analytics, inventory management, and descriptive statistics to analyse the time-to-degree problem to find potential improving solutions. Through this process, we have learned that the students' interest and classroom interactions are increased when the teaching material is closer to the real-life of the students. Accordingly, the results of this study are brought into the classroom. They are embedded in the teaching material as real-life problems and assignments to teach and learn operations management. We have observed that this approach has a positive impact on the mental presence and intellectual engagement of students inside the classrooms.

World of EdCraft: Challenges and Opportunities in Synchronous Online Teaching

Online teaching at higher educational institutions has become a much higher priority in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, but most faculty and staff at these institutions are ill-prepared to adapt their teaching methods and content to this new medium. In this article, we describe our approach to dealing with the challenges and opportunities of synchronous online teaching by borrowing ideas and tools from the gaming community. The gamification of education is a well-known concept, but we found few applications in higher-education settings to rely on when we were forced to move online in March 2020. We hope to remedy this gap by providing colleagues with a step-by-step guide to setting up their own home studios, including a complete listing of the software and hardware that we use and how we use them in three distinct online teaching applications: a large (90-student) graduate healthcare finance course at MIT, an even larger (200-student) undergraduate statistics course at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and a medium-sized (50-student) graduate operations management course at MIT.

Incorporating the academic performance of undergraduate students into the teaching material of an operations management course

Incorporating the academic performance of undergraduate students into the teaching material of an operations management course

Using Concept Maps in Teaching Operations Management Courses

ABSTRACTTeaching quantitative subjects such as operations management (OM) can be quite challenging. In this article, we present a novel approach that uses simplified concept maps for teaching OM. This application of concept maps was investigated to determine if it helps students to answer questions and to solve OM problems more effectively. Our study used a controlled experimental design with students divided into two groups, one taught using concept maps and another group taught using traditional techniques. Student learning was measured with pre‐ and posttests consisting of both multiple‐choice and constructed‐response items. The performance of the two groups was compared using an independent samples t‐test and analysis of covariance to control for the covariate “pretest.” The results indicate that use of simplified concept mapping significantly improved student learning of OM course material. We therefore recommend its adoption as an active‐learning pedagogical technique that can lead to positive change in the OM classroom.

Specific factors influencing operations management courses taught in English in Spanish business degrees

Purpose: The objective of the present study is to analyze the effects of the transition to English Medium Instruction on lecturers in Spanish universities in one specific area, namely Operations Management courses taught in Business degrees.Design/methodology/approach: we present an overview of research so far into the effects of English Medium Instruction (EMI) on teaching and learning Operations Management in Business degrees of Spanish universities. Empirically, a survey was administered to 20 EMI lecturers in the area of Operations Management, and s the results in the light of both the bibliography on EMI and the empirical results were discussed. Using online questionnaires, information was obtained from a sample of EMI lecturers in thirteen Spanish Universities.Findings: Most professors report that they initially reacted negatively to the idea of having to teach in English, but now realize that most of their fears were ungrounded. They emphasize that it is very important to invest time in training seminars and the exchange of experiences. Other relevant findings are the perceived lack of incentives to teach in English, the need to use tools and techniques to improve the interaction with students, and the considerable amount of time needed for class preparation.Originality/value: The results of this small-scale study of EMI in OM are consistent with previous research in the area of EMI in other fields, but also provide some ideas that may pave the way for further research and development.

Carbon Roots International (CRI)

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: successful students will demonstrate an understanding of challenges in producing and delivering a product in emerging economies; they will be able to analyze the tradeoffs in operational decisions of a social enterprise; and students will apply supply chain principles to solve social and environmental challenges. Case overview/synopsis Carbon Roots International is a social enterprise in Haiti producing and selling charcoal from sugar cane waste. Their operational challenge is designing a supply chain, which enables them to accomplish their social goals while building a profitable enterprise. Complexity academic level This case can be used in graduate operations management and supply chain management courses. The company in the case is a social enterprise. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 9: Operations and Logistics

Case Article—The Fendt VarioTakt: Revolutionizing Mixed-Model Assembly Line Production

This case study is designed for undergraduate and graduate (EMBA, MBA, or MSc) students in operations management and e-commerce courses that focus on customer-centric manufacturing approaches. Motivated by the real-world application at Fendt, an innovation leader in the global market for agricultural machinery, students learn about a novel assembly line balancing and sequencing approach for mixed-model assembly with a special twist of an unusually high and varying degree of customization for each product. By developing and implementing the “VarioTakt,” Fendt is able to eradicate most labor inefficiencies (namely, idle time and utility work) and to curtail capital investments while raising its responsiveness to customer demand and plant productivity to a level that today serves as a global benchmark within its own industry and across industries such as automotive, machine tools, and electronics.

Course Design Process to Create a Coordinated, Experiential, Integrated Core Operations Management Course for Business Majors

ABSTRACTWe describe our process for transforming a traditional, core operations management/supply chain management (OM/SCM) course into an experiential, integrated, and coordinated course. We developed a vison to create a course that all business majors would find engaging and relevant and that faculty would teach consistently and at the same level of rigor. A primary result was three new learning outcomes that focused on concept integration across operations, the supply chain, and the business. We specifically focused on decision trade‐offs and the effects of OM/SCM decisions on other parts of operations, the supply chain, and the business. The redesigned course has been implemented for three semesters. Our experiences offer new insights for redesigning and coordinating an OM/SCM core course and a process that can be implemented in other redesign efforts.

Teaching Operations Management With Virtual Reality: Bringing the Factory to the Students

Recent developments in virtual reality (VR) technologies offer new opportunities for teaching management courses. The objective of this article is to present one way to use VR to teach operations management. In partnership with a global manufacturer, we integrate virtual environments of the manufacturers’ real factories in a course assignment. The assignment was used in two graduate operations management courses. Theoretically, we draw on the concept of immersion. To evaluate the effects of VR on students’ learning experiences, we use focus groups and a survey. We find that VR can be implemented cost-efficiently in operations management courses and present one way to do it. Considering effectiveness, we find that students generally perceive that VR improves their learning experience. The presented VR assignment provides students a guided discovery learning, which is active. However, we also find several limitations with the current technology, which can be overcome in future implementations. Teachers can use the idea and findings presented here to innovate their own teaching by the means of readily available and low-cost VR technologies.

Launching the Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM), Course in Trinidad and Tobago

Background: The Advanced Trauma Operative Management (ATOM) course which is aimed at improving penetrating trauma management skills is very challenging to conduct. We assessed the feasibility and potential impact of ATOM training in Trinidad and Tobago through the University of Toronto Global surgery initiative and its potential for improving penetrating trauma care in this developing country. Methods: Senior General Surgical trainees were randomly assigned to participate. Other participants consisted of: an experienced international ATOM course Director, one experienced ATOM instructor, an ATOM instructor candidate, an experienced ATOM veterinary medicine technologist, 2 veterinary medicine trainees, 8 senior general surgical trainees who completed the course using the 2 student to one faculty training model. Pre and post course self efficacy scores (a measure of confidence in surgical approach) and scores on multiple choice question exams (MCQ) were compared by paired t tests. The trainees completed 5-point Likert scales to assess different components of the course. Results: The course was successfully completed locally. Mean and SD self efficacy scores improved from 55.4 ± 18.5 to 80.5 ± 9.1 and MCQ improved from 63.0 ± 8.8 to 82.5 ± 9.6 (p Conclusions: Based on trainee course performance and their evaluations, there was significant improvement in trauma skills, knowledge and attitude with enthusiastic support for continuing the program, to improve penetrating trauma care locally and extending this training to other parts of the Caribbean.

Empowering Farmers of Madhya Pradesh: An Initiative of Madhya Bharat Consortium of Farmers Producer Company Limited

Madhya Bharat Consortium of Farmers Producer Company Limited is a federation of producer companies that aims to empower the farmers to overcome various challenges from farm to market. It has made multiple interventions that have benefitted the farmers. The company plans to expand its outreach to one million farmers but is facing a few dilemmas related to its operations. It has incurred significant losses in its vegetable business and has to decide whether to continue it or not. The company markets quality seeds but due to emerging competitive scenario needs to relook at its value chain. The main bottleneck in its supply chain is lack of infrastructure. It has to decide whether to outsource or build its own facilities. The present case is aimed for discussion in the operations management or supply chain management courses. The learning objective of this case is to understand the value chain of agricultural products operationalized through farmer producer companies which are a new form of business organization in India. It further highlights the challenges faced by the farmers and validates the fact that the change in the value chain of agricultural products empowers the farmers.

A SYSTEMS APPROACH TO OPERATIONAL AND BUSINESS DECISION-MAKING

The “PQ” problem was published in 1990 by Goldratt. An adapted version of this problem is provided to master’s level students a few weeks before starting an operations management course. The performance statistics collected from three South African (since 2016) and one European business school (from 2018 onwards) do not make for good reading. To date, only 2.3 per cent of the students (42 students from the sample of 1 866 students) were able to answer both questions correctly; and some of them were not able to justify their correct decisions. This paper will explore the differences between traditional, cost-based methods of decision-making for day-to-day operational and improvement decisions as practised by many companies today — and hence the bad performance by the students — and taking a systems approach to decision-making. The paper will argue for taking the systems approach as a real alternative, without which alternative realities will remain but a dream.

A Learning Curve‐Based Assembly Game

ABSTRACTThis article describes a game used in an MBA‐level operations management course to help students understand the concept of the learning curve. Student teams participate in an interactive, hands‐on Lego assembly exercise, measuring their times through repeated trials after which they calculate their team's learning curve rate. The exercise is oriented to illustrate the mechanisms by which learning occurs both individually and organizationally. After students complete their work in groups, the data is aggregated across the class and analyzed to further illustrate key principles of the learning curve. A modified version of the game based on cup‐stacking has been developed for online students.

Sustainability issues in freshfruggies: hyperlocal fruits and vegetables delivery model

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: identify the challenges and opportunities in an ecommerce start-up B; understand the issues of operational sustainability of ecommerce start-up; evaluate the sustainability of hyperlocal models to ecommerce start up; and implement innovative solutions to address the issues of e-business models. Case overview/synopsis It was the cold winter evening of December 2016 when Puja, a cofounder of freshfruggies, an e-commerce start-up company, made up her mind after meeting her cofounders of reviving the Venture “freshfruggies” as a Hyperlocal Fruits and Vegetables Delivery Company in a non-metro town of Jalandhar in Punjab province of India. She contemplated the poor performance of the company in the past which prepared her for the better planning and execution of operational sustainability of freshfruggies. Puja took the critical decision of revival as she planned to develop the right business strategy for ensuring continuity. freshfruggies had been experiencing constant losses since its inception, and the issues of its sustainability needed attention. It was a dream project for all the co-founders who started with the vision to make freshfruggies a popular ecommerce model of hyperlocal fruits and vegetables delivery in the happening city of Jalandhar. However, lack of trained manpower, weak digital marketing strategy and lack of operating efficiency emerged as major issues of operational sustainability in freshfruggies. The co-founders outlined the possible options to revive freshfruggies after deliberating upon the challenges faced. The choices were limited and time was running out along with finances. The options included either changing the business model to a hybrid retail model or to continue as an ecommerce company after sorting out demand and supply issues. There was an urgent need to take a decision in this regard. Complexity academic level This case focuses on undergraduate and graduate courses in entrepreneurship and operations management courses. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

Framework contracts for medicine inventory management in public healthcare

Learning outcomes This paper aims to highlight the implications of financial planning for public procurement process for medicine purchase. The purpose of this case is also to understand how the choice of contract type in public procurement impacts medicine inventory levels and availability. It finally highlights the appropriate configuration of framework procurement contract for procurement of discrete goods in the context of public sector procurement. Case overview/synopsis Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department (P&SHD), Government of the Punjab provides free public health-care services in the Punjab province. Public health-care services of P&SHD are organised in a tiered manner with almost 3,000 primary and secondary medical facilities dispersed throughout the Punjab province. P&SHD maintains inventories of approximately 300 medicines to support medical service provision. Complexity academic level This case can be taught in procurement and inventory management module of MBA level operations management course. It can also be used in executive course on public sector procurement management. The case aims to highlight the interrelation between inventory planning and procurement management process. Hence, it should be used after participants have understood inventory models, procurement process and procurement contract types. Standard readings or cases on inventory and procurement management that cover topics such economic order quantity, procurement process steps and procurement contracts can be used to develop this understanding. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS 9: Operations and logistics.

Exploring MBA student perceptions of their preparation and readiness for the profession after completing real-world industry projects

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a capstone project implemented in an MBA level Operations Management course being offered at an AACSB accredited College of Business in the Pacific Northwest. The capstone project was designed with two constructs that influence professional preparation: authentic learning and student choice. We surveyed 20 graduate business students to evaluate how the proposed artifact, The Process Improvement Capstone Project, supports student learning. Using a survey with six open-ended questions, students were asked to reflect on the project, their experience working with a real-world client, and their preparedness for the workforce. The authors mined the text of the survey responses and developed a co-occurrence network to identify potential relationships between terms that students used and the major constructs of the instructional design. The paper discusses implications for this correspondence in designing authentic projects that integrate industry partners in MBA classes.

The effects of class size and instructional technology on student learning performance

Class size increase and instructional technology implementation are two conspicuous changes in higher education in recent years. By analyzing unique datasets from the author's own teaching experience in a large urban university from 2012 to 2016, this paper examines the effects of class size and instructional technology on student learning performance in an operations management course. The analytical results show no statistically significant gap in learning performance between mega and regular sections, for both quantitative and qualitative course materials. On the other hand, implementation of instructional technology, such as clicker devices, improves average learning performance across the observation periods, but not all the results are statistically significant.

Precision Auto Clone: an integrated quantitative operations management case

The case study presented in this article is designed for operations management courses. It integrates seven quantitative applications of forecasting, service staffing, production planning, material requirements planning, inventory lot sizing, single period inventory with uncertain demand and project management all into one comprehensive case. The case has been used in small and large class settings and refined over several semesters. Student feedback has been extremely positive as they found the case realistic and comprehensive but not overwhelming since it is completed piece-meal throughout the semester. The case is accompanied by an Excel application file containing apps for solving the queuing problem as well as the production planning, inventory lot sizing and single period inventory problems.